#and I'm gonna try an audiobook

[kyofsonder]

It can be, of course, very hard to read a lot and/or play a lot. Fiction books, nonfiction books, TTRPG rulebooks, and the materials to access them can be hard to get and hard to engage with for many people. I'm personally struggling to read the way I used to, and to play TTRPGs in the capacity I want to play them.

That said, there are almost always workarounds:

> Where books can't be bought, they can be borrowed. Where libraries can't be reached in-person, there's the Libby and Overdrive apps.

> When it's hard to read, audiobooks are a good option -- Libby and Overdrive have these as well, and there are several places like Audible where they can be bought. There are narrative fiction podcasts that are structured similarly to novels, too, like Wolf 359 and The Penumbra Podcast and The Bright Sessions -- as well as podcasts that review books, suggest books, and talk about reading and writing as skills and craft.

> When reading or listening to audiobooks/narrative podcasts by yourself isn't motivating enough for you to finish the stories you start, when you need someone to listen to your observations and theories and feelings about what you read, the traditional book club is just one of several good options to make reading fun for you. You can try to find an existing one at a library or rec center near you, or find communities online. There are Tumblr circles and communities, subreddits, Twitter circles (if you're willing to brave the rest of what that site has and is in order to get to them), Discord groups, pen pal programs, and apps that are specifically focused on the social side of reading -- Goodreads lends well to that, and I found one recently called Fable that has an entire social tab just for book clubs. If you can't find any, online or in person, that suit you then starting your own is also (admittedly, too daunting for me as I am now) a path some people could take to getting satisfaction from their reading.

> If getting a group together for a TTRPG -- especially one that isn't the easily identifiable D&D 5e -- isn't coming together, try solo TTRPGs. They come in many forms; some have you telling a story in a journal and focus heavily on roleplay, others have you build a dungeon room by room and focus almost entirely on combat. I've seen tabletop Stardew Valley simulators and grimdark 80's-style fantasy dungeon crawls, games that use playing cards and games that use tarot decks and games that have you roll 5 types of dice to get through a campaign. I've seen a lot that just give you the bare bones of a game structure, and invite you to hack it and change it to fit how you want to play. It misses the social aspect of the game in many ways, but it's fun to talk with people about what you did in your last game session and it's great for finding out what you like best in your narratives and your game mechanics.

> When getting either group or solo TTRPGs is difficult due to cost, there are plenty of resources that let you play until you have money to support small creators. Pirate from the big companies that don't pay their creators, but for indie games you can usually find free or very cheap versions of their games on itch.io and download them without hurting your own finances. There are also free options for PDF readers if you don't want to or can't buy one, such as LibreOffice and OpenOffice and (though it's not as good as it used to be) Kingsoft. Printing game books out at a library should be fairly inexpensive if you want it in physical form and don't have a printer of your own, too.

> If it's material costs that are the issue, because you have nothing left after deciding you'd rather back a small creator's Kickstarter or go to a chain bookstore or whatever you picked, that can be a little harder to source. But Tabletop Simulator has a one-time fee if your computer can handle it, and there are free playing card and tarot emulating websites and dice emulating apps all over the internet. When none of that is available and no friends or family can help you out, DIY also works -- provided you have the time and energy, which you may need to gather first before you start.

Put in as much or as little effort as you want, especially if writing and/or TTRPG gaming are more casual for you, but remember there are resources and ways to do things so you get the most of your writing and/or your games. You can build a foundation off the stories you read and the games you play, and there are always people looking to make building that foundation a more accessible process. Find your way in, the one that best suits how you read and what you write, how you play and what you design. Taking breaks is fair, and moving on if these aren't that important to you is fair, but if you love what you do and want to have a better foundation for doing it then the way to do that is by surrounding yourself by it as much as possible and making it a part of your life. A part of you, as much as possible. So try not to get discouraged by lack of access or by the things that slow you down. There's usually a way forward, just not necessarily through the first door you try.

Read to be a better writer. Find any path to reading you can, and follow it to where you want/need to be.

Play TTRPGs to be a better TTRPG designer (amd a better GM/DM/player, too). Find any path to playing you can, and follow it to where you want/need to be.

This is how you build skills, and reinforce passion. And it's fun, too, if you let it be.

If you are going to be an author you have GOT to read books.

If you are going to be a TTRPG designer you have GOT to play or at least read the rulebooks for TTRPGs.

[truecorvid]

ok reading might be so fucking back this year

[miraluking-respectfully]

man while i'm on my felix kick it fucking sucks that they keep not knowing what the FUCK to do with this character when he's actually very strongly characterized. i went off about this last night but like, underutilized aspect of felix: he's like, a really good leader?? and i'm not talking an uber-inspiring protagonist-type leader like the PC; i'm talking an extremely functional organizer of people that you especially need in a military context. it's kind of hard to clock at first if you're not paying attention, especially because you're introduced to him while he's desperately trying to stave off a mutiny; but considering he's on a shithole iceball with a group of restless 18-to-25-year-old recruits who, as far as they're concerned, are trying to kill an immortal enemy, the fact that only one of them winds up ultimately raising a hand against him is impressive. he boosts morale, he makes good tactical calls on his own while not being too proud to take assistance, he metes out swift discipline without being needlessly punitive. and when the squad splits up, people keep in touch with him!!!

