#Office No - 704

[trilobi-te]

Cider and a theremin! I headcanon that he's able to play it because he just seems like that type of person.. he has those vibes......

Plus some extra doodles

Chip/Theremin rambling and doodle transcriptions below the cut. I included some explanations for the instruments pictured because I'm worried the drawings would otherwise be incomprehensible lmao

In case you can't read my handwriting: Doodle 1: Cider is saying "DANDY NO" and underneath it says *horrible theremin screaming* Doodle 2: the title says THORamin aka singing Tesla coil, and Otto is saying "Okay Cider please step a little closer to the instrument"

I like weird instruments so I assign them to fictional characters whenever it feels realistic to do so. The theremin is one of the world's first electric instruments (patented in 1928) and is played by moving one's hands around the two antennas, which are proximity sensors - vertical controls pitch and horizontal controls volume. Sound-wise, it's kind of like playing a synthesizer by hand? Also the hand gestures that are made when controlling pitch are.. interesting. (That's more or less what Cider is doing, it took an embarrassing amount of attempts to get that hand to look good enough so I just left it hhh)

Re: extra doodle 1 Touching the vertical antenna makes an unpleasant high-pitched noise (you're not meant to touch it at all while playing, just move your hands around like an electric wizard or something)

Re: extra doodle 2 "Thoramin" is another name for the singing Tesla coil, and a play on theremin and Thor (hence why it's here). It's a Tesla coil that's been modified to be a plasma speaker. I find these funny because people on YouTube always seem to be playing them in random suburbs. Just imagine looking out the window at your neighbor's yard and seeing a lightning storm set to Megalovania. Realistically Otto probably wouldn't have one (too loud, draws attention to the player) but for the purposes of The Funny™ he does now.

Something small I don't have anywhere else to bring up so I shall talk about it here: I started my Chipspeech Twitter archive project by just going through the tab on each account that says "Tweets" but it turns out that there are more tweets under the "Replies" tab that actually contain lore. So I am actually nowhere near done with this hhhhh I hate Twitter. I mean I'm still going to document everything because I want the story to be as intact as possible (including the small bits of character trivia that often show up in the replies tweets) but I am. not happy about it. I do not entirely understand the decision to put character information in the replies to fan tweets.. I mean things shared there are never really all that important, but I like weird small story details so I don't want to lose them if Twitter ever actually fully goes down. Also I am going to have to go back and put everything in chronological order (in terms of hours/minutes, everything currently is just organized by date) which means more time on Twitter. I traded efficiency for simplicity of each step in this process, which I guess was good for not becoming overwhelmed by the scale of things but it's dragging out a lot longer than I had initially anticipated. I start college in late August so ideally that's my hard deadline for this, which should absolutely be reachable but I'm still annoyed that it's taking this long in the first place hhhhhhh

[vsdindustries1]

Here is Some Information About Thiamethoxam Manufacturer in Ethiopia

Thiamethoxam Manufacturer in Ethiopia is a systemic insecticide and neonicotinoid class of chemicals used to control a broad spectrum of insect pests in agriculture, horticulture, and other settings. It is known for its effectiveness against various types of insects, including aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and beetles. Thiamethoxam belongs to a group of chemicals designed to disrupt the nervous systems of insects, ultimately leading to paralysis and death.

Visit Us: Thiamethoxam Manufacturer in Ethiopia

ADDRESS:

Office No - 704, 7th Floor, Akashdeep Building, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi - 110001

EMAIL:

info@vsdindustries.com

PHONE:

+91 98370 22119

[judebelle]

trent being a clingy needy bf? xx

menace - t.a.a. x reader

a/n : i’m so fucked w finals season but it’s almost break for me 😇 just gotta make it thru this week 😞 also i made this a drabble SORRYYYY but i think this is better short and sweet!

cw : swearing, clingy trent obv, reader getting increasingly more annoyed throughout the course of the fic, sexual insinuation, fluff

pairing : trent alexander arnold x fem!reader

wc : 704

---

it started off as bearable, but god, as the day progressed, you couldn’t deal with him anymore.

the him being sir trent alexander arnold.

it had just so happened that you and trent had aligned a few days off at the same time. this was a rare occurrence since your busy schedules kept you swamped 25/8.

this was the first of many days off. you just needed to get some things done around the house, but trent had other plans.

you almost took up his many offers to just lay in bed all day, but you knew you would feel better if you got things done first.

of course, trent wasn’t making this easy on you.

“c’mere, beautiful,”

“please stay here, just for a few minutes.”

“so sleepy, just nap with me for an hour, please!”

you had to resist the urge to physically roll your eyes at his constant pestering. you had to put your foot down and stop him before you ended up giving in.

“no, trent! i have to finish some things up, i’ll be done soon.”

he was still cuddled up in the bed when you finally left the bedroom to head to the kitchen. you began putting away clean dishes and cleaning the counter tops. as you wiped it down, you felt two strong arms wrap around your waist.

“y/n come back to beddd~” trent whined while propping his head on your shoulder to get a better look at what you were doing that was so important. you could feel him kiss his teeth when he saw you cleaning.

“i said, wait. if you keep annoying. me, it’s just gonna take longer!” you groaned when he didn’t let go of your body. “trent, let go. i need to go get-“

“you look so sexy in these shorts, just come back to bed.” you felt his hands slide down to cup your ass.

you rolled your eyes, a smile forming on your cheeks. “you can’t seduce me into going back into bed!” you sing songed as you turned to face him. his arms had you trapped in between him and the counter. he still his droopy eyes and his hair was a little frizzy.

you swiftly ducked out of his grip from under his arm and headed to your office, turning on your computer to print a few things. you heard the soft shuffling of socks on the floor, and low and behold-

“can you just come back, pleaseee!”

“stop it! how old are you? just give me a few minutes.” you had started to whine like a two year old, his complaints giving you a headache.

you placed the papers down and pushed past him to go to the living room, cleaning up blankets and books laying around. you grabbed the watering can and started tending to your wilting plants. all of a sudden-

“ah- get off me! trent! let go, now!”

your feet were hovering over the floor thanks to your boyfriend who had had enough of waiting. he threw your body over his shoulder easily and walked towards the bedroom.

you kicked your legs around, trying to wriggle out of his grip. you slumped against him when your efforts to escape from his death trap went in vain.

“this isn’t funny, y’know?”

he chucked despite your comment. “i can’t wait any longer, sorry.”

a stubborn smile broke across your face before he threw you onto the bed. you bounced onto the fluffy mattress with a gasp. “trent!”

he giggled softly before throwing himself down on top of you. “oww, trent you’re not light!” you found yourself laughing as he kissed your neck.

“shhh, just wanna cuddle.” he reached over and pulled the duvet over the both of you, wrapping his arms around your waist. he eventually let you breathe by rolling onto his side a little bit. you finally gave into his touch with a sigh, throwing your leg over his hips.

you reached your arms around his neck and nuzzled your head into his chest, his scent all over his wrinkled shirt.

