#Jack turns 23 tomorrow

[rowdyluv]

Today is the last day Jack Hughes can sing “22” and actually be feeling “22”.

Let that sink in.

[jocelynscrazyideas]

john marino fluff next 🥺

Just because | John Marino x reader

Summary: cute way to end the night with the man you’ve been with for four years.

Warnings: language I think? That’s it..

A:N- i think a Jack smut is next?

══✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿══

John and I had just came back from sweep the deck in the prudential center. Many events had taken place at this fun night party.

“How’d you like it?” John asks me, he hooks his hand onto my waist as he walks me out of the crowded room where the ice would normally sit. I hold onto him as support, I recently just injured my knee, I was an elite track star- like literally I was an all star track athlete for Harvard. Obviously it’s been years since my college days, but being a 26 year old is tuff in my joints- especially working and over training my body for the last 23.

John and I have been together for years! It’s been a long lasting relationship and I’m proud to say that he might be the one to marry. “Oh, it was fun! I enjoyed it. I loved curling.” I reply, almost forgetting the question he asked me. I go back to day dreaming as I look up at him. How dreamy he looks. I can see his dimples- if he smiles hard enough.

I love the way he handled me, and he only wnats to love me, and that doesn’t mean having to fuck every night. We go down on eachother every other night, and yes, that means we fuck off and on all week. “It helps keep his stamina for hockey.” He says. It’s embarrassing to even admit- but I love the way he just carry’s himself. It’s like no one matters except me and you.

He knows what he wants, and he’ll beg.

John loves me like he’ll buy me Lego’s. Why? I don’t know, but I love building. I love going out. I love snuggles. I am in love with John Marino.

~flashback~

A couple years ago, I had told John I will never love anyone. I barely love myself, I told him that I’m incapable of being loved and loving. I’m cold hearted.

“You’re not cold hearted! And I love you. So you’re Not incapable of being loved. I will make you love me anyway.”

~

Has he been successful since then? Yes. I do love him.

We get in the car. I’m hoping that we don’t fuck tonight. I’m just really tired. I do hope we can sleep tonight.

If anything, I’d want to recieve a blowjob in the shower. I’d rather suck on John in the bed as well, and maybe do the business in the bathtub, or maybe the couch? I don’t know, but I pray I won’t have to have sex with John tonight. Maybe tomorrow just not tonight, I’m just so drained from the party.

We get home, John unlocks our house and he walks in, leaving me in the car. It’s pitch black out. I cannot see anything, and I’m too scared to walk in. “I’ll be back.” John said as he turns on our lights to our home.

He opens the door wide, and grabbed a blanket. He came running out of the house with a white fluffy blanket wrapped around his arm. He opens my car door and pulled me into his arms.

He holds me in a baby cradle and hides me away in the blanket. “John, I’m perfectly fine! I can walk!” I beg John to just put me down. “No.” He responded.

What a gentalmab. What did I say? This guy knows his priorities- and he will do whatever he wants.

We make it back to the door and I’m almost asleep, I gave up on begging to let me down. He sets me on our white couch. John turns the lock to ensure we’ll be safe tonight. He turns the light switch if and he takes my hand leading me to our room.

He undresses me, he tried looking for my pajamas- as a result of not finding them he takes his clothes off as well. He cuddles with me and or skin touches skin. His front on my back, John being big sooon, and I, being little spoon. The star lit the room.

The moon glares down at us and I fall asleep feeling loved and warm in his presence.

When I woke up, I saw flowers on my bedside table. John wasn’t next to me in bed.

Weird.

I slide my slippers on and walk out if the room. I head towards the kitchen, hearing sizzling on the stove from possibly John cooking.

I step down the stairs to see John in a tight apron watching the office. He is shirtless under the blue apron and has a hot ontop of his curls.

His feet are covered in his fluffy socks I gifted him on our 3rd year anniversary. John has green shorts over his lower half, he walks over to our countertop. There is a wood plater holding a glass plate full of eggs, hash brown and newly cooked bacon.

John slides in a cup of orange juice on the platter and sets a bowl of fruit that I cut up yesterday before sweep the deck. I walk down the stairs fully to see John smirk at me. He runs over to me to give me a big hug. “Nice boobs.” John mocks me, he takes his apron off and slides it over me.

“Get dressed, Curtis is bring his kids over. We’re watching them so he and reanne can have time alone.” John lets me know. “Thelyll be here in 30 minutes.” He informs me. I run up the stairs and to my suprise I see a note next to the flowers that John probably provided me.

I slide on my sweatpants and a hoodie over my bare chest. I read the note as I slicked my hair back into a messy bun.

~

Dear y/n,

I love you so much, hope you had a good night of rest. I woke up early for you so I could make breakfast and have time to run to the store to pick up your favorite flowers!

And yes, I thought you flowers just because.

Anyway, love Johnny.

xoxo- cuteness.

~

[plussizefantasia]

$45

Flufftober Day 23: Apple Picking

Aaron Hotchner x reader

Word Count: 0.6k

AN: This one is short and sweet. Feedback and Reblogs are encouraged, see y'all tomorrow.

divider credit @royallaesthetics

$45 dollars. Fourty-five dollars. That is how much it costs to go to an apple orchard and pick your own apples off of trees you don’t own to put in a bag that is way too small to cost that much. Aaron was at war with himself. On one hand, this excursion was entirely too fiscally irresponsible. On the other, your smile was bright enough that he was sure if it got any brighter he’d need to fish out the sunglasses from his car.

Apple picking was your idea, it was your turn to plan a monthly date night and you had told him that it was a “quintessential couple’s experience” that everyone had to try at least once. Rules were rules, it was your month to pick, so Aaron would go along with whatever you wanted, as long as it wouldn’t put himself or you in danger. The only danger at the apple orchard was to his wallet, which wasn’t enough reason to say no.

Not that Aaron had actually ever said no to you. You were pretty responsible often not asking for much, just his time and affection when you could get it, which wasn’t as often as either of you would particularly like. Aaron gave it freely when he could. 

Walking through the rows of the trees, your hands intertwined and swinging back and forth. Aaron was holding the bag which wasn’t very full at this point, only four or five apples in one hand, and your hand in the other. You were twisting your head back and forth, looking for good apples and paying extra close attention to the story Aaron was telling you about what Jack had said when he dropped off from school today.

“He wanted to come, but I told him that it would be cold and that he would have to carry a really heavy bag full of apples and he changed his mind.”

“You didn’t?” You turned to face him.

“The bag isn’t that heavy yet, ask me in a couple of minutes.” He teased.

You smacked his shoulder and began walking again.

“Oh! Look at that one honey! It’s so big.” You lifted your hand and pointed in the general direction of a tree. It took a couple of seconds for Aaron to find the apple you were thinking of, but when he did he let out the smallest of sighs. It was big, it was also very high up and deep within the leaves.

“Can you grab it?” You asked him. Aaron merely placed the bag from his hands onto the ground, pushed up his sleeves, and practically climbed into the tree. He was swallowed by the foliage but emerged moments later clutching the large red apple in his hand, victorious. 

You reached up to pluck the leaf from his hair and as you pulled away you also left a kiss on his cheek. 

“My hero.”

“That’s what you keep me around.”

“For your height?”

“For my willingness to do whatever you ask, as long as you ask it with that smile.”

You practically swooned and couldn’t help yourself from pulling him in by the color of his jacket and placing a large kiss on his lips. 

His free arm immediately wrapped around your back, pulling your body further into his, and deepened the kiss. It wasn’t quite a full makeout, you were in public after all but it was clear that Aaron was relaxed.

When he was with you, he wasn’t Agent Hotchner, BAU unit chief. He was you’re sweet Aaron, who would climb into a tree if you flashed him a smile and spent way too much on apples that he had to pick himself. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

[short-and-ugly]

If you're reading this I've finished my TWO WHOLE playlists!

Here's the infinitely superior DROPBOX link to the two:

The caveat to these being that you would need to download the playlists yourself to get the fullest experiences. But like. It's totally worth it. Prommy. Super duper prommy. Please.

Here are the timestamps for the longer versions:

SKOODGE:

00:00 - Losers by The Cardigans 3:18 - Happy/Ugly by Car Seat Headrest 6:16 - Sweet Talk by Saint Motel 9:28 - Step On Me by The Cardigans 13:17 - You name it, I’ll eat it (Bring The Hate Like An 808) by Talkshow Boy 15:02 - Jenny by The Orion Experience 18:19 - I Bet On Losing Dogs by Mitski 21:09 - Will You Wanna Live If You Can't Torture Me Every Day? by Star Kid 23:15 - Ruin My Life by Lusha 25:28 - Best Person You Know by Lowertown 30:18 - Tainted by MOP 32:32 - Strange by Celeste 36:47 - Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now by The Smiths 40:23 - I Feel A Little Bit Ugly Today by Su Lee 42:05 - 9 to 5 by Mustard Service 44:29 - Soldier In A Box by Hot Hot Heat 47:40 - Put Me To Work by Big Data 51:59 - Misery Meat by Sodikken 53:04 - Salivating by Sir Chloe 55:31 - Wars of Expansion by Space Cadets 59:52 - Normalize by Mother Mother 1:04:12 - I Don't Wanna Die by The Unicorns 1:06:15 - What Do They Know? by Mindless Self Indulgence 1:09:24 - Don't Bury Me I'm Not Dead Yet by The Riverboat Gambles 1:12:11 - Karma by AJR 1:16:18 - All I Need by Radiohead 1:20:04 - Everyone Adores You (At Least I Do) by Matt Maltese 1:23:26 - Death, Thrice Drawn by The Scary Jokes 1:26:26 - Side Character by Cloudfodder 1:29:42 - Honeysuckle by Pom Pom Squad 1:33:01 - Love's Caress by Moon Visions 1:37:52 - Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me from Waitress The Musical

PUNCHBUGGY/ZASR:

