#I love the Belgian colored one

[bovineblogger]

what are your top 5 favorite cow breeds ranked by their coat

im bending the definition of cow a little bit . because i . youll see

NUMBA FIVE - RED DEVONS

i have SUUUCCCHHHHHH a soft spot for red devons.. theyre so beautiful i love love love their vibrant red coats!!!! but what really gets me is the contrast between their coats and their LOVELY PINK NOSES!!!!! i think about them a lot.

NUMBA FOUR - TAN AND WHITE BRAHMAN

its no secret that brahman are my everything. but i EXPECIALLYYYYY love tan and white ones i just think theyre so beautiful............ caramel..

NUMBA THREE - SPECKLE PARK

their coats r gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! i love how they’re kind of flecked n patchy, it makes every cow look so unique!!!!!!! cookies n cream!

NUMBA TWO - ANY BLUE ROAN

blue roan is a coat with a mix of white n grey hairs that make the cow look blue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE COW COLORING . EVER. belgian blues. bluegreys. shorthorns. theyre. my favourite. i fucking love them so much. theyre so pretty

NUMBA ONE - PIEBALD YAKS

MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE BOVINE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! YAKS WITH HOLSTEIN MARKINGS????? AND BIG PINK NOSES?? WHATS NOT TO LOVE!!!! I LVOE THEM SO MUCH!!! theyre not cows but theyre EVERYTHIGN ot ME

[girls--complex]

hi, love your work a lot! it manages to blend coherence with layers of esoterica, in a fun & meaningful way. do you have any big influences with your style?

Writing this as a narrative because my whimsicall mind can't seem to organize information logickally otherwise

So

When I was a child my Dad would show me a lot of comics/cartoons in all different styles/eras and so I was internalizing comic book logic from the very beginning. He really liked American comix both capes and Indie stuff but was also into franco belgian artists and let's be clear my papa has good taste so I was readying good stuff though I couldn't remember it all too reliably... Also Comics Journal, so I was reading comics & meta about comics. So basically I have like a deep archetypal brain stem dark spring of mind that spits out raw comic information like a dream that I can't place until I rediscover them, and a lot of deep unremembered imprintations that R kinda roiling around under the surface #Stupidsoldier

N then I was a deviantart kiddo and a reading manga at barnes and noble kiddo, and then I went and got a formal art education and learned about all these artists that sort of did pseudo comics or cartoons but didnt articulate it that way-- The German xpressionists are a big example of this -- and also about overall principles of like scale and hierarchy and time and presence -- and also just that I really like drawin the human figure in particular :)

I'm really grateful that my parents especially my dad were actually really supportive/invested in me being an artist even though they had very little faith in my character or overall competence. so I was always doing art activities to make me better at drawing because that was like the one redeeming quality I had, a lot of household resources went into me having art tutoring or doing community classes, and I was really strongly encouraged to get ma BFA

So 4 influences well I like things that are very stylish but very specific in how they represent figure N physiognomy... Naoki Urosawa & Jeff Smith were fascinations 2 me along this line... Arakawa is good too... I feel like this is a strength of American and British cartoonists generally but struggling to think of names

My favorite painter is tied between two commies: Siqueiros, who was a Mexican muralist and chaotic socialist, really specific markmaking and texture, pathos drenched figuration, charged epic landscapes, and Petrov-Vodkin, Russian ikonographer who became a propagandist for the USSR, semi-social-realist, semi-ikonographic compositions in which space is wrapping around itself to organize human figures according to a mythological logic, flattish, very cartoons/comics aligned, strange treatment of color but all really effective

History painting overall is everything to me it really doesn't show in Coward but I think it shows elsewhere some of my other dramatic sensibility is a lot from 00s action movie shlock which I would always enjoy to go see when I was younger and was somehow fascinated with the environment of government buildings and prisons and secret operations happeningunder the surface of every day life erupting into wet violence of men punching each other

I love the movie THE RAID redemption !!!!

I learned a lot of the logic of pacing N building pages around Tezuka's work as well as FMA N Death Note I think were big 1s to teach me that logic. Tezuka is a really good artist to look at for how to compose a page that supports the energy of the events that are happening on it, not that that's something I personally am good at. Favorite mangaka for tone and environment and visual identity are Katsuhiro Otomo, Tustomu Nihei, Suehiro Maruo, Nishioka siblings, Hideshi Hino

A lot of my sense of timing is also from news paper strips tbh. It's just a gut thing to me at this point hehe , Character design is also a gut thing for me I draw a little thing and I can either ensoul it with psychosexual fixation or I can't

I was born in the hospital Henry Darger worked at St. Joe's he's an ancestor to me but ofc inimitable by virtue of GOD being his sole audience

As for the esoterickal dimensions I feel like it's all it's own post let's just say I lack the inclination and ability for systematic and rigorous study but I am really interesting in gathering little packets of information and arranging them into dioramas and the longer I do it the more packets I accrue

I want to make a list of artists on here that I like/admire sometime too but that's too much for me rn. I also suspect a lot of people R mad at me for arbitrary reasons just as I also am mad at a lot of people for arbitrary reasons so I dont wanna bother no one ...

Oh well so I'm intentionally reorganizing how I draw right now because I sense a shift in my trajectory again so thanks for making me reflect

[leanteam43]

"Reid's Dating The K9 Handler?"

(Dating Spencer as a K9 Handler)

summary : falling for Dr.Reid as a K9 Handler for the FBI

coloring : Morgan | Reid | Prentiss | Y/N | Garcia

pronouns : they/them | GN!reader!

warnings : Mentions of Spencer being taken hostage, I think that's all? If there's any more I'll update this !!

a/n's : HELP ME ITS POURING OUT - 🌿 | idk D:- 🎸 | EAT LOTS OF HEART SHAPED COOKIES - 🐇

Morgan told him not too

"Reid you can't date the K9 handler" "Why not??" "They'll make you their bitch" "?? What??"

Y'all met at an FBI K9 Demonstration,

the BAU was there to show support (strauss deffo did NOT force them /s)

Reid caught one glance at you and was HOOOOKED

Love at first sight? No this man was whipped at first sight

Morgan and Emily caught on immediately

The teasing was BRUTALLLL

"Pretty boy's got a cruuuushhh~"

After the demonstration was over, Emily called you over to introduce you too

"Y/N, have you met my colleague, DR. Spencer Reid?"

Wing (Wo)men Morgan and Prentiss™️

One handshake and a smile and suddenly Mr. Chatter Box couldn't form a proper sentence

"You two actually have a lot in common! Joining the FBI so young and all."

Spencer tried impressing you by knowing facts about dogs but you knew way more, which ended up impressing him

Teaching him to say 'Belgian Malinois' properly.

