#and that isn't what she reached toward in her lowest moment

[quiddie]

Hah, oh noooooo! I'm sorry, boo! 🥺 Okay I know I swore off commenting, but I simply cannot resist a stoat pfp so I do just want to clarify that she actually said "If I know, I'll do it" which is an important difference!

“if you tell me what’s right i’ll do it”

Ugh @quiddie just rip my entire heart out of my chest why don’t you?

I cried my real human tears when I heard Suvi sobbing and pleading for her obedience to make her safe and loved and protected. I can’t be losing electrolytes like that. In this economy? Please.

[princessofmerchants]

It's remarkable and almost breathtaking the trust Nesta has in Cassian.

In ACOSF chapter 47, Nesta is approaching the lowest she's ever been in her life, running through Velaris away from a confrontation in which she hurt her sister and herself in the short span of a few minutes.

That Nesta allows Cassian to swoop down from the sky and carry her up and away, flying for hours curled in his arms, when she's feeling how she feels in this moment of her life...

Nesta needs to save herself — no one else can do it but her.

But to me there is no question her relationship with Cassian transforms her and pushes her to grow in the ways she needs so that she can save herself.

(And while the physical combat training is a great metaphor for what I'm referring to, it isn't precisely what I mean when I say "save herself" — I mean having the courage to face her mistakes, realize she cannot be perfect, that this fact is okay, and that choosing to live and not dissociate is the braver, stronger choice, even when doing so makes her feel weak and broken sometimes. It's coming when they reach the lake in three chapters, and then continues through the rest of the book, but it begins here with a safe person with which to begin walking toward those truths...)

Having a person like Cassian in Nesta's life who has the strength to create a scaffold of support around her at her lowest and most vulnerable...

It is a treasure and a gift. (I am speaking from personal experience here as well.)

Because as we will see as they begin to hike in the Sleeping Mountains, Nesta's will is beaten to the ground by her own broken thoughts, to the point where she isn't able to decode the world around her accurately. She requires care and a firm, loving accompaniment through the darkness she needs to traverse to get to the other side. That person for her is Cassian.

[lovemebutleavemewild]

Leave it to the land - Chapter 2.

The world has ended, it's over—except some people can't seem to accept that. Those same people think the cure lies in people like you and your little sister. And they're willing to do anything to find it.

The road to safety is a long one, and you're about to learn that it isn't one you can walk alone.

Read it on ao3.

Soap and Ghost share a long look and you stand there with your arms folded, trying to pretend like you're not petrified they'll call your bluff. By the sounds of it, they know Kyle and they haven't killed you both yet—for now that has to be good enough.

“Go check outside again,” Ghost eventually tells Soap.

The few moments you're alone with the man in the mask are uncomfortable to say the least. You don't speak and he still hasn't relaxed his grip on his gun. Thankfully, Soap is back quickly.

“Start of a horde coming right at us. Say we take the back door into the alley and try and get around ‘em,” he reports.

Ghost nods, still looking at you. Then he jerks his head in the direction of the door.

“You're coming with us,” he tells you.

You start to protest but Soap interrupts.

“We don't have time for whingin’. We need to get out of here before a wee problem becomes a fucking massive one.”

You can't really argue with that, so you turn, ducking down so you're face to face with Dot.

“We're gonna have to be quick and quiet, Dee—you good with that?”

She doesn't look sure at all, but she nods at you, squaring her little shoulders and hiking her backpack up higher.

Soap leads the way. Ghost doesn't move. That leaves you in the position of having to choose between putting Dot between you and Soap or you and Ghost. You don't have long to consider before you're pushing her in front of you, watching Soap's back carefully and trying not to to think of how uncomfortable it is to have Ghost behind you.

Soap leads you all to a fire door at the back of the shop—on the way, you duck to grab your knife from where he knocked it out of your hand.

Soap gestures for you to wait as he ducks through the door. A few seconds later, his hand appears around the door to wave you out. You go to move up the alleyway when his arm shoots out to stop you.

“Think we'd be better going up. What d’ya think, LT?”

“Up?” Your voice comes out in a squeak, but Soap is already moving—he reaches up and pulls the end of a rusty fire ladder hanging from the side of the building. He swears at the noise it makes and shoots a look towards the end of the alley. You follow his gaze and notice a woman on the other side of the road at the end of it. What's left of a woman, you remind yourself. A shell, a body, with no brain activity, or conscience, or anything else to make her human.

The noise has caught her attention now and she's starting to move towards you, with a slow shuffle. If there's one there’ll be more.

“Let's go,” Soap mutters and he starts to climb.

Dot looks up at you uncertainly and you try your best to smile at her.

“Up you go, Dee, I'm right behind you, okay?”

You help her out her hands on the lowest rung.

“Just hold tight and keep moving,” you tell her.

Good advice, you think grimly as you start to haul yourself up behind her.

It's going fine until there's a groan beneath you and you glance down. You feel yourself freeze in place, not because of the four groaning corpses now halfway down the alley you're in, but because you’re suddenly hyper-aware that you're almost two-thirds of the way up the side of the five story building.

Your arms suddenly feel weak and you clutch hard at the ladder with suddenly sweaty hands.

“Hey!” Your eyes dart from the distant ground into another pair, these ones very much alive.

“Move,” Ghost tells you gruffly. You shake your head, trying to convey to him that you can't move, your arms aren't cooperating anymore. You're distantly aware of Dot’s voice calling for you and your brain is screaming at you but you still can't move. Far below, the corpses are now gathered at the bottom of the ladder. You’re not too worried about them following—they don’t really have the coordination for that, but you know you can’t hang her forever, and the longer you wait, the more likely more are going to turn up.

“Hey.” Ghost’s voice infiltrates your mind again, not soft exactly but a little quieter. “You need to breathe.”

Simple instructions but you do manage to pull in a few ragged breaths.

“Stop looking down, look at the bars,” he instructs you and you don't know if it's his commanding tone but you do manage to pull your eyes up to look at the bars just in front of your face. You close your eyes for a second, and when you open them, your vision swims a little less.

“Now climb,” the voice, which is the only thing in the world now, says—and you listen. Somehow you make it to the top of the ladder where Dot is wanting with Soap. You curse yourself for leaving her alone with a stranger because you couldn't pull yourself together.

“Took your time,” Soap huffs. You shoot him a look, even though you know he's right.

“Fuck yourself,” you tell him anyway, and pull Dot so she's standing behind you as Ghost crests the roof of the building. You refuse to look at him, and ignore Soap’s continued grumbling. Ghost walks to the edge of the building to look down at the street. Even the sight of someone standing so close to the edge makes you feel queasy.

“Not too many—and the building looks like it's boarded up down below. Say we stay here for tonight and wait for them to move on.”

He points a gloved finger at you then and you raise your chin defiantly.

“You—you have some questions to answer.”

You tell it to them straight.

“I’m not telling you where we’re meeting Kyle.”

Soap makes a noise of dissent.

“Gaz is a mate, alrigh’? He’ll want to see us.”

You hold up a hand.

“It's not about that.”

“So, what's it about?”

“It's about you not having a reason to leave us alive if I tell you what you want to know!”

Your voice gets louder and you have to take a steadying breath so you don't wake Dot. You'd insisted they wait until she was asleep until you had your “chat”. She's currently next to you in the single sleeping bag you both share. The warmth of the day is long gone and the night air is cold where your face and hands are exposed to it.

“So you're not going to tell us anything?” Soap asks, frustrated.

“No,” you tell him, then you hesitate for a second before plowing on. You've already made your decision. “I’ll take you to him, though.”

“Why?” Ghost asks immediately. You can already tell he's the more cynical of the two. “Why not just tell us outright if you’re going to take us along anyway?”

“Because I'll need help, and a guarantee that you won’t just leave us once you know where you’re going. Anyway, we can't go through checkpoints so we'll need to go the long way. We could use the backup.”

“Could bribe your way through checkpoints,” Soap muses. Both men are staring hard at you now. It is true that some people can be convinced to look the other way and let marked people through checkpoints. For the right price.

“That doesn't apply to us.” Your heart feels like it's in your throat now but if you're going to ask for and accept these men’s help, they need to know how important it is that you move undetected.

“We're tier two.”

You see Soap’s eyebrows raise, wonder if Ghost's are doing the same but as usual, with his mask, you can't read anything on his expression.

Here's the thing. Everyone in the world is infected by now. Everyone has the disease that will eventually turn them into mindless zombies like the ones stumbling around in the street below. But not everyone is infected to the same degree.

The disease infects human cells. As healthy cells die off, they're replaced with diseased ones. Once you reach a certain point you start showing symptoms of the disease—confusion, aggression, extreme hunger—and it's all downhill from there. Eventually the aggression becomes undeniable and that hunger turns to a hunger for human flesh.

Tier five is another name for the ones who are already dead. No semblance of the person they once were left—they'd tear into their own best friend like butter if they got too close.

Tier four is reserved for people who have started to show symptoms—those people are essentially a ticking time bomb.

Most people fall in the tier three category. The “healthy for now” category. The disease is progressive, so no one stays tier three forever and certain things can expedite the process. The more exposure you have to fives, the quicker you get sick, and a bite from one of them is an express route to becoming one of them.

Near the start of the breakout, the government set up “research centres” across the country in a bid to find a cure. Even as order fell apart, the centres remained, under militant control, and mostly made up of those in tier three with a lower rate of infection, and people in tier two. You're classified as tier two if you have less than 10% infected cells.

The theory is that those genetically predisposed to being tier two hold the key to the cure and can help create a new tier with a zero percent rate of infection—the as-of-yet unheard of, tier one.

Testing is mandatory and done by force, when needed—sentries have set up checkpoints where they can stop and test anyone. Those in tier three with an infection rate of more than 30% can usually talk their way out of getting picked up for research, but you know that a test, plus the tattoo on your wrist that you got at the research centre will be enough to get you picked up in a heartbeat. The chances of you or Dot getting through a checkpoint unchallenged are almost zero.

