#They still haven't gotten back to me about my pay so I'm guessing they just gave me a raise without telling me???

[bomberqueen17]

looks like i picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines

no no that's a quote from the movie airplane. i tried amphetamines, by prescription, and i know i didn't find them particularly helpful, but i don't remember why. i've spent the last couple of weeks aggressively checked out of reality almost completely lost in my attempts to write a novel about solarpunk tall ships and the hot bisexuals who sail them, and that has been hella fun (i should share a snippet sometime. i will.) but it also means my car is still overdue for inspection and i need to figure out how to pay my physical therapy bill and i have several other urgent tasks piled up plus i still have an enormous quantity of luggage and things i removed from my cabin to winterize it piled in my house's entryway etc. so.

so anyway i've resumed amphetamines, since i had a two-week supply and only took one of them. and we'll see how that goes.

(yeah other friends of mine who've gotten diagnoses have had doctors insist on them monitoring their like, cardiac health or blood pressure with these, and it is slightly surprising to me that nobody has asked me about those things, but on the other hand, i seem to have been fine, so i guess this is ok. i found this guy through my insurance company so this isn't like. well. i don't know. it's the finest supervision i can get through my shitty insurance i guess.)

anyway. tall ships bisexuals is actually going pretty well but extremely disorganizedly. i need to get that under some kind of control.

i bought a stand mixer but haven't gotten it yet.

I also just forgot what i was going to write here, so this is going really well, score another one for the vyvanse. yes yes i'm keeping a comprehensive journal.

wow no really i don't remember where i was going with this. heck! welp. oh yeah no, i've been queueing enormous numbers of political posts and then going back and deleting them as unhelpful, so you're welcome. facebook memories helpfully showed me my post from eight years ago on this topic and mostly i'm like oh wow i was on facebook eight years ago? but if i look, mostly i was not. lol i signed up for facebook almost twenty years ago and decided it was Not For Me almost fifteen years ago and it still sends me twenty emails a day about my friends it's holding hostage, this is kind of amazing. anyway.

well i've been sitting here trying to lure my agitated cat to sit down and kick me out of the recliner, and after literally half an hour it has finally worked. so, off i go to drink like three gallons of water because that is the one thing i remember about being on meth that was really really important. you think "ah i need some more water" and you pour yourself a cup of it and it's gone and you're like "where did that go" so you drink three more cups and then you're like "wow i'm thirsty did i forget to drink water" and you wind up drinking incredible amounts of water and never peeing so. anyway that's a lot easier now that it's winter and i'm living someplace with running water, so. thumbs up.

woof i took a multivitamin and a fish oil capsule at the same time and i can taste that fish oil capsule, well done me =_=

[venacoeurva]

It remains to be seen how much longer the non-art work related project that's high priority is gonna last, higher ups are still figuring that out, so hours for comms will still be shorter.

Some days they won't have much for me to do, so if when that happens I'll just work on comms as normal, but I can't predict when that'll happen.

[bansheeboyy]

Is it weird that I kinda...fantasise about tickling my brother's feet?

Often when I come back from work he's there, lounging on the sofa barefoot, his big soles splayed out as he watches TV.

God knows he's tickled me enough in my life. He's always been faster and stronger than me, and even now he can overpower me in a wrestling match fairly easily. One of his favourite victory moves has always been to tickle his opponent into capitulaion. He'll tickle my pits until I'm screaming 'uncle', jab my sides until I can barely breathe, and if he's feeling really mean he'll headlock my ankles and tickle my feet 'til I'm promising anything and everything for him to stop.

But that's just normal older brother behaviour. I get it.

And it's not like I haven't gotten him back in my time. Every once in a while I'll catch him off guard and get a few jabs in, or in a tussle instigated by him I'll somehow get the upper hand and get my long-awaited revenge. That's how I know he's ticklish. Just as ticklish as I am. The few times I've gotten my hands on his feet he's been as frantic and panicked as I get. Of course, the trouble with proving his own weakness to tickling is that he gets brutal revenge the first chance he gets, and I mean brutal. I'm talking bursting into my room just as I've fallen alseep, leaping on top of me and tickling me until I piss myself. Not joking. He'll ignore pleas for mercy, attempts to barter. He'll tickle you until you're gasping for air and your control over your bladder slips. Then he'll leap off you, announce something like "that's what you get for tickling me, piss boy," and then strut out, mighty proud of himself.

So, that's kind of an idea of what I'm dealing with here.

That's why it feels like he's teasing me by always being barefoot around the house. Flaunting his big soles that I know are so, so ticklish, and yet I can't act on my desire for fear of nuclear-level retaliation.

So I fantasise. About ambushing him. About hiring stocks and locking him in them, stripping off his shoes and socks, tying his toes back nice and tight and making him pay. "Awww. You ticklish, bro?"

I’d get every inch of his soles, with feathers to start, then fingers, then oil, claws, brushes, grooming gloves. I’d make him beg me for mercy, mercy he wouldn’t have granted me, and I’d carry on. Maybe he’d piss himself too, or maybe he’d pass out.

But I wouldn’t just stop when he woke back up, oh no. If his feet are as ticklish as mine, then where else do we share a torturous weakness? The inner thighs? Backs of the knees? That little spot where your armpit meets your ribs? I’d find them all, map every single weak spot he has, tickle each one until he’s threatening me, begging me, bartering with me, until I have a veritable Ticklish Anatomy of my Dick Brother file on my computer. One that would mean he could never tickle me again, for fear that I’d leak it to his friends, his enemies, anyone who wants to hear it. Or maybe for fear that I’d actually start to win every tickle fight, my every jab landing on a tickle death spot for him.

But a fantasy is all it is.

So I’m stuck, destined to be tickled by my ticklish brother, watching him flaunt his sensitive soles with a subtle glee in his eyes. He knows he’s the alpha.

Then again….

I did bid on a second hand bondage chair on Facebook marketplace this afternoon. Sure it was still plenty expensive, but I’d just seen him barefoot on the sofa, so relaxed and calm and ticklish, and I just snapped.

So maybe my fortunes are about to turn.

I guess we’ll see.

[domxmarvel]

Hellfire club

E

Eddie munson 

Masterlist

Pairing: Eddie munson x Female!Reader

A/N:There’s a description of the reader having a bat tattoo. Also as I said before if this goes well I might add Eddie to my list permanently. (I also might have gotten an idea for a multi part series while writing this)

You were the new girl in town,apparently anyone who wasn't from Hawking was the most interesting person they had ever seen,but you weren't surprised. With how small the town was they were desperate for anyone or anything new. You instantly became the most popular and desired girl in school. You joined cheerleading in hopes of getting to know people and make some actual friends.

At lunch time You walked in alongside the other cheerleaders. As you were walking to your table someone caught your eyes with how loud they were being. A guy with long hair and a shirt that said 'Hellfire club' with a red devil face and various symbols surrounding it,most people wouldn't recognize them but you knew those symbols were,they were dnd symbols. There was something about this guy that was extremely attractive. He was talking about something but you weren't really paying attention to his words. You turned to the other cheerleader. 

"Who is that?" You asked quietly. The cheerleaders followed your gaze.

"Him? That's Eddie Munson. He's the leader of that weird club, Hellfire. Total weirdo. You should stay away from him." You were intrigued by that last part. 

"Why?" Sarah rolled her eyes. 

"Seriously? You're new here, so you probably haven't heard the rumors. Eddie Munson is the town freak. People say he's into satanic rituals and all that. And he's just weird.Only social outcasts join his club." She looked back at you, raising an eyebrow. "You're not considering actually talking to him, are you?"

"Why,not? Does he have a jealous girlfriend I need to watch my back for?" Sarah laughed incredulously. 

"Eddie? As if. The guy's a total loser. You're not gonna have to deal with any jealous girlfriends if you talk to him, that's for sure. But why would you even want to? You're the new girl and the most popular girl in school. You’re way out of his league. Talking to him would be social suicide." You walked a bit further. "Why does everyone dislike him? Did he do something or is it just because he likes dnd?" Sarah shrugged as she continued walking. 

"Bit of both, I guess. There are rumors he's involved in drug dealing and stuff. But mainly, people just think he's creepy and weird for being into DnD and all that 'occult' stuff. They think it's Satanic or something."

"What's stupid is people thinking dnd is connected to the devil" You laughed. "I played it for years and I can tell you there were no demons or devils involved" Another girl, Kate, joined as you sat down. 

"I honestly can't imagine someone like you playing a game like that. Isn't it... nerdy and stuff?"

"Everyone I knew played it back home. I'm guessing there's no other groups in this town" Sarah shook her head. 

"Not that I know of" Kate shuddered comically.

"Ugh, I wouldn't go near that club if you paid me. Bunch of losers sitting around, pretending to be elves or something." The rest of the table erupted in laughter. 

"Who's their DM?" You asked,they all gave you a confused look they probably had no idea what that meant. "The DM the dungeon master" You explained and they still looked confused,clearly that explanation didn't help much. "Clearly only one person can give me a proper answer"

"Are you saying you're gonna go talk to Eddie Munson?"

"None of you can answer this question,and I highly doubt anyone other than him can. "I'm gonna go talk to him" The cheerleaders gasped, their eyes wide with shock. Sarah looked horrified.

"What? You're seriously gonna talk to Eddie Munson? Are you insane? You're the new girl and the most popular girl in school. You can't just walk up to him." Kate chimed in.

"Yeah,He's a complete and total outcast. It would ruin your reputation!"

"We're just talking,it not that big of a deal"

"It is a big deal.Eddie Munson is a social outcast, and hanging out with him will make everyone think you're a weirdo too."

"She's right. Think of your reputation, the other people in school will make fun of you, and it will mess up your spot on the cheer team." You wouldn't mind losing out on cheer practice,it was exhausting and you'd much rather be playing dnd. You walked over to his table and directly up to him,sitting on the table with your feet hovering just above the ground. 

Eddie had been absorbed in conversation with his friends Dustin, Mike, and Lucas, completely unaware of your approach. He looked taken aback. His friends also looked baffled, their eyes darting between you and Eddie. Eddie recovered quickly, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Well, well, didn't expect to see the queen of Hawkins High here in our little corner."

"Which one of you is the DM?" Eddie chuckled.

"That would be me, sweetheart. I'm the dungeon master for Hellfire."

"Got place for one more?" Eddie raised an eyebrow.

"You want to join the Hellfire Club? Are you sure you're not lost, Princess, or walking into the wrong table by accident?"

"I know exactly where I am,pretty boy. Now answer the question" Eddie's smirk widened.

"Damn, princess's got a mouth on her. Alright, I'll indulge you." He leaned back. "Sure, we've got room for one more. But it's not all just games and fun. You gotta be cool with the freaky stuff, the weird stuff. Is a pretty girl like you ready for that?"

"How long have you been playing,Munson?"

"Damn, asking all the important questions, aren't you? I've been playing D&D for two and a half years. Been leading the Hellfire Club just as long." You smirk.

"I've been playing for six years" Eddie's arrogant smirk faded away, replaced with shock. His eyes widened.

"Wait, what? Six years?"

"I guess it's still pretty new around here"

"Yeah, well, we might've gotten a late start, but it's not about how long we've been playing, princess. It's about how good we are at it!" Lucas and Dustin couldn't help but chuckle at Eddie's defensive tone.

"Darling,I've been playing every night for six years."

"How do we know you're not just making it up to impress us?"

"Let me join a campaign and I'll show you" Eddie's smirk returned, a glint of challenge in his eyes.

"All right, princess. You wanna prove it? How about after school,show us what you're made of at my place? My uncle's working late, so we'll have the trailer to ourselves."

"Sure,I'll see you later"

Several hours later, you found yourself outside Eddie's trailer. You took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Moments later, Eddie opened the door, his smirk still present on his face. 

"Well, well, look who it is. Come on in, Princess." He gestured for you to come inside, and as you stepped into the trailer. Eddie led you into his living room, where the D&D game setup was already prepared on the table. He pulled out a chair for you, his gaze lingering on you for a moment before he sat across from you. The other Hellfire Club members, Lucas, Dustin, and Mike, were already present and eagerly waiting. You put your character sheet on the table,explaining your character,a level 20 rogue specializing in stealth and lock picking along with magic abilities. They seemed impressed by your character.

"Damn, you ain't messing around, princess" Lucas nodded in agreement, 

"And a rogue. That's gotta come in handy for all sorts of surprises that Eddie throws at us, right, Eddie?" Eddie chuckled, trying to hide his surprise at your skills. "Yeah, yeah, impressive character, I'll give you that. Let's see how she holds up in the game.”

