#also!!! a little late but happy 6 year anniversary to them!!!

[gojo-enthusiast]

The Affair

Series — My Husband Toji Zenin

Part Two: The Big Fight

MDI, 18+, infidelity—

“Was work okay?“ you asked staring at your husband from behind the kitchen counter. “Mm. Yeah.” He hummed lightly, chugging his second beer and eating the dinner you made. “Was it busy?” You proceeded to ask. Your husband had been busy as of late, work picked up and he was coming home later than usual. But it also didn’t help that the other reason he was coming home late. Was because he was having an affair.

You met Toji when you had turned 18, he was 28. Now you are 21 and is 31. He took your virginity, he was also your first love. And you two had gotten married last year when you were 20. Now your husband who you love so much, is having an affair. And you don’t even know what to say at that point.

“Doll, I’m tired.” He yawned, not answering your question. “Oh okay.” You smile, taking his plate and washing it off. It pained you that he was cheating on you, but you knew at the end of the day he would always choose you, and that was enough. Even if… it crushed your confidence.

“I’m gon’ be busy tomorrow afternoon.” He says as he gets into bed. “Oh well tomorrow is—“ you paused realizing if he cared enough, 1. He would remember it was you both 1 year wedding anniversary, and 2. He promised to spend the day with you since he had been working Saturdays and he was finally getting a Saturday off. “Hmm?” He asked, “nothing important, goodnight my love.” You smiled, kissing his lips before turning off the bedside table lamp, and letting him pull you into his embrace. You knew he didn’t hold anyone the way he held you. Yet it made you feel small, it made you feel not important.

The next you woke up and made breakfast like normal, waffles, bacon and eggs. You kissed your husband good morning, and as he left for “work” you kissed him goodbye and told him you love him. You could see the way his eyes fell down, like the guilt inside was eating at him, but the guilt wasn’t strong enough to make him stay.

Toji stood in the hotel room with a woman he had met at a bar a couple days prior, one of his many encounters. Pulling up his pants from the sexual encounter he just had with her. “Hotel room is paid for. Stay if you want. I got’sta get goin’” he said, pulling his phone out looking at the time <4:47> “fuck.” He groans, realizing he is out later than he wanted. He wanted to go home, shower and take his lovely wife to dinner. He would have time, just needs to be quick to get home.

Satoru: hey man! Happy anniversary! Hope you and your wife are spending it fun ;)

Satoru Gojo, his work colleague sends. “Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck” Toji says to himself, rushing out the hotel. Toji rushes to the nearest convenience store, getting you flowers and your favorite sour gummy’s. arriving home at 6:03PM.

“Hey doll.” He says walking in the door, seeing you curled up on the couch watching a movie. “Hey baby.” You smile brightly. You instantly smelt a woman’s perfume on him. Making your nose flinch in disgust. Your husband only bought you the best, so smelling cheap perfume made your stomach churn. “Is that really what he’s into?” You think to yourself. He notices your instant change in mood, the perfume hitting his nose. “I’m gonna go take a quick shower. I’m all sweaty.” He chuckles, rushing to the bathroom. He throws his clothes off, putting them in the washing machine instantly and jumping into the shower.

Something inside of you finally told you to confront him. Why not?

“To-“ you croak out, feeling the lump in your throat form, and tears trickle down your cheek. “Hey baby, what’s wrong?” He says washing off the soap from his body. “Why am I not good enough for you?” You cried out. The instant pain that swelled Toji’s heart. Hating that he is breaking his sweet little wife’s heart. Jumping out the shower, Toji embraces you as he is soaked with water. “There is nothing wrong with you baby doll. I’m the problem, not you.” He groans, feeling tears swell his eyes. “I’m the problem baby.” He says again before crying silently against you. “You’re perfect baby.” He says rubbing your back.

Toji wasn’t going to leave you, and you weren’t going to leave him. You both are joined at the hip, in your own love sick way. You hated how he broke your heart so easily, and he hated how you put up with his bullshit.

[kissmetwicekissmedeadly]

I'm a little late for this, but HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY TO IKEVAMP EN! Last year I made a list of 20 questions for players of the game to answer and continue the tag chain, in order to celebrate - you can find them here! I really loved it so I wanted to add 10 more for this year!

*~if you feel like sharing, you can find the days in the mansion counter in your profile in the game and add it to your questions ~* Also, while reading other people’s answers, mind that there might be spoilers!

1 . Do you play story event routes of your favorite character only, or of others as well? How do you decide which event route is worth playing?

2. Have you ever used the trading post?

3. Who's your favorite side character/love rival/antagonist?

4. Do you save up gacha tokens or do you spend them as soon as you get them?

5. What's your favorite 4-star card?

6. What's your favorite anniversary illustration?

7. Would you rather eat Vincent's cooking or spend a whole day being ordered around by Theo in his gallery?

8. Build your perfect Ikevamp character by taking parts of already existing Ikevamp characters:

9. Do you have a favorite kiss event, or one that has left a strong impression on you?

10. Wish yourself something nice for your future playing of Ikevamp!

Have fun answering! 💕

Tagging: @groovylita @the-bird-and-the-flute @inkys-garden @sh0jun @ludivineikewolf @yanderepuck @yarnnerdally @queengiuliettafirstlady @venulus @nightvers @natimiles @judejazza @floydsteeth @scummy-writes @fang-and-feather @vioisgoinginsane

[kanmom51]

JM live 15 June 2023 20:46 or 8:46pm KST

cr./to the creators of the media used in this post.

*Disclaimer: I hate Tumblr and it's stupid ass image limit. My personal feeling about this post is that it's lacking, but I guess c'est la vie, did the best under the circumstances (at least that's what I'll keep telling myself).

Guess what?

We already saw the pattern with JK, but is it possible that JM is joining in on the it? I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?

I won't be talking about every single thing that came up in JM's 1 hr. and 20 min. live. What I will do is touch on a few of the interesting things that happened during the live (well, what I found interesting at least), and what followed the live as well. Because JM didn't just show and dip. He wanted to take up home in his pocket, although he did think that over 7 million at his place might be too much, maybe if it was half of that it would be ok, lol. But we know JM, for reals, he wouldn't do a live at home, so he did the second best thing, which was to come back to us with posts and comments on Weverse.

Anyways, what did we have in the live?

JM talked about the 10 year anniversary a bit. Telling us he's not really that excited, but the biggest emotion he's feeling is fun. I get the not feeling excited. He also explains why. I'm happy that he felt it fun, I can't help but think that it was a bit of a bitter sweet celebration for them. He touched, not touched on it, when he mentioned the two members in the army at the moment.

JM tells us what he's up to lately, his daily schedule, more or less.

He's asked if he's working on a song, and JM like JM answers this:

He later gives us a little more detail: he's been working out and eating healthy and working on some music and living well. Once a week he allows himself to rest.

The question I ask is if JK allows him to rest too? Lol, nah. I guess that's the day they take off to visit Bammie. Ehm... we do have the scratch to prove it...

Jokes aside, JM talks about how it's good for him to have a set schedule and be at work. For him and JK both (that's me talking not JM). And seeing that RM kind of spilled the tea, we can guess that the workouts are probably, at least some of the time, together with JK.

At the 10:40 mark approx. Tae shows up in the comments.

JM, the kind of sassy and a true Slytherin that he is tells Tae, he will if Tae continues to comment for the whole time.

Well, I guess that was the end of it for Tae, lol.

Fuck people for calling him chubby in the comments. I hate this obsession with his weight, but even more so I hate people sitting at home on their asses and calling this 1.73 meter tall man that weighs 62.5 kg after putting on over 4 kg to get there, chubby. Like wtf? Man is skinny. And minus those 4 kgs he was fucking too skinny. Do they want him to starve himself? Do they not remember the issues he had in the past with his weight (issues which always linger even if you are "eating healthy" as he put it)?

Ok, so at around 14:55 min. JM's asked for the first time about the rainy day fight. When watching live, I kind of thought he was evading the question, but him answering the question later on, I tend to believe that maybe he just misunderstood the question at that point.

JM talks about sleep and R.E.M and how when you dream your mind is active and you don't really get deep sleep, and watching a video about it. I find it kind of funny and coincidental - NOT - that JK seems to have said practically the same things using similar wording in his live as well.

But no, they definitely aren't spending time together.

JM tells us he went to sleep at 6 am, woke up at 12 pm, made himself some chicken breast to eat and went back to sleep. Sound familiar anyone?

Sleep patterns. Chicken breast for lunch.

But no, they definitley aren't spending time together.

JM is asked to do the live all night.

He wants to sleep early.

Funny how that didn't work out for him... I guess someone was staying up to be able to speak with that very special person that happened to be in LA and would be waking up just as JM was supposed to go to sleep?

Slept at 12 and woke up at 8, ate at 12 pm, rest and go to workout at 2:30 pm approx., start working at 5 pm, at night he studied English. Ehm...didn't somebody else just let us know, repeatedly, that he's working hard on his English?

From his 5 June live:

Nah, I guess just another coincidence.

What I'm finding interesting is if JM is done with his promotions and it's off to the army any time now, why would he be working on his English?

Oh how I do hope that this is for something in the pipelines that involves the two of them TOGETHER!!!

Well, it is hard to break a sleeping pattern that has been with you for years and years. We all know of JM and JK's late night/early morning escapades. All night buddies that they are.

Rainy day fight, JM's version:

So this time around JM understands the comment asking about the rainy day fight and gives us his version of it.

Of course we got JM's JK smile.

He does tell us he's giving us an edited version of it. JK, on the other hand, edited without telling us, lol. Both said a lot about the what happened before and after, but magically didn't mention exactly what was said at the moment by JK to anger JM so so much for him to react the way he did.

Anyway, we got is the story from JM's pov. And yes, there are some differences, but I wouldn't expect otherwise. 2 people, 2 povs. No 2 stories would ever be exactly the same.

The main discrepancy I found was the timeline. JK's being when they were trainees, and JM's all over the place but still later on (2014-15). Idk, I'm gonna side with JK on this one, lol. Like I mentioned in the post about JK's live, I feel like this fight was way more impactful for JK than it was for JM. And as such it's more etched on his brain than it is for JM.

Something I found interesting was how each of them was keen to take responsibility for the fight. JK blaming himself for how he behaved and what he said, and JM the same.

What I also found interesting and very much not surprising is how this fandom roles. JK taking blame for the fight = "oh poor baby bunny JK, how big of him to take the blame"; JM taking blame fir the fight = "omg, how mean is JM picking on baby bunny JK, being so mean to him, ugh we hate JM."

Did I mention how there are some parts of this fandom that I absolutely despise?

One thing they both corroborated was the state of JK's eyes the morning after, lol.

Both JM and JK were happy giggly while telling the story.

A fight that definitley left it's mark of them both but also something to reminisce back on fondly.

Something else we learnt from JM's live was that he most definitely watched JK's live. He watched JK tell us about the rainy day fight and he also found JK's impersonation of G-Dragon very funny.

When is your next album coming JM?

Listening to army love letter

JM was truly moved by this.

Did JK cook Ramen for you?

JM averting eyes away from camera and moving on at the speed of light to..."oh angel pt. 2 came out today..."

There are 1001 options to why not yet. I'm not going to even start going there, because it's irrelevant and unimportant.

What I do know is JM chose to answer that comment but a. unlike the other comments that had to do with JK which he did answer, this one answer didn't come with a JK or jungkookie attached to it. It was short and he was done with it, and b. the way he looked away from the camera while saying it and repeating it once before just changing the subject was just so sus and felt like overcompensating.

Of course there are those that jumped at it like the dead feeders that they are. This must mean that they haven't seen each other. That JM isn't important to JK, etc. etc.

Funny how JM and JK don't see each other but are eating the same things for lunch, like Chicken breast and rice… or how they aren't seeing each other but JM somehow, magically, adjusted JK's mood lamp at JK's place…telepathy and telekinesis I guess. Oh, and did we discuss the sleeping patterns yet or the fact that they both happened to bring up the science mambo jumbo about sleep and dreams, almost word for word? But nope. They definitley aren't seeing each other and definitley aren't close. Also, for someone that is distanced they sure seem to be keeping up with each others lives. JM must be really bored to be sitting down and watching JK's long ass lives.

Moving on.

