#I think as sincerely as I can about anything

[rorysburrow]

Sugar and Spice

Pairings ➼ Joe Burrow x Reader

Summary ➼ You and Joe are making homemade cinnamon rolls in the kitchen—well, trying to make cinnamon rolls. Amid the flour dust and rolling pins, things take a more playful turn when you get a little too close, and Joe realizes just how cold your hands are. Sweetness isn’t just in the rolls anymore.

Word Count ➼ 725

Warnings ➼ pure fluff , hint of allusions to something if you squint.

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The kitchen smelled like sugar, cinnamon, and butter—three of the best things in life, if you had to ask yourself. you and Joe were working on a batch of homemade cinnamon rolls, a recipe he had insisted you try together. Of course, the “together” part turned into him making fun of your inability to roll the dough without making it look like a crumpled mess, but that was beside the point.

“You’re doing it wrong,” Joe said, a teasing grin on his face as he peered over your shoulder. He was rolling his dough perfectly, of course, while yours looked like it had been through a war zone.

“Oh, really?” you replied while rolling your eyes. “I thought you were here to help, not critique.”

“I am helping,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “I’m just giving you the pro tips. You’ll get it next time.”

you shot him a playful glare, but just as you were about to roll your dough out again, You felt a chill sweep over you. Your hands, covered in flour, were cold—and Joe’s warmth was too tempting to ignore. Without thinking, You reached around behind him, sliding your hands underneath the hem of his shirt.

Joe went still, the sudden coolness of your hands against his warm skin sending a shiver through him. “Whoa, what are you doing?” he asked, voice a mix of amusement and surprise.

you grinned, rubbing your cold hands against his stomach. “Just warming up. You don’t mind, do you?”

He looked down at you, trying to hold back his smile. “You’re freezing me out here,” he teased, his voice dropping a little, more playful than I’d ever heard. “You know I don’t think that’s the reason you’re getting so close.”

you laughed, pulling your hands back to grab a new handful of dough, but not without making sure to run your hands briefly along his side as you did. “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t getting too hot. You’re wearing a long-sleeve shirt while I’m here in a tank top. That’s not fair.”

Joe leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Oh, I see how it is. You’re using me as a human heating pad now.”

“Pretty much,” you replied, reaching for the rolling pin and purposefully nudging his hip with yours as you did. “And you’re a very good one.”

Joe’s expression softened, his teasing smile shifting to something warmer. “I don’t mind being your personal heater,” he said, his voice more sincere than before. “But, you know, next time, I expect you to cook a real dinner.”

you chuckled, adjusting the dough, which had now transformed into a much more successful roll thanks to Joe’s “pro tips.” “Don’t worry. After we finish this, I’ll make us something even better. How about a nice, hearty meal?”

“You promise?” He raised an eyebrow, his playful smirk making a return. “Because if it’s anything like this dough… I might need a backup plan.”

“Hey,” you nudged him again with your elbow. “At least we’ll have the best dessert in town. And maybe I’ll even make it up to you with something a little more spicy tonight.”

Joe’s grin spread wider, and I could tell I’d gotten his attention. “You’re on,” he said, leaning closer as if to share a secret. “But just so you know… I have a thing for spicy food.”

you laughed, brushing your hands off and glancing at the oven, which had just beeped. “Well, looks like we’ll be having cinnamon rolls first. Then we can talk about spicy dinner ideas.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he said, sliding his arm around your waist, pulling you into him for just a moment. “Now, you owe me for the kitchen hijinks. How about a taste test?”

you smirked, reaching for the first hot cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven, breaking off a piece and holding it out to him. “Taste test approved, huh? Fine by me.”

Joe took a bite, his eyes lighting up with exaggerated delight. “Not bad at all,” he said, his voice teasing once again. “But I’m pretty sure I was the one who made this happen.”

“Right,” you said, rolling your eyes again. “The cinnamon rolls wouldn’t be this good without your expert dough rolling.”

Joe grinned, leaning in closer. “Exactly.”

[ask-the-rag-dolly]

Oh also (if it's alright to ask more) do you have anything you would like to ramble about regarding the Zooble and Ragatha dynamic? Or tbh just Zooble in general? Your blog has made me very much attached to them

OKAY . impromptu essay on the toybox dynamic + zooble it is . forgive me for the wall of text

i got into the dynamic because i went ' oh ! zooble's the second newest member of the circus (: i wonder how it went when ragatha was trying to help them ' and it snowballed from there

i've already said this but zooble and ragatha are Very much opposites in a traditional way . jax is commonly seen as ragatha's opposite , but he's her narrative foil — they're two sides of the same coin and are a lot more similar than you think . zooble and ragatha ? these two are like magnets repelling each other . they're just so Different from each other that it hurts . the only similarities they have is that they're both toys and care for the people in the circus .

like , something to note with zooble is that compared to everyone but pomni , they're Grounded and Real . they're not tolerant to the madness and chaos of the circus and prefers to do their own thing , which is most of the time upholding the community of the circus ! they set up kaufmo's funeral , they were hanging out with everyone at the start of episode 3 , showed concern over ragatha and gangle , and the conversation at the end of episode 4 ! even though they are blunt and can come off as rude , they Really care a lot for the people in the circus .

and them being able to switch out their parts and find their identity can also be seen as an act of rejection ! they can change how they look unlike the other circus members , and they try to find Themself instead of losing it to the circus . because ... well , i'm pretty sure ragatha lost her identity during the process of trying to adjust to the circus .

you can really tell that she's been here for such a long time that she's more a part of the circus . her coping mechanism is to not Reject the circus but rather to Assimilate with it . she shows enthusiasm over the adventures and crafted a fake , positive facade that is fitting of her avatar as a ragdoll . despite being outwardly nice and kind unlike zooble , she is a lot less Sincere . i very much think that ragatha genuinely cares for everyone in the circus , but she's unintentionally pushing them away by putting up two million emotional walls between her and everyone else .

which is why i like thinking about their dynamic so much . like push one of the most genuine people in the circus to possibly the fakest one and you get the weirdest platonic slow burn ever . they would Argue they would Disagree they would be Annoyed by each other ... but they both also care a lot for the other . because they're both fucking Wrecks and they know it . and also ragatha's such a sweetheart that zooble can't really hate her -

i have a lot more thoughts that i can't put into words atm and honestly i think i was pretty incomprehensible but Yeah i love them (:

[faithsotherhouseofchaos]

Two peas in a pod||Lando Norris x single mom reader and OC!Jasper

Word count 851

The knock on her door was light but insistent, a familiar rhythm that Y/N had come to associate with her next-door neighbor.

“Lando!” Jasper bolted from the couch, dropping his crayons mid-doodle as he darted toward the door. His small feet thudded against the hardwood, his excitement visible.

“Hey, champ!” Lando greeted him with a wide grin, crouching to meet the boy’s height. In his hand was a brightly colored toy car, one that looked like his McLaren.

Jasper’s face lit up as he took the car. “Whoa! It’s like your race car!”

“Pretty close,” Lando said, “Now, here’s the deal: you’ve got to take care of it while I’m gone. Think you can do that?”

Jasper nodded so hard it looked like his curls might bounce off his head. “Yes! I’ll keep it super safe!”

Lando stood, his smile softening as Y/N appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “You’re going to turn him into a collector at this rate,” she teased, but her eyes sparkled with appreciation.

“Better a collector than a critic,” Lando shot back with a wink. “Besides, he earned it. Heard from a little birdie that he got a gold star at school yesterday.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been talking to his teacher?”

He grinned sheepishly. “More like eavesdropping in the hallway yesterday when I ran into you both.”

She shook her head but couldn’t hide her smile. “Well, come in. Dinner’s just about ready.”

The scent of lasagna filled the apartment, warm and inviting. It was a small space, but Y/N had made it feel like home—photos of her and Jasper lined the walls, alongside the boy’s finger-paint masterpieces. Lando always felt a little more at ease here than in his own apartment next door.

He hung his jacket on the back of the chair and settled in at the table. Jasper immediately climbed onto his lap, launching into a detailed recount of his day.

“And then we had art, and Miss Clara said mine was the best!” Jasper held up his crayon drawing—a wobbly but colorful rendering of what might have been a racetrack.

Lando studied it like it was a masterpiece. “Mate, this is incredible. You’ve got talent. You’ll be designing the next Formula 1 racetrack before we know it.”

Jasper giggled, his face glowing with pride.

Y/N watched from the counter as she poured water into glasses, her heart squeezing at the sight. Lando was so natural with Jasper like he’d been doing this his whole life.

“So, how was testing?” she asked as she brought the glasses to the table and took a seat.

“Not bad,” Lando said, shifting Jasper slightly so he could dig into the lasagna. “The car’s feeling decent. Few tweaks here and there, but I think we’re in a good spot for the season opener.”

Jasper’s eyes widened. “Are you gonna win, Lando?”

