#and the sun blessed you with some serotonin

[psyknife]

You are a very special person, you are so loved and appreciated

((Sorry, anon, you've made me stinky with emotions and now I have to rub my stench on you. Those are the rules))

[lost-girl-2021]

OMG, OMG, OMG

I apsolutly loved your Metkayina!Spider Human/Modern AU headcanons, like it gave me my daly dose of serotonin.

Can you maybe bless us with some more if it's not a problem?

I’m glad you enjoy my random ranblings lol! Here’re some more thoughts on Metkayina/Adopted! Spider. This first part is Modern!AU Foster Kid! Spider, I’ll upload a second part soon that’s post-battle on Pandora.

Spider doesn’t really know how to manage his hair at all. (In my Modern AU’s, Spider has hair kinda like Olan Prenatt (Mid 90s movie). Long, blond, and curly. He likes long hair, but doesn’t really know how to take care of it properly/doesn’t like ‘wasting time’ on hair care when he could be doing other things. As a result, he usually has a kind of frizzy mess, especially when he first wakes up.

I think he’d be too embarrassed to ask for help when he first starts living with them, but I aslo think that either Aounung or Ronal would offer him help at some point. Like, Aounung sees him using 3-in-1 Shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, and has a mini stroke. I think Aounung would be a lot more forceful/straight about it when talking to Spider. Something like “Dude, that shit you call hair care makes me want to shave your head. Sit down, we’re fixing this mess.”

Spider kind of just does his own thing most of the time when he starts living with them. Like, his past few foster homes were trash, to say the least. Maybe at the last place, if he wasn’t home by eleven, they’d just lock him out. Not even to be mean, but because they didn’t bother checking that he was even there. He’s used to taking care of himself, probably independent to a fault after so long basically alone.

A month or so after living with Ronal and Tonowari, he’s invited to the skatepark by a boy in his math class. It’s nearby the school, so he just texts his foster siblings that he doesn’t need a ride hime and they skate there after class. He hasn’t been to an actual skatepark in over a year, since his last placement didn’t have any nearby. They have fun, show each other tricks, and barely even notice the setting sun. Eventually, Spider’s classmate has to get home for dinner, but Spider stays a little longer. There are streetlights and he’s got the whole place to himself. Eventually, after a nasty fall ending in a possibly broken finger, he skates home. His phone died hours before that, but he hadn’t even noticed.

By the time he walks in the door, they’re about to call the police and his social worker and Tsireya looks like she’s about to cry. He’s bombarded with frantic worry, Ronal looking over his swelling hand with a deep frown, and he just doesn’t understand what’s wrong.

“I told Tsierya and Aounung I’d find my own way home.” He said in confusion, letting his foster mother usher him into a seat next to the kitchen table while Aounung gets the first aid kit. It was really aching down, pulsing with his heartbeat.

“Spider, it’s nearly eleven o’clock.” Tonowari rumbled. “We had no idea where you were.”

“I was just at the skatepark. I wasn’t doing anything bad.”

Tsireya sighed. “We thought you were hurt— you are hurt.”

“I just fell bad. It’s fine.”

It takes Aounung screaming at him that they were worried for him to start to understand. After that, he had to adjust to people . . . caring. Noticing him. He’s being noticed. It’s an alien thing.

Aounung is definitely a big brother to Spider, even if there's barely an age gap between them. They're literally in the same grade, but Aounung makes it clear to everyone that Spider is the younger one.

Someone makes fun of Spider? Aounung is about to start a fight in the middle of passing period. How dare someone mess with his little brother? Aounung, captain of the swim team, (nearly) straight-A student, is about to risk suspension to deck a freshman. Everyone thought he was overprotective of Tsierya? She understands her worth and knows how to kick ass. Spider? He's just a little guy with self-esteem issues. He does his kick-flips and needs help with his homework. He's oblivious to half the insults sent his way, so Aounung needs to be doubly aware of all of it.

This is all I have for the modern AU rn, but next up is post-battle!

[dokujirai]

Charisma - Tendo Amahiko "Moonlight Hormao" English Lyrics Translation

This is an English translation of Tendo Amahiko's second solo song “Moonlight Hormao.” Song is on all streaming sites.

Please be advised that this is merely a translation into English and may not be 100% accurate.

Any questions, concerns, theories, or feedback is appreciated! Thank you for reading.

TL Notes:

There's so many orgasms

無礼講 (bureiko) is when people of different classes come together and break social rules together. For example in Japanese work culture, companies will have mini-drinking parties leading to juniors drunkenly criticizing work strategy in front of their seniors. They usually just freely speak their minds. I just translate this as “break some rules”

Hormaó is a Greek word that means “to set in motion, to hasten on”

Sexy Amahiko IN YOUR AREA

Oxytocin (cin) The culmination of a euphoric climax Orgasm (asm) Just a little bit more Even if you don’t care, it’ll happen anyways I’ll show you great pleasure

Entwined and inexhaustible Cry all you want I’m showing off this national treasure ha ha ha ha While we’re at it, let's get to the point and break some rules Serotonin and dopamine too Oozing, twitching, heavy load

Festival! It’s a festival! So-re No limits on this Ascension Day Open up your body and soul Cross the equator Your hidden wild side Let’s expose it

Moonlight-light moonlight-light Come forth, I am Life Moonlight-light moonlight-light Fulfill me Moonlight-light moonlight-light The beast within Maomaoma Hormaomaoma

Ah Godspeed my dear Only you can bring me love Lay yourself bare

Our banquet for mankind is marvelous We embraced the wilderness and became one With our eyes, with our with with our hands We hunted, we cultivated, all of creation together as one

Begging for rain, ablutions, purification, repentance In the sun we must bask, bask, bask No one is without blessings

Expose yourself Moonlight-light moonlight-light Come forth, I am Life Moonlight-light moonlight-light Fulfill me Moonlight-light moonlight-light The beast within Maomaoma Hormaomaoma

Ah Godspeed my dear Only you can bring me love Lay yourself bare

Festival! It’s a festival! So-re Indulge in this harvest festival as you please Eternal life and prosperity for all Overcome the path of strife Glowing with enthusiasm Bare, bare, lay yourself bare

Moonlight-light moonlight-light Come forth, I am Life Moonlight-light moonlight-light Fulfill me Moonlight-light moonlight-light The beast within Maomaoma Hormaomaoma

Ah Godspeed my dear Only you can bring me love Lay yourself bare

Gather around and look about Come dance and laugh Gather around and look about Maomaoma hormaomaomaoma Gather around and look about Have a good dance and laugh with us

[fandomdaydreamer]

Of a Sun and Flower

Pt. 1 Yesteryear

~

Pairing: Pedro Pascal/OFC, alternating perspectives

Another Disclaimer: I mean no disrespect to Pedro Pascal and I hope I'm not offending anybody. Believe me, I grow very uncomfortable from time to time but this fanfiction is supposed to be a real book someday and giving Pedro "the role" keeps me motivated haha, it's really just that (a fictional character) Yes, I'm very selfish and painfully self-aware.

Summary: It is a normal day back in New York. Pedro just tries to be a good boyfriend to a depressed trash gremlin but a fight in trying times makes them doubt they're not toxic for each other after all.

Warnings: some fluff, periods, grief over a pet (No more pets will die in this story, Edgar lives forever), mentions of over-medication, serotonin syndrome, mentions of plastic surgery, domestic fights (resolved in the next chapter) Well, ain’t that a doozy?

Notes: Also find this fic on Ao3 -here- or the series' Masterlist -here-

Length: 11.6k

~

Yesteryear

Pedro had always found the rain above the bustle of a metropolis to contain the essence of something irrevocably beautiful and mellow.

After living in LA for a year, he discovered he had missed his rainy, melancholy New York; the beauty of grey streets and the disturbance of the puddles beneath your feet as a reflection of one's own sense of solitude. The sight of these strangers' umbrellas and raincoats outside the window was evidence of the stubborn continuation of their necessary errands. Blessed were those currently in the comfort of their home with their loved ones and plenty of time for leisure and tranquillity.

The chair lightly creaked when Pedro swung it in and out the light of an oriental lampshade that shone softly against the impending darkness. He was sitting at the desk in Nini’s office that hoarded many of his unpacked moving boxes for a lack of time and better storage options. His feet were kicked up on a stool while he focused on figuring out the priority deadlines for his upcoming production. Finally, it had arrived, the fulfilment of his dream, his vision of the film he would direct this year and had spend the last in preparation for. The sheer focus was evident by the frown between his brows as he sighed and busied himself with answering an email and brooded over a level of Spanish business tone he wasn't used to and doubted his language skills over. How did he manage to solve the financing on such short notice?

Pedro's mind began to drift again as the distraction of his eyes centred on the thick droplets racing against the colourfully stained glass. He watched them drip, drip down the leaves of a front yard that had been ready for spring. Holding this view to the undesirable outside, he romanticised the moody grey skies above an equally grey city in a cinematic image he yearned to capture with a lazy camera frame. It was quiet, so peaceful.

If it weren't for this darkened presence he could sense in the living room, he might have said it was all perfect. He tried to reach out but attempting to fix this dreary silence would be too harsh on her, too strict. Slowly, like pulling at a loose thread, he held onto the tiniest opportunity to unravel what should be left in peace. Her mood had changed again. Yesterday seemed a whole year ago.

He had become tuned in to his girlfriend's subtle mood swings these days, detected it in the faint creaks of the floorboards where he listened to her weight shift from one side to the other. It was a telepathic link that thickened the air and made him feel powerless.

But what else was there but to look for your constant source of love when you felt like an anxious wreck and on top of that, like you'll never find a friend again such as the one you've lost? He leaned to the side to peek past the paper slide doors and saw her standing there, looking lost and hugging her slim frame. She flashed him a sad smile before going back to staring at the painting on the wall, seeming to simply listen to the silence and the rain tapping onto the giant window panes. Pedro felt overpowered by his inability to contribute any help, yet he was so hungry for her love. Moving back into Nini's house reawakened memories she had tried to initially escape. Fuelled by a surge of compassion, a deep yearning to hold her overflowed him when he saw her clutch an abandoned cat toy in her hand.

Poor thing. The death of her soulmate cat left a void inside her heart. Now the ashes of the cat that used to like making biscuits in his lap rested on the cupboard. A photograph had captured the pitch-black ragdoll in her prime days with its soulful yellow eyes in the arms of a girl who smiled cheekily into the camera. Nothing compared to the love a girl held in her heart for her first cat. After seventeen years of companionship, no treatment could have cured Poentje. Holding onto her former strength that would never return was then, unkind.

The strings of his heart pulled tight at the memory of this darkest of days; when he had stood by her, listening to Nini sing her cat her favourite song when the vet put the animal out of misery and finally, to eternal sleep.

Eventually, life continued, they had moved into his house in LA and for a while everything had been right again. The couple had been in love and happy, Nini had started improving her mental health and both their creativity had bloomed like never before. While he started directing the pre-production of his very first movie, based on the screenplay he had written, Nini’s magnificent music was praised around the entire world and contributed greatly to her sense of self-worth and artistic fulfilment. Entire stadiums had sung her songs, he had witnessed it himself. Pedro would try to see every future concert as well and cry when she closed her shows with his song, ‘The Lighthouse And The Ocean‘ and sang it only for him.

He wished they could have thrived in a constant state of bliss forever but then Nini had become too overwhelmed between gigs, interviews and recordings and the superficial glam of the city of angels. One wrong prescription and dubious therapy method was all it took to destroy all her progress in learning to live with a past life of trauma. He wasn't sure if uprooting Nini while she was in a bad place had been beneficial to her wellbeing but he never regretted his decision. Going home had certainly been necessary and right on time before something worse could happen than a song titled 'A Lethal Dose of Ketamine'.

For a while, she had hated him for taking her away from her studio and her band. In the hight of her withdrawal symptoms, she had accused him of wanting to undermine her with mismanagement. Once back in New York he had rented a new studio for her, flew in her band and made everything right again when she was reunited with her former agent. Olivia had finally relieved Nini of the burden of managing herself, Pedro could give over the reigns he had taken with so much brashness and sigh in relief that their relationship had survived yet another crisis. After all, they loved each other more than life itself and one would have to put him under ground before he'd ever stop prioritising the love of his life. Maybe he had enough real-life inspiration to write another screenplay after this eventful year.

Perhaps it was the faint clacking of fingers typing away at his laptop that brought her back to the present. Pedro couldn't immediately tear his eyes away from his work to acknowledge her when she came creeping into the room on silent polka dot socks but he was hyper-aware of the wave of sadness bustling over the threshold. Their distance never made a difference to him but her absence when she was just an arm's reach away pained him.

Unfortunately but not unexpected, the feeling of relief at the return to the quietness of her house in Pierrepont Street met a black pit of serotonin drop depression. Less potent medication just didn't do the same for a patient with addictive tendencies. Not one single attempt later in finding a new therapist, the only thing Pedro could do was keep a watchful eye on her while simultaneously making the biggest leap of his career.

Looking up to find her standing lost in the doorway, his frown deepened. "You okay?" He finally inquired, his lips forming a hesitant smile.

"Yeah." Nini lied and he waited patiently until she admitted her true condition with a shrug of her shoulders. Truth was she couldn't get used to her late pet not being around anymore but running away from her home and grief had not been a long-term solution.

"Come here." He opened his arm and let her walk into his sitting frame, leaning into her when her hands roamed into his hair and her cheek dropped onto the crown of his head. Her fingers twirled his unruly hair into neater waves, reminding Pedro he hadn't gotten a haircut in months. A multiplied amount of grey streaks adorned the mess of brown curls and a beard he hadn't trimmed in weeks. With his glasses a bit askew and his too long hair perhaps in critical need of a wash, he looked every part like the writer who had locked himself away for a creative period. "Did you take your meds?" He always tried to take care of her first.

She seemed nearly too tired to answer. "I did." "Magnesium and your vitamins too?" "You worry so much." She smiled as she bumped her temple into his.

"You're my girl. It's my job to worry." He stated as a matter of fact, like it was the only thing that made sense to him. He received a pleased hum in return.

"I 'am' your girl." Nini pouted then, grimacing when she lowered herself into his lap. "Ow." She held her tummy before his hand could join and enveloped hers completely. Pedro had great sympathy with her during this time of the month while she still thought of it second. "And you? How's your head?" She asked.

He chuckled and groaned. At least the lampshade was dim enough to soothe his eyes. "Better,“ he answered. “Lux just parties too hard for her old-old brother and hangovers only get worse with age, let me tell you." She pitied him over his miserable tone but he received a satisfactory amount of attention from her for now. Suffering together made the pain half as bad.

She stole a caramel candy from their desk. "Did you know saliva contains opiorphin, a self-produced painkiller?" Nini mentioned, struggling through the chewy sugar. "It's also linked to having an anti-depressing effect associated with comfort eating."

Pedro couldn't keep his tongue in check, pinching her love handles that were coming in nicely. "If you want me to spit into your mouth, just say so..." She let out a loud scoff but she had served him the joke on a silver platter. "Do you want me to get you something?"

She shook her head. "I'm fine, thank you, angel." "A heat pad, some tea?" He tried further, resting his broad palm against her lower belly and applying soothing, gentle pressure.

She let him pity the nature of a woman's body for a minute. "I feel a little lost. Can you tell me what to do?" She whined, leaning the entire weight of her body and mind on his shoulders.

"Be kind to yourself, you're hurting." He advised her, hoping that once she realised her body was her own abuser, the feeling of being down got better because... hormones. Normally, once she reflected upon the misfortune that she was just menstruating, her whole perspective changed and the view out of the window seemed to change for the better.

"Remember last year when we were so carefree and only love existed? This feels more like it. I'm glad to be back." The loss of her cat was still an open wound in need of healing and life back in New York was still difficult to adjust to but Pedro hoped day after day that Nini‘s condition would eventually improve and time would leave fewer struggles. Baby steps.

Pedro frowned, remembering realising too late what was happening due to his busy schedule. He hated himself for not reacting sooner. "Yeah, thank you for your cooperation."

“What cooperation?“ She let out a snort but then started to worry again. "Do you think I'm toxic? For you? You're one of the most beloved individuals in the country and I still get hate from two years ago."

He clicked his tongue in objection. "You're not toxic." "-Think I've got you on a short leash." She watched him take a sip of his cold and forgotten tea.

"I wish." Pedro injected dryly and for a moment he thought she didn't get the innuendo.

"Maybe they- oh my g-" Nini chortled, just catching up to where his thoughts had plummeted into the gutter. Her shoulders shook while he maintained a pleasantly oblivious expression.

Their moment of lightheartedness was interrupted by a cramp taking hold of her body. While she whimpered in anger, he tried to soothe her, cradle her and massage the pain away. He only sought to replace the tension with warmth. "I know it sucks, poor baby." He muttered with a kiss to her forehead as she leaned onto his shoulder, saddened at nature and content in finding solace in the comfort in his arm winding around her frame.

"Sometimes Poentje would come and sit on my belly when it hurt." She whined and cuddled further into him.

He searched her eyes. "Maybe you'll find a lost kitten someday and give it a loving home, hm? We'll check every shelter, alley or dumpster in the city."