“So what’s the plan for getting out without going through a checkpoint or getting picked up by the sentries?” Ghost asks. You feel your face heat. You've been trying to answer that very question for months, since you left the centre and you're no further forward now than you were originally.

You don't answer but you don't have to—your silence is answer enough. Eventually you burrow down inside your sleeping bag. You know you won’t sleep but it’s as good a way as any to avoid talking anymore. It’s easy enough to stay awake—your mind is buzzing.

You try hard to listen in on the quiet conversation between Soap and Ghost, but from the other side of the roof their voices are carried away on the wind.

Eventually, they stop talking completely. They seem to be taking shifts sleeping and you understand that they're as comfortable letting their guard down around you as you are around them. You lie there, clutching your knife in one hand, and occasionally poking your head up to check on the men.

During his watch, Soap spends most of his time looking down at the street, where the noise of the dead is picking up. They always get more worked up at night. After a few hours, they switch and Ghost takes his place.

With the mask and the darkened sky, it’s a lot harder to see his face, especially when you’re just stealing quick looks every once and a while.

Despite that, throughout the night, you can’t shake the feeling that he’s watching you.

[asongofstarkandtargaryen]

Daenerys and Viserys

Even on the chapter where Viserys finally dies, Daenerys continues to be submissive to her older brother until a specific event, which I'll further discuss later. This poor girl is raised only by her abusive brother and is taught that she owes him obedience and loyality because he's the true king and her only relative. What is more, for years he has threaten her that if she disobeys him, she'll "wake the dragon" in him. And by waking the dragon he means that he'll abusive her both emotionally and physically (sometimes even sexually). Viserys has no shame to use abuse towards his little sister when he's in a fool mood and he always let her know that it's her own fault ( as many abusers do with their victims).

Look how Dany reacts when she finds out that Viserys tried to stole her eggs:

For a moment Dany was so shocked she had no words. "My eggs … but they're mine, Magister Illyrio gave them to me, a bride gift, why would Viserys want … they're only stones …"

"The same could be said of rubies and diamonds and fire opals, Princess … and dragon's eggs are rarer by far. Those traders he's been drinking with would sell their own manhoods for even one of those stones, and with all three Viserys could buy as many sellswords as he might need."

Dany had not known, had not even suspected. "Then … he should have them. He does not need to steal them. He had only to ask. He is my brother … and my true king."

She's willing to give away her eggs to her brother if he asks her to. She even try to justify it by saying that he's her brother and her king. This isn't Dany giving away a pretty present she got, she's willing to give away those eggs which brought her comfort when she was at her lowest when she first joined the Dothraki. It shows that there is almost nothing that Dany wouldn't give to Viserys if he asked her no matter how dear it was to her.

Continuing her conversation with Ser Jorah she explains that Viserys is all the family she has left:

"He is your brother," Ser Jorah acknowledged.

"You do not understand, ser," she said. "My mother died giving me birth, and my father and my brother Rhaegar even before that. I would never have known so much as their names if Viserys had not been there to tell me. He was the only one left. The only one. He is all I have."

Poor Dany, for thirteen years she only family she got was an older brother who often abused her.

When Viserys enters Vaes Dothrak and draws his sword - something that is forbidden within the city according to Dothraki laws- Dany tries to make him see reason and even offers him her eggs which she believes that could calm him down. This time she's terrified both of and for him.

"The blade … you must not," she begged him. "Please, Viserys. It is forbidden. Put down the sword and come share my cushions. There's drink, food … is it the dragon's eggs you want? You can have them, only throw away the sword."

However, the moment Viserys threatens her belly with his sword, the narrative stops refering to him as Daenerys' brother. That's because he's no longer threatening only Dany but her unborn baby as well. Her mother instict kicks in and she won't allow Viserys to abuse her child like he did with her. The moment he puts her unborn son in harm while he's threatening her, Viserys crosses the line and there is no turning back. He's no longer her brother or her king daand she feels neither obendiance nor loyalty towards him.

The sword point pushed through her silks and pricked at her navel. Viserys was weeping, she saw; weeping and laughing, both at the same time, this man who had once been her brother.

Viserys keeps being referred as "the man who had been her brother" until his death.

"What did he say?" the man who had been her brother asked her, flinching.

When the sun of her life reached her, Dany slid an arm around his waist. The khal said a word, and his bloodriders leapt forward. Qotho seized the man who had been her brother by the arms

At the last, Viserys looked at her. "Sister, please … Dany, tell them … make them … sweet sister …"

When the gold was half-melted and starting to run, Drogo reached into the flames, snatched out the pot. "Crown!" he roared. "Here. A crown for Cart King!" And upended the pot over the head of the man who had been her brother

Daenerys' brother and abuser is finally dead. She has the epiphany that he's not a real dragon. Viserys had her convinced that he was the real dragon, someone who inspired fear on her. But on the last few months, she started having dragon dreams and she has already connected with her dragon eggs. She has seen a different side of the dragon, not being embodied by someone she fears but the dragon(s) as a source of comfort, feeling as home. Between the dragon as a source of fear and the dragon as a source of familiarity and comfort she chooses the second and therefore Viserys no longer fits on her perspective of what makes someone a dragon. He's not a dragon, he's a pathetic man who threatened his pregnant sister he had sold to slavery.

[albentelisa]

Hi! So, was there any headcannon or theory you had of Merlin in Trollhunters while writing Mirrored Conviction's? Because he could easily be seen as the villain given how it looked like he manipulated Jim when he was trying to make him into a half troll if Wizards hadn't shown why he did that.

Hi, sorry for the delay with the response - I've been rather busy lately. So, without further ado let's proceed to the question.

Honestly, I've never viewed Merlin as a villain. Yes, he totally sucks as a person, and even the fact that he acknowledged Douxie in Wizards changes nothing. On the other hand, I find it interesting that a deeply flawed character like Merlin is one on the good side (and has always been).

And now to some headcanons (which I also use while writing my fics):

Merlin is commonly disliked in the magic community because he's arrogant and mostly acts according to what he considers the most beneficial to his goal (which is humanity's survival). Obviously, that led to countless situations where he outright abandoned his allies when there was an option to save them while jeopardizing the plan. The situation with Jim in Wizards proves it good enough and I feel that one wasn't the first or only time Merlin did that. And obviously, that wouldn't give him much love from everyone else (and Zoe hates him for a reason too).

Merlin led both Arthur and Morgana to their downfall or at least, partially responsible for that. Why do I think so? Let's start with Arthur. I believe that Merlin to Arthur was the same kind of figure Blinky was to Jim - a mentor, an older friend, and kind of a father. However, unlike Blinky who can always find the right words for Jim in his darkest and lowest moments, Merlin either didn't know what to do or outright ignored the problem (somehow, I more lean towards the latter). It seems like after Gwen's death, Morgana was the only one trying to reach her brother. If Merlin had joined her, everything might have ended differently.

As for Morgana, instead of leading her and helping to find control over her shadow magic, Merlin tried to correct her magic, most likely putting her within some strict regulations. He obviously finds shadow magic vile and corruptive, refusing to see that it might be not different from a knife - a tool that could be used both for good and evil. Obviously, Morgana lost all the respect for her master she had most likely possessed initially as Merlin had never listened to her or her opinion.

Merlin is also incredibly stubborn and frigid. He lacks adaptability and fails to either have some backup plans or adjust his plans on the spot. That one is his clear weakness.

And another of his problems is that he's a genius and has convinced himself that he knows better than everyone else. It led to the mindset that only his plans were right and everyone else just told him some unhinged and dumb stuff that would never work (which could be as far from the real state of things as possible). Merlin also genuinely believes that if he cannot do something, no one will be able to do a thing and that if something didn't work for him, it wouldn't work for someone else.

So? Merlin may be intelligent, but he isn't wise. He's too short-sighted to see the bigger picture and too stuck to his own beliefs to see alternatives.

There's some curious detail about Nari. It makes some sense that she came to Merlin after abandoning the Arcane Order because despite all his flaws he was probably the best when it came to giving her shelter. However, Nari also seemingly treats Merlin nicely, despite being his enemy for a long time before coming to him. It may have something to do with Nari's personality, but I also have a headcanon that Nari knew Merlin before he grew to become the unpleasant person he is now. Nari is hopeful, so, perhaps, she still believed he could change his ways.

And now, there's some heavy speculation part. The scene when Merlin manipulated Jim made me think that Merlin was projecting his own experiences there. He seems to be the kind of person who absolutely loathes their younger self. Most likely, Jim was unlucky enough to remind Merlin of his younger days.

I feel that Merlin lost some dear people during his young years, most likely because of his own reckless actions. He probably thought that if he took some precautions it might end differently. That is why he chose to force Jim to undergo the transformation. In Merlin's eyes that might even count as some kind of redemption for his youth's mistakes. He sees nothing wrong with that and believes it is a good thing and that Jim is simply too young and naive to understand and will come to appreciate it later. And obviously, Merlin believes that ruining Jim's everyday life wasn't a big deal. To his mind, it was an adequate sacrifice. Well, Merlin simply forgets that Jim is not him or even his younger self.

I had a discussion with a friend once, who claimed that younger Merlin was like Douxie, but personally, I feel that Douxie reminds Merlin of the close person he had lost in the past (best friend, perhaps?). That would explain why Merlin ordered Douxie to stay away from everything until he woke up - so that Douxie didn't end in some kind of trouble. I feel that Merlin was scared to lose Douxie, because it would be a second time for him.

