#This has been a poorly disguised personal post.

[hajihiko]

POV you're the only person in the world who can be responsible for the sanity of the most dangerous person on the planet. But he's hangin in here!!......you hope!!!!

[vroomvroomcircuit]

Sometimes you need to be loud before it can be quiet

Summary: Everyone has their breaking point, even prefectly fine media trained drivers. Especially when people start asking dumb, sexist questions.

Pairing: driver!reader x f1!grid, but mostly Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, Lando and Charles have a bit of a guest appearing

Wordcount: 1.2k (she is a shy shorty, please be nice to her)

🏎Masterlist🏎 _________________________

“My next question is for (Y/N): What do you want to be perceived as?”

Everyone in the post race press conference halts in their movements. (Y/N) blinks once, twice before she clears her throat and gets closer to her microphone. “I’m sorry, can you please elaborate on that? I fear my English is failing me to comprehend what you just said.”

The reporter is not hesitating, jumping into his explanation right away, as if he had chosen the words he wanted to say beforehand. “Well, you participate in a male dominated sport, being currently the only female on the grid line up. You are never seen in typically female clothing. You even wore a suit to the last FIA gala. We have yet to see you in makeup outside of festivities. That’s why I am asking what you want to be perceived as. A man? A woman? Or something in-between?”

Silence has never been so loud. Nobody really knows how to respond to such an audacity.

(Y/N) pulls her microphone another bit closer before murmuring into it: “I rather be not perceived at all. Thank you for the question, I wanted to clear that bit up for quite some time now.”

Her answer brought a booming laughter out of the one and only Daniel Ricciardo, effectively breaking that spell of awkwardness that has been cast over the room by Mr Audacity. Everyone relaxes and joins in the laughter.

As the media representative is about to call onto the next journalist, Max asks a question. “Can we all answer this? Because I want to make it clear, I identify as a problem and want to be perceived as that.”

“Yeah”, Daniel interjects,”of course you do. I want to be perceived as a menace to human kind, please. What about you, Lando?”

“Number 1 Fish Hater, certified and trademarked already,” he answers with a cheeky smile.

Charles breathes “I’m a hot mess” into his microphone before the media representative is able to call onto the next person.

The following race weekend the drivers stand in the media pits with their PR managers, hopping from interviewer to interviewer like at a speed dating event.

“-overall I would say we have a good pace. I’m confident in the team to help us through this race in spite of the unpredictable weather conditions this weekend.” (Y/N)’s answers the usual questions that are thrown at her after sessions.

The journalist smiles at her. “I am sure of that. Now, onto my last question: Last week you have been asked what you want to be perceived as and you never really answered that. Why is that?”

(Y/N) throws a not amused look towards the woman. “I didn’t feel like it. I didn’t want to answer a question that is just a poorly disguised attack towards my femininity. I can like fast cars and dress however I want without having to answer something like that. I’m secure enough in my own gender identity as a woman to be able to express myself in all the ways I want without having my actions impede on my identity or expression of my gender. I will put on a dress when I feel like it, I will get the brushes out for a glam makeup when it is convenient for me and I don’t have to do ‘typically female’ things just to please the public opinion.

Instead of going around and judging, just work on why you have this urge to comment on my expression of gender in the first place, because your insecurities surrounding my gender don’t look cute on you.”

After that (Y/N) is practically dragged away from the media pit by her PR manager, who probably already has a headache thinking about the mess that will follow on social media and certain online magazines.

But the few drivers who stood around them, having media duties to follow themselves, just stared impressed and with deep respect after the young woman. She usually is softer spoken and obviously went through bootcamp media training. This was the first time they witnessed speaking her true mind in an interview.

Back in her driver's room, where she gets ready for the debrief, (Y/N) realizes the kind of mistake she just made.

Her little outburst will definitely get more of a reaction than it would if a Max Verstappen would have said something along these lines.

Before her inner eye she sees the headlines. Something about women being too emotional for motorsports. Her being too young, too hot headed, too much of everything and somehow not enough of everything.

The team will replace her, the negative PR not leaving them any other choice. The pressure on them is too much, they already took a big chance on her by giving the driver a seat in Formula 1 in the first place.

With the news of her sudden contract ending, at least one news outlet will write “The little experiment failed”, paving an even more difficult path for other women trying to prove themselves in motorsports.

And all that just because she wasn’t able to let this stupid question roll right off her back.

A sudden knock on her door breaks (Y/N) free from her downward spiral of thoughts. Max enters the room with Daniel on his tail. “This was amazing. How you told this interviewer off on life camera? And her face? After you went out, we just had to clap. It was so cool. You were so right, too. I’m so proud you finally spoke your mind. The audacity of these people.”

It seems like Max doesn’t need to breathe, judging from his rant.

Daniel has a much softer approach. He puts a hand on her shoulder, making her look up at him. “I hope you know that you had to say that back there. Even if you are ‘only’ a rookie this season, the questions you got the last couple of weeks were anything but ok or nice. Sometimes you need to be loud before it can be quiet.”

(Y/N) shoots him a thankful smile, squeezing the hand on her shoulder with her own. “You are right. It was just a bit overwhelming at first. But I can see the appeal now. I think I have to take a few classes with Max, because the concept of saying what you think got a new fan and that’s me. It’s the best thing I have done in the context of handling media duties.”

“No, you won’t do that”, (Y/N)’s PR manager stands in the doorway, probably to fetch her for the debrief. “In this case it was a good thing to do. Important, too, of course. The fans are eating this up on social media. They already made edits with the clips. But I don’t get paid what Max’ or Lando’s managers get, so you will return to your media trained good girl roots.” With that (Y/N) gets pulled out of the room by her. Max throws her a subtle nod, to which she smiles.

Sometimes you need to be more than the good girl, especially if it’s for your own sake. Who knows, maybe this is the beginning of the story of another media-nightmare-driver.

[savethevamps]

Topmew: Our Favorite Lovebirds

Disclaimer: Please don’t come making backhanded comments about their relationship. If you wanna discuss them that’s fine, but it’s no reason to post blatant hate, or negativity disguised as compliments.

Topmew are the cutest couple guys, no really they are! They’re the definition of lovebirds and everyone needs to see them in action, so here’s a post just for that. This is also known as: Top and Mew sitting in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g…

1. Their flirting. No one does cute, annoying flirting like Top and Mew! Oh you’re out to eat with them? Get ready to feel like the loneliness third wheel while these two burn a hole into eachother and get so close, you wonder if you’re intruding on something. (You are btw, never go out with them alone)

2. Their teasing. No their flirting and teasing are not the same, if you end up in a room with them and they start teasing eachother, it’s time to run for cover. These two don’t hold back, it’s always so charged between them! Who is in control? We don’t know okay? All we know is it’s cute, it’s gross, we need to leave the room before we start seeing bare skin. I mean we would love to see it but these two don’t share so…

3. Alright I know what everyone has been waiting for, yes their dates! We can all agree that Top is the #1 Boyfriend for all these dates he came up with like, wow man he really made a lot of people side eye their partner (I sure side eyed my exes). I can’t believe he was going all out like this and people still called him a player, this guy is a big lover boy!

4. Their touches are always soft, they treat eachother so gently and with so much care. Their hands are always connected to some part of the other person’s body, and it’s always gentle, tender, soft, soft, soft! They treat each other’s body with care and respect, oh they’re so cute it’s disgusting

5. They’re so enthusiastic about eachother. If one is talking, the other is on the edge of their seat listening and ready to learn more. They will fully turn their body away from everyone else just to make sure they don’t miss out on the words falling from the other’s lips. I mean they’re just eager to know about eachother it’s so, say it with me now, cute

6. The respect they have for eachother needs to be mentioned. Listen, they will never try to force the other to change no matter what! They wish the best for each other but they’ll never push, they’ll stand aside and allow the other to make their own decisions, and still love them regardless. To them, it doesn’t matter what the other does as long as they continue to be happy and healthy; we love that for them truly

7. The way they admire eachother. Now listen, we know they’re attracted to eachother we’re not fools, we can see. But the admiration in their eyes when they see the other doing something, or again when the other person is talking? Yes, that’s the good stuff right there. They admire the other as a person and of course they find each other attractive but man, those eyes get sparkly when they catch eachother doing something they love

8. They do whatever they can to make the other’s life easier. Oh you can’t sleep because of trauma? Let me lay down with you silly boy. Some asshole bumped you with their bike and broke your glasses? Well I would go after them but you said no, so let me tape them up rather poorly. Whatever they can do to help, they’ll do it! They just want their lover to have an easy day, no matter what

9. All they need is to be around each other. It doesn’t matter what they’re doing, they don’t have to talk; as long as they’re in each other’s company, they’re happy little campers. They get so giggly about it too, cmon guys it’s people watching you! They’re so comfortable in the other’s presence, they can relax as much as they like and let their guards down for once

10. Speaking of being giggly, whenever they’re together they’re smiling! What’s so funny guys? We would like to know the joke too, but of course we wouldn’t get it cause it’s not a word, or a look; it’s just pure love. They just find happiness in everything the other does so it breaks across their faces and rises out of their lungs until they’re laughing and ticking the other to make them laugh too! I’m telling you, they can’t help themselves guys, they’re lucky they’re so cute or I would call them losers

Anyway guys, that’s Topmew for you! These boys are in love and so cute it hurts. They just ooze love. No matter what way you flip it or reverse it, these two are in love. They say it with their eyes, their actions, and of course their mouths. They go the extra mile together, expecting absolutely nothing in return and it’s all because they’re in love. It really just pours out of them yknow?

[fandomfluffandfuck]

Okay, I admit defeat, I cannot keep myself from writing a little something based on this post from @howdoyousleep3

You gotta read the original post, but, essentially... trust fund baby Buck hiring a Daddy because he wants to be taken care of 🥺

For visuals:

This Bucky

gifs by @/fucklinski

With this Steve

Something about this AU just gives me sweater-wearing Daddy, okay?

Aaaand this got out of hand (as every "short" drabble I try to write does) so:

Warning for hurt/comfort, slight homophobia, drugs/alcohol use (drugs are all in the background though), explicit sexual content, semi-public play, daddy kink, fisting 👀, dirty talk, feminization, breath play, etc., etc.

Anyway, this is like fucking 5k words oops...

Hey, Alexa? Play “Life Of The Party” by The Weeknd then "National Anthem" by Lana Del Ray

Trust fund baby Buck spends all of his time at clubs, parties, events, and any sort of socializing event that is required for someone of his status--of his family's status.

All in all, though, he genuinely loves people. He loves the over-the-top parties, he enjoys the decadence of expensive drinks--most of them alcoholic ever since the second he turned 18 (because it's the European thing to do)--and he flourishes in these spaces. The attention. The social butterfly-ness of it all

…Usually.

Usually he loves it all.

Yet, as he’s grown into his own adult person a little more he’s begun to realize one thing; it’s not as lovely and shiny as it used to feel.

Bucky knows, in part, it’s because he’s simply not a child any longer.

