#cloudy chilly and obsessed

[rivrsin]

.

[bigskyandthecoldgun]

based on this

steve's pov | dragon's pov

Steve had found Dragon hiding in a bush when she’d been a teeny, tiny kitten with mangy black fur and green eyes that took up basically her whole face.

She’d been so sickly, in fact, that the vet had warned Steve she might not make it. Steve had refused to give up on the kitten, though, nursing her back to health as best as he possibly could. Now, she’s an enormous, regal-looking cat that has a meow closer to a roar, a purr that makes her sound like a motorcycle engine, and breath so terrible it should be legally qualified as a hazardous gas. That is, admittedly, where Dragon had gotten her name. Steve had found her just after the events of ’84, and when Dustin came over to bug him for a ride to the arcade, he’d been all but obsessed with the poor cat.

“D’you have a name for her yet?” Dustin had asked, eyes wide with wonder as the kitten had scrambled up Steve’s pant leg and climbed up to perch on his shoulder, shaking and terrified at the stranger in their home.

“Nah. Figured I’d just call her, like, Midnight or something,” Steve had said with a shrug, to which Dustin had taken great offense.

Upon smelling the stench that had come from the kitten’s hiss, Dustin had declared her a fearsome creature with a breath weapon, whatever that means—a Dragon. So Steve’s got a cat that is incredibly clingy and a little stinky, but only when she opens her mouth.

And his cat is ruining his dating life.

The thing about Dragon is that she doesn’t like most people. She tolerates Robin, even when she’s sitting next to Steve, but other than that, she hates it when people get close to Steve. Dragon’s the most territorial cat Steve has ever met, and Steve can hardly go anywhere in the house without Dragon at his feet or on his shoulders. And balancing a cat as large as Dragon on his shoulders is not an easy feat. Dragon screams if Steve closes her out of a room he’s in and sleeps directly atop Steve’s chest. That cat is the clingiest creature on the planet, and Steve would die for her.

But Dragon despises people. She hisses at the girls Steve brings home, yowls when the door to Steve’s bedroom is closed, and swats at anyone that tries to so much as touch him when he’s on the couch. It’s absolutely destroying Steve’s chances at bringing girls home, and while most of his dates are content to bring him back to theirs, Steve’s getting a little tired of being kicked out of bed. At least when he’s at home, he can mope right away when girls turn down his offer of staying the night and leave early, rather than moping in his car.

And it’s not like he’s getting a ton of action lately, anyway. Now that the whole Vecna debacle is over, with Eddie and Max out of the hospital, the Party spends most of its nights together, so Steve hasn’t been going on too many dates anymore. Instead, he spends his time either on someone else’s couch or his own, and if it’s the latter, he can count on Dragon sitting squarely on his lap and everyone but Robin sitting a few feet away for safety purposes.

It’s a late afternoon in November, when he’s hanging out alone with Eddie at his house for the first time, when Dragon does something truly surprising.

She lets Eddie pet her.

They’re hanging out in the kitchen, Steve almost done with his cup of coffee and Eddie nursing a cup of his own mixed with an absurd amount of hot chocolate powder. The coffee in late afternoon is a peculiar habit of Eddie’s; he says it’s because it’s when his uncle usually wakes up, and they have coffee together, so Steve thinks it’s kind of sweet. It’s a really nice afternoon, chilly but not too cold, only slightly overcast so that it’s not too sunny but not too cloudy, either. The cool light makes Eddie’s hair look shiny, and the gleam bounces off his skin like a halo might.

“You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you how cool your cat is,” Eddie says, nodding towards the Dragon in question. Dragon hops up on the counter, then hops up on Steve’s shoulders, purring as she nudges the side of her face against Steve’s cheek. Eddie grins. “Dragon. A fitting name for a majestic beast.”

“I don’t know why she’s so unfriendly,” Steve sighs, reaching up to scratch behind Dragon’s fluffy ears. Dragon purrs even harder. Eddie snorts and reaches up to join Steve in scritching behind Dragon’s ears, but Steve takes a step back. “Woah, careful, man, don’t want you to get clawed.”

Eddie’s grin turns into a small, fond smile. “Cats don’t really like me, anyway, I don’t mind a little scratch or two,” he says, stepping closer to offer his hand up for Dragon to sniff.

Instead of the hiss Steve’s predicting, Dragon pushes her face against Eddie’s knuckles and continues to purr. “Holy shit,” Steve breathes, eyes wide, “she doesn’t do that with anybody.”

“She probably does that with you,” Eddie points out, and Steve gives him a flat look. The answering shit-eating grin he gets is unfairly endearing. “Nah, I get what you mean. But seriously? There must be someone else she likes. One of the kids? Some girl you brought home that happened to have cat treats in her purse or some shit?”

Steve groans and shifts Dragon into his arms, feigning annoyance when Dragon nuzzles against his jaw. It’s actually pretty cute. “No, this little asshole is ruining my chances of getting laid,” he says. “She hates everybody I bring home. She doesn’t even like the kids! The most socializing she’s ever done with another person before this is her letting Robin be next to me. Dragon tolerating a relationship? No way.”

Dragon lets out a loud meow and licks Steve’s cheek. “Well, maybe you just have to find somebody she likes,” Eddie says, scratching under Dragon’s chin. Dragon meows again and squints, chin tilting up to give Eddie more room to scratch. Eddie clicks his tongue. “Aw, see? She’s a sweet girl. I’m sure she’ll have a soft spot for someone other than yourself soon enough.”

Steve decides to play along. “Draggy,” Steve coos, “will you please let Daddy get laid? Be all sweet and good instead of biting people’s ankles?”

“I’m sorry, did you just call yourself Daddy?” Eddie sputters, looking mortified.

Frowning, Steve shifts Dragon so that he’s holding her like one might hold an infant. “Yeah, I’m Dragon’s dad, and she’s my little baby,” he explains. “Duh.”

“No, okay, wh—nevermind,” Eddie says, shaking his head. “My point is, even if Dragon hates the ladies, I’m sure there’s one lady out there for you she won’t hate.”

As Eddie pets Dragon’s tummy—her tummy!—Steve realizes that, yeah, there is one person out there that Dragon doesn’t hate.

Steve resolves that, if Dragon really doesn’t mind Eddie’s company, he should have Eddie around more often. The way Steve sees it, if Dragon gets used to Eddie being in the house and being close to Steve, she might open up to other people who are around a lot, like the Party, and then she could even learn to tolerate girls coming over. As much as Steve hates to admit it, Eddie Munson might just be the reason his dating life gets revived.

At the next movie night, the movie night that Eddie finally shows up for, when Dragon hops into Steve’s lap and everyone scoots at least ten feet away, Steve pats the seat next to him. “Hey, Eddie, c’mere,” he says, and Dustin openly gawks when Eddie’s able to sit right next to Steve with no roaring protests from Dragon.

“What the hell?! I’ve been in your house so many times and I’ve never been able to sit near you when Dragon’s around!” Dustin huffs, scowling at the fluffy bastard. “And I’m the one who named her! I’m practically her godfather!”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Henderson,” Eddie says, a slow grin spreading across his face, which can’t be good. “If Steve’s pu—”

“Nope,” Steve cuts in, slapping a hand over Eddie’s mouth, cheeks burning, “not gonna let you finish that.”

Eddie nods. “Very wise,” he says, muffled. “It was gonna be incredibly inappropriate.”

Satisfied with having stopped that, Steve moves his hand away, and Eddie knocks their shoulders together. To Steve’s shock, Dragon doesn’t hiss or swat, just snuggles further into Steve’s lap and purrs harder than she’s ever purred before. The movie starts up, and Steve watches Eddie reach over in the dark, usually a bad move when it comes to Dragon. But Dragon just lets Eddie run a hand over the top of her head, and Steve leans into his side, the two of them sharing a small smile.

After the movie, when most everyone else has gone home, Eddie’s still around, scratching behind Dragon’s ears. “You know, you should hang out here more often,” Steve tells him, and Eddie raises a brow at him. Steve tilts his head. “I mean, Dragon doesn’t get a lot of socializing in, so…it’d probably be good for her.”

Clearly holding back a grin, Eddie nods. “Sure. I’d love to come around more so Dragon gets some socializing in,” he teases, and Steve rolls his eyes, holding back a smile of his own. Eddie leans closer, smoothing his thumb over Dragon’s fuzzy little cheek. “She’s really cute. Has good taste in who she lets pet her.”

Eddie casts his gaze down at Dragon. His lashes are long and dark. He has really nice hands, too, and it’s easy to notice them as they run over Dragon’s pitch-black fur. “Yeah,” Steve says quietly, giving Dragon a pat by her leg, “she does.”

Eddie comes over way more often from then on, and Dragon gets somewhat clingy to him, which is kind of unbelievable, because Dragon’s never rubbed up on anyone’s ankles but Steve’s, but it’s a marked improvement. The only downside is that Dragon still hasn’t improved with anyone else, but Steve figures that’ll change sooner or later.

For now, he’s content to hang out with Eddie in his room, laying on the bed with Dragon sitting on his chest and Eddie laying beside him. “Little lady,” Eddie coos, almost nose-to-nose with Dragon, who purrs. “Sweet baby girl.”

“She’s a smelly girl,” Steve tuts, scratching between Dragon’s ears. He looks at Eddie. “I still can’t believe you’re the only one out of everybody we know that she likes.”

Eddie looks up at him, big brown eyes shining with mirth. “I dunno, I think it’s pretty believable. I happen to be very likable,” he says. And, to Eddie’s credit, Steve’s found that he kind of is. “And besides, cats have good judgements of character. I’ve been chosen.”

Steve raises a brow. “I thought you said cats didn’t like you.”

Face scrunched up, Eddie tilts his head. “Yeah…I lied. Didn’t want to make you feel bad if I did get scratched,” he explains.

That’s fair, actually.

Dragon meows, raspy and roaring as always, and she smacks her paw out at Eddie’s arm, using her—trimmed, because Steve takes very good care of her—claws to drag him closer. “She wants you closer? That’s crazy,” Steve comments as Eddie scoots into his space, their sides pressed together. “She must really like you.”

Eddie doesn’t say anything, but he does smile, soft and private, and Steve thinks it’s nice. It’s a smile he hasn’t seen before.

It’s pretty.

Even with Eddie and Dragon getting buddy-buddy, it still doesn’t seem to be helping Steve’s case with bringing anyone home. Hell, Dragon still isn’t even close to being civil with most of the Party, barring Robin, who actually got in a single chin scratch the other day. But Eddie and Dragon are getting along swimmingly, to the point where Eddie can actually pick Dragon up! Granted, it’s not for very long, because Dragon starts screaming about ten seconds in until Steve takes her from Eddie, but still. It’s insane.

“You are killing me, you little menace,” Steve tells Dragon one night while Eddie’s using the bathroom. “Why do you like Eddie so much, huh? I mean, sure, he’s funny and he’s nice, but it’s not like you can understand what he says, you don’t speak English.”

Dragon meows indignantly at him from her place on Steve’s lap, slow-blinking at him.

“Yeah, yeah, I see your point. Eddie is pretty great,” Steve mutters.

Dragon yawns and starts making biscuits on his thighs, then purrs.

“Okay, so he’s handsome, too, but I don’t see how that’s appealing for you, you’re a cat,” Steve huffs. He blinks, face flushing. “Well, that’s—it doesn’t appeal to me, either, I guess.”

