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inthe-dark-tonight · 1 year ago

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whatever’s on tonight

joel miller x fem!reader

part 2

summary: a weekend in the desert is anything but lonely with joel miller around

word count: 2.8k

warnings: 18+ (mdni), no outbreak AU, established relationship, no mention of age difference, fluff, unsafe p in v, creampie, swearing, dirty talk, alcohol consumption, hot tub sex with joel miller ;)

notes: came up with this idea while listening to the next best american record by lana del rey <3 i wrote this all last night and barely looked it over so sorry about any mistakes and thank you for reading!!

Whatever's on tonight // I just wanna party with you // Topanga's hot tonight // I'm takin' off my bathing suit // You made me feel like.., // There's somethin' that I never knew−I wanted

You and Joel decided to rent a bungalow outside of big bend national park for the weekend, somewhere you can both relax and disconnect. It was a last minute decision, you can’t even remember the last time the two of you got a chance to do something like this. You made sure to book a place that was a little more secluded so you could enjoy the peacefulness of the desert, and having a hot tub to relax was a necessity.

You both took a half day at work, packed up the truck then headed out. It was nearly a 7 hour drive, you spent the time talking and listened to music while looking at the scenery to pass the time. About half way through your trip you stopped at a little diner to have dinner, then got back on the road.

As you get closer to the bungalow the two of you are staying in, you begin to feel more excited about the little get away. As Joel drives down the winding desert road leading to the house, the sky is fading into a dark blue shade, dusk slowly taking over. You look over at Joel as he drives, the silhouette of his side profile made more prominent by the fading light behind him. A smile grows on your face as your eyes trail over his features.

“What?” He smirks and glances at you for a second before looking back to the road.

You shake your head. “Nothing,” you break into a smile. “Just excited that’s all.”

He takes one hand off the steering wheel to find yours on your lap and intertwines his fingers with yours, squeezing lightly. You sit in silence until he’s parked in front of the bungalow, only letting go of your hand to get out of the car.

“Here we are.” He gives you a content look as you both unbuckle your seatbelts and climb out of the car.

You stop for a second after closing the passenger door staring up at sky in awe, now filled with stars as the moon takes the suns place in the night sky. Joel comes up behind you, wrapping his large arms around your waist. You rest your arms on top of his and lay your head back onto his shoulder, eyes never leaving the sky.

“Beautiful” He whispers, leaving a soft kiss on your cheek.

“Mhm” You hum, unaware that he was talking about you.

“Let’s bring our stuff in.” His voice is soft, you turn your head to look up at him and his lips immediately meet yours in a gentle kiss.

You let out a sigh before he moves to unpack the truck, hands lingering on your hips for a short moment. You help him grab a few things before the two of you walk up to the house. Joel sets down his bag while he fiddles with the lock box that holds the key for a minute, and you can’t help but laugh.

Once he finally unlocks the door, you walk in and the space is beautiful, a small kitchen lined with floor to ceiling windows that leads into a cozy living room. You set down your bags to take a look around, the home is mid century style and it’s exactly what you hoped for when you booked it. You walk to the other side of the living room and find another wall filled with floor to ceiling windows, a small bathroom, and a door that leads to the bedroom.

Joel trails behind you as you enter the room, a large king size bed facing a sliding glass door that leads to the patio and hot tub, and a bathroom with a huge walk-in glass shower across from a vanity with a giant wall to wall mirror. You turn around and walk over to Joel, a thrilled smile on your face as you jump up and wrap your arms around his neck.

“Woah there.” He chuckles and wraps his arms around you, squeezing tight as he buries his face in your neck.

“Sorry, I’m excited.” Your voice is muffled as you nuzzle into him.

He pulls back from you, planting his hands on your hips and kissing the tip of your nose.

“How ‘bout I grab us some drinks and we go out back?” He’s resting his forehead against yours now.

“Only if you go in the hot tub with me.” You give him a playful look.

“Whatever you want, baby. We’re here to relax.” He squeezes your waist before turning around to head for the kitchen.

You grab your bag from the living room and dig around for your bathing suit and snag a shirt from Joel’s bag to slip over it. As you’re putting on your bathing suit, you hear music coming from the living room. You tie your bathing suit top as quickly as you can and throw on Joel’s shirt before walking towards the music.

You see Joel in the corner messing with an old radio, switching through the staticky channels until he stops on one that’s coming through mostly clear. You recognize the song that’s coming through the speakers, and he turns around setting his beer on the coffee table before walking over to you.

Anyone who’s ever had a heart

Wouldn’t turn around and break it

He grabs your hips pulling you into him, hands resting on the small of your back as he holds you close. You rest both your hands on his shoulders.

“Dance with me.” He whispers before starting to sway back and forth.

You move your hands up to wrap around his neck,and rest your head on his shoulder, listening to his heart beat as you sway back and forth with him. Your eyes close, getting lost in the moment just feeling his warm chest move under you with each breath. As you sway back and forth, you lift your head to look up at him and rest your hands on his chest. His nose gently brushes against yours as he stares at you with heavy lidded eyes.

Heavenly wine and roses

Seem to whisper to me when you smile

Joel spins you around causing you to let out a laugh before pulling you back in, his lips meeting with yours in a feverish kiss. One of his hands moves up to cup your cheek, pulling you closer as he lets out a content sigh.

