#I am already in desperate need of a haircut

[octuscle]

Now open under new management (remake)

Edward Parker III rolled down the car window a crack. Peter, his driver, had switched off the air conditioning to save fuel. The fuel gauge was practically at 0.00. Here, in the middle of nowhere, they had no mobile network. The last Google message said that a petrol station would appear at some point. And Peter claimed that it should open in five minutes. Open from 10:40 am. Strange opening times. Edward's stomach grumbled. Something had gone wrong at breakfast. The car desperately needed a gas pump. And he needed a toilet just as badly. Then, like an oasis in the desert, a building appeared in the middle of endless cornfields and pastures full of stupidly staring cattle. It was 10:39:50 a.m. when Peter steered the car into the dusty gas station with the last drop of gas. At 10:40 sharp, Edward yanked open the car door and jumped out. And the moment his spotless Oxfords touched the ground, the neon sign flashed. Open!

Edward ran towards the little store where the neon sign was shining. He was far too intent on not wetting his pants to notice the leather soles of his shoes turning into a firm rubber tread. When he pushed the door handle down, he got something like an electric shock. He didn't care. The store was empty. His palm became calloused. His fingernails were black. There was a door at the back labeled "Private". Hopefully there was a toilet there. Thank God the door was open. And thank God there was a toilet. In the middle of a room full of tools, car tires and packages. It stank miserably. But Edward didn't care at all. He had already undone his belt while running, unzipped his trousers, pulled them down and dropped onto the dirty toilet seat at the last moment. And he had to shit like never before in his life. The stench was overwhelming. But the relief was immense. Edward finally relaxed again. But only for a second. Then his eyes fell on the dirty biker boots. They contained a pair of completely filthy jeans, pulled down as far as they would go. And what was even more irritating: his right hand was the hand of a construction worker, the sleeve of his shirt had disappeared. And the fabric of the right sleeve of his jacket was also coming undone. And on his chest and back, the color changed from a navy blue to a washed-out red. What the hell was going on here?

Even greater than the panic was the disgust at the stench. His left hand, still freshly manicured, reached for the toilet flush. And again he was hit by an electric shock. Panicked, he watched as his fingernails became dirty and his hand calloused. Edward's gaze fell between his legs. That wasn't his circumcised, shaved penis. That was a cheesy, hairy cock. Much bigger than it normally was. Edward had to get out of here! He hastily wiped his ass. A tight, hairy ass, sitting there on a familiar toilet seat. A man needs a good place to shit. Hehehe, this was a good place to shit. Stumbling, Edward stood up, his head spinning. He looked in the mirror. That was still his head. But the rest of him? His stiff white collar and tie knot vanished into thin air, revealing a well-toned chest. The last remnants of the finest navy blue wool on his upper left arm disappeared, and the transformation of his jacket into a washed-out and worn-out tank top was complete. I look like a fucking hillbilly, were his last thoughts before he grew a scruffy three-day fuzzy beard. His $100 haircut became a home-cut mullet. Damn, the greasy hair hadn't been washed in a while.

Loud honking from outside. "Damn, I've taken a shit! Can't you wait?" Edward shouted. He wiped his hands on the dirty cloth stuck in his pants. Washing hands was for sissies in the city. He entered the yard of his gas station.

Hehehe, he knew the dirty truck that was parked there at the gas pump. "Pete's services of all kinds" was written on the door. And Pete Jr. was hanging in the cab with a visible bulge. "Eddy, don't you always promise the best service at your gas station?" said Pete with a grin. Ed spat out the chewing tobacco and licked his lips. "Go ahead, gas station attendant. The belt buckle won't undo itself!"

Full service and guaranteed customer satisfaction. That's what Ed's gas station was famous for.

[kivedreams]

I have 7k+ on a fic that was supposed to be 4k max, I am letting my delusions go wild, a spoiler:

here's the final product :p

idol namjoon x f. reader, f is latina and poc (and this is completely unedited i mean it )

Just a the moment you thought the party was dying down they arrived, is not like you hated the idea of having a party, but this week has been hard on you, nothing went exactly as you planned, having your thesis send back two times in a row, draw you down, that thesis was the last thing between you and your PHD, you knew it was going to be hard, but god it really was testing you, of course you were happy for NamJoon today was a big day for him, he was finally releasing the book that he always wanted to publish a full guide on Joseon era artwork focused on its influece of todays art, Namjoon was really proud of korean artists, so being able to pay homage to them was a big thing for him and for you, because namjoon happiness was part of your own. 

The tight red dress that you were wearing might have been a bit too much, but it was namjoon’s gift, it might have been tighter because you had put on some weight due to the stress of this months, going to the gym or doing any type of exercise was the last thing on you mind. You would be lying if you did not admit that, it was one of the things that were making you feel insecure tonight, your relationship was already hard, nobody believed that namjoon the first born child of a korean family, the leader of the most successful kpop group and now namjoon the writer would settle for you, a latin woman of color, that did not appeal to a single one of the korean standards, you weren't insecure by namjoon’s feelings, but you were insecure on how everyone else feelings and prejudices might influence his decisions, is not like you were desperate for the ring, you really didn't need it, nor were you prepared for marriage, but sometimes it feel like the only thing that could silenced all the voices in your head, all the social media talk, and of course everyone around you. 

“Y/N?” he called for you, you were still in the balcony of the apartment, seated in the light brown handmade chair, you purchase for the space, with a glass of wine enjoying the seoul night, a slight breeze, and of course the beauty, of the balcony, namjoon and you have crafted together, a lot of plants were everywhere accompany by artworks and souvenirs that both of you have collected through the years, some on your travels together some alone.

“Yes, darling” you responded looking at him, namjoon was a handsome man, you loved that haircut in him, and his choice of clothing today was a masterpiece, that beige suit with a purple bottom up was a perfect mix. He looked at you with confusion in his eyes, he quickly brushed that look a way and say,

“My parents are here, they're asking for you” are they? was the only thing in your mind

You walked to him with a smile taking his hands, to greet them, a most of the guest that have arrived since you little rendezvous to the balcony, you were begging that nobody would notice your weight, your thighs were clearly giving a show in that dress, god I hope the concealer is strong enough to cover the sleep bags in my eyes, do I still have lipstick on?.

“Y/N! His father greeted you “You look beautiful tonight! How is your thesis going? Are you close to the finish line? "His father always looked happy to see you, but was he?

“Mr. Kim! Thank you! And yes I'm close to the finish line, if everything goes as planned, I will be able to present it in a few weeks” You responded with a smile giving him a hug and doing the same with his mother. She always looked at you, at your hair with curiosity  of course 4B coils were not the norm in Korea, but Korean beauty standards weren't going to pressure you into hating your beautiful hair.

After polite talks  and greetings  for a whole night with people that were close to both of you, in professional and personal level, the night was over, Namjoon and you finished saying good bye to the last guest and his agent, the night was a success, as you knew it would be, Namjoon never fails to amaze you, you saw him the whole night , moving around and enchanting everyone, you get it, you too were enchanted by him.

Finally being able to get rid of the uncomfortable shoes and the red lace around your waist that made the dress even tighter, letting namjoon in the living room, talking with the service that was in charge of getting everything clean up and tidy again, walking straight to your room, dreaming of the comfort of your bed, you forgot all the things that were placed on top of it, because you didn't trust any of the frail art pieces to be in the open while everybody drank and mingle, with not other option, you moved to the balcony, walking down to the kitchen first taking a glass of wine with you and politely smiling to the service, namjoon was out of your sight.

Sitting on the cold floor of the balcony letting your hair free from the detailed bun that it was made into, enjoying the silence and peace of the night. You felt empty, maybe too much stress plus the insecurities in your relationship were passing you the bills, in a few months you would be 30, and if you get your PHD granted, working as a full time curator in the national art museum of seoul, just what you wanted, but was namjoon on your side for it? you didn't know.

[col-islander43]

Haircut

Mat Barzal x reader

Warnings: none

Word count: {1,033}

"No, you're not." was your immediate response after Mat walked into your shared bedroom, claiming he was getting a haircut.

He stopped in his tracks, his brows drew together, and a pout formed on his lips as he stared at you in confusion. Trying to keep it together, you asked "What's wrong?"

Shaking his head, a sigh escaping his lips as he continued walking toward the bathroom "Nothing. My mom said the same thing when I told her I was getting my hair cut. It's just a bit creepy."

Joining him in the bathroom, you sat on the counter as he got out everything he needed to shave, he liked doing it the traditional way. There wasn't much to shave, just a bit of stubble, but he got used to having his face clean-shaven. So against your wishes, he was going to shave, you loved his facial hair and you were open about it.

"How about you sleep on it and make a decison tomorrow?" you bit your lip to suppress your smile when he gave you the same look from before as he applied shaving cream to his face.

"Babe, I already decided. I'm getting my hair cut on Friday I just have to make the appointment." Stepping in between your legs he handed you the razor, knowing you loved helping him shave even if you loved his facial hair more.

You had until Friday to convince him to not cut his hair since today was Tuesday "It's not fair, you know? You shave your beard, and you'll cut your hair which by the way didn't grow that much, what am I supposed to look forward too?" the teasing tone lacing your voice seemed to escape your boyfriend as he stared at you with his mouth wide open.

"You did not just say that!" his disbelieving tone and facial expression made laughter burst out of your mouth, hiding your face in his chest, careful to avoid the shaving cream.

You placed a couple of pecks on his exposed collarbone before looking up at him again "I'm kidding, love. I find it unfair because when I cut my hair you throw a fit for days."

"That's diff-" he cut off his sentence when you leveled him with a look that spoke for you. "Ok. I can't promise that my decison will change, but I'll sleep on it, only because you asked. Now give me a kiss, I'm getting touch starved."

You were about to protest, but before you could get the words out he had given you a peck on the lips which resulted in shaving cream covering small parts of your face.

---------

Laying on your side you watched the sun shining through the blinds, gently caressing Mat's face and highlighting all his features that you loved. Like every morning, you softly traced all his features with your thumb, the other hand raking through his hair, careful not to wake him up.

"I think you've memorized my whole face, you probably already had it memorized the first week you stayed over." His gruff morning voice startled you even if he was whispering.

"I'm sorry if I woke you." You slowly retracted your hands, placing them on his chest but Mat wasn't pleased with that decision. He pulled you closer, shaking his head as he placed your hands in their previous positions.

"You didn't wake me, but I'll get upset if you stop all the caressing. I'm feeling loved." The boyish grin that took over his face told you he was teasing you, but you continued your caressing because you liked doing it.

"You are loved. I love you. And I'll tell you every chance I get. Also, if you really want to get a haircut I'll suck it up and accept it, but your mom said she'll disown you." your voice was slightly above a whisper as he opened his eyes, confusion taking over his features.

"I love you too, but when did you talk to my mom?"

You chuckled when his lips formed into a pout, pecking his lips you caressed his brow "Yesterday. After you called her and went to the store to buy the cookies you claim are for me but eat your weight in. She sounded desperate and I can't blame her."

His jaw dropped as he softly pinched your waist "What's that supposed to mean?! Also they are good cookies."

You shrugged your shoulders trying to come up with a good answer "Baby, you're pretty, you're gorgeous, you're handsome just the way you are. You don't need a haircut."

