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imaginespazzi · 9 months ago

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Part 5: The Answers We Wait For

Masterlist - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13 - Part 14 - Part 15

I'd go back in time and change it (but I can't)

(In which a writer's busy schedule somehow still had time for her favorite obsession)

Pairing: Paige Bueckers X Azzi Fudd

Themes: Angst, Pining

Words: 7.0K (it's very on-brand that my busiest week would produce the longest chapter)

TW: Swearing (I think that's it?)

A/N: Happy Monday lovelies :) How I managed to pull this off is between me and God at this point but here we are. I know it's been an interesting day to say the least, so I'm hoping me living up to my promises can be a silver lining. Quick note that I already fucked up the timeline at some point and Paige Olivia have actually been divorced for almost 3 years. I'll change that eventually. I actually didn't even try to really edit this chapter and in the choice between editing tomorrow and giving it to y'all today, I chose the latter. So please help a girl out and point out my typos/mistakes if you spot them and I will also eventually go back and edit. As always, let me know what you liked, what you disliked and anything you'd like to see going forwards. Have a lovely week my loves <3

December 2027

Marriage and weddings had never been at the forefront of Paige’s mind. To be completely honest, for most of her life, there wasn’t much occupying her brain other than the court under her feet and the basketball in her hands. But the couple of times she had let herself picture it, she’d always thought that she’d have a Fall wedding, probably in Minnesota, maybe even on a basketball court. An indoor winter wedding in Texas had never once crossed her mind. She’d imagined vibrant fun bouquets made of pink lilies and purple hydrangeas, not the elegant red and white roses arrangements that were currently being placed along a far too heavily decorated aisle. Instead of vintage wines and carefully constructed fancy cocktails, she’d thought it would be nice to have spiked shirley temples and maybe even blue and white jello shots. She had expected to have a quiet ceremony followed by a vivacious gathering of everyone she loved. It had never even occurred to her that her wedding would become a public spectacle with People's magazine in attendance. She’d pictured a party, not an event.

Most of all she’d dreamt of getting married to a girl with dark eyes that could see all of Paige’s flaws and a soft smile that promised she’d love Paige despite them all.

But the thing about dreams is that they’re fleeting trains that travel through the tracks of your mind when you’re asleep, and when you wake up, reality is nothing but a devastating train crash.

Paige sighs, forcing herself out of her own head, as she stares at her reflection in the mirror. She looks pretty. Brittany had found her a nice white wedding suit -fitted to perfection- matching it with dainty silver jewelry. Paige normally liked her outfits a little looser but Olivia loved it and Paige likes that Olivia loves it. Her hair is styled in a bun, with two straightened strands to highlight her face. She thinks she might have preferred to have them curled in the front but Olivia had sweetly insisted on them being straight because hers would be curly and they had to complement, not match. Paige doesn’t really understand the difference or the importance but she thinks if Olivia wants it like that then she's fine with it. She thinks the bold red lipstick heavily coating her mouth makes her look a little bit like a vampire out of a badly directed 90’s horror movie but Olivia had said it was necessary so that the lights and cameras didn’t wash her face out.

Paige looks pretty. She just doesn’t really look like Paige.

“What do you think Drewski?” she asks, twirling to face her stone-faced brother who’s sitting on the couch, with a bout of enthusiasm that rings hollow to her own ears, “do I look gorgeous or what?”

“You look weird,” Drews says stiffly and Paige sighs.

“Dr-” Paige is cut off by her younger brother sauntering over. A confused expression spreads over her features as Drew takes her hand and places it on his forehead, “uh- what are you doing?”

“Paigey, doesn't my forehead feel hot? I feel so sick,” the little boy whines, letting out a series of overzealous dramatized coughs.

“Your forehead feels fine,” Paige says, slowly removing her hand.

“Well of course you’d think that. You’re not a doctor who knows how to feel foreheads correctly. I think we need to go to the hospital to see a real doctor. Like right now,” Drew pulls at Paige’s hand as she begins to catch onto what he’s trying to make happen.

“You’re fine Drew.”

“I’m NOT. I’m very, very, very sick. So we have to leave right now. I could be contagious. I could be a danger to all these people,” Drew’s animated hands start to fly everywhere, “you can’t get married when your little brother’s sick. It’s- it’s just wrong. Bad juju or something like that. Everybody will understand that you just had to call off the wedding. For family reasons.”

“Drew-” Paige tries again, a hard pit settling in her stomach.

“Are you worried cause you didn’t bring your car? That’s okay I’m sure Ice or KK will drive us but you can’t get married today Paigey. You just can’t,” his bottom lip trembles as the façade of illness slips and Paige feels her own eyes start to get glossy, “it’s not right Paigey. This is all wrong. She’s all wrong.”

“It’s not like that Drew. You just haven’t gotten to know-”

“I don’t want to know her,” Drew yells, “you don’t even know her. How can you get married to someone you’ve barely dated for a year. How can you do this to Az-”

“That’s enough,” Paige’s voice is eerily calm, as she digs her fingernails into her palm, “watch how you talk to me-”

“You’re being stup-”

“Drew Thomas I am not going to repeat myself again. Behave yourself. You’re not nearly old enough to be questioning what I do with my life,” it takes every inch of self-control Paige has to not let her voice shake.

Her younger brother’s words feel like acid rain pelting against her already wounded skin. They slip into the gashes, mixing into her bloodstreams to create an army with the battalion of her own thoughts that have been hacking away at her heart for god knows how long. Paige wonders how long it’ll be before she finally bleeds out.

“Please don’t get married Paigey,” Drew pleads, gripping his sister’s hand, “please.”

There’s nothing but silence as Paige opens and closes her mouth. And she doesn’t know if she’s trying to get words out or breathe air in; all she knows is that Drew might be squeezing her hands, but it feels like someone is strangling her lungs.

She’s saved from having to say anything by a hesitant knock on the door. As Drew begrudgingly goes to open it, Paige scrambles to put herself back together. She closes her eyes, taking in three deep breaths before-

Drew gasps and Paige’s eyes fly open. With her back turned to the door, she can’t see who it is and something like hope starts to bloom in her chest, vines of maybe it’s her weaving through her ribcage. And as she turns around, they turn to dust; dust that floats up to her eyes and makes them tear up again as she stares dumbfoundedly at the two people standing somewhat awkwardly in her doorway.

Paige had grown up an independent child. It wasn’t that her parents were neglectful or that they hadn’t loved her enough because they had. But at first it was the constant fighting and then it was the nurturing of a brand new family with new children and Paige had slipped through the cracks of oh she’s so mature we don’t need to worry about her. She had always had her parents as cheerleaders in the stands; no one was prouder of Paige than they were. But no one had bothered to force her to drink terrible tasting immunity boosters. No had patiently dyed her hair purple and pinky promised to like it even if it turned out terrible. No one had yelled at her for being in the gym till one a.m or woken her up at an ungodly hour to run drills. Not until she’d met a girl at 15 and that girl’s parents had decided that Paige was just as much theirs as their own daughter.

And suddenly there were more people added to her cheering squad for her wins. But that’s not when Paige fell in love with Tim and Katie Fudd. It was when she lost and there was a nagging finger followed by a full breakdown of what she could do better next time and finally, a bear hug promising they’d help her do it. They’d been there every step and she’d sent the invitation, scared they wouldn’t show up, that they wouldn’t be there for this step, a step that inadvertently took her further away from them. But here they are anyway.

“Hi sweetheart,” Katie says softly, her own eyes moist as she takes in the sight of the bride, “you look- you look absolutely stunning Paige.”

“You came,” Paige whispers, “I didn’t- I didn’t know if you would.”

“Of course we came,” Tim exclaims but his normal boisterous voice doesn’t feel nearly as enthusiastic, “always told you we’d be front and center at your wedding.”

Because I was supposed to marry your daughter; I was supposed to become your daughter, officially.

“I’m really glad you guys came,” Paige says, letting Katie wrap her into a warm hug. She only gets a second to let herself enjoy it before Drew’s asking a question that makes her stiffen.

“Where’s Azzi?”

It’s like there’s lightning wrapped in that one syllable and it strikes right through Paige’s heart, setting every inch of it ablaze with the flames of a name that used to feel like cotton candy on her tongue; now it feels like lava.

“She couldn’t make it,” Tim says slowly and Paige knows she shouldn’t be surprised, let along disappointed that her ex wasn’t coming but there’s a string that snaps anyways.

“Why not?” Drew asks petulantly.

“The baby’s due next month,” Tim tells him gently, “she can’t fly.”

The air feels suffocating at the mention of the baby. She’d been scrolling mindlessly through her tiktok feed when the announcement had popped up. She still has it memorized.

Golden State Valkyries superstar shooting guard Azzi Fudd announces pregnancy on Instagram; she’ll miss the upcoming WNBA season.

For a moment the world had stopped as Paige had hurriedly switched apps to instagram. And there it was. A smiling picture of Azzi holding a sonogram. Paige doesn’t know how long she’d stared at the picture but she remembers that it was set against a white background and she remembers that Azzi was wearing a green top. And as she’d typed out a congrats! that blended in seamlessly with all the other felicitating comments on the post, Paige had wondered if Azzi had felt it too. She’d wondered if, when Azzi had left a similar congratulations <3 post on Paige’s engagement announcement, she’d felt something unravel too. She’d wondered if Azzi had felt this hollowness of and i guess this is us signing off on never getting forever with each other.

“So Azzi’s not going to stop this wedding?” Drew’s voice is dangerously even as he rounds on Paige, “and you’re really going through with this?”

“Drew please” Paige says tiredly as Katie runs a soothing hand down her back.

“You’re stupid. And she’s stupid. You’re all so freaking stupid,” Drew bursts out, stomping past the adults in the doorway, his anger palpable in every single word.

“I got it,” Tim says, wrapping a wrist around Paige’s hand as she moves to follow her younger brother. He squeezes gently, a half-hearted smile on his face, “it’s gonna be okay kid. It always is.”

Paige wishes she could just believe him, turn off the voices in her head and just be a kid who could take an adult’s word as gospel. But Paige is the adult now and believing no longer comes so naturally.

“Hey,” Katie says after Tim runs after Drew, pulling Paige to sit with her on the couch, “I have a little wedding gift for you.

“Katie you don’t have-” Paige begins, watching as the older woman pulls out a velvet box from her bag, placing her phone on the table next to her.

“Oh hush. I told you I’d give this to you,” Katie chides as she hands the velvet box. Paige’s eyes glisten as she opens it to find a familiar purple amethyst necklace. She’s flooded with the vivid image of her and Azzi on a random day in lockdown helping Katie organize her minimal jewelry. Paige had fallen in love with this necklace and Azzi had her eyes set on a pink topaz. It was fitting to say the least and Katie had promised them, with a glint in her eyes, that she’d give it to them as their something old on their wedding day. They’d been in between something and everything but Paige and Azzi had shared a shy smile over it anyways.

“I can’t accept this,” Paige shakes her head trying to hand the box back but Katie dodges it expertly.

“Yes you can. It’s basically a family heirloom and you, Paige Bueckers, are family,” Katie says firmly.

“Katie-”

The older woman presses a kiss to Paige’s forehead as she starts to head out, “you’re always gonna be family Paige. Always.”

Katie’s words act like a band-aid but they’re not enough- maybe nothing will be enough- to fully heal the wound of today i was supposed to officially become a Fudd.

A ringing noise interrupts Paige’s pity party and she starts half-heartedly digging around for her phone. She’s confused when she finds it because no one’s calling her and the room is still vibrating with noise. Crinkling her eyebrows, Paige’s eyes finally land on the couch side table, where Katie’s phone, clearly forgotten, is buzzing.

Azzi’s CallerID flashes on the screen.

Paige stares at the phone, rooted in place. She knows she shouldn’t pick it up, knows she should go return it. Still without a decision, Paige slowly starts to reach for it. And then it stops ringing and Paige goes still again, unsure if she’s relieved or disappointed. Swallowing, she takes another step. The phone rings again. A myriad of thoughts dance through Paige’s mind, opposing thoughts clashing with each other and making her head hurt. She lies to herself that it’s out of concern; that Azzi’s pregnant and this could be important. She lies to herself as she hits the green answer button that it’s not because she’s desperate to hear Azzi’s voice.

“Mom?” Azzi sounds distraught when she picks up but Paige thinks it’s still her favorite sound any way, “Mom? I think I did something wrong. I can’t do this Mom. You’ve been gone a day and I’ve already fucked up. I don’t know what and I don’t know when but I think I fucked up. Maybe I ate something I wasn’t supposed to. Maybe it’s because I lay on my back instead of my side but Mom she hasn’t kicked all day and I can’t get Dr. Myers on the phone and I-”

“It’s a girl?” Paige breathes out. And suddenly she’s 22, sitting in a UConn apartment living room, grinning foolishly as Jana points out an AI picture that looks like the perfect mixture of her and Azzi. Azzi, who’s having a daughter.

The woman in question is quiet and for a second Paige thinks that Azzi might hang up.

“It’s a girl Paige,” Azzi says finally.

“Are you- are you okay?” Paige asks slowly, trying not to dwell on how much she’s missed the way Azzi says her name. It’s been Bueckers every time they’ve seen each other this year and she’s never hated the sound of her last name more.

“Yeah, I just-” Azzi sighs, her voice still a little frazzled, “I’m just being paranoid cause my Mom’s not here and my doctor’s not answering and the stupid baby hasn’t kicked all day,” she pauses, “sorry. I-I don’t mean to dump on you. Not today at least.”

“Az-”

“Where’s my Mom?”

“She- she’s probably outside. Think she left her phone here by accident. I can go find her but can I-” Paige hesitates, chewing at her lips in a way she knows Olivia hates, “can I help?”

“I don’t think-”

Paige shocks herself with her next words, “put the phone to your stomach.”

“What? Paige, did you hit your head in the last two seconds or something?”

“Just- just trust me,” she’s not really sure what she’s saying but now that she’s said, might as well commit to the bit, “I’mma talk sense into her. I saw it in a movie.”

“You saw it in a-” Azzi sighs and Paige can practically picture her rolling her eyes. “I don’t know who’s more insane. You for coming up with the idea or me because I’mma follow through it,” there’s a bunch of static noise on the other side as Azzi adjusts herself, putting the phone on speaker and pressing it to her belly, “alright Dr. Bueckers work your magic.”

