#creeping cactus

[sabistarphotos]

May 23, 2021

Desert Botanical Garden

Phoenix, AZ

[venomouslilith]

why are there so many disgusting men in public spaces?!

no, I don't want you to change seats to sit right across me, stare at me and make kissy faces!!!! fuck off!!!

[hellsitegenetics]

Acting as the tumblr science bro / local sequencer: tell all your followers (lots I'm sure) to be careful criss-crossing deep green / azure / wine-dark / teal (any color actually) aquatic-concerned, generously-connected big spaces where one might happen upon a fish or a fearsome beast with cactus-like spines or terrible cat-like reflexes, creeping silently toward you, to eat, to cull... all this is to gregariously imbue: go there & you may find a mantis shrimp.

String identified: Actg a t t cc / ca c: t a (t ' ) t ca c-cg g / a / -a / ta (a c acta) aatc-cc, g-cct g ac gt a a a a at t cact- t cat- , cg t ta , t at, t c… a t t gga : g t & a a at .

Closest match: Gonodactylellus affinis mitochondrion, complete genome Common name: Mantis shrimp

[c0ffeejelly1]

Oh! A baby fever?

Haikyuu character headcanons

Kageyama, Hinata, Bokuto, Iwaizumi x f!reader

Author's note: Might have to write a...freaky version of this but I cant make any promises. um you can tell who I clearly enjoyed writing for and who I didn’t…(hinata) Anyways, your husband wants a baby.

p.1

Warnings: none just cringey cutesy stuff

KAGEYAMA

“What kind of baby puts their hand on a fire?...”

That's only one of the responses he's made to the countless baby memes you've sent to this poor man.

He doesn't hate the constant videos, seeing that it makes you smile watching as a child screams in agony at a moving cactus, but it does make him wonder…what exactly did it mean?

Were you trying to suggest something?

It had never truly occurred to him that you might be thinking about having children...

Sure, you’ve joked about a little version of him running around, perhaps even naming it Tobio Junior, but the thought of it becoming a reality seemed far-fetched.

With his rigorous training schedule and your demanding job, the idea of a child—especially one that would inevitably put everything in its mouth—felt like a daunting challenge, especially if both of you were often too exhausted to keep a watchful eye.

That is what he thought at least.

Not until now, with your legs intertwined as you lay together in bed.

Even after being married for some time, the simple act of cuddling with you still sends a rush of warmth through him, making him feel like a teenage boy  again, especially when your arms brush against his.

You were engrossed in your phone, scrolling through your usual social media feed, but you could sense your husband's gaze stealing glances at your screen as you both leaned against the bed frame.

With that in mind, you stumbled upon an adorable video compilation of babies accidentally learning curse words.

You couldn’t help but giggle, and as you did, you noticed a soft chuckle escape your husband’s lips.

That’s when the thought struck you—you were finally going to ask him the big question.

“…do you want kids, Tobio?”

His laughter fades as he glances up from your screen, a blank expression settling on his face for a moment before a rosy blush creeps across his cheeks.

“what? W-why ask me that now?...” He stumbles over his words, trying to mask his embarrassment, his eyes darting around the room, avoiding your gaze.

“Well, do you?”  A pause hangs in the air before he shifts his gaze to the side, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

He hesitates, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. “It’s not that I don't, I just…” He trails off, clearly wrestling with his thoughts. 

“I’ll… I’ll think about it.”

And he does, perhaps a bit too much, because suddenly, babies seem to pop up everywhere he turns.

He sets out for his morning jog, only to be bombarded by billboards advertising a new baby formula.

While trying to help you pick up your favourite snack, he catches sight of baby clothes out of the corner of his eye.

Even when he’s scrolling through funny videos on his phone, his feed is inundated with baby content! Is this some kind of sign? Should he just agree?

He can’t even shake the images of having children with you from his dreams, especially when you’re near; all he can picture is a tiny version of you both...and If he’s being honest, it does kinda send his heart racing…

.

“Let's do it.”

He slams his hands down on the kitchen counter, the sound startling you as you turn to him, puzzled.

“...Do what exactly?”

“Let's make a baby.”

HINATA

“Hey, set it to me too! I'm open!”

You and your husband were finally in Brazil, basking in the sun on a beach adorned with golden sands.

The sand was warm beneath your feet, and the sound of waves rolling onto the shore mixed harmoniously with the distant laughter of children playing.

After a few weeks of adjusting to Hinata’s work commitments, you had carved out some precious time to enjoy the beach together, with him bringing along a volleyball for some fun in the sun.

It turned out to be a brilliant idea, as you watched him from a distance, energetically playing volleyball with a group of older kids.

You could have joined in, but you knew that Hinata's boundless energy would leave you breathless, so you opted to lounge on a sunbed beneath the shade of an umbrella, escaping the harsh rays of the sun.

Just as you were settling in, a gentle tap on your shoulder pulled you from your relaxation.

You turned to find a little boy, accompanied by a girl, pointing excitedly at a sandcastle they had built.

“Help us, lady!” the boy pleaded, bouncing on his heels.

How could you resist those adorable faces?

With a soft laugh, you set your drink aside and knelt down in the sand, eagerly listening to their requests.

They needed someone to help fortify their castle against the incoming tide, and you were more than happy to assist.

What started as a simple request quickly turned into an all-out building project—digging trenches, constructing walls, and even adding little seashell decorations.

The kids bickered, giggled, and occasionally got distracted by the waves, but you found yourself immersed in their world, enjoying every second of it.

After a delightful time playing and laughing, Hinata eventually came looking for you.

He was surprised to find you happily engaged with the kids, managing their playful squabbles with a gentle hand.

Watching you, his heart swelled with affection, and he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to see you with a child of your own.

As the evening air grew cooler, you and Hinata eventually parted ways with the kids and made your way home, your fingers intertwined as you walked along the shoreline.

Then, Hinata suddenly stopped, causing you to pause mid-step.

“You good?”

He hesitated before asking, “Do you like kids?”

You raised an eyebrow at the unexpected question but nodded slowly.

“Yeah… they’re nice.”

A comfortable silence enveloped you both until he suddenly blurted out,

“Do you want kids with me?”

BOKUTO

“Legit, the craziest thing happened to me last night baby.”

You and your husband decided to swing by his sister's place today because he was feeling a bit nostalgic and wanted to see her, apparently “missing her presence”.

Now, as you settle onto the couch with his sister's one-year-old son comfortably resting in your lap, you find yourself softly humming along while your husband animatedly recounts his latest dream about aliens coming to Earth to whisk him away to their home planet—just another one of his delightfully eccentric stories.

You suddenly feel a tiny hand tugging at your collar, causing you to look down to see the little guy completely captivated by your outfit.

Your heart melts a bit as you coo at him slightly, leaving your husband to his own world.

For a brief moment, you don’t realize how he’s paused but instead, gazing—no, admiring you���as you interact so tenderly with the child.

When you turn to face him, you catch him in a moment of admiration, and a wave of confusion washes over you.

“Is something on my face?”

“You look really beautiful like that.”

His compliment elicits a light scoff from you as you try to mask your embarrassment.

“Like what? I'm literally not doing anything.”

“Exactly”

In all your months of marriage, you’ve never seen him so direct and candid about his feelings. Did he bump his head on the way in?

“Are you sure you’re not an alien right now?”

His laughter filled the room as he leaned in to plant a kiss on your cheek, then stood up with a dramatic stretch glancing over to you and the child.

“I wanna play with the baby too, come on, give him ‘ere”

“Don’t drop him” you tease.

“I won't drop him…” he replies, pouting slightly.

Snuggled up in bed at home, you felt completely worn out from the day’s adventures. I mean Bokuto was literally pulling you everywhere, left and right, and his boundless energy while playing with the baby had left you utterly drained.

To make matters worse, despite being cozied up together, his restless movements wouldn’t let up!

Sure you'd grown accustomed to his little shifts in bed–stealing the blanket from you or  somehow ending up upside down on top of you—but this was pushing it.

“Babe…” you groaned, trying to get his attention. Yet, he continued to fidget. 

You were getting fed up now.

“Bokuto, stop moving.”

This prompted a response from him.

“Did I wake you up? M’sorry.”

“Is something wrong? Why’d you keep moving so much?”

He let out a small sigh. “I’ve just been thinking…”

Now you were intrigued. Usually when Bokuto’s thinking it's either about something serious, or, well, what he's gonna have for breakfast–which can be serious in its own right.

“About what?”

“Us”

“You're being too vague, what about us?”

“I think I wanna get you pregnant.”

You stared at him for a full minute, as if he’d just asked if pigs could fly.

“...what.”

This is some hell of a weird dream, right? I mean there is no way your husband, Bokuto Kotarou, was casually suggesting in the middle of the night that he wanted to have kids…right??

“No, I said that wrong…” He ran his fingers through his hair, searching for the right way to express himself. “What I mean is, I want to get you pregnant. I want to have a baby with you.”

“Mhm…”

“Would you…let me?”

IWAIZUMI

“Just one more babe, you're doing great!”

You had been working like a dog today, and I mean like a dog. 

All you said was you wanted to lose a little weight, mind you, that was a week ago, and all you did was ask your husband to keep an eye on you.

But you didn't think it’d be like this though!

What happened to all the sexy gym scenarios you heard so much about?!

Your husband had forced suggested that you follow him to the gym today for a little workout session.

Y'know,  just a little stretching, maybe two little squats, oh, and of course, can't forget the 20 reps of 10 kg bench presses! Where’s the little in that?!

But of course, as the lovely, caring husband that he is, he clearly saw how tired you were and suggested the best suggestion ever to be made by him– a snack.

But just a tiny one. 

100 calories max. 

And you had to promise to burn it off later in the week.

But…a little white lie wouldn't hurt anyone right?

“Baby…do I really have to buy this? I can literally hear those candy bars over there calling my name.”

You hold up the protein bar in your hand with a grimace.

“You asked me to keep you in check… I can’t just let you have whatever you want, can I?”

“Sure you can.”

He gives you an unwavering look.

“...but then what’s the point of this?”

You just groan in response when you feel a little bump against your leg.

Looking down, you see a pair of big, teary eyes from a child.

“S-sorry…” Her tiny voice was so cute that you couldn't help but glance up at your husband, heart eyed.

He shakes his head, knowing exactly what you’re thinking, then looks down at the child, who can’t be more than seven.

“Hey kid, where’s your mom at?”

“I-..I dunno…” The child starts crying again, prompting you to kneel down to her level and shoot your boyfriend a look for making her upset.

“Don't worry baby, I'll help you find her, don't mind the big, scary, intimidating, brooding man behind us.”

“Wh- hey!”

“Come on, let's go.” You take the little girl’s hand as she looks around with wide, hopeful eyes.

Walking around with the child, you begin to engage in a conversation, finding that she had a similar niche interest like you. 

It was a perfect distraction for her, especially since her mom is nowhere in sight. Meanwhile, all you husband could do was watch from behind keeping an eye on both of you.

He can’t help but feel a rush of warmth in his chest as he sees you bonding with the girl. It brings him a strange kind of happiness,a desire to witness this moment, to see you with—... no. 

No no no no no.

Is he really considering—he can’t be… can he?

A blush creeps onto his cheeks as the image of you with his child flashes in his mind. Great, he probably looked like a pervert to the unknowing eye!

Kids? Now? You've only been married a month now, he can't just ask for that! Oh, but they way you’re both smiling at eachother right now, you're little giggles, and the child's small hands! He can't take it! Nope! He can't do this anymore!

His thoughts are interrupted when he notices that you’ve both stopped walking, just in time to see the little girl dash toward what appears to be her mother.

“Mommy!!”

