#Harper's Original Content

[galahadwilder]

William Jackson Harper would make a fantastic Clark Kent and, given how he acts in the final episodes of both season 3 and season 4 of The Good Place, I think he’d make a really good Superman too. However, I now can’t stop thinking about him playing not just Clark as Chidi, but also Superman as Chidi.

Superman: I… have a stomachache. I’d like this to stop please.

Battinson: how you are invulnerable

Superman: I started faking nervous stomachaches as Clark so I could get away and “hide” when supervillains showed up but I got so good at it that it gave me actual stomachaches and now they won’t stop

[quinnharperwrites]

The Isles of Blirrosia: Chapter One

Taglist: @anonymousfoz, @kaiarchives, and @awleeofficial Let me know if you want to be added!

Note: Feedback is very much desired! This is my first major work since I took a break; even if it's a little note about a part you liked or didn't like, it'll make me very happy. At least people are reading it, haha. Also, I am still looking for a beta reader. If you're interested, please message me. Finally, I might edit the earlier chapters and repost them, but I will be clear that it's the edited version. Thank you and enjoy!

Next Chapter >

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a cloudy, crisp Monday morning in January, yet it was fair and still. Pleasant. It was warmer from the top of the city rooftops, but Saffron didn’t mind. She sat on the edge of the roof of a random office building, her feet swinging in excitement over the bustling rush hour traffic. Normally, she would be in her Hero Ethics class, but she was called in to cover a hero today. Something she’d done multiple times in the past. But this time was different.

Recently, there has been a supervillain causing trouble in the city. From Saffron’s perspective, he was pretty inadequate, which was partly the reason why the Hero Association decided it was safe enough for a student to help out. Her job was to patrol the city and keep an eye out for suspicious activity. They had given her a proper file and a walkie-talkie—she’s never gotten them before! Normally, she would team up with a hero and stop a petty crime. But those were kinda on the police department's level.

“We got a bank robbery on 86th and Second. Witness descriptions match the Stardust Absorber. Over.”

“Finally.” Her first active bank robbery. Today was going to be a good day.

Saffron lifted her feet on the rooftop edge, then launched herself off. She let herself freefall for a moment, relishing in the addicting feeling of being weightless. Completely vulnerable. But before her ears could pop from the rapid descent, she raised her arms as straight as possible and summoned black aura spheres in both of her open palms. Then, she willed the aura to wrap around her body, lift her into the sky, and take off in the direction of the robbery. She reached for her walkie-talkie to respond to the police department.

“Hero student: Aura. On my way. Over.”

Contrary to the general public’s belief, there is no traction in the air. She wasn’t sure how it was for other aptitudes that allow flight, but in her case, she had to use her aura to push off molecules in the air. Since the process is invisible to the eye, it looks like she’s flying effortlessly when it takes a lot of concentration.

Since Saffron had just sacrificed a decent amount of her concentration on responding to the walkie-talkie, she suffered the consequences by nearly crashing into a billboard. 

“Ugh,” Saffron groaned. “The press is going to have a field day with this.” She took a few moments to redirect herself, then sped off faster to make up for lost time.

As she neared the bank, Saffron caught a glimpse of a white blur also heading towards the location. The murky feeling of dread crept up her sides as her feet touched the pavement outside the bank. The aura diminished in a way that was only possible due to hours of training. 

“Aura! Over here!” an officer called out. 

“I’m here!” Saffron replied. “What’s the situation?”

“We’ve confirmed that it is the Stardust Absorber. No hostages, but after what happened last time, we decided to secure the perimeter and wait for a hero to arrive.” This was normal; she usually helped with the perimeter. But she was cut short before she could ask about where she was wanted.

“Sensation is on scene. Aura, assist him.” Another officer and a hero clad in white join the conversation. Just her luck. Only Sensation could taint the experience of being able to participate in taking down a bank robber. Why couldn’t have it been Steela or Water Jelly instead?

The hero-student duo made their way to the bank.

“Remember. No direct attacks,” Sensation said.

“I remember. I was told.”

Just making sure, Saffy.” 

Saffy?

“We’re working right now, Sensation. Right now, it’s Aura. Off-field, it’s Saffron to you. Only people close to me can call me Saffy.”

“Aren’t we close, Saffy?”

They are approaching the doors at this point. “It’s Aura. And no.” 

“But we can be,” he teased.

“No! We aren’t close, and we certainly aren’t friends. I’ve told you so many ti-”

“Now is the time to focus, Aura. We’re in the middle of a bank robbery,” he interrupted.

Saffron huffed but gritted her teeth in determination. At least he wasn’t talking anymore. In the corner of her eye, she saw Sensation enhance his muscles. So he was going physical. She summoned a black aura around herself and let it seep into her muscles. Almost instantly, she felt the increase in energy. 

They entered the bank. The pair turned their backs toward each other and faced outward. Then, they made their way to the center of the bank.

“Let’s split up to cover more ground,” Sensation ordered. 

Saffron made a sound of agreement before making her way to the upper level of the bank. It circled the building like an indoor balcony. She noticed the dangling crystal decoration hanging from the ceiling. 

She opened the first door on the left and emptied her head. Everyone has an aura tied to their physical body in the Aurasphere, and unless they have an aptitude to conceal it, Saffron could always use it to detect someone. It took a significant amount of concentration to focus on the Aurasphere. But this is what she trained for. 

“Clear!” she called out.

She checked the next room. “Clear!”

After analyzing heroes in class, she deduced that Sensation preferred a stealthier approach. But students are required to regularly call out the status of their search in case something happens. 

Three more rooms were checked. Three more rooms were cleared.

Saffron opened a door near the center of the balcony. Just as she entered the Aurasphere, she detected an aura quickly heading in her direction. 

She hastily exited the Aurasphere and grounded herself. A green man in a Halloween goblin costume was launched into the air, about to punch her. What a joke.

She grabbed his forearm and swung him to the ground out in the hallway.

“Found him!” she called out.

The Stardust Absorber quickly got up and rushed at her. 

Saffron swung one fist at him, then the other. He dodged both. 

Sensation jumped up from the ground floor to the upper level. He was running to join the fight. But he was too far away.

She kicked her left leg toward the Absorber’s head. He dodged. But she was already driving her right leg towards his neck. The Absorber recoiled to her right. She hit him with a right hook twice. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sensation standing to the side. Supervising. They both knew she had this clown under control.

The Absorber finally hit her back with his arm, causing her to fall. But before she could faceplant, she caught herself with her hands and attacked him with a flurry of kicks to the head. He was able to dodge a couple with his wrists, but he ultimately was struck by most of them. 

She ended the blitz attack by propelling herself off the ground with her hands and pounding his face with a two-foot kick. She flipped backward and gracefully landed on her feet in a fighting stance. A moment later, he plummeted to the floor with a thud. 

“Don’t you think that last part was a bit showy?”

“You’re one to talk.” 

Just when she thought he was down for good, the Stardust Absorber pushed himself off the ground, stood up, and hurled himself at her with a screech.

When he got close, Saffron propelled her right leg towards the side of his face, then she left, and then her right again. She continued the cycle until she dipped her upper body down to gain momentum and swung her left leg towards his torso. 

Upon impact, he was sent flying and ended up getting tangled in the hanging crystal decoration. 

“What an amateur. Didn’t even get my heart pumping. I’m disappointed.”

After she said this, the Absorber increased his efforts to escape, resulting in him getting tangled further.

“Maybe we should try to get him to be used as practice at your university.”

“Who’s we? And that’s an insult.”

“Of course, it is, Miss Top-Of-Her-Class.” He chuckled and called for the police to make the arrest. “Let’s go get some coffee, Saffy. I can file the ROHA later. And I’ll cover you,” he baited.

“No. Stop asking me out, Matteo. And stop sending me flowers.”

“But you keep them every time.”

“That’s only because I—ugh, never mind. I don’t have time for this. I’m going to be late for class.” She flew past the officers and out the door. Trying to refocus, she landed on the roof, released the aura, and did a breathing exercise. “In for four, hold for seven, and out for eight. Don’t let him get to you, Saffron.”

Once calm, Saffron engulfed herself in the familiar black aura and soared toward school.

______________________________________________________________

“Gotcha now, Absorber. Gonna put cha’ away for a long time.” Two cops held the villain by his arms as they shoved him over the police car.

“Yeah, tell ‘em, Marv! I’d be embarrassed if I were him. Sensation and Aura were barely in there for ten minutes! Hah!”

“Got anythin’ to say for yourself, Absorber?”

“That’s not my name,” the green foe growled.

“Huh?” 

“I said,” he repeated, “That’s not. My. Name.”

“Alright, then. What do you wanna call yourself?”

“Draven!” 

“Gesundheit.”

“I didn’t sneeze, you incompetent oaf! That’s my name. Draven!”

The two cops looked at each other, then at Draven, and then back at each other before bursting with laughter.

“Ahahaha! Harry! Ya hear that?” Marv wheezed. “He calls himself Draven!”

“What a moron!”

“Stop laughing! You should be cowering at the mention of my name!” At this, the two cops howled with laughter even more.

“Alright, alright,” Harry chuckled. “We read you your Miranda rights already, so just get in the car,” he replied, pushing Draven into the car.

“Draven, hahaha. Can you imagine?”

“Clown costume and everything. Hah!”

Next Chapter >

[ladymaria-blue]

Original Character sketch dump :)

weezer blue :)

[ladytauria]

cashing in a rainy day [jaytim]

Pairing: Tim Drake/Jason Todd Rating: T Words: 5,533 Content Warnings: None

Today, though, Tim is wearing a sinfully tight pair of shorts and a loose fitting muscle tank… and Jason’s equipment upgrades aren't nearly interesting enough to keep his eyes from wandering. He tries, though. He really does. But then… he looks up again and gets a good look just as Tim lifts his shirt to dab his brow. Jason’s attention is drawn to the muscles of his abdomen; the way they flex as he breathes, the trail of dark hair leading down to the v of his hips. Jason’s throat goes desert dry. And then a water bottle enters his field of vision. Jason goes cross-eyed for a moment, looking at it, before he follows the arm extending it to Steph, her hip propped against his workstation, sly grin on her face. “Brought you some water,” she says, entirely too chipper for Jason’s liking. “You’re lookin’ pretty thirsty.” Originally written for JayTim Week 2022, using all three prompts for day 2: Carnival/Fair + Sun's Out, Guns Out + Monsoon/Summer Storm.

