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beautifultacozippergiant · 2 years ago

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Wife out of town and the whore is loose!

Being a commercial realtor, the wife travels for clients at times. She has been gone to another state for 4 days.

Knowing about her trip I secretly scheduled the same days off from work. After dropping her off at the airport Thursday morning, I spent hours pampering myself. I took a hour bubble bath, fresh shave ALL over, scented lotion, and full make-up (I went with soft pink tones, grey accents, and pink lip gloss). I got my favorite red lace bra and thong panty set out. Paired it with a red lace garter and sheer black stockings, large silver jeweled plug (I love feeling the weight as I sit or move around), breast forms, sheer black blouse, grey pleated pinstriped micro mini skirt (BARELY covers my ass standing still), shoulder length brunette wig, lacey black 3" heel ankle boots, and my FAV Channel purfume.

When I was fully dressed, it was about 3 in the afternoon. It felt so good to look in the mirror and see my skirt was SO small that my stockings and garter clearly on display. Blouse open to mid tit showing off my bra and tits and easily seeing my bra thru my blouse too. I looked professional turned slut/whore.

I sent a selfie to a guy friend, we'll call Mark, who not only knows about my submissive CD life but is also HOT and down with it. He told me to meet him at his place.

Arriving at his house, he met me at the door. He knows my place and ALWAYS puts me in it. He made me kneel in the doorway and stuck his half hard dick in my mouth right there! I could also feel my skirt was WAY up over my ass when kneeling and leaving me on full display.

Mark was only in my mouth for 30 seconds or so and flooded my throat with a thick, heavy load. When he was done, I was allowed to get up and go in his house. He had me lay on his couch with my head in his lap. I was told to keep his dick in my mouth and sucking it at all times. Even soft I was enjoying his thick meat while he was texting. I was sucking, stroking, and savoring his balls in my mouth too. After a few minutes he got up and told me to go sit on the back deck to wait for him.

What seemed like forever, he came out dressed really nice, but his cock was stiff and standing up thru his open fly. Again, he throat fucked me on the second floor deck for anyone to see what a cock slut I am. He dumped another load in my belly and it seemed just as heavy as the 1st.

He told me to go freshen up my make-up and be ready to go in a few minutes. I told him Yes Sir and did as I was instructed.

We got in his car and headed out. Not knowing where we were going and knowing better than to ask, I did know he liked to humiliate me by public exhibition and degrading. As we were driving Mark said, "Under NO circumstances are you to adjust your clothing at ANY time. If I want it changed in some way? I will do it. Am I clear bitch?"

Lowering my head I answered, "Yes Sir."

He then said, "You will address me as Daddy this evening and nothing else."

This was a first, but again, I agreed and said, "Yes Daddy."

We pulled up to a sketchy looking adult book store. It was literally right on the side of a main 4 lane rd. in a nearby town. Since it was after 6 p.m. it was fairly dark skies, but this made the headlights and street lights seem even brighter. Mark stopped about half a block away and told me to get out, saunter my whore ass into the store and ask for Jeff. I told him I would as I waited for him to pull up to the store.

Staring at me he said, "Now you worthless fuck! Get your pathetic faggot ass out of my car and get walking!"

Shaking as I got out, I leaned in the window and I asked him, "Please Daddy? Take me to the door?"

Sternly he told me, "I want to see my whore on display. So you can either go now, OR make the walk WITHOUT your blouse and skirt."

I headed towards the building. I could feel the back of my skirt flipped up from sitting in the car and it dawned on me how much I was on display then and when I was leaned into the car window. I knew better than to touch it though. There was also a light breeze in my face that bellowed my blouse open even more.

I got inside to the stares of SO many men, but did what I was told and asked the clerk for Jeff.

A very nice looking man came to me and asked if I was lindsey. I knocked yes and he told me to follow him. I could barely walk with all of the eyes on me as Jeff led me to a theater room that already had a few men seated. I saw some with their dicks out. He showed me where to sit in the front row. The light from the port that was playing on the large screen had me fully on show.

A few nervous minutes later, Mark came in and told me to stand up. When I did, he turned me to face towards the back. Standing behind me, he whispered in my ear "If you embarrass me or disobey me you will regret it bitch. Do you understand me?"

Starting to tear up, I somehow got out, "Yes Daddy."

Removing my blouse and laying on the couch beside me he announced to the room, "This is my whore! She is here for your use and to empty your balls." Then he unzipped my skirt and let it fall to the floor. As I stepped out of it he continued, "This faggot wants to be a woman, so feel free to show her what a woman should do for a man or men as a submissive set of fuckholes."

With that, he picked up my skirt and blouse as he moved to the side and sat in another section. He motioned for me to sit. Terrified AND turned on! I sat as commanded and within seconds there was a 60 something man in front of me with his small dick in my face.

I sucked him for a few and when he started to groan I pull him out and he shot his weak load on my chest and bra. This must have let everyone know that Mark was serious.

Before I knew it I was on all fours with my panties pulled to the side with a cock buried in my pussy and a really nice one in my mouth.

I begged the one fucking me to cum on my ass and the one I was sucking to cum on my face. As the one fucking me pulled out I felt his load splash on my back and ass cheeks. This made the guy on my mouth pull out and shoot what must have been a long needed load on my face and hair.

Seeing and hearing me, Daddy came over and grabbed my throat to stand me up. He spit in my cum covered face and loudly said, "You can beg for them to cum, but they will unload where they feel like!"

Choking and crying I answered, "Yes Daddy."

When he let go he told the room I NEEDED to be treated as a whore! A man with an average size cock sat down on the couch and pulled me to him. I lowered my self, reverse cowgirl, as he guided his dick inside me. Having just been fucked he easily slid fully in and I started grinding him as deep in me as I could. A young black man stepped in front of me and put his cock in my face. He wasn't porn star large, but he was the biggest so far, and wanting to please Daddy, I sucked him and stroked him as I enjoyed the meat that was fucking me.

I felt several sets of hands all over me. Some smearing the cum all over my face and body that was sprayed on me. Then another cock was in my face, and another. I was stroking 2 at a time and rotating who was in my mouth.

I literally became cock drunk and lost track of how many cocks and where they were. I had cum pumped down my throat and deep in my boi pussy. Cum shot over my ass, tits, face, and stomach.

That was until Daddy came over to me. He had me straddle his lap as he put his cock deep inside me. Licking my cum covered face and then kissing me deeply over and over. I had a few small sissygasms until then but he sent me over the top and my clitty still trapped in my panties exploded my panties full of my cummies. Daddy was steadily fucking me and the slowed to almost nothing. I thought he was going to cum, but the I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking back I saw Jeff lining up his cock with my fuckhole. I quickly snapped my face back to Daddy and said, "I can't Daddy! You two are too big."

He grabbed my throat again but this time squeezing HARD. As I felt Jeff pressing in I was also blacking out. I don't know how much later I came to but both men were fucking me balls deep and I had NEVER felt such pleasure!!!!

Once cognitive again, my sissygasms hit me hard and would not stop! I was being double dicked and crying out to be fucked. I felt Jeff swell as he stuffed his dick balls deep and throbbed as he pumped his cum in my fuckhole. This made Daddy groan and push his cock up in me and add his cum as I felt him pulse and pump in Mr.

Jeff pull out and Daddy pushed me off making me land on the floor. Scrambling to my knees Daddy and Jeff stood over me with their dripping cocks over my face. I slurped and sucked their meat back and forth. Cleaning and draining all I could from them.

Daddy grabbed my skirt and blouse as he commanded I follow him. Dripping loads of cum thru my panties from my pussy, cum dripping from my ass, stomach, tits, and face. Gobs of cum in my hair. He led me put in the lobby where I noticed the clock. It was 11:30 p.m. and I've been getting fucked and covered or filled with cum for 4 hours!

Daddy led me out and told.me to walk until he picked me up. I felt like such a slut being dressed in only my bra and panties, stockings, and heels. But also like a total whore with cum all over me and constantly running down my legs.

Daddy stopped for me about a block away with DOZENS of cars passing me in both directions. Got back to Mark's place where I was told to go home, clean up, and come back with only a silk teddy on.

I showered, and redid my make-up, put my grey silk mini teddy and heels on over my breasts. I spent the rest of the night at Daddy's being slapped, spit on, sucking, and getting fucked. I slept with his wonderful dick in my mouth.

The rest of the weekend, either him or a friend or both had a dick stuffed in me. I got home this morning and can barely walk, but it was the greatest weekend being a cock slut I could have never even dreamed of!!!

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atmymercy · 2 years ago

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Hey there!

Can I please request for a free reading? :)

I am RA, Taurus and I want to choose the angelic deck.

A song lyric that reminds me of you - "Fuck a princess, I'm a king, bow down and kiss my ring"

Question: I've been looking for new jobs since a long time. I wanna know when I'll find a new better paying job.

Thank you in advance ❤💕

hello ra! of course you can, honey! i'm so glad you're here! ps excited for your taurus season soon?? i would be! lol another for the angel deck! you guys are making some angels happy tonight! lol

ooh my gosh! i love that! and i adore that song! totally not on my fav playlist! so omg! good reading you got going there, honey!

for you & your angelic deck.

omg! omg! i'm sorry but i need to laugh because first date - blink 182 is playing and the part about 'forever and ever and ever' just keeps repeating in my head and i can see it's in yours too, honey! omg! you need to first off forgive yourself for the passage of time. there is nothing dishonorable about looking out for what is right for you and spirit is as well! they have something so particular in mind for you! like a life purpose, honey! we're talking serious business, here! this next job is going to help you find your purpose! like damn! that's major! but this ain't going to happen until you forgive and release all these frustrations. yes, it was frustrating.

write that out. cry that shit out. quit putting on that brave face and release all these emotions you just have stashed away! ho geez! my back is so fucking heavy with your like frustrations and responsibilities that you heap onto yourself! you need to breathe and surrender these pressures to spirit! how? by feeling it! all of these ugly emotions and just sit there and feel it all.

also quit ignoring your damn signs, your angels guides are saying! they keep trying to send you small gifts and you ignore them! omg! don't ignore an angel's gift! lolol ps. i'll help you out by telling you it's small tokens, you'll find on the ground and outside especially. search and you shall see! oooh! i can't wait to hear about it, honey!

hope you enjoyed it! please give feedback or buy me a coffee when you can! also please tell your friends if you enjoyed this! if you want to explore this further, please consider a private read as well. also thank you for sharing with me!♡

love & light!

-tea

as always, my rules & info are in my pinned post if you're interested in a reading of your own!