Dragon gives him an inquisitive little mrrowp? in response.

Steve blows out a long breath. “Look, Draggy, you gotta find someone else you like. Eddie can’t be the only other person you can tolerate, it’s just not realistic,” Steve tells her.

Dragon roars.

Shushing her, Steve pets her to sweeten the deal of shutting up. “Yeah, I know, and I like having him around, too—”

“Talking to your cat about me, Stevie?” Eddie asks, bouncing into the room and sitting down beside him with a flouncy sort of flip of his hair. “Well, Madam Dragon, I do hope he hasn’t been slandering my good name.”

He’s using that silly cat-voice he does when he’s talking to Dragon, and it’s almost as endearing as the way Dragon rolls over to let Eddie rub her tummy. “I would do no such thing,” Steve says, feigning offense, and Eddie rolls his eyes.

“Miss Dragon, don’t listen to a word he says,” Eddie tells the cat. He glances over at the clock and frowns. “Ah, shit, it’s getting late.”

“You could stay here, if you want,” Steve offers. “Maybe Dragon’ll suffocate someone else in their sleep for a change.”

Eddie laughs, but he takes Steve up on the offer, heading into the guest bedroom in a change of clothes that definitely doesn’t make Steve feel a certain type of way about seeing Eddie in his one of his old swim team shirts. Though, the night is not peaceful, because a certain giant, annoying cat refuses to stop screeching at the top of her lungs. Eddie comes stumbling back into Steve’s bedroom, Dragon held in his outstretched arms, Eddie’s hands tucked under the cat’s armpits.

There’s a grumpy, slightly disgruntled look on Eddie’s face. “Please tell your daughter to stop screaming at me,” he says, placing Dragon on the bed, and Steve reaches for her to drag her into his lap. Eddie nods and turns to leave, only for Dragon to scream again, and he whirls right back around. “Oh my God, what?!”

Dragon gives a little chirp and trots to the edge of the bed, nosing at Eddie’s hand. “Draggy, let Eddie go to bed,” Steve says, his voice rough with what little sleep he’d managed to get between Dragon’s long and loud meows.

“Yes, Dragon, I need my beauty sleep,” Eddie says. When he turns to leave again, Dragon yowls and bites down—seemingly gently—on his hand, carefully stepping backwards towards Steve while she does so. Eddie looks just as bewildered as Steve feels. “Does she want me to stay here?”

“I have no idea. I’ve literally never seen her do this before,” Steve tells him. “But, like, you can, as long as it’ll stop her from screeching.”

Eddie blows out a long breath. “Honestly, I don’t even care at this point, I just want to sleep,” he groans, clambering under the covers until they’re laying face-to-face beside each other. Eddie smiles at him, then winces and scoots closer. “Sorry, ah—she’s pushing my back.”

Dragon gives a little mrrp of confirmation.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into her, I’m sorry,” Steve whispers, and Eddie just half-shrugs, eyes darting everywhere but Steve’s face. He looks uneasy. “Hey, man, if you’re uncomfortable staying here, you can sleep on the pullout in the den and I’ll just lock her in here, she’s got a litterbox and water in my bathroom, she’ll be fine. And you won’t hear anything down there, so…”

Eddie shakes his head. “Nah. Wouldn’t wanna put you through that torture.”

He gets slightly closer, and Steve’s face goes a little hot at the proximity. Their noses are almost touching. “She’s being a little douchebag,” Steve murmurs. “Ignore her.”

“She keeps pushing at my back,” Eddie tells him, sounding a little panicked. “Why is your cat so strong, dude?”

“I can take her out of the—”

Dragon lets out a meow so loud that it rings out for a few seconds after she’s done.

Eddie is clearly fighting a laugh. “Okay, so keeping her out of the room isn’t an option,” he says, and Steve chuckles. Eddie gives him a curious sort of look. “Hey…about earlier. What were you telling Dragon about me?”

Oh, just that you’re funny and sweet and, apparently, I think you’re really handsome, is what Steve probably shouldn’t say.

“Oh, just that you’re funny and sweet and, apparently, I think you’re really handsome,” is what Steve says, because he’s an idiot.

Eddie’s brows shoot up, behind his bangs. “I’m sorry, you think what?”

“That you’re really handsome,” Steve says, because, again, he’s an idiot.

Blinking, Eddie starts to frown. “Are you messing with me right now? Because if you are, that is not cool, Harrington—”

“I’m not,” Steve says. “I’m—I didn’t—I mean, Dragon really likes you, and cats are…a good judge of character, and you’re, uh—you’re pretty.”

The frown turns into a poorly-hidden smile. “I’m pretty?” Eddie echoes, lashes batting, and Steve can’t tell whether or not that’s intentional.

“You are,” he says softly. “You also make me laugh, and you get along really well with my cat, which—and I don’t know if you know this—is very hard to do.”

Eddie laughs, almost bashful. “I did say there’d be somebody Dragon had a soft spot for other than you, didn’t I?”

“The little menace is a matchmaker,” Steve mutters, and Eddie leans forward just slightly until their noses are touching. Steve reaches up to cup Eddie’s face. “Can I kiss you?”

“Absolutely,” Eddie says breathlessly.

Steve presses their lips together gently, moving slowly, and Eddie hums into the kiss, one hand on Steve’s waist and the other sliding up to his chest. It’s soft and it’s good, and Steve leans into it a little more, his fingers tangling in Eddie’s curls as he deepens the kiss. Unfortunately, Steve has to pull back for air, but Eddie’s smiling when he does. Dragon meows, much further away than Steve had thought she’d been, and the sound of her collar jingling grows quieter and quieter.

“Well,” Steve says, “I definitely found somebody she likes.”

“Safe to say, she won’t prevent you from getting laid anymore,” Eddie murmurs, his low voice sending a shiver down Steve’s spine. He gets this hesitant sort of look on his face, like he isn’t sure if he’s overstepped. “I mean, only if you want to—”

Steve interrupts him with a chaste kiss. “Oh, I want to,” he whispers.

The next morning, when they wake up tangled in each other’s arms, clothes littering the floor, Dragon is sitting on the edge of the bed with Eddie’s discarded shirt in her mouth, tail flicking back and forth, looking smug as ever.

[inestheunicorn]

Happy September guys! ✨️ it's been suuuper cloudy and chilly here, it really feels like Autumn is on the way! I'm obsessed with this month's rewards on my Patreon and I just can't wait to start cooking delicious pumpkin recipes 🎃🌾 join my Patreon here during September to get these cuties 🖤

[liviawildrose]

𝐞𝐠𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐞

hey loves, let’s talk about one of my favorite energy-cleansing rituals: egg cleansing. it’s a practice rooted in ancient traditions (think mexican curanderismo, filipino spiritual beliefs, and other cultures) and is all about removing negative energy, bad vibes, or even spiritual blockages. i’m obsessed with how simple, yet powerful it is. if you’re feeling drained, stuck, or like something just isn’t right, this might be exactly what you need.

here’s a step-by-step guide to help you try it out:

ingredients

• 1 fresh egg (organic if possible—keep that energy pure!)

• a glass of water, salt, (chilly flakes and black salt)

how to perform an egg cleansing

1. set your intention:

• before starting, center yourself. light a candle, burn some incense, or say a quick prayer/affirmation like:

“i release all negativity and invite peace and clarity into my life.”

2. prepare the egg:

• rub some salt on the egg (massage the egg with salt) hold the egg in your hands and infuse it with your intention. visualize it absorbing all the bad vibes, negativity, and heavy energy that’s been lingering

3. cleanse your aura:

• starting at the crown of your head, gently roll the egg over your body. move downward head, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, stomach, legs, and finally your feet. don’t forget your back and sides if possible.

• as you do this, visualize the egg soaking up all the negativity. you can say something like:

“this egg absorbs all that does not serve me.” “this egg is absorbing all the negative energy” “i can finally start on a clean slate now”

4. crack the egg into water:

• once you’re done, carefully crack the egg into a glass of water (add some salt too in the water). be gentle; you don’t want to break the yolk right away.

• look at the egg and water for any patterns, bubbles, or shapes. these can symbolize the energy it picked up:

bubbles or spikes: negativity or tension.

cloudy whites: emotional heaviness.

cloudy water: signifies confusion, stress, or emotional overwhelm.

blood spots in the yolk: can indicate psychic attacks, curses, or unresolved trauma.

multiple bubbles in the yolk: represents people or situations contributing to your stress.

floating yolk or egg white: suggests unresolved emotions or health concerns.

a clear yolk and water: you’re in the clear, babe!

5. dispose of it properly:

• pour the chilly flakes and black salt mixture in it and flush it down the toilet or bury it far from your home. never keep the egg it’s carried away the energy you want to be free from.

pro tips for the best results

• perform this ritual during the waxing moon or full moon for heightened power.

• try doing this while in showers (naked) i did it like that

why it works/ why i did it

it’s not just about the egg. the act of intentionally focusing on your energy, visualizing negativity leaving your body, and creating sacred time for yourself is powerful af. combine that with the natural spiritual conductivity of an egg, and you’ve got a low-key yet magical ritual.

if you’ve ever tried this or plan to, let me know your experience! spiritual hygiene is just as important as physical hygiene, and rituals like this remind us to check in with ourselves.

so, yesterday something huge happened in the cosmos—pluto shifted into aquarius. if you know anything about astrology, you know this is massive energy. like, i felt it immediately. this shift brought this overwhelming urge to reinvent myself, release the old, and just become. but before stepping into this new chapter, i knew i had to cleanse myself energetically, spiritually, emotionally. i needed to clear all the stuck energy weighing me down. that’s why today, i pulled out one of my favorite rituals: the egg cleanse. it felt symbolic, like cracking open a whole new version of me. with Pluto entering Aquarius, this is the time to embrace transformation, growth, and that next-level glow up.

if you want to join me on this journey of becoming a higher self. please comment, like, reblog, and follow let's embrace the glow of together.

[deedala]

🗝️ random tag game wednesday 🗝️

thanks for tagging me!!! @blue-disco-lights @lingy910y @mickeysgaymom @thepupperino @jrooc @mybrainismelted @suzy-queued @kiennilove @energievie @spookygingerr 💖💖💖

it's that time again…

what weather would you use to describe you current mood?

hmm cloudy, kind of rainy, soggy and muddy, kind of mild temperature but a chilly oppressive wind

have you ever had braces?

yes i had braces in middle school and maybe a lil bit of high school? that was the 90s my babies. anyway my mouth still said haha fuck you because after i got them taken off one of my front bottom teeth went ahead and took a step back behind the other guys lol. should i have worn my little clear retainers more? perhaps. but also...snaggle tooth okay?? snaggle tooth cute?? maybe??

do you celebrate halloween?

yeah i guess, though celebrate doesnt feel like the right word. provide halloween? oversee halloween? i have little kids its all about them. (though if its cold i may put on my sloth kigurumi.

best halloween/fancy dress costume you've worn

i think my favorite thing ive ever worn was when i was in my 20s and i spent a couple years putting together the perfect gothic lolita little red riding hood costume. it was perfect. i was so cute 😌

last song you listened to

nirvana by elliana (im very obsessed with it right now)

last thing you googled

hrmm..unsure. i have recent searches turned off so i cant go look. probably googling the definition of a word lmao

dream car

uuuhhh, my current subaru forester except i can OPERATE THE FUCKING TRUNK MYSELF AND NOT HAVE TO LET IT OPEN AND CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY IM GONNA FUCKING LOSE IT ONE DAY I STG

what's your favourite type of cheese?

my current fav vegan cheese is the little babybel things num num. back when i could have real cheese uugggh fuckin love smoked gouda.

what colour are your socks today?

white and grey fuzzies

what was your favourite subject in school?

art

has your mood weather changed after answering these random questions?

no lol

and if you'd like to come play PLEASE DO!! and i will tag these particular little nuggets today!! @michellemisfit @too-schoolforcool @darlingian @heymacy @heymrspatel @gallawitchxx @sleepyheadgallavich @captainjowl @the-rat-wins @loftec @wehangout @mmmichyyy @crossmydna @spoonfulstar @gardenerian @palepinkgoat @echotrees @callivich @sickness-health-all-that-shit @sam-loves-seb @samantitheos @creepkinginc @transmickey @ian-galagher @sgtmickeyslaughter @konaiiro @catgrassplantdad @gallapiech @rereadanon @vintagelacerosette @iansw0rld @whatwouldmickeydo @themarchg1rl and anyone anyone else xoxo!!