Big thank you to @deepwithintheabyss and @paprikadotmp4 for reading this fic over for me... and to Paprika for giving me the nudge to finally post sdfghjk

>> AO3 <<

Jason is working.

Or, he’s supposed to be. Would be, if not for Tim.

Despite being on better terms with the bats, Jason doesn’t often visit the Cave. He’s cultivated enough of his own resources that he can do without it just fine—but sometimes… Sometimes it’s just easier, and faster, to use Bruce’s equipment.

Supposedly.

Tim’s presence is testing that.

His replacement is lifting weights, while Cass acts as his spotter. He’s wearing sinfully tight compression shorts and a tank top which leaves his arms on delicious display. From his work bench, Jason has an excellent view of Tim’s left side—the way sweat rolls down his temple, messy hair plastered to the skin, his face beautifully flushed. The tight sinews of his arm as it curls, bringing the weight to his shoulder. He tracks the movement; stomach clenching.

Jason isn’t a stranger to a good arm, okay? He regularly works with Roy fucking Harper, after all. He knows what good arms look like. But Tim—

Goddamn.

It’s not like he didn’t know that Tim was attractive. He’s got eyes. It’s just… he’s rarely confronted with it so blatantly. Most of the time, when he hangs around Tim, Tim is lounging around in stolen clothing, always at least a touch too big for him. It’s cute, but. Easier to ignore. To pretend like he doesn’t want to sink his teeth into the meat of his shoulder, or suck on the jut of his hipbone, or lick the sweat dripping down his navel.

Or he’s in the Red Robin suit, and while that’s a whole different kind of attractive, Jason’s attention is usually occupied by bigger things.

Today, though, Tim is wearing a sinfully tight pair of shorts and a loose fitting muscle tank… and Jason’s equipment upgrades aren't nearly interesting enough to keep his eyes from wandering.

He tries, though. He really does.

But then… he looks up again and gets a good look just as Tim lifts his shirt to dab his brow. Jason’s attention is drawn to the muscles of his abdomen; the way they flex as he breathes, the trail of dark hair leading down to the v of his hips.

Jason’s throat goes desert dry.

And then a water bottle enters his field of vision. Jason goes cross-eyed for a moment, looking at it, before he follows the arm extending it to Steph, her hip propped against his workstation, sly grin on her face.

“Brought you some water,” she says, entirely too chipper for Jason’s liking. “You’re lookin’ pretty thirsty.”

Jason’s face flames. He snatches the water and unscrews the cap. “Shut up,” he mutters. Whose idea was it to put the workstations so close to the training area, anyway?

Steph laughs. “They do look pretty good out there, I’ll give you that.” She lifts her own water to her mouth, eyes drifting over to the weights—though her gaze lingers on where Cass is squatting, rather than on Tim.

Jason doesn’t respond. Cass and Tim are talking, and they’re just far enough away that Jason can’t make out what they’re saying. It ends with Tim climbing off the bench and dropping the weight back on the pile. He stretches, and goes toward his water bottle.

Jason watches him make his way there; this time his gaze lingering on his ass. He might not be Dick Grayson, but he’s certainly not lacking in that department, that’s for sure.

Steph ruffles his hair. “Stay hydrated,” she chirps, dodging Jason’s attempt to bat her hand away and skipping towards Cass.

Jason ducks his head. He has equipment to upgrade, dammit.

Fuck. He should have done this in his own workshop. So what if the equipment in his garage isn’t as state of the art? So what if he wouldn’t have been able to reach quite the result he wanted? At least then he could have gotten it done. Or maybe he could have taken a quick trip to Star City, and let Roy do it. None of his open cases would have suffered for it.

Ugh. Fuckin’ bats.

A shadow darkens his desk. Reluctantly, he looks up, ready to tell whoever it is to fuck off, he’s not in the mood. The words shrivel and die on his tongue.

It’s Tim, hair a mess, towel around his neck, arms still cruelly on display, his cheeks tinted pink.

“Hi,” Tim says. His tongue darts out, wetting his lips. His body is loose, open, but in a way that seems almost—careful. Deliberate. If Jason didn’t know better, he’d say Tim was nervous.

“Hey,” Jason says, voice gruffer than he means it to be. He doesn’t wince, but he wants to.

“I, uh.” Tim clears his throat. “I couldn’t help but notice you were checking me out.”

If Jason had been in motion, he would have frozen. Fuck, fuck, fuckity, fuck, fuck. He schools his expression into something unimpressed, and hopes he’s not blushing. “You should get your eyes checked, Timbo. I’ve been working. Need my armor in top shape. I got a lotta ground to cover.”

Tim doesn’t look convinced. “Last I checked, you didn’t have any pressing cases,” he says.

Jason raises a brow. “Been flexing the stalker muscles again, Timmers? What, you didn’t have enough bad guys to spy on?”

Tim rolls his eyes. “Just checking your availability,” he says. Which. What? “The county fair is coming to Gotham next week.”

“And?” Jason demands, trying desperately to make sense of the situation. Is there a case Tim needs help on? A plot to sabotage the fair? That usually passes by without incident, except for one year when Ivy turned all of the parks—including the fairgrounds—into nightmare gardens. Jason hasn’t heard any chatter, but then, Tim has been known to pull leads from thin air before, so maybe this is one of those times—?

“And I thought we could… go together. You know. As a date.” Tim’s voice cracks towards the end. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows hard. Jason’s brain feels like static; eyes drawn to the movement almost automatically. It takes him a few swallows of his own before he manages to form words.

“—date?” Jason clears his throat. “You—with me?”

Tim nods. “Yeah.”

“Oh.” He’s blushing now, he’s sure of it. His face feels hot—so do the tips of his ears. He isn’t quite sure what to do with his hands. Or the rest of him. His heart beats rapidly in his chest. “I—um. That sounds. Cool. I’d like that.” Fuck. He can hear Roy making fun of him—see Kori covering her mouth, trying not to laugh.

So fucking smooth, Todd.

“Great!” Tim lights up; his eyes brightening, a smile on his lips. He’s always handsome, but… wow. Happy is a good look on him. “Um. Next Friday? At… six?”

“Yeah. That’s. That’s good.” Jason nods. Hopes fervently that nothing comes up between now and then that makes it not good.

“Cool! I’ll, um. See you then. And uh. On patrol. Presumably.” The flush on Tim’s face has grown steadily darker. Jason kind of wants to kiss him.

Instead he just nods again. “Yep. Definitely.”

Tim nods back. “I’m just gonna—” He jerks his thumb towards the showers, backing away. As soon as he disappears, Jason puts his head into his hands. It’s only through sheer force of will, and the reminder that Cass and Steph are still in the immediate vicinity, that keeps him from screaming. He waits for himself to calm. His heartbeat slows. The flush on his face cools. He doubts it's gone completely, but it’s gone enough. He raises his head. He’s going to finish what he came for, and then he’s going to go home. Call Roy, maybe.

As soon as his gaze lifts, he finds himself catching Steph’s gaze. She’s grinning like the horrible gremlin she is. She gives him a double thumbs up—then mimes drinking.

Jason flips her the bird.

>> AO3 <<

[blackbatcass]

Hi! Feel free to ignore this but I thought I’d ask:

Do you have any comic recs for someone getting into Roy Harper? Very into Dickroy but want to learn more about Roy and where he came from and what his deal is etc etc

hey!! I can definitely help with that. roy harper my best friend forever <333

i am definitely not as well versed in his og speedy appearances alongside ollie (<- Girl Who Is Ignorant Of The Silver Age) but i think if you're interested in his early years the original teen titans '66 series is fun! there is also a really cute story about early ollie & roy published in dc's saved by the belle reve called 'earn it back' that i'd recommend.

you have doubtless heard of snowbirds don't fly (green lantern v. 2 #85), which. yeah. it is what it is. it's very hard to understand roy's story without reading it so it's kind of a must, but. y'know. keeping in mind the context of the time and everything. i would very much recommend reading the story 'green man and autumn son' from the green arrow 80th anniversary super spectacular after reading snowbirds; it's basically the story of sdf but from roy's perspective this time and it's like essential reading for roy imo.

next big thing would probably be new teen titans vol. 2 #19-21, which is where he finds out he's a dad for the first time!! very exciting! directly after that i'd read the cheshire contract arc (action comics #613-618), a very fun arc where roy actually gets to keep lian. plus dickroy! i would also recommend the arc rocks and hard places (action comics #627-634) which i think gets sometimes overlooked despite basically continuing on directly from cheshire contract. roy looking out for random irish orphans my beloved<3

specifically for ollie and roy's relationship i'd rec green arrow vol. 2 #75 (MY BELOVED), and the archer's quest (#16-21) arc from green arrow vol. 3! really really good stuff. 'you're a good dad roy harper/so are you ollie' augh.

next thing chronologically would be roy's new titans run, i think from around #97-130. this is where roy actually got to lead the titans, and it's an era that not a lot of people remember lol. the series was on its very last legs at that point but it's very cool to see roy in a leadership role!

arsenal (1998) is probably the biggest rec i have. beloved beloved comic. Roy In A Nutshell, four issues of pure gold. batman plus arsenal is also just one issue but very fun and a good look at roy!

titans (1999) is an obvious pick but like. it's so good. such good roy content. donnaroy i love you forever

and yeah if you're a dickroy fan then i shouldn't even have to mention outsiders (2003). The Dickroy Bible

OH almost forgot justice league of america vol. 2, around the first half of it! especially #6 has a REALLY good roy moment. red arrow!roy my best friend

i hope that's a good roy harper starter pack!!