#tea oracle reading #oracle reading #oracle cards #angel readings #angel messages #angel cards #spirit guide message #spiritualhealing #spiritualgrowth #spirituality #angel speaks #burningrebelsworld

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potato-jem · 2 years ago

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it really brightens my day that you were so excited to hear about my trip, i’m always scared that i’m annoying 😭 but BISCOFF CREAM?! sounds amazing 🤩

i mean... i haven’t fully caught up, but i’m very close! i’m just trying to get my brain used to doing things again, it’s a bit tired at the moment 😭😭😭 i’m lucky i only missed the first week of lectures, which is mostly introduction stuff, but uni knows no bounds

it was so much better this time!! and also everything was being set up for worldpride so that helped me feel welcome too 🥺 there were rainbow stairs where my friend and i went to dinner :( there was also a rainbow shark somewhere but i didn’t see it

YEAH I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT THE TRAINS! i saw someone move the seat and i was like :o and i tried both levels, and i have to say top deck is my fav 😌 i think the locals were staring at me and my friend weird because we were both fanboying about the trains...

actually... don’t get mad, but i just never went to bed. i mean i got home at like 12:15 and had a shower and stuff, and it was already 1am, and plus i got some packing and cleaning done as well as painted my nails. it wasn’t a useless three hours at least (i did doze on the plane though!) and the HEAT! it SUCKED! but yeah, worth it for merch/early birthday present! (my birthday is the 4th of march :))

i loveee merch, but yeah, it’s so expensive for no good reason? i mean i’m all about supporting the artist, but $110 for a jumper? (didn’t have to pay for it though ✌️😗) i wore my t-shirt today to uni and the employee at the snack bar i went to asked what night i went. merch is like a magnet 🤩

i was so upset 😭😭😭 i was so excited to eat that amazing ramen again 😭😭😭 oh well. i’m glad you got to have some good japanese food, and i’m also happy you drove responsibly, because that is more important to me than trying something i recommended (but when you get the opportunity, do try!)

it was so cool! we also managed to run into one of our old teachers at the cupsleeve event? (she didn’t recognise me at first, because i’ve physically changed a lot, but it was funny once she did) and we went both days too, so i got some freebies to give to my friend who couldn’t come :) i had this blue lemonade the first day and a lychee-ade which was purple the next?? they were both so nice! and i knew you would encourage me spending my money, my head was filled with “you’re spending too much money” “but you can’t find this at home and cece would be proud”

it was just chilling on the shelve as if waiting for me, and it was in perfect condition?! i put back like three books just to get it! and i managed to get it home safely too (thank you merch) and cece, it’s beautiful, i can’t wait to read it! and the bookstore is well and truly big enough to live in (i will always find the best bookstores, i’m a bookstore magnet :D) and i will let you know if i do, i will need a new bookshelf to accommodate them first 😭😭😭

it was amazing and just so healing. i feel like no one else i could ever see now matters, i’ve seen rina sawayama and stray kids = my life is complete (everyone else i go to is a side quest :D) i am so incredibly lucky to have seen them, especially in two of the members’ hometown. it was an insane experience and one i will hold dear to my heart forever :’)

if me and my friend are only good at one thing, it’s making an outfit. we looked very cool! (and some of our photos are album cover worthy)

cece that’s so lovely of you, i adore you so much 😭😭😭 and exactly! i love being reminded of how much fun i was having! i can’t imagine the people who just shut up, stop dancing and film videos have much fun at concerts :/ my camera was all over the place, i screamed, i nearly cried, i sang off key on the top of my lungs, and it was so fun!

i think i really needed this trip :’)

hooray for three days off!! you deserve all the days off! and what a perfect way to spend it 🤩🤩🤩

and yay! that’s so exciting! i totally understand wanting to plan that instead of going to work, it’s so much better to organise fun things to do with friends than deal with stupid people all day long! 😂 and you didn’t tell me that, but i feel like that is a worthwhile and very wise investment 😌😌

i’m glad to know simba is doing well! i got to pat a cat at work the other day and it made my entire week!

OH CECE THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY! you don’t understand that makes me so incredibly happy, you have no idea! 🥺🥺🥺 what are your fav songs? i would love to know your thoughts! (also i’m halfway through a perfectly created taylor swift playlist “taylored” to me from one of my best friends, and i am quite enjoying it so far)

thank you for the flowers! i’m hugging you real tight and i’m giving you more biscoff creams <33333333

hello cece my beautiful wonderful beloved soulmate <3

i hope you have been well and looking after yourself! i don’t want you overworking yourself 😭 but it has been two days since i have come back from my trip (i have been exhausted plus i had work and uni to catch up on) so now i am going to sit down and tell you about my trip!! please grab a cup of tea and a snack while you read :)

so i went to sydney again, and i had a much more enjoyable experience this time around. i think it was because i knew what i was getting into, and i stayed in the exact same place, so it was all familiar to me.

although i did try to use the public transport this time, instead of ubering everywhere, and the buses were so bad, but the trains were INCREDIBLE! they were double decker and the back support moved so you could have a single row or two rows of seats face each other??? SO COOL

anyways, me and my friend caught the train to the airport at 4am in the morning 😭😭😭 (and i finished work at 12am!!!!) to get our flight. once we landed in sydney, my friend wanted to get merch from the early presale stand outside the arena and we were outside in 30 degree heat FOR TWO HOURS, with our luggage. good news, my birthday is coming up and my friend didn’t know what to get me, so he bought half my merch 🤭 bad news, i’m ginger and i get sunburnt in two minutes, so think about two hours… the worst thing is we had an umbrella for sun protection, but my right arm and the back of my neck was out so they were FRIED. i’m currently peeling like a reptile but worth it

we got some food from maccas because we were dehydrated and getting heat stroke, and then checked into our room after we managed to get our stuff. we both ended up napping in the afternoon, which we were both surprised about, because i had my phone in my hand still attached to the charger next to my bed and he still had his genshin impact loaded up onto his ipad 😭😭😭

unfortunately the place i wanted to take him to for dinner, the really good japanese place from last time, was under renovation, so we had dinner elsewhere but we had such a good time the rest of our trip

because we went to see stray kids, a kpop group, we had a lot of activities we could indulge in. they had this thing called a cupsleeve event, where someone in the fandom designs a cupsleeve to represent a kpop idol’s birthday, group anniversary or in our case, coming to the city. and i got so many freebies! we went to this kpop store that doubled as a cafe and the drinks were so good! i bought way too much but i have to remind myself that i can’t get it at home 😔

we also went to the biggest bookstore i have ever seen in my life! it took up a whole floor of the shopping centre and it was brilliant. it had books upon books, categories after categories. they even had an entire chinese and japanese section! i also spent a lot of money there BUT my best find was the entire completed infernal devices manga trilogy!! it’s so beautiful and such a rare find, i grabbed it immediately. i couldn’t find the tmi graphic novels though, but they have them on their website, so i might order them in :)

alright, the main event! the concerts! so i went and saw the kpop group, stray kids, two nights in a row! it was amazing. i was and still am a huge fan of their work, but especially because they got me through a really hard time in my life and really were my serotonin while i was at school 😔 i wasn’t allowed to see them when they first came here four years ago (parents: maybe next year, they’ll come! *next year being 2020.*) so i feel like i finally made up for it.

me and my friend also matches outfits! we did black and green (the concert colours) on the first night, and red and white on the second (to match the stray kids colours). i wish i could send you photos, we looked so slay 🤩

i do not have one concert video without me screaming the lyrics (yeah the korean ones too!) in the back. but i don’t care, it was so fun, i had a blast. and it was even better because two of the members of stray kids were from sydney and they just made it feel more homely :) do not regret how much money i spent on them or the sleep i lost at all! i’m so glad i can slowly start to give myself the experiences i missed out on as a kid/teenager :’)

anyways, enough about me! how have you been? what have you been up to? how is simba? 🥺 i adore you so much and i am enclosing this letter with a warm hug <3333

hello nero my amazing perfect beloved soulmate <3

yay i’m so happy to finally hear about this trip!!! i just made myself a cup of tea and brought out some biscoff cream!!

how was the catching up part?? did you manage to catch up without exhausting yourself too much??

nero that’s so great!! i think that having a familiar surrounding is always helpful, and staying in the same place makes it all less scary somehow. i’m really happy it went much better!!

NO WAY THEY HAVE THOSE TRAINS THERE??? they look so cool!!! i’ve seen them on instagram once and i was so jealous of every city who had those trains!! you can literally choose if you want to sit alone or have company and that’s so cool!!! it’s basically a buildable environment!!! i’m getting way too excited about this lol

so you only had like three hours of sleep?? 😭😭😭😭 and you even had to stand in the heat for hours 😭😭😭 but yay!!! merch!!! that’s a really great birthday gift!!! (also when is your birthday??? only if you want to share of course <3)

anyway merch is so amazing and so expensive. this has got to be one of the best presents ever!!! even if it means you’re skinning like a reptile now lol at least it’s just two small spots instead of your whole self 😂 but i get the struggle. i’m not ginger but my skin is so light i always get sunburnt in 0.5 seconds too. definitely not fun, but worth it for some merch :D

that was probably a really fun situation to wake up to, but you both deserved a nap for catching a bus at 4am!!! especially since you had only a few hours of sleep after work!! at least you were rested enough to really enjoy the trip!!

oh no 😭😭 i’m still dreaming about that place!! i went to a my favorite japanese restaurant in my city a few days ago and i really wanted to try that beverage you told me about but i was driving so i couldn’t 😭 i hope this other restaurant was really good too though!!

no way!!! nero this is all way too cool!!! i’m so happy it was so fun and there were so many things to do!!! also this cupsleeves event sounds so cool!! i’m so happy nero, you’re making my day just by telling me about all these freebies and amazing drinks!! and you know i’m always gonna be the little devil on your shoulder telling you that spending money is good and you deserve all that amazing stuff :))

the tid manga trilogy??? how is that even possible omg you can’t find that anywhere!!!! i’m so jealous, i wanna live in this bookstore now 🥺 it’s got to be so amazing!! (you always find the best bookstores, i had no doubt there would be one in this letter too and i was so excited to read about it!!) and let me know if you do order the tmi graphic novels!! i’ve been trying to collect those too hehe

the fact that *next year* was 2020 is so painful. but you saw them two nights in a row!!! that’s amazing!! and it must have been so good to see them after so long, after they’d been by your side in a really tough time 🥹 i’m so happy you got to finally see them live!!

also, the matching outfits?? I LOVE THAT!!! i bet you looked so slay!!! that’s literally the best idea for what to wear to a concert!!!

nero i’m so so happy for you!!! you’ve made my whole day, i’m not even joking!! i’m so happy you’re finally getting to enjoy trips and concerts you couldn’t before!! and this one really sounded so perfect!!! also the videos with you screaming at the top of your lungs to every song are literally the best. i love it when i rewatch a video from a concert and i can hear myself screaming and crying and dying more than i can hear the band or the singer. it just makes me live all those memories and those amazing feelings again!!!

the money spent on this is totally worth it!!! and you can sleep now, uni can wait lol really nero i’m so happy this trip was so good!!! i’m so happy for you!!!

i’m good!! i got three days off from work this week so that was great, and i started to reread chain of iron so that i can reread chain of thorns right after :) i miss them so much already 🥲

anyway i just booked a trip for may, because a friend is coming to visit me and i’m gonna be off work for two weeks so i’m really looking forward to it and now i just wanna skip work and plan the itinerary 😂 and i want to book more trips too. which isn’t great because my bank account is already crying and begging me to stop buying stuff. did i tell you i got the illumicrate edition of chain of thorns with the alternative dust jackets? yeah so my bank account still hasn’t forgiven me for it :,)

simba is also doing really good, he’s eating a lot and sleeping a lot as usual 😌

also, ever since you told me about the rina sawayama concert, and because you always talked so much about her, i kinda started listening to her music a lot more and i’m obsessed with some songs now!!! i adore her style so thank you for this new obsession :>

i’m enclosing a warm hug for you too and a little bouquet of flowers <3

#cece my beloved!!!