“god, you’re a menace, you know that?” you laughed into his embrace and he responded by hugging you tighter.

“you love it.”

[wandamaximoffsbadgirl]

To Warm You Up

Natasha Romanoff x GN!Reader

Summary: A snowy day means a good book, warm drinks, and cuddles

Word count: 704

Warnings: Tooth rotting fluff

A/N: I wrote this last night while my sleep meds kicked in. I used the prompt, 'bring you a hot drink'

It was quiet. The snow fell outside, watching the flakes dance every so often as you looked up from your book. It had been snowing all morning, and so you felt it was the perfect day to stay curled up in bed. Finally, you got the chance to read through a book you'd recently purchased. Your Maine coon, Dumpling, curled up by your feet.

You smiled content in how your day was going so far. The only thing missing was your girlfriend, Natasha Romanoff, she had gotten up early this morning and had occupied herself in her office with work since the snow kept her from going to the office. You hadn't heard from her all morning and now as early afternoon was about to turn to late afternoon you heard movement. You assumed Natasha had gotten up to grab herself something to eat. Making you remember you hadn't eaten yet. Your stomach growling at the realization. You didn't want to move though. You had become invested in your book and Dumpling had moved himself to your thighs, sprawling out across them.

Just as you finished up a chapter Natasha came through the threshold of your bedroom, tray in hand. Her red hair loose, falling over her shoulders in waves. A smile on her face when your eyes met as she got up on the bed with the tray. She'd made you a sandwich; turkey and cheese, a small pile of chips next to it and your favorite mug filled with hot chocolate. You could smell the peppermint and the two cinnamon sticks poking out gave away that she made it exactly how you like it.

“Oh moya lyubov. You didn't have to do this.” You set your book down on the side table before cupping her cheek. She leans into your touch. The two of you had been together for years. You knew everything about the other.

The Natasha you had met years ago who had defected from Russia who was so closely guarded. The Russian who was cold and calculated in every move she made. The Russian who when you first met was assigned to you and Clint. The Russian who put every wall up, used every sweet little lie with you and you who called her bluff everytime. She'd been put with you for one reason. You could tell when people lie. So really in the end she had no choice, but to tell the truth which terrified the red head.

“I wanted to. I hadn't heard you move since your trip to the bathroom this morning.” She raised an eyebrow at you, making you smile.

“Yeah I haven't. I got engrossed in my book. I'm already a little more than half way through!” Natasha could hear the excitement oozing from your voice. How could she not love you who only ever showed her love and kindness? You who would listen to her ramblings after nightmares. You who when she needed to be handcuffed to the bed to sleep offered your hand instead. You who offered a place when she had nothing and noone.

Some might think Natasha couldn't possibly settle down, but here she was with you as the snow fell outside. You picked up the mug, giving it a few blows before taking the first sip. The hot liquid falling down your throat and warming you instantly. You can't help the small ‘Mmmm’ that pushes up your throat, eyes closed. The mug warming your hands that you hadn't realized had gone cold as they tended to do, especially in the winter.

You talked with Natasha as you ate, catching up on her day and how work was going. She'd been writing reports and working on Intel the young Avengers had picked up on. You moved the empty tray aside, pulling Natasha against you. She always clung so tightly as if you'd disappear if she didn't hold you that way. She'd always been like this. You tried breaking the habit early on, but it never worked. Now it is something you look forward to, like a weighted blanket or stuffed animal. Natasha brought you comfort on such a level and in such a way you know no one else could compare.

[sweetercalypso]

med! abby is top tier but what about

lawyer! abby + lawyer! reader

they have been rivals since law school, but when a mutual friend needs all the help they can get, they need to work together and maybe they'll find they have a lot more in common than they thought

I got so carried away with this, I’m obsessed with snarky lawyer Abby <333

Word Count: 704 💀

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Abby is a cutthroat defense attorney for a big corporation and you’re one of the top prosecutors in the city, so you’ve been on opposite sides of the courtroom more times than you can count.

Abby is mean and vicious and will go to any length to make her client’s case, and you’re a headstrong attorney who’s hellbent on holding people accountable for their actions. Maybe you went to the same law school or you had a very memorable case against her, but the feud between the two of you seems to go further back than anyone knows.

When your mutual friend, Yara, asks you for help on her case, you drop everything to be there for her. So does Abby, not knowing that Yara had called you both to work through her case.

When you show up to see Abby sitting in Yara’s living room surrounded by boxes of files, you have to bite your tongue to hold back your comments. Abby isn’t as gracious.

“I see she called in the B-team — you gonna do a coffee run for me, sweetheart?”

“Don’t know why she called you for help. What d’you know about innocent clients, Anderson?”

Yara quickly separates the two of you, leaving Abby in the living room and sending you to the kitchen table with your own stack of documents and a comment about how the two of you need to “kiss and make up”.

Hours later, you’re forced to leave the quiet sanctitude of the dining room to look for a document from Abby’s pile.

She’s hunched over the small coffee table, running her hand over the back of her neck and scrunching her brows together in deep focus. The floorboards creak under your steps and Abby quickly sits up to regain her composure.

“Did you need something? Or did you come in here to stare at me?”

You roll your eyes at her snarky remark, but answer her anyway. “Have you seen the last two pages of this anywhere?”

She looks at the papers in your hand for a moment and then snaps her fingers, reaching over to sort through the mountains of files that are sorted around her. The coffee table is a mess of papers and Manila folders and you wonder if she keeps her office in this state too.

“They’re right here,” she says, holding up the papers to show you. “I was looking for your half earlier, figured it was somewhere in this mess.”

She reaches for your papers at the same time you reach for hers, and you’re both left dumbfounded that the other had laid claim to the document in question.

“Let me see those,” you say, reaching further until your fingertips brush the edge of the papers.

Abby snaps them back towards her, holding them close to her chest. “No way, they were in my pile. Let me have yours.”

“You’re kidding, right?” You scoff, putting a hand on your hip. “You think I’m just gonna give these to you? I’m not messing around, Abby.”

She rises from her place on the couch to meet you head-on. “You’re wrong if you think I’m gonna let you fuck up this case,” she spits. “This is for Yara, she deserves someone who’s not afraid to get the job done.”

“What Yara deserves is someone who actually cares about her case.”

“Hey, I care!” Abby is practically red in the face at this point, shoving her finger into your chest to make her point clear. “I’m here because I want to get the best outcome for Yara.”

“Well so am I,” you say, stepping closer to her, faces no more than two inches apart.

She’s silent for a moment, eyes flitting over your face before she finally replies in a much calmer voice. “Fine, we’ll both read it. Let’s go.”

And then she’s storming past you into the dining room, her half of the document in hand.

You stand there shocked, not expecting Abby to be the one to compromise. Her head pops through the door way after a moment, a playful smirk on her face as she motions you towards the dining room.

“Well come on, big shot. Let’s get back to work.”

