#I’m almost done with NY by Night

[math-rocks-and-lizard-bats]

Aabria. Iyengar. Never. Fuckin’. Misses.

"You are looking a woman in the eye. And she needs all the friends she can get."

-Critical Role Campaign 3, Episode 93

[azzibuckets]

attitude [pazzi]

paige bueckers x azzi fudd

summary: paige catches attitude and azzi keeps her in check

a/n: basically the nyfw and ny liberty game fic yall requested. @makethemhoesmad to thank for the prompt!!!!

masterlist

Paige had never been a big fan of side parts, but that was before Azzi Fudd.

Now, as she stared at her girlfriend, her soft curls tossed to the left and framing her doe brown eyes in just the right way, Paige wanted to tangle her fingers in Azzi’s hair and kiss her and kiss her.

But knowing Azzi likely wouldn’t take kindly to messing up her makeup after hours of sitting in her chair, Paige settled for merely inching a little bit closer to her best friend on the couch where they were sitting. Azzi’s cheeks turned a faint red when Paige brushed her pinky against hers. “I’m not gonna lie, you look hot as hell right now,” Paige said lowly, voice thick with want.

Azzi’s blush turned fiery. “You sure know how to woo a girl,” she said sarcastically.

Paige leaned in closer. “Is it working?” she asked, her lips only a few centimeters from Azzi’s mouth. Azzi’s eyes flicked down before she inhaled and scooted back. “You’re gonna mess up my makeup.”

Paige looked wounded at the distance between them. “You weren’t saying that last night,” she quipped, earning a smack to the head. “Yo, you’re gonna mess up my hair,” Paige complained, turning to face the mirror and adjust some strands.

“Good, maybe all the bitches will back off,” Azzi joked lightly.

“At least those bitches would kiss me,” Paige grumbled, eyes glazing over as she stared at Azzi’s lips.

“Control your face,” Azzi chastised, though her heart warmed at how Paige looked more in love with her every time she saw her. “Especially in front of the cameras later.”

“I know, I know.”

•••••••••••••••••••••

Paige was not controlling her face.

She had done a pretty good job at the beginning of the event. Hell, she’d been beaming and shit seeing the crowd she was intermingling with, filled with celebrities she’d never thought she’d meet in person.

That was until that same redheaded slut kept approaching her girlfriend and smiling at her in that slinky way. It didn’t help that she was unable to secure neighboring seats with Azzi, forcing her to sit across the room and burn holes into the ginger’s head as she laughed at everything her girlfriend was saying.

“Remind me to play poker with you some day,” Brittany piped up from next to her. “I would walk away a millionaire.”

Paige clenched her jaw. “You think this is funny?”

“You really think carrot head holds a candle to you?”

“Her boobs are sticking out and shit in that dress she’s wearing,” Paige gritted through her teeth, completely ignoring Brittany’s words.

Brittany smiled, enjoying the show unfolding before her. “Maybe you should do something about it,” she goaded.

“Fuck this.” Paige slid out her phone, hoping to distract herself by scrolling through Instagram. Her grip tightened, almost cracking her phone when the first post she came across was a picture of her and Azzi posing from the hour before, and all she saw in the comments were people thirsting over her girlfriend like animals (Aka me). “People have no civility these days,” she decided, shoving her phone back into her pocket.

Brittany only smirked.

As soon as the runway ended, Paige leapt from her seat and started making her way towards her girlfriend. All thoughts of wayward cameras left her mind as her vision tunneled in on the way the redhead’s acrylics scraped lightly over Azzi’s bicep.

“Hey,” she said lowly, hands tracing down Azzi’s sides before settling at her hips. “Who’s this?” She nodded at the girl but kept her eyes on Azzi.

Azzi’s eyes furrowed in confusion at Paige’s carelessness, her hands subtly covering the blonde’s and gently pushing them away. “This is Odelia. She’s one of the interns coordinating New York Fashion Week!”

“That’s nice.” Paige’s voice dripped with fake enthusiasm as she leaned her chin on Azzi’s shoulder, arms going back to circle her waist. “I bet you’re an amazing intern.”

Azzi shifted at the condescending way Paige emphasized intern. She stepped away, causing Paige’s hands to drop. From the way Azzi’s eyes glared daggers into her, Paige knew she was in for it later. Oh well. The look in Odelia’s face had been worth it.

•••••••••••••••••••

“I’m hungry,” Azzi announced as soon as she slid in the back seat of her car.

Paige stared out the window, her neck stiff. “Maybe you should’ve eaten that redhead bitch.”

Azzi stilled, only halfway into the car before she realized her surroundings and climbed fully in, shutting the door behind her. “That redhead bitch?” Azzi repeated, mocking the same tone Paige had used.

Paige slumped low into her seat, pulling down the drawstrings of her hoodie that she’d replaced her sweater with. “Fucking looking at her like she was a four course meal,” she muttered under her breath, her gaze stilled fixed on the buildings whirring past outside.

Azzi decided to ignore Paige, not wanting to have a conversation like this in the backseat of the Uber. “Can you make a stop at McDonald’s?” she asked the driver, who nodded and started to shift lanes.

“Bro, let me just go home,” Paige complained.

“Drop the attitude,” Azzi warned, her tone deadly. Paige glowered even more but immediately shut up.

“You want anything?” Azzi asked as they pulled up to the drive through.

No response.

“Paige Madison Bueckers.”

“A cheeseburger and fries.”

When they were given their food, Paige made sure to start munching loudly, knowing Azzi’s pet peeve was loud chewers.

Azzi set down her burger and rubbed her temples. “So you’re gonna keep being a brat?”

Paige chewed louder.

In one quick motion, Azzi snatched the fries from Paige’s hand and dumped them into the bag. Paige immediately reached over to grab it back, but Azzi quickly menauevered it, putting the food between the door and her body. “Act like a kid and get treated like a kid,” Azzi said, her voice hard.

••••••••••••

If Paige had been mad last night, she was furious now. After they’d got home, they’d had a little fight before Paige had stubbornly went to the couch for the night. With the business of their trip, they hadn’t had time to talk about it since, and it was killing Paige not being able to hug and kiss her girlfriend for the entire day.

Did Paige know she was being bratty and stupid? Yes. But Azzi was always so sexy when she was worked up.

Paige did have a tactic. She was trying her hardest to not let her gaze settle, but for the tenth time in five minutes she found herself staring at Azzi again from across the arena. Her girlfriend’s hair was up in a bun now, slut strands framing her face. With the sunglasses she was wearing and the gum she was chewing, she looked perfectly poised, but Paige knew Azzi was still tense from their argument.

In all honesty, Paige wanted to be in Azzi’s lap, not sitting here watching the game. She’d tried to take her mind off Azzi’s long legs by striking up a conversation with Klay Thompson, who sat next to her, but as soon as the NBA star opened his mouth to respond, her thoughts returned to Azzi Azzi Azzi.

After the game, Paige tried to rush through all the pictures, but Azzi, who seemed to know what she was doing, merely smirked and took her time. She must’ve said hi to every single person on the Liberty and Aces roster before joining Paige at the exit.

“Someone’s in a rush,” Azzi noted as Paige sped walked to the car.

“Shut up right now.”

••••••••••••••

As soon as the door clicked behind them, Paige’s mouth was pressed feverishly against Azzi’s, her hands roaming across every single part of the younger girl’s body. “Looked like such a good fucking girl in this outfit,” she panted. “Got everyone fooled, but I see right through it.”

Azzi pressed Paige’s hips against the wall, holding her there. The blonde squirmed under Azzi’s stare coming from half lidded eyes. “Let’s talk about last night,” Azzi jabbed back. “Acting like a little fucking brat.”

Paige raised her hips, trying to roll them against Azzi’s, but Azzi’s grip was too firm. “You gonna punish me?” she breathed out, hands going up to Azzi’s shoulders to steady herself.

“I know your game,” Azzi husked, teeth dragging over Paige’s earlobe. “You think you’re so smart, huh?”

“Want you,” Paige whined, fingers hiking up Azzi’s shirt. “Need you.”

Azzi tsked, backing away from Paige. It took all of her self control not to take her right then and there, with the blonde slumped against the wall, eyes glazed over and hair a mess as she pouted. “No touching,” she said lowly. “Keep your hands to yourself.” Azzi slowly dragged her thumb down Paige’s jawline, relishing the heat of her skin and the way the older girl trembled under her touch. “Gonna make you regret all your attitude.”

Paige’s eyes fluttered shut. She fought back a smile. Azzi didn’t know it, but Paige had won.

[paiges-1vur]

pt. 1. | from across the crowd.. as always, enjoy loves <3 *prologue posted* 🏀⚡️🪩

“what.. you guys, why are you all looking at me like that!” my words led to only more strange looks. my friends all sat around me, mouths open. “tiff. oh my gosh. are you joking!” my friends all start bombarding me with insults and “i can’t believe you’s”

i seriously had no clue this girl even existed until my friends had shown me her.. ten minutes before the game started. while i didn’t even know of her existence, my friends seemed to know her whole life story.

“okay guys but should i put it on?” i ask the group around me. i mean, i was genuinely cold. i had goosebumps forming on my arms and legs from how cold it was in the stadium. i should have noticed something was off when i left my apartment and nobody else was in going out clothes.

my closest friend madisen, who also seemed to know the most about paige encouraged me to put it on. “she wouldn’t have given it to you if she didn’t want you to wear it.. right?” she says shrugging. i slowly pull the hoodie over my head, immediately feeling warmed up.

the hoodie says uconn basketball on it, and has paiges number and last name on it. im immediately flooded by her scent. she smells… really good. like a mix of musk, wood, and smoke. as the rest of the game plays out all i can think about is the fact that i’m wearing her hoodie. i didn’t want the moment to ever end. but it unfortunately did when the buzzer sounded and Uconn was announced the winner.

me and my friends decided to stick around after the game for a little while. they got up to throw out our trash, and empty drink cans while i tried to find paige. i wanted to thank her for lending me her hoodie. its the least i could have done.

as i get up to search for paige, i see her walk out of the locker room.. and walking up to me. she was smiling, standing in front of me, practically towering over me. to be fair, i am 4’11 but that is only due to terrible genetics, and a very short mother. “hey” is all she says, but its enough to make my heart beat faster.

“hey, your name is… paige right?” i say to her smiling innocently, pausing before saying her name, not sure if i had remembered it totally correctly. honestly i could forget my own name right now if she asked me for it. she laughs slightly before responding, “yea thats my name, you remember me?”