00:00 - Outside With The Cuties by Frankie Cosmos 02:33 - No Tomorrow by Le Matos (feat. PAWWS) 07:03 - 16 Mirrors by Alex G 08:30 - Ugly by Huxlee 11:05 - Glue by PHF 14:21 - Errasuriz by Kiltro 19:30 - Thermodynamic Lawyer, Esq, G.F.D. by Will Wood 23:06 - Drink To Me by Pleasantries 26:02 - Bubblegum by Matt Correa 29:37 - Second Best by Laufey 33:01 - I Hate Everyone But You by Elita 35:53 - Animal by Neon Trees 39:25 - Scroll Patrol by Rinse & Repeat 42:37 - From The Gallows by I Don't Know How But They Found Me 45:20 - Love Me Too Much by Carseat Headrest 48:41 - Ofelia by Kiltro 52:59 - Caroline Please Kill Me by Coma Cinema 54:50 - Love Me Dead by Ludo 59:11 - Cinnamon Bone by Eliza Rickman 1:02:18 - the perfect pair by beabadoobee 1:05:15 - Twilight by Boa 1:09:03 - Cellophane by Pom Pom Squad 1:12:36 - Oh My God by Bats 1:16:30 - You'd Like Me More by Axel & Lolo 1:20:13 - I Don't Know by You The Marias 1:23:43 - Break My Stride by Mattew Wilder 1:26:45 - Adorable by Artist Vs Poet 1:30:17 - My Ugly Mouth by Meg & Dia 1:33:52 - passing papers by egg 1:36:43 - I Was An Island by John-Allison Weiss 1:39:31 - Best Friend by Laufey 1:42:17 - Turn by The Wombats 1:45:42 - Best Friend by The Moving Stills 1:48:36 - Two Time by Jack Stauber 1:51:00 - Healing by Oh Honey 1:54:25 - Grew On Me by Chonny Jash 1:58:56 - milksugar by crushed 2:04:35 - Talk Like That by Wallows 2:06:36 - That Thing That You Do by Cody Fry 2:10:12 - I Think I Love You by The Patridge Family 2:13:04 - If I'm Being Honest by Dodie 2:17:45 - The Whole World And You by Tally Hall 2:19:31 - Valentine by Laufey 2:22:17 - Little Person by Matt Maltese 2:25:39 - Pink In The Night by Mitski 2:27:59 - Red With Love by Pom Pom Squad 2:30:28 - Poisoning Pigeons In The Park by Tom Leher 2:32:33 - Pretty Ugly by Bumblefoot 2:34:42 - End Of The by Earth Marina 2:38:24 - Deep Green by Marika Hackman

... but if you don't wanna go through the commitment of listening to these, here's the youtube versions:

... and HERE'S THE FULL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS!!! HAHAHAHAHAA GOTCHA!!! YOU DUMB IDIOT!!!!!! YOU'RE IN IT DEEP NOW!!!! GO LISTEN TO IT. GO LISTEN!!!!!!!!! PLEASE. ALL TWO HUNDRED OF THE SONGS ON EACH OF THEM. NOW.

[billy-joel-ultimate-song-bracket]

Round 2 Round Up

Biggest nail-biter: Poll 13, Rosalinda's Eyes vs Uptown Girl. It was the only to be tied for any length of time in this round, and Rosalinda's Eyes held a narrow but impressive lead for a while, but Uptown Girl came through in the end.

Biggest upset: Poll 9, Allentown vs It's Still Rock and Roll to Me. It's Still Rock and Roll to Me is the first one of Billy Joel's three number 1 hits to be eliminated.

Widest margin: Poll 27, The Stranger vs Streetlife Serenader, with a margin of 88.5% to 11.5%.

Closest margin: Poll 23, We Didn't Start the Fire vs Why Judy Why, with a margin of 53.1% to 46.9% Honorable mention to Poll 9, Allentown vs It's Still Rock and Roll to Me, with a margin of 53.7% to 46.3% and Poll 17, Tomorrow Is Today vs Just the Way You Are, with a margin of 53.9% to 46.1%.

Most votes: Poll 13, Rosalinda's Eyes vs Uptown Girl, with 105 votes.

Least votes: Poll 11, State of Grace vs Weekend Song, with 33 votes.

Dark horse winners: Weekend Song and The Stranger, which both benefitted from being up against equally obscure songs, but are still exciting to see move on to round 3, Summer, Highland Falls which is fairly well-known and loved, but gets a nod for beating Captain Jack, and Turn the Lights Back On which also benefitted from being up against an obscure song but gets a nod just because it's a recent single and not from any of his albums.

Going into the next round, all twelve of Billy Joel's studio albums are still represented. The only non-album song to continue is Turn the Lights Back On. The most-represented album in the round 2 winners is The Stranger, which is not surprising, but depending on how round 3 goes we might start seeing some Stranger-heavy polls.

Round 2 winners playlist:

Round 3 opens at midnight!

Don't take any shit from anybody!

[evita-shelby]

The Troublesome Trio

Dad!Jack Nelson for @call-sign-shark @thegreatdragonfruta @zablife and all those who voted for him in the poll.

Dad!Tommy will come later today or tomorrow.

Happy new year's eve y'all ✨️

Cw: small mentions of past sexual assault by a priest

Everything had been set for New Years.

Having learned his lesson about inviting the Riley-De Souza-Rosales and other surnames attached to Eva’s family over for thanksgiving, now most major celebrations were to be held in Rockwood Hall now that it has become the seat of the Riley Clan.

Gina had come once during the summer but then got into a tiff with one of the younger girls over something stupid like all teenage girls do. It had been irritating, getting interrupted in the middle of the night because Gina had learned the hard way quiet little Nayeli was the daughter of a professional spy and assassin.

He loved his niece, his only family besides Eva and the children, but she was even more of a handful than their four children at seventeen.

“Will you two be good boys for Nanny?” he asks the twin boys who turn five in May. Joseph was the more active of the two, but Junior made up for his sickly nature by being the brains.

It had been Junior who decided their mama’s pearls and daddy’s pocket watch were going to be the buried treasure when playing pirates, that they should hide in the washing machine to scare Alice the maid and even worse, switch places.

Luckily Jack knew his namesake was slightly shorter than his older identical twin brother and Eva was magical and read auras or some shit like that.

Most people, especially Eva’s older relatives like her bitch aunt Livia or her uncle Benito with the bad eyesight confused them to hell and back.

Little Jack, being his father’s son, used that to his advantage.

“Yes, sir.” The boy said as he had taught them too and for good measure Jack asked to see their hands so they don’t cross their fingers.

Even Rosie made her trouble despite her delays in growth. Took longer to walk and talk and do things other children did, but she could give most nannies a run for their money if she didn’t like you.

“Rosemary, sweetheart, daddy didn’t hear you.”

She smiled mischievously and batted her eyelashes as she bit her new sleeve to shreds, a habit they found cute even if a bit concerning, and only nodded in response.

Didn’t help at all that Rosie looked like Gina, not his niece, but his baby sister who died of consumption so she got away with things the boys could never.

“Alright, if you don’t feel like talking this morning, I’ll let it pass this once.” The gangster turned millionaire relented as he always did.

Besides the most trouble Rosie would cause would be wanting to sleep with them because of those nightmares she has of the man in the white coat.

Jack wouldn’t begrudge her that, he still has nightmares about the priest who raped his sisters and tried to do the same to him.

“How long do you think they’ll behave for, husband?” Eva asks as she settled with one year old Katherine in the passenger seat of their car.

“Won’t even make it out of the street.” It’s not that the youngest bank president in America didn’t trust their word, he just knew he and his witch would never make angels.

And sure enough they hear one of the maids find a fake spider in Kitty’s basinet as Jack pulls out of the driveway.

“It was me! It was me!” Rosie admits with joy knowing damn well she won’t get disciplined for it.

Rockwood Hall is/was the country home of JD Rockefeller and until it was demolished, the second largest house in America. Was sold in 1922 after he died, and in this universe the Rileys bought it since they were all exiled from Mexico by then.

Rosemary Kennedy was disabled and lobotomized in the 1940s at the age of 23 after her impairment worsened, we don'tknow what she had as her family kept everything including her very hidden after the lobotomy left her permanently disabled. Rosie Nelson is disabled since she is based off her.

Jack's famous first meeting with Tommy, he tells him his first kill was the priest who tried to sexually abuse him, in the fic the priest had already sexually assaulted his older and younger sisters.

[starythewriter]

JACK harlows secret slut PT 1

I got an update for y’all, “Jack Harlows sercet slut” series might be the most extensive/long one I’ll ever write, but you’ll still get Kol, the originals, Wolverine etc… just wait for everything to work itself out and my masterlist will be coming out very soon. No dates yet. But soon

A/N 7/11/23: YALL- I’m releasing the 2nd part of “Jack Harlows secret slut” & a wolverine story si get prepared! If each story gets 30 notes EACH, I’ll DROP my masterlist! Which will include every story and series I’ve written! As I plan to expand but for now the roaster is as follows:

Jack Harlow

Vinnie hacker

Wolverine/Logan

KOL Mikaelson!

you see Jack from across the room, you look at him and he looks back… you give him a smile and continue walking you arrive at the bathroom, to fix your lipstick… later as you walk out you run into Jack Harlow… you feel flustered as he looks at your curves in your green fancy dress, “you look amazing darling”-Jack.

“thank you your not so bad yourself so cute and handsome at the same time”-Y/N.

The two of you had been going steady for a while now… you were his best friend, well kind of but more than friends… you guys were really happy together… you looked into each other's eyes and gave each other a kiss on the cheek you could taste sweet honey and mint… you started to makeout and you lured him into a middle room locking the door, he started to tease your thighs. He was a gentleman and didn't take liberties with you, only making love to you softly and slowly… that is until you pulled away “you want to finish this right”

‘yes I do’ he responded

You walked around the table kissing Jack passionately your hands wandered over his torso… you could feel him grow hard as you reached his crotch, the heat radiating off of him was overwhelming.. Your lips touched and you moaned into his mouth as his hand reached under your skirt… his finger slipped into you and your moans turned to screams as you felt him slide up and down inside of you… you pushed his finger deeper in and he continued thrusting inside you… you came all over his shirt you were both completely covered in hickeys and bites and marks of pleasure, you kissed him again and again as his fingers began to pull away. You felt empty without him inside you…so he kept going, you moaned….

You groaned, “fuck JACK” he smiled as he enjoyed seeing you so fucking lewd… you then switched and got on top of Jack to start riding his dick while he moaned your name he worshipped you “oh fuck- Y/N- your so good… your thighs, legs everything about you is so fucking- good.., and your so skilled- ah- fuck- OH- y-yes”

You picked up the speed earning more moans from him… he flipped you and thenhe stood up and put his tux jacket on he leaned in for a quick peck. “we'll pick this up tomorrow night, have fun darling” he smiled

“you too” you said smiling back you waited till he left your apartment.

the end.