But he also knows it’s because he’s gay. And because he’s lonely. Yes, he’s lonely in part because he’s gay and old money leans more… well, it isn’t called the Grand Old Party for no reason, so, yeah, he’s a little lonely because even within the group of trust fund babies his age, they’re lagging behind pop culture. They’re not, like, spitting on him or swearing at him out of homophobia. And good ol’ pops isn’t disowning him or denying him of their fortune, but… no one has ever asked him if he’s seen any cute boys. No one asked him--when he came out--if he’d even kissed a boy yet. No one asked him about his crushes. No one suggests, oh, look at that dashing (equally rich and) young man, you should go talk to him--you could marry him! Bucky gets nothing of the sort. His sexuality is ignored. The best he got upon coming out was a tight-lipped smile and a nod.

More and more Bucky yearns for community.

Also, Bucky’s lonely because he can’t exactly see a future here. How’s he supposed to find a partner like he wants if everyone is lowkey(?) homophobic?

Also ×2, he’s lonely despite the excess of this lifestyle because… he’s probably always been lonely. Not to blame his parents for all of his problems, but, when your parents are too rich, too busy, and too good to raise their own child--always handing them off to the help with a poorly disguised face of disgust for a child that is simply crying and drooly and snotty because, well, it’s a child--that does something to said child.

No matter how lovely the help is, no matter how bonded he felt to the help, they cannot replace parents you can’t reach. And parents you can’t ever reach, you can't impress, and you can't please since they’ve had everything they could wish for from the time they were young is also problematic for a growing human. At least Bucky was always good at socializing. That (sometimes) seems to please his parents. And it's been very beneficial to Bucky over the years.

Ever since Bucky was able to talk, he’s bounced around any event he was taken to, conversing with everyone and, without even meaning to, ending up with a string of girls behind him. His mother says it’s his smile and his eyes--what girls won’t do for a boy with blue eyes and dimples! His father says it’s his conversation and thanks himself for it, patting Bucky on the shoulder as he roughly and proudly guffaws, “just like his father! Can talk his way out of anything! Could sell a breathing man air!”

Any interest in the people he strung along, without meaning to, faded fast. Every time.

So, he’s lonely.

He's craving companionship.

And since Bucky came out when he was 17, he has been looking for a partner. He’s gotten lucky here and there with hook-ups (most fueled by too much champagne, some drugs he'd rather not admit to having taken, or charged by the fact they were sneaking away to do it somewhere they DEFINITELY weren't supposed to), one-off dates (all his dates comprised of people he met at galas or whatever and always the same social class, never lower), and even a couple handful of months-long relationships (done mostly for show even if Bucky did like them… he really wanted to show everyone he was capable of settling down!).

But by this point, this many tries deep, none of them have been The One and, hell, none of them have even been that good.

Bucky's just tired of prancing around searching blindly for what he wants when he damn well knows what he wants--what he wishes for, eyes shut, sliding down the inside of the door to his brownstone, sighing, day-dreaming and what he craves when he curls up in his massive bed, alone, surrounded by an ocean of sheets with too many pillow islands, eyes shut, beginning to breathe heavily, waking up certain parts of himself… hands wandering down his own body… night-dreaming 👀

He knows what he wants. It's so hard to find though.

And he’s about to throw in the towel (yes, he’s aware he’s still in his early- to mid-20s, and yes, he’s that dramatic) when…

He goes to a bar after another event.

He just needs to be around “normal” people, feeling especially tired that night of lofty, wealthy people. (He’s also a little sick of himself since he knows he isn���t always that much better when it comes down to it)

And at this bar, he sees Steve--he sees this man at the other end of the bar. The man is larger than life, sitting on a bar stool at the counter, the other end of the bar from where Bucky sits, with broad shoulders swathed in a thick, dark sweater and big hands wrapped around a glass. As he lifts the glass to drink, he chats with the bartender.

This stranger is older with handsome crow's feet at the corners of his eyes and grays beginning to come into his beard as well as spreading back through his hair from his temples.

The man laughs at something the bartender says after swallowing, big and loud and full of obvious enjoyment. It sounds good.

Bucky almost wants to shoo the bartender back over to the mystery man when she comes to refill his sugary cocktail later. He would much rather she make him laugh again.

But, instead…

Bucky buys him a drink, tipping her exorbitantly yet again to make sure it’s the best he can get. Bucky would buy the handsome stranger what he’s having already but doesn’t recognize what’s in his glass, nor that particular type of glass, and he’s feeling more creative than just asking her so he just bluntly asks--

“What’s the most expensive drink you have?” The bartender looks at him funny but tells him regardless. “I’ll get that then," he doesn't even wait for her to say how much it costs, "just not for me--” Bucky tips his head in the mystery man’s direction “--give it to him.”

She does as he asks, sliding the glass across the table to the other man and saying something he doesn’t catch but she looks over to him after. The bartender and Bucky make eye contact again.

Bucky looks away, from her and the man. He's unable to watch the older man refuse it. Bucky doesn't even know if he's gay. He doesn't know why he did it… he just…

Bucky hopes it’s good alcohol. Not to be a picky brat but… his cocktail isn’t very good even with the alcohol hidden behind juice and lots of sugar, so he can’t imagine most of their drinks must be good. It’s just a little neighborhood, almost a dive bar anyway. The more expensive, the smoother the liquor. He knows as such. High-quality champagne goes down like candy.

He hopes this guy appreciates the smoother taste. (If the guy doesn't come over and punch him for being gay.)

Bucky swallows another mouthful of his unsatisfactory cocktail. He barely has it down when the guy approaches him. He has scooped up the new drink in one of those big hands. He must've finished or abandoned his other. And--

He’s smiling as he approaches, apparently as easy-going as he looks in that thick sweater and worn baseball cap.

Handsome and easy-to-please sits down next to him. Playfully mentioning that it looks like things should be the other way around, he should be buying something for Bucky--if Bucky is even old enough to drink? How’d he get in here anyway? It's not the glitzy, flashing-light nightclub he'd expect for a young person.

Bucky internally sighs, if only this was the most debauched place he’s been… but, externally, Bucky tells him, of course, I'm old enough. I've just always had a baby face.

Well, then, even if you're old enough, I'm still right! He grins. Steve--he gives Bucky his name finally--should be buying him a drink instead! Not that it’s hurt Steve’s pride or anything, he just is pretty sure Bucky’s got more important things to spend his money on than buying strangers drinks, like, student loans, partying with kids his age, or actually starting a savings account.

Bucky laughs, harder than he means to, at the examples. He feels lost tonight. The laughter means he ends up having to explain himself, who he is--rather who his father is and who his grandfather was. He doesn’t need another savings account, he already has too many. He bites his tongue before saying he has too much money, which is true but… he's never said that out loud before.

What is going on with him tonight?! He's not even drunk or high!

Steve, however, is obviously taken aback, blue eyes widening. But he tries to hide it. It’s sweet. He continues to treat him like a regular person after he admits it.

It feels real.

Bucky feels like it's not a big deal. Steve even shrugged! If only it was real… not just one night. One moment.

Except…

They talk for a long time.

Bucky buys Steve more drinks. Bucky assumes Steve’s going to take him home or at least back to the bathroom. He wants it. Steve looks like he'd be good at holding and grabbing and fucking. Bucky wants all of that. Steve doesn’t ask though.

And when Bucky asks--would you like to get out of here? Steve cocks his head and says, “we’re drinking.” his eyes also say, I'm so much older than you, are you sure? Am I sure?, but he doesn't voice it.

“Yeah? So?”

“I’d rather not be a drunk hookup.”

“I wouldn’t have to be drunk to hookup with you.”

“You’re sweet,” he says as if Bucky has given him a genuine compliment rather than telling him he’s fuckable, “but still, you’re tipsy. I’m tipsy, so…” He shrugs like that explanation is enough.

Bewildered Bucky asks, “really?”

“As much as I want to take you up on the offer, yeah. We're not really in any state to decide to do that. I don’t think I am at least.”

Huh.

Bucky’s never encountered someone so… responsible? Bucky doesn’t actually know if he's being responsible, but it feels that way. But… okay, sure, not how he thought his night would go, although that's been his entire night, so he might as well keep the punches rolling.

They talk more.

They talk about everything.

And, suddenly, the bar is getting ready to close! Bucky doesn't know where the time has gone. All he knows is that he unthinkingly pays Steve’s tab plus his own. Steve blushes a little in the low bar lighting. And he ends up cracking a few more unserious jokes about role reversal. Their ages. Their income. Their savings. Their lives. The way this should be the other way around if anything.

His jokes give Bucky some ideas…

Ideas that come out of his mouth rather than staying inside his mind because Bucky is only now actually tipsy (he may be young but good, expensive alcohol since he turned 18 will give anyone a high tolerance… especially someone who indulges as often as Bucky does).

Steve might be drunk or humoring him massively because he agrees (with some convincing (less convincing than Bucky expected though)) that they could try that. If Bucky is serious. But not while they're drunk. Again, not while they're drunk.

They exchange phone numbers instead.

Bucky calls his driver to pick him up--he could pay the ticket for driving himself home, no problem, but he's not that much of an ass (or that dumb). He also offers Steve a ride but, apparently, this bar isn’t too far from the place he calls home. And he wants to walk home. Sober up some. Breathe some fresh air so he doesn’t have quite the hangover when he wakes up. Right, hangovers. Another difference in age. Bucky doesn't really get those yet despite how much he drinks.

Anyway, Steve promises to text Bucky later. When he gets home and then even later, about that idea.

I made iit bacj

Bucky recalls the encounter in the morning, waking up with the stale taste of cheap alcohol in his mouth and a single text in his phone. But, he doesn’t know if Steve remembers, beyond that misspelled, drunk text. So he waits.

And waits.

And waits…

Steve does not text him.

Steve does not text him for the entire day after their encounter. And you can call Bucky a spoiled brat who has never had to wait for a goddamn thing in his life, but that wouldn't stop Bucky from being a little upset and impatient. He felt something with Steve! Or he thought he did and--

He wants to believe, desperately, that Steve felt it to.

So, Bucky texts Steve first. He waits a day and a half before caving.

Steve responds: Honestly, I didn’t text you because I couldn’t convince myself that I didn’t dream up last night. Plus, if I didn’t dream it, I hadn’t yet convinced myself that you were serious. Sorry to leave you wondering.

He might just be charming Bucky, calling him a dream, to get at the money that he offered him--Bucky’s had plenty of people do that, use him, trying to get at his wealth, but… he doesn’t care. Let Steve use him for the money if that’s all this is going to be. Steve was just so warm. And Bucky wants more of it. He was freezing. He is freezing, maybe even more so now that he's felt just how good that warmth is.

So…

Over the coming weeks, they text back and forth, explaining themselves, getting to know each other, then arranging a time and place to meet to discuss an actual arrangement.

Companionship for money.

Bucky was serious. He's more serious now. He doesn't want Steve to fade away, he likes him too much, but what else can Bucky offer him than money? Steve seems happy. He's old enough he has his own life with a job and purpose. Not like Bucky.

