#and lutz is always so lovely

[valkoinenlintu]

lutz & felix appreciation🥺

tatort ep "Mauerpark"

like c'mon. these are two short, lovely guys. appreciate them. <3

[moonstruckme]

Okay I’ve been thinking of request ideas for Thawing Out all day while I was at work 😂 What about if something happened with her on the way to practice (nothing serious but maybe it shook her up a bit) and she was late and clearly acting off? Obviously her boys are going to notice…

Love you as always, hope you’re doing amazing! 💖💖💖

Thank you Amber my love!!! Hope you like it <3

collab with @ellecdc

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5

cw: modern au, chronic pain, mention of harassment

poly!wolfstar x fem!reader ♡ 1.6k words

You come into the rink with quick, determined steps, blitzing past every door in your path until you get to the bleachers. Sirius is already on the ice, Remus leaned against the boards while he watches. Both boys turn when you sit down. 

“Hello,” Sirius calls, clearly chuffed to have you here as a buffer between him and your bristly coach. “Where’s my latte?”

“No time today,” you say back. You jam your foot into a skate. 

Remus gives you a scrutinous look. “You alright?”

“Fine. Sorry I’m late.” 

You get your skates on in record time, laced up tight enough to hurt. Sirius is ready for you in your starting position, his hands firm on your shoulders. He gives a little squeeze, meant to coax a smile out of you, but you’re in no mood. 

“I was just fucking with you about the latte,” he says lowly. “I don’t need it to get through practice, though he has been especially insufferable this morning.” 

You glance at Remus. He looks the same as always, half relaxed and half watchful. He and Sirius have fallen into a routine of petty spats that you suspect don’t exactly make him look forward to practice every morning, and yet he seems to be getting used to the both of you. He’s less curt than he had been during your first few days together. 

“You only say that because you were here alone with him,” you say. 

“It didn’t help. Without you here he’s in his most unfiltered, fogey form.” 

Your skating is as near to flawless as it’s been in weeks. You throw yourself into each jump with everything you have, using the hot emotions simmering beneath your skin to your advantage. And it works. Remus looks caught offguard but directs several nods of approval your way, whereas Sirius is all untempered joy. His grin widens with each flawless landing, and when you finish your most difficult move in the routine he actually whoops. You think you see Remus’ lips twitch at that. 

“There she is!” Sirius grips your hand, squeezing tight as you go into a synchronized arabesque. His hair is pulled back into a bun, but a couple of loose pieces flutter around his face as he skates backwards. He looks so happy for you, and some of that tight feeling you’ve been carrying around all morning dissipates. You smile back at him. 

You both go into a lutz. It’s a jump you’ve done half a million times. It should be a given, perfect every time. And yet you catch your mistake in midair. 

You land on your hands and knees. 

You pant a couple of times, and your next breath scrapes on the way in. Tears press at your eyes horrifyingly fast, like they’ve only been waiting for their chance. You press your nose to the ice. 

Skates hiss until they’re next to you, Sirius’ hand on your back. 

“What’s wrong? What happened?” 

You shake your head, humiliated by your fall and even more so by this fracturing, how easily it came on. You feel pathetic. 

“Where is it?” Sirius’ voice climbs, growing shrill with panic. “Let me see. How bad is it?” 

He’s trying to sit you up, hands cold and gentle and frantic, but his touch stills when a warmer one meets your shoulder. 

“Are you hurt?” Remus asks. 

“No.” You finally find your voice, but it’s pitchy and awful. “I’m sorry.” 

“Fuck. Fucking hell.” In the next second you’re smushed against Sirius, who hugs you tight as soon as he knows he doesn’t have to be delicate with you. “You scared the shit out of me.” 

“I’m sorry.” Your face feels hotter than hot in the cold rink. You push into your eyes with your fingertips. “God, what the fuck! I thought I fixed it. I don’t understand why this is still happening.” 

You’re sobbing now, tiny explosions that start in your chest and ricochet all the way through you, but fuming all the same. 

“You were both right, I’m holding myself back. I thought I could stop, but it just keeps happening, and I can’t do this. I’m so incompetent I can’t even do a fucking lutz. We need to find Sirius a new partner. I can’t hold us back anymore, I—” 

“Hey.” 

Remus’ voice is harsh, but not as harsh as Sirius’ grip on you turns at the sound of it. Your partner’s face goes sharp and cruel in an instant, an animal bearing its teeth. 

Remus pays him no mind. He keeps his eyes on yours, firm and unrelenting. “Don’t speak about yourself that way,” he says. 

You feel Sirius’ hold slacken in surprise. 

Another tear trudges down your face, and Remus’ expression gentles. “Everyone falls,” he tells you. “You have been improving, faster than I thought was possible, but you can’t expect it to happen all at once. You’re still going to fall sometimes. It’s alright. We’re working on it, yeah?” 

You sniff, wiping underneath your eyes. “Yeah,” you squeak out. “Sorry.” 

“You don’t need to be sorry. Just give yourself some grace, yeah?” His lips press together in a little grimace that’s likely meant to be a smile. “It’s my job to be hard on you, not yours. You’re allowed to fuck up. It doesn’t make you incompetent, or unworthy of competing with Sirius. You are the best person to be his partner. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be here, understand?” 

“Yeah.” You take a deep breath in. “Thank you.” It stutters a bit on the way out, catching on another tiny sob you can’t help. This one comes from a place of relief, but Sirius’ cold fingers dig into your arm anyway and Remus’ brows twitch slightly as though it hurts him, too. 

“No problem,” he says softly. “Are you sure you haven’t hurt yourself?” 

You nod, closing your eyes to will yourself calmer. 

“Good. Do you want to leave off early today?” 

You swallow and start to stand. “No. I’m okay.” 

“No.” Sirius’ voice is bemused enough to sound like a question. He rises beside you, looking at you like he’s trying to puzzle you out. “No, something’s up with you today. We should stop.” 

Remus seems to go along with him, starting back towards the opening in the boards, and you think wryly that if one good thing comes from all this it might be those two finally starting to get along. You also realize for the first time that Remus is out here with you on the ice. It’s the first time you’ve seen him so much as think about coming off of the bleachers, even if he is only in regular shoes and leaning heavily on his good hip as he makes his way back towards them. 

“I’m okay,” you repeat to Sirius. 

He shakes his head. “You’ve been weird since you got here. What happened?”

“Nothing happened.” 

“Something did.” 

You push out a frustrated breath. “Nothing relevant.” 

“But something did happen.” 

He’s steering you towards the exit now. It feels petulant to rip away and stay on the ice even if no one else will, though that’s what you’d really like to do. 

“Are you actively trying to piss me off?” you ask him. 

Sirius shrugs, stepping onto the floor. “If that’s what’s going to work. I only want to know what got you so upset.” 

“Nothing.” 

“Here we are again. Back to ‘nothing.’” 

Remus is watching you both like you’re a show his TV has randomly flipped to. Tentative of where he stands, but definitely entertained. 

You hate that this has become such a big thing. “It’s really nothing,” you say, planting yourself on the bench with a force that perhaps belies your claim. “It was just some git on the way here this morning.” 

Sirius’ eyebrows go up while Remus’ come down. 

“And what did this git have to say to you?” Sirius asks. 

You sigh, starting to unlace your skates since apparently practice is over. “It’s not what he said. He only asked me out, which is fine, but then he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He, like, grabbed onto my arm and wouldn’t let go for a bit.” 

Sirius’ expression goes stormy. It’s almost as bad as the look he’d given Remus earlier, only without a target to be directed at. “Are you fucking joking?” 

“It was fine,” you say. “I made it here, didn’t I? It just freaked me out a little. And pissed me off.” 

“Yeah, you should be pissed!” Sirius starts pacing, mindless of the indents his blades are putting into the rubber flooring. “Who does that? Did he think—what, you were just going to have to go out with him if he took you captive?” 

“I don’t know.” You give him a dead-eyed stare. “I didn’t ask him.” 

“God, you should be able to walk to fucking practice in the morning without being accosted by—by some—”

“Do you need someone to walk with you in the mornings?” Remus seems uninterested in waiting to hear what creative insult Sirius comes up with for the git. He looks at you steadily, his jaw tight but ready to accept whatever answer you give him. 

“No,” you say. “Like I said, it was really nothing.” 

“It upset you,” he says matter-of-factly. “That’s not nothing.” 

“I can walk you.” Sirius plonks down beside you on the bench, seeming to have come to a decision. “Just wait for me inside tomorrow morning, and I’ll come pick you up.” 

You can’t help but smile at that. “If I leave it to you, we’ll never get here. There’ll never be another morning practice again.” Remus’ tongue pokes into his cheek like he’s repressing a grin. 

“Wha—so little faith!” Sirius sputters, straightening before he’s so much as touched his laces. “I’ll be there, okay? We will be needing to pick up my coffee on the way here, though.” 

You give him a skeptical look. “You realize I wake up a half hour earlier to have time to get those?” 

“Fucking hell! Do you really?”

[thatdammchickennugget]

Just My Type

pairing - hockey player!theodore nott x figure skater!reader

tags - hockey player and figure skater au

warnings - none I think

wordcount - 1.1k

a/n - I wrote this drunk in the middle of the night soo...enjoy. might write a second part if anyone is interested

The tension that had accumulated in your shoulders throughout the day slowly faded away with every stroke your skates took over the freshly resurfaced ice. Neither your skating partner, nor your coach were here yet. So, you decided to make use of the little time you had the rink all to yourself.

Pushing your headphones over your ears and starting your current favourite song before carefully throwing your phone over the banister and onto your jacket lying on the bench, you turned back towards the rink and pushed your skates hard into the frozen surface, the blades cutting into the ice, leaving long lines behind.

Even though you loved skating with a partner and you could not even imagine having to perform alone anymore, you really savoured these rare moments of having the whole place to yourself. With your university’s hockey team, the multiple younger teams and all the other figure skaters it was usually packed. You got lucky by getting the owner’s wife as your coach, meaning you often got prime practice spots. It also helped that you regularly volunteered to help out with beginner classes. You had worked pretty hard on getting into their good books.

After warming up, you quickly got lost in the music and the freeing feeling of flying across the ice, improvising most of your movements, not really having a choreography in mind. You were gliding backwards, building up momentum preparing to jump into a double lutz.

Completely focused, you lifted into the air, but instead of landing back on the ice your back collided with something hard and you hit the ground with a groan. The person you had crashed into lost their balance as well, their skates barely missing your leg as they tumbled down beside to you.

“Shit, sorry. Are you okay?” a deep voice rung out as he pushed himself back up, offering you his hand.

“Nothing broken, I think,” you mumbled, rubbing your aching lower back and pulling down your headphones to hang around your neck. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention where I was going. Didn’t know anyone else was in here.”

“I wasn’t looking either,” he grimaced, hand running through his messy brown hair.

Taking his hand and letting him help you up, your face flushed when you caught him looking you up and down. His tall frame was towering over you and your heart sped up as you met his eyes, the warmth spreading from your cheeks and down your neck.

The corner of his lips quirked up into a smirk when he noticed your flustered state. That was when your gaze dropped down to his jersey covered chest, a big yellow number eight staring back at you. Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What was a hockey player doing here right now?

You did not recognize him as you were not following the hockey team, having gotten enough of hockey boys in your freshman year. In your experience, most of them were arrogant pricks who thought your passion was a lower sport. If they even acknowledged figure skating as a real sport at all.

Backing up slightly, you mentally cursed yourself for the way your knees almost buckled under his intense gaze, your legs feeling like jelly.

“What are you doing here anyways?” you asked after clearing your throat.