[eraserisms]

Homeroom Teachers

I see a lot of people asking what classes Shota teaches besides homeroom or wonders how he gets away with napping in class. And I believe people are looking at this through a Western lens. When I was doing some research about this, I came across someone explaining from first-hand experience that Japanese homeroom teachers are incredibly involved in their student's day-to-day lives. They describe the job as being on call 24/7. One example they gave was about how one of the student's parents were getting a divorce. It was the homeroom teacher who was phone every day talking to the parents and the student about how they were going to navigate the situation.

Shota likely gets away with sleeping in class because he's there for his students any other time of the day that they need him. With U.A. implementing dorming, he is even more hands on with his pupils. The least he can do is try to get some sleep in between hero work and all of the chaos that goes on at U.A. high.

Shota teaches nothing. Homeroom teachers are essentially pseudo parents to their students and they follow them from the beginning of school up to graduation. I've seen people say a few times that Shota isn't a good educator, and while he has some questionable moments, teaching kids directly isn't what he is supposed to be doing. Shota ultimately is a counselor, a guide, an observer, and a mediator.

We see tons of examples of this kind of behavior throughout the series, and here are a few instances that come to mind.

The fact that Shota has the ability to expel students at all is an indication of the role that he plays at UA. Even if he hadn't asked Nezu if he could expel and re-enroll students at his own will, as a whole Shota would have the authority to expel students. We see Shota demonstrating this with Izuku in the first episode/beginning of the manga with Aizawa threatening to drop whichever student has the lowest score.

Even if he did decide to stay outside, it's Eraserhead who escorts Shoto back to the Todoroki's home. When Shoto is watching Endeavor's fight on the news, Aizawa ran to Shoto so fast, that he forgot one of his slippers like he's fucking Cinderella.

Shota interferes, mediates and solves conflicts when he needs to. We see this when All-Might comes to Shota when Bakugo and Midoriya get into a fight. Toshinori came to Shota about the ordeal because it's Shota's responsibility as a homeroom teacher.

When Yuga is found to be the traitor, it's Aizawa who ends up talking to him. It's Shota who made the decision not to expel him. Shota goes as far to say that it's his fault because Shota hadn't realized what his student was going through to even reach that point.

Todoroki's & Yaoyorozu's battle/final exam VS. Shota. While this happens earlier in the series, there is a reason why I listed this one last. During the fight, Shota sees that Momo has lost her confidence and even says to himself that he wishes he could help her with that. But with it being an exam, there were limitations as to what he could do about the situation. Ultimately Shota allows Momo to capture him under the guise that he wanted to see what would happen next. That may be true to an extent, but Shota knew that she needed the win.

Going back to as to why Shota doesn't teach; it can be seen as a conflict of interest. We sort of see this with Momo's exam, but we definitely see this during the joint-training arch when Shota is observing the matches between classes 1-A & 2-A. Shota has taken Hitoshi under his wing, and despite Vlad King and All-Might wanting to stop the fight, Shota insists that the match continues. Aizawa may have been right to say that the students were still determined, and therefore they should keep going. He goes as far to say that he would even stop the fight if need be, but his bias towards Shinso is rather apparent here. He wants his protege to succeed.

Shota is more than just a teacher. He is their emotional support, the person to steer them in the right direction, and most importantly, the one who is always in their corner. At the end of the day, Shota Aizawa is a good man and an even better teacher.

[callme-littlesunshine]

IT'S OVER pt.2

I had to write it again because I wasn't happy with the first one. Warning: slight Panic attack, angst with fluff at the end

Rain did talk to Sister Imperator about me being Sick so I could rest for a bit. It was nice. Really. I needed this. Rain came to me every single day. I knew i was hard for him, practising and then visiting me. I am extremly happy that he cared for me.

Rain was like the best friend I needed. I had nobody else in this cruel world. The other sisters of sin looked at me like I was… something strange like i had two heads. Actually I wouldn't care but since this thing with Sodo, everything is too much for me.

Right now, I was in my room, hiding under my blankets because everything was too much right now, the looks, the voices everything. When I heard a knock, I slowly raised from by hiding spot and went straight to the door, thinking Rain was coming. When I opened the door, my heart dropped. Sodo was standing there.

"Hey… can we talk?" He asked me and I couldn't breath for a few moments. I wantd to slam the door shut but he put hif foot in between. I looked down at his foot where it was in between the door. "Dewdrop.. I don't want to talk to you, there is nothing to talk about. You made it very clear that you don't want me. So please get lost and leave me alone." i told him, trying to sound strong because I don't want him to know that I am at my lowest at the moment.

"Y/N.. please.. let me explain this." he pleaded but I wasn't giving him any chance. "No, fuck off I don't wanna talk to you.. please." at the end of the sentence my voice betrayed me. Tears were starting to run down my face. Before Sodo could say anymore Rain came around the corner. When he saw me in this state with Sodo in front of me, he got angry. He stormed towards Sodo and pulled him away. "What the hell dude? Leave her alone. You hurted her enough" his voice was beyond angry, he almost gritted his teeth. I slammed the door shut and went back under the blankets where I felt safe.

But sadly, there was this time where Rain had to leave, like the others. They had to go on tour and leave me behind. I knew it would come to this point, and I was okay with this but I still felt sad about him leaving. I need him. I know it sounds stupid but I also want Sodo to be here.. I know I should be mad at him but some part of me wants him back.. wants to talk to him like we used to.

I promised Rain before he left, I wouldn't do something stupid, I mean I was almost before do to something stupid because it was too much but Alpha came in the right moment and stopped me. He scolded me for being stupid. And since then, there he was, always with me. Never let me be alone anymore. They even wanted me to sleep in their room, so they could be sure I was alright. It's nice to know there are people who cared for you. I feel less lonely.

Right now, I was sitting in front of the fire place, staring into the flames. It reminds me of Sodos eyes. I wanted to reach for the flames, but in that moment, my phone rang. I got out of my tance and reached for my phone. This number was unknown, but I still picked up. "Y/N… I know you don't wanna talk to me but I wanted you to know that I will always love you" He said before he hung up on me. My hands were shaking. Why was he telling me this? Is something going to happen?

Please Satanas… don't let something happen to him or the others. I suddenly felt that my breathing was hitched. I couldn't breath normally. What is happening? I grabbed my phone and threw it into the corner, with a thud it landed on the ground.

A few seconds later, Alpha and a few others came in. I couldn't recognize them because my vision was blurry. "Hey, Y/N what's wrong? Are you alright?" he asked me but I couldn't answer. "Dude obvious she isn't alright. I think she might have a panic attack." Someone said. I wish I knew.

They helped me through it, talked to me, tried to ground me. It's good to know there are people who are here for you. After this, I felt better, I talked to them about everything. About things that are in my head, what I was thinking… overthinking. Why he would hurt me like this. Of course they tried to tell me that he never had something like this with someone before but I didn't want to hear it if I'm being honest but I still listened.

Maybe this was the reason he called me. "Oh my… he called me.. I need to know if he's alright.." i muttered. In that second, the doors opened and Papa came into view with the ghouls behind him. I got up from the couch I was sitting in. I searched for Sodo. If he was there with them but my heart got heavy when i didn't saw him. No..

I tried to stay calm, I didn't want to cry, I still loved him even if he broke my heart like this. "Where is… Sodo?" I asked quietly. Papa was looking at me and smiled. He was not talking. What is wrong? Why is he smiling like this? I paced around the room, up and down, left an right. My brain was almost explosing. My head is filled with thoughts. What should I do?

"Y/N…" I stopped when I heard his voice. I looked around and that's when I saw him. "Sodo…" I cried out his name and ran towards him, hugging him like there was no tomorrow. "I am so glad you're alright.. don't ever call me again and say such things you fucking dipshit!" I almost yelled while tears were streaming down my face.

"Sorry my dear…" He told me. "I am sorry for everything.. can you forgive me?" he asked me while holding me tight. I didn't answer yet. I don't know if I can ever forget this what he did. i can forgive him that's not the problem but that's going to take some time. "Can we start over?" he asked after some time.

"Yes… I would love to." I told him. I am still very heartbroken but I guess we can work this out. I want him in my life… I need him. He is my first love ever and I don't want a life without him. I know it's naive I still learned my lesson. I will never be like this. I will never open up like this, I will take my time. Learn more about him.

Bonus: A few years later, Sodo and I are still together, even better we are married. It took some time for me to heal after this heartbreak but eventually, I did with his help. We talked about everything. When I had a bad day, he was there for me, he knew I was an overthinker and he always had the right words for me.

I am glad I gave him a second chance, I would never have but.. my love for him was jsut stronger than everything else. "Baby.. I am back" I heard his voice, I smiled and got up, holding the pregnancy test behind my back and walked towards him. "Hey love.." I smiled at him and hugged him with just one arm, the other still behind my back with the test.

"What's wrong?" he asked me and I laughed. "Close your eyes.." I told him and he did as I told. I looked at the test and was now holding it in front of my belly. "Now, you can open them" I told him, he did and his eyes immediately wandered down. His eyes widened when he saw the test. "You're… You're pregnant?" He asked and I nodded. "We're pregnant baby" I smiled from ear to ear. And in this moment, I couldn't be happier.

[umbracirrus]

WIP not on a Wednesday 💛

I've finally today been able to write for the first time in little over a week and a half... and I've honestly got a thing in my mind about Galmar at the moment. Don't even know why - but it stoked a fic idea in my head and - shock horror - a new dragonborn oc emerges from the abyss of my mind. Or rather I adapted a character, and some bullet point notes I had made, from a different idea I had months ago because I found this fit better. Her name is Aevra and I love her just like I do all the others.

But even though it was thoughts of Galmar which inspired me starting to write this, he isn't even in this WIP!! Hah....