So, Steve will provide the companionship and Bucky will provide the money.

It takes a while to meet up again, after the bar, because everywhere Bucky suggests they get together, private places, are all places Steve can’t get into (country clubs, lavish nightclubs) or hasn’t ever been to (expensive hotels, secretive businesses off the commonly walked path, whatever). Steve asks, eventually, if he might just come over to Bucky’s house after Bucky shoots down Steve's idea of a cafe because, no, too public. Too high of a risk of paparazzi. Bucky is embarrassed he didn’t think of the simple things. Starbucks. Someone's apartment. A park. God. A country club? That was the best he could come up with?!

Either way, they meet and discuss.

An agreement is made.

Weekly allowances for Steve in the form of money that goes straight to one of his bank accounts (a flat rate with additional “bonuses” depending on how much time Steve spends with Bucky), all his to do whatever he pleases with, and money that goes into an account Steve controls but that is meant for Bucky--money meant for Steve to use to buy things for Bucky. It’s not Steve’s money, not really, but they pretend it is.

Extra money will be added for private events, public events (if Bucky decides he wants that), or other "large" things.

They also discuss what companionship will be exactly. Texting. Phone calls. Breakfast/lunch/dinner dates. Cuddling. Binge-watching shows. Maybe outings to spas or events or parties--if Steve will come with him. And…

Steve, this time, is the one to bring up sex. “Is that going to be a part of this?”

“Can it be?” Bucky asks, blushing and helplessly flicking his eyes down to Steve's body. Those shoulders. That chest. His thighs and what's between them, packed into his slim-fit jeans enticingly.

“Let me think about it,” Steve says steadily, unembarrassed. Once he texted Bucky, in a very non-judgemental way, but I'm not a sex worker, as if he were puzzled that he ended up here. Or puzzled that Bucky wasn't just going for a sex worker. But… he seems to be figuring his own emotions out. Bucky lets him. They move on. Discussing other things.

Eventually, Steve goes home.

A week passes.

Steve agrees that sex can be part of it via a phone call. Bucky tries to not react too strongly and wires him money to go and get an STI test even though he knows Steve can afford it himself. Bucky gets one too for himself.

But, when the results are in, both of them infection-free, sex doesn’t happen immediately. It’s more PG-companionship at first.

~~~

Steve comes over after he finishes work to eat dinner with Bucky, prepared by the help. They chat. They drink with dinner. Bucky soaks in every moment of it. Steve doesn't compliment his non-cooking but he does compliment Bucky's outfit. (He does tell the help they've done wonderfully when they come to collect the plates though.) Bucky wants to roll around in his voice, rumbly and perfect. He resists the urge to immediately have Steve over again the next evening.

He limits himself to bi-weekly at most for the first month. But… he can't keep it that sparse for too long. Steve's company is incredible.

So, dinner happens again and again.

They get comfortable around each other.

They move beyond dinner soon enough. And Steve goes shopping with Bucky, dutifully complimenting every item he puts on and how good he looks in it. Bucky watches Steve pick up things he likes--Bucky can see it on his face--and put them down immediately after seeing the price tag with a horrified noise in the back of his throat. Bucky blurts out, "just fucking get it," the sixth or seventh time it happens. Steve laughs, raising an eyebrow at him, and makes another joke. Something about having unknowingly acquired a sugar daddy. Being allowed to buy exorbitantly priced things. Luxury things.

Then, it's Bucky's turn to make a horrified sound in the back of his throat. This is just companionship and some sex and--

He wasn't ready to admit to that!

Steve senses something is wrong and apologizes without even knowing what he supposedly did. Bucky brushes it off quickly though. At least, Bucky tries to brush it off but he can't.

He can't shake it.

Hearing "Daddy" in Steve's voice… Fuck. Bucky wants to hear him call himself Daddy again. Bucky wants to call him Daddy.

Goddammit.

Despite his self imposed rules to Not Cross That Boundary With Steve…

Bucky ends up enticing Steve to fuck him for the first time in the high-end brand's dressing room. It'll be fine. He can control himself. He can get fucked without moaning for Daddy, right? He's done it before!

Yet…

With his legs tight around Steve's solid waist, his hands squeezing Steve's biceps tightly, and his teeth biting down on one of those huge shoulders as Steve's thick cock makes room for itself inside him, carving him open, hot and fast and good, he can’t muffle himself fully. One tiny gasp of, "d-daddy!" slips out of him.

And it's over.

Steve hears it and his next thrust is punishing. It's harsh. It fucks his cock right up against Bucky's sweet spot.

Bucky's mouth falls open with an obscene moan.

"Again," Steve whispers, pinching his side at the same time, adding a flicker of pain to their fucking.

Bucky doesn't hear it. He's too busy being fucked.

Steve won't stand for that though. He presses Bucky harder against the dressing room wall. Bucky smacks the back of his head happily on the wall. And, "say it again," Steve whispers again, voice harsher this time. Gritted out between his teeth.

Bucky moans louder.

And so Steve cups a hand over his mouth, squeezing his face with one of those huge, powerful hands, heavily whispering, "you better be quiet, baby. 'Cause you don't wanna get caught with your Daddy fucking your pretty brains out, do you? Don't wanna get banned from this store when you like their stupidly expensive clothes so--so fuckin' much, do you?"

Bucky's eyes roll. back. into. his. head. as he whines, muffled, against Steve's palm.

"Do you?"

Bucky shakes his head as much as he can with his jaw being squeezed like this.

"Didn't think so, no, sweet boy wants his Daddy all to himself. Doesn't he?"

The rush of Daddy calling himself Daddy and calling Bucky sweet boy has him spilling between their bodies.

Fuck.

Bucky ruins their clothes but he doesn't even blink. They'll just wear some of their clothes out of the store. Steve is floored. Jaw dropped. Bucky's gonna buy all of that? A whole new outfit? Did he even look at the tags? Did he even look at how much it costs? Bucky shakes his head. Nope. It doesn't matter. It can't be that expensive.

"Jesus Christ, boy," Steve murmurs, shaking his head and chuckling.

Bucky, playful and high on such a fantastic fucking and orgasm, leans in reeeal close to Daddy. He stretches up onto his tippy-toes. And he bites that beard jaw, purring, "welcome to the high life, Daddy."

Steve groans, his soft cock twitching in his new, expensive slacks.

~~~

And suddenly it's like hearing Bucky say that once, then hooking up and using it, makes everything click in Steve's head.

It's like he suddenly can read Bucky's thoughts. Because somehow he knows exactly what he craves now.

And Steve fucking steps. up. his. game.

He goes from just your average paid-romantic-partner to dream fucking Daddy.

Steve feeds Bucky dinner, balancing the younger man in his lap, telling him he’s good and pretty and everything Bucky knew he craved to hear but also what he didn't know he wanted--he needed to hear. It's a damn religious experience.

Steve gets a key to his brownstone and lets himself in before Bucky returns home to start a bath for him. A bath complete with fancy products that he buys with Bucky in mind and the peachy smell the younger man likes. Once Bucky arrives home, Steve brings him into the bathroom to strip him, jerk him off until he's crumbling into Daddy's chest, weak at the knees, and lower him into the bath he's made. Daddy washes him limb by limb, massaging him as he goes. Then… Daddy lifts him out of the bath and dumps him on his bed to fuck him. Bucky cannot do shit after his bath. God. His head is lolled back, his muscles are all melted, and his noises only come out as puffed, breathy, and overwhelmed things. Daddy teases him affectionately for being a spoiled princess. But, shit, with the way Daddy puts his back into fucking him… it doesn't seem like he minds.