like, felix is extremely good at his job, and that aspect of him kind of deepens the tragedy of his permanent stagnation in rank when you compare him to other soldier comps like Rusk or even early-game Jorgan. i'm not a fan of fictional or real militaries but this character's skillset as an officer has been a repeatedly underutilized resource narratively & it makes me want to eat glass

[smallblueandloud]

i had a nice weekend and now it is time to go to bed! and start a fresh week! wahoo!

some things i'm looking forward to for tomorrow/this week:

rewatching husbands of river song :D and also continuing on to series 10! (i would like to make a post about series 9 at some point, stay tuned)

responding to my texts! i am accidentally ghosting several loved ones, whoops. i would like to do this tomorrow if possible just so i start my week off strong

i would like to get my queue started again. i miss seeing my reblogs.

tuesday is gonna be SUCH a chill day at work, i'm so excited

this is my last full week of work before i go home next week!

i would like to finish the 13 meets mickey draft this week. i think it is very feasible. maybe tomorrow i can have some nice quiet writing time after friend hangout, we'll see

i have been diving back into youtube which means it's time for me to bust out the libby app again. i'm not sure what book(s) i'm going to listen to but maybe i will finally finish re-reading persuasion? or, ooh, maybe i can find some cool nonfiction

[teaandinanity]

I appreciate having a diagnosis for my ADHD SO MUCH. Like, it doesn’t FIX things but it’s made it easier to be kind to myself.

Like. When I catch myself just Not Reading any post that takes up more than one screen’s worth of real estate it’s this lightbulb moment of ‘ah, brain is not feeling Words tonight, okay, we’ll do something else’ instead of ‘WHY can I not FOCUS?’

[harlequinfrog]

i just realized i can put a not insignificant amount of moral orel onto my ipod. i think knowing how to use a computer is too much power for me actually

[tiny-moss-patch]

I started reading the new Southern reach novel and it's.. confusing tbh. I'm very curious how it will play into the rest of the story and who old Jim is

[ashlinxsloves]

-AARON HOTCHNER HEADCANONS-

The promised hcs for our favourite hot dilf Aaron Hotchner 🤭 I hope you guys like them, it's gonna be a little lengthy and I've divided them between Basic, SFW Dating and NSFW.. Minors please don't interact with the nsfw content.

–Basic–

Hotch would be the type of guy who listens to classical music around the team, but once he's alone in his personal car, he has a whole collection of CDs in his glove box of his favourite bands and albums (The Beatles, etc.)

He'd also listen to audiobooks during long drives home. The genre can vary between the classics or just a light novel.

A huge overpacker. He packs the essentials during cases, but if the trip is personal, he packs almost everything – sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a map, extra batteries, a flashlight, etc. You'll never know if it might come in handy

Dad instincts are strong af, will know something is wrong before it happens

Wakes up at the crack of dawn. Became a habit after working so long in the BAU

Hotch is overall a light sleeper. Mostly because of emergencies or sudden calls from the BAU

The king of overworking. Before Haley died, he used to work so much that he got nosebleeds. He does it less now and spends more time with Jack than with paperwork.

Likes his coffee black with two teaspoons of sugar. He doesn't like it too sweet but isn't bitter either.

He most probably had a secret rockstar phase in his teens. Crazy shoulder-length hair, studded belts, band tees and EYELINER. Stopped after he became a junior in high school though.

Used to blame himself for failing to save the victims during his early years in the field. He tries to remember every person he failed to save in the past and compensate by saving more while being calm and tactful.

Spends a lot of time with Jack during the weekends. He's trying to make up for lost time after being so busy with his job than being a father. They would go on road trips, and theme parks and would do a whole lot just to see his son smile.

Hotch would unironically start drinking apple or pineapple juice after Jack just asked him to. Just for no reason at all.

He gets horrible migraines because of staying up late and not getting enough rest.

-SFW Dating-

When the two of you just started dating, he wasn't 100% sure of it because 1. your age gap (reader would be in her mid-20s) and 2. The fraternization rule in the Bureau.

The both of you kept the whole thing a secret for about four months until the team figured it out on a random Tuesday.

"I- I mean it was pretty obvious from how Hotch was hovering over you all the time and the ways his stoic face softens when he addresses you. Not to forget the way his pupils dilate-" "That's enough Reid."

When you were gonna meet Jack for the first time, you were quite nervous about it, but Aaron reassured you that he'd love you (and the little dude did).

Hotch would try to take you on dates, but it was kind of hard with your hectic schedules.

So it would usually be movie nights at his place along with some takeout dinner after putting Jack to bed.

It took Hotch a while to open up to you, but you were there to support him and he was worth the wait.

Picks you up for work and drives you home even if you told him that it was okay and you had your own car, he insisted on driving you home and seeing you get there safely.

Brings you coffee and something sweet from the cafe. It's his way of telling you he cares about you without the team teasing you after he goes into his office.

He would start to think irrationally after finding out you got hurt during a case. He wouldn't be able to think straight on the way to the hospital and blurted a mumbled 'I love you' while putting pressure onto your wound.

When you sleep over at his place, he loves seeing you wear his old college T-shirts.

Hotch thinks about Haley a lot and feels guilty for it, but you understand that she was his first love and he peppers you with soft kisses to apologize.

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart... I know I shouldn't be thinking about what could have been and focus on what is.. I'll do better, I promise.."

Calls you to his office sternly as if you were in trouble but in reality, he just wants you for himself in the office for a little while.