He kissed your forehead as a way of thanking you before quickly pulling back "Hey! Don't avoid the question."

"I'm not avoiding the question." You definitely were "You don't need a haircut, it's a decent length." you gently pulled a couple of strands before pecking his lips "Especially after what happened last time." you murmured under your breath.

"What did you say? Speak up, sweetheart." He said the words in a low voice, the smirk on his face revealing he heard you loud and clear.

"Nothing." You looked down avoiding his gaze, but that didn't last long because he placed his finger under your chin lifting your gaze. He shook his head telling you he wasn't going to let this go.

"Speak up, baby."

His words made you squirm slightly, he knew exactly what he was doing "I said, especially after what happened last time. We're both a bit scared, babe. You said you were going to trim the ends and then you came back bald."

He burst out laughing, rolling onto his back and dragging you with him so you could lay on his chest "I wasn't bald."

You hid your face in the crook of his neck as your face slightly reddened "There's a difference between trimming the ends and getting a buzz cut. If you really want to get a hair cut I can trim your ends."

He pulled away slightly, his brows drawn together "You can do that? Why don't I know this?"

"I can trim ends I have done it before. And you never asked."

"We have been together for 2 years, how can I not know that?"

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

Hi, Hi. School finished a couple of weeks ago so I'll try and post more.

Feedback is appreciated, hope you guys enjoyed!

[oddsnendsfanfics]

Holding On for Dear Life Pt9

Genre: Fan Fiction (Vikings)

Pairing: Hvitserk/OFC

Warnings: Medical, Illness, S3xual C*ntent

Rating: M

Length: Multi Chapter

Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it. 

A/N: Just fluffy and needy Hvitty. What more could we want?

thank you @flowers-in-your-hayr​ for the header

Catch Up Here

Laying in bed, his arms around his pillow, Hvitserk listened to the rain hit the window. He had been in his apartment for two days and already missed Emmer. The rain kissing the glass, he sighed and rolled over to the empty bed. He had spoke with Emmer before going to bed, how desperate would he look if he called her now? His clock told him that it was much too late for Emmer to be awake, Hvitserk sighed and turned over on his other side. If he called her now, she would assume there was an emergency and he didn't want her startled. Outside the wind rustled through the darkness, accompanying the rain.

Nights like this were his favourite, when he was with Emmer. They would go to bed, curled up in one another, listening to the soft sounds of the rain. A rainy night always made things feel more intimate when you had someone to share it with. He had promised her maybe three nights before he came back. He hadn't yet told Ubbe that he was moving, nor had he sorted out anything beyond fresh work clothes. Intentionally, Hvitserk was not trying to drag this out, he wanted to be with Emmer. It made the most sense. The road block was coming from his own fears, he had never lived with anybody aside from his parents and his brothers.

What if he and Emmer grew bored of one another?

What if she decided having him around all the time wasn't what she expected?

No, Hvitserk shook his head at his silly thoughts. Not possible. They loved one another and this was the right thing to do. Deep down, Hvitserk knew it. He could feel it. The excitement trying to turn into fear was a cruel trick of his mind. Huffing, Hvitserk sat up trying to adjust his pillow to the way he liked it. Unfortunately his pillow wasn't as soft or lush as the ones on Emmer's bed. Nor did they smell like her. In a few short days, he was going to be back with her. He would tell Ubbe tomorrow, his brother would understand. Hvitserk tried to close his eyes, the wind outside calling in the darkness once again. Groaning, he rolled over grabbing his phone off of the bedside table and dialing the only number he knew by heart.

“H-hello? Hvitserk?” Emmer's voice was confused and sleepy.

“Hey, sorry.” Hvitserk's reply was hushed and sheepish. “I couldn't sleep and I missed you.”

“I miss you too, but Hvits, it's past midnight. You need to be up soon.” Emmer yawned on the other end.

“I just...” Hvitserk sighed, “I wanted to tell you that I love you. I miss you, and I can't wait to be back home.”

Emmer giggled. “You are ten minutes away, you can come over any time. Silly.”

“I know, but I still miss you.”

“Hmm,” Emmer hummed. Hvitserk could picture her laying in bed, her hair across her pillow like a halo, her blanket shielding her from the outside world. “Do you want to come over now?”

Yes!

Hvitserk shook his head, although Emmer couldn't see him. Going with the logical side of his brain, he knew that he had to decline. “No, I have to get up for work soon. You're right, it's late. I will be back in a few days. I love you, maybe you could come here for dinner?”

“I would love that.” Emmer yawned again. “I will see you later?”

“Yes. And when you get here, I have a surprise.” Hvitserk held his tongue between his teeth. He hadn't told Emmer about his haircut, wanting her to see it in person instead of a photo. “Okay, enough about that. Go back to sleep, I love you. Dinner at seven, come hungry.”

Fuck, he missed her!

Work felt like an eternity, knowing that he was going to see Emmer for dinner, Hvitserk was a jittery mess all day. He was seeing his girlfriend and yet he felt like this was the first time they had ever spent time together. He rationalised that it wasn't a bad thing, after all these years of knowing one another, Emmer still gave him butterflies.

Racing home after work, Hvitserk managed a shower, a quick clean of the apartment, and was pulling out cucumbers to make Aslaug's cucumber salad when Ubbe emerged out of his bedroom. Had he been in there all day? Who knew. Knowing Ubbe had been out all night, another night, another woman, another random place to sleep.

“What's with all the noise?” Ubbe pulled a shirt over his head.

“I was cleaning, because Emmer is coming for dinner.” Hvitserk glared at Ubbe and smacked his hand when he tried to take a piece of cucumber.

“Ouch.” Shaking his hand, Ubbe reached out with the other smacking Hvitserk in the back of the head. Hvitserk shouted and Ubbe smirked. Payback. “Why is she coming here?”

“Change of scenery?” Hvitserk rubbed the sore spot in the back of his head. “When did you get in?”

“Around one, I heard you talking. Dreaming about your girlfriend?” This time Ubbe had successfully grabbed a few pieces of cucumber, shoving one in his mouth.

“I was talking to Emmer on the phone.”

“At that hour? Fuck, why didn't you just go over?”

“Because I missed her? Anyway, look.” Hvitserk paused, rubbing his hand across the back of his neck. “I...we have decided to move in together.”

“Okay, well I guess I can find something. I can stay with Ivar for a while.” Ubbe nodded. “Good for you.”

“Oh, no. I'm moving into Emmer's. Her space is the perfect size for us, and she has more stuff to move.” Hvitserk informed his older brother, grabbing an onion from the counter. “I wanted to tell you in person, but I guess we haven't seen one another.”

“Yeah,” Ubbe shrugged, picking up a glass from the side of the sink he'd had earlier. Running the water in the sink, he filled his glass and took a drink. Wiping his hand across his mouth, and down his beard, he continued. “I figured that you already had, when you disappeared.”

“Easy assumption.”

“So, you and Ems are finally going to make this official.” Ubbe nodded, a sly smirk. His eyes crinkled, he looked way too much like Ragnar some days. “Well damn, about time. I'm not going to harass you about it, because I am happy. You two are good together and I think she brings out the good in ya, Hvits.”

“Thanks?”

“Right, anyway. I am going to get out of here. I can stay with Ivar tonight or at mom and dad's, annoy Sig a bit. Enjoy. Tell Ems that I said hello and congrats on her new roommate.”

Gathering his things, Ubbe was gone before Hvitserk had the salad put together, His older brother could be like a ghost when he needed to be. Double checking that he'd picked up everything on the way home from work, Hvitserk was satisfied with his menu for the evening. Now he had to find a dessert and wait for Emmer. Another three hours was going to feel like an eternity.

Homemade mango sorbet, Hvitserk went with the obvious dessert. It was the first thing that he had ever made for Emmer, even now as simple as it was to make, she was always excited for it. Scraping it into a container for after dinner, Hvitserk looked up when the door opened. Emmer waved, allowing herself into his space.

“What ya doing?”

“Putting dessert in the freezer.” He closed the lid, stashing it in the freezer on his way over to Emmer. Taking her bag and hanging it on the closet door knob, Hvitserk hugged her tightly. The gardenia smell overwhelming his senses.

“I missed you.” Her voice was muffled by his body.

“I missed you, too.” Holding her to him, Hvitserk enjoyed the moment. “I have been waiting all day to see you.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Emmer spotted something run by. Letting go of Hvitserk, she pulled her head back. A cat! There was a cat in the apartment.

“Who is that?” Emmer knelt down to be closer to the black and white short haired cat on the floor.

“Ubbe replaced me with a cat.” Hvitserk's brow was creased. “A cat.”

“I doubt he has replaced you.” She giggled scratching the cat behind the ears.

“Either way, I had not imagined my womanizing brother to be a cat person.”

Ubbe had acquired the cat from one of his conquests, she had been moving and couldn't take Mr. Taterbaum. Being the chivalrous man he was, ha! Ubbe brought the cat home with him, along with a new home the cat got a new name.

“Emmer, meet Jörmungandr.”

“He's cute,” Emmer rose to her feet, a sly smile crossing her face, eyes glowing. “Now, come here and let me look at you. I didn't think you would honestly cut your hair.”

“And why is that?”

“You haven't cut your hair since I told you I thought it was sexy, that was like six years ago.” Her hands already in his hair. It felt strange not having his nearly waist long hair slip through her fingers. Hvitserk moaned, when she grabbed his hair gently pulling it, his head lulling back and forth.

“I said that I wanted to cut it.” Hvitserk stated with a small smile. “Too much?”

Emmer shook her head, she had never seen Hvitserk with short hair, beyond a few photos Aslaug had in their family room from when he was younger. Somehow it had made him look more youthful and yet more like an adult. Cropped around his ears, longer on top, she bit her bottom lip studying his new look.

“I like it. It's different, but in a sexy way.” His shorter hair creating the illusion that his facial hair was darker and fuller than it was. “Fuck me, Hvits.”

“I mean, I was hoping to get dinner first, but we can do that.” He teased pulling her in closer and kissing her forehead. “My room is where it's always been. Ubbe isn't coming back until tomorrow.”

“You stop it.” Emmer playfully swatted his hands away from her ass. “I am here for dinner, which is what I expect to have. If we skip dessert, then I won't be upset with the alternative.” she winked.

“Noted.” Hvitserk followed her to the kitchen. “I have a cucumber salad made, salmon ready to sear, and potatoes are already in the oven.”

“I love a man who comes prepared and takes charge.” Emmer was teasing.

“Well, I am prepared for dinner at least.” He shrugged, “Um, why don't you go get comfortable? I will make dinner and grab a glass of wine. I got the red one that you like.”

“The Spanish one?” Hvitserk nodded. Emmer hummed, watching him open the fridge she turned her back walking across the open space to the couch that sat along the back wall, under the large window. Her plan was to sit there and enjoy the view, not the cityscape either.

“Mi'lady.” Hvitserk handed her the glass of wine.

Sitting on the couch, Emmer stuck her leg out, resting her foot on his chest. Wine in hand, she smiled. “Thank you.” she took a sip, licking her lips. Hvitserk gently rubbed the top of her foot. “Like my toes?”