Sweet Jane

Oh sweet, sweet Jane

He breaks the kiss still holding you close, eyes locked on yours as he continues to sway with you until the end of the song. He gently tucks a hair behind your ear before breaking the silence.

“Let me get changed and I’ll meet you outside.” He whispers to you, and you nod in agreement.

He plants one last gentle kiss on your lips before you walk to the bedroom and open the sliding door to the deck. When you step outside it’s a bit chilly, you quickly remove the cover from the hot tub and dip your hand into the warm water. When you look up towards the sliding glass door you see the silhouette of Joel’s broad frame in the dim light of the room as he walks towards the door. He’s holding two beers in his hand when he steps out, his eyes meet yours before closing the door.

You stand there with your hand in the water still as he sets the beers on the edge of the hot tub. He walks over to you and you turn around, leaning up against the hot tub facing him. Your eyes roam over his exposed chest and shoulders as he saunters towards you wearing a pair of dark blue swim trunks that hang dangerously low on his waist. He reaches out to grab the hem of the shirt you’re wearing, knuckles skimming the skin on your thighs as he slowly lifts it. You raise your arms allowing him to remove it before throwing it off to the side somewhere, leaving you in just your black bathing suit. His warm hands run up and down your sides caressing your soft skin as his eyes roam over your body.

“You’re heavenly.” He squeezes your hips, shaking his head in disbelief.

You rest your hands on his stomach right above the hem of his swim trunks, he sucks in a deep breath as you slowly move your hands up his soft stomach, over his chest and rest them on his solid shoulders. His hands move to squeeze your ass and you let out a small yelp causing Joel to chuckle.

“Very funny,” you roll your eyes giving him a playful smile as you grab his hand. “C’mon.”

You pull him along as you walk towards the steps to get in the hot tub. As you climb in, he rests his hand on your lower back. Once you're sitting he climbs in after you letting out a low groan as he sinks into the warm water. He grabs the beers from the ledge of the hot tub and hands you one, eyes staying locked on you as he takes a sip of his own. You’re sitting across from him, watching him as you sink further down into the water. He rests his arm over the edge of the hot tub holding his beer, and runs his other hand through his hair dampening it slightly.

“C’mere baby.” He sets his beer down and sits up straight.

You push yourself off the edge of your seat and swiftly lift yourself to straddle his lap, your drink forgotten on the other side of the hot tub. You settle in his lap, hands resting on the sides of his neck as he looks up at you. He trails his warm hands lightly up and down your back, causing goosebumps to form all over your damp skin.

“Joel…” you breathe out, rolling your hips into his.

“Goddamn.” He lets out a low moan.

You lightly pull at the hair on the back of his neck causing him to close his eyes for a moment, tongue sticking out to wet his lips. You can feel his hardening length start to grow beneath you, and when he opens his eyes again they’re immediately glued to your chest.

As his warm breath fans across your skin you move one of your hands to find the tie on the back of your bikini, pulling at the string once you find it. Your bathing suit top loosens and his eyes widen, darting up to yours. Then you move both your hands to the tie at your neck, pulling it loose and letting your top fall into the water before placing your hands on the ledge behind him. You can feel Joel’s fully hardened cock underneath you now as he takes in the sight of your bare chest.

“Fuck.” His hips lift and you press yourself into him.

“Like what you see?” You grind your hips into his again.

He looks up at you with wide eyes and a slack jaw as he nods in agreement. You grab his hands from your hips and lift them up to your tits, his eyes falling back to your chest. Your hands cover his as he lightly squeezes and kneads them while you continue to roll your hips into him.

“So pretty.” He hums.

You let out a small moan and his eyes turn dark as they snap up to yours. You remove your hands from his and slowly move yourself back, reaching into the water for his swim trunks. He sees what you’re doing and lifts his hips up as you pull them down, exposing his fully hardened cock.

He removes his hands from your breast to untie the strings on the bottoms of your bikini, pulling them out from under you and tossing them to the other side of the hot tub causing the water to slightly splash on you. You flinch and let out a small shout, leaning into Joel.

“Sorry” he says between laughs.

You wrap your arms around his solid form, laying your bare chest against his before meeting his lips with a passionate kiss. A long sigh leaves you lips as your body relaxes into him. His hard length is flush against your folds, tip nudging at your clit as you slowly thrust against him.

You’re breathing heavily as you break the kiss. “Need you.” It comes out quiet and soft.

“I’m all yours baby.” He grabs your face, placing his lips on yours again.

You slowly lift your hips until you feel his tip catch at your entrance, causing him to let out a low moan that vibrates through your chest. Joel slips his tongue past your lips deepening the kiss as you start to slowly sink down onto his cock. You remove your lips from his and let out another soft moan.

“Oh my god Joel, feels so good.” You mumble against his lips, nose nudging against his.

He’s speechless, both hands on your face as he looks up at you. You slowly move yourself up and down on his cock at a steady pace, just taking in the way he feels slowly stretching you. You tug at his hair causing his head to tilt up towards you more, and that sets something off in him.

He lets out a low growl before lifting you up off of him, spinning you around so your back is to him. Then he starts gently pushing you to the other side of the hot tub, his hands rest on your hips as you settle on your knees and your hands grip the ledge. Seconds later he’s thrusting his cock back into you, causing your body to jolt forward as you let out a gasp.