She wraps her arms around her mother, who looks immensely relieved to find her daughter safe. The mother bows and thanks you profusely, while you modestly brush off the gratitude.

Later, after the commotion settles, Iwaizumi tosses you a packet of your favorite sweets, which you catch with surprise.

“Really? What for?”

He doesn't reply, only approaching you and leaning forward to plant a kiss on your cheek.

“I'll give you one tonight.”

You gulp slightly at the close proximity of his hot breath practically breathing down your neck. 

“...give me what exactly?”

“My babies,” he reply’s a matter of factly, “pinky promise.”

He links your pinky with his, chuckling at your surprised expression before heading out of the store.

You could only look around confused as you come to gravity with the meaning of his words…i mean it didn't seem that bad- but still! And he had the audacity to walk away like it was nothing?

“Hey! C-come back here, what’s that supposed to mean!”

Is this really baby fever? No. But some of these made me giggle while I was writing them so be happy okay 💔💔 I write for the love of the game vro 🥀🥀

[decaffeinatedcandycane]

Losing Johnny in a mall cannot happen because he will hold onto your hand CONSTANTLY to the point it is ridiculous.

If you are not a hand holder, then Johhny is walking shoulder to shoulder with you. Or trails close behind you, if you need some space.

He is a clingy puppy that follows you everywhere. He CRAVES being as close to you as possible, at all times.

And you can't get lost either. This boy maps out every place you have been too, in his 'map' journal (picture old timey maps drawn with either pencil, or whatever he can find. There is a glitter option and you can thank Roach for that)

Johnny is not going without a map after the Ikea incident. (he got lost and followed an employee to the exit where you found him eating a lollipop)

Plus he likes drawing maps. It's his newest hyperfixation.

The first time he whipped out the map was when he helped a woman find the detergent in a supermarket.

The manager was concerned.

Johnny is also a great danger detector. He can spot creeps before they even went inside an establishment. And boy, does he love them.

He fucks with them every chance he gets, without being detected. Boy has a gift for mischief. And he likes doing his shenanigans with a partner.

You no longer question why Simon (the behemoth of a man) is trailing along with you while you shop. You just accept it and wait the minutes till all hell will break lose and a creep will be escorted out the premises.

Interesting thing you noticed is that when Johnny is away, his team is aways, somehow around the neighborhood.

When you didn't know them, it scared the shit out of you that you are being followed to the point you cornered Price near a restaurant peppered sprayed him and pushed him in a big cactus plant.

Johnny WAS supposed to tell you about his mates and that he asked them to keep an eye on you and meet you, blah, blah, blah, but he is so absent minded you are happy he can find his socks in the morning. (effect of lots of head traumas)

All in all Johnny is a great guy. Bit melodramatic like a husky dog who didn't get his breakfast on time; loving and clingy as a golden retriever dog who still thinks he is a puppy and loyal like a German Shepherd.

Also, smart and sly as a fox. Tricky lil bastard.

He loves drama and helps a listening ear to others conversations. He isn't a gossip, lass, he just hears things.

He does try to tame himself around you, a lot, since he has been accused of being "too much" from others. Which, he is.

But not for you. You love your big beefy Scotsman with all his moods. And he is grateful that the love of his life accepts him and loves him for him.

[paleprincessturtle]

Heyy! I love your writing and was wondering if you could write a piece where Mike thinks Harvey is a loner so he goes and asks Donna, but Donna tells him he’s been in a super serious relationship for a while. Mike doesn’t believe her so she tells him to go see for himself. Mike goes to Harvey’s place and sees him being super domestic and fluffy with reader.

Aww thanks! And also thanks a bunch for the request. I'm sorry it took so long. But here we go and enjoy!

Note: I'm really sorry for others who already sent me other requests, it might take me some times to post again since I'm in the middle of writing my thesis. Thanks!

Sunny Disposition

Pairing: Harvey x Reader

Mike walked with spring in his steps. It's been approximately 10 hours since Harvey snapped in his face and gave him a direct order to not leave the building unless he found anything they needed for the hearing next Monday. Mike was bummed that he had to cancel tonight's dinner with Rachel. They made an agreement to always have dinner somewhere new every Friday. But here he was. Stuck with piles upon piles upon piles of documents. Nevertheless, he found it. This could be a breakthrough in court. They could win easily with this. But as he got closer to Harvey's office, he slowed down. Frown graced his face. The door to Harvey's office is closed, lights off. Donna was the only sign of life near Harvey's office. Even Donna was getting ready to leave. He walked faster to Donna's desk before she got the chance to leave. "Where's Harvey?" Mike asked, confusion apparent in his voice. "He left at 6," Donna said nonchalantly as if the information wasn't odd at all. It was odd to Mike. Harvey left at 6? Was his place on fire?

"He left at 6? Why did he leave at 6? I have a girlfriend at home, who had dinner alone because Harvey told me not to leave this building. He had a cactus you left him, just that." Mike said in disbelief. Donna chuckled and got back to gathering her things, ready to leave. "Why has Harvey never been in a serious relationship?" Mike asked, all curious. "Last was with Scottie, right? But it wasn't that serious. Though Harvey snapped at me over a pencil after the breakup. But it wasn't that serious from what I see." Donna watched the younger guy rambling. "I can't imagine being Harvey, get home only to a cactus." Mike closed his eyes and shook his head, imagining his home without Rachel. "Harvey is in a serious relationship, Mike." Mike opened his eyes so fast, his hand covering his mouth. "Get out," Mike said in disbelief. "He's been in this relationship for over a year. In fact, he just proposed to her last month, on her birthday, in Florence." Mike's brows knitted together as he tried to remember if there was anything different from Harvey last month. He did take a week vacation, and he dodged questions about his holiday. When he got back he brought with him a beautifully hand-carved pen for Mike. It did creep Mike out. Harvey and souvenirs just don't bode well. He shook his head. "Lies. You said that just to make me feel bad for getting pissed at Harvey because he went home early." Donna rolled his eyes, "If you don't believe me, why don't you give him a visit, and see it for yourself." Donna said as she left her desk.

Mike knocked after he tried the door and failed. He was ready to face Harvey with a glass of whisky in his hand. What he didn't expect was a woman opened the door for him. She dressed in Harvey's dress shirt, black leggings, and an apron. The smell of deliciousness came out as she opened the door. She smiled brightly at Mike. "I'm sorry, can I help you?" she said in all friendliness. Mike snapped out of it and offered his hand, "I'm sorry, I'm Mike Ross. I work with Harvey, I'm here to drop some important documents." Mike explained, confusion still thick in his head. Was Donna telling the truth? Before none of them could say anything, he heard Harvey call from inside. "Sweetheart, who is it?" Mike looked at her in surprise. Sweetheart? Now, sweetheart and Harvey Specter doesn't bode well even more. The woman in front of her ignored Harvey and instead of shaking his hand, she hugged him. "I've heard so much about you! Harvey won't shut up. It's great to finally put a face to a name, and please come in. We are just cooking dinner. Harvey must've confined you in the office. Come in, please," she moved aside to let Mike in. "Harvaroooo" she called out as they entered the kitchen. Harvey turned from the stove and locked eyes with Mike. Harvey frowned and seemed caught off guard. Mike almost laughed at the sight of Harvey standing over a stove, bare feet, holding a spatula. "Harvey baby, look who showed up on our doorstep!" she walked past Harvey as Harvey stood there in confusion. She retrieved a wine glass. "Harvey, why don't you sit down with Mike while I finish up dinner? He mentioned important documents," Harvey nodded, "Mike, you fine with red?" she brought the bottle over her head for Mike to see. "Yes, of course," Mike said slowly, eyes still locked on Harvey's. She brought the glass over to Harvey. "Here, go sit down with Mike," she said, and again, Harvey nodded. This woman can order Harvey around and she's not Jessica, Mike thought. "You sure you don't need help? I can help you finish dinner. Mike can wait. Right, Mike?" Harvey called out. "Yes," Mike answered shortly, still in a daze. "No, baby. You and Mike go out sit on the balcony, and talk about..." she trailed off then smiled, "Talk about whatever you need to talk about while I finish dinner. It shouldn't be long anyway." Mike saw Harvey look down at her. He whispered sweet nothings in her ears as she giggled. He pecked her lips before turning to Mike, he handed him the glass of red and gestured outside with his head. "Wow," Mike said in amazement as he leaned on the railing of the balcony. "Perks of being successful, I can afford this view," Harvey said, leaning on the railing beside him. They both have the view of the kitchen, with the mysterious woman taking an extra plate for Mike. "When are you going to tell me that you're actually engaged?" Mike asked, turning his head to look at Harvey. "I don't mix her with work. When I pissed people off and they found out about her, they will use her against me. I won't let that happen on my watch," Harvey said solemnly. A small smile crossed Harvey's lips as he looked inside at his girl. Mike didn't miss it. "She's beautiful," Mike said, patting Harvey on the back. "Congratulations," Mike said as he pulled him into a hug. Before Harvey could say anything, she opened the sliding door to tell both men that dinner was ready.

Harvey put his hand on his lower back as they walked to the dining table. "You should've told me to help you set the table," Harvey said and she waved him off. "It's fine, Harvey." Harvey pulled the chair for her and kissed the top of her head as she sat down. Mike smiled at the interaction. No matter how much Mike denied it, Harvey is his friend. Mike cared a lot about him and to know that Harvey found her, put Mike's mind at ease. "Oh, I hope we knew you'd come. I hope you're fine with ravioli?" she asked and Mike shook his head. "Please, if anything I'm the one ruining your night with Harvey." Mike gave her a reassuring smile. "It's not like Harvey is an angel and didn't keep you in the office away from your girlfriend," she looked at Harvey and swatted his shoulder, "You should stop doing that, Harvey!" Harvey laughed as he caught her hand and gave it a kiss on the inside of her wrist before letting it go. "Harvey never told me about you," Mike started as he took a bite of the ravioli, "Damn, this is the best ravioli I've ever put in my mouth." Mike closed his eyes as he savored the flavors. "My girl here is the best cook," Harvey said proudly and smiled at her and she laughed. "Harvey never told you about me because I'm a mere mistress," she shrugged as Mike laughed. Mike glanced at her ring finger, adorned with a huge diamond ring. Harvey must've spent a fortune on that. "Sunny, can you pass me the pepper?" Harvey asked her as she passed him the pepper. "Sunny?" Mike asked, eyebrow raised. "Sunny is his silly nickname for me," she waved him off. "Just like Harvaroo?" Mike joked and Harvey choked on his food. The two of them laughed at the even sillier nickname. "It's not a silly nickname," Harvey said after he regained his composure. "Harvaroo?" Mike asked, amusement glinting in his eyes. "That's a silly nickname," Harvey scoffed. "Sunny is not a silly nickname," Mike looked at Harvey, asked him to continue. "She's the ray of sun amidst my storm. I wouldn't know simple happiness without her." Harvey said as he leaned forward to kiss her. Mike watched the two of them and smiled. Relieved washed over him, knowing Harvey, the loner he thought, was actually very much in love.

MASTERLIST

[brunettemarionette]

SOA as Romantic Tropes

The Sons of Anarchy characters as popular romance tropes.

♡ Jax Teller — Soulmates/Second Chances

Jax is the one who got away, the man you loved with every fiber of your being when you were both too young and too reckless to make it work. Back then, your relationship was a wildfire—passionate, all-consuming, and chaotic. You’d spend nights riding on the back of his bike, arms wrapped around his waist, feeling like the world couldn’t touch you. But the club, his family, and the weight of his destiny pulled you apart. It was right person, wrong time, and when it ended, it shattered you. Years later, after you’d both lived separate lives, you cross paths again—maybe at a gas station on the outskirts of Charming or at a bar where you didn’t expect to see him leaning against the counter, that same damn smirk on his face. The second your eyes meet, it’s like no time has passed. He’s rougher now, hardened by loss and violence, but the way he looks at you still makes your heart stutter. Jax doesn’t hesitate—he walks right up, cups your face, and kisses you like he’s been starving for it. From there, it’s a slow burn of rediscovery. You help him heal from the guilt and pain he carries while he reminds you what it feels like to be truly alive. The club life keeps trying to pull him away, but this time, he fights for you. You’re his soulmate, and no amount of blood or time can change that. It just took a second chance to prove it.

