#different weather only 15 years ago

[daphwritesworld]

#23 A. Russo— all to you. 

content: face sitting(A receiving), thigh riding (r receiving), scissoring, lots of kissing lol, fingering (r receiving), kinda public sex(only for a short flashback), lovey-dovey type shit, top!Alessia, bottom!reader

warnings: bathroom sex in a flashback, Alessia humping your face should get its own warning so there you go, hitting your knee like an idiot, talks of marriage, Alessia in a "kiss the cook" apron lol

synopsis: After spending two months away in The States with your family– you’re finally flying back home to England. To your Alessia.

word count: 4.6k

!! MINORS DNI!! 18+ CONTENT

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The sunrise bleeding in through the cracked blinds is what you notice first. The little beams of light interrupt the first real night of sleep you’ve gotten in the past two months. You’ve been away visiting your family. Two months usually wouldn’t have been that bad…if you were in the same time zone. keyword: ‘if.’

Going back to the States wasn’t bad— you love it back home. Being so close to your family, old friends, old stomping grounds, the completely different scenery, and the nostalgic restaurants all hold a special place in your heart. You’d of course enjoyed yourself on the trip, but nothing can compare to the longing of wanting to be back in Alessia’s arms. The days spent away were counted down in matching pocket calendars– one for you and the other for your girlfriend. Little notes of encouragement, inside jokes, and love poured out onto each date you’d be separated. You both decided to write them for each other and switch at the airport before you boarded your flight, promising not to look until the next day to check a box off. 

The day you came back to her finally arrived yesterday. She’d waited at the airport with her family, a cheesy sign with your name written on it and balloons attached. As soon as they saw you it was screams and hollers. Alessia moving so fast you felt her before you even had time to lift your head to their greeting. You let out a small yelp as she hoisted you into the air, her arms wrapping around your waist to keep you secured against her. Your hands cupped her cheeks and you leaned down to place a soft kiss on her lips, pulling away after a couple of seconds— much to your girlfriend’s dismay. She pouts at you before trying to chase after your lips again, this time being met with your hand and a whispered shout, “Alessia Russo, I am not letting you shove your tongue down my throat with your family 15 feet away!”

She rolled her eyes at that, setting your feet back on the ground before latching her arms back around you. Pulling you closer to her as a small smile broke out across her lips, “Oh, but you’ll let me finger you in the bathroom at Christmas, is that it?” 

Your cheeks heat up instantly at the mention of the memory. Alessia had invited you over for Christmas with her family three years ago (when you two were “just friends”). You’d been left all alone in England since your flight was canceled due to bad weather, nowhere else but your empty apartment to go. And she couldn’t let such a pretty girl stay alone on such a joyful holiday, so she called her mom and made sure there was a plate set at the table long before she’d even convinced you to come that night. You’d both been dancing around each other for months: flirting, nicknames, and basically eye fucking at practice, but so so oblivious to the other’s intentions. But two glasses of Advocaat and some hanging mistletoe is all it takes for her to get you in the bathroom of her childhood home. One hand covered your mouth as the other fucked three fingers into your pussy, while the sounds of Christmas music and living room chatter drowned out to the both of you in your own world.

Before you can reprimand her with more than a soft whack to the shoulder, her brothers are running over to wrap you in a hug and telling their sister to stop “hogging the favorite.” her parents wrapped you up in a hug, too. Telling you how miserable and grumpy Alessia had been since you’d left.

“I-I was not!”

 You just smiled at the sounds of her siblings and her arguing as you all walked your way out. So happy to finally be back where you belong. Your real home– right here with your Alessia. You felt her hand slip into yours as you approached the doors. You said your goodbyes and promised to visit soon before she was leading you off to the car. The entire ride home was spent telling her all about your months spent back in The States. The phone calls when one of you would stay up late or wake up super early just to speak for an hour or less didn’t do enough justice. Her hand rested on your thigh the entire way, rubbing circles and little patterns into your skin as you spoke. She could listen to you all day, just happy to finally hear your voice in person and not through a speaker or her headphones. They could never pick up the true essence of your laugh or the crinkle in your nose when you do. 

Now in the comfort of your own bed, your hands search out across the sheets on instinct— a frown gracing your features as you feel the cold bed beneath your fingertips. You crack your eyes open, blinking a few times as they adjust to the daylight. You stretch your arms out as you sit up, the cold breeze through the house lighting goosebumps across your skin. You shiver as you hop off the bed, reaching down for Alessia’s oversized shirt that was thrown to the floor the previous night. The memories come flooding back in flashes as you slip it over your head. Your freshly hardened nipples sensitive to the material as it brushes against them. 

You barely had time to get through the front door before she had you pressed up against it. The way her lips were glued to your sweet spots, her hands gripping every part of you they touched, and how you two stumbled up the stairs because you wouldn’t pull away from making out on the way to your bedroom. The candles lit around the space, the pink and white rose petals sprinkled across the duvet, and the way she kissed her way down your whole body as she tore your panties off with a loud rip. She never was very patient...especially when it comes to your pussy.  

You flash back to the present as the smell of bacon hints in your nose. Your feet move and your stomach rumbles as you quietly make your way downstairs. Seeing Alessia in her “kiss the cook” apron, making a tray of food for you. It almost has you sneaking back up into bed so she could surprise you, but the growling monster in your stomach wins as you slowly come up behind her, wrapping your arms around the taller girl. 

“no no no! I was gonna surprise you with breakfast in bed,” she whines with a pout on her lips as she turns around to face you. Her hands resting on your hips as yours go to wrap around her neck, pulling her down for a morning kiss.

“There, that fixed your face!” you say as you pat her cheek before stealing a piece of bacon from behind her on the counter. 

“I’m serious, Amore mio! I wanted to treat you today after being away for so long.” 

“You still can though, Baby,” you say as she sits you up on the counter beside her as she cooks. “Don’t gotta get your knickers in a twist,” the awful British accent leaves your lips with a giggle as you swing your foot to hit her on the butt. 

She puts her spatula down to bring her fingertips to your sides, tickling you relentlessly as you squirm around laughing loudly. The tears welling up in your eyes a clear sign of not being able to escape her assault, “Okay! Okay! St-Stop! I’m sorry, Less– I’m sorry!” 

She pulls you into her chest, arms wrapping around your middle and stepping between your knees. The big smile on her face never falters as she just rests her forehead against yours, taking this intimate moment in and soaking it up for all it’s worth. Her eyes are scanning across your face, and you wish in times like these you could read her pretty mind. Just wanting a glimpse into what’s behind those crystal blue eyes that enchant you every time they gaze into yours. 

“How’d you manage to get even more gorgeous whilst away?” It’s barely above a whisper when she says it, her hands coming up to lightly trace over your face. Her fingers run across your cheeks, lips, and jaw. It’s all too much for you at the moment, so overwhelmed with love for her. So you lean forward and place your lips on hers, and it takes both of your breaths away. It’s different than the ones you shared last night. There’s no urgency in your movements and no harshness behind them. Her tongue slides into your mouth when you gasp from the way she lightly nips at your bottom lip, still moving at a slow pace. The smell of burning food breaks you back into reality a bit, trying to pull away as she chases your lips closely.

“The food, Alessia,” you manage to get the words out between kisses, never fully able to get her lips off of yours completely.

She groans out into your mouth before backing away, turning off the stove eye, and moving the pan to rest on a cold one. She doesn’t even say anything before she brings a hand behind your neck to pull your mouth back onto hers. The fire in your belly is roaring, begging for her touch and to touch her. 

“Mmm, upstairs,” It’s not a question when you say it. She supports your middle with her arms before hoisting you off the counter, your legs wrapping around her waist on instinct as she carries you to your destination. 

When she reaches the bed there’s no throwing you down, and clawing your clothes off. She’s connecting your lips as she slowly lays you down on the sheets, following your body with her own. A hand comes up to caress the back of your neck as she deepens the kiss. Your knees spread for her body to align with yours like a puzzle piece, fitting together perfectly and in rhythm with one another. The hand behind your neck starts slipping around front, keeping a loose hold on your neck as she pulls back just enough so you can both breathe for a second. 

“Please fuck me, Baby,” it comes out airy and breathless as your chest rises and falls rapidly. 

“No.” 

You feel like your world’s crashing down. No? Did she tell you…No? Like as in N-O.. no?

“I’m not gonna fuck you,” she says it while holding your face in her hands. You think she’s being cruel, punishing you for a stupid joke accent, or the fact you woke up early and spoiled her surprise for you. Pulling you back into a mind-reeling kiss, and desperately searching for a reason she’d tease you and wind you up like this just to leave you high and dry. 

“I’m gonna make love to you,” your eyes snap up to her. Mind quieting and drowning out all your worries and complaints. Your breath hitches as she says it and you swear your heart swells up twice its size. “Let me show you how much I missed you, Amore mio.” 

You’re nodding your head as a quiet moan rolls off your tongue at her words, connecting your lips once again as her hands start rubbing up your sides. They slip under your (really her) shirt draped over you, the only thing separating her from your naked body. Goosebumps rise behind in the path of her hands, your skin feeling electric from her touch. She moves down your body as she gets up on her knees, untying her apron and throwing it somewhere into the room. She’s lifting your shirt as she peels it off your body. Her lips leave kisses in the journey up as your flesh is being revealed. She nips a little harder on your soft spots, leaving behind love bites in her wake. Little reminders of where she’d been and how her love poured out of her and onto your skin. When the shirt is being brought over your head and blocking your view, she brings one of your nipples into her mouth. Your hands go to the back of her head to bring her closer to your chest, arching into her mouth. The pleasure only multiplies when she laughs around your bud, pulling back as you whine out from the feeling. 

“Move your hands for a second, Love. Lemme get this off you,” there are kisses left on your boobs as she says it. Taking your hands into hers as she places them beside your head, and leans down slowly to almost connect your lips. But she just hovers over them for a second, breathing in the same air as each other. She pulls back with a smirk when you try to push yourself up, and then she slips the shirt over your head, throwing it back to its home on the floor of your bedroom. 

Her lips are on your collarbone as she slips a knee between your legs, resting against your naked pussy. Wet kisses are tracing back down to your other nipple this time. The warmth of her mouth around it is intoxicating, your tits extra sensitive since they’d been neglected for so long. She looks up at your face once she notices your body has a mind of its own, grinding up against her thigh as sinful sounds flow from your mouth. Another laugh rips through her, and to both of your surprise, it sends you into an orgasm. Not a super hard or intense one, but still enough to have your eyes closing and your legs trying to close around hers. 

Alessia looks down and groans loudly at the sight. Your creamy cunt making a mess on her sweatpants, some white cum streaking the grey fabric along with the giant wet stain taking up a majority of her thigh. 

She’s entranced by the sight, jumping when she feels your hands on her neck. You’re pulling her into a searing kiss as her hand comes up to play with your messy pussy. “No, Less. Wanna make you feel good, too. Please baby,” you break the kiss as your hand stops hers. 

“How do you want me then?” 

“Wanna taste you, please.” 

So she hops off the bed and strips herself naked, but you don’t expect her to push you back down as she climbs up onto your body. Usually, she’d just guide your head with a hand in your hair against her cunt, but not today. Oh no. Today she’s resting her knees beside your head as she massages your scalp for a second. 

“Ready, Love?” 

“Hurry up and sit on my fucking face!”

She laughs out a cackle a that, a true hearty laugh. Then she’s sinking down onto your awaiting mouth, resting her weight down onto your face. You swear you could die right now between her legs, and they’d find you with a smile on your face. The taste of her sets off a primal moan to take over you, your eyes rolling back as she grinds down onto your tongue. Alessia always makes the prettiest noises while getting fucked, you could spend hours pleasuring her body and you’d cum just from the sounds she makes alone. Her hands find your hair as yours find her thighs, both squeezing and holding on for dear life as she speeds up her movements. The beds starting to squeak, reminiscent of how she knocked the headboard into the wall last night and left a small indention. 

Your hands move up from her thighs to her tits, rolling her nipples between your fingers as her clit starts humping repeatedly into your nose. Every one of your senses is overwhelmed with just “Alessia” as you take your tongue and start fucking her with it, drunk off the idea of getting her to cum like this. The view is breathtaking above you; Alessia with her head thrown back, back arching as your hands work magic on her chest, and her toned stomach flexing with every roll of her hips above you. 

It’s then when you moan again into her pussy that she’s cumming in your mouth, letting the nastiest words roll off her tongue, “La mia piccola troia, swallow it all! Take what I give you Carino mio.”

Wanting to please her, you make sure to suck up every drop that comes out of her. Your tongue slips out of her to clean up, an extra flick to her clit as you finish. She’s pulling away after that, flopping onto the bed beside you trying to catch her breath. One arm pulls you onto her chest, placing a kiss on your hairline as she rubs your bare back. “You did so good for me, Love. Made me feel so fucking good. Better than anyone ever has  .”

​​

You lift your head at that, a blush on your cheeks from her words. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, Baby,” It’s let out with a smile gracing her lips and a twinkle in her eye. She’s throwing her head to the side with a loud sigh after a moment, “Fuck you’re so pretty! I can never get enough of you, you know”

You sit up at this, straddling her lap as you swing a leg over her. Taking both of her hands into yours as you interlock them, and bringing them up for a tender kiss to her knuckles. “You’re prettier, Lessie. A worldwide splendida ragazza.” you were praying you didn’t butcher the pronunciation, having spent those two months away studying Italian every night. 

You see tears welling up in her eyes and you instantly frown, opening your mouth to apologize for upsetting her. “I’m sorry, Less. I thought I could learn it-” but you’re cut off by her soft lips on yours. All the emotions and pent-up frustrations from missing each other poured into this one shared kiss. 