[theresattrpgforthat]

Woo, the ask box is open again!! Been wanting to ask about any alternatives to Call of Cthulhu (investigative games with the potential to be set in the early 20th century) with more open licensing, such as having Open Game Licenses or being licensed under Creative Commons?

THEME: Hackable CoC Alternatives

Hello friend! I'm excited about the new asks as well!

So as far as I know, a lot of indie designers are very happy to allow hacks and supplements done of their work, but if it isn't clear on their page, asking in a comment certainly doesn't hurt!

That being said, for this ask, I made sure to recommend games that are built on systems that have been stated to be licensed under Creative Commons or something similar.

Eldritch, by Matheus Henrique Morais.

A hack of 24XX for Cosmic Horror games in any setting. Inspired by Cthulhu Dark.

24XX is a game system that has been hacked for a number of different settings and is released under a Creative Commons 4.0 license. The base rules take up about one page, and there’s plenty of examples in other 24XX hacks of how to introduce a rule or two to help the game fit the genre you’re looking for. 24XX is also inspired by the OSR scene, so when it comes to running and designing adventures, you can design adventures for these games similar to how you might design them for other OSR games.

Haunter in the Dark, by Robot Francis.

This town is haunted. Your home is cursed. Monsters are real. Haunter in the Dark is a horror roleplaying game about a group of investigators discovering then confronting the supernatural horrors that haunt their home town. The game is powered by the Forged in the Dark engine, with rules to create your investigators defined by their relationship to the unnatural: the Descendent, the Dreamer, the Exorcist, the Scientist, the Sleuth, and the Sorcerer.

The motivations, powers, and minions of the horror are generated collaboratively by the players during the game, with players encouraged to creep each other out and brandish their character's sharp edges. The MC takes the townspeople, world, and monsters that the players depict, then twists the knife to make it worse than they could have imagined. The game helps you create an escalating mystery, followed by a climactic scene of confrontation.

This is a Forged in the Dark Game, which means it uses the mechanics familiar from the Forged in the Dark SRD. John Harper has stated that the contents of the SRD are available under the Creative Commons Attribution, and if you want to include the Forged in the Dark logo, there’s simply an attribution request to indicate it’s a logo trademarked by One Seven Design. It’s an incredibly free license, and I’m planning on writing a game in this system!

The Between, by the Gauntlet.

The Between is a tabletop roleplaying game about a group of mysterious monster hunters in Victorian-era London. They are residents of a place called Hargrave House, and their job is to investigate and neutralize monstrous threats terrorizing the city—threats that Scotland Yard won’t or can’t handle themselves. As the story progresses, they become aware of the plans of a Moriarty-style criminal mastermind they will eventually have to face in order to save Queen and country.

The Between is directly inspired by the gothic horror TV show Penny Dreadful, but also takes a lot of inspiration from British horror classics, graphic novels like From Hell and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and pulp-era stories. Mechanically, it’s Powered by the Apocalypse but also uses the mystery system from Brindlewood Bay.

Both the Powered by the Apocalypse “system” and the Carved from Brindlewood license are pretty open. Vincent & Meguey Baker do not lay claim to the 2d6 mechanics of Apocalypse World, but rather use “Powered by the Apocalypse” to signify that a game was inspired by Apocalypse World in some way. There are thousands of PbtA games out there, many of which alter what some folks may have originally thought were key parts of PbtA. Meanwhile, Gauntlet Publishing runs a Discord channel that welcomes people’s ideas that use the Carved from Brindlewood label, and creates channels for each new game that has a name and a draft ready to go.

R’LYEH, by Another Cosmic Zine.

R’lyeh is a hack of Durf.

It adapts the game’s procedures and themes into a ruleset designed for tabletop scenarios of horror, investigation, mystery and madness. 

Both this game and its predecessor are designed to be hacked and re-worked, and are licensed under Creative Commons 4.0. They are fairly rules light and would probably benefit from having some supplements and home-brew! This game looks to be somewhat indifferent to the time period it’s set in, which tells me that you can probably run it in the early 19th century with little adjustments needed.

Cthork Borg, by kumada1.

Cthork Borg is a full conversion hack that adapts MÖRK BORG to a jazz age cosmic horror setting.

Cthork Borg uses the Mork Borg Third-Party License, which is fairly permissive and allows you to reference the mechanics and rules of the game. The creator for Cthork Borg even offers up the colours used in the game so that creators can create using the same colour palette! You’ll also be able to check out some other material that’s already been made for this game on the link above, including extra classes for characters, a guide to the setting, and rules for adding animals!

[thexsanctuaryx]

ʚ♡ɞ I'll Follow You Into the Dark ʚ♡ɞ

{ CHAPTER ONE }

➳ NEXT CHAPTER

Summary: Marc and Emma arrive in the same wing of the same mental hospital at the same time. Pairing: { eventual } Original Character { Emma Harper } x Marc Spector, Emma Harper x Steven Grant, and Emma Harper x Jake Lockley Contents: mental hospitals, psychiatric hold, first meeting, angst { I guess? I don't know what else to call it. } Warnings: severe mental illness { psychosis, hallucinations, depression }, main character is actively in psychosis, I've done my best to write it in the least triggering way but there are a lot of heavy themes that will take place in this series, so forewarning. Marc is a danger to himself here but it's only really alluded to in this part. mental hospitals. triggering themes related to the aforementioned. Author's Note: I recently finished reading Tear Down My Reason by @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction and it inspired me to work on an idea I've been playing with about Emma and the Boys meeting while both in a mental hospital at the same time. I wanted to write a series that would help other people with severe mental illness feel seen and heard as there really AREN'T works out there like this. This series is being written with a lot of love and care so I truly hope that it can be cathartic for those who read who might also live with mental illness because you DO matter and your story DOES deserve to be told. Word Count: 969 Taglist: @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction

They’d been admitted the same night, after lights out, two frozen bodies sitting in the darkened day room waiting to be assigned a bed.

It was unusual for two people to land in the same wing at the same time, let alone this late at night but that’s just how it happened.

She sits quietly, fully believing she’s in some kind of limbo between this life and the next – that somehow this was just how her brain was processing her passing, waiting to be judged.

She wonders if the man, slumped in the chair half a dozen feet from her is also recently deceased. Or so she believes.

He seems sullen and she wonders if perhaps he’d taken his own life to end up here in this seeming waystation.

Despite his deep scowl, she finds him beautiful. And then she thinks to herself, maybe he’s an angel and it’s some kind of test to see how she’ll interact with him.

As his eyes rise to hers, his frown etches further into his features. “You're staring…” He mutters, rolling his shoulders tensely.

“Sorry—” Emma apologizes, tearing her eyes away. “I was just—wondering if you were okay…” She mumbles softly.

“Would I be here if I were okay?” He replies.

Emma confuses his meaning, again thinking maybe this in the afterlife. And again, she thinks he must’ve taken his life.

‘Marc—come on, she seems sweet…’ A voice in his mind says, whose worried expression reflects from the window to the hallway.

“How can you possibly tell that, Steven?” He mutters again.

When he speaks to someone that doesn’t appear to be in the room, she starts to turn the options over in her mind.

Maybe he’s hearing voices like she started to this morning before…before it happened…

Or maybe she just can’t see the person he’s speaking to because that person is on a spiritual plane she can’t comprehend yet.

Still, she’s sure it’s all a test.

“Who is Steven?” she asks gently, trying to help.

Marc’s eyes flash to hers again, that seem to look on him with such an innocence that even he can’t see her question as malicious.

“Is he here too?” She asks, looking confused but somehow so compassionate.

This in turn confuses him.

‘I don’t think she’s here for the same reason we are, mate…” Steven says within their headspace, looking at the girl with such soft regard.

There’s a small pout at Marc’s lips as he studies her. She radiates a kind of sensitive and soothing energy that belongs far away from a place like this.

He can’t help but soften along with Steven.

Another presence moves into focus in their shared space. He takes one look at the girl and feels his own protective nature kick in.

‘Who’s this?’

Marc doesn’t realize how long the silence has lingered between them until Jake speaks.

All the while, she continues looking softly at him, occasionally shying away her eyes.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me…” Emma breaks the silence.

Marc shakes his head slowly, somehow finding himself more worried about her than he is about himself at this point.

“What’s your name?” He asks, tempering his voice.

She swallows, tucking some hair behind her ear. “E-Emma…” She rolls her lips in, causing dimples to dip lightly into her cheeks as her eyes glance away shyly again.

Jake watches stunned from the reflection beside Steven.

He doesn’t know where it comes from, but he only softens more. “I’m Marc…” he introduces himself.

Emma eyes rise to his again, nodding slowly.

Her mind is already moving on, asking quietly, “do you know how long we’ll be here?”

Marc mistakes her meaning, just assuming it must be her first time on a psychiatric hold.

“72 hours—they have to—”

Emma’s already talking over him, more to herself but audible enough for the three of them to hear. “Three days? Like Easter?” She wonders aloud.

Marc’s eyebrows pull together, his mouth hanging open a little. “huh?”

“Easter—” Emma repeats. “Jesus came back to life after three days…”

‘Oh I—Marc I don’t think she knows what’s happening at all…’ Steven tells him.

Marc blinks slowly, but continues to soften, “do you know where you are right now, Emma?”

She shakes her head quickly and her shoulders pulling up to her ears, “I think it’s—well it’s kinda like limbo, right?” She pauses, furrowing her own brow. “We’re waiting to be judged…” She does her best to explain.

An ache goes through his chest, somehow his situation seems to pale in comparison with hers.

“No, Emma—” He starts, but is abruptly cut off when the floor staff comes to collect her first.

Fear seems to come over her face and it’s all he can do to stay in his chair, knowing that causing a scene would end badly for one or both of them.

“I’ll see you tomorrow—okay?” Is all he can get out.

“Tomorrow?” Emma questions in a daze.

“Come on, Emma—let’s get you settled…” The woman ushers her out of the door. “Someone will be back for you in a minute, Marc.”