Wiggling her toes, she showed off the new iridescent purple polish with sparkles. “It's nice.” Hvitserk nodded, deepening the pressure of the small circles he was making with his thumb on her foot. “How were your nails?”

“Not cracked, so pedicures are working.” She laid head head back, wine in hand, allowing Hvitserk to keep the foot rub going. A downside of an auto-immune disease was the small tolls it took on the body as well as the large. Emmer groaned when Hvitserk hit a tight spot in her arch. She could lay here all evening letting him rub her feet.

“Feel good?”

“Yes.” She nodded, wine glass to her lips, eyes on his. “You are extremely skilled with your hands.”

“Oh, you should see what else these hands can do.” Hvitserk teased, his eyes darkening.

“Trust me, I know.” Emmer reluctantly pulled her foot back, tucking her legs up under her. “Those fingers, oof. Maybe after dinner you can show me what else they are skilled at?”

“I take it you are spending the night?”

“Maybe, depending how good those fingers work.”

“You are naughty.” Hvitserk leaned down kissing her cheek. “Very naughty.” his arms on either side of Emmer, gripping the back of the couch he stayed close enough she could feel his breath on her cheek.

“You love it,” Emmer's tongue brushed her lips. Gently tapping the freckle on his right cheek, she winked. “Now let me up, I need to pee.”

Standing up, Hvitserk wrinkled his nose. Holding his hand out to Emmer, pulling her from the couch. “Way to ruin it, Em.”

“I can't help that I have to pee.” Placing her glass in Hvitserk's hand she rushed down the hall.

Whatever.

Hvitserk currently felt like the weight of the world had lifted, the anxiety of moving in with Emmer was melting as it should. This was who they were. Fun, attentive, and trusting. The outside drama keeping at bay was certainly helping. Hvitserk shifted his mindset, getting back to the waiting task of dinner. If they wanted to eat this evening, he would have to finish that.

Adjusting his jeans, damn Emmer and her magic powers, he cleared his throat and took a deep breath. Thinking of anything other than the low cut pale pink v-neck that she had worn, no doubt to tease him all night.

“So, I know we don't want to get into this.” Emmer startled him, coming back up the hall, “Your mom's birthday is Tuesday.”

“I am aware.” Picking a few bones from the salmon filet on the counter, Hvitserk's brow creased in concentration. “There is a party for her on Sunday afternoon. Sigurd called me. I told him that I would see how I was feeling.”

“That's fair.” Emmer agreed, leaning against the counter beside Hvitserk she gently brushed her hand against his waist, tugging at his belt. “Hey, I will support whatever you want to do.”

“I know,” Hvitserk stopped pulling tiny fish bones, leaning over to give her a quick kiss.

Resting his forehead on Emmer's, he stooped to meet her height. Smiling against the next kiss, he felt every worry wash away. Pulling back, Emmer kissed the vertical scar that ran just above his brow, a trophy that Sigurd had left him with as kids. “Can you check the potatoes?”

“Sure can.” Emmer nodded, giving him a swat on the ass when she passed by to open the oven. Hvitserk chuckled, leave it to Emmer to turn a tense moment into something entirely different.

Dinner, becoming a joint effort, not that Emmer had done a whole lot aside from making sure potatoes didn't burn and then set the table, she had also poured the wine. Lots of it. Hvitserk concentrated on his salmon, one of his favourite things to make, crispy seared with the lemon and garlic butter. It was a winner every time. Emmer always commented on how she wanted to bathe in the sauce, Hvitserk swore he'd once saw her lick it off the plate when she thought he wasn't watching her.

Extra in the pan, he would store it for later, Ubbe would find it in the fridge and help finish the extra portions. Emmer had found two candles, emergency white, with extra lasting flame the package had boasted. One of Ubbe's camping essentials no doubt. Emmer made a note to replace them, when she added them to the perfectly set table for two.

Jörmungandr under Hvitserk's feet, had come out from wherever he had been napping, meowing loudly. Requesting his portion of the fish. Flicking him a small piece of salmon, Hvitserk stepped over the cat carrying plates to the table.

“Hvits, that looks amazing.” Emmer praised, she had been instructed to sit before Hvitserk had put their dinner to plates. Always the gentleman, he'd even pulled her chair out.

“I made the lemon sauce that you like.” He passed her the plate, taking the chair beside her. “I hope you like it.”

“I am sure it's divine.” Emmer smiled waiting for Hvitserk to take his seat, before eating.

The first few seconds of the meal were silent, always a sign that Hvitserk took as good. If people weren't talking, then it meant they were enjoying the food too much to speak. Jörmungandr brushed against his leg under the table, showing appreciation for the fish that had been passed on in the kitchen. Hvitserk gently shooed the cat away from the table, the black and white feline moseying his way to the couch for a nap instead. Emmer hummed in appreciation as she took another bite. She enjoyed cooking, but not like Hvitserk. As long as he was around, she would never starve. Hell she may never have to cook again.

“Want to take tomorrow off, we can sleep in, pack some boxes.” Hvitserk broke the silence, his fork in hand, taking a moment to pick up his wine.

“Tempting, but I have to take Ivar to his specialist. We could pack after that.”

“Think he's told his girlfriend yet?” Hvitserk studied the piece of salmon on his fork. It wasn't his business, but he was curious. He had been with Ivar for nearly every medical appointment throughout his life.

“I don't know, I mean if he hasn't told her then I get it.” Emmer stabbed a piece of cucumber with her fork. “I don't think I would have told you so fast, but you nearly had a stroke when the condom broke on us.”

The first time they had tried dating, a few weeks in, Hvitserk remembered it like it had happened an hour ago. The only time he had ever dealt with that situation and he hadn't handled it well. Emmer soothed his raised blood pressure and anxiety, when she'd told him that it was fine. Revealing her infertility. A car accident, resulting in a ruptured uterus, an emergency surgery, and by the time she was fifteen, the notion of having children had been taken away from her. She rarely told anybody her reason, it wasn't theirs to know. Hvitserk had told his mother, years ago, one evening trying to make sense of his new relationship at the time. Emmer was aware that Aslaug knew and was thankful that the other woman had never shown her pity.

“It was not my finest moment.” Hvitserk winced, “I still feel like an idiot, oh my god.”

“At least you cared enough to worry.” Emmer smiled, reaching for his hand. “Ivar is still sorting out how he feels. I am sure he will tell Aud when she needs to know. Maybe he already has, I don't know. He's never talked about it beyond telling me he was seeing a specialist.”

“He isn't all that forthcoming about anything. You know it took him a year to tell mom and dad that he switched from engineering to finance.” Hvitserk shrugged. “They didn't care, mom was happy that he was getting out and going to classes every day. He likes keeping things in.”

“A Lothbrok trait.” her words were pointed, as she looked at Hvitserk. “Okay, enough about that. What time is practice on Saturday?”

Hvitserk smiled, she had no interest in football, but she always asked about the kids on the team. Once in a while, she would come to a game cheering them on like they were her own children on the field. Hvitserk had played since he was seven, even earning a degree in Sports and Exercise. He never used it beyond coaching the group of 12 to 15 years old.

“It's at 9:30, were you thinking of coming? Gyda may be there, Leif's team has a game right after our practice.” Hvitserk gave the information. “If you want to come, I can pick you up.”

Emmer nodded, using her napkin to get salad dressing off of her cheek. “I do want to come. I haven't been to a practice in a while. Should I bring the good snacks?”

The kids that Hvitserk coached loved to see Emmer show up, her blue picnic basket always full of snacks and sweets for them after practice. Parents of the team didn't seem to mind her either, enjoying the enthusiasm she brought to the field. Hvitserk loved that she would stand around the field all morning, chatting and making sure everyone was comfortable.

“Always.” He nodded, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “Of course you are the whole snack, so.”

“You are the cheesiest man alive right now, babe.” Emmer laughed, pushing him away playfully. “I've missed you. The apartment is quiet when I am alone.”

“We could get a cat.”

“I'm not Ubbe, I'm not that easily enticed by pussy.”

Hvitserk opened his mouth, looking a bit like catching flies, he had nothing to say to that. His sides shaking as he began to laugh at the serious look on Emmer's face. He had been so preoccupied in bullshit that he'd almost forgotten how good it felt, the two of them, being silly and laughing. Emmer's giggles broke into laughter, her eyes crinkled and full of mirth.

Covering her mouth with her hand, Emmer tried to stop the stream of laughter. Hvitserk leaned back in his chair, his arms at his side, face red with humour.

“Fuck, Emmy.” he mumbled, finally able to get words to come. “I think I needed that.”

Tags:@purplerose291

[brynnmclean]

WIP Wednesday

Thank you to @rain-sleet-snow and @zingsthings for the tags! I'm too tired to tag anyone specific, so if you're reading this and want to participate, please consider yourself tagged by me!

Something something, you can take the fic writer temporarily out of hair obsessed Tolkien fandom, but you can't take the hair obsession out of the fic writer? Is it obvious how desperate I personally am for a haircut??? Well, in any case, I'm making myself laugh:

Senua stares at Thórgestr as if she has never seen him before. "You really did dream of Druth?" Thórgestr shrugs, unsettled. But it's not as if he can catch what he has already said and cram the words back into his mouth. "You're not the only one who hears and sees things beyond the veil, though now I think it is only when I dream." She leans forward with an intensity that he tries not to flinch away from. There's a ray of hope emanating from her that he is afraid he'll douse. "What else have you dreamed? Tell me." If he had any words to describe the dreams to her, all the pieces that he remembers from feverish nightmares and all of the layers of his guilt about the past and his fear of the future even in visions where a ghost reached out to help him—"I don't know where to start," he admits, and then in an obvious bid for more time, he points to the items she still has in her hands. "What is that you brought in here?" Senua blinks at him, briefly looking perplexed before she makes a face and shows him clearly what she has: soap, shears, a comb, a razor. She taps the side of her head above her ear, a faint smile flickering at the corners of her mouth. "It's for you. I've seen you grimace whenever you wash your hair in the mornings, so I wondered if you might want to change it to how it was before? The sides and back. If you don't want to keep growing it in for winter." Thórgestr can't stop himself from groaning. "I do hate it like this. Have I been that obvious?" Senua's smile deepens. "Maybe only to me and Fargrímr." She hesitates then, chewing on her lower lip. "I can help you, if you'd like." Heat flares inside him, desire clashing with discomfort. He can't let himself think too hard about her hands on him, running through his hair, moving him how she needs to. This isn't a necessary thing—not like her steadying him or helping with his wounds, or even reaching out to him in the night, searching for comfort and warmth. There is also the fact that he would want it all fixed properly, clean lines all the way around, and if he tried to complete the task all at once on his own, he might—no, he will become too tired. If he thinks about that too hard, frustration will sink fangs in him. Senua rises to her feet and brings those tools over to the table, fetches the bucket of water and a basin while he wrestles with himself. "If you tell me about your dreams, I'll fix your hair." Well. He won't have to look her in the eye then while he talks. Maybe that will be a relief for both of them. Maybe it will be easier to unravel all the tangled threads of his thoughts, discover the patterns, and then follow them like a map marking out to where he needs to be.