"No-" Nini sighed. "I never want a cat ever again. She was the only one for me and besides, you're highly allergic, remember?" She stroked his greasy hair against the side of his head.

Pedro grumbled, thinking he'd do anything for her, including suppressing his allergies for another fifteen to twenty years. "I'm sure Poentje wouldn't have wanted you to never take in another pet to love like she received it, a gentle human like you who treats her pet with good care, gives them a lap to sleep in, cuddles and warmth. There are plenty of strays who deserve a home like that. Poentje's bowl, her bed." Tears threatened to spill over the waterline of her eyes at his words but Pedro continued speaking, stroking her cheek to catch a drop before it could stain her freckled skin. "Don't close off your love for someone who doesn't need it any longer. Give it to someone else." He suggested gently, looking down at the scruffy little dog that was currently sleeping on a pillow by his side. "Or give it to Edgar."

The pooch's ears moved at the sound of his name and they smiled down at him. "Yes, he's a sweet thing." She sighed. "I get it. You're a writer, my darling, you're optimistic to a fault." She drew her knees together.

He scoffed out a noise of amusement. "Why would you think that?" Pedro asked with a glance at his laptop, perching his glasses further up his nose with reawakened confusion written on his face.

She tipped her chin at his original script with countless changes scribbled onto the margins, proud of seeing him in the final stages of putting it on screen. She read one of the lines back to the writer himself when she had turned the pages to her favourite scene. "Art will always draw inspiration from life and every aspect of it. It's like all the negative shit becomes manageable simply by translating hurt into a magnitude of kindness. Something we should all strive for." A character she claimed reminded her of himself said in a moment of vulnerability. "Such beautiful words, such eloquent writing, my love."

Pedro clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "How do you know I'm not one of these hopelessly drunk writers who resent reality?"

"Because you're you." Nini gave back in a romantic tone as she gently caught his chin and stirred his face in her direction. Nearly recognising her old self again, he felt himself choke up a bit. She gave him an affectionate little eye-roll at the sappy face he must have been making at her. "I love this story about... the art of noticing. I can't wait to see it on screen. It will be vulnerable, poetic and it will speak so much of your soft side." "I am very proud of my soft side." He claimed with raised eyebrows and a firm grip around her ankle.

Nini chirped out a laugh at him. "Soft eyes." She placed a kiss on his eyelid, which he hummed at. "Soft hands." She kissed the palm of his hand above the green sea glass bracelet and Pedro's gaze melted. "Soft lips." They finally kissed, foreheads still touching as they were serenaded by the rain still pouring outside. Her cheek was soft against the touch of his hand and she tasted of caramel.

His eyes were still closed as he basked in her tender whispers against his lips. "I'm proud of you. And you have a great thing here, I know it." She placed another small kiss there.

"You're sweet." He hummed, still feeling insecure about what the world would think of his movie but never doubting he could disappoint her.

"You know I'll gladly help-" She told him again, but he interrupted with soft tutting and a finger pressed to her cupid bow lips.

"Baby, we talked about this." He dismissed it but she aggressively squished his cheeks between her palms and chose not to listen.

"And I keep saying you can shut up and take my money," Nini replied sternly.

He was overwhelmed at her offer, her faith and generosity striking him yet again. Gently, he took her hands back into his. "I couldn't possibly, querida. We have producers-" She gave him a sceptical look because she knew of their indecisiveness. "I'm willing to bet that Paramount is one stamp away from expanding our budget significantly and most of all, that's 'your' hard-earned money we're talking about." She would practically be giving up what was left of her earnings from her tour. Her generosity knew no limits, no wonder some of her previous boyfriends were able to take advantage of her. He could never, Pedro wasn't planning on using her as a resource. He cringed inwardly at the realisation that he wasn't even paying rent here.

At least they had already agreed to split the costs fifty-fifty once they had bought the new house.

"It's an investment in a promising talent." Nini tried again and now it was his turn to roll his eyes, maybe even blush a little. "I believe in you, we're a team, we're building a future together and I support your career too, you know. This isn't a one-way street." They giggled together but he was shaking his head. "Please just think of it as a joker or a last resort." She begged him again and he bit his lip in hesitation.

He stared at her, long and hard, willing his expression to remain stone while she made cute faces at him. God, he couldn't stand to hold her pleading eyes for even five seconds. "Okay." He drew out, able to deal with this unlikely compromise and her face lit up. "But only as a last option. I'd rather give my right arm than not make it worth your investment, you know that?" She nodded quietly at that, the corner of her mouth twitching in an effort to control her triumph.

He sighed. "What if nobody likes the movie and it's a flop?" "So you'll make another one. But I'm sure this will be phenomenal. I trust your vision and I'm gonna be so proud of you no matter what you do." She smiled softly and booped his nose. Pedro could have started crying. She believed so much in him and he was sure they both thought the other was the cutest person in the entire world. He would always be adjusting to this sense of worthiness she gave him.

Pedro grinned widely and pressed a kiss onto her cheek and neck, rubbing her thigh before she relaxed back into his chest. "What did I do to deserve you?" She squirmed when his rough beard tickled her skin at his whisper.

"You exist, that's enough," Nini replied kindly.

Hearing her say and mean it must have provoked the biggest sense of relief and peace felt by any human being. He was enough. "Well then, let me make it up to you by bringing you that heat pad and ice cream now. No argument." He prompted strictly when he was met with a timid look on her face.

She sniffled, a little overwhelmed and priorities in the wrong place when she directed her feet behind the kitchen counter instead. "Aren't you hungry?" She asked, looking around in a whirlwind on the hunt for condiments that would fit together somehow.

He stirred her into the direction of the couch with a gentle pat on the butt. "No, ma'am, get out of here. I'm calling delivery. C'mon, you can get even away with Chicago pie without my complaints today."

She threw an insulted look back at him. "Would it hurt to call it pizza?" While she settled into the couch with a confused grumble and a content Edgar, he was putting the kettle on but when he saw that she was still in pain, he tried to cheer her up by being goofy and it almost worked. She chuckled at the sight of him dancing in the kitchen to no music, banging random pots with wooden spoons in a wholesome replacement to a set of drumsticks. He pretended he had to quickly go 'downstairs' behind the counter, into the imaginary cellar to get some ice cream. Her giggles came muffled into the couch pillow. "Help." He could make out her words. "No more. Have mercy."

The dog barked at his antics. "Edgar, get him!" She ordered and the little white dog shot from the couch to join him in the kitchen and yip up at him. "Tranquilo." He reminded him and allowed Edgar a treat but failed when his age betrayed him and his back made him fail to come up smoothly. God, he would turn forty-nine this April and he didn't nearly take it as graceful as Nini having turned thirty. Which wasn't graceful to begin with.

He glanced under the lid of the pint in his hand. "We're out of ice cream." He didn't have it in him to ask her why she put only the spoon back into the freezer. Before making his way over to the couch with a tray, he replaced the desired dessert with a few biscuits.

Her bottom lip trembled. "Thank you so much anyway." He tutted at her nonsense and quickly returned with a hot water bottle for her belly to tuck her in properly. "Poor thing. Least I can do. Here you go, baby. Anything else?" She shook her head quietly. "You wanna watch The Mummy?" He tried again in a knowing voice and he smirked at his foresight when she gave him a tearful nod. "Part two," Nini admitted as she settled with a blanket. While she sighed at the warmth, he turned on the TV for her. "Are you gonna watch with me?" She pouted at him.

He would do anything for her but he had watched it twice this year already and it was only February. "Eh, it stopped raining, maybe we got a clear sky for a minute. I should take Edgar out for a walk, will you be okay?" The pooch's large ears shot into the air at the sound of the magic word. "You wanna go for a walk, boy?" He repeated more excitedly and Edgar was already up and barking as he ran to the door, back and forth.

"Of course, take your time, angel. Thank you for everything." "Call me if you need me, okay?" Pedro grabbed his jacket.

Edgar's impatient antics made him snap his fingers at his feet. "Sit." He muttered kind words of affirmation while slipping a warm little sweater on his dog.

"Angel?" He heard her shout from the living room, making him peak through the corridor. "Yeah?" "Can you please get me more ice cream?" "With these pretty big eyes, how could I not? Chocolate Fudge, right?" She nodded with a happy smile before it dropped back into a pout. "And can you buy more tampons?" She seemed apprehensive to ask when he reacted with a stunned set of blinks at her. "The organic ones. I'm almost out. Please?"

"Of course." He acted chill and competent despite the thrill this mission provoked in him. He got her.

"I can call an assistant if that's uncomfortable for you." She suggested, cringing but Pedro felt nothing but insulted at that.

His lips parted with a smack. "Are you kidding me? I'm a man. I'll get all the tampons my girlfriend needs." Nini swooned at him and stroked his ego. He flexed his triceps unnecessarily and while she giggled, he did a cocky pimp walk towards the door before he ran back to lean down as his goofy self again and smush a loud kiss into her hair. "Okay, see you in a bit."

With her hands folded between the sofa and her chin, she looked after him and blew him a kiss. He caught it and put it to his lips. "Love you." He called out before closing the door.

~~~

"Are you serious? Noooo. When did you hear that? I can't- with these companies." Pedro gritted his teeth as stood in front of the feminine hygiene section, phone pressed to his ear while he simultaneously tried to guess what flow he should get. He was in a hurry, for Edgar was waiting on a leash for him outside the shop. "They said they won't finance anything because the script is 'too woke'?"

Two girls, who had sneakily taken a picture giggled at him and he granted them a fleeting smile before focusing back on the selection of tampons, as well as the conversation at hand.

"We'll find a way to let you keep the final cut, Pedro. We have an offer from Studio Strigoi. They're willing to give you ten million with no involvement in the creative pro-"

"No. No, no, no." He interrupted. His gaze darkened at the sound of the movie production company being named, like its name alone could summon the evil. "Literally anyone else. Not Studio Strigoi." It did leave a weird taste in his mouth.

"We don't have anyone else. Yes, the CEO is an asshole but which one isn't? I get that you're loyal but-"

"Not them." He said decisively and Sarah sighed in understanding. Both knew he wouldn't accept a dime of the company whose producer had a horrible reputation, was quite literally the devil and his girlfriend's and many other women's past or current tormenter. It was pretty much an open secret.

"Well then, fuck it, we‘ll go independent," Sarah said in absolute sobriety.

Pedro rubbed his forehead, realising his next words were easier said than done. "It's simple. That just means more self-financing. I'll have to tell our partners, everyone, then... I'll have to tell Nini we can't afford something in the South Hamptons and then I can contribute the amount myself.”

There was one of Sarah's typical overwhelmed sighs on the other end of the phone. "P, I know you and Nini were set on that gorgeous house but it was 'so' unlike you anyway." She complained to him in a compassionate tone. "But were you able to imagine living in the South Hamptons? That's like placing a fish in the desert. Or like... a twinky on a Ceasar Salad. Maybe this is a good twist of fate."

He choked on a sound of protest. "What are you saying? Am I a twinky?" "I mean, you belong with the Bohème, where the little cinemas are, where you can get away and have a smoke on a rooftop. I've known you since we were eighteen. Come on."

He couldn't deny she had a point and he saw, now more clearly than ever, that he'd agreed to the house to appease Nini. "Fuck that, you're right. I wasn't feeling it. Screw rich asshole neighbourhoods. One mention of charade and charcuterie board nights and I'd spontaneously combust!" He hissed, secretly pleased he had evaded this version of the future. He pinched the bridge of his nose when he calculated the financial risk of producing this movie himself. "We'll have to see at which end we can cut some of the costs." He mourned this possible loss of quality already but would continue to pour more love, blood, sweat, tears and money into his movie to make up for it. A twenty million dollar budget would have to be enough. Finally, he admitted to himself that he was starting to give in to Nini's offer. Partly because she was the least complicated sponsor and he'd very much like to let her profit from the movie's possible success as well. Plus, this project was his baby and he'd also rather cut his foot off than cut scenes out unless it suited the narrative.

"Do you even need to move? Her house is lovely."

"Nini fell in love with the mansion. I'm not sure how she'll take the news. I mean... I feel at home with her but her fully complete and lived-in house kinda makes me act like more of a permanent guest. I'd keep living there forever but she's a collector, she owns too much stuff. I mean, we can play 'The floor is lava' on easy mode." Sarah chuckled. "Oh, invite me next time."

Pedro made a pause to laugh and store this piece of information away. "She said she would donate a lot and only keep her most precious collections. But dude, let me tell you. Sorting through it is a pain in the ass, I tried once, never again. There was this match box with a single grain of rice in it and she protected it with her life, Sarah. Her life." He made an annoyed face at the tampons.

"You'll find something bigger soon where everything will find its place, maybe after her tour and after you got this film up and running." Nini would go on another tour through the US, twelve shows in twelve cities and he would start overseeing the urban locations for his movie.

"How is she?" Sarah asked in a tone of deep compassion, probably still remembering the condition Nini was in when she had visited them in LA a couple of weeks ago. Everything became too much of a challenge when she nearly funnelled back into old substance-abusing habits. He had been working too much and the day he hadn't paid enough attention he found her high on tranquilizers, entirely overworked and unresponsive. Heavily triggering Pedro's own fears of losing another important person in his life, he cut the breaks and got her away from this toxic environment as soon as possible.

”Doing better, thanks.” Pedro didn't know how else to respond, for his tongue was tied in discretion but Sarah was nothing if not kind and resourceful. "People mismatch with their therapist all the time, it happens. She will find a new one." She said in good faith.

A wave of shame and helplessness clawed at him and he chose his words careful in fear of a lack of decorum in a public space. "I don't know what to do. I try to breach the topic, she doesn't want to talk about it and I can't just make an appointment for her, that's pushing her. I can't make a list of possible contacts and let her do it in her own time, that's patronising... and she won't do it on her own."

Seems his prayers for an epiphany came in the shape of a friend and words as liberating as a slap to the face. "Seems to me the only thing lacking with option number three is your faith in her."

He blinked rapidly, stupified by the simplicity of pointing out his entirely wrong approach. Was it really that he was doubtful while Nini did the opposite with him? "You're... you're right, Sarah." "I know." "I feel like an asshole." It felt like the comfort one might have known and now yearned for the moment after being dunked in ice-cold water. "Of course I have faith in her. If I ever stopped having faith in her, there would be nothing left for me to do." He released a deep breath of air. "Thank you for knocking some sense into me." He gulped and he could hear the kind smile in Sarah's voice when she told him he was welcome. In a moment of tender silence in which he tried desperately not to cry, he changed the topic and tried to sound more cheerful. "Can I ask you a question real quick?" He could focus on less immediate problems later.

"Sure." "The organic tampons with regular flow are out. Should I buy the inorganic ones with the regular flow or the organic ones with either heavy or light?" They laughed away the tension before Pedro rambled on. "Is flow more important than the fact that they're organic? Why even organic? Because it's fair trade or what?" He made a distressed face at nobody.

"Um-" Sarah took a second to gather herself at the tsunami of questions. "I suggest if Nini insists on the organic ones, then definitely go with those, toxins and whatnot. Are diva cups an option?" "They are now but I... I dunno, I guess they're good for the environment and stuff but if I were in the position of a menstruating woman and I'd pull this out, filled to the brim my monkey brain would just tell me... hard to pretend it's not port wine. Cheers, now shot it." Pedro rambled and heard a gargled laugh at the other end, followed by an outcry of disgust.

"What if I just... did a Jackson Pollock with it?" He narrated his fantasy and made Sarah howl with laughter. "Would it even work in a public bathroom? Where do I rinse the cup out? I'd bleed all over the place until I'm back inside the stall."

"Your intrusive thoughts win."

"What can I say, I'm a 'cup half full' kind of guy." He joked drily and had her stuck somewhere between crying and gagging.

He slowly caught up with his words and pulled a face afterwards, apologising to Sarah for his unhingedness and throwing a purple cup into the basket and a smaller pink one for good measure. "I'll buy all of it. Just to be sure."

"What a good boyfriend you are. Look at you. Should I reconsider being a lesbian just to get myself a man who's not afraid to buy tampons for me?"

"Okay, thank you, Ms. Paulson, whose bar is also, embarrassingly low. I'm more embarrassed that I'm leaving with a pack of cigarettes than going home with the ingredients for my girlfriend's monthly blood sacrifice ritual."

"Any time, Mr Pascal. Do give Nini my love."

"I will. I think I should go, these teens are taking pictures of me." "Take care, hun." "You too, alright? See you soon." Pedro hung up, his mouth having gone so dry it was hard to swallow but this was hardly the time to respond to his rising anxiety.

~~~

"Hey, I'm back." He didn't receive a response. Shrugging off his jacket, he let Edgar off the leash and dog sweater before investigating the silence. "I'm sorry, your normal choice of tampons were out but I got every other opt-" He entered the room and found her munching on shredded cheese. "Hey songbird, what happened while I was gone?"

Her words through her crying were fast and nearly incomprehensible. "I think I'm never going to be ready to be in front of the camera ever again, I had such self-confidence but I think I should maybe disappear from the public for good, like what would they even want me for now?"

He had to catch up with the meaning of all of this. "What are you talking about?"