This does nothing to ‘settle’ Marc at all, in fact, even after they get him situated in a room he still can’t stop worrying.

And so there he lies, in the dark on his side in a twin sized bed that feels a little too small, wrapped in thin hospital blankets, unable to get his mind off of the beautiful girl somewhere in a room along the same hallway.

The same beautiful girl who likewise lies in the dark, wondering over an angel named Marc and what will come of her.

Of one thing was certain for both of them, sleep wouldn’t come so easily tonight.

[thatthirdtriplet]

Relationships:

Roy Harper/Jason Todd Selina Kyle/Bruce Wayne Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne Selina Kyle & Jason Todd Jason Todd & Damian Wayne Dick Grayson & Roy Harper

Characters:

Roy Harper Jason Todd Bruce Wayne Selina Kyle Stephanie Brown Tim Drake Barbara Gordon Damian Wayne Dick Grayson Alfred Pennyworth Duke Thomas

Additional Tags:

Minor Selina Kyle/Bruce Wayne Minor Original Character(s) Bruce Has Entered the Chat Organized Crime Recreational Drug Use Fantasizing Canon-Typical Violence Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD Explicit Sexual Content Repressed Memories Oral Sex Rimming Self-Indulgent Technology Probably Doesn't Work Like This Minor Oliver Queen Selina Kyle Has Arrived Protective Selina Kyle Schrödinger virginity Past Drug Addiction Scarecrow's Fear Toxin (DCU) minor violence against animals Animal Death Barbara Gordon is Oracle Stephanie Brown is Batgirl Cassandra Cain is Black Bat Jason Todd Hates Cops Psychological Horror Anal Sex The Red Hood is a Real Estate Mogul Jason's Crew Loves Him

Summary:

“Usually you have the fastest response time on the team,” Bruce rumbled, matter-of-fact.

“Oh my god,” Jason sighed, pushing his hair out of his eyes. “Well, I don’t run around dressed as a traffic light with a gaggle of super humans so I’m less noticeable than the others.”

Jason and Roy come to Gotham. Roy learns about what it takes to be a crime lord while Jason struggles to reintegrate into the Batfamily.

Ps: You can read this separately but I suggest you read the previous fics in the series for this fic to make sense.

[3terna15unshin3]

Then Because She Goes

★ Matty Healy x Original Female Character

★ slow burn, friends to lovers, mutual pining, eventual romance, eventual smut, fluff, time skips, angst

★ 15 Chapters, 74243 words

“Well, she says beauty brings copies of itself into being. That it makes us draw it, take photographs of it, describe it to other people—it has a forward momentum. And I always thought that that was a sort of—superficial, I guess—way of putting it. But I feel that when I’m with you. Almost like I want to savour you up so that the minute you’re gone there’s still some of you left.”

From meeting in a second-hand bookshop in central Manchester, Este and Matty begin exchanging questionable (and pretentious) book recommendations and flourish an alluring interest in one another.

1: You are mine, I’ve been drowning in you

2: You fracture light again

3: Beautiful, please don’t cry, I love you

4: When you leave, I cry on the inside

5: I wake up, love you, so love you, love you

6: Cry, I wake up, love you, love you

7: We’re supposed to leave by half-past eight*

8: You wait for a bit

9: Pissed again, I’ve been dying to meet you

10: You fracture light again (Ooh), I love you, oh, love you*

11: When you leave, I cry on the inside*

12: Oh, so I love this, I love you, so love you

13: Cry, I will love you, love you, love you

14: We’re supposed to leave by half-past eight

15: Will you stay or wait?*

*mature content

Soundtrack

All Titles Mentioned (in order of appearance)

— Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

— Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

— To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

— Lord of the Flies by William Golding

— Emma by Jane Austen

— Persuasion by Jane Austen

— You Are Here: Art After the Internet by Omar Kholeif

— Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

— On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

— Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

— On Beauty and Being Just by Elaine Scarry

— Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

— If Cats Disappeared From The World by Genki Kawamura

— The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

— Coraline by Neil Gaiman

— Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

— Piranesi by Suzanna Clarke

— “The Orange” by Wendy Cope

— Pure Colour by Sheila Heti

— Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion

— Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

General Rated Fics Masterlist (16)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / Part 13 / Part 14 / Part 15 /

Created: March 12th, 2024

Last Checked: —-

Be In My Eye-Grace_d (ao3)  Summary: Katniss Everdeen can't seem to avoid Peeta Mellark since the Revolution, and it's making her stomach hurt. A chance encounter will give her an opportunity to put some of that well-meaning boy advice from Delly Cartwright to the test. Candy Pink to Grey-FanficAllergy (ao3)  Summary: Soulmates don't exist. Except that they do. Haymitch finds his in the worst possible place. Capital Vices and Distinct Virtues-ghtlovesthg (ao3)  Summary: Katniss and Peeta debate the merits of mankind, its virtue and vice, with District Twelve as a stage. Katniss begins to realize something she won't fully understand until after the rebellion. Canon-compliant CF interlude. Round 4 PiP Submission for the sin of pride, though all seven make an appearance. Carols of the Districts-FanficAllergy (ao3)  Summary: Although Panem was a wholly secular society, there were still traces of the civilization that came before. When it came to the midwinter holiday, each district had its own way of celebrating. Change at the Fair-everydayescapeartist (ao3)  Summary: Change is the word of the day at this year’s county fair. Written for PiP Farewell Tour Day 3 Prompt: Modern Locations - Fair Christmas to Katniss-Glintwarsgreatest (ao3)  Summary: Katniss Everdeen looks forward to the holidays she is lucky enough to spend with the O’Dair family every year, this year being no exception. She makes a new friend, (an attractive one at that), and learns that often the best gifts one can receive are filled with love and care. Based on “Christmas to Me” (yes I also ripped off the title), a short essay written by Harper Lee for McCall’s Magazine in 1961. Contents Unknown-FanficAllergy (ao3)  Summary: Even though she doesn't have to anymore, Katniss will always stockpile food and Peeta loves her for it. Cookbooks from Effie-endlessnightlock (ao3)  Summary: Just a little post-mockingjay growing back together story where Peeta sleeps over for the first time since coming back home. Don't Want no Other Shade of Blue-HuntersWithCellPhones (ao3)  Summary: Peeta is moping on the train. Haymitch is his Haymitch self.

'Twas the Night-ghtlovesthg (ao3) 

Summary: Post-epilogue. A moment from Katniss and Peeta’s Christmas Eve, in the style of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” (originally by Clement Clarke Moore).

[changingplumbob]

New Goth: Chapter 4, Part 5

James meets with the social worker (and I don't understand why the internal lights at 100% illumination refuse to illuminate)

CW: Moderate sim spice Content Warning Guide

To say that Alexander and James are happy to have a room to themselves again would be an understatement. Give these two an inch and they’ll be all over each other.

James: How was your first day at work love

Alexander: Good, I got a promotion

James: On your first day? Seems like a reason to celebrate

Alexander: Mmhm, you are now sleeping with a food critic

James: Oh I’ve been sleeping with a food critic for years *kisses neck*

Alexander: *laughs* I don’t complain that much do I? And if I do it’s only about stuff I cooked

James: True

Alexander: I missed this *kisses* You and me and our bed sweets

James: I know what you mean

Alexander: With Milton on a whole other floor and not directly below us I think we can have a round or two without worrying about noise. So, how about it? Want to share your bed with me Mr Goth

James: Just try to stop me

The pair’s woohoo life is paced to what James can handle. Alexander doesn’t want his husband’s heart giving out so most of the time is kissing and words rather than action but Alexander likes it that way. He’s always been a bookworm and James’ time as a teacher gave him an extensive vocabulary. Of course nothing quiet beats a quiet “I love you” whispered from one man to another around their peak.

When they’re together Alexander forgets his less than moral reasons for pursing James. Whatever his intentions were originally he’s deeply in love now. Part of him wants to keep James to himself for as long as he can but he knows James has always wanted kids. As the pair end and snuggle up to sleep Alexander sends a wish to the universe that he can be a good father. He couldn’t bear to let James down.

The morning leaves room for a different type of love as Hamlet is feeling needy and wants snuggles.

Before Milton leaves for school James makes sure to boost his confidence.

James: Just remember, if you’re comfy in that suit that’s what’s important. Other people’s tense moodlets are not your problem

Milton: Thanks Uncle James

James: You should know I’m seeing the social worker today

Milton: About adoption?

James: Yes. I promise not to bring home Stuart Little

Milton: Who? Oh I better go or I’ll miss the bus

James sighs to himself and tells Gertrude off for hitting the bin again. Of course telling offs don't do much when they're followed by snuggles.

Alexander: Are you sure you’re fine going by yourself? They won’t dock us points or anything

James: You just got promoted, you have an appearance to maintain at work. Don’t worry, I have half a dozen stories of how you’ve helped Milton under my belt if they ask

The social worker has set up a meeting at the local library/café so James does not have far to travel. He gets there early and grabs a small table in the corner while he waits. Right on time the social worker shows up.

Harper: Mr Goth?

James: Yes, that’s me. Mrs Ali I assume

Harper: Yes but really Harper is fine. It’s not a trap I use to screen prospective parents, I promise

James: That’s a relief

Harper: Now I have looked over the paperwork you and your husband submitted

James: And how is it?

Harper: Obviously finances are not a concern for you

James: That's right

Harper: And you’ve retired? So there will likely be a parent at home most of the time

James: Yes, I’ll be there

Harper: Good. And what about your brother in law, Milton?

James: He’s home when he’s not at school

Harper: I mean is he prepared for a new face at home

James: He knows all about it, I think he’s rather excited about having someone closer to his age around. Uh... not that we would make them spend time with Milton if they didn’t want to. We're not trying to adopt a babysitter

Harper: That is the one other thing I would like to check

James: Yes?