TAGLIST FORM

[devilsupdates]

Onto some good news!

Jacob Markstrom raised his season save percentage to .903% with that shutout in Vancouver.

He stopped 2.07 goals above expected.

#NJDevils  HC Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Jacob Markstom will start tonight.

"There is no sugar coating; it is tough to play against a former team. [...] I think that it is kind of on us as a group to play well in front of him and do the best we can."

Puck has dropped.

NJDevils  underway in Calgary. The city, not the Tate McRae song.

First period

Andersson gave Markstrom a late tap after the whistle, and Cotter, Noesen, Dillon and Hamilton all went after him at once.

Paul Cotter went down hard.

Bastian got in a fight with Lomberg to stick up for him.

We'll see if Cotter is okay.

They're fighting again Bastian and Lomberg

Cotter is staying on the bench, but Bastian gets 17 penalty minutes there.

#NJDevils  will be shorthanded

Jonas Siegenthaler is really hurting after blocking a shot.

He just limped down the tunnel...does not look good.

He's back on the bench.

#NJDevils  might have avoided a catastrophic loss.

Luke Hughes has made his two finest defensive plays of the season in this first period.

End 1:

#NJDevils  and Flames scoreless.

A bit of a slow start for NJ but Jacob Markstrom made the saves when he needed to.

SOG: 12-5 CGY

Second period

Keefe just had a chat with the linesman before the puck dropped & did not seem pleased. Shaking his head.

Anyways, second period underway.

What a sequence. Yegor Sharangovich rings iron, Jack Hughes comes the other way on a breakaway and he's denied by Vladar. Pace intensifying.

Watching Yegor Sharangovich shoot the puck is one of the most visually appealing things in the sport of hockey.

Dawson Mercer just yelled "F*** me" as he went to the bench after not connecting on a 2-on-1 w/Hischier.

Understandable.

Can't recall the last time the #NJDevils  were in a scoreless game halfway through, but they are now.

Jack Hughes denied on a breakaway, again

Kevin Bahl with a nice backcheck.

Something ended up in the net, finally. But it wasn't the puck. It was Erik Haula.

Seems like Nate Bastian is injured.

His penalty has expired but he remains in the #NJDevils  locker room.

Still scoreless.

Jacob Markstrom has been phenomenal, stopping all 23.

SOG: 23-14 CGY

Third period

Markstrom has been good, but it's notable he's only faced -- and turned aside -- one high danger shot attempt, per MoneyPuck.

F Nathan Bastian (jaw) will not return

#NJDevils  fall in Calgary, 3-0.

First time they've been shut out since April 13th in Philly.

Offensively, they just had nothing going for them. They're a .500 hockey team again, 7-5-2.

Sorry it’s not much this time I’m getting engagement photos done tomorrow

[mysticstarlightduck]

What is the most common trauma you give your characters? The one that most/many of them have. For example abandonment issues, survivor's guilt, something along those lines

Thank you so much for the ask, @an-indecisive-nerd!!!

Sorry for the late response btw - these past two weeks were really tough on me due to the fact I was anemic AND had a really bad flu, but now that I'm 100% back to health I'm ready to catch up with my asks and tags lol

I think a few of the most common traumas my characters face in my books are the following (mostly because I'm a whump enjoyer but also because those things are really plot relevant too):

Familial Loss - Most of my Main Characters have suffered some kind of familial loss in their past. A lot of them don't have their parents and if they have the good one is usually dead and the bad one is hunting them. Examples of this in my stories include: the Millihan siblings from WLITH lost both of their parents at a young age, Savvy Hahn from WLITH lost her half-brother to a brutal kidnapping when she was six, Adahm Ryker from Scrapyard Boys lost his childhood best friend when he was 12, Kaelan Brimcaste from Arrows of Nightfall lost his older brother and only guardian he ever had to an execution, and so on.

Poverty and Oppression- Many if not most of my MCs have suffered poverty in their past. In Grim City Chronicles Willem and his brother are street urchins in a Victorian Era-inspired city, Vince became a common prostitute to pay the bills and his cousin Peggy is a thief, and Ilya is a conman renowned for swindling nobles. Most of the characters from Scrapyard Boys suffered from various forms of poverty plus they live in a cyberpunk dystopian regime that is infamous for its oppresive and murderous tendencies. In Supernova Initiative, before Jack and Cassie Tithus became the richest and most wanted intergalactic thieves in the galaxy, they were just common street urchins in a backwater moon that was swamped by crime of all kinds. Even in WLITH - though NOT to the same extent as the other books, since the MCs in this book do have some stability - the Millihan siblings aren't exactly well off and Dylan often has to have 3 jobs just to pay the bills and settle their grandmother's debts that are still in their name.

Torture and/or Major Injuries: Many, many, many characters in my medieval high fantasy stories (Arrows of Nightfall, Realms of Loss, The Last Wrath, Crooked Fable, etc) AND in my science fiction stories (Scrapyard Boys, Plague of Tomorrow, Supernova Initiative) at one point or another of the story undergo some form of torture or continuous injury at the hands of their enemies.

Abandonment Issues & Betrayal - Though not as prevalent as the other traumas above, a lot of the cast from many of my WIPs has some form of abandonment issues. Erin Niemand from WLITH has very much unresolved abandonment issues due to her mother blatantly walking out on the family after cheating on Erin's dad. Adrien Rosetrom from Scrapyard Boys was literally kicked out from home and abandoned by his grandparents when he was 15. Victor Moreau in Grim City Chronicles was betrayed and shunned by his best friends when he was turned into a vampire at the age of 20, and lost his son to a monster hunter his so-called 'friends' sent after them a few years later.

Sexual Harassment: To a lesser extent (this time probably as some form of catharsis for my inner child 😭lol, but I'm fine btw) but still there, a few, specific characters in my WIPs have suffered some form of harassment or even, unfortunately, assault. Dylan Millihan in WLITH is stalked by a 50-year-old cougar (Mrs. Adelaide Draycott) who is disturbingly enamoured with him and wants to get the 23-year-old to fall in love with her or at least sleep with her at all costs, which she luckily fails at everytime but is still harassment. Adrien Rosetrom (Scrapyard Boys) has been catcalled, received inappropriate touches/groping or even snide comments from multiple men in clubs throughout the years due his job as a stripper - and the same applies to Vince in Grim City Chronicles but to a worse extent. (Also in Scrapyard Boys) It is implied Adahm Ryker suffered some form of assault by Dr. Gladys from the PHANTOM Labs when he was a teen, though any details are unclear. In the same WIP Karima Sallow offhandedly mentions that Caroline Tarych and her husband James both had a grooming-like attitude towards her before the Tarychs massacred House Sallow.

[eyes-of-rock]

Why does love have to change

Jack Blades x OC

Chapter One

Summary: Ren is the bassist of the successful Swedish Rock band Savage Seducion. She had it all, the great band and the fairytale romance with her guitarist and frontman Gunnar. That was until they broke up. Now Ren must navigate playing with her Ex as they tour America with Night Ranger. Along with new feelings for Night Rangers bassist Jack Blades.

A/N: yes I reused a band from another fic I abounded in order to write this one. Also, comments are welcomed and encouraged! Hope you enjoy!

Ren’s POV

I'm trying not to think about tomorrow. When I have to face my ex for the first time since we broke up a few months ago. He was the boy next door. I have known him my whole life, our parents were best friends and so we became friends. I started playing bass and he started playing guitar. We fell in love, or whatever love is to kids. We were thirteen. Then we decided at sixteen nothing was ever going to break us up so we might as well start a band together.

That was our first mistake. When you are sixteen we genuinely believe nothing is going to break up you and your boyfriend. You’re delusional and life hasn't kicked you down enough yet. We made it past school and our band grew. We got a record deal and still stuck together. We were 18 at this point. We'd been together all our teenage life and it was starting to break down. I had these feelings I needed to run. I needed to explore I needed to try something else. The love I once felt wasn't really romantic anymore. Yet I didn't want to fuck up our band. We had a massive following back in Sweden off our first album.

We were making it. I was living my dream of being a rockstar. So I kept hanging on to the relationship despite knowing I didn't love him anymore. I kept fighting it.

I mean he was the only love ever knew. What is wrong with me? My whole family wanted us together wanted us to get married wanted him to be my great love story. After all, it was looking like one of those stories you read about where the boy and girl next door live happily ever after. So I kept fighting it.

We made a decision to keep us being a couple as on the down low as possible. We didn't want that to be the identity of our band. Which looking back now should have been a sign.

Time went on, till last year. When I realized how unhappy I truly was. It all started when my mother started up her whole “why are you and Gunnar married” thing again. We're only 23 granted we have been together ten years. I realized how unnatural it was I really didn't want to marry him. I had no desire to spend the rest of my life with him. I didn't want to be his wife. I didn't see a future with us together. I wanted to run. I wanted to be free. How I was just holding on to this relationship to hold on to my band and make everyone around me happy. I didn't really love him anymore. I had to get out.

I remember thinking I'd have to start a new band. I can do that though. I can start over. I thought I'd shatter his heart. I thought he'd hate me and I was prepared for that.

I was shocked when It turned out he felt the exact same as me. We both knew this wasn't our forever love like we once thought and we had to cut ourselves free. We both knew it was what was best. So that's what we did. We decided since it was mutual and we really have no hate for one another to keep the band going. Why ruin a good thing?

So here I am months later. In San Francisco. Where our tour is going to start tomorrow with Night Ranger. They happen to be a band I really love. So I'm excited to your with them. I know it's going to be awkward but I also know I can work past it. I just need to focus on our music.

After all this the tour in support of our new album. The one we finished just before breaking up. It's really taken off here in America and I'm very proud of it. We've gone gold already and it's only been out a week! I'm excited to play the new stuff.

I decided to come a few days early so I could enjoy San Francisco a bit and relax before the awkwardness that was bound to happen. Right now I'm sitting in a nice convertible in an almost empty parking. I'm looking at the map to plan out my route to my next destination. I'm drinking some American soda, and just knowing the music and the nice weather.

Then I pop in my “Dawn Patrol” cassette into the cars cassette player. When I say I'm a fan of night ranger I mean it. I crank the radio and start singing along. Ex-boyfriends are tomorrow's problem.