[irisxstardust]

can't stop thinking about painter!reader + abby being besties the💝 'nd one day reader begs abby to be her model for a painting session...

as a painter... yeah. this has floated through my brain a few times. here's what i managed to write during class😽

(modern!) painter!reader x abby anderson

you'd been an artist for almost as long as you could remember.

it started with your family bringing you crayons and finger paints as a toddler. you owned almost every color imaginable and you used the crayons until they were nubs and emptied the little paint cups with plastic spoons. you'd left your mark on every available surface: slips of paper your parents no longer needed; blank envelopes from bills that your parents left on the counter; the wall in the playroom next to your mini easel; the white rug your mom kept in the living room.

when you moved on to writing with pencils in kindergarten you started drawing with pencils in the empty spaces of coloring books. when you moved on into middle school you participated in every available posted contest, you were a top student in your art class, you drew little scenic images in the margins of all your notebooks. your friends found it charming at first, but every time they saw you doodling on your homework they grew a little annoyed with the obsession.

it only truly got worse when your art teacher introduced you to gouache paint.

gouache was your perfect match - it was suddenly a dream for you to pull out your paint brushes and paper towels. gouache was the perfect blend of your favorite traits of watercolor paint and acrylic paint. you liked the opaqueness and vibrance of acrylics but the permanence of the plastic-like paint intimidated you. you liked how easy it was to manipulate watercolor and the dreamy affect the paint had when applied just right, but you oftentimes added too much water and the colors ran together and left a dirty brown stain across the paper.

gouache was the perfect mix of both. it was pigmented enough that your paintings were bright and full of life, but was able to easily blend with the other colors and create a cloudy affect. the paint was hard enough that it didn't run together and it was easy to fix a mistake even after the paint dried due to its watercolor-like qualities.

from the moment you found the paint you were obsessed and made it your main medium. you kept all of your paintings in a small watercolor sketchbook that you kept on your nightstand alongside a small set of gouache paint.

years later, when you met abby you knew you wanted to paint her - you just didn't know how to ask. the thought would come to you early in the morning, when there was still dewy moisture on the grass outside and the breeze smelled like chilly flowers. you would always wake before abby and every morning you shared you would spend that alone time observing every little detail of her face; almost as if you were trying to commit it to memory.

today was a day like every other. you woke before abby and you took as much time as you could just watching her. your window was open which let the suns morning rays inside, the golden beams dancing along her face.

you were facing each other, abby on her left side and you on your right. both of your heads resting on the same pillow.

you took your time, eyes scanning abby as if you'd never seen her before; noting the curve in the bridge of her nose, the honey colored freckles that dotted her cheeks, her eyelashes curling up lightly.

you wanted to take a picture. to freeze time and make it last forever. abby didn't usually give you time to dote on her, mostly saving all the compliments and praise for you - her pretty girl.

the thought of abby rolling her eyes at you reminding you of why you hadn't asked to if you could paint her yet. you were afraid that she'd tell you no.

you purse your lips at the thought, letting your teeth sink into the bottom one as your eyes move along her face slowly.

abby moves shortly after, her shoulder dropping back as she flops onto her back. she groans and her eyes slowly open.

"morning, rapunzel," you say. you move your hand, dragging it up from her elbow to her shoulder, letting it relax against the muscle.

she snorts, "morning, princess." her voice is heavy and raspy, still warming up from ten hours of rest.

"how was your sleep?" you ask, fingers nimbly sliding across her shoulder, briefly poking at her neck and then sliding your hand back down to rest on her shoulder again.

"pretty good," she hums, moving back onto her side to face you. "how about you?"

"pretty good," you repeat, eyes still scanning her face.

a few beats pass before she speaks again, "what's on your mind?"

you shake your head, eyes finally meeting hers, "nothing."

this time she doesn't miss a beat. "it's something."

"it's nothing, abigail."

she scoffs at the use of her full name and rolls her eyes, "it's definitely something if you feel the need to use my full name. c'mon, what's up?"

"well..." you trail off, eyes leaving hers and darting around the room. "i was just wondering..."

you let your words hang in the air for a minute, wondering if you really wanted to ask her and face the embarrassment of her telling you no.

"if?" she prompts, her hand making a "speed up" gesture and encouraging you to continue. the softness of her voice makes you look back up at her and spit it out.

"if i could paint you."

the room goes quiet and all you can hear is the birds outside your window, singing happily, and the faint thrum of your heartbeat in your ears.

"can i paint you?"

it takes her a second to process the request, and when she does her eyes go a little wide and her cheeks begin to flush with a light pink.

"i..." she pauses, and then begins to chuckle. "honestly? thought you'd never ask."

"does that mean yes?"

"of course you can paint me, princess."

so you ready your paint, throwing everything hastily onto your bed.

"stay there."

"on the bed?"

"yes!" you exclaim, beginning to open your gouache palette and pulling some paint brushes from your nightstand. "i want to paint you just like this."

[ran-orimoto]

[ Incredible how I will always forget to keep up with my crossposting (?) on Ao3 and Tumblr. I promise you I love you all and you are important to me. It’s just my brain wandering and jumping from a distraction to the following one and so forth. You’re not the problem.

By the way, this is the first one-shot of the year, so I welcomed your request with open arms, fighting against my cringe feelings. I love my Junzumi fankids, they are so important to me and they are *cough* my precious grandchildren. So, like other people say, I should snap out of my silly obsessions and write about them as well, without fear, embarassment.

Now that I have said this uselss stuff, let’s dive into things that matter. Junzumi are in their early fourties here and it’s an Izumi-centered one-shot, set years and years after she manages to open her restaurant in Milan, her Brezzo Petalo. She has received a great news but one that also will place her in front of a hard decision, especially now that her life has completely changed and her dreams have as well in their nature.

To a year full of Junzumi! ]

• Il vento fa solo pisolini •

“È tardi, Tesoro.”

She turned to the pink trail of perfume, to the cloudy halo veiling a pair of brown eyes trying finding her in that colourful mist. She felt so alienated from the whole world at a touch impregnated with a sense of urgence. It came from upwards and gave a delicate yet firm shove on her shoulders, so she could part from a chilly iron bar she had been holding onto for almost half an hour.

Nevertheless, she found it so hard to detach herself from there, her eyes from the bustling sight of people going back and forth and blending in a mosaic of different dialects. She was so annoyed by them, but she wanted to stay there, wait for them to go away one after the other and clear out the panorama stretching outside. A view made of nothingness and everything at the same time. Kilometers of heath and that was it.

But…

But…

But it was Fiumicino, part of Roma, part of her.

“ Izumi…Faremo arrabbiare Papà , se non ci sbrighiamo. Forza.”

The red-haired woman reached out again, this time piercing the smoky candy floss hovering in the air, swabs floating around mother and daughter and being noticed only by the latter. Due to the fact Izumi was feeling so ensnared by the sight of those slowly ascending to the celing, -hopefully, the child considered, to the sky too,- her dangling hand allowed itself to be caught more easily than it had the rest of that whole morning. It was no wonder the woman couldn’t help releasing an exhausted sigh when the success of her attempts finally arrived so unexpectedly.

Behind her hasty march, Izumi deeply sighed as well, which made her grow disgruntled and, most of all, extremely puzzled about the behaviour of her body. She could remember she had stayed up all night because she had had trouble falling asleep, as thrilled and restless as she was. She had also chosen her outfit after having almost thrown her entire wardrobe out of the boxes the clothes had been put in, - obviously driving her mother crazy and making her loudly yell despite the presence of the movers-. After all, not every girl on Earth, at the age of ten, has got the chance to start a new exciting life abroad, in the country they were born in but one they could barely recall: picking a special outfit was a must in that occasion and her choice had fallen on one giving her the appearance of the main heroine from a novel who is ready to set on a grand adventure, -large sun hat with a huge ribbon resembling the ears of a cat from a frontal perspective included-.

New house, new neighbourhood, new city, new breathtaking experiences, new classmates and friends: what else could she have ever asked to elicit the fluttering of her heart? To push her to run to the gate, so fast she imagined her feet leaving the ground, her trolley, her mother, her father in the horizon waiting for them with a shaking of his head, in contrast to his amused grin.

Maybe I don’t want to go, She gasped, but not because of that usual pressure of emptiness that will dominate your stomach whenever a plane takes off. It was because of a certain realization, of the fact it had just dawned on her she had already read that story way too many times.

And only during the first one she had happened to be an enthusiastic and, most of all, oblivious ten-year-old.

XXX

The day before she had received the best news of her life and yet…And yet there was she, sitting at the kitchen table, pensive, waiting for Junpei to come from their youngest’s bedroom.

It was early afternoon, the kids and him had just finished having lunch and she had just returned from the restaurant in a noisy hurry, right at the same time he was putting the children to sleep for their sacred nap hour.

“Give me five minutes,” He had winked at her on the stairs, his thumb on display with confidence, as if she had joined him backstage to plant a good luck kiss on his cheek.

Maybe she should have wished him buona fortuna for real, judging from those five minutes that became ten and then fifteen. Still, as strangled by her deep sighs as she was, she wasn’t paying that much attention to the speed of the running clock hanging on the wall. It was spinning continuously just like those nagging thoughts of hers that had been marching in her mind since that morning, since the first second her eyes had opened and met the ceiling.

“Uh, today has been hard, but there is nothing, I say nothing, a wizard can’t do!”

Junpei finally barged downstairs with his rumbling enthusiasm and a silly twirling dance.

She was already expecting him to approach her and pull her on her feet, but that correct prediction didn’t help her keep herself from striking a forced and fake smile at him. While he was holding a hand of hers and rocking it, pronouncing a bizarre formula he was clearly inventing on the spot, she couldn’t help feeling annoyed, even disgruntled.

Therefore, eventually, at the sight of a little pin shaped as a graceful lillac star appearing on her palm from nowhere, she could only stare at it with a grimace, an imaginary, too sweet smell dominating her nostrils.

“I-I…” Junpei blinked, but didn’t show any sign of disappointment, somehow. He mostly looked surprised about her behaviour, which still made her chest drown in a lake of guilt as that obviously wasn’t the right reaction to a present. “Have you talked to that dude?”

“Yes, I have,” She nodded, averting her gaze. Her fingers flew onto her forehead, pressing themselves against its shifting skin. Of course, when someone has got a fantastic announcement to make, they won’t frown and feel so emaciated, but Izumi was, especially now that she was standing in front of pots of honey and their shiny glass. “He told me he wants me to go to Tokyo.”

