#fear relief techniques

[trivenimarketing]

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[thewriteadviceforwriters]

10 Ways to Add Sizzle to Your Boring Writing

Writing that sizzles captures the reader's attention and keeps them engaged from start to finish. Whether you're an experienced writer or just starting out, there are several techniques you can use to make your writing more exciting and dynamic. Here are ten detailed ways to add sizzle to your boring writing:

1. Use Vivid Descriptions

Vivid descriptions bring your writing to life by creating a rich, immersive experience for the reader. Instead of relying on generic or bland language, use specific details that appeal to the senses. Describe how things look, sound, smell, taste, and feel to paint a vivid picture.

In Detail:

Visual Descriptions: Use color, shape, and size to create a mental image. Instead of saying "The car was old," say "The rusty, olive-green car wheezed as it pulled into the driveway."

Sound Descriptions: Incorporate onomatopoeia and detailed sound descriptions. Instead of "The music was loud," say "The bass thumped, and the high notes pierced through the night air."

Smell and Taste Descriptions: Use sensory language. Instead of "The food was good," say "The aroma of roasted garlic and herbs filled the room, and the first bite was a burst of savory flavors."

2. Show, Don't Tell

"Show, don't tell" is a fundamental writing principle that means revealing information through actions, thoughts, dialogue, and sensory details rather than straightforward exposition. This approach makes your writing more engaging and allows readers to experience the story.

In Detail:

Actions Over Exposition: Instead of telling the reader "Jane was scared," show her fear through her actions: "Jane's hands trembled as she fumbled with the lock, her breath coming in shallow gasps."

Dialogue: Use conversations to reveal character traits and emotions. Instead of "John was angry," show his anger through his words and tone: "John's voice was a low growl as he said, 'I can't believe you did this.'"

Internal Thoughts: Reveal characters' inner worlds. Instead of "Emma felt relieved," show her relief: "Emma let out a long breath she didn't realize she was holding and sank into the chair, a smile tugging at her lips."

3. Create Relatable Characters

Relatable characters are crucial for keeping readers invested in your story. Characters should have depth, including strengths, weaknesses, desires, and fears. When readers see aspects of themselves in your characters, they're more likely to care about their journeys.

In Detail:

Character Flaws: Give your characters realistic flaws. A perfect character can be boring and unrelatable. Show how these flaws impact their decisions and relationships.

Character Arcs: Ensure your characters grow and change throughout the story. A well-crafted character arc can turn a good story into a great one.

Background and Motivations: Provide backstories and motivations. Why does your character act the way they do? What drives them? This adds depth and makes them more three-dimensional.

4. Add Dialogue

Dialogue can break up large blocks of text and make your writing more dynamic. It reveals character, advances the plot, and provides opportunities for conflict and resolution. Ensure your dialogue sounds natural and serves a purpose.

In Detail:

Natural Speech: Write dialogue that sounds like real conversation, complete with interruptions, pauses, and colloquial language. Avoid overly formal or stilted speech.

Purposeful Dialogue: Every line of dialogue should have a purpose, whether it's revealing character, advancing the plot, or building tension. Avoid filler conversations that don't add to the story.

Subtext: Use subtext to add depth. Characters might say one thing but mean another, revealing their true feelings through what they don't say directly.

5. Use Strong Verbs

Strong verbs make your writing more vivid and energetic. They convey action and emotion effectively, making your sentences more powerful and engaging.

In Detail:

Action Verbs: Choose verbs that show precise actions. Instead of "She went to the store," say "She dashed to the store."

Avoid Weak Verbs: Replace weak verbs and verb phrases with stronger alternatives. Instead of "He was walking," say "He strode."

Emotionally Charged Verbs: Use verbs that convey specific emotions. Instead of "She was sad," say "She wept."

6. Vary Sentence Structure

Varying sentence structure keeps your writing interesting and prevents it from becoming monotonous. Mix short, punchy sentences with longer, more complex ones to create a rhythm that engages readers.

In Detail:

Short Sentences for Impact: Use short sentences to create tension, urgency, or emphasize a point. "He stopped. Listened. Nothing."

Complex Sentences for Detail: Use longer sentences to provide detailed descriptions or explain complex ideas. "As the sun set behind the mountains, the sky transformed into a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a warm glow over the serene landscape."

Combine Different Structures: Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to maintain a natural flow. Avoid repetitive patterns that can make your writing feel flat.

7. Introduce Conflict

Conflict is the driving force of any story. It creates tension and keeps readers invested in the outcome. Without conflict, your story can become stagnant and uninteresting.

In Detail:

Internal Conflict: Characters should struggle with internal dilemmas, fears, and desires. This adds depth and relatability.

External Conflict: Introduce obstacles and challenges that characters must overcome. This can be other characters, societal pressures, or natural forces.

Resolution: Show how conflicts are resolved, leading to character growth and plot progression. Ensure resolutions feel earned and satisfying.

8. Use Metaphors and Similes

Metaphors and similes add creativity and depth to your writing. They help readers understand complex ideas and emotions by comparing them to familiar experiences.

In Detail:

Metaphors: Directly state that one thing is another to highlight similarities. "Time is a thief."

Similes: Use "like" or "as" to make comparisons. "Her smile was like sunshine on a rainy day."

Avoid Clichés: Create original comparisons rather than relying on overused phrases. Instead of "busy as a bee," find a fresh analogy.

9. Create Suspense

Suspense keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what happens next. Use foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and unanswered questions to build tension and anticipation.

In Detail:

Foreshadowing: Drop subtle hints about future events. This creates anticipation and a sense of inevitability.

Cliffhangers: End chapters or sections with unresolved tension or unanswered questions to compel readers to keep going.

Pacing: Control the pace of your story to build suspense. Slow down for crucial moments and speed up during action scenes.

10. Edit Ruthlessly

Great writing often emerges during the editing process. Be willing to cut unnecessary words, tighten your prose, and refine your sentences. Editing improves clarity, pace, and overall readability.

In Detail:

Cut Redundancies: Remove unnecessary words and repetitive phrases. "In my opinion, I think" can be reduced to "I think."

Focus on Clarity: Ensure each sentence conveys its intended meaning clearly and concisely.

Proofread: Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. A polished manuscript reflects professionalism and attention to detail.