Paige is nervous as she speaks, “hey there little bean. I’m your-” she stops because what is she, “I’m your Paige,” she decides softly, “and I think- I think you should stop stressing your Mama out. She’s a bit of an overthinker so if you could just help her out, I think she’d really appreciate it. Because if- if you don’t she isn’t gonna be able to sleep tonight and you don’t know this yet but when your Mama doesn’t get sleep, she’s kind of a bi-”

“Paige,” Azzi hisses.

“Big baby,” Paige corrects, “she’s a big baby. And then she cries and it’s not a pretty sight-”

“Hey!”

“Sshhh Azzi I’m working my magic,” Paige scolds, “where was I? Oh yeah. She cries and it’s not a pretty sight because,’ her voice softens, “seeing your Mama cry is the worst thing in the world. I hate it and I know- I know you’re gonna hate it too because when you finally come out little bean, the first thing you’re gonna see is your Mama’s smile. And you’re gonna think it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. Just like I do,” a sob escapes on the other end of the line and Paige feels tears start to cascade down her own cheeks, “come on little bean, give us a little kick. Make your Mama smile.”

Time ticks by slowly and Paige closes her eyes, thinking maybe her desperate attempt to keep Azzi on the line had failed miserably. And then Azzi gasps, “she kicked. Oh my god Paige she kicked.”

Paige’s grin stretches her whole face and for a second it almost feels like she’s right there with Azzi, that instead of her ear being pressed to a phone, it’s pressed to Azzi’s belly. For a second she almost feels like she can feel the baby kicking. And then she opens her eyes.

“Did it make you smile?”

“Yeah, yeah it did,” Azzi admits and Paige can hear the relief in her voice.

“I’m glad- I’m glad you have something that makes you smile.”

“Do you?” Azzi sucks in a sharp breath, “do you have someone that makes you smile?”

“Yeah, yeah I do,” and it’s not a complete lie. Olivia does make Paige smile. And maybe it’s not quite as big or bright or real but at least Olivia’s here to try.

“Good. I-I’m also really glad you have that.”

“You are?”

“Of course I am Paige,” Azzi says quietly, “I want you to smile. I just- I just want you to be happy. Are you happy Paige?”

“I’m getting married today,” Paige says in lieu of an answer and she can hear Azzi’s breath hitch.

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It is. It’s a yes or no question,” Azzi presses.

“Then you answer it Azzi,” Paige bites out, “are you happy?”

“I”m-,” the younger girl lets out a sigh, “I’m content.”

Her answer makes Paige’s skin itch with irritation and she can’t stop it from seeping into her next question, “so you have no regrets then?”

“I didn’t say that,” there’s a warning edge to Azzi’s voice.

“Do you or do you not regret saying no to marrying me Azzi?” Paige asks, unable to hold it in any longer.

“Paige-”

“What? You gonna say it’s not that simple? It’s a yes or no question Azzi,” Paige mocks.

“That’s not it-”

“Then what is?”

“You’re getting married Paige,” Azzi yells, “you’re getting married,” she repeats again, softer this time, “to someone else. And so it doesn’t matter how I feel. It isn’t fair of you to ask and it wouldn’t- it wouldn’t be fair of me to answer. Not today. Maybe one day- one day it'll be the right time but not today.”

“And what if it’s never the right time?”

“Then maybe it’s a question you were never meant to know the answer to.”

There’s something final in the quietness that follows, like they’re having a moment of silence at a funeral for what never even got to be.

It’s Azzi who speaks first.

“You’re gonna be a wonderful wife P.”

“You’re gonna be an amazing mom Az.”

They let it left unsaid that they were supposed to be wives to each other, that they were supposed to be moms together.

***

March 2033

Paige doesn’t know how long she stands outside, staring down the winding road that had taken Stephie and Azzi away from her. The neighborhood is slowly waking up and if the woman across the street opens her curtains and thinks it’s a little strange that her new neighbor is standing like a statue on her front porch, she only raises a slight eyebrow before going back to her day. It takes almost twenty minutes before her head finally convinces her heart that no matter how much she stands outside, they’re not coming back.

There’s a part of her that can admit that maybe Azzi had a point and maybe she shouldn’t have asked her to stay over last night. But Paige has never been known for her common sense, especially not when it comes to Azzi. Because truth be told, asking Azzi to stay the night was perhaps the least ridiculous of the thoughts that had invaded her mind last night. It was easy- too easy- to fall right back into whatever with Azzi. She’d done a good job pretending that the nightly facetime calls had been for Stephie’s benefit but the truth is that they had become just as much a necessity for Paige. She’d fallen asleep with a smile on her face every night and the temptation to have that in person last night had been too hard to resist. And so she hadn’t.

She makes it about three steps up the stairs, when the fort still set up in the living room catches her eye. And that’s when the first tear falls, and then the second and then the third until she thinks if she tried to swim in them, she’d probably drown. Paige abandons the idea of going up to her room and crawls back into the tent made of blankets. And she must be going insane because she swears she can still smell the faint scent of a toddler and Azzi’s lavender perfume on the pillow she cradles to her chest. It’s ridiculous to be so attached already. She knows that. Stephie isn’t hers but it feels like the little girl has crept underneath her skin, burrowing herself in a part of Paige’s heart that the blond didn’t even know was there. And Azzi- well no matter how long it’s been, no matter how much resentment Paige has held, the truth is that there’s a little patch of Paige’s soul that will always belong to the younger woman.

Paige barely registers herself falling asleep until there’s abrupt knocking on her door and she realizes she’s been cocooned in the fort for almost three hours. She hesitantly lets go of the pillow, groggily walking towards the door. It’s useless to pretend that she isn’t hoping it’s Azzi and Stephie on the other side, isn’t hoping that Azzi had realized her mistake, isn’t hoping to scoop both of them into her arms and fill the hollowness that’s been thrumming against her ribcage. God Paige has barely survived a month -a day if she’s completely honest- she doesn’t know how she’s going to survive this whole season.

She crosses her fingers behind her back as she opens the door.

“Hey,” Katie’s smiling face looks back at her, holding up a tray of coffee and a bag of something, “figured you haven’t eaten breakfast yet?”

Paige blinks stupidly as Katie lets herself in, moving through Paige’s house with ease and immediately locating the kitchen. She hands Paige a cup of coffee before ransacking through the bag and pulling out a glazed donut, “eat. I know you haven’t.”

“Does Azzi know you’re here?” Paige asks slowly before taking a bite out of her donut.

Katie gives her pointed look, “who do you think gave me your address?”

“Is she- is she okay?”

“You two are something you know,” Katie shakes her head, “you’re asking me if she’s okay and she sent me over here to make sure that you were okay.”

Paige feels her heart swell with after all this time, “she sent you?”

“I have breakfast with Azzi and Stephie every Sunday morning. Now imagine my surprise when I get there today and my oh so sweet and wonderful granddaughter isn’t talking to her mother. And so I forced the story out of Azzi and I barely understood a word she was saying through her tears-”

“She was crying?” Paige feels her lungs constrict.

Katie shoots her an unimpressed look, “can I finish the story?”

“I don’t like this story. It has Azzi crying.”

“Yeah well the two of you seem to enjoy doing that to each other,” Katie cocks an unamused eyebrow and Paige flinches at the truth of it, “anyways I didn’t understand much of it but she was clear by the end. Seemed to think you needed someone, needed me and so here I am Paige.”

“Why is your daughter like this?” Paige demands, “how is she gonna make me cry and then send somebody else to wipe my tears.”

“Well I can leave-”

“Why couldn’t she just have stayed?” the blonde questions, “why does she always have to overthink things and make it more complicated? Why can’t she just listen to her heart once in her fucking life? Why can’t she just let herself live? Why is it always no with her and never just yes?”

Katie gives Paige a sad smile, reaching for her hand, “that’s why.”

“Please don’t speak in riddles. It’s 10 a.m and I’m sad,” Paige whines. She might be in her early thirties but there’s something about Katie Fudd that makes Paige feel like it’s okay to be a bit of a child.

“Why is it always no with her and never yes?” Katie repeats, “c’mon Paige you know that’s not about last night.”

“It is,” Paige argues stubbornly.

“It’s not,” Katie says, gently squeezing Paige’s hand, “it’s about her saying no 8 years ago.”

“I’m ov-” Paige stops, withering under Katie’s glare, “okay maybe it’s a little bit about her saying no 8 years ago. But I’m allowed to still be upset about it. She broke my heart. I wanted forever and she walked away. I’m allowed to be mad about that.”

“Of course you’re allowed to be mad Paige but that’s exactly why Azzi had to go this morning. And it’s exactly why you shouldn’t have asked her to stay last night. You guys can’t just pretend none of it happened because it did. You’re still hurt Paige and ignoring that is gonna get you guys nowhere. Especially with Stephie involved.”

“So what are you saying? You’re saying me and Azzi should just be teammates? You’re saying I should just never see Stephie again,” even the thought of it makes Paige feel like she is laying down on a bed of thorns.

“You’re so goddamn dramatic Bueckers,” Katie rolls her eyes, “I’m not saying any of that. I’m saying maybe you just need to take it slower, with both of them, instead of having a goddamn sleepover the literal first night you’re in the same city. Besides,” Katie gives her a knowing smirk, “my granddaughter is obsessed with her Miss Buecks. Pretty sure she’d find a way to see you again no matter what.”

“Good,” Paige lets out her first smile of the day, “because I’d find a way to see her again too. She just- she’s kinda great isn’t she? Azzi did a good job with that one. She’s- she’s perfect,” she looks at Katie who’s regarding Paige with a thoughtful expression, “what? Do I have donut glaze on my face?”

“No, no it just- I’ve seen that expression before.”

“What expression?”

“The one you just had on your face while talking about Stephie,” Katie laughs to herself, “it’s the same one Tim had when he first met Azzi.”

***

“Oh my god. It’s Paige Bueckers. Can I have your autograph?” Steph Curry winks at Paige as she walks into his office. The Golden State legend had started an after-school basketball camp for kids in the Bay Area and as soon as he’d heard the news of Paige coming over to the Valkyries, he’d messaged her if she’d be interested in helping him out in the off-season. Paige had been more than willing to be a part of it, always invested in giving back to her community. If she’d been excited by the idea before though, today, after the worst sleep of her night as she tossed and turned to the hopeless depression of not having spoken to Stephie and Azzi for far too long, Paige really needed this distraction.

“Don’t think you can afford my autograph,” Paige smirks lazily as she basically droops into the seat opposite him.

Steph laughs goodnaturedly, “welcome to the Bay Area kid.”

“I’m a little old to be called a kid don’t you think? I’m nearly 25,” Paige grins, wiggling her eyebrows..

Steph shakes his head, “nah you’re always gonna be a kid to me. You and Azzi both,” he chuckles to himself, “even though Azzi’s got her own kid now. Have you met her?”

Well that distraction lasted 30 seconds, Paige thinks to herself as she forces a smile onto her face, “yeah. I’ve seen her around.”

“She’s cute as hell right? And she knows it. Little miss bossy pants has everyone wrapped around her fingers. Kinda reminds me of Riley,” there’s a goofy expression as Steph thinks of his daughter and Paige wonders if the same one is reflected on her face as she thinks about Stephie, “and she’s a natural at basketball. Only five and her shot’s already pretty good. You’ll see it today when she comes to camp. And she’s pretty good at defense-”

“I’m sorry what?” Paige blinks rapidly.

“I know. What defense can a 5 year old play but it’s just the way she moves you know?” Steph tries to explain and Paige shakes her head.

“Not that. Stephie- Stephie’s coming to camp?”

Steph grins large and proud, “of course she is. She was the first camper I signed.”

“Right,” Paige nods, giving the man in front of her a tight smile, “can you- can you excuse me for one second.”

As soon as Paige is outside of Steph’s earshot, she’s calling Katie; Katie who had sat at her kitchen counter yesterday and listened with a smile as Paige told her all about Steph’s camp. Katie who hadn’t said one word about Stephie being a part of said camp. Katie who was maybe grinning just a little too hard at the idea.

“Did you know Stephie goes to Curry Camp?” Paige asks as soon as the line connects.

“Hi Katie. Hi Paige. How was your day? Oh mine was good Paige, thanks for asking, how was yours?” Katie replies sarcastically.

“Katie,” Paige groans.

“Did I know that my granddaughter goes to her godfather’s special camp for the sport that her mother plays and she’s obsessed with?” Katie says slowly and Paige can tell she’s holding back a laugh, “nope, didn’t have a clue.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“And ruin the surprise?”

“What happened to telling me to take things slow?” Paige hisses.

“Well if I left the two of you two to your own devices y’all wouldn’t go slow, you wouldn’t even move at all,” Katie defends.

“So you’re meddling?”

“I am not,” Katie protests, “you were always gonna help with the camp and Stephie’s already been going to the camp. I just didn’t let you stress out about it. Really you should be thanking me.”

“Thank you Katie,” Paige bites out mockingly.

“You’re so very welcome Paige,” Katie sing-songs, “by the way, come over for dinner soon okay sweetheart. Love you honey. See you later darling.”

She hangs up before Paige can say anything and the blonde saunters back into Steph’s office, trying to corral her facial expression into something more neutral.

“All good?” Steph asks.

“Just peachy,” Paige hums in response, “we gonna head over to the court soon? It’s almost 4.”

Steph nods, “yeah they’ll be done setting up for us. Azzi usually brings Stephie to say hi to me right before cause no favoritism in front of the other kids you know? But maybe she’s running la- oh no wait there they are!”

Paige freezes, heartbeat erratic, as Steph walks to the door in anticipation.

“UNCLE TWIN,” Stephie screams and something in Paige’s heart starts to fix itself at the sound of the younger girl’s voice. She’s scared to turn around, unsure if she’s more scared to realize it’s a dream or find out that it’s reality.

“TWIN NIECE,” Steph yells back with equal vigor and Paige can hear Azzi’s laugh now too, each giggle acting like a needle, stitching up the parts of Paige that had felt broken since yesterday morning. She turns around deliberately slowly. Stephie is cradled in Steph’s arms and Azzi’s watching them with a fond smile. And it’s ridiculous to be jealous of a happily married man who’s practically Azzi’s brother if not her uncle, but the sense of that should be me, weighs heavily on Paige’s lungs anyways.

It’s Azzi who sees her first, smile slowly fading as dark brown eyes clash with light blue ones.

“Paige,” she whispers softly and there’s a multitude of undecipherable emotions wrapped in that one syllable and Paige thinks she could spend forever just trying to uncover them.