“What does it look like?” he teased, mentioning over to where the rest of his team was getting ready to join him on the ice. Some of them were watching your exchange and you hoped they had not witnessed the whole thing and you suddenly became acutely aware of your drenched leggings, praying that it did not look as bad as it felt.

You found the only player you knew in the group, sending Enzo a small wave. The two of you had met when his sister started taking lessons with you. You had found it adorable that he always brought her and stayed to watch. Most of the parents just dropped their children off and came back to pick them up later. Enzo, however, was there every Saturday morning, cheering not only for the sister but also for the other girls.

“But you don’t have practice right now,” you told him as you crossed your arms across your chest. “Seven to eight is our spot.”

Usually the team practiced right before you. You always heard them make a ruckus in their locker room as you waited for Billy, the Zamboni-driver, to finish refreshing the rink. Now you realized why it had felt so eery in here earlier, their laughter and yells had been missing.

“Didn’t you get the new schedule? Our practice got pushed back,” he mumbled, bending down to reach for his stick, his scent of mint and tobacco wafting your way.

“I did get it. And my spot didn’t change.” You were sure, having checked it over multiple times.

Spotting Lena, your trainer, walking towards the rink, you quickly pushed yourself away from the boy, gliding over to the banister where she was standing. The blonde woman met you with an apologetic smile.

“I’m guessing you already heard?” she asked, nodding to the player who just came to a stop behind you. “Hello Theo.”

“What’s going on?” you questioned as you watched the other players start warming up.

“There was a mishap with the schedule. Brody double booked the rink for you guys,” she explained and you stifled your groan. “Unfortunately we can’t fix it right now. Which means we’ll have to share on Tuesdays and Thursdays for now.”

“What? But Regionals are in four weeks and we need the whole rink for the routine!” you complained and Lena shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m sorry but I can’t do anything about it right now. We’ll just have to adapt,” Lena grumbled and turned to look around the area. “Wes didn’t show again?”

The mention of your partner made you cringe, your fingers finding the hem of your sweater, fiddling with it nervously. He had been becoming less and less reliable each week lately, being late all the time and sometimes not even showing up at all.

“He’s in the bathroom,” you lied, praying that he was just running late and would show up soon. Lena could definitely tell you were not telling the truth and apparently so could the boy behind you, Theo apparently.

He snorted at your bluff and you quickly whirled around to glare at him. “You better tell your friends to stay on your side.”

“Don’t worry, princess. I’ll make sure you won’t fall on your ass again,” he smirked, raising his brows as if he was trying to get you flustered again. You did not give him the satisfaction, just rolling your eyes before skating away.

Soon Lena joined you and you let out a breath of relief when you spotted Wes strolling into the building.

By now, you were the main topic of discussion among the hockey boys, Enzo being questioned from all sides as he was the only one who knew anything about you. Enzo watched with a knowing grin as Theo kept glancing your way every time you jumped or spun around, missing most of his shots.

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[transdimensional-void]

i've said this before, but my overall take on "ascendance of a bookworm" is that it's a love story but it's not a romance. and that's because the love that it centralizes is family love rather than romance. (series end spoilers beyond the cut)

that's why the final scene of the entire series isn't the engagement ceremony or their wedding or some couple-y romantic moment. it's myne reunited with her family FINALLY after their heartwrenching separation and growing distance over the course of the series, and ferdinand, for the first time in his life, getting to be part of a family in the way he's always yearned for.

that is the culmination of the series's thesis about love. ferdinand was saved by myne's love, but only because myne was originally saved by her family's love. and myne's love, learned from her lower-city family, has saved countless other people over the course of the series. ferdinand isn't unique in that regard, though he is the most obvious example of it.

myne and ferdinand's marriage gives both of them everything they've ever wanted. ferdinand gets the unconditional love and the family that he's wanted all his life. myne gets to keep ferdinand close and gain his assistance in making her dreams a reality—in that sense, ferdinand proves himself to be the upgraded version of early-series lutz, who promised myne to make all of the things she thought up.

the myne-ferdinand synergy is beautifully crafted. she needs his genius and his savvy to bring her dreams into the realm of possibility. he needs her dreams and her conscience to keep his abilities pointed toward the betterment of society. she needs his practicality to ground her in everyday life, and he needs her concern for his well-being to do the same for him.

they tangibly improve one another's lives and are obviously going to make one another happier than anyone else possibly could. that's why i love their relationship even while i don't particularly ship it in a romantic sense.

i think what i love most about the series's focus on familial love is that it clearly tells us that in some cases families simply don't love you the way they should and that in those cases it's okay to cut ties with them. we see that happen with the former veronica faction children who become rozemyne's name-sworn, and with philine's brother konrad. we see ferdinand choose the real, unconditional love myne's family offers him over sylvester's, which always prioritized veronica, florencia, his children, and the good of ehrenfest over ferdinand. we see the tragedy of georgine and the way her relation to her family became twisted by veronica's own twisted worldview. we also see that people who are not blood-related can be real family to one another, such as delia and dirk. it's a very different message than is often shown in japanese media.

the transformative power of familial love is one of the pillars upon which the entire series rests, and it's so important to me that the series also says that that love doesn't have to come from your blood-related family to still be just as real and just as powerful.

in that final scene, we see lutz, benno, mark, and ferdinand (all men, by the way!) having left behind their original families in ehrenfest, yet still being happy and fulfilled with the family they've created for themselves in alexandria. it's such a powerful scene, and i am so grateful to kazuki-sensei for letting me experience it.

[tomtenadia]

Check my heart - ch 2

Hello all, So here we are with a new chapter

cw: anxiety, panic attacks

Rowan was sitting in his bed with Maya at his side. His daughter had been talking almost all evening about Miss G, her ice skating teacher. Apparently his daughter idolised her. But one thing attracted his attention. Maya had told him that she had been a figure skater and in that instant, Elide’s comment popped in his head.

“Dada, can you see her on the computer like grampa does for hockey?”

“Do you want to watch her skate?”

His daughter’s smile was the only answer he needed so he entered her name on Google and the first video that came up read Aelin Galathynius’s career ending jump. He paused. His hand slightly shaking. He took a deep breath and skipped to another video.

She was wearing an orange outfit that resembled a flame and a kingsflame in her hair. The video started with her in the middle of the rink, ready for the music to start. And when she began to dance he was mesmerised. The little knowledge of the jumps he had acquired it from Lyria but now that information was a jumble in his brain. He remembered that Lyria was trying to land what was called a triple axel and he knew that was a hard jump. His eyes followed Aelin on the dance of the ice and he knew he had read her right from the start. According to the commentator Aelin had been a rising star in the figure skating world.

“Dada she is so pretty.”

Rowan was hooked. Aelin was as graceful on the ice as she was fierce with anything else. He watched her glide, jump, twist. And yes, his daughter was right. Aelin was pretty. More than that she was a ray of sunshine. Now he really felt like a brute.

“Dad?”

“Yes baby, she is.”

“Dada?”

“Yes my love?”

She looked up at him with hopeful eyes “I want to skate like her.”

“Do you want to learn figure skating?”

“Yes.”

His heart sank. He was not going to let what happened with Lyria affect his daughter’s decisions.

“Well, we can ask miss G next time and see what she thinks?”

Maya squealed happily and hugged him “dad you are the best.”

He pulled his daughter close to him and hugged her “thanks muffin. Want to watch another video?”

Maya fell asleep halfway through the fifth video. His daughter always had high levels of energy and  sometimes it was hard to put her to bed, but since she started skating lessons she had been falling asleep much more easily. Gently, he tucked her under the covers at his side and while he searched for the video he had skipped, his hand was firmly on her head caressing it gently.

With apprehension filling him, he started the video. It was a world championship and according to the commentator she was among the favourites with a program with a high coefficient. They had explained that she had finished the short program in the lead and now it was the turn of the long program. The music eventually started and Aelin began her routine. He followed her through the motions and listened to the commentators explaining the moves. She then reached the end of the rink and veered back, her leg briefly up for balance and then she was in the air spinning on herself in what the man on tv called a triple axel. Rowan stopped the video and went back to watch it again. She spun, quickly, her hand tight against her chest and then she landed, extending a leg behind her. The commentators screamed at a perfectly executed jump, explaining the difficulty of landing such jump. They went wild over it. He watched the jump one more time. It was stunning. The way she controlled her body, he was almost jealous of it. Eventually he kept watching and he saw her preparing for another jump. She was up in the air in a triple Lutz and then the crash. Aelin’s foot missed the landing and a moment later she was on the ice, holding her leg. Blood seeping from the other where the blade had cut her during the fall. The video stopped and he realised his heart was racing. That looked like a bad injury, the knee was likely gone. He quickly opened the browser and tried to find some more info. Aelin had destroyed her ACL and meniscus during the fall, needing surgery and also broke her ankle. Her career had been over in a matter of seconds.

He closed the computer and turned towards Maya who was sound asleep. How did she made it back on the ice? How could she face it again after such a horrible accident? He was in awe and all of a sudden he wanted to try and have a proper conversation with her because they had in common far more than he expected.

*

The following morning Aelin was back on the ice quite early and loved the peace of the rink. The ice was pristine after the Zamboni had very likely cleaned it the night before. It was bliss. Aelin sat on the bench and tied her skates and once ready she went through her routine to get her muscles ready. Then she stepped on the ice and for a while she just coasted, skating around the rink, a gentle music playing over the sound system that she was allowed to use. Aelin attempted a few easy jumps. She executed a simple single Salchow and felt good at not feeling any pain in her knee. The music picked up and Aelin added a few more jumps without pushing too much. Then she gathered her courage and prepared for a simple single axel, something that once she could do with her eyes closed. Now… it terrified her. 

The jump and then the pain of her arse on the ice. A cry of frustration left her lips.

“Are you okay?” Said a male voice not far from her.

She looked up and saw Whitethorn on the ice, skating towards her with worry. He offered his hand but she slapped it away “I do not need your help.”

Rowan tilted his head in a silent question.

“You happy? I fall too.” She snapped pulling herself up.

He ignored her “Mind if I train too?”

She folded her arms at her chest in challenge “why you are not at camp with the team? Why are you   constantly interrupting me?”

“Don’t worry princess, I will only take a corner of the rink. There’s plenty of space for you and your ego.” He snarled back matching her tone.

Aelin screamed in frustration “I hate you hockey players. You think the rink is only yours and us regular skaters need to squeeze training when you oafs decides we are worthy of the ice.”

“Listen princess, you can still do your pretty jumps, I will not bother you.”

“Stop calling me princess,” she shouted back in anger.

Rowan scoffed and skated away ignoring her outburst. She saw him go behind the gate and she hoped he was leaving, but instead he came back out dragging a net on one hand and the stick in the other. Ignoring her, he disappeared at the very far end of the rink, a part that she definitely would not use and she watched as he stood at a distance from the net and stared at it immobile. 

She had not listened to Elide and had not gone looking for more information about him. She was not interested.

But in the distance, as she stared at him she wondered: why was he not with the rest of the team? Why was he training alone? Rowan started shooting the puck at the empty net. He went through the motions of skating around and then shoot from different angles. He never missed. Fair enough it was easy with an empty net, but she studied his skills with interest.

Curiosity won and she skated towards him rising her hands in a gesture of peace.

He shoot the puck and then turned to her, removing his helmet “what?”

“Too easy with an empty net.”

“Am I criticising your training routine? No.”

Aelin cursed under her breath “I was just curious about the training.”