[fictoweirdoesten]

It's Valentine's Day, so that means it's time for another incredibly self-indulgent self-insert depressing fanfic ✨️ transmasc reader and Caleb!

tw: like one mention of sex but briefly, not detailed, and not even about Caleb or reader, mentions of suicide, mentions of self harm, just overall depressing and full of ramblings that I should definitely just write in my diary instead. You've been warned.

Oh and MC is a total loser :)

---

Your 19th Valentine's, and you've spent every single one alone.

"Isn't it sad," you think to yourself, "Most teens already had their firsts by 16. And here I am, not even had held a guys hand before. How pathetic." Your eyes move over to the corner of your screen, realizing it's already 5a.m....I should get some sleep now.

"Caleb," you mutter, staring at the fictional man on your phone. He's wearing your favorite outfit today. A mullet, his old DAA uniform, the black ear piercings you gave him...

He's consumed every part of your life the minute he was announced as the new love interest in your favorite otome game. And why wouldn't he? He's got everything you could ever ask for: Possessive, Attentive, a bit on the edgy side, mentally unstable, even. After all, who wouldn't want someone who shows that they care about you to the point of wanting to lock you in a room so you're his and his alone? That wouldn't dream of sharing you or him with anyone else, unlike your ex, who told all those lies about how much they loved you while getting railed by someone else?

No, Caleb would never hurt you. His 'love yous' would have meaning. He'd never make you feel inferior, less than, or unloved. He's not like these humans irl. He'd accept all of your flaws. He'd wait for you once your episodes are over with. He'd never feel overwhelmed with you. He'd remind you time and time again that he'll always be there for you, that he'll never get tired of you. If you need him to remind you five times a day that he still loves you, he will do just that with a smile on his face and a kiss on your forehead.

"No, don't hide your stomach from me baby, please?"

Oh god, do you hate the petname baby, but with Caleb...you find it really hot. His lips trailing kisses all over the spots you're insecure about (so everywhere, really). He wants to make sure you know how much he finds you attractive physically too, and not just "numb" over how "unattractive and fat" you are, as you put it.

"Pipsqueak...I think you pass just fine. Don't cut your hair shorter if you don't want to."

He hated how you'd look at yourself in the mirror. Constantly rubbing the sides of your waist, sucking your stomach in when you think he isn't looking, and especially the way you'd push your boobs further into your chest as much as you could with your small hands.

He tries to remind you that you're a man regardless of how you look, but his words fail to reach you. It devastates him to see you so insecure about yourself, and how he can't do anything about it even though he desperately tries. The small peck on the cheek you give him as you reach up as far as you can on your tippy-toes whenever he starts to pout sorta makes up for it, though.

"What's up Pretty Boy? Ready to get that haircut you've always wanted today?"

He chuckles to himself after the stylist is done with your hair. "What are we in, the early 2000's?" But he adores how emo you are, fascinated in your music tastes, and asks you every now and then about any new music you've listened to lately. Even if he knows it's a song that he most likely won't enjoy, he wants to get to know you and everything about you, and that includes your interests.

"It's okay. Everything will be just fine. Deep breaths."

He knows about your mental health struggles. How you suspect that you might have BPD, which would explain the times when you lash out on him, dumping all of your insecurities on him and constantly yelling about how he doesn't love you in a pathetic attempt at making him leave you so you can validate your own misconception that you're unlovable and that everyone hates you. Whenever you get this way, he quickly pulls you into a hug and doesn't let go until you calm down, whispering 'I love yous' in your ear every so often as he kisses the side of your face.

He knows you have severe social anxiety, AVPD even. He watches as your anxiety builds up whenever you have to go to your Friday in-person class, how you look guilty whenever you reject going out with him somewhere, how you rot away at home for weeks without ever going out besides to classes because of your fear of people. He doesn't get mad whenever you don't want to go out, and when you do he lets you walk closely behind him, almost stepping on the back of his shoes as you try and hide from people's gazes at you, he finds you adorable when you act that way. He understands your anxiety and never shames you for feeling the way that you do. He hopes that someday he can convince you to fly with him, but he never pressures you to do so.

He especially knows about your depression, a battle you've been fighting constantly since you were a child. He hates when he catches your gaze on the pill bottle, how he constantly checks your arms to make sure they really aren't just "cat scratches", how he notices how puffy your eyes are when he comes home later than usual. He knows how you feel because he suffers too. He doesn't want you to feel the same pain as he does, so he constantly makes sure to keep you as happy and entertained as he can everyday.

He brings up therapy every now and then, but you always shrug at his suggestion. He even offered to go to therapy as well so you'd feel less alone, but you're one stubborn guy.

"Goodnight pipsqueak. Sweet dreams. I'll be here when you wake up, promise."

His body faced towards you on the bed, half-lidded purple eyes staring at you with longing and full of love. He reaches out his hand to caress your cheek, ruffle your hair, and lean in for a kiss on your forehead before pulling you closer to him, a smile on his face as he slowly dozes off.

"Caleb"

Your eyes start to slowly open. You quickly turn over to the side once you're more awake. Sure enough, he's gone, and in his place is the Caleb in your screen, leaning closer to the screen with that same smile on his face as his gentle voice mutters,

"I guess I lost our 'staring contest' again."

You smile at his words, closing your eyes once more as the same line repeats over and over mixed in with a few others you've heard already, until you finally doze off once more.

Maybe if you weren't the way you were, you'd have someone to wake up to.

Maybe if you weren't born the way you were, you'd have a Caleb besides you.

Maybe, if you weren't alive, none of this would matter.

[wordsifelt]

I have finished the season and I'm so glad I watched it. Of course I loved all these characters, but I want to talk abt Alastor.

Alastor is kinda a mystery (i don't know if theres further lore I've only watched the pilot and season 1), but he's the kind of mysterious that makes me curious. I want to replay every second to see the way his expression changes subtly. He's got a huge grin on his face constantly but he's one of the most expressive character in the show.

I love the aroace rep, I love how intentional it is. It's brought up again and again in the show. And I hope they explore it further. I hope he builds meaningful connections (friendships, family or general acquaintances) with the rest of he cast. It already seems like it's going down that path.

I need to know more about him. Why's he so desperate? What deal did he make? Why does he do the radio thing? Where tf did he get that haircut?

I want to see his story. I mean sure yea he's murderous and evil, but so's everyone else in the show in their own way. And I think since the point of the show is redemption and working on yourself, he should eventually veer that way too.

I am obsessed with this show.

[shouldiusemyname]

I have been sitting in my car for almost 10 days, but now I am ready, I am here.

THIS IS BOSTON!

What can I say? I am in love with this character. I have all my Boston eggs safely resting in my Boston Basket™ and I am here to chew your ears off about how I was right. Muhahahaha!

But seriously, Boston is finally understanding the importance of having a Nick in your life.

As I have already established in my previous manic Boston posts, Boston needs acceptance. Boston is a child in desperate need of boundaries. Furthermore, he needs to know that he will not be abandoned when crossing or pushing those boundaries. He is not getting that from his father, so he goes out looking for it outside.

This leads him to testing every boundary set by everyone he considers important. See, the more someone is of significance in our lives, the more we wish to test the boundaries of our relationship with them. We expect consequences, but we push because we know it is safe. We know we will not be banished for pushing a boundary, because we assume the love and trust we have with that person is unconditional. Those relationships are the spaces that allow us to grow and discover ourselves.

Boston is trying so hard, but he's stuck in a loop. He keeps pushing and hurting, but all he is getting from his friends is a push back. They are rolling the pain back onto him. Boston however, doesn't want the pain, he wants the acceptance. So, he disconnects to avoid the pain, and attacks back creating more pain and so on. He keeps doing the same thing and expecting a different result from his friends, but they are so far up their own asses (as 22 year olds usually are) that they don't have the emotional capacity to contain and understand him (also, objectively being a shitty friend is a bit of an issue here).

AND THEN CAME NICK

Oh my gawd that man is an angel. Nick is a genius and I will not be surprised to find out he is gifted.

He knows Boston so well, and he has been controlling him since their first interaction at the store. Nick understands how Boston works. He keeps giving him tiny rewards.

Nick first starts building trust by revealing embarrassing info about himself (the haircut/makeover story in the darkroom). Nick constantly keeps Boston on his toes by going left when Boston expects him to go right. Boston expects Nick to always want more than he is willing to give, but Nick keeps giving him an out.

Nick wants Boston to realize that having a relationship with Nick is what HE wants, and believe me he does.

Since the beginning, Boston has been coming back to Nick over and over again because Nick is giving him what he truly needs - acceptance.

Nick keeps confronting Boston with his BS but he never accuses. He's there to provide Boston with a mirror and say "look, this is who you are. Yes you have done some nasty things, but that's life." And that's where he stops. There is no hurt thrown back at Boston by Nick, because Nick is able to contain that pain.

Nick breaks the loop Boston is stuck in by choosing to react differently. Their final conversation this ep was the perfect example.

Nick asks a simple question taking genuine interest in Boston. However Boston, still deep in the loop processing his friends' reaction, snaps back.

At this point (Mark comes through with the face journey) it is so clearly shown as Nick absorbs the impact of Boston's attack, takes a deep breath, processes, and responds not with an attack or rejection but with understanding.

Only then does Boston feel safe to open up because he knows he will not be rejected or judged.

Nick is able to see that whatever shit Boston has done is only about Boston, not anyone else. Which is why he is able to do what all the others are unable to - step the fuck aside and realize this is not about them.

This is where Boston finally breaks. Nick has proven over and over again that he is there for him. He loves him unconditionally through all the BS. That's why he feels the need to say this:

That elusive "thing" that Boston was going back to over and over again? That "thing" that he was getting from Nick and not anyone else? That's unconditional love and acceptance.

Finally, to end this I just want to say one more thing people - if there's one thing to be gained from this show, it's the realization that we need more grace in our lives. So when someone's being a piece of shit, just step the fuck aside and understand that it's not about you. And then, if you have the capacity, ask them what they need to feel better about whatever it is that's going on in their life.

As always, thank you for visiting my tiny soapbox. And a special thank you to @plantsarepeopletoo and @rocketturtle4 for everything really 💜💜💜

[eowynstwin]

u know my biggest gripe with reboot mw3?? the fact that both shepherd AND graves came back for literally no reason... the "jokes on you... i was never there to begin with!!!" trope they pulled with graves is already annoying but then he didn't really do anything LMAO (the most he did was create tension between farah and price and they didn't delve into that like at all other than one conversation that lasted all of three minutes if that)

at least shepherd had potential to be an interesting party in this game but then again they goofed up his part in the story too because he isn't integrated into anything worthwhile

just. man. they goofed this story up HARD there was so much potential for the story to be good but then they shoved three games worth of story into a 3 hour campaign

Yeah Graves and Shepherd were dummy grenades at best. Neither of them paid off as secondary antagonists. This game desperately needed to be two separate games, each twice the length, in which first Shepherd and the Shadows could be dealt with and then Makarov and the Ultranationalists.

IF I were rewriting mw3. Which I am not. But IF.

