#I’m enjoying myself so far with this show 🥰

[giggly-squiggily]

Sebastian’s looking especially lovely this season 👀🥰

[orangeaurora]

Steve Harrington | Spidey 🕷️

Summary: You get stuck with Steve Harrington as your lab partner in your college biology class but he never seems to show up to class or make time for important homework assignments.

Imma call this aaaaa “people who love to bicker but actually love each other” fic because reader and Steve aren’t mean enough to each other to be considered enemies. :p ALSO! I will GLADLY write a part 2 of this so lemme know 🥰

Author’s note: I haven’t written anything in so long but I love this idea and had to write it myself. I hope you enjoy. 🧡

Warnings: getting cat called, and slightly grabbed (a man grabs your wrist hard but that’s as far as it goes), slight angst, cussing, uhhhh I think that’s it??

Word count: 3.9k

You sat in the cool air of your dorm room, focused on the biology homework in front of you as your roommate Robin was quickly flipping through channels on the TV to find something to watch. “-and Spider-Man!”, you hear quickly before the channel is changed again and your eyes are adverted to Robin. “Hey! Go back!” You say excitingly as Robin shrugs and goes back a few channels. “Okay, stop!” Your eyes light up as J. Jonah Jameson is going on another rampage about the city’s new hero.

“What… this?? I hate this guy.” You shake your head and laugh. “No, not the news guy! Spider-Man!” Robin rolls her eyes and smiles slightly, like she knows something that you don’t. “Ew. You know, there could be a complete weirdo underneath that mask and you wouldn’t even know it.” You shrug and go back to doing your homework. “Doesn’t matter to me.”

“Oh suuuure…” Robin says under her breath. “Huh?” You say with your eyebrows furrowed not actually sure of what Robin had said. “What? Oh, nothing!” She smiles and quickly fills her mouth with a handful of popcorn so she can’t talk anymore.

A few hours later Robin had left the dorm room to go take a shower and you hear a quick, melodic knock on the door. You sigh and stand up from the comfy spot in your bed and shuffle yourself to the door. As you approach the door you hear the sound of small items hitting the floor, followed by a mumbled, “oh, shit, fuck… SHIT!” You swing the door open to reveal Steve Harrington dropping a bunch of boxed candy and bags of popcorn on the floor. His fit frame bent down, picking up everything quickly. “Sorry I’m late, Robin, I got caught up with Spi- OH!” He jumps slightly before finally gathering himself and looks up at you, his smile dropping. “It’s you.” He stands up straight and shrugs, and scoots past you into your dorm room.

“Yeah, come right on in!” You say with a scoff as Steve lays all his stuff on Robin’s bed. “Hm… finally here to do our biology lab, Harrington?” He scoffs and starts pulling out a bunch of movies from his backpack. “Hell no. It’s horror movie night for Robin and I.” His back stays turned away from you as he talks, your eyes burning into the back of his head the whole time. Your arms cross over your chest as you lean your back against your bed. “Soooo, lemme get this straight, you don’t show up for class, you never show up to our study sessions, and now you can’t even help with the lab that YOUR name is gonna be on… even if you didn’t do any of it?” He shrugs and finally turns around to look at you. “Yeah, sounds about right.” He takes a step towards you. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ll figure out how to be included in the lab somehow, okay?” Your eyes narrow at him as you process what he’s saying.

“No you won’t.” You say flatly. Steve’s eyebrows furrow at you, his eyes looking a little bit shocked. “Wh-what do you mean?” You roll your eyes again before grabbing some of your stuff and a blanket. “You say that every homework assignment. I’m tired of picking up the slack for you.” You slug your backpack over your shoulder before walking towards the door. “It’s almost midnight! Where are you going?!” Steve says as he slightly raises his voice, annoyed with you. “To finish our lab, ya know? The one that’s due in…8 hours.” You look at a fake watch on your wrist before opening the door, revealing Robin only a few feet away from your dorm room. “Hey, idiot, where are you going?” Robin says with a smile as you walk right past her. “Enjoy your movie night.” You say to both of them as you make your way to the library.

As you reach the library, you couldn’t help but feel as if there were eyes on you the whole way there. It was a Sunday night on a college campus, lots of kids were finally returning to their dorms after a weekend of partying, but there was no reason to feel unsafe. You shake the feeling before finally finding a study room to finish your lab in peace. Thankfully you get super focused, not allowing your mind to wonder about the interaction you had just had with Steve or about the anxious feeling you had felt only a moment before. Only an hour later, you finished your assignment and smiled. Though, as you look at the top of the page where your name was written in nice, neat handwriting, you freeze for a second, tapping your pencil on the table as you think before sighing, and quickly writing, “Steve Harrington”, right next to yours.

You quickly close your notebook before you can change your mind and shove it into your backpack. The anxious feeling suddenly comes back as you realize you’re the only one in the library. You shake your head and quickly grab your things and start to make your way back to your dorm. Before you can make it to your dorm building you hear a whistle and freeze. “Hey, pretty thing!” Someone yells out and you continue walking. “Oh, come on, I just want to talk!” The voice is getting closer and closer to you as your feet start to move as fast as they can. Unfortunately, you weren’t walking fast enough as there is now a very drunk college boy walking parallel with you. “What? A guy can’t compliment a girl anymore?” He takes a slug of his drink before turning towards you. “Hm, thanks but I’m not interested. Have a good night.” He scoffs. “Come on! It won’t hurt to give me the time of day.” “It might…” you mumble under your breath before feeling a tight grip on your wrist. “What did you say?” He says between gritted teeth. “N-nothing!” Your voice gets louder but before he can respond, another voice is heard from above.

“Now is that any way to treat a lady?” Both you and the man, who’s grip on you loosens, look above you to reveal a figure perched up on a light post. The voice is sarcastic but playful as he shoots his hand out and releases a silk like substance from his hand, throwing the man away from you onto the ground. You stay frozen in your place, not sure if it’s out of fear or confusion. “Wha-?” You can’t even finish your sentence as the perched figure stands and jumps down besides you, your eyes going wide. “S-spider-man?” Your eyes light up as a smile appears on your face.

“Oh! Seems I have a fan?” The tone of the masked man is fun yet comforting, and it reminds you of honey. “Don’t get too close.” He says with a laugh as he walks towards the drunk boy who is still plastered on the ground. The masked man makes his way to the boy and webs him to the floor before crouching next to him. “Now, let’s use our big boy words and tell the girl you’re sorry? Okay?” The boy quickly nods before shaking and looking over at you. “S-sorry.” He looks over at Spider-Man, who’s shaking his head at him. “Hm… one more time. Like you mean it.”

“I’m really sorry, ma’am.” The boy looks back at Spider-Man for approval. “Much better.” Spider-man pats him on the shoulder before standing up, “Enjoy your time outside tonight!” He says as he looks down at the boy still webbed to the ground before turning his attention to you.

“Do me a favor, princess?” You nod your head, mouth slightly agape as you stand in shock still. “Go get to your dorm safely.” He points behind you as he walks backwards, never letting his back turn from you until you start walking away. You clutch your books to your chest before quickly turning around again to see if he is still there. Your heart is beating so fast that you can feel it in your throat, but you still manage to yell a clear, “Spider-Man?” In his direction. He turns back around and looks at you, walking backwards again.

“Thank you…” you say with a small smile. “Anything for you.” He yells back before swinging into the shadows. As soon as you turn around to walk into your building, you bite your lip and smile. “Oh Robin’s gonna love this.” You mumble underneath your breath.

As soon as you open the door to your dorm room, you feel an anxious energy flood over you. Your smile fades as you look over at Robin pacing back and forth and chewing on her nails. As she makes eye contact with you, her eyes light up. “Oh my god, you’re okay! I mean…” she puts her hair behind her ear. “Of course you’re okay, why wouldn’t you be okay? You were just at the library. At the library… in the dark! And I’m really scared of the dark so… in reality I’m just projecting my own fears!! I’m just being silly.” Robin laughs nervously as she sits on her bed. Staring at you with an awkward smile.

“Ooookay.” You say with a small laugh as you sit on your bed that’s across from her. Your smile grows bigger as you two sit in silence. “Oh, god, what??” Robin says with an amused but also grossed out tone. “IsawSpider-Mantonight.” You say under your breath super quickly. Robin squints her eyes at you. “I can’t hear a word you’re saying.” She says as she leans her head in closer to you. “Spider-Man. I just saw him… right now. He… he talked to me, Robin.” Your voice grows louder and louder as you speak, excitement spilling from your body.

Robin rolls her eyes as she lays back into her bed, slamming her back into the mattress. “Oh Jesus Christ, that’s what’s got you all riled up?” If only you could see the smirk on her face. “Robin, he saved me from this super creepy guy… and then called me princess.” Robin sits up from her parallel position and looks at you. “Ew.” She frowns.

Now it was your turn to roll your own eyes as you laugh and throw one of your pillows at her. “Whatever.” She laughs now too and throws one of her pillows back. “I’m happy for you, idiot.” She smiles as she lays down and pulls her blanket over her body. “Now go to bed and dream about your little spider boy.” She giggles and lays her head on her pillow, you mirroring her actions. “Oh I plan on it.” You mumble and fall into a deep sleep, every dream including the masked man who saved you tonight.

When you wake up in the morning, you quickly check your phone to see what time it is, and it immediately puts you into a panic. “Shit!” You say as you throw your blanket off of your body and pick up a pair of dirty jeans off of the floor and tug them up your legs. “What… are… you doing?” Robin grumbles as she covers her face with her pillow. “My stupid lab is due today and class starts in like…10 minutes.” You scoff as you pull a t-shirt over your head. “And lord knows Steve isn’t gonna show up and present anything so if I’m late that means both of us are going to get zeros.” Robin groans as she turns over in her bed. “Good luck.” She says as she throws a thumbs up over at you. “Mmhmm… thanks, R.” You quickly run your fingers through your hair as you shrug with approval and grab all your things, making your way quickly out of your dorm and to your class.

You had never walked faster to a class in your life. Your feet were moving a million miles a minute as you approached your classroom. That is until you hear a voice from beside you. “You look like you’re in a rush.” You stop in your tracks as you look at the boy and scoff. “Wow, decided to show up today, huh?” You look up at him, Steve. He shrugs and puts his hands in his pockets. “Decided I had enough time for you today I guess.” Your eyes squint at him for only a moment before you scoff. “Okay, Harrington.”

You shake your head as you quickly dig through your backpack and pull out the notebook that had your lab written in it, slapping it in Steve’s hands. “Review that as we walk.” You say as your feet start moving towards your classroom again. “You have a lot to catch up on. Come on, looks like we are both in a rush.”

Steve quickly follows behind you as he looks down at the lab in his hands, a smile forming on his face. “You know you really don’t have to give me credit for any of this… you shouldn’t.” You shrug as you look up at him. “You’re smart, Steve. I know you are. You just… are occupied. It’s okay. I’ll cover for you.” You smile up at him as he looks down at you with a glimmer in his eyes, the sun hitting off of the rim of his glasses perfectly.