His pace starts out slow as he trails kisses down your bare back and shoulders. Then he starts to pick up his pace resting one of his hands over yours, the other on your hip as his broad frame leans over you. You turn your head to get a glimpse of him, and he leans forward, removing his hand from yours to grab your jaw as he kisses you.

“Take me so well baby.” He hums as his pace quickens.

Heat is building in your stomach, ready to snap at any second. His hand on your hip moves to wrap around you, holding you flush against him.

“I’m close.” It comes out barely audible.

The hand that’s holding your chin moves to rest on your shoulder as he lets out low grunts into the side of your neck, leaving hot kisses on your skin.

“Let me feel you, sweet thing.” He whispers into your ear, his deep voice making you shudder.

It’s enough to make the coil in your stomach finally snap, eyes fluttering shut as your walls clench around him. He lets out a groan as he fucks you through your orgasm, your name falling from his lips in low moans as his pace starts to faulter. He starts to pull out and you quickly grab his hand that’s resting on your shoulder, stopping him.

“Inside Joel,” You let out a breath. “Please.”

He slows down and plants both his hands on your hips, your words were enough to send him over the edge as he releases himself into you. A whimper leaves your mouth as you feel his warm load coat your walls. His forehead rests on your shoulder as he comes down from his high, breathing heavily while trying to catch his breath.

“Fuck, baby.” He leaves a soft kiss on your shoulder before pulling out of you with a low hiss.

After a moment Joel sits up and turns his body towards you, one hand resting on your inner thigh, the other draped along the edge of the hot tub. You sit up a little and your eyes meet his.

Both of his hands move to rest on on your cheeks, caressing your soft skin with his thumbs as you wrap your arms around his neck. He leans in to kiss you again, deep and slow as your lips move in sync. He breaks this kiss too soon leaning his forehead against yours, eyes closed and he takes in a deep breath. You keep your eyes closed, carding your fingers through his hair as you take in this moment.

Your chest swells, as you open your eyes you find him peering at you through heavy lidded eyes.

“Joel…”

“It’s true, all the roads lead to you. Everything I want and do.” He takes a deep breath.

Your hands rest on his broad shoulders as you brush your lips against his, taking in what he just confessed to you.

“I love you.” It’s barely audible, lower than a whisper.

Your lips fully meet with his and he grabs your legs to swing them over his lap, lips still attached to yours.

“I love you too.” He nuzzles his nose against your cheek.

You curl up closer to him, laying your head on his shoulder. His large hand runs up and down your back as you both sit there taking in the moment, listening to each other's breathing and the faint noises of the night.

tagging a few moots <3

@sscorpiiio @gracieheartsspedro @ilovepedro @pedrospartner @joelsversion @javiscigarette @jenispunk @beskarandblasters @tinygarbage @shatteredbaby @nostalxgic @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @isitmeulookin4

thanks for reading 🤍 and thank you @pr0ximamidnight for letting me ramble and send updates ily AND thank you for the summary 🫡

thinking about a part 2 also if anyone’s interested 👀 my asks box is open to chat!

#joel miller smut #joel miller x reader #joel miller x female reader #soft!joel miller #joel miller #joel miller fic #couldn’t stop thinking about hot tub sex with joel

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lady-in-the-lair · 3 months ago

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Happy Anniversary, Buddy

One year after the disaster at Area 51, Eddie finally makes it to New York.

Time for the fandom's thousandth fix-it fic!

Read on Ao3 or below

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It takes him a year to make it to New York.

It’s not the cost. Eddie has a new job now, not particularly exciting, but it pays the bills and keeps him busy.

It’s important to keep busy.

Necessary.

He spends the flight writing up his latest exposé, spends hours pruning and polishing in an effort to forget the last time he’d been on a plane.

Literally on a plane.

Venom would have liked that joke.

“We should have driven,” he says aloud. Even without the plane trauma, he would have loved taking a long, meandering cross-country road trip, showing Venom the national parks. The wonder in Venom's voice at the sight of the Nevada desert from above keeps echoing in his ears, and he keeps imagining Venom's awe had Eddie taken him to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Big Bend, the Smoky Mountains...

"Should have taken you when we had the chance," he says, closing his eyes. "I knew you wanted to see the world, but I..."

“Sir?” It’s the flight attendant. Again. “If you want a fourth beer, that'll have to be your last one. Airline policy.”

Eddie mumbles something, he himself isn’t sure what, and turns back to his laptop. It’s the hundredth time he’s been given the stinkeye by the flight attendant for talking to himself.

He still hasn’t gotten used to it. Himself. Just himself.

Knows, deep down, that he’ll never get used to it.

He’d spent most of his life on his own. He would have been fine now if he’d never had Venom. Fine. Completely fine. He'd been fine after losing Anne, more or less; sad, but fine. Logically he should be fine now that he's lost the symbiote.

Then why—

You know why, though you only realized it when it was too late—

Nerika.

Or whatever that word was, that mental door Martin had told him about that opens upon one’s death, leading to revelations.

He hadn’t believed in the hippie-dippy nonsense it at the time. And even if he had, he would have never imagined that the door would open upon Venom’s death.