“I’m gonna try, buddy,” Lando said, ruffling his hair. “And when I do, you’ll be the first person I call.”

Y/N shook her head with a laugh. “No pressure or anything.”

The evening passed in easy conversation, punctuated by Jasper’s endless energy. By the time the boy was tucked into bed, clutching his new toy car like it was a treasure, Y/N, Lando was standing in the hallway outside his room.

“He’s out like a light,” Lando whispered, glancing back toward the door.

“He always is after you visit,” Y/N said, her voice soft. “You’re like his favorite person in the world.”

Lando shrugged, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—a mix of pride and vulnerability. “He’s a great kid. Hard not to like him.”

As they walked back to the front door, Y/N lingered for a moment, her fingers brushing the edge of the counter. “Thanks for coming over. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate with the season starting soon.”

Lando turned to her, his expression gentle. “You and Jasper aren’t just my neighbors, Y/N. You’ve done more for me than you probably realize.”

She blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. “We’ve just… fed you a lot of lasagna,” she joked, trying to lighten the moment.

He laughed softly but didn’t let the moment slip entirely. “Seriously. This place feels more like home than mine ever has. That’s because of you two.”

Y/N felt her chest tighten, the weight of his words settling somewhere deep. She offered him a small smile. “Well, you’re stuck with us now.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said before stepping out into the hallway.

As the door closed behind him, Lando made his way to his apartment. He glanced back at her door for a moment, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through his chest.

What was it about that tiny apartment, that little boy, and that woman that made him feel more at ease than he had in years?

He told himself it was nothing. Just a good night with good people.

But deep down, he knew it wasn’t that simple.

[aniesvision]

𐂂 𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓, 𝑪.𝑺.

𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: 𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒇𝒇, 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈

𝚊/𝚗: 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 ♡︎ 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆!!

𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢: 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 ✺✺

I picked up an empty red cup and filled it with non-alcoholic cider. The familiar taste of apple sweetened my tongue as I walked back to the balcony, setting my cup on the table beside me and my arms on the balcony. I looked at the sky, which was colorful with some early fireworks.

-Hi. –I hear a low, soft greeting, the familiar voice making me smile.

-Hi. –I answer back, turning my face to look into the blue eyes that had caught my attention months ago, now a little darker in the night.

He leans against the balcony, the genuine smile on his face making me feel butterflies in my stomach.

-Only five minutes left. –He warns, his attention turning to the vivid colors in the sky.

-Yeah, it went by fast, and it wasn't that bad. -I say, chuckling softly, which makes him look back at me with one of his eyebrows arched.

-It wasn't that bad? -He asks, a provocative smile appearing on his lips.

4 minutes.

-Well, it could've been worse, but it could've been a lot better, y'know? –I replied, leaving a hidden message in the air.

Our friends gathered around us, looking at the fireworks that were already exploding everywhere and talking about the year that had just passed.

-What could've been better? –He asked, taking a step to the side to get closer to me.

Our shoulders were touching and he kept his eyes on me, but out of nervousness mine were focused on the fireworks. My cheeks blushed a little at my own thoughts, wondering what answer I'd give him.

3 minutes.

-Mm, I don't know, I could've done a lot of things I like without thinking of what other people would think, I could've talked more about how I feel and maybe confessed my feelings to the guy I've had a crush on for the past months. But, of course, I didn't do any of that. Maybe next year. –I answer, smiling at him, a bit embarrassed about the last part.

He looks at me with a confused and slightly disappointed expression. His eyebrows arched as his eyes searched for any hint of who I might be talking about, but when he found nothing he looked down, the bubbles of his soda becoming the main focus of his vision. A few seconds of silence passed and I was sure that he wasn't going to give me an answer, after all, there really wasn't much to talk about.

2 minutes.

Chris is the only one in my thoughts for the last three months and coincidentally one of my best friends. Ever since we met, I've been fascinated by his spontaneous manner, his ability to make me laugh, his ability to be that friend who makes any hang out better.

We became friends very quickly, but it took me a few months to see him differently. Beauty doesn't do everything by itself, but he wasn't just a pretty face. He makes me laugh, he keeps me entertained with his stories, our conversations never end, his company is comfortable, and he also has his serious side where we can talk about sensitive and slightly heavier things.

-So you're into someone. –His answer came, subtle and unpredictable.

Chris was playing with his red cup, half full of Pepsi, and trying his best to hide his disappointment, but I couldn't ignore the sad, unhappy look on his face. 

-Yeah, but I don't know if we would work so I didn't do anything about it. –I say, sincerely, but avoiding saying too much and ending up confessing what I shouldn't.

He nods in affirmation, takes a deep breath and looks out at the view from the balcony. I'm starting to get a little nervous about this interaction, so I find myself biting the inside of my cheek as a way of calming down.

1 minute.

-Why do you think that? –He asks, his voice calm but firm.

My eyes never leave his face, scanning every detail. His few, almost imperceptible freckles, his eyes that looked black because his pupils were dilated, his freshly shaved beard, the shiny earrings in his ears, the backward hat. Everything about him, absolutely everything, was just perfect.

-I don't want to ruin our friendship. –I whisper, giving away who I was talking about.

Fuck it.

His eyes return to me, his face serious, but showing a hint of a smile on his lips.

-Yeah? -He asks, as if checking.

I hear our friends starting to count down, 10 seconds.

-Yep.

My cheeks turn red in embarrassment and his smile only grows. I couldn't stop looking at him, even though I wanted to, it was like his eyes were hypnotizing me.

9.

I couldn't hide it any longer. It was a time for change, and regardless of whether it was for better or worse, it needed to happen, I needed to tell him.

8.

-You like me? –He asks, as if he still doesn't believe it.

7.

He turns his body, no longer leaning against the balcony, but standing in front of me, just one step away. It was like my entire body panicked and I felt as nervous as a teenager talking to her crush.

6.

I also change my position, now facing him, reluctantly studying his eyes.

5.

-Yeah, I do. –I finally confess.

This is terrifying, my heart is beating so fast, I feel like my fingertips went numb, my cheeks are burning and my mind is thinking of a thousand things at once.

4.

The voices of our friends on the countdown and the fireworks already bursting loudly in the sky were the only things I could hear.

3.

His smile grows even more and it makes me a little less nervous, at least he's not mad, right?

2.

He takes the last step forward, bringing our bodies together, one of his hands on my hip, squeezing lightly, and the other on the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

1.

Chris brings our lips together in a long, calm and delicate kiss, making me immediately melt and kiss him back, my arms wrapping around his neck.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

The voices didn't separate us, not even the screams of our friends when they realized we were kissing.

I didn't tell anyone about my feelings for Chris, I thought it'd be a bad idea and initially I thought it was just a crush that would eventually fade away, but obviously it didn't. So, to say the least, they were all surprised.

We only separated when the air ran out, a giant smile on our faces. Our foreheads were still touching when he whispered.

-I've wanted to do this for a long time.

I giggled happily, but didn't have time to answer him. We were both pulled away by our friends for New Year's hugs and a lot of questions from our confused friends that neither of us knew what to answer yet.

It was my first kiss of the year, and my first kiss with him, and I couldn't have had a better New Year's Eve than this.

➪ @riowritesitall @sturniolosarethebest @hyacinthst @deers4luv @sturncakez @watercolorskyy @delooshunalhoe @sarosfilms @blahbel668 @sturniyolo69 @sturniolosl0t @colbsposts00 @fallingforfalll2 @stvrnmc @faithlia @katie-tibo @monroesturnns @chrisxcherry @shaquilles-0atmeal @fratbrochrisgf @dayzeandhaze @h3arts4harry @star-yawnznn @asherrisrandom @pip4444chris @sturniolo-fann @beansprout713 @conspiracy-ash @sturnsxbitvh @ivysturnss @mattsbitchh @larallott @stqrnlvs @sssoniaswiftt @s1ut4chris @lovingregulusblack @sturnslutz @star-yawnznn @jupiter-rebel @courta13

[zablife]

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches

Summary: Even though you've promised to marry him, you still feel as though you might not be what Elvis needs. An argument over dinner proves the perfect time for him to set you straight.

A/N: I've never written for Elvis before, but something came to me I couldn't resist!

"Get up 'ere and tell me whatsa matter with you!" Elvis demanded, obviously displeased by the way you'd stormed away to the kitchen.

You pursed your lips into a defiant pout, arms crossed over your chest as you heaved for breath. He'd knocked the wind out of you when he picked you up and slammed you down onto the counter. The gasp you'd stifled was proof of it.

"I don't got anything to say to you," you retorted, averting your gaze and staring down at his dark suede shoes.

He was a gentleman at heart, but his temper often got the best of him. You heard him huff, watching him stuff his hands in his pockets to keep from manhandling you further. It was clear he only wanted to know what was wrong and he paced silently as he waited for an answer.

You were stubborn too though and often tested his patience by being deliberately willful. If he didn't know what he'd done this time, you certainly weren't going to tell him. He could figure that out for himself, you thought as you let him stew.