“Ti amo, Amore mio bellissimos.” She says it right against your lips, a few of her tears running down between your lips. The saltiness only adds to the passion of the lip lock. “Ti amo tanto,” you reply to her. As you’re lifting one of her legs and slipping one of yours beneath it, you drop your cunt against hers. Both of you let out a moan at the sudden contact. Alessia’s hands find your hips as she starts guiding your movements, controlling your body because she knows it better than you do. Your fingers couldn’t make you cum while you were away, nothing could. Because she has ruined you for anybody else, your pleasure is only loyal to her now. “Look at us, Amore mio. Look how messy we make each other. How much we love and miss each other.”

You look between you, the way both of your thighs are covered in slick. Your puffy clits bump together with every roll of your hips. You feel too far away from her, even though you’re so close. So your hands reach out and pull her closer, lips finding one another again. They’re red, swollen, and sore at this point, but neither of you cares. Too lost in each other to even register the slight pain. 

Your legs start getting tired as your orgasm approaches, slowing down as the pain of that at least catches up with you. Alessia notices and pulls away from your lips, “Wrap your arms around me, Love.” And you do it without question, no idea why she wants you to, but trusting her completely anyway. 

Within seconds you’re squealing as she flips you two over on the mattress, blonde hair cascading down to frame her face perfectly. You swear with the sunlight shining in she looks like a proper angel, a halo surrounding her head in the morning daze. Her hands lift and situate your body exactly how she wants it. She’s got her hips slamming back into yours in no time, the sound of skin slapping and the words of praise passing between the two of you fills up the room. Your arms are around her neck pulling her down to be chest to chest with you, just wanting her to suffocate you honestly. If you could crawl into her skin you would, but alas this is the closest you’ll ever get. You swear you can feel your hearts beat in synch like this, the thumping of your them so loud in your chests it’s making your body tingle. Her hands find your hips, rubbing circles into them as a way to ground you. Her lips leave kisses up the side of your neck, stopping to nip at your jaw. 

“Cum for me, Love.” her lips trail down to your ear, letting out a groan as she tugs on your earlobe with her teeth, “La moglie futura mia.”

Finally understanding the term of endearment is what does it for you. You’d heard her call you that a million times and never thought of it, having slipped your mind with all the other nicknames she gives you. Your legs start shaking and your grip on her neck tightens, making sure she stays pressed against you the whole time. “My Future Wife,” replays in your head over and over as the pleasure from your orgasm wrecks through your body. Screams of “Te Amo!” “I love you” and “Less” all come out mixed as the wires in your brain start crossing the two languages and the girl who speaks them.

You can’t stop the butterflies from exploding in your tummy as you realize she said that to you for the first time at her family’s Christmas all those years ago. That’s how she’d introduced you to them as they welcomed you both in the door, a big grin on her face. “This is, (y/n). La moglie future mia.” Now all the hugs and promises to return each year as you two were leaving make a little more sense.

She doesn’t stop her hips, chasing her own high as she feels it approaching. “Come on,” she rubs her hands on your forearms gently, “Let me see your pretty face when I cum, Darlin.” You whine a little at the thought of her pulling away, but nonetheless let her guide your arms away. She reconnects your hands together and lays them above you, eyes focusing on the way your mouths open and panting for her. The sweat dripping down your brow and all the small details in your face show off the way she’s making you feel. All of it’s rolling in her stomach, the pit of fire growing by the second. 

“Cum for me,” it’s breathless as you say it, her eyes instantly finding yours. “La moglie futura mia,” it’s a sentiment that you’re only now able to return. The weight of the words and the fact you spoke them back to her is overwhelming. Her hips stutter into yours, and her eyes shut as she crashes her lips back down onto yours. Moaning into your mouth as her orgasm washes over her, rolling in waves as she slows her pace to a stop. 

For a while you’re both just lying there, her head on your chest and your fingers playing in her hair. The sounds of you both trying to regain a normal breathing pattern is slowly trying to lull you to sleep. So at peace in the comfortable silence and the safety of having Alessia in your arms– exactly where she should be. She lifts her head up, trailing some kisses down before resting her chin on your stomach. “Can I bring your tray of food to you in bed now?” 

It’s all really a blur till then for you. Your body is so so tired, your eyes getting heavier as the minutes tick by. You’re almost fully asleep by the time she comes back, only responding to her in grunts and hums. She chuckles at you as she moves your body to sit up against the headboard, propping a pillow behind you for extra comfort.

 “Alright, at least eat your toast or drink some juice. Your body needs some energy after that,” It’s soft when she says it. Her lips press feather-light kisses to your face as your eyes start to crack open. She’s got that damn apron on again and you shake your head at that, a laugh bubbling out of your lips. Your Alessia– butt naked except for her “Kiss The Cook” apron wrapped around her body. The tray placed over your legs takes your attention next. Despite being sleepy you are super hungry, even more than when you first ventured downstairs to steal a piece of bacon. You shake your head in agreement before reaching towards your plate, but your fingers hit something velvety on the edge of the tray stopping you. You focus your eyes a bit, squinting till the sun adjusts for your sight, and that’s when you see it. The small blue box is set right before your plate. Your heart rate picks up and you look over at Alessia with a confused look on your face. 

“Open it, Caro.” She says it with so much endearment you can’t help but smile. 

When you open it up it’s a beautiful ring. A gold band adorned with the gemstone of your birth month. Your eyes widen at the gesture, tears filling them before you turn to face your girlfriend. She’s wiping them away with her fingers, reaching down to take your hands into hers.

“Marry me, (y/n). It doesn’t have to be now, in a year, or even five. Just promise me that you’ll be la mogile futura mia.”

“Of course, I’ll marry you, Less!” You’re gasping and jumping up– right before your knees hit the tray you forgot about and you’re letting out a cry of pain from the commotion. Your hands come up to hide your face, a blush deepening as embarrassment sets in. “Shit! That seriously fucking hurt!” 

You’re only met with a laugh and her hands pulling yours away from your face. You look back at her when you feel the ring being slipped onto your finger, her eyes never leaving yours as she does so. “Looks like you’re inheriting the Russo family clumsiness already, Love.” 

She takes a second to move the tray of food off of the bed before returning. Her lips come down, kissing your knees where they’d been hurt as she rubs soothing shapes into your calves. Once she’s satisfied with her work she moves back up and throws her body on top of yours, wrapping your limbs around each other as the reality starts to set in: You’re engaged to be married. 

“I can’t believe we’re gonna be a family, Less!” it’s a whispered shout– the excitement doubling as you bring your hand towards your face to get another look at your ring. But before you can tell her how beautiful the ring is, she’s cupping your face and pulling it closer to hers. Her eyes render you speechless, looking into yours like the galaxy is hidden inside them. “We’ve been a family for a while now, Vita mia. I’m only just now growing the nerve to make it official.”

[sariahsue]

Let Me Count the Ways

Chapter Nineteen - Epilogue

[Ch 1] [Ch 2] [Ch 3] [Ch 4] [Ch 5] [Ch 6] [Ch 7] [Ch 8] [Ch 9] [Ch 10] [Ch 11] [Ch 12] [Ch 13] [Ch 14] [Ch 15] [Ch 16] [Ch 17] [Ch 18]

“So who was he? The boy you loved so much.”

It was evening at the Eiffel Tower, and Chat Noir sat and leaned against a beam. The weather was clear, the sunset was golden, and Ladybug was curled up in his lap, lazing against his chest as he traced his claws across her stomach. 

They’d gone on several dates in the last few weeks, and he thought it might be safe enough to finally satisfy his curiosity.

She didn’t answer immediately, just hummed absently while she considered. “I finally got over him enough to see what was right in front of me this whole time.” 

Chat Noir felt his face flush. It might have embarrassed him a few weeks ago to display how easily she made him swoon, but he didn’t bother to hide it now.

“It would compromise my identity,” she said, “but I don’t really care anymore.”

He nodded, and his hold on her tightened. That was so much more than he had ever expected and wished for.

Ladybug launched into an explanation. “Okay, so do you remember that first year we fought together? How Chloe’s class got akumatized a lot?”

“Almost everyone in the class got it at least once.”

“Right. I was in that class. And so was the boy I was crushing on.”

Chat was intensely interested, leaning forward and shifting her in his lap. 

“I’m explaining this to you,” she continued, “so you don’t make fun of me.” 

“Why would I?”

“Because.” She let go of him to hug herself. “I’m not like all the other thousands of girls who had a crush on Adrien Agreste. I personally knew him. We were close friends back then.”

His breath caught at his own name, and it took several seconds for it to return to a normal pace. He wasn’t sure his heart would ever calm down. Not only did she love him now, but she had loved him the entire time.

That also narrowed down the list of people she could be. It had been several years, but he still remembered the roster. Chloe, Lila, Alya, Rose… all those girls he knew couldn’t have been Ladybug. They’d been heroes and villains he and Ladybug had fought either with or against. Their looks were didn’t match, their personalities were too different, and he ruled them all out one by one, until–

“I hate to give you bad news,” he said after several seconds of recovery, “but I know who you are.” 

She shrugged, leaning against him again. “I figured you would. You got to know my class well after a year of fighting them.”

“More bad news.” He swallowed around the heart beating in his throat. “You didn’t get over Adrien.”

“I did!” she said, jerking backward. “I love you! More than anything.” Her eyes were wide and insistent, begging him to believe. “I love you with my whole heart. You’re the only person for me. I love only you, I mean it. Why– Why are you smiling?”

“Because you’re lying.” 

Her face flooded red, like she’d just cast her Miraculous Cure. And just like the real Cure, Chat Noir was left with the feeling that everything was right where it should be, and safe, and whole. When he cupped her face, she grabbed his wrists to steady herself.

“You love Adrien,” he said, a smile coloring his words. “More than anything.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off with a kiss to the cheek. When he pulled away, her face was scrunched in confusion.

“You love Adrien with your whole heart.” A kiss on the opposite cheek. 

Her expression was unwinding, growing loose with what he hoped was comprehension. He waited, holding her. This time, he was the one silently begging the other to believe.

“Adrien is the only person for you.” He kissed her on the nose. 

Ladybug - Marinette - didn’t let him get far, holding onto his neck to keep him in place. Are you serious? her expression asked him. You’re not making fun of me right now?

He let his wide smile answer, and one more repeated line. “You love only Adrien, I mean it.”

Chat Noir leaned in one more time, kissing her smiling lips. When he pulled away, he found himself wrapped tightly around her and encircled in her arms. Just where he’d always wanted to be. 

“That’s what I said,” she replied. “I love you, Adrien.” 

THE END

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Tag list: @clawsout83 @trippingovermyfeet @tbehartoo @yoonjae20 @random-cartoon-fangirl

Author’s note: Thank you for reading! I loved working on this story. When I started, I literally asked myself the question, “How obvious can I make it before he catches on?” and it was so fun to write him being super dumb about everything! 

Special thanks to my betas, @jennagrinsoverml, @h-sunnywet-d, and @ladyofthenoodle. You made the story stronger, and I’m grateful!

(Self promo warning) Click here to see my other stories. (Lots of one-shots and a handful of longer stories.) Be on the lookout for my Square Dance fic in Nov. and my Big Bang in Jan. I’ve also got a ton of drabbles that I have ideas for, plus a few one-shots and longer fics that I’m excited to work on!

[thebetawolfgirl]

His Only Love

Pairing: Timmy/Reader

Warnings: None! Just tooth rotting fluff!

Word Count: 596 words

A/N: I had one idea then ended up going in a completely different direction.

Summary: Timothée reflects on the beginning of his obsession for his only love!

His Only Love

He was in awe of her and he had been since they met in 2017, he was doing press for a movie and she was in the country for a charity event where she was also being recognised for her humanitarian work around the world. Y/N Y/L/N was the most beautiful human being Timmy had ever laid his eyes on. Her kindness and her humility only enhanced her beauty. What he loved most about her was her passion when she spoke about one of her causes, wether that was getting medicine and food supplies to orphans of war in war torn countries or even the wildlife conservation in Botswana, Africa. She was incredible. After their first meeting he tried to learn everything he could about her. That was difficult as she rarely did any interviews, she preferred to do her work quietly and keep her private life private. The rare times she did talk to journalists she kept it about her latest projects and charity events. And even those were far and few between. He found one interview she did on YouTube when she was in the movie White Oleander where she played a small part as one of the bad girls.

He watched that over and over again just to listen to her speak, she was around 14-15 in the interview but she spoke as if she was a grown woman, wise beyond her years and older than she actually was.

Timothée was fascinated by her.

He knew he had to see her again, maybe ask her out for dinner or even a coffee. He just wanted to talk to her about anything and everything, even if they talked about the weather.

His first time at the Oscars she was there with her brother. She was presenting an award for Best Actor. He watched her talking briefly to a few journalists on the red carpet and then moved on to the long line of screaming fans. The amount of time she spent with the fans and stood and spoke to them, amazed Timmy. He pointed her out to his parents and told his mother that this was the woman he had been telling them about! His mother just smiled knowingly and patted his cheek lovingly. He watched her one stage, completely in awe of her. He was so busy watching y/n he didn’t even hear his name being called until he felt his co-star slap him on the shoulder. She was presenting the award to him. She wrapped his arms around him tightly and whispered in his ear ‘Congratulations Timmy I’m so proud of you’. He hugged her back smiling and made his speech then went backstage with y/n and began a conversation with her.

That was four years ago. After months of going back and forth she finally agreed to go on a date with him and they became inseparable and been together ever since. She stuck with him through all the PR relationships assuring him she knew what they had was strong! They kept their relationship private despite rumours going around and tabloids trying to catch them together, they succeeded in staying under the radar.