————————————

Jack’s POV

I stop dead for a second when I suddenly hear my own music fill the air. Someone somewhere is blasting “Don't Tell Me You Love Me”. I look around looking for the source. It has to be nearby I can hear it very clearly. I look head into the parking lot and notice a woman sitting in a red convertible. She's got long black hair cut in what I call I rock n roll style. She's wearing sunglasses and she's the one blasting my music. It always makes me happy to see people enjoying my music. Especially when it’s pretty women.

In her lap, I notice she's studying a map. There is a good chance she's lost. I should go see if she needs help.

I walk over to her car and smile as I reach the driver's side. She notices me and turns down her radio down.

“If I’m not allowed to park her I can move.” She says, probably because the parking lot is empty. She has a thick accent of some kind. I’d say it’s European. Though I can’t place the exact country.

She’s dressed very rock. With tight black ripped jeans,cowboy boots and a crop top of the Swedish Band “Savage Seduction”. The band were actually starting a tour with next week. Interesting. Maybe she’s here for the concert? She seems to be fans of both bands.

“No, I actually came over to ask if you’re lost.” I tell her, pointing to the map on her lap. Also in her car is a pack of cigarettes, her purse, and a few cassettes. One of cassettes is actually our Album midnight Madness, and I can see the case for Dawn Patrol as well. The one she’s currently got on her cassette player.

It’s kind of funny she appears to be such a big fan yet hasn’t recognized me. Especially when I’m sitting on the cassette player box right next her. I don’t blame her though. I probably look much different without the spandex.

“Oh! No I’m just planing my route.” She laughs, “but thank you.”

“No big deal.” I tell her,then I point to the tape in the player.

“Great band aren’t they?”

“Night Ranger?” She asks, “yes the best.”

“Are you going to the show tomorrow?” I ask her, curious.

“You could say that yes.” She laughs, “Are you a fan?”

“You could say I am yes.” I tell her. I don’t like being full of myself and going ‘I’m Jack Blades the bassist and singer of the band’. It’s okay not everyone needs to know who I am. I also don’t want to come off as full of myself. Especially not to someone as pretty as she is, that’s the last thing I’d want her thinking of me.

“Well I really should get going.” She tells me with a smile.

“It was nice meeting you.” I tell her and I mean that I’m hoping I can see her tomorrow so I can give her a backstage pass.

“I was nice meeting you too.” She smiles as she drives off. Well shes someone I’m not going to forget for a while.

[canary0]

August 23 - Dracula 2023

The Diary of Mina Harker

I'm getting worried. We have been keeping a watch lately, but Lucy managed to get the crucifix down from her window in her sleep and made it out to the churchyard again. It almost goes without saying that her health has taken a turn and she's quite weak now. We've made the decision that moving forward, I should sleep in her room with her. I will miss out on time with Jonathan, and I am quite worried about him, too, given the fiend's equal interest in him, but Lucy appears to be his main target for now. Lucy herself much approved of this plan, and sweetly spoke of how it would be like sleepovers when we were just girls.

Jonathan is recovering as well after the increase in his illness the other day. He remains quite pale, though, and I worry for lingering anemia. He and Lucy look a bit similar at the moment, but Jonathan seems to be stronger... more than he used to be, if anything, which is surprising. He and Lucy are rather comparable in build, with Jonathan perhaps slightly the smaller of the two. I wonder if Mr. Morris would be willing to room with Jonathan to keep an eye on him and make sure both of the monster's interests have an eye on them?

Fortunately, Dr. Seward has been a great help with Lucy's health. He's been keeping an eye on her vitals and ensuring that she eats well for reviving her health.

Dr. Stankiewicz arrived today, and she looks a good bit different while on vacation than she did while working, with her lab coat traded in for torn jeans, and a flannel overshirt. She did bring medical equipment and, of all things, her own autoclave, which she set up in the kitchen. Fortunately, the Westenras' kitchen is quite generously sized, and the machine itself isn't huge. She quite brusquely informed us that she expected to be here on a working vacation, so she came prepared, though she didn't expect two people. I was a little put out - both of them had been very careful, but fate had put them in the wrong place at the wrong time. She smiled at that, though, and told me she knew, and that neither was in any way at fault for their situations. We would try to improve them.

She proceeded to take down everyone's blood types. Lucy is apparently AB+, which is good to learn. She can receive blood from any of us, so transfusions won't be an issue for her. Jonathan will have a bit more trouble, with B- - not exactly common, and he can't get it from just anyone.

Dr. Abraham Van Helsing arrived later that same day. Unlike Dr. Stankiewicz, he seems like quite the jovial and personable sort. He is also quite in contrast to his protege, Dr. Seward, in that way. By the time he arrived, there was only time for a late dinner, however. We will start the arduous process of going over what information we have tomorrow. Hopefully Arthur will be able to make it soon. I will be arranging the physical records during the meeting tomorrow and starting a file on everything we have.

God willing, we and the three doctors together will be able to make some sense out of everything going on.

---

The Diary of Jack Seward

Woken in the middle of the night by a report from the hospital. Apparently more strange behavior from Renfield. Apparently he became quite agitated around sundown, yelling and seemingly trying to shake the bars on the window, immobile though they are. "That's it! It's you!" He was yelling out according the the nurse's report.

She moved to the window to try and see what he was yelling at, but all she could see outside was an unusually large bat. She apparently did call animal control to report a potential invasive species appearance, but there wasn't much else she could do. Renfield remained upset, but he was not a danger to himself or others, it seemed, so he was allowed to express his piece. Eventually, after roughly 45 minutes of terrified ranting, he calmed, seeming to exhaust himself.

I'm concerned about this new change in him. I've given orders for the therapist to speak with him about it tomorrow. Hopefully we'll find out more.

[rowdyluv]

Little Things jh⁸⁶

pt 1

Summary: in which Jack agrees to help his close friend with losing her virginity.

Warnings: 18+, mdni experienced x inexperienced, sort of friends sort of already lovers, blurred lines of relationship, use y/n & y/n/n, pet names,

Word Count: 2.3k+

Notes: this is my first time publishing a smut fic here, not my first time writing smut. i did not write it how i wanted to nor how i usually write it. much more tame than what I would typically do. didn’t want to full send on the first one. please be kind.

- you are responsible for what any and all media you interact with on the internet. this piece of fiction is intended for those 18 years of age and older ONLY. if you are a minor, do not continue to read below the cut.

Read part 2 here

"What the hell are we doing?" Jack's voice was a mix of surprise and excitement, his breath hot against her ear. “Are you positive you want this?” He has to ask her again for the twelfth time this evening. He keeps hoping her answers continues to be yes, but it would end him if they go through with this little “one time” rendezvous and she never spoke to him again. Y/n is his go to person for every little thing. It used to be his mom, until she came into his life around age 17.

“Yes Jacky, i wouldn’t have brought it up if i didn’t think i could handle the after effect.” Y/n ran her hand through his hair and kissed his cheek. Jack turned to face her as they sat in traffic.

“I have to be sure, I can’t just jump into bed with someone as important as you are to me and it end up hurting you. Or you wake up tomorrow and think it’s a mistake, I can’t do it like that.” He babbles, as he turns his attention back to the road when traffic starts moving again allowing him to pull into his apartment’s parking lot. “I’m not saying I won’t have sex with you, how many times have we almost before?”

“I figured that, if I can’t get out of my head to have sex with someone because im embarrassed that I’m 23 and still a virgin, and my best friend is this self proclaimed sex god. Why not ask him to help me out?” She bit her lower lip for a moment watching Jack’s face for a reaction. “Plus..at least I know he would never hurt me and would listen to me.” Her voice was softer than before, one of her hands turning his face towards her to delicately caress his cheek. Jack flashed her small soft smile that seemed to only ever be reserved for her and his eyes held onto hers.

Jack took a deep breath and swallowed hard. He had never seen his best friend like this before. Desire painted on her features like a masterpiece. For a moment he wondered if she wanted him or if she was only wanting to lose her virginity as her plan proposed. Either way he knew he had to be careful, but the raw, animalistic need coursing through his body was begging for release. He leaned in as if he was going to kiss her before diverting towards her left ear and whispered into, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine, “Just hope I don’t ruin you for all the other guys out there babygirl.” He tried to resist the urge to smirk, knowing that his reputation was a double-edged sword.

Y/n sucked in a shaky breath, squeezing her thighs together a little tighter at the husky draw in his voice. She couldn’t tell him that he already ruined everyone else’s chances the day he entered her life. That he is part of the reason she froze when presented the opportunity to be with someone else is because her and Jack’s confusing relationship.

Jack got out of his car, y/n following his lead grabbing ahold of the hand he held out for her. The two practically ran up the flight of stairs to his front door. Jack was fumbling with his keys to unlock the door, when he noticed y/n had already walked in having used her own.

“If you keep it accessible you don’t have to stand there and wait.” She giggled pulling him in by each side of his jacket.

“Someone’s a bit eager.” Jack mumbles against her lips, kissing her, just as if it’s second nature to them.

“Who wouldn’t be when they’re about to be with the Jack Hughes.” Y/n taunted, and that was enough to break Jack’s ego.

The two stumbled into the dimly lit bedroom, the soft glow of the bedside lamp that’s always left on casting shadows across the room. The floorboards creaked beneath their weight as they approached the bed, the anticipation thick in the air. Jack’s eyes roamed over her, taking in every inch of her body, his gaze lingering on the spot where her shirt had ridden up, revealing the smooth skin of her stomach. He reached out and traced the outline of her belly button with his thumb, watching her eyes flutter closed and her chest rise and fall with each quickened breath.

Slow Rowdy, keep it slow. She’s not some slut you’ve brought home from the bar after a game. She’s y/n. Babygirl, sweet girl. Your girl. Go slow.

His mind was reeling, chanting the same mantra over and over, not just because it was her first time, but because he didn’t want to screw this up. He had to make it perfect for her. Prefect because y/n is his girl. Or should be his girl.

He leaned down and captured her mouth in a deep, exploratory kiss, his tongue dancing with hers, still able to taste the fruity cocktail she had a dinner and the faint hint of the mint leaf she chewed on to be silly on her breath. His hands traveled to her exposed waist, momentarily teasing the uncovered skin, before gently lifting her shirt over her head and tossing it aside. Skimming his hands lightly up her sides and around her back, he unhooked her bra with trembling fingers like he was 17 all over again. Looking up at her face to stare into her eyes, he let go of her bra, letting it fall to the floor. He slowly stepped back to appreciate her beauty.