A moment more of shoes squeaking against the linoleum and Elvis snapped. Charging back toward you, he captured your jaw in one enormous palm forcing your eyes to meet his penetrating stare.

"Said I was sorry, didn't I?" he demanded and you could only gulp in reply. He hadn't been kind about your efforts cooking dinner and the jokes he made to the mafia eroded what little confidence you had left.

Your lip quivered despite your best efforts and hot tears welled at your lash line. Of course he noticed the change in you instantly, reaching up to catch the first tear as it fell.

“Don’t do that darlin’,” he pleaded, voice dripping in honeyed concern.

You sniffed back emotion so as not to show weakness and he chuckled slightly. "Always a brave little soldier, ain't ya?" he teased.

"M not, tho," you admitted. "I don't think I can do this," you whispered, pitching forward to press your foreheads together. You breathed in his comforting scent, allowing the waves of calm to wash over you before you continued. "I'm sorry, but I can't be your wife," you confessed. You knew it to be true, unable to keep house or cook meals for him perfectly the way his mama did for him when she was alive. You didn't have the same experience and it was killing you to know how you were failing him.

Elvis breathed deeply as his large hand came to cradle the back of your head, making you feel safe and secure as only he knew how. You could feel him smirking against you and you held your breath waiting for whatever reply he'd give to dismiss your concerns.

However, he surprised you when his voice rumbled low and sincere from deep within his chest. "You're gonna make the most wonderful wife, sweetheart. I know it cause you're kind and gentle..." He paused to gather his thoughts, fingers twisting in your hair as he added softly, "but most of all cause you love me like I love you."

Your heart nearly skipped a beat as he spoke the words of affirmation you'd longed to hear so many months now living with him at Graceland. However, your old insecurities ate at you faster than he could banish them. Your head shook softly against his broad shoulder, tears dripping down his shirt front as you proclaimed, "Tonight you said I couldn't do nothin' right. Maybe it's true." Then you gave in to the melancholy, hiccuped sobs leaving your parted lips.

You felt his chest puff out against you, ready to deny the accusation before he thought better of it. He looked back toward the dining room where a dozen witnesses could easily corroborate his sharp criticism. With you tugging at his heart strings now, he realized his mistake.

"Look, baby, I don't care you can't cook," he swore to you. As you looked up into his sapphire eyes, you knew he was telling the truth. Searching your tear stained face for forgiveness he added, "I'll hire us a chef and you don't ever have to worry again, alright?"

"You won't think less of me?" you asked, wiping at your ruined mascara.

A wide grin spread over his face as he thought for a moment, the devilish glint returning to his eyes as he answered, "Not as long as you learn to make me a peanut butter and banana sandwich. I can't go on a two week honeymoon with no help and nobody to make it f'me," he chuckled.

You hit his chest playfully, a giggle escaping your lips. "And how am I gonna do that?" you teased back, biting your cheek in anticipation.

Elvis' broad hands came to rest at your waist, raising you from your perch with ease. With controlled precision he placed you onto the ground beside him, pulling you into his side. "What if I teach ya?" he asked in complete seriousness.

Hands resting against his firm chest, you looked up at him expectantly, wanting to please him more than anything in the world. "I reckon I could learn."

"Yeah?" he asked, lips twitching into a tentative smile at your willingness.

"Mm-hmm," you confirmed with a quick nod.

Elvis took you by the hand and drug you toward the pantry as you furrowed your brow in confusion. "R-right now?" you stuttered, unable to believe he'd forsake his guests waiting for a proper meal in the next room.

"Ain't no time like the present, sweetheart," he declared, shutting them all out to spend time with you.

[zoobus]

Otome Isekai Roundup

With the new year, I feel the need to make some kind of year-in-review list. So even though I've largely stopped reading comics (the desire to read ebbs and flows every six month), here are the otoisekai that stuck out to me the most in 2024

Crimson Lady/Resetting Lady

What can I even say about the GOAT? As we crawl towards a conclusion, the despair only grows. Death is the only answer, death must be avoided at all costs.

The Villainess Who is No Better than an Extra Cross-dresses to Be a Love Interest

I never talked about this one, namely because I'm not sure how to describe it without focusing on its wokeness. But it is woke. It's bizarrely, strangely woke, as well as genuinely enjoyable, but I keep getting fixated on all the genre-unusual progressiveness, like

BELIEVABLE female crossdressing in a shojo manga

her older brother is fat, a good person, and nobody ever comments on his weight (this point is the most shocking to me honestly)

Older brother is loudly supportive of his gnc sister and male cousin

Unclear if MC is gay, transmasc, or just doing this out of survival, but it says something that becoming a love interest was her *first* response

Boy the MC bewitched in girl form as a child is thrown off by her handsome appearance as an adult, yet awkwardly asks if she wants help breaking her engagement with a man

I forgot, originally he was the stock "sexist love interest who dials it back for his one true love" type, but this one shatters the mold not by making her the one girl he isn't mean to, but instead having him step back from his feelings and step UP as a genuine, actual, fr ally and continuing their friendship. Insane upgrade.

And it all feels pretty organic! They'll hint at complicated feelings from the people around her without grandstanding or molding medieval-y types into 21st century values

Like I can't emphasize enough how weird it is to see a child drawn like this and they're not evil

Behind Her Highness's Smile

I never talked about this one for the opposite reasons of the above. Um. Extremely horny ethicsplay* thriller about a mentally-challenged princess forced to marry a duke (who, in turn, was forced to marry a mentally-challenged princess). What if you were the abused sexy sensual prisoner princess forcibly married to a smoldering tall dark-haired duke AND you had brain damage.

Let me say that I enjoy this story sincerely and that her issues are not played lightly, but it is absolutely going for eroticism. Like oh nooo, you're not mentally competent enough to consent 😉😉 the duke could do whatever he wants and you're too dumb and doll-like to do anything about it😉😉😉 also your maids roofied you😉did I mention your sick bastard brother-king made you like this? And that he takes immense pleasure in that fact?🤫

But I know what you're thinking. Because I was thinking it. For chapters and chapters. "Surely this is a ruse. They didn't actually write a mentally handicapped female lead, not when it's already so horny. This is just to add to the fucked up atmosphere that feeds into everything because there's no fucking way anyone would keep to this premise. Wow she's really committing to the bit lol, not giving an inch. If I were gullible, I would believe they're actually going to fuck. Wait. Was that guy supposed to represent the writer talking to the reader? Hey?"

Did they? Read to find out :)

*I've always hated describing stories as problematic (positive). Ethicsplay, like the story is fucked up. They know it's fucked up, YOU know it's fucked up, and that's why you're here reading it.

A Splendid Revenge Story of a Super-Dreadnought Cheat Villainess

I don't have a lot to say about this one other ​than it's a refreshing revenge-centric OI. It's not treading new ground, but it executes the genre's tropes well. The villains are exaggerated caricatures of hubris, brazen leeches who've forgotten whose blood they've been surviving on, each with their own distinctive brand of arrogance introduced at a measured pace to keep the true hero's OPness from getting boring, all with a unique stylistic flair.

Princess revenge stories are frequently derailed by dull romance or the desire to reinvent capitalism, so the fact that Super-Dreadnought commits itself to smiting Lunaria's enemies without straying from the path makes it a high recommend.

Turning the Mad Dog into a Genteel Lord

I realized I don't have enough screenshots to prove my controversial opinion (that this is less puppy dog bf fantasy and more crypto-age reggressor/caretaker right up until they knew it would mess with the overall light and goofy tone), and I can't say those kinds of things without proof. so. I'll save that for another day.

Anyway. Plot: Priestess Diarin, who is so hot I have more screenshots of her than any of the men, has to tame an abused beast-like 6'8 shredded ex-child soldier into a noble. She's the only one who can change him, she's the only one he can be vulnerable with. Middling plot, heavy slapstick/reaction face-based humor, but everyone is sexy and there are mild to moderate sadist-on-the-art-team impies, so. Recommend.

On an unrelated note can tappytoons please stop picking up manwha with good art? Their translation choices make me unreasonably mad.

If they draw shoes like this, please let Lezhin handle it? I can't take the comma stutters and obvious tone neutering.

[sokkastyles]

Zuko definitively has an anxious attachment style, although Azula's attachment style is a classic narcissistic attachment, not disorganized. Her actions are consistent with what the show tells us about how she seeks to control people because she thinks fear is the only way to form relationships. Which does not mean she does not want to be loved deep down. She's actually extrememly insecure and deeply needy, but can only allow those relationships to be one-sided in her favor and exist to reinforce how perfect she is, because she can't be vulnerable enough to love someone in return.

