#but it’s still a big achievement and we’re proud of/happy for you

[curiosity-killed]

This is the last grumbling I’m going to do about my birthday I swear BUT I’m still just mildly flummoxed by my call with my parents last night where like. It’s my birthday. And I have COVID. And they insist on FaceTiming and then just….vent about our extended family and how hard their life is, never once asking a question about *my* life to the point that I finally gave up and while my mom was doing her “and well now what other family news is there…” hmming and hawing, interrupted her to be like “I got offered a trainee position with this dance company” and then they just were like “😶😐 oh. Well. Are you going to take it? You do work full time too and need to have balance in your life…” instead of saying a single positive thing

[thesiltverses]

A very big thank you

I posted this on Patreon, but really wanted to share it here as well:

Post-show life begins

For a long while now I’ve been getting up at 4.30 or 5am, grabbing myself the first coffee of four, and then coming to sit at my desk.

I open up the assembly cut of the newest TSV episode.

I listen to it, I try and pin down which scenes I need to be going back over today. I try and push through the entire morning without a break because when the momentum stalls, that’s what kills your release schedule. (I also worry endlessly about just how much of my hair is falling out, and how spending 12 hours a day wearing headphones could be contributing to that.)

Today was different. I still woke up early - it’s a hard habit to shake off, and probably a useful one going forward. But I didn’t go to my desk, and I didn’t put my headphones on.

I went to the rocking chair we bought for our son when he comes, and I sat there - gently swaying and trying not to spill my coffee all over it, because for some reason it’s fucking beige - and looked out over the city skyline. 

I slugged back my coffee surrounded by all the stuff we’ve panic-bought for the baby, and I got to take all of it in - washcloths and the changing table and romper suits - with a sudden focus and a clarity and a rising excitement that I really hadn’t allowed myself to feel until today, because until today the work was still unfinished and there was still much left to be done.

All at once I felt very free, and fully sated, and happy and proud for everything that’s coming next.

There’s so much to feel grateful for from the past three years of working on this show. But what’s probably going to sit with me the most is being able to arrive at that moment and those feelings today, - and we have all of you incredible people to thank for that.

Not just in terms of listenership or financial support, although that’s been truly invaluable and a lifeline for us that’s enabled us to actually make the show - but also your enthusiasm, your passion, your jokes and comments and everything that’s helped to keep us motivated and working on it.

So - with as much feeling as words can convey, thank you so, so much for everything.

What’s coming next, in rough order

#1: Parentdom is going to take over our lives for a while! I also want to write the final Patreon episode commentaries in the next few days, while I have the time and the clear memories. #2: The next thing we’ll organise will be the post-season Q&A (we’d also like to do some kind of off-camera cast party if we can make schedules work, just to say thank you to our amazing VAs and celebrate with them). Please do ask us questions! #3: We have long-unfinished commitments to the Patreon which I need to complete: the last two episodes of So Long, Good Luck, and rounding off Sid Wright’s story. As ever, huge thank-yous for your patience with these; they’ve just been impossible to polish off while also working on the main show so much. #4: Something I’ve been thinking about for a long time is the possibility of going back to Season 1 and redesigning it from scratch to try and bring it closer in style to S2 and S3. We have the raw audio files - some of the mic quality will just be rough no matter what, but we can certainly try.  This is something I want to be conscientious and careful about; I very much want to respect the sound design work that’s already taken place, and ensure we’re not overriding anything. But I do know that the initial quality still sometimes puts new listeners off; we were learning a lot about direction and mastering from scratch, and our designers were working with limited budget and a total lack of plugins, so there’s simply a lot more we can achieve now. (This would also be a good opportunity for me to finally rework the transcripts, another fallen hurdle). #5: A few months back, we were contacted by a literary agent in NYC who was interested in us adapting the show into a series of novels. There’s a long road ahead to actually get published, but I'm thrilled to say that I have signed with them and I’m really excited to hopefully start work on the first book once I’ve settled into dad-dom. I’ll need to check what’s possible, but if it doesn’t interfere with any contract condition I’d obviously love to share excerpts on here as it’s written. #6: Then there’ll also be another larger audiodrama project - we’ve spoken about the different possibilities before! Excited to get started on our final choice.

Just one last word about endings

God, endings are scary. Because endings are impossible.

How many serialised stories actually end in a way that’s received unequivocally well?  People yelled at The Sopranos for its ambiguity and open-endedness. People criticised Breaking Bad for treating Walt too sympathetically at the end and relying on a generic mob of snarling Nazis to act as his final foe.

Endings are either too pat and neat, or too inconclusive to be satisfying, or too surreal and dreamlike, or they simply make what feels like the wrong choices for the characters we care about. We’re all caught in that barbed wire, creators and audience alike, weighed down by the baggage of what’s come before and we've already spent so much time anticipating the infinite possibilities of how it could all turn out - it’s like we can’t get free of the story that’s trying to end. 

And the beautiful thing about these longform, iterative works is that they insist upon becoming completely ungovernable. No matter how much of a planner the creator claims to be, how much prepwork they carry out - they were never really in control. There’s spontaneity and surprises and dead ends and beautiful distractions that come spilling out along the way (I was baffled and delighted to learn that people really - at the end of the show, with such limited time to spare - wanted to find out what had happened to Eddie*). 

So they can’t end. Not really. There’s too much wonderful mess in them to ever be reasonably disentangled.

And, of course, for every ending people remember with frustration or dissatisfaction, there’s another hundred endings that nobody remembers at all, because we lost our enthusiasm along the way and it feels better to keep going back to the start and avoiding the slow decline. (Who the fuck remembers how the umpteenth X-Files reboot ended? What increasingly tired post-modern antics was Alan Moore getting up to in the final League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books?). I really just didn’t want the show to end up in that latter category.

All of that probably sounds like I’m warding off criticism about the show's ending, but for me it’s actually been the opposite. 

For an ending which is all about narrative dissatisfaction, and failed potential and missed opportunities, and how we need to come to terms with the lack of existential fairness and certainty and narrative control in our lives and keep ploughing forward all the same for as long as we possibly can, I’m massively stunned at just how positive the reception has been on here and elsewhere, and that’s something I’m actively having to process, because I think I was fearfully anticipating much more pushback.

But, look - the Eskew finale was originally quite poorly-received and then people came back around to it over time. So I’m not going to pat myself on the back too hard, because maybe it’ll ultimately be the opposite with this show, and that’s OK. For 200 years everyone was convinced King Lear was improved by having everyone survive at the end and get married. Endings take time to settle into their final condition.

For now, I am incredibly relieved that the ending we chose seems to have landed for most people, and I’m incredibly grateful for the lovely messages we’ve got about it and for the trust in us that you’ve all shown throughout the story.

So, yeah, let’s end with another thank you, because that’s what I feel so deeply and so forcefully at this point.

Thank you so much again, and speak soon.

Jon

*My take? We’ve established that the guy is in some kind of blue-collar job and has been pushed into constant overtime due to the reduced workforce. We’ve seen that the so-called ‘national holiday’ doesn’t actually rescue workers from their commitments. So I personally imagine that Eddie was working during the parade somewhere on the city outskirts, and is alive and well.

[numinousher]

CHANTAJE! (epilogue)

SUMMARY: your hectic life was nothing but peaceful now

WARNING(S): nothing

NOTE: another series done 🥲 thank you for the support

TAGLIST (CLOSED): @parapiop7 @an-ever-angry-bi @softforyoongles @thenaverse @delliriumn @juju-227592 @skyys-universe @carolinexkpop @reallysparklychaos @namjooncrabs @savagemickey03 @drunkzseok @svnbangtansworld @2ne1unni

“Mr. Kim! Mr. Kim!”

“Mr. Kim! How do you feel about your wife getting an Oscar nomination?”

Namjoon smiled at hearing the question as he held your hand protectively, reporters surrounding you 8 since you were heading to dinner in a very popular street.

You were celebrating a year of marriage and what better way to do that than to celebrate it at the restaurant they opened for you? It was surprising to say the least, but this was a lot due to the fact you got a private jet, a private island so you could peacefully shoot films in, and got a whole collection of new jewelry that will never be (officially) released.

“We are very proud of Y/n,” Namjoon said as loud as he could over the sound of camera clicks. He opened the door for you before your guys’ guards took over to let all of you in. “How could we not? She’s doing an amazing job. Thank you.”

You 8 walked in and ignored anymore questions about your new nomination that everyone was raving about. It was a big deal, after all, since this was such a major achievement in your career. You were very surprised when Jae had called you to tell you the news; you were nominated for an Oscar after a film of yours attracted so much attention in the states. It was a nice way to start your weekend. You were still in disbelief and the others couldn’t have been more prouder than ever. They were the first ones to call you to congratulate you since they were working.

“It’s so beautiful,” you gasped out as Namjoon and the others led you even further inside the restaurant.

You eyed the chandeliers hanging on the roof, the warm tone colors adding more richness to the atmosphere, the music softly playing in the background by a band they made you choose (without you knowing for what), and the place was so far crowded by a bunch of people since Namjoon wanted to make the place as affordable as possible.