Stephie’s ear perks up at the mention of Paige’s name as her own little eyes finally land on the blonde, shuffling her feet nervously in the corner. Her bottom lip trembles, eyes watering as she forces herself down from Steph’s lap, racing to Paige. It’s instinct the way Paige falls to her knees, ready to catch the bundle of limps that practically falls into her waiting arms.

“Miss Buecks,” Stephie whimpers, “I missed you so much.”

Paige’s own eyes water as she buries her face in Stephie’s hair, “me too sweetheart. I missed you so, so, so much.”

In front of them, Steph looks beyond confused as to what's happening and Azzi’s determinedly looking away, even if there’s a lone tear waterfalling down her left cheek.

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Stephie confesses, voice choked up as she tightens her grip on Paige’s neck, “and I begged and I begged Mama to let me call you but she said you were busy. And then I yelled at Mama and it made Mama cry too and I hate making Mama cry.”

“I know. I know sweetheart,” Paige soothes softly, running her hands down Stephie’s back as the little girl continues to babble. They stay like that for a long time and Paige thinks if she could ask the world for one thing that doesn’t belong to her, she’d ask for Stephie.

Finally Steph coughs, looking apprehensively between the three girls in the room, “so um- I take it you’ve more than just seen Stephie around then Paige?”

Paige lets out a watery laugh, finally letting Stephie go and turning around but still keeping a hand on Stephie’s shoulder, “yeah I guess that’s true.”

“What are you doing here Miss Buecks,” Stephie asks, looking up at Paige.

“I’m uh- well Mr. Steph-”

“Uncle Twin,” Stephie corrects immediately and Paige can’t help but grin at the nickname.

“Right. Uncle Twin asked me to be a coach at his camp and I agreed,” Paige explains, trying to catch Azzi’s eyes but the shooting guard seems determined to focus on a picture of Steph and Ayesha on the wall instead.

“You’re gonna be my coach,” Stephie squeals, turning around to hug Paige’s knees, “this is the best news of my life.”

Paige feels her heart soar into a sky of you’re the best new of my life Stephie as she bends down to kiss Stephie forehead, “let’s see if you say that when I make you run laps after you miss a shot.”

“You wouldn’t?” Stephie says, looking horrified at the idea.

“I totally would,” Paige teases.

Stephie is quiet for a second before a proud smirk blooms on her lips, “that’s okay ‘cause I don’t miss. I’m Azzi Fudd’s daughter. Right Mama?”

“Right baby,” Azzi says, finally letting herself meet Paige’s gaze.

“Well Miss-I-Don’t-Miss, how about you walk over to the court and show us how you don’t miss,” Steph teases.

Stephie waddles out of Paige’s grip and holds her arms up at Steph, a saccharine smile on her face,“I can’t be tired if I don’t wanna miss Uncle Twin, so can you please carry me over there?”

Steph rolls his eyes but it doesn’t stop him from hoisting Stephie onto his shoulders, “alright your highness, let’s go.”

Stephie’s giggles echoe down the hall as Steph runs towards the courts and Paige can’t help the fond laugh that escapes her.

“She gets that from you, you know,” Paige says softly to Azzi.

“Gets what?”

“Being a princess who gets everything she wants.”

“Not everything,” Azzi says wistfully, “not everything I want.”

She moves to start following but Paige wraps a hand around her wrist, “I didn’t know Stephie was a part of Curry Camp. I swear I- I didn’t do this on purpose.”

Azzi sighs, “I know. I know you wouldn’t Paige.”

“And I- I wanted to thank you for sending your Mom yesterday. I really- I really did need it even if I didn’t know it,” Paige’s thumb subconsciously rubs against Azzi’s skin, “but you- you always seem to know what I need.”

Azzi rips her hand out from Paige's grip, “you’re doing it again.”

“I’m not-”

“Yes you are. You keep saying things like that- things you shouldn’t say- things I can’t just listen to and be okay,” Azzi brushes her hand against her face, “I know the way I left yesterday was wrong and maybe I was projecting,” she admits in a whisper, “but you just- you make me feel too fucking much. And it's too quick and it’s scares me.”

“Scares you?” Paige scoffs, “I’m not the one who broke your heart Azzi.”

“You don’t think I know that? You don’t think I’ve lived with that guilt for the last 8 years? Jesus fucking christ Paige. I’m not scared of you. I’m scared of me,” tears stream down Azzi’s face as she paces the room, “I have never heard Stephie cry so fucking much in my life Paige. And you know who did that to her? Me, I did that. Apparently I’m really fucking good at making people cry but I don’t want to. I don’t want to break her heart, I don’t want to break your heart and I don’t want to break my own heart. Not again.”

“Azzi-”

“And so I’m stopping it before it happens. Before I ruin it again.”

Azzi tries to leave again but Paige is faster, wrapping her arms around the younger woman’s waist and pulling her flush against her chest so she can’t escape. It’s a terrible idea because now all of her senses are consumed by Azzi as they both become acutely aware of how close they are now.

“Paige,” Azzi whispers weakly, one hand pressed right against Paige’s heart, “let me go.”

“I think today’s the right time,” Paige says softly, hands grazing Azzi’s waist, “I asked you a question once and you said one day, when the time was right, you’d give me an answer. It’s the right time.”

“I don’t think so-”

“Azzi please,” Paige begs, “do you regret saying no?”

“Paige let me go,” Azzi wriggles against her grip but it only makes Paige tighten her hold.

“It’s a simple yes or no question.’

“Stephie’s probably wondering where we are-”

“Then answer the damn question and we can go to her-”

“Paige please.”

“Answer the fucking question Azzi.”

“What do you want me to say?” Azzi bursts out finally, “you want me to say that I’ve never regretted anything more in my life? You want me to say the minute I said no, I wanted to rip out my tongue? You want me to say that I almost called you several times in the last decade to tell you how stupid I was? You want me to say that I flew to Dallas once to tell you that I fucked up but then I saw you with Olivia and decided you deserved better than me-”

“What?” Paige feels the air being snatched from her lungs.

“The answer to your stupid fucking question,” Azzi’s voice breaks, “is yes. Yes I regret saying no to you Paige. But it doesn’t matter. Because I said no and you found someone else who’d say yes and now it’s too late.”

And Paige thinks that Katie was probably right, that she should probably take things slow. But when it comes to Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers has never been one to do what she should.

“It’s never too late for us,” Paige whispers before crashing her lips against the woman, who’s always been the reason for her biggest, brightest, most real smile.

#pazzi #paige bueckers #azzi fudd #wcbb

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fobarchiveteam · 7 months ago

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The Fall Out Boy 2001 Demo... and the fact that there's actually two of them!

A few years ago, the wonderful Dave Hofer, who owns the DuPage County Hardcore Archive, uploaded the first Fall Out Boy demo from 2001 onto his archive, revealing its existence to the world. Dave was able to locate both a copy of the CD and the cassette versions of this demo, finding out that limited amounts of CDrs and around 100 cassettes were ever made. The CDr has uncut and unmastered versions of the recordings that later appear on the Project Rocket split, but the cassette contains completely different recordings for the first two songs, while an original song that is found nowhere else called “A Nice Myth” replaces Moving Pictures. The truth is that these are actually two separate demos: the cassette recordings came first. These demos were both made in 2001. For the first demo, the band consisted of Patrick on vocals, Pete on bass, Joe on guitar, and two other members who only lasted for a short time in the band: Ben Rose on drums, and John Flamadan on rhythm guitar. It was recorded on an 8-track in Ben’s basement. That 8-track was later turned into the cassette, of course. Both Ben and John left shortly after, and Jared Logan and TJ Kunasch replaced them on the CDr recordings respectively. What you may not know is there was an even rarer version of the CDr demo made: two types of lathe cuts.

These lathe cuts were posted on Discogs as pictures years before Dave’s discovery, so they sat dormant and undiscovered by FOB fans for a long time. After researching the cassettes and CDs for our archive, we stumbled upon these pictures and were perplexed that nobody has mentioned this version elsewhere before. Although this was not really a “new” discovery, we were still intrigued. We contacted the uploader of the picture, and this is what he had to say:

Hey!! Yeah it's honestly a crazy story on how I acquired it, but I believe it's legit. Basically, a few years back (I think 2018 or 19? The listing on the page for the clear version that sold for $0.50 or something crazy was from me, that's how I bought it). I messaged a guy on here that had the CD added in his collection if he would be willing to send me the mp3s/WAV files for his copy, and he did. We talked for a bit about the band and he said I seemed knowledgeable about the band and asked if I wanted his second copy of the lathe (he had two, one clear, one black). I obviously was like "hell yeah dude" and he said he would ship it to me. Fast forward a few weeks (he lived in Australia or some shit) and low & behold, I actually got the damn thing in the mail, plus two promo trading cards from the TTTYG album cycle, one with Andy & one with Joe. A few years later he messaged me that he got in touch with the dude that made the lathes for the band (he was based in Chicago which makes sense). Apparently 26 copies were cut & only 20 got labels thrown on them, members of the band slapped them on themselves. They were only in white paper sleeves, not any picture sleeves unfortunately. The sound quality on them is actually pretty decent for a lathe made in 2001, which is what leads me to believe it's legit. Also, like you had mentioned, the songs didn't leak until a few years back, when I got it I had never heard these versions (it's just the Project Rocket split versions uncut & unmastered essentially, same versions as the ones that leaked from the CD version. That is pretty much all the info I have on it, I hoped that helped some!!

Cheers from Florida - Jake

He later followed up with:

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the guy I got it from got both the clear and black copies verified to be legit by the guy that made them. Also small detail I forgot to include before, he obtained both copies through a lot of FOB merch from eBay. He was looking to get a complete set of TTTYG trading cards, which is why he bought it. But I know in the lot he also got the two lathes & a demo CD, I forget what else he had mentioned. It's odd that the band hasn't spoken of their existence, maybe they forgot? The lathes were probably more of a novelty item than anything, considering that vinyl wasn't very popular in 2001 & they weren't packaged as "properly" as the CDs & tapes, plus they made a lot less of them. I'm assuming they just kinda got tossed around between friends of the band or got sold at random at their early shows. Either way, it's been one of my prized possessions since I've acquired it, let me know if hou have any other questions on it haha

Currently we have no idea who this elusive Chicago lathe maker is, but maybe we may find out one day. These lathe cuts may possibly be the rarest FOB merch in existence.

Side note: The fact that the top title on the cassette specific insert says "Fallout Boy - Growing Up" and then later lists Growing Up as a song below, it may have been intended to be the title of the cassette, and the song was a title track. This is unconfirmed though.

#fall out boy #joe trohman #patrick stump #pete wentz #andy hurley #fob #chicago hardcore #evening out with your girlfriend #eowyg #fob patrick #fob pete #fallout boy #fob andy #fob joe

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joelalorian · 4 months ago

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Under False Pretenses - Chapter 1

Stepdad!Dave York x f!reader | wc: 1700 | masterlist

Summary: A challenging mission, whirlwind marriage, and unexpected yet captivating stepdaughter push Dave York to the brink as secrets, feelings, and loyalties collide.

Warnings: Overall rating will be Explicit, 18+ mdni. Stepdad trope. Unspecified age gap but I imagine a lil' baby one of about 5 to 8 years. This chapter is a wee lil mellow one and sets the scene, but future ones will include soft, yet sexy and intense Dave; several twists - basically, it will have it all: action, angst, deception, fluff, humor, a puppy(!), and SMUT! No use of y/n. Dave will give reader a nickname based on his perception of her.

AN: I got too excited and decided to post the first chapter. Posting schedule will be somewhere are weekly, give or take a few days. Hope you enjoy and let me know if you'd like to be added to the tag list!

Chapter 1:

“Sure, honey. You can come stay for a while,” your mom assured you. She sounded excited even though it wasn’t a call you wanted to make, not at this point in your life, but what other options did you have? “You can see the house and meet your new stepdad!”

Dead air.

The soft glow of you bedside lamp cast long shadows on the room, making the clutter of half-packed boxes look like ominous towers. Your knuckles whitened as you gripped the phone tighter, trying to process her words.

“My new WHAT?” your voice rose toward the end in utter confusion. You didn’t even know your mom was dating anyone, let alone someone serious enough to fucking marry!

“Oh, honey, his name is Dave and you’re just gonna love him,” she replied with a lovesick simper.

You’d never heard her voice do that. She must be really into the guy.

Enough to marry him without even inviting you to the god damn wedding?

She’s still chatting away, explaining how they met – at work – and how it was such a whirlwind romance that they got carried away on a work trip to Vegas and decided to just tie the knot without telling anyone.

Okay. That, actually, didn’t surprise you. Your mom was super smart but could be a total a flake sometimes, leaving you to wonder who the adult was on more than one occasion while growing up. She had you really young and never quite matured.

“That’s great, Mom. I can’t wait to meet him,” you finally replied after twenty minutes of listening to her gush over this Dave guy. “But I’m not calling him Dad.”

She laughed. “Of course not, honey. He’s too young to really be your dad anyway.”

That piqued your interest.

“Oh, oh, oh, you robbin’ the cradle, mama?” you teased. “You’re really living your cougar era, huh?”

“Stop it, you,” she giggled in return. “So, when do you think you’ll get here?”

Conversation went back and forth a little longer as your mom gave you the new address – for fuck’s sake, they moved clear across the state from where you grew up, to a very swanky area at the shore, you noted – and you made a rough itinerary. In reality, you would have loved to just drop everything and get the fuck out of dodge right that minute, but logistics and all that.

“Ok, honey. Be careful and I’ll see you next week. Call if you need anything.” Before she ended the call, your mom added, “I’ll text you Dave’s number as well, so you have it in case of emergencies.

“Sounds good, mama. Love you.”

“Love you more, honey.”

You went back to packing up the remnants of your life, readying yourself for the cross-country journey ahead.

You did not have ‘moving back home at almost 30’ on your bingo card this year, but there you were, pulling into the half-moon driveway of a large colonial home in an upscale neighborhood, one much nicer than where your mom used to live. The house loomed under the late morning sun, its pristine white siding and black shutters stark against the cloudless blue sky. Perfectly trimmed hedges flanked the curved driveway, and somewhere nearby, the faint crash of waves carried on the salty breeze. This Dave guy had a lot of money, it appeared. Parking your little sedan to the far side in front of the 3-car garage, you turned the car off and lingered in the driver’s seat, fingers drumming nervously on the steering wheel.

Normally, you didn’t mind change, but… man, the past month threw some whammies at you. You lost a boyfriend, job, and your loyal goldfish in quick succession. Each loss hit worse than the last. And now, your safe space, the place you needed to return to so you could lick your wounds… also changed. Big time.