"Mal-in-waa" "? Mal-inois?" "Nono-"

Eventually you two do end up in a relationship, after a lot of dates being cancelled (having no love life should really be in the job description)

Being polar opposites because you passed the FBI's physical test with flying colors and he had to get a free pass

Hotch letting you and your K9 come on certain cases

"Y/N's here??" "They work here, genius."

Break-room dates

"I'm surprised nobodies come in yet!" "I locked the doors."

Him trying, and struggling, to handle your K9 when you go on vacation.

"Y/N I've done everything you wrote and it's still bouncing off the walls." "IT??"

Spencer being the proudest bf EVERRR™️

Penelope thinking you two are the cutest couple in the building

"When are you two getting married?" *Cue both of you choking on your drink*

One of the many times spencer gets taken hostage TRUST you and your K9 are on the crime scene within the next hour

Park !! Dates !!

"Do you wanna try throwing the ball for (K9 Name)?" "Uhmm.."

Holding hands while walking your K9 :C

Spencer is lowkey scared of your K9 but in the "I know you could eat me if you wanted too, but I trust you won't" type of way

In conclusion,

i luv spencer reid spencer reid brainrot luv that silly little nerdy white man <3

[lxndonorris]

your own superhero - Esteban Ocon

Y/N x Esteban Ocon Theme: Smutish, Teasing Touching Appreciating how fine Esteban looks in his special racing suit x word count: 2240+ taglist: @game-set-canet open for requests :) EN: my longest este story yet. please let me know if you liked it or what you'd love to read as well.

The Belgian Grand Prix is always one of the most thrilling races of the season, with its unpredictable weather and challenging track. This year, however, is going to be even more special.

Esteban, your boyfriend and talented Formula 1 driver, and the Alpine F1 team managed to get a special livery for their car and unique racing attire. Both are themed after the new Deadpool and Wolverine movie, with striking red and black designs that promise to turn heads.

Esteban has been buzzing with excitement about it for weeks, and now the moment finally arrived.

You are in his motorhome, which is parked amidst the bustling activity of the paddock. The air outside is filled with the hum of engines and the chatter of teams preparing for the race weekend.

Inside, it is a different world—quieter, more intimate.

Esteban insisted on keeping the new livery and suit a surprise for you. Today, he is finally going to reveal them.

"Alright, ready for the big reveal?" Esteban asks, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"More than ready," you reply, feeling a mix of anticipation and curiosity.

"Great! But there's a catch," he says with a mischievous grin. "I'm going to blindfold you first."

You laugh as he produces a soft, black blindfold. 

"You really want to build up the suspense, huh?"

"Absolutely. This is going to be epic," he says, his enthusiasm contagious.

Esteban gently ties the blindfold over your eyes, ensuring it is secure but comfortable. The world goes dark, heightening your other senses. You can hear the faint noises outside the motorhome, but your focus is entirely on Esteban.

"Okay, I'm going to walk you through everything as I put on my gear," he says. You hear the excitement in his voice, making your heart race with anticipation.

He starts with his fireproofs, the essential layer worn under the racing suit. "First, the fireproofs," he narrates. You hear the fabric rustling as he slips into them.

"They are snug but comfortable. Necessary for safety, you know." He lets out a soft giggle. "And just as tight as I love it."

You smile, imagining him carefully putting on each piece. His voice is light and playful, adding to the intimate atmosphere. 

"Now for the racing suit," he continues. "You're going to love this part."

There is a slight pause, and then you hear the distinct sound of fabric as he pulls on the racing suit. The noise is tantalizing, making you visualize the suit sliding over his athletic frame. 

"This suit is incredible," he says, his tone almost reverent. "The colors look amazing together."

You hear him moving, the fabric swishing as he adjusts the suit. Esteban giggles softly, a sound that sends a thrill through you. Adding to this sensation is the faint scent of his cologne now hovering through the air all around you as he moves his body.

"And now, for the grand finale—the zipper."

There is a slow, deliberate sound of the zipper being pulled up, starting from his waist and going all the way to his neck. It is a small, almost mundane sound, but in that moment, it is charged with anticipation. 

When the zipper finally reaches the top, you hear him take a step closer to you.

"Alright, are you ready?" he asks, his voice right in front of you now. You feel his presence, warm and close.

"Yes," you say, your own excitement matching his.

He reaches behind your head and gently unties the blindfold. As it falls away, your eyes need a moment to adjust to the light. Everything is blurry at first, but slowly, Esteban comes into focus. He steps back and strikes a pose, arms slightly out to the side, one leg forward.

The suit is stunning.

The red and black colors are bold and dramatic, perfectly complementing each other. The design is sleek, with accents that highlight his athletic physique. It clings to him in all the right places, emphasizing his well-formed shoulders, muscular arms, and toned legs. The helmet, resting on the table beside him, has a matching theme, completing the look.

He looks incredible.

"Well?" Esteban asks, a playful glint in his eye. "How do I look?"

You can tell he knows exactly how amazing he looks, but he wants to hear it from you. 

"You look... absolutely stunning." You say, your voice filled with admiration. "The suit is perfect. You're perfect."

You can't resist the urge any longer.

You instinctively approach Esteban, your hand reaching out to his chest. The smooth fabric of the suit feels cool under your fingertips as you trace patterns across his chest. 

Esteban hums slightly, his eyes following your hand with an intensity that makes your heart race. He looks up, meeting your gaze, his eyes filled with warmth and excitement.

"I love this surprise," you murmur, unable to hide your awe.

He smirks, the playful glint still present in his eyes. 

"I am glad you do. But there is something more waiting for you," he says, his voice a soft tease.

You feel a flush of intrigue and excitement. 

Before you can ask what he meant, he takes your hand and guides it to the zipper of his suit. 

"Why don't you unzip it? Have a better look at what's hidden beneath," he suggests, his tone teasing.

With your heart pounding, you let him lead your hand to the zipper. Together, you slowly pull it down. As the suit parts, you catch a glimpse of bright yellow beneath. Your eyes widen in surprise and delight.

"Are those...Wolverine's colors?" You ask, your voice breathless with excitement.

Esteban nods, his smirk growing wider. "You need to see them, don't you?" He teases, stepping back.

He makes a show out of it, turning his back to you as he pulls the upper half of his suit off. You see the muscles in his back flexing, the smooth, yellow fabric clinging to his form like a second skin. 

When he finally turns around, you are stunned.

The fireproofs are perfect. 

They hug his body, accentuating every line and curve of his muscles. The bright yellow contrasts beautifully with his tanned skin, and the black accents add a touch of fierceness.

When he moves, you can see his toned physique, his muscles rippling underneath; every motion a testament to his strength and athleticism.

The sight takes your breath away. 

"You look incredible," you say, your voice barely more than a whisper.

Esteban smirks even wider, his confidence evident. He runs both of his hands unconsciously across his own chest, stroking himself in a way that is both mesmerizing and sensual.

"How do you like the fireproofs?" He asks, his voice low and teasing.

You approach him again, placing a hand on his chest. The heat of his body radiates through the fabric, making you feel a deeper connection to him. 

