#I’m writing a fic like this and I needed to write it here a little

[inkedinshadows]

Under the Summer Sun

Pairing: Azriel x Summer Court!reader

Summary: Azriel's mate takes him on a little vacation in the Summer Court, where she introduces him to a shocking tradition of her home court.

Warnings: none

Word count: 3.5k

A/N: I have one thing to say about this one, and it's that I had no idea where I was going when I started writing. I had a general idea, and that was it. Everything else came to me thanks to little sleep, lot of coffee, too many classes, and missing summer. This fic is really silly and I have no idea how it became this long tbh

@azrielappreciationweek

Azriel had been to the Summer Court many times, but never on vacation. He had gone on missions, of course, and to check in with his informants stationed there. Then there was that one time with his family, which had resulted in a wrecked building and Cassian's consequent ban. The last time he'd been here, it was to defend Adriata against Hybern.

And now, he was here with you. Somehow, you had managed to convince him to take a whole week off. Maybe it had something to do with you batting your long lashes at him, knowing he could never say no when you looked so cute. Or perhaps it was because you had already talked to Rhys, who had agreed that his brother needed some time to relax.

Either way, Azriel was glad you had convinced him. You were staying in your family's vacation house in a little town south of Adriata. The first day was spent in bed, cuddling and making love, getting up only to eat—as you had done years ago after accepting the mating bond. On the second day, you showed him the town and the places where you had grown up. But today would be a surprise. You had refused to tell him exactly what you'd be doing, claiming only that it was a common custom in the Summer Court.

“Are you ready, my love?”

Your voice came from behind the bathroom door, and Azriel glanced at his reflection in the mirror one last time. His half-naked self stared back. You had given him a simple piece of clothing to put on, and you’d been very clear about wearing only that.

Azriel was confused.

It looked like underwear, but it was too long, reaching his mid-thigh, and it was a bit looser around his legs. The deep blue fabric was unusual—soft yet a bit thicker than his regular underwear, and elastic. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but he didn’t understand why you wanted him to wear such a thing. It wasn’t alluring or anything like that. At least, he didn’t think it was.

With a sigh, he opened the door. “Sweetheart, I’m not sure—”

His words died on his tongue as his eyes settled on you. Standing in the center of the bedroom, you were wearing a new set of lingerie he had never seen before. The fabric seemed similar to the one he was wearing, but yours was a shade of cerulean blue that complemented your dark skin. It hugged your curves perfectly, tight enough to cover yet revealing in all the right ways.

“So?” you asked with a smile, spinning around so he could see you even better. “What do you think?”

Azriel closed the distance between you in two long strides, and his hands immediately found your exposed waist.

“You're breathtaking, my love,” he murmured, his eyes scanning you from head to toe. He could never get enough of you—your smooth skin, your soft body, your scent. And whenever you surprised him with something like this, his head felt as if it were spinning.

“I'm glad you like it.” You looked down at your body, brushing your fingertips over the hem of your bra. Azriel wanted to kiss the spot where the fabric met your skin. “It's been years since I last got to wear one of these.”

He had to suppress his rising desire to focus on your words. He frowned at the hint of melancholy that laced your tone. “What do you mean? You can wear it whenever you want.” His fingers pressed slightly into your flesh as he leaned down to whisper directly in your ear. “You look ravishing, sweetheart.”

He felt your body react to his words and touch as it always did—relaxing in his hold, leaning imperceptibly closer. But there was a playful smile on your lips when you asked, “What do you think this is, Az?”

Azriel's frown deepened. “New underwear?”

You hummed, amusement glinting in your eyes. But instead of answering, you slipped out of his grasp. “Let me take a good look at you.”

He grew more confused by the second. You studied him, eyes focused on what looked more like short pants than boxers. Yet there was no hint of desire on your face. Your gaze didn't roam over his body with that intensity that made heat bloom in his lower stomach. You didn't bite your bottom lip, didn't reach out to touch the bare muscles of his chest, and your breath didn't catch as it always did when you wanted him.

“You look so handsome,” you said eventually. Your gaze finally met his, and your amused smile widened at his confusion. “We can go now.”

Azriel blinked, but you were already heading for the door, grabbing a bag from the floor on your way out.

He immediately trailed after you, following you downstairs. His shadows swarmed around him, flying over to tangle in the ends of your hair as if trying to coax an answer out of you. But even they couldn't read minds, and you didn't offer an explanation.

“Go where?” he questioned, watching you put your slippers on. What did you even need shoes for?

“The beach,” you answered, as if it were obvious.

Azriel just stared at you. He was waiting for a punchline or a joke, because surely you couldn't be serious. But when you arched a brow, that smirk still playing on your lips, he realized you weren't joking.

“What do you mean?” he asked then.

“This is not underwear, Az,” you finally explained in an amused tone. “They're swimsuits. Mine's called a bikini, and yours are swim trunks.” You lifted the bag in your hand as if to prove your point. “I have beach towels. We're going to the beach.”

He gaped at you. “You really mean to tell me you want to go outside wearing…” He glanced down at himself, then at you. “Just this?” he finished.

“That's exactly what I'm telling you.” You shrugged, as if the thought of walking around with just a scrap of clothing didn't bother you at all.

“There's no way you're going out dressed like that,” he said firmly. “You're basically naked.”

“I'm not naked!” You sounded outraged, but he could see you were trying not to laugh. “I'm wearing a bikini.”

Azriel crossed his arms. He had never once told you what you could or couldn't wear, and he didn't want to start now. But a revealing dress or a plunging neckline were different from… this. The thought of everyone seeing you with nothing more than two small pieces of fabric made his jaw clench.

“How is it any different from going out wearing underwear?” he pressed.

You opened your mouth, then closed it again, falling silent for a moment. “I don't know,” you mumbled. “It's just socially acceptable here to go to the beach like this.”

He thought he was getting through to you, that he just needed to push a bit more and then you'd see how inappropriate it was. Instead, you stood straighter again and adjusted the bag on your shoulder.

“Come on, Az,” you said, your voice low and inviting. “It'll be fun. I've done this a thousand times already. I promise you, it's totally normal here.”

Azriel knew what you were doing. You thought that if you used that tone, if you batted your lashes and looked at him with your big doe eyes, he would cave. Normally, he would. He could hardly say no to you. But he couldn't stand the thought of someone else seeing his mate clad only in underwear. Bikini. Whatever it was called.

