#dale peck

[chasematt]

via The Baffler

[kristopherbiernat]

The Evergreen Review:F/W 2020

[music-wrestling-nascar-fangirl]

@userblaney

Jr and Danielle Peck!

This is one of my fave songs from her https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv_QxtpfX9g

[ourscumbag]

who up listening to hangman's playlist

[sthavoc]

𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 | ENZO VOGRINCIC

𖥔 ࣪˖ pairing: enzo x fem!reader

𖥔 ࣪˖ summary: with all the events enzo is attending, he thinks it would be a good idea to learn a bit of english, especially with the Oscars coming around. lucky for him he had the perfect person.

𖥔 ࣪˖ warnings: just pure fluff

𖥔 ࣪˖ note: I wouldn’t mind teaching him if he asked 😅 this one is short and I’m sorry if there’s any mistakes.. I didn’t have enough time to proofread.. ohh and btw I will start taking requests for enzito! :))

“Dale nena. Un poquito na’ más.” Enzo’s arm travels around your waist as he brings you closer to him on the couch.

He had been attempting his very best to persuade you by showing him a few basics of English. He wanted to involve himself in additional conversations with other celebrities, and when the idea popped into his head he thought you would be the perfect help.

“Enzo.” You giggle pushing him with your hand on his chest. You noticed how he tried to look serious. “Que quieres aprender.” He smiles at how you give in.

“Lo básico.” He shrugs but then he thinks. “A ver cómo se dice—” he licks his lips, his elbow resting on the couch with his sight on you. “Es un gusto conocerte.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s.. a pleasure.. to meet you.” Enzo repeats. His eyes squint as he somewhat tilts his head to the side due to the bit of struggle of pronunciation.

“Nada mal eh.” He smiles at your compliment.

“Gracias, gracias.” He brings his hand to his chest. “A ver cómo se dice… estoy muy contento de estar aquí.”

“I am very happy to be here.”

“I am.. very.. very—” he shakes his head making you giggle. “happy to be.. here!” He drops his hand in a sudden movement making the both of you move.

“Enzo!” your chuckles muffled into his chest. Your head looks up into his eyes as his arm remained wrapped around the back of your neck.

“Ya pero, como se dice-” he whispers with a hint of raspiness in his voice close to your lips. He speaks “Tengo a la novia más hermosa de todo el mundo” before giving your lips a peck as you smiled.

“I have the most beautiful girlfriend in the whole world.” You look into his eyes as he gave you one of his oh so charming smiles.

“I have the most beautiful girlfriend in the whole world.” he managed to say before he kissed your lips again. This time he brought your bottom lip into his own lips as his hand reached for your cheek. His thumb rested on the sculpture of your cheekbone while the rest of his hand rested on the back of your neck.

“sabes a dulce chiquita.” he whispers into your lips. The two of you chuckled at his comment. You pulled away licking your lips not even attempting to hide your growing smile as you stared at him.

Enzo somehow would always find a way to bring a smile to your face. Whether it was with a silly comment or him showing you affection and loading you with compliments.

Your fingers traced the strands of his hair that hung on his face or on the side of it. “que cosas dices En.”

“Te las digo a vos.” You roll your eyes jokingly as he shrugs. “Eres beautiful.” the word exaggerates coming out of his lips making you laugh at his goofiness.

“Pues tú eres handsome.” You give him a quick peck.

The two of you stayed in the couch enjoying each other’s comfortable silence. Enzo’s fingertips traced up and down on your bare arm, almost leaving goosebumps. You rested on his chest next to him as you kept your hand next to you while the other rested beneath you.

“Estás nervioso por los Oscars?” Your mumbled words vibrated on Enzo’s chest as you spoke.

“Un poco, pero entusiasmado.”

You bring your head up to look him in the eye. “No tienes por qué estar nervioso. Ya verás que se lo llevan, ustedes hicieron un gran trabajo.” His eyes had a glint in them as he softly gazed onto you. You seemed so positive. “Traen a todo mundo loco En. Ese Oscar es de ustedes. Y les voy a echar porras cuando digan las nominaciones.” You boop his nose with your finger tip making him blink before a smile appeared on his lips followed by—

“Ay, te amo chiquita.” He kisses you again. Your words eased him.

“Yo te amo más.”

[creedslove]

MACARENA 🎊

Javier Peña x f!reader

This came out after a delusional thought I had here and here 😳

Summary: Javi is a little carried away at a party and he's dancing, shocking everyone around him

Warnings: fluff, pure fluff, drunk!Javi being adorable, a love sick puppy 😭

A/N: idk besties, I know it's silly AF but my heart asked me to do it 😭

0.5k words ~ drabble

"Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena

Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena

Hey Macarena, ay"

"How many has Javi had?!" Connie asked her husband with a frown on her face, not recognizing the usual grumpy, serious agent in front of her. Steve only scoffed and took another sip of his beer as he shrugged and wrapped his arms around his wife, so amused to watch a scene he thought he never would: Javier Peña dancing. 

Javi had many qualities that drew feminine attention, but dancing never seemed to be one of them, as he had never displayed his abilities before. Not even when he was out at bars in Colombia, or during parties at the embassy. Of course, this party was different after all, they weren't under unbearable stress for having to chase Pablo Escobar, worrying about their lives constantly. Javier wasn't the same bitter, broken man who needed to seek comfort in the arms of beautiful strangers. Instead, they were in Laredo, in a beautiful summer night, everyone was happy and celebrating, most of all Javier, who had drunk a few too many and danced without a care in the world, suit jacket long lost somewhere in the party, white shirt becoming see through with sweat and spilled drinks and tie loosened around his body. 

He was happy and for the first time in a long time, probably for the first time in his life, he felt carefree like he didn't have to look over his shoulder all the time, worrying about threats and all the horrible scenes that very often still tormented him, but this time he had other priorities, he had other people to worry about. 

When he spotted you amongst the people, he pulled you by the waist, eyeing you up and down and grinning at the sight he had of you. 

"Looking good, cariño" his smug face was enough for you to giggle, his red cheeks, sweat beads falling down his forehead making your heart melt. 

"You're looking good, Mr.Peña" you winked and placed both hands on his cheeks, squeezing them softly and leaning in for a peck, but got stopped by him 

"Sorry, you are gorgeous cariño, but I'm married now" he smirked and raised his left hand, showing you his golden band and caused you to roll your eyes "yeah? Is your wife pretty?" 

"Gorgeous!" He laughed and pulled you closer, nuzzling your neck and looking down at your beautiful, wedding dress "my wife is my queen, she saw right through the asshole I was and could see something good in me, she found love in me, she gave me a chance to live a life worth living, to have the chance to build a family with her and well, if I hadn't married her, I would propose to her right now" he said sweetly. 

Javi was exactly the kind of drunk you loved, he was affectionate, giggly and he danced. You leaned in, kissing your husband, your heart melting at how beautiful his words were. 

You were married to the man of your dreams and he loved you just as much. 