JM, being the king of evading answering whatever he doesn't want to answer, reads out comments asking about travel and tattoos, and decides those are topics he does not deem answer worthy, lol.

Do I talk about the goldfish lips? Nah, I don't wanna. Go watch!

Mashimaro

And this is JK way back in 2015 already.

JM assuming the position

So after saying he should do the next live lying down, cheeky thing that he is decided he's taking JK's sleeping live and raising him one, by taking us all home with him in his pocket, lol.

Although he took it all back. Yeah yeah, excuses excuses. So he can't fit 7 million into his place. Boo hoo. 3.5 million he can but 7 he can't. I do not accept such a cop out.

And then he was done, well more or less. Hungry, asking us for recommendations for food, and tired, he says his goodbyes and turns the live off.

But that wasn't the end of it. Nope.

Remember JM said he'd update us when he got home?

Well, he did. He came back to update us time after time after time.

And a comment too

Oh, and the next day as well.

Also interesting how that 5 and 8 found their way time after time into JM's posts and/or comments. 58 that happens to represent JK time after time.

At the end of the day what did we get from the live?

We got the rainy day fight - JM's perspective (muddled up timeline though, but I forgive him, getting old does make you forgetful, lol).

We got JM tell us he has seen JK's live, the one with him telling us his side of the rainy day fight and doing his G-Dragon impersonation, and I think we can assume he saw the sleeping live too.

I can't help but wonder if JM was reprimanded for commenting on JKs previous lives (you know with the shrimp, not really shrimp, comment and let me tie your hair), or perhaps he's just laying there enjoying watching his bf crush on him live.

We had JM call army and their comments cute. Funny, huh? How JK did that too?

Kind of interesting how the two seem to be saying the same things (the cute and the sleep talk), acting the same way, eating the same things.

I was going to add a clip and link here to JK's chicken breast eating tales, him cooking chicken breast with rice, him talking about eating chicken breast for lunch. Him eating healthy now days. Sounds familiar does it? JM talking about eating chicken breast for lunch, about eating chicken breast with rice. About eating healthy lately...

But damn Tumblr won't allow me. So you guys will either have to take my word for it (please don't), or go looking. You will see I am right...

For fun I will just leave you here with this:

Cause why not end this with an ear to ear smile on our faces?

[une-sanz-pluis]

Mary de Bohun, Countess of Derby

Mary de Bohun was probably born around 22 December 1370 to Humphrey de Bohun and Joan Fitzalan, Earl and Countess of Hereford. As her father had no son, she and her elder sister, Eleanor, became the heiresses of his wealthy earldom. Eleanor married Thomas of Woodstock, the youngest son of Edward III, and according to Froissart, Woodstock intended Mary to enter a nunnery so he would inherit the entire earldom. This was not to be. In late 1380 or early 1381, Mary married John of Gaunt's son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, the future Henry IV. The marriage appears to have happy as they shared similar interests and often spent time together. The story that Mary gave birth to a short-lived son in 1382, when she would have been only 11, is now believed to be a myth brought into being by a mistranslated text referring to her sister giving birth to a son. Mary's first child was the future Henry V, born 16 September 1386. Four more children soon followed: Thomas, Duke of Clarence (29 September 1387), John, Duke of Bedford (20 June 1389), Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (3 October 1390) and Blanche, Electress Palatine (25 February 1392). Mary died either giving birth to her sixth and final child, Philippa, Queen of Norway, Denmark and Sweden, or from complications afterwards, on 1 July 1394, when she was only 23 years old. Mary was buried on 6 July 1394 in the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of the Newarke in Leicester. The church and her tomb was destroyed in the Reformation.

A little of her personality can be reconstructed. She was interested in music, playing the harp or cithara, and she bought a ruler to line parchment for musical notation, suggesting she may have also composed music.Such an interest was shared by both her husband and eldest son, one or both of whom were the 'Roy Henry' who composed two mass movements. She maintained a close contacts with other noblewomen, not only her mother and sister, but Constanza of Castile, Katherine Swynford and Margaret Bagot, suggesting that she may well have been more politically aware and involved than what is generally believed. She may have also continued the de Bohun of patronising manuscript illuminators. A number of illuminated manuscripts believed to belong to her or her sister are some of the most celebrated late medieval English manuscripts.

Mary never became Duchess of Lancaster, let alone Queen of England, but it was her family's badge of the swan that became associated with the Lancastrian kings, most famously borne by her eldest son, Henry V. One of Henry V's first acts as king was to order a copper effigy for her tomb, while in the charter of his Syon foundation, he required that the soul of "Mary … our most dear mother", among others, be prayed for in a daily divine service. Her third son, John, recorded her anniversary into his personal breviary, while her daughters may have each carried manuscripts belonging to her with them when they left England to be married. Despite the brevity of her life, Mary was remembered long after her death.

Sources: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, MS Lat. 17294, Chris Given-Wilson, Henry IV (Yale University Press 2017), Ian Mortimer, The Fears of Henry IV (Vintage 2008), John Matusiak, Henry V (Routledge 2012),  Calendar of the Patent Rolls: Henry IV. Vol. I. A. D. 1399-1401, Calendar of Close Rolls 1381-1385, Rebecca Holdorph, 'My Well-Beloved Companion': Men, Women, Marriage and Power in the Earldom and Duchy of Lancaster, 1265-1399, University of Southampton, PhD Thesis, Marina Vidas, The Cophenhagen Bohun Hours: Women, Representation and Reception in Fourteenth Century England (Museum Tusculanum Press 2019)

[rogerswifesblog]

A/N: it’s my first time writing this much angst, I hope you like it. It’s sad. No Happy End.

Please feedback?🥺❤️

Written in the stars

Summary: Steve always loved you. And he’d always love you, in health…and in sickness. Till your forever would end. You two only hoped it wouldn’t happen so soon,

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader

Warnings: MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH, cancer, angst, angst, angst, fluff, but it’s sad

You and Steve met 6 years ago, literally bumping into each other on the streets. He had spilled his coffee over your white shirt-yes, very Rom-com cliché. He gave you his hoodie to wear, and his number in case you’d like to call him…

You did.

After six months of pinning, meeting the avengers and a lot of teasing you were together. A perfect, happy couple.

Steve had realized he loved you very quickly into your friendship-two months after meeting you, you had invited him over (not for the first time), but this time you wanted to show him something. Something that you loved. A little hobby and passion of yours.

Stargazing.

While you were laying on the blanket, covered with another one, your gaze was glued to the sky-while Steve had only eyes for you. He couldn’t stop looking at you. Your eyes were so sparkly and pretty…your pretty lips so rosy and soft looking…and the smile creeping over your face whenever you saw a shooting star.

“Oh Steve look! The Coma Berenices…”, your voice brought him out of his thoughts, quickly looking to the sky. “It’s really pretty…”, he mumbled, once again letting his gaze slide to you. “Beautiful even….”

He put his arm around you “come here, little star, have it comfortable”, he laughed gently in your hair, pulling the blanket higher.

You had spent many hours just stargazing. After a while you had put your head on his chest, cuddling him closer, since it was a bit cold. Well, you had the blanket, which was technically enough, but….but you really wanted to cuddle him. And he enjoyed it as much as you did.

When you fell asleep on his chest, talking about the stars and how much you loved watching them. He had known about a few of your hobbies-but you’ve never talked with so much passion about something. It made his heartbeat fasten.

In this new world people didn’t show their feelings or love for other stuff than technology-internet, YouTube or Netflix. Everything was always about social media-and he was an old fashioned man. Don’t get him wrong, technology was great but he enjoyed the simple things. Like sketching or…or just stargazing.

He fell in love.

What he didn’t know was that you had also fallen for him that day.

Steve had asked you if you wanted him as your boyfriend-which was sweet. He didn’t ask you to be his girlfriend. He asked you to be yours.

And he did it again. Three years later.

He asked you if you’d let him be your husband. Be the one at your side for the rest of your life. Be your forever.

But you didn’t know that forever would end so soon.

Five years into your relationship you got married. It was a small ceremony, with Natasha being on your side, while Steve had Bucky standing behind him.

Steve cried. (You did too.)

Natasha said she didn’t cry. (She totally did.)

Bucky cried openly, seeing his best friend-that one that got beaten up in alleys twice a week-getting married.

One year after your marriage you got diagnosed.

You were taken to a hospital, after passing out while shopping with Natasha. She was supposed to help you find a pretty dress for your anniversary.

You tried on a dress, spinning around and needing to sit down after that. Moments later you lost consciousness.

Cancer.

Terminal cancer, to be specific.

You were completely surprised with this diagnosis-shocked, actually. It came out of the blue. Well, you were a bit more tired lately, slept more and had trouble with your appetite. You were often exhausted by doing very simple things, like walking down the stair-lately even carrying the laundry was difficult.

Maybe you should’ve seen it coming?

Steve spent the next hours with you, just holding you in a tight hug.

Needing it as much as you did.

Maybe even more than you.

Definitely more than you.

In the evening he had to leave you, since he wasn’t allowed to spend the night in the hospital. (He tried the Captain America card. Didn’t work. Stupid people. His wife was dying and he wasn’t allowed to be with her.)

He spent the night in Bucky's room, not being able to be alone.

He cried.

Hours passed and he was still crying.

Until he fell asleep.

Three months passed and you felt weaker every day. Steve stopped going on missions to be with you-he didn’t tell you that, but you knew. You knew why he was doing this.

He wanted to spend more time with you. The last days, weeks….as long as you had left. Which probably wasn’t that long anymore. You could tell it wouldn’t take long.

Steve knew it too. He could hear your weak heartbeat. Your heavy breathing…

You slept a lot-making him nervous Every Time you went to sleep or napped. He was scared you wouldn’t wake up one time, which made him scared of falling asleep himself.

Steve gave you a gentle kiss, walking past the couch on which you were sitting. “Hungry, sweetheart?”, he asked, putting his hands on your shoulders and squeezing gently. A small smile crept over your face, while you put your head in your neck and looked up at him. Your eyes seemed so sad…slowly losing their sparkle.

“I could eat”, you mumbled. “Okay, I’ll make you…something that I won’t burn”, he grinned, giving you another kiss. It made you laugh quietly too. He really was a bad cook, always burning everything-but with the many tutorials (and JARVIS’ reminder to check the food) he managed to make decent meals. Even really good ones.

Even Bucky ate with you two once, praising the food, thinking you had cooked. He didn’t believe it, when you two told him the truth. You remember the red blush on his cheeks hearing the praise.

Twenty minutes later Steve sat down next to you, two bowls in his hands, one for you, the other for himself, clearly a much bigger portion. “I think it’s not salty enough-but I’m not sure”, he mumbled, looking at you and waiting for a reaction.

After eating a bite you shook your head quickly. “It’s really good. I like it”, you mumbled, slowly leaning your head against his shoulder. Enjoying the warmth radiating from his body.

If someone had asked you ten years ago, If you wanted to die you'd say yes.

If someone had asked you, If you were afraid of dying you’d say no. Back then, you didn’t care. You didn’t feel like life was worth living. Always working, being stressed and not being able to sleep from all the coffee you were drinking, to staying awake at work. You often had enough, just needing to scream into your pillow to let out your frustrations.

You hadn’t really appreciated life. You hadn’t found your reason to love life.

Until meeting this gorgeous, sweet man.

He made life worth living. You loved every second you spent with him.

Now you are scared. You didn’t want to die. Not when you had your whole life with Steve before you.

A single tear rolled down your cheek. You didn’t want to leave Steve behind. He didn’t deserve it.

While Steve had made your life worth living, the same happened to him. Having met you, he finally felt like he had a purpose. Not as Captain America, but as Steve. You made him happy.

“Today is a meteor shooting. Maybe you’d like to watch it? I could put some blankets on the roof…make us some snacks…”, Steve mentioned one day, while you were a bit stronger than the days before, taking a walk outside.

Steve still wanted you to hold onto his arm, which you gladly did, leaning your head against his bicep.

Smiling brightly, you looked up at him. He finally saw some of the sparkle he had missed so much. “Yes, it’s so sweet you remembered, Mr Rogers”, grinning you gave him a kiss on his cheek-to do that you needed to step on your toes. Steve pulled you a bit closer, kissing your lips gently. “Of course I remembered Mrs Rogers. It’ll be a beautiful night”, he whispered, giving you a few gentle kisses on your face.