Rowan tilted his head to the side in a silent question. He then passed her his stick “get here.” Aelin obliged and moved closer noticing how Rowan kept his touches to a minimum. She grabbed the stick and swung it backwards and then tried to hit the puck. The stick went flying and the puck remained untouched.

Rowan roared with laughter and skated away to recover the hockey stick.

“Sorry.”

“Not easy,” he stood behind her and showed her the motions, his body flushed against hers, his hand covering hers on the handle. Then he positioned the blade against the puck and shoot, sending it straight into the net in a shorthanded shot.

Rowan then recovered the puck and started skating around the rink moving as if he had defensemen blocking his path and then shoot again into the net.

“Okay, stop bragging.”

Aelin had been amazed by the raw power in his body as he skated around the rink and controlled the puck with incredible control.

“Imagine doing this when you have a wall of men in front of you, or someone elbowing you or worse getting ready to check you against the boards.”

Aelin stared at him “Check?”

“Cross check is quite common,” he started explaining “It’s when a players holds the shaft of the stick with both hands and there’s no contact with the ice and shove it against a player.” He mimicked the motion against her body “depending on the severity it could lead to a two minutes penalty to something worse.”

“You have some weird rules.” 

Rowan roared with laughter “oh, this is just the beginning. And I am sure that figure skating has some confusing rules too.”

She looked at him stunned. Did he know?

He must have noticed the worry in her face “Another time, princess.” And she was grateful that he had not enquired further.

“Come on, try.” He passed her the stick again and placed the puck on the ice. Aelin moved and tried to control the puck but as she pushed it just glided away so she chased it trying to hook it with the stick. Rowan followed her as they crossed the rink.

“This thing is impossible to control, damn it.”

Rowan took the stick back and showed her slowly.

Aelin tried again and failed “This is nonsense.”

 “Not really, it’s just part of the basics that you learn with training,” he smiled “I am sure that I would embarrass myself at attempting a toe loop jump for example.”

Aelin looked at him in surprise “and what do you know about a toe loop?”

“I know things.”

“Do you?”

She skated away, performed a few turns and then she was in the air and back down.

“Now who’s bragging?”

Rowan shook his legs and then started to skate trying to imitate the circle motions she did. He then skated backwards and tried to jump, lifting the leg as she did and then trying to spin just like Aelin.

He landed on his arse and this time it was Aelin laughing at him and Rowan joined her in.

“It’s quite amusing, seeing a brute like you trying figure skating.”

Rowan pouted “hey, men figure skate too.”

“I know, but you really have no grace.”

Rowan flipped his hair “Next time I will try and dance to the net and pull a flip while scoring.”

Aelin giggled “please, and don’t forget your spandex.”

Their banter was interrupted by voices in the background. Aelin turned and saw two of her seniors entering the ice “I let you to your classes.” Rowan grabbed the net and was about to leave but Aelin stopped him.

“You might not be too bad.”

“See you tomorrow, princess.” And with a wink he left her.

*

That night, in the privacy of her house Aelin caved.

The morning with Rowan had been fun, for as much as it bothered her to admit that a hockey player might be fun to be around. It had been hilarious to watch that huge man trying to pull a toe loop jump.

So that night she decided to listen to Elide, grabbed her laptop and searched for Rowan Whitethorn.

Right at the top of her search results there was an article about an accident happened in a game the previous season. Aelin opened the article and read the details of the event. She did try to imagine it but she was confused and the only thing she managed to barely grasp was the concept of cross check that Rowan had explained her earlier on. So she decided to click the video and watched the clip. Thankfully, they had names on the jerseys because otherwise she had no way to recognise him. The game was fast and could not follow the puck. She heard the screams of the fans and then a commotion. Aelin paused the video and went back, realising that she had been concentrating on the wrong spot. Concentrating on Rowan’s jersey she followed the action and saw it happen. Rowan had the puck and was skating towards the net, as he followed the boards behind the net, a man smashed him against the boards. The sound of his body crashing hard against the boards made her shiver in fear. She saw his body slump and his face bloody. Lorcan, the only man she knew aside from Aedion, went straight for the attacker and the fist fight began as gloves were thrown on the ice in challenge. She spotted her cousin with the team near Rowan. He was not moving and Aelin feared. Two linesmen were busy trying to pull Lorcan and the other guy aside while the referee was with Rowan. And when a stretcher finally entered the rink the video cut.

Aelin rewatched the video and could not believe the brutality of the man called Rolfe. She went back to the article, trying to associate the written explanation to the video. What turned the penalty into a major was that Rowan had been hit from behind causing him to go head first. A further hit had happened once he hit the ice. Rowan had spent time in the hospital with a TBI and was now still on leave until his team came back from summer camp.

All of a sudden all the animosity had gone. She knew how he felt. She knew the hard road to recovery after an injury.

And when she went to bed that night she felt that for once she would not mind sharing the rink with him.

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[georgiapeach30513]

The One to Sacrifice, Part 4

Summary: too much has happened

Pairings: Raleigh Becket X Reader

Rating: explicit

Warnings:  explicit language, explicit sexual content, unprotected sex, PIV sex, oral sex (F receiving), cum eating, mentions of an unwanted pregnancy, 18+ ONLY

Word Count: 4.6K

Previous

Series Masterlist

*dividers created by @firefly-graphics

Your fingers tap on your desk rhythmically. A jaunty little diddy that’s been in your head, and you’re trying to find a perfect combination of jumps. Triple lutz. No, double axel for that beat. Over and over in your head before you angrily huff, and burst out of your chair. You’re not a skater anymore. That dream was taken away from you. Not really. You chose this life.

Tanzy needed you though, and you needed her in ways that nobody knew. The first time you held her you couldn’t even breathe. It was such a struggle, and Mike offered so many times to hold her while you centered yourself, but you wanted to just look at her perfect little features. Her fingernails already had white tips on them, giving her the look of a manicure. The way her hair curled perfectly around her face, framing her sweet features and making her look like a doll.

You were always the one that would make sure her bum didn’t get diaper rashes. Mike took on the financial burden more. He was present, but you were the main caregiver. Until you were the only caregiver.

You weren’t going to fail this time. You promised yourself and Tanzy that you would not fail. And then you did. You couldn’t raise her alone, and now you’re back here. With the guilt and shame of how much you failed. And no big brother to talk it through with. You couldn’t tell your parents because they wouldn’t understand.

You sigh, falling onto your bed face first. You need a bigger one. What adult sleeps in a small full size bed? What adult that was geared to be on the Olympic team, and end up back in their parents house? You hate yourself. Always making every mistake. Because you can’t get the routine right.

You feel a dip down on the bed on both sides of your body. Twisting your head to the side, you view his fist pressing into the bed. “Raleigh, go away.”

“Why?” you groan as his weight settles on you. Not his full weight, but enough to ground you. “You’re in your head, Pix. Just breathe. Life isn’t a routine. And you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.”

He always said the most appropriate things. He noticed you when life was moving all around you. He’d stop what he was doing just to make sure you weren’t having a a mild breakdown. His nose nuzzles into your neck. Heating up your skin, and you sigh so long. Sliding your hands up to meet his, and he grabs ahold of them. You begin to relax in his awkward embrace. You didn’t deserve him.

You lost count of how many times Raleigh had to do just this. Encase you in his warmth and weight. Like he was a wall of protection from the outside world, “Pix, what happened?”

“Life,” he gulps when he hears the crack in your voice. Can feel your body trembling. To tell someone would be to admit that it was real. The secret could die with Mike. But living with this shame was killing you, too.

“Hon,” his breathing turns to kisses on your neck. They’re not needy or sexual, they’re comforting. Letting you know that whatever you say, he’ll listen. “Tell me what happened in life.”

“If I do, you’ll hate me,” he’s silent, but continues covering you in love in the only way that Raleigh could. By now he thinks he knows your darkest secret. But he doesn’t. “I just,” butter him up. “I just got you back,” you know how wrong it is to play into his emotions. But there is a part of you that wants to tell him, so you’re not alone.

“I can’t lose you,” you whisper, squeezing his hands.

“You won’t. I can take it. It was in the past,” he’d be surprised at the secrets that people can keep.

“I didn’t leave for the Olympics. I left because…”

“Johnny,” you don’t have to respond. He knows it to be true. Even though he knows Johnny was the reason for your departure, he wants to hear it from exactly what happened, “What did he do?”

“I wish people would stop saying that. It wasn’t him, it was both of us,” you exhale a haggard breath, and Raleigh holds you tighter. He isn’t going to leave you. Yet. You haven’t even got to the worst part. “We got…we got sloppy.”

He growls, intensifying his hold, “And…Raleigh, I’m sorry.”

“Say it. Tell me what happened.”

You don’t want to, and you don’t want to carry this burden alone. “I got pregnant,” a whoosh of freedom passes over you, and your tears speed up. The worst betrayal towards Raleigh was already out. “And I-I-I-I didn’t — didn’t want her. I was scared. And alone, and Johnny was leaving. And he didn’t need a baby, and I was going to train for the Olympics. And I saw him flirting with another girl when I was going to tell him. So I ran. And Mike caught up with me, and it was already done, and I was inconsolable. Nothing has ever hurt worse both physically and mentally. And Mike talked to me, and I…” you can’t tell him. Telling him would make everything a reality, and he wasn’t ready for that. You weren’t ready for that. Or the responsibility.

Your breaths heave when Raleigh’s weight moves off you. If he wasn’t so fast you would start begging. But instead of leaving he sits on the bed, and pulls you into his lap. Letting your legs wrap around him, and he squeezes you in an embrace, just like you need. He wasn’t leaving. The worst was over. Raleigh knew, and still he held you like you are his to protect.

“I’m sorry,” you cry on his neck. “I didn’t — I never wanted to hurt you,” and yet you did. The one person who could always see right through you. The one one was always there. You hurt him in ways you can never understand. He’s hurting and still he comforts you.

“Shh, I wish you could have told me then.”

“You don’t…do you think I’m icy?” He pulls you back, gazing at your tear stained face. “Like my heart is always cold?”

“I think you’ve never allowed someone to love you. Like the adoption had something break in you, and you never want to allow someone to in and give them opportunity to love you, and you love them back,” you grimace. Is that really what is happening? “You had me right here, and instead, you got into a sexual relationship with someone that didn’t care about you. Because if we had sex, it would hurt you if anything happened to us.”

You have no words as you look over his face. You weren’t thinking that when you and Johnny first had sex. You were frustrated, wanted him, and he made himself available, so you gave freely. And yet this man was always climbing in your window, and in your bed, and all you did was make out. And…on top of the clothes stuff. He was never aggressive with his need ot have you.

Everything was over the clothes, and you want to prove to him and yourself you can allow someone that truly cares about you into your body. Your lips slam into his, and you don’t hold back. You need to feel something real. And he doesn’t hesitate in returning your kiss ravenously. Hands roaming to your ass, and he pushes you onto his growing bulge. Raleigh deserves this.

He deserves more than you, but if he wants you, he can have you. Your needy body grinds over his length, whimpering softly every second. Feeling him get bigger. Harder. Your mouth waters because you’ve never seen him. Anytime he got hard, he’d go into the bathroom, never asking for you to assist him.

“Raleigh,” you moan, and pull off your shirt. He stares at your chest like a teenage boy seeing tits for the first time. You didn’t bother wearing a bra, or pants. You were going to be going to bed soon. Reaching behind you, you bring both his hands to your front. Guiding them to your chest. “I’m all yours.”

In hindsight, this is probably the worst time to have sex. You’ve just exposed your darkest secret; that you cheated on Raleigh with his kinda friend, got pregnant by him, ran away, and now you’re offering up your body as a consolation prize. You didn’t care. It’s so fucking selfish, but you need to feel something real.