[risuola]

ENTRY #11 ♡ F. READER X GOJO SATORU // I starve for your touch yet fear to savor it.

contents: arranged marriage!au, nudity, reader discretion is advised — wc. 1690

a/n: there was no way i wouldn't write a fic based on this picture. just no way.

series masterlist

Satoru loves to sleep naked.

The beauty of his innate technique, the blessing that he mastered to no end, has stripped him off one of the most basic human needs — touch. He wasn’t missing it that much, he thought, but there was something in letting go of everything and allowing himself to be wrapped in the silky layers of bedsheets that made his body crave the feeling.

He has always picked expensive garments, the ones with soft fabrics and luxurious feel, despite everyone telling him it’s unreasonable to spend so much on a shirt or a pair of trousers, but to him, it did matter. To him, that was the only thing touching his body when a thin layer of infinity effectively forced everything else back. To Satoru, touch was forbidden, threatening. It was a vulnerability that he, the strongest, couldn’t afford.

But that until he’s met you. Until he’s married you.

You were one of not many people he’s made an exception for. You were able to touch him whenever you wanted because the protective surface of endless matter let you in. Because he himself altered his technique to make you capable of laying your hands on his body.

He longed for your touch. So soft, and delicate, and warm. He craved more of it and yet, despite being shameless and confident, he has not allowed himself to sleep bare even once since the day you and him were bound by the knot of matrimony. It would cross boundaries he wasn’t sure you’d wish to cross; it would make you uncomfortable, awkward maybe — and he liked the way your relationship looked like now. He liked the late evenings you talked quietly, alone and intimate in the warm embrace of sheets and your own house.

For you, he let go of the way he used to sleep before because you were worth the sacrifice, but now, you were gone for few days. You were sent on a mission away from Tokyo and the hours Satoru spent alone in bed, thinking of nothing more but your fingertips on top of his skin, made him desperate — and so, he allowed himself the comfort of soft cotton and silk.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You were tired. Exhausted even, by the intense fight you had to pull through, by the uncomfortable nights spent in the dingy hotel room, by the humid weather and rains. In moments like this, there was nothing you envied more in the world than your husband’s ability to warp from one place to another, but you got lucky. Incredibly so, because Ijichi offered you a ride home two days earlier than you were supposed to head back and you thanked all gods and devils for that man’s kindness. He was willing to put on some more road just to get you home.

“Thank you so, so much, Ijichi,” you kissed his cheek — a ghost of a peck that made him all red and steamy and you felt giddy for a moment, seeing the tips of his ears turn crimson. Adorable. You liked him, he was dutiful, polite, trustworthy and constantly terrorized by your husband, so you were determined to at least be the Gojo he likes.

“You’re very welcome,” he mumbled and fixed the frames on the bridge of his nose, pushing them up with the tip of his pointer finger. “Have a good rest.”

“You too, Ijichi.”

Then, he was gone and you were stepping into the house with a deep sense of relief washing over you. Home sweet home. If you were to guess, it was most likely somewhere around 4 am, way too early for anyone to be up — especially your husband — so you gave it your all to stay as quiet as possible. The sun was just showing its first rays from way below the horizon line, crawling up with golden hues and breaking the nightly, navy darkness.

On your toes you moved across the house. It seemed as if Gojo was spending his time alone quite ordinarily — you saw a modest stack of empty takeout boxes, much less humble pile of candy wrappers and his uniform jacket thrown over the couch backrest, along with few other little items that you struggled to differentiate in the nocturnal haze.

You put down your bag, hung up your coat and pushed off the shoes. Ghosting your way towards the bathroom, you were desperate to wash away the combat residuals. You lathered up the shower gel in a rush, desperate to rest and sleep in the comfort of your own bed and then, wrapped in the towel, you tippy-toed to the bedroom, but—

“Came back earlier?”

—you truly didn’t expect to be met with a sight like this. Your husband was awake, just barely, most likely awaken by the water running in the bathroom. His eyes were closed, hidden underneath his forearm and shielded from the lights that were slowly creeping inside, between the dark curtains and onto his face. His body seemed relaxed between the sheets. The softest, gentlest lines of golden glimmer that painted its patterns over his uncovered chest and leg, his hip and one of the muscular arms. The duvet was covering less than half of him, hiding a part of his stomach, the other leg and—

“You’re staring.”

Satoru didn’t even have to look at you to know that your gaze was lingering on his frame. On his very, very naked frame, just barely concealed by the comforter.

“Sorry,” you mumbled, feeling the heat creeping up your cheeks and reaching the tips of your ears and you thanked the darkness for hiding it away. You walked around the bed, hoping to find your pajama where you left it and trying to force your head out of the gutter. You heard your husband letting out a deep exhale and then, a soft hum. His voice was as melodic as always, though you could tell how much sleepiness was laced into it.

Satoru should’ve notice you when you entered the area of your house, but he didn’t. Tired by his own job, by the classes and all of the meetings, he allowed himself to lower his guard and when he realized you’re home, he contemplated for a moment getting up and dressed, but he just didn’t want to.

“You’re exhausted, screw pajamas, just come here,” he said before he managed to think twice about it. It was a daring offer, inappropriate even and he opened his mouth to apologize for it, but then, you rendered him speechless.

Your weight felt good on top of him. You lay your body over his own with feathery gentleness and carefully maneuvered your way to rest on his chest completely. The touch of your skin flush to his own made his brain to short circuit, it felt divine, too good to be true and just so very right, he couldn’t say a word.

“Is that alright?” You asked quietly, pressing your ear right above his heart and letting out a breath that you held for a little too long. Your face felt hot, you were flushed and flustered but also oddly at ease with the current position and you wondered for a moment if it was the tiredness that made you so bold.

“More than that,” he replied, pulling the covers to hide you beneath them. He allowed one of his arms to snake around your waist and his lips to kiss the top of your head. “Rest. Sleep well, wifey.”

“Good night.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

10:19 AM

Satoru thought he was dreaming, but the weight on top of him felt too real. The soft scent of citrusy shower gel that lingered on your skin filled in his lungs each time he took a breath in and there was a tickle, he realized — every time his chest raised, a strand of your hair seemed to be moving against his jawline. You were not a dream.