“But this is the best day ever, Cara !” She had also foreseen the way his arms would extend forward to encircle her waist and lift her. As soon as she felt his big hug warmly conveying his excitement from her back to her whole body, she began wishing his clumsy movements could throw her out of the window, into the misty sky, far from her problems, from the upsetting emotions she was going to pour on that dear person of her life.

But she had to tell him and she was sure he would understand. He would, like always, because he was aware in her life she was the only one who knew what was the best choice for her. He would often give her precious advices, but he had never demanded her to follow them, take them in consideration, and she appreciated that so much.

“Maybe it would have been, if I had told him I will go.”

But the fact was that in that matter she wasn’t only making personal decisions.

“Oh.”

Agreeing to inherit a restaurant in Japan, take her, no, their Brezzo Petalo to a completely different world would have consequences involving their whole family, which she couldn’t allow to happen.

Junpei gently accompanied her to the floor again, his mouth opened and his brown irises pulsing with perplexity.

“I thought over his offer and I think it’s better if things stay the way they are.”

“Even if we are talking about your dream?”

“Even if…” At the sound of his blunt question, she struggled to find the right words to use and preferred to sit again. She was glad Junpei did the same, placing himself at the opposite end of the table, eye to eye with her and her vacillating…Lie.

The kitchen was an important place to her, to them. It was the area of the house they had painted of that soft violet she loved; that corner they had firstly shared in two, successively in five, -six if they didn’t want to ignore their cat-, that niche that had been trusted with their recollections made of laughters and tears. If she turned, she would find herself chuckling at all the drawings the children had hanged on the fridge, the sign of green Kou had permanently engraved near to the dishwasher, the pink butterfly sticker Ran had attached onto a chair, the train toy Toto had begged Junpei to put on the kitchen hood like an ordinary knick-knack.

If she was going to go through that conversation, there wouldn’t be any other room in which that was supposed to happen.

“Izumi, are you really sure this is what you want?” She hadn’t realized her orbs had really escaped onto each of those details of her beloved surroundings, led by petals of a fragrant breeze. She did only when the beats of her heart found an echo in his serious yet tender voice. “If it is, I will be fine with that, of course, but it’s just that…It’s just that you have wanted this for years, since we were in university. This is your chance to do that: to spread the colours and joy of your food with your own wind. Do you remember? You chose to call the restaurant Brezzo Petalo in honour of Fairymon.”

“I do, but I’ve realized I can do that by staying here, meeting tourists, attending to events abroad when I’m invited to them. It’s enough, it really is.”

Her tone had become way too loud for a house hosting three dormant children, so she regained her composure, also exploiting that mute moment to give some pats on her blonde bob, some caresses down her locks: it seemed the whirlwind infuriating in her bosom had managed to disastrously mess up her hair.

“I see…I guess I can say the wind has settled, can I?” Junpei absently commented while contemplating her waving gestures with affectionate enchantment. She had no doubts on Earth only her husband could relax in awe, in the middle of such a big chaos developing before his spheres.

“ Mamma !”

The only being that could quickly distract him from her gorgeous figure couldn’t be anyone else but a smaller, -more capricious, vainer, much more pigheaded-, version of her.

“Mimì-Chan, you told me you would sleep if I told you that story!” Now Izumi was the one growing agape after having assisted to that astounding scene: was he really scolding her over a skipped nap? This was so new to her and she found it hard not to smirk, amused.

“You didn’t tell me how it ends, though,” The kid started swinging back and forth, her arms partly hidden behind her fucsia overall, her green eyes almost seeming to be enlarging to look more innocent than a deer’s. “I can’t fall asleep without knowing how a story ends, Papà. You are unfair.”

“Ehh, in truth I would get so frustrated as well…” He nodded, bringing his index on his lips and looking up, before finding a solution with a cheerful and large grin. “I will reveal you that tonight, then!”

Izumi raised an eyebrow at him, at how fast he could change his mind after having been manipulated by their naughty gremlin. Why do I keep on fooling myself…, She shook her head in an attack of fond exasperation, their chattering continuing in the background.

“Su , Ran. What is it? You arrived here and called for me, not for Papà.”

“Oh,right,” She froze with her arms raised in the man’s direction, making his blissed expression fall when she suddenly ignored his splayed ones. “I want to wash my hair, so I was looking for the hairdryer. Where is it?”

“You aren’t allowed to use the hairdryer. And your hair is fine: you washed it yesterday. Of course it is!”

“It’s not true,” She pouted, crossing her arms with indignation and searching for a support in Junpei. “My hair looks like the fur on the head of the baby camel from the zoo, isn’t it true, Papà? All sloppy and ruffled.”

“Wh-What? Why would I say something so despicable about your beautiful hair?”

“Because she’s right.”

Junpei jumped on his chair and almost fell off it: a stout boy, who was sporting a nest of dark blonde strands and orbs matching his in colour and liveliness, had attempted to whisper in his ear, but had failed because of his hiccuping laughters.

“Why are you two not tired today? Not enough school?” The man muttered, feeling like a poor, unfortunate soul having been just caught by the storm. Both Izumi and him were in desperate need for an umbrella!

Actually, the kids jumped in another bursting argument, even worse, more tumultuous than the one they had had the evening before. Junpei and Izumi had no sibilings, so they weren’t used to those dynamics at all. With nostalgia, Junpei often liked comparing the bickerings between Kou and Ran with the ones that would happen between Izumi and Takuya in the past, with the difference that the Izumi from the new generation was younger and shorter than its Takuya. Nevertheless, the fights still felt so similar to him and to Izumi too, though she would get a bit embarassed about admitting it.

“Instead, your hair will soon receive visits from birds!”

“I love birds, so I wouldn’t care! Try again!”

“Well…A-A whole tree will grow on your head and you will become more stupid than you are now. Pirla !”

“Now, you two…” Izumi stood up and dragged Ran away from her brother. Her puffy cheeks had been washed by a visible red, the shade of those who were aware they had already been cornered at the beginning of a fight.

“ Basta , Koujirou e Miranda, ” Junpei reticently completed her warning and the kids fell tacit at once. Because when the thunder roared, it meant it was better to find a good shelter below which to hide and from which to look at the wuthering sky.

In silence.

Absolute silence.

At least, until that minute of initial scare passed and some brave traveller dared to challenge the might of unbridled natural forces, maybe to check if it was still raining.

“Look what you did! It’s late! ” Thus, Ran melted the stillness with a scowling glance she gave at the clock. “It’s late! I have to wash my hair for the lesson!

“Again, Ran?” Izumi gave a playful slap on the girl’s tense shoulders, helping them sag along with the general mood of the room. “And it’s still half past two, mia Fatina stupidina.”

“Please, Mamma! Perfavore! I need to wash my hair to look good at lesson! Mami…?”

Izumi plunged her chin in that meadow of sunrays, losing herself in the scenario of the ever flowing time, of all those important things their kids had come to find, love and would lose like that. Due to her.

There was no way…There was no way…

“Listen,” She felt the impelling need to speak to clear her hoarse throat. “I promise I will make your hair look splendid in your chignon, if you try sleeping a bit. We won’t need to wash it.”

“Really?” Ran started marching on the spot. “And how will you do that?”

“What questions! Of course , with a pinch of magic!”

Despite her jovial answer, the girl seemed less convinced than before, so hesitant and suspicious.

“But you aren’t Papà.”

“I lent Mamma a bit of magic dust long time ago!” Junpei intruded in the conversation with an improvised melody.

“What?!” Kou pulled his tongue out and put his hands on his hips, pouring every single drop of his skepticism on his father. “If you can really use magic, give some to me too!”

“Maybe we will talk about it, when your grades at maths improve.”

The kid threw his tongue out of his mouth again, in utter disgust this time.

“I will need to find Doraemon or something similar to become good at that. And I will also ask him to show me your high grades from when you were my age”.

Junpei’s pallor got fortunately shadowed by Izumi delicately pushing Ran ,and now Kou too, in the direction of the living room. She didn’t seem too shocked when she found their youngest, Tomoki, sitting on the stairs with a bored fashion, ears of wheat lazily dozing against the wood railing. Who would manage to sleep with that ruckus coming from downstairs?

“You three. In your beds. Now,” She clapped her hands making the trio grumble, displeased.

“If Mamma wants me to take a nap, I will,” Resigned, Kou shrugged while suffocating a huff: he wanted to look like a well-mannered kid in front of her, after having disappointed her with his insults and teasing. “Mamma always says I will score more goals if I have my daily nap. No matter I’m nine and I’m a man now.”

Like that, after a fleeting hug, he brought himself on the stairs, followed by the little Tomoki who could only yawn and rub his drowsy emeralds. All of a sudden, though, Kou stopped, and looked back at his sister who didn’t seem that willing to leave yet.

“ Scusa, Ran ,” He said, scratching his strands because of a spike of abashment that made him rapidly flee, not caring about checking what the girl’s response had been or hearing his mother commending him.

“Ran, you promised…” Swiftly, Izumi’s focus took a nosedive on the remaining child.

“Will you really comb my hair and make me look splendid with magic?” Ran pressed, still not completely persuaded about what the woman had told her in the kitchen.

“If you go napping, the magic will work even better,” She snapped her fingers, wishing she could be as skilled as Junpei in that field of jokes and play pretend.

That was the reason why she was glad he decided to collaborate with her once more that day…By adding a theatrical aura to her speech.

“I’ll give her even more of that dust, if you are not convinced. Here, look,” She didn’t immediately recognize the identity of what he had found in some cupboard, but whatever it was, it ended up on her face and made her sneeze.

“ Davvero ! I will really look like a fairy princess today, then!” Ran squealed while hopping on the carpet, the motley butterflies printed on her overall seeming to be fluttering in harmony with her heart. “La Maestra Chiaki will be so impressed! Sogni d’oro, Mamma e Papà”.

And up she went, at a faster speed than her brothers, reaching her bedroom in less than a minute.

“She won’t close her eyes even for a second, I assure you,” Junpei commented, standing still in front of the stairs as if he was expecting the petite blonde to show up again, sooner than soon.

“ Really, Junpei? Saffron powder?” Izumi spat those minuscule granules that had attached themselves to her palate and glared at him, even when he promptly provided her with a handkerchief he took out from one of his many pockets.

“Oh c’mon, now you should have understood kids don’t need to see you flying like Peter Pan to believe you can take a stroll on stars at nights. You will see your chignon will turn a little camel into a little swan. Trust me.”

He had never lost that eccentric way to babble about such weird suff. Indeed, it had been worsening day after day, since that far past moment he volunteered to help her at the restaurant in his own style . Apparently, playing the role of a temporary waiter had never been that satisfying to him, so he decided to become the entertainer of the Brezzo Petalo; the saviour of the bored kids huffing at the tables ; the funny, friendly, always grinning man in a big apron, who would come up with something different everytime he was in Milan and could give a hand to the chef.

She had eventually got his same disease by dint of peeking out from the counter and watching his magical shows, listening to his whimsical tales about men turning stars on thanks to special, suspended light switches; curious cats studying from musical sheets below sparkling nights…

“So, have you found this pin on the Moon?” She hadn’t forgot about his present. She had just let it rest in a warm place on her chest, where it had been patiently waiting for her genuine appreciation.