Y/n’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she stood before him, vulnerable and exposed. Out of sheer instinct her arms raised to cross in front of her body in attempt to hide herself from the attention she was receiving.

Jack growled, “don’t you dare do that.” He let out an annoyed huff of air through his nostrils.

“You need to be comfortable in front of whoever you’re going to be fucking y/n” He had ahold of one of her arms moving it away from her body. “so let me see how beautiful you are.” Jack was holding eye contact with her so intently it was hard for her to not believe him when he called her beautiful. Jack was getting harder as every second passed. “You are beautiful. With clothes, without clothes. With make up, without make up. I don’t know why you’re doing this.”

He stepped closer to her, hand palming her neck to pull her to him. “Sweet girl, never cover up in front me like that again. Got it?” She nodded yes, he ran his hand down from her neck to her breast. His other hand tracing up her body to mimic his other. Her heart was racing under his palms. Jack kissed her neck, feeling her pulse beat faster and faster. He whispered into her ear, “Trust me, okay? I’ve got you.” Y/n nodded, unable to form coherent words. “If you need me to stop, or you want to stop just say so.” He reminds her, before continuing his pursuit of kisses down her neck.

Jack’s touch was feather-light yet firm, making her body quiver with every caress. He kissed her collarbone, then trailed his lips down to her breasts, flicking his tongue over her nipples. Y/n’s knees buckled slightly and she gripped the back of his neck to keep herself upright. He chuckled against her skin, enjoying her wholesome reactions. “You’re so sensitive already,” he murmured, and she felt a thrill of pleasure at his words. The vibrato of his voice adding a new sense of pleasure. “Just wait until my mouth is here babygirl.” He whispered while his lips still around the sensitive bud, moving his hand to cup over her clothed pussy. Y/n let out a surprised yelp earning a husky chuckle from Jack.

Jack began his journey of kisses down her stomach, his teeth grazing her skin ever so slightly, leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. He unbuttoned her pants and slid them down her legs, leaving her in just her panties. He paused for a moment, looking up at her with the ever pending question in his eyes. She nodded with her bottom lip pulled between her teeth, giving him the green light to proceed.

He hooked his fingers into the waistband of her underwear and tugged them down. Her legs trembled as the cool air hit her skin. He kissed and nibbled her inner thighs, moving closer to the sweet juncture of her legs.

Y/n’s breathing was heavy, her eyes half-closed in anticipation. Jack’s mouth was hot and wet on her, exploring every part of her with a gentle but insistent pressure. He licked, kissed, and nipped at her folds, teasing her clit with the tip of his tongue. She let out moan, her hands clasping over her mouth shocked at how loud she was. He looked up at her from where his mouth was lapping at her sensitive clit, a smirk playing on his lips.

She was driving him crazy, and she hadn’t done anything to him. Jack had never been a guy to be a fan of long sessions of oral, but for he could stay here all day to watch her reactions.

“Y/n, I’m going to have to stretch you out a little, so I’m going to use my fingers”

Her eyes hazed over in ecstasy she nodded in acknowledgment with a tiny okay slipping through her lips.

Jack pressed his middle finger in and returning his mouth back too. He continued his ministrations, bringing her closer and closer to the edge. She was pulsating against him by the time he added a second finger.

Her legs began to shake, and she could feel what she believed to be the beginnings of an orgasm building within her.

“Ja..Jack.” She whimpered, her fingers combed through his hair tightening just the slightest.

“I think?” Was the last two words she uttered before a loud moan over took her voice, her legs shaking led to her near collapse. Jack caught her and looked up at her with the biggest grin on his face.

Jack’s eyes met hers, and she could see the pride in them. He had never had someone come apart like that before, especially not from just his mouth and hands. He stood from the floor and kissed her deeply, y/n tasting herself on his lips.

She could feel his erection pressing against her. She reached down in an attempt to feel him.

“Not so fast baby girl. This is all about you, not about me.” Jack scolds grabbing her wondering hand and as he gently lays her on the bed, his body hovering over hers. Fumbling with his belt and button to his shorts he quickly stripped himself of his shorts. Y/N reaches for the hem of his shirt pulling it up and over his head.

Y/n could feel the heat radiating off of Jack’s body as he positioned himself between her legs. He kissed her neck, his hands exploring her body, like he was trying memorize her. His hand made its way to her still very senses core, his thumb circling her clit when he comes across it. Traveling lower he pumps his fingers in her a couple of more times. She was soaking wet, ready for him. He reached for the bedside drawer and pulled out a condom, rolling it on with surprising ease.

Slow Rowdy. More now so than before. Slow. Do not ruin our precious girl. Jack.

Jack was positioned at the entrance of her wet, sex but the resistance he met was not giving.

“Y/n? Hey, baby girl. You’ve got to relax for me.” Jack spoke softly and caressed her cheek. His heart lurching in his chest when a tear wiped away with his caress.

Her eyes fluttered open to meet his gaze, when his hand touched her cheek. He watched her closely, waiting for her nod of approval. When it came, Jack repositioned himself at her entrance, his tip teasing the wetness of her sex. He pushed in just a bit, watching her eyes widen before he retreated. “Relax, babygirl. If you’re sure you want this, It’ll be okay before you know it, I promise,” he murmured, trying to soothe her nerves.

He pushed in again, this time a little further. She gasped, her nails digging into his back. He stilled, giving her body time to adjust. He kissed her forehead, her nose, her cheeks, whispering words of comfort. Slowly, inch by inch, he entered her, her tightness gripping him like a vice. It took everything in him not to bottom out. He could feel her tense up, her muscles contracting around him, and he had to be so careful not to go too fast.

She was doing her best not to allow anymore tears to collect in her eyes, but the initial pain was beginning to get the better of her.

“Jacky, it hurts,” she whimpered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jack stilled, his eyes filled with concern. He leaned down to kiss her gently, whispering, “do you want to stop? I’ll stop right now.” Jack held a hand to her cheek, running his thumb across her cheek bone.

“N, n, no.” Y/n stuttered over choked back tears.

Jack held in a sigh and instead nodded. “It’s okay sweet girl, I’ve got you. Just breathe, let your body get used to it.”

He waited patiently for her body to relax. Once her body relaxed everything else would follow. Y/n gave a small nod of approval to continue, Jack pushed in a little more. Her eyes squeezed shut, and she bit her bottom lip, but she didn’t protest.

With every shallow thrust, Jack felt the resistance in her body slowly give way to acceptance. He kept his pace torturously slow, making sure she felt every inch of him as he filled her up. He knew he was larger than average, and he didn’t want to cause her unnecessary pain. His hand found hers, intertwining their fingers, giving her something to squeeze as she adjusted to the new sensation.

When he saw her eyelids relax from the tight, closed grip she had held them in, and flutter open to be glossed over, he knew she was beginning to enjoy it.

“Feeling better sweet girl?” Jack whispered as he kissed along the shell of her left ear.

Y/n nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. The pain had subsided to a dull ache, and in its place was a growing sense of fullness and pleasure. Jack began to move more deliberately, his strokes becoming deeper and more forceful. She could feel herself stretching around him, her body slowly getting used to his size. With every thrust, the pleasure grew, mixing with the lingering discomfort until it was all she could focus on.

Her hips began to rock in sync with his movements, her body responding instinctively to the rhythm he set. She wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him closer, needing more of him. Jack groaned, his restraint slipping as he felt her tighten around him. He was losing himself in the girl he quietly loved. He increased his pace, his movements becoming more demanding. The sound of their skin slapping together filled the room, along with their ragged breaths and moans.

Jack’s hands roamed her body, gripping her hips as he drove into her with more urgency. He could feel her walls quivering around him, her orgasm approaching. He leaned down and captured her mouth again, swallowing her cries of pleasure. He knew he was close, too, the tension coiling in his lower abdomen, begging for release.

Y/n’s nails scored down his back, leaving trails of heat in their wake. She was lost in the sensation, her inexperience forgotten in the haze of both of their desire. She could feel another climax building, more intense than the first. Her body arched off the bed, her back bowing as Jack’s hips pistoned into her. He was relentless, pushing her to the brink of ecstasy and beyond.

Jack’s muscles were tight with the effort of holding back his own release, but he could feel her tightening around him, her body begging for more. He reached between them, finding her clit and rubbing it with the pad of his thumb. She bucked against him, her hips rising to meet his every thrust. The sight of her, lost in pleasure, was almost too much for him to handle.

“Y/n/n, baby you’re fucking perfect.” Jack was enamored with her and he couldn’t hide it now.

“Fuck, y/n/n I’m so close, if you keep tensing your pretty little pussy like that around me I’m going to cum soon.” He blabbers out before dropping his mouth to one of her nipples, the hand in between them still working her clit.

Jack’s thumb flicked and rolled her clit while his tongue flicked and rolled her nipple. She was lost in the waves of pleasure crashing through her body. The pain had been forgotten, replaced by the sweet agony of need. She was close, so close to the edge, and she didn’t want to fall without him.

“Jacky, I’m...I’m going to...” she panted, her eyes searching his for understanding.

“Come for me, baby,” he encouraged, his voice low and gruff with desire. “Let go, I’ve got you.”

Her eyes fluttered shut, and she let out his name in a scream of pleasure as she came apart in his arms, her tight pussy convulsing around him. Jack felt the walls of her pussy pulse and clench, and similarly to her with the drop of her name, he followed her over the edge. His orgasm ripping through him like lightning. He buried his face in her neck, his teeth grazing her skin as he pumped his load into the condom, his release hot and intense.

For a moment, they lay there, both panting heavily, their bodies entwined in a sticky mess of sweat and passion. The aftermath of their shared pleasure was a mix of euphoria and disbelief. Y/n’s mind was a whirlwind of sensations and emotions, but one thing was clear: she had never felt anything like this before. The sex or the new connection with Jack, that had a new feeling attached.

Jack carefully pulled out, his eyes never leaving hers. He removed the condom and disposed of it before coming back to lay beside her. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead. She felt safe, cared for, and utterly satisfied in a way she hadn’t known was possible. Her hand slid down to rest on his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath her palm.

Something she always does before they fall asleep, as if to signify his heart races around her too, when one of them sleeps at the other’s.

They lay there for a few moments, catching their breath and processing what had just happened. The room was silent except for the sound of their breathing and the occasional rustle of the sheets. Y/n couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness that it was over. She didn’t want this moment to end, but she knew it couldn’t last forever.