Tonight they were both at the same event celebrating more of her achievements and he couldn’t be happier. He loved celebrating her and worshiping her. He was in awe of her just as he was four years ago. And he would continue to be so when they were old and grey sitting on their front porch watching their grandchildren grow up.

@gatoenlaciudad @sufferingstarlight @lixzey @kteezy997

[sugoi-and-spice]

I want to hear your director cut on your beach episode (aka the company Pool party)

Ooooh glad you specified since there are technically two beach episodes in this series (so far lmao).

I assume you're talking about Chapter 8: Sink or Float

And what a fun choice!

First little Director's Note, I 100% came up with this chapter concept and wrote it all, forgetting how weather works. And that maybe a waterpark luncheon in NOVEMBER actually was kind of a stupid concept.

This didn't bump me when I was first writing it, because I'm born and raised in Southern California - Amusement Parks and outdoor pools don't close seasonally here. Technically I think the bigger water parks like Hurricane Harbor and Raging Waters close in October through December, but a lot of the smaller local ones stay open year round. And the outdoor pools certainly do too.

(I actually only found out that Amusement Parks close seasonally at all when I tried to go to Coney Island in November about two years ago... Whoops lol)

Shit's a lot colder in Tokyo in the fall though - trust me, I've experienced it.

So I flirted very heavily with the idea of scrapping the episode, which was really devastating since I had a lot of fun with the scenario, and I think the episode has some of the finest Shigaraki/MC banter in the fic.

But then I remembered that there are a lot of indoor amusement parks, and specifically waterparks in Japan, so it worked out!

(You have Ouran High School Host Club to thank for that reminder, lol)

Next Director's note! Back when Play Nice was only going to be about a 10 to 15 chapter fic, this chapter was actually earlier in the lineup - it was originally Chapter 6. I actually wrote it before the current Chapter 7: Getting Steamy, and the current Chapter 6: Struck a Nerve was originally slotted to take place after the water park episode.

Buuuut, when I was reading it all together (Chapter 1 to Chapter 6).... ehh, it just didn't feel right. It felt like this playful banter and more friendly, teasing dynamic between the two of them was happening just a little too quick. So I swapped chapter orders, and speed-wrote Getting Steamy in about 3 days so that I could still make my upload schedule (lol, remember when I had a biweekly upload schedule?)

Truthfully, re-reading the series now, I wonder if the shift in their dynamic still happens a little too fast. If I were to do this fic all over again, I'd probably add a couple more chapters between Sink or Float and Chapter 10: Tomurau, extend the exploitation dynamic for longer, and add a few more of the relationship-shifting moments between the two. Buuuut, I also was really freaking excited for Tomurau (which is still one of my favorite chapters), and I also had so much fun writing a friendly/teasing dynamic between the two in Sink or Float, I think I was eager to do more of that, so I get why I made the decision that I did at the time. Oh well! You live and you learn!

Another director's note about this chapter - I changed the ending of it about three different times lol.

There definitely was originally a locker room sex scene, and then in another version, the episode ended with MC storming out on Shigaraki, rather than him storming out on her, but ultimately, I decided that this final version was the best way to keep up the theme of vulnerability that I was building in this chapter, as well as to develop sympathy from MC throughout, that would serve as a better turning point in their relationship, rather than a brief moment of understanding that is ruined by Shigaraki's horniness. When I had that version written, it just felt like it set them back too much in their relationship, realistically. It also would've doubled the chapter length (like that matters now though, hello my new standard of 30 page chapters 😅)

So yeah! Those are my big Director's Notes on Chapter 8: Sink or Float!

This was a lot of fun to write and reflect on, considering this Chapter came out, gosh, coming up on two years ago now. (WTF?!)

So yeah, if this was interesting to y'all, feel free to send me other chapters or fics that you'd like to hear some commentary on! Original prompt is here!

[blood-darkened-moon]

Isolation

Chapter 1

December 12

What do you actually write in a diary? I guess I just write whatever comes into my mind.

My name is Samantha Blair, and I’ve been stationed at the Aurora Research Facility for about a month now. This place will be my home for roughly the next 11 months. I graduated two years ago with a PhD in chemistry. This is my new job. It wasn’t easy to get it. After all, there are only a few positions available in this facility. There are 12 of us in total, and my job is to analyze ice and soil samples. It’s summer here at the moment. The sun doesn’t set this close to the South Pole any more, and at night it only gets a bit dusky, which, admittedly, bothers me more than I thought it would. Doug* gave me this journal “so I won’t lose track of time.” I wonder if that will help. At least I can try.

*Douglas Garry, station leader

December 13

Nothing interesting. After breakfast, I set about sorting the samples from the last research team and finding out which of them still needed to be analyzed and which didn’t. So the same thing I’ve been doing for over a week now. What were they thinking? “We’ll be gone soon anyway, let the next team take care of it?” After me, the deluge. Typical. Half of the samples are not properly labeled, and even for those that are, it takes forever to find out what has already been done with them. It’s all in the lab books, my ass. I can hardly do anything with the cryptic notes there if I manage to decipher the handwriting at all. On top of that, I have to pick the measurement data out of disorganized piles of paper. It was all planned differently. They were actually supposed to measure their own stuff, but towards the end of their stay, one device after another broke down. The devices are working again. Now, we’re supposed to carry out these measurements first and send them the results.

December 14

Sorting samples, searching for corresponding measurement data. Nothing new. Jeff gave me a new drill core. At least I was able to take a few measurements today.

*Jeffrey Norris, geologist

December 15

As I was going about my usual business, John* arrived and said that we were going to be hit by a heavy snowstorm in the next few days. According to the weather data, the storm will last for several days, maybe even weeks. We have to prepare the station. So we spent the whole day outside moving equipment into storage rooms or fixating it. I’m still freezing.

*John Bennings, meteorologist

December 16

Dark clouds have gathered. After so many days of sunshine, the darkness, if you can call it that, is a welcome change.

December 17

It’s been snowing since last night, and the snowfall is getting heavier, although it will be another 2-3 days before it really starts. David* expressed concerns about the dogs, but Marcus** said they don’t mind the little bit of snow. Quite the opposite. Huskies love this weather. Marcus looks after the dogs. He will know best. When I think about it, it occurs to me that we are probably one of the only stations left that still uses dog sleds. We also have snowmobiles, but Marcus always says the dogs are more reliable.

Later, we decided who should clear the paths and when. The work should continue if possible. However, if the storm gets too bad, the research buildings will remain closed until it subsides.

*David Palmer, technical chief

**Marcus Clark, responsible for the dogs, thermal engineering, welding work

December 18

The howling of the wind gets stronger and stronger. Eerie. I have hardly slept a wink. At least I’m slowly making progress with the samples.

December 19

I spent half the day clearing paths. It is a Sisyphean task. As soon as I was finished, I had to start all over because everything was covered in snow again. And the worst is yet to come. If it goes on like this, I can forget about work for a while.

December 20

Jeff was on clearing duty today. He also said there was no point. After dinner, we agreed that we would only clear the paths to the important buildings, everything else would have to wait until the storm subsided. At least the dogs are having fun. And Lena. She built a giant snowman. Lena Fuchs is still a student and the youngest of our team, and you can tell. When I see her so carefree, I sometimes think I’m getting old...

The fact that Lena is here is not a matter of course. Normally, students are not accepted for research stays. However, Lena has excellent grades, so she was selected regardless of the usual rules. At least, that’s the official reason. For those who believe it. Her father just happens to have a lot of political influence and a ton of money. It would be a true miracle if he hadn’t set the whole thing up.

She’s supposed to help me with the measurements, but that will have to wait until the samples are sorted and the storm calmed down. In the first few weeks, however, I had already shown her how to operate the measurement devices. To pass the time, I’ve now given her a pile of papers to read.

December 21

We have a visitor. The last thing you expect at the South Pole in the middle of a snowstorm is a visitor. Her name is Veronica Edwards. She is British and works at the Umbrella facility nearby. She says she is a senior researcher. There’s been a virus outbreak. She hasn’t said what kind of virus it is, only that it’s not airborne and that the likelihood of her being infected is low. In general, she kept a rather low profile. However, she said that under the circumstances she cannot stay in the Umbrella facility. If she is infected with something, we can’t let her roam around freely, but not helping her is not an option either, so we put her in quarantine. Actually, that was her suggestion. Isaac* has prepared a room in the northeast storage building for the purpose. She waited in the snowmobile she came in. The building is quite large, and it also has a shower room and restrooms. Additionally, the supply in the northeastern storage building is largely separated from the other buildings, and we can lock an area from the outside. That could work. It was supposed to be modified into another research building this summer, but the modification has been postponed for another year or so. However, it has already been largely emptied. She said two weeks of quarantine would be enough. For the time being, only Isaac and Harry** will look after her. Isaac is our doctor. Harry has volunteered. They will stay away from the rest of us to minimize the risk of a virus outbreak during that time. In case of an emergency, they have walkie-talkies.

We have offered to contact Umbrella and tell them what happened, but Dr. Edwards said she had done that before she left the Umbrella facility. They’ll send people as soon as the storm subsides. If they’re taking so long, that must mean it’s not that bad, right? Or that it’s already too late, and there’s nothing they can do anyway. Shit. We’re not prepared for incidents like this.

* Dr. Isaac Copper physician, and by necessity veterinarian

** Harold Childs vehicle mechanic

December 21 Addendum I

I have to distract myself from the thought that the woman might have infected us all with some deadly virus. And I forgot to write that our new arrival is rather strange. She was at least wearing a jacket, but underneath, she had only put on a long purple dress, high-heeled shoes, and white velvet gloves. The clothes looked anything but cheap. She looked more like she wanted to go to a gala than work in a research laboratory. Who walks around like that in Antarctica? Well, maybe she wasn’t on duty when the outbreak happened. That would also explain why she managed to escape and, according to her own statement, is probably not infected. But even as casual wear, her outfit looks pretty bizarre in a place like this.

She had to wait quite a long time in the snowmobile until the provisional quarantine was ready. Wasn’t she cold in her thin clothes? She didn’t complain. And I couldn’t see any signs that she was freezing either. Admittedly, I kept a safe distance. Speaking of snowmobiles, judging by the tracks, she was driving as if she was drunk and almost crashed into one of the buildings. Can she just not drive, or are these signs that she’s not feeling well? A fever, perhaps?

Also, I remembered Doug mentioning in the first or second week that Umbrella isn’t even doing research at the facility anymore. It’s supposed to be a materials storage facility or something like that. Well, Dr. Edwards claims she is a researcher there. I’ll ask Doug about the facility again when I get a chance.

December 21 Addendum II

Nicole*** wanted to contact AAD and ask how we should proceed with Dr. Edwards. However, due to the storm, there is currently no way through with our communication system. Always at the best possible time, of course! At least it’s not broken. Nicole has checked it. In a few days, the storm should ease a little, although not stop. She’ll try again then. Until then, we’re on our own. As old as the communication system is, I’m not surprised that it doesn’t work currently. It probably dates back to when the station was founded in the 70s.

***Nicole Windows, telecommunications, electronics, computers

AAD = Australian Antarctic Division

Next→

[themoonsbride]

ok ok listen i just NEED to read something like that and if you're okay with writing this, PLEASE DO IT!!! I was listening to "Strawberries and Cigarettes" by Troye Sivan and I'm just- 😫😫

Reader and Jamie are smoking cigarettes on their balcony in the middle of the night and later she takes her favorite strawberry chewing gum and she asks Jamie if he wants one too and then they kiss and it's just xhsjjsjdk OR if you have other scenario you can write it different ofc<33

Have a lovely day or nightt my dear xo

aww you too love !! I'd love to write this for you :)

My Strawberry .

pairing: Jamie Bower x Fem!Reader

summary; in the request!! Jamie and Reader smoke cigarettes together on the balcony while it's raining, and he soon after gives her some chocolate covered strawberries :)

warnings; smoking !

a/n; I had an idea for a fic similar to this awhile ago, but I never got the chance to write it, when i first listened to this song, i thought i wouldnt like it but i actually love it, it reminds me of summer love . ♡ (year is 2015 in this fic !)

--×♥︎×--

The weather outside looked gorgeous. You always had a special kind of love for early summer rain, there was just something different about that made you happy, it reminded you of the love you had held in your heart for your lover.

Your 2 year anniversary was going to be coming up soon, and you couldn't be happier about it. You'd spent the day just reading in the livingroom with the sound of the rain tapping on the sliding glass door that lead out to the small balcony that came with your apartment.

You remember when you and Jamie had first moved into the apartment you now lived in.

"Wow.. This is pretty big huh?" Jamie's voice echoed throughout the hollow apartment.

"Yeah! and it's pretty empty aswell, 'huh?'" You replied, examining the kitchen whilst your boyfriend was in the bedroom.

"It'll come to life soon, we just have to add a few touches is all." You giggled to yourself as you then looked at the huge empty space that would be claimed and decorated as your livingroom.

The walls were white like freshly fallen snow, and the floorboards were a soft brown color, like the color of milk chocolate.

You soon joined Jamie inside the bedroom, wrapping his arm around your waist, he kissed you softly as you felt your cheeks hue pink when the both of you pulled away, and saw him smile at you.

you'd been living here together for about a year now, and it had the special mixes of both of you, like how there was a tapestry hung above the TV in the bedroom that the two of you shared.

And Jamie had shelves of his little gothic nick nacks like small skulls fans had gifted him or little trinkets of Jace, like rings, or a rune tattoo Lazer, it was fake, but it did light up, though the both of you were pretty sure it was just a cat Lazer.

And there was always the lingering smell of cigarettes and apple blossoms inside your apartment, the apple blossom part came from you, you used the scent as your shampoo and conditioner, and even had an apple and vanilla perfume. You didn't favorite apples though, the products just smelt nice. Your favorite fruit was really strawberries.

