#appie is a writer!

[sofia-not-sophie]

Chapters: 2/22 Fandom: Batman - All Media Types, Superman - All Media Types, DCU Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne Characters: Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Lois Lane Additional Tags: Established Relationship, (like a week before the start of the fic read the a/n), Party Games, sorta - Freeform, best tag for it i could find, Identity Reveal, Secret Identity, Divorced Clark Kent, Implied Sexual Content Summary:

“Superman shouldn’t date a civilian.” Batman said, “And mini golfing?”

“It’s fun. And besides it wouldn’t be Superman. It’d be—”

“You have a civilian identity?” Batman looked genuinely surprised.

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t realize. I thought you lived at the fortress full time, or do you just have a go-to human disguise for getting takeout?”

A newly established Superbat realizes that they need to share identities to keep the relationship going. They decided to play a prolonged game of 20 questions about it.

[appiesdumpingground]

An Interview With New ZCC President

https://open.substack.com/pub/appiezya/p/an-interview-with-new-zcc-president?r=1ln7a9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Here is the latest update to my substack piece! The actual plot begins to take shape in this one...

[theprinceandthewitch]

No, no I don't think I will "get over" this shows poorly veiled misogyny lol.

[sofia-not-sophie]

The Winter Solstice

A/N: For @sierice [written by @sofia-not-sophie] and the prompt “Apollo’s relationship with the olympians.” I’m not sure how well this fills the prompt, but I’ve been sick and I haven’t written for a while so I’m glad to be back at it. I do think it’s an interesting slice of life type snippet with the Olympians though. Word count: 1057 Summary: A lot has changed since the last Winter Solstice council meeting Apollo attended. Most of that change being him.

“But he looks so cute like that.” Aphrodite whispered across the room, as if she had forgotten that Apollo could hear her.

“Well it’s unprofessional.” Dionysus huffed, “His punishment’s over. He should go back to looking normal, it’s only respectful to those of us still being punished.”

“Don’t you choose to look like that?” She asked.

Apollo rolled his eyes and went back to tuning his lyre. He was mortal sized and looked like Lester, which let him have the space to tuck his legs up and lounge on his throne. Lester’s skin had become more comfortable for him, at least when he was at either camp or was alone since become in a god again.

He was only wearing it in the throne room that day becasue whatever seasonal affective disorder sun gods get was at its worst. Luckily the part of him driving the sun could go curl up in bed after his shortest shift of the year listening to the new music his kids got him hooked onto the week before.

The rest of him was stuck at the meeting.

Keep reading

[warlordfelwinter]

having a morning

[appyplanetservices]

Why You Should Always Choose a Best Authorized Service Center

In today's digital age, smartphones have become an essential part of our lives. We use them for communication, entertainment, work, and so much more. With so much use, it's inevitable that our devices will need repairs or maintenance. When it comes to repairing your smartphone, it may be tempting to opt for the cheapest or most convenient option, but this can ultimately end up costing you more in the long run. Choosing an authorized service center like Appy Planet Services is always the best choice for your smartphone repair needs. Here are some reasons why you should always choose an authorized service center like Appy Planet Services:

·        Expertise and Experience

Authorized service centers like Appy Planet Services are certified by the smartphone manufacturer to provide repairs and maintenance. This means that their technicians are highly trained and have years of experience in dealing with smartphone repairs. They have the necessary skills and knowledge to diagnose and fix any issues with your device quickly and efficiently.

·        Genuine Parts

One of the biggest risks of using a non-authorized service center is that they may use cheap, counterfeit, or low-quality parts to repair your device. These parts may not be compatible with your device, which can cause further damage or even void your warranty. Authorized service centers like Appy Planet Services only use genuine parts provided by the manufacturer. This ensures that your device will be repaired using high-quality parts that are compatible with your device.

·        Warranty Protection

If your device is still under warranty, choosing an authorized service center like Appy Planet Services is essential. Non-authorized service centers can void your warranty, which means you'll be on the hook for any repairs or replacements needed in the future. Authorized service centers like Appy Planet Services will honor your warranty and provide repairs or replacements, if necessary, at no additional cost to you.