"So what are you waiting for,start us off Eddie"

"Alright, brace yourselves. As you enter the musty, dimly lit cavern, you notice an eerie silence that sends chills down your spine. Suddenly, a low, guttural growl emits from deep within the shadows, and the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end." The boys looked at each other, already feeling the thrill of beginning a new campaign. You thought for a moment. "Perception check" you said,holding out your hand so he could give you a die to roll.He handed you a 20-sided die.

"Let's see what you roll." You rolled,for your plan to work anything above a five would be perfect. "Well, I'll be damned. A 15. You're more perceptive than we expected, princess.Your character's sharp senses might prove useful in this cave. It seems your rogue is ready to prove her worth."

"Her name is blood rose" you added,"Now is there a smell of anything flammable?" Eddie chuckled, playing along with your quick thinking. 

"Ah, Blood Rose, quite a fitting name for a stealthy rogue. There's a faint smell of something flammable in the cavern. It's faint, but discernible."

"Alright I have a plan,but we're gonna need a protective spell,a strong one" Eddie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by your plan. 

"A protective spell, huh? That sounds serious. Mind sharing what you have in mind?"

"You'll find out" you turned to the boys "Mike you have a shield spell,right?" He was playing a mage after all,he had to have one.

"Yeah, I do! I have the 'Shield' spell prepared." You handed Mike the die so he could roll.

"Alright, let's see how strong that shield spell is." The die came to a stop, showing a 19.

"Perfect" you grabbed the die once more "Now that we're very protected I cast fire ring" You rolled everyone had their eyes glued to the dice. The die's roll felt like an eternity, before it finally stopped, landing on a 14.

"Well, it's not a critical success, but it's a respectable roll. Your fire ring spell should definitely pack a punch, though."

"My fire ring gets affected by flammable materials and gas,so it spreads throughout the cave" you corrected him. "The flammable materials that I asked about earlier,remember. It seemed like a stupid question at first but I had this whole thing planned" Eddie's eyes widened as he realized the extent of your plan.

"Wait, hold up. So when you asked about flammable materials earlier, you were actually plotting to use your fire ring spell in combination with them? That's why you needed the protective shield spell from Mike first, to keep you safe.Damn,princess."

You bowed dramatically,laughing. 

"Why,thank you" The boys chuckled along with you, amused by your comedic bow.

"Alright, alright, princess. No need to be so dramatic. Though I'll admit, that was a pretty impressive plan you've got going on here." Mike spoke up, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Yeah, you really planned all this out. Using your fire ring spell with the flammable materials? That's some next-level thinking."

"Told you,I've been playing for years. Alright,let's move deeper into the cave"

Four hours later It was now around 8pm,the campaign was half over and you were tired. Eddie noticed that you looked a bit tired.

"You doing alright there, princess? Need a break?"

"I think we should call it a night,my parents will lose their shit if I don't get back home soon"

“Yeah, it's probably best to end the session here then. Wouldn't want your folks to get mad, princess."

"Wait, are you walking home in the dark? Alone? It's not safe out there, especially for a girl." Mike spoke up,making you look at him.

"You're good,kids but I think you should get back home quickly. Your parents are probably more worried about you guys" They rushed out once they realized how right you were,saying goodbye quickly before rushing out. Leaving you with Eddie. Who chuckled softly as the boys hastily excused themselves and dashed out of the trailer.

"Looks like you gave them a reality check there, princess." He looked at you with a hint of concern. "Now that they're gone, you really intend on walking home alone at night? It's not the safest option, y'know."

"Then what do you suggest?" You chuckled "I'm not staying overnight,my parents would kill me"

"Well, I could offer you a ride home if you want."

"I'd appreciate that,if it's not to much of a burden to you"

"It's no trouble at all princess. I don't mind giving you a ride home. It'll be safer for you, and it'll give me peace of mind knowing you got home safely." He grabbed his keys. You followed him outside and into his van. 

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, princess. Ask away"

"Why does everyone in this town think you're a 'freak'? Just because you play dnd?" He chuckled.

"Ah, well, princess, it's not just about D&D. I've always been a bit of an outcast. You know the long hair, the tattoos, and my unconventional style. I don't fit in with the cookie-cutter mold of what's considered 'normal' around here." He paused, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

"I like your look" You said quickly, covering it with "So when do I get one of those shirts?"

"Ah, so you like my style, huh princess? Good to know." He chuckled again, clearly enjoying your praise. "As for the shirt, princess, I might just have to hook you up with one of those."

"So what tattoos?" You asked,you hadn't seen any of them other than the bats on his arm.

"Interested in my ink, are we, princess? Well, I've got a few." He shifted slightly and gestured to his chest, showing you a tattoo on his upper chest.

"This one's a skull, princess. It's like a little secret treasure, hidden under my shirt."

"You know it's kinda funny that you have bats" You pulled up your sleeve to show off your bat tattoo,it was more detailed the bats wings wrapped around your wrist like a bracelet. The bat was textured to look fluffy and its face was clear,shaded wings that looked almost real.

"Well, well, princess. It seems like we've got something in common. That's a pretty impressive tattoo you've got there. It’s impressive." He glanced at your tattoo, admiring the way the bat's wings wrapped around your wrist like a bracelet. "Looks like we both share a fondness for bats"

"I guess so"

"Is that your only tattoo or do you have more hidden surprises?"

"If you're lucky,you'll find out" You smirked.

“Careful now, I might just take you up on that"

Your conversation was cut short when you arrived at your house. "Looks like we're here, princess."

"I'll see you tomorrow,that is if I don't get grounded"

"Until tomorrow, princess."

[nightsmarish]

Hello luv <3 could you possibly write a prongsfoot or wolfstar x reader and they take her to get a new piercing?? maybe they accidentally keep hitting or helping her clean it and stuff :)))

Poly!prongsfoot x fem!reader (James Potter x fem!reader x Sirius black) | 900+ words

A/n: first of all: omg, my first rq, very very happy, thank you so much babes <3. Second: I am on a piercing ban rn and I am dying for the ban to break so this made me sooooo jealous

T/w: reader is suggested to have multiple ear peircings, needles, still learning to write James, Sirius works in a bar

★⋆｡°⋆𖦹✮₊★⋆｡°⋆𖦹✮₊★⋆｡°⋆𖦹✮₊★⋆｡

"What if this is a bad idea?" You haven't even gotten out of the car and into the building when you start second guessing yourself.

"Love, you've wanted this for a while, I thought?" James is getting out of the backseat and opening your door on the passenger side.

"I do, but it's my first face peircing, what if it looks bad?" James kneels next to your seat in the car while you fiddle with your hands, eyes focused on them, rather than the worry on James' face that will undoubtedly make you melt.

"Doll, you're gonna look hot as fuck, I promise you that much." Sirius turns in the driver's seat to face you, left hand moving to the back of your head, stroking the nape of your neck. "And either way, if you get it and, after a few months, hate it, you can take it out."

You all sit there for a moment before you stop fidgeting and look between the two boys. "Sorry, I don't know why I'm freaking out now, ive been planning this for weeks now." You laugh, trying to ease the tension that's accidently set.

"It's okay, love." James gently grabs your face, turning you to face him and kissing you softly. "You still wanna get it?"

"Yeah, I do."

ᯓ★

You all manage to get through the door of the peircing shop.

You sit in the chair, Sirius holding your hand and James looking away because needles freak him out, but he was adamant he would be a form of moral support.

The piercer uses the forcep clamp and you're pretty sure the needle is in their other hand, but you've had your eyes closed for a while now. And honestly, based off the videos you watched, it's probably for the best you don't see the needle.

"Okay, breath in through your mouth." Their voice is soothing as you take in a breath, albeit a little shaky.

"And a deep breath out..." your hand forms a death grip on Sirius' hand as the needle punctures your nose.

"Good job. I'm going to put the jewelry in now; one more deep breath in." Your hand keeps its hold on Sirius, "and out." The jewelry swiftly replaces the needle. "Okay, and you're done."

While paying and leaving, your hand never leaves the boy until you reach the car.

"Let me see." James once again gently grabs your face once the three of you are near the car. "Dear Merlin, that looks amazing."

"Yes it does, and you took it like a bloody champ, doll." The other boy adds.

"Yeah? It looks good?"

"Obviously." He overlaps one of James hand and leans in to kiss you.

"Wait- no- no kisses right now." Both boys drop their hands from your face.

"Are you okay?" James brows are furrowed in concern.

"I'm- I'm just scared you'll hit it and it will hurt."

The paler of the two laughs a bit but looks at you so fondly you could melt into a puddle like the wicked witch of the west. "Fine- fine then. No kisses. For now."

ᯓ★

You're sitting on the couch when James gets home a few days later, book open as you read.

James toes off his shoes and walks behind the couch, tilting your chin to lean down and kiss you.

You instinctively let him, used to the little routine the three of you have. But dear fuck, you didn't consider how much it would hurt for his nose to hit your very sore one during a kiss.

"Fucking-" You pull back, hand going to your nose to shield it as if some invisible source is gonna sucker punch you.

"Shit- sorry, love, I didn't even think about your new piercing." James rounds the couch to sit next to you, putting your book face down on the coffee table to keep your place.

"It's okay, Jamie, really." You move your hand away and rake your nails through his hair.

"'M sorry anyway." He leans in again, this time kissing your hairline instead of your cheek.

Sirius had been up in the bedroom, having a night shift at the bar he worked at, so he was sleeping most of the day. But his shift starts in an hour, and he wants to at least see you two before he has to see drunk people for 8 hours.

Padding down the staircase in your townhouse, Sirius sees you and James on the couch, you with tears lining your eyes.

"Bloody Merlin, baby, don't try and kill the girl, prongs." Sirius jokes as he makes his way to the couch as well.

"I didn't do anything!" James whips his head around to Sirius, who cuts him off with a kiss before he can continue to defend himself any further.

"He kissed me and it hurt like a bitch." Your voice is slightly whinny, desperately wanting your shorter boyfriends attention.

"Oh, my poor girl, James is hurting you with his love again?" Sirius coos as he sits between you two, but it's more like on both your laps, grabbing the sides of your face to place a soft kiss on your forehead.

"I said sorry!" He attempts to defend himself again, "I didn't mean to."

"Sounds like it was an accident, huh, doll?" Sirius speaks in-between kisses on your face.

"Seems so." You murmur.

"Either way, seems only James can properly kiss me now." He grins at you before grabbing James' face, more aggressively than needed, and smashing their lips together.

[jeni182]

When I say devastated, I'm not exaggerating.

When we started these I literally said 'these have to be perfect because if they're not, the fandom will riot'

And I was right.

Rightfully so, of course. This set was expensive. International buyers especially because they had to pay so much more in shipping. I don't blame them.

When I made the joke post about Andrew being listed as a backliner, that was the only issue I was aware of and on my AFTG Twitter timeline people were joking about how mad he'd be and I posted it thinking it'd ease any tension. When we announced the series I was posting in the same manner and bantering with people about the series, and thought this would be the same. I wouldn't have posted it if I'd known how many other issues there were. Either way I was wrong and the guilt I feel over making this situation worse is eating me alive.

I created content for this fandom for years. I've made incredibly close friends. It saved me in a lot of ways. The love I have for those people and these books and Nora is soul deep, and I wanted to badly to give something back to the fandom that gives me so much joy. To think people think there was no care or thought put into these is soul crushing. I understand not everyone will like them. That's just the business. But we worked alongside Nora to try our best to bring really beautiful editions for people, including checking in with my AFTG circle to get opinions on design.

I'm so incredibly sorry. I'm so sorry for the post that was insensitive about the whole thing. I'm sorry for the mistakes. I'm sorry these were less than perfect. I'm sorry people who haven't even gotten their books yet are already disappointed in them. I'm not trying to make excuses here. There are none. We fucked up and we have to have accountability for that because we HAVE to learn from this. Our readers are priority number one and we let them down in the worst way.

We're going to make it right the best way we can, and I know some people will still be mad. Again, I don't blame them. We're not a rich company. We have 5 employees that all handle different aspects of the business, and between paying them, the artists, printing, etc we actually don't make all that much on the boxes. But income isn't the point of Rainbow Crate. It's to bring queer books to more people and to help authors to create the editions they want to see in the world.

That's all I guess. I hope we can make this right for everyone and not just for the dust jackets. For anyone who has any sort of other damage issue with the books.