Fine time to realize Venom’s feelings are real—

—were real—

—after a year of telling yourself they weren’t even though you could feel them. Fine time to realize you reciprocated them, fine time to realize it was real, it was all real, and now he’s gone.

He realizes he’s been typing gibberish and presses the delete button, then stops at the memory that conjures up, of Venom poking at his computer, of how poorly he’d treated Venom during that period— not just during that period—

Guilt triggered by the memory breaks through the numbing armor he’s formed around himself, floods the hollow in his chest that used to be filled by Venom. He rubs his temples, regrets opening his eyes when they fall on the date at the corner of his computer screen.

Two years to the day from when they first met. Bonded. Bonded like—

He orders another drink.

He buys the M&Ms at the massive M&M flagship store near Radio City (Venom would have loved it) but he doesn’t eat the candy until he’s sitting on one of the too-small chairs set up for tourists in Times Square, a place he would have gone out of his way to avoid if he didn’t know Venom would have reveled in the bright lights and neon and crowds of people just like the symbiote, people from all over the world, aliens.

It’s the first time he’s eaten chocolate since that day in the desert.

He finishes the bag.

All but the red ones.

It’s just a faint flicker at first, a half-formed thought, the occasional will-o'-the-wisp floating through the mists of what should have been oblivion but somehow isn’t.

Little scraps of consciousness, like someone switching between stations as they tune a radio. Fleeting feelings at first, familiar but not his, or are they…?...he can't tell, can't even identify the scattered specks of disembodied emotion illuminating the darkness.

He has no concept of time, no way of knowing how long it is before his mind forms a single faint but coherent word:

Eddie.

He tries to focus on the Eddie, use it as an anchor, bind the will-o'-the-wisps to it with slippery tentacles of hazy self-awareness like someone tying a lifeboat to a buoy in an ocean of blackness, but they feelings grief, regret, sorrow?—dissipate like mist at his touch.

He swims through the numbing black sea towards the Eddie, struggling to claw his way back to—to what?—he doesn’t know—he’s driven by something outside himself, or perhaps buried deep within himself—a desperation to return to something—someone—

That need is what keeps him from slipping beneath the inky waves of oblivion. Someone is waiting for him—

Then he fades again, resurfacing amidst sharp spikes of grief and regret, fading again, another burst of pain, over and over until he's hit by a blast of anger and melancholy so potent he suddenly remembers who he is, what he’s lost, before he sinks back into sticky blackness.

Time goes on, his fractured moments of semi-awareness faint and brief, but through it all he holds one thought up like a beacon:

Eddie. He has to get back to Eddie.

A whiff of hamburger, a bark of a dog.

Eddie’s voice.

Eddie. Hamburger. Dog.

(Dogs are not for eating.)

Other words come slowly.

Beer. Coffee. More beer.

The incessant clattering of computer keys is soothing, a log to cling to amidst the sea of mist.

He tries to hold on to the clatter, cling to passive scents, but this must be how humans feel when coming in and out of anesthesia and he has no way of knowing long it’s been before a roar sends a shudder through their body, through the lifeboat cradling the fragile tendrils of his consciousness, shocking him back to a fragment of himself.

It's the first physical sensation he’s felt since…

Since?

For the first time, he doesn't fade immediately after achieving consciousness. His mind is foggy, thoughts impossible to string together, but he's awake.

He can’t be sure, but he thinks it’s soon after that the roar that he first smells chocolate, feels a familiar crunch, tastes it, the second and third physical sensation he’s felt since…?

Since…?

Since something bad, he knows with growing certainty as the crunching continues, his thoughts growing stronger, more cohesive. Something that made Eddie sad…

Eddie.

He feels a surge of an emotion that does not belong to Eddie, the first emotion of his own that he’s felt since (since??) a rush of concern, anger at whatever made Eddie sad, a need to make that sadness go away.

A crinkling sound, another crunch, more chocolate. More sounds, growing louder, sharper: honking, a helicopter, music, a siren, a whistle.

Eddie’s voice again: “They didn’t have tater tots, buddy,” he’s saying to himself, voice sending a familiar rumble in his throat. “I thought McDonald’s would have them…I’ll grab a Hershey bar instead…you always liked those.”

Who is Eddie talking to? Somehow Venom knows Eddie thinks he's dead, though he can't remember how or why. Has Eddie gotten a new friend, a new partner, a new…Other….?

Has Venom been replaced—?

The sound of music, a cash register beeping, a crinkling wrapper, and the sweet rush of phenylalanine.

I’m here! he tries to scream. I’m still here, Eddie! Eddie, I’m here!

Then he stops, tries to think, something getting easier and easier, the thick sludgy blackness starting to thin as if getting washed away by rain—chocolate rain, ha, he can’t remember why that’s funny, but he knows he’s made a joke. Memories have started to return but the most recent ones are blurred by a haze of burning agony, with Eddie's face behind glass (a window??) the only thing coming through clearly.

Another bite of chocolate. Eddie is eating the whole chocolate bar; he can feel it, taste it, and so: Eddie did not share the chocolate, and so: Eddie must be alone.

Eddie is alone. Eddie has no new Other…?