♡ Opie Winston — Childhood Sweethearts

Opie’s been in your life since you were kids, growing up in Charming together. You remember him as the lanky boy who’d share his snacks with you at recess and scare off anyone who messed with you. He was your first crush, your first dance at a school event, the one who taught you how to climb trees without falling. Life pulled you apart—his marriage, the club, your own path—but you never stopped thinking about him. When you come back to Charming after years away, he’s a widower, hardened by loss, but those familiar hazel eyes still light up when he sees you. You fall into old habits: late-night talks on his porch, fixing up his truck together, laughing about the dumb things you did as kids. The shift happens slowly—his hand brushing yours, a hug that lasts too long—and suddenly, you’re not just friends anymore. He’s hesitant, scared to love again, but with you, it feels like coming home. You’re his second chance at happiness, and he holds onto you like you’re the only thing keeping him steady.

♡ Happy Lowman — Opposites Attract

Happy’s the last guy anyone would picture with you. He’s the club’s enforcer. Silent, intense, with a body count that’d make most people run. You’re the sunshine to his storm, maybe a nurse who patched him up once or a florist who accidentally delivered flowers to the clubhouse. At first, he terrifies you, all grunts and tattoos, but then he keeps showing up—fixing your leaky sink, glaring at the creep who won’t leave you alone at the bar. You’re soft where he’s rough, chatty where he’s quiet, and yet it works. He’s drawn to your warmth, your refusal to flinch when he tells you about his darker side. You tease him until he cracks a rare smile, and he starts bringing you little things—a bullet casing he turned into a keychain, a cactus because “it’s tough like me.” You balance each other: you soften his edges, and he keeps you grounded. No one gets it, but when he pulls you close after a long day, it’s clear you’re his exception, the one person he’d kill—or die—for.

♡ Tig Trager — Forbidden Love

Tig’s wild, unpredictable, and totally off-limits. Maybe you’re a cop’s daughter, or worse, related to someone in a rival MC. The first time you meet, it’s electric. He’s all dark humor and suggestive grins, and you’re trying not to fall for it. You know getting involved with him is a bad idea; your family would flip, and the club would never approve. But Tig doesn’t care about rules. He sneaks you away for midnight rides, leaves flirty notes under your windshield wiper, and kisses you like he’s daring the world to stop him. The tension builds—stolen glances at club parties, secret meetups in abandoned lots until you can’t deny it anymore. He’s a mess of contradictions: loyal to the club but willing to risk it all for you, crude one minute and tender the next. You’re caught between worlds, but when he tells you he’d burn it all down to keep you safe, you believe him. It’s dangerous, messy, and undeniably addictive.

♡ Chibs Telford — Older Man/Younger Woman

Chibs is older, wiser, and carries the weight of a lifetime of scars—both literal and emotional. You’re newer to Charming, maybe a mechanic’s apprentice or a waitress at the diner, full of energy and sass that catches his eye. He calls you “lass” with that gravelly Scottish accent, teasing you about your “young folk ways,” but there’s a spark there he can’t ignore. You’re drawn to his quiet strength, the way he commands respect without raising his voice, and how he listens when you ramble about your day. At first, he resists, thinks he’s too old, too broken for someone like you but you wear him down with your persistence, sneaking into his orbit until he’s making excuses to see you. He takes you on long rides and shares stories of his past over whiskey, and soon, you’re the one patching him up after a fight, your hands steady against his battered skin. You bring light to his world, and he grounds you with a love that’s steady, fierce, and unshakable.

♡ Juice Ortiz — Fake Dating

Juice is your best friend in the club, the sweet, tech-savvy guy who’s always got your back. When your ex won’t leave you alone, or your family keeps bugging you about settling down, you rope Juice into pretending to be your boyfriend. He’s all in, goofy grin and all, showing up with flowers and holding your hand at the clubhouse like it’s real. You figure it’ll be easy—he’s adorable and easygoing, and you already spend all your time together fixing bikes or playing video games. But then it gets complicated: his arm around your waist feels too natural, and the way he looks at you when you laugh stops being an act. You’re sharing a bed one night after a club party, too drunk to care about boundaries and wake up tangled together. He’s shy about it, stammering apologies, but you pull him back, admitting you don’t want it to be fake anymore. Juice lights up, and suddenly, he’s kissing you like he’s been waiting forever. The club teases him mercilessly, but he doesn’t care—you’re his girl now, for real.

[johnathanthestupidpoet69]

songs for ships but i have the music taste of a 40yo man who takes song recs from his lesbian daughter

boys dont cry by the cure- grian to scar (sort of an apology for dl)

happy together by the turtels- skizzpluse (i saw a clip of them singing it together, so it's cannon)

bumper cars by sorry ghost- scarian as a whole

close to me by the cure- more desert duooooo

something by the beatles- jizzie

i will by the beatles- flower husbands, spefically scott to jim after he gets out in tl

stupid for you by waterparks- grumbo

build me up buttercup by the founations- mumbscarian

good old-fashioned lover boy by queen- scar to grian in the desert

kiss me by sixpence none the richer- treebark, so very treebark

shake it by metro station - hotguy and cuteguy

red wine supernova by chappel roan- redscape/ gembo (it's both)

heather by conan grey- something desert duo i fear

cupid's chokehold by gym class heros- scarian in dl

small time fish (big time pond) by sorry ghost- flower husbands

starman by david bowie- flower husbands (tl scott)

if i fell by the beatles- grumbo (mumbo to grian)

bad idea right? by olivia rodrigo- (wl scar about grian)

505 by artic monkeys - when i hear this song i get brought back to the desert so hard istg

creep by radiohead- grian to scar in the cactus ring

and thats my very desert duo playlist lol

-john out XD

[prettynpinkputhy]

No Expectations

Summary: y/n now has to navigate new complex feelings with König she didn’t have before.

Jealouskönigxreader💗

🎀Warning🎀:18+NSFW, Rough sex, raw sex, oral sex, language, angst, size kink, praise/degradation etc

Word count: 4.k

(Comment, reblog and follow)

This is part 2 of One night stand

Part 3

“No.” Ghost doesn’t even bother looking up from whatever document he’s scribbling on.

“Please, I’ll do any other cruel and unusual punishment you have lined up for me.” You plead.

“You don’t get to argue the terms of your probation. König is who you’re training with, no questions asked.” He says through clenched teeth.

“Why can’t I just work with someone else. There’s plenty of people on base.” You reach over snagging a mint from the decorative bowl at the corner of his desk. His eyes follow your movements. It wasn’t like you to not get along with someone, everyone on base either loved you or felt indifferent. Of course there was a handful that weren’t the nicest because of your popularity but König wouldn’t fall into that category. “Why do you want to switch partners? Did something happen between you two?” His question makes your eyes widen remembering how König was balls deep inside you just a few nights ago. Luckily ghost's eyes are locked on the paperwork in front of him. You stand turning your back to him, hiding the hot flush that creeps onto your cheeks.

“It’s nothing like that.” You say with false confidence. The small crack in your voice catches his attention. What was this feeling at the pit of his stomach, a feeling that made his jaw tense and heart pound. He finally looks away from the paper, capturing your gaze with an intensity that makes goosebumps prickle at your skin. He rises to his feet, palms planted firmly on the surface of the desk. “Fine. I won’t pry…I don’t have any other expendable men.” He rasps.

“What about you? It’s just three hours and it’s after work hours. We both know you don’t have a life serg.” You chuckle. If you had X-ray vision you would see the irritated expression under the mask.

“I am your superior. That means I have actual work to do unlike you sorry excuses for soldiers.” He flips through the piles of paperwork.

“That isn’t very nice sergeant, you’ve got to be more pleasant in the workplace.” You tease walking around the office space, touching things as you go.

There is a tall bookcase in the corner that catches your eye. Thick spined books with elegant writing line the shelves. Along with a small cactus and tank figurines, a picture frame stands out. A beautiful brunette woman holding a baby wrapped in a tiny blue blanket , smiles at the camera in a dated looking room. A shadow cast behind you, turning around, you're faced with a huge vest covered chest. He takes the frame lifting it over your head to sit on the top shelf. He smells of gunpowder and a Smokey musk, your back bumps the case as he steps closer. Naturally your eyes close not sure what exactly you were waiting on to happen. His arm retracts holding a black leather covered book with silver embroidery.

“Who was that woman?” You exhale as he steps away walking back to his desk.

“No one.” He flips through the pages, nodding to himself as if he’d found what he was looking for.

“Who was that baby? I didn’t know you had a kid, that must mean you’re married…who would marry you serg you’re so serious all the time.” You plop your butt onto the desk. He shakes his head fighting the urge to add another week to your probation for sitting on his desk. His gaze sharpens.

“The child is not mine.” He says.

“Oh a scandal, who’s child is it? I can’t believe your wife would do that to you sergeant, need a hug?” You open your arms beckoning him forward.

“I am not married. Don’t you have toilets to clean. Get out.” He pushes your hip off his desk.

“We haven’t even come to an agreement yet!” You exclaim, feet hitting the ground.

“Fine. I will train with you just for today if it’ll get you out of my office.” He offers.

“The rest of the week.” You barter.

“Two days.” He responds.

“Four.” You fold your arms.

“Three. Final offer rookie.” He shakes his head.

“Fine, three days is better than one.”

“You’ll be the one to inform König you’re switching partners.” The computer keyboard clicks as he enters something into the database. At this point he had to be getting off to your embarrassment, if looks could kill he’d be a goner. Ghost didn’t tolerate taking the easy way out, if two people had issues on base they would be addressed and resolved quickly. He always said there wouldn’t be war within our army.

“I-fine i'll tell him.” You sigh knowing he wouldn’t budge.

“Good,now leave, I’m busy.” He waves you off without glancing up.

~

Three days. That should be enough time for things to cool down between you and König, you think, grabbing a lunch tray. The line moves steadily as the staff ladles today's lunch onto each plate.

You smile at the older lady behind the table, holding out your tray.

“y/n, I’ve got your lunch packed up right here for you.” She bends down grabbing a brown paper bag with your name scribbled on it. She nods apologetically, placing the bag on your plate, peanut butter and jelly again…yum.

“Y/n! Over here!” A cute brown skinned woman with luscious dreadlocks waves you over. Maya. You and Maya enlisted at the same time, basically going through the whole process together. Without her, you don’t know how long you would have lasted here. when you two found out you’d be stationed at the same base it felt like fate intended for you to stay with each other, She’s the entire reason you planned to reenlist. Unfortunately your closeness meant she could see right through you, so you had to find a way to keep her off your trail.

“Hey May thanks for holding my seat.” You sit across from her.

“No problem you’d do the same for me.” She jokes biting into her apple. You unroll the wrinkled paper bag that looked like it could have something illegal inside of it. You pull out a poorly wrapped peanut butter and jelly sandwich along with a juice box and an orange. Your nose scrunches at the thought of tasting sticky peanut butter and sickly sweet grape jelly again. You look longingly at Maya’s lunch, your stomach growls in envy.

“Peanut butter and jelly again I can’t believe ghost, do you want to trade lunches?” She pushes her tray towards you. You shake your head unwrapping the plastic and taking a bite of your sandwich.

“I like the pain.” You say in a playful tone.