He opened his eyes, blinking few times, adjusting them to the bright light that forced its way into the bedroom and then, he looked at you. You were still very deep asleep, he could tell based off the long inhales you were taking, slow and relaxed, fanning against his peck rhythmically. Your body was mostly on top of him, you were on his chest, your leg was between his and only your hips were resting on the bed. He still had his arm around you, as if making sure you were as close as possible.

It felt incredible. Intimate. It was everything he could have wished for. A touch, skin to skin, so intense it almost took his breath away. He felt nauseous at the thought, realizing that it’s the first time in his life, he’s that close to someone. So impossibly close that just a little bit more and you’d become a part of him. His heartbeat quickened.

It was so right. So awfully correct and at the same time, so very threatening. He felt helpless. Vulnerable. He was at your mercy, he was robbed of everything what made him the strongest, because at this very moment, he was bare. Uncovered before you, wrapped in an embrace that felt loving, that felt soothing, addicting, but if you only wished to hurt him, you’d—

You moved, shifting your weight a little bit, adjusting the position and the way your hand run down his side made him shiver. A soft sound escaped your throat when you let out a deeper exhale. He felt your fingers squeezing the flesh above his hip and then, you relaxed again.

“Your heart is beating so fast,” you whispered, not bothering to open your eyes, and Satoru held his breath. “Relax…”

And he chuckled. His chest vibrated below your ear and the adorable sound of displeasure you let out made him lose all of the tension. He turned, twisting his body inside your embrace to face you fully and he squeezed you with both of his arms, pulling you close. So impossibly close, and you whimpered, suddenly enclosed in a tight hold of your husband’s limbs. That was it for your sleep.

You could get used to it.

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[clare-875]

Where Are You? (Luffy, Sanji, Zoro)

_____ Pairings: (Separate) Luffy x Reader; Zoro x Reader; Sanji x Reader Summary: They can't find you after a battle. Warnings: Descriptions of injury and blood, angst, comfort, Marineford spoilers and slight PTSD for Luffy's, Female Reader [One Piece Masterlist] _____

- Luffy -

(A/N: This was angstier than I originally was going for, sorry!)

"Oi, Nami..." Luffy's gaze fights between untamed trepidation and utter despair as he looks down at his navigator, who bore the same look in her eyes. "Where's [y/n]?" There is a deep and unwavering silence until Nami speaks up from where she sat, exhausted, shaky voice reaching the air. "I-I thought she was with you, she stayed back to fight the enemy w-while I escaped. Luffy I-" More crewmates gather from the now destroyed town, wiping debris from themselves and cradling injuries won through their respective battles. "Hey, what's going on?" Zoro first interrupts the tense atmosphere as Nami gazes into her Captain's shadowed eyes, betraying rare worry. This battle had been formidable and deadly. It was obvious in the way the crew were clad with cuts and bruises, and it had been hours since you had been left to deal with your opponent. "I'm going to go look for her!" Luffy leaves the scene despite hearing the worried call from Nami and the confused words of the rest of the crew.

Normally, Luffy wouldn't be worried about his crewmates, especially you. He held them to a great standard and had great trust in them; there was nothing they couldn't overcome in his mind. However, he would be lying to say he wasn't worried for you now. Despite burying the feeling every time he and the crew faced battle, it was hard to ignore the lingering dread, especially after having experienced the potential consequences of warfare with Ace. He needed you safe. He needed you with him and his crew. He couldn't lose you too. Too much time has passed in his mind, and he flung his outstretched limbs as far as they would go, to the place where Nami had left you to fight. Maybe he was overreacting, but Luffy couldn't risk anything with you. You brought out that serious side in him, you brought forth the dread of losing someone again.

When Luffy finally makes his way to the scene he witnesses the destructions, etched with the uniqueness of your battle techniques. The ground had been upturned, buildings indented with impacts and smoking in the wake of your battle. In the midst, he sees your opponent, unconscious and lets relief fill his system; you have won. Then, his eyes scour the scene and land on whisps of [h/c] hair, which leads to a familiar face. Luffy feels his heart pound once, twice before picking up pace. You were there, but you were unconscious, were you-. Luffy runs, and he feels that unfamiliar feeling twist in his chest once more; dread, fear, worry. The emotions were so unnatural to him, but so was love, until you taught him the sensation. "[y/n]!!" He yells quickly, and reaches your side in an instant, as trembling hands take your bloodied face into his lap.

"Hey, [y/n]!! [y/n]!! Are you-"

Luffy doesn't know what to do and considers running you back to Chopper. But finally, he sees it: your eyes. They flutter open and your gaze adjusts to the sight of Luffy, except his face is adorned with emotions you had yet to familiarise yourself with. "L-Luffy?" You sit up steadily, wincing slightly, but okay nonetheless. Your boyfriend stares in silence, and your concern only deepens at his far-away gaze. You grab his shoulders gently, "Hey, Luffy... are you okay?" A moment passes before Luffy shakes his head from his trance, as though finally with you again. "Y-Yeah." You frown deeper at his uncharacteristic response, but you know deep down the events of Marineford are still fresh in his mind.

When Luffy looks at you, he can only grip at his reality and try to acknowledge that you are there with him... that you are alive and safe. Your eyes linger on his face as you pull him into a hug that he didn't know he needed. "I'm sorry Luffy, I must've passed out, let's go now. I'm sure there's a banquet waiting for us." With that, Luffy finally shakes free from the haunting feeling that lingered just earlier. You finally witness the quirk of his lips as he nods and tells you to hold on to him. He flings you back to the crew that waves and smiles at you in relief. That night, Chopper frantically checks up on you anyway, and Luffy pays closer attention to you. You on the other hand make sure Luffy's lingering smile deepens, and returns to that full, wide, joy you know it should always encompass

As the night loiters on, you see the normalcy seep back into celebration. By the end, Luffy dances with you and eats like his life depends on it. You smile softly and he grins; all is well in his world because all is well with you.