·        Customer Service

Authorized service centers like Appy Planet Services pride themselves on providing excellent customer service. They understand that your smartphone is an essential part of your life, and they will do everything they can to get it back up and running as quickly as possible. They will also provide you with updates on the status of your repair and answer any questions you may have.

·        Peace of Mind

By choosing an authorized service center like Appy Planet Services, you can have peace of mind that your device is in good hands. You won't have to worry about further damage or voided warranties. You can rest assured that your device will be repaired using genuine parts and by highly trained technicians.

In conclusion, choosing an authorized service center like Appy Planet Services is always the best choice for your smartphone repair needs. With their expertise, genuine parts, warranty protection, excellent customer service, and peace of mind, it's clear that Appy Planet Services is the best choice for your smartphone repair needs. Don't take risks with your device, trust the experts at Appy Planet Services.

[blingblong55]

Daily things-141

Reader walking out of the restroom after 10 minutes

Soap: r/n, are you okay? Did you throw up in there?

R/n: no, I'm just pooping, you know how I be.

*walks away*

---------

Ghost invited reader to have tea one time. Safe to say, he won't be inviting them anymore.

Ghost, sips tea reader made for him: what kind of tea is it?

R/n, with confidence: oh I boiled some gatorade

---------

-at a meeting-

Price has made the tea, write down ideas for their next mission. He walks to reader, who has no idea he read what they wrote. Price: what is a two way petting zoo?

R/n, ashamed: you pet the animals, they pet you back

Soap: i'd go

Price: soap!

------------

Ghost just asking questions reader and the others have to fill in.

Ghost to Gaz: any allergies?

Gaz: no.

Ghost to soap: any medications you are taking?

Soap: nope.

Ghost to r/n: any weaknesses

R/n: I don't have any, you asshole

-------

French! Reader

Reader has a heavy French accent, the team can barely comprehend what they say.

R/n: the key to life..is a penis in your asshole

Gaz: i dont think you're saying what you mean to say...?

R/n: no..no..oui, oui..eh..a penis...eh..to smile to be appy (happy).

Price: oh! happiness!

R/n, nodding and continuing on: in your asshole..

Soap: ehm...thats..

R/n: in your asshole...eh..where you live..your apartment, your domicile

Ghost: household?....The key to life is in your household!

R/n: oui!

--------

Soap, Gaz and Reader are all chasing a raccoon. Not because it is for its own safety, but because this is their way of playing around.

Ghost to the camera: Sometimes I feel like everyone I work with is an idiot...

Ghost: and by sometimes I mean all the time.

-----

A/n: I'm still working on my writers block, but just know she will eventually die down and I'll be back to writing your requests.

[wrongemboyo]

The part in that scandalous marie calloway story where they walk into american apparel and the writer guy says "am appy" reminds me of malkmus I think that's something he would say. Ok thanks for reading and goodnight

[can-ya-guess-my-curent-obsession]

W- WAX: /They let their S/O wax them, what's their reaction?/

WRITERS NOTES: I'm bored as shit and want to write more but I ain't got to much motivation left, so this should satisfy my boredom and my rid myself of my little remaining motivation. This is nothing long. Sorry no murdoc, I'll d him another time, my motivation ran out before I could do him, I will do him eventually though.

Entire crack alphabet

All art on this post is mine

Edited: Nooo, mid is not currently active

Tw: Curssing, Hot wax, Pain, Panic attack

Characters:

/Gorillaz/

Noodle

-Noodle's waxed before, and still does every once in a while

-So getting waxed is nothing new, and neither is the pain of getting waxed

-Noodle infact herself has one of those machines for melting wax, which her and her S/O can use for this situation

-She was a bit confused when her S/O asked to wax her, but agreed none the less

-But she did it on the one condition that she got to wax her S/O in return

-She didn't have much of a reaction when her S/O applied the wax or when they riped it off, she just kinda sat there

-But when it came time for S/O turn to be waxed- Noodle turns to them with a wicked smile