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

[notwiselybuttoowell]

After several years of recovery after the tumult of Donald Trump’s last administration, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now bracing itself for even deeper cuts to staff numbers and to work protecting Americans from pollution and the climate crisis as Trump prepares to return to the White House.

When he was last president, Trump gutted more than 100 environmental rules and vowed to only leave a “little bit of the EPA” left “because you can’t destroy business”, prompting hundreds of agency staff to leave amid a firestorm of political interference and retaliation against civil servants. An even greater exodus is expected this time, with staff fearing they are frontline targets in what could be the biggest upheaval in the agency’s 50-year history.

“People are anxious and apprehensive, [and] we are preparing for the worst,” said Nicole Cantello, an EPA water specialist and president of AFGE Local 704,

“We’ve had a taste of what will happen and how we were targeted last time,” she said. “By the emails and texts I’m getting, a lot of people will leave. So many things could be thrown at us that it could destroy the EPA as we know it.”

Cantello said the union is already seeking to shield itself by departing its office at the agency’s Washington headquarters, ditching the use of EPA computers and divorcing union dues from the federal payroll system. “We have to try to protect our people by being independent of the agency,” she said. “But folks will have to take stock over whether they can endure the attacks that are going to come their way.”

Such anxiety stems from the experiences of the last Trump administration, which removed a broad sweep of environmental regulations and attempted to cut the agency’s budget by a third.

Some staff in the way of this agenda faced censure, with a recent inspector general report finding that scientists were encouraged to delete evidence of chemicals’ harms, such as cancer and miscarriage. At least three of these scientists, when they objected, were removed from their roles, the report found, with supervisors calling dissenters “stupid” and “piranhas”.

The incoming Trump administration will seek to refashion the EPA workforce by using a mechanism called Schedule F, which allows a president to purge the agency of expert staffers and replace them with political loyalists, and relocating regional offices. Many of the EPA’s aging workforce, meanwhile, may choose to retire, with around a third of the agency’s workforce eligible to do this.

Trump’s allies have promised an assault on those who stay. “When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains,” Russell Vought, who served as Trump’s director of the Office of Management and Budget, said in a recent speech.

“We want their funding to be shut down so that the EPA can’t do all of the rules against our energy industry because they have no bandwidth financially to do so. We want to put them in trauma.”

The EPA currently has more than 16,000 employees, adding more than 6,000 during Joe Biden’s administration as the agency sought to rebuild. During Biden’s term, the agency stepped up enforcement of pollution rules, banned toxic pesticides, bolstered chemical safety protections, and took aim at the climate crisis by drawing up new regulations to slash planet-heating emissions from cars, trucks and power plants.

Much of this work now faces demolition. Project 2025, the conservative manifesto authored by former Trump officials, calls for the elimination of entire offices within the EPA, such as those that deal with environmental justice and pollution enforcement, as well as speeding up approvals of chemicals and scaling back regulations.

It’s going to be a complete meltdown because the Trump people have learned what to do and they are more radical this time,” said Tim Whitehouse, executive director of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. “They’ve been transparent about [their] desire to fire those who disagree with their agenda. Loyalty will be the No 1 factor in civil service jobs.”

In a memo circulated to staff on Wednesday, Michael Regan, the EPA’s administrator, acknowledged the “fear and uncertainty” over the election’s consequences. “May we approach our work with compassion and grace, and may we use the remaining days of this administration to continue to advance our mission and ensure that communities across this country have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink,” he wrote.

[doetic]

Baby, it's cold outside (TEASER) - Ex bf!Jschlatt x F!Reader

FINISHED!! FIND IT HERE!! Plot: Y/n had only planned to quickly grab the things she left at her newly-ex-boyfriend's house and leave, but an unforeseen snowstorm leaves her with no choice but to wait it out indoors with a very persistent Schlatt who's determined to piece back together their relationship. Hurt/Comfort with a very rough start that progressively grows fluffy. Warnings: (For this snippet) Prior breakup, heated argument with yelling, characters are trapped inside during a dangerous snowstorm (but are safe), mention of possible death, quite a bit of swearing. Word Count: 704

A/N: Just testing the waters with this snippet to see how high on my priority list the fic should be! Sorry about shitty picture quality. Requests are open and very much appreciated right now!!

The bits of light that managed to make it through the heavy snow and flow through the large front window illuminated the entryway in lieu of the now non-functional lights, allowing Y/n to see what she was doing as she gathered one of the boxes into her arms for her first trip to her car. With the storm getting so bad that the power went out, Y/n knew her window of opportunity to leave was rapidly fading away. Waiting it out with Schlatt was not an option, it would be too painful, a harsh reminder of what they once had. Shifting the box's weight to one arm, Y/n used her other one to open the front door.

"Are you insane?" Schlatt shouted from the doorway into his office. He quickly rushed over, his hand darting out to quickly shut the front door before Y/n could exit through it and head into the thick, opaque wall of white that laid outside. "It's snowing so hard you wouldn't be able to see your hand in front of your face! You'd get killed trying to drive out there!" Despite his angry demeanor, Y/n knew Schlatt well enough to see through it as a cover up for his concern.

She couldn't help but scoff in response to his worry, even though she knew he was right about the danger. Reluctantly relenting, Y/n placed her things down. "Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't drive." She glanced out of the house's front window. "But don't you dare act like you'd care if I got hurt."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Schlatt's hand darted out to grab Y/n's arm and turn her to face towards him, the softness of his grip a stark contrast to the harsh desperation of his movements. "I'm not the bad guy here. I'm not the one who ended things, I'm the one who's fighting for us!"

"Yeah, I know. You won't stop blowing up my phone and acting like you're such a fucking martyr for it." Y/n pulled her arm out from his grasp, glaring up at the larger man. "Don't act like you're some innocent, blameless party who I oh so greatly wronged. Neither of us were perfect in our relationship, neither of us could give the other what they needed."

Schlatt looked appalled at her statement. "Don't speak for me! You gave me everything I needed, everything I could have possibly wanted!"

"Don't delude yourself Schlatt, I could never be good enough for you. I could never be good enough for your life." Y/n's eyes were full of resentment. "But even if so, what did I get in return? A boyfriend who's always too busy to spend time with me, and when he does find time, he's drunk? A partner I can't even talk about to anyone? A five-fucking-year relationship with a man who refuses to pop the question while he builds his brand by flirting with other people to an audience of millions?" Y/n's face contorted in sorrow as she desperately held back her tears.

"Why didn't you tell me this before? Why did you let this grow until you broke?"

"When could I have sat you down to tell you? You hardly had time in your schedule to eat the meals I made." Y/n snapped. Schlatt stayed silent, unable to refute. She sighed. "Face it Schlatt, you can't love me in the way I need you to without giving up everything you've built."

Tension thickened the air into cement as the two stared silently at each other, daring the other to say something first. Hesitantly, Schlatt opened his mouth to speak. "I would have given it all up for you." His voice was gentle and meek.