A few hours later you two were laying down on a blanket on the roof, with you cuddling against his chest. He was like a human heat pack- “I’m what?”, you felt your cheeks blush, realising you had said these words out loud. “Oh god, sorry Steve-it’s just you’re so warm”, you laughed quietly, matching his own laugh.

He shook his head slightly. “Yeah, okay, you’re always telling me I’m warm but…a heat pack? Interesting” Steve grinned, looking at the sky, slowly turning a darker shade, from the most beautiful rosy, organ he and purple shades the the dark night shades, lighted with beautiful bright stars.

Both of you sighed, watching the stars shining brighter than ever.

It felt special.

A special, beautiful night.

“There’s the constellation Coma Berenices…”, you pointed at the sky, where you saw it-knowing that Steve had no idea what you were talking about, but he liked listening either way. He tried to find it. “I remember you’ve mentioned it a few times before…What does it look like?”

You pointed once again at the stars. “These…these three stars in the half square are the main stars” “what is it about?”he asked, looking at the stars you were pointing at.

A small chuckle escaped your lips. “It’s a constellation for lovers-well, technically for the sacrifice of the beautiful hair of Queen Berenice of Egypt. She did it for her husband Ptolemy…was so concerned for his safety when he went off to war….so she vowed to cut off her glorious long hair as a sacrifice to Venus”, you whispered, closing your eyes slowly.

“Did it work?” Steve sounded hopeful, making you smile a bit. He had such a good heart. “Yes. He came home safely…and Zeus placed Berenices beautiful hair in the heavens to shine among the stars…” “that’s a beautiful story.”

You nodded slowly. “It really is….I get why she did it. I’d do everything for you too”, you whispered. Steve was quiet for a moment, looking at the brightly shining stars. He kissed your head gently. “I’d do everything for you too. Meeting you was the best thing that happened to me.”

Smiling, you put your arm around his waist, inhaling his rich smell. “I love you, Steve. You’re the love of my life…the reason I was the happiest I’ve ever been in the last few years. God, you’ve no idea”, you said, which nearly ended in a sob. Steve felt like he could cry himself, which he often did.

“I love you too, my little star.”

You smiled, looking at the Coma Berenices again, then also seeing another shooting star. Then you closed your eyes again, cuddling a bit closer against his chest.

Lying in Steve’s arms was an incredible feeling.

He was your home.

It’s the best place you could imagine ever being.

It was perfect.

For a while you two just watched the shooting stars. The sky was filled with beautiful and bright lights. Nature was the most beautiful thing. Incredible.

Feeling Steve hugging you even closer-if that was possible-made you sigh quietly, softly.

If hugs could heal, you’d never be sick in the first place. Maybe they did. Maybe Steve’s embrace was the only thing you needed.

The pain stopped.

Steve stroked over your hair gently. Another star fell, making him smile lightly. “Look, another one.”

But no answer came. “Sweetheart, we’ve been here for only two hours, you can’t sleep now”, he laughed, gently shaking your shoulder.

You still didn’t move.

He took a deep breath, listening to your heartbeat.

Silence.

Gently kissing your head he stroked over your hair, not holding the tears back anymore. It was over. Your pain was over.

And he was happy he was with you, till your forever came to an end. You weren’t alone. You died in his arms.

In the arms of your true love. He knew you were happy in your last moments, doing what you loved the most, watching the stars. With him. He knew you loved him, he saw it in your eyes everyday. Even when your sparkle vanished, he saw love.

“I’ll love you till my forever ends, my little star…”

And looking up at the sky he knew you were looking right back at him. Free. At peace.

Thank you for reading!

Please interact, leave some feedback!❤️

I’m thinking about writing another one shot about this-maybe some fluff and cute memories or something, or Steve’s life after…I’m not sure, but I enjoyed writing this. (Even if it broke my heart, it was nice to write something like this)

[overtheimaginationwall]

Favorite boss(es) in No Straight Roads?

Least favorite?

(Sincere apologies. I've been holding this one for more than a year in my box, so I hope you don't mind a really late reply ^^")

(Also Happy 3rd Anniversary, NSR!! 🎉)

I will tell ya honestly - they all are my favourites!

Tho if to be more specific I decided to set them up by TOP.

1. Sayu

Oh Sayu, my beloved <3

The Best Virtual Idol and The Reason I bought this game in the first place!

Her music and style of battle was the most fun and dancy! I still vibe to it to this day-

Sooo many references to Internet Culture and Digital Art fills my heart with warmth and gives me determination just like her song itself as well!

Funny Useless Fact: She is the only boss I've beaten on Rank B on my first blind playthrough!

2. DK West

He's OUR MAN, He's THE BEST!

My second favorite and at the same time the hardest for me to beat.

I personally didn't adore RAP genre at first and never seen anyone preform it as an actual entertaining battle until he showed up...

HOLLY MOLLY DESPITE ME BREAKING MY THUMBS WHILE GOING THROUGH THE PAINFUL DODGE GAME - HIM AND ZUKE RAPPING FELT LIKE I'M WATCHING DISNEY-

LIKE-

I STILL HAVE IDEA IN MY HEAD TO MAKE A SORT OF ANIMATIC WITH "FIRST ENCOUNTER" ALONE!!

Anyway, despite damaged fingers - 10/10, would fight again!

Funny Useless Fact: When I was drawing him for the first time I listened to his theme on loop for 4 days straight in order not to get myself distracted or lose motivation, so I finish the piece.

3. Yinu

Oh, sweet child...

I love Yinu and her theme lots even if I'm not that big of a fan of Classical Music. And her backstory...Gosh! It made me cry a lot.

And I'm still feel ashamed of breaking the piano ;;-;;

Love the pace of how music goes with the fight and it feels even better when you get into actual rhythm. There were issues that gladly wore off thanks to practice and fighting this boss over and over.

Tho those slamming cords haunt me whenever I listen to the song off-battle-

Funny Useless Fact: I didn't like her Mother at first but when I read more about her and relationship with Yinu my opinion completely changed. And this is why I would nominate No Straight Roads for The Best Storytelling and Character Design.

4. EVE

Two-faced, tall woman.

Used to be one of my favorites but due to some circumstances I can't look at her the same way I used to but I still adore her as a boss!

I honestly love her style of the fight and music that changes depending on who you play.

Tho fighting her is literally like eating a lemon but eventually you kinda just accept your fate and roll with weird artistic antics happening around you.

And EVE herself as a character is so fascinating. Like this is the moment where I started to see that these aren't just bosses, they are actually characters that tie this little but complex story together bit by bit. And this is why I would nominate No Straight Roads for The Best Storytelling and Character Design AGAIN!

Funny Useless Fact: EVE was supposed to be a next character to have a complete and detailed art of but due to my forgetfulness, difficulties with her design (and many other things) - it was never finished but I hope to get that dusty sketch out of WIP folder someday.

5. Tatiana

The Bitch. The Boss.

I don't really like her music and rhythm but I can forgive that since it is kind of fitting for conflict between her and the BBJ.

She tries to hide her true image throughout the story and the fight but ultimately crumbles cause escaping from the past isn't the best option to improve.

I love her design and personality and I wish there were more villains like her. Strict, simple, stoic and yet well-written.

Funny Useless Fact: I've never drawn Tatiana until NSR announced their release on Steam with addition of Fanat Graffiti Contest that I certainly didn't want to miss out on. It was difficult but I did it and ngl, I am still proud of the results.

6. DJ Subatomic Supernova & 1010/Neon J

I can't really say anything much about both of them. Sorry, guys...

Their designs and personalities are fun and well-made but due to one of them being the first you fight as "tutorial" and the other appears only at the end of a fight. (1010 band doesn't count as an actual boss to me more like a part of it) They didn't struck me much as the others did...

I will say this thou: their backstories are interesting. One is an academy astrology teacher with a goal of achieving the stars and other is a war veteran who just wanted everyone to live in peace and he himself despite everything never stopped his passion for doll-making and making people happy.

Just simply, beautiful...

Cool Science Fact: Their VAs are GOLD!

[underforeversgrace]

Grace Writes Masterpost

Hello! This is to help keep all of my fics in one easy to find spot (other than AO3) especially for the Tumblr links.

I typically keep this pretty up to date, but that does mean it is kinda long!

(As I reminder, I offer commissions. I also have a ko-fi.)

Heartbeat (6,732) (AO3) (Not on Tumblr)

There are a few facts of life. Maddie Fenton knows this. One of which is ghosts don’t have a heartbeat. So why can she see his beating heart?

What It Means To Be (71,323) (AO3) (Not on Tumblr)

Caught by his parents and rescued too late from the lab by Sam and Tucker, Danny has to learn how to live with what has happened to him and what he is.

Danny Gets Caught by the Justice League (Tumblr only)

Just my addition to a viral dcxdp post even though I know nothing about DC

Share the Burden (1,056) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Tucker knows how much Danny has to deal with, and he wants to help Danny carry the responsibility. And the portal is turned off.

Parental Responsibility (5,929) (AO3) (Not on Tumblr)

After a night she’d rather forget, Jack and Maddie are missing, and Jazz has to face her new reality.

Woken and Bound (2,955) (AO3) (Not on Tumblr)

Danny wakes up in chains, Clockwork and the Observants hovering above him. Knowing only one fate could bring them here, he didn’t even fight, just bows his head and waits.

Earned Peace (4,254) (AO3) (Not on Tumblr)

A body is found in the park and Danny’s core is not happy about it.

i love you (don't kill me) (4,581) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Maddie had always thought she was a good mother. A bit of a workaholic, sure, but still a mother who would listen to them and who could be trusted. She learned she was neither of these things, and she learned it the hard way.

Just Another Day (2,711) (AO3) (Tumblr)

It's been eight years since the Fentons died, since Danny had undoubtedly lost his mind. On the anniversary of their deaths, Valerie goes through her day, remembering how they got here. Why he would be there today.

same memory (different perspective) (3,861) (AO3) (Tumblr)

It’s just chores, just him cleaning the lab. It’s just a normal day and he’s definitely fine. His fight or flight instinct definitely isn’t screaming at every single atom in himself to run.

by your grave (the monster we made) (19,762) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Maddie knew Danny kept secrets, it was a topic they didn’t discuss. But when she sees scars she knows he couldn’t have, she knows she can’t keep pretending. She just needs to figure out those scars.

definition of insanity (is doing the same thing) (11,694) (AO3) (Tumblr)

When his 16th birthday ends with Phantom yelling at him, Dash wishes he could just try it again, only to find his wish granted and the day beginning again. Determined to make it better with his hero, Dash does everything he can to make it better (and maybe wail on Danny Fenton a little harder), but Phantom just keeps getting angrier and Dash just wants to know what he's doing wrong.

broken trust and the wounds hidden behind (27,007) (AO3) (Tumblr - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Jack wasn't meaning to snoop in his son's room when he found a box of medical supplies and a USB with a tag that said IF I DON'T COME HOME. Danny’s secrets revealed, Jack is desperate to earn his son’s trust, to earn the right to this secret he stumbled across. After almost two years of unknowingly hunting his son, is Danny's trust too broken to heal?

where the wounds were hidden (5,629) (AO3) (Tumblr)

When there's no one to talk to, sometimes a diary is all that's left to turn to. (Danny POV of broken trust)

Welcome to Intro to Ghosts (in progress) (AO3) (Tumblr - 1, 2, 3)

Sure, turning sixteen was supposed to be a big year regardless, but this was a little beyond what Danny had expected when he'd both been told he was now king and then asked to be a teacher for the Intro to Ghosts class while also being a junior in high school. Now he has to juggle a secret identity, being a superhero, doing centuries worth of old paperwork Pariah didn't do, his own schoolwork, AND his students/classmates schoolwork! This'll be fun. Or catastrophic. Hopefully fun.

we're ghosts, not the mob (3,052) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Jeff Johnson has been, unfortunately, chosen as a month-long substitute for William Lancer at Casper High - and he very much does not want to deal with Amity Park’s ghost tourism nonsense. But some students keep getting hurt, and maybe there’s something dark lurking here?

never cared for the stars (1,111) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Phantom vs. the Box Ghost - those are barely fights, y'know? Besides, Phantom never let's humans get hurt. But Phantom didn't see Dash there.

searching for the severed tether (let me return) (9,893) (A03) (Tumblr)

Danny’s core won’t stop hurting and he isn’t entirely sure why - is it just exhaustion? Something else? He would quite like for it to stop hurting, instead the pain’s getting worse. Meanwhile, Jazz gets called for an assembly. And then it all goes to hell in a hand basket.

the road to hell is paved with good intentions (6,995) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Jack feels like death as he fights the flu, Danny’s wrist is broken and he refuses to talk about it, and Maddie feels like she can’t do anything right. If he could just see through his son’s eyes, walk in his shoes for a while. He forgot one should never say the word ‘wish’ in Amity Park.