“Y/N, that's not the point. I—”

Before he could finish, your lips curled into a mischievous smirk, and you suddenly turned and bolted out the front door before he could catch you.

Cursing under his breath, Azriel quickly slipped on his shoes and followed you outside, not caring about his own underdressed state.

You hadn't gone far, not with those slippers that made running nearly impossible. He caught up to you just as you turned the corner, his hand grabbing your arm, his shadows swirling around both of you to hide your indecent state.

You stopped in your tracks and pointed to the beach just at the end of the short street. “Look,” you said simply.

Azriel did, and his eyes widened at what was probably one of the most shocking sights he'd ever seen.

There weren't many people, but you were right. Everyone—males and females, High Fae or lesser faeries, even the few children—was wearing the so-called swimsuits. And no one paid anyone else a second glance. Everyone minded their own business, either lying on towels or swimming. Some of the children were playing in the sand.

His shadows dimmed under the sunlight, halting their swirling around your bodies and disappearing completely soon after.

“Is it really that normal here?” he asked, a hint of surprise still in his voice. His gaze slowly returned to you.

“This is the Summer Court, Az,” you replied with a chuckle. “What kind of people would we be if we didn't enjoy our sea in this heat?” You took his hand, giving it a gentle tug to make him follow as you began walking again. “Come on. You're a big Illyrian. Don't tell me you're shy.”

Despite his lingering shock, Azriel couldn't help the smile spreading across his face. “It's not that.”

He had never had a problem with nakedness. He'd seen plenty over the centuries, enough not to be bothered by it. It was the idea of willingly wearing nothing more than underwear—and he wouldn't let you convince him that it was anything other than that—and going out in public. More specifically, it was the idea of his beautiful mate going out in public like that. It was a sight usually reserved just for him, and he didn't want to share it with anyone.

“Fine.” You playfully rolled your eyes. “If someone looks at me the wrong way, you can bash his teeth out. Is that better?”

He knew you were joking, but the fact that you were aware of his concern and the way you dismissed it so lightheartedly actually helped him relax.

“It is, yes,” he confirmed, only half-joking. He wouldn't actually do it unless it was an extreme situation, and he knew you could hold your own without his help, but still. He couldn't suppress the protective—and possessive, if he was being honest—streak that was only emphasized by your bond.

“See, this is why I didn't tell you what we'd be doing today,” you teased. You had reached the beach now, and you led him to an empty spot away from the others before letting go of his hand. “Because you wouldn't have agreed.”

Azriel couldn't deny that you were right. It would have taken a lot of convincing and persuasion to get him to agree to this.

Or maybe just your smile.

You took off your slippers and buried your bare feet in the white sand, wiggling your toes through the grains. You breathed in the scent of sea and salt in the air, your eyes closed. And the soft, fond smile that graced your lips as you reconnected with your homeland court made him fall in love with you all over again. It was a smile he’d do anything to see, and Azriel made a mental note to bring you to the Summer Court more often.

He followed your lead and slipped off his shoes. The sand was warm under his soles, and the morning sun heated his tanned skin. He even spread his wings a little, basking in the sensation.

“So, what do we do now?” he asked after a moment.

Your eyes opened, and you crouched down to open the bag you’d dropped on the ground. “Now we set the towels down,” you answered, pulling one out and handing it to him. “It’s probably too small for you, but I don’t have a beach towel for overgrown bats, so…”

Azriel shook his head, used to your endless teasing. You chuckled softly, and after you both placed your towels on the sand—his was, indeed, too small—you took his hand again, walking backward toward the shore and pulling him along.

“Now we go swimming,” you declared, then paused, a small frown creasing your brow. “You do know how to swim, right?”

It was Azriel’s turn to chuckle. “Of course I can swim, sweetheart. I just don’t remember the last time I had to.”

“Well, then,” you said with a smile, rising on your toes to kiss him, “let’s go make some memories.”

Without waiting for a response, you ran into the ocean with a delighted squeal and dove in, water splashing around you. Azriel didn’t move immediately, and simply watched as you emerged, eyes bright and smile wide.

You were the picture of joy.

The last time he had seen you this happy was probably at your mating ceremony, when you had appeared in that stunning teal and gold dress, looking like a vision. And now, as you stood in the water, Azriel was suddenly grateful you had brought him here. Droplets trickled down your body, your brown skin glistening in the sunlight as you moved your wet hair out of your face.

You beckoned him with a hand, and his feet moved of their own accord, guiding him toward you. He inhaled sharply as the cold water reached his thighs, sloshing around his wings. He didn't know how you could look so at ease when he was shivering, but you were in your element after all, while he was completely out of his.

“Aw,” you cooed as he reached you. “Is my little bat cold?”

Azriel grimaced, his tone playful as he pulled you closer. “First you call me an overgrown bat, and now I’m a little one?”

Your wet body pressed against his still-dry chest, and your hair dripped water onto his tattooed skin as you looked up at him. “Well, yes,” you confirmed, stating it as if it were an obvious fact. “Illyrians are overgrown bats, but you’re my little bat.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know I’m a head taller than you, right? I’m not little.”

You opened your mouth to answer, but then you closed it without saying a word. Azriel could see the wheels turning in your head as you stepped away from him, a mischievous grin spreading across your face.

“What is it?” he asked, knowing that expression all too well. “What did you just think?”

“There's this thing my father always did when I was a child,” you explained. “I loved it, and now I want you to do it too.”

After all the crazy ideas you'd hit him with over the years—this beach day being the latest—Azriel wasn't sure he wanted to know what you were talking about now, but he still lifted a brow. “And said thing is…?”

Your smile widened. “Throw me in the water.”

Azriel frowned. He must have heard that wrong. “What?”

But you nodded enthusiastically, grabbing his hands and placing them on your hips. “Pick me up and throw me in the water. You're strong enough to do it, c'mon.”

His fingers tightened on your hips, but he still wasn't convinced. “Why would I do that?”

“Because you love me and I asked nicely?” you tried, batting your lashes at him.

Azriel chuckled. “I do love you, but you did not ask nicely.” He pulled you closer, his fingers brushing the hem of your panties. Gods, it still felt like underwear to him, and all he wanted was to take them off. “You ordered me to do it.”

