#but also it doesn't make the bird stop pecking at things.

[questinwitchface]

Using the information I learned while researching for a SamBucky fanfic two years ago to identify that the woodpecker currently driving me insane making noise on my balcony is a hairy woodpecker, not a downy woodpecker.

[fuxuannie]

Hi sage!! I hope you're doing well<33 do you mind doing jealousy headcanons for dan heng, jing yuan and any other characters you chose?? Thank you 🤍🤍 you're keeping the hsr x reader tag alive 😭

* pairing(s) : various hsr men (4, again) x gender neutral reader

* prompt : jealousy bites like you like a poisonous snake, the bite hurts, but its the venom that gets you.

* authors note : hi anon !!! (๑´ㅂ`๑) thank you for requesting, you're so sweet for the last msg omg tysm <3 i hope u enjoy !

* brief warning : blade kills a man, very blade of him. (his is also more of a joke im sorry blade lovers) ALSO THIS PROGRESSIVELY GETS SHORTER EACH CHARACTER, I JUST REALLY LIKE DAN HENG IM SORRY LMAO.

DAN HENG can't hide the way his eye twitches, how tightly he grips onto his spear or the way he'd mutter things under his breath. He despises it when he's jealous, but he hates it more when he sees the reason for doing so.

He knows he's.. not exactly like all your previous partners, it stemmed an insecurity in him. He wasn't all too funny, and knew he couldn't make you laugh with a corny joke.

So the way Sampo keeps making you laugh, making you smile, it was sparking a jealous flame in his heart. But more than anything, it saddened him that he couldn't make you laugh like that.

God, your smile was so pretty.

After a while, he interlocks his fingers with yours and mutters a small 'Can we go?' to you. You immediately notice his saddened tone, and thank Sampo for his time before walking home with your boyfriend.

"Dan Heng?" You say softly, noticing his rather saddened mood. He lets out a small hum to acknowledge your call for him, and you sigh. "Are you upset?"

He nods his head.

"Is it.. because of Sampo?"

He hesitates, but that alone gives you an answer.

Dan Heng takes a deep breath, before looking at you, his eyes filled with honesty. "I was.. jealous. I know I can't make you laugh the way he does, and it frustrates me. I want to be a man who makes you smile everyday but-"

Amidst his rant, he sees how your gaze softened at his words. This entire time, he was insecure? He hid it well, so well, at the very least from you. "I'm sorry, this is stupid-"

"N-no! It's not, I should be apologizing if anything! I failed to realize these things.. I'm sorry, my love. Sampo.. he makes me laugh, but you make my heart flutter. You make me feel things no one else can, okay? I'm yours, as you are mine."

He smiles at you, he's just happy he communicated his feelings, and you understood. "I'll be sure to try and tell you how I feel next time, okay? As long as you promise you'll stop hanging out with him. I was honestly afraid I was gonna have to get rid of him."

You blinked a few times, but he sighs. "I'm kiddinngg.."

JING YUAN knows he's far too good of a man, therefore doesn't get jealous.

He's yet to be disproven in the first part, but his golden eyes are filled with annoyance as the stares of a certain enemy of his lingers far too long on you.

You were filling in for Yanqing, he was absent for the day (something about falling into an ice cold river and getting sick or something...) and so someone needed to be there as the General would be meeting Blade.

And Jing Yuan couldn't ignore how Blade's eyes never left your form while he spoke, hanging your head down low and so you wouldn't notice. That made him greatly annoyed, almost unable to focus, but he had a mission at hand. And so he forced his jealousy to subside.

Needless to say, the small marks on your neck was embarassing to have seen in public. (And the small bird constantly pecking at Blade's hair was definitely also not Jing Yuans doing.)

GEPARD is so understanding, he evaluates every situation with logical thinking, as expected as a leader.

So it wasn't hard to figure out the intentions of the 'friend' that was speaking to you, how their voice was almost sweeter, and the way they clinged onto your arm was signalling red flags.

Gepard wouldn't have minded this, it could've easily been friendly gestures, but Serval is one of your closest friends and you were within a friendgroup. And she knows that person has a crush on you, and it was painfully obvious.

So naturally, he swiftly and surpisingly gently pulls you from the waist out of their grasp especially with how firm his grip around you was. He gives them a not so friendly glare, and plants a soft kiss to your lips. "My partner." He states, pulling you close as you're left to be stunned with the sudden posessiveness of your partner. "Mine."

Blade simply stares down at the person even attempting to approach you with clearly bad intentions. And if they dare to try to push their luck, Blade comes home with blood on his hands.

"What did you do??" You'd ask, you already knew the answer after already learning what Blade was truly like. "What was necessary." He replied, a kiss on your cheek as he walks in through the door to wash his hands.

[keyotos]

9:35 ⎯ alhaitham

you wake up to the sun shining across your face. you hear birds chirping and if you focus hard enough you could hear the ocean's waves calmly flowing into port ormos. you also wake up to a certain someone's bare chest.

alhaitham sleeps on his back while you curl up into his side. the way you manage your way into the crook of his bicep practically became routine at this point. his arm lays wrapped around your waist, a firm grasp, but not too tight.

you lift your head, propping yourself up on your hand. you are rarely the one who wakes up early. usually, it's alhaitham who rises before you, getting the chance to do things such as make coffee for you or cook a simple breakfast. you think about doing those things, but there is also another opportunity you cannot miss out on.

when alhaitham sleeps, he looks so carefree. his eyes are closed in a peaceful manner, his brows aren't furrowed like when he is awake, and his lips are placed in a gentle pout. he looks adorable.

you couldn't resist tracing your finger over his facial features. your index finger dragged along the slope of his nose, his cheekbones, under his eyes. your thumb caressed the spot underneath his eyebrow (which was the top of his eyelid), the bottom of his lips, and the apple of his cheeks.

normally, he was the one who got to do this to you. you knew that he spent at least ten minutes just admiring you before getting out of bed. and every time before he left, he'd press a loving kiss on the corner of your eyelid.

but this time, you're the one who gets to admire him. you're the one who gets to trace all his features, study him even though you already know all of him, etch his very being into your brain.

and if you plant a kiss on the corner of his lips? well, he doesn't have to know that. and when one kiss develops into two; another planted on his jaw. two gradually turned into four, which then turned into six, and at this point you've stopped counting. alhaitham was just too easy to kiss; too easy to love.

alhaitham started stirring from his sleep ever since the first kiss. he knew you: he knew what your lips felt like on his skin, he knew that you've left the warmth of his arm, and he knew that you were awake right now. but even so, he chose to stay "asleep."

alhaitham chose to break his act when you were about to move towards his lips. right when you were about to press a kiss to his cheek, he moved his head so you could give him a chaste peck on his lips. he smiled, satisfied that he got what he wanted.

you, on the other hand, felt flustered. "alhaitham? did i wake you up?"

alhaitham yawned, one hand covering his mouth while the other secured his grasp on your waist, "i was already awake," he replied nonchalantly.

you raise an eyebrow at that. how long was he awake? hopefully not when you traced his face. "for how long?" you ask, removing your head from your palm and returning to your previous position on alhaitham's bicep.

"probably second kiss," alhaitham hid his smile as he buried his head into your neck. but you could tell he was smiling either way: you heard it in his voice. after all, you knew him as well as he knew you.

you huffed, "why didn't you say anything?"

"and disrupt you while you were perfectly content?" alhaitham sarcastically answered, "i would never impede with your happiness."

"shut up," you say, sheepish and slightly exasperated with his tone, then let your head fall into his chest.

alhaitham only laughs in response. his laugh his small, light, and airy. you're one of the very few people that get to hear it. "if it consoles you, i had a dream about you last night."

this gets your attention, your head rising up to look at his turquoise eyes, "really? pray tell."

alhaitham looked up at the ceiling as a way to pretend as if he was in deep thought, "well, you were there. but you were a fish. and you had a hat. then you were swallowed by a bigger fish, who took your hat. and then you were swallowed by the big fish, who had the hat before everyone else fought him for it," alhaitham explained with a straight face.

"wow," you deadpanned, "not helping your case, bud," alhaitham frowned at the nickname. something so cruel, so early. you continued, "looks like your subconscious isn't very fond of me. want to tell me anything?"

alhaitham shrugged, "you're very easy to hate." he knows it's the complete opposite. loving you has to be the most easiest thing alhaitham has ever done. it's easy to memorize you: your favorite things, your routine, your body, your mind; loving you was like an accomplishment.

you mock-gasp, swatting him away from you, "i see how it is then. you were in my dream too, if you wanted to know. except, you were a toad. a very ugly one. and dehya was there. so was candace. kaveh too. oh! and i can't forget the general mahamatra," you added cyno in to tease alhaitham. truthfully, instead of cyno, your coworker that owed you a cup of coffee appeared in the dream.

"you guys were all animals, and there was a long drought, so you all banded up to confront the rain god for rain. then, when you went to the rain god's temple, you guys planned a sneak attack and won a battle. and then you got rain," if you thought alhaitham's dream was complicated, alhaitham was absolutely dumbfounded by yours.

alhaitham pulled you closer into him, hands caressing the sides of your body, "my dream was definitely better. mostly because it had only you in it, and not the general mahamatra. or kaveh," your boyfriend lightly scoffed at the mention of the two men. you could only shake your head.