His heart clenched yet light when Jack asked him if you were going to be his new mommy.

Pet names would be rare when it comes to him. What really matters is when he calls you by your name. But the occasional 'Sweetheart' and 'Darling' might slip out.

He shows you his unserious side. It was a whole 180 for you and it made you fall for him even more. He's an adorable dork.

Even if the two of you are dating, there's a fine line between being together behind closed doors and pure professionalism. Hotch is still your superior and there wouldn't be any special treatment even if you were his significant other.

But when he realizes he gets too rough with you he will apologize in private after the case.

His love language is quality time, so he tries to be around you and Jack as much as he can.

Cheesy pickup lines to try and make you laugh during a hard day. Only in private though.

Knows what to do when you're on your period. He'll bring a heating pad, warm fuzzy blankets, your favourite snacks and painkillers.

NSFW UNDER THE CUT MINORS DNI!!!

-NSFW Dating-

• The sex is incredible. Hotch knows all the right places to hit and how to give you a godly amount of orgasms.

• He starts out slow, letting you get used to the stretch and how much he's filling you up. You can practically feel his cock in your throat from how full you feel.

• Gentle feather-like kisses on your forehead, telling you how good you feel around him while starting to move his hips at a quicker pace.

• From slow, gentle thrusts, it changes into something more primal and rough. As if he were lashing out all his frustrations from work into your tight, little pussy, trying to fuck you into next week.

• And he does it well. He fucks you senseless until you're coming on his cock multiple times before he finishes and spills his cum into the condom he's wearing.

• He just loves fucking you in the missionary position, because he sees how your face contorts in pleasure.

• The first time the two of you slept together was at your place after a really stressful case and the two of you had a drink too many.

• Obviously, Hotch was still a bit sober but you were out of it. He wouldn't do anything without your consent, but you had dragged him into your bedroom and things got heated.

• Bruised your cervix one too many times. The two of you rarely have any sex but if you do, you go all out. He apologises with an amazing bath and breakfast in bed.

• Amazing aftercare. He'll take care of you after the both of you are done, even if he's tired. He'd always clean you up, get you a glass of water and press soft kisses on your shoulders. Cuddling and whispered confessions under messy sheets.

• Not a big fan of having sex in public spaces. He needs privacy when he's trying to fuck and pleasure you.

• But he does know about the dirty fantasies you have about getting fucked on his desk. He's seen the books read and articles you look up. Not like you could've hidden it from him anyway.

• He fulfills those fantasies to the best of his capabilities when no one's left in the office and it's just the two of you. He looks through the last of his files, calls you to his office and closes the door.

• His tie was loose, sleeves rolled up, revealing his forearms. His hair was slightly dishevelled as if he ran his fingers through them multiple times.

• Hotch makes you suck his cock until you're gagging, being a little rougher on you. Then he got you splayed on his desk, pushing your pencil skirt up and ripping your stockings by the crotch area.

• When he noticed how wet you got, he smirked, moving the gussets of your panties to the side. He then flicked your sensitive clit, making you whimper as slick gushed out your weeping hole.

• “You like this, don't you, sweetheart? Lying on my desk, messing up my paperwork with your slutty pussy?”

• He's not the type to degrade you, but if you really wanted to he would. But he wouldn't go too far with the insults.

• He's a switch. Since he's usually dominant in most of his everyday life, Hotch lets you take over once in a while.

• Loves going down on you. He likes loosening your tight hole with his mouth and savours the taste of your essence on his tongue.

• Hotch goes weak when you go down on him even if he doesn't ask you to. Praises and soft grunts.

• Isn't the type to be loud. Mostly pants and let's out soft groans when your pussy convulses around his shaft.

• Loves hearing you whine his name and complain how deep he is.

• Once he saw you looking at a site involving different positions, but the one that piqued his interest the most was the mating press.

• Was curious and wanted to try it with you. Hotch was too riled up to put on a condom that night and filled you up to the brim, having you pressed into the mattress, your calves over his shoulders as he buried himself deeper, hitting so many new places that it made you see white.

That's all for now, I hope you liked it 🤭🤭🤭

[avatar-anna]

Handful

my inspiration seems to come from couple tiktok trends, so here we go again! (x)

"Get the fuck over here and get on top of me...Put it in. Put it in right now."

The sound coming from your phone was only slightly muffled, just loud enough to garner your boyfriend's attention. You watched, admittedly with a little glee, as Harry's head cocked to the side, registering the noise. He had one airpod in for his meeting, his other ear unoccupied in case you needed him for any reason.

Your boyfriend's head turned in your direction, and you pretended not to notice, keeping your gaze glued to your phone and quickly paused the audio on your phone to avoid suspicion. You wanted to wait a little longer to see what Harry would do.

"Did you say something?" he asked.

"Uh...No, no. Go back to your meeting, lover," you told him, the picture of innocence.

Only mildly suspicious, Harry focused back on his computer, apologizing for getting distracted. You waited a couple minutes before pressing play again, your belly flipping as you did so. There were a couple heavy pants, then, "Look at me. Give me that hair. Give me that neck and look at me. Who's a good girl? Say it."

Harry's head shot up immediately after that, a wild look of confusion on his face. His eyes caught yours immediately, and you couldn't hide the blush on your cheeks.

The jig was up, and it maybe lasted three minutes.