It was a calm day inside the apartment, you'd often think of what to do for dinner for you and your boyfriend, sometimes you'd get off topic and think about whether or not you'd both get married one day, or just silly little imaginary things that only young children thought about, atleast that's what you had told yourself.

You lifted your head from out of your book that you drowned yourself in the pages of. Having read about 15 chapters in just one day, normally the amount was about 3 or 4, sometimes 5.

The silhouette of a person out at the balcony caught your attention, you placed the small index bookmark in your page and placed it down next to it as you stood up and slid your body into the outside where Mother Nature softly cried down onto everyone, Jamie was having trouble lighting his cigarette, and you smiled.

He looked over at you, his eyes a little wide and filled with curiosity as you gently grabbed the lighter from him, lighting the small intoxicated stick that was buried between his soft lips. He smiled a little at your success of doing what he couldn't, Neither of you had said anything to eachother yet, but there wasn't any words that needed to be said in the first place.

He pulled the pack of Marbolo's from his Jean pocket and handed you one, you smiled at him as you pulled one out, he took the lighter from you this time and returned the favor of lighting your cig now. How could someone have been so damn cute so effortlessly?

There you both were, leaning against the black railing of the balcony that had rusted over the years, turning crimson red in the night and looking strawberry red during the days where the blue sky was bright and beautiful and the sun was hot and beamed on everyone.

Looking up at the foggy moonlight sky reminded you of the night's Jamie would sneak you onto set when he was filming for The Mortal Instruments; City of Bones, And when he'd finally be able to catch a break from his coworkers spending the next 30 minutes of yaking about how they were excited to see the finished product, you'd both sneak off and out the hotel he was required to stay in.

The sound of the door clicking open made you immediately lift up your head excitedly as you wanted the gorgeous blonde man enter the veiw.

"Sorry baby, Rob and Lilly kept going on about the film and how they're excited to see it when it's done, actor stuff" Jamie laughed embarrassed, his hand pressed against the side of his neck.

"Don't be sorry! it's fine, really I get it Jamie, do you wanna go to bed? I know your probably exhausted from today." You examined his figure while a smile formed on his mouth, and his eyes went from anxious to excited.

"Actually.. How about we sneak out, out of the hotel? We should go do something fun!" He said walking over to you and grabbing your hand, desperately hoping you'd agree.

"I don't know.. Can't you get into trouble for that? I mean, what if we get caught?" Your voice was nervous but your mind was screaming at you to say yes and have a night you'd never forget with your boyfriend.

"So what if I get caught? We're halfway through the film, it's not like they'd fire me love, please sneak out with me?" He sat beside you and pouted out his lower lip, giving you those puppy eyes he knew you wouldn't have been able to say no to.

You'd sigh heavily and then smile cheekishly.

"Okay.. okay okay! fine, let's go" And then he'd jump up and hurry to the door while you laced your converse on and joined him to venture the night that was awaiting your arrival.

The way Jamie was always able to convince you to do something with him made him seem like some sort of Genie or something or other along those lines, but you enjoyed the way he convinced you to do dangerous things with him from time to time that would've gotten both of you into trouble.

You didn't even realize you were halfway through your cigarette, or that Jamie was closer to you now, practically touching shoulders with you, and that he was holding your hand.

There were often times were your mind would get lost venturing into the memories you'd made with Jamie, Sometimes you couldn't even help yourself. You'd never met someone who made you feel the way he did, he made life feel like a daydream.

"I have something for you, Love." Jamie mumbled to you, you looked away from the crying sky and over at Jamie, He was so calm and Suttle at the moment that you thought if you moved in any sort of fast motion it was startle him.

"What is it?" Your voice was soft and quiet, and a small cresent of a smile formed on his mouth at the sound of it.

"Over here.." He flicked his practically fully smoked cigarette out into the grass before he smushed all the ash against the railing of the metal fence of the balcony.

The both of you slid between the sliding glass, fingers interlocking together as he'd brought you into the kitchen. you leaned against the counter as the light bulb from the fridge lit both of your faces, Jamie's long slender arm reached into the back of the fridge, pulling out a white thin box.

He smiled as he handed it to you, peeking into the small plastic window at the top you gasped quietly at the sight of strawberries dipped in chocolate, with dyed white chocolate that was pink drizzled on top of them, some had sprinkles littered all over them, he kissed your forehead as your teeth preformed a bubbly smile.

"Can we eat them? right now?" Jamie nodded happily as you both slid up onto the counter together, as you carefully opened the box and decided to take a picture before eating any of them, to brag about on one of your media platform stories.

You handed him one gently as he waited for you to pick out yours, it was a medium sized strawberry dipped in dark chocolate with heart shaped sprinkles covering the chocolate, and resting your head on Jamie's shoulder.

"I love you, Y/n." Jamie whispered softly and kissed the top of your head, and your heart melted instantly just like your taste buds.

[blusapphire]

Play me a memory (Billy Russo x Reader) - Chapter 1

Summary: When you first met Billy Russo, you fell for him hard and fast. Being with him was like a dream, You were perfect for each other, or so you thought.

You return home one night to find all traces of him gone. You’re left heartbroken… and with a life changing surprise. Years later, you find yourself in a predicament when you unexpectedly find your way back into each other’s lives.

Notes: The first chapter is finally up! Please let me know what you guys think!

Series Masterlist

…

When you were a child, You thought you had an idea of how your future would turn out. In your mind, you believed there were paths people could choose to follow that would decide their future. And You decided a long time ago, that you would follow the perfect one. You had a map in your head with your whole life planned out. Every direction you would follow, all the places you would visit, people you would meet, your dream job; Everything was set in stone. 

But of course, nothing is set in stone.

 One night, tragedy struck, driving a knife through your dreamlike fantasies, altering your future forever, forcing you to take a different path in life.

That horrific night that plagued your memories and left you scared forever. 

Needless to say, Your life did not go according to plan. It rarely ever did for anyone. 

Not that you hated how your life turned out.

 No, it wasn’t that at all.

 Sure, It didn’t go accordingly, but there were moments you couldn’t have imagined going any other way, and people you wouldn’t trade for the world. It wasn’t on your map, but you we’re happy. 

The gentle rain lightly tapped your bedroom window of your New York City apartment, the cool air fogging up the windows, as the raindrops fell from the grey tinted clouds. You go through the different outfits in your closet, looking for a weather appropriate color, as you hear a a knock on your door.

You yell for the person on the other side to come in, and a head pokes through the door. 

“Hey, y/n, uh…“she muttered, “she won’t come out of her room again.”

You heaved a sigh, as you closed your eyes,  bowing your head in constraint. You turn towards your best friend, as you prepare to utter the question that has long become a routine between the two of you, 

“Is it a color situation again?”

She replies with a single nod, followed by a tight knit smile. “I mean, it is effective though. Sometimes I think about hiring her as my personal stylist.”

You reply with a light laugh, as you move towards her, “I got it,” 

“You always do,” she smiles as you breeze past her, heading into the hallway, toward your daughter’s bedroom. 

You walk in and stand by the door, and find her rummaging through her drawer, you guessed looking for something that she couldn’t find. 

This wasn’t something that was out of the ordinary in your home. It actually happened a lot more than you would like, much to your dismay. You tried to get her to pick out her clothes the night before, which actually did work, but one morning she would decide that she wasn’t satisfied with what she had chosen, and insist that she pick out a totally different outfit. 

Which wasn’t a problem; it only caused you to fall 15 minutes behind schedule. 

“Alright Ava, I’m here,” you say as you place your hands on your hips, in a superhero stance, “What’s the super special piece missing from your look today?”

Your daughter turns to acknowledge you, with a look on her face that tells you she knew you would be there, as she holds up a blue item in her hand. 

“I can’t find my purple one,” she gestures to the blue headband in her hand, “the one Betts got for me last Christmas,” she tosses the item on her bed, as she returns to rummaging through her drawer. 

“Well, I see some blue in this outfit,” you point towards her multi colored dress, walking over to pick up the blue accessory, “I happen to think it goes really well with this dress.”

“Mom,” she turns and looks at you as if you’ve grown two heads, “I can’t wear purple shoes and a blue headband,” holding out her arms for emphasis, “ they just don’t go together!” 

“What’s wrong with the outfit you picked out last night?”

“Mom, I had a burst of inspiration this morning,” she replied in an obvious tone, “I can’t just ignore it.”

“What if you just wore a black one?”

“That would be too many colors in one outfit!”

You chuckled at your daughter’s reply, moving in to help her tidy up her now messy room, picking up clothing from the floor, and putting things away in the correct drawer. Sometimes, you thought your daughter was a little too smart for her age. Or that maybe her brain was actually that of a teenager trapped in a younger person’s body, the way she was so passionate and strong minded about her decisions. You doubted that a bunch of  second graders would care about their classmates appearances, or their own, for that matter. And if this was her at age seven, you wondered what she would be like when she was an actual teenager.

Boy, were you in for a ride. 

“Well, you might just have to go with one of the two,” you admit as poke around helping her look, “because I need to drop you off at school and get to work and we’ll have to take the train today while my car’s being repaired at the shop and we only have a few minutes to spa-“ 

Your interrupted by the buzzing of your phone, signaling that you just got a text. You fish out your phone from your back pocket and look down at your screen, quickly skimming over the text. 

“Hey, are you free for dinner Saturday night, at 8?”- Nick

You gaze at your phone in guilt, at the text from a man that you had ghosted after no more than two dates. You open your phone to reply, different excuses in mind, all which you end up erasing, when your pulled out of your trance by your daughter shouting something in the background. 

“ Found it!” She excitedly yelled as she placed the recovered accessory over her head. 

“Great,” You both walk out into the hallway, towards the kitchen, as you bring your phone back out to check the time. “We only have ten minutes to spare, and I still have to get dressed and make you breakfas-

“Breakfast is all done.”

You turn towards Jazmine, as she brings over a plate full of food over to Ava, the young girl impressed with the smiley face of fruit and whipped cream decorating her pancakes. 

“Jaz,” you let out a sigh of relief, “What would I ever do without you?”

“ mm, I guess we’ll never know,” she jokes as she gives a playful shrug. 

Jaz was a godsend. You had first met in high school, and had been inseparable ever since. You went to the same college together, got your first ever jobs together, and the list goes on. After college, you two got this apartment together, and the rest was history. She was there for you in your darkest moments, even when you were far from deserving, no matter how ugly things got. She practically helped you raise Ava and if not, was like a second mother to her. After Ava came, you tried your best to convince her that she was your responsibility and your responsibility alone, but Jaz did everything she could to pitch in and help raise Ava, much to your avail. 

You stood back and watched as Jaz and Ava had a very intriguing debate about wether or not cupcakes should be served after every daily meal, of which Ava was winning, biting back a smile.

 It was the three of you against the world. Your own little family. And no, it wasn’t on your map at all, but you wouldn’t trade them for the world. 

…

You adjust your bag on your shoulder, as you try to keep your balance holding on to the pole in the middle of the train cart, looking around at sleepy faces and those who had already their morning coffee. You had already dropped Ava off at school two stops before, and had to get back on to get to work. You hop off the train after a few stops, walking up the slippery steps, the subways wet and dirtier than usual, with the rain that had been at it all morning. You contemplated taking the bus the rest of the way, but decided walking a few blocks wouldn’t hurt. Usually you had your car, and didn’t have to worry much about the Nyc transit, but It needed to be repaired, and wasn’t available for pickup until this afternoon. 

You close your wet umbrella, as you walk through the turnstile doors of Wilburne industries,  greeting the security and staff good morning, before walking toward the elevators. 

Wilburne Industries. 

You had got a job at the multi- million dollar company a few years after college, After you had Ava, and had worked your butt off to get to be one of Wilburne’s top employee’s, earning you your very own office. When you first got here, you weren’t very qualified, previously being employed at a small tech company, but your boss, and founder of Wilburne Industries, Harrison Wilburne, had taken a chance on you. 

Sometimes you still couldn’t believe you worked there. 

You step off the elevator, onto the 23rd floor of the building, the heated floor warming up your freezing hands from the cold rain. You shovel through your bag for your office keys and greet friendly faces that bid you good morning. You unlock your office door and set your stuff down, remembering that you forgot to stop for coffee on the the way to work, due to Ava’s fashion dilemma this morning. 

You walk over to the coffee machine around the corner and grab your company designed mug, and begin making your normal roast, when your pulled out of your action by someone calling your name from afar. 

“Y/n, hey!,” the man wearing a tie calls, as he jogs over to the coffee station, phone in hand.  

You look over and grimace, before quickly turning back around, hoping he didn’t see you complete the action. 

“Shit,” you mumble to yourself.

He approaches you, out of breath, a smile across his face. 

“Hey, y/n, did you, uh, get my text this morning?”

“Nick, hey,” you dragged out the last word as you turned to face him. 

You liked Nick. He wasn’t a bad person. He was actually perfect. He had Perfect hair, a perfect smile. He spent his summer reading to elementary schoolers, despite his busy schedule, and he was a gentleman. 

So it wouldn’t make sense to the average person why you had ghosted him after two dates. 

You had a really good time on those two dates, but you didn’t see it going too far. You didn’t want to have the “it’s not you, it’s me,” conversation, but it was true. 

It really was you not him.

 It was hard to date while raising a child alone, and you wouldn’t be able to juggle work, a child and dating until you were ready. You didn’t know how to break it to him, not really one for awkward conversations, so you ghosted him, far from what he deserved, and avoided him all throughout the the office for weeks. It was actually a miracle how long you had gone without running into him. 