"i was only in there for a short second. before i was, y'know, eaten," you nudged his chest, only for alhaitham to rest his head atop of yours. but then you perked up, "hey. are you jealous of my subconscious? is it cause i dreamed of other people?" you smirked.

"why would you say that?" alhaitham peered down at you.

"well, you did get a little sullen at the mentions of cyno and kaveh," you pointed out, even poking a finger into his chest, separating you from him.

alhaitham only trailed his fingers underneath your shirt, creating shapes on your skin as he leaned in closer to you, "i'm not jealous," he pouted, "i did only dream of you though. proves i'm loyal."

you sigh. he was jealous of your subconscious. oh well. maybe that will teach his subconscious to not dream about your demise, "oh, yet i still died in your dream, so maybe not so much," you mocked, smile brimming your lips, "maybe our dreams are connected. me dreaming about other people probably reflected on your negligence to keep me alive," you teased.

"okay," alhaitham pressed his forehead up against yours, "i did not fail to keep you alive. that was all the circle of life."

"tomato, tomayto. i'm leaving," you only make your way to the edge of the bed before alhaitham pulls you back into him. your back lands into his chest with a 'thump!'

"wait. i'm sorry for my subconscious wanting to kill you. from now on i'll only think of you. as long as you stay in bed with me," alhaitham whispered into your skin, right next to your earlobe.

you let out a small laugh, "you pouting right now, haitham?" you turn to face him, brushing some small hairs out of his face.

"no. will you stay in bed with me?" he presses a kiss onto your jaw and interlocks your fingers underneath the blanket. how could you say no?

"hm. i don't know," you tease, looking around the room to delay your answer, "do i want to stay in bed with an ugly toad?"

alhaitham's fingers poke you in the side, making you squirm, "maybe i should've stayed with cyno. doubt he would've dreamt about my death."

"well, you're in bed with me. not the general mahamatra," alhaitham made sure to hold you close, as if your little dream would make you escape from his hold. yeah, no way would he ever let that happen. not when he loves you more than anything else, regardless of what his subconscious was trying to tell him. you are a routine he would never get rid of. you are a light he would never let die out. you are a fish he would always look after.

"yeah, i suppose," you wrap your arms around alhaitham's torso and rest your head on the pillow next to his, "hopefully i made the right decision," you nestle closer into alhaitham's warmth, body instantly relaxing in his proximity.

when alhaitham kisses the crown of your head without saying anything, you know that you did.

can anyone tell me if it's alhaitham or al-haitham? idk which one is correct so if any of y'all would like to inform me that'd be very much appreciated! ty!!

[lokisrealpurpous]

dating loki would include

dating loki in a nutshell

hair

loki would be obsessed with you hair and would probably be touching it with any chance he gets. he would always offer to wash it and braid it, style it or to even just run his hands through it. It would also work both ways, loki would love it when you played with his hair.

physical touch

this man is touchstarved. he will never be able to keep his hands off you, no matter where you are. he'd love hugging you from behind and nuzzling into your neck, taking in your sent, holding you as he sleeps, holding hands. He also would always have you in his arms or lap.

consent

Before loki does anything, this being touching or doing things for you, he would always ask, unless he knows 100%, you are okay with it. he's very strong on consent and always listens to your feelings and checks you're comftable even if you say something is fine. If you change your mind or refuse he will immediately stop and make sure everything is okay.

reading

Loki would love reading to you, reccomending you books and would constantly be ranting on about books he's reading. When you can't sleep, he'd often let you lay against his chest as he reads you an old book from his childhood while running his hands through your hair.

sarcasm

Even if you're his lover loki is still the most sarcastic, witty person to exist. He'd constantly be messing around or teasing you, always making sure you know his jokes are jokes and picking a right time but he'd probably be pranking you alot.

cuddles

He secretly loves them. After a long day he will search for you just to wrap himself around you or cling onto you any way he can. he loves hugs from people he trusts, and he would always make sure he falls asleep cuddled up with you.

insomnia

He barely sleeps and is always awake when you wake up. He loves the night but also the sound of birds at the crack of dawn. Although he doesn't sleep himself, he will always make sure you get enough rest.

kisses

Loki loves kissing you, his favourite places probably being your neck, thighs, hands, forehead, cheeks, and his overall favourite your lips. Even a peck is enough as long as he gets his kisses. When he's touchstarved, he won't get his lips away from you.

words of affirmation

he loves praising you, and he loves it when you say nice things to him, especially after his neglection as a kid. He will always make sure you feel loved, and it goes both ways. You'd often have him sneeking behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist and whispering small things in your ear like, 'you look so beautiful, my darling' 'that dress looks gorgeous on you'

gift giving

He would buy you the entire 9 realms if he could. Loki would spoil you every single day. Whatever you wanted, he would buy for you, and you'd always be getting small gifts off of him

princess treatment

loki would unshamefully do everything for you, even in public. If your heels were hurting he'd take them off, carry them, and then carry you to wherever you both need to be, if you had laces, he'd tie them up, if you were unwell he would honestly slave for you, you'd have breakfast in bed, a hot water bottle and literally whatever you ask him for. He'd probably make you some chocolate covered strawberries as well.

music

he loves music and deffinatly has a viynal and cd player in his room. He likes all genres depending on the mood he's in, and he is the type of person to play his music loud enough for the whole of Asgard to hear. You've introduced loki to many 'midgardian' artists such as lana del rey, amy winehouse, artic monkeys, the weeknd, billie eilish, and rihannah and he loves them, especially the older artists such as Bowie, Queen, ABBA, Elvis and Harry James. Loki also has quite a soft singing voice himself, and you'd often catch him singing or humming to songs. After a lot of persuading, he'd sometimes sing you old norse lullabies his mother used to sing to him to help you sleep.

[rr311]

·˚ ༘ 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒐 ➪ fluff, jealous & sassy nanami, black!reader

₊˚ෆ 𝑺𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒔 while you were on your date with nanami, you had bumped Into a long time friend catching up with him. but nanami didn't like the fact he was being touchy with you and gets jealousy.

ミ★ 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆 this was a request from someone anonymously who asked “young jealous nanami.” but I lost the thing 😕, so It won’t be able to notified the person I’m responding to so If you’re still keeping updated with me I’m so sorry for your late request and still hope you like It anyway!

also guys, we’re so close to 1k followers 🙏 If any of you forgot once we hit 1k followers I will be doing a face reveal and a little giveaway (If I think of something by then) but If It does happen I will provide details!

❝ 𝐉𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐘 ! ❞ - 𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭

❤︎︎# — 𝖭𝖠𝖭𝖠𝖬𝖨 kento was very vocal about his expressions when It came to a lot of stuff. so when you seen the face he was making when your friend was talking to you, you put two and two together.

he was getting jealous ~

kento was never the jealous type which also surprised you to see the dirty glare he was giving f/n. a tight hold on his tea cup looked as If It was gonna break by how tight he was holding the mug, It made his blood boil to see this guy be all touchy with you. you might've thought It was all friendly and nice but he was also a guy, he knows how guys can be when It came to girls. your friend liked you. It was obvious!

even when gojo or geto would hug you or playfully touch you It was genuine friendship not this! he hated to say but he wished you were talking to gojo out of all people. thought gojo can be an asshole sometimes he knows to respect your guys relationship despite the many times he's tried to get under his skin or annoy him. kento scoffed to himself turning back to outside watching as cars and birds went by taking another sip from his tea. you noticed this, tearing your eyes away from f/n to him with a deep sigh grinning. f/n followed where your gaze was to be met with the blonde boy across from them, his eyebrows furrowed. when he was about to say something to catch your attention you Interrupted, "f/n It was so nice seeing you again but I have to get back to someone. I'm so sorry n/n." you said looking at him with an apologetic look standing up from your seat as he nodded his head slowly going disappointed. "uh yeah..I'll see you next time then?." you gave him a small smile, "of course, my number Is still the same just text me!." you ruffled his hair hearing him whine, swatting his hand at you, “y/n my hair!.” he pouted slightly but shook his head with a gentle smiling.

once f/n had left you walked back to your table to where your pouty boyfriend was sat. when you sat down In front of kento he still kept his gaze outside with a bitter look, "kento." he gave you a small glance with a brow, "oh? you're finally back from your friend? I didn't notice you." you rolled your eyes kicking him playfully under the table poking your lip out, "kenny, don't be like that. he's just my friend." he scoffed setting down his mug looking at you fully, "a friend that likes you?."

"he doesn't like me-" "y/n I'm a guy. I know how we are when we like a girl. the hints where there." again you sighed shaking your head, grabbing ahold of his hand. "ken, trust me when I say this. f/n Is clingy. like really clingy, and I admit he does need to learn boundaries but he's still just a kid babe. he's only 16, It's been awhile since we last seen each other. trust me he has no feelings for me." nanamis eyebrows furrowed but then sighed looking down.

after hearing your explanation..everything made sense In a way. he gave your hand a small squeeze nodding his head, "I only love you kento, stop being a big baby." you chuckled seeing him shoot a glare your way but nodded his head again, "I'm sorry my love." he mumbled feeling his cheeks heat up from being flustered bringing your hand to his lips pecking the back of It as you stared at him with nothing but love In your eyes, "I'm not mad at you so don't worry, It wasn't big anyway" you shrugged, "but don't do It again." you pointed a finger at him who grinned In response staring back at you, "yes ma'am." you smiled back placing your hand to grab ahold of his chin bringing him forward as you leaned across the table, "good." you closed the space between you both feeling his lips ontop of yours.

he Instantly relaxed In your hold leaning more Into It but remembering you're In a public place you pulled back after a few seconds as he chased your lips with a groan. you patted his cheek standing up from your spot with a energetic bounce, "now let's go! I can't be late to my hair appointment."

had him right between your fingers.