"I think they're done with me anyway, now that I'm thirty. I started acting at fourteen..." She gulped away cheese and tears. "Then real jobs when I was sixteen and as a sixteen-year-old you play kids, you play the daughter, the high school girl, whatever. Then you're in your twenties and they start seeing you as a woman but I was still cast as a teenager until I was like twenty six and then they start giving you a baby, just a little baby. Now, by the standards of this industry, I'm middle-aged and I might be cast as a mother now but what- in like five years? I'll be the mother of four babies who's got a drinking problem. All until I'm forty, then I'm the grandma until sixty, then I'm dead!" She made intense eye contact at that. She gestured at him, admiring his physique in a mix of good humour and envy. "While you'll always look hot. You just keep improving until you're physically incapable, that's what. You're allowed to age like fine wine and everyone will say 'Oh, look he's so scruffy, so seggsy. Look at you, Gladiator two point O. You know how hot you’re gonna be as cyborg pirate captain Silver?"

As much as Pedro was looking forward to these roles, he was apprehensive and still wasn't thinking through what these strong body transformations meant. "You're biased. I'm not going to make him hot." "I'd like to see you try."

Pedro had let her rant peacefully. "We are both seggsy, damn, do you know how gorgeous you are?" He simply commented and scrunched his face at the insulting notion that she thought she was getting old. "You don't need botox, fillers or even makeup to be beautiful. And you're not old, silly thing. What am I supposed to say, nearing my fifties." He scoffed. Outrageous.

"Thank you." She sniffled, at least a tiny bit more relieved. She sighed and stood up, digging into the shopping bag and retrieved a box of tampons he made a mental note of. "These are just fine, thank you for getting them."

Her cheeks were flushed eyes still glassy when she returned from the bathroom, her full cupid bow lips were all pink and puffy and he was so in love with her, no matter which state she was in. "Did I ever tell you how pretty you are when you cry?" He tried to console her and made her laugh and roll her eyes at him before wiping the track of her tears away with the palm of her hand.

"You’re you always so kind to me." Nini blubbered. The strings of his heart pulled tight. "Aw. I can fix you." Pedro spoke his inner thoughts out loud. He couldn't help but baby her, fingers prodding at her skin and trying to smooth out the worried frown between her brows.

She laughed at that. "Thank you for the ice cream, for everything." She sobbed and dug in. She then somehow laughed with a mouth full. "This is delicious."

"No worries, baby girl. You're welcome." Pedro at least tried to hold back but his shoulders were shaking with laughter.

She chuckled messily.

Maybe it was the stressful time she had been dealing with but she was finally letting the traces of it get to her head. "M'sorry. I guess I was just getting inside my head thinking that in this industry, most other women my age have gotten surgery by now."

"You’re not saying you’re thinking about it?" He frowned deeply, not on board with the idea at all.

"Some botox here and there, buccal fat removal-" she pinched her face and hollowed her cheeks grotesquely. Pictures of Burtonesque transformations of female celebrities flooded his memories. In their world, surgery was standard, a mandatory procedure... the next tragic step of many an actress's evolution.

"Leonie." He cut her off, raising his hand and taking a moment to collect his patience.

He stuttered out random noises to interrupt her talking points. "They cut the fat out of your cheeks and sculpt your face to have higher cheekb-"

"Yeah, I know what that horrible thing is. I've seen the before and after pictures." She shut up immediately, eyes going wide as she seemed to hold back a laugh. Pedro took a long and serious look at her. "What are you talking about?" He asked calmly.

"Surgery," Nini repeated obviously, ready to further test him.

For several heartbeats, Pedro's face was frozen in an expression of utter horror and confusion while internally, he tried to remain patient. Finally he sat down next to her and raised his hands like he needed to calm down a wild horse. "Nonono, baby, I know-" he breathed calmly, gathering his thoughts. "I know the industry has too high expectations of women conforming to beauty trends but that's just what it is, a trend. I have no say in what you do with your body but- the tragedy of it… I don't want you to get plastic surgery. Please. Please?” Pedro was truly panicked, devastated even.

"No?" There was the faintest hint of a cheeky smile playing at the corner of her lip. His face fell at her success of having messed with him.

"You little shit." His voice came out as a monotone. “You had me. You really did.”

He cracked up as well when she started giggling at him. "I have bottom lip filler. And had my ears done also." She confessed and schooled her expression like she had just told him the world's worst dad joke.

He made a noise of understanding. "Is that why you're so pouty?" "Oh, shut i-" "No, you shut it. If you cut up that cute face or gorgeous body of yours... any more, I'm gonna leave you." He threatened in a bitchy tone.

She hunched over in a decent impression of a caveman. "Husband said no." She grunted, mocking his voice.

Pedro tried to stay dignified but his voice trembled. "Husband will get a heart attack if you’re gonna be like this." She snorted out a laugh and he tried to interrupt her with a failed strict, then pathetic whine. "I mean it, baby girl. You don't know how perfect you are." Yet she only cooed while he talked over her, serious enough to have the opposite effect.

"You'd really leave me?" She repeated in a high, heartbroken mewl.

He nodded, pinching her cheeks, her round Hobbit cheeks. "I'd nurse you back to health and then leave you." He explained and the sentiment drew a chirping laugh out of her, the kind that made him crack up too. He placed a kiss on her lips that turned into two, then three, making him lose himself in her for minutes to no end.

Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "Don't worry, I wasn't seriously thinking about it. It looks horrid." "It really does." "By the way, don't you dare do anything yourself. Your doctor's name is God and we know he only uses the good stuff when he makes angels." She said up close, tracing her thumb over the deepened lines across his forehead. The crow's feet in the corners of his eyes crinkled into an adoring smile in the wakes of her tracing down the arch of his nose until she had reached his lips and lingered on his chin. Her hand cupped his beard, the bristles having gotten so long they had nearly grown soft to the touch.

Pedro smirked, catching up with her affection. "I was also not gonna leave you, I could never." He admitted.

"I know." She draped her arms over his shoulders, pecking a kiss on his cheek.

"I almost forgot what I wanted to tell you." He finally spoke up. "I still got some news." He rubbed his forehead, getting this over with.

"Sean Astin agreed to play my dad in a zombie film." She threw in her wildest guess.

"Nobody has offered that... yet." He replied compassionately and Nini let out a sad noise.

She hit him with another hopeful guess. "You said yes to the queer story with Mads Mikkelsen."

"Do not remind me of the things I'm missing out on." He told her in a strict tone before catching his bearings. "I'm afraid you will think it bad news, should I tell you later?"

Never a great fan of bad news, she groaned and let herself fall back into the sofa. "Oh no. Tell me now or I'm gonna throw up."

"It seems we can't afford the house in the South Hamptons. We lost a producer due to my film’s well… let’s call it political message but I'm not willing to sacrifice the soul of my movie. So, my ability to contribute a big budget to our housing situation is limited." He confessed.

"Oh..." She stared ahead, lip pouting but at least she didn't start crying over a house. "Well, maybe there could be worse things."

His eyebrows shot up and his jaw dropped. "I thought you loved it." "The beach was nice." "Nice' is not good enough for us to go way over budget. We almost bought a house we both don't want." There was a reason why he didn't value owning a house, let alone a mansion. Not ready to face the consequences of an ill-timed outburst, he counted to ten. "Let's be real, we can't afford and maintain a mansion right now, maybe if my movie pays off. Until then... well..."

"Damn, are we both too much of a people pleaser to communicate what we really want?" She sighed with a lopsided smile playing on her lips. Nini seemed sheepish at his insight. "I'm sorry. Hey, if you want to live here forever or move into a red brick apartment above a pizzeria, I'll still be happy as long as I'm with you." She gestured around. "I know this place has increased in worth. If I sell it, we can afford something else and use the rest for your movie."

"Oh, you sweetheart." He sighed, not annoyed but yes... annoyed that she was genuinely willing to give up so much for him. He caged her in against the cushions of the sofa. Looming over her, he revelled in her smile. "That's out of the question." He kissed her, letting himself disappear in her loving embrace, not even able to fathom how much he adored her. For a moment, he let worry pass from the flickers of his eyes. "Do you even want to move?" He asked his love.

Something between grateful- and playfulness sparkled back at him. "I do. I really do. I want a place that's both you and me. I want a separate kitchen and a library for you." Nini swore, petting the side of his face.

That sounded lovely. God, he wanted it so much but he didn't know where to go from here with his serious lack of time. "We'll find something, I promise." He rubbed his forehead, starting to feel a headache from all this stress. He yearned for a moment of quietness and walked over to the shopping bag to retrieve the pack of cigarettes like a busy, stressful time somehow excused a life-long bad habit he had been so close to quitting. "Gonna head outside for a minute." He said with the cigarette between his teeth.

"Okay." Nini paid no attention to it and went back to watching Brandon Fraser beat up some shrivelled Egyptians when he wordlessly opened the glass door into the garden, lighter cupped behind his hand before he had even passed the threshold.

He stood outside for a while, wondering if the cigarette would keep him warm as he set up a new appointment for house viewings. Phone in one hand, cigarette in the other, he looked up when he saw movement behind the wall. "I'll have to call you back, sorry. Gotta go- yeah, I appreciate it. We can do Tuesday. Riverside Drive, two p.m., got it. Okay, sounds good, bye." He hung up just when their neighbour Samir 'I am your mother now' aka Brooklyn's most beloved drag queen 'Peachy' du Maurier peaked over the wall.

"Hellooooo Habibi!" His wide figure in purple fur and leather cap appeared fully. "Just wanted to join you for a second. Making sure you're doing okay, just checking in." Sammi said sweetly with a worried frown between his brows. Pedro nearly teared up at the sentiment alone but then his friend-shaped character had to reappear with a large plate of food for them.

Pedro's hand flew to his chest. "Sammi, oh my God, you didn't have to." He gasped. He willed his face to light up despite his tiredness while he watched the cherubim trying to figure out a way to climb without nail breakage. He complained loudly while doing so. "Ya- I don't know how you guys always do it. I wasn't made for this. Oh fuck, I'm shakin' like a pole on Friday night, honey."

"Hey, whoa, careful mama." Pedro led him a hand, pulling him across and making sure he wouldn't fall. "I saw you double Dutching and doing the split in ten-inch heels, what happened?" Sammi was out of breath and breaking out in sweat unlike one of his many, way more exuberant drag shows.

"Old age, bitch." He pulled his shirt back over his belly and groaned in agony one last time. Clouds of condensation met clouds of smoke.

Pedro emitted a chuckle. "Don't I know it?" He brushed a leaf off Sammi's shoulder as he balanced the aluminium foil-wrapped dish that seemed way too much and way too generous.

"It's Börek, thought you might-" he squinted. Sammi raised his eyebrows, looking somewhere past him through the house. "Oh dear, is she okay? Is she inhaling her ice cream?" His softness betrayed him when he noticed his chosen ward inside and in distress. Nini placed a kiss into her hand and waved it at Sammi momentarily and glared at Pedro before continuing to mind her own business on her phone.

Sammi looked at Pedro in disappointment. "Did you guys have a fight?"

"No-" he sighed, unsure. "At least I hadn’t thought so." Pedro briefly looked back into the living room, confused about where this new agitation suddenly came from. "She'll be okay, especially with your burek. Thank you so much. I had to find a way to feed the hangry gremlin inside soon."

"Relationships are difficult, sometimes I just take several seats and breathe in and out for a while." Pedro snorted at the self-depreciation. Sammi was a big queen but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be gorgeous. "You look stressed though. Do you wanna talk about it?" Sammi had pointed him up and down, Pedro's fatigue speaking more than a thousand words.

"Yeah..." He met him with an apologetic expression on his face but didn't know what to say. "Is there a twenty-four-hour support hotline for husbands who are trying very hard?" He scream-whispered, fearing Nini might hear him otherwise. Somehow they had found teams. Sammi was a wholesome, teary-eyed genuine pure person while his husband and Pedro's girlfriend brought up the mean girls in each other. Sammi cackled, too familiar with the feeling after being with Hugh since the nineties. "It's called calling your sisters and talking shit." He bummed a cigarette without the need to ask but made a tutting sound at the sight of Pedro's evident fresh supply.

"I'm fine, I swear. I just had to get away for a second... but it's always nice to have a kiki with you." Pedro replied, proud of his correct use of ballroom terminology and despite the utter delight in Sammi's laugh, he suddenly looked like he was struggling to come up with words. "Actually, I also came to ask you and Nini a favour."

Pedro became flustered again. "Oh, we have been closing the blinds when we-" "Oh, no it's not that!" The shorter man pretended to gag. "No, we're in trouble," Sammi admitted.

"Oh?" "Remember when we were dog-sitting Mon Bernadette and you helped us look for her when she escaped?" Sammi couldn't inhale a bigger drag and he stared ahead like he was going through massive trauma.

"Is the dog alright?" Pedro couldn't deal with more bad news.

"Yeah, she's fine, alhamdulillah but she got herself knocked up. She's having puppies soon."

Pedro's initial reaction was a gasp that was made of pure shock and delight. "Wait, really?" They stared at each other for a moment before bursting out in laughter. "Fuuuck."

Edgar waddled his tail. "No buddy, you're not the dad. You don't have balls." The pooch quit the excitement just when Pedro remembered in clear detail finding the fancy designer poodle in her rebel phase who had then currently been mounted by a very ambitious schnauzer-like creature in a Brooklyn side alley. Pedro had suppressed a laugh then and conveniently never mentioned it to a single soul after. Now he was staring at an upset Sammi and the consequence of his silence, pondering whether to come clean or not. "Crazy." Pedro exaggerated after the awkward flashback of two copulating dogs. Coward.

"The owner wants to sue us! Can you back us up and tell her we're no damn animal abusers? It was an accident!"

"Oh, they're not saying that." Pedro countered, scandalised.

"I miss the cat. It was so much easier." Sammi cried. "That beast of a puppy-hating woman wants us to pay alimony for the ‘flea alley’ bastards-" he made quotation marks into the air. "-who are God knows what mixed." Apart from being queer, Sammi was Muslim and knew too much about experiencing mistreatment himself, especially in the early two-thousands. Apparently, the puppies weren't better off in the company of a snob. "She says she won't bother looking for homes for the pups since that's an 'us' problem now." These words caused a surge of anger rise within Pedro and he looked down at Edgar, thinking the ratty white shelter dog wasn't a fancy breed, rather skinny and his thin fur one shade away from being called 'crusty'. Edgar was, therefore, all the more lovable and tilted his little head with giant bat ears at his owner. An idea struck Pedro.

He thought for a moment, looking back at the glass front at a still, very unhappy-looking Nini. "When's Bernadette having them?" He turned back towards Sammi. "I dunno, soon. End of the month?" He guessed.

Thinking out loud, Pedro made a calculation. "One month plus eight weeks minimum before the puppies are old enough for adoption. That's when I'll be busy on location but I'm in the city. She'll be back in New York from tour by then and we'd have longer breaks together after." He muttered under his breath.

Sammi's expression became nearly emotionally devastated. "What are you saying, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Would it be crazy to ask if we could adopt one of the puppies? We'll work together in finding homes for every pup, of course and help you with anything you need." Pedro said hopefully, ruffling Edgar's head when he allowed him to lean his front paws up onto his leg like he was adding his approval. He pet his bony little head. "Slowly but surely I’m thinking about a playmate keeping Edgar active too, having someone younger around does make you feel younger as well." He spoke from experience. Maybe Pedro's main motivation was born out of an impulsive decision but quite frankly, he was also keen on taking care of a small living being that depended on him. Their busy schedule made it look like Nini and he wouldn't even think about starting a family any time soon or ever so, a puppy was the next best thing and the desire for it was maybe but not entirely a bit selfish. He normally would have preferred adopting a shelter dog but these special circumstances spoke to everything he could have wished for.

Sammi's jaw dropped. "Really?" He asked too loudly, tearing up.

"Yeah!" "We wanted to move but haven't found the right place yet anyway. Plenty of time before we'll open a new chapter in our lives." Pedro said and bit into a crunchy spinach cheese roll.

He was met with a pleased hum from the other man. "Are you going to get married soon, then?" Pedro had anticipated this question sooner rather than later and therefore didn't choke on his food.

Sammi smiled innocently, a romantic through and through. After all, he and Hugh got married the minute it was legal for them to do so.

He knew his explanation of 'Well, we have been for two years, just not legally,' wouldn't suffice so he consoled his friend with the answer he wanted to hear. "Someday soon," Pedro said. "Yeah, real soon. These are delicious, thank you very much. I'll tell her these were made with love." He distracted him by finishing the delicious burek. He hummed in satisfaction and Sammi seemed delighted.

"That's my cue. I'll let you know when the bad girl's having the bastard puppies. No telling Nini." He reminded him and groaned in protest while climbing the wall back to his side. "I know you want this Peach, why you gaggin'?" The glam lady bellowed her famous catchphrase and went over the wall head first, but not before blowing him a kiss. "Love you, Pedro!"

"You too." Pedro waved and smiled to himself before he went back inside.

Pedro could only worry at the sight of finding Nini face down and beside the couch on the floor while Edgar already worried over her. ”Oh no.” He set the food on the dinner table before rushing over.

She turned her face towards him, tear-streaked cheek pressed to the floor with a sob spilling from her lips. Nini broke out in tears again when she saw him kneeling beside her. "Is it because the meds killed my libido?" She cried out.