I try to play it cool. “well my friends wouldnt shut up about you the whole game” i say laughing. “i didnt even know who you were before i got here.. well they dragged me here, and then almost killed me when i didnt know who you were. long story” i say, trying to explain the crazy night i’ve had. she laughed harder than me, surprised at my confession. “oh.. so you’re telling me you just showed up here, not even knowing who i was?”

im slightly embarrassed, and i hope its not showing on my cheeks. “well.. I’ve never been a fan of basketball, so my friends knew i wouldnt come to the game. they told me we were going out to the bars tonight, and dragged me here. that’s why i was wearing such a… revealing outfit before you gave me your hoodie. bad outfit planning on my part. and yea to be honest i had never heard of you in my life” I try to explain clearly, but I’m not even sure if i believe this all happened in one night.

“oh, wow so you really had no idea who i was?” she sounds almost surprised at this fact. “no.. not really, why?” I say, a slight bit confused. i wonder if i should have known her.

“oh, here’s your hoodie, by the way” i say, pulling it off and folding it into my hands. im now left in ny old outfit. my jean mini skirt and Uconn tank top leave quite frankly, little to the imagination. im not very proud of how i look in this moment, but the least i can do is give paige her hoodie back. “nah, don’t worry about it you can keep it. you look..” her eyes roam my body quickly, “cold anyway. and it looks better on you than me.” i smile at her and slip it back on. the hoodie reaches my mid thigh, its so oversized. “thank you so much- again im so sorry i didn’t know the stadiums were so.. cold oh my gosh.” i say laughing.

she laughs too, looking down at me and smiling. she bites her lip, like shes thinking hard about something before she speaks again. “can i, ask you a question?” im suddenly intrigued why paige bueckers would want to ask me a question but i bite. “yea sure, go ahead.” i say smiling at her, awaiting her next words.

“you probably have a boyfriend.. right?”

[wolfjackle-creates]

Bring Me Home: Chapter 2 Part 2

It's Wednesday! Time for another WIP Wednesday. No Ghost!Robin today. I've been focusing more on this fic. I think I'm going to try and start alternating weeks, but there's no set schedule or plan and it's liable to change at a moment's notice.

Fic Summary: Tim and Danny are both neglected by parents who care more about their work than their families. They deal with this by spending too much time online and find each other playing MMORPGs. They keep up their friendship as Tim becomes Robin and Danny becomes Phantom and don't bother keeping secrets from each other.

First, Previous

1.3k words

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Cassie hissed, “What the fuck, Tim!”

“I know!” whispered Tim back. “Danny mentioned home security, but I had no idea it was like that!”

Bart shook his head. “Want help with that kidnapping scheme? I’ll join you on your road to villainy.”

“That’s the problem with Tim,” agreed Conner. “He makes the road to evil look like it’s really the best option. Count me in, too.”

Cassie groaned. “Damn it, you guys are right. I’m in.”

Before Tim could do more than flip them off, Danny was back. “The pop express has returned!”

Cassie was closest to the door and Danny passed over her drink first. Only to freeze as their fingers brushed.

“Oh,” said Danny who looked at their hands then up at Cassie and back to their hands. “Huh.”

“What’s wrong?” asked Cassie and Tim started to get a bad feeling.

Which was only worsened by Danny looking at him with a grin forming on his face. “Sooooo, Tim—”

“No!” Tim shook a finger at him. “You’d better not tell me what I think you’re about to tell me! You’re OP enough! No more!”

Danny raised an eyebrow. “You done?”

Tim sighed and decided to just collapse backwards onto Danny’s bed. He stared at the ceiling and waved a hand in the air. “Yeah. Go ahead.”

Danny, apparently, loved making him suffer and continued passing out the drinks without telling him what he discovered. Then the mattress dipped next to him and Danny was above him with a grin that wouldn’t melt butter.

“So, Tii-iim,” Danny sing-songed.

“Daaan-ny,” replied Tim in the same tone.

“Apparently I can sense metas. And aliens. Which is so cool. They feel so different to humans! I knew about my ghost sense, but didn’t realize that applied to other species.”

Tim just sighed and closed his eyes. “Of course you can.”

“Conner!” The mattress shifted again as Danny moved. “You feel like warm sunshine and it’s so cool. Bart, you feel like static. Which… little awkward for me, but it’ll be good. I should try and get over my fear of electricity. Cassie, you also feel like static, but in a totally different way. Can’t explain it any better than that.”

“Why is static a problem?” asked Bart.

At the same time, Tim said, “I’ll add it to the list. And the descriptions.” He cracked one eye open to look at Danny. “Will you promise to stop developing more powers for me?”

Danny laughed and nudged his knee. “No promises.”

Cassie looked between them. “Does this mean you know?” she asked Danny.

“Wonder Girl, right? And Superboy and Impulse?”

Cassie nodded. “And Tim told us about you.”

“My lips are sealed,” Danny promised.

Tim rolled his eyes and pushed himself up. “Just gimme my water and fix my phone.”

“Wow, Tim,” said Cassie. “Rude much?”

“No. Look, you’ve no idea how ridiculously OP Danny is. Almost every week he calls me saying he discovered something else he can do.”

“If you think that was rude,” added Danny with a laugh, “you should’ve seen the things he said to me when I got him killed in Elf Night.”

“Ugh,” Tim feigned annoyance. “Don’t remind me. Honestly, what were you thinking? You were a rogue! Why did you attack the boss head on like a barbarian? We lost weeks of game progress! Weeks, Danny!”

Danny just laughed and threw the water bottle at his face. Tim caught it easily.

“Just give me your phone, Slim-Slam.”

“Slim-Slam?” asked Conner.

“He tried to object to Tim-Tam. I made him regret it.”

Tim shook his head. “This was a mistake. Why the hell did I ever think it’d be a good idea to let you guys meet.” To hopefully get them to change the subject, he shoved his phone in Danny’s direction. “What do you need to do to this anyway?”

“We just need to make it compatible with ectoplasm. There’s enough ambient ecto in Amity that waiting a few weeks allows it to happen naturally, but that’s not an option for you guys. Tuck and I went through, like, fifty devices figuring out the exact quantities and locations to add ectoplasm to force the process without destroying the device. It took us ages, but we figured it out. Now Tuck and I get extra money from the tech geeks in town who don’t want to wait the month or so it usually takes for new devices to start working.”

“Speaking of Tucker, will I be able to meet him? And Sam? You’re meeting my friends, I want to meet yours.”

Danny shrugged. “Sure. I’ll text them to meet us at Nasty Burger in forty minutes.” He sat at his desk and set down Tim’s phone to do so. Then, he opened a drawer and pulled out a set of micropipettes and disposable tips in a variety of sizes along with an empty glass beaker. Then came out an electronics tool kit. Tim had a similar one, though Danny’s looked like it had been obtained piecemeal as nothing matched. Finally, he opened a different drawer and pulled out a vial of a glowing green liquid.

Tim pushed himself off the bed and moved to stand over Danny’s shoulder. His friends joined him.

Bart asked, “So what will you be doing? What’s that green stuff?”

“It’s ectoplasm. The stuff ghosts and their dimension are made of. Ectoplasm is… complicated. This is unshaped ectoplasm, also called pure ectoplasm. A ghost or sentient creature can impose their will on it and make it function in a specific way. Since I’ve died, I have an easier time shaping it than most humans. I’ll send ‘tech’ vibes at it to get it to fuse to the phone more easily and apply carefully determined quantities to the different parts of the phone.”

“‘Tech vibes.’” Tim couldn’t hold back the groan. “It’s like magic. I hate it.”

Cassie bumped her shoulder against his. “You get that from Bruce.”

“Damn right, I do.”

Tim watched as Danny popped out the sim card. “First thing I’ll do is add a hundred microliters to the sim card. Then I’ll take the screen off and get to work on the innards. Do you guys want new batteries, by the way? Tuck’s got a bunch of ecto-batteries. Could have him bring them along when we meet up. You’d never have to charge your phone again.”

“Hell yeah!” said Conner. “Sign me right up.”

Tim shook his head, but couldn’t hold back the smile. “What do you mean by never have to charge it again?”

“I mean an ecto-battery will power the phone longer than the computer in the phone will last. I’ve switched over all my electronics. Nothing in this house is hooked up to the electricity grid anymore. I haven’t used a wall plug in four months. Not since Tucker and I fixed the batteries my parents designed.”

Tim didn’t like the sound of that. “Two questions. First, if the battery outlasts the phone, how should we dispose of it. And two, more importantly, ‘fixed’? What the hell does that mean?”

Danny had finished with the sim card and discarded the pipette tip in the beaker. Then he set about removing the screen from the phone. “Just bring the phones back to me when you’re done with them. I’ll upgrade your new ones, too. And their designs were liable to explode, overload the device, or bring it to life so it attacked. But Tuck and I took care of all that. Now devices only attack if Technus manages to get through the portal.”

Tim could sense Conner trying to look at him, but he resolutely refused to look away from Danny’s hands. He was removing the cameras and adding more ectoplasm to them, though much less than the sim card needed.

Unable to get Tim’s attention, Conner asked, “Who’s Technus?”

Danny shrugged. “One of my rogues. Tuck thinks he’s the ghost of Nikolai Tesla. He’s interested in controlling all technology and will make himself a giant mechasuit cannibalized from any electronic he can find in, like, a half mile radius. Super annoying.”

---------

Next

So I've decided which episode of the show this will take place during! It's mid season 1, so Jazz knows about Danny but Danny doesn't know she knows. I don't think that contradicts anything I've written (need to reread it), but if it does, no it doesn't. I dunno if most of you know what micropipettes look like, but if there's any interest I can take pics at work tomorrow and post them so you can see what I mean when I talk about the tips and stuff. I meant to do that today and then I didn't.

Tag List

@gremlin-bot, @bonebrokebuddy, @britcision, @lady-time-lord-, @welcometosasakiworld, @akikkobara, @phoenixdemonqueen, @dolfay, @skulld3mort-1fan, @we-ezer, @markus209, @sjrose1216, @onyxlightdragon, @dragonsrequiem, @jesus-camp-the-sequel, @spidey29phangirl, @kyrianclawraith, @evilminji, @introvert-even-on-the-internet, @emergentpanda-blog, @lexdamo, @v-inari, @idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit, @longlivethefallen, @undead-essence, @xye-chan, @liandrin, @seraphinedemort, @kisatamao, @schalensitzbucket, @caelestisdreamer, @runfromthemedic, @nutcase8691, @channajen, @tonicmii, @ambiguouslyominous, @vythika96, @addie-lover-of-stories, @ironicvixen, @violetfox2, @pickleking8, @mysticalcomputerdetective, @ark12, @mygood-bitch99, @squirrel-wolf

Getting close to the point where I'll have to split the tag list in two! (I'll still add anyone who is interested.)

[plor-bindery]

And it’s done! Resources, lessons I learned, and me pointing out all my errors under the cut.