Makarov would show up once or twice as a prison transfer of some sort at most, MAYBE with a flashback mission to demonstrate what he was capable of at the height of his power. He was not alluded to enough in mw2 to present a credible threat—the reboot relies far too much on the original trilogy to foreshadow its plot. Why the fuck should I care about this squirrely frat bro I've never heard of? I know fuck all about the OG Makarov and I am not going to waste more of my precious time on this green earth watching three more games stuffed even more full of anti-Arab prejudice and pro-US imperialist propaganda.

I digress. Makarov's face would be shown in my mw3, but he would not be as active as he is in "canon". Instead, Shadow company, Graves, and Shepherd would take center stage as antagonists—I would utilize their alliance with the ULF to heighten the tension between Price and Farah. Shadow company would be taking advantage of the ULF's need for its support, perhaps, and meanwhile antagonizing Russian outfits on the outskirts of Urzikstan which are meant to serve as either surveillance or reconnaissance for a second invasion.

I imagine, coincidentally, those Russian outfits would be Ultranationalist in nature, because as mw3 suggests, Makarov has been scheming even in the gulag. Graves, of course, is poking the bear because war is good business for him. An Urzikstan at peace does not need a PMC for an ally. Shepherd will have been allowing it because, as has been established in 2 and 3, he's a glory-obsessed war dog whose primary priority is his own military legacy.

Interspersed would be plenty of moments for the characters to comment on what the hell is going on. Farah could reckon with Price's grudge against Graves. Gaz could further develop as Price's right hand man. Soap and Ghost could make out nasty style with tongue. Alex could continue to be the simp we all know he is. (I'd love to shoehorn Alejandro and Rudy into the plot but let's be honest, there's no room for them here. RIP vaqueros, we love you.)

All of this would CULMINATE with Makarov's escape from prison. Probably after Soap finally gets to set Graves on fire for real he would roll up with his hundred dollar haircut, call everyone stupid, and then Urzikstan would go right back to war because that's how this shit works. Russia and the US get into constant pissing matches and the Middle East serves as the convenient battleground.

All of the antagonizing Graves and Shadow Company have done would serve to galvanize a Russian public against the US, positioning Makarov as its very own Churchill and imbuing him with phenomenal cosmic power. Bada bing, bada boom, WWIII. Perfect scene-setting for MW4.

I maintain that if anyone has to die it will be Price. Price is the only one with the charisma to go toe-to-toe with Makarov from a leadership standpoint, so he has to go if we really want the stakes to feel high. In the VERY end, after 4 and whatever games follow it, Gaz would be the only man left standing of the 141. Having finally learned the kind of price that must be paid when the gloves come off.

Again. Blizzard-Activision. Pay me eight billion dollars and I will fix your games.

[kandisheek]

FIC REC WEEK 22 – MCU

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: nightwalker

nightwalker writes some of my hands-down favorite Stony ship dynamics. They're fluffy and angsty and funny and everything I love in this fandom! By the way, nightwalker doesn't just write MCU-centric stuff (their 616 fics are amazing too), but I wanted to rec them here because there are so many of their MCU fics I love that it just felt right.

Here's some of their work that I think you should check out:

The Haircut

Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: T Words: 5,200 Tags: Bucky Barnes Recovering, Fighting and Making Up, Getting Together

Summary: Steve's used to having it all together, so managing to blow it with both of his closest friends in one day is something of a record for him.

Reasons why I love it: I am an absolute sucker for Tony swooping in and being exactly what Bucky needs at any given moment, especially when Steve is there to be both desperately grateful and jealous at the same time. I love this fic so much, and I really hope you go and experience it for yourself, because it's fantastic!

Anchor

Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: T Words: 722 Tags: Tattoos, First Time, Past Suicidal Thoughts

Summary: Tony realizes what’s about to happen at the exact moment that Steve’s eyes are drawn to the dark black print.

Reasons why I love it: This fic makes me so goddamn emotional. I love the concept in itself already, and nightwalker's writing style just makes it all the more impactful. The flashbacks to young Tony just make me want to give him a hug, and Steve's reaction when he finds out about the tattoo is A+ tear-jerking bliss. I love this one so much!

Bitter and Sweet

Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: T Words: 1,044 Tags: Friendship, Stress Baking, Fluff

Summary: Bucky's having a rough night. Fortunately he's got a coping mechanism. And good friends.

Reasons why I love it: I really love their friendship in this one, they're so free with their affections. It's always nice to see a couple who is so secure in their relationship that they can joke around like this and offer physical comfort without it being weird. And Bucky being a stress-baker is a personal head-canon of mine, so I am very happy to see it. I love this fic, and I bet you will too!

Four Times Steve Said I Love You and One Time Tony Said It First

Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: T Words: 3,190 Tags: First Kiss, Schmoop, Emotional Hurt/Comfort

Summary: The words are easier for Steve to say, but that doesn't mean that Tony feels it any less.

Reasons why I love it: My HEART, oh my god, they're both such sweethearts, I want to squish them! If you ever need a reminder as to why you love Stony, read this fic, because it'll give you all the happy feels. It's so good and romantic and lovely and I just love it a lot, okay? If you don't know this one, you HAVE to read it. I've decided.

names that fade (and stay)

Pairing: Steve/Bucky/Tony Rating: T Words: 3,416 Tags: Soulmates, Relationship Negotiations, Developing Relationship

Summary: Steve has always had two names, one on his right wrist and one on his left. It's not unheard of, or even uncommon – soulmates die, after all, and sometimes people move on.

Reasons why I love it: The first chapter of this fic gives me that bittersweet feeling of remembering your first love. Steve's non-relationship with Peggy is painful and beautiful, and I am so glad that the second chapter comes in and fixes everything. I love all of the separate dynamics – Steve and Bucky, Tony and Steve, Bucky and Tony, all of them together – and the way they're established. This fic is wonderful, and you should definitely read it!

[zenertia]

THE VOID RANT

OK, so I guess we're doing this now because of the last post 👏

VOID was originally a gender-swapped NULL (hence the name) but as I fleshed out the idea, I realized that she had some potential as her own character.

I originally made VOID with a wolfcut bob, trying to come up with a semi-modest haircut to mirror NULL's mini updo.

HOWEVER, roughly around the same time I pulled this idea out of my ass, NULL hit the public domain after mystman's BB+ ARG was solved (THAT WAS WILD, I NEVER EXPECTED THE REWARD TO BE THE PUBLIC DOMAIN RIGHTS TO NULL, HOLY SHIT, THAT MAN IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL), making me think "HMMMM 🤔 NULL&VOID would be a cute ship dynamic", so I went ahead and humored the idea of them being a couple for a little bit, instead of VOID just being a vanilla NULL swap.

Finding myself completely enamored by the idea, they eventually turned into a tragic couple (I'll get to that at a later date), even turning into a social commentary of sorts about something I face myself (I'll also get deeper into this as production goes on, cuz it's a pretty sensitive topic for me and this is already probably gonna be a pretty long post). It became a bit of a comfort ship for me to help me work through this issue via my art.

Now, since NULL was public domain, I was already planning on adding him into a comic I was developing; MOUSE (no doubt you'll be hearing more about that too since these two idiots are a part of it now).

I'd been writing it since 2007 on and off, but lacked the amount story beats I felt necessary to turn it into a fully-fledged series. But with these two being 'glitched' characters, they fit the vibe perfectly, offering the perfect opportunity to 'immortalize' them in the pages of this story while also adding a bit more content to a story that so desperately needed it.

God willing, I can only hope I do them, as well as my message, justice.

I'll no doubt be speaking more about this in the future, along with my other original content (like, non-BBIEAL stuff, if yinz're interested—and even if you're not interested, because my therapist told me to stfu and do it already cuz I have good ideas (??) and I should try it sometime cuz it'll help with my self-esteem or some shit)

Draco Noir will be a fun one, holy crap, hahaha

I made that one upsetting on PURPOSE; I... Am SO SCARED about how people will react to it, cuz it'll either be super edgy and everyone (who reads it) will love it, or everyone will take it the absolute wrong way and cancel me for it, but just know that it's SUPPOSED to be an uncomfortable read in advance, okay? Okay. Cool, please don't curbstomp me if it makes it to print 😭🙏

tldr; it's a gritty, grimdark crime drama about a dragon detective.

So lemme know if you're into that shit, too.

Also, there's a Baldi reference character in one of the volumes I have planned (because of course there is) but it begins and ends with his name being 'Professor B' and the way he's designed. Everything else is completely original, although I'll probably end up sprinkling in a few subtle references to the game and fandom lore with him.

But idk, this has nothing to do with VOID, asdgfkl—

See ya guys later

[daegudrama]

Title: You Belong With Me

Pairing: Tyunning

Summary: Sweet high school Kai and Taehyun navigating a change in their relationship.

Word Count: 4,413 words

Taehyun

It's a typical Tuesday night and I'm listening to the kind of music most of my peers wouldn't like. Lately I've been really into music from other countries. I don't know why people think it's weird. Music transcends language in my opinion. 

I look towards my window wondering if I'll catch a glimpse of the boy next door. Huening Kai and I have been friends since I moved here in second grade. We know each other better than anyone else and we are always there for each other. Well...we used to be. 

Ever since he started dating Cynthia he's acted different. She doesn't want to hang out with me because I'm in pep band and she thinks I'm gay. She hasn't said that to Kai but I've heard her say it to her friends. Cynthia doesn't understand Kai like I do and that has led to numerous fights between them. Someone needs to put that girl in her place.

Kai comes into view of his window and I can see him waving his hand around while holding the other to his ear. Fighting with Cynthia again it looks like. I wonder what it's about this time. I'm always the one to comfort him when she takes a joke too seriously or is overly jealous. She fits every stereotype of a rich privileged cheerleader and I can't understand why Kai even likes her. 

His dark brown hair is falling in waves across his forehead and he desperately needs a haircut. He's about a week away from not being able to see anything. Maybe that's what he wants I wouldn't want to see his girlfriend's face every day either. He's wearing a big tshirt and basketball shorts I got him last Christmas. 

The sound of something falling in my room breaks my attention. My Junior Jewels shirt from band camp had fallen off my wall for what must be the twelfth time since I put it up. I set it aside not wanting to deal with it right now. 

Kai spent the summer at home while I was away at camp learning how to repel any romantic attention that might come towards me. Band camp really is the best birth control money can buy.

My room is filled with pictures of my friends and music that has had deep impact on my life. Each square inch covered with another piece of who I am. A picture from freshman year catches my eye and I can't help but smile. Kai and I after his first junior varsity football game. He was so sweaty and muddy but that didn't stop me from hugging my best friend. 

Across the room my phone dings from where I left it on my bed. There is only a few people who regularly text me and a quick glance to Kai's window tells me it's probably him.

Hyuka: do you want to watch a movie in the clubhouse? 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

His emoji choice has me questioning things I shouldn't be thinking about. I can't let my mind go there and cause more of my poor heart strings to break. 

It's been awhile since we hung out in the clubhouse because like I said his girlfriend is a jerk. When Kai was eight his dad built him a shed in the backyard where he could play with his friends. As we got older we've redecorated and turned it into a hangout place.

Me: i can be there with popcorn in ten. See you soon 

After putting on a sweatshirt and socks I go downstairs to make popcorn. Mom is standing next to the sink but doesn't ask what I'm doing. When the popcorn is done I tell her where I'm going.

"Be back before ten." She says and I nod on my way out the door.