“Yeah,… I did but i actually didn’t get a chance to respond,” you say as you anxiously pour the coffee into your mug, eager to get back to your office and out of the current conversation, “But I’ll have to check my schedule and get back to you.”

“Well, how bout lunch this afternoon?”

“Uh, I actually have to pick up my car from the repair shop this afternoon, and pick my daughter up from school too so,” you give him an apologetic smile as you attempt to walk away, “it’s a really busy day but-

“Ms. L/N, Mr Wilburne is requesting to speak to you in his office.”

“Sorry,” You give him an apologetic smile, as you begin walk away, grateful to be saved from uncomfortable situation, “I have to go, but I’ll see you later,” and you walk away before he can speak another word. 

…

You knock on the door of your boss’s office, and he yells for you to come in. He looks up from his computer, expectant to see you,  with a welcoming smile on his face. 

“Y/n, please, come in!,” he gestures to the seat in front of his desk opposite of him, prompting you to sit down, which you do. 

“So, I’m sure you remember the security breach we had a few weeks ago.”

“Yes sir, I remember.”

It was three weeks ago, to be exact. A group of thieves had gotten past the company’s very complicated software, by hacking into the company’s computers, and broken into the building despite the constant security surrounding the building at all times, attempting to steal god knows what. It had become a five hour hostage situation, and some hostages ended up getting injured. You weren’t there at the time, thankfully, having left early because you got a call from Ava’s school that she hadn’t been feeling well. They somehow made it out of the building, but weren’t able to get away with anything. The police still hadn’t caught the guys who did it. 

“I was thinking of getting some extra security around the building, at least until the police know who was responsible, and as one of the important figures in this company, I wanted your opinion,” he says as he folds his hands on his desk, “your honest opinion.”

“Uh, yes, sir I think that’s a really good idea,” giving him an assuring nod, “it would help the staff feel a lot safer, given the circumstances.”

“Great. I was thinking of a company named Anvil,” he hands you you a pamphlet, with the company’s name “Anvil” written across the top in bold letters, “it’s ran by an old acquaintance of mine. I set up a meeting for next week, and want you and Chelsea to give him a tour of the building, so he can have an idea of where to place his men, for the extra security.”

You curiously look down at the pamphlet handed to you, having never heard the name before. 

“I want you to read through that, and let me know what you think. Also, I want you to write out a report of the floors of the building that were breached.”

“That won’t be a problem sir, I’ll read it through, and have a finished report ready for you, by next week.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” he points his finger at you for emphasis, and turns back to his computer, you guessed to finish what he was working on before you walked in. You stand up and leave his office, closing the door behind you, and speed towards your office, hoping not to run into Nick again. 

…

“So, have you ever thought about buying another car, or uh, scrapping this one, or driving anything else other than this?”

“Rob, the more you ask, does not raise the chances of me wanting to get a new vehicle,” you joked with the car repair man, as you walked past the several other cars in the repair shop,“and I thought I was your favorite customer?”

“Eh, that’s up for debate,”

You lightly chuckle at his reply, as you hand him the repair money, with a generous tip included, which he places in in his back pocket. 

“She’s good as new-, Well, as new as she could be.”

“That’s why you’re the best, Rob.” 

You walk around the car and do a quick inspection of the vehicle, that had began to fade in color, it’s bright red now a dull pink color. The mirror’s were rusty and the inside of the car had a few scratches, but it was perfect in your eyes. 

This was your third time at the repair shop in two months, if you counted correctly.

 Parts of the car would give in, which would lead you to the repair shop every few months or so. If it wasn’t the car battery, it was the engine that needed to be looked at, which made you a regular at the shop. You had been to many repair shops previously, and most refused to touch anything, afraid that it would break down within a few repairs. It became a difficult task to complete each time, with the number of repairs growing each year. 

But Rob always came through. 

It would’ve been easier to just get a new car, but you couldn’t bring yourself to sell this one.

It was one of the only things you had left of her. 

You thought of her everyday, your mother. 

Her smile, that would reach her eyes, that was almost as blinding as the sun. Her perfectly manicured hands, that would hold your hand in hers, whenever you were afraid. Her soft laugh that was like a feathers floating in a light summer breeze.  And that smell. That smell that only she had, that was uniquely hers. 

That’s how you wanted to remember her. 

Not what you saw of her that night. 

Not how he left her. 

You hop in your car, and adjust you seat belt and rear view mirror, as you try to forget the bad memory. 

“Thanks again, Rob!”

“Yeah, no problem, see you in a few months!” He jokingly yells out as you drive out of the repair shop, and hit the road to pick your daughter up from school. 

…

“You two are unbelievable.”

“I think you should give it a chance, it actually doesn’t sound so ba-“

“I can’t believe you let her convince you!,” you yelled in playful frustration at Jaz, who you now thought was just as much of a child as Ava was. “You would have a sugar crash, before noon.”

“But how come donuts can be eaten for breakfast?,” Ava questioned, “their full of sugar and frosting.”

“You know she actually has a poin-,”

“You are not going to convince me that you can turn a cupcake into a breakfast sandwich!” The two of you had returned home about an hour ago, and you decided to begin making dinner, while Jaz and Ava kept you company in the kitchen.

“But wait, what if.. you added bacon?” Jaz asks hoping to convince you. 

“That would absolutely not make it better. I think it would actually make it worse,” you replied, imagining a bacon filled cupcake, “And it’s actually kinda gross.”

“I just think you should try it,” she shrugs as she picks up one of the carrots you just peeled and snacks on it, “she might be on to something.”

You giggle at her ridiculous comment, when Ava stands from her seat, and walks over to you. 

“Mom, do you have any old magazines? I want to cut some pictures out for my new scrapbook.”

“Didn’t you just make a new one a few weeks ago?”

“Yes, but you can never have too many!”

“She’s right, you can never have too many scrapbooks,” Jaz adds. 

“I have a few up on my closet shelf-,” she runs off into the hallway before you can finish, “but give me a minute, they’re too high up and I don’t want you to hurt yourself!” you finish slicing up a vegetable as you yell out after her. 

After you wash your hands, you walk into your bedroom to find the old magazines, high up on your closet shelf. 

“I think there may be some underneath the bed, in a shoe box.” You inform Ava, as she begins reach underneath the bed. 

After a few minutes of searching, you realize that you may have misplaced the old magazines, prompting you to start searching in your bottom drawer. 

“Mom, who’s this?”

“Who’s wh-“

You turn around as your face freezes in panic, and your unable to finish your last words, as she holds up a polaroid picture. You thought you had hidden away all the pictures of him, but you had obviously missed one. The picture was of you and a man with black hair, as you placed your hand around the playful arm that was around your neck, and held up white roses that covered the bottom half of your face. 

Yet the smile still reached your eyes.

 The joy and excitement of that night , could be seen through the half of your face showed up in the picture. It was a simple picture, but it spoke a million words. It was the first night you had met. 

He had a smile you would recognize anywhere. 

Dark brown eyes that were different from just any regular old brown eyes. They had this unique sparkle to them, that could stop anyone in their tracks. 

Similar to Ava’s. 

Sometimes she reminded you of him. In the little actions she would do, the weird food combinations that were similar to his, that you used tease him for. And when you looked at her at times, you thought she looked just like him. 

Billy Russo. 

“That’s… an old friend. From a long time ago.”

She takes a second to look at the study the picture, before she decides to place it back in the shoe box where she found it. 

It was a name that was associated with so much pain, and heartbreak, and a whole bunch of other feelings were weren’t quite sure of. But one thing you were sure of was this:

You never wanted to see that man again. 

[dumbass-learns-japanese]

Two things happened today

Considering this blog was made with the purpose of motivating me to study Japanese language, although I do feel that after this post it will become a personal journal as well, I will start with Tanaka-san.

I realized that my listening and speaking skills were lacking, and always have been, even when I used to be a full-time Japanese studies student at a university. The reason is embarrassingly simple: it's hard. Cultivating those skills is hard and requires time and effort, a bit more than reading and writing, at least for me. They require interaction with people who may or may not (although my paranoid brain infested with the impostor syndrome is leaning more towards 'may') know Japanese better than I do. I don't want to embarrass myself, and yes, I know, they will not care, nobody will think that, they know you're learning, bla bla bla. Yes, I know, but nevertheless, I do and did feel a slight fear and that led to simply avoiding those particular skills as much as humanly possible, aka, I stuck to the reading dialogues from the textbook we were using, which explains why one of the only things I actively remember is 「このスプーンは素敵ですね」

Today I had the epiphany according to which I apsolutely must practice those skills, otherwise, what and why am I even doing this? Since my boyfriend doesn't know Japanese nor is he willing to let me teach him anything other than insults, I turned to Tanaka-san. If you may not already know him, it is a mushroom. A cartoon mushroom on YouTube that teaches you Japanese. You learn kanji and you can practice listening and speaking. He asks you how you are, and you say you're good. He asks you which season is your favourite and why , and he wonders what was the weather like this morning and what time it is in your part of the world.

Yes. I talked about the weather with a cartoon mushroom.

Honestly, hearing myself speak Japanese aloud, so not just inside my own head was... Traumatizing. No, not really traumatizing, just...weird. For one, it's been a while, and for two, I definitely have better pronounciation inside my head.

The second thing that happened today, and this is where this blog becomes a personal journal, was that I've been reading Joan Didion for the last month and a half, and obsessively so. I've been reading every single book by Joan Didion available in the university library and I am currently on "The Year of Magical Thinking". So far I've really enjoyed her essays on the 1960s and California of the second half of the 20th century, even more so than her fiction, but this book is different for me. I will not go on to the whole book review as this post is not the place for that, nor am I willing to review a book I've only read 4 chapters of.

It got me thinking of my dad who died 15 years ago, when I was 10, almost 11. The day before he died, which caught us by surprise, similarly to the way Didion's husband died, he walked our family dog, Kim, beautiful female Landseer, also know as our first the "Best Dog", whose successor, a cocker spaniel mix named Tara is the second "Best Dog". He also took me and my sister to music school, I used to play violin and she played the flute. He helped us with homework, he went to the school for all three of us to ask about our grades and how we were doing, even though he already knew all of that, but it is normal for parents to go once a month. (I don't know if this a thing in other countries, but where I am from, headteachers have a designated day and hour when the parents can come and talk to the teacher, ask about the grades, confirm we were sick if we were sick and unable to come to school and things alike.)

He did all that, and the very nex morning, he had a stroke in his sleep. Mom found him, he couldn't move or talk, she called an ambulance, we discovered he had a cancer which nobody knew about, not even dad himself and three days later, he died. I think mom did a good job with us, we are all well adjusted and successful in our own particular ways, maybe less so in our own eyes, but surely in our mom's, and every once in a while I think to myself that I am over his death, that it happened and it's over and I don't really have many vivid memories of him and it's fine, it's better that way for sure, but then I remember and I start to cry or I read something or I watch something and that reminds me of him and then I cry again. I don't like crying and when I die I want people to forget me as it will be less painful, but I understand that is hardly possible because I'm not interacting just with the cartoon mushroom that speaks Japanese, I am also interacting with real human beings that are constantly making as much of an impact on me as I am on them.

Reading about Didion's husband John and the way he died, and how he must have known he was going to die and how he might still come back, brought back the surrealness of death. What do you mean he died and I was with my siblings in my brother's room watching some stupid show on a small TV with an antenna? How did that happen? It was all normal and then... what then? What happened?

I don't know, but it did. It is weird at best and morbid at worst. I still haven't come to the point of talking about this to Tanaka-san, but you never know really. I'm feeling things today and the absurdity of everything is making me tired so I will probably go to sleep earlier today.

[ddoxhan]

snowy christmas

all I want is you

word count : 2k words

genre : fluff; minjeong loves the snow during the christmas season but this year is different; winrina au

tw : none :)

a/n : merry christmas everyone and happy new year in advance :3 enjoy !!

it was christmas eve. the first snow happened some time ago and the forecast did not help anymore with minjeong's wishes. snow and christmas had always came in a set ever since forever to the girl who sat by the window with a hot cup of chocolate milk in her hands. she was home alone, with her girlfriend on an extra shift at work so she would be late.

another sigh left her lips, being the nth one on this christmas eve night. drinking the last sip of milk, she stood up from her seat after being on it for an hour now, just admiring the night scenery it had offered that night. figuring that being down just because it hadn't snow wasn't the best way to spend the upcoming christmas, she decided to take a night walk in the neighbourhood park.

walking to their shared bedroom, she slipped into a thick cardigan and wrapped a scarf around her neck to keep herself warm in the cold atmosphere. although it didn't snow for the past week, temperatures would occasionally drop below zero degrees and that night was one of them. she had brought heat packs just in case her hands freeze.

as she made her way to the park, she seemed to have some company. families had come after having their dinner and everyone seemed to have much fun, except for minjeong. although she knew it wasn't nice to be grumpy, she couldn't help but to feel disappointed. the year's been rough for not only her but everyone and she had really looked forward to this holiday.

a bench was empty so she found a comfortable spot on it. looking at the different families who had some of the children run around and at the playground, she felt her heart clench a little at how she was alone on this christmas eve night. she knew her girlfriend would be busy despite it being all festive with the holiday feels. and that as an understanding girlfriend, she shouldn't be clingy when her girlfriend has important work to attend to.

just as her thoughts came to an end, her phone buzzed in her cardigan pocket. picking up the call, she seemed to have forgotten about her saddening thoughts.

minjeong : mm, jimin-ah. why did you call?

jimin : where did you go? the house's empty so i got a little worried.

minjeong : I'm at the park. I'll be-

jimin : what? why are you out in such a weather?

minjeong : it just felt a little stuffy, being in the house...

jimin : hah, alright. stay put, I'll be coming over now.

minjeong : okay.

with that, she hung up first. her hand plopped on her lap and let her phone rest there. the children were shouting and running around and they looked so happy. should i be that happy too, minjeong questioned herself. a sudden thought struck her, it would be so nice that she had a family like that. 

