#Earliest snowfall

[jandeproductions]

First Vermont snows for the 2023-2024 winter season

Today we got our first taste of the coming winter in the Northern Green Mountains. While Mt. Washington in New Hampshire has had a number of rounds of snow thus far in the autumn, and there were some reports of possible frozen precipitation in far northern Vermont a week or two ago, today saw the first notable accumulating snow on Mt. Mansfield. As of midafternoon today, Powderfreak reported that…

[ahaura]

it's snowing 🥰

[motthe]

may we please have first snowfall with rival viktor x female reader🙇‍♀️

my mutual!!! love of my life i hope you enjoy it!!!

warnings: sad/moody reader, she wears glasses, modern au, some yelling

The beginning of winter had left the majority of Viktor’s classmates irritable seeing as it was the earliest slot. It didn’t help that he was the professor’s assistant in his last one of the day as well.

He preferred the earlier class. They were shorter with their tempers, yes, but at least he didn’t have to deal with you.

He hated to admit the two of you mirrored one another. Where he was forced to keep an eye on the students, grade, and tutor when needed, you did the same as Professor Singed’s assistant in his biology classes.

At some point it had become a tug of war of sorts—you pestering him about his homework to him marking up your paper on physics. Neither of you could stand the other when it came to being corrected.

It seemed the frosted windshields and clouded breaths had begun to wear you down this week. You snapped as easy as ever, but where Viktor was used to your prompt answers and back talk, silence had become your newest weapon.

The switch up was quite honestly driving him insane. You’d merely scowled at him when he passed out the exam today instead of one of your usual snarky greetings. And where you were the first one done with tests, you were now the last one working.

Perhaps it was the last day before the holiday break, but you were less put together as usual. The skirts and vests you’d worn even with the freezing weather had changed to oversized sweaters and pants. You wore glasses—something he’d never seen throughout the semester. They were…well-suited to your features.

The class ended at eight. It was five minutes to when you stood from your chair, careful in taking the steps as you turned in the packet with nary a word. Professor Heimerdinger had left halfway through the test to deal with a private affair, leaving Viktor to put away the exams to grade later on.

“Cutting it close, are we?” he murmured, shuffling the papers together as you turned in the pencil to the box the professor left out for anyone who was in need of one.

That was another odd thing to jot down—you never forgot your school supplies and yet you’d rushed through the door just before class began.

“Yeah,” you scoffed, turning to leave with one strap of your bag over your shoulder. It was halfway open.

“Your bag—” he began.

The next thing he knew your hand was slamming on the desk in front him, eyes seething behind their framed lenses as you stared him down.

“I’m not in the fucking mood, Viktor. Can’t you take a hint?”

He waited, swallowing the anger building in the back of his throat. Taking a slow, deep breath, he leveled you with a calm look.

“Your bag,” he repeated, letting the words sink in, “it’s open.”

The dent between your brows morphed from anger to confusion before you pulled your bag around to check. You zipped it up with a sigh.

“Jesus…” You shook your head, running a hand over your face as you turned away. “I’m sorry—you didn’t deserve that.”

He blinked. Truly, he understood why you would apologize, but he never once would have believed you of all people would ever do so to him.

You sniffed, the sound echoing in the empty room. His hand flinched over the packets as you made for the door.

“Have a good holiday break, Viktor. Sorry again.”

As the door slammed shut, he felt frozen in place. Was he…was he actually worried about you, right now? The bane of his existence since the start of this semester?

He rolled his eyes, gathering his things and locking up. Truly, he needed a break.

Stepping out of the building entrance, Viktor paused under the awning to wrap his scarf a bit tighter when he noticed a figure leaning against a pillar further ahead.

He waited for the fog of his breath to dissipate before he approached—a strange tension in his chest. There was no doubt you recognized the sound of his cane, but you didn’t pay him a glance as he stepped up next to you.

A quiet moment went by, a few cars driving down the road a few feet away.

“It’s snowing,” you said.

He just noticed the flecks of white barely clinging to the ground as they hit. There was no doubt they would begin to pile soon.

“I know we aren’t on the friendliest of terms,” he started, playing with the grip on his cane, “but if there is anything bothering you—”

“It doesn’t snow where I’m from,” you continued, slow. There were tear streaks on your cheek. “It can get pretty cold, but it never sticks.”

He chewed at the inside of his lip, taking in the scene again. The warmth of the road lamps, the quiet hum of a AC unit nearby, it made for a strangely peaceful moment.

“It can get heavy here,” he replied, eyeing your hoodie and jeans. “Definitely weather you must bundle up for.”

“Right.” Despite being next to him, the word sounded so distant.

Another car went by. A few more clouds of breath twirling to wisps.

“We’re not friends,” you stated, shifting the strap on your shoulder, “but I don’t hate you, you know?”

“Mm,” he hummed, sounding more than doubtful.

“I don’t,” you laughed—the first time he’d seen you grin, truly. Not some confident smirk or buttery smile for the professor, but just a simple light in your face he’d never seen before. “You’re a bit of a know-it-all—“

“Me?” he grumbled.

“—but you’re passionate. You’re not trying to outdo people, just prove yourself.” You shrugged, holding a hand out to catch snowflakes. “I get it.”

Viktor wouldn’t allow himself to grow tangled in the emotions bubbling up. He took a step out into the glittering snowfall.

“I meant what I said,” he spoke over his shoulder. “Friends or not, I will listen. Bright minds must stick together, no?”

You huffed, pulling your hood up and over your head. “Sure. Maybe another time, Viktor.”

You waved, heading in the opposite direction. He watched, drawing his scarf up over his mouth as he sighed into the cold night air.

The next night, your computer dinged with a new email. Your exam.

Curling your hand into a fist, you nibbled on your lip as you opened the email to check your grade. 93/100, not your greatest moment but you couldn’t complain. Not after the week you’d struggled through.

Preparing yourself for the amount of corrections you knew Viktor for, you were surprised to scroll through and find the barest hints of red pen. Instead, there on the last page, lied a little note.

Good work. Get some rest over the holiday break.

-Viktor

[silliest-donkey]

Even in the earliest hours of the morning, Jackson had a lively neighborhood. The faint sounds of children laughing and facilities opening was paired with the soothing scents of breakfast and wet wood.

The crispy snow crunched softly under the firm pressure of Dina's boots. On her way to the stables, the air was nippy, as twirly snowflakes silently fell all over her hair and clothing, adding new layers to the already frozen ground.

Maria had assigned her a new patrol partner. Of course, to top it all, Dina had no idea what the person looked like. The only information she got was that she would be patrolling with the scariest girl of whole Jackson - if she listened to the rumors. Which was not in her habits. So, she basically knew... nothing at all.

When she entered the stables, you were already there, fully set and ready next to your horse. You were not paired with anyone, and judging by the looks people were giving you, the brunette assumed you were her newly assigned partner.

Oh boy oh boy. C'mon, D. Don't panic. You got this.

"Hey, I'm Dina, but you can call me D. I don't believe we've met before." she stated with a friendly look, holding out her hand, waiting for you to reciprocate the handshake.

As soon as you locked eyes with Dina, the warm hues of her brown pupils pulled you in. Looking at her for the first time felt like drowning into endless pools of honey.

"Maria set me up as your new patrol partner." You softly stated, wrapping your pinky finger onto hers in some sort of a clumsy handshake. You were taken aback by her striking charms.

Dina smirked at your unusual gesture, gently shaking your pinky with her own.

"You must be the sniper I've heard so many people talk about, huh?"

"Positive." You replied, before gently pulling away.

Dina gave you a firm, confident nod. You did not look so bad after all. She held back a snort, suddenly feeling ridiculous for fearing your encounter. She let her gaze linger on your hands - which were barely sticking out of your coat, like a child's. The end of your fingers had turned pink because of the cold weather. You were fidgeting with the reins of your horse, shyly shifting on your feet. You two had just met, but your new colleague was already thinking you were adorable.

Dina cleared her throat before she spoke again, trying to steer the conversation away from her insistent staring.

"Damn, the way people talk about you, I thought I'd meet someone a lot more menacing. They call you the 'Poker-Faced Sniper' around here, after all."

"Huh?"

You stared at her mischevious smile in disbelief. The rumors about you seemed to have taken an uncontrollable toll over your image. Dina's eyes watched you expectantly, waiting for some badass comeback or flexing monologue. Surprisingly, you just stood there like some cartoon character waiting to get a cream pie thrown at their face.

The brunette's playful giggle broke the awkward silence. She moved over next to you, folding her arms.

"They always say one thing about you... She's very beautiful as well." she stated, the softness of her lips crimping into her signature lopsided sneer.

You turned to face her, nonchalantly leaning on your side against the stable's wall.

"Do you find me beautiful?"

Dina's long eyelashes fluttered. For a few seconds, her smirk faltered. There was something with the way you talked that made her feel weak in the knees. Or maybe it was something about how your hair framed your face perfectly when you flipped around to look at her. Or your unwavering gaze. Or...

Fucking hell. What am I doing?

"I find you as beautiful as a wet mop on a Monday morning."

Sweet.

The horses treaded carefully through the deep snow, their powerful steps breaking the stillness of the wintery forest. Snow-dusted pine trees reached their slender arms toward the sky, their branches weighed down by the heavy snowfall. With each exhale, the horses' breath formed plumes of misty vapor, visible against the backdrop of a crystalline blue sky.

You two had cleared the first half of the patrol in complete silence. Ah, wait, you two? Not exactly, no. You had dispatched most of the infected by yourself in a record time. The more it went on, the more Dina had trouble keeping up. You were simply infuriating. Infuriatingly skilled, infuriatingly fast, infuriatingly quiet, infuriatingly efficient...

Infuriatingly pretty.

Dina let out an exasperated sigh as she hurried her horse towards yours. Why was she still thinking about this?

"So, how's the wet mop doing? Pretty good, huh?" you taunted, breaking the silence after two hours of tension.