The boring bookbinding details:

Materials:

Text block is just folded long-grain 24 lb letter. I know, I know, grain direction. But short grain and ledger paper are both almost impossible to source in Canada. Ugh.

Sewed text block with three strands of cotton embroidery floss, waxed by moi. It’s blue! I thought that would be fun as a little Easter egg in the middle of each signature.

Bookcloth is wooqu off Amazon. Machine-made endbands.

Cover paper and end papers both nabbed at Paper Source when I was in DC earlier this month. The boob paper is too thin to work well as evidenced by the wrinkles over the mull. But it was cute and I think a fun/ny moment of surprise on opening the book.

Gold foil HTV covered up to protect friend’s ID. But it’s her monogram. Simple.

Process:

I made the typeset myself — 5 mm dot grid, no page numbers. There’s a customized name page at front and back too.

Used French link for the first time, and it was fine. I don’t think there’s a major structural difference between linen tapes and French link for a 240 page book; it feels roughly the same as any other text block on tapes I’ve made. It’s faster and less fiddly, though, so I might do it more.

I had some struggles with my guillotine, which I usually do. Still figuring it out; my cuts are often a little angled, particularly on the fore edge. (I welcome tips!!!)

My hinge gaps are 7 mm and functional but I should have cut the cover boards a little wider — the fore edge square is too small.

This is my second bind using 50/50 PVA and corn starch paste mix for most steps and I’m a convert. It’s just way less finicky than straight PVA and it’s easy AF to make. I only use straight PVA on the spine glueing now. Thanks, bookbinding course!

Half-binding is a whole thing. I like using decorative paper on a cover for a blank book, but I find it hard to do nice/neat transitions between cloth and paper. You can zoom in on the cover to enjoy those issues in detail.

This is a gift for a friend who’s agreed to be a guinea pig as I learn so she will be fine with the many imperfections. Even though this isn’t fanbinding, it has brought me a number of lessons I’ll use for that process!

ETA: one more change I forgot! I used 24-page/6-sheet signatures for this text block which — combined with the floss for sewing — was great for eliminating spine swell. I think I need to fatten up my signatures in general.

ETA2: Woke up in the middle of the night thinking “I wonder if the endpapers were the wrong grain” and yep, they sure are. What psychopath prints art paper long grain??? Anyway I couldn’t have avoided that because it would look ridiculous with the boobs going laterally but I do think the grain direction contributed to the issues casing in, as the paper stretched in the head to tail direction. Covers (which had the right grain direction!) also bowed head to tail slightly so that was another clue something was off.

[subbmissivesuccubus]

Lumine's Harem (If Aether allows it) 17 - Thoma

The new chapter is out on my P@treon (link in bio. 18+ ONLY) Please check it out if you're interested and would like to support me <3

It's Thoma's turn! Content warning: This chapter contains Aelumi, a mind free use theme and a whole lot of breeding.  Some Kamisatocest and implied Thoma X Ayaka.

Here's a sneak peek <3

“You seem stressed.” Lumine said with a frown, watching Thoma’s tired expression.

Thoma let out a big sigh, “I am. I don’t know how Ayato does it.”

“Maybe you just need motivation. Or some kind of stress relief.”

“Normally I'd do some training to relieve stress but,” Thoma groaned, “I don’t even have time for that.”

“How about some tea?” Lumine asked, “Might help soothe your nerves.”

“That would be great, thank you.” Thoma said, Lumine nodding before she left the room. Within five minutes, she was back, carrying a tray with her. The soft smell of Lavender wafted through the air as she walked towards him, standing beside him as she carefully set the tray of the table, mindful of the papers. Thoma groaned as he leaned back against his chair, stretching as he waited for Lumine to finish setting up and pouring the hot, soothing liquid.

But she was doing that while slightly bending over the table,

And Thoma couldn’t help but stare.

Lumine was bent over in front of him as she set up the tea and her skirt was so short, it did a bad job of covering things. He could gaze at her bare, soft, milky thighs while almost having a peek of her peach behind, the curve of her ass visible to him. Her thigh highs were skin tight enough that some of her plump flesh was spilling from the sides, the briefest hint of black panties underneath her skirt.

Thoma would never be the kind of man to just stare, always being the type of person who would inform Lumine of her position and offer to help cover up but…he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Lumine was just so stunning and sexy, Thoma having always found her to be beautiful in her regular outfit but seeing her in a maid costume made him all the more entranced by her. Having a beautiful woman by his side in a sexy outfit that her curves filled out perfectly while she attended to him…what kind of man would he be if he didn’t find her attractive?

His mind flashed back to when Ayaka wore a similar maid outfit, roleplaying as a servant along with Thoma, the two of them being ‘ordered’ by their Master Ayato to have sex in front of him, entertaining him as he enjoyed some wine. The night was filthy, sexy and Thoma stuffed Ayaka’s pretty ass with so much cum, she was dripping by the end of the night.

He felt his cock twitch from the memory and from seeing Lumine bend over like that, Thoma’s mouth almost watering as he continued to stare, a small part of him wanting to see more-

“Alright, I'm done here.”

Thoma jumped as Lumine looked back at him, body still bent over so she clearly figured out he was staring at her ass.

“S-Sorry!” Thoma said, looking away, cheeks bright and heart heavy. He didn’t mean to make her uncomfortable or make her feel unsafe around him-

“It’s okay.” Lumine said, Thoma’s eyes widening as she suddenly shook her hips, almost like she was tempting him, “Wanna cop a feel?”

“Wh-What?!”

“Or you can give me a spank.”

“No!” Thoma responded on instinct, more taken aback than anything. The woman simply shrugged before straightening up, smoothing her skirt back over her butt.

“Alright. But I'm just letting you know that you can if you want to. I’m your maid, afterall.”

“That doesn’t mean you let me do whatever I want…” Thoma retorted.

“Why not?” She asked, “If i’m ok with it and you want to, then what’s the problem?”

“Lumine- that’s…”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” she said with a teasing smile, “I’m just reminding you that you can order me to do anything. A-ny-thing~”

“A-anything?”

“Anything at all.”

Thoma gulped and Lumine couldn’t help but smile. Just a little bit more…

Ayaka had told her of Thoma’s capabilities in bed, that the man had quite the stamina and a good cock to go with it. The cryo user guaranteed that Lumine would have a good time if Thoma and her slept together. Of course, her interest in Thoma wasn’t fueled just by her friend's high praise. Thoma was a lovely, kind, generous and hardworking young man and any woman would be lucky to have him. He had found a home and purpose with the Kamisato’s and he has never taken that for granted, dedicating his life and loyalty to the siblings. His handsome looks, great personality and his not so hidden breeding kink- Lumine couldn’t resist. And from the way he had been looking at her and the time they’ve been spending together, she knew he felt the same way.

“So?” Lumine asked, her voice taking on a teasing tone, “Is there something you’d like me to do?”

The man gulped, his ears turning red as he looked her up and down, his embarrassment almost turning into determination- like he was wondering if she truly was going to keep her word.

‘Well, no harm in trying, right?’ He thought, ‘If I ask her to do something she’s uncomfortable with, I'm sure she’ll put a stop to it.’

“Then…show me your ass.”

[spider-swift]

👋if you have any questions abt dc or titans i’m your guy (almost done with the show + dc is ny special interest also all the robins are my kids)🙏🙏🙏 /gen /lh /nf

AHHH THANK YOUUU ❤️‼️

i’m currently on season 2 episode 8 (i think) and honestly it’s so scary feeling a new obsession creeping up. like i know this is going to keep me up at night eventually. i love dick and kory, separately and together, and at the moment i think donna is pretty cool too.

i’m working my way through the batfam, and i’ve always loved harley quinn + poison ivy. i’ve actually yet to watch any stuff with harley in though!

[kanthonyficrecs]

Masterlist: Canon Compliant (A-L)

updated 2/6/24

a certain step by wagamiller Rating: T Summary: Kate doesn’t care for dancing and she doesn’t care for Anthony Bridgerton either. (Kate is also, as it turns out, lying.) Or –– 1814, through the medium of dance.

A Curious Condition by caciopepebowl Rating: M Summary: Kate grapples with a peculiar condition that has ailed her since her wedding night.

A Drunk Mind Speaks a Sober Heart by crabbyturtle Rating: E Summary: Anthony comes home drunk and introduces Kate to a different side of sex that she never imagined she would like so much.

A Journey by anidlequeen Rating: NR Summary: Very simply, a Kate gives birth fic.

a life that suits them both by serendipityinwords Rating: T Summary: The Bridgertons slowly and successively realise how sickeningly in love Kate and Anthony are.

a most pitiful business by tielan Rating: G Summary: “At least he's not approaching this time like a man approaches the gallows,” Benedict comments from across the room. Anthony doesn't point out that the last time he tried to get married, he wanted the whole business over and done with. Traditions? Customs? Rituals? None of those were important; being wedded was what mattered. This time, it's not just the prospect of being wedded that Anthony wants, but the marriage he intends to make with Kate.

a night at the opera by blondie1010 Rating: NR Summary: Kate had always known about and accepted her husband’s rakish past. However, knowing about the past is one thing. Seeing it in person is something else entirely.

a pebble that we picked up last july by repuslaytion Rating: NR Summary: post-canon/fix it to explore kate's fear of storms as stated in the books

A World Alone by peepsinthechilipot Rating: M Summary: Before the Harmony Ball, Anthony is determined to make Kate admit that their kiss meant something to her, and Kate is determined to pretend it never happened. A private rowboat may be just the place to finally talk honestly…turns out, they both have a lot to say.

admiring lady bridgerton by Anonymous Rating: T Summary: She is a beguiling and maddening woman, the Viscountess Bridgerton. For all of her charms, of which there are ample he could mention, Thomas Dorset often thought the thing the most tragic and disappointing about Kate Bridgerton was that she was married.

all the way home, i'll be warm by alljustrunaways Rating: M Summary: A series of loosely connected holiday one-shots set during Kate's first Christmas in England.

Always And Forever by christina100 Rating: G Summary: On the evening of their twentieth wedding anniversary, Kate and Anthony have a special toast they'd like to make to each other and to their four children.

always stuck and running by ZeGabz Rating: M Summary: Anthony Bridgerton decides, somewhere between catching Kate’s eye from across the park and Lady Danbury whacking him with her walking cane and instructing him to keep away from Kate for the entirety of his mother’s so-called “harmony” ball, that he simply does not care anymore.

An Agreement in Flux by BurnerrAccount Rating; M Summary: After Kate and Anthony announce their engagement to their families, they find themselves at a crossroads of propriety and their desires.