He can feel them walking now, feel the impact of each footfall on the sidewalk, feel the pebble in Eddie’s shoe (not shoes—cowboy boots?? Is he wearing cowboy boots?? Why does that remind Venom of something?)—can feel Eddie’s toe catch on the curb, feel the wetness as he stumbles into a puddle.

What a loser.

His loser.

He still can’t see but he can hear a street vendor yelling “Chekkitout! Chekkitout!” and realizes they’re in New York City.

A wave of hurt.

We were supposed to come here together.

(We are together.)

Together like we were…

Eddie’s forgotten him. It’s the only explanation. Why else would he come here…?

He feels Eddie’s heart start to race in response to his distress, feels Eddie’s confusion at what’s causing the sudden surge of pain, and tries to calm them down, reminds himself that all that matters is that Eddie is happy. That’s all that’s ever mattered: if Eddie is happy Venom is happy. He was willing to get him back with Anne, after all, and Eddie forgetting him couldn’t be worse than that…

Right?

It’s only when he hears the “Road to Hell” that he starts to wonder if he’s wrong. He had played Hadestown on a loop till Eddie snapped the CD in half, after which Venom spent $50 on mp3 downloads before Eddie canceled the credit card. Eddie isn’t one for stories of doomed love, of star-crossed lovers fated to spend eternity searching for each other. He likes classic rock and oldies, hates musicals and theater.

So why is he here?

Can it be…?

Eddie must not have paid attention to the countless times Venom played the show’s soundtrack because he feels Eddie’s distress as it becomes obvious that Orpheus is going to lose Euridyce forever.

Venom he still can’t see but he can move, just a little. He curls a tendril around Eddie’s heart as it beats faster, tastes his dismay as Orpheus turns around and dooms Eurydices to oblivion and himself to eternal solitude, senses his bitterness at Hades and Persephone's happy ending.

Feels Eddie’s confusion as they leave the theater, confusion at the jubilation burgeoning in his chest, elbowing the grief unleashed by the show.

Venom doesn’t even try to tamp his joy down.

Eddie remembers. Eddie remembers!

He wishes he had full mobility, wishes he could wrap his tentacles around Eddie’s fingers, let Eddie know I’m back, I’m back, I’m alive, I’ve been here the whole time!

It’s an odd sensation, mistily hearing the sounds of the city as they walk and walk—Eddie speaks—“Maybe in here?”—buys something—food? Venom smells something familiar—walking, walking.

The air grows cooler and Venom wants to wrap Eddie in warm black goo. There’s a salt tang in the air, unnoticeable to most humans, growing stronger.

A blast of a foghorn.

At the water. And in the water is…?

A crushing wave of hurt that Eddie would come here alone. Venom was wrong at the show, wrong about Eddie…

A rustle of paper, the taste of tater tots, Eddie’s voice, too low for anyone else to hear:

“Happy anniversary, buddy. Sorry you couldn’t see this...”

Or maybe…?

“I miss you, V.” There’s a catch in Eddie's voice. “Miss…us.”

Venom is so excited that Eddie almost chokes on a tater tot, his throat constricting with Venom’s surge of delight.

Misses us. Misses us!

Eddie looks up at the Statue of Liberty, eyes filling with tears not entirely caused by the choking, and Venom feels him wondering again why exhilaration he hasn’t felt in over a year is fighting with his usual depression, now of all times, here of all places.

Venom deserves better, Venom hears him think, and Venom gives a shiver of joy, thin black tendrils curling around Eddie’s ribs, forming a warm cocoon around his heart.

Eddie finishes the tater tots and must be gazing back up at Lady Liberty because there’s a blurry light visible, the first thing Venom’s seen since the explosion at Area 51, a green smudge solidifying, forming a woman draped in a sheet, wearing a pointy hat and holding a torch.

It blurs again, but their vision clears as something hot and wet rolls down their cheek.

“Happy anniversary, Eddie,” says Venom.

#venom #venom fic #symbrock #eddie brock #venom symbiote #venom the last dance fix-it #lair posts

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prince-liest · 1 year ago

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inspired by a series of convos in the 3zun server and also my own recent camping trip:

please imagine mundane modern au nieyao going camping

meng yao is like twenty-three, freshly graduated from college after having to take a gap year to take care of his ailing mother. nie mingjue is in his thirties, and knows meng yao as the responsible young man who befriended his brother and is probably one of the driving forces preventing nie huaisang from having skipped too many classes to actually earn a degree. he's not technically meng yao's boss, but he works in the same organization and he thinks it's perfectly acceptable to mosey on over to meng yao's actual boss during the interview process and give them a stellar review of what he knows of meng yao's work ethic.

the fact that meng yao eventually (read: very rapidly) gets promoted to work at nie mingjue's right hand is... probably fine. it's not too strange. in fact, they're friends! good friends! good enough friends that when nie huaisang finally puts his foot down and downright refuses to go on the nie annual camping trip, citing that he is a "real" adult now (whatever that means) and that means he doesn't have to spend a week in the woods every year getting bitten by mosquitos and hunting down the nearest wifi connection if he doesn't want to, da-ge, maybe it'd be cute for taking photos if they just went for the weekend - well, then nie mingjue retorts that he doesn't see the point in driving all the way out to yosemite for a single weekend and invites meng yao instead.

meng yao, on the other hand, is thinking: hm. he is pretty sure he has seen this porno. a week out in the woods with his hot older boss who is also his best friend's big brother. you couldn't fit more tropes into it if you tried. maybe if there were debt collectors after him and nie mingjue was a mafia boss.