[ohbo-ohno]

Opposites attract, that’s what they always say, right?

Johnny guesses that’s the reason why he has you, sweet, shy you.

You can’t stand the affection he tries to give you outside the comfort of your apartment. “It’s just a little kiss, bonnie!” He’d always whine, and you’d give him the briefest peck on the lips before turning away with a heated face.

It always made you get embarrassed and deny him your nudes, leaving him with the blurry pictures he’s taken in haste while your back was turned to use during deployments, but he ached to have your face in the pictures.

Of course Ghost knew. Johnny can’t keep his mouth shut, being the whiny mutt he is. He had seen the pictures, saw just how much you shy from attention of any kind.

“Bring ‘em over.” It wasn’t an offer, it was an order.

When you were told you’d be meeting Johnny’s Lieutenant, one he can’t stop mentioning, how he’s a good man, you never expected this.

Kneeling at the feet of a man you’ve just met today, stripped bare with a thick collar preventing you from looking down or away from his heated gaze.

Johnny’s still in the room, you can feel it. Ghost had told him to “sit.” a while ago, and he hadn’t moved since. The thought of Johnny seeing you naked in front of a different man made you start to turn away, only to be met with a sharp tug to the leash sitting in Ghost’s hand.

“Eyes here, pup. Johnny’s not gonna help you through this lesson.” Ghost ordered, admittedly much gentler than he’d use with Johnny. He didn’t want to scare you off after your first lesson after all.

The second your eyes flicker up to meet Ghost’s for the briefest moment, his boot shifts to press between your legs, a low rumble of approval echoing through his chest. “That’s it, pup, eyes here.”

—

Also known as Simon fucking the social anxiety away AND gaining a new puppy! I am sorry for leaving something so long- I hope it’s okay!

oh my god i cant fucking breathe. the upside to being awkwardly open about my kinks online is getting fucking GIFTS like this in my inbox occasionally. you will never understand the things this ask makes me feel. oh my god. never apologize again for sending me this.

always thinking about johnny and his fwb. he's so so so excited, but he's also a fucking lot so his new girl isn't super willing to enter something Permanent, y'know? he's just maybe a bit much for her

but he's like. sick over this girl. his every thought is Her, he's literally hard nearly every moment they're together, like he is salivating over this girl. he made her his phone lockscreen and gets hard every time he checks the time now but he refuses to change it because she's just so perfect

and poor simon has to listen to have favorite (don't tell johnny) sergeant talk about this new girl constantly. i mean johnny just does not shut up about this girl. she's the most beautiful woman alive, perfect tits with a fat ass, thick thighs and a waist just so fucking grabbable. kissable - fuckable - lips and a cunt made of fucking gold, johnny just never shuts up

and it doesn't seem fair that the mutt gets to have all the fun, does it? ghost keeps johnny in line, drains him of all that restless energy so he's not feral when he's sent home. seems only fair that he gets to meet the pretty bird he hears johnny jack off to in the barracks and the shower

johnny's more than eager to agree. ghost says smth like "i wanna meet her" one of the dozens of times she's brought up and johnny practically falls all over himself to set up a date and time

and he definitely doesn't tell her. he invites her over to his flat (maybe even simon's, claims he moved), and his his tongue down her throat the moment she steps through the door. she's topless before simon even makes himself known

it's not so hard to convince her to have a threesome, it's far harder to convince her to put on a posture collar and kneel pretty. johnny' a good puppy (for once) and leads by example though, strips himself completely naked and follows ghost's orders better than he ever has (he'll get plenty of treats later, as long as he can keep himself in check)

you think this is just lead up to some kinky sex, ghost and soap see this as the first night of the rest of your life. ghost is fucking strict, and harsh, but he knows the importance of good training with unruly dogs, and if anything johnny's told him is accurate, he already knows you'll be a handful. he's got to be harsh and strict with johnny this first night too, so you can see that he's not going to soften up (even though he probably will)

anyways, there's no way you're leaving this night without ghost painting your ass red. you'll also probably wake up the next morning with your leash tied to the bedpost, right below johnny's. only one of you is going to be happy about this

[larluce]

Merlin as Arthur's familiar/Arthur's shapeshifter falcon AU

@dsabian , @theplatanitosqueal , @stressed-but-chill , @gregre369 , @chaosofbelievers , @thelordofabsolutelynothing , @another-tblr-fangirl , @aceauthorcatqueen , @smileytrinity

LINK TO THE OTHER PARTS: PART 1 , PART 2 , PART 3 , PART 4 , PART 5 , PART 6 , PART 7 (You're here) , PART 8

Arthur and Merlin caring for the chicks that are now a week old and twice the size they were the day they were born.

Arthur: How do they grow so fast? They barely fit in the nest now.

Chick 3: (leaves the nest)

Arthur: No! Go back to the nest, you… uh… Who was this? The ink erased.

Merlin:  It's 3! 😠 How come you still can't recognize them?

Arthur: (as he grabs 3 and returns him to the nest) Merlin, they are identical.

Merlin: They're not! 😠

Arthur: Well, I guess it would help not to think of them as numbers. What if we give them real names now?

Merlin: (surprised) Really?

Arthur: They're our chicks, aren't they? We can name them if we want.

Merlin: (excited) Yeah, it's true! 😃 But I'll do it. You're terrible at giving names.

Arthur: Go ahead.

Merlin: (brings his hand closer to the chicks, thoughtful) hmmm…

Chicks: (they cower in place and chirp in fear)

Chick 1: (stands in front of his siblings, protective)

Merlin: This one is very protective of his siblings. He was also the first to be born. I name you... Guardian 😊.

Arthur: That's a good name.

Chick 3: (leaves the nest again and walks to the edge of the window)

Merlin: (he grabs him to return him to the nest, while 3 chirps in protest) This one wants to fly before he's even old enough to do it. Restless and fast…. Like a Blizzard! 😃

Arthur: Blizzard it is then.

Chick 4: (pecks Merlin's hand to make him let go of his brother)

Arthur: Hey, don't hurt your father. 😠

Merlin: It's okay, they're not used to my human form yet. Their little heads still don't understand that I'm also the hawk that feeds them. (He releases Blizzard in the nest and 4 stops pecking him) He has the guts to confront me, but he stopped doing it as soon as I let go of his brother. He fights, but he is not reckless. You will be... Brave 😊.

Arthur: Just two more left.

Merlin: (looking at chick 2) You're the only female. You will be beautiful and tender. Like the rain.

Arthur: (confused) What's beautiful and tender about rain?

Merlin: The sound it makes when the drops fall is tender and it is a beautiful phenomenon that gives water to plants.

Arthur: Uh… I guess. Rain it is.

Chick 5: (hiding behind all his siblings and shaking)

Merlin: This one is too wimpy. I name you... Coward.

Arthur: (very offended) You're not naming our son Coward! 😠

Merlin: Why not?

Arthur: That's an insult! Do you want the other birds to make fun of him?

Merlin: The other birds don't have names, Arthur. 😒

Arthur: All the more reason! How would you feel if I had named you Coward?

Merlin: It would have been more creative than Merlin.

Arthur: Besides, the fact that he is more shy than his siblings doesn't make him a coward. He's just more… cautious? No, wary! We'll name him Wary.

Merlin: Oh… It doesn't sound bad.

Arthur:  So… (points to each one) Guardian, Rain, Blizzard, Brave and Wary.

Merlin: No, that is Guardian and that is Brave.

Arthur: I got three out of five, I'm getting better.

Merlin: (he rolls his eyes, but then smiles, looking at the nest tenderly) Our chicks.

Time skip. Arthur and Merlin chasing the 2 week old chicks that are chirping loudly and running around the room.

Arthur: (With Rain in one hand and chasing Brave) Brave, come back here! 😠

Merlin: (Grabs Guardian with one hand) I told you not to leave the nest so close to the ground.

Arthur: That unstable thing was going to fall out the window at any moment with how fast they grow!

Merlin: Then you should have put it on top of the wardrobe!

Arthur: That's still too high!

Merlin: That's the point!

Arthur: Stop fighting and find Blizzard, that's the sneaky one. (He catches Brave with his free hand) Got you! Little winged demons, why can't you be like Wary?

Wary: (chirps from the nest, the only one who stayed there)

Merlin: Blizzard! Blizzard! (He searches and doesn't find him) Where is he?

Arthur: Blizzard! (He starts searching too) I'm supposed to be getting ready for the dance. If I don't come down soon my father is going to come any momen-

Merlin: (stops searching and looks at Arthur with a frown) Dance? what dance?

Arthur: (realizing his poor choice of words) Feast! I meant feast. My father organized a feast for my birthday. (Turns around) Blizzard?