Y/n turned away from him to hide the tears that finally overflowed and spilled down her cheeks. Oh how her heart soared at those words, but Y/n knew taking up his offer would mean cruelly ripping his passion and a lifetime of hard work away from him. Y/n couldn't possibly entertain the idea of doing that to someone she loved.

"I'm going to check on Jambo. Just let me go."

[huihuiheart]

A Secretary's Secret - Oneus - Leedo

Navigation

Oneus Masterlist

Pairing: Boss! Geonhak x Secretary! GN Reader

Summary: Things between you and your boss are more than just professional. Even if it's on the down low.

Warnings: Implied Sex, Dirty talk, Light Sir Kink

Word Count: 704

Being Kim Geonhak’s secretary was not an easy job, especially during the company's busy season. Originally the company had started off as a large event planning company, but due to the world scene, they had to evolve. Which is what Geonhak had ensured they did. Now you even coordinated small events, right now the holiday events were stocking up too. Mostly clueless boyfriends who knew what their girlfriend liked, yet not how to present it to her or surprise her with it. Which is exactly where your company stepped in. Using the preferences and requests someone sent in you put together the perfect thing and delivered it right to their door, during the times they said it was safe to do so without ruining the surprise. Or in some cases, your workers had slipped inside while the couple was out to set up the perfect layout at home for a perfect romantic evening. 

Due to the rush, you and Geonhak both had been making a lot of trips to the office floor and production team on the ground level. Usually together for a meeting or information, but occasionally you’d have to man something yourself...unfortunately making you more like a management figure during this time. Now is one such time. 

“Yes, I understand that. However, we have events piling up on everyone. Resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and if you can’t find a solution then send it to the complaints department and move on. We don’t have time for this right now.” You tell one of the employees while taking the files that you currently could. Turning around to find Geonhak wearing a lazy smirk as he watches you, “Oh, sorry sir. I didn’t see you there. Is there something I can do for you?”

“I was just coming to make sure you were still here. We have that meeting and I wanted to be sure we were both ready for it.” He responds leading the way towards the elevator, “ You’re the most beautiful person in the room you know...you look especially hot when you take charge like that.”

His whisper sends shivers down your spine as you both enter the empty elevator, waiting for it to close the two of you in there alone before responding, “Well,  I can’t stop thinking about you. No matter how hard I try, you’re always on my mind.”

“Oh? Last night wasn’t enough for you? And here I thought I’d sated you at least for the day little girl.” Geonhak’s smirk is growing, you can hear it in his voice. Though it disappears when he meets your gaze, drinking in the look your eyes hold, “ That’s unfair. You know I can’t resist when you look at me like that.”

“But sir... I want you so badly it hurts.” You whine softly, knowing you’d already had him hooked. It was hard for him not to get wrapped around your finger throughout the day with the way you constantly called him sir, practically purring out the honorific as if that alone was your job.

Geonhak chuckles darkly, slipping his arm around your waist to pull you close knowing that you didn’t have a lot of time left before the elevator arrived at your destination, “When we get off, make sure everything looks good for the meeting one last time and then join me in my office...I’ll be waiting.”

As impatient as you are, you know how important that meeting is. In particular, during a busy season like you’re currently having. You can’t bring yourself to be selfish if it might sabotage that, so you follow his directions and ensure everything is ready as quickly as possible, while still being efficient, before joining him.

Geonhak licks his lips at the sight of you, already slipping his belt off, to waste no time before getting started, “Watching you cum is so hot......I wonder how many times I could get that view before we have to make the meeting.”

His words have you whimpering, squirming under his fiery gaze looking for relief, but he tsks in disapproval of something you’ve done.

“Ssh, we gotta be quiet....wouldn’t want anyone to walk in and find out our little secret now hm?”

[bardnuts]

my local grocery store (Harris Teeter) has introduced an ARMED SECURITY GUARD. with a GUN.

their explanation at the customer service desk was that "people keep 'forgetting to pay,' so his presence is to 'discourage them from forgetting to pay." I told them I was extremely uncomfortable with a very large armed man wandering around my local grocery store, and that I didn't understand why we had to introduce a fucking gun into the equation if his entire purpose is to intimidate customers into not stealing. I'm sorry, are you going to shoot Johnny Smith for stealing a fucking potato?

Obviously I'm really concerned for how this could disproportionately affect Black customers and customers of color.

I was told this comes from higher up/Harris Teeter corporate.

Personally I'm kind of chilled by the notion that grocery/food distributors have decided to protect their "assets" (food!!!!) with guns.

Anyway the number for the Harris Teeter corporate office is 704-844-3100.

[knightgazes]

BLADE RUNNER 2049 & PALE FIRE - ANALYSIS

SPOILERS AHEAD

NOTHINGNESS / EMPATHY

"…And blood-black nothingness began to spin" (704)

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.

In both Blade Runner movies, the protagonists (Rick Deckard, and Officer K) have to go through the Voight Kampff test which is an “anti-empathy” test given to officers by their police department. This test uses certain stimuli to provoke an emotional response from the recipient since replicants are supposed to lack human emotion, especially empathy. In Blade Runner 2049, Officer K’s test intertwines a pre-memorized section with the stimulus questions.

Officer K’s baseline is taken from a section of the poem “Pale Fire” by Vladimir Nabokov. This poem holds significance because it contains themes of reality versus semblance, a prominent theme in the movie. The poem is meant to suggest that, just like humans, replicants are also capable of connecting with one another and perceiving emotion.

FOUNTAIN / REALITY

"And dreadfully distinct Against the dark, a tall white fountain played…" (707)

'"She told her interviewer of "The Land Beyond the Veil"... at the end she mentioned a remote Landscape, a hazy orchard - and I quote: "Beyond that orchard through a kind of smoke I glimpsed a tall white fountain - and awoke."' (750)

.

.

A poet in Pale Fire, named John Shade, wrote that he saw a "tall white fountain" during a brush with death. Later, Shade reads a magazine about a woman who also came close to death and had a similar vision of a "tall white fountain." Shade interprets this as proof that souls can pass onto an "afterlife." Intrigued, Shade asks the woman about the similarity and she replies saying that "'there's one misprint - not that it matters much: Mountain, not fountain.'" Shade’s misunderstanding surrounding his experience and the woman’s story being more than what it actually was is also a theme reflected in Blade Runner 2049.

Officer K thinks that he is the "chosen one" throughout the film but towards the end of the movie, he learns that he isn't the "chosen one" after all. This realization has Officer K feeling disillusioned and it shatters his perception of reality.

These events have made the two characters feel as if they have lived a false reality. Misunderstanding something as greater than it actually is, is a common theme in films and literature. More specifically Neo-Noir films and dystopian novels, where a cynical, hopeless character, must confront their feelings of uncertainty in or about their lives and the world that they live in.

.

.

all quotes are from "Pale Fire" by Valdimir Nabokov

[valencrime]

Pinned post!

I'm Dottie, They/She/He are fine, I'm an adult.

I write, and draw, and cross stitch, and sometimes I even remember to post those things to the internet.