"You're looking so good," you say, leaning in closer.

You kiss him, feeling the softness of his lips and the slight tickle of his stubble. Your hands roam over his chest and down to his tummy, enjoying the feel of his firm muscles under the tight fabric. He responds with equal passion, his arms wrapping around you, pulling you closer.

With each deliberate stroke, your hands elicit deep, primal growls from within his throat. A sound so alluring, so raw, sending shivers down your spine.

You let go for a moment, his arms wrapped around you, his familiar scent filling your nose—intoxicating, a mixture of his natural musk and the faint, clean scent of his suit.

One of your hands travels further down his body, stroking his thighs through the thick fabric of his suit. It's slightly stretched by the excitement; the lust building up inside him, craving your touch.

The other slips underneath the shirt of his fireproofs, feeling the warmth of his skin. The contrast between the smooth fabric and the heat of his body gives you goosebumps. You feel his muscles tense under your touch, his breath hitching slightly.

Feeling even more confident, you start to stroke the bulge forming underneath his racing suit. At first, your fingers trace the outlines a few times, as he gets harder and harder. To tease him even more, you start rubbing his member with the palm of your hand.

Esteban's reaction is immediate and intense. He is getting more and more into it, his body responding to every touch, every caress as he leans his head back, eyes closed, and a low moan escapes his lips. His enjoyment is palpable, and it makes you feel even more connected to him.

You love seeing him like this—so lost in the moment, so vulnerable and open. It is a side of him that few get to see—a side that he shares only with you. The knowledge that you can elicit such a response from him fills you with a sense of power and intimacy.

Your hands continue to explore, tracing the lines of his firm muscles, feeling the heat and strength of his body. Each touch seems to deepen his moans, his body reacting to the sensation. His arms tighten around you, pulling you closer, as if he can't get enough.

"Esteban," you whisper, unable to resist praising him. "You're such a good boy. So strong, so passionate."

His body shudders at your words, and a deep sigh escapes his lips. You feel the impact your words have on him, how much he enjoys the praise. It is as if every compliment, every word of admiration, increases the desire he feels in this moment.

"You're so good." You continue, your hands firmly exploring his body. "I love everything about you. Especially this."

You begin playing with his hard nipples piercing through the tight fabric of the fireproofs, knowing that he is sensitive to the slightest touch.

Esteban's breathing becomes ragged, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His eyes are still closed, leaning into your touch, savoring the moment. He grinds his hips against your hand slowly, and you sense his body trembling slightly, the intensity of his emotions evident.

"This feels so good," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

Slowly, Esteban begins to regain his composure. His breathing steadies, and he opens his eyes, looking at you with a mixture of gratitude and desire.

"You know how I like it," he said, his voice rough and husky. "I'm so hard right now."

As if you couldn't tell beforehand, he keeps grinding his hips against your hand. 

Licking your lips, you brush a lock of hair away from his forehead, your fingers lingering on his skin. 

"That's because I know you," you reply, your voice tender.

"I hope nobody can tell..." He looks down at himself, checking if there is anything visible through the racing suit. "You made me wet... a little." Esteban blushes slightly but giggles.

"You're fine, babé." You smirk, stroking him one last time through his suit. "And I won't tell anyone."

He smirks deviously, raising one eyebrow. "I hope so." Esteban growls, lifting his chin for a second before he pulls you into him, and you steady yourself against his firm chest. His warmth envelopes you, grounding you in the moment. 

"We'll have to postpone... this, however," he whispers, a teasing note in his voice. "You need to see something else—the car."

Just as you separate for a second, the door to his motorhome opens, and his teammate Pierre steps inside.

Pierre is wearing the same racing suit and smirks at the sight of you, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asks, his tone playful.

Both of you chuckle, and Esteban shakes his head. 

"It's all good. We're just getting ready to see the car."

Pierre smirks knowingly, his eyes scanning the two of you. There is a hint of mischief in his expression, and he bites his lips, trying his best to keep his thoughts to himself.

You approach him, smiling warmly.

"You look good, Pierre," you say, your tone genuine.

"Thanks," he replied, blushing slightly and his voice softer than usual.

Meanwhile, Esteban slips the upper half of his suit back on, zipping it up with a swift motion. He then put on a cap and grabbed his helmet. Wrapping an arm around your waist, he pulls you close.

"Ready?" he asks, his excitement palpable.

"Absolutely," you reply, feeling a renewed surge of anticipation.

Together, the three of you head out to the Alpine garage. The paddock is buzzing with activity, teams still preparing for the upcoming practice session. The air is filled with the familiar sounds and scents of a Grand Prix weekend—revving engines, the scent of tire rubber, and the hum of conversations.

As you approach the garage, you see the car, and your heart skips a beat. The livery is stunning, the red and black colors flowing seamlessly over the sleek lines of the car. The design is bold, with the Marvel-themed accents making it look both fierce and stylish.

Esteban and Pierre exchange a glance, their pride evident. 

"What do you think?" Esteban asks, his eyes shining with excitement.

"So good." You say your voice filled with genuine awe.

You spend the next few minutes admiring the car, taking in every detail, and as you stand there, Esteban keeps his arm around your waist, his presence comforting and steadying.

As the team makes the final preparations for FP1, you know that this day will be unforgettable.

[chickycherrycola]

perfect

Happy SoMa Day to all who celebrate! A national holiday, as far as I'm concerned 😋I offer a fluffy, bite-sized little ficlet as my contribution, which features some of my favorite Soma tropes - grumpy Soul, domestic fluff, accidental cuteness, and BREAKFAST - all in less than 1k words!

Read it on AO3, or under the cut in its entirety!

-

“You’ll feel better once you have some food in you.”

Soul knows she’s right–Maka is almost always right, not that he’d willingly admit it–but still, he’s choosing to gripe about it.

He gripes about it all the way from his motorcycle to the glass entry doors of the restaurant, through the tightening of his meister’s grip on his wrist, until they're sliding into plush, squeaky booth seats and the hostess is shoving menus into their hands with a stifled smirk.

He bitches a little less, however, when his eyes fall upon the wide selection of food items displayed on the pages of said menus, as he flips through the smorgasbord of breakfast offerings. Banana nut pancakes and huevos rancheros, Belgian waffles and eggs benedict florentine. This place has every breakfast delicacy under the sun.

Unfortunately, the rest of the population of this po-dunk little Midwestern town must know this, too, as the restaurant is packed, and harbors every social annoyance under the sun as well. 

Screaming toddlers. Middle-aged brunchers clinking their glasses of mimosa too loudly. Elderly couples staring at him obviously, their expressions aghast with horror. A crowd of servers gathered around a nearby table, presenting a young girl with a stack of birthday pancakes as they sing to her. 

His head hurts, they got back to their hotel room after the mission way too late, and he’s running on a less-than-optimal amount of sleep. He wants to shovel a giant plate of scrambled eggs and bacon into his face and then promptly crash into the nearest sleep-able surface.