Tagged by @thequeenofthewinter

-------

"Still, surely it is something worth celebrating! You can’t just save the world then hide yourself away, my Thane!" Lydia protested as the two of them descended the Seven-thousand Steps, much to Aevra’s disdain. She had just done what was needed to be done, with the only other option being death – in her eyes, that wasn’t worth celebrating. "Look, you went to Sovngarde and returned. You fought the World Eater! You can quite literally summon dragons for your every whim – surely that is worth at least a drink and celebration once we return to Whiterun?"

Lowering her head and folding her arms over, Aevra sighed. Clearly, she wouldn’t be getting out of this without Lydia getting her way to some extent. "Fine. One drink at the Bannered Mare, and we will buy the largest sweetroll to share in ‘celebration’ – but that is as far as I'm going in terms of- Huh?" She stopped in her tracks when the two of them reached the lowest wayshrine and Ivarstead came into her line of sight. "What is going on down there? There are an awful lot of people, even for Ivarstead... Lydia, this isn’t your doing, is it? Trying to rope me into a party?"

"This... isn’t what I’ve been planning. I was with the Jarl in Whiterun until that, ah... Odahviing, is it? Until Odahviing returned to take me to meet you at the Throat of the World," Lydia explained, her hand coming to rest on her sword. "But I don’t like the looks of it one bit. We should proceed with caution..."

Now that was something that she could agree with.

The pair slowly made their way down towards the town, where things began to become clearer. Much clearer.

Aevra was the first to realise what exactly was going on upon the sight of Imperial armour as they approached the bridge leading into the town. It took Lydia a few moments after her realisation to notice that she was no longer moving, and was instead rooted to the spot just before the bridge.

"Are you okay...?"

This was no celebration, and they were there for her.

---

The two of them were surrounded. Lydia had her weapons drawn, but Aevra did not.

"I will not allow you to arrest my Thane-!"

"You do realise that this town is Imperial land, and that your Thane is a wanted criminal?" Hearing those words from Rikke did make her wince and clench her fists, but she knew that at this point, there was no escaping it... "She killed over a dozen of her fellow soldiers, attempted to kill the General, and deserted – Dragonborn or not, she cannot escape punishment for her deeds, I'm afraid. Now, she can either come along quietly and prevent further bloodshed, or we shall apprehend her through force."

At this point, Lydia had already drawn her sword, and was ready to fight. Whereas Aevra... simply had no fight left. She was exhausted from battling Alduin in Sovngarde, then descending from High Hrothgar. She also didn’t have the energy that she used to all those years ago. As much as she wanted to fight to escape, she had no doubts that she would be quickly apprehended.

Besides... she had fulfilled her ‘destiny’. She had no more purpose; the world no longer needed a Dragonborn – not if Paarthurnax was going to be teaching the remaining dragons the Way of the Voice.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to face her dear friend and housecarl, and rested her hand on her wrist to make her lower her weapon. "Stand down, Lydia. I... I think that I've made my peace," she muttered, walking past her and stopping when she was stood before Rikke. "Go back to Whiterun... and have that drink and sweetroll for us, okay? Take care of Breezehome, and take care of yourself."

"But-!"

"Lydia, you’re dismissed from your duties as my housecarl. Go home."

"Thank you for your cooperation, Dragonborn," Rikke stated, before glancing at Lydia. "Listen to her. You will be arrested for interfering with Imperial business if you remain."

Much to Aevra’s relief, Lydia cooperated, and sheathed her weapon before backing away. Even more relieving – though she wasn’t too certain whether it should have been a relief or not, given the circumstances – was that the Imperials had waited for Lydia to leave Ivarstead before she was officially apprehended.

After her arms were taken hold of, and her hands bound, she stared at the legate with as straight a face as she could. "I almost hoped that we would never cross paths again, Rikke. It hurts my heart that things have come to this..." Her head turned towards the mountain behind her, in part to conceal the wavering emotion across her face. "I presume that this has been in planning ever since the treaty was arranged? Since the General realised who I was?"

"I'm afraid so. Though I will be the first to admit that it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth having to do this to you..." Rikke made a noise, indicating that she was thinking very carefully about her next words. "To the Dragonborn... in the hours after Alduin’s defeat. But the law is the law, and you broke it."

She remained quiet after that… not that she was given the chance to speak.

[deathfavor]

@shackld said: "Earl! Uh, happy birthday!" Nobody would blame her at feeling a little uneasy at being around the man, he didn't exactly seem to like her all that much and well, Chief can't say she blames him but the whole 'bomb' situation did wonders for her opinion of him as well. Still, there was a part of her that wanted to gain his trust so… baby steps. "Zoya told me, but I didn't really know what to get you so-" She's quick to step into the room, having lingered awkwardly in the doorway, and slide the envelope towards him. "It's a card, it's got a dog on it." She didn't know why that was important to mention. "And also… a gift card to this lousy fast food place, um. I don't know, it's good - maybe you can take Horo." (i stand by that shes scared of him idec)

happy birthday earl

When the Chief approaches, Happy birthday is the last thing that even the ever-cunning fox expects. Mostly because HE certainly hasn't informed her of the day, but he doesn't think about it that much either. At least, not until Horo or Zoya or any of the other Legion members make it abundantly clear that he won't just be working on his birthday like he intends. Every year he tries, every year he fails. Still. Chief is unexpected even when it comes to today.

" ... Thank you, Chief. " It takes him a moment to thank her properly; he is nothing if not polite on matters like this. " Zoya told you? Now I know how everyone seems to keep finding out. " So that was where the leak in his personal information was. Even if it was only the day. Though, he can practically imagine her rolling her eyes and remarking that C'mon Earl, you need to loosen up! What's one day of celebration? because that WAS so very her.

He lifts a hand calmly. " Nothing is neces- " Still, before he can actually dismiss it, the chief has already produced an envelope and placed it on the desk. Its so...absurdly ordinary that he almost chuckles. Almost. Something like birthday cards even with all the violence and chaos. He ensures she isn't touching it before he reaches out to grasp the envelope and open it to see the card. Amusement gleams in his eyes at her apparent need to inform him of the fact it has a dog on it. " Symbolic? " He asks, though there's a hint of teasing in his voice rather than just the usual grim tone. Whether she catches it or not is of little matter he supposes. " It's a very nice dog. " Might as well humor it. A dog gifted to a fox, how funny. " I appreciate it, Chief. "

Earl glances at the gift card that slides out, grasping it between gloved fingers. Her discomfort is evident, but that's the lowest thing on his priorities. For all the tough, ruthless, and cunning energy that Earl gives off ( and indeed, is ), the mention of Horo immediately has his focus an interest. He always has a soft spot for her. No matter where they are or what has happened, he is always her big brother first and foremost.

" Can Horo come out to a lunch? " Earl asks, dark eyes focusing on the Chief with active interest now. That would be nice, a way to spend time and check on his little sister. " Thank you, again. This is more than I expected. "

[cruelsummerhrry]

A/n: hello, in the words of taylor swift... are you ready for it?

Harry is extremely nervous to meet his daughter, Emmy's, teacher.

He was supposed to meet her before his kid started school, but his ex-fiancé wanted to take her. He didn't want to deal with that hell fire of the fight, when he was already stressed about Emmy leaving his sight for more than an hour or two.

But now, he gets to meet Ms. Y/L/N.

He is genuinely very excited. Almost everyday, he hears his daughter talk about this amazing woman in her life who is inspiring her to learn. He is also jumping out of his seat to see her interact with her friends and talk to some parents.

Holding Emmy's hand, standing beside the door, he takes a deep breath and finally walks in.

Turns out that breath was for nothing, cause he is in shock when he sees the teacher.

It's y/n, his client, the woman he saw having sex in a car. He doesn't move. He just stands there absolutely shocked.

"Ms. Y/L/N! Come meet my daddy!" The little girl by his side is suddenly running towards the person who got all of his attention.

"Emmy! I'm so happy you made it! Where is your parent?" Y/n was somewhat hoping it was her dad since she has yet to meet him.

Emmy points and now it's y/n's turn to be shocked. That's her very attractive personal trainer. Who also happened to witness her in a very promiscuous act. They make eye contact and their eyes are trying to communicate what to do.

Seems as y/n is going to pretend she has never met this man a day in her life.

"Hi! I'm Ms. Y/L/N, but most parents call me y/n." She is putting on her brightest smile and has her hand out for him to shake.

"I'm Harry, Emmy's dad." Taking her hand, he is very stunned by how professional she's being in this somewhat awkward situation. "She talks about you all of the time. It's a pleasure to meet the woman who got my daughter excited about reading." He reflects her face by replicating the same smile.

"That's so sweet!" Harry notices this new glimmer in her eyes, "Your daughter is truly a light in my classroom. An absolute Saint."

"I'm glad she isn't giving you any trouble." He looks for Emmy, who was once by his side, and sees her playing with some friends.

"Well, I'm sorry to cut this short but I have to say hello to some other parents. I would love to schedule a meeting with you and her mother one of these days! I will send out an email with some time slots and one of you can tell me which is best." He gives her a nod of acknowledgement, "it was lovely to finally meet you Harry!" They wave goodbye.

♡♡♡

He was sleeping in his bed. Not really but he was trying to! Harry just can't get y/n out of his head. He also can't get that pornographic scene he saw a week prior out of his head.

The more his mind wanders, the harder his cock gets, and the more restless he becomes. He is trying to ignore his throbbing erection,, but it's borderline impossible.

Harry gives up. He knows that his hand would feel nice but he wants something that will feel stronger. A vibrator.

He pulls the toy out of his nightstand drawer and groans at the sight.

He puts the vibe on the lowest setting and places it over his covered cock. The room becomes filled with meek whimpers.

Slowly, he changes the setting to something higher. Moving the toy to his tip that is constantly leaking his pre-cum. Harry takes his thumb and swipes it over his tip to collect the pre-cum. He puts the cum covered thumb to his mouth and wraps his lips around it to taste himself. His mouth waters at the taste, moaning around his thumb. 