Russel

-Russel felt something was off when his S/O walked up to him

-Then they asked- and he was hit by a memory

-Noodle had asked all the guys when she was a teen to wax them, and Russel was the only one who didn't give in and let Noodle wax him

-His face scrunches up remembering how pained 2D sounded when Noodle riped the wax off his leg

-Russel said no, but S/O would not give up that easily

-And for the next 2 weeks S/O would not shut up about waxing him

-After that he finally gives in, and after an hour of preparation he Russel was ready to be waxed

-Russel shifted in the spot he was sitting in and his face distortion in discomfort when S/O applied the wax but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle

-But when it came time to rip the wax off is when he felt it

-He grunted a loud "FUCK", when S/O riped the wax off

-If his S/O started laughing at him he would scowl at them

-He was not happy about what juat happend, and would be grumpy the rest of the day

2D

-Like I previously mentioned in the past 2D let Noodle wax him in the past

-And it didn't go over well for him

-So when his S/O asks him he starts profusely sweating

-2D manages to say no and scurries off before his S/O can say anything else

-2D would very easily give in if his S/O tracked him down after he ran away and just begged a little bit, and give him puppy dog eyes- and he's melting like that wax

-But on a more serious note 2D has very sensitive skin so his S/O has to be incredibly careful when applying and removing wax because if the pain is to overwhelming for 2D it could cause him to slip into a panic attack

-So get 2D some blankets/ pillows, a cold pack, grab some snacks for him, and hold his hand the entire time

-And make sure the wax isn't too hot

-When you appy the wax he squirms, but eventually stays still, with a look oh his face that say 'I just saw a man died', and he doesn't make much sound- just little wimpers

-While he squeezed his S/O hand pretty hard when they applied the wax- 2D may as well cut off circulation in his S/O's had when removed it

-He squealed, and jumped up from where was sitting before his S/O could even remove all of the wax

-S/O had to hold 2D close when removing the rest of the wax

-If S/O felt bad and offered to let him wax them- he would decline the offer because he doesn't want his S/O to go through the pain he just want through

[true-blue-sonic]

My dear friend from Discord sent me some questions for Silver and Gold, so here we go:

Silver:

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

How utterly, fully and completely determined he is to help others. Silver has a heart of gold and he can't let people in need go by unhelped, it seems. That's the only explanation I can give for why he's collecting apples and doing plane races for ghosts in '06, haha! Not to mention how he's eventually okay with helping Amy out to find Sonic, despite the fact he believes the whole future is hinging on him killing the Iblis Trigger instead. I believe that is the reason Silver keeps going back to the past to prevent devastation from befalling the future: he can't just sit still and let injustices pass otherwise.

3. What's something you have in common with this character?

I like being helpful, but also I am opinionated as hell and quite a hothead at times!

4. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

Left-handed Silver still lives in my mind rent-free, but I have actively proven that is not canon, haha. Hmm, I love the idea that Silver eventually stays in the past longer and longer, building up a full life there as well. It's where his friends live, after all! I also like the idea that he becomes a history teacher in the past when he's an adult; I wrote a couple of posts about that once too.

6. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

I love making Silver say "Hey, Espio?" in my fics. He does so in Rivals 2, after all! One thing I don't like is that I feel like I've been baby-fying him too much in my older fics, especially in mannerisms. That makes it more difficult for me to read those...

7. Favorite picture of this character?

I really like this sprite from Colours DS! I think he looks very cute with the slightly more tan muzzle; it goes very nicely with his fur, in my opinion.

I also really like how he looks in SEGA Heroes, in part because he was so OP in that game. Look at how serious he is!

This one too, he looks so happy with his appie!! And for the second one the text apparently describes him as having a mischievous side, which I adore as well.

Gold:

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

In the concept art, Gold is 20 centimeters taller than Silver, and yes. Let her be tol!!

3. What's something you have in common with this character?

I get stressed out in mere seconds also, and then I panic quite quickly, rip.

4. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

She was the youngest in an altogether huge family, but the only one with powers, which put quite a divide between her and her older siblings with her parents struggling to help her. Also, she's the one responsible for unleashing the Second Devourer into her world: she opened a Genesis Portal by sheer accident when she was five years old, and promptly the beast escaped and began to wreak havoc. The portal that brought her to Onyx City was thus opened by her as well, in a moment of blind panic. But Gold herself has completely suppressed these memories, due to the guilt eating at her.

6. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

It's been ages since I wrote full fics for her, oh dear... I like the idea that she's infatuated with romance, though! And I guess what I don't like is that I don't have steam for Genesis anymore XD

7. Favorite picture of this character?

This reference sheet is really cute and nicely shows off various expressions she has!

[sofia-not-sophie]

Chapters: 3/22 Fandom: Batman - All Media Types, Superman - All Media Types, DCU Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne Characters: Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Lois Lane, Jonathan Samuel Kent Additional Tags: Established Relationship, (like a week before the start of the fic read the a/n), Party Games, sorta - Freeform, best tag for it i could find, Identity Reveal, Secret Identity, Divorced Clark Kent, Implied Sexual Content Summary:

“Superman shouldn’t date a civilian.” Batman said, “And mini golfing?”

“It’s fun. And besides it wouldn’t be Superman. It’d be—”

“You have a civilian identity?” Batman looked genuinely surprised.

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t realize. I thought you lived at the fortress full time, or do you just have a go-to human disguise for getting takeout?”

 A newly established Superbat realizes that they need to share identities to keep the relationship going. They decided to play a prolonged game of 20 questions about it.

[yorshie]

Hey everyone!

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR!

I wanted to let you guys in on some things that I’m working on right now.

I’m getting through requests so I can open them back up, but I wanted to let everyone know that my askbox is still open for talking and for raccoon rambles. I guess it’s kinda like head canons but I totally don’t see them as requests and I’m down to talk turtles at any time, so feel free to come say hi!

I’m thinking about starting a naughty blurb/short story collection for Valentine’s Day. I got the idea from Tychou but I still haven’t decided how it’s gonna work, but I’m leaning towards letting you guys send in pairings over here, but the writing itself will be kept on AO3. Still thinking on that one.

You guys can still send me in sketch prompts! Nothing too detailed please but if there’s something you’d like to see me draw more of feel free.

The stories coming out next are most likely : Ch 6 of SMR, then Pick up the Pace, then Donnie’s not possessive.

Also, big thing at the end here, I’m opening up post submissions soon. I’ve never gotten one before so I don’t know how they work, but I started thinking about this the last time someone sent me writing in the ask box- now, there’s still tagging in posts, I know that, but I was thinking about when I first started writing for TMNT, how a bigger blog reposted Appy Slices and that was how I started reaching ppl. I want to encourage others to write, and I want ppl to stop seeing a gate in front of writing. No one gave us permission to write, we just had a little bit of audacity and a story to tell, and that’s all you need to write for a fandom. You don’t need anyone’s permission. You don’t need to be “good enough”. There’s no magical step stool where you get over the hedge and suddenly you’re a fic writer. We just wrote :)

Hm I rambled there a bit. But yea, post submissions. I’ll set up some rules and pin them nice and big in my master post, but I’d really like there to be a way for people just starting out or just getting into the fandom to get their stories out in front of other ppl. And as long as these rules are met, you could hypothetically submit your post or tag me in your work to read.

Hm. Think that’s everything. Thank you all once lord for being a part of the trash pile (address: tortuga brothers garbage truck) look! We got a mailbox! :D

[ja3hwa]

Hiiii ♥

I've been thinking about joining a network here for a while but I never dared joining the ones with hundreds of writers/joiners so this one is the first I come across from the start and I'm thinking about it but I have questions first if that's okay with you?

First and foremost I wanted to know what would the admin/queue mod role actually be. I've been dying to get more involved into the writing community on Tumblr but I need to know what it implies before I apply (this is me being a scorpio who needs her job to be done right and to not disappoint people, sorry! haha). I'm lucky to have a job that leaves me with a lot of free time to invest in my hobbies and writing being my #1 , I'm thinking maybe I could be useful somehow (f*ck I really sound like I'm appying for a job here).