____

[devilslamb]

work is killing me but i Am now alone with my thoughts... so that means dale is chewing on My brain... not proofread cuz no one has time for that

kinda nsfw, emphasis on spit pls forgive mehdjsn. my kiss hc for him/drabble kinda :3

thinking about his kisses today. if they'd be soft, loving or just quick pecks, but i think neither really fit him. he's a filthy animal. he's probably all tongue and spit. maybe some teeth.

hes so handsy. one hand fondling whatever part of your body he fixates on the most. loves to have his other hand gripping your jaw so you have no choice but to stay still for him, giving you a kiss you ached for and much more. he's breathing so heavy until its muffled by his lips pressing to yours, moving without rhythm. hes so sloppy, careless, uncoordinated. doesnt care about your pace or the way you move your lips to try and match him. teeth scraping against your lip. sometimes he bites down on it, hard. enthralled by the way your flesh gives way to him so easily.

he pries open your jaw with his fingers clawing into your mandible, almost painfully so that you have no choice but to let ur mouth go slack. submitting to his unrelenting grip on you.

he doesnt even try to kiss you anymore. instead he tilts his head, letting his white wirey hair fall over the both of you, and slimes his fat tongue right against yours, leaving a thick trail of his saliva. its disgusting. he grunts and softens his grip on you for a moment before pressing your tongue back in ur mouth along with his. you almost wished you hadnt seeked him out for a bit of affection.

he absolutely takes his time. rolling and slithering his tongue into your mouth, tasting you. memorizing how the inside of you feels. its incredibly invasive, him licking into your mouth, fat tongue pressing to your inner cheek and forcing your spit to mingle together. forcing you to swallow his spit and purposefully slipping globs of it into ur mouth until ur lips are webbed together by saliva.

i imagine most ppl are a lot smaller than him, so hes literally towering over you all the while. his neck is craned and he has you cornered, caging you between the dingey basement wall and his broad shoulders. his hips rolling into yours bc you know hes hard as a rock (idc how old he is!!!!).

hes taking his sweet time. at some points his mouth is so tightly pressed to yours, it hurts. like hes trying to shove his tongue down your throat. saliva is dripping from the corners of your mouth, and just as he relents, hes quick to lick it off your face and wherever else it slipped to.

i think hes so gross and perverse. he enjoys shoving his tongue in ur mouth, reading every ridge and every tooth with his tongue like its his favorite thing in the world. his chest is heaving, nearly completely intertwined with you. hes drooling into your mouth and u cant move away to stop it.

he does this almost everytime u ask for a kiss. it shouldnt shock you as much anymore, but it does with how he does it with so much fervor and excitement. he pants like a dog when hes finished, still rutting against your thigh or your stomach, in complete rapture with how his spit clings to your swollen lips.

edited to add this visual . stole from crimsonxcloverr on here. :3

[fili-urzudel]

From Afar - Thorin Oakenshield x Reader

Part 3 to Second and Girl in Calico

Summary: Thorin must live with the reality that he has created, and despite everything, is determined to do so with some degree of joy. Based on the song From Afar by Vance Joy.

Warnings: heartache (to be expected from this series), angst, closure!!

Word count: 1.1 k

Your family accepted Thorin's invitation. Later, you also accepted an invitation of Bard's: to settle in Dale. After that, your visits only became more frequent. It took a year or so—though you would say only a few months—for your daughters to warm up to it all, Asa in particular. The girl had her father's black hair and your eyes, and a will that could move mountains. It was no wonder she had charmed Fíli like she had. 

Naturally, your families had to come closer together after that. You or Symir were usually there at least once a week, acting as chaperones. Dwalin was forced to enter Dale once in a while to do the same. Kíli and Lena had a good deal of fun making fun of their older siblings, but the lovebirds bore it all with grace. 

It was you and Thorin chaperoning—from a respectful distance—in the gardens of the Erebor Conservatory when Fíli formally decided to propose marriage. You couldn't help yourself—you covered your mouth with your hand and grabbed his upper arm to avoid expressing your joy too loudly. Thorin laughed and smiled and let you cut off his circulation as he watched the happy blush on his nephew's face. And pretended not to notice the strands of hair beneath your fingers.

The engagement ball was... an event. But we need not consider that at the moment. Before the two kingdoms were to know anything of the happy news, the two families gathered in the private dining room of the Durins to celebrate among themselves.

As the fathers—or at the very least, father-like figures—of the couple, Thorin and Symir once again found themselves in each other's company. Neither minded. They had struck up a friendship, finding that there was no reason for ill-will between them, and had they met under different circumstances, they would almost certainly be friends. There was no harm in being friends under these circumstances as well.

Thorin could hardly deny the similarities between Symir and himself. The dark hair was a start. Both were quiet, dedicated to their families. Loyal and passionate. Hardworking. The race, the height, the build, the eyes, the social standings were all different. Of course, those didn't really matter. The most important difference was that Symir stayed.

Thorin tamped down that persistent ache in his chest once more. There was no use in dwelling upon something he could not change. It would only serve to keep him up at night. Not that he slept much anyway.

"I'm going to go see if they need any help in the kitchen," you said, picking yourself up to your tiptoes to peck Symir on the lips. He graciously stooped to make it a bit easier. 

"I'll miss you," he said jestingly, warmth in his tone and a smile on his face. "Don't be gone too long."

"I'll be back before you know it," you promised.

Thorin never knew quite where to look.

Symir took another drink, allowing his smile to comfortably fade and letting himself listen to the music before speaking. "You're still in love with her, aren't you?"

Thorin took a long, steady breath, not sure how Symir wanted him to answer. He is your friend. Despite everything, he is truly your friend. "I still love her," he finally corrected. There was a difference. Both he and Symir knew there was a difference. "From afar. I would... I would never dream of disrupting the happiness she's found with you."

"From afar, hm?"

Thorin took a breath. "It can be farther, if you need it to be."

Symir's mouth twisted for a moment. He took another drink. "Not necessary," he finally delivered. "I don't see the danger in it. As long as you're comfortable as well."

Thorin let his hands hang at his sides. He wasn't. He never really was. He was gripped with guilt every time he looked at you, but he knew that if you weren't around, it would only be worse.

"I am glad that you will be family soon," he said instead. "I am glad that my nephews will have people like the two of you in their lives."

You were happy. Fíli was happy. Asa was happy. That was what mattered.

Symir looked down at him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "You are a good man, Thorin Oakenshield. I am glad that we have met."

The king got a feeling inside that Symir knew what he was thinking, and yet allowed him the dignity of ignoring it. Allowed him to learn to cope with it on his own. Trusted him to do so.

Fíli caught him leaving, running to catch up to him before he reached their wing. "Uncle!"

Thorin turned. 

"May I speak to you?"

They sat on a settee in the hall.

"I can't help but notice your hesitance," Fíli said honestly. "You seem happy, but... there's just... something, I'm not sure what. Do you have concerns? Do you disapprove of our union? I value your insight, uncle. Please, tell me."

"No!" Thorin answered quickly. "No, I do not disapprove of your union. It brings me the greatest joy, to see you so happy, and I know that Asa's family are the good sort of people."