Soul groans and lets his head fall to the table, his forehead meeting wood with a heavy thunk. Moments later, there’s the all-too-familiar sensation of a pinch to his ear. 

“You’re such a grump,” Maka giggles.

“I’m allowed.”

“Never said you weren’t,” she replies. He waits for her to continue berating him–’sit up straight already’ or ‘stop breathing on the table, it’s disgusting’- but she doesn’t. He rolls his head around, angling his eyes up to look at her, and finds her attention focused elsewhere.

“Isn’t this place just the cutest?” she muses. “I love the décor. It’s so cozy and welcoming.”

She’s gazing out at the room beyond, a twinkle of delight in her eyes as she takes it all in. Soul notices, too, for the first time–opposite them is a flickering fireplace framed by a brick hearth, and whimsical works of modern art hang upon every wall. Strategically placed ivy plants bring some color to the dining room, their jade-green, star-shaped leaves cascading down in long, elegant tendrils. 

And on the wall of the booth they’re presently seated at, a lushly textured panel of artificial greenery. Maka’s flaxen head contrasts nicely against the darker shade, and–it would make for a lovely photo backdrop. 

“Hey.” He sits up, suddenly feeling invigorated, and reaches a hand into the back pocket of his jeans to retrieve his phone. “Smile for me real quick?”

Maka blinks at him. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“Are you… are you taking a picture of me?”

“No, I’m checking the weather for our flight home later,” Soul deadpans. In response, Maka sticks her tongue out at him and wrinkles her nose in an exaggerated grimace. Soul shrugs and hits the camera button, forever immortalizing the moment on digital film, and Maka blanches when she realizes he’s snapped a photo. 

“H-Hey! Delete that!”

“No.”

“W-Well, take another one at least–”

“Pose nicely, then.”

Maka pouts, her cheeks visibly flushed and her brows cinched together, but before he can get that expression on film, she composes herself–adjusts her pigtails and straightens her spine, schools her face into a pleasant, soft smile. Soul lines her up in the viewfinder of his camera app, and–

Snap. 

He examines the photo for several minutes, eyes darting between his meister and the image of her on his phone screen, before nodding subtly to himself. 

“Well? How do I look?”

“Perfect.”

His fingers tap, tap, tap away as he uploads the picture to his story, witty caption and all–’She dragged me to a bougie brunch place instead of letting me sleep in’- and doesn’t realize Maka has fallen silent until he’s hit the post button. 

When he puts his phone down and looks at her once again, she's staring at him with a strange expression on her face, her bottom lip between her teeth and her cheeks a shade of scarlet nearly rivaling his eyes. 

“What?” he asks. 

Maka clears her throat, runs a nervous finger idly around one of her pigtails and looks down at her lap. 

“N-Nothing.”

At that moment, his phone pings–a reply to his story post from Black Star. 

“Bro, you’re such a sap.”

[musettastone]

Nobody asked, but here are some of my personal headcanons for various Lucky Luke characters hehe

Lucky Luke

☆Luke is short for Lucas, but nobody ever calls him that except his mother

☆Luke's father (who wasn't in his life, ditched before he was born) was actually an outlaw (though not a very successful one). Unlike Luke, he was a terrible shot.

☆Luke got Jolly imported from London and initially found Rantanplan as a puppy in Texas (before he became a prison "guard dog")

☆Luke is 24

☆Luke's dream vacation spot is Belgium (which is why his outfit is based off of the Belgian flag 🇧🇪)

☆ Fingers helped Luke to quit smoking (semi-canon I guess because "Fingers" was the first issue where he stopped smoking completely)

☆Luke was born in Colorado, but his true home is ✨️Texas✨️

The Daltons

☆William and Jack are identical twins, although Jack is taller because he ate healthier growing up lol. They both like to confuse other people on who is who and often switch names and pretend to be each other. Even Luke can't keep up with who is who.

☆Joe has NRP2 dwarfism, a rare type of proportional dwarfism. He is about 4' 5" due to this condition, although he has never received an official diagnosis (because it's the 1800s, lol). Averell, on the other hand, is 6' 8" and often has to bend to get through doors.

☆The only food Averell hates is chocolate

☆Joe would never admit it, but he has a hobby for stargazing and often likes to analyze constellations

☆William loves to cheat at cards while Jack prefers to play fair

☆Ages: Joe: 26, Jack and William: 24 and Averell, 22

Billy The Kid

☆Billy's full name is Henry McCarty (just like the real Billy The Kid lol), but he will smack you (or try to at least) if you call him Henry

☆Billy has a secret passion for baking. He loves sweets, especially pastries, and will often make them by the dozen

Fingers

☆Real name is Freddie (he ALWAYS spells it with the "ie", he insists)

☆Always getting his nails done, and he always has on 2 inch blinged out acrylics (another reason why they call him Fingers, lol)

☆Born in the West Indies, specifically Martinique.

☆Fingers is a traveler by heart, so he is always going to and from different countries, his current residence being the United States, his previous being France.

☆Best friends with Pat Poker, they love doing card tricks together

Pat Poker

☆Born and raised in Chicago (pre fire), which is where he learned to play cards. Cheating runs in his blood, as his father, grandfather, cousins, and siblings were also huge card sharks.

☆Builds card houses for fun with his gang

☆When he doesn't cheat, he actually hates poker just because it is too unpredictable for him, lol

☆Favorite colors are pink and purple. He has his office painted pink and has rhinestones with his initials on his gun

Others

☆Phil Defer is like 7 feet tall, even taller than Averell. He is also best friends with Elliot Belt.

☆August Oyster and Calamity Jane secretly would like to befriend each other but would NEVER admit it

☆Waldo Badminton has a blackbelt in jujutsu

☆Mad Jim spent hours in the mirror just trying to get that Lucky Luke combover right lol

☆Ma Dalton and Pa Dalton often went on robbing sprees for their date nights

[silliersiluriforme]

@asukiess [batting my eyelashes kicking my feet blushing twirling my hair ect] I’m using this as an excuse to yap :3c

I love putting the child in child soldier. Like. Marinette is NOT mature and she has to deal with SO MUCH so of course putting everyone and everything in a neat little box is the only way she can function. Chat noir is her non threatening goofy male bestie and Adrien is her perfect beautiful unattainable crush who’s too innocent and pure to realise his childhood best friend is evil. Unfortunately 15 year olds aren’t great judge of character teehee.

Now for what inspires me Id say mostly western comics !! I get most of my coloring inspo from golden age marvels and Gerard way’s works (especially the fabulous killjoys) my lineart is heavily influenced by Mike mignolia (and tatsuki fujimoto’s tho like. Way less. I wish I could make the squigglies work but alas.) !!!! Though I would say for panel layouts I’m partial to franco-Belgian stuff. Like I need to cram as many panels in that page as possible or I’ll explode myself. I wanna try making my colors even more fun and adding more fx in the future :3c.

