#Tom would have exploded with joy

[pleiades-7]

I knew which clips I wanted use for the middle of this edit, so I ended up going from there and working my way out.

I might’ve even gotten the quality to behave? We’ll see.

This isn’t a unique take, but I think a lot of the reason Tom Riddle went on to become Lord Voldemort, isn’t that he hated muggle-borns. I don’t think he hated half-bloods. Or rather, he hated them equally, and less than he grew to hate pure-bloods.

He’s far too intelligent to be blinded by the pure-blood inbred rhetoric. Perhaps before seeing the Gaunts, with the Black madness as the only example of the issues that inbreeding causes, he might’ve wanted to think himself the exception to the rule. He probably wanted to believe the evidence didn’t point to inbreeding being the cause of such drastic issues, in order to cling to some aspect of his heritage. To carry on the ideals of the only ancestor he could respect.

However, after seeing the Gaunts, and learning his father was a muggle, I can’t believe he would subscribe to the concept of blood purity. Especially as the first wizarding war came to be. Snape was a half-blood and he was the most talented, most valuable, death eater of the bunch.

I think it’s more likely that he was using pure-blood fanaticism to get what he wanted.

Which I’m going to assume, wasn’t just power. He could have always had power. He didn’t need any followers for that. It wasn’t influence he was after either. He could’ve been minister if he’d taken the long route as Tom Riddle, and he could’ve done it through brute force later in the second war. I think his real goal was to burn it all down. Everything. Everyone.

I think Tom Riddle was furious. He was orphaned, his mother too weak to survive long after giving birth to him. Something I’m sure he would go on to, in part, blame the Gaunts for. After realizing the reality they subjected her to. I think he felt robbed. Robbed of a mother, who might’ve survived if she was a little more talented. A little more beautiful. If she’d had the opportunity to learn a little more. If anyone had bothered to help her. I think he felt robbed of a heritage, absolutely disgusted with the Gaunts, and enraged with his muggle father. He believed he was superior to everyone else. For his magical ability, his magical reserves, his brilliant mind, his charm and finely honed manipulation tactics. And yet, he found himself surrounded by ruin.

Other pure-bloods, the Malfoys and the Blacks, had rich family histories. Vaults of books and knowledge and heirlooms and wealth, which the Gaunts had all squandered away. All these pure-blooded fools, less dedicated, less ambitious, less capable, less deserving, got what should have been his.

I think from the start it was always about tearing these families apart, one member at a time. I think he delighted in having them bow at his feet, the irony of his status as a half-blood is very in character for his unique sense of humor.

The families closest to him, the Malfoys, the Blacks, the Lestranges, suffer the worst consequences, continually. He had no qualms killing any pure-blood family, and so he gave them a war. He let his followers imagine they were soldiers. He could actively torture those with the mark, and kill those without. Either way, it was their destruction he was after.

He knew what a muggle war looked like. He had lived through one. The sound of bombs and the fear of everything exploding, actively drove him to create his first horcrux. And still, he never subjected the wizarding world to that. For many reasons. He didn’t need muggle weapons to get what he wanted, he was above the use of such indiscriminate methods of annihilation, and he didn’t want the whole magical community extinguished. He loved magic. He coveted magic.

Magic was the very first thing that ever brought him joy, and probably what brought him the most intense amount of joy. It was what solidified his belief in his sense of superiority. He traveled the world, to learn. To put spells and skills in his repertoire. He would’ve taught at Hogwarts if he’d been given the chance. Not because he’d enjoy teaching, but because he is a collector. Those with talent and ability, he could’ve encouraged, to his own means of course. He would’ve been surrounded by magic and potential, and he would’ve been home. The primary draw to obtaining a position as a professor, was to settle himself. To finally find that connection, if only to a place.

Hogwarts was the second thing that brought him joy. I think that using the founders heirlooms to create his horcruxes, was an action driven by the same desperation that drove an eleven year old Tom Riddle to hoard the other children’s toys. If he could not have any of his own, he would take what he imagined he was owed, what he deserved. He dug his claws into that school and had to be pried from it. After finding that he was related to a founder of the school, the belief that he had a right to it was cemented.

I think in the end, he was furious, and a lot of his actions were motivated by that rage. So many of his actions were governed by the fear he tried so hard to escape, to run from. So many of his actions came from the gnawing cavern in his chest, that demanded to be filled.

He had this need to be seen, to be unforgettable. Nothing would have ever enough.

He was seeking something he never got.

He’s so interesting. 🫠 I hope this doesn’t mischaracterize him, all discussion is welcome! Just be kind :)

[seasurfacefullofclouds1]

His fans blaming Olivia Wilde can’t gaslight movie producers, who have a long list of better actors in their 20’s and 30’s to cast. Harry got a gold ticket and he fucked it up.

this made me giggleeee bc i was thinking this recently with all of the actors on actors interviews coming out (plus i was just reading an article on “hollywood’s new leading men” - https://www.thecut.com/article/harris-dickinson-babygirl-paul-mescal-josh-oconnor-leading-men-hollywood.html ).

austin butler, paul mescal, josh o connor, drew starkey, harris dickinson in particular… all of them are attractive actors around harry’s age, getting roles back to back that he might have gotten if he had any acting talent at all. i would be sooo humiliated if the news that i was being replaced by nicholas hoult, a man five years my senior, that started acting when he was three years old, was met with such universal celebration. 💀

people generally want to see new faces in film & tv, especially in highly anticipated projects. they typically want to give actors the chance to develop and hone their skills, rather than prefer to see a man we’ve been seeing on our screens for years replace you right before shooting. hoult is not even particularly well liked and his talent is not particularly acclaimed, but he is at least reliable and can act his way out of a paper bag.

https://fandomwire.com/why-was-harry-styles-cast-in-first-place-we-cant-complain-about-one-direction-star-losing-his-role-in-nosferatu-to-nicholas-hoult/

like… this ⬆️ is so embarrassing 😭😭

The remake of 1922’s Nosferatu has been heavily anticipated for many reasons. The film is set to provide a new version of the classic for a completely different audience, continuing the legacy of the iconic silent film. There are many excellent things about the upcoming film, with it being directed by The Lighthouse director, Robert Eggers, as well as its cast consisting of talents like Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, and Bill Skarsgård.

Amid all the beauty and excitement of the film, many seemed to have forgotten that Harry Styles’ name was once connected to the project. In March 2022, Variety reported that the singer was no longer a part of the project after scheduling conflicts caused him to pull out.

Not only was he supposed to be a part of the upcoming film, but his role was important enough that Anya Taylor-Joy would have been cast if he had still been connected to the film. Additionally, it was later reported by Deadline that the role that Styles was supposed to play was filled by Nicholas Hoult.

Fans Are Glad At The Change

When the updates were being given about Harry Styles’ involvement in Nosferatu, no one batted an eye, with conversations of Don’t Worry Darling still going on. However, with two years having passed, fans cannot help but look back at how bizarre the entire situation was.

Do you ever stop to think about the male actors who were in Dunkirk with Harry, some of whom have gone on to chew up the scene on stage or screen. Jack Lowden has done Slow Horses and married Saoirse Ronan, Barry Keoghan, Cilian Murphy, Tom Hardy. Actors have chosen interesting roles to expand their craft, and none slept with their directors 💀💀💀

Austin Butler who took the role in Elvis. Nicholas Hoult who built on his role in The Menu. Timmy Chalamet doing blockbusters and Oscar bait. There’s tough competition for leading men and they need to have it all— looks, talent, and personality. Studios can’t rely on a bunch of Harries showing up to their big money Oscar contenders or potential billion dollar films.

So much happened to cinema between 2021 and 2025 and it’s crazy how so much acting talent is exploding.

