#also happy birthday shea i love you so so much and i hope you have a vv good day

[xplrvibes]

People have a para-social relationship with these guys, especially with Colby. If him and Malia were to end things (which I hope they don’t because she seems lovely and they both seem genuinely happy together) they’d find issues with the next girl. I see it with the Sturniolo fandom big time. Chris had a mark on his neck and all these girls were going wild trying to convince each other that it was anything but a hickey. I’ll never understand it 😅

This got really long and rambly - sorry about that! Its just kind of an interesting subject to me. Most of it is behind a cut for everyone's sanity lol.

When it comes to Colby, there are a couple different factors that cause the phenomenon of weird obsession that wildly facilitates between love and hate that we see him get.

The first factor is indeed that parasocial bond people have formed with him over the years, which was strengthened by the fact that, for so many years, Colby was very (almost too) accessible to fans. He spent a lot of time engaging with fans, relating to them, validating them and making them feel like a part of his life. Hell, he'd tell them all the time how much he valued their opinion AND make changes in his life based on the public's perception of him (the most recent example of this is can think of is the incident with his background on his phone being a picture of himself - Twitter made fun of it, he immediately changed it and acknlowedged he changed it because they mocked him for it. That's a heady, heady power he gave people).

The second factor is that he always promoted himself as this sad, single loner who would often wax poetic about being lonely and lost on social media - which the fans ate up because who doesn't love a sad boi lol - while at the same time, spending a lot of time developing these confusing, will they/won't they relationships with girls who the fans also got to know (Shea, Amber, Stas primarily) which gave the fans a love story to root for and a side to choose.

And then - he blew all that up, chose a girl nobody knew and who wasn't pandering to them or kissing their asses for their approval, silently told them all to fuck themselves when they vocalized their disapproval, and completely removed the free and unfettered access and influence they've had over him all these years.

He gave them the shiniest toy in the world, for YEARS, and then snatched it back and locked it away in a safe and threw away the key.

They lost their sad boi poet. They lost their ken doll who spent his whole life trying to please them and sought their validation over all others. AND their lost their otp. All in one go.

He pissed in their birthday cakes lol.

They love him cause they've been obsessively in love with him for years because he was relatable, he was the perfect fantasy "I can fix him type," he did value them and their opinions and, to be quite honest - they could bully and harrass him and take all their anger out on him to their hearts' content and he'd flop over and take it. He'd apologize, beg for forgiveness, change whatever it was they wanted him to change...he was a fucking doormat.

And he had enough. HE had enough. It had nothing to do with Malia - he said himself that he has had breakdowns about social media and they way they treat him and that he had to make the decision to pull back for his own mental health. He said that before Malia was ever in the picture.

But nevertheless, he pulled back and shortly after, she appeared. And because it's always more fun to blame the girl than the boy, she gets a fuck ton of hate for basically nothing.

But because Colby is a malfunctioning toy that is no longer living up to their standards of him, he's getting plenty of shit flung his way as well.

This is why Sam has always had the right idea by keeping a healthy wall up between fans and their access to him. Colby is learning right now what being that accessible can do to you when it turns sideways.

[savoies]

can't help falling in love - alex vlasic.

summary: vlas with a baby girl.

warnings: might make you have baby fever.

a/n: for the wonderful @alxvlasic . i love you. what number baby work is this? like ten. well enjoy!

taglist: @hartsyhart ​ ​ @nhlpetey @mitch-slap ​ @frostythegoalman ​ @ryanssuzuki ​  @aria253264 ​ ​  @josty ​ ​ @kaitieskidmore1 ​ ​ @kiedhara ​ ​ @laurenairay ​ ​ @teenagekook ​ ​ ​ @alxvlasic ​ ​ ​ @hockeyallthetime ​ ​ @barzy-baby ​ ​ ​ @officialgritty ​ ​ @bowenbyram ​ @mems06 ​ ​ @joshsandersons ​  @connormcdavo ​ @maattamatthews ​ ​ @pierreslucdubois ​ ​ ​ @selenophileangel ​ @boqvistsbabe @ana-maa ​ @stars-canucks

​tagging some buds: @npatrickz @beauvibaby @heybarzy @tkachuk-yeah @cozycozzy @2manytabsopen ​

(*credit to gif owner*)

ok. so. wow. uhm.

just imagining vlassy with a baby is too much to handle.

i need a moment.

ok for sure when she is born there would be many many tears.

and he'd be like "look love she has your nose."

would def be one of those dads that would offer to calm her down when she is crying at 2am.

claims that he enjoys it cause it's extra time spent with her.

after he's gone for an hour you go check on him and he has her on his chest with a book in his lap.

big skin to skin fan.

thinks it forms a deeper connection.

Just like him being shirtless and placing her on his chest.

"Look babe we're twins."

Literally would want to do everything from changing a diaper to putting her to bed just to spend time with her.

He mostly has no idea but either watches videos or asks you cause he wants to help.

"Ok so have i told you about your uncle Case and how he made me ask out your birth giver." 

Would literally have the weirdest nicknames for you just between her and him.

Oooo if he's left alone with her.

Does better than you expect him to do.

Literally has her sat down in a corner as he talks to her.

One of your favorite things is that he talks to her like a normal person.

Doesn't matter that she is only weeks or months old.

One day you walk in on him talking about some new movie thinking that maybe he is on the phone with one of the boys.

Yeah nope just your daughter.

Ok imagine him and all the boys taking care of her.

Yeah this baby is gonna be loved.

Would wear anything just to match with her.

Omg family photo shoots.

Yeah he loves them.

Give him that tutu, that tux, heels to make her laugh. Yeah.

Of course wrapped around her little finger.

Idk why this came to mind but like going to the pool or beach with her 

baby giggles.

and he'd like dip her in a bit to see if she likes it and it's the cutest thing ever.

And kind of just dips her bit by bit so she can get used to it.

Oh my goshhhh.

My heart.

Matching swimwear.

Tries to teach her hockey words for her first word.

"Puck, puck, can you say that." 

"Alex baby maybe we shouldn't show her a word that's so close to a curse word."

"Ok what about hock-ey. Can you say that huh."

Honestly the whole mama dada deal he doesn't care.

I feel like he'd actually teach her to say mama.

He's like i think since you gave birth to her she should say your name first.

I include this in all my baby blurbs but you know hockey jerseys and games are probably a must.

"Are we gonna go support daddy, do you see daddy."

Omg literally when she sees vlas on the ice your baby lowkey goes feral.

Loves her dad so much.

Says that she's his good luck charm.

Literally their bond is so strong it's crazy.

Honestly he'd kinda be scared to be a dad and like him thinking he's gonna mess everything up.

So he tries really hard to be the best he can be.

not me crying at 4am over this.

and that is it folks.

vlassy with a baby (girl).

[erwinsvow]

𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 | 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧

author's note: sorry i just cannot stop writing headcanons! it's my favorite thing to write. i really hope everyone enjoys these, they include things from these two works of mine as well :) -shea

𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧

very much the involved boyfriend

once you guys finally start dating, he just immediately wants you guys to merge lives and share friends, even though that’s not a simple process

but it’s really because he cares about you so deeply he doesn’t want there to be a part of his life that you’re just not involved in

therefore; very involved

you guys manage your schedules together and plan out dinners and dates in advance

he mostly really likes having something to look forward too, like time with you

the kind of boyfriend that remembers little stuff you say here and there

like if you mention your mom’s birthday is coming up, he’ll ask later what you’re getting her and suggest some ideas. probably would send your mom flowers too to earn brownie points

or if you have a stressful week with exams and papers, he’ll stop by randomly with coffee and a snack and a hug

i honestly don’t see jean as the kind of boyfriend to start/carry on a fight, because he would hate knowing that you two are upset with each other. so i think any fights would be resolved pretty quickly

if one did happen to go over night or last a few days, he would definitely apologize first and bring you flowers, even if you were the one who started it

honestly though, with a guy like jean, what is there to fight about

overall, just a super caring boyfriend that makes the little stuff the memorable stuff

𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭

the! best! boyfriend! ever!

i see armin as the ideal caring boyfriend

he just really likes to have someone to take care of, and he is also really touched that someone trusts him enough to ensure their heart to him

so he takes every measure to make sure he’s being the best partner he can be

a lot of emotional sharing, and i feel like would happen pretty early on as well

only because he is so trustworthy and you know you can tell him everything on your mind, even stuff that you maybe haven’t told anyone else

this just makes your relationship progress even further. you two are the couple that has been dating for a month but knows they are going to be together for a long time

speaking of, you are the mom and the dad of the friend group, which is so adorable but calls for a lot of teasing from your friends

but armin knows he’s going to marry you one day, so he just laughs when eren cracks another joke about it

𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐧

i’ll be real, this relationship is definitely not the easiest

reiner definitely loves you, don’t get me wrong, but a big part of him probably thinks he doesn’t deserve someone like you to care about him

which isn’t easy in a relationship because i feel like he would try and distance himself from getting too attached in the beginning

maybe he just thinks you’re going to see through him and realize you don’t want this anymore (which is not true at all, but just his intrusive thoughts)

i think you would try to reassure him about your feelings and how much you want this relationship, but then he feels like you shouldn’t have to reassure him, and that you shouldn’t be in the kind of relationship where you have to reassure the person. basically he thinks you deserve someone better, and you know that there is no one better for you

eventually i think this reaches a breaking point. through a lot of angst and honesty and tears, you two finally work it out

i think after clearing things up, things take a huge turn for the better

he definitely learns that there’s nothing wrong with being a relationship where you have to take care of each other, and he’s definitely thankful that you continued to stand by him

so sorry about this angst, but on the bright side, this man would be such a devoted boyfriend

his friends definitely make fun of him for looking at you like you hung the stars and moon in the sky

i also think all this angst would lead to you two being really open and vulnerable with each other, which is really important to him

also definitely a mama’s boy and can’t wait to introduce you to her

just like armin, he knows you’re gonna be his wife someday

𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫

even though i think it would take eren a long time to settle down and commit to a healthy, long-term relationship, once he does, he would be a great boyfriend

he is a really caring guy, and i feel like part of his hesitance is about opening up to someone if they’re just gonna leave

but i think he can tell early on that this would be different

i have a feeling his love language is quality time, and so you two are always planning little things together

he especially loves last-minute, impromptu dates that arise from a random thought

like he’ll grab two sandwiches and take you to the beach at sunset, even if you just got home or had something to get done

or knock on your door at midnight and take you to the nearest roof to stargaze together

i feel like eren is the boyfriend who becomes your closest friend over time

you guys go to each other first when you need to rant or talk or babble endlessly

it’s an interesting dynamic but it works well for you guys

the kind of bf that people assume he’s a single bachelor and will stay that way forever, or people don’t believe that he’s settled down, and then when they see you two together they’re shocked

𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭

you and marco have the most wholesome relationship

if i had to picture anyone whose relationship feels like the honeymoon phase even after a whole year, it is marco

he has a habit of making every small date, every meeting or interaction just feel so special, like every day is a special occasion

the kind of boyfriend who gets you a promise ring early on with every intention of replacing it with an engagement ring and wedding band one day

a big moment for him is introducing you to his friends! he knows they’ll love you, and he just wants you to meet the other most important people in his life

especially you and jean, this boy would be on cloud nine seeing you two get along so well. makes him super happy and teary-eyed

the responsible bf who takes care of everything for you, even little, everyday things so you don’t have to worry about it

like making sure there’s a cup of water on the nightstand when you go to bed, or setting an extra alarm to make sure you don’t oversleep, or reminding you about a deadline

overall just <3 boyfriend marco

𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧

the nonchalant, cool boyfriend who has to hide how sappy he actually is

pretends like he’s not nervous as all hell on your first date. acts like you leaning into him on the walk back home, or kissing his cheek at your doorstep before you say good night isn’t giving him heart palpitations.

also majorly touch-starved. after you two really open up to each other, which happens way sooner than he expected, it’s hard for him to keep his hands away from you.

he’s reserved in public, a simple arm around you waist or hands interlaced while you guys are out

but when you’re in the privacy of your home, it’s almost instinctual for him to pull you close

he loves when you lay your head on his chest, but nothing compares to when you let him lay his head on yours.

you stroke his hair and sit in silence, appreciating the quiet mumble of the television and the sound of each other breathing

always falls asleep like this, and he’s never been much of a nap guy, but ever since he met you, he’s reformed

not to mention your skin is always so warm and soft, and his is always on the colder side, so he’s just drawn to you

also i see him as the kind of guy who proposes out of nowhere, like you aren’t expecting it at all after a quiet dinner together at home, you’re getting up to grab dessert and he pulls out a ring

“how about dessert and naps for as long as we both shall live?”

𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐝

once again, pock tries to put on a tough facade but we all know he’s just a softie on the inside

in fact, it’s a little while into your relationship that you notice him softening up with you, trying less hard to seem like someone else and getting more comfortable around you

you definitely don’t mention it, because you don’t want him to realize how you’ve been noticing it lately, but it definitely makes your chest feel warm and fuzzy at the thought of him being more himself

it’s not long at all before you can’t even see any semblance of that tough guy you met for the first time

the kind of whipped boyfriend that carries your bags when you go shopping, grabs your coffee order on the way to visit you, and likes to have quiet nights in more than going out

your favorite memories with him include watching rom-coms and munching on popcorn in his apartment, everyone else out and about on a saturday night

the leftover pizza is sitting on the counter, and you turn to go put it away when you notice pock teary-eyed at the movie!

yes, this boy cries at sappy romantic movies and you regret ever putting on the notebook that one night because you wanted to get laid after and that just did not happen because he was crying too much

but also just treats you so right and has every intention of being the best boyfriend he can, doesn’t ever want to do anything to hurt you and is highkey very glad he met you and has someone to be so open and comfortable with!

𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫

can you spell boyfriend material.

the most comforting, wholesome boyfriend in the world. you actually can’t believe he’s single when you guys meet for the first time, because there’s just no way.

this is the take him home to meet your parents guy, introduce him to your friends right away guy because you know it’s serious

i talked about how bertholdt is the bf who just listens to your talks and rambles for as long as you need to, and always offers advice and sweet words, but he really does take it to the next level

lets you cry it out when you need to, rubbing your back and hair softly and not minding when his shirt is covered in tears

or alternatively lets you rant about your annoying professor or a terribly rude stranger or whatever else is plaguing your mind today

texts you every day asking how you’re doing, always calls you before bed if you guys aren’t together

he just has the ability to make you feel so heard and seen

and of course you never forget to take care of him, as well. it makes for a really comfortable dynamic.

very easy to imagine spending the rest of your life with him despite the fact that he has kicked you off the bed multiple times in his sleep

𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡

alternatively, husband material

takes all of five minutes into having a conversation with him to realize this is a responsible, mature guy

which are usually far and few between

i’d like to think he’s similar to marco in the way that he likes to make sure things are taken care for you, he likes to get things off of your shoulders even though you feel like you should be doing it for him instead

this translates to a lot of checking in phone calls, making sure you’ve eaten dinner and haven’t skipped meals because of your busy schedule

always makes time for you and especially loves having date nights every saturday, it’s wonderful when you haven’t been able to see him all week

anyways, you get engaged and married so fast bc you just had to snatch him up

[moved2usagiiboo]

Oh wow this is awesome! I freaking LOVE Tokyo revengers! And you're black too!

Culd u write more with black!reader and Mikey? I her they'd be so cute. More of my fave lazy dangerous man and his oral fixation! F*cking LOVE HIM!

Black!Reader x Mikey

OMG PLS @delightfulmakertidalwave, BBY YOU'RE SO SEGGSY FOR REQUESTING THIS #BLACKGIRLMAGIC

I hope this is what you were looking for!

Can I just say that I bark everytime I see this man? Anyways minors dni or your mom's a hoe 😢🤡

ミ❤️ Mikey + black woman = eternal happiness. He's so happy to have caught someone like you, he worships the ground you walk on. You're his goddess, he can't help but adore you.

ミ❤️ He brags about you all the time, just your smile makes his heart clench. Honestly, he loves everything about you, the way the sun highlights your skin. Your lashes that touch the sky, the golden highlights, your lips that are naturally plump and pouty. Your kinky, puffy hair.

ミ❤️ Oh lord, he loves your hair. He begs to watch you do your hair all the time, he even offers to help. He evens saves up his money to pay for your next hair appointment, only if he gets to pick the next style.

ミ❤️ He seems like the type to love curly pigtails or goddess locs, it does upset him a little that he can't play with your hair, but seeing you all done up like a doll, his heart might explode.

ミ❤️ He also loves your afro! He loves messing with your fro, asking how you got it in that shape, what products you use, how long did it take to style it. Why are you so pretty?

ミ❤️ He forces you to do his hair, Draken is grateful that someone else can deal with Mikey on a daily rather than it all falling on him, needless to say, Draken loves you.

ミ❤️ Wash day always lasts a couple of days, after washing and styling your hair you work on Mikey's. Mikey's hair is always matted for some reason, like always? it's like he doesn't brush his hair at all...

ミ❤️ He also doesn't sit still so he receives pops to his head with the comb.

"Y/n-chann~ that hurt"

"Stop moving ya' damn head then."

ミ❤️ Whines a lot. It's like doing a child's hair. So, you have to get creative.