A Make A Wish child wishes to meet Danny Phantom (Not on AO3) (Tumblr)

Prompt from danphanwritingprompts

purple and red (881) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Dannymay 2023, Day 2: Backpack

Summary: Jack recognizes that backpack

an august snowstorm (771) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Dannymay2023, Day 3: Blizzard

Summary: Lancer isn't sure what to do with a snowstorm in August. Especially not IN his classroom.

shatter my soul (I don't want it anymore) (1160) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Dannymay2023, Day 4: Fractal

Summary: An impossible accident and pain Danny had never known.

all masks must come off (2517) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 6: Eclipse

Excerpt: "Eclipses are... hm, kind of like holy days for ghosts." Danny began and Maddie fully relaxed. Ghosts weren't sentient enough to have anything approching religion or faith. "You can't hide under an eclipse. It's night and day both turning their gaze to you and no disguise can bear both the sun and moon's scrutiny."

Instinct (3035) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay 2023 Day 7: Weapon

Excerpt: He really hated it when his parents surprised him with the ghost version of weapons of mass destruction, honestly. It was getting old. When they’d unveiled the weapon and showed it to him and Jazz with more enthusiasm than a toddler sticking something new in its mouth, Danny had wanted to blow the damn thing up the instant they finished explaining what it did.

beneath bone (1125) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 10: Bones

Excerpt: Maddie tucked herself further into the shadow of the building, peeking around the corner. This metal ghost was really starting to grate on her nerves. It had been coming everyday for two weeks, challenging Phantom each time. Phantom, unable to resist a fight, has met it on the battlefield each time.

the monster I hide (1922) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 13: Monster

Summary: It's been two weeks since the Accident and Danny is struggling to come to terms with some of the less desirable side effects of dying - and he feels like a monster for it.

the electricity within me surrounds me (1456) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 8: Electric Core AU

Excerpt: Why was he having so much trouble controlling the static today?

fight the current (Two Parts)

under the river (1181) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 11: Underwater

after the water (1770) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 30: Post Reveal

Excerpt: Is this really a choice she was about to have to make? Dying together with her husband or leaving him to die on his own?

don't sass a sleep deprived ghost (1432) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 17: Temper

Excerpt: He was tired, he was over this, and he was so fucking done.

memories of the grave (2166) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 18: Grave

Songfic. Excerpt: He frequently thought about death. His death, at least.

wrong paper (665) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 19, No Backspace

Summary: Mr. Lancer gets an assignment from Danny that is not right.

fang u for ur help (341) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 16: Fangs

Summary: Danny has fangs and questions

does this suit come off? (1706) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 15: Full Hazmat AU

Summary: A fight goes sideways and Danny gets caught.

green in the air (2042) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 22: Cryptid AU

Summary: Ectoplasm is invasive and all consuming, and it shows in Amity Park's residents. (OC outsider POV)

memory of what may have been and never will be (3962) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 25: Blame

Summary: Valerie Gray from ten years in the future falls through a natural portal, landing in the past. Unable to get home, she decides to do the best thing she can - kill Danny Phantom.

Grace Can't Draw (picture post) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 26: Art/Fic Switch

stars in his eyes (1849) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 24: NASA

Summary: After two weeks in the GIW's labs, Danny is informed another government agency has taken custody of him. Of all the agencies to hurt him, why did NASA have to be one?

shattered saviors (2475) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 21: Shatter

Summary: Danny gets a horrifying glimpse into the intense negative reaction of Amity Park, and especially his parents, when Dani is accidentally revealed to be half ghost and is taken into GIW custody.

would you like fries with that? (1217) (AO3) (Tumblr)

DannyMay2023 Day 20: Nasty Burger

Summary: Danny wants to enjoy a meal with his friends. The ghosts say no.

am i dead or alive? (it's such a fine line) (2755) (AO3) (Tumblr)

Danny wakes up screaming from a nightmare - a memory he thought he'd long gotten over. When his dad comes running him to check on him, old fears and doubts resurface, and Danny decides that, since he's already told his parents about Phantom, maybe it's time to stop hiding other things, too.

chasing nightmares (703) (AO3) (Tumblr)

"Who got you this time?" Jazz asked with a sigh, wrapping the gauze around Danny's bleeding shoulder, grimacing as green immediately saturated the white. "Plasmius," Danny spat.

we live our lives like we're ready to die (in progress) (AO3) (Tumblr - 1)

Crossover fic - Danny Phantom x Angel: the series. Long summary, please view link.

the walls you hide behind (I saw the truth inside the real you) (in process) (Tumblr - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, in process) (AO3)

Jazz is tired of the ghosts, tired of her parents not doing enough, tired of Phantom's recklessness and her brother's persistent exhaustion. When she yells all of her frustration at her parents after nearly getting killed by a ghost, she gets sent to Vlad's mansion in Wisconsin for the weekend - where she's offered a chance. She could have the ability to fight back, protect her brother and her town. Jazz leaps at the prospect. When she returns to Amity Park at the end of the weekend, it's with abilities and strength of her own, and she's fueled by anger and disdain. And she's got her eyes, first, on Danny Phantom.

healing the wounds we hid (sequel to broken trust and the wounds hidden behind) (in process) (Tumblr - 1, 2) (AO3)

(Invisobang 2023!) Now that his father knows, Danny's life is changing for the better. Jack encourages him to let his friends and the rest of the family into his small word. Unbeknownst to Danny, Jack is secretly worried about how Maddie will react to the news upon her return to Amity - and how to confront Vlad once Jack learns his true identity. Amidst it all, an enemy lurks and plots their revenge.

[pastafossa]

I just saw the start date of TRT on AO3. 2017!

I only just got into the Daredevil Fandom in December 2022. I just binged the fic over the course of a week and now I'm in Jane/Matt withdrawal.

Send help

It did start it late in 2017! I wrote the first 4 chapters over a year and a half or so, before took a hiatus for a few years due to some life stuff.

The good news is I kept thinking about TRT. It was constantly rolling around in the back of my mind, and every now and then I'd write down ideas, gradually filling in my outline while everyone basically thought I was dead and TRT slowly faded from memory. I bided my time until all was ready.

Cue me in Jan 2021 appearing in the inboxes of everyone who forgot they'd subscribed like

I'm not sure what those that had stuck around were expecting (there was a lot of joy but also a lot of confused screaming) but I'm fairly certain Jan 13, 2021 was not the day they expected my feral, Matt-obsessed ass to suddenly reappear from the ether after 2 years of radio silence and feverishly begin dropping 6-10k words of plot on them every week for roughly the next two years (happy belated 2 year end-hiatus anniversary everyone!).

Anyway, I'm so so happy to welcome you to our little side of the Marvel fandom! I can promise we'll absolutely get some more Jane/Matt this week, I gotta keep ya'll fed and me too tbh i like reading trt. 😂

[charlotte-of-wales]

The Sussexes are frazzled, fraught and lacking romance – like any couple with young kids

Five years after their wedding, the omens are bad as Harry and Meghan seem to be heading in different directions.

It is hard to believe that five years ago today, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle rode through the streets of Windsor in an Ascot Landau carriage, cheered by adoring crowds on their wedding. At the time, household staff weren’t entirely confident the relationship would go the distance – “no one could see it lasting longer than three years”, according to one insider. Yet as the couple celebrate their “wood” anniversary, Harry and Meghan have proved their doubters wrong.

While their relationships with their own families might not be what they once were, the marriage appears to be going strong, despite the couple’s outwardly diverging priorities.

The Duchess once described them as moving together “like salt and pepper” but they seem to be heading in opposite directions – Meghan looking forward while Harry dwells on the past. The extraordinary events of this week – with the couple claiming they had been “involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi” in New York – seem to expose a chasm between her desire for fame, and Harry’s quest for privacy.

The couple say that after the event, they were subjected to a two-hour “relentless pursuit” by a “gang” of at least six paparazzi. New York City authorities have stated that although photographers made their journey “challenging”, “there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests”.

In pictures of the couple leaving the event, Harry’s discomfort was etched on his face as he used his phone to film the action from the back seat.

However, questions have been raised over how such a campaign sits with the Duchess’s plans to build her “global enterprise”. Meghan signed with leading global talent agency WME in April, amid talk of more “content creation”, a Dior clothing deal and the revamp of her defunct lifestyle blog The Tig.

Given this potential conflict, it is little wonder, then, that the couple have cut quite separate figures lately – with Harry travelling alone to the Coronation on May 6, leaving Meghan in Montecito with their two children, Archie, who turned four that day, and Lilibet who turns two next month.

The last time the Sussexes were photographed together in public was at a basketball game in Los Angeles last month, when they missed the opportunity to smooch on the “kiss cam” that pans in on couples in the stands. Some took the normally tactile couple’s reluctance as a sign all may not be well between them after Meghan’s absence from Harry’s promotional book tour fuelled split rumours.

Such is their independence from each other that the owner of a leading hotel chain in Montecito recently told The Daily Telegraph they have a room set aside for Harry where he occasionally stays on his own.

The Duke has also been known to stay at the uber-exclusive San Vincente Bungalows when visiting LA, which is a two-hour drive from the couple’s £11 million mansion.

“That seems to be his escape place,” said a source of the super secretive and selective members’ club in West Hollywood, which – unlike the Soho House chain also frequented by the Sussexes – bans journalists from joining. A refuge from the rigours of parenting two children under four, Harry has apparently stayed there after attending Barry’s Bootcamp, a high-octane cardio fitness class, at the nearby Beverly Center. One friend described the couple as “like any parents of such young kids: frazzled.”

They added: “They are really happy together and live this idyllic life in Montecito, which is essentially a giant gated community of multimillionaires.

“But at the end of the day, they’ve been through a lot and I think they’ve both felt quite ground down by it all.

“They’re like any married couple, five years in.”

As a Californian, born and bred, Meghan appears more settled than Harry who, by his own admission, still feels torn by his British ties. As he wrote in his book: “I love my mother country and I love my family and I always will.” Although he has repeatedly spoken of embracing the Santa Barbara lifestyle, it is no secret that the Duke – cut off from his family and many of his friends – is heavily reliant on his wife’s social circle.

When they first started dating, Harry was Meghan’s protector, guiding her through a royal life that was alien to her, but now the roles have been reversed and it is the Duke who appears to be struggling to find his way.

That may explain why he is still partially on British time – apparently staying up late into the night, gaming.

Yet with many of his old set still feeling aggrieved at having essentially been “ghosted” after he married Meghan, patience appears to be wearing thin even among his most stalwart supporters.

As one insider explained: “Nobody really speaks to him any more and even the people who have remained by his side have lately begun to fall away because he is so consistently negative. He’s often complaining and rarely asks after others. People had stuck with him because they blamed Meghan for isolating him and cutting him off from his friends and family. But he hasn’t done anything to help himself. Now they just see him as completely lost.”

Harry himself referred to the fact that William regards him as “deluded” – but that sentiment also seems to be shared by those in what he once referred to as his “circle of trust”. The word “narcissistic” also creeps into a lot of conversations about the couple.

According to one former military colleague: “No one in the forces has got any time for him at all, which is such a shame because he was hugely popular. You can blame Meghan, but he’s brought a lot of it on himself.”

While fully supportive of Spare, the media-savvy Duchess let it be known she raised gentle concerns about whether it was the right move. As a source said at the time: “Is this the way she would have approached things? Possibly not. But she will always back him and would never have got involved in promoting such a personal project. This was about his own life, his own journey and his own perspective.”

But with speculation about plans for her own memoir, the Duchess will want to avoid any more negative publicity diminishing the Archewell brand after the couple’s approval ratings have fallen to near Duke of York levels.