Fíli watched him carefully. "Then what is this," the word dawned upon Fíli visibly. "sadness I see about you?"

"It is what every dwarf wishes for," Thorin said softly. "To overcome the trials of his time so that those who follow are not plagued by them. So they are happy... when it was more difficult for him to do."

Fíli sat back, digesting his words. "You regret not marrying?" He asked. The words had not dared to leave his mouth in years past.

Thorin looked at him, but said nothing.

"Uncle, it is not yet too late, you know," Fíli tried to be helpful. "You are king of Erebor, the most powerful and most beloved ruler of—"

"For the one who my heart belongs to, it is," Thorin admitted. "It is too late."

Fíli whispered your name as a surety. The silence from his uncle was all the answer he needed. "Why did you not say anything?"

"I feared it would influence your decisions, and that would be the last thing I wished," Thorin said earnestly. "I still hope it does not."

"This causes you pain, uncle."

"No," Thorin insisted. "Nothing that I cannot bear."

Fíli sighed. Thorin could see the battle in his young nephew's mind and hoped that he lost. "Very well."

"Be happy, gamzûn," Thorin advised, pressing his forehead to his nephew's.

They stood in front of multitudes at the engagement ball. And they laughed, and they smiled, and for all the world, they were as happy as any new family could be.

Thorin supposed it was better to have you in his life in this way than not at all.

[thewritingofspencerrose]

Freefall Masterlist

Grid, Meet Lynn. Charles, Meet Diana.

f1 shhh, don't tell their trainers, but parts of the grid went on an adventure today to a local bakery, and from what we've heard, it was amazing!

user16 don't gatekeep, tell us what bakery!

user002 it looks like the one that is in my town! it's owned by a really kind woman named diana, her daughter is dating charles_leclerc !! it's called dianamaes_bakery

"Charles, why are we outside a bakery?" Max is the one to question, glancing around the quaint english street that's buzzing with people. "I'd have expected Lando or Lewis to take us site seeing, but you?"

"I have someone who I'd like you to meet," Is all Charles uses as an explanation, Lando and Logan smirking from off to the side, the friendship that had gone primarily unknown surprising some of the group around them, other than Charles and Carlos.

The bell rings from the front of the shop, but I can't even take the moment to glance up with Mrs.Kline talking my ear off about how exciting she finds the car races that have come to town. It's when I finally get her order boxed up and in her hands that I glance up, a bright smile taking over my face upon seeing what is almost the entire Formula One grid, Charles approaching the register as Mrs.Kline leaves.

"Mon amor," He smiles, taking my hands and pulling me around the counter.

Oh, he's really putting on a show.

"Hey Charlie," I smile right back, getting on my toes to peck him on the lips, letting him pull me into his arms.

"Charles, do you have something you'd like to share with the class?" George Russell questions, prompting Charles and I to pull away, his arm staying around my waist.

His eyes meet mine, silently asking if I'm prepared for what he's about to do, but after kissing in front of all of them, we can't just leave it at that, so I nod.

"Boys, this is Lynnleigh Earnhardt, my girlfriend for the last two months," He introduces, the boys eyes getting wide. "Lynn, these are the men from the grid I am closest to. Pierre Gasly, George Russell, Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, and then you know Lando and Logan."

"Finally, took long enough for L3 to be reunited," Logan states, coming up and hugging me tightly, Lan doing the same. "We blame you mate."

"Yes, blame the student, not the F1 drivers that travel the world. If you were both in London more often..."

"Yeah yeah that's enough out of you, where's my favorite Hamlin woman?" Lando questions, looking around dramatically before making his way behind the counter to the kitchen.

"I'm going to assume you three knew each other prior to Lando being Lando?" Alex asks, picking up on the dynamic in front of him.

"Lando and I met during my summers here as a child, and Logan and I met at a race in the states that his parents brought him to when he was considering driving for a living," I explain, the fellow American at my side nodding along.

"Her dad is Dale Earnhardt, a NASCAR driver. Took an hour out of his day to chat with me about the different options for driving professionally and carting differences," Lo adds, messing with my hair.

"AND LOOK WHO I FOUND," Lando's loud voice yells, coming out of the back with his arm wrapped around my mom's shoulder as she blushes wildly.

"I'm sorry about him Diane, you know how he is," Lo apologizes, going up and hugging her.

"Is this your mother?" Charles whispers in my ear, his body having tensed. "She looks like you."

A compliment of the highest nature, I take his hand in mine, pulling him towards Mum and the boys.

"Mum, this is Charles, my boyfriend, and his friends Pierre, Carlos, Max, Alex, and George. "Charles and boys, this is my mum Diana Mae Hamlin."

"Oh I've heard so much about you boys between L3's different rants over the years," Mum acknowledges after shared hellos, "Although my daughter is the one who can just never stop talking about you," She adds, looking at Charles and making me want to shrink inside myself and away from his eyes that I can feel.

"Mum," I can't help the groan that I release, no matter how much it makes me sound like a child. "Would you stop?"

"Fine, fine," She relents, holding her hands in surrender. "Don't worry, I won't embarrass you much more my love. Would you boys like a treat?"

"Oh, ma'am, we have have strict diets as professional -"

"Drivers, yes, yes, I know, I had a child with one, I know the diets you boys go on," Mum reminds, making me shake my head once more. I don't know why meeting everyone here felt like a good idea. "But you can certainly take a treat for after your race tomorrow," is her insistence, and it's only a moment later that all the men are nodding slowly, agreeing freely that yes, I suppose that won't be a problem.

"You're a lot like your mother, stubborn," Charles whispers in my ear, arms wrapped around my waist as we watch his coworkers actively defy their trainers.

"Hey now-"

"Beautiful, kind," He adds, chuckling. "You had to let me finish before you freaked out, mon amour."

I smile now, leaning up to kiss his cheek, "She is, isn't she?"

But he just shakes his head, and all of this makes me feel like I'm living in a dream.

"And the point of my words were, so are you."

[bathomet-writes]

it’s so easy

summary: Mikey and you had been secretly dating for over a year, and a lot has changed in both of your lives. The Kraang invasion, the people of New York, it all shook up the status quo. On a rooftop date, you and him spill the tea and reconnect about what's really important.

relationship: Mikey x F!reader

warnings: romantic, fluff, humor, secret dating, slight hurt/comfort, sfw

word count: 3,191

author's note: another request for @/snipersiniora!! 💕 (ngl i listened to the reel big fish cover of “it’s not easy” while writing so this is loosely inspired by it lol)

You don’t know why in all the time you’ve spent in New York, you’ve never been up on a rooftop. The view was amazing. 

There were a couple of reasons as to why. Your hatred of high places, for one. With a strong enough breeze, you could go flying off your roof and become intimately familiar with the pavement below. Sometimes your neighbors would set up lawn chairs and shoot the shit, which was fine enough. You’ve just never been comfortable enough to want to join them. Lastly, it was a little difficult to skate on. The crowded atmosphere and uneven terrain made it the last place you would want to find yourself on a nice evening such as this. 