“You’re such a freak.” She laughs rolling her eyes.

The mess hall echoed with chatter from various conversations, every table for lack of a better word, had their own cliques. It wasn’t like some cheesy highschool movie but everyone had their own friend groups they’d break off with during lunch. Guys like Ghost and König didn’t dine in the mess hall so when you see König leaned up against the wall watching you, it completely catches you off guard.

“What’s his deal?” Maya asks not even trying to hide the fact that she was staring back.

“We had a disagreement.” You sip your juice box averting your gaze from him.

“No way, you’ve been telling me how you two were getting along so well. Did something happen? I’ll kick his ass right now.” She says in a serious tone. König stood at 6ft 6inches tall with the body of a tank but Maya was statuesque at 5’11 inches tall with an extremely toned physique. He was strong but so is Maya, she trains with the men for fun. After long days of them making sexist jokes, She loved beating the shit out of them. She can squat 250+ pounds easily so you definitely don’t take her threat lightly.

“It wasn’t like that Maya, this one might be on me. I’ve been avoiding the issue instead of talking it out with him…” you trail biting the sandwich.

“Well then it sounds like you know what to do.” She touches your hand, nodding in his direction.

“Yeah…you’re right. I am a part of the special military forces. I’m not afraid of a conversation.” You shoot up ready to deliver the news of your new partnership with ghost.

Your legs wobble as you walk to the trash, throwing away your tray. You can feel his eyes follow your every move as you snake through the cafeteria full of people. He’s leaning against the wall with one leg, arms folded, peering down at you. His body language was reserved, there was an invisible wall stacked between you two.

“König I-“ you start.

“-We will not be speaking during work hours rookie.” He says coldly.

“König please I-“ he interrupts you again.

“Colonel König.”

“Colonel König. I need to talk to you about something.” You whisper.

“You’ll have to schedule an appointment during my office hours.” His voice is flat.

“You know what, fine, fuck this.” You storm off, fed up with his distance. His hand twitches fighting the urge to reach out and pull you back. Instead he watches as you slip further away from him. Truth is…he was scared. Scared that you’d reject him and that you’d felt everything that happened was just a mistake. He found himself pulling back before you could deliver the final blow. Your departure in the middle of the night showed him what he needed to know about your feelings for him. It was just a one night stand, nothing more…Right? If that was the case why was his chest tight at the idea that he’d just hurt you.

~

“You’re slow!” Ghost barks as your body hits the mat. You cough, holding your side. He stares down at you with impatient eyes, waiting for you to reset.

“Again.” He orders as you stand rubbing your ribs.

If he was holding back, you’d hate to feel his full power, he could toss you around like it was nothing. With your feet planted firmly on the ground, you step one foot back allowing more range for your dominant hand. Your fists are raised, just as König taught you, protecting your jaw. Ghost swings left punching the barrier of your forearms, it hurts, but your guard doesn’t break. You duck his right hook taking the advantage and hitting him with a quick body shot to the gut. He stumbles crashing into one of the wooden pillars in the training room. You advance keeping your guard up, to his surprise you rush him jabbing the hard material of his mask. One of your weak points was the inability to strike someone when they’re down. If he didn’t have military grade training, the mask would have shattered from the force of your blows. Before that can happen he attacks low, swiping your knees from under you. Your back crashes onto the mat, knocking the wind out of you. You wheeze from the impact trying to catch your breath. Ghost towers over you with both wrists locked in his iron grip. You can hear him breathing heavily, his chest pressing against your with every exhale. Your legs wrap around him in an attempt to get the upper hand, he doesn’t budge as you try to flip his body. He chuckles at your struggle lifting your arms above your head to show off his strength. “Give up.” He pants as you wiggle beneath him.

“That isn’t what you taught me now is it?” Your hips buck against his waist. A tiny whimper escapes his lips, his hand lets your wrist loose to replace it on your leg. His cock strains in the tight confines of his cargos, if not for the thick material, you’d have felt him poking your inner thigh. Utilizing your center gravity, you rock your body using his weight to roll completely over, landing on top of him. Your legs straddle his thighs. without thinking, his big hands grab your waist balancing you.

“Who was that woman in the picture?” He struggles under you, your knees tense, locking him in place. Now he quite literally couldn’t run from the question.

“No one.” He doesn’t budge.

“She must be important if you won’t talk about her.” You implore.

“Since when are we worried about each other's personal lives?” He relaxes, no longer fighting back.

“Whenever I bring it up, you get this pained look in your eye…like something changed you. Like a piece of you is still hurting.” Your voice softens. His heart thumps at your words, he can no longer look you in the eyes. He wanted to fight the urge to let you in, to have you truly know him. No one knew him and that’s the way he likes it . If no one gets attached, then no one would be put in danger because of him. He didn’t trust himself to protect the ones he cared for after what happened.

“She was my mother.” He says finally.

“Was? What happened to her?” You lean down to hear him better, your face inches from his.

“I couldn’t protect her.” his voice was barely a whisper. You both jump as the training room door creaks open.

“Sorry I’m late y/n-“ König freezes with a tense jaw and clenched fist. After the heated moment earlier he planned to apologize for his behavior at practice today. He had decided to conquer his fears and give you guys a real shot. He wanted to confess his true feelings today when you two had some alone time but things just changed. You scramble off of ghost’s lap standing to your feet clumsily. König takes a step back as you approach him.

“This is what I was trying to tell you earlier…me and ghost will be training together for the next three days…” you ramble.

“Right. Then I’ll just leave you two to do your ‘training’.” He backs into the doorway turning on his heels. He wanted to go back there and beat Sergeant Ghost’s face in, break every finger he laid on you. He wanted to throw you over his shoulder, take you back home and pound every ounce of anger he had into you. He wanted everyone to know you were his…but you weren’t and he had to accept that. He couldn’t stop you from exploring other options but he wouldn’t sit back and watch either. Ghost sits up watching the whole thing play out, he could see the anger seething off of König. He got the exact same feelings right before a mission, that sense of imminent danger. This was more than some silly fight between the two of you, he realized that now. He realized what you meant to König and now what you meant to him. His heart drops as he watches you run after König, he thinks about calling after you but chokes back the words.

“König please wait!” You yell running behind him. You grunt as he stops suddenly, making you slam into his back.

“What is there to talk about y/n? You don’t owe me anything.” He mutters.

“I know this sounds like bullshit but that wasn’t what it looked like.”

“You’re right it does sound like bullshit.” He says.

“I just needed a break from this…from us. Just for a few days.” You explain.

“You’ve made it painfully clear there is no us.” He snaps. His head shakes as if he wanted to say more but instead he walks away leaving you alone in the hall.

~

“How was your day” Maya asks, slipping on her purple bonnet.

“Horrible. May, do you think I’m a good person?” You ask, climbing in her bunk. She welcomes you with open arms, stroking your head gently. You nessel into her embrace, finding comfort in her touch. Maya always knew the right things to say, you could count on her to make you feel better after hard days.

“Of course I think you’re a good person y/n. What makes you ask something like that?” She strokes your hair, looking down at you with concerned eyes.

“I just needed to hear it.” she pulls you close, kissing your forehead.

“You know you can talk to me about anything.” She states seriously.

“I know.” You sigh.

“Well you’re one of the best people I’ve ever met.” She assures.

“Thank you may I love you.” You kiss her cheek before throwing your legs over the bunk and walking to your bed.

“I love you too weirdo, goodnight.” She rolls over pulling the cover up to her neck.

~

“Wider.” Ghost orders, slipping two fingers in your open mouth. You suck desperately, wiggling your ass in anticipation. A large warm hand pushes your thighs apart exposing your dripping slit, your back arches as they flick your beating bud. Who? You turn your body and behind you is a half lidded König looking back. His green eyes stare into your soul as he slides a thick finger inside you, pulling it out achingly slow before pumping it back inside again. Your gaze is snatched away by ghost and met with a stiff twitching cock. Clear pre-cum oozes from his flustered tip, using his thumb he gently opens your mouth, sliding his head over the plush of your lower lip. He hisses as you take him in fully, hollowing your cheeks to take him even deeper. You gasp as König stretches you with another finger, stroking the deepest parts of you. Wet squelching fills the space as your pussy drools with arousal. Saliva dribbles down your chin as your head bobs, swallowing as much of him as your body allowed. His head falls back as his tip is met with the back of your warm velvet throat. You gag, making your throat quiver around him, his hips rock sporadically , fingers tangled in your hair. “S’fucking good baby…that’s it you’re making me feel so good-“ Ghost whimpers, head lolling back.

“Ahhh uhn…” You groan, mouth full, as König runs the flat of his tongue up your split, licking away your slippery nectar. His tongue pets your stiff clit, sucking and licking every inch of your inner sex. His five O’clock shadow rubs against your sensitive lips as he pushes deeper, snaking his tongue inside your tight hole. Your jaw goes slack as he tastes you from the inside fucking you with his wriggling tongue.

“Focus on me.” Ghost growls tilting your face to meet his fuck drunk eyes. His hips move aggressively, pounding the back of your throat without mercy. He pulls out admiring the long glistening trail of spit connecting the two of you before thrusting back in.

“Are you ready to take me Prinzessin?(princess)” König calls, planting soft kisses down your back. You nod your head attempting to say yes but all he hears are small moans and gags. He lines himself between your plush thighs, his tip pushes past the barrier of soft skin. You can feel his dick pulsing so close to your needy cunt you begin to whine, you shake your ass hoping to inch him closer. “I’ll fuck you when I’m ready.” He grunts, stroking your inner thighs with his cock. Your womanhood is soaking wet at the idea that these two monsters were using your body to get off too. “Your thighs feel just as good as that pretty pussy between your legs” he moans fucking your thighs. Ghost pulls back, slapping the curved underside of his dick on your swollen blushed lips.

“Are you tired baby, do you want me to cum?” He teases rubbing his head over your smooth skin.

“She doesn’t deserve to cum yet sergeant.” König slams into you with one long stroke. Ghost follows suit, ramming the back of your throat and trapping your screams inside. König grips your waist holding you still as he absolutely rails you, your pussy flutters with each stroke. His curved dick kisses your sweet spot with every thrust, your walls clench around him when he pulls back. Your entrance squeezes his tip, trying to suck him deeper. With short frustrating thrusts, he fucks you using just the tip of his cock.

“You’re so greedy, you already have a cock in your mouth…and you’re telling me you want more?” He flicks his hips rutting deep inside you. His fingers dig into your hips so hard you knew it’d leave a bruise. They rock your body between them using every piece of you to make themselves cum. You hear an audible ‘pop’ as König uses his spit to lubricate his finger before teasing the only hole that wasn’t full. Slapping sounds fill the air as he pounds into you, massaging your tight little hole. Ghost starts moving faster, making tears fall down your cheeks from overstimulation.

“That slutty mouth is begging for my cum isn’t it?” He chokes, his dick spasming in your mouth.

He makes an inhuman noise as he slams into you one final time before shooting thick salty cum down your throat. König’s nails dig into your hips as he fucks you so hard, your stomach aches. He reached around grabbing your throat as his pace picks up…he was close.

“Can’t take anymore p-please König I’m so close” you cry, eyes rolling back.

“I love the way you beg.” He impales you one last time going as deep as your pussy allowed him. His cock trembles inside you as hot cum shoots from his pulsing tip. You fall to the bed in exhaustion, shaking like a leaf.

~

You wake up to the nagging sound of your alarm. Oh no you think pulling the covers up to your chest.

The sheets were soaking wet, if you didn’t remember last night's dream you’d have sworn you had an accident. Honestly you’d prefer if the infamous toilet dream was the culprit but that wasn’t the case here. This was a good old fashioned wet dream. You’ve had your fair share of wet dreams but König and Ghost…you had to be out of your mind. your brain probably used yesterday's events to generate some random dream sequence, it couldn’t mean anything. You stand, quickly stripping the sheets and making your way to the showers to wash off last night’s dream-like fun.