Harper: I see you and your husband have indicated you would like an older child, possibly a teen

James: Correct. I would like someone who’s going to remember me

Harper: I see. Adopters are not always interested in the older kids so you've made my day

James: I was a teacher for most of my life. I believe all of them deserve someone in their corner

Harper: A noble thought. Now I’ve looked at the hobbies you and your husband have indicated and there is one in particular who may fit well if you’re up for it. From being a teacher you must have some experience with kids that fall outside the normal

James: Um... up for it?

James: They’re not violent are they? Because I am getting on and I don’t think I could handle-

Harper: Oh no no no, don’t misunderstand me, she’s not violent

James: So what’s the challenge

Harper: I suppose you could say… she is an odd duck

James: But she doesn’t hurt others

Harper: No sign of that Mr Goth. She has been in a series of homes for the past couple of years

James: She has?

Harper: Yes. There were personality clashes with prospective parents. While I don't want to put you off I feel it's best for her to go to a family who knows what to expect. She needs her next home to be a good fit or I fear her confidence will be dashed irreversibly

James: My husband does come from a family known to be odd. What do you think we need to know?

Harper: She can be... competitive for attention

James: What teenager isn't

Harper: *laughs* true. She also tends to try charm her way through situations due to her family history which we'll need to discuss

James: I see. Are her parents still… alive

Harper: We don’t know for certain. She was left with her grandmother at the age of three while her parents went out of town on a business trip. They were workaholics apparently. The grandmother never saw them again, she assumed they had grown bored of their daughter

James: Oh. Does she have anything of theirs? To remember them by?

Harper: I- I’m not sure. You’d have to ask her

James: So did her grandmother pass away? Is that why she's in the system?

Harper: Not exactly. Do you know what an esoteric shop is

James: No

Harper: Think tarot cards, crystals, candles, teas and incense. Stuff like that. Her grandmother was running a very successful one where she helped out a lot. Just before she turned eleven her grandmother was arrested for fraud. The woman is currently incarcerated and as such cannot have custody

James: I see. So she’ll… what? Trick our money from us

Harper: Normally she only charms the gullible and despite that shows high compassion for those she feels affection for. However she can be slow to trust and open up to others. Sometimes testing them. I think with you and your husband being the intelligent sort you’ll not fall for any schemes, and your history as a teacher should have given you the ability to bond with teenagers

James: Right. So when can we meet her

Harper: You… still are interested

James: Yes. I was serious when I said all kids deserve someone in their corner

Harper: *smiles* I can set up a meeting, see if the situation would be good for your family and her

James: Does that mean she'll be interviewing us? She may not want to be adopted by someone so old

Harper: Don't worry Mr Goth. The personalities of the adopters matter a lot more to these kids than how old or mobile they are. I promise you, she does want a place to belong

Previous ... Next

[modern-day-bard]

Other Duties As Assigned: A Joel Miller AU Fanfiction

Content Warning: 18+ This story includes mature themes such as drinking, stalking, violence, and explicit smut. Minors, do not interact.

Chapter 17: Anyone

word count: 4.3k

ao3 | wattpad

Gwen

Contrary to my scheme several weeks ago, I severely wish I had had more time to find a costume for tonight. Three days just wasn’t enough time. Now I’m standing in front of a mirror, in a bodysuit two sizes too small, wishing I could cover up. If I was still hell-bent on making Joel uncomfortable, this outfit would have done it.

I originally thought my hair would be the statement, as my blonde waves had been styled to be the curliest they could manage. Which, apparently, was quite curly. Aria was beyond excited that I was working with Brissel, and she used probably half a tub of curl-defining cream. After Mateo added a red lip, they left for another booking. Now, I’m alone with what is essentially lingerie. Evelyn had sent me a judge costume to ensure I was completely covered, whereas Harper had sent over a fireman costume that consisted primarily of shiny red leather. I added tights underneath the bodysuit for some extra coverage, but if it weren’t for the miniature hat fastened atop my head, I could easily pass as some scantily-clad superhero. Especially with the added high-heeled, red leather boots. The outfit highlighted my curves so much that I considered being a judge for a moment. That is, before Harper texted me a picture of her dalmatian costume, telling me how excited she was that we were going to match. Damn her too-good-for-this-earth smile.

A few months ago, I would wear this without hesitation. I’d go with the intention tonight of getting as many likes as possible, impressing the brand with my engagement, having fun with my friends, and potentially taking another man home. And I despised, despised, the fact that now, for the first time, I’m actually nervous to walk out in front of Joel. I hike up the strapless front a little higher, and grimace when that only seems to draw attention to my chest even more.

Tonight’s about having fun, Gwen. When did you start to give a shit about what other people think?

I shake out my arms and wiggle my shoulders, shimmying away all the anxious energy on my way to the door.

Joel is waiting in the living room, just as I expected. I know he heard me coming, as the click-clacking of these shoes would guarantee, but he’s busy looking down at his phone.

I asked him earlier to wear the suit he wore to the wedding, minus the bowtie. I might have been imagining—or god forbid wishing—things, but I think there was a touch of excitement when I asked. And a small smile makes its way to my face now that he’s obliged me.

“I’m all set,” I announce, starting to make my way to the elevator.

This gets his attention, though only momentarily. Joel looks away as soon as he sees me, which quickly makes my face match my bodysuit. My heart hammers in my chest, noting how his free hand clenches into a fist.

���Alright,” He clears his throat, following behind me, eyes now on the floor.

“There’s just one more thing before we go…” I find the small package in the second hall closet, handing him the box with a smirk.

Joel rummages through the contents for a moment. “Are you giving me a uniform now?”

“It’s a costume. Badge, sunglasses, little pen that you can pretend has a flash in it. You can be one of the Men in Black.”

He pulls out the badge as if he’s dismantling a bomb.

“I’m assuming it will be a big fat no, but I toned it down just in case. This way no one will question your ever-present frown.”

Joel gives me a look, even as he fastens the badge to his lapel.

“You’ve assumed incorrectly.”

I ignore the giddy feeling moving up through my toes with a shrug. “There’s a first time for everything. Don’t forget the tie.”

Joel puts the sunglasses on next, and they sit a little too well on his smoothed hair. Secretly, I had hoped that he would style it just as he had at the wedding. The fact that he has makes it even more difficult not to stare as he puts the pen in his pocket and slings the tie around his neck. Watching his hands as he affixes it, so carefully and controlled, a thought shoots through my mind like lightning. His hands wrapping the fabric around my wrists, the sound it would make as it pulls it taut.

I drag myself over to press the elevator button, like putting space between us will somehow lessen the chances of him being a mind reader. I need to be out of telepathic earshot if that sort of thing is going to pop into my head.

After the trek to Brooklyn, made easier by Rod’s aversion to following traffic laws, we arrive at the event. Joel had told me there was no back entrance, as the club for the L'ensemble and Brissel event was quite small in comparison to some of Russell Corporation's events. There are only a handful of photographers outside, and it looks as though two of them were hired by the event organizers themselves. It offers me a little relief as I grab Joel’s offered hand, stepping out to the flashing lights. This part, I’m used to. Ironically, I was more covered in this sexed-up fireman costume than I was in my dress for the last gala. With Joel standing behind me to the left, it’s a little easier to pose as I normally would, fluffing my hair and pushing my hips to the side.

A couple of them call my name, asking for different angles. The side-eye Joel gives the one who asks for a back-shot doesn’t go unnoticed. I smile at them, giving a quick thanks, before heading inside with Joel’s hand hovering behind me as usual. Any composed, photo-ready smile turns cheesy and borderline goofy when I see a spotted pair of ears bouncing on over to me.

“You made it!” Harper squeals, wrapping me into a big hug. I find myself waiting until she lets go first.

“I missed you,” I say as quietly as I can. Her green eyes shine, squeezing my hand. I didn’t tell her about the flowers. I only said that there was a false alarm at the wedding and I’ve decided that having a bodyguard is a good idea, once and for all. I also may have embellished how much work is stressing me out. Not that it wasn’t, but having an excuse to my radio silence that wouldn’t involve scaring her was helpful.

“Hey Joel! Love the costume.” Harper smiles at him. He does his best to match her enthusiasm, and fails.

“Thank you, it’s uh, it was all her—Miss Russell.” His sunglasses sit just far enough down his nose that I can see him look over at me before looking away just as fast.

“This looks incredible!” I pivot, perking up as I take in the disco balls mixed with cobwebs and purple lighting.

“Thank you! I had zero part in it,” She beams. “Everyone else is already here. C’mon!” Harper drags me through the crowd of people, pointing out different setups along the walls of new products for people to try. “The marketing director is here, I think she’ll want to snap a few pictures of you with the products later. Especially with that hair of yours, because damn.”

“It was all Aria’s idea.”

“Was it her idea to go with my costume instead of Evelyn’s?”

I lean forward so that Joel won’t be able to hear, even though the music around is pounding. “Was it your idea to purposely size down this thing? I can hardly breathe.”

Harper radiates mischief, looking over her shoulder. “Of course not. It was Nyah’s.”

Speaking of the devil herself, she dressed the part. Complete with a sparkly black and red pitchfork.

“Give us a spin!” She points the styrofoam weapon at me, and I do as she commands even with an eyeroll.

“I hear I have you to blame for this,” I can’t help but smile at her satisfied expression.

“Well,” she bends down to my ear, “If I had known, I would have bought you a little alien number instead.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me, eyes flicking up to Joel before she gives him a small wave.

“You’re never going to give that up, are you?”

“Not until you give in. You know you want to,” Nyah practically sings.

“Gwen, hi!” Elijah saves me from the possibility of answering that rhetorical question.

“Hey Elijah,” I bring him into a hug as Landon approaches behind us.

“A firefighter? Very hot,” Landon winks. Elijah and them are dressed as…

“Detectives?” I ask, looking back and forth between their old school caps and the pipe hanging out of Landon’s mouth.

“Sherlock and Watson,” Elijah’s ecstatic smile gives Harper’s a run for her money. My heart melts seeing how Landon smiles at him, and I can’t help but return it.

“We need some drinks!” Harper declares, loud enough for some people behind us to holler back in agreement.