Otherwise, I may just join as a writer ♥

Thank you for your tiiiime, sorry for being such a bore with all these questions!

Have a lovely day ♥

Oh my oh my!! This is making me so excited about the network, hehe!! With your question, might i suggest dming my darling, @yourfatherlucifer for that information as he is the admin and creator.

But if wether you join as another admin/member or writer we would love to have you hehe 🩷🩷

[saintedcooper]

Francis (Frank Castle x Reader AU)

New York, 1949. You’re a waitress trying to find your place in the world and get your footing at your new job. That is, when you’re not being very distracted by the handsome, mysterious writer who frequents the diner.

Pairing: Frank Castle x Reader

Content: Some language

Length: 2,761 words

Notes: Age is not explicitly stated but reader is grown, she’s in her mid-30s. She’s something of an anomaly at the time, being unmarried.

Additional notes at the end.

------------

Chapter 1: Beginnings

“You like the quiet?”

It’s a foggy New York afternoon and Maurice, the diner owner is busy delivering plates and taking orders. His white shirt is damp and clinging to his thick form as he hurries as fast as his stocky legs will take him.

I hurry to keep up with him as he darts to a table in the corner with an arm full of plates.

I definitely overdressed for the interview. I’m wearing a long burgundy coat dress, white tights, and a pair of pumps borrowed from my new roommate. The air in the joint is thick and sticky. I swear my curls are falling by the minute.

“Can’t remember. I’m the eldest of six kids. I haven’t known quiet since my oldest brother came home from the hospital.”

Maurice finishes putting the plates on the table and throws down extra napkins.

He dramatically bows at the table and pulls at an imaginary bow tie.

“Bone appy-tite,” he says before turning on his heels and rushing back behind the counter.

“Great, kid. I need you on the sad shift.”

Maurice makes his way to the coffee pot and groans, it’s nearly empty. He looks around, seeming to miss something.

I spot an extra coffee pot behind the counter and shrug. I’ve clearly already got the job. I pull my gloves off and brush past the still-searching Maurice.

“Sorry, the what?”

I set about making a fresh pot of mud. Maurice looks impressed.

“The sad shift, you know. Drifters, widowers, divorcees.”

He makes a dismissive gesture, “Weird writers. People that ain’t got nowhere to go even after midnight. You’d work the 8-5. Kitchen closes at 2ish. You’re basically just fillin’ coffee cups for the last part.

“They won’t give you no trouble and the tips are great. Real easy goin’ bunch, it’s just the girl who was on that shift got herself in the family way and well, here we are.”

The coffee’s finished brewing and I take the pot to start refilling cups.

“Sounds good,” I tell Maurice over my shoulder.

“Great! You start tonight. Go home and get some sleep.”

-------------------

It didn’t take long to realize Maurice was right: the late shift is quiet.

I started that night I got the job and got the hang of it pretty quickly. It wasn’t long before I knew everyone who’d come through on a typical night.

Over the past few months, we’ve settled into a nice rhythm.

It’s intimate being with people in the hours between night and day. They open up to me, they tell me about their struggles, and I get to listen.

Tonight, the patrons are spaced out between the bar and corner booths, like normal. Each of them smoking so much that there’s a persistent thick cloud above the joint. I sometimes felt like the only person in the world who won’t touch the stuff, but working here now I’m not sure it matters anyway.

I’m standing behind the counter, hip cocked and head resting in my head, looking out at the city.

The diner’s filled with the usual suspects. All except one.

I spin my watch around to look at the time.

He’s usually not this late.

I know, I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all great, they tip well, and they’re nice.

But there’s this one guy, a writer. I noticed him early on.

Name’s Francis.

He comes in damn near every night and is impossible to miss. He’s gorgeous, well-dressed, and polite. And he always smells like a pine forest after it rains.

He’s nice to look at and good to talk to but we’ve always left it there. He mostly stayed to himself during my first few weeks here.

Then, on my way to work one day, I walked out of the train station and into a freak storm. It started hailing out of nowhere, loud and cold and I was absolutely not dressed for it. I threw my bag over my head and started running the last blocks to the diner.