Steve lets Bucky pull him around social events. Wide-eyed and trying not to be the entire time. He often leans into Bucky throughout the night, covertly asking him what the fuck is that? What should I order? Why is it all in french, what the hell? How the fuck do I eat that? What fork again? Which glass? Disguising all of his questions are sweet nothings that make Bucky blush, doted on by his older partner.

~~~

Bucky knows he’s whining the second he starts talking into the receiver of his cell phone after the beep indicating that he needs to leave his message or hang up, “Daddyyy, I hope whatever you’re doing is important enough to excuse you not picking up,” he can't help but huff. He’s had the, like, worst day ever. Already. It's barely 1:00 pm and he has an event to attend tonight. “I just Venmo-ed you your extra allowance-" that's what they've taken to calling the money that Steve gets to spend on Bucky, "-for this week and with the day I’ve had..." he sighs, pinching his brow and forcing himself over the embarrassment of actually asking for what he needs, once in his goddamn life. His cheeks are pink. At least he knows Steve likes it. Him asking for shit. “I want something really nice, please, Daddy? Something that'll help me blow off steam." Bucky blushes more intensely, finishing off with, "I'll see you Friday, Daddy--don't forget my driver is coming by to pick you up--but it'd be good if you could maybe call me before then. Bye-bye”

Steve calls back after work. He must've sped home to call so soon. Bucky smirks, thinking about maybe having to pay for a speeding ticket. Which shouldn't turn him on but… he's been known to have a thing for bad boys here and there 😏

Daddy has good timing with his call, he's just getting changed for tonight's event.

Steve's rumbling voice greets him the second he picks up the call labeled 💖🔥Daddy🔥💖 “tough week, huh, sweet boy? That's okay, Daddy's here to make it better."

Bucky sighs. Already, he feels better. Already, he can feel his brain begin to fade away into a pink, cotton candy haze he seems to always soak in when around Steve.

Yet, Steve's voice gets more mischievous now, "Daddy bought you some pretty things like you deserve but Daddy also bought himself something… you wanna know what he got?"

Bucky nods, frazzled enough to forget Steve can't see him. When he remembers suddenly though, he forces his voice to work, "y-yeah, wanna know."

"There's Daddy's sweet boyy," he coos. He swallows, then, "Daddy bought himself a Rolex."

Oh, oof.

There's another thing that shouldn't turn Bucky on but does… high-end brand names coming out of Steve's plush lips. Something about hearing it makes Bucky's dick hard. He doesn't know what and he doesn't really care to know so long as Steve keeps doing it.

"But you know the secret about what Daddy bought himself today?"

"No," Bucky breathes.

"Well," Steve pauses dramatically, "this watch isn’t just for Daddy. It's for you too, baby boy, 'cause as cute as you are… I know you're a dirty boy too."

Bucky dramatically flops back onto his bed before he can collapse where he had been pacing in his bedroom, in front of the huge mirrored walk-in-closet doors. Knees starting to buckle as his head swims with arousal.

Steve hears him move and chuckles darkly through his next few words, "I know as innocent as you look, you like it rough."

Bucky squeaks despite himself.

"You like it rough and want Daddy to call you sweet names and tell you sweet things, but you want Daddy to fuck you like he hates your guts."

God. Bucky whines, clutching his phone harder. It's true. It's really fucking true.

"And I know better than a collar you'd like Daddy's hand on your throat."

Fuck. His eyes squeeze shut tightly.

"So, what do you think? You think my hand around your throat with this new watch on will make you look extra pretty?"

Bucky's breath stutters. Oh.

"'Cause Daddy thinks you'll look even prettier with a Rolex near your throat. All shiny and sparkly over that blush you always get. Turning red 'cause you're hard for Daddy but also red because Daddy decides when you breathe. Isn't that right, baby?"

Bucky cannot speak. This is entirely unexpected and incredibly perfect. A punch to the gut of pure arousal.

"Daddy decides everything--his pretty boy doesn't have to think when Daddy's home."

"Daddy-" Bucky gasps.

Daddy doesn't even acknowledge it. He doesn't give him room to breathe. He just goes for the kill, "but Daddy also bought something just for you, y’know?"

"No?"

"Mmm, well, let Daddy tell you then. Daddy bought his pretty boy something pretty. You wanna guess what pretty thing it is?"

"Uhh, yuh-yeah?"

Steve pauses. He waits. He prompts, "what then, sweets?" when Bucky can't kick his head into thinking.

Bucky sputters, "uh, jewelry?" He takes a shot in the dark, only thinking about the press of an obscene priced watch, cold and hard, to his throat and chest, Daddy's fingers squeezing his neck tight.

"Nah, try again."

"A toy?"

"Nope." He sounds smug.

"Clothes?"

"Mm-hm, it's some kind of clothes, yup."

"Pretty clothes?"

"Duh," he playfully admonishes.

Bucky breathes a little harder. Clothes, clothes, clothes, what kind of clothes could it be? "A suit?"

"Smaller than a suit."

This game is getting him more wound up than he cares to admit. He's all hot and squirmy on his bed. "A shirt?"

"No. Smaller still."

"Um, okay," Bucky licks his lips, "wh-what about… underwear?"

"Try another word for underwear."

Bucky whines. Oh.

Oh, no.

He--he can't. He can't say that out loud! He knows--he thinks he knows what Daddy bought him--but…

"Daddy wants to hear you say it, c’mon, kitten. Say it for me."

Those words sound like pure sin coming off of his lips, so, of course, he can't resist obeying. "P-panties?"

"Not just panties, baby boy. Daddy got some special panties for his boy."

Oh.

Bucky--

Bucky doesn't know what to do with himself. Jesus. He's so hard. From just talking. He's aching from just talking over the phone. Christ.

"Daddy bought you easy-access panties. And if you fuckin' ruin 'em from being too excited and eager for Daddy, then I'll just have to buy more... 'cause I've got plans for your little body in these little panties."

The way he says these little panties lets Bucky know he has them in his hands. He's touching them. Bucky wants Daddy to touch him. He wants--he, he…

Fuck.

The image of Daddy jerking himself off with panties meant for Bucky wrapped around his hard cock knocks Bucky off his fucking rocker. He moans like he's being fisted. He moans like he's not just lying back on his king-sized bad being dirty talked so, so thoroughly.

"Wanna hear the plan Daddy has for you?"

Bucky nods frantically, making a ridiculous uh-huh sound. He already sounds fucked out.

"Daddy is gonna put these easy-access panties on his boy and slide his fingers into that pretty little cunt. One finger at a time, using that strawberry-scented lube you like, sweet boy. 'M gonna finger you, all without your new, lacy, pink, easy access panties coming off because you're desperate for Daddy and desperate for how filthy and pretty you feel in panties, you dirty boy."

Bucky can't breathe.

He hoarsely whines.

He can't process how hot that sounds, so he has no idea how he'll be able to live through it.

"And even if you clench down on Daddy's fingers and cum we're not stopping. Daddy isn't stopping. No. Daddy's not gonna quit touching that pink, pretty cunt until it's split open on Daddy's fist--"

Bucky instantly pictures those huge hands. His thick, long fingers. Bucky's mouth waters.

Shit.

"--'Cause Daddy wants his new watch on his wrist to touch your greedy, twitching, and wet rim."

Bucky doesn't even… he can't even think. He, his--his lips just move, reckless and unbearably needy, "fuck the fucking party Daddy. You. Here. Now. Please, please, please. Need it. Need you. You hav'ta get here! Daddy!"

Steve chuckles evilly, "okay, okay, Daddy's on his way, sweetheart. Just sit tight. Oh, and, baby-?"

"Wha--"

"Don't you dare touch yourself, Daddy wants your pleasure all to himself. Hands off." He orders.

Bucky whines like a kicked puppy. That's not faaair!

Anyway I hope that was worth the read lmao 🤘🏻

[jaskierx]

not to talk ur ear off but i find it really annoying the way "zionist" gets thrown around because it can mean anything from "this person doesn't think israel as a country should be dissolved" to "this person supports the IDF committing war crimes in gaza". it's such a useless descriptor and more often than not some people on the internet use it to mean "jew who doesn't show glee at the prospect of dead israeli civilians".

mostly unrelated but r/fauxmoi has had a hate boner for taika for ages due to their baseless perception that he abandoned his family after getting famous. iirc they used to have weekly taika & rita ora update threads to bash them. they've always been unhinged abt him

mate i’ll talk to anyone about anything do not apologise

you’re so right about the zionist thing. people are throwing the term around along with ‘proud zionist’ and ‘condoning/supporting genocide’ as if those terms don’t mean something very serious. it’s offensive and it’s really harmful considering it dilutes the meaning of the terms and makes it harder to talk about actual zionists and genocide supporters

(it’s also becoming a really poorly disguised dogwhistle for when people want to be explicitly antisemitic but dress it up as activism instead of actual fucking hate speech)

and do not even get me started on reddit’s obsession with taika. all the reddit threads i saw about ofmd’s cancellation had very very highly upvoted comments saying it was bc he didn’t want to come back or bc he said s2 felt like a good ending. and the way they go on as if they know every private detail of his first marriage and how he is as a parent is just embarrassing. honestly at this point you could make a fresh account and post ‘taika waititi seems shitty :/‘ with no further elaboration and you’d end up with 1000 upvotes and a hundred people falling over themselves to agree with you

[royboyfanpage]

oooh ok i have a roy question for you! you mentioned in your 'favorite thing about roy' post that him killing electrocutioner was in character for him (i think i agree), could you expand on that? also, regarding rise of arsenal*, is there anything else from it that you think has bits of good characterization, or at least could have if actually done well?

*which imo is pretty awful and poorly executed (and i hate the idea of antihero/villain roy SO much). dead cat panel my beloathed.

Hi, thanks for the ask!

I'm gonna preface this and say I totally agree with you on hating Rise of Arsenal. I know some people really like it, and I can respect that, but personally I really didn't like it. It did it's job of making me cry (every time I have to collect panels from it I tear up), but other than that it was very much just shock value and didn't show much care for any of the characters portrayed in it imo. I also didn't like the way that Roy killed the electrocutioner, I said in my original post that it felt like a villain origin story and I stand by that, it reminds me a little of the Joker movie in some ways which isn't a positive.

That being said, I do think that Roy killing the electrocutioner was in character. I don't think Roy's a killer, which is what RoA seemed to imply (very "one bad day"-esque), but I do think that Lian's death would be the one instance he'd make the conscious decision to take a life. I'm a little tipsy tonight so I can't think of any other examples and I don't have the energy to go searching through comics so take this all with a pinch of salt, but the one example that comes to mind is in his Arsenal mini, where he teams up with Vandal in order to save Lian. Sure, he ends up switching sides mid-fight, but Lian's alive and there's a very real chance that he can find another option to save her (which he does). But I think that comic demonstrates that Roy is willing to bend his moral code when it comes to Lian. I mean, in that same mini it shows something similar, him taking a life in order to protect someone else in the Checkmate flashback in issue 2.

I'm not saying that Roy's an anti-hero, in fact I think he's actually a really good symbol of what a hero should be most of the time, he's a genuinely good man who gets back up when he gets knocked down, and while he does have a reputation of being I guess 'sleazy' he's actually closer to being a boyscout. I can't remember where but it's like that issue in Outsiders where Grace says that Roy doesn't belong in the Outsiders, he's too much of a 'conventional hero' I guess.

But I also don't think his moral code is as strict as, say, Batman's. I know that Bruce did initially want to kill Joker after death in the family, but that whole comic was kinda a mess (Joker being an ambassador for Iran will always confuse the shit out of me), and the main conflict of UtRH was Bruce not killing the Joker, so I'm focusing more on what happened than intent. Although, that is actually another good comparison point for UtRH and RoA. Bruce had Clark there to stop him, whereas throughout RoA one of the biggest points (which I hate) is Roy's isolation. Dinah, who's consistently been one of Roy's biggest supporters, is barely present, and most of the people in his life either dismiss his grief or actively make things worse for him, which really made it easy to kill the electrocutioner. Anyway, I realise I've digressed a lot from the original ask.

Yeah, I do think that killing the electrocutioner was in character for Roy. Again with the Bat comparisons, excluding whatever the hell was going on after Jason died in Death in the Family, Bruce has to be Batman first. Bruce can't kill the Joker, because Batman can't kill the Joker. Roy? He's always been Roy first, at least in my opinion. A lot of the time his identity's at least somewhat public knowledge (Istg there's a panel where he says that, maybe in Titans '99, but either way he literally just wore sunglasses as his disguise for a big part of his hero career so I mean. Who's he hiding from.) Ever since Lian was born, he's been a father first hero second a lot of the time. It reminds me of that video of "would you kill for your kid", and I think Roy would. I think that without the fear of 'what'll Lian think', Roy would be pushed past that point needed to take a life. I don't think he'd become an anti-hero because of it, I hate pretty much everything post-RoA in the New Earth continuity in relation to Roy, but do I think he'd avenge his baby? Yeah.