- Sanji -

"[y/n]-san!!" Sanji's eyes are almost wild as they turn left to right, his legs lit aflame as he moves across the destroyed town, searching every nook for a glimpse of your face. Worry pounds in his chest and he barely has the time to care that he has gone and lost his composure. "Sanji-kun!" Nami speaks up from behind him, but she barely has the will to keep up her angry facade when she witnesses concern radiating from the cook; she was worried too, after all. Nami sighs heavily as Sanji looks at her with his teeth gritted. "Calm down, I'm sure she's alright, maybe-" Her words are meant to be of comfort, but Sanji has been looking through the town for too long, and he merely needs you with him again. He needs you safe and in his arms. So though trying to hold onto words spilled in their reassurance, only you could calm the worry he holds now.

"Oi, Sanji!" The cook turns at the sound of Luffy's voice as he bounds over, rare sincerity coming from his Captain. "Have you found her yet?" Sanji could do nothing but shake his head because he hadn't. He can't find you. It had been hours since you were left to deal with your opponent, and he had found them battered and obviously defeated by you. But where were you? He had been searching with some of his crew for a while now, and every instant he felt his hope start to slip away; he felt failure creep up on him. In his mind, it was his duty to make sure that you were safe; he hated even the faintest scratch on your skin. But he also wanted to place his trust in you. Despite having to resist his instinct to protect, he wanted you to fight your own battles for your own pride, but now he feels himself regretting having run off with another enemy; he should've stayed by your side.

Sanji continues through the barren streets, and he prays to whatever being he has to pray to, holding on to the slim hope that you are safe. As crew members also disperse in their concern for you, he pulls back the debris, now almost scared to see what he could find. Were you injured? Were you taken? Were you- "S-Sanji..." For a moment, the blond-haired cook freezes and he feels his heart beat faster, if that were even possible. "S-Sanji, that you?" Sanji had never raced towards the sound of someone's voice faster than he had in that moment. "[y/n]-san!? [y/n], where are you?" He is met with the quiet once again, and he fears it might've been a trick of his mind until finally, your voice lingers once again. "Here, I'm trapped... can't breathe." His eyes turn sharply to a building, and beneath the debris, he eyes your arm reaching upwards, desperately trying to gather his attention. "[y/n]-san..."

Sanji moves as though his life depends on it, ripping away rubble and fragments of building built upon you. His hands bleed by the end of it but he doesn't seem to care because finally, he sees your face. "Love!" Sanji, tears away the final pieces of destruction that had piled around you and gently pulls you free from your encasement. He gathers you in his arms and his embrace, relishing your warm body against his. "S-Sanji." When the cook finds the will to pull away he allows relief to wash away his dread, but not the concern as he sees your half-lidded eyes, straining in your exhaustion. "Love, let me find Chopper." You had never seen Sanji so serious. He holds you in his arms and runs as fast as his legs would take him, lit ablaze as he scours the scene for the sight of the crew's doctor.

When he finally does, he wastes no time.

"Chopper!" Almost immediately there is action, as crewmembers gather at the sight of you in Sanji's arms, and Chopper's eyes widen at the state you're in. "[y/n]!" You had lost consciousness by the time the small reindeer could look over your state, and Sanji silently suffered his worry once more, reaching for a cigarette. Long moments pass in the aftermath, and it is only hours later when you wake amid celebrations of victory. When you turn to your side, Sanji is already there, watching crewmembers feast upon the banquet that marks the end of another fight. As he turns and meets your eyes, you see them widen and you smile gently. "Love! You're awake, thank God!" Sanji reaches over to you and you laugh as you gather him in your arms. "I-I'm so sorry. If I had-" But you cut off your lover and you hush him quickly with the clasp of your hand around his.

"Thank you, for saving me."

Sanji looks down on you, battered and bruised but safe and with him. He smiles softly at you and squeezes your hand in his, as though in silent promise: he would never see you lost to him again. You grin at the serene expression that has finally filled his face but are interrupted by the rumble of your stomach as you pause and feel heat rush to your face. "I- I guess I am a bit hungry after all the-" But of course, you barely have to finish your sentence. Sanji has a platter in his hand, full of all the foods you could want with determination in his eyes. "Please, let me love." In that moment, you let Sanji take care of you because it seemed that was what he longed to do, after holding onto his concern for so long. Just never leave him in that state again, he doesn't know if he could take that.

- Zoro -

You gasp as you pull your limbs out of the debris that had fallen in the impacts of your battle. You cradle an arm you know had likely broken and take in a stuttering breath as you pull yourself back to your feet. Almost instantly, you feel pain. Great, you think to yourself, a broken arm and a broken ankle, just what I needed. You momentarily lose balance before gritting your teeth and forcing yourself still. The battle had been more tedious and time-consuming than you had originally hoped, but in your mind, it was worth it to witness your agitating opponent finally bite the dust. You gaze upward towards the falling sun. You had let too much time pass, and you had to get back to your crew; you had to make sure they were safe. So, despite the pain you limp and try to ignore the raging discomfort as you make your way further from your fallen foe.

Quite a ways further from you, Zoro looked around him whilst trying to deny that it was worry he felt at the lack of your presence. Crew members were now having their injuries checked up on or being slowly pulled into preparations to celebrate victory. Too busy being doted on by grateful, new friends or being lulled into the temptation of food and drink, there hadn't been much time to settle and do a head count. But Zoro noticed; of course, he did. He could deny all he wanted, but you were the first thing he looked for post-battle. He had great trust in you and your abilities; you were strong, dependable and courageous. He never doubted you, but time ticked on, and unrest ate up at him. Where were you? You should be here by now.

"Where's [y/n]?"

Robin is the next crewmember to look around in concern at your absence but she is the first to actually voice the lack of you. Her words catch the attention of other crewmates as Nami and Sanji also turn and look around the vicinity. "Now that you mention it... when was the last time any of you saw her?" Zoro's heart rate only picks up further despite eyeing his crewmates in silence, listening as they question your whereabouts. Luffy starts to bound over as he witnesses his crew start to clump together, worry betraying them. "What's happening?" Zoro turns once his Captain has entered the fray, already having started to move before registering the rest of the crew's increasingly uttered words. "Oi, Marimo, wait you'll get lost before you even-" But he is too far by the time Sanji notices that Zoro has gone, most likely to look for you. "Tch, we should send someone else to look for [y/n]-san too."