But my pump caught a big piece of hail just wrong and I rolled my ankle.

Next thing I know, I hear this familiar deep voice behind me say, “You alright, sweetheart?”

I turned to find Francis holding his hand out to me. I took it and winced as I tried to get up to my feet.

It hurt, I leaned to one side as I stood there.

“Ah, think I tweaked it.”

I bent to rub a hand over my ankle and found it slightly swollen.

“You headin’ to work?”

I nodded. “Yeah. But walkin’ there’ll make it worse and so will walkin’ home and—”

Francis hefted me over his shoulder like it was nothing and my whole body heated up. I covered my face with my bag.

“Oh, goodness! Francis, really. I can walk. Slowly, but I can do it.”

"Nah, sweetheart. Can’t have you makin’ it worse. It’s no trouble.”

No trouble for him, maybe, but terrible for my attempts to stave off a full-blown fascination with the guy.

He carried me four blocks to the diner.

I was so mortified I started asking him questions to distract myself from the embarrassment.

I learned that he was a writer. He wrote a lot of pulp but he was working on a novel, had been for three years. He mentioned his wife using her job as a secretary for a construction company to bring him story ideas.

“She was no damn good at it,” he said with a laugh. “She said one day, ‘Vinnie threatened to break a guy’s knees today and it made me wonder if you could write something about how knees can feel fear.’ Just completely missing the point every time.”

I laughed along with him.

“Was? You two break up?”

Francis didn’t respond for nearly a block.

When we reached the diner he said, “’s complicated, sweetheart. Let’s get some ice on that ankle.”

That was months ago and since then we’ve pretty much settled into our routine. I only think about him throwing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes once, maybe twice an hour.

Everything’s normal.

Tonight I managed to get the cook, Tom, to keep the kitchen open a bit longer for Francis but his patience is wearing thin.

There’s steam coming through the serving window as Tom pours boiling water over the utensils, preparing to close the kitchen for the night.

“Sorry, toots,” he says with a grin. “Your boyfriend ain’t comin’ tonight and I’ve got shit to do.”

He shrugs and turns away.

I pick at the varnish on my nails and give a dramatic roll of my eyes. “He ain’t my boyfriend, Tommy, and you know it. He’s just a nice payin’ customer who gives great tips. You know I’ve gotta go see my sister soon ‘fore she pops that kid out.”

Tom's throaty laugh rings through the diner and he appears in front of the serving window again.

“Hey, baby, no disrespect to her but I’d say the 5th time you shove one out we can stop with the fanfare, eh? I mean, sheesh, they startin’ a football team?”

I bite the inside of my cheek and stifle a giggle. She’s across the country but I swear to god, I laugh and she’ll know it.

“Be nice, she’s my sister.”

“Yeah well, you’re the one who got all the sense. That’s all I’m sayin’.”

Tom throws his hands up, an empty, steaming pot dangling from one of them, and goes back to his cleaning.

He’s not wrong. They’ve been turning out babies like lovin’ was going out of style since he got back home from the war. One a year.

It’s what she wants and I’m happy for her. But it smarts a bit sometimes. I helped change her diapers but she beat me to everything a girl’s supposed to do. We couldn’t afford college when it was my turn but I worked my ass off to make sure she got to go to Bryn Mawr.

Then, just a few months after classes start, she goes on a day trip and catches the eye of some square-jawed, bronzed god fresh out of college. The next thing I know she’s banging on my door at 3am covered in rain shouting, “Bunny, you’ll never guess! We’re engaged! Don’t tell mama but Johnny has a lead on a job out west, we’re eloping! Don’t hate me?”

Then she kissed my cheek and dragged her damp ass out the door and into his big, stupid Packard.

They don’t refund tuition when your sister lands a god and drops out after 6 months, by the way.

Mama did always say she’s the worst little girl in all the world and—

The thudding clank of the bell on the door stops the spiral, the sharpness of it reverberating through the quiet space.

We all know who it is but every head turns to look. My breath catches in my throat.