"Jesus," He tried to pluck some of her terribly askew hair away from her damp face and behind her ear until she shoved his hand away and scurried off. He didn't know if he wanted to send a curse down into hell or a prayer up above. "Please, tell me what happened. Just... calm down." He could feel his patience running thin while Nini grunted in frustration and limped through the living room, holding her tummy.

"What's going on?" She choked out a noise of upset at his question, picking up after herself which was a telltale sign of her annoyance with everything in this world including him.

Her bottom lip trembled. "I don't know. Pedro, are you happy?" Her hands gestured weakly into the air at the question. She finally looked up to witness him slightly paling and he only managed to make a confused sound.

Pedro tried to make sense of anything but failed. "You're angry with me and I don't know why but yeah, I'm happy. What's this about, honey?" He asked, standing up to approach her when she unlocked her phone.

"Well, are you happy? Because if you were, would you go out on a date with someone else and lie about it?" He could only try to form the word 'what' threatening to spill from his lips. "Tell me I'm just being silly- please." She begged.

His gaze softened when she showed him a recent online post and he finally understood. It was showing Pedro having lunch with a woman he had met yesterday. An Instagram post with the footnote 'When Pedro Pascal went on a date with me. You made my day'. Still unfamiliar with Instagram ever since they both deleted Twitter, she had scrolled through the comments, which for most parts still didn't agree to their relationship and praised him for having plenty of other options.

Even more than a year after their temporary breakup and after several of their public appearances and interviews together, she was still the one who couldn't claim her own narrative. They were cute together, yes but the toxic domain of their less-favoured fans didn't know she wasn't half as problematic as she appeared to be.

Now Pedro seemed to be in trouble. In the picture she showed him, he was wearing the same outfit and bad hair day he had gone out with yesterday before meeting Lux and he was suddenly very aware of what this looked like. Her crying fit was not unreasonable anymore. The way the woman and he looked so close and the fact that Nini had never seen him do this before with anyone who wasn't a close friend made her jealous and genuinely heartbroken. "I hate to sound cliché but this is not what it looks like." He almost laughed out.

"Well, whatever it might be, you told me the story of how you've been out all night with your sister!" She said in between a yell and a sob and through his dumbfounded moment in which he cursed his forgetfulness. "Honey-" He had been out all night, just not with her. "And she's pretty too." She said with a whine but while Nini was pouting, he couldn't help but grin at the misunderstanding.

He sighed. "Michelle was just a friendly encounter. Nini, wait-" He had to catch up with her when she repeated her name in a mocking voice and was already leaving him on the couch and stomping up the stairs. "I was too busy this morning to remember telling you the entire story and then you were being difficult-"

She looked back from the top of the stairs. "Oh, sorry I'm causing 'you' to have a bad day!" She huffed at him and shut the bathroom door in front of his nose. He hated it when she did that and chuckled in anger. "Great." "Don't laugh at me!" "I'm not!" "Fuck off!"

He huffed against the barrier between them, tapping his fingers against the unforgiving wood. "I get it, you basically caught me lying... unintentionally. I'm sorry, okay? Please at least let me explain." He sighed. "She was just really nice and of course, she posted this. I just forgot to tell you because I was fucking hungover-"

"And I was difficult!" She quoted back at him, terribly insulted and he could gnaw his arm off in frustration. A mute yell later, he had composed himself again.

Pedro needed her to listen but he'd rather do it to her face. "What are you doing?" His hands slapped onto his thighs.

"Maybe going to a club. If you can go out and have fun, so can I." She explained, stubbornly.

He let out a long exhale, tried and failed to count to ten. "While you're on your period? C'mon, don't do that."

"I've done three-hour concerts for an entire week while I was on my period!" She screamed in an outburst of emotion and Pedro dead panned at the door. Fair point.

He gathered a breath. "Come on! Just because I missed- just because it was a lunch. Yeah, but only by definition of two people sitting down and eating food. There was nothing romantic about it." "Yeah, no. Sure." "I can have a life outside this relationship, you know?" "Wh- nobody said you couldn't! Am I giving you the impression that I'm that kind of girlfriend?"

"Right now you are, asking me who this woman is. I'll tell you." He leaned forward with his hand against the door. "I was waiting for Lux at the restaurant forever and she stood me up eventually and we agreed to meet up later but while I was waiting, I noticed this couple who was clearly on their first date and Michelle was extremely uncomfortable." He told the story in a calmer voice now, leaning his shoulder against the frame but feeling like he was talking to a wall. "The guy was saying things she shouldn't put up with like... making comments on her tight dress and how fantastic her tits looked." Nini made a sound of disgust at that and he relaxed a little, feeling her rage ebbing away. "-and I couldn't watch it anymore and the moment he went to the bathroom I asked her 'Are you okay'? And she was like 'No, he's absolutely disgusting' and I took his seat then and he came back and I explained very calmly he was not supposed to be so inappropriate like 'Oh-" he imitated the man's unpleasant asshole voice. "She's fucking hot, why shouldn't I comment on her nice ass?' and I stirred drama and eventually paid for his taxi to go home and Michelle and I had lunch together instead."

"Oh." Her voice came out almost too quiet for him to have even detected it behind the door. "Well, did she?" Now it had turned heated again.

He squinted his eyes. "Did she what?"

"Have a nice pair of tits and ass?" She clarified and he cleared his throat, speechless.

"I guess? I didn't judge h- why..." Pedro at least tried to hold back but his shoulders were shaking with laughter. "You don't think I'd ever cheat on you?"

"No... not really," she admitted grumpily.

"No, seriously. If it weren't so stupid, it would be cute."

"Stupid? Who's stupid?"

Pedro let out a long exhale at her new rage. He tried not to sound condescending at her overreaction to what he thought had been out of the ordinary noble of him. Maybe Nini was down to listen to reason. "Just... dammit. You can't just... put yourself in danger because you're in the mood for getting back at me." But before he could say anything more the door swung open and she came out wearing heavy makeup that covered her freckles entirely. He was too stunned by her appearance to realise she was sticking to her plan than to even appreciate the sight of her in black lace underwear.

"This is not about getting back at you!" She hissed heatedly over her shoulder while he followed her into their bedroom. "Stop this, please. I'm not letting you go out like this." While she stomped into the walk-in closet, he suddenly realised she was dead serious when she put on the wig with long raven hair she had worn for their Morticia and Gomez Addams partner costume last Halloween. Truly, it served the purpose of making her look like a completely different person.

"Why not?" She seethed, putting on a two-piece black outfit and heeled boots. "Guess what, we've been back in New York for two weeks and I haven't been out without you in months. So, why can't I have fun too?"

"Well, for once, you're in pain, second it's dangerous for you to drink anything on medication." "I forgot to take it anyway."

Pedro wanted to throw something through three layers of walls. "You told me you did!" No wonder why she was behaving this way despite her acting like it wasn't a big deal.

"I don’t like the way it makes me feel. I thought you meant Ibuprofen."

"You are ‘supposed‘ to give yourself time to adjust to less-potend meds." He attempted to reason with her. "Wait," She snuck her way past him, batting his hands away. "Stop i- stop it, Leonie. What if something happens? They'll recognise you, then what?" He tried a different approach.

She scoffed. "People can't even tell the difference between Amber Heard and me these days, I think I'll be just fine in disguise."

He knew he was being the jerk as soon as he heard himself say it. "I don't want you to go clubbing, unstable, looking like this. Alone this late in fuck knows which part of New York and in what's basically lingerie? No. No chance." He caged her in, aggressively. "I don't want any men out there to be a danger to you."

She laughed in his face and left him in the doorway, feeling like a control freak boyfriend.

"I'm not scared!" "That’s not the point. It's dangerous and you're in a vulnerable state. Hey- we're not done talking." He tried to argue while she furiously gathered her things and skipped down the stairs quickly.

"Oh, I think we're done talking." She decided with a flick of her straight fake black hair, somehow managing to glare him down, looking fierce, full of rage and devastatingly hot in her entire dark gear. "You-" She pierced a finger into his shoulder. "-you've had way too much control over my life anyway!"

Another verbal slap to his face at this point, one he thought he'd deserved this time. "I didn't -" He choked, never meaning to hold any power over her head. Everything he'd done had been for her wellbeing, for her protection... right? The apology got stuck in his throat out of pure shame.

Nini's eyes had turned glassy. "Wait, please." Pedro tried to block her way but she ducked underneath his arm on the second try. "Fine, just go then!" His patience snapped, he had given up.

"I will!" She always had to have the last word but so did he.

"Have it your way." He sighed in frustration and went into the living room where he didn't have to see her leave. "Can you at least please send me a text so I know you're okay?" He tried one last time.

"Jaaa haaa." She called back through the echo of the corridor, annoyed and he knew that meant, 'fuck off.'

Edgar's ears were droopy and the dog whined when the door slammed shut and she was gone. Somehow, Pedro hadn't thought she'd really do this.

Slowly, his tired body sank back into the sofa. Pressing the heels of his hands to his throbbing headache, he cursed. All he could do now was go through every stage of grief, wait and hope Nini would get home safe.

Part 2

~

Translation notes:

(sp): querida - (eng): beloved

(sp): tranquilo - (eng): calm down

(ara): habibi - (eng): my love

(ara): alhamdulillah - (eng def): Arabic phrase meaning "praise be to God", sometimes translated as "thank God"

[themaskstayson]

RULES: Post 5 songs associated with your OC, followed by 4 outfits they would wear

I saw a few people do this and I wanna join in on the fun for Faith since I'm doing the most for them lol

Songs

Somewhere in Nowhere - Candlemass

Here I am

In this strange world

A different universe

Nowhere in time

I'm captured in my dreams

On this lonely journey

To find the morning light

To be me

God Complex - Vira

I wanna be the true savior The one with a terrible demise I wanna be the Messiah, pariah The one who never dies I wanna be your true love Yes and the only one You could cry to all the time I could just be who you need

Absolution- Ghost

Ever since you were born you've been dying Every day a little more you've been dying Dying to reach the setting sun As a child, with your mind on the horizon Over corpses, to the prize you kept your eyes on Trying to be the chosen one All those things that you desire You will find there in the fire

Blessed Be - Spiritbox

I say my blessings all for you I feel it fade from the inside I open up to adore you but everything Was just a crutch to preserve life Serotonin like a loaded gun I am a coward, you pull me up Into a place where there's nothing that left for me But insecurity

Can't Help Falling In Love - Ice Nine Kills

Wise men say Only fools, only fools rush in Oh, but I, but I, I can't help falling in love with you Shall I stay? Would it be, would it be a sin? If I can't help falling in love with you Like a river flows Surely to the sea Darling, so it goes Some things, you know, are meant to be

Outfits

Faith isn't very into casual wear but if needed would wear something for a Gala or a party, it would be this.

Armor though??? Fully covered up??? Yup! They find these gearsets to be extremely attractive.

Which is funny cause they do not wear tank gear in BG3 cause there isn't that many cool ones and I wanna see their face lol but I'll probably go mod shopping to see what I can find to make Faith more comfortable.

[shy-nightmare]

The Toonz Twins: Toontown Sleuths

Chapter Two: Right Place, Wrong Time?

Summary: After a long road trip, the twins finally arrive in the city of Los Angeles, and they get here first! But something seems off when the Red Car doors open. And what’s this about a job?

Hi, guys! I know I said this chapter was going to be posted tomorrow morning, but let’s just say I’m gonna be busy for most of the day and I didn’t wanna leave you guys hanging. So here you go! Enjoy 😊

Credit for inspiration goes to @imaginarytoon1, author of “The Birchwood Twins: Toontown Investigators” and @its-metal-mistress, author of “Bendy and the Ink Machine: Learning How to Live”. Please check out their own wonderful content ^^!

I would also like to give a special shoutout to @imaginarytoon1 and our special guests @marinerainbow, @weaselnerd and @slashingdisneypasta 😊! Thank you four so much for your kind words of encouragement! Please accept the following chapters as my Thank You gifts, and I hope this one gives you guys a silly dose of serotonin lol

BTW, if you guys think this chapter is hilarious, comment “Herman, you absolute BIST!” LMAO

This chapter contains some profanity, silly cartoon shenanigans, Raoul being a dick to Roger 😑, and Herman being an absolute bist -_-. Don’t worry, Tom’s gonna put him in his place XD

The morning sun shone brightly, striking Tom in the eyes when he first woke up. He let out a low, soft growl at the sun’s harsh glare while rubbing his eyelids to get rid of the discomfort. Once his eyes recovered, he turned to his sister who was in a slumber. Twyla, bless her heart, was laying her head on his shoulder wrapped in a snuggly blanket he pulled out for her, her long raven hair tufted up in messy, adorable curls.

Tom smirked at the sight, shaking his head with a smile gracing his lips and he lightly laughed at his sweet baby sister. However, his smile faltered when he saw the concealer starting to wear off, revealing the bruises that probably started healing. The memory of that night filled his heart with rage, but he had to extinguish his fury. That part of their lives is over. They are free now, miles and miles away from that Hellhole.

The Red Car pulled over, signaling Tom to wake up his sister. He nudged her shoulder gently, “Twyla, wake up. Wake up, sis.”

Her amethyst eyes slowly fluttered open, and she groaned groggily. “Tom?” she asked, letting out a puppy-like yawn that never failed to make Tom internally gush. So cute! She rubbed her eyes, “What’s up?”

“We’re here.” her brother responded, adjusting the collar of his jacket while grabbing his hat. He slowly sat up, grabbing onto the handgrip pole to keep himself steady as his feet were still asleep while helping Twyla up. Once the post-travel jetlag vanished, the twins grabbed their belongings, their hats, and walked over to the doors. Tom pulled out an extra $20 for the driver. “Thanks for the ride,” he thanked the elderly vulture, who only grumbled.

The Red Car doors opened…and the twins were greeted by an unusual sight.

When Tom and Adam first checked out Hyperion Avenue, the town was swarming with booming businesses operated by humans and Toons. The streets were packed with vehicles, human-made and Toon-drawn (of course, some Toons do drive real-life vehicles). And the El Rey Theatre was ablaze with life and light, brightening the darkness of night with its flashing colors of red, green, blue, and purple like stars.

Instead of having Toon-operated businesses, there were only a few buildings and businesses operated by humans surrounded by palm trees, a few bars, restaurants, and stores that didn’t look too convincing to them. And instead of seeing Toon-drawn vehicles or Toons driving modern-styled cars, there were Packards, Sedans, Cadillacs, and Convertibles. All designed during the 1930s. The El Rey Theatre was there, but…it was smaller, less colorful. And more suburban.

But what confused the twins most was the outfits the humans wore. The men were wearing 1940’s suits consisting of long-sleeved dress shirts, trousers with suspenders, fedoras, and jackets designed to look narrower and threaded in dull colors. And the ladies strolled around the streets wearing square-shouldered jackets with simple blouses, matching skirts, and a few wore tail hats accented by flowers, bows or feathers.

“Uh…are they doing a cosplay convention?” Tom asked his twin, who only shrugged.

“This is your stop.” The driver spoke, lifting his winged arm. “Good luck.” He swung down and pushed the twins out of the Red Car.

“What the hell?!” Tom shouted, pulling his sister close to keep her from falling as he struggled to stand from the rough impact. The doors behind them slid shut, and the Red Car drove away, leaving the twins in the dust. “Asshole!” Tom snarled, flipping the driver off.

“Uh, Tommy?” Twyla tapped her seething brother’s shoulder, not looking at him. “I don’t think there’s a cosplay going on.”

Tom rose a brow. “Why?”

“Because there’s no sign saying anything about it. Also, people are judging us.”

The Rubberhose wolf looked around and did see a couple folks giving the twins odd, funny looks. And a few guys were checking his sister out, which he did not like. He bared his teeth, revealing humongous, bone-crunching fangs and growled at them menacingly. They instantly got the message and scurried away. Tom wrapped a protective arm around his sister’s shoulders. “I think we should go somewhere a bit more Toon-friendly.” He spoke.

Twyla nodded in agreement, before she spotted something and pointed. “How about that studio?” she asked.

Tom looked over his shoulder to see where she was pointing at. A massive building reigned over the smaller businesses in North Cahuenga Blvd, governing 100,000 square feet. It was painted in pearl and ivory, standing out in comparison to the dull, brick buildings. The main entrance was designed with a wide archway styled with a set of embellishments that looked like TV screens, and on top of the main screen stood the American flag. Below the screens held a set of two signs written in bold black:

Maroon Cartoons.

“Maroon Cartoons?” Tom raised a brow, giving the impressive studio a once-over. Then he glanced at his sister and jerked his head forward.

The twins were able to sneak into the studio’s main doors, and the room was filled with a set of projections, camera lights, and a crew arranging their chairs and equipment.

“HEY, YOU TWO!” a man shouted at the twins.

Tom pointed at himself, “Us?”

“Yeah, you! Settle down back there! We’re about to start our take!”

Twyla held her hands up nonchalantly, gently pulling her snarling brother to the side just as the lights slowly dimmed.

“LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!” the man, possibly the director, shouted.

Opening cartoon music began to play.