If her relaunch doesn’t go to plan, however, a blame game is likely to follow – and as someone who once worked for the couple noted: “When you’re that angry with the world, it leaves little time for romance.”

[spgothkidsheadcanons]

I think it’d be cute if the reader is dating Michael, Pete or Henrietta and on the day of their anniversary, they wrote a song about them and sang it to them on their date.

THIS IS A SUPER CUTE IDEA I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT

I decided to go with Pete for now because he never gets enough love. Content for him is criminally low, and I want people to see my little love and appreciate him for who he is.

If this fic goes well, then I definitely plan on doing the same theme with Michael and Henrietta, but for now, have Pete!

Pete x Reader: Anniversary Song

- Pete is ever the romantic

- You two had been dating since junior year of highschool

- If someone ever saw Pete, they knew you weren’t far behind and vice versa

- It was your 6th dating anniversary, and unbeknownst to you, Pete had spent months trying to write you a special song

- He was always secretive about what he wrote in his journal, so you never questioned what he was writing

- You’d find out soon enough what he was planning

You tiredly unlocked the door to your home, body dragging as you stepped through the treshold. Your feet and leg muscles were sore after having to pull an 18 hour shift at work today. You’re replacement was only supposed to be late, but instead she never even showed up. Letting your bag hit the floor unceremoniously, you made your way to the living room, wanting to do nothing more than lay out on the couch and sleep for the next 3 days. Pete sat on one end of the couch, staring absentmindedly at the tv that was playing some random show. You stared with him for a second, before cutting your attention off of the screen.

Laying down on the couch, you maneuvered yourself so that your head rested on his lap, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath. Breathing in your boyfriend’s scent, you sighed once again, making yourself comfortable at the expense of his comfortability.

Pete finally snapped out of his trance, looking down at you laying comfortably in his lap. He carded his fingers through your hair, scratching your scalp softly. “Hey (N/n).” he greeted, brushing some hair from your face and cupping your cheek. Opening your eyes, you grinned at him. “Hey, love.” you whispered back, turning your head slightly to press a kiss to his palm. “Happy anniversary.” he murmured softly, cheeks turning red at your affection.

“I figured you’d want to do something for the big 6, so I ordered some take out and went out to get drinks.” the red and black haired male said, moving his other hand to intertwine with one of yours. Pete’s thumb ran across your knuckles, causing you to giggle at the ticklish feeling. “That sounds wonderful. It also sounds like a normal Tuesday night for us.” you joked, sitting yourself up and leaning against your boyfriend. You rested your head on his shoulder, your attention turning back to the senseless tv show.