I LOVE THAT LINE. “It means they like you.” ITS SO IMPORTANT TO ME. I think chat noir and ladybug’s different approaches to “The Public” is soooooo fun.

I think adrien living his entire life up on his little pedestal and THEN obtaining incompressible power at a very young age would lead to him to see civilians- The Public, as just that. Civilians. Maybe to a slightly dehumanising extent ? Which is. So fun.

so idk if anyone has noticed the pattern but like. Ok so first page- chat noir’s sat higher up than Marinette but she gets him to lower himself. In this angle of the love square she has control because he relinquished it.

Next page ! Ladybug is sat way higher than chat noir. She lowers herself but she never quite gets to his level.

NOW THE MULTICHAT DANCE OH BOY- he helps her up. Then he tries to push her down. She resists. He pushes her down harder. It’s confusing!! They’re BOTH confused. Marinette’s his friend ! Why is he being a dick to her ?? A question only god (me) could answer.

I think it’s sososo fun when Marinette is left all alone with no one to rely on. Whether it’s her fault or not. Isolate that baby !

[cosmictapestries]

In honor of Cageblade week, I thought i'd play the headcanon game and list some of my favorite headcanons for our favorite couple over the next few days

Today, I'm starting with our Best Girl because NRS has done a criminal job of flushing out her character in both games and media.

1) She grapples with PTSD.

Let's start with one I think a lot of people have in different degrees.

I do believe that a lot of what people see as Sonya being cold or unemotional stems from a lot of the trauma she has seen as a soldier. Her father died. Her brother died. Her brother in arms died and was brought back as a revenant. Everything she's been through has colored how protective she is of her family and she's deathly afraid of not being able to keep them safe.

When Cassie was a baby, Sonya would wake up at night and go watch her sleep just in case. If she got overwhelmed, instead of letting anyone see her upset, she'd go and cry in the shower and hope the running water hid the noise.

Part of what broke her marriage up was the almost obsessive need to keep Johnny and Cassie safe. If that meant missing out on their lives by working, she was okay with that. She realized too late it had pushed she and Johnny apart but didn't know how to fix it, so she doubled down and hid in her work.

2) She does have her share of luxuries that she won't go without.

Good coffee, dark chocolate and aged whiskey are all things i think she has a well known fondness for and Johnny indulges her in. After years of military life, i do believe she secretly enjoys going to the spa with Johnny and Cassie and getting her nails done. Ask her to admit it and she'll kick your ass.

3) She's a dog person.

Growing up in Texas and spending time/living with her grandparents gave her a love of dogs and in particular working dogs like German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois. I headcanon that Cassie wanted a puppy, Johnny wanted a designer dog and Sonya compromised by adopting a retired police dog. He's supposed to be Cassie's but Sonya adores taking him out for hikes.

4) She's a marathon runner.

Aside from countless hours spent training and honing her body for fighting hand-to-hand, i've always thought that Sonya is a runner, both to release stress and because she enjoys it. She's completed both the Boston and NYC marathons in record time. Johnny and Cassie are at every finish line as her #1 supporters.

5) She loves Johnny fiercely and it both confuses and infuriates her.

Sonya is used to being alone, she got used to it and and liked it. Loving someone like Johnny wasn't in the plan so it really threw her for a loop. He constantly reminds her that life is all about balance, that you need to have both work and play. She has more fun with him then she's ever willing to admit and it also scares the hell out of her because she's lost so many people.

6) She's Bisexual.

Even after the divorce, as angry as she was, she was still in love with him. She just refused to admit it.

When Sonya loves, it's with her whole heart. My headcanon is that she's had relationships with both men and women.

7) She remembers every kill she's made.

Names, faces, ages. Even if it's her job and she does it well, it haunts her. She doesn't sleep well and often finds herself awake, wondering if she could have done something different. Her greatest wish for Cassie is a peaceful world where her daughter won't face the same regret

[thunder-wolf64]

Herbert and a lamb friend.

I said I'd draw him so here's a digital painting I did on my phone. No layer modes were used and all colors were hand picked by me. No direct references either. Probably will be a big accomplishment for me for a while.

Some backstory on Herbert: I made him for a short fictional story assignment in one of my classes last year. He is a farm dog on a sheep ranch. He's old but still loves his job. He is a Belgian Tervuren :3

I wonder if I occasionally jump scare my followers with art like this lmao. It's not often I do high detail drawings, let alone 'realism'. I hope you all like it anyways!

[ya-world-challenge]

18 Afrofantasy Worlds to Read after you watch Wakanda Forever

So I see you guys love these lists and, hey, I’m not going to complain, I love looking at these sets of beautiful cover art. This theme is... Afro Fantasy Worlds! ♥♥ From alt-Cairo to alt-Johannesburg and many magical worlds in between, I’ve chosen 18 books full of African magic.

Add your favorites in the comments, too! I only ended up with two male MCs... that’s sadly a shortcoming in YA fantasy in general, although not every book here is YA.

Support my blog and read at the same time when you buy from the linked titles below, which go to Bookshop.org (where you support small bookshops, too!) Or get a free trial at Scribd for ebooks & audiobooks.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray Fate binds two Black teenagers from different social classes together  as they strike a dangerous alliance to enter a magical jungle and hunt down the ancient creature menacing their home--and discover much more than they bargained for.

Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo A gruesome war results in the old gods' departure from earth. The only remnants of their existence lie in two girls. Twins, separated at birth. Goddesses who grow up believing that they are human. Their epic journey of self-discovery as they embark on a path back to one another.

Everfair by Nisi Shawl A steampunk alternate-history novel set in the Belgian Congo. What if the African natives developed steam power ahead of their colonial oppressors? This land, named Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven, an imaginary Utopia for native populations of the Congo as well as escaped slaves returning from America and other places where African natives were being mistreated.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi A fantasy trilogy with its roots in the mythology of Africa and Arabia, three women band together against a cruel empire where castes are divided by the color of one's blood.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark A young magical detective in 1912 Cairo must investigate the murders of a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, when the murderer claims to be al-Jahiz himself returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko Tarisai was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to compete to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince's Council of 11. If she's picked, she'll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron Heir to two lines of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah yearns for magic of her own. Under the disapproving eye of her mother, the Kingdom's most powerful priestess and seer, she fears she may never be good enough. But when the Kingdom's children begin to disappear, Arrah is desperate enough to turn to a forbidden, dangerous ritual.

Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa Danso is a clever scholar on the cusp of achieving greatness--except he doesn't want it. Instead, he prefers to chase forbidden stories about what lies outside the city walls. But when Danso stumbles across a warrior wielding magic that shouldn't exist, he's put on a collision course with Bassa's darkest secrets. Drawn into the city's hidden history, he sets out on a journey beyond its borders.