The cartoon begins with a Toon baby, only wearing a pink bow and a diaper, babbling innocently while sitting in his…or her…or their…play pen. A lady wearing a blue dress splotched with white polka dots and white heels walks over, only revealing her legs. “Mommy’s going to the beauty parlor, darling.” She speaks, rubbing the child’s head lovingly. “But I’m leaving you with your favorite friend Roger.”

She turns around and walks down the purple-carpeted hallway to find a sleeping Toon rabbit, and then he wakes up. He was goofy, and kind of cute. He was a white Toon rabbit, with ears as long as his large feet and a cute fluffy tail. He wore red overalls adorned with two yellow buttons holding the straps, yellow gloves, and a blue-and-yellow polka-dot bow, accenting his goofy Toon personality. His eyes were sky blue, had a pink rabbit nose with whiskers, a tuft of carrot-red hair, and tiny little buck teeth.

“He’s going to take very, very good care of you.” The woman continues, “Because if he doesn’t…” she presses her index finger on his nose harshly. “HE’S GOING BACK TO THE SCIENCE LAB!!!”

Science lab? The twins’ brows raised, perturbed. What the fuck?!

“P-p-p-p-p-please, don’t worry,” Roger says with a slight lisp. “Yes, ma’am! Aye-aye, sir! Okey-dokey!” He does some random salutes as the mother opens the door, leaving. “Why, I’ll take care of him like he was my own brother, or my own sister!” He accidentally hits his face on the door. Twyla giggled a bit. “Ow! Or my brother’s sister, or my second cousin…”

While Roger absentmindedly begins to count the number of relatives, the baby manages to squeeze through the play pen bars with their milk bottle, and flies across the hallway leading to the checkerboarded kitchen floor. “Cookie.” the baby cooed, looking up at the top of the imposing refrigerator where a jar of cookies stood.

The scene goes back to Roger, whose ears were twisted like a goofball rabbit ear pretzel. “Or like my seventeenth cousin, who was a hundred-and-fifty-six times removed from any side!”

He trails off when he hears a banging noise and finds the play pen empty. He sees the baby in the kitchen climbing up the counter, knocking off a drawer full of kitchen utensils. Roger flips out and screams, his blue eyes bulging with sheer horror as the infant crawls across the stove and their little foot accidentally switches on the burner control knob.

“I’LL SAVE YA, BABY!!!” Roger shouts and takes off into the kitchen.

“Cookie,” the infant smiles, knocking off the rolling pan.

“Don’t burn yourself, Baby Herman!” Roger pleads before he accidentally slips on the rolling pan. He flails his hands around to steady himself, but there wasn’t anything for him to hold on to. He rolls around the whole kitchen and misses every time. The infant, Baby Herman, knocks down an aluminum tea kettle and falls directly on Roger’s face, blocking his vision.

“Who turned off the lights? Boy, it’s dark in here!” Roger exclaims.

As the rabbit continues to roll, Baby Herman’s foot slips and pushes the oven lid down just as his “roommate” rolls straight into the oven, and the lid closes on him. The child’s foot slips on the knob, and it spins to off, on, hot…and VOLCANO HEAT.             

“Uh-oh,” both the twins mouthed silently, their eyes wide.

Baby Herman, that accursed foot-slipping infant, continues his quest for the jar of cookies by literally crawling across a sink full of soapy water and dishes. “Cookie,” he giggles again, but then becomes distracted by a swinging clock pendulum. He reaches out to grab it, but instead his hand lands on the faucet handle, causing the sink to overflow with soapy water.

The oven dings, WELL DONE.

Oh shit, here it comes!

Roger bursts out of the oven, still blocked by the tea kettle, and runs around the whole kitchen with his tail on fire, leaving behind a long trail of smoke. He runs around circle after circle, creating a cloud of thick Toon smoke around the kitchen. Meanwhile, Baby Herman somehow manages to climb on a stack of boxes containing deadly mouse poison. Roger slips on the bar of soap, causing him to fly up into the air and the soap ricochets against the stand-in iron board before it hits Baby Herman on the tush. He grabs onto the pendulum, still in his little dreamland quest to get the cookies.

Roger’s foot lands on the soap, causing him to slip again, and nearly slams into the wall when two of his fingers stick into the outlet plug sockets. Sparks of electricity zap through his entire body, sending him violent waves of shock as he begins slamming his kettle-blocked cranium against the wall repeatedly, creating a crack on the wall. The crack leads up to a top shelf holding pots, pans, pasta drains, and plates, and splits the shelf. A waterfall of metal and steel falls onto Roger’s head, banging and clashing, until all there’s left is a bottle of Extra Hot Acme Chili Sauce. The bottle falls and lands on the spout, and Roger accidentally drinks the sauce. The kettle turns bright steaming red before Roger finally explodes the kettle off his head, only to fly straight towards the iron board.

Baby Herman grabs onto another shelf, high above a stack of sharp kitchen knives, but the shelf gives away, causing a jar of pickles to fall on the stack and soar across the kitchen. The little brat jumps off a toilet plunger and lands on a high stack of bread, finally getting his hands on the cookie jar.

“I’m here, Baby—AAAAAAHHHH!!!!” Roger screams as the knives pin him against the walls like deadly darts, and an axe lands just one inch away from his family jewels. Tom’s dark eyes bulged while Twyla cupped her mouth, horrified. Ohhhhhh, fuck!    

A small toaster holding the plunger tilts over, and the plunger flies directly into Roger’s face. Baby Herman starts kicking off the slices of bread while the rabbit struggles to pull the plunger off his face. He flies off the wall while he was still stuck, but he eventually pulls off the plunger. Unfortunately, he now lands headfirst into an Acme Suck-O-Lux vacuum cleaner.

“Suck-O-Lux?” Twyla tilted her head confusedly while her brother did a double take and gave the crew and the focused director a deadpan look. I see what you did.

Poor Roger starts inflating into a balloon as Baby Herman finally pulls out his precious cookie. When Roger is full of air, he starts deflating all around the ceiling, knocking off teapots and other utensils before he head-dives into the bottom of the refrigerator, causing it to wobble and make Baby Herman lose his footing. With the refrigerator pinning down his head, Roger begins bouncing and the child falls off the top of the fridge. He lands on Roger’s squishy stomach. The rabbit lifts the fridge and grabs the baby, smiling with joy.

“Cookie.” Baby Herman smiles, admiring his cookie.

Then, Roger looks up and looks at the audience with horror before the fridge lands on his head. The camera zooms in on the fridge door, opening to reveal Roger with Toon birds flying around his head.

“CUT!” the director shouted, storming over to the duo holding a script. “CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!”

“What the hell was wrong with that take?!” Baby Herman shouted, but not in a childlike voice. His voice was deep, like a disgruntled 50-year-old man.

The twins gaped at him, stupefied. Did that cookie-happy brat just speak?!

“Nothing with you, Baby Herman,” the director knelt to the manchild’s level, beaming at him, “You were great. You were perfect. You were better than perfect! It’s Roger. HE KEEPS BLOWING HIS LINES!!!” he shouted, glaring at Herman’s coworker. “Roger, what’s this?” he yanked one of the birds.

“A tweeting bird,” Roger replied, smiling nervously.

“‘A tweeting bird’”, the director mocked, slamming the poor bird down. “Roger, read the script. Look what is says,” he pulls the script to Roger, “It says, ‘Rabbit gets clunked. Rabbit sees stars’. Not birds! STARS!” he looked over his shoulder, “Can we lose the playback, please?!” he shouted, “Roger, you’re killing me! Killing me!”

“For crying out loud, Roger! How the hell many times do we have to do this damn scene?!” Herman pointed at Roger’s nose before he started storming off, “Raoul! I’ll be in my trailer taking a nap!” he snuck his way underneath a lady’s skirt, “`Scuse me, toots.”

Tom and Twyla looked at each other. “What just happened?”

“Hey, you two!” Herman startled the twins, pointing at them.

“You talkin’ to us?” Tom asked, motioning to Twyla and himself.

“Yeah! I gotta talk to you two in my trailer!”

The twins shared a glance, then reluctantly followed him. Twyla cast a glance at Roger begging his employer, and another man wearing a trench coat drinking a flask.

“Twyla!” Tom called.

“Oh, sorry!” she replied and followed her brother and the…uh, baby.

________________

“So, is there anything that you need from us, um…Mr. Herman?” Tom asked once he and Twyla sat in their chairs at Herman’s “office”. The trailer was a fucking wreck reeking of cigar smoke and expired baby powder.

“You must be the investigators that I called for! I want you to investigate Roger!” Baby Herman exclaimed while he lit up a cigar.

Investigators? The twins shared a feigned confused glance. A couple of Toon twins show up at a studio, unannounced and uninvited, and this little fucker assumes that they’re professional investigators? “Uh, do we look like investigators to you?” Tom asked, playing the innocent bystander.

Baby Herman took a long draw of his cigar and blew out a huge puff of smoke. “If you’re not the sleuths I called for, then who the hell are you?” he demanded impatiently, “And where are ya from?”

Tom didn’t want to take any risks giving information to strangers, so he came up with a lie. “Well, my sister and I just showed up here and we have no idea where the fuck we are. What is this place?” he asked.

“You’re in Los Angeles, California…” the pint-sized actor answered, puffing on his stogie.

The twins’ brows raised. So they are in Los Angeles.

“…and if you’re confused on the time, this is the year 1947.” He finished, not noticing the twins’ reactions.

Tom and Twyla gaped at him in utter disbelief, their jaws dropped to the floor. They…they traveled back in time? They somehow found a Tardis operated as the Red Car, and now they’re in the year 1947?! WHAT THE FU—?!

“There is no way in hell we hitched a ride all way the way from Chicago to Los Angeles and traveled back in time!” Tom whispered-shouted. “What is this, some fuckin’ Doctor Who rip-off?!”

Baby Herman rose a brow but didn’t hear the last two parts. “So you’re from Chicago? Well, this is better than the last goons I called for. I would have called Valiant, but…” he grumbled, trailing off. He shook it off, “Anyways, I want to hire you two to find out why Roger keeps screwing up his lines! This is the twenty-third time we had to do this fuckin’ cartoon on the set, and I have a damn good feeling it’s Jessica.”

“Jessica?” Tom rose a brow.

“His wife. There’s been a streamline of rumors sayin’ that she’s having an affair with some schmuck, and I don’t know if those rumors are true.”

“So, you just want us to follow her around the town and see for ourselves?” Tom asked, glancing at his sister who only shrugged.

“Exactly, pal!” Herman exclaimed, exhaling another large puff. “I want you guys to gather some evidence and bring it back to me. If the rumors are true, then Roger’s gotta dump that broad. If it’s all a lie, then you’s two gotta help me do something with the rumors.”

“Do something, you say?” Tom asked coolly, his lips pulled into a wicked smile. “You mean, take care of the situation?” his voice darkened, his smile dropping down zero degrees and making the walls of the trailer freeze. But Baby Herman’s smug smile only widened, unaware of the danger he just unleashed for himself.

The twins shared a sinister smirk, then nodded. “OK. What’s in it for us, though?” Tom spoke, catching the baby’s attention.

“I’ll pay you both $500 grand for taking this job,” he replied, pulling out a real-life case. He unlocked it and pulled the lid up, revealing the stacks of green to prove himself.

Tom and Twyla peered at the stacks. It was real cash. Hand-printed, not Toon-drawn. And the money could be useful for…future purposes. They shared a quick silent chat, then nodded in agreement.

“All right,” Tom said, “We’ll help ya. But there’s just one problem.”

“What, cold feet?”

“No. Since we don’t know the ups and downs of this town, we’re going to need professional help. We may be good, but it’s experience versus practice, if you catch my drift. Do you know anyone who can help?” he asked.

Baby Herman coughed on his cigar, earning him raised brows. He fisted his chest, hacking out the smoke that somehow got in the wrong spot before he stopped coughing. He cleared his throat, then looked at the twins right in the eye.

“There’s only one fella who could help ya out. His name’s Eddie Valiant,” he said, his voice low and grave. “He’s a professional private investigator.” He reached over to tap his ashtray before taking another puff, “Back then, whenever a Toon’s in trouble, they’d go to him for help. He’s the only detective in Los Angeles who’s worked with Toons.”

The only detective? The twins glanced at each other, noting the slightly somber tone in Herman’s voice. Tom broke the silence, “OK, but that was then. What is he like now?”

“He stinks up the whole town, wastin’ his time and money on the booze. And he doesn’t take Toon cases anymore.” Herman answered, not making eye contact.

“Doesn’t take Toon cases anymore?” Tom raised a brow, his fur rubbed the wrong way. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then after a moment he turned his focus on Herman. He leaned over and patted the older Toon’s shoulder. “Look, how about this? You send us his way and we’ll take our chances. If he refuses, then my sister and I will see what we can dig up. OK?”

Herman lifted his chin up to meet Tom’s gaze, then smiled that smug grin again. “Perfect! I knew I can count on you two!” He pressed a button on the vintage intercom. “Hey, Maroon! Good news! I got you some assistant sleuths!”

“Oh, you did?” A man’s voice exclaimed excitedly, “That’s wonderful! How many?”

“A pair of twins from the other side of the state. Also, tell Valiant to freshen up, ‘cuz he’s got some Toon youngsters to train!”

“Toons?!” another voice, deeper and gruffer, shouted from the intercom. “You never said anything about me working with Toons! I am not training some ink-blood runts while on the job!”

“Oh, great. Another racist.” Tom rolled his eyes with a growl. Twyla only flipped the intercom off.

“Up yours too, asshole!” Herman barked back, joining Twyla. “And watch your fuckin’ mouth! There’s a lady present.”

“Now, now, boys. There’s no need for that,” the first voice broke up the confrontation, “Herman, my assistant will be around to escort our guests. Would you please send them my way?”

“Yeah, sure.” Herman said, glowering at the intercom before it turned off. Then, he turned to the twins, his eyes tense. “Good luck. You’re gonna need it.”

“Thanks. We’ll be in touch soon,” Tom shook hands with their new “client” and put on his fedora. He and Twyla made their way to the door when Tom stopped.

“Oh, and Herman?”

“Yeah?” Baby Herman looked up, only to nearly jump off his chair when Tom suddenly grabbed him by the chest and roughly pinned him against the wall. The smaller Toon tried to pry his tiny hands off the wolf’s grip, but it was futile. He wiggled around until he stopped dead in his tracks when his terrified blue eyes met two pitch-black orbs, and for a moment, he could have sworn he saw a tiny glowing streak of red.

Tom’s eyes glinted hellishly, and a trail of ink dripped down his forehead. “Listen closely, you cigar-chomping little shit.” he growled, his voice dropping down a few octaves. “You keep your part of the bargain, or I’ll tear you apart and eat your insides while you’re still alive.” His lips pulled into a wicked, fanged-like grin as he reveled in the bone-chilling fear and horror in Herman’s eyes. He watched the little man quiver in his diaper. Hell, he probably pissed himself. “And Hermie?” Tom leaned towards him until their noses touched. “If you try to blab on us, just remember…my sister hates snitches.”

Baby Herman dared to look over his attacker’s shoulder, and paled when Twyla gave him a sinister little smirk while filing her manicured, deadly claws. Quaking, he looked back at Tom and nodded frantically.

“Good.” He dropped the “baby” and fixed the collar of his jacket. “Come on, Twyla.”

He opened the door for his sister and followed, closing the door behind him. Baby Herman sat in his chair, alone and frozen with fear, then sipped on his milk bottle.           

[grande-bay-resort-spa]

5 reasons why you should take a mini break on the ECR

ECR-The sound of it wakes you up from a slumber and rekindles fond memories of unforgettable family vacations. For some, it stands for Easy, Comfortable, Relaxation.For others, it is a holiday within city limits. The idyllic beach setting sets the tide in favour of ECR being the most popular destination for an impromptu weekend getaway. If you’re wondering how to plan a trip with toddlers, friends, family and everything in between, you can’t find a better place than ECR, Good things come in small packages and sodo vacations! Read on to find out why you should bundle your family into a car and head to ECR on the next long weekend.

Drive to thrive

For all those motor enthusiasts who think they have to wait past midnight to quench their need for speed, think again. A scenic drive awaits you during the daytime along the ECR. The entire ECR stretch is paved with smooth, wide roads that make driving a joy. What’s more, these long drives while listening to your favourite tracks can increase your happy hormone, serotonin. This way, you can bust your stress before you even get to the resort! Sojust load up on petrol and get on with your patrol.

Spayurvedaand deep tissue massages

Your body’s been sending out franticsigns that it’s time for a weekend getaway. Your dark circles are increasing while your grey matter is doing the exact opposite. Before someone cries out “What’s the matter?”– book a spa session at your favourite resort in ECR.A relaxing day at the spa could be just what the doctor ordered to put right back what the city and late nights have mercilessly extorted from you. Our spa at Grande Bay offers oil massages from around the world such as Bali Aromatherapy and Swedish massage.

An oil massage usually requires 3-4 hours for the oil to seep through all your layers of skin to make it baby soft again.During weeknights, you cannot fully enjoy these nuanced benefits as youare pressed for time. But with a mini-break at a resort on the ECR,you have all the time in the world to slip into a cozy slumber as your muscles are stretched and loosened up.