Francis Castiglione steps through the door looking good enough to eat in his suit with a gray hat sitting low, shading his face. He nods to the familiar faces around the diner.

I stand up and smooth down my dress just as he catches my eye. His lips tug up into a little grin and he’s headed my way.

God, my throat feels like wool. I swallow and spin around to grab the coffee pot, a mug, and a saucer.

Francis glides into a seat at the counter.

“How you doin’ tonight, sweetheart?”

I throw a quick smile over my shoulder as I finish pouring his coffee.

“Real good, Francis. And you?”

He groans, low and deep.

The sound shocks a little gasp out of me and I pray he didn’t hear it.

“It’s uh…heh. It’s been a long night, doll.”

I grab a stirring spoon and head to the counter with his coffee. He’s taken off his hat and the harsh light he’s sitting under illuminates a face full of angry-looking scratches.

I forget all about the coffee, gasping and throwing a hand over my mouth. Coffee spills out of the over-filled up and drips down the cup and saucer, some spilling onto the floor.

“Francis! My goodness, what happened?”

Francis reaches out with swift reflexes to grab the tipping coffee from my hands. He places the saucer and mug on the counter and licks his coffee-wet fingers.

For a moment, I forget all about his scratched-up face, eyes focused on the peek of his tongue darting out to lick the coffee now running down his hands.

I’m gawking at him like a schoolgirl and of course, I’m caught. He holds my gaze while he slowly licks up the side of his hand. He smirks at the top.

“Don’t worry bout it, sweetheart. It’s no big deal.”

My cheeks flush and I nod.

“Right, sorry. I just— it’s hard to not be distracted by you.”

I make a flailing gesture with my hands.

“And then the coffee and you — how you got it up and. I lost myself, I apologize, it won’t happen again.”

Francis does his best to hide his laughter behind his hand.

What’s he laughing at?

The deep frown on my face makes him lose it. He throws his head back and howls with laughter.

“Hey! What’s so funny?”

He tilts his head back to me, wiping tears from his eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart. I meant this,” he gestures at his face. “You asked and I’m saying it was nothin’. Not talkin’ about you oglin’ me.”

Oh, good lord. My face heats up like a Looney Tunes character who just guzzled a pot of boiling water.

Francis is a gentleman, though, now doing his best to stifle his laughter and save me the embarrassment.

I hide my face behind one of the bar towels.

“Oh, Francis, I’m so embarrassed.”

He waves a hand at me.

“Ah, don’t be. I’m only teasin’. It’s nice that you were worried about me.”

He takes a sip of what’s left of his coffee, looking at me over the cup.

“’sides, it’s good to know I’m distractin’.”

My face is still warm but I’m trying to calm down. I use the towel to pick up the coffee spilled on the counter and floor.

“Well, I am concerned. What the hell happened to you?”

“Eh, just uh, wrong place, wrong time. But you should see the other guy.” He waggles his eyebrows and it gets a laugh out of me.

“Honestly, who gets into fisticuffs with a writer?”

”Sheesh, you ain’t never read much Hemingway, huh darlin’? We writers are a scrappy bunch.”

He downs the rest of his coffee.

“It’s all the insecurity.”

I walk down to the small sink behind the counter and wash out the towel.

“Well still, I don’t like it. How did it happen?”

Francis waves a hand and shrugs. “Nah, doesn’t matter much. Tell me about you. You still savin’ up to go see Jeannie?”

I scoff.

“Yeah.”

I take the rest of the coffee pot around the diner, topping up the cups as I respond.

“But now I’m wondering why. It’s her fortieth kid for christ’s sake. She could teach a seminar on not keeping your legs closed.”

One of the regulars laughs as I finish my rounds and head back behind the counter.

“It’d be more impressive if she didn’t end up pregnant every year. Meanwhile, I’m here in the greatest city in the world staying in at night and on weekends to go see another one of her fat, sloppy babies? That jerk Johnny makes a fortune and I have to buy my own ticket on a sweaty bus for four days? It’s a goddamn shame!”

I slam the spent pot into the cradle of the machine.