“I’m happy you like it, beautiful,” Jimin said as he kissed the side of your head from beside you, his hand placed on your lower back. “I remodeled it.”

“We,” Jungkook corrected.

“No they didn’t,” Yoongi muttered out, looking around. “They chose the pieces and I remodeled it. Assholes kept whining they didn’t want to do the hard work.”

“I-” Both Jimin and Jungkook let out, about to argue. “That’s not true!”

You giggle to yourself and kiss Yoongi. “Thank you for remodeling it, Yoongi. It looks beautiful and it’s so sparkly! I love it.”

“I knew you would so I added the stars on the roof by the chandeliers so it can sparkle even more,” Yoongi softly muttered against your lips as he kissed you again.

“Guys, we’re in the middle of the restaurant,” Jungkook harshly whispered, smiling sheepishly at the other customers before he moved you and Yoongi along to your table.

You snorted in amusement at his actions and sat down in the middle of the booth that gave you guys privacy from any wandering eyes.

“Happy anniversary, baby,” Namjoon said, looking down at you. He softly gripped your chin with his fingers to tilt your head up, kissing you rather deeply and passionately. “Might just take you back home to have you to ourselves. You look way too beautiful.”

“Very,” Taehyung softly said under his breath, his lips attaching themselves to the nape of your neck. They trailed down your shoulder, down your arm until his lips eventually kissed your hand he had in his own. He kiss the back of your hand close to your wedding ring and groaned. “Guys, please. I need her. Let’s go home.”

“No,” Jin spoke, sending him a look. “We promised to take her out.”

Taehyung groaned again, though, this time, more of annoyance. He let his hand wrap itself around your waist to rest on your hip, his fingertips squeezing the flesh there before you ordered your food.

The food was so good and the thought they put into it made your heart beat even harder. They added some meals that you’ve mentioned were your favorite, while also adding in dishes you’ve mentioned before into wanting to try. It was a very diverse menu that didn’t feel too overwhelming or over the top. It was perfect.

You 8 talked about everything, reminiscing about your relationship in the past 4 years, and the way you all grew together to be better people for each other and for yourselves.

“Are your parents still calling?” Hobi asked as he ate, looking at you.

You nodded. “Yeah, they need money. I had to tell them that I will sue them if they take any of my siblings money I give them because… what the hell? It’s not for them.”

Hobi curtly nodded as well, swallowing his food. “Good. They need to start minding their own business. You’re working hard and it’s your money. They’re greedy leeches.”

“Hobi,” you chuckled as you heard his words. He shrugged as if he didn’t say anything. You continued laughing as Taehyung fed you, but he gave you a small stern look that clearly said, “Stop laughing or else you’ll choke on your food and I don’t want to worry.” So, you just resorted to smiling. “I made it clear I wasn’t helping them, so don’t worry.”

“Good,” Jin spoke next, chewing his food. He hummed. “Your parents need to be taught a lesson. They have enough money after what they did.”

You smiled and sighed loudly. “Well, it happened and now I’m much more happier.” You hum under your breath. “Let’s not talk about them today. It’s a happy day for us.”

“Ah, yes,” Jungkook began with a huge smile on his face, “we got married to your pretty ass a year ago. I still say we should’ve married her on the spot once we all realized we had feelings for her.”

Jimin and Taehyung nod simultaneously in agreement.

Namjoon rolls his eyes. “You guys are ridiculous. We got to fully know her in these past years.”

“We shouldn’t have made you wait, right, sweet girl?” Taehyung lowly mumbled, his nose nuzzling your cheek as you giggled to the words he was saying. “We shouldn’t have made you wait this long to be our wife, ours.”

He began kissing you and you kissed him back just as passionate.

“Taehyung,” Jimin snorted out, pulling the man away from you. “Damn, chill.”

“I need her,” Taehyung whispered, going back to kissing you.

The others fidgeted in their seats at seeing you two kiss almost as if it was the first time you two were kissing.

They really needed to tell Taehyung he had to give you room to breathe because the man was so passionate about you he couldn’t not have you.

Namjoon sighed.

“Tae, leave her alone and eat your food,” he sternly said.

Taehyung groaned against your lips like he usually did when he was interrupted. He backed away and looked at you with hooded eyes.

“As soon as we get home, you’re mine,” he muttered, looking away. He cleared his throat and began to eat while you stayed dumbfounded, clearly breathless from the kiss and his words.

Jimin chuckled. He lifted his wine glass. “To us.”

“To us.”

You all simultaneously clinked glasses.

Your proposal was nice. You had let them know that you hated the thought of being proposed in such a public space where paparazzi could easily interrupt your intimate time so, they did proposed in your backyard.

For your wedding, Jae (who was nervous to be in public after confirming her relationship with Hyung-min) and your sister (who was acquitted of her crimes) helped you plan everything out. The boys added their opinions, too, but they wanted you to plan it and they would just give you the money. Whatever you wanted you could have.

Your wedding to the 7 was big. Due to you being South Korea’s most famous actress and the guys were considered to be the most influential businessmen, reporters were eating anything up that involved your wedding.

Once your wedding pictures came out, there was even more traction at seeing how beautiful everything was. It was trending everywhere and it brought more sales to magazines.

“Let’s try for a baby next,” Taehyung said as he swallowed down his wine. You looked at him, as did everyone. “What? Guys, just imagine. It doesn’t have to be right now, of course, but just imagine once she’s pregnant.”

“Let her career grow a bit more,” Yoongi commented, receiving a hum of agreement from you and the others.

“I want to spend more time with you guys before we have a baby,” you softly added. You looked at Taehyung as he nodded in understanding. “Maybe next year or in 2 years. We’ll know. If I end up with child well unexpectedly, it’s also okay, but let’s wait.”

“Whatever you want, beautiful,” Taehyung said, never straying his eyesight away from your face.

“To us.”

“To us.”

You smiled.

“Now,” you placed your wine glass on the table, “why did I get a message from Chan-woo, who is God knows where, that said that you guys are the reason he can’t write anymore?”

“Chan-woo texted you?” Namjoon asked, slowly eating,

You nodded. “Yeah, he texted me today in the morning when I received your flowers which, by the way,” you looked at Jin, Yoongi, and Taehyung, “thank you. They were beautiful.”

They smiled at you.

“Ignore what Chan-woo said,” Jungkook hummed under his breath. “We didn’t do anything to him just… taught him a lesson. He broke his own arm after his sister pushed him off the car for ruining her reputation. It was amusing to see.”

“Yeah, don’t believe anything that asshole said,” Jin said, surprising everyone since he wasn’t one to curse in public. “He’s trying to make you feel guilty. The money we gave him probably ran out.”

“You gave him money?”

“We’re not that cruel, baby,” Namjoon chuckled.

Taehyung hid his smile. “After all, we need to pay him a little visit for texting you. What did he expect?”

“Oh, God…” You muttered under your breath.

Taehyung smirked as did the others.

“Keep saying words like that and we’ll take you home so you could say those while I’m on top—”

You immediately covered Taehyung’s mouth.

“Don’t start.”

Chuckling, his eyes sparkled as he looked at you.

“I love you.”

< before (guys tumblr isn’t letting me link so please just search it up on my account under 🫧 chantaje! update 😭)

[dokries]

moonrise

pairing: hong jisoo (joshua) x gender neutral reader

genre: fluff/comfort, established relationship

word count: 564

warnings: the moon is talked about like it’s a sentient being cause i’m sentimental, a forehead kiss, can be read as existential in a way but it doesn’t have to be, Big Promises, there is so much implied in their words that even i can’t figure it out

author note: happy birthday to me :) (this is queued!) to me these still seem like midnight ramblings from a month ago but i hope you enjoy reading nonetheless! this goes hand in hand with sunset but they’re not directly connected, just written with the same things in mind and the same late times

masterlist

he stares at you, unsure of what your pensive look means as he says your name, his voice a gentle reminder of him being by your side. 

“you alright?” joshua asks, concern etched into the way his tone shifts to a whisper at the end, blending into the air around you, the window open in his room to let the two of you see the sky clearly.

you turn towards him, and he’s entranced by the way the moonlight shifts on your skin, creating shadows and plateaus on your face he never noticed before.

“the moon is so beautiful,” you say instead, his previous question left to swirl into the breeze that was now picking up.

joshua smiles, shaking his head, and you know it’s him silently agreeing with you.

“it knows so much more than we could ever seek to understand, doesn’t it?” you ask, and his eyebrows furrow at the thought before he nods.

“it’s seen all the emotions that exist in our languages and those left unsaid—rage, resentment, regret…” joshua holds your hand in his as he continues quietly. “love, compassion, and comfort. it knows all these personally, all while never experiencing them itself.”

you hum in agreement, and the two of you go back to staring up at the subject of your musing. 