The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani Children have been disappearing from across Menaiya for longer than Amraeya ni Ansarim can remember. When her friend's sister is snatched, Rae knows she can't look away any longer. She finds unexpected support from a foreign princess and a street thief with secrets of his own.

Blood Scion by Deborah Falayei They wanted me to be a monster. I will be the worst monster they ever created. Fifteen-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will--she is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods. When she is forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army, Sloane sees a new opportunity: to overcome the bloody challenges of Lucis training, and destroy them from within.

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata--a mermaid--collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable--she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna On the day of the blood ceremony of her village, Deka's blood runs gold, the color of impurity-and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki-near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes Set in a world where murderers and other criminals acquire magical animals that are mystically bonded to them. Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit, and a talent for finding lost things. When a little old lady turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, Zinzi's forced to take on her least favorite kind of job -- missing persons.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor In a near-future Nigeria. Anwuli Okwudili prefers to be called AO, Artificial Organism. Instead of viewing her strange body the way the world views it, as freakish, unnatural, even the work of the devil, AO embraces all that she is: A woman with a ton of major and necessary body augmentations. And then one day she goes to her local market and everything goes wrong.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of marrow and blood--a dark and terrible magick that hasn't been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native khimaer royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago. Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne.

Changa’s Safari by Milton Davis In the 15th century on the African Continent a young prince flees his homeland of Kongo, vowing to seek revenge for the murder of his father and the enslavement of his family and his people. He triumphs over the slavery and the fighting pits of Mogadishu to become a legendary fighter and respected merchant.

Waking Fire by Jean Louise Naira Khoum has only known life in Lagusa, a quiet village at the desert’s end. But to the rest of the world, Lagusa is a myth, its location shrouded in secrecy. While war rages to the north led by power-hungry Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi, Naira’s people live in peace. Until the impossible happens—Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress sent to do Sothpike’s bidding with a hoard of Dambi under her control.

Bonus: Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi An elite female fighter must reenter the competition to protect her found family of younger sisters in this scintillating young adult fantasy inspired by West African culture.

[yesloulou]

do you perhaps know any good tutorial that could help with coloring gifs to make the colors pop out?

like in these gifs :

https://www.tumblr.com/3-13-3/694198935284285440/mclaren-unboxed-back-at-it-belgiangp

https://64.media.tumblr.com/4bcfeb6c02c2e15f00c0b656bec0c217/126e205d91c132bc-d0/s540x810/2117d5c8946bf23b6a041b060cdaac534b72f1bb.gifv

i apologize if you already received a question like this your gifs are so well balanced i have no idea how to make might less dull and dead

DO NOT SAY THAT ABOUT YOUR GIFS THAT'S SOMEBODY'S CHILD!!!! all creations made from love is beautiful i will not allow talks like this!!!

anyways first of all thanks for the kind words 💖 im probably not the best person to recommend coloring tutorials bc i didn't really use them but! what i did do a lot was that i would compare my gifs to gifs from experienced creators and try to figure out what they did to get there. ofc we won't be able to replicate exactly what they did just by eyeballing which is acc a good thing bc in the process you develop your own understanding and style. you mentioned @3-13-3's gorgeous belgian '22 gifs so i thought we could try use one of them as inspo and do a coloring exercise together.

this is what we start off with:

2. i always like to adjust brightness first so here is [brightness +70, contrast +10]:

3. levels [25, 1.76, 255] for more brightness:

4. the original is obviously too yellow among other things so the next thing i adjust is color balance:

5. the blacks look a lil too red and the neutrals still look too yellow, so here i try to fix those using selective color:

6. the next thing i notice is that the yellow is too saturated and warm and the og coloring has more magenta tone in the red/lip colors. so that'll be what i try to do next:

7. the main difference is now the blue in the glass in the back. it's looking a lil too pink. with so much red and magenta tones in the gif, it might be a good idea to introduce some cyan or green tones into it. here we isolate the blues and mae it more saturated and green:

8. similarly, we use another selective color to adjust for more green and cool tones:

which would be what we end up with! again the objective is not for your coloring to look exactly like theirs but using theirs as inspo and in the process develop your own understanding and style.

hope this is helpful and happy creating 💖

[mybeingthere]

MARY SPAIN

American, 1934–1983

"As a small girl, Lisa Eastman lived across the lane from a magical woman who moved effortlessly across sun-dappled wood floors, under cathedral ceilings and surrounded by large colorful paintings. The smell of oil paints filled the air, casting a powerful spell on the younger girl. “That’s when I knew I wanted to be a painter.” Mary Spain Colie had spread her magical life to another generation, though her own life ended before middle age.

The details of Mary Spain’s life are sketchy, drawn more in paint and sculpture than biographical details. She grew up in North Carolina, but shared a creative soul with famed Belgian artist, Rene Magritte whose work pulled her away from the Expressionist landscapes that defined her early career. Later she moved to Ohio to teach art at Chagrin Falls High School and lived a quiet life with her husband Frederic Colie, a fireman, outdoorsman, and commercial chemicals salesman.

The parallels between their lives and works are hard to ignore. Putting Magritte’s renowned “Son of Man,” beside any of Mary Spain’s many masked figures makes one question the effects of having a world war take place in your back yard or childhood. Magritte’s response was to probe deeper and deeper into Surrealism, a style that challenged viewers perceptions of reality. He became one of only a handful of surrealistic masters.

Mary Spain, on the other hand, escaped to her magical kingdom on the banks of the Chagrin River. There she captured a world others couldn’t see in surrealistic images of people and animals, often mechanical, always mysteriously hidden behind masked faces. Certainly they were influenced by her collection of antique dolls, but where did her love of dolls and whimsical images come from? One art critic wrote: “Exactly when Mary Spain tumbled into her pictorial Looking-Glass world is difficult to determine. She may have been born there.” Only Mary Spain Colie knew for sure, and her voice was silenced by cancer at the young age of 49. Magritte lived two decades longer, but succumbed too early to the same horrible disease.

Her husband, Frederic, had supported his wife’s career by forging relationships with galleries in Cleveland, New York and Florida. After her death he withdrew all her paintings and sculptures from those galleries. They were never again offered for sale until after his own death in 2012."

https://wolfsgallery.com/.../mary-spain-girl-tossing...

[nocek]

omg what brushes and program do you use?

Oh I'm not sure this answer will be very usefull from amount of brushes listed. I have very few faves actually and mostly like them because they help me circumvent my perfectionism.

So right now I'm using Clip Studio Paint but I've been using Photoshop for a looooong time. Till they pissed me off too much with adobe adobeness. That's why part of my brushes are originally photoshop ones I've ported to CSP.

