#chapter 52 sneak peek

[since0202]

Sneak Peek—Fifty Two

Not that easy

Sneak preview below the cut...

Maya quickened her pace across campus as her navy blue floral mini dress. The thin material clung to her hips and she had thrown on a light wash jean jacket over the delicate tied shoulder straps to prepare for the likely chill of the over air conditioned lecture hall. She had pulled her hair half up and tied a ribbon matching the color of her dress. With the last sweltering days of summer clinging to New York, the less clothes the better. 

Maya readjusted her leather tote on her shoulder ladened down with notebooks and her laptop. She planned on getting some pre-semester work done after the orientation if she could. Her junior year was vitally important to the networking stage of her degree. She’d be busier than ever attending events and gladhanding. Luckily, she had Arden and now Dr. Bronnard in her corner singing her praises, but still, the thought of securing a high-value internship this year sent a nervous thrill through her. 

“Maya!” a familiar voice shouted across the quad. Maya slowed and turned to see Arden in a light t-shirt and some slacks. The heat was really getting to everyone. She paused and smiled waiting for him to jog up to her. “I thought that was you,” he said a little breathless, “Are you alright?” he readjusted his bag on his shoulder and reached out to gently graze her arm with his other hand. 

“I’m fine,” Maya shook her head, slightly embarrassed and looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry I disappeared on you last night, I—” she looked up to see Arden shaking his head gently. 

“You don’t have to apologize, it’s alright,” he said almost knowingly. Maya heaved a sigh of relief. 

“Really?”

“Really,” his smile was warm and kind. And again, Maya wondered how no one had fallen in love with it yet. But maybe that was it, maybe someone had, “I told you, I see you. I get it,” he promised. Maya nodded and couldn’t help leaning into his hand when it cupped her cheek. “Are you ready?” he nodded over her shoulder toward the lecture hall letting his hand drop. 

Maya looked over her shoulder and then turned eagerly back toward him with a wide smile, “Absolutely.” Arden nodded his assent and wound his hand down her back and gripped her hip as they walked toward the front doors. He grabbed the door and held it open for her as she slipped through. 

The TA’ship was completely informal. Only her and two other undergrads were selected by professors to shadow their grad courses and grade papers. They wouldn’t be teaching anything, but it was a special opportunity to get a head start on some upper level material, work closer with grad students who were starting their research and even have the opportunity to work with their professors on their research. 

Arden of course had selected Maya for the position and she was thrilled to be sandwiched between two studious looking grad students in the lecture hall as head of the TA program droned on about expectations. Being Arden’s unofficial TA meant that she would most likely be spending more time in his office again with him. The thought made her chew her lip in worry and excitement. Without the dull ache present in her belly, Maya was able to consider a life of possibilities without the imprint tugging her attention away. 

But still, she was worried. If the ache was gone, that had to mean that Paul was nearby. But so far, he was keeping his distance. 

After the orientation, Maya laughed as Arden led her down the staircase from the front doors, regaling her with yet another story about a mishap that happened in his lab prep last week that had resulted in several thousands of dollars worth of regent test strips getting ruined. 

Maya leaned into Arden’s side as she held her side in laughter, her jean jacket hanging loosely from her hand as the sun washed over the bare skin of her shoulders and neck. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Maya lifted her head and wiped a stray tear that had escaped her eye from laughing so hard and was halted to a stop. 

Arden looked down at her, his hand resting on her lower back confused at her sudden stop and lifted his eyes to where she was staring. 

Standing off to the side against the brick wall of the adjacent building was Paul. His massive arms were folded across his chest clad in a black t-shirt. His face was pulled into a grimace as he watched Maya sway uncertainly. He didn’t move though. 

Maya looked up at Arden, her eyes swimming with confusion and a plea of understanding. He glanced at Paul and then smiled comfortingly down at Maya. “You going to be okay? Or should I wait for you?” 

Maya let out a solid breath and let a small smile break over her face. “Thank you,” she said softly, “I’ll be fine. I’m just going to see what he wants,” Maya said, her voice only slightly wavering. Arden watched her for a moment, not sure about leaving her but ultimately, after another glance in Paul’s direction he conceded and gave a brief nod. He squeezed her arm gently and said “I’ll be in my office. Text me if you need me,” before heading off across the quad toward the science building. 

Maya didn’t move for a moment, her eyes glued to Paul’s across the way. He looked furious, as he most often did now with each of their meetings, but Maya’s lips tingled with the remembrance of his mouth on hers last night. Resolved to not lose her way this time, she swallowed hard and walked purposefully toward Paul. His eyes watched her every movement: the soft sway of her hips, the soft fleshy tremble of her upper thighs that peaked out of from under the flimsy fabric of her dress as she walked, the subtle bounce of her breasts, the swing of her arms, and the curl of her fingers into gently fists. 

What he wouldn’t give to rip that dress off of her and remind her of who he was. 

Maya stopped a few paces away from him, her brain already fogging from his heady scent. She fought the urge to cross her arms over her chest, mirroring his position. 

“Hi,” she said gently, the wind blowing her hair across her shoulders. Paul’s intense gaze held her and he just gave her that wicked smile, one that promised he’d wreak havoc on her heart if she let him. When he didn’t say anything, she rolled her eyes and swore she heard a soft growl come from him in response, “What are you doing here?” she said with more impatience. 

Paul pushed off of the wall and walked a little closer to her. Maya stiffened. 

“I was going to take you to lunch,” he said, his voice a rumble of pure temptation, “If you were hungry.” Maya stayed stock still, worried that any movement would draw that lustful gaze and set her on fire. “Unless, you were busy with…something else,” he said the last part through gritted teeth as he glared pure malice over her shoulder where Arden had disappeared into the science building. 

She didn’t have plans…but, “Just lunch?” she asked tentatively. She desperately wanted her voice to come out stronger and not with that tinny undercurrent of need currently coating it. Paul’s eyes snapped back to her and he fought back a scowl at the distrust he found on her face. 

He gave her one solid nod and Maya relaxed, taking a deep breath. “Fine,” she said. “But I need to be back here by 2:30 for a meeting,” she lied. There was no meeting but at least it gave her a deadlined to adhere to. She worried if she didn’t set an end time for herself, she’d never leave his side with the imprint itching at her brain like this. 