But, the rooftop of your building had one upside: it was the place you got to see Michelangelo. 

You clicked your heels together as you sat at an empty folding chair leftover from one of your upstairs neighbors. He wouldn’t show up for at least another 30 minutes, but you couldn’t help but jump the gun a bit and wait on the roof anyway. You’ve been keeping yourself busy, drawing random sketches onto your iPad. 

Mikey and you had been friends for a while, but you officially started dating about a year ago. Not much has changed between you two, even after the Kraang invasion. 

He was his same upbeat, eclectic self. But Mikey was also a little more confident. He carried himself differently, with a knowledge and experience you couldn’t even begin to relate to. You were a human, he was basically a superhero. 

You bite at the tip of your drawing pen. Why was it whenever you started thinking about him and his brothers, you got inexplicably frustrated. 

Was it because Raph, Donnie, and Leo still didn’t know you two were dating? 

No, not really. You and Mikey weren’t really concerned with labels. You two were content to continue hanging out like you always had, just with a little extra…intimacy.

Maybe it was the fact that you had to hang out in precarious places such as your rooftop. Why couldn’t you just go to your apartment, or the lair? 

“No, that’s not it.” You grumble to yourself, tapping the pen against your cheek.

“What’s not it?”

Mikey’s head appeared right above yours. He had just landed on the top of the wooden overhang you sat under, hanging like a spider. 

Smiling, you sit up a little more straight to give his snout a peck.

“This…caricature. I just can’t capture his likeness. It’s missing something.”

Mikey blushed, dropping from his perch to sit next to you. “Allow me to offer you my artistic perspective!”

You happily oblige and show him your screen. Thinking about your fellow tenants had made you unintentionally start to draw little doodles that looked like them. You couldn’t help wanting to draw the people you knew. Your weird, human neighbors were quite the characters. Almost a little more weird than the turtles, in your opinion.

“Oh, I know this guy. Is this the one that knocked at your door at 3 AM asking for a DVD?”

Mikey pinched to zoom in on your sketch. You don’t know whether your drawing was that accurate or if he was just great with faces. Either way, you can’t help but smile even more.

“How did you know?” You snuggle closer to Mikey, leaning in. “He insisted that I had borrowed his copy of Cats. And I was like, ‘Dale, I already own it on Blu-ray. Why in the world would I steal your DVD?’”

Mikey fell into your lap in hysterics. “NYAHAHA—! You didn’t!”

You weren’t lying about the interaction having happened, but maybe you embellished the part at the end. You just loved making Mikey laugh. 

“I did!” You beam. 

“Your neighbors are so weird, even for me. And the only neighbors I have are the sewer gators.”

You set your iPad down on the patio, scooching Mikey to lie fully in your lap. 

“Her name is Leatherhead and she’s lovely. I met her family once, on the way to the lair.”

Ignoring your sly tone, Mikey curled up into you like a lap cat. He was practically purring from how happy he was to finally be in your arms. It’s only been a couple of days since he’s had the opportunity to see you like this, and he was absolutely touch-starved.

“I missed you,” he sighs. “Patrol has been intense lately.”

His tired smile told you that he’d rather not get into it right now. You hum, petting the side of his head.

“I missed you too.”

Talking about his brothers wasn’t necessarily a taboo topic, but right now was the time for Mikey to relax, to unwind. You had plenty of stress in your own life too. Maybe it wasn’t as important as keeping the city safe, but it was tiresome to you nonetheless. 

You both just wanted to forget about everything else, just be together. That was what these rooftop hangouts were for. And if that was good enough for Mikey, it was good enough for you.

But your smile faltered, if only for a moment. 

Mikey’s eyes were closed as he continued to relish your head pets, unaware of your subtle shift in mood.

“Tell me more about your neighbors.” Turning his head, he speaks softly into your hand. “I love hearing about the people you live with. They’re interesting.”

“Well, this town is kinda ‘interesting people’ central.” You shrug.

“Yeah, I know. Are humans in other places like the ones here?”

Dragging your fingers along his textured skin, you think about it. You hadn’t really gotten around much, but you figured that NYC was a little unique compared to other major cities.

Your lips ease back into a lazy smile. 

“Sort of. This place is sort of a big Melting Pot, y’know? It doesn’t really matter where you come from, everyone ends up wherever they are…for whatever reason.”

Mikey looks up at your face, his expression dripping with curiosity.

“What’s that mean?” He smirks.

“It means that people are weird. This place has a lot of people. Therefore, New York is just about the weirdest place there is!”

You two laugh, basking in each other's presence. After looking down at Mikey, you feel a little more normal. Work, life, all of that didn’t really matter anymore. Or at least, it shouldn’t. 

“My neighbor’s aren’t all that interesting, Mikey. They’re just your run-of-the-mill folks, day drinking and sitting on the stoop.”

“Woah…” He gasps, sitting up. “Day drinking?”

Internally, you chide yourself. “I wasn’t supposed to say that.”

“Don’t worry, your secrets are safe with me!” He smiles, zipping his lips shut.

“I shouldn’t gossip…”

You roll your eyes a bit before they land on Mike. His eager, expectant expression was just too cute. Who could say no to a face like that?

Suddenly, you’re filled with bubbly energy.

“Okay, okay! Liz told me that Bill said that Debbie’s grandma was apparently—“

You whip your head around, making sure the coast is clear. You never knew who might be listening in, your neighbors were terribly nosy.

“She snuck Hennessy into the apartment meeting. Last Sunday, when we got together with the building manager, they had coffee and stuff…”

Mikey quickly scrambles over to grab a free chair before sitting directly in front of you. Enraptured, he places his head on his hands. 

“And she added a little extra somethin’ into her mug? How scandalous!” He wiggles his eye ridge, fully getting into the story. 

You launch forward and gesture wildly with your hands. “No, that’s the thing! She put the booze…in the coffee pot.”

Mikey’s smile dropped. 

“You don’t mean—“

Grimly, you nod your head.

“I mean a whole room of people, shnackered at 10 AM. On God’s day.” You chortle. 

He covers his mouth in genuine shock. You chuckle, looking at his wide-eyed expression.

“And I know that Liz was the one who ratted her out, the bitch. She of all people would know what Hennessy tastes like, I saw her drink 5 whole cups with my own eyes!” 

Mikey moves his hands away, his voice hushed. “She sounds like a bitch.”

You kick your legs up and recline farther in your chair. “You don’t know the half of it.”

Liz was your next door neighbor. She always had a knack for being right outside your door whenever you stepped out to go to work. You left early everyday just to accommodate for the inevitable one-sided conversation. She was old, and very lonely, so you didn’t mind her chatting your ear off. 

But she was also very bitter. Even more so after the Kraang invasion.

“I swear, I keep seeing those…frog men. They flip around my windows at all hours of the night, whooping and hollering up a storm! Who do those punks think they are?”

You’ve seen a lot of different reactions from people after the turtles officially became public knowledge. Usually, it was just casual disinterest or disdain from the more conservative crowd. Old people, cops, etcetera. 