Two tequila sodas later, I finish up my photo op with Brissel. Ada, the marketing director, is so down-to-earth that I forget that I’m being paid to promote them. We’ve made plans to get coffee before Nyah and the rest of the group are begging me to make our way to the second floor, where the real fun begins.

They must have fit two to three hundred people in the already cramped space. The floor lights up in different hues of purple, each square combining to form a kaleidoscope. The music was even louder up here than the floor below, and dozens of people crowd toward the DJ, mimicking his hand motions. Nyah pulls us into the middle of the dance floor, with Landon and Elijah quickly making the excuse that they needed more drinks. They take our orders, but I don’t expect to see them for some time. The way they keep looking at each other… they’re probably going to find some dark corner to “investigate.”

Joel lingers close to my side, standing as straight as an arrow, eyes hidden behind his glasses.

“So they’re already at the matching couple’s costume phase, huh?” I ask the girls before Harper can spin in too many circles for her to see or hear straight.

“Apparently. Who knew Landon would be such a lover?” Nyah muses.

“Are we still allowed to be commitment-phobes?” Harper asks, “If all of you start to get into relationships I’ll be pissed.”

“I don’t fall into that category, if you recall.” Nyah flips her hair over her shoulder, making Harper laugh.

“Okay, two long-term relationships make you exempt. Gwen?”

Again, that weird twinge of embarrassment whips through my chest. Why did I wish Joel was on the other side of the room right now?

“You know the answer to that.” I try to be as vague as possible, but Harper’s eyes widen with glee.

“Thank god,” She reaches for my hand, spinning me around. That, at least, makes me laugh before I stumble backwards, Joel’s arm reaching out to steady me.

It’s not a conscious decision—to look up at him. But everything in my body pulls my eyes upward, the way tourists do after taking their first steps outside of Grand Central. Except even now, I still haven’t tired of the view.

Of New York, I mean. Obviously.

Joel doesn’t pull his eyes away, but he arches a brow, the slightest ghost of a smile on his face. “You alright?”Why does New York’s accent have to come out so strong when he asks that?

I square my shoulders, which seems to give him some idea that I want his arm to leave my back, though that isn’t the case.

“You could move a little, you know. Unless you’re just getting into character.”

Joel adjusts his tie, “Yeah. Not really my kind of music. Or dancing, for that matter.”

“I can’t imagine there is a kind of dancing you do enjoy,” I challenge, leaning forward to close some of the space between us. I can feel both Nyah and Harper’s eyes burn into the side of my face, even though they keep moving to the beat. I’ll get shit for this later, I’m sure. They’ll call it flirting, and I’ll tell them they’re reading into it too much. I have just enough alcohol in my system to not read into it at all.

“Well, maybe you just haven—”

I feel a tap on my arm as Joel stiffens beside me. Turning to my right, I come face to face, more like face to chest, with another fireman. Tall, burly, and dirty blonde. At least from what I could see poking out from underneath his hat. His hat, suspenders, and thick ‘fireproof’ pants were the bigger indications of his costume, seeing as his chest was bare.

“If this place gets any hotter, you and I will be put to work.” He smiles, exposing teeth so white I wonder if they’re veneers.

I fight the urge to cringe. I do one, quick glance over to Harper and Nyah to confirm that they were, in fact, watching this interaction the way a cat watches a laser pointer. I have to entertain him, just a little. Otherwise there will be an onslaught of questions tomorrow.

“I hope not. You aren’t exactly suited up for it,” I point to his abs. His eyes twinkle with excitement, the way all men’s do when their pickup line is well received.

“Speak for yourself!” He shouts over the music, eyeing my costume down to the boots. “That outfit may burn the place down on its own.”

In an effort to avoid him looking even longer at my breasts, I change the conversation. “I’m Gwen,” I stick out my hand, forcing him to look me back in the eye.

“Gwen? I’m Aidan.”

Aidan keeps a hold of my hand, spinning me gently so that I’m mainly facing away from him. I’m sure he intends it to be intimate, but it only makes me acutely aware of how rigid Joel has gone next to me. His sunglasses are still in place, but I know he’s watching every breath of this interaction.

“You’re absolutely beautiful,” Aidan says in my ear, as quietly as the music will allow. “I’ve been trying to come over here since you walked in.”

I twist my head to look up at him. “Thank you…”

In truth, he is very good looking. Exactly the type of distraction I would normally gravitate towards. So why am I unable to return the compliment? Why can’t I think of any sort of reply other than the basics?

“Do you live in Brooklyn?” Not my best, but at least it’s something.

Aidan starts to rock us back and forth, his hand dropping to my waist.

“I couldn’t help but overhear that this guy wouldn’t dance with you.” He ignores my question entirely. “Any guy in here would be crazy not to.”“Oh,” I let out an awkward, forced laugh, “Yeah, not everyone is up for it, I guess.”

“I am,” His hand grazes lower, down to the front of my thigh. The thin layer of my tights doesn’t feel like enough of a barrier. He pushes me against him by doing so, and I can feel the heat from his chest against my back.

All of this is normal. Swiveling my hips, hearing him hum in approval, lulling my head back to rest against him while we sway to the music.

This feeling, however, is not.

My heart is pumping almost double the speed it normally would after a few songs. The heat Aidan is giving off begins to feel stifling, and I feel a couple beads of sweat drip down my back. And there’s this weird twist in my stomach as the thought of the note flashes through my mind. It takes everything in my power not to look over at Joel who is both painfully close to us and still not close enough. I do catch Nyah’s smirk at one point, both of the girls then turning around to find their own dance partners. When they do so, it feels like the crowd around us pulls tighter inward. Like even if something were to happen right now, and Joel was close by, there would still be nowhere for us to go. Nowhere to run. And as I catch a whiff of Aidan’s cologne, I think once again of the note.

I can only wait and wonder if you smell just as sweet.

This couldn’t be him, could it?

The thought leaves me frozen, back arched against Aidan. It could be anyone. What are the odds that my stalker would be at this party? It was invite-only. Maybe he could have followed me, but getting in would be incredibly difficult. I should have asked him if he knew who I was to gauge his reaction, but that idea makes me feel nauseous. I’ve never wanted to be someone who assumed everyone knew who I was. Most of the time, I went by completely unbothered. This is probably just another guy, like any other night.

But…what if it’s not? What if it is him? What if he’s this close to my friends, and to Joel? What if I put everyone in danger just by showing up tonight?

The room feels darker, and I now feel encased by Aidan’s arm. He hasn’t even noticed I’ve stopped dancing, or if he has, he’s chosen to ignore it. The quick, rhythmic beat around us clashes with the unsteady, erratic pounding in my chest, and I start to shake my head, pulling away from Aidan. At first, he pulls back, maybe assuming it’s part of some move or something.

“I–um, I’m sorry,” I break away, facing him with an apologetic smile. His face is flushed, not even looking at mine. His eyes glaze over my body only, and I know he barely heard me. Just to my right, Joel still stands, straighter and stiffer than I’ve seen him before. Though since I’ve pulled away from Aidan, Joel has taken half a step in between us. I’m glad I can’t see what his eyes are focused on.

“C’mere,” Aidan says over the music, reaching for me again. My heart hasn’t stopped racing, and I lurch back, immediately embarrassed by my response. I can’t see any of my friends nearby as I turn to push through the crowd. When I feel a presence close behind me, panic shoots down my arms. Until the familiar scent of spice fills my senses, and I know it’s just Joel, doing his job.

I continue to push through the crowd until I see the doors to a balcony, and the promise of fresh air calls to me like a siren.

“Miss Russell,” I hear Joel’s gruff voice behind me, but I don’t turn around. “Miss Russell, slow down.”

I can’t. There isn’t enough air in here. And he’s with me anyway. Why should I slow down? I push past the last crowd of people with relative ease, almost stumbling against the railing, letting the chilly air hit my skin. I focus on the alleyway below, wondering how many breaths it will take to feel normal again.

“Miss Russell,” Joel repeats, placing only one hand on the railing to my left so he can face me instead. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head. “Nothing,” another deep breath, “I just needed a—moment.”

Even from the corner of my eye I can see his eyebrow crease forming. He surveys the balcony, probably trying to assess how many people can eavesdrop, before lowering his voice. “Did Aidan do something?”

I didn’t know he had been close enough to hear his name. That better be all he heard.

“What? No.” I roll my head to the side, stretching my neck. Despite all the dancing, I feel more tense than when we arrived. Thankfully, the music is quiet out here, and there’s only a handful of people mulling about.

I can feel Joel looking at me, the concern pouring in even though I refuse to engage with it. It takes several minutes for me to feel like I have enough control over myself to stop gripping the railing as tightly, and eventually I can look elsewhere besides the alley.

Even with what I can see in my periphery, I still jump, looking at Joel startled as he places his suit jacket over my shoulders.

“You’re shivering,” he says apologetically.

On some other night, several weeks ago, I would have objected before he’d even finished giving it to me. Now, I pull it tighter around myself, taking a long whiff of the comforting scent rolling off of it.

“Thank you.” I try to give him a small smile.

“What happened?” Joel asks softly.

I shake my head again. “I don’t know.”

I try to focus on the Manhattan lights in the distance, knowing that if I look at Joel as I ask this, I’ll feel far too weak. “Do you think it could be him?”

He doesn’t answer me right away, but I know he understands. He just continues to watch me, as if trying to determine if I can handle his opinion.

“It could be anyone,” his voice is gruff with honesty. “Which is a good, and bad, thing.”

“Right,” I sniffle, hoping it will stave off the thick lump forming in my throat.

“I do think it’s unlikely. He had a confidence that I wouldn’t anticipate from stalkers. Why send things to you if he has the balls to approach you in public?”

He still sounds just as honest, not that I would ever take Joel as someone who would sugarcoat anything. A virtue I very much appreciate.

“That’s a good point,” I sigh, my heart rate slowing further.

“Don’t sound too surprised.”

I finally turn towards him, his concern having sizzled, looking slightly relieved to have me make eye contact. And for the first time this evening, he doesn’t instantly look away.