"Hey, I'm gonna have to call you back," Harry said, barely looking at his computer screen as he quickly ends his call. A loud slap comes from your phone's speaker, and it takes everything in you not to laugh at the look on your boyfriend's face as he walks over to you. "What the hell are you listening to?"

"Nothing!" you blurt, immediately clicking your phone off, cutting off the sound. "It's nothing."

"Are you listening to audiobooks now? Is that what this is?"

Harry was nearly on top of you as he asked his questions, not quite reaching for your phone yet but you can see the curiosity written plainly on his face. There's an edge to it too, a spark in his green eyes that lights you on fire.

"No, it was just a TikTok!" you insisted. "What's the problem?"

"The problem, my love," Harry started, tipping your chin to meet his gaze. "Is that you're distracting me."

You shrugged your shoulders innocently. "Oh, well I'll just go upstairs. I know you're busy, so—"

"Ah ah ah. I didn't say that," Harry said, stopping you before you could even move. The glint in his eyes was even more prevalent now. "You have my attention now, dove, so take what you want."

You didn't have to be told twice. Your arms wrapped around his neck before eagerly pulling him in for a kiss. Harry hummed against your lips, his hand cupping the side of your face and holding you against him like he always did. The callused pads of his fingers scratched over your cheekbone, sending shivers through your body as you pulled him closer.

You kissed him until you felt like you couldn't breathe, moving your lips to his jaw and along his ear as he sat up, taking you with him until you straddled his waist. Harry's hands found your waist, then the skin beneath your shirt, rubbing and kneading and urging you on until your hips rolled against his.

Then, before you could do anything else, Harry pulled you back. With swollen lips, your chest moving rapidly as you caught your breath, you looked at him with a shocked expression.

"What the—"

"Gotta get back to my meeting, dove," Harry said, pecking your lips once before lifting you up and setting you back down on your spot on the couch.

"B—But—"

"If you'd been a good girl and didn't try to distract me on purpose, I might've given you what you wanted. I still will, just not when you want it," he said, looking so smug you threw a couch cushion at him. Harry laughed and swatted it away before settling back into his chair in front of his computer, adjusting himself in his pants as he opened it back up.

You stared in disbelief at his smile, at his utter restraint. You could see the bulge in his pants from here, and there was a red mark on his neck—not quite a hickey, but still visible, even on a grainy camera.

"You knew," you finally said.

Harry typed a couple things before responding. "I did."

"How—"

"I'm not on TikTok as much as you are, but I'm not as old and out of touch as some people would like to believe," he said, covering his satisfied smirk with his hand. "I'll admit, you caught me off guard, but I know you, Y/n. You know you really are a handful sometimes."

You huffed. Your prank, if you could even call it that, was an epic fail. Now you were horny but too stubborn to do anything about it because Harry beat you to the punchline, and Harry was too busy reveling in his victory to give in.

"Whatever. I'll just get myself off then," you muttered, pushing yourself off the couch to head up to your room.

"Yeah. Sure. Good luck with that, dove," Harry said, pooping his air pod back in his ear. "If you let me finish this meeting without any other pranks, I'll take care of you when I'm done. Might have to remind you how to be a good girl."

Your core heated at the thought, despite your initial spoiled plans. Maybe you'd get your way after all.

"Go, before I sit you under this table and give you a proper punishment for your antics." You couldn't hide the way your eyes lit up at the suggestion, and Harry readjusted himself. "Not this time, dove. I really do need to focus during this meeting. Another time, though. Now go upstairs and wait for me."

Walking over to him, you kissed him once, hands running along the soft material of his shirt, nails grazing where they met skin. You trailed all the way down to his pants, grazing lightly over the bulge there. "Love you," you murmured before pulling back.

"Fuckin' handful, I swear," Harry sighed, breathing deeply through his nose as if to regain his composure. "Love you too, you little minx."

[inktopuck]

miss honey | jack hughes social media au (pt. 7)

pt. 6

yournamelastname

Liked by jackhughes, l_hughes06 and others

yournamelastname we had some very cute visitors today! including bear!! and a few devils!

jackhughes i think those kiddies ruptured my eardrum 😅

yournamelastname you loved every second of it you attention whore

jackhughes i'm gonna tell my mom you called me that

yournamelastname and did i lie?

jackhughes 😔

l_hughes06 man your kids are the cutest... AND THE DOGS!!!

yournamelastname we all know how much you loved the dogs

l_hughes06 trying to convince jack to let me adopt a friend for bear

yournamelastname yeah and then you guys go off frolicking on the ice across the country and i'm the one stuck cleaning their poop!

l_hughes06 but MOM

curtislazar95 thanks for letting us hang out! i really enjoyed chasing rusty around with the kids!

jackhughes

Liked by elblue6, _quinnhughes and others

jackhughes bear got to make some new friends at wallace elementary, furry and not so furry ones.

colecaufield translation: luke and the kids

l_hughes06 ha ha little man ha ha at least i can GROW body hair

jackhughes barely

trevorzegras why am i NEVER invited to these things

_quinnhughes you're on the other side of the country genius

colecaufield also no one wants you arount their kids

trevorzegras as an honorary kid i am outraged by these declarations

njdevils oh! doggie hamilton was there!

yournamelastname thank you so much for stopping by! made the kids' year!

jackhughes you're very welcome, miss honey 😉

yournamefinsta

Liked by trevorzegras, colecaufield and others

yournamefinsta luke read a book for the first time since he became a dropout so he's been spreading wisdom for a week.