But for some reason, the people you lived with just happened to be either really old or in law enforcement. They hated all mutants, and they didn’t have any problem letting you know about it.

You nearly get lost in your own thoughts before Mikey nudges your knee.

“I think she’s the one who threw a flower pot at my head that one time.” He chuckles, rubbing the back of his noggin.

Sighing, you lightly knock his leg with your foot. “Yeah, that’s Liz. If rent wasn’t so good here, I’d move out in a second.”

“Aw, they’re not so bad!” Mikey shoots a toothy smile at you. “It’s not the worst thing someone’s thrown at me.”

You meet his grin with a small frown.

“How do you do it?” 

Mikey cocks his head. “Is that a rhetorical question?”

“Ugh, no? Yes?” You lean back and stare up into the sky. It was a clear day, not a cloud in sight.

“You’d think people would be a little more thankful to the guys who saved their asses from alien invaders.”

You seethed, thinking about all the nasty side comments and quiet whisperings you’ve overheard in your hallways. 

“Hey, don’t get angry on my account.” Mikey reaches out and gives you a good-natured pat on the leg. “My family’s used to people wanting to kill us all the time, so a flower pot is actually a nice change of pace.”

“I guess so.”

Then, you realize it. 

This was why you were so stressed out. Whenever you think about the turtles, you can’t help but associate them with all the negative energy you’ve been surrounded in at home. You thought you had thicker skin, but you feel your heart start to sink. 

“You know, it’s funny.” 

Mikey sighs, musing to himself. 

“Sometimes I think about how weird it’s been lately. Splinter always told us it was important for us to not be seen, to stick to the shadows. It was because of the ninja thing, mostly. But I know he was trying to keep us...”

He picks nervously at his palm, tracing the lines of his hand. 

“Safe?” You ask. 

“Sheltered.”

There was a sadness creeping into his voice. You hated the sound. It was just too bittersweet for you to handle. You cautiously look back to Mikey, waiting for him to finish.

“But, then there was April. And Casey, later on. I thought there might actually be a chance for us to make it out in the human world. The whole yokai/mutant thing with Draxum was…well, a whole thing.”

Mikey briefly looked back up to make sure he wasn’t boring you too much. Not that he didn’t like to talk with you about stuff like this, it was just a little hard. 

When you give his hand an encouraging squeeze, he sighs. 

“But, I knew we kinda wouldn’t have a choice to stay in the shadows anymore. After the Kraang, that is. Leo told us we wouldn’t exactly be  getting the red carpet treatment.”

“Humans are stupid.” You huff. 

“You’re a human, and I don’t think you’re stupid at all.”

Mikey squeezed your hand back, a sad smile forming on his face. 

It wasn’t like he needed the entirety of New York to accept him and his brothers. With April, Casey, and especially you, he had all the human approval that he could ever want. He searched your face, and he knew that you were starting to slip. 

You try to swallow down the lump in your throat before speaking up.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up all this.” You run your thumb along the edge of Mikey’s.

Mikey sits up, puffing out his chest. “That’s enough. I will not have you getting sad because of me!”

Suddenly, he stands up, bringing you along with him.

“I’m not sad, I’m mad!” You scoff, rubbing your nose on your sleeve. “I ought to throw ceramic vases at Liz, see how she likes it.”

Tutting you, Mikey leads you out into the middle of the roof. There was a concrete slab next to the door that led back into the building, where you had placed your backpack earlier. You watch as Mikey sneaks around, dipping behind your back, to dig through your bag.

“You know a good way to get rid of all that anger?” Mikey whispers, rising up.

“What are you scheming back there?” You cross your arms and spin around. “Stop messing with my—“

When you turn around, you see Mikey holding up your trusty pair of skates right up to your face. He held them by the shoelaces, a cheeky grin peeking around them. 

“Skate the hate away, baby!” 

“That’s a beautiful thought,” you smirk. “But I couldn’t.”

“Oh, then let me help you.”

You gasp, feeling Mikey drag you over to your chair to push you back into it. Once you fall, he moves down to pull off your sneakers and lace up your skates. 

Blushing, you watch him lovingly guide your feet in. He sticks his tongue out as he ties little bunny-ear knots.

“Mikey…!” You giggle, his fingers tickling your ankle. “This is too much.”

Whenever you started to become sad, you could always count on him to lift your spirits back up. You tried to stay as endlessly positive and go-with-the-flow as Mikey, but it was difficult sometimes. The inner optimist in you was finding it more and more hard to navigate the nihilistic world you found yourselves in.

“There! Now c’mon.” He smiles. 

Mikey lifts you back up, pulling you to glide over to the concrete by the door. 

You can’t help the goofy smile that creeps in when he spins you around. The flat surface was just big enough for you to skate a couple of inches away from him. 

Your shoulders slump, all at once feeling happy again. 

“What did I do to deserve you?” You fold your hands behind your back and circle Mikey. 

Chuckling, he tries following your face as it spins around him.

“Nothing. You were just in the right place at the right time.”

He stood there idly watching you elegantly sail past him. It was fun constantly making him have to twist around to keep eye contact with you, and you feel laughter begin to bubble up.

You snatch his hand, forcing him into an awkward dance with you. 

“Care to join me?” 

You grin from ear to ear, placing a hand upon the small of his back. Or rather, his shell. 

Surprisingly, Mikey is caught off guard by your bold move. You watch with glee as his face flushes a bright pink. He stutters, a little bashful at being led around by you instead of the other way around. 

“I g-guess I don’t have a choice?”

You pull him closer, pressing up against his plastron. “Nope!”

The two of you spin around in lazy circles for a while. The blazing sunset on the horizon brought a new feeling of warmth and comfort, a heavenly glow lighting up your eyes. The entire city looked like it was bathed in orange, Mikey’s signature color.

It was a good look for New York.

“Wow…” You sigh, marveling at the beautiful world around you.

“I know.” 

Mikey shifts a bit, managing to stand an inch or two higher than he usually is. You were both about the same height, at least that was what you kept insisting to him. But he wanted to look down at you for once. He wanted to hold you like you held him. 

“You make me feel accepted, you know.”

You blink against the light of the sun before looking back at Mikey. 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. You just let me be me. That’s all I need. You make me feel all…sparkly.”

You bite your lower lip, holding back a chuckle. 

“Sparkly, huh? That’s a unique adjective.”

That was the best way Mikey could describe it. You and him had so much in common, mostly in terms of your hobbies and your personalities. But there was just something about being around you so much that showed him how different you were. In a good way, obviously.

You were human, he was a mutant. There was the ninja-ing as well. You both had wildly different life experiences. 

Slotting your head between his neck and his shoulder, he hugs you tightly. 

“What about you?” 

His warm breath makes you shudder, practically melting into his hold.

“You make me feel…”

You move your skate to engage the rubber stopper. The world was seriously starting to spin.

“Shiny.”

“Hey, are you copying me?” 

Playfully scoffing, Mikey picks you right off of your feet and spins you around again. You laugh into each other's embrace, and you hold on for dear life as he pins you securely to his chest.