(But also can we have some diversity 💀💀💀)

[what-if-queen-camilla]

Chapter 13

Charles meeting Theodora ❤️

04th August 1987 - Part 4

"You'd better be quiet, Sir, when I last came in they were both sleeping…", Andrew carefully instructed the Prince who, a huge bouquet of vibrant summer flowers in his hands, had just arrived at Middlewick House a few minutes ago. Camilla and the little one had been sleeping almost all day, but that was alright, the ladies had done amazingly and more than deserved a good rest. Tomorrow was going to be busy enough as Camilla’s parents as well as Annabel and Simon with Tom and Laura and their own children were going to come over and meet the new family member. Especially the proud new big sister had been very disappointed when Andrew had told her that Mummy and Thea, what Laura had chosen to be Theodora's nickname, were too tired to meet them today but were very much looking forward to see them all tomorrow, but it was the only chance for Charles to be the first one to meet the baby without anyone noticing. "You can stay until 9 in the morning.", the Colonel added. "The children and my in-laws will arrive around midday. That gives us time to prepare everything. I'll spend the night at a friend's and be back at half past 8 so that Milla won't be alone. See you tomorrow then. Take good care of our ladies, Sir." With that, he grabbed a little suitcase, put on a hat and took his leave, before Charles could even thank him. Obviously, he'd never been a fan of Andrew but he couldn't deny that he'd been more than generous throughout the whole pregnancy, the birth and even now. He had arranged for Camilla and him to have some precious hours on their own and at the same time made sure that the new mum and baby weren't alone. Apparently, despite everything, he genuinely cared and looked after them in a way Charles was not and would probably never be able to look after them. But he didn't want to think about that now. All he wanted was to see them now, so he rushed up the stairs and quietly knocked on the door of Camilla’s bedroom.

Almost inaudible, he opened the door and carefully peeked through - to find the most beautiful and adorable picture he had ever seen in his entire life: the love of his life, peacefully sleeping, tightly holding the baby - their daughter - who was fast sleep as well and sweetly snoring, and he had to cover his mouth with his hand to avoid himself from sobbing loudly in delight - he certainly didn't want to disturb his ladies. But, God in heaven, never had he seen something more beautiful, more perfect and more wonderful than this… He quietly tiptoed over and sat down on the edge of the bed and finally got to see Theodora's little face, the little mouth and nose and, good Lord, these little eyelids, excitedly fluttering as she was dreaming - and immediately was overwhelmed by emotions. "Oh Darling!", he sobbed, not sure whether he was referring to Camilla or Theodora himself, and tenderly stroked over her head. She'd already had a bit of hair, and it was so soft and sweet. His heart almost exploded with pride and joy. All that he wanted was to hold her, to feel her and tell her over and over again just how much he loved her and that he'd always be there for her and protect her. "I'm your daddy, little angel!", he whispered with a teary voice, tenderly stroking over her little hand now which caused the little girl to sigh in her sleep and instinctively reach out for her fathers finger which was actually bigger than her entire hand. Having Theodora grabbing his finger was too much for Charles and he couldn't hold back his tears and sobbing anymore, which finally woke up Camilla as well. "Darling…", she whispered sleepily, looking at him full of love. "Oh, darling!", he cheered, tenderly kissing her beautiful lips. "Darling, have you met our daughter?", she asked and he nodded. "She's perfect. You're perfect. You've done so well, my darling and I'm so proud of you. I've never loved you more." Camilla was too tired to respond anything sensible so she just kissed him and cuddled up against his chest, while carefully placing the baby in his arms. "Take her, darling. Take our daughter.", she said, lovingly and with tears in her eyes now as well. "Our daughter…", Charles replied, touched and stared at the little bundle in his arms as if it was the greatest miracle he had ever seen. It probably was. "My sweet, perfect, little daughter…" Camilla's heart beated like mad by watching the love of her life sweetly interacting with their joint child, the daughter he had always wished for. "Darling, do you realise how happy you've made me?", he asked her, his face overflowing with tears, and more tears still flowing out of his eyes. "The happiest man on earth…" And just like that, they spent a whole night as an almost perfect, little family of three, forgetting everything and everyone out there, covered in love and happiness, cuddling, kissing, whispering sweet promises until the sun rose again the next morning.

"Andrew said I can stay until 9.", Charles remarked at around 8, kissing Camilla’s hair lovingly and tenderly. "He said he'll return at 8.30." "I suppose he spent the night with Rose.", Camilla answered. "His… partner." He had, indeed, been dating a certain Rosemary for quite a few months now and apparently felt something for her that he'd never felt for any other woman, including her, and though of course she was happy for him that he had finally found love in his life as well, it only underlined once more how absurd all of their situations were. Andrew, married to Camilla but in love with Rose, who, too, was married to someone else, a man who also loved someone entirely different, just as Camilla loved Charles and Charles loved Camilla but was married to Diana who loved… herself in the first place, and then Charles' titles, his position, and all of the attention that came along. What a mess they were all living in. Hopefully, one day, their precious little darling would be able to marry the one she loved without any odds or obstacles. And, until then, she'd be there, loving and supporting her as best as she could. Along with her most adoring two dads...

[sunny6677]

Eddsworld: The Literature Club.

Summary:

You're just some random person trying to survive in some random city in Britain, when out of nowhere, your best mate from childhood decides to invite you to a club he started that has a bunch of basic but somewhat decent-looking boys! Starring, your best mate (and also childhood friend) Matt! The overly deadpan and sarcastic serious guy, Tom! The trigger-happy maniac, Tord! And finally, Edd—the president who's also really addicted to cola for some reason! And.. despite them not being the best options out there, you're kind of desperate for a boyfriend, so you figure giving the club a shot won't hurt! Will you somehow manage to charm them into dating you?

Chapter 4: Now A Member!

————

Silence filled the air, and I swallowed. Shit, was that the right thing to just suddenly say?

I gulped. "..uh.. Matt—Matt just wanted me to check this place out. And I figured I would since I said I'd join a club, and.."

I looked upon all of them. Tord's smug grin had faded completely from his lips, and he blinked slowly, his gaze beginning to become dissapointed. Matt's face visibly saddened, and as did Edds own expression. Tom's face on the other hand remained completely neutral.

"Aw, what?!" Matt uttered.

"..lame." Tom blankly muttered.

"..uh.. okay. Sorry about that then." Edd replied, sheepishly looking off to the side. "We.. thought you'd be joining us."

..goddammit, what was it with these boys? They weren't even that cute-looking! In fact, they were pretty average. And.. err.. some things about them seemed kind of worrying. But—god.. I already basically had no one besides Matt to talk to. Poems wouldn't be a big deal if it meant I got to talk to these guys everyday.

I let out a sigh. "..fine. I'll join."

Their eyes slowly lit up upon processing my words. Matt was the first one to practically explode from joy. "Yay!" He pumped his fists into the air with his usual stupid grin.

"..cool." Tom mumbled.

"Oh, good! I was starting to think you'd be abandoning us there, new member." Tord grinned, scooching closer as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Well, in that case, it's official!" Edd smiled. He shuffled his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, and then whipped something out. Something gold and shiny and.. wait, was.. was that a gold star? It appeared to be a small sticker of some kind.

As Edd reached foward, he placed it on my chest, and I looked up at him with a mildly surprised expression.

"Welcome to the literature club!" Edd grinned. He laughed. "We'll make sure you feel right at home!"

"...uh.. heh.. thanks." I sheepishly replied, looking down at my lap while rubbing my arm.

He heaved out a sigh from his mouth, placing his hands on his hips. "Okayy.. I think we should be good to go on poems, so I want everyone to remember to write one for tonight! Besides, this.. will kind of be the first club activity we've actually done, so I'd prefer if people actually participate."

"..new member," He spoke with a cheerful smile while placing his hand gently on my other shoulder. "I look foward to seeing what you have to write!"

I blinked, and felt my face flush up in a fuzzy wave of warmth. "..hah.. thanks, man."

Geez.. I was desperate, wasn't I? Taking my overly arrogant best mate, some random maniac, some grumpy guy, and some weird friendly dude as options for a boyfriend. I hadn't even really considered my best mate as an option until now, but.. I had known him for a while, so it wasn't like he was the worst option out there.

I heaved out a sigh. I guess I'd be participating in club type stuff after all.

————

After an hour or so, the meeting was called off to an end. Tord began to retrieve the plates and took them back to the kitchen so he could empty and wash them. While Tom.. well, he didn't really do much, he just kinda stood their and drank from a flask the whole time.

And as I stood with my shoulders slumped, I was approached by the sound of a bright familiar voice, and the feeling of someone's arm wrapping around my shoulders.

"Hey, chum! What'd you think of the meeting?"

"Wa—Wah! Oh.. uh.. it was fine. Better than me contemplating the fact that I have to work again in the next 9 or so hours." I spoke with a sigh, looking down at my feet.

"Well, no need to worry about that, buddy! Why don't you let me walk you back home for tonight?"

"..oh. Uh—sure—"

"Yipee!"

I let out a yelp, feeling his grip around my shoulders tighten. I then felt my body involuntarily begin to move foward as he practically rushed toward the entrance that led to the door we had entered, and let out a sigh. With how fast this guy went, it's like he was just waiting all club meeting to ask me that. Then again, knowing him, that was probably the case.