I mostly do linearts, like overly detailed ones, like this closeup:

Which I used DAUB FunnyGranny2 and back in PS times (and also now sometimes) I've used Kyle's Drawing Box - Animator Pencil 2016 from Kyle Webster (now available for free with PS as far as I know? still I had bought them ages ago and just ported it to CSP, works ok)

I like those two brushes because they are slightly grainy and aren't 100% smooth which helps me not to be as precious about smoothness. Otherwise I'd be smoothing it over and over again. Also they loose a bit of opacity with lighter touch which I like :)

I also like the Belgian Comics Smoother from Kyle's Inbox. It's very smooth but has a nice shape so I use it for touchups on color flats and lettering.

As for my more recent spiderverse comics of following close up:

I need to make them quick so everything is on 2000x2000 canvas and is linearted with DAUB - Fluid Ink Chisel 2 set permanently on size 30 so I won't be tempted :D It may not be grainy but I like how it changes it size and opacity with pressure and how it changes it's shape with direction of line.

Besides that I mostly use flat colors (I love the Lasso Fill tool in CSP) and regular soft airbrush too add some gradients.

I don;t use them that often but I also like Mirre's markers + blender if I do some actual shading but I also use Kyle's gouaches then.

And that's about it :)

[ashdreams2023]

Hello! Can you please do Loki helping reader recover from an ED? Maybe he like feeds her and idk something like that? And when she’s the first to ask for something to eat all the avengers are shocked and get her anything she wants. It’s okay if not <3

Of course sweetie and I’m so sorry this took long!

TW: ED eating disorder

One slice please

Loki is an observing person, he notices the smallest of details, especially details about you, his beloved.

He knows the colors you like, the way you like your tea in the morning and how you would prefer to spend an extra ten minutes just lazing about in bed before doing anything productive for the day.

He also knows how you eat, the way you avoid having seconds and barely finish your plates, the way you keeping skipping meals or pretending that you forgot to eat.

There were days where you looked so pale it made him want to force feed you but he knew he couldn’t do that to you, it would only make it worse.

So he made a plan, he made sure to have all his meals with yours, he would fill up his plate and make yours smaller than keep adding from his own to yours so you wouldn’t feel pressured to fill it up again.

He would buy you different candies to try, takes you to small comfy diners you could enjoy.

Gets milkshakes whenever he notices you’re drifting away again, tells you to take it on your own pace, no pressure just enjoy the flavor.

He’s the proudest when you start suggesting real meals, not something like crackers or smoothies for the entire day.

After a good while of hard work loki can comfortably eat and be sure you would finish your full plate and not decline dessert.

But the moment he really felt happy was at Natasha’s birthday where the team had a small party with a big red velvet cake.

"Can I get one slice please?" The question was like Thor’s thunder broke loose in the building, everyone stared at you then at Loki who looked so smug and proud.

Tony spoke first "can you?! Hell you can have the whole cake if you want!"

"Juice or alcohol?" Bruce immediately tested this development.

"Um juice please"

It was such a beautiful change, nobody knew how to act after that, they just kept offering you foods and drinks, anything they touched and shard with you until you could stuff yourself even more.

It stayed like that for weeks, Natasha would order those expensive Belgian chocolates and try them with you, Clint started treating you like his child bringing snacks from whenever he goes to the grocery store and Tony oh boy tony, he placed a mini fridge in your room and made sure it was full again whenever it got empty.

Steve baked with you a lot too, even offering the cake mix spoon for you to lick.

"Thor that’s enough with your pop tarts!"

"But brother she likes them!"

Loki rubbed his temples in frustration while you giggled, you had no more place to place all the snacks and meals everyone keep dropping.

"It’s ok Loki, I’ll eat them later"

"Dove you shouldn’t force yourself to do that, you should eat because you want too and not because somebody told you so"

You smiled feeling heat sting your cheeks "I know my love, I’ll always remember that" goodness you loved him.

[lxndonorris]

for comfort - lestappen

Max Verstappen x Charles Leclerc Theme: Smut after the exhausting Belgian GP Max just wants to rest, and Charles knows exactly how to help him x word count: 1650+ taglist: @game-set-canet open for requests!

Max clenches his jaw as he finishes his final interview for the day. His Red Bull Racing suit feels like it is suffocating him, and the cap on his head does little to hide the frustration in his eyes. 

The Belgian Grand Prix didn't go as planned. Ending in P4 feels like a failure, especially considering his expectations and recent performances. 

The media buzzes around him, microphones thrust into his face, cameras capture his every move, but his mind is already elsewhere.

As soon as the last question is answered, Max makes a beeline for the Red Bull motorhome. The crowd parts for him, sensing his frustration, and he moves through the paddock with the confidence and determination that brought him so many victories. The vibrant colors of his racing suit stand out, but it is his demeanor that truly commands attention.

The motorhome is a sanctuary, a place where he can momentarily escape the pressures of the track. He pushes the door open and steps inside, the familiar, cool air wrapping around him. The hum of the refrigerator greets him as he crosses the small living space, his eyes immediately locking onto the Red Bull cans lined up inside.

He grabs one and, with a practiced flick of his wrist, opens it in one swift motion. The cold liquid is a welcome relief as he takes a long sip, feeling the tension begin to ease from his shoulders.

Out of the corner of his eye, Max notices something that makes him pause. There, leaning casually against the counter, is Charles Leclerc. 

The Ferrari driver is still in his racing suit, but the upper half is hanging down around his waist, exposing the tight red fireproofs underneath. It is a sight Max fell in love with—the way the fabric clings to Charles's athletic frame, highlighting every contour.

"Charles," Max says, his voice a mix of surprise and something softer, more intimate. "What are you doing here?"

Charles pushes off the counter and takes a few steps closer, a smile playing on his lips. "I wanted to see how you were doing. It was a tough race."

Max scoffs lightly, though not unkindly. "That's one way to put it."

Charles's eyes twinkle with amusement as he glances at Max. "P4, huh?" Not bad, but not quite P3." His voice has a teasing lilt to it, and Max sees the challenge in his eyes.

Max takes another sip from his Red Bull, his gaze wandering over Charles's body, admiring it fully. 

"Did you enjoy the view of my rear?" Charles continues, his tone light and playful.

Max smirks, lowering the can from his lips. "I would have rather passed you, but it didn't work out today."

Charles just shrugs, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Maybe next time."

He takes a few deliberate steps through Max's motorhome, his eyes never leaving the Red Bull driver. Max's gaze is fixed on Charles's chest, admiring how the fabric of his fireproofs hug his body, accentuating every muscle, every ripple beneath the tight material. The sight is mesmerizing, and Max can't help but let his eyes wander.

Charles, fully aware of Max's attention, turns around slowly, displaying his muscular back. The fireproofs cling to him, showing off the definition and strength that were honed through years of racing. 

With a smirk, he looks back over his shoulder at Max, knowing exactly the effect he has—a game they both enjoy, the unspoken admiration, and the playful teasing that comes with it.

Max feels a surge of warmth as he takes in the sight of Charles, his frustration from the race beginning to dissolve. Charles turns to face him, swagger in his step, closing the distance between them with easy confidence. 