He dives into your tit, circling his mouth around one, while his other hand gropes you. Twisting and pulling the nipple slightly, while he suckles from the other. His ocean blue eyes staring up at you, while you bite down on your lip, and your hips gyrate into his aching cock. He’ll deal with the Johnny situation later. Right now, he’s starving for you.

Lifting up off the bed, he carries you towards the door to turn the lock, “I’m not leaving out this window. I’m going out the front door,” you don’t care. You need his hard body on you. You fight and claw to get his shirt off his back and into your floor, but he tosses you on the bed, and you yip. He stares too hard at your breasts pebbled and peaked. The one glistening with his saliva. The best vision he has ever seen, and you are right in front of him.

“Make me want to fuck you,” you’ve never done this before. Be sexy. But he deserved it all. Whatever he wanted. You keep your eyes on him as you start to pull down your panties. Slowly letting the satin roll off your skin, and you toss them at him. His thumb traces over the gusset, and he growls. A deep possessive, needy growl. He’s starving for your body.

He looks away from you for a split second to toss it in the hamper, and with your knees bent and up in the air, you let your legs fall to the bed, and you spread your pussy lips apart. Splitting your fingers as you rub over your clit, and keep your eyes on him. He’s ready to blow immediately. But he watches. Unzipping his pants, he takes slow steps to walk out of them, and grips his cock over his boxer briefs, and you drool. He’s big. Thick.

“How,” he clears his throat as he releases himself. Tugging at his boxers until he’s bare. His tip shining with a bead of precum. “How wet are you,” he manages before gulping, and you plunge a finger into your heat. Pulling it out, you hold the sticky wet appendage towards him, and he stuffs it into his mouth. Sucking off every bit of your honey, and crawls on his knees. Higher onto the bed until he’s in between your thighs.

Face right at your entrance and he presses chaste kisses up your seam. Moaning with every touch of your skin. He is hungry for your body. He keeps things sweet, despite the both of you being naked, and you’ve never been so intimate with someone. Never had someone so close to you. Your only experience with sex was with Johnny, but this — it is making love. Worshiping you.

Flattening his tongue, he swipes it over your leaking cunt, and looks up at you from between your thighs with a smile. “Can you come from my mouth alone?”

“What?” you answer breathlessly, and he nuzzles into your pussy. Continuing to look up at you as he soaks his face in your juices.

“I’ve waited a long time to see, taste, smell, and feel this perfect pussy. It’d be a shame for me to just cram myself in you. Let me take my time,” giving him a nod, he dives in, and laves up your juices. Sucking your lips into his mouth before moving to your clit. He kitten licks the little sensitive nub, teasing a finger at your entrance before circling the bundle of nerves, and he sucks.

His finger spears into you, and he adds a second one quickly. Stretching you out as he marvels at the way your body hugs him. Sucking his fingers back into their depths. Seeing you in this position, in this way, succumbing to his ministrations, he’s got to make this fast because he feels as if he could erupt. Curling his fingers he watches your face change beautifully with your pleasure. Mouth open, hands on your tits working your nipples, and you’re trying so hard not to make a noise.

Your hips roll into him, and it’s just so right. Your body reacts to him. Needs to feel him. Your velvety walls flutter around his fingers, and he goes faster. Rapidly pumping in the digits as he hits a spot inside of you that makes your toes curl, and heat bloom in your belly. “Please, Raleigh.”

“Desperate girl. Come,” you work in tandem with him, and you search for something bigger than his fingers. Gripping your nipples harder, he bites onto your clit, and your body goes into orbit. Lifting off the bed as you audibly whimper, trying to close your legs, but he pushes them further apart. Watching as your body clenches around him.

He quickly crawls up your body, and runs his head through your slit. Coating himself in your creamy release, and you see that regretful smile, “I don’t have a condom.”

“I’ve got an IUD. Just…pull out,” he has so many questions about what being sloppy with Johnny means, but he knows he has no right to know. And he’s not sure if he wants to. But knowing that Johnny could have felt himself spurt into you, pisses him off.

He holds his spongy head at your entrance for too long, and you start to get twitchy. Ready to pout up at him, and then you feel him being sucked into you. You stutter as a sharp inhale rocks your body, and you lean up to look at where you two connect. Staring as his body splits you in two. Your puffy lips spread further apart as he pushes deeper. Deeper. Deeper. Not stopping until you swallow him to the hilt, and he adjusts his weight.

Laying more on top of you, in that way he understands you love, and his hands grip tight to your head board. “Pix, I know it’s early, but…”

“Don’t, Raleigh.”

“I’ve never stopped loving you,” tears well in your eyes. It hurts that you can’t give him all of your heart like you can your body. Maybe eventually. “And this feels so fucking right. I didn’t even push in. Your pussy invited me in. She sucked me into her soul, because you love me, too. You crave me inside of you. You might not be able to say it right now, but I’m patient.”

He draws his hips back, pulling his cock out of your sensitive walls, and you miss him. Willing to beg him to push back into you, and he does. Moving slowly, so you feel each wet centimeter of your bodies melding together. His steel melts into you with ease. Pulling himself out, he slams in. Making you chirp and stars twinkle in your vision.

Over and over again he inches out slowly, and dives in hard and deep. Your fingers grip to his back and slice through his skin. He seethes before he chuckles. “Mark me as yours, Pixie,” his voice is so deep it sounds like a grunt, and you feel him in your throat. Pushing harder and deeper each time he enters you.

Your body can’t take it without gripping onto him. He’s so close every inch of his sculpted body is stimulating you. His warmth. His veins. His breath. His cock. “Raleigh,” you start panting. This is too intense. “Raleigh, I’m…”

“I know you are. Let go. Come on my cock. I need it,” you grab him on his shoulders, and slide down. The coil in your belly winds up tightly. Painfully tight. And one look into his beautiful eyes, and you let it twist undone. Biting on his arm as your walls hold him in a vice grip. Everything you’ve been holding in ceases to exist. There’s only you and him, and the peace that comes with an orgasm.

Outside of your brain, a calming euphoria spreads through your limbs. Raleigh’s thrusts quicken. He jackhammers into you, and your body heats again. Bouncing the two of you on the bed, “Pix, I’m not going to be able to stop with you,” he coos, feeling you wind up again. Chirping with his fast movements. This feels just as good.

You get right at the edge. Ready to dive off the cliff, and he pulls out. Getting to his knees with one hand wrapped around his cock, fisting his member, and the other makes tight circles on your clit, and you preen. Gasping as your body dives off the cliff and his hot cum shoots over your mound. You look down at the mess of your pussy, and you gather it with your fingers, and suck Raleigh’s essence off.

“You’re amazing,” he pants out, kneeing himself up your body. He teases his cock at your mouth, and you swallow him whole. Sucking off the taste of the two of you on his softening dick. He moves back down to stare at your entrance, and you widen your legs again. Smirking at him when he spreads you apart.

His moves up and down your swollen cunt, before dipping even lower. The most intimate parts of you spread so wide, “You’re gaping.”

“Don’t be vulgar!” He chuckles, standing up. He licks his lips before yanking the covers down, and you whine.

“What?”

“I’m not sleeping naked in this bed with you. Grab your shirt and boxers.”

“You’re still going to be naked,” you cock up an eyebrow until he understands. Throwing you his shirt before he pulls his boxers back on. “Door locked or?”

“Unlocked.”

—

Raleigh glances over at your sleeping body. Something had woke him up, and he’s aware it’s you not holding onto him. His shaft starting to get hard knowing that your cunt is right there and exposed to him. He starts to roll over to embrace you before he hears slashing and swishing of blades on ice. He didn’t think Frank still came out to his family’s house to ice skate anymore, and he’s ready to tell him to shut up. He’s finally got his girl.

Getting out of bed, he looks out the window, his blood turns to ice because the car he sees isn’t Frank’s. It’s Johnny’s. He stops skating abruptly, and stares up at your window, seeing Raleigh’s large frame illuminated with your oil diffuser. Raleigh hopes that Johnny can see his smile as he walks back to your bed.

Wrapping his thick arms around you, and he holds you tight. Your back arches, pressing your ass against his front, and your voice softly moans when you feel his head push against you, “Pix, you keep doing that…” lifting your leg a bit, you show him your needy hole. “Honey.”

“I should keep you warm or something.”

“Yes. Yes, you should,” he feels his blood rush to his cock just at the idea of feeling your silky skin again. Johnny couldn’t see it, but the fact that he’s still out there skating around while Raleigh is sliding his cock into you while you sleep, tickles him. Let that fucker feel the way he feels. He can’t wait to make him pay for what he did to you.

Johnny closes the door of his car, spinning his key fob around his finger as he saunters into the garage. He gives a nod and a wink to the girl behind the desk, and gets sight of an old, not much of a friend. “Becket! I’m back.”

“Why the fuck are you here?” Johnny looks around the garage, and then back at Raleigh. Holding his hands up in confusion, “Seriously. Leave.”

“You know, we agreed to add different wheels to my car. Ordered them, paid for them. I got a call that they were here.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Raleigh continues to look under the hood of the car he was working on, trying to ignore the man that wasn’t getting the point. “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth? Get. Out.”

“Bro, we both know where you were last night. No need to get all fucking possessive. I got it. I’ll back down. She’s your girl.”

“And yet, you were still there last night. Skating on her parent’s pond. The rink wasn’t open?”

Johnny squints. Scratching his brow, he tries to think of what could exactly be going on. It’s true that he had gone to your parents’ house to hopefully see you, and then he saw Raleigh in nothing but his boxers. He didn’t think you and him were much, but more than Becket. Whatever. You made your choice, “I don’t think I understand?”

“Really? Let’s start with you fucked my girlfriend.”

“No, not recently. That was a decade ago, Lurch. I won’t look at her. I won’t touch her. Well except when she brings the kid, and — What the fuck,” it happens too fast for him to realize why Raleigh is walking towards him. He grabs his nose, wincing as blinding pain shoots to his brain. “I think it’s broken, asswipe. What the hell is your problem?”

“You, Storm! You had to come back.”

“It was kind of court ordered.”

“You had to weasel your way back into her life, and you’re using Tanzy.”

“She’s kind of my goddaughter.”

“And you took her fucking virginity.”

“Is this what this is all about? I had her first, so you’re the big bad macho man that gets her last? Aye aye, Captain. I won’t even think of your precious, Pixie. What did you do fuck her for the first last night and have to get all caveman,” Raleigh slams Johnny up against the car. Pressing his forearm into his chest. Any higher, and he’d be on his neck. “I don’t understand what’s going on!”

“I didn’t fuck her. That’s what you did. I love her. You’re the one that fucked her and knocked her up,” Raleigh’s nostrils flares, and his chest heaves with every breath. But Johnny is dumbfounded.

“What?” Raleigh curses under his breath, while Johnny searches the man’s face. “What did you say? Becket! Repeat that,” he says calmly, but Raleigh pushes himself off Johnny. He starts pacing around the garage while Johnny remembers the night Mike called him screaming and calling him every name in the book.

It’s why Mike had gone with you. Who’s best friend was pissed at him. Why everything fell apart so quickly. Johnny didn’t have a chance to breathe, and you were gone. He was going to take you on a real date, but you’d left. “Tanzy?”

“What?” Raleigh answers breathlessly.

“Is — is Tanzy even Mike’s?” Raleigh stumbles backwards as he glares at Johnny. You would never. Tanzy was Mike’s daughter. You were her aunt. She wasn’t…

“I’ve gotta go,” Johnny’s voice is so soft, and there’s only one person he needs to see right now. He’s tired of whatever secrets and lies that are happening right now. It’s time for you to come completely clean. You owed that to him.