I'm sorry.

[heavyhitterheaux]

Heart's Desire

First Lady of Private Garden Fic

Synopsis: You have the difficult task of telling your parents that you're moving to Atlanta with Jack and Urban and it becomes clear to you the desire to prove to them that you're making the right choice

Pairing: Husband!Jack Harlow x Wife!Reader (baby Jack and baby FL)

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

The television was on a low volume as you and Jack were laying down in the bedroom with his arms wrapped around you as your head rested on his chest with him stealing kisses from you every few minutes.

It had been a long day of packing up your apartment to anticipate the move to Atlanta since Jack had gotten signed to Generation Now. The goal was for the two of you as well as Urban to move in the next three weeks. Some of your things had already been taken to your apartment in Atlanta in the hopes that you all wouldn't have to move so much at one time. There was just one problem.

The fact that you hadn't told your parents yet and Jack had no idea.

“Babe, you have to show me all your favorite spots once we get to Atlanta. Are you excited?” Jack asked as he looked down at you.

“Yes and I definitely will. Louisville has grown on me but I missed it so much. So I'm happy to be moving back.”

“We'll leave around 6 am or maybe earlier so I guess we can see our parents the day before. What did they say when you told them?”

“Umm, about that….” You started to say and then trailed off.

“What's wrong?” Jack asked as he played with the ends of your curly hair.

“I still haven't told them.” You mumbled into Jack’s chest and he couldn't make out what you had said.

“What was that? You have to speak up, baby.”

“I still haven't told them.” You said louder and Jack looked at you in disbelief.

“BABY! We are literally leaving in a matter of weeks. So, they're just going to come over one day to see our apartment empty and us missing?”

“I know! I know it's bad! But…. I just have a bad feeling.”

“About what? Us moving?” He asked, trying to get more information out of you.

“No, telling them about it. My mom really more so than my dad. I feel like he would be fine with it. She won't be.”

“Why do you think that?”

“I… it's just a feeling that I have. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I know that she's not about to take it well.”

“But you need to tell them as soon as possible. You're technically an adult so it's not like they can really tell you no that you can't go and you're married, but they don't know that part yet.”

“And they're definitely not going to find out until we want them to know.” You replied while sitting up.

“Sooo, when are we doing this? Preferably sooner rather than later.” Jack asked as he sat up with you and rubbed your back.

“Tomorrow I guess. Just drop me off and if it goes to shit, I'm walking across the street to Maggie and Brian.”

“I don't think you're giving your mom enough credit.”

“Maybe you're right but we just have to wait and see. I want to be wrong about this whole thing, truly I do. But I don't know.”

“In the meantime, you need to get some sleep. Come here.” Jack said as he opened his arms so you could lay back down on his chest. He reached over to turn off the lamp that was perched on the bedside table while you grabbed the remote to turn off the tv.

“Baby?” You said after a few minutes of you two laying in silence.

“Hmm?”

“Your entire life is about to change.” You answered as you traced his features with your pointer finger.

“Correction. Our entire lives are about to change. You know wherever I go that you're coming with me. We're a package deal and we really are now that we have rings on our fingers.”

“I know I tell you this all the time, but I am so proud of you. I knew all of your hard work was going to pay off. Even when you didn't believe it yourself and at one point wanted to give up.”

“But I knew better because you wouldn't let me.”

“Because I knew how important this was to you and what it would mean when it actually happened.”

“If I'm honest, I'm actually nervous as hell.”

“Why?”

“I just want everything to play out how it's supposed to. I mean you hear stories of the industry and what can happen. If this doesn't work out what the hell am I going to do? I literally won't be able to support the both of us.” Jack confessed as his worries were now coming up to the surface.

“Okay, stop. You're making yourself upset. First off, we're not thinking like that because it will work out. They obviously see how talented you are and see your potential just like I do. It's going to work out and then we can look back and see that there was absolutely nothing for you to worry about. However, if the worst comes to worst and we come back here as long as I'm with you, we're going to make it work.”

“You really love me, huh?” Jack asked as he cuddled you closer to him and leaned down to kiss you.

“More than you could ever imagine. You mean the world to me and I will always be here for you.”

“Well the feeling is mutual.”

“There's just one thing that's going to suck when we do move.”

“What's that, babe?”

“Now we really can't wear our rings. I mean we barely wear them now, but it's going to be close to nonexistent. They have to market you to appeal to a certain audience and are going to push the single narrative.”

“Well they can forget that. You are my top priority and they'll just have to deal with it.”

“I know.” You said while laughing. One thing that Jack didn't play about was you and your well being. Wherever he went, you were going too.

“Okay, last thing and then we really need to go to sleep.”

“What's wrong pookie?”

“I'm going to headline Forecastle.”

“I'll do you one better. One day you're going to be headlining your own festival.”

“You really think so?”

“We've made it this far, right? So what's one more thing?”

It was 11 in the morning when you and Jack were sitting in his car outside your parents house. It was the fact that you had gotten there at 10:30 and still hadn't quite made your way inside. Jack was probably on his fifth pep talk at this point, but he didn't mind if it was going to help you feel better. He planned on dropping you off and coming back whenever he finished what he had to do.

“Baby girl, I'm not trying to rush you but…”

“I know. I'm going.” You said as you were fidgeting.

“Baby, you have said that for the past thirty minutes.” Jack quietly said while looking over at you.

“You're going to throw me to the wolves.”

“Baby, those are your parents that YOU lied to. Not me.”

All you did was sigh before responding to him.

“Promise to get lunch afterwards? If this goes to shit?”

“Of course sweetheart. Anything you want. But, you need to take off your ring. And if it doesn't take me too long, I'll just get pizza and bring it back here.”

You glanced down to see that you had forgotten to take it off before coming here and quickly slipped it off and handed it to Jack for safe keeping.

You sighed and Jack quickly cupped your face in his hands and gave you several kisses after putting your ring in a safe place.

“Whatever happens, it's you and me forever alright?”

You nodded your head as Jack kissed your nose and pinched your cheek making you laugh.

“Okay, here goes.”

Once inside, you were sitting across from your parents and they were waiting for an explanation from you ever since you said that you had something to tell them. When you had first gotten there, you made brownies with your mom as you all sat around the kitchen catching up. An hour and a half had passed and you figured that it was time to get it over with.

“Okay, Lil Bit, where's the fire?” Your dad asked as he laughed and you were looking everywhere but their eyes.

“Umm…”

“Baby girl, what's wrong?” Your mom asked and that was when you blurted it out, ripping off the bandaid.

Because it was either now or never.

“I'm moving back to Atlanta with Jack and Urban is coming with us.”

At that moment, Jack walked in the front door holding three pizzas and stopped in his tracks when he noticed that all eyes were on him and had a feeling that you had just told them.

“Umm, I'll put these in the kitchen.”

Your parents were quiet for a few minutes, but your dad was the first to speak as Jack came back and sat next to you.

“When?”

“In like a few weeks.”

“A heads up more than a few weeks before this was supposed to happen would have been nice.” Your dad told you as he looked confused.

“That's what I told her.” Jack quietly said and you eyed him.

“Wait, what are you two going to do to make money? And where are you going to live?” Your mom asked the both of you.

“I know, but I was nervous to tell you.”

“I already have a job lined up for when we get there. It's at Chick-fil-A.” Jack proudly said, but it didn't look like your parents were pleased.

“And how are both of you supposed to survive off of that? And wait, how did you even get approved for an apartment? Neither of you have credit.”

“Well Aunt Keisha signed for us since she knows the landlord of the apartment building.” You explained, but it looked like your parents were getting more pissed by the second.

“She what!?”

“Well you asked us what our plan was and we told you!”

All Jack did was look back and forth between you and your parents.

“Mom, Jack got signed to Generation Now. This is huge for him and I'm going to be supportive of this.”

“Being there is what got Danielle wrapped up in whatever she was doing and…”

“I'm not her so why compare me? It's not like I'll be there by myself. We have plenty of family there to look out for us.” She would tend to bring up Dani's past but would never go into details so you had no clue what she was referring to.

“That isn't the point, Y/N!”

“Why are you so against this?” You asked her and she took a deep breath before responding.

“Let's be serious for a second. Jack got signed, okay fine. But that does not guarantee anything. Jack, no offense.”

“Um, none taken.” Jack quietly said as he took your hand in order to try to get you to remain calm.

“Your college fund is literally just sitting there.”

“I'm not going! We already talked about this. Why don't you just give it to me so I can be able to pay for things when we move?”

“For you to blow through it and then come back begging for more when things don't work out?”

“Ivy….” Your dad started to say but all she could focus on was what you were telling her.

“Do you not have any confidence in me? That isn't going to happen. I write songs and produce music so it's not like I won't be doing anything.”

“And you know how the music industry is. I just want to protect you! And if it doesn't work out, what's the back up plan?”

“I am now an adult and I can make my own decisions. No matter what you say, I'm doing this. But, I would rather do it with you being supportive of me. And I haven't got a back up plan because this is going to work.”

All your mom did was scoff before letting out a sarcastic laugh.

It was at that moment that tears started to prick the corners of your eyes.

“You don't think we can do this, do you?”

“Hmm. It clearly doesn't matter what I think because your mind is made up, so there's nothing left for me to say. Jack please know that this isn't anything against you.” Your mom said as she got up from the couch.

“Wait, mom? Where are you going?” You asked as you lowkey started to panic.

“Have fun in Atlanta.”

“Mommy, I….”

“Like I said, have fun in Atlanta.”

Once she was out of earshot, your dad made his way over to you and brought you and Jack into a hug.

“Just give her some time. She'll come around. Make sure you two send me the address of the apartment and all the details. I know how important you are to each other so there was no talking you out of this. Even if I don't like the idea very much.”

“She's mad at me.”

“She's not. Reality is hitting her that her youngest is growing up and she doesn't quite know how to process all of it. But whatever you need, we'll give it to you without a second thought. And Jack, you better take care of my baby girl. I know you will, but I still have to threaten you.” Your dad said and let out a small laugh afterwards.

“You know I will and that she's not going to want for anything.”

Your dad nodded his head and when he glanced down at Jack’s left hand, he noticed that he was wearing a wedding band, and simply smiled to himself.

Deep down, he already had a feeling but wasn't going to say anything until you two did and made sure to keep this small observation to himself.

He figured that the two of you had been through enough with everything that had just happened.

Once everything was settled, you, your dad, and Jack sat around the kitchen and ate pizza while explaining your plans about what you two were going to do first when you got settled in Atlanta. Soon, it was around 3 in the afternoon and you two decided to see if Jack’s parents were home and knew that only Maggie's snickerdoodles were probably the only thing that could fix how you were feeling at the moment.

After saying goodbye to your dad, you and Jack went across the street when you saw that Maggie's car was in the driveway and knocked on the door because Jack had mysteriously lost his key again. Once she opened it and saw the look on your face, she moved to the side to let you in and all of you went and sat in the kitchen.

She poured both of you a glass of strawberry lemonade and sat a plate piled high with snickerdoodles in front of you and Jack and you slowly began eating as she asked you what was wrong since neither of you had said anything.

“Why are the two of you looking like that?” She asked, but all you did was stuff another cookie in your mouth as you waited for Jack to answer for the both of you.

“Umm, Y/N's mom isn't really happy with us moving to Atlanta and she's obviously upset by it.” He answered as he went to grab a cookie from the plate. Your eyes went wide as you noticed him reaching for it with his left hand and quickly grabbed it and put it under the table and Jack looked at you confused.

“Hmm, she just sounds concerned and her feelings are valid. But it's not like you haven't lived there before.”

“She's not confident that I can make a name for myself.” You quietly said and you mouthed ‘take off your ring’ to Jack and his eyes suddenly went wide.

He slipped it in his pocket before going back to the plate to grab a snickerdoodle and was praying that Maggie hadn't noticed.

“She just wants for your future to be secure is what it sounds like. I know that it probably hurt to hear her say those things but whatever happens, we're all going to support you no matter what.”

“You don't think this is a mistake, do you?”

“I think that sometimes what I want for my children might not be what they desire in their heart to do. My job as a mother includes supporting you, even if I may not like the idea. But good thing that I do. You two are going to be just fine and I know it. I can't hold your hand forever.”

You started to play with the ends of your hair as you thought about what Maggie said and knew that she was probably right. That didn't mean that your feelings still weren't extremely hurt by what was said by your mother, but the best thing to do in the end was to prove her wrong.