You laughed with him. “Sorry about that.” Pulling him down, you pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Love of my life, my mate, my everything, will you please be so kind as to use your beautiful, strong muscles to pick me up and throw me in the water? It's fun, and I’d really appreciate it.”

He knew you were teasing, but his heartbeat quickened with every word of flattery, even after all these years. “You are unbelievable,” he mumbled, stealing another kiss.

Though he still didn't understand how it could be fun, and wasn’t sure if he even liked the idea, his hands slid up to your waist. He lifted you effortlessly, water cascading off your body as he hoisted you out of the ocean. He hesitated for a moment, but when he saw your excited smile, he threw you back into the water, expecting you to twist midair and gracefully dive in. You had the agility and flexibility for it. He knew you could do it.

But you didn’t.

You let yourself plummet straight into the ocean, your laughter swallowed by the water as you plunged in, splashing it all around. The water was so clear he could see you sink for a moment before you kicked your legs and emerged, grinning from ear to ear.

Azriel stopped questioning whether it was fun or not. It didn't matter if it was childish and silly. After all, he still had snowball fights with his brothers.

All that mattered was the joy written on your face, and as he made his way over to you, he found himself wishing he had a place like this—somewhere he cherished returning to, a place filled with memories of a happy childhood.

“You probably think I'm crazy,” you said as you treaded water. He could still touch the seabed here, but it was now too deep for you.

“A little,” he admitted with a smile. “But as long as it makes you happy, love.”

You looped your arms around his neck, pulling yourself closer as his hands found their way back to your hips. Pressing your body against his, you rubbed the tip of your nose against his. “There’s something else that would make me happy right now,” you murmured, gazing into his eyes.

Azriel’s smile widened as he leaned in for a kiss, but before he knew it, you had pulled him under the surface. He had adjusted to the water’s temperature by now, but the sudden, full submersion still made him shiver. His first instinct was to break the surface and take a deep breath—something he would have done already if only you had told him what you were planning. Before he could, though, you used your magic to create a bubble of oxygen around the two of you, allowing him to breathe.

“So drowning your mate is what makes you happy?” he asked skeptically.

“Sorry about that,” you chuckled, eyes glinting with mischief. “But the surprise on your face was priceless.”

Azriel lifted a brow, readjusting his wings. It had been so long since the last time he was underwater that it took a moment to remember how to position them properly, preventing himself from floating back up.

You laughed, your hair swirling around you like a shimmering, silver crown inside the bubble.

“No, but it was fun,” you answered. You cupped his face, kicking your feet to swim just a little closer to him. “What would really make me happy is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I need to let the bubble disappear. I promise I’ll summon it again as soon as we’re done.”

Azriel frowned slightly, but he had an idea of what you wanted to do. He could only hope he was right, because he had a feeling you wouldn’t explain it if he asked.

He nodded, and with that, you called back your magic. Water rushed around you again, but this time he inhaled deeply before it was too late. And then you proved his suspicions correct.

You pulled him in for a kiss, and he tasted the salty water on your lips. His hands settled gently on the sides of your neck, keeping you close. As you both kicked your legs to stay submerged, Azriel understood why you wanted to do this. It felt intimate, like you were the only two beings in the entire ocean.

It reminded him of the way kissing you felt when he was flying with you cradled in his arms—the world faded away, shrinking until nothing existed but the two of you.

It lasted only a few seconds, but when you parted, both of you were smiling. As promised, you summoned another bubble as soon as your lips left his.

“That was nice,” he murmured, his voice soft.

“Good, because we’ll definitely do it again.” You stole another quick kiss before pointing toward the endless expanse of the ocean. “I want to go swimming. Do you want to come or would you rather head back to the beach?”

Azriel shook his head. “No, I want to come with you.”

“Perfect.” Your smile widened, and you gestured for him to follow as you turned around. “Then I want to show you the reef.”

He couldn’t help but smile to himself as he tucked his wings in tightly, kicking his legs to keep up with you. Never in his long life had he imagined that he’d one day find himself swimming in the Summer Court, wearing little more than a piece of underwear. But life with you was always full of surprises, and he had no doubt this wouldn’t be the last.

General taglist: @mrsjna @navyblue-eternity @paintedbyshadows @highladyandromeda @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @azrielsmate3 @mollygetssherlockcoffee @mirandasidefics @tinystarfishgalaxy @cynthiesjmxazrielslover @anarchiii @readinggeeklmao @anneas11 @azrielslittleslut @lilah-asteria @aaahhh0127 @lorosette @azrielsrealmate @pey2618 @mellowmusings @k8r123-blog @daughterofthemoons-stuff @minnieoo @saltedcoffeescotch

Azriel Week: @fourthwing4ever

[revelboo]

I'm really enjoying all the fics you write. Hopefully this will remain a fun little hobby you can relax with and you won't start feeling like an obligation or something because of the amount of followers or number of asks/requests. Remember to take care of yourself and don't be like wheeljack, skipping meals and rest :)

Thanks! And the asks are fine. I’m just doing this for fun, anyway

Circuits and Wires Pt 6

IDW Wheeljack x Reader

• Bare feet sliding on the counter top, you push your shoulder against the spool of wire and try to shove it back in place. Cleaning up after Wheeljack’s mess after he’d stopped in the middle of a project to run out at a jog with only a vague ‘wait here’ thrown over his shoulder. An emergency? Bending to start rolling what looks suspiciously like a giant alien screwdriver toward the rack it slots into even though you know there’s no way you’re lifting it to get it put up where it goes, you hesitate when the door opens. Wheeljack looking for and finding you, vocal indicators a sickly yellow-green that puts you on edge. “What happened?” You asked, suddenly breathless with worry.

• Reaching out his cupped hands, you don’t even hesitate to climb into his palm, leaning down so he can cage the other hand over you to run. “Ratchet has a hurt human,” he says, running past Ironhide and Trailbreaker as the other two flatten themselves against a wall and stare after him. Can feel the warmth of you in his hands, your shoulder bumping his servos when he rounds the corner and enters medbay.

• Heart racing from being jostled, you cling to Wheeljack’s servos as he lowers his hand to the berth Ratchet is leaned over, methodically dipping rags in a dish of water and then draping them over a still form. Stomach roiling at the pink tinge in the water, you reluctantly slide out of Wheeljack’s hands. But can’t make yourself move any nearer, because you can smell the blood, that pungent coppery bite twisting your uneasy stomach further. “How can I help?”