He held out his hand to her in agreement and Maya hesitated only slightly before slipping her hand into his. His warm, reassuring palm sent an electric shock through her and she swallowed the gasp that fought up her throat. They started down the quad together and Paul reached around her to grab the bag off of her shoulder so he could carry it. Thankful for the lack of weight, she stepped closer to him, pressing her side against his arm as they walked toward one of the campus parking lots. 

Though they walked in silence, the tension buzzed through Maya’s body, tightening her nipples into hard peaks and swirled in agonizing lightning between her legs. When they reached the sleek black Mercedes, Maya hesitated again. He opened the passenger door for her and quickly walked around to the drivers side, depositing her bag into the backseat first. Maya bit her lip and hesitated at the open car door. 

“Paul,” she said quickly. He looked at her, that fire still brimming in his eyes. If looks could kill… “Just lunch, right?” she heard herself nearly beg. Paul openly scowled now and rolled his head back. 

“Maya, I’m not going to fucking kidnap you. Just get in the car,” he said harshly. Maya frowned. It was not outside of the realm of possibilities that he would placate her and then steal her away—he’d done it before.

When she didn’t move, he placed both of his arms on the top of the car and leaned forward, “You already ran away once, what would be the point of me dragging you back to the rez if I know you’re just going to run from me again the first chance you get?” His voice dripped with anger but there was also regret. Maya pursed her lips and then nodded getting into the car without further protest and quickly snapped on her seatbelt.

Guess she'd just have to trust him.

[diedraechin]

[Sneak Peek] What Chapter are we on now????

Chapter 52? Really? Damn.

Anyway, I have like one half of a scene to write before giving this to Io to edit, but I didn't want you all to think I've forgotten you since we're in the midst of the Grand Prix series. Besides the spills in the Skate Canada Men's Short (I'm still in the process of watching) reminded me of the even splattier place I left you hanging... So I thought I'd give you some fan chatter from the stands as a treat!

I did cut a bit out for length because I needed the set up but wanted to end on a specific punchline. So just know that there is more back and forth as a certain pole dance instructor gets a Katsuki lesson... 😉

“Ok. I found it.” Tabitha squinted at her phone. “He’s skating in the second to last group according to Skate Trails.” She looked away from her phone and over at her wife. “I don’t really keep up with Men’s though, so I can’t tell you anything about Katsuki.”

Jade just shook her head and leaned back into her seat. “That’s fine. I just wanted to see if we’d missed his skate because it’d be nice to see how he does.”

“I didn’t realize that you were a Katsuki fan!” One of the women behind them leaned forward. Jade and Tabby had chatted with her during the Pairs event earlier before going off on their antiquing adventure with the friends they were staying with during the break between the Pairs event and the Men’s. Though they’d ended up missing most of the first two groups all together since dinner had gone long. Still, it was kind of nice to see a familiar face. While Jade had known this was going to be an all day thing, it was really an all day thing.

<snip snip for excerpt length>

“I heard that a Grand Prix thing is coming to Detroit.” Jade was just happy to have something to add to the conversation.

“Really?!” Tabitha looked at her. “To Detroit? I haven’t looked to see where Skate America was going to be next season yet.”

Katsuki fan nodded. “Oh yeah. And I really hope that Yuuri gets assigned since he trains in Detroit because I will definitely drive down from Guelph if he does. I’d love to see him live again. And when the events are smaller like Grand Prixs, it can be easier to meet the skaters if they have the time and inclination.”

"Time and inclination? Katsuki?" No one could miss the snark from Newcomer, but given that she knew Yuuri wasn't the most...forward person, Jade didn't exactly disagree.

Katsuki fan smacked her hands on her thighs. "Let me dream!" Then she broke out into a wide smile and laughed.

“Looks like they’re going to let them onto the ice.” Katsuki fan’s friend said as she shook her friend's arm.

Jade and Tabitha turned around in their seats and sure enough, almost as soon as they settled, the announcer was declaring the start of the group and the skaters all took off onto the ice, some handing things off to the people standing on the other side of the boards as the six skaters scattered across the ice.

“I can’t tell who is who.” Jade said.

“Fluffy hair in the Japan jacket is Murata, he’s the other Japanese skater. Slicked back hair is Yuuri.” Katsuki fan said.

Over the speakers, the announcer started calling out the names of the skaters and the country they represented and each skater was greeted with cheers and applause even though none of the skaters broke from their warmup to acknowledge it. Behind them, Katsuki’s fan cheered for each skater but was especially loud when Yuuri’s name was called, shouting “Yuuri, Ganbaaaaa!”

On the ice, Yuuri unzipped his jacket as he headed to the boards and he handed it over to someone there.

“Oh my god! Is that Kai Tamm?! Kai showed up?! Hallelujah!” Katsuki fan certainly sounded overjoyed. “Should have been checking the forums, I bet her showing up was already mentioned.”

So did her friend. “My prayers have been answered! Do you think if I pray hard enough, he’ll come to his senses and go back to Alexei?”

Jade glanced over her shoulder at them.

“Kai is the assistant coach at the Detroit Skate Club that Yuuri works with. She’s the tiny Hawaiian woman next to the idiot Italian with the big hair who is supposed to be Yuuri’s coach. Sorry, I’m just from the side of Yuuri’s fandom who isn’t really pleased with how Cialdini is coaching our boy.”

And when Jade looked back, it was the woman who was talking to Yuuri as he nodded. Another skater came up and stopped in a way that sprayed Yuuri with ice, but Yuuri just leaned over and brushed the crystals off his black pants without looking away from the woman.

“Rude.” Tabitha muttered. “Shouldn’t he get in trouble?”

“It’s Michele Crispino. It wouldn’t be a competition where they competed together without Yuuri getting sprayed by a Michele hockey stop.” And as Newcomer finished their commentary, Michele left the boards, but not without patting Yuuri once on the shoulder. Without looking Yuuri held out a thumbs up to the other skater which Yuuri’s coach seemed to approve of since he looked like he was laughing.

“Michele is going to regret that because KAI IS HERE!” Katsuki’s fan cheered. A few people around them chuckled.

“Using the Goncharov (1973) soundtrack for his Free is reason enough for Mickey to come ahead of Katsuki!” someone commented.

“Are you a Mickey fan or a Goncharov fan?” Newcomer asked.