Activities for the whole family

ECR offers a range of smart holiday options which cater to a whole variety of interests.From family reunions to planning for amazing girls’ weekends, ECR is the perfect destination. You can just loll by the beach and take in the morning sun or break into a jog to burn off the previous night’s seafood binge. You can even hire a bicycle to pedal your way to the nearby areas and check out their way of life. Sip tea in a shack just like the locals and soak in the memories as you cradle the piping tea served in earthen cups. During the evenings after you wake upfrom an invigorating afternoon snooze, you can take a walk along the sea as you watch the sun retire for the day. You can even collect seashells as keepsakes or wade into the cold water. There are so many fun activities to enjoy at Grande Bay Resort; we guarantee you will never have a dull moment! Some of the best holidays are the ones where you did not exert yourself, but came back feeling like a new person.

Save on travel time and excess packing

ECR being along the city’s eastern fringe is a blessing for everyone looking to take a quick mini-break! You are saved from the hassle of dealing with long travel times and flight bookings. You needn’t worry about taking yourmothballed woolens out of storage or forgetting your extra pair of socks. Since your mini-break is within the resort,all you need are a few smart casuals and maybe a pair of formals just in case the situation presents itself.

Binge on seafood

The assortment of cuisines on offer at resorts and getaways in ECR are enough to make you come back well-fed and satiated. At ECR, you can find the most delectable seafood in the whole city, with fresh catch brought straight from the ocean to your table. If your favourite kinds of food live underwater, then ECR is the best place to indulge your foodie dreams. If you’re staying at Grande Bay Resort, don’t forget to book a table at our highly-acclaimed restaurant, L’Attitude 49. Ask us for our Catch of the Day so we can cook it to order!

At ECR, you can finally take your much-awaited beach holiday. A luxurious resort set in the midst of breathtaking oceanic surroundings can melt anyone’s stress away. If you’re planning a weekend trip to ECR, book your stay at Grande Bay Resort and Spa. Our little slice of heaven is sure to delight every member of your family.

[wqbyweeklytop100]

TOP 100 on WQBY

For the week ending February 5, 2023

Back To You-Lost Frequencies

Lovesick-Alan Walker, Sophie Simmons

10:35-Tiesto, Tate McRae

Reborn-Sidepiece, Kyle Walker remix

Freeze-Kygo

Drifting Away-Audien, Joe Jury

I Can't Wait-Tiesto, Solardo, Poppy Baskcomb

When I Talk--Kx5

You Know What I Need--PNAU, Troye Sivan

Sparks--MEDUZA, DEL-30, Mali-Koa

I'm Good (Blue)-Tiesto, Bebe Rexha

I'm Not Dead Yet--Mike Posner

Afterparty--Loud Luxury, Hook N Sling

Red Lights--Lane 8, Emmit Finn, EMBRZ

Never Gonna Not Dance Again--Pink

Flowers--Mylie Cyprus

Rely On Me--Sigala, Gabry Pointe, Alex Gaudino

Unholy--Sam Smith, Kim Petras

Dancing's Done--Ava Max

Koo Koo Fun--Major Lazer, Major League Djz

Lennon--Essel

Feel Alive--TELYKast, Sky Blu

No Love For You--Regard, Drop G

Different Kind Of Lonely--Camp Kubrick, Don Diablo

Loop--Martin Garrix, Dallas K, Sasha Alex Sloan

Satellite--Kahlid

Weekend On A Tuesday--R3Hb, Laidback Luke

One More Time--Armin Van Buuren

Don't Cry---Lodato, Ally Ahern

***Something's Coming--Cheat Codes, Lady A

Shut Up--Alan Walker, UPSAHL

New Gold--Gorillaz

Solitude--Snakechips, BIA, Lucky Daye

What A Life---John Summit, Guz, Stevie Appleton

Serotonin Moonbeams---The Blessed Madona

Blood Upon The Snow---Hozier, Bear McCreay

It's Quiet Now---Honey Dijon, Dope Earth Alien

Good Life---Hayden James, Emie

Infinity---Dubdogs, Bhaskar

Yeah The Girls--Fisher, Meryll

High--Neil Francis, PawPaw Rod

Not Alone---Joe Jonas, Khalid

Tra Tra--HUGEL, Blond:ish, Nfasis

Creepin'---Metro Bloomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage

Heartbeat--James Arthur

Wings ( I Won't Let You Down)--Armin Van Helden, Karen Harding

How Many Tears--Kygo, Sam Felt, Emily Warren

Gone (Da da Da)--Imanek, Jay Sean

Chasing Shadows---Alex Warren

Sete---Blond;ish, Francis Mercer, Amadou, Marlam

Secrets---Ross Copperman

Anything But Wet---i o Lights

Need Ya---Bonnie & Clyde FOMO

Body Breathe---LP Giobbi, Monogem

Where Do We Go From Here---Gareth Emery

I'll Wait---Lane 8, Channy Leaneagh, Le Yough remix*

Show Me---John Summit, Hannah Boleyn

Roll The Dice---Armin Van Buuren, Phillip Strand

Need Me Right--Anabel Englung

Break Up With That Guy---Virginia To Vegas

What's It Gonna Take---Cheat Codes, Mitchel Tenpenny

Left & Right---Ownboss, FAST BOY

On My Mind---EDX

Out Of My Mind---Little Image

Makin Time---Sultan + Shepard, Julia Church

Let Em Go---Matt Hansen

I'll Be Around---Elderbrook, Amtrac

Down With You---Wolter Wythe, D-Lish

A Milli---Little Wayne, Sidepiece remix*

God On The Weekend---Ian Asher

Enough To Drink---Sam Felt, Cate Downey

Falling Through The Ceiling---El Mundo, Zazou

Don't Make Me Come Down There---Dolly Parton

Hooked (Hot Stuff)---RIKA, Galantis

All Falls Down--Alonestar, Jethro Sheehan, Cubism dance remix*

Can't Change For You---Bankrol Hayden, charlieonnafriday, Arden Friday

I Don't Know What You See In Me---Belle & Sebastian

Nervous---Joan

Selfish---Nick Jonas---The Jonas Brothers

Money On The Dash--Elly Duhe

Nothing Left To Lose----Everything But The Girl

Luv Me A Little----ILLUMIUM, Nina Nesbitt

Never Change---Lukas Graham

Hard Days Love---Lily Moore

The One---INJI

These Tears---Andy Grammer

Alone Again---Chico Rose, Afrojack, Mougleta

I Just Wanna Dance---Higgo, Mustbejohn

Me Part 2---Pricilla Block

Days Like This---Martin Jensin, Jay Sean

Numb--Goodboys, AVAION

Could You Be The One---Laidback Luke, Katy Alex

I Go Dancing---Frank Walker, Ella Henderson

State Of Mind---Duke & Jones, Marlhy

Sun---Mita Gami

Puppet On Your String---Abe Parker

Good For Now---Chiiild, Lucky Daye

Pouring Rain---Guz, Camden Cox

Lay Low---Tiesto

Make Me Feel---The Chainsmokers

Bloody Mary---Lady Gaga

These Nights---Loud Luxury, KIDDO

Bel Mercy--Jengi

Chemical High---Lost Frequencies

Dr. Phil---Seaforth

Save Some Room---Shallou

What House---Block & Crown

Revolution---John Summit,

Lipstick---BLR, Robbie Rise

[cravinganescape]

Pass the happy! ✨ When you get this, reply with 5 things that make you happy and send this to the last 10 people in your notifications! <333

1. Weed! Like, every aspect of it. Exploring all the different strains out there is like an adventure for me. Over the last few years I’ve been lucky enough to meet really amazing organizations and people involved in the community. That alone has helped me with my social anxiety. I’ve also been struggling with insomnia for over almost 2 years now and recently got a med card. it’s been such a blessing to finally have control of what I'm getting. I've been having mad fun trying out different indica strains to manage my chronic anxiety, panic attacks, and knock the insomnia out of me. I’m actually thinking about documenting the insomnia strain journey--we’ll see! 💚✨

2. BAILANDO! Dancing is so healing for me. Whenever my racing thoughts get out of control, I just put on some merengue and dance until my mind gets itself out of the mental habit hole lol

3. Practicing kundalini yoga has been such a cathartic journey for me. While I may cry my eyes out and feel uncomfortable during the meditations, I almost always come out feeling more present in my body, safe, and happier (even if it’s temporary). One of my favorite teachers is Salima from Yogavision Online on Youtube. I highly recommend starting your journey there if anyone is curious!

4. FOOD. Cooking is a passion of mine and I get that from my mama. Creating dishes, going out to try local spots and expanding my palette...ahhhh, I swear it just gives me a rush of serotonin that keeps me going lol

5. Hiking or just being out in nature! I love escaping into the trails, seeing majestic deer and other critters, touching and hugging the trees. I love the feeling of the sun on my skin as I start to reach the top of a mountain!! Triple the happy feels by adding a few joints to toke along the way and a delicious sandwich to eat when you reach the top 🤌🏽 *chefs kiss*

[shadyteacup]

This is a day late, but here's a birthday fic I wrote for my favorite man, Dazai♡

Happy Birthday, Love♡

"Good morning!"

A cheery voice echoed in Dazai's ear. He groaned at the noise. It was only 5 in the morning.

"Who?", he managed to grumble into the phone, shifting on his bed to stretch his legs.

"It's me, Dummy. Wake up and get ready. I'm picking you up in 5."

His eyes shot open. Why the fuck were you picking him up at 5.05 am on a fucking Saturday?

"Y/N, it's literally dark out there, "

"Shut up. Be ready!"

With that, you hung up.

Dazai groaned into his pillow, fisting the sheets and preparing himself to get out of bed.

He rolled off the edge, quite literally, and landed on his bum, hissing at the cold that kissed his ass.

He stumbled to get ready, pulling on his favourite hoodie and throwing on some jeans.

In exactly 5 minutes, his doorbell rang.

He huffed, pulling it open, and was about to whine when he took in the sight of you.

There you stood, a bright smile on your face and a bouquet in your arms.

On the flowers a hideously large note read, "Happy Birthday, Osa!"

He blinked, remembering that today was, infact, 19th June. The day he was born.

"Happy birthday, baby!"

You extended your arms, thrusting the flowers in his face. He smiled at you, accepting the flowers and pulling you in.

"Whoa-"

You were cut short by a pair of lips slamming down onto your own.

Dazai had you pinned to his door as he passionately kissed you, pouring all his love and thanks into it. He trailed his hand along your sides, eliciting an excited shiver down your spine. His tongue claimed your mouth as it's own, making you whimper at the intensity of the kiss.

You pushed his shoulders, trying to create some distance between your heaving chests.

"Not... not now!"

You grinned up at your whiny boyfriend.

"But why can't we just tear our clothes off and-"

"No! I'm not celebrating your special day like this."

He pouted, his angelic features almost making you give in. Almost.

"I have something planned for you, love. "

He smirked, leaning forward to kiss along your neck.

"Do you... really... want... to miss out... on this?"

He asked you between kisses. You gulped, pushing him away.

"No! Not now! Maybe later."

He grinned coyly at your flustered state, before yelping at the sudden pull of you grabbing his arm.

You pulled him out of the house, slamming the door behind you, and sprinting down the hall. He stumbled to keep up to you, your entwined fingers pulling him forward.

You reached down stairs to your motorcycle, putting your helmet on and tossing one towards your favorite brunet.

"Come on!"

You ushered him to sit behind you, and once he was seated, you revved you bike to life. You roared through the empty streets of Yokohama. Dazai felt excited, the rush of the wind against his face igniting a flame of exhilaration through his bones.

He hugged your waist, leaning into your warmth as the cool wind nipped at his skin, eliciting shivers.

He watched as the sun rose, it's reddish rays expanding over the land, like how the ocean usurps the sandy beach with every wave. He was left awestruck at how beautiful the city looked. There was so much beauty in this world. He was glad to be able to witness it. Especially glad that he was with you. You were another one of nature's beauties. He adored you so much. He maybe even loved you. But he wouldn't tell you that, for he wasn't sure if the feelings were reciprocated. Nonetheless, being able to spend time with you was a blessing from the heavens. He was going to cherish each every millisecond he got with you.

You maneuvered trough the twist and turns, and took your beloved to a hilltop. The view was splendid from up here. You parked, asking Dazai to get off as you turned the engine off.

"Beautiful..."

You heard him whisper as he looked over the city.

You smiled at his genuine adoration, pulling out a blanket from your bag.

"I know you like nature. I also know that you like food."

He turned towards your voice to see you sitting on a cute blanket that was laid out on the grass. Baskets of food and drinks surrounded you.

"I thought that a picnic is a perfect blend of the two!"

He grinned at your thoughtfulness and joined you.

You both spent quite a while just observing the city. How the darkness was slowly replaced by light. How the once lonely streets were filled with the buzz of humanity. Just Dazai's heart. It was so lonely and dark, then you filled it with light.

As you laid your head on his shoulder, you couldn't help but feel... complete. His warmth, his smell, his touch.. it was all way too familiar to you. You both hadn't even been dating that long, but just the thought of him made you smile. You longed to see him everyday. Hearing his voice made you feel lighthearted. His smile lit up your day. Everything about the man sitting next you made you happy. He was your serotonin boost.

You gulped at the intensity of your feelings. You cared for him, a little too much. It scared you. But you knew he felt the same way.

Everytime he leaned into your touch, subconsciously grasping onto your warmth, you realized that he loved you. He never said it to you, but you could see it in his eyes. You could see it in his tiny actions. The way he would smile the brightest smile ever, when he saw you after a long time, the way his eyes lit up when you laughed on one of his stupid jokes, the way he hugged you a little longer than he used to at the beginning. It all just adds up.

You tilt your head to stare at your love, only to find brown eyes peering down at you.

You blushed at being caught, hiding your face into his neck.

Cute chuckles followed by multiple head-kisses made you look back up at the gorgeous man.

"What are you thinking about?"

He asked, brushing your hair out of your eyes.

"You.", you replied with a smile.

He froze at your reply, a pink hue dusting his cheeks.

"Are you blushing?"

You asked incredulously.

He shook his head a little too quickly to seem convincing, turning away. You grasped his chin, forcing him to look you in the eyes.

Your intense gaze was full of adoration and it made Dazai's face heat up. You were looking at him with such gentleness. He didn't deserve you.

"I love you, Osamu."

He froze. It was a mere whisper, but it was enough to toss his world upside down.

You had finally opened up to him about your true feelings. You felt relieved to finally spill the beans. Your relief didn't last long, though, as your beloved was yet to reply.

You were beginning to worry.

Had you read into it all wrong? Maybe his affinity to your touch was merely a habit. Maybe he wasn't in love with you. Your mind was screaming at you for possibly ruining his special day. You had gone ahead and made it awkward.

"Hey, forget about it. I was not thinking straight, and-"

"I love you, too."

Now you froze. Y/N.exe has stopped working.

"What?"

You sat there, mouth agape. You had expected this, hadn't you? Until a few minutes ago, you had convinced yourself that he loved you back. Yes, you were confused for a second, but now he had told you that he loved you. So, why were you shocked? Why did it feel so good to hear those words from him?

He smiled at your frozen face, leaning forward to kiss you. You melted into his arms, telling him just how much he meant to you through the kiss. You loved how you didn't have to voice out your feelings with him. He simply understood you.

Your fingers threaded through his messy locks, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss. He grabbed your waist, lifting you up. You jumped at the opportunity and sat yourself on his lap. His hands took the liberty to express your back, creeping under your shirt to caress your soft skin. His skilled fingers teased their way higher and higher. You pushed him on his back, hovering over him, desperate to take control. He didn't let you break the kiss, pulling you down along with him.

A few moments later, it became hard to breathe, but his taste was intoxicating.

He pulled back first, grinning boyishly at you. Placing his forehead on yours, he licked his lips.

"Can't wait to claim you, tonight."

The meaning behind his words finally hit you, and you smacked his arm.

"Why would you say that?!"

"I'll make you scream your love for me, babe."

He winked.

You heated up, hiding your face in your arms. His chuckles made you want to fling a rock at his dumb head.

He was such a baby. But he was your baby. And as long as he was by your side, you would be content.

Hehe, idk if this was good enough, coz I wrote after a long time... but I love he so much uwu

Tagging!