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missallsundaes · 3 years ago

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Usopp x reader please? Drawing his partner (not like a French girl) thank you!

I love Usopp so much you have no idea how excited I was to write this. He's one of my fav characters and I just really really love him and no one requests him.

SFW Usopp x NB Reader.

Fluffy domestic shit (aka my fav)

742 word Drabble.

Very willing to do a part two or more Usopp.

“Please let me see Usopp?” You asked again,arms wrapped around him from behind, pawing at the sketchbook in his hands. You had caught him drawing out on the deck of the ship, but He never wanted to show anyone his sketches, not even you.

“No no no,” he said, holding the sketchbook at arms length so you couldn't reach it. “It's way too embarrassing.”

“Aww please, pretty please Uso~~” you pleaded, burying your head in his neck, lips kissing against his skin softly, but felt him shake his head no in reply.

“Your drawings are always so gorgeous, I just wanna see!” Despite your soft pleading, your hands were still reaching at the book in his hands, just out of reach.

“What if I promise to pose for you?” You felt him freeze up in your arms like his heart stopped beating, and you looked up at his face to see his cheeks flushed, a small drop of blood at his nostril. You flicked the end of his nose playfully, “Not like that,” you chuckled, “not this time at least~”

He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, and let you finally grasp at the sketchbook in his hand, he turned his nose up proudly, pouting his lip a bit before letting you take it from him, “But you can't tease me for anything in there!”

“No promises~” you teased, taking the sketchbook.

You both adjusted in your seated position so you could lean against his arm as you thumbed through the pages. He drew so much that you didn't realize, sketches of the other crew members, places you had been, little bits of cool architecture he was interested in, or scenery that was beautiful. He had pages of little comics about “his conquests” some of which looked like parts had been torn out to send back home in his letters to Kaya or his little ‘former crew’. But littered around a lot of the pages were many sketches of you. Smiling, laughing, spending time with the girls, training with Zoro, helping Sanji bring supplies back to the ship, passing tools to Franky, napping in the crows nest when you were on watch together; all little candid things that he found lovely about you.

You looked up at his face, he was hiding his eyes behind his hand, squishing down his cheeks and ready for you to tease him about it. You couldn't though, it was too sincere. Too much of himself between the pages to tease him even a little bit.

“Usopp, you're so unbelievably talented,” you took his hand from his face, leaving the book propped open on your legs to a particularly beautiful sketch, shaded and gently colored, of you leaning against the mast, staring off into the sunset. “I can't believe this is how you see me.”

He snapped from being shy about his work to being defensive, “Of course that's how I see you! You're gorgeous! You're so much more than I deserve and every second that you call yourself my partner I want to remember it forever!” His face was flushed again, and the passion in his eyes told you how honest he was being with you in the moment, how scared he was that maybe you would see him how he saw himself and not want to be with him, how much he loved you.

You closed the book and moved to kiss him before he could keep rambling on, tilting your head to avoid clashing noses and locking lips with your boyfriend. You felt his body soften gently at your touch and your affection, and he wrapped his arms around you, kissing you back.

“I love you, so much, I'll be yours forever, don't you worry about that,” you said when your lips parted, brushing his curly locks away from his face where they fell during his defense of you, staring into his deep brown eyes. “I wish you could see yourself how I do.”

He smiled sadly at your words, “I'm not sure that will happen, but as long as you see me that way, that's all I need.” He held you close in a hug, not wanting to let you go, cherishing someone who was so unbelievably perfect for him.

You pulled away a bit, kissing him on the tip of his nose, “C’mon, let me make good on my promise.” You smiled at him, handing the sketchbook back.

#one piece #usopp #usopp x reader #one piece x reader #reader insert #I would also probably enjoy writing some angsty sad stuff for usopp bc I relate to the ~depression~#but this is 98% fluff I promise #just that little 2% negative personality usopp

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costellos · 4 years ago

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a/n: the Crusaders have a very special place in my heart during the holidays. I finished Part 3 around this time last year, and things were a lil rough then. as a result, I wanted to focus on happier things for this year! so without further ado, here are ya fav globe-trotting boys and their fav holiday traditions.

tw: mentions of death and alcohol in Polnareff’s section.

❥ ┋ ❝ stardust crusaders & their favorite holiday traditions to do with you!

joseph joestar.

Joseph’s favorite holiday tradition is putting up Christmas lights.

the eldest Joestar is really obnoxious when it comes to holiday traditions. while he loves them all, he has a particular affinity for decking out his house in elaborate light displays. it brings him a lot of good memories from when Holly and Jotaro were still young.

that said, he has to get you involved in helping him. he pulls out the biggest boxes from storage and drops them at your feet. despite his being a literal millionaire, it feels very... suburban. not that you mind. you knew exactly what you were getting into when it came to Joseph. that childish zeal for everything keeps you on your toes, and while putting up lights may not be the most fun activity in the world, his boisterous laugh makes you think otherwise.

Joseph’s smiling ear-to-ear as you help him, especially when you set up an LED wire reindeer without his help. but nothing will top that toothy grin when you’re standing side-by-side, right in front of the house, and he plugs in the displays.

the house erupts into a flurry of colors ― blues, reds, whites, greens ― too many for you to count. that LED wire reindeer comes to life, with its head slowly rising and falling. and the trees, all laced with bulbs that mimic stars more than tacky lights from Home Depot, twinkle and dance to the displays around them. it’s beautiful. (and like him, a little obnoxious.)

you feel an arm wrap around your shoulder, pulling you to Joseph’s enormous figure. though his smile is unwavering, his gaze isn’t on the house in front of you. no, it’s on you yourself. for all the sweat and effort you both put into this, his attention still falls back to you. ↳ “haha! there you have it. you have a real knack for this, kiddo. couldn’t’ve done it without you. ...now let’s go back inside, I can’t feel my damn fingers...!”

muhammad avdol.

Avdol’s favorite holiday tradition is drinking hot chocolate.

though he doesn’t celebrate Christmas, Avdol enjoys the traditions that come with it for you. his personal favorite is drinking something hot after a long day. Cairo may be in the desert, but it still gets quite chilly at night!

he usually opts for tea in the evening (masala chai being his favorite), but he’s starting to warm up to hot chocolate. while American hot chocolate is far too sweet for him, a pinch of cayenne pepper and a little cinnamon makes it more tolerable.

it’s become something of a challenge to get him to drink hot chocolate. it’s not his first choice. sure, he’ll still drink it if you offer, but you’re quick to notice that small grimace as he takes his first sip. you’ve taken it as a sign to make something delicious for him. so you go back to the basics: cayenne and cinnamon. considering Avdol’s distaste for overly sweet foods, you opt to make the beverage out of semi-sweet chocolate. mix it all together with some warm milk, add a cinnamon stick and some nutmeg at the top, and you’ve got the key to Avdol’s heart.

you place it proudly in front of him. this has to be it. you know him well enough to recognize his tastes. yet when he rests his mug against his lips, taking that first sip... you can’t read him. his features are still.

truth be told, it’s exactly the kind of drink he’d love. damn. you nailed his tastes a little too well. but he's not going to admit defeat. seeing you try so hard to impress him in a desperate attempt to share your culture with him... it’s heartwarming. he doesn’t want it to end. so he sends you a click of his tongue, a sly grin, and the shake of his head. ↳ “it tastes much better, but I think something is missing... why don’t we try to find it together?”

jotaro kujo.

Jotaro’s favorite holiday tradition is eating Christmas cake.

Christmas cake is just a strawberry shortcake. it’s a simple dessert, something that most Japanese families eat around the holidays. Holly’s become a master at baking it. and while Jotaro doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth, he loves Christmas cake.

the only thing he loves more than Christmas cake is his family, though he’d never admit it outwardly. he has a lot of fond memories of eating Christmas cake right after dinner. sometimes if he behaved well enough Holly would sneak him a slice before then. even now he gets a warm feeling seeing all his favorite people together, sharing the fruits of Holly’s kitchen labors.

and because he’s dating you, you’re one of those people, too. the invite is casual; he makes it sound like you can come if you have nothing better to do. so of course you come. you show up at his house, smile in tow, eager to celebrate with him and his own family. (but let’s be real, Holly has adopted you as one of her own ― his family is as much as yours now.)

that same warm feeling creeps up on him as he watches you and Holly bake the cake. you look so happy here, so natural, as if you were always meant to be a part of this household. he won’t smile back at you. no, if you catch him staring, he’ll just dip his head and turn away. you know by now that he’s happy too, however.

when it comes time to eat, Jotaro won’t say anything. he’ll let his mom, Joseph, and Suzie Q do their little pre-feast speech, rambling some bullshit about tradition and midnight Mass. but when he looks back at you, standing there at his side, that warm feeling bubbles in his stomach once more. you belong here. this is where you’re meant to be: right here, with him, placed so perfectly within his own family. ↳ “hey. you know you can come back whenever. being surrounded by all this noise is actually tolerable when you’re here.”

noriaki kakyoin.

Kakyoin’s favorite holiday tradition is exchanging presents.

though his family isn’t Christian, Kakyoin fondly remembers his parents exchanging presents every year. small things, tiny trinkets and letters to express their love for one another. as such, he’s always wanted to celebrate it with someone special. he’d be lying if he said he hasn’t romanticized the holiday.

as such, he’s beyond excited to celebrate it with you. he tries to keep his cool about the whole affair, but his eyes are bright and he refuses to let go of your hand as he pulls you through the streets of Tokyo.

the city is decked out in all sorts of light displays, from hanging icicles to flashy LEDs. mascots line the streets delivering candy canes with advertisements for local restaurants. the smell of chocolate is evident throughout every street you turn on.

but the city is only part of it. a big part of the date, yes, but Kakyoin has the finale all planned out. he brings you to a shrine outside of the hustle and bustle. it’s a bit of a hike and it’s dimly lit, though you figure that’s why no one else is up here. he sits you down on a short bench, short enough for you to be sitting shoulder to shoulder, gazing down at the city below. that’s when he gives it to you:

it’s a small gold box wrapped with a red ribbon. fancy, you think to yourself. with his teasing you to just open it, though, you get to work pulling apart the red ribbon. you’re not sure what to expect. Kakyoin’s not one for brands, nor does he like anything flashy himself. had he gotten you something like that...? yet when you open the box, what stares back is a cassette tape. of course. he’s far more thoughtful than you gave him credit for. ↳ “clichéd, I know. but every time I hear any of these songs, all I can think of is you. I can, ah... I can play it for you when we get back.”

jean pierre polnareff.

Polnareff’s favorite holiday tradition is shopping for presents.

shopping for presents is a melancholy activity. it was a tradition he had with Sherry, to go about the nearest market and pick out the best gifts for their family and friends. she’s been gone for a while now. even still, it hurts all the same.

he’s beyond thankful that he has you. you don’t try to get him to forget about her, but you also don’t let him to wallow in self-pity. you honor her memory, letting him reminisce about better times. likewise, you’re more than happy to accompany him on his shopping trip.