Nothing was going to get in your way of making sure Jack became famous and was known all around the world and you wouldn't have to beg your parents for anything.

When the two of you were back in Jack’s car after visiting with Maggie, you let out a sigh before you heard Jack from beside you.

“Do you think she saw the ring?” He asked as he gave it to you to slip it back on his finger and he did the same thing with yours.

“I don't think so. I mean she would have definitely said something if she did.”

“That means I had it on at your parents house too. Fuck!” Jack exclaimed as he laid his head on the steering wheel.

“That wasn't even their focus so don't even worry about it. We have bigger things to deal with babe.” You told him as you rubbed his back in an attempt to comfort him.

“I'm sorry they made you upset. I feel like I pushed you to tell them and now I feel bad about the entire thing.” He told you as he started driving back to your apartment.

“It had to happen sooner or later. And don't feel bad. I shouldn't have waited so long to do it.”

“But now I see why you did.”

“It's all going to work out in the end despite what may have happened.” You told him as you were doing your best to try not to cry.

The person that was always in your corner and was your biggest supporter ever since you could remember basically shot down your dreams and told you that she didn't have an ounce of confidence in you and what you could achieve.

As far as you were concerned nothing else needed to be said between you and your mother. That was the way she felt and you just had to accept it.

“Babe?”

“Hmm?” Jack answered as he turned to look at you while the two of you were sitting at a stop light.

“Why wait to leave in three weeks? Let's leave now.”

“Wait, like now now!?” Jack asked as he looked at you in disbelief.

“The sooner, the better so I can get started on proving her wrong.”

[fogwitchoftheevermore]

behold, sausage not beating the watcher allegations that he started for 5 minutes. and this isn’t even including my absolute string board theory about his new life ending.

video transcription below the cut

Clip 1: Sausage is at the Vigil in Pixandria.

Sausage: Ok, really quick, I'm glad we're here. We're gonna pay our respects for all the death that's gonna be happening, uh, in that other reality. [Cut]

Alright, really quick, oh! I have candles here. One second- this is cool! I actually wasn't planning on this. Le- let's see. We have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Oh! Perfect number, actually. I guess we can add this to the Vigil! 14... Let's do one here, one here, let's go... boop! Perfect. 14 of them, man. Let's do another one there. This shouldn't mess with space time or anything. This might be the past, but that's fine. I've done this so many times, it's not gonna ruin anything. Ah, there it is. Let's do another one there, perfect. You guys can figure out which candles' for who, hehe. And let's- let's leave this side open, let's do it on this side. Oh, perfect. Let's light 'em all for the deaths that happened today and last time. 1, 2, 3, 4- I'll leave that one. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Perfect! Alright. Now let's bow our heads, right here. Oh, screenshot moment! Everybody, a moment of silence for our lost, uh, brethren who have met their demise. But at the end, one did- did win, right? I don't know who that one was cause I haven't gotten that spoiler yet, but, one is alive, at the end. Rest in peace. [Cut]

o7s in the chat for all the death that happened. This is a safe space to cry, but it's okay. Because at the end, there must have been a winner. Time runs out for everybody, everyone. Time runs out for everyone. All we gotta do is just sit back and watch. And maybe listen. But I don't wanna hear any whispers out there, you guys talk with your chest because at the end, it's fine! It was worth it, it was a good fight. May they rest in peace, all the fallen. Especially Jimmy. Dying first. Canary curse, forever and ever.

Clip 2: A screenshot

Clip 3: Sausage is in his church for Bdubs in Sanctuary

Sausage: And I did throw in that that was Cleo, because that was just funny when he said his mom was calling him, so I had to do it. Uh, it's almost like my character knew that happened, somehow. [Cut]

Ah, yes. I'm not a Watcher! Ask Martyn, he can confirm.

Clip 4: Jimmy is flying around his Christmas world

Jimmy: -one. [reading Sausage's chat message] "Jimmy! Really weird thing I saw last time I was online but I forgot to ask, if you go into the first igloo, stand in the door and look directly to the opposite s- side of the mountain"? [Cut]

Here... [Jimmy sees the Secret Keeper remake and goes silent for almost 30 seconds. He gulps and then stays silent for another 15 or so seconds] I'm not pressing any of these buttons. I'm not- I'm not pressing any of these buttons! Don't tell me that's me! [A few seconds of silence] What in the-? [Another few seconds of silence] No, the buttons don't work. [He presses a button] Good. This is where the server just blows up, [laugh]. Well, that's odd. Genuinely, I don't know why- how th- how that is there. I think it's Sausage playing pranks on me. He knows I have nightmares, still, about this fella.

[monsterswithimagines]

Undisclosed Desires - Part 13

Joe Goldberg x female!Reader

Summary: Twenty minutes before he would have met Guinevere Beck, Joe meets you instead. You intruige him, but it will soon become clear that there is something off about you.

Words: 1298

Masterlist

(I guess Joe's willingness to murder is more book-Joe than show-Joe, but whatever. I can't help that I'm halfway through the first book right now.)

Minor warning: masturbation is briefly mentioned.

Some things, you just can't learn about a person until you're in a relationship with them.

For example: you like to be kissed, often. Softly and sweetly, but also with intent, until you can't breathe. You smile into kisses and when I pull away, you tilt your head and the smile doesn't leave.

I live for that smile.

Also, you're not always nice. You run out of energy and you stonewall me. When you get like that there is nothing I can do to make it better, except leave. This happens most often when you've had a busy day at work, and one day soon we're probably going to have a beautiful fight about it, but for now I let you close down and shut me out. I really do try not to take it personally.

You don't care if I look at your phone. Sometimes you even ask me to check texts for you. This would make me incredibly happy, except aside from me, the only people you text in English are your coworkers.

You're more secretive about your laptop, which makes me wonder what I missed when I looked at it. I guess I didn't really do much digging. But when I do check it out again, even digging doesn't turn up anything.

Weird.

You're a bit of a slob. I knew that already, but I didn't know it would be so easy to take things from your apartment. You don't notice when items go missing, or if I move them around while you're not there. You did comment on your missing toothbrush, but you just assumed you misplaced it yourself.

“I swear, Joe, if my head wasn't attached to my body…”

All of this, I've learned over the course of two months. Two amazing months of being with you. Only it doesn’t always feel like I am with you, because you haven't told Nadia or your mother or even Grey about me, and I've been checking. After you told him you had a crush on me, he tried to find out more about me and you avoided the subject by writing to him about how much you like Angel from Buffy the vampire slayer. (If I could beat up a fictional character, I would.)

And we haven't had sex.

We've gotten close a few times, but you always pull away just when things are getting hot and heavy. Sometimes when you're alone, you masturbate several times in a row and I know you think of me, (Y/n). I can see it on your face. But when we're together, you look embarrassed and tell me you're not ready and I am patient, I am, but how can you not be ready when you are so obviously eager for it? Even dreaming about it?

I still don't like your coworkers. They are rude to you and belittle you, and they make inappropriate jokes in the groupchat. This is why I almost say no when you invite me to a company lunch, but in the end I say yes because at least you're inviting me somewhere.

“It won't be like last time,” you assure me. “No alcohol, for one.”

And you're right. It isn't like last time: it's worse.

I’m pretty sure your job is a scam, (Y/n). Nobody who works at your agency (other than you) actually needs to make money. The owner, Sam Carr, is a man in his fifties who considers this entire venture a hobby. He has two other companies, neither of which are making any money, but he doesn't need to make money because he is the kind of rich that goes back generations, to before white people even lived in America. Yet he pays you peanuts and you have to borrow money from your grandfather over and over again.

Sam's wife is Pam (which is short for Pamela, but Sam thinks it's hilarious for them to be Sam and Pam). She is only a little over half his age (thirty) and twice as smart as him, and you know this. You address her like she's the owner, and when she's around, you don't even talk to Kim, whose approval you were so eager for last time. Pam comes from old money, too, and has started several foundations throughout her life, all of which are doing well.

There's Judy Allen, who is tall and blond and keeps her lips pursed at all times. She does the same thing you do, copywriting, but her real job is being a momfluencer on Instagram, showing her kids off like accessories. Out of everyone here she is the nicest to you, but I can't tell if she means it or not and neither can you. You are nice to her, but you address her like you would a teacher, or a distant relative.

Jasper is so much worse than I remember him. He follows you around like a lost puppy and you let him. You glance at me, testing me, and I hate this side of you. I hate who you are around these people.

Surprisingly little is eaten, though there is much more on the table than even an entire orphanage could put away. You and your coworkers talk about Google and helpful content and black hat SEO and I don't understand anything any of you are saying.

At some point somebody asks me what I do. I grit out that I work in a bookstore and you look up and say: “he's being modest. He manages it” and I feel kind of proud. But then the person who asked me what I do in the first place starts asking me about the store's website and I have to admit that actually, Mooney's doesn't have one.

“I prefer things a little more old fashioned,” I try to justify, and then realize immediately how incredibly dumb I must sound to these people. “I mean, sometimes we sell a first edition on Ebay.”

You pat my leg underneath the table, which is code for 'shut up', so I do.

“You could always ask (Y/n) to help you make a website,” Jasper says, and he is looking way too intently at your chest as you reach across the table for a croissant. “She's surprisingly good at it.”

Surprisingly good? Seriously, (Y/n), I want to bash this guy’s teeth into his skull.

But you act like it's a compliment. You blush and wave him off and shake your head at me.

“You'd be better off hiring someone who actually knows how to make websites. I can write your content, though, if you want.”

I don't even want a fucking website, but I nod.

“Maybe.”

Finally, we can leave. I don't know what the point of any of that was.

In the cab, you slump against me and close your eyes, and you say: “Did you see the way Jasper kept staring at my boobs? I fucking hate that guy.”

Faith in you restored. I never should have doubted you.

“He just will not leave me alone lately,” you complain, and I wrap an arm around your shoulder and press a kiss to the side of your head. “But when I tell him off, he goes and tells Kim I'm being rude. She told me I need to be more of a team player, you know.”

But you are a team player, (Y/n). It's just that those people aren't on your team. I'm on your team.

“He's basically harassing me, and if I wanna keep my job I can't do a damn thing about it.”

“Fuck him,” I say.

And I mean it. Fuck Jasper. Fuck him and every man like him who thinks he can own a woman just because he has money and connections.

Jasper's gotta go.

[streetlightyeri]

Please please please more stuff for boone

I am, do not fret! I've just been busy with work and with working on my other wips (once I get a scene idea, I have to bring it to life immediately so I don't forget it) that I haven't gotten a chance to finish out my boone fic. I'm more than happy to give a sneak peek though!

my writing process is very ridiculous because I don't write in order, but rather patch scenes together, so thats why a lot of my snippet posts are me posting large, plot-important scenes, simply because that might be all that's written. (ie, my Scott post being the scene where he's searching for her. I have the final two scenes written and that one, so that fic is missing the entire beginning and middle third of it lol). that's not the case for this snippet though, this is very much not important to the plot at all, just a moment at the bar.

but this boone fic is giving me a lot of trouble, writing wise. :( part of me just wants to scrap it because it feels so cheesy and wattpad-y. but I did post about nine ball by Zach Bryan last week, so I guess I'll share that scene at the very least, even if everything else gets scrapped. fair warning, this is one of the scenes that I think feels the most wattpad like, so if you cringe easily (like me, I absolutely cannot handle secondhand embarrassment), this might not be the one for you lol.

for reference, "mafia" is Boone (and I guess the rest of the Wrangler's nickname for Rowan, since she always wears sunglasses and a mask). as always, wip posts are unproofread and subject to change <3

"go bet another six pack, bet i make a comeback; i know that this table's got a lean."

“Mafia! Come play a round!” 

Kate and Rowan turned, eyes flitting across the bar to find the owner of the voice. Boone was leaning against the back wall, a pool stick twisting gently in his hand. He moved to point at her once she saw him. She still had her mask and sunglasses on, paying little attention to the people who gave her odd looks. She was used to worse.

Kate made a cutting motion near her neck, silently telling them no.

Tyler called out next, “Come on City Girl! We’ll go easy on y’all!”

Rowan snorted under her mask, but the bar was far too loud for anyone to hear it besides Kate. The blonde hid her smirk in her drink. “We don’t play.”

“One round! Losers buy the winning group’s drinks.”

Kate was about to decline again, but Rowan knocked her arm with her elbow and tossed her head in their direction. She lowered her voice, “Are you sure?”