And for the second half of your ask, the thing is I don't per se think Roy's characterisation was the issue. I think it was mostly the characterisation of everyone else around him. Roy should not have been that isolated during RoA. Plus the writing was all shit, it was just an excuse to have Roy relapse. I'm not saying that Roy relapsing was unrealistic after what happened to Lian, but it's clear that the writers genuinely didn't care about telling a story of grief and addiction when writing it, they just wanted something was maximum shock value.

So yeah. In conclusion, I hate RoA, it makes me cry and IMO it was really shitty writing, Roy would've killed the electrocutioner but not Like That, and where the fuck was his support system.

[artsartblog]

New art drop! Today I present my Gravity Falls ocs that I’ve attempted to draw in the Gravity Falls art style. These Art some ocs that I’ve had for years. I made them back before I started high school, like in 2014/2015. I attempted to redraw them back in like 2020 or so, but never really got around to finishing the redraws. Then I decided to try again. However, this time I’ve updated the lore on them (not that I really posted their lore here lol). So without further ado, here’s my Gravity Falls ocs

To start off with we have Lily Falls (yes her last name is Falls, I was so creative as a teen). Originally she was just a kid that was looking for a way to get her twin brother’s soul back after a deal was made with the demon Nati, ending up as friends with Dipper and Mabel in the process. Now Lily is an adult (included her as a young teen because I liked her design) and is still finding a way to get her brother’s soul back after a deal her brother, Hunter, made with Nati. She doesn’t know when the deal was made, but she knows from her own demon, Illumi, that it hasn’t been that long and that Nati probably has Hunter’s soul trapped somewhere. Lily and Hunter are from Gravity Falls, but both left when they went off to college. However Lily returned after four years at college (left a year after her brother went to college) and moved back in with her parents, who help her with getting a job and getting her own place, while Hunter is assumed to be at college. In reality Hunter had made a deal with Nati in exchange for his body.

Illumi is a demon, commonly mistaken for a dream demon but she’s never specified what kind of demon she is other than that she is more powerful than a certain yellow triangle. She takes on the form of a triangle because her true demon form will melt human’s eyes (or so she says, really she just finds it funny to freak people out who think she’s a poorly disguised Bill Cipher). She is able to make her own human form, which is something her brother is unable to achieve on his own. She rarely uses it because it’s such a hassle to turn into, but she has it.

Nati is Illumi’s younger brother, even if he acts more mature than her. He’s a try hard (as Illumi calls him) that is trying to prove that he’s just as powerful as, if not stronger than, his sister. The two have similar abilities, but there are certain things he can do that she can’t and vice versa. The obvious one being that he can’t create a human form, but she can. Which is why he made a deal with Hunter to have his body. Nati didn’t have any trouble taking over because he’s witnessed humans enough to know how their bodies work.

Illumi and Nati met Lily and Hunter when they were thirteen, the first time the twins ever experienced the weird things of Gravity Falls. Illumi bonded with Lily while Nati bonded with Hunter. Illumi helped feed Lily’s creative side while Nati fed Hunter’s more destructive side. Though no matter what the two demons always managed to get the two into trouble, which deemed the twins the troublemakers but it never really bothered them.

Hunter is technically the younger twin of him and Lily, but neither ever care about who’s technically older. He was more of an outcast compared to his sister because he preferred to be on his own if his sister wasn’t around. He enjoyed finding creepy things and scaring people with it. Before meeting the demons Hunter had a bit of anger problems, the only person who could calm him or never suffered from his wrath is his sister. However, those anger problems and destructive behavior became even more severe when Nati started bonding with him. Though it was never anything that would get him in trouble with the law, just resulted in a lot of detentions and groundings. When Hunter went off to college, which surprised many despite him actually being very smart and having some of the best grades in school, he made a deal with Nati to share his body so that he could just not have to be in control of his life for a bit. He just wanted to be able to just let someone else take over because life had just become too much for him (he was depressed, but didn’t want to worry his sister or cause her any heartache over his own decisions). Nati agreed to the deal, the shaking on it, and Nati has been in control for the past five years while Hunter just watched only ever taking control if he felt like he could or if he didn’t want Nati to fuck something up.

“Hunter” only returned back to Gravity Falls after hearing about Lily returning home, but it was obvi he wasn’t the person she knew and believed that Nati had his body completely. Nati nor Hunter ever corrected Lily and let Illumi just try to comfort Lily if she ever feared that Hunter’s soul would never return to his body and she’d lose her brother completely. “Hunter” is actually a successful con artist that is similar to Gideon, but it’s always advertised as a performance and that nothing he does is real.

The nicknames (from both Bill, Illumi and Nati) for Lily and Hunter are Lucky Star and Waterfall. I don’t really have their relationships with canon characters figured out yet, but that’s okay. Maybe Lily works at the Mystery Shack and that’s how she meets the Pines twins, idk. I just know that Lily and Hunter are both adults while Dipper and Mabel are kids, which is honestly the biggest change from my original lore on my ocs.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the art. If you ever have questions about them or want to hear me just ramble about them feel free to send in an ask into my askbox and I’ll be sure to answer it! This goes for all my ocs and aus not just these ocs ^w^

As always, I hope you’re having a wonderful day and remember to always stay creative!

[needle-thread-thimble-spear]

I've been trying to read about maids (and other servants), both as a personal interest and research for a work of fiction ive been drafting and redrafting for a long time. One of the first things I've read to that end is the original 1922 edition of Emily Post (Etiquette In Society, In Politics, and at Home). I'm not finished reading it, but it's been a very interesting look into 1920's high society- both by what the author puts proudly on paper, and what she suggests as a matter of course. For instance, there is a lot of humor in it where she might say something fairly clever or witty, but you can also tell that half the examples of "what you shouldn't do" are just poorly disguised attacks on people she personally despises in her own life. Also you get to see where the author brazenly exposes her classism/racism/misogyny, and the subtle ways those things are revealed just by nature of the social structure she is prescribing.

Anyway, I thought I'd post my thoughts on the chapter most devoted to a housekeeping staff (which is chapter 12, The Well Appointed House). This is a somewhat long post so more below the cut if you're interested! I'm afraid I'm not much of a historian, so my thoughts are rather brief, but I hope it's interesting anyway.

Every house has an outward appearance to be made as presentable as possible, an interior continually to be set in order, and incessantly to be cleaned. And for those that dwell within it there are meals to be prepared and served; linen to be laundered and mended; personal garments to be brushed and pressed; and perhaps children to be cared for. There is also a door-bell to be answered in which manners as well as appearance come into play.

The personality of a house is indefinable, but there never lived a lady of great cultivation and charm whose home, whether a palace, a farm-cottage or a tiny apartment, did not reflect the charm of its owner. Every visitor feels impelled to linger, and is loath to go. Houses without personality are a series of rooms with furniture in them. Sometimes their lack of charm is baffling; every article is "correct" and beautiful, but one has the feeling that the decorator made chalk-marks indicating the exact spot on which each piece of furniture is to stand. Other houses are filled with things of little intrinsic value, often with much that is shabby, or they are perhaps empty to the point of bareness, and yet they have that "inviting" atmosphere, and air of unmistakable quality which is an unfailing indication of high-bred people.

The subject of furnishings is however the least part of this chapter—appointments meaning decoration being of less importance (since this is not a book on architecture or decoration!), than appointments meaning service.

While the bulk of this chapter is devoted to detailing the structure of a house staff, and how best you (a well bred lady) should manage that staff, the chapter begins with advice on how to furnish your house in good taste. While this didn't immediately occur to me on the first read, I think it says quite a bit about the attitude of the author that "the things in your house" and "the people you employ to maintain those things" are lumped into the same category.

In very "beautifully done" houses (all the dresses of the maids are furnished them), the color of the uniforms is chosen to harmonize with the dining-room. At the Gildings', Jr., for instance, where there are no men servants because Mr. Gilding does not like them, but where the house is as perfect as a picture on the stage, the waitress and parlor-maid wear in the blue and yellow dining-room, dresses of Nattier blue taffeta with aprons and collars and cuffs of plain hemstitched cream-colored organdie, that is as transparent as possible; blue stockings and patent leather slippers with silver buckles, their hair always beautifully smooth. Sometimes they wear caps and sometimes not, depending upon the waitress' appearance. Twenty years ago, every maid in a lady's house wore a cap except the personal maid, who wore (and still does) a velvet bow, or nothing. But when every little slattern in every sloppy household had a small mat of whitish Swiss pinned somewhere on an untidy head, and was decked out in as many yards of embroidery ruffling on her apron and shoulders as her person could carry, fashionable ladies began taking caps and trimmings off, and exacting instead that clothes be good in cut and hair be neatly arranged. A few ladies of great taste dress their maids according to individual becomingness; some faces look well under a cap, others look the contrary. A maid whose hair is rather fluffy—especially if it is dark—looks pretty in a cap, particularly of the coronet variety. No one looks well in a doily laid flat, but fluffy fair hair with a small mat tilted up against a knot of hair dressed high can look very smart. A young woman whose hair is straight and rebellious to order, can be made to look tidy and even attractive in a headdress that encircles the whole head. A good one for this purpose has a very narrow ruche from 9 to 18 inches long on either side of a long black velvet ribbon. The ruche goes part way, or all the way, around the head, and the velvet ribbon ties, with streamers hanging down the back. On the other hand, many extremely pretty young women with hair worn flat do not look well in caps of any description—except "Dutch" ones which are, in most houses, too suggestive of fancy dress. If no caps are worn the hair must be faultlessly smooth and neat; and of course where two or more maids are seen together, they must be alike. It would not do to have one wear a cap and the other not.

To continue that thought, maids and dolls do have a lot in common, I suppose. As a side note, the author uses pseudonyms for some of her close friends when she is discussing specific examples, I wonder if a contemporary reader would easily be able to determine who she is writing about or not. Anyway, this section particularly sickens me, with reference to Mr. Gilding and his preferences. This detail is thrown in, as an afterthought, but leaves so much misogyny unsaid. Maybe Mr. Gilding doesn't need a valet, and would feel gay having some guy picking out his clothes or whatever. But why should that preference extend to the rest of the staff? Etiquette is full of little surprises like this. To continue with this train of thought of maids as an extension of the self-

The well-bred maid instinctively makes little of a guest's accident, and is as considerate as the hostess herself. Employees instinctively adopt the attitude of their employer.

Regardless,

Are maids allowed to receive men friends? Certainly they are! Whoever in remote ages thought it was better to forbid "followers" the house, and have Mary and Selma slip out of doors to meet them in the dark, had very distorted notions to say the least. And any lady who knows so little of human nature as to make the same rule for her maids to-day is acting in ignorant blindness of her own duties to those who are not only in her employ but also under her protection.

At least Post is not advocating for this kind of control over the lives of her staff, but now we know this happens often enough it needed to be remarked on.