(there are no debt collectors. meng yao has made certain of it. he has been very financially responsible in the aftermath of his mother's passing.)

nie mingjue is a responsible hiker and at least somewhat aware that he's taking somebody with no experience on a camping trip, largely courtesy of nie huaisang. meng yao ends up dressed mostly in nie huaisang's unused hiking clothes, packing his things in nie huaisang's unused hiking backpack, and sleeping in nie huaisang's unused sleeping bag. he looks up the price of the socks that nie mingjue handed him and then decides not to look up any more for the sake of his emotional wellbeing.

they make it to yosemite. meng yao has looked up all the things to do in yosemite valley, but for some reason they end up driving way farther north through some winding mountain roads that make him wonder if the car is just going to... tip over the side and neither of them will ever be seen again. for some reason there's a random porta-potty around one of the bends that meng yao silently stares at as they pass. it takes several hours to arrive, but there's a surprising amount of gas left over in the car for how much time the trip took.

the camp grounds are a little...

"isn't this a little crowded?" meng yao asks. "why don't we go farther into the woods?"

nie mingjue looks at him like he's the strange one. this is how meng yao learns that you cannot camp just anywhere inside of a national park. apparently it's okay, because most people are respectful of the common spaces. also, there is no shower in this specific camp. nie mingjue brought wet wipes.

these are not the ideal circumstances for fucking in the woods, but meng yao is a trooper and he understands that sometimes reality is a little more complicated than not safe for work media.

it's fine. besides, they get there pretty early in the day, all-considered. and it's spring, so it's still cool enough to go hiking at midday. a waterfall sounds pretty romantic, he thinks, watching nie mingjue work some kind of eldritch magic with tent poles while taking mental notes so that he can prove himself competent should he ever need to set up a tent again in his life.

an hour and a half later, meng yao is soaked through with sweat and half-convinced that he's developed adult-onset asthma. nie mingjue is glistening attractively. for some reason the incline of the 'easy' hike to a nearby waterfall that they're on suddenly turned into a rock climbing challenge in the last quarter mile. the worst part about going down it is knowing that he will have to go back up on the way back. there aren't that many people around, but if nie mingjue is taking him here to fuck him, then meng yao is going to simply have to throw himself into the river rapids and drown. it would be a kinder form of death.

they get to the waterfall. it is spring, so the river is flowing so strongly with icemelt that it's too dangerous to truly swim. meng yao considers at least dipping in, but when he puts his feet in, the water is so cold that he decides that he likes having physical sensation above his ankles, thank you. nie mingjue smiles proudly at him and tells him that nie huaisang usually complains up a storm by this point and that he loves his brother but it's nice to be with a more appreciative partner. something in meng yao's chest squeezes a little bit.

it gets a little tighter when he realizes that he's finished all of his water and nie mingjue crouches down to show him how to use the iodine water tablets on the river water. they make the water taste strange, but meng yao is mostly distracted by the fact that nie mingjue's mouth was just on the lip of the water bottle that he's about to drink from.

he drinks, tilting his head back. his hands are shaky with exhaustion and some of the water spills. it's cool on his chin and throat and he doesn't bother brushing it away - he's so sweaty that it's probably impossible to discern what's sweat and what's water anyway. when he opens his eyes again, nie mingjue is watching him.

they hike back. by the time they arrive at camp, meng yao's legs have entirely turned into jelly and nie mingjue takes pity on him, sitting him down in a camping chair with a beer and going off to pick up dry wood ("why would I buy firewood when deadwood is free?"). he teaches meng yao how to start a campfire, stacking small twigs in increasingly larger sizes until there's enough kindling to set the big logs ablaze. meng yao finds himself shivering in the dark, pressed up against nie mingjue's side and leaning towards the flames. funny, how he thought he would never feel cooled down again just an hour ago. his face burns, and his back is only cold until nie mingjue offers him a blanket.

they absolutely do not fuck that night, nor any other night. but meng yao has fun: he hasn't felt so free to learn and mess up and explore since he was a kid, and the absolute newfound freedom that he experiences when he once asks if they could go look at something off a path and nie mingjue says yes - says, in fact, that the whole point of going off into the woods like this is being able to do and see whatever you want, as long as it's within legal boundaries - means meng yao basically forgets his initial plan entirely.

they nearly get lost on their next hike, missing a turn in the established path and only turning around when they reach what could best be described as a ravine. there are more waterfalls - meng yao didn't know there were this many waterfalls anywhere in the world. they move campgrounds a few times, too. apparently it's quite difficult to get seven straight days booked in a yosemite campground. meng yao sets up the tent the second time. some of the campgrounds have showers, wooden buildings with cool water and moths fluttering around the lights. the most delicious meal meng yao swears he's ever eaten is the cheese-filled sausages nie mingjue roasts over a campfire, combined with cup noodles that they cook using water from the same camping stove tea kettle they use for their tea in the mornings.

eventually, it is time to go home. meng yao hasn't washed his hair in two days and doesn't remember the last time he heard the ping of his phone demanding that he put out yet another fire at work. he'd been asked to keep his phone on and check his email when he can during his vacation, but most of the places they've been don't actually have service.

they drive back through the same mountains as before. the porta potty is still there. meng yao actually points out its strangeness this time, and nie mingjue laughs. meng yao smiles. he's been smiling a lot during this trip. he feels vaguely like a new person. it's fresh air and endorphins, nie mingjue says. good for the soul. meng yao is pretty sure it's nie witchcraft, too.