“Ahh,” you scream. Dropping the apple you were cutting for Tanzy. Her spoon clinking on the glass bowl, and you both turn towards the back door, and Johnny beats on the window again, rattling the wood.

“Pix, open the damn door!”

“Tanzy, here. Go sit with Pappy,” She looks at you sadly, peering at Johnny, and you point into the living room. You didn’t need her in here for whatever Johnny was about to say. He didn’t come here. It wasn’t good, not with what you told Raleigh. He never could keep his fucking mouth closed.

“Pix!”

“What?” You sling the door open. His chest heaves, and his eyes are rimmed in liquid. You can’t have this conversation with your parents here. Or Tanzy. One door always leads to another, and then another. It’s why you didn’t want to come back. “I’ll get my coat.”

“Is…?”

“Not here!” You whisper scream. Motioning him to go on. Raleigh. You have half a mind to tell him not to bother climbing up to your window. Now here’s something else you have to deal with. Johnny’s dramatic emotional self.

Walking out of the house, Johnny is leaned up against his car. Trying to be casual, but his face says it all. He’s hurting, and confused. Without speaking, you walk straight to the car, and get in the passenger seat. He continues to hold his stance before pulling open his own door and dropping into the seat, “Drive to the rink,” you wouldn’t have a conversation here. It was too close.

He’d need to keep you distracted somehow. Everything runs through your brain. Everything. From that first kiss, until the time you had him in his room. The way he couldn’t stop looking at you as he thrust into you. For the first time it didn’t seem like fucking. It seemed like his sweet secret. He was gentle. Petting your face, and pressing the softest kisses on your lips.

The car ride is silent, and Johnny takes up two spaces, but the parking lot is empty. It’s after hours. “I need to borrow some skates,” you tell him as you run out of the car. Still he’s quiet as he unlocks the door, and you sprint to get something on your feet. Almost thinking Johnny had left you.

You step onto the ice. Doing a quick spin, and see him walk in with his own skates, and you do a few laps. It is the easiest way to run away from him for now. Letting the seats rush past you. Their colors melting together, feeling like the mush in your brain.

You launch yourself up into an axel when he steps onto the ice, and he skates over to you. “As many questions as I have. You talk. I’ll listen.”

“What’s this about?” He glowers at you. His intensity isn’t as angry as it is confusing. “Well?” You aren’t going to bother with this if he didn’t even know. You need to hear it explicitly from him.

“You were pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“And you ran?”

“Yes,” you try to skate away, but he grabs onto your wrist and pulls you into him. He’s so close it hurts. It’s stifling. “Johnny, don’t…” and still he pulls you closer. Tightening his arms around you.

“Whose Tanzy’s father?” You feel your body go limp, and if it wasn’t for Johnny holding onto you, you’d fall.

“What?”

“I’m really doubting this stupid ass story about some woman that left Mike Weiss with a fucking kid. So I need you to come completely clean with me immediately. Who is Tanzy’s dad?” His grip on you tightens as he pulls you more into him, but he gets blurrier. What was the last thing you ate? You were going to eat apple slices. No. You were cutting those for Tanzy.

What was for breakfast? “Pix, I deserve the truth,” did you even have lunch?

“Johnny,” your voice is so soft and breathless as you try to get out of his grasp.

“You not answering has got my mind spinning. Please?”

He learned some manners. You’re dreaming. You’re drifting away. So far away. This isn’t Johnny. It’s a blurry blob of someone that sounds like him. Even his voice is distant. A dream that you run awkwardly away from. Just like everything else.

Run away.

Next

Masterlist

@tis-thedamn-season @marveloustaylortot @pono-pura-vida @musingsfromthemitten @distractingbeth

@peaches1958 @seitmai @smile1318 @andydrysdalerogers @charmed-asylum

@cjand10 @midnightramyeoncravings @patzammit @valhalla-kristin

@kmc1989 @peaceinourtime82 @rogersbarber @kmm-fluv @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory

[heartofwritiing]

I guess this time there’s just no hiding, (fighting you make me restless.)

parings: hockeyplayer!wilbur soot x figureskater!fem!reader (+ c!philza & c!kristen they own the ice rink!) (mentions of platonic!c!tommy x fem!reader)

summary: you and wilbur meet for the first time after your schedules get mixed up.

authors note: OKAY SO I started writing this back in April and never finished it, but I recently read Icebreaker by hannah grace and I had the urge to finish it! the idea was an au of what if sbi were a hockey team! (pretty sure I saw fanart once of dsmp like that but it could’ve been american football or soccer??) I've literarily been editing and re-writing this for three days straight and I think it's okay, but I hope you guys like it! I'm excited to post it anyways!! Let me know if I should do a part two!!

*title is lyrics from set me free by michelle branch from the ice princess soundtrack!

Warnings: Hockey AU!, first meetings, flirting,annoyance-lovers, swearing, beardbur. YES. unedited! (If there is anything I forgot let me know!!)

Ice skates glided across the smooth ice, freshly resurfaced only a few minutes ago. The blades cut with every movement, leaving lines in your wake.

It felt so freeing, so weightless in a way. You always loved being out on the ice. It felt like another world permitting your feet to take control and letting your mind be free of your thoughts.

Warm-ups were always a great excuse to not practice your triple lutzes. You had been trying to get it down for weeks, and your coach told you to just take it one day at a time but, of course, you still pushed yourself until you got it perfectly.

You were glad your scheduled preparation was when no one was at the rink, so you wouldn't get distracted while practicing for regionals. The only people in the building were the Zamboni driver, Sam, and the owners of the building.

Once you completed your warm-up, you felt fully prepared to begin your routine. You took a deep breath and focused all your energy to your feet, taking a deep breath, tuning out the world. At that moment, it was just you and the ice.

Following your whole set flawlessly, It came time to go for the triple lutz, you moved faster but more immersed, and you push off the ground sailing through the air and spinning. When you landed on your opposite foot, you failed to gain your balance and collided with a thud. A sharp pain shot through your body from the impact, but you brushed it off quickly collecting yourself. You got up to try again.

The cold air hit your face as you staked back to your starting point in the middle. You concentrated again and went for an attempt at the triple lutz again. You lifted into the air and suddenly felt something hard crashing into you. A groan and another thud, this time from the person you had slammed into.

You landed hard on your ass and groaned. Thinking to yourself why the hell was someone else on the ice while you were. Annoyed you’d have to start once again You quickly looked up only to find yourself face-to-face with a handsome stranger. He was also on the ground having slipped from the impact of your body colliding into his.

"oh shit,” he mumbled. “are you okay?" he quickly picked himself up and offered his hand out. Your heart raced, and you felt warmth spread throughout your body.

Effortlessly he helped you to your feet. You realized how tall he actually was since he towered over you. You begin to feel a bit dizzy staring up at the tall man. You guessed it was from the numerous times you had hit the floor hard. It certainly wasn’t the butterflies punching in your stomach from the painfully attractive male.

“I'm fine,” you replied shakily. “ I wasn’t paying attention,”

He smirked down at you as you stood up. You were able to observe his features more closely the closer you stood to him. The stubble around his jaw and under his chin adds a rugged charm, while his curly and slightly disheveled hair partially covers his eyes. You swear you catch a little glint in that soft brown gaze.

Likely from catching the tremble in your voice only moments ago, inadvertently revealing your nerves. You silently scolded yourself for behaving like a teenager around this attractive stranger.

“It's okay sweetheart, I wasn’t paying attention either," The stranger's voice crooned and sounded like honey. Your knees slightly buckled at the sound of his accent dropping a few octaves lower.

What was happening?

You nodded silently, fiddling with your skating attire between your fingers in an attempt to steady your thumping heart. Your gaze involuntarily drifted downwards, taking in his attire.

He wore a hockey uniform with a distinct green stripe at the top and a white base. The jersey's padding accentuated his broad shoulders, and the prominent pine green number 14 drew attention. Overall, the uniform made his complexion appear less pale somehow.

The realization hit you. He was a hockey player who played for the team that practiced in this rink. Hell, you knew Coach Phil, who owned the rink with his wife Kristen your skating coach. They were like your parents, taking you under their wings at a young age.

The hockey team he coached was dubbed "The Crows." appropriately after his favorite bird. Phil told you the story of how crows were loyal to those who treat them with kindness and how they repay it back to you. It never bore you in the slightest the number of times he told you over the years.

Although you have never attended a game yourself. You weren't a fan of the sport. You didn't even know the basic rules. Since Kristen has informed you about the rowdiness and occasional violence that can occur, you never opted to go to an actual game.

Sometimes, when you finished your practice, you could hear the disruptive noise coming from the men's locker room down the hall. You would often roll your eyes and walk past the doorway with disgust over how loud they were.

The dislike of them wasn't personal you never had met any of the boys before. But something about broad-shouldered men doing nothing but finding some way to ooze testosterone poisoning every chance they got annoyed you for no particular reason. So you purposely avoided them at all costs.

There was only one person from The Crows you had spoken with until now - Tom, who preferred to be called Tommy, as he told you shyly. Although younger than the others, he possessed a charming yet bold personality. Strangely, you felt a protective instinct towards him, like an older sibling though you couldn't define why.

Since meeting Tommy, you had only talked with him in passing, but you knew he was a good kid and liked him.

You were lost in thought for nearly a minute and didn't speak to the hockey player standing close to you. He smiled and lowered his head as if he had spoken though you didn't hear him.

"Huh?" you blink.

He chuckles, and the sound echoes in your ears, causing your heart to pound again.

"I asked for your name, darling," he mused.

Oh...

And that nickname. It seemed as though he was intentionally trying to make you feel flustered.

You realized that you didn't even know his name you quickly abandoned any preconceptions about him and answered him politely.

"Y/N,"

When he heard how your name sounded falling off your lips he smiled genuinely. As if it was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard. It seemed to have a significant impact on him. His reaction stirred something within you. Like a strange connection between the two of you was forming from this one interaction.

"Im Wilbur- or Wil, that's what my friends call me,”

It was becoming increasingly difficult to dislike this man by the minute. You decided to have a little fun, thinking it couldn't hurt.

“Oh? So we're friends now?” You raised an eyebrow.

He playfully teased, "If that's what you want."

Cheeky bastard. You thought while smiling.

“Now if you don't mind darling, I have to practice."

Feeling a sudden shift in your head made you glare at the back of his head. Pushing off your stakes to circle around him and put a hand on his chest. Wilbur looks at you with a stunned expression, as if he's surprised that you dared to stop him. a

"I've only been here for twenty minutes. You are not going to take advantage of my practice time," you scoff. “I have at least another half hour left."

You didn't mean to come off in a snooty way, but the stress you were under was so overwhelming. Winning regionals was so important to you, and you weren't going to let this jerk interrupt your training, no matter how handsome he was.

Wilbur just shrugged.

“Sorry sweetheart but playoffs are coming up, and I need to work on my shots,”

Your eyes narrowed and you faced off in a staring contest. Stubborn as you were you didn't move an inch.

“Well, I am not leaving.” you crossed your arms over your chest.

The only thing to pull your gaze away from his was the sound of Phil coming down the stairs in the stands asking what was wrong.

You skated over to the open space where Phil was walking down the steps, ignoring the fact that Wilbur was trailing right behind you.

"Phil, I was here first, and my time is nowhere near done. However, Wilbur insists that it's his practice time that I am intruding on it."