Merlin: (stands in front of Arthur) And who is going to that feast? 😑

Arthur: You know, my father, Morgana… some noble men and women. (Turns again) Blizzard?

Merlin: (stands in front of Arthur again) And what do you do there? 😑

Arthur: Just talk and chat-

Merlin: And dance! 😠 You're going to go dancing with a female weeks after starting our nest!

Arthur: It's not a flying dance. It's a different kind of dance. It doesn't mean anything.

Merlin: Then don't go!

Arthur: I can't not go! It is the celebration of the prince's birthday. Everyone expects me to be there. It's an important event.

Merlin: You said it didn't mean anything! 😡

Guardian: (chirps in pain)

Arthur: Merlin, you're holding Guardian too tight, put him down.

Merlin: (raises his voice, furious) Exactly! You should be ashamed. (He brings Guardian close to his chest and caresses him with tears in his eyes) While I'm going to be here taking care of our chicks 🥺, you're going to go dance with someone else! 😡

Arthur: (raises his voice too) It's not that kind of dance! 😡

Rain and Brave: (chirp crying in Arthur's arms) 🥺😭

Guardian: (chirps crying in Merlin's arms) 🥺😭

Wary: (chirps crying and leaves the nest to go with Merlin and Arthur) 🥺😭

Blizzard: (comes out from under the bed chirp crying and goes to Merlin and Arthur) 🥺😭

Merlin: (calms down, picks up Blizzard and Wary and comforts them along with Guardian) Shh, Shh, don't cry. Don't worry, even if your dad leaves us, I will take care of you. We will find another nest.

Arthur: Don't tell them that! (hugging Rain and Brave, also comforting them) No, I'm not going to leave you, don't cry.

Uther: (from outside, enraged) Arthur!

Merlin: (changes into bird form quickly)

Arthur: Shit! (Tries to pick up the other chicks to hide them)

Uther: (opens the door wide abruptly) May I know why you aren’t letting the servants enter to get you ready for… (shocked to see his son carrying two white birds and to see Merlin falcon with 3 others white birds on the floor)

Chicks: (chirp crying louder) 😭😭

Arthur: Uh… Hello, father 😅. Ahm… Did I mention that Merlin had chicks?

Uther: I thought he was male 🤨

Arthur: He is, but uh… he adopted these chicks.

Merlin: (chirps)

Arthur: (corrects himself)  WE adopted them.

Servant: (enters and bows) Sire, the guests have arrived.

Uther: (swallowing the urge to scold his son) We'll talk about this later. Now I want you in the ballroom in 5 minutes.

Arthur: But-

Uther: 5 minutes I said! I don't care how, but you'll arrive there in 5 minutes. Not a second more. Do I make myself clear?

Arthur: (lowers his head) Yes, father.

Uther: (leaves)

Servants: (come in to dress Arthur)

Merlin: (starts flying around them and pecking at them)

Arthur: Merlin, stop it. I have to go.

Merlin: (lands on a servant's head and chirps, looking at him enraged) 😡

Servant: Uh… sire? 😰

Arthur: I'll handle this. (He puts the chicks aside and addresses Merlin in a sweet calm voice) Merlin, come down from there and I promise I won't dance with anyone at the feast, alright?

Merlin: (shakes his head and chirps)

Arthur: Oh, come on! 😠 What do you want me to do? Take you with me?

Time skip. In the ballroom.

Spokesman: (raising his voice) Attention, ladies and gentlemen, greet the Prince of Camelot.

Arthur: (arrives at the ballroom with Merlin on his shoulder and carrying the nest with his chicks on a cushion in his hands)

Uther: …

Servants: …

Morgana: (holding back the urge to laugh)

Guests: (mumble)

Spokesman: Uh… (raises voice again) The Prince of Camelot and his birds!

Merlin: (chirps in protest)

Arthur: (whispers to the spokesman) Merlins.

Spokesman: Excuse me, sire?

Arthur: They're merlins.

Spokesman: Oh, forgive me, Sire (bows and steps aside to let him pass)

Arthur: (doesn't move)

Spokesman: Sire?

Arthur: I'm waiting.

Spokesman: (confused) For what, sire?

Arthur: For you to correct it.

Spokesman: Oh, right. (He raises his voice again) The Prince of Camelot and his merlins!

Merlin: (nods, satisfied)

Arthur: (walks to the main table and takes his place in the seat of honor, which is next to his father's and Morgana's seat)

Morgana: (smirking mischievously) Oh, this is going to be gold.

...

[ckret2]

I love the fact that the axolotl is kind of a neutral entity.

Many headcanon it as a being that wants to do the righteous thing no matter what. But here it just seems to interfere when it's part of the deity job deal or out of curiosity.

And it's funny because bill thought as well that the Ax would be like a god of justice, and the way he reacted when he realized that was not the case it's so funny, but also made me wonder how they will interact with each other in the future!

Now bill knows the body isn't a punishment, is part of what he asked the ax for, to return, but he never said how he wanted to return, so I guess the ax it took the opportunity to temporarily? stop him. Maybe the ax isn't always trying to be righteous but i'm sure it does want to keep bill from destroying the universe.

I'm dying to know how this develops in the next chapters!

I saved this ask from last week's chapter since this week's goes even farther in making him a neutral entity, with Bill talking about stuff like how he handles "casual meet-and-greets."

I do think that the Axolotl very strongly believes in doing the righteous thing; but like... in the same way as a lawyer that takes pro bono cases for defendants who otherwise wouldn't stand a chance. (This is a No Lawyer Slander zone, this isn't a setup for "oh well if he's like an attorney then he's evil lol" joke.) A righteously-motivated lawyer can take cases all day that ensure a downtrodden defendant has his civil rights respected...

... but because of that, he's not taking the big flashy cases that go all the way to the Supreme Court and help nationally change civil rights. (But if he were taking the flashy cases, who would help THIS defendant?)

... and he might be the pro bono attorney of a mass murderer, in which case some people might think defending him AT ALL is contrary to their idea of justice. (But if he doesn't defend him, who will? Somebody's gotta defend that murderer.)

... and if he's in his office working and he sees a bird outside pecking at a bug, he might stop to watch.

... and when he commutes home after work, he might drive a car that burns gas and makes the environment just a little bit worse.

... and at home he'll probably watch TV rather than spend his precious downtime throwing himself into championing yet another social justice cause.

The Ax isn't a flawlessly Lawful Good Fantasy God, he's just some dude powerful enough you could call him a god if you believe in that kind of thing. And "some dude" can fight for justice without fighting for it EVERY SINGLE SECOND.

A pro bono attorney doesn't look like a figure of righteousness when he's commuting or watching TV or having lunch.

And it's probably hard to see what righteousness he's putting into the world at all if you're the bug getting pecked by the bird or splattering against his windshield. What does his "justice" mean to you? Today, Gravity Falls is the anthill.

And—in spite of the above metaphor—this isn't just some random shitty defendant. Bill Cipher is a big splashy Supreme Court change-the-divine-definition-of-justice court case.

[gingerjolover]

Pet Names - PB

thank you guys for being so patient! i didn't forget about my girl don't worry!!!

i am once again using soft!gf as inspo i literally cannot stop

i'm also making babe/baby/honey standard from here on out, that being said, i WILL be going back and updating Julien and Lucy's accordingly

rpf smut under da cut - minors gtfo

Darling/Sweetheart - soft!phoebe lives for traditional pet names. there is something in the domesticity of it all that she loves and chases after. these names give soft!pheebs, morning!pheebs, bedtime!pheebs and i will gladly accept discussion but nothing can change my mind. there isnt anything sexual about them in my mind with phoebe, simply because she is using them first thing in the morning, like she left the window open accidentally last night so you, maxine and phoebe are huddled together, your cold foot rubs her leg and she's like "shit sweetheart, are you cold?" in like the raspiest, softest murmur ever. also half asleep, eyes shut, just places repetitive pecks on your temple before whispering, "goodnight darling" and holding you close.

Pretty/Pretty girl - phoebe greets you with the "hi pretty!" often. she's running off after her first eras show and straight into you arms being like, "hi pretty! how did i do?" beaming and kissing you firmly on the lips. maybe she's at the studio with lucy and julien or her band and she's writing, utterly exhausted and you walk in with a pick me up and she's instantly lighting up, "hey pretty girl, im so happy to see you!" before kissing your hair.

okay hear me out im workshopping this but... phoebe with a strap, you're on all fours but she's making YOU move back against her and she's being so stubborn because she could push you down and fuck you but noooo, "if you want it pretty you have to work for it," and eventually you'll be whining so much that dom!phoebe is like scoffing and pulling your hips, finally starting to thrust into you, "alright okay, fine, i'll fuck you pretty girl, no need to whine."

Dove - @whore4munagenius and i both had this on our list (twins). they had mentioned animal pet names like ladybug, dove, puppy, all of which i think phoebe would fw. i had it on my list because of the bird and dog metaphors and just bird symbolism in relationships like doves, lovebird, and swans. i think she loves the animal nicknames and uses them when it's just the two of you and she can be a little softer and more connected with you. it's not that she's embarassed by the names but it's not like she's gonna call you puppy or bunny at the dmv, ya know? I think she writes dove more than she says it, like she's putting 'to: dove, love: pheebs' on your birthday or holiday gifts.