An Invitation to the Billington Fancy Dress Ball of 1826 by Deathinasmalltown Rating: E Summary: The one where Kate convinces Anthony to dress as Cupid for the Billington Fancy Dress Ball.

and now i’m covered in you by carrythesky Rating; M Summary: Kate is six years old, and it's snowing.

Ant(hoe)ny and his sexy Viscountess by velveteenstitches Rating: E Summary: He is almost embarrassed that the Ton is viewing with what raptures Kate has him in simply through her intoxicating scent of lilies, her slight touch, and her quick wit. Almost. When she is to be his wife.. she can have Anthony at her mercy, with no vicious mamas or gossip-mongering pamphlets or ridiculous courtship requirements of polite society to hinder them. Anthony is feeling anything but polite.

Anthony’s Walk of Shame by ZeroRegrets Rating: E Summary: Her future husband is letting her take control and Newton the corgi making their morning end as awkwardly as possible.

As Long as You Love Me by thequeenofgondor Rating: NR Summary: This series will follow Kate and Anthony’s marriage after the events of season two.

Becoming Didi by WaterlilyRose Rating: G Summary: Charlotte notices that her Amma and Auntie Edwina call each other Didi and Bon. Charlotte wants to be a Didi like her Amma so...her Papa and Amma need to have another baby. Please?

Beyond the Field of Combat by RosesAtDawn Rating: T Summary: A short one-shot that picks up just as our Epilogue closes. Kate joins the Bridgerton’s for a game of Pall Mall full of surprises and confessions.

Come Away With Me by FloralUmbrella Rating: E Summary: Anthony and Kate whisk away on their honeymoon. An exploration into the world of intimacy and marriage ensues.

Cream Filling by hydriotaphia Rating: E Summary: A rake is a rake is a rake. Anthony relives the debauchery of his youth but like everything, it's so much better with Kate.

Crickets at Midnight by Sobriquett Rating: M Summary: The thought flickers that he hasn’t felt anything like this since Siena, but it's rapidly chased off by the hard truth that he's never felt like this before, with anyone. A post-coital interlude in the gazebo.

Cross it off by kateandanthonyaremyparents Rating: T Summary: Kate is doing some preparations for the new season, listing all potential suitors that could be interesting for Francesca, when a thought *and* her husband are interrupting her activities.

Dear Simon by beautifultropicalfish Rating: G Summary: A series of letters Simon receives from his wife, in-laws, and friends over the course of the 1814 season.

delayed gratification by wagamiller Rating: M Summary: But … hypothetically speaking, if she ever did decide to sneak across Mayfair and into Anthony’s bachelor lodgings to have her way with him before their wedding, she’s more or less settled on the plan that she would do so after dark, in a closed carriage and her darkest cloak, and try to brazen her way in through his front door. Not that she’s given it very much thought.

diwali at aubrey hall by katebridgerton Rating: M Summary: kate's first diwali at aubrey hall, anthony in a kurta, and...some revelations :)

don’t ruin the kanjeevaram, darling by rosetintednerdglasses Rating: E Summary: Anthony bets Kate he can make her come without ruining her dress. Kate doesn't like losing.

First the Fireworks, then the Fire by LiveOncePure Rating: E Summary: During the fireworks at the Featherington Ball, Anthony and Kate decide to take matters into their own hands regarding their engagement, but Violet has something to say about it.

first vow by beautifultropicalfish Rating: G Summary: Three times Mary visits Kate's parents, between 1814 and 1815, to tell them how Kate's doing.

Five Days by Serenity1347 Rating: E Summary: Story focusing on the five days surrounding Kate and Anthony's wedding. Snippets and conversations from each of these days.

forewarned is forearmed by wagamiller Rating: M Summary: Five times Kate gets distracted by Anthony’s arms (+ one time he notices)

gonna have to ask me first by inlovewithimpossibility Rating: T Summary: Anthony asks Kate to fulfill one request following his proposal at the Featherington ball - to have breakfast with his youngest sister.

Green in its many hues by BurnerrAccount Rating: E Summary: One week into their agreement, Kate and Anthony find new meaning in the definition of restraint. (Or, a post-canon fic on secret engagements, jealousy, and taking steps forward)

gunpowder over mayfair by wagamiller Rating: T Summary: The morning after the Featherington Ball, London smells like fireworks. And Kate feels like one.

headstruck, heartstruck by ninzied Rating: T Summary: these hunts at aubrey hall never do seem to go quite as planned.

Home is Wherever You Are by kateandanthonyaremyparents Rating: G Summary: Anthony wants to get home, back to his wife and unborn child as soon as possible.

I am my beloved's (and my beloved is mine) by hydriotaphia Rating: E Summary: Four scenes from their honeymoon as Anthony and Kate learn to navigate married life, new beginnings and old hurts.

i don't want to fall in love with you (if i'm gonna fall apart with you) by tosca1390 Rating: E Summary: Kate opens her eyes, observing the change of light and shadow in the bedchamber. The air is cool against her bare skin. She is married, and her husband sleeps beside her, and she isn’t quite sure how to start the day.

Imposters Among Us by LilyGoop Rating: G Summary: Anthony and Kate have a deep conversation on their honeymoon about what it means to be Viscount Bridgerton

In vino veritas by wagamiller Rating: M Summary: There are husbands, and then there are Husbands. Anthony Bridgerton is a Husband. At least that’s what Kate insists when she stumbles home from Lady Danbury’s latest soirée, slurring her words and smelling of sherry. Apparently it’s a compliment.

Kate & Anthony: Their Story by JennaGreen Rating: T Summary: This fic covers Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton’s love story, as portrayed in Bridgerton Season 2. This story will explore both Kate’s and Anthony’s POVs during all their scenes throughout the eight episodes, as well as missing/extra moments that I like to imagine could have happened off-screen.

Kate's Angst| The Storm In Her Mind by LoveIsStrong Rating: NR Summary: This story explores Kate's turmoil (18th century repressed style) and tries to answer some questions I had with the plot choices.

Kate's Crush by Kendal_Lynne Rating: E Summary: At first, he thinks he’s just being paranoid. It’s easy to dismiss a one-time occurrence. Witnessing something happen on two occasions is slightly harder ignore. But when it happens three times…that’s when you know you have a problem. And Anthony Bridgerton certainly has a problem: his wife has a crush on another man.

King of the Rakes by Zenia_7 Rating: T Summary: Many months after their wedding, Kate realizes something.

Knife's Edge by Little_Miss_Rainstorm Rating: E Summary: I was watching the swordfighting/flirting scene from the Mask of Zorro. It reminded me of Kanthony, which reminded me of the fighting/proposal scene from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies...Swordfighting flirting is PEAK entertainment.

Let's Make a Wager by Janina Rating: E Summary: Kate and Anthony make a wager to see who will beg for sex first.

Letters To My Beloved by LoveRemains Rating: E Summary: Anthony and Kate are just feral for each other and can't contain themselves, even through written word.

Lost and Found by LoveIsStrong Rating: E Summary: A mysterious lady asks Anthony Bridgerton for his help to find her missing husband. But soon, he realizes things are not as quite as they seem. How did he know her…he struggled to remember. He must at least know her name? Why did she look so familiar? …He tried to recall where he had seen her before. How could anyone ever forget a face like that? Who was she? And who was her husband?

[sl-newsie]

Chapter One: Lodging House (Spot Colon x Female Newsie)

Ok so I’ve been sitting on some written Newsies material for a while and I figured the new 2023 year was a sign to let some of it out. It’s a 92sies Spot Colon fanfic, and I’ll leave it up to you whether or not it’s good. I’m proud of it, you don’t have to read it, but I do hope y’all enjoy it! :)

(BTW there’s LOTS of spelling errors due to me attempting to write a NY accent! I also added a few characters and songs, and I will take certain suggestions and requests!)

Ah, Manhattan. A place fer dreams ta thrive and die. I neva woudda thought that I’d have ta make a liv’n here, but we all can’t choose our lives. Be’n a resident of tha Manhattan newsies lodg’n house is plenty enough.

“Get up! Sell the papers!”

Ugh… morn’n already? My eyes squint as soon as my bed sheet is ripped off me.

“Morn’n sunshine!” A bright-eyed kid announces in my face.

I groan. “Hello Race. You’s lucky I’s ain’t fully awake yet, ‘cause if I was I’d throw you out tha window! You’s wake me up like this again, and I’ll see you’s banned from tha races fer good!”

“Aww, c’mon! Lighten up Beccy!” 

I sit up and stare square in his eye. “Wanna bet?”

“Not this early in tha mourn’n!”

I groan again. Then I, very un-enthusiastically, roll out of my bunk and grab my clothes bag hidden undaneath (I know some would steal it just ta taunt a goil). I’m a night person myself, but I’s found it best ta start early. I also make sure my modda’s gold ring is still in there. Ah, life in The Newsboys Lodging House… with a few exceptions, o’course. 

“Get up!” Kloppman yells at Skittery, who’s still asleep.

“I didn’t do it!” He jolts awake.

“What do ya mean, you didn’t do it? Get up! Carry the banner! Sell the papers! Sell the papers!”

Behind me I hear an argument already pann’n out:

“That's my cigar!” Race complains.

“You'll steal anudder,” Snipeshooter retorts.

“Hey, bummers- We got work to do!” Blink interrupts.

“Since when did you become me mudder?” Snipeshooter asks.

“Ah, stop yer bawl’n!” Crutchy says.

“Hey! Who ast you?” Everyone shouts back. I roll my eyes and try ta hide a smile. Mak’n my way ta tha washroom, I see it’s already bustl’n with boys.

“Mourn’n Boots, Mush, Blink, Skittery,” I mumble.

“Hey guys- it’s Becca! Give her some privacy!” Crutchy tries ta shove and make room fer me, but loses his balance. Luckily, I catch him before he can hit tha floor.

“Thanks,” he says in a small voice.

“No problem. Ya leg do’n ok?”

“Not tha best.”

“You’ll do fine,” I say encouragingly as I help him up. “Ladies can’t resist help’n a crip.”

“Alright, really guys- let Becca through! Give tha goil some room!” Mush yells. A path ta tha restrooms is unquestioningly formed.

“Thanks, Mush.”

“Anytime!”

“Now put a shirt on!” I holler as I walk away.

“You know ya like me!” Mush taunts.

“In yer dreams!”

I pull on my usual faded blue shirt, black suspenders, dark gray vest, black knickers, brown boots, and gray cap with my brown hair tucked undaneath.

Afta I’m done dress’n, I hear tha guys giv’n Crutchy suggestions.

“Try Bottle Alley or the harbor,” Mush suggests.

“Try Central Park, it's guaranteed,” Race inputs. 

Jack flicks some shav’n cream at Mush and joins in: “Try any banker, bum, or barber.”

“They almost all knows how to read!” Skittery joins.