The soft tap of a manicured nail on the window startled you, head snapping to the side to see your mom standing in the driveway beaming at you. She bounced on her feet, anxiously waiting for you to get out of the car.

“Honey! It’s so good to see you!” You barely had time to fully stand up before she pulled you into a bone crushing hug. That was another thing about your mom – she was strong. She had lithe muscles packed into her small figure from being a total gym addict.

Too bad that addiction wasn’t hereditary. You hated the gym.

“Hi mama! Marriage looks good on you!” you praised her once you stepped back and took in her glowing, sun-kissed skin, vibrant blonde locks, and the large rock on her hand.

“You look good, too, honey. You losing weight?”

And of course, she honed right in on that. You weren’t even in front of her for five minutes, and she brought up your weight. Story of your life. Your body shape the exact opposite of your, mother’s, she hadn’t let up on nagging you about your weight since you were twelve years old. You were always a bit… thick in places.

“Uh, maybe, I dunno. Come on, show me your new digs.” You quickly changed the subject.

Your mom gives you the grand tour, proudly showing off all the lovely features of the house, focusing heavily on the ones the home you grew up in didn’t have like the huge kitchen, fireplace, pool, and enormous master suite, though she led you away before you could fully explore all that the suite offered. The two other bedrooms were already decorated for little girls, and you quirked a curious eyebrow at your mom.

“Didn’t I mention that Dave has two young daughters?”

No. No, she definitely did not mention that. You rolled your eyes, understanding now why your mom was so eager for you to come home. She wanted a built-in caretaker. You mentally counted down, knowing exactly what she was about to say in three, two, one…

“Actually, now that you’ll be living here, it would be great if you could look after the girls when we have to travel for work or want to go out, help with the school runs during the week.”

It wasn’t a question, you noted. Not that you expected her to ask first or even mention that being a nanny would be part of the deal. Nothing with your mom ever came without a cost. You learned that lesson long ago.

You loved your mom, you really did. Sometimes, she just didn’t make it easy to do so.

“Right. About that… where am I supposed to be staying if all the bedrooms are taken?”

She led you down the stairs to a door off the family room, where another stairway awaited you. “You’re locking me away in the basement?” you joked. “Please tell me it’s at least finished.”

“Just wait until you see it, honey,” your mom promised, and you reluctantly followed her down the steps.

When the lights flicked on, the sight took your breath away. It was like an entire apartment down there. It even had its own private entrance leading to the garage allowing you to come and go as you pleased. “Wow,” you breathed.

“Told ya.” She flashed you a twitchy wink. “You’ll have this whole space to yourself… well, except for that room over there.” She pointed to a closed door equipped with a sturdy lock.

“What’s in there?” you questioned, already curious about the reasoning for such a lock on the door.

“That’s Dave’s office. It’s off limits to everyone but him, so don’t go snooping. Got it?” She pointed a finger at you like you were an errant child, and you raised your hands in surrender.

“Heard you loud and clear, mama. I have no interest in whatever creepy ass skeletons Dave is keeping in his locked office.” Total lie, of course, but your mom didn’t need to know that.

“Good. Get settled in and help yourself to whatever you need. I must head to the office for a bit. Dave should be home at some point, he just had a meeting in town. I’ll pick up the girls from school on my way home if you want to take care of dinner.”

And there it was. You knew there’d be a bigger price to pay for this arrangement, more than occasionally taking care of your new stepsisters. Without a job or any other responsibilities, your mom was going to treat you like free labor. You saw that coming.

You followed your mom upstairs and through the front door as she headed to her car in the garage, and you went for yours. Might as well get unpacked, not like you brought much anyway. It was early still, and you could make a trip to the store for anything you needed before having to worry about dinner.

A few hours later, you stepped back to admire your new living space with a sense of pride. You did everything you could to make it your own, within reason.

With the basement suite basically being a blank slate, you chose a variety of decorative pillows, wall hangings, and chotchkes to give it your own stylistic flair. The furnishings unused and rather plain, you wanted to spice them up with splashes of color. You did everything short of paint the damn walls – and you would have done that too if given the option.

Grateful for a firm mattress with a plush pillowtop, you sprang for the softest satiny sheets you could find in a pale green hue and paired it with a patterned comforter with clean lines. A couple of coastal-themed lamps on the nightstands rounded out the small bedroom.

The bathroom was already decorated with a shower curtain and accessories in soft gray hues, and you wondered if that was Dave’s touch or your mother’s. Probably Dave. Your mom never veered toward subtle furnishings, much preferring patterns and styles that you found garish.

Glancing around at the neat space one last time, you headed upstairs to the kitchen to begin dinner preparations. You wanted to make something special for the first time meeting your stepdad and his daughters.

tbc

Chapter Two

tag list: @imdrinkingpedro @lillaydee @ppascalrain @yorksgirl @missladym1981 @baronessvonglitter @slimybeth69

#stepdad!dave york x f!reader #dave york equalizer 2 #soft yet intense dave #dave york fluff #dave york angst #dave york smut #pedrostories

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forgingtheblade · 4 months ago

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BEADS GALORE. FUCK I LOVE BEADS.

a cosplayer I really look up to in my work is @/scarredmewtwo. he does these beautifully intricate elven robes and star wars robes and other things that are heavily adorned and look so rich and extravagant. as i’ve been working towards elevating my craft as a cosplayer, his work is something I find myself looking to a lot. and one thing he does incredibly well is needlework & beadwork.

so i knew coming into this project that i wanted to find ways to incorporate beaded embroidery.

what i eventually landed on was wither rose appliqués that will be placed along the hem of the cloak once they’re finished. to me, the wither rose is something that is a subtler symbol for the syndicate. it’s a thing that all four of them used in their own decoration as well as being present in the meeting room itself. was this necessarily intentional on the part of the creators? i don’t know! but i’m incorporating it into my belief system 👍🏻

these roses were, after the banner i wove over a year ago now, the first part of the project i started. and as of last night, they’re halfway done according to my original goal of 12 roses.

i might… be making that goal a little smaller. at the pace i’ve been working at as of yet, each rose takes somewhere in the realm of 10-15 hours, or potentially longer. i haven’t been keeping very close track.

watching the collection grow as i work has been incredibly satisfying, though, which in and of itself is a massive driving force to keep me going to make as many as i can manage!

The other major beaded piece I’ve done so far was a replacement for the embroidery on the Antarctic Empire banner. I thought, especially in light of how ornate the rest of the cloak is becoming, that the banner may read kind of plain in the grand scheme of things, so I wanted to jazz it up.

i learned a lot from working on the roses going into this process. i was using MUCH larger beads for this than the roses as a whole, including large decorative bits to create texture and fill space. i ended up making the whole motif over the course of a week, much of it backstage while I was doing wardrobe crew for The Nutcracker.

i’m especially obsessed with just how gorgeous the iridescence turned out, and the balance between white and gold.

in addition to the circle motif i made 8 triangles to be the sunburst, and stitched them down to the banner!

my favorite thing about this part is the sort of playful duality of sunburst and snowflake happening. i really love that symbolism for the antarctic empire !! and i think as a whole this part turned out gorgeous :)

much more beadwork to come as i finish roses and start attaching them to the cloak & adding stems and leaves too!

#beadwork #embroidery #beaded embroidery #fibers #textiles #cosplay #technoblade #technoblade cosplay #ctechno #ctechnoblade #dsmp

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isabeauwolf · 2 months ago

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Four. Four soulmates. Oh Kamisama no! - Reader x ShiggyOverDabiHawks

Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

💞Chapter 1 - Ignorance is Bliss

You always thought it would be nice to experience anime in real life when you were young, a child even. Then as you grew up, the thought faded. It was too childish and ridiculous. You'd think about that wish and inwardly cringe sooo hard. Who wouldn't want something unexpected to happened out of nowhere, or otherworldly?

Well, maybe not someone who doesn't like surprises.

You suppose that's fair.

Maybe a cute gag here and there, a chance to meet your soulmate or the person connected to your red string of fate.

It sounded nice.

Would save you the heartache, disappointment and skip the drama. Perhaps start you two off on the right track?

Sounded nice and pleasant.

You definitely didn't expect God above or whoever the hell was looking out for you to give you, one, two, three, no…. four possible soul mates! Characters from My Hero Academia to be precise! Three villains and a Hero, no less! Was this god playing a cruel joke on you or something?

Wait. Hold up, let's go back.

To twenty-four hours ago.

❤️❤️❤️

It was your day off and you decided to go to get some errands done. You woke up bright and early, showering, dressing in a cute red and black plaid skirt, white long sleeved sweater, black pantyhoes with rose designs on it and red heels. It was crisp, but not overly chilly or too hot as the fall weather starting to come, multi-colored leaves falling off the trees.

Hot apple cider, pumpkin pie and flavored treats and drinks were everywhere. Your favorite time of year! You couldn't be happier!

You thought your eyes were playing trick with you as you entered the coffee and donuts shop. You saw a familiar spiky black haired man with burnt, patchwork, stapled skin as he carried black coffee and strawberry donuts; he covered his face with his navy raincoat and a black duster mask.

Dabi? You blinked. Nah, it's a cosplayer. You smiled to yourself.

Decided to leave him be and enjoy his breakfast you walked past him.

Oblivious that the Villain's azure blue eyes were following you.

You ordered a warm apple cider with whipped cream and cinnamon coffee cake. It was your treat to yourself after a long week at work. You totally deserved it!

After paying, sitting down to eat and drink your sugary breakfast with a low hum on you lips to yourself and nearly stopping yourself from physically kicking your feet back and forth as you scrolled on your phone. Check messages, emails, socials and your check list as to not get to distracted.

You blink as you finished the last bite of your coffee cake. Were you being watched? You glance around and not noticing anything out of the ordinary, or anyone looking at you, but you still shivered and rubbed your arm, then sipped your drink. God, I hope it's not the caffeine jitters. You never had them, but you had a few friends who did.

Throwing away your trash, double checking for any messes or crumbs, you grabbed a wet wipe from you purse and quickly wiped down the table as you pocketed your phone. What can you say? Old habits died hard from being a waitress in your teens. Nodding with a self satisfied smile you left a tip in the tip jar for the staff and left.

🔥🔥🔥

Dabi sat in the far back of the coffee shop, savoring his breakfast. Periodically checking his phone, he still had no signal which irked him as he scowled underneath his mask. Every once in a while, he would watch you. You had this peaceful and sappy smile on your face. Dare he call it cute? Not that he was going to say it out loud. It was his turn to follow you this morning after birdbrain tailed you yesterday and figured out your routine with one of his annoying feathers.

It had been a week since they were somehow transported from their world and into this one. It was a pain in the ass for keep Shiggy and Overjerk from killing each other, if Hawks had intervened.

His leg bounce in annoyance as he remembered the stupid new worlds match making God's words, "If you all want to go home, then you must make your soul mate fall in love with you and choose one of you four. Simple!"

Great, there lives hung on the balance of some doll. Dabi supposed that you weren't displeasing. There's no way in hell you would accept him, handjob or Toucan bitch. But it wasn't like he wasn't going to lose the competition to the feathered winged chicken. Oh, the over confidant and bright smile the Japan's Number Three Hero and words entered his mind, "Don'tcha worry, fella's I'll win the girl in no time flat! Count on me! I'm Japan's most eligible bachelor after all."

The more Dabi thought about it. The more pissed off and heated he would get before he cooled his temper and reschooled his features, placing his mask of indifference back on. The flame users mood brightened as he finally had access to the shops wifi, he opened his messages and texted the others.

Blue: I'm in and the target's heading towards you germfreak.

Finishing the last of his strawberry donuts and black coffee, he stood, pocketed his phone and left towards his next destination. It was his turn to shake down some losers for cash or pickpocket, whichever he felt like. Didn't care. Unless he turned them into a pile of ash, but the beaked shithead nagged about them keeping a low profile. Jesus fucking Christ, he was worse than a mother hen, nag, nag, nag, bitch, bitch, bitch. He honestly didn't know who the fuck needed to get laid more, Overhoe or Crusty?

Dabi's phone buzzed, he took it out and opened the message, a smug smirk curling as he snickered.

Raven (Bird Bitch): Watch your tone blue flame. Don't getting into too much trouble.

Blue: Yah, yah, I got it. Thanks, mom.

He watched the line of dots appear as the overly huffy yakuza boss was furiously typing away and about to nag him, again.

Raven (Bird Bitch): Just complete your task and hurry back to the base. The meet-up is tomorrow and don't be late.

Dabi can already imagine the feathered Toucan glaring at his phone in his hand now. He's too easy.

Shoving his phone and his hand into his pocket again, he spotted an easy and clearly morning drunken target. Hello, money bags.

Dabi pulled his hood further up, covering his hair and made sure his mask was in place as he stalked towards the unsuspecting victim, his eyes brightening and excitement rushing through his veins.

----- End of Chapter 1 -----

Chapter 2: Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 3: The Matchmaking Goddess meddles

Chapter 4: New Game. Love Game, Start.

Chapter 5: Dance with Devils and a Red Winged Angel

Chapter 6: The Red String

Chapter 7: Fiction meets Reality

Chapter 8: Fives a crowd?

Tag list: @cherry-queens-blog @fanofflames @touyas-wife @redr0sewrites @slayfics @dabislittlemouse @doumadono @wtf-ask-baddie-overhaul @number-2-hero-hawks @meeludrawz @kyiratodoroki @m3gumibear @lucyblue101 @nakiich

I know, I know, I made it shorter than my usual fanfics, but don't worry my lovelies!

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bottombingheweek · 7 months ago

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Bottom Binghe Week '24 prompts are here!

Bottom Binghe Week is an 18+ multiship prompt event celebrating any and all bottom and/or sub Luo Binghe content. This year, #bottombingheweek24 will take place from December 1-8. Any and all content is welcome, whether or not it follows these prompts; you may also use prompts from last year or from our bingo mini-event! We only ask that you tag your work appropriately and follow the rules of the site where it's posted (we don't want to be the reason anyone's account gets nuked!).

Look out for an interactive October mini-event coming this weekend, too! Binghe's gotten himself into a bit of a situation and needs everyone's help....

This year's art alternates between @sinn-bee (1, 3, 5, 7) and @thegoldenavenger (2, 4, 6, 8), and graphics are by @lavender-and-rue!

Other places you can find us:

Twitter | Bluesky | Dreamwidth | AO3 collection

Text version of prompts and image description below!