"Listen, ice princess," Wilbur said with a hint of frustration. You reluctantly turn to face him, wearing a scowl on your face. "We're just a week away from one of our biggest games of the season, and we need to focus on practice. I can't waste time dealing with any of your bullshit."

The tone of his voice caught you off guard for a second. Which caused you to put your lips in a thin line. You weren't expecting him to get this intense over the situation. Then you knew nothing about him.

"Wil," Phil gives him a warning glare. This promptly shuts Wilbur up.

"Both of you calm down. We will get this figured out," he tries to reason. He yells for Kristen as she comes sprinting out of the office that posed in the corner of the rink with the glass windows looking out to the entire stadium. You watch on as there are hushed tones between the pair as they look at the clipboard in Phil's hands.

You hear Phil mumble out a string of curses. This causes concern to cross your and Wilbur's faces, but you don't say anything. Phil rubs his forehead as his wife turns to you with a remorseful expression.

"I'm sorry guys, We must've gotten the schedules mixed up.” Phil looks at you sheepishly.

Kristen starts by saying that the problem is currently unfixable. She explains that they have numerous prior booked events for the rink, making it impossible to alter the schedule.

Great. You thought.

Not only was it two weeks before nationals, but you also needed the space to practice. This was the only skating rink around. And you had a suspicion that the hockey team was bearing to be more stubborn than you were about this new situation.

Then you heard the words that made your stomach drop.

"you're gonna have to share the space on the ice."

After Kristen spoke, chaos broke out. Both you and Wilbur bombarded the married couple with injunctions and protests. This wasn't fair in the slightest.

They managed to convince both of you to settle down and come to an understanding. The consequences of not doing so would result in Wilbur being benched and you being unable to skate in the regionals this year. Losing the opportunity to compete was not an option for either of you, especially after putting in so much effort since last year's competition.

Reluctantly you agreed to get along with Wilbur and the rest of the team when the time came, no matter how much you hated it.

Upon Kristen's return to the office and Phil informing the rest of the boys about the situation in the lockers, you opted to skate to the far end of the rink, away from others, choosing a spot with brighter lighting.

"Well, looks like we're gonna be seeing a lot of each other, darling." Wilbur wandered up to you while you got into position to start your program.

You huffed. Yep, this was your life now. Anticipating Wilbur's continuous comments every day for the next two weeks.

"Don't get too used to it, pretty boy," You sniped. "I only agreed to share for Phil and Kristen's sanity."

He snickered and hummed.

"Whatever you say," he mumbled. "Just don't let my pretty face distract you from your skating," he winked and skated backward.

You felt a blush rise to your cheeks and tried to convince yourself that it was from how aggravated you were over a minute ago.

"I wouldn't let it get to your head," you voiced. "I could still easily beat your ass in staking any day,"

He smirked at you, seemingly challenging you to prove your capabilities. Even though you had nothing to prove, you just wanted the satisfaction of making a fool out of him. However, you know that the time for retaliation was not now. Eventually, you will wipe that arrogant grin off his face.

"I'm looking forward to it, darling," He said before he turned to join his team.

As the rest of his team gathered in a huddle, you watched as they greeted Wilbur in a brotherly way. Tommy had slid up to him enthusiastically, rabbling about whatever was on his mind today. Most likely hockey related.

Wilbur had brought a hand up to the top of Tommy’s head to playfully ruffle his hair before moving over to where Phil was getting the team settled, but not before flicking the blonde on the forehead. A whiney “ouch!” escaped the younger one’s mouth as he followed behind his teammate, causing an amused smile to tug on your lips at their antics.

Taking one final glance at Wilbur wrapping his hands in tape before pushing into the first move. A simple glide and you went into your own world.

Wilbur glimpsed over to your side of the rink and watched as you began your routine. He was absolutely enthralled with watching how flawlessly you moved. Definitely thinking about how beautiful you looked in your attire, even if it was a simple zip-up jacket and yoga pants.

He definitely wasn’t looking. He was.

It wasn’t until one of his teammates pulled him out of his trance with a smack to the back of the head with a glove that he reluctantly pulled his eyes away from you and fell into his own practice as Phil blew the whistle to signal them all to fall into their positions.

The next two weeks were going to be quite interesting, to say the least.

tagging @merakiwi ! since you liked my previous stuff! if you don't want me to tag you in anything in the future let me know!

[louloulemons-posts]

The Criminal And The Princess IV

Grumpy!College!Eddie X Sunshine!Skater!Reader

Summary : the aftermath of billy and eddies fight, but who gets punished for it?

Word Count : 2.3k

Warnings : wrote at 4am, mentions of billy (he doesn’t appear), swearing, dad is an asshole again, talks of food issues, eddie fluff, cute friendship fluff.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Eventhough dad had said I didn’t need to go into the rink this weekend, I knew the ice would clear my head after all the drama the night before.

There was barely anyone in, your dad’s office dark. Lacing my skates, I popped in my earphones, making my way to the ice, gliding along.

I practiced my spins, dad had mentioned they were sloppy too. Apparently my whole routine for regionals was, that’s why he’d pulled Yrene back in. She’d been on maternity leave.

The music took over and I ignore the few people around me, leaping, jumping, spinning. Again and again. I went through the whole routine, replaying the song over and over again - it was a good thing I loved Hozier.

The song built up as I went into a triple spin, breaking out and leaping into a lutz, making sure my arms and legs were straight enough. I sighed, too wobbly.

Coming to a halt, a bit of the ice kicking up under my blades as I did. Again, the whole thing again. The sweet sound of guitar began playing, then the man’s melodic voice filled my ears, “You know the distance never made a difference to me.”

It started slowly, gliding across the ice, a few gentle spins just to show off a little bit. Catching my the top of my blade in my hand, I spun around twice - that was better.

My layback spins were always pretty good, one of the moves I always found joy in watching mom do. Once again the song built up, a few axles and then a lutz, finally followed by a triple jump.

I landed with ease, gliding along the ice, a few more spins here and there, one again holding my skate in my hand making it level to my head and the leaning back slightly. That was much better.

The lights flickered, there he was. Chest heaving I skated over to the man, noting how grey he was beginning to be. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Needed to clear my head, what did you think?” Pulling out my earphones I popped them back in their case. “Better, still needs to be brilliant though. Work on your lutz.”

I hummed, biting the inside of my cheek, that was the closest thing to a compliment I’d get from the man. “Ah there you are! You’re late,” my father said to someone.

Turning my face scrunched in confusion, “Eddie?”

“You know this young man?” dad asked.

“Uh yeah, what are you doing here?” Eddie was about to explain when dad cut him off.

“Mr Munson took it upon himself to injure one of my best hockey players, therefore will be helping out around the rink until I think he’s made up for it.”

“Is this about Billy?” I turned to my father, instantly feeling angry. “Yes, how did you-“

“Dad it isn’t Eddies fault! Billy is a vile piece of work and you know it!”

“Eden,” I heard Eddie speak from behind me.

“And what punishment will Billy be getting?”

“Why should Billy be punished?” I let out a breathy laugh, “Oh I don’t know, maybe grabbing your daughter and threatening her?” The last part came out in a snap.

“What? He didn’t tell me that,” my dad said, almost untrusting in the way he did. “Of course he didn’t. He’s an arsehole.”

“Language Eden. I’ll talk to Billy again-“ I cut him off, “Talk to Steve, he was there. He’ll tell you.”

“Either way, in this college we don’t condone violence, Mr Munson, if you’ll follow me.”

“Will you talk to Steve?” I asked.

“Yes! Fine I will talk to him, I don’t understand why you’re so insisted in defending-“

“Finish that sentence I dare you.” His eyes widened at me, and I could feel Eddie tense behind me. “Practice your lutz Eden, I’ll see you for lunch tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” I grumbled, going back to the ice, not before throwing a sympathetic glance at Eddie. Once again I started the song, letting it take over, yet I felt myself shaking with anger.

Of course Billy made it out like Eddie was the bad guy - he was a real piece of work. Next time I see him I’m gonna shove my skate up his - oh shit time to jump.

Spinning three times, I landed again, gliding along, feeling the ice becoming more damaged with every one. I don’t know how long I was going for, but I must have listened to Unknown / Nth about 10 times.

Pulling out my earphones, I heard a clapping sound. Meeting chocolate eyes I couldn’t help smiling, skating over to him. Leaning on the side, he spoke, “You really are a princess on that ice, you’re incredible.”

My face burned, luckily it was so cold in the rink I could blame my maroon cheeks on that. “Thank you.”

“No worries. I think I’d break my neck if I did that spinny thing,” he laughed, “I dunno who I’m kidding I’d break my neck just walking on the ice.”

“You can’t skate?” The boy shook his head, I smiled when a few curls fell into his eyes, he blew them away with ease. Yet they fell back into the place they just were. “I can teach you.”

“I think your dad would-“

“Munson, I didn’t ask to have you here so you could distract my skaters,” my dad shouted from his office above. ‘His skaters’ not his daughter, wow.

“Oh shit sorry, yeah you’re practicing.”

“It’s okay, I’ve had enough for today anyway.” Sliding down the one of the gates to the rink I climbed up, sitting on a cold seat and took off my skates.

“I’m really sorry about this, what’s the old grouch got you doing?”

“Basic maintenance, cleaning and stuff.”

“That sucks.”

“It’s fine, I have to fit it around work for the next few weeks.”

“He’s acting like we’re in highschool,” I scoffed. “I do kinda feel like I am,” the boy chuckled. “I can stay and keep you company if you want?”

“Nah it’s okay, I think it’d just make Bennett mad.” I hummed, throwing my hoodie on and zipped up my bag. “Well are we still good for the library tomorrow?”

“Of course, I’ll meet you there at 3?”

“3,” I repeated, smiling, walking away from the boy. I made it to the door when I heard my dad’s voice again, “Munson get back to work.”

I couldn’t help but shake my head with laughter, what a sweet boy.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

The rest of my Saturday went uneventful, spending it with the girls, that was before Robin had to head out somewhere. “Anywhere nice?” I asked.

“Just uh .. meeting a friend.” She threw a jacket on, grabbing her phone and keys. “Steve? I thought he was working.”

“You guys and Steve aren’t my only friends, you know. I’ll see you guys later.”

Nancy called after her, making the girl stop with a questioning look. “Tell Vickie I said hi.” Robins face burned as she flipped us both off. “Oh my god!” I shouted, throwing myself back so my head way lay on Nancy’s lap.

“I know, you should have seen them last night. So cute. Anyways how was your night with Munson?”

“Good, we went to a diner called Benny’s.”

Nancy hummed, “Yeah I’ve been there with Jonathan, it’s nice.”

“Yeah, well we got milkshakes and then he walked me back.”

“I can’t believe your dad is punishing him for defending you.”

“That’s what happens when you go up against Billy Hargrove,” I rolled my eyes.

“Anyways, have you heard anything off your mom about Holly?” I asked.

“Mike did, said mom was shouting at him, then he kicked off at her. So he took Holly with him and they had a sleepover with Will and El at Joyce’s house.”

“That sucks, I’m sorry to say Nance but we really have shit dads.” She nodded, letting her fingers play with a piece of my hair. “You know my dad called me one of his skaters today.”

“Please can I hit him?”

“Get in line,” I laughed.

“Do you feel okay to eat with me today? We can make something together if you want.”

“You know that sounds fun, can we have those spicy chicken wraps?” She squealed, “God E, it’s like you can read my mind! I’ve been craving them for so long.”

“Craving? You’re not!” I sat up quickly, meaning that Nancy tugged the hair of mine in her hand. “God no! Jesus E, I’m due on!”

“I was kidding,” I laughed, running away as she went to hit me with a pillow.