Polnareff is quiet for most of the trip. it’s uncharacteristic of him, and if you’re being honest, a little uncomfortable. though you know he’s doing his best to focus. you can tell from the way his gloved fingers stay laced with yours, his grip tightening just the slightest to remind you that he’s still present.

you try to cheer him up by getting a spiced wine and offering to share with him. and. jesus christ. his eyes just light up. it’s that cute, couple-y shit that he loves and you did it for him like it was nothing. from then on, Polnareff is a little less mopey. more lighthearted. the Polnareff you know and so deeply love, back at it with his high-spirited self.

he stops you when it’s time to return home. shopping bags rest in his grip, with the faintest tint of red on his upper lip from all the wine. you’re pretty exhausted ― both from shopping and trying to keep him happy ― and he knows this, yet he stops you nonetheless. it’s a quick affair, where he puts a simple, glass heart ornament in your palm, the date written in silvery letters. oh? he must have gotten it when you weren’t looking. ↳ “you’ve helped me a lot today. you know that, vérité? I just... want to remember this day forever.”

#stardust crusaders #jjba #JoJo's Bizarre Adventure #jotaro kujo #Noriaki Kakyoin #Joseph Joestar #Jean Pierre Polnareff #Muhammad Avdol #part 3 #part 3!joseph #part 3!jotaro #alcohol /#death /#a holiday hooha with toya #toya whisks u away #headcanons #stardust crusaders (group)#long post #i'll put a read more on this after 24 hrs as always!

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justletmeplayminecraft · 4 years ago

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I love reading all your stories and always find myself coming back to them. I think my favs are prob the ones from the Space Outlaw AU, especially the Ex & Zed one, it always makes me smile. That kinda brings me to this request; I'd love to see a followup to that story where Zed is reunited with Tango & Impulse on the ship and what happens a bit afterwards. ^_^

aaa my gosh, thank you so much. it means a lot to hear that and honestly i wouldn't have had the courage to do it without @martuzzio creating this amazing au & encouraging me !!

as for the request, it's actually a scene ive avoided writing in the past, because everyone kinda has their own idea of how it goes? so i wanna say, just because i've written it, it doesn't mean other people can't write it their way!! even i have other ideas of how it could go!! additionally, if you want more of zit's early days after reuniting, it's a side focus in this fic! i realised it was missing from my masterpost so thought i'd mention it gjgfs

alright, on with the fic:

"And this is one of our secondary testing labs," Xisuma introduces, holding his hand out as they step inside. Seeing the current occupant, he turns that hand into a wave. "Afternoon, Impulse." Zedaph perks up at the name, bright eyes focused on the goggled man in front of him.

"Hey, X." Impulse doesn't look up from his current project, carefully soldering two pieces of wire together. "We got our new recruit?" Zedaph's jaw is falling open as Impulse speaks. Any further and it might unhinge.

"We have!" X glances at Zedaph, his smile becoming a soft look of concern. "This is Zedaph, he may not be joining us permanently but-" Impulse looked up the second Xisuma said 'Zedaph'.

"Zed?" Impulse breathes the name like it's sacred, with the same reverence of a god's. Zedaph stares at him with wide eyes, a noise escaping before he can attempt a word. He raises his hands, tears gathering.

"Impulse?" Zed's gasp is wet, grabbing the strap of his bag. "Is that- Am I dreaming? I must be- I-" Impulse barely remembers to turn off his solderer before he's running forward.

The two meet in the middle. Impulse grabs Zed's face, rubbing his fingers over his cheeks. All Zed can do is reach up and hold Impulse's hands tight. They're rough and dirty and Impulse's face is dirty and he's wearing goggles but that's Impulse. That's Impulse, who's wiping away the tears rolling down Zedaph's face.

"Hold on, hold on- Let me-" Impulse pulls away to snap his goggles onto his forehead. "It's you- I can't- It's really you." Zedaph sobs softly, falling forward and pressing the sides of their faces together. He reaches for Impulse's hair, burying his fingers into the strands. Together, they sway in place, legs shaking so much it's hard to stay up. "I don't- Zed-"

Zedaph laughs, high-pitched and hysterical, "I must be dreaming, I must be." Impulse joins his laughter, grip on Zedaph tightening enough to leave white marks on his skin. There's barely an inch of space left between them.

"If you're dreaming then so am I." Impulse sounds breathless. Zedaph squeezes him, tears dampening both of their cheeks.

"I don't want it to end," he whispers, a hint of fear in his voice at the thought. If he could, he'd cling to this moment forever. His heart singing in his chest, Impulse's solid weight in his hands. Neither of them want to wake up.

"You're not dreaming," Xisuma says. They jump apart as they remember he's there. Zedaph wipes the tears from his cheeks. His other hand stays in Impulse's. Their knuckles are pale in each other's grip. "I can finish this tour later, give you some time together." Zedaph feels like he should protest Xisuma's kindness, but the only sound he could make would be broken noise. Impulse continues looking at him like he's the most precious of gems, or a project he's spent months on and finally finished.

"I'll let you know when we're finished with him," Impulse replies. Zedaph stares at him, taking in how he's aged. They've lost so much time. "Do you mind if it's in a month or so? Maybe a year?" Xisuma chuckles, smiling fondly.

"As much time as you need." He tells them, with a polite nod. Impulse just manages to nod back before Xisuma leaves the pair in the empty lab. They stare at each other, barely breathing. Zedaph traces one of the wrinkles that he swears weren't there before. Laugh lines. Worry lines.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm an old man." Zedaph laughs, pulling Impulse's goggles off so he can press their foreheads together. The bright lights of the lab catch their eyes, leaving them sparkling with tears. They fall into a comfortable silence. Together, in their own world - blind to the bright lights and deaf to the quiet hum of electricity. Focused on the other alone. Zedaph finally pulls away when he processes an earlier sentence, face scrunched in confusion.

"We're finished with him?" He questions. There's a swell of hope in his chest that he doesn't want to believe. He wants to cling to it, doesn't want it to be crushed. Impulse nods, ever so slightly.

"Tango. He's here too. He's- Zed, he missed you so much." The swell spills over. Impulse clutches him tight as Zed sobs, entire body shaking with the force. He falls into Impulse's chest, firm hands keeping him upright. Eventually, the sobs quiet into shaking breaths and Impulse moves his hands to cup Zedaph's cheeks, looking into blue eyes. "Zed would- do you want to see him?" Zedaph nods, nails digging into the strap of his rucksack.

"Does- Would he want to see me?" Impulse smiles, nodding in return. He swipes his thumbs across Zed's cheeks, disrupting the tear tracks left there.

"Zed, he'd want nothing more. Both of us have wanted nothing more than to see you since- since-" Zedaph cries again at the thought. It's been so, so long.

"Yeah-" He agrees, "Yeah, me too."

It takes them several minutes until they can separate enough to walk. Impulse leads the way through the ship. Their pace is close to running, Impulse navigating the way to the lower decks on pure instinct. Between them, their hands stay clasped together, never loosening. Zedaph's other hand rests on his bag strap. The Hermits they pass don't interrupt. A few watch with knowing smiles.

"Tango!" Impulse calls as they grow closer to the engine bays. Zedaph's pace slows and Impulse smiles in encouragement, nudging their shoulders together. He tries to smile back, air caught in his throat, tears ready to spill again. His emotions are haywire: anxiety, excitement, fear, elation. He's feeling so much.

"Impulse!" Tango's voice echoes from deeper into the bays. Impulse leads Zed in, watching his wide eyes focus at the voice. Zedaph feels like his body is giving out beneath him. He's going to shake apart. "What brings you here?"

"I'm- Not here for me, actually." Tango pulls himself out from under one of the cables. He stretches, eyes closed and a wrench in his hand. He's wearing a simple dress, the heat in the bays comfortable enough for him without his suit. Then he opens his eyes and freezes with his arms still above his head. Zedaph steps a little further behind Impulse, both of his hands tensing. Impulse squeezes back.

"Impulse?" Tango asks, looking between them both. His red eyes are wide, arms lowering awkwardly. "Is that- Are you?" Impulse nods, turning to Zed.

"Yeah, yeah, it really is." Impulse squeezes Zedaph's hand again, gently encouraging him forward. Zedaph's already crying. He seems to be doing a lot of that.

"Tango," he whispers. Tango can't hold back any longer, running forward so he can hold Zedaph's face in his hands. The wrench clatters to the floor as Tango wipes across Zedaph's cheeks. He looks into those blue eyes and knows his are just as teary. Zedaph allows Impulse to take the rucksack from his back, lower it to the floor.

"Zed." Tango rubs along Zedaph's hairline. The way he leans into the touch is so familiar Tango can only cry. "Nether, it's- I can't believe-" Zed nods, holding him desperately.

"I can't either," he agrees with a wobbling voice. Impulse wraps his arms around Zedaph's chest, resting his head on Zed's warm shoulder. They all cling to each other with no intention of letting go.

"Did you know?" Tango asks, looking between Impulse and Zed. And he can look between them. They're both here, in front of him. All three of them in one place, safe and- He used to dream about this, he never thought it could be a reality.

"No," Impulse tells him, "I had no idea. None at all."

"I didn't-" Zed agrees, "I- I really didn't- I never even guessed." He reaches back for Impulse's hand, legs finally giving up. He makes a soft noise as he drops, the two quick to support him and lower them to the ground. The trio continue hugging each other on the hot floor of the bay. There's no way of telling where each of them start and end, limbs tangled into a pile.

Impulse buries his face against Zedaph's back, Tango weeping openly. The sound of their cries echo in the bay. None of them care. Why think about the world around them when they can focus on each other? How they feel in each other's arms, the heat of Tango's hair, Zedaph's fingers twitching in Impulse's hand and Tango's dress. Convincing themselves they're not dreaming. This is real.

"Wait, wait, wait-" Zed leans back from them both, reaching for his bag. He digs around his shawl until he pulls out a small band of twisted woollen threads, thinned and snapped. "I- I kept it. It's broken but I kept it-" Tango draws Zed back into their hold with a hand on his cheek. His other hand wipes away tears.

"Oh, Zed." Tango's voice is so soft. "You- How do you never fail to surprise us?" Impulse laughs, settling his chin on Zedaph's shoulder. Their heads automatically lean towards each other.

"I'm so glad you do," Impulse says, squeezing Zed's hand. "This is the best surprise I could ever ask for." Zedaph breathes out, words completely lost to him.

"Hey," Tango smiles at them, bottomless love in his eyes. "You can make us new ones now." Zedaph gasps through tears, nodding eagerly.

"Yeah," he agrees, rubbing his eyes on Tango's hand, "I can."

They end up in one of the sleeping dens. Zedaph is curled between them, feeling more relaxed than he has in years. Tango is in front of him, an arm around him whilst Impulse's hand rubs his cheek. Zed nudges comfortably into their holds, enjoying the longed for contact with his herd. Tango's hair is secured in a fireproof wrap. Zedaph knows from experience that it's hot but he has the urge to poke it anyway. For old times sake. Thankfully, Impulse notices, grabbing Zedaph's hand and pulling it down. Zed twists to see him, smiling cheekily as Impulse shakes his head.

"What are you two doing?" Tango questions, peering at them with gentle eyes. Impulse turns to Zedaph again, both of them breaking into smiles. Zed brings a hand up to stifle his giggles.

"He was going to touch your wrap," Impulse answers. Zedaph's laughter grows in volume as he curls into Tango, hiding his face.

"Zed!" Tango cries, "I know it's been awhile, man, but-"

"You shut your mouth!" Zed's voice is muffled, cheeks red and sore from smiling. Tango digs his fingers into Zedaph's woollen curls, laughing as a few fall loose. Oh, how he's missed that texture. Impulse sighs, pulling Zed closer to his chest unconsciously. Tango moves with him.