Day 1: Garnet

Meanings: Passion, committment, love

Prompts: pregnancy, devotion

Kinks: marking, in heat

Object: jewelry

Day 2: Carnelian

Meanings: warmth, energy, creativity

Prompts: passed around, cum dump

Kinks: stuck in a wall, sex pollen

Object: onahole

Day 3: Rose Quartz

Meanings: self-love, healing, tenderness

Prompts: escort, camboy

Kinks: claustrophilia (kinking on enclosed spaces), dacryphilia (kinking on tears)

Object: stockings

Day 4: Bloodstone

Meanings: courage, revitalization, protection

Prompts: blood parasites, demonic traits

Kinks: hair kink, sensory play

Object: rope

Day 5: Jade

Meanings: nurturing, purity, serenity

Prompts: amnesia, white lotus

Kinks: nipple play, dream sex

Object: vibrators

Day 6: Aventurine

Meanings: luck, mercy, compassion

Prompts: painting, suspended

Kinks: roleplay, service

Object: candles

Day 7: Emerald

Meanings: domestic bliss, partnership, wisdom

Prompts: obedience, resistance

Kinks: macro/micro, premature ejaculation

Object: doll

Day 8: Chrysanthemum Stone

Meanings: harmony, happiness, legend

Prompts: damsel in distress, coming home

Kinks: body worship, sandwiched

Object: eggs

[ID: Two graphics on a pale pink marble background. Both have the header Bottom Binghe Week '24 in a script font and a footer listing the dates, December 1-8, 2024, and the hashtag #bottombingheweek24. The first graphic lists prompts for days 1 through 4 and the second lists prompts for days 5 through 8 (all prompts copied above). From top left to bottom right, the art elements are: A gold and garnet pendant and earring set in the shape of Luo Binghe's demon mark. A carved carnelian... statuette of a torso with a flat chest, an etched demon mark on the abdomen, and a prominent "hole" between the thighs. A pair of pink stockings with darker pink lace detail and rose quartz hearts. A bloodstone wrapped in coils of red rope. Two jade bullets, one with a lighter jade end and one with a darker end, with a carved lotus on the flat side. A red candle dripping from an aventurine cup onto a flat aventurine stone, already covered in wax. A ball-jointed doll hand with pale skin, freckles, and long, pointed red nails holding an emerald. Four egg-shaped stones, one pale green with bamboo patterns, one a black and white chrysanthemum stone, one deep blue with wing and cloud patterns, and one deep red with a stylized demon mark and lotuses. End ID.]

#svsss #luo binghe #bottombingheweek24 #bingqiu #bingliushen #bingyuan #bingliu #bingjiu #bottom binghe

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greenwitchcrafts · 1 year ago

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Update: https://www.tumblr.com/greenwitchcrafts/776729861802819584/march-storm-moon?source=share

March 2024 witch guide

Full moon: March 25th

New moon: March 10th

Sabbats: Ostara-March 19th

March Worm Moon

Known as: Crow Moon, Eagle Moon, Goose Moon, Hrethmonath, Lenting moon, Lentzinmanoth, Moon of Snowblind, Moon of Winds, Plow Moon, Sap Moon, Seed Moon, Sore Eyes Moon, Storm Moon, Sugar Moon & Wind Strong Moon

Element: Water

Zodiac: Pisces & Aries

Nature spirits: Air & water spirits & Mer-people

Deities: Artemis, Astarte, Athena, Cybele, Isis, Luna & Minerva

Animals: Boar, cougar & hedgehog

Birds: Sea crow & sea eagle

Trees: Alder, dogwood & honeysuckle

Herbs: Apple blossom, broom, high John root, Irish moss, pennyroyal, wood betony & yellow dock

Flowers: Daffodil, jonquil & violet

Scents: Apple blossom & honeysuckle

Stones: Aquamarine, bloodstone, jasper, opal &topaz

Colors: Pale-green, red, violet, yellow & white

Energy: Balance, beginnings, dream work, energy breaking into the open, exploring, fertility, inner development, karma, prosperity, spirituality, success & truth seeking

For many years, it was thought that the name "Worm Moon" referred to the earthworms that appear as the soil warms in spring. This invites robins and other birds to feed—a true sign of spring.

However, more research revealed another explanation. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver visited the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes and wrote that the name Worm Moon refers to a different sort of “worm”—beetle larvae—which begin to emerge from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts at this time.

March’s full Moon often plays a role in religion, specifically in Christianity, this Moon is known as the Lenten Moon if it is the last full Moon of the winter season (i.e., if it occurs before the spring equinox) or as the Paschal Full Moon if it is the first full Moon of spring (i.e., if it occurs after the spring equinox).

Ostara

Known as: Alban Eiler, Lady Day & Spring/Vernal equinox

Season: Spring

Symbols: 8-spoked wheel, butterflies, chicks, decorated baskets, eggs, feathers, jellybeans, lambs, rabbits, seeds, shamrocks, spring flowers & sunwheels

Colors: Green, indigo, light blue, pastels, pink, red & yellow

Oils/Incense: African violet, florals, ginger, jasmine, lotus, magnolia, rose, sage & strawberry

Animals: Cormorant, hare, hawk, rabbit, sheep, sparrow & swallow

Mythical: Dragon & Unicorn

Stones: Amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, moonstone, red jasper & rose quartz

Food: Dairy foods, eggs(hard boiled), fruits, honey, honey cakes, leafy greens, vegetables, pine nuts, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, sprouts & waffles

Herbs/Plants: Acorn, cinquefoil, dogwood, ginger, Irish moss, olive, strawberry & woodruff

Flowers: Celandine, crocus, daffodil, dandelion, Easter lily, jasmine gorse, honeysuckle, hyssop, iris, jonquil, linden, narcissus, peony, snowdrop, tansy & violet

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Ariadne, Artemis, Athena, Coatlicue, Cybele,Demeter, Diana, Eos, Eostre, Flora, Gaia, Hera, Idunn, Iris, Ishtar, Juno, Minerva, Persephone, Venus & Vesta

Gods: Adonis, Attis, Celi, Cernunnos, Coel, Dagda, Dalon ap Landu, Dumuzi, Green Man, Lord of the Greenwood, Mithras, Odin, Osiris, Ovis & Pan

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Agriculture, balance, beauty, fertility, growth, life, love & rebirth/renewal

Spellwork: Air magick, fertility, new beginnings & water magick

Activities:

• Go on a hike/walk & look for signs of spring

• Add Ostara symbols to decorate your altar space

• Plant vegetable &/or flower seedlings

• Decorate eggs with bright colors

• Set your intentions for the weeks/months ahead

• Start a new class or hobby

• Create eggshell candles

• Make plans & new routines for the future

• Participate in rituals & ceremonies that connect you with energy & the life force of nature

• Have a feast with your friends &/family with sprouts & leafy greens

• Bake hot cross buns or lavender/lemon flavored treats

• Clean & de-clutter your home

• Try a re-birthing/ renewing ritual

• Bring fresh flowers or plants into into the home

• Host a spring & floral themed tea party

• Make egg based food dishes & desserts

This holiday marks the Spring Equinox, which happens before March 19-22. It is the second of three spring celebrations (the midpoint between Imbolc and Beltane) during which light & darkness are again in balance, with light on the rise. It is a time of new beginnings & of life emerging further from the grips of winter.

There is much debate regarding the origins of Ostara due to the lack of primary sources about this sabbat. One theory is the name of Ostara came from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre. Another theory is that Eostre is more of a localized goddess in Kent County, England. Despite the questions of her origins, Eostre is associated with modern-day Pagan traditions of Ostara.

There is no evidence that the ancient Greeks or Romans celebrated Ostara, although they did celebrate their own spring festivals, such as the Roman festival of Floralia & the Greek festival of Anthesteria. It was a time to honor the returning sun, fertility & rebirth.

Related festivals:

• Nowruz- March 19th

Nowruz marks the first day of spring & renewal of nature. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox. It is also celebrated as the beginning of the new year by people all around the world for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East & other regions.

It promotes values of peace & solidarity between generations & within families as well as reconciliation & neighbourliness. Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples based on mutual respect & the ideals of peace and good neighbourliness.

Traditional customs of Nowruz include fire & water, ritual dances, gift exchanges, reciting poetry, symbolic objects & more; these customs differ between the diverse peoples & countries that celebrate the festival.

• Holi- March 25th

Holi is a popular & significant Hindu festival celebrated as the The festival of colors, Love &Spring. It commemorates eternal and divine love of the deities Radha & Krishna. Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it celebratess the victory of Vishnu as Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu. Holi originated & is predominantly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent, but has also spread to other regions of Asia & parts of the Western world through the Indian diaspora.

Holi also celebrates the arrival of Spring in India, the end of winter & the blossoming of love. It is also an invocation for a good spring harvest season. It lasts for a night & a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (full moon day) falling on the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar.

• Easter- March 31st

also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday is a Christian festival & cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus Christ, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, & penance.

Easter traditions vary across the Christian world & include sunrise services or late-night vigils, exclamations & exchanges of Paschal greetings, flowering the cross & the decoration and the communal breaking of Easter eggs (a symbol of the empty tomb) among many others. The Easter lily is a symbol of the resurrection in Western Christianity traditionally decorates the chancel area of churches on this day & for the rest of Eastertide. Additional customs that have become associated with Easter & are observed by both Christians & some non-Christians include Easter parades, communal dancing, the Easter Bunny & egg hunting.

Other Celebrations:

• Festival of Luna- March 31st

Is a feast day honoring the Goddess Luna who is seen as the divine embodiment of the Moon.

The Temple of Luna was a temple on the Aventine Hill in Rome, dedicated to Luna, the moon goddess. Its dedication was celebrated on March 31st, thus the celebration.

According to Tacitus, it was built by king Servius Tullius. However, the first confirmed reference to a temple to Luna dates to 182 BC & refers to one of its doors being knocked off its posts by a miraculous blast of air & shot into the back of the Temple of Ceres. That account probably places the temple at the north end of the hill, just above porta Trigemina. The temple was struck by lightning around the time of the death of Cinna, as was the temple of Ceres. After the destruction of Corinth, Lucius Mummius Achaicus dedicated some of his spoils from the city to this temple. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD & not rebuilt.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

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sillyteecup · 24 days ago

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It's Always Been About Love And Hate (Now Let Me Say I'm The Biggest Hater): 0.0

Terry Richmond x black!o.c

PROLOGUE

Warnings:

18+

Swearing/cursing

Mentions of trauma

Mention of an anxiety attack

A minor panic attack

Mentions of mental health issues

Alcohol and cannabis use

Smut

Unprotected sex (one condom-one round bathong🧍🏾)

Inebriated decision making

Mention of violence

Age gap (about 9 years)

Word count: 5798🧍🏾‍♀️

Taglist: @rose-bliss

A.N: I don't do summaries, but what I can do is ask Alexa to play Bad Decisions by Ariana Grande, because wow !!🧍🏾 Anyway, here's the prologue and the only chapter I can give for the next two weeks because education. Also, let me know if you wanna be on the taglist. I wanna thank you all for staying patient and engaging, and I really hope you guys enjoy this❤️

~Tee❤️

The bass of ‘Little foot’ by Childish Gambino blasted through the heavy speakers in Sloane twins’ apartment, serving as a backing track to the equally loud chatter among Jazz, her twin Zuri, and their visitor, and favorite cousin as she called herself, Andy. Different perfume scents mixed with the pungent smell of the O.G kush the trio had just blown through defined the thick atmosphere in the Atlanta 2-bedroom. Paired with the heater fanned through their air conditioning, it all kept the apartment relatively warm; something that was necessary during the brutal winter air outside that clocked in at about 42°F or 5°C depending on how you read temperature.

Yet despite the unforgiving New Year's Eve cold, the girls still ran around the apartment seeking each other's validation on the most revealing outfits they could put together. An exclusive VIP-esque club out in Buckhead was hosting a themed NYE party that Jazz had pulled some strings to get them into (she was dating the owner).

The theme was pretty basic: ladies in black and fellas in white. But basic be damned, the twins insisted that they had to show out.

Andy had been skeptical at first as she had an intense hatred for being cold, but Jazz had reassured her that Space had heated walls, and it probably would be full, so even with all the dancing, sweaty bodies around them, there was no chance of her even feeling a slight breeze. Something that awoke a whole new concern in Andy.

Jazz finished getting ready a few minutes ago and was painting her toenails on one of the living room couches. Andy, although fully dressed, was still fussing over her hair in the bathroom. Zuri, on the other hand, seemed to be trapped in the cycle of walking in and out of the living room holding hangers with outfits on them, not able to decide which one they wanted to wear. The constant “What about this one” questions coupled with a new outfit every 5 minutes grew tiresome as the clock ticked, indicating their limited time.

“Girl I need you to pick something as in last year because I told Andre we'd be there by 9 latest, and I need us to be out of here by 8 before the traffic becomes unbearable,” Jazz scolded Zuri loud enough for Andy to hear, while she finished her last minute pedicure.

Andy checked her smart watch. 18:38. Knowing how long Zuri took to put her makeup on, the time they had left was definitely not enough.

“Yeah I doubt we'll be out of here before 9,” Andy called back before returning her attention to the mirror. Honestly, a half up-do was the best she could come up with. Especially with this damn custom wig.

“We? Bitch uh-uh, when that clock hits 19:45, I am leaving with or without the two of you and yall slow asses are gonna have to figure out how to get your damn selves there,” Jazz yelled, all while waving the little nail paint brush in her hand. Andy grimaced at the idea of Jazz taking the only car and leaving them there to Uber or Lyft, and that was gonna be even harder than sitting through traffic since there probably wouldn't be any drivers left.

Zuri pouted, still unsure of what to wear. “Jazzy, yo ass ain't being very helpful right now,” she complained, waving the clothes that dangled from the hanger.

“And yo ass ain't being very time sensitive for someone that just heard me threaten to leave 'em behind,” Jazz deadpanned, not bothering to look up at her twin who remained in place staring at her expectantly.

Feeling Zuri’s glare, Jazz sighed, briefly turning her focus to them. “Why don't you put on that faux fur dress you got back in June? I've only seen you wear it once since you got it,” she suggested sincerely.

Zuri’s face however, scrunched up at the idea of repeating a dress in a club full of people that had probably already seen it on her Instagram or at their ex’s party the first time they wore it.

“Oh…really?”

In a flash, any sympathy Zuri held for her twin's predicament evaporated. “Bitch if you don't get your grown ass the fuck up out my face and pick something to fucking wear-” she snapped, causing Zuri to throw hands out in surrender and retreat back into their room.