I only let him drag me foward. After all, I knew this guy well enough to not really resist any of his antics anymore. There was pretty much no use in doing that.

————

"—and that's how I took over everything ever!"

"..you.. so—so you mean to tell me you went back in time and invented everything?"

"Yep!"

..huh. Well, he's probably just making it up, but knowing him, there'd probably be some impossible way for him to somehow be able to do that.

I groaned. "Well.. that's good, Matt. 'Bout bloody time you make yourself actually do something useful for once."

"Yeah, I—" Matt stopped, and frowned. "..heyyy.."

I playfully rolled my eyes. Yet as we walked under the cold night sky that was speckled to the brim with white glowing balls of light, my mind wondered between all of the boys who could be my potential romantic options.

Matt, my childhood mate who was obsessed with himself.

Tord, the trigger-happy maniac.

Tom, the cynical alcoholic.

Edd, the cola-obsessed president who seemed actually pretty chill.

..huh. Only one of those options sounded somewhat choosable.

I let a sigh escape my mouth, and I continued walking. Guess I'd just have to see who I'd go with when I wrote my poem tonight.

————

I leaned foward on my bed, my pen hovering above a thin sheet of paper I had placed on top of a tiny table I had scooted over to my fluffy cot of a resting place. I looked down at the sheet of paper. I admittedly wasn't that good at poetry, but when it came to cute boys or people I was crushing on, I could at least whip something up fast enough.

I let my mind wonder between all four of the boys again, doubts filling my mind as I occasionally thought about their more.. worrying aspects.

I blinked, and then a thought came to mind.

Gripping my pen, I began to write away at the paper, my mind filled with inspiration.

[doamarierose-honoka]

For those who grew up in the 2000s, waiting for the next Harry Potter film installment was a thrilling and unifying experience. As kids all around the world flocked to their local theaters with wands in hand, Harry and his fantastical friends reminded us of the magical powers of friendship, bravery, and love. While the movies got progressively darker as the characters grew up and had to battle ever-looming forces of evil, the first films remain pillars of delightful, whimsical escapism — save for the near-deaths of multiple twelve-year-olds — and this is largely thanks to director Chris Columbus. What many people don’t know, however, is that Columbus passed on another once-in-a-lifetime directorial opportunity for Potter, turning down the Spider-Man franchise in favor of the wizarding world.

Chris Columbus Chose To Direct 'Harry Potter' Over 'Spider-Man’

Known for writing and/or directing hit movies like The Goonies, Home Alone, and Mrs. Doubtfire, by the time the early aughts rolled around, Columbus was no stranger to working with kids and yielding great results. Having been persuaded by his daughter to read the Harry Potter books (at which time only the first three had been released), Columbus immediately had a vision for the films and wanted a shot at directing the now-iconic series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, after hearing that there were many others eager to helm the franchise, Columbus requested that his agent secure him the final meeting with the film’s executives. He presented a “130-page document-slash-screenplay” outlining his vision for the movie, and long story short, the powers that be were very impressed with the eager director. Columbus secured the gig and went on to direct both Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

However, Columbus revealed in an interview with Screen Rant that right after he landed Harry Potter, he got the offer to direct Spider-Man. Having grown up a huge Marvel fan and citing Spider-Man as one of his childhood heroes, getting the chance to re-introduce the web-slinger to the silver screen seems like it would be a no-brainer for Columbus. Nevertheless, while he acknowledged that directing Spider-Man would probably be the realization of a lifelong dream, he went with Harry Potter and never looked back. Sam Raimi was hired to captain the Spidey ship, and the rest is history. Even though it was undoubtedly a tough call, Columbus has no regrets, and said in the special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts that working on Harry Potter was “the greatest experience of [his] life.”

Columbus Expertly Captured the Joy and Whimsy of ‘Harry Potter’

While it couldn’t have been easy missing out on Spider-Man, there’s no denying that Chris Columbus was the right man to direct the first two Harry Potter films. In Return to Hogwarts, Columbus got to reunite with Harry Potter himself (Daniel Radcliffe), and the two discussed their work on Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. Although you’d never know it when watching the behind-the-scenes footage, Columbus confessed to Radcliffe that while working on the first Harry Potter, he was incredibly nervous and felt like he was “dying.” This is definitely understandable given that he was responsible for setting the tone in a massive franchise, but Columbus ensured that his anxieties wouldn’t bleed over and impact the kids on set. Many of the stars of Harry Potter, including Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, and of course, the golden trio of Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Radcliffe, complimented Columbus’s knack for working with the young performers on set, saying that he made them feel safe and let the kids be kids. While “letting the kids be kids” resulted in a lot of long days and re-shoots given that the kids in question were exploding with excitement at all times, Columbus’s good nature evidently contributed to the youthful, nostalgic feeling that is so well-executed in the first films.

Beyond just his personable directing style, Columbus’s creative eye greatly influenced the look of the Harry Potter movies. From real stone floors to real, lit candles dangling from the ceiling on fishing lines, the director’s commitment to making Hogwarts feel grounded in reality despite the magical elements made the stories feel all the more real to both the actors involved, and the devoted viewers. Despite the success of the first two Harry Potter films, however, Columbus seemed to recognize that all good things must come to an end, and he bequeathed his directorial duties to Alfonso Cuarón for the third installment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Columbus revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that filming the first two Harry Potter films took upwards of 320 days, and that he felt that he was missing out on watching his kids grow up. He went on to serve as a producer on the third film to help maintain a better work-life balance, but afterward, the director hung up his pointy black wizard’s hat and walked away from the franchise for good.

The Director Isn’t a Fan of the ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot at Max

Harry Potter is soon to be getting a polarizing facelift in the form of a reboot TV series, the likes of which we know very little about. What we do know, however, is that Chris Columbus isn’t a huge fan of the idea, not seeing the point in remaking a franchise that has already been done well (which, as we know, has never stopped the studios before). Furthermore, given author J.K. Rowling’s disappointing tailspin into transphobia, continuing to expand the Harry Potter franchise has brought up difficult but important conversations about just how far we’re willing to go to separate the art from the artist.

While it sucks that a franchise that brought comfort and hope to so many has been marred by its creator’s hateful statements, Columbus’s Harry Potter movies continue to exist as joyful celebrations of friendship and resilience. For many fans, Harry Potter still offers an unparalleled escape from the hardships of the everyday muggle existence, and we’ll always be grateful that Columbus decided to leave the Spider-Man movies to Sam Raimi, who got to forge another iconic film franchise in his own right. While the Harry Potter frenzy shows no signs of stopping, Columbus left his own indelible mark on the franchise, and all we can say is, mischief managed.

[butterflyclan]

Mid Summer

Parsleystar's awoken by loud shrieks. She jolts up, fur on end, and wriggles out of her tiny den ready to attack, and sees-

Nothing?

No, not nothing. Everyone's gathered into a circle, jeering and arguing drifting over. Parsleystar blinks, and Lynxfur notices her and breaks away from the group.

"Pinedash is back," Lynxfur says before Parsleystar can even open her mouth. The brown and white she-cat is practically radiating smugness. "He's wearing a bell collar."

Pinedash had vanished while on a solo patrol a few days ago, and though no one particularly liked the tom, he was still a part of the makeshift Clan, and they had all worried to some degree or another.

Parsleystar shoved her way through the group, silencing calls of "Kittypet!" with a cold look. She stared down Pinedash, who somehow managed to bristle even more. The collar around his neck was a startlingly bright yellow, a golden bell dangling from it that jingled every time he moved.

"...Welcome back," She finally said. "Go get checked out by Pondfang. I want to make sure you're unhurt." With that, Parsleystar swept away, leaving Pinedash to defend himself from his Clanmates.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔

"Pondfang!"

Pondfang bolted out of the burrow at the sound of his name. He hadn't had to perform any medical duties yet, and this sounded like it would be the first. Stormclaw was trying to convince Pinedash to lean on him, and Pinedash was snapping angrily back. The reddish-brown tom's tail had been badly mangled, and Pondfang sucked in a hiss.

"What happened?"

"This idiot tried to attack a fox on his own," Stormclaw spat, clearly fed up with the other tom. Pinedash let out a low growl, unsheathing his claws. Pondfang shoved his way between them, and Pinedash almost toppled over, spitting curses all the while.