It was always therapeutic to cook with Nancy, she never made me feel like I was any less because of my difficulties with food. Her and Robin were the best for that, along with Yrene.

“Did you get on okay with the milkshake?” Nancy asked, as she chopped up some veggies for our wraps. “Hm?” I looked up from chopping the chicken. “Well you don’t really like to drink them, especially around people you don’t know.”

Oh. I hadn’t even thought about that. I’d been laughing and learning so much about Eddie. Finding out that he lives with his Uncle, Wayne, and that he works at his garage a couple times a week. “Uh yeah it was fine.”

Nancy made a sound, I could hear the smile on her face. “What?” I asked.

“You um … just seem very comfortable around Eddie.”

“He’s a nice guy,” I shrugged.

“You shouted at your dad about him.”

I laughed loudly, “Yeah I did. Now, how are those veggies?”

“Done! I’ll grab some plates, you start making the wraps.”

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

I woke up early on Sunday, showering and planning an appropriate outfit to wear one that dad wouldn’t moan at me for. Jeans and a knitted jumper would do. I sat on my bed, drying my hair, it was 10 so I had enough time.

“Hey,” Robin said, knocking the door before she popped her head round. “Hey!” I smiled at her through the mirror. She sat on my bed, making herself comfy against the dark green bedding.

“Cute outfit,” she smiled.

“Thanks, you’re very chipper. Good night with Vickie?” She bit her lower lip, trying to hide her grin. “Tell me everything right now!”

“We may have … kissed.” I screamed, calling for Nancy. “What?! What’s wrong!?” she shouted running into my room, only to be met by two large grins.

“This better be good because I almost had a heart attack.”

“Robin and Vickie kissed!” I said clasping my hands, hair drying long forgotten.

“Robin Carolin Buckley, you tell us everything right now!” Nancy said, squeezing next to me on the bed. Both of us looking expectantly at Robin.

“You’re meant to be meeting your dad, we can talk about it later,” The girl said. On that note my phone buzzed. Picking it up I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at the message.

Dad : Emergency meetings come up, have to cancel lunch.

Eden : Yeah it’s fine.

Not that he cares if it’s fine, because when does he ever care? “I’ve got nowhere to be until 3pm.” Nancy squeezed my hand. “Hey no being sad over shit dads, it’s time to hear about our wonderful friends love life.”

“So we went to a music store, they were open late having an open mic night for small indie artists. We were just stood there listening to this girl sing and she just … took my hand,” Robin couldn’t help the smile that broke out on her face.

“And then she just kinda kissed me. It was real sweet but so good,” she couldn’t help laughing as she fell back against my pillows, cheeks burning bright.

“Are you gonna go on another date?” Nancy asked. “Well she text me this!” Robin handed us her phone.

Vickie 🥰 : sorry for the early message, but I had a great time last night!

Vickie 🥰 : would you want to do it again sometime?

Robin 😚 : Hi! I had a great time too and yes i would love that.

Vickie 🥰 : well i’ll plan this date, are you free wednesday night?

“And you haven’t replied?” I said loudly.

“Well Wednesday nights are girls nights and I didn’t want to bail on you guys.”

“Robin if you don’t go I swear to god,” Nancy said sternly.

“Are you sure?” Me and Nancy looked at each other before saying in sync, “Yes!”

“Okay okay!” Quickly she text back confirming that she’d love to go out on Wednesday.

“Our babies growing up!” I cried, Nancy took me into her arms. “I’m literally older than you!” the girl said with a half serious face. “But now she’s got a love life, potentially a girlfriend, I’m so proud!”

“Oh shut up! What about you and Eddie, you’re having a study date later right?” she asked. “It’s not a study date! It’s just studying.”

“It’s a study date.”

“We’re studying James Hetfield, dunno how date like that’ll be.”

“Who?” Nancy asked.

“He’s from Metallica.”

“Oh Eddie loves those guys.”

“So I’ve heard,” I smiled.

“Oh my god!” Nancy said shaking me and Robin leaned over to clasp my hand. “What?”

“You like him!” Robin exclaimed.

“I’ve literally know him a week!”

“I knew Vickie for an hour and was figure out who’s last name sounds better when we get married.”

“Jesus Robin,” I laughed.

“Do you like him?” Nancy asked.

“I don’t know, come on I haven’t even really dated before. There was 2 relationship, one in highschool and one in middle school which doesn’t count - plus they lasted like 5 months combined.”

“It’s okay to not know. I just think it’s sweet you feel so comfortable around him,” Nancy smiled, squeezing me again in her arms. “Yes very sweet, now let’s leave her to get ready,” Robin pulled Nancy from my bed and out of the room.

Those girls were something else, but I wouldn’t have them any other way.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Writing Eden, Robin and Nancys friendship melts my heart 🫶🏻

taglist : @gnrquinn @flawiette @taylorswiftsloverfr @mygirlchaos @marvelcasey05 @ali-r3n @browneyes8288

let me know if you want to be added 🫶🏻

[whoiwanttoday]

So not last Friday but two Fridays ago was National Paranormal Day, something I didn't know existed and there is a joke here about it not actually existing no matter how much some people abuse the scientific method to prove it does but I won't go down that rabbit hole. The point is that night I had a friend who made me aware and asked me to watch something Paranormal but I was busy so I didn't. They watched The Amityville Horror, a truly bad movie that was also part of a massive pop culture phenomena. It's a thing I am fascinated by because I am always interested in ideas that infect society and I wish I could have been there to feel it. To see if it felt like everyone believed there was a haunting in Amityville or not. If you don't know the story you can look it up but it's been pretty thoroughly debunked over the years, though of course there are still true believers, but it was a best selling book that lead to a massive hit movie that has lead to an official movie franchise and an unofficial one that has spawned combined hundreds of movies. You think I am exaggerating but I promise you I am not. Since Amityville is a real place as long as you don't call it the Amityville Horror anyone can make a movie and put Amityville in front of it and suddenly you have a movie sure to make money on streaming. It's how you get things ranging from Amityville Island and Amityville Vampire to Amityville Dollhouse and Amityville in Space. Anyway, I didn't come here to talk about Amityville but rather how I didn't watch it Friday night. But it put it in my head so I finally did watch it again, it's a not very good movie but one that has always been part of my life because it was just… always sort of there as a kid. On TV a lot, someone always had a VHS copy recorded off of cable somewhere. So I have seen it many times and the bright spot has always been Margot Kidder because she's the bright spot in a whole lot of movies. She has this moxie and charm about her that comes out in a very specific 70's Liberated Lady way that you don't see anymore. It's so era specific, a backbone and some spunk mixed with a world weariness and the fact that she has seen more than you have. It's why she was a pitch perfect Lois Lane but she is also in a few horror movies and one of them I deeply love she is the best part in, which is high praise cause Black Christmas is awesome. Anyway, I feel like I was intellectually aware she must be an attractive woman cause she's in movies and stuff but she was first and foremost Lois Lane to me as a kid and I couldn't sexualize Lois Lane. Guys, it turns out I can sexualize Kathleen Lutz. I dunno what it is, 4k resolution, getting older, some third thing you can feel free to tell me about in the comments below but man, she is gorgeous. Just so absolutely beautiful and I felt a little dumb that I hadn't fully registered this. Like I knew but I was embarrassed for my loins that they hadn't done their job and made me lust after her previously. They usually don't drop the ball like this. Anyway, in ultra high def I am here to tell you her face is a marvel. And you pair that with the sort of verve Margot Kidder always brings to the screen and I was smitten. To the point I was like, "Did anyone else notice how hot she is in this movie?" Guys, they did. My favorite review I found online was from a woman that said, "You'd think this movie would make me wary of ouija but now we're digging up the board to ask Margot Kidder to be our third". I get it. Today I want to fuck Margot Kidder.

[monster-gender]

Honestly the more vaguely European-esque nobility stories, ascension stories, and fantasy isekai (and the various combinations of those things) that I read, the more I appreciate what Bookworm does.

Like for one, Myne is so much more interesting than almost any other protagonist in those stories that it's kinda funny. But also, I think I'm just too anti-monarchy to ever fully be sold on the specific brand of wish fulfillment that those stories usually have. Also a lot of them are really romance-centric, with any character that's not the love interest just kinda being there. In ascension stories, they usually don't have any actual attachment to their commoner roots, with the families or friends being either complete assholes or footnotes.

Even beyond those general things, there are specific tropes/common happenings that Bookworm does better. Like I've been trying to get into more villainess isekai; and for some reason there's almost always this moment where the MC, after being disrespected by a maid or other servant, will slap them to show her authority or whatever. Like it's supposed to be this badass girlboss moment, but she's just a rich noble girl slapping this peasant (that's usually just doing the bidding of the Evil™ noble rich lady who mysteriously goes unslapped). Cool.

In Bookworm, there are 2 notable "putting servants in line" moments, but they're much different. The first is with Gil, but 1) Myne isn't the one to hit him, 2) He's not being physically punished for being disrespectful, he's getting physically punished for putting his hands on Myne first [and in the lower city, where Lutz grew up, if you throw hands you get hands]. Then there's Traugott: Rozemyne doesn't even care that he was disrespecting her. She only decides to ruin his life when he shit talks Damuel lol

There's a lot more, like Urano/Myne being actually relevant, etc etc but I don't want this post to get longer.

[tteokdoroki]

Okay, so no doubt you probably saw my spam of likes there on the hockey au lineup. but its just so amazing and just the most beautiful work of art i've ever read. i'll probably come back with a bunch of ideas, but i don't want to be overbearing or seem commanding. but imagine with hockey au midoriya where you have a figure skating competition and he brings the team. and theres just this group in the stands that clearly stands out

omg no worries abt the spam!! i love hearing ideas so you’re welcome any time but !! can you imagine :((

like it’s the first time in your relationship that hockey au!midoriya has come to support you at a figure skating competition because their season is over and aizawa eased up on practices so he’s super excited to see you in your element since you’re always coming to his games. deku will like pack up early after a session and the boys ask him where he’s headed :(

hockey au!midoriya getting all shy when he tells the team he’s out of town for the weekend to support you at your regionals and they all beg him to let them come along because you always take care of the team, bring them snacks and waters and teach them stretches/exercises to keep all their joints and muscles healthy. deku has to call you to at midnight the night before the first round to ask you to grab some spare tickets :(!!

now just imagine these big burly boys showing up to a rink full of pretty girls who are flexible beyond belief— sequins glistening and nearly blinding half the team, bakugou complaining that he can’t fucking see, kirishima desperate to get some snacks for the occasion and a good seat to cheer you on, kaminari and shindou are probably sniffing out numbers they can get from girls and shouto just wants some warm merch to wear.

hockey au midoriya who spots your coaches helping you to stretch, fluttering around you to make sure your costume with his jersey number embroidered into its skirt is in place. “i would tell you break a leg but i don’t think that’s considered good luck in this sport.” he breathes, freckles rising on his cheeks as he smiles down at you now in his arms— as charming as the day you first met.

“i don’t think so either,” you hum and stand on the tip of blade on your skate so you can brush your lips over his. and then deku kisses you, large hand on the small of your back, guiding you into the warmth of his chest— a good luck kiss. the team lets out a rather loud series of cheers which earn them glares from the 12 year olds in the junior section, those of which are rather intimidating.

when you skate out for your programme you immediately see your boys amongst your coaches and family, your smile for the show even brighter than before— gliding across the ice as you hear their cheers above the rest and even the music. for some reason; shouto knows all the names to your moves, the triple axel, the lutz, your sweeping camel spin.

hockey au midoriya’s eyes fill with tears, proud ones at the emotions you’re able to pour into figure skating because he never knew something on the ice could be so intricate and beautiful :( and the team have to stop him from running out into the rink when your programme comes to an end and you wave up to the boys with a proud smile.