You get dressed and book it to the janitors closet to get a head start on your chores…something you never did. You couldn’t face either of them now, you decide to just bury yourself in your work. How could you talk This out? What would you say “hey I had a dream you two completely dominated me so we can’t chat right now?”. You’d rather die than ever admit something like that. Maybe this was a sign it was time to really think about your feelings. You need to truly understand how your heart works so nobody else would get hurt. You wondered where König was and what he was doing. Was he thinking about you the way you were thinking of him? You move the mop absentmindedly along the tile floor. You felt so safe with König, his laugh could light up a room, he was beautiful inside and out. But something about Ghost intrigued you and left you wanting more. You had to come up with a fair way to get to know both of them without anyone getting hurt.

~

“Maya, what if I wanted to date two people at once?” You lean over the lunch table so no one else would hear you. She’s quiet for a second, waiting for you to laugh but she sees how serious you are.

“What the hell are you talking about y/n?” She plops an orange slice in her mouth.

“Just hypothetically, how would you go about that?” You raise an eyebrow.

“Well…communication. Both parties would have to have a mutual understanding. Consent is key.” She explains.

“So just show your interest in the idea and inform them of the terms?”

“Right, but the real question is why would you want to do something like that?” She tilts her head.

“First of all it’s hypothetical, and second why should someone have to choose between two people they barely know. Shouldn’t they get the chance to atleast get to know each person.” You take a disgusting bite of your sandwich.

“Well…the person can try being friends with them first. That way there are no expectations.”

“What if they are stubborn and expect an answer right away?” You ask doe eyed. Maya pats your head supportively.

“Then they aren’t the ones for you.” You nod, shooting from your chair.

“God you’re so smart. I gotta go! See you later!” You yell back running out of the mess hall leaving your half eaten lunch.

~

You burst through ghosts office door without knocking as usual and as usual he gives you an annoyed look. To your surprise König sits at the opposite side of the desk, your guess is he’s being briefed on the next mission. His legs are wide as he leans back in his chair staring back at you silently.

“Great, you're both here.” You start.

“What do you want Rookie?” Ghost asks.

“We need to talk…” König stands, not wanting to hear whatever conversation you had to have with ghost.

“All of us.” he turns back to face you.

To be continued?…

[ddoralaexplorer]

Chapter one- The Cactus and the Truck

Love is just an idea; it’s not real. Love is a myth— a pretty lie people tell themselves to feel less alone. It never made sense to me that people can meet and stay by each other’s sides. It just can’t be, not for me at least. Going from loving someone deeply to forgetting about them the next day. There’s nothing in this forsaken world that can make me change my mind; nothing can make me think that love is real. And yet, everyone’s obsessed with it. Like being adored is the key to survival. I don’t get it. I don’t need anyone. I like being alone.

Most days, at least.

There are moments— quiet ones— loneliness creeps in. But I’d rather sit with it than chase something fake. I have my books. I have my dad. That’s enough.

Renee, my mother left my dad when my sister Bella was an infant. She didn't even know she was pregnant with me yet.

For years, Bella and I spent holidays and school breaks visiting our dad in Washington. Unlike her, I grew to love it here. The gray skies, the rain, the quiet. Phoenix was nothing but dry heat and blinding sun— miserable. When I was five, I threw the tantrum of my life. I begged, screamed, and refused to leave until Renee finally gave in. She let me stay with Charlie, thinking I’d regret it. That I’d eventually come crawling back.

I never did.

Sure, I didn't get to grow up with Bella. And yeah, sometimes I wonder what it would’ve been like if we had stayed together. But I don’t regret my choice.

Everything was perfect, my life was perfect. Simple. Me and my dad. Just us.

I never minded being alone. It wasn’t loneliness— it was peace. My dad understood that. He wasn’t the overbearing, emotional type, and I liked that about him. We had our routine, our little traditions. Sunday fundays, as I called them. Just the two of us on the couch, watching old movies, eating take out. I never wanted anything more.

The soft, fading light cast a glow on my bedroom walls, mixing with the crisp scent of rain drifting in from my cracked window. Perfect evening. A good book, cool Forks air, and music humming softly from my laptop— what more can I ask for? I curled up on my window seat, flipping through Crime and Punishment, when a knock interrupted the peace.

“Hey uh, Ves?”

Charlie. His voice was careful, almost hesitant. Weird. My dad wasn’t the type to sound serious unless something was really wrong.

I frown. “Yeah?”

The door creaked open, revealing him standing there, looking— thinking. He had that expression he got when he was trying to find the right words, which instantly made me uneasy.

“Bella is coming to live with us”

It came out fast, like he was ripping off a bandage. I just stared. What? No way. NO WAY. Bella swan— my sister, technically— was moving to Forks? After years of barley tolerating this place? This is my home. My dad. Why now? It’s not fair.

“Is that a question?” I blinked at him, hoping he’d crack a grin, say he was joking.

Nothing.

“You’re serious?”

Charlie sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Shell be here tomorrow morning”

“Tomorrow? Dad— why are you just telling me this now?” I snapped my book shut, finally facing him. He exhaled through his nose, lips pressing into a thin line before he stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“Hey, kid” His voice softened. “She’s your sister. I just don’t want you to be alone anymore”

I scoff, shrugging off his hand. “I’m not alone. I have you”

Charlie sighed again, this time heavier. “I know, Ves. But—” He hesitated, looking at me in that way he did when he was trying to make sense.”You’re sixteen almost seventeen. You keep to yourself. You don’t hang out with many people outside of school. That’s not—” He scratches his jaw. “That’s not normal, kid.”

“What, so now I’m a problem?”

Charlie shook his head. “That’s not what I said.”

“I’m fine, Dad. I don’t need fixing.”

“I’m not trying to fix you, Ves. I just think it might be good for you to have your sister around.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Oh yeah, because we’re so close.”

Charlie gave me a look. “She’s family.”

“She’s a stranger.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Charlies face Softened, and that made it worse. I didn't need his pity. He squeezed my shoulder again.

“Just give it a chance”

I rolled my eyes, leaning into him despite myself.“She better not bring me a cactus”

Charlie chuckled, ruffling my hair. “No promises.”

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

She actually brought a freaking cactus.

When my dad pulled up with Bella on Sunday, there it was— small, spiky, and cradled in her hands like it was a piece of home she couldn’t let go of. Seriously? She’s going to miss Phoenix that much?

Bella looked different from the last time I saw her— which in my mind, might as well have been fifty years ago (okay, seven, but close enough). Her hair was longer, reaching past her chest, and she’d grown taller. She was pale, beautiful, just like Renee. Me? I looked more like Charlie.

“Vesper, hey”

We stood there, caught in an awkward stare off, until i forced a small, thin smile. She hesitated, then held out the cactus toward me. I took it, feeling the coolness of her fingers brush against mine.

“…Thanks.”

It wasn’t a bad gift, but what was I supposed to do with a cactus?

Seeing her now was strange. It shouldn’t have been— she was my sister after all— but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was intruding. Taking up space in the peace I’d built.

Charlie carried her bags inside as Bella took slow steps into the house, her face flickering with something like nostalgia. She glanced around, taking in the place like she was trying to reconcile old memories with the present.

“Ves and I cleared some shelves off in the bathroom” Dad told her as he hefted another bag over his shoulder.

Bella barely seemed to register what he said, already making a beeline for her old room. Of course.

Great. One bathroom for three people.

I let out a quiet sigh and turned toward the kitchen, not bothering to stick around in the awkward atmosphere brewing between Bella and Dad.

I wasn’t in the mood for awkward sibling bonding.

Outside, voices carried through the damp Forks air, followed by the honk of a car horn. I stepped onto the porch and spotted Billy Black and his son, Jacob, standing with my dad by an old, rusted truck.

“Jake! Billy!” I called out, breaking into a run.

Jacob barely had time to react before I tackled him into a hug, nearly knocking him off balance.

“Woah, Ves!” He laughed, gripping my arms to steady himself.

Jacob was my person. We’d been inseparable since we were kids. If he went, I went. If he jumped, I jumped— whether it was into a lake or into trouble.

I pulled away and turned towards the house, catching Bella peering out from her bedroom window. Was she planning on coming down or just staring at us like some ghost in a horror movie?

Shaking my head, I turned back to the truck, running my fingers along its sides. it could definitely use a new paint job.

“Dad, this is a nice truck” I said, more as an observation than a compliment.”

Jacob followed my gaze but quickly turned toward the door as Bella finally emerged, her hands stuffed into her jacket pockets. She hesitated for a second before walking up, and Jacob— who was rarely ever shy— shifted from one foot to the other.

“Hey, Im Jacob” he said, smiling. “We used to make mud pies when we were little”Mud pies?

I stared at him. Of all the things to mention, that’s what he went with?

Bella blinked. “Right. No, I remember.”

I stifled a groan, feeling secondhand embarrassment settle in. Was this always going to be this awkward?

Charlie, ever the peacemaker, cut in. “So, what do you think?”

Bella glanced between him and the truck. “Of what?”

“Your homecoming present”

I snapped my head toward Charlie, then at Bella, then back at the truck. No way.

Jacob elbowed me before I could say anything, but I couldn’t believe it. Bella had been here for five minutes, and she already had a car?

I tried to smile, tried to act I wasn’t completely annoyed, but seriously? How was that fair?

I folded my arms and rocked back on my heels, forcing my voice to stay light.

“wow, Bella. Not even here a full day, and you’re already getting gifts. Guess forks isn’t so bad after all, huh?”

Bella turned to me, her brows knitting slightly, like she was trying to figure out if I was joking or not.

Jacob coughed into his hand, failing to hide a smirk. “Yeah, Ves, when’s your new car getting here?”

Charlie shot him a look. “Don’t start.”

I huffed a laugh, shaking my head. “Too late, already started.”

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

“Come on, Jake! She just got here, and I’m already being pushed aside.” I groaned dramatically, flopping face-first into my bed.

Jacob chuckled, shutting my bedroom door behind him. “That’s not fair, Ves. Maybe he’s just trying to make up for lost time with her.”

I groaned louder, muffling it into my pillow. “Lost time? Please.” I lifted my head just enough to glare at him. “There’s no way you’re actually defending her right now.”

Jacob raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m just saying, you’ve had Charlie all to yourself for years.”

I scoffed. “Exactly! I put in the work. I earned it.”

Jacob snorted. “Didn’t realize dads were something you had to earn.”

Ignored him, rolling onto my back and staring at the ceiling. It wasn’t that I wanted Bella gone, exactly. But for almost seventeen years, it had just been me and Charlie. Our routine. Our home. And now, Bella swoops in, and suddenly, everything is about her? Yeah. No thanks.

Jacob, of course didn't get it. Not when he’d spent his whole life hopelessly crushing her. Even as kids, it was always Bella this, Bella that. If anyone should be annoyed by her sudden reappearance, it should be him. But no— here he was, defending her like some kind of Bella Swan lawyer.

“Wanna come to La push with Embry and Quil?” Jacob asked, changing the subject completely.

I lift my head so fast it nearly gave me whiplash. “Yes”

He laughed. “You didn't even let me finish.”

I sat up, already grabbing my hoodie off the chair. “Doesn’t matter. Anything to get me out of here while she settles in.”

Jacob just shook his head, amused, as I shoved my arms into my sleeves.

“You’re so dramatic.”

“And you’re just realizing this now?”

He rolled his eyes and pulled open the door. “Come on, lets go before you start writing tragic poetry about being replaced.”