He was on the verge of tears before he came. Moments before reaching his climax, he was squirming around his bed looking like a moaning mess. Thighs clenching, one hand keeping the vibe on his tip, and the other gripping onto the sheets as if his life depended on it, he came. Overwhelmed with the feeling, his vision gets blurry and his hearing goes out, only thing he was truly aware was the lack of y/n. Throughout his climax, he was moaning out your name, thinking of the way you would feel around his cock, but most importantly, how you would taste.

Harry is fucked.

A/n: Hope you enjoyed! Please like and REBLOG, reblogging really helps me and my blog out!!!! Lastly, if you have and suggestion or LITERALLY ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY pls send in an ask. Goodnight my blueberries

[gronjon44]

So I wanna talk about Halo Infinite and one of the most important parts of it

(⚠️SPOILERS⚠️for the game btw) so if you haven't beaten it then I suggest you skip this and then return later

So anyone who's beaten the game should understand when I say that, in Infinite, Chief is at arguably his lowest he's ever been; having lost one of his biggest battles with the Banished while on a mission to destroy Cortana permanently, he's already not having a great time.

But I wanna talk specifically one of the most important interactions in the entire game (and it happens roughly near the final mission)

This is the game where someone finally asks Chief the important question that I don't think anyone has ever actually asked: "Are you okay?"

Nowhere in any other game I believe, does anyone take the time to ask if he's actually OK also don't bring up Halo 3 with Sgt Johnson his vitals litterally went dark thats a different kind of concern

Weapon is the only one to ever ask if he's actually doing okay, and instead of giving him half assed response or an excuse he openly admits he isn't; Weapon asked him 3 separate times in the game if he was okay and he only ever answered once on the final time.

And can you blame him for not being okay?

Ever since Halo 3 Chief has had wave after wave of hardhip thrown at him, and it starts with Cortana being left behind on the Halo with Gravemind after Halo 2.

And when you look across the game you realize that a key part of its themes and plot is the pain/guilt that Chief feels towards everything that's happened (especially to Cortana)

Everything he believes in has been put to the test more times than ever, from Cortanas capture by the Gravemind, the battle with the Diadact, and the events of Halo 5 with her eventual Rampancy.

He constantly blames himself and burdens himself with everything that's happen, he's been doing it since before he met Cortana. It's pushed him so far that, at times, he doubts his own decisions more than ever, hoping that he did the right thing.

It's why the comment Echo-216 makes about how Chief respected Escharum in his final moments is so important, because he knows exactly what was going through his mind in those last moments.

Ans it isn't just present events of the games either.

The game draws from his origins before CE in the Fall of Reach Novel, where he suffered the loss of fellow soldier and close friend Spartan-034, Samuel (the pass codes for Weapons shutdown sequence all refference Sam)

And looking beyond that he still carries the weight of his mistakes, both past and present.

He's lost battles before, and he's always bounced back; the loss to Atriox and the Banished however, seem to have pushed him father than before, almost as far as when he lost Sam and his other Spartans during the events of Fall of Reach.

He's on the brink and facing odds that, for the first time in a long time, are showing cracks in that expressionless gold face plate.

Echo-216 said he wasn't like Chief, that he deserves to be buried in the Condors with the other UNSC soldiers who died fighting the Banished, but he's wrong.

Chief knows exactly how he feels, and knows they aren't different; Chief wishes he could've died protecting Cortana, that he could've been there to die with his Spartans who were left behind on Reach, to die with Sam when he sacrificed himself to stop the Covennant ship.

And it isn't just Cheif feeling the weight of his decisions, others carry that weight. Others... like Cortana.

Cortana fought everyone to do what she thought was right, to win a fight that she felt with evrry fiber of her being that she was the winner in. But she failed, she failed in the worst way.

In her own words, because of her, she created an enemy that was pointing a weapon right at the universe... an enemy that had nothing to lose.

Even the Weapon, someone who didn't even meet Cortana, felt the weight of her decisions, the weight of Chief's distrust, the sheer weight of everything around her...

And it nearly crushed her back.

She was ready to sacrifice herself, just like Cortana did, snd was ready to own up to her mistakes in and instant.

But she didn't have to, because in that moment, Chief saw that spark, the part of her that made Weapon part of Cortana. And he wouldn't lose her a second time.

Cortana was always the first person to know Chief, someone who wasn't a Spartan.

She didn't have to ask him anything because she knew him that well.

And to see someone else develop that trust with him, someone who he's only known for a few days maybe, and to see him openly admit just how hard it's been for him, says alot about Chief as a character and for Infinite as a game.

The sheer amount of humanity in this game is just out of this world and frankly, Halo Infinite has cemented itself as my favorite of the games.

[thedaredevilsgirl]

Chapter Two - Vibrating

Warning: Smut (vibrator use, fingering and dirty talk)

Word count: 1,817

I'm starting to think I'm terrible at writing smut, but I swear I'm trying to improve. I hope you like it

You and Tom have always been close, everyone knew that, but after the events of the last week it seemed that you were even closer. He was always waiting for you so you could go to campus together, walking you to your class and taking you to the library before you went back to the fraternity.

"Megan said she is waiting for me in front of the library and can take me home later, so you don't have to wait for me today." You say to Tom as they walked to the library.

"Are you sure honey?"

"Yeah, see you later" you turn to look at him.

"Can I come to your room tonight?" He asks with a mischievous smile on his face.

Every time he smiled like that it made you nervous, you nod your head positively and he steps closer tucking a lock of your hair behind your ear before bending down a little to be your size and whispering.

"I can't wait to touch you again angel," you feel your whole body shiver at those words.

Tom leaves a kiss on your forehead and goes in the opposite direction from you.

When you turn to enter the library you see Megan with her arms crossed in front of her body looking at you suspiciously, you approach her and she pulls you inside the library quickly making you sit on one of the tables and sitting in front of you.

"You're going to tell me everything that's going on right now," she commands.

"What are you talking about Megan? Nothing is going on" you try to cover it up.

"Y/N I'm not an idiot, why are you and Tom suddenly so close?"

"We've always been close" you answer as if it's obvious.

"Yes, because he is your brother's best friend, but now you are acting like a couple, like you are fucking...OH MY GOD YOU ARE FUCKING" some people who were inside look at the two of you angrily.

"Keep your voice down please, and no, we are not fucking...not yet at least."

"Oh my god, what do you mean not yet?" She asks agitated.

"I asked him to teach me how to fuck" you say softly and embarrassed "he said yes and maybe he gave me a oral earlier in the week" you admit all at once.

She puts her hands over her mouth to avoid screaming again, and you can see the excitement in her eyes.

"Finally you're doing something about your feelings," she says with a smile.

"I don't have feelings for him" "A seriously" she rolls her eyes" You have liked him since first grade and he likes you too, you just never did anything because your idiot brother would kill him"

"That's not true" he tries to defend himself and she just looks at him with disdain.

"You can literally feel the sexual tension between the two of you."

"Anyway, it's just sex Megan, nothing else is going to happen, I just need the experience." You say. She suddenly gets up from the table again drawing glances at both of you.

"Get up" she says quickly grabbing her things.

"What? Why? I thought we were going to study".

"No, we're going shopping".

•─────✧─────•─────✧─────•

When your friend Megan said you were going shopping, you thought she was talking about going to some clothing store, but that's not what happened.

"Why are we here?" You ask Megan as soon as she has you enter a sex shop getting a blush as you look at the things there.

"I just thought since you started your sex life you might want a few things" She says laughing.

"If I had known you were going to act this way I wouldn't have told you" you roll your eyes "can we please leave".

"No, come on Y/N, have some fun, I know this isn't really your thing, but I guarantee that once you try it you will like it, you just need to give it a chance" she speaks while looking for something specific in the store.

"Try what exactly?" "

Here" she takes something from one of the shelves before turning to you again "try this on" she puts the box in your hand.

"No, no way" you turn red as you hold the small box of bal vibrator in your hand.

"Y/N, think along with me, you tonight, going into Tom's room and saying you want him to use this on you" she points to the vibrator.

You can picture exactly the scene perfectly and it sounds wonderful.

"I'm sure you'll kill him with a hard-on just by suggesting it, and you'll still have a wonderful orgasm, so...will you try it?" She ask.

"Ok, fine" you give in.

"Great" she smiles "don't worry, I'll pay, thank me after Holland makes you cum".

•─────✧─────•─────✧─────•

You ran to your room as soon as you arrived at the fraternity, only to take the vibrator out of the box and clean it, You also changed your lingerie for one that you had just bought. You wanted to impress Tom a little tonight.

As soon as you get dressed again and hide the small vibrator in the pocket of your sweatshirt you finally make your way to Tom's room.

"May I come in?" You ask knocking on Tom's bedroom door.

"Hey" he says as he opens the door and gives you room to enter "I was just on my way to your room, I thought you'd be here early" he locks the door.

"Megan and I decided to do some shopping" you say smiling and sit down at the study table.

"Did you buy anything interesting?" You ask curious.

"Yeah, I mean we went to some cool stores, forever 21, Gap, Victoria Secrets and Megan took me to a sex shop" you say as if it wasn't something interesting and Tom looks at you surprised.

"Megan took you where? He asks, maybe he had heard you wrong.

"To a sex shop," you shrug.

"Why?" he asks walking over to you and standing between your legs.

"I wanted to see something" you say a little nervously taking the small vibrator from your pocket "actually I wanted to try something"

"What?" Just imagining you going to a sex shop made Tom horny.

"I want you to use this on me" she puts the dildo in his hand.

He sighs as he looks at the vibrator and soon after he is kissing you desperately, his hands grip your waist tightly pulling you closer to his body.

Your shirt is the first to be removed and he stops for a moment just to look at your body, trapping his lower lip between his lips when he sees the red lingerie on your body.