• “Blood pressure, temperature, or the broken bones?” Ratchet growls after rattling out a list of vitals and stats that mean absolutely nothing to you. “Come here. What needs to be dealt with first?” His head comes up to stare at you as you wrap your arms around yourself, because he can’t be serious. This person’s life can’t be dependent on you, because you know nothing about medicine. Don’t know if any of the numbers he gave you are normal or critically bad.

• “I-I don’t know?” Wheeljack wants to reach for you when you look helplessly up at him, not moving any closer to Ratchet’s human. Seeing the frightened anxiety on your face doing unpleasant things to his spark. Needing to pick you up, ease that fear. “I’m not a doctor, I was a legal assistant. Blood pressure?”

• “Primus,” Ratchet snarls, slinging a tool to clatter against the wall and looking around like he’s after something else to throw, his fury making you back up closer to Wheeljack, trembling as he curls his servos about you and lifts you against his chassis so his warmth and safety can calm you. Because right now? You feel less than useless and someone might die because of you. “Find the others. See if any of them know anything.”

Previous

[00kittenz]

Hi hi hi!! I'm so free these days to read and I wanted to know what are some of your top fics or the fics that you'd recommend to someone who's visiting your blog for the first time, thank you <3

haiii <33 so i used to read a TON of fics on here but i haven’t been reading as many latelyyy, but i can def give some recs that are like some of my all time faves on this app !! ღ(>ᗜ<*)༡

firstly, you should def give little lamb by my lovely bff @leeechin a read. it is srsly one of the best fics i’ve read on blr i kid you not, it’s sooo good i’ll literally never stop talking about it !! plus, murderer!jake is actually the hottest shit ever. i could ramble on and on ab this fic but i won’t spoil anything lol, highly recommend it tho <333

strip for me series by @slutofpsh is so so so good like omg, before i even started this blog i was obsessed with this whole entire series, like when i tell you it had me in the tightest chokehold !! you should def read it hehe. i love that author’s work so much >-<

i absolutely LOVE this fic sm omggg… like it’s genuinely so underrated and deserves 1000+ notes, i’ve reread that fic at least 1837472725 times i’m not even joking LOL. i need sunghoon so bad plsplsplspls 😣

the lighthouse and meet me at our spot by @jjunieworld are both absolutely amazing !! they make some of the best fics i’ve ever read on here, i kid u not they are soo talented !! pls pls check them out !! >_<

bed chem by the lovely @p4ranormaluv is another honorable mention, i was hooked on this one IMMEDIATELY. jaz is such a wonderful writer and has so many other good works, i would simply recommend all of them shdhdhhs

this one is also rlly good, i loooove this one as well, this one’s an all time fave just bc i love me some dilf!sunghoon, anddd this is one i’ve read fairly recently that i’ve thoroughly enjoyed !! :3

i think that’s it for now but if i think of anymore than i’ll add them !! pls show all the authors some love bc they truly deserve it :D

as for my own, i would say jay’s body is my fave fic that i’ve created so far as it’s my longest work and i put a lot of effort into it, plus i just rlly love the movie jennifer’s body so if you’re into that kinda thing then you may like it !! but if dark content isn’t for you then i’d either suggest only if you say yes or my most recent fic stress relief !! i would also like to mention this fic too bc i loved writing it a lot and jay was so sexy in it hehehe, i love writing for jay if you couldn’t tell 😖

[wren-kitchens]

i'll grow the bones myself (then i’m alone again)

1962 words

okay, even mumbo can admit that he’s milking it now, but grian said they’re allowed to kill each other in between the wild cards now, and he is not missing an opportunity like that! besides, aside from gem and joel (who he has- solidly given up on killing by now) these guys are the team with the most dark greens. also, he spent far too long digging the stupid hole in slow motion, and he is not letting it go to waste. it is pretty boring, as far as traps go. he doesn’t have a great grasp on time, especially not since it all went haywire earlier, but mumbo is fairly certain he’s been sat waiting for someone to walk above the hole for at least two hours now. at least he can listen to their conversations, which have been.. kind of interesting? it's a bit like listening to someone else watching some kind of reality tv show, but you have very little context to what's going on and also you can’t see anything. honestly, it could be worse.

a fic in mumbo's pov that's really not about mumbo at all this is a continuation of this fic! the following happens pretty much immediately afterwards

what is up with me this week i'm on a roll omg im a writing powerhouse over here

okay, even mumbo can admit that he’s milking it now, but grian said they’re allowed to kill each other in between the wild cards now, and he is not missing an opportunity like that! besides, aside from gem and joel (who he has- solidly given up on killing by now) these guys are the team with the most dark greens. also, he spent far too long digging the stupid hole in slow motion, and he is not letting it go to waste.

it is pretty boring, as far as traps go. he doesn’t have a great grasp on time, especially not since it all went haywire earlier, but mumbo is fairly certain he’s been sat waiting for someone to walk above the hole for at least two hours now. at least he can listen to their conversations, which have been.. kind of interesting? it's a bit like listening to someone else watching some kind of reality tv show, but you have very little context to what's going on and also you can’t see anything. honestly, it could be worse.

"oh, pearl!" comes scott's voice all of a sudden, and mumbo (who definitely wasn't falling asleep) has to press his hand to his mouth to stop himself from yelping in surprise. "how'd- what's wrong?"

"i’m just going to bed." pearl says, distinctly dejected- which is honestly not something mumbo has ever heard from her before. it feels weird to be overhearing. 

there's a kind of scuffling from above, as if they were- fighting? that seems wrong. but pearl says, "get off-" and maybe they are actually fighting.

"I just- what is it?" scott says again, and there's something weird about his tone that mumbo doesn’t think he has enough context to understand. he almost laughs at the idea- he needs to go back and watch the earlier seasons. 

pearl scoffs (at least, mumbo's pretty sure that's what that noise was). "it doesn't matter- let me get past."

mumbo knows there's- some kind of history between these two, so maybe that's what's going on right now. not that he knows much about it—any time he asks about it, he only gets a clipped version of 'they were soulmates' and then something about them leaving one another. honestly, it depends entirely on who you ask if you want to know who left who; no one seems to be able to agree. he's been told a couple times that scott would be biased, and he knows better than to ask pearl.