@anarchy-black-cat @707xn @evalynanne @b-i-t-t-i-e-s @kuraxmasha @syynnaaah  @roserosie05 @mikasa-stan-account @alittlesimp @greenshirtimagines @paradise-creator @kiyokoxd @ranposlover @the-foreigner @sakikoshi@h3xa413a @sukunas-cult-leader @ilOvedaydreaming @del1111 @craftypeachmoneyhound @notquitehereorthere @mikasa-stan-account @kenmasbbygrl @alphaofdarkness @duhsies @cees-sims @the-foreigner @uglapuglamuglafugla @sugarandsoft @jadegreenimmortality @flanelsantito @shiny84244 @one-hell-of-otaku-is-here @missrown @requiem626k @sukunas-cult-leader @ilovedaydreaming @roserosie05 @mikasa-stan

[nako-doodles]

pick 5 people that make your fandom experience wholesome and write a small paragraph about each one of them 💖

this ask is so stanking cute? buckle in im going to be talking for a very long time 🤣🤣🤣 *taps mic* lessgetit

@cafejoon tate the sun to my moon the stars of my sky the vampire gf of my dreams, where do i even start? im so incredibly grateful that however many moons and however many suns ago we discovered we practically have the same bday, and further discovered our red string of fate via baby shark. its been just an honor and a joy knowing you and talking to you and just being your moon and basking your solar brilliance. heres to another couple millennia together darling. 🥰🥰🥰

@stargazingjin rebecca the jk to my jin the funniest dorkiest person i know the other half of my chaos braincell the most talented photographer E V E R i love you 🥺🥺🥺 youre always so down-to-earth and the bright spot in my days of thunderclouds and lightning (very literal lately) and the hot chocolate on my sleepless nights. cant wait to be the most embarrassing duo at the airport with you darling 🥰💖✨

@jincentvangogh vero the reason why i dont need to go to the gym to get abs i love you 🥺🥺🥺 thank you for indoctrinating me into all of the hip anime and for basically curating your tiktok foryoupage to be for the two of us. our daily min yoongi kim namjoon christian yu nanami kento induced mental breakdowns is honestly what keeps my skin clear. its an honor to be a thirsty hoe with you love 🤣✨😉

@mintagust reka your the flying buttresses to my gothic cathedral the min yoongi of bangtan. thank you for always being so supportive and loving and funny and for always sending me msgs 🥺🥺🥺 they make logging onto this hellsite so worth it i love you so so so much. its an incredible honor to see your artwork and gifs i hope you always send them my way 🥰💖✨

@thatredwine erl! thank you for always sending me the cutest funniest asks and tagging me in the bestest jin content on this hellsite. im not sure what i did to deserve such a fantastic person to bring so much joy and serotonin in my life, but i am grateful everyday for your presence. i hope whatever is stressing you out has been banished from the mortal plane 😌🥰💖

@yoongisbengaliwife t youre just such a bright spot in this fandom im sure im not the only one absolutely in love w you. you bring so much joy on your blog it always kinda feels like a beach vacay every time i got on tbh. ur eid selfies yesterday were so cute i literally turned into heart eyes emoji. thank you for being so supportive and iconic 🥺🥺🥺

@taemaknae nicole youre just so creative and talented with all your edits and mbs and icons and headers it always blows me away. i can always tell who is using your headers and icons bc of your style which is like. super sexy of you 😳😳😳 i love reading your tags and it truly blows me away that your my moot??? like in what universe?????? anyways thank you for sticking up for me and being so iconic 🥲😎🥰

@jinbestboy ugh em you improved my tumblr experience at least a hundredfold by establishing the jinie moot club tbh. thank you for being so funny and loving and jincredible in the tags i love love love reading through them. im sorry i havent been able to keep up w the posts but as soon as im not a zombie im coming back just you wait....just you wait........🤣🥰💖

@luvsjoon cat when i tell you i go on your blog at least once a day to cleanse my vibes and get some serotonin pumping......i read your blog like the morning paper. youre such a happy and bright and sweet presence on my dash.e thank you for being you im a life long fan of you tbh ✨💖🥰

@gimbapchefs nat how do you literally write the funniest captions and come up w the most hilarious gif comps like????? *shakes empty cap* spare funny bones pls. anyways youre such a cool person i look up to you a lot. thank you for blessing us plebes with your iconique self and i cant wait to see what other beauties you make 😳✨💖

@jung-koook sky ill be honest w you. im still shook your my moot and like?? talk to me??? the day you followed back i literally almost accidentally unfollowed you bc i was too busy freaking out. i am in love w you and your content and how quickly and gorgeously you pump out a+ content. youre one of the reasons why i love being on this hellsite thank you for being a pillar of this fandom 🥰💖✨

@koolabjamun aahana darling youre so incredible. you have such a big heart and are central to so many world-changing community bonding things here. im literally always so fucking in awe of you and proud to be your moot. keep being such an iconic human ill try my best to support you ✨💖✨

@seoksjin ellie i kid you not if those hp moving pics were a thing irl, i would print every single one of your gifs out and hang them on the walls. every time you gif jin i ascend to the 7th dimension i astral project to alpha centauri i literally melt into a non-newtonian solid. thank you for being such a jintegral part of being a jin stan🥺😳🥰

@blondesuga melissa if i could marry your giffing style i would. your coloring on your gifs are so fantastic im just permanently shedding heart shaped tears when i see your content. anyways ill be permanently moving to your seokjin boyfriend gifs this has been my written advance notice 😳😋🤣

@taejinnies anj im very much in love with your sexy fifth dimension unable to be perceived by mere mortals galaxy brain. your content is so unique and beautiful and funny and iconic i just. god. im literally one ill adviced chaosing away from getting down on one knee tbh ✨💍✨

@rosebowl sharika hello its me the girl who is very much in love w you. your 100 days of jin is partially why im just barely hanging onto my sanity and also constantly on this hellsite. i love seeing you in my notes and on my dash its such an honor being your moot thank you for being loving and iconic 🥺🥰✨

@jihopes jules youre just such a warming loving iconic talented cornerstone of this fandom thank you for tagging me in your tag games and being so funny and iconic and casually one of the most talented people i know mwah 💖😳😎

and lastly: thank you to everyone following this chaotic mess of blog and interacting w me even tho im shy and get flustered easily 🥺🥺🥺 seeing you on my dash and in my activity honestly makes all of tumblrs flaws and malfunctions worth it i love you ✨✨

[kuroopaisen]

02:26 pm | kageyama tobio

➵ he’s as bright as fire.

wc: 1140

warnings: gn!reader, time-skip occupation spoilers (?), sfw shirtlessness? 

a/n: my darling ren, my bosom friend, love of my life,,, happy birthday! i know i’ll get too sappy on main if i write your birthday message out here, but know this: i’m so, so incredibly thankful to have met you. i had no idea that hq x reader tumblr would grant me the joy of coming across a true kindred spirit, someone who i can let my walls down around and be unafraid. you have one of the kindest, most thoughtful hearts i’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. yours is truly a beautiful existence, and i hope this little fic can bring you even a tiny ounce of the serotonin you’ve given me. i love you so, so much :( thank you for everything ♡

Summer ebbs on languidly, a season of brilliant golden light and long afternoons. The city thrums with its usual heartbeat, the humming of cars and the bustle of people. Your apartment is too high up to see any of that with great detail, but you feel it. Even the buildings seem to pulse with life, cast in the warm gold of the afternoon sun.

Today, everything seems to be moving in slow-motion.

Perhaps it’s the heat. Everything moves slower in the warmth of the afternoon sun. It’s almost like the world is catching it’s breath, before diving headfirst into the vibrancy of the night.

It’s also more important to stay hydrated in this heat; something you frequently remind your boyfriend of.

He’s currently been delegated to ‘a day of relaxation’. He’s not the sort to sit still, but under insistence from you – and from Iwaizumi Hajime (27) athletic trainer – he’s agreed to take a day off from his admittedly intense training regimen.

But he’s still Kageyama, after all. That means that he takes a day off to the absolute extreme – so a lazy day spent in bed it is.

You settle onto the bed with a satisfied hum, the mattress not too soft, not too firm. Kageyama’s shirt is breathable, comfortable as anything on this nameless summer day. The season has only just begun. Or perhaps it’s at its peak. You’re not quite sure – you haven’t been keeping close track.

Next to you lies your boyfriend in all his shirtless glory. He’s not the sort to revel in getting praised for his body – in fact, he still gets quite bashful – but you’re not about to dismiss fine art when you see it.

There’s something about Kageyama that seems to make people think about winter, with hair the colour of early nightfall and eyes of dark ice. But to you, he is summer. It’s in the warmth of his skin, the brilliant clear blue of his eyes, the fire and the passion that burns deep through his veins.

You sigh, laying your head on his chest. His skin is hot against your cheek, his torso thick and solid with muscle.

His heart echoes softly in your ear.

It beats both steady and relentless, a strong, deliberate thud in his chest. This rhythm is what keeps him alive, allows him to push forward with the same uncompromising tenacity.

He’s worked hard for this body, even if it’s not something he’s paid particular attention to. Kageyama never seemed aware of his looks; his body is just a vehicle through which he can play volleyball. The aesthetics of his looks have never crossed his mind; he doesn’t even know how attractive he really is. He looks after his body not because he cares about his looks, but because he instinctively understands what it takes to move forward.

Kageyama Tobio is a testament to what it is to be alive, and he doesn’t even realise it. He simply gives it his all, moving so quickly and with such hunger that he doesn’t have time to account for failure. But he always looks back for you, making sure you’re still within reach. He knows that he doesn’t have to be alone.

It had taken him a while to realise that he was in love with you – that he wanted you to be part of his life, no matter where his path took him. But as with everything he’s passionate about, he applies himself with everything he has.

Every spare inch of that beating heart is yours.

“Your heartbeat’s so strong,” you hum.

“Is it?” He asks. His voice is a little rough, ragged with drowsiness.

“Mhm.”

“Iwaizumi-san said that’s a good thing.”

You chuckle. “I didn’t say it wasn’t.” You smooth a hand over his chest. It’s warm, firm, smooth. He’s knitted together with muscle and determination,

He really is in top physical form. “But I’m glad he’s taking such good care of you,” you hum.  

It’s true. Iwaizumi is the perfect blend of caring and stern that’ll get your boyfriend to look after himself. You do your best in these quiet moments, these weekends stolen away at home. One thing is for sure – he wouldn’t have his famously bright complexion if you hadn’t introduced him to your skincare regimen.

Bless his soul, he’d approached that with such intensity that one might be mistaken in believing his career depended on it. But it’s nothing like that. It’s just that it’s something you were teaching him – something you care about. He’d wanted to understand.

“Did you want to go out tonight?” You ask.

A sound rumbles from his chest.

“What was that?”

“No,” he murmurs, voice thick and heavy. “I want to stay here.”

“You sure?” You tilt your head up slightly in an attempt to catch a glimpse of him. “But you’ve got the night off.”

“And I want to spend it here,” he says, resolute. “With you.”

You blush at his words, your cheeks feeling just as warm as his chest. “Ah. I see.”

Perhaps spending time with you is a reprieve. Not that he’d ever say that with his words. But he implies it in how he leans into your touch after a long day of practice, in how he prioritises spending time with you on a day off, in how he determinedly carves a space for you in his busy life.

“Is that a problem?” He asks, sincere as always.

“Not at all,” you smile, moving your arm down to cup his waist.

The evenings are usually reserved for practice, but his mornings are all yours.

“What would you like to do?” You ask.

He ponders it for a moment, pink and gold scattered across his cheeks. “Do you have any face masks left?”

“Always,” you chuckle. “There’s an entire shelf of them in the fridge.”

While you have no qualms storing them in the normal fridge, Kageyama had bought you one of those little cosmetics ones for your last birthday.

He nods.

“Then let’s use some of those,” he murmurs. “And we should order some curry.”

“Or, we could make some,” you tease.

He mumbles something you can’t quite hear under his breath, but you manage to catch the word ‘disaster.’

“Fine,” you smile. It’s not like buying curry would leave you wanting; one of the few benefits of having a professional athlete for a boyfriend meant that he had cash to burn.

And it’s preferable to burn that instead of the pork.

But you can’t blame him. It’s just his way.

His fingers trail down your back and leave fire. You find comfort in it.

Kageyama Tobio is a force of nature, an unrelenting will, a constant push to grow.

But he is also the warmth of the afternoon sun, the dedication it takes to love, the comfort of a heartbeat.

[woozi]

YZA YZA MY BESTIE 🤍

HOW WAS CHEERS FOR YOU? im so so happy with the leaderline cb, i still can't believe we got it. all 3 of them slayed it with capital s <3 (also vv happy about it dropping on my birthday 🥺) vv excited for the repackage also.

how was concert for you?!! did you get to watch? i hope you did ( look at me asking as if we both actually attended 💀 ) felt so good to watch them perform after ages best two days of last month tbh. i cannot let shadow choreo get out of my mind godddd and cheol was so right about gyu's part being addicting (AND LIVE SHADOW GYU 💀🔥 GOD HELP US) they all looked so good eap in those prince outfits, and so so soft in their snapshoot encore outfits 🥺🤍 what were your favorite performances?

also what were/are your rankings of face the sun i wanna know tell me tell me:3, and OFC " 'bout you " ranks high in my list and is even more dear to me, always puts me in good mood no matter what 🥺 it's cheery, so upbeat, it's like a jar filled with colorful sweet clouds. darling has also become one of my favorite soft songs it's v cute i've lost the count of how many times i have listened to don quixote and shadow jsjdjdkdj total opposite of bout you and i love that so much. the angst and edgy vibe these two have i love love that.

that being said manifesting don quixote and cheers live performance we badly need it ( if you leave me too bc i love crying <3 djjsdjdk )

OMG ALSO im so happy my beloved 2 minus 1 made it on the setlist. vernon and shua should collab often tbh they always bring out bops.

wanted to recommend you some music last time i dropped ask but forgot dhdjkd woodz (album : colorful trauma ) and woosung (album: moth ) also released music in may along w got7 and svt. i wanted to tell you they also made may music wise good for me i feel like you'll like a song or two from these

also how have you been? <3 what has been your mind? <3 what music have you been listening to? <3 missed you very much 🥺 sending you best vibes as always and happy birthday month to you :3 hope july is very very kind and lovely to you. sending/receiving replies to you really be charging me with serotonin for days fr <3 thank you for listening to me 🥺🤍

also have i told you how i love it whenever i open your ask box and see " ask woozi a question " hsjdjdkdkd

MA CHERIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE <3

i think it's good!!! not yet obsessed w her but she might be a grower <3 i love the choreo sm though 👁 AND IM SO SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT!!

AND I DID WATCH THE CON ON BOTH DAYS <333333333 was so pumped tbh, they really were about Performances this time and i LOOVE THAT sm <3 ok but you're SOOOOOOOOO valid JFDHSJFDSH could he please put the double ds away 😭😭 also isn't shadow the choreo they rushed 👁 (idk if im rmb things correctly) it's even MORE amazing how they pulled that off tbh and for that to become ur fave <3 incredible!! i really loved the rearrangements for BeTS sm i thoroughly enjoyed all the performances but i'd say wave tbh <33 its FRESH!! also omg r u going to see them irl as well?

ALSO SAUR TRUEEEEEEE <3 darling has grown on me a LOT tbh <3 also love how u appreciated songs from opposite ends of the spectrum 😋 my ranking changes a lot but rn its hot > ash > don quixote = march = darling = shadow = domino = bout you > if you leave me

also they did perform don quixote (or is my memory lying to me fjsdhfsd im pretty sure they did though bc i rmb it from soundcheck) <3 AND NOT WANTING TO CRY PLEASE FDJHDSFDS

AND I KNOW?????????????????????????? god rocket line really is a blessing to humanity i'm so glad they were included in the set list

ALSO OH MY GOD ILY EVEN MORE I DIDNT KNOW U LISTENED TO WOODZ AND WOOSUNG TOO????????????????????? IM KICKING RN???????????????? ur taste oh MY GOD. i'm so so glad i met u tbh <3 and ure right may really brought us some BANGERS

i've been on summer break for a month now so it's been v fun for me, i finally got lots of sleep + got to do things i kept putting off bc of uni <3 so that's great!! honestly i'm just a svtpoppie 😭😭😭 but lately i've been more obsessed w sunmi than usual i really love her latest release <3 u should listen to it if u have the time!!

thank u for always being so kind ily vm </3 happy birthday month to US!! thank u for always hanging out w me <3 MWAH

PLS DSJKFSDHF THAT IS SO CUTE OF U 😭😭😭 wish i could also ask jihoon a question fr lmao ANYWAY!! hope u get to eat good food and spend the day as u want <3 hope today brings u much joy i love UUUUUUUU!!

[ifearmetoo]

Future fic to look for:

The shape/xreader/the pig

It's back to the fire after the match. You aren't excited to face your teammates this round, shoulders launching forward to make yourself smaller and thus impose on the group's attention. No doubt there will be some half bitten off sentences and acidic comments about you.

You deserve such.

Unlike Meg, your speed isn't the refined muscle of months of labor but reliant on the candle wick of fear that burns hot and fast when a match begins. You've always been an easy scare. Saying this. You are known to be not so quick to help your teammates. It's pure cowardice that you freely admit you're at fault for. Offering your position up for others to escape is admirable in a moral world. However the entity's realm isn't that.

One of the Legion bagged you this match. However, before that you'd kept quiet while Kate screamed in familiar agony. You had all the chances to help her.

A grudge is there, a physical wall to you making friends. They teeter on feeling pity for your obvious inadequacy and vitriol.

Nea asks you a question. " What do you think about the new guy? Terrifying right?" Nea bless her heart, tries to bring you into the fold. 

The man, if you could call him that, is a unit of solid muscle and steel. "He's big." You say. Best to keep it short. 

She snorts and lays her chin down.

This is the fullest the circle has ever been. Laurie, poor thing, is spaced off looking tired as usual. She's one of the only people kind to you. That's on part because your selfishness has limits when it comes to the younger group members.

They really are just kids. It burns the back of your throat that they are here, the entity is a merciless God. When it comes to the teens, whatever distraction they need to get away from a killer you provide.