“On Venus, in truth!” He exclaimed while straightening his back, as if he could give more emphasis to that answer by acting like some comical, plastered toy soldier. Until his well-know awkwardness got the best of his intents, at least. “Which is…Which happened to be…A shop forgotten by the world behind the Duomo. I’ve also bought one for Ran. It looks like a butterfly and I think I will give it to her as a lucky charm.”

“You can’t really resist the temptation to spoil her everytime you go out, hm?”

“I…I…I know what it means to stand on a stage, tremble in front of your audience. I want her to go there without too much anxiety, have something to look at that can make her feel only excitement and determination.”

Without adding anything for that instant, she grabbed his hand and beckoned him to join her on the sofa. She was aware he had noticed hers was sweaty and slightly unstable, but she couldn’t find a single puff of air around her that could allow her to speak. She had inhaled and was keeping them all inside her shaken spirit, allowing them to pinch her vocal chords like if they were harp strings. There was nothing else but a melody in there; an ambiguous one wanting to tell too many different stories at the same time and being unable to do so for a while. It needed the right notes. She needed the right words.

“I think the wind settled when we decided to have three kids,” She started, after an undefined interval spent looking at each other with a mix emotions. He was a bit confused yet he was prepared to discover what the missing puzzle pieces were. From experience, he had learnt Izumi liked opening up gradually, step by step, like shy gusts occasionally sneaking among the leaves of a tree, singing a very slow lullaby to the man having a snooze below it. Unlike when it came to him, she didn’t need a person by her side, a stubborn one extrapolating confessions from her throat. She only needed someone who was patient enough to wait for her to make up her mind, sit next to them and release whatever she wanted to get free of. Out of blue. “I can’t. We can’t, Junpei. They have got a life here, things and people they are affectionate to. Kou has got his football practice, Toto that trains museum he loves going to so much, Ran…”

“Ballet.”

“Not only that!” He risked to fall backwards because of the impetus laced with her desire to correct him. She wished that energy could have soaked her facial traits as well but, on the other hand, her eyebrows unfortunately started twitching, her lips searched for an intimate contact between their two sides, her orbs filled with a sea of contrasting emotions. “She loves ballet so much. She has so much fun with it and she’s also getting better at the twirls and all that stuff. It’s her passion. What kind of mother would I be if I clipped her wings like that?”

“Izumi…”

“When I lived in Roma, I used to go to rhythmic gymnastics lessons.”

“This is a news to me,” He encouraged her to continue like that, attempting to keep himself from slipping closer and hugging her, as she took the lid off the sealed jar.

“Well, it never bothered me. It never did until I got a daughter who could turn a sport into a dream someday. Who knows? Mine wasn’t a dream, but I did enjoy my time in there. In all modesty, I was also pretty talented.”

“This, instead, doesn’t surprise me in the least,” It was becoming even harder to restrain himself from cradling her in his embrace, but he endured because she wasn’t quite done yet. She would have slapped him with her usual “ Flatterer ”, if that hadn’t been the case.

“I don’t want Ran to give up on ballet because of me.”

“She wouldn’t, Izumi. If you decided to go further in this, we would look for a good school for her in Japan. The best one. Japanese ballet dancers exist: Chiaki is an example, isn’t she?”

He gasped when her following question broke in a row of segments. Izumi abruptly lowered her head and the wavering fist on her thigh clenched the pin he had given her.

“And what if…What if…I went further in this…? What if…They couldn’t make new friends in Japan or, even worse, got isolated from everyone? Just like…”

She might be tripping on the last shred of her externation, but he was certain it wasn’t necessary for him to press her to go on. She didn’t have to force herself to take herself there , either. It was enough.

The brief rest of his spheres and the sigh generated by who knew what kind of vision represented the ending of his enormous feat.

“We will be fine. They will, and do you know why? Because if you hadn’t moved back to Japan, I would have never met a blonde girl wandering in a station all alone, driving me crazy and making me want to follow her in a dangerous place of fantasy. If it is what is supposed to happen, us returning there so you can achieve a life dream, I feel…No, I know they would find something special there too, just like it happened to us. Trus-“

She abandoned herself in his chest without complaints, her arms stretching as far as they could go to cover his large frame with her whole thankfulness. He pressed her heart against his so vehemently she grew convinced she could transfuse the dream, the nightmare of what felt like hundred nights in some ventricle of its’.

And maybe she really managed to do that, judging from how tighter the hug suddenly got; from how his rotund cheek squished against her boiling ear and wet her ear like a solitary drop of rain.

“I honestly thought it had already done when you married me.”

“What?”

“The wind settling. Hadn’t it already done that when you married me?”

“It absolutely hadn’t,” At first she reluctantly stirred, but as soon as she met his lucid honey, she found the warmth she didn’t want to leave back. Indeed, it was an even more powerful one, engulfing her like the duvet of a bed. “ Because I desperately wanted to divorce you on our honeymoon, when you ate all the chocolate you found in the hotel. A whole plate of chocolate in a day!”

“They just were seven and were so small. It’s not that serious. The bread I ate on the plane made me gag. I needed something tasty in my mouth and I didn’t want to wait any longer”.

“Okay, fine, I won’t carry around this grudge any more, then,” Winking, her eye itched because of a salty feeling lying on its base. “ I will forgive you after years.”

“G-Grazie, Cara”.

“Prego, Caro.”

They blinked at each other. One, two times. The amount of rain still sleeping in the clouds above them finally woke up and began falling on lovely slopes.

Starete bene, The yawning wind in her spirit reassured her, before opening its wings and taking off.

The wind never settles. It just takes naps.

XXX

Italian notes~

• È tardi, Tesoro: It’s late, Dear

• Fiumicino is Roma’s airport but it’s also the name of this big suburb of its’.

• Izumi…Faremo arrabbiare Papà , se non ci sbrighiamo. Forza : Izumi, we will make Dad angry if we don’t hurry. C’mon.

• Buona fortuna: Good luck.

• Basta: enough

• Mia fatina stupidina: My little silly fairy (affectionate XD)

• Scusa: Sorry

• Maestra is our Miss/Sensei XD

• Sogni d’oro is used when we want to wish someone a good sleep. Literally it is “Golden slumbers (?)”

• Starete bene: You will be fine

[sasukesofficiallawyer]

what are your plans for today?

what made you like the naruto series?

what show are you currently watching?

what is your favourite color?

what is your favourite weather?

do you have a favourite food/drink?

do you have a favourite artist/fic writer?

what do you like to do in your free time?/what do you like to do when you are bored?

what would be your perfect holiday?

do you have anny hobbies?

I don’t have much going on, today I’m going to work, where I take care of the cats. when I get home I am going to finish my homework for tomorrow and clean up the house.

I started watching it because I had a lot of people tell me I looked and acted like Itachi and I wanted to find out who he was. I really liked the show because I identified a lot with Sasuke. He acted a lot like me and I felt seen and understood. I also was really invested in the plot and lore, I had never watched an anime before and I was instantly obsessed.

I’m watching Saiki K right now, I’m also rewatching some of miraculous ladybug.

Blue.

Cloudy and slightly chilly, preferably in the winter.

I have a few. raspberry lemonade, mango boba, I also love ginger ale. I don’t really have a favorite food.

I don’t really have a favorite artist but I have several favorite fic writers. Top three are LuckySeven, RecklessWriter, and Onepieceofharry.

I mostly read and write in my free time, if I’m bored and have no motivation to read or write I’ll jump on my neighbor’s trampoline and rant on TikTok or tumblr about something I’ve been thinking about.

Halloween

ranting about what I’m writing/reading/watching/anything, being annoying, fighting the dark reunion, petting cats, and being ill, mentally and physically.

[skyvinn]

Observations: The consistency of weather

You have lived your life mostly in a country of consistency. You never look at the weather forecast – you see its either rain or shine, or both. An umbrella is always at hand for the sun or for the rain. Seasons? There is hot and wet, hot and dry, hotter and wetter, hotter and drier…you get the picture. Your favourite season of course is the days when the dark clouds rolls in for a staycation. The rains so heavy, rivulets of water flows down pavements and the lightning chains…such a magnificent sight of instantaneous white gold across grey. Of course, it helps terribly that good flood controls, sheltered pathways and tons of connected buildings keep you dry amongst the rain.

(Singapore CBD, cloudy-ish but bright and hot)

You recall the days in the UK. Conversations revolved around the weather. It was as automatic as a “how are you?” or “have a good day”. Great openers and closers for any conversation, sometimes the only thing you talk about. There was a time you ran into your friend’s boyfriend. The both of you live in the same dormitory building but hardly a word spoken to each other. That day, you ended up running into each other, heading off to the same class, so it was tough to just stay silent. The conversation went -

Him: good morning, slept well? You: yes I did, how about you? Him: not bad…weather is good huh You: *looks at grey sky* yea not bad, doesn’t look like it would rain. Him: Yeah, it shouldn’t. but might get chilly later. Then silence for the rest of the walk.

The weather in UK is another version of constant. Generally grey with a tad of drizzle. Pretty mild in temperatures for the season compared to their European neighbours. The news is also a constant - “flight delays due to unexpected snowfall”, “unseasonably hot summer this year”, except that is what they say every year. Is it still unexpected when climate change makes it happen every year?

(Yes, it is a drizzle mostly...but that’s my bag sitting on the tarmac! Let me disembark already!!!)

In the UK, weather talk is an obsession. To be fair, the grey makes the city gloomy but when the rare blue skies peak out, the magical scenery of a beautiful city being unveiled happens, and you think “what a beautiful day”. You rush out to enjoy that day of sunshine, everyone rushing to have a BBQ before the sun disappears. It makes you appreciate good weather.

(Classic Grey Day in London)

You have now stayed in Melbourne for a few days. You naturally comment on the weather, it is truly something to talk about. Funky, fickle, temperamental, treacherous. Basically, nothing consistent about it. One moment its sunny with clear skies and the next the rain pours down on you, backstabbing you without an ounce of guilt. One day, you’re chilling in 18C and sunshine, the next you’re roasting in 35C and more sunshine. Each day to the next, swings madly like a swing gone rogue. If anything, weather conversations should be the talk of the town. But so far, I heard little of it*. You see, it’s been consistent, so consistent that the Aussies are used to shrugging of the crazy weather and moving on because it is what it is.

(A day indoors because it is boiling out there)

*the understanding of weather talk in Australia is limited to 2 weeks of meeting people. Of which at least 3 days were spent holed up indoors for you don’t believe in dehydrated flesh and roasted burned skin.  

[dearlyjess]

sunday september 19, 2021

today it is beautifully gray, cloudy, and chilly outside; it makes the perfect atmosphere for me to spend time with my books, my fountain pen, and my journal.

album that i have been super obsessed with lately : the moon and the melodies by cocteau twins

my instagram

[kaseyskat]

what’s this? MORE marcanne fluff? more likely than you think. this is inspired by @kara-melys and her wonderfully endearing art of anne with a letterman and then marcy wearing said letterman, i couldn’t get it out of my head ahaha. enjoy! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Mar-Mar, you’re not wearing a jacket?” 

It’s a cloudy November day, which means the weather is bleary and overcast, the wind sharp and biting, and everyone’s in jackets and pants. Everyone, that is, except for one Marcy Wu, who shivers even during the summer, and is hardly ever seen in her regular school uniform. 

It’s strange, seeing her in short sleeves. Anne frowns, trying to think back on a time she’s seen it before - other than during sleepovers - and failing. 