"i’m your teammate, I should know what's going on." scott says, and it doesn’t quite sound like anything he’s heard a teammate say. even the southlanders after they fell apart- there was always some kind of.. fondness. "if you made us an enemy-"

"i’ve done nothing!" pearl says, indignant. "why is that your first thought? i’ve been on a walk-"

"pearl, don’t lie to me." scott says, almost exasperated, and mumbo thinks he should press grian harder for answers about double life. "you look like a kicked puppy."

pearl makes a noise of frustration, before there's a cry of surprise from scott and a thud on the ground- directly above mumbo's hole. ironically, he finds himself hesitating; he kind of wants to hear how this plays out. "how's that for a kicked puppy?"

"what are you doing?" scott exclaims, and mumbo notes that this is the first time he’s heard scott actually sound angry, rather than suppressed annoyance. "we're meant to be a team-"

"never stopped you, did it?" pearl says, and her voice makes it sound like she's trying not to cry. it- he’s not been playing these games for as long as everyone else has, but. is it normal to miss your ex-teammates? "never stopped me, either- i'm not sure why you're surprised, scott."

"is that what this is about?" scott says, and mumbo wonders if he's still on the floor. "you’re still upset about double life? I died so you could win-"

"that's all you do, isn’t it!" pearl half yells, voice close to breaking, and the silence that follows is deafening. "you kill yourself and make people watch- or you make them do it! and you call it a noble sacrifice- maybe I didn’t want to win, scott." her breathing is heavy, and- something occurs to mumbo. "maybe I just- maybe I just wanted someone who cared about me."

mumbo moves carefully over to the edge of the pit, checking his comm to see exactly where peal and scott are positioned, shovel at the ready. maybe he can get two birds with one stone here. or shovel, he supposes.

"where the hell is this coming from?" scott demands. "what happened?"

pearl takes a shaky breath. "I found someone who cares about me. and- and I threw it away to do justwhat you did to me."

if they could just stay still for a couple seconds-

"I- pearl, i died to save you- i’d do it again." scott is saying, and he’s finally standing still enough for mumbo to start digging. 

"are you even listening?" pearl demands, taking a step towards scott. mumbo really hopes he can pull this off before one of them moves too much. 

"i’m listening-" scott says, exasperated. "I don't think you know what you’re talking about."

pearl gives a sharp, humourless laugh. "fine- you want to die for me?"

mumbo breaks through the layer of grass, watching as the dirt around it begins to crumble- and he’s just managed to miss scott. of course he has! will he ever get a trap to-

"go and die!" pearl yells, and suddenly scott lurches backwards into the hole- into the pit-

smajor1995 was doomed to fall by pearlescentmoon

there's a ringing silence, broken only by pearl's gasp as she realises what she's just done. she drops to her knees and looks into the hole- and her eyes fall onto mumbo.

"hi." mumbo says awkwardly. "um. I think that one counts as yours."

pearl just stares at him for a long moment, and he’s suddenly worried he’s misjudged the whole situation. "out- out of all the traps that could have worked." she gives a weak smile. "how long have you been.. down here?"

"oh- several hours." mumbo says. "it- I wasn't expecting- y’know."

"all that?" pearl says, with enough of an amused (if still rattled) look in her eye that mumbo feels confident enough to nod. "yeah, I- neither was I." she hesitates. "do- I don't suppose I could hang out at your base for a little while? i’m not sure.. i’d like to stay here too long."

mumbo is nodding before his mouth catches up. "no- yeah, definitely. it- mounders for life, right?"

and at that, something lights up behind pearl's eyes as she grins. "absolutely."

the walk back to the terrifyingly precarious mess of bridges is not nearly as action packed as mumbo expected it to be. apparently someone had moved or broken a bed at pearl's base, or maybe scott had just slept elsewhere, because they didn’t encounter him at all on their way—not that either of them were complaining. 

it's- it's weirdly comforting, to fall into old jokes and familiar patterns. mumbo had forgotten how much he enjoyed hanging out with pearl, and the way they both seem to have the same kind of jittery nervousness that almost cancels each other's out. pearl seems to remember a moment mumbo had hoped she'd forgotten, and spends about five minutes complimenting his pit-making technique and how incredible his timing is, and mumbo is distinctly red in the face by the end of it all—much to pearl's amusement. and strangely- he doesn't seem to care. because pearl is happy. gosh.

"so- I have to ask," mumbo says, a little tentative to disrupt the warm nostalgia that has surrounded the two of them. "what.. was it that I overheard?"

"ah." pearl's smile looks a lot sadder all of a sudden, and mumbo immediately regrets saying anything. "yeah. it wasn't.. really about scott. or- I don’t know, maybe it's all about him. everything has to be." she scoffs to herself. "chain of events kind of thing." pearl half mutters.

"you said- you said something about him dying?" mumbo asks cautiously. "and- now is.. probably the best time to mention- no one has really explained what happened in double life between you two?" something in pearl's expression shifts, and mumbo scrambles to add, "and i’m- i’m happy to stay in the dark, if you want me to!"

pearl smiles again, shaking her head a little. "I- no, it's alright, I just. everyone's still a little nervous to bring it up." she grins, glancing away. "they knew how much I was hurt by it."

as they pass through birch trees, pearl explains with more detail than mumbo thought he would ever get: how she seemed to have broken a rule she was never told was in place, the way her mind seem to shatter from that one single moment onwards, how she's not sure it's quite stuck together again. she explains tilly, and the powdered snow, and how even martyn didn't seem to like her even though they'd done the same thing, and the aching injustice everything was tainted by.

and she talks about those final moments. she talks about how she watched the person she adored and despised blow himself to bits in front of her face, how she felt the shattering of her ribs before she went along with him, how he had to have that last line- that last word, even though she won. it was still about him. and winning itself, pearl explains in a low voice, was the worst thing she'd ever had the misfortune of experiencing. mumbo offers his hand, and she takes it, and it doesn't feel so big.

"I think- I think people don’t want to upset me." pearl says, and it takes a moment for mumbo to even remember how this conversation had started. "but I also think.. they feel guilty, that they didn't do anything more."

"do you blame them?" mumbo asks, all restraint forgotten.

pearl shakes her head, smiling sadly. "I used to." she wipes her eyes. "and then I did it to someone else." pearl looks past mumbo, and he follows her gaze to see gem's barn in the distance, and he understands. "it's easy to pretend you were noble, when you’re scared."