Zoro walks briskly through the barren streets and takes himself far from where the smoke of the campfire rages behind him, marking the beginning of a banquet. His keen ears pick up on odd sounds in the area, but none of them are you, and his horrible sense of direction has betrayed him again. Where were you? It was dark now, and the moon lingered in the sky. Abruptly, there is a tangible dread that twists uncomfortably in the swordsman's chest; he knows that you should've been back by now. If you weren't something must've happened, but Zoro refuses to acknowledge what that 'something' could be. Surely you wouldn't be- Suddenly, there is a ruffle of trees to his far right and he turns quickly, instincts forcing his hands to his swords. Someone was here. "Oi, show yourself!" There is a tense silence, until finally, Zoro hears the one thing he had been hoping for: your voice.

"Really Zoro? You can't even recognise your own girlfriend?"

Amid trees and branches, you finally break away into the clearing albeit with exhaustion and injury weighing you down. You breathe heavily and you would never say it but you felt such relief at seeing Zoro, that you could cry. But, your pride holds your tears and instead, you smile, grinning at him and holding yourself up with as much strength as you can muster. The swordsman who looks at you finally feels the worry dissipate but his eyes travel your form and the way your arm bends an awkward way or how you clearly favour one leg to the other. "Oi, [y/n], what took you so long?" Zoro lets out a deep sigh as he relaxes his stance but would rather die than admit his concern to you, and so masks it behind nonchalant words. You, however, have hoarded so much pain, that you feel as though on the brink of collapse.

"Yeah, yeah, help me out here?" You reach out to him, longing for some sort of support, but Zoro's sharp eyes widen as he sees you topple. Almost instantly you feel warm arms wrap around you. When next you open your eyes you are cradled against your boyfriend's chest and held firm but gently. Your gaze drifts to his face and you laugh as you see the slight flush of red fill his cheeks. "Where you worried, Zoro?" You tease, trying to lighten the mood, but your head lulls into him, as you finally feel the safety of being back in his arms. "Tch, don't be ridiculous." You smile softly, too tired to reply, but you point in the opposite direction of where he walks. "Zoro, that way." You mutter against him and he turns sharply, a more fierce blush rising to his face. You laugh before letting sleep pull you in. Zoro almost starts yelling in panic until he sees you have merely drifted off; you don't see the worry he held onto just moments earlier, almost causing him to turn the town over to find you.

"Don't do that again, idiot." His words are murmured to you, and he holds you closer, but you don't hear them, too far in your sleep.

[meazalykov]

keys

barcelona femeni x reader

summary: who knew that a pair of keys would save your life

warnings: choking!!, mentions of close death, angst

it was supposed to be a peaceful evening. 

you had settled on the couch, wrapped in your favorite blanket, completely absorbed in your newest favorite movie that came out a few months ago, but you never had the chance to watch it until now due to your busy schedule. 

the glow of the screen illuminated your dark living room, and for the first time in what felt like forever, everything was quiet. your phone lay on the coffee table, screen dimmed, muted by do not disturb (thank you iphone). 

you were oblivious to the flurry of messages in the team group chat about a last-minute gym session before tomorrow's game against atlético madrid at home.

your focus broke when hunger nudged you toward the kitchen. grabbing a bowl of fruit you had prepared earlier, you popped a grape into your mouth. 

however, as you swallowed, something went terribly wrong. the grape slipped down the wrong way. your body froze as panic set in. you began coughing violently, desperate to clear your airway, but the sensation only grew worse. 

you clawed at your throat, tears pricking your eyes as you stumbled against the counter. the air wasn’t coming, and you couldn’t stop coughing long enough to figure out what to do. you tried pressing your fists against your stomach, mimicking the cpr techniques you had seen once, but it wasn’t working. 

the world began to blur at the edges, your chest heaving in pain. 

you were alone. completely and terrifyingly alone.

your face started to lose color, just as your vision started to slip away.

just as your knees buckled and you braced yourself against the counter, you should have heard the unmistakable sound of your front door unlocking. a loud crash as the door flew open due to the loud sounds of your coughing. 

you barely registered it before frantic footsteps stormed into the apartment.

“y/n?!” ingrid’s voice was sharp, panic-laced. behind her, fridolina rushed toward you.

“she’s choking!” fridolina shouted, immediately positioning herself behind you. the scandi’s strong arms wrapped tightly around your abdomen as she began performing the heimlich maneuver with precision and urgency. 

the force of her movements sent a searing pain through your ribs, but the need for air overshadowed everything else. ingrid was on the phone, her voice rapid as she called for help. you could barely focus on anything but the overwhelming pressure in your chest.

after what felt like an eternity, you finally coughed..hard and forcefully. the grape dislodged, falling to the floor as you gasped in ragged, desperate breaths. you collapsed to your knees, trembling, the world spinning as relief and terror hit you all at once.

“you’re okay,” fridolina murmured, kneeling beside you and rubbing your back soothingly as you started to cry. the woman’s tone was firm yet gentle, grounding you in the moment. 

“you’re okay now sweetheart.”

ingrid dropped to your other side, her hand gripping yours tightly. 

“we’ve got you,” she said, her normally calm demeanor cracked with visible worry. she puts away her phone after calling some of the other girls on the team who did not live too far away.

“you’re safe.”

your body hurt..your ribs throbbed from the force fridolina had used, but the tears streaming down your face weren’t from physical pain. you couldn’t stop crying, the sheer fear of what had almost happened consuming you. 

as the adrenaline ebbed, you became vaguely aware of more footsteps. alexia, mapi, esmee, and patri had rushed in, the sound of their voices filling the apartment.

“what happened?!” alexia demanded, her gaze darting between ingrid, fridolina, and you. she looked ready to take control of the situation if needed.

“she was choking,” ingrid explained, her voice shaking slightly. 

“we came over because she didn’t respond to the group chat. we thought she was ignoring us again, but…” she trailed off, her eyes flicking to you with a mix of relief and lingering fear.

“thank god you had the key,” mapi muttered, running a hand through her hair as she crouched nearby, her usual humor replaced by concern.

“y/n,” esmee said softly, kneeling in front of you. her hand brushed a piece of hair out of your face, her touch gentle. 

“you’re okay now. just breathe, literally. we’re here.” her tone was soothing, and despite being younger than you, she carried herself with a maturity that made you feel strangely comforted.

“i… i thought…” you choked out between sobs, your voice barely audible. 