"It's been way too long," Impulse says, voice quiet as he speaks. "Gods, Zed, we just- we just didn't know. We thought you were-" Tango hums, cutting off Impulse's sentence. But Zedaph only nods, face poking up again. His head rolls to the side, expression turning sad, even if it's briefly.

"I- I thought so too. I-" He freezes. On unsteady hands, he tries to push himself up. "Skizz." The word is urgent in his mouth. "Is he okay? Was he safe?" Impulse lowers him back onto Tango by brushing his fingers across Zed's hairline.

"He's fine," he tells him. "We talk often, he's been doing great for himself. Oh, he's- he's going to be so happy we've found you. None of us could, we looked so hard." Zedaph nudges until he's comfortable again, letting the words sink in. Skizz is safe. They're all safe. It's a dream come true.

"I searched too," he says, "I really did." Tango rubs his fingers across Zed's cheek. His skin is warm against Zed's. It always is.

"We know," Tango replies. Impulse hums, nodding against his head. They're not going to talk about Tango and Impulse. Zed- He doesn't need to know the arguments between them. How Tango gave up on this moment. It's not something he needs to worry about. Right now, they're together. They're holding Zedaph in their arms and it doesn't even feel real.

"I don't want to lose you guys again." Zedaph's voice breaks, lost hands clutching at them. "I feel like I'm going to wake up and-"

"You're not," Impulse promises. "We're going to be right here."

"You're not getting rid of us." Tango wipes away the dampness on Zed's eyelashes before it can spill over once more. "Like, you're going to wish you could get rid of us kinda 'not getting rid of us'." That gets Zed to laugh again and they both smile at the sound. Zed closes his eyes with a gentle sigh.

"I'm so lucky," he decides. "I can't believe it."

"So are we!" Tango exclaims. "I mean- Look at you! Cuddled up between us!"

"Mm, lucky to have me." Zed finishes the sentence with a yawn. Impulse scratches along his hairline again with soft, tired eyes.

"Yeah, we are," he murmurs, sinking down into the cuddle. "Get some sleep, yeah?" Zed hums. He's out like a light. Tango watches him, taking in every change on Zedaph's face. The length of his hair, small scars on his skin. But, much to their delight, he still makes those quiet noises in his sleep. His fingers still twitch. He still seeks out their warmth.

It's only once Tango's certain Zed's sleeping that he looks up, finding Impulse's gaze. Impulse sleepily tilts his head in question. Tango has to think before he speaks, tracing circles into Zed's arm.

"I'm- I'm really sorry, Impulse." Impulse's face opens up in shock.

"Hey, no," he quickly rebuts. "You have nothing to apologise for, Tango." He falls silent for a few seconds and Tango can see him searching for words. He waits for Impulse to speak again. "You did what you had to do to move on. I get it. As much as I wanted to believe, I- I never really expected this day to come, either."

"I guess we were both fools." Impulse laughs, so quiet in their little den.

"Well-" He smiles, the expression natural to them both, "-Nothing's changed then, has it?"

"I guess not." Tango rubs Zedaph's cheek once more, finally able to relax into the hold. There will be time in the future.

They've got so much more time than they thought they did.

#space outlaws au #space outlaws #my writing #ask #anonymous #i hope you enjoy this anon!#now i gotta shift into assessment mode lmao

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catboyruy · 4 years ago

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How much I trust you based on your fav kotlc ship

Sokeefe - 100% a classic

Sofitz - 55% something about them has always been off to me and I just can’t explain it but ilysm

Sodex - 0% pls leave..

Keefitz - 367% bestfriends in denial and in love, what more could you want????

Marelinh- 60% don’t bully me but they’re just.. eh to me.

Kam - 100000000% enemies to(and) lovers, they own my soul my heart my everything

Wylinh - -28379% get out right now

Tiana - 100% they’re just cute idk idk i love it??

Ravioli - 467% I LOVE THEM AND THEY LIVE IN MY HEART FOREVER

Solinh - 13% I just?? Don’t??

Detz - 800% he called him DECK need i say more?

Liana - 7533% they’re lovely and adorable and dknsjsnsosnsjlst

Deefe - 50% I’m all for platonic but that’s all for me, unless Keefe is in line for the throne and Dex is the castles gardener or whatever iykyk

Stinex - 00% no judgment but um ew?

Stiniana - 101% I’m a sucker for arcadtic banter and tell me they don’t have that???? Adorable

Diana - 5% it’s just..boring

Sophiana - 240% they’re cute or whatever

Soforkle - -928384938372% GO TO JAIL

#/j #kotlc #keeper of the lost cities #just a personal opinion #don’t take this seriously 💀💀💀💀#well take my opinion seriously but- not the trust #you can like whoever you want #i have a lot of opinions on ships-#there’s obviously more options for ships but if I put every ship on here I would be here forever #and honestly i got tired #i might add more later idk

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11peachbunny11 · 4 years ago

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Review of Merciful Crow and Faithless Hawk

I’m doing these two together since they’re a duology where the second book picks up exactly where the first left off.

Overall rating: 10/10

Quick Take: These books, at their core, are about fighting and what that means. Every character in these books is fighting something (the powers that be, their own fears, people they thought they could trust, ect.) and it’s an exploration of these battles and how they change the characters.

Suggestion to Other Readers: Clear your schedule for a couple of hours (or just a whole day) cus I defo suggest devouring both of these books in one sitting--especially since Faithless Hawk expects you to remember so much from Merciful Crow.

Overall vibe: t e e t h

Hot Take: Can we???? Can we just??? THE TEETH???? THE T E E T H.

I have never been so astoundingly excited about a magical concept in my life. And like, can we also talk about how there’s no mention of the teeth in the synopsis on the back of the book??? I was shook to my c o r e when I read that the magic system is teeth reliant. I mean, also hella excited but… my guys.

Teeth??????

Anyway. I loved these two books. So much. The story is a beautiful exploration of unfair class systems and power imbalances mixed with magic (which makes everything better). What it means to live versus just surviving. The human spirit, never giving up. What it means to protect others. All that good jazz. The characters are wonderful and you can feel how much work and love was put into creating this world.

The first book comes straight at you and jumps right into the story, which I absolutely adored because some books really drag out their beginning. Not here tho!! The world building is expertly crafted and straight from the get go we’re getting introduced to slang and the customs of this world. I LOVED the very first money dance scene and it’s what got me hooked on this story and it’s characters (for those that haven’t read the book--it’s literally the first scene, that’s how good this book is at dragging you in). And not once--not once!!--did I ever feel I encountered an info dump. Considering how much I could tell you about this world, that’s insanely impressive. Info is brought up when it’s needed, which I prefer to info dumping. If you’re into world building, this is a must read book.

The characters. Where do I even begin? I loved the three main characters so much and I absolutely adored how much Jas content we got in Faithless Hawk. Like, Jas stans were truly living. It’s insane how well these characters develop throughout the story and how every little new thing we learn about all three of these guys just make them seem more and more human. On the note of feeling human--their struggles were also done masterfully. Fie’s struggle with safety, Jas having such a hard time understanding (but TRYING so hard too), Tavin’s internal struggle with loving Jas like a brother but feeling like his shadow and how these struggles shift and change as the story goes on (and how they don’t). GOD it’s all so good. I think I loved the interaction between Fie and Jas the most. If you’re looking for an ‘enemies to best friends’ type deal look no further because these two fucking rock it. Like, just comparing their interactions from the beginning of Merciful Crow to that one part of Faithless Hawk (you know the part ;P)--just, god it’s so good. That part also made me love Jas all the more (if you haven’t read the books… you’ll know. Just… you’ll know).

I also appreciate the fact that there’s no LOVE TRIANGLE!!! God, I hate those so much--like when Jas was all like “I do not like women that way,” I nearly whooped and cheered for joy. And that’s at, like, the beginning of their journey in Merciful Crow so you know right away you're not going to have to suffer.

I liked the romance between Fie and Tavin. Like, I got it. It’s very clear why they like each other and I felt the development wasn’t too fast. It was nice. They also, like? Suit each other and don’t have any stupid miscommunication bullshitery. (That stuff always rubs me the wrong way)

My fav character will forever be Jas tho--I don’t know, I just really love characters who are trying their best. He stumbles along the way but god he’s t r y i n g. His character development, I feel, is also very on par with Fie’s. Like, he’s also going into a leadership role he doesn’t feel prepared for at the beginning and then at the end… well, you’ll just have to read to find out :)

I also went absolutely buck wild about the representation that is Fie. We need more scrappy girls in literature. Not conventionally attractive girls. We need more girls who are leaders, defenders, and fighters. Girls who struggle with not decking people in the face when they piss them off. Girls who struggle with being soft. I loved Fie to death because she felt so human. She really jumps off the pages and demands to be seen.

Overall, these two books are amazing. The writing is fun and fast paced. I was never bored with the story and the ideas it brought up were all just so interesting! There were many moments I laughed out loud or went ‘OOOOOOOOOOOO’ at something badass a character had said. It was all just so playfully exciting, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something new and fresh.

#the merciful crow #the faithless hawk #book review #Book Recommendations #book #booklover #booknerd #review #booklr

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violent-kurumi · 4 years ago

Note

Hi! So I am very curious on how your argument with your sister goes, please keep us updated. P.S: Apologies for the swearing, I don't mean anything by it, it's just how I talk. <3 hope you're having a good day.

Nah don't worry about it! (And uh, I actually went to bed straighten after I posted the first argument. I woke up like half an hour ago)

Actually, it's been a bit of an ongoing thing. She has more knowledge on Yu-Gi-Oh but that's because I haven't seen 5ds or Zexal (she has). I think she thinks that allows her to tweak some of the facts since I won't be able to tell the difference.

She is also very stubborn, whatever's she says "is the truth" and "you're wrong". Her favourite yu-boy is Yuto, she actually hates Yugo because she says he's annoying and dumb- and can't duel properly.

I hate that she says that, no one insults Yugo.

I actually kinda started the argument by telling her that I think Yuya has the worst deck out of the Yu-boys (but I also mentioned that I think he and Yugo are close/even). Well, she replied with saying that Yugo is he worst, he's too stupid, if he were smarter and had Yuya's brain then yeah maybe.

Bitch.

Anyway, I couldn't believe it. She thinks that speedroids are weak and suck, that other cards can EASILY stop them. I argued back that speedroids are good for Yugo because he synchro summons, so it allows him to bring out Clear Wing nice and easy.

She then said, well cards can easily get rid of it.

Jay, please, Yugo's back cards try and keep Clear Wing on the field. Stop saying that there are cards that can stop it, yes obviously there will always be cards that can stop other cards it's how the game goes. But that CAN'T be your only argument against Yugo.

Sometimes I think Yugo reminds me of Jaden Yuki- one of her favourite characters. Boy did that piss her off. She acted as though she was insulted. (Look I get people might agree with her or me- I don't mind)

I think they're both adorable and goofy and must be protected. They kinda give off the same energy (for me, other people may have different thoughts).

Anyway, I knew there was no going back because she was mad know. She really hated Yugo, finds him annoying.

(Jay no gotta protect him)

She believes no one could beat Yuri's predaplants because he can adapt to any deck easily. That was in Season three, also I'm like 99% sure Yuri had said something like; why would I use a deck I haven't used before, because of course he would've learned to use the Ancient Gear deck- it's apart of Academia!