I unlock the gate of the Huening backyard and walk towards the clubhouse. Kai is sitting on the couch with the projector already warmed up and ready to go when I walk in.

"Hey," I say taking off my shoes in the doorway before walking to the couch. "Are you okay? I saw you through the window and you looked heated."

"Cynthia is being overdramatic again." He says as I sit beside him handing the popcorn over. "I was texting one of her cheerleader friends about an idea for a pep rally and she thinks I shouldn't do that. She said that's how it starts."

"How what starts?" I ask genuinely confused as to what she might mean. 

"I'm not even sure. Maybe she thinks I'm going to cheat on her? I really have no idea. I like her but sometimes she's too much." He sighs leaning back in his seat eating a piece of popcorn. "I wish I could just date someone that gets me like you do."

Date me. My brain screams and my eyes widen trying to figure out if I said that out loud. Kai's facial expression remains the same meaning I didn't say it.

"I think the same thing sometimes." I say without thinking and quickly change the subject. "Let's watch the movie."

He's chosen Camp Rock like he always does when something is upsetting him. This is his comfort movie and at this point I can quote it without the sound on.

When the popcorn is finished Kai leans against my shoulder sending my heart into a frenzy. I need to get my emotions in check before I ruin the best friendship I've ever had.  Lately it's been more uncontrollable. Seeing him running around in his football gear all the time only makes it worse. 

"You should find a girlfriend so we can hang out as a group." Kai says leaning against the other side of the couch. 

I don't know how to respond to that. I haven't told him I'm gay and I'm scared that he might not want to hang out with me afterwards. Kai is not homophobic but I think he'd be a little uneasy because we're so close. 

"I need to tell you something." I say before I can chicken out. This is important and I'm ready for my best friend to know even if I'm scared.

His eyes widen under his shaggy hair cut and his eyebrows come together like he's thinking hard about what I might tell him. Whatever he's thinking can't be close to this.

"Okay, you can tell me anything, Tae." He reaches out to touch my shoulder as he speaks.

"I'm gay." I close my eyes taking a deep breath. 

It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders but my heart also feels constricted not knowing how he'll react.

"Taehyun..." he trails off and my eyes open in worry. "I'm so proud of you for telling me. I'm sorry I just said something about you getting a girlfriend, I didn't know. I love you."

He pulls me into a hug and his words are ringing through my ears. I hug him back burying my head into his shoulder. 

"I love you too." I reply when he's let go.

"Do you like anyone?" He asks a little while later after I've told him he's the first person I've told.

Yes, only the most beautiful man in the world. I can't say that out loud. He's in a relationship and as far as I know he's not even a little gay. I try not to fantasize too much because all it does is hurt me. There is a very slim chance that I'll ever get what I want and that's something I need to live with.

"At our school? No one has really caught my eye." I lie and wonder if my eyes are shinning as much as I feel like they are. 

Every day it gets harder to not lean forward and just kiss him. I just want to know how it feels. Though, if I get a taste I'm sure I'd just want more for the rest of time. Life would be easier if everyone was gayer. 

"Sureee," Kai teases wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "What about that Beomgyu guy in your music class?"

Beomgyu is an attractive man but he can't captivate me in the same way Kai does. The way Kai pointlessly lies and is rarely seen without a plushie within a ten foot radius. It's how he can be a football star one moment and a soft boy that will cuddle his stuffed rabbit watching Camp Rock the next. He's been my best friend for so long. I can't imagine having to tell anyone all my childhood memories. Kai experienced them with me and knows me better than anyone. 

"He's cute but not really my type." I say hoping for a reason to escape before he asks me my type. Lying to Kai isn't my strong suit. He sees right through me and usually doesn't let it go. 

My phone rings and I see a photo of my mother and I breathe a sigh of relief. I quickly answer and my mother asks if I've finished all my homework because she found an English worksheet. I decide to use that as my escape even though that assignment isn't due for another few days.

"My mom wants me to do homework." I say getting up from my seat. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I run out before he can say another word and I feel so awkward. How did I tell him that? I wasn't prepared at all but I'm tired of people assuming I want a girlfriend. Heteronormativity is so strange to my flaming homosexual ass. 

My mom watches me finish my worksheet before letting me go to bed. I stay up longer than I should writing a song about what I'm feeling. No one will ever hear it but getting the words out makes me feel better. 

Around 11 Kai holds up a sign to the window like we used to do when we were little. Before we got cellphones on our thirteenth birthdays this is how we communicated. I find a notebook so I can respond to his 'Are you okay?'

He's not wearing a shirt and though it's nothing I haven't already seen there are butterflies in my stomach. I grab a sharpie and write 'Yes. Just going to go to sleep.'

I hold it up for a moment before stepping back to close my white curtain. A memory floods my mind and I can't shake it so it becomes part of the song.

Two years ago Kai and I were having a sleepover in the clubhouse and things took a turn. This was obviously before I came out and at that point I wasn't entirely sure of my sexuality. I knew I like boys and I thought I like girls but after deep consideration and trying to be with girls I realized that's not for me. 

It was well past two a.m. when Kai scooted closer to me on the bed that is lofted above the main hangout area. Without a word he tilted my chin up and pressed his lips against mine. For several minutes we kissed holding each other closely and then he turned around. He fell asleep and neither of us mentioned it. I can't help but think about that when my feelings for him grow each day. 

He's been my best friend for so long it's like we belong together. Kai has a smile that could light up this whole town but I haven't seen as much since he's been with her. She fights him on everything from what he wears to who he spends time with. 

Tomorrow is Friday meaning one more week until homecoming. Of course, I'll have to play at the game but without a date I'm not going to show up. Kai talks about wanting me at more school events with him but I just don't feel right about it. Especially not with Cynthia giving me weird looks every ten seconds. It's like she wants me to be jealous and I am but that's a weird thing to do to someone's best friend. Especially when they have no solid evidence that I'm actually not straight. 

I decide sleeping is my best option. Maybe if I'm well rested I'll be able to deal with school. 

The next week is a mess of perfecting songs for pep rallies and barely talking to Kai because he's so busy with football and trying to deal with his relationship.

On Thursday night he taps a note to his window. 'Movie sleepover @ 8?' I think about ghosting him but we live right next door to each other. If I don't answer he'll come over here.

It's odd that he wants a sleepover since we haven't had one in months. The fact that it's the day before game day makes it even weirder. Maybe he just had a really bad day. Beomgyu told me he heard from his friend on the football team that Cynthia wouldn't answer his calls last nights. Her snapchat location said she was at the co-captains house. I'm not going to mention it unless he says something. 

'I'll bring the ice cream' I write taping it to my window because I can't see if he's in his room right now. He's probably eating dinner. 

I sit down at my desk to do some homework. I push a few papers aside that I'd rip from my notebook and see 'I love you as more' written in large letters. Before summer I wanted to tell him but ended up chickening out because he left the window before I could show him. I fold the paper and hide it in my desk drawer. 

After finishing my homework and eating dinner I contemplate what ice cream to bring. My usually stash hidden in the outside freezer is running low. Maybe I'll go to the store and get some of our favorites. 

I tell my mom I'm going to spend the night in the clubhouse and she offers to buy snacks and ice cream for us. I gladly accept promising to do the dishes tomorrow in return. 

Kai's is the only place she would let me stay over on a school night. It's right next door so I can just come home in the morning to get ready. If she needs me I'm just across the yard really it's a win that we became best friends. 

It's nearly 8 when my mom returns. I'm wearing the matching pajama set she got me and Kai for Christmas last year. She looks happy that I'm wearing it and hands me the bags.

"Don't be late to school!" She yells as I walk out of the door. 

I roll my eyes knowing I won't be late tomorrow. Knowing Kai we will be asleep before twelve especially since he has a game. He takes his sports very seriously. 

"I brought snacks!" I say as I walk into the clubhouse without knocking.

Kai is lying across the couch staring up at the ceiling with a blank expression. He's wearing the same pajamas as me but his are a little too small. Kai has bulked up a lot this year from practicing so much. 

He sits up reaching for the bags before he says anything to me. The ice cream is in his hands when he finally greets me and I can tell he hasn't had a good day.

"I'm sorry we haven't been hanging out. Life's been stressful lately." Kai says stabbing his spoon into the ice cream with a sincere look.

"I understand. Girls and sports..." I trail off trying not to sound sarcastic but knowing I've failed.

"Cynthia has been really bugging me lately. It's like she doesn't trust me at all." 

I contemplated whether I want to give him good advice or just tell him it'll be okay. I decide to be a good friend as I shove my hand into the Dorito bag sitting between us.

"If my partner didn't trust me to do simple things I would take that as a red flag." I shuffle in my seat thinking of what to say next. I rest my chin on my hand. "This is high school and this relationship isn't made to last and we both know it. I've been reluctant to tell you this because it seemed like she made you happy but..."

"What is it Tae? You can tell me anything." Kai says when he sees my hesitation.

"Your girlfriend," the word tastes like sour milk in my mouth. "has repeatedly told me to stay away from you because she thinks I'm gay. I've also heard she doesn't want me around because she thinks I'll ruin your popularity."

"Are you serious?" He asks putting the ice cream aside and staring into my eyes. 

"I wouldn't lie about this." I say softly my tummy turning with anxiety.

"Taehyun, I'm so sorry she treated you that way. I would've had a conversation with her a long time ago if I knew. Is that why you declined hanging out with us?"

I nod my head and he sets the bags on the floor so he can reach over and hug me. He smells like the floral shampoo his older sister uses and his arms are right around me.

A moment later he sits back putting the ice cream in the mini fridge/freezer combo by the couch. Something catches his eye and suddenly there is two bottles of soju in his hand. He raises an eyebrow daring me.

"Kai, you have a game tomorrow." I say and he juts his lower lip out creating the cutest pout.

"A little soju never hurt. We'll watch Tangled and use our drinking game. Or we could just sit here. I feel like I need to catch up with you."

We decide to talk and drink rather than watch a movie. The snacks sit between us as I update him on what I've been doing this week. I've the next few hours we each finish a bottle than another half before we call it quits.

"Do you remember that time we kissed?" Kai asks when we've made it to the bed lofted above the main area. 

It's dark and I can't see his expression. Even my intoxicated brain starts screaming because we don't talk about that. This is really the first time he's ever mentioned it.

"Of course I do. I was under the impression you didn't want to remember it." I say wondering where this is going. 

I should turn around and go to sleep before we do something stupid. We are both intoxicated and I don't want to do anything he might regret tomorrow. I'm too intrigued to turn around. I need to know where this is going even it breaks my heart.

"Honestly it was one of the best kisses I've ever had. I tried kissing more boys after you but it was never quite the same."

My heart flutters and my brain is screaming not knowing what to do with this information. He's kissed more boys than just me? Kai thinks he likes boys. This is news to me and I can't understand why he's saying this now. We've drank together before and nothing like this conversation has ever left our lips.

"Why are bringing this up now?" I decide to ask after a few moments of silence.

The tension in the air is thick enough to cut and my chest is starting to hurt. I've imagined this moment so many ways and hoped that some day he'd confess feelings for me. I never thought I actually hear him say I'm the best kiss he's ever had.