My girl - the classic, very boyfriend!phoebe. always saying stuff like "there's my girl!" or "look at my girls," when talking about you and maxine. has a "this is her" photo of you on her phone, "this is my girl," and she would be SO proud of it too. if she's not referencing you as her partner, she's saying "my girl", and it flows into her friendships like the possessiveness of the name makes its way into her music like maybe the boys are performing and julien is introducing a song and is like "your girl loves this one," and phoebe is like "yeah she does," IDK I THINK ITS CUTE

she 1000% uses 'my girl' in a mocking way, mean!phoebe doesn't mess around and she's telling you to grind on her thigh but you're so desperate you can't get a rhythm going and she's just sighing being like, "c'mon...i know my girl can do better than that," before her hands grip your hips harshly and start to rock you

BONUS - Bro/Dude/Man - Pheebs canonically calls everyone any of these names but remember soft!gf is the boss and there's a difference between being at a dinner or something and phoebe is showing everyone a video, "bro look at this," where soft!gf is in the group. but if y'all are at home and phoebe is getting maxine ready for a walk and asks "can you hand me her leash, dude?" soft!gf just gives her a look like 'who do you think you're talking to rn?' and phoebe is up immediately, "sorry pretty girl," kissing her lips passionately

[tgmsunmontue]

Hangster Meet-cute I guess - this was meant to be a short ficlet I started on my phone, but then I needed to distract myself so... here. Have 2k, dialogue heavy with Jake having three sisters who do the opposite of cock-block him. (Rated Mature but I guess I am also writing a second very explicit sequel which already has over 2k).

I can't post it on AO3 until I finish a couple of other fandom WIPs because I have a very real fear of being hunted down by friends in that fandom. They're terrifying. And have been waiting ~10 years. So hiding in Tumblr for now.

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

               His eyes track the attractive bare-chested server across the room. He looks older than most of the others, actually nearer Jake's age, perhaps a little older. He's clearly comfortable in his own skin, laughing and joking with the other servers and patrons alike. Jake doesn't usually like facial hair on his partners, but he'd let it slide for a taste of that...

               "Do you think I can order him?" Jake asks, and he knows it's going to wind up every single person sitting at the table with him.

               "Don't even think about it!" Katie hisses, giving him a sharp elbow in the ribs and Laura is glaring at him from across the table. He can see the lecture shaping on the tip of her tongue about not making servers uncomfortable in their place of work. Even in a place where the servers are mostly bare-chested men. But it's his sister's 40th birthday, and apparently Bird on a Wire is the place to go. So here he is. About to be hen-pecked by his three sisters. Ivy is just laughing though, nodding her approval and he reaches across the table for a fist-bump.

               "I won't. I promise. But I can't promise to not think about it. Appreciating the place was why I was allowed to come along, right?"

               "You were allowed to come because you promised to behave."

               "I promised no such thing," Jake replies, and the same server he was watching before is approaching them and Jake licks his lips, because the view is only improving.

               "Evening everyone, sorry for the delay. We're a little understaffed tonight so I'm just here to take drink orders. That's all I'm trusted with front of house," he says, and his little self-depreciating smile has Jake's lips twitching in response.

               "And back of house?" Jake asks.

               "Back of house I'm in charge baby."

               Jake's eyebrows shoot up and he grins, a little laugh escapes, god, he can't believe he's sitting at a table with all of his sisters while a guy makes eyes at him. He's pretty sure eyes are being made. He's a little out of practice. But he's not dead.

               "So, what can I get for you all? Are you celebrating something special?"

               "It's her birthday. A significant number that I can't mention upon pain of death."

               Ivy smiles sweet-sharp and he gets kicked in the shin regardless.

               "I'll have a Blueberry Margarita, she's having a Strawberry Sour..." Ivy starts, pausing to look expectantly at Katie.

               "I'll have the Coconut Daiquiri thanks."

               "And for you?"

               Jake quickly runs his eyes down the menu and stops at the first one... A Little Passion.

               "A Little Passion."

               "Sure thing. One of all my favorites coming right up."

               "I hope the drinks are better than your flirting, I feel like I need to hose you two off..." Ivy says looking between them and Jake frowns at her, but he notes that the server (he didn't introduce himself, and Jake wishes he had a name already) just looks quietly amused.

               "I've never had any complaints. And I don't get paid to flirt with customers. I actually get paid to cook. And occasionally make cocktails."

               Jake realises that's what he had meant about being in charge back of house and he's always had a thing for... competence. Well, he's got a thing for good-looking guys, them being good at something generally means they're dedicated lovers and it's not steered him wrong (much) in the past.

               "Rooster! They need you in the kitchen."

               "And duty calls..."

               Jake watches Rooster (and what the fuck kind of name is that?) tip an imaginary hat at them before he leaves to walk towards the bar where he talks to a woman and gestures toward their table. Then he's shrugging on a black chef's jacket with brightly coloured cuffs and front panel and buttoning it closed. Shame. Then he's giving a little salute to Jake and fucking winking as he disappears into the kitchen and Jake is pretty sure his cheeks are going to hurt from grinning so much.

               "Could you stop looking like you want to climb him like a tree? Please?"

               "Ain't no other way I can look at him... and you told me I couldn't flirt with him."

               "Was that you not flirting?"

               "You're just jealous."

               "Last time we take you anywhere..."

               "We say that every time, and yet we always bring him..."

               "I'm a fucking delight. Plus you all bond over finding me annoying, don't pretend you don't. Imagine your relationship with each other if you didn't have me for you to direct your annoyance towards..."

               "Why do you think they call him Rooster?" Katie asks and Jake's train of thought derails completely.

               "I think you just broke his brain."

               "Brain cell you mean."

               "I thought Javy had custody this weekend?"

               "Fuck off..." Jake mumbles, ignoring them. Who needs fucking enemies when you have sisters?

               "You definitely want to fuck something."

               Jake groans but also can't say anything, definitely can't disagree because she's not wrong, they'll just roast him further. He glances back toward the bar and there are two people there now, both mixing drinks but clearly having a conversation. One is the same woman from before, one of the few women who work here, the other is an older man, fully clothed, and Jake's not sure but he looks familiar. They almost seem to be arguing and then she's pulling at his shirt and shaking a finger before leaving him behind the bar, laughing at him as she walks toward them with a tray of drinks.

               "Evening everyone. My name is Phoenix. I have a Blueberry Margarita, Strawberry Sour, Coconut Daiquiri and A Little Passion?"

               "The margarita is for me, sour for her," Ivy states. "Daiquiri for her and the drink drowning in innuendo is for him..."

               "You got a name handsome?" Phoenix asks, placing the drinks down in the right places but giving him a look that tells him he's being assessed and maybe even found wanting. It's not a familiar feeling at all and he instantly feels a little defensive.

               "His name is Jake."

               "I can speak for myself..." Jake grumbles, taking a sip of his drink, and fuck that's good. Lychee sweetness off-set with the tang of passionfruit and lime meaning there's no trace of vodka at all.

               "And you're all... sisters?"

               "Unfortunately," Jake says, and the flat look he gets from Phoenix has Laura cackling madly which makes Phoenix smirk in amusement. A little. At least she seems to like someone.

               "Have you been sent out to dig up information?" Laura asks, and she's fucking gleeful and Jake doesn't know what he wants the answer to be. Busies himself looking at the menu and wondering what Rooster would recommend.

               "Well, it was me or Rooster's dad and I thought I'd be the slightly less embarrassing option."

               Jake's eyes flick to the man behind the bar and realizes now why he looks familiar. They've even got the same fucking moustache. He catches Jake looking and nods his head, raises a glass in a toast and Jake flushes, coming back to the conversation and startles to hear Laura giving Phoenix his entire dating history. Jesus.

               "Could we maybe be allowed to just ask each other out? Pretty sure we're adults and don't need to have a playdate organised."

               "So, you are going to ask him out?"

               "If it's not an asshole move to do it when it's his place of work..." Jake mutters, giving Laura a side-eye but she just takes a sip of her drink and pulls a face at him.

               "Oh, it's a little bit of an asshole move, but he can take care of himself. I just wanted to make sure you weren't too much of an asshole. And you've got three sisters being pretty decent wingmen, so you can't be too bad."

               "Hear that, you have us to thank."

               He's never going to hear the end of this, regardless of the outcome, so he might as well try for a variety on a good one so he has a minimum of regrets.

               "Are you ready to order? Or would you like me to come back?"

               "Oh, I want you to come back solely for the entertainment value, but I'm ready to order. I was ready before we got here."

               "Great!"

               Jake lets his sisters order first and then opens his mouth to place his own but Phoenix is snapping the cover over the tablet and shaking her head.

               "You have any allergies of food intolerances handsome?"

               "No..." Jake says slowly, realization dawning.

               "Great, then I'm just going to let you trust the chef..."

               "Not a fan of shellfish," he offers quickly, before she walks away, and she nods and gives him a quick grin, it reminds him of a shark.

               "This is the best birthday ever..." Ivy says, looking incredibly entertained.

               "Glad I could be of service," Jake says, rolling his eyes.

---

               The food is fucking amazing, even if he doesn't know exactly what he's putting in his mouth. He recognizes some things, he's done fine dining before, even if it's never been in a place where the wait-staff were semi-undressed. His sisters have all picked stuff off his plate despite his best efforts to guard his food; Ivy making him swear to try and get the recipe for whatever the hell he was served as his entree.