“Jack..I don’t want this to be a one time thing.” Y/n’s rushed out

“Sweet girl, if you wanted me all to yourself you should’ve just said so. You didn’t have to go this far. You didn’t have to use your virginity as an excuse to get closer to me.” Jack’s words were so softly spoken and held intense emotions. “For the record though, you’re not going anywhere now that you’ve said something. You’re my girl now.”

Y/n grinned at Jack. He kissed her forehead and pulled her close to him. “I wish we could have talked about this before I took the most valuable precious thing away from you, but I’m glad it was me and not some other asshat.”

“It’s always been you Jack, since we met at 17. Why would I ever let anyone else have a chance.”

Jack’s chest swelled with pride and affection, just like it did when they were 20 and he kissed her for the first during some silly party game. He had whispered those exact words to her after the kiss, he didn’t think she’d remember them with how drunk she was. “It’s always been you babygirl, since we met at 17. Why would I ever let anyone else have a chance?”

Back then he had never felt more connected to someone during a kiss and today he had never felt more connected to someone during sex than he did in that moment with y/n. He kissed her forehead again, feeling the happiest he had in a while.

read part 2 here

[justdancekid]

Always celebrate a birthday for somebody - A JD Fanfiction

Series: Just Dance 2023 Edition

Characters: Sara & Wanderlust (Can't Stop The Feeling), Brezziana (Physical), Mihaly (Rather Be), Jack Rose (Locked Out of Heaven), Dolores (drivers license), Hadley (As It Was), Talia Sway (I Knew You Were Trouble), Epsilon (Stay), Liv & Blake (Bring Me to Life), Rubika (Wannabe)

Relationship: Blake/Talia Sway

Rating: T

Type: Humor, Party, Drinking

Description: It's Sara's birthday! And when the crew asked her what see want to do, she wants to go to the bar and drink it up.

It's nighttime at the Danceverse Crew's house. Where the cre are celebrating Sara's birthday!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARA!!!" The crew exclaimed to her.

"Thanks, guys!" She replied

"So, how old you're turning now?" Jack asked her

"I'm 23, now" She replied.

After the crew ate the cake. Wanderlust asked her "So, what do you want to do?"

Sara thought about it, and answered

"Well, there was something I wanted to do since I was 18." The crew perked up and looked at her "My friends have always went to bars and drank like there's no tomorrow. I've always wanted to do that"

"Well, we could rearrange that!" Brezziana said to her "Rubika got a bar open. We can visit her bar and drink! We all can!" The crew cheered as they all went out. "Wait!" Mihaly said "We've got one problem" They pointed to Dolores "Dolores is still 17, how are we gonna get her in?" They asked

"I've actually thought of that!" Epsilon said as he tossed Dolores a device "I've made an device that when put on your wrist, will make you appear 4 years older to outsiders. So while Dolores is 17, she will appear 21 to the rest of y'all" He explained

"Why should I go?" Dolores asked

"Well, we need a designated driver." Hadley replied, Dolores exhaled as she got up and grabbed the device and put it on her wrist. "Let's go." Dolores said as the crew got into the boat and went to the Hot Spot Havanna. Where a familiar voice greeted them.

"YO YO YO YO!!! Welcome to the Hot Spot Havanna! Where the drinks burn your throat, and the floor moves ya feet!" Rubika greeted the crew. "What can I do for ya?"

"Well, today is Sara's birthday. And she wanted to go out and drink the night away." Wanderlust said

"Really? Aw man! I wanna do that!" Rubika whined "Y'know what? I'll join too!"

"But, aren't you supposed to be our Bartender?" Mihaly asked

"Yo, Eteria! Cover my shift!" Rubika yelled as she hopped over the counter and joined the crew.

"That can not be good for business." Jack said

"And yet, this place still stands." Rubika replied

"I respect it." Jack said as they found a table to sit at.

"So, how many drinks would that be?" Eteria asked the crew

"10" Wanderlust answered

"Pefect. That'll be $20.10" Eteria said as Wanderlust paid for it

After a couple minutes, Eteria came around and gave the crew their drinks. "Enjoy!" Eteria said as she went back to the counter

"Cheers to you, Sara!" Wanderlust said

"Cheers!" The crew followed.

They down their first drink, and forgot how much the drink burned their throats their first goaround, and Sara didn't know.

They order another 10 drinks and down the second drink, and it felt a little better

Another third round, and it felt right.

By the fourth, they were drunk

Jack and Rubika were having fun dancing. "Hahahahaha!! God, this hic is fun!!" Jack slurred

"I know! hic I love this song!!" Rubika replied

Wanderlust and Sara are challenging eachother to an arm wrestle, which was surprisingly challenging.

"Give it up!!" Wanderlust slurred, with Sara replying with "NEVER!!!"

Talia was drunkenly shooting her gun around the place, with the music being loud enough for people to notice, and threatening to fight people.

Epsilon and Liv were asleep after the 3rd drink

Hadley is flirting with alot of girls, and succeeding, strangely

And, Blake just sat there seeming less angry, and more flustered.

All that's left is Dolores & Mihaly, who just sat there.

"Mihaly, can I ask you something?" Dolores asked Mihaly

"Yes." They replied

"Why don't you drink?"

"Well, as a shaman, I don't allow myself to drink alcohol."

"So, why don't you become the designated driver?"

"Miiiiiiiii........." Brezziana slurred "Hold me......." She wrapped her arms around them, sitting on their lap and kissing them.

"Because whenever Brezzy gets drunk, she gets physically clingy" Mihaly replied

"So, why don't you just drive with her like this" Dolores asked

"I've tried that, that's why the boat had to be in repair for 3 months" They've replied

"WHAT'UR LOOKING AT?!?" Mihaly and Dolores heard Blake yell

"YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH ME LOOKING?!?" Talia yelled back at him

"YEAH!! LOOK AT ME AGAIN, I'LL FUCKING CUT YOU!!!"

Talia then grabbed his shirt "IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANNA BULLET IN YOU GODDAMN HEAD!!!"

"OH, YOU MUST THINK YOU'RE TOUGH SHIT!!!"

"AND YOU MUST THINK YOU'RE A BADASS!!!"

"YOU AIN'T SHIT WITHOUT YOUR GUNS!!!"

"AND WITHOUT YOUR SWITCHBLADE, YOU'RE A FUCKING BITCH!!!"

"IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANNA DIE, YOU BITCH!!!"

"THEN KILL ME, ASSHOLE!!!"

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, both Talia and Blake started drunkenly making out. With Dolores & Mihaly looking confused

Blake & Talia...? Dolores thought

Blake. & Talia....? Mihaly thought

Then, they both have the same thought

BLAKE AND TALIA?!?

"I'll be honest, I did not think they would happen" Mihaly said

"I'd thought He & Liv were together this whole time" Dolores replied

"God, I FUCKING LOVE YOU!!!" Blake Yelled out to Talia

"THEN TAKE ME!!!" Talia yelled out in return as they make out some more.

1 hour later

"Okay, guys. The place will be closing in 3 minutes. So, grab your friends and we'll see you guys soon" Eteria announced. As Mihaly and Dolores, one by one, grabbed the drunken Danceverse Crew, starting with Brezziana.

"Miiii........." Brezziana started to slur "Where ya hic goin? You not hic leavin me?" She asked

"No, I just got to get the rest of the crew. I'll be back." Mihaly replied

Mihaly and Dolores went back to carry the rest of the crew out of the place

Carrying Liv and Epsilon in their arms

Jack using Mihaly as his support to help him stumble out of the bar

Dolores finding Hadley and tossing him to the ship

Dolores carrying Sara under her arms, and Mihaly carrying Wanderlust over their arms

Now all that's left is Blake and Talia, who are still making out. But, they've pushed away both Mihaly and Dolores hands whenever they try to grab them. Shortly thereafter, both Blake & Talia yelled

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM US!!"

"WE HAVE TO GO!!" Dolores & Mihaly yelled

After a whole bunch of kicking, they've finally got Blake & Talia out the bar and onto the boat. Where they were still making out.

"Wait! What about Rubika?" Mihaly asked

"Don't worry about her." Rosaria said "We got her." Mihaly and Dolores smiled as they've got on the boat. Dolores in the driver's seat, and Mihaly in the back, where Brezziana clinged back to them.

When the boat got back home, Dolores grabbed Blake & Talia, and put them in his room. Where Mihaly put Liv on the couch. "She doesn't need to be there to hear what Blake & Talia are doing." They said with Dolores nodding in agreement. They've grabbed the rest of the Danceverse Crew, and put them in their own rooms, afterwards, Mihaly and Dolores said good night and went in their rooms

The next morning

Blake woke up with a massive headache, recovering from last nights events

"Ow.....never letting them talk me into drinking again....." He said. He then saw the other half of his blankets shake and move. And when he saw that, he only thought one thing

Oh, fuck

Then, every single thought came through his mind

How can I let myself do that to Liv?

How can I be so disgusting?

Where's Liv?

I need to apologize

How can I even look her in the eyes after I've banged her?

What would I even say?

Then, he finally said something

"Wait! Maybe it's not Liv." He said "Yeah, yeah, maybe I've took a random girl home after last night. Please let that be true." He hesitated to uplift the covers, but ultimately he did. With the most releaving part that it's not Liv. However, it's not a random girl. It's Talia

"Gun Girl-ya?" He said as she woke up

"Morning, Blake!" She chipped up and got off his bed and put her clothes on, then she clinged to him.

Blake couldn't deny that he loves the warmth she has, but he just wants to take a walk to clear some thoughts out.

"Get the hell off of me." He sternly told her

"Last time I remember, you were the handsy one last night." She snarkly replied

"I was hoping you wouldn't remember."

"Yeah, too bad. You were amazing, and I'm wanna be with you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, what do ya say?"

Blake thought about it

"Yeah."

Talia squealed in joy

"Never do that again." He told her "I was gonna go on a walk, you wanna come with me?" He asked her

"Yes!" She replied as they walked out of his room as the crew was recovering from last night. As they saw Blake and Talia walked out in eachother's arms.

"WHAT!!!!" The crew yelled out as Blake and Talia walked out of the house

[mattmurdock42]

Henry Cavill X Female reader

Henry having insecurities and jealousy of you.

You comforting him.

Fluff/ massages/ talking.