“I smell money!”

“You smell foul!”

“Met this goil last night!” Mush brags at me. I gag dramatically.

 “Move your elbow,” Crutchy asks Boots.

“Pass the towel,” Racetrack demands, his face covered in soap.

“For a buck, I might!” Skittery jokes, dangl’n it outta Race’s reach. He stumbles and falls inta me, so I push him off.

Tha rest of us join in:

“Ain't it a fine life,

Carrying the banner through it all?

A mighty fine life-

Carrying the banner tough and tall!”

We all jump in line and file down tha stairs. I quickly grab a broom and sweep up tha dust, earn’n an approv’n smile from Kloppman.

“Every morning

We goes where we wishes!

We's as free as fishes!

Sure beats washin' dishes!

What a fine life,

Carrying the banner home-free all!”

I look ova and begin ta see tha rest of tha younga boys wake up. 

“Hiya Becs!”

“Sleep well, Beccy?”

“Morn’n Joey, Dusty, Kenny, Skippy. Can’t complain- but I still can’t get a full night sleep. You’s sleep ok?”

“Yeah, but Skippy threw up. And he’s warm.”

I frown. “Must be a bug or someth’n. Leave him here ta rest fer taday. As fer tha rest of yous- don’t work too hard today, boys.”

I follow tha boys a few block ‘till they split up and continue ta follow tha olda fellas. It breaks my heart ta know that such young kids don’t have a family and have ta sell papes.

“It takes a smile as sweet as butter,” Jack states.

Crutchy adds: “The kind that ladies can't resist.” 

Mush leans in, giv’n me a wide grin. I just punch him and roll my eyes.

“It takes an orphan, with a studda,” Race inputs.

“Who ain't afraid ta use his-” Jack starts.

“Fist!” Blink finishes.

We take off, run’n and jump’n through tha street, unaware of any odda passerbys. Next we have some fun and leap onta some barrels.

“Summer stinks and winter's waitin'.

Welcome to New York!

Boy, ain't nature fascinating

When you's gotta walk?”

 We all run back inta tha street.

“Still, it's a fine life,

Carrying the banner with me chums!

A mighty fine life,

Blowing every nickel as it comes!”

 Crutchy sings:

“I'm no snoozer,

Sittin' makes me antsy.

I likes livin' chancy.”

 We add:

“Harlem to Delancey!

What a fine life,

Carrying the banner through the slums.”

 We stop and notice tha church wagon com’n down tha street. We begin to walk ova and I see tha boys take off their hats. I’d do that same, but then my hair’d come out, and I’d get more attention than I’s need.

 Some Nuns call out ta us:

“Blessed children.

Though you wander lost and depraved,

Jesus loves you.

You shall be saved.”

 They hold out cups of coffee and rolls, and we’s all eagerly reach out.

“Just gimme half a cup,” Race begs. 

Tha nuns always give me dirty looks ‘cause I dress like a guy, but I don’t care. However I do care when they’s neva give me any food.

“Something ta wake me up,” Blink asks.

“I gotta find an angle.” Mush hands me half a roll, which I take gratefully with a smile.

“I gotta sell more papes.” Crutchy holds up his hands.

 “Papers is all I got

Wish I could catch a breeze

Sure hope the headline's hot

All I can catch is fleas.”

 “God, help me if it's not

Somebody help me, please.”

 We jump inta an alley and join in togetha:

“If I hate the headlines,

I'll make up the headline

And I'll say anything I hafta.

'Cause at two for a penny

If I take too many

Weasel just makes me eat 'em afta!”

 “Look, they're putting up a headline!” A group sings. I look where they’s point’n and see: Trolley Strike Drags On For 3rd Week. I groan.

 “What's it say? That won't pay!” Tha rest follow.

 “They call that a headline?

I get better stories

From the copper on the beat!” We all jump ova tha fence and make our way tha tha distribution center.

 “So where's your spot?”

 “I was gonna start at twenty,

Now a dozen'll be plenty.”

 “God it's hot!”

 “Tell me, how'm I gonna make ends meet?”

 We sing togetha:

“We need a good assassination!

We need an earthquake or a war!”

 “How 'bout a crooked politician?” Snipeshooter calls.

 We all shake our heads.

“Hey, stupid- That ain't news no more!

Uptown to Grand Central Station,

Down to City Hall.

We improves our circulation

Walking 'till we fall!”

I sing along, leap’n, dropp’n, and roll’n as I do.

 “Still we'll be out there,”

 “Look, they're putting up a headline

They call that a headline?

The idiot who wrote it

​must be working for the Sun-”

 “-carrying the banner man to man!”

 -”Didja hear about the fire?

Heard it killed old man Maguire-”

 “We'll be out there,

Soaking every sucker that we can!”

 “-Heard the toll was even higher!

Why do I miss all the fun?”

 “See the headline:

Newsies on a mission!”

Kill the competition!

Sell the next edition!”

 “While we're out there-”

We break inta jump’n around tha square.

 “-Carrying the banner through it all!”

 “A mighty fine life,

Carrying the banner

​tough and tall!’

 “I was gonna start with twenty

But a dozen will be plenty

Would you tell me how'm I ever

Gonna make ends meet?”

 “See the headline,

Newsies on a mission!

Kill the competition!

Sell the next edition!

We’ll be out there, carry’n the banner in the-!”

 We all stop and look ova at Morris and Oscar Delancey, tha two guys you most neva wanna see.

“Dear me, what is that unpleasant aroma?” Race jokes, fann’n his face. “I fear tha sewer might have backed up over tha night.”

“Nah, that’s too good a smell. It must be- tha Delancy broddas!” Crutchy taunts.

“Hiya boys!”

Oscar sneers at us, then shoves Snipeshooter ta tha ground. “In the back, you lousy little shrimp!”

I grit my teeth and step up ta fight, but Jack pushes me behind him

Race shakes his head. “It ain’t good ta do that. Ain’t healthy.”

“It ain’t good ta call people shrimps, unless you’s refer’n ta tha family resemblance of yer brodda here,” Jack points ta Oscar.

“Hey, who here’s up for a bet that Cowboy can take ‘em?” Race asks around.

“I’ll take it!” I speak up.

“Well if it ain’t Kelly’s baby sista,” Oscar sneers at me.

I sneer back. “Well if it ain’t Weasel’s goon and his dumber-than-a-box-a-rocks brodda!”

He tries ta grab me, but Jack steps in between us. 

“That’s an insult!” Morris says.

“Yeah, it is.” Jack leans in his face. “And so is this!” He swipes Morris’ hat and takes off run’n, mak’n tha Delancys chase afta him and earn’n a laugh from everybody.

While Jack goes ta taunt tha Delancies, I go inside tha distribution center and hear:

“ Go! Go! Come on! Get tha lead outta yer pants! Come on! Move it! Move it!”

I walk in and smile as I look up and see tha yell’s origin. “Hey, Flix! How’s it go’n?”

“Not now, Becs! I got these numbskulls ta work with! Don’t push it- you’ll have yer papes!”

Flix deals with print’n tha papes, and I likes to annoy him wheneva I can. When I see Jack again, he’s still run’n with Morris’ hat. Typical.

I also see a pair-a newcomers, who are a bit surprised and confused ‘bout Jack’s behavior.

“What’re you doing?” Tha olda one asks when Jack runs up ta him.

Jack looks ova his shoulda, then back at tha kid. “Runn’n!”

I smile wide and run ova ta join in tha crowd watch’n Jack take on Morris:

“Go get 'em, cowboy!”

 “It's a fine life

Carrying the banner-”

 “You got 'em now, boy!”

 “It's a fine life

Carrying the banner-”

 “Go get 'em, cowboy!”

 “It's a fine life-

Carrying the banner!”

 “You got 'em now, boy!”

 “It's a fine life-

Carrying the banner

It's a-

Go!”

We all break out laugh’n and walk up ta tha distribution counter.

“Ya got ‘em, Cowboy!” Race punches Jack’s shoulda.

“You’re too kind!” Jack bows.

“You’re dead, Cowboy!” Morris remarks as he and Oscar retreat behind tha counter.

We all join up again in line. 

“Oh Mista Weasel!” Jack taunts and rings the bell.

Tha window opens, and I hear: “I told ya before, the name’s ‘Whilesel’.”

Jack skims today's pape, while Weasel grows impatient.

“Well?”

“Back off! I’m inspect’n tha moirchandise!” Jack talks back.

I lean in. “Any good today?”

“As good as any old headline- noth’n new. But we’s gonna make it woik.”

When I pass Weasel my 50 cents for my papes (very stiffly, mind ya), he says: 

“Ya know kid, you really shouldn’t be sell’n. People see a goil in guy’s clothes and they get uncomfortable. Maybe try the workhouse-”

“I paid ya my money, now give me my papes!” I pound tha counter. I’s neva gonna work in a sweatshop!

“Watch it, toots. You wouldn’t want another… reminder, would ya?”

Rats. It’s tha Delancies again. Their ‘reminder’ I got last time was a black eye that lasted a whole week!

“I’s leav’n! I’s leav’n!” I bark at ‘em. I start ta go, see’n as I’s got a while ta walk. My sell’n spot’s tha furthest away aside from Race’s.

Behind me I hear: “Didja miss me, Weasel?” I have ta smile. Jack loves ta get on his nerves!

“Good luck today, guys,” I call.

“See ya, Becs.”

Oh yeah, that’s me. Rebecca “Becs” Carlyle, tha only goil newsie resident of tha Manhattan Newsboys Lodging House. Harlem and Jersey gots a few goils, but theys ain’t so friendly. Tha only friends I’s got is tha ‘Hattan newsies, along with a few from Queens. Odda than that I’s never been outside of New York. Our leader and my big brodda, Jack, says he wants ta go ta someplace called ‘Santa Fe,’ but don’t got the money for it. That’s how dreams die: ya wake up with a slap in tha face called ‘reality’. Now we’s just give up on dreams and sell papes. It ain’t much, but it’s a liv’n, and a family-a sorts.

Alright, time to get to work.

Chapter 2 will be out soon, I promise! If you have requests, please let me know! :)

[lululawrence]

After reading your post explaining why 3 concerts in Ohio, I'm curious about your opinion on this. So Louis could have done fewer shows and bigger venues per show (like for example only 1 concert in Ohio but in a big venue) requiring more fans to travel to each concert, and it'll be less effort for him, although I think he enjoys the travelling to new places to see fans. I've been seeing people shade Louis saying he can't sell out MSG like Niall. And I'm here confident Louis can if he put it on his tour schedule and my simple reasoning is that if had fewer concerts around the NY area, it will encourage fans to make a trip to NY for a larger venue show like MSG, but I imagine you know the geography side and ticket buying habits more than me. What are your thoughts?