"oh look at you, look at how thin you've dressed."

she had quickly rushed to the park after hearing that her girlfriend was at the park and she knew that she wouldn't have dressed warm enough to not catch a cold. wrapping her coat around her tiny frame, it wasn't really hard to do so. she made sure she was comfortable in her embrace.

"no, look. it's a thick cardigan and i put a scarf on. also, I brought a heat pack just in case."

she reached for the heat pack in her left pocket and showed it to jimin, proud of herself. she just shook her head at how she was and let out a soft chuckle at how cute she looked under the moonlight.

"but still, you can still catch a cold."

"no, I'm warm enough."

"trust me, I've worn three layers and still caught a cold when I was 15."

"that's because you're weak."

"hey! I was athletic even when I was young. so much from someone who hates to exercise."

"at least I don't get sick often unlike someone."

minjeong put out her tongue at jimin, who's in disbelief because of her words. she couldn't say anything because she was right. although she works out almost every day, she still got sick more often than she did. deciding to get revenge at her, she tickled her, knowing that she was a weak one when it comes to tickles.

"hey! stop, haha!"

"not until you say sorry!"

"okay okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! now will you stop!"

she did stop but here came another request.

"what?"

"give me a kiss then I'll stop. if not, you won't be able to leave this spot and I'll go on."

without hesitation, she leaned in for a quick peck on her lips. she was taken aback and just stared at her with wide eyes. minjeong was never one to initiate skinship, let alone kisses. the last time she had kissed her first was probably at the start of the year during the new year.

"what now? do you need more?"

"n-no. j-just u-uh..."

"aw, is my baby shy?"

"wha?? are you minjeong?"

"then who am I? of course I am."

"you don't... you never..."

"but you liked it... right?"

a little worry was evident in her eyes, afraid that she didn't like it. she didn't know if it was something right to do as jimin was her first love. they had been dating for about 2 years now, ever since they were first years. the older noticed and immediately cupped her cheeks, not wanting her to feel that way. she liked it that she was being initiative. like was more of an understatement, she loved it. she loved it with her whole heart.

"oh, bunny, of course I liked it, I loved it. though, I wish you would do it more often."

"really? then I'll.. try..."

"you don't have to force yourself, okay? I just need you to be by my side."

"I'll always be by your side. will you too?"

"mhm. how can I get myself to leave this angel?"

"you and your cheesy lines. you were pretty cute, looking a little flustered back there."

"who wouldn't? it's not every day I get kisses first AND hear you call me baby."

"then I'll kiss you first and call you that every day, baby."

"maybe this isn't such a bad christmas after all."

she placed a soft kiss on her forehead before looking into her brown orbs and admiring them. jimin was truly lucky to be able to be her girlfriend. when the younger said yes to her confession, she felt like her heart was about to explode that time.

"jimin-ah."

"yeah? I thought you said you're gonna call me baby."

"alright then, baby."

"yes, bunny? what do you need?"

"do you think it's gonna snow tomorrow?"

"depends, I don't really believe the forecast so if we wish harder, it may."

"really? you really think so?"

"of course, I know you want it to snow because it's christmas tomorrow."

"but aren't chances low?"

"it doesn't hurt to try."

minjeong just snuggled closer into jimin's chest and wrapped her hands around her waist, taking in her scent. they stayed like that for a while before she had suggested for them to get back and sleep as it was getting late and colder by the second.

before they did, she took a shower after being out for the whole day. the younger had sat on her side of the bed and scrolled through the shopping site, awaiting for her orders to arrive tomorrow.

"what you looking at?"

"hmm, the couple rings we ordered last week, they said that they would send it tomorrow."

"that's nice, maybe we can flex it to aeri and yizhuo.

"seriously? that's all you can think of?"

"well, I can't forget that the ring is for our 3rd anniversary."

"I thought you forgot."

"how can I? I literally confessed to you on new year's and the fireworks went boom! as you said yes."

she blushed at how she just said that and placed a kiss on her lips right after she said yes. and of course, it didn't go unnoticed by jimin, who still found it cute of her to blush at the event. she just hugged her out of the blue and buried her nose into her neck. minjeong too wrapped her arms around her and they stayed in that position.

"minjeong-ah."

"yes, baby?

"I can never get used to you calling me that.

"of course you can't, I just started calling you that about two hours ago."

silence engulfed the two before jimin spoke up again.

"thank you. thank you for being my girlfriend. thank you for being there when I was having it hard. thank you for accepting me for who I am. thank you, kim minjeong for being in my life."

she didn't receive a response from the younger so she let go from the embrace to see her teary eyes. seeing them, she panicked, wondering if she had said something wrong.

"bunny, look at me. what's wrong?"

"I know I shouldn't be like this, but I just miss you so much. it's not like you don't come home, but I just felt a little lonely these days. I do have my social life however it's different when it comes to you. you are someone special and precious in my life too."

she felt bad, guilty. jimin had been coming home late at midnight and leaving early in the morning, not letting minjeong see her properly. she too had missed cuddling to sleep and waking up to cuddle again then going for brunch. work just hasn't been allowing for her to do so.

"bunny, don't cry. I'm the one at wrong here."

"no, you're not. it's work after all, it's something you can't ignore."

"no, I can. it is important but you come first. you're the first priority in my life."

minjeong just nodded at her and sniffled a little. jimin just laughed at how cute her red nose was although she had just cried. how did she get to meet such an adorable bunny and make her the love of her life? she patted her back slowly to calm her down before they had cuddled to sleep. it was christmas and she had the day off, planning to spend all of it with her. starting with her waking up by her side.

☆゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜゜・。。・★

the next morning came and it was colder than the usual winter mornings. though they had the heater on, the slight chill had minjeong shuddering in jimin's embrace, waking her up from her slumber in the process. she pulled the younger closer, making sure she was warm. her warmth had warmed the older up too.

jimin slowly opened her eyes to see her sleeping beauty, from her closed eyes to her nose to her slightly parted lips. pecking her lips, the younger's eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the bright light shining in through the window. although she should be admiring jimin who was finally able to spend time with her, she couldn't help but notice the sight she had been waiting for the entire time.

sleep was soon a long gone matter as it was snowing outside right now. throwing the blanket off, minjeong ran to the window and placed her hands on the window as she felt the cold seep through the glass onto her palms.

"jimin-ah, look! it's snowing! it's actually snowing!"

"yeah it is..."

"aren't you excited?"

"I am, just that I'm still feeling a little groggy..."

"then will this wake you up?"

she tipped toe to place a morning kiss on her lips, returning the earlier favor.

"yup, definitely did. good morning by the way."

"good morning to you too, sleepyhead."

jimin hugged her from behind as the younger was still mesmerized by how it actually snowed on christmas day. she had little to no expectation since the forecast said it wouldn't. she looked at jimin and smiled like a little kid. she smiled back at her too, glad that she was happy. because of the snow and because she was there with her as well.

"merry christmas, baby."

"merry christmas to you too, bunny."

"anything you wanna do today?"

"umm.. everything you wanna do with me. I'm all yours today, and forever."

[ae-neon]

Reading Throne of Glass (4-9)

Again. I'm nitpicking, it's just how I enjoy a lot of my media. Overall I'm still giving the story a fair chance. (Except the Nehemia plotline)

Chapter 4

Really great opening paragraph, like honestly so good.

Proof sjm once understood that starvation would decrease breast size. Also proof that misogyny rots the brain cause god forbid Nesta didn't look hot enough for Cassian to fuck during her depressive breakdown.

Sorry, back to tog.

This chapter is great, amazing even.

Everything from Celaena falling asleep on the floor cause the bed feels too different after her horrible year in the mines

-> her reaction to sunlight and the small bits of hope she has

-> her figuring out a way to kill Chaol every 15 minutes.

-> her solemn reaction to the fact that no one else would be leaving the mines in anyway except death.

The scene with the dogs was nice. I like the interaction and characterization going on between these 3 main characters.

The scenery and worldbuilding is good too. We have Ellwye, the West, Wendlyn, The Witch Kingdom, the East, Endovier, Ardalan and Rifthold all mentioned and somewhat defined within narrative context. No info dumping, just small relevant tidbits.

Okay so Celaena is 18, Dorian is 20, Chaol is 22.

It's almost shocking how reasonable sjm used to be.

Celaena's a little crazy but it's fun sometimes. She says she's trying to get under Chaol's skin but she's the one saying he's not very nice and being bothered when he doesn't engage with her.

22 is much better than I thought. But he honestly has to be not only the best swordsman in the country but also a very high up, well connected young lord to be Captain of the Royal Guard.

Me and Celaena locked in, fr. She clocked him as a Lord.

Also characters with a strong sense of justice >>>>> another 5 points for Chaol.

Top tier chapter overall.

Chapter 5

The forest scene is cool. King Brannon. 2000 years ago. Fae. Hope this plays a big role.

If the Fae are just gonna be dudes who run around the same as humans (with pointy ears and magic) why make them immortal? I don't think sjm really comprehends the concept or how otherworldly it really is.

She knew plenty about this forest, knew that the denizens of this place had once been faeries: gnomes, sprites, nymphs, goblins, more names than anyone could count or remember. All ruled by their larger, human-like cousins, the immortal Fae—the original inhabitants and settlers of the continent, and the oldest beings in Erilea.

Just say Elves, I beg of you

Okay but surely the King of Ardalan, aka Dorian Senior, banning magic and making it disappear is an act of magic itself? Like unless bro is god, the simple act of banning magic would not erase its existence.

The King of Adarlan had outlawed it all—magic, Fae, faeries—and removed any trace so thoroughly that even those who had magic in their blood almost believed it had never really existed, Celaena herself being one of them.

This all just happened within the last maximum 30 years. She herself just told us Fae are immortal. How the fuck would they forget they ever had magic? There are humans old enough to still remember.

"It had been a while since she’d contemplated the gifts she’d lost, though the memory of her abilities haunted her dreams." okay so it's happened only in the last 10 years??? That means everyone still remembers. Why not just write that Celaena could barely remember instead of implying it was a common thing.

Still really like her descriptions of the forest and of the faeries.

I'm guessing gnomes left her flowers. We'll probably never see them again.

Chapter 6

Icy rain kept them company for four days, during which time Celaena was so miserably cold that she contemplated throwing herself into a ravine, hopefully dragging Chaol with her.

Her dedication to murdering him is quite endearing, I fear

The weather hits for me rn because it's autumn here too.

...the Crown Prince pulled out of line and came trotting toward them, his dark hair bouncing. His red cape rose and fell in a crimson wave. Above his unadorned white shirt was a fine cobalt-blue jerkin trimmed with gold. She would have snorted, but he did look rather good in his knee-high brown boots. And his leather belt did go nicely—even though the hunting knife seemed a bit too bejeweled.

Dorian the fashionista

Okay wait. The castle is half stone half glass... Can you just see into the castle? How did they even build that. If this was wheel of time or something I'd assume it was a modern skyscraper being seen through the eyes of people who didn't understand that. But there haven't been any other clues to suggest post apocalyptic fantasy stuff... Idk how I feel about this

The writing continues to be good. Celaena's dreams are pretty disturbing and her moment of quiet contemplation while staring at the greenish glow of the glass castle was really solemn and grounding. I think her thoughts about putting kingdoms behind her would have really hit if sjm revealed her identity and still had her refuse to rule.

"She wasn’t fated for anything. Not anymore"

During this scene the weight of her life experiences so far - running from her burning home at 8, losing her magic, being taken in by a man she couldn't trust, being made to murder for a living, being betrayed (most likely by that same man) and ending up in a slave mine - feels real, feels like it's made her truly lonely.

Still, the image haunted his dreams throughout the night: a lovely girl gazing at the stars, and the stars who gazed back.

Okay so why didn't sjm give Feyre a moment like this if we're supposed to believe Rhysand is her destined true love.

Chapter 7

There's a sense of life in this story thats really missing from acotar. Rifthold has flags and sigils and trumpets announcing the Prince's return. The horses smell, the city smells, the spices from the market smell, the river smells. Like there's a world here and it's tangible.

Acomaf really is the grave. And stans act like it's her magnum opus. No wonder sjm doesn't talk to them.

From bearded peddlers to servant girls carrying armfuls of hatboxes, everyone paused as the flag-bearers trotted proudly ahead, and Dorian Havilliard waved. They followed the Crown Prince, who, like Chaol, was swathed in a red cape, pinned over the left breast with a brooch fashioned after the royal seal. The prince wore a golden crown upon his neat hair, and she had to concede that he looked rather regal. Young women flocked to them, waving. Dorian winked and grinned.

Nobody in Velaris or the Hewn City or Illyria gives a fuck about Rhysand like this lmaooo

Now that she noticed, there were countless chained slaves working the docks, lifting and sweating, holding parasols and pouring water, eyes on the ground or the sky—never on what was before them. She wanted to leap from her horse and run to them, or to simply scream that she wasn’t a part of this prince’s court, that she had no hand in bringing them here, chained and starved and beaten, that she had worked and bled with them, with their families and friends—she was not like these monsters that destroyed everything. That she had done something, nearly two years ago, when she had freed almost two hundred slaves from the Pirate Lord.

I get what sjm was trying to do but the White Woman Energy™ is off the charts. It's not about you and you being seen as bad. Decentre yourself from the slavery narrative, please and thank you.

Kinda disappointed Celaena didn't spot any other spies or assassins lurking about. She was strangely unobservant for once.

Spears erect, they held rectangular shields, and their eyes were dark beneath bronze helmets. Each wore a red cape. Their armor, while tarnished, was well crafted from copper and leather.