“i wonder if it ever judges us—if we’re hated for our foolishness and mistakes that it’s seen us repeat for millennia.” 

you let the silent question hang in the air. am i too foolish to be with you?

joshua turns to you once more, squeezing your hand in response before speaking. “eventually, i think it may be proud to see our achievements, the way we continue to love despite our circumstances.” 

no, you never could be.

his shoulder brushes against yours and you sigh, warmth seeping into your arms at first before slowly reaching your neck and your head, and finally manifesting in your temple once he places his lips on your forehead. 

joshua pulls away too quickly, and the sun does not take over the moon as you thought it would while he was pressed against you. 

he smiles softly, bringing his arms around to wrap you in his grasp. maybe the sun has come out, the light on your eyelids too bright to be false as you close them.

you both sigh in unison as he places a hand over the back of your head, shielding the two of you from the breeze. he lets go after a moment to close the window, even though he doesn’t want to move from your side, and leaves flutter in with the scent of jasmine as he sits down beside you once more. 

joshua tries for a wide grin and when you chuckle softly, he knows that it’s alright to hold your hands and whisper as he looks into your eyes. “my love for you will stay with the moon for the next lives we live, even if they are apart.”

you smile softly, your touch holding a thousand promises left unspoken. “our lives will not be without each other, and the moon will stay with us for the moments we are unable to be together.”

joshua’s eyes slide back to the calm surroundings outside the comfort of your company and his shoulders slump down against you, desperately hoping that the moon will keep your foolish wish alive. 

[anadiasmount]

imagine you're dating jude but no one knows and you're at an event or game or whatever and you hear some girls talking about him and how he's so hot and blah blah blah and you're just sitting there smiling to yourself because no matter how much they talk, at the end of the day he comes home to you.

let’s say you’re back home and he’s cooking dinner for you after the match, and he’s just so excited and over the moon over the performance and goal! literally he cannot stop tapping about it and mentioning just how perfect it was.

you sat on the counter there quietly listening with the biggest grin on your face bc you love when he talks about his achievements and career, you could listen to him all day. it makes you not only super grateful but yet more trusted and wanted by this bc since your relationship was yet to be known by everyone.

“you’re awfully quiet? something on your mind?” he asks dropping the spatulas and striding over to you. placing a small kiss on your lips while he pulls you towards him, chest to chest. “nothing. i’m just so proud of you jude. it makes me so happy how far you’ve comed along in just months. and to be able here to support and love you along the way it the tip of the iceberg,” you grab his face a place a small kiss to his cheek, your lipstick leaving a mark behind.

you giggled at his confused reaction when you give him a teasing look, showing him that you were hiding something from him. jude groans and insists you tell him what you’re thinking of, “tell me please, you can’t give me that look and not say anything?”

when his big hands trail over your sides you moved around to try him to stop, your feet banging and making noise on the cabinets below as you try to free yourself from him. “fine fine. just be quiet! your mom is still here,” you say, motioning to bring his voice to a whisper or quiet voice.

your mind drifts back off to the game where you had been sitting patiently for the match to start. it was cold out so you kept playing with your beanie and scarf to get it warm and close to you. while getting distracted by the new stadiums latest features, your head cocks forward to the group of four girls who brought up your boyfriends name.

no one knew the two of you we’re together, you and jude agreeing to when time was right as all you wanted was to share the most right now when no one was seeing or being judgy. plus knowing how protective his fans are, you weren’t quite ready for their comments.

a blond girl spoke up about he different things he would do to him, the red head about how he gave out big dick energy, and the two brunettes were chatting how hot and talented he was, that it should be them supporting him, and only them. you sat there with your arms crossed and feeling buddy, an expression of wanting to let the world know he was your boyfriend.

“during the game the girls infront of me, kept going on and on of how hot and sexy you were, that you legit give out big dick energy, that’s you’re super talented and such a mommas boy. how they could treat you better and give you the world and it just made me laugh,” you chuckle and reenacted their voices and hang gestures, giving him a huge grin.

jude laughs loudly and throws his head back, forgetting the promise he had just done prior to keep his voice down. “little did they know my girlfriend was behind them, looking beautiful in my jersey and supporting me through the end, even if she didn’t agree with me to continue playing,” he says frowning in the last sentence.

“i’ll say it once and i’ll say it again, risks like even how small or big they are, should never be taken. but i can’t do anything about that, let alone you bc ik how stubborn and fearless you are,” you purse your lips together and hug him, feeling him let out a sigh of relief. “i’m just so happy to be here with you after all this time. i love you so so much you know? you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me,” you say softly kissing his neck, shoulder, and jaw.

“ i know baby, i know, but i only do it bc of the team and for me, we all need each other even in the worst timings. i won’t make it a habit though. and as for me being the best thing in your life, i can say the same. i’ve never met anyone like you, who’s loves me conditionally through my goods and bads, let’s me be the jude i want to be,” he closes the gap and kisses you feverently, whispering i love yous along your lips.

but then comes to a halt and groans, quickly sprinting to the stove where he freaks out over the food, “MY CHICKEN! ITS BURNING!”

[sillylittlerock]

You Are The Best Thing That's Ever Been Mine

In honour of Byler Day 2023 and Speak Now (TV) <3 hope you enjoy!

(ALSO I'm also posting this onto my ao3 so if you wanna check that out that's be great!! my ao3 is: just_a_byler_kid if you're interested)

Will had been at kindergarten for less than a day, but he already knew one thing for sure; kids were annoying. He watched them all run around screaming, playing tag, throwing sand at each other, and he had no idea why. What was the point in their games? Fun? Well, they didn’t look fun, not to Will anyway. They looked downright terrifying. 

Still. He would’ve liked someone to ask him to play, too.

He would’ve said no. Obviously. 

But if only someone had just asked… 

He huffed to himself, frowning, and stared at the ground, just slightly out of reach from his dangling feet. If he stretched, the very tip of his worn, scuffed trainers touched the gravel. For a brief moment, he grinned, proud of his achievement. The other kids probably couldn’t do that, he thought smugly to himself. He was a little taller than most kids in his class, apart from a kid called Troy Walsh, who seemed to tower over him. Troy was scary, Will had decided. Best to stay out of his way. But even though Will thought so, he couldn’t help noticing that Troy Walsh wasn’t sitting by himself on the swings. No, Troy was playing tag with a whole group of kids, and it was he, Will, who was alone. Maybe he had gotten the wrong idea. Maybe he should try to make friends with Troy, or at least someone. But a terrible thought struck him all of a sudden- what if no one wanted to be his friend? What if everyone was going to hate him forever? What if- 

“Hello,” came a voice. Will jumped, and looked up at once. A boy had appeared, with dark curls falling in front of his big brown eyes. The boy looked very small, and very scared. What was he doing here? What was Will supposed to say back? 

“Hello,” he said, his voice extremely quiet. 

The boy took a deep breath, as though he was building up the courage to speak. His words came out in a rush. “Doyouwanttobemyfriend?” 

Will blinked, unsure if he’d heard right. “Huh?” 

“Do you want to be my friend?” the boy repeated, this time speaking slower than was natural. He looked up at Will through his curls, and Will found he was suddenly quite shy. 

“Okay,” he said, even quieter than before, smiling timidly, still a little confused as to what was happening. The boy’s face split into a huge grin, one radiating with bright, bubbly happiness. 

“Great!” he cried, climbing onto the swing beside Will. “I’m Mike, by the way. Who are you?” 

“Will.”

“Will, we’re going to be best friends forever, okay?” Mike said, like it wasn’t even a question. Will looked down at Mike’s sneakers; they couldn’t touch the ground at all. He felt his smile grow; he was taller. 

“Okay.” And, although they barely knew each other, Will believed it with all his heart. 

“Will!” Mike shouted from across the playground, and Will hurriedly scrubbed tears off his face before looking up to see his best friend running towards him. The smile on Mike’s face faded as he reached the swings, taking in the obvious redness of Will’s eyes. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Will said automatically, doing his best to smile. But there was never any fooling Mike. He just knew everything; it was one of the things he liked best about him. 

“No, you’re not,” Mike said, his voice full of concern. “What happened?” After a pause, he added, his voice even softer, “Is it… your dad?” WIll nodded, eyes stinging again, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. His feet touched the ground easily now, but Mike’s did easier. Mike was taller than him now, and so was just about everyone. Will had liked it better when he was one of the tallest. 

“Do you want to talk about it?” 

Will thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Maybe later,” he whispered, voice wobbling a little. 

“Do you want a hug?” 

This time, Will nodded. Instantly, Mike wrapped Will in his arms, squeezing him comfortingly. Will’s stomach felt lighter at once, and his heart felt a bit warmer. This was the only good thing about Mike being taller; he gave the best hugs. Will sometimes felt that he could spend forever there. Mike made him feel safe, and happy, and whole. But the hug only lasted a few seconds, like they always did at school. They never spoke about it, but they both knew they shouldn’t hug each other for too long, or Troy Walsh would get upset. It was okay though, Will thought as Mike smiled down at him, the kindness in his eyes making his heart flutter a little, because later, when he went to sleep over at Mike’s, they could hug for as long as they wanted. As Mike turned around to look for their new friends, Lucas and Dustin, Will smiled to himself. He couldn’t wait until later. 