“i thought i was gonna…”

“shh, don’t think about that,” fridolina interrupted gently, her arms wrapping around your shoulders as she pulled you into a hug. 

“you’re here. you’re safe. that’s what matters.”

“your face is getting its color back,” patri noted, her hands on her hips as she observed you closely. 

“you scared the shit out of us, though.”

alexia sighed, her hand coming to rest on your shoulder. “this is exactly why we do the key thing. no one’s ever happy about it at first, but…” she shook her head. 

“i don’t even want to think about what could’ve happened if ingrid didn’t have yours.”

you nodded shakily, unable to find the words to respond. the fear still lingered, but so did an overwhelming sense of gratitude. you hadn’t realized until now just how much having them in your life meant.

“it’s okay,” esmee said, her voice soft but firm. “you’re not alone. you’ve got us.”

you felt small in her comfort, in all of their care. ingrid squeezed your hand again, and fridolina’s grip around your shoulders tightened briefly. you weren’t sure how long you sat there on the floor with them, your body slowly calming as the realization of your safety sank in.

“i think i’m gonna have a serious hatred against grapes now,” you muttered weakly, earning a soft chuckle from mapi.

“don’t blame the grapes,” she said, her teasing tone lightening the mood just a little. 

“but maybe stick to apples, not the sliced ones though, for a while.”

despite yourself, a faint smile tugged at your lips as you gained color on your face back.

masterlist

[faithfulren]

the unseen heart

y/n has feelings for bakugo, but he seems oblivious or uninterested, causing emotional turmoil.

----

you sighed as you watched katsuki bakugo from across the classroom. he was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, his usual scowl plastered on his face. despite his rough exterior, you couldn't help but be drawn to him. there was something about his determination and raw strength that captivated you.

"y/n, are you even paying attention?" your friend, mina, whispered, nudging you with her elbow.

you snapped back to reality, your cheeks flushing. "sorry, what did you say?"

mina rolled her eyes playfully. "i said, you're staring again. when are you going to tell him how you feel?"

you glanced at bakugo again, then quickly looked away. "i don't know if I can. he probably doesn't even see me that way."

mina frowned, concern in her eyes. "you won't know unless you try. besides, bakugo might surprise you."

you nodded, though doubt gnawed at you. the bell rang, signaling the end of class. you gathered your things and headed out, determined to push your feelings aside and focus on training.

--

later that day, you found yourself alone in the training grounds, practicing your quirk. you were so absorbed in your routine that you didn't notice bakugo approaching until he spoke.

"you're doing it wrong."

you spun around, startled. "bakugo! what are you doing here?"

he crossed his arms, eyes narrowed. "what does it look like? i'm here to train. and you're going about it all wrong."

you frowned, a mix of irritation and embarrassment bubbling up. "i'm doing just fine, thanks."

bakugo scoffed. "fine? you're wasting energy with unnecessary movements. watch."

he demonstrated a more efficient technique, his movements precise and powerful. you couldn't help but admire him, even as your heart ached. it was moments like this that reminded you why you fell for him in the first place.

"see? that's how you do it," he said, turning to you.

you nodded, trying to mask your emotions. "thanks, bakugo."

he grunted in response, turning back to his own training. you watched him for a moment, then resumed your practice, trying to ignore the pang in your chest.

--

days turned into weeks, and your feelings for bakugo only grew stronger. each interaction with him, no matter how brief, was a bittersweet reminder of your unspoken love. you laughed at his snarky comments, cherished his rare moments of praise, and supported him during difficult missions. yet, he remained oblivious, or so it seemed.

one evening, after a particularly grueling day, you found yourself sitting alone on the dormitory rooftop. the cool breeze was a welcome relief, but it did little to soothe your troubled heart. you gazed at the stars, wondering if you'd ever have the courage to tell bakugo how you felt.

"hey, y/n.."

you turned to see mina standing behind you, a concerned look on her face. "hey, mina. what's up?"

she sat down beside you, her expression softening. "i wanted to check on you. you've been acting kind of distant lately."

you sighed, resting your chin on your knees. "it's just… bakugo. i can't get him out of my head, mina. but he doesn't seem to notice me that way."

mina gave you a sympathetic smile. "have you tried talking to him? really talking?"

you shook your head. "i don't think i can. what if he rejects me? what if it ruins everything?"

mina placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "you'll never know if you don't try. and even if it doesn't go the way you hope, at least you'll have closure."

you pondered her words, feeling a mixture of fear and determination. maybe it was time to finally tell bakugo how you felt, no matter the outcome.

--

the next day, you decided to take mina's advice. you found bakugo in the common area, reading a hero magazine. taking a deep breath, you approached him, your heart pounding.

"bakugo, can we talk?"

he glanced up, his eyebrows raised. "what is it?"

you shifted nervously, trying to find the right words. "i… i have something i need to tell you."

he set the magazine aside, giving you his full attention. "well, spit it out."

You took another deep breath, your hands trembling slightly. "bakugo, i… i've had feelings for you for a long time. i know you might not feel the same way, but i needed to tell you."

for a moment, there was silence. bakugo's expression was unreadable, and you feared the worst. then, he spoke.

"y/n, i…"

before he could finish, the alarm sounded, signaling a villain attack. the moment was shattered, and bakugo's expression hardened. "we'll talk later. right now, we have to go."

you nodded, pushing your feelings aside as you prepared for the mission. as you followed bakugo out, you couldn't help but wonder what he was going to say. but for now, you had to focus on being a hero, even if your heart was breaking.

--

the mission was successful, but the conversation with bakugo never happened. days turned into weeks, and you couldn't bring yourself to bring it up again. you continued to fight alongside him, hiding your feelings behind a mask of professionalism.

but every now and then, you'd catch bakugo looking at you with an unreadable expression, and you'd wonder if maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way. until then, you would keep your heart guarded, hoping that one day, he might see you as more than just a teammate.