“Does it matter?” came the reply.

[ddwcaph-game]

Chapter 4 & 5 is finally out!

The wait is finally over. Grab your plot armor, Chapter 4 and 5 of Dear Diary, We Created a Plot Hole! is finally here!

🚌 Play it here! 🚌

To celebrate the release, a +50% ✨EXP Bonus Event will be running for the next couple of weeks!

The full change log is over 500 lines long, so here's an overview of all the new stuff:

🌈 UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS

~ 509,000 total wordcount (including code) ~ 278,000 additional words (including code) ~ New average playthrough of 115,000 words!

New Stuff to Discover!

52 New Secrets to discover, 8 New Trinkets to collect, 12 New Achievements

30 New Character Traits, 15 New Heritage Passives, 3 New Phobias, 16 New Status Effects

3 New Main Quests, 12 New Sidequests

and 1 New Song to sing along to!

New Scenes!

Introductions to Wayne, Lily, and JM's parents!

New exclusive bestfriend scenes!

Get a sneak peek into the story worlds you'll visit in future, in the Story Exchange!

Revamped crush confession scene with your twin!

Steal a kiss on the cheek from your crush!

Catch a preview of Chapter 6!

New Choices and Customization!

Choose the name of MC's dad!

Choose a second bestfriend, other than your twin (and give them a custom nickname)!

You can now choose to have two different pronoun sets!

Choose a mild swear word for your MC

Added B as a crush option

Tons of Diary and Stat Improvements!

New, updated, and expanded character diary entries!

New unlockable codex entries!

Write custom post-scripts in your diary!

Added new toggle settings for simple/detailed view of traits/passives, and background transitions

New trait option that reduces the frequency and gives additional context to Filipino expressions

Improved diary and stat notification layout

So Much More!

Added lots of new character art!

Added gameplay tips!

Lots of references to In Auctorem Credimus!

Roselyna is now approximately 20% more huggable!

---

I've also updated the Trinkets & Secrets Guide, as well as the Twin Character Templates!

If you encounter any errors, or have any questions or feedback, feel free to send me an ask! I'll go through my ask backlog after I have recovered from the update.

I hope it was worth the wait! 😊

[hollyhomburg]

Before I Leave You (Pt.52)

(Sneak Peek) (Omegaverse au, Mafia au, Bts x Reader)

Summary: Summary: Jimin and Jungkook might not be the /best/ at giving you aftercare, but what they lack in execution they make up for in sheer determination. Sometimes, love is the best medicine. 

Tags: Sub drop, Angst, Self-deprecating thoughts, Self-esteem issues, Hurt, comfort, Tears, vibrator usage, voyeurism, pleasure-dom jimin, discussions of past sexual abuse (nothing that i don’t believe hasn’t been touched on prior)

W/c: 10.0k

A/n: Welp, this one is going to be another long one, i’m sitting on it, hoping that i won’t decide to split it- but then again I didn’t do this with the one two chapters ago and i /heavily/ regretted it, so don’t be surprised if I decide to post this as two parts.... hang on.... hmmm. All of this is subject to change!

Previous Chapter - Masterlist

Chapter 52: Sweet lemonade and Sour Chocolate

The basket that Jimin carries is nearly has tall as his torso and twice as wide, packed several feet higher with mismatched blankets and soft things. Filled to the brim and then some with every last nesting blanket that the pack keeps in the hallway closet. He places it on the edge of the bed softly so as to not startle you and then-

Promptly dumps it out on top of you. 

light filters down past cotton and soft down feathers, obscuring jimin and the sound of his voice, muffled by the layers and layers of fabric. “I put the big one in the drier, it should be warm in a few minutes.” Jungkook behind you fidgets happily, the small murphy purr he lets out ascent and praise enough as he begins to fuss. 

Jungkook, Jimin, and Yoongi operate as a perfectly oiled machine. Yoongi goes to get you food and Jimin replaces him. Picking you up by the waist out of the pile. As pitiful as you might be, as pathetic as you might look (sniffling, face all blotchy and hot feeling underneath their touch) You have never been in better hands. 

An alpha, omega, and beta a piece- it’s almost as good as your whole pack. 

Jungkook falls into a purring nesting fury as you sniffle. Fluffing the nesting things around you until you resemble some sort of cozy flower.  Each of the blankets a careful petal keeping you safe and snug inside. 

Jimin shucks off his sweatshirt, his arms are warm and fuzzy underneath your nose as he holds himself close but not too close. 

Alphas. You’re sensitive to them- are you not? Can your frissioning brain recognize that Jimin’s not a threat? Worry gnaws at his narrow wrists. Nests are meant to be the safest place for omega’s and while this isn’t yours and is the place he sleeps in- still-. 

Jimin will understand, if he’s not the person you want to comfort you through this. 

You’ve never seen Jimin this timid as he sets one hand on your head, rubbing through, a comforting growl tugging from his Chest- keeping a little bit of a distance between you in case you’re not ready for it and- 

And you don’t want it. you don’t want a single inch between your body and everyone else's. You want him wrapped around you So hard that you can’t tell where your body begins and his ends, you want him to hold you the way that Namjoon holds you sometimes, like he’s forgotten his strength, forgotten that you aren’t going to try and twist away.

You want him to want to hold you like he needs you, you want him to hold you like you could never do anything wrong. Because you know how far from the truth that is. you always wonder- what particular meltdown you have will be the one that estranges them from you. What request will tip the scale from asking for not enough love to too much. 

Namjoon and Hobi last night is only part of it. Only part what you’re guilty for. Jimin is the one person who might share your similar fate. The guilt and the sheer terror that the truth will poison the ones you love. He at least- can understand what this particular kind of regret and fear feels like. 

But It’s okay- it’s okay, Jimin probably doesn’t want to hug you anyways- you don’t want affection if it’s forced but-  

You shake, quake beneath his slight touches; first petting down your hair, but they’re tame and delicate, not hard and anchoring like you want them to be. Jimin’s shaking too, shaking with the effort it’s taking to hold himself back. Jimin has always been able to subvert his needs for his packmates just like you.  