Dina bit down on her lip, holding back a myriad of curse words. How were you so effortlessly attractive in every damn thing you did?

"...doing more 'pretty' than good" she let out bluntly.

You grinned maliciously at her visibly flustered expression, slowing down your horse so it could ride alongside hers.

"Ha! Are you finally admitting to my irresistible beauty, or are you afraid my stealth game's unmatched?"

"Honey, your beauty was never the question. But if you think your stealth game is so unmatched, why don't you hide your insecurities as well? I can still see them as clear as day."

You never thought you'd hear such harsh words coming from her mouth. You tilted your head to the side. Something was wrong. Neither the lustful look in her eyes or her almost loving tone matched the mean speech she had delivered to your face. But you decided to play along.

"Excuse me?!" you dramatically scoffed, leaning in from your horse, invading her personal space.

Dina let out a low chuckle. She suddenly turned her head to face yours, a wavy strand of her dark, flowy hair dangling over your lips. "Excuse me." she talked back in a sultry voice.

Before you could ask what the hell was she suddenly apologizing for, you felt her hand slowly creep over your thigh as your horses walked next to eachother. She palmed the inner corner of your leg which was shaking back and forth on the side of your saddle, her cold fingers getting dangerously close to your crotch.

"What the fuck?" you managed to mutter, completely taken aback by the wild switch-up in her behavior. One second she was roasting your whole family tree, the next she was hitting on you.

You felt your breath hitch as she leaned in closer, her cupid's bow teasing the lobe of your ear.

"People in town say a lot about you. They say...you reject all the boys. Is that true?"

The familiar, blood curling sound of infected screeches came from the building across the path, breaking the moment. Dina instantly fixed her posture on her saddle, taking out her gun in a swift move.

"Let's get this over with."

Your feisty patrol partner galloped away, her bun untying in the process. As she passed right beside you, your nostrils caught a warm vanilla flavor, before a brutal ponytail slap on the face pulled you out of your daydreaming. You cursed under your breath. This woman was really going to be the death of you.

"Four runners - on your left!"

"On it, D."

Dina had gotten used to your pace after taking a closer look to your moving patterns and strategies. Now she felt more at ease. When you were actually in sync, you two made a pretty great team, to say the least. After she was done covering her part, she moved back to your side.

Dina watched in awe as you deftly wielded your blade, each movement precise and deadly. The steel glinted in the dim light, reflecting the sharpness and focus of its handler at each firm stab.

Suddenly, a creaking sound alerted her ears. It didn't take her much time to realize the tiles under your feet would be soon collapsing. Dina shoved you away only a few seconds before a good half of the floor tumbled down over itself. She reached out to pull you close in a tight, reassuring embrace, enveloping you in a securing veil of softness. Her fingers gripped onto you, firm yet gentle, as she held you close, your hearts racing in unison.

You both let out a deep exhale you didn't know you were holding. Maybe it was the stress of the busy patrol you two had just completed, or the fact that this building was unsafe even after clearing it out because it was crumbling down in ruins and decay. Maybe it was simply the cold that made you two crave for the warmth of someone else's body.

But neither you, nor Dina, wanted to pull away from the unexpected embrace. Actually, maybe, just maybe, you two had grown to like each other.

The brunette felt your body turn around, your arms encircling her waist. She let you bury your head into her chest, and slowly stroked your hair with one hand.

"There there. You're fine. I'm here. It's over, you're safe."

Her other hand drew slow, soothing circles around your back. As she tightened her grip around you, her signature vanilla-like scent enveloped you like a comforting blanket. The soft curves of her frame clicked perfectly into yours, as if your bodies were designed to fit against one another.

You couldn't remember how long it was since you had received a compassionate hug like this. Or just a simple hug in general. It had also been a long time since someone had actually, genuinely cared about you the way Dina did just now. No, wait, actually, it never even happened in your life before. No one had done it like her. No one could do it the way she does.

You have been stuck in some kind of uneasy mood these days. You were the "if anyone gives me a hug right now I'm probably gonna cry" type.

You let a few tears run down your face, praying they would go unnoticed.

"Dina..."

Your shaky voice caught her attention immediately.

"Yeah?" she replied with a gentle tone, looking at your face which was buried into her coat with caring eyes.

"...nothing. I just wanted to say your name. It's...comforting. I like it. I like you." you mumbled, your voice vibrating against her chest.

Such genuine, sweet words made Dina's heart flutter.

"Anyway, pretty sure we're done." you muttered, gently pulling away to walk towards the exit of the building.

Your patrol partner followed you. She noticed smudged tear stains over the fabric of her coat. She chose not to comment on it - but she needed to do something about it. She needed to find something, anything that could make you smile. No matter how stupid she was going to look, she needed to do it for you.

Just when you were about to mount your horse, she held you back.

"Not so fast."

You turned around to face her shy lopsided smile. She gently tugged on your sleeve.

"There's something I want to show you before we leave..."

"So that's it, huh? Just...silly little flowers?"

Dina playfully shoved your arm. "Ah, c'mon! Quit being so grumpy and admit it's cute. You don't usually see flowers in winter, especially not blooming out of snow, do you?"

You burst out laughing while your patrol partner was eyeing you up with a sheepish expression.

"These are called...snow drops. They usually bloom when spring is coming. And what makes them so special is that nothing can stop them from coming out of the ground, even if it means poking out of layers of snow."

You nodded in stunned silence, impressed by Dina's knowledge. Deep down, you knew you admired her for more than just that, still, you thought she probably didn't want compliments from a 'wet mop'. Before you could open your mouth to call her a nerd, she stopped in her tracks right in front of you, turning around. Her hair had completely come undone by now, cascading down her shoulders, perfectly complimenting her face which was tinted by a natural blush from the blizzard. When her eyes met yours, they lit up instantly, their familiar brown tint almost turning to gold.

Your hands intertwined together. You felt Dina's shaky fingers give yours a gentle squeeze, before her voice resonated once more through the chilly air.

"You know... you're just like a snow drop to me. You're someone people look up to. You're someone we think about when we have better days in mind. And I'm not just talking about your contribution to Jackson's community, I- I'm not close to you, but the more I spend time with you, the more I realize just how special you are - how much you come out of the snow."

Your eyes widened.

No one had ever said such words to you. You simply stood there, trying to process how wholesome that just was.

Meanwhile, your patrol partner's gaze darted to the ground. She was visibly panicking - yes, she had planned this, but she had unintentionally poured her whole heart into it. She muttered in defeat.

"...sorry...that was stupid...I shouldn't have-"

"C'mere." you cut her off as you sat down on a massive log, patting the spot next to you.

The brunette did as she was asked. Her brown pupils dilated as they met yours, trapping you in a velvet-like embrace. You contemplated the best way to reply to her sudden compliment. There were so many things flashing through your mind, so many words you wanted to say to her. The two of you stared at each other in silence for a few moments, lost in infatuation.

"You still haven't replied to my question." Dina's eager voice broke the silence.

You raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I asked you... is it true that you reject all the boys who hit on you?" she carefully chose her words.

You tilted your head towards hers, leaning in closer. "Why would I accept any dude when girls like you, with the prettiest eyes, who care deeply for me, exist, and are able to magically solve my trust issues first patrol?"

You could see the face of your colleague progressively reach a redder tint, her lips parted in surprise at your praise. She let out an awkward chuckle, clearly taken aback. But you did not stop. You couldn't. You felt almost angry at her for not realizing.

"No man on this damn, doomed planet will ever be able to hug me like you did earlier or offer to me beautiful, heartfelt words like comparing my persona to snow drop flowers in such a poetic manner! No one could ever compete with you, and those eyes, and- and your overwhelming capacity of making people at ease, and-and-"

The brunette unexpectedly cut you off. It was obvious she was trying her best to keep a straight face, but her voice was edged with a hopeless bitterness.

"Come on, you really didn't know guys thought you were good-looking? You're pretty popular, you could have anyone you want. They talk about you like you're a greek goddess or something."

This was it. You let out a frustrated sigh, glaring at her as if she had started a fire. Well, considering the one that was progressively taking over your heart, she probably did.

"The only, greek goddess. I. want to hear about. Is. You."

Dina's smirk widened at your mad response. She loved the sight of anger and passion mixing up in your eyes.

She then looked at you for a moment before she spoke.

"Although, we could be goddesses together. We would make a pretty greek statue, all in white and drapes-"

"Ha! Me, a greek goddess? I'd rather have you consider me as the devil" You cut her off. You felt so done with her bullshitting, constant teasing, beating around a damn nonexistent bush you'd pull out of the ground in a second.

Dina giggled, visibly satisfied she had successfully made you as enraged as a pitbull. She spoke again, in a warmer, seductive tone.

"Oh come on, you can't be the devil. You're too... pretty for that."

Her hand sneaked her way on your thigh for the second time of the day. You weren't usually a religious person, but you felt like you were gonna need to start praying the gods to give you the strenght to hold back from kissing her until she choked on her own breath.

You gaze darkened.

"You never know."

"Maybe I want to know"

Five words. Five simple words - whispered, murmured, muttered, exhaled....no, pleaded from her inviting lips.

You were gonna ruin that pretty greek statue, right fucking now. The gods could go screw themselves.

Your mouths met forcefully, teeth clashing together in a fierce, almost ballistic collision. It was a rush for passion and desire, lips smashed together in a messy, frenzied exchange. Tongues all tangled and wrestling for dominance, each trying to claim the other through a heated, savage kiss. Possessive hands roaming restlessly, claiming, touching, pressing closer as the kiss grew more ferocious, the taste of each other like a flame that burned harder, and hotter, boiling at the spot any snowflake which dared to get closer.

You found yourselves surrounded by a swirling white veil that dampened the sounds of your surroundings. Your hungry breaths, hot against the cold air, puffed around your tangled bodies in misty clouds as your lips melted together. Oh, it was far from a gentle touch, nowhere near a mere brush of the lips like the softest snowfall. All of the built-up desire, pent up like a gathering storm, overwhelmed your senses.