Pondfang exmined Pinedash's tail. It was certainly not good, he could say that much. What had Icepool done for something like this...

"Cobwebs," Pondfang announced, startling Stormclaw and Pinedash. He bustled back to his den and scooped up a swab of them. "Juniper, maybe? Or poppy seeds?" He examined the little piles of herbs he'd managed to collect before grumbling in frustration. He should never have been made medic.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔

"From this day forth you shall be known as Tempestroar. We honor your valor and bravery, and we welcome you as a warrior of Butterfly Clan."

Tempestroar felt like she'd explode with joy. She had survived so much, and she'd made it to her warrior ceremony. For the days following the fire that had destroyed her home, she'd thought she'd forever be Tempestpaw.

Tempestroar turned her face up to the sky. Are you watching, mom? Dad? She wondered. Do you see me? I'm here. I'm alive. I'll keep going, for you.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔

Pondfang paused, his paw hovering above the burnt nettles he'd been gathering. His ears twitched and swiveled. Was that the wind? No, it was something...

He followed the sound, setting his paws down silently on the ground.

"Quiet, please." The voice was feminine, desperate, and exhausted. Pondfang crept closer, and his eyes caught movement. A grey tabby was curled around tiny, mewling scraps of fur. She was breathing heavily, the tiny kittens at her stomach squealing and mewling.

"Oh," Pondfang breathed, and the she-cat whipped her head around, her body stiffening. "Oh, no, don't worry. I... I'm a medic. I'm new at it, but I think I can help." The she-cat relaxed and let out a rusty purr.

"I would love that, thank you. I wouldn't normally be out here, but my housefolk, they... in the fire..." She blinked back tears.

"I'm Pondfang," Pondfang said awkwardly after a few moments.

"Sakari. And these are Sky and Cloud." Sakari unfolded herself slightly to show a pair of newborn toms.

"They're lovely," Pondfang whispered. Kittens. New life would always come to the world, even when everything seemed so bleak, and it was magical.

[anthonybialy]

Cheering Against Only So Fun for Super Bowl

The championship wasn’t streamed.  But it felt like the same experience even if the NFL hasn’t successfully implemented a plot to stick the finale on a service where you need to remember an ancient byzantine password.  Halfhearted viewers had The Office of Super Bowls on in the background as opposed to really watching.  Truly indifferent fans might have muted.  Tom Brady simply didn’t ruin enough Super Bowls he played in.

It’s time to hate the Eagles.  Historians remember not long ago when everyone outside of New England backed the Chiefs to topple Voldemort.  But Kansas City switched to the same dark magic. Philadelphia's riot juice reservoir has been depleted.

Line dominance isn’t exciting unless you like championships.  There’s certainly no more elegant play than shoving the quarterback.  Philadelphia’s signature move is exactly what football’s overlords tried to legislate against when they changed the rules from gaining five yards on three downs.  Everything comes back into style if you wait long enough.

Watching the latest least favorite quarterback struggle was an unexpected joy.  Patrick Mahomes used the bye to forget how to read defenses.  The only problem was failing to label him getting sacked not safe for work.  Collapsing under the slightest adversity is in character.  Fans cheer for lousy football as long as it’s being played by one particular side.  

Travis Kelce didn’t decapitate Andy Reid if you thought his rage was boundless.  The broadcast should’ve been required by federal law to show the tuneless pop warbler he allegedly dates after every Eagles score.

I don’t know how many people would have seen pouting on par with the lady’s pending next breakup album.  Did supposed boycotters follow through on not watching?  The tiresome matchup was nonetheless only game in town.  It’s this or nothing if you like football.  I understand those uninterested by a league that sure seems to play favorites.  Those who patronized unusually crowded restaurants missed the apology.

The goldfish mentality doesn’t just apply to champions, who we used to remember as immortals and now space out about by March.  I know when the Bears won like it’s my birthday but would have to look up what year the Rams did.  Similarly, ads that used to resonate culturally for decades aren’t even despised for that long.  Perfunctory mocking is sufficient in the social media era.  Seal as a seal was mortifying and ignorable.  Sometimes, nobody’s done the obvious thing for good reason.

The least worse option prevailing sets a good example for voting.  Yet it would be nice to actively cheer for one side as opposed to hoping the more diabolical one flames out.

The NFL isn’t just behind the times when it comes to using technology in officiating.  The regressive league continues to pretend America has different anthems on color.  The actual one didn’t precisely stir patriotism.  They had the entirety of New Orleans music from which to choose and went with… Jon Batiste?  It’s remarkable in its way than someone with such a feeble voice can draw that much attention to himself.

A halftime show which the Micro Machine Man used to express his displeasure with one of the Degrassi kids added to the crimes against music.  It is to the NFL’s eternal shame that the Hives and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes exist yet haven’t entertained during the interval.  Instead, a pandering league seeks out the nonsensical to placate those who choose what music they enjoy based on Spotify listens.  I appreciated the chance to find a 16-minute Ramones concert to watch. 

Bills fans watching with vicarious longing counted blessings repeatedly.  You still have your health, family, and the prospect of tomorrow’s sunrise, presuming parts aren’t falling off you, you’re not related to awful idiots, and you aren’t watching the closest star explode, respectively.  But you can have all those things and a Lombardi Trophy, too.

Philadelphia stopped everyone on Kansas City except Xavier Worthy, which didn’t make Bills fans feel particularly super.  Historical precedent haunts us: Buffalo was beaten by the Chiefs who then got blown up just like the first Super Bowl.  History repeats extra frequently for the eternally frustrated.

Having to update championship apparel is such a hassle.  I bought a new Bandits hat and shirt just last year.  The one Buffalo franchise that doesn’t let fans down thrives despite their lonesome burden.  I retain hope the Sabres can prevail despite seemingly eternal struggles and ha ha I can’t even finish.  

Fans notice how high that Roman numeral is.  The league tries to disguise it under the guise of appearing classy.  But I learned the tricky early Italian numbering system in junior high in lieu of checkbook balancing.  The Bills haven’t made a Super Bowl in over XXX years, and that’s obscene.

Buffalonians spent the game pondering why this existence is tilted against us.  Nothing changed.  Sports signify our everyday struggles, like how nothing works out ever.  Everything fits, sadly.  It shouldn’t be that hard to reach the finale, much less win it.  Even Buffalo’s most recent previous appearance was in the first half of the Super Bowl era.

It’s tough to focus while still stewing how this matchup came to be.  The best case is officiating is inept.  At least karma finally caught up to the Chiefs.  Conspiracists now must claim the sport is scripted to not make it seem obvious that it’s tilted in Kansas City’s favor.  Jalen Hurts must truly be terrific if he overcame officials who were wearing Chiefs undergarments.

The Eagles have now played in more Super Bowls than the Bills.  The counter’s been stuck for awhile.  We can confirm that people never grow accustomed to watching others celebrate.  Sisyphus was an optimist and an amateur.  The nicest thing to say about the most recent championship is that it was forgettable for an unexpected reason.

[notyourdaisybuchanan]

Hello!

A beautiful post of yours includes lines from the poem 'on the fate of tulip sultan' by katrina vandenberg - I was wondering whether you would mind sharing the full poem if you have access to it!! I can't find the full poem online anywhere 😭

Thank u so much

Yes certainly! It’s from her book titled Atlas.

[alt text]

ON THE FATE OF THE TULIP SULTAN

Tom Fahey is dead in Boston tonight, the last

of the guys with hemophilia. Tim, I took down but kept the list we made one night of our friends

who died. Little icons crayoned by their names,

sienna shoes, a midnight truck, a lemon puppy, for Matt a cherry guitar. Names

that kept coming until we ran out of room.

Tonight Tom's dead. Three hundred years away, the sultan the Ottomans exiled but let live

embroiders a memory of his tulips

on a tapestry in bright silks. The white stone of the first full moon in April, the jugglers

who strolled the garden with crayon-colored balls.

Real gold for the flames of candles on the backs of the tortoises that plodded through the bowers.

A week-long celebration each spring

for the thousand kinds of tulips that he bred. He doesn't know that as he stitches them

his tulips are beginning to be forgotten.

And three hundred years away only a catalog of them survives. Does it matter

that already no one else alive remembers

the day you, Greg, and I walked arm in arm through Central Square; or the New Year's Eve

on the harbor watching fireworks, when the kids

crouching in the trees flung champagne bottles that hit the street like green exploding stars?