Satisfied with her hair, Andy quickly did her lip combo with concealer, a brown liner and topped off with her new vanilla lip gloss. She spritzed some of Jazz’s YSL Black Opium having forgotten her own perfume in her father's-well, basically her apartment. She gathered her stuff and shoved it all into the large carrier bag she had brought with her and made her way into the living room, sitting on the couch next Jazz.

“Okay, get it South Side! Ohh, bitch you look NICE!” Jazz exclaimed when she saw Andy's look for the night.

Andy giggled at the nickname and compliment, feigning shyness and tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Oh my God thank you baby. You're too kind, too, too kind,” Andy said, sticking her tongue out through her teeth.

“Like if we wasn't cousins? Mmm!” Jazz joked, causing Andy to playfully bite her lip.

The playful back and forth shifted into a conversation about their personal lives. Andy and the twins had an annual tradition of seeing each other every year for 10 days in each other's countries or cities. Since neither of them had a relatively healthy relationship with their parents or the rest of their family for that matter, they would just spend Christmas and New Years together. However, since Jazz had taken a job with the U.S Navy as a Naval engineer, she had only spent time with her two favorite people twice: Christmas and Today.

“Don't get me wrong, I love my job. Ten year old me would be foaming at the mouth if she knew. It's just…It's so-” Jazz paused to sigh. “It's too Sloane of me,” she finally managed to say.

Andy frowned, turning her phone off and putting it down. “Is that what you think, or would that be your second brain that's currently in their bedroom taking too long to get ready?” she asked.

“Little bit of both if I'm being honest. Zuzu hates it. They won't say it, but I see it in their eyes whenever I talk about work. You know, the first time I tried on my uniform I had to rush them to the ER about 5 minutes later because they were having an anxiety attack and it didn't show signs of both stopping,” Jazz explained, the sadness making an occasional appearance as cracks in her voice.

“Jasper…”

“When medics took them inside for an assessment, I couldn't help but break down myself. Flashbacks of our momma telling us how much Zuzu I looked like her while I looked like our-like Zach. I saw it when I looked at the mirror that day, especially in that uniform. Zuzu probably saw that devil himself that day. I couldn't help but feel like it was my fault…” Jazz trailed off, a few stray tears falling down her cheeks, prompting Andy to pull her into a hug.

“Hey, hey, listen to me. You didn't do it on purpose. You didn't put on that uniform to hurt Zuri. Yeah, you're both right, you being in the Navy was probably the most “Sloane” thing you could ever do. But it's also your dream. That's probably why Zuri hasn't said anything negative to you about it,” Andy reassured her cousin, rubbing circles into her back.

Seeing Jazz cry and hearing about the shared pain with Zuri broke Andy's heart. She absolutely adored the twins. Two years older than her, sometimes they were inspirations to her, other times cautionary tales, either way, the only people in her dad's family that she loved…the only people she could stand too. While Zuri was the one that taught her to stand firm in her beliefs and not take shit from anyone, Jazz taught her to work non-stop for what she wanted and to aim for beyond the stars. Outside of her mom, they were the closest things she had to guardian figures. If only they had that for themselves instead of the shitty excuses for sperm and egg donors they got.

“I know, but it's so hard living with myself knowing that I'm the spitting image of the man that hurt them the most. And that me in that uniform I worked so hard for, had a violent effect on them,” Jazz cried while carefully trying to wipe her tears without messing with her makeup.

“I wish you'd stop blaming yourself for that day,” they heard Zuri speak from next to the wall at the start of the hallway.

“Jazzy I ain't gon' tell you again, you are not responsible for what that asshole did to me. None of this is your fault. Same way me looking like his ain't-shit wife isn't the reason why you're in therapy undoing 23 years of abuse. Now tighten up ho, ‘cause tonight we finna cut the fuck up and forget about our problems till the 2nd,” Zuri said as she moved to hug Jazz.

“Yeah you right…it's almost 8 so we gotta head out anyway,” Jazz said, separating from her twin's embrace and wiping her tears.

Andy, however, aware of her cousins’ inability to fully open up to one another due to their fractured relationship, moved from her spot to sit in between the twins and pull them back into a group hug, making them both squeal. “Nope, André and getting sloshed can wait. You two have some serious talking to do, so we're all gonna sit here and feel shit or whatever,” Andy declared, earning complaints from her cousins.

With an eye roll, she pulled out a rather sneaky hail Mary. One they would never be able to resist.

“I'll take yall out for breakfast till I leave for SA,” she sighed.

The twins exchanged a glance, silently discussing whether or not they would take the deal as is, or take advantage of it by negotiating even more. The latter was a very dangerous game though. And yet they were somewhat willing to play.

“Throw lunch in there and you've got yourself a therapy session,” Zuri said as she offered her hand out for a hand shake.

Andy pursed her lips, considering the negotiation. She loved her cousins to death, but sacrificing her bank account for them was just…

“Fine. But I better see a big ass breakthrough and some tears.”

As a relatively small DJ for hire and bonafide party girl, clubs were a common theme in Andy's life. From the smaller underground venues with an intake of 50 people max, to skyline rooftops with gorgeous views, Andy had seen it all. She had come to regard the vast scene as a second home; a sanctuary.

And although it was her first time there, Space was no different.

From the bass thumping life into her soles, to the crimson lighting and the accompanying fog, the warm air that emanated a mix of the various colognes and perfumes along with the common sweat, and the bodies in every crevice of the room moving against one another to the blaring music.

As the trio was ushered to the VIP section by a bouncer, the atmosphere washed Andy clean of any heavy weight she had on her shoulders. Even though her heart ached for the booth, she was elated all the same. Zuri, ever so nonchalant, craved the rush that awaited them tonight. The year they'd had, called for a night of fun that they'd probably forget about the next morning. Jazz on the other hand was a little antsy. Not only were they late, but it was also by a whole hour. Something Andre would likely be sure to address.

Finally reaching the section, the trio were brought to a table that was occupied by

3 people lazily seated on the couches, only one of which she recognized as Jazz’s boyfriend from their incessant FaceTimes and her wallpaper. The other two were gorgeous, for a lack of better words. The woman whose mahogany skin glistened like a priceless treasure under the crimson glow, sized her and (mostly) Zuri up, her rich, deep brown eyes cutting through them with a captivating intensity. Her lined gloss-covered lips curved into what seemed like an approving smirk (also mostly) at Zuri as she stood up with Andre and the other man Andy did not recognize.

“Gahdamn,” she thought to herself. The elbows to her sides by both cousins however indicated that she had in fact said it out loud.

“Jazzy! Yall finally made it!” Andre exclaimed as he pulled Jazz into a hug that was followed by a deep kiss. While Andre’s companions seemed unfazed, Andy and Zuri cringed as the couple's tongues made brief appearances through the lustful moans and wet sounds from the sloppy kiss. Zuri’s last straw broke when Andre's hands planted themselves sharply on Jazz’s ass.

“Okay, that, is e-fucking-nough from you two,” Zuri said as they moved to separate the couple by placing an arm in the near non-existent space between them, making the rest of the group laugh.

Andre licked his swelling lips, his eyes still on Jazz. “What? A nigga can't kiss his girl no more?” he asked, earning a sharp glare from Zuri.

“Not till he learns how to do it like he's got some fucking home training,” they snarked with an index finger pointed at him.

“Okay, thank you for making me regret introducing yall,” Jazz said, interrupting the two before the bickering continued beyond return.

“Shit, speaking of introductions. This is my cousin Deja, she visiting from Florida,” Andre said, gesturing towards the dark skinned woman that had sized them up.

The hug between her and Andy was brief, with a quick “nice to meet you,” while the hug with Zuri was a little longer as she whispered something in their ear that made them smirk.

“And this is my boy Terry, he just moved not too far from here.”

The moment Andy's attention shifted towards him, it had become his to keep eternally. Standing at what she estimated to be 6’2, the tawny skinned man stood at least a head above them all. His broad frame and bulky arms indicated at least 4 days of gym every week, and coupled with his height, he looked imposing. And if his godlike body wasn't enough to capture your mind, his facial features would surely do the trick. Plump and soft looking pink lips he deliciously swept his tongue over, and the well trimmed goatee around them called for Andy to try and snatch a taste by the end of the night. Glancing up at his face, they suddenly made eye contact. His green eyes glimmered with an intensity she couldn't name, daring her to dip her toe in the dark and unfamiliar waters that was him or else he would claim her for his own. Andy's gaze only darkened with a silent promise to make his conquest as difficult as possible.

Then he took a step forward, breaking into her space. His scent, an earthy, citric potion that invaded her senses, momentarily disarmed her. Momentarily.

Terry took her hand and kissed the inner side of her wrist, his challenging gaze unwavering against her somewhat weaker resolve.

“Pleasure to meet you. You gonna tell me what your name is princess?” he asked her, an undercurrent of teasing in his tone that only she could pick up on.

“I'm not sure if you deserve to know it yet, “princess”” she retorted, stepping up to the invisible plate he put out for her. A chorus of “oohs” and chuckles sounded from the people around them; people they had even forgotten existed.

“Oh it’s like that?” he asked teasingly.

Andy tilted her head with a smirk and shrugged, fully issuing a challenge. Terry bit his lip and nodded slowly, fully accepting. Sexyness be damned, Andy was not about to make it easy for some stranger just because they had green eyes and a killer smile. She was a prize to be won, not some courtesy medal for participation and there were no exceptions to the rule.

“Damn, I don’t think Terry’s ever encountered a girl he couldn’t bend over with a wink. You deserve an extra shot for that, girl,” Deja snickered as she lazily flung her arm over Terry’s shoulder.

Right as the words left her lips, a waitress approached the table. Kierra, as Andre called her, took their orders of 25 shots of Don Julio, 4 long islands, and his ‘usual table special’. Andy noticed the girl being extra nice and flirty with Terry, who although playing along, wasn’t really into it. Never the jealous type, especially over men she had just met, she paid them no mind, choosing instead to engage in the animated conversation that was being had around her. Andre was telling them about how he opened the club over a decade ago just to spite his parents. He was around 22 at the time and they wanted to arrange a marriage between him and a girl he had grown up with. He had come to consider a sister and she had just come out to him as lesbian. Although they had joked about it being a lavender marriage, neither of them wanted to feel tied to each other like that.

“So I left Bel-Air for ATL and my folks didn’t like that one bit. They said if I didn’t come back they’d cut me off and I was like “aight bet”. I took what I had at the time, called up Deja ‘cause she partied here a lot and knew all the right people including Terry’s cousin, and now here we are,” Andre finished.

“Wow, that's insane, so where ole girl at now?” Zuri asked.

“She out in New York on some big time model shit. Ever heard of Briar Vance?”

“Briar Vance is your best friend?!”

“Briar Vance is gay?!” Zuri and Andy gasped, making Andre, Deja and Terry laugh. Jazz, however, was scandalized by Zuri’s reaction, elbowing them in the side.

Jazz’s boyfriend’s best friend was the biggest model of their time, having graced every big time cover and modeled for every coveted luxury brand by the time she was 27. While Briar was Zuri’s celebrity crush. Andy’s friend group always kept up with her work. Dee, one of her best friends, absolutely adored the modelling legend, even citing her for getting into the business herself.

“Ho, did you know?” Zuri demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at their twin to which Jazz rolled her eyes before smacking the finger out of her hand.

“Yeah, and something tells me I was on the right track with not telling you,” Jazz snarked, eliciting an exaggerated gasp from her twin.

Light banter ensued within the group as the group’s drinks arrived. Liquor was knocked back like juice and a well-known courage accompanied it. Soon everybody was on the dancefloor lost in the alcoholic daze and the hypnotic Kaytranada mix the DJ had taken to. Bodies moved in reckless abandon while keeping to the rhythm. Hands traveled from body to body in a consensual adventure of attraction among adults.

Adults being Jazz and Andre, and Zuri with Deja. Andy and Terry however were caught in a game of push-and-pull. The pair had barely exchanged a word outside of introductions and a few tidbits about their alcohol tastes. Still, the attraction was undeniable and Andy was there for a good time, not a long time. Deciding to take this stranger home was dangerous, but what else in Andy’s life was new. This tug of war; her and Terry dancing with different people despite clearly wanting to tear each other’s clothes off, fanned this temporary spark into something bigger. It had become a flame threatening to consume them both, but not for long as it was still ephemeral in its essence.

Her body ground against her decoy partner whose name she swore she’d heard. Clayton? Clive? Cleveland? Something like that. She let his palms roam over body, not allowing a single touch to linger a second longer than it needed to. Terry on the other hand clutched and gripped at whatever his pawn granted him access to. Their little performances painted different images of dominance. Andy dangled herself in Terry’s face as a treasure he couldn’t just take like he was used to, instead being someone he would have to put in some work for. Terry promised Andy that once he had her, he would twist and mold her at his will and she’d only beg for more. Their playthings had yet to figure this out as they continued to prod physically and verbally with sweet whispers of absolutely nothing and sensual touches.

They continued to ignore them however, maintaining their silent struggle for dominance over one another through defiant and determined gazes between greens and browns. Andy shuddered internally, she had never felt such a push and pull from anyone she had been with, let alone a stranger who for all she knew could be a decade older than her. She'd probably never see this man again too. Having had enough of playing from a distance, she subtly closed in on her prey, making sure to keep her starter close. Andy was confident, not arrogant. There was still a chance that things could go wrong.

“Dance with me,” she said, earning a sly grin from Terry who wordlessly accepted by taking her hand and maneuvering his way behind her. He led her to a more central part of the floor where the rest of the group had moved to as there was more space.

Getting through the crowd was relatively easy due to Terry's intimidating stature. A threatening glance was all it took to clear space for them, never once needing to mention his relationship with the owner. Stopping right in the center of the club among their group, Terry placed his hands on Andy's waist and pulled her body flush against his. Their eyes met once again, flooded with lust and determination to make each other fold.

Lulled into a trance by Terry's weighted gaze and the sound of Victoria Monet’s seductive voice on Alright filling the room, Andy turned around whining her waist, making sure to brush against Terry's crotch. Her hands found her knees, deepening the arch in her back as she gave the intoxicatingly handsome man behind her a show he'd never forget. She felt his hands make themselves at home on the curves of her ass, grabbing and caressing before they finally settled with a firm grip on her waist once again.

Together they swayed with the rhythm of the music, Terry pushing against Andy with every glide of her hips. Terry hooked his arm around her abdomen and pulled her back to straighten her body. His warm breath fanned the goosebump riddled skin on her neck as she ground up against him. She heard a strained groan tear from his throat, accompanied by a tightened hold on her waist.