[ink-stainedkiss]

✧ ꜱᴀᴛᴏʀᴜ ɢᴏᴊᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ✧

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐮𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐫

Word Count: 1.1k

Type:Fluff with a dash of hurt/comfort

✦✧✦✧

𝘚𝘶𝘮: 𝘈 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦

Truthfully, it wasn’t the guys fault. When he had looked up from his food at the cafe, his eyes found you, and he decided he was going to try and flirtatiously get your number, he hadn’t known the force that would come from his actions. You were sitting comfortably outside of the shop, finding comfort in your phone and a steaming hot pastry. You had heard his footsteps coming and you were filled with confusion as a random man stood happily in front of you. Skeptically, you set down your phone,passing a glance to the busy sidewalk for any sign of your boyfriend. He had told you that he would be picking you up a small gift so there would be a few minutes where you would sit alone. You didn’t mind, believing that you would get a moment of peace on this breezy summer day.

Unfortunately for you, the universe decided to sweep your feet out from under you. Your eyes narrowed as you watched him look you up and down. Holding down a groan, you were so naive to believe that a man who was all too eager to greet you the second you sat down wanted nothing but wholesome things. A small smirk melted onto his face as he finally found your eyes.

“Can I help you with something?” You asked boredly

You weren’t looking for a fight, so you kept your tone just barely under the line of disgust. His hand landed on the empty chair across from you, a light chuckle leaving his lips.

“I’m sure you can.” Your eyes closed in pure disappointment at his poor excuse of a pickup line,”But I just noticed you from inside and wanted to introduce myself.”

You faked a smile, nodding like his words actually interested you. As he gave you his name, the hand on the chair moved quickly, reaching out for you to shake. You looked past him,praying that you would see the recognizable mess of white hair that you loved, but alas, nothing. You bit down a groan, reaching up reluctantly, and interlocking your hands. You tried to ignore the fact that sweat was completely covering his hand as he squeezed your hand. You had to break the contact first, rather forcefully, and you knew that was your sign to find somewhere else to wait. His eyes gawked at you more and you glanced at your phone. I’ll just text him that the cafe was busy.

With your actions decided, you stood from the table, grabbing your stuff,”Sorry, but I’m supposed to be meeting someone and I need to go.”

The ever persistent man frowned at your words, stepping forward to you,”Aw, so soon? Can’t you just stay with me for a second?”

An audible sigh left you as you shook your head,”I have to go.” Your statement fell on deaf ears as he let out a scoff. Before you could fully turn around, his clammy hand gripped onto your wrist, turning you back to face him.

You cursed yourself for the populated area. You wouldn’t be able to use your cursed technique on him in a scene like this. Your jaw tensed as you tried to rip your body away, but his hold was like iron. Great. You were just about to raise your voice when an overwhelming tension filled the air around you. You didn’t have to turn to know who was behind you. Fear entered the man’s eyes as he flicked his gaze towards the presence walking closer. A lanky arm slid its way around your waist and you sighed in relief as a head rested on your shoulder. In the corner of your eye you caught a puff of white and you knew that everything would be fine.

“Hey babe.” He purred next to your ear,”Is this one of your friends?”

The question was extremely rhetorical but you answered either way,”No. I have no clue who this is.”

A ‘tsk’ left your boyfriend's mouth and he tightened his hold on you. The man watched at him and you could feel just how intense their stare-off was ,”So do you usually grab onto random people? Or is she an exception?”

Like your skin ignited into flames he retracted his hand,”I-I don’t want any trouble man.”

A hum came from your boyfriend as he shifted his head. Delicate kisses landed on your exposed neck and you couldn't help but flush,”Saturou.” Your voice reciprocated your embarrassment as the sorcerer marked you in the middle of a street. Gojo was never one to hide his affection.

He looked back up towards the man,”Good. Because if you held on a second longer I would have killed you.”

The man clearly got the hint and started to back away, once his body turned around, he set in a full sprint. Gojo let out a disappointed hum,”Aw, I really thought we were gonna have some fun.” You rolled your eyes half heartedly, spinning to face the man,”You can’t go hurting everyone.”

The sorcerer shrugged,”I think he would have deserved it.” You couldn’t help the small giggle that left you. At the sound of your laughter, Gojo instantly felt better, but just to make sure, he placed one of his hands against your cheek. His thumb caressed your cheek softly and his cerulean eyes scanned over every inch of your face,”Are you sure you’re alright?”

You smiled at his worry and placed a gentle kiss against his lips,”Yes. I'm alright, I promise,” Raising your wrist, you showed there was no marks left behind,”I totally could have beat that guy’s ass.”

A hearty laugh sounded from Gojo and before you could realize what happened, he was placing continues kisses on your face,”I love you so much.” There was a hint of amusement in his tone, but you knew behind his cool exterior, Gojo held you in a special place in his heart.

You laughed at his antics, pushing him away but you both knew that you didn’t want him to go away, ”Alright,alright, I love you too, now get off of me.” The man wrapped his arm around your shoulder, already leading you away,”Let’s head home, I'm sure there won’t be any creeps there.”

He landed one more gentle kiss to your hair and the two of you left the street. As you walked with him, you started to feel a sense of safety and comfort. It wasn’t a new feeling. You felt as if nothing could hurt you when you were with him. Not because he was the strongest, but because he wouldn’t let anything happen to you.

[srvbryn]

All eyes on you. Hoshina Soshiro

Hoshina Soshiro X gn!reader fluff

— "Why did you stay if you're not interested in swords?" He asked, looking at you with a quizzical stare.

This is so boring I'm sorry + Some angst if you squint harddd enough

A/n: HAIAIAI #1 Hoshina Soshiro fan since 2021

Hoshina Soshiro's sword sliced through the air with precision and grace.

You stood at the edge of the training field, watching his every move. His technique was graceful, and his movements were fluid—they were attractive. However, it wasn't the swordplay that kept you there.

"You're here again," Hoshina said, sheathing his sword as he approached. His eyes bore into yours, curious and probing. "Why did you stay if you're not interested in swords?"

His question caught you off guard. Your heart skipped a beat, and a flush of embarrassment crept up your cheeks. You looked away, trying to muster the courage to respond honestly.

"Because I like watching you," you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

There was a brief silence, the kind that stretched and folded upon itself, making the moment feel infinitely longer.

You dared a glance at him and found his expression softened, a mix of surprise and something you couldn't quite place.

"I see," he murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I didn't know you felt that way."

You bit your lip, feeling vulnerable under his gaze. "It's... it's not something I've been able to say out loud before."