Milton was wrong. It's not just sin we need to see

in order to know it later on, but joy. One day, when the sultan was old and carving a ring

from jade, he said, This green is sun through leaves

on an afternoon in my garden before it bloomed. My moves with faith are slow; I'm a tortoise

with a candle on its back. Tim, the list

of what I've loved numbers in the thousands. Surely I'll recognize a thing worth loving

when I see it for the rest of my life.

[uncleweed]

Certainly, no one who passed by that busy stretch of the city during that era could have missed him. Outfitted like a fantasy Viking, complete with a double-horned headdress, a doomy black tunic, an eight-foot spear and a long white beard, Moondog had an imposing presence to say the least. It only magnified the intensity of his appearance that he was blind, a fact he refused to hide behind dark glasses. From his reliable perch, Moondog would pull from his pockets reams of poetry, sheet music, 78rpm recordings and broadsides he had written to sell to curious passersby. Some people thought he was a freak or a vagrant. (He was, in fact, homeless during several short stretches of time.) Others saw him as the ultimate counter-cultural figure, while some major musicians viewed him as a visionary, including the jazz greats Benny Goodman and Charlie Parker and classical artists from Arturo Toscanini to Leonard Bernstein. Janis Joplin covered his existential composition All Is Loneliness, on her first album with Big Brother and the Holding Company, and pop acts from T-Rex to Prefab Sprout referenced him in their lyrics. Moondog was written up in many local and national papers and, in 1969 and 1971, he had two albums on Columbia Records which, at the time, was headquartered on the same block he haunted.

The man who would become Moondog was born Louis Hardin in 1916 in Marysville, Kansas, to a religious family. His father, an Episcopalian minister, moved the family to Wyoming when the boy was young, and it was there that he discovered his first major musical influence, which came from Indigenous American culture. His eureka moment occurred after his father took him to an Arapaho Sun Dance where he met Chief Yellow Calf who showed him how to play a tom-tom made of buffalo skin. A lifelong fascination with rhythm was born. At 16, however, his life changed radically after he came across an object while playing that he didn’t realize was a dynamite cap. The device exploded in his face, blinding him. “Moondog later told me that for almost a year after that he felt as if he couldn’t breathe,” Scotto said. “The life had drained out of him.”

##

Today, it’s mainly musicians and fans of the arcane who have any awareness of Moondog at all – an oversight which inspired the creation of a new tribute album to amplify his legacy, titled Songs and Symphoniques: The Music of Moondog. The project was initiated by the Brooklyn-based jazz-chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra in collaboration with the Kronos Quartet, and also features vocal performances from stars such as Rufus Wainwright, Jarvis Cocker and Joan as Policewoman. “Over the years, I’ve become a kind of evangelist for Moondog,” said Ghost Train Orchestra’s leader, Brian Carpenter. “I want more people to know about the joy and wonder of his music. And, luckily, there’s so much of it.”

[impeccablebackside]

what was the queens favorite sexual experience to look back to?

Thanks for the question. I always appreciate new ideas to explore.

For a favoured experience, I doubt that it needs to be particularly (aka objectively) pleasurable or something unusual to be memorable. Obviously it depends on the queen, but most of their favourite sexual experiences to reminisce about are ones that are personally significant rather that specifically exciting. If you are thinking something more 'extreme' or rough, maybe dream-like, there are past asks about those too.

I do not have much more to go on about beforehand, so here it is by queen:

Vic's favourite experience was her first time with Plato, and the awakening that rushed through her on that magical night. The care and love he had (and still has) is something that would be impossible to replicate. The infatuation and wanting a physical connection is what steered everything, not the lust of it. The need to embrace someone you love and give yourself to them. It was just so delicate and intimate. Experiencing the sensation of something that is godlike. Something that changes their perception of life and makes them truly feel so alive for the first time. There are reassuring touches, looks, and asks all throughout. They both have that feeling, but especially Plato, where they feel so lucky and in love. There is nothing more beautiful than that.

Rumple's fave experience was the first time she rode Mungo's face. It started off sheepishly as she was sitting on his lap, slowly scooting herself forward and pushing him down. Straddling his face and feeling the way his breath blew against her thighs and heat unlocked a new desire in her that has rarely waned since. Even though she went gingerly at the time, the feel was extraordinary, especially since she found out that Mungo could back up his tongue in more than one way. The incredibly excited look on her tom's face before and after still makes her feel giddy too. Otherwise, she has been privileged enough to enjoy a lot of fun and pleasurable experiences in her time with a number of others. None of them can match the joy she shared with Mungo though.

Tanto has lived many lives and has met countless cats in her existence, but little bests a more recent exchange that was her first time with Rumple. A mutual crush between queens that finally exploded into more. Of all of her experiences, the best one with someone else involved remains that intimate time in her den in a daze of mutual orgasms and feline exploration. It also helped that Rumple more than knows what she was doing.

Cass' fave time oddly does not involve another person. The first time she got a bit more adventurous and heavy handed with some fingering that slowly tuned into hand insertion type fisting, the resulting climax from stretching her beautiful tight and puffy pussy shook her body hard enough she was in tears. Laying on her side, legs together made for each pump to rattle her to her core. Pushing herself to take more opened up (literally) a desire to be fucked hard and deep. That does not even count the dizzying aftershocks she discovered that came from fucking her swollen pussy into overstimulation after such a strong orgasm. Running closely in second place was the first time she had a facial, finding out just how much she relished in being a cumslut.

Bomba's fave time was a particularly lustful threesome with Tugger and Misto. Having been part of that world once or twice beforehand as they settled into their new relationship, this time all three left their shyness aside as they met for an all-out fuckfest. A 'sandwhich' so-to-speak, where Tugger was fucking her while being fucked himself was a fun experience for her, and being the only queen made for some experimentation between the three of them as the night went on.

Deme has two that she loves equally in her mind. The first was a fiery encounter with Mac when he was a little more heated than usual. A near feral fuckfest where he showed his prowess and made her cum the hardest she ever had up to that point. The second time was a passionate relinquishing of herself to Munk where they both truly connected on a physical and spiritual level of love and lust for the first proper time. Being cared for so deeply for the first time ever like that made the sex one to remember, especially when her man emptied himself into her with a huge creampie. She still daydreams about both times, and what they respectively offered.

Jenny's fave experience was a particularly energetic affair with a hungry Busto that involved foodplay and enough shared eating oral fun to easily shoot up to one of her favourite encounters. Specifically, being held down and helpless while she was fingering and licked ensured her pleasure was maximized. The way he ate her out that day is something she has never felt matched since, even with repeat performances. He literally licked and sucked the soul out of her pussy enough that she could not walk after from being so weakened.

Jelly's fave experience, and likely best time, was one of her first times dressed as Griddle being absolutely (nicely, but roughly) ravaged, railed, and rammed. She was manhandled really good by someone who was utterly set on fucking the life out of the exotic amore. It was a wildness needing to be experienced, and she let all her 'traditional' reservations fly to the wind as she tried new things and threw her weight around too. The liberation it represented still enpowers her.

[glenpowcll]

i'll take your word, cap! how could one not swoon over 2022's sexiest man alive? how could one not know about them? they really made them eyes pop and hug them muscles of yours wonderfully. had an absolute blast and every crew member and cast mate became family. definitely jealous you got to work with him because he is definitely on the bucket list. definitely would have geeked out being in the dudes presence. man, it's in the works but you know tom cruise. it took 36 years for top gun maverick to be released and it took perfecting the script to make it worth it. especially touching on such an iconic film from 1986. we are working on it and can't wait to get back on set for the third one. oh shucks! stop paying me all these wonderful compliments. not sure if i can handle taking them for much longer without exploding from pure joy. when's your next film though? besides the one with the rock. are there any other ones you have hiding up your sleeve?

Haha, trust me, I’ve got the right Glen! Powell Sr. might be good, but he’s not stealing your spotlight. And man, thanks for that—I appreciate it. But come on, swooning over me? And you know about those knitted sweatshirts? You’re gonna make me blush here. Sounds like you had an absolute blast on set! Those are the best kinds of projects, the ones where it never feels like work. I’ve been good though, just keeping busy. Yeah, I’ve got this film coming out with The Rock—honestly, the guy’s a legend. Working with him was unreal. And yeah, it’s hard not to stare at him, the guy’s built like a damn superhero haha But hey, I held it together… for the most part. Now I’m sure you know this question is coming from me - but when are we getting another top gun movie?! Seriously that movie was the fucking best. I find myself always gravitating to watch it. Doesn’t help that you’re so damn dreamy too haha

[randomgodfatherthoughts]

The Don got up from his leather armchair. The other men rose with him and Clemenza and Tessio embraced him again. Hagen held the Door open for The Don, who paused to look at him for a moment. Then the Don put his hand on Hagen's cheek, embraced him quickly and said in Italian, "You've been a good son. You comfort me."