Oof okay so this is all just my own opinion so people can obviously disagree, but here’s the thing from my point of view. There’s so much more at play than just venue size and geography/demographics to fill it. The larger the venue, the more staff that will be required to put on the show from Louis’ end but also the venue’s end to accommodate the increase in numbers. That often translates to an increase in ticket prices to account for the higher numbers for Louis’ team and their own expenses as well as the cost the venue will pass on to him just to book it etc. something he’s been open about especially in this last round of promo was how he’s making a concerted effort to keep things affordable for the fans, at least as much as he possibly can manage to, and we have a lot of sources telling us that touring costs for the artists only continue to skyrocket (much like everything else right now). So if he chose to do fewer shows but tried to make up for that with larger venues, maybe even booking them for a couple nights to allow people better chances at seeing him there… well you’d basically end up with the residencies Harry did this past year in the US, wouldn’t you? And that was accessible for exactly……….. well. Not very many. Not to totally diss the residencies. As an artist, residencies are big deals and are much easier for them in a lot of ways! I understand the appeal for sure. But if accessibility is your biggest goal, that’s not going to be the way to achieve it.

So could he do that? Yeah absolutely and I’m some cases it would probably be for the best honestly. But he didn’t, at least not here, and I’m personally grateful for that.

So, now we have that lead in, if Louis were to adjust just a few shows and instead do a night at MSG, do I think he could sell it out? Uh, yes. Easily. Like, who the fuck is gonna stop us, right? Lol See, MSG is a special case and a scenario that is different from saying “why not condense the three Ohio shows in smaller amphitheaters to one larger centralized show in nationwide arena?” No one knows what nationwide arena is unless you’re super into Columbus hockey or have attended a previous show there lol it’s not a destination in and of itself or a dream venue anyone has on their list of places to play or attend a concert. For that you need a place like Red Rocks…….or MSG.

So imo announcing a show at MSG alone is going to bring more attention and make people a lot more willing to travel a much further distance than they usually would because… it’s Madison Square Garden. Even my phone knows to capitalize that lol but add to that the fact this is Louis and Louies are not exactly known for being chill or relaxed fans? I have exactly zero doubt that Louis could sell it out. We’d see a higher ticket price most likely due to the larger venue, but I doubt anyone would complain because they’d get the chance to witness Louis on stage in one of the most well known venues out there. That alone seems pretty damn worth it and I think most Louies would agree.

But for now I’m incredibly proud of the guy we all support going out there and doing his best to really get in an easy travel distance for most of the US population in ways almost no other artist has done in recent years all while trying to keep ticket prices at a reasonable level. We truly chose well when we named him our king haha

[shyanshippingsociety]

Shyan Shipping Society - NY Fic Exchange 2023

hello! for our first event of the year, we were delighted to host our third new years exchange, with some incredible art (hosted on our server!) and fics! i’m so excited to bring them to you so let’s get into it! CHECK OUT THE AO3 COLLECTION HERE!

a prayer becomes a vow by idkspookystuff | T, 3K, complete

A newsboy keeps breaking into Shane and Sara's apartment. Shane is intrigued.

TMS Hot Tub Livestream by PlatinumPussycat208 | T, 1K, complete

“Welcome to our VERY FIRST hot tub charity fundraising livestream!” Ryan announced. Beside him, Shane bounced up and down, making the brim of his hat flap, and giggling like it was the funniest thing in the world.

the sigil marked upon you by icantturnthisthingoff | M, 4K, complete

Ryan's always known he was different, up until the age of 15 he had never met another person with a wrist bereft of a name. All he had was a stupid birthmark, but how was he to know of what that birthmark meant.

Ring by teresa_agasgi | T, 1K, complete

Shane & Ryan ring in the new year on a quiet night in.

California Stars by ouijaboy | M, 3K, complete

Ryan first heard the tale when he was riding the Tejon Pass two years ago. And it’s a hell of a story - one he’s entertained Shane with on many a warm night in the fields… The story of Holloway’s Map.

Now I know that here, here I am. by Blue__Jay | E, 12K, in-progress

Shane is unravelling at the seams.

At a first glance, there is nothing out of the ordinary in the jerky movements of his long limbs or the pinch to his brow as he readjusts the frame of the puppet theatre one-handed. Most would call it focus, intense and uninterruptable focus. Ryan calls it a red flag.

OR: Ryan notices something is wrong, Shane has a confession, and together they discover who they are

Shane and Ryan Learn Things At Folk School - Weird Wonderful World by mild_mannered_apricot | M, 5K, complete

In an episode of Weird Wonderful World Shane and Ryan attend a folk school and learn some various crafts. They also learn about the feelings they have for each other. Also Shane gets incredibly horny over Ryan blacksmithing.

We’ve Come A Long Way by Fluffycorn_njst | T, 3K, complete

It’s almost time for the premiere of the newest season of Puppet History and Shane’s hard at work with its upcoming episodes. Ryan stumbles upon his longtime friend working late at night, and after a few shared moments of fondness and pride for how far they’ve come, he finds that their future is not done giving them one more surprise.

Chaotic Good by ChilledLime | T, 1K, complete

Shane didn't expect ghosts to care so much about his interpersonal relationships.

the five times other people noticed (and the one time they did too) by idkspookystuff | T, 2K, complete

Everyone in the office knew Shane and Ryan were dating, save for Shane and Ryan (& Steven).

hope you enjoy! please leave a kudo and a comment if you enjoyed an author’s fic, it really encourages us! 

happy new year from the sss mods! we have so many great plans for 2023; feel free to join us on discord and/or follow us here on tumblr so you don’t miss any of them! thank you to our members for an amazing 2022 and we hope to continue to be a safe place for you to create and form friendships in the new year!

- the mods <3

[hotgirlstiles]

What do you consider essential sterek songs? 💓

OHHHH MY GOD I JUST WENT CRAZY. OJAY!! OKAY:

in my room by frank ocean is THEEE one. i heard this song and instantly i was like i NEED to make a sterek playlist. like she started it all!!!

(also mind you i have 8. EIGHT. playlists for sterek. this might be a little long 🥲😂😅🤣)

BITE ME by kilo kish. just listen to it

home with you by fka twigs DUHHHHH.

seigfried by frank ocean of course. the markings on your surface. your speckled face. i just am a firm believer of derek hale who listens to frank ocean

closer by nine inch nails. It should be in everyones sterek playlist tbh

old money by lana del rey. i love my boyfriend by princess chelsea. NOTHING’S GONNA HURT YOU BABY BY CIGARETTES AFTER SEX. NO EXPLAIANTION NEEDED!!!!

angel by massive attack!!! this is specifically dark derek to me.. ouhhh

YALL THIUGHT I WAS DONE. IM NOT. THATS JUST ONE PLAYLIST.. i have sooo many essential songs for sterek uts drastic

i go to sleep by the kinks as well.. this is just sooo derekpov to me..the lyrics are just so fucking devastating to me... can also be applied to s5 stiles ohgod my tummy hurts

now this is the most important song i think. i bet yall were wondering why i havent even said it yet.. please, please, please let me get what i want by the smiths. or the one by deftones. both just scream DEREK ABOUT STILES so bad !!!! AND ALSO BACK TO THE OLD HOUSE BY THE SMITHS AGHHHHHHH THEEEEE DEREKPOVS ABOUT STILES SONGS likw the lines and youll never know.. how much i really like you cause i never even told you.... and about how he wants to go back to the old house but he cant... GAWD!!!!

distractions by wild painting is SO summer before s3 sterek to me.. like the kinda slow vibes and then the buildup to the bridge... thats just how i see sterek develop always like this crazy and gradual buildup that explodes everywhere

i wanna be good by the walters OHHHH GOD. OKAY THERES A PARTERN. A BUNCH OF DEREKPOV SONGS IT SEEMS.. hes amiling right at me and i feel it in my knees but i dont wanna trust no one.... like hello. god

iris by goo goo dolls. DO I EVEN NEED TO EXPLAIN. and VERY specifically this official live in buffalo, ny. Godfuck

and of course.. francis forever, pink in the night, geyser, and i will, all by mitski 🩷

as a final essential song for sterek…. i’m on fire by the everamazing bruce spingsteen.. 🩷🩷💗🫂

geez... this got too fucking crazy but i hope you like this little playlist almost.. maybe ill make my 9th sterek playlist and its just these songs.... i hope u also see sterek thru these songs like i do.. 💕🎀🍒🧸❤️

[secondguessing-reality]

Manifested Wrong

Written privately some time in December 2022:

What really happened, as of summer 2023:

You’re here. You’re finally here on my side of the country, in my city where you always said you’d be. I’m here with you, not living together yet but I made it, and you did too. We’re dating, we’re together. We speak daily, see each other a few days a week unless we’re busy - which happens to be often but at least we get a few days.

This is cute. You moved in immediately, and not only do we spend time together every single day, we sleep together a few nights a week. We speak all the damn time! <3

Sometimes you come over just to watch me with housework while I sip wine and have music playing in the background. These nights we spend together end in us tangled up together. Sharing details about our day as you help me put away dishes and place a kiss on my neck.

Oh, my beloved. Things turned out so much better than I imagined. I come home from work and everything I have piled on my to-do list is done already, thanks to you. When we spend the evenings together there's nothing to be done EXCEPT become wrapped up in each other. When we're home, we get so absorbed in our love that we don't even have time to get through videos and craft projects like we said we would. We're just too into each other that anything else seems almost like a distraction from our endless conversations.

On the weekends we hang out with our friends, with my sister and her family, my fiancé, or just with each other. We go places, do activities, find new places to try, all the fun things we said we’d do together. We have dinner at the fancy restaurants I like, and we find new cafes constantly. I take you to Rise or Asa's and you brag that nothing is better than NY bagels. It makes both of us laugh.

We definitely spend more time with each other than with anyone else. I'm happy to report that everything else is true, except I haven't taken you to a bagel shop here, yet. Soon!

I show you all my favorite spots in the suburbs that I call my home, a place that always felt solid and familiar. Sometimes we go out to Milwaukee to visit my family, spend time with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I’m not afraid of introducing you, especially to my mother's side. Seeing us in the dynamic doesn’t worry me as I thought it once would.

I've shown you many places that hold meaning to me. I feel lucky I've gotten to see similar places to you. The family that has met you has loved you.

Sometimes we go out East to visit your family, your friends. Sometimes it’s for cons, sometimes it's just back to the Island for little weekends, occasionally it's for the City. We watch sunsets, we walk by the beach, I make an excuse to touch seawater every single time I get near it, you tell me about historically significant buildings and landmarks we pass, we share street food, I point out wildlife. You take my hand as we walk through the villages telling me this is the best love you’ve ever had. 