               His sisters pass on dessert but agree to share a cheese plate and he waits for something to come out just for him and is disappointed when nothing appears. Then someone does appear, and for a second he thinks it's Rooster however...

               "Hi, I'm Goose. Rooster's dad..."

               What the actual fuck. Does no-one have normal names?

               "Does everyone have bird names?"

               "Only the important people," Phoenix states, and she's grabbing Goose's arm and attempting to pull him away, but the older man just grins madly, easily resisting being moved. "He's going to kill you, leave them alone."

               "I ain't bothering them. I'm not bothering you am I?"

               "Oh no, this is the best," Laura says, popping a slice of cheese in her mouth.

               "Baby Goose hasn't flirted with anyone in years -" Goose starts, and then Rooster is behind him, eyes flashing with annoyance and hmm if that look doesn't give Jake a little thrill. He's not wearing his chef coat, and nor is he shirtless, but he's wearing a tight enough tank to show off his, well, his everything, and then a loose button down clearly pulled on in haste because it's inside-out.

               "Dad! For... god. I don't flirt with customers because I don't normally see any."

               "And you also suck at flirting," Phoenix interjects.

               "He's doing fine..." Jake says and Rooster catches his eye and grins slowly, eyebrows quirking, tongue poking out just enough to tease and Jake grins back.

               "They deserve each other..." Ivy says dryly, and Jake looks to her, confused.

               "What?"

               "We might as well all be invisible. Rooster's lucky the backup got here to save his distracted ass..." Phoenix says.

               "Hey! I'm not even meant to be working tonight."

               "Bet you're glad you did though..." Goose says and Jake's glad that Rooster looks as exasperated with his family as Jake is with his... actually, on that note.

               "Happy birthday Ivy, I believe it's Laura's turn to pick up the tab so I will see you all later. Uh."

               He stops then, suddenly unsure of what his next action should be, but then Rooster is stepping away from his father, making a follow me gesture with his head and Jake follows willingly.

               "Hi again..."

               "Hi."

               "Did you enjoy everything?"

               "I sure did."

               "That's what I like to hear..."

               "So, you come here often?" Jake asks and then cringes, mortified, because what the actual fuck is he thinking? The man works here. Phoenix had snorted as she walked past with Goose, shaking her head and giving him that same unimpressed look, although maybe she looked a little fonder. Hard to get a read.

               "Only every day of my life... I live upstairs."

               Jake's mouth goes dry at his suggestive tone and he swallows instinctively to try and wet it and Rooster's eyes flick between his lips and eyes and Jake's breath catches.

               "I really want to take you on a date though... but what I really need is a shower."

               Jake can see he’s hot, sweaty and slightly oil covered from working in the kitchen and it does nothing but make him feel equally hot.

               "Not on my behalf you don’t…" He'd just want to make him all hot and sweaty again. Yeah. Totally normal reaction.

               “Hmm. Good to know," Rooster says, and Jake is pretty sure his thoughts are easily readable on his face. "Did you want dessert?"

               "I don’t know. What’s on offer?" He matches the tone Rooster had used when he'd mentioned living upstairs and the slow smile he gets has his stomach flipping in anticipation.

               "Phoenix, I’m out," Rooster states, reaching to knock his knuckles on the bar top twice before grabbing Jake’s hand and tugging him toward the exit.

PART TWO

[imgoingtofreakoutnow]

everyone falls (like i have for you)

BG3 Holiday Fluffe — prompt 2: Snow and Ice

Summary: Gale has a suprise for Nayan

Pairing: Gale x Nayan (OFC!Bard)

Words: 2.6k

Warnings: the fluffiest fluff to ever fluff, bard-like flirtation, hints of a sexual innuendo (i guess?), mentions of trauma and wounds

A/N: THE FIRST LITTLE FIC WITH MY TAV NAYAN IS HERE!!! I hope you all enjoy my lovely bard and the cuteness that she and Gale are together!!

Tagging: @tripleyeeet @elfinbloodbag @fictionobsession (if anyone wants to be added or removed, just let me know <3)

\_/

“Gale?”

“Yes, dearest?”

Nayan turns to his voice, her eyes blinded by a soft scarf. “Where are you taking me?”

“I told you it’s a surprise,” he hums — she can almost hear the grin on his face in every word he utters, “and you’re going to absolutely love it!”

She chuckles at his excitement, giving a gentle squeeze to his arm, intertwined with hers while he's carefully dragging her through the streets of Waterdeep. He had been doing that for a while now, long enough for her fingers to feel more like they were made of ice instead of flesh and blood.

“I’m sure I will, my love, but are we almost there yet?” Nayan brings her hands to her face, blowing warm air on them before rubbing them together. “Because I think my nose is about to freeze off.”

Gale stops at her side, so suddenly that she almost loses her balance on the slippery cobblestones covered in frost. Some quiet giggles pass her by, clear and light as the crisp air of a winter's day. She could hear the scattering of children running around the streets and playing in the cold like she used to do in Ostduinë when she was younger. Whenever the first snow falls, she's reminded of those days, of the afternoons spent in the snow and skating on the frozen ponds, and all the innocent fun that had been taken from her far too soon.

“Let me check your freezing nose.”

His touch brings Nayan back to the present moment. His fingertips run along the sides of her nose, inspecting it while humming thoughtfully.

“It's worse than I could've imagined,” he says with a serious tone while wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.

Nayan rolls her covered eyes but still smiles at the man in front of him. “Oh, really?”

“It is unfortunate, yes…” he confirms with a sigh that makes her snort. “I believe there isn't much left for this nose. I shall have to just kiss it goodbye.”

The half-elf giggles when Gale leans forward and his lips meet the frozen tip of her nose. Once, twice and then once more before they move to leave a trail of kisses all over her freckled cheeks.

“Gale, stop!” Nayan almost screams, laughing as the wizard presses another kiss on her cheek that — together with the rest of her face — is feeling incredibly warm at the present moment.

“Bless the Gods! The nose has regained its color!”

Without warning, he spins her around and Nayan makes sure to hold tight to his shoulders not to fall to the ground. When she stops twirling, he kisses the tip of her nose once again before leaving a lingering peck on her lips. “We must celebrate.”

Nayan doesn't even have the time to completely get back on her feet that Gale's already pulling her along the road, holding her close and steadying her in every blind step she takes. She can’t stop the chuckle that bubbles in her throat, nor the warmth that quickly spreads inside her chest.

As they move forward, Nayan feels a change in the air. The bustling chatter of the streets of Waterdeep quiets down, replaced with quieter discussions and the chirping of birds that's always drowned by the noise of the city. The only thing that doesn't disappear are the excited screaming of children that seem to come from every direction around her. The ground also feels different under her feet, going from a stoney road to a more muddy and slimy pathway.

“Did you just teleport us back to the Emerald Grove?”

“Ah!” Gale exclaims, his voice tense and with a hint of sourness. “Wouldn't that be funny.”

Nayan shakes her head with a smile. “You’re still upset about that passing fancy?”

“Not at all!” — his voice is slightly high-pitched, but he quickly clears his throat — “That’s ancient history, ghosts of the past! There would be no sense in dwelling on such events!”

He goes on for a minute or so, denying your accusations with his verbose explanations, but the half-elf knows him too well. She can feel the slight tension building, in his quickened pace and in his hold, tightening ever so slightly around her arm. With a gentle smile, Nayan turns to her partner and leaves a quick peck on his shoulder before resting her chin on it.

It seems that’s all it really takes for the wizard to relax. A long exhale and the tension disappears as his lips press for a moment on Nayan’s forehead. “Pardon my senseless worrying.”

“No need to, love.”

Gale sighs softly, his warm breath lingering on her cold skin as he slowly but finally stops on his track. “We’re here.”

Nayan immediately reaches for the scarf but her hands are stopped by Gale’s. “No, no, no. Allow me.”

He leaves her side for a moment, the snow crackling under him as he moves behind Nayan. She feels his hands undoing the knot, careful not to pull any of her short hair in his maneuvers. 

“It’ll probably not meet any of your expectations,” he mutters mostly to himself as he slides the blindfold off her face. “But I do hope you’ll still appreciate this.”

When Nayan finally blinks her eyes open, she’s blinded for a moment by the whiteness that surrounds her. As her vision slowly adapts to the brightness of the place, she takes in the naked trees and bushes with their branches draped with snow and icicles while a group of children runs by, throwing around handfuls of snow and laughing.

However, not all of them are taking part in that small-scale war going on in the park. Some of them, standing nearby, aren’t running or screaming around. They’re carefully sliding on a perfectly frozen pond with what look like self-made skates, groaning as they fall down but relentlessly standing back up, trying to find balance in each other before a mistake from one brings both of them down once again.

Despite the entertainment of watching kids falling — something that has always brought her a sadistic joy, Nayan’s focus has been stolen completely by the ice surface in front of her.

“I didn’t think ponds actually froze here,” she says almost breathlessly, her breath creating swirls in the air before her.

“Well, never like this.” She turns to Gale, standing with his chest all puffed up and a proud smirk on his face. “However, nothing that a little magic couldn’t fix.”