Rowan nodded. A devious glint danced in Kate’s eyes. A few chasers from other groups shouted out as the two crossed the bar; the StormPar group seemed to be putting their heads together about whether they should leave now or hold out hope for free drinks. Rowan took the pool stick in Boone’s outstretched hand while Kate took Tyler’s. Rowan placed her drink down on the edge of the pool table despite Boone offering to hold it, the coaster she snatched from the bar sitting on top as she chalked the tip. “What’s the rules?”

“No house rules, just the basics. Whoever gets the 8 ball in after clearing their designated group wins.” Boone took a sip of his beer.

Javi jogged up to the pool table, immediately recognizing what was happening. “Come on guys, let’s make it fair. Even if someone gets a ball in the pocket, the turn still ends. That way no one can clear the table without a fair chance.”

Tyler and Boone agreed. Rowan reached out to Javi, asking for her wallet. She pulled out a hundred, placing it in the jar next to the pool table that had “BETS” written on it in Sharpie. Tyler, Boone, and Kate did the same. “Whoever wins keeps their money and uses the loser’s to buy drinks. Sounds good?

Kate and Rowan nodded, the latter reaching up to remove her sunglasses. She parked them on the brim of her hat, not moving her eyes from Boone’s. He blinked hard, his mouth dropping open for a second before Dani clamped her hands on his shoulders as she laughed about what drink she’d be getting, snapping him out of the trance he was in from seeing her eyes for the first time. He bounced back to reality as Kate finished chalking her own stick, blowing off the excess dust. Both girls moved in to each other, their brains seeming to work as one, scanning over the table.

Tyler set his jaw and swallowed hard. “Ready, ladies?”

“As we’ll ever be.” Kate forced an uneasy smile and Rowan gave an innocent thumbs-up.

Kate broke, sending the ball to the side of the front 8-ball. A few laughs rang out amongst the crowd that gathered. The game went on like that, each team switching. Rowan and Kate got no more than 3 balls in, scratching each time. Each time Tyler and Boone got a ball in, the two girls put on their best disappointed expression. Even though the two tried to go easy on them, it was only a matter of time before Boone sank the 8-ball.

They gave sarcastic bows to the audience that clapped before turning their attention to the two women on the other side of the table. Rowan still had her mask on, hiding enough of her face in the dimly lit room.

Kate pouted, rubbing her thumb back and forth on the corner of the table. “That was fun. How about another round? Winner takes all?”

The crowd around them cheered, each member of the Tornado Wranglers adding money to the betting pool, expecting to collect it in a few minutes. But Javi must’ve clued in the StormPar group, as they also added bills to the jar.

Tyler tried to give them an out, “You sure, ladies? We can call this off.”

Both girls shook their heads eagerly, Rowan continuing the show, hanging onto her pool stick, “Come on, one more round! What do you have to lose?”

The two men agreed, Boone reracking the balls quickly. “At least let us show you how to shoot.”

“No thanks, it’s more fun this way. Winner should break.”

Since Boone made the winning shot, he made the first shot. When he lifted his head again, a huge grin on his face as the triangle of balls exploded across the table, he saw Javi standing there, arms around each girl’s shoulders, a huge smile plastered across each of their faces. He could tell Rowan had one too by the crinkle at the corners of her eyes. “Ben, I think you should get your camera ready. This is what we in America call ‘a hustle’.”

Shot after shot, turn after turn, Kate and Rowan sank a ball. No matter how many times Boone and Tyler tried, they were unable to catch up. Not a single turn went without them sinking a ball. When nothing remained on their side but the 8-ball, Dexter spoke up, breaking the tense air of the entire bar. “Call the pocket.”

The StormPar group let out protests, claiming that it wasn’t in the rules for the last game, but Rowan just shrugged. “Okay. That one.”

She pointed towards the middle pocket. Dexter narrowed his eyes as he scanned the table. “No matter what angle you hit from, there’s no way you’d make it in there.”

Kate rested her weight on one palm that was angled against the table. “Not normally, but this table’s tilted.”

Boone searched for anything that would’ve told the two that information. There were no rocking legs or rolling balls. Then his eyes landed on the glass she refused to hand him earlier, sitting on the edge, the liquid in it just barely slanted. “We’ve been outsmarted, T.”

“You know, I think you're right, Boone.”

Rowan sank the ball in the pocket she called. StormPar cheered, as well as the few other random bar goers that gathered to watch. Rowan and Kate mock bowed for Ben’s camera before retrieving the money left over after Javi and the StormPar members took back theirs as well as an extra hundred to pay for the drinks they were about to ring in. Kate took the stack, counting the money in front of the Wranglers before stacking it all together and handing it out to them.

Tyler looked at it quizzically. Kate shook the stack of money again, silently telling him to grab it. “We don’t need it. Keep it.”

“Y’all won it.”

Rowan laughed, as she turned back to the group after returning the balls and pool sticks to their rightful places. “We hustled you. Take your money back. Drinks are on me. Javi took my hundred up to the bar. Get what y’all want.”

Reluctantly, Tyler took the money and distributed it all back amongst his group as the girls returned to their room for the night.

[thosewildcharms]

I was being completely normal (not) and was scrolling through your old posts in your richonne tag, and I saw an interview Andy gave in 2017 where he said Michonne was the love of Rick's life. And we have bitter antis in 2024 with their panties in a twist because Rick actually says it? I have to laugh. Anyways, thanks for being as unhinged about Richonne as I am. I'm glad tumblr made you a fan way back when (I watched the show from the start and began shipping them in s4).

listen idk how to be normal either, so i'm definitely not judging! i'm pretty flattered in fact and I hope you enjoyed my 2017-era richonne brainrot! I think it's only gotten worse since towl took an already God Tier ship to an entirely different level lol so thank YOU (and everyone else who understands the obsession) for being unhinged with me ❤️ and just because I'm always curious about what made richonne click for people. what made you start shipping them in season 4?

yeah, people have always been bitter and/or confused about richonne and ESPECIALLY about how in love rick is with michonne. and while I think there are some people who might have genuinely just not have been paying attention because those characters are not their priority (which I get personally, as rick and michonne and people immediately tangential to them are my ONLY priority so I completely missed the sasha/abraham build up for example) as we all know most of the time the bitterness stems from thinly veiled (and sometimes not veiled at all) racism and misogynoir. which makes it all the more satisfying that andrew lincoln is not only patient zero of richonne brainrot disease but has exponentially doubled down about it over the years. idk how much that was an intentional response to the pushback richonne got since he's famously offline BUT it's still endlessly gratifying that he's constantly and unfailingly vocal about how much he loves the ship, michonne, and danai to the point where just as rick grimes isn't doing shit without his soulmate michonne, andrew lincoln isn't doing shit related to twd without his leading lady danai gurira. the second that man had an ounce of creative control he had rick declare his undying love for michonne at every available opportunity so if they haven't gotten the point by now I guess their panties are staying twisted forever. sucks to be them I guess!

[call-sign-jinx]

Endless Love (Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw) - Chapter 4

summary - Y/N Y/L/N and Bradley Bradshaw have had a rivalry ever since they both attended the same academy. Every chance they took, they always tried to one up each other. One day, Bradley takes the rivalry too far and Y/N ends up in the hospital with serious injuries. Will it make Y/N want to get him back twice as worse? Or will it make her realise that this rivalry between them is childish?

warnings - swearing, enemies to lovers, mention of serious injury, traumatic episodes, reader traumatised from what happened, smut, slowburn, seizures, flashbacks

a/n - hey girliessssssss! sorry that this one is kinda short but what i'm gonna do is just try and post a chapter every day so that u didn't have to wait so long! hope thas okayyyyyy xx

I'm still in the hospital. Which is very convenient. Note the sarcasm. I can't do much all day except go on my phone which got very boring after a bit.

But my friends visit me every now and then. Mostly Mav, Phoenix or my mate, Thomas, who moved with me to San Diego so that I wouldn't be fully alone. But he can't really visit as much because he's an accountant and his boss has made him work a lot of overtime.

Phoenix was currently visiting and telling me all about how Hangman was being a massive dick and him and Rooster nearly got in a fight about Rooster's dad.

"Yeah, he lunged for him! If the guys didn't hold him back Hangman would be waltzing about with the biggest black eye." It made my brows furrows and lift my lip in confusion.

"How did that make him so mad? Like me and Rooster always argue but he's never gotten that angry..." I was really confused, what the fuck did Hangman even say?

"I wasn't really listening to what they were saying, me and Bob were talking, not paying attention because we thought it was a normal argument they have." Wow... Maybe I should talk to Rooster, as if he's going to tell me though, he hates me. Phoenix checked the time on her watch.

"Right, I've gotta go... Training... I'll come back when I'm off duty?" I nod as I bid Phoenix goodbye.

----------------------------------------

I've been on my phone for 4 hours since Phoenix left. I'm now addicted to Candy Crush, Subway Surfers and Episode. I'm in the middle of playing Subway Surfers when I heard a knock at the door. It was Dr. Hunterson. She's always been lovely to me.

"Hi Y/N, there's someone here to see you?" She said it as a question, basically asking me if I wanted to see them or not.

"Send them in, anything to cure this boredom." I chuckle out, Dr. Hunterson laughed as she closed the door. A few seconds later, someone walks through the door. I looked up at them.

It was my mum.

"Y/N! Oh my god! I would've come sooner had someone told me earlier!" She set her bag down on the floor next to the chair she then sat in.

I sat in silence, not even looking up from my phone. I couldn't talk to her, let alone look at her. I continued with Subway Surfers.

"Y/N? Why are you ignoring me? We haven't spoken to each other in 7 months!" She laughed as she spoke. I slammed my phone down on the bed and finally turned to look at her, I glared at her.

"Why the fuck did you lie to me about dad? Why couldn't you have just told me the truth?!" You could practically taste the venom in my tone. I was fucking seething.

My mum didn't utter a word. He mouth opening and closing as if she was trying to say something.

"What? Can't speak?" I was absolutely pissing incensed. Why the fuck would she lie to me for so long?

"I... I... I don't know what you want me to say?" She had a guilty smile on her face.

"I want you to tell me why the absolute fuck you would lie to me saying dad just didn't want to be in my life anymore when he stopped visiting me?! And guess what is the funniest thing? Dad told me himself! Yeah! He told me." Mum had tears streaming down her face.

"When you want to act like an adult, I'll talk to you then..." She grabbed her bag off the floor and left the room.

"Fuck you!" I shouted as she closed the door. When I want to act like an adult. Tsk. Fuck her. I am a fucking adult.

I'm just going to have a bleeding nap, cannot be bothered staying awake right now...

----------------------------------

I was woken up to yet another knock at my door. When I sat up and said come in, I saw Bradshaw.

"Just the person I wanted to see." I say sarcastically as I turn to face away from the door.

"Y/C/S, I just wanna say I am really sorry... I must have accidentally pressed something... I did not mean to take it this far... You may not accept it but I just want to say that I am really really sorry..." I turned to look at him and his face was filled with remorse.

I didn't like this look on Bradshaw. I wasn't used to it. At all. I'm a lot more comfortable with him having anger on his face while looking at me. He seems really guilty... Maybe I should forgive him, I mean... He does seem to actually regret it.

"It's okay Bradshaw... I've made that mistake before... Except... I actually killed the girl..." Bradshaw looked up at me with shock on his face.

"W-what?" He sat down in the chair next to the hospital bed, leaning forward.

"I may as well tell you... Me and this girl, Sox, we were doing a training exercise, but with actual missiles, trying to shoot a target..." I began to tear up. "As soon as I shot the missile at the target, Sox got in the way... Luckily I only shot the wing, but when she pressed the button to eject her seat..." Tears were streaming down my cheeks, I was trying to hold in sobs. "It didn't eject, so all she could do was wait till her jet crashed and hoped she would live. She didn't."

Bradshaw sat there, in shock, mouth agape. His face changed to a sympathetic expression.

"We were best friends, she was the first friend I made after moving here, to San Diego... Her family somehow forgave me, I can't even forgive myself. They said that it wasn't my fault. It was. I'm the reason she's dead. If I hadn't shot that missile, maybe she'd be here at Top Gun, and not me." I was borderline sobbing at this point. My body was shaking. My breath uneven. Eyes dead set on the plant pot in the corner of the room.

"Y/C/S, it is not your fault, you didn't know she was going to fly in front of the missile. You had no intention of hurting her. Don't blame yourself..." I immediately began to shake my head, disagreeing with him.