"Do you like it?" He asks running his fingers gently over the strap of the bra "I bought it with you in mind."

"I think it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." He helps you remove your skirt without you having to get off the table.

"Can you take your shirt off too, please?" He smiles and removing his shirt, his hand touches your abdomen the direction before pulling you in for another kiss.

His fingers touch the inside of her thigh trailing towards her intimacy, both fingers touch the delivery catching the wetness and he brings them to his mouth closing his eyes as he feels her taste again on his tongue. His breathing fails, you never thought you would see anything hotter than this.

"Are you sure you want to try this baby?" He asks to make sure it felt comfortable.

"Yes, please."

He finally takes the vibrator and turns it on at the lowest speed.

First he slides it down the length of your neck stopping the vibrations right at your pulse point, you close your eyes and feel him moving further down, from the top of your breasts to your nipples making them hard against the lacy fabric of your bra.

"Stop teasing me, please," you plead, and he just smiles.

The vibrations travel down your belly and you feel your breath hitch as he reaches for the bar of your panties, he looks at you for confirmation and you say yes.

The vibrator finally touches your clit and you feel like you might die, but the vibrations are turned off soon after. You look at Tom trying to understand why he had stopped.

"Don't worry honey, just getting it out of the way" he says pulling your panties off your body.

He turns the vibrator back on and puts it in contact with your clit, he moves it down into your folds teasing your wet entrance, sighing you throw your head back feeling the pleasure in your body. Tom leans only his body on yours and leaves wet kisses on your neck.

"Tom, please" you moan gripping the curly locks of your hair tightly

"I need more". He chuckles against her neck before bringing the vibrator again to her clit along with his thumb making a circular motion.

"Don't stop please" she pleads.

"You don't know how beautiful your moans are love" he whispers to you and lets a light bite on your earlobe increasing the speed of the vibrator.

"Fuck, Thomas, I'm going to..." You close your eyes tightly feeling a tasty sensation in the pit of your stomach indicating that you were about to cum.

"I got you angel, cum for me".

Your body obeys his command and you come with a loud scream of his name, he turns off the vibrator but continues with the finger movements until you come down from orgasm.

You hug him tiredly letting your head fall on his shoulder, he quickly picks you up in his lap and lays you on his bed.

"Are you okay?" He asks pulling your hair out of your face.

"Yes, thank you."

"You need to stop thanking me for this" he smiles.

"Never, not until you stop giving me orgasms" she laughs a little before closing her eyes.

He lies down next to her hugging her body and sleeping next to her for the first time.

•─────✧─────•─────✧─────•

You wake up the next morning alone in Tom's bed, desperate to get out of there and not be caught by your brother, and sneak out of the room quietly.

When you are finally ready for your day and go downstairs to the kitchen you see Tom and Harrison having coffee alone since the other guys in the house were slow to wake up.

"Did you sleep well?" Harrison asks as soon as you enter the kitchen.

"Yes" you put the coffee in the cup and sit down next to him "Very well" you say looking at Tom.

"And you?" he asks Tom "did you bring any girls home last night?"

"What do you mean?"

"Dude, your room is next to mine, I heard all the moaning" Harrison says laughing and you choke lightly on your coffee "Don't stop, Oh Thomas, keep going I'm going to cum" you say imitating a female voice.

"Did you hear everything?" Tom asks nervously.

"Yeah, I don't know who the girl was, but I hope you made her cum at least," he says debauched.

"Yes, I did" he says smugly giving a cocky wink.

He walks past you to put the cup in the sink and when Harrison is not looking he whispers in your ear.

"And I hope for several more".

TAGLIST

@cherryobx

@a-daydreamers-day

@bevanbexley5252

@multihoee

@storybookholland

[honorhearted]

Although Anthony's sudden presence was for the best -- yes, yes, of course it was -- Anna couldn't help but shudder once a spike of dread lodged its way up her spine, making her stance rigid and frightfully still. In many ways, gazing upon Anthony reminded her of when she was a young girl and had first encountered a poisonous snake.

Do not look it in the eye, her father had coaxed. Here, too, Anna found herself following that advice, because surely, Anthony would strike if she allowed herself to be bare-faced in her intentions.

He was polite and well-mannered enough, but Anna knew better than anyone how deceiving the male sex could be in that regard. Once Violet requested that she and her son speak alone, Anna offered a tight smile and dipped into a curtsy, then followed Madeleine out into the hallway. Even as she headed toward the private sitting room, she could feel a restless, agitated sensation writhing within her gut like a restless snake.

--

By now, Fritz's hands were shaking as he refilled their tin cups with whiskey. "This had better not be true," he said. "Although people love the melodrama of a good execution, they're hardly so lenient when it comes to the life of a child."

"And is that so terrible?" Ben countered. "Although she assuredly deserves her end, I'd like to think we haven't completely lost our way as human beings -- and to sneer upon the life of a child would be precisely that." Sipping at his cup, he disguised his smile around the rim before lowering the whiskey. "If nothing else, prolonging the execution will allow a doctor to come by and examine her. We should be sure she is with child before taking action. At least in that way, we'll know what we're dealing with and how to do damage control."

Fritz swore under his breath, shaking his head. "Goddammit," he cursed. "Of course, you're right...that isn't so unreasonable."

--

"I think I am being beyond lenient," Winthrop fired back. "You are a traitor -- a blight on humanity, Mrs. Stirling. How would you have me treat the lowest of the low? If I show you even the slightest bit of mercy, it could very well lead to a bolstering of rebels."

Baring his teeth into a snarl, he jerked in surprise once Francesca reached out and laid a hand upon his own, her eyes soft and imploring. Her question gave him pause. "I...have a mother, yes," he coolly said. "She does not much approve of my lifestyle, so we are not exactly on speaking terms at the moment. And my brothers are in Georgia."

Peering down at her over the bridge of his nose, he harrumphed and looked away. "If your family is every bit as traitorous as you are, then yes, naturally you should be worried," he snidely said. "With merely a word, I can make or break their lives. You would do well to watch what you say to me, girl -- I am no fool -- so tread lightly."

The older woman considered Anna's question, lips pressed together as her brain started churning out what actions would need to be taken -- Anthony would need to be convinced, the children would need to be told, belongings would need to be packed... And yet all Violet could think of was Francesca, lost and alone and most likely fearing for her life.

Yet just as she was about to speak, the ornate door opened and Anthony strolled in, doing a double take as he spotted Anna before bowing to her in greeting. "Forgive me, I did not realise that we had company," he apologised, sending a questioning glance towards his mother.

"Anthony, this is Mrs Strong, a friend of Francesca's," Violet explained, aware of the catastrophic events that were about to occur here in this Drawing Room. Her eldest son held a fire within him, just there below the surface at all times, and although his protective instincts over his siblings were commendable at the best of times, the woman knew that the news would source to ignite. "Mrs Strong, this is my eldest."

Anthony offered a polite smile towards Anna, his hands clasped behind his back as he awaited further explanation for her visit. With a sigh, Violet could not hide the despair from her features any longer, her hands tapping anxiously against her knee. "I think you had better sit down," she urged, before ringing for a servant, immediately beginning to speak as a maid scurried into the room. "Madeleine, would you please take Mrs Strong to be informal sitting room while I speak with my son? We will be along in a few moments."

--

Francesca had expected such a response from Winthrop - how could she not? - yet the cruelty within his words still caused her to wince, each spluttered insult lashing against her akin to a knife. "So I am to be shown no leniency?" she fired, trembling fists clenched at her sides as she forced herself to meet his gaze. Was this truly her set of opinions? To be a kept woman for the man she loathed the most or face her impending death?

There was a rage within, desperate to unleash, yet she could not afford such emotions to come to light. No, instead she shook her head, taking a deep breath as she tried to compose herself. "I would not," came her rebuttal. "I can assure you, the only people I want to see are my family. I have no intention of continuing with this war."

Her hand reached out, brushing against his despite the disgust that such an action roused within. Francesca needed to play this role well, needed to get Winthrop to believe her even a little. "Do you have family, Mr Winthrop? A mother, a father, brothers and sisters? My family are good people, loyal people. Surely you can understand my worry for them."

[shysneeze]

cliché (cedric diggory x fem!reader)

Cliché 

Cedric Diggory x fem!Hufflepuff!reader

Request: could you do a Cedric Digorry oneshot in which the reader is also a hufflepuff who's always smiling and he sees her crying?

Warnings: mentions of loneliness, crying angsty but also as title suggests its super cliché and soppy but you’ve been warned 

(Author’s Note: This is my first Cedric fic so excuse me if the characterisation isn’t quite correct, its a work in progress also the ending might seem bit rushed but this is a procastination baby and I got spooked last minute that I’m four weeks behind on uni work. )

.

Some might call her a cliché.

It’s rumoured that the hat barely hovered over her head for two seconds before its decision was made, that its decision was made the minute she stepped into the great hall and smiled.

Some will say that the warm yellow tie fixed neatly around her shirt collar and badger crested robes are unnecessary all these years later, that from just one conversation with (Y/N) (Y/L/N), no one could ever doubt that she belongs in Hufflepuff.

With a smile sweeter than honey, her presence can lift the stubbornest of frowns and the lowest of spirits. Patient and loyal, she lends herself as a friend to all, from homesick first years to gossiping classmates.

Like hot chocolate on cold winter day, she’s the most welcome cliché there is, and her reputation precedes her, known to all as the girl with the infectious smile, the never-ending supply of cheerfulness.

Cedric Diggory is no stranger to her smile, the one that sends warmth to his cheeks when their eyes meet during class, the one that causes him to lose all his well earned confidence, that turns house prefect, quidditch captain and school champion, Cedric Diggory, into a nervous wreck.