(or maybe it's endorphins. he certainly gets a hot flood of those when, dropping off meng yao at his doorstep, nie mingjue finally hesitates - and steps close, mumbling, "didn't wanna make you uncomfortable while you were trapped in the woods with me, but..." before kissing him. his hands are so big on meng yao's hips.)

(they do fuck that night. but not before meng yao drags both of them into his shower and scrubs himself from top to bottom. yosemite was great, but he has standards.)

#mdzs #the untamed #nieyao #nie mingjue #meng yao #jin guangyao #my writing #long post #disclaimer: I love camping. i am nie mingjue in this scenario. LMFAO #my last birthday I literally fucked off into the woods on my own for a weekend with my own and it was glorious #I still don't know what that porta potty was doing in the middle of the barren mountainside but whatever it was appreciated #also ik my is normally more of a planner but please imagine in this situation he trusted nmj to have it all taken care of #this turned out mostly kinda sweet camping vibes #and also cured my writing bug so I am satisfied #storytelling post

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madlori · 1 year ago

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National Parks progress

I haven't posted about this in awhile. I'm going to pass the halfway mark in May (they keep making it harder, though, four new National Parks have been added since I started this ten years ago).

Here's where I've been. I have a trip planned for May, those are in italics.

Cuyahoga Valley

Great Smoky Mountains

Mammoth Cave

Congaree

Grand Canyon

Petrified Forest

Big Bend

Guadalupe Mountains

Carlsbad Caverns

White Sands

Saguaro

Shenandoah

Acadia

Joshua Tree

Badlands

Wind Cave

Theodore Roosevelt

Hot Springs

Channel Islands

Biscayne

Everglades

Dry Tortugas

Glacier Bay

Wrangell St-Elias

Kenai Fjords

Denali

New River Gorge

Indiana Dunes

Voyageurs

Arches (May 2024)

Canyonlands (May 2024)

Capitol Reef (May 2024)

Mesa Verde (May 2024)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison (May 2024)

#national parks #bucket list

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vibranttexas · 4 months ago

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Things to Know Before Moving to Texas: A Comprehensive Guide

Texas is a land of vast opportunities, diverse landscapes, and a culture all its own. Whether you're moving for work, seeking adventure, or just ready for a change of pace, the Lone Star State has something to offer everyone. Before you pack up your belongings and head south, here are some things you should know to make your move smoother and more enjoyable.

1. Size Matters

Texas is massive. It’s the second-largest state in the U.S., behind Alaska, and driving from one end to the other can take over 12 hours. That means everything from road trips to daily commutes may involve a lot of driving. Be prepared to spend time behind the wheel, and make sure your vehicle is in top shape!

Pro Tip: Get used to the phrase “everything is bigger in Texas” – because it's true for highways, cities, and even weather events!

2. Diverse Climate

One of the most significant misconceptions about Texas is that it's all desert. In reality, the state has a wide variety of climates, ranging from arid in the west to humid and coastal in the east. Summers can be scorching, particularly in central and southern parts, where temperatures often exceed 100°F. Winters vary from mild in cities like Houston to colder snaps in the Panhandle or Dallas.

Recommendation: Make sure your new home has a reliable air conditioning system and, if you're building a shed or cabin, consider insulation and ventilation to withstand the heat.

3. Cost of Living

Texas is known for having a lower cost of living compared to other states like California and New York. Cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas offer affordable housing options, but costs can be higher in rapidly growing areas like Austin. Property taxes are higher than the national average, which can surprise new residents, especially those moving from states with lower rates.

Fun Fact: Texas has no state income tax! However, that’s balanced by higher property and sales taxes.

4. Texan Pride is Real

Texans are fiercely proud of their state. From the state flag flying high to BBQ cookouts and Friday night football games, the sense of community and local pride is palpable. If you’re moving from out of state, embracing the local culture will help you settle in more smoothly. Learn the basics of Texas history, pick up some local slang, and you’ll fit right in.

5. Job Market and Economy

Texas has a robust economy with thriving industries in technology, energy, healthcare, and agriculture. Cities like Austin have emerged as tech hubs, attracting startups and large companies. Houston remains a global energy leader, particularly in oil and gas. This strong economy, coupled with Texas' friendly business climate, makes it a great place for entrepreneurs and job seekers alike.

6. Outdoor Adventure

If you love the outdoors, Texas won’t disappoint. The state is home to everything from vast plains and deserts to lush forests and stunning coastlines. You can hike in Big Bend National Park, swim in the Gulf of Mexico, or explore the Texas Hill Country. For nature lovers, the opportunities for adventure are endless.

Pro Tip: Invest in a sturdy shed or cabin for your outdoor gear. Having a dedicated space for bikes, fishing equipment, or camping gear will make it easy to take advantage of all that Texas has to offer.