Fanfiction masterpost, in order of most recently updated! If something is on Hiatus but I do not explicitly say I don't wanna continue, just assume it's still in my heart and I'll work on it when the stars align.

UNDO UNDO - 10939 words - published 2024 Inanimate Insanity - Incomplete - (3/5) - MePad is dead. Test Tube doesn't think he should stay that way.

End of the Line - 1261 words - published 2024 Great God Grove - Complete - (1/1) - King's perspective, at the top of the spire.

Heart in a Headlock - 10995 words - published 2024 Undertale - Incomplete (3/?) - I'm enamored with timeloops, and wanted to write something self-indulgent about Frisk and Chara. Maybe you'll like it too

Between the Between the Scenes (More Between, More Scene) - 14037 words - published 2022, last updated 2023 Dungeons and Dragons - (11/?) My DND drabbles all compiled into one, easy for my friends to find fic. AUs and in-character letters and lost scenes, oh my! Gordon in Breen's Office, What Propaganda Will He Make? - 54569 words - published 2020, last updated 2023 Half-Life - Hiatus - (24/?) Do you wanna read a story where nice things happen to the cast of Half-Life 2? A story where Gordon gets put in Doctor Breen's Office instead of on the train to City 17? I'm giving everyone a happy ending, dang it!

Project "FREEMAN" - 11448 words - published 2020, last updated 2021 Half-Life but the AI are Self-Aware - Incomplete and LIKELY abandoned - (4/?) (1/1) Gordon is the only AI AU.

Beast Synonyms - 1911 words - published 2021 Half-Life - Hiatus - (1/?) Cool dragon AU

Half-Life Mermaid AU - 9811 words - published 2020, last updated 2021 Half-Life - (1/1) (1/1) (2/3) - What if Half-Life characters got to be HAPPY? Also mermaids are real. Three stories in collection.

Love (to) Spoon - 4459 words - published 2020 Half-Life - Complete - (1/1) - A Secret Santa that is technically part of a series, but can standalone. Gordon Freeman and Barney Calhoun give each other heartfelt gifts, Post-Half-Life 2 Episode 2 (except Eli isn't dead)

Bomb Rush Blush - 1681 words - published 2020 Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion - Complete - (1/1) - Callie's here to help with the rescue at the subway! Unfortunately, she's gotten a bit lost.

remember when malls existed - 1753 words - published 2020 Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware - Complete - (1/1) Gordon Freeman needs to get presents for his son at the mall!

Couch Time - 3069 words - published 2020 Ducktales 2017 - Complete - (1/1) Della's having a rough time on Earth, so she calls up one of her favorite cousins to help out!

Observe, Think, React - 704 words - published 2019 Inanimate Insanity - Complete - (1/1) MePad thinks about the rare feelings he has, and what causes the worst ones.

[shivunin]

Collected DAI Ficlets

Below are links to all of my Dragon Age: Inquisition ficlets on tumblr. They are organized by type/chronological order per the headings.(Longer works posted here on AO3 and cross-posted here where noted).

(If you're looking for more, here are links to my Origins and DA2 ficlets)

Please let me know if any links are broken!

Emmaera Lavellan/Cullen:

A Bond Beheld: (1,710 Words) The Commander pledges fealty to the new Inquisitor

Tipsy: (209 Words) Conversation overheard while drunk

Lavender Cakes: (236 Words) A codex entry describing a special request from the Commander; (collected with a codex entry on a marriage offer post-Inquisition and rumors circa Trespasser)

Not a Moment Sooner: (1,159 Words) Cullen wakes from a nightmare and grounds himself with the presence of his lover.

The Last Minute: (996 Words) Emma and Cullen say goodbye as the Inquisition's armies prepare to ride for the Arbor Wilds

To Build an End: (1,524 Words, Fluff) As the dust of Corypheus's destruction settles around her, Emmaera looks first for her Commander

A Letter from the Viscount: (368 Words) Varric writes to see how the Inquisitor has been, and to deliver an offer

Entanglements: (704 Words, Fluff) A quiet, simple morning in retirement

Just a Hair: (676 Words, Fluff) Emma trims Cullen’s hair

From Behind: (513 Words, Fluff) Cullen reflects on life as a father and husband

Structural Integrity: (4,300 Words, Fluff) Cullen and his daughter build a pillow fort—now all that’s left is to test it (also collected in my anthology fic here on AO3)

Letters from Adhlea: (527 Words, epistolary) While Cullen visits family in Ferelden, his daughter writes him a letter with updates.

Elowen Lavellan/Cullen

Hold Me Down: (1,206 Words) In the aftermath of Here Lies the Abyss, Cullen happens upon the Inquisitor in a vulnerable state.

Summer Tea: (897 Words) The Inquisitor takes a moment away from a party to rest on the balcony; Cullen joins her

A Sudden Squall: (1,613 Words) An abrupt storm forces Cullen and the Inquisitor into close quarters

A Storm’s Aftermath: (786 Words) Elowen tries to be normal after nearly kissing the Commander (she…doesn’t quite manage it, but neither does he)

At Your Side: (678 Words) As Elowen returns to her room in Skyhold, Leliana notices a new mannerism

Disarming: (773 Words) The Commander and Inquisitor spend a morning training

Falsehoods: (851 Words, Hurt/comfort) Elowen takes a wound in battle; Cullen visits her room at the inn to make sure she's alright

Call Your Mother: (515 Words) A letter from and to Elowen’s mother regarding her choice of beau

A Resolution: (1,086 Words) Elowen reflects on the consequences of having fallen in love with a human

Daybreak: (615 Words) After the events of Your Fate for Mine, Cullen wakes in bed with Elowen and finds himself with a small predicament.

Salshira Lavellan/Cullen

Slander: (547 Words) Codex entry detailing several complaints about the Inquisitor

The Fire at the Center: (556 Words) Cullen tries to focus on his prayers, with some difficulty

Wait: (621 Words, Fluff) Salshira passes through Cullen’s office on the way to other tasks

Fires of Battle: (846 Words) Salshira closes the last distance before the Temple of Mythal and meets the Commander on the battlefield

A Hand Outstretched: (1,510 Words, T) Salshira struggles with the lack of news from Wycome; Cullen finds her when she needs him most.

News from Wycome: (740 Words, Emotional hurt/comfort) Cullen rushes to deliver a crucial bit of news

Don’t Look Down: (448 Words, Hurt/comfort) Salshira regains consciousness after a nasty fall

After the Dark: (841 Words, Hurt/comfort) Salshira returns from the Deep Roads; she is not doing well

A Story Chosen: (2,245 Words) Cullen and Salshira's daughter asks about adventuring and heroism while they wait for Salshira to come home from the market

Adahlena Lavellan/Cullen (aka the arranged marriage au):

Pip: (2,611 Words) Adahlena Lavellan and Cullen meet for the first time in the Elvhen lands at Halamshiral

The Morning Mist: (820 Words) Cullen and Adahlena take breakfast together in the gardens

Miscellaneous Mini-Fics:

Profane (Salshira)

Winnow (Salshira)

Cliff (Emma)

Truth (Elowen), Profane (Emma), and Initiative (Salshira)

Sweet Pea (Elowen)

Witch Hazel (750 Words) Emmaera discusses her daughter's magic with Vivienne

[vsdindustries1]

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ADDRESS:

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EMAIL:

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PHONE:

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[osamdzai]

Birthday!