l_hughes06 a COLLEGE dropout

yournamefinsta yes that makes it so much better

_quinnhughes i knew i should've never let him read the monk who sold his ferrari

trevorzegras wait that's such a kickass title i need to read it

_quinnhughes the only book you read was the hungry hungry caterpillar

trevorzegras FINE.... i'll get the audiobook

jackhughes he literally asked keefe if he could keep the tripod and the giant notebook

yournamefinsta he is so dedicated to his craft

l_hughes06 what you resist will persist; what you befriend, you will transcend

jackhughes save ME

yournamefinsta you're fine drama queen 😘

_quinnhughes okay now this is starting to freak ME out

l_hughes06

Liked by yournamelastname, elblue6 and others

l_hughes06 winter drop!

jackhughes why did you post me two times you clout chaser

l_hughes06 the world needed to know that book nearly bored you to death.... the other one? who knows

colecaufield wait jack and y/n in close proximity and not killing each other?

trevorzegras why is her hand there

yournamelastname you guys know everyone can see these comments right

snoopy43hughes not luke soft launching

_quinnhughes i leave you for the season and this happens

_alexturcotte the world has been kicked out of its axis

yournamelastname oooooh big word turcs

_alexturcotte i AM an intellectual

hughesyodaddy no one's denying the hints that they're something oh shit

hischierkiss what about nicojack!

[heyhelloitsmilo]

Audiobooks

jason todd x gn! reader

891 words

⚠️ warnings: milo standard fluff

💛 pairings: Jason Todd x gn!Reader

💫 summary: jason todd recites to you pride and prejudice and then you call him a nerd

💬 extra notes: its gettin real cold here and my heater went out oops

You never thought you’d find yourself like this. It wasn't bad, you weren't complaining, to be clear. This was just so… so… domestic? And soft?

Jason’s arms encircled your waist, his body curled around your own. Tight muscles relaxed in your presence, nose buried in the crook of your neck. White-streaked hair tangled in your fingertips. Warm breath tickled the side of your neck, scarred hands slipped under your shirt to find purchase on your side or back. Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice played as an audiobook in the background.

The second Robin. Red Hood himself. In your bed. Holding you close like his life depended on it. It might as well have, you were the only thing keeping him sane most days, especially days like these. The hours and days tended to blur together. His thigh shifted to pull you close, resting on your hip, his bare leg on your body.

You had your arms around Jason’s neck, back arched as he held you close, your chest to his. Even if the circumstances the two of you had faced to meet weren't the best, you would still do it all over again for moments like these. Jason was such a wonderful man. Strong sense of justice, often a bit brutal, but soft at heart. He loved every fiber of your being, and even if he didn't say that often, he’d sure as hell show it. Quality time date nights, making your favorite food for dinner, finding out all of your typical orders at restaurants or cafes, smothering you in kisses as soon as he got home.

Jason pressed a few chaste kisses to your neck, scarred lips gentle on your skin. He chased them with curt nibbles, fingers rubbing circles into the skin of your back.

“You're so warm.”

He muttered, the duvet swaddling the both of you in soft fabric. But you were also just generally nice to hug.

“I'm gonna make tea later. Do you want some?”

You nodded, feeling drowsy from all the relaxation. Didn’t matter that you’d probably fall asleep within the next few minutes, it made you feel so wanted and loved.

Jason smiled against your skin, his expressions hidden from your eyes. Nights like these, he never wanted to let you go. He’d hold you forever, given the option. Fingers trailed up and down your back, tracing every curve, every dip, every bump of your spine. Gentle touches reinforced the mental map of your body, planes of skin beneath his palms.

For a few hours, he could be normal. Here, in your arms, in your apartment, he didn't have to worry or be angry or upset. It was just you and him.

“My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you:”

You felt Jason take in a breath, this quote meant more to him than he let on. So much so, he’d memorized it.

“You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”

You smiled, tracing gentle little hearts onto Jason’s scarred back, a silent acknowledgement. Fingertips glided along your boyfriend's textured back, dips and bumps and ridges underneath the pads of your fingers. Gods, you loved him. To whatever deity was out there, you prayed that this would never end.

“...Fucking nerd."

You muttered, voice muffled in Jason’s shoulder. A rumble of a chuckle bubbled up from Jason’s throat, calloused hands rubbing gently at your back. He didn't deny it, though. Only nibbled at your skin, tongue playfully darting out to leave a little lick. You shivered, recoiling at the feeling of saliva on your neck.

“Ew.”

Jason chuckled, licking a line up your neck.

“Ew!”

Disgusted grumbles left your mouth, trying to roll away from Jason, only for him to tighten his hold on you.

“You’re not gettin’ away from my love, sweetheart.”

You sighed, falling limp in his arms, your body a dead weight as he manhandled you back over to him.

"Yeah, accept your fate."

Jason grinned, turning you onto your back, leaning in, and planting a raspberry on your collarbone. You squeaked, wriggling in Jason's grasp. He nipped and nibbled at your neck and the tender area just under your jaw, his hands tracing the dips in your body.

And then he licked your cheek.

"EuuAuCk!"

An inhuman noise left your lips, your head recoiling as far as humanly possible into the pillows. You curled in on yourself, rubbing the saliva off with the collar of your shirt.