“It’s true! You make me feel all shiny and new.”

For a second, you feel your thoughts wander back to your earlier conversation. You don’t like having to shift into serious mode, but you needed to say just one more thing. Mikey moves away to get a better look at your face.

“I know it’s not easy. Having to save people when they don’t even—“

“No, it’s not. But when I think about all the people who do care, who do understand me…”

Mikey smiles, tipping your chin up slightly to look at him. He always wanted to do that to you. 

“It’s easy. It gets easier everyday. All I have to do is have you right here.”

Then, your heart flutters in your chest. You didn’t notice it before, but Mikey stood a little taller than you now. You don’t know if he had a growth spurt or something, but there he was. Looking at you, his eyes sparkling in the sunset, you knew there was a lot more to Mikey than anyone thought. 

Even you.

“I love rooftops,” you sigh, moving up to brush your lips against his cheek.

Angling his head around, he leans into you. 

 “I love rooftops too.”

taglist: @saspas-corner

[sweatermuppet]

Do you have country music recs

some of my country + folk playlists:

boot stomp (folk)

playlist formerly titled cockeyed (folk + country)

halloo! (folk)

weeping willow (breakup/lonesome country)

sober barfly (drinking songs, country)

gals of country country music

repressed farmhand (country, folk, modern mix)

best of pete seeger (all my personal seeger favs, folk)

artists i like in general: june + johnny cash, dolly parton, waylon jennings, merle haggard, pete seeger, woody guthrie, arlo guthrie, orville peck, colter wall, dale hollow, stompin tom connors, loretta lynn, marty robbins, lead belly, jimmie driftwood, odetta, utah phillips, harry mcclintock, kitty wells, sanford clark, jessie mae hemphill, hank williams, nick shoulders, dust in my coffee, elizabeth cotten, tex ritter, ola belle reed, tennessee ernie ford, hank snow, croy and the boys, guy mitchell, + many many more

[slashingdisneypasta]

Wayne Jackson x Fem!Reader || Drabble

Plot: Lesser-of-two evils prompt (because I love it so so dearlyy ♡♡♡). Basically Wayne's terrible, but Lyle's worse and actually, as it turns out, maybe you don't get embarrassed about Wayne's teasing for the reasons you thought you did??... maybe.

Warnings: Non-con kisses (Wayne), dubious consent kiss (You), Lyle having a thing for you...

Tagging: @slxsherwriter and @masqueradeball

"Hey, kid." Norman and Wayne approached you and Dale from behind and sat down with you both, and you flash Norman a sweet smile- even while queasiness starts to flicker inside at seeing Wayne. He was always so fucking mean to you, embarrassing you all the time purely for the fun of it. "Hey, Norman."

You try to always think that eventually he'll get bored of this very specific game he started, or maybe realise how horrible he's being to you for no reason- but you've been burned too many times by him to face him these days, even if you do try to remain hopeful.

Norman immediately starts talking to Dale about something, your job today, and you try to listen in but your ears are hot and all you can hear is the sound of your heart beating directly in them, until you feel a poke in your arm. Jumpy, you immediately turn to your right and your eyes land on Wayne. He hasn't sat down yet, so you have to crane your neck to see him. "-what??"

"Not gonna say hey to me, huh? Not real friendly." The smirk on his face seems so steady, he seems so still, you relax a little. After all, it is just Wayne. You're more then used to him; you've been working together for years! Why his cheap teasing still gets you so worked up, you have no idea.

"Oh. Um. H- " Fuck!

The moment you let your guard down, you lost. Before you could look away from him again, back down at your drink or your hands or the side of Normans head, Wayen sat down in the seat beside yours and on his way steals a quick peck from your lips. Your eyes widen and you feel a rush of frustration towards yourself. Mortification, too. You're suddenly oh so aware of the blood rushing in your ears and how hot the lighting is, in here. "Damnit!" Every day!

Somehow it's worse that Norman doesn't react anymore, and even Dale doesn't laugh. Wayne's the only one who finds it funny and you're the only one bothered. While taking a refreshing sip of your drink, you give him a swift wack.

Chuckling and shaking his head, Wayne shifts his chair closer to the table. "Sorry, honey, you're just too easy."

"I hate you!" You cry, setting down your now empty glass. You need another, immediately-

"Oh no you don't, the way I see it I'm doing you a favour, hm?~ When was the last time you went on a date, huh? I'm just keepin' 'em warm, aren't I?"

Sticking out your tongue, you shake your head and make an 'ugh' sound at that; disgusted and hot-all-over. Boiling. With embarrassment. "Oh Wayne that's awful- "

"Hehe," As you watch, he gets up from the table and fixes the waistband of his pants. You ntoce the gun there, like always, but you dont even blink over that anymore. "Anyway, I'm gonna get me a drink."

"... can you get me another one, too, please?"

Wayen gives a nod, picking up your glass and about to ask you what you had- when Lyle appears and takes the final seat at your table. Always the last to arrive; he likes to make the rest of your wait. Immediately every muscle in your body tenses up at seeing him settle in the chair directly actoss from yours but still far-too-close, and your face falls into a state of cold impassiveness. You don't want him to ever see you scared- or having fun- or anything. You don't want to stand out to him, at all.

While he greets everyone, not even making eye contact with anyone because he cares that little, you pull Wayne with one hand back down into his seat. He will not leave you here with Lyle. No.

Because yes, Wayne's an ass and unpleasant at the best of times. But Lyle scares you. When he looks at you like meat, or God forbid smiles at you, you feel your insides die away. You feel total dread at being alone with him, which is why you stalwartly avoid any tasks alone with him. You'd much rather put up with Wayne's kisses, because at least that's all it is. And... honestly, Wayne isn't terrible company when he's not being mean.

He's also the only other one of the guys who knows you hate Lyle, paying too-much-attention to you sometimes. To get to you. So he's always your scape goat.

Lyle's beady eyes fall on you, and a little toneless grin flickers at one corner of his mouth. "Y/N, nice to see you."

"Mhm."

As he starts to talk about today's job he has for you 4, Lyle adjusts himself in his seat, not an entirely different movement to Wayne's fixing his pants, but this time you have to fight yourself not to cringe. Why did he have to adjust himself after laving his eyes over you??

Your fingers tighten on Wayne's jacket, before taking a deep breath and letting go. Wayne gives you an unsympathetic thigh pat, highly amused at how uncomfortable you are with Lyle.

After a few minutes of basic run-down, Lyle takes a deep breath and starts giving out individual tasks. "Gentlemen, I want you to go find the guy. Deal with him for a while, see if you can get some of my money back from him. I'll come after you in a bit, I have some stuff to do first. Y/N," At this, Lyle tales a slow sip of what used to be Dale's drink, eyes on you the whole time. You feel like their are bugs all over you. "-I want you to come with me. Could use your help."

"Um... with what?"

"With whatever I ask you. Since when do you ask questions?"