“Well, it’s not just takeout and getting drunk, but you’re gonna have to wait until later.” Pete said, resting his hand on your thigh. You perked up, turning your upper body to look at him. “What is it?” you asked, curiosity filling your eyes. The man looked back at you, giving you a devilish smile before shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know. You’ll have to wait and see.” he teased. A knocking was heard at the door, and Pete got up to answer it. He stepped away for a moment, coming back with 2 plastic bags in his hand. “Come on, let’s eat and get shitfaced.” the goth offered. You jumped up, following him into your dining room to eat dinner.

~~~Time skip brought to you by 2012 Tumblr~~~

You and Pete had just finished eating, feeling buzzed from the few mixed drinks you had during dinner. Over the meal, you both shared stories of how you felt about the other before you started dating, bringing up funny moments throughout your relationship, and overall just enjoying each other’s company.

You had just downed the rest of your mostly alcoholic cocktail, laying your head against the table while looking at Pete. “God, can you believe it’s been 6 years already?” you slurred, giggling at yourself for messing up your words. In turn, your boyfriend smiled at your antics, reaching across the table to grab your hand. “It’s because we don’t annoy the shit out of each other.” he replied, tracing patterns on your hand.

Pete suddenly retracted his hand, standing from the table. Jerking up, you stared at him, confusion written on your face. “Shit, I almost forgot. I’ll be right back.” he spoke, turning from you and walking out of the kitchen. You just stared after him, unabashedly staring at his ass as he walked away. You smiled to yourself, your eyes glued to his backside until he was out of sight.

Moments later, he came back, carrying his guitar and a litte square box with him. Placing the box down on the table, he sat back down in his chair. Your curiosity was peaked as you watched him set himself up to play. You loved hearing him, his hands were like they were crafted by Apollo himself when it came to playing instruments. You watched his fingers as he strummed each string, tuning his guitar until it was just right.

“I, uh… I wrote a song for you. I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I’ve been working on it for a while, and I believe it’s finished now.” he explained, looking at you nervously. You smile warmly at him. “Aww, darling. You did not!” you said back, your hand slapping over your heart. “I did! I did. I kept having to restart so it sounded like it actually meant something and didn’t sound like some shitty teenager’s love song.” Pete retorted.

“But, uh, I’m about to play it. I hope you like it.” he smiled at you, his hand beginning to strum out a few random chords. You leaned forward, admiring his features as you quietened down, excitement coursing through your veins.

(CLICK YOUTUBE LINK FOR SONG)

Pete finished, strumming the last note on his guitar. He didn’t look at you through the whole song, instead studying his own hands, being extremely careful not to mess up the song. He set his guitar off to the side, finally looking back up to you. His eyes widened at the sight of you, with one hand covering your mouth and tears spilling over your lashes.

“Woah, what’s wrong?!” he exclaimed, pushing his chair back and rushing to your side. When Pete kneeled on the ground beside you, you threw your arms around him, shoving your face into the crook of his neck. Hesitantly, he wrapped his owns arms around you, rubbing your back gently. “Hey… are you okay?” he asked, leaning his head against yours. You nodded, hugging him just a little tighter. Holding each other for a moment, you pulled away from him, looking into his eyes.

“I’m fine. That was just… So beautiful. I love you so much.” you reassured. Leaning forward, your placed a kiss to his forehead and cheeks before planting a soft kiss to his lips. Moving back, you grabbed your napkin, drying the tears from your face as you sniffled. “I love you so much more. Actually, a whole lot more than you know,” Pete started, reaching toward the box that was on the table, “I love you so much I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re my best friend, my light, the reason I wake up everyday. I don’t think I could ever live a life where you weren’t in it.” Pete finished, opening up the box in his hands.

Tears fell from your eyes as they landed on the ring. It was simple, a thin black band with a 3 small rubies, but it meant so much more to you in this moment. Pete looked nervous, swallowing back his anxiety. “I want to be with you forever. I want to grow old with you, have a family, and spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” the goth finished, holding his breath as he waited for you to respond.

You couldn’t find the words you wanted, instead opting to nod your head enthusiastically. Pete let out the breath he was holding, grabbing the ring from the box. You held out your left hand, allowing him to slip the ring onto your finger. Taking no time to study it, you launched yourself out of your chair, taking both you and your fiancé to the ground. Attacking his face with kisses, you couldn’t help the giddy giggling in between them. This was the best anniversary present you could have gotten, and you couldn’t wait to spend the rest of your life with Pete.

[akwardlyuncool]

Akward Class Favorites The Playlist 2023

I thank y'all for being here. I thank myself for being here. Somehow you and I made it through another year and another Akward Class Favorites and that is a win in my book. I do this thing, whatever this is, because it brings me joy. Regardless of all the missing pieces or the things that will show up later cause I lost them in the couch, I'm still trying my best to show up for that joy. Before I officially close us out though, we gotta phat playlist to listen to. I'm also gonna add in some life-notes, cause I like to talk and I overshare and what better way to do that, than through an annotated playlist. Once again, thank you for sticking around and if you're new here thank you for showing up. As always conversation are encouraged on this blog. Let's see what comes next.

_________________________________________________________________

Notes:

This is not a strictly 2023 playlist, but the 2023 songs will be clearly marked.

There is a story or flow that I tried to create once again, but you do not need to know any of that to follow along with the playlist. You can listen in order, shuffle, pick and choose, do whatever you want.

That being said if you’re following along from the beginning and reading along, the anecdotes that follow many of the songs aren’t really apart of that story, they’re just extra pieces of sometimes “personal” information that I include because it’s fun for me.

When I’m collecting YouTube links for these songs, I’ll often find a live or alternate version that I really like and will share that instead, or in addition to, the original/studio version. I will note when I do this, however the full Spotify playlist will have the “correct” version.

And to make sure I included the YouTube links in general, the formatting for the whole post might be a little off, sorry.

Side note: I wrote all the songs how they show up in Spotify, which is why some are capitalized and some are not. (Just in case anyone was wondering.)

Key:

⭐️ = Songs that came out specifically in 2023 🕚 = Songs that came out in November/December of 2022. (You know the late babies.) ✊🏾 = Songs by/featuring Black Artists.

__________________________________________________________________

There is something here for literally EVERYONE, so if you don't find something you like, you didn't listen hard enough. Enjoy!

1. ⭐️ Gans Media Retro Games - Hot Mulligan

Why do I keep trying to spell Hot Mulligan as "Hott Mulligan?"

2. ⭐️ CHRONICALLY CAUTIOUS - Braden Baless

I relate to this song on a core level.

3. ✊🏾 Anxiety - Meg Thee Stallion

I know less than nothing about this current beef, but it's always gonna be team Meg!

4. I'D RATHER DIE - AS IT IS

It was a rough summer. People who know me in real life, I promise I'm fine.

5. ⭐️ Lost - Linkin Park

Happy 20th Anniversary to Meteora! These unearthed tracks fit that era so well.

6. ⭐️ Rational - Matt Maeson

Stop describing me lol.

7. ⭐️ No Shoes In The Coffee Shop “Or Socks” - Hot Mulligan

8. ⭐️ 20 Missed Calls - Braden Bales

The video is of a live session, but Spotify will have the recorded version.

9. How Do You Know It's Not Armadillo Shells? - Hot Mulligan

10. I Like to Hide in the Bathroom at Parties ft. The Knocks - Winnetka Bowling League

11. ✊🏾 Stupidfreak (Audiotree Live Version) - Juice

12. ⭐️ Nevermind - Between You & Me

13. Fake It - State Champs

14. ⭐️ It Won’t Be Like This Forever - Neck Deep

15. ⭐️ NEW LOVE - BOYS LIKE GIRLS

16. First Date (Acoustic Cover) - Taylor Acorn

17. PERRIER - Braden Bales

It's just so cute and it makes me want to find a crush and be in giddy kind love.

18. Sundress ft. Four Years Strong - State Champs

This song also makes me want to be in love.

19. Over My Head (Cable Car) - The Fray

Second first kisses or first second kisses? I definitely wanted to be there and wanted to do it again. Also it wouldn't hurt if you thought things would have gotten better the next time. This is filler a version cause the actual song that played was a heavy punk cover of this song and I don't know who sang it.

20. ⭐️ ✊🏾 Buckle Bunny - Tanner Adell

Be a little thot-y. Have a little fun. PS: This post has been written for quite some time now, but with the new conversations being had, I just want to add that Yoncé didn't invent Black Woman in Country music and she is not the revival of such things.

21. Nonsense - Sabrina Carpenter

Dress a little thot-y. Have a little fun. Flirt a little. Fall in love or hard core like.

22. ⭐️ Breakfast For Dinner - Winnetka Bowling League

This song is hella cute. Y'all don't understand how much I want to be in love.

23. ⭐️ The Places We’ll Go ft. Dashboard Confessional - Yellowcard

24. 🇵🇸 sun and moon - anees

My best friend had baby, but more relevant to this list, a baby-shower that was themed after the moon and the stars. She asked me to make the playlist and I understood the assignment. Free Palestine!

25. Spaceship - Andy Grammer

More baby shower playlist gems. Also this song is hella cute and I recommend it to all the parents.

26. Act Like That ft. Mitchell Tempenny - State Champs

27. An Irish Party in Third Class (Includes "John Ryan's Polka" and "Blarney Pilgrim") - Gaelic Storm

25th Titanic Anniversary in Imax 3D. Let's just say I finally got my "Dinner and A Movie," you know the one that Harriet The Spy was talking about.

28. ⭐️ ✊🏾 What’s The Move ft T-Pain - Watsky

29. ⭐️ FIGURE IT OUT ft. YNG Martyr and Stafford Beats - Chandler

I only really like Chandler's parts and if you heard this from this from TikTok, yes the Chandler Shimmy has a hold on me too.

30. ⭐️ THE OUTSIDE (Outsiders Version) ft. 30H!3, State Champs, The Summer Set and The Ready Set - Boys Like Girls

This collab is top tier and I'm still geeked about seeing most of them in one lineup. Also not to be rude, but what part does The Ready set do? I've been trying to figure out what he does and the answer doesn't seem to exist for me.

31. 31 - Mike Edel

32. Miles Apart - Yellowcard

This was my summer anthem for 2023. It's just such a perfect fit.

33. ⭐️ ONE MORE TIME - blink-182

PERFECT! No notes. It gives the same energy as Back Together by The Summer Set, both of them make me want to cry.

34. ⭐️ 2005 - Story Of The Year

I'm not mad at it. Let all the boys come back and reminisce, especially if it involves anniversary tours.

35. ⭐️ NOTHING LIKE THE LAST TIME - Watsky

I am celebrating. I am not crying. I promise you.

36. ⭐️ Don't - Wild Rivers

This song is so good, but I ran away from it because feelings are complicated and I thought I didn't know until I realized I did and then it was over. PS: You can always ask me how I feel or felt, conversations haven't expired yet.

37. 🕚 Forget Me (Piano Acoustic Version) - Lewis Capaldi

38. are you okay? - Winnetka Bowling League

This song is everything, moody, sad, caring…. all the feelings.

39. Untitled - Rex Orange County

40. ⭐️ That’s Not How This Works ft. Dan + Shay - Charlie Puth

41. ⭐️ That's Not How This Works (Sabrina's Version) ft. Dan + Shay and Sabrina Carpenter - Charlie Puth

You can skip this one if you want, I just listened to both versions back to back every time, so it was hard to not include both.

42. fiimiy (fuck it, i miss you - Live Version) ft. Demi Lovato - Winnetka Bowling League

Sometimes you just need to let yourself say the words, even if you don't act on them.

43. ⭐️ Heartbreak Of The Century - Neck Deep

I feel like I'm finally getting back into Neck Deep, not that I really stopped I just didn't listen to their last album and it feels so good to be back.

44. ⭐️ BLOOD AND SUGAR - BOYS LIKE GIRLS

I love this song so much, it's hella groovy, but I'm sorry I can't ignore the fact that it's essentially "why doesn't she like me?" or "why won't she go out with me, we're all just human?" Or hey to be more forgiving, "why does she make me feel this strongly if we're only 'blood and sugar?'"

45. ⭐️ Daddy Issues… - Bury Mia

46. MakeDamnSure (Cover) - Hot Mulligan

47. 31 - Soul Glo

This was the first song that popped up when I was looking for songs the day I turned 31 and I will say it's not for the white faint of hearts. It goes hella hard though.

48. Fuck You - The Used

49. *Equip Sunglasses* - Hot Mulligan

50. ⭐️ ✊🏾 Roll The Dice - Fluorescents

I walked around singing that 30 second bit from TikTok for a good minute there. I was probably annoying. Although I do enjoy the song, I wonder if TikTok is just feeding me pizza. Do I really like these songs or do I only like the 30 seconds I've heard 100 times. (I'm gonna make a playlist of my music folder on TikTok and get back to you on that one.)

51. Forward - Linkin Park

Songs 51-54 are what I considered to be my safe music for a period this summer cause I was just so sad and nothing was making me happy for the longest time, so thank you Linkin Park and Disperser CA for being the "good guys."

52. Breaking The Habit - Linkin Park

Again happy 20th Anniversary to Meteora, thanks for being there when I needed you.

53. ✊🏾 Snake Eyes - Disperser CA

54. ⭐️ Easier To Run (Lofi Version) - Less Gravity/Linkin Park

55. ⭐️ They Don't Make Pills For A Heartbreak - HONESTAV

I heard it late one night and wanted to cry.

56. Monsters - James Blunt

57. ⭐️ Cut Deep (Live Version) - Matt Maeson

I think this was from my date of the Never Had To Leave Tour, which makes it extra special.

58. I Need You - Relient K

TMI, I thought I was breaking up with my sister (will not provide any further details) and through this song, among others and prayer, we're comforting me. I'm okay, but still working on healing wounds.

59. Brown Skin Girl - Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, Beyoncé & Wizkid

It's here in the name of my self love journey.

SPOTIFY LINK!

[no6secretsanta]

The Sun and Moon’s Embrace

To @prometheanastronaut, please enjoy! (From @whims-of-insane-fandoms)

Nezumi woke up feeling the distant memory of a kiss on his lips, reaching out for someone that wasn’t there. He sat up, sighing and running a hand through his hair. It was a bit tangled which he found annoying but merely detangled his hair with his fingers carefully. At least the pain of pulling his hair returned him to reality and away from that. . . from that dream.

“. . .Is that a goodbye kiss?”

White hair that he can sometimes still feel like a phantom touch. Red eyes, unnatural in its hue, that stared at him with desperation and sadness at their parting. The snake-like scar that was a reminder of how close to death he had been. . .

Shion.

The sun wasn’t even rising yet. It was too damn early in the morning for this. Too damn early or too damn late. Who knows what time it was?

Either way, feeling this way was not what he wanted to feel just after waking up.

Nezumi laid his head down on top of his jacket, his makeshift pillow, and looked up at the stars. Thanks to being away from the glittering lights of the city, he could see them so clearly. There was no moon in the night sky. It made everything feel so much lonelier in that night sky. He outstretched a hand to the sky, wondering if Shion could see these stars too back in No. 6.

Are you looking at this same night sky?

What kind of musing is that? He wondered to himself, letting his arm fall back and turning to the side to avoid looking at the stars more than he had to. Shion wasn’t looking at these stars, how absurd. He was in a comfortable bed, fast asleep and living a better life now that the oppressive government of No. 6 was gone. He was with his mother again and living in comfort and-

And living peacefully because you’re not there to ruin his happiness.

Stupid thoughts.

Nezumi found it hard to fall back asleep after that, haunted by the memory of their kiss and of the moonless night sky.

~

Shion opened the curtains of his window and was greeted by the warmth of the morning sun. It was so nice outside and the view from his window was amazing. He smiled, opening the window to feel that wonderful breeze move through his hair.

Today marked the fourth year since the fall of No. 6 and its oppressive government. Today was a day of celebration for everyone as they greeted each other warmly. From a distance, Shion could see children running around excitedly past beautiful flowers and trees, parents carefully watching over them. It was a lovely day, as it often was on the anniversary of No. 6’s fall.

However. . . however, today also marked the fourth year since Nezumi left. . . and he missed him so much.