“Contrary to popular belief, Miller, I do actually think you know how to do your job. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be such a pain in the ass.”

He tries to hide his smile by looking out at the view. “I’m the one forced to wear a costume, but I’m the pain in the ass?”

“I went easy on you! I could have made you a dalmatian with Harper.” I giggle, and he looks back at me with an unrestrained smile.

I’m not sure I’ve seen him smile like this before. He has a dimple, for christ’s sake. His entire face lights up, and it reminds me that there is a man in there that plays the guitar, and has nightmares, and always remembers to get me dinner when I forget to get it for myself.

I’m screwed.

“Are you married?”

What the fuck? Why did I ask that? I would blame the tequila, but most of my buzz has faded. Much like Joel’s smile, now that it’s been replaced with surprise.

“No.”

I want him to elaborate, but he doesn’t.

Well, if he’s going to play coy.

“Do you have a significant other?” I try to phrase it correctly, remembering Nyah’s comment that he might not be into women. I suppose that’s still a possibility, but there’s a very irritating

amount of hope inside me that it isn’t true.

“No.”

I narrow my eyes. “Really? No relationship at all?”

“No.”

“That was a quick answer.”

“Relationships are complicated.”

“That was a non-committal answer.”

“What answer do you want?” He sounds exasperated now.

“The truth.”

Joel doesn’t reply right away. I realize that with each breath, we’ve been inching closer and closer to each other until we’re practically chest to chest. My breathing is back to being erratic, though for a completely different reason. For a second, Joel’s darkened eyes fall to my lips, and for a faster, almost undetectable moment, they fall to my chest. Unlike how I felt with Aidan, I didn’t want him to look away. The nearly pained expression on his face makes heat pool in my belly, before dropping lower…

Joel clears his throat, taking a step back. It’s a motion that wafts the cool air against my face, reminding me where I am.

“The truth is I can’t, really. It interferes with the job,” His voice is clipped, gaze focused on something off in the distance.

I doubt he’ll look at me again for the rest of the night.

“I see.”

This is his career, after all. Judging by his temperament alone, he wouldn’t do anything that could put that at risk. I shouldn’t push him too, either. The stress of recent events has to be the explanation of all of this. Joel may be a handsome guy, but I can handle handsome. I must just be in need of a distraction.

You left a perfectly good distraction on the dance floor, Gwen.

Maybe I had no explanation, then. Which means I also don’t have a good reason, so I need to let it go.

“I think I’m ready to go home now, Mr. Miller.”

Joel nods, still refusing to look me in the eye. I start to unfurl myself from his jacket, but he just motions for me to start walking.

“Keep it. We have a long trip back.”

I don’t bother arguing about how quick the walk outside to the car is, or how my seat will be heated. In part, because I’m tired, but also in part because I’d like to breathe in his scent a while longer. I pull the fabric tighter around me, clinging to the thought of his eyes and scent lingering, even as I make a mental promise to let these feelings go. Eventually.

Next Chapter

Previous Chapter

Masterlist

[tobias-carrick-appreciation-week]

TCAW Appreciation Week 2024 - Masterlist

🔵 New Content | 🟣 Throwback Content Ⓜ️ Mature Content

Thank you to this year's participants - there were not many of us - but look at all we did! We had over 40 new submissions! It was so much fun! Thank you to all who participated and supported!

And to my fellow Tobias stans - you WILL be getting requests from me throughout the year! lol Thanks so much!

Day 1: Travel and Leisure:

Christmas Through Your Eyes [fanfic series] 🟣- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

Come Away with Tobias & Casey [template] 🟣 - Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

The Getaway [fanfic]🔵- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @alj4890

High Seas [fanfic] 🟣- Tobias Carrick x F!MC, Ethan Ramsey - @jerzwriter

The Perfect Day [fanfic] 🔵- Tobias Carrick, Ethan Ramsey, Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

More below...

Day 2: Friendship

A Shot of Reality [fanfic] 🟣- Tobias Carrick, MC - @jerzwriter

Have a Punny Day [fanfic] 🟣 - Tobias Carrick, Cassie Valentine - @liaromancewriter

Tobias's Friends [Collage & HC] 🔵- Tobias Carrick, Ethan Ramsey, Bryce Lahela, Original Characters - @jerzwriter

Tobias & Ethan Friendship Fics & Art [Masterlist] 🟣- @jerzwriter

Tobias & Friends Art Commissions [Collage] 🟣 - @jerzwriter (art by @bayleedraws-sometimesx and @/artbyainna (IG) )

Day 3: Seasons

Tobias's Favorite Seasons [Collage & HC] 🔵 @jerzwriter

Day 4: Fashion/Style

Friendship & Fashion [fanfic] 🔵Tobias Carrick & MC - @jerzwriter

TBI [fanfic] 🔵- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @alj4890

WIP - Tobias & Merida [fanart] 🔵 - Tobias Carrick & MC - @lilyoffandoms

Day 5: Date Night:

Can't Help It [fanfic] 🔵- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @alj4890

Date Night [text fic/insta edits]🟣- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

Date Night Fanart [art collage] 🔵art by @weetlebeetle and @/artbyainna - @jerzwriter

Haunting [fanfic] 🟣 - Tobias Carrick x F!OC, Ethan Ramsey x F!OC - @jerzwriter

I don't quite recall... [fanfic]🔵- Tobias Carrick x M!Trystan Thorne (Open Heart/Crimes of Passion Crossover) - @jerzwriter

Movie? What Movie? [fanfic/fanart] 🔵- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

A Not So Chance Encounter [fanfic]🟣 - Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

A Perfect Date [fanfic]🟣- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

Toy Story [fanfic]🟣Ⓜ️ - Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

An Unlikely Occurance [fanfic] 🔵- Tobias Carrick x Harper Emery - @coffeeheartaddict2

Day 6: Family

Anticipation [fanfic] 🔵- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @alj4890

Family HC 🔵- @coffeeheartaddict2

Family HCs 🔵 - @jerzwriter

Tobias Family Fics Masterlist 🟣- @jerzwriter

Day 7: Let's Talk About Sex

NSFW HC 🔵Ⓜ️- @coffeeheartaddict2

NSFW Stats 🔵Ⓜ️- [revised] - @jerzwriter

Other:

The Dinner Party [fanfic] 🔵- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @alj4890

Game On! [fanfic] 🔵- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @alj4890

It's Not Your Business [fanfic] 🔵 - Tobias Carrick x F!OC - @tveitertotwrites

Oops! [fanfic]🔵- Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @alj4890

A Text of Reassurance [text fic] 🔵 Tobias Carrick, F!OC - @storyofmychoices

Spread Joy #901 - 🔵Tobias Carrick @storyofmychoices

You Got This, Buddy! [fanfic] 🔵 Tobias Carrick, Ethan Ramsey - @coffeeheartaddict2

What would Tobias do? Answers

Day 1 ... if he could no longer practice medicine?

@coffeeheartaddict2 🔵Answer

@jerzwriter 🔵Answer

@tveitertotwrites 🔵Answers to 2023 and 2024 Prompts

Day 2 ... if he won $50 million in the lotto?

@alj4890 🔵 Always Winning [fanfic] Tobias Carrick x F!MC

@coffeeheartaddict2 🔵Answer

@jerzwriter 🔵Answer

@tveitertotwrites 🔵Answers to 2023 and 2024 Prompts

Day 3... if he found a magic lantern and was granted 3 wishes?

@alj4890 🔵 Asked and Received [fanfic] Tobias Carrick x F!MC

@jerzwriter 🔵 Answer

@coffeeheartaddict2 🔵 Answer

@tveitertotwrites 🔵Answers to 2023 and 2024 Prompts

Day 4... If he witnessed a crime?

@coffeeheartaddict2 🔵Answer

@jerzwriter 🔵Answer

@tveitertotwrites 🔵Answer

Day 5... he opened an (embarrassing) package by mistake?

@coffeeheartaddict2 🔵 Answer

@jerzwriter 🔵Special Delivery [fanfic] Tobias Carrick x F!MC

@tveitertotwrites 🔵 Answers to 2023 and 2024 Prompts

Day 6... he finds out he's dating a porn star?

@jerzwriter 🔵 Summer Haze [fanfic] Tobias Carrick x F!OC

@tveitertotwrites 🔵Answers to 2023 and 2024 Prompts

Day 7... overhears colleagues doing...?

@alj4890 🔵You Heard, What! [fanfic] - Tobias Carrick x F!MC, Aurora Emery x M!OC

@jerzwriter 🔵Answer

@tveitertotwrites 🔵 Answer

[fountainpenguin]

Cherry Lemon Ship Masterpost

Added a #cherry lemon ship tag to my Dale x Hadley stuff (and similar musings regarding Dimmadome x Leadly family headcanons).

Block or browse at your preference 👈👈

City Lights AU & Cloudlands AU

🌸 Cherry Lemon Overview 🍋

Dale (Doug Dimmadome's only child) and Hadley (Ed Leadly's middle daughter) grew up attending fancy social gatherings together (both before and after Dale's disappearance). Weren't super close, but definitely knew each other.

At ages 19 and 16, their dads arranged a betrothal, extended it to each of them, and they accepted- both relieved to marry someone they knew rather than some out-of-state relative of their dads' business associates.

Dale knew Hadley's older sister (Harper) a bit better, but Harper flipped out and said no to being betrothed without love- Harper still resents Hadley for not fighting her betrothal, but Dale still considers her a friend despite the sisters' tension.

After Hadley turned 21, they were married in January 2012 (the wedding planned well in advance by their dads, of course). Hadley was halfway through her Junior year of college and Dale hard at work on his own studies.

Dev was born in spring 2014; Hadley posted a lot of mommy vlogger content in his youth before moving towards travel vlogging. These days, she's gone for long stretches of time, but returns home for most holidays (to film family vlogs).