We've been back twice so far. This prediction was surprisingly accurate! Look at it! Everything came true. Well, take me back to the city for another day of adventures.

We share our traditions, or culture, stories from our upbringing and what its like to be raised by parents raised by immigrants. Things I thought most people wouldn’t understand but you do. The good, the bad, the ugly, the dirty, and the beautiful parts.

In the nights we stay up talking, joking, having sex, watching Netflix, laying next to each other in blissful comfort. We trust each other. I never thought it was possible to trust someone this much, I thought it was a myth, that it was something I only read or see on TV but you make it real. The closeness, the vulnerability. I overcame aversions because I want to be with you more than I’m afraid of being vulnerable. We learned from each other. The lessons we knew we needed to learn. You helped me to rely on others, to be open with others, to ask for help and let people help me. With my fierce love and adoration, I hope I'm helping you learn how to see the greatness within yourself. We’ve grown with each other, becoming better, stronger for each other all with the intention to continue to grow with and for each other.

Wow, okay. All true. Plus a plethora of pets. We've been through so much else the last few months, but when you look at it from December's perspective, I had no idea the depth of our bond could take us this far, and almost too easily.

I open up to you in ways I haven’t opened up to people before. And the best part, you don’t look at me like I’m crazy, or that I’m from another planet. Even if you thought as such you never make me feel alien for it. I don’t need validation, and you know that, but you let me find comfort in you without the fear of feeling like I made a mistake.

I let you be the weak one when you need to be. You want to be strong for me because I AM strong for you and for myself, but you know when to put away the façade and take a break. We lay down on the couch, your head on my chest as I play with your hair. Your long, silver, cloud-soft hair that I love so much. You talk as if no one is listening, opening up about things you keep buried deep. I respect your boundaries and you respect mine but we ask each other questions and tell each other our concerns without having any worry.

And when we look at each other and into each others eyes, we know it, better than we’ve ever known. We’re in love, and we always will be.

This is what I imagined for us. Prayed for. Beseeched the old Gods to grant for us. And it's true, except...

It's so, so much better than I dreamed.

[anthrcpophagi]

SUMMER of JULY 1990. Camp Ameewagan, Catskills, NY, USA

The night air is cool, a bit too cool for a summer night in the Catskills. Maren knows it’s an omen of something bad to come, but she’s determined to make the best of this summer. Maybe even make a friend. Luke was nice, and she hadn't done the bad thing in a while, not since Penny Wilson. And if she started getting the urge she could run off and sneak back into the girls’ cabin before anything could go wrong. It sounded like a fool-proof plan, or at least she wanted to convince herself that it did.

The sticks and dead leaves crunch beneath her sneakers, a graveyard of summer scattered across the forest floor as autumn slowly creeps upon them. She follows Luke, following his scent more than his body. The night is dark and all they have is a little kerosene lantern Luke stole from the storage shack. But he smells like cedar and bubblegum, like sweat and excitement, and she follows it like a shark with blood in the water.

His tent sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of the trees and flora. It’s nothing fancy, but Luke’s smile would make one believe otherwise. His pace quickens as he nears the tent and Maren hurries along after him. She watches as Luke holds open the tent flap for her, ushering her in like a true gentleman. He’d probably seen his father do the same for his mother and he knew it was only fair to respect a lady. Maren had never truly known respect, but she bows her head in thanks and slips into the makeshift hideaway.

He follows her in and as soon as the flap closes, he turns on the lantern, almost as though he timed it to perfection. The light wasn’t very bright, a dull flame that flickered on its last breath, but it was enough to illuminate the patterns on the walls of the tent. The outer layer was a ratty blue tarp that he'd probably stolen from the storage shack, too. But the interior had more personality. The inner layer was a mixture of old Superman bedsheets and Batman beach towels draped over a metal skeleton of what she could only assume used to be a much more sophisticated tent than this. He beamed as she took in the sight of his secret hideout, the light just bright enough to reflect off the edges of his features, rounded cherubic cheeks and a smile with missing teeth. The innocent cheeks of youth, the timestamps of age. It was contagious and Maren actually smiles back at him.

“I like you, Maren. I never shown anyone else this place before.”

She knows it’s a compliment so she nods and smiles gratefully, but there’s a churning in her stomach, a seed of dread bubbling up from her molten core. She doesn’t pay attention to what he says as he rambles on about his summer so far and the things he plans to do between the end of camp and next year’s camper orientation. It’s only when he mentions his father that she tunes back in, like a radio signal, a part of her desperate and eager to live vicariously through someone with two, loving parents.

“My Dad’s gonna teach me to ride a horse next summer. Says I’m not tall enough now, but I should be come next year. He'll get me boots and everythin'.” His smile is wide and it’s obvious he’s waiting for some kind of validation from Maren, but all she can imagine is her own father teaching her to ride a horse. This faceless spectral in her memories holding her hands as she clutched the reins. “Because I’m gonna be a park ranger. Gonna ride horses and protect the animals and forest.”

Maren blinks, and her confusion must be clear enough because he continues. “Like a superhero of the woods. Makin' sure people are camping right, and the animals are safe from hunters and poachers. You know what poachers are?”

She shakes her head.

“They’re people who hunt animals for bad reasons. They kill the innocent animals because they want to, not ‘cause they need to, like the cavemen used’ta.”

“Poachers are bad guys?” She asks as she watches Luke grab a lukewarm Sprite can from his little blue cooler. How long it’s been stashed out here she couldn’t tell, but she could tell by the dripping water that clung to the can that it’d been long enough.

He cracks open the can of soda and brings it to his lips. He takes a sip, carbonated water dribbling down his chin before he wipes it off with the back of his hand. Maren cringes, but he must not see it because he holds out his hand and offers her a sip, ever the gentleman. She shakes her head again, but all she can focus on is the rising warmth in her chest, a gnawing sensation that she couldn’t quite place. She knows she should leave, that she should get back to the girls’ cabin before her counselor notices.

“I should get back. I don’t wanna get in trouble.” The tarp beneath them crinkles as she moves toward the exit, desperate to slip away before the monster inside of her gets too loud.

But Luke grabs her arm and the look on his face is pure and beautiful and his eyes are too sparkly for her to say no.

“Please stay. Just a little longer.”

Maren doesn’t fight against his hold, not that she needed to. Luke Vanderwall was a gentleman, after all, and his grasp on her was gentle, but pleading. She doesn’t sit back down on the tarp, but she doesn’t continue her trajectory to the outside either. Instead, she watches as he rips open a bag of Doritos and offers her a Dorito from his stash of snacks, his fingertips caked in cheese dust and dirt.

Her nose tickled with the overwhelming mixture of aromas. She could smell his sweat and the wet dirt beneath them. She could smell the cheese and citrus scent of the Sprite can, emptied and cast aside. She could hear his heart pounding, the blood of a nervous child pumping as he speaks to a girl he likes.

Maren retreats back into the tent, letting the flap seal the two kids inside once more. As he holds his hand out, Maren knows it’s coming, something bad. Something really bad and she knows she should run and leave now before the bad thing happens, but Luke stares at her with his sparkly eyes and red cheeks and she clenches her fists with defiance. But it doesn’t last long.

In the blink of an eye, she leans forward and wraps her mouth around the triangular chip, a gesture that might’ve been sweet if not for the sweat on her brow and the way her lips enveloped his fingers as well. She bites down, and she doesn’t know if the crack she hears is the corn chip or his bones, but his cry of pain makes her think the latter.

He tries to pull back his hand, scared of the pain but not necessarily of Maren, but her jaw is locked and there's no escaping fate now. Not for either of them. He should be scared of Maren. But there’s hardly any time for the fear to grow because without any further hesitation she’s on top of him, legs straddling his little body as she devours his fingers one by one, moving from wrist to forearm to shoulder until all that was left was the Dorito crumbs on the tarp floor and an eerie silence that felt deafening.

She’d done it again. Just like before, with Penny, but now she was old enough to remember, old enough to know it was wrong. She knows she should feel bad, should cry or scream but all she can do is smile, little giggles bubbling out from her bloodied lips as she feels the adrenaline rush through her. She feels light, like a feather floating down from the heavens, but she knows the feeling won’t last forever.

Come morning, everyone will be looking for little Luke Vanderwall and they’ll never find him. Because she hadn't left anything to find, devouring him bones and all. The camp will shut down early, the parents will be called to come rescue their children, and Mama would know exactly why and what happened. And she will be so mad.

[sweetswesf]

I got a lot done yesterday. Finally got to go to the gym, first of this week. Almost done with my workout, then this buff dude is walking in my direction. I didn’t realize it was a dude from my past…

I met him originally in the street on one of my errand runs. He was on a bike and I knew he wasn’t from here because attractive Black men who are not from the projects here or didn’t grow up typically are with a non-Black woman or trying to avoid all possible eye-contact with Black women.

He was kind of hurried with his proposal for us to hang out that weekend. He was kind of weird looking, but kind of attractive and my standards were on the ground at that moment in my life, so albeit apprehensive, I looked forward to what may be in store. Conversation got sexual fast (red flag), but unfortunately at that point, that’s what I grew to expect. I’ve rarely had guys I’ve been interested in court me.

We texted and I did my research. Found his non-Black girlfriend and Facebook with his real name. The significance of me mentioning that his girlfriend was not Black is because he was QUICK to talk about my Blackness, how Black people have to stick together, blah blah blah. Basically pandering, all while…anyway chile…

I told him I found the stuff and he went bezzerk. I wish I kept that scarring text message but I recently purged all contacts and message histories of things that no longer serve me (I highly recommend). He would say he wants to do something nasty to me, then degrade me when I told him I don’t mess with liars. I blocked his number and he texted me from another. Dude was nuts. You would think I was the one that lied to him or if we saw each other more than once. I was legit scared in these San Francisco streets because I have 0 human protection. I just need Jesus, but also people who stay close to Jesus also get touched, so I admit I was a bit fearful. I even moved away for a little bit after that initial contact with him happened (he wasn’t the reason, but I was glad to get out) but I ended up right back here. That initial encounter happened in 2021.

I saw a dude in the gym a few months ago this year that looked like him, but since I only saw him in person once (but photo many times), didn’t have my glasses on, and I try not to look men in the gym in the face fully, I didn’t think nor want to believe it was him…but after yesterday, I realized it was. Yesterday happened after I said in words how I don’t like to be at the gym late being one of the only women there and out & about on public transportation at night, but it’s hard for me to do mornings because I am EXHAUSTED after workouts and wouldn’t get work done. I’m starting to run out all my options of times and gyms! Also a reminder that my time is running out on San Francisco (but hopefully it’s to go to NY with my new top choice job).