I huffed a laugh, shoving him towards the stairs. I had no idea how much things were about to change. If I had known, maybe I would have fought harder to keep things the way they were. Maybe I would have appreciated that last peaceful day a little more.

Because after this, nothing would ever be the same.

[wynnyfryd]

the kind of charm we need

written for @steddiemicrofic september prompt ‘charm’ + 548 words | rated T | pre-relationship, fluff, flirting, boys being dumb

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“‘Not the kind of charm we need,’” Steve mutters derisively to himself for the tenth time that day as they pull up to the cemetery curb.

“Yeah, yeah,” Dustin sighs, “your time and talents are sooo wasted on us, Steve, we get it.”

Max glares at him from the rearview like she agrees with Dustin, then shoves out of the backseat and slams the door shut behind her without a word.

Shit.

Steve watches her climb the hill, guilt rolling through his guts. Fuckin’ Nancy. There are bigger problems here.

Like, for example, the metalhead fugitive having a nervous breakdown in a boathouse.

“Oh, my god,” Lucas says from the backseat as the walkie crackles to life, Eddie’s quivering voice calling out for ‘Dustin? Anybody? Hello??’

He passes the walkie up to the front with a look like he’s debating whether or not to just smash the thing to pieces on the asphalt instead. “Can you maybe use your charm on Eddie before I murder him?”

“He’s in distress!” Dustin cries.

“He’s on my last nerve!”

“Seriously, anybody?? Please!”

“Oh, Jesus Christ, give me that.” Steve yanks the walkie out of Lucas’ hand, hauls himself out of the car — leans in to tell the two shitheads to stay put and shut up before he closes the door.

He leans against the driver’s side, head throbbing, body sore. Can’t tell if he’s too young or too old for this shit. He pushes the talk button with a begrudgingly slow press.

“Steve Harrington’s babysitting and distraction service, how may I help you? Over.”

“Stevie!” Eddie whoops, sounding genuinely thrilled to hear Steve’s voice. Steve knows he’s just excited to hear anyone’s voice, but. Hm. “Goddamn am I glad to- wait, where’s Henderson? Sinclair? Are they—?”

“They’re fine,” Steve assures before the creep of hysteria he hears can fully take hold. He kicks his heel against the front tire. “They’re waiting in the car. I’ve been instructed to, like, charm you into calming down, or whatever.”

“Charm me?” Eddie’s voice lilts with interest. Steve can almost see the smile, the way he licks across his front teeth.

“Just a— well, not a joke, but, like…” Steve trails off, gives up trying to explain. Nance has this way of making comments that cling like cactus spines. “Never mind.”

“No, no,” Eddie says. “Go on. I’m ready to be charmed.”

And maybe it’s the way Eddie says charmed like a snake scenting the air, or maybe it’s the stress of the day; maybe he’s finally having his own little mental breakdown as a treat, because for some insane reason he leans into whatever this is, pitches his voice all low and slippery and asks, “What are you wearing?”

Silence for a moment, and then Eddie cackles, the noise so loud it overwhelms the little speaker in the walkie, bursts of laughter breaking through the static noise. Steve finds himself laughing, too, a slow thing that builds and builds, swells inside him like blown glass until he’s warm and bright all over.

“Jesus,” Eddie breathes when he finally calms. “You’re— you’re ridiculous. Shit, man, I really needed that, you have no idea.”

Steve smiles to himself. Bites the inside of his cheek. Not the kind of charm we need.

No, but someone might.

🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄

note: i am aware that this is canon adjacent (which is to say that i meant for it to take place in canon but i didn’t feel like rewatching the scene for total accuracy so like, canon can bite me it’s close enough)

[bumblebeesfromvenus]

Rooftop Confessions 🌟

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Finally, my first fic for my 800 follower event 😵‍💫 I'm sorry that it took me so long!! I missed writing for Jason!! I luv him so much 🥹

The order is here 🎂 <3

☆

Jason seems off. Something is bugging him, disturbing your annual date night. After some pressing, he reveals what has happened on his latest patrol and blames himself.

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Something was off. You couldn't pinpoint it, as if it was avoiding you, but the shift in the air made an uneasy feeling creep up your spine. The cold air felt harsher than usual, the sounds of traffic an unpleasant ring in your ears.

But most importantly, he felt off.

Jason had always been a warm and soft presence, at least with you, but now, he felt cold and stiff. Prickly, even, as if you'd hurt yourself if you touched him.

A beautifully blooming cactus you'd admire, reaching out to graze the tantalizing spikes with your fingertips only to fall in face first.

Your eyes were trained on him, a worried crease between your brows. Jason on the other hand was staring straight ahead, an almost lost look in his teal eyes while the flashing lights of a tumultuous Gotham night were reflecting in his irises.

He'd been quiet today, not something completely out of the ordinary, but it was a different kind of quiet. Not the usual comfortable silence when he was more than happy to let you do the talking and listen with a smile and a fond look on his face but the absent kind of silence, as if he was stuck in his head, his thoughts, with no way out.

The empty affirmations of mhm's and hm's made you alert, being cautious and paying even more attention than normal.

Maybe he had a nightmare again, a bad one?- No, he usually told you about them. A fight with Bruce?- Unlikely, he would've cursed him out and complained about him by now. There wasn't a lot that could sour Jason's mood like this, and the fact that you didn't know what it was made you even more worried.

The cold concrete of the rooftop made you shiver, an uncomfortable feeling settling in your bones. It was your usual date night today, something you'd spend in many different ways; of course there was always the classic dinner, however you and Jason got bored of it after a while.

So, now you just did what you wanted to. Whether that was staying in and reading to each other while gloomy clouds hung in the sky or eating your way through every street vendor the main avenue had to offer.

Today, you opted for take-out and camping on the rooftop of your apartment building. Despite all the noise and chaos going on in Gotham, these were the most peaceful nights. Filled with soft laughter, talking about anything and everything along with sweet kisses.

But all of that sugary sweet atmosphere was lacking today. Jason's dinner remained untouched, while you pushed the food around with your fork, your appetite fizzling away. Swallowing the last bite of your fried rice, you gently moved the container off your lap and watched Jason.

The way his brows were pulled together, his eyes stone cold with something else hiding underneath the surface. His jaw was clenched and the entirety of his back and shoulders were tensed up. The dreading anxiety was slowly crawling up your throat, opting you to say something now before the flood of emotions from being overwhelmed and confused would uncontrollably spill out of you.

"Jay?" You asked carefully, watching him intensely.

No reaction, just glazed eyes.

"Jason?" You raised your voice a little, hoping your stern call could break through the thick fog hanging over his mind.

His head moved maybe an inch to face you.

"Hm?" The absent tone in his voice both made you want to huff in frustration and cry.

"What's wrong."

"What? Nothin's wrong-"

"That wasn't a question. I know something is wrong." As much as you wanted to sound steady and firm, the worry in your chest managed to tie your tongue in a knot.

A scoffed slipped past his lips, something that he regretted immediately, judging by his expression.

"Everything is fine, alright?" He tried to assure you softly, but the fake smile he tried so hard to put on only made the feeling in your stomach worsen.

"Don't lie to me." You said quietly, the furrow of your brows tugging uncomfortable on the muscles in your forehead.

"I told you, everything is okay." His reply came out snappy and annoyed, something that has rarely ever happened.

You were taken aback, the shock on your face evident.

Jason's eyes widened and he scrambled for an apology but the only thing that came out was a strained sigh, a hand running through his hair, the tuft of white hair spilling through his fingers.

He got up from his place beside you and dragged his hands down his face with a disgruntled noise.

"You have to tell me what's going on." You pleaded desperately.

If he was acting like this, whatever was wrong wasn't a little dispute with Bruce or even Dick. This was something bigger, something so big that it broke down the impenetrable walls of your invincible lover.

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose, his bottom lip finding its way between his teeth. You could see the distress on his face, it was basically radiating off of him. But what made you jump up from your place near the edge of the roof was the quivering of his lip as he tilted his head back.

"Jason.." you reached up and cupped his cheek, the other placed over his heart.

He melted into your touch, curling himself around you in a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry, ladybird." He mumbled, pressing his face into your neck.

"Hey, hey... what're you sorry for, Jay?" You asked softly, gently raking your fingers through the hair on the back of his head.

There was a beat of silence, his grip tightening around you.

"I fucked up." He sniffled quietly.

"Honey, look at me." You pulled his head from where it was nestled in the crook of your neck and firmly planted your hands on his cheeks.

"What happened? I can only help if you talk to me." You said with a small and gentle smile as your thumbs smoothed out the deep crease between his brows.

His eyes were glassy when he finally met your gaze, and there was the faintest hint of a pout on his kissable lips.

"Deep breath." You cooed, letting one of your hands fall to the middle of his chest.

You watched as Jason inhaled deeply. Unfortunately, the lump in his throat only seemed to grow, and his voice came out shaky when he spoke.

"When-" Jason cut himself off with a defeated sigh as his head tipped forward.

You waited patiently, tightly holding onto his hands while he searched for the right words.

"On patrol, a couple days ago... there were these... I don't know, bad guys? More like wannabe villains or something..." he mumbled, a small smile breaking onto your face at the grumbly tone of his voice.

"And then what, hm?" You asked gently, the pads of your thumbs caressing his scarred knuckles.

His brows furrowed again, but more like he was thinking, a pained shimmer in his eyes nonetheless.

Now, what he was thinking? That was always hard to decipher. You could see the gears turning, but what they were turning, you didn't know.

His shoulders slumped just slightly, something that might've seemed normal or unimportant to the regular eye. Jason's lips were pulled into a thin line.

"One of them, he started his little monologue and I guess... he wanted to get a reaction out of me. You know, he talked about B and Dickie and everyone else. Which, I can handle. I've been doing this a while." He ended it off with a sad chuckled that made your heart twinge.

"But..." he sighed heavily, gently pulling one of his hands from your grip and dragging it down his face.

"It didn't work. So... he... fuck- he mentioned you. He-He said your name and...." Jason's jaw clenched as he tried to force the words out of his throat.

You had to admit, the fact that some random criminal had somehow gotten his hands on information about you made a particularly unpleasant shiver run down your spine.

You swallowed thickly, your stomach tying itself into knots.

Subconsciously, you squeezed Jason's hands tighter, and his gaze snapped towards you, and the look in his eyes was enough to rival a hot dagger to the chest.

"I snapped. He blindsided me so hard- I never would've expected that and-and his fucking grin got wider the angrier I got and his buddies were cackling- I'm so sorry." He rambled nervously, his throat closing up again.

Unspilled tears glistened in his eyes as he bit back a sob.

"It's not your fault, my love. You couldn't have known-" He shook his head repeatedly.

"No, no, I put you in danger. I was reckless and should've controlled my emotions better. If I hadn't put all of them in the ground and had Tim scrub every possible access point to you, who knows what would've happened." He looked almost ashamed that he put your safety on the line, even just for a split second.

"Oh, Jay.." you sighed softly.

"But you took action, didn't you?"

"... I suppose so, but-"

"Ah- no buts. You did the right thing. You fixed your mistake. Gotham's streets are safer without them anyway. Besides, I know you would've protected me regardless. There's no place safer than your arms." You brought his hand to your lips and pressed a sweet kiss to his knuckles.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and his cheeks dusted pink.

"I know, I know... I just need you to understand how much I can't lose you." The sincere and almost pleading look in his eyes would've been enough to bring you to tears.

He wrapped his arms around your middle and pulled you flush against him.

"I can't lose you. Do you hear me? Ever." He said quietly. Suddenly, all the loud noises of Gotham seemed to cut out as the only thing you could hear were your shared breath and his voice.

"Because... when I'm with you... it feels like my heart sings, my emotions feel like explosions and you... make me so happy." You could feel tears well up in your eyes at his loving and heartfelt confession.