“God! Fuck. her!!!”

I let out a scream. The patrons all politely appear enthralled by the wood grain on their tables.

“Hey, hey,” Francis leans across the counter to turn my shoulders around. He rubs at them in a gentling gesture. “Hey, it’s all good, whatever you want. You ain’t gotta explain nothin’ to no one, least of all any of us.”

I glance around at the nodding heads in the diner.

“You do what makes you happy.”

Francis rubs his hands down my arms, I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

“I don’t want to see her. She makes me feel awful.”

Francis nods, giving me big puppy dog eyes.

“Then don’t. S’your life, kid.”

He pats my shoulder and sits back down in his seat.

I slump over the counter and hide my head.

“I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be.”

“I work here, I’m supposed to be professional and —” my eyes widen…shit.

I pop my head into the serving window and Tom’s nowhere to be found. The counters and cooktops in the kitchen are pristine. He’s gone.

“Francis! I’m so sorry, I tried to have him wait for you but he said he had plans, and let's be honest, as long as he’s payin’ the plans would still be there even if he’s a few minutes late, and—”

“Sweetheart, sweetheart,” Francis calls for me to come back to the counter. “S’alright. Promise. Missin’ supper once is not gonna kill me. Might do wonders for this book I’m writin’, though. Really get me into the head of a starving artist, ya know? Maybe more people’ll buy it if I can make myself extra miserable in the process.”

“Oh, don’t say that.”

“I’m teasin’, darlin’. Don’t be so serious.”

I flush. There ought to be a law about how many times you can call a girl sweetheart or darling before she starts to get ideas.

He makes me feel like a girl again.

Francis fixes me with a stare. Neither of us breaks it as the seconds stretch on. He licks his lips and leans into me.

“C’mere, I wanna tell you somethin’.”

“What?”

He gestures for me. “Just c’mere.”

I lean in closer, the warmth of his breath rustling the delicate hairs of my ear.

He gets closer still and whispers, “I don’t come here for the food.”

I’m frozen and flushed while he grins his face off. He shakes his head and reaffixes his hat, pulling the brim down low again. He pats the counter and I realize he’s moving slower than normal as he heads to the door, favoring one side.

He gives me a final look across his shoulder.

“Night, sweetheart.”

The bell rings loudly through the space and then, quiet.

-----

Part 2

Let me know how you feel about this duo in the replies! Reblogs + asks welcome, too. How do you think reader will handle Frank's little declaration? Do you think she'll press him further on how he got injured?

I'd also love feedback about readability! Is it clear and easy to follow being in first person present?

If you're experienced as a beta or editor, feel free to drop me a line if you'd be interested in helping me edit future chapters.

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[senbons]

heyyyyyy i wanted to ask how betaing for you works because you have so many people you use over and over but then sometimes you change it up?

Beta-ing for me is a nightmare situation where I beg you to carefully read thirty pages of introspection and then i cry until you're nice to me about it

But yes I have my people trust my life with and will be with for life as long as they're willing to read for me (apps, carol, em who left social media and i literally tracked down by her professional post-degree website for her expertise). i don't change it up if i can help it -- the only reason i only used one beta for shikatema month is because all the above three were so busy and i had just yelled at them for like three months for go easy and felt bad bombarding them with last minute smut. but as soon as i have a legit story im wanting to write again, you know appy will be my first email.

i met them all by chance over years just discussing shikatema and my stories and valuing their insight. usually im just chatting with someone at the right time and i'm totally into their vibe and their opinions and they're being super helpful in letting me workshop my ideas and so i ask them for help too (like weirdcreepies for st month). and then next time i have a story i'll ask them for help too.

there are so many amazing people who have helped over the years and who i love (the best lines in aibg come from chau, eevie pushed me to finish go easy, steph tweaks all my characterization) but who i felt like i pressured too much last time or they're too busy atm or they didn't write me back because im an annoying writer (see above (re: crying)), but i will always check in in the future and hope they're free!

But HEY if you're sending this ask bc you're interested in beta-ing, hit me up!!! I always love more eyes! <3<3<3