Unless he is an old-time colored servant in the South a butler who wears a "dress suit" in the daytime is either a hired waiter who has come in to serve a meal, or he has never been employed by persons of position; and it is unnecessary to add that none but vulgarians would employ a butler (or any other house servant) who wears a mustache! To have him open the door collarless and in shirt-sleeves is scarcely worse!

I'm not so equipped to dissect this passage, as I'm admittedly not so equipped with the context a contemporary reader would have with how this comparison is meant to come across, but it doesn't feel like its a very flattering one at all. Again, I'm not really well equipped to be doing a deep dive on this. So while the above passages reveal the author's attitude subtly, those below I feel do it directly. I present them without comment.

A rule can't be given because there isn't any. As said in another chapter, a well-bred person always lives within the walls of his personal reserve, a vulgarian has no walls—or at least none that do not collapse at the slightest touch. But those who think they appear superior by being rude to others whom fortune has placed below them, might as well, did they but know it, shout their own unexalted origin to the world at large, since by no other method could it be more widely published.

But before going into the various details of service, it might be a good moment to speak of the unreasoning indignity cast upon the honorable vocation of a servant. There is an inexplicable tendency, in this country only, for working people in general to look upon domestic service as an unworthy, if not altogether degrading vocation. The cause may perhaps be found in the fact that this same scorning public having for the most part little opportunity to know high-class servants, who are to be found only in high-class families, take it for granted that ignorant "servant girls" and "hired men" are representative of their kind. Therefore they put upper class servants in the same category—regardless of whether they are uncouth and illiterate, or persons of refined appearance and manner who often have considerable cultivation, acquired not so much at school as through the constant contact with ultra refinement of surroundings, and not infrequently through the opportunity for world-wide travel. And yet so insistently has this obloquy of the word "servant" spread that every one sensitive to the feelings of others avoids using it exactly as one avoids using the word "cripple" when speaking to one who is slightly lame. Yet are not the best of us "servants" in the Church? And the highest of us "servants" of the people and the State? To be a slattern in a vulgar household is scarcely an elevated employment, but neither is working in a sweat-shop, or belonging to a calling that is really degraded; which is otherwise about all that equal lack of ability would procure. On the other hand, consider the vocation of a lady's maid or "courier" valet and compare the advantages these enjoy (to say nothing of their never having to worry about overhead expenses), with the opportunities of those who have never been out of the "factory" or the "store" or further away than the adjoining town in their lives. As for a nurse, is there any vocation more honorable? No character in E.F. Benson's "Our Family Affairs" is more beautiful or more tenderly drawn than that of "Beth," who was not only nurse to the children of the Archbishop of Canterbury but one of the most dearly beloved of the family's members—her place was absolutely next to their mother's in the very heart of the household always. Two years ago, Anna, who had for a lifetime been Mrs. Gilding's personal maid, died. Every engagement of that seemingly frivolous family was cancelled, even the invitations for their ball. Not one of the family but mourned for what she truly was, their humble but nearest friend. Would it have been so much better, so much more dignified, for these two women, who lived long useful years in closest association with every cultivating influence of life, to have lived on in their native villages and worked in a factory, or to have had a little store of their own? Does this false idea of dignity—since it is false—go so far as that?

Thank you for reading! There is a lot more one could discuss in that chapter, some of which I initially included but left out. I might return to this, after reading the full text, or if people are curious about it.

Oh, and you can read the full text yourself here on Project Gutenberg!

[wackus-bonkus-maximus]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love ❤️

pick between 5 of my babies? 🥺 GLADLY

(these aren't necessarily my favorites btw. just the ones that i wanna boost!)

lies of attrition

my priority atm, and also a super fun collab with me and @ladyofthenoodle! if you want some post-s5 angst, action, pining, and ladynoir enemies, this is the place to be!

summary: The trust between Ladybug and Chat Noir is stretched to breaking point when a new butterfly holder emerges in the wake of Monarque's defeat. Chat Noir doesn't know who to trust until Chrysalis confronts him with a truth Ladybug had tried to bury: Monarque made the Wish—and she wants Chat Noir’s help to undo it. excerpt: “Chat,” Ladybug said, her voice coated with worry. “Did something happen?” He could tell her, now. He had come here to tell her, to show her his face after three years of partnership, to let her see why so much was suddenly wrong. If only he knew what she would say when he pulled off his mask. If only he knew whether she would stay or go. “I could tell you,” he ventured, turning to look directly at her. “But… it’s easier if I show you.” He saw the moment she realized; the way her blue eyes widened, her pink lips parting in a tiny “o.” They stared at each other, unmoving, the sounds of the parade fading into the night. A single firework burst overhead, shattering the standstill. Red blazed over her face, the fall of sparks raining down behind her. Then her features pinched, and in that moment, every hidden place within him was painted red too. “Oh, Chat Noir,” Ladybug whispered, her expression growing more pained by the second. “I… I don’t know.”

Like Smoke from a Furnace

one of my personal favorites! this was an experiment for me in present tense and internal conflict, and i really like how it turned out!

summary: Marinette and Adrien give up their Miraculous. Ladybug and Chat Noir never meet again. excerpt: Giving up the Ladybug Miraculous was supposed to unshackle them both. If she had done so earlier, it could have been different. If Adrien had spoken up later, it would have been different. But Ladybug knew nothing about Chat Noir except the heart he had always laid bare, and that was of her own doing. If Marinette passes him in the street, they will both keep going, none the wiser, the culmination of all their self-imposed secrets. She has nothing to go on. No name, no circumstance, no poorly-disguised hint, as she suspects he has tried to leave before. Chat Noir had become better at following her rules than she, and Marinette had so recently been simultaneously proud of him for it—and resented him too. It doesn’t sink in until several quiet nights later, when she and Adrien are tucked together on his couch, the soft blues and grays of his chosen film flashing across his screen. She is never going to see Chat Noir again.

rest your head (upon my shoulder)

i love this one so much. sometimes i go back and read it to myself because it gives me the exact toe-curling pining i always crave. i like to think of it as one of those "so close but so far away" stories - one of my favorite brands of angst.

summary: Ladybug can save Chat Noir from anything, except what he doesn't tell her. excerpt: “I don’t think there will be any Akuma attacks for a while.” She frowned, but he leaned back, staring up at the starless sky through the leaves of the tree hanging overhead.  Something was wrong. She could feel it lingering over him, heavy like suspended rain. “Chaton?” “I had this dream the other night,” he said, gazing over the roof of the Musée. “We grew wings without needing anything—no macarons, no magic words, no Miraculous. And then we just…took off. I don’t really remember where we went, but it was beautiful.”  His eyes slid to hers once more, unnaturally bright. Her blood rushed with unbidden heat and she reminded herself why she had stopped sitting in dark, quiet places alone with Chat Noir. 

borealis green

a feligami oneshot! this covers the time between "pretension" and "representation" and is probably one of my only canon-compliant au's. i really like writing kagami's pov so this was super fun!

summary: Getting to know Felix is easier than Kagami anticipated, especially as he keeps following her. excerpt: “Goodnight, Félix,” she whispers, though she does not need to. Nobody is around to hear them. No one is watching them. It is only a taste of the freedom he promised her, and yet it sinks into her with the softness of the street lights and the prickle of the night air.  “Can I see you again?” he asks, just as softly.  She has exactly nine minutes to walk back to the ikebana studio where Tatsu will be waiting to transport her home. She can make it if she walks fast. She can linger a few moments longer if she runs. The vertigo crescendos as she remains in place, watching the gleam of headlights flash in his eyes as cars speed past.  “You should go home,” Kagami tells him, holding his gaze. “It’s not safe for you in Paris.” Félix tilts his head in acknowledgement, but the corners of his mouth turn up. “No,” he agrees. “It isn’t.”

mirror image

another post-s5 fic centered on adrien & felix, but with a twin telepathy twist. it's kind of like my r&r time for fic, easy and cathartic and a fun break for me between other projects!

summary: The voice in Adrien’s head is strangely familiar. It also tells him the truth (when no one else will). excerpt: You are hearing things, the voice said as though in answer. Doesn’t mean I’m not real. Adrien reached for the silver chain around his neck, his fist closing around the two rings resting warm against his sternum. “As real as me?” Yes, idiot, the voice replied with a bite. As real as you. “That’s not what some people would say,” Adrien replied, not caring if the voice was annoyed. It was his head, after all. Well, what would you rather be? The voice plowed on, unbothered by Adrien’s ire. Born of magic, or born of Gabriel Agreste?

ty for the ask kayla 💛 love me some self-promotion. hope y'all enjoy!

[sailoryooons]

are you on here2bbtstrash’s side bc they are your friend or because they are right, I’m really concerned for the world if everyone allows behavior like this (THAT THEY HAVE NOT EVEN APOLOGIZED FOR) just because they are friends w that person. Also it doesn’t matter that you are poc and don’t feel bad or hurt abt the situation bc guess what you don’t speak for the entire community. i would have really expected some maturity at your big age but ig anything can be excused when one is friends w someone

Hi, I already talked about essentially everything you're addressing in this post here. Being that you have additionally sent another message to someone else that is, to be fair, a lot meaner than this one, I'd like to say a few extra things here: TW: Mentions of racism/ethics and harassment

A majority of what has been said in regard to this topic from anonymous users has not felt like it's coming from a place of good faith, which I talk about in the post above. Your ask immediately going to insult me about my 'big age' and lack of maturity shows that you are more eager to insult me than to pose questions of racial ethics in your ask

I have never, and will never, as stated in my previous post, assert that I am the mouthpiece for a community or anyone besides myself. So you don't have to worry, I am not narcissistic enough to believe that I represent a single person outside of myself. And again, I am a white Latina who absolutely benefits from my whiteness and I mention the intersection between my whiteness and the way I've experienced racism in the above, but I feel the need to belabor the point that I am coming from a white Latina perspective

Perhaps you're someone who has blocked or been blocked by M, but they did apologize and attempted several times to talk about why it was included, but ultimately agreed that if one person was offended, it wasn't worth keeping. And what happened? Nothing, M was still being harassed because no one cares about 'accountability' or 'an apology' they only care about M (and now those who are still friends with M) being wrong. That's what you want everyone to do, right? You want them to say they were wrong and you're right.

You, and the others submitting to the tea blog who have been calling bipoc members of the community 'ass lickers' because they have a different point of view essentially negates your entire argument that 'it doesn't matter that you are poc and don't feel back or hurt abt the situation bc guess what you don't speak for the entire community' because... the second anyone else in the 'community' disagreed with your point of view, you attacked them. So what is it? Does only your experience dictate what should be said and done here?

This is the only time I will be talking about this. My blog is not a place for you to use as a platform to trivialize topics of racial justice by a poorly disguised personal vendetta against another user. The refusal to accept that others might not agree with you seems to be incredibly triggering so I'm sorry for whatever experiences that you have had that causes you to refuse to let this go.

Moving forward, if you wish to scream at someone about how people don't agree with you, please do it elsewhere, because I will no longer be signal-boosting your issues by honoring them with responses.

[annoyingbananafreakfarm]

Wow, I actually hate hazbin hotel fans now. I was saying how a person with a r4pe kink shouldn’t work on a character whose story has r4pe and people were telling me that cnc is the same as a r4pe kink or that cnc has only been around for 3 years and back in their day cnc wasn’t a thing, btw that person kept calling me a kid then made a whole video about it and tagged me in it then blocked me but still kept commenting to my previous comments.