Luckily Jungkook notices the reason for your shaking, you’re beginning to keen. Your omega reacting to jimin’s presence without your consent. He pokes his head up out of the blanket, glaring at Jimin-

“Minnie- I swear to god if you don’t hug her right fucking now-“

Coming Saturday April 22nd at 5pm EST (Time Zone Adjustments Below) 

[googleitlol]

Peace of Mind Asks!

Dove Masterlist:

Asks: 1) Falling in Love | 2) AO3 Username | 3) Fanart Ask | 4) My Twitter | 5) Idiots in Love | 6) Jealous Wukong | 7) Draft Anon | 8) Macaque's 'Love' | 9) Will Mac Die? | 10) Macaque's Plan | 11) Pigsy's Chapter | 12) Future/Past Wukong | 13) Future/Past Dove | 14) Cute Idiots | 15) First Kiss | 16) Wukong Realization | 17) We Got Him | 18) Challenge Accepted | 19) Mengtao! | 20) More Mengtao!! | 21) Forehead Kisses | 22) Marcu Sneak Peek | 23) AO3 Posts | 24) Marcu Art | 25) Dove Visualisation | 26) Literal Dove and Monkey | 27) Design questions | 28) Ash's Sketch | 29) Flower Symbolism | 30) Ash's Doodles | 31) Ash's Sneak Peek | 32) Lovea's Sneak Peek | 33) Eye Colour | 34) Dove Colours | 35) Book Cover | 36) Anon Artist | 37) Wattpad | 38) Blanca/Dove | 39) Yanderes | 40) MK: Reborn | 41) BM Wukong | 42) BM!Dove | 43) Hurt Feelings | 44) LMK!Dove | 45) LMK!Dove Meme | 46) TMOY and BM Angst | 47) 'Trigger Warning' | 48) Oneshot Pain | 49) Dove Symbolism | 50) PoM Theories | 51) PoM and TMOY headcannons | 52) Dove/Lian VAs | 53) Change? | 54) Please Please Please

[bumblebeeappletree]

Lichen is a natural way to create various colors for your textile and craft projects depending on the type you forage and how you process it. Beard, wolf & lungwort (usnea, letharia vulpina & lobaria pulmonaria) are great lichen to start with since they are often blown away from their host and more easily collected from the forest floor. This tutorial will show the boiling water method of making dye from each type of lichen, as well as the resulting color swatch samples (wool, silk, bamboo & cotton).

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction - Lichen of PNW

1:32 Lichen varieties

3:53 Latin names

4:13 Ammonia method

4:55 Mordant

5:37 Foraging lichen

6:24 Lichen Dyes tutorial resource

6:52 Processing methods

7:47 Rock beard lichen

8:44 IFFS lichen dye samples

12:18 Boiling water method

13:58 Dyed fiber samples

15:25 Wrap up

16:48 Sneak peek of next tutorial

18:01 Blooper

SUPPLY LIST

Lichen - beard, wolf & lungwort

Pot with lid

Scissors

Spoon

Strainer

Textile

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 91. brb x oc

a/n: I really needed a fluffy chapter. I really, really did. This month might be complicated and I hope I can manage it.

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: two idiots in love. <3

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

50/51/52/53/54/55/56/57/58/59/60/61/62/63/64/65/66/67/68/69/70/71/72/73/74/75/76/77/78/79/80/81/82/83/84/85/86/87/88

/89/90

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @shrimping-for-all @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix

@lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 @lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2

@emilybradshaw @j-6o @louisahale @leobabbyyy @kulicny @winter-run @ktjmac @graciereads @bigpoppajes @taytaylala12

@caitsymichelle13 @becks-things @caatheeriinee07 @dhwanishah09 @jesfreedark @katiemcrae @lilmonstrjedi @hobiismyhopeu @teacupsandtopgun @insominac23 @gh0stsgoodgirl @mygyn @chavivaelisheva

-

Beatrice wakes up before he does, just as she planned to. She peeks up at him, seeing his eyes were closed and the soft snoring didn’t break when she moved a bit - wriggling out of his grasp. She bites her lower lip as she carefully lifts his arm from her waist, making a face when he groans a bit but just buries his face into the pillow instead of waking up.

She just wanted to pamper him a bit and she knew that the thoughts he had last night wouldn’t leave his brain that easily. She slid off the bed as quietly as she could, even falling on her knees on top of the rug, peeking over the edge of the mattress to check if he was still sleeping.

He was but his brows furrowed as his arm touched nothing, she even saw his fingers curling on top of the sheets. She didn’t have much time, so she moved as quickly - and as quietly - as possible. Beatrice fixes her nightshirt on her body as she sets his clothes on the chair, sneaking looks to her husband’s sleeping form every now and again, she sets his boots right in front of it and then with one of the sticky notes she had saved up she writes a little message to put on top.

“Okay.” she smiles but then immediately winces when she hears him moaning again, the type of moan that meant he’d wake up soon, “Oh shit. No, no,no.” she rushes over to the bed, leaning down to kiss his temple, sighing in relief when he relaxes.

“Where are you?” comes his groggy voice, eyes still closed.

“I’m going to the bathroom,Roos.’ It was a lie but he didn’t have to know that.

He hums deeply in his throat, “No, c’mere….bed feels empty.”

She smiles sweetly at him, kissing his cheek this time, “In a little bit,okay? I’ll be right back.”

And she steps back from the bed, waiting just until he gets back to deep sleep. Rooster’s brows relaxed and his shoulders sagged as he snored, Beatrice closing her eyes in relief as she leaves the room. 

Except that Rooster wakes up seconds after she’s gone, so her plan is really not working that great.

He blinks his eyes open, blurred colors sharpening into the furniture in their bedroom, his irises moving around in hopes he could see Beatrice anywhere but, alas, she’s not there. He pushes himself to his elbows, looking back to the bathroom only to see it was dark “Bea?” he calls, only to hear her downstairs…almost trying to not make any noise but the obvious ‘shit!’ as she dropped something meant she wasn’t doing a good job.

“Bea?” he calls again, a bit louder but not loud enough to wake Nicole up, even checking on the monitor only to see his baby girl with her mouth open and eyes closed,  sometimes kicking her legs in her sleep. After that he turns on the bed to sit up, blinking groggily at his surroundings until he sees the chair in the corner of the room.

His clothes were there, nicely folded and with something colorful on top.

At first he thinks he’s seeing things but there’s a bright pink something on top.