ミ❤️ You'll give him snacks while he sits on the floor in between your spread legs. He likes lifting your bare legs up, putting them on his shoulders and locking them by the ankles. You part his hair, applying his favorite your leave in conditioner while gently detangling his hair.

ミ❤️ Like said before in the previous Mikey headcannon, he has a huge oral fixation, the entire time he's kissing and sucking on your bare leg. Biting the fleshy meat of your thighs, he loves leaving bite marks. It's a way of claiming you.

"Stop it— tryna do your hair here.."

"Can't help it bunny, you're addicting."

ミ❤️ He makes sure that whenever you're alone you never have any pants on so he can see his marks he made previously.

ミ❤️ After you finish his hair he litters your body and face with kisses thanking you for being such an angel. He mutters against your neck about a reward, knowing damn well it's for his own guilty pleasure.

ミ❤️ He starts leaving marks on your entire body, anywhere and everywhere he can get his mouth on.

ミ❤️ Majority of the time it's on your succulent breasts, he loves them.

ミ❤️ He also loves gripping your ass, please sit on his lap, chest, back, he loves feeling your plush cheeks on top of him.

ミ❤️ Doesn't care if you're plus size, skinny, slim thick, put that ass on him ✊🏿

ミ❤️ BTW, you smell like really good and he loves that.

ミ❤️ Mikey asked why you always smelt so nice, you decided to share your secrets and took him to bath and body works to use a gift card you got for your birthday, since then he got hooked.

ミ❤️ That same day you introduced him to Shea butter, fuck he loves it.

ミ❤️ He always goes out to bath and body works before bath time. He loves colorful bath bombs, he makes sure to get a different bath bomb each time, it's like he's collecting them.

ミ❤️ Oh god, he loves the shower gels and the body lotions. Anything that smells like sweet, he picks.

ミ❤️ He seems like the type to love sugar pancakes or the blueberry scent?

ミ❤️ When you guys take baths together he always has some sort of toy in there. A rubber ducky or something along those lines.

ミ❤️ You're behind him caressing him massaging his scalp, he lays in-between the crack of your breasts while he relaxes, taking about random things that come to mind while you hum a response.

ミ❤️ He'll turn around, shifting the water in the tub, some of the water falling out hitting the ground.

ミ❤️ He'll massage and kiss all over your neck and breast, sucking on them like milk will come out. Don't stop caressing his scalp, it feels so good.

ミ❤️ You'll be in that tub forever if he had it his way, never leaving your breasts out of his mouth for too long. Only to mutter soft praises and "I love you"

ミ❤️ It's his job to cover your body in shea butter and lotion.

ミ❤️ You never agreed to this 🙄

ミ❤️ He loves feeling the jiggle of your skin underneath his hands. Spends too much time moisturizering your ass 😕

ミ❤️ He'll stand behind you kissing your shoulder, he's just a needy baby. Putting the product on his hands, rubbing them together to produce a little heat as well as spreading the protect out before lathering your body.

ミ❤️ He's marveled at the way the lotion feels on your breasts. He pinches and pulls your nipples earning a soft slap on his hands.

ミ❤️ You kicked him out of the bathroom and finished the rest by yourself

ミ❤️ He cried

ミ❤️ You do his skin care before heading to bed. Always cuddling, hes small spoon most of the time. He loves to be babied.

ミ❤️ He sleeping in-between your breasts with his legs wrapped around yours.

ミ❤️ You wake up with his head in your shirt and like 10 new hickeys you didn't have before....

ミ❤️ Now this might be just me but I think Mikey likes having you suck on his fingers or he sucks on yours?

ミ❤️ I just think he gets a rush off of it, it's something so innocent that can be taken sexual, he loves it.

ミ❤️ He also loves when you mark him like he does to you, he'll take off his shirt and let you go to town. Your plush lips, all glossy from the lip gloss that coated the brown lip liner you put on earlier. You'll kiss up his happy trail leaving kiss marks and bites in his waist, sucking his toned body.

ミ❤️ He'll rub your breast or suck on your finger while you work.

ミ❤️ You'll make it up to his pecs(pls that's a weird word) and start sucking on them as well, you bite on his nipple with your canines earning a soft groan from his lips.

ミ❤️ For sure has sensitive nipples, idgaf.

ミ❤️ You'll mark up his neck leaving shiny brown kiss marks all over his body.

ミ❤️ He loves seeing you like this, you practically have heart eyes when you look up at him. Your lip liner and gloss smudged, a line of drool seeping from the corner of your mouth.

ミ❤️ It's absolutely adorable.

ミ❤️ Back to being wholesome 😕

ミ❤️ Mikey makes it his mission to learn about your culture and upbringing, teach him everything.

ミ❤️ Brotha woke ✌️

ミ❤️ He'll beat anybody's ass if they even mutter something about you. Doesn't matter the age, come catch this fade.

ミ❤️ He's so overprotective of you, it's crazy. It's just because he loves you so much, he wants to be the best boyfriend he can be for you.

[tchallasbabymama]

Don’t Judge Me

Chapter 2 of my Untitled (for now) Song Series. Here’s the link to Chapter 1 if you haven’t read it. 

Word count: 5348

CW: smut

The next morning, Ashanti woke up in a sweat about thirty minutes earlier than usual. She had dreamed of the mystery man again, only this time he wasn’t such a mystery anymore even though his face was still a blur. She’d recognize his gait anywhere and his warm cocoa butter scent filled her nose. She had been dreaming about the king, and this time they went further than a kiss.

She peeled off the big T-shirt she slept in and fanned herself to cool down, but then she noticed a stickiness between her legs...

“I can't believe I had a whole ass wet dream about the king.” She whispered to herself as her mind drifted back to what she was experiencing just minutes ago. It only came to her in flashes, but she could still feel his big hands all over her body and his tongue making its way down to her center before swirling around her still throbbing pussy. She felt her pussy stretch as he entered her from behind and his balls slapping against her clit. She felt his hand squeezing the sides of her throat, and just as they came together she woke up.

The memory made her pussy throb even more as more wetness dripped out of her. She couldn't help but to trace her nipples with her left hand and trail her right hand down her body, taking the same path Dream T’Challa took down to her aching pearl. Her fingers stroked her clit and she let out a moan, still thankful for the soundproof walls.

His voice played in her head.

Say my name.

“Mmm, T’Challa…”

Do you like when I fuck you like this?

“Ewe kumkani wam”

Oooh, you like it rough, don't you? Nasty girl...

“Mmm just for you, baby.”

That’s not my name. What’s my fucking name?

“Kumkani”

Uh-huh, there you go kitten. Turn over…

Look at me.

That’s right, cum on my dick just like that. Cum for your Kumkani.

Mmm, I’m not pulling out. I’m staying right here and filling you up. Oh, you like that? Good. I want you overflowing with me. Can you do that for me baby? Can I cum in this pussy?

“Cum in your pussy Kumkani.”

Ashanti’s legs began to shake and the tingling in her lower abdomen began to overwhelm her senses. Her body tensed up then she released all over her fingers with a loud jagged moan. She came down from her high while slowly playing in the pool of wetness that had collected between her lips.

She loved starting her day with an orgasm, and she hoped that maybe it would end with one too if her date went well enough.

Ashanti peeled herself from her bed and got up to get her day started. She went for her usual morning run, ate breakfast with her roommates, then went to open the store just like any other workday. The only difference being she was getting progressively more nervous about her date with the king as time went on. It was a slow day in the Bazaar, so she closed her shop down around 4 and went to visit her parents before the dinner rush.

She walked into the restaurant and saw her mom sitting at a table rolling flatware, so she silently sat down beside her and proceeded to roll with her. Five minutes passed before Ashanti gave a sigh and looked like she had something to say that she couldn’t quite get out. Bisa knew something was seriously bothering her, but she also knew her child would eventually tell her.

“So I have a date tonight.”

A crash was heard from the kitchen as her dad emerged seemingly out of nowhere.

“With who?!”

“I can’t tell you…”

Chidi and Bisa looked at each other in confusion.

“What do you mean you can't tell us? You tell us everything!”

“More than we need to know, most times…”

“Chidi, hush. Honey, who is this person?”

“Mama, Baba...if I tell you then you have to promise to keep this between us.” “Of course baby”, they said in unison. Ashanti took a deep breath.

“I have a date with King T’Challa…”

They stared at her in disbelief. Chidi looked like he had seen a ghost and Bisa’s excitement grew by the second.

“Oh my Bast! Baby, how did you...of course he’d be an idiot not to, but how...he's the king!”

“I don't like it…” Chidi grumbled as Bisa hit his arm.

“Baba! Why?”

“He just seems so...slick.”

“Chidi, hush. I’m happy for you honey, but what’s the problem? You’ve been moping around here this whole time.” Bisa held Ashanti’s cheek in one hand and moved the braids out of her face with the other.

“I’m scared, Mama. He’s sweet and intelligent and the finest man Bast ever created...I just don’t know. He’s royalty for Bast’s sake! What could we possibly have in common?”

“You never know until you talk to him, honey.”

“Your mama’s right. Get out of your head, kiddo, it’ll be fine. But if he tries anything, I’m not above treason.”

Ashanti laughed at her father, knowing he was only half joking.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that, Baba…” Ashanti started before sighing and standing up. “Alright, I should start getting ready if I’m going to do this thing. Wish me luck!”

She kissed both of her parents on the forehead and grabbed her things to head home, but not before swiping a snack from the kitchen. On her way back to her house her nerves started to grow again, but once she arrived Binta and Kwame helped talk her out of it.

“Sis, breathe. First and foremost, you need to be alive for the date. Second there’s nothing to worry about! He already likes you after just meeting you twice, you got this!”

“It’s not just that…”

“What is it?” Binta asked with real concern written all over her face.

“I...srt of had a wet dream about him last night…”  

Both twins were in shock.

“About the King?!”

“Ooooh you’re in for it Miss Thang.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did it feel real?”

“Yes, but-”

“Then someone’s gonna get their back blown out by our kumkani!”

Ashanti looked away and she felt her cheeks and ears heat up while Binta and Kwame screamed in celebration of their best friend’s new dick supplier.

“He’s going to knock the dust off that thing, thank Bast. Girl you must tell us about that strength of the Black Panther mess, because I just know that man is packing a weapon.”

“I wonder if you can fuck him with the suit on,” Bisa thought out loud.

“He had a big dick in my dream...and that suit idea isn't half bad, I’ll hold onto that for later.” Ashanti winked at her roommates.

Kwame looked at the time.

“Ok enough chit-chat, go get ready. Prince Charming will be here soon.”

“You mean King Charming?”

“No, it’s from some European story. They actually do have a few things that aren’t half bad.”

“ Ooookay. Well I’m gonna go shower the day off.”

“Need help picking your outfit?” Binta asked with a hopeful tone in her voice. She loved a good at-home fashion show.

”I have it narrowed down to two, so I could definitely use a second and third opinion. Now let me go shower!”

Ashanti stepped under the water and her music began to play. Her nerves washed down the drain and a feeling of euphoria came over her as violins blared through her speakers followed by the sweet sounds of an acoustic guitar. Her heart swelled, and her cheeks hurt from smiling so big.

Come, let me kiss you right there Wake you up like sunrise On the backs of your thighs I'm gonna pray you this prayer That I keep in my mind As a lovely reminder

Janelle Monae somehow perfectly captured the warm and fuzzy and nervous feelings that come with falling in love. “Don’t Judge Me” had quickly become one of her American favorites, but until recently she had forgotten that feeling. It had been four years since her last first date, and one year of being single. Her ex broke her heart into a million little pieces, and she was still struggling to put herself back together again. Ashanti had just gotten to the point where she felt she could ever love again when T’Challa breezed into her shop. His timing had been perfect, almost divine.

Even though you tell me you love me I'm afraid that you just love my disguise Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire Of broken desire

The lyrics spoke to her nervousness to open herself up to someone new, especially someone with so much power in his hands already. What could she do if he ended up being abusive like-

She cut herself off and turned off the water, stepping out of the shower and letting herself air dry while finishing her skincare routine. Ashanti covered herself in shea butter and spritzed on the new perfume Binta got her for her birthday last month. Then she started on her makeup, deciding to keep it light. She swiped on a tinted moisturizer, added some highlight to her cheeks, and filled in her brows before swiping some mango-flavored red-ish lip stain over her plump lips.

Ashanti switched out her round septum ring for a triangular one she just made last night out of boredom. The point of the ring landed above her cupid’s bow like a giant flashing sign that reads “Put lips here!”

She parted her braids on the left side and two-strand twisted the front section before pinning it back and pulling the rest of her hair in a bun at the back of her head. She took a deep breath and threw on outfit choice number one. Binta and Kwame were already situated in the living room with a bottle of wine ready for the show.

She wore tapered, high waisted kente pants with a black lace bustier top and a layered pearl necklace.

“Ok this is outfit number one.” Ashanti turned around so they could get the full view. She could see them both trying their best to hold their tongues. “Please hold all comments until the end.”

“But girl that-”

“Aht! Not. Yet.”

Ashanti did one last twirl before Naomi Campbell walking back to her room. Binta and Kwame looked at each other and said a whole mouthful with just their eyes.

When she walked into the living area she had slid into a leather skirt and a billowy white off the shoulder top. She had topped it off with a gold choker of her own design. Ashanti did a little twirl before allowing her roommates to give their feedback.

“One at a time. Kwame?”

“Ok so, first off, where is he taking you?”

“I have no idea, he just said be ready at 7.”

“Ok then I’d go with outfit one, but with this choker. The pearls hide your titties, and girl that bustier calls for them to be front and center”

“Seconded. And you should wear those cute beaded sandals you got the other day at the Bazaar. Normally I’d say heels, but since you don't know what the date is it’s better to be safe and wear flats. You know how you are, and that is inappropriate first date behavior. You keep your shoes where?”

“On my feet.” Ashanti grumbled. She loved wearing heels, but her feet didn’t. Almost every time she wore them she ended up carrying them in her hand while walking around barefoot for some relief. This annoyed Binta to no end.

“Thank you. Now go put on the full outfit!”

“Be right back”

Ashanti made her way back to her room and changed into the same pants and bustier from earlier. She slid on the beaded sandals Binta suggested and checked out her neon purple pedicure before standing up and smoothing her clothes down in the mirror. Just as she reached for her doorknob the doorbell rang.

“6:50, he’s early.”

She heard the door open downstairs and damn near tripped over her feet to run downstairs to keep her roommates embarrassing her. She didn’t make it in time.

“Good evening, I am supposed to be taking Ashanti out for the night. Is she in?” Kwame and Binta saluted the king and stammered over their words.

“S-she just uh-”

“She’s u-upstairs, kumkani wam.”

“‘Please, call me T’Challa. Hopefully we will be seeing more of each other.” he said, sending a wink their way before he saw Ashanti enter the room from the corner of his eye.

______________

T’Challa was startled awake by the sound of his alarm. Normally he wakes up on his own and the alarm is just an extra precaution, but occasionally it comes in handy. This was one of those times thanks to a tantalizing dream he didn’t want to leave.

He was sure the woman in his dream was Ashanti, despite the fact that he couldn’t make out her face clearly. She had the same sway in her wide hips, and he recognized the delicately rough hands that found their way up and down his body. He could taste her on his lips and his dick still stood at attention for her. T’Challa looked at the clock and determined he had enough time to take care of himself, but just as he got up to get the shea butter a knock at his door ruined the mood. The king growled in frustration.

“Ay nigga, you late!” N’Jadaka called through the door.

“I am aware, cousin. I will be there shortly.”

N’Jadaka made his way down to the dining area while T’Challa quickly got ready for his day that was already starting out on a frustrating note. He finally made it down to breakfast just as the food was being served.

The royal family ate and discussed the day ahead.

“Someone’s got a date with that cute shopgirl today…” Shuri teased her big brother and he cut his eyes at N’Jadaka.

“You told her?!”

“He told us both dear, you know Daka can’t hold water. So tell us about her. She is in Ada’s old storefront, yes?”

T’Challa sighed and removed his napkin from his lap, placing it on the table and leaning back in his chair.

“Yes mama, she bought Ada’s and the shop next to it.”

“What does she sell?”

He figured now was as good a time as any, so he called Ayo on his beads.

“Ayo, please bring the black bag from my office with “Taj’s” on the side”

“Ewe kumkani wam, right away.”

T’Challa looked back towards his family, each one with their eyes glued to him.

“She is an artist,” he started. “She has turned it into a multi-purpose artistic space, but the shop is still operational. It’s called Taj’s now after her grandfather-”

“Yeah ok, tell us about her, ubhuti.”

Ayo came in with the requested bag and handed it to her king.

“Thank you, you are dismissed Ayo,” he said before turning back to his family. T’Challa reached into the bag and pulled out two boxes before handing them to his mother and sister.

“Damn, nothing for me?” N’Jadaka feigned offense.

“Not this time, umzala. Mama, sister, I hope you like them. They were custom made by Ashanti.”

Ramonda and Shuri opened their gifts and were stunned speechless. Shuri immediately took off her current necklace and replaced it with her brother’s gift. Ramonda stared at it, still speechless.

“Thank you, brother, I love it! Ashanti is very good at what she does.”

“You are more than welcome. Mama, do you like it?”