+- 1.8k (it´s my first time putting this, so it´s not precise)

Pov: you and your husband, Henry Cavill, went to a party that his new show was promoting. During the event he was called by some collegues and you went to the bar to take a drink, when suddenly a guy arrives there, he sees you alone and asks in what part of the show you were, you told him that you were not on the show, but you were simply making company to your husband. You to started to talk and the time went by. You discovered that his name was Jack and he was encharded of the special effects, you two talked about movies, the event itself and about drinks ( as you were at the bar). You looked at Henry and he was still talking to some people. After a while, Jack leaves and you go to Cavill, as it was the end of the party you both went to the car.

You: it was a nice event, wasn´t it?

Henry: I guess so.

After a couple of minutes you see his leg shaking to the sides. You noticed he was nervous.

You: Are you ok?

Henry: fine! And you?

You: me too.

You to went the rest of the path in silence.When you arrived, it was 22 pm, on a saturday, and you weren´t sleepy, and he was a night owl, so he surely wasn´t too.

You: it´s early, do you want to do something?

Henry: i´m tired, so i´m gonna take a bath and go to sleep.

You: we could take a bath togheter in the bathtub, I can make you relax. While you brush your teeth i could prepare it, what do you think?

Henry: thanks, but i wanna make the quickiest as possible.

You noticed there was something wrong, in the ten years you were with him, you never saw him tired before 23 pm. You go after him, he was brushing his teeth, you sat on the corner of the bathtub, besides the sink, waiting for him to finish.

You: tell me whats wrong, please, it is obvious that something is bothering you.

Henry: it´s nothing special, really, don´t worry, i´m just being spoiled. Tomorrow morning i will be fine. You should go and watch that movie we planned for this night, during the week i´ll watch it.

You: i´m not going, i care about you, any feeling that you are sensig, it is not a spoiled feeling, tell me, so i can help you.

Henry: please, i just want to take a bath now.

He takes of his shirt and went to turn on the water to get warm, then he takes of his trousers and his underwear, you look at his cock, as it was winter, his balls were suck in to him.

You brushed your teeth and went to put your pijamas, maybe in bed you could make him talk.

After some minutes he went to the bed. He lies down and says goodnight to you, then turns around. You ask him to cuddle you, as you liked, he exitates but does it. You felt his arms tensed, he was not relaxed, you were gonna try to cheer him up; with your ass you softly touched his cock, then started to scrub it slowly, going harder with the time, you turned to him and put your hands under his pajamas, his skin crawled. Not reacting to it, you tried your last move, you grabed his dick ans squizzed it, he didn´t responded at all.That was your limit.

You: ok, that´s enough, tell me, now, what is going on.

He looked seriously at you, then, suddenly, his expression changes to one that looked scared and ashamed at the same time.

You: darling, you don´t need to be like this, you can tell me anything.

Henry: I´m .. I´m .. I´m jealous. ( he sais as he covers his face with the blanket)

You couldn´t raciocinate for a minute, jealous of what ? Who ? When ?

You: sorry, but what you are jealous of ?

Henry: You, I´m jealous of you, with Jack, in the party. I´m sorry, i told you that it was a spoiled feeling, tomorrow i´ll be better.( he said while shrinked under the blanket)

You: omg, Henry, you are not being spoiled. You don´t need to be like this, how you were talking to some of your collegues, i went ot the bar, than Jack showed and we talked a little, that was it, I barely know him, he just told me his name and his function on the show, that was all. What did you think it happened?

Henry: I think that happened nothing, but the way you were engaged on the conversation with him, the way you were interested on it, it made me jealous, how you looked at him while he talked made my mind start overthinking again.

You: Henry, i told you, when this would happen again, you should tell me, this is not good for you. When needed, i would give you a relaxer.

Henry: But i didn´t want you to know, i was ashamed that it happened again, after such a long time not occuring it.

You: always tell me, i´m here with you.

Henry: What did you and Jack talked?

You: about movies, the event and about drinks, that was it. Actually, before he left, he told me that you were doing a great job on the movie, he said that i should be proud of you.

He moves his legs under the blanket.

You: you don´t need to be jealous of him, i can assure you. I was just interested on the talk because he was explaining the origin of the Negroni Sbagliato, your favourite, so after i could tell you.

Henry: humm. I´m sorry for you having to explain that.

You: don´t apologize. Anxiety is a serious thing.

He touches your knee, as he was shrinked near it. You feel it and smile, noticing the progress that you´´ve made.

You: let me relax you.

Henry: No!

You: come on, i´ll let you be under the blanket, ok ?

Henry: ... Ok, then.

You command him to lay on his stomach, crossing his arms under his head. You pass your hands softly on his back, you notice his feets scrubing themselfs, but you ignore it and continues, knowing that in a moment it will stop. After a while, you spread his legs and seat between them, massaging both at the same time, you can feel his muscles descompressing, you massage his ass, feeling the roundness under your palms. You sit on his ass, each legs on one side of his hips. You started to pass your hands on his back, wishing to feel his skin, you liked the sensation.

You: darling, can i move away the blanket now? I like it better to feel your skin.

Henry nods.

You take it away, seeing his skin crawls, you lean and hugs him, you already knew that this would help, he liked it. After some time, his skin comes back to normal and you start to descompress his muscles, making pressed movments. After you finish it, you make relaxing movements on his shoulders, then his skalp ( you knew how he melted when you massaged his skalp). You tell him to now lie on his back, (you know that he is not really fond of belly massages in situations like that, but it was for his own good). You gently pass you hands on his waist, then massages his chest a little harder, so it´d releave the pressure. After you finished, He looked at you and thanked you.

You: Henry, you are the most interesting person i´ve ever meet, you are kind, funny, serious and inteligent, not to mention the hot part.

Henry smiles at you, your heart melt seeing him like this, and knowing that you could calm the love of your life. He seets with his back, using the wall to support it, then he stretches his arms for you, you went to him and lies on his chest, feeling his hot skin.

Henry: may it be your round now?

You nod, but didn´t really understood it. Suddenly, he takes you in his arms, ( it always shocks you when you remeber how strong he is, you are heavy, and he takes you as you do not weight more then five pounds), he lies you on your stomach and then seats under your head, putting your head supported on him, and your arms above his thighs. You dindn´t understood in the begining as he said " your turn", but now you noticed that it was your turn for some relax. He put his hands on your back, above your shirt, and started to pass it gently. You wanted to feel it better, so you suddlenly sat and took of your shirt, then went back to the position he had put you. You feel his hot, big hands on your back, its weights, sometimes going dowm to your ass, sometimes moving to you shouders or waist. When you realise, you had slept with his massage. You woke up with him cuddling you, him beeig the bigger spoon, as he knew you liked it.

The next day you to made a spa day, finishing with you two going to the movies at night. And you always seeking something on his body language, to make sure that he was alright.

[twistedtummies2]

Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes - Number 23

(For whatever reason, this entry didn't post when it was supposed to. Not sure what went wrong. Regardless, here it is now.)

(As I said on a previous post, putting this one up super early because I'll be flying out of state tomorrow, which means getting to bed and getting up early.)

Welcome to A Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes! During this month-long event, I’ll be counting my Top 31 Favorite Fictional Detectives, from movies, television, literature, video games, and more!

SLEUTH-OF-THE-DAY’S QUOTE: “Mess and I are very old friends.”

Number 23 is…Humphrey Goodman, from Death in Paradise.

I like to say that Death in Paradise can practically be called “Doctor Whodunnit.” In a way, this show – which has been on the air since 2011, and is still going strong – feels very much like Doctor Who to me, in some superficial ways. The chiefest one is that, with its longevity, it’s changed out lead actors frequently: just as Doctor Who has the Doctor “regenerate” into new forms, played by new performers, to keep the series going, “Death in Paradise” does the same with its chief detectives.

The premise of the show is a classic, old-fashioned murder mystery program, in many ways. It all takes place on the island of Saint Marie in the Caribbean. The crimes that need to be solve tend to follow a similar format: the story begins with some person on the island being murdered (of course). The crime is usually made to look like a suicide or an accident, but there’s usually one small, seemingly incongruous detail that indicates it wasn’t. However, all of the possible suspects were either all together or in sight of each other at the presumed time of death. So, the great question becomes: how could any of them do it without tipping off the rest to their activities?

In the show, the crimes fall under the jurisdiction of the small but intrepid Honore Police Department. The department typically hires out agents from England and France alike, to serve. The main character is, so far, always an English detective inspector, who – through some means or another – ends up assigned to take charge of investigations. Over the 12 years the show has been going on, we’ve so far had four separate detectives, and ALL of them have been awesome. There’s the grumpy and pompous Richard Poole, the very first lead sleuth (played by Ben Miller); later came the jocular and carefree Jack Mooney (played by Ardal O’Hanlon); and, of course, there’s the current lead as of writing this post, the neurotic and hypochondriac Neville Parker (played by Ralf Little). Any one of them could have made a great choice on this list, and I was initially tempted to give ALL of the detectives in the show a collective slot…but after some consideration, I felt it was only fair to include just one. And if I had to pick just one, it would be the series’ second lead – whose era took place between Poole and Mooney – Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall.

Humphrey was the first truly “eccentric” character in the series, among the four detectives. Richard Poole was more of a fish out of water; a character who was the total opposite of the place he was in. He was formal, stuffy, proper, and the humor largely came from his pomposity being constantly punctured due to the stark contrast between himself and the island. Humphrey was a much more overtly friendly sort, and while he wasn’t exactly someone who got along on the island like it had always been home, he was much less rude and impatient. Instead, the humor with Humphrey came largely from his own personal oddities. Goodman is clumsy, socially awkward, technologically inept, and his moods turn on a dime; going from energetically bouncing around to stone cold serious at the flip of a coin. He was also perpetually hopeless in romance: at the start of his tenure, Humphrey was going through a divorce, and throughout his time on the series, he was constantly falling into and out of relationships with people. Indeed, it was love that eventually led to Humphrey’s departure: towards the end of Season 6 – having been on the show since the start of Season 3 – Goodman left Saint Marie to pursue a relationship with an old friend of his, Martha, in London.

This was not the end for Humphrey Goodman: the character turned out to be extremely popular with viewers, so much so that a spin-off show was created called “Beyond Paradise.” This series focused on the detective inspector’s adventures in England, as he continued to solve crimes with Martha at his side. Interestingly, this was also not the first time Kris Marshall had played a British sleuth: he had previously appeared in another crime series called “Murder City.” I must confess I haven’t watched either of these shows yet, as of typing this, but I REALLY want to. While the other detectives who solved the baffling mysteries of Saint Marie were all excellent fellows so far, Marshall’s D.I. Goodman is by far my favorite island inspector so far.