The words took him completely by surprise, and it looked as though they took Mike by surprise, too. They both sat there, in stunned silence, for a few moments, both waiting for Will to say something. The only problem was Will couldn’t remember how to speak. He had forgotten what words were. His brain had short-circuited the moment he heard those words come out of Mike’s mouth. And so he stared at his feet, trying to remember how to function. They were both too tall for the swings now, their legs bending awkwardly, but it didn’t really matter, because the swings were their place. Even now they were seventeen, over a decade after they had met, they hadn’t truly outgrown them. The first thing that really hit him was that this was the place Mike had chosen to tell him. The realisation almost made his heart melt, Of course he had. Mike Wheeler had always liked to be poetic. 

Then he remembered what Mike had said. 

His fist tightened on the chain of the swing, the cool metal pressing into his palm, grounding him, reminding him that he wasn’t dreaming. “You mean it?” 

He looked up to meet Mike’s gaze, and saw for the first time the true fear in his eyes. Tears were streaming down his face, and his curls were falling in front of his eyes again. God, Will had always loved those curls. 

“I mean it,” Mike whispered, his voice hoarse. “I’ve never meant anything more in my life, Will. I love you. I love how you smile, and how you laugh, and how you speak, I love how you’re kind and generous to everyone you meet, I love how you force me to listen to those terrible songs you like, I love how you never let anyone kill bugs we find in the house, and how you insist on taking them outside to a nicer place, I love how you’re creative and brave and gentle and so fucking perfect. I love you, and I’ve loved you for so long, Will. And I’m sorry that I had to go and ruin everything, because you mean more to me than anything in the world. But I had to tell you, because I can’t keep lying to you abou-”

Mike stopped talking with a quiet gasp as Will reached out and brushed his hair out of his face. There were tears in Will’s eyes, and his hands were shaking. This couldn’t be real. But it was. This was real. Because he could feel the tears on Mike’s face, the heat radiating off of his body. This was real. 

“Mike?” he whispered, voice shaking,his hand still resting on Mike’s face. 

“Yeah?”

“I love you too.” 

Everything happened all at once. Mike’s hand was on his, and then Mike’s lips were on his, and it was like fireworks were exploding inside of Will’s heart. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. All he knew was he was kissing Michael Wheeler, his best friend, the boy he had loved for years, the boy he had given up on, and it felt amazing. Mike’s lips were warm, and soft, and felt so perfect against his own. Mike moved his hand across Will’s face, and goosebumps followed his touch, only intensifying when his hand came to a rest by his jaw, holding WIll’s face gently in his hand. 

For the first time in many, many years, Will felt as though everything was perfect. Everything was as it should be. 

@cgi-heart-eyes and @bylerday2023 <3

[waitmyturtles]

Whew, WOW, OKAY. OOOHHHHKAY. THAT was a HELL of a ride. Double Savage, episodes 3 and 4 (but mostly 4). Long post coming. (Dang it. I did NOT KNOW THIS SHOW was gonna do me like this, meta-wise!)

[The alternate title of this episode should be, “SEE DAD? SEE WHAT FUCKING HAPPENS WHEN YOU ABUSE US?” (Just like that, in all caps, ha.)]

The reason why I say “us” in my proposed alternate title is because I realize that I haven’t addressed something in my previous write-ups about Double Savage -- namely, the psychological abuse that Korn and Win’s dad is committing towards the rest of his family, besides Korn.

We start episode 4 with a two-year jump, and dad Beng is as happy as a clam... with only one of his three children. He tells Win, “you’re the only child that I’m proud of.” Big sister Li stands next to her mother, clearly gritting her teeth, while Mom and Li clearly also think of Korn, who’s now been lost to them for a while. 

And we get the looped conclusion of the first episode, when the three siblings meet in the abandoned warehouse, with Li revealing to Win where Korn has been hiding. So we know that Li has been visiting Korn since the first time she broke into the warehouse.

Meaning: the sibling unit still exists, for now. But, the father has revealed something by what he says to Win. He DEMANDS of his family that they buy into his vision for a Korn-less existence, regardless of what it means to ANYONE around him. AND, he ALSO demands that they believe in his OTHER fallacies -- such as Win being the only child worth investing in. We can also acknowledge now that this family has been living without Korn for two years already -- and that’s certainly had to have tremendous psychological impacts on Li and the mom, and especially on Win, as he continues to grow into adulthood. Finally, we don’t know why Li is still living with her folks, if she’s dating, if she’ll get married, etc.

...or maybe we DO know why she’s still around. 

What is this vision that dad Beng has created for his family? That Korn shouldn’t exist, that he shouldn’t be around. That THE FATHER IS the patriarch.* That their unit will ALWAYS be led with his leadership. (We haven’t seen the mother confront the father, either yet or at all.) We see Li helping with the store, usually by her mother’s side. 

In other words, this family is led by fear first. It’s highly likely that Li has been raised with enough fear to feel very uncomfortable about even leaving the household, let alone seeking out her own independent life. AND, also highly likely -- her father has likely “let her know,” that as a woman, she probably can’t step out and achieve anything on her own.

Just a guess there, but I think we can take educated guesses with such an unbelievably harsh and abusive patriarch. 

(My *star up above indicates that there may be underlying commentary about Thai-Chinese patriarchal references that I may not be catching. We can hear “Hia” being thrown about all over the place, so, like Moonlight Chicken, we know that we’re dealing with a majority Thai-Chinese cultural background and read on the script. I wish I knew more about this slice of Thai culture. My own read on this patriarchal structure is coming from a more generalist Asian perspective.)

Anyway -- I haven’t even gotten to the meat of the episode yet, which is that we continue to see the disastrous and tremendous fall-out of the society and world around Korn, and the impacts of the choices he’s made since leaving his family house. 

First off, quickly: we see promises being broken. (Promises had already been broken all along, right? Shouldn’t parents love their children?) Win is going to break his promise to Korn because Win wants to be with Rung. Win gives Korn the heads-up -- and Korn accepts it. And Korn lifts Win on his back. Even though it’s LOVE THAT KORN HAS FOR HIS BROTHER -- that’s a weight on Korn’s back. Win will get the love that Korn has in Rung.

Win, then -- surprisingly to me -- asks Rung’s *parents* for *permission* to date Rung. In front of both families. My man, Win -- where’s the ring? Ha. I mean. Again, I may be missing something by way of a Thai-Chinese cultural read. But homey might have well asked for the horoscopes to set a wedding date. You really don’t do that until you’re ready to chat marriage. We see arranged marriages being a COMMON topic in Thai shows. And maybe -- that’s what Win wanted to get out of it? I’m not sure there.

Which is why, I think, we see Rung so pissed. Rung represents breaks from tradition. Remember what she said in episode 2, about her family not believing in superstitions around families and children? That they hold people back? Rung is a rebel. To be asked for her hand in dating, in front of her folks, without Win checking in with her in advance? She’s pissed. She knows exactly what this means. Someone else is doing her love work for her, and that is NOT going to fly with her.

Now, on the other hand, I DO WISH, dear Rung, I DO WISH you’d think a little before making rash decisions, ha. But. I can also understand why you hopped into Korn’s truck. You’re in love with Korn, and you haven’t seen him for two years.

You haven’t seen him for two years because his father drove him out of the family house. He had to leave school, leave you, and leave his beloved younger brother. Rung, therefore, has also experienced the trauma that Korn’s dad leveled to everyone around him. 

And now we get the coalescence of how this show becomes not just family trauma-driven, but community trauma-driven. When Rung opens the door of that truck and enters the world that Korn lives in now, she becomes a part of Korn’s continued traumatic life. And gets caught by the narcs, and gets blamed for the drug smuggling.

And we know that Hia Ah orchestrated her arrest. Because -- he’s the guy who ultimately knows how the world really works. He values his business and his money. Sure, he gives money to people around him. But he’s always needing a convenient fall person, and realizes that Rung is a good obstacle to use to avoid trouble. So he convinces the police -- somehow, someway, we don’t know yet the hows and whys -- to only catch Rung, and not arrest Korn. 

And the next thing we see in the preview is that Rung will now also become a runaway fugitive.

LITERALLY NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF KORN’S DAD LOVED AND PROTECTED KORN. LITERALLY.

I mean. What a resounding commentary on family and community trauma and abuse. And for Ah to have orchestrated Korn’s escape from arrest from within police ranks. It has King of New York written all over it, right? Shouldn’t the police also protect us? Instead, the police narced on THE WRONG SUSPECT, KNOWINGLY.

This show is now holding a TREMENDOUS amount of commentary on society and abuse, maybe a little messily, kind of like the early episodes of (omg, I can’t believe I’m writing this in a Double Savage review) Bed Friend. There’s a hell of a lot of trauma going on. We want Rung to please make wiser decisions. But, BUT: I have to remember that she’s now also suffered trauma vis à vis Korn’s dad, too, so she’s not entirely to be blamed for her decisions. 