“Like it? It's too beautiful for me to even touch. This is amazing, unyana wam, thank you.”

“Good job, T.” N’Jadaka raised his glass of mango juice to his cousin.

“Well, as you can see she is very talented. I went to visit Ada the other day, but wanted to see what became of her shop first. When I saw her, I-...she took my breath away. She has this warm energy that just pulls you in and wraps its arms around you...”

“You sound sprung, as the Americans say.”

“Mmmhm he sure is Auntie, nose wide open and everything.”

T’Challa wanted to roll his eyes, but they were right. It took everything in him to not start grinning like a fool.

The royals parted ways after breakfast and went to tend to their duties. T’Challa and N’Jadaka didn’t have time for a walk today since there was a council meeting immediately after breakfast. It turned out to be the most boring council meeting T’Challa had ever presided over. What’s worse than land disputes? DIscussing treaties and embargoes with other countries. Half the council wanted Wakanda to keep its resources, citing how the rest of Africa was stripped of its riches by Europeans. They felt there was nothing positive the outside world had to offer Wakanda. The other half of the council argued that Wakanda was too strong a nation to be controlled by western powers, and therefore should join in trade and keep the upper hand.

“My king?”

T’Challa had zoned out for the past five minutes until N’Jadaka elbowed his side, pulling him out of his daydream.

“Huh?”

“My king, we were asking where you stood on the matter.”

N’Jadaka looked at his cousin knowingly, trying to conceal a smirk.

“I will need more time to think on it. Let us revisit this matter in a week, is there anything else on today’s agenda?” He asked his cousin.

“Nope, we’re done.”

“Thank Bast,” T’Challa whispered under his breath. “Meeting adjourned. I will see you all next week.”

As the council members left the room one by one, N’Jadaka stared at his cousin with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.

“Only one of us can zone out at a time and I had some good daydreams planned for today, so what’s up with you?”

T’Challa sighed.

“I can’t get her off my mind…”

“Wide. Open.” N’Jadaka cackled as he left his cousin sitting in the throne room, still thinking about Ashanti.

T’Challa had a full agenda for the day and decided to get started. Why bother daydreaming when in just a few hours he would be in her presence.

First, he went to visit the river tribe. It was the dry season, but thankfully the river still flowed with enough water to last them until the rainy season kicked back into gear. Then, he visited his sister’s lab and the mining tribe.

“Brother! You must look at this!”

Shuri barely gave him a chance to get in the lab before she was dragging him left and right showing him her new creations. The visit lasted longer than T’Challa expected, but time always flew when he was with his usisi.

The king made his way back to his quarters to start preparing for the night. He had decided on a nighttime picnic by a private lake for their first date so they could talk and get to know each other better.

Hopping into the full bathtub that already awaited him in his quarters thanks to the palace staff, T’Challa relaxed into the water and felt most of his stress slip away. To get the rest of the stress out, he reached for the pre-roll that was placed beside the tub with a note from the royal grower.

“Snow Goddess OG -Amare”

“Snow goddess, huh? Probably Jabari…” T’Challa lit the blunt and relaxed even more into the water, letting the weed take him to another plane.

T’Challa’s body felt tingly and he couldn't keep the smile off his face. He fought a giggle as he rose from his bath and caught sight of his chubby half-erect dick hanging down his thigh in the mirror.

“She’s not even here and we don't have time. Sorry, man, I’ll get you later, I promise..or maybe she will? Either way, just be patient.”

“Shit, what was in that?” T’Challa laughed at himself for talking to his dick.

He had already gotten lined up earlier that day, and he admired the barber’s job well done while he moisturized his curls then the rest of his body. The king spritzed on a new cologne and made sure to spread some to his pulse points. He filed his nails then relocated to his closet to put together an outfit for the night.

Even though T’Challa was a relatively young king he always seemed beyond his years when he stepped into his Black Panther and kingly duties. However, outside of when he needs to be professional, T’Challa was like any other Wakandan in their late twenties. Instead of the traditional formal attire he wore when performing his duties, he dressed more modern and relaxed in informal settings. When T’Challa and Ashanti met he had been wearing a simple black shirt and jeans with his black combat boots and his Black Panther claw necklace on display. The second time they saw each other he had on an intricately embroidered black tunic over matching pants and black sandals. This time he wanted to look nice, but still relaxed. He needed to find a happy medium.

T’Challa stood naked in his closet for about 15 minutes before it finally came to him.

________________

‘How is this man so fine?’ Ashanti thought to herself as she took in the sight before her. There stood the king, in her entryway, looking like a whole damn meal. Her eyes travelled up and down his lean, muscular frame just as his eyes did the same to her. He wore a short sleeved black button up with kente trim which was unbuttoned just enough for her to see his claw necklace resting in an almost unnoticeable bit of chest hair. He had on some simple dark wash jeans and his favorite pair of boots donned his feet. The icing on the cake was the silver hoop earring in his right lobe. Ashanti just about passed out, and that was before she even registered that they matched.

T’Challa couldn’t keep his jaw up to save his life. He already knew how gorgeous she was, but she had somehow gotten even more beautiful in 24 hours.

“Oh my Bast, how adorable?!” Kwame broke her from her daze.

Ashanti quickly grabbed her bag and hugged her roommates before pulling T’Challa out of the house.

“Sorry for rushing you, but they were absolutely going to do something embarrassing if we stayed any longer.” Ashanti reached to push her hair behind her ear, forgetting she had already pulled it back. “You uh- you look pretty alright today.”

T’Challa laughed and she nearly melted at the  sound.

“Wow, I was going for ‘just ok’, but I have to say I like that you said I’m pretty.”

Ashanti playfully rolled her eyes and he placed his hand at the small of her back to lead her to his car.

“So where are you taking me?”

“It is a surprise.”

“Ok well, one thing you'll learn about me is I hate surprises.”

“You’ll survive without knowing for 15 more minutes, I promise Miss Ashanti.”

Something about the way he said her name made her go quiet. She wanted to hear it more often.

“I guess...so tell me about your day to distract me.”

T’Challa leaned back into his seat and let autopilot do the work.

“It was a normal day for the most part. Breakfast with my family followed by a tragically boring meeting with the council. Then I had to go visit the river and mining tribes. Lastly, I stopped by my sister’s lab for a while to see what she’s up to since she’s always tinkering around with something or creating amazing new inventions. I had to check in and see what’s new.”

“That sounds fun! The last part, not the other stuff.”

The king chuckled and reached for her hand.

“It was, but truthfully I was very distracted all day thinking of you.”

Ashanti’s voice caught in her throat.

Is he serious?

“Were you now…?”

“Yes, you seem to have made quite the impression on my subconscious.”

Ashanti tried to play it cool, but her guilty-looking face gave her away.

“What is it?”

“I may or may not have been thinking of you all day too.”

The two of them looked at each other and smiled. T’Challa’s eyes had just trailed down to her lips when the car announced their arrival. The king got out first and came around to open Ashanti’s door. He held out his hand and led her down a wooded path that was lit with tiny lights among the trees. The walk was short, and when they arrived at their destination Ashanti couldn’t believe her eyes.

Twinkling lights reflected off of a lake she had never seen. She turned to take in her surroundings and noticed the large border tribe blanket laid out on the ground and a covered basket overflowing with food. Ashanti was happy she wore flats.

“So I wasn’t sure what type of food you like, but I figured that since you were listening to music from outside Wakanda, you might enjoy foods from outside as well. I narrowed it down to one area though my first idea was to have food from all over, but thankfully my cousin talked me out of that one...”

T’Challa kept rambling as he began removing dishes from the basket and every last one made Ashanti’s stomach growl. She was starting to regret the bustier.

He pulled out jerk chicken, plantain, callaloo, and rice and peas. Next he pulled out some ackee and saltfish.

“This is usually for breakfast, but it’s my favorite meal of the day so I eat it whenever”

“Anyone who thinks breakfast isn't the best meal of the day deserves to be thrown off a cliff-”

She looked at the king.

“Too soon?” She asked sheepishly, hoping she didn't offend him.

“No, do not worry, it is fine. We have a better relationship now,” T’Challa chuckled. “And for the final touch, we have rum cake. I cheated and made it with Wakandan rum, but who is going to check me?”

Ashanti busted out laughing.

“Yes you hang around your American cousin a lot it seems, but more importantly you said you ‘made it’? Like you baked that cake? You, the king?”

“Yes. I love to cook, I just don’t have much time for it. I made all of this here for us to enjoy tonight.”

Ashanti had never had a man cook for her before, and certainly not on a first date. She hoped it was good because her poker face was shit and she didn’t want to have to hurt the king’s feelings. “Shall we?” T’Challa gestured towards the food and they both dug in.

Dinner was torture for T’Challa. Not only was she loving his food, but the noises she made while she enjoyed it made his dick harden. They made conversation and got to know each other better, scooting closer and closer to each other every time they had to shift to reach another item of food. They spoke about everything, finally landing on music. They tapped their kimoyo beads together, creating a playlist of both of their favorite songs for them to listen to as they continued to eat and talk.

“Oh my Bast, T’Challa this is so good. Where did you learn to cook like this? I assumed you had staff to do it for you.”

“We do, but when I was young I loved being with them in the kitchen so much they taught me how to cook.”

“This really is amazing, and I’m not just saying this because you're the king. I’ve never had someone cook for me like this, thank you.”

“Anything for you, Ashanti.”

He looked into her eyes and she blushed.

“So where exactly are we?”

“At a private lake near the palace. I come here often to relax and unwind, you should see it during the day.”

“You’ll have to bring me back, then.”

“That I will.”

“So, since this is a private lake it’s just us?”

“Well there are Dora Milaje out near the car, but yes it is just us.”

“And no crocodiles or hippos or anything like that…?”

T’Challa laughed.

“Do you really think I’d have you by predator-infested waters? You are safe here. Plus I am the Black Panther, you are safe wherever we go.”

“I like that…” Ashanti got lost in his lips, but got nervous and went back to her original thought. She knew how to shake herself out of her nerves. “So, since we’re alone and you're the only predator out here, let's go for a swim!”

“I will send the Dora for a change of clothes-”

“No need.”

T’Challa looked up and saw Ashanti in all her naked glory. She looked like Bast herself with her soft tummy and long thick legs. Her breasts bounced as she moved and her ass sat at the perfect height for him to grab onto. He tried to quiet the growl in his chest, but failed miserably.

“See something you like?”

T’Challa stripped faster than he ever had before and now it was her time to stand in awe. His rippling muscles almost made her heart stop, but it was the monster between his legs that turned her into a puddle.

“See something you like?”

Ashanti bit her lip and stared at him before turning around.

“Maybe if you can catch me,” she shouted before running into the lake.

Ashanti was a much better swimmer than T’Challa had assumed and he actually had to put in effort to catch up with her, but once he snagged her he immediately planted a kiss on her lips. He felt her body go slack as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, deeply.

Janelle Monae’s voice carried across the lake and into their ears as T’Challa kept them afloat while his tongue explored her mouth. Ashanti gripped his hair and wrapped her legs around his waist. They pulled apart and looked into each other's eyes before laughing.

“Let's go somewhere I don't have to work so hard to keep us from drowning, eh?”

“Where do you have in mind?” Ashanti asked him while peppering his jawline with kisses.

But don't judge me I know I got issues But they drown when I kiss you Don't judge me Baptize me with ocean Recognize my devotion The water's perfectly good Let's reintroduce ourselves From a free point of view If I'm gon' sin, it's with you Tattoo your love on my heart Let the rumors be true. Even though you tell me you love me I'm afraid that you just love my disguise Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire The dirty desire But don't judge me I know I got issues But they drown when I kiss you Don't, don't judge me Baptize me with ocean Recognize my devotion What if I, what if, what if I touched you right there? Even though you say that you love me Is it me or do you love my disguise? If I missed you, would you think I was lonely If I say what's on my mind? Even though you say that you love me Is it me or do you love my disguise? If I kissed you, would you think I was lonely If I let you inside? Come, let me kiss you right there What if I kissed you right there? Would you tremble inside, or just call it a night? What if I gave you a show? You could touch if you like Right there If I kissed you would you think I was lonely? If I... It feels so good

Come, let me kiss you right there

Just say that you love me (just tell me you love me)

Next up:

Chapter 3

[fourrarri]

He’d never thought himself much good at giving gifts. At least not the traditional way. A general non-interest in materialism and a fondness for practicality that grew with his age having made a habit for him of gift giving at random to address a need rather than wait for any specific occasion. Not something that anyone ever seemed to mind but had always caused him a prickle of disquiet in him when it came to birthdays, or christmas. Anytime he was left floundering for gift ideas really. Especially when the occasion for gift giving was someone near & dear to his heart & well within means to buy whatever they wanted much less needed.

Still, he’d always loved a challenge, and Lance. . . Well, the hitman was nothing if not that no? And so much more besides, as he’d been delighted to find in the time he’d gotten to know the man thus far. Knowledge he’d put to proper use making the birthday boy’s gifts over the last month. Gifts that not only fullfilled Joel’s fondness for practicality but that he hoped would meet the other’s fondness for aesthetic beauty as well. 

But perhaps above all, he hoped they’d translate how much he appreciated what Lance had been willing to share of himself with him. His openess. His history. How very genuine he always was in any response he gave him. Joel wanted to honor that. Show him somehow beyond words that he’d heard him, that he cared. That he was glad to know him. Who he’d been, was now, and if Lance was keen, who he’d become.

“I uhh--, made each of your gifts myself. Well, mostly. I didn’t actually make the packaging on these first two, just what’s inside em.”

The first of the gifts was a bottled set of massage oils. Each one had a color scheme of preserved blossoms to indicate the essential oil he’d picked for fragrance. Flowers that he’d picked himself either having found them while hiking or from various flowershops. The florals he’d then dyed, dried, arranged, glued, and set inside each bottle before adding the oils. 

It was no secret that Lance not only enjoyed attention, but absolutely thrived on it. Had made it clear on a handful of occasions that he was not above demanding it, loudly. Or turning into a complete bratling when it wasn’t given to him for longer than he had patience to wait. Lance also liked to touch, to be touched. And if Joel had thought to indulge himself his fondness for ‘taking care’ whilst gifting the man something that encouraged lavish amounts of pampering and focus all on him, well. He rather doubted the other would have issue with it.

“These are massage oils infused with aloe and other essential oils for skin care and fragrance. Should come in handy the next time the sun toasts ya a bit more than you meant. Or when you’re feeling neglected.”

The second wasn’t any less playful or indulgent. They were at a glance a bit of an inside joke, one that only a very small handful of people would probaly ‘get’ if what Lance had told him was anything to go by for how many people knew how he really made money. The gift was a set of lip balms he’d made with a mix of beeswax, shea butter, vaseline, and jojoba oil. Each one had been carefully colored with a combination of powder made out of the leftover blossoms, and food coloring to add tint to them along with their protective and restorative properties. 

The set itself was shaded from translucent to various nudes that ranged from natural pink to warmer spice hues. When adding the tint, he had paused, idly wondering if the addition of color to the balms would be too feminine a detail for Lance’s taste. A thought that had gone as fast as it’d come when he recalled the man’s new habit of painting his nails. How much value he placed in his appearence, how little he placed in social norms, how he was seemingly content to enjoy what he liked and not question it beyond that. How very fond he was of Lance for it.

His favorite part of this particualr gift however, was that the case for each one was a hollowed out, reforged, and repurposed rifle cartridge. This detail had probably been what’d taken the most work on his part but in the end he was more than pleased with the results, was certain Lance would be to, as evident in the smile curving his lips as he spoke.

“All that drinking and sunshine dries out your lips chéri. These should help with that, keep you kissable. Some of them are tinted to if you’re feeling flirty.”

The last was the only gift that he’d actually bothered to wrap. To hide. He’d wrapped it meticulously, kept the corners pristine. The paper was ocean blue, patterned with metallic designs. Tied with gold ribbon, topped in an immaculate bow. Inside was a simple white box, and below the lid, buried within more blue, delicate tissue paper was a driftwood picture frame. The frame scaled perfectly for the sketch portraying a memory Lance had described to him in detail from his childhood and coupled with his recall for the one picture Lance had, that he’d shown him upon asking. A picture of him in his boyhood and his mother.

The sketch had taken the whole day. Had been born from a deep rooted desire to somehow give Lance something of that day beyond what he held in his memory. To replicate the warmth he’d had in his tone when he’d spoken of Marianna, described her for him, how she’d been more of a mama to him than the one who’d actually given him life for the most part. 

A fact that the man himself had seemed content with upon it’s revealing but had cracked open something hot and hurting inside his throat, in his chest. Something that felt like tears. Was tears. Tears he’d furiously blinked away, turned his face & hid when Lance seemed to nearly notice. Had fallen free once home and he’d contemplated how his friend had learned to normalize loneliness. Normalize family being something you acted out for company and performed rather than actually had. Normalize not having any pictures of them in your home for everything family photos were meant to be and never had been for him. 

He hadn’t thought about it. Simply grabbed his sketch book, sat on the chaise in the corner of his living room, just beside the french doors that led out to his porch. The same ones that allowed sunlight in enough to warm him as he worked.