"i’d- i’d disagree that's the same." mumbo says. "similar, but not the same."

"yeah." pearl says, still distant. "she said that too. not- not quite as gently." she grins a little. 

mumbo hesitates. "earlier.. you said something about finding someone who cares about you. do you. care about her too?"

there's a pause as pearl seems to consider- though it doesn’t seem to be the answer she's considering, but the wording. "I wasn't sure. for a while." she settles on. "and then I realised how much i’d hurt her, and then- how much I hated that. so- yeah. I care about her."

mumbo nods, understanding just a little too well. "thanks. for- for explaining, I mean. it.. seemed like it was hard."

pearl gives a scoff of a laugh, and some of the tension dissipates. "yeah, no kidding. I don't suppose you have any baggage we can talk about to lighten the mood?" she teases, and mumbo laughs.

"nothing particularly poignant." he grins. "i’m glad my trap worked. how's that for- for life altering moments?" mumbo offers, laughing at himself.

pearl is grinning along, and at least she seems happier now. "I mean, i’m pretty glad it worked too." she looks over her shoulder at the top of the base poking out of the birch leaves.

"you had fantastic timing, after all."

[copaline]

WIP WEDNESDAY IS UPON US!

@man--eater (You just posted a fic chapter but here I am demanding more!)

@sunsetofdoom (the menacing continues)

@i-prefer-base-twelve (At this point I can't not tag you.)

@punedrr (Tell me you got Ford to cuddle something other than a mannequin!)

@ancharan (Sorry but you made the list. I'm tagging you in everything now.)

And as always, if you see this and want to join in, please do! Consider yourself tagged by me! The banner is free to use!

More Horror Vacui shenanigans happening! I'm 12 pages into Chapt 10 so this is the home stretch. Turns out writing fluff is harder than I thought:

“Sounds like you’re gonna need a tracker,” Wendy grinned, “you’re lucky I’m here.” “Not a chance.” “Aw c’mon Stan, I’ll even do it for cheap,” she smirked, “five bucks now, another five onced we’ve gagged, bagged, and tagged your man.” “Kid I’ll give you five right now if you never say those words to me again,” Stan scowled at her. “Deal!” After some grumbling, Stan reached into his jacket and handed her a five dollar bill. All the while, Wendy’s confident smirk never left her face. “So what now?” he humphed. “Now we climb!” she cheerfully replied and Stan looked at her as though she’d asked him to throw himself off the ledge. “It’s perfectly safe, Grunkle Stan!” Dipper said in what Stan felt was a little too cheerful a tone. “And how would you know? What are you, some kind of rope expert now?” he huffed, “Just because my idiot brother jumped off a cliff, it doesn’t mean I gotta do it-” “GUYS WHAT’S THE HOLD UP, UP THERE?!” Mabel’s unmistakable voice called out from the bottom of the drop. “We already climbed up and down the rope a bunch of times. It’s safe,” Wendy shrugged before calling down, “STAN’S BEING A BIG CHICKEN ABOUT HEIGHTS AGAIN!” “What? I am not!” “I THOUGHT WE WORKED THROUGH THAT!” Mabel replied. “IT STOPPED WORKING! I’M GOING TO TELL HIM TO GO AROUND SO HE DOESN’T BREAK HIS WEAK OLD MAN BONES!”  “OKAY! SO SHOULD WE WAIT HERE OR…?” “THINK SO YEAH! HE MIGHT WET HIMSELF ON THE WAY DOWN!” “Alright! Alright! I’m goin'! I'm goin'!” Stan yelled interrupting the very loud, very humiliating conversation happening between the two girls. For what must have been the tenth time that day, Stan grit his teeth and vowed to deck Ford the moment he had him in his sights.

[gallavichsreddie1128]

You make me nervous (Spock)

Description: Y/N is really nervous around Spock and faints in his arms.

Word Count:761

Request:

Hi could I request a Spock fic where the reader is naturally very shy and has a huge crush on the Vulcan. She always finds herself stuttering in his presence and running away if she gets too overwhelmed with his presence. Little does she know that he also has feelings for her. Something happens and she faints in his arms and both their feelings come out in the open.

Hopefully this all makes sense and is interesting enough. I love your writing 😊

Author’s note: Please someone send in Lore or Q requests!! I wanna write for them but need ideas

Y/N watched as Spock worked on the bridge. Kirk had him doing some small tasks and even though Y/N should be working she couldn’t help but stare at him.

He was beautiful but Y/N knew that since he was Vulcan he would never like her back but that didn’t stop her obsession. “Ensign Y/L/N.” The person spoke her name a few times before getting her attention. She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Captain Kirk.

He had a knowing smirk on his face. “You were daydreaming.” He stated. “Yeah I’m sorry. What was it that you needed?” His smirk never went away as he spoke. “You are a part of the away mission under Spock.” Her heart dropped and she stuttered out an okay.She looked at Spock who was now looking at her and she quickly looked away. This would be fun. 

The away mission was in the morning and Y/N paced her quarters. She was nervous, so nervous that she couldn’t even sleep. Sure, she’s been on missions before but never under Spock.

She felt herself shake as she thought about how easy it would be to embarrass herself in front of the man. It was late but not late enough that the knock on her door was weird. “Come in.” She yelled and the person entered.

Thinking it was one of her friends she didn’t face them. “I have a serious problem and I think it’s making me go crazy.” She said to the person. Unknowing to her that it was Spock. “What seems to be the problem, ensign?” She froze. Her heart and her body froze as she heard the voice.

She felt like she couldn’t move or face him at first. “Ms. Y/L/N is everything okay?” He asked after a while of silence. She turned towards him with a smile. One that she forced herself to wear. “Y-yeah. What a-are you doing h-here?” She hated herself for stuttering in front of him.

“I came to speak about the mission but it seems like you have other worries going on.” He states. That was true but she wanted him to stay. “No, we can talk.” She said, wanting to forget what she had said. She gestures for him to sit and he does.

As he was talking, she wasn’t listening. She was too focused on him and the fact that he was in her quarters. Spock could talk all day but he noticed that her face was really red and she was zoning out.