“I couldn’t find it in time, I was running a bit late,” Marcy says, staring resolutely down at her switch even as she continues to shiver and tremble. The cafeteria’s never had the best AC, and with the outside doors propped open, the wind chills the room immensely. 

“It’s literally forty degrees outside, dude, are you crazy?” Anne glances up at Sasha, who’s absent-mindedly playing on her phone, not paying even the slightest attention to them. “Even I’m wearing a jacket!” 

It’s true; she’s wearing her brand new letterman, complete with her name engraved on the back in elegant letters, a giant tennis racket underneath. Lettering in tennis is difficult to achieve in the world of baseball and football, but she’s done pretty well for herself, even managing to go all the way to State last year. She’s gonna place at State this year, she just knows it. Either way, making it to State earned her a letterman, and now that it’s finally chilly enough to wear it, Anne can’t stop toting it around proudly on her shoulders, the leather keeping her nice and snug and warm. 

Marcy just shrugs, though, and she curls her knees into her chest, wrapping her arms around them even as she continues to play… whatever new game she’s super obsessed with now. “It’s okay, really. I’ll survive!” 

Anne glances at Sasha again, pointedly. Sasha always brings a spare jacket to school, in case she gets in trouble for the jean one that she sports on the regular; though it’s never actually happened, her parents far too influential to risk angering. However, Sasha still isn’t really paying attention, and when she does finally look up, all she does is give Anne a very deadpan stare. 

Anne never should’ve told her about her massive, no good, very bad crush. She knew she’d regret it. 

“Marbles,” she starts, hesitates, and then commits. “Uh. Here.” For a moment, she savors in the warmth of her jacket - her nice, cozy letterman jacket, with her name on it - before sliding it off her shoulders. 

Marcy doesn’t even glance up, staring rather pointedly down at the screen of her switch. There’s goosebumps lining her arms, and Anne sighs, a fond smile on her lips. 

She wraps the jacket around Marcy’s shoulders, nudging at her arms. “Come on, stop playing for a sec.” 

“Huh?” Marcy glances up, finally, and then flushes a bright red as Anne hovers over her, stretching the jacket so that the sleeves engulf her arms. “Anne! You don’t-” 

“-shush. Yes I do. You’ll clearly freeze to death otherwise.” Anne manages to get her arms through the sleeves of the jacket, and she steps back to examine her handiwork proudly. Her own arms twinge with the loss of heat, but it’s nothing she can’t handle, and nothing she wouldn’t suffer for her beloved Marcy. 

Marcy curls the jacket towards her, and for a moment, she looks so small there, with Anne’s name on her back, the sleeves just slightly-too-big for her, the body of the jacket dragging on the cafeteria seat. Her cheeks are still a bright red, and her switch drops to the table, forgotten. 

“It’s really comfy,” she admits, as Anne’s heart beats frantically in her chest, her own cheeks heating up. “T-thanks, Anne. I’ll give this back to you tomorrow?” 

You can keep it, Anne wants to say, but that’s far too forward, isn’t it? Surely it is. “Yeah, just don’t forget your jacket again, okay?” Acting on impulse, she ducks forward, resting her head on top of Marcy’s own to wrap arms around her neck in a vague imitation of a hug. She tilts her head forwards, resting her nose against the top of Marcy’s head, buried in her hair, and presses a kiss into the dark locks. It’s impulsive, and it’s not like Marcy will know, but the act sends shivers down Anne’s spine. 

Marcy squeaks, but she hugs back, squeezing Anne’s arms to her chest. 

“You two will be the death of me,” Sasha mutters, but when Anne glances back up at her, she’s smiling

[mushiewrites]

Hi Mushie! <3

I saw you rb'd a post about anons sending you questions so I am sending you some questions... except Im not on anon :P

If you don't feel like answering (all of) these thats completely fine too!! These were just off the top of my head! (Btw sorry for how long this ask is, you can't put readmore's in asks sadly)

1. What would you say is your fav color/ are your top three fav colors?

2. Sunrises or sunsets?

3. Fav animals as a kid vs now?

4. Current fav song if you have one atm/ how often do you listen to music?

5. Do you like to sing?

6. What do you like most about your art? What got you into drawing?

7. Whats the best season/weather?

8. Do you like thunderstorms? Do you like snow?

9. Do you have plants? If yes, how many?

10. Did you drink enough water today? If no, drink some rn this is a threath!

Juno 💗🥺 I love long asks so no need to apologize! For whatever reason mobile also doesn’t ever let me do the “read more” thingy so, I’m used to it 😂 The questions are a welcoming distraction so thank you, I appreciate you so much 😭

1. Okay my all time favorite color is like a teal blue-green? Like if you look up “blue green crayola crayon” that’s my favorite 😂 But second and third favs would have to be probably lavender and mint green maybe? Black also tbh

2. I am literally obsessed with the sky at any time of day, but I prefer evening / nights. I love cotton candy sunsets and starry nights ✨

3. When I was little I think it went in order from giraffe to elephants to wolves to cows to sharks to orcas….I still love all of them now but I’d say cats, orcas and sharks are my top 3. I have tattoos of an orca and a cat, I’m gonna get one of a shark too! (*an extra bit of mushie lore: I have a half sleeve on my left forearm that’s just all animals so rn I have the cat and orca, a moth, and a snake! My next one is gonna be the shark for sure)

4. OOF music related questions. More ~mushie lore~, I was a music nerd. I was in band, choir, advanced choir, music theory, marching band, theatre…..etc. I also was a music major in college 😬 So you can imagine how often I’m surrounded by music. I listen to it every single day, I don’t know how people go without it. I’d say right now, I’m currently just listening to Sabrina Carpenters new album “emails I can’t send” on repeat. But from THAT album, I’d say “because I liked a boy” OR “how many things” are the two I listen to the most! All time fav song…..that is genuinely so hard to pick but maybe “I love you” by Billie Eilish bc it always hurts me in the best way

5. I do be singing literally daily 😂 I used to get leads in musicals and stuff but I also don’t think I’m very good. BUT that being said I’ve had multiple people try and make me audition for shows like the x factor lmfao so do whatever you’d like with that information

6. So at the moment I’m not really sure there’s anything I like about my art. I’m kind of in a funk where I think everything I do just isn’t really that good. Which is dumb and not true! Because I know that I’ve been proud of things I’ve made. But yeah…I’m not sure. How I got into art was actually through my dad. He would always have canvases at his house and he would always encourage me to create stuff. So when I was younger and throughout like grade school I was really good, I was in advanced art classes and groups and in art shows and all that. But I kind of got out of it for a bit and just started up again in 2020. And I’m definitely more of a painter now, although I have been mainly drawing to try and get skill back

7. best season hands down is autumn. My favorite weather is stormy and cloudy, a little chilly so I can just wear a big sweater or hoodie and feel nice and cozy

8. Oop, I kind of answered the thunderstorm question. As for snow…..not really. I think it’s beautiful to look at and I love when it’s cold outside, but I don’t like being outside in it or driving in it

9. I have HELLA plants. Except they’re all fake 😎 I have probably around 20-30 in my room, I have an issue

10. It’s 9AM but I haven’t slept in like 36 hours so I don’t know what counts as today and what doesn’t….I have coffee currently and I have water!

Juno you are a lovely human and I am so grateful to have you in my inbox 💗

[feminaexlux]

All That Matters (Pt 1: I Got Chills)

Happy Valentine’s Day! This is my @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers exchange fic for @nobodyfamousposts. Find this on AO3 here!

Summary: What if Miracle Queen happened 6 months later in the dead of winter?

Part 1 of 3, probably.

⁂

"Ladybug?"

"Yeah, Chat?"

"I have a girlfriend."

"Oh! That's wonderful, congratulations!"

Chat Noir looked… confused, which was odd given the news that Ladybug just got. "I thought you'd be jealous," Chat said eventually. Part of him sounded chagrined, but another part of him sounded a little relieved.

Ladybug tilted her head. "Why would I be jealous? I'm happy for you!"

"Thanks," Chat said with a small smile. "It's new for me, you know? I've never done this before. I feel like I'm going to mess something up."

Ladybug laughed. "You're a good guy, Chat. I think all relationships are going to be hard and there will always be ups and downs. But I think you'll be fine if you work together on the problems." Ladybug then had a concern. "You're not dating her as Chat are you?"

"Pfft, no, no my Lady, the real me is doing that part," Chat laughed.

"Okay, good. Remember you can't reveal your identity to anyone."

"I know, my Lady, I know." Chat sighed. "I wish I could, sometimes. It sucks having to leave her without a good explanation, you know?"

Ladybug paused and considered. "Can I ask how you deal with that?"

"Luckily for me, my fath-- uh, family has a pretty tight leash on this cat. I say that they need me and… she understands." Chat leaned forward and pulled up his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. "She's… sad whenever that happens so I try to make it up to her."

Ladybug laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "That's good. It sounds like the sooner we can take down Hawkmoth, the better."

Chat turned to her and nodded. "Yeah. Agreed."

Ladybug took her hand off his shoulder and rested it back on the roof of the building they were on. They had done some patrols and met back up again to report nothing out of the ordinary. They sat together watching the sunset as they did on the good days.

It was partly cloudy and chilly in the early days of winter. The freezing cold hadn't yet settled in but Ladybug knew it was coming in soon. She'd noticed in the previous winter that part of her felt sluggish and her body felt more lethargic in general, even in her powered up super suit. Tikki had said something about how ladybugs didn't do well in winter, and maybe that was why? Okay, sure. Ladybug didn't want to be any sort of liability to Chat or to the city of Paris when it got cold so she was able to convince Master Fu to lend out the other Miraculous on a semi-permanent basis.

Rena Rouge and Carapace were more than recurring heroes now. Ladybug had entrusted the Miraculous to Alya Cesaire and Nino Lahiffe after they promised to protect their identities, each other, the city of Paris, and to not misuse the Miraculous powers for personal gain. She’d done the same for Pegasus, Ryuuko, and Viperion. Ladybug didn’t know who King Monkey was so she had enlisted Fu’s help in tracking him down.

Queen Bee was… on an as-needed basis. Chloe Bourgeois was still an unknown. She had her moments of true selflessness but they'd been rare and unpredictable and that wasn't an ally Ladybug or Chat Noir could trust. They tried explaining that to Chloe once, but it ended when the mayor's daughter threw them out in a fit of tears. They still gave her another chance but the last time Queen Bee was used was with HeartHunter and Ryuuko had to bail them all out when Queen Bee stopped listening to them.

It wasn't going well.

"How are you doing, 'Bug?"

Ladybug snapped out of her thoughts and turned to face Chat. "I'm… okay. It's starting to get cold."

"Maybe you need to find yourself a boyfriend and get some warm snuggles," Chat grinned. "What about that boy you love?"

Ladybug closed her eyes. "He's found someone else," Ladybug said softly. She had a small smile on her face, remembering how it felt to see Adrien and Kagami together. Kagami fit in to his life so seamlessly and Adrien looked happier than Marinette had ever seen.

"I'm… I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Ladybug sighed, looking back out at the sunset. "I think he's happier now." And now Marinette wasn't feeling like the universe kept pushing back. It hurt a little bit to know nothing was going right with Adrien and there wasn't anything she could do to change it. She finally made the decision to stop feeling hurt all the time and allowed herself to let him go. "And I think I'm happier too."

"Okay," Chat smiled, sighing in relief. "That's great to hear. I'm sorry it didn't work out but I'm glad that you're happier. A happy Ladybug is always good news."