The chilly ice no longer seemed to matter. You two were lost in each other, waves of heat pooling between your thighs building like the fervor of a blizzard raging through them. Dina's hands found their way to your waist, pulling you closer - if it was even possible anymore - lips and tongues sparring in a fiery exchange that set your blood ablaze against the frozen weather.

When you two pulled away, it felt like the whole world was spinning.

The sight of Dina resting her hands behind her back over the log you two were sitting on, dark, wavy strands of hair falling all over her face and shoulders, shaky exhales sending heated clouds through the winter air - it made you feel weak in the knees.

Speaking of knees, you found yourself dropping to them on the ground between her thighs. You felt the same sneaky hands which had teased you so much hours earlier press your shoulders down.

"My... little... snow drop."

Dina's voice had grown huskier because of the laboring breaths she was taking. You felt your whole body tense up at her tantalizing words. You were completely doomed - as if possessed by the relentless fire her bittersweet chuckles and smirks had ignited within you. A blunt sentence fell out of your mouth before you could even process it.

"Dina, I need you so bad, I really don't think I can wait for the ride back to Jackson-"

"Shh-shh." her hands went from your shoulders to your cheeks, caressing them almost like a pet's. You leaned into her touch, as you felt your head getting cloudier each second.

"It's all your fault for beating around the bush...you're driving me crazy..." you groaned against her thumbs which were softly tracing your lower lip.

"Hmm, I'm glad. Trust me, I definitely wasn't beating around the bush... I just wanted to hear you say it out loud."

You suddenly removed your coat, and put it over her lap. Before Dina could even register what was happening, her pants and underwear were slipped down to her boots. Shivers ran down her spine as the freezing air hit her bare skin under the fabric of the piece of clothing you were holding over her thighs.

"Whoa-"

"There are things I want to hear you say out loud too." you cut her off, talking in between subtle kisses you planted all over her ghoosebumps. "Very...specific sounds, in particular."

Dina whimpered shakily as your lips worshipped her thighs, planting a trail of heat over her cold skin. Her heart was racing from how forward you were being. She nodded, letting out a breathless and flustered response.

“Fine. Go ahead, sweetheart, you can try. Make me feel good.” she demanded, wrapping her legs around your head to pull you closer to her aching core.

Your own lips quivered in sync with hers - down there. You were quite literally french kissing her slippery folds right after french kissing her mouth, and you were far from complaining.

Dina quickly lost her breath at this maddening tongue action, letting out a strangled moan, her trembling fingers tangling into your hair. Her mind was going blank from the sensations.

"That's it...just like that...lap it all up, babe." the needy commands she whispered occasionally between her moans only fueled your thirst for her godly pussy.

Two of your fingers teased their way from her labia to her throbbing clit, as you kept licking and tasting and devouring, furiously eager. You could feel her vagina clenching all around your tongue, each desperate pulse marked by the most precious gasps you had ever heard.

You pulled away, admiring the sight of Dina slowly coming undone before your blessed eyes. The view you had on your patrol partner's figure, from under her, made her look like a goddess descending from the sweetest of heaven's gardens, sun rays reflecting a halo from the snowy landscape around her.

"Holy...Dina, you're so fucking perfect-"

Her thighs almost instantly squeezed your neck, forcefully shoving your face right back into her dripping cunt. The last thing you saw was her parting her lips, those very lips that could both degrade and praise you in such lengths you went crazy over them in the span of one single patrol.

Her commanding tone left no room for negotiation.

"Oh, honey. You're not stopping until I say so."

[masterlist]

[primatechnosynthpop]

I literally never shut up about the headlines that scroll past at the bottom during the news report scene in Ryan's Christmas Wish SO here's my official ranking of how much each headline makes me think about the implications

"Paul McCartney 'Simply having'...": all this indicates is the existence of Paul McCartney. Could've guessed that one on my own

"Unidentified flying sled reported by hundreds": I guess this means Santa is real in nkotr but big deal. Santa is real in most christmas media

"Kidnapping and attempted homicide blamed on Bigfoot": it doesn't say who was kidnapped, and the wording implies this claim may not be true, so it doesn't even confirm the existence of bigfoot in nkotr. It does make me think it would be fun to connect the nkotr universe to the skit "Bigfoot Begins" though

"Sleigh ride ends tragically in tar pit": does this mean there's a tar pit in Plymouth county? Maybe, but it could also be international news

"Presidential pajama party cancelled": if the president throwing this party was the same one from the money tree, this sheds some light on his fun side. Perhaps the party had to be canceled because there were bigger Responsibilities(tm) to attend to

"Meteorologists predicting enchanted snowfall later": literally did not think about this one at all until I was typing up this post but it does have some interesting implications if taken literally. If magic is an established thing that scientists acknowledge, that makes Neil's belief in ghosts gel more with being a man of science and also makes Kevin's skepticism sillier

"Local man saves christmas, scared stupid": the implied existence of Ernest in the nkotr verse is huge for me as a certified Ernest girlie. And he's a local, too! However, I feel like not everyone cares about this as much as I do, so I'm putting it lower than I'm inclined to

"'Misery Mountain' declared historic landmark": ok so this means the world at large is aware of Misery Mountain-- it's not hidden away somewhere that only Frosty could find. Are people similarly aware of its inhabitant, or has the Misery Meister only taken up residence there recently? (The name being put in quotes makes me wonder if the mountain previously had a different name...) And if not because of the Meister, what else about the mountain may have made it historically significant?

"Local family celebrates Hanukkah": this made me look up when Hanukkah fell in 2008 and as such work out a more concrete timeline for the story's events. FTR this news report would have been happening on the evening of the 22nd at the earliest, so Rocky was already missing for a couple weeks before they got on the news

"Humans remains discovered in chamber beneath Plymouth Rock": if those were John Smith's remains, why/how did he die after remaining alive for so long down there? Were the new kids' actions in episode 1 an indirect cause somehow? Or was it someone else's remains-- perhaps someone John Smith killed with his sword?

"Shoppers Riot as 'New Kids' action figures make record sales": the fact that the new kids were that popular in-universe tracks with grandpa Kevin's line at the start implying the Studio is still going strong in the future, and it really makes you wonder what happened to land them in poverty a few years later. I also wonder how fast their rise to popularity was-- Wendy hasn't heard of them in episode 2, but by episode 3 a random kid knows of them. Is the kid particularly dialed in, or is Wendy out of the loop?

"Search for missing Plymouth man Max Pacheco continues into sixth month": for one thing it's weird that Max the character has the same last name as his actor because unlike the main three he wasn't really playing an exaggerated version of himself. But mainly WHY HAS MAX BEEN MISSING THAT LONG?? I thought maybe the uploads of nkotr on youtube were from a bit later than they originally came out, but I looked through their facebook and the series premiered in September. This means Max had already been declared missing some months before getting blown up. Incredible

[evermourning]

𝐛𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 - han jisung

pairing: han jisung x reader (bewitched series pt. 2)

wc: 1.2k

genre: fluff, friends to lovers, mutual pining, comfort, slice of life, based off "bewitched" by laufey

warnings: not proofread, language, pet names (jagi/jagiya, baby), horrifically cliche, no direct pronouns used for reader

a/n: all the love my chan oneshot got is absolutely the sweetest! i'm hoping this one will be on par with it <33

"can you even focus with me here?" you asked, laughing loudly as your best friend stared down the screen, a controller held tightly in his hand. jisung had his arms around you as you sat comfortably between his legs, head on his chest. from your warm and snug position, just by looking up could you see his beautiful side profile. heart-shaped lips in a slight pout, his annoyingly gorgeous face sporting deep hazelnut eyes...god. you hated this feeling.

"of course i can! stay put, okay? i can't win if you're squirming around." he giggles, reaching down slightly to ruffle your hair.

how would he react if he knew?

if only your best friend knew about how you'd lay in bed at the earliest hours...staring off into space when the moon was at its highest point, thinking, wishing, hoping that the boy who'd been your very best friend for fucking years would look at you the way you looked at him.

in your eyes, han jisung was your golden boy, warmth and joy radiating off him whenever he was near you. he was your anchor, the rainbow amidst dark grey clouds.

to him? you were probably his best friend he'd known since you two were gangly little kids eating popsicles on your front porch. there was absolutely no way you were of any romantic interest to him...especially if he'd seen your puberty phase.

"hey...is everything okay? you just went like- dead silent." jisung asked, soft concern flooding his facial features. he looked even cuter- fuck! you wanted to slap yourself, to tell these silly little butterflies in the pit of your stomach to shut the hell up soooo bad. "something bothering you? do i need to beat someone up for you??"

"no, no. i'll be okay. plus, look at you—you couldn't even hurt a fly!" you teased, trying to hide the fact that your face was becoming inexplicably warm.

"that's because they're too small. i always miss them when they're just flying around doing who knows what."

you laughed at his comment, reassuring yourself that even if it wasn't mutual, being with him like this was better than nothing.

"shit, i gotta go- i promised minho i'd practice with him!" jisung mopes. "i'll text you later."

and then he leaned in to whisper to you, lips so close you could've sworn they brushed against your ear:

"keep me in your heart, okay? i know you're really stressed over something you're deciding not to mention to me...remember i'll always be here when you need me the most."

and then he stood up, and walked out the door. leaving you sitting there, absolutely and unmistakeably bewildered.

that was one of the million times where you wanted the words so many desired to hear to simply fall out of your lips, floating on a cloud until they reached him.

and yet, as always, the words melted away on your tongue like a soft early spring snowfall gone too soon.

"i'm going on a date tonight."

as each word resonated in your ears, a tiny piece of you was crushed like fragile china. what if this girl or guy was the one? everything you'd worked so hard for would be thrown away.