“We could make a deal? I’ll do the next lab by myself. I promise.” You can’t help but laugh at Steve’s words as you shake your head. “Yeahhh not holding you to that promise, Harrington. Though, I do appreciate the offer.” Steve stops walking for a second, softly grabbing your wrist. “No, I’m serious, please, let me make it up to you.” Your eyebrows furrow as your eyes meet his, seriously considering his offer. “Fine. Pinky promise me, Steve Harrington.” Steve rolls his eyes as he holds out his pinky. A sweet smile on his face as a curl falls down into his face. “Pinky promise.” He slightly whispers as you two lock fingers. As your fingers lock and your eyes meet one another’s, you feel a flutter in your chest. It feels like time is frozen until you both get knocked out of whatever trance you’re in with each other when Steve looks down at his watch that’s on the hand that is currently interlocked with yours. “Okay but seriously we should probably get to class.” You release your hand from his as you nod quickly. “Mhmm, yeah. Class.”

As you and Steve are waiting for your turn to present, you can see Steve getting antsy. His leg shakes up and down as he chews on his thumb nail, his eyes staying in one place, his face showing that though his body is in the classroom, his mind is not. “Hey…” you whisper over at him. “Relax. We’re gonna do fine.” Steve looks at you confused. “Hm? I know that.” He shakes his head and goes back to chewing on his nails, his eyes darting down at his watch over and over again. You start to grow nervous that Steve might walk out on you right now. It wouldn’t be the first time. Finally, your names are called to present your lab and Steve sighs in relief, quickly standing up.

You guys present your lab almost perfectly, besides the fact that Steve could not slow down his speech, making it known he was in a rush. As soon as you said the last word of your presentation, Steve darted out the door. You smile at your professor awkwardly and then to your classmates. “Thank you…” you say quietly as you make your way back to your seat. The seat next to you now uncomfortably empty.

As soon as class is over you close your books and make your way to your dorm. You are incredibly thankful that you have no more classes for the day as you walk through campus. You can feel your throat start to close as tears brew in your eyes. Just once you wanted Steve to actually care. So many missed homework assignments, so many missed presentations, and now, finally when Steve shows up, he reminds you once again that none of this matters to him. Did you matter to him? Why would you? He’s Robin’s friend. You’re just his lab partner. You somehow wished you were more. After almost a whole year of being put on the back burner by Steve Harrington, you still expected more from him. Wanted more from him. You quickly wipe the tears that fall down your cheeks before a voice is heard from above.

“Hey, princess!!” The voice yells down. You jump slightly before looking up and seeing your favorite masked hero looking down at you. “Why the long face, sweetheart?” You laugh softly, wiping your tears clean off of your face. “I think you have better things to do than help a girl with her feelings.” You yell back with a smile. Spider-Man quickly jumps down and takes up the space right next to you. He shrugs, “my job comes with many responsibilities.” He starts to count on his fingers as he speaks. “Beating up bad guys, helping old ladies get their cats out of trees…helping old ladies cross the street, OH and watching pretty girls walk home.” One of your eyebrows goes up as your face contorts into amusement.

“Oh so I have a stalker now?” Even though the man has a mask on, you can feel the worry on his face as he gasps. “What? No… no! That’s not what I meant! You know that’s not what I meant!” He says awkwardly and in a panic as he puts his hand on his head. “I just mean… you know, you never know what could happen because of that… creepy guy the other night.” He leans his back on the wall of the building you guys are standing next to, trying to be slick and cover up what he had said. You can’t help but laugh as you step closer to him. “Well then I guess I’m honored.” As you look at the masked man, you can’t help but feel a longing for him. You want to know his secrets, what he looks like. His favorite color and favorite movie. You want to know him. Not Spider-Man, but the man in the mask. Your smile fades as you look toward your dorm building.

“Well, I shouldn’t keep you. It’s uh, it’s sweet of you to check on me.” You start to walk backwards, making your way to your dorm. Spider-Man sighs as he throws out his hand and swings back up to the light post he was on only minutes ago. “Don’t be a stranger.” He yells down. “How could I be??? You’re stalking me, remember??” You yell back at him as he shakes his head and laughs. “In your dreams, princess!” He yells one last time before swinging away. Oh if only he knew.

You spend the rest of the day longing for another interaction with Spider-Man. Just from the two small interactions you had, he made you feel like you mattered. As you sit cuddled up in your comforter, you can hear laughter approaching your room before Robin walks in with Steve. “Oh, sorry dingus number two! I didn’t know you’d be home yet.” You sigh as you sit up and look at them both. “No problem.” A small smile forms on your lips as Steve looks over at you. He waves and scratches his neck nervously. Robin looks at you both and rolls her eyes with a loud groan. “Oh get over it already you two. I can not have my two best friends be this awkward with each other all the time. It’s killing me!” She grabs a few popcorn bags and walks towards the door again. “I’m going to the lounge to make this. You two…” she points at you both back and forth, “work this out right now. She’s joining us for movie night tonight.” Steve looks at Robin with furrowed brows and slumped shoulders, almost begging her not to leave. Like they both know something you don’t and they are communicating with their minds.

Robin tilts her head at Steve and he rolls his eyes with a quiet, “okay, fine, fine…” leaving his lips, his hands going up in surrender. Robin quickly makes her way out of the dorm room, slamming the door behind her. You can’t help but laugh at her dramatics, Steve joining in right after. “Awkward? Pft… we aren’t awkward.” Steve says as he leans against Robin’s bed, arms crossed over his chest. You smile at him and roll your eyes before pointing between the two of you. “Oh, this isn’t awkward?” He shakes his head with a smug smile. “Nah…” he laughs before sighing and looking down at the ground. “I’m sorry… about earlier. I wish I could make it up to yo-,”

“Don’t worry about it.” You quickly cut him off, not wanting to get upset, but Steve shakes his head. “No, I am worried about it. I’m sorry.” You frown slightly at him before speaking. “I just want to know why, Steve. I know I’m just your lab partner, but…” you shake your head at your own words. Steve squints slightly at you, wanting you to keep going. “But what?”

You scoff again. “Nothing. Seriously. You have better things to do, I understand that.” Steve frowns back at you now as he glides his hand through his hair. “I just wish I could explain…” you shrug at him. “There’s nothing to explain, Steve. You have your life, I have mine.” Steve pushes his glasses up his face before sticking his hands in his pockets. “Whatever you say, princess.” You smile as you look down in your lap, but suddenly a voice in the back of your head repeats the word princess back to you. It’s not the word, it’s the way he said it. It’s not mocking you, it’s sweet…like honey. You freeze, mouth going slightly dry as your head shoots up to look at him, eyes going wide in shock. The nickname, of course you’ve heard it before.

“What?” Steve says with a small chuckle, noticing the way you're suddenly studying his face. The chuckle that leaves Steve’s lips suddenly sounds familiar to you. He’s busy all the time because he is Spider-Man. A voice says in your head before you shake it away. “Nothing…nothing! We’re good, Steve, I promise.” Your mind is still running wild. You try your best to hide your thoughts, not wanting to look crazy. Steve smiles and holds out his pinky, just like earlier. “Pinky promise?” You take a deep breath before locking fingers with him again. “Pinky promise.” You smile and just as you’re about to say something else, Robin barges in the room with two bowls full of popcorn, she smiles wildly as she looks at your fingers interlocked. “Awwww… dingus one and dingus two just needed some alone time!” She says as you and Steve both roll your eyes and let go of each other’s hands. You look over at Steve one more time, his curly hair dangling in his face, his glasses perfectly framing his face, and you can’t help but smile.

Maybe your connection with Spider-Man ran deeper than just having a crush on a masked superhero. Maybe he’s been in front of you this whole time and you’ve never realized it. Whether your sudden realization was real or not, Steve Harrington had his secrets, but so did everyone else. Maybe you’d never know who was behind the masked hero, but suddenly, it didn’t matter.

[biggieandsweets]

When did you figure out that your a feeder

Honestly, figuring out that I was a feeder (or even part of this community) was such an interesting journey. It wasn’t an “a-ha” moment for me; it was more like I thought I just liked tall guys at first. When I was younger, some cartoons showing weight gain made me feel all fuzzy inside, but I didn’t connect the dots until late high school. That’s when I made the first step—stumbling across some videos online about guys gaining weight—and, well, it was pretty much over for me after that 🤤😩.

At first, I liked guys who were maybe around 220 max. I felt weird about it, though, and always second-guessed myself. Slowly but surely, I started opening up to this whole new world. Bigger guys started looking cuter and cuter 🥰, but I was always on edge because of how embarrassed I felt. Whenever I got that fuzzy feeling about something I liked, I’d just shove it down and ignore it. I didn’t want anyone to think I was weird.

Eventually, though, I took the leap. I dated someone who was 250 and gained to about 350 for me, and from there, there was no going back. I started my first Tumblr blog, and everything just kind of spiraled from there. I realized there’s nothing cuter than a big guy—there’s just nothing I don’t love about them. Big appetites, big soft hugs, cuddles, and how much more handsome they are 🤤✨. And I especially love when a guy embraces himself fully.

As for the feeder question, I didn’t even think of myself as a feeder until I fully embraced this side of me about 10 years ago. I’d say I’m definitely a soft-core feeder at heart. I want to share snacks, cuddle, rub his belly, sneak my hand under his shirt in public, and call him my big cutie a.k.a the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen 😌. I think I’m more of an encourager, but it completely depends on my partner and how comfortable they feel. If it’s not consensual, it doesn’t do anything for me—I just can’t enjoy it unless my partner is on board and having fun.

At the end of the day, this kink isn’t at the forefront for me. My partner is #1, always 🥰. It’s more of a lifestyle than anything—just loving a big guy for who he is. Honestly, I’m still figuring out exactly what kind of “feeder” I am. Time will tell!

Either way, I feel so lucky to have my big cutie by my side (he’s currently around 435ish, but you’d never guess it because he’s so tall 😏✨). We actually met on Feabie, and he’s literally the best in the world. I love how he fully embraces his appetite, but right now we’re on a bit of a gym kick together as he’s trying to get stronger and lose a bit of weight, but I love that he supports me. Honestly, he’s the sweetest man ever and the best partner I could ever ask for. That’s all I could ever ask for, and that’s my journey so far! 💖✨

[theeccentricraven]

The 14th Day of Writemas, Part 1! 😮🎄

Thank you again @agirlandherquill for the the wonderful writing prompt and tag game in one! I've really been enjoying these ❤️😊To anyone who would like to know the rules of this tag game, check out the invitation post and feel free to join in!

I slept in late on this Saturday so I got a pretty late start with this, but I made it in the end 😄 For the Day 14 writing prompts, it was a little hard for me to choose. There were two that were so perfect I decided to do both. I picked "The joy of seeing" and "the pain of leaving". Both are kind of long so I decided to create two posts. For the first one, I decided to work on rewriting a scene from The Blood Cleaners that involves Justin enjoying the beauty of the night. The scene was inspired by the beautiful song by Malukah, "I follow the moon" a song that touches me so much that I plan to incorporate it into all of my stories. Much of this scene is also silly romantic dialogue. 😘🥰

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Justin navigated the night much easier with the clear sky above. The waxing gibbous and stars lit the ground like a ghostly glow. The silhouettes of the farms, distant Urbia, and the Steel loomed against the horizon. No need for a flashlight, allowing him and Joselyn to evade security for another night.  He met Joselyn at the same spot in the green field with the tree where they carved their names. She already had her favorite red and orange blanket laid out. She also had her lantern out. They were far enough away from any road and house that no one would see the lantern light. As Justin always said, if they were far enough to not smell a blood spill, they were far enough away from people.

As Justin lay down next to her, he yawned. 

“I’m not tired,” he lied. 

Joselyn chuckled. “We’re two and a half hours past bedtime. I don’t blame you.”

The two lay flat on the blanket, staring up at the stars. The waxing moon glowed against the canvas of the night. The stars were like a white sweets that glittered against a bluish black blanket. The purple hues of the Milky Way beamed like a strange cloud. Never had Justin’s eyes seen such beauty. 

“Jos,” Justin said in awe, “you don’t know what you have.”

“What do you mean, Jus?”

“In the tunnels, we don’t see the stars and moon. We’re stuck with the concrete ceiling.”

Joselyn put her fingers in his hair. “You’re right. It’s beautiful. I actually liked homework assignments that called for me to go out at night and look for the constellations and moon phases and all that. But I still like staying at your place. It feels so cozy. And it’s away from my papá. It just doesn’t have the moon.”

Justin stroked her hair in return. “I’d stand on my toes and pick up the moon from the sky if I could. And I’d give it to you.”

Joselyn giggled. “Jus, if you ask me, the moon is just hanging there like it’s waiting to be taken!”

“Well, yeah. It wants you to hold it in your hands.”

Joselyn snorted. “Oh, Jus, that gift would beat any copper ring or box of sweets!”

“Of course! You deserve the best!”

She brushed her nose against his. She traced a shape on the blanket, like she was thinking. “You know what, Jus, that moon reminds me so much of myself.”

“Of course, Jos, you’re just as pretty as la luna up there.”

 “Not in that way. It’s more to do with how…well…you’ve seen the phases of the moon, correct?”

“I have.”

“Just as sometimes the moon is full and sometimes half sized, I feel like sometimes I’m full and sometimes I’m half empty. When the moon is black, it’s like I’m not there, but hiding. Hiding from all that life throws at me. And when the moon is rising, I’m rising.” Joselyn took her hand out of Justin’s hair and held his hand. “And when I feel full, and when I rise high, it’s when I’m with you, Jus.”

He squeezed her hand. “Jos, you deserve some credit, too.”

“For what?”

“Working your butt off. Surviving just as you promised. Saying what needs to be said. Showing that you mean it when you say you care about others. Because you do.”

“Thanks Jus. That’s sweet of you. But seriously, what you’ve done…. The whole town has been talking. It’s like a lazy bull was kicked and woke up. Those children have a better life and a better future. All because of you. And they don’t even know that they have you to thank.”

Justin felt a little sheepish. “I don’t know. I still can’t understand it. How am I doing it? What exactly is happening when I’m talking to the machines? Is it magic? Am I a wizard? Aren’t they just making believe?”

Joselyn rubbed his shoulder. “I don’t know, Jus. What you’re doing questions everything the teachers taught us. Maybe magic is real. Or maybe it’s something else. I almost wonder if the Fists would know exactly what it is, but they would never tell us. Like it’s a secret.”

“Honestly, if they knew, I’d like some answers. Sometimes not understanding what it is just drives me crazy. Maybe I am just crazy. A freak of nature”

“Jus, you are the most sane person I know. And the kindest, sweetest, handsomest….”

Justin grinned. “Jos, if you’re going to make me blush, I’m going to make you blush. You’re the most beautiful, caring, sexy…”

Joselyn roared with laughter. “Don’t go there!”

“Hey, you deserve a compliment, Jos!”

“Wipe that stinker look off your face, Jus!”

Justin widened his grin.

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and Open!

[junkpuppet225]

Heads up, not a Daryl X Reader (because I like to name my OC’s (although I’m not feeling this one’s name (no offense if it’s your name - it’s a great name just doesn’t flow well with Daryl for me) I can’t think of a better one atm) and I like them blonde. Daryl has a type y’all.) Also major spoilers for the series starting now! This is just something that came to me during my rewatch. (I’ve almost made it to the end again. Man these last few seasons are ROUGH.) If you read it let me know what you think and if I should continue and make it into a full blown fanfic.

Notes: Starts out Season 11 Episode 4. Daryl and Leah reunite but thanks to the wonders of fan fiction I can do whatever I want and he never went back for her in Find Me. Sorry girl, ya just weren’t the one. After Leah finds out about Turner she let’s Lacey go, she finds her way back to Maggie and the story plays out like it did on the show until Episode 9 where Daryl’s trying to get back to Maggie. That’s where I’ll start it back up one day. Lemme know what ya think! 🥰

Summary: Daryl met Lacey the night he came to Hilltop after being Negan’s prisoner and they became friends which quickly turned into something more for both of them. Then Rick “died” and Daryl left. This is how they piece back together what they once had. Enjoy!

xxx

Piece by Piece

Lacey

“Let ‘er go and I’ll tell ya whatever ya wanna hear.” Daryl mutters keeping his eyes cast down as Leah glares at him from the other side of the cell bars. Across the hallway I’m trying to push myself up from the concrete, soaking wet and gasping for air.

I’ve never been water boarded before. Check that one off the bucket list.

“You know her.” Leah says with pain in her voice. “You care about her.”

“I done told you - I ain’t with them. She ain’t either. You’re torturin’ an innocent girl, for nothin’, - that ain’t you.”

“You don’t know anything about me!” Leah snaps and crosses the hall jerking open my unlocked cell door to grab me by my wet hair - forcing my face up to Daryl’s. I close my eyes tightly and will away the tears threatening to fall. “You know him!” She screams as I shake my head no while more water rushes from my drowned lungs. “You’re with the group on the road - both of you! Tell me where they are!”

Call it star-crossed ingenuity or just plain luck but somehow Daryl and I have managed to give this psycho bitch the same story without even speaking to each other. We don’t know each other and we sure as hell don’t know anything about Maggie. Just two assholes with a serious case of wrong place wrong time. My heart is racing in my chest… probably from the water boarding but I like to think it has something to do with how in-tuned Daryl and I are even after all these years.

Leah’s not buying it though and socks me across the jaw to assure everyone in the dimly lit room just that. “Didn’t peg you for a desperate bitch.” Daryl mutters - oozing nonchalance as I spit out a mouthful of blood just to have my captor slug me again. You can stop talking anytime now Dixon.

X

Seeing Daryl for the first time would be a memory etched into my very core until my dying day, blue eyes lingering far to long at the battered and broken man dragging his feet behind Jesus as they push their way into Hilltop’s infirmary. The haunted look in Daryl’s gaze still keeps me lying awake to this day because even after all this time - it’s still there. I don’t catch it as often now - he’s allowed himself to heal over the years - barely, but that first night in Hilltops infirmary as I cleaned him up and dressed his wounds I thought there was nothing left of the man sitting before me.

“Daryl, whatever happened - with Negan? It’s not your fault. I just want you to hear that from someone who wasn’t there. Okay?”

Daryl only grunted his responses for the first four days at Hilltop so we sat in silence and I watched him - the way his body would jerk violently in his sleep, the absolute grief that washed over him at the most random times and the tremble of his hands as he clutched his fingers together to try and will it away.

The first time he spoke to me I knew his was the only voice I would ever long for.

“Don’t need yer sympathy. Don’t deserve it.”

I remember being so surprised by hearing his deep voice that it took me a solid minute to register his words - watching him stare down at the deep groves in the worn wood of the picnic table outside the infirmary. Gregory never came down this far - he’d never burden himself with checking on the sick or injured so this was where Daryl stayed - to keep away from our loud mouthed leader. To be alone with his thoughts.

“Concern and sympathy aren’t the same thing.”

Then he was back to grunting. Eventually time heals wounds…, or at least allows us to learn how to better hide the pain. The first time I heard Daryl laugh? The way his breath hitched in his throat and the smile that spread across his face? That night sealed my fate.

I kissed him because I’d still be waiting for him to make the first move if I hadn’t but when he kissed me back I saw stars. The way his rough hands sank into my hair and his body pressed to mine. The gasps that rushed from my lips while he fucked me into oblivion. Behind closed doors Daryl treated me like I was the absolute center of his world - kissed me like his very life depended on it - he even told me he loved me once, whispered softly against my throat in the darkness.

I would have followed Daryl to hell and back except hell found us and we never left. Rick died and Daryl couldn’t accept it.

“I let two fuckin’ brothers die on MY watch! I can’t…, I can’t fuckin’ sit here and play house with you Lacey. I belong out there.” The grief that clung to his words still haunts me to this day. “Then take me with you.”

The last time I heard Daryl laugh it broke my heart.

“Nah. Girl like you? Don’t belong out there. Ya don’t belong with me.”

I watched with tears in my eyes as he loaded his gear and left Hilltop in search of Rick without even saying goodbye. When he’d ride in from time to time to visit Judith and RJ or to trade with the communities he never spoke to me, never lifted his head in my direction and when Maggie said she was leaving Hilltop a few years later - I went with her.

X

Daryl

“Leah. Listen to me, this ain’t you. She’s just someone they met on the road - same as me. I watched ‘em from the tree line, watched ‘em trade her some food for half her medical supplies. That’s the reason I showed myself to ‘em. I was starving.”

“Why didn’t you just take what they had? I’ve seen you fight a field of walkers!”

I lift my eyes to hers slowly. Whoever Leah was back in that cabin in the woods six years ago is not the woman standing before me today. “‘Cause that ain’t me an’ you know it.” I watch Leah drop Lacey to the ground with a frustrated growl as the smaller woman continues to pull air into her ruined lungs. Seeing her like this - knowing what the fuck they’ve done to her has my insides humming with rage but I can’t blow our cover. She probably hates my guts and she hasn’t blown mine. “Let her go and I’ll do whatever the fuck you want Leah. I’ll go hunt these fuckin’ people down myself.”

“You care about her.”

This is one of the reasons I’ve kept to myself all these years. Fucking women. We all have one mutual enemy in this world - the dead trying to kill us yet I’m sitting here arguing with a fucking psycho ex girlfriend.

“How many times do I gotta tell ya? I don’t fucking know her! All I’ve ever heard her talk about is the kid she lost. Says she buries all the kid walkers she comes across because of it. S’a fuckin’ waste’a time.”

Leah’s eyes go wide and I know I’ve hit my mark.

When I first met Lacey I didn’t even know she was in the room with me until she brushed her fingers through my disgusting hair trying to access the damage to my face as I flinched away from her touch. That first night at Hilltop I kept zoning out, kept getting lost in my fucking head to the point Lacey had to softly remind me to breathe until I finally passed out from exhaustion.

She was the first person I ever met that didn’t try to pry all of my secrets from me at once. She let me sit with my thoughts in silence until I couldn’t take her troubled gaze anymore. It wasn’t sympathy in her pale blue eyes - it was something much worse. Concern. Like she really gave a shit about someone like me.

The first time I spoke to her I wasn’t kind. I didn’t thank her for all the hours she spent physically putting me back together. I told her I didn’t deserve her sympathy - knowing she offered none - but her concern for me made her cross that small trailer when I woke up screaming later that night. I could have really hurt her, could have fucking killed her the way I grabbed her as she placed a small hand on my chest to rouse me from yet another nightmare but her soft voice soothed me out of my terror and she never mentioned the pain I know I caused her.

It took a long time for me to even get back to half the man I was before we met Negan and that’s not saying much cause I was pretty fucking lost way before that but it was months after Negan was locked up in Alexandria that I allowed myself to relax. I wouldn’t even use the word allowed. It’s just something that happened. I was so fucking exhausted from all of it that when I stumbled down the stairs after a hot shower and found Lacey sitting alone at the kitchen table I let her kiss me. The things she let me do to her after that will forever be etched in my brain. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss the feel of her body or the sound of her voice. After Rick died I couldn’t stand the thought of him being out there roaming the world as one of those things. Lacey never asked me to stay - never forced me to choose she just asked to come with me and I broke her heart.

I watched the light dim from her beautiful eyes the day I packed my things and left Hilltop without a word. When I finally saw her again - six years later by Maggie’s side it had yet to return. Lacey was different now too - she was quiet and that look I first saw in her blue eyes, the concern she had for people? That was long gone.

I came back for you. When I didn’t find Rick along the whole fuckin’ coast I knew he wasn’t out there so I came back… to apologize to ya. To tell ya how fuckin’ lost I am without you…. but I guess I’m too late.

Three words is all she’s spoke to me since she showed up with Maggie two weeks ago. No bullshit about burying kids or reassuring words that she forgives me for leaving her. I watched her lift her blue eyes to mine, wisps of blonde hair blowing around her pretty face.

“Yeah, you are.”

X

“Jus’ let her go. I’ll help ya find these people - I swear.”

I watch Leah pace the narrow hallway between our cells, glancing back to Lacey who’s eerily quiet. Anxiety pulls at my heart as I watch her lying lifeless on the cold ground and then Leah kicks her in the stomach, bringing her back to life as a deep groan fills the room.

“What do you know about these people?” She demands, finally stepping away from Lacey to return to my side - prison bars between us. I lift my eyes from Lacey as she wraps her arms around her torso in pain. “I don’t know shit. I’ve never lied to you Leah. Never and I’m not gonna start now.”

Leah sighs in frustration again. “I’d help you if I could - you know I would. Just give me dog and let us go. You’ll never see me again.”

“Is that what you want?” The pain in Leah’s voice lifts Lacey’s head from the ground and our eyes meet for the first time in a long time. “I came back for you, Leah. I looked everywhere for you. I’m sorry you ended up with these people - you belong with me… but her? She’s not like us. She’s weak - just some girl on the road. Let her go and I’ll help ya.”

A thud brings Leah’s attention to the lone door but my eyes stay on Lacey who doesn’t even flinch at the sudden noise. I watch the silent tears run down her pale cheeks. I don’t know if she’ll make it out of here alive. Hell, I don’t even know if I will but I hope she knows I didn’t mean anything I just said. She’s the only person I’ve ever came back for - the only woman I’ve ever loved. Leah has to think she’s some weak heart broken girl who also lost a kid or else she’ll kill her. I just hope one day I get the chance to tell her how much she meant to me.

Some asshole in Leah’s group pushes through the hallway, nodding to the exit.

“What is it?”

“…found Bossie.”

Leah stands quickly with a gasp. “…and Turner?”

The Reaper shakes his head silently telling her he’s dead. I lift my eyes to Leah as she covers her face, grief washing over her as she looks to Lacey’s crumpled form still clinging to the damp floor. “….take her back to the road and leave her. Make sure she gets what she came here with.”

“What about him?”

I watch Leah turn back to me slowly.

“I’ll get what we need out of him.”

X

[shipmistress9]

Made to Order - 7 - Finale

Here it is, the final chapter! Or is it? No, no, no, yes, it's the final chapter. This is where and how I wanted this story to end. (The epilogue and additional scenes are another thing.)😊 And after some insecurities, I'm now really happy with how it turned out, as well. So, I hope you'll enjoy it. 🥰

Previous Chapter

AO3

. o O o .

I’m not quite sure whether to kiss or to strangle Liam.

During one of her latest visits, he invited Violet to come and sit with him at the work table in the bakery—in my seat—instead of the sitting area in the front room. Because he had work to do and that way, they could still chat comfortably. Or that’s the excuse he used when we both know he’s just trying to make my life even harder.

The worst thing, however, is that the stupid part of my brain quite enjoys having her here. It feels good to have her around as more than just a customer, maybe even as a friend. It feels right.

But that’s also the problem. I shouldn’t get used to her this way. Instead, I should reinforce the boundaries between us, so something like the incident, as I’m calling it in my mind, won’t ever happen again. I should wean myself off her company so it won’t be as bad once she’s not a part of my life anymore.

But I’m far too fucking greedy when it comes to her. I might be strong enough to keep my distance, physically that is, always finding something to do when she’s here instead of getting too close again. But I’m certainly not strong enough to do what I should—tell her that her being back here isn’t appropriate, or that she shouldn’t come over every other day at all. Fuck, I’m not even strong enough to keep my eyes off her whenever she’s distracted.

She’s like the sun, bringing warmth and light into my life. And once she’s gone, it’ll be dark and cold, even though I know getting any closer to her will be my ruin.

. o O o .

“I don’t know how you do this,” she complains as yet another ‘petal’ tears. After Liam showed her the basics, she’s now practising making a simple flower from petal paste, just for the fun of it. But… she’s even worse at it than I was in the beginning. “I’m doing exactly the same as you.”

Liam chuckles and shakes his head. “You’re copying my motions well enough. Good observance, by the way. But it’s about more than just that. You need to apply the right amount of pressure with the ball tool to thin the edges and get these waves into them. And even more importantly, you need to work quicker. You’re too hesitant and by the time you’ve picked the right spot and angle, the paste is already too dry and hard. Less thinking, more action.”

Violet huffs and tries it again. And even though I’m in the process of measuring flour, I can’t tear my eyes away from her. The look of concentration on her face is just too cute, with that tiny line between her eyes and the way her tongue peeks out between her lips. Adorable.

Without a warning or any provocation, her eyes flicker up to meet mine, and I hastily turn away, cursing as I spill flour all over the counter in the process.

“Everything okay over there?” Liam asks, and I feel like punching him straight in the face for the fake innocence in his voice. “Not like you to be so clumsy.”

“Oh, fuck off,” I mutter, my cheeks heating up as I turn my focus back to the sponge mixture I need to prepare for the next cake. Honestly, how much of a fool can I make of myself? The answer is apparently ‘Yes!’.

This is why I still think throttling Liam for inviting her is the better option. As if I need more opportunities to fuck up. As if it’s not difficult enough already to keep my distance. Impossible, actually…

It only takes a couple of minutes, all of us working in comfortable silence, before I already can’t keep myself in check anymore again. Covertly I steal a glance over my shoulder at her, knowing just how much I’m risking here. If she looks up again as well, it won’t be long before she catches up on what’s going on. And I can’t let that happen, can’t ruin everything. Thankfully though, she doesn’t look up this time.

But I could swear I see the corners of her mouth tilt up into the tiniest of smiles.

. o O o .

“Here you go.” I place Violet’s usual cup of hot chocolate in front of her where she’s sitting at the work table, just like she did every time she came here for the last two weeks.

“Thank you.” Her voice is low, only little over a whisper, her eyes not meeting mine.

I nod, a little flustered, and immediately step back, getting some distance between us again. Generally, I avoid interacting with her directly since that seems to be the only way I can hold up the mandatory distance between us. But until now, Liam had always been here when she came over, providing some neutral ground between us.

Today, he is not here, though, and the awkwardness between us is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. And I hate it.

“I... uhm… I have some macarons left from the weekend.” I don’t look her in the eyes, not directly, instead focus on the tip of her nose. I fear what I might do if our gazes meet. “They weren’t regular enough to make it onto the cake as decoration. Liam and I have already decimated them a bit, but you can have some, too?” It’s not a lie, not really. I did make a heap of macarons for the cake last weekend. It’s just that they requested vanilla and chocolate as fillings, and the ones with the raspberry mascarpone filling that are left now are the uneven cup filled with the additional filling I made specifically for her. Just like I’ve had some treat ready for her every time she was here during these last two weeks.

“Yeah, sure, why not?” Her lips twitch into a knowing little smile and I quickly look away. She’s so damn pretty…

I get the plate I prepared for her in advance, and when she thanks me when I place it in front of her onto the table, I merely nod.

“Mmhh, these are delicious,” she hums, her eyes fluttering shut. “I never knew macarons could be like this; they’re all but melting in my mouth. Amazing.”

“Glad you like them,” I murmur, quickly turning back to face the counter, even though my mind is too occupied to work just yet. Not just by how she sounded or looked though, even though that’s certainly distracting enough. But also… the incident aside, I vividly remember how I was looking forward to spoiling her with more pastries that day. And I just… I just hate how this, too, is something I can barely enjoy now.

I return to my work. Measuring, filling forms, passing stuff through a sieve, mixing ingredients. It’s the same as always, and I’m used to working in silence by myself. But today, with Violet sitting in the back of the room and quietly reading a book, it feels different. Awkward and uncomfortable. And I could swear I haven’t heard her turn a single page during the last ten minutes.

“So,” I begin, trying to come up with something—anything—to break this weird silence between us. “How are the preparations for the wedding going? Everything working out?” It’s already next week, I remember, feeling cold all of a sudden. My time with her is almost up.

Violet shifts in her seat, startled, and puts her book aside. “Uh, yeah! Yeah, it’s all set and prepared. I mean, I only know for sure about the parts I organise—” She gestures at the bakery around her and at a folder peeking out of her purse. “—but there’s no way everything isn’t perfect.” She snorts a short laugh. “Dain set up an entire team to organise everything, after all. Everyone had their own assigned tasks to organise and report back to him.”

“Well, that’s one way to do it, I guess. Sounds sensible, though.” I reply, just to not fall into another silence. I glance at her and catch her rolling her eyes a little.

This explains why she’s having so much free time to spend here, at least. But even though I don’t know what other tasks she might have had, isn’t it a bit… downgrading for her to apparently mostly being responsible for only the wedding cake? Not that I’d ever say out loud that a wedding cake isn’t important, but… I’m also a realist. When it comes to a wedding, there are other far more important things she should be involved in. Like all of them.

“Yeah, sensible is probably the perfect word to describe Dain,” Violet chuckles, running her finger along the top of her mug.

Something inside me cracks at hearing his name on her lips in that fond tone. Which is entirely inappropriate. But, fuck, I don’t know what to do, how to feel. I want her to be happy. I also want to be the one who makes her happy, but that won’t happen. I really should get over these feelings, they can’t lead anywhere.

“I bet you’re looking forward to when the big day has arrived.” I don’t even know why I’m saying this. Probably just to keep her talking. It’s not like I truly want to hear her answer to this. Not like some locked-away part of me wants to hear how much she doesn’t want it…

“Oh, by Dunne, yes!” Violet sighs, slumping against the back of her seat. “Honestly, I can’t wait for the wedding, for all this chaos to be over and settled.” She pauses before adding in a slightly more quiet voice, “Everything will be so much easier afterwards.”

I glance at her, can’t help it, but wish I hadn’t when I see that soft smile and the dust of pink on her face. Amari, what am I doing here…

“That’s… that’s good,” I mutter and turn back to getting my work done. I lose all interest in talking more, welcoming even the awkward silence.

When the time for her to leave comes, she helps me clean the work table, handing me the dirty dishes, and I nearly flinch away when our fingers get too close. I can’t do this anymore, not like this. This weird tension between her and me, it’s like torture. I miss the easiness from a few weeks ago, the lightness of our interactions. I miss—

A thought crosses my mind, an epiphany, and it’s all I can do to keep from gasping out loud as she walks past me to leave the bakery.

She pauses, giving me an inquisitive look. “Everything okay?”

I just stare at her, my defences momentarily not working. She… she’s… I’m…

Blinking, I shake myself up. “Um, yeah.” I clear my throat, tearing my eyes away from her. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Okay.” I can hear the smile in her voice but don’t dare look up. “See you in two days then?”

“Yeah. Two days.” In two days, Liam will be here again. Which is good. I can’t be alone with her again.

She makes another little noise, apparently waiting for something, but then thankfully turns and leaves. Once I hear the front door fall shut behind her, I all but tumble to the table and slump onto the bench opposite of where she sat, Liam’s usual spot.

I’m so fucked!

In the safety of the empty shop, I let myself examine my thoughts, my feelings. I want her, that isn’t new. I’m intrigued by her, attracted to her. I like her. But in that moment just now, there was something else as well. I missed her. Even though she was standing right in front of me, I missed her. Missed how effortless and natural our interactions used to be. It’s not just her looks. It’s not just her pretty smile, or her gorgeous hair, her laughter that I can’t get enough of. And it’s not just those alluring curves beneath her clothes that I won’t even let myself think about. It’s her. I miss her, miss being with her. Because… because…

I love her.

. o O o .

“Okay, this box was the last one for this cake,” I say as I check my list against the boxes and containers already on the counter in front of us. Liam and I are at a fancy restaurant we’ve delivered to before, at the staff entranced to be precise, with our van waiting outside. Just another normal day where countless weddings happen. “You got this, right? So I can drive to… the other wedding?” I hope Liam didn’t notice my short hesitation, but of course I don’t have such luck. Well, I didn’t expect this to be my lucky day, anyway.

He gives me that look, one eyebrow raised and his lips pressed into a tight line. “Are you sure you want to do this? Go there? I can do it too, if… if it’s too much?”

Letting out a sigh, I press my eyes shut for a moment. Because accepting his offer is far too tempting. No, I don’t want to go to Violet’s wedding. I don’t want to see the venue, the rooms, the guests, don’t want it to be real.

And Liam knows that. I didn’t have the strength to talk to him about my epiphany, but he’s far too observant to not have noticed my even gloomier mood, especially over these last few days. But it doesn’t matter what I feel. Or what he thinks I should do.

“I have to go,” I murmur. “I owe her that much, at least. And… and I think I need this, too. A clean finish.”

Liam’s face tightens even more. “I still think you should te—”

“Don’t!” I interrupt him. “Just… don’t, okay? Don’t go there with me, not today.” Because if he says one more time that I should tell her how I feel, I might do it after all. Because all the reasons why telling her would be bad feel insignificant when faced with the truth that I’ll lose her today. Which is already wrong in itself; I never had her in the first place.

Sighing, Liam shakes his head. He opens his mouth but then seems to think again and just grasps my shoulder as a form of comfort and support before carrying the first boxes to where he is to assemble the wedding cake.

And what is there to say, anyways?

As I drive to the location of Violet’s wedding, I feel more and more hollow inside, and I wish I could… could just not. But turning around and driving away, pretending it isn’t happening, won’t change anything.

When I reach the venue of her wedding, I snort humourlessly. I’ve never been to the big town hall before, but overflowing with flower arrangements and balloons in various shades of orange, it’s even more pompous than I expected. Perfect for this wedding, I guess, but horrible for Violet.

I find the staff entrance without any problems, which apparently also serves as the main entrance when just a smaller segment of the town hall got booked. Or as a bar, it seems. The wall behind the counter is covered by mirrors and shelves with various hard liquors and colourful glasses, flyers with drink menus lying on top of the counter. I recognise the familiar orange colour palette, and quickly look away.

Next to the counter, a woman around my age with her half buzz cut dyed a bright pink greets me as I get closer. She looks me over and then nods. “You must be the baker. I’m Imogen,” she introduces herself as I nod. “I’m the head of the staff around here.”

“I’m Xaden,” I reply, a little perplexed. Usually, my work doesn’t go along with introductions.

“Xaden,” she nods. “Guess we’ll be seeing you more often around here from now on. That is, as long as your cake doesn’t suck, of course.” She smirks.

I blink. “I beg your pardon?” Why would my cake suck? And why would I come here more often?

Her smirk grows as she sees my bewilderment. “This is the wedding of the year, if not the decade. If they like your cake, you can be sure you’ll get hired more often for events of this size in the future. So I hope for your sake you don’t blow it.”

Right…

As if I need any more pressure today.

Imogen beckons me to follow her and shows me where I can assemble and store the cake until it’s needed. It’s a relatively large room with enough space to work and an adjacent cool storage room, but also with a comfortable sitting area at the far back of the room. Probably for the staff to take breaks in between.

“You can work here. Let me know once you’re done so I can lock the room again.”

She points at a door at the end of the corridor and I nod. “I’ll do that.”

She leaves me, and I make my way back to the entrance room. It’s just a normal job, I remind myself. Normal procedure, just like always.

Except that, as I return to the van to get the cake and decorations, Violet is already waiting for me.

I stop in my tracks, just staring at her. She hasn’t seen me yet, which is good because I must look entirely like the fool I am.

The first thing my mind registers after once again being thrown off by her sheer presence is that she’s not wearing anything I would have called a wedding gown. Instead, she wears a frilly dress in some creme colour that deepens into a bright orange where it reaches just past her knees in some asymmetrical cut. And it’s not that she doesn’t look gorgeous, especially with her hair made up into a braided crown, bringing out the silver tips and making them even more stunning. But… this colour doesn’t look good on her. It makes her look pale and washed out. Such a weird choice.

Before I can contemplate her clothes any more though, she turns and spots me. And the radiant smile that spreads across her face is just fucking devastating. It’s not fair. Yes, it’s her wedding day and she’s been looking forward to it for her entire life. I know that. But why does she have to be so happy about seeing me? It’s not making keeping myself from blurting out what I feel for her any easier.

“Hey,” she greets me as soon as I’m close enough. “There you are. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Yeah, here I am. Good in time.”

She’s been waiting for me? Why? Usually, I just assemble the cake and then let the staff of the venue take over. Sometimes, the customer wants to take a look at the cake before I leave, but that’s about it. None ever waited before.

“Is anything up? Any last changes you want to make?” She saw the finished stand only yesterday and was happy with it then.

But Violet shakes her head. “Oh, no. No changes. I just thought… Maybe I could help you in some way? Help carry everything into the kitchen, or something?”

Despite myself, I huff a small laugh and shake my head. “Thanks for the offer. But to be honest, I’d rather not risk you stumbling when carrying them on those shoes, and…” I trail off as my eyes wander down her legs and spot the simple flat ballerinas she’s wearing.

“I think I’ll manage,” she chuckles as she sees my confused look. “These are just for getting the last organisations done. I’ll switch into something else for the party later.”

That explains the dress then, I guess. Something more practical to get around. And maybe not ruining the grand moment when everyone sees her in her gown for the first time.

I take a deep breath and let it out in a slow exhale. Fuck, I want to see her in that dress. Want her to wear it for me. But all these wishes are nothing but pipe dreams. All I have left is this half hour it’ll take me to assemble and set up her cake. And even though it’s most assuredly a very very bad idea, I just can’t get myself to push her away. Not now.

“Alright.” I beckon her to follow me to the van. “You can carry some of the containers with the additional flowers while I take the stand.”

As we assemble and put on the final decorating onto the cake according to the sketch Liam prepared, being around Violet is easy again for the first time in weeks. Probably because I gave up on keeping my distance. I just can’t do it any longer, and the thought of telling her about my feelings flickers up again more than once. I keep telling myself that it wouldn’t be fair to tell her now, when everything for her wedding is already rolling. And this is what she wants, after all. It’s what makes her happy. No matter what else I might want, this is the most important point. That she’s happy.

I dread finishing the cake. It’ll mean that I have to leave to probably never see her again. But at some point, I can’t drag it out any longer.

“There, that should be it,” I say as I take a step back and examine the entire decoration for one last time. “Are you happy? With how it turned out?”

Violet walks around it, slowly examining the five layers and the river of blossoms cascading down and around it in a soft arc, and nods. “It’s perfect. You really did a fantastic job here.”

“I aim to please,” I say, throwing in something of a mock bow, and my heart sings as she laughs.

I should leave now. Before I do something stupid.

I turn to gather up the empty containers and boxes, and without a moment of hesitation, Violet is by my side and helps. Like it’s the most natural thing to do.

I swallow. I should tell her. I want to tell her. Maybe nothing will happen. Maybe she’ll just smile and apologise and tell me it’s sweet but she doesn’t return my feelings. It would hurt like hell, but it would be better than living forever with the thought of what could have been.

I let Imogen know that I’m done, then we load the boxes into the van while my thoughts battle inside me. My feelings, her feelings, the reputation I built, and Liam’s and my financial security. It all whirls around my mind like a kaleidoscope, not making any sense anymore. In the end, all that matters is her happiness, but…

I really think that I could make her happy, too.

I’m warring with myself, whether to linger and maybe tell her after all, all consequences be damned, or to leave before I can make a mistake. But before I can decide, Violet beats me to it.

“Okay, so,” she begins as I close the van’s rear doors. “There’s something… I forgot it inside. Could you… uhm… come so I can give it to you?”

Is she… nervous? It almost seems like it, especially with that faint blush on her cheeks. How weird. I should leave, right away, but… I’m intrigued and staying for just a little longer is too tempting to resist.

“Sure.” I even smile at her. “I have no other appointments today, so I’m in no rush.”

She answers my smile with one of her own, so radiant that I forget to breathe for a moment. “Perfect.” She turns and I follow. And my resistance grows weaker with every second.

She aims for her purse which is lying on the counter in the entrance area, but before she reaches it, a door on the other end or the room opens and a man pokes in his head.

“Ah, there you are, Violet. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. What are you doing back here?”

He walks over toward us and I get a moment to take in his appearance. Tall and built with the precise movements of a soldier, his brown hair is cropped short, his gaze unwavering. He’s wearing a clearly expensive suit in the same cream colour as Violet’s dress with a matching tie and pocket square flowers with an orange rose as their centerpiece. And somehow, I know exactly who he is.

The hair on my back rises, but I make sure not to let anything show. Even though I’d like nothing more than to—

“What is it, Dain?” Violet asks, growing a little more tense somehow. “I’ve been busy with some last preparations.”

Busy? She didn’t have to help me. Or… was she hiding from him?

Dain cocks his head. “Some last prepera—? Oh!” His attention shifts toward me. “You must be the baker then. Is everything okay with the cake?”

“Xaden Riorson,” I nod, accepting his outstretched hand—and maybe squeeze it a little tighter than I usually would. “And yes, the cake is ready.”

“Good, good.” He looks back at Violet and I’m pretty sure he already forgot I even existed. “The first guests are arriving already, my parents and your mum among them. We should all be ready to greet them.”

Violet sighs and rolls her eyes where her Dain can’t see it. “Sure!” she says with what’s clearly a forced smile. “I’ll be there in a minute. Just need to… settle something here.”

Dain nods and squeezes her shoulder. “Don’t be too late or you’ll miss them.”

He leaves, and I stare after him with strange emotions simmering inside me. How dare he? How dare he treat her like… like that? She’s still working to get all preparations done while he just flutters about and greeting guests? And he would greet their parents even without her?

Fuck!

That!

“I’m sorry,” Violet sighs once the door closes behind him. “He’s… well, he’s Dain, I guess.” Her shoulders slump and she shakes her head, the fake smile fading from her lips. “I should probably hurry.”

And I should tell her. What I feel. My heartbeat accelerates as does my breathing. I can accept her marrying someone else when it is what she wants, what makes her happy. But this Dain? He clearly is not making her happy. I can’t let this happen, can’t let her be miserable just for the sake of keeping some stupid childhood promise. Not when she deserves so much better.

“Violet, I—” I say, ready to confess—to hell with the consequences—when she suddenly holds a piece of paper towards me.

Momentarily caught off guard, I take it, my muddled mind not understanding what it is. “What…?”

“It’s a cheque,” Violet explains, again with that hint of pink on her cheeks. “I know it’s rather old-fashioned, but… well, it’s your payment.”

I frown, perplexed. “You... could have just stopped by some day later and paid then,” I mutter as I accept the cheque and stow it away mechanically. Or they could have just transferred the remaining sum, just like they did with the down payment.

Violet blushes even more. “I know but… I wanted to have it settled today.”

I nod. It’s maybe better this way.

“So, now that all business between us is over with—” She wrings her hands nervously, a hopeful smile on her face as she looks at me. “I wanted to ask you… Will you be my plus one?”

I freeze. She can’t mean that. She can’t mean that, dammit.

“Wouldn’t that look a bit weird?” I mutter, averting my eyes.

Violet chuckles, nervously brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, yeah. It would look a bit weird like this. But… there’s enough time for you to drive back and change into something more suitable. Do you own a suit? I… I could probably organise one if you don’t. Just need to make a few phone calls, and…”

I just stare at her as she babbles on. This… she... what? “No,” I interrupt her, drawing her full attention again. Is she just toying with me? “I mean, wouldn’t it look weird if the bride brought a plus one to her own wedding?”

Violet grows completely still, her eyes widening. “You… you think…” Her features—her entire frame, really— slacken as she stares at me dumbfounded. Then she laughs, short, disbelieving. “Xaden… I’m not getting married today.”

My mind goes blank. I hear her words, but they make no sense. “You’re… not getting married?” I shake my head. Of course, she's getting married. She said so… didn’t she? Or did she call it off, after all? What is all this then?

Violet shakes her head. Then she turns on her heels and looks around the room. With quick steps, she hurries toward the reception counter and picks up one of the flyers, then hands it to me.

It is indeed a drink menu, clearly specifically designed and printed for this wedding, the all-too-familiar orange palette everywhere. It has signature drinks for her and him at the top, followed by a few other drink suggestions. And at the very bottom is today’s date, followed by the names of the bride and groom. Amber & Dain. The ampersand is designed to look like an orange heart.

I stare at that last line, dumbfounded. Amber. Not Violet. Amber. Everything’s orange.

My hands tremble as everything I thought I knew crumbles to dust, leaving my mind in shambles. There’s too much I have to work through, to think about and reevaluate. But there is one thing at least I know for sure.

I lift my eyes back up to look at her, slowly. As if I could wake myself from a dream if I move too quickly. “You’re not getting married.” My voice is but a whisper, my head spinning.

Violet makes a little step towards me, her eyes soft as she smiles at me, full of promises. “I’m not getting married.”

I get it then, truly. My breathing picks up, my heart racing. I stare at her for a second, then two. Then my body is moving. Before I know what I’m doing, my hands cup her cheeks, sliding back to hold her head, and in the next moment, my mouth presses against hers.

The kiss is reckless and intense and hard, not right for a first kiss. Except that, right now, it is. I pull away for the briefest of moments, but before I can even think about what I did, she follows me, her lips on mine again in a heartbeat. Her surprised gasp quickly shifts into a low moan, her hands resting on my chest, clutching at my shirt.

My whole body is shaking as I’m leaning down to her, but feeling how she tilts her head up for a better angle and how her lips twitch into a smile against my own lets me melt into the kiss completely. Her hands slide up until her fingers tunnel into my hair, making me shudder for a whole different reason, and when she parts her lips, her tongue flicking against mine, I forget everything around us.

The softness and taste of her lips, the sweet floral scent of hers, the little noises she’s making as I lick into her mouth, it’s everything. I can’t get enough.

When the kiss ends, I can’t tell how much time has passed. Seconds? Minutes? A whole lifetime? Our eyes meet before she pulls my head down so our foreheads touch as we both catch our breaths.

“I guess that’s a yes to the plus one?” The soft laughter ringing in her voice makes me lightheaded, drunk on this moment, on her, on the revelation that… that I’m not losing her, after all. That all my gloomy thoughts were for nothing.

Laughter bubbles up in my chest, soft and freeing. All the reasons to hold back, to not let her know how I feel, were just a misunderstanding. They don’t exist. Which means…

I pull back to look her in the eyes, finally without worries but free to feel what I feel. “I meant to tell you this earlier, but I wasn’t sure whether you wanted to hear it.” I pause, swallowing. Gathering all my courage. “I love you, Violet. Of course, I’ll be your plus one.”

Her eyes widen, her lips parting in surprise. Moisture gathers in the corner of her eyes, making them glassy, and her fingers still in my hair tremble. She breathes my name, the sound like a caress, before she slowly leans in.

Her lips brush against mine again, soft this time just like the kiss that follows. And even though she doesn’t say the words back, I know this is just the beginning of our story.

. o O o .

So, this is the end. I hope you enjoyed this sweet little cake of a fic. Thank you all for the continued support and interest in this fic, and special thanks again to @taumoebaa for listening to my incoherent rambling. 💜 I'd love to hear your reactions, here and/or on The Riders Quadrant Discord server. 🥰 And don't forget to subscribe to the series so you don't miss out on the epilogue and extra scenes once I post them. 😊

Epilogue

[wulvercazz]

I feel like you made grimmjow and ichigo an oc at this point, like they are so far from their canon selves. Especially grimmjow, had to unfollow due to him being so ooc.

You're art is pretty though.

🥱 … ok?

Look, idk where you’re coming from, if you wanted me to feel bad for myself or apologize or what?? I think one should think about what our intentions are before making an unsolicited comment, specially behind an anonymous; what were you expecting to get, or achieve, by saying this to me? If you meant to offend me,,, try again, idgaf what anyone’s negative opinions of my art and portrayal of my ships are. And if you honestly meant to be “nice” by saying my art is pretty with all that shit on top… try again, and maybe think better before you try and approach anyone else who’s giving you free content.

Or maybe you didn’t even know what you intended, but for future reference, in case you weren’t aware, your comment is just a backhanded compliment that tbh no artist or writer or anyone cares to hear.

If you don’t like my portrayal of them, fine. Idc, it’s not for you, it’s for me and for anyone else who likes what I do. Many which are so kind to always tell me so and show support on socmed or on my discord.

So,,, kindly get off my lawn💕 My ichigrimm is for me, I just share it here for free because I enjoy it; I could always keep it forever behind a paywall. And if you happened to be an ex-subscriber; you’re in your full right to stop supporting me if you wished so, but not to try and shit on my fandom experience.

So anyway,,, spoilers for all of us who love Grimm being soft and not a copy-paste of canon in every Alternate Universe;

I got a cottagecore au with they/them witch!Grimmjow coming up🥰✨✨✨ I’m sooo excited about it Grimmjow looks so fckn pretty 😩💕 +all the pretty flowers and dresses and with hybrid creature!Ichigo??? 👀👀👀💕💕💕 it won’t be for another bit but HHHHH excitee 👀✨

[camilaxmartin]

gonna put them emoji’s again💀😭 so it would be: 🥑🍬🌸🐝🎨🍄

I love using these TOTALLY USEFUL emoji’s so I picked em🥰

you don’t use avocado/bee/mushroom everyday? what are you even doing?����

BUT ANYWAY

🥑: you accidentally killed somebody, which mutual(s) do you text for help?

probably @bunnylove1 and @blookyag, idk why tho honestly, just getting the vibes they’d help somebody out with hiding the body💀 (it’s a compliment, i swear-)

🍬: post an unpopular opinion about a popular fandom character:

okay uhh- (don’t cancel me plz) i respect with my whole heart that alastor is asexual and (?) aromantic but i don’t get the hate people receive when shipping him with someone? as far as i know being on the spectrum means he can still date? like i know, he doesn’t show any interest in that but if its just for a silly au or for a cool drawing then what’s the fuss about? i’m not talking like about erasing that part of him because that’s a big no no for me, but like…? respecting it but still having fun with his character? i saw a great tiktok explaining my thoughts exactly so maybe i’ll link it here if i can find it (add the link here later camila:) (besides all that i project a lot of myself onto alastor (still debating if im aromantic or not) and i want to explore myself with his character (if i can even phrase it that way) so all the hate and shit really bother me, you know?)

(another thing more about whole thing not a character is that “whatever it takes” is in my top 4 songs and i don’t get the hate it gets?? i love this song?? it’s so great?? two latina (?) girls singing together?? cmon??)

🌸: do you have any pets? if you do, post some pictures of them:

i do actually! i have a dog and three rats:) (also had a rabbit but he died not so long ago and he was like my whole world so i got a tattoo to remember him, i’ll add it as well just because i can)

🐝: tag your biggest supporters and say one nice thing about them:

@kimmyisachiisaiakuma - ugh of course?? like in my head we are already besties fr fr, what can i saaaay😭 idk i love you and how supportive and just friendly you are!!:) and god of course, i love your art?? but i’ve already said it a thousand times??? so here’s one thousand first??

@bunnylove1 - just how supportive you are towards my stuff and how with exactly one request i felt like we also became besties? maybe it’s just me but yeah😭

@blookyag - liking my every post and responding to every single one of them!!! she’s a treasure, really. i’m surprised someone cares about my rambling this much💀

@informist - i’ve noticed that she’s also reacting to a lot of my stuff and she’s so quick with it like?? idk it makes my heart jump okay? i love attention from people even when it’s just my stupid rambling😭 (#iamanattentionwhore 😗😗)

@rougecreator1 - liked a lot of my posts as well, and somehow i feel like they enjoy my stuff? idk tho?😭😭 yeah just noticed interactions in my activities:)

@riveramorylunar - i feel like we were more active on each other’s accounts when i was still in my lady lesso era, but idk i really liked you then and i still love seeing your stuff pop up on my main page:)

and of course, all of my lovely anons who send me their ideas that i can’t wait to write!!:)

🎨: link your favourite piece of fanart and explain why you like it:

okay so like it changes every day?? but for now i must say this one:

click!

why? simple. a. brokerdoll b. the marvellous style? c. i want to draw like that d. just… just look at it okay? e. lesbians.

(and a special mention for THIS as well, as it’s the first time someone ever drawn my oc and besides the fact that she looks so pretty here it’s just… idk i just love it okay, she stole my heart)

🍄: share a headcanon for one of your favourite ships or pairings:

let’s start with the fact that i even have a favourite account for all the headcanons about brokerdoll which is @vypridae (adore all the hcs, really)

buut! my personal headcanon is:

• carmilla didn’t really expect to fall for velvette, i mean in my head she just saw her as so… respectless and dumb and stupid and careless and carefree and wild and free and pretty- wait

yeah, so in my head velvette was the first to initiate anything and at first carmilla was like “ha! no way, you stupid girl” but then she started to think more and more about velvette as the time went on and one day she just got along the fact that she might be attracted to the young overlord and somehow… went with it? like she didn’t make a big deal out of it… but velvette definitely did, despite the fact she was actually the first one to say or act on her attraction in any way.

(i need to write more headcanons for them, they’re literally eating up my brain)

[lis4ux]

hiii

here to say I loved chapter 13. i love them so much and how protective they are over each other. i need them together already.

btw how long do you think the story is going to be?

that aside have you seen part 1 already?? any fave points or scenes? anything you wanted to see more of? i loved seeing jj and kie together and jj being so protective but wish we had more kisses or jj saying i love you and more scenes from the 18 months

anyways have a great day!!

Awe so happy you enjoyed the chapter 😊 as far as length goes I do have a number, but I’m not positive about it. The goal is 20 but that is a plus or minus at this point. I have a couple more plot twists that in my head I don’t see us getting there, but chapters 12-14 were also all supposed to be in one chapter so we will see lmao.

Spoilers 🚨

I have seen part one! Watched it with my bestie yesterday 😆I really loved all the protective JJ moments. Him telling Kiara that rafes not coming near her, they if the kooks come near her he’ll kill them all, how he checked in on her before they went down and how he was regretful for her being in the water at all I just 😭😭😭

Of course, I would have LOVED them to extend all those scenes. I’m still a fanfic writer as I watch the show and I had to remind myself that a show isn’t going to just give the kind of connection I do in my writing lol. I do hope we see more of JJ initiating affection. I’ll be happy either way, since their dynamic seems to be her doing that and him being bad ass protective boyfriend, but that would be my wish. Just a waist grab and kiss on the cheek or quick whispered I love you in her ear as they’re falling asleep. Something like that 🥰

I also agree, they could have made an entire season of the gap in my opinion 😭

Have a wonderful day ❤️🖤

[greensagephase]

Hi- I've really, and I mean really enjoyed Nonviolent Communication so far (no srsly, it's the one fanfic I've been following with absolute interest) and I wanna be nice and provide an animation bc I said so :D

I would love if you gave me some preferences for GIFs (not animatics, my autism is going to implode /j) from the scenes you loved most :] P.S. I love your style of writing, and I will patiently wait for part 15, bc good food is cooked with love and care

AHHH YOU’RE THE ARTIST THAT CREATED THE “MI AMOR... ME DUELE LA BARRIGA” GIF - STOP !!! THAT WAS SO CUTE !!!! Thank you for creating those gifs!!! I swear to you I've found myself saying that to myself multiple times since I came across your post!!🤣

And omg, thank you for reading Nonviolent Communication!!! I'm so happy that you've enjoyed it so far!! 🥺 And the fact you want to make an animation??? YOU'RE TOO SWEET, THANK YOU!!! ❤️

Omg, where do I begin? I love so many of the scenes I’m written so far, but let me compile some of my top favorite!

I’ll go with the most recent scene from part 14 where both reader and Miguel say “Always” to each other while sitting side by side on the floor, eating pan dulce and cafe de olla.

The first time they slept on the living room floor after Miguel had a nightmare holding hands which I’m totally normal about (no, I’m not !!!!) in part 13.

When Miguel finally tells reader she’s his best friend on the rooftop (so normal about this and Miguel’s progress 😭) also in part 13.

When Miguel wiped reader’s tears away with his scarf on New Year’s Eve because she was thinking about the previous years when she was alone after her Peter’s death and before joining the Spider Society from the Blanca Navidad one-shot.

When they babysat Mayday and she made both reader and Miguel’s action figures kiss right in front of them and they were both embarrassed and shy about it in part 11.

I have to mention the Día de los Muertos chapter (part 6)! That entire chapter always makes me so happy to think about because it’s the first time Miguel opens up to reader by showing her his ofrenda for his deceased loved ones and then sharing pan dulce and Mexican candy with her!

When reader gently cleans Miguel’s face while he’s recovering from his encounter with the Green Goblin and also when she feeds him the cafeteria food and he hates the steamed carrot (thinking about it still makes me laugh), honestly chapter 9 is just filled with a lot of scenes I love because we have reader looking after Miguel and him actually accepting it because he feels comfortable with her and no one else 🥹

The scene in part 12 when Miguel gives reader a pinky hug/squeeze without some kind of excuse to play it off. It's the first time he offers the gesture directly because he wants reader to know he's working on physical touch and that he's honored she wants to hug him.

This list wouldn’t be complete without giving the first chapter a mention, it’s what started it all! The scene in which Miguel checks reader’s forehead for a sign of fever and realizes it’s not that, but rather her period and then makes socks with rice to help with her cramps while she’s passed out asleep! 🥺

Honestly, there are more but these are just a few! I wish I could mention a scene from part 15 but that would be a spoiler 😭

Thank you SO MUCH for the love and support for NC!! I'm so honored you wish to do an animation for my fic, seriously, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! ❤️I hope you're doing wonderful and that you have a lovely weekend!! 🥰💞 P.S. I appreciate your kind words and patience so, so much!!! Part 15 should be posted this weekend, if everything goes well! :)

[spandexual]

Hello! I’m sorry that today I come without any fun toku questions. I must say I enjoy reading your Boomger stuff on forsaken bird app! Love me a pathetic Blue also.

I wanted to ask whether you have a perfume recommendation for a beginner. I can’t tell you much about my skin, my usual preference at least so far is opposite of what your skin likes. I like citrus and jasmine and I know it isn’t suitable for your skin 😅 Current perfume I have might smell like citrus dish soap (I don’t mind it much) or simply citrus with its bitterness and freshness depending on a day. Yet my head might hurt from salt in perfume for example. Overall I might enjoy to smell a lot of stuff, but can’t wear anything heavy. Anyway, I thought you still might suggest something/know something good, you’re great at perfume stuff 🥰 Sorry if it is something hard, I understand if you can’t suggest me anything. ☺️

From your perfume recs I liked JHAG’s Not A Perfume because it is light and I think it suits me! At least it doesn’t smell like shit, lol (had this experience with Kenzo’s L'eau Pour Femme ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

I kind of feel bad for asking now, sorry I am that curious when my taste is so opposite. In exchange now, I’ll say about toku anyway. I think my fav watch thread of yours is Zenkaiger. It’s just such fun show and seeing you watch it was extremely fun also, you sold me on watching it myself! Also the throuple. I know one day you might write a fic for them so I hope a great idea will fall into your head eventually! I don’t have any in me though 😅

don't apologise, I appreciate that I'm being thought of as someone with good advice lol! Not A Perfume is a fave of mine too, it's a shame so many people have the gene that means they completely can't smell it. I think it's a really sexy scent!

As for jasmine, I actually really love it! I don't wear it a huge amount bc most of the time it's not paired with the heavier woodsier notes I like and like... I have a giant jasmine plant out the front of my house, so I don't miss the scent too much when I'm not wearing it. That said, I like Lush's Vanillary which as you might guess is a pretty heavy vanilla scent but it has a great jasmine note in it as well as tonka (and lasts FOREVER even on my perfume-killer skin, really, I could still smell it after 5 drinks and 4 hours of sweaty dancing at Emo Nite lmao so be careful with your sprays...), and J'Adore Dior is a girly classic for a reason. There was also a relatively recent Gucci perfume that I liked a lot but I don't remember which one it was and there are multiple that have jasmine in their ugly floral bottle range so you'll just have to try them all I guess lol sorry. These should all be pretty easy to find and try tho!

And I'm glad you're enjoying my Boonboomger thread (it's no surprise to say I love pathetic blues too right lol) and enjoyed my Zenkaiger one! Zenkaiger is seriously insanely good, Donbros gets so much attention and praise for being The Best Sentai Ever I think because it was just so many people's first sentai (and/or first Inoue toku, whereas I know him VERY well lol) and it was fairly unusual in structure while still being entertaining but Zenkaiger I think really deserves that title if you were going to choose anything from Reiwa because it is so sentai. I liked Donbrothers and I LOVED Kingohger but both of them clearly were going "HEH we're not like OTHER sentais!!!!" and Inoue for his part seemed to actively hate a lot of what makes sentai sentai lol. Again I liked Donbrothers a lot but lbr it's basically just one of his Kamen Rider shows but brighter coloured.

As for zenkai ot3... I would like to write something for them some day, but it is difficult to think of something when the show is just so cute. I'm not someone who's good at writing fluff, really, and they demand it. My speciality is political underhandedness, moral ambiguity and veiled but burning hot eroticism. I think John Toei made Kaguragi for me specifically

[lyranova]

Since you do the salty asks too, how about 2, 8, 13 (for Nozel and Nacht), 15, 21, 23 and 24 (for Black Clover)? Have a nice rest of Friday 🥰

Hiya Vilandel, i hope you’re doing well 🥰! Of course, I hope you enjoy and have a good rest of your Friday as well 😁💕!

2 Are there any popular fandom OTPs you only BroTP?*

Hmm…I guess Asta x Yuno would be the main one, since I ship all the other OTPs as far as I am aware 🤔! Imo Yuno and Asta just work better as siblings, rivals, and best friends then as lovers. But if you like and ship them then I fully support you 🥰!

8 Have you received anon hate? What about?*

Yep I most certainly have unfortunately 😅. I have recived some anon hate from that very specific troll that shall remain nameless but who we’ve all encountered at one point or another. But I’ve also recived hate/dislike/dissappintment(?) for YuNeva and Neva in COTF (mainly because they wanted me to put Yuno x Mimosa together in that series), and then a random one from a anon about my headcanon for a Fire Force character which was really stupid 😆!

13 Unpopular opinion about XXX character?

Not sure if this is unpopular or not, but an opinion I have is that Yuno *needs* to struggle instead of being OP all the time. It won’t make him a bad/boring/or otherwise negative character, to me it would be like during the battle with Zenon. It would kind of show that, while he’s powerful, he still has a lot to learn and a lot of growth to show! But since we’re in the final arc I don’t think we’ll see that happen, which is a bit of a shame.

15 Unpopular opinion about the manga/show?

Hmm, that there are waaay too many battle and fight scenes. I get it, this is shounen which is all about battle after battle after battle. But…imo to make the manga and anime even better would be to show the quiet moments where we see the characters interacting and building up their friendships and relationships with each other like in the filler episodes of the anime! It would just make the series so much better, and would just be very nice to see!

21 What are your thoughts on crack ships?

Hm I enjoy crack ships, I even have a few myself such as MagLuck, Finral x Vanessa, Zora x Nebra, and Vanessa x Nozel to name a few! But to me, crack ships also have to make sense for me to enjoy them! For example; Magna x Luck makes sense to me, while I still prefer them as a Brotp, I have slowly come around to the idea of them romantically (thanks to my mutuals and followers 😆). They have a lot of chemistry together and you can see how much they love and care for one another! On the other side of that coin would be Zora x Nebra. The two have had no (?) scenes together, but I can see the “opposites attract” appeal in them (from their backgrounds, to their personalites, to even their color scheme)! While I don’t ship them as much anymore, I still enjoy them from time to time and see the appeal!

23 Unpopular character you love?

Hmm…i don’t know if I really have one in BC 🤔? Most of the characters I like tend to be popular because…I’m a boring person 😅? But I guess William? But tbh I don’t think he’s really unpopular, i know he is disliked because of the Elf Arc, but otherwise I think people like him. Maybe Fana? But again, I don’t know if she’s really unpopular…hm, I actually don’t think I have one…

Well looks like I’ll have to broaden my character horizons!

24 Would you recommend XXX to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend Black Clover for it’s characters, world building and lore (what little bit we get of it 😭), and for just how undderrated it is! I honestly think people don’t really give it much of a chance, and because it isn’t like other anime where it gives you all or most of the information at the beginning, they immediately drop it and call it boring/stupid/insert some other insult here (although the ones that complain about Asta’s shouting and say he’s annoying; i get it. While I personally didn’t find it bothersome, i know others that did, so that complaint is very valid to me!). Black Clover is very much a slow burn series, so you have to give it time and have a lot of patience imo!

[artsimpourtzi]

Hi! I've read the Silo books too!! I loooove them so much!!

I'm very much enjoying the show as its own thing, like trying to see it as an alternate version of the books, so far it's working okay haha like basically my thinking is that the show has made changes that so far I find fairly interesting (even though I need Lucas back 😭) and I'm curious as to where they're planning on going with those changes, so I'm along for the ride even though it doesn't exactly adapt the books as I imagined them. Tbh personally the changes that bothered me the most were in season 1 (the flamekeepers? And mechanical knowing about the machine at the bottom when I loved the scene of Juliette digging it up and the whole silo thinking she's crazy 😂 ! Also I made my peace with Lucas not being Bernard's shadow because I thought in S2 we would get him meeting with Walker and maybe using her radio to talk to Juliette in the other silo. Which maybe will happen now? But I'm not holding my breath)

So now I'm just along for the ride, seeing it as its own thing that I enjoy separately from the books, you know. I still think the show is a masterpiece in terms of visual storytelling so that helps me enjoy myself even if they change the story a little.

The change of Solo being a shadow didn't really bother me so far because I figured he could have been a newly appointed shadow that was still a young teen and didn't know much yet, but I am disappointed he never left the vault, since him feeling safer to move about as the survivors died was interesting I think. But I'm still giving the show a chance to tell their version of the story.

I am very much anticipating how they will tell the story of Silo 1 though 😬 still with an open mind but a little... Anxious

Anyway sorry I rambled so much 😂 it feels like so much of the fandom is people who haven't read the books, so we can't talk about all this!

Oh hello!!! I missed your ask sorry for being late! Trust tumblr to find me the people who also read the books 🥰 I’m so glad you’re vibing with it. Honestly I’m mostly too, otherwise I would have dropped it.

Personally my issue is that I think many changes actually created weaknesses in season 1 that had me really struggling to push through around the middle of the season. I hadn’t read yet the books, but actually at the end of season one with THAT revelation I did and I was hooked and also surprised that the book story had much better pacing. That’s why I’m mostly baffled, I am not heavily emotionally invested in the characters so I’m ok with them making changes, whatever, but I don’t think they make it better 😅

Anyway I’m very very curious to see what they do for silo 1 and also the origins 👀

[lemonlyman-dotcom]

Hi Lemon!! 🍋 nice Ask week🍑 right back at ya!

1. Same question as you asked me, when did you join the ls fandom and what made you join?☺️

2. In honor of your Eid fic for the platonic relationships event (which I’m sorry I haven’t gotten the time to finish and give the love it deserves yet since I got home😫) If you could choose one platonic relationship that got more focus in s5 which would you choose and what would be the storyline surrounding it?

3. Since you’re so good at putting silliness and laughs into the fandom, if Tim and Ryan asked you to write an episode (or just some of it) full of crack and shenanigans that includes at least three out of these 5 things: 1) a stubborn pony, 2) a midieval gown 3) a basket full of peaches 🍑🍑 3) a shit-ton of five-spice and 4) an accidentally unsexy sexy playlist, what would roughly transpire?

(You can choose to answer as many of the questions as you want no pressure)

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!! - Mar🐟🌼

Hi Mar!! Thank you for this very nice 🍑!

1. I’m not really sure, lol! I’ve been watching the show since the first episode. I used to creep on Reddit. But I found myself getting more and more annoyed that all of the important Tarlos scenes kept happening offscreen. And then Push aired and I got super annoyed with them going from TK waking up to moving into the loft with not so much as a conversation. And I remembered someone on Reddit had mentioned that Tim made a snarky comment about how people should go to fanfic if they want resolution for any of his dangling thread stories so I was like okay I guess I’ll check that out… and then at the end of season four I found myself on tumblr!! 😂

2. Marjan and TK!!!!!! I want more Marjan and TK content so bad!!! I want Marjan’s sister to visit and the three of them to go to the Turkish tea house. Maybe an earthquake hits while they’re out, and Marj and TK have to pull a bunch of people to safety and save some folks and they enlist Sahar to help. And at the end of the episode Sahar comes to Catan night and she and Marjan have a lovely talk about how she really sees that Marjan is living the life she’s meant to live and she’s built this beautiful supportive found family and she’s proud of her 🥰

3. Okay, Tarlos spends the weekend at the Reyes ranch. Carlos takes TK horseback riding but he’s worried about putting TK on an actual horse, due to all the head injuries, so he assigns him a pony named Tator. Except Tator is very stubborn and refuses to take left turns!!! So he walks straight into a lake with TK still on his back. Carlos comes to his rescue and TK tries to turn it into a sexy Mr. Darcy in the lake situation. Except Tator is eating his shirt.

Undeterred in his quest for sexiness, when they get dried off TK goes out to the orchards snd comes back with a basket of peaches and a very suggestive look. Carlos gets the hint and they start to get their sexy on but before they can get too far they’re interrupted by Tator, who has broken out of the stables and tramples their sexy peach picnic.

Once Tator is subdued TK sequesters Carlos in the bedroom and puts on a sexy playlist. But instead of Sade and Barry Manilow, they’re blasted with WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT WHOoOOoOOooaaaH!!!!!

Meanwhile, Paul is making his famous goat curry for lunch back at the station. Mateo tries to help but he gets distracted by a woman wearing a medieval gown who’s entered the firehouse with a basket of peaches for the handsome fire captain who resuscitated her after she fell off the pole in her pole dancing class. She tries to flirt with Owen, but is mercifully cut off by the bell. The crew races downtown to a spice factory, where there’s been a malfunction and a machine is spewing five spice everywhere. Judd is red faced and crying about his Scotch-Irish constitution. Being the smallest one, Mateo has to climb inside the machine to shut it off.

In the end, everyone is covered in five spice and they spend the whole trip back to the station crying about how they can never eat Chinese food again 😂

[inkwolvesandcoffee]

I GOT BROWNIES FROM MY COLLEAGUE-TURNED-MANAGER😭

Because I work so much and hard. Gods, bless her🥰

But now fancy me this:

Alfie gifting you food to show how much he appreciates you.

TH Masterlist

He’s truly grateful for how much you work and keep going despite the hardships (managing rush hour on your own, colleagues being even worse than unhelpful, injuries due to ovens… or getting your hand stuck between the wall and a tall and heavy tower of crates… absolutely not spiteful still about that). Being a workaholic himself, he respects you for taking on as many shifts as you do and staying for as long as you can manage.

However, he can easily see past your smile and positive go-getter attitude. Alfie will coax you into sitting down whenever he notices your energy is depleting. Regardless of whether it’s busy, he’ll occasionally sit down with you because “he’s due for a break too” and he has your permission.

Now, this will annoy Ollie to no end when it’s like the whole of London has gathered at the bakery. Nevertheless, he knows his boss has a soft spot for you and why he acts the way he does. Funnily enough, though, the Mad Baker hasn’t worked through his feelings enough yet to understand himself. All he knows is that he wants you to be healthy and take a break, enjoy a cuppa and snack he’s made even when you want to sit by yourself for a bit.

Alfie’s also constantly checking on you. Not to make sure you don’t make any mistakes, but because he doesn’t want you to injure yourself (mentally and physically). He’ll stand nearby when you’re dealing with a rude customer, chipping in as soon as he sees an opening into the conversation. He’ll plop you down on a chair and nurse your wound when you cut yourself… or manage to remove a piece of your skin at the hand of a couple of crates with stock and no one helping you manoeuvre it around.

(I promise I’m not salty about my own predicament.)

But recently, he’s been giving you more food. He’ll have a proper breakfast ready when you two open the bakery together, vividly remembering how you told him you only drink a cup of coffee and eat a protein bar before you come in in the morning and heavily disagreeing with this lifestyle choice. Orange juice, a plate of chremslach and a piece of fruit always somehow manage to magically appear on the table by the window when you two are busy setting up. He’ll have the same, trying to get into the habit of eating breakfast himself by eating with you.

After each shift, he’ll have a small basket of bread, bagels, and baked goods ready for you to enjoy at home. Often there’s cinnamon babka (because he knows you’re not a big fan of chocolate), mandel bread (to have with your coffee on your days off and subsequently have a piece of him there), and your new recent favourite: tzimmes bread. All kosher, of course!

One consistent element in the wee package is a loaf of soda bread. Alfie’s told you it’s made according to an old family recipe, one not many people have had the privilege of tasting. And he’s secretly proud it’s the reason you’ve fallen in love with eating bread.

(Although he hopes it’s actually the way he guides your hands when kneading dough. So far you’ve never have made a single loaf without his warm rough palms covering the backs of your hands, his rings cold against your fingers when he entwines them with yours)

Alright, imma stop here before this is going to get out of hand. Nonetheless, I think I’ve given myself some great ideas to incorporate into the story I hope to start writing during Camp NaNo. Also, yes, I’m finally going to attempt to properly write again in July and despite working 40 hours a week. Mostly I hope to finish some WIPs, but most of all I finally want to get started on Dear Edna. Wish me luck!

Tag List: @zablife @potter-solomons @babaohhhriley @rose-like-the-phoenix @buttercupsandboys @liliac-dreamer @hecatemoon87 @vir-tual @wandawiccan60 @dreamlandcreations @solomons-finest-rum

[kdramaspace]

MEMBER OF THE MONTH  

↳ Congrats Juhee @liveasbutterflies​​

💌 NOTES FROM THE ADMINS

Layla: JUHEE!! it's such a joy to have you as a motm as you're one of our oldest members... you have been a constant source for many dramas esp the sageuk dramas, and to witness before our eyes your growth as a content maker is such a treat!! moreover we can always count on you for more rowoon content, and all of those cute and fluffy dramas content, as i love those king the land cute sets 🥰🥰.. you have a beautiful coloring and style in giffing.. and your blending is always on point, such an inspiration tbh!! so thank you for being an active maker in the kdrama community and all the pretty gifs your provided us with through the years... and here's hoping for more dramas for you to enjoy in the future and to feed us with their content!! with love💛💛....

↳ favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

Sam: wow, juhee!! you’re basically a founding member. you’ve been with us on this incredible journey over the years and both you and our network have grown so much in that span of time. it’s always such a joy to see your sets in the tag. and I know I can always count on you to be putting out content, one of the most consistent content makers we have for sure! I also know that whenever I see a stray rowoon set in the tag, it’s 9/10 from you! I also love when you do your typo sets, they’re always lovely ❤︎ as a side note, it's an accomplishment that you’ve kept the same url this entire time too!! 

�� favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

Alexa: juhee! you were one of our OG motm picks and it’s been amazing to go through your content and see how it’s developed over the past couple of years! your sharpening and color has all come so far but i love that it still feels like your and i can always tell when a set is yours before i even see the url! your king the land gifs have been giving me LIFE and i’m so glad you’ve been capturing all the otp realness in the show! i’ll be looking forward to all of your uncanny enounter 2 sets and i can’t wait to see what other shows you create for in the coming future~

↳ favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

Lilly: Hello Juhee! I’ll admit I’m not as familiar with your work as the other admins, still being a relative newbie in this space myself, but it’s been a delight to see your sets in the tags and give them a closer look for this post! Your consistency is frankly inspiring (so quick to capture iconic moments O.o) and I adore your blended sets and graphics in particular. Also I really wanna watch Joseon Attorney now because of your sets. 😆

↳ favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

Sya: Juhee!! First of all congratulations for being our motm! I'm always excited to see what you've created for the ongoing dramas and I can always count on you for sageuk dramas!! I LOVE your graphics and blending so much, it's very aesthetically pleasing to the eyes (saved as inspo!). I'll look forward to more of your sets for the upcoming dramas, especially sageuks ❤️

↳ favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]