Actual description of uniform and weapons rather than just "Illyrian leathers" "Illyrian knives/swords" BUT why does the description sound like Roman soldiers when we're clearly in a renaissance-esque fantasy time period

No, okay, I don't like the literal glass castle on top of a stone castle. Celaena agrees.

Dorian: you won't compete as yourself, we'll keep it a secret.

Dorian at the entrance to the castle while nobles and guards are welcoming him back: WELCOME CELAENA SARDOTHIEN

They were each armed with a sword, knife, and crossbow, and though they’d been alert while their captain passed by, she knew a crossbow wasn’t exactly a light weight to bear for hours on end. Celaena crept to her bedroom window, pressing herself against the marble wall, and glanced down. Sure enough, the guards had already strapped the crossbows across their backs. It would waste precious seconds to grab the weapon and load it—seconds when she could take their swords, cut their throats, and vanish into the gardens.

Smart, and even adding to her character weight and credibility. She surveys the room, makes a weapon and categorises what she could use to kill. Legit feels like a competent assassin.

Even the clothes are so much better than in acotar. What happened to sjm??

“He has a big heart, His Highness.” hahaha Dorian is apparently out here hoeing, I respect it.

Not the literal throne of glass.

And then there was the matter of Dorian’s sapphire eyes—not even his mother had his eyes. No one knew where they came from.

I hope this matters

The conversation between Dorian Snr and Dorian Jr is loaded with politics:

King Dorian I is a conqueror

Dorian II doesn't want to inherit the empire.

The younger brother isn't really a threat, neither of them take Hollin seriously.

Ardalan is in active war against Wendlyn

Why call Celaena a witch if the race of Witch exists. Why not just call her a snake or temptress or something

Dorian wants to kill his dad. He just like me fr.

Chapter 8

Okay. Chaol has an eagle shaped pommel on his sword. Dorian's sigil is a wyvern. The guy Celaena ends up with can turn into a bird I think. Rhysand, Cassian and Azriel have bat wings. The love interest in Ccity is an angel. SJM has a thing for wings, yes?

Tamlin not having wings is more proof of Feylin not being endgame than anything else you can point to in the text.

Chaol is giving the assassin a tour of the castle... Is he stupid??

The competition begins tomorrow??????

“I don’t understand why you refuse to enter the glass addition,” he went on. “There’s no difference between the interiors—you wouldn’t even know that you were inside it unless someone told you or you looked out the window.”

I lack the visual imagination to understand what the fuck is going on with this building. It really just sounds like a skyscraper

A clocktower made of black stone. Something like you'd see at the Gates of Wyrd. Hmmm. King built a spooky magic tower thing around the birth of his son. The same king magically made magic disappear.... The gargoyle on the tower points to a tile in the garden with a symbol on it. It's feeling very Da Vinci Code rn

A library... I miss Nesta.

The letter exchange between Celaena and Dorian is better than anything in acomaf. I said what I said. Including it for proof:

Your Highness—

It has come to my attention that your library isn’t a library, but rather a personal collection for only you and your esteemed father to enjoy. As many of your million books seem to be present and underused, I must beg you to grant me permission to borrow a few so that they might receive the attention they deserve. Since I am deprived of company and entertainment, this act of kindness is the least someone of your importance could deign to bestow upon a lowly, miserable wretch such as I.

Yours most truly,

Celaena Sardothien

Celaena beamed at her note and handed it to the nicest-looking servant she could find, with specific instructions to give it immediately to the Crown Prince. When the woman returned half an hour later with a stack of books piled in her arms, Celaena laughed as she swiped the note that crowned the column of leather.

My Most True Assassin,

Enclosed are seven books from my personal library that I have recently read and enjoyed immensely. You are, of course, free to read as many of the books in the castle library as you wish, but I command you to read these first so that we might discuss them. I promise they are not dull, for I am not one inclined to sit through pages of nonsense and bloated speech, though perhaps you enjoy works and authors who think very highly of themselves.

Most affectionately,

Dorian Havilliard

What happened to Sarah, when did she abandon romance?

Also. Again. This is supposed to be kept secret but she signed her name??? And Dorian responds "my assassin" any courier or spy would have had them by the balls before the day was done.

IS THAT KALTAIN??? Her ladies are idiots.

Ahhh, classic YA girlhate

Chapter 9

Super short chapter.

Aww, Chaol.

----

Overall I'm still enjoying this more than I expected.

Again what happened to sjm? This love triangle is building so well.

[princessasmosprincess]

Kallios

Here's my OC Kallios, he was a demon. In his demon form he has two black elliptical wings and ram's horns. He almost always wears entirely black unless the occasion calls for something else. He was Lisette's husband until he died in the late 1970s.

Kallios was a marquess, a higher level demon and a member of the House of Lords. He’s around Diavolo’s age, and they grew up together as acquaintances rather than friends, but they became closer once they worked together when Kallios became the head of his family. The conservative lords think he’s naive for agreeing with Diavolo’s more progressive politics. He gets along with the Avatars of Sin and doesn't see them as a threat. He was impressed when Lisette was able to summon him, it takes a lot of magic to summon a high level demon, and he was bored which is why he agreed to make a pact with her. Soon, he became protective and fell in love with her. In the end he did want her soul, just not in the way most demons would. He died in a small rebellion at the hands of another demon around 50 years ago.

For his character design I wanted him to look the way I'd imagine a quintessential demon would look like but with hidden charm, he has dimples! He doesn't have a second look, not just because he's dead, but because he never really felt the need to change up his look that much. Lisette took on the challenge to make all sorts of outfits for him in black.

I answered the same questions for him:

1. He’s a demon so he likes demonus, he has a refined palate when it comes to Human World wines, and he loves champagne. Fizzy drinks of all kinds make him happy (rip Kallios, you would have loved kombucha).

2. Favorite flavor: spicy but he also likes sour.

3. Favorite food: Roasted roc in the Devildom, roasted chicken in the Human World. They’re not all that different.

4. Dinner is his favorite meal because it’s a time he’s guaranteed to be able to sit down with his beloved.

5. He doesn’t really like fish but he’ll eat it if it’s the only thing offered.

6. He has a high tolerance for spicy foods, having grown up in the Devildom.

7. He’s always felt a strange kinship to birds, particularly ravens.

8. He wears pajama pants with no shirt to bed.

9. He doesn’t have one particular sleeping position, and once he and Lisette began sleeping in the same bed it just depended on whatever position was easiest for him to hold her.

10. He is a night owl, in the morning he’s grumpy.

11. He is a light sleeper.

12. He’s usually busy working so the rain doesn’t make that much of a difference since he’ll be inside, but when he does have free time he likes to read by the fire.

13. He loves the smell of vanilla.

14. What does he smell like: Clean. He wears 4711.

15. He prefers showers because they are quicker and more efficient but he tries to share a bath with his wife at least once a week.

16. Like Lisette, he can follow a recipe but sometimes he gets impatient if certain steps take too long (don’t make him caramelize onions).

17. He likes the fall because the weather is just cool enough.

18. His favorite holiday is Jill’s Day because it was the day he first took Lisette to the Devildom.

19. He prefers buying gifts. He has a talent of knowing just what someone might like or need.

20. Kallios is 6’3/190.5 cm

[crinkled-emotions]

1/29 (at least here in the USA) prompt list #15 for Rooster or #2 for Jake. Whatever you're feeling I'm not picky! ;*

Let's goooooo! I’m kinda in a Hangman mood but it changes like the weather lmao.

I am working full time for 4 weeks straight starting tomorrow and I’m going to be SO wiped BUT after that I go back for second year of my degree and I’m so excited!!

(watch me get to week 2 and be like nah fuck this for a joke)

After writing this, it occurred to me that I had fucked around for however many words and I was like “mood, vibes. I kinda like it though?” and it got a little Hangster in my sickfic sorry!

(I will most likely come back and write 15 for Rooster too so hang tight to that thought 😂 lowkey want to introduce his OC wife?)

2. "I literally never get sick. Why is this happening?"

Maverick’s instinct was to glance at Rooster when a sneeze echoed through the classroom, but when he seemed mildly confused himself Maverick’s eyes moved over the rest of the room. 

“Everyone good?” He said. They all shrugged, but when another sneeze followed by a short cough was heard Maverick followed the sound. He frowned.

“Javy; you okay?”

“I’m fine, sir, it wasn’t me.”

"You’re not telling me- Bagman, really? You?”

Maverick had been with the Daggers for almost a year at that point and he’d seen more than a handful of colds, flus and at least one food poisoning outbreak within his team. Not once had Jake gone down. At one point Phoenix had commented that his snarky attitude scared off the viruses. Rooster had asked how she’d gotten sick in that case and Maverick ended up separating them because he didn’t particularly feel up to peeling Bradley off a wall.

“Wh- psshhhhttt. No, not me sir. It’s a sneeze, it’s not the end of the world.”

“Right... okay, well in that case- let’s go back over the-”

Another sneeze and this time Maverick caught Jake. He smiled.

“Kid, nothing wrong with being sick.”

“I don’t get sick,” Jake huffed. Maverick raised an eyebrow but chose not to question that logic.

“Okay, as I was saying...”

-

Unfortunately the sneezing wasn’t the end of his symptoms. Lining up in the mess, forehead pressed to Rooster’s shoulder in a way that was strangely familiar, like the positions were reversed many years ago in a different fic, Jake let him lead the way through the queue. Phoenix piled food on his plate and then threatened to spit in it if he didn’t take it so she could get her own. Jake knew if he looked up he’d find Maverick keeping an eye on the team but he chose not to, instead finding Javy.

“Dude, got Tylenol?” He asked. Javy reached into his pocket, producing his phone, Airpods, a packet of gum, hand sanitiser... but no Tylenol.

“I’m out,” he said apologetically. Jake waved him off.

“S’fine, I can tough it out.”

“What is it, exactly?” Bob asked. He looked like he was potentially enjoying this considering he was usually one of the first to get sick. Jake glared at him.

“You wanna know, Baby on Board? It’s your mo-”

“-hey, cut it out with the your mom jokes.”

Phoenix finally got to the table, Rooster at her shoulder despite being ahead in the line earlier. Fanboy glanced up from his comic book.

“Bagman’s sick? Can we take a photo, remember this occasion?”

“Cruel, my dude,” Payback grinned, high-fiving.

“I literally never get sick, why is this happening?” Jake huffed, putting his head on the table. Rooster clapped his shoulder as he sat, grinning.

“Welcome to my world, man. You’ll be familiar with my friends; Tylenol, Pepto and Dayquil.”

The rest of the team snickered and Jake tilted his head slightly to the side to glare at the older aviator.

“Are you enjoying this, you asshole?”

“A little, maybe. There was only so much I never get sick I could take.”

“Amen,” the rest of the table said simultaneously. A cry of jinx! broke out across the table but they all burst out laughing. They all fell easily into conversation leaving Rooster and Hangman sitting together just trying to get through lunch. Even the thought of the food on his plate made Jake’s stomach hurt and he pushed his plate toward Rooster.

“Take it,” he said. Rooster shrugged.

“I’m good. You gotta eat something.”

“Yeah, no thanks.”

Waiting until the rest of the team were completely distracted, Bradley leaned over to whisper in Jake’s ear.

“Bathroom, five minutes.”

“Please tell me you’re not propositioning me,” Jake muttered, rubbing at his throbbing temples. He watched Rooster’s moustache twitch.

“When have I ever propositioned you-”

“-need I remind you of the Summer of 2008?” Jake replied. He heard Bradley snort.

“Yeah, you win. C��mon, just meet me in the bathroom in five minutes. Trust me.”

“Fine.”

Rooster made a very sneaky exit from the table, but Jake watched him go over and kneel by where Maverick was eating lunch with the Admirals. Technically, he was an Admiral now too but he refused to be at a desk job all the time. Maverick’s full attention was on his godson the second he approached, listening intently to Bradley, before he nodded. Bradley said something, Maverick rolled his eyes, and then Jake realised it was time to get going.

-

“Bagman.”

“BradBrad.”

“Ugh, that fucking nickname followed me from elementary school to my college graduation and into the Navy. Mav said it the other day right in front of Cyclone and it’s all I’ve heard ever since.”

Jake didn’t even have the energy to laugh, sighing as he leaned against the bathroom sink.

“What have you got for me, Roos?”

“Help.”

Rooster reached into the pocket on the inside of his jacket, producing a travel bottle of Pepto. His pants pocket had a tiny bottle of Tylenol, and then he pulled a full sized water bottle from his jacket sleeve.

“Jesus Christ, have you been smuggling drugs on base?” Jake deadpanned as he cracked open the bottle of Pepto. Downing it all in one go he decided that was the worst shot he’d ever done (and he was familiar with a cowboy cocksucker) so he chased it with the Tylenol and water.

“Give it time to settle,” Rooster suggested. He stepped forward, and Jake was only slightly taken aback by the hand on his forehead.

“You’re warm; Mav said don’t stress about the hops today, he wasn’t going to fly anyone after lunch anyway. Apparently the flight crew don’t like it; too much clean up later.”

Jake snorted.

“Fair enough. Uh, look, Rooster- thanks. You didn’t have to do this.”

“Yeah, I did. We’re a team, remember?”

“Apparently I forget,” Jake deadpanned. Rooster rolled his eyes.

“Then don’t, asshole.”

He left the bathroom, door swinging closed behind him, and the nausea in Jake’s stomach started to settle. He sighed, leaning back against one of the sinks.

-

Unfortunately Bradley’s little miracle concoction only lasted until the end of the work day and Jake was shaky as he got into his truck. The passenger door opened and Jake only shit himself for a moment before realising it was Javy.