He groans as he rubs his face with a hand, yawning quietly - the subtle pop of his jaw making him wince a bit - and smacking his lips. He looks back at his folded clothes, kicking the covers off of him until he can stand up to check what was on top of his uniform.

He gently plucks the sticky note up, bringing it close to his eyes and a smile appears on his face.

“If you were a triangle you’d be acute one!” with the drawing of a smiling triangle under her writing. He chuckles, shaking his head at how sweet Beatrice could be. She didn’t have to wake up so early, even though he could hear her moving around downstairs, trying her best to be quiet.

Bradley just looks back towards the door, his smile only widening the longer he holds this little love note that she got for him…God he sometimes couldn’t believe they were married, because someone as sweet as Beatrice was so incredibly rare that he wondered if he was dreaming.

But after some thought he decided to actually take a shower, slipping the little note in his shirt’s pocket because he had to keep that with him that day. He took a quick shower, mainly to wake up, and walked out tightening his watch around his wrist.

As he steps onto the hallway, he does a double take towards the door where another sticky note was, this time in neon green.

“I love spending koala-ty time with you!” and the drawing of a little koala sitting on a tree right beside it.

He just stares at the little note with his stomach fluttering, plucking it off the door and chuckling as he holds it with both hands. He didn’t know what made her do that but he wasn’t complaining, in fact he loved it so much that he was wondering if there were more.

And he finds another one, sticking to the railing. 

“I love your top, it must be made of husband material!” followed by a drawing of a Hawaiian shirt.

That one made him laugh out loud, slowly walking down the steps towards the first floor only to hear Beatrice’s soft giggle from the kitchen. He found another one by the kitchen’s threshold

“I can never be mad at you but I will always be mad about you!”

And this one was probably his favorite, because she drew them.

Well, their faces, close to one another with the dot eyes and cute smiles, tiny hearts surrounding them. He just laughs softly, “...this is really fucking cute.”

“I’m glad you like it!” comes her response and she practically skips towards him, keeping her hands raised so they wouldn’t touch his clean uniform. He leans down to meet her lips in a slow kiss, one that makes her laugh into his mouth, pecking him twice once he’s done, “I’m making something special for you.”

“Yeah?” he looks over to her hands, “What is it?

“Chocolate muffins.”

“No way.”

“Way.” she giggles, kissing him again, “Hm! I need to wash my hands.” she slowly backs away from him so her dirty palms wouldn’t touch his clothes, but he just tugged on her night shirt, preventing her from leaving.

“Roos.”

“Bea.” he replies in the same, endearing yet admonishing intonation, smirking at her, “I can lick them clean for you~”

Her face flamed up and she squeaked, “No!” she manages to slip away from his grasp, hurrying to wash her hands before he catches her again. “We both know what will happen after.”

“Oh I hope so.”

‘Rooster you have work today.” she whispers, biting back her smile when Rooster comes from behind, hugging her waist and kissing her temple, trailing the said kisses down her cheek until he reached her neck, “We can’t-” she inhales shakily when he nips her neck ,’W-We can’t d-do um…”

“Use your words, gorgeous.” God, his voice got so deep sometimes Beatrice swore it touched every single nerve in her body. His hands trailed up her thighs until he reaches her underwear, fiddling with the thin lace, “What did I do to deserve such a nice surprise from my lovely wife?”

That question sobered her up a bit, and she turned her head to face him, “...you don’t have to do anything.” she whispered, “I just want to give you something nice before you left.”

Rooster’s cheeks flushed, his golden skin made it a bit hard to see but Beatrice knew him well enough to know when he was blushing. He chuckled embarrassedly, looking at the ground before propping his chin on her shoulder, “I don’t mind that.” he whispers, kissing her neck, “I really don’t.”

“Good because I also got something from Mr.Scoops.”

“What? When?!”

“Oh a few hours back. Overnight shipping,” she grins, kissing his parted lips,top then bottom, before kissing both of them “And its Belgian crunch Macchiato cake.” He gasps “With dark chocolate frosting.” He gasps louder. 

“Okay, hold on now.” he hasn’t let her go yet, “What’s all this,gorgeous? Really, why the sudden surprise- also when did you call Mr.Scoops,weren’t we both asleep?”

Beatrice sighs while slowly wrapped her arms around his neck,gently brushing the faded part of his hair with the tips of her fingers, “Roos,” she begins in that gentle voice that always makes him melt, “You don’t need to do anything for me to give you something nice,” she brushes over the Bradshaw pinned to his chest, “And you don’t need to worry if you need to do anything as such…I just felt like you’d like this when you woke up.”

Rooster’s gaze softened, his eyelids lowering just a bit as his cheeks flushed. He tightened his hold against her waist, then pulled her close to him until their chests touched, his lips pressing on her temple. He did that to hide the bashful smile and hopefully keep the butterflies inside of him.

How does she do this?

How?

It’s been three years together and she never ceases to surprise him every day. He keeps holding her, kissing her temple, then her cheekbone, her jawline before he meets her lips in a soft kiss, “Thank you. I really like it.”

Beatrice’s eyes glinted with pure adoration, “I’m glad.” and she stepped back from his hold, kissing his knuckles before pushing him to the kitchen table, “Now go,go! I’m going to give you your breakfast. And then I’ll check on Nikki, she’s going to wake up soon anyway.” and she cups his face one last time to kiss him again, giggling against his mouth, “Okay, enough kissing.”

“Is it?” he tries to meet her lips again, but she’s faster, tapping his own lips as she walks away from him. Rooster just lets out a soft laugh, keeping his head propped on a hand as he watches Beatrice move around, finishing his breakfast. She knew his time was limited but the fact she was preparing something so wonderful for him just…because she felt like he’d be happy to have something like that.

“Hey.” he calls and she turns around with a little smile,holding his steaming mug in her hands, “Wanna marry me?”

Beatrice’s eyes widened, then blinked and then she let out a soft laugh, tossing her head back with pure amusement, “Again? I thought we went through this before.”

“Will you?”

Her eyes softened, “Yes,always.” she giggles, setting his coffee mug in front of him, “Careful it’s hot.” 

“Yeah, you are.” and he swats her left butt cheek when she turns around, earning a startled yelp from his wife, followed by her glare. He just smiles boyishly, sipping his coffee loudly and humming once he swallows, “Babe your coffee is out of this world,” he looks down into the mug, “Did you put some cocoa chips here?” Beatrice’s glare softens and she nods, “Fuck, marry me again.”