He’s fallen under the same spell as everyone else, enamoured by whatever it is in her presentation that lifts the mood of an entire room, that holds people captivated and has people longing to be in her company.

Tonight however, he’s seeing her without that smile for what feels like the first time, and his concern logically overrides the part of him that would usually be flustered to be anywhere near her.

The otherwise empty common room is lit only by the gentle flame of the fire, crackling softly in the background. He was about reprimand her, before she turned to face him and he recognised her, even with wide watery eyes and tear-stricken cheeks.

“(Y/N)?”

“C-cedric?” Her voice wobbles until panic suddenly grabs her expression. “Cedric!”

She pulls her jumper’s sleeves over her hands and presses them hastily to her eyes in a scramble to hide her tears. Then, gulping momentarily beforehand, she pulls her lips into a smile so fragile, it falters instantly.

“You caught me.” She forces a chuckle. “I should be in bed...”

She climbs to her feet sheepishly, making her way around the furniture in order to slip past him. He’s almost too dazed to stop her, only reaching out at the last second to take hold of her hand before she can sneak up to the girl’s dorm.

He tugs her back gently, curling her back until she tumble softly into his chest. He steps back quickly to give her space, but keeps hold of her hand too keep her steady. She stares up at him once firmly still again, red-rimmed eyes a mixture of panicked and surprised.

 “Sorry- are you okay?”

“Fine.” She lies poorly.

She scans the room quickly for an excuse, zoning in on a book left lying on the coffee table in front of the sofa she was moments ago sat upon. She turns back to him, mustering a sheepish smile.

“Sad book is all.”

Cedric raises a quizzical brow, slowly leading them both towards the aforementioned book. His eyes scan the title before returning to her own with a knowing glint.

“Really?” He asks. “Transfiguration for Senior Students?”

“Too much change…” She nods, wincing at the stupidity of it. “Fine…”

She drops herself back onto the sofa with a shaky sigh and a hiccup of someone who’s been crying for a while. He studies her for a moment, worried by this teary version of the most cheerful girl in Hogwarts, then, he takes a seat beside her.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, voice gentle and encouraging. “You can tell me.”

“You have enough to worry about with the tournament, Cedric.” She shakes her head. “You don’t need my silly problems on top of it.”

He shakes his head, frowning at the statement.

“I doubt they’re silly, (Y/N).” He says. “Just different.”

Something in his voice, soft, kind and genuinely concerned, has tears stinging at her eyes again and a frustrated sigh falling out her lips. She sniffles again and presses her palms to her eyes.

“This is so stupid.” She hiccups. 

“Hey.” He whispers softly. “It’s okay.”

She freezes when she feels the warmth of his fingertips on her hands for the second time this evening, tugging gently to pull them away from her eyes. She lets him, surrendering to his gentle touch.

“You don’t have to be happy all the time, (Y/N).”

Her breath falters at the statement, the weight of it taking a moment to sink in. She pulls her hands from his to wipe newly forming tears again with her sleeves, the efficiency of which she’s beginning to doubt.

"No one's ever told me that before." She admits, once convinced that she’s composed enough to do so.

"What?" He frowns.

"That I can be upset." She laughs sadly. "I'm sure it's just common sense but no one's ever actually told me before."

"Really?"

"I'm supposed to be the one that has it all together." She reminds. "I'm the shoulder to cry on, not the crier."

She lets out another sigh, looking up at him with watery eyes.

"I didn't know it was possible to be so lonely while never once being alone."

His heart twists at the realisation, that beneath the happy cliché is an ordinary girl shrouded in the worst type of loneliness, the type only felt in a crowded room, that exists in the gaps in lively conversation and that hits you when you try to sleep after a long day spent with friends.

“I don’t know if that makes sense- “

“It does.” He assures quickly. “It does, (Y/N).”

“It’s not that I dislike being the one to help people.” She explains quickly. “I love that people can approach me and ask for help.”

"That doesn't mean it's not hard." Cedric says gently.

"Yeah." She agrees with a sigh. "It just gets to be a lot sometimes..."

"I'm sorry, (Y/N)."

Her eyes drop to her lap, the softest of sigh escaping her lips, dropping her head back against the back cushion of the sofa and staring up at the ceiling. This isn't how she saw her evening going, sat across from Hogwarts's champion in tears, a blubbering mess.

“It’s okay.” She mumbles. “It’s just how it is.”

"It doesn't have to be."

“Huh?”

“You shouldn’t have to pretend you’re okay all the time.” He explains sincerely, even if just a little nervously. “I want to help, even if that just means being the shoulder you can cry on.”

There is a deep honesty in his grey eyes, intense as they hold hers. She can hear her own heartbeat in her chest, hopeful that even in the quiet of the common room, he can’t hear it too. She’s embarrassed enough for one evening.

“You don’t have to- “

“I want to.” He gulps.

“Why?”

There is that blush she’s become so acquainted with, the one that causes butterflies to flutter in her stomach and for people to nudge her and tell her what a cute couple they’d make together when they notice. The blush she’s grown to find so endearing.

“I care about you, (Y/N).” He admits. “I want you to be happy, but I also want you to know that when you’re not, that I’ll be here to listen to you rant or cry, or even just sit with you in silence if that’s what you need.”

She takes the words in, not sure how she’s supposed to reply without firing herself into his arms. He reaches out nervously for her hand, squeezing it comfortingly. The look he gives her is something between reassuring honesty and shy, as if trying to make sure he’s gotten his point across.

“You don’t deserve to feel lonely.”

“T-thanks, Cedric.” She manages after a minute, although unsatisfied about how understated it is. “That means a lot.”

Whether the warmth of his hand in hers or the kindness of his words she’s unsure, but for the first time this evening, her chest feels lighter and although her eyes sting, they no longer well with tears when she’s left to her own thoughts for longer than a few seconds. 

“Someone should have repaid you that kindness before now.”

“I’m glad it’s you.”

Her voice is quiet, nervous to say the words aloud. Yet, they’re bold words, a leap she’s suddenly proud for taking and that she hopes he’ll find the deeper meaning of. At his expression, she knows he does, but that he needs to be sure.

“I mean to say that it means more coming from you than I suspect it would from anyone else…”

“Oh.”

She panics, sure she’s made a mistake from his slight reaction. She goes to pull her hand from his in order to make her mortified bid for freedom easier, but his grip tightens enough to still her desire to flee.

“No, I just need to know you’re not just saying this because you’re upset.” He explains. “That you aren’t just doing this out of gratefulness or- “

“I like you, Cedric.”

There it is, a clear and concise confession, the words he’s never imagined from her lips before, not when he’s so regularly embarrassed himself by turning into a stuttering nervous wreck in front of her.

“I’ve liked you for a while and I’m not just saying it because I’m grateful.” She adds in assurance. “I’m doing it because you’ve just seen me at my worst and not ran, and for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel completely alone.”

“I’d never run.” He whispers reassuring, rubbing his thumb soothingly over her knuckles.

“Not even now, with puffy red eyes and tear stained cheeks?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Not even now, because you look beautiful regardless.”

She once again worries that he’ll hear her hear racing in her chest.

“Talk about a cliché.” She exhales.

“I quite like a good cliché.” He states, grinning at her softly. “They’re terribly misunderstood.”

She returns his smile, not the one she forced onto her cheeks at the beginning of the evening, or even the one that he’s so used to making him blush, that he knows now was hiding a pain beneath it. This smile is new, honest, and soft, the prettiest thing he’s ever laid eyes on.

“I love this smile.”

She melts into his touch when one of is hands comes to cup her cheek, pad of his thumb ghosting over the corner of her lips. He’s decided it’s his new favourite thing, this newly genuine smile.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Hmm.” She hums in agreement. “Yes please.”

Their lips meet tentatively, her face still cupped in his hand, the other holding hers still. It’s slow, he gentle with her and she’s grateful after such an emotional evening. She’d go as far to say that it’s perfect in a way.

“I’m never going to let you feel lonely again.”

“I believe you.”

[greenhappyseed]

BnHA Ch.319 (“The one with the Class 1-A reunion") - Parallels and comparisons

Fun fact: This chapter is called “Friend” because Ch.258 is already called “Friends.” That chapter is mostly about Hawks and Twice, and features Twice’s famous line, “Anyone who helps his friends can’t be all bad.”

SO MANY THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS CHAPTER!!!! At the outset, this chapter helps solidify the timeline and clarify that the whole arc takes only 1-2 weeks post-war. The pacing may have been weird to us as readers, but in-universe everything happened VERY fast.

I’m really enjoying Iida being the instigator here, prodding Bakugo, Todoroki, and Tokoyami. Iida’s been sidelined for a while and it’s nice to remember he can be a hothead. It’s weird though that Bakugo has Best Jeanist’s number and not All Might’s?? Maybe Bakugo’s just too angry at All Might to call him? You'd think that if Bakugo was trustworthy with OFA that he'd get access to the secure line.

Yep, Iida won’t back down from Endeavor or Deku either. Deku tries to throw down and Iida’s just, “Same shit, different day, huh?” even though Deku looks absolutely monstrous. (Seriously, Deku is making unprovoked threats against his classmates…) I think Iida is essential here because he has previously knocked sense into a stubborn Izuku: https://greenhappyseed.tumblr.com/post/656261027414048768/threatening-taunting-and-worrying-wont-reach

I LOVE Ochako stepping up and escalating through the UA bureaucracy. Also, it’s cool to see her show some aggression and fighting spirit. Even Shoto is taken aback when she stands up and smacks the sofa.

Now for the big guns… Bakugo is 100% right that he knows Deku and the Deku/All Might relationship better than anyone. And bless Bakugo’s iron will for speaking truth to power before his school’s principal and the #1 hero who is also his former boss/mentor, his friend’s father, and the guy who All Might compares him to. But, as always in MHA, we see a hero’s knowledge is incomplete because heroes don’t freaking talk to each other about stuff that matters.