She did not go to Zuko's bedroom to warn him about Ozai killing him. She went there to taunt him. What she gains is the same thing she always gains by taunting Zuko, the reinforcement that she is stronger and that he is weak. That she's the one chosen by their father and he is not. What she says about "a nice earth kingdom family" is not a sincere desire for him to live, nor is it an actual option for Zuko. How is ten year old Zuko supposed to do anything about this, in the middle of the night? Where would he find an earth kingdom family to take him in? These are the people they are at war with, who they both have been taught to see as the enemy. She says this disdainfully because it also reinforces the idea that Zuko doesn't deserve to be a fire nation royal. Azula thinks the earth kingdom people are weak, like Zuko, and also deserve to die. That's the purpose of what she says. Zuko doesn't feel like this is an option after she says this. He feels terrified and helpless, which was her goal. Azula is not thinking ahead here, she's not thinking about getting the throne, and she certainly is not thinking about saving Zuko. She is a child seeking to fulfill that deep need she has to humiliate and control others to feed her own sense of self.

Now, do I really think she recognizes the reality of what would happen if Zuko really was killed? No, but she's not trying to help him here in any way. It's because she doesn't recognize the reality that she thinks the possibility of Zuko being murdered by their father is fun and games. Because again, she is an eight year old and is only really thinking about the satisfaction she gets in that moment from hurting Zuko and proving herself superior.

Also the reason she doesn't simply arrest Zuko in Ba Sing Se is because again, she ultimately seeks control in her relationships. Putting Zuko in prison is one way of controlling him, but it doesn't feed her need to reinforce her own perfection. If she gets Zuko to be dependent on her, though, that feeds that insecure attachment.

I definitely think that Azula wanted to kill Zuko because he left. Once she realizes she can't use the relationship to feed her ego, the only way to control him is to have ultimate control over him by killing him. This is very similar to how Ozai wors, as well.

Another thread between all three of these moments is that all of them reinforce Azula's need to believe that being the favored child of her father is the best position in the world. She mocks Zuko over the possibility of their father killing him and mockingly suggests he should go find another family, but would never expect him to actually do that, because both of them think their family is the best in the world. And Azula needs this to reinforce her own greatness. When Zuko starts to defect, though, that shakes that belief. In Ba Sing Se, Azula saw a Zuko that was almost happy not to go home, and she couldn't have that. She could have brought him back as a prisoner, but that also challenges the belief that her family is not the best. What is better is if Zuko wants to go home, if Azula is able to convince him that it's the best choice. So that's what she does. And again, once that door closes forever and Zuko has made it clear that he is not going back, once he shows that he's happier without their family, without Ozai, without her, the only option left is to kill him.

The thing is that Azula's "love" is what is harming Zuko. It's not just simply a matter of "she loves him deep down, so her actions aren't really as malicious as they seem." Her version of love is inherently malicious, because it's entirely one-sided and relies on Zuko being weak so that she can be strong in comparison. When she can't have that, she wants him dead.

Does that mean that Azula can't get redemption and healing? Of course not, but pretending we "don't know" why she did the things she did is not going to allow that to happen, ever.

what bugs me about azula redemption discourse is the fact that people genuinely think azula lied that zuko killed the avatar to show she cares for him. if she cared about him, she wouldve had the courtesy to warn him instead of blindsinding him during the meeting. That just added to his anxiety and while her fears of what ozai would do if her if she disappointed him are validated by ozai's actions, that gives her no right at all to knowingly put her own brother in the position. she literally said, "you can't treat me like zuko!" in the finale, which says a lot about how aware she was of how zuko was treated, and the fact that she recognized that that's not how she would like to be treated.

Oh yeah, this is a pretty wide-spread problem in the atla fandom in general but I notice a lot of it in specific azula-stanning (and usually zuko-hating) corners, where it's like 'Azula never even really did anything bad and how dare people call her one of Zuko's abusers for sibling rivalry stuff' as if gleefully crowing to your brother that your father is going to kill him or watching with a smirk of satisfaction as your father brutalizes him is all just 'normal sibling rivalry stuff'. Nevermind what came later, like actually trying to kill him.

So we end up with this kind of discourse that relies on making up a bunch of stuff that honestly doesn't make sense nor fit in with what we do know of these characters and the situation, but because they can do enough mental gymnastics to make her out to be The Real Victim Here then anyone who doesn't agree just hates abuse victims or whatever.

The fact is, at its most charitable interpretation, Azula was bare minimum hedging her bets. Because this scene:

comes before Zuko's meeting with Ozai, where we hear this:

And then, as if that weren't enough, we have Azula herself admitting it:

I feel like a lot of Azula stans who insist she was just trying to help Zuko, that she cared for him and was just trying to help him return home with honor, missed this part of the conversation, or just conveniently forget about it when it comes to defending their fave. But while Azula initially claims she did it to help Zuko out of the goodness of her heart, she comes right out herself and says she doubts Zuko's conviction about the Avatar's death, and she doesn't want any blowback to fall on her if and when the Avatar eventually resurfaces.

She was, at bare minimum, covering her own ass, with little regard for how it would ultimately affect her brother (for whom she has little care or concern, according to how we see their relationship playing out). Lines like you can't treat me like Zuko help to highlight this, because while, yes, they are both victims of the same abusive parent, Azula also became an active agent in Zuko's abuse, and the realization that to their abuser they are both just as disposable even after everything she did for him within that framework is a huge part of what led to her complete psychological breakdown in the finale.

[natsukishinomiyaswife]

Happy New Year Everyone! ♡

Thank you to everyone for making my 2024 so special! No matter the ups and down, I sincerely appreciate every single one of you. My friends, my mutuals, anyone who enjoys my work. Thank you for your support, for your time and encouragement. Whether you're here for my x Reader works, my OCs or OCs or Canons, I thank you ♡

With 2025 here now, I want to make a change. While I will still write x Reader works, I will be focusing on myself and my own happiness. This blog may be less active (fic wise) as I focus more on my side blogs, one being for Twst and my Twst OCs / OC x Canons. And the other being for my self ships (featuring multiple fandoms).

I would like to thank my friend Syder for the talk they had with me, and for helping me realize the problems I was oblivious to. I have been so focused on pleasing others, on pushing out fics and feeling "included", to the point of overthinking and becoming fixated. I was desperate to feel included, stressing myself out and panicking (due to my anxiety), resulting in burnout. I feared if I took a break or left completely I would be "forgotten", and continued to work through the burnout, leaving me in a worse state.

For 2025, I want to focus on myself. On my ships, my favorite characters, and whatever in general makes me happy. I'm going to do my best to stop worrying about what others want or think, and I know that if I happen to stumble, my friends will be there to help along the way ♡

Now onto the sappy stuff, which can be found under the cut due to length lol ♡

Coli (@nicoliharu) - Thank you for being one of the first people I met when joining Tumblr. I sincerely appreciate your support, friendship, and kindness. You are an amazingly talented artist with ships I would love to see more of. I know we don't talk much, but just know I care about you, your work, and your ships ♡ I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter ♡ You're a dear friend to me, and I hope you know that ♡

Absolute (@meltedbluecaterpillar) - Another person who I met when I first joined Tumblr, thank you so much for your friendship and support. Again, I know we don't talk much, but I appreciate our talks when we do. Especially since I can talk Hypmic, Utapri, Charisma House, and more with you. I hope we can talk more in the new year as I start posting for other fandoms. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and have fun no matter the fandom ♡

Ian (@crystallizsch) - Thank you for being such a great friend. It's so much fun talking with you, whether it be ideas, ships, our days, etc. My fandom experience wouldn't be the same without you. You're supportive, kind, and amazingly talented. I'm so glad to have met you, and to be friends with you. It's a joy to watch you create and have fun creatively, whether through art or writing. You're a dear friend to me, and I hope you know that. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and I hope you know you are loved /p too.

Tato (@viperbunnies) - Tato, I sincerely appreciate you so much. Though we haven't known each other long, you've grown to be such a dear friend to me. Thank you so much for your friendship and support. Our talks are always such a joy, and I love learning more about your OCs and ships. Our conversations could be about anything and it's always fun. You're incredibly talented and creative, and I'm glad I reached out when I did. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and I can't wait to see you come up with next ♡

Syder (@anbaisai) - I can't express enough how thankful I am for your friendship. You have always been so supportive since we first met, and have made me feel more included in the Twst fandom than anyone else. Our talks are always a delight and it brings me such joy knowing you associate me with Trey, one of my favorite characters. I know I must sound crazy in our DMs the past few months, especially with how my emotions have been, and I'll always be grateful for your perspective and feedback. The fact that you "give it to me straight" and explained things to where I could understand has truly helped me grasp the situation I was in, and how my mindset was. I think I would still be spiraling and fixating/overthinking if it wasn't for you, and I will always be grateful for that. You are a great friend, and an incredibly talented and hardworking person. Thank you so much for your time, your support, your friendship, and your care. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and know that I hold so much respect for you ♡ (and I hope you're alright with me tagging you lol ♡)