Something akin to a giggle left Jason's lips, his blue eyes flicking up to meet yours.

Eugh. Blue-eyed stare.

Piercing blue eyes aside, Jason simply resorted to lying down on top of you with no regard for your breathing. All things considered, he was a nice weighted blanket. You simply sighed, the calm voice of the audiobook coming back into focus. Not enough in focus to perceive whatever they were saying, however.

Again, here you were, all cuddled up and cozy with Jason wrapped around you. Your hand combed through his shaggy hair, gently scratching at his scalp.

"I love you."

You murmured, lips moving against your partner's temple.

"I love you, too."

whheeeeee

[see-arcane]

Jonathan: Gonna do bribes to find Dracula :)

Jonathan: Ready to break into this building to ambush Dracula :)

Jonathan: Lizard fashioning my ass out a window in order to chase Dracula down and kukri him in half in a crowded Piccadilly street in broad daylight :)

Van Helsing: Well, that's all very admirable-to-concerning. But surely you wouldn't go any further? Blasphemously or otherwise?

Jonathan: Can, will, and must go full vampire while flipping God the bird if He dares to damn Mina :)

Van Helsing, sweating: Friend Harker, my child,--

Jonathan, thinking so loud it makes the novel an audiobook: I Am Not Your Child. I Am Only Barely Your Friend Until the Millisecond You and Your Fanboys Think of Scratching Mina with a Stake. I Have Plenty of Time to Plan Out Your Funerals Now That I'm Not Hauling Ass Around London and Gathering the Only Useful Information We've Compiled Since We Followed Your Orders and Banned Mina to Benign Sexism Limbo! I Spent the Two (Formerly) Worst Months of My Life Playing Nice for My Life and I Can Act Circles Around You and Your Fellow Head Doctor like You're Fucking Blind. Want Me to Kiss Your Knuckles Again While You Make Another Joke about How Well Dracula Ate Last Night? I'll Bite Your Hand Off One Finger at a Time. I Will Kill You First and God Second If You Look at Mina Wrong. Try Me. :)

Jonathan, out loud: Yes, Professor? :)

Van Helsing:

Jonathan: :) ?

Van Helsing: nothing

[bruciemilf]

Jason's never seen Bruce cry before.

He often admires the sharp cut of his jaw flexing, clenching tight when he's yelled at. By Gordon, by the mayor, by an unhappy civilian displeased with the justice they're handed.

He sees Bruce's lips pressed together, his brown eyes polished by a sad sheen when Dickface won't answer his phone. The birthday cake glares on the table like a bad omen.

When Jason asks for extra homework (no, he's not a nerd, Steph) and lecture, he requests Bruce read to him; He does like his voice. Soft, satiny, almost calming. If they weren't putrid rich, he'd make a goldmine in audiobooks.

They read The Mask Of Zorro, and he doesn't see Bruce for a few days.

A part of Jason doesn't like it; He's Robin. He's supposed to be magic. It works on everyone else, so why not on Bruce? Why not on someone Jason wants to be happy?

"I am happy, Jaylad. "

" Nice effort. Put more soul into it. You're almost making me believe you."

They've been driving a while. He knows what Bruce is trying to do. He's trying to lull him to sleep, like Jason's some baby.

" You are a baby,"

" I'm 9! I'm gonna be 10 soon! That's a full adult in the Narrows," Bruce's face, -- Batman's, -- betrays no reaction, but it's clear he wants to say something. But chooses not to. For some reason, that makes Jason fume quietly.

There's fingers tickling him.

He screeches, trying to push Bruce away, nevermind his tiny hands. Giggles and snorts and boisterous laughter fills the Batmobile, flooded by Jason's screams. " STOP! I DON'T CONSENT TO THIS!"

"Say you're a baby,"

" I'm-- I'm a baby, okay, I'm a baby,"

Satisfied , Bruce mercifully retreats, leaving Jason to wheeze and pant. It's really important, to capture these moments of joy. Gotham gives quick and takes quicker.

He wishes he wasn't so right.

It's clear on Bruce's face he didn't plan to come across any preps. "I know those guys," Jason hisses, watching a familiar clown gang lurk around the batmobile like a murder. "Joker's boys."

"Stay here."

"No! You don't have to do this alone!"

Bruce doesn't listen. Maybe that'll be their fate forever. Jason, screaming and reaching for him, and Bruce pushing him away to spare him.

And he doesn't know how they got him; That green stuff doesn't burn, not from what Jason sees over his spiking panic, but it does something, because Bruce falls like rain.

"No!"

His fists pound on the window, maybe to escape, maybe to get their attention. But if you get the Bat down, keep him there. Till he bleeds. And no one makes Batman bleed.

Bruce doesn't cry; He doesn't cry when they punch him, when they kick him, when they stab him, when they stomp his head, when they break his jaw with a crowbar,

Jason does, thought.

Tears of the father are wept by the son.

That laughter haunts him for years.

[official-wales]

Any advice for first language English speakers trying to learn Welsh?

sacrifice yourself to y ddraig goch and ascend into her kingdom of fire

Diolch yn fawr iawn! I'm a second language South Walian myself, so my Welsh is gonna be different to a first language North Walian, for example. But, we roll with it.

Start small

I don't know if you're in Wales, or elsewhere, but just introducing little Welsh phrases is a good place to start, like greetings. Don't worry about making mistakes, or being misunderstood. Everyone will know what you mean, and most people will be pleased you're using Welsh!