He nodded, stepping closer. "You don't have to feel embarrassed. I enjoy your company here." His tone was gentle, reassuring.

"But I'm not a strong fighter," you blurted out, frustration tinging your voice. "I don't know the first thing about swords or combat. I just... I just wanted to be near you."

Hoshina's smile widened, and he reached out to take your hand. His touch was warm, grounding. "You don't have to be a fighter to be important. Everyone has their own strengths. Besides, having someone who genuinely cares nearby is more valuable than you think."

Your heart swelled at his words, and you squeezed his hand, feeling a mix of relief and happiness. "Thank you, Soshiro."

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "You don't have to thank me. Just promise you'll stay safe, okay? I worry about you."

A pang of sadness laced his remarks, and you could see a glimmer of dread in his eyes— fear of losing someone he cared about.

You understood his concern; the world you lived in was dangerous, and bonds could provide both strength and suffering.

"I can't promise that," you said softly, meaning it with every fiber of your being.

His eyes held yours for a moment longer before he gently pulled you into an embrace. The closeness was comforting, and you felt a sense of peace wash over you.

comments, asks, and reblogs are greatly appreciated!!

tags (open!)

[rivendell-poet]

*･༓˚✧❝𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐋𝐨𝐭𝐑)❞‧͙⁺˚༓˚✧ « scenarios »

○ Aragorn ○ Legolas ○ Frodo ○ Sam ○ Merry ○ Pippin ○ Boromir ○ Faramir ○ Éowyn ○ Éomer ○ Bard ○ Thranduil ○ Tauriel ○ Lindir ○ Haldir ○ Elladan ○ Elrohir ○

GN!Reader | Wordcount : 4k (each individual around 230~ words) | Read on Ao3

TWS : Faramir worries if the drunken kiss was consensual (it was)

« 1, 2, 3, masterlist »

𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐧

✧ Although you and the hobbits have been travelling together for a week, the two of you are yet to spend actual time together (the marching order has been established with you at the back and Aragorn at the front to keep the hobbits safe).

✧ When you get to Weathertop, you both breathe a sigh of relief that you’re somewhere that’s hopefully safe to stay - at least for a little while.

✧ When Aragorn asks if you’ll scout ahead with him you’re surprised but agree, after all you do need to get to know the person you’re travelling with.

✧ The two of you bond surprisingly quickly - talking of Dúnedain customs and easily working well together - although you're curious about some of his elven techniques.

✧ He’s enthusiastic about showing them to you, glad to be able to not only bond but bond over something practical. It’s even better when he sees you begin to pick the first technique up rather quickly.

 ✧ You two only stop when you look back to Weathertop and see a fire there before it’s suddenly put out.

✧ There’s no words exchanged as you start running back to the hobbits - trying to get to them before the Nazgul do.

✧ Aragorn barely notices anyone in the fight, focused on protecting Frodo, but once the threat is gone he immediately looks to you -  checking if you’re ok.

✧ The fact he spares you the gesture makes you feel better, even in this situation.

✧ Later on, once the hobbits are settled and Frodo has been treated the best he can be, you thank him for checking on you and he smiles, offering to continue training later.

𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐬

✧ You and Boromir are some of the first to arrive at the Council, aside from its hosts, and when Legolas arrives with the rest of the elves a small part of you relaxes. You might have a second ally here.

✧ As the ring is brought out, and the council devolves, you can’t help but wonder if Faramir sent you here purely so Gondor could show it had at least one reasonable citizen.

✧ On his part, Legolas is glad to have moments of reprieve from the seriousness when he looks over to you - doing a remarkable job of sinking into your seat while trying to be formal (disappearing more every time Boromir speaks).

✧ The both of you volunteer, you hopeful that your scouting in Mordor can help if once you get there.

✧ After the Council is dissolved for the day, you make a beeline to him and apologise for Boromir.

✧ There’s a smile on Legolas’s face as he reassures you it’s ok, and he doesn’t hold anything against you.

✧ “I’m glad you’re coming with us, the higher quality our allies the better chance we will have at success.”

✧ You thank him before looking over at Aragorn to say something, and he laughs before pushing you towards your future king (only mildly fearing the death glare you give him).

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐨

✧ For being on the floor with your bedroll (hobbit beds weren’t made with humans in mind), you have a surprisingly good sleep - only awoken by the smell of cooking.

✧ It’s earlier than you expected for hobbits, although that doesn’t stop you from getting up.

✧ As you become awake you can hear the sound of pots and pans clattering before picking up Frodo’s voice.

✧ “You might wake them up, uncle. They’ve probably not had the best sleep so we need to be quiet for now.”

✧ You don’t see Frodo’s face turn slightly red as he says that, especially when Bilbo gives him a knowing grin.

✧ Eventually, there’s a tentative knock on your room’s door as Frodo invites you to have breakfast.

✧ The array of food is one of the largest you’ve seen, and to thank him you pretend not to notice both hobbits anxiously watching you to make sure you like the food.

✧ Talk flows easily over breakfast, and you feel regret when you say you need to leave for the rest of the day.

✧ Frodo offers to walk you to the door, anxiously asking if you'll be back and you assure him you will.

𝐒𝐚𝐦

✧ Your second meeting is only two days after, while walking home from a friend’s house you spot him in the garden of Bag End.

✧ He sits up as you come into vision, and the two of you make eye contact so you call out to him - hoping he remembers you.

✧ For Sam, although he’s not ashamed of his job he is slightly embarrassed, and quickly stands up while brushing loose dirt off him.

✧ It’s a massive relief when you don’t seem to mind, and the smile on your face doesn’t fall as you see his messy clothes and gardening equipment.

✧ You greet him and the both of you talk for a while, realising that despite how much time you spent together you know so little about him.

✧ The topic of your favourite flowers manages to come up, which is what suddenly pulls him back to the fact he’s supposed to be working on Mr. Frodo’s garden.

✧ He quickly apologises to you about cutting the conversation short, but you tell him not to worry and that you hope to see him soon.

✧ Sam watches you leave with that same smile, keeping it on and waving until you’re completely out of his vision.

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲

✧ Midway through eating breakfast and looking forward to meeting Merry, you realise that he never told you where he lived - or a meeting point.

✧ For a second you wonder if this was all an elaborate joke, but when you remember the smile - and the spark - between you