Abashed, you lower your gaze. "Right. I just- shouldn't I be with the team?" 'Team' is a strange way to put whatever you, Norman, Dale and Wayne are together but it's close enough! You ignore the way Dale and Wayne look at eachother about it, like they want to laugh. Norman looks almost as concerned as you feel about you being alone with Lyle though; he sees the weirdness. You're glad you're not the only one, but you know that even if he did say something it wouldn't make a difference. You don't even know why you're saying anything.

Lyle's the boss, and he doesn't listen to anyone else.

But you feel like it's really bad idea, to be alone with him today. That he's going to ask something of you that... you can't do. And he's not going to like that answer. You don't know why you think that, you just feel it. And you have to listen to that intuition.

Lyle shakes his head. "No. You should be, wherever I tell you to be." With that, the conversation is over. Like you're just a silly girl being ridiculous. He sighs, rolls his eyes, and nods to Norman. "Go now, I wanna be home early tonight."

"Sure, Lyle." Norman gets up from his seat looking at you only for a moment, followed by Dale who hasn't picked up on anything, and finally Wayne- making you feel completely vulnerable. You want him to sit back down.

And all that's running through your mind. Wayne sit down, Wayne stay, Wayne insist I come with you.

Wayne Wayne Wayne.

How can you use Wayne to-

Then a thought pops into your head. Lyle wouldn't... try to fuck his cousins girl... would he?

"-Hey wait!" Before the guys can leave, you hop out if your seat and tug Wayne gently back to you, draw your arms over his shoulders as if you've done it a hundred times before, only a lottle embarrassed that Norman and Dale are getting caught up in this too, and- well- it's not like you've never kissed before.

He doesn't waste time on confusion, thankfully, happy to taste your mouth in ways he never could before through his simple little pecks. His calloused hands dig into your shirt tight and pull you closer against him, and you the anticipated build up that lead to this first real kiss causes you to Blank for a second. Forget this is fake. Before you can really think again, you part your lips for him like it's the most natural thing in the world. After all, you've been kissing this man for y e a r s, right?

A few moments later, face hot, inwardly wincing at what you did (what you know you've definitely started now. And entirely different can of worms), and confused because you enjoyed that-- you end the kiss; biting the insides of your lips out of awkwardness. Drawing your arms back to yourself. "Um- uh, I'll see you later."

"Mhm." There's the most mischievious of grins on Wayne's face but he doesn't say anything else, which is all the more worrying, as you awkwardly pat his shoulder good-bye and turn back to the table Lyle's still sitting down at alone. Hopefully that worked, at least, for all the trouble its going to cause you-

A sudden pressure hits your butt just then and your eyes go plate-sized in that same split-second.

wAYNE-

[olipeaksforever]

I'd Have You Anytime

Summary: Dale and Harry spend a particularly chilly summer day in Harry's cabin together.

Pairing: Harry Truman/Dale Cooper.

Word count: 687.

Notes: Seems I'm not the only one who loves pudgy trans man coop, huh...

"What am I going to do with you, Coop?" Harry whispered, gently running his fingers through Dale's thick black locks. Dale giggled and smiled, his now slightly puffy cheeks turning pink.

"Gee whiz, I hope nothing too harsh." Dale replied, snuggling closer to Harry. Harry chuckled, pulling the blanket closer to Dale's body, as his boyfriend looked up at him and smiled.

"You cold?"

Dale hummed, nodding. "I thought that these ten pounds or so that I accidentally put on these months would make me warmer, but it seems my thermostat is still unaffected by these changes." Dale mused, frowning a little. "Not that I mind that a lot."

"Well, I was getting scared with those ribs of yours, Coop." Harry confessed, Dale smiled softly at this.

"No need to be scared, Harry. Skinny or pudgy, I am in perfect health and those slightly noticeable ribs are nothing to worry about." Dale assured him, rubbing the top of his head on Harry's torso as he tried to be in a more comfortable position.

Harry chuckled, humming as he kept cuddling Dale. “Do I have to get you more clothes now? You can borrow mine, y'know…” Harry offered, as Dale laughed.

“But I can use your clothes any day, Harry! Besides, I don't think my clothes have ever fitted me better.” Dale pointed out with a smile and a blush.

“Really?”

“Really. If you think they might be too snug, which is not the case, you can also take them off…” Dale purred, teasing Harry as he giggled to himself. “But instead, you'd have a shivering mess of a partner and it would be a bummer if my summer was ruined by the flu.”

Harry nodded, flushing red and chuckling. “Nah, I won't sacrifice your health just to-” Harry stopped, then blinked. “You just made a rhyme, Coop.” Harry pointed out, then bursting out laughing.

Dale blinked, then his mouth made a small “o” shape, as Dale then laughed, fixing his position to a sitting one as he threw his arms around Harry.

“Oh, Harry. I guess you just bring the poet in me. Not my best work though.” Dale joked, placing a kiss on Harry's cheek.

Harry shrugged. “Any poem you make is a good one for me.”

“Partner, bummer and summer? Really? Is that your epitome of poetry?” Dale asked with a smile. Harry just shook his head no and wrapped his arms around Dale's waist, his hands cupped on the small of Dale's back.

“Well, if it comes out of your mouth or your hands, it's the best thing ever.” Harry then pecked Dale's lips, as Dale closed his eyes and kissed him back.

Dale moaned softly, as he was laid on the sofa by Harry, who cradled his head. Harry softly bit Dale's lower lip, followed by Dale kissing Harry's temple.

“You're so gorgeous.” Harry whispered after breaking the kiss, as Dale blinked and blushed.

“I'm just an -used to be- agent, Harry. There's nothing special about me.” Dale whispered, resting his head on the crook of Harry's neck.

“Okay, Coop. You're a terrible liar and I won't allow you to get away with such lies.” Harry told him nodding, his fingers on Dale's chest.

Dale chuckled. “How so?” He purred, giggling.

Harry rolled his eyes and smiled. “Like this.” Harry then snatched away Dale's sweater and shirt from Dale's torso, leaving his torso, pudgy stomach and surgical scars on his chest exposed. Because of the cold ambience in Harry's house, Dale gasped, wrapping his arms around his chest after being exposed to the chilly air that came out of the window.

“Harry! This is a crime!” Dale whined, blushing red. Harry laughed, putting Dale's shirt and sweater back on Dale's body. Dale huffed and pouted afterwards.

“Well, I can't just do nothing when you tear yourself down with such lies.” Harry nodded, as Dale blinked and nodded.

“Next time, I'll steal your red onesies.” Dale threatened, as his serious expression turned into a small smile, giggling. Harry laughed.

“I'd like to see you try.” Harry whispered, as he returned to kiss Dale's face.