Hello - Shwmae/Helo

Good bye - Hwyl fawr

How are you? - Sut dych chi? (very formal), Sut wyt ti? (less formal)

Thank you (very much) - Diolch (yn fawr)

Please - O's gwelwch yn dda

Good morning - Bore da

Good afternoon - Prynhawn da

Good night - Nos da

Welcome - Croeso

If you ARE in Wales, look out for people wearing little orange speech mark badges in public places, like shops. These mean they are fluent, or learning Welsh, and will be happy to talk with you in the language.

2. Understanding pronunciation

Sometimes English speakers get tripped up by Welsh spelling, especially when mutations are involved. You've probably heard the old "it's just a keyboard smash language!", when honestly Welsh makes more sense than English (every letter is pronounced the same every time, unlike English, where it's a lottery).

Here's some major-ish differences to the English alphabet:

a - "ah" (apple)

ch - like a gutteral cat hiss? Or like you're trying to get phlegm out of the back of your throat.

dd - "th" (these)

e - "eh" (elephant)

f - "v" (velcro)

ff - "f" (fantastic)

i - "ee" (queen)

ll - like you're blowing air out the side of your tongue, while the tip is just behind your teeth. May take some practice, but it's a VERY common sound

r - roll that letter, baby. like an Italian

rh - like a breathy r. Use your teeth

u - "ih" (hit)

w - "ooh" (spoon)

y - "uh" (under) or sometimes "ih" (inside)

(there is no j, k, q or v in the Welsh alphabet. But that doesn't stop some anglicised words like "jam")

3. Mutations

Mutations are ways Welsh words change, depending on what comes before or after them. There are loads of mutations, but you can be understood without using them/forgetting them, so don't worry too much. They're quite easy to learn too.

For example:

Diflas - Boring

Mae Owen yn ddiflas - Owen is boring

The 'd' changes to a 'dd'. Because mutations. Don't ask me why.

Here's a guide to mutations that can explain it better than I can.

4. Find some sick Welsh media

Maybe you're into podcasts, or soap operas, or rock music, or food blogs, or children's books, or Eisteddfod poetry, or-

HERE'S SOME HANDPICKED STUFF FROM YOURS TRULY:

Hansh on Twitter, YouTube and iPlayer - comedy and more platform. Quite random.

Adwaith - Welsh-language, all-female, indie rock band from Carmarthenshire. Won the Welsh Music Prize in 2022.

Duolingo Welsh course - Recently, Duolingo announced they were going to stop updating the course, which led to some BIG OUTCRIES in Welsh news. Worth looking in to.

Learn Welsh - resources, schemes, audiobooks and more to help people learn Welsh in a way that suits them. 16-25 year olds can learn for free. You can book face to face lessons, online self-learning, learn with other learners, search courses near you and loads of other stuff. Good to explore.

Ap Treiglo and Ap Geiriadur - free apps to help with mutations and vocabulary. Ap Geiriadur is designed by Bangor University.

Siarad - Voluntary scheme to help people increase their confidence using Welsh. You're matched with a fluent Welsh speaker, and can go through three levels of proficiency. You arrange to meet up, or learn online - whatever suits you!

S4C - The Welsh language broadcasting service. Has everything: news, Gogglebocs Cymru, drama, documentaries, you name it.

Doctor Cymraeg - really successful tiktok and instagram account. Teaches about bitesized Welsh language facts, vocabulary and funny things. Also always films them when out on a walk, with the expression of a high school teacher who's just watched his pupils try and fail to make the leaning tower of pisa out of gluesticks. Classic.

5. TYMBLR

There are LOADS of people learning Welsh on here for the first time, and interacting with them is one of the best ways to get into the language online. #dysgu cymraeg is a good tag.

Sorry for the long post, but ta da! I am by no means an expert, but with your help anon, we can get everyone speaking Welsh by nightfall. The plan is in motion. Godspeed.

[camlannpod]

Okay I don't know if this is a good place to ask, sorry if it's random or annoying! I'm trying to learn Welsh for study purposes (goal: read Mabinogi) and I'm wondering if y'all can recommend any welsh-language podcasts or audiobooks? Especially medieval-adjacent ones, because brain gremlins. Thanks! (I hope this isn't annoying.)

Hey! Not annoying at all, it makes me so so happy when people ask this question!! Welsh is still an endangered language and a really underappreciated literary culture, please learn and read Welsh and tell other people about it!

Now I've had this ask before but the Tumblr search function continues to be garbage so I'm just gonna start again.

The Learn Welsh Podcast is super useful, as is Y Podleidiad Dysgu Cymraeg from BBC Radio Cymru. You could also check out Doctoriaid Cymraeg.

The fiction podcast We Know None has a little Welsh language in it, as does @ethicstownpod. And Gather the Suspects, Seren and Chain of Being are all from Welsh creators, so I recommend them!

Audiobooks are a bit trickier - because Welsh is endangered there aren't as many. This said, the bookshop Y Lolfa is an amazing Welsh language book store that has a few Welsh language audiobooks, and you can access it online. It also looks like Audible has a 'Welsh language' section of audiobooks - a quick glance and I think the books by Colin Jones should be a good start. They're fantasy rather than real mythology but designed for learners.

Always check the reviews, as sadly due to Welsh not being as widely spoken as it once was, sometimes these things will be made with bad pronunciation / mistakes, and might take you down the wrong track.