“Yes,”she laughs, kissing his cheekbone, “I will.” Beatrice looks at the door only to see Eleanor standing there, softly ‘boofing’ to alert her that Nicole is awake. Beatrice cups his face one more time, “I’ll be right back,” she giggles against his lips, pecking him a few more times before she walks away.

Rooster tilts his head towards her ass, smiling as he sees the red handprint vibrant on her pale buttcheek as he sips his coffee. He however relaxes, leaning back on his seat with his eyes closed. “...fuck.” he chuckles, rubbing his eyes, “Fuck, I–” he just shrugs at nothing, then looks down at Jolene who’s sitting next to him, “...she’s amazing, isn’t she Jojo?” the pittie wags her tail against the tiles, licking her maw, “She’s so incredible and she’s sweet, and she’s…mine. She’s my wife and ugh.”

Sometimes he felt like a boy with a crush with Beatrice, he loved her reactions, he loved how she smiled with her whole face when looking at him, he loved how she seemed to shine whenever he was close and how every time - every time - they met eyes at the bar she still blushed.

He drops his head on top of his folded arms, chuckling like a boy in love the more he thinks about it, “Fuck, she’s my wife.” he whispers “She’s my wife and the mother of our child- I–...” he couldn’t be happier, maybe this was the happiest he’s ever been. He still had doubts, demons and traumas to deal with but Beatrice’s presence…was soothing, was healing, it was what his heart wanted for so long.

And he got it.

Rooster’s ears perk up at the soft voices from Beatrice and Nicole coming down the stairs “That’s mommy’s hair, no biting it,” he smiles as he straightens himself, looking towards the door waiting to see his girls. And he sees Nicole first, her light eyes still squinting because of sleep and her hair messed up in all directions.

Nicole yawns, rubbing one of her hands against her eyes before she focuses on her father…and then she’s fully awake. Beatrice laughs when Nicole immediately vocalizes and reaches towards Rooster, “Yes,yes,I know you wanna be with him during the mornings.”

“Hey,there’s enough of me for everyone,” he grins, putting his plate and mug away to gently whisper ‘hi! hi birdie!’ to Nikki when Beatrice placed her in his hands, “Hi,sweetie! Hi!” he coos, kissing her soft cheek, “Good morning to you too, did you sleep well?” Nicole babbles something, holding his index finger and gurgling a laugh when he wiggles it in her grasp, “You are getting stronger and stronger every day Nikki.”

“She is isn’t she? She’s grabbing a lot of stuff.”

“She’s going to have a mean throw when she’s older.” he leans closer to his daughter, “Do you wanna learn baseball? I can teach you some things.” Nicole smiles more, patting his face, “Yeah? You do? I know a few tricks.”

Beatrice just sips her own morning latte with her eyes on Rooster and Nicole, loving how he managed to eat and talk to Nikki at the same time. In reality her heart warmed so much because of that, he was such a good father and she wanted to remind him of that, “Oh, by the way, today-” she says, “Me and Nikki are joining Ev for baby shopping.”

Rooster looks up from Nicole with his brows up, “Really?”

“Yes, she wants to get some infant clothes out of the way. She’s only one month pregnant but…maybe she’s more excited than she lets on…and Shells is coming with.” she says, “So me and Nikki are going to spend a lovely day with her aunties, isn’t that right Nikki?”

Nicole babbles something, her eyes directed to her father’s uniform, more specifically the buttons that kept it closed. Rooster smiles looking down at their daughter, gently swiping some of the bangs on her forehead to the side so he could kiss it, “It’s going to be fun,I’m sure.”

“I think so!” Bea grins, placing the mug aside, “Because I saw this adorable outfit for Nikki too and she’d look so cute,Roos!”

“Send me a pic when you get it.”

“As if you have to ask.”

Her smile just made his whole body feel warm, his whisky colored eyes shining with pure adoration towards her, “Baby.” he calls, making her look towards him, “C’mere.” she just gives him a confused stare, “C’mere.” and he pats his thighs twice.

“...Roos, you have Nikki in your arms.”

“They are big enough to hold both of you.” he pats again, “Please? Even Nikki wants you.” and he holds their daughter up so their cheeks touch, Nicole babblering excitedly with her little arms reaching for Beatrice.

The brunette lets out a pained sigh - followed by a smile - before walking towards him, “Alright, I need room-” and he immediately pushes the chair back with a loud scrape that scares Jack but only makes Nicole giggle, “You are relentless.”

“Yes.” he purrs, kissing her cheek when she settles on his lap, “I am,because my wife makes me feel that way.”

“Your wife, huh?”

“Yep.”

Beatrice adjusts Nicole in her arms, lowering her face until their noses touched, “You are lucky she finds you absolutely adorable.” he smiles, earning another quick kiss to the lips, only to have it again as Beatrice giggled, “And very handsome.”

Nicole, who was watching this whole thing wide eyed, just made quiet noises, waving her arms then shoving one of her tiny fists into her mouth, “She’s hungry,I’m sorry Nikki.” Beatrice said, looking around trying to find a way to escape only for Rooster to wrap his arm around her waist “...Roos…”

“You can do it, can’t you?”

“You just want to look at my tits.” he flicked his eyes down to her still covered chest quickly, cheek dimpling because that was exactly why, “Awful, awful man.” she giggles, but he does lean back a little more to give her extra room. She would never cease to be amazed with how broad and tall her husband was…because he was literally keeping both of them on his lap and it didn’t bother him at all. 

Rooster took another bite of his breakfast, holding Beatrice’s sleeve as she placed Nikki close to her chest, wincing a bit when her daughter latched, “Ow.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” she checks down at Nicole who just has her eyes closed as she enjoys her breakfast, “Just the usual pressure, she has no teeth yet.”

Rooster hums, propping his chin on her shoulder to watch the scene with his eyes soft, sometimes moving his gaze to Beatrice’s face just to see that cute smile spread the longer she looked at Nicole. He kisses her shoulder, making her eyes shift towards him, “I’m gonna miss you today.” and her eyes appeared to have hearts in them, her cheeks flushing a soft red as she let go of Nicole’s hand to rub his cheek, “I mean it.”