“Y/N, are you okay?” She snapped out of it hearing her first name. “Yes.” She lied and he stood up. “You do not look okay. Maybe you should go see Doctor McCoy.” She shook her head, “It’s not like that Spock.” She says but he was way too close to her. She felt overwhelmed and before either of them could speak again she fainted. 

She woke up and noticed that she was not in her quarters or any quarters for that matter. She was in sickbay. She groaned as the bright light hit her sensitive eyes. “You are awake?” Spock asked, almost sounding relieved.

She was confused. She looked over at him, “Why are we here?” She asked. “You fainted in my arms.” Of course she faints in his arms and doesn’t remember. She sighed and muttered an apology. “No need for an apology. I am just glad you are okay.” He was glad? She looked at him with pure confusion. “Glad? You can feel that?” He almost chuckled at her but held it back.

“Yes. Vulcans hide our emotions but we still have them.” Ah that makes sense. “Why me?” She asked. He looks at her waiting for her to continue. “You care about me? Is that what you’re saying?” She looked so lost and so cute. “Y/N, I do hold romantic feelings for you and I can tell that you do as well.” Her jaw dropped.

Has she been that obvious? She felt embarrassed about that, completely missing what he said. “Spock I was not aware that I had been that obvious. I am terribly sorry.” She said and he tried not to roll his eyes.

“The feeling is mutual. You have no reason to apologize” He tells her. “It’s just I know that you-wait what?” She looked at him. “You have feelings for me as well?” He didn’t answer her but leaned in and kissed the shocked girl. She kissed back after the shockness passed. “Hey you two get out of my sickbay with that.” Bones yelled at them.

[wendihoe]

Do you ever think about Lawrence? Like when he’d just been forced to amputate his own foot and he probably asked John about Adam. Only to never get real answers for literal years until he went back to the god damn bathroom and saw the corpse that he knew would be waiting for him. Ever think about Lawrence? Maybe holding out hope that the bathroom of outside of time and space like his own personal Schrodinger’s box. That if he didn’t go back maybe Adam would be there, alive.

[saetoru]

al-haitham’s the kind of guy who tilts his head slightly for a kiss before you even lean in to give him one. he just knows it’s coming. expects it. trusts it’ll happen.

he’s yawning when he sits at the table for breakfast, hair slightly disheveled from sleep. he sits down and when you place the mug of coffee in front of him, his head angles a little for that kiss you place on his cheek.

he’s drowned in endless paperwork at the akademiya when you stop by to visit, chuckling when he gives you that look of despair at the all the work he has to do. you don’t even manage to walk up to him fully before he’s leaning in and waiting for the kiss to the top of his head.

he’s shirtless in the bathroom, brushing his teeth at night when you walk in to brush yours too, bumping hips with his as you giggle. you don’t even have to turn before he’s tilting his head so he’s exposed and ready for that gentle peck you leave at his jaw.

“have you ever noticed how demanding you are for these,” you chuckle one day, pressing a kiss to his cheek to prove your point.

he grunts, leaning in and burying his head into your neck as you greet him at the door after a long day. “what makes you say that,” he mumbles.

“you’re ready for one before i’ve even come close,” you grin, “what if one day i don’t kiss you?”

“you’d stop kissing me?” he asks, squeezing your hips as he nuzzles into your neck. something tells you he already knows your answer.

and he’s warm. he’s close. he’s here and he’s everything all at once. he’s all you need and everything you’ve ever wanted. he’s the messy hair of your mornings and the pouty lips of your afternoons and that shirtless back of every night. he meets you halfway—maybe even takes the first step so you don’t have to.

he leans in for that kiss before you do. because he needs you, wants you, loves you—and he never lets you forget it. so you turn your head, press your lips against the side of his head and run your fingers through his hair as he sighs in content.

“no,” you hum, falling in love all over again, “no i’d never stop kissing you.”

[potato-lord-but-not]

How do you come up with sketch ideas? i stg your sketchbook is like a fucking sitcom or something, your doodle dumps make me laugh out loud. how do you do that????

honestly I just think about the fictional guys wayyyy too much. I’m a very visual person when it comes to my thoughts so really it’s just copying them down to the best of my artistic abilities. always putting those guys in situations and since I’m so averse to writing fanfics I make the most crusty sketches imaginable to cope

[ur-fav-alien]

Guys idc we’re all just obsessed with Cooper Trap what about Eben!

What about him!!! My sweet vampire princess!!!

[fogwitchoftheevermore]

(context for watcher/listener!sausage can be found in the “videos” tag on my blog if you want it, but this ficlet can be read without said context)

- - -

“Y’know, of all the Hermits I was expecting to be pulling me into a dark corner tonight, I did not expect you to be first, Grian! I love the initiative!”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Grian says in a voice near a hiss. He’s got Sausage by the wrist, leading him into a small area of the upper floor of the tavern in Sanctaury that does look like it was built for the exact purpose Sausage is implying. Grian decides to ignore that as well.

“What are you doing here?” Grian’s straight to the point. He always has to be, with these Things, if he doesn’t want to get trapped in a loop of slant rhyming pleasantries.

“What do you mean?” Sausage asks, shaking his wrist out of Grian’s tight grip and leaning comfortably against the wall. “This is where I live. It’s my home. If anything, I should be asking you mysterious strangers what you’re doing here, but I’m sure you’ve heard that question enough for one day.”

“You know exactly what I mean.” Grian crosses his arms and tries his best not to look petulant, but he sure feels like it. “I thought They’d given up on trying to snatch me back, so why would They send you of all people? What’s your game?”

Sausage laughs, honest to god laughs, like he can’t believe Grian’s even asking him such a question. Grian thinks it’s a reasonable question, in this scenario, but what he thinks and what’s reasonable rarely seems to matter with these things.

“They didn’t send me,” Sausage looks him up and down in that way that makes Grian have to physically stop himself from curling inwards. This is why he never talks to Them. “Nobody sends me anywhere, they don’t tell me what to do and I like it that way! I just do my own thing. Isn’t that what you’re doing?”

“No you’re not! You’re not- you can’t be! That’s not how this works!” Grian begins to notice that he’s no longer whisper-shouting and starting to just-normal-shout and takes a deep breath, trying not to draw the attention of his friends enjoying themselves on the floor below. And, realistically, in the other dark corners Sausage seems to have built into this place.

“That’s exactly how this works. You didn’t think you were the only person who’d left, did you?”