Anyway chile, I was on the tricep dip bar. He found the perfect time to corner me I guess. He hung on the opposite side of the bar. He was VERY friendly, which was a huge shift from how our last conversation went. It caught me very off guard. I didn’t know if I was protected in that moment. Dude is not much taller than me, but is really buff. Could easily choke me out Lmdao. Anyway…

He was looking at me as he was walking toward me, but I avoided eye contact and I thought he was just trying to check me out and then pass. When he waved and got in front of me. He asked me how I’ve been and it was only then did I realize it was him, which is strange for me because I don’t forget a face. I usually would be able to recognize him immediately, but I’m noticing from this and recent social events, I’m getting worse at this…maybe all the trauma my brain is erasing memories to protect me! Lol okay in all seriousness…

He complimented me on my hair like he did the 1st time, which, like I said, for Black men out here is RARE, but he’s from Atlanta and things are…different. I still don’t know what this man does y’all, how old he is, etc. The conversation went similarly to our very first one where he was talking about not really liking it here and Black people sticking together. He playfully hit my arm and I tensed up a bit. He asked if I was nervous and I was like “Uhh yeah, considering how our last convo went.” He said, “You took it well. You were really calm. I was testing the waters.” I confirmed further at that point from that response that I was in danger & that I would probably need to go another gym or to this gym at a different time and change my schedule again.

This gym has the most availability since they’ve closed a lot of their other locations in the city & I have no car. It’s also my cheapest option for the gym. I pay for the whole year here what I would pay in a month at other places, and with a job, adding MORE expenses at this point is a no go.

I told him I needed an apology from him. He did and asked if he could hug me, I said no. He asked if he could shake my hand. He did. He asked why my handshake was so strong and kept my hand in both of his for a little while. The whole time I was thinking how tf can I get out of this? I’m already one of two Black women and one of maybe a handful of women in general on this crowded ass level. He asked if I had his number and I told him “No. I blocked you a long time ago.” He asked for my number, so I grabbed for my phone. He told me to wait and ran a little ways away to grab his phone so I could put mine in his instead. He called me right in front of me and didn’t hang up. I knew he didn’t because I was surprised with a minute long voicemail from him of the background noise during our conversation after I walked away.

He asked what I was doing tomorrow. I told him working. He asked when I was getting off. I forgot my working is studying, but didn’t want to invite him into my reality of unemployment. I don’t even want to be standing in front of you, I don’t even think I need to give you any real details so I didn’t even have the patience to correct him. I just said 6. Again, I don’t know what this man is capable of or what his response will be because he’s obviously not taking social queues, not even after I confirmed the nervousness he picked up and asked him to apologize.

He said, “let’s go grab some tequila,” which was very similar to our 1st conversation where he asked me out to drink. Trust him? Inebriated at that? ABSOLUTELY NOT. This man give me “I put something in your drink without you knowing” vibes TOTALLY. Or “let me take you home now that you’re drunk af”. No, no, no, no. I don’t even want that energy around me.

He gives me very uneasy. I feel uneasy around him. The first conversation in 2021 and the one yesterday, both felt like a distraction sent to me from the devil himself. He’s got a lying spirit. But since I go to that gym, what do I do? Ignore his texts so he can approach me again asking why. If I tell him to leave me alone, I have no clue what that will turn into because he knows where I frequent now? I’ve tried ignoring someone I had to see at work, and they did not let the office prevent them from getting enraged, approaching me, etc. HR did nothing. Do I tell someone? A stranger ain’t getting involved with this. I know one cousin that would MAYBE protect me, but he doesn’t live here. I have stopped trying to make friends here because I have no time to invest in a new friendship right now. Barely even time to invest in the ones I have.

All in all, it serves as more motivation TO GET OUT OF MY SITUATION AND GET A JOB! Hopefully, it’s an omen like last time that a move to NY is coming soon!

Resist the devil of distraction, y’all.

This morning, 9:15 AM: no good morning, no greeting, just a shirtless video of him exercising in the gym with the grey sweats obviously showing a HUGE print. You are supposed to wear clothes in the gym. He is trying to show off and it makes me want to throw up in my mouth a bit. I am repulsed. The guy is a rule breaker and is very chaotic. The guy looks great, but I am also extremely turned off & terrified. It is about him & what he wants, and quite frankly, at my big age & the tribulations in life I’m going through, I have no time for it…Get AWAY from me devil…

[anthrcpophagi-moved]

📼

Send 📼 to see an early childhood memory of my muse’s

SUMMER of JULY 1990. Camp Ameewagan, Catskills, NY, USA

The night air is cool, a bit too cool for a summer night in the Catskills. Maren knows it’s an omen of something bad to come, but she’s determined to make the best of this summer. Maybe even make a friend. Luke was nice, and she hadn't done the bad thing in a while, not since Penny Wilson. And if she started getting the urge she could run off and sneak back into the girls’ cabin before anything could go wrong. It sounded like a fool-proof plan, or at least she wanted to convince herself that it did.

The sticks and dead leaves crunch beneath her sneakers, a graveyard of summer scattered across the forest floor as autumn slowly creeps upon them. She follows Luke, following his scent more than his body. The night is dark and all they have is a little kerosene lantern Luke stole from the storage shack. But he smells like cedar and bubblegum, like sweat and excitement, and she follows it like a shark with blood in the water.

His tent sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of the trees and flora. It’s nothing fancy, but Luke’s smile would make one believe otherwise. His pace quickens as he nears the tent and Maren hurries along after him. She watches as Luke holds open the tent flap for her, ushering her in like a true gentleman. He’d probably seen his father do the same for his mother and he knew it was only fair to respect a lady. Maren had never truly known respect, but she bows her head in thanks and slips into the makeshift hideaway.

He follows her in and as soon as the flap closes, he turns on the lantern, almost as though he timed it to perfection. The light wasn’t very bright, a dull flame that flickered on its last breath, but it was enough to illuminate the patterns on the walls of the tent. The outer layer was a ratty blue tarp that he'd probably stolen from the storage shack, too. But the interior had more personality. The inner layer was a mixture of old Superman bedsheets and Batman beach towels draped over a metal skeleton of what she could only assume used to be a much more sophisticated tent than this. He beamed as she took in the sight of his secret hideout, the light just bright enough to reflect off the edges of his features, rounded cherubic cheeks and a smile with missing teeth. The innocent cheeks of youth, the timestamps of age. It was contagious and Maren actually smiles back at him.

“I like you, Maren. I never shown anyone else this place before.”

She knows it’s a compliment so she nods and smiles gratefully, but there’s a churning in her stomach, a seed of dread bubbling up from her molten core. She doesn’t pay attention to what he says as he rambles on about his summer so far and the things he plans to do between the end of camp and next year’s camper orientation. It’s only when he mentions his father that she tunes back in, like a radio signal, a part of her desperate and eager to live vicariously through someone with two, loving parents.

“My Dad’s gonna teach me to ride a horse next summer. Says I’m not tall enough now, but I should be come next year. He'll get me boots and everythin'.” His smile is wide and it’s obvious he’s waiting for some kind of validation from Maren, but all she can imagine is her own father teaching her to ride a horse. This faceless spectral in her memories holding her hands as she clutched the reins. “Because I’m gonna be a park ranger. Gonna ride horses and protect the animals and forest.”

Maren blinks, and her confusion must be clear enough because he continues. “Like a superhero of the woods. Makin' sure people are camping right, and the animals are safe from hunters and poachers. You know what poachers are?”

She shakes her head.

“They’re people who hunt animals for bad reasons. They kill the innocent animals because they want to, not ‘cause they need to, like the cavemen used’ta.”

“Poachers are bad guys?” She asks as she watches Luke grab a lukewarm Sprite can from his little blue cooler. How long it’s been stashed out here she couldn’t tell, but she could tell by the dripping water that clung to the can that it’d been long enough.

He cracks open the can of soda and brings it to his lips. He takes a sip, carbonated water dribbling down his chin before he wipes it off with the back of his hand. Maren cringes, but he must not see it because he holds out his hand and offers her a sip, ever the gentleman. She shakes her head again, but all she can focus on is the rising warmth in her chest, a gnawing sensation that she couldn’t quite place. She knows she should leave, that she should get back to the girls’ cabin before her counselor notices.

“I should get back. I don’t wanna get in trouble.” The tarp beneath them crinkles as she moves toward the exit, desperate to slip away before the monster inside of her gets too loud.

But Luke grabs her arm and the look on his face is pure and beautiful and his eyes are too sparkly for her to say no.

“Please stay. Just a little longer.”

Maren doesn’t fight against his hold, not that she needed to. Luke Vanderwall was a gentleman, after all, and his grasp on her was gentle, but pleading. She doesn’t sit back down on the tarp, but she doesn’t continue her trajectory to the outside either. Instead, she watches as he rips open a bag of Doritos and offers her a Dorito from his stash of snacks, his fingertips caked in cheese dust and dirt.

Her nose tickled with the overwhelming mixture of aromas. She could smell his sweat and the wet dirt beneath them. She could smell the cheese and citrus scent of the Sprite can, emptied and cast aside. She could hear his heart pounding, the blood of a nervous child pumping as he speaks to a girl he likes.

Maren retreats back into the tent, letting the flap seal the two kids inside once more. As he holds his hand out, Maren knows it’s coming, something bad. Something really bad and she knows she should run and leave now before the bad thing happens, but Luke stares at her with his sparkly eyes and red cheeks and she clenches her fists with defiance. But it doesn’t last long.

In the blink of an eye, she leans forward and wraps her mouth around the triangular chip, a gesture that might’ve been sweet if not for the sweat on her brow and the way her lips enveloped his fingers as well. She bites down, and she doesn’t know if the crack she hears is the corn chip or his bones, but his cry of pain makes her think the latter.

He tries to pull back his hand, scared of the pain but not necessarily of Maren, but her jaw is locked and there's no escaping fate now. Not for either of them. He should be scared of Maren. But there’s hardly any time for the fear to grow because without any further hesitation she’s on top of him, legs straddling his little body as she devours his fingers one by one, moving from wrist to forearm to shoulder until all that was left was the Dorito crumbs on the tarp floor and an eerie silence that felt deafening.

She’d done it again. Just like before, with Penny, but now she was old enough to remember, old enough to know it was wrong. She knows she should feel bad, should cry or scream but all she can do is smile, little giggles bubbling out from her bloodied lips as she feels the adrenaline rush through her. She feels light, like a feather floating down from the heavens, but she knows the feeling won’t last forever.

Come morning, everyone will be looking for little Luke Vanderwall and they’ll never find him. Because she hadn't left anything to find, devouring him bones and all. The camp will shut down early, the parents will be called to come rescue their children, and Mama would know exactly why and what happened. And she will be so mad.