“You’ll be home soon,Roos.” she reassures, combing a few strands of sandy brown back, “And you’ll be home and you’ll see us.”

“I know.” he almost whines about it, burying his face on the back of her shirt, “But I can’t help it.”

Beatrice tsks cutely, “Aw,handsome,” she cups his chin to kiss his lips again, “You are so cute when you are clingy.” she laughs at his narrowed gaze, only to squeak a laugh when he playfully pokes her side, “Stop, I’m feeding Nikki.” 

“Nikki doesn’t seem bothered.”

Both of them looked at their daughter, “When does she?” Beatrice smiles, “She’s the chillest baby I’ve ever met. Not even I was this cool with everything.”

Nicole in response just peeks one eye open then closes it, because she’s clearly unbothered. Rooster smiles, sipping the rest of his coffee, “Thanks for the breakfast,by the way. It was delicious.”

“Anything for you.” she smiles, kissing the tip of his nose, pressing their foreheads together “Anything.”

[ginnyruin]

To the anon who sent me an ask yesterday:

thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. But I couldn’t post the ask because of potential spoilers for the last chapter (chapter 52: ego death).

But here is the sneak peek you asked for. The next chapter will have three POVs. It will feature a continuation of Voldemort’s POV from chapter 50: splinter, since a few readers seemed to enjoy his perspective.

A tiny snippet from my draft:

Voldemort looked down at the book and the corners of his lips curved into a small smile. His finger dragged across the title almost fondly. ‘Transfiguratum Maledictio II.’

Little witch, so vicious of you.

[shostakobitchh]

chapter 52: sneak peek

Ariel spent the afternoon scouring the grounds for the Not-Grim-Dog. 

She found him haunting the fringes of the Forest, relieved to see him still alive. It had only been about a day, but the poor thing looked like a zombie. His ribs stuck out like prison bars against his sunken stomach, his fur matted and filthy.  

Even looking not so great, the dog still seemed happy to see Ariel, giving excited little pants, his tail wagging a thousand miles a minute as she reached into her pocket to give him the sausage she’d managed to snag from the Great Hall that morning. She’d had to wait until Hermione had left — Ron was still ignoring the both of them but had definitely noticed Ariel shoveling food into her rucksack, but hadn’t cared enough to break his stupid vow of silence just yet to ask her what the hell she was doing. 

“Easy,” Ariel warned to Not-Grim-Dog, who was scarfing down the food at an alarming speed. “There’s more where that came from, I promise.” 

The dog licked at the cloth Ariel had wrapped the food in once he’d finished, giving a low whine before looking back to her. His eyes seemed… almost apologetic. 

“I should have brought more,” she sighed. “I’m sorry.” 

She’d tried very hard to focus on one thing and one thing only that morning, and that thing had been getting food to the Not-Grim-Dog. Ariel hadn’t had much room for anything else inside her brain — not Hermione, not Ron, not Snape, not her stupid detention with Professor Lupin tonight, and especially not Sirius Black. Maybe that was good practice for Occlumency — steadying her mind on a singular task, forcing yourself to work on automation, forget everything else. 

The dog shoved his enormous head against her shoulder, nudging her cheek with his nose. Ariel smiled, her fingers curling around his fur as he settled against her side. They sat like that for a while. Out here, with the Not-Grim-Dog, Ariel felt peaceful. 

Her mind wandered a bit as she kept her eyes on the grounds. There hadn’t been any signs that Black could be here, but Snape nearly having a bloody aneurysm every time Ariel stepped outside the castle might’ve been telling enough if he hadn’t been paranoid to begin with. She wondered if he’d always been like that. He must’ve, to have been a spy, but not too much or he would’ve given it away. Although, if he planned to go back — 

Ariel scrubbed the hot, queasy feeling that bubbled up in the pit of her stomach away. 

The dog straightened up a bit, giving her an imploring look. 

“I promise I don’t have any more food,” Ariel said. “You cleaned me out.” 

The dog gave a low woof. She could’ve sworn he rolled his eyes as he settled his head back down on his paws. 

“Must be nice,” she went on, scratching behind his ears. “Not having to worry that you’re being lied to.” 

His head snapped back up to look at her, but Ariel didn’t notice, shivering against the chill of the wind. Her thoughts seemed to bend with grass, straightening her focus back to the present as the wind stilled, but it was getting harder to ignore the longer she sat here. 

You know 

He told you 

I thought you just pretended it didn’t happen

You never talked about it

Ariel hated it — all of it. She hated that she’d been lied to, hated that Hermione had known this awful thing and hadn’t once tried to breach the subject. Sure, Ariel could venture why, could certainly understand if the roles had been reversed that it might’ve been awkward, but to have not said anything, when Hermione had known that the complicated nature of the whole stupid thing had driven Ariel mad — 

She supposed she had an answer for Hermione’s disapproval now, at the very least. She’d never been as open about it as Ron had — but Ron had let the House rivalries begin to cloud his judgment, she supposed, and if Snape wasn’t openly claiming Ariel, maybe he didn’t think it mattered. 

It certainly would if Ron found out what Snape had been — was. 

None of it should have mattered if Mum had trusted him. Ariel did — maybe more than she ever had. He had broken it all and hadn’t even known — broken it and tried so desperately to fix it — 

The coin vibrated, hot against her hand. 

Inside — it was quickly replaced with —  now. 

Ariel sighed, wrapping her cloak tighter around her. “I’ll come back, okay? Just stay out of sight. Black’s after me but I wouldn’t put it past him to murder dogs for fun.” 

The dog whined, a low, mournful sound that followed Ariel all the way back up to the castle.

[humancandy-comic]

“Human Candy"

Chapter 2 - Page 52

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Comic on Tapas

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Want to get merch, early Human Candy page updates, sneak peeks, sketches and other fun stuff?

Support me on Patreon! :-D

Or you can support me on Ko-Fi! B-D

————————-

Oh dear…

Btw, that's the exact dialogue and behavior that "YOUR_NAME" aka "Chara" says and shows in the game's genocide route after being revived by the player. Soulless, emotionless, basically a Flowey 2.0. According to Asriel's dialogue ingame, they weren't exactly a nice kid when they were still alive, either.

Luckily "Chara" won't appear again after this nightmare is over.