She absently gives you a smile.

You open your arms and she timidly sinks into them taking the comfort you offer silently.

Feeling the eyes of other survivors on you, the woods look more tempting by the second. You haven't dared explore them yet but now's as good a chance as any. 

"I'll be back."

A chorus of acknowledgements and you march off.

Stepping in the branches reach for you. The crackle of the fire grows distant. The woods are overall silent. Eerie but what here isn't so? 

Snapp walks these woods and so does Ash. Usually joking and wishing for a beer.

You miss home. Wherever home is. Memories are foggy. Some part if you isn't sure that you had a life outside. 

Whenever they talk about the outside world they do so with yearning, recalling putting up feet on the dashboard of a cherry red car, drinking smoothies, studying, sneaking into a movie theater, skateboarding down a hill with the sun on their back and breeze cradling their smiles.

You don't have that.

So alone. No one to hold.

People at camp fuck. A common secret that everyone keeps low. They savor the serotonin a quick orgasm gives them and chase the feeling of being in a better place, less blood, more sunshine. A grown woman like you should be taking these escapades too.

You haven't had the chance nor the urge to seek a partner of your own.

A familiar pant of breath grazes your ear. Myers. You turn to the camp and make a mad dash for safety. Crying out for Ash or-

Your throat is seized by an ironclad grip. Knocking your temple hard against a thick trunk of wood. Skin scraped off as easily as butter.

Already you're sobbing and tossing your head about, the pain. You're not ready for the pain.

The sticky blood trickles down to his hand in what you imagine is a common feeling. You pant.

"Please don't…" but he sticks his knife to your side with little fanfare. The answering scream is brutal, belts your throat. No matter how many times it happens the stab comes with all the same shock and pain as the very first one. A hot slide as it glides deep into meat, grazing bone, you can barely muster the strength to beg over the pain.

But it's a chore to him. No burst of interest or pleasure when he thrusts it in deeper.

You cradle the back of his shoulder. Fist grabbing the jumpsuit. Futile.

You go limp, without will or fight. The pain doesn't cease

Your shirt is a caked rag. Your skirt is a hiked belt over your stomach. Covering nothing. You would have noticed except the piercing hurt overcomes all other sensation.

He doesn't miss this.

It's an alianting feeling that sticks out like an awful squishy bruise against emotions such as anger, annoyance, disdain

It's calling his name, tugging at his pinky. This way. Come here. The voices are murmuring, hissing in response, grudging recognition.

What is this sudden shift?

He twists.

Blood bubbles out.

A female voice. Cold. Unaffected, branches through. "What are you doing?"

But like fog his form turns insolid. Gone.

You lie there with the pain as a bedfellow, shake it off your still in danger your mind screams. You manage a jolt upwards. 

Looking for the voice among the branches proves futile as does cupping waterver blood seeps out the wound. A figure is formed in the fog, shockingly crimson.

"We can't kill you outside the match." The Pig. Her voice barely registers in the aftermath. Coppery stream slides down your throat in a warm spill, the only thing warm in your body.

"Thank you." It's strange to say that to someone that has killed you before. You smooth down your skirt over chilled thighs and thumb the edges.

 The pig mask is a gruesome sight but strangely less so than the man you were faced with earlier.

She lunges close. Snarling. "But we can hurt you as much as we want."

You stumble blind into the light of the campfire. A sound, soft chuckling follows.

Exclamations of concern meet you. Ash guides you down onto a mat to look over the damage.

Your mind replays the chuckle and feel of light brown hair when entering sleep. Your dreams, usually blank and too exhausted to come up with a scene,  now have a personal mind real with a front row seat.

The two killers you met in the woods are there. Not hinting you, but watching, always watching 

Lucky you.

[phantom-curve]

“Apricity” for Juke in whatever universe you would like to put them?

I loved this prompt, thank you so much for sending it! set in the did I shatter you? universe, between the end of that fic and the sequel that follows, here's a very quiet and fluffy morning with Juke ft. a small scene that foreshadows the sequel.

apricity - the warmth of the sun in the winter (Rated T for some slightly suggestive moments towards the end)

also available on ao3!

Julie in the early morning was a sight Luke would never grow tired of. Relaxed and softened by sleep, curled into the cocoon of his arms or draped across his chest, hair wild and untamed around her face, Luke could watch her for hours and still it would never be enough time to truly appreciate all of the things that he loved about her. If their year apart had taught him anything, it was that Luke had never valued those little moments with her enough before.

He had been so caught up in his anger and hatred towards Bobby, so settled and comfortable in his relationship with Julie, that he had missed all of the things that actually made that relationship so special. He hadn’t thought twice about the nights he spent sleeping away from her, the mornings he woke up alone instead of at her side. When he would lash out at her, he never saw beyond the single moment of pain. Never saw the way he was cutting her deeper and deeper, so used to his own wounds that he thought she would be, too. He had been selfish and wrong, and he had excused it all by telling himself that they had time. They had forever together, what was a few bad years in the grand scheme of things? He had thought that spending a lifetime with her would mean he could catch up on those moments later. After the Bobby thing wasn’t so painful, after their band made it big enough, after he had reached a point where his skin didn’t itch with the need to fight everything standing in his path to greatness. He had wasted so much time thinking he had an eternity to gain it back, and it wasn’t until she had left that he realized time lost could never be regained again.

Luke had learned his lesson. He wasn’t wasting any more time when it came to Julie. The second she had been willing to give him a second chance, he had gone all in on righting his previous wrongs. It had taken time and hard work and weekly meetings with a therapist that he still talked to on occasion, but he had finally put the past to rest. It was liberating in a way he hadn’t expected, like a weight that had been crushing him for so long he had forgotten it was there was suddenly lifted, allowing him the space to breathe again. Allowing him the space to love again.

Julie had forgiven him, had added The Phantoms back to her name right where they belonged, and slowly, as she watched him grow and change for the better, she had let him back into her heart as well. It was a homecoming he hadn’t ever thought he’d be given, made all the better because this time his home was filled with sunshine and open spaces instead of dark rooms crowded by memories that only aimed to hurt. This time, he knew exactly what he had to lose, knew exactly how much power he had to destroy this fragile new beginning, and he was determined not to screw it up again. He was a new man, forged from the fires of his past to become stronger and better and deserving of the life he had worked so hard to achieve. He wasn’t going to miss out on any more little moments with Julie.

Which was what had led him to adjusting his internal clock to make sure he always woke up before her and had at least a few uninterrupted moments to watch her sleep and remember just how lucky he was that he got to have her in his life again.

This morning was no different than the others. The sun had risen an hour or so ago, pale golden light spilling in through the cracks in their curtains. Julie was curled into his side, legs tangled together, head resting on his chest, breath sending warm whispers of air across his skin in a rhythmic pattern that his heart had slowed to match. Luke had curled one arm around her back so he could hold her close, fingers tracing patterns along the thin strip of exposed skin between her tank top and pj shorts, both articles of clothing that had once belonged to him only to be stolen and repurposed by Julie. He didn’t mind. She looked better in his clothes than he did anyway.

He heard their bedroom furnace click to life in the corner. New York in the winter was much colder than LA, but Luke had grown to love the city during its chillier months over the years. There was a kind of magic that existed there that LA just couldn’t touch with its constant sunshine and balmy temperatures. Winter in LA was a pale imitation of what winter should truly be.

True winter was being bundled up in layers of wool clothing, wandering the city with snow falling overhead and gloved hands clasped together, sharing pockets of warmth with each other on the subway and in coffee shops that looked more like bookstores or bars. True winter was their cozy Cornelia Street brownstone with a fireplace that they actually lit fires in, a basket of quilts passed down from Julie’s abuela tucked in the corner, and their favorite mugs stashed right next to the tea and hot chocolate mix, so that when they came home frozen to the bone, they didn’t have to think twice about how they would warm themselves back up. True winter was New York City and all of the memories, good and bad, that they had created there with each other.

Luke inhaled deeply, the air in their room warm and comfortable despite what he was sure were frigid temperatures outside. His lungs filled with the smell of vanilla and peaches and Julie, the most soothing scent he could imagine. She sighed against him as her head rose and fell along with his chest, her fingers stretching across his body until they came to rest above his heart. He felt the muscle skip and stutter underneath her touch. All these years later, and he still reacted to her just like a lovesick teenager. Julie slept on, undisturbed by the way his heart was racing. Luke couldn’t stop the fond smile that stole across his lips as placed one of his hands over hers.

He thought about the small box he had in the drawer of his nightstand, tucked underneath an old journal that was long past overflowing with songs and snippets of things he wanted to say when he finally presented the ring in that box to Julie. Alex and Reggie had been on his case for weeks now, trying to talk him into popping the question from the very minute Ray had gifted him the heirloom. It wasn’t the right time yet though. The boys didn’t get it, but much like there had been a tugging in his soul when he made that fateful trip to Coney Island over a year ago, Luke knew that there would be a sign when it was time. He had to be patient, had to set things in motion the right way.

Julie murmured something in her sleep and tucked her face deeper into his skin. Luke moved his hand up from her waist to card softly through her curls. He knew exactly how to avoid pulling or getting his fingers caught, just gentle strokes against her scalp until she settled deeper into slumber. A particularly bright beam of winter sun burst through the edge of the curtain, illuminating Julie with a kind of otherworldly glow. Like an angel come down from the heavens above just to bless him with her love. The sight sent a sucker punch to his gut, breath stolen away by the depth of his love for her. He was moving his hand away from hers and reaching for the bedside drawer handle before he even thought twice about it as he dug out the box and his journal without jostling Julie. He turned his head ever so slightly so that he could make sure he didn’t knock anything over as he quietly skimmed through the pages of his notebook until he found the one he was looking for.

Reggie had made the joke in passing, some silly throwaway line when a Bruno Mars song had come on the radio one day. Luke had made a big show of jotting it down in his Julie journal even though he didn’t plan on using it. But now that damn lyric was spinning on repeat in his head as he looked at Julie in his arms, the exact place he wanted to keep her forever and always. Hey, baby, I think I wanna marry you. He didn’t let himself think twice, riding the gut feeling in his soul that told him at the very least he could keep the photo for himself, just for the memories and the reminder of this moment that felt monumental for all its quiet simplicity.

She didn’t twitch when he slowly shifted just a bit to the side, his hand slipping from her hair so he could use it to hold up the piece of paper he had easily pulled from the broken binding of the notebook. Her head fell to rest against her pillow, one hand tucked underneath her ear while the other stayed still against his chest. He placed the open box next to it, tried to hold back the ridiculous grin he could feel stretching across his face as he pulled his phone off of the charging pad on the nightstand. When he opened the camera something about the sight of that ring so close to the spot he hoped it would live for the rest of their lives sent a shot of serotonin through his veins. He couldn’t hold back his smile anymore, but he also couldn’t find it in himself to care about how ridiculous he would probably look. It didn’t matter. He would be the world’s biggest fool for Julie any day of the week.

His phone was silent as he snapped just one selfie. He didn’t want to risk Julie waking up, didn’t want to blow his cover before he was fully ready, before they were fully ready. He didn’t even take the time to double check the picture before he was tucking the paper and the small box back into the corner of his drawer. He locked his phone and set it off to the side, turning slightly so he could soak in the sight of the clear winter sun pooling along the dips and curves of Julie’s sleeping form. She stirred slightly, like she could feel his eyes upon her back, groaning softly and stretching, one eye peeking open to meet his gentle gaze. Her lips curved on the edges, a small attempt at a smile even though she hadn’t fully woken up yet. Luke leaned over to kiss the edge of her temple.

“Good morning, sunshine.”

Julie hummed a wordless response, blinking slowly as she adjusted to the brightness of their room. She reached out with seeking fingers and Luke let her pull him close, brushing his nose along the line of her cheek and jaw until his lips met hers. Julie melted against him, and Luke took advantage of the moment to haul her back on top of him. She broke their kiss with a giggle, propping herself up against his sternum with a fist under her chin.

“Hi.”

Her eyes were still softened and cloudy from leftover sleep, the dreamworld and the real-world meeting in the warm depths of her brown irises. Luke felt full to bursting as he took her in. God, he loved her so much. Had never loved anything or anyone more in his entire life. Her curls cast a slight halo around her, his very own goddess of light and love.

“I love you,” he whispered into the small space between them.

“I love you, too.”

Her words were like a caress as they worked their way into his heart and soul, stitched into the lining of his very being. Julie pushed herself up slightly, until they were eye level, her mouth sweet and soft as she leaned down to press her lips against his once more. Their room illuminated fully as the sun finally made its way over the tallest buildings outside, the light clean and pure in a way only the winter sun could be. Warmth filled every line of his body, a fire lit by Julie that he would never seek to tame or extinguish.

Something in his soul tugged hard, an invisible thread pulling taught between his hidden treasure in the nightstand and his pounding heart where it was pressed against the soft cotton of his shirt covering Julie’s chest. Soon, he promised himself, soon it would be the right time to ask for an eternity together. Forever and always, just like they had vowed to each other from the beginning.

[stoatwashere]

i love you

lowercase intended. tw - heartbreak

this is a falling in love for ur bestfriend trope, hope u enjoy!

she watched as he laughed happily with her from afar..

his smile, his laugh, being her daily dose of serotonin.  his voice was music to her ears. his entire being just a whole blessing all around.

she was in love. and oh how evident it was. anyone could see it, the hearts in her eyes every time he as little as passes her gaze. how she was drowned entirely in the idea of him.

she swore to herself that no matter what she would never fall for him.  and yet here she is. she had fallen. and as much as she wanted to deny it, she fell deep.

love.

what supposedly keeps us going throughout the day.

but in her days, it is exactly what shreds her soul into pieces.

she questions each day why she let herself fall so deeply in love for him. the answers are far from found. part of her would like to keep it that way. for that part of her would most likely give absolutely anything in the world to believe that she let herself fall that deeply because she was truly meant for him, as he was meant for her.

what once was the source of her happiness; the origin of her own laughs, was now her source of misery, the reason of why she suffers so much.

his laugh, his wide, broad smile. she watched from afar as he seemed absolutely absorbed in his euphoric state. the girl across him laughing equally as wide. the sparks clearly flying in between them.

oh how she envied her. how lucky she thought that wretchedly-beautiful girl who was sat across him. her irritatingly-gorgeous smile, such a sight for sore eyes. her unbearably breathtaking figure. everything about her screams perfect. every inch, of every edge, of every corner, of every curve, of every shadow, of every highlight. out of any guy, why did she have to pick him.

she didn't think that girl deserved him, for that horrid 'girl' barely knew him at all.

she, on the other hand, knew every single thing about him. every secret he kept, every habit that even he himself didn't know he had.

every small things he did like fidgeting his fingers whenever he was nervous, every detail on his perfect face such as how his brows curved when he's frustrated. how his lips curl when he smiles at the most dumbest things, how he laughs and how he scoffs. others would mistake them as the same thing, she knew better.

she knew how his hair fell, how the sun hits his soft, curly locks, that make them emit such a beautiful chocolatey-brown light. she swears he glows beneath the sun's rays. his golden, soft skin. each freckle in it's own place, making it look like it was dusted lightly above his face and how it lightly settled in each place. making him look- in her eyes- the most perfect anyone could ever look.

she knew each curve and line on his perfect features.

some days while he's sat within her line of sight, she would stare like a hawk on its prey, wondering how someone could look so unearthly, so god-like; so perfect.

what that 'girl' knew was absolutely nothing compared to what she knows.

yet for some mindless reason he chose her.

in front of her eyes she watched as the love of her life sat, happily conversing with her. as she sat there; trying so hard not to let her tears spill, yet failing miserably. the book in her hands, what a minute ago was what she pretended to be reading was now long forgotten. for her eyes danced upon the sight of the two.

sobs threatened to slip out of her lips, why her? why not herself?

what oh so amazing feature did that goddess-like girl posses that she did not?

to be in love. deeper than the ocean, deeper than all the possible depths known to mankind had its price. and right now she was paying for it. she felt as if her heart was being ripped out of her chest. her once internal pain, that no one could sense was now physical.

it hurt so unbearably much to watch him slowly fall for her, as she sat there broken. letting him go. she felt like she couldn't breathe. like she was buried under mountains of sand. every breath she took in pierced every  inch of her skin. every breath let out, trembling like a single, dried leaf in the cold, winter breeze.

the spark between the lovely pair only grew more and more as giggles and laughter were shared. he leant in to be met half way as she closed the gap between them. butterflies erupting in their stomachs. they swore that no other kiss would ever be as blissful, nor as perfect as the one they were currently sharing. their surroundings were far forgotten. in their world. the only thing existing were only him, her, and them.

the spark in her was slowly dying. you could hear her heart cracking into pieces from miles away. her sobs now slipped far past her lips. each breath hurt- hell she could barely even breathe. her tears now flowing like waterfalls. her entire body was trembling. she watched as the couple were immersed in such a world of their own. she could barely watch without hurting, feeling the pang in her heart. but yet she could as equally as barely rip her eyes of them, wishing so badly that she could be her. in her place. with him. as in love with him as she already is. to have him equally in love as she was. but as badly as she wanted that to happen, deep down she knew, and how badly she wished she didn't, that he would never feel for her how she feels for him.