When he reaches Max, he places both of his hands on his waist, pulling him close. Max giggles; the sound light and genuine, a stark contrast to his earlier frustration.

Charles leans in, his voice soft but filled with warmth. "I missed fighting you on track. It felt good to do it again."

Max looks up into Charles's eyes, the familiar spark of their rivalry mixed with something deeper. 

"Yeah, it did," he admits. "Even if it didn't end how I wanted."

Charles shrugs, his smile never fading. "There is always next time. And the time after that."

Max's frustration continues to melt away, replaced by the comfort and connection he feels with Charles. Here, in this private space, they can be themselves, away from the pressures and expectations of the exhilarating world of Formula 1.

Charles's hands slide from Max's waist to his lower back, pulling him even closer. 

"You know," he says, his voice dropping to a playful whisper, "I think I enjoy our battles even more when they don't go as planned. Keeps things interesting."

Max laughs, the tension of the day dissolving completely. 

"You always know how to look on the bright side."

Charles's smile widens. 

"One of my many talents."

Standing so close to one another, the tension between Max and Charles is palpable. Their bodies are still thrumming with the adrenaline of the race, the fierce competition heightening the attraction that always simmers between them.

Max places both of his hands on Charles's chest; his touch gentle but deliberate as he strokes him lovingly. He feels the warmth of Charles's body radiate through the tight fireproofs; the sensation grounding and intimate.

Charles hums softly, tilting his head slightly, eyes half-closed in pleasure.

"I love seeing you in your racing gear," Max admits, his voice low and sincere.

Charles's smile is warm and knowing. 

"I feel the same way about you," he replies, his hands moving to rest on Max's hips, holding him close. 

"It's comforting."

Max's hands continue their tender exploration, the fabric of Charles' firerpoof shirt soft beneath his fingers. He feels the strong, steady heartbeat beneath, a rhythmic reminder of the life and energy they both poured into their passion for racing and for each other.

Knowing how much it relaxes Max, Charles encourages him further.

"You can stroke me more if you want," he invites, his voice a seductive whisper.

Max doesn't need any more prompting.

His hands slip underneath the fireproof shirt, the heat of Charles's skin a stark contrast to the cool air of the motorhome. 

Charles moans softly, his eyes closing completely as he leans into the touch, his body relaxing further. Max feels the fine muscles beneath his fingers—the strength and grace that make Charles such a formidable competitor on the track and such an alluring presence off it.

Charles regains his composure after a moment, opening his eyes and leaning in closer to Max. He whispers into his ear, the words lost in the intimate space between them, but the intent clear. Max feels a shiver run down his spine at the sensation, the closeness, the connection they share.

Without another word, they move to the small couch, sitting down together. The closeness of their bodies, the shared warmth—it all feels natural, a continuation of the bond they forged both on and off the track.

Max's hands remain under Charles's shirt, gently stroking his back, feeling the smooth expanse of skin and the occasional shiver that runs through Charles at his touch.

Charles leans against Max, his head resting on his shoulder, a content sigh escaping his lips.

"You can touch my dick if it makes your day better," he breathes down his neck.

A shiver runs down Max's entire back as he lets out a low grunt. Slowly, one of his hands wanders around Charles's waist and slips inside the bottoms of the racing suit. Already, he feels his length bulging against the fabric. Gently, he begins to stroke Charles, enjoying the sensation pressing against the palm of his hand. 

Charles's body shudders quickly, and then he giggles.

"It feels good, doesn't it?" His accent comes through slightly, and he pulls his head back to look into Max's eyes.

"So good." Max nods slowly.

They sit together on the couch, their bodies pressed close.

Max's hand is buried inside Charles's racing suit, gently stroking the warm skin beneath. Charles smirks, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and mischief. Slowly, he leans in and kisses Max softly, their lips meeting in a tender, unhurried embrace.

While Max is absorbed in the kiss, Charles's hand moves with deliberate stealth. He deftly unzipped Max's racing suit, the quiet sound masked by their intimate moment. Before Max could realize what is happening, Charles slipped his hand inside, his fingers grazing the smooth fabric of Max's own white fireproofs.

Max's body stiffens momentarily at the unexpected touch, a sharp intake of breath escaping his lips. The sensation is electric, sending a shiver down his spine.

But as Charles's hand continues its gentle exploration, Max relaxes into the touch, relishing the warmth and intimacy it brings.

Charles breaks the kiss, his eyes locking onto Max's. "I've missed this," he whispered, his voice filled with genuine emotion.

Max can only nod; his voice caught in his throat. 

The combination of Charles's touch and the closeness they shared is intoxicating, another reminder of their connection. 

He leans into Charles, his own hand continuing its loving strokes beneath the racing suit, feeling every muscle and contour.

Charles's fingers move with practiced ease, tracing patterns on Max's chest, each touch sending waves of pleasure through his body. Max closes his eyes, a soft moan escaping his lips. He feels completely at ease, all the tension from the day melting away under Charles's touch.

"You always know how to make me feel better," Max murmurs, his voice tinged with gratitude.

Charles smiles, his eyes softening. "That's because I know you so well."

They stay like that for what feels like an eternity, their bodies entwined, their hearts beating in sync. The outside world fades into oblivion, leaving only the warmth and comfort of their shared moment.

[ingravinoveritas]

Happy Birthday! I hope you have an enjoyable day

Thank you so much! I've been overwhelmed by all of the lovely birthday wishes I've gotten here on Tumblr, which made a slightly dreary day (because of the weather, which was nonstop pouring rain) much brighter. I also got this excellent little gift from my lovely friend @daziechane, which made me smile:

I love that of all the pictures of Michael and David that could've been used for this, it's one from the NTAs. I love how handsome and happy and soft they were that night, and how three years later, it's still one of the most memorable nights in Ineffable Lovers/Shennant history (right up there with Michael going to see Macbeth and the 2024 BAFTAs).

But today was a pretty good (if low-key) day. My parents and I had brunch together (homemade Belgian waffles, whipped cream, cut up pineapple) and dinner (herb-crusted salmon, roasted potatoes, and asparagus with crispy garlic and cheese, also cooked by me because we had to change previously made dinner reservations due to the weather). I'm also excited and thoroughly amused to report that I got a Tucci pan as a birthday present (fitting, because as you can probably tell, I love to cook). And yes, it is the very same Tucci pan that David and Georgia highlighted in an unboxing video on Insta last month...

The color is even more gorgeous in person than online, as if that's somehow possible, and I love it so much and can't wait to cook something in it.

So yes, that was my day today. I think I'm still recovering a bit from my trip to Vegas (I really somehow almost forgot how much total nonstop sensory overload takes a toll on me...), but definitely feeling better every day. My most heartfelt thanks to you and everyone else who has commented/DMed to wish me a happy birthday. I truly do appreciate it! ❤️