"And a happy Chat Noir is always good news as well," Ladybug giggled. "Thanks for letting me know."

"Of course. You're my best friend, Ladybug. I want to tell you everything, but…"

"You shouldn't tell me. It's to protect us," Ladybug stressed. "But… you know you're my best friend too."

⁂

One good thing about no longer obsessing over Adrien was that Marinette had less to worry about. The GirlSquad was no longer a pain in the proverbial butt about getting her to ask him out either. Instead Alya had fixed her sights on improving the LadyBlog and tracking down interviews with the other semi-permanent heroes, though (for obvious reasons) she had way more articles about Rena Rouge than any of the other Miraculous holders. It didn't seem like it was for personal gain as Alya had styled the interviews as asking the heroes advice to inform all of her blog readers how to defend against or prepare for akumas, so Marinette decided she'd let that pass for the greater good.

The only thing that felt a little weird about the GirlSquad sometimes was that Juleka seemed like she kept wanting to talk with Marinette and then backing out at the last second. That probably meant Juleka still felt confused about Marinette dating her brother.

Marinette knew it looked kinda bad to date someone else soon(?) after giving up on Adrien, especially since Adrien started dating Kagami(!), but it just happened so… naturally. Marinette had been the one to keep visiting Luka at the Liberty. Luka had kept inviting her to watch movies with him. They'd just felt like having lunch together often. After months of not-dating Marinette had finally asked, flustered and tripping over her words, if they actually were. Or… If he had wanted to.

"If you want to, I'm game," Luka had said casually, but Marinette had seen the faintest blush on him.

They had both been surprised when she said "Yes."

Their relationship was nice and easy. They had taken it slow. Most of their "dates" were just hanging out, low key chilling around each other, listening to music or working on Lycée homework. He would lend an ear to whatever she wanted to talk about and offered his thoughts and commentary. She'd given him small gifts here and there. They'd gone out ice skating and met up with other friends a few times. She had been worried that she'd been a pretty boring girlfriend overall but he said "If you wanna be here with me and I wanna be here with you, that's all that matters."

Whenever she and Luka were together during an akuma attack Luka did have the penchant for staying with her for as long as possible. He did eventually give an excuse of having to check up on Juleka or his mom and left Marinette to run out as Viperion… and then she would transform into Ladybug and follow after him. If anyone caught on that Ladybug always came in right after Viperion, the other heroes were smart enough to not comment on it. Nor comment on how they always left at the same time. Luka had, after sprinting back to her, breathlessly apologized the first few times for leaving her but Marinette had said it was so brave of him to look out for his family's safety and that'd been enough. Marinette did have to admit to herself that dating another superhero was actually pretty convenient. Chat would never let that go if he found out.

On the bad days it'd been so good to melt into his hugs when she felt the weight of the world press down harder on her. He'd been the calm in her life she so desperately wanted. It hit her like a ton of bricks just how much she needed him when he got taken from her.

⁂

Marinette and Luka were hanging out at Place des Vosges having coffee together after defeating yet another akuma. It had gotten much easier dealing with Hawkmoth most of the other heroes helping out, and the fight was over in practically no time at all. Just when everything calmed down again she and Luka heard screaming nearby and saw people running away from… a swarm of wasps?

They got up and started running, but they were too slow and the wasps were catching up. "Aw crap," Luka yelled. "Marinette watch out!" Luka pulled her into his arms and shielded her from them, getting stung in the process.

"Luka!" Marinette felt his arms drop from her shoulders and she looked up to see his face devoid of any emotion. His eyes turned a weird shade of yellow and he wasn't responding to her shaking him. "Luka!" For one tiny moment he blinked and looked down at her with concern, then his face went slack again. "Oh no, what happened to you?" He turned away from her and started walking off. "H-hey! No! Don't go!" She took his hand and tried to pull him into the bakery but he resisted and kept walking. Another swarm of wasps was closing in on her and Marinette cried out in frustration, letting Luka slip out of her grasp.

Wasps… wasps? Was this Chloe?! Oh no, Marinette thought, turning on her heels to sprint toward the Seine. She transformed while diving in, making sure to use her aqua powerup. She plunged into the river and then looked back up to see the swarm hovering above the water and eventually disperse away. She pulled out her yoyo and slid the cover up, checking if any of the other Miraculous holders were active.

Oh no. None of the other heroes were showing up on her communicator. At least not yet. Oh no. Ladybug let the communicator close and swam in circles, wondering just how she'd be able to handle this on her own if she had to. Suddenly she got a ping and Ladybug whipped out her yoyo, franticly checking which of her allies was nearby. Oh thank goodness Chat Noir was alright. Okay. She swam to meet him as he was heading in her direction and they met up halfway. "Chat! I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Yeah, I'm definitely glad to see you, 'Bug!"

"Th-this is… this is Queen Wasp again, isn't it?" Ladybug fretted and pulled her hair in a mix of frustration and guilt. "I… I thought…"

"We beat her before and we can do it again," Chat said, squeezing her shoulder with his hand. "And… and I have this, if we need it," he said somewhat sheepishly, pulling out what looked like a necklace. It was a choker… a very familiar choker. One she had given to Kagami Tsurugi to keep for the time being. What was Chat doing with the Dragon Miraculous? "I… found this near… a girl after she got stung by one of the wasps."

Ladybug blinked at the choker a few times. All she could think of was the dread she felt when the wasps were after her and Luka. What had Chat Noir gone through? And he had been conveniently nearby Kagami and the Dragon Miraculous and recognized it fast enough to grab it? "We might be able to use this." Ladybug closed Chat's hand over the choker. "You keep this for now, let's make a plan. None of the other heroes show up as active on my locator yet--" As soon as she said it she got a series of pings on her yoyo that indicated that most of the other Miraculous holders were becoming active, all but Ryuuko, and all at the same time and location.

Even Viperion showed up on her locator… she knew that Luka had been taken. Which could only mean…

"This is bad news." Ladybug bit at her bottom lip. "I personally saw that… one of the holders got stung. This means they've captured everyone else with a Miraculous and we're on our own. We'll have to use the Dragon and get any edge we can." Chat nodded at Ladybug and she sighed. "This is going to be tricky. We need to take Viperion out first."

"How are we going to do that?"

Ladybug and Chat Noir looked at each other in silence for a bit. "We have to split up and you have to use the Dragon Miraculous. You can't be caught by the wasps or Pegasus if you're in Wind form and I don't think it's safe to do a frontal assault with Viperion working against us."

"And what about you? What are you going to do?"

"I'm… going to use the Mouse. They can't capture all of me that way… hopefully."

Chat looked pained. "This sounds dangerous, 'Bug."

"Do you have another idea?" Chat shook his head. "Then let's do this for now. We'll have to play this by ear." Ladybug called her Lucky Charm and got a scarf, now waterlogged with Seine water (ew). "A scarf? What the heck am I supposed to do with a scarf?!"

⁂

To be continued (insert Jojo music here)

Actually j/k it's right here

[thedevilsruby]

You Are My Sunshine (Yandere!Cliff Oneshot)

(Warning! Admittance of murder and obsession ahead!)

You haven’t seen your boyfriend Michael in days.

His family reported him missing and you were the first to be asked about his whereabouts. You were scared.

Cliff saw the worried look on your face when you were looking at your phone in the break room, immediately he put on his innocent façade. “Y/n, everything ok?”

You looked at him, tears in your eyes. “Michael’s disappeared.” You said, your voice breaking. “We don’t know where he is.”

You just started dating a month ago, you two really hit it off and you felt yourself falling in love.

You didn’t realize it but that was a problem.

Not for you.

But for the one who admired you.

It wasn’t Michael, but your boss Cliff, who quickly hugged you and savored the smell of you.

“Oh Y/n, I’m sorry!” Cliff exclaimed in fake sadness, smirking to himself. “Do you want the rest of the day off?”

“N-No, I’ll be ok.” you sighed, wiping your eyes. “It’s just...one day he as fine, the next he’s gone!”

“Oh he’s gone all right.” Cliff thought, trying not to grin. He had personally “taken care” of Michael himself. That’s when he built up the courage in his gut. “Y/n, I feel bad, please permit me to take you out for dinner.”

“What?” you asked, looking at him with wide eyes. He bit his lip nervously.

“Just as a friend, Y/n. You’re going through a lot and I’d like to make you feel better. Please?” He asked, pulling his best Lillipup eyes.

Oh, those eyes. How could you resist?

You got dressed in one of your simple formal dresses. He took you out to a little restaurant you’d never been to before.

He ordered a steak, medium, with a baked potato and a diet soda. You ordered a soup and water. You didn’t want him to spend a lot on you. But he insisted at least on buying you dessert. It was strawberry cheesecake, your favorite, so you agreed.

Then you went to his house.

“It’s chilly out here, come in.” He said, stepping aside for you. You bit your lip.

“Cliff...” You whispered. “I don’t think I should-”

“I said come in.” He said with polite firmness, but it almost sounded like a snarl.

You winced but complied. You didn’t want to make your boss mad after all. You saw how he was when he got angry, especially when one would talk about about Giovanni. Imagine how mad he would get if you didn’t listen.

“Please, sit. I’ll make some tea.” Cliff said, his tone now gentle as it always was. 

You sat on his loveseat and looked around. He had few pictures of his family, his dad and mom and his little sister, you saw. But he mainly had pictures of landscaping around. Mountains, forests, cloudy blue skies, ect.

“Ok, water is boiling.” He sighed, sitting next to you and smiling. “How do you feel, Y/n?” 

“I’m...okay. But I’m worried about Michael. I hope he comes home.” You said, looking at the floor.

“He would be a fool not to come home to a ray of sunshine like yourself.” Cliff cooed, gently tilting your chin so you were looking at him. You felt your cheeks heat up.

“What?” You whispered.

“I’ve always thought of you as sunshine. You light up the workplace and make it warm. I’ve always admired that.” Cliff said quietly. “I consider you my sunshine of the group.”

“T...Thank you.” You mumbled, feeling sheepish under his caring but intense stare.

"You really are special, Y/n." Cliff said, brushing some hair away from your face. That made you shiver, and it wasn't in a good way.

"Isn't the tea water nearly ready?" You asked, desperate to change the subject.

"It can wait. You need me more." Cliff said, leaning in so your faces were close.

"I-I need to go." You said, quickly grabbing your purse. "Tomorrow, Michael's family needs me to help me find him-"

"He isn't coming home, Y/n."

You froze. What did he just say?

"What?" You whispered in shock. You looked and saw a serious look on Cliff's face. The shiver came back.

"He isn't coming home." Cliff said again, a serious glare on his face. "I know. I know because I killed him."

No. No, Cliff had to be joking. He had to!!

"Cliff, that isn't funny!" You screamed, panic now taking over.

"I'm not joking, Y/n." Cliff growled, pinning you to the couch with his strong arms. "I killed him. I killed Michael. And damn, I don't regret it."

"WHY?!" You shrieked, tears now pouring down your cheeks. He killed the man you loved! The boss you trusted! How could he do it?! "Why would you do that to him?!"

"BECAUSE HE WAS IN MY WAY OF YOU!" Cliff screamed back, a crazy glint in his eye.

What?

You froze, shaking hard and letting quiet whimpers as he stroked your cheek, wiping away the tears.