[mitaharukai]

Title: Carving my love in wood

Ship: Kanan x Mari (Love Live Sunshine)

Summary: Kanan is way simple compared to Mari. She doesn’t need luxurious things nor expensive gifts in her birthday. That’s why she loves the dolphin keychain Mari has carved in wood for her (even though it doesn’t quite look like one).

Words: 738 words

Sneak peek:

“- Just because it’s your birthday.

The blonde indulges her, and Kanan can’t help but smile wider, opening her amethyst eyes slowly to lock them with a pair of green-yellowish eyes, feeling her heart skipping a beat upon the fond smile Mari is giving her while the sun casts its golden rays on her, emphasizing her features beautifully.

- Good morning.

It’s everything Kanan can whisper as they share a sweet kiss, Mari’s lovely giggles filling the calm silence left by the waves and the birds.”

[toribookworm22]

Name Your Chapters

Thank you @primroseprime2019 for the tag!

No pressure tagging: @minutiaewriter @brianamorganbooks @bookmarks-reviews & my open tag!

Shut Down does not have story chapters, nor have I ever imagined giving it any. So this is hilarious to me. Hidden for length:

Prologue - Silk & Sandpaper

1 - Meet Maybelle

2 - Meet Gwenevieve

3 - Meet Edward

4 - Meet Emerson

5 - Meet Jade

6 - Meet Javon

7 - The Old and The New

8 - I'm A Good Daughter, I Swear

9 - Beg and Plead

10 - Not What I Expected

11 - That's Not Suspicious

12 - Take Your Rules and Shove Them Up Your

13 - New Normal

14 - Other Side of the Tracks

15 - I've Never Had A Friend (Maybe I Never Should)

16 - More Nightmares

17 - Asterix Makes An Entrance

18 - I Get Thrown Out

19 - Strike First

20 - The Beggars

21 - A Connection

22 - Asterix Wrecks Everything

23 - We Get To Meet... Mostly

24 - Fresh Start

25 - Sneak Peek

26 - Pit Stop

27 - We Pick Up Edward

28 - Let Go

29 - Something Blows Up

30 - I Try To Figure Everything Out

31 - I Know Too Much

32 - Fight or Flight

33 - No Last Words

34 - Something Breaks (Someone Broke It)

35 - Past Comes Back to Haunt Me

36 - I Get Told What To Do (Twice)

37 - user/unidentified

38 - Subtext

39 - We Point Fingers

40 - I Refuse To Let It

41 - Nightmares Are Back

42 - Out of Time

43 - Needles

44 - The Analysation

45 - Break and Be Broken

46 - Going In Blind

47 - Nightmares Again

48 - Audience

49 - Trust

50 - Not So Funny

51 - I Said Something Stupid

52 - Human

53 - Pick A Side

54 - Delete?

55 - We Get Tested

56 - Something of a Donation

57 - In This Together

Epilogue - Exactly To Plan

[purplevortexx]

Just patiently waiting for take a bow 😅

hello!!

Promise I am writing it, I just want to make sure everything gets wrapped up nicely with no holes in the plot- it’s taking longer than I expected 😬.

In the meantime: here’s a sneak peek of the final chapter:

As Bradley brings up the app on his phone you wait, watching silently over his shoulder. The proximity of your face to his phone is evident in the clouding of his screen from you exhaling.

“C’mon, fucking load.” You mutter impatiently as the loading percentage stops suddenly at 48% . The stupid blue bar across the screen is seemingly laughing at you as both you and your boyfriend will it to load faster. Pressing your index finger to the screen a few times, you groan as the number jumps to 52% as if you’d expected it to load completely as a result of your incessant tapping.

You make a strangled sound of annoyance as the bar stays at the same point on the screen. It’s only been just under a minute of waiting but it feels like years. Knowing what could be on there makes your heart beat faster and you don’t know what to do. You catch Bradley’s eye and he gives you a comforting smile, eyes flickering down to the screen every few seconds to check if what you need has appeared on the screen.

✵ EPBAR MASTERLIST ✵

[11queensupreme11]

Can we get a sneak peak of the upcoming chapter please?

You got it!

Here's a sneak peek of chapter 52:

[tektiteautomaton]

12/21/22 Stream - Writing Stats

All writing trades today!

Length of Stream: 3 Hours, 52 Minutes Words Written: 3907 Monsters Slain: 86 Sprints Run: 10 Sprint Length: 15 minutes Sprint Time: 150 minutes, or 2 Hours & 30 Minutes

Words per Sprint: 391 Monsters per Sprint: 8.6

Chapters Written: No chapters, all trades today! That means no sneak peeks, unfortunately!

[rydenwrites]

NEW CHAPTER UP!

Chapter 52 of ‘Blood must have blood’ is officially up on AO3!

Sneak a peek:

-

Startled by the sound of the door opening, you turn around to find officer Rumlow standing in the doorway. There was a lightness to his presence, like he once again was too gleeful to be reassuring.

“All done?” the officer asked your attorney with a smile.

“As a matter of fact, yes, we are,” Howard said. “Just saying goodbye.”

“Oh,” Rumlow said with a polite nod. “Well, let me show you out then, sir.”

Howard raised a hand.

“Oh, no, that won’t be necessary, officer. I think I can find my way out on my own.”

Rumlow let out a small sigh through his nose, his smile still painted on in a strange way. Like he was both holding on to his patience, but also couldn’t be discouraged by anything.

“I have to make sure you leave first, sir,” he said. “It’s the weekend and no one is working up here, and I have to get her back down to her cell so... Can’t leave you wandering the halls without supervision.”

Howard nodded, understanding the circumstances, but failed to see the inconsistency of them. He had been okayed to walk up to the room alone, and the floor was as deserted then as it was now.

“Oh, yes, yes of course. I understand.”

Rumlow smiled even wider before taking a step to the side and holding out an arm in invitation for your lawyer to walk through the door ahead of him. Howard looked to you one last time and said;

“Take care, Miss Harper,” before exiting the room.

Once he got a second alone with you, Rumlow’s fiery gaze found you. The sharpness evident on his face almost made you recoil, and you couldn’t hide the quivering of your jaw when his one-sided smirk lit up the room.

“I’ll be right back, Harper. You sit tight.”

-

Ooooh... Shit’s about to go down...