And unfortunately, we’ll likely see the cookie continue to crumble next week, when Win confronts Korn. Remember: it’s not Korn’s fault that he escaped arrest. But, Win and Rung will need a fall guy. Korn’s dad needed a fall guy. Korn has always been that fall guy. And he damn well knows it. He knows that’s been his role in his life so far, so why would it not continue?

Ah -- wildly, Ah -- is actually changing that paradigm for Korn to an extent, by having Korn avoid arrest. I want to see where that goes. I LOVE the messing up of this paradigm. Because while Ah is the true criminal -- he’s also the biggest truth-holder here, and I want to know how that gets unwound as more truths come out. How did it end up in Korn’s life that Ah is protecting him, while Korn’s dad is not? HOW? How could that possibly happen in a human’s life? 

It happens all the time in trauma-impacted families and communities.

WOW. UM! Kinda wish someone told me that this shit was gonna get THIS DEEP! (Reminds me of how Bed Friend punked us with those early previews. Did I bring up Bed Friend again? Oh good lord.) Just like in 10 Years Ticket, Ohm is carrying a trauma-filled storyline and Ohm/Perth/Film are destroying it together. This is a great show so far. Maybe because of Bed Friend, I have more trust in these shows holding all this trauma and making a success out of it. Fingers crossed.

[everydayoriginal]

Bloom by Dianita

For the past few years, friends and I have talked about what makes us feel like we’re achieving something in our lives. We all tell each other things like “you’re doing amazing!”  “You’ve come so far!” “I’m proud of you”. But somehow, we can’t say those words to ourselves.

It’s hard to celebrate our own achievements or even to enjoy when some dream of ours starts coming true. But friends make sure to remind us that they’re noticing, and that they celebrate each step we give even if they live far away. That they see us blooming in front of their eyes.

I’ve seen their faces when they stay silently while others are sharing their experiences in reaching their goals or sharing something that made them happy. Big or small, that warm smile that illuminates their faces when they listen to the stories they might have not even witnessed. They become witnesses of stories unfolding, of fears passing and new hopes and goals arising.

And I wonder… What if we could look at ourselves in the mirror and realize our own stories unfolding? How we rise from despair, from loneliness and from fear. How we’ve figured out just to live and trying to be happy?

What if we smile being proud of the person reflected in the mirror? The same smile that forms in our faces when a loved one celebrates something?

It’ll be amazing to recognize that we’re blooming into a new version of ourselves, to see our own journeys and realize how far we’ve come. We’re witnesses of our own stories and still, we deny ourselves of that kindness that we are able to give others.

I hope that next time you look at your reflection, you gift yourself that warm smile full of love. That you realize you’ve become your safe space to be yourself and celebrate. And perhaps, just maybe, also believe when your friends tell you that they’re proud of you. And be brave to tell that to yourself as well.

About the artwork:

Graphite pencils and metallic paint on mixed media paper. 4in x 6in

Frame is included.

International friends: Please be aware that you might need to pay applicable customs fees in your country to receive this package.

VIEW DETAILS brought to you by Every Day Original

[madrigaltoyou]

Oh, if only you know. Today, my heart feels like it could burst from the joy of celebrating your special day with you. To be by your side, as your lover, your girl, your woman, your everything—there’s truly no place I’d rather be. First and foremost, merriest birthday to you, Sayangku.

I am endlessly proud of you—of everything you’ve accomplished and all the beautiful things you’re destined to achieve. Watching you navigate life with such strength, grace, and purpose fills me with admiration. The way you stand tall even in the face of challenges, and how you remain calm and patient when life is not so kind, is inspiring. You chase your dreams with relentless determination, and you refuse to settle for anything less than the best. You make me proud not only as the love of your life, but as the man you are—the child, the sibling, the friend, and the partner you continue to be.

You are, without a doubt, the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known. The way you light up every room, the way your smile makes the world feel warmer, the way you’re unapologetically yourself in every moment—it’s magic. You have this contagious warmth, this energy that draws people to you, and you always know how to make everyone feel loved and welcomed. You are genuine, you are compassionate, you are brilliant. You are my man, my love, my best friend, my everything.

What touches me most, though, is your strength—the way you are unyielding even in your most vulnerable moments. You allow yourself the space to feel, but you always rise from it with even more resilience, and that’s what makes you so utterly enamouring. Your heart is like the ocean—deep, vast, and otherworldly beautiful. I can only imagine how much love and power it holds. Thank you for always being the best version of yourself, for making me feel seen, heard, and cherished. You make me believe in love, in strength, in us.

And I swear, there’s no such thing as getting used to your love. Every time you say “I love you,” my heart skips a beat like the first time you ever said it to me. When you shyly express your affection, when your cheeks flush with tenderness, it still makes me smile until my cheeks ache. The sound of your breath as you sleep, so peaceful and content, is my favorite lullaby. I can’t wait for the day I get to wake up next to you, knowing that we’re in this together. I can’t wait to see you at the end of the day, telling me you’re home—that you’re safe.

You’ve turned my world into something I never knew I needed, and I find myself constantly amazed by how much my love for you grows each day. I still get butterflies when I see you, when I hear your voice, when you walk through the door. I long to be by your side forever, to make every second we spend together count.

So, here’s to a future filled with ceaseless adventures, laughter, and shared dreams. I wish you all the happiness in the world, the kind that overflows into every corner of your life. I wish you health, so you can keep shining for years to come. I wish you success in every venture, big or small. I wish for moments of peace, where we can just be, side by side, basking in the love we’ve built. And most of all, I wish for us—today, tomorrow, and always—to continue building a life together, hand in hand.

Happy birthday, Mas sayang, my dear Nevan. Here’s to more birthdays, more memories, and a lifetime of happiness. I am beyond blessed to be yours, and I can’t wait for all the years ahead.

You hold my heart in a way that language could never truly describe. You are everything to me. Always and forever. And, I love you ardently.

Yours forevermore,

Adek. ♥︎

[damaages]

she ⟢ trent alexander-arnold [social media]

summary. people knew that trent was taken. but they didn’t know that having an established relationship, meant having your own small family.

♪ she - tyler, the creator ft. frank ocean

yourusername

Liked by trentarnold66 and others

yourusername it’s been a while since i posted on this account, sorry babes 💖

View all 12 567 comments

user the two girls on tweeter manifested this

user trent does NOT need all this beauty for himself 🙄

user pause… what’s that last slide 😨

user i feel like she’s kind of a gold digger

user she saw him go from nothing to a football star, and you still get to say stuff like that about her? that’s insane bro

user they’re so UGH

szoboszlaidominik ✓ not bubba wearing my jacket 😎

yourusername it must be honoured lmao

user the fuck is a bubba?

user i don’t know why but it feels like we’re missing on something

trentarnold66 ✓ 🐻❤️

yourusername love you lots

user not [your name] babysitting

user imagine it’s her own baby 😨

user there’s NO chance

perrieedwards ✓ gorgeous 😍

yourusername you are 💖

user need me a relationship like theirs

trentarnold66 ✓

Liked by yourusername and others

trentarnold66 ✓ all that i need. happy anniversary missus ❤️🐻

View all 34 678 comments

user WHO IS THAT DAMN KID

tylerarnold94 bubba needs to share his shoe game

trentarnold66 ✓ me and the missus make sure he’s as stylish as us 🤷🏽

user if THIS ain’t a sign of trent and his gf having a kid i don’t know what is anymore

user the abs 😍😍😍😍😍

user his gf is so fine

trentarnold66 ✓ and mine btw

user YO

user my only preoccupations right now are: who/what is bubba? AND WHO IS THAT CHILD

user y’all are dumb

user are they married?

user no they’re not, they’re just celebrating their five years and trent likes to call her missus all the time (even tho he DIDN’T PUT A RING ON IT)

yourusername yeah tell him bestie 🙄

trentarnold66 ✓ your fingers are full of rings?

yourusername not by the RIGHT one though 🙄

trentarnold66 ✓ 🤣 okay, dw about it

user we need a bubba reveal

yourusername soon 😘

yourusername

Liked by perrieedwards and others

yourusername all that i need. happy anniversary my man 💖

View all 23 367 comments

trentarnold66 ✓ okay but did the second pic was necessary?

user yes it was.

trentarnold66 ✓ not me waking up on a sunny tuesday and finding my ass on instagram

yourusername YOUR ass?

trentarnold66 ✓ yes, MINE. all mine actually babe

user the theory 😨😨😨😨😨

user need me a trent in my life

user i think the girl trending on twitter might be right with her theory…

user what theory are you guys talking about???????

user GORGEOUS UGH

virgilvandijk ✓ bubba’s drip 🔥

user THE FUCK IS BUBBA

user i think i might GO INSANE

user not the big ass bouquet of flowers 💔

user killed the whole garden for his girl 😍

user at this point i’m not even questioning that kid’s presence anymore. they probably kidnapped him or whatever 🤷‍♀️

user day 18299201 of asking a bubba reveal

yourusername 👀

trentarnold66 ✓ updated his instagram story !

[caption 1: bubba looking fine with his new haircut 🔥][caption 2: gotta keep the dino safe 🤣]

trentarnold66 ✓

Liked by liverpoolfc and others

trentarnold66 ✓ so, i think it’s time for everyone to know about my biggest and greatest achievement, the little person i am most proud of and grateful for. my son.

my missus does not need to justify herself regarding the fact that we decided to keep the birth of our child, and a small part of his childhood, hidden from the media.

but i think that i, personally, as a public figure and as a father, should however address something to you. not explain, because keeping my son away from the world was the best decision ever and that i do not need to justify myself about it. but address it, because i want to clarify things.

firstly, i’d like to thank my woman for bringing this little human to the world. for letting me become a dad and a better man everyday, but also for letting me show our son to the world and let people know about him. i love you with all my heart.

this is not a little decision, it is a big one, but we will assume all the responsibilities of it.

even though you all, now, know about our boy’s existence, we decided to not show you his face for privacy reasons. and this fact might not change unless we actually communicate it with y’all. so, please, we ask you to, if you have the opportunity to see it, not share pictures of our child without our consent (or it will lead to legal proceedings) and to respect our choice and privacy.

i am a public figure, my own face and appearance are plastered all over the internet, and it is my choice, but my kid’s face does not need to be all over it too.

i hope that you’ll understand our point of view, and respect my girl and kid’s privacy just like you want people to respect yours.

thank you again for your support,

trent.

View all 872 567 comments

user I KNEW IT I KNEW IT

user OH MY DAYS WHAT

szoboszlaidominik ✓ the happiest uncle right there

darwin_n9 ✓ 🙏🏻❤️

user i am actually in shock

user they’re a little bit too much i think

user have a kid while you’re a whole football superstar and then come yap about it

virgilvandijk ✓ congratulations to my favourite people (again 🤣) ❤️

user RUE

user WHEN WAS THIS

user they have fbi superpowers

user not them hiding a kid for THREE WHOLE YEARS

user this needs to be on the newspaper 😨

user gotta talk about this to my therapist guys…

user already on it

user THERE WERE SO MANY SIGNS WE’RE JUST DUMB

liverpoolfc ✓ sending all our love 🤍

user i think that girl who was trending on twitter for her theory might be a witch or something ‼️

yourusername i love you

trentarnold66 ✓ you know i love you more

yourusername i know 😜

user TRENT’S IN A RELATIONSHIP?

user you’re 5 years late boo…

yourusername

Liked by perrieedwards and others

yourusername 2021 throwback. 👶🏻🤍🍼

[Comments under this post have been restricted]

trentarnold66 ✓ i love you two with everything in me, i swear. 🐻❤️

yourusername we love you as much.

damaages © this blog does not accept plagiarism.

[inkykeiji]

Hi clarriiii! Idk if you remember but I’m the anon that asked for advice a couple times about not feeling sexually attracted to my bf and I just wanted to update you because I’m sad and feel comforted by telling you things but we’re on a break rn. I realized im not in love with him and not sexually attracted to him but I love him with all my heart so I can’t make myself cross the finish line by just breaking up and we’ve been fighting a lot recently and now we’re on a break. I have that voice in my head that’s saying “what if” even though I know how I feel about him and we have a lot of other issues too. I don’t think we’ll resume the relationship once we’ve had our space which is scary because I’ve talked to him all day every day for 4.5 years and our lives are so intertwined and I rely on him for so much so I feel lost and scared and like I can’t even finish college or go on to something bigger without him so it’s just really sad and confusing over here but 🥲 i hope you’re faring the January weather well!

hi sweetpea! i do remember you!!

aw i’m sorry to hear this, and i’m sorry you’re feeling so sad and mixed up about it!! i think your feelings make total sense; you still care for him and hold love for him even if you’re not in love with him, and it can still feel upsetting and scary to end such a significant relationship that has become a part of your daily routine!

i’m so proud of you for being brave and acknowledging your feelings even though they are difficult and complicated to face!!! big life changes like this can be and feel absolutely terrifying, but i want you to remind yourself that both you AND he deserve happiness. you both deserve partners you love and mesh well with. it can be tempting to stay in certain situations because they are familiar (and for so many of us, there’s comfort in routine and predictability), but it ultimately does you more harm than good.

i know that since you’ve been together for so long it feels like your lives and everything in them is all tangled together—you look at how much you rely on him and how habitual he’s become and you go holy shit, how am i ever going to go on alone, without him?—but you are your own person and you are strong enough to stand on your own feet, i pinky promise you. you owe it to yourself to finish college and to create a life you love. you deserve to pursue and achieve your dreams!! and you don’t need him (or anyone else) to do it!

he is not a life raft, and it’s not fair to either of you to treat him as such, you know? it’s going to be an adjustment, and it’s going to be scary because it’s new and unfamiliar, and there are going to be days where it is difficult, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. have faith in yourself! <3 i have faith in you!!! and i am cheering you on and sending you so much love!! you CAN do this. you WILL make it through this; i know you will.

aw hehe thank you!!! we’ve been getting sooooo much snow lately and it makes me super happy n feel all cozy <333 i love writing by the fire while there’s a blizzard raging outside!!

[askthefuturegleeks]

Thank you for joining the campaign to bring the arts to future generations, ALARA COHEN-CHANG AND MELODIE STERLING, we’re happy to have you! If you want a refresher on what to do next, feel free to look at the WELCOME CHECKLIST. Please send your account in within the next 48 hours so that you can get started.

ooc information

SHIPS: chemistry

ANTI-SHIPS: no chemistry

basic ic information NAME: alara cohen-chang

BIRTHDAY/ZODIAC: march 20/pisces

CURRENT OCCUPATION: owner @ tarot & lace metaphysical shop

CURRENT LOCATION: NYC

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: divorced

FC: aslihan malbora

twitter post @seekingspiritalara: (As we quickly approach Lammas, Tarot&Lace will be holding a store-wide 50% off sale to bring in the new season.) #SALE #SUPPORTLOCALBUSINESS #SUPPORTSMALLBUSINESS

in character questions Answer these in character, and feel free to add gifs into your answers.

1.) What did you want to do with your life when you were younger? What would the child version of yourself think about the path you paved for yourself?

for most of my life i honestly had very little clue about what i actually wanted to do. i went back and forth between a lot of different career options, and doing things that would keep me happy for a couple of months, and then i would burn out. i finally realized that probably meant i should do something that i could control, which is why i went into business for myself. so, i think my younger self would really just be happy that i'm happy.

2.) What is your proudest accomplishment? Don’t be afraid to talk about what it took to achieve it and how you feel about it as well.

opening my shop, hands down. it took so long for me to realize that's what i wanted, and then once i did it was nothing but saving and research, research and saving for what felt like an eternity. of course once everything came together it was totally worth it, and i'm grateful that the process was so much and so stressful.

3.) If you could do anything you wanted for one whole day, what would it be and why?

for one whole day? gosh that's a big ask. uh. maybe go to an amusement park or a fair of some sort? just that feeling of freedom and giddiness...i think it would do me some good.

where are they now? alara was adopted by the cohen-changs at the age of 9 after being in the system since she was only a few months old. her father split from her mother the moment he learned of her pregnancy, and alara's young mother felt nothing but bitterness towards her daughter for 'driving her boyfriend away'. the system wasn't kind to alara, but she found a different life with the cohen-changs. growing up she was obedient, intelligent, and helpful, and she truly got along well with and loved her siblings and family. she is still close with them today, and would do anything for any of them.

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

ooc information

SHIPS: chemistry

ANTI-SHIPS: no chemistry

basic ic information

NAME: melodie sterling

BIRTHDAY/ZODIAC: september 19/virgo

CURRENT OCCUPATION: er nurse

CURRENT LOCATION: nyc

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: single

FC: Katherine Newton

twitter post @nursemel: (got into a deeply philosophical debate about the true function of a rubber duck with a patient .) #NURSELIFE #STORIESFROMTHEER

in character questions Answer these in character, and feel free to add gifs into your answers.

1.) What did you want to do with your life when you were younger? What would the child version of yourself think about the path you paved for yourself?

i've always known i wanted to work in the medical field in some capacity. well, if you don't count the couple of years convinced i would become the queen of america. there were times where i considered going to med school, or becoming a physical therapist, or something like that but i really think my past self would be really happy with where i ended up. i think i'd be even more proud of myself to know that i'm continuing my education and working to better myself in NP school.

2.) What is your proudest accomplishment? Don’t be afraid to talk about what it took to achieve it and how you feel about it as well.

probably actually being able to buy my apartment. nyc is a tough place to be financially and especially for anyone who actually wants to own something. but i started saving young, and made it happen.

3.) If you could do anything you wanted for one whole day, what would it be and why?

sleep. hands down, sleep.

where are they now? having grown up in the super close and tight-knit sterling family as the only female meant that melodie was well protected and well looked after. she loved every minute of her childhood and her younger-years in relation to her family. she has always been very studious and was often called an old soul. she loves reading, movies, and talking about the deeper meanings in life. she left westerville directly after graduating high school and moved to la for college, graduating from uc berkeley. however, after working and living in la for a couple of years she decided to move to nyc for a change of scenery, fell in love, and has been there ever since.

[rome-writes]

12/31/2022

2022 felt similar, yet different from 2021. It’s as if hell came in a different form. However, I did learn a lot from this year and I’ve grown and progressed more than ever. This time I’ve gone deeper into disconnecting not just with people, but the world. I feel that there’s just really more to living and sharing my life online. I wanted a slice of life and social interaction again this year, so I did and I’m proud of my progress for that.

This year, I got better in terms of my mental health and overall health. It was a long journey that I’m proud to have taken, it wasn’t easy as it’s mostly me doing the hard work but I made it also partially thanks to my family and friends.

I guess if I sum up 2022 in one word it would be consistent. It would have felt like 2021 all over again if I didn’t become consistent and intentional with how I wanted things to be. I was consistent with the things that I can control, and I’ve learnt to let things be on the stuff that is out of my hand.

I’ve become more aware of who I am as a person and who I need to be. Still, I always leave room for improvements for the changes that may come to which I have no control over. I’ve just learnt to live in the present and do as much as I can. I became more responsible and aware of my actions and relationship with people which is something that I’m also proud of.

Another thing I’d love to highlight for my 2022 is how I helped my inner child heal from my traumas and the closure that I needed with familial relationships. It’s never easy, but I’m old enough to know what I want and what I need to do. I guess this is me learning to love again in 2022, but in a different form of love. I’m happy that I still had it in me to be kind even if the universe isn’t.

Life isn’t getting any easier now, nor will it ever be for me. I still suffer from setbacks in terms of my mental health, personal life, career, family, and my inner self & identity. We’re about to enter a new year and along with it are a new set of challenges, despite the hardships that may come; I’ll gladly take them all up. After all, this is how life is. To live and face things and make memories to look back on. To live for me is to experience new things and to learn from it all, to feel everything that I can.

Likewise, I do hope that you are celebrating new years eve in your own way. Continue to celebrate your success and achievements this 2022 and for the future. No one can or will ever define your progress no matter how small or big they are, you are the one in charge of your growth.

May the new year be good to all of us!

[heroes-of-olympus-next-gen]

Mum, we’re having a baby

Percabeth telling Sally that Annabeth is pregnant.

Annabeth sighed as she put on her coat and pulled her hair into a high ponytail. She was getting nervous about how her parents-in-law were going to take their news. “It’s going to be fine, right?” she asked her husband.

“Of course. It’s my mum, Paul and Estelle. They’ll be happy for us. And we’ll have a full-time babysitter.” Percy replied.

“I’m serious,” Annabeth said trying to hide her smile.

Deep down, she knew that Sally would be very happy, but she was preparing herself in case that wouldn’t happen. But she would never be ready to disappoint Sally. The closest motherly figure she had in her life.

“So am I.” Percy got closer and kissed her.

Annabeth crossed her arms and arched her eyebrow. “I’m a hormonal mess and you’re making jokes. I’ll tell your mom on you.” She complained. In the past few weeks, she started noticing her body changing, which wasn’t something she was a big fan of.

Percy gasped. “You wouldn’t.”

“Watch me.” Annabeth threatened with a big smile on her face.

He guided her to their couch and sat across from her. “Okay. Here’s how it’s going to go. We’re going to tell them that we’re having twins, we’ll cry and reminisce about the old times when we were just eleven and then we’ll eat dessert. Simple. And we’re doing this together. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Alright. But I’m still nervous.”

“Everything is going to be fine.”

The family lunch went like every other Sunday lunch. They talked and laughed and ate a delicious meal. After they finished eating, Annabeth was ready to share their news. “We have something important to tell you,” Percy said and looked at her.

“I’m pregnant,” Annabeth announced smiling.

Sally took a moment to soak in the news. She started smiling. “Really?”

“Yes.” Percy couldn’t take his eyes off Annabeth.

She got up and hugged them both. “I’m so proud of you. You both deserve this.” She said. Annabeth knew that she really meant it.

Paul was also smiling from his seat looking happy about the new family member. He gave both of them a warm look that elevated all of Annabeth’s stress.

“What do you think ‘Stelle?” Percy asked his little sister.

“Can I name it?” Estelle grinned.

“About that.” Percy sat straighter and took a deep breath. “We’re having twins.” He added. “Mum, are you crying?”

“No, it’s just allergies.” Sally sniffed and looked at them adoringly.

“Mum!” Estelle sighed as she couldn’t understand why her mum was so sentimental.

“I’m just really happy.” She exclaimed. “I remember you,” she motioned at Percy, “coming home from Camp and not being able to stop talking about Annabeth. And now you’re married and about to have twin babies. I never thought I’d make it this far.” Percy hugged his mum.

Annabeth knew that Sally’s life wasn’t any easier than theirs. She admired her mother-in-law greatly because of that. She had to witness her parents and uncle dying, her college aspirations leaving her in the first eighteen years of her life. Then she was a single mother in her 20s and stayed in an abusive relationship for over a decade. But despite everything she managed to raise Percy without anyone’s help and achieve her dream of becoming a writer.

Sally put her hand on Annabeth’s shoulder. “You’re going to be great parents. The greatest. Your children will be lucky to have you.”

“Can I still name them?” Estelle asked again.

“Tell us your suggestions and we’ll think about it,” Percy told her.

“I can work with that.” She smiled.

Sally pressed her hands together. “Now it’s time for dessert.”

[sebsxphia]

Pretty please can I request a head cannon of Bradley Bradshaw and reader. The reader has been there for rooster all his life from the time before he joined top gun to seeing his big achievements and rooster takes her on a fly on his jet/plane whatever it’s called, for her birthday or like a special occasion and the reader is obsessed with rooster on duty!!! Thought it’d be cute!

yes of course dear anon! what a wonderfully sweet idea! 💖

i hope you enjoy the below! 💌

You met Rooster in High School and you were joint at the hip ever since. Even though he went to train to be a pilot shortly after and you went to college, it didn’t stop you from seeing each other. You were only two hours away from each other and still met up every other weekend.

You were there to hold his hand when his mother passed away and there when he cried into your shoulders at night about loosing both of his parents.

You celebrated with him when he graduated to be a pilot and you were there when he was yelling in his apartment five years ago when his papers were pulled.

It didn’t stop him though and you celebrated again when he joined the Navy and got into Top Gun. It was why you loved him so much. He was one of the most determined people you had ever met and you couldn’t deny how proud you were of him when you saw him all dressed up in his Navy Whites.

So that’s how you ended up in Mav’s hanger years later. He introduced you to Mav and you all pioliety exchanged “hello’s” and “how are you’s” before Bradley turned to you, clapping his hands together. “You’re probably wondering why we’re here and not on the beach for your birthday.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, still with a playful smile on your lips. “Yes, B.” He just grins at you before running into the back room in Mav’s hanger. “Bradley!” You call out after him. He comes back lightening quick with your own helmet and fighter suit with your surname stitched just above the pocket.

“You ready?” He nods towards the plane in Mav’s hanger and your eyes go wide. You always wanted to go flying with Bradley. He’d retold you countless tales of tricks and maneuvers he’s pulled and you always begged him to take you.

Pulling on your suit and before Bradley helped you secure your helmet, he pressed a soft kiss to your cheek. “Happy Birthday.”

[3rensgf]

stupid/annoying, but endearing, things they do in a relationship eren, armin, jean, connie, erwin, levi, reiner, bertholdt, porco, zeke, colt, hanji, mikasa, sasha, annie, pieck

word count: 2.3k

warnings: one mention of sex in erens, reader uses makeup in jeans, mentions of injuries and dilf!reiner in reiners

notes: this is a gn!reader. there are mentions of makeup being used, but i feel like any gender can use makeup. it's not even anything serious like a beat face. just some lip gloss n mascara. chapstick too but thats not makeup. it's just one line, so you can skip over it if you would like to!

✩ eren bites you. its not even in a sexual way, he just likes to bite. they’re like a second form of kissing to him. you could be chilling together on the couch watching a movie, and he’ll just chomp on your shoulder. even when you were trying to focus on something, he swings by, bites then leaves. eren has no shame, so he does it in front of your friends too. you could be having a normal conversation with mikasa and he’ll just bite you, then the two of you carry on as if it was normal. it’s not normal. but you love it. sometimes you bite him back too. but only in private.

✩ armin gives you random things he finds. armin likes to go out and explore, with or without you. when he comes back after an adventure you opted out of, he always has something for you he found. a rock, a seashell or a cool flower are just some of the things he gets for you. if he can’t find something, he finds a gift shop to get you something instead, saying, “well, (y/n), i did find it in the gift shop.” he always looks so proud giving it to you, rambling about the story of how he found your gift. you have a small box tucked away with all the treasures he gives you.

✩ jean steals your things. whenever he comes over, he likes to mooch off your possessions. if he’s spending the night at your place and needs a shower, he’s using your shampoo, conditioner and body wash. if his lips are chapped, he swipes your lip balm to use on himself. one time you even walked in on him trying your mascara and lip gloss. another time he had your clothes on his giant frame. but he always replaces whatever he uses, venmoing you within the next few days with some cash and a sorry note. “sorry for using ur lip balm baby, buy some more <3” with $20 attached to it. you tell him that lip balm doesn’t even cost that much, but he tells you to treat yourself to lunch with the extra money.

✩ connie makes plans without letting you know beforehand. at 3am, you are woken up by an influx of messages and calls from your boyfriend. in your sleepy state you go to answer him, only to be told to get dressed and come out. he’s right outside of your house and hungry. you remind him it’s very early in the morning and you both have class. “but i’m hungry and craving burgers,” he repeats. you have no choice to get in the car with him. this can happen throughout the day, not just early in the morning. one time he whisked you away in the middle of your online class because he didn’t tell you he bought tickets to a movie showing in 30 minutes. the memories you share on these spontaneous dates are always your favorite ones with him.

✩ erwin buys you whatever you like in bulk. it’s not even an exaggeration when you say bulk. you mention one thing to him, and the next day there are boxes upon boxes sitting on your kitchen counter. “these oranges taste pretty good,” you mumble to yourself as you peel your 2nd one. erwins sharp ears hear this, and first thing in the morning he’s off to buy multiple bags of your supposed favorite oranges. it takes you days, sometimes weeks, to finish whatever he decided to buy you. you always tell him he doesn’t need to buy so much, but he never listens. though, you always appreciate how attentive he is to your likes and dislikes.

✩ levi cleans up for you and ruins your organization. it’s always a blessing when someone else decides to take on the burden of cleaning for you, and you thought you hit the jackpot with a boyfriend who loved to clean, clean, clean. but it could get annoying when you suddenly couldn’t find anything you placed anywhere. if you’re anything like me, you’re messy but organized. you know where things are. when levi comes to clean, he places things where he thinks they should go. you’re sent on a wild goose chase looking for your pencil case, only for it to be in a completely different drawer than the one you usually kept it in. despite this behavior, it’s always nice to come home from a long day from school to see your desk organized. what was once a mess of papers and other supplies have been filed into their correct places, the table wiped down from any lingering coffee stains and your supplies being organized in a way so you knew where everything was. sometimes there’d be a plate of fruit with the note, “good luck on your exams,” written in your boyfriends neat writing beside it.

✩ reiner coddles you too much. whenever you express any sort of discomfort, reiner is always rushing to your side. “are you hurt? do you need medical attention? how many fingers am i holding up?” he asks, checking you for any cuts or bruises. thank you, honey, but i’m fine. just bumped into the counter. despite that, he’s dragging you over to the bathroom to fix up your imaginary injuries. you always find it a bit much when you’re fine. it’s during the times where you’re actually hurt where you learn to appreciate it. he’s so gentle cleaning your cuts, kissing them softly once they’re dressed. you wonder if he’d be like that with your future children.

✩ bertholdt is too nervous around you. it’s been years since the two of you got together, and he still refuses to make eye contact with you. his hands get sweaty and shake when you attempt to hold his hand. he always stumbles over his words when speaking to you as he tries to find the right words to say. he even blushes when he introduces you to other people as his significant other! you remind bertholdt over and over again that he doesn’t need to be so shy around you. but you cant help but coo over him showing up for your date, flustered mess and thrusting flowers into your hand. “they reminded me of you,” he said quietly, refusing to meet your eyes. you giggle and press a kiss to his hot cheeks.

✩ porco is too cocky for his own good. he’s always parading around the house, boasting about his latest achievements. he beat colt in a video game colt was a supposed god in. he can throw a baseball farther than zeke. he can run faster than pieck. if he’s taller than you, he's always making fun of you for being shorter than him. if you’re taller, you’re not exempt from his wrath either. he’s boasting about how he’s perfect height to not hit his head on doorways. he never goes as far as to hurt your feelings, always knowing when to stop. though he has a big ego, he would let it crash and burn just to see you smile after beating him at smash bros. you laugh and taunt him, happy you beat him in one thing. he doesn’t mind, instead watching you with a soft smile on his lips and love in his eyes.

✩ zeke forces you to work out with him. and it’s not like in the afternoon to help you stretch out. it’s not light yoga or a couple minutes on the treadmill. no, this man wakes you up at ass crack in the morning to take you on a 5 mile hiking trip. you barely have any time to register what is happening around you before you’re already standing at the start of the trail with your gear. “come on! we can’t slack off!” he says, clapping his hands together. the sun is beating down on you and your feet hurt, but this man doesn’t let you stop for a break. “we’re almost there,” he says. your complaining goes out the window when he shows you the view at the top. its one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen. hiking up long ass trails to see beautiful views with your boyfriend was so worth it in the end.

✩ colt accidentally turns your dates into babysitting sessions. you show up at his house with the promise of a good time, only to be met with a guilty looking colt and his little brother falco behind him. “sorry,” he says sheepishly, “gabi got sick with the cold, so i couldn’t drop him off there. i hope you don’t mind him staying.” you hide your disappointment behind a wide smile, nodding enthusiastically as to not hurt either of their feelings. you just wanted to spend some alone time with your boyfriend, and it would have to wait. hanging out with falco wasn’t actually that bad. the three of you had an amazing time together, watching tv, playing games and even baking together. if you hate kids, you can’t bring yourself to hate falco; he’s just the sweetest boy you’ve ever met. you and falco are already asking colt when the three of you can hang out again when you have to go back home.

✩ hanji is always talking. you don’t discourage them from talking about their interests. they’re very passionate about the things they love, and can’t help talking about them. its like the scene where hanji kept eren up all night talking about titans. when you’re trying to focus on something or go to sleep, hanji is just yapping away. you’re honestly amazed at their ability to never run out of things to say about the most mundane things. hell, one time they talked for an hour and a half about a building color they saw when they were out one day. but hanji just looked so happy when talking. their face would break out into a huge grin, and their arms would fly around as they told their story. it was too cute for you to tell them to stop.

✩ mikasa hovers too much. every corner you turn, every place you go to, mikasa is following. she claims she’s not clingy, but in reality she is. it’s like a cat who hates affection, but needs to be in the same room as you at all times. you don’t mind her following you into the bedroom or living room or kitchen. you had to draw a line when she tried to follow you into the bathroom. even when you’re out, she’s always following you around. you tell her it’s okay to break off from you and spend some time by herself, but she always shakes her head and follows you to your next destination. you’re always grateful for her hovering when a group of drunk people try hitting on you, whistling and telling you they’ll give you a good time. but one look at your girlfriend who showed up from out of nowhere, and they’re running away with their tails between their legs.

✩ sasha eats your food. she can’t help it. she likes to snack. she’s always hungry. and you get that. to stop things like this from happening, you have separate places to keep your food. just so sasha and you have your favorite snacks and takeout separated. you respect the rule, but your girlfriend seems to lose her reading skills when hungry, one too many times you have walked in on her with her hand deep into a bag of your chips, something you’ve been waiting to eat all week when you were supposed to watch that new horror movie on netflix with her. you huff and puff and retreat to your bedroom. sasha comes back after a few hours, looking upset with tons and tons of snacks in her arms. “i’m sorry i ate your chips,” she frowns. she sets down all the food she got on your bed. “i got all these snacks you liked as an apology. and 3 bags of your favorite chips.” you could never stay mad at her cute face.

✩ annie complains about spending time with you. “i like my alone time,” she says, brushing you off when you asked why she didn’t want to watch a movie with you. some people were introverted, preferring to spend time by themselves rather than with someone else. you were like that too; you had your moments where you didn’t feel like being around your girlfriend. but it became an annoying problem when she constantly shot down your attempts to hang out with you. when she finally agrees, she’s always finding something to complain about. but during important dates or when you’re not in the best mood, she’s always the first to remind you or initiate a hang out/date. she shuts her mouth and enjoys her time with you, not one criticism or groan leaving her lips. she would never admit it, but being around you made her so happy.

✩ pieck is always sleeping. you have to wait a few hours to get a text or call back from pieck because she’s always dozing off somewhere. “sorry sweets,” she yawns into the mic, “was taking a nap. need something?” good luck trying to reach your girlfriend during an emergency. when you come home with takeout for dinner because neither of you wanted to cook, she’s sleeping at the dinner table. when you’re watching a movie she wanted to watch, she’s snoring away, curled up at the end of the couch. during lectures you share together, she has her head in her arms and has the audacity to ask you for your notes in the end. and it’s not like she’s not getting enough sleep, no. she gets her recommended 8 hours of sleep and then some. it’s nice to have a sleepy girlfriend, though, when you’re dead tired from living. you drag your feet into the bedroom to see her about to take her nth nap for the day. she notices your zombie-like state and opens up her arms for you. the two of you cuddle and nap together, sleeping the stress away.

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