He wiggles his fingers: a couple of glowing snowflakes appear between them, fluttering around before floating towards the pond. As soon as they touch the frozen surface, a glow pulses through the ice for a moment. The cracks that could be seen under the surface disappear immediately and all that’s left behind is a perfect block of ice. Nayan can’t look away from it: she almost doesn’t dare to even blink, terrified that the ice will melt back to water if she stops staring at it, before she’s even had the chance to touch it.

“I remember you mentioning how much you missed ice skating,” Gale adds, a hint of uncertainty in his voice as he passes a hand through his hair, “and I merely thought-”

Nayan throws her arms around his neck, cutting his breath in half. As she pulls him close, she nestles her face into his neck, nudging her nose against his warm skin. She breathes in his addicting smell, a scent of firewood that seems to always linger on his skin, as if there was a fire always burning inside him. Sometimes she wonders what it could be. His passion for the Weave and the magic connected to it. His ambition, that at times shines so bright that it almost blinds her. Now that she’s pressed against him, it feels so obvious. It’s always been there, that fire; beating inside his chest.

“This is more than perfect, Gale.” If possible, she pulls him even closer. “Thank you.”

The surprise that had left the wizard frozen, with his hands in mid-air, finally leaves him. He wraps Nayan tightly in his arms, leaving another soft kiss on top of her head. “I would take the stars, weave them together and give them all to you, if I could.”

She pulls back, loosening her arms until she can look him in the eyes. “I never needed the stars, Gale. Not when I have you.”

Gale smiles, a thankful look in his gaze before his eyes close and his forehead meets Nayan’s. They stand like that for a while, cherishing each other’s company and the gentleness of their touch, when Nayan pulls back with a serious expression.

“You did bring the skates, didn’t you?”

The wizard looks at her with his eyebrows raised before snapping his fingers. As soon as he does, two pairs of skates appear in his hands. “Of course I did, how could you even doubt me?”

—

“Is something the matter, my love?” Nayan asks as she skates around Gale who’s barely balancing himself on the sharp edges of his skating footwear.

“Not at all,” he assures, even though the mere wind created by the half-elf as she moves on the ice makes his knees wobble with uncertainty. “I’m completely fine!”

Nayan chuckles lightly while she glides on the frozen pond, so easily that anyone else watching might even think her skates aren’t actually touching the surface beneath her. As she puts one step in front of the other, Gale can’t help but stare at the way she seems to so seamlessly fly, as if she had been born with those skates on her feet. Even when she falters, there’s a certain grace in the way she uses that stumble to her own advantage, the grin on her face growing bigger and bigger the longer she slides on the ice.

“I don’t think I had quite underestimated the scale of your talent.”

Nayan stops next to him, one of the smuggest smirks he’s ever seen cutting across her reddened face. “Well, I’ve definitely overestimated yours.”

“Between my studies and research I never had much time for such frivoli-”

Gale’s quick to defend himself, as always when his pride is even jokingly questioned, but as soon as his finger starts moving in the air to highlight his words, his balance is lost once again. He shuts his mouth, taking quick and useless steps on the slippery surface as he readies himself to fall face-first into the ice. Thankfully, a couple of steady hands manage to hold him up until he finds his balance once again.

Nayan’s soft laughter is soon joined with the sneering coming from the nearby kids, who had discarded their skates to play with the snow all around the pond.

And to chuckle at anyone’s poor attempts at skating, Gale imagined with a frown, as they kept pointing at him while their whispered giggles still reached him.

“Don’t mind them.”

Gale turns to Nayan, now in front of him as she takes both his hands and slowly starts skating backwards. “Mind only me.”

As he starts sliding on the ice, dragged around by the lovely half-elf, Gale doesn’t dare to move even one single muscle. He might not be familiar with skating, however, he’s perfectly aware of how sometimes even the smallest of actions can create unfathomable consequences.

“Gale.”

Nayan’s voice snaps him out of his thoughts, bringing him back to the present — terrifying — moment. 

“Yes?”

“You know you can move, right?” Nayan chuckles lightly, giving a light squeeze to his hands. “I mean, in the worst scenario, we’ll both fall on the ice.”

Gale winces at the thought, his knees wobbling slightly under him. “That would hurt.”

“Not as much as you’d expect.” She slowly slides to a stop and Gale quite literally glides into her arms. “Just have fun, will you?”

After a moment of hesitation, the wizard can’t help but nod, especially when the half-elf is looking at him with her eyes wide with love and hopefulness. Nayan’s smile opens as a crescent moon and leaves a quick peck on his cheek. Gale can feel the blushing spread on his face as she starts skating and dragging him along once again.

After a deep breath to hopefully take in some of her courage, the wizard starts to imitate the motions of the half-elf. He carefully slides one foot and then the other, testing the ice while his hold on Nayan’s hands gets even tighter. His maneuvers start off as shaky as expected, but the more he keeps going, the less it feels like the ice is just going to give out under him.

“Quite the quick-learner,” Nayan jokes, gaining a small chuckle from Gale.

“Always have been,” he retorts, raising his gaze from his feet just to wink at her.

The smugness, however, doesn’t last long. His skate catches onto something, perhaps a bit of snow or the trails carved into the ice from prior skating, but it’s enough to completely throw off his balance. His feet stomp on the pond, finding its slippery surface with every step he takes. This time Nayan’s steady hands are no help. He starts swaying his arms in the air but that does nothing to stop him from falling on the ice.

Well, not quite on the ice.

“How come you’re never so heavy when you’re topping me?”

“Gods!”

Gale pushes himself away from Nayan's chest, barely standing with his palms planted on the cold ice. “Are you okay?”

She groans, massaging her ribs. “I’ve been worse.”

The wizard winces at her words. He had seen Nayan at many of her worse during their journey together to Baldur's Gate. He had witnessed the wounds cutting through her flesh, the weariness and the ache in her bones bending her in half. He had seen with his own eyes the empty gaze staring at the blank nothingness as she played during her family's celebration. How he hated seeing the spark in her eyes disappear that night, how terrifying to believe — even for just a minute — he had lost it forever.

“I know for certain you have,” he utters softly, “but that doesn’t make me feel better.”

“Well,” she huffs, her hand still circling her chest in soothing movement, “you did elbow my boob.”

As if on cue, Gale's hands lose their grip on the slippery surface and he falls once again. His arm ends up hitting her stomach this time, cutting her breath in half and gaining another pained groan. As the wizard starts profusely apologizing, the children nearby erupt in a fit of laughter that — despite gaining a frown a muttered swearing from Gale — Nayan can't help but join.

“It’s fine,” she sighs, a soft giggle easing the pain in her chest. “Everyone falls at some point, it was bound to happen.”

Nayan rests her head on the ice, red hair spread behind her like a halo of fire. Her gaze wanders in the cloudy sky above, looking in their shape and color for any signs of snow. Then a smirk pulls on her lips.

Her eyes move back into Gale’s with a devilish spark to them. “I was just hoping that, when it happened, the positions would’ve been switched.”

The wizard stares at her, speechless for a moment, before a chuckle escapes his lips, soon mirrored by Nayan. Still laughing, he carefully slides until his face is above hers, a twin smirk pulling his lips as he gently strokes her face.

“If that’s what you want, dearest, we can most certainly work that out when we get home.”

Nayan chuckles as Gale leans down. He kisses her, slowly opening and closing his lips. His beard grazes her chin while his hands tighten on her waist, and despite the ice dampening her hair and freezing her back, the cold seems like a long forgotten dream.

[flock-talk]

Sorry this turned out so long. It started with a simple question, and then it got me thinking more about 'my' bird. Feel free to just ignore this!

Has Toto shown any interest in nest building? I live with a Quaker, and his favourite thing to do is nest building! He uses bbq skewers with the sharp tips clipped off. It's incredible to watch him build and his nests are very elaborate! His owner has to knock them down every so often as they get too big for his cage as well as sanitary concerns but it doesn't seem to upset him too much and he goes right back to building. He sleeps in it at night, too.

Somebody told us that we shouldn't let him build nests because of hormones, but they also started talking about 'dominance', so I kind of disregarded what they said and told his owner to do the same. From what I know about Quakers, which admittedly isn't much, nest building is a normal behavior for them.

Is this a behavior we should be discouraging? Before his owner gave him bbq skewers, he would use any 'stick' he could find, such as pencils, paint brushes, chopsticks, etc. It's something that seems to make him really happy and mentally stimulates him, so I'd hate to take it away from him.

However, he is hormonal. Or at least I think he is. He doesn't let anybody but his owner touch him. He used to dive bomb me and land on my head and peck me if I left my room while he was out. If I hugged his owner, he would scream his head off from his cage. It's not because I was a new person either, I've lived here longer than he has, just one day he stopped liking me. Over time (and me giving him snacks thru the bars of his cage) he's cooled his rage towards me a bit and we can coexist in the same room but I'm still not allowed to touch him. He's a complete angel for his owner, however. She pet's his hole body and tummy which I read is bad to do as it simulates mating behavior and triggers hormones. I tried to get her to stop, but she refuses.

Thank you for reading all this!

It’s something I would look more in to independently since Quakers are odd ones out when it comes to nest behaviour, since most parrots just find hollowed out trees and abandoned spots to nest and don’t actually make their nests. And most other parrots exclusively use their nests for breeding.