He’d let his hand skate across the page, pencil loose in his fingers, slowly, slowly, the shape of child Lance, the details of Marianna he’d given him coming to life. The profile of her face was hidden, back to the viewer’s sight as she turned, scanned the ocean debris at her feet, the tumble of soft sand in the churning wave line. Smile lingering at the corner of her lips. A peek of profile through her hair but only details, not her whole face. Curls tumbling down her back, the wind catching them, lifting a few stray tendrils. Pointing, reaching, directing a grinning Lance to another sea treasure she’d spotted for him to bring back home.

He wasn’t sure how many hours he’d spent on it; shading in her shadow on the sand, working to capture the gentle folds of of her sundress, capturing every detail Lance had told him about her. All he knew for certain was that it had been early noon when he’d started, and when he’d finally stopped the sun had already gone down. 

He didn’t color it. Knew he wouldn’t have to explain to Lance why. How sometimes the best and worst memories looked better in black and white? In the crisp shadows of grayscale, how if you tried to bring back too much you could lose it all? That a memory was its own breed of ghost? How he knew beyoind a doubt he could never capture the blue of the ocean, the warm shade of her eyes, the soft highlights of her hair. Like trying to pin down the wind. Same as capturing her visage without a picture, he didn’t dare attempt bringing the life of color to this memory. Didn’t want to trespass any further than he potentially had.

The smile from before fades, breath catching in his throat enough it hurts to swallow around. Makes him work to force words around his words, his feelings, how little room they leave for anything else.

“Really not good at telling people about how I feel about them when it really counts. Always preffered to show them instead so---.” the words trail off, and he reaches out a hand for the last gift, pushes it within Lance’s reach as his heart begins to hammer away at the cage his ribs suddenly are.

“Not sure if it’s anything like you remember but I wanted to do something for you. Something special. And this wouldn’t leave me alone till I finished it. Ended up drawing it the same day you told me about it. Really hope I didn’t fuck up.” He elects not to tell Lance he means in general, not just the sketch itself. 

“You mean----, a lot to me Lance. I don’t even have words for it and I have a few languages to choose from. Hasn’t helped. But I wanted you to know, wanted to show you. Anyways, happy birthday.”

       💸 ║ ❛   ————— It always overwhelms him a bit, all these feelings towards Joel and how observing he actually is. Definitely not a man he’s ever met before. And Lance had men before that showed interest in him, tried to promise him the world but in the end the motives were completely focused on the MONEY and lifestyle of the rich and famous. And it’s not like Lance never understood, money and luxury are things he himself enjoys the most as well. But that thought just always runs around his mind; people wouldn’t give a damn about someone like him if he didn’t have all the money, the cars and the big mansion. JOEL is a different kind of man though. Lance managed to convince himself that even if there wasn’t all this money and luxury, Joel would still be there. But most importantly, Joel IS actually here, between all these nice things and in the end all he cares about is putting the smile on Lance’s face. 

          Lance examines all the gifts while Joel goes off explaining the details. He does listen to what he has to say very carefully but his mind is telling him things. What is it that Joel sees in him that makes him so sure he’s deserving of these things. It only makes Lance notice that he’s only good at accepting gifts as long as he knows the person didn’t really put any effort into it. But all the effort Joel put into it, Lance doesn’t wanna ruin the good moment. Ruin it with his bad thoughts punishing him for feeling grateful for something he doesn’t quite deserve. He is pretty good at shutting his mind off if things make him too vulnerable, so that’s his solution.

          A bright smile forms on his lips while looking at all these nice things. Suddenly it just feels so warm inside him, almost pressuring as if there’s something he just has to let out. It’s just a feeling of genuine HAPPINESS that Joel manages to break free, and usually that feeling is archived once he’s had a few shots. No alcohol this time, there’s no need for it. Not even his mind is running to it. Blue eyes wander from all these beautiful gifts to Joel, only for a short moment though. He’s desperately trying to form a sentence in his head to not seem like a child who’s got all the presents it wished for. But talking, expressing himself is hard when he tries to not get over that spot of vulnerability. 

          ❝   Qué digo, qué digo.. Thank you, amorcito, honestly. I really don’t know what to say.   ❞  And just as he tries to fight his brain to throw out ANY WORDS, there is another gift coming. Joel seems much more nervous about it, much more emotional. Lance doesn’t wonder too long after he eventually unwrapped it and now examines this personal work. It just causes him to feel a lot of emotions, they just hit him like lightning, yet he’s QUIET for a moment. While there’s still this burst of happiness, there’s also an ache in his heart that’s not easy to handle. A picture like that doesn’t exist but when he looks at it it feels like there’s something real about it. Lance never had a picture of MARIANNA, but if he did he wouldn’t hide it away like he does with the picture of his own mother. Marianna deserves much more than what he’s able to give her. And the fact that Joel actually took the time to awake the memories in his heart does cause him to get very emotional about it. Things like that make him cry like a baby when he’s alone, so he’s really fighting some tears. He doesn’t wanna cry on his birthday.

         ❝   I can’t believe you did that. Man, soy demasiado emocional para esto. This is a lot. I love it.   ❞   At least he got out a little bit before his emotions make his eyes all watery. Still, he fights hard not to cry over it. So the best way to hide that is to simply throw his arms around the other man’s shoulders. The hug holds on for a moment until Lance interrupts it to place a kiss on Joel’s lips.    ❝   Merci, chérie.   ❞

[tori-beanie]

PART TWO IS HERE!

You know that soulmark AU? Yeah? Well I made another chapter and I’m proud of it.

Let’s talk about some stuff first. I did not come up with these designs. Nope, that belongs to FanartFunart with this post here! I’ve been given permission to use the idea for fanfics, and I am very grateful for that. Make sure to give them some love!! https://fanartfunart.tumblr.com/post/184661279405/filed-under-aus-i-do-not-plan-on-actually-doing

Please also check out the last part of this I wrote, the first part of the ‘Soulmarked’ Series!

Without further ado, please enjoy,

The first Encounter

~~MORE~~

Logan was ten years old, and he still had four blackened marks on his forearm. Not a single one had gained color yet, and it was starting to drive him insane. He tried to distract himself with as much as possible with extra work and so many books. However they were his soulmates. He knew they would eventually meet. That didn’t make Logan’s life easier though. People accused him of faking the extra marks, and some were disgusted by the amount. Five people all going to be in a relationship? How was it even possible? Luckily Logan read. He read far above his grade level, even able to get his mother to buy him a book about people with multiple soulmates. It was one that he was working to memorize, one of the ten year olds most important things.

At the moment he was at school, bored. He had already finished the homework for his advanced math class. He had skipped a grade easily, so instead of being a fifth grader, he had moved up to sixth and took advanced classes. It was work that was a bit more his level. If he had to take basic fifth grade classes he really would go insane! They would be far too easy for Logan Foley! But even now he had worked ahead and now had nothing else to do. For now he would stare at the marks on his arm, and hope that one of them started changing color. At least then he would have something to focus on…

Patton Foster had been living in shades of white black and grey now for about five years. He honestly had trouble remembering what color things were. Obviously he knew the sky was blue and the grass was green, but what were blue and green? What did their pigments look like? They were both different shades of grey, but that didn’t really help him. All the nine year old could do was stare at a colored pencil or marker and hope he picked out the right one. Did hair come in purple? Who knew anymore. It was going to be purple this time.

In his art class, Patton and the two other colorblind students were given passes on their art. And although he still tried to be accurate, sometimes he’d draw a red skinned person with blue hair and yellow eyes. The teacher told him it was okay, and Patton tried to believe it. He kept a smile on his face. He could be perfectly happy, even without color! He would get them back once he met his soulmate! Yes, Patton was still a bubbly bouncy fourth grader, just as he should be.

Roman… Roman O’Ryan was sick of hearing the same song over and over again. It seemed his soulmate favored playing one song on loop just to drive him crazy! However it was okay. It may be a weird song that he wouldn’t normally listen to, but Ro has memorized all the words. In fact, he memorized most of the songs his soulmate played. Although tastes seemed to shift around a lot. Once or twice he could have sworn that the songs overlapped as if more than one was playing at the same time. It was weird to think about. How could one soulmate listen to so much music!? Oh well. He’d deal with it later when they were able to meet.

It was nearly Romans tenth birthday, and he was really excited. He was a fifth grader at a school near the edge of town, and would be having the best party ever! His mother was bringing them all to a themed arcade for his double digits! Roman had been handing out invitations to anyone who looked like they were friendly, when he saw someone. The boy was covered in black swirls, like a pattern that the boy couldn’t memorize. As he moved forward towards him and held out an invitation, their eyes met. This boy had one green eye, and one that was a yellow tone. However both boys gasped when his left arm began to glow red and yellow through his clothes. Yes, this was interesting…

Declan was minding his own business. Honestly the sixth grader had been sulking about being in another new school. His parents moved frequently, which meant a lot of bouncing around schools. De had been rather annoyed, not looking very inviting when a boy stepped up to him. When he met the boys red eyes though, a warm pleasant heat began to swirl down his arm. De immediately looked at it, seeing a red filling up what had been a blank black flower, and yellows mixing together until there was a proper crown atop its petals. Both boys were utterly speechless.

What should they say first!? De took initiative and held out his hand, voice still a bit shaky from the shock of it all.

“Hey. I’m uh, Declan. Declan Shea.”

“Roman O’Ryan… Are you my soulmate?”

“No, my shoulder just flowed and colored itself in for no reason at all.”

He couldn’t help the sarcasm. De was a habitual liar, something that normally made people annoyed with him and got him in trouble. However Roman… He just laughed and grabbed De’s hand, pulling him up with a bright smile.

“Come with me! My mama is picking me up today! We’ve gotta show her this!”

Honestly Declan didn’t have it in him to object, a small half smile on his face as he was dragged along by a hyperactive boy.

Virgil was quiet. He had grown to be an average student, but he had a few problems. Mostly with anxiety when around other people. Due to that fact, he was homeschooled by his mother and father. Overall he was a happy boy though, learning to read and write at his level. However he excelled in science. More specifically, when it came to the human body. It was always fun to learn about it, and maybe then he would understand ‘Dark Blue.’ He had no names for the soulmates he knew existed, so he just called them after the color their words were written in. The dark blue one was written in long science speak, making it Virgil’s favorite to learn.

He would read all the phrases written on his body every day, smiling as each one was looked at. It was a bit anxiety inducing to think about how he had four soulmates waiting for him, and it was a lot of love to give, but he was still excited. Who wouldn’t be!? Although his favorite at the moment was the yellow one.

‘So you’re the little stormcloud!’

It was written across his neck, and he was happy to read it. In fact, it inspired the boy to learn to sew so he could put a storm cloud patch on his jacket. Maybe it would help his soulmate recognize him. Yes, maybe one day...

General Taglist: @midnight--fox @your-friendly-neighborhood-enby @heathers-dorkness-0923

Soulmarked Taglist: @fanartfunart

[writethehousedown]

And The Livin's Easy, Chapter Seven (Multi) - Zyan

a/n: I DID IT! kinda at the last moment, but here she is. we’ve reached yet another end. thanks for reading fellas! sideblog for crying about the ending with me is @chachkisalpaca - a million thanks to frey for beta-ing this.

Summer of 2021, a year later.

Vanessa launches herself into Crystal’s arms when she sees her step foot onto the beach.

“You came!” She screeches so loud it hurts her ears. But she doesn’t complain, she’s missed Vanessa a whole lot. Crystal just hugs her tighter, lifting her up.

“Of course I came! I missed you, bitch,” she exclaims, settling her on the ground again. Vanessa takes her hand and guides her where she and Kameron are settled. “I gotta say though, if you made me stop on my way back home after losing to Shea Couleé in Hawaii, just to see you lose tomorrow, I’m done being friends with you,” Crystal deadpans, and Vanessa briefly lets go of her hand to playfully smack her.

Hawaii hadn’t been half as bad this year compared to the last one, considering she ended up in the fifth place, so the second place was an upgrade, and she did spend a great time while she was there — though Vanessa didn’t join her, preferring instead to stay in California in order to practice for an upcoming competition she was sure she would excel in thanks to most surfers being in Hawaii, but she still had April and Jaida to hang out with.

Things with Jaida were cooler now; they had managed to become actual friends and whatever awkwardness from the past was resolved. She still was her usual self, though this time around she seemed goofier and way more laid back. Crystal wonders if it has to do with that contact in her phone —“Babe” with three purple hearts— and the fact she’s also making a stop in California before returning to Milwaukee.

“Shush, you know I’ll win,” Vanessa says with a cocky grin, and her confidence makes her think that she’ll indeed destroy the competition.

They make small talk as they navigate their way back to Vanessa and Kameron’s blanket; Crystal asks how life is going since they moved in together on their one year anniversary, and Vanessa looks oh so radiant as she tells her how every morning and night is better than the last one, and that family reunions with Brooke aren’t as awkward as they could be thanks to them getting their shit together and talking things out.

Crystal asks if Plastique and Brooke are still a thing, and Vanessa shrugs, says she hasn’t talked with Brooke since the summer’s started, but last thing she knew was that they were visiting Plastique’s family in Vietnam over the summer and that the tickets were already paid for. Or that’s what Yvie told her, anyway, when she made a quick stop in California before heading to Hawaii to see her girlfriend.

Kameron is as strong as ever and almost crushes Crystal in a hug that leaves her breathless.

“Always a pleasure to see you, Kam,” she says, and Kameron laughs wholeheartedly upon seeing her expression.

“How are you, Crys? Where’s your surfboard? I thought I could get some cool photos of you and ‘Ness,” Kameron inquires, reaching for her professional camera carefully tucked in her backpack.

“Ah, I left it at my hotel room. I was having lunch when Vanj told me y’all were here already, and the restaurant was a few streets down, so.” She shrugs, taking the hair tie on her wristband to try and collect her short hair in a low ponytail.

“Aw, d’you have money to rent one? I wanted to beat you like Shea Couleé beat you in Hawaii, so I can have a taste of how it’ll feel to win tomorrow,” Vanessa teases her, placing her head on Kameron’s shoulder. Crystal rolls her eyes, both due to Vanessa’s cockiness and how disgustingly cute they are.

“You talk a big game, but I’m sure that I can beat you harder than Shea Coulee beat me!” Crystal retorts, earning a loud laugh from Kameron and Vanessa. She laughs too, and proceeds to tell Vanessa she has enough to rent a surfboard for maybe an hour. Vanessa claps excitedly, grabbing her hand and guiding her to the rental shack, before giving Kameron a quick kiss, promising to be back in a second.

Crystal rolls her eyes again. She can’t stand affection right now, not when she told her latest girl she was leaving yesterday and she stood her up at the airport, not even bothering to send her a goodbye text.

It’s disappointing, because she thought maybe this girl was like Gigi and she cared the tiniest bit about her.

But Gigi is unique. There probably won’t be anyone like her ever again, and Crystal is at peace with that for some odd reason.

They tried to stay in contact once they left Honolulu, but life is hectic, and it was becoming quite hard to juggle college, her job, and texting a girl half a country away on the regular. The last time they talked was on Crystal’s birthday, a simple “Happy birthday, babe!” with a heart and a globe emoji attached to it. Crystal liked the message and replied with a polite ‘thank you’, and that was it.

She tries to remember where in California Gigi said she was from. Maybe, if there’s the tiniest bit of coincidence that she lives near, they can have a movie-like reunion and revive those three weeks together, but she doesn’t get her hopes up.

*

Maybe Gigi doesn’t hate beaches that much after all.

Well, she can’t say that right now, not when she’s the only one without a girlfriend to spend summer with — Brita is going out with a girl from her class, after she spent all year long complaining about her and her shit attitude, Jan has a long distance girlfriend whom she talks with every day and swears is coming to see her before summer ends, and Jackie and Nicky are so sweet together it’s disgusting.

She feels left out, somehow. Probably because all they talk about in recent times is their partners and love lives, and Gigi hasn’t had a proper date since April, when they set her up with a senior called Pearl and their date went awful. She’s pretty sure Pearl is now dating someone else, though.

“Geeg, do you wanna come with me to get a smoothie?” Brita asks, sounding only a little bit impatient. Gigi cocks a sly brow when she notices it’s the second time in the hour she’s going for a smoothie.

“Brita, for the last time, Aiden is working and you shouldn’t be spending all your money on smoothies. The chemical bathrooms are a mess,” Jackie scolds her, briefly stopping running her fingers through Nicky’s hair, who’s lying across Jackie’s lap.

Brita folds her arms, saying, that ‘for the last time, it has nothing to do with the fact Aiden works there’, when suddenly Jan shoots up and runs off, leaving all the girls surprised.

They call for her and try to follow her as well as they can, when they spot her running into a woman’s arms, and the woman lifts her from the ground, spinning her around. They kiss while Jan is in the air, and Gigi can’t help but to roll her eyes.

Great, another pair of lovebirds she has to put up with.

Jan meets them back at their spot after kissing her girlfriend for what felt like a lifetime and introduces her as Jaida. Gigi vaguely remembers her from somewhere else.

“We met last year in Hawaii, and went out while Jay was there! We’ve been texting a lot since then, and remember that I went to Milwaukee for winter break?” Jan explains excitedly, snuggling closer to Jaida with each word she speaks. Gigi tries not to roll her eyes when Jan tells them, for maybe the hundredth time, how Jaida asked her to be her girlfriend when she visited her over winter break. Jan kisses Jaida’s cheek once she’s done talking, and Jaida just smiles brightly.