Another person said that Raph(the person who worked on the song poison who has a rape kink)is a sa survivor, then they back tracked when I informed them that Raph is not a sa survivor. They then asked if the r4pe art that Raph liked “depicted r4pe as bad”, they also said that having a kink and drawing the kink should be separate, but if you’ve ever heard of a writers poorly disguised fetish, then if you know, you know(this is not me saying you can’t have sa in your stories, you just shouldn’t have someone who gets off to sa work on the story/character)

Anyway, I’m going to post a pregnant Lucifer soon, and then I’m never touching the fandom again, because it’s not the only problem I have(Millie)

[nyaagolor]

SV Bad End AU

Recently occurred to me I never actually like. Explained the Bad End AU in any meaningful capacity on here so oops. Very belated explanation post time

The change that starts off the AU is that the professors never get divorced. They build the time machine together and bring a ‘raidon though it. In my version of the main timeline, whichever professor didn’t get their ‘raidon is the one that leaves, getting a wakeup call from the failure and seeing how obsessed their spouse is with this thing. But this time, BOTH ‘raidons come through the machine, so they both get the drive to continue full force. They continue their research as partners despite not having similar goals, and help each other on their shared time machine so long as they can use it to achieve mutual goals. They take turns caring for Arven, bringing their respective ‘raidon to the surface when they do so. Because the professors are so focused on their own research, they’re still neglectful of Arven, but more physically present than the professor in the actual game. Unfortunately Arven still has to care for himself and these big lizards whenever they show up, so he gets most of the same issues as canon. His main friends end up being his Maschiff and the two ‘radians, who are very young and act kinda like big puppies.

This somewhat precarious family dynamic changes when both professors decide to come up to the surface for some holiday. They both hit a snag with their research and need a break, so they come to visit Arven together and bring the ‘raidons with them. Unfortunately, the ‘raidons haven’t spent much time around each other and end up taking their play-fighting too far while the family is out for a picnic. Arven is hurt trying to separate them and people nearby notice, causing the professors to panic and high-tail it out of there before the League tries to confiscate the ‘raidons. Arven, just like canon, is left alone. And, just like canon, the professors go wacky with their research, make some AI, pull way more paradox pokemon out of the machine, and eventually pull Another Raidon. Luckily, because there are two professors this time, they’re able to overpower the new ‘raidons and survive. This encourages them newfound confidence to keep pulling paradox pokemon thru the time machine as fast and aggressively as possible, neglecting the weaker ‘raidons in favor of the newer, stronger ones. The weaker ‘raidons end up running away, having been bullied by the more aggressive ‘raidons and neglected by the professors, and flee to Arven. They find him at the lighthouse, and Arven this time doesn’t blame them for his parents’ absence. He erroneously assumes his parents are hurt because the ‘raidons are here and heads off to Area Zero. The ‘raidons follow and manage to fight off the paradox pokemon that swarm them (it’s WAY worse this time because of the professors going apeshit with the time machine). This leaves Mabosstiff gravely injured and the ‘raidons too weak to fight, despite everyone making it out alive. Arven Is Fucking Pissed. Seeing how the ‘raidons protected him endears them to him, however, and he decides to travel with them to get the herba mystica and save Mabosstiff.

Meanwhile, the AIs are given new bodies in the forms of Fletchling and Rookidee robots with tera crystals inside (for disguise purposes and bc tera crystals— which let them leave the crater— can’t power a body that’s any bigger) and told to retrieve the ‘raidons. This is normally when the protagonist would show up, but they never make it to Paldea because right before they’re supposed to move, the paradox pokemon break free from Area Zero. The league and gym leaders try to contain them, but because they’re kinda just doing this battling thing as a side hustle it goes insanely poorly and they’re totally incapable of doing anything to stop it. Geeta becomes the most hated person in the region because she completely drops the ball with this by virtue of not being a very good battler. Being organized does not do much against Great Tusk unfortunately. She more or less leaves the public eye, helping Clavell do organizational stuff without showing her face. Meanwhile, a few things happen: 


Arven tries and fails to get the Herba Mystica. Without the protagonist, having only the weakened ‘raidons on his team, and being faced with another Paradox pokemon every three steps, he’s simply not strong enough to push past all of that PLUS the titans and get the HMs. Mabosstiff passes away from his injuries, but is revived as a Houndstone because of his need to protect his trainer / how much Arven loves him. Arven decides he hates his parents and their dream and vows to kick every paradox pokemon back into that time machine himself

Nemona goes to fight the paradox pokemon with hopes of helping keep the towns and cities protected from anything rampaging. She finds herself having more fun doing this than she ever did in the past, taking longer and longer trips just to battle these behemoths more and more. Then one day she hears about an especially strong paradox and goes to investigate. Unbeknownst to her, Sada had heard rumors about her and used that to lure her somewhere alone so she could make a deal

Penny goes from disliking the academy to HATING the academy real quick. When the paradox pokemon break free, all of team star is in their bases, and can’t guarantee the academy will protect them. The bases end up as mini refugee camps, protecting anyone who won’t or can’t go to the league or academy for protection. Seeing her closest friends barely able to protect themselves against the onslaught of paradox pokemon infuriates her, so she purposefully starts to do malicious hacking of the academy / league. Turo notices and messages her, giving her an offer she can’t refuse

Sada and Turo introduce themselves to the general public by this point, announcing what they’re been doing and how great things will be as they continue their research and “improve” Paldea with their plan. People do NOT take this well, but no one is strong enough to venture into the crater to destroy the time machine (especially with the strange new bodyguards that Sada and Turo seem to have). The AIs find Arven along with the ‘raidons at this point and realize they need to put a stop to this because it’s destroying Paldea. Clavell overhears and asks to join them because he’s tired of his old friends doing this and thinks he might be able to reason with them. Geeta finds out and also wants to help because she feels like she failed the region she loves so much and is willing to do anything to save it. Thus begins the plot!! They all try and make it to the crater to stop the time machine :)

Unsure if I want the canon protagonist to get whisked into this world and kickstart things or not but eh that’s smth to figure out later. Also I'm currently unsure if the professors are working together or in a sort of turf war as they try and prove the superiority of past / future that Paldea is just caught in the middle of

[izzy-b-hands]

Watching Prince vids to find some new ones to gif and have realised i absolutely need to write either modern au Ed and Izzy fucking at a Prince concert (u know Ed's essentially cosplaying as Prince for the show, as he should, and there's this one outfit of Prince's that's a v Izzy shirt with a tight jumpsuit that I bet Izzy would happily wear both for Ed and bc. it's cute as fuck lol) that turns into a bit of steddyhands

Or. if i can wiggle around how electric guitars work in the canon time (can i just say they do and not worry abt it lmao), I'm equally down for writing it like.

Fuck it, mini sort of fic time for this version of it. nsfw and horny edizzy into steddyhands below the cut

Canon time version of this is like

Post s2, in an au version where everyone is well and fine (the only version i personally fuck with rn tbh bc u guys Know my feelings on actual s2 lol)

Ed and Izzy have been working on things. Slowly, painfully, and tbh, they still communicate in a way that's like. Absolutely odd and not great to anyone except the two of them and the few crew members who are starting to figure it out or already had some understanding of it (ex. Stede for the former and Fang for the latter)

But there's a show at this port, tonight. A fairly famous bard, that Ed's maybe always wanted to see (let's be real, he adds the maybe in bc he feels bad abt wanting to go, to spend a night away from the ship and Responsibilities, the same shit that kept him feeling tied to being Blackbeard)

It doesn't take much to convince him tho, once Izzy admits that actually he thinks it would be good for everyone to go, and Stede eagerly agrees. They'll go as a group, but everyone can vibe and do their own thing as they want at the show (aka The Swede is in Jackie's lap for most of it, Zheng and Olu and Jim and Archie are all over each other in between dance breaks, and it's just a nice time out for one night where even the navy officers in the crowd that are poorly disguised aren't gonna start any shit)

He's basically vibrating with excitement after Stede and Izzy start talking wardrobe for the show, and then suddenly they're tearing apart old stolen clothes to stitch together to make new things and he's going out in something tight, silk, different shades of purple and violet with black highlights to even it out (and some glitter, for good measure.) Izzy's smiling, helping get himself fitted into the jumpsuit that Wee John has insisted upon helping them sew together in time, adding extra black silk frills to an already black frilly shirt they've found amongst their pile of spoils (none of them like folding or hanging up clothes, so be it lol)

Add in that Stede and Izzy are taking turns making out with him mid-dress up and he's. on a fucking hair trigger by the time they go off the ship into the port, to the biggest pub there to join the crowd (Jackie notes it isn't as nice as her place was, and she's right, but it could be worse.)

Stede offers that they should go, the two of them, up closer to the front and he'll join them later (partially bc he needs a moment to adjust to the crowd which is full of pirates recognising him and Ed and Izzy and it's. v cool to him but also overwhelming considering how that went the last time at the republic of pirates), so they make their way until he's pressed gently into the front barrier, Izzy grinding against him from behind.

They're not dressed so they can hide much of anything, but everyone around them is seemingly there for the same thing and in the same sort of spirits, so they can play pretty freely. The ppl closest give them dreamy, eager, wanting looks as they watch, and he can't help but think yeah, they should be jealous. Doesn't matter if they're more jealous of Izzy for being with Ed or vice versa, it's a turn on both ways now for Ed (and he's realising he missed out on a lot by not appreciating the ppl who look at him with need in their eyes, bc he's the one taking Izzy fucking Hands home with him and not them.)

He can reach back and feel how wet Izzy is, knows the cream coloured pantsuit is probably showing it too (buttery soft and thin cream coloured silk, the brightest thing he's seen Izzy in in ages, and he wants him both in and out of it all at once lol.) His own cock is fighting against the purple silk and velvet skirt Wee John and Frenchie helped make, and he's mindful enough to not want to tear it, but he does want it pushed up so Izzy can start playing with his ass and cock

That's a step too far for the moment, but he grinds against Izzy like his life depends on it, and it's everything he wanted and more once Stede joins them. Surrounded by the men he loves being with, taking turns sneaking in kisses to them while the music plays (and the show is fucking amazing, Ye Olde Prince and his group egging everyone on to have fun and get nasty), and he's juuuust abt to come untouched when Stede and Izzy finally pull him towards the back of the crowd, where ppl are letting themselves really go for it

His eyes linger for a minute over the crew members nearby and what they're getting up to (in part bc Frenchie and Roach keep breaking away to come over and get their hands on Izzy, who moans so prettily whenever they or Stede or Ed touches him that it makes Ed ache)

But then it's Izzy on his knees pulling up Ed's skirt to suck him off, Stede behind him teasing his ass with a finger, leaving kisses and hickeys all over his neck and collarbone

He couldn't tell you much about the actual moment he cums, bc there's not a drop of blood going to his brain during it lol. He can hear the song that's playing (I've got a list for which it could be bc there are a lot of Prince songs that are on my edizzy and steddyhands lists), and he can feel Izzy swallowing it down while Stede grabs at his ass, toying with his hole (and making Ed wish they'd brought something as lube tbh), jerking himself off as best he can thru his trousers (tight, teal silk, a favourite for ed and izzy to see stede in)

After he's propped up between them for the rest of the show, taking turns teasing Stede through his trousers and rubbing at the front of Izzy's pantsuit (it's not near enough friction considering how hard Izzy grinds against his hand, stifling moans into Ed's shoulder)