Crucially, Bakugo doesn’t know about Nighteye’s impact on Deku and All Might. He doesn’t know that All Might wanted Deku to stay at UA or that All Might was trying to get Deku to take care of himself, despite assassins and explosions targeting them both. Bakugo also doesn’t know about the vestige battle with AFO/Shigaraki or the post-war vestige conversations. Bakugo doesn’t know that Deku wants to save Shigaraki, that Deku is likely the last OFA holder due to his quirklessness, or that Second is telling Deku that inaction is not an option. Perhaps, if Endeavor couldn’t take a good look at himself and understand the burden of #1 until “All Might” became a walking skeleton, Bakugo won’t be able to fully understand OFA and Deku’s journey until he sees Deku become a shadow of what he was (maybe acting unheroically?) That said, Bakugo is drawn in 319 with his posture like All Might in 309.

Speaking of not knowing things, Endeavor doesn’t tell the class that Deku ditched All Might. It’s not clear why he starts to say “But…” and then stops, because during this arc he’s very communicative with Hawks, Jeanist, and the Lurkers. Did he realize, like All Might did in Ch.309, that he can’t physically stop Deku? Does he feel the same power gulf with Deku that he felt with All Might, now that he and Hawks are too slow for Deku??? Or is he an elitist prick who doesn’t respect the kids as heroes in their own right (including his own SON!!!). Whatever the reason, Endeavor doesn’t use his words or help connect the class with Deku, Jeanist, Hawks, or All Might. No, he tosses his phone so the class can track Deku on their own. So much for “maturing” and passing the torch with grace.

I feel REALLY bad for Shoto here. Both his parents betrayed him and hurt him, and now at his family’s lowest point, Shoto finds his best friend is not just gone, but that the trust didn’t go both ways. To make matters worse, his dad is breaking his promise to Shoto (the one that's supposed to be a step towards atonement) for the purpose of enabling Deku’s betrayal, with the implication that Shoto isn’t strong enough to handle what’s “out there.” Endeavor will strike his son, but won't let him fight using his own well-honed powers??? Ugh. Shoto is saying “us” in the left hand panel below, but it’s clear that Deku’s actions and Endeavor’s focus on Deku weighs heavily on Shoto. I’m so glad that in this chapter we see Bakugo, Iida, Ochako, and Momo with him. Shoto needs a break and some time with friends as much as Deku.

I love Nezu cutting off Endeavor multiple times, followed by his own endorsement of the kids’ mission. It’s sweet that Nezu wants to protect BOTH All Might and Deku — we know Nezu loves the school but I don’t think we’ve seen him so paternal before. (I’m glad someone is looking out for All Might too, since the pro heroes aren’t.) I also like Nezu echoing the theme of reassurance. Physical safety, in a situation like this, is only one part of “saving.” That said, I’m still not convinced the UA barrier will actually keep out the villains who broke into Tartarus. (Of course, it’s possible Nezu is the traitor and he’s manipulating the kids into bringing Deku & All Might to UA, but I’m gonna enjoy this moment for now….)

MASK SYMBOLISM ALERT. Deku saying, “I’m fine, don’t worry,” while putting his mask on, right after Bakugo completed the rescue maskless. Ochako saying she’s worried with her rose-colored mask/shield off, just like her big war moment (but this time, the light is in her eyes).

Love these kids supporting each other (or, in the case of Bakugo, shoving Shoto before Shoto fights Endeavor, and taking over the direct confrontation of Endeavor). Also, despite Endeavor’s worries, it’s his son and Momo that captured the villain after Bakugo (his intern) immobilized the villain. Endeavor should know that this class can definitely handle Tartarus escapees.

Now, a few loose AFOs ends:

Bakugo’s tie. While this is very un-like him, I agree with others who have said it represents him trying to look and act like part of the team, rather than the punk on the fringes. It also ties him (haha!) to Best Jeanist, who was always trying to fix Bakugo’s image. I don’t think the tie is a sign of any AFO manipulation…

But then again, Bakugo’s clapping and taunting Deku about smiling in Kamino IS reminiscent of AFO’s actions in Kamino. AFO and Bakugo certainly do tend to circle near each other in the narrative.

Also, Iida says 1A won't be able to smile while their friend walks a “thorny path,” but that was the language AFO used in the mansion message. What happens when Deku hears his friends use the same words as AFO?

At a meta level, why are we seeing signs of AFO when we're purely on the hero side of things? I can think of three possibilities: First, it's foreshadowing, plain and simple. We're seeing bits of AFO "invade" the class to set up for his eventual attack. Second, it's some kind of mind control or illusion so Deku isn't seeing what's really there. Third is that it's Horikoshi's way of reminding us, as readers, that the heroes and villains are two sides of the same coin. They think the same way, they speak the same way, and, to AFO's point, are therefore fairly predictable despite having free will.

[brooklynislandgirl]

Her brow curls above one eye, a healthy impression of a question mark over the bright green and gold specifically at the term 'paddy-wagon'. The funny part is the term could apply to either the men who were collected by the police, often for the crime of simply being Irish, or the police themselves, who were also predominately Irish. Not that Beth has ever really acknowledged that side of the family tree, not the way she does her Hawai'ian ancestry. If she says something, he'll be horrified so she banks the opportunity to tease him at a later date. "I've seen a western a time or two. My favourite is Tombstone. Maybe we could watch it sometime." She smiles. She finds nothing vanilla about Ben. He's a little shy, a little anxious, but who isn't, now-a-days? That smile starts to shake on its foundations though when he turns away and she realises she may have said a little too much, a little too boldly. A moment later though he's making a vocal move and she tilts her head as if in serious contemplation. "I mean we could but d...they might frown on it. Public Indecency or exposure or something. I'd have to double check with my lawyer." She laughs softly then nods. "Done an' done, we'll put it on the calendar. Maybe next weekend if you don't have previous plans." Some of that mirth remains but it becomes winsome, listlessly weaving in and out of her expression as she considers the question Ben puts towards her. "I...I don't actually know. I...uh. Well, you probably get the feeling I was a debutante, and that isn't untrue. So whenever I wasn't chaperoned by my brother, I had a suitable escort chosen for me, Midshipmen looking to curry favour with ..." a slight pause as her throat rises and falls as if she's tasted something that came from the shower drain "...my father. So I guess I've never really been on a romantic outing." She blinks at the vehemence that overtakes Ben at her offer and while she doesn't necessarily shrink back, she does shift in her chair. That doesn't stop the emotional snowball from continuing to careen down the side of the conversation, picking up size and speed as he continues to explain himself and Beth leans in a little, focusing almost entirely on his mouth to ensure no word becomes an accidental casualty. Operating as an independent agent, her hand once more reaches to land lightly on his knee, tips of her fingers fanning out across the lowest reaches of his thigh. "You're not that terribly old yourself, an' at a certain point, not exactly as big a boundary as it is when people are younger. Firs' time I evah felt my heart flutter like that...man is a quarter century older than I am. First time with a real person? Good ten years between us, not that I ever acted on it. An' I'll drown you in your cold coffee if you even think about mentioning daddy issues." She won't. Ben wouldn't fit in the cup and she would never make a mess like that in public, but the threat stands as it's own self-acknowledged warning. And all of a sudden she gets to the core of what he's saying. She blinks once, twice. Her lips part and maybe she goes from confident friend to pretty aquarium fish the way she babbles without saying a word. Even her cinnamon-sweet breath doesn't really make a sound. Everything around them is drownt out by the sound of her heart slamming into high gear. Her gaze narrows. Her lips thin. But mostly? There's some weight on his leg. "Would...would you....am I...Are we on a date, Ben?"

Ben chuckled, holding his hands up in a "guilty as charged" pose. "I suppose it is," he agreed. "Are you going to whisk me off in a paddy wagon?" Scrunching his nose, he amended, "Then again, perhaps I should update my terminology... I must be watching too many westerns as of late. Caleb -- one of my friends -- is always sending me John Wayne flicks and asking my opinion."

Smiling, he lowered his hands again and shrugged. "As for ice cream, I'm afraid I'm boring and have to go with the painfully cliché answer of vanilla. When people call me vanilla, they really aren't wrong...though I at least prefer a cone. Gotta have some form of variety."

Ellie's talk of "naked music festivals" amongst rainy, muddy terrain had Ben smiling, though he tried to hide it by turning his head toward the window. "Well, now you tell me," he teased. "The farmers' market-slash-dairy market compromise at the very least sounds like a fair trade... Will we be naked for those, too?" Chuckling, he absently rubbed at a mark along the table. "Kidding, of course. But I really would be interested in going."

Ellie smoothly straightened and folded her hands, almost entering what he liked to call the "stern teacher pose." Lifting his eyes to her face, Ben frowned at her sudden self-deprecation.

"Er...wouldn't a date with you be exactly like this, except...not platonic?" he asked, confused. Opening his mouth to add in a teasing remark or two, his bemusement grew once Ellie spoke of the waitress.

"Her?" he asked, flabbergasted. "Ellie, she's got to be a kid...barely out of college, if I had to guess."

Ben hadn't meant to sound so flummoxed, so repulsed, but he genuinely hadn't paid one whit of attention to the girl flitting back and forth like a pollinating bee. Had his affections not been clear? Had his intent not been obvious?

Embarrassed, Ben muttered, "Well, I suppose this is why I've rarely dated. What I think is plain is just...well, it isn't. Not to everyone else." Not to anyone who mattered.

Shaking his head, his face grew increasingly pink. "Thank you, but no. She's not the one I like." Wincing, he twisted his mouth as if trying to swallow back the words, realizing too little too late the severity of such an implication. Much more softly, he added, "I just want to continue sitting here, drinking my cold and terrible coffee with the warmest, kindest, best company I've had in ages. If that's all right."