Characters: Dazai and the Armed Detective Agency members.

Synopsis: Dazai isn't used to celebrations for his birthday. Here he is though, celebrating his birthday with the other members of the agency.

Genre: Fluff.

Warnings: Mentions of alcohol for Yosano's part.

Word count: 704 (short oneshot)

Dazai was late, per usual. The agency members didn't seem to mind. Except for Kunikida, of course. Other than that, members expected him to be late.

He walked into the office an hour late, yawning. He only met darkness, though. This confused him. The lights were almost always on at a time like this. Every member should be here. He reached for the light switch, turning it on.

"Happy birthday, Dazai!" All the agency members said in union. Confetti poppers were used. Balloons were around the room.

Dazai's eyes widened. He's never had a birthday celebration. Kyoka went up to dazai, handing him a bunny stuffed animal.

"I like this. I have my own. You should have one too." She spoke in her usual monotonous tone.

Dazai took the bunny from her hands, holding it.

"My, thank you Kyoka."

"Mhm." She put her arms out for him to hug. Dazai smiled slightly, hugging Kyoka. He pat her head softly, ruffling her hair.

She let go and walked over to Atsushi, who gave her a thumbs up.

Yosano handed a bottle of sake to Dazai. "Figured you'd like some. I have bandages for you to, since you keep stealing from my office." She grinned.

He took the bottle, smiling back. "Thanks, Yosano."

Atsushi gave Dazai flowers, thanking Dazai for everything he's done. Dazai set allthe gifts on his desk.

Ranpo shared his candy with Dazai for the day. He rested his head on Dazai's shoulder as they sat on the agency's couch. They spoke about mysteries and cases as they ate candy.

Junichiro took him to the cafe below the agency, paying for him. They spoke for an hour, talking about their interests and hobbies.

Naomi went to an art museum with Dazai, they gazed at the art for a while. They found look alikes of themselves on paintings. Naomi laughed at some paintings. Her laughter is contagious, which eventually made Dazai laugh. People in the art museum glared at them. They laughed loudly and uncontrollably with each other. It took a long time for them to calm down, they almost got kicked out.

Kenji took Dazai to his farm. They went to Kenji's own field, watering the plants. They found flowers together. Kenji made Dazai a flower crown. Dazai wore the flower crown for the rest of the day. Kenji taught Dazai how to press the flowers to keep the flower crown for as long as he wants.

Kunikida hugged Dazai. Kunikida ran his hand through Dazai's hair as they hugged.

"I'm glad you're my partner. I'm proud you're here at the agency with us."

"Thank you, Kunikida."

Dazai hugged Kunikida back, his face against Kunikida's chest. They spoke for half an hour, Kunikida letting go eventually.

Haruno walked up to Dazai near the end of the day.

"The president wanted me to give you this gift. Thank you for working at the agency." She smiled softly, handing him a small box.

A hand written letter from Fukuzawa was in the box.

"Thank you, Dazai, for working at the agency. I commemorate your work. The agency has solved twice as many cases now that you're around, even with Ranpo. Unfortunately, I'm busy at this moment, so I must write this instead of saying this in person. Once I get back, I'll make sure to tell you in person about how proud I am. Have a great birthday." ~ Fukuzawa.

Dazai held the note, smiling. He had an amazing day.

"Thank you, Haruno. For giving me the letter."

"Of course, Dazai. Now, I have one more thing for you."

"Hm? What is it?"

Haruno walked with Dazai into the lunch room. Eventually, Atsushi walked into the room, holding a cake. He set the cake down onto a counter. Fukuzawa walked in after Atsushi.

"We went into the bakery." Fukuzawa patted Dazai's shoulder.

The agency members laughed and smiled throughout the rest of the day. They stayed around Dazai, eating cake and talking.

Dazai left the agency at night. He laid in bed, thinking about the day. He hugged the bunny stuffed animal. He curled up in bed, feeling soft. He loved today. He loved the agency. He felt comfortable and warm.

This was his new home.

Do not copy, translate, or repost my works anywhere else. I am only on Tumblr.

~osamdzai

[tommybowefuneralattendee]

Okay, the other Tommien fic was because you wanted a prompt. Now I just want more because damn. 704?

hiiiiii red !! this one is a little fluff heavy i'll admit, but i hope you enjoy <3 number 704 on the spreadsheet is from this list of prompts the prompt generated in specific is: washing the other’s body

linked on ao3 || read under the cut || 3.1k, rated G

summary:

overworked and underslept, the only thing damien really feels is burnt out. tommy helps with that. || or, domestic comfort no hurt tommien fluff.

"Oh, babe," Tommy says, closing the door of the apartment softly behind him. It's still technically just Tommy's apartment, but Damien is staying here often enough that Tommy keeps saying that he'll see him at home, and despite the butterflies that puts in Damien's belly, he doesn't exactly know what that means, and he's certainly not brave enough to ask. He's even brought Zelda and Freya here for the week; Tommy has stuff for them, bought without Damien saying anything about it. Damien had been flustered for days after. That has nothing, really, to do with the fact that he's laying face-down on the living room rug, nose close enough to the floor that he can count individual fibers of the wool. He's not usually a big fan of wool, but Tommy picks out a good rug, what can he say? Humming and setting his bag down by his shoes, Tommy walks closer to him, sitting cross-legged near his head. Wiggling, Damien maneuvers awkwardly to rest his head on Tommy's thigh. He's not terribly surprised to feel the cool of Tommy's fingers combing through his hair, but it's still really nice.

"Sorry," he says quietly, his face mostly pressed into the rough of Tommy's jeans. Tommy hums again, disapproving this time as he tilts Damien's face up to look at him.

"Vice versa," he quips, raising an eyebrow at Damien. Damien rolls his eyes but smiles; it's something they say to one another sometimes. Vice versa. Would you want me to apologize if positions were reversed? Just one little iota of perspective in the great landscape of their relationship, or what have you. And he knows how he would react if Tommy was like this; Tommy has been like this. Overstimulated or anxious or depressed, he never wants Tommy to apologize for fucking feeling something. He never wants Tommy to feel like he has to hide that when it's just them.

"Tell me about your day?" Damien requests, his voice a little hoarse. It's been a really long day. He loves voice acting, it's steady work and he can do it alone or with people if he wants, his choice, and he meets the best people when he chooses to do so. He works on projects he loves. It's just so much sometimes, loud and overwhelming and terrifying. Tommy nods and keeps doing his thing, scratching Damien's scalp gently as he tells him Kimmy and Spencer's latest exploits, Shayne and Chanse chasing each other around the office for some reason, Angela getting in trouble not for filming it but for posting it. As much as he loves to hear Tommy talk, something still aches low in his chest listening to him talk about working full-time at Smosh. Again, he likes voice acting. He likes the trajectory of his career. There's just something to be said for spending every day with your friends and even getting paid to be there. Full-timing Smosh was also stressful; the grass is always greener, maybe.