“I couldn’t pass the opportunity! You had me hooked since the moment I met you, and since this was my senior year, y’know, I thought we could make it work once I graduated,” Jaida says, bringing Jan closer by her waist and kissing her forehead.

“What were you studying?” Nicky inquires.

“I’m a communications major, and as of now I’m trying to get a job around here, so I can finally move out of my little town. And, ‘sides Jan, the beach here is always a plus. It’s a surfer’s dream,” Jaida explains, chuckling softly, and soon she’s bombarded with questions about her sport.

The fact she’s a surfer makes Gigi think of Crystal. She could’ve also had a surfer girlfriend if she tried hard enough to make it work, but she guessed that just wasn’t meant to be like Jaida and Jan.

She thinks of asking Jaida about Crystal, but decides against it. She still has Crystal’s Instagram and follows her page religiously. All she has to do is send her a text, but she doesn’t have the courage to do so after so much time having passed.

“Hey, girls? I’m gonna get ice cream, I’ll be back in a moment,” Gigi announces, grabbing her phone and shoving a couple of dollars into her phone case. She’s running away from the lovey-dovey couples more than anything, though she could also use some ice cream to help her cope.

She walks aimlessly around the beach, trying to remember where she saw the ice cream stand, avoiding children that are running around with water guns in their hands and screeching like banshees. Some beach balls are thrown her way, and she kicks them back with ease, dismissing the people that scream ‘I’m sorry’ towards her.

Gigi has learned to appreciate the unique chaos of the beach, even if she still gets annoyed at little things like the long queues to buy ice cream, and the disgusting chemical bathrooms. In the end, these are little details in the grand scheme of things.

Crystal taught her that.

It’s stupid how often she thinks about Crystal. When she starts forgetting the sound of her voice, she replays the audio messages she sent her. And sometimes, if she concentrates hard enough, she can feel the ghost of a kiss burning on her neck.

Perhaps she should download Tinder again and get a grip.

Gigi finally finds the ice cream stand she was looking for and buys the biggest cone there is, with scoops of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. She likes to keep it classy.

She’s slowly making her way back as she licks the Ice cream, wondering if her friends would believe her if she said she has a headache and is going home. Gigi really has no will whatsoever to sit through an entire evening of her friends rubbing their relationships in her face, while she’s painfully—

“Gigi?”

Gigi freezes mid-movement, looking for that voice she’s heard one too many times through audio messages. She finds the owner of said voice standing a few feet away, with her hair, that was once long and ebony, cut above her shoulders, dyed in a deep green that looks almost black, wearing a stupid yellow Hawaiian shirt over a red bikini, holding a surfboard under her arm.

She blinks repeatedly before realizing it’s not her mind playing a trick on her. It really is Crystal who’s approaching her.

“Crystal,” she manages to say, staring at her. Crystal’s smile is still the same, and her plump lips are as kissable as ever. She has a new piercing in her belly button; Gigi thinks it suits her. “It’s— I didn’t— You’re in California,” Gigi blurts out, and Crystal smirks.

“I am, yeah. I arrived this morning,” she says, a blush creeping onto her cheeks, but Gigi decides to think it’s a sunburn. “I was gonna, uh, I was gonna practice with Vanessa for a bit. She’s got a competition tomorrow, here,” Crystal comments awkwardly, making Gigi wonder where has the cheeky Crystal she knew gone.

“Are you participating too?” She asks, licking her melting ice cream.

Crystal shakes her head no, much to Gigi’s surprise.

“Oh, no, I’m sitting this one out. I didn’t have the time to sign up for this one; I was in Honolulu for another competition, like every year. I came in second. I did get a consolation prize and some money, though,” Crystal explains, going from excited to disappointed, and excited again in the span of a few seconds. Gigi giggles; she’s missed Crystal’s enthusiasm.

“How long are you staying?” Gigi asks, with a tinge of hopefulness in her tone. Crystal smiles softly, tapping on the surfboard.

“Like, three days,” she replies, biting her lower lip. Gigi’s heart sinks for a moment, but she continues. “You think that’s enough time to catch up before I’m back to Missouri?” Crystal asks, sounding way too sheepish.

A smile spreads on Gigi’s face, immediately thinking of all the things they can do together while she’s in the city, and a squeal of happiness escapes her mouth before she realizes.

“Oh my God, yes! I mean, it’s not as much time as I would want, but we could make it work,” Gigi assures her, and Crystal nods, giving her a toothy smile.

“We can make it work,” she repeats. Gigi nods dumbly, licking her ice cream again when she feels her hand get sticky with the melted cream. Crystal stifles a laugh. “I have to catch up with Vanjie, but, uh, do you wanna go for a swim together when I’m done?” Crystal asks, as if she didn’t know Gigi would say yes.

Gigi nods, and Crystal is already turning around to go to her friend, when Gigi tugs on her arm. She turns around, careful as not to smack any kid with her surfboard, and before she can say anything, Gigi steals a kiss from her.

“I’ve missed you,” she breathes out against her lips, and she can feel Crystal smiling before kissing her back.

“Summer’s way funnier with you,” she mumbles in response, forgetting about Vanessa, who’s waiting for her. The only thing she can think of right now is Gigi and how much she’s missed her lips.

[mayapenelopeclutterbucket]

Thoughts I had while watching TGD 3x09 “Incomplete” aka the ep where I died and came back to life

Finally editing my thoughts post and should be able to watch the mid season finale live tonight and I’m so excited!!!

Fuck fuck fuck yalll I’m not ready but I am melendaire group chat popped off about this ep and I accidentally saw a slight spoiler when going thru my explore page on twitter and did my eyes deceive me OR DID I SEE A MELENDAIRE COMFORT HEART TO HEART MOMENT JESUS FUCKING CHRIST I COULDNT TAKE IT AND GASPED AND HAVE BEEN SMILING AND EXCITED SINCE SEEING THAT FOR THIS BLESSED EP AND IM PRETTY SURE MELENDAIRE ARE GONNA HAVE A BONDING MOMENT IN THE NEXT EP BY RUNNING TOGETHER AND HOLY SHIT I CANT DEAL

I seriously am so excited I can’t contain myself and haven’t even started the ep I just squealed like 2 minutes ago about it 😂

Those eggs look nasty af but omg how cute a resident’s picture celebrating Claire’s birthday 😭😭 and Morgan is even holding the cake

Antonia thomas is so pretty excuse my crush I know I say this every ep

And oh Claire I hope/believe you’ll get help this ep and stop spiraling

Aww Debbie helping shaun how cute

The second hand embarrassment for me is strong but omg that shit was so adorable Carly has no shame in saying yes I’m so happy for sharly

Oh Claire bby yeah you’re gonna have to deal with your issues

Oh fuck that is not a coincidence that Melendez is saying him and lim aren’t together in front!!! Of!!! Claire!!!

Oh my god Claire plz don’t tell me you know that because you were also on ecstasy! And yeah Melendez is sus af is that why he seemed angry with her in the promo because she was doing molly 😩

Oof maybe not at least not yet he looked so proud of his baby

Lmao Morgan and shaun bonding over first times

Oh god no not an awkward l*mlendez moment 🤢

Y’all that’s Emily from make it or break it

I’m with Morgan on this like really your life is worth dying over having sex/an orgasm. Morgan is gonna pull a Claire and keep fighting for her patient to have the surgery

Damn Claire why didn’t you let park go in there to help the patient instead and fuck this dude haaaard

Oh my god Claire no plz tell me you’re not about to confess

Oh my god the irony y’all really love to torture Claire huh gonna have the wife suspicious about and affair to the woman your husband cheated on you with?!!!?

Plz don’t have her believe she’s making it up Claire I know you’re gonna confess before the ep ends

Aww Carly is a heart tattoo cute

Aww shaun what happened everything was going so well

Lmaoo the look they both gave Debbie to get out

Fuck Morgan up Carly as I much I love my bby she can cross a line but omg is this Morgan actually caring about shaun or attempting lmao

That’s right lim DON’T HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS about breaking up with him

Wow is Morgan actually telling the truth about this heart to heart story?? is she about to break up an engagement god damn

Oof is Claire about to tell this asshole off damn Claire getting called out so it was the opposite way around

Oh shit foreshadowing to his parents since Shaun’s dad is gonna be on his deathbed

Park leave Claire alone please and stfu why didn’t YOU check on him he’s also YOUR patient 🙄 men are trash and instead of bombarding Claire since you’ve noticed her spiraling why not actually ask if she was okay

Glassman you’ve been overbearing to shaun the whole fucking time you’ve known him and get pissed at him when he wants you to leave him alone but now that he’s asking you for help and advice suddenly you’re done with him?!!? Wtf

Yeah glassy is def gonna regret that when shaun comes back and doesn’t talk to him about his shitty dad dying

This hoe about to leave his fiancée

Melendez being so proud of his boo

For it!!!!

Carly filling in her tattoo was cute af ngl

Oh shaun bby you cant keep putting Carly thru that and yourself for that matter

Claire telling the wife she needs to insist on the truth has me worried she’s about to get slapped in front of the whole hospital omg

God damn it I needed closure and l*mlendez to end is this finally it 😭 because Melendez didn’t fight for her after she admitted to having second thoughts god bless 🙌🏼🙌🏼

I’m emotional 😭 don’t touch me the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen and ended so quick they always get my hopes up with sharly

AND HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHY DID MELENDAIRE GROUP CHAT HAVE TO BE RIGHT ABOUT OUR THEORY WE TOSSED AROUND OF CLAIRE GETTING SLAPPED WHY DID I HAVE TO BE RIGHT?!

At least not that many people were around and Melendez looks concerned af

Oh my oh my god oh my god he followed her down all those flights of stairs to make sure she was okay and comfort her omggg I can’t y’all I can’t I have to pause and take a deep breath

Omg no I needed that scene longer!!!!!!

Okay so you get the news Shaun’s dad is dying and you almost weren’t gonna go tell him what the fuck glassman

I need glassy gone ASAP I’m so done with his character and storyline 🤦🏻‍♀️

That’s it the ep is over we’re not gonna pan back to the melendaire scene I HAVE BEEN DYING FOR I WISH IT WAS LONGER BUT OMG IM SO GRATEFUL AND HAPPY WITH WHAT WE GOT like it’s not freakin coincidence that Melendez is the one to comfort Claire oh my god I’m still freaking out about that scene that slow pan to Neil our ship is back in the running y’all take THAT

And Melendez is gonna help Claire thru her grief and destructive tendencies from the look of the promo pics so I CANNOT WAIT MORE MELENDAIRE CONTENT HERE WE COME (it look like they’re spending time together outside the hospital and running and stuff 🙏🏼

And is that lea embracing shaun this next ep is gonna break me huh

Ngl and please don’t shoot me but I lowkey miss shea like season 1 them was *chefs kiss*

[artificialqueens]

A Whole Lifetime (Trixya) - Lyonne-dlm & Saiphl

Late, but stomping, we join the #TrixyaWrimo from Tumblr.

This is the first of -hopefully- many colaborations with Jania.

Also, I must tell you that this baby wasn’t betaed at all, and we’re not english natives so we excuse our grammar mistakes beforehand.

A WHOLE LIFETIME

When Trixie woke up to the sound of a raspy female voice and images of what seemed to be a gallery, she had just turned fifteen and was part excited, part disappointed she didn’t get to see her soulmate’s face.

Now, eleven years after that, her frustration was growing with every day she expected to find her and it just didn’t happen. Friends like Shea or Kim had already found their soulmates, and they were utterly happy, on the other hand, there were Pearl and her, that -for the hundredth time- were having the same discussion.

“Come on Pearl, At least you know her face”, Trixie said to make her point clear.

“I swear Trix, it’s awful to get some kind of hope when you see a single sign of who could be her and find out the stranger you saw has blue eyes or her nose is small and pointy… Even finding a guy who looks like a slender girl.” Pearl retorted, annoyed with her negativity. “You just get a voice, but you don’t get the weight of an image", she added, matter of factly. “And believe when I say that knowing her face doesn’t make things any easier. It doesn’t matter when you wake up everyday with the resolution of finding the one and get your heart shattered every single time.”

Pearl pressed the bridge of her nose, then looked at Trixie with a sad expression. “I’ve seen her happy, and sad. I’ve seen her grow up and change, I’ve already fell in love with her and I can’t reach her.”

“I am just mad cause you know who are you looking for, I don’t have an idea of how she looks like, all i know is that her voice is raspy.”, Trixie backfired, trying to hide the hurting on her words, somehow failing and making Pearl sink on her chair.

“I have a face, yeah… but you at least know what’s she’s gonna say when you meet her!” The blonde girl sighed, taking a brief and ashamed look at her friend. “I know it’s hard girl, our besties found their ones almost around the corner. We just have to keep trying.” She added, reaching for her friend’s hand.

“I know Pearlie, but I wonder if it will really happen,” Trixie speculated, more to herself than for the sake of the conversation. “I just wish I had more than just phrases and the sound of her voice. Hearing ‘I love yous’ and ‘everything will be fines’ always comes in handy”, Trixie sighed. “But I’d rather it to come with dunno… a hug or a good nite kiss.”

Pearl held back a laugh, and looked at Trixie saying, "At least we know they’re girls. I’ve met a guy in college who’s soulmate was a man, and he was totally an hetero!” Trixie cackled and Pearl continued with her story “He lived scared shitless to find the guy, ‘cause he didn’t want to find out that he was meant to be gay.” Trixie frowns, “poor thing, he was miserable with the idea of having to suck dick. Not that I can blame him, but you get the point” Pearl ends the story, breaking the stiffness of Trixie’s face. “On the bright side, you’ll be surprised whenever you and your soulmate find each other.”

“It’s just…I’m starting to think it won’t ever happen”, Trixie admitted, deflated and starting to sink in her chair. “I’ve been looking around, paying attention, listening to every single person around me,” she said, “and then, nothing happens Pearl… nothing.”

Pearl sighed deeply, “Don’t lose hope, I know for sure yours is already in love with you and trying to find you.”

Trixie reached for her hand to hold it and said “and yours is lucky to already have you, girl.” Trixie gave a side look to her watch and cursed. “Shit! I’m late now bitch, we’ll end this discussion tonight, I have a meeting to reach!” With those words, Trixie rushed to her meeting, with the sound of that raspy voice echoing in her head.

The way to her meeting was long and heavy, and the meeting itself was nothing less than tiring, at the end, Trixie, her manager and the recording label finally agreed on signing a contract, which was followed by a brief celebration cocktail in other hall of the luxurious hotel. While her manager arranged the final details of the contract, Trixie sat in the bar settling for a whisky on the rocks, se was distractedly looking around, suddenly, she felt all the air in her lungs leave in a punch.

Hanging on a far wall of the place, there was a painting, that showed the face of a blonde teenager on the verge of tears; the long waves of golden hair falling down her back and the reflection on the mirror, showing the slightly visible lines of dry tears down her cheeks. Trixie felt something familiar on the image, she walked across the room until she faced the painting.

She remembered that face, the crying lines on her cheeks and the infinite sadness that she was barely allowed to show. It was the day of her eighteenth birthday, after her parents found out her soulmate was a woman, and not a man as they wished. The memory still fresh on her head, her mother and father discussing how disappointed they were, how miserable they felt… but must of all, wishing for her to never find her soulmate, ‘cause it may be too embarrassing for them. She remembered how her eyes stung with the silent tears, how she looked in the mirror to check if they weren’t too swell or red

She reached with a hand to touch the painting, recalling with stinging precision how much she liked the pink sundress she was wearing, and also how she teared it to shreds after hearing that conversation. The pain still fresh in her heart, and the adamantine resolution to leave that house as soon as she could, and never look back. Life had changed from those painful times, now Trixie was building herself a life, and found friends that not only understood, but also supported her. The only thing missing, was her, the mystery woman of the raspy voice.

Lost on her thoughts, Trixie didn’t realized she was being called, until her manager put a hand on her shoulder, “Wow Trixie, the girl on the painting, looks just like you, it’s eerie”. She half laughed and then asked him to find out who did the painting. She wanted… no, SHE-NEEDED to know. Trixie’s urge to find the author led them to the Hotel’s owner, who said he bought that paint from an unknown street artist.

———

Since the day Katya dreamed for the first time with her soulmate, she took the first pencil and the first sketchbook that her hands reached to draw her, Katya always considered herself lucky she gotta see her soulmate almost every night, she got to memorize every aspect of her face the little mole at the side of her mouth or the light freckles that covered her cheeks. She could see her smile and how her golden curls framed her face to perfection, and some days even could see her sad, those were the ones that broke her heart, ‘cause she wasn’t there to hold her safe.

Katya recalled feeling excited when she saw her face, as time passed by, she assumed that the blonde girl will be an important part of her life, and even got used to talk to her image on the painting and sketches she always was drawing of her. One day, a few months after her nineteenth birthday, she realized she was in love with the blonde girl in her dreams, she knew it from the moment she finished the only painting of her she sold without hesitation, the one where she was crying.