"No. No. It is my fault Bradshaw. I shot the missile. I am at fault. I killed her... If it wasn't for me, she would be alive. And I'm going to have to live with that. Until the day I die." I couldn't stop the crying now, even if I wanted to. I haven't talked about it since it happened. Not even to my therapist.

"Y/C/S, it's okay... I promise you, it wasn't your fault. From what you've told me it was a training exercise gone wrong... You are not at fault for anything…” His words were filled with reassurance, and coming from him, it actually meant something. Although it didn’t totally get the idea that it was my fault out my head, it put my mind at ease.

I gave Bradshaw a tight lipped smile as my eyes darted between his gaze and my bruised hands.

"About this... rivalry, that we have... Can we just call it quits?" Bradshaw finally spoke up after a while of silence. I looked at him with a smirk.

"What? Finally realised that I'm the best and you're second place?" Bradshaw laughed as he shook his head. He looked back up and has a smiled with his eyes.

"Absolutely not... I am never going to accept that sweetheart..." The nickname made my eyes widen. Sweetheart? He's called me that before but never in the tone he just used. It sounded almost, flirty? I don't know, could be nothing. That is Bradshaw's personality after all.

"Guess it's just really tiring, and..." I gesture to all my cuts and bruises on my body with a laugh. "This... but don't worry Bradshaw... won't hold it against you." I chuckle as Bradshaw leans back in his chair and does the same.

"Truce?" Bradshaw stuck his hand out. I took his hand and shook it with a tight smile. I wish it didn't take me almost dying for us to stop this. Maybe it was the only way? I'll never know.

[insertsomthinawesome]

Sorry if this doesn’t make sense but how do you… art? Like from looking at your art, there’s just so many different fandoms and it’s all fantastic!! How do you not stick to one or feel like you *have* to stick to one? Sorry

Aw Friend! No need to apologize! :D You asked your question plenty politely! That's a really interesting question actually, and I'm fascinated to be asked it! Because I actually do know the kinda thing you're talking about! or at least I have experiences that feel like they line up with what you're asking. A lot of its... growing up? I guess? And not in the sense of like. becoming an adult. but the non-stop process of growing and learning more about life. When I was younger, an actual child, I just Did it. I drew whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I didn't question hoping to a new interest or drawing different fandoms. I just did it. But the older you get the more complicated a lot of things get right? 😔 That was true for me.

I actually spent several years terrified, of moving on. Of leaving old fandoms behind. There was one fandom I actually forced myself not to leave for like... 2 years? Because I was afraid of all the projects I wouldn't complete, all the stories I wouldn't tell, all the art i wouldn't make. But honestly that was a horrible decision? It burnt me out of the specific fandom SO BADLY. Its only been around this last year that I've been able to enjoy things around it again without an overhanging shadow of stress.

I was still scared to fandom hop after that incident tho. Despite having gotten burned by caving to my own fears. It wasn't until I got into Trigun that I actually started to get less scared. A friend I met in that fandom, someone who was older than me, told me that... things have a way of coming back around. If you know the song "Everything Stays" From Adventure time? She said it was like that song. You will inevitably get older. But these things won't be gone. And you can always come back to them :) That clicked in my brain... and it took a bit longer, a bit more time of accepting that fact for me to find peace... but honestly? I kinda have now. At least for this moment in time. I wouldn't be surprised if the fear comes back around again, fear is funny and insidious like that. But I have the tools to beat it now :) The other two things I would mention are these: For starters: this might be obvious? But I'm a hobbyist artist. I don't make money off of my art, I don't sell it, I don't need numbers or clout in order to pay my bills. I'm completely free to do my own thing! Ain't nothing wrong with making a living off of your artwork and if that's the path that you want to walk GO FOR IT. But that path does have its own challenges. Because I don't walk that path, I am free to make whatever I want, without worrying about how it might reflect on my finances. The other thing is...

PERFECTIONISM...

THIS, NASTY LITTLE VILE COCKROACH, WILL RUIN YOUR ART LIFE SO BADLY ITS INSANE. It will ruin your NORMAL life super fast too 😔 it is an insidious little shoulder devil telling you, that you will be happier if you just do it the "perfect" way. IT IS SO SO SO SO SO SO WRONG. That is the key to the door of endless procrastination and broken dreams. SFLJSLF to get less metaphorical about it though: If you're always waiting for the perfect moment to make art for a fandom, to leave a fandom, to join a fandom (in this case i just mean "Get into the thing that interests you" when I say "Fandom") or create literally anything, you will be waiting forever. I know because i have been :') And its made it very hard to draw both in my past, and right now this very day.

Truthfully i'm still working on that one??? I've had some epiphanies recently that have helped a lot with my perfectionism... but I haven't tried drawing since having them? (drowning in the new Honkai Star Rail Patch WHEEZE) So uh. Not sure If I'm over that hill yet xD But yeah, if that's one piece of advice i could give you to take seriously, its don't chase perfection, in ANYTHING. Especially art. It will never be enough for you. And if you're doing it for other people, it will never be enough for them. Art is wonderful and messy, and human. And that is okay.

Its taken me a lot of soul diving and thinking and a lot of help from outside influence and kind people for me to figure this stuff out too. So don't feel bad to ask for help kay? We all need help. A lot xD I'm still not like, the king this stuff either. There are a lot of smaller, more niche, fandoms, I want to draw for, but still haven't, because of my own anxiety and embarrassment. There are fandoms I haven't drawn for because I don't feel like i have the adequate amount of information to be, ""allowed"" too (which is totally a fake standard btw, there is no barrier to entry for when you're "allowed" to draw something). I'm working on these problems every day.

Oh actually one last note: People can influence how hard it is for you to draw for a bunch of fandoms too. If you know you'll get made fun of for drawing something, its hard to draw. If you know you'll get praised for drawing something, sometimes that makes it easier to draw. Both of those things can mess you up BAD. Constantly drawing for other people (when its not a deliberate gift) can make you feel really upset and angry, and dissonant with your artwork.

But it can be equally as hard to realize nobody will share your enthusiasm if you don't draw what they like. That's not a judgement against anybody's friendships, we all got our own interests, and nobody can be 100% Invested in everything their friends enjoy. But It can make it a bit more emotionally challenging sometimes. And it can be hard to like?? Emotionally deal with that? in a way it makes art that you know will perform well, either with your friend group or online, like... "Candy". Its tastes good, but it doesn't give you long term energy (ie there's nothing wrong with it, but its not sustainable as your only form of sustenance) Meanwhile making art that is purely self indulgent is like eating a full and healthy meal. It gives you that long term energy of personal satisfaction, and your enjoyment and happiness also doesn't inherently hinge on whether or not other people appreciate it like you do. Obviously there's no issue if what you genuinely want to draw would also do well online/with your friends!

ANYWAYS, yeah, I'm still maturing and learning and growing with a lot of my opinions and perspectives and emotions on this stuff? Its definitely easier said than done, and while from the outside it looks effortless... I understand why you'd be struggling anon. I hope you can figure it out for yourself too! Best of luck :D also i could go on and on and on about this topic for years because alsjdfaksjdflJSDJGSD ooohhhhhhh boy I have learned and witnessed and thought many a thunk.

[personwhowrites]

My Right Person

You look down at your drink with a tinge of sadness, then shift your gaze to the rest of the group. Ghost is standing on the other end of the bar, keeping a close watch on the group, while Soap is nearby, also keeping an eye on things but with a drink in his hand. Price is smoking his signature cigar and chatting with Laswell. Gaz, who is next to you, notices your gaze and clears his throat, grabbing your attention.

"Bored?" Gaz asks with a soft smile. "Not much of a bar person?"

"Something like that," you reply, looking at your drink. "How about you?"

"I don't find bars so bad," Gaz says with a chuckle. "Come on, lighten up. It's a break."

"A break that's driving me crazy," you say with a sad tone. "Is it bad that I yearn for war and work?"

"Not really," Gaz sighs. "I used to feel the same way before."

"What changed?" you ask, raising an eyebrow. "Hm?"

Gaz took a sip from his drink and looked away, then looked back at you with a smile. You knew where this line of questioning was leading.

"Well, I met Price," Gaz started, before looking down at his drink. "I met all of you."

"I guess meeting us made you realize it's good to have breaks," you said, finishing his sentence, which he nodded in agreement to. "But I'm not like that."

"Why's that?" Gaz asked, leaning back slightly. "Haven't you met the right person to change your thoughts?"

"Have you?" you asked, without thinking. "I mean..."

"Oh, I have," Gaz said, looking slightly hurt. "I just don't know if they know it."

You take a sip of your drink and Gaz follows suit, taking a sip of his own drink. Suddenly, Soap walks over and wraps an arm around both of your shoulders, laughing uncontrollably.

"What's gotten into you?" you ask, smiling at Soap. "Are you trying to be a clown?"

"What? No!" Soap replies, still chuckling. "I just thought of something funny."

"Really? What's so funny?" Gaz chimes in, eyeing Soap skeptically. "Are you already drunk?"

"Me? Drunk? No way, man," Soap responds, now seated between you and Gaz. "Why would you even think that?"

"Because you're laughing at nothing," you say, patting his back. "Come on, I was thinking of heading back to the base anyway."

"So soon?" Gaz asks, looking at you in surprise. "Why not stay a little longer?"

"I'm just bored," you explain, getting up from your seat. "And bars just aren't my thing." You then turn to Soap. "Come on, Sergeant, you're drunk." 

Ghost approaches and takes hold of Soap, jostling him slightly. You gaze at Ghost, who returns your look before letting out a sigh.

"Are you all leaving?" Ghost asks, turning to you. "Taking Soap with you?"

"I suppose so," you reply, eyeing the unsteady Soap. "Bars aren't really my scene."

"I'll come along too," Ghost says, taking out his phone. "I'll call an Uber for us."

"No need," Gaz interjects, getting up from his seat. "I can drive us back."

"Are you all headed back to the base?" Price asks as he and Laswell walk over. "Might as well all go back together."

"I have a wife waiting for me," Laswell adds, checking her phone. "See you all tomorrow."

"I'll drive," Price declares, leading the way outside. "Let's go."

Ghost follows shortly after, with Soap in tow. Gaz pauses as he sees you paying for everyone's drinks, including your own. You leave a tip for the cashier and walk over to Gaz, who gives you a gentle smile before joining the rest of the group with you.

-

The next morning, you took a seat next to Gaz and leaned on his arm. He looked at you with a stern gaze, and you returned his gaze with a warm smile. Gaz took a long sip from his cup of tea and gazed at you again. You stretched and intertwined your fingers with his.

"I never realized how much we rely on our hands in combat," you said softly, admiring the strength in Gaz's hand. "Did you?"

"Not really," Gaz replied, looking down at your hand. "I never gave it much thought."

A moment of silence passed between you as Ghost entered the room, accompanied by a disheveled Soap who took a seat and groaned.

"Never let me drink like that again," Soap muttered under his breath. "Who even allowed me to do that?"

"This is why I tried to stop you," Ghost said in a gentle tone. "I'll go get you something to help with the headache."

"Really?" Soap asked, looking up at Ghost. "Look at you being a good lieutenant."

"Quiet, Johnny," Ghost commanded, looking over at you and Gaz. "Did you two sleep well?"

"Are you actually concerned for us?" Gaz said with a smirk. "What's gotten into you?"

"I can be nice," Ghost retorted in a sour tone. "But you two are a handful."

"Who's a handful?" Price interjected as he walked into the room. "Ah, you're all awake. Good."

You lift your head from Gaz's arm and let out another yawn. Soap sits up and glances at Price as he approaches the group, while Ghost leans against the wall and watches.

"Good news, everyone," Price says with a warm smile. "I've managed to extend our break by two more days."

"Really?" Soap says, surprised. "I thought you wanted us to get back to work right away?"

"It's been four weeks already," Gaz adds, eyeing Price with curiosity. "What do you have planned?"

"Well," Price says, rubbing his hands together. "Remember that new amusement park that opened this summer? The one you've been dying to go to?" He nods towards you.

"Yes!" you reply excitedly. "Wait, don't tell me..."

"I got us some special skip-the-line tickets," Price reveals, taking out a handful of bracelets. "And I heard that this will be the last week the park will be open until next summer."

Overcome with excitement, you leap from your chair and wrap Price in a big hug. He returns the embrace, knowing how much you love amusement parks. Gaz stands up and joins in the hug, followed by Soap. Ghost watches from the wall, giving Price an approving nod.

"We're leaving in twenty minutes," Price says, stepping away from the hug. "Make sure to bring some money and wear comfortable clothing."