"Jay-"

"I'm a wreck when I'm without you, absolutely unbearable. I need you like I need air and it feels ridiculous sometimes. I never thought happiness would be in the cards for me, and I always asked myself if love was worth it, and it definitely is. You're worth everything." The words spilled out of him with no end as he layed out his heart and soul in front of you on this chilly Gotham rooftop.

His hand cupped your cheek, and you leaned into his warming touch.

"And I hate myself for all times I've ever made you feel like a burden or anything less than perfect. I need you to stay. Here, with me. Forever, preferably." He a cracked a gentle smile making you let out a sniffly giggle.

"I love you. More than I could ever tell you. And I need you to know that I've never been happier." You replied softly, pulling Jason down to bump your nose against his as a gentle gesture of affection.

He smiled, resting his forehead against his while the howling wind of the night was pounding on his back.

"I love you too, ladybird." He whispered, connecting your lips in a sweet and loving kiss that managed to melt any remaining worries you had.

His hand slid upwards between your shoulder blades, the other arm firmly situated around your waist, as he dipped you slightly.

A squeal and a laugh slipped past your lips into the kiss and a pleasant purr of a chuckle rumbled through his chest. Jason pulled back and rested his lips on your forehead, wrapping you tightly in his burly arms.

You hummed softly, your face buried in his chest, shielded from the wind. The pair of you stood on the rooftop, the moon shining down on you as the bustle of Gotham quieted down just a bit.

Your, now cold, take out was long forgotten, as were any uneasy feelings in the pit of your stomach. The steady beat of his heart was enough to lull you to, not quite sleep, but a drowsy state of warmth and love, while enveloped in his arms.

There was no place you'd rather be.

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I hope you enjoyed 😚

More Jason -> 💫

《taglist》: @arkhamknightscxnt @allysunny @hellonheels-x @gaozorous-rex-blog

If you want to be added/removed from my DC taglist (Bale!Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson) just let me know! 🩷

[byjove]

Not only does dragonfruit grow on a cactus but the cactus it grows on creeps outwards and up and grows like a vine and can scale sheer rock faces and trees. In cultivation, the vines are trained to climb a central column and grow like a tree for easy harvest and. There are several species of moonlight cactus that produce dragonfruit. Moonlight cactuses are called that because they only bloom at night and often only bloom for one night.

[brain4stew]

Hey again!! I’m back here with yet another request 😇 also the last one I sent you was SO good 😭🙏 ur headcanons we’re amazing and I personally think the way you described the characters were spot on so kudos to you bro… anyways enough with my little ramble session here’s my next request hehe

May I request 1x4, Mafioso, and John Doe with a GN! Reader who is really, and I mean REALLY downbad and lowkey (highkey) insane for them? Like they would do ANYTHING for them (Basically their like Joe Goldberg for better use of words 😭) and whenever they encounter them they literally just start going nuts with screaming, and jumping up and down happily? Hopefully this makes sense LMAOO

Anywho, thank you again! And remember to keep yourself hydrated and take breaks! Your writing is amazing SKSKSKS

I legit have NO idea who Joe Goldberg is!! 😭😭 But tysm for the compliments!! 🫶🫶 (I will hydrate myself like a cactus atp, DROWN ME IN WATER.)

(As always, I do not entirely know the characters exact personalities and so on, so they might, if not most likely will be OOC!!)

That being said, here are the headcanons/something, under the cut!! ;

(1x1x1x1)

• 1x1x1x1, can hear you from across the damn map. How and why are you so loud?

• He ignores you for now, and goes to kill the other survivors, struggling a bit due to Guest 1337 and Shedletsky.

• When he does kill everyone, (except for Two Time, as he absolutely HATES them with their second life.) he goes to find and kill you.

• Unfortunately for him, he gets creeped out by you, and walks backwards, out of… What is it he’s feeling? Concern, disgust? Whatever he’s feeling, it’s weird.

• He decides to let his minions kill you instead, which… Proves to be difficult…

• When the timer ends, and you’re all sent back to your lobbies, he’s mentally exhausted by you… (Give him a break, he got confused by you.)

• While you, just babble on and on to the survivors about him. (Shedletsky called you a simp, and you might have strangled him a bit…)

• To say that 1x1x1x1 HOPE to not get you against him again, is an understatement.

(Mafioso)

• Mafioso is shocked and surprised by your volume, how and why can he hear you from across the map??

• Whatever the case is, he doesn’t care, as he goes to kill all the survivors.

• When he sees that you got hit by one of his guys, he immediately goes to you, to kill you off.

• However, he was NOT prepared to be greeted by… You being… You.

• He just stands there and stares at you for a while. (You’re strangely amusing to him…)

• After a while however, he goes away from you, and goes to kill the other survivors, as he’s running out of time.

• When the timer ends, everyone gets transported back to their lobbies.

• You are immediately babbling about Mafioso, and how much you love seeing him, and how awesome he is. (As you completely ignore your wounds, that the other survivors are trying to help you with.)

• Mafioso is in shock and confusion about you, how were you that loud, and why did you act the way you did? (He’s not entirely complaining, as you amused him, but still. WOAH.)

• Safe to say that, Mafioso is unsure if he wants to see you again or not.

(John Doe)

• John Doe is SHOCKED and CONFUSED, to say the least at your volume. How the hell did you manage that type of volume??

• He’s even unsure if he should kill you and the other survivors…

• He doesn’t kill them, he goes friendly. He stays by other survivors, and is just, confused as hell.

• When he sees you approach him, he’s even more confused. (Why are you going to him? Why- why are you going on his corrupted trail- NO. GET OFF IT NOW!)

• When the timer ends, and you all get sent back to your lobbies, John Doe is extremely confused, that 1x1x1x1 had to help him with his confusion.

• You, of course, are just babbling about him in the survivor lobby, as the survivors try and get the corruption off of you, and heal you.

• John Doe, too is confused if he wants to see you again or not. You made him go friendly after all, can you blame him for being confused?

[bloodfin]

nothing rusts in the desert;

happy raindrop month everyone. for @midnight-moth

characters: rain, dewdrop

nearly three thousand words of back pain, massage, boys kissing, dry humping. enjoy

title comes from my all time favorite raindrop perfume, with scent notes as follows: pink cactus flowers and sweet grass, with notes of warm rain and woody dry vanilla

Ao3

Dewdrop’s ears prickle at the sound of someone hissing in pain, quickly turning to locate the sound of distress.

It's the new water ghoul, Rain. He's bent halfover, seemingly frozen, bass in hand and halfway off.

Dew rushes over to take its weight, carefully lifting the instrument up so Rain can disentangle from the strap.

"You okay?"

"Mhm," Rain nods, hoping his forced smile doesn't look as much of a grimace as it feels. "Thank you. "

"'Course," he says, placing his, no, Rain's, bass, into its tired stand. Dew silently appraises him for a moment, noting the way his brows furrow as he straightens, his hand searching below his ribcage on his back, a shaky exhale and the definite scent of pain.

"Maybe you should rest this afternoon -"

"No, no," Rain interrupts a little too quickly. "Just pulled something, I think. Still getting used to the whole having legs all the time thing, you know?"

Dew does know, does not fondly remember his first few weeks topside when everything tasted wrong and he couldn't get his feet right.

"'Kay, but let me know if you need help, yeah?"

"Yeah," Rain tries to smile again. He straightens as best he can to walk, or perhaps shuffle, to the practice room's west doors, the ones that lead directly to the gardens.

Dew grabs his phone from his pocket, sends Mountain a quick text.

'Don't let the new guy work too hard.'

-

When Dew returns to the commons it's dinner time, the table overflowing with freshly picked vegetables and still warm bread.

It smells great, really, but he immediately clocks the absence of a certain bioluminescent ghoul.

"Where's Rain?" Dew asks, casually leaning on the back of his chair. He has a feeling he already knows.

"Said he wasn't feeling well, poor thing," Cumulus tuts, laying out the last set of cutlery.

Dew hums, he was right of course. He picks up a plate and stacks a few pieces of the sourdough Cumulus had been so kind to make, along with some sliced fruit and grilled vegetables.

"I'll bring him a little bit, but don't wait for me."

Cumulus nods, and Dewdrop leans his head on her soft shoulder for just a moment before heading down the hall, stopping at the door right next to his. He knocks gently and waits, but receives no answer.

He knocks again, firmer this time, and hears a muffled 'it's open' in response.

"Rain? I brought you some dinner," Dew starts, blinking his eyes a few times to adjust to the dim lighting. Not only is Rain a water ghoul, but he's a deep water ghoul - preferring low light and high humidity.

"Oh Rain," he sighs to himself, setting the plate of food on his desk. Rain is face down in his bed, stretched out at some terrible angle, the scent of pain so thick Dew is surprised he didn't smell it creeping out from under the door.

"'S the only thing that feels good," Rain mumbles, shifting his head on the pillow so Dew could hear him a little better.

"Do you want some help?"

"Mhm."

Rain is trying, really trying, to not sound as whiny as he feels. But Dew is a gentle-ghoul after all, and wouldn't mention if he did.

"Can I sit?"

Dew takes the ruffled sound of Rain nodding his head against his pillow as a yes, and seats himself next to the sprawled out ghoul.

"Here?" he asks, placing gentle fingers against Rain's back, at his mid-ribcage.

"Lower," Rain grumbles, sucking in a sharp breath when Dew presses his fingers right into the knot. "Yeah. There."

"Don't worry sharkbait, I've got you."

"What?"

"It's from a movie. We'll watch it when you feel better."

"'Kay," Rain breathes softly, looking over at Dew with half lidded eyes, a soft blanket bunched tightly in his fist. "Ready when you are."

Dew nods and places one hand on Rain's side to steady himself and provide counterpressure, tries very hard to not think about how perfectly his hand fits between Rain's gills. He focuses heat into his fingertips and begins to rub small circles right into the most tender spot.

He can feel the knotted muscle, what should be strong but pliable feeling hard beneath his calloused fingers. He presses a little harder, whispering quiet apologies when Rain sucks in a hard breath.

"’S okay," he sighs, and adjusts his grip on the blanket.

Dew focuses on a press and pull, working at the overstressed muscles and finding more as he increases the radius of his ministrations. The shirt, however, is an issue. Each push of his fingers scratches itchy cotton against sensitive water ghoul skin, and that simply cannot be helpful.

"Can I -"

"Do you want me to -"

Dew laughs under his breath, flattening his palm on Rain's back.

"Let me."

He slips warm nimble fingers under the hem of Rain's shirt and slowly slips it up his body, helping him work his arms and head out before tossing it to the floor. When he turns he sees a familiar brown glass pot, much like the one in his own room.

"That from Mountain?"

"Yeah," Rain nods, readjusting into the pillows. "Said it would help and insisted I take it. Guess I do look terrible, because he didn't let me do anything but sit in a wheelbarrow and pull water into the soil today."

Dew neither agrees or disagrees, and instead reaches for the pot to open it. He's hit with the scent of eucalyptus and arnica, followed by lavender and chamomile. He rubs the balm between his fingers and returns them to Rain's skin; the corner of his mouth ticks up when Rain sighs in relief.

"Feel good?" he murmurs, watching the way Rain's freckles dimple under his fingers. There's a few flashes of luminescence that run up Rain's spine and Dew can't help but feel a little bit of loss. He can't really do that anymore. But it's okay, he reminds himself, because he can press heat into Rain's skin from his very own fingertips and maybe that will be worth all he's given up.

Dew pauses for a moment and blinks to clear his head, unsure of where that train of thought came from. He tries to shake it out of his ear and refocuses on the task at hand. He would never admit it, not even to Lucifer himself, but that task is slowly morphing from helping to work out a sore muscle to getting Rain to make as many of those breathy noises as possible.