Because Yuto is her favourite in Arc-V (and Kaito) Yuri is second, she thinks that if they were to duel then Yuri would have trouble beating Yuto (but be victorious in the end), I told her that I looked at Yuto's deck, I've been up against those godforsaken phantom knights in Legacy of the Duelist, trust me, he's strong (he never brought out Dark Rebellion in LFTD, those other knight things and it took me forever to beat them cuz they kept negating effects- they were traps so Clear Wing's effect didn't really work).

But no, she says, if Yuri were using his predaplants then Yuto would lose- if Yuri were using another deck- then he'd lose against Yuto.

Now I don't completely disagree with how Yuto and Yuri's duel would go, you mentioned that predaplants tokens can change levels (which Yuto would need to XYZ summon) but Yuto is skilled, he'd be able to do something- and those stupid traps of his can negate crap.

If it were a duel between the two dragons then I believe Starving Venom would walk all over Dark Rebellion. (She just kinda nodded, she loves both characters).

Soon I realised that with her, she could never see her favorites be bad at something- she always emphasized that Yuto only lost to Yugo because Yuya snapped him out of beserk, yes even I agree with that but she doesn't always need to point it out- I agree with you!

But get this, I casually mentioned that with Yuri and Yuto's deck- there are cards out there that can stop their graveyard stuff. (Sound familiar?)

Does she this shut her up? Nope

She argues that they have cards that can stop cards from ruining their effects. Holy shit Jay no. You can't just say that after you've said that to me, that's not how it works.

I said nearly those exact words and she's using them so defend her favs.

She just can't admit that there may be people out there that can beat them.

Cripes this is long... And we're only part way through.

(I can't wait to continue our argument now that I have more professional opinions- thanks guys).

But because we've gotten this far why stop?

Now for the summoning methods. (This was also my fault)

To stop this from getting worse I told her I don't know how Link summoning works, and that I think Synchro and Fusion are the strongest. (The look on her face was good)

She says no XYZ summoning is the strongest, then Fusion.

I asked why? What's so good about being able to use an effect twice (and sometimes the effect isn't even good).

She says that (get this) there are cards that can let them use their effect more than twice (some overlay thing).

I said no Jay, look at it logically, it's easy to Fusion and Synchro summon- much easier than bringing out two level sevens for one monster. And there is no limit with using a fusion monster or synchro monster's effect.

She disagrees and I couldn't change her mind. She still believes that XYZ summoning is the best and STRONGEST.

NO IT'S NOT

A big difference between us is that even I can admit the truth with a favourite character of mine. You all know I love Yugo, but that doesn't mean I think he's the strongest duelist. In Arc-V I think it's either Reiji, Zarc (should I count him?) Or Jack Atlas, (he should never have lost to Yuya).

They all have strong ass decks.

The D/D/D archetype is strong, very strong, uses all summoning methods and has the effects and back cards to pull off many combos.

Now I know people have different opinions on this but this was between me and my sister.

Now that I know the truth, I now know she lied to me about number cards and Kaito's deck in particular can beat Reiji.

I honest to god believe that the duel would last a while but in the end Reiji would win- he's smart and calculating, I reckon he'd be able to pull off something that Kaito can't beat.

Imagine her reaction when I told her that one of my favs could beat hers.

Yeah not pretty.

She says Kaito has a number card, and only number cards can defeat another number card. Now I didn't know anything about numbers so I should've known she'd tweak the truth. I had actually told her that what if someone uses a back card to get rid of it?

She said, weren't you listening? Number cards can only be destroyed by number cards!

And because I lacked knowledge in Zexal I couldn't defend myself.

(get this, in duel links she has a cyberse deck and she says she's beaten so many people and that the effects are great. I asked if she wanted to go up against my D/D/Ds. The answer was no, in fact, she has never dueled me, even with the structure decks we bought- I have recently bean collecting cards, remember the Yuma one?)

She likes to think she's a great duelist, and that her fav characters in Yu-Gi-Oh could never be beaten. Well news flash!

They can.

I think this is enough. I hope this kept you entertained (and others), I'll keep you peeps updated in our argument!

#kurumi asks #azurewitch #yugioh arc v #whoa bo this is long

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artificialqueens · 5 years ago

Text

Not Nineteen Forever (20) (Branjie/Scyvie/Ninex) - Ortega

a/n: hey hey! thank u so much if u gave a lil note or sent a bit of love my way for ch19. it was really my fav to write so far so i’m so glad it resonated with at least somebody!! there is only one more chapter to this whole fic after this and i’m emosh. after the rollercoaster ride we’ve all been on, i hope u enjoy this fun lil chapter as much as i loved writing it!

please note: this fic contains young adults often behaving in irresponsible/unadvisable ways with regards to alcohol, drugs and sex. if you are someone who feels as if they could be heavily influenced by fic and incorporate what happens in the plot into ur own life, pls steer clear!

summary: Brooke, Yvie and Nina are three flatmates who forged a friendship in their first year of university and picked up some other waifs and strays along the way. Now in their final year, there are feelings that need to be unravelled and confessions to be made whilst navigating drunk nights, hungover mornings, takeaways, group chats, library meetups, cafe gossiping, and the small matter of getting a degree.

last chapter: Brooke, Nina, Silky and Vanjie were locked in the library, and Brooke and Vanessa finally talked things out like adults.

this chapter: exams are over, dissertations are submitted, degree classifications are being allocated and the girls are nervously waiting for adult life to hit them like a freight train. what better way to avoid thinking about responsibilities than to go to the beach?

***

The day had started, as most of Scarlet’s days often do, with a message to the group chat.

Well, no, that was a bit of a lie. Scarlet’s day had started with her making breakfast, talking to her Mums over facetime as she ate it, and reassuring them that no, she hadn’t found out her degree classification yet and when she did they’d be the first to know. It was hard beginning each day with her heart in her mouth, frantically checking her phone to see if the website had been updated and then trying to relax when she found out it hadn’t been. Scarlet tried not to think too much about it, post-Uni life that is, but with each passing day it became an unignorable fact that she had to face. Graduation season was a mere month away and Scarlet didn’t want to face it but she had to, because the reality was that Scarlet didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. Not a single clue. Gone were the days of six-year-old Scarlet, who spent the mornings being an actress with a short break at lunchtime to develop her career in the veterinary sector and finishing the day off creating new play-dough recipes for her Michelin-star restaurant. High school had been so good at pushing everyone into a university-shaped mold but now that Scarlet had completed her three years there she felt a little like the aquarium fish in Finding Nemo once they had escaped their glass box: stuck in a plastic bag bubble, thrown out into the vast, unexplored ocean, and simply asking herself now what? Really, what could she do with a Philosophy degree? Everyone asked her the same question when she’d been making her UCAS choices and now here she was asking herself the same thing. She wished she could remember what 18-year-old Scarlet had replied. Her Mums had been surprisingly supportive of the whole endeavour, but then again they had probably been happy to have their pouty, whining teenage daughter out of the house. Funny how times change, Scarlet thought to herself as she squeezed a generous dollop of washing-up liquid onto the sponge and dunked her empty plate into the hot water she’d filled the sink with. Her Mums had just been on the phone encouraging Scarlet to move back home while she decided on what to do next. It was tempting, but the prospect of being back in the country all isolated and away from her friends and Yvie and the exciting busy-ness of the city didn’t exactly fill Scarlet with glee.

Hearing her phone buzz against the counter, Scarlet almost smashed her newly-dried plate in her haste to read the notification just in case it was an email about her classification. It wasn’t. It was, however, a message from the girls. Nina, to be precise.

Kim Kardashian-West: GUYS it’s meant to be the SUNNIEST day today and Monet’s flat are all going to the beach!!! we should all go too!

Scarlet frowned, looking at the decidedly grey sky. It didn’t exactly inspire much hope.

Yvie’s bitch: Are you sure you’re reading the forecast for today? It looks a bit grey outside xxxx

Kim Kardashian-West: Scarlet I’m a primary teacher. A basic knowledge of the days of the week are kind of an entry level requirement

cursed SatNav voice: Am I FUCK going to sit freezing my ass off on the sand watching the rain piss down all around me!!

cursed SatNav voice: If i wanted to get soaked I would just call Brooke xoxo

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: No.

cursed SatNav voice: Ain’t that right @Brooke Lynn Hytes

Maple Syrup: you know it bby xoxo

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: Hell. I’m in hell.

Scarlet snorted a laugh. Akeria could well have been joking or deadly serious. Looking up and out of the tiny little window that was positioned beside the sink, Scarlet swore she could see a small ray of sunshine fighting through the clouds. She tilted her head, considering Nina’s offer.

Okay Then: yes i am absolutely down to get blackout day drunk today

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: Bitch it’s 11am who hurt you

Okay Then: listen this is perhaps the only time of our lives where we have literally no responsibilities at all. i’m getting drunk

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: I sent off nine masters’ applications yesterday.

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: No responsibilities my ass

Okay Then: well as huge as it is, i’m sure even it could use a little sun xo

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: WHY ARE YOU HOES ALL SO SENSIBLE AND GLOOMY? I’M WITH PLASTIQUE LET’S GO GET DRUNK

Maple Syrup: Ooooh now you mention it a fruity cider would go down so well right now

Yvie’s bitch: Yeah go on then, I’m down!! Xxxxxxx

Scarlet’s bitch: Scarlet it’s literally 13 degrees outside you’re insane

Scarlet’s bitch: but admittedly you are also my girlfriend who i love very much

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: EW

Scarlet’s bitch: so if you’re down i’m down

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: UGH fine i’ll go if all you idiots are too

Kim Kardashian-West: AAAH you guys this makes me so HAPPY!!!

Kim Kardashian-West: We only need Vanjie for a full house

Maple Syrup: Vanjie if you come I’ll let you suck my dick

cursed SatNav voice: How big is it

Maple Syrup: 2.75 inches when fully erect

Maple Syrup: Invisible to the human eye when flaccid

cursed SatNav voice: Hard pass

Scarlet’s bitch: Jesus Harvey Christ

cursed SatNav voice: But you bitches convinced me so i’m in

It turned out that most of the girls were still in their pyjamas, much like Scarlet, so they were given an hour to shower and make their way there. They were lucky that the city sat on the coast, and although much of the coastline was dedicated to harbours and pebble beaches there was one little beautiful strip of sand that lay about a half-hour bus ride out to the suburbs. Yvie and Brooke were getting a lift from Plastique and so they offered the last seat to Scarlet, but Scarlet didn’t want to take the girls out of their way. Besides, the sun was peeking out a little stronger now, and if it was to fully appear then it would be perfect weather for earphones, a summer playlist, and looking out of a bus window pretending she was in a music video.