Quakers are weird in that they don’t always build nests exclusively for their mate, they do build communal nesting sites where the whole flock will participate in material gathering and building. They work together to build one giant nest structure composed of multiple entrances and nest cavities for the whole flock to use. The birds can live in this giant mondo nest-apartment building all year round or for producing offspring, so it isn’t exclusively a hormone-based behaviour.

When it comes to hormone production in captivity I would play by the individual. If the bird gets aggressive protecting the nest, begins pleasuring themselves, hoarding, regurgitating, or presenting other unhealthy hormonal behaviours then the nesting may want to be discouraged or at least managed in a healthier way.

With your specific bird it also sounds like a lot of other hormonal stimulants are at play which could be the cause for the aggression and one-person attachment behaviours, not necessarily exclusively the nest building.

I’d love to hear other Quaker people chime in on this!

[epickiya722]

For the ‘send me a ship and i’ll tell you…’ ask game, dabi and hawks

please and thank you

Okay, okay, okay. Be patient with me with this ship because...

This is the one popular ship I just feel no matter what do I... I just don't know!

I just don't have a full grasp on these two. 🥲

Who’s the cuddler?

Hawks, he's the type that doesn't shy away from physical touch and is the first to reach out, be it a hug or wrapping his arm around Dabi's.

Who makes the bed?

Doubt, I call doubt that any of those two would make the bed.

Who wakes up first?

Hawks would take the "early bird catches the worm" to heart. Dabi is the type to me that if he could, he would be up during late afternoons and nights and sleep during the earlier parts of the day.

Who has the weird taste in music?

They both would have weird taste in music, Dabi doesn't come off as someone who really doesn't care for music a lot.

They also would think the other has weird taste in music.

Who is more protective?

Ooooh... I'm gonna say Hawks. They're both protective to a fault, Hawks is bound to be the one to move first to protect. Then there's Dabi. He's just more watchful, always staying by Hawks' side and mean mugging anyone who even blinks wrong at them.

Who sings in the shower?

Hawks would, he would. He doesn't do it a lot and he hums and whistles. He doesn't try to have a whole concert in the shower. He always takes more quick showers, since he's always on the go.

Who cries during movies?

Neither. Even bad ending movies don't get them. They're too detached from their emotions. And it's not often they do watch movies. Both are busy and Dabi doesn't care too much for them.

Who spends the most while out shopping?

Hawks, definitely Hawks. Have you seen how he dresses? He may not buy a lot of things, but whenever he does buy clothes and shoes, he becomes a little unhinged.

Dabi questions it, but he doesn't try or card to stop Hawks unless Hawks tries to get him into some designer shirt.

Who kisses more roughly?

Dabi would be the rough kisser. At first, it was because he was awkward about physical affection but over time he mastered it and he kisses roughly because Hawks likes it. Hawks is more on the soft side of kissing. Giving pecks in the cheeks and forehead.

Mostly to "annoy" Dabi.

Who is more dominant?

Hm. I feel with these two, they actually don't charge. They're just going with the flow. They haven't really talked it out. They're just easing through their relationship.

My rating of the ship from 1-10.

I'm gonna give them a... 7.5. Dabihawks is one of those ships that I definitely see the appeal of. I do see quite a bit of fanart and some fics they sometimes are there in the background, and I like it!

It's just... this is a ship I feel like I would do an injustice to of I attempt to write them.

Both characters I don't have a good grip on yet.

SHIP ASK

[program-251]

a ramble about my cat because i love her hehe (she is the best cat in my opinion).

by this point she is around 12 years old I believe, and she gives off such heavy old lady vibes it's unreal and I have just been thinking about how she will eventually pass away most likely before I do, and I thought this would be a nice little thing to look back on : D and remember her by, especially since my memory isn't always the greatest.

Her name is Rogue, she is a black cat with green eyes and a speckling of white hairs from age (she also has a notable patch of white fur on her chest). She loves cuddles and is the most friendly cat I have ever met, she loves attention and whenever she is screaming that is usually what she wants. She is loud and proud, always very vocal about what she wants, and she is like a little motor when she purrs (which is also quite loud XD)

She loves to give me cuddles and starts screaming at me when its 9 am, trying to get me to go to sleep for night time cuddles. It's her routine and man am I bad at following it, she pesters me until I do XD. She loves being tucked in under the blankets and even when it's not cuddle time she will try to get under them by attempting to lift it up with her head.

she loves going outside (almost always with super vision or a bell collar, so she doesn't kill the local wildlife because she is a little murder (although she doesn't even go after birds anymore at this point.)) She never went after are chickens which was surprising since we thought she would , but she mainly just laid down in the grass and observed them. and there chickens warmed up to her and started following her around to her dismay XD you would just see her start walking a little faster when she had a chicken trail behind her it was very funny. She even liked to bring them dead mice, although she stopped that after one of the chickens got to curious and gave her a little peck, after that she avoided them like the plague.

I am really happy that I got to meet her, and live with her and I am glad to say that she has trust in me. She lets me carry her and even purrs when I do, and I am only one of two people who she lets do that, with anyone else she gets really grumpy and definitely considers throwing some hands. She is still salty at one of my friends who picked her up one time XD she is such a salty cat, she will hold grudges. I am also really happy that she enjoys cuddling with me at night, makes it a lot less lonely and I am not use to being alone, plus it makes me feel a lot better seeing this happy content cat living her best life beside me when its dark cause my anxiety spikes and I even use to imagine creatures coming to get me, but having her there made it a lot easier and helped confirm that everything was fine : D (although now I am at a point where I have a really hard time sleeping without her I need my cat cuddles man)

and honestly she is a gorgeous and a majestic cat, I hope she is as happy as she can be and has a lot of happy memories : D and its upsetting to hear people be so superstitious over black cats they are amazing and can make your day just that much better by just being there.

[longingpolaris]

ya know it might perhaps be a small detail to others, but i really appreciated that you incorporated a mention of the messed up worlds fairs/exhibitions concerning arthur meeting mei as a japanese showpiece colony in your latest chapter. taiwan the "model colony" was such a big part of japan's PR during the anglo-japanese alliance era, yet she's usually left out of historical fics about this time period. i just found myself shaking my head (in a good way) at how arthur casually mused about whether include how "lovely" the "formosa exhibit" was in his next romantic letter to kiku and offhandedly noting she seemed "troubled".

it felt like such a realistic depiction of how the literal personification of the british empire would think in this era lol; arthur being "proper", sentimental AND also incredibly high-handed, problematic and blinkered seeing nothing wrong with it cuz he's normalized the colonial gaze so much. the 1910 japan-britain exhibition in london even had the british making postcards of white women wearing kimonos in yellowface so oooof you can just imagine how the colonies lower down the pecking order felt being on display, if imperial japan itself couldn't escape orientalism so welp, arthur...he is so used to thinking of colonies dismissively and it came across! btw, i dont know if you've read bubbletea-hime's fic "a bird's eye view of the taiwan exposition" about the colonial expo that japan organized, but i got reminded of that too and it's a really well-researched work i'd recommend showing mei and yong-soo's perspective of kiku and japanese imperial attitudes/propaganda: archiveofourown(dot)org/works/50665735/

Hello! Glad to know that this dismissive tone Arthur has came across as intended, what you wrote was exactly what I was thinking when I wrote it.

I actually wanted to talk a bit more about Mei and the Exhibition, but stopped myself because Arthur just… wouldn't pay that much attention. He doesn't realise how messed up the whole thing is, to him this is all normal!

Ooh I've been meaning to read that! Thanks for reminding me 😊

[stardust-static]

Hi, it's me your friendly neighborhood chicken vet.

No but seriously I could be a chicken vet with all the problems these birds have brought me....

Today I went into the run to do the daily water change and noticed one of my hens being super lethargic and gasping up at the sky. When I picked her up she was making gurgling noises. So I put her in quarantine in the brooder and googled what was wrong with her. Turns out she has respiratory sickness so I went and got the recommended medication and it should start to take effect within two days. Right now she looks on the brink of death. So I'm just trying to make sure she's comfortable and hopefully she can bounce back. 😔

So then just now I'm back in the run observing the chickens after I changed out their coop bedding and I noticed one of the baby chickens was also doing the little gasping up at the sky thing. Not as bad as my big chicken. She was still moving around fine, but yeah I think she has the beginning stages of it, and now I'm just wondering if all four of the babies have it because they're all housed together and I am just.... I need them to stop having a new issue every week. I'm tired of the chicken drama.

Especially right now. I'm sick. I can also barely breathe and it's that time of the month. I am at like 5% function capability right now. All I wanted today was to lay down and recover, but it's been another day of chicken things trying to make sure this chicken doesn't pass away on me.

I'm definitely not getting any more chickens any time soon... Like at first I just wanted more and more and had all these breeds I wanted to collect. I'm good.. I'm actually thinking of downsizing. At least one of them is a major pecker and is pulling out the others feathers and once I figure out who it is they gotta go. I have one rooster still cause no one wanted him. I tried getting rid of him but I couldn't. I actually think he's a nice rooster though. I don't think he's the one pecking. So Bailey is going to install a chicken cam so that I can spy on them and figure out who it is. At least they should start pulling their weight this month and producing eggs. Bailey built their nesting boxes today. Can't wait!