“Fuck, you don't know what you're doing to me,” he rasped, his voice rough and laden with desire, making her throw her head back into his chest.

“You wanna tell me about it, or you wanna show me instead,” Andy near-moaned without a second thought.

A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest before he sharply pressed his groin into her ass. The thick bulge elicited a mix between an excited gasp and a wanton mewl from Andy. The pot between her thighs seemed more eager than she cared to be as drops of honey met the soft skin of her inner thighs.

“Fuck,” she breathed out.

Her mind however was locked in a struggle between lust and control. While the two had been in tandem the whole night, she found herself wanting Terry more than she wanted to keep the reins of their game. Between how much resolve she had and the tension building in her stomach, control was becoming more and more of a concept. That didn’t mean he had to know that yet.

Suddenly wrapped around the arm she had cupping Terry’s cheek behind her. She was spun into her cousins who had separated from their dance partners. Although they weren’t too far off. The trio swayed to Xtasy be Ravyn Lenae, the mischievous grins on the twins making Andy roll her eyes.

“Someone’s having fun,” Zuri teased.

“Isn’t that what we’re here for?” Andy retorted playfully, making her cousins chuckle.

“I know that’s right! Just remember to keep it cute and safe,” Jazz quipped.

Andy clutched her chest and let her jaw slacken. “Jasper Jorah Sloane! Are you implying that I, your sweet innocent fairy cousin, will be letting some random fine ass nigga split me open and eat me up like a plate of crab legs tonight?” she gasped exaggeratedly.

“Bitch if yo ass sweet and innocent then I must be Beyonce’s evil twin or somethin,” Jazz cackled. “I just don’t want my little South Side to have an even littler South Side yet. Your daddy may be swimming in bands and some change but Zuzu and I ain’t got “rich aunty” money yet.”

“Hoes is speaking French, talm bout “we”. Bitch I got “aunty money,” I just don’t have “aunty time” or “aunty patience,” Zuri scoffed before playfully jabbing their acrylic covered index nail at Mila. “So you better have some condoms or be on the pill, ‘else you ain’t goin’ nowhere with Mr Badu and his little green eyes,” they added, a semblance of seriousness seeping into their tone.

“Relax, I’m on the IUD way, so nobody will be getting pregnant tonight.”

“Aight girl, have a good time and if anything seems off, call us. We’ll come running,” Jazz promised.

“Thanks guys. I love ya’ll so much,” Andy gushed, pulling them into a group embrace.

“Girl we love you too, but these damn group hugs gotta come to an end,” Zuri groaned while the other two giggled.

“Girl fuck what grumpy smurf over there says, I hope the group hugs never stop,” Jazz said.

The trio made their way back to Deja, Andre and Terry, the latter two locked in conversation while the former continued vibing with some girls around them. Jazz cleared her throat before grabbing Andre by his chain into a kiss. While Zuri cringed, Andy caught the subtle wink Jazz sent her. She turned towards Terry whose hooded eyes were already drinking her in like a glass of hard liquor.

“I’m guessing you already know what I’m on,” he asked with a light nip of his bottom lip.

Andy tilted her head slightly, gaze not faltering as she lightly tugged at his white unbuttoned shirt. “Maybe. Depends on what that is.”

A dangerous smirk spread across his features, thumb brushing against her lips before he leaned in, stopping right before their lips could meet. Soft breaths taunted Andy, daring her to close the space.

“You wanna tell me what your name is princess?”

“Fuck, Andy you feel so good!”

Fast, careless, and rough. The way Terry handled Andy was poetically reminiscent of the way she had gone about the night; some would say it’s how she lived her life. Andy thought it to be the perfect route to fulfillment, and in this case, the perfect speed and feel for casual sex.

“Shit Terry, fucking love how you’re fucking me..Feels so fucking good!” she moaned as he practically bruised her g-spot.

Even with the way he jackhammered in and out of her, he had managed to draw two orgasms out of her, having pounced on her the moment they got out of the cab and into her apartment. His hand had found a perfect place of rest around her throat, grip firm but not tight enough to draw breath. His animalistic glare held a shadow of emptiness to it. It matched the detached lust in Andy’s chestnut irises to a T. His other hand held one of her thighs up for easier access since he was far bigger than she could just take. He didn’t even bottom out, yet he had stretched her out so deliciously.

“Yeah? You like how I’m digging you out princess? You like this big ol’e fucking your pretty little brains out?” he growled, baring his teeth.

Although the sweater and chain had already been enough to have him fucking her against her front door and over her couch, naked Terry was a whole different story. For the unhinged god before her, Andy would have risked a whole other life for him. Perhaps if they had met under different circumstances..

“Yeah-oh go–I fucking love it baby,” she breathed out, struggling to connect a coherent thought.

Like the fickle spark between them, the way their bodies connected was chaotic. Their kisses were explosive and disjointed, their hands often getting lost and found in between them as they stumbled into the house. This jerky sequence was like a language Andy knew all too well. Fluidity was foreign to her, so this disorganized dance was more familiar to her. Even as her body began to jerk as Terry sent her crashing into another orgasm, she welcomed the violent wave that threatened to drown her.

“Give it to me baby! That’s right, cum all over this shit,” Terry grunted as he chased his own release right behind hers.

Andy’s being collapsed into a fountain of pleasure right as the fireworks began blasting through the Atlanta sky. A long year being closed out lost in a sea of self-indulgence was something her friends and cousins would call on-brand for her. Although the NYE sex was something New, Andy had become notorious amongst her loved ones for being in an inebriated daze of sorts when it was time to cross into a New Year. Upping the ante from alcohol wasn’t necessarily planned, but it was a welcomed change.

She would definitely be doing this again next year.

Soon Terry pulled out with a grunt and came over her tits before collapsing next to her. However he had only spent a second in the spot before getting up and headed towards her open bathroom. He returned holding up her magenta bath towel. Casually, he made his way towards her as if he hadn’t just fucked her silly. He quickly wiped his cum off her chest before tossing the towel over her laundry hamper. She sat up and maneuvered herself under the now stained magenta duvet. Her back against the headboard and chest partially covered by the cotton duvet, she watched Terry pick her top and his clothes up and place them neatly over the stool by her vanity. The naturality at which he moved around her space made her raise an impressed eyebrow. Even in an unfamiliar environment, his aura never shriveled into uncertainty. In fact he had practically made her space his.

“Mind if I sleep over?” he asked simply. His omission of an explanation made Andy snort inwardly.

Oh to be reincarnated as an audacious and unrealistically good looking man.

“Sure, I don’t have anything you could borrow though,” she shrugged.

Terry just smirked before climbing into her bed and settling next to her. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling in so he could plant hungry kisses on her neck eliciting an erotic moan from her.

“Something tells me that won’t be a problem.”

An incessant buzzing rang through Andy’s bedroom as her phone violently vibrated against her drawer. Andy groaned, folding her pillow around her disheveled head. She clenched her eyes shut and ground her teeth while she patiently waited for the alarm to stop.

And it did, but right as a relieved breath escaped her nostrils, the buzzing made an even more violent return, grating at Andy’s already throbbing head. Another groan escaped her aching throat as her arm stretched out to reach the offending object on her dresser. Her hand wrapped tightly around her phone, instantly hitting the power button and silencing it once more. But her reprieve was short lived when the phone buzzed once again, this time eliciting a frustrated grunt. Except it wasn’t from Andy. It sounded deeper, more masculine.

Right...

“Please answer the damn phone,” the man draped around her groaned annoyedly.

Andy’s eyebrows furrowed, wondering if it could actually be a call and not an alarm.

“Fucking New Years,” she sighed before grabbing the phone and bringing it closer to her face.

The caller ID read as “unknown” and although she contemplated ignoring it, she figured a random stranger wouldn’t be this persistent so early in the morning. Or they could. Either way, she was getting annoyed and figured that ignoring them wouldn’t make them stop.

“Sloane,” she mumbled tiredly.

“Andy? Fuck, Andy, it’s Jazzy…my phone died and I’ve been trying to find one that’s on-We’re at the hospital; Andre, Deja and me...Oh my God I-” Zuri rambled, their distressed tone rattling Andy into pushing Terry’s arm off her and sitting upright.

“Zuri, breathe baby. Deep breaths, come on,” Andy instructed, attempting to stop Zuri from flying into a panic attack.

Her cousin’s breaths grew shallower and shallower as they stumbled through an incoherent explanation of sorts.

“Zuzu, you’re not breathing. Stop talking and breathe, please,” Andy pleaded, growing wearier by the second. She pushed the covers off and scurried around the room in a panicked search of her pajamas.With her phone sandwiched between her ear and shoulder, she coached her cousin’s breathing, coaxing it from erratic to more controlled.

“I’m good, I’m good,” Zuri reassured through choked but settled breaths.

“You sure?” Andy asked, leaving a baffled Terry in the room to take the call in the lounge.

“Yeah, but Jazzy…” was all Zuri could get out before her words turned to choked sobs.

“Zuri, where are you?” Andy questioned softly as headed back to her bedroom to retrieve her apartment keys and ask Terry to leave.

“The ho-Emory Hospital…Andy hurry, please-”

“It’s okay Zuzu, I’ll be right there. Just give me 5 minutes okay,” Andy reassured as she grabbed her keys from her vanity.

“I need to go,” she mouthed to a still confused Terry who still immediately got the message and rolled off her bed to get dressed.

“Andy please, please hurry, Jazzy she-” Zuri was cut off by a hiccup, but before Andy could tell them to save it for when she got to the hospital, Zuri spoke again.

“Andy, Jazzy’s been shot.”

#terry richmond #terry richmond smut #terry richmond x black oc #terry richmond fic #black oc #black fanfic writer #aaron pierre #aaron pierre fic #sillyteecup writes

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whiterose-fans-blog · 11 months ago

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White Rose in Bloom Event

Okay, since @white-rose-week isn't hosting this year, to not take their week for next year, we'll do it on another week this year.

During the week of July 8th to July 15th, this blog will have some WhiteRose prompts up for creators, artists, and writers to make some WhiteRose content.

Day 1 : Hobby enthusiast girlfriend / supporting your Hobby enthusiast girlfriend

Day 1 : Western AU (Cowgirl and Land Baron)

Day 2 : Domestic Life

Day 2 : Mecha / Gundam AU

Day 3 : Beach

Day 3 : Business AU (Bakery/Banker/Cafe/Florist/Etc.)

Day 4 : Family Pictures

Day 4 : Dragon AU

Day 5 : Lazing in Bed Together

Day 5 : Fantasy AU

Day 6 : First Kiss

Day 6 : Demon Hunters AU

Day 7 : Halloween Costume Party

Day 7 : Royalty and Knights AU

Day 8 : Free day

Look forward to what ya'll have in store.

#rwby #ruby rose #weiss schnee #whiterose #white rose #ice flower #ruby x weiss #White Rose in Bloom #White Rose Event

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jeankluv · 1 year ago

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greetings! can you make a fluff gojo satoru story wherein on a random rest day, while smiling fondly at a busy satoru, admiring how amazing he is—being the strongest and all—you felt a pang in your heart as you thought of the big responsibility and burden he carries along with it. thinking how he never asked to be born with these heavy responsibilities wherein single mistake could cost a lot of lives. despite displaying his playful demeanor most of the time, you acknowledge and embrace his vulnerability and struggles. you praised, admire, praise, sympathized and praise him again. just gojo being reminded the reason why he loved you.

just a small plot i thought of inspired by the quote "it's his first time living too" while listening to mr. loverman, hehe. may i request kisses too. *heart hands* thank you!

I love when I get requests like this bc I love to write Gojo in this kind of situation 🥺

In fact I wrote a one shot, not long ago, similar to the request but only posted on ao3, you can check it here. But anyways, I wrote another one shot with your request, I hope you like it and enjoy it.

Let me be the strong one | Gojo Satoru

Words: 1,3K

Summary: The higher-ups had sent him on several missions in a row, without letting him rest, without letting him teach, they had simply thrown him into the field and let him fight on his own. Now for the first time in three weeks you saw him rest.

Tags: fluff, angst, domestic fluff, establish relationship, Satoru needs a hug, Satoru best boy, gn!reader, no use of y/n, pet names (honey, my love, ‘Toru), canon universe but spoilers free

jjk materialist

Your heart burned every time you saw him enter the door, sometimes almost falling to his knees due to the accumulated fatigue that his brain and body carried on top of him.

Gojo Satoru was the strongest, considered by many a God, someone superior. After all he was the one who had brought balance to the world with the simple birth of him. The one born with the six eyes and the infinity.

Sometimes you wish you could take it away from him, to be able to take away infinity and the six eyes, that he could live without that burden on his shoulders, without that duty that he never asked for. That he didn't have to hide his gaze behind a dark bandage. You wanted to take it away and just have it be Satoru. That he could rest and enjoy the things he liked.

You sat in the armchair that was on one side and watched how his chest rose and fell calmly and how his face was illuminated by the rays of the sun that filtered through your window, making his hair and white eyelashes stand out even more.

You loved that man so much, you were crazy in love with him and you have been ever since your high school years. You were not a special grader, you weren’t even that strong, so when your feelings for him started to surface when you were both 16, you felt scared. He was on another level, one you would never reach. At least that was the facade that Satoru showed to everyone, but as time and years passed with him, only you and him shared those sleepless nights where Satoru would knock on your door and wait for you to make room for him in your bed, to simply being hugged to each other and feeling your warmth intertwine with each other. Those moments had only caused you to fall more in love with him.

Luckily those feelings were reciprocated when you were 20 and now 8 years later they had not stopped growing.

“I can feel you observing me.” Satoru spoke with his eyes still closed.

“You should keep resting.” You whispered.

He sat on the couch and stretched himself up. “It’s okay, I had enough rest already.”

“‘Toru…” You said, feeling your heart ache.

“Honey, I’m really okay, don’t worry.” He smiled at you.

“You don’t have to be strong in front of me, you know?” You moved next to him. “Let me be the strong one for you. Let me take your pain too.” You whispered.

“You don’t have to take anything from me because there is…”

“I know you ‘Toru, and because I know you, I know you are not okay.” You cupped his face. So please let me take care of you, let me be your shield, even if it’s just for a moment.” He smiled sadly and then rested his head on your chest.