Algy (@offorestsongs) - Algy, there's so much I could say. You're so talented, and supportive, and kind. Your warmth shines through in your writing and art, so soft and sweet, I just adore it. You've always been such a good friend to me, and I'm so grateful to have met you. Thank you so much for your friendship, your time, and your support. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and I look forward to whatever you do next. It's always such a joy to see your OCs, your ships, and how much happiness it brings you. I strive to be like you in that aspect, and will do my best to do so this year ♡

Kris (@skriblee-ksk) - I am going to ramble, so bear with me lol ♡ I appreciate you so much Kris. From your friendship, to your support, to your ships and art. You will always be such a dear friend to me, and I highly encourage anyone reading this to commission you (if you're currently accepting them) I know I have complimented your work over and over, but I am genuine when I say my OCs wouldn't be the same without your work. Commissioning you is always such a joy, and every single time you make my OCs and ships more "alive" than they would be otherwise. You're incredibly talented, kind, and a wonderful friend to have. I cannot thank you enough for your support and friendship, and again, I highly recommend anyone considering commissions to commission Kris. You won't be disappointed. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and I look forward to whatever you do next. You're probably the most supportive person in this fandom (other than Ian and Algy) when it comes to frequent reblogs and feedback, no matter the person. I can't thank you enough for it ♡

Jan (@cheerleaderman) - Supportive and creative, those are the first two words that come to mind when I see your name. You are a constant support to many people in this fandom, drawing people's OCs and OC x Canons without any prompting and surprising so many with your work. Your love for this fandom, for other's OCs and OC x Canons is obvious. And with your own OCs, ships, and events, it's clear how much you enjoy Twst. It's a joy to see and I know I (and many others) appreciate you for it. You make the fandom more fun without even trying, and I'm grateful for it. Thank you so much for your friendship Jan, for your support and care. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and I look forward to where your creativity takes you next ♡

Bones (@0honeybones0) - Thank you so much for your friendship Bones, for your time and support. You're incredibly talented, and I sincerely appreciate the care you've shown me. I look forward to seeing more with Rebecca, with her ship with Jamil, and everything else in between. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and I hope you know just how much I enjoy your friendship, your OC, and your ship ♡

Shuu (@oya-oya-okay), Felle (@fell-e), Amatsu (@amatsuchan-eiliniel), (@cyanide-latte), Harry (@jovieinramshackle)

Addie (@justm3di0cr3), Shoopy (@boopshoops), Seris (@tixdixl), Hagi (@clovenoko), Quinn (@thehollowwriter) - All of you are incredibly talented, kind, and so supportive. The fandom wouldn't be the same without you, without your OCs, work, and personalities. Whether it be through supporting others, OCs and OC x Canons, gushing about faves, or just having fun. I'm grateful to be mutuals with each of you, and I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter ♡

To my followers and any mutuals I've forgotten, thank you so much. I hope you have a happy new year filled with love and laughter, and I hope you'll continue to support me in the new year ♡

Thank you! ♡

[incandescentflower]

Still thinking about episode 4 of Thamepo. What I am really enjoying about it is that it's of the *all the lead characters are very sincere and ultimately care about each other* variety of drama, with the added bonus of it being focused on more adult feeling relationships.

It gives me Cherry Magic vibes with how it's earnest, fuffy and emotionally open, while focusing on the importance of communication in relationships. I love all of these aspects. And no shade on Achi, but I like that we get this without either of the romantic leads having an emotional freak out about their own feelings.

They haven't even directly said anything yet, but they continuing to show their interest bit by bit. Thame is clearly not too great at communication. It part of the reason the group fell apart. We can all see how Thame is extremely interested in Po (even if Jun can't, although honestly I think he is doing a little poking on purpose here to determine if Po is worthy) and yet he let himself get distracted with what was happening with the group because that is central to his life.

People don't always respond right away, but Thame recognizes that they hadn't really set expectations on that and correctly identifies the precarious nature of what is happening between them. He also is now understanding his own tendencies that ended up causing issues with the group, so he felt it was important to address it.

Thame says he wants to make sure the people who are important to him know that they are. They are telling each other so much, but still kinda walking a tight rope, which is why Po first thought Thame was saying he wanted friendship. And then Thame quickly picked up that vibe and made it clear - he wants to be close to Po.

I love that kind of thing. The honest, realistic challenges of communication. It doesn't have to be silly or contrived, communication is hard! Being honest with feelings is hard! People misunderstand each other on the daily and it takes work to communicate.

I really do hope that they continue this kind of theme and don't throw in anything too contrived that isn't, you know, pop idol nonsense because the authenticity in the core relationship is really what is selling me right now.

[getaandlucius]

A brief taste of honey (Geta love story)

Summary: Geta is recovering from his injuries. Lucius must go to war again.

Previous parts: part 1, part 2, part 3, Part 4, Part 5, part 6

"Who is Arishat?"

Lucius blinked. Slowly, a pair of intense brown eyes swam into view. He had not regained full awareness of his surroundings, and it took immense effort to translate his thoughts into words.

"Mmm." Lucius groaned softly as he turned on his back and stretched out his arms above his head. Of course, Geta did not know about her. Who would have told him?

"You... said her name. In your sleep," Geta clarified.

Lucius nodded. "She was my wife. She died in the invasion of Numidia." He rubbed his chest. "She was shot. In the ribs. Drowned soon after."

Geta stayed silent for a while. Then, quietly, "I'm really sorry, Lucius." Something in Geta's tone surprised him and made him turn his head. The sincerity in it. Perhaps he recognized, remembered the feeling of loss.

"It's okay."

There was a time he would have blamed Geta for killing her. But knowing him and his brother for longer, he understood the way they ruled. Like kids. Ignorant, with no idea of the consequences of their actions nor the lives lost and affected. Bitterness still filled his heart remembering how he had felt.

Geta shook his head. "It is not. And I am sorry."

Lucius could feel his throat close up, so he just gave a nod, quickly blinking away tears.

"What was she like?"

Lucius did not reply right away.

"If you want to share, of course."

"It's okay." He frowned. "She was... strong. Independent. A great fighter." He stared at the ceiling. "Never allowed me to protect her."

Geta's fingers slid into his curls, stayed there until he began playing with them. It startled Lucius; Geta had not done this before. Never touched him in such a way.

"It, ehm..." He cleared his throat. "It drove me nuts, to be honest."

"That doesn't surprise me," Geta said, lazily winding a curl around his middle finger. "You miss her?"

"Very much." Lucius looked away from him. He could feel Geta's eyes burning in the back of his head.

Geta came closer, his warm breath fanning over the side of his neck. He then ghosted his lips over the shell of Lucius' ear.

"I can't bear it when you're sad," he said, his voice solemn and low. Then he sighed and lowered his head, tucking it between Lucius' chin and shoulder. Lucius did not know what to say to that, so he didn't say anything, just focused on Geta's heartbeat drumming against the side of his ribcage.

"What about your brother? How are you coping with his absence?" Lucius asked, feeling guilty he’d gone so long without asking. Geta said nothing for a long time.

"I feel half-human without him."

Lucius squeezed his arm.

"I'm sorry too."

Geta nodded. Then he added, "I know you were right when you said he would kill me if it came to it." Geta turned his face inwards, talking to the skin of Lucius' neck. "I knew you were right, and that's why I struck you." Geta was crying now.

Lucius nodded. "I assumed so."

Geta swallowed. "I would have never been able to kill him. Never. Not even if I would lose my mind."

Lucius nodded again, looking down at him. Geta was softer than most people gave him credit for.

"How are your wounds?" Lucius asked after letting him cry for a while, changing the subject. "Are they still hurting badly?" Geta nodded without looking at him. "Sometimes less than other times."

"When does it hurt the most?"

"When I sit up, or when I accidentally turn on my stomach."

"Can I see?"

"The wounds?"

"Mm-mm."

"No."

"Why?"

"It's ugly. I don't want you to see it."

"Do you think I care if it's ugly?"

"I care. It looks gross."

"It's not healed yet."

"It will scar. Pius said the scars will be the size of my hand."

"It bothers you?"

"Yes. It does."

"It doesn't matter to me."

"It's not about that. I liked the way I looked. I liked my skin. It will never be like that again. Every time I see my reflection, I will be reminded of terror. It bothers me."

Lucius propped himself up on one elbow, searching Geta's eyes. "I'll teach you how to fight. We'll get you healthy again." He insisted.

Geta shook his head, his cheeks still damp from previous tears. "I will never be the same again. I'll never walk around these halls the same man."

Lucius frowned. "You don't know that."

"Mmm. I do."

Lucius adjusted so he was in the same position again, with Geta's head resting against his shoulder. "We'll take it a day at a time, alright?"

Geta sighed and didn't reply. When Lucius looked down, his eyes were closed again.

"You want to sleep?"

"Yeah."

Lucius brought his hand to Geta's face, letting it rest there protectively. "Sleep then," he said.

Geta murmured something unintelligible. Lucius adjusted a little and yawned himself, letting his eyelids close too. Unexpectedly, he was off in a heartbeat.