Tommy gives him perhaps fifteen minutes of this before he's pausing in his rambling, fingers going still in Damien's hair til Damien opens his eyes to look at him, not realizing they'd even fallen shut. Tommy's smile is almost wistful looking down at him, gentle as he strokes his thumb over Damien's cheekbone. Damien reaches up and catches his hand between both of his own, pressing a kiss to each of his fingers. If Tommy doesn't want him apologizing, he won't want Damien thanking him aloud either. This, Damien can do.

"You wanna tell me what's going on with you?" Tommy asks, fond and soft. In lieu of hiding his face in his own hands, Damien rests Tommy's hand against his face, turning his head slightly to kiss his palm. He knows that Tommy won't make him talk about it if he doesn't want to; honestly, Damien has no idea where he would even start if he did. Some days are just down. This one hasn't even lasted all day, just the last couple of hours. He's not even sure when he got home, really, but he'd laid down on the rug as soon as he walked in the door. His stuff and his shoes still aren't put up and a creeping guilt crawls through him at that. He hates leaving a mess for Tommy. He doesn't want to just be one more thing Tommy has on his plate.

"Just tired," he rasps, pressing a kiss to the inside of Tommy's wrist before sitting up, careful to avoid pushing up too fast and hurting Tommy. He stands, helping Tommy to his feet as well.

"Can I help?" Tommy asks, hand cupping the side of Damien's neck. He can't help but hesitate, and he knows Tommy asked that way just for this reason. Can Tommy help? Yes. Does he have to? Never. Damien can handle himself. He dips his head, gaze on the floor. "Damien," Tommy says softly, stepping closer to rest his forehead against Damien's. Damien sighs, stepping even closer to lean his head against Tommy's shoulder, pushing into his chest. Tommy chuckles (despite himself by the sound of it) and wraps his arms around Damien, one hand tangling in his hair while the other rubs up and down his back, warm and soothing.

"Tired," he says again, unable to articulate the exact mix of overstimulated and burnt out, underslept and overworked. Tommy hums like he understands anyway, holding Damien in the circle of his arms for a moment before framing his face with his hands, tipping Damien up to look at him again. He's fully cradling Damien's head in his hands, as much as Damien's head has to be tilted back to see Tommy this up close.

"When was the last time you ate?" Tommy asks, converting quickly into efficiency. Damien tries to follow him down that path, clearing his throat.

"Maybe two hours ago? I picked something up on the way ho- here. On the way here," he says, stumbling over himself and looking down when it makes Tommy frown, unable to face whatever reaction he's wrought there. He can't stand the idea of disappointing Tommy, but he can't stand the idea of Tommy not wanting him to call this his home. Because this feels like home. Standing in Tommy's living room with Tommy's hands on his skin and Freya and Zelda curled together on the couch and awash in that safe feeling he gets every time he's alone with Tommy. Like there's nothing to worry about. Tommy strokes his thumbs over Damien's cheekbones, pressing a quick kiss to his mouth. Damien leans up into it, but Tommy pulls away, grabbing him by the hand.

"Shower then bed?" he proposes, eyebrow raised. Damien frowns, shoulders going slack.

"I don't know if I have a shower in me, sweetheart," he says, rough with honesty. Despite the roughness, the pet name makes Tommy smile just as much as it always does, pink dusting across his nose in a way that's just excessively cute.

"Dame, baby, you never like going to bed without showering. Let's get you in the shower. I'll handle everything, I'll be there the whole time," Tommy coaxes, cajoling Damien as if allowing this would be doing Tommy a favor rather than an overture into burdensome territory made by Damien himself. "Let me take care of you," he says, voice so sweet and soft and gentle that Damien can't imagine telling him no. Instead, he nods, allowing Tommy to lead him to his en-suite bathroom. Once there, he guides Damien's arms up and takes his shirt off without much preamble. He rests his hands on Damien's waistband before looking Damien in the eye, eyebrow raised once again. Damien clears his throat, nodding and knowing without looking in the mirror behind Tommy that his ears are likely red.

"Sorry," he says as Tommy guides him out of his bottoms, leaving him standing naked in the middle of the bathroom. Tommy strips of his own shirt and pants quickly thereafter, leading Damien into the shower.

"You have no idea, huh?" he asks, corralling Damien into the back of the shower so Tommy can be the one to adjust the temperature of the water; it takes everything in Damien not to plaster himself to Tommy's back, unbearably clingy. He has to get passed all that yearning to realize what Tommy said.

"About?" Damien asks, head tilted to the side. Satisfied with the temperature of the water, Tommy turns to him, pulling Damien into the water with him. He runs his fingers through Damien's hair, wetting it thoroughly.

"I really fucking like you, Damien. I care if you're okay and I want to help if you aren't. You're my boyfriend, Damien. I want- I want you here. Where I can take care of you and make you laugh and watch you sleep if I want to, you Edward Cullen looking motherfucker. I'm not going to- you're never going to be too much. Not for me. Not if it's you," Tommy explains, his hands cupping Damien's face by the end there. Damien doesn't typically like eye contact, but he doesn't know if he could take his eyes off Tommy's if he tried. They're big and brown and so fucking honest, so supersaturated with self-belief and conviction that Damien has to believe him. There's no looking at Tommy looking at him like that and coming away unchanged. Tommy kisses him beneath the rain of their shared shower and it's more romantic than any kiss in a sunshower that Damien's ever had because he knows it's real, with someone who knows exactly who he is and is walking into this with eyes wide open.

"Are you sure?" he still can't help but ask as Tommy pulls away, voice breaking on his uncertainty. It would be completely valid for Tommy to get exasperated with him at this point. He's being annoying about it. Tommy was already nice to him, why's he making him repeat himself? He pushes down thoughts of wasting his boyfriend's time, knowing that too would sit incorrectly with Tommy.

"As many times and in as many ways as you need to hear it, yeah. I'm sure. You're mine now, don't think I'm gonna let you go that easily," Tommy says, teasing grin pulling across his face that Damien can't help but match for energy, warmth spreading all the way down to his toes.

"Thank you," he whispers, pressing his face into Tommy's shoulder. Tommy hums affirmatively and reaches behind Damien, grabbing a bottle from the shelf and squirting some of the contents in his hand. Damien knows what it is from the smell of it, the warm coconut scent of Tommy's shampoo familiar in this space. Despite what Tommy said, Damien is still surprised when Tommy rubs the shampoo into his scalp, gentle as he works it through Damien's hair. A little startled sound crumples into a whimper as Tommy just barely pulls at it, making Damien feel weak in the fucking knees. Tommy makes an encouraging noise, pulling Damien to lean against him as he rubs the shampoo in.