“I’m tired…” He whispered. “So tired. I love to fight and to face challenges but it’s tiring. Sometimes… I would like not to have this responsibility on me. From the moment I was born, I was already assigned a role, before I even cried for the first time, I was already the strongest, without asking for it.” You ran your fingers through his hair, trying to let him know that you were with him. “I never felt like I had a childhood, so when I entered the school and met you, Suguru and Shoko, I felt like being the strongest wasn't the important thing and that I could be me when I was around you.”

“‘Toru…” You whispered with a sad look.

“But then everything went down…” He said. “I couldn’t save everyone, I couldn’t prevent their deaths, I couldn’t…”

“Satoru, that’s not true…” You cupped his face making him look at you, his blue eyes were filled with tears. “You protected so many people and saved so many too.” With your thumb you caressed his face. “'Toru, you really are amazing, you are strong, yes, but above all that, you are a good person, full of love, who loves his students and wants the best for them.” You smiled. “But you are also human, and you need to rest and be taken care of. So please let me take care of you my love.”

Satoru didn’t say anything else, instead he laid his head on your legs and let you take care of him as you had asked him. A couple of minutes passed when you noticed how his breathing was calmer and how his eyes were completely closed and his mouth slightly open. He had fallen asleep. After carefully placing Satoru on the couch and tucking him in with a cozy blanket, you made your way to the kitchen with a purpose in mind: to prepare something special for him. Cooking had always been therapeutic for you, and in that moment, you felt it was the perfect way to show your concern and affection for him.

When the sweet aroma of the freshly baked cake filled the kitchen, you felt a wave of satisfaction and anticipation. You knew the gesture would be a pleasant surprise for Satoru, and you hoped it would bring him some joy.

Suddenly, as you focused on the oven, you felt two arms wrapping around you from behind. A warm smile spread across your face, knowing that Satoru was there with you, sharing the moment.

“You left…” He whispered.

“I wanted to make a cake for you.” You turned around to see him. “How are you feeling?” You touched his face.

“I am better.” He closed his eyes as you touched him. “You know I love you so much, right?”

“I know.” You smiled tilting your head. “And I love you too.” You kissed him.

“Thank you my love.” He kissed you back. “For understanding me the way you do and for loving me as Satoru not as Gojo Satoru, the strongest.” He smiled.

“For me, you are just my dear ‘Toru, my silly boyfriend who wants to act cool in front of his dear students, the one who loves to eat sweets and go to different places in Tokyo so he can eat all of the sweets in the world and likes to take pictures of those sweets, so then he can fill my phone with those pictures. My ‘Toru, who despite everything, always takes the responsibility, even if it’s too heavy for him, who will blame himself for things he can’t control, the one who wants to change this shitty society so the future generations can have the childhood he never had.” You smiled, getting emotional. “That’s the man I love, who loves me passionately and has never let me down.”

“Every day I am grateful for having met you and having fallen in love and continue to fall in love with you.” He hugged you, hiding his face in your neck. “Don't ever leave, please…” He whispered against your skin, before leaving a delicate kiss.

“Never…” You caress her back gently. “Oh!” You gasped when you started to smell it. “‘Toru the cake!” You stepped away from him and turned off the oven. Carefully removing it from the oven, you placed it on the counter. “It burned…” You whispered, looking at the burnt cake.

You felt Satoru approach you and place a kiss on his cheek. “Let's do another one, this time both of us together.” He smiled at you.

You nodded and kissed him, and it was at times like that where you wish you could take all of Satoru's problems, burdens and responsibilities off his shoulders, and throw them away, where they could never reach him.

#gojo satoru fluff #gojo satoru fanfic #gojo satoru x oc #satoru gojo x reader #gojo x reader #gojo satoru x reader #satoru x you #gojou satoru x reader #satoru x reader #gojo satoru x you #fanfic jjk #jjk x you #jjk x reader #gojo fluff #gojo x you #satoru gojo x you

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 1 year ago

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twst special courses at empire grill🤤

WHAT THE HECKIE 😭 Why does only Disney Japan get the really cool stuff...

Disney's Ambassador Hotel in Japan has a restaurant called the "Empire Grill"! Beginning in April 2024 and going until the end of the year, they will be serving limited time Twisted Wonderland themed Special Courses. 1 Special Course costs 13,000 yen, and the drinks are a separate cost of 1,600 yen per glass.

From my understanding, there will be 8 periods total, each period lasting 1 week in duration per month. For each period, a different dorm's Special Course will be offered. Each Special Course meal comes with an exclusive charm that incorporates the respective dorm's emblem and colors in the design. For the final period, a super special themed menu will be offered.

To get priority seating, you must first win a lottery. After lottery seats are claimed, then they will take customers on a first come, first serve basis.

Right now, we have glimpses of the first three dorms' menu items. The rest will come later (and you can bet I'll drool and share pictures of them when they come out):

Hearslabyul will be served from Monday, April 1, 2024 to Sunday, April 7, 2024. It seems to be very whimsical, incorporating fruity elements like strawberry into gazpacho, and berry sauce to top off your own yogurty white rose—just as though you’re a card solider painting a rose red!

Savanaclaw will be served from Monday, May 13, 2024 to Sunday, May 19, 2024. The menu has a focus on meat and heartiness. They tried to cater to the dorm leader’s tastes/j

Octavinelle will be served Monday, June 24, 2024 to Sunday, June 30, 2024. The menu has plenty of seafood in store for you. It feels like something the Mostro Lounge might serve, no?

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homestuck-fanauthor-coalition · 7 months ago

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BITCHES ITS SPOOKY SEASON!

Hey guys! This past month our Coalition has been writing our latest Competition: Monsterstuck! Yall should join us in reading and voting from now until October 1st! You can choose between Scariest Monster, Angstiest Injury or Death Scene, Best in Executing a Twist, and more!

There were 12 entries in total, featuring a wide variety of monsters (both scary, and not!) List below the cut for yall to check out.

(Artwork by our awesome admin @arealpeople)

(1) Bad Dog

Becquerel will keep Jade Harley safe at any cost.

(2) A Fish Out of Water

Sollux is unlucky with love, this is until he meets Feferi at a party.

(3) Do Robots Dream of Eternal Sleep?

You are designation BR-0, a V1 model.

(4) Lady Woegoth and the Emerald Flame

Four months and thirteen days after defeating the notorious White Wizard, Rose Lalonde goes after one of his followers in a desperate bid to save the world.

(5) Cottage in the Woods

Dave wakes up in a cottage in the woods with little memory of how he got there. Luckily, there's a kind young woman there to take care of him.

(6) Vantaswocky

They took their vorpal swords in hand; Long time the manxome foe they sought— So rested they by the Tumtum tree And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought they stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as he came!

(7) To Touch the Stars

Kanaya asks squid mermaid Rose out on a date with a bouquet of flowers and gets to see the stars up close.

(8) Crestfallen Kings and Queens

You stare in awe and terror at the deepsea monstrosity behind the glass cage taking up nearly half of the entire facility.

(9) With The Tides

It's been a year since she disappeared. You don't want to go.

(10) Our C A M P F I R E S O N G song! (there is no song)

Staring into the scarlet flames, tales are told to raise some manes.

(11) Not Your Mama's Ship Fic

Adventurer Extrordinare Jake English is visiting Inverness, Scotland for a week.

(12) Her Deep Disquiet

In 1894, Miss Jade Harley, a private detective employed by the Crocker-English Company, went to a small New England town to follow the trail of a missing woman. This series of letters is all that remains.

Special shout out to our authors! @eridan-amporaa ; @dave2olkat ; @orangestorapples ; @ambrosianlullaby ; @jonayariley ; @bralsradoesfanfiction ; @june-egbert-official ; @manifestmerlin ; @bigtopcheezborger ; @neapolitangirl ; @tehstripe ; @aspendrake1185

#homestuck #homestuck fanfic #homestuck fic #homestuck fanfiction #monsterstuck #monster au

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fellominaarcher · 2 months ago

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About You - yearning!winter x fem!reader

6. December 24th.

chapters || previous || next

24th December - Christmas Eve

Minjeong woke up with the lingering warmth of a dream.

Y/N had been there again.

In her sleep, they had been together, just like before—laughter spilling between them, hands brushing in casual intimacy, brown eyes locking with hers like they held every answer in the world. In the dream, Y/N had been close enough to touch, but as always, Minjeong had woken up to an empty bed, the cold reality of her life washing over her.

A cruel trick played by her subconscious, feeding her longing with visions of what she had lost.

She exhaled, staring at the ceiling, her chest heavy with a longing she couldn’t shake. It pleased her, in a bittersweet way, to still see Y/N in her dreams. At one point, after the breakup, Minjeong had started sleeping more, desperate for just a few more glimpses of Y/N’s face even if it was just a trick of her subconscious. She had even taken a full week off from the hospital just to retreat into her dreams, filling her days with sleep and solitude.

It hadn’t worked.

No matter how much she slept, Y/N wasn’t real when she woke up. And no matter how many nights she fell asleep thinking about her, dreaming of her, it didn’t change the fact that Y/N was gone.

Yet here she was, years later, still haunted by her.

Do you think I’ve forgotten? About you?

Minjeong shut her eyes, willing the weight in her chest to lessen. But it didn’t. Minjeong sighed, shaking off the weight in her chest as she sat up. There was work to do.

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The hospital was busier than usual, the holiday rush bringing in all kinds of cases. Minjeong treated patient after patient in the ER—minor injuries, flu cases, a slip-and-fall, an elderly man who had gotten too drunk and hit his head. The work kept both her hands and mind busy, and will not drifted to somewhere else.

When she finally got a moment, she sank onto the bench near the nurse’s station, her scrubs wrinkled from the long day. Her fingers absently traced the fabric of her pants as she let her thoughts wander.

A memory surfaced.

It was a spring afternoon. Astrid had shown up at her dorm with a bouquet of roses, her smile bright as the sun as she handed them over. “For you,” she had said simply, her voice warm and teasing.

The memory shifted, and Minjeong saw herself again, standing in her room surrounded by the scent of those roses. Y/N leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from Minjeong’s face before their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss.

Y/N’s hands, warm and steady, pressing a bouquet of roses into her arms. The way she had grinned, teasing yet affectionate. The way her lips had tasted after soft, sweet, like strawberries and the lingering hint of coffee.

The roses are dead now, long wilted and forgotten.

Minjeong let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head at herself. “It’s been a while,” she muttered under her breath, “I should just let it go... and you suddenly came into my mind these days...”

The young doctor pushed herself up from the bench with a quiet sigh. She couldn’t sit here any longer. Striding to the desk, she applied for an early leave.

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The snow was falling heavily by 8 PM, blanketing New York in soft, glittering white. Minjeong walked through it, her gloved hands shoved deep into her coat pockets as her boots crunched against the icy sidewalks. The cold nipped at her cheeks, but she hardly noticed, her focus on the place she was heading.

Each breath formed small clouds of steam, but she hardly noticed. Her thoughts were a storm far colder than the winter air.

When she reached her destination, she paused outside the hospital, her pulse quickening. This wasn’t her hospital; It wasn’t the one she worked at. It was Y/N’s.

Minjeong took slow steps, her heartbeat steady yet heavy in her chest.

And then, she saw her.

There was something bout you that now I can't remember

Y/N Kang.

She was standing among a group of residents, her posture confident, her hands gesturing as she spoke. She was beautiful—God, she was still so beautiful. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, revealing the elegant slope of her neck. She had changed—her hair was longer, her style a little different, and there was the faintest trace of age in her features—but her brightness was still there.

The same warmth. The same presence.

Minjeong’s breath hitched. Oh, she longed for Y/N Kang.

Y/N looked happy, dedicated as ever, guiding the young doctors under her wing. She was a pediatrician now—exactly what she had always wanted to be. Minjeong used to tease her about how good she was with kids, and Y/N would joke back, saying, “Guess that means I’ll be the one taking care of our future children.”

It's the same damn thing that made my heart surrender

Minjeong had laughed then. Had entertained the thought.

But that future had never come.

Every December, Minjeong came here, watching from the shadows. She told herself it was just to see how Y/N was doing, just to remember. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t healthy. She knew she was clinging to something she could never have again.

But she loved Y/N too much to forget. Not just the idea of her, not just the relationship they had shared. She missed Y/N, the person.

With all of her heart, “Oh, I wish we never met, 'cause you're too hard to forget.” Minjeong whispered to herself.

Memories flooded her mind again.

Y/N, smiling at her on the first day of med school.

Lunches in the cafeteria, where Y/N had been the first to invite her over.

Late-night studying, where Y/N would drape her own jacket over Minjeong’s shoulders when she fell asleep in the library.

Walking in the park as flower petals rained down, laughing as they caught them midair.

Their first kiss. The way Y/N had grinned afterward, playfully running off and daring Minjeong to chase her.

And then… the fights. The slow unraveling. The part where things stopped making sense, where their love once so effortless became something they had to fight for.

Until, one day, they simply stopped fighting.

Minjeong exhaled, her breath visible in the cold air.

How long had she been standing here?

She glanced up again, catching one last glimpse of Y/N before finally stepping back. She needed to leave before she did something reckless. Before Y/N turned and saw her. Before she had to explain why she was standing in the cold, watching her like a ghost haunting the past.

And I miss you on a train, I miss you in the morning

Minjeong swallowed, forcing a quivering smile onto her lips, though there was no joy behind it. She took a slow step back. Then another.

It was time to go.

Inside the hospital, Y/N finished her instructions, nodding as the residents absorbed her words. “You have to be alert of the alarms coming from NICU and the children’s ward,” she reminded them. “Always check for—”

Something made her pause. A shift in the air. She turned toward the window, eyes scanning the snowfall outside.

There, just for a second, a figure walking away. Hands stuffed into their pockets.

Y/N’s brows furrowed. Something about the shape of that person, the way they carried themselves, felt... familiar. A ghost of recognition flitted through her, but she couldn’t place it.

And then, they were gone.

Y/N frowned slightly. For a moment, something deep inside her stirred, like an old memory trying to resurface. But she shook it off and turned back to her team.

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Then, Minjeong stood on the main street, raising a hand to hail a cab. A yellow taxi slowed to a stop, and she opened the door, sliding onto the leather seat.

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Home after a long day?" It's almost like the driver can see the emotion on Minjeong's face.

Minjeong leaned back, eyes distant. "Yeah… home." Her voice trailed off, lost in thought.

She gazed out the window as the city lights blurred past, snowflakes melting against the glass. Minjeong exhaled softly, her fingers curling into her coat.

Maybe one day, she would forget. But tonight was not that day.

and I never know what to think about...

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