"It's hard to predict how long we'll be there," Soap says, turning to you. "You're definitely going to be all over the place."

"Absolutely!" You reply, happily hugging Gaz's arm. "I'm so excited to see all the wild rides and play the little games!"

"You actually enjoy those scams?" Gaz asks, giving you a look of concern. "You know they're just trying to take your money, right?"

"Not everyone is in a position to make a good living, Gaz," you say, releasing his arm. "Some people have families to support and bills to pay."

The men remained silent after your remark, causing you to look down and cough awkwardly. Gaz gazed at you with worry, and Soap nudged you to try and cheer you up. You met their gaze and offered a small smile before walking out of the room to find some casual clothes. Ghost followed you, noticing that you were upset.

"Y/n," Ghost said, making you freeze in your tracks. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry, I just get carried away sometimes," you replied, looking at Ghost. "I care deeply about people who are trying their best."

"Did you grow up with similar money problems?" Ghost asked as he approached you.

"My parents used to run games at events to make ends meet," you said in a soft voice, looking at Ghost. "We barely had enough to get by each week, so it's a sensitive topic for me."

"Well, forget about it now," Ghost said, placing a hand on your shoulder. "The past is in the past."

You just needed and sigh as Ghost moves his hand away from your shoulder. You were unaware as Gaz has been listening to the small conversation that you just had with Ghost. Ghost knew that Gaz was listening, he didn’t really mind it. Gaz  soon watched as you walked away, soon approaching Ghost. 

“Why didn’t you tell her..” Gaz says softly looking at the hall you went down. “..It might of been best she knew I was listening..” 

“And let you lose your chance to actually tell her how you feel?” Ghost says looking at Gaz now. “I’m not blind, I see how you act and look at them.” 

“..Guessing you like them too?” Gaz says in a squeaking voice. “Listen.. I’m not giving up on h—“ 

Suddenly Ghost have a chuckle and looked at Gaz. Gaz looked at Ghost confused, was he wrong of Ghost liking you? 

“Gaz, I seen y/n as a little sister.” Ghost says shaking his head. “Plus.. I have my eye on someone else.” 

“Who?” Gaz asks quickly without thinking. “Who is it?” 

“Someone you shouldn’t worry about.” Ghost responds now serious. “Now let’s go get ready, I don’t want to waste more time here.” 

-

Before long, you all arrived at the amusement park and as you walked in, you held onto Gaz's arm, admiring the vibrant rides around you. Soap leaned against you with a smile, noting how your eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of everything. Gaz looked at you and chuckled, finding it adorable to see you in awe of the entire park. Price then proceeded to place bracelets on everyone's wrist.

"So, what do we do first?" Gaz asked, observing your eager expression. "Y/n, you're the amusement park expert."

"Let's go on all the fast rides!" You said, happily grabbing Ghost's arm by mistake. "And then we can go on some boat rides!"

"My arm," Ghost corrected, adjusting his mask. "Y/n."

"Sorry!" You apologized, releasing his arm. "Come on, let's make the most of this!"

"I'm right there with you!" Soap chimed in, now equally excited. "Lead the way to the next ride!"

As you all climbed into the carts of the ride called "Little O's," you felt your heart racing with excitement. Gaz sat next to you with Soap. Ghost, and Price sat together in the same cart. The belts came down, securing everyone in place. Gaz slightly reached for your hand, but before he could grab it, the carts started to move, causing you to jump in surprise. Soap nervously held onto the ride's safety belt, while Ghost and Price looked at Soap and Gaz, their expressions a mixture of fear and excitement.

Price chuckled at their reactions, but as the ride picked up speed, his laughter turned into screams of terror. Ghost held onto his seatbelt for dear life, while Gaz let out a blood-curdling scream as the ride went backwards. In response, Soap immediately hugged you, and you hugged him back, feeling a sense of comfort in each other's embrace.

The ride was incredibly fast, and as it flipped upside down, you screamed loudly, feeling your stomach drop. Price looked around, now realizing the terror-inducing ride they had all gotten themselves into, and shook his head in disbelief. The carts twisted and turned, making you feel as though you were flying through the air. The wind whipped through your hair, and you felt your heart pounding in your chest. The ride lasted for what felt like an eternity, but eventually, it came to a stop, and you all breathed a sigh of relief.

As you all stumbled out of the carts, you couldn't help but laugh at the incredible experience you had just had. You looked over at Gaz, Soap, Ghost, and Price, who were all still catching their breaths. 

"What the hell was that?!" Soap exclaimed, still trying to catch his breath. "That was insane!"

"That was terrible," Gaz agreed, sitting down on a nearby bench and placing a hand over his heart. "I don't think I can handle another ride like that. My heart can't take it."

You all sat down, trying to calm yourselves after the intense experience. Despite the fear and panic you felt during the ride, you couldn't help but feel a sense of adrenaline and excitement. You looked over at Gaz, Soap, and Price, who were all still in a state of shock. Meanwhile Ghost is shaking his head knowing that look in your eyes. It wasn’t long until you dragged the four men into more rides, more intense rides that you yourself we’re scared of. Price finally had enough and suggested to have a bite to eat before heading anywhere else. 

"What's everyone craving?" Price inquires, surveying the food carts. "I'm going for some corn on the cob."

"Corn?" Soap expresses skepticism. "Really? Out of all the options available?"

"I happen to like corn," Ghost interjects, glancing at Soap. "How about you, Johnny?"

"I'm going for corn dogs," Soap declares with a grin, eliciting eye rolls from Price and Ghost. "What? What's wrong with that?"

"Irony at its finest," Gaz remarks with a chuckle. "I'm going to scope out the options. Maybe I'll find a burger."

"I'll join you," you offer with a smile. "If that's okay."

"Of course," Gaz replies calmly. "Shall we meet back here after we've made our selections?"

"Count me in," Ghost adds in a deep voice. "I'd rather survey the options than just settle for a corn-based product."

"Hey, now that's rude," Soap says quietly. "Come on Price, let's go."

As you all split up to peruse the food carts, the enticing scent of food fills the air. You head over to a dessert cart, where an elderly woman watches as you eagerly inspect her offerings.

"Funnel cakes are three pounds, and candy apples are five," the old lady informs you.

"Thank you, miss," you reply politely. "I'll take five candy apples and three funnel cakes, please."

"We also have cotton candy," the woman adds, ringing up your purchase. "That will be thirty-four pounds."

"I don't have change, can I give you fifty pounds?" you ask, feeling slightly embarrassed. "And I'd like to place an order for cotton candy too."

"The cotton candy won't be ready for a few hours, is that okay?" the old lady asks softly.

"That's perfectly fine," you reply with a smile as you receive your sweets. "Thank you."

"Y/n, are you ready?" Gaz calls out, catching your attention. "Whoa, what did you get?"

You say goodbye to the old lady and join Gaz, who has already made a dent in his food. Ghost soon approaches, and Gaz raises an eyebrow at the small lollipop in his hand.

"That's a lot of candy for you, Y/n," Ghost observes, gesturing to your candy apples and funnel cakes.

"I got it for everyone," you reply sheepishly. "I even have cotton candy on hold."

"Really?" Gaz says with surprise. "Lucky you."

"Here," you offer, handing the two men a candy apple. "Let's go find the others."

Soon enough, you were reunited with Soap and Price, and after handing them each a candy apple, you noticed that Soap quickly finished his food and was surveying the surroundings as the crowd from the afternoon slowly dissipated with the onset of dusk. Meanwhile, Price continued munching away on his candy apple. Ghost was gazing at the candy, then shifted his gaze to Soap and offered him the lollipop he had been holding. Gaz was observing you, watching you enjoy the sweets with glee, and upon making eye contact with Gaz, you gave him a nervous smile.

"How about we try out one of those scam games?" Soap suggested, grabbing your attention. "What do you say, y/n?"

"Hell yeah!" you exclaimed with excitement and quickly scanned the area for a game to play. "Let's try that one!"

"Bottles?" Gaz asked with a confused look, as he peered over at the game you pointed out.

"Come on guys!" you said, eagerly making your way through the crowd. "Let's go!"

The men followed closely behind you, attracting curious glances as if they were bodyguards protecting a child who had just had a sugar rush. You finally made it to the front of the game and confronted the person hosting the game.

"Pay two pounds for three balls!" The host declared. "All you have to do is shatter the bottles! Shatter three in a row and win a prize. Break six and win a large stuffed animal!"

"What's the trick?" Gaz asked suspiciously. "Do we have to do it quickly or something?"

"Nah, no tricks here," the host replied with a grin. "Just stand behind that line and the game will start."

"I'll give it a shot!" Soap said, playing four pounds for six balls. "Here we go."

Soap held a ball, ready to throw it. Ghost watched as the ball barely touched the bottles, causing Gaz to laugh and Price to shake his head. You looked at the host, who seemed to have a smile on his face. Soap attempted two more times, giving up as three balls remained. Soap looked at you and handed you the remaining balls. You gave him a blank look and then looked at the balls.

"Little lady wants to give it a try, huh?" The host asked, catching your attention. "Shatter three bottles and win a prize."

"I got this," Ghost said, taking the balls from your hands. "Move aside."

You quickly stepped aside and watched as Ghost effortlessly broke three bottles. You let out a small gasp as the host became silent. Your gaze shifted to Gaz, who was taking money out of his wallet.

"Give me six," Gaz said confidently. "Thanks."

You watched as Gaz also easily shattered six bottles. The loud alarm of a big prize winner echoed, making you cover your ears. Your eyes met Gaz's as he grabbed a large stuffed bear. Ghost received his own small prize. Gaz handed the bear to you and grinned.

"These games aren't too shabby," Gaz comments as the group moves on. "What's next, y/n?"

You survey the area, hugging the stuffed bear close to your chest. Price spots a dart-throwing booth and you suggest trying it, with Gaz exhibiting a confident grin. You can't help but gaze at the bear Gaz won for you, feeling a strange emotion rising within you. Ghost nudges Soap and hands him the prize he won, causing Soap to burst into laughter. The next host takes notice of the group and hurries over.

"Welcome to the balloon fate!" The host greeted the group with excitement. "Win a prize for your lovely friends and for the sweet lady here!" The host gestured towards you and you felt Gaz's eyes on you.

However, the host's enthusiasm faded as they noticed the group's hesitance. Clearing his throat, the host pointed towards the prizes, "Three darts are two pounds. Five darts are four pounds. And for the biggest prize, you can get fourteen darts for twelve pounds."

Price rubbed his chin in thought before reaching for his wallet and pulling out twelve pounds. He grabbed the darts and began to throw them slowly at the balloons. Some of the darts bounced off the balloons and Price let out a disappointed sigh. Meanwhile, Soap looked at the host, who wore a sly grin, and then at Ghost, who was already pulling out another twelve pounds from his own wallet.

"Come on, Soap, give it a shot," Ghost encouraged, nodding towards the game host. "I think you'll do great at this."

"What do you mean?" Soap asked, looking puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

"Your line of work," Ghost whispered discreetly. "Just go ahead and give it a try."

Soap took aim and began tossing the darts, each one successfully popping a balloon. The alarm soon rang, signaling that Soap had won a big prize. He excitedly chose a large unicorn stuffed animal and turned to you with a big smile.

"Here you go, Y/n," Soap said, handing you the unicorn. "I know you love fantasy animals, so I got this for you. How about we head over to the basketball hoops next? I saw a big red bear over there, maybe Price can win it for us."

"Keep in mind that we can't bring these back to the base," Price warns, drawing attention from the host. "I'm not sure why we're even bothering to win these prizes."

"One little rule-breaking wouldn't hurt us this time," Gaz says with a mischievous grin. "Come on, do it for Y/n."

Price glances at you, still beaming with joy while holding the stuffed animals, and relents with a sigh. Gaz puts his arm around your waist, pulling you close, as Soap leads the way to the next game: basketball hoops.

The host explains the prizes as the group pays for the most expensive option, not bothering to keep track of how much money they're spending. Your attention is drawn to Gaz, still with his arm around your waist, and you can't help but smile. The moment seems to stretch on as you lock eyes and smile sheepishly. Price breaks the spell by coughing and making the final shot, winning yet another big stuffed animal, the one that Soap had his heart set on.

"Well, I just spotted a shooting game over there," Ghost says with a hum, pointing to a nearby booth. "And it looks like it has ducks as the targets."

"Want to give it a go, LT?" Soap asks, cradling the red bear in his arms. "I'd love to see how good you are."