"I've gotcha," Tommy says, tipping Damien's head back with a hand shielding his eyes. Just that little gesture intensifies the feeling even more, that comforting smallness, that taken care of feeling that makes him so warm in the chest. Tommy puts conditioner in his hair next, grabbing for the body wash while the conditioner sets in.

"I can-" he tries to protest, embarrassment creeping in at his fingertips. He never knows what to do when someone is this nice to him. He knows even less when he cares this much. He starts to create space between them as well, but Tommy hushes him and puts a stop to that both at once, pulling back just far enough to peck Damien on the mouth before setting back to his self-appointed task.

"Please, baby. Let me have you," Tommy whispers, not really a request but halfway to begging, voice rougher than before. It makes Damien shudder, moving back to his former place tucked into Tommy's skin. Tommy makes a little noise of approval cute and quick and Damien knows he's made the right choice. Tommy wants to take care of him. Tommy wants to make sure he's okay. Tommy wants him. Everything that is. Everything he is.

"'m yours," he promises softly, muffled into Tommy's shoulder. He can tell that Tommy heard him though, his boyfriend tensing against him before going purposefully lax. Of course it was a joke when Tommy said it. Fuck. "Sor-"

"Don't apologize. Don't take it back. Please." Damien doesn't know what to call Tommy's tone then, but perhaps a plea wouldn't be too far off. It sways him anyway, his hands heavy as they land on Tommy's hips, his mouth hot against Tommy's cool skin. He presses a kiss to Tommy's shoulder because he doesn't know what to say, which direction to take things back in. Whether he can allow himself this vulnerability or he needs to pull it back into his skin. Listing toward Tommy and safe in his arms, Damien chooses.

"I'm yours, Tommy," he repeats, the rasp of his voice just barely audible through the white noise of the shower. Tommy presses a kiss to his temple and grabs a wash cloth, rubbing Damien's back clean in small circles. Exhausted, Damien relaxes against him, letting his mind go blank and letting Tommy take care of this, whatever this is.

"You're mine," Tommy confirms, soft and happy. Damien knows he made the right choice. He'll take care of Tommy another day, but this too is part of belonging to and with someone. Allow them into your care and keeping. Let them see beneath the veneer of your readiness. Take a deep breath and let them hear when it hitches. Tommy starts humming at some point, low and not really to any particularly recognizable song from the sound of it, just mindless repetitions of little sounds. Maybe it's a song Tommy's working on in his head. Maybe it's just some weird shit he listens to that Damien has just never heard before. Neither would be unprecedented. He doesn't know how long they've been in the shower when Tommy decides they've been there long enough; he's been losing time for a while, everything in his head static. He herds Damien out in the same way he herded Damien in, wordless as he towels Damien dry. He just dances away from Damien's hands when he tries to reach out and return the favor, his grin just this shade teasing. Strangely, that's what makes Damien relax into his care, that knowledge that even with everything as it is, he still makes Tommy smile. Tommy's still happy.

Pausing in the doorway, Tommy cups Damien's face in his hands, kissing him gently.

"I love you, you know," he says, soft, and it's not the first time he's said it, but it hits the same every time. Damien goes soft in his hands, pressing a kiss into his palm.

"I love you too," he whispers, hiding his face in Tommy's palm. Tommy strokes his face and leads him to the bed, pushing Damien into sitting and climbing wordlessly into his lap. The weight of him spread across Damien's thighs is unspeakably reassuring, his forearms resting on Damien's shoulders, his forehead against Damien's. The world feels narrowed down to this bedroom right now, Tommy's hands on his chest pushing him onto his back. Damien follows willingly, looking up at Tommy perched on him confidently, nothing but fondness in his eyes. The fact that they're naked isn't even on the first ten things Damien would note about this moment, so caught up as he is in every other aspect. It's in Tommy's hands gentle on his skin, his lips even softer, kisses peppered on Damien's face, his throat, his collarbones, his shoulders, further. The touches are chaste, sweet and trailing.

He doesn't let up, just kissing in circles and and patterns and shapes and getting a little silly with it, grinning wide enough when he makes Damien giggle that Damien can feel it against his skin. God, he loves this man. This perfect, beautiful, ridiculous, impossible man. Tommy's hands stroke over his skin as well, the weight of them claiming, assessing, sure in the fact that this is where they belong.

"Tommy," he says, his voice so low it's wispy. Tommy picks his head up, looking up over at Damien through his lashes.

"Damien," Tommy says back, warm and rich as the brown of his eyes.

"Please," he says, not remotely sure what he's asking for but asking anyway, knowing that if anyone could know, it would be Tommy Bowe. Somehow, Tommy does know, rolling off of Damien and onto his back, pulling at Damien to get him to follow him to put his head on the pillows, laying facing one another. He pulls the blanket over them, kissing Damien again, this time on the mouth. He's cupping Damien's jaw again, holding him carefully in place and pouring love down his throat, both that to drink from and that to be drunk. Dutifully, Damien swallows from him, licks love from his teeth and presses his own back, does his best to give back everything Tommy might give him first. Tommy breaks the kiss and rests their foreheads together, his breath warm against Damien's face. He runs his nose along Tommy's, giving in to that age old impulse to be as close as possible. He can't help that he wants Tommy beneath his gaze, beneath his hands, beneath his skin.

"Big spoon or little spoon?" Tommy asks, kissing Damien's cheek. Damien turns his head just enough to make their cheeks brush, nuzzling into Tommy's skin.

"Can we- um. Can I lay on your chest? Just... wanna be able to feel you. If that's not weird," he says, cringing at his own stumbling through communicating exactly what it is he wants from his partner. Tommy makes a disapproving noise, bringing both hands up to cup Damien's face.

"Vice," Tommy says, kissing Damien softly, "versa." He finishes with another kiss to Damien's lips before he's guiding him down, laying back on the pillows and drawing Damien to lay with his head over Tommy's heart. Something in Damien settles at feeling the beat there, just an infinitesimal piece of proof that Tommy is real and here and holding him, that Damien isn't as alone as his head would make him out to be. He presses a kiss to Tommy's sternum, answered immediately by a kiss pressed into his hair. 

"Thanks, Tommy," he says, quiet and grateful and untouchable, so safe as he feels tucked against Tommy, kept. Had. Tommy kisses the top of his head again, lingering there for a moment. He doesn't reply before Damien is already falling blessedly asleep.

[visforvictini13]

Name: Kurtis Stryker

Trainer Card Number: 704

Gender: Male

Series of Origin: Mortal Kombat III

Type Specialty: Fire

Arcanine, Noctowl & Machamp: Pokemon commonly associated with the Police Officer Trainer Class

Marowak: His baton weapon

Electrode: His fatalities which usually either involve a taser or a grenade, which if you ask me is right up Electrode's alley

Cinderace: The Striker Pokemon, Kurtis STRYKER, you do the math

I'm gonna take a break from doing Mortal Kombat cards for a while, I'm starting to think you guys may not be a fan of these and I'd rather put my time and effort into cards you will actually want