Also just a note - the original language of the Mabinogion is Medieval Welsh, which is quite different to modern Welsh. However you can find translations of it into modern Welsh and English.

And finally - it's not an audibook, but there is now a Welsh language edition of The Hobbit, Yr Hobyd, if you want to try that!

Happy learning, thank you for the ask!

[mihawkhugs]

night changes

haikyuu | iwaizumi x reader | soulmate au (colours)

a/n : may make a part 2!

Falling in love with Iwaizumi was easy. 

It was like watching the night change. You don't really notice how the night passes until dawn arrives, and the sun breaks through the inky hue of the night. But if you play close attention, there are signs that time passes through the night, with clouds floating lazily about as the night sky dances between its shades of midnight. 

One may think his gruff nature and blunt manner may be off-putting, and perhaps they once were at first glance, but now, you can read in-between the lines, and see his loud barks of advice for what they conveyed - his concern for you. 

You first met him in high school. It was hard not to notice him, often accompanied by his flamboyant companion, Oikawa, and his loving (and loud) fans. In a crowd of smiles and laughter and adoration, his serious face, shouting and angry cursing definitely stood out to you. Especially because of how loud he could get when dragging Oikawa away. They certainly made an iconic dynamic duo. 

It was his shouting that led the two of you to become friends. 

You were holding your file, spacing out in the hallway whilst going to your next class, when an roar caused you to shriek, drop your file, and jump like you've been electrocuted by Pikachu. You swear your heart almost stopped as you were jolted out of your daze. 

"OI SHITTYKAWA! GET YOUR ASS - "

Iwaizumi was interrupted by your (embarrasing) reaction and the both of you had gaped at each other, like demented betta fishes before they fight. 

You were the first to snap out of your impromptu staring competition with Mr Spiky Loudmouth, scrambling to pick out your file amd all the papers that had scattered out, blushing in horror at your social faux pas. 

"I am so sorry ohmygod you just startled me and I just reacted instinctively jesus I'm a mess please ohmygod - " 

His chuckle halted your rambling and made you fumble, feeling mortified that one of the most popular guys in school had just watched you scream, drop your file like an atomic bomb and ramble like a 5 year old who had too much sugar. 

He knelt down, and you absentmindedly noted how large his hands were as they helped you pick up the remaining pieces of work, gently arranging them in a neat pile. 

"No, I'm sorry for startling you. I shouldn't have been shouting in the hallway like that." 

He had a nice voice, mellow and a little deep. He'd probably make a killing reading audiobooks or doing podcasts. 

He choked out a laughed as his eyes crinkled, handing you your papers as the tips of his ears turned a little darker, "Thank you? I think?"

As your hands brushed against each others, and before you could hit yourself for saying that out loud (like GOD he was gonna think you had a thing for voices which was NOT the impression you were trying to give) your world burst into colour, and the monochrome world you knew was replaced by so, so many colours, that you had only read about. 

Distantly, you heard Iwaizzumi inhale sharply, but you had long forgotten about him and your papers, standing up and looking out the window, entranced by how bright the world was, and how everything looked so different from the shades of grey that were all you knew. 

You turned to Iwaizumi, who was staring at you like it was his first time seeing you, and smacked him repeatedly in excitement, causing him to flinch in surprise. 

You pointed out the windown as you whacked him in glee, "Look!! Outside!! There are COLOURS!!!! Look!!" 

He followed your hand, laughing as he covered his mouth, eyes squinted shut with joy. 

"Yes soulmate, I see them too." 

You beamed at him before registering what he said. For the second time that day, you gaped at Iwaizumi Hajime like a dead goldfish, trying to say something but your words and brain failing you (again). 

He laughed again, a pretty shade of something painting his cheeks as he beamed at you, holding out his hand hesitantly. 

"Nice to meet you?" 

You reached out automatically to shake his hand (which were indeed much larger than yours), and gargled something gibberish in response. 

"Yo Iwa-chan~, it's lunch time! What's taking you so long -" 

Oikawa popped his head out from around the corner, before spotting the two of you, his best friend smiling like he had just seen a real life Godzilla, and a cute girl who was blushing like she had seen someone dance naked up a tree. 

His eyes gleamed with mischief and he opened his mouth, ready to shit on his best friend, when Iwazumi's head snapped towards him like a demented Annabelle doll, eyes promising revenge, pain and destruction if he so much as breathed in his direction. 

So Oikawa did what anyone would do. He screamed out, "Iwa-chan's got a girlfriend!" as he sprinted away, hauling ass.

Your soulmate went from cute happy babyboy to angry demon dog ghost child as he snarled in the direction of the other half of his duo, as you stared at him, brain not braining anymore. 

He turned towards you and flashed a small, shy smile.

"Wait for me after school?" 

You nodded mechanically. He could have told you to throw yourself out the window and you would have agreed anyways (God he had such a nice voice). 

He beamed at you, dimpling his cheeks, before he turned and scowled at the direction his friend had run of too. 

"DIE TRASHYKAWA! GET READY TO…" 

His voice trailed off as he sprinted down the hallway, yelling obsceneities and insults so creative he could write a book, leaving you staring after him, world completely overturned. 

Your hands came up to your cheeks, papers and file totally forgotten as you buried your face in your hands, letting out a silent scream. 

You had just met your soulmate.