The game plan was to return to the ship after the show, but an invitation from Ye Olde Prince's security guard to the backstage for the three of them means a few things:

finally access to lube and getting off with one of his favourite bards in the same room, with two of his favourite people, and the crew gets to have the ship all to themselves (something they were pretty blatantly hoping would happen in how they were talking before the show, and he can't blame them. There are a lot of fun places to fuck on the Revenge, and everyone deserves a chance to get themselves and whoever else they want off in them.)

Anyway. god. if i could draw I'd have sketches of their outfits too for u guys. but alas on that part of things akdnfjgn

[tequila-solar-storm]

You're gonna hear my reaction loud and clear once it drops, I can't waaaaait—

I mean Chasca rides her flying weapon so the flying limousine wouldn't be too out of place hahah

Okay live stream: laughing so hard because I knew you were gonna mention Mutota HAHAHA I'm just gonna sit in a corner sipping tea waiting to witness what you're going to cook with the tribe chiefs 👀

Kinich is up for plenty of more fun!

And now you got me curious about the Night-Wind's Chief too! We shall wait and see

Chasca and Ororon can wait we're looking for potential Kinich lovers LMAO

On the side-note trying to understand some of Natlan cultural references it's like trying to piece a puzzle together without knowing what the final picture is supposed to look like while having pieces of different puzzles in one single box. In other words... I have no idea of what the heck is happening (T∆T)

I'M SUPER CURIOUS ABOUT HER SAURIAN MOM when they mentioned she was raised by qucusaurs I got super curious and thought we'd have to read her character stories to know more, BUT no we're actually meeting them Yes!!

I thought the subject of the art was weird too HAHAH like??? But I wouldn't mind Citlali being the new favorite child she's been fun so far lol

You're so REAL for mentioning Ororon being another electro bow, we have so many and he's another off-fielder too??? We have electro off-field covered already hoyo pls y_y having an Anemo male tall character would feel so wrong for some reasons HAHAHA

With anything related to the Collective of Plenty is happening off-screen I just hope they will make the wait worth it for when we finally meet them, honestly I find their tribe name curious but guess we'll have to wait! At least we're getting Iansan! Hoping to see more screentime of her :))

No joke I'm so excited for the new little dude, they're so CUTE and the fact that they basically turn into a laser shooter is hilarious

I already know I'm gonna hate fighting the new boss and avoid it at all costs, they're definitely gonna shove it in the abyss and I'm NOT mentally prepared for when that'll happen lmao

Gabe and Kai get kudos from me too, as you said they're more straightforward and also clearer in their explanation, I hope everything will get settled with the voice actors eventually but, in the meantime, I really wouldn't mind having more streams presented by these 2 dudes haha

Thanks for the cake! <3

—🌻

Previous Post

It is Year 2030 and Genshin drops its newest character: a stereotypical anime girl that can transform into a literal car with another region-locked gimmick. She’s essentially a Transformer but her non-car form looks exactly like a human but wearing mech clothes. She has huge boobs and an even larger butt because this is Genshin and they’re the best at remaining ✨consistent✨ obviously. Her car form has boobs and a butt too. Powercreep has got so bad Neuvillete is ‘F’ on meta tier lists. Genshin continues to promote itself to be a free open-world game though half of the map is locked behind levels, quests, and paywalls. They’ve also—

What were we talking about again? Right, to the rest of your ask!

WHAT CAN I SAY I’M PREDICTABLE 😭😭😭 The unique designs for the Natlan chiefs have been incredible so far (Helps that they’re darker than most of the playables… the bar is SO low it’s in hell) and Mutota continues that trend!

Considering Never Turn Back is just a NPC-appreciation fest poorly disguised as a Kinich smut series what did you expect 😭 Every Natlan update consists of me going ‘Hmm who can I ship Kinich with this time???’ and it takes priority over everything else!!!

I like Chasca and Ororon’s personalities but they shall be unfortunately overshadowed by Mr Random NPC Mutota. If it’s not him, it’s going to be Chasca’s mother and our newest little buddy. Lasers are always fun, and I’m really looking forward to Chasca’s interactions with her Sauro-mama!! Citlali and Ororon’s interactions already proved to be absolute gold, so I’m also excited for more of those!! But Mutota remains priority number 1 HAHAHA

If we’re not going to have Ifa be a Anemo Tall Male let’s have him be Genshin’s very first little boy character. I’m talking Klee, Qiqi, Nahida etc sized. (Delusional)

The puzzle piece analogy perfectly encapsulates how I feel so thank you for putting to words what I’m thinking 🥲

I’m curious about the Collective of Plenty too! Who knows, maybe their chief is a literal robot because who cares at this point…

Anyway, for now, let’s just hope for the best with the Voice Actors and keep enjoying the streams with our Localisation Guys!!! All while bracing ourselves for the Abyss and it’s newest Time Sink Boss™ 🫠

[thehauntedcheese]

After we stopped messing around with the one shot, we decided we might setup for another ttrpg, called Blades in the Dark. We were mainly just making character sheets, and choosing our playbooks (which are just classes.) To make it more interesting, it's one person per playbook. Blades in the Dark is about comitting crimes, and has less combat. So we have our crime gang thing. It's not named yet because we're gonna name it ingame. Anyways, I chose the Slide playbook, the Slide is a subtle manipulator and spy. I also managed to become leader of the gang, through Slide behavior. So being leader was between me and another player (because the rest of the group are idiots.) We flipped a coin for it, and unfortunately I lost. However, one of the other members convinced our DM to let him flip to see if he could be leader, so I gaslit the DM into thinking the coinflip wasn't a choice between the two of us, but just to see if the other person could be leader, and won leadership of the gang. Because he is the leader, meet my first ever serious character, Graham Velts, a native of Tycheros, a far-off land that is said the natives of carry demonic blood. Graham has funky eyes that are pitch black, and instead of a pupil, he has strange golden symbols shifting around. The context for this is I found a funky paper on the ground with silly symbols and i thought they were cool, so i made them his eyes. If you're interested, i'll put his backstory at the bottom of this post! Graham's alias, is a beautiful work of art that can only be described as a inspiration of god. His alias... is The Cracker. He is partially inspired by Graham Folger from TMA, but I was told I am not allowed to take too much inspiration, so my Graham only really shares a name.

wow this post was so much longer than i thought it would be

When he was born, people were put-off by his eyes, and whenever they spoke to him, it felt as if he was seeing through them. By the time his younger brother was born, Graham's parents had had enough of him, and kicked him out onto the streets. Treated poorly by all, Graham had a disdain for the people of Tycheros, especially his own family. However, he quickly learnt how to hide this vitriol, and had a gift for disguises and manipulation, gaining a reputation for his silver tongue, and his seemingly infinite faces. The only constant among all his personas was his deep black eyes, and the constantly shifting runes within. One day, a fire erupted amidst the center of the city, causing mass chaos, as for whatever reason, none of the officers that regularly patrolled had been there, all passed out at a bar for some reason. When the fire was finally put out, at the center of the flames, all that was left, completely unsinged, was a single graham cracker. At the same time, on a large barge sailing towards the city of Duskvol, there sat an old man, whose eyes were black as night, with a golden rune in the center.

[ngoclnm]

[WEEK 10] IRL BFFs, Online Foes? Why We Turn Savage on Social Media

Hit those comments on a news post lately? I’m talking about every kind of news, not just those celebrity scandals or political controversies. Comments sections often erupt into flame wars, and social media becomes a battleground of insults and negativity when people have different or opposing opinions.  But why?  What makes otherwise normal people turn into digital Dr. Jekylls and Mr. Hydes?  Let's dive into the psychology of online conflict and see what makes the internet such a breeding ground for bad behaviour.

The Disinhibition Effect: Unleashing Our Inner Troll

Psychologist John Suler (2004) coined the term "online disinhibition" to explain how our usual social filters get weaker online. In other words, it is where social and personal restraints weaken in the digital world. Suddenly, the fear of social consequences seems to disappear, and people feel free to express themselves in ways they wouldn't dare to face-to-face. Imagine inhibitions as those little angels on your shoulders, reminding you to be polite. Well, online, those angels seem to take a permanent coffee break. Here's why:

Anonymity - No One Knows Me: Online, individuals can engage without revealing their true identity, leading them to feel less accountable for their actions and more willing to express themselves freely.

Invisibility - No One's Watching (or So You Think): Without face-to-face interaction, the fear of getting called out seems to vanish. It's easy to forget there's a real person on the other side of the screen, leading to less restraint and more negativity.

Asynchronicity - Time to Craft the Perfect Put-Down: Online communication isn't always back-and-forth. This delay lets people take their time crafting the ultimate insult (or carefully consider a witty comeback, hopefully!).

Solipsistic Introjection - Me, Myself, and I (and Maybe My Misunderstandings): Without nonverbal cues and the full context of a conversation, it's easy to misinterpret online interactions. This can lead to people assuming the worst and reacting poorly.

Dissociative Imagination - The Online Disguise: The internet can feel like a place to reinvent yourself. This disconnect from your real-world identity can make it tempting to act differently online than you would in person.

Minimization of Authority - Everyone's Equal (at Least on the Surface): Social hierarchies and authority figures seem less powerful online. This perceived anonymity and empowerment can lead to bolder (and sometimes ruder) behaviour.

More Than Just Anonymity: The Psychology of Cyberbullying

This disinhibition effect, however, can have a dark side. When that feeling of anonymity and reduced accountability is mixed with a lack of empathy, it can easily lead to cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can take many forms, from nasty comments and flaming to harassment and doxing (revealing someone's private information). But why do people stoop to this level?

Narcissistic traits: You know those folks who strut around offline, constantly craving attention and admiration to keep their egos inflated? Well, turns out, they're drawn to the internet like moths to a flame. Why? Because the online world offers them a stage to showcase their fabulous selves to a massive audience at the drop of a hat. They're the kings and queens of Social Network Sites (SNS), soaking up every like and comment like it's pure gold. And let's face it, they're fostering a generation with extreme digital narcissism who can't survive without a constant stream of applause and validation (Keen 2007).

Sensation Seeking:  Ever met someone who lives for the adrenaline rush, constantly chasing after novel and intense experiences? These folks have a personality trait called sensation seeking (Zuckerman 1979), and it has been frequently linked to problematic Internet use and is assumed to be associated with Cyberbullying (Kim & Davis 2009). High sensation seekers often take physical, social, legal, and even financial risks simply for the sake of the experience.

So, How Do We Avoid Becoming Online Ogres?

Before you unleash your inner keyboard warrior, take a deep breath and consider these tips:

Pause and Reflect: Take a moment to cool down before hitting post. Ask yourself, "Would I say this to their face?" Chances are, the answer is no.

Remember There's a Person Behind the Screen: Online interactions are still human interactions. Treat others with the same respect you'd expect in real life.

Disengage from Negativity: Don't feed the trolls! Sometimes, the best response is no response.

The Takeaway: Be the Change You Want to See Online

The internet doesn't have to be a digital battlefield. By understanding why online conflict happens, we can be more mindful of our own behaviour and promote a more positive online environment. So, the next time you feel the urge to flame someone online, channel your inner peacemaker instead. The internet needs more heroes, not more villains!

Remember, everyone makes mistakes online. If you've ever been part of an online conflict, it's never too late to apologize and move on.

References

Keen, A 2007, The cult of the amateur, Nicholas Brealey, London.

Kim, HK & Davis, KE 2009, ‘Toward a comprehensive theory of problematic Internet use: Evaluating the role of self-esteem, anxiety, flow, and the self-rated importance of Internet activities’, Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 490–500.

Suler, J 2004, ‘The Online Disinhibition Effect’, CyberPsychology & Behavior, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 321–326.

Zuckerman, M 1979, Sensation seeking: Beyond the optimal level of arousal, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale.