#by backwards I mean. 9 to 7 to 8

[moonstruckme]

roomate jamess 😭😭😭💓💓🤍😭😭💓

I agree !

part 1 │ part 2 │ part 3 │ part 4 │part 5 │ part 6 │ part 7 │ part 8 │ part 9 │ part 10 │ part 11 │ part 12 │ part 13

roommate!james x shy!reader ♡ 733 words

James gets the text just as he arrives home: Are you hungry?

He grins, putting his car in park as he types out a reply. 

I’m wounded. We’re coming up on our one-month roommate anniversary, and you still don’t know I’m always hungry? 

This makes a grand total of four texts between the two of you. You’d conversed a bit more on Craigslist before agreeing to let James move in with you, but barely. Your radio silence is much like your actual silence, but he’s happy to be making a dent in either. 

Your response comes while he’s fishing his keys out of his pocket. Sorry. Want thai?

James laughs, opening the door and toeing off his shoes. He calls in the general direction of your room, “I hope you’re joking about being sorry.” 

He’s hoping for maybe a reply via text, so it comes as a pleasant surprise when you appear on the stairs. You move like a ghost; if he put you and Remus in an old manor together, James is half sure it’d qualify as a haunted house. 

You’re in your pajamas, which means you must already be done with work for the day. James has noticed this is one of your habits; once you’ve decided you’re staying in the house, your outside clothes hit the hamper and you’re living in fuzzy socks. These ones, standing halfway up the staircase, are blue with white stars. Something about seeing you in full cozy mode makes James’ stomach twinge. 

“Do you want Thai?” you ask again, longer and in person. Several decibels quieter than he’d just been.

“Sure.” James gives you a smile, flopping backwards over the arm of the couch. He was going to cook pasta for dinner, but he’s a bit tired anyway and agreeing to the first bonding opportunity you’ve offered him takes precedence. “Do you wanna use my card, or should I pay you after?” 

“Don’t.” You wave him off, already typing on your phone. “I’m getting it.” 

“Not happening,” James replies. He starts digging in his pocket for his wallet, unearthing a half dozen gum wrappers and a receipt from last March. “But in theory, to what do I owe the honor?” 

Your eyes flit to him, something like accusation in them. James feels his eyebrows lift. “I know you don’t have that many leftovers,” you say. 

So, you’re onto him. “I cook a lot,” he replies with a shrug. “If there’s extra, someone should eat it.” 

“But why not you?” 

“Why not you?” he counters. 

You look suspiciously as though you might be biting down on a smile. A real one. “The point is, I owe you at least a meal. Do you want to see the menu?” 

“Sure, thanks.” He reaches out a hand. You come down the stairs to give him your phone, but once it’s in his hand your eyes narrow mistrustfully, fingers tightening on the device. 

“If you try to pay,” you tell him, “I’ll hide the money in your room so you don’t find it until you move out.” 

A laugh bubbles up out of him at your serious tone. “We live together, babe. I think I’ll come across it at some point.” 

“Not with your room as messy as it is.” 

Damn it, you’re right. “Fine.” James holds up his hands in surrender, credit card between his fingers. “But when I make dinner tomorrow, just eat it while it’s hot, yeah? Let’s do away with the pretense.” 

You sigh through your nose, sitting down beside him with one leg curled under you. You’re attempting something that’s probably supposed to be a glare. James would hate to have to tell you how unintimidating it is, but he may if you keep it up much longer; it’s almost too adorable to take. 

“I appreciate it, but you really don’t need to cook for me,” you say. “I eat plenty when you’re not here.” 

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” 

“That’s the point, James.” You roll your eyes, looking halfway amused. Shit, the day he actually makes you laugh he’s gonna have to bake a cake. “You’re not here to see it.” 

“Do you wanna watch a movie while we eat?” He passes you back your phone, having added his order to your cart. “They’ve just added a slew of new movies to Netflix. Also, for tomorrow, do you prefer pasta or chicken?” 

[daylighted]

DAD'S BSF ! JENSEN - LOOKBOOK !

. . . or, a collection of photos that inspire him & are how i picture him<3 i honestly don't know what this is i just wanted to show you guys the inspo behind the man + lil commentaries below the cut on each one hehe HOPE U ENJOYYYYYY

from top to bottom, left to right !

1 - staples of his attire. baseball caps, hoodies, and khaki shorts. a (slightly) more put together adam sandler, if u will, but don't get it twisted! he also wears the occasional basketball shorts to really fit that adam sandler style :')

2 - the hair + facial hair + expression combo is literally him. that indiscernible look that's so expressive but you can't tell what he's feeling based on it... yeah

3 - he also dabbles in a polo shirt when he wants to look put together and less disheveled. + the wolfy grin & the slicked back hair YEAH. that's my dad's bestie & my baby daddy !!

4 - arms arms arms arms AND THE BACKWARDS CAP. I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY BESIDES THIS. AND THE GRIN AGAIN. THAT'S THE FACE HE HAS WHEN U SAY SOMETHING SILLY THAT U DONT MEAN TO BE SILLY.

5 - first off microphone placement that's him period. second off the hair again. no matter what it's always a little long in some way.

6 - this is him walking into the room to meet you for the first time i'm so serious that's literally it. drink in hand and everything ready 2 meet his besties lil girl who actually is not a toddler like he'd hyped himself up to handle

7 - sunglasses over the baseball cap yep. thumbs up bc the pussy was good 👍 LMAO but actually probably u ask to take a photo of him when ur on a date (rare occasion!) and this is what he does bc he's a silly old guy deep down beneath all the fuckery

8 - this picture actually just makes me insane bro that's him when he's mean mugging all the guys who look at you actually :/ i dont even have commentary for this one i just want to lick him

9 - date night :') believe it or not he will take u on dates!! and does clean up a little too!! and he only ever smiles at you like this :') or because of you :') you're his lil starlight sunshine!!!

[zosan-secondchances]

The Pirate King of the North: Part 24

I made the art specifically for -that- scene in Part 22 but I fell in love with so I might work on a full coloured version with Sanji as a pre-timeskip Straw Hats shot to be uploaded to my art blog. Stay tuned!

Warning: Long post ahead and some One Piece spoilers. Contains strong language and explicit content.

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 (Special) | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

Luffy

SANJIIIII!!!

Sanji

For the tenth time, I am not your cook.

Luffy

But how else are we going to eat?!

Sanji

I don't know. Eat leftovers. Or go fish and cook it yourself. I don't care.

Luffy

But you make them so much better!! And there's no leftovers anymore because I had them for morning snack!

Sanji

Food is food. It shouldn't matter who makes them. Eat or starve–I’m not obligated to help you because, again, I'm not your damn cook.

Luffy

Sanjiiiii!!! Why are you so mean all of the sudden?!

In a far world unknown to our heroes (but very much familiar to you and me), there sailed a ship on the clear day waters of the Grand Line. Coincidentally, this vessel is called the Thousand Sunny. On its grassy deck, seven Straw Hats settled around one of their nakama who seemed to have been transformed into an older version of himself. According to the all-truther and mightiest warrior of the sea with an army of eight thousand strong, Usopp the Brave, the very heavens itself had opened and embraced him, raising him with the angels above to return him in this new form.

Robin

Luffy, I wasn't sure before but I'm quite certain now. This is not our Sanji.

Luffy

What do you mean, Robin? The old man looks just like him, doesn't he?

Sanji

I'm not that old…. Am I?

Shit.

Robin

Well, he does act… differently…. For one, his attitude towards food is different compared to Cook-san.

Nami

I think you're right, Robin. And he hasn't…you know, done the thing.

Sanji

What thing?

Nami

You know the err… when you… you know, the… thing. Whenever me and Robin are around you.

Sanji

I have no idea what you're talking about. Saying it twice doesn't help.

The last of the Straw Hats finally joins the gathering, emerging from the infirmary and making his way down the steps.

Zoro

Hey Chopper, I got bandages for the shitty cook like you asked–

Sanji

GWAAHHH MARIMO-KUN!!!

In a blink of an eye, Sanji's legs zoom around and his heart-shaped eyes bulge out of skull. He circles around excitedly around the young version of his favourite swordsman as soon as he reaches the bottom of the floor. Unable to contain himself, he blows him multitudinous kisses in the air.

Nami

Err… that thing.

Sanji

YOU'RE. SO. CUTE. MELLORIIIIINE!!!

Shocked, Zoro accidentally drops the bag of medical equipment that Chopper had asked for. He recoils as his face reddens brightly. He holds his hands out in an attempt to keep Sanji’s kissy face away from him.

Zoro

ACK–!! Cut it out, you perverted old man!!!

Luffy bursts out laughing, pointing a mocking finger at the two.

Brook

Yohohoho! Love is in the air, it seems~

Chopper

That's interesting! Sanji, do you like boys?

Zoro forcefully pushes Sanji's face away to block an unwanted smooch. When the blonde hears the reindeer's question, he straightens up instantly, fishes out a cigarette from his pockets and lights it.

Sanji

I love men and women equally. But I do have an inclination towards individuals with…

Sanji trails his eyes up and down the young swordsman who crosses his arms and throws him an irritated frown in return.

Sanji

…domineering… qualities. Especially under the sheets….

Zoro

Ugh….

Slowly, the blonde takes a step forward towards him and another, forcing Zoro to walk backwards to maintain distance.

Sanji

My, my. But you are a delicious sight, little Marimo.

The swordsman didn't notice how hot the sun was but he quickly realises that it’s just his own skin. He's not used to seeing both of Sanji's bright blue eyes bear down on him at the same time which completely throws him off. Young Zoro hates the fucker but his scars and piercings are doing a number to his soul. He staggers and falls back against the steps.

Zoro

Little?! H–hey! What are you doing?! Back off!

Sanji

Tell me…does your Sanji see you the same way that I do?

Zoro

O–of course not!! You–

Sanji leans in and slams both of his hands against the steps, caging the shaken swordsman under him. Zoro bares his teeth and grips his sword to swipe the man away, but he freezes when the blonde flutters his eyelids and gazes down to his lips. He looks famished.

Sanji

Because, knowing myself, I would be.

I've stolen a lot of Beri and gold in my life, raided vaults of the wealthiest kings and queens across the world, but none compares to the treasure that I see before me.

Zoro's jaw drops agape, too speechless and stunned to move.

Zoro

I… I don't…

Sanji drags his own tongue over the top of his lips hungrily, lowering himself closer.

Sanji

Hmm… and I do like your eyes. Both of them.

Zoro

I…

Zoro can feel the blonde's breath over his lips when suddenly, the older man straightens up and moves away.

Sanji

It's a shame. My moral compass is unsure that I'd be cheating if I have my way with another version of you. Especially since we've just confessed our undying love to each other.

They all stare at him in bewilderment then look back and forth at him and the fallen swordsman who still lay motionless on the steps.

Usopp

Wait, wait, wait–you and Zoro are dating in the future?!

Sanji

I guess you can call it that. Though we've been romantically involved for months now.

Franky

Maybe we can meet this future Zoro ourselves when we get you home! I wonder if such technology exists to travel through time.

Sanji turns his heel to him swiftly.

Sanji

Would you have any idea if it can?

Franky

Uh…not to my knowledge. Sorry.

Robin

Actually, I don't think it's just time travel…. It does seem that you have numerous differences.

Chopper

Now that I think about it, he hasn't had a single nosebleed since he arrived. And that's for being around Nami and Robin for almost half an hour now!

Robin

Sanji-san, in your world, what are we like?

Sanji hops to sit on the wooden railing of the deck and crosses his legs. He plays with his goatee, deep in thought.

Sanji

Long nose, if what you say is true and me and your Sanji swapped, it means that my other self was right here. Travelling with you, Straw Hats.

Usopp

Well, yeah! Like Luffy said, you're our cook! You're one of us. You're nakama!

Sanji

Where I come from, I am none of those things. I'm a king.

Except for Zoro and Robin, the entire crew jumps onto their feet and gathers around him in an instant.

Straw Hats

WHAT?!

Sanji blinks at them curiously.

Sanji

They call me the Pirate King of the North. I am the crown king and ruler of Germa Kingdom.

Nami’s eyes practically transform into Beri signs. She swoons, hands clasped tightly under her chin as she forces herself through the crowd to be in front of him.

Nami

You didn't tell me that! Are you rich, Sanji-kun?!?

Sanji

Well…yeah. We do well enough for ourselves. I make an effort to make sure that people are happy and well fed.

Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, Franky and Brook’s eyes sparkle in amazement.

Chopper

That's so cool!!

Usopp

Do you have a big army?!

Franky

Do you have your own fleet of warships?!?

Brook

Do you live in a giant castle?!?!?

Luffy

Sanji, why didn't you tell us that you're a king?!?!?!?

Sanji cocks his head to the side, confused with the bombardment of questions.

Sanji

I was born into royalty. Your Sanji didn't tell you?

Luffy

Nah-uh! You never told us where you were born. When we met you, you lived with old man Zeff in a restaurant called Baratie in the East Blue!

Sanji

Zeff from Baratie? Interesting…. I've never heard of this man in my life.

He can't help but look at Zoro to observe his reaction. The young swordsman seemed to have gained his composure and was quietly listening under the shade of one of the trees on the lawn. He'd somehow acquired a tankard to drink with which he uses to hide his face behind.

Sanji sighs and shifts his legs over, crossing them the other way. He takes a long drag or his smoke and blows it out slowly. A devilish smirk forms on his face.

Sanji

Would you like to know more?

Straw Hats

YES!!!

Luffy

Tell us more about being king! Do they call you Pirate King because you found the One Piece?!

Sanji

Not exactly. I didn't make the title myself. They just–

Chopper

Do you go on many adventures?!

Sanji

Yes! Actually, I was just in–

Nami

Have you discovered rare and priceless treasures? DO YOU KNOW WHERE WE CAN FIND SOME?!

Sanji

We have this surgeon friend who–

Franky

I want to know if you have any suuuuppppeeerrrr weapons in your army!

Sanji

Oh! My brother made me this–

Usopp

Do you have righteous knights in metal armour under your command?!

Sanji

Of course! Helmets and all. And they can fly too~ They're also my si–

Usopp

AHHH!! SO UNBELIEVABLY COOL!!!

Robin

I'd like to hear more details about how you got here, Sanji-san. Maybe we'll get a better idea of how to turn things back to the way they were.

Sanji

I'm happy to–

Brook

Can you tell us how you and Zoro-san started dating? Yohohoho!

Zoro

BROOK!!! I WILL POUND YOU TO THE GROUND!

Brook

NOOOO!!!

The blonde grins playfully at them, enjoying every bit of attention that they give him. He remembers Law's advice for him not to take his favourite Marimo's offer to join the Straw Hats. While unsure on what the crew is like in his own world, he gets a glimpse of why they're too chaotic for the doctor's tastes. He can't help but find it hilarious that, in this place, he's a part of their family.

He sucks in another lungful of smoke and finally speaks after a pregnant pause.

Sanji

You might want to sit down. I can answer all of those questions but it's a bit of a long story. I'm going to need a bottle of wine or two. And you need to listen.

----------

Oh my gaaaaad the circle is finally complete!! We've caught up to Chapter 1

[saveyourblood]

Pretty Boy - Ch 10 (Buddie x Reader)

Summary: You can feel Buck staring. When your eyes meet his, you realize he’s staring at your hand, which is still on Eddie’s knee. You slowly retreat, which makes Buck turn his attention to your face. You smile softly. He just looks out the window. The one where you’re an advanced paramedic, Buck and Eddie are firefighters, and you think you might be in love with both of them.

Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 4 | Ch 5 | Ch 6 | Ch 7 | Ch 8 | Ch 9

Chapter Summary: You and Buck have a few realizations about a certain someone... but it might be too late.

Word Count: 3.7k Warnings: Mentions of blood/violence

You and Buck are finally back at work together — the balance in the universe has been restored. It sounds dramatic, but you swear Hen shed a few happy tears when you returned. Even Chimney spared you a hug.

Once everyone disperses, you see Eddie leaning against the dinner table.

“Hey,” you say, approaching him.

“Hey,” Eddie returns.

Before you lose courage, you wrap one arm around his neck and the other around his waist, pulling him into a hug. It takes Eddie a moment, but he reciprocates.

“What’s this for?” He asks, voice muffled by your shoulder.

You pull back enough to look at him but keep your hands where they are. “For saving my life. I never thanked you. So… thank you.”

“Anytime,” he says, setting his hands in the crooks of your elbows. “Seriously.”

You smile sweetly.

You’re starting to see what Buck was talking about. You didn’t entirely believe it at first, but now that you’re staring into Eddie’s eyes, you can see it; he’d move the Earth for you. You swallow the lump forming in your throat. What are you supposed to do with this knowledge? It doesn’t mean Eddie loves you, and it doesn’t mean you love him.

Doesn’t he, though? And don’t you?

Does it even matter?

“Babe,” Buck says, setting a hand on your shoulder.

You spin around, probably a little too quickly.

“Bobby needs us, something about paperwork,” Buck explains.

“Sure,” you nod once, then turn back to Eddie. “I’ll see you around?”

Eddie looks you up and down, then nods slightly. The corner of his mouth turns up; you wouldn’t exactly call it a smile.

Buck wraps an arm around your back, guiding you to Bobby’s office. You reciprocate the gesture. As you walk, he smiles down at you. You smile back at him.

This. This is what matters. For the first time in your life, you’re in a healthy, long-term relationship. You love Buck, and you know he loves you back. For fuck’s sake, you just finished moving into his apartment. This relationship is the only thing you should be thinking about; you shouldn’t be doing anything to jeopardize it. Besides, you already know that you love Eddie — as a friend. His friendship means the world to you, and you know Buck can’t live without him either. Acting on a potentially fleeting whim could devastate everyone, including yourself.

“I love you,” you whisper to Buck as you walk.

Buck furrows his eyebrows in confusion, but he smiles anyway. “I love you too.”

You bump your hip against Buck’s as you dry a plate. Well, he’s so much taller than you that you actually bump your hip against his thigh. Still, he bumps you back with a soft chuckle.

Although you haven’t been living together for long, you’ve fallen into a routine of making dinner together and washing dishes together. It’s a weird, domestic ritual that you only partake in once, maybe twice a week since your shifts don’t always fall on the same days.

Buck glances over at you. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything,” you say, partially as a joke but partially sincere.

“Promise you won’t get mad?”

“Buck, haven’t you learned never to ask a woman that?”

Buck doesn’t say anything. He just continues to wash the plate.

“I’m kidding,” you say softly, gently taking the plate from his grasp and setting it down. “What’s going on?”

Buck sighs, taking a few steps backward until the small of his back rests on the kitchen island.

You stand in front of him, slipping your hands into your back pockets. “I won’t get mad. I promise.”

At this, he smiles softly.

“What’s on your mind, Pretty Boy?” You ask, nudging his leg with your foot.

Buck wets his lips, only to bite the lower one. “Did you have a crush on Eddie?”

You think you feel your heart skip a beat. “What?”

“Before we got together, I mean. Did you like Eddie? As more than a friend?”

The spit in your mouth has turned into sand. You swallow, and it feels like razor blades scrape their way down. How the hell are you supposed to answer this question? Do you lie, say, ‘Of course not, why would you even suggest it’ ? Do you tell him half the truth, that you liked him at some point but not anymore? Or do you go with the full truth: that you liked him then, and probably love him now?

“Before we got together, Eddie and I… had a moment,” you settle on saying.

“A ‘moment’?” Buck frowns. “What kind of ‘moment’?”

You cross your arms over your chest. “We had a tough call; a woman in her 30s coded after giving birth. It was an amniotic fluid embolism, the same thing that killed my mom. We got her back in the ER, and when I stepped out of the trauma bay, I… lost it a little bit. Eddie comforted me, and… we almost kissed.”

Buck nods, taking everything in. “Almost. So you didn’t.”

You shake your head. “No, we didn’t.” You pause, biting your lip. “I did tell him something, though.”

“What’d you tell him?”

“Buck, you have to remember that this is before, okay? I mean, we were still fighting at the time.”

“It’s okay,” Buck says with a slightly forced smile. “I understand.”

You take in a deep breath. “We were leaning in to kiss, and I remembered Shannon. He said she wanted a divorce, but I said that he’s still married and I’m not that type of girl. When we pulled away, my exact words were, ‘I’m not saying it can never happen.’ ”

“You left the ball in his court,” Buck summarizes.

“In a way, I guess,” you cede, rubbing your hands together nervously. “And then you and I got together, Shannon’s accident happened, and, I don’t know… it hasn’t come up since.”

“Have you thought about it?”

“Buck, I love you.”

“I love you too,” he says, reaching out and rubbing your arms. “I won’t get mad. I promise.”

You smile faintly, but your heart is still running a marathon in your ribcage. “I’ve… thought about it, I guess. I’ve thought about if you and I had never met, that maybe Eddie and I would be together. I’ve wondered what would’ve happened between Eddie and I if you and I never got together. They’re all just… thoughts, though. What-ifs. They don’t matter.”

Buck’s hands trail down to your hands. He takes his in yours. “Do you love him?”

“Buck.”

“I know you love me,” Buck continues, playing with your fingers. “You know I love you. But I’m asking if you love him .”

You feel your eyes well up with tears. It’s getting harder to catch your breath. “Evan, I need to know that whatever I say does not change our relationship, okay? Because you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and if this changes something, I will never recover.”

“Hey, nothing’s gonna change,” Buck promises, pulling you into a hug. “I just… need to know.”

You wrap your arms around him, holding on for dear life. “I don’t know,” you finally cry. “I mean, I think I do. But I’m not sure.”

You feel like a little kid running to someone for comfort. It’s embarrassing. If anything, you should be comforting Buck. You just told the man you love that you might also be in love with another man. And he’s comforting you.

Buck presses his lips to the top of your head. “We’ll figure it out.”

It’s you and Eddie in the rig today, and you can cut the tension with a knife.

He obviously doesn’t know about the conversation you shared with Buck, but for the past 72 hours, it’s been the only thing on your mind. Really, it couldn’t have come at a better time — the morning after, Buck started a 48-hour shift, and when it ended, you were starting a 24. He got in late, so he kissed you goodnight, and when you left, you kissed him goodbye. You haven’t spent enough time around Buck for things to feel awkward.

With Eddie, on the other hand… the last 8 hours have felt nothing but awkward. You’ve tried brushing it off, pretending that the air around you both hasn’t shifted. But it has. And you have no idea how to shift it back.

It’s like you’re back at the start of things, when you were first getting to know each other. Long, quiet pauses are interrupted by the occasional sound or text message. When you’re driving, Eddie will bring up Christopher and talk about how he’s doing in school. When he’s driving, your phone barely leaves your hand as you obsessively check for any contact from Buck. There isn’t any. You hate this; it’s miserable.

“Are we cool?”

You look up to see Eddie tapping the stirring wheel. It’s the only sound in the rig.

You look back at your phone. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I did something.”

“You didn’t do anything, Eddie.”

“Then why can’t you look at me?”

You set your phone in your lap and turn your head towards him. Eddie spares you a glance, and you see his jaw unclench.

“Is something going on between you and Buck?” He asks, eyes fixed on the road.

You place your elbow on the door, resting your head in your hand. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll work it out,” he says simply. “You two are made for each other.”

You tap your fingers against your cheek. “You believe that? Not about me and Buck, per se, but in general. You think two people can be made for each other?”

“Growing up, I was taught it was God’s will, that He brings people together for a reason. These days, I tend to believe in what I can see. And I can see how happy you make each other.”

You settle your hands in your lap, considering this. “Do you think someone can be made for more than one person?”

“What, like in a ‘different people for different phases’ type of way? Yeah, I could buy into that.”

“No, I mean, like, do you think someone can be in love with two people at once? Do you think that’s possible?”

Eddie turns his head to you, looking you up and down.

“RA 118, requesting medical assistance at 2749 Elmer Avenue for a PNB victim,” The radio interrupts.

PNB — pulseless, non-breather. Eddie flips on the lights and sirens.

You pick up the radio. “Dispatch, this is RA 118 responding. Is CPR currently in progress?”

“10-4, by victim’s son. 118 rescue is also en-route.”

Momentum pushes you back in your seat as Eddie picks up speed.

“10-4, RA 118 clear,” you say before hanging up the radio.

You and Eddie are first on the scene. You make your way into the house and quickly see a young boy, no older than 10 years old, doing chest compressions on his mother.

“Hey buddy,” you say, kneeling beside him. “We’ve got it from here.”

“No, the 9-1-1 lady said I have to keep doing this,” he protests as he continues compressions.

“And you have done a great job, but your part's done,” Eddie assures, setting a hand on his shoulder. “Now it's our turn.”

As the boy steps away, you place two fingers on the woman’s neck. “No pulse, continuing compressions.”

Eddie quickly cuts her shirt, places the defibrillation pads, and then moves on to bagging. When you come up on two minutes, you hold compressions for a pulse check.

“She’s in V-fib,” Eddie says, observing the monitor. “Clear!”

He delivers a shock, and the woman’s body jolts, but you still don’t feel a pulse.

“Resuming compressions,” Eddie says, swapping out with you.

You go a few rounds, switching roles so you don’t tire too quickly. After a third round of CPR and a fourth shock, she converts to a normal sinus rhythm. Thankfully, the rest of the 118 crew on shift has arrived, so they help you and Eddie load her onto the gurney and into the rig.

When you drop the patient off, by some miracle, she’s stable. The ER doctor thinks the cause of arrest was a heart attack, but all you care about is that she didn’t code in your ambulance.

Walking out to the ambulance bay, you see Eddie sitting on the rig. The door is closed, so he’s sitting on the ledge just in front of it. He’s resting his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands.

“Everything okay?” you ask.

He perks his head up, and the tear tracks on his face are unmistakable.

Your heart rate picks up as you set a hand on his shoulder. “Woah, what happened?”

“It’s nothing,” Eddie tries brushing you off with a sniffle.

“It’s not nothing,” you argue softly. “What’s going on, Eds?”

He runs a hand down his face. “You know how long she was down for?”

“For us? Well, three rounds of CPR is about 6 minutes, but including shocking and pulse checks, it was probably closer to…”

“...7 minutes,” Eddie finishes.

“I was down for 7 minutes,” you whisper.

He nods. He knows that better than anyone.

You take a seat next to him, setting a hand on his knee. “I can’t imagine how terrifying those 7 minutes were. If it were you or Buck, I’d be…”

You trail off, the weight of your words slowly catching up to you. They’re starting to sink in for Eddie, too, because his hand slowly trails up to yours. You turn your hand over so your palm is facing upward. Eddie laces your fingers together.

You somehow feel insurmountable guilt and relief at exactly the same time. Guilt because it feels like you’re betraying Buck. Relief because, finally, Eddie knows, and evidently, he feels the same way you do.

But… does he know?

“You know, I was talking to Buck the other night,” you say, still holding Eddie’s hand. “He said that he and I will figure it out.”

“Figure what out?”

“How we can be in a relationship when I also have feelings for you,” you say, voice barely audible. “Because I do. I’m in love with Buck, but... it feels like there's something between us, too. I didn’t even think it was possible at first, but…”

The two of you sit in silence for a few moments. Your interlocked hands are starting to feel like a bomb waiting to go off, but neither of you dare to break away first.

“Well,” Eddie eventually says, “whatever you two figure out, let me know. Because no matter what it is, I’m there.”

You hold in a sigh of relief. “Really?”

Eddie squeezes your hand, smiling softly. “Really.”

You can’t fight the smile that blooms across your face.

Things are definitely different between you and Buck. He said they wouldn’t be, and you’re sure he’s trying his hardest, but it doesn’t change the fact that something between the two of you changed.

You can’t remember the last real conversation you had with him. Granted, your shifts have been mostly opposite of each other, but even then, you used to at least text. Now, you can be sitting in the same room for hours on end without a single word being spoken.

After about two weeks of radio silence, you’ll finally be working a shift together. Buck doesn’t say anything when you’re sitting in the passenger side of his Jeep. He doesn’t say anything as he pulls out of the parking lot, either.

“Are we breaking up?” you ask, no longer able to avoid the question. “Because I’ve never been good at taking hints. So if this is it, you need to just say it.”

“Of course we’re not breaking up,” Buck argues. “I told you, nothing you said changes anything between us.”

“It already has, Buck,” you retort. “It’s changed everything. It doesn’t even feel like we’re friends anymore, let alone dating.”

Buck lets out a sigh, leaning his head back. “Okay, you’re right: things are different. But it’s not because of you.”

You frown. “...What?”

“You realizing your feelings towards Eddie has made me realize some things about myself. I’ve been working through those things, but I shut you out. I’m sorry.”

Your head is spinning. “Buck, pull over.”

“We’re gonna be late if—”

“This is more important. Pull over.”

Buck finds a random parking lot and pulls into it. You click off your seatbelt so you can fully face him. He’s still staring straight ahead.

“What have you been working through?” you ask. “And why couldn’t you do it with me? It’s what I’m here for, Buck.”

“I know, and I’m sorry.”

You take one of his hands. “You don’t have to keep apologizing. Just… talk to me.”

Buck bites his lip. “I just didn’t want to make things even more complicated.”

“Okay…” you say slowly. “What would make things more complicated?”

Whatever it is, he doesn’t want to say it. His jaw clenches and unclenches a few times, and his brows are knitted together. He’s playing with your fingers as a distraction.

“Evan,” you prompt softly. “If you can keep loving me after everything about Eddie, then I can keep loving you after whatever you’re about to say.”

He finally looks at you, and his eyes are red. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, which he then presses together. It breaks your heart to see him like this.

“I, uh…” He croaks out. “I think… I think I might be… Bisexual.”

You can practically feel the weight lift off of your shoulders. “That’s it?”

“Not exactly.”

You nod but stay quiet, waiting for him to elaborate.

“When you talked about what might’ve happened had we never got together, I… started thinking too. About the ‘what-ifs’. They’re the same as yours.”

You said that if you and Buck didn’t start dating, you wondered if you and Eddie would’ve ended up together.

You lean in a little closer. “You’ve pictured yourself with Eddie.”

It takes him a minute, but Buck starts nodding slowly.

“You love Eddie.”

Despite his frown, Buck laughs. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

You set a hand on his cheek. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I’m… terrified. Terrified he won’t feel the same way.”

A stray tear falls on his cheek, and you catch it with your thumb.

“I have seen the way that man looks at you,” you say quietly. “He loves you.”

“What if he doesn’t? What if he loves you, and not me? I can’t watch you both be happy without me.”

“This is what you’ve been worried about?” You ask, moving your hand to run it through his hair.

He nods slightly.

“Evan Buckley, listen to me,” you say, taking his face in both of your hands. “If we’re going to do this, it’ll be all or nothing. Either both of us love him, or neither of us do. I would never hurt you, and if me and Eddie together would hurt you, then it isn’t gonna happen.”

“I want you to be happy,” Buck whispers, a few more tears falling.

“I’m happy with you — it’s one of the only things I’m sure of. I can live with the unknowns and the ‘what ifs’, but I can’t live without you.”

You and Buck make it to the station right on time. After parking the Jeep, he waits by the door as you make your way around. He extends his hand; you take it. The two of you walk in wordlessly.

You’re barely in the garage when you see Eddie walking out of the locker room. He’s already dressed in uniform.

“Damn, you’re early,” Buck remarks. He squeezes your hand before letting go.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Eddie replies. He looks at you. “You remember the mom the other day?”

You frown. “Sheila? With the sick kid?”

You took a rescue call with Hen, Chim, and Bobby towards the end of your previous shift. A woman, Sheila, fell through her rotten patio. She has a son, Charlie, with an autoimmune disease. Once Sheila was rescued, you took her to the hospital while Eddie stayed behind to look after Charlie.

“He's not sick, not really. She's making him sick. Probably has been for years.”

You raise your eyebrows. “Munchausen by proxy? That's a heavy accusation, Eddie.”

“All signs point to it,” Eddie continues. “The nonspecific autoimmune disease, the revolving door of doctors. He's frail, he's weak, he's always throwing up. She's poisoning him.”

“Poisoning him?” Buck interjects. “With what?”

Eddie’s phone rings. He sighs in frustration, but his expression changes when he sees the caller ID. “Charlie? Are you okay?”

You and Buck look at each other.

“Okay, just stay put, alright? I’ll be right there.”

You pull up to the scene in the Captain’s truck — B shift is still on a call, and it was the only vehicle available. You and Buck didn’t even have time to change before leaving, so you’re still in your street clothes.

When you get to the apartment, you find Sheila unresponsive and Charlie holding an empty bottle of eye drops. She’s been dosing his food with them for years, and Charlie wanted to see what would happen if she got them for a change.

After a good sternal rub and some fluids, Sheila perks up. You get her and Charlie into separate ambulances.

They’ll both be okay but never together again.

“Wish I’d gotten here sooner,” Eddie says, shaking his head slightly.

You’re leaning against the engine, Buck beside you.

“Hey, that kid is just lucky he met you,” Buck says.

You nod in agreement. “Seriously, Eds. It was a good call.”

“Diaz, you wanna ride with the kid to the hospital?” A paramedic interjects.

“Yeah, that would be gr-”

A sharp sound cuts Eddie off. You feel something splash on your face and instinctively close your eyes. Your eyes are barely open again when Buck is tackling you. You both collide with the side of the engine and fall to the ground.

There’s a lot of screaming and shouting. Someone is radioing that shots were fired, and a firefighter is down. You spare a glance up at Buck. His face is splattered with blood. You reach a shaky hand up to your own cheek, and your fingertips come back stained red.

You look across the way to see Eddie lying in the street, a flood of crimson underneath him.

It’s Eddie’s blood on your face.

[chara-cat5]

lads isekai au ch 8

reader is gender neutral, warning: swearing, mdni

masterlist

first 1

previous 7

next 9 (not out yet)

"hi, sweetie."

your whole form went stiff as you met his red eyes, but that didn't seem to bother him as he tugged you into a dancing position, one hand in your stiff one, his other at your waist. he hummed softly, that all knowing smirk on his lips and eyes sharp and observant.

"you don't mind giving me a dance, do you? i just need to see how my cat is doing."

you narrowed your own eyes at him, following his lead for now.

"why don't you just ask mia yourself?"

"mia? oh, did i mention my cat's name?"

you felt your face go pale as his smirk grew.

"i... we came together, so i assumed you saw..."

he hummed, twirling you before tugging right against his chest, voice lowered dangerously.

"i think you know more them you're letting on, sweetheart."

you swallowed, eyes wide as you tried to lean away. shit shit shit shit- knew too much? what- oh, geez he looks serious-

"i- i'm just observant. i'm not sure what you mean."

"oh, i'm sure you understand. you knew the twins before you met them. you were looking for me as soon as you walked in, which means you not only know my appearance, but also my occupation and habits. you know my relationship with mia, despite only being asked about a 'cat'."

with each accusatory statement he made you step backwards. you let out a soft yelp when your back met the balcony door, stumbling as he released you. he let you put distance between the two of you since you had nowhere to run. he said your name, sending your heart racing all the more faster.

"so, you're gonna start talking, sweetheart, or mia is gonna have to look for a new roommate."

"woah woah woah- l-let's calm down now. i'm not- i'm not here to cause you issues, i just-..."

you took in a breath, gripping the banister of the balcony.

"... you're right. i do know you and the twins and probably more then i'm meant to. but, i'm not here to hurt anyone. not you, and defiantly not mia."

he dropped his smirk at your admission, his expression serious and unreadable.

"... how and why do you know this information then?"

"i..."

'i'm from another world where you're a love interest in an otome game.'

can't really say that, can you? how the hell do you get out of this situation without dying??

before either of you could say another word, screams sounded from the room behind the tall crow. you pushed past him, already unbuttoning the top few buttons to fish your spear out. the room was a mess, purses, furniture and tableware scattered over the carpet. screams of terror were loud, the crowd of panicked people going this way and that to try and escape. in the center of it all, a wanderer floated, it's harsh screeches sounding over the panicking mob.

fuck. it was definitely one of the wanderers with the shield shit. the kind you needed a love interest to beat.

"sylus, come with me!"

you called over your shoulder, yanking your spear off the chain around your neck. scrapping the tip across the ground, making a sweep toward the wanderer, sent vines shooting out, wrapping around it's form. you followed it up with a rotating swing, your spearhead carving through it's form. it snapped the vines around it's arm, raising it to stab toward you, sending a shot of panic through your heart.

"you really don't want to make it easy for me, huh?"

you felt your body get pulled back, a weightless feeling taking over as black and red tendrils wrapped their way around you. the blade barely missed you, and your back met sylus's firm chest, his arm out stretched toward the beast. following his lead, you sent another flurry of vines toward it, both strangling and squeezing till it popped. the thing fell to dust, leaving the two of you in an empty room. you let out a breath, walking to the wanderer remans to check for a protocore.

"you took your time, eh?"

he let out a scoff behind you, his feet scuffing as he shifted his weight.

"took my time? you rushed in- recklessly might i add- without even checking if i was following."

his voice got louder as he walked closer, his shadow casted over you. you only hummed, pocketing the core and standing up. quick steps sounded nearby, mia panting softly next to you.

"i heard screaming, what happened in here?"

"wanderer. we took care of it. did you find anything from where you went?"

she shook her head, eyeing both you and sylus. you retracted your spear, shoving it into your pocket.

"i'm going to go start the report. i don't think we'll find anything out like this."

"wait a minute, sweetheart. you aren't getting off that easily."

sylus grabbed your arm, stopping you from walking off. mia looked between you, a look of confusion and panic rising to her face.

"do you... know each other...?"

"ask them."

you shot him a glare, the idea kicking his shin and running enticing.

"i know of him. i would't say i know him personally..."

"then what would you say, sweetheart because so far you've only proven you know far too much."

before you could argue back, mia stepped between you, facing sylus. you blinked in surprise, her tone more serious then you've ever heard her.

"skye, this is my friend. i'm sure whatever it is, it's a misunderstanding. why don't we talk later."

she glanced over his shoulder, security finally making their move into the room. while he looked like he wanted to argue, he agreed, leaving the two of you to explain what went down as hunters.

"i don't know what's going on, but please tell me later."

.

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entity [user] encounter entity [sylus]

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a̵f̵f̴i̶n̵i̸t̷y̵ level [3]

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taglist: @sleepisfortheweakpooh @plzdonutpercieveme @young-adult-summer @mentaltrouble2201 @noxus123 @asakiyu @leftpoetrymoon @hon3yydew @anemobabygirl @clandestienly @crimsonrubie @beaconsxd @yuurisfavblog

hello loves!!

got a break at work so i could format this (i write in my notes app then copy paste everything into tumblr)

if y'all would like, i can answer any questions you have! buuuuut, no spoilers will given. so i'll pick and choose.

thank you for reading!!

-chara <3

[larluce]

Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU

LINKS TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS AU HERE: PART 1 , PART 2 , PART 3 , PART 4 , PART 5 , PART 6 , PART 7 , PART 8 , PART 9 , PART 10 , PART 11 , PART 12 , PART 13 , PART 14 , PART 15 , PART 16 , PART 17 , PART 18 , PART 19 , PART 20 , PART 21 , PART 22 , PART 23 , PART 24 , PART 25 , PART 26 , PART 27 , PART 28 , PART 29 (You're here), PART 30

Gaius: (sighs) My boy, I don't think crying for your life to the King is going to work.

Merlin: Is not him I'm going to cry to.

Gaius: ...

Merlin: I know, I know. This is so absur-

Gaius: Brilliant! 😃 How didn't I think of this before? (quickly looks for some medicine and gives it to Merlin) Here, a couple of drops in your eyes should be enough.

Merlin: I can't believe you're really supporting this madness.

Gaius: Madness is what Arthur will do if you don't change his mind soon. (starts pushing Merlin out of his chambers) Now go, I can't keep the King assleep much longer. (ends to push Merlin outside and closes the door)

Meanwhile in Arthur's Chambers.

Arthur: (on his desk with a bunch of parchments with names, strategies and possible scenarios, thinking) This was not supposed to happen so soon. I had I plan goddamit! (sinks his face in his hands) Why father? Why do you always want to take away everyone I love? First Gwen and now...(sighs and gets the hands off his face) I hate you, so much... but I don't want to kill you. I don't want to do any of this, but I have to. You'd do the same for my mother. I hope you understand, because even now I can't bare the thought of you not forgiving me.

Merlin: (enters hanging his head)

Arthur: (letting out his frustration) May I know where have you been? 😡 This room is not going to clean itself. I have a lot of work to do and you are-

Merlin: (lifts his head to reveal two rivers of tears under his eyes, face red, hiccuping and whining)

Arthur: Merlin! (jumps from his sit and runs to Merlin, almost in panic) What is it?! Did something happen? (checks him, worried) Are you hurt?! Tell me!

Merlin: (thinking) Me eyes hurt! 🥺 Why does it have to burn this much? 😭(says) Please, Arthur, stop this! This is your fault! (hits Arthur's chest)

Arthur: What?! What did I do?! 😨

Merlin: (thinking) Shit, I did it backwards. (says) I mean, MY fault! (hits his chest) It's all my fault! (hits his chest harder) My fault, my fault!

Arthur: (very concern) Will you stop that?! You'll hurt yourself! Merlin! (grabs Merlin by the wrists) What's gotten into you?

Merlin: Please, Arthur. I can't-(thinking) Wait, I forgot to kneel. (drops to his knees)

Arthur: What the- 😨

Merlin: I can't live with myself if blood is spilled because of me! 😭 (tries to hold Arthur's hands, but can't see well through the tears so he ends up pulling his trousers in a crying mess)

Arthur: (definitely in panic now) What are you doing?! Merlin, stand up! My trousers are going to fall. Merlin! (kneels too and cups his face, comforting) I get that you're scared, but everything will turn out alright.

Merlin: (thinking) Nooo! It's not working! And I can't hug his legs now! (says) No! No! You have to stop this-Argh! (thinking) Damn it! It's burning too much! I can't open my eyes! (hides his face in his hands, pretending he's crying harder)

Arthur: (even more worried) Merlin look at me, please.

Merlin: (thinking) No! He'll realise I'm faking if I can't open my eyes. What do I do? What else was in Morgana's script? Oh, right! (says) If you do this, I… I'd rather… disappear! (faints dramatically)

Arthur: (catches him before he hits the floor in reflex) Merlin? (pats his face) Merlin! (shakes him) Merlin, open your eyes.

Merlin: (thinking) I can't. I fainted.

Arthur: Wake up, come on. Merlin! (Shakes him harder)

Merlin: (thinking) Ow! There is no need to be so rough. 😠

Arthur: (concern) He fainted.

Merlin: (thinking) Don't say!

Arthur: I need to take him to Gaius. (carries Merlin bridal style)

Merlin: (thinking) Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! why are you carrying me like this? 😳😫

Arthur: (Runs outside with Merlin in his arms and yelling) Gaius! (Runs through the castle staff) Everybody, get out of the way! It's an emergency! Gaius!

Merlin: (thinking) There's no need to be so dramatic either! 🤦‍♂️

In Gaius' Tower.

Arthur: (enters kicking the door open) Gaius!

Gaius: (looks Merlin in Arthur's arms, alarmed) What happened?!

Arthur: I don't know! He-

Gaius: Lay him on the bed first. I need to examine him.

Arthur: (Lays Merlin on the bed quickly)

Gaius: (while checking Merlin) Now explain.

Arthur: (paces, anxiously) He came to my chambers crying and saying that this was all his fault, hitting himself like a madman. Then he begged me to stop the rebel-the back up plan and he kneeled, Gaius, he KNEELED before me! When has he ever done that? I tried to calm him, but he just wouldn't stop crying! And then suddenly he fainted!

Merlin: (pinches Gaius subtly)

Gaius: (realices he's faking) I see... (gets an idea) Oh, my poor, poor boy.

Arthur: (stops pacing) What? What is it?

Gaius: It seems that Merlin is in a very bad state of... anxiety, Sire.

Arthur: Anxiety?

Gaius: Yes, that! He fainted from the anxiety. I know he doesn't show it always, Sire, but Merlin is very... sensitive. Sometimes his heart cannot bear strong impressions and, apparently, the approach of a rebellion was too much for his... delicate heart.

Merlin: (thinking, offended) That's not true! 😠

Arthur: (thinking, between concerned and confused) How can this be? Not even when his father died I've seen him so distraugh. Does the rebellion really worries him this much? (says) But he'll wake up, right? He'll be fine.

Gaius: He will, but I fear that... (dramatic pause)

Arthur: What? Tell me!

Gaius: If he continues receiving news that could cause him any anguish he could become seriously ill to the point his heart could... stop beating completely.

Merlin: (thinking) Really, Gaius? 🙄 What was the need of making up this diagnosis?

Arthur: (desperate) No... No! there must be something you can give him! Some medicine, a treatment, ANYTHING!

Gaius: The only thing that can help Merlin now is rest and tranquility. ABSOLUTE tranquility.

Arthur: (sinks in a chair nearby, filled with guilt) This is my fault, isn't it? He's like this because of me.

Merlin: (thinking) No, no, no. Don't think that! ☹️

Gaius: You had no way of knowing this would happen, Sire.

Arthur: What do I do now? If I keep up with my plan I lose him if I don't I lose him too. (looks up at gaius with watery eyes) I can't lose him, Gaius. (thinking) Not again, not again. Please.

Merlin: (thinking, his heart beating like crazy) He... He never cared for me like this in my other life. It feels... nice.

Gaius: (puts a comforting hand on Arthur's shoulder) Rebellion is not the only answer. You said yourself it was just a back up plan. You can still reason with the King or we can put Merlin safe somewhere.

Arthur: But he'll be away.

Gaius: But safe. Isn't that what's important?

Arthur: ...

Gaius: Whatever it is you'll do, I know you'll make the right decision, your Highness.

Arthur: (sighs, stands up, aproaches Merlin and caresses his hand lovinly)

Merlin: (tries very hard for his heart and breathing to stay even)

Arthur: Tell me when he wakes. I need to take care of some things.

Gaius: Of course, Sire.

Arthur: (gives a last look at Merlin and finally leaves)

Merlin: (sits up as soon as the door closes) What the hell was that?! 😡

Gaius: That was me saving us all.

Merlin: "Anxiety"? "delicate heart"? "his heart could stop beating completely"? There was no need to scare him like that!

Gaius: You are the one who decided to faint. Why did you do that?

Merlin: Morgana told me to.

Gaius: (in understanding) Morgana! I should've known it was her idea.

Merlin: Yes, the idea was to use tears to persuade Arthur of not doing the rebellion. This is outright lying to him! And you know I hate lying to him, Gaius! (rubs his eyes) Ugh, my eyes still burn a bit.

Gaius: This should help (gives him a bowl with water and Merlin starts washing his eyes). I'm sorry I lied to Arthur, but I figured that if he was doing this rebellion to save you, the only way to stop him was if he believed you'll be in danger if the rebellion were to happen too.

Merlin: (sighs) What's done is done. (gets off the bed)

Gaius: What are you doing?

Merlin: Going to do my chores.

Gaius: You can't! You are supposed to be ill. Remember?

Merlin: So what? You expect me to stay in bed all day?

Gaius: That's exactly what you'll do. Now, lay down.

Merlin: But-

Gaius: Lay down.

Merlin: (recluntanly lays down) Can I read a book at least?

Gaius: I'll bring you some.

Time skip. Arthur with Kilgharrah.

Kilgharrah: I don't understand. Don't you want to start your reign, young Pendragon?

Arthur: Of course I do! But not at the cost of Merlin.

Kilgharrah: It's not just about saving him. It is Uther who persecutes Merlin and his kind. Even if Uther were to spare his life, which I doubt, your warlock won't be free until Uther dies.

Arthur: I know. But everything is getting out of my hands! I can't go back to my original plan and the back up plan is not an option now. (holds his head in desperation) How did everything turn out this bad? This never happened in my timeline!

Kilgharrah: Every change you've done, even if it was small, could lead to a complete different scenario. Being from the future won't prepare you for that.

Arthur: What do I do then? There's no pacific way to get out of this.

Kilgharrah: Maybe not pacific but, perhaps, a least violent one. Just enough to not worsen your warlock's state.

Arthur: Which is?

Kilgharrah: You needn't to involve others when the enemy is only one.

Arthur: ...

Kilgharrah: You already thought of it.

Arthur: (sighs) I did, I was just hoping you'll come up with something different.

Time skip. In Uther's chambers.

Gaius: (preparing another sedative)

Arthur: (enters) You don't have to do that anymore, Gaius.

Gaius: (turns to him, surprised) Sire!

Arthur: (smiles) Let him wake up. I want to speak with him alone.

Gaius: (nods in underdstanding) I'll prepare Merlin's things just in case.

Arthur: That won't be necessary, Gaius. Don't worry.

Gaius: ... Sire?

Arthur: (gives him a calm smile) You really don't have to worry, Gaius. I found I way to convince him. He won't be able to deny me this. You can go in peace.

Gaius: (unsure, but bows and leaves)

Arthur: (his smiles fades as soon as Gaius is gone, checks the doors are closed and then turns to Uther) This was not supposed to happen like this. (walks to the bed) I was going to give you an honorable dead, you were going to be remembered as a hero, even though you don't deserve it. You've hurt a lot of people, father. Murdered thousands of innocents in your grief... but aren't I about to do the same? Haven't I already done that to be where I stand? (pulls Uther's hair out of his face) It makes me wonder. Were you always a monster, father? Or you only turned this way when you lost my mother? You always insisted I marry for duty even though you married for love. Was it because you feared what I'll become if I were to fall in love like you? (lets a dry laugh) I guess what is inherited is not stolen. (grabs a pillow) There's a difference between me and you though. I'd never blame others for my own mistakes and I would never risk Merlin like you did with my mother. (holds the pillow close to Uther's face) I'm sorry.

Anhora: (appearing out of nowhere) Arthur Pendragon.

Arthur: (lets the pillow fall to the floor, almost jumping out of his skin, but quickly composes himself as he recgonises him) The keeper of the unicorns.

Anhora: Glad I don't have to introduce myself. I have come to deliver a message.

Arthur: (tired) Please don't tell me you'll curse Camelot. I don't have time for this. I let your unicorn go.

Anhora: For which I'm in debt with you. Whoever dares to slay a unicorn meets despair, but those who save one can be rewarded.

Arthur: Do you have an enchantment that can make my father forget all his absurd suspicions about Merlin? Because if you don't I don't know you how else you could help me.

Anhora: This is what I don't get. You spared the life of my unicorn, which is an act of a pure hearted person. Yet your heart is anything but pure. You are ready to enchant your father, to take his life just to fullfil your selfish desires.

Arthur: Is this my reward? A sermon?

Anhora: No. (gets a bracelet out of his pocket) this bracelet made of unicorn hair is a lucky charm. It could help turn chances at your favor, but it'll disappear as soon as you achieve your goal.

Arthur: You said could. You mean is not certain?

Anhora: You have to make your part and it'll only help you with one aim. The more short term and specific the better.

Arthur: That's a very useless lucky charm. 😒

Anhora: Useless or not it's yours. I beg you to use it wisely (extends the hand with the bracelet)

Arthur: (grabs it) Thank you.

Anhora: (about to leave, but turns) Prince of Camelot, if you keep down this pat you build and embrace the darkness in your heart to protect your love ones, that darkness will end up harming those you hold most dear.

Arthur: You think I don't know? You think I like doing what I'm doing? (laughs without humor) Is ironic. Where I come from you determined I was "pure of heart" for the same reason now you are determining I'm not. Because I wanted to save Merlin, to keep him safe. But even then I was willing to leave my kingdom without a heir just so he wouldn't die. My love was never pure.

Anhora: (with sadness) It was. It once was. One of the purest love I've ever seen. Or at least it could have been. Now it's corrupted.

Arthur: (surprised) You... you are-

Anhora: If something goes wrong this time, there will be no going back. And it will not be fate's fault. The blame will fall entirely on you, Arthur Pendragon. Are you prepared to assume the consequences of your actions?

Arthur: (serious) Yes.

Anhora: Then you are doomed (dissapears)

Arthur: (sighs and looks at the bracelet, thinking) This better work. (puts it on)

Uther: (wakes up) What…? Where am I?

Arthur: (takes a chair nearby and sits next to him) In your chambers, father. You had a seizure.

Uther: (still kind of groggy) Oh...

Arthur: Father, I know Merlin behaved very poorly and I take complete responsability for that. I've given him too many liberties since he is under my service. I failed to properly teach him how he should adress his superiors and for that I'm sorry. It won't happen again, but please, I beg you, spare his life.

Uther: (smiles softly) Alright, I'll spare him.

Arthur: (very surprised) Really? (thinking) This thing is more effective than I thought!

Uther: (smiles more brightly) Of course! Anything for my son.

Arthur: (thinking) ...okay, something's wrong. (says) Father, how many fingers do you see? (raises 3 fingers in front of his eyes)

Uther: Hmmm... Six!

Arthur: (lets out a sigh of exasperation, thinking) No! He's still drugged! It won't matter if he spares Merlin's life now, he'll take back his words as soon as he comes back to his senses...unless... (stands up and searches around the room quickly)

Uther: What are you doing son?

Arthur: (picks a parchment and a quill and sits back next to Uther) Can you show me how you sign your treates, father? I want to see if I'm doing it correctly.

Uther: My son, always looking for perfection. Alright. (signs)

Arthur: (thinking, looking at the parchment) The writing is stable enough. (says) Father, I just remember there are some urgent documents that need to be signed. I really don't want to bother you, you've just woken up, but you're the King. You're the only one the can do it.

Uther: I understand. You can bring them to me.

Arthur: I'll be right back. (stands up and goes to the door)

Uther: Arthur!

Arthur: (turns around)

Uther: I love you, son.

Arthur: (thinking, holding back the tears) Of course the only times you've told you loved me would be when you're drugged or in your deathbed. (says) I love you too, father. (leaves)

...

Anhora I hate you for stopping Arthur from killing Uther but I also love you cause now Arthur can go back to his original plan :D

How will Uther react when he comes back to his senses? Will Merlin really be safe? Find out in the next part of "Merlin: The Favourite of crocodile tears"

Also credits to my best friend Rosangela, who is practically beta and almost co-writer of this AU now.

Tagging @aceauthorcatqueen , @fallenxjas , @smileytrinity ,@lucifertookmyshoe , @an-entity-i-think , @thecornerofbelu , @griffonskies , @odinjm , @cinnabon-sweetroll-tiramisu , @thelady-mary , @bennedict , @nightninjaboy , @st8-of-grace , @star-rie , @error-username-not-available , @dogberryrowan , @jamieweasley13 , @tansyuduri , @tercais , @robynnemrys , @evadne01 , @serasvictoria02 , @hairdryerducks , @hopeaha , @curiously-lazy , @ harriettesthings , @andrealux16 , @wacko-weirdo , @greatdonutenemy , @yougottobekittenme , @anxiousosaurus , @kinkforwings , @someweirdassnamee , @impracticalantlers , @miyriu , @hobipabo , @whitemaskcd , @cute-girl-next-door , @bogslob , @tkmaras , @cunts-and-kermits

[honghwalvr]

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Epilogue

m.list atz.list

genre: fan fiction, smut, friends-ish to lovers

wC: 786

- synopsis: Working as the daycare instructor was the most boring job you've ever had. Worse than being a cashier at a store almost no one goes to.

But when Mr. Kim first came to drop his kid off? Holy shit, things got interesting.

And the best part? He was single.

He, in your perspective, was a certified DILF.

pairings: dilf & producer ! hongjoong x young daycare worker ! reader

- warnings: swearing, drinking, dilfs, age gap

Prologue

"Yes, of course, Mr. Choi," you said to the last parent, Choi Yeonjun, who picked up his kid and informed you of a new allergy his son had.

Waving him off until you were out of sight, you sighed and walked back into the daycare with that sullen face of yours.

"Bored again?" your friend, Jeon Soyeon, asked.

"Outta my mind. The most exciting thing that's happened to me all my life was getting accepted to do this job." you mumbled, playing with the straw from your coffee.

"Let's go out tonight," Seoyeon's eyes light up yet dim once she sees you shake your head.

"Can't. I have to pay my rent and can't unless I take my shift at that fancy restaurant tonight. Which means," you grabbed your stuff and stood, "I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow, Soso!" You hugged Soyeon and made your way outside.

You walked to the bus stop and waited there patiently, ignoring anybody who attempted to have conversation with you by making sure your airpods were visible.

It wasn't until some guy forcefully ripped one out of your ear that you turned around, absolutely furious.

"What the fuck, dude?!" you shouted, snatching the device back.

"I'm trying to talk to you! Goddamn, fucking slut!" the older man shouted.

"Excuse me?" you said. The hell crawled up his ass tonight?

"I said," the man grunted, coming closer till his hand touched your breast.

Absolutely appalled, you pushed him backwards with a disgusted expression.

"Don't touch me." you said firmly, feeling slightly disgusted with yourself.

How could you let him touch you like that?

"D-did you just push me?" he asked, anger filling his voice.

Just as you were about to start running away from the man, who seemed to be firing up to touch you once more, you heard the man shout in pain.

You turned around only to find another older, but definitely younger than the man who groped you, man squatting over the handsy one.

"Repeat after me," he said to the man on the floor, "'I will not touch women or men without consent'." The old man repeated it and the other one smiled, tapping the olders cheek.

"Good job. Now get out of here before I call someone." The man said, turning to watch the other run away.

"Miss!" he shouted, standing. "You dropped your wallet, dear." He handed it to you with a smile.

"I'm sorry for pervs like him. Not all men act like that."

"Thank you," you whispered, still a little shocked.

This guy sounded to be about in his late thirties to early forties.

His looks? He easily could pass as a 24 year old.

Maybe he was.

"I understand if you aren't completely comfortable or convinced I'm good because I am older." He said, a chuckle escaping his perfect lips.

He was older than you? Really?

"You're older?" you asked instinctively, slapping a hand to your mouth instantly.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"No, it's okay. But yeah, I can tell you're in your early twenties. I'm 36." he explained, shocking you.

You're 23 and he's 36 yet he looks like he's just 2 years older than you.

You thought him to be 25 at max.

Never 36.

"Wow."

"I know, right? I'm old!" He laughed.

"No! Not like that! I'm saying I just thought you were a lot younger.." you mumbled, looking down at your shoes.

"Really? How young?" he asked, interested.

"I thought you were at max 25."

"No way. Thank you so much!" he laughed again, you joining this time.

"Of course. I hope the fact I've been informal hasn't disrespected you at all." you rush in, forgetting that he was an elder.

"Nah, don't sweat it. I'm not huge on the whole "formalities" thing. I have 7 other shit heads i'm with daily and they don't respect them often anyways."

"7 kids?!" you asked, astounded.

"No, god no! Friends. One of the 7 is my hyung but that's it." he smiled, turning his head to face the incoming bus.

"I actually don't need to take the bus. I just stayed to make sure that guy wouldn't come back and try again. You have a nice night, though." He chuckled before walking off.

You got in the bus and sat in the furthest seat, needing to distance yourself from everyone to properly think.

That guy was hot. Hotter than any other 36 year old you've ever seen.

You knew you weren't gonna see him again but, there was a sliver of hope that kept you up all night.

The hope being that he has a kid to bring in to your daycare.

And I guess the universe was listening.

[avengerswriter]

Hoodie thief

Summary: Y/n is sick (although she won't admit it) and steals Bucky’s hoodie. He wants it back. No can do. Let's argue about breakfast food instead?

Prompts used:

7. Borrowed Hoodie

15.” Who decided __is ‘sick person food?”

25. Summer flu

Word count: 1028

Warnings: none

●◇●◇●◇●◇●◇

Sweltering hot temperatures all week long. That’s what the weather app said. That’s what everyone was warning against. Drink plenty of fluids. Sunscreen. Stay inside. All the usual warnings for a normal temperature spike. So why exactly was Y/n shivering like crazy wrapped in one of her thickest blankets?

She wasn’t completely sure, just that the sun was shining through her bedroom window in greeting, and she was in no mood to stand up. Or get out of her blanket burrito. But all that said, her stomach had a dull ache that she was blaming on hunger, meaning she had to eat something.

Her body gave one more shiver as she placed her feet on the floor and hauled herself up. She wasn’t sick. Really, she wasn’t. She had too much stuff to do, like enjoying the nice weather outside. Because it was nice, and her body was just late on getting the memo. She glared at the blanket that dropped on the ground. Her lazy ass decided it was too much effort to pick it up again, so she left it. Stupid blanket.

Walking down the hallway, her summer pyjamas did nothing to help her mismatched body temperature, leaving goosebumps prickling her skin. Scowling, she stomped only slightly into the living room, gaze tracking for any movement.

No one.

Good.

Her gaze landed on an oversized hoodie that was thrown over one of the couches, and she inched closer for a better inspection. Definitely not hers... but big, black, and warm. It met all her requirements. Who cared who it belonged to?

She slipped it on, hands disappearing in the too-long sleeves. The oversized hoodie hung far enough to completely cover her shorts. She allowed a smile to cross her face. Perfect.

Except for a certain super soldier who didn’t share her feelings. Bucky glowered at her, arms crossed, “Cute. 10, 9, 8.” His voice was calm, but his eyes were narrowing in warning. Y/n knew Bucky hated when people touched his things, but by the time she realized it was his, she was already too comfortable to care.

“You’re really going to count down?”

“Take it off.” Was his only response, his irritation obvious. Y/n let out a huff, folding her arms right back at him, “No.”

“Y/n” He warned, taking a step forward. She narrowed her eyes at him, “I’m not scared.”

“My hoodie. You have your own, don’t you?”

“They’re not as comfortable! And they’re all the way in my room!” Y/n complained, pouting at him. He muttered something to himself, rubbing a finger across his brow, eyes closed, “Stop that” He snapped.

“What?”

“Pouting. Makes you too damn cute.” She smiled slightly, but before saying anything, he continued, “Why do you need a hoodie anyway? Isn’t it like 30° or something?”

"I’m cold. No, leave me alone. I want to make breakfast.”

“You’re cold?” His frown deepened, concern flickering in his eyes, only to be replaced by frustration, “And I’ll leave you alone as soon as you return my hoodie.”

“Make me.”

He lifted a surprised eyebrow at her, but there was a playful glint in his eyes now.

“You sure you want that, doll?”

“I could take you,” Y/n said, still defiant.

He walked towards her, slowly at first, and the pace made a brief flash of fear settle in her stomach. Oh, shit. She was still shivering, albeit less, and her muscles were sore. He was a super soldier with decades of training—and a metal arm to back it up.

“Wait, I didn’t mean right now,” she blurted, trying to keep the nervousness out of her tone. She forced herself not to step backwards. It would be ridiculous if she couldn’t meet her own stubbornness.

“I think now is perfect. You still have something that belongs to me.” Before she could react, he scooped her up, throwing her over his shoulder with ease. Y/n shrieked in surprise, hands scrambling to find balance as the world tilted beneath her.

“Bucky! Put me down!” He ignored her protests, walking towards the kitchen counter. Only then did he lightly place her on the marble surface, hands hovering a few inches from her waist until she caught her balance. The sudden shift upwards again made her head spin, black spots dancing in the corners of her eyes.

“Nop,” she muttered, closing her eyes, leaning her head against Bucky’s chest.

“Doll?” Concern was evident in his tone. He placed a kiss on the top of her head, hands wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer. “Yeah?” She hummed back.

“Why are you cold?”

“Flu?” she said back, almost too quiet for him to catch. He nodded along, “You planning on ignoring it?”

“I’m not sick.”

“Fine. Let me make you breakfast.”

“Just cereal.”

“Oats.” He argued, shaking his head at her choice, “You need better nutrition than that sugary stuff.”

“Yuck.” She leaned back from him, her nose scrunched up in distaste, “Who decided oats were good for sick people?”

“It’s nutrition values.”

“Could be fake,” she reasoned.

“Could be. Toast then?” He bopped her nose playfully, smiling as she swatted away his hand.

“Why do you hate me so much? I need sugar to survive,” she said dramatically.

“I mean, you did steal my hoodie.” He answered back, raising an accusing eyebrow.

“If I give it back, will you love me again?”

“Mmm no.”

“What? Why?” She gaped at him, a brief look of confusion on her face. He smiled, “It’s full of your germs now. Don’t want it anymore.”

“Hypocrite. You just hugged me.”

**

They settled on toast with jam in the end. On the couch, they watched some silly comedy, Y/n still wearing his hoodie, an extra blanket lying nearby. The water and medicine were only a precaution for when she stopped ignoring the facts.

Bucky chose to stay indoors today, and Y/n simply joined him to keep him company. No other reason. The other Avengers didn’t need extra information, even when pool day turned into movie watching instead. Nat had joined them later, settling comfortably next to Y/n and only stealing her food when she thought Y/n wasn’t looking.

[snowysosturn]

Speeding Car - Matt Sturniolo Part 12

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29

Pairing : y/n x Matt Sturniolo

Summary : After six years with your boyfriend Alex, you start to mentally check out. At a UCLA party, Alex reconnects with his childhood friend Emily, who proposes a double date with her boyfriend Matt. Your attraction to Matt grows as he pays you the first real attention you've had in years, sparking a complicated emotional journey.

Warnings : MDNI, tension, angst

The silence in my apartment made me spiral after Alex stormed out, slamming the door behind him. I replayed our argument over and over, each word cutting deeper. How did we get here? I’d spent the last month caring for him, rearranging my life to cater to him. Now, he was off to Barcelona with Emily, leaving me to pick up the pieces. A bitter laugh escaped me. Of course, he chose her over me. I couldn't even spend our last night together before his trip.

I angrily wiped away tears, trying to suppress the rising wave of emotions. It wasn't just the argument with Alex that hurt, it was everything else too. Matt’s silence since the fight, the confusion about what almost happened between us, and the sinking feeling that maybe I wasn’t enough. Not for Alex, not for anyone.

Curling up on the couch, the apartment felt empty and cold. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Now there was nothing to distract me from the growing loneliness. My phone buzzed, and my heart skipped a beat, hoping it was Alex with an apology. But it was Nick. Surprised, I hesitated before opening the message.

 "Hey, are you okay? I heard Alex is staying here tonight.. Do you want to hang out?"

I hadn’t realized how much I needed someone to reach out until I saw Nick’s message. I was grateful for the reach out. I quickly replied, "I’d really like that. I can order you an Uber?"

His response came instantly. "Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks."

As I waited for Nick to arrive, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. I hadn’t expected to hear from him, let alone tonight. The last time I saw Nick was the same night I last saw Matt, and now that he was coming over, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But one thing was clear - I was grateful someone cared enough to check on me, even if it wasn’t the person I had hoped for.

When Nick arrived, his soft smile and warm greeting were comforting. “Hey girl” he said, his voice soothing. We sat on the couch, and after a brief silence, he said, “I’m really sorry about everything that’s been going on.”

“Everything’s just a mess, you know? I’ve been trying so hard to make things work with Alex, but it feels like I’m the only one who cares. And now he’s off to Barcelona with Emily, and I’m just.. here.”

Nick nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, I get that. It’s not fair that he left like that, especially after everything you’ve done for him, but don’t worry we’re making sure you’re busyyyyy while he’s away.”

I smirked at his last comment, I could really use more time out of the house. “I just don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. Why does it feel like I’m never enough?”

“You’re not doing anything wrong.” Nick said firmly. “Alex is the one who’s screwing up, not you. You’ve been bending over backward for him, and he’s just taking you for granted.”

His words hit me hard, and I had to look away, blinking back tears. “It just hurts, you know? I’ve given so much, and it feels like he doesn’t even care. I just feel so lonely.”

Nick placed a comforting hand on my arm. “You deserve better than that, Y/n. You deserve someone who actually appreciates everything you do. Maybe it's time to end things with him?”

No one had ever said those words to me before, so it came as a shock. “Maybe.. But thank you, Nick. It means a lot.”

We talked for a while, gossiped and watched some episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race and slowly, the weight of the evening lifted. 

Matt’s POV

The next morning, the blaring jingle of my alarm pulled me from a restless sleep. I quietly got dressed, trying not to wake Emily, who was sprawled across the bed, completely oblivious to the storm brewing in my head.

Once I was ready, I nudged Emily gently. “Hey, we need to get going soon if you want to make your flight.”

She groaned, burying her face in the pillow. “Just five more minutes…”

“Emily, come on” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “You’re gonna miss your flight if you don’t get up.”

“Ughhh, fine.” she mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She looked at me through half open eyes, clearly not a morning person. “Why do these flights have to be so early?”

I didn’t answer, knowing it wouldn’t make a difference. I grabbed her suitcase to carry it downstairs and started wheeling it towards the door. Alex was already waiting, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He looked just as groggy as Emily, but there was a tension in his jaw that told me he hadn’t forgotten our argument. I knew better than to bring it up again.

The car ride to the airport was quiet, filled with the sound of Emily typing away on her phone. She showed me pictures of clubs and bars she wanted to visit in Barcelona, but my mind was elsewhere.

“Do you know anyone in Barcelona?” Emily asked suddenly. “Maybe you could get us into some VIP sections or something?”

“Emily, I’m just a YouTuber. Who the fuck would I know out in Barcelona?”

She pouted slightly, disappointed. “Oh, come on, you must know someone. Doesn’t everyone in LA have some kind of connection?”

“Not really my scene, Em..” I replied, focusing on the road.

We pulled up to the airport, the morning sun just starting to peak over the horizon. I parked the car and helped them with their bags. The airport buzzed with people rushing to catch flights.

I gave Emily a kiss goodbye as Alex walked to check in. “See you in 10 days, don't miss me too much! I love you!” Emily said, looking over her shoulder as she walked toward Alex.

“Have a great time Em, love you too.” I lingered by the entrance, watching them navigate the crowd together. Emily clung to Alex’s arm, talking animatedly about something. Alex seemed more interested in getting their bags through. I felt a strange emptiness in my chest. The argument with Alex, the tension between us, and now this.. something had to change. But I wasn’t sure what or how.

I drove back home, the sun now fully up. The roads weren't clear anymore, and neither was my mind. The silence in the car was deafening, and for the first time in a long while, I wished Emily was here with me, chatting away about something meaningless purely to take my mind off everything.

My mind was a mess of thoughts, always circling back to Nick and Y/n. I couldn’t get over the fact that Nick had gone to her place last night. Why did she call an Uber for him? Was she avoiding me? I know I hadn’t been in touch with her but It wasn’t intentional, things got so complicated. But maybe that was just an excuse. I was scared.. scared of what might happen if I did see her again.

A notification popped up on my dashboard screen, snapping me out of my thoughts. A message from Nick: “Can you come pick me up from Y/n’s?”

My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her name. I made Siri send a quick response, “On my way!”

The drive to Y/n’s apartment was short, but it felt like forever. My mind raced with questions. Was I going to see her?

When I finally pulled up outside her building, my heart was pounding. I scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but there was no sign of her car that's usually parked in the same spot. I parked up, texting Nick to let him know I was outside and waited.

After a few minutes, Nick emerged, smiling as he spotted my car. I couldn’t help the wave of disappointment when I realized Y/n wasn’t with him to show him out. Nick got in, buckling his seatbelt.

“Morning” he greeted.

“Morning,” I replied. “Where’s Y/n?”

“Oh she went to work hours ago.” Nick explained. “She told me I could stay as long as I wanted when she left, she just put the door on auto lock so it would close properly behind me.”

Nick kept up a steady string of conversation on the drive home, mostly talking about how nice it was to hang out with Y/n last night. I tried to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting back to her. What if she was mad at me? What if she regretted almost kissing me? Did she even mention me at all? The uncertainty was eating me alive.

Nick must have noticed my silence. “You okay, Matt? You’ve been pretty quiet.”

I forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired, I guess, from being up so early..”

Nick didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t push it. Instead, he leaned back and let the music fill the car, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

By the time we got back to the house, I was exhausted, not just physically, but mentally. The weight of everything that had happened over the past few weeks was hitting me, and I knew I couldn’t keep ignoring it. But right now, all I wanted was to crawl back into bed and shut the world out, even if just for a little while.

Y/n’s POV

The blaring sound of my alarm clock pulled me out of the depths of a short sleep. Nick and I were laughing so much last night that it ended up being very late getting to bed. I groaned, rubbing the exhaustion from my eyes as I rolled out of bed. Today was the last of my early morning shifts at Target, and the thought of returning to a normal schedule next week was the only thing keeping me going.

These early shifts had been isolating, to say the least. It felt like everyone else was living their lives in a different time zone, and I was drifting in a space where no one else existed. Even Jess, who used to be my go to for venting about the monotony of day to day life, had been absent. We hadn’t seen or heard from each other since the night of Alex’s fight either. Opposite shifts had kept us apart, and I missed her more than I realized.

By the time my shift ended, I felt drained, not just from the physical exhaustion, but from the emotional toll everything had taken on me. I checked my phone as I walked out of the store, blinking against the harsh daylight. There was a text from Alex. Hesitating for a moment, I finally opened it.

“I’m sorry about last night. I know I’ve been a lot to deal with lately. I don’t want you to feel like you’re not enough because you are. I promise I’ll make it up to you when I get back. I love you.”

Reading his apology didn’t bring the comfort it might have once. Instead, it felt like another weight added on, making it harder to breathe. I realized, in that moment, that I was done. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. But admitting it to myself and actually going through with ending things with Alex were two very different things. I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to face that yet. Not now, not with everything else piling up around me.

I typed out a quick response, keeping it brief. “Okay. Have a safe flight. Love you too.”

Moments later, another message from Alex popped up. “Thanks. Can you keep an eye on my email while I’m gone? Still waiting to hear from the board about their decision.”

My heart sank. I completely forgot the internal investigation after the fight had weighed heavily on him, and me by extension. The Bruins management had mentioned the possibility of a suspension or even stripping away his captaincy, a thought that had left him in a state of constant anxiety. I’d been there for him through it all, yet it seemed like no matter what I did, it was never enough to pull him out of his own head.

When I finally got home, the only thing I wanted was to collapse into bed. The thought of being awake and overthinking was too much to bear, and I let myself fall into the comfort of my blankets and I drifted into a fitful sleep.

When I woke up, it was dark outside. I felt disoriented, my mind still tangled in the remnants of dreams I couldn’t remember. The apartment was silent, and the loneliness hit me harder than I expected. I’d grown used to having someone around, even if that someone was Alex, with all his faults and shortcomings. But last night, when Nick had stayed over, it had been different. There was something comforting about his presence, something that made the emptiness feel less suffocating.

But it made me realise how much I missed Matt. The way he’d disappeared from my life so suddenly had left a void that no one else could fill. Even having Nick around hadn’t been enough to keep me from thinking about Matt. The connection we’d shared, brief as it was, had been real. I could still feel the electricity from that almost kiss, the tension that had hung between us like a charged wire.

In a moment of weakness, I found myself reaching for my phone. I wondered what Matt was doing right now. Did he ever think about me? Did he miss me as much as I missed him? My thumb hovered over the Youtube search bar, a reckless idea forming in my mind.

The Sturniolo Triplets.

It didn’t take long to find their YouTube channel. My heart raced as I clicked on the first video that caught my eye, the familiar sound of Matt’s voice filling the room. As the video played, I felt a strange sense of comfort wash over me. This was probably the closest I’d get to him again, watching him through a screen, pretending he was still a part of my life.

But as much as I tried to lose myself in the videos, the loneliness crept back in. The emptiness that Matt’s absence had left was still there, refusing to be ignored. Just as I was about to close the app, my phone buzzed with a new message.

Nick 💜:  “Want to hit Topgolf in a bit? One of our friends from Boston is here. We can pick you up on the way.”

We? who was we?

a/n: okay kind of a filler chapter buuuuut maybe just maybe a certain two people reunite in the next chapter

taglist : @muwapsturniolo @anitahunt @sturnfannn @jayde510 @chrissfavhoe @babyalliah-777 @v33angel @urmom69lol @willowrites @ribread03 @2muchofaslvt @sturnsaver @sleepysturniolo @jcsturniolo11 @jessie-essie @hoeforchrizz @mynbbys @sturniolopanini @mattsturnxoxo @delicatechrry @t77te @sturnsyaper69 @hotdismylife @maggot3647 @ivysturnss @noplaceissafeanymore @mattssgf @yourfavsturniologirl @maethem0nth @sillyponygrl @mattyblover07 @imjusthereforthesturniolosmut @dominicfikeenthusiast @mattsfavbigtitties @ncm9696

[meggannn]

Ranking the Driving of CP2077 NPCs

Based on my experiences getting in the passenger seat next to my friends and allies across all these hours playing Cyberpunk 2077, I feel equipped to judge them on their driving skills or lack thereof, scripted and unscripted. For context, every time someone offered to drive me somewhere, I always said "yes" first out of laziness, but then out of horror, because I had to document proof that some of Night City's finest should never have been allowed on the road.

Not listed: People who drove me while I was in the backseat because I usually didn't know their face or name, e.g. Dexter DeShawn's driver or the Peralezes' driver. Important characters only, basically.

Jackie: 10/10 Got me home safely, apologized for scratching my car up during a gunfight, borrowed my car for a date, and delivered it back unscathed in the morning and because he paid for the damages to be fixed overnight without me asking. He's a real one. In honor of Jackie and to repay our peaceful trips together, I always make sure his ARCH remains scratch- and accident-free.

Judy: 9/10 Even when she was worried out of her mind trying to find Evelyn, she gave me a pretty unremarkable trip experience, which honestly puts her in the highest tier. Probably the best you can hope for in an NC driver is someone who can drive safely while in the middle of a crisis, because that's all the time.

Reed: 8/10 Genuinely a pretty good driver, just fucking slow as hell, but I guess I can't blame him for that in the super narrow streets of Dogtown.

Takemura: 7/10 Did his best while a bunch of assassins were shooting at us. Crashed the car into a very obvious billboard support to kill the guy on the car's hood, however it did nearly flatline us both when we were already in critical condition, so I can't give him full marks. That said, he saved my life and kept me alive while we were being chased by said assassins, then delivered me to a ripperdoc and helped carry me while he was also bleeding out. He also somehow managed to mostly stay in the correct lane while driving backwards down a curving road (!) just so I could have easier aim at a motorcyclist behind us. (I have mixed emotions on this: I'd understand wanting to brag that you can do that, but I think when we're already both full of bullet holes, it may not be the best time to show off.) So overall, his judgment skills range from excellent to questionable in a crisis. But we did have a much more pleasant, relaxed drive on our second trip together going to see Wakako, so with those two extremes, he weirdly averages out to probably be one of the most normal drivers in the city.

Nancy/Bes: 6.5/10 A lovely ride that would've been better if she hadn't "tapped" me at the end after letting me out. I give her a small pass because it was the middle of the night and I had just rescued her from a two-day stint in a Maelstrom hideout, so who knows what kind of fumes she'd been exposed to.

Delamain: 6/10 I mean, as drives go it was fine, but I'm knocking points off for not letting me change the route to stop at a goddamn doctor when my friend was bleeding out. I should be able to trust my driver to change routes to make the right decision for passengers in unexpected or urgent scenarios, which Delamain's service will not or cannot provide. As it runs its own business, it has more autonomy over itself than most AI, so I feels like it should install an emergency stop/rerouting mechanic somewhere in its programming.

River: 5/10 Technically never hurt anyone and he does obey the rules of the road, but I'm not sure which I'm more fearful of, his bad luck or his baffling judgment. Every time I ride with this guy to chase down a new lead, he somehow finds a car crash, shootout, or some other sort of jam on the road, drives slowly up to it, and then stops to gawk at it for several minutes, both hands at ten and two, glaring at the problem through the windshield as if that will make it wrap up faster... when he could, I dunno, turn right and drive slightly around it instead? The bad luck isn't his fault, but trips with him don't make for a pleasant experience.

Panam: 4/10 Her overall success rate getting me to and from places safely is very high... at least in the Badlands when there's no traffic around. As a streetkid, I would certainly trusts her driving skills over mine in the desert. However I know I cannot trust her in the city around other cars, because when we first met she drove STRAIGHT into my parked, newly fixed car, shoving it backwards onto the sidewalk without pausing at all. Then she looked right at me as if to say "What are you gonna do about it, bitch?" Still haven't forgiven her for that. So it's probably for the best Panem went back to the Aldecaldos, because she can't be trusted in a dense, urban lane.

Claire: 3/10 Guilty of several hit-and-runs, and I don't just mean the illegal street racing. Ran me over while dropping me off twice. I can forgive one time, but twice is a pattern as far as I'm concerned; I don't believe in third chances. She also shamelessly knocked over some pedestrians, so I know it was her, not me. I can see why she wanted me behind the wheel for our races so at least she's self-aware.

Kerry: 2/10 Like Panem, he is also guilty of crashing into my parked car when picking me up to go somewhere, yet unlike Panem, he did so while "borrowing" someone else's car while on a mission to blow up a third one. @skys-metro has also shown me he's guilty of crashing HIS OWN fancy Aerondight as soon as he leaves Denny's mansion, every time. Y'know, that car he specifically asked Rayfield to manufacture for him, of which there are only four in the city? As I've established above, twice is a pattern in my book. Johnny is correct not to trust Kerry behind the wheel, but I'd add an addendum: Do not ever trust this guy with any vehicle in any context whatsoever.

Rogue: 1/10 Absolutely fucking abysmal. Now I see why Rogue plants her ass in the Afterlife and lets work come to her, because her license not only needs to be revoked immediately but she needs to be on a billboard about public safety hazards. Not only did she crash several time into various railings and support poles, but at one point she drove in circles at 70mph for about five minutes and then chased down other cars on the road just to slam into them (including a police car but tbf that was just funny). Could she have just been getting some pent-up anger out of her system on the way to track down Grayson? Sure, I get that, but leave me out of it, old woman! Her gaze was ice cold and her hands were completely steady, but I felt the heat from the fires of Rome burning just beyond our fragile windshield. Not even using the "Skip Ride" feature would let me escape this madness, because it just teleported our car somewhere else, with her still behind the wheel, still glaring at every other car on the road as she rammed them so hard their hoods came off. Poor V was trapped in a never-ending, unwilling game of bumper cars from hell that Rogue was playing with herself, so eventually I had to pull a divine intervention and reload an earlier save (Guess what: Rogue STILL drove like a maniac the second time, but at least this time "Skip Ride" actually worked). Some footage of this godforsaken drive has been saved and shown below, because my V wanted to record her possible last moments and warn people of this terror in the streets in case she didn't make it out alive.

So there you have it: I nominate Rogue as Worst Driver in Night City, which is not a decision I take lightly, as there are a lot of contenders.

[nakedbookseller]

Jealous of what a reader you are. Do you have any tips or routines? I used to be such a reader but I feel like brain rot culture has taken over my ability to pay attention to anything lol

Hi! Yes, I sure do. I struggle with reading.

1. Getting out of the habit of watching reels helped me get out of a major block a year and half ago. Which sucks because my friends love sending funny shit to me but I found that I would just get home from work and scroll mindlessly because my brain was tired after work and I couldn’t think or produce or take in any more information which brings me to my second point:

2. Get to know the rhythms of your brain. There’s times during the day it’s more able to absorb information. For me, that’s before work. For a while I’d wake up at 5-6am so I could get 3-4 hours of me time in where my brain was alert and awake. I found it was more productive to sleep early (since my brain is useless in the evenings) and use that time to actually rest, then wake up early alert and read then.

3. Because I read multiple things at the same time (a tip in itself!) I set timers. 10 minutes on this book, 10 minutes on the next, 10 minutes on the third book. This makes it less daunting and also kind of appeals to my attention span. What I usually find is that the knowledge that I’ll have to switch soon ends up triggering the part of my brain that can deeply focus, it’s sort of like how you get the urge to clean your entire room just when you have to leave the house for work or something. I don’t know what it is or why that’s the case.

4. Is your environment working for you? I find myself more able to focus in certain spaces. Some are too silent, some are too noisy, I like just the right amount of background noise.

5. Reading is a muscle. Just as you mentioned how our attention atrophies when we sit around consuming shortform media online, it strengthens as we continue to exert ourselves in reading a book.

6. It’s silly, but I like to develop imaginary relationships with the author of any text I’m reading, esp. with theory. That makes it more fun and less intimidating. Marx is a father to me— he’s boring and dense, but has important things to say. Lenin is like my cool stylish uncle, Kristeva is my mysterious spinster aunt, Simone de Beauvoir is my sister, Sylvia Plath is my homely best friend who’s jealous of me because I’m hotter than her, but whose writing I envy in return, etc.

7. There is no “right way” to read a book, esp. theory. Start in the middle. Jump to the beginning, skip five pages, read backward, if it’s a good text ultimately it will draw you in and you’ll consume every last bit. Let your curiosity pull you in, reading shouldn’t be punitive and it feels that way often because of how we’ve been taught to approach a book.

8. Don’t be afraid to use resources on the internet to supplement your reading. It’s not cheating to look things up, develop a roadmap, run your understanding by other interpretations of the text.

9. Annotate, but not in a boring way taught in schools. Books should be a source of play and creativity. Write in the margins, talk to your book, use it as a diary. “I’m drunk” is my favorite annotation in a book. Often times my annotations are also just lists of associations my brain makes while reading a sentence or paragraph, and nothing to do with trying to extract deeper meaning from it. You and I could read the same book and have our own universe of associations which influence our experience of the text.

[gs0nk]

would uou be willing to share the pattern you used to make messmer’s snakes?

hewwo, hi! i finally managed to bring all metaphorical pieces of me together in one working bro, so i could share the pattern, yes. ________

I used 4,5mm crochet hook and a thick yarn, but it depends on your yarn, so please mind it

Ch - chain;

Sc - single crochet

Inc - increase

Dec - decrease

R - round

St - stitch

________ SNAKES

To start, chain 4.

R1. In 2nd Ch from the hook make an Inc Sc, then 1 Sc in the next st, then 3 Sc in the slip knot st Then (it's still a r1, be careful) keep 1 Sc in the next st and 1 Sc in the last st. (8 st total)

!!! Marker your st before starting a R2, it could be a yarn or a little plastic rings !!!

R2. Inc, 3 Sc, Inc, 3 Sc (10 st)

R3. 1 Sc in each (10 st)

R4. Inc, 4 Sc, Inc, 4 Sc (12 st)

R5. Inc x3, 3 Sc, Inc x3, 3 Sc (18 st)

R6. 2 Sc, Inc x2, 6 Sc, Inc x2, 6 Sc (22 st)

R7. - R9. 1 Sc in each (22 st)

!!! Now attach the eyes (it'll be impossible to do on finished snake, so do it now): find a R5, then count 5 st up and then place an eye; skip 7 st horizontally and place 2nd eye (or look at my photos as reference, i hope itll help!) !!!

R10. 3 Sc AND Dec x4, 2 Sc (18 st)

R11. 2 Sc, Dec, 8 Sc, Dec, 4 Sc (16 st)

!!! Now you can fill the head !!!

R12 - R15 1 Sc in each (16 st)

Next rows - also 1 Sc in each, keep crocheting till the snake body will be the wanted lenght; i also super reccomend you to use next pattern: crochet 8-10 rows, fill, then repeat.

also! dont fill the body too tight, or your snakes couldn't bend

For the 2nd head just repeat R1 - R15 steps, but backwards (R15, then R14, then R13 etc.)

________

WINGS

!!! Always crochet through the back loop (if you dunno what i mean here check this video)

For the bigger wing:

To start, chain 10

R1. - In 2nd Ch from the hook make slip stitсh, then, in each next: Sc, 2 hаlf dоublе crochet (Hdc), 3 dоuble crоchet (Dс), and then chain 3

R2. - Turn the detail and from 2nd Ch do a 9 Sc

Repeat R1 - R2 3 times

For the final part of wing do next: slip stitсh, Sc, Hdc, 2Dc

Then, turn the detail, make 5 slip stitсhes and finish the detail.

___

For the smaller wing:

To start, chain 8

R1. - In 2nd Ch from the hook make slip stitсh, then, in each next: Sc, 1 hаlf dоublе crochet (Hdc), 2 dоuble crоchet (Dс), and then chain 2

R2. - Turn the detail and from 2nd Ch do a 7 Sc

Repeat R1 - R2 2 times

For the final part of wing do next: slip stitсh, Sc, Hdc, 1Dc

Then, turn the detail, make 4 slip stitсhes and finish the detail.

________

And that's all! Hope my tutorial will help, please let me know if you have questions, I'll try to answer asap this time!

[sinnabarmoth]

Tribute for the Dragon (8/18)

Pairing: Dragon|Sylus x Fem|Reader

Summary: Sylus takes you to witness a dragon celebration and things take a rather fiery turn.

Content Warnings: Adult language. Thigh riding.

Length: 3k

Chapters: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18)

Read on AO3

Life in the mountain was different.

You hadn’t noticed it at first but things were different. Ever since you and Sylus actively started getting to know one another the mountain felt more homey. You weren’t just a servant wandering these halls, both mystified and turned on by the dragon you served. He had become a friend.

Things had never gotten as personal as they did the day he told you about what life was like for him growing up. It had been a lot for him to admit, even under the initial guise of a draconic folktale. He never mentioned it again and you didn’t pry. But you were glad.

Your dragon was someone you knew. Questions you had no longer had to be filled with your imaginings. When wanted to know something about him, he just told you.

You were happy and you felt trusted.

You had noticed a shift in Sylus too. It was more subtle but he was around more. He went out of his way to seek you out and talk to you throughout the day. He was gentler, not as aloof. He still teased you but it felt more like a joke between the two of you instead of him trying to antagonize you.

You also just had fun together now. When you were bored you’d go to the hoard room and make towers out of the gold coins and jewels for fun. You taught him human card games and even tried to teach him human dances too. You quickly realized that dragons were not the most graceful of creatures when not flying.

“It’s really not that hard. Try again.” you held him at arm’s length as you tried to get him to copy your moves. “Out and in and your arm goes up and I duck under. One and two and three and four.”

You tried to do the move but again Sylus twisted the wrong way when you ducked under. “Are you purposefully getting this wrong to spite me?”

“I would never.” he settled his hands on his hips. “I just don’t understand how I am supposed to angle my body so that it doesn’t end up twisted.”

“I keep telling you, just arc backwards, follow the movement the way it flows. You’re the one that’s supposed to be leading, I follow you, you don’t follow me.”

“Why are we learning this again?” he asked.

“For something to do.” you shrugged. “I grew up doing this dance every year at the village festivals. My father would always take me out onto the dance floor when I was little and then when I got older and I could have other partners, I always made sure to save a dance with him. Dancing was always my favorite part of the festivals.”

“Your festivals sound like they are more fun than dragon celebrations.”

“Really? I would have guessed that a dragon party would be far more interesting than a human festival. I mean, what do a bunch of dragons do at a dragon celebration? Food? Games? Dancing?”

“Food definitely. Games, maybe. Dancing, never.”

“So what do you do?”

“Depends on what the celebration is about.” Sylus thought for a moment. “Actually, there is one that should be starting soon.”

“Really?”

“Yes. We cannot exactly attend but we may still watch the events from a distance.”

“That doesn’t sound like so much fun.”

“It might not be. But I thought perhaps you’d like to witness a little about dragon culture.”

“I would. You’ve piqued my curiosity. When is this celebration?”

“Three days I believe, during the half moon. Shouldn’t take more than a couple hours by flight.”

“What do you mean flight?”

~~~

“This is the best thing ever!” you shrieked with glee as Sylus and you soared through the warm summer air. Sylus had you wrapped tight in his arms as he flew. The wind stung your face but you couldn’t stop beaming.

“That was right in my ear, little bird.” Sylus said. “I know you’re excited but I’d still like to be able to hear.”

“Sorry.” you knew that it was easiest for him to fly when you were still but you were just so excited all you wanted to do was bounce around. “I cannot believe that I’m really flying!”

“It’s very freeing, isn’t it?”

“It’s amazing!” you clung tighter onto his neck. “I wish I could fly myself. It must be annoying that you have to carry me.”

“I don’t mind. Just try to keep still, we have a long flight ahead of us until we get to the shore.” He reminded you. It took a couple of hours of straight flying but eventually you saw the blue of the ocean in the distance. The only time you had been to the ocean before was when you were very small and you didn’t remember much of anything. It was still impossibly big, even from a distance.

Sylus touched down on a high cliff about a mile from the beach. “Why don’t we go down?” you asked. “I’d love to get my feet in the sand.”

“Not today. This is dragon land and this is a very important tradition that is happening today and I’m afraid if they smell a human has been tromping around down there, we may get in some trouble.”

“And being on the cliff is better?”

“We’re downwind, also, what is most important is the sand. They should not care that we’re up here so long as we don’t touch the sand.”

“The sand? What’s so special about the sand?”

“You’ll see. Now, how about we have some of the food you packed.”

You slung the pack off your shoulder and opened it up. Inside was a blanket, a large skin of water, and a lot of food you had wrapped tightly in paper to avoid leaking all over the pack. You knew Sylus needed a lot of food and after such a long flight he was bound to be ravenous. You laid out the blanket over the grass and sat down to eat.

Even if you couldn’t go on the beach it was nice to be by the ocean. The salty sea air blew across your skin and the sun warmed your face. You watched as the waves rolled and crashed down below. It was so peaceful.

The peace was abruptly broken when a deafening roar echoed across the air. You had immediately scrambled next to Sylus, searching the sky for what had made such a noise. Sylus chuckled and pointed out in the distance where a swarm of dots in the distance were growing larger and larger. “Are those all dragons?”

“Yes. Now is when we have to be quiet and keep our heads low. They shouldn’t know that we are up here but I’d rather not risk it.” he wrapped an arm around your shoulders, “Stay close to me, it’ll help mask your scent.”

You huddled close and watched as dragons landed on the beach. They were beautiful and frightening. They came in many shapes and sizes and colors. Some as green as glittering emeralds, others had opalescent scales that reflected the sun like a mirror, and then there was the largest of them all, a hulking red and black dragon, with eyes of molten fire and two long silver whiskers.

Sylus pointed to the largest dragon, “That’s the elder of this tribe, Tengya. It’s said that he’s lived for over five thousand years.”

“Is that why he’s so big?” you whispered, afraid to talk any louder.

“Yes. Unlike humans who stop growing at a certain point, dragons only get larger the longer they are alive. His size is testament to how long he has been on the planet. Many battles he has faced and he remains.”

“Do dragons die naturally or are they immortal?”

“They can die of old age, most don’t make it to that point. Most dragons end up dead battling other dragons or being felled by humans. Not Tengya though, no one that has challenged him has survived.”

“I can see why. He’s terrifying.”

“Yes he is. Imagine living with him.”

“Live with him? Did you live in his tribe?”

“I did, for a bit.” he gruffed. “He’s about as approachable as he looks.”

You didn’t ask any further questions and instead watched the dragons on the beach. The sound of their roars only got louder now that they were all gathered together. As the sun began to set the elder, Tengya, stepped forward and the beach fell silent. He sat back and nodded to one of the smaller dragons to step forward. It was a sky blue dragon that stepped forward and bowed their head.

There was an expectant silence as the blue dragon dug its claws into the sand, arched its back, and then blew a hot wave of fire out of its mouth into the sand. It was then you realized what it was doing. It was the same as what your father did in his shop but on a much larger and less precise scale. The dragon had turned the sand into twisting tower of glass.

The dragons on the beach thumped their tails against the ground, almost like applause.

“What is this?” you whispered to Sylus.

“It’s a rite of adulthood.” he explained just as quietly, “Adolescent dragons have to demonstrate their power by blowing a fire into the sand to create large craters and statues. The bigger the formation, the more powerful they are seen.”

“Amazing.” you watched as the next dragon stepped forward to a new patch of glass. This one used its wings to pick up more sand as they blew their fire and made an even taller sculpture than the last. “What do they do with the glass afterwards?”

“It is considered treasure and taken back as the first piece of their proper hoard and usually given a place of honor.”

You thought back to the hoard room back at your mountain. You had explored it quite a few times now and you could not recall seeing a giant glass sculpture anywhere in there.

One by one you watched as the young dragons stepped forward and made their creations. It was amazing to witness but the sun had long since set and you were starting to get cold up on the cliff. A shiver ran through your body and Sylus pulled you onto his lap, his wings extended from his back and folded in around you to shield you from the wind. You leaned against him, sapping whatever warmth you could get from his body.

“You know,” you said, “I’m glad you were the dragon that moved into the mountain. Before meeting you I would not have thought I’d feel so safe in a dragon’s arms. ”

“Nor did I think I’d embrace a human like this.” he said, nuzzling his nose against your hair. “I’m glad it was you that hiked up the mountain. Anyone else would not have been nearly as interesting.”

Your heart was beating terribly loud again. You picked your head off his shoulder and looked him in the eye. “Sylus,” your cold hands rested on his broad warm chest. “I’m scared I’m going to do something foolish.”

“And what foolish thing is that, little bird?” he asked. He stared back at you through half lidded eyes, once again letting nothing show on his face.

“This.” you leaned closer, your eyes falling shut as you pressed your lips to his.

He had gone rigid in your arms, his lips unmoving against yours. Immediately you worried that you had done something wrong. You pulled back slightly, embarrassed beyond words. “I’m sorry. I told you it was foolish--”

Sylus grabbed the back of your neck and pushed your mouth back against his. You gasped and his tongue swept into your mouth. You wound your hands into his silvery hair, trying to pull him even more into you. He tasted like heat and spice, as if you had taken a drop of the summer sun and let it coat your tongue.

“You continue to surprise me.” he murmured against your lips.

“And you worried me. I thought I had ruined everything for a moment there.” you chuckled.

“Took me a moment to realize you had actually done that.” his hands landed on your hips, adjusting you so sat more comfortably on his lap. “You taste even sweeter than I thought you would.”

He pulled you back in, pushing your entire body flush to him so not a part of you wasn’t on him. His teeth gently worried your lower lip and you could feel the sharp point of his canines graze your skin. You felt something slide across your ankle and squeaked, worried for a moment it was a snake before realizing it was Sylus’s tail.

“Don’t mind it.” he said, “I feel it sometimes has a mind of its own. But this, is all me.”

His tail had slithered under the fabric of your skirt and wrapped around your thigh, pulling your leg over him so you were straddled on one of his legs. “What are you--ah!” you got your answer when he jostled the leg you were straddled across.

“Ride it.” his voice had dropped to that low growl you had heard him use when you were both in the hot spring.

Oh gods, were you really doing this? You lowered yourself so your cunt was pressed right to his thigh and ground your hips down. The bit of friction sent pleasurable ripples through your body and you could feel heat pooling between your legs. His hands roamed up and down your body, touching you in a way you had only allowed in your fantasies.

“You’re still so cold,” he said, the pad of his thumb teasing your nipple through the material of your dress. “Just look at how you shiver.”

“Sylus,” you ground against his leg a little harder. “Please Sylus.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you warm.” his mouth latched to your neck, biting and bruising the sensitive skin.

You moaned aloud, pressing yourself more into his touch. You knew that you had to have soaked through the material of your undergarments. You normally went without since it meant more laundry to do but considering that you had to fly here you wanted the extra cover. Right now it was very inconvenient. You wanted to feel the leather of his pants rubbing against your clit. Wanted to stain his leg with your arousal.

“Sylus,” you panted, “I want to feel you more.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, I can do that.” he said. You thought he was going to let you shuffle about so you could get the undergarments off but instead his hand slid under your dress. “Lift your hips up.”

You weren’t sure what he was doing but you lifted yourself off his leg. You felt the pressure of his claws, cold and hard press against the soaked material and a grin spread on his face. Then the sound of cloth ripping as he cut a slit at the crotch. “There, keep going.”

You lowered yourself again, this time feeling the leather of his pants directly against your soaked and sensitive cunt. You moaned again and he plastered his mouth to yours, swallowing the sound.

“Keep going. Don’t stop until you come.” he commanded. “I want you looking in my eyes as you come undone.”

You threw your arms around his neck, your forehead pressed to his as you rode his thigh. Your cunt spasmed and clenched around nothing longing to be filled. It was all getting to be too much. You were dizzy from pleasure, so close to an orgasm but it was right out fo reach.

Sylus kept his hands on your breasts, rubbing and pinching your nipples through the cotton. His tail was still wrapped around your one thigh, squeezing it tighter and pulling your leg back down when you tried to wiggle off his leg. He switched from biting and bruising your neck to kissing you fiercely. Every little sound you made he wanted it poured down his throat instead. And at this point there were many sounds for him to feast upon.

You were panting and moaning his name against his lips. “Come for me.” he said. “I need you to come for me, my wildfire.”

“Sylus!” your voice cracked as you came.

“That’s it, that’s my girl.” he grabbed your chin and forced you to look in his eyes. Your cunt twitched again, flooding with arousal but nothing to cling onto. All of your juices spilled out onto his thigh, making the leather supple and soft underneath you.

You collapsed forward, your face buried in his neck. His hands gentled up and down your back, easing you back from the high. “Breathe, you did so good. You were so good, little bird.”

“I…I’m feeling much warmer now.” you muttered into his neck.

He chuckled. “Yes. Me too.” For a minute you sat there catching your breath before Sylus moved you off of his lap.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s probably best we head back now while you’re still warm.” he said.

“But--”

“Trust me, I want nothing more than to tear this dress to pieces and fuck you till you’re screaming. But we also don’t want to garner too much attention up here.”

“Attention?”

“Remember what I said about dragons having an excellent sense of smell?” he nodded towards the beach. “I would really rather not have everyone down on the beach realize that there is a very horny human and dragon nearby.”

“Oh right…” you had forgotten where you were for a moment.

“Come along. Quickly.” he stuffed everything back in the pack and handed it to you.

You gave one final look to the dragons down on the beach surrounded by their giant glass sculptures that glittered in the half-moon light. Sylus scooped you into his arms and you were back to the skies. You held tight to him, pressing a kiss to the side of his neck as you began the long flight back home.

[sleepyteamage]

Rating console/Handheld names that I remember starting with:

Family Computer or Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System or NES: Good names, famicom rolls off the tongue better but NES is clear and cut what it is 9/10

Super Famicom/Super Nintendo Entertainment System or SNES: Same as above, a little more silly but hey the jump from 8 bit to 16/32 bit made it really accurate. Yeah this sure was super. 10/10

Nintendo 64: Little confusing because Nintendo existed way longer than 64 years at that point and it wasn't the 64th released item from them but 7/10 for revolutionizing gaming I suppose

Nintendo Gamecube: 11/10. The perfect name. That sure was a cube and it sure did let you play games

Nintendo Wii: I don't like that, it's dumb. I guess the premise is WE play games together but that's a stretch 5/10

Nintendo Wii U: 2/10. I will not explain further

Nintendo Switch: Perfect name again, 11/10. You switched between playing on TV or on the go on a dime. Nailed it

Nintendo Switch 2: 11/10 Yeah that sure is the successor to the Switch. I think Nintendo may have locked themselves in a box with the Switch because you can't really go a step above a hybrid console/handheld but at least the box is nice

Onto Nintendo's handheld!

The Gameboy: Well it games and boys come in all shapes and sizes 8/10

The Gameboy Pocket: Confusing because the Gameboy could already fit in a pocket 5/10

The Gameboy Color: 8/10. It had colors and was still a gameboy

The Gameboy Advance: It sure was c: 9/10

The Gameboy Advance SP: I don't know what SP standed for and at this point I am too afraid to ask 6/10

The Gameboy Micro: Fuck that was small even for my child size hands when I was a child. 10/10 for accurate name

Nintendo DS: Dual-Screens. 10/10

Nintendo DS Lite: I never had one actually, I had the original but it was lighter from the looks of it, 10/10

Nintendo DSi: I now only realize the i stood for internet. Huh. 10/10

Nintendo DSiXL: On thin fucking ice 9/10

Nintendo 3DS: Stupid gimmick and definitely not the 3rd generation in the DS line. 8/10 because it is clever name pun

Nintendo 3DS XL: sigh. 7/10

Nintendo 2DS: Removing the 3D and going backwards and naming it the 2DS? I respect the hustle, still dumb though. 6/10

New Nintendo 3DS/3DS XL: hate. All of my hate. 3/10 (I have one but the name is stupid, I'm sorry)

New Nintendo 2DS XL: HATE. 2/10

Onto to Sony Console/Handhelds:

Playstation: 10/10. You stationed it by your TV and played games. Good name c:

Playstation 2: 10/10. That sure is the sequel to the Playstation 1

Playstation 3: 10/10. That sure is the sequel to the Playstation 2

Playstation 4: 10/10. That sure is the sequel to the Playstation 3

Playstation 5: 10/10. That sure is the sequel to the Playstation 4

Playstation Portable: 10/10. That sure is Sony's Playstation you can take with you on the go

PSP Go: 3/10. It was already on the go, come on

Playstation Vita: 5/10. I don't know what vita means

Playstation Q: 1/10. It's not a 0/10 because the Q is accurate. It stands for QuestionMark.

Onto Microsoft consoles! (They have no handhelds, Game Pass doesn't count)

Xbox: 9/10. It had an X on it, it was like the dark estranged sibling that showed up one day. Being it's first it had to be accurate and it definitely was

Xbox 360: uhhhhhh 7/10? I think the 360 was something Xbox around the globe because of Xbox Live or something. I'll be generous

Xbox One: Not for this little shit though. 2/10. I understand the premise. Xbox all in One. But it's a stupid name

Xbox Series S: You're killing me Smalls, 2/10

Xbox Series X: YOU'RE KILLING ME SMALLS, 2/10

[cosmerelists]

Adolin asks: "Would you still love me if I was a cremling?"

A direct sequel to that time Kaladin asked that same question.

[Some Stormlight spoilers in this!]

1. Renarin

Renarin: Yes. Ever since Kaladin asked me this question, I've been contemplating it. Renarin: I would definitely still love my cremling brother, and I've already done some research into cremling diets and habitats so you'll be well taken care of! Adolin: Great! Uh.......your answer doesn't relate at all to your future sight thing, right? Renarin: [smiles beatifically]

2. Elhokar

Elhokar: No. You'd be ugly. Adolin: You wouldn't love me just because I'm an ugly bug?? Elhokar: Oh, suddenly this isn't safe space.

3. Dalinar

Dalinar: Of course. Dalinar: I will love you on any stage of your journey, cremling or otherwise. This has long been my philosophy. Adolin: You have a philosophy about me being a cremling? Dalinar: I meant--more the journey thing, but--

4. Sadeas

Sadeas: I would love you exactly the same amount as I do now. Dalinar: Awww! Sadeas: [glaring at Adolin] Adolin: [glaring at Sadeas] Adolin (hissing): I'll kill you! Sadeas: (hissing): Not as a cremling you won't!

5. Shallan

Shallan: Of course, Adolin. In fact, did you know that some male cremlings fight for territory? Adolin: Uh... Shallan: That means you can still duel! Adolin: Isn't that kind of...unfair, though? I mean, I would be a super-intelligent cremling, as cremlings go. Shalln: Hmmm...I could ask Sja-anat if she knows any enlightened spren currently inhabiting the body of a cremling who want to thrown down? Adolin: You would do that...for me? Adolin: That IS love!

6. Navani

Navani: If I can love a woman who is a crab, I can love a son who is a bug. Adolin: Awww, thank you!! Adolin: Wait what was that first part? Navani: Let's not spoil this moment.

7. Jakamav

Jakamav: Honestly, I would crush you immediately and with prejudice. Adolin: Still mad about the duel, huh? Jakamav: YES I AM STILL MAD ABOUT THE DUEL

8. Danlan

Danlan: Yes!! Adolin: Wow! Your enthusiasm is...touching? A tad suspicious? Danlan: You'll be able to get into SO many spaces in secret! With you on my side, I'll be the greatest spy EVER! Adolin: ...you're a spy? Danlan: I hope you'll be faster on the uptake as a cremling.

9. Jasnah

Jasnah: Do I have any way of knowing that it's you? Adolin: Yeah, you know it's me. Jasnah: How? Adolin: Uh...you just do? Jasnah: I just do? Really? Adolin: What if you...watch the transformation happen in real time and then you, like, ask me ten yes-no questions relating to little-known aspects of my history that a fake-Adolin would be unlikely to get completely right by chance, and I, like, dance back and forth for no and hop forwards and backwards for yes? Jasnah: In that case yes I would continue to love you. Adolin: I'm exhausted! Jasnah: That's just how love is.

10. Kaladin

Kaladin: Yes...but I won't be happy about it. Adolin: Meaning?? Kaladin: It would be SO much harder to protect you if you're a cremling! You'd be so small! So crushable! Kaladin: I guess I'd keep you in my pocket. Adolin: I am NOT living in your pocket. Kaladin: I'm your bodyguard! You'll live in my pocket if I SAY you live in my pocket! Adolin: I will BITE you. Kaladin: Cremling don't have TEETH probably! Adolin: I'LL FIND A WAY

[fchsadfa]

Explanation for how to make this:

Start at the center back by casting on a few stitches (3? I'm pretty sure I did 3). Increase every other row by 4 stitches, one on either side of the center and one each edge. I used a lifted increase (picking up the yarn thread between stitches and knitting it) but you can do whatever you like. I marked the center stitch by purling it, and then with stitch markers when the number of stitches got unwieldy.

Keep increasing until you've got the width you want for your body! I had 69 (nice) stitches on each half. Then maintain that number and make the sides go up by increasing at the center spine and decreasing at the edges. Learn from my mistakes and don't panic about the center back being too long, keep going until the sides are a reasonable length.

Now sleeves! I had two balls of yarn but you could probably just put one half on a stitch holder and get back to it later. It's short row shaping time.

I worked my way up, wrapping and turning every 3 stitches. Depending on how many stitches you have, that number might be different? Once you've made it all the way across, knit straight for a while to bring the sleeve over the top of the shoulder.

Oh yeah, that center stitch marking the spine. Uh. I had knit both sleeves up to the point of having all the stitches knit, and then (let me remember...) knit two together on one side to work in the center stitch?

Short row shaping the other side: same thing backwards.

Front time! Increase at the sides, decrease at the front middle. To make sure that the front and back ended up the same size, I was knitting the front panel to the back by either slipping a picked up stitch from the back (knit rows) or purling two together (with a picked up stitch from the back). This is because I'm an idiot who hadn't kept count of how many rows I had done on the back, you could keep count and just stitch the sides, or if there's a better way to knit the sides together let me know.

Anyways, once the front and back are the same length decrease on both sides of the knitting until you only have a few left and then you can bind off or choose to knit those last few into an I-cord.

I picked up the bottom hem and the front edges/ neck of the cardigan with single crochet to stabilize the edges.

Sleeve bands!

I guess I'll have to write out what I did bc the guides for double sided knitting I'm looking at are different. Hmmm.

Take yarn A and yarn B. Slip knot A then B on your needle, cast on a stitch of A, then a stitch of B, etc alternating. I did 9 stitches of each.

Hold B with your left hand! This is the knit hand. Hold A in your right hand, the purl hand. (Assuming that B is the first stitch on the needle, which it should be?) Hold both yarns at the back when knitting, and at the front when purling, or you'll end up with yarn wrapped around the needle. Yeah. At the end of the row, turn the work and swap which yarn is in which hand.

For the diamonds, I did a pattern of

Row 1: stitches 2 and 8

Row 2: stitches 3 and 7

Row 3: stitches 4 and 5

Row 4: stitch 5

(And reverse and repeat etc etc)

The colour swap is just. Using the other yarn on that stitch. And by stitch I mean set of 2 stitches. Hmmm. Hopefully I've made myself clear?

The sleeve bands are obviously thicker (double fabric) and I don't know if the change in tension came from me holding two yarns or something about the process of knitting both sides at once, but the stitches are looser. I'm okay with that

Again I didn't keep track of how many rows I had made the sleeves, so once I had a fair bit of sleeve band I sewed it to the arm hole and used that as a guide for how much further I needed to knit. But you could be smarter!

Creating things: a wonderful blend of "I'm genius" and "I'm a fucking idiot".

I'm incredibly pleased with how it turned out (and with myself for ACTUALLY FINISHING A PROJECT)

But I was just making it up as I went along. If anyone has advice or suggestions for how to do things differently/ better, please share!

The striped yarn turned out beautifully for this, really highlighting the diagonal pattern. It would be interesting to see how this sweater would look in different yarns, maybe with different stitch patterns too?