And so that's what he does: concentrates on pressing heat into the muscles of Rain's back, watching his gills flutter. Absolutely not thinking about licking into one.

Because he's a gentle-ghoul.

When Rain rolls his hips with a quiet moan Dew pauses for a moment, rubs his thumb in back and forth over that one particular sore spot.

"I can -" he starts, tries to cough a little to disguise how rough his voice has become. "I can make it better."

Rain, on the other hand, has given up any semblance of pretense.

"Please, Dew."

It's at this moment that Dew decides those are his favorite words. The way Rain says them, full of want. The way his name sounds in that cute accent the deep water ghouls have, something about the way their larynx developed. Maybe he should've paid more attention in biology at seminary but he can't be bothered now.

He has a goal, and it's to make Rain feel better.

And maybe hear him say that again… at least once. Maybe a few more times.

‘Gentle-ghoul,’ he reminds himself, and swings his leg over Rain's hips, straddling him so he can put more weight behind the pressure.

Rain all but flattens when Dew begins to really push, kneading into his flesh with more power than outward appearances might indicate. Dew shifts so he's not quite sitting on Rain, knowing the heat and hardness would be quite obvious. If Dew could feel Rain the same way the mattress did, he'd probably not be so self-conscious.

“More,” Rain sighs, and Dew feels his resolve steadily dropping.

He leans forward, palms between shoulders, pushing at sore flesh that hasn't had half a chance to acclimate properly. He notes a few dry, faded patches of skin and thinks after this, a bath is needed. So he can show Rain how to soak properly.

Yeah. A bath. For educational, medical reasons. But he feels like he needs to shift his attention again. Far more important things to focus on at the moment.

Like the way Rain's skin dimples under his fingers, or how it stays cool on the surface despite the heat being pushed into it. The way little flickers and flashes of luminescence trail up Rain's spine, travel outwards like lightning flowers, the nerves themselves telling Dew where to focus his attention. The feeling of hard, knotted muscle softening under his fingers, becoming more pliant as he relaxes.

The way he moans Dew's name into his pillow when he pushes against him just right.

Dew is leaning over him, he can't help it. Kneading into his shoulder blade. Fighting the urge to roll his hips.

“Feel good, baby?”

Rain chirps in question. And Dew coughs. Tries to cover it.

“Mm - Rainy?”

“Yeah,” he sighs, and Dew swallows hard. He can feel his grip loosening with every breath, every tremor, and when Rain rolls his hips into the mattress again Dew curses, out loud this time.

It's Rain's turn to check in, and he pushes himself up on one elbow so he can look at Dew a little better.

“You alright -” he starts, but Dew hadn't been expecting the movement. It catches him off guard and he finds himself pressed into Rain's back.

“Oh.”

“Sorry,” Dew mumbles, every fiber of his body aching for more.

“No, don't have to be,” Rain smiles, a pretty navy flush spreading across his nose. “Feels. You feel… it's -”

“Different?” Dew supplies helpfully. Rain nods and Dew wonders if maybe he’s fighting with himself, too.

“I get it, it's all different. It feels more intense, somehow. Maybe because up here these vessels are much closer to mortality than they ever would be back home.”

“Could be.”

“How's your back?”

“Definitely better, but -”

Dew can sense Rain's hesitation and moves to climb off of him, but Rain's tail darts out to wrap around Dew's waist, keeping him from going too far away.

“Sorry, I just… can't figure out how to, well.”

It's Dewdrop’s turn to flush, he can feel it build in his cheeks and the tips of his ears. His nose twitches and he registers how the scent of the room has changed, from decaying salt marsh to warm rain and pink cactus flowers.

“I can fix that too,” he murmurs, offering a shallow roll of his hips. “If you want.”

“Fuck, Dewdrop. Please.”

Dew isn't sure how it's possible for him to be any harder than he was, but Rain sounding like that is making him feel like he can't see right, like nothing else in this world matters. He ruts against Rain harder this time, feels the stiff fabric of his jeans rub against his cock and he can't help the shudder that runs down his spine.

Rain rocks back to meet him, turning his head to try and get a better look at Dew's face.

“Wanna see you,” he mumbles, and Dew looks up from where he'd been staring into Rain's back, eyes tracing the natural patterns of his flesh. He nods quickly, lifts himself and lets Rain roll over before quickly settling back between his legs.

Dew feels sticky warmth through his jeans the moment their bodies touch, and he can't help but wonder how long Rain had spent grinding into the mattress that he didn't notice.

“So wet,” Dew grins, and Rain nods quickly. He then arches his back up and grinds himself against Dew, hips searching out friction as he pulls him closer. Tail still draped across his waist, a long leg weaving between his own.

When Rain’s hand starts to tug at Dew's shirt he quickly acquiesces, tossing it off and away without much preamble.

“Pretty,” Rain says, thumb running across one of Dew's pierced nipples. It feels like electricity when Rain touches him, the shock running straight down his spine so quickly he wonders if part of his own previous water nature had just been reawakened.

“You're pretty,” he breathes, warm breath fanning across Rain's cheek. He brings his thumb up to brush across his lower lip, pulling it free from his fang. “Real pretty.”

Dew is a lot of things, but he's not a liar. Rain is pretty. All dark, curly hair. Eyes a bright blue, though with his pupils blown this wide he may as well be staring into the depths themselves, only a thin ring of color left at this point. Navy flush across his nose, making his mossy freckles stand out against grey-blue skin. The way his ear fins are flushing now, too, being studied like this.

Dew's tongue darts out to lick his dry lips and Rain's eyes drop to follow the motion. He swallows, hard, and Dew feels his fingertips tremble where they're glued just above the tail wrapped around his waist.

‘Gentle-ghoul be damned,’ Dew thinks briefly, before crushing his lips to Rain's.

The kiss leaves them both breathless with a stark shift in the air towards something more desperate. They part, for just a moment, and Dew rolls his hips against Rain, friction dragging pleasured groans from each.

“Dew,” Rain pants, looking at him with wide, glassy eyes, “please don't stop.”

“Yeah,” he nods, slides his hand up from Rain's chest to cradle the back of his head, lithe fingers combing through dark curls while his thumb rests at his ear.

Dew brings his lips back to Rain's, kisses him softly before licking at the seam. Rain lets him in, of course, moans at the warmth of Dew's tongue filling his mouth. Rain's tail shifts around Dew's waist and he starts to pull, his hips meeting the rhythm Dew sets.

Dew moans into his mouth and grinds down, cock dragging against fabric and Rain's own hardness. He has a fleeting thought, about what might be hiding underneath those tight black jeans. He's excited to find out, but right now he just wants to see Rain come.

He starts to kiss across Rain's jaw, down the column of his throat. Distracted for just a moment by Rain's beauty, how his proud nose looks in profile, how his flush spreads across his whole face, how bright his own golden skin looks pressed against his cheek. He's pulled from his thoughts by a firm roll of Rain's hips, and his lips find his Adam's apple as it bobs with a deep groan.

“Take what you need,” Dew murmurs, turning his head to suck at the corner of Rain's jaw.

“Harder, wanna feel it.”

Dew feels like he might burn the whole Abbey down with the way those words light a fire in his gut. He obeys, it’s a simple request, and pulls that tender skin between his teeth, sucking a dark purple mark. When Rain sighs for more he presses his thumb into it, feels himself spurting at the low sounds coming from deep in Rain's chest.

Rain tightens his tail and Dew licks at his jaw, working himself behind the delicate fin of his ear to taste him there, too. Always where a water ghoul's essence is strongest.

“C'mon, let go Rainy,” he murmurs, wrapping his long fingers under his jaw, tipping his head back to get better access to the sensitive skin.

“The other name, fuck - Dew, what you called me before -” Rain sounds wrecked, and the failing rhythm of his hips lets Dew know he's close, searching out that last push to fall over the edge.

Dew groans into him, teeth scraping sensitive skin while Rain’s claws drag down Dew's back.

“You gonna come for me baby?”

Dew couldn't tell where that voice just came from, deep and rusty pressed into Rain's neck as hard as he's pressing against his cock. Rain's tail tightens, his claws dig in, and Dew is almost certain the warm trickle he feels running down his spine is blood.

Just another reason to take that bath.

When he ruts against Rain it's clumsy, their hips no longer in sync but searching for each other anyways. Dew flips his hair over his shoulder so he can watch Rain's face, the way his eyes crinkle at the corners matching his nose. All sense is gone, Rain's just babbling now, and Dew is chasing his release as much as he's searching for Rain's, his own tail coiled around Rain's leg so tight he's not sure how much feeling will be left when they finish.

“That's it baby,” Dew urges, and Rain full-on whines.

It's nothing short of a miracle that Dew doesn't bust that very moment.

No, what gets him is Rain arching his back and grinding right into cock, crying out Dew's name with no sense of volume. They certainly heard him in the commons and right now Dew honestly couldn't care less. The only thing he cares about is how wet he is, how wet Rain is, how he's had however many orgasms topside but not a single one has ever felt quite like that.

Something he shouldn't dwell on.

Probably.

So instead he lifts his head from where it's taken residence on Rain's chest, humming at the blissed out water god. Ghoul.

“You know, I saw you had a few dry patches. Tough spots to soak. You want me to fix those too?”

“Yeah,” Rain smiles, squeezing the hand Dew has splayed across his pounding heart. “Yeah, I do.”

[forsakensnakeskin]

Floral Devil Lore

Source: The Complete Language of Flowers by S. Theresa Dietz

Do your own research on the toxicity of these plants before using them in any capacity.

Aletris farinosa: Devil's Bit

Artemisia absinthium: There is a legend that Artemisia absinthium marked the path that Satan took on his exit from the Garden of Eden.

Atropa belladonna: Devil's Berries, Devil's Cherries

*Cardamine: is supposedly an ingredient in the “Nine Herbs Charm” of tenth century England that was intended to be used in battle to fend off the perceived power used against them by the Serpent. (Given the Christian influence on the poem, the Serpent may or may not reference the Devil.)

Centranthus ruber: Devil's Beard

Chelidonium: Devil's Milk

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon: Devil's Hand Tree

Conium: Devil's Porridge

Cuscuta: Devil's Guys, Devil's Hair, Devil's Ringlet

Cylindropuntia imbricata: Devil's Rope Cactus, Devil's Rope Pear

Datura: Devil's Apple, Devil's Cucumber, Devil's Trumpet, Devil's Weed, Hell’s Bells

Daucus carota: Devil's-plague

Epipremnum aureum: Devil's Ivy

Ferula assa-foetida: Devil's Dung; symbolism chase away the devil

Hyoscyamus niger: Devil's Eye

Hypericum perforatum: Chase Devil, Scare Devil

Mandragora: A person who received one for free would never be free, for the person would be in the grip of the Devil.

Nigella damascena: Devil in the Bush

Nolina lindheimeriana: Devil's Shoestring

Ocimum basilicum: The Devil's Plant

Oxalis tetraphylla: charm against the Devil

Petroselinum crispum: Devil's Oatmeal

Podophyllum peltatum: Devil's Apple

Pteridophyta: Devil's Brushes

Rauvolfia tetraphylla: Devil Pepper

Sambucus nigra: The English believe that burning its logs will bring the Devil into the house.

Sansevieria: Devil's Tongue

Secale cereale: Dealings with the Devil, Devilry

Stenocereus eruca: Creeping Devil

Succisa pratensis: Devil's Bit, Devil's Bit Scabious; In folk tales, the short black roots of this plant are the result of the Devil biting off the roots in anger after hearing a rumor that the plant may have had curative powers against the Bubonic Plague.

Verbena officinalis: Devil's Bane

Vinca minor: Devil's Eye