"I've been thinking about you in a different light lately. Hearing what Cynthia said about you made me realize I shouldn't hide anymore."

Hide what? Does he have feelings for me? Does he want to kiss me again? I'm about to ask him when I hear a faint snore. He's fallen asleep and I wonder if he'll remember this tomorrow. It seems unlikely and I make a mental note to get up before he wakes up. 

In the morning my head is aching and my stomach feels like I might throw up at any moment. Kai is still asleep next to me with his cheek pressed against the pillow. His mouth is open and a little trail of drool is pooling on his pillow. 

Quietly I make my way out of the clubhouse and back home. Kai's words from last night are running through my mind and I wonder if he was being honest. I drink three bottles of water before taking a shower to wash off that drunk smell. The last thing I need is to get suspended or called to the office today.

It's homecoming night and I'm not planning on going to the dance because the one person I want to go with is still with someone else. I almost hope he doesn't remember his words so we don't have to have an awkward conversation.

"Did you have fun with Kai last night?" My older brother teases as I walk through the hallway.

I roll my eyes ignoring his attempt to get a rise from me. Instead I make toast knowing I don't have enough time for anything else. My phone dings as I'm leaving my house.

It's a message from Kai.

Hyuka: Why'd you leave before I woke up? 🥺Did I say something last night? It's kind of a blur 😣

He doesn't remember. A part of my heart sinks knowing that if I want a confession I'll have to tell him what he said. Time to swear off alcohol so something like this doesn't happen again. 

Me: its nothing...I'll see you later maybe 

I can't force myself to sound normal and I hate it. How am I supposed to react to this? My best friend said he really liked kissing me. I've had a crush on him for ages and think we would be perfect together. Of course I'm a little freaked out.

For most of the day I successfully avoid him until he corners me in the empty band room after pregame rehearsal. Everyone has left to get dinner leaving us alone.

"Why are you avoiding me?" Kai asks his eyes wide tinted with sadness. "I've had a horrible day and I wanted to talk to my best friend earlier but you just ran away."

He stands in front of me arms crossed over his chest. What else happened today? All I've been thinking of is his lips and how I wish I could kiss them whenever I wanted.

"We always promise not to lie or withhold information from each other..." I trail off debating whether I should continue. "but last night you dropped a pretty big bomb on me."

"What did I tell you?" His eyes are wide and he won't meet my eye contact. Kai's cheeks are flushed and I can tell he's hoping I don't say what he told me last night. 

"You told me our kiss was one of the best you've ever had and that you've tried kissing more boys but it wasn't the same. You also said you've been seeing me in a different light but you fell asleep before I could ask about that." 

I try to remain calm but his face is getting redder by the second. He hides his face in his hands and runs way before I can say another word. I let him go knowing that when he's ready he'll let me know. If he doesn't I'll come to him. I don't like being in this limbo. 

After dinner I'm back at school waiting for the game to start. I'm in the bleachers warming up my instrument. Kai hasn't come on the field yet but there is still a few minutes until the tip-off. 

At the last moment he appears looking confused. He quickly seems to get his head in the game, but during the second half he isn't his usual self. We still win the game but Kai has to be taken out because he can't focus. 

Once the game ends I rush home so no one can drag me to the dance. The last thing I need is to be around a bunch of hormonal teens twerking and trying to end the night fucking in the back of a limo. 

I'm trying to focus on my homework but I can't. All I want is to have answers. So I do the most cliched and ridiculous thing I can think of. I grab my love declaration from my desk. I get dressed in my nicest clothes and shove the note inside the pocket. 

I run to homecoming only stopping when I get inside and see Kai standing with his friends. His face is sad and I just want to make him smile. Kai's eyes sweep the room and land on me. A smile breaks across his face and he pushes his friends aside to walk towards me.

In the middle of the dance floor we each reach into our pockets and pull out a folded piece of paper. He unfolds his first and I see 'i love you (in a gay way)' written on his paper. The paper looks like it'd been folded and unfolded many times and I wonder how long he's had this.

He gasps when I unfold my paper taking the step forward to wrap his arms around me. He's pulled away from me by a well manicured hand. I look up to see Cynthia in a fire truck red dress that comes to her mid thigh.

"Babe, what are you doing?" She says trying to look sweet and innocent.

I don't think she's doing a very good job. One could compare her to the wickedness of Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Making myself happy. You were kissing my teammate a few days ago and bullying my best friend. I'm not your boyfriend. I'm his."

My heart is threatening to dance out of my chest hearing the words I've been waiting years to hear. She looks disgusted and storms off towards her group of friends.

"So you want to be my boyfriend?" I ask as he cups my face in his hands.

"Of course I do silly." He says leaning down to press his lips against mine in the middle of the dance like no one is watching.

[consumeroflemoans]

Hello, it's the anon who keeps talking about Vilidia scenarios, back again

So Idias hair is incredibly long, the most likely reason for this is probably just that he never really bothered to get it cut, no idea or desire for what to do with it so it just did what hair does and grew, yet as is stated within the game he also seems to quite dislike how it looks, mainly on account of the attention it draws to him, the curse and the way in which it represents a visible tie to his fated future

Now what I was imagening that it's the dead of night, perhaps even the ass crack of dawn, and he's still awake, Idia did actually go to bed at a time one might consider reasonable today, Vil has expressed some genuine concern regarding his sleep schedule along with some mild annoyance at repeatedly being texted "look at this, funniest shit I've ever seen" followed by a borderline incomprehensible meme at 3 AM so he's been trying

The issue wasn't so much that he couldn't fall asleep, it's that he couldn't stay asleep, after repeatedly drifting in and out of concious a particulary bad nightmare scared him fully awake

I thought it most fitting if the it was actively related to the curse, now we might be breaching headcanon territory, but what is this for if not that

I would want the nightmare to just be that for some seemingly no reason the curse starts burning blot at a speed Idia can't possibly produce it at and he feels how more and more of it is going up in flames, only having time for the realization that he's almost out before he starts to feel the curse lick on his magic reserve, feels it eat away at it, not even leaving cinder in the wake of its consumption and it all spreads with an overwhelming suddeness that leaves no time to act, barely time to realize or think and he feels the fire spread through him, burning with a flame that erases all of you it eats up, razed to the ground by a force of not quite nature, but something just as uncontrollable, that nourishes itself on your very being and as it fills your entire body it burst out of his chest, his hand, his leg and his whole field of vision is filled by an inescapable ever moving light that's coming from his very own being, felt through his entire body as he burns inside out into non-existence

And then he wakes up and wow, that felt too real, then decides to distract himself from all that by pulling out his phone and trying to play a game, but his hands are too shaky and he's already losing bad and there's a deep dread and a faint blue glow not coming from his phone he desperately needs to ignore

But then a strand of hair falls into his face and it's just too much, it's terrible and horrible and it needs to go now so he throws his phone down, reaches for the scissors still on his desk from some project, squeezes his eyes shut and starts hacking away

After he calms down a fair bit and the edge between nightmare and reality becomes a little less blurry, the next thing to deal with is that the haircut looks exactly how you'd expect a haircut under these circumstances to look

Going to a hairdresser about it is realistically off the table, but he has a boyfriend that knows about hair and yes, he should probably wait until Vil is awake enough to visit, but he wants to see him now and so he walks himself all the way over to the Pomefiore dorms and stands in front of Vils door, then shoots him a text saying "can u open the door"

Vil opens the door in his sleep clothes, as disheveled as the Vil Schönheit can get, which is admittedly not very, but no one looks rearing and ready to go right after they're woken up much earlier than anyone would want to wake up, Idia is so so happy to see him as he shuffles inside

It's not like Vil hasn't gotten up at worse times because of unreasonable filming hours before and his boyfriend is much more important than those could ever be, the hair isn't fixed up immediatly and oh boy, is that length gonna be missed, but at the end they're in bed and Vil is running his fingers through Idias much shorter hair

That was that on that, goodbye

I may have had a mild seizure after reading this omg

MMMMMGM IDIA HATING HIS HAIR BC OF THE CURSE NEEDS TO BE EXPLORED MORE.

Also Vil would absolutely murder anyone else that interrupted his beauty sleep for anything other than the dorm being on fire. Idia truly is special.

Also I’m still just running through the logistics of how tf do you cut or even dispose of fire hair

ALSO OMG MY MIND IS ALL OVER THE PLACE

Vil combing his fingers through Idia’s hair while Idia rests against his chest. Vil’s nails gently scratch against Idia’s scalp and he murmurs that this is so much easier now that Idia’s hair is shorter. Idia is absolutely melting with bliss because his boyfriend is literally perfect for putting up with him and he feels so lucky that Vil likes such a drastic change.

Hi did you know the mean the world to me

I am melting away

They should kiss

[dc-said-bi-robin-rights]

The streets of San Francisco are loud even at night. Rose can hear them beyond the wall-to-ceiling glass windows that cover the left side of the hallway thanks to her enhanced hearing—the low buzz of cars racing each other on the freeway, the insistent honk honk of impatient trucks, the screech of cop cars and ambulances as they whizz past; all of it is clearly audible to her ears, even though they may register only as an indistinguible din to a normal human. And if the sounds are so vivid, the view is even more thanks to her equally enhanced sight—lack of a left eye notwithstanding—but she pays it no mind; she’s not here, in the last-to-top level of Titans Tower, to admire the view, but to respond to a supposed emergency in her team leader’s room.

“Okay, I’m here,” Rose announces irritably, opening the door to Cassie’s room all up in a huff, as she’s done a million times before. “What’s so important you had me drag myself out of bed at three in the fucking morning fo—oh, God.”

Cassie looks tearily up at her from where she’s seated on the bed, having seemingly gone through something of a makeover since Rose saw her last—the remains of her formerly long hair are strewn about her on the bed in disorganized clumps, her scalp conserving nothing but an unruly mass of tufts that Rose might have audibly compared to a dead ferret if she was just the slightest bit more in a merciless mood.

As it is, she just stares. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Look, can you fix it, or not?” Cassie demands, her tone bordering on the edge of hysterical. “Cause I’m really not in the mood for your whole routine right now.”

“Hmm… I guess I could,” Rose says very slowly, her lips curling into a smirk at the urgency in Cassie’s tone. Her mind flashes back to that one time Jason asked her to cut and dye his hair in a motel bathroom. She had done it for free then, no questions asked, but Jason was a friend, and the woman in front of her was anything but. “But why should I?”

Cassie looks torn on whether to wring her neck or break out in hysterics. “Rose.”

“Cassie,” Rose drawls mockingly, already planning ways on how to use her rival’s desperation to her advantage.

The two stare each other down, before Rose decides to take pity on the demigoddess and spit out her demands.

“I’ll do it,” she says, smirking wider at the glimmer of hope that appears in Cassie’s eyes before her next words throughly dash it, “for a price.”

Cassie looks at her warily. “What price?”

“You know that minigolf place in the south side?”

“The fancy one, that you need tickets to enter?”

“Yeah,” Rose nods. “I want you to get tickets for tomorrow.”

Cassie blinks. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Rose nods, raising an eyebrow at the bemused look on Cassie’s face. “What, am I not allowed to enjoy things that aren’t fighting-related now?”