Now she’s twenty seven and things haven’t been as easy as she thought it would be. She hasn’t found her soulmate yet. First she started looking through the crowd for long waves of golden curls, looking for the matching pair of hazel eyes. Then she looked for pieces of clothing, bright and baby pink pieces of clothing, to be precise. Finally, and along the years, faithful to her greatest talent, she started painting her.

Sometimes optimist, some others not much, Katya kept painting and showing her work wherever she went ‘If blonde girl doesn’t come to me, then I’ll find her’. She repeated that to herself so often that one day, she realized that those paintings and matra gave her comfort

And those same painting led her to where she is now, her first exhibition. She was more than excited ‘cause the art gallery invited her from a handful of young plastic artists, and the best part, was the whole row of the blonde girl portraits. From the very first sketch of the freckled teenager, to the most elaborated images of her as a gorgeous woman.

Katya carefully selected the pieces for her exhibition, regretting for a second having sold that portrait of the sad blonde girl. Still that piece was so raw, real and sad that she couldn’t stand it, she couldn’t stand seeing her so broken, it was so personal it couldn’t be part of the exhibit not with people knowing her unknown soulmate was the one in those paintings. Sighing to the blank space on the wall, she took one last frame, her favorite; the first sketch she ever made of her beautiful blonde girl; light and graphite surrounded by the pristine whiteness of the paper of her sketchbook.

“You see? that’s perfect, now everyone will see you’re perfect, everyone will know I’m looking for you”, she said with a huge grin on her face, “and I promise baby, I promise we’ll be alright… together.”

“Katya, is everything set up?”, Raja’s voice dragged her from the daydreaming. “If you’re done, I guess you can go home, we’re all ready for the opening.” Lazily, the tall woman stood behind Katya, looking at the sketch she just hung on the wall. “That’s incredible Katya… whatever, who’s that girl? do you know her?”, she asked, a note of pure curiosity sneaking on her voice.

Katya nodded, then shook, “I know her, but I don’t… I’ve been dreaming of her since I was sixteen.”

“Ohh, so is she your soulmate?”, Raja asked, a kind smile showing on her lips. “I dreamt of Nila since I was fifteen, it took me eight years and a tortuous family trip to find her.” She shared, her chiseled frame softening to the mention of her soulmate.

”Oui, this one right here was the first time i dreamed of her, i just had to take my pencils and start to draw her” Katya showed proudly the sketch, which Raja looked at, amused. “I know it has a lot of technical failures, and the proportions are mistaken, but It’s the first glimpse I got of her, this wouldn’t be complete without it.” Raja nodded in agreement, then the both of them walked out the gallery. Splitting their ways to take their respectives cabs.

While on the cab she thought about how would it feel to come home to your soulmate arms. Truth to be told, the wish to find her, mixed with her natural anxiety, were taking the best of her. Was she what her soulmate expected? Would she be disappointed? It was going to be one of those sleepless nights, which meant Katya’s chances to see her were even slimmer than every other day.

All the way home, Katya was feeling uneasy, something inside her warning that something was going to change. With trembling hands and tapping the tip of her feet she counted the streetlights on her way home. paying the taxi driver and just absentmindedly walking to her apartment, opening the door and throwing everything on the nearest couch.

The lights of the city barely sneaking through the windows and reflecting over the wall her only lead on the rush to her bedroom. Muscle memory working its magic by taking her to the nightstand beside her bed, where she immediately took, protective, the frame holding the very first full draw she did of her soulmate, “I’m home baby… I love you.” Maybe she was crazy by telling to a drawing that she loved it, but deep down something told her that somewhere, she was listening to her voice.

It was going to be a sleepless night for her, but if she was listening, then it’ll be worthy. She did her best trying to sleep, from taking a relaxing shower, to the desperate resource of having a cup of warm chocolate milk, and nothing seemed to work. She cried in frustration, how was she going to find her if she wasn’t able to see her? Also, how was she going to cope with the most important exhibition of her blooming career without being able to sleep? The answer to those questions never came, neither the so needed image of her soulmate, or the ability to at least, get a couple of hours of sleep.

Giving up on it, she brewed some coffee, took the notes she made about the paintings she was showing and started reading. She’ll have longer day even, so she better at push through it with caffeine energy. The first lights of the sunrise caught her on the couch of her living room, looking absentmindedly through the window under a soft fleece blanket and holding close to her heart the frame from the nightstand.

After downing the last cup of coffee, she started to get ready. She changed her clothes, tidied the messy bed, went for shopping and got back to water her plants. She still had some hours before the exhibit inauguration, so she felt like going to paint. Getting her hands busy would settle her down.

———————

If there was a word to describe what Trixie was feeling, that might be impatient. It had been almost twelve hours since she found that painting, it had been the longest almost twelve hours of her life. Even though she had barely slept, a warm feeling spread through her chest, as if everything was going to be alright… not good enough to calm her down, but at least to not panic.

When she got to actually sleep she only had time to sleep 3 hours but it didn’t mattered cause she got an i love you. Wasn’t it weird? she doesn’t know anything about her but still she gets an i love you from her. Lost in her thoughts, she almost faint with the beep of a message on her phone.

Slay Coulee: Morning bitch! u awake or still hearing the voice of your madness? Slay Coulee: Answer the phone bitch! I know ur there, ur fkn online bitch! Tracy Martell: Is that a way to wake your best friend and bridesmaid to be? Tracy Martell: I’ll give you a clue: IT-IS-NOT-BITCH! Slay Coulee: Uh, someone is moody today Tracy Martell: I barely slept… so, no, I’m not the happiest camper Slay Coulee: u barely slept? fuck… u’re gonna be a n8mare Tracy Martell: your writing is giving me a headache Tracy Martell: what do my, sweet and charming best friend needs at this unholy hours of the morning? Slay Coulee: just sayin’ g’mornin’ bitch, and your not-so-friendly-reminder, that today is Sasha’s opening evening Slay Coulee: so if you still want to be the bridesmaid, you have to be there Tracy Martell: that’s basically bribing, I hate you Slay Coulee: I love you too, don’t be late Mattel!!! Tracy Martell: get a life Bridezilla! Tracy Martell: If i am alive by then i am gonna try and go, no promises tho Slay Coulee: CU there bitch, Pearl will be the bridesmaid if you don’t go Slay Coulee: and it will be in your conscience if my wedding gets screwed by a stoned bridesmaid Tracy Martell: No, it won’t. And I’m going to be laughing of how karma makes its way to you Slay Coulee: I mean it bitch… bye

Trixie grunted to the screen of her phone, truth to be told, she had totally forgotten about Sasha’s exhibit, and also that Shea had told her at least two months ago. Truth to be told, Trixie didn’t have the strength, the will or the remains of patience to go to an art gallery while waiting for some information of the author of her portrait.

She snuggled under her bed cover, where she felt safe. Her mind slowly sliding into the dizziness of her sleepless night and her body begging to rest. Not so sure of how much time she spent on the bed, the beep of her phone made her jump. The screen flashing a message from her Manager, who forwarded the address and references of where the owner of the hotel found the portrait.

Not wanting to lose more time, she pulled some comfy yet stylish clothes and made her way to the address sent to her. She was amused when she found herself at the park that was a few blocks away from her apartment. ‘could she have been here all the time and I didn’t notice?’, Trixie wondered, part excited, part terrified of what she would find. With the picture she took of the portrait, she started walking among the young artists that were there selling their work.

No one seem to know who she was looking for, none of them recognized her, nor the portrait and definitely, none of them had her voice. Trixie couldn’t help feeling deflated, she got hopeful of finding her. ‘Cause no one but her soulmate could have painted her with such a precision… there was no one when she cried over her parents discussion, no one but her could have seen that pink sundress.

By three pm she called it quits, all the artist that she went to told her that, that they haven’t seen that kind of technique in any of the artists in the park, she was deflated and her body was about to give up of tiredness and the headache that came with it. Once she was back home, she barely made it through the couch, where she fell over, face down and just conscious of the life on her veins with her lungs working to keep her breathing.

Her only clue turned out to be either outdated or wrong, so she was focusing on her breathing cause she really didn’t want to cry right now, and with all the remains of her willpower, she got up from the couch, cleaned her face and got to bed.

Tracy Martell: Tell Pearl she’ll be an amazing bridesmaid

Once she sent the message, she put on some ear plugs and wrapped herself on the bed, easily drifting into what became some hours of some restless sleep. The weirdest dreams went through her head, from listening the raspy voice almost cackling to her desperate attempts to find it, and then shifting to a cry of sorrow, that made her feel like a failure. Then a buzz… where does that come from?, she wondered in the deep of her mind.

Another buzz, what the fuck is that?, she asked to the air, just to get an answer of the echo of her voice. One more buzz, the one that made her jump. Her phone falling from the nightstand to her arm. It had to be buzzing for a long time for that to happen. Still half asleep, she took the device and checked on the screen, just to find a zillion messages and 10 missed calls from Shea.

The phone started buzzing again as a call came, showing Shea’s name on the screen. Trixie answered the call, while taking off one of the ear plugs, “Shea what in the actual fuck? Why did you spammed my messages? It’d better be an emergency or…”

Shea’s voice came rambling in a barely audible whisper,"I think your soulmate is in the gallery, where Sasha is exposing” she said, part excited, part still trying to keep her tone as low as possible.

Fighting back the annoyance in her voice, Trixie rolled her eyes and held a huff, answering in a flat tone "I know Sasha is aweso… what?” She stopped herself, realizing what she just heard. “What did you just say?”, she asked feeling her heart starting to beat as fast as the wings of a hummingbird.

Shea took a deep breathe, and hurriedly kept whispering, “There’s a whole row of pictures of you, with really similar style to the one you found in the hotel and Trixie, hurry there’s like an hour left till this closes.”

Trixie gave her a hurried thank you and then finished the call. She didn’t have time to do her face, not even to pull a decent hairdo, she barely had time to put some semi-decent clothes, while the uber she called arrived. The location Shea gave her wasn’t so far from her home, but each traffic light and little jams on the street made her curse her former lack of will to go to the exhibit.

When the car finally stopped outside the gallery, she could see a tall woman with olive skin having a cigarette and talking to a gorgeous asian woman, who looked at her as if she had put the stars on the sky, a pang of jealousy stung her chest, but she had no time to lose, according to the invitation she received, the exhibition was about to close and she had less than ten minutes. Then, all her chances would be screwed.

Entering the gallery she felt the world fall. There were barely 10 people left, and Shea jogged to her “come on girl, follow me.” Smiling, she took her hand and dragged her to the row that showed her growing, from her teens, to the Trixie she just saw in the rear view mirror of the uber. Breathless, she released her hand from Shea’s grip and absentmindedly walked to the very first portrait, a sketch of her face drawn in black and white.

A tear fell from her eyes, she was closer than ever to that voice, that one that always comforted her in her worst moments, exactly the same one that brought her back from her thoughts with a loud cackle. She heard steps approaching, and she was too nervous to even decide to turn around, “excuse me, we’re about to close, but we’ll be open tomorrow from 10…” She heard the voice of her dreams, while feeling the weight of a hand landing softly on her right shoulder.

Slowly turning around, a part of her couldn’t wait to see the face of the person behind her, the other part on the verge of a breakdown full of what ifs…

Katya’s breath hitched while the young blonde in front of her was turning. The same golden wavy blonde hair, the high cheekbones, the plump pink lips, a pointed nose she knew so well from drawing it from more than a decade now. It was undoubtedly her, the girl in her dreams. The girl she had been looking for tirelessly, never giving up even though she found her spirits down with each mistaken girl.

“Hi”, Katya said with a sigh as if air wasn’t enough; a wide smile spreading on her lips. “I… I’m Katya, and I think I am your soulmate.” Not thinking at all, she reached to touch Trixie’s face, totally forgetting she had still some fresh paint stains on her fingers from the quick doodle she was making on the back room.

“Oh wow… I am Trixie, Trixie Mattel and I surely am your soulmate,” Trixie said, instinctively leaning on Katya’s touch, where her face perfectly fitted. “And I think you’ve just finger painted my face” she added with a soft smile and a warm feeling spreading through her chest when Katya’s cheeks starting turning red.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry” Katya tried to pull her hand out, just to find Trixie was holding it with her own. It was even better than she thought it would be; it was just perfect. “I… just… just give me a… no, come with me, let’s get you cleaned and grab my stuff” she said, not moving at all, still caught on the brightness of Trixie’s hazel eyes. “You are even more beautiful than I ever imagined you.”

Trixie blushed and felt a stream of tears falling down her cheek. Katya looked at her, a worried expression on her face. “I… I wanted to say thank you.” She took a deep breathe, closing her eyes, just to look back at her in full emotion “thanks for the good nights, and the good mornings… for all those I’m homes… but most of all, thank you for all those I love yous.”

“It’s ok baby doll… now everything’s going to be alright. We’re going to be alright.” Katya said for the first time to her, and not to her image, and knowing for sure that from now onwards, everything was going to be fine. Just because they found each other.

After all the paint was off Trixie’s face and Katya’s hands they sat together still not believing the other was real, and the most important, in front of the other. “I think we have a whole life to catch up,huh?”

“Yeah… a whole life.” With those words, trixie leaned to join Katya by the forehead. “Thanks for not giving up. I love you”, then she reached to finally kiss her lips.

[13flowersandfoxes]

Uhhh how about 1-100 please? 😘

1. What is you middle name?Nope
2. How old are you?20
3. When is your birthday?Nov 27
4. What is your zodiac sign?Sagittarius 
5. What is your favorite color?Purple or green
6. What’s your lucky number?Look at my URL :)
7. Do you have any pets?A cat and a dog
8. Where are you from?Southern California 
9. How tall are you?5'11
10. What shoe size are you? 10
11. How many pairs of shoes do you own?A lot
12. What was your last dream about?I dunno. 
13. What talents do you have?Being weird. Annoying cats and people. Cooking. Drinking Dr Pepper and water. But really I dunno. 
14. Are you psychic in any way?No. closest thing is i read people and their emotions pretty well but I don’t consider that psychic, just sensitive to people’s emotions. 
15. Favorite song?Sea Green See Blue by Lily Allen
16. Favorite movie?I have too many and I’m too tired to think of that. 
17. Who would be your ideal partner?Someone who is honest, attentive, loving, polite. Supportive. Not dependent on me and doesn’t expect that of me either, encourages what I love, and shows interest in it. Basically I want someone who doesn’t make me doubt myself and doesn’t depend on me (cause I’m not strong enough for the kind of guys who do that to me TBH) 
18. Do you want children?Possibly. I doubt myself and my abilities and patience in that realm, I definitely don’t want a lot of kids. 2-3 is probably what I’d want if I had them. For now I’m happy with animals though cause they don’t drain me as much. 
19. Do you want a church wedding?Yes. 
20. Are you religious?Yes. 
21. Have you ever been to the hospital?Lol yes. 
22. Have you ever got in trouble with the law?Nope. Have been taken from home in a cop car though 😉
23. Have you ever met any celebrities?A few, mostly comic con. I think Paul mcgann or John Rhys Davies are like my favorite memories. Also this one actor who was a minor elf in lotr.
24. Baths or showers?Both
25. What color socks are you wearing?None
26. Have you ever been famous?Tumblr is the most famous I’ve been.

Or maybe when I screamed at the top of my lungs at a “make the most noise” contest during a raffle at my sisters college orientation. It was to win a stuffed tiger (the school mascot, but to me I just cared cause it was a tiger). I was left by myself to watch the tickets while my family went somewhere real quick and I really wanted it since the beginning of the raffle, so I just belted out the biggest scream I’ve ever done. Like everyone else was adults going “yeahhhhh” and here I am a little 9 year old just shrieking for a tiger toy.