"I loved you so much, Y/n, seeing another man have you drove me crazy!" He growled. "I needed him out of the way so I could have you! Damn it, Y/n, I LOVE YOU!"

"GET OFF ME!!" You shrieked, desperately trying to get Cliff off but Cliff cradled you tightly to him, stroking your hair, that crazy glint in his eye growing.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine..." He sang, as if trying to calm you down. But it just made you terrified, you needed to get out. But there was no escape.

"Please don't take my sunshine away..."

--

Well, there ya go, have some Yan!Cliff content for all you Cliff lovers!

[a-simple-imagine]

The Absence Of Field

Synopsis: You haven’t known her very long but she’s about change your life forever

Pairing: Dolores Abernathy x fem!reader

Words: 2k+

A/N - I’m obsessed with Season 3 dolores so I decided to write about her. I don’t really expect anyone to read this but yeah!! It’s based off season 3 episode 3 of Westworld and shall be continued as such. 

Warnings - Swearing, kidnapping, guns and minor violence

"How long do you think this will go on?"

"Which?"

"The rain?" Heavy rainfall descends from the cloudy dark sky, hitting the window in a symphony of sound. The digital clock that sits on your bedside reads 3:00 A.M. Her toned arms were wrapped around your waist, pulling you snug against her torso. Soft lips ghost the back of your neck bringing a flurry of beautiful butterflies to your stomach. It wasn't the first time and surely not the last. She had that effect on you; it had been that way since you first met. A sigh leaves your lips as you focus on one drop of rain as it travels down the glass. It had been raining a lot the last couple of days; you didn't mind though. You quite enjoy the rain.

"Expect showers all week," It's impossible not to notice her absence all of a sudden; it's almost like your sense of comfort had been dragged away. The blonde was perched on the edge of the bed; her back to you and head down when you roll over to see her. Your brows furrow for a moment as you notice how hard her hands press into the mattress. The energy in the room shifts with the harsh silence.

"What's wrong?" She turns to you for a moment and you can't help but smile. She's always so put together so it's always a pleasure to see her just out of bed. The messy hair is a particular favourite. Despite your short time together there were little things you had come to notice and enjoy about her presence.

"Do you like the world that was made for you?"

Such a question had a vastly complex answer. Did you like the world that was made for you? What made her ask such a thing? "The world wasn't made for me," you answer quietly, rolling onto your back to stare up at the ceiling. When you were little you used to wish there were stars up there, painted or otherwise. When you got older you considered it; it was hard to see the night sky with all the lights and pollution but decided against it. You were too old or perhaps just too embarrassed. You had never felt any real attachment to the world and why would you? You'd been alone most of your life. Fighting for every little thing you had. Sure this place had its positives but for the most part, it was dripping with greed and corruption. You weren't unhappy but you couldn't exactly say you were happy either. You've read books on how things used to be before technology became the centre of the world. It was apparently just as ugly and corrupt but at least they had real animals like elephants and tigers; more than just your typical house pets. "I don't think it matters if I like it or not, I didn't exactly get a choice in being born?"

"You have a choice now."

"I suppose," you shrug. "I've never really thought about it that way. Why do you wanna know? Are you gonna ask me about the meaning of life next?"

The last part had been a joke but perhaps it had been a step too far as the blonde doesn't reply. She simply gets up and proceeds to collect the few items she left so neatly on the dresser. Fuck, had you screwed this up already? It must be bad for her to leave abruptly at three in the morning. You push yourself up into a seated position, "Did I do something wrong?" The blonde doesn't answer again so you decide to follow her.

"Dolores," Her name galling from your lips brings her to a stop at the door; hand lingering on the ugly doorknob your landlord wouldn't let you change. you're just a few paces away, tired and confused. You just wanted to go back to bed but with her. "... please don't go."

So weak and pathetic, the words didn't sound like your own. You had never begged someone to stay before but there was just something about Dolores. Something that made her special and it wasn't her beauty although she had a very pretty face.

"You're a distraction that I don't need right now." Her voice was firm; surprisingly cold. The doorknob squeaks as she turns it and the door slowly opens. "I suggest you lay low for a while."

~~

It's no mystery as to why you can't stop thinking about Dolores. She left you in the middle of the night with no explanation. You may not know each other very well but you liked her and you liked spending time with her although admittedly that time had been short. What exactly had you done wrong? Was she scared off by your slightly pessimistic outlook on society? Perhaps it was something else entirely? Maybe she just didn't like you. It didn't seem that way when you were together but looks can be deceiving.

It was really cold this high up; it didn't help that this building didn't have four walls, so it was nothing but the cold wind blowing against you. The entire building was empty for construction, so other than the two men who had you cornered between the barrel of their guns and the concrete below, you were completely alone. You were putting on a brave face but you were absolutely terrified. Their questions drowned out by the loud thumping of your heart in your chest. You felt like you couldn't breathe. You were sweating under the intense pressure despite the goosebumps from the chilly air. It wasn't even possible to answer their questions and yet they insisted on repeating themselves; getting more worked up as they go along. The two of them had conveniently bumped into you on the way home from work. They showed you a picture and offered you money. You could have really used the money, your crappy apartment wasn't cheap but you had to deny the offer. It seemed shady. The ironic part is that the picture was of Dolores. They wanted to know where she was? You wish you knew but you didn't. She hadn't told you pretty much anything other than her name. She looked different in the picture but you couldn't quite place why? Perhaps it was the blue dress she wore or the fact she had her hair down and it was longer. Either way when you didn't comply they dragged you to their car and that's how you ended up here.

You had lost track of time but it felt like you had been here for hours.

"I really hope she's worth all this trouble." The talker of the men grumbles. He wore a black suit; they both did. With a sky blue tie. The other had a red tie. This was business for them; their job if you will. You wonder why they're after Dolores anyway. She's just one girl, what made her so important.

"Why are you protecting her?" The other man asks. "Just tell us where she is and this'll all be over."

Had you known the answer would you give her up? It was the way to save yourself but was in terms of morals was it the right choice. "I- I don't know what you're talking about,"

You could hear the fear in your voice despite the stiff upper lip. Denying you know the girl at all seemed like the best option here, it seemed they were gonna kill you either way.

"Have it your way," One of them utters, a gritty laugh following. "Don't say we didn't give you a chance though,"

"Where the fuck is she?" His voice was higher than his associates. He was also a lot angrier.

"I'm right here,"

BANG! BANG!

You flinch at the sound of the gun expecting the impact that never comes. Losing your footing on the edge, a hand slaps around your wrist before you can plummet to your death. You feel like you could throw up when you spin around and see Dolores. It was more because you almost fell off the edge of a building but seeing Dolores again made you feel warm inside too. A grin spreads over your insanely dry lips as you wrap your arms around the woman pulling her flush against you. "Dolores..."

After a moment she hugs back, her hand running soothingly over your back. "I need you to come with me,"

Dolores' hand slips down your back and into your hand as you unravel from her. Using your free hand to brush away the stray tears. "Where are we going?" You ask as you stumble trying to keep up with her; looking back to the two men who now lay lifeless on the floor. They were dead. Dolores killed them.

"I'm taking you home."

Staying true to her word, she places you on the bed when you finally arrive home. The car ride was silent. You couldn't figure out what was going on and Dolores didn't seem in any rush to explain anything. You're head throbs as you replay the events in your head. You almost died today: if it weren't for the blonde you'd be a stain on the concrete right about now. Dolores kneels down before you, drawing your attention. One hand gentle brushes over your thigh.

"Look at me," she commands but you keep staring off; struggling to focus on anything. "Y/N, look at me."

You oblige this time, meeting her soft blue eyes. She offers you a gentle smile. "I'm gonna pack you a bag and then we can go get you something to eat, okay?"

"I... I don't... understand." You mumble out slowly. The sun was beginning to show its face through the gap in your curtains, casting Dolores in an angelic warm glow.

"Tell me what's wrong,"

"My... my head hurts," you admit quietly, that was all you could get out.

"Any other pain?" You shake your head causing the throbbing to intensify; eyes scrunching up in response. Dolores places a calming hand against your cheek, her thumb brushing gently across your skin. "My sweet girl," Instinctively, you lean into her comforting touch. She was always so gentle towards you; a strong contrast to the woman who just stormed an empty building and shot two people. "You shouldn't have gotten involved."

Your mind wanders to the first time you ever met Dolores as she leaves you alone in the bedroom. It was at a party. One you were much too poor to be at but you were working that night. Dolores has been a guest but instead of ignoring you like everyone else had, she seemed to notice you were, in fact, a real person. She had warned you not to get involved with her and maybe you should have listened. You should have just gone back to your painfully average life but now it was too late. You were involuntarily apart of something so much bigger than yourself. The blonde returned to hand you some water and two pills. "For the headache."

Watching Dolores wander around your room, shoving stuff into a bag was... weird. None of this has felt real. It was like you were stuck in some kind of dream? Or a nightmare may be a better choice of words. She didn't pack a lot of things and it was only now dawning on you that she was packing for you. What was the plan here? Why did you need this stuff? "Come,"

Your eyes drift to her outstretched hand, nothing short of confusion written across your face. "Are you gonna tell me what's going on?" She doesn't answer. You take her hand, squeezing a little as she helps you to your feet. "Dolores, please? I'm not just gonna run away with you."

"They'll be looking for you now too," she explains, hiking the bag further up her shoulder. "If you stay they'll kill you."

"Who?"

"It doesn't matter who," with a heavy sigh, she hesitates before connecting your lips but only for a second in a surprisingly passionate embrace. You too surprised to even say anything and you think she knew that would be the case. "I need you to trust me."

NEXT

[kylermalloy]

breeze, cuddly, daisies, jewel, shimmer and whiffle!

Thanks love 😘❤️

breeze; most precious childhood memory?

Idk man, I have a lot! Since it’s almost Christmas, I’ll do a Christmas one. My sister and I both loved Nancy Drew when we were kids—even after we’d outgrown the books, we were obsessed with the PC game series. (I still blog about it sometimes!) It was a tradition for us to get new games as Christmas presents, and then we’d spend the rest of the day playing them together. Even after my sister went to college, she’d still come home and make time for us to do that together. (Now the series is p much defunct, so no new games 😔)

cuddly; what’s your favorite time period?

I used to love history! I read about it constantly growing up—I legit read my history textbooks for fun 😂 I guess I always loved ancient Egypt a lot! And the Victorian era was cool too I guess.

daisies; describe a moment when you felt free.

The evening Supernatural aired its last episode and I breathed a sigh of relief that the ending was decent. And the ugly side of the fandom has been ruining that feeling of freedom ever since ugh guys leave it ALONE

jewel; what’s your favorite kind of weather?

Cloudy and overcast following heavy snowfall. Since I’m lucky to get that once every five years though, I won’t say no to a crisp, chilly day with cold sunshine 😁

shimmer; do animals tend to like you?

Sure! I don’t have any pets of my own, but I get along pretty well with other people’s—especially cats! They have energy pretty close to mine.

Unless you’re talking about bugs or pests—then no, sorry. I get pretty homicidal when I see a spider or a snake or a mouse.

whiffle; if you could have a magical power, what would it be?

I’ve said this before somewhere, but instead of writing fics I want to magically impart the movie in my head onto a document and post that. I would get so many more fics done! The Star Wars AU? Finished. Boyking AU? Twenty more chapters. Every angsty one-shot I’ve ever envisioned? Boom, posted to inflict damage on everyone’s psyche. I would be unstoppable.

Send me cute asks!