When he woke again, it was hot and early in the afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the open window, and his thin tunic clung to his damp torso. Geta’s arm was draped across his chest, his body tucked gently against him. He was lying on his side, deeply asleep. That was good—he probably needed it.

Lucius carefully lifted Geta’s arm off his chest and slid away from him. Geta's breathing remained heavy, his arm falling limp on the bed, palm flat against the mattress. Lucius pressed a kiss on his arm before standing up, leaving him to sleep undisturbed. It had never felt right to leave him, but it was becoming harder and harder the more time he spent with him—like a fabric being pulled tighter with every thread.

If he could, he would have stayed with him all day, all week, making sure his heart kept beating steadily, kissing him, caressing him. But this was not the time. Geta needed his rest to recover, and Lucius had a battle to plan.

----

That night Lucius entered the dining hall. Geta was already sitting at the main table, clearly just awake, looking a bit disheveled with his hair sticking out all over the place.

"I will leave in two weeks," Lucius said, sitting down.

Geta looked up with sleepy eyes. "How long will you be gone?"

"I expect around three or four weeks."

Geta nodded. "Okay."

"When I get back, we’ll start our training sessions, yes?"

"Yes."

"Good. In the meantime," Lucius added, "I want you to be careful and stay in bed most of the time. You can have my quarters to yourself. If you’re in pain, tell one of the guards and they’ll get Pius or Ravi. I know you’ll get bored, but please do not go roaming around the gardens or do anything Pius hasn’t advised you to do."

Geta grinned and took a sip of wine. "Okay, father."

Lucius shook his head. "I’m serious."

"I know you are. When are you not?"

"Mmm..." Lucius knitted his brows together. "True."

"I like your solemness. Don’t worry."

Lucius took a bite of his food. "I’ll make sure you have enough to read. I heard you like to read."

Geta nodded, letting his teeth sink into a piece of chicken. "I do, thank you."

Lucius smiled. Watching Geta eat was one of his favorite things in the world.

They finished their meal in a comfortable silence.

After dinner, Lucius went looking for Marcus for the most recent reports on developments along the trade routes.

The news was not good. The Phitians were closing in on Rome’s lifelines—grain from the north, salt from the mines, and trade along the coast. Without these, Rome’s legions wouldn’t march, its cities wouldn’t eat, and its people would face starvation and chaos.

Lucius asked Laurentius to find Mantius, the main military leader of the Roman army, who had replaced Acasius.

Inside, Marcus studied the map, his hand hovering over the grain routes. "They’ll strike here first. If they cut off the grain or seize the salt mines, the people will feel it within days. We can’t protect everything. Where do we hold?"

Lucius stepped forward, scanning the map. "The coast. Without trade, we can’t resupply at all."

Marcus nodded sharply. "And the salt mines?"

"Decoys," Lucius said, thinking aloud. "We let them believe we’re prioritizing the mines while fortifying the coast and the grain routes."

Mantius pointed to the passes. "If we control the high ground here, they’ll walk into a trap."

Lucius’s jaw tightened. "It’s not perfect, but it gives us a chance to keep the people fed."

He walked over to Laurentius at the door. "Could you please send a message to the local governors that I need to speak with them?" Laurentius nodded.

---

The next two weeks, Lucius spent preparing for battle and training his men. He and Geta slept mostly in separate beds, as Lucius often worked late into the night and Geta needed his undisturbed sleep. But when Geta’s nightmares became severe, Lucius would come to his bedside, rub his back, and whisper to him until his breathing calmed.

Sometimes his eyes would drift down to Geta’s full lips, wondering what it would feel like to kiss them, to slowly part them with his tongue. But he would quickly push those thoughts away. There was still a shyness between them—something Lucius wasn’t willing to break away from just because of impatience. What they had was delicate and precious, and he wanted to savor it. Savor him.

The evening before his departure, he went to find Geta. His horse had been readied, his men were prepared and had been spoken to. Geta put his hands on Lucius’ shoulders. "You will come back to me soon." It was a demand, not a question.

"I will come back to you, soon," Lucius nodded in agreement. "Remember what I told you. Be safe, ask for help."

Geta nodded. He was cold; the evening air left a wave of goosebumps on his arms.

Lucius sighed, feeling more reluctant than ever to leave.

"Lucius?" Marcus was standing at the gate, fully dressed in golden armor. He was too old to go to battle but had refused to stay behind. Lucius nodded at him before returning to Geta.

They just stared at each other, not knowing what to say.

"Okay, goodbye then," Lucius said after a moment.

Geta nodded. "Goodbye," he said, looking over Lucius' shoulder to Marcus, who had stepped outside. Lucius could hear Geta breathe in before he bent forward and pressed his lips to Lucius' mouth. It was a simple, understated kiss—a promise. Geta grinned when he pulled back, his big eyes devoid of any shyness.

"Now go, you fool. Don’t make them wait."

Lucius nodded and turned on his heel, walking toward his horse.

"Strength and honor!" Geta called after him.

Lucius looked over his shoulder, the corner of his mouth curling up. "Strength and honor."

Please let me know what you think in the comments!

Taglist: @potato1d-blog1, @joan2914

[reign-summers]

Reign couldn’t help but smile as he settled in beside Violet, feeling more at ease than he ever thought possible. He wasn’t used to being this comfortable so quickly with someone, but there was something about Violet that just felt… right. Watching her laugh softly, resting her chin on his chest, made him feel like he had everything he needed in this moment. She was everything he had ever wanted and she was helping to feel that void part of him he'd ignored for a while. When she teased him about “getting into her pants,” he grinned, his thumb brushing lightly against her back as he held her close. "You make it sound like your some goal-oriented project for me to complete," he joked, his voice a playful mix of flirtation and affection. “But if that's the prize, I’d say it’s more than worth it. I wouldn't call this hard work.” He couldn’t help but admire how she made him feel—like he was more than just a guy she was dating. With her, it was about connection, trust, and something deeper. And that, for him, was the real reward. When she winked at him after mentioning his view being “way better,” Reign chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Nothing can compete with my view though." The way she laughed at his compliment and then snuggled into his side made him feel a sense of peace he hadn’t realized he needed. As she traced patterns across his abs, he closed his eyes for a moment, soaking in the intimacy and comfort. “You really are something else, Violet,” he murmured softly, his tone sincere. There was a warmth spreading through him that had nothing to do with physical attraction—it was about her, and how she made him feel seen and valued. "You are really pretty and super hot." When she mentioned her friends, his heart swelled with fondness for her, and he appreciated how open she was about them. “I’m glad you have such a solid crew,” he said with a smile, thinking about how lucky he was to be part of her life. “You have a circle of people you surround yourself with.” He raised an eyebrow when she mentioned the girl who brought coffee and doughnuts. “Is that the cute blonde? I remember a friend of Isaiah's bringing doughnuts up to our office." The kiss they shared was perfect—slow and filled with a tenderness that made Reign’s heart race, and when he pulled back with a playful alert, he couldn’t help but chuckle at her response. "Fine, fine," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You win. Sleep it is." But then, her next words caught him off guard, and he raised an eyebrow as she snuggled closer. “Cuddling is definitely fine with me,” he said, his voice low but teasing. Reign let out an exaggerated tut, his grin widening as he gently but firmly rolled Violet onto her side. "Nah," he said, his voice dripping with playful authority. "I'm being the big spoon if it means you're all up against me," he said softly, his voice teasing but filled with warmth. He wrapped his arms around her gently, pulling her closer. "Can't say no to that," he added with a playful grin, his chest pressing lightly against her back. "You're lucky, you know," he whispered into her ear, a teasing smirk on his lips. "I’m a really good big spoon." Reign’s hand moved slowly, almost instinctively, as he shifted closer to Violet. His touch was gentle and tentative, as though he was testing the waters to see if she was comfortable with the closeness. His hand slipped beneath the edge of her shirt, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin. It wasn’t about rushing anything—it was simply a quiet moment of connection, his touch soft and filled with care.

violet laughed softly at his words, shaking her head as she watched him settle in like he owned the place. she loved how comfortable he was here, even if this might be their last time sharing a bed. he was everything she could dream of and more, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t quite find the words to describe how he made her feel. “yeah, i could tell,” she chuckled, resting her chin lightly on his chest. he was a dream, plain and simple, and the way he treated her only reinforced that. with reign, sex wasn’t the center of everything, and she cherished that. he wanted to know her deeply, fully, and she felt the same. that didn’t mean she wasn’t tempted by the idea of him without his clothes—who wouldn’t be?—but it wasn’t what mattered most. violet leaned in to press a soft kiss to his chest, smiling as he spoke about their connection. “getting into my pants is a bonus, huh? a little reward for your hard work this weekend?” she teased, her lips curling playfully. “yeah, you’re definitely trying to boost my ego. but i’m sure my view was way better, mr. dreamy,” she winked, tilting her head to smirk at him. when he called her a goddess, her cheeks flushed, and she couldn’t help but pose dramatically at his side. “a goddess? wow, no one’s ever said that before,” she grinned, laughing softly before sliding back into his arms. “i am really pretty though, aren’t i?” she joked, snuggling into his side. her fingers began tracing lazy patterns across his toned abs as she sighed contentedly. she felt a level of comfort with reign that she’d never experienced before, and it was intoxicating. “yeah, the kings,” she said with a knowing nod, grinning as she thought about her best friends. “what did you expect? isaiah’s like my brother, and they are amazing.” she paused for a moment, her smile growing. “but i know a couple of other great couples, too. one with a baby—they’re so good with kids—and then there’s this one girl who doesn’t have kids yet, but she’s the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. she brings coffee and doughnuts to the station sometimes,” she said with a wink. the kiss they shared after that was everything—slow, deep, and filled with the kind of tenderness that made her heart race. but when reign pulled back with a cheeky alert, she raised her brows, matching his playful expression. "let’s sleep then,” she said with a light chuckle. “i’m too tired for a round two anyway.” her grin turned mischievous as she snuggled closer. “is cuddling fine with you? or do you want to be the little spoon tonight?” she teased, her voice laced with laughter.