I still have it. Lol. The judge was super impressed by my determination. 
27. Would you like to be a big celebrity?I’ve fantasized about it at times, as I do with lots of different lifestyles, and some things would be nice but I’d struggle with having my life picked to pieces and being criticized. I can hardly handle a mean asshole on this website lol. 
28. What type of music do you like?Rock, alternative, etc
29. Have you ever been skinny dipping?No
30. How many pillows do you sleep with?2
31. What position do you usually sleep in?Sides
32. How big is your house?Fairly big. 2 huge living rooms, a kitchen and dining room, “5” bedrooms and 3 baths and utility room. It’s 2 stories. I know it might sound massive to some of you, but it’s actually on the small side where I live, I’ve been in my friends house who claims her house is average and it’s practically a mansion, like 3 floors, huge yard, gorgeous looking. My house is pretty cheaply built holy shit I can’t even begin to tell you how shitty they built my house. The space is great but still. My old house in California was 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and fairly outdated on some of the style but it was well built and gorgeous I miss it so much. (That was a stupidly long answer lol)
33. What do you typically have for breakfast?Nothing, sometimes cereal
34. Have you ever fired a gun?Yeah! 😊 
35. Have you ever tried archery?Yes I have and I wanna learn to be better at it!
36. Favorite clean word?????
37. Favorite swear word?????
38. What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without sleep?I’m not sure
39. Do you have any scars?A few. Some nasty surgery scars, softball, self harm, and a scar from playing tag in 5th grade
40. Have you ever had a secret admirer?A couple times I think
41. Are you a good liar?Not really
42. Are you a good judge of character?Sometimes but I generally don’t trust people especially if I feel like they’re taking my friends 
43. Can you do any other accents other than your own?A few. Southern. Scottish. English. Aussie. That’s about it. 
44. Do you have a strong accent?If you think of a plain American accent with no particular “regionalism” as strong
45. What is your favorite accent?Scottish I guess 
46. What is your personality type?You mean like infj?
47. What is your most expensive piece of clothing?I’m not sure. I have a few expensive pieces 😬 
48. Can you curl your tongue?Yes
49. Are you an innie or an outie?what in the fuck does this mean*******
50. Left or right handed?Right
51. Are you scared of spiders?Not really. Not a particular fan though
52. Favorite food?I dunnooooooo
53. Favorite foreign food?Mexican is like my comfort food
54. Are you a clean or messy person?Messy person who tries to be neat
55. Most used phrased?I dunno I really hate these kinds of questions
56. Most used word?^^^^^^
57. How long does it take for you to get ready?5-60 minutes. Just depends 
58. Do you have much of an ego?Depends on the day
59. Do you suck or bite lollipops?Both
60. Do you talk to yourself?Not a lot
61. Do you sing to yourself?Sometimes 
62. Are you a good singer?I’m able to carry a tune well but I don’t like the actual sound of my voice.
63. Biggest Fear?Being alone and unloved 
64. Are you a gossip?A bit I guess? I don’t do it to be petty I just like knowing things. I’ve never spread false information, and it’s always stayed within a tight circle of friends. 
65. Best dramatic movie you’ve seen?Carol, Before We Go and Schindlers List are all up there. 
66. Do you like long or short hair?For myself I like long hair
67. Can you name all 50 states of America?Most likely
68. Favorite school subject?History or psych
69. Extrovert or Introvert?Introvert
70. Have you ever been scuba diving?No
71. What makes you nervous?Social interaction 
72. Are you scared of the dark?Slightly. It’s a childhood fear that I still carry a bit but I don’t mind it unless I think about it and let my imagination go
73. Do you correct people when they make mistakes?Sometimes. I’m lazy with my name even though I hate it
74. Are you ticklish?….. 
75. Have you ever started a rumor?Not that I recall but I won’t claim innocence cause nobody is innocent of petty shit
76. Have you ever been in a position of authority?Kind of. I was somewhat the assistant manager at my last job. And I tend to get put in leadership positions 
77. Have you ever drank underage?No
78. Have you ever done drugs?No
79. Who was your first real crush?Besides a kindergarten one? Maybe I guess shea my neighbor as a kid
80. How many piercings do you have?Just the pair of daiths
81. Can you roll your Rs?“Sometimes yes, sometimes no
82. How fast can you type?I dunno
83. How fast can you run?Not very
84. What color is your hair?Red
85. What color is your eyes?Green
86. What are you allergic to?Morphine
87. Do you keep a journal?I’m trying to do one I came up with an idea for. 
88. What do your parents do?My mom works at a retailer, my dad is an engineer. 
89. Do you like your age?I guess. 
90. What makes you angry?People who are unnecessarily mean. 
91. Do you like your own name?Yes. 
92. Have you already thought of baby names, and if so what are they?A few. I think a daughter may be an Elizabeth, Rose, or Billie, and a boy may be a Rory, Aster, or McKay. 
93. Do you want a boy a girl for a child?I’d like one of each but if I’d have to choose one probably a girl TBH cause my family is mostly girls. I mean I always seem to befriend more guys but say I was alone with a daughter (which I’d hope not to be) I’d know more about girls and their bodies
94. What are you strengths?Fashion, makeup, cooking. Caring too damn much. Idk. 
95. What are your weaknesses?Google BPD. Lol
96. How did you get your name?Hana Highway in Hawaii. Made my mom super sick. So did being pregnant with me. She connected the dots. Name idea. And it stuck. 
97. Were your ancestors royalty?Yeah my mom likes to do research on this and there’s some distant relation to English royalty
98. Do you have any scars?This same question is already in here
99. Color of your bedspread?Tan with blue. It’s pretty. 
100. Color of your room?My mom said she repainted it! Idk to what yet, but it’s been pink and yellow as a reminder of the 4 year old that used to live in my room so I’m gonna be so happy

[multiple-nerdery]

all

Heck thas too many

nvm ill doitt

Mercury: What’s your full name? jasper dean [eldritch horror noises] [last name omitted for privacy reasons]

Venus: What’s your first language? it english my dude n i speak it bad as shit

Earth: Where’s your home? i live in the gorgeous new york city

Mars: What’s your sexuality? im ace as hell but my gf is really hot and the closest thing i feel to attraction is towards her

Jupiter: Do you have any siblings? thank god, no

Saturn: Any pets? i wish

Uranus: What’s your hobby? idkfk dude smtimes i mak music

Neptune: When’s your birthday? it was three weeks ago (on a sunday)

Pluto: What time is it right now where you are? 105 am

Moon: What are you currently studying/hope to study? math phys ics dude

Sun: Have you ever had alcohol? ummmmmm i get fukd up on th weekly

Sirius: Have you ever failed a class? not yet but looks likemayb soon

Rigel: Have you ever gone on a rollercoaster? yeyeyeye

Deneb: Have you ever been out of your home country? umm yeah ofc because gotta escap/ coolest place ive been was s africa. i can no longer afford even intranational travel tho rip

Arcturus: Have you cried out of something other than sadness? happiness

Betelgeuse: What’s something you can never forget about? in a positive way, daniel. in a negative way, ahngst

Aldebaran: What’s something you care desperately about? all my friends

Canopus: Have you ever broken a bone? nah but i tore a ligment once n had t get a cast

Bellatrix: Have you ever been forced to lie/keep a secret? ive been asked too never forced tho

Alphard: Have you ever lost a friend? only to time and awkwardness, never to death yet

Vega: What’s something you’ve done that you wish you hadn’t? ahngst

Centaurus: Favourite holiday? i like halloween ok

Orion: Favourite month? september

Cassiopeia: Favourite book? rn its either anything by bukowski or twentieth century harmony by vincent persichetti

Delphinus: Favourite study? field of? its physics my guy

Hercules: Favourite instrument? my flying v guitar specifically

Gemini: Favourite song? rn its either omega by periphery, instinct by arch enemy or faded heart by borns

Pegasus: Favourite place to be? in my gfs arms

Libra: Favourite colour? purple

Phoenix: Favourite thing to wear? clothes that r confy

Aries: Favourite movie? inside llewyn davis

Cygnus: Favourite weather? not apolcalypticy

Hydra: Favourite sound? sheas voice

Milky Way: Who’s your oldest friend? my friend jake in the coast guard. i’ve known him since we were one

Andromeda: Do you consider yourself social? i can be if needed. I am not naturally

Black Eye Galaxy: Do you believe in love at first sight? nah. lve is a process n a choice that takes understranding n work

Cartwheel Galaxy: When was your first kiss? i was 16, it was a school dance, february. turned out to not be the best experience apparently which im sad about

Cigar Galaxy: How’s your flirting skills? anytime i miss my gf i just text her baaaaaaaaabe n thats the extent of my skills

Comet Galaxy: Have you ever had to leave a relationship because someone changed too much? i’ve never been the one to leave. ever

Pinwheel Galaxy: Would you date the last person you talked to? it was my gf so.............. ye lol

Sombrero Galaxy: Do you have a crush right now? oh shit guys, guess what, i might have a crush on my girlfriend shealyn dont tell her its too embarrassing

Bode’s Galaxy: Have you ever had a secret admirer? if so, they did a real good job keeping it secret

Sunflower Galaxy: Would you date/make friends with someone out of pity? nah.

Tadpole Galaxy: Would you deny a relationship/friendship? i’ve denied frinedships before. Actually, i’ve also denied relationships before

Whirlpool Galaxy: Have you ever cried over a breakup? my first one I sobbed a abit once i got home. The second one i didn’t parse, the third one i just kinda accepted. The fourth one i didnt cry but i spent the next month begging her to take me back. The fifth and last one i also didn’t parse but for different reasons.

Comet: What’s your big dream? be a physicist n musician, have a dececnt apartment with my gf, be content

Asteroid: What does your dream life look like? lots of jetpacks n guitars

Meteor: What’s something you wish you could tell, but can’t? i wish i could tell when people like me. Or if the spirit is different, I wish i could tell y’all about my ukrainian friend she’s fuken cool.

Nebula: If you could undo one thing in your life, what would it be? ahngst ahngst ahngst ahngst in a fuken second i’d undo all the stupid shit i thought said and did with that.

Shooting Star: If you could bring back one thing, what would it be? goth style

Pulsar: What do you hope to do in the next 10 years? die (jk jk i mean get my doctorate)

Supernova: What’s one thing you want to do before you die? I really want to go to space.

Quasar: If you could spend the rest of your life with only one person, who would it be? I have to say my girlfriend. I swear I could live with her forever and never grow bored.

Wormhole: What’s something you wish would happen, but know won’t? i wish i could be like kira from death note but with nonfatal injury not just death and then i’d break the legs of my political enemies.

Black Hole: What’s the last thing you want to see? before i die? hell if I know. But the LAST THING i want to see again is ahngst

[daniellethamasa]

Hey all, Dani here.

Okay, before I can really focus on the new month/new year of reading, I first have to wrap up all of last month’s reading and content. While I didn’t generate as many posts as I would have liked, I can blame a lot of that on how work made me feel physically. But I’m happy to say that for the first few months of 2020 I’ll basically be sitting at a desk, which means plenty of time for reading, writing, and blogging. It should be a pretty productive time.

Oh, and the change in work schedule–bleh to having to go to second shift for three months–meant that I actually had to go out and finally get a new car. Mine stopped running in Jan 2018 and I never got a replacement because Damian and I were on the same schedule again, so carpooling was how we operated. My temporary week or two on a different schedule made for some weird times of sharing the car, but we couldn’t sustain that sort of life for three months. And I ended up getting a car much newer and nicer than I’ve ever had in my life: a 2012 Honda CR-V. That’s pretty nice.

So now it’s time to jump into the wrap-up of everything I read in December, which was 22 books. Now, don’t get too excited about that number: 8 of those are Christmas presents I bought for my 2 year old niece, and as always I have at least a couple volumes of manga on the list as well. Yes, I still read quite a bit, but I was really hoping that I would get so much more accomplished in the last 10 days of the year.

I did create a 12-hour readathon event, called #JolabokaflodReadathon, and I read 5 books in that time, so that was a lot of fun, and I’m hoping to make the event even better in 2020, since in 2019 I thought of it a day before I did the readathon.

Anyway, let’s jump into the wrap-up. As always, if I have a review already written then I will include a link back to that post.

Slay by Brittney Morris — 4.5 stars

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi — 3.5 stars

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord — 4.5 stars (review coming Jan 21)

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams — 5 stars

Crier’s War by Nina Varela — 5 stars

Little Golden Books: Frozen 2 by Nancy Cote — 4 stars

Little Golden Books: I’m a Unicorn by Mallory Loehr and Joey Chou — 4 stars

Little Golden Books: Beauty and the Beast by Teddy Slater, Ron Dias, and Ric Gonzales — 5 stars

Little Golden Books: My Little Pony: Rainbow Dash Reading Rainboom! by Tallulah May and Zoe Persico — 4 stars

Little Golden Books: Trolls: Branch’s Bunker Birthday by David Lewman – 4 stars

Little Golden Books: The Little Mermaid by Michael Teitelbaum and Sue DiCicco — 4 stars

Reindeers are Better than People by Walt Disney Company — 4 stars

Frozen 5-Minute Stories by Walt Disney Company — 5 stars

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee — 4 stars (review coming Jan 3)

My Hero Academia Volume 22 by Kohei Horikoshi — 4.5 stars

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins Series II #4 by Matthew Mercer, Ariana Maher, Jody Houser, Msassyk, and Olivia Samson — 5 stars

The Magicians by Lev Grossman — 4 stars

Forbidden Scrollery Volume 1 by Zun and Moe Harukawa — 3 stars

Strange Planet by Nathan W Pyle — 5 stars

We Met in December by Rose Curtis — 4 stars

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw — 4 stars

Wicked Saints by Emily A Duncan — 5 stars

Okay, now with the wrap-up finished, it is time to talk Book Haul, which also means talking Book Unhaul, and OwlCrate Unboxing. So there’s a lot to go over.

Let’s just go ahead and start with the Unhaul portion. In an effort to tidy up the library area, I had to do a lot of shelving books and reorganizing my shelf arrangements. While I was in the middle of that, it only seemed natural to week out those books that I just don’t see myself reading or that I don’t see myself picking up to read again.

Turning in those books to Half-Price Books was actually a nice money help around the holidays. I technically got enough money to buy myself another 3 or 4 books, and I told Damian that I would roll that into books to buy in January since December was a low book-buying month. Though I did pick up a couple books at HPB while we were there as well. But when it comes to non-gift book purchases, I only bought four books for myself (technically five, but B&N was running a Buy 2 get 1 free sale on manga). So I bought both volumes of Fairy Tail 100 Year Quest and got My Hero Academia, and then I picked up Reverie and Children of Virtue and Vengeance. The rest of the manga were either purchased by Damian or they were Christmas presents, and then The Blade Itself, and both The Secret Loves of Geeks books were from that trip to HPB. So since I didn’t technically reach my 5 book purchases in December, again, I rolled the single non-purchase over for January, because I have a feeling I’ll need it.

All right, well now it’s time for the OwlCrate Unboxing portion of today’s post. This ended up being a book that I had already owned for over a month and had already read. I do really like the OwlCrate Exclusive Cover, though. I think I’m most excited about the hand warmer, but it’ll also be nice to relax with the coloring book and colored pencils.

Finally, I guess I need to talk about my TBR for January, and half of my TBR is currently in digital form because I’m really trying to keep up with my NetGalley early copies this year. I might even start trying to work on including some older NetGalley reads so that I can get my review ratio up.

All right, well that is all from me for today. How was your reading in December? What books do you hope to read in January? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to talk books and other plans/goals for 2020. I hope you are having a wonderful start to 2020, and I’ll be back soon with more bookish content.

December Wrap-Up and January TBR Hey all, Dani here. Okay, before I can really focus on the new month/new year of reading, I first have to wrap up all of last month's reading and content.

[mysteriouslyzealouspandalov-blog]

Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez's relationship timeline, from secret romance to 'power couple'

New Post has been published on https://relationshipguideto.com/must-see/jennifer-lopez-alex-rodriguezs-relationship-timeline-from-secret-romance-to-power-couple/

Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez's relationship timeline, from secret romance to 'power couple'

Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez have been together now for more than a year. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez were a match made in New York City — literally.

The beloved New Yorkers found love with one another nearly a decade after first meeting at a baseball game in Queens, though A-Rod has hinted in the past the pair may have met even earlier than that. At first, the pair kept it quiet but their silence was short-lived. After just two months of dating, they went public, and they never looked back.

From gracing magazine covers to attending events on behalf of their significant other, the pair have quickly grown to be known as one of Hollywood’s biggest “power couples.”

ALEX RODRIGUEZ SHARES SIGNED JENNIFER LOPEZ PHOTO FROM ‘ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO’

Here’s a look back at the couple’s flourishing romance.

2nd-anniversary, February 2019

Arod and JLo marked two years together in February.

On Feb. 4, the day after they officially became a couple, Rodriguez posted a romantic tribute to his love.

“I can’t believe it’s been two years. Only 730 days, which have flown by, but it feels like we have been together forever. We are meant to be, and how much you mean to me cannot be put into words,” he wrote, in part. “From baseball games, to traveling across the world to shows in Vegas. We have done it all together and every moment with you is cherished. Where this road will take us next is unknown but there is no one else I would rather have by my side. The journey is just beginning and I am excited for what’s ahead.”

Rodriguez gushed that there’s “no one like you” while posting a slideshow of some of his favorite moments over the past two years.

Likewise, Lopez also humble-bragged about her number one fan in a sweet post.

“Two years of laughter. Two years of fun. Two years of adventures.Of excitement of growing and learning. Of true friendship. And so much love!! You make my world a more beautiful safe and stable place… in the midst of our ever-changing, ever-moving life… you make me feel like a teenager starting out all over again… Every time I think I have you pegged, you surprise me in the most wonderful ways reminding me how blessed I am to have found you now in this moment at this time… our time… Te Amo Macho,” the singer wrote on Instagram.

Wedding bells ringing? November 2018

Lopez shut down engagement rumors on Ellen DeGeneres’ show in November. The television host joked about Rodriguez texting her prior to airing that they were planning on getting hitched.

“He did not say that. He did not say that! Let me see the text,” Lopez joked.

When asked whether she believes they will ever get married, Lopez, who has been dating A-Rod for “a couple years,” said she wasn’t sure.

AMAs, October 2018

The couple attended the American Music Awards together in October 2018.

“There’s nothing this woman can’t do,” Rodriguez wrote on Instagram, tagging Lopez’s upcoming film “Second Act.”

Birthday girl, July 2017

Rodriguez celebrated his girl’s 49th birthday with a series of never-before-seen snapshots of Lopez.

“When we were kids, birthdays were exciting because it was all about the gifts we would be getting,” Rodriguez captioned an Instagram gallery in July 2017. “A new bat, dance shoes, maybe a new CD (yes I’m old!).”