“Dude; a little warning?” He huffed. Javy rolled his eyes.

“Gimme your keys; I’ll drive you home. You’re too sick to be home alone.”

Jake’s shoulders fell forward and he passed over the keys. They swapped and Jake leaned against the passenger seat.

“Thanks, man.”

“Don’t mention it. You’ve been surprisingly un-Bagman lately; not that you have to be for us to help you. You close your eyes man, we’ll be back at yours before you know it.”

-

Sure enough, the next time Jake opened his eyes they were pulling into his driveway and Javy glanced over at him.

“How are you feeling?”

“Nauseous.”

“How bad?” Javy asked. In response, Jake yanked his door open and threw up on the concrete. Javy grimaced.

“I saw that coming. Alright; let’s get you inside and into bed.”

Javy appeared, legs out stretched to avoid the events of a minute prior, and they stumbled into Jake’s house. Instead of heading toward the stairs where his bed was, Jake collapsed on the couch.

“Kill me now, I feel like my stomach is going to explode and I think I’m in love with Rooster again.”

“One thing at a- wait. Repeat that second thing again for me?”

[coffeebanana]

15 Questions 15 Mutuals

Thanks for the tag @ladyofthenoodle and @kasienda

1. Are you named after anyone?

No, although my middle name is a family name.

2. When was the last time you cried?

I think a few weeks ago? I watched "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" and KJBSDFKBJD. Like that movie is such a fun mix of WTF is even going on craziness and contemplating the point of existence and exploring complicated family feelings and the end is weirdly heartwarming--particularly the interactions between the mother and daughter, which is what really got me. And I was watching with one of my best friends and like right after the movie ended he was like "if we were rocks you'd be the googly eyes"--which makes no sense if you haven't seen the movie but that made me cry again because kajdfbksjbf it was so oddly sweet. (Though that was a mixture of hysterical laughter and crying ajsdjfsvjhv in a good way though!)

3. Do you have kids?

nope. maybe one day if i ever get my life together LOL

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

idk if it's a lot?? though i'm probably single-handedly responsible for teaching my brother sarcasm (he's 7 years younger than me so when he was learning would have been right as i was entering those peak sarcasm years LOL)

sarcasm is still deeply engrained in me though, and i nowadays when i use it i definitely pay more attention to how people react to it (ie whether they picked up on it) because i tend to deliver it in a very matter-of-fact voice. like, one of my favourite stupid sarcastic comments to make is whenever something weird weather-wise happens i'll be "but thank god climate change is fake, right?" and KJABFDKSJBD i've gotten some WEIRD LOOKS saying that one around ppl who don't know me that well and then i have to explain myself 😭

5. What sports do you play/have played?

i used to figure skate!! my mom was a coach when i was growing up, so i would joke that i lived part-time at the ice rink. it was kind of inevitable 😂. but i was never good at the jumps. i prefered ice dance or synchronized skating (think synchronized swimming but on the ice)

and i also used to play hockey!? very different environment LOL and my hockey teammates would sometimes tease me for showing up to a game in a dress after skating practice on days i had both but it was all in good fun

now...now i really SHOULD do something kajsdkbfsj

6. What’s the first thing you notice about someone?

i...really have no idea.

7. What’s your eye color?

hazel? i think?

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

happy endings. scary movies don't really freak me out but i guess i just find them sort of...low-reward? i'm not a movie person to begin with because it's hard for me to get invested in the characters in such a short amount of time. with horror movies that's even harder because they're all about shock value instead of getting to know the characters

9. Any special talents?

i am very very good at puns. does that count? 😂

10. Where were you born?

canada. on the west coast

11. What are your hobbies?

when i have energy/motivation i really enjoy cooking (or baking, but with baking i have to actually measure ingredients and with cooking i just sort of go with the flow). my new apartment is going to have space for a dishwasher--which really is the most exciting thing in my life right now--so i'm hoping that motivates me to cook more!!

12. Do you have pets?

yes!!! i have a ginger cat and her name is Curie (namesake Marie Curie because i'm a proud little nerd like that). I love her she's so stupid and has tried to eat plastic TOO MANY TIMES but every morning and night she will curl up on my chest when i'm in bed and she's just a precious bean

13. How tall are you?

5'5.5 (166cm). but i would have been taller if my spine had known how to grow straight 😔

14. Favorite subject in school?

science!! i had the same science teacher in high school from grades 8-10 (aka the only teacher in the french immersion department who was really qualified to teach it 😂) and i ADORED HER. from day one i was hooked--like she even made syllabus day fun. so i owe my love of science in part to her, really.

in university i realized i liked chemistry best amongst the sciences, so that was my major. and my favourite class i ever took was intro to quantum chemistry (which is really just quantum physics but the math was geared more towards what us chemistry students were familiar with)

15. Dream job?

okay, avoiding the typical "i do not dream of labour" answer...i really don't know. which is a problem. like i genuinely have no idea what i could do long-term that would actually make me happy and i just hope i figure it out at some point akjsdkfsjbd ... I feel like I was not supposed to leave paragraph responses for some of these but akjfkdsjbgd i can admit i like to talk about myself, okay? Anyways! I think I can find 15 mutuals who as far as i know haven't been tagged yet.

@ck2k18, @wackus-bonkus-maximus, @redundant-lava, @maridotnet, @celestialtitania, @talkstoself, @saiikavon, @sunfoxfic, @rosiesared, @mexicancat-girl, @tiredfloridianbutverygay, @fortuna-et-cataclysmos, @zenniaphoenix, @eggothemusicalwaffle, @bocadelicate

[more-better-words]

20 Writer Questions

Tagged by @mytardisisparked. Aw, thank you ☺️

1. How many works do you have on Ao3?

52!

2. What’s your total Ao3 word count?

546,530. And it ever increases! (to be fair, a full third of that is one fic <.<)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

At tthe moment, the Star Trek: Enterprise brainrot continues to be extremely real. But if you look over my fandoms list, there's a diversity of very niche and obscure properties!

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

Far and away, the four fics that make up my ENT series Built to Last, though not in order lol

What We Build Here

For the Duration

From the Ground Up

The Place We Call Home

And then Lay Down the Beat, which is a Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency joint.

5. Do you respond to comments?

Heck yeah! I am massive ho for comments and love to respond to them.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I have an allergy to angst - I read and write fic because I love the characters and want them to be happy, so about the worst I can manage is bittersweet. So probably What We Build Here, but ONLY because I knew it would have a followup and everything would be okay!

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

All of them! The fic's not over til the happy ending gets here!

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Never on AO3, but I have gotten some rude anons here on tumblr in the past.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Kinda. 😄 I've written some M rated Trip/T'Pol that is inevitably very vanilla and very sweet.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I don't - I don't think my brain's wired right for crossovers.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not in the manner that this question is asking, but I do consider the AI scrapping stuff to be theft and I'm not cool about it.

Stealing this answer from @mytardisisparked, because yeah

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? 

Nope

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Years ago I worked on a massive Baldur's Gate 2 AU with a friend that was a lot of fun. Never did publish any of it, which is a shame.

In my more modern writing era, no, though I have been the grateful recipient of a lot of ideas and positive feedback from some very wonderful people (most especially my beloved @pajamasecrets, but also @candiedsumire, @deadheaddaisy, @followersarepeopletoo, and a host of others)

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Every ship i've ever written is my favorite!

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Probably the sequel to In a Strange Land. That one just...*sigh*

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue, definitely. I can sit there and have characters chat endlessly and be happy as can be.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

All the parts around the dialogue 😅

I struggle a lot with plotting. The answer to the question "what happens next?" makes me break out in a cold sweat.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

As it's never really been an issue for me…none, really.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

If someone dug up my old LJ (and I won't tell you where to look), they'd find some extremely middling (and unfinished) Buffy the Vampire Slayer fic.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

That changes depending on the weather, the phase of the moon, or the barometric pressure. I love them all for different reasons. 😁

Tagging anybody who want to play along!

[darklightsworld]

I came back from Taiwan a week ago (been dead for several days afterwards), and it was amazing. I really hope to go back maybe next year. I still have many sights I want to see, and maybe experience a different season. And I miss the food! Taiwan is heaven for vegetarians (probably because of Buddhism), there are great and extremely cheap eateries literally everywhere. Sure, it’s usually like you eat on the roadside, but who cares?! There’s still so much I didn’t try. Aside from one day I had great weather, albeit with higher temperatures that expected, so I really went into summer mostly with around 25°C. One day had 27°C and the only bad weather day had 15°C. Traffic is really extreme, riding and getting off the bus is outright scary, but cheap and necessary, and there are a lot of scooters. The temples were gorgeous, and I also checked out stationery, used book stores for Taiwanese comics and the Taipei Animate. Many of their translations, especially book editions of webtoons have gorgeous extras, but they are so expensive… In the end for new release I only bought one Taiwanese comic that was published in Japan but in monochrome. Stationery were cheap, and I regret not buying some more stuff… The spoken language was a challenge. Young people speak some basic English, but the pronunciation can be tricky. With older folks it was up to gestures – I learned the strange way they show 60 XD On the other hand, basic written things were quite okay for me thanks to kanji. I had great fun with the way some “newer” things are written here and there: the stop button on the bus is 降車ボタン in Japan, but 下車鈴 in Taiwan – and it makes perfect sense :D Anyway, it was really great, very exhausting with the kilometers I walked and then the trip back from Tokyo to Akita, but I can’t wait to do it again.

[burgiethewriter]

Asks for a Fic Writer! 🔆

Tumblr really didn't want to show me this, the fiend, but I was tagged by @randomsquirrel (thank you!)

How many works do you have on ao3?

Oh only about 1,365 (6 if I remember to post another tonight)

2. What's your total ao3 wordcount?

2,676,845 I am very mentally well thank you for asking

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Whatever ones the brainworms are currently wiggling in. So currently it's ffxiv and ffxvi and a little dash of sso

4. what are your top five fics by kudos?

Breakfast NSFW Stranger Things steddie. Which is actually the sequel to the second most kudosed one but I guess we're all sluts for domesticity.

Monster in the Bed more NSFW Stranger Things steddie. The lines of kudos emails I got from those two were fantastic.

Sunny-weather Snuggles and now for something COMPLETELY different, SFW mlp appledash. I used to have this little tradition, I suppose, of starting a new '30 day otp challenge' for every ship I liked. Don't think I ever finished one though.

Garden Party which is another SFW mlp fic but this time rarijack (I love their dynamic).

Odd Tattoo NSFW wtnv cecilos, god knows why I gave it the mature rating. I actually had this on ff.net initially, it's THAT old. But wtnv is just that popular I guess (for good reason! Night Vale my beloved).

5. do you respond to comments?

I do now after sitting there making flustered noises for a good ten minutes.

6. what is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Funny thing about me, I never remember my fics. Ever. Legit I surprised myself one day discovering a stash of estimeric fics that I just. Don't remember writing. I feel like there was one though. It could be Frozen Wasteland SFW ffxiv which is about the bloody banquet at the end of arr which. Yeah. The saddest part is that I never went anywhere with it because then I started sb and met Lyse and um. Yeah.

7. what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Starlight Kittens sfw ffxiv Lyseka I think. There are probably happier endings but that's the one that immediately springs to mind.

8. do you get hate on fics?

Sometimes there are weird 'this is so cringe wtf' comments but hey it's not my fault if they don't embrace the cringe.

9. do you write smut? if so, what kind?

I was called sin mother for a time for a REASON okay. All kinds, vanilla, kink, monster, you name it. Very much into a/b/o and monsterfucking but I keep overthinking it and that kills the mood so fast.

10. do you write crossovers? what's the craziest one you've written?

[hides the ffxiv/ffxvi one under the bed] I mean yeah. Craziest one was probablyyyyy the Gotham x SSO one. I can't remember what happened but I remember the crossover.

11. have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge but it's not like I go looking. Wouldn't surprise me if someone had stolen an sso one though, some of those kids man...

12. have you ever had a fic translated?

Again not to my knowledge but I also know that ffxvi is very popular in other languages so honestly I'm waiting for it.

13. have you ever co-written a fic before?

I swear to god I have but I can't find it (unless Jack posted it??? It was years ago though) but I suppose the Wild West AU also counts? Green-eyed Drake's Revenge was the last one (god I miss that era so fucking much I met some of the best people but also the worst but I just really loved being a part of such a big project).

14. what's your all-time favourite ship?

The answer probably would've been easier before I played ffxvi but uhhhh yeah it's Terence/Dion from FFXVI. Which you wouldn't know from my fics for that fandom (I keep getting distracted by other ships) but like. Canon gays. Hello. How can I resist. Ship that makes me go 'eeee' and then think about for a while after I see it.

15. what's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Haha what unfinished WIPs I don't have those scattered everywhere. I would like to actually finish Frozen Wasteland (linked above) someday but there's also a phoenixflareknight fic that I'm slowly pecking away at but it has no real plot or anything so I don't think I'll finish that. And the aforementioned ffxiv/ffxvi crossover.

16. what are your writing strengths?

Making anything look good, baby. Or so I've been told. Sheer determination? Dialogue maybe?

17. what are your writing weaknesses?

"And where is all of this action taking place?" Shrug emoji. Descriptions.

18. thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I think it's fine as long as there's a translation somewhere.

19. first fandom you wrote for?

Sonic. I don't think I published any of them though. It's probably better that way.

20. favourite fic you've written?

There are a few that spring to mind but I associate them with an ex-friend so ew but Lost and Found is the ffxiv/ffxvi crossover fic I do have published where I put my character and her sister and the arr-era Scions into the world of ffxvi. I love it and wish it got more attention but maybe the time's just not right yet, idk.

I tag @tiredassmage @trusted-friend-ffxiv and @sso-eden-dawnvalley