From The Godfather Novel by Mario Puzo

[elbiotipo]

[INT. WAYSTAR'S OFFICES]

[LOGAN and KENDALL are standing looking at each other, the skyline of New York behind covered in an orange tint. The scene is eerie, dreamlike.]

KENDALL

W-Why couldn't just... step aside! You fucking old bastard! Why couldn't you just fucking...

[LOGAN remains unmoving, no reaction on his face.]

KENDALL

Dad, I was good enough. I was a KILLER! I was a fucking badass, Dad! I was like... fucking Eminem on a suit. I was like... I was... (catching his breath) I did everything you wanted. Everything.

[LOGAN remains ummoving. KENDALL pauses.]

KENDALL

(yelling, broken) WHY COULDN'T YOU LOVE ME!

[KENDALL begins to strangle LOGAN. KOMM, SUSSER TODD begins to play in the background as the camera distorts]

...

[INT. WAYSTAR'S BOARDROOM]

[FRANK, GERRI, KARL and HUGO are sitting on a table, on a darkened room]

FRANK

The beginning and the end are one and the same.

GERRI

(looking at the roof) We tried. At least, I like to think we did.

FRANK

It's all up to the kids now.

KARL

I wish I was in my fucking private island.

[KARL explodes into orange LCL fluid. The others soon follow.]

...

[INT. LOGAN'S APARTMENT]

[CONNOR and WILLA are huddled under a desk, the marbled floor covered in orange liquid. The orange glow outside grows stronger, and the scene is dreamlike]

CONNOR

Willa. Nobody will know now. If you want to say you're with me for the money, you can tell me.

WILLA

Connor. I would never be with you for something as superficial as that. (pauses, with an enigmatic smile) I'm with you for the power, Mr. President.

[They laugh. CONNOR knows it's a lie. WILLA knows it's a lie. They hug and they explode into LCL.]

...

[INT. A LONELY ATN CUBICLE]

[GREG is typing maniacally at a laptop]

GREG

(unhinged)

I-I d-don't understand. No. I... I DO understand. Sorry, sorry Mom. Sorry gramps... sorry, I shouldn't have done that... I... I... I...

[a ghostly TOM materializes, hugging GREG from behind. GREG begings to cry, out of joy, perhaps.]

GREG

Tom-senpai!... senpai, senpai, senpai, senpai, senpai!

[Both GREG and TOM explode into LCL. The laptop screen reads "you can't make a Tomelette without breaking some Greggs" repeated over and over.]

...

[INT. SHIV'S AND TOM'S APARTMENT]

[SHIV is crying, apparently talking alone. The camera pans, and it's a ghostly version of herself, YOUNG SHIV, standing in front of her]

YOUNG SHIV

But Dad's still proud of us, right?

SHIV

Y-Yes, he fuck- (corrects herself, and wipes out a tear), he is.

YOUNG SHIV

And... you're happy, right?

SHIV

(crying)

I am.

YOUNG SHIV

Don't cry, then. We are happy.

[A ghosty hand takes SHIV'S hand. She looks up, and smiles, but the camera doesn't show who they are. SHIV explodes into LCL]

...

[EXT. ROMAN'S BALCONY]

[ROMAN is drinking whisky while looking at the New York skyline. THE PORTAL is growing bigger. It will soon engulf the city and then the world. ROMAN knows there's nothing he can do about it.]

[GERRI is standing next to him, leaning back on the balcony, with a little distance. They seem to have been talking for a while]

GERRI

You were afraid, Roman.

ROMAN

(scoffs). Of course I was fucking afraid! I was fucking afraid of pissing all over Dad's fucking pharaonic legacy, like his fucking pyramids. I was afraid to get fucked, I mean, I was fucking literally afraid of it. I was afraid of dying like a useless fuckboy who was born into fucking Mount Olympus and couldn't command a fucking hot-dogs and blowjobs stand!

[a long pause]

ROMAN

(sentimental)

I was always afraid.

GERRI

Not with me.

[They both stare at each other for a minute]

ROMAN

Would you have said yes?

[Gerri stares at him, her face enigmatic. Then she explodes into LCL]

ROMAN

This fucking blows. (looking up at THE PORTAL) Thank you, bro.

[ROMAN explodes into LCL]

...

[EXT. TIMES SQUARE]

[The orange glow covers the whole city. The notes of KOMM SUSSER TODD keep playing. There is a general scene of chaos as people scream and run and explode into LCL]

[THE PORTAL is glowing and growing bigger. KENDALL looks at it, with a smile, his eyes unhinged, his mind lost.]

[He reaches his arm towards it, as if trying to grasp it. He cannot close it.]

FADE OUT, CREDITS.

[breaniebree]

Quick Sneak Peeks/Taunts At the Final Chapters of ASC

Chapter 343 — The One With the News

The curtains were pulled open and Harry and Neville each stood there, holding a pillow.  Before either of them could move, pillows beat them over the head until they were laughing and on the floor, shoving them off.  Feathers exploded out of one and Neville spit a feather out of his mouth.

Chapter 344 — The One With the Last Hurrah

“Eight!”  Ron shouted.  “Nine if you count the green of his new one.”  He grabbed Harry’s wrist and held it up.  “This wanker actually tattooed my sister’s name onto his body!”

Harry blushed, pulling his arm away.  “Hey!  I love her.”

Ron shook his head.  “Soppy wanker.”

Chapter 345 — The One With No Pressure

“And we need to make more of a plan because my parents are going to have questions.”

“A plan?  We have a plan.  We’re going to raise these babies together.”

“A more detailed plan,” Fiadh corrected.  “We should talk about moving in together.”

“What’s there to talk about?”  Fred demanded.  “I want you to move in with me.  You know that.”

“I know, but maybe we should look for a bigger place.  This flat isn’t exactly baby proof.”

Fred frowned.  “What’s wrong with my bachelor pad?”

Fiadh’s lips curved.  “For starters, the fact that it’s a bachelor pad.”

Chapter 346 — The One Where We’re Not Gonna Take It

Operation Kill the Sodding Bastard was finally bloody here.

Chapter 347 — The One Where This Is Our Life, This Is Our Home

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wasn’t sure if he would have believed it.  Canadian geese, with their long necks and wide wings, were honking and chasing Death Eaters down in front of the castle.

Chapter 348 — The One With Operation Kill the Sodding Bastard

Someone huge tackled him to the ground and he grunted as his breath was stolen from him.  His breath came out in a loud whoosh as he looked up into the face of Goyle in surprise.

“Goyle, what the fuck?”

Before Goyle could answer, a red spark hit the ground near Theo’s head and he winced.  Goyle rolled him before he pulled him to his feet.  When Theo looked over, Lestrange was dead and part of the stone from the courtyard had collapsed where Theo had just been standing.  

Chapter 349 — The One Where It’s Finally Over

“I’m okay, too.”

“No, you’re not,” she told him, kissing his brow, “but you will be.  Take a breath, Harry.  Tom’s gone.”

Chapter 350 — The One With the Polka Dot Tie

…people started to applaud him.

“Thank you!”  Someone shouted.

“To the Chosen One!”

“To the Conquerer!”

“For he’s a jolly good fellow,” someone began to sing as others joined in. 

Harry’s cheeks flushed.  He shook some hands and spoke to few people in earnest before he managed to sneak out, the sounds of people still chanting his name, echoing in his ears.

Chapter 351 — The One With the Dance in the Rain

He stayed seated on the blanket as the warm spring rain fell and just watched her.  Her long red hair was soaked to her back, to her neck.  Long strands were stuck to her face and he watched her twirl and laugh, face upturned towards the sky.  Her brown eyes were alight in pure joy and he clambered to his feet to grab her hands.

She shrieked in delight when he spun her into a dance.  Her eyes lit up as the lightning glimmered across the sky and the tempo of the rain increased.  Neither of them spoke as they stood there, swaying in the warm rain.  When she stood on her toes, sliding her hands up his chest to kiss him, he tasted the rain on her skin.