Stepping outside of her flat, Scarlet was glad she’d ended up choosing dungaree shorts and a plain white t-shirt. It was definitely warmer than it looked, and she had to sweep her hair up into a ponytail to stop her neck getting too hot. She stopped off at the corner shop for a four-pack of cider (Brooke’s message had made her want some) and then walked over to the bus stop, where she managed to get one after not too long of a wait and sat on the top deck, letting the growing rays of sun fry her through the window. Once she was off the bus, she checked her phone for the meetup point. Nina, Monet and her flatmates were sat on the sand “around 10 metres in front of the chippy. But Monet has no concept of measurement so it’s anyone’s guess, really.”. Scarlet didn’t mind a small walk to find them. The promenade was packed with people all dressed in Summer clothes, the pavement giving off that smell of hot gravel which always reminded Scarlet of hot days and happy memories. The platinum-white sun cast its rays over the deep blue of the sea so that little diamonds sparkled against the waves, all tumbling over each other lazily and every so often giving a satisfying crash which mingled with the sounds of dogs barking and children giving happy cries. Scarlet found the chip shop but couldn’t see the girls amongst the mass of bodies laid out on the golden sand, so she shot Nina a text. As she waited for a reply, Scarlet took a deep breath and was hit with the unmistakable smell of the sea and chippy batter combining at once. She was a Winter person- she preferred frosty mornings and dark twinkly nights and getting cosy with a searing hot coffee and her duvet, but she loved how happy Summer seemed to make everyone, the sense of community that came with a hot, sunny day. Once Nina had given the other landmark of “there’s a guy with an inflatable sofa to our immediate right”, Scarlet managed to find the girls with no trouble and she was soon dashing towards them excitedly and letting out an embarrassingly childish squeal as she reached Nina and crashed into her in a hug.

“Scarlet!” she greeted her cheerfully, much of her face obscured by a huge floppy woven sunhat. Breaking out of the hug, she turned to address Monet’s flatmates. “Guys, you remember Scarlet, right?”

There was a chorus of welcoming noises as the other girls greeted her, some more distractedly than others. Cracker was busy rubbing her arm with a thick streak of white sunblock which seemed to have the same consistency as double cream, Bob was laid out against a bright pink beach towel with a set of huge sunglasses over her eyes, and Monique was trying her best to remove the cork from a bottle of cava. Monet was by Nina’s side, her head resting against her girlfriend’s shoulder as she stretched her legs out and buried her feet in the sand.

“Hey, congrats for finishing uni, Miss Scarlet,” Monet smiled at her, Scarlet smiling back despite the fact she was being reminded of adult life hurtling towards her like a bullet train.

“Thanks! Congrats to you both too. How does it feel to have an actual certified genius for a girlfriend?”

“Like I’m horrifically inferior and will never amount to anything.”

“Shut up!” Nina battered her on the arm, outraged as Monet and Scarlet shared a laugh. Nina had received a mark of 95 on her dissertation, a number that the girls had considered impossible to attain at university, but Nina had managed it. It was quite revolutionary as far as undergrad research went; a study into how well-prepared teachers felt to support transgender children in schools, with recommendations as to how to do just that within its conclusion and a call for councils to give further money and resources to the cause. “Your diss was amazing as well.”

“Yeah, what do you mean that more research into ability groupings in maths isn’t groundbreaking?” Monet rolled her eyes, laughing again as Nina protested.

“Who knew so much effort went into a primary teaching degree? I always thought your dissertation would be to…I don’t know, write a children’s book, or make a picture out of pasta spirals and glitter, or create a nursery rhyme or something,” Cracker piped up, Bob giving a snort beside her. Monet looked ready to defend her degree angrily when Nina sat up straight and fixed Cracker with an intrigued look.

“Oh, a nursery rhyme? Like…there was a young girl named Cracker, who was an incredible slacker. Her degree was dumb, so she tried to make fun, of her friends who decided to smack her.”

Scarlet let out a screech, as did Monique and Bob. Cracker could only burst out laughing and throw her hands up in defeat as Monet grabbed Nina’s face and pressed an emphatic kiss to her girlfriend’s cheek.

“Oh my fucking God, babe, I love you so much,” she laughed, wiping away a tear of mirth from her eye.

“Love you too!” Nina smiled happily, just as Monique finally got the cork out of the bottle with a satisfying, hollow pop.

“Aw, you hoes got champagne on arrival? How fancy.”

The girls turned around at the familiar voice to find Silky, Akeria and Vanjie all making their way towards them from the promenade. Excited again, Scarlet ran to hug them, namely Vanjie who she hadn’t seen since their final exam. They hadn’t spent too much time together but it had been enough time for Vanessa to elaborate on the story she’d told the girls in the group chat of how she, Silky, Brooke and Nina had all somehow been locked in the library overnight. Scarlet knew that had had something to do with the fact that she and Brooke were friends again. She didn’t know whether they’d fucked their frustrations out or actually talked like adults, but whatever they’d done Scarlet was glad about it. Whether or not they were reconnecting with a view to getting back together or not, Vanessa and Brooke were back to flirting on the group chat like high schoolers, and all was back to normal.

“Right, who’s wanting some of this? I’m not sure I got enough for everyone, though,” Monique asked loudly. Scarlet didn’t miss the way Vanessa stayed silent as the other girls clamoured for some fizz. She knew Vanjie had broken things off with Monique, whatever “things” were, and Scarlet somehow didn’t think she was enjoying being on the other side of a breakup much either.

“Did you even bring cups?” Bob asked, sitting up and quirking an eyebrow at her flatmate. Monique groaned.

“Ah, fuck, cups.”

“You absolute idiot sandwich,” Cracker rolled her eyes at her. Her eyes darted quickly to Vanessa before she stood up and grabbed her purse from her backpack. “C’mon. I’ll come to the shops with you and we can get some.”

The two girls walked away as Silky, Akeria and Vanessa all laid out what looked to be a duvet cover that they’d brought with them in lieu of a towel or blanket. Scarlet didn’t even think to question it. She knew it had been Silky’s idea without needing to ask.

“I feel like a dick,” Vanessa jerked a thumb towards Monique’s retreating frame.

“Don’t,” Monet and Bob said in unison, Nina letting out a small laugh.

“Y’all are The Shining levels of creepy,” Akeria frowned, digging out three huge bottles of beer from a shopping bag and giving one to each of her flatmates.

“Well, we’re right! You were friends with benefits, everyone knew that. It’s not Monique’s fault she caught feels but it sure as hell ain’t yours either,” Bob shrugged, ever the blunt but honest friend.

“So what is going on with you and Brooke now?” Monet asked, leaning forward and propping herself up on her elbows. Vanessa fixed her with an unimpressed look.

“Gee Monet, whatever happened to so how’ve you guys been, or how was exams, or literally any other small talk?”

“Yeah, and whatever happened to it’s none of our business?” Nina side-eyed her girlfriend disapprovingly.

“Well, girl! We’ve been in dissertation hell for a month and a half. Shit kinda got boring,” Monet shrugged semi-apologetically. “Anyway Vanjie, Monique’s away and Brooke’s not here yet and I doubt you want to talk about it when either of those two are here in front of you? And I’ve been trying to grill Neens about it but she keeps using lame excuses like we shouldn’t be getting involved and shouldn’t you be thinking about your classroom, so c’mon, bitch, spill.”

Vanessa smiled slightly, gesturing as if it was obvious. “Well, she knows I love her. And she loves me.”

Monet let out an “aaw!” at the same time Akeria let out an “ugh”. Vanjie ignored them both and continued.

“But she hurt me, so I ain’t lettin’ her get back in my good books that easy. Of course I wanna be with her, more than anything else in the world, but we need to get that trust back before I even entertain the idea.”

“So have you…y’know…had any kinky, passionate reunion sex yet?” Monet winked at her. Vanessa looked at her flatmates, a humoured smile playing on her lips.

“Akeria’s threatened to kick me out the flat if I even so much as think about it.”

The girls howled with laughter as Akeria tried to suppress a smile. “She thinks I’m joking.”

“I really don’t,” Vanjie raised her eyebrows at her, Akeria playfully shoving her onto the fluffy sand beside her and causing her to get it all up her side. “God fucking damnit, now I don’t even get to look nice when she arrives.”

“Oh, here she comes now, actually,” Silky said, nonplussed. Vanessa scowled at her.

“Quit playin’.”

Scarlet followed Silky’s gaze. “No, Vanj, she actually is.”

As Vanessa muttered a shit, Scarlet waved excitedly at Plastique, Brooke and Yvie, smiling when the latter pulled a goofy face and waved back. Plastique seemed to be carrying something huge and wooden underneath her arm.

“Lord Jesus, what the hell is she doing,” Silky shook her head as the girls came closer into view. Scarlet jumped up happily to hug her girlfriend, Brooke muttered a soft hey as she sat down next to Vanjie and hugged her, and Plastique, after she’d greeted the others, unfolded a multicoloured striped deckchair.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Scarlet let out a laugh, unsure whether to be impressed or exasperated by Plastique’s levels of extra.

“What?! It’s a sunny day, we’re at the beach, this is literally what deckchairs are for! Have fun getting sand in every possible orifice, losers,” she stuck out her tongue at them as she sat back and gave a happy sigh.

“Ariel not joining us today?” Nina asked.

“Nah, she’s gone home to see her parents. Why the hell you’d want to go home now when you could be dragging out your last month of uni life is totally beyond me, but hey.”

Yvie gave a deep laugh. “Plastique, your family have a townhouse in London, a chalet in Chamonix with membership to a private ski resort, and a literal penthouse in Dubai with an outdoor pool on a balcony. Why the fuck are you here?”

The girls all exploded with laughter, even Plastique conceding with a smile and a self-aware shrug that she was a rich bitch.

“Hey, I’m moving back in after graduation and won’t see you guys for ages, let me enjoy your shitty company.”

“You could fly us all out,” Brooke smiled hopefully, cracking the top off her bottle of cider with her keys.

“Yeah, lemme borrow twenty grand off my Mum real quick,” Plastique snorted sardonically.

Bob reached across to Monique’s cava, giving a small sip. “I’m moving home too. Gotta save money.”

“At least you both know what you’re doing,” Scarlet rolled her eyes, trying not to sound too bitter and accidentally just coming out with the verbal equivalent of black coffee. Luckily, Brooke held out her bottle and nodded emphatically.

“We can’t all have Akeria’s serial-killer levels of ambition or just walk into a job like Monet and Nina.”

“Hey! It’s a probationary year that we could literally fail if we screw up, stop thinking we have things easy,” Nina protested.

“How could you possibly fail being a teacher unless you literally boot a child in the face?” Yvie laughed in disbelief. Seeing Monet and Nina gearing themselves up for a verbal sparring match, she gesticulated wildly. “I’m kidding, ladies, I’m kidding! You work very hard and kids are little shits and you don’t get paid enough. Happy?”

“Very,” Monet rolled her eyes, accepting the cava that Bob held out to her and taking a swig before passing it to Nina.

“What’re you guys doing after uni?” Bob asked, then instantly cringed hearing the groans she got in response. “Sorry, sorry, I forgot that question is basically Satan incarnate.”

“Well, I applied to a bunch of newspapers. But the journalism industry is a shitshow anyway, so fuck knows what I’m doing or if they’ll even accept me,” Silky sighed. Her mood was decidedly flat. It was rare for her to be anything other than high-energy, volume turned all the way up to 100.

“Well, your classification might help!” Bob said comfortingly. Scarlet looked at Silky to gauge her reaction. She didn’t know if she’d been given hers yet, but the girl’s embarrassed face soon gave her an answer.

“Well I got a 2:2, so. Probably not,” she shrugged, Bob trying to backtrack apologetically. Scarlet felt bad for Silky. There was nothing wrong with a 2:2 and a degree was still a degree, but she knew how much Silky believed that despite her grades not being great, she’d still pull it out of the bag in the end, maybe manage one essay that pulled her marks up. Even though the girls were all still proud of her, it was another thing for her to let herself down.