"i hope you have a good time. be safe, okay?" you replied quietly, giving him a quick hug. "we can hang out once you get back, and you can tell me if it went shit or if you can tell that this person will be the one."

"well..." jisung says sheepishly. "if you tell me not to, i won't go."

you nodded, not really listening until the words truly reached your brain.

"what?"

"you heard me." jisung said firmly, before promptly walking out into the pouring rain. you yelped, grabbing an umbrella and running after him. as your clothes became increasingly drenched, you grabbed him by his jacket before pulling him in under your umbrella.

"you can't say shit like that," you said, giving him a glare. "you're making me think you're like- in love with me or something."

"that's because i literally am? but you're just so goddamn oblivious you didn't even notice." jisung replied, sighing. your mouth dropped open.

"actually?! you're not just fucking with me, right?"

jisung shook his head. "nope. how have you not noticed that i'm all over you 24/7? the only reason i was going on a date anyways is because i gave up trying. it wasn't like you liked me back or-" when he noticed your expression, all of the pieces fell into place, clicking for him. "oh."

you laughed, dumbfounded.

and then you pulled him in for a genuine first kiss, as the rain pounded against the concrete sidewalk lit by a single dimmed streetlight. time froze as you lost yourself in the moment, sealing your fate.

and just like that, the s in 'bsf' faded away.

...

a numerous amount of texts, all along the lines of: 'babyyyyy, where are u :(' arrived on your phone in quick succession. you laughed to yourself as you received an incoming call from your lovely boyfriend.

"are you on your way home from work, jagiya?" his tired voice mumbled. "and why are you working at this time of day in the first place?"

"money doesn't grow on trees, baby." you snickered. "i'm doing the best i can to make do."

"you poor thing." jisung cooed. "you know i'd lend you absolutely any amount of money if you asked."

"i know, but i'm trying to be independent." you explained. jisung went silent for a second, as if he was planning out his answer.

"i hope you're not suddenly so independent that you're ditching me!" he said, and you could just imagine the pout upon his soft (extremely kissable) lips. "i saw you today, and i already miss you sooooo much. what's going on? you're not even gone."

"i think you're just a tad clingy," you teased. "also, turn around. i brought you lunch."

jisung, standing at the crosswalk, turned around with fucking sparkles in his eyes. he basically squealed as he hugged you tightly, absolutely ecstatic that you were in front of him and not just a voice on a device.

"my beautiful gorgeous booboo bear." he teased as he hugged you, staring at you with the cutest face. he looked like a kid on christmas day.

"if you ever call me that again i'm taking my house key back." you replied.

"hey!"

you smiled as you two sat down on a park bench. thankfully, it was a gorgeously sunny day, with crystal clear skies and a shimmering sun offering its rays to the earth. jisung lazily stretched an arm around your shoulders, pulling you in.

you just wanted to stay in his embrace for all eternity. there was something so alluring about him, this comforting energy. it was like...he was hexing you or something. you giggled at the thought of jisung, standing over a cauldron as he tried to create some villainous brew to keep you by his side.

and yet, the idea didn't seem that far-fetched. he did cast a whimsical spell on your heart, cursing you to fall for him, and fall hard.

maybe he did bewitch you, after all.

and if that was the case, it wasn't so bad.

...

taglist <3: @imastraykidsfan

@evermourning, ©2023. all rights reserved.

[sekritjay]

In some respects I'm quite lucky I made the decision not to get a car until at the earliest in the summer even though the money is there if I absolutely have to because it seems that the snowfall today was the heaviest in Calgary since 2021 and it would seem Calgarians would rather put up with regular collisions and higher insurance costs then pay more in taxes to get the roads cleared properly

As it is, I came to Canada with a full suite of winter gear (minus clits cleats) as my time in Strasbourg and Dalian gave me a decent insight into what actually hardcore winter conditions are like - I'm sure given a couple more months I'll be sick of the snow but at the moment I'm in the phase where I experience genuine, childlike glee at seeing all the literal inches of powdery, dry snow laying around me when I'm out on a walk, then go home to a well heated, well insulated flat

[hungover-and-broke-student]

A little something based on an old thread with @malpractitioner that I've had rotating in my brain for a while. Cut for length!

After one last look around and with some irritated grumbling, Riley finished the last of her night shift and headed home into the night. Winter had arrived in full force and in the earliest hours, well before the plows and salt trucks got out to clear it, the snow made the city almost unrecognizable. Street lights now offered a hazy glow instead of harsh shadows and the usual car honks and sirens were replaced by the soft hiss of snowfall and crunches underfoot.

Block by block, she made her way home, enjoying the scenery as snow filled in her footprints. But as she approached the outermost edges of campus, with the oldest and most neglected buildings and almost a dozen blocks still to go, a cruel wind began picking up. She was prepared for a few flurries, not a blizzard, and her layers were proving insufficient.

Cold. Burning, numbing cold crept deep into her bones, chasing all sensation from her hands and feet as she stumbled up the steps of the old, imposing medical building and tested the handle. Expecting it to be locked, Riley was almost startled at the ease in which it opened, the warmth inviting her as she slipped in.

"Hello?" Riley quietly asked the sprawling darkness. But only silence answered back. Perhaps the cleaning staff forgot to lock the door when they left? Were they still here? Was she not loud enough?

"Anyone here?"

No response. Just cold, quiet, darkness and the soft drip of snow melting onto the floor.

A bit odd, but nothing to worry about. She was just grateful for the chance to warm up enough to get the feeling back in her hands before braving the rest of the way home.

Wandering deeper through the halls, she had just turned to leave when she heard it. When walking through the woods, people will sometimes jump a bit before realizing that they've noticed a snake in their path, and this was eerily similar. Her eyes widened, hair stood on end and heart raced before she could even register the single scream ringing through the hall, clawing its way to escape, to anyone who might hear it. A single, desperate, and terrified, "HELP ME!" Came from down the hall behind her.

And then it was quiet again. Nothing to be heard over her own heart in her ears. Leave. Immediately. But who could be down there? Doesn't matter. What would have made them so scared? Do you want to find out? Maybe I can help them? Your phone died hours ago. Isn't it better to know what danger may be there?

Riley crept deeper into the dark, taking care to step lightly and listen for any sign of who or what screamed, but it was just her footsteps and the silence around her. Until she noticed a soft glow from a small window on a door to one of the labs and crept close enough to peer in.

It was hard to tell what was going on at first, some papers on a desk, some chemistry equipment, an empty coffee maker, some chairs tipped over... and a body on the floor. Horribly still, eyes rolled back and mouth agape in a post-mortem scream. Locked in horror, time slowed around her until movement caught her eye. Someone else was in the room, and he saw her.

At once, she turned heel and raced back to the entrance, stumbling blindly through the shadowy labyrinth. The halls seemed to have gotten longer since she first wandered through, she couldn't have really walked so far, right? Did she pass through these classrooms already? Did she take the right one? Before she could despair, she saw it, the soft red glow of an EXIT sign. With a loud 'CRACK' she ran into the handle, but the door didn't budge. It wasn't locked. It was frozen shut.

"Riley?"

So caught up with the door, she hadn't heard him approach, now blocking the main hall. Despite the darkness, she recognized the long limbs, large glasses and imposing stature of her psychology professor, Doctor Jonanthan Crane.

"What are you doing here?" He didn't sound angry, moreso confused and almost amused. Like they ran into each other at a gas station out of town, instead of getting caught for murder. He looked slightly disheveled compared to his lectures during class, eyes bloodshot and shirt untucked, but the way his gaze pierced through her was all the same.

"I swear to God, I didn't see anything." The words spilled out without control.

He paused for a moment, before simply stating with the authority of an educator getting a confession from a problem student, "That's not what I asked, is it?"

She stared for a moment, so wound up with her own fear she had to organize her thoughts enough to go through that night's events. Starting with her shift ending, the freezing walk and her stumbling back to their current conversation. Whether he believed her, or cared enough not to, she couldn't tell. He just stood there. "I swear, I won't tell anyone."

There was a flash of amusement as he took a few steps toward her. Riley had nowhere to back up. "I can't see why you would, it's your word against mine, isn't it?" Who would you believe? He didn't have to say it, she already knew the answer and it made her insides twist. A celebrated doctor and professor, head of the psychology department versus a mentally ill drug addict. Who would you believe? Who would you believe?

He closed the gap between them and terror wrapped itself around her neck like a noose, slowly growing tighter. "Please dont kill me." It was hardly louder than the soft buzz from the sign above, but it wouldn't have mattered. She was going to die, alone and terrified, just like the other student. But this time, without anyone snooping around to find out what happened. Would anyone even notice she was gone?

Terrified and with no way out, a memory flashed through her mind, a final hail Mary. It couldn't make things worse, could it?

"I'll help you! Y-you need help with your experiments, right? If you don't kill me, I swear I'll help you." There was a flash of surprise as he studied her face, leaving her in the agonizing limbo between life and death. Time dragged as he clearly relished her uncertainty, before turning and gesturing for her to follow.

"Alright then, let's get started. "

[dex-zabeth]

Would you write: an au where Lily lives and supports Harry dating Hermione?

This is ironically enough was the plan for the harry x Hermione fanfic , here is a sequel scene , though i am not to sure how i feel about it

————————————————————————————

The Great Hall buzzed with its usual morning energy. Plates clattered, and laughter mingled with the rustling of newspapers. Outside, the heavy snowfall from the previous night blanketed the castle grounds, its brilliance visible through the enchanted ceiling. The storm had subsided, leaving behind a pristine stillness that contrasted sharply with the chatter indoors.

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table, dark circles prominent under his eyes from another sleepless night. Despite Hermione's encouragements for him to at least try and rest, sleep continued to elude him. Still, he felt lighter this morning. The memory of brushing Hermione's hair, of her soft smile and the way she nestled into his touch, brought a warmth to his chest that the winter chill couldn't penetrate. Sitting beside him, Hermione was reading through The Daily Prophet, a cup of steaming tea in her hand. Every now and then, she glanced at Harry, her brow furrowing with concern when she noticed his faraway gaze and the dark circles under his eyes.

"Harry," Hermione began softly, setting her paper aside. "Did you get any sleep at all?"

He managed a small, tired smile. "Does it count if I closed my eyes for a few minutes?" he said softly as he drank from his steaming coffee.

Hermione sighed but didn’t press further. Instead, she reached out and gently placed her hand on his. It was a simple gesture, but it grounded him.

He smiled softly at her. It was a weary smile that spoke of how exhausted he was.

Suddenly, a flurry of owls swooped into the hall, delivering the morning mail. The usual excitement erupted as students received letters, parcels, and occasionally Howlers. Harry's attention was elsewhere until a large tawny owl landed in front of him, an official-looking envelope tied to its leg. The St. Mungo’s crest was unmistakable.

He froze instantly. There was only one person in there who would be the cause for them reaching out, especially while he was at Hogwarts. Mum, he thought, suddenly very worried.

“Harry,” Hermione said cautiously, noticing his wide-eyed expression. “What is it?”

“It’s from St. Mungo’s,” Harry replied, his voice barely above a whisper. His hands trembled slightly as he held the letter, hesitating to open it. His mind raced a million miles an hour.

"Harry?" he could hear Hermione call his name. She sounded worried, so far away, as he slowly—ever so slowly—untied the letter and broke the seal. Hermione leaned closer, worry etched across her face. She spoke, but he couldn't hear her over the pounding of his own heartbeat.

As Harry unfolded the parchment, his eyes darted over the words, scanning quickly. His breath hitched, and the color drained from his face.

“Harry?” Hermione’s voice was urgent now. “What does it say?”

He didn’t answer immediately, his hands clutching the letter tightly as if it might vanish. Finally, he swallowed hard and read aloud:

"Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that your mother, Lily Potter, has regained consciousness as of early this morning. She is currently in stable condition and undergoing further evaluation. We advise you to visit at your earliest convenience.

We would like to arrange a time for you to visit her. You are permitted to bring one adult and one support person. Please respond at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Healer Marie Cartwright

St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries"

The words hung in the air, a heavy silence descending over their corner of the hall. Hermione’s eyes widened in shock. “Harry, your mum...”

“She’s awake,” Harry whispered, his voice cracking. “After fourteen years... she’s awake.”

Hermione’s hand tightened around his, her expression softening into something warm and supportive. “Harry, this is incredible.”

Across the table, Ron, who had been halfway through a bite of toast, froze. “Wait, your mum’s alive? I mean, awake?” he sputtered, earning a sharp elbow from Hermione for his lack of tact.

“Yeah,” Harry murmured, his mind spinning. He couldn’t focus on the noise around him. The words on the parchment blurred as memories of his mother—or what he thought were memories—flashed through his mind. Her laugh, her voice, the stories Hagrid and Sirius had told him. And now, she was alive, awake, and waiting for him.

Hermione’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Harry, you should go see her as soon as possible. Do you want me to come with you?”

He blinked, her presence anchoring him again. “Would you? I mean, I don’t... I don’t know what to say to her.”

“Of course I’ll come,” Hermione said without hesitation, her tone firm. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

Harry’s grip on the letter tightened as his vision blurred slightly. He tried to stand—he really did—his first thought being to go straight to the staff table and tell someone—anyone. But his legs refused to cooperate, trembling so badly he could barely push himself halfway out of his seat before collapsing back down. They seemed to be like jelly, in one attempt he landed back down so hard he almost sent his coffee flying,

"Harry, sit. I'll go let the staff know," Hermione said softly as she gently took the letter from his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze in the process.letting out a soft sigh "thank you" he said looking at her  before Harry’s gaze flickered between them both , his two best friends, and he felt a surge of gratitude. “Thank you . Both of you.” He gave Hermione’s hand a soft kiss, and a gentle squeeze . “And thank you very much, my little bookworm,” he said softly. "I'll be here drinking my coffee, trying to figure out what and how to tell my mum about my life," Harry said.

After Hermione left, Harry started to think. All those secret worries he never even got to hope to worry about suddenly started to worm their way up. What if his mum didn’t like him or found him to be a disappointment? Heck, what if she didn’t recognize him? Or worst of all—his greatest fear—what if Mum didn’t like his bookworm of a girlfriend, Hermione? the though made his blood run cold

Thankfully, Ron could see Harry was starting to panic and tried his best to calm his friend down. "It'll be fine Harry. I promise" Ron Said softly as he started to try to calm him down

It was a couple of minuets later when Hermione returned "Harry I let the staff know" she said as she gently placed her hand on his shoulder  before she sat back down to keep eating

The rest of the day just felt like an absolute blur to him, thankfully Hermione was taking notes for him as she kept an eye on him, it was quite obvious his mind was in other places at the moment, heck even Snape left him alone.

Finally the teachers had figured out when they could get Harry and Hermione down to saint mugos and had set it up,

By evening, the arrangements had been made. Professor McGonagall informed Harry that he and Hermione would be taken to St. Mungo’s the following morning, accompanied by one of the professors.

That night, Harry lay in bed, staring at the canopy above him. Sleep wouldn’t come—his mind was too full. When he finally drifted off, it was Hermione’s quiet promise that echoed in his thoughts.

“You’re not doing this alone.” her voice echoed in his head

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

the next morning around ten professor Mcgongall was taking Harry and Hermione to St. Mungo's  

As Harry and Hermione entered the room, Lily’s eyes instinctively flicked to their intertwined hands, noting the subtle gestures of affection that neither of them seemed ready to openly acknowledge. Hermione’s grip on Harry’s hand was firm, offering him silent strength as they stepped into the quiet space.

Harry hesitated at the threshold, taking in the sight of his mother. The woman who, for so many years, had existed only in his dreams, in the stories and the pictures. Yet, standing before him, Lily Potter was more real than ever, though there was an unfamiliar distance between them. He swallowed hard, his throat tight as the weight of the moment settled over him.

"Hi, Mum," he managed, his voice barely above a whisper. He felt absurdly young again, standing in front of her as if he were still a child in need of reassurance. His hand, still holding Hermione’s, trembled slightly as he took a cautious step forward.

Lily’s gaze softened as she looked at him, her green eyes studying him with a mixture of awe and something deeper, a yearning that Harry couldn’t quite place. She had been waiting so long for this moment, and yet, now that it was here, she felt unprepared. How could she explain everything that had happened, the years she had missed, the life she had never seen him live?

Hermione, noticing the tension, gave Harry’s hand a gentle squeeze, and with a quiet, reassuring smile, she stepped aside to let Harry approach his mother.

Lily’s lips parted, as if she were about to say something, but no words came out. Her breath hitched, and she finally looked away, as if trying to gather herself. Her voice, when it did come, was soft but laced with a deep, quiet sorrow.

"Harry..." she started, but paused, the name feeling foreign, yet so intimately hers. "You’ve grown up so much."

Harry smiled faintly, but the weight of her words tugged at his heart. "I had to," he replied softly, his eyes lingering on her face as though he were memorizing every detail. "I didn’t want to. But I had to."

Lily nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving him. She glanced at Hermione then, and the subtle blush on Hermione’s cheeks didn’t go unnoticed by the older woman. It seemed, Lily mused, that Harry had found someone to lean on, someone who was standing beside him when she had been unable to. A part of her—selfish, perhaps—hurt at the realization that she had missed so much of his life, yet she couldn’t deny the tenderness in the way Hermione looked at him.

Lily’s breath hitched, and tears welled up in her eyes. She reached out hesitantly, her hand trembling as if afraid that if she touched him, he might vanish like a figment of her imagination.

“Harry...” Her voice was soft, almost fragile, as though she feared the moment might shatter. “It’s really you.” "You’re here," Lily said at last, the words catching in her throat. "I never thought… I never thought I would get to see this day."

Harry felt a lump rise in his throat. "I almost didn’t believe it," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "But here we are."

There was a long pause as the three of them stood in silence, the weight of everything hanging in the air. It was a reunion, but it was one that had no clear path. Harry didn't know what to say next, and Lily, though filled with a fierce desire to connect with her son, found herself unable to bridge the chasm of years between them.

Harry took another tentative step forward, his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He had spent so many years wondering what it would be like to speak to her, to hear her voice. And now, standing here, he couldn’t find the words. Instead, he reached out and placed his hand over hers, the contact grounding them both.

Harry, finally finding his voice, turned to Hermione, his face softening with the smallest of smiles. He squeezed her hand, grateful for her presence, for the unwavering support she offered without a single word.

Lily watched the two of them closely, her heart swelling with both pride and sorrow. She could see it now—the way they looked at each other. The way Harry’s gaze lingered on Hermione as though she were his anchor. It was the kind of connection she had always hoped for him, even when she couldn’t be there.

"You’re not alone, Harry," Hermione said, her voice low and steady, as though sensing his turmoil. "I Promise."

Lily let out a shaky laugh, brushing a tear from her cheek. “Oh, Harry, look at you,” she said, her voice gaining a little strength as she studied him. “You’ve grown so much... You look just like your father. But those eyes—” Her voice broke slightly. “Those are mine.”

Harry smiled faintly at that, glancing at Hermione, who gave him an encouraging nod. “I’ve heard that before,” he said softly, his tone tinged with nervous humor. “Hagrid told me.”

Lily’s expression softened further at the mention of Hagrid. “He always did have a way of making sure you knew how loved you were,” she murmured. “I owe him so much for looking after you when I couldn’t , So are you going to introduce us?" asked Lilly in a soft teasing tone but without judgment.

Harry hesitated for a moment, his cheeks reddening slightly "this is Hermione, she's my little book worm of a girlfriend" he says with a soft smile before giving Herimone a soft kiss on the forehead as he pulled her into a hug to which Hermine leaned into "we started to date earlier this year, heck after three year off insanity, and she's been with me threw it all" harry finished , before the fear started to creep its way back in ,

Lily’s gaze softened as she took in the two of them. Harry had finally found someone who would stand by him, who was with him not just because of who he was, but because of who they were together. The thought made something deep inside her shift, a faint sense of peace settling within her as she realized that Harry was no longer the lonely, lost boy she remembered.

"She’s a keeper, Harry," Lily said, her voice warm with sincerity. "I can see that., thank you for being there for him Hermione " she finished with a soft smile

Hermione’s cheeks flushed, but she smiled graciously. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. Potter,” she said,

Hermione took Lily’s hand briefly, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “He’s looked after me just as much,” she replied with a smile. “We take care of each other.”

The sincerity in Hermione’s words seemed to touch Lily deeply. She looked back at Harry, her expression a mixture of pride and heartbreak. “You’ve found someone who loves you, haven’t you?” she asked softly, her voice full of warmth.

Harry nodded, his throat too tight to speak. Instead, he gave Hermione’s hand a gentle squeeze, their connection speaking volumes.

"Yeah...yeah i have" he says softly 

"Good dont let her go" killy sais softly

"I don't  plan to, not unless  she wants to," he says as his self-doubts starts to creep in

only for him to get kissed by hermione " Indont plan to , yo hear me Mr. Potter i don't plan on going  anywhere " Hermione said to him  squashing his doubts in their tracks 

The three of them sat together, the moments passing in a bittersweet blend of laughter, tears, and tentative joy. There were stories to tell, questions to ask, and an ocean of memories to wade through. But for now, they took it one step at a time, savoring the fact that after so many years apart, they were finally together.

[nonasmeadowsims]

1.1 A Chance Encounter-Althea

It was a day not so unlike any other to the rest of the Blackwoode family, but to Althea, it was special. Today was the day her father had promised to allow her to join him on his once a month journey to the castle, where he sold his forged weapons and armor. Althea had been begging her father for months, and had finally worn him down. He was unsure of her motives, but guessed she was hoping to catch a glimpse of the young Prince Andor who, like Althea, would be coming of a marrying age soon. Truthfully, Althea had no interest in any one of King Reidar's children, least of all the crowned prince.

Growing up in her humble home had made her wary of those with either too much coin or time on their hands. She valued hard work, and she carried that value with her when she arose before dawn to complete her chores with haste. She milked the cow, washed the cookware, fed the chickens, and swept the floors, all before her mother, the earliest riser of the Blackwoode bunch, had even changed out of her shift and into her skirts.

Althea's mother crept into the kitchen, "Althea, you're buzzing like a bee, what's gotten into you?"

"Nothing Mother, I've just finished my chores. Has father awoken yet?" Althea clasped her hands near her chest in excitement.

Mother sighed, "I'm sorry dear, but the journey has been cancelled. The heavy snowfall has covered the roads, your father's cart will never make it."

Althea's face fell. "Oh,"

"But I know you were itching to get out of the house, honeybee, so I have something else for you to do if you like." Althea lifted her eyes to meet Mother's. "I know, it's not nearly as exciting as a long journey to the castle, but I think you're old enough now to make a tip into town," Mother shifted her weight onto one hip and let her hand settle in the crevice of her waist, "All by yourself."

Althea tried to keep her mouth in a line, to demonstrate her disappointment to Mother, but her lips curled up at the edges, and she broke into a small smile. She was disappointed as the main purpose of her trip was meant to be spending alone time with Father, but she couldn't help being excited at the prospect of still getting a break from her feminine obligations at home. "Can I take Dagan? Please, please, please?"

Mother got that mischievous twinkle in her eye and firmly smiled, "No Althea, your brother needs the horse. He's going to keep trying to teach Thorian to fish." Althea rolled her eyes, then snapped back to attention, not wanting to lose this opportunity.

"Now no foolishness, as our eldest daughter, you have to represent the Blackwoode family and uphold our reputation as decent people of the kingdom, understand?" Althea nodded, "I need you to go to the baker's, and pick up 3 loaves of bread, then straight back here." She placed 1 dull bronze coin in Althea's open hand. Althea traced the smooth edges with her other finger, and tucked it into her pouch. "And don't forget your cloak," She kissed Althea's cheek, "Run along now."

Althea didn't wait for mother to change her mind. She nodded once, then pulled her cloak off the hook and fastened it around her neck as she ran into the snowy road, day just about to break.

Althea had already walked many miles by the time she needed to make a stop to relieve herself. She peered around the bush, looking for any unfortunate passers-by that might witness her deed. She felt ridiculous, an injustice, she thought, knowing her four brothers wouldn't feel the need to preserve their modesty. Such is a woman's way, she thought, squatting behind her poor attempt for cover.

Stepping out from behind her now very familiar bush, she stopped for a moment to take in the sight of a beautiful frozen lake. She imagined dancing across the lake, almost able to feel her body lightening like air, the taste of pasties that cost almost as much as her shoes on her lips. She thought of a fine silk dress, slipping across her ankles as she danced, and a handsome young man's hand in hers. She interrupted her own train of thought, "Envy is a sin," she said aloud to none but the bush beside her, "That's what the bishop says, and that envy is one of the worst. Besides, fancy maidens don't get to see sights like..."

"This."

Althea didn't know a lot of things, but she knew this. There was no fishing trip, there couldn't be with the lake frozen solid like that. The family's horse, the cart, the bakery. It was all a lie meant to cover up the fact that she hadn't been truly invited in the first place. They had left her here, alone, again. All the times her brothers had teased her, left her to pick flowers while they hunted, made her scrub laundry while they played with wooden swords, she wasn't even sure why she was surprised.

She wiped her tears. She would not be fooled again.

Despite having traveled to town many times throughout her life, Althea looked upon everything with new eyes. The fresh perspective of maturity and independence made everything shine with the hope of one day making her own way in the world.

Sh gazed upon the church and imagined the bells tolling out for her at her one-day wedding, the celebration of her marriage to a man who would finally see her as an equal.

The houses in town seemed to call out to her, "Althea, Althea, Althea" in the wind. She thought of her one-day life where she might live in one of those houses, and run her own business. Raise a child, maybe two, but not be a never ending baby maker, like her mother.

She steeled herself as she entered the bakery, back to her real life. But then she saw him, perhaps her one-day husband.

Next | Previous |

[barbieheart]

DOG TEETH prologue

genshin impact - yandere tartaglia/childe x fem dog hybrid reader

WARNING:

DARK CONTENT, DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT Content warnings:

yandere behaviors | murder, violence, gore | major character deaths | noncon/dubcon | sexual content | animal behaviors | drugging | kidnapping | trauma | ptsd | afab reader | she/her pronouns | anatomy | body modifications | potential genshin impact spoilers | dog attacks | animal attacks | human trafficking, trafficking in general | illegal/criminal activities

BY CLICK "KEEP READING" BELOW, YOU UNDERSTAND THE WARNINGS AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE 18+ YEARS OLD

A few things before we go:

Heya! This is the first time I've ever posted fanfiction. Let me know what you think <3 this is inspired by many hybrid ideas from wonderful writers like @Cinnamonest

lets see how this goes, thanks for reading :3

𝖉𝖔𝖌 𝖙𝖊𝖊𝖙𝖍

𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖚𝖊

Having been born near the base of Dragonspine mountain, you were raised on a quiet ranch with little foot traffic. Your heritage of large, powerful canid hybrids allowed for easy survival when the coldest months beat the local area. After all, Dragonspine was cursed with yearly snowfall and the ranch being so close was no different.

Your earliest memories were that of clinging to your mother’s long and fluffy tail as she did her daily chores around the snowy ranch. She’d smile lovingly, appreciative that she could remain with her children when other hybrids were not so lucky. Newborns and infants being ripped from their mothers was a common occurrence in this challenging world.

Your mother taught you many useful things during your time with her. She’d given you the gift of motherly love, the ability to read and write, and a happy childhood with no worries about where your next meal would come from. She wanted to give you everything she never had: a loving parent, an education, and a content life.

You grew up physically strong thanks to your work on the ranch. Thankfully, your human owner - a kind, old gentleman you called “grandpa” - paid you for your time and work. He’d made sure there was always food on the table, a home you can reside, and a comfortable bed to sleep in. After a long day with the ranch’s numerous animals, grandpa would pat your head and tell you that you were such a good girl, you’d make your father proud. 

“Now, wash up and head to the dining room! Your mother made a delicious dinner,” Grandpa would say before sending you off. Your family were his loyal ranch-dogs, and you cherished his kindness.

Your teenage years flew by, and before you knew it, you were a young adult. Your mother and siblings were by your side and the ranch was still as it always had been: calm and successful. While you were blossoming into adulthood, grandpa’s health began declining at a rapid pace. As his loyal companions, you and your siblings would be at his bedside for his last breath. 

Shortly after grandpa’s death, chaos ensued. Due to the laws in Teyvat, hybrids were unable to own land. Grandpa’s property was swiftly taken by the reigning government and your family was abducted in the middle of the night. The same night your sweet man you knew as your grandfather had passed.

Waking to the cold metal bars of a dog cage was something you’d never experienced before, and it terrified you. You were aware that your previous lifestyle was incredibly sheltered and not a common situation for many hybrids, but this whiplash was horrific.

Life changed wildly from there. You were placed in cart after cart, chained, muzzled, and caged at all times. You struggled at first, but your captors overpowered you in every attempt to escape or fight back. Soon, you were separated from the remaining members of your family.

After a week of traveling to who-knows-where, your party was brought to a prison-like center where many just like you resided. You’d never seen so many dog hybrids in your life. Many were hostile, you’d been attacked a couple times during your six months there. Some were silent out of fear, you among them. Your tail usually tucked between your legs, it was hard to socialize and maintain yourself as you were beaten and trained from dawn until dusk. You’d grown aggressive and fearful, an angry shell of your former self.

The human trainers, cruel and ruthless, never called you by your name. To them, you were a number. When they called your number, you were to obey and carry out any order - whether that be sitting on the floor like a common dog or slaughter a disobedient mutt.

You were not the same person you once were by the time your training concluded. The day of your graduation, you were bathed, thoroughly brushed, and dressed in decent plain clothing. A sickly feeling occupied your stomach… and it wasn’t the overly sweet shampoo they’d use to scrub you down. 

They set you up to be bought and sold to the highest bidder.

The clients you were prepared to see must have been of high importance. Only you and a few other dog hybrids were brought into this small, elegant room somewhere inside the facility. You’d never seen this room before, but you knew better than to look around. You kept your eyes trained on the ground in front of you. New smells and sounds invaded your senses when the door at the opposite end of the room opened and allowed in the new guests. 

Buyers, you knew, as this was what you’ve been trained for. These prospective buyers approached the line of hybrids, each muzzled and collared. Like property. You didn’t make eye contact with any of them, but you felt them peer into you with judgment. A couple strangers even touched you; your ears, your face, your shoulders, your hands. 

Thankfully, they were not permitted to get too handsy. Finally, after what seemed like hours of intense staring and touching, a man of your age approached you. Unlike the others, he abruptly pulled your bottom jaw open, observing your sharpened canine teeth with curious blue eyes. 

You finally drew in the appearance of this potential owner. Orange hair, bright blue eyes, a cheery grin plastered on his face. He had beautiful features, but you knew better. 

The defiant look of hatred in your eyes sealed your fate as he towered over you. 

“This one,” He said, dropping his gloved hand from your mouth.

“She’s perfect.”

[confessiononadancefloor]

this album will always be taking the earliest train through the polish countrysides in winter during snowfall core.. to me

[muses-sirens-editors]

specifically for @illuminfae-ix

Dominic St. Ambrose School

I don‘t know of anyone who lets their child walk to school these days.  But growing up in Buffalo, New York in the late fifties and very early sixties, it was commonplace.  Once we were old enough to cross streets by ourselves, we were sent off to school in the morning, returned home for lunch, and then went back to school until three o’clock.  I don’t remember walking with my brother and sisters, although I am certain I must have.  I also don’t remember ever missing a day of school because of snow, although I do remember playing on the drifts as I walked there, imagining forts built so strong and high I could not see over nor dig through the walls erected by the clearing of the sidewalk and street.  My cousins who still live in Buffalo tell me this memory is likely accurate.  It took a LOT to close down schools in Buffalo, and heavy snowfall, even in copious amounts, was just some other thing, some routine to manage.

It would have been about second grade or so one day when I was sitting in class that I peed in my pants.  I was young enough not to anticipate the need to raise my hand to be excused, but old enough to be totally embarrassed that I was sitting on a wet desk seat with dark stained pants.  Mortification overwhelmed me, and I did not know what to do.  Looking left and right, nobody seemed to notice, thankfully.  I was frozen with my embarrassment.  Trying hard to strategize my way out of this predicament, I glanced over my right shoulder.  (Imagine remembering which shoulder you glanced over after more than sixty years!)  A boy with a closely trimmed haircut and a round face that made his ears seem to poke out was discretely leaning forward toward me with a handful of Kleenexes.  No words were spoken. His name was Dominic, and we weren’t playmates.  He walked home the other way from school than I did.  I don’t believe I had ever spoken to him outside of class and recess.  Gratefully, I took the Kleenexes and cleaned up around myself.  But I don’t remember how that day ended, although it must not have been particularly bad.  We continued in school.  The incident was never mentioned.  I was not teased.

Later that year, our teacher, who was a lay person, not a nun, came before us filled with emotion.  She told us Dominic had died.  She did not give us details as to whether it was an accident or illness.  She simply led us in a prayer for his soul and for his family.  It was likely the Catholic prayer for the dead: “Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.  May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.”

Catholics do not believe most anyone, when they die, can go straight to heaven.  There is a place of purification where the spirit goes before becoming sufficiently cleansed, for heaven is a place of pure perfection.  The place is called “purgatory,”  and this is the reason Catholics pray for their dead.  Described this way, it seems somewhat contrived.   But in the collective consciousness I think humans have understood, even expected this concept from the earliest times.  Wikipedia notes “The idea of purgatory has roots that date back into antiquity. A sort of proto-purgatory called the "celestial Hades" appears in the writings of Plato and Heraclides Ponticus and in many other pagan writers. This concept is distinguished from the Hades of the underworld described in the works of Homer and Hesiod. In contrast, the celestial Hades was understood as an intermediary place where souls spent an undetermined time after death before either moving on to a higher level of existence or being reincarnated back on earth. Its exact location varied from author to author. Heraclides of Pontus thought it was in the Milky Way; the Academicians, the Stoics, Cicero, Virgil, Plutarch, the Hermetical writings situated it between the Moon and the Earth or around the Moon; while Numenius and the Latin Neoplatonists thought it was located between the sphere of the fixed stars and the Earth.

Hollywood likewise has used this notion in movies like “Heaven Can Wait” when Warren Beaty finds himself in a way station after his accidental demise.  And Mitch Albom in his book “The Five People You Meet Before Going to Heaven” describes a similar waiting place for those who have died.  But once past this atonement period in purgatory the person goes to heaven, and the soul is recognized as a saint, a spirit existing in full communion with the Holy Trinity. Now for many, the Catholic tradition of praying to saints for the Lord’s intercession may also seem odd.  And “praying” may be a confusing term to many who only use that description to reflect an attempted communication to the Lord,  Themselves.  But praying to a saint actually takes more of the form of a discussion, obviously usually one way, between the living and the spirit.  Certain saints are known for their intercession for particular causes, St. Christopher for safe travel, St. Michael the archangel or Joan of Arc for protection in battle, St. Jude for hopeless causes, etc.  But as I grew up, I came to realize Dominic MUST be in heaven, and therefore a saint, for what could a second grader have done that would be so egregious in the eyes of the Lord that he would not almost immediately be taken up to heaven?  Surely after only a minimum amount of time at most, Dominic must be seated in that place of eternal glory, not atoning for some grievous sins in a place that is neither heaven nor hell. And if that logic were true, he must be a saint on the same order of Christopher, Joan of Arc, Jude, Francis, Peter, Paul, Cosmos and Damian, et al.

And so, over time, I came to think of Dominic as my personal patron in heaven.  I have discussed job problems, girlfriend, and later, family issues with him, prayed for his intercession to God for friends and family struggling with all manner of issues.  After all, he saw me in my distress in this world and quietly came to my aid.  Came to MY aid!  Surely he would share the same compassion for me in the spirit realm. 

A few weeks before my retirement I happened to be near Buffalo, and so made a side trip to my old neighborhood.  I wanted to see if I could find out Dominic’s last name, if he had any living relatives with whom I might share his story of thoughtfulness.  I imagined going up to a very old couple and telling them I remembered their son, telling them this story.  I wanted to tell them I still talked to Dominic, that I held him in the highest of regard.  But the years had erased all traces I might have left behind, and so too for Dominic.  I had waited too long. But for right now, Illuminfae-ix, I'm talking to Dominic about YOUR situation, asking for his aid, his intercession to our Lord for you.  Who could refuse the request of such a compassionate young child? I will also ask my daughter, whose faith is as great as the mustard seed that could move mountains, to keep you in her prayers as well.  We don't know you, but we will love you and pray for you to help you through all this.

[ammg-old2]

Ever since some of the earliest projections of climate change were made back in the 1970s, they have been remarkably accurate at predicting the rate at which global temperatures would rise. For decades, climate change has proceeded at roughly the expected pace, says David Armstrong McKay, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter, in England. Its impacts, however, are accelerating—sometimes far faster than expected.

For a while, the consequences weren’t easily seen. They certainly are today. The Southwest is sweltering under a heat dome. Vermont saw a deluge of rain, its second 100-year storm in roughly than a decade. Early July brought the hottest day globally since records began—a milestone surpassed again the following day. “For a long time, we were within the range of normal. And now we’re really not,” Allegra LeGrande, a physical-research scientist at Columbia University, told me. “And it has happened fast enough that people have a memory of it happening.”

In fact, a growing number of climate scientists now believe we may be careening toward so-called tipping points, where incremental steps along the same trajectory could push Earth’s systems into abrupt or irreversible change—leading to transformations that cannot be stopped even if emissions were suddenly halted. “The Earth may have left a ‘safe’ climate state beyond 1°C global warming,” Armstrong McKay and his co-authors concluded in Science last fall. If these thresholds are passed, some of global warming’s effects—like the thaw of permafrost or the loss of the world’s coral reefs—are likely to happen more quickly than expected. On the whole, however, the implications of blowing past these tipping points remain among climate change’s most consequential unknowns: We don’t really know when or how fast things will fall apart.

Some natural systems, if upended, could herald a restructuring of the world. Take the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica: It’s about the size of Florida, with a protruding ice shelf that impedes the glacier’s flow into the ocean. Although the ice shelf's overall melt is slower than originally predicted, warm water is now eating away at it from below, causing deep cracks. At a certain point, that melt may progress enough to become self-sustaining, which would guarantee the glacier’s eventual collapse. How that plays out will help determine how much sea levels will rise—and thus the future of millions of people.

The fate of the Thwaites Glacier could be independent of other tipping points, such as those affecting mountain-glacier loss in South America, or the West African monsoon. But some tipping points will interact, worsening one another’s effects. When melt from Greenland’s glaciers enters the ocean, for example, it alters an important system of currents called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The AMOC is like a conveyor belt, drawing warm water from the tropics north. The water’s salinity increases as it evaporates, which, among other factors, makes it sink and return south along the ocean floor. As more glacial fresh water enters the system, that conveyor belt will weaken. Right now it’s the feeblest it’s been in more than 1,000 years.

A shutdown of that ocean current could dramatically alter phenomena as varied as global weather patterns and crop yields. Messing with complex systems is chilling precisely because there are so many levers: If the temperature of the sea surface changes, precipitation over the Amazon might too, contributing to its deforestation, which in turn has been linked to snowfall on the Tibetan plateau. We may not even realize when we start passing points of no return—or if we already have. “It’s kind of like stepping into a minefield,” Armstrong McKay said. “We don’t want to find out where these things are by triggering them.”

One grim paper that came out last year, titled “Climate End Game,” mapped out some of the potential catastrophes that could follow a “tipping cascade,” and considered the possibility that “a sudden shift in climate could trigger systems failures that unravel societies across the globe.” Chris Field, the director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and a contributor to several IPCC reports, warned that “at some point, the impacts of the climate crisis may become so severe that we lose the ability to work together to deliver solutions.”

James Hansen, one of the early voices on climate, says that measures to mitigate the crisis may now, ironically, be contributing to it. He published a working paper this spring suggesting that a reduction in sulfate aerosol particles—or the air pollution associated with burning coal and the global shipping industry—has contributed to warmer temperatures. That’s because these particles cause water droplets to multiply, which brightens clouds and reflects solar heat away from the planet’s surface. Though the paper has not been peer-reviewed, Hansen predicts that environmentally minded policies to reduce these pollutants will likely cause temperatures to rise by 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.

Even before the climate gets to that point, we may face a dramatic uptick in climate-related disasters, says William Ripple, a distinguished professor of ecology at Oregon State University and the lead author of a recent commentary on the “risky feedback loops” connecting climate-driven systems. There’s a sense of awe—in the original meaning of inspiring terror or dread—at witnessing such sweeping changes play out across the landscape. “Many scientists knew these things would happen, but we’re taken aback by the severity of the major changes we’re seeing,” Ripple said. Armstrong McKay likened the challenge of being a climate scientist in 2023 to that faced by medical professionals: “You put a certain emotional distance between you and the work in order to do the work effectively,” he said, “that can be difficult to maintain.”

Although it may be too late to avert some changes, others could still be staved off by limiting emissions. LeGrande said she worries that talking about tipping points may encourage people to think that any further action now is futile. In fact, the opposite is true, Ripple said. “Scientifically, everything we do to avoid even a tenth of a degree of temperature increase makes a huge difference.”

[cyarskaren52]

There really is no one like Ice Cube.

The rapper/actor/labelhead/producer/screenwriter/director/pitchman/league commissioner has done just about everything one can do in the world of entertainment. And to think, it all started with a kid from South Central joining a group his friend was starting from the neighborhood. N.W.A. changed everything, but when Cube made the decision to split from Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella, he set in motion one of Hip-Hop's most storied careers. 

As a solo artist, Ice Cube's social and political voice was even sharper than what had been hinted at in his old group; and over the course of his three-decade career, he's delivered scathing commentary, party anthems, movie theme songs and straight up gangsta shit. He has albums like AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted and Death Certificate that are among the most revered rap classics ever made; and he's dropped club bangers with the best of them. We wanted to salute the variety of that body of work, so we picked the 25 Dopest Ice Cube Songs (Note: No N.W.A. or Westside Connection or Mt. Westmore songs were included.)

#26

"THE BONNIE & CLYDE THEME" - YO-YO FEAT. ICE CUBE [BONUS SONG]

Our BONUS SONG pick is a celebrated classic guest spot! Yo-Yo and Cube team up against for this banger from her third album, YOU BETTER ASK SOMEBODY. 

#25

"PUSHIN' WEIGHT" FEAT. SHORT KHOP

"The Don Mega" and Short Khop teamed up for one of Cube's biggest chart singles in 1997. This N.O. Joe-produced hit raced all the way to No. 26 on Billboard and topped the Rap Singles Charts. 

#24

"GANGSTA RAP MADE ME DO IT"

On this standout single from RAW FOOTAGE, Cube blasts the laziness of politicians and watchdogs using gangsta rap as the punching bag for moral handwringing. As true in the 2000s as it had been a generation earlier.

#23

"WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN" 

One of Cube's most overtly spiritual songs, it was released when Cube had made his much-publicized conversion to Islam. The track finds him taking aim at Christianity, admonishing it as a tool of oppression in America. 

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#22

"AIN'T GOT NO HATERS" FEAT. TOO $HORT

What can you say about icons who have earned a victory lap or two? These two West Coast icons revel in the good life on this breezy track from EVERYTHANG'S CORRUPT. 

#21

"DEAD HOMIEZ"

Ice Cube was only 20 years old when he wrote this elegy to friends lost to violence. He couldn't have known how groundbreaking it was at the time, but the South Central native's tribute is one of the earliest examples of a so-called "gangsta rapper" examining the emotional toll of the streets. 

#20

"MY SUMMER VACATION"

"Snowfall" in the form of a classic rap song. Cube's gift for storytelling and his razor sharp social commentary are both on full display here; as he breaks down how the crack epidemic in America spread from Los Angeles out to the Midwest and beyond.

#19

"YOU CAN DO IT" FEAT. MACK 10 AND TOYA

As far as singles, Cube definitely had a straight-up party phase, and one of his biggest hits as the Y2K era was set to dawn was this hit theme song for NEXT FRIDAY. 

#18

"HELLO" FEAT. DR. DRE AND MC REN

The N.W.A. reunion that fans had been clamoring for finally happened (with the notable absence of the late Eazy-E) on this monstrous single. Even decades later, it feels good to see the Niggaz With Attitudes rolling as a unit like old times. 

#17

"FRIDAY"

The movie that made Chris Tucker a star and showed everybody that even a gangsta could make you laugh. Cube's first comedy turned out to be a cult classic, and the soundtrack featured this anthem for the hood. 

#16

"GO TO CHURCH"

Lil Jon was virtually everywhere in the early 2000s, and Cube wasn't averse to trying on a new style. The rap vet fired a shot for West Coast/Dirty South collaboration with this crunk hit. 

#15

"REALLY DOE"

The sinister opening track for Cube's fourth album LETHAL INJECTION is one of that project's strongest. Cube is in full G'd up mode, and longtime affiliate Lay Law comes strong on this one with the production.

#14

"WHY WE THUGS"

Cube's sociopolitical lens has never left him; and he offered one of his most on-target critiques of American hypocrisy on this epic from 2006s LAUGH NOW CRY LATER. 

#13

"JACKIN' FOR BEATS"

One of the most inventive rap tracks ever made, this classic from Cube's KILL AT WILL EP is also one of the most emulated. Cube kicks one of his most aggressive performances over "stolen" tracks; jackin' everybody from Public Enemy to Digital Underground.

#12

"A BIRD IN THE HAND"

One of the greatest story raps of all-time. Ice Cube delivers a stellar performance as he breaks down the struggles of a newly-released felon, in a system that never really wanted to give anyone a second chance.

#11

"SMOKE SOME WEED"

He might not be as well known for chronic anthems as his homies who were on Death Row, but Cube delivered one of the all-time great marijuana songs on this woozy banger from LAUGH NOW, CRY LATER. 

#10

"WICKED"

A song that channels the anger of the 1992 Los Angeles riots in sound and spirit; Cube unleashes his fury on this thunderous track. The video famously featured Flea and Anthony Keidis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Cube spits rage at the system following the Rodney King verdict.

#9

"CHECK YO SELF" (REMIX) FEAT. DAS EFX

One of Cube's most famous, and famously controversial, songs, the remix became a monster hit in 1993, with an instant-classic hook from none other than Das EFX, fresh off their own breakthrough a few months earlier.

#8

"WHO'S THE MACK?"

Cube's first solo single features the young rapper examining the game from all angles. As he breaks down everyone from pimps to street hustlers to politicians, Cube makes it clear he's going to a more insightful place than we'd seen in N.W.A.

#7

"THE NIGGA YA LOVE TO HATE"

If Ice Cube has an anthem, it's most definitely this track. Cube gives a breathless performance, highlighting why he's forever going to be controversial—even at this early stage in his career, he knew he'd ruffle feathers. 

#6

"TRUE 2 DA GAME"

Cube bodyslams sellouts of all kinds on this classic single from 1991's DEATH CERTIFICATE. There's a pointed MC Hammer reference, an admonishment of Black men who chase white women as status trophies; and a final thumbs down to Black folks overly invested in the politics of respectability. 

#5

"ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE PROJECTS"

Even though it's early in his discography, it's the song that sets the standard for Ice Cube's storytelling. A frustrated and flustered Cube recounts a tale about trying to meet up with a girl who lives in the housing projects, only to find himself in the middle of a drug bust.

#4

"YOU KNOW HOW WE DO IT"

Cube's first album was Bomb Squad bombast and his second outing was looser, but still hard. After enjoying mainstream success with singles like "It Was A Good Day" and "Check Yo' Self," Cube dropped his most obviously G-Funk-leaning single in this West Coast classic.

#3

"NO VASELINE"

On the short list of greatest diss songs ever, you will find Ice Cube's incendiary firebomb. With his targets set squarely on his former bandmates in N.W.A., Ice Cube unleashes and unloads, aiming and firing at everyone in the group, saving his most scathing indictments for former friend Eazy-E and former manager Jerry Heller.

#2

"STEADY MOBBIN'"

Before his most famous track (more on that in a sec), Cube delivered this bouncy dedication to riding around the 'hood. His storytelling is forever on-point, as he chops it up with the homies, tries to get laid, and, in one of the great rap overshares of all time, apparently takes one helluva dump. 

#1

"IT WAS A GOOD DAY"

There is no other correct No. 1. There just isn't. It's timeless. It's a standard. It's one of the most well-known and beloved songs in the history of Hip-Hop. Cube's ode to a breezy day in South Central, L.A. is the kind of song it seems like everyone can rap word-for-word. That's a rarity, in any genre.

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