Chapter 352 — The One With the Blow Jobs

Harry caught sight of his girlfriend’s red hair by the snack table and hurried over to her.  He grabbed two of the shots from the tray the house elves were passing around.  They each had a dollop of what looked like whipped cream on top and looked like a rather delicious dessert.

“Pudding?”  he offered.

Ginny’s lips curved.  “Blow job.”

Harry choked as he got white cream on his lip.  “What?”

“The drink in your hand,” Ginny said, smirking.  “Are you all right?”

Chapter 353 — The One Where Life’s About To Get Good

Harry was holding a sleeping Teddy curled up on his shoulder.  Teddy’s sweet little face was against his neck where Harry could feel his soft breaths.  

Chapter 354 — The One With the Search for the Replies

The sound of Ginny belting out the lyrics to “Shadows of the Night” made him smile.  He reached around to turn the burner on low before he grabbed her hand and pulled her into a dance.  Ginny laughed, her brown eyes lighting up as he spun her around and pulled her back into his arms.  She looped her hands around his neck as they swayed in the kitchen.

“Is this what our life is going to be like?  Cooking and dancing together in the kitchen?”

Harry brushed his lips over her ear.  “If I have any say in it, absolutely.  And I plan on having you for dessert.”

She blushed, her lips forming into a sexy pout that made Harry kiss her again.  He let his hand slide over her back, fingers brushing under the tiny string that was across her back barely holding the small triangles over her breasts.

Chapter 355 — The One With the Quinque Annos Consilium

They talked about how she was going to move in after she wrote her NEWTS and spoke more about how they would try to find time for each other while she was at school, making plans to talk on the mirror every night.

Then they would find their way upstairs and make love in the big bed, sometimes in the tub or shower, and fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.  Harry woke her every morning with his head between her legs and they would have lazy morning sex before going downstairs to make breakfast.

After a week in Barbados of nothing but surfing, sun, and sex, they both felt relaxed and happy.  It was how they ended up going down to the magical village called Kaleidoscope Kove which was right along the beach near Bridgetown.  It was a very unique place in the sense that all of the buildings did indeed look like a kaleidoscope in bright colours and geometric patterns that looked magical.  

They walked hand in hand through bookstores and little boutiques.  Harry bought her a pair of earrings in bright crystals and an emerald crystal hoop for the top of her ear.  They ate ice cream and ate lunch at a beachside café and then saw the sign for scuba diving and snorkelling.

 Chapter 356 — The One With the Dickwad

“Understood,” Harry said.  “I got another tattoo.”

Ron’s eyebrow rose.  “Please don’t tell me you got my sister’s face tattooed on your arse now?”

Harry chuckled.  “Nah, that’s where your name goes.”

Ron snorted.

Harry pulled his tee shirt over his head to show Ron the new tattoo he’d just gotten yesterday.  It was three written lines across his left ribs and Ron leaned in closer to read the small black script that said: Teddy, 11th April, 1998.

Ron’s lips curved.  “Just like Sirius’.”

Harry nodded, picking up his beer.  “He tattooed my name on him after I was born and I wanted to do the same for my godson.  It’s even in the same spot.”

Chapter 357 — The One With the Training

“Good morning.  I’m Auror Gawain Robards and I’ll be your leader for basic training.  Today will be about getting you acquainted and understanding the plan for the next few weeks.  As you know, with the war, we have an immediate need for Aurors, which means we’ll be accelerating the coursework a little bit.  Basic has been dropped down to three weeks instead of four and you’ll be tested weekly.”

A short blonde witch who was stunningly beautiful raised her wand.  “Where will basic training take place, Sir?”

“If you’re patient and listen, you’ll find out.”

The witch looked put out, but she kept her eyes on Auror Robards as she waited for him to continue.

“Basic is all about seeing if you have what it takes to physically be an Auror,” Robards continued.  “If you’re looking for a desk job, you’ve come to the wrong place.  It will be up to you to keep up on assignments and there will be zero exceptions for late homework or half-arsed work.  Not all of you will make it through the next three weeks,” he declared, his eyes narrowing.  “Aurors need to be ready to face everything and anything and if you’re not here to give one hundred percent, you might as well walk out right now.”

No one moved and he nodded.

Chapter 358 — The One With the Marble Wall

Ginny smacked him and he laughed.  “That’s not the point, Harry!  Does everyone think that we’re just randy sots?”

“But we are randy sots.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“Hey, who got who naked first on the cliffs yesterday?”  Harry insisted, making her blush.

Chapter 359 — The One With the First Assignment and the Red Moon

Harry and Ron finished at the Academy and were officially presented with A1 badges.  The bronze star-shaped badge with the Ministry of Magic emblem rising over the top of the star had a Roman numeral one imposed over the top of the emblem.  In the centre of the badge were two crossed wands with a sword between them and around the circle were the three words that Aurors lived by: Honoris, Praesidium, Veritas.  At the bottom were the carved Roman numerals of their badge numbers.  Harry’s thumb brushed over his in amazement: MMMMCMLXXII.  When he looked over at Ron’s, he couldn’t help but smile when he saw his friend’s was only one number off of his MMMMCMLXXIII.

They were to report to Kingsley Shacklebolt Monday morning at eight AM sharp for further instruction.  Harry had done as Robards had asked and finished learning all about Fletcher Fleming.  Robards had let him sit in on the interrogation of the thief and allowed him to write up part of the final report on his arrest and capture.

Harry was ecstatic.  It felt like he was doing real detective work and he loved it.  He couldn’t wait to stop being a trainee and be the bottom of the totem pole in the Auror Department as an A1.  Nothing sounded cooler in his mind.

Chapter 360 — The One Where It All Comes Full Circle

Robards nodded.  “And you destroyed all of them?”

“Yes, Sir.  Ron took out the last one in the Battle of Hogwarts, his giant snake, Nagini.”

Robards tapped his fingers on his desk.  “Horcruxes are the darkest magic known to man.  If he truly split his soul six ways to Sunday, it’s too damaged to ever be properly resurrected.”

“But he still could be?”  Harry asked, his heart sinking.

The End!

[pumpkinstep]

Okay but like, imagine if Firestar confronted Brambleclaw about his leadership and his failure to take care of his clan and family.  I imagine he would be furious and quite disappointed in him. He’d come to him in a dream to warn him and tell him off for what he’s done. i think it’d go for something like this: Pale mist swirled at his paws as white moonlight bleached his usually dark tabby pelt.  Bramblestar blinked and found himself in the middle of thunderclans camp, an imposing shadow cast down from the highledge making him cast his gaze upwards towards to source.  Joy exploded in his chest and he couldn’t stop the purr that rumbled in his throat as he recognized the figure staring down at him with blazing bright green eyes.  While the moonlight had robbed his fur of its color and left it ghostly shade imbued with glimmering stars, he’d recognize the face of his mentor anywhere. It was seasons since he’d last spoken with Firestar and hoped he would praise him for his efforts in taking care of his clan. The orange tom had left large paw prints to fill and bramblestar did his best to follow in his steps.  His joy evaporated like puddles on a hot day and felt cold dread sink heavily into the pit of his belly. The former leader was scowling at him, a faint growl and barely hidden aggression was what met him, not pride and praise.  His anxiety only increased, fearing the worst was to come, a terrible omen of a potential war or worse, famine. He was sure, maybe it was the latter, the sharp cold of leafbare cutting through his dense pelt with ease.  He steeled himself and squared his shoulders, gazing up at Firestar and ready to take on his message with confidence.  The old tom narrowed his eyes at him, tail lashing behind him as his claws glinted in the moonlight and scraped the stone beneath his paws.  “You’ve failed me, Bramblestar.” He hissed, standing tall and looking down at him, “I revoke your lives and relieve you of your duties,”  Bramblestar flinched, feeling as though his former mentor has lashed out and struck him across the muzzle. Wide eyed and confused, the massive tabby stared up at him in disbelief. “You must be mistaken, i’ve only done what you would have wanted!” “Have you learned nothing? Have I taught you nothing about leadership and compassion? I had my doubts about you but I took a chance and allowed you to prove yourself. To prove you wouldn’t follow in your father’s paw steps. I see now I was wrong to make you deputy, to allow you to be leader of my clan.”  Bramblestar couldn’t believe his ears, had the former thunderclan leader not been watching him and his efforts? Did he not understand how difficult it had been to take his place and uphold peace in his absence? Where had he been when he needed his help? When skyclan returned and needed territory? Firestar had let him flounder and forge his own path.  “I did the best I could,” Bramblestar retorted, feeling his fur lift along the spine as he took on a defensive stance, hackles raised and claws digging into the dirt. “I did what I thought was best for the clan and kept them safe.”  “I cannot let you continue to be leader if trying to wage war on queens bearing kits is what you think is best for the clan. I thought you would know better after I taught you about Brokentail. No, Bramblestar, you did not do what was best, you did what was easiest and the two are not the same.”  Firestar’s mew was cold and menacing, a threatening growl lacing his words as if it was taking everything he could not to leap off the highledge and sink his claws into his former apprentice.  “You’re wrong!” Bramblestar yowled defiantly, “I had no other choice, you can even ask squirrelflight that I only act within your and the clan’s best interest! You weren’t there, you let Me down!”  “You’ll do best to keep my daughters name out of your mouth, you mongrel,” he hissed as he crouched as if to jump, “Your treatment of her and the rest of my family is unforgivable. You’ve abused your power and starclan was wrong to endorse this relationship. Change your ways, Brambleclaw, or I will see to it that you never walk among the stars.” Before he had the chance to defend himself or retaliate, he awoke in a cold sweat, feeling the chill of leafbare clinging to his pelt as the old toms words rang in his ears, Change your ways, Brambleclaw, or I will see to it that you never walk among the stars.