Tomorrow (in just a couple hours), the countdown continues with Number 22!

CLUE: “I am on a mission to protect the world’s idiots!”

[papillon82fluttersby]

Eurovision 2023 - My ranking

Phew, I had to rush to whip up this ranking before @docholligay ’s two-day event. (Starting tomorrow! Don’t miss it!!)

I based my ranking on the stage performances when available, as I think they are closer to the final products. Let's do this!

37. Denmark - Reiley - Breaking My Heart

Are 12-year-olds allowed in the adults’ competition now? Baby-faced cutie pie got his heart broken by his meanie girlfriend. Never mind the kid’s heart, the excessive use of autotune and choppy chorus is breaking my brain 😖. Last place due to sheer auditory discomfort.

36. Ireland - Wild Youth - We Are One

We’re all different but we all live together and ain’t that beautiful blah blah blah. So trite. A snoozefest. (But we're wearing masks! Isn't that cool? No. Not nearly as cool as last year's space wolves.)

35. Romania - Theodor Andrei - D.G.T. (Off and On)

Skin on stage. I think if you feel the need to put largely-naked dancers on stage as ‘entertainment’ for the audience, it doesn’t speak well of the quality of your song.

34. San Marino - Piqued Jacks - Like an Animal

Menagerie on the dancefloor, or man woos his ladylove with such enticing lyrics as “I can smell you like an animal” – classy. C’mon, baby, let’s romp in the zoo. 🐍🦋🐒🐘🐫🦌🐙🦤

33. Poland - Blanka - Solo

High school girl clique strives to imitate trendy American pop idols – and fails spectacularly due to lack of vocal or dancing talent (the national final performance is particularly painful to watch and listen to).

32. Georgia - Iru - Echo

I have two working theories here: either the song actually means something in Georgian and they used a machine translator that turned it into nonsensical English; or they picked random words in a dictionary and vaguely connected them in a semblance of sentences.

31. Serbia - Luke Black - Samo mi se spava

A tormented lock-in gamer’s anguish about the scary world outside. The staging is just as jumbled and jarring as the electro sounds.

30. Israel - Noa Kirel - Unicorn

This song is about harnessing the power of a unicorn, which apparently entails heavy use of autotune, acrobatic dance moves, and transformation into a centaur (the music video producers really need to shape up on their mythical creatures).

29. Lithuania - Monika Linkyté - Stay

This song about overcoming difficulties doesn’t have much for itself. The mantra repeated during the chorus gets quickly annoying. The lady singer looks very sweet and earnest, though.

28. Switzerland - Remo Forrer - Watergun

Young man has a grand realization and acknowledges that real war is nothing like playing pretend as a kid. Well duh.

27. Cyprus - Andrew Lambrou - Break a Broken Heart

Poor guy got dumped by mean girlfriend and is sad 😢. But worry not, he will overcome this hardship because “you can’t break a broken heart.” That’s about as deep as the lyrics go.

26. Greece - Victor Vernicos - What They Say

Self-pitying guy hates everything and himself. Don’t listen to this one if you’re already feeling low. There’s a real tonal shift between the downright depressing lyrics and the rather upbeat tempo. Also, throughout the music video, my main thought is that I want to give the guy an umbrella and a plumber’s contact details to save his flooded sitting room. ☔

25. Latvia - Sudden Lights - Aija

Indie rock band aims to soothe his weary listeners’ hearts who ache from being confronted to the big bad world out there. (And apparently, based on the music video, the main singer gets drowned by his followers for his efforts.) Sleep-inducing, which, admittedly, is the whole point of the song.

24. Slovenia - Joker Out - Carpe Diem

Group of young people dances all night long to forget about their everyday’s boring routine. The song does a good job translating daytime dreariness into music, but the chorus is too one-tone to convey night-time exuberance. Generally boring.

23. Netherlands - Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper - Burning Daylight

Existential angst about screwing up and rising again. Since this is a male and female duo, I think they could have done something much more interesting with both of their voices by giving them different melodic lines that would complement each other instead of having them sing either individually or in unison. A missed opportunity.

22. Iceland - Diljà - Power

If ESC 2022 was the year of heartbreak, 2023 is the year of toxic relationships – this is the third song on this theme (after Denmark and Cyprus, and we can also add the UK). This one is kind of underwhelming at first, but does pick up power over time. Singer is cute as a button and has a nice energy on stage.

21. Armenia - Brunette - Future Lover

Sweet little girl makes a wishlist about what she’d like in a future boyfriend. The song starts off sweet and cute, then picks up pace in the middle, but the chorus is incredibly repetitive.

20. Azerbaijan - TuralTuranX - Tell Me More

A song about the importance of communication in a relationship. Evidently a worthy aim. For which we needed to resurrect the Beatles, interspersed with rap segments. The trouble is that the resurrected Beatle keeps asking his BF to share his feelings while saying nothing about his own, and though his rapper boyfriend does express himself, I fail to understand what his actual feelings are. Not so great communication after all.

19. Austria - Teya & Salena - Who the Hell is Edgar?

Satiric critique of the music industry. The chaotic energy is strong in this one. Fun, though.

18. Albania - Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje

Distraught daughter laments the loss of family time caused by the vagaries of modern life. Said daughter’s family perform as backup singers on stage. Heavens, Albina is SO dramatic, she would rip her heart out on stage and offer it to us still pulsing and bleeding if she could. Meanwhile, some of the accompanying family members look vaguely uncomfortable, like they’re wondering what they’re doing there. Rather hilarious on the whole.

17. Croatia - Let 3 - Mama ŠČ!

PUTIN EAT MY A** TRAAAKKKTOOORRRRR. Charlie Chaplin’s The Dictator meets the Village People. It’s a whole thing.

16. Czechia - Vesna - My Sister’s Crown

Woman empowerment anthem. I’m really curious what the staging will be like for this one.

15. Belgium - Gustaph - Because of You

LGBTQ+ inspirational anthem put to 1990s retro sounds.

14. Malta - The Busker - Dance (Our Own Party)

Kid who’s uncomfortable with noise and crowds leaves large venue to continue the party with a select few friends in a more comfortable setting (honestly, that’s me). Sax-heavy jazzy/funky tunes. They’re doing some interesting stuff with the staging, using props a little bit like a theatre play.

13. Moldova - Pasha Parfeny - Soarele și luna

Local shaman is planning his wedding to his destined bride, blessed by the sun and moon – all very mystical. Between the chanting women and the ethnic flute, it’s difficult not to see this as a mix of France’s and Ukraine’s entries from last year, although this is hardly the only number inspired by folklore over the years.

12. United Kingdom - Mae Muller - I Wrote a Song

Young woman who was wronged by a dirty cheater redirects her energy towards a creative outlet instead of giving in to her negative and destructive feelings. Fun and peppy britpop.

11. Finland - Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha

Crazy person on a boxing ring invites you to a night of boozing and getting smashed. Did I mention the crazy? This song is a terrible influence: the more I listen to it, THE MORE IT GROWS ON ME, SEND HELP!

10. Germany - Lord of the Lost - Blood & Glitter

Glam metal rock band sings about the multifaceted nature of humankind. Or something. This is absolutely not the kind of music that appeals to me, and yet I can recognise that the song has its merits – it’s not all one-tone loudness, and the singer has a nice voice when he deigns to sing rather than screech.

9. Ukraine - Tvorchi - Heart of Steel

Unsurprisingly, Ukraine sings about resisting in the face of adversity. Honestly I would have been happier with Ukraine winning last year with this song instead of Stefania. The Ukrainian lyrics look like they’ve been thrown in like an afterthought though. The staging uses some interesting visuals, although the crossed-out nuclear symbols are very much on the nose; I’m sure there would be a way to convey the same idea more elegantly.

8. Australia - Voyager - Promise

Australia invites you to go out and explore the world. They’re not trying to out-eurovision everyone else with grandiose performances this year and it’s working out for them.

7. Estonia - Alika - Bridges

The lady can sing. Self-reflexion is good for the soul, says the lady. The song starts soft and ends up strong, with some changes in pacing in-between. I like the melodic line, particularly in the lower registers, as well as the “round and round” effect of the chorus, like a carousel.

6. Sweden - Loreen - Tattoo

This is SO formatted for Eurovision. It’s not like it’s a bad song but I feel like I’m being spoonfed pre-packed expected winner material. Also, the melody of the opening lines reminds me very much of ABBA’s The Winner Takes It All. Coincidence? Homage? Poaching?

5. France - La Zarra - Evidemment

La grande glam queen. I’m still bitter that she was just nominated by the French Eurovision organisation, robbing us of an evening’s fun and the opportunity to vote. O the irony of going to Canada to pick an artist who claims to sing, quote, “la Grande France” (as if that is even a thing). But, okay, I’ll admit that she has a great voice. And the song is a good mix of oldie tunes and modern sounds.

4. Spain - Blanca Paloma - Eaea

Poetry on stage. Haunting in the best possible way. And they're doing interesting stuff with the staging. Love it.

3. Portugal - Mimicat - Ai coração

Woman falls into madness waiting for her lover. The successively increasing and lowering pace gives a lot of dynamic to this number that looks like it could belong to a musical. The staging and dancing is laid out like clockwork. Very engaging and entertaining. (How did this rank so high? I liked the song okay when I first listened to it, but to make it to the top three…)

2. Norway - Alessandra - Queen of Kings

A banger. I dare you to listen to this song and not be ready to run to battle with a cutlass between your teeth. A rousing anthem that takes its roots in sea shanties and female empowerment. For some reason, the music video took inspiration from the flurry of dystopian YA books and movies from a few years ago. Go figure.

1. Italy - Marco Mengoni - Due vite

When I started listening to the songs to do this ranking, I fully expected that the struggle for top place would be a battle of queens between Norway, Spain, France and Estonia (Portugal sneaked up on me). And yet here comes Italy. Damn it, Mengoni could sing whatever he likes with this dulcet voice full of emotion and this luscious language – I would follow. The Pied Piper of San Remo! One remark though: the video from the national performance is 4 minutes long whereas the Eurovision piece will have to be cut down to 3 minutes – what will that do the flow of the song? We'll have to wait and see.

So there you go, that’s my ranking! Happy Eurovision season, everyone!