They're not the most lovey-dovey, but a lot of their interests and personality traits overlap, and they are definitely one of the couples to ever be. Relationship highlights include:

- Hadley's hoarding OCD vs. Dale's neat and tidy OCD. - They are sickeningly cute in matching holiday pajamas. They're also young parents who don't know what they're doing. - Dale can list 100 things he likes about his wife, but he could also walk away from this relationship at the drop of a hat. oh no. - Dale takes his ring off a lot for sensory reasons and chronically fails to indicate he's married, so he keeps going on dates he thinks are business meetings. Sometimes he brings Dev, who is horrified. Half his associates think Hadley is his personal assistant. - Hadley is paranoid Dale will cheat on her, so she'll call randomly to ask if her name is still written on his chest in marker. Sometimes at 3:30 AM because she forgets to check time zones. Things are going great. - They have their ups and downs, but they'd pick each other every time. Probably. Huh... Maybe that IS love.

I enjoy them very much, actually. Shout-out to me sighing and dumping old drafts of Adult Dale being super nervous and shy off to the side because now I have no choice but to play him as a horrible man, sdflkj. Deep down, he's still the awkward, jumpy person I always planned to write him as... he's just actively awful too <3

🌸 Cherry Lemon Links 🍋

- This post where I designed and introduced Hadley and her fairy, Eryx (or more specifically, the reblog of that post with notes about her being Leadly's daughter since that had been revealed in 'fic, plus cute fanart Linzie drew)

- This New Wish liveblog, where I look back at my Along the Cherry Lane character outlines to confirm I did indeed set Dale and Hadley up back in the day. lmao...

- Along the Cherry Lane is my largely drafted but not yet posted 'fic about the human kids in their teen and adulthood years. Once it's revealed on AO3, you can find it HERE.

- More commentary as I debate whether to keep Dale and Hadley together in 'fic in light of A New Wish

- "Lost and Founder's Day" liveblog where I joke about how I think Dev interacting with his grandpa Ed Leadly would go

- This "The Battle of Big Wand" liveblog where I briefly discuss reasons why I think Dev's mom being a Leadly is funny

- Honeymoon sketches & additional commentary about what my original plans were for Dale and Hadley in Along the Cherry Lane (Pre-A New Wish airing)

- Dale with misophonia sketches

- Hoarding OCD vs. food sketch

- "50 Words of Dev and Hazel" 'fic announcement (Dale and Hadley appear as Dev's parents)

- Dimmadome-Leadly family tree

- Timeline fix sketches

- Dale meets Kevin Crocker sketches

- Dale getting wrapping paper

- Naming Dev "Development" together

- "You Deserve It" 'fic announcement (Reuniting after Dale's return aboveground)

- "50 Words of Dale and Hadley" 'fic announcement (Developing relationship)

🌸 Tags and Stuff 🍋

- #Cherry lemon ship tag

I made this masterpost because some posts don't show up in this tag (Not uncommon for ones edited to add tags), but I expect future posts will show.

- Hadley's full character profile (Sideblog)

Main Blog Tag - #Hadley and Eryx Sideblog Tag - #RD Hadley AO3 Tag - #Hadley Harrington

- Dale's full character profile (Sideblog)

Main Blog Tag: #Dale Dimmadome owner of Dimmadome Global Sideblog Tag: #RD Dale AO3 Tag - #Dale Dimmadome

[thexsanctuaryx]

{ King of Calm }

Summary: Steven takes ridiculously good care of Emma while she's having a rough mental health moment. Pairing: Original Character { Emma Harper } x Steven Grant, mentions of Emma Harper x Marc Spector && Emma Harper x Jake Lockley Contents: fluff, psychic connection, energy healing, hurt/comfort esque, happy ending Warnings: severe mental illness { hallucinations, overwhelm, overstimulation, anxiety, instability } didn't super go into detail in the piece but it's kinda the main part of this one. nothing else really I don't think? Author's Note: Was gonna do some more angst and then I just couldn't last night. This piece had been sitting in my wip drafts for a bit. This one does again, tap on the psychic connection between Emma and the boys that is prevalent in most of my works. They are deeply connected and can communicate telepathically, empathetically, etc. You'll notice Emma is able to hear everything in their minds and vice versa. Word Count: 771

She can feel her mind’s instability, her brain seeming to be sore and weak. As the overstimulation begins to take over more, her breath begins to get more shallow.

Everything is too loud, too bright even as she puts in her earbuds and turns on some music known for its nervous system regulatory effects. She hides her face beneath a pillow to get away from the light.

“You’re up, Steven,” Marc says quietly as he makes his way down the hallway, relinquishing control of the body.

Steven freezes for a moment as he adjusts, mumbling, “Cheers, mate...” He doesn’t pause again until he slides up behind her in the bed, kissing her shoulder firmly.

‘Hello, love…’ he murmurs in her mind softly.

Emma’s quick to scoot back into him, settling into his arms as she tries to focus on any one thing.

He tightens his arms around her, giving another slow kiss to the nape of her neck. He breathes deeply against her, settling a hand onto her abdomen as if silently encouraging her to breathe with him.

She follows suit almost immediately, taking in each inhale with him and releasing it on his exhale.

She squeezes her eyes shut tighter, clutching the pillow over her eyes more snugly.

Steven’s thumb gently grazes over her stomach, releasing a soft sympathetic sound as he attunes himself to her presently chaotic mind.

‘You’re alright, angel—we’ll pull through just like we always do…’ His warm voice resonates through her mind, not wanting to overwhelm her even more.

At his words, she shifts to face him, hugging herself tightly to his front and hiding her face in his neck. One of her earbuds falls out and he’s quick to retrieve it and return it to its place.

He then begins rhythmically stroking his fingers up and down her spine, tucking his head over hers protectively.

Minutes pass as he continues to do what he can to soothe her overstimulation. Truthfully, he’s not sure it’s as effective as he hopes but he doesn’t stop.

She takes what seems to be a much deeper breath on her own, as well that her body seems to unwind a little.

He's relieved to say the least as she continues to slow down, her thoughts quieting.

Emma can feel a low buzz resonating out through her spine into the rest of her body, likewise traveling up into her brain. It feels so nice and so peaceful—not to mention familiar, that she starts to wonder.

She frowns lightly, shifting back away from him just enough to face him.

“Steven…”

“Hmmm?”

“Are you—…did you just—”

His scowl of concentration matches her own, suddenly more worried again, “what is it? Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” She murmurs, a little stunned, “it just felt like you were—…performing reiki…on me…”

“Oh bollocks, did I do it wrong? I was just—I mean—I thought it might ‘elp ya know—take the edge off and—bugger, I didn’t ask for consent first and—”

“Steven—Steven!” She calls gently to him, shaking her head and putting a hand to his cheek. “You didn’t do it wrong…and it did help…” She reassures him, giving him a soft smile.

“When did you learn how to do that?”

“Well, I just—y’know—I find so much of well—what you do, absolutely fascinating and I figured—‘f one ‘ve us knew how to do some of the healing bits it might help, what with y’know your conditions…’course Marc could do with some bloody healing t—”

She can’t help but beam at him as he rambles, silencing him before he can finish by rushing forward to catch his lips.

Steven’s eyebrows shoot up, his lips forming to hers in surprise but quickly moving firmly against them.

His eyes squeeze shut tighter as he shifts to pull her closer, almost completely forgetting everything else for a split second before retreating. Stumbling quietly, “maybe we shouldn’t, ya know…--I mean you aren’t feeling well…”

Emma rolls her lips in, the dimples dipping into her cheeks, her lashes fluttering shyly as she tells him softly, “thank you…”

When she gives him that look, he all but short circuits, getting stuck on her with a lopsided grin at his mouth, half in a daze, “For what, love?”

She pokes him in the chest a few times, timidly, “you know what…”

Quietly in their minds they can both hear a smug, ‘Steven Grant, King of Calm…’

Emma’s eyes flash down, trying to conceal a smile and failing as her cheeks begin to heat.

‘Oh yeah—overstimulation doesn’t stand a chance…’

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Meghans 90000 tour wardrobe plus a present from the VP! by u/Mickleborough

Meghan’s £90,000 tour wardrobe plus a present from the VP! The Daily Mail archived / unarchived has put out its usual article noting the components, and tallying up the cost, of Meghan’s wardrobe.Estimated figure is £90,000 / $117,000 / €105,500, mostly inflated by overpriced jewellery. It’s not a terribly interesting piece - it’s not as if she’s wearing bespoke Dior or vintage Chanel.Of some note are the following:About 50% of her wardrobe is Colombian designers. That’s more local content than she’s ever worn on a tour, fake or otherwise. On some tours, the figure’s been 0.Did Meghan finally get diplomatic dressing? Or did someone reach out to local designers, uttering magic phrases such as ‘invited by the VP’; ‘high profile’; and ‘Harper’s Bazaar’? No Heidi Merrick rubbish for her!On her talk to discuss women’s empowerment (the one where she gave a memorised ex tempore speech in Spanish before fleeing the stage to answer a question, also in Spanish), she wore something mildly intriguing:I don’t mean the white sleeveless top, with buttons straining across a bosom supported by a black brassière:https://ift.tt/ETMQBpb she wore a day or so before, with a linen and wool blend, lined Loro Piana jacket: see below. I gather Meghan’s been sweating - if so, I can’t imagine moist pits with a lined jacket.)https://ift.tt/AgtyOVC was her earrings:https://ift.tt/hKbDR9x Daily Mail described them as:Pure gold, 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k, 10k? Or is it just plate?Now that Meghan’s no longer a working royal, she can keep them, to add to her collection of jewellery of questionable origin. We don’t know that Francia Márquez has ordered anyone to be killed, but she doesn’t seem to have her people’s interests to heart.EDIT: Forgot to add that I went to the site of their ‘official’ reporter, Harper’s Bazaar, to try to find out more about the earrings. Harper’s is calling her ‘Duchess Meghan’. Stop trying to make ‘fetch’ happen, Harper’s! post link: https://ift.tt/INSnkwo author: Mickleborough submitted: August 19, 2024 at 11:52PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.