[hollandsmushroom]

A Ring and A Chain

Tom Holland x Reader

Warnings: Tooth rotting fluff and proposals. 

Summary: Tom wants to replace something of yours but comes up with a conclusion so you can keep your old ones as well. 

Word Count: 1610

You awoke to a rose on the pillow next to you, the soft smell enchanting your olfactory senses and drawing you from your peaceful sleep, it was in just enough time to catch the shirtless back of your boyfriend slipping out of the room. You're wrapped around the green stem, bringing the flora to your nose and inhaling deeply, the soft petals rubbing against your nose and making you shiver. The touch reminded you of gentle innocence and wandering through stores as a child trying to find the softest item, it was pure and unmeaning yet somehow filled with love. Your fingers pressed into the soft mattress topper, raising your sleep impaired body from the blankets. 

You swung your legs over the edge of the bed, toes curling as the bare soles met the cold wooden floor, a shiver running through your body at the sudden change in air surrounding it, looking longingly at the pile of blankets on the bed before the sound of the kettle in the kitchen pulled you in the direction. The scent of tea and coffee replaced the lingering aroma of roses on your cheeks. You heard Tom before you saw him, the velvety notes of his humming overwhelming your hearing as you leaned against the door frame. Your body was shrouded with one of Tom’s shirt, the one that he had taken off last night before getting in bed, he was wearing nothing but his grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, the shadow of his hip bone peaking out, making you want to fall to your knees and places feathery kisses along the line of musculature.

His weight shifted from foot to foot, twisting around to face the kitchen island, where two plates with fresh fruit adorning the white porcelain sat. His brown eyes widened, eyebrows raising up his forehead, as he finally became aware of your presence. Your fingers still spinning the rose that had been so kindly placed next to you, he watched your movements as his eyes returned to normal, gaze softening as it went from your hands to your sleepy eyes. 

A yawn escaped your lips as you shuffled towards him, he stood still, hands still holding the frying pan that was filled with the pancakes he had lovingly made. Your arms wrapped around his naked torso, nuzzling your cheek against his bare chest, his skin smooth against yours. You huffed contentedly as he set the pan down, his arms encircling you and pulling you tight, lips burying themselves in your hair as he kissed the top of your head. 

“I thought you were still asleep” He spoke quietly, eyeing yoru striking features as you continued to cuddle yourself into him.

“Was, but a little cupid woke me up” you giggled, peeling your eyes open to meet his gaze, a smile spreading across your cheeks with how much adoration he was pouring into his stare, a grin quickly spreading to him as well. Leaning in and uniting your lips, it was a soft kiss, yet it still took your breath away. The only noise that filled your ears was the sound of your heart pounding, blood rushing as the world seemed to spin, there was more passion in this one kiss than there had been in any of your other relationships combined. His hands found your cheeks, thumbing over the dips of your orbital bones.

He continued this movement as you pulled apart, foreheads resting against one another as you both tried to catch your breath, everything in you seems to have been poured into that kiss. 

“Good morning” he whispered, not wanting to break the serenity that was the atmosphere of the kitsch at the moment. 

“Morning” you hum, looking at his eyes in time to catch them cover with a thick layer of fear, pulling back from your embrace, he placed pancakes on the plates and moved them to the other side of the island where two champagne glasses of orange juice sat. 

“What is the occasion?” you asked, curious at what made this morning so special. 

“Um, let's just eat and then you can see” he assured, kissing your lips tenderly as he moved around the island and pulling out your chair, which you happily accepted, the soft suede of the seat brushing against your bare thighs as you settled in, waiting for Tom to sit down before you started eating. 

“How did you sleep?” you spoke before taking your first bite, humming in satisfaction as you rolled your eyes back to show the pleasure this food had caused your taste buds. 

“I slept alright, if I’m honest, I just couldn’t get to sleep” he muttered, pulling your hand into his and twisting the rings that sat on your finger around, something he only did when he was really nervous. 

“Tom? Are you okay?” you asked, worry overtaking as you turned to face him, he looked terrified, his knee was shaking and he looked like he was about to start sweating. 

“Mhmm, I guess I just really need to talk to you about something” his voice was soft, turning his whole body to face you as he slipped something out of his pocket, a small black box. 

“Yeah?” you tried to ignore the box, thinking maybe he was upset that an heirloom broke or something but part of you exploded, thinking ‘what if this is what I think it is’. 

“Okay, here goes nothing,” he said, more to himself than to you. “Y/n, I love you, and you know that but, something has changed,” he paused, making your heart stop, did he want the small amethyst ring that he had given you years ago back, was he no longer in love with you?  Pinky and thumb going to scratch at the metal band that now felt too hot against your skin. 

“Last year, when we sat here in the kitchen and we hadn’t slept all night but you decided that you wanted to make breakfast before going to bed, you accidentally dropped the whipped cream on the floor and instead of clean it up or cry you sat down and dipped your strawberries in the part that wasn’t on the floor” he recounted that wild morning where all the both of you did was humor the others eccentricities, tears coming to your eyes in anticipation of what you truly believed to be happening. “I saw you and something in me clicked, all of the other times that we had of just being each other and going on adventures together came back and I realized that there is no one else that I would want to get lemonade with a 2 a.m. after getting late night noodles at that noodle express place in the financial district. Or that I would not have loved the night we found a rave randomly as much as I did if it was with anyone else” Your eyes searched  his, tears now streaming down both of your faces. “There is no one in this world I would rather be myself with, you make me feel loved and cherished and like I am perfectly enough at whatever point in time.” he took a deep breath, opening the box to reveal a small ring that was surrounded by something else silver, a chain? “In short, you make my life what I want it to be and I want to spend the rest of my life doing my best to make you feel a fraction of how you make me feel, will you do me the honor and marry me?” he rushed it out but you caught every single word. 

“You make me feel everything and more, Tom, of course I will marry you” you sobbed, it was a messy cry, snot on your top lip that you ignored, not caring anymore. 

“Oh thank god,” he cried, pressing his lips to yoru in a tearstained kiss, joy radiating off of the both of you. His fingers reader for the small silver chain, placing it in the palm of your open hand making you look at him with eyes that asked what?

“Um, you already have rings on your engagement finger so I figured that you could put them on the chain and wear them around your neck cause they will be replaced” a grin found its place on your lips as he handed you the ring as well. 

“I was, uh-hoping that the ring you would wear on you finger would be the engagement ring cause-” you cut off his rambling with your lips, hands wrapping around his neck as you pulled him close once again, you fingers making quick work of removing your other rings before pulling back, showing him your naked finger as you set your other rings aside, the clang of metal on marble beautiful to his ears, a sign of your devotion. 

“Would you put it on me?” you questioned, holding the ring he had offered you just moments before out to him. 

“Of course” he hummed, taking the ring and sliding it down on your finger before turning around, unclasping the chain and threading it through your past rings. 

“Here, let me help you with this as well” his voice was melting you and your throat had closed with emotion, you could only nod. He leaned in, lips on lips again as his hands went around your neck this time, clasping your new jewelry on before pulling back, admiring his now soon to be spouse. 

“I love you, future Holland” he mumbled, now fiddling with your engagement ring, but no longer out of anxiety, out of pure excitement. 

@thehumanistsdiary