Grian opens his mouth, closes it, and thinks. In hindsight… yeah, he had kind of assumed he’d been the only person who’d left. Not for lack of trying, probably- but They’d tried for so long to get him back, kept him closely surveilled even when They’d accepted he was gone- surely some people had caved to that pressure eventually. When there was no sign They’d ever let up, ever let you go… he could understand eventually letting it overtake you.

“Did- did you leave, too?” Grian doesn’t remember the last time he saw Sausage’s face. He didn’t know him back then, of course. He probably would’ve connected the man with the person Pearl so often spoke about sooner. But he knows it’s been a long time, maybe even longer than the last time Grian had gone There. He doesn’t think Sausage had been There, that day. This might explain why.

“Eh, not quite?”

“What-“ Grian flails, both mentally and with his arms a bit. “What do you mean not quite?”

“Exactly what I said! I was never- it’s complicated, y’know?”

“Explain. Now.”

“Well, uh,” Sausage seems to flounder for the first time since this conversation started, which Grian is choosing to take as a victory. “Look, I wasn’t- they didn’t pick me. For this, or for anything, ever. Sometimes things just happen and you get yourself into a place you shouldn’t have and then… they can’t get rid of me, I can’t get rid of them, it is what it is.”

Grian stares at him for a long moment. Really stares at him, in the same way Sausage had looked him over earlier, in the same way that makes you feel like you’re under a microscope. Judging by the sudden nerves in his eyes, Grian can assume he feels it too. Grian remembers his face. That had been the first thing he’d noticed, when the Hermits had arrived. It had been a long time since they’d seen each other, but Grian knew his face. And now that Grian was studying him, really trying to remember… he’s not sure he quite likes what memories he’s dredging up.

“What are you?”

“Grian!” Sausage’s voice drips with mock offense as he puts his hand up to partially cover his mouth. “We only just met, do you think that’s polite?”

“Answer the question,” Grian sighs. How Pearl deals with this man on the regular, he doesn’t know.

“Well, if you insist.” Sausage sighs, somehow even more exaggerated than his previous movements. “It’s just… if you’ll believe it, it’s somehow even harder to answer the first question.”

“It shouldn’t be,” Grian says. “They’re two very different People, you know.”

“But they’re the same species, when it all comes down to it. Like, you might be very different than a chicken, but you’re both birds in the long run.”

Grian pauses, fanning his wings out a bit behind him as he considers. “I don’t think that metaphor’s quite landing the way you want it to.”

“No, me neither. Anyways, let me continue.

When they don’t pick you, things go a little differently! You don’t get sorted onto one side or the other since, well, you’re not really supposed to be there? So I’m… whatever I want to be, really. I think I’m feeling like more of a Listener, today, but we’ll see how the mood shifts.”

Grian flinches at the Name, on instinct. He doesn’t know how to feel about that, so he files it away to be dealt with at a later date. As for the rest of what Sausage said-

“What?”

“You heard me.” Sausage shrugs. He’s so nonchalant, Grian thinks he might strangle him, if not for the worry that that’s exactly what he wants out of this, somehow.

“Did I? Did I hear you?” Grian wants to pace, but that requires leaving the security of the corner, so he forces his feet to root themselves to the floor. “I thought- I thought you had to- if you wanted to change sides, I thought you had to-“

Grian closes one eye and takes his thumb to it, twisting the finger into his eyelid. The gesture seems to get the point across.

“Well, that’s the funny thing about this, actually.” From the way he’s been talking, Grian assumed Sausage thought this whole thing was funny. He restrains himself from saying that out loud if only so Sausage will finish his explanation.

Sausage reaches up to his left eye, pulls his eye lid back a bit, and unceremoniously pops out his prosthetic eye.

“All these processes and rituals actually have a lot of loopholes.”

Grian doesn’t know what face he’s making, but it’s enough to make Sausage giggle while he pops the eye back in. Because of course he does. Because this how his day is going, apparently. Walk through a weird portal in his basement and wake up in a world filled with his friends who don’t recognize him and also a guy he only ever saw There, who he was never supposed to see again. Sure. Of course he’s laughing about it. Grian thinks if he was a slightly different person, he’d be laughing too. It is, undeniably, absurd.

“Well, I think we’re done here then!” Grian would probably object if he weren’t so shocked about the loopholes. As it is, he just stands there a bit stupidly.

Sausage turns away to return to the party before turn around again for just a moment, reaching over, and ruffling Grian’s hair. That shocks him enough to shake him out of his stupor and swat Sausage’s hand away, though not before his hair is suitably messed up.

“What was that for?!”

Sausage smiles as he reaches up to rough up his own hair as well. “I assumed you didn’t want your friends asking questions about why you were dragging me into a dark corner, you know?” Sausage even goes far enough to pull his shirt a bit out of where it’s tucked into his pants, because of course he does. Grian tries not to cringe, but Sausage is right about this one thing. It is the easiest way to dodge any questions about where he’d gone off to- at the expense of the many knowing looks and teasing remarks he’ll be getting from the other Hermits instead.

“Have a good night, Grian!” Sausage calls over his shoulder as he turns to leave for real this time. “And remember, drinks are on me for all you guests tonight! You look like you need it.”

[rotteneldritchhorror]

They gave Topper a girlfriend— devastating actually, I hope he stays fucking insane and obsessive and possessive and a little bitch cause otherwise what’s the poooiiinntttt

I need my kooks PATHETIC and USELESS. She better blow up on him for ignoring her to do whatever Rafe’s asking of him this time, I need him to be the worst boyfriend ever cause there’s no way that man can Be Normal for a second lol

[voidartisan]

I normally take character deaths pretty well but I’m actually kind of mad about this episode of the acolyte.

like.

what was the point

[crossbackpoke-check]

it’s all the rest of what i want with you

connor dewar/brandon duhaime :: 8k

Summary:

“Brandon,” Connor says with a sigh. “There’s no baby in there.”

“Not yet,” Brandon says. Connor feels his stomach twist, almost like what he would imagine a baby kicking to feel like.

in these trying times of dewvorce, may i offer you 8k of pwp inspired by @stillfertile’s wonderful art which i had. several breakdowns about 🫶 anyway please enjoy!!!

[solar-halos]

okay i give up i cant write this pjo fic percy loves sally too much

[crybaby-bkg]

I think I might take a break from writing on here (quite possible a lie) </3