"Wouldn't you always, Johnny?" Ghost jokes, teasing Soap.

Price clears his throat again and casts a glance over the group. Gaz still has his arm around you, as if he has forgotten he was even doing it. Ghost leads the way to the duck shooting game. You inch closer to Gaz, almost as if you want to hug him. The only thing stopping you is the stuffed animals you're holding. Gaz notices and helps you with the unicorn, chuckling at your still-childlike excitement over the bear in your arms

"You look charming with a bear in your hands," Gaz comments off-handedly. "Almost like you're innocent."

"I am innocent," you reply, feeling slightly embarrassed. "At least when I'm not on the job."

"That you are, princess," Gaz says with a soft chuckle as he watches Soap, Price, and Ghost compete against each other. "These games aren't so bad after all."

"I'm glad you've changed your mind," you say as you turn your gaze towards Gaz. "Sorry for being sensitive earlier at the base."

"It's okay," Gaz says, meeting your eyes. "Everyone has their reasons. So, what will you be naming this bear?"

"Mr. Sprinkles, of course," you reply with a playful grin. "Or maybe Love."

"Love, huh?" Gaz raises an eyebrow. "An interesting name, princess."

You feel a warm flush rise to your cheeks at Gaz's nickname for you and turn your attention to the others. Ghost is closing in on a victory, but Price isn't far behind. With a final shot, Ghost hits the last duck and wins the game, triggering a loud alarm. He has won a large prize like the rest of the group. He selects a panda and hands it to you. Your eyes meet and Gaz observes the subtle romantic tension between you and Ghost. However, the moment is broken when Ghost is the first to look away, noticing some people setting up a display.

"What do you think they're doing?" Soap asks, also looking in the direction that Ghost is looking. "Looks like it's going to be some fireworks."

"It must be the grand finale," Price interjects, reminding the group that the amusement park is close to ending for the summer. "So, does anyone have any other plans?"

"I did want to take a ride on the Ferris Wheel," Soap says with a laugh. "We can pair up!"

"I think I'll sit this one out," Price interjects, glancing around. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

Price promptly heads off, leaving the rest of you behind. Ghost seems like he wants to suggest something, but Gaz clears his throat and captures your attention. Soap glances at Ghost and shrugs.

"Looks like it's just going to be Ghost and me," Soap declares before Ghost has a chance to speak up. "You and Y/n can go ahead of us."

"Sounds like a good plan." Gaz agrees, taking your hand tenderly. "Let's go see the fireworks from the top of the Ferris wheel."

As you and Gaz walk away, Ghost watches the two of you with a sigh, stopping Soap from following. Soap glances at Ghost and notices the sadness in his eyes. He then turns his attention to you and Gaz, watching as the two of you laugh and smile, holding hands.

"Wait a minute!" Soap exclaims, taking in the sight of the two of you. "How did I not see this before?"

"Forget about it, Johnny," Ghost instructs, keeping his gaze fixed on you and Gaz as you get onto the ride. "Let's just wait here."

As the Ferris wheel reaches the top, you and Gaz gaze into each other's eyes. You stand up from your seat and take in the view from the edge of the ride. Gaz joins you, standing by your side. Your eyes wander over to the stuffed animals resting in the seats.

"Y/n..." Gaz says softly, reaching for your hand. "I have something important to tell you."

The ride halts for a moment and you can sense a hint of nervousness in Gaz's voice. You look at him, wondering what he could have to say. Without a word, Gaz takes your hand and pulls you in for a tender kiss. The fireworks illuminate the night sky, highlighting the romantic moment between you and Gaz.

Down on the ground, Soap and Ghost look up at the sight in awe. Soap glances over at Ghost and sees the pain in his eyes.

"They really are kissing..." Soap says quietly. "I thought you had feelings for her, LT?"

"I did...but I always knew that Y/n and Gaz were meant to be together," Ghost responds, turning away from the sight. "Besides, I don't see myself as a particularly romantic person."

"Nice job, guys." Price remarks as he returns from the bathroom. "It's good to see that some people are finding happiness."

Ghost watches you and Gaz, who are now locked in a tender kiss under the colorful display of fireworks. Though his heart aches a little, he is happy to see Gaz so happy. After a few moments, you pull away and embrace Gaz, indicating that you have accepted his feelings. As the ride continues, a few minutes pass before you both disembark. Making your way back to the others with Gaz, who is still clutching the stuffed animals.

"That was quite a kiss," Price comments, admiring the new couple. "Just keep it professional at work, okay? I don't want any of us getting fired."

"Affirmative, Captain." Gaz says with a grin as he glances at you. "So, have you found your right person?"

You nod and smile, recalling the chat you had with Gaz at the bar not long ago. Ghost averts his gaze from you and takes a deep breath, acknowledging that you're happier with Gaz.

"Come on, let's get you that cotton candy you wanted," Gaz says with a laugh. "My Right Person.” 

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

A/N: Hello! I hope you all have a good Valentine’s Day! - E <3

[redstringraven]

for the tmnt 40th anniversary: 23 and 32!

\TwT/ !!! thank you much!

TMNT's 40th anniversary ask game!

23.) what is one of your favorite TMNT fics?

ough, i'm admittedly very, very bad at reading fanfic for a few reasons: 1) since i'm also a creator, i often have to decide if i want to use what free time i have creating or engaging with art made by others, and i often opt for the former; 2) i'm an extremely slow reader partially due to how i learned to read, because of this i'm usually pickier about where i put my reading time (if i schedule myself any); 3) i refuse to read fic if i'm not on my desktop with my firefox extension that lets me use the floaty comment box, because it brings me joy to leave lengthy, thorough comments. i love leaving the types of comments i'd like to receive, and my brain gets very cranky when i can't. all this to say, i haven't read a lot of tmnt fanfic since circling back to one of my childhood fandoms. ene i'm trying to be better about it because i very much believe in supporting community, i just... haven't quite gotten around to a rhythm that works for me yet, i guess. not for a lack of wanting, tho. however! i love In The Shelter of Each Other, by @hamstermastersamster; as well as Anger and Management, by @halogalopaghost; and I'll Be Ok!, by @joyfuladorable. just to name some! i also remember a fic from my childhood where raph was babysitting... someone's kid (might've been april's?) and he taught them that if something was an "ouch" that meant it could hurt you and you shouldn't touch it. so, the oven was an "ouch". i don't remember the title because i was, like, fourteen, but i remember that specific detail and loved it very much. shout out to that author. i've also got a few fics i'm reading/trying to keep up with that are still in progress, but i've barely scratched the surface on them because... again. i am slow. lD;; but i am also trying. bless those who're patient with me. i'm so, so sorry.

32.) what was the first thing you've made for TMNT?

i might have stuff from my high school years lying around here somewhere, but you'll have to pay me to post it. i wish i could say i was kidding, but college shot my relationship with my art in the foot. <xD i have a folder of stuff before 2018 that's referred to as "the otherworld" for a reason. we do not venture into that fog... silent hill... but! i'll share some of the first sketches i did in my circle-back. please tolerate the shit phone-photo quality; my phone is obsolete to the point several of my apps will literally no longer open due to incompatibility with the OS. i'll also share the first round of sketches i actually published, so you can see the private sketchbook testings verses me being like "i need to make myself put something out there, here it is".

here's the link to the above published post! really is wild how after i started drawing them more regularly, my own style quickly dug its little fangs in and never looked back. xD;;

[angelsanarchy]

Glass Houses: Jack Thurlow x Y/N Series CH 23 -> CH 24

Tagging:@roryculkinluvr@thatsthewrongwallcraig@icarus-star @cc-luvr @madamemaximoff06@shady-the-simp @quicksilversg1rl @s-0lar @kristennero-wallacewellsver@ophelialaufey @mayathepsychic1999 @x-prettyboy-x @rorylover71 @auggiethecreator @tempt-ress @blacksoul-27

Jack woke up and stretched his body out. He couldn't fight the smile that spread across his face thinking about last night. He reached for his phone and immediately shot a text to Y/n.

Jack: I think you've single-handedly cured my mental health.

He felt relaxed, like he had finally gotten sleep after being awake for days on end.

Y/n: haha I'm pretty sure both our hands were involved so it was a team effort. How did you sleep?

Jack laughed out loud and started typing again.

Jack: Like a baby. I haven't slept like that in a long time. Thank you for coming over last night...and for cumming in general I guess. ;)

Jack didn't usually do the flirty texting thing but Y/n brought this to the surface for some reason. He wanted to talk to her all the time and be in her presence. He wanted to hear more about what she thought of his writing and just listen to her talk about random things. He was really starting to feel invested in their connection and didn't want to let the fear change that.

Y/n: Good! I'm working a double today but I'll text you later tonight.

Jack put his phone down after reading her text knowing he would have to keep himself busy for the day. He wanted to finish up the last bit of painting in the other rooms so the house wouldn't smell so strongly of paint the next time he had Y/n over. He knew it was presumptuous of him to think she would come back over for anything like that but just having here to hang out with him made his days better.

He brainstormed different date ideas that he could take her on, places in town he could take her for dinner or even local shops that he thought she might enjoy. He knew he needed to keep his cool and not rush into anything because that would be counterproductive to his healing or so Dr. Carty had drilled into him.

As the sun started to go down, he had finished the painting clean up and was proud of all he had accomplished that day. He had the windows open to air out the place and felt at peace with the progress he was making.

The house phone started ringing which wasn't completely unusual but he still had paint all over his hands. He started up the steps as the machine kicked in and froze the moment he heard the voice coming through.

"Jack...pick up the damn phone." He could never forget Cleo's voice.

"Look I'm moving and some of your shit is still here. I'm not paying to ship it and I'm definitely not going to go through the hassle of burning it like you so kindly suggested. You either need to call me back to coordinate what to do with it or I'm throwing it on your front lawn." Cleo sounded annoyed. He didn't blame her. He had put her through hell and this was the first time she's reached out to him in over a year.

"God you're such an asshole. Even after a year I still have to beg you to communicate with me. I'll be in the area soon. I'll just toss it on the lawn. You can deal with the fallout." Jack started to panic as the line cut out and the message ended. She was going to come here, to his home, his new place that he's built up to try and start fresh. She was going to see that he had made a new life for himself and probably be even more motivated to set it ablaze.

In his panic, Jack stumbled up the stairs to his cellphone and started to call Dr. Carty. He also didn't answer so he left a frantic voicemail. He paced his room, hands shaking and waiting for the doctor to call him back. He started chewing on his thumb nail, tasting paint and blood. The phone rang again and he answered.

"Jack? What's going on? What's the emergency?" Dr. Carty asked with worry.

"She called! Cleo called." Jack could feel his chest heaving.

"Good. That's good-"

"No! She's going to come here and drop the rest of my stuff here. She's going to come here and see me." Jack gripped his hair tightly.

"Jack you've got to calm down. If you don't want to see her, if you think you aren't ready-"

"I never thought she would ever want to see me again. I never planned on this. What am I supposed to say? What am I supposed to do? Do I even have the right to ask her about her new life? Should I even bother telling her about mine?" Jack was speaking so fast, Dr. Carty was trying to shout over him to get him to stop.

"JACK! Listen to me okay? You're on the verge of a panic attack which could trigger an episode. I need you to get someplace where you aren't alone." Dr. Carty instructed but Jack shook his head. He knew he was in no state to drive and anyone he could see on foot wasn't home.

"I-I can't...not right now. Not like this." He continued his pacing.

"Jack it's imperative you get immediate help. I will call 911 if I have to but I would prefer not to." Dr. Carty knew 911 didn't handle psychiatric calls very well and didn't want to make things worse.

"She's going to eviscerate me...she's going to see all the things I've been doing and think I just moved on with my life after everything...after the baby..." Jack cried.

"You are going to be okay Jack. You shouldn't go through these emotions alone." Dr. Carty pleaded.

"I am alone. I will always be alone. That's just the way it needs to be. It's what I deserve." Jack sat the phone down and let the Doc shout for him a few times before he closed the phone. He dropped his head in his hands and cried out of fear and desperation. He was terrified of how this would happen. He feared that she would take one look at him and see he had found an ounce of happiness and tear him to shreds. How the hell did he think he was tearing her life apart and moving forward without looking back?

Jack's phone continued to ring and he ignored it. Even when he saw Shawnda's name pop up on the screen. He knew Dr. Carty probably called her as his emergency contact but he didn't know what to say. He didn't know what his next move was going to be but right now he was completely comfortable freaking out on his bedroom floor.