The pain didn’t hurt him as much as it had those few months where he’d cry about losing Safu and not having Nezumi next to him. Had he been okay with Nezumi’s decision to leave? Of course he had been. Nezumi had left and he had been okay with that.

No one needed to know how much he cried once he was able to process everything, keeping himself grounded by the memory of that promise.

“Reunion will come.”

Reunion will come, Shion had whispered to his ailing heart to avoid falling further into grief and despair. Nezumi had come back to him already. He could do that again. He’d promised to come back.

That didn’t stop Shion from using the anniversary of No. 6’s fall to mourn the death of his best friend and the loss of the boy he loved.

He hadn’t heard from the wandering Nezumi during all these years. Not even Inukashi or Rikigia with all their contacts had heard anything from their numerous new contacts. Nonetheless, he had never stopped hoping and waiting. His waiting just didn’t look like the waiting romance novels had female leads go through while waiting for their beloved to come home.

Life didn’t stop just because it felt like something integral was missing.

No matter how tempted he was sometimes to stop his life for just a little moment, he couldn’t. There were too many people that would miss him if he just retreated into himself for a long while.

“Good morning, Nezumi, wherever you are.”

The wind moved his hair around, dancing around him like an old friend. Shion closed his eyes and he thought he felt someone placing a gentle hand on his cheek. He leaned his cheek to them, saying a gentle hello to his old friend before Safu’s presence vanished. He opened his eyes to see that the sun began to be covered by the cloud, obscuring the bright sunlight of the morning.

Shion sighed, deciding that he might as well start the long day ahead.

~

Nezumi stared at the outline of No. 6 from his perch. On a whim less than a month ago, he’d decided to return to this old place that had so many unpleasant and pleasant memories.

Memories of death, blood and bullets mixed with memories of gentle kisses, a sweet waltz, and the warmth of someone kind and alive. Yes, No. 6 was the source of so much of his pain, but it was also the place where Shion lived and, somehow, the memories of Shion were slowly becoming stronger than the memories of his pain.

“‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ huh?”

He wondered what he was going to see when he went there to look for Shion. What would Shion look like? It had been about four years since they’d seen each other. There had been a significant difference when Shion had been twelve to when he was sixteen. How different would the twenty-year-old Shion of the present look compared to the sixteen-year-old Shion from his memories?

How would Shion react to seeing him again? Would he jump into his arms and cry? Would he laugh and kiss him? Or. . . or would he scream at him and tell him to leave?

That was a fear he had of their reunion. What if absence had made Shion resent him? What if their separation and the years after had made Shion hate the memory of him? Of Nezumi, the one who had ruined his perfect life because he forgot to shut the windows behind him?

Would Shion shut the window this time and would he have to keep walking, searching for shelter from a storm?

The wind whirled all around him, whipping his hair around, as if trying to spurn him into a decision. He dug his nails into his palm to try to get rid of that fear that was paralyzing him.

He could do this. He’d see Shion. If Shion was happy without him, he’d leave to not disturb his joy. If Shion looked lonely or sad, he’d stay. But if Shion didn’t react well to seeing him, well, he’d just leave.

Did that make him a coward? Yes. But that didn’t matter.

Whatever the case, he was going to see Shion and rid himself of the memories that haunted his dreams.

~

Shion finished the call with his mom, entering a room in his house that had been designated as a library. He let out a long breath, plopping down on the couch he had there. This was his favorite place to go to when it was the day that it was. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine that he was elsewhere.

He could imagine that small but cozy home he and Nezumi lived in for so long. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine he was resting while waiting for Nezumi to come back from shopping. That he’d be back soon and then the two of them could sleep in the warm bed or talk to each other about anything or reading to each other. . .

Well, doing anything with Nezumi was fun and he missed those simple days.

Shortly after he’d gotten this home, he’d brought everything from Nezumi’s home here. All the books, the various things Nezumi had accumulated. Some stuff was thrown away because it was unsalvageable and Rikigia refused to let that into a nice home like his.

This library was like a shrine dedicated to Nezumi’s memory. It reminded him of that amazing boy with the most beautiful eyes and most wonderful voice. He liked to spend time here, remembering all the good times he spent with Nezumi.

All the bad memories and time seemed to be erased every time he stayed here. Time froze in this place. The memories of dead bodies piling up, the memories of his near death experience and Nezumi saving him by cutting out the bug from his neck, the memories of the man that he had killed for daring to hurt Nezumi, the pain of the bullet, the loss of Safu. . . all of those memories were nothing compared to the memories of goodnight and goodbye kisses, of Nezumi’s acting in the theater, of their dance, of how warm Nezumi was, of Nezumi’s singing, Nezumi being so kind and gentle but also gruff and cynical.

Shion wiped away the traitorous tears that wanted to fall down his cheeks. He shouldn’t be mourning those memories as if Nezumi was dead. Unlike Safu, Nezumi was alive, traveling the world.

Nezumi was like the wind, traveling all around with nothing anchoring him down to one place. Shion hoped that he would be his anchor but who knows if Nezumi would ever be willing to admit that or if he would like to be anchored to a place that had hurt him so much.

Why was he being so nostalgic and emotional right now?

Shion opened a book that had one of his old bookmarks on it already. He smiled, looking at the familiar words. It had become one of his favorites of Shakespeare’s, often one he would return to whenever he was feeling nostalgic.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date-.”

The bracelet in his arm beeped and Shion turned to see an incoming call on the screen. Ah, Inukashi was calling.

With a smile, Shion stopped reading and answered the call.

~

It took him all day to find Shion’s home and it was an almost isolated but simple, beautiful house that was a thousand times better than Nezumi’s old place. At least Shion was doing well and not living in the streets like a street rat. Shion didn’t have the heart to survive those conditions. He was too kind, only ruthless when his loved ones had been hurt. Even then, his kind heart remained.

Nezumi stared at the open living room window, wondering why Shion was always so forgetful and forgot to close windows. Just as he was about to snark, he saw Shion for the first time in four years and all other thoughts vanished.

The years had definitely aged Shion well. He was taller, maybe taller than he was. His physique was still one where he was very lean and thin and with hardly any muscle. His white hair had grown to shoulder length and was tied back by a black ribbon. His eyes, the scarlet-red eyes that seemed as bright as precious rubies, were glued to a book in his hands. He looked like he jumped out of the pages of a novel, a main lead of a romance novel that had been stuck into their bleak world.

Shion was so handsome, and it was making his heart race. Shion was popular before, when he was sixteen, but now he must have double the suitors that wanted to woo him. Nezumi could not blame the suitors that would want Shion’s attention because he certainly wanted it.

Shion was talking to someone, a silver bracelet on his wrist that displayed someone on the screen. Was it his mother? Inukashi? It had to be someone precious and close to Shion because he was smiling so brightly, in a way that made Nezumi’s heart race.

Or. . . or what if he was talking to a significant other?

Nezumi couldn’t blame him if he did have a partner. Who could realistically wait for someone for four years? He ignored the voice in his head that muttered that he had waited because what if it was nothing? But what if he wasn’t wrong and Shion had moved on?

If Shion moved on, would it be fair if he came back to his life?

What had he done for Shion? He’d turned his entire life upside down. For harboring him eight years ago, Shion and his mother had gone from living a luxurious life for the elite to becoming commoners with less opportunities. Shion had died for him and Safu had died too. Shion had lived in poverty and suffered so much because of him, of saving his life eight years ago.

Maybe Shion didn’t really need him to come back.

Dare he break his promise?

Nezumi’s traitorous arm reached out to Shion who’s back was turned. He didn’t want to ruin Shion anymore than he had. Shion looked so happy and relaxed and returning to his life would end his peace. He’d rather not do that Shion.

Was it selfish that he wasn’t giving Shion the chance to say whether or not he wanted to stay?

Yes, but Nezumi was scared of Shion’s choice either way.

“Goodbye, Shion.”  

~

Shion turned, ending the call with Inukashi who was spending the day with little Shion and the dogs, just as he saw a figure turn to walk away. He saw that familiar scarf and that long slate hair, and his heart stopped beating. The book he’d been carrying fell from his hands as he ran outside.

Can it be? It had to be! It had to be.

“Nezumi?” He asked, opening the door, and seeing no one around.

No, no, no, he wasn’t dreaming, he was awake. He wasn’t suffering a breakdown, he’d seen Nezumi! He looked around, panicked. What if his grief and loss had manifested the haunting figure? Was his own mind mocking his pain, painfully dangling a joy he was afraid he’d never have?

Shion was about to start crying when he saw the figure walking by the trees that grew at the outskirts of his property. He rushed, feeling his heartbeat race. He launched himself at the figure, making them give out a small cry of pain and surprise as they both feel down.

“Nezumi!” Shion cried out.

“Shion?!” The figure, Nezumi, cried out, turning to look at him in shock.

He was here. . . he really was here! Nezumi, it really was Nezumi! Shion squeezed Nezumi tightly and yes, it wasn’t an illusion. He could hear Nezumi asking for breath, to lessen his death grip, but he was just so happy because this was real, Nezumi was here!

The pale moonlight illuminated the young man before him. Nezumi looked older with his long hair reaching mid back that was down instead of up on a ponytail. He looked more mature, there was a small gash on his left cheek, and he’d gained a bit of muscle. His eyes, his eyes had remained the same. The same eyes that Shion fondly remembered, the eyes he thought he’d only be able to see in his dreams.

“It is you, Nezumi!”

“Shion, I can’t breathe!”

Shion finally let go of Nezumi and helped him sit up. Nezumi barely looked like he had regained his breath when Shion held him tightly in his arm again. Nezumi hugged him back just as tightly. This was real. This was not a dream.

“Nezumi. . . Nezumi, I’ve missed you. Where were you going?”

“I was going to leave-.”

“Leave? Why?”

Nezumi looked away looking guilty. Shion’s eyes widened because Nezumi had been about to break their promise to reunite. Shion punched Nezumi’s shoulder and Nezumi hissed in pain, rubbing it.

“You promised!”

“I did, I know-.”

“Then why were you going to break it?” Shion asked and his cheeks felt wet for some reason, “You came back, and you were just going to leave? You’d leave without-without saying anything to me? You would’ve seen me and just left, and you’d have been happy keeping me thinking this would be the fourth year without you? What the hell is your problem?!”

“I. . . Shion, I thought that. . . you were happy just now and now you’re not and I caused this-.”

“Damn right you made me upset!” Shion yelled, startling Nezumi, “You were breaking your promise! You promised we’d reunite, and you-you were leaving instead, and you weren’t going to come back, were you? You damn liar!”

Shion’s voice cracked and the dam that had been held back for four years burst. He started crying despite himself. He thought he’d be able to greet Nezumi back with a smile if he’d ever come back. Instead, here he was, crying uncontrollably.

“I’ve waited for you for four years! I-I’ve been here, living da-day by day, wondering when you’ll-when you’ll come back! How could you try to leave without at least letting me see you? You selfish bastard! You’re so cruel!”

“Shion. . .”

Shion hiccupped, looking up and seeing that Nezumi was crying too. He didn’t dwell on it too much as Nezumi kissed his forehead so gently that Shion was sure he was dreaming.

“I’m sorry,” Nezumi whispered against Shion’s temple.

“Nezumi-.”

“I thought that. . . I thought that you would be happier without me. Every-every time your life is going okay. . . I- well I fucking ruin it. You’re happy right now, I don’t. . . I don’t want you to be miserable.”

“But you don’t make me miserable.”

“I ruined your life-.”

“No, no you didn’t. Do you not realize how happy I’ve been thanks to you?” Shion whispered, trying to quell his sobs but being unable to.

“But what about-?”

“Nezumi, you’ve never ruined my life. I love you and I missed you.”

“I’m sorry, Shion. . .”

The two held each other with Shion pressing his head against Nezumi’s chest. Nezumi’s heart was racing. He couldn’t hear Nezumi, but he was crying too. Shion cried, Nezumi cried, the two of them forgetting the world around them as they held each other and cried together.

Shion wasn’t sure how long they stayed in that position or how long they cried. They just cried until the tears would not come out anymore. Shion just remembered Nezumi kissing his forehead again one moment and, the next, the two of them woke up at dawn, their limbs tangled and pressed so tightly against each other.

“When did we fall asleep?”

“Your neighbors are going to gossip,” Nezumi replied instead with a slight smile, “Sleeping outside tangled in the arms of a man. What will they say?”

“That the man is a good for nothing,” Shion replied, “that made their reclusive but generally kind neighbor cry because he was an idiot.”

Nezumi stared at him with so much warmth and love and Shion’s heart soared. Nezumi was here and he still loved him, and they were together, and it was like the four years had never happened.

“I missed you too, Shion,” Nezumi admitted, moving his arm to cup Shion’s cheek, “I was scared you had moved on, you know?”

“Me? Never,” Shion replied, with a smile of his own, “I, unfortunately, have a type. I only like men that can sing, have long hair, that have the most beautiful eyes in the world, that can be an idiot and a sap-”

“Hey-”

“And who saved my life so many times.” Shion ended.

Nezumi let out a small laugh, “That is a high standard. Do I meet it? I don’t think I do, I’m not an idiot or a sap.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“Shion, your claws are sharp,” Nezumi complimented, leaning closer to Shion, “When did you become so snappy?”

“Oh, shut it,” Shion laughed, “I just matured.”

“No doubt about it,” Nezumi replied, “You got hotter.”

Shion spluttered, “Wha-?”

“You heard me. Very attractive, my type for sure.” Nezumi said with a wink and Shion hated how much hearing that from Nezumi meant. He huffed, trying to cover his face but failing miserably.

“Aw, you’re still so shy!” Nezumi teased, “You don’t change too much, do you, Shion?”

“You don’t either, jerk,” Shion huffed.

Nezumi kissed his cheek, “Don’t be mad at me, you already made me cry.”

“You did too.”

Nezumi sighed, “I did. Sorry about that.”

“We both made each other cry. We’re even.”

Shion fixed his awkward position to look into Nezumi’s eyes while Nezumi stared into his. Shion smiled and he leaned forward just as Nezumi did. The kiss was the best “welcome home” either one was bound to get.

~

Nezumi stared up at the sky, watching the way the colors mixed as the sun rose. The moon no longer shined, and the stars were hard to see as the first rays of the sun became brighter and brighter. It was a beautiful sight with hues of pink, purple, orange, and other beautiful colors mixed in the night sky.

This time, Nezumi did not have to wonder if Shion was looking up at the same sky.

“Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it” 

Happy holidays! I hope you loved your gift because I had a blast writing this! This is the fourth reunion fic I’ve written and, while challenging, it was so fun to write that I went over my so-called limit of 2k words (I reached at least 3k)! Nezumi and Shion get sun/moon dynamics with Shion as Nezumi’s moon and Nezumi as Shion’s sun because my head is stuck on that dynamic. Also shout out to Shakespeare’s sonnet 18 and Thomas Overbuy’s work Characters for the ending quote. Thank you and I hope you enjoyed! – whims

[mccoys-killer-queen]

Nick Perri & Walt Lafty in concert

I'd never been to this venue before, it's essentially a tiny movie theater! So I only went to this bc Nick filled in for Adam Slack of The Struts back in May and his band also opened for them. Turns out he and Walt were in a band called Silvertide in the very early 2000s, so they kinda reunite every now and then and tour together as two solo acts. They call this the "Going Solo Tour" and this is the second year in a row they did this. Everything about the tour promotion is Star Wars themed.