[singeratlarge]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Desi Arnaz, Benedict of Nursia, Moe Berg, Ed Bournemann, Dale Bozzio, Larry Carlton, Karen Carpenter, John Cowsill, Daniel Craig, John Cullum, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Maxwell Street, Jimmy Davis, Becky G, Rory Gallagher, John Gardner, Mikhail Gorbachev, Laird Hamilton, Sam Houston, Bryce Dallas Howard, John Irving, Jennifer Jones, Léon Jongen, Jon Bon Jovi, Orrin Keepnews, the 1933 film KING KONG, Papa Lightfoot, BarBara Luna, Madonna’s 1989 single “Like a Prayer,” Chris Martin, Gates McFadden, drummer-producer Tony Meehan (The Shadows), Method Man, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Lauraine Newman, Jay Osmond, Ethan Peck, Elvis Presley’s 1956 single “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” Luke Pritchard (The Kooks), Dottie Rambo, Red Saunders, Dennis Seaton (Musical Youth), Shostakovich’s 14th Symphony (1969), Bedřich Smetana, the 1995 musical SMOKY JOE’S CAFÉ, Ludovico Spontoni, the 1965 film SOUND OF MUSIC, composer-trumpeter Derek Watkins (James Bond films), Kurt Weill, Tom Wolfe, "Théo" Ysaÿe, and the creative provocateur, poet, and singer-songwriter Lou Reed. He was the principal songwriter for The Velvet Underground and his solo career spanned 5 decades. 

Velvet Underground were not commercially successful but are now regarded as one of the most influential bands in the history of rock. Brian Eno said that everyone who heard the first VU album wanted to start a band. Reed had a deadpan voice that, for me, required forgiveness as singers go (though he did step up on occasion, particularly when he sung with The Blind Boys on THE RAVEN album). Eventually I connected with his noir fiction, transgressive “eyewitness reporting” lyrics and songcraft. He neither approved or disapproved of the subjects he sang about and, in the end, he just wanted to write catchy rock’n’roll. Over the years I’ve performed at least 6 Reed/VU songs—recording 2: “What Goes On” and “Sunday Morning,” on which I was joined by members of The Badlees (who did a splendid job in one afternoon). Reed himself commended our cover and promoted it on his website in the mid-90s. HB and RIP Lou.

#loureed #velvetunderground #sundaymorning #singersongwriter #bretalexander #thebadlees #blindboysofalabama #raven #edgarallenpoe #noirfiction #poet #guitarist #eyewitnessreport #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge #birthday

[mekdotkha]

i really like games that feel like they have their very own ecosystem!! rainworld is a really good showing of mobs interacting with each other and doing their own thing to live their lives, and i think that that would be really cool to add into minecraft!

not just with animals either, i think that villagers, illagers, and witches should all feel like they have their own lives and that they do things when youre not around. right now, all they really do is wander around. wolves chase skeletons and sheep eat grass, but we could have so much more than that!!

imagine if they all had their own schedules and preferences that were made clear by their behavior! ill start this example off with the chicken. what better way to start off with than...

A REDESIGN!!

now, you may be looking at that and thinking "hey now, mek. not ALL chickens look like that" and you would be RIGHT! of course, there would be over variants of this chicken (different breeds, if you will) that you would find in other areas; each would have their own behavioral trends, but thats not what im referring to.

what i am getting at is them all having different little cosmetic differences that make them more easily distinguishable, for instance:

9 different comb variations! (even bald rep!)

9 different wattles!! (look at them, so majestic!!)

8 different tail feathers!!! (do not pluck!!!)

do you know what that means?? that means there would be a whole... uh... one second

648 different chickens!!!!!

you know how to any random joe schmoe, a pile of chickens is a pile of chickens, but to Farmer Dale, thats Chirp, Chooch, Chiki, Cha-Cha, and Char all ganging up on Cheery? now (if you care to) you can be the farmer who can tell all their chickens apart, even without a nametag!

"but mek," i hear you ask, "why do i care which chicken is which? theyre all the same!!" well, first off, they arent in my heart. you may jot that down if you please. secondly, NOT ANYMORE THEYRE NOT!!

MECHANICS

my current plan is to give each mob 3 core stats that it can vary from other mobs of its variant in. of course, other variants of the same mob would probably have different base stats of course, but lets keep it simpler for now. some examples of base stats could be as follows:

cows could vary in hearts, protectiveness, and milkiness. sheep could vary in hearts, wooliness, and coziness. pigs could vary in hearts, comfy pose, and inquisitiveness.

and chickens? well, heres what im workin on so far:

EGGINESS - by default we can change it so that chickens generally pop an egg out every day as the average. we can even make it so that its about once every 10 minutes if you go to sleep on time every night. (oooh, interesting)

TIDINESS - increases the amount the chicken will set aside a little self-care time. the average can be around twice a day. why is this important? well, because when a chicken preens itself, it heals whatever damage its taken and drops a feather!! (finally, a reliable way to get them without hurting them!)

BROODINESS - broodiness is a new status a chicken can be in that has a chance of happening every full moon, lets say around a 5% chance. if the chicken does become broody, then itll hang around its nest more, produce more eggs, and become territorial. coming by to take a broody chickens eggs may get you a peck or two!! it might be best to be a little more careful until the new moon comes around and it calms down.

now, there were some things in that list that seem to hint to other mechanics. ill go more into their behavior now:

chickens generally spend most of their time either pecking around in the grass for seeds, nesting, perching, preening or interacting with other chickens. which action they will default to depends on the time of day. these can be generally split into time they are foraging, nesting, perching, and doing social things.

FORAGING - a wandering state. chickens will walk around and peck the ground every so often, eating seeds or bugs or whatever. there is a small chance of chickens leaving biome specific seeds (foreshadowing) around whenever they peck/scratch at the ground.

NESTING - most often done in the morning and evening, if the chicken has a nest claimed the chicken will go to its nest and relax. it will alternate every so often between sleeping, preening, maintaining their nest, and wandering around a small area around their nest. if the chicken does NOT have a nest claimed, it will choose a nearby one. if there is no nest nearby, it will either start making one or skip to the perching state. a chicken deciding to make a new nest will search for a suitable spot, prioritizing elevation, cover, and specific adjacent blocks. (i do also plan on making it so you can make nests for them/move them with silk touch)

PERCHING - while perching, chickens will seek a "comfy" spot to sit. "comfy" spots are dependent on the weather. if it's sunny, a comfy spot is an high up spot that is exposed to sunlight. if its cloudy, it is just a high up spot. if its rainy, the chick en prioritizes cover. if its snowy, it will prioritize cover near other chickens, foliage, or a light source for warmth.

SOCIALIZING - chickens will seek out other chickens, and sometimes other mobs or even players, and exhibit one of a few different behaviors; these include clucking at them, preening them, and following them around.

what do you think? this is all a work in progress, and i have more ideas for interactions chickens could possibly have with other mobs, but this is what ive got so far. i dont want to make anything TOO complicated, but i think this feels pretty nice and makes the chickens feel... well, like theyre actual chickens!!

[ms-newvegas]

The Killers are my top because the first half of the year I obsessively listened to Sam’s Town and the last half I obsessively listened to Day & Age. Front bottoms unsurprisingly in second, equally unsurprising AJJ and Orville Peck. I wasn’t expecting defiance Ohio AT ALL I genuinely have no idea how I listened to them more than Dale Hollow considering I listened to just a handful of their songs. Two of my top songs being by local news legend… I was going through some stuff LOL