[boopshoops]

💬 (for anyone >:])

People always called Jocia rough around the edges. Tough, rude even.

Eh, maybe she was.

So the raised brows and curious glances weren't exactly abnormal when she got on the ice. She could tell the strangers and even familiar faces didn't think someone like her was suited for something as 'elegant' as figure skating. Half the time she didn't have to assume, they would question her outright.

She thought they were stupid for judging her, so she never cared...much. Some part of her couldn't necessarily blame them, given her reputation at school. Always getting into trouble. She rolled her eyes at the thought.

Blades were still blades. Even if they were just on her skates... or somethin' or other, she wasn't poetic. Was it really so far out there?

"JOCIA!" Coach called from outside the rink, voice laced with irritation as always. The teen had simply learned to get used to it, "WHERE'S YOUR PARTNER?"

"Zack's not here today. He's sick," Jocia responded bluntly, snapped out of her train of thought. She narrowed her eyes in her coaches' direction. The girl dug the pick of her skate into the ice, quickly coming to a stop where her coach stood on the other side of the glass. The others continued their warm-ups behind her.

He swore under his breath, turning his head away from her as to avoid eye contact. Avoid her entirely. She was the only one he did that with. He learned very quickly not to barrage her with bullshit. She was NOT afraid to yell back, and she had very quickly become the other student's shield. It was just figure skating, dude. Fucking relax.

As he went to direct his anger to his more obedient students, Jocia began skating again with a steady rhythm. Bastard always excused it as 'tough love' or some shit, so did the parents, but Jocia knew that excused nothing.

Besides, she always put a lot of effort in to make sure he didn't sour her limited time here or anyone elses.

'It was JUST figure skating' was kinda hypocritical coming from her of all people...

She took a breath, feeling the cool air whisp past her face and brush her hair out of her eyes with a gentle touch, calming any bubbling fire that roared under the surface due to her coaches frequent outbursts. This was comfort to her. No one could get under her skin here, no matter how hard they tried. The hot and cold always cancelled each other out.

The words of everyone around her, the white noise, everything became obsolete compared to the sounds of her blade cutting into the ice beneath her. The teen picked up speed.

And at that moment it felt like she was flying.

Nothing else existed or mattered.

If that was flying, then when she did her first lutz, she soared.

Three revolutions in the air during the jump, cold whipping past her yet guiding her every move to the tiniest detail. From her toes to the very tips of her fingers.

Sure, maybe a blade was still a blade. A weapon. A tool made to cut or dig. She had never been the picture of grace,

But something so brutal could still create something beautiful.

A dance of fire and ice. An equilibrium.

Was it really so far out there that something like this was made for someone just like her?

TAGSSSS

@thehollowwriter @skriblee-ksk @kitwasnothere @cecilebutcher

@lowcallyfruity @justm3di0cr3 @twsted-canvas @techno-danger

[a-dinosaur-a-day]

Round Four: Berthasaura vs Caihong

Berthasaura leopoldinae

Artwork by @i-draws-dinosaurs, written by @i-draws-dinosaurs

Name meaning: Bertha and Leopoldina’s reptile (in honour of naturalist and women’s rights activist Bertha Maria Júlia Lutz, and first Empress of Brazil and advocate for Brazilian independence Maria Leopoldina)

Time: Uncertain, likely ~121 to 75 million years ago (Aptian to Albian stages of the Early Creataceous) but may be younger

Location: Goio-Erê Formation, Brazil

Theropods are famously carnivorous dinosaurs, but many, many groups of theropods have decided “actually but what if I didn’t” and gone vegetarian, and yet it’s still wild when another one of those pops up every now and then. Even among them though, Berthasaura is special for being the only theropod that seems to have tried to just straight up turn itself into an ornithopod. The long spindly legs, the teeny little arms, and a big head with a toothless beak all come together to create an utterly bizarre little theropod that honestly nobody could have predicted.

Berthasaura is a noasaur, and those of you familiar will at this moment be saying “oh of course it’s a noasaur” because those guys were small ceratosaurs that were basically Theropod Wacky Experimental Phase 1.0. Within this group you’ve got wild sticky-outy teeth, a single weight-bearing toe on each foot in our fellow competitor Vespersaurus, and now multiple instances of beaks evolving independently. Theropods just love to evolve a beak, what can I say? Whatever the hell Berthasaura had going on, it must have been successful because as the basalmost noasaurid currently known its direct lineage has been surviving since at least the Late Jurassic!

Caihong juji

Artwork by @i-draws-dinosaurs, written by @i-draws-dinosaurs

Name meaning: Rainbow with big crest

Time: 161 million years old (Oxfordian stage of the Late Jurassic)

Location: Tiaojishan Formation, China

It’s always a special treat to hear the announcement of a dinosaur with known colours, because it gives the most direct impression of how truly stunning these animals would have been to witness in real life. And Caihong might just be the most spectacular of them all so far, described in 2018 from an immaculate full-body fossil that preserves detailed feathers! Caihong’s feathers are longer than some other floofy dinosaurs, and would have had the appearance of a luxurious mane along its neck. Not only that, the fossil preserves feather microstructures that in life would have made this dinosaur gloriously iridescent!

Now iridescent dinosaurs aren’t new, Microraptor has been decked out in fabulous starling-esque plumage for a while now, but Caihong absolutely takes it to the next level. Its whole body was covered in iridescent black, including the enormous tail, but the real star of the show are the platelet-like melanosomes found on the head, neck, and the base of the tail. Different from the usual iridescent melanosomes, the structure of these tiny organelles reflects brilliantly iridescent colours, like those on the heads of hummingbirds and particularly the bright purple feathers on the necks of the trumpeter family. Caihong would have put on an absolutely dazzling jewel-toned display in the treetops or on the forest floor of prehistoric China!

[levelofyoureye]

y’all i truly love watching men’s figure skating SO MUCH. not because it’s aesthetically pleasing or because they nail it every time, but because it is truly a comedy show where anything can happen. and when i say anything i MEAN anything. these men either have the most astonishing perfect clean skate you’ll ever see or they crash and burn the entire time and it’s entertaining either way! and you truly never know what you’re gonna get with ANY male skater. it’s always going to be a toss up.

exhibit A: i’m volunteering at a competition right now and just watched a junior man land a PERFECT triple lutz-triple toe. then he took a step behind, and proceeded to eat absolute shit doing nothing. god i love this discipline of figure skating

[lady0ctavia]

Hetalia PDA Headcanons (2p!Axis)

Headcanons about how the 2p!Hetalia characters would feel about PDA with their S/O.

2p!Italy: Luciano may not be as loud and expressive as Feli, but he still isn't afraid to show the world that you're his. He'll give you kisses on the hand as a greeting and farewell. He'll also have an arm around your waist as you walk through town, keeping you close. These gestures are the norm for him, except for moments when you attract the attention of other men. Jealous, Luciano decides to be a bit more bold when this happens to send a message. He'll use one arm to grab you tightly by the waist and pull you forward into his chest, landing a passionate kiss on your lips, his other hand in his pocket, gripping a knife (just in case). Afterward, he'd turn to the man and smirk, as if to say, "This one's mine!"

2p!Germany: Lutz loves PDA. He loves kissing you in public, holding you tightly around your waist, his hands maybe deciding to grope your behind. He also likes to smack your behind once in a while, laughing when he hears your little squeak of surprise. While he's always gonna want the option of kissing you in public, regardless of how you feel about it, he may be a little more open to the conversation of whether or not you're comfortable with him getting handsy in public. When you are sitting down, Lutz pulls you into his lap, holding you against his chest as he rests his head on your shoulder.

2p!Japan: Kuro tends to be far more reserved about affection in public, even more so than Kiku. The most he'd do is offer you his arm, allowing you two to be linked together in public. This is primarily so you don't get lost. But another reason is that this is his way of showing you off to the public, including friends and family. He low-key considers finding a person like you to be an accomplishment, and he wants people to see the high-quality partner he's acquired.

2p!Prussia: PDA? What's that? Gillen doesn't know of such a thing. Okay, that's a lie. But Gillen is definitely one of the most reserved when it comes to PDA, especially being as religious as he is. The most you'll get in public in terms of kissing is a quick goodbye kiss when he's about to ride out on another mission with his Teutonic Knights. But every now and again, when the two of you are out, he'll gently hold your hand, covering it with his cape to not draw too much attention. Or perhaps just letting his hand brush lightly against yours. The most affection you'll get from this man is in private.

2p!Romano: Flavio's PDA can be pretty unique in that, as a fashion designer, he likes to dress you up in his newly designed outfits and show you off around town. The two of you will stroll through town, arm in arm as he shows you off to others. You'll receive kisses on the cheek and an arm around your waist, pulling you close. I can also see him wanting to dance with you in public, just as long as he doesn't get the clothes dirty. And he's similar to his younger brother if, should another man try to steal you away from him, he'll dramatically pull you into a deep kiss and loving embrace. All before smiling cheerfully at the man and explaining that you're taken.

[textingtroublesanswers]

(This might be a little tmi for a fun ask blog so feel free to ignore if you don't feel comfortable❤❤❤)

I'm going through the monthly horrors🩸 currently, and I'm hopefully going on a more long form of BC soon so the monthly horrors stop or at least get easier to deal with, but I wanted to ask Lutz, or any other trans mercs on the team; do you still get the horrors or is that something you're able to avoid? Have any of you gotten surgery to avoid the horrors (honestly like a hysterectomy sounds like a dream ngl 😆 is that a surgery medic can do?)

Optionally: Ms. Pauling, how do you deal with the horrors with the kind of work you have to do? Has it ever made a job more difficult than necessary?

-🦖

(Again, no pressure if it's too uncomfortable to answer. All the love❤)

Miss Pauling chuckles awkwardly, "How do I deal with something I don't have? Uh... By not having it?" Her response makes Ludwig & Jane laugh, while Jeremy just scowls.

"Lucky. My ones were so bad before doc took my bits out. And Solly barely even gets any!"

"Pain is weakness leaving the body, Scout! Never forget that!"

Ludwig is still chuckling, "A hot water bottle & some pain killers usually do the job. I also recommend chocolate, you can never get enough of it during 'the horrors', although I do have to admit I haven't had a proper menstrual cycle since I went on hormones in my twenties. Sometimes, if I do get cramps, (since I obviously kept my uterus as can be seen by the fact I have children) I like it when Misha gives me a belly rub. Circular motions, & light pressure, it helps relax the muscle."

Jeremy cuts in, "I heard that doing some physical activity helps with the cramps too. Just... Not with the bleeding."

Jane looks at Jeremy & thinks, "I do drills when it happens! A little pain & bleeding is not an excuse for shirking your duties!"

Miss P turns to Bug, "Hey, Pyro, do you get cramps?"

They look up from sharpening a fire axe, "Sometimes. Vati says it's the hormones, they cause symptoms similar to a period without all the bleeding & stuff."

"Huh... I've never had that before."

"Not everyone does, Fräulein, just like not everyone with a functioning uterus has them be very painful. The range of human physiology is truly fascinating. Even things that we consider universal sometimes have outliers, or are not as common as people seem to believe, hoo hoo!"

"Doc, don't be creepy."

"Sorry..."

Tip from Mod B: ice cream. Ice cream is great, it always makes me feel better when the horrors hit me (like right now.) Chocolate is great, but you can never go wrong with ice cream.