“We’re still proud of you, Silky. You worked fucking hard and you got your degree, and that’s something to celebrate,” Nina smiled affirmingly, holding the cava out for Silky to drink. She smiled gratefully at the girls around her before accepting.

“Thanks, ladies,” she said quietly, before taking a swig. The cava seemed to return Silky back to normal, and she cried out after drinking. “An’ besides! 2:1s are boring anyway. Go hard or go home, bitch, and I’m goin’ the fuck home!”

The girls indulged Silky in a laugh. They sat for a while, chatting easily and passing the bottle of cava around, the lack of cups now not so much of a problem as it had seemed previously.

“Hey, anyone want a paddle?” Brooke asked suddenly. Scarlet gave a snort of outrage.

“You’re insane. That water’s got to be minus five.”

“Oh, come on! It’ll be fun! Vanj?” Brooke asked, her voice hopeful. Vanessa shrugged easily, casting the girl a quick smile and then dragging Akeria and Silky to their feet.

“To be fair, I am getting really warm. Getting my feet cold might be nice,” Nina reasoned out loud. Monet jumped up with her cheerfully. “Yvie, you coming?”

“Nah. Think I’ll stay here with my girl,” Yvie squeezed Scarlet’s hand, Scarlet smiling back at her happily.

“Awww, Yvie! You’re too cute,” Plastique cried sarcastically from her deckchair, the other girls laughing. She was too busy sunbathing to paddle, but Bob decided she’d follow Monet’s lead and join the others in the water. Scarlet laughed as she watched her friends tear down to the sea like children, the white spray flying into the air as they all hit the water at once.

“We’re friends with actual kids,” Yvie laughed, Scarlet nodding in agreement.

“God, we really are,” she smiled affectionately, watching Akeria take a step into the sea then jump back as if it was made of molten lava and not freezing cold water. Just as the girls had left, Scarlet became aware of two sets of footsteps approaching behind them. It was Cracker and Monique, back from the shops with a plastic bag twirling around Monique’s hand.

“Hey,” Scarlet greeted them cheerfully, then added, by way of explanation, “They’ve gone into the sea.”

“Oh, fun!” Cracker beamed. Monique picked up the bottle of cava and rolled her eyes. There was a shot-sized dribble at the bottom.

“You sons of bitches are nothing if not predictable,” she laughed, fishing a brand new bottle out of the plastic bag along with a set of cups. Yvie held her hands out apologetically and Monique shook her head, letting her know all was forgiven. Scarlet looked out to the water again. Bob had Monet on her back and Vanessa was leaping on Brooke’s, Brooke unable to catch her from the amount she was laughing. It looked as if they were about to do some sort of race or fight. Vanessa finally got onto Brooke’s back, her arms looping around her shoulders like a bush baby.

“So. That’s that then,” Monique gave a little sigh as she looked out to sea. Scarlet did a double-take as she looked at her. Her expression was mostly hidden behind her huge mirrored sunglasses, but Scarlet could see the small frown on her face. She knew who her gaze had fallen on. Scarlet felt bad for the girl.

“Hey, don’t take it personally. Vanjie thought you were great, she really did. She told me all the time,” Scarlet said reassuringly, Monique giving her a little smile of gratitude. “You know that way when you’re still hung up on someone you love. That’s all it is.”

Monique rubbed her arms, wrapping them around herself in a hug. “My own damn fault for catchin’ feelings.”

“Happens to the best of us, girl,” Yvie piped up. Cracker smiled at the pair of them gratefully, squeezing Monique’s shoulder supportively.

“We’ve been trying to tell her that.”

Monique laughed suddenly as she saw Silky chasing the girls with a huge, slimy-looking clump of seaweed she’d fished out of the water. The smile remained on her face as her laughter died down and she looked at Scarlet and Yvie inquisitively. “Brooke’s gonna treat her nice, right?”

Scarlet thought about Brooke’s helplessness after her and Akeria’s birthday weekend, her heartbroken confession of love in the toilets of the grubby karaoke bar. She watched how tightly Brooke was holding Vanessa on her back, as if to let go of her would be a crime. Scarlet smiled at Monique. “She will. I know she will.”

Seemingly satisfied, Monique kicked her sandals off and turned to Cracker. “You wanna go paddle?”

“Girl, I thought you’d never ask.”

Scarlet was satisfied staying with Yvie on the sand. They turned to Plastique only to find her napping in her deckchair, her skin beginning to take on an ever-so-slightly pink hue. Deciding to avoid Plastique’s potential wrath if they woke her up, Monique and Cracker dashed down to the ocean to join the other girls. Scarlet sat quietly with Yvie for a moment, taking in the scene of their friends all clowning around in the water.

“You still looking for jobs?” Yvie asked her. Scarlet sighed. She didn’t mind talking about post-uni life with Yvie, didn’t mind being honest about how scared and unsure she was with the person who loved her and she loved back.

“Yeah. It’s hard applying without my classification, though. And, I guess, even harder when you’ve got no idea what the hell you want to do with your life.”

Scarlet gave a self-deprecating laugh which Yvie gently joined in with. Yvie laced her fingers around Scarlet’s and gave her hand a squeeze. “You’ll figure it out, babe. There’s no time pressure on these things.”

“I know. It’s just hard when…hell, you’ve got Monet and Nina about to start their entire careers. I mean they’ll be in charge of a whole class of kids. Akeria knows what she wants to do and she’ll get there. Hell, even if Silky’s classification wasn’t as good as she wanted it, journalism is at least something she wants to go into. And Vanjie’s decided on events management. You know you want to at least do something with criminology,” Scarlet sighed, suddenly feeling so small. “It’s so hard trying to figure out what you want to do with your life when everyone around you seems to know. How the hell are you meant to know yourself?”

“Listen,” Yvie brought her thumb up to stroke Scarlet’s knuckle, calming her instantly by about 80%. “The great thing about your life is that…it’s yours. Nobody else’s. Just yours. Say you decide on a job and you hate it. Do you think you have to stay because the pay’s good and it’s something steady? No! You leave, because you can get another job. You don’t like it? You change. You want to go back to uni to doss about for another year? Do it! There is no rule to life that says you need to live it a certain way. And fuck yes, it’s scary! I’m scared! I don’t know if I’ll like any of the jobs I’m applying for, they could be so different in reality to what they are on paper. But you know I’ll support you whatever you decide.”

Scarlet’s voice was quiet as she watched the waves crash around her friends. “I just don’t want to disappoint my parents.”

“Scarlet, your parents love you unconditionally. And I’ll say it again- it’s your life. Yours. Not theirs. You can do whatever the hell you want to.”

Scarlet nodded, Yvie’s words a small comfort to her in the world that now seemed so big and scary. Yvie’s voice was quieter as she spoke again. “So…you’re going to live back home once all this is over?”

“I guess so. I don’t really want to, but I don’t want to live alone either. And it’ll help me save money, although if I don’t have a job I guess there’s not much money to save,” Scarlet snorted a laugh. She didn’t want to think about any of this, but Yvie was asking her so she gave an honest answer. Scarlet didn’t miss the way her girlfriend fell silent, nodding her head, a sad little frown on her face. She didn’t want to move away from Yvie. She didn’t want to return home. Yvie was her home.

Suddenly there came a splash from the water and Scarlet’s gaze was jolted away from her girlfriend and down to the sea. Silky had somehow fallen into the water and the girls were all howling with mirth as she screeched and tried to splash them all. Scarlet couldn’t help but join in with the laughter as she watched Akeria help fish Silky out of the water, the girl sitting in the wet sand and laughing so loudly that Scarlet could hear it even from farther up the beach. As Scarlet composed herself and her laughter died down, she turned to see Yvie looking at her, a dopey little smile on her face.

“What?” Scarlet laughed, touching her hair self-consciously. Yvie looked down at the sand, then back up to meet her eyes.

“Move in with me. After we graduate.”

Scarlet’s eyes grew suddenly wide in shock. Yvie was still holding her hand and Scarlet’s grip on hers had tightened. “Really?”

Yvie’s face was earnest, and Scarlet could see her gulp as she nodded quickly. She took a little gasp of air before explaining herself. “I mean, we both already basically live together. You’re at mine so often anyway, we know what we’re like to live with. We’ve not spent more than a full week apart since…fuck, I don’t know. I would do long distance for you, Scarlet, but I don’t want to. I want to go to IKEA and build flat pack furniture and make slow cooker casseroles and fucking…pay council tax with you. I hope you don’t…think I’m being too intense. Jesus, we’ve not even been together a year, fuck, sorry, this was a shit idea-”

“Well when you know, you know, right?” Scarlet smiled at her girlfriend, squeezing her hand. Yvie smiled back at her, reassured and happy, and Scarlet could hear the seagulls in the air and the crash of the waves and the laughter of their friends. She wouldn’t have had any other soundtrack to accompany the moment. “Yes. I’m in. Let’s get a flat together. Just the two of us. I don’t know what the fuck I want to do with my life, but I know it’s going to be a lot easier if I’m doing it with you.”

Relieved, Yvie leaned in and met Scarlet’s lips, kissing her once, twice, three times before pulling away and squeezing her hand. They met each other’s eyes and smiled, breathlessly giggling a little. Deciding to move in together didn’t seem to be the huge, relationship-changing milestone that society had hyped it up to be. It made sense to Scarlet: they loved each other, enjoyed the other’s company, they’d practically lived together for the past however-many-months. Okay, they hadn’t really hit any real speed bumps in their relationship really, but Scarlet trusted Yvie and she trusted herself. They were a team, two puzzle pieces that fit together. Whatever the crazy, scary, mixed-up adult world had in store for them after graduation, they would face it together.

Just then, Scarlet’s phone vibrated. She picked it up from its place underneath a carefully-folded corner of her towel. Opening it and reading the email, her heart dropped.

“Oh my God,” she said, her heart thudding uncontrollably.

“What’s the matter?”

“My classification’s through.”

Scarlet’s fingers were shaking and her palms were sweating as she frantically logged onto the uni’s intranet.

“Breathe. Just breathe. It’ll be fine,” Yvie reassured her, but Scarlet could feel her blood racing in her veins. She didn’t want to look. She did want to look. As the page loaded, she squeezed her eyes shut. Nothing had ever seemed so catastrophically life-defining before. The page loaded, Scarlet blinked, then she screamed. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Plastique flinch in her deckchair. Yvie’s face was expectant. Scarlet could hardly get the words out.

“A FIRST, I GOT A FUCKING FIRST!” she screeched, Yvie practically tackling her into the sand as she hugged her. Scarlet felt like her heart was about to burst. The three years had all been worth it and she felt like the biggest weight and worry in the world was finally lifted off of her. This was, admittedly, contrasted with the feeling of Plastique piling herself on top of the two girls, screaming excitedly the whole time. Scarlet suddenly batted them off of her, grabbing their hands and tugging them towards the shore.

“I wanna run into the sea! Can we run into the sea and tell the girls?”

Nodding excitedly, the three friends tore towards the coastline screeching like banshees. Scarlet could feel the wind in her hair, the sun beating down on her, and the sand shifting underneath her feet with every step she took.

She had never felt so conscious of her own mortality and yet as if she could live forever all at once.

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