7. Friendly People

You’ll hear this a lot: Texans are friendly. The state's strong sense of hospitality means you’ll likely be greeted with a warm welcome. Neighbors are quick to lend a hand, and people generally look out for one another. Expect to engage in more conversations with strangers than you might be used to – it’s just part of the charm.

8. Transportation and Infrastructure

Texas’ public transportation infrastructure is not as extensive as in places like New York or Chicago. If you’re moving to a big city, like Houston or Dallas, you’ll likely need a car to get around. While some cities, like Austin, are trying to expand public transit, most Texans rely heavily on their vehicles.

A Recommendation for New Texans: Consider a Shed or Cabin

Whether you're settling in a city or a more rural area, having a quality shed or cabin on your property can be incredibly useful. Texans love the outdoors, and with the state's variable climate and vast landscapes, a shed provides valuable storage space and even expands your living area.

Benefits of a Shed or Cabin in Texas:

Storage for Outdoor Equipment: If you plan on hiking, hunting, or enjoying water activities, a shed is a great place to store all your gear.

Extra Living Space: Many Texans use sheds as guest cabins, workshops, or even home offices. With a bit of insulation and some creative touches, a shed can become a cozy space for you or your guests.

Weather Protection: Texas weather can be unpredictable. High-quality sheds are built to withstand the heat, wind, and rain. Make sure to invest in a shed with durable materials to protect your belongings year-round.

Customization: Cabin sheds are incredibly customizable, whether you want a rustic, countryside look or a more modern, practical design. You can add ventilation, insulation, windows, and even solar panels to enhance the usability of the space.

Conclusion

Moving to Texas is an exciting adventure, but there are a few things to keep in mind as you make the transition. From the hot summers to the warm hospitality, Texas has a lot to offer, and knowing what to expect will make your move much smoother. And as you settle in, consider adding a shed or cabin to your property. Not only will it add value, but it will also make life in Texas a little more comfortable and organized.

Welcome to Texas, y’all!

#texas #texas news #texaslatinas

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humongouscasheaglebagel · 1 year ago

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#intermittent waterfalls #wilderness #rugged terrain #no trail #solo backpacking trip #big bend national park #texas trans pecos #chihuahuan desert #photos by me

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travelonourown · 10 months ago

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Big Bend NP

#travel #road trip #texas #big bend national park

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choicesmc · 10 months ago

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OC Interview questions for our beautiful, beloved Jiahao (and Charity too if you feel like it!)💕

Who makes up your family? How close are you to them?

12. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? (on vacation or permanently!)

24. What would you consider your main love language?

thank you!! I answered for Charity too!

1. Who makes up your family? How close are you to them?

JIAHAO Her family is very much just her, her mom, and her sister. While he is aware of his extended family (he has lots of cousins, aunts, uncles, etc), he isn’t particularly close to any of them. She’s very close to her sister though. When Jia came out, Adanne was fully adamant on protecting him and made sure anyone who made fun of Jia sorely regretted it. The level of confidence Jia has now is almost entirely due to the protection of her sister then.

She’s relatively close to her mom. For a long time, she saw Charity as Reagan’s wife, you know? Like an extension of his dad. When Charity and Reagen separated, Jia started to actually get to know her mom as Charity Sullivan not Charity Thorne. They’re still getting to know each other but Jia is liking what she knows so far so… 🤞.

CHARITY Charity has a large family. Siblings and half-siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. Comes with the territory. That’s your typical African family! Problem? She hasn’t really spoken to them for over a decade… Now she’s reconnecting with everyone to various degrees of success.

She’s a little distant with her oldest daughter, Adanne. They were really close when Ada was younger but grew apart with time. Now, they’re rekindling their relationship and trying to correct the past :)

Jiahao is almost a second try for Charity. The way she sees it: Jiahao will be like Adanee if she doesn’t do something in time. So Charity wants to course correct all the bad years and make them better! Spend more time together and all!

12. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? (on vacation or permanently!)

JIAHAO Jia is a world-traveler baby! All the biggest cities, all the nightlife, fun times are rolling~ Being a manga enjoyer, I do think she’d stop by tokyo, japan first and do a mini-tour of all the typical stuff! (And he’d be a permanent vacationer, assuming that he doesn’t have to worry about expenses ofc–)

CHARITY Honestly she really likes Crimson Beech. Like for all its faults with vampires and whatnots, its a charming town! Small, kind, close-knit… she really wouldn’t want to trade it for anywhere else. However, national parks would be her jam. While she’d mostly keep working, she’d take the occasional trip to Big Bend, Yellowstone, Okumu, Old Oyo, etc.

24. What would you consider your main love language?

JIAHAO Honestly? Not much of a preference?? If his partner likes words of affirmation, then she’d understand that when she receives that from that specific partner then they’re trying to convey their love for him. (<- this might change with time but for now:) Because really, you’ll never buy her a gift she couldn’t get herself, you’ll never tell her something she can’t tell herself, etc.

CHARITY Words of Affirmation, for sure! There’s something that makes her glow up when someone cares and notices her efforts to say it out loud to her. It really makes her entire day like nobody’s business. Though she is a little more hesitant about wearing her heart on her sleeve these days, it’s one of the few things that she could never quite cover up.

#asks answered #jet #tiny tidbits

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