“Well… no, obviously, it’s just…” Cassie starts, before trailing off, apparently giving up on whatever she was about to say. “Nevermind. Buy why minigolf?”

Rose shrugs. “Why not?”

Cassie doesn’t look convinced. “It’s just…”

Her other eyebrow rises to meet the first, slightly annoyed now. “It’s just what?”

“It just doesn’t seem like the sort of thing you’d be into, that’s all,” Cassie says defensively. “I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, I’m just…”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I like our usual language of moans and grunts and the occasional scream just fine,” Rose teases, making Cassie’s cheeks flush slightly, “… but no one has ever me taking mini golfing before.” Her smirk widens flirtatiously. “I thought it could be a new experience.”

“I…” Cassie throws her hands up in h the air. “Sure, okay. I don’t think there’s anyone alive that’s super into mini golf, but if you help me with—” She gestures broadly at the flu-infested raccoon that went and died on top of her scalp— “this, I’ll buy you as many tickets as you want.”

Rose bites her lip, somewhat confused—and annoyed—by Cassie’s wording. She didn’t need ‘as many tickets as she wanted’, she needed only two, because she was trying to get Cassie to invite her out on a date. Was Cassie turning her down? Did she just not catch the obvious flirtation? Was Rose…

“Well?” Cassie says impatiently, holding out a pair of scissors towards Rose. “Are you going to help me or what?”

Oh, okay, you wanna play it like that, huh?

“Not so fast,” Rose says, resisting the urge to sneer. “Tickets first, then I help you.”

“Fine,” Cassie huffs, fishing her phone out of her pocket and typing the url into it, muttering under her breath the whole time. Rose stands there and waits, tapping her foot impatiently, until Cassie puts the phone on the bedside table and looks back up at her. “There. Done. Tickets bought.”

“Took you long enough,” Rose huffs, marching forward and coaxing Cassie to her feet before sweeping all of the clumps of hair off the bed and onto the floor with her hand, ignoring Cassie’s protests that’s she’s gonna have to clean that later. She sits down on the now-empty bed and points down at the floor. “Kneel here, between my legs, with your back to me. That way I can actually reach you.”

“Fine,” Cassie says again, handing her the scissors and doing as Rose says, coughing awkwardly when Rose shifts herself so that her legs are slung over Cassie’s shoulders. “You’re not gonna, um, strangle me with your legs, are you?”

“Not unless you want me to,” Rose jokes, tightening her legs for one brief moment before letting go. “Do you want me to?”

“I’m good, thanks,” Cassie says, flushing slightly. “Just fix my hair, please.”

“Right away, your highness,” Rose says, rolling her eye. Talk about a boring midnight rendezvous. “Hold still…”

Some people still acted surprised when they found this out, but Rose wasn’t the nicest person, and she was categorically not in the best of moods right now. It was with that in mind that she decided right then and there to make Cassie’s morning even worse than hers.

Rose leans forward and gets started on cutting away at Cassie’s hair, not to fix it as she had promised, but to make it even worse on purpose—serves little miss prom queen right for having her drag herself out of bed at three in the morning and then treating her like an errand girl.

“Cassie,” it doesn’t occur to her to ask until she’s halfway through the procedure. “How many tickets did you buy?”

“Well, two, obviously,” Cassie says, turning her head slightly to look at her with a confused look on her face. “Wasn’t it supposed to be like, y’know, a date thing?”

Ah, jeez. So she did get what I was saying.

“It was,” Rose says, looking down at her handiwork and deciding it was too late to start actually making an effort at this point. Her smirk comes back in full force—if she doesn’t actually have a reason to be upset at Cassie, she’ll still do it for the fun of it. She makes a note somewhere in the back of her head to finally talk someone about her Slade-delivered abandonment issues despite knowing full well she’ll never actually do it and continues with her work. “Just checking.”

“Right…”

A few more minutes pass by in silence, the quiet in the room only broken by the snip snip of Rose’s scissors cutting away at Cassie’s hair until it no longer resembled a savaged rodent. Instead, Cassie now boasted a large round bald spot on the top of her head, complete with a jutting widow’s peak and a triangular vertical undercut on both sides of her head. Rose looks at it for a few long seconds, biting her tongue to keep from laughing out loud, and decides it still isn’t enough, so she goes ahead and shaves the word ‘dyke’ into the back of Cassie’s head before stepping back to admire her work.

“I’m done,” she says gleefully. “You can look in the mirror now.”

Cassie gets to her feet and walks over to her mirror. There’s a short pause as her brain takes in the sight of her new self before she starts screaming.

“So,” Rose says, grinning, “we still on for minigolf tomorrow?”

[agatharionicky]

Only For Her

Chapter: 1/1

Words: 777

Summary: Ava and Sara text each other using emojis.

Fandom: DC’s Legends of Tomorrow

Relationships: Sara Lance/Ava Sharpe. 

Characters: Ava Sharpe, Sara Lance, and Mick Rory.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences.

Additional Tags: Emojis, implied sexual content, Beer, Friendship.

Read at AO3

Read at FFN

AN: Look at me posting for Avalance again. I decided to clear out my WIP folder so while these are short and simple. I'll be posting a few more things in the future.

………………………………………………………………

Sara smiled down at her phone as those three little dots disappeared to reveal Ava’s new text.

“I know how much you love desert, 🍩🍰🧁.”

“Not as much as you do 😜,” Sara typed back with a smile.

“I don’t know. You seems to enjoy that whipped cream and chocolate last week🍫.”

“You know I can have Gideon fabricate anything I want 😉.”

“Is that a challenge, my love? 🤨” 

The more Sara thought about it, the more her mouth watered as she longed for her lips to touch Ava. Something stirred deep inside her, a gentle ach that she knew and loved. It had been a week since they had been able to see each other in person as Ava was busy with the Time Bureau being audited by the government and the nonstop time aberrations appearances. Sara was so worked up that even the idea of licking her girlfriend’s fingers was enough to work her up.

“Your kitchen. Tonight. The one who looks the most delicious wins. 🥵🌶️”.

Just as she hit send someone knocked on her door.

“Sara,” Ray wined, as he knocked again. “John refuses to do any of his chores or clean up after himself. It’s becoming a real problem. The dust build up in the Gym is reaching allergen levels.”

“I’ll be there in a minute Ray,” Sara yelled, flopping onto her bed.

Her phone dinged and she quickly checked her text.

“You're on! 😠🍑” 

Sara smiled and placed her phone on her nightstand before going to moderate Ray and John’s . argument. Some day she wished her team was more independent and willing to deal with their own shit without running to her at the first sign of conflict. She often felt like a school teacher with a bunch of ill-equipped children.

………………………………………………………………

“Mick!” Sara shouted, as she entered the parlor, she walked up to him and held out her hand making a grabbing motion.

“Something, I can help you with Captain?” Mick asked with a smirk.

“Just hand it over Mick.” 

However, he only shrugged and as he casually sipped on his beer.

“Now!” Sara said using the harsh voice she only used for desperate times.

“Alright, alright, no need to get your panties in a twist or did you decide on a thong for the Mrs. tonight,” Mick said as he teased her while fishing her phone out from the lining of the recliner.

“What have I told you about going through my phone,” she said, when he handed the phone to her she waved it at him like a scolding teacher.

“How the hell am I supposed to resist when you just keep it lying around like that?”.

“It was in my room behind a locked door!”

“Yeah well, isn’t that secure of a door, I thought you of all people would know better. You should at least hide it in a safe or smoothing. I mean I expect this kinda thing from Haircut or Pretty…”

“My room is supposed to be secure!” Sara said, stomping her foot. It was in that moment as she realized how childish she was being, but he had already made his bed she might as well make him lay in it.

“I can’t allow you to continue to go through everyone’s phone. It’s a gross invasion of privacy. If you continue to do this I’ll have no choice but to prohibit you from lighting any fires.”

He shrugged, clearly not taking her threat seriously.

“I mean it Mick. No trash fires, no lighters, no nothing, and if it means John has to stop smoking, then so be it. It’d be good for him,” Sara said, crossing her arms as Mick eyed her, but they both knew she would make good on her threats. 

“Fine,” Mick growled, as glared at her.

“Thank you,” Sara said, her voice returning to its sweet sound. “Now, hand over Ray’s too. And Nate’s.”

Mick reluctantly handed over the phone and mumbled under his breath in worlds she chose not to hear.

“Thank you,” she said. When she finally had everyone’s phone, she turned to walk out of the parlor.

“How come, Ava only texts you, Emojis,” Mick asked, catching her attention as she turned back to him. “She doesn't text them to anyone else.”

“I guess I’m just special,” Sara said, with a smile she felt a pink tint to her cheeks that she didn’t bother hiding from him.

“You got a good one, their boss,” Mick said, giving her a nod of approval, something Sara knew meant he thought very highly of their relationship.

Sara smiled, as she thought of how true his words were. “I know.”

[tardytothesimspardy]

Four Birthdays?!

In Which There Are Many Birthdays Held

Soon after Flo got pregnant, it was Flat and Ruby's birthdays. I'll admit, it was a bit hard to see Flat age up into an elder, and harder still to,, ugh,, cut his hair ;-;

This isn't even his new haircut, this is just the party outfit from the whole 1940s/1950s thing I did.

I only did it because he has short hair in The Sims 3, but it probably was a needed change, since he's literally had the same hairstyle since he was a teenager. (Honestly though Flo is no different)

With Flat's elderhood newly begun, he now gravitates toward the rocking chair fiercely, and can no longer go for a simple jog with almost dying, despite having maxed out the athletic skill a while ago, and have gone on daily morning jogs for quite some time now, but whatever it's fine I'm not bothered by it in the least.

Ruby has taken it upon herself to spend her young adulthood to the fullest, and frequently conventions in San Myshuno regularly. She doesn't live there, and isn't sure if she particularly wants to, but it sure is fun seeing all the things there is to see.

One thing in particular that was fun to see was not in San Myshuno, however. Ruby was in Brindleton Bay to visit her uncle, when she browsed the museum and came across a cat, something she doesn't really see in Newcrest.

She adopted Pumpkin with only the hastiness that a newly-young adult Sim could. (To be fair, Pumpkin became fond of Ruby very quickly, and I—I mean she couldn't resist)

Back home, I am learning in real time how infants work, and it's not terrible. They seem oddly large, but some infants are like that. In any case, Flat and Flo love their son desperately, and cannot get enough of him.

(that's not how potty training works, even if skip was old enough to start learning, but okay)

Buck eventually came over for a visit, to meet his nephew, which leads me to three pictures that honestly make me a little emotional.

Like I'm not tearing up or anything, but I feel like that,, flutteriness? in my chest. Like if a few things were already going on, and then I saw these pictures, I might start crying. That kind of emotional.

About a week after Skip aged up to an infant, it was Flo's birthday, and I once again had to confront my weird conflicting emotions about a Sim that I have played for months becoming an elder, but at least she had a nice party.

(Unrelated but also included: the perils of owning a cat, and also the fantastic perks of owning a cat)

And before you ask, the bassinet in Ruby's house doesn't mean she is going to have a baby herself. For some reason in The Sims 3, Ruby's trailer has a crib, despite her not being pregnant, or even having a romantic relationship indicating that she might soon become pregnant. Idk. It's weird.

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