this is the first show i actually got to at a late time bc the venue is that tiny and this is such an low publicity act (underground if you will lol) that I was not worried at all about "getting there at a decent time"

this means doors were at 7 and i got there at 6:40

this lobby place is h i p. string lights draped from the ceiling, dim lighting, random artwork, vintage couches, splattered floors; the works.

Walt actually came out to use the bathroom before doors and despite never having seen a pic of him before I just knew it was him for some reason

AT FIRST GLANCE I THOUGHT HE LOOKED LIKE THE LEAD SINGER FROM LEVON (WHOM IS H A W T) AND I HAD A HEART ATTACK

I was the only person on the guest list LMAO

I swear I overheard someone say "she's with the band" very quietly and it made me like C: "do I pass that well as someone important"

an older man asked me if I was with the band bc he saw me doing test shots in the lobby and I said "sort of"

Nick poked his head out of the doors at one point and I was like :DD bc i only saw him one time and it made me so happy to see that this year is coming full circle

so this venue,,, half the seats are couches.

I was up front in this entirely cushioned chair and i must say, most comfy i've been at a show fr

i should mention this takes place on the anniversary of my first ever concert uwu

the music they were blasting before the show was F I R E (the who, heart, bowie, etc.)

when the show started they just flooded the tiny stage with smoke and deadass- a dramatic star wars/carol of the bells orchestra remix started playing

walt is fucking hilarious i was DYING he's just so funny he's a dork

him telling us a story before every song he played

him saying nick is a much better guitarist than him bc "you know i only strummy strummy right"

after one story he looked at his setlist and went "ok time for this next song.... if i can remember how to play it" and forgot for like a solid minute and said "adhd brain at its finest"

someone in the crowd said something about a lobster suit and walt was like hOW TF DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT STORY HOLD ON- I AM TELLING THIS-

so the story goes that like c. 2001 Walt went to a yard sale and found a VHS case and on the cover was a photo of Ronald Mcdonald in a "half black half white tuxedo and holding a .45" and he asked the yard sale guy what it was and he said "oh i made that movie it's about fast food companies going to war with each other. I still have the Red Lobster costume I made" and he dug out the costume from his basement and showed him and it was like LEGIT HIGH QUALITY and Walt said "$15 later it was mine" so he went offstage at Silvertide's next show and came back out wearing the lobster suit with the mic gaff taped to one of the claws since there was no hand function in them

apparently Nick didn't even know some of this story until last night

the two of them advertising for the venue's food multiple times simply bc they wanted to gush about how good it is

Nick doing his solo set and Walt standing in the back having a convo with him at times as if there wasn't a crowd between them

I cannot for the life of me remember what Walt said from the back of the room when Nick asked him a question from the stage, but Nick made this face when Walt answered him:

I felt so weird moving around even as little as I did bc THERE WAS NO ROOM IERFNOERWINFROIFNRF i went to the center twice (one for each solo set) FOR A FEW SECONDS EACH and even then I felt like I was in the way so badly LMAOO

when I did that for Walt he made sure to look right at the camera and sarcastically smile the doofus

Nick Perri is so goddamned talented I hate it like hOLY SHIT HE CAN SHRED

the lighting at this place was terrible so all my photos kinda look bad in terms of quality oifnveosrinferf

I lost one of my DL buttons in the chair I was sitting in :( oh well I didn't really care about them anyway

I sat in the lobby again after HOPING to meet them bc again super tiny venue there was maybe like 50 ppl in the crowd at most

this is the first show I did not buy a shirt from bc "we didn't do shirts- everyone does shirts"

at one point I noticed Walt was sitting at a table and then noticed that Nick was BEHIND ME at the merch table and there were these two kids that kept talking to both of them and I didn't want to interrupt bc I don't even listen to these guys I just think they're cool

Walt came up to me and i asked if he has insta and he disappeared for a minute and came back with a business card and we talked about the design for his new album

I mainly came for Nick bc he's the only one I knew of prior to this show and I didn't want to interrupt those two dudes talking to him so I just waited patiently at a table nearby and at one point Nick just beelined to me bc he knew I was waiting and said hi and jfc he's so charming it was HARD not to catch feelings yet another time after a show

i thanked him for getting me into the show and i already had my camera out so I held down the scroll button and all the photos flew by like a fast slide show playing the whole show in reverse and he was like "woahh :o"

did I mention how charming he is like uwuwuwuuwuwu

I told him how i saw him in harrisburg back in May with The Struts and how I was kinda happy Adam wasn't there bc i got to see him instead and he was like 🥺

he said he liked my earrings (big sparkly lightning bolts) and i said I got them at 5below and he was like what's that :o so I told him and i think he realized what I said bc he just kinda smacked his forehead and went "oh- duH"

i asked him for a photo and the second I put my front camera on us we both simultaneously went to fix our hair, to which i said "ugh i hate my bangs" and he said "I think they're cool bangs c:" and I think my heart stopped

the photo of us looks SO GOOD??? literally best pic i've ever gotten with an artist??

that was basically it, I hung around for another minute and then left

bonus:

so i had to park in a parking garage a block away. you get a ticket and have to put it in a machine when you come back. the machine sucks it up and you pay. well turns out it gives it BACK TO YOU AFTER U PAY and that's how you GET OUT OF THERE?? so me being a dumbass took my change and went back to my car and when i was trying to get out the barricade wouldn't lift bc it WANTED ME TO INSERT A CARD??? i was like BUT I PAID???? luckily this maintenance officer guy was there and saw me leave my car and opened up the barricade for me and I was like :#D thanx sorry I've literally never had to pay to be in a parking garage before

[faunina]

I posted 16,541 times in 2022

20 posts created (0%)

16,521 posts reblogged (100%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@villalunae

@modmad

@stay-xen

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I tagged 5,622 of my posts in 2022

#spn - 562 posts

#the untamed - 347 posts

#dracula daily - 338 posts

#ml - 216 posts

#deutsch - 210 posts

#cats - 129 posts

#batman - 112 posts

#terminal baby disease - 111 posts

#laugh rule - 109 posts

#birds - 87 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#also like. all my love to all the jess/sam truthers out there bc yall really took a woman that was invented to be killed off after less than

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

a super late little entry for mermay: Tuyet and Cetus, from A Queen For The Kingdom, a retelling of The Little Mermaid by @shanastoryteller !

30 notes - Posted May 31, 2022

#4

gay people. gay people in my inbox

bonus: jonathan you tried to do WHAT

55 notes - Posted May 16, 2022

#3

they got bitches in castle dracula???

bonus:

94 notes - Posted May 16, 2022

#2

We could think about flowers, we could think about cake We could think about wonderful promises we have the power to make There's an awful a lot of awful things we could be thinking of But for just one day let's only think about love!

they have been married!!!!! for a full year now!!!!!!! and on their first anniversary dean wakes cas up with some aggressively snuggly “hello good morning i love you !!” kisses, and cas is happier happier happier than he can EVER remember being

ID: A drawing of Dean Winchester and Castiel lying in bed, from a top-down view. Dean is dressed in dark grey boxer shorts and light grey shirt, he is wearing dark nail polish and a tattoo of Castiel’s handprint is visible on his shoulder. Castiel is not wearing any clothes, except for the wedding band on his left ring finger. The dark green duvet covers them from about the waist down. Dean has one leg swung up around Castiel’s waist and is clutching at his face, pressing a messy close-mouthed kiss to his cheek. Castiel is clutching back to him and laughing. Bright morning light filters over them in the shape of a window. A line of text above the image says “Happy Destiel Wedding Anniversary!”. End ID.

aaaaaaaaaaaand the linework! just because i really liked how this one turned out, even tho i specifically didn’t sweat the anatomy as much

See the full post

243 notes - Posted February 14, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

HAPPY NOVEMBER 5TH TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!

click for a surprise :)

[ID. Digital art of Dean Winchester done in black lineart. He’s holding his own hand over Castiel’s handprint, which is red, and looking forlorn. When clicked, the transparency reveals Castiel with his wings and a halo, holding Dean by the waist and resting their foreheads together. End ID.]

1,828 notes - Posted November 6, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[trans-and-unwilling]

Falling in love with you was so easy. It started with your dry sense of humor, your easy smile, playing minecract in US History while staring at the back of your head. Long unruly curls in the sloppiest ponytail because you didn't know how to braid yet, I'd teach you in time.

Then it was your kindness, openly laughing in the hallways with the weird kids, being the only "straight" member of gsa. Surrounded by misfits and oddball queer kids wearing cat ears, you were everyone's favorite. I bet you never knew it, but in having a conversation with you, you had an uncanny way of making someone feel seen.

Then it was falling in love with your opinions on everything. Thursdays were movie nights, watching whatever we decided on, alternating who got to pick and having a running heated commentary during every film. You had thoughts and opinions on everything except when it came to making a decision on what food to eat, then it was "I don't care, you pick."

I also, despite my best efforts, fell in love with how absolutely, uniquely, unbelievably dense you were. God it was excruciating how oblivious you were to my advances. I flirted for months. I taught you how to braid your hair. I used you as a footrest and personal heater whenever I had the chance, using the excuse that I was always cold to press up against you or bury my cold little toes under your thighs. I stole your hoodies. I sent you bikini pictures and nudes and you still didn't catch on. You saw my tits before we ever started dating.

I thought my friends were going to drive to Ohio to beat some sense into you themselves because of how often I was texting them "I don't know how to make it more obvious that I like him! This is getting ridiculous."

And then, on the 25th of September, 2020 in the lamest way possible, I decided to ask you out with a handmade kandi bracelet. When I gave it to you, after having held onto it waiting for the right time for a WEEK, you went "thanks, that's cool" and put it on top of your dresser. I, a vibrating ball of anxiety asked, half hysterical "Did you read it??!" You said "No, was I supposed to?" and I about screamed, "yes!!??" And after an agonising silence you agreed and I flopped on top of you and let out the most long-suffering sigh before hitting you with a pillow, "I'd been trying to do that all week and you didn't even read it until prompted! Hopeless."

After that it was easy, everything with you was easy. I think I can count on one hand the number of fights we had and still have fingers leftover. You made me feel safe, I was allowed to be annoying and insecure and unashamedly autistic and you took it all with grace and understanding.

College was hard, the two hour distance was hard and our schedules never matched up but we made time. Hours of replaying Borderlands 3 and hundreds of games of Overwatch it was always the highlight of my week. I sent you probably thousands of tiktoks. Once you were out of the dorms I even made an effort to drive to you for a weekend every now and then.

It started as a joke with my friends but like a lot of things in my life it stopped being a joke somewhere along the way. I told myself "I'm gonna marry that boy." Every time you did something that made me sigh in exasperation I thought to myself "I'm gonna marry that boy."

But that fateful day in late June I had an epiphany that as soon as it struck I knew my mantra wouldn't come to fruition. The universe holds some vendetta against me and my happiness. Because as soon as I realised that I was a boy, I knew it was over.

Because there was only one thing that could change about me that would take that future away, and all it was, all I couldn't be was a boy.

But, like I said, the universe finds joy in my ironic misery and made me one anyways.

So despite my protests and reservations, I won't marry that boy.

It's 6 days from what would've been our four year anniversary and all I can say is,

it was so easy to fall in love with you, trying to stop loving you is probably the hardest thing I've ever tried to do, it's like choosing to let go of a life raft in a raging sea.

[chrysaliseuro2024]

Georgia Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel is much vaunted and it proved to live up to the spiel. All sorts of offerings from local fare such as cheese pastries, salads, local cheese and salami to porridge, pancakes, crepes, smoked salmon, croissants and lots more. I was to try a number of these offerings over the next few days while Liz was a big fan of the porridge (which varied in consistency and quality it must be said) as well as fruit and more decadently the chocolate croissants.

One goal for the day was to book a tour somewhere so we decided to head across the river via the very contemporary looking Bridge of Peace in search of a tour agency that had some good recommendations on line. The bridge was built in 2010 not commemorating anything in particular but as a link between the old city and the new and a symbol of harmony and fwd looking by the people of Tbilisi.

A pretty warm day late 20s at least and we wandered through town towards it. Close to home we have a flower market. Pleasant to walk past with a huge splash of colour and some very nice scents from the flowers. Also the usual stray dog or two hanging about, Apparently there was a central de-sexing and vaccination program in recent times so most dogs have tags in their ears. Almost everywhere you went there would be a large Labrador looking dog fast asleep in a corner or in the street. They looked well fed and presumably the heat of summer encouraged them to sleep though many looked quite old. Coats were a tad on the rough side but obviously they were cared for generally and certainly didn’t bother anyone.

Anyway our search for the tour agency proved fruitless though we did enjoy walking up the narrow back streets on the other side of town and duly found a tour guide (Sergio) basically operating out of a small office but doing his spruiking in the street. We obviously liked his approach and booked a tour for the next day to Mtskheta, Gori (Stalin’s birthplace) and Uplistsikhe. It would be just the two of us and cost around $180 for the day. More than we would like but the attraction of the private tour was persuasive.

Anyway next stop was to catch the cable car which started nearby to the Narikala Fortress. Essentially at the top of a nearby peak. Pretty cheap and a fast ride perhaps 5/6 minutes. Fantastic views of the city from the top and also a statue the Karelia Deda known as the Mother of Georgia. Built in 1958 the year that Tbilisi celebrated its 1500th anniversary. The statue holds a bowl of wine in her left hand to greet those who come as friends and a sword in her right hand for those who come as enemies.

We wandered around, enjoyed the scenery and tried to visit some very ornate gardens up there which included a French Parterre section, Japanese garden etc. Unfortunately they were closed or rather closed early afternoon possibly because it was Sunday. Anyway a bit of a shame so we headed back down via the cable car.

Back across the Bridge of Peace where a guy had two peacocks you could have your photo taken with (not that we did) but typical tourist claptrap and on into the restaurant zone. Stopped at a small place for cheese and bread and a beer and coffee and just chilled for a while sitting at a table by the laneway doing a bit of people watching. Very pleasant. Headed back to the hotel to chill a bit.

That night went to a cracker of a restaurant - Bamba. Liz had trout, which was excellent and I had a meat casserole with a local version of mashed potato mixed with cheese. This left the potato a green colour and felt a bit like eating spearmint gum - so not the best but you have to try these things - a Georgian speciality. However the Rose wine, which was local, though it was called French Rose, was excellent so very happy Liz. Waiter, also local, had the best English and was keen for a chat. Sitting under the trees in the garden with a duo playing guitar (a little loudly but we got used to it) was really very pleasant. We wandered home that night feeling very mellow.

I did go for a quick stroll to settle dinner and discovered of all things that a craft beer festival was a in full swing at a park nearby. TV screens were in place to watch the European Nations Football and it was lovely. Did not partake but stored away for a future visit!