The 42-year-old continued, “I see firsthand how that’s changed for Jennifer, and how she’s found joy in sharing with others. For someone who has been about giving everything she has 365 days a year—to our children, our families, the world—I hope today, we can give you all the happiness you deserve. I love you mucho Macha 13.”

Cover girl, March 2018

Described as being “on top of the world personally and professionally,” Lopez was named one of Harpers Bazaar’s spring cover stars.

“He sports-metaphors me to death, and now I do it to everyone else,” Lopez joked.

A-ROD’S GIRLFRIEND JENNIFER LOPEZ FLAUNTS HUGE DIAMOND WHILE ON DATE NIGHT

“Baseball is just like life,” she added. “All you want to do is hit a home run.”

Happy 1-year, February 2018

Before performing at a pre-Super Bowl LII show, Lopez took a moment to give her boyfriend some praise.

“We’ve been together for one year today. I don’t want to get all mushy or anything, but baby, this song’s for you. I love you,” she said, according to E! News.

She later explained to E! why she felt compelled to give her beau some love.

“It was our little anniversary, so it was a special night. I kept thinking ‘Oh, God—February 3! That’s our day. Oh, my God! It’s been a year.’ It was more spontaneous than anything else. It wasn’t too planned. I thought about it, and I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll do it; maybe I won’t,'” Lopez said. “But it was a great show, in general, and…I don’t know. We felt really good.”

Workout king and queen, August 2017

J-Lo and A-Rod both work hard to stay in shape. The singer-actress posted a candid of the pair after a yoga session in August 2017.

“You push me I push you…” she wrote.

Cover models, December 2017

It’s true. “J-Rod” made their magazine cover debut in December 2017, landing the front page of Vanity Fair.

The couple opened up about their relationship and spilled the tea about how they first got together. Lopez recalled spotting Rodriguez while eating lunch in Beverly Hills. Though nervous, Lopez got the courage to walk over to Rodriguez and say hello.

“I had just come from a promo for my show, ‘Shades of Blue,’ so I’m dressed like my character, like a boy—Timberlands, jeans, curly short hair. He looks at me. I say, ‘It’s Jennifer.’ He says, ‘You look so beautiful,'” Lopez revealed to Vanity Fair.

JENNIFER LOPEZ POSES HALF-NUDE IN A SEQUINED CAPE

The pair later discussed their first date: dinner at Hotel Bel Air. At first, the couple had mixed signals — unsure whether it was a real date or not. But eventually, it was crystal clear. And the rest is, well, history.

“I understand him in a way that I don’t think anyone else could, and he understands me in a way that no one else could ever,” Lopez gushed.

Red carpet debut, May 2017

The couple made their first official red carpet debut together at the 2017 Met Gala in New York City. At that time, J-Lo blasted out a series of photos showing the couple enjoying themselves at the event — from snapping selfies in the car en route to the event to blowing kisses at the dinner table.

“You’re never fully dressed without a smile,” Lopez captioned one of the Instagram posts.

Secret romance, March 2017

Rumors began to swirl around March — about a month after the pair reportedly started dating. At first, they attempted to keep their relationship a secret. Lopez and Drake split around that time after just two months of dating, Us Magazine reports.

“She is his dream girl.”

— Source to People

The news wasn’t completely shocking. Apparently, Rodriguez has always been attracted to Lopez.

JENNIFER LOPEZ FALLS DURING LAS VEGAS ‘ALL I HAVE’ CONCERT, GRACEFULLY RECOVERS

“A-Rod has always been taken with the beauty and personality of Jennifer Lopez,” a source told People in March 2017. “She is his dream girl.”

First sight, May, 2005

The pair first met at Shea Stadium in Queens back in 2005. Lopez stopped to shake Rodriguez’s hand before the first pitch, People reports.

At the time, Lopez was still with her ex-husband Marc Anthony. They even all posed for a picture together.

Jennifer Earl is an SEO editor for Fox News. Follow her on Twitter @jenearlyspeakin.

On Our Radar

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/

[thegloober]

10 Shows to Watch This Fall

by Brian Tallerico

September 24, 2018   |  

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For almost two decades now, I’ve used this time of year to pick out the best of the new offerings from the broadcast networks, adhering to the tradition of the standard “Fall Preview” that one would find in magazines like Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide. Part of it was being old-fashioned, but another part was that the broadcasts still adhere to a September/October launch schedule for a great deal of their returning and new programming, making a look at their entire slates easier than a company like FX or AMC, who sprinkle debuts throughout the year. Well, we all know that the broadcast nets don’t mean what they used to—the fact that no regular primetime show on them won an Emmy last week may be the final nail in this particular coffin—and the 2018-19 new shows just aren’t worth writing about at length. Trust me. So we’re mixing it up this year. With so much to watch across all the cable and streaming services, what should you pay attention to? What do you want to pick out from the crowd?

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10. Something on Network TV?

Odds are there will be at least one hit in the crop from CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and The CW. Last year it was “The Good Doctor”; the year before it was “This is Us.” People will probably watch “Magnum P.I.” but not feel good about it. On CBS, “FBI” has the chance to breakout as it’s very much in the model of the “NCIS” procedural that has done so well for the network. The CBS sitcoms (“The Neighborhood,” “Happy Together”) are atrocious, but so are the FOX ones (“The Cool Kids,” “REL”). For a sitcom hit you might like, ABC offers “The Kids Are Alright” and “Single Parents” both ensemble comedies in the ABC Family Sitcom mold—and I don’t mean that as an insult as shows like “The Goldbergs,” “The Middle,” and “Black-ish” have found fresh material within it. Having only seen one episode of each, they’re impossible to judge as a whole but are two of the few shows on the nets I want to watch again. NBC’s “I Feel Bad” is halfway decent, but again, too soon to tell. “Manifest” is not the “LOST” clone you’re hoping for and “New Amsterdam” is smug nonsense. Speaking of smug, “A Million Little Things” really wants to be your new “This is Us” and the cast is strong enough to possibly make it so, but this is a daytime soap masquerading as something more profound. So, to recap, maybe ABC’s “Single Parents” & “The Kids Are Alright” and CBS’s “FBI.” That’s all I got.

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9. Big Mouth (Netflix, 10/5)

Netflix has suddenly become an adult animation powerhouse with hits like “Bojack Horseman” and “Disenchantment,” but my favorite is this Nick Kroll and John Mulaney odyssey into teen hormones. The first season was ridiculously raunchy and hysterical, featuring a fantastic voice cast that includes Kroll, Mulaney, Jenny Slate, Fred Armisen, Jason Mantzoukas, and a show-stealing Maya Rudolph. It’s incredibly for adults only but also truthful about adolescence in ways that most shows aren’t.

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8. Into the Dark (Hulu, 10/5)

Shows like “Black Mirror” and “Sherlock” have stretched the definition of a limited series, actually winning the “TV Movie” Emmys in recent years, but this feels like what could more honestly be called a series of films for television than anything else. Jason Blum produces a series of horror flicks for Hulu, premiering one a month, and each offering is a horror tale inspired by the holiday of the month in which it premieres. So the October premiere, “The Body,” has a Halloween feel; November’s “Flesh & Blood” will be set at Thanksgiving. Could be fascinating. Could be just a bad straight-to-video horror a month under a neat banner. We’ll see.

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7. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix, 10/26)

Kiernan Shipka seems born to play the title role in this adaptation of the hit comic series of the same name, a dark reimagining of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” I may have been more skeptical before “Riverdale,” which shares a creator with this series and remains one of the most consistently interesting shows on network TV. (Yes, I’m serious. It’s much better than you think it is.) There are also rumors that this is going to be honestly dark—not just CW Dark—as the series was reportedly inspired by ‘70s horror, including “The Exorcist” and “Rosemary’s Baby.” Sign us up.

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6. Forever (Amazon Prime, on now)

There aren’t enough people talking about this excellent streaming dramedy, probably because Amazon made it so hard for critics to do so before it airs. I’ll avoid complete spoilers, but the cuffs are off a little bit now that it’s on the air, and I think it would actually draw people to know that this is more “The Good Place” than a standard relationship drama. It’s smart, funny, and insightful about modern marriage. And it contains Maya Rudolph’s career-best work to date. Our Allison Shoemaker has already reviewed this excellent show.

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5. Camping (HBO, 10/14)

We can all forgive Jennifer Garner for that “Peppermint” nonsense if this new HBO comedy ends up being half as good as it could be. Surprisingly low on buzz given it premieres in a couple weeks, this Garner vehicle was created by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner and co-stars David Tennant, Janicza Bravo, Brett Gelman, Juliette Lewis, and Ione Skye. Garner plays a perfectionist who takes her husband, played by Tennant, on a camping trip for his 45th birthday. Chaos ensues. Plus, bears.

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4. Homecoming (Amazon Prime, 11/2)

This thriller from the creator of “Mr. Robot” got a lot of buzz after premiering a few episodes at TIFF this year and it’s easy to see why. Look at that cast—Julia Roberts, Stephan James, Bobby Cannavale, Shea Wigham, Alex Karpovsky, Dermot Mulroney, Hong Chau, Jeremy Allen White, Sydney Poitier, and Sissy Spacek star in a show about “a caseworker at a secret government facility, and a soldier eager to rejoin civilian life.” Amazon took another step this year with its first series Emmy win for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Could this be its second?

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3. The Romanoffs (Amazon Prime, 10/12)

Matthew Weiner’s first show since “Mad Men” sounds like a fascinating experiment, billed as an anthology series that will follow multiple characters who may have a shared ancestry in the Russian royal family. Of course, everyone wanted to work with Weiner, which means another ludicrously stacked TV cast. This one includes Aaron Eckhart, Corey Stoll, Noah Wyle, Christina Hendricks, Isabelle Huppert, Jack Huston, Amanda Peet, John Slattery, Diane Lane, Ron Livingston, Radha Mitchell, Griffin Dunne, and Kathryn Hahn.

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2. The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix, 10/12)

Mike Flanagan has become one of the hottest young horror directors with films like “Hush” and “Gerald’s Game,” and he’s going back to a holy text in Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, already adapted twice as feature films called simply “The Haunting” (the first one rules, the second one not so much). With the room to expand on his style and storytelling skill in a series, this could easily be one of the best shows of the Fall.

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1. Maniac (Netflix, on now)

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I’ve already made it clear how strongly I feel about Cary Joji Fukunaga’s daring mind f**k of a TV series, and it’s been fascinating to see how people are responding to it now that it’s available. As I suspected, there are people who think it’s just about the best thing on television, and just as many who think it’s just about the worst. And I love it. The most memorable shows are often the ones that create the most conversation and people are talking about “Maniac.” And I suspect they will be all season long.

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[mrmichaelchadler]

10 Shows to Watch This Fall

For almost two decades now, I’ve used this time of year to pick out the best of the new offerings from the broadcast networks, adhering to the tradition of the standard “Fall Preview” that one would find in magazines like Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide. Part of it was being old-fashioned, but another part was that the broadcasts still adhere to a September/October launch schedule for a great deal of their returning and new programming, making a look at their entire slates easier than a company like FX or AMC, who sprinkle debuts throughout the year. Well, we all know that the broadcast nets don’t mean what they used to—the fact that no regular primetime show on them won an Emmy last week may be the final nail in this particular coffin—and the 2018-19 new shows just aren’t worth writing about at length. Trust me. So we’re mixing it up this year. With so much to watch across all the cable and streaming services, what should you pay attention to? What do you want to pick out from the crowd?

10. Something on Network TV?

Odds are there will be at least one hit in the crop from CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and The CW. Last year it was “The Good Doctor”; the year before it was “This is Us.” People will probably watch “Magnum P.I.” but not feel good about it. On CBS, “FBI” has the chance to breakout as it’s very much in the model of the “NCIS” procedural that has done so well for the network. The CBS sitcoms (“The Neighborhood,” “Happy Together”) are atrocious, but so are the FOX ones (“The Cool Kids,” “REL”). For a sitcom hit you might like, ABC offers “The Kids Are Alright” and “Single Parents” both ensemble comedies in the ABC Family Sitcom mold—and I don’t mean that as an insult as shows like “The Goldbergs,” “The Middle,” and “Black-ish” have found fresh material within it. Having only seen one episode of each, they’re impossible to judge as a whole but are two of the few shows on the nets I want to watch again. NBC’s “I Feel Bad” is halfway decent, but again, too soon to tell. “Manifest” is not the “LOST” clone you’re hoping for and “New Amsterdam” is smug nonsense. Speaking of smug, “A Million Little Things” really wants to be your new “This is Us” and the cast is strong enough to possibly make it so, but this is a daytime soap masquerading as something more profound. So, to recap, maybe ABC’s “Single Parents” & “The Kids Are Alright” and CBS’s “FBI.” That’s all I got.

9. Big Mouth (Netflix, 10/5)

Netflix has suddenly become an adult animation powerhouse with hits like “Bojack Horseman” and “Disenchantment,” but my favorite is this Nick Kroll and John Mulaney odyssey into teen hormones. The first season was ridiculously raunchy and hysterical, featuring a fantastic voice cast that includes Kroll, Mulaney, Jenny Slate, Fred Armisen, Jason Mantzoukas, and a show-stealing Maya Rudolph. It’s incredibly for adults only but also truthful about adolescence in ways that most shows aren’t.

8. Into the Dark (Hulu, 10/5)

Shows like “Black Mirror” and “Sherlock” have stretched the definition of a limited series, actually winning the “TV Movie” Emmys in recent years, but this feels like what could more honestly be called a series of films for television than anything else. Jason Blum produces a series of horror flicks for Hulu, premiering one a month, and each offering is a horror tale inspired by the holiday of the month in which it premieres. So the October premiere, “The Body,” has a Halloween feel; November’s “Flesh & Blood” will be set at Thanksgiving. Could be fascinating. Could be just a bad straight-to-video horror a month under a neat banner. We’ll see.

7. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix, 10/26)

Kiernan Shipka seems born to play the title role in this adaptation of the hit comic series of the same name, a dark reimagining of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” I may have been more skeptical before “Riverdale,” which shares a creator with this series and remains one of the most consistently interesting shows on network TV. (Yes, I’m serious. It’s much better than you think it is.) There are also rumors that this is going to be honestly dark—not just CW Dark—as the series was reportedly inspired by ‘70s horror, including “The Exorcist” and “Rosemary’s Baby.” Sign us up.

6. Forever (Amazon Prime, on now)

There aren’t enough people talking about this excellent streaming dramedy, probably because Amazon made it so hard for critics to do so before it airs. I’ll avoid complete spoilers, but the cuffs are off a little bit now that it’s on the air, and I think it would actually draw people to know that this is more “The Good Place” than a standard relationship drama. It’s smart, funny, and insightful about modern marriage. And it contains Maya Rudolph’s career-best work to date. Our Allison Shoemaker has already reviewed this excellent show.

5. Camping (HBO, 10/14)

We can all forgive Jennifer Garner for that “Peppermint” nonsense if this new HBO comedy ends up being half as good as it could be. Surprisingly low on buzz given it premieres in a couple weeks, this Garner vehicle was created by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner and co-stars David Tennant, Janicza Bravo, Brett Gelman, Juliette Lewis, and Ione Skye. Garner plays a perfectionist who takes her husband, played by Tennant, on a camping trip for his 45th birthday. Chaos ensues. Plus, bears.

4. Homecoming (Amazon Prime, 11/2)

This thriller from the creator of “Mr. Robot” got a lot of buzz after premiering a few episodes at TIFF this year and it’s easy to see why. Look at that cast—Julia Roberts, Stephan James, Bobby Cannavale, Shea Wigham, Alex Karpovsky, Dermot Mulroney, Hong Chau, Jeremy Allen White, Sydney Poitier, and Sissy Spacek star in a show about “a caseworker at a secret government facility, and a soldier eager to rejoin civilian life.” Amazon took another step this year with its first series Emmy win for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Could this be its second?

3. The Romanoffs (Amazon Prime, 10/12)

Matthew Weiner’s first show since “Mad Men” sounds like a fascinating experiment, billed as an anthology series that will follow multiple characters who may have a shared ancestry in the Russian royal family. Of course, everyone wanted to work with Weiner, which means another ludicrously stacked TV cast. This one includes Aaron Eckhart, Corey Stoll, Noah Wyle, Christina Hendricks, Isabelle Huppert, Jack Huston, Amanda Peet, John Slattery, Diane Lane, Ron Livingston, Radha Mitchell, Griffin Dunne, and Kathryn Hahn.

2. The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix, 10/12)

Mike Flanagan has become one of the hottest young horror directors with films like “Hush” and “Gerald’s Game,” and he’s going back to a holy text in Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, already adapted twice as feature films called simply “The Haunting” (the first one rules, the second one not so much). With the room to expand on his style and storytelling skill in a series, this could easily be one of the best shows of the Fall.

1. Maniac (Netflix, on now)

I’ve already made it clear how strongly I feel about Cary Joji Fukunaga’s daring mind f**k of a TV series, and it’s been fascinating to see how people are responding to it now that it’s available. As I suspected, there are people who think it’s just about the best thing on television, and just as many who think it’s just about the worst. And I love it. The most memorable shows are often the ones that create the most conversation and people are talking about “Maniac.” And I suspect they will be all season long.

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