[velvetvexations]

i feel like the sentiment of ‘human shields’ or ‘you should be able to use slurs (“theyfab” the one im thinking of) against a group that (you perceive as) your oppressors’ comes from like. a flow chart way of thinkin

it really isn’t math. certain women (as broad and vague as the group can be defined) absolutely have power over certain men sometimes. race is one of the main ones, but like, off the top of my head there’s also age, disability, and certain authority or workplace positions. i would even include as small as a community as like, a gathering of friends to whom ive just invited a new person. the new person is statistically gonna be shyer or more prone to being pushed out. of course there are always a million modifiers, a million past and future happenings that shape someone and may or may not add to their “power meter” (if such a thing is real and operates like a meter) but being any specific identity is not going to be the sole driving factor of all interactions, especially in micro communities with their own standards.

i guess what im trying to say is that the claim that one is oppressed in every situation due to their identity and therefore any bullying towards others of one identity just counts as ‘pushing the needle’ is disingenuous. it is much more comfortable to feel like the ‘beaten down person who is just lashing out against their attackers’ without realizing that those attacks do hurt because some of those people may in fact be just as powerless as you (not you, velvet!! example you)

Flowchart anon: forgor to mention, or course own identity can be impactful and everyone knows better than a stranger how they’ve been affected by their identity, but also I think it’s possible to harness power even when you don’t know it, or unfortunately don’t approach people that way

it's wild too because the slurs get explained away as being like Black people saying cracker and a White person telling a non-binary person of color you should get to call them slurs because they're like White people to them is wild on it's own but like

have you

EVER

seen a Black person go to the fucking mat on a daily basis for 'cracker' like TRFs do th**yfab?

Yes, obviously, Black people have regularly argued with disingenuous idiots about it all the time. But have you ever seen Black activists, out doing serious, important work, fiercely argue every single day against a massive horde of White people telling them not to? I'm not even saying that a Black person can necessarily say the word cracker without ten White people popping off in the replies. But how often do they get replied to? And how much of those White people are trying to get through that it sincerely hurts them, and not just claiming it's rhetorically hypocritical?

Because from the TRF perspective it feels like "no but we should get to use this insulting word for other people and if not you're literally killing us!" is like, the major discussion to be having! I've talked a lot before about how even I, someone massively triggered by things outside of intercommunity stuff, somehow manage to bring those issues up more than TRFs do with their incessant focus on the perceived transmisogyny of other trans people, but good Lord. Even if it WERE okay and justified, it's so obvious they care about their sacred right to be aggressive towards other people over literally anything that will ever actually help a single trans woman.

They're exploiting the concept of "punching up" to be mindlessly cruel to another group of marginalized people. And frankly that should be insulting on it's own. Even if you did buy into the explanation that the word was coined by trans women mad about some non-binary people scabbing for Wymyn's Warped Tour,* they're seriously saying that's the equivalent of centuries of enslavement and violent terror? Like yeah, God, remember that time some th**fabs got to watch a bunch of cis women play acoustic guitar while reciting bad poetry and I didn't? That was exactly like a burning cross in the yard warning me to not vote.

*AND IT FUCKING WASN'T

[scoupsakakitty]

heyyyy could u write a dino x male reader (only if ur comfy doing it!!) where male reader is taller than dino but has no muscles whatsoever so dino teases him for it but dino however appreciates his body including his thighs

(any genre u want!!)

love youu🫶🫶

Lean and Strong | idol!Dino x Male!Reader | fluff

Y/N had never been the most muscular guy. Sure, he was taller than Dino, but his frame was lean, built more for speed than raw strength. But Dino didn’t mind. In fact, Y/N’s lack of muscle was something he found endearing.

They were sitting together on the couch one evening, a movie playing in the background, but Dino’s attention was on something else entirely. He had his arm draped around Y/N’s shoulders, and every so often, he’d squeeze him just a little too tight, just to see Y/N squirm.

“Hey, I don’t know if you can handle me today,” Dino teased, glancing down at Y/N, his lips curling into that playful grin that always made Y/N’s heart flutter. “You’re looking a little… fragile.”

Y/N rolled his eyes, leaning into Dino’s touch but trying to act unaffected. “I’m perfectly fine, thank you very much,” he said, pretending to be offended. “You just have no faith in my strength.”

Dino chuckled, his gaze dropping to Y/N’s legs as they rested on the couch. “Strength, huh? I’m not sure I see any of it up here.” He tapped Y/N’s bicep lightly with his finger, and Y/N playfully swatted his hand away.

“But,” Dino added, his expression softening just a little, “I’ve gotta say, you’ve got one hell of a pair of thighs on you.” He ran his hand down Y/N’s leg, tracing the shape of his thigh with an almost reverent touch. “I can’t get over how strong they are. Seriously.”

Y/N’s cheeks turned pink at the compliment, even though Dino was only half-serious. “You just like them because they’re soft,” he teased, though his voice betrayed a hint of pride.

Dino leaned in closer, brushing his lips against Y/N’s temple in a quick, affectionate kiss. “Not just soft,” he murmured, his fingers still lightly resting on Y/N’s thigh. “They’re strong, too. You don’t have to have huge muscles to be impressive.”

Y/N smiled at the sincerity in Dino’s voice. He loved how Dino could make him feel so good about himself, even when it felt like he didn’t quite measure up in some areas. “I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Dino pulled back slightly, giving him a warm smile. “You should. You’re perfect just the way you are. And I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Y/N’s heart melted at the words. He was used to Dino’s teasing, but the way he could balance it with these sweet, genuine moments made Y/N feel completely at ease in his arms. “You’re really something else, you know that?” Y/N said softly, gazing up at him.

Dino grinned, his thumb tracing circles on Y/N’s thigh. “I know. But hey, if you ever want me to help you bulk up a little,” he said with a wink, “I’m more than happy to lend a hand.”

Y/N laughed, shaking his head. “I think I’m good, thank you very much. But keep those compliments coming. I could get used to this.”

Dino gave him a playful shove, then pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around him. “Deal. But remember, Y/N… the real strength is in here.” He placed a hand on Y/N’s chest, just over his heart. “And I’ve always known that about you.”

Y/N’s chest swelled with affection. With Dino, he didn’t need muscles or anything else to feel strong. All he needed was this Dino’s teasing, his warmth, and the way they fit together so perfectly.

“Thanks, Dino,” Y/N whispered, resting his head on his shoulder. “I love you.”

Dino smiled, pressing a soft kiss to Y/N’s forehead. “Love you too.”

And in that moment, surrounded by soft teasing and heartfelt affection, Y/N felt stronger than ever.

[anxiousthoughts365]

Read

'Whatcha reading, Moonbeam?'

Remus didn't look up from his page. He was so engrossed in the words that he didn't care that his back and hip were aching from being crushed into the window seat of the boys' dormitory room for too long, or that the sun was dipping so low beneath the tree line of the Forbidden Forest that he was having to strain his eyes to keep reading. Even his boyfriend's proximity wasn't enough to draw his attention away.

'Muggle book,' he muttered, only half-aware of what he was saying. It wasn't until Sirius' head, cocked to one side so that he could read the tile on the book's cover, entered his line of vision that he placed a long finger between the pages to save his place and made himself look at the other boy.

'Oh, Oscar Wilde!' Sirius said, his handsome face lighting with recognition as he met Remus' surprised gaze. 'He was the guy who wrote gay poetry, right? And got sent to prison for it?'

'Sort of? He - Wait, how do you know about Oscar Wilde?' Remus blurted.

'Reggie reads,' Sirius sighed, rolling his eyes, as though being well read made his brother a lost cause. 'Then he yaps about his books to James, who yaps about them to me. Getting rather boring, to be honest.'

'Well, maybe you should read some of the books that they talk about?' Remus tried. 'You never know, you might find something you could talk to Regulus about in them.'

'Riiiiight,' Sirius drawled, shaking his head as though the idea of it was impossible. But suddenly he paused, then grinned at Remus. 'Wait, what if you read it to me?'

'You ...' Remus blinked up at his triumphant boyfriend, his mind moving slowly around the concept. 'You want me to read you The Picture of Dorian Gray?'

'Yeah! It would be brilliant!' Sirius looked smug, like he'd just solved all of the world's problems in one fell swoop.

'It's ... It's quite an old book, Pads,' Remus murmured, treading carefully with his wording.

'Alright, well, I won't touch the pages or anything.'

'No, Love, I mean ...' Remus grappled with himself for a moment before plunging on, 'The wording is quite, um, flowery? It uses a lot of old language, and it's quite hard to follow in places, and -'

'Oh,' Sirius breathed, the smile slipping from his face. Remus started to panic when he saw the walls beginning to build behind the silver eyes that he so often got lost in, and then Sirius was turning away, muttering, 'You know, Remus, if you didn't want to do it, you could have just said -'

Remus lurched out of his sitting position, wincing slightly as his joints twinged at the sudden movement. But he still managed to catch Sirius' elbow, still managed to pull him back. The barriers weren't fully in place yet, as Sirius allowed himself to be turned, so Remus began blathering.

'Alright, look, it was written in the 1800s, and it was illegal to be gay back then, so Wilde couldn't just write an openly gay novel. He had to use a lot of imagery and careful language to hide what he meant. It's a story about love and obsession and how those things can easily become confused, but because of the style of the writing it's not as thrilling as a spy book or a crime novel. It's not that I don't want to read to you. I would love to read to you. But I just wanted you to know what you were in for, and that it's OK if you get bored and want to go do something else, yeah?'

Remus waited for a heartbeat, then two, panting slightly from his rant. But finally, Sirius softened, his eyes losing that harshness, and he lifted one hand to cup Remus' jaw.

'I think you could read me Hogwarts: A History from cover to cover, and it would be the most fascinating thing I'd ever heard,' Sirius murmured, the sincerity in his voice making Remus melt.

'Well, we'll see,' he rumbled, smiling when Sirius' thumb stroked gently over his cheekbone. Silent thanks for catching him before he spiralled. Remus turned his head to press a kiss against the other boy's pale wrist, then added, 'Could we move to the bed, though? My back is killing me.'

'Just say the word,' Sirius purred, and Remus chuckled at the elusion to one of their favourite songs. Quite an apt song, really, for the moment.

He allowed Sirius to pull him to his feet, and in no time they were curled up on Sirius' bed, with Remus' back well supported by numerous cushions and Sirius splayed out on his front, his head on Remus' chest, arms wrapped around his waist and hips nestled between his thighs. Remus opened the book at the first page.

'The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses,' he began. 'And when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn.'

'Sounds lovely,' Sirius sighed, his voice already heavy and relaxed. And Remus couldn't help smiling as he tangled his fingers into his boyfriend's long black hair, and read.

[coquettemouse]

Omg be serious for a moment

I actually explained to op that viria has drawn curly hair and this was completely different from how she draw Leo, 3 times, and they ignored every single one.

I can guarantee you I would never call someone dumb unless I don't genuinely think they are being dumb, I firmly believe that most of the time people are not being dumb at all. I'm not a grandmother to go around patting people's heads online, and I'm willing to teach, after all I offered images as example to the person afterwards

Being direct and honest is not being immature, and in fact, I consider it quite the opposite, If you grew up in a house where people treated you like a prince I really can't do anything (and before anything, I am ADHD with RSD strongly present, I understand about being sensitive)

I prefer to just call someone dumb (or vice versa) than walk around the fact that I think they are dumb, because people most of times know what you are thinking. And to me, that would be disrespectful, so I'm just sincere

Also, sometimes being direct, even if it feels "rude," is necessary to set boundaries or to make someone pay attention to an issue they’re ignoring. I'm tired of this fake moral superiority. I understand where you're coming from, I've been there, and I've learned that it doesn't always work that way.

I admit I was stressed, which is why I decided to block the person after sending my references, both for me and for them. But I didn't call them dumb because I was stressed, I still think this was a dumb take. I myself think I've been dumb many times, we have to regonize that we aren't perfect and inherently wise and intelligent beings, sometimes we are ignorant and dumb. That's the interesting thing of being human

ok so I saw a post saying that Leo Valdez’s hair isn’t curly in Virias drawing and I’m kinda in an argument with someone abt it but like HIS HAIR IS CURLY CAMONLY AND IN THE DRAWING

[swiftiethatlovesf1]

Unspoken Melody p.7

Hi guys, here's a new part of the story, if you've missed part 6 here it is :) If you want to read more of my stories, here's my masterlist.

Two drivers, one unforgettable concert, and a chance encounter with a pop sensation that leaves Oscar questioning everything he thought about music—and maybe even himself.

The first thing you noticed when you woke up was the unfamiliar softness of the bed and the faint smell of something comforting—laundry detergent and a hint of vanilla. You blinked against the morning light, trying to piece together where you were.

Before panic could set in, a soft knock at the door drew your attention. It opened slightly, and Oscar peeked in, his expression a mix of concern and hesitation.

“Hey,” he said gently. “You’re awake.”

You sat up, the blanket sliding down to your lap. “Wait… where am I?”

“This is my room,” he said, stepping inside. “You fell asleep in the motorhome after, well, everything. I didn’t want to wake you, and it was getting late, so I brought you back here. I hope that’s okay.”

Your heart swelled at the thoughtfulness of his gesture. “Oscar, you didn’t have to do that. But… thank you. Really.”

He waved it off, sitting in the chair by the window. “You don’t have to thank me. I just didn’t want you to wake up alone after… everything.”

The memories of the previous day rushed back, sharp and painful. Mark’s betrayal, the headlines, the whispers in the paddock—it all came flooding in, and you felt the sting of tears threatening to fall again.

Oscar seemed to sense it immediately. “Hey,” he said softly, leaning forward. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. None of it is fair.”

A bitter laugh escaped you. “You’re apologizing? You didn’t do anything wrong. Mark… he’s the one who should be apologizing.”

Oscar’s jaw tightened. “You’re right, but I can’t help feeling bad for you. You deserve so much better. Honestly, it makes me furious that he could treat you like this.”

The raw honesty in his voice caught you off guard. “I feel like such a fool,” you admitted quietly. “I should’ve seen it coming. Maybe if I wasn’t so busy with work, or—”

“No,” he interrupted firmly, his gaze locking onto yours. “Don’t do that to yourself. This isn’t your fault. You trusted him, and he’s the one who broke that trust. That’s on him, not you.” His voice softened as he added, “If anything, he’s the fool for not seeing what he had. Anyone who loses you… he’s the one who’s lost something incredible.”

The way he said it—so earnest and sincere—made your breath catch. For a moment, you just looked at him, your heart aching with gratitude.

Before you could respond, your phone buzzed on the nightstand. You glanced at the screen: it was your manager.

“Sorry,” you muttered, picking it up.

“It’s okay,” Oscar said, sitting back to give you some space.

Your manager’s voice was calm but carried a sense of urgency. “I saw the news. It’s already everywhere. For now, lay low. Don’t post anything, and don’t make any public appearances unless absolutely necessary. We’ll handle the fallout later.”

You nodded, even though she couldn’t see you. “Understood.”

When the call ended, you sighed and looked back at Oscar. “I should go back to my room. You’ve already done so much for me, and you need to rest. You’ve got a race tomorrow.”

Oscar shook his head. “I’m not worried about that right now. What matters is that you’re okay. Are you sure you want to be alone?”

You hesitated, your exhaustion warring with the fear of being left alone with your thoughts. “I don’t think I’ll be sleeping much tonight. Maybe I’ll order some food and watch a movie or something.”

His eyes softened. “You don’t have to do that alone. If you want, we could stay here. I’ll order pizza, and we can watch something together. No pressure, though.”

The kindness in his offer made your chest tighten. “Are you sure?”

“Of course,” he said, his lips curving into a small, reassuring smile. “I don’t mind at all.”

So you stayed.

The two of you argued playfully over pizza toppings before settling on a large half-and-half. When it arrived, you curled up on the couch beside Oscar, the awkwardness between you replaced by an easy camaraderie.

As the comedy played, you found yourself laughing more than you had in weeks. Oscar’s quiet chuckles were contagious, and every now and then, he’d glance at you to make sure you were still smiling.

“Thank you,” you said softly during a quieter moment in the movie.

“For what?” he asked, looking genuinely puzzled.

“For being here. For… everything.”

He shrugged, but the warmth in his gaze betrayed how much he cared. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad I could help.”

And as the night wore on, sharing pizza and laughter, you felt a flicker of hope in the warmth of his presence—a reminder that even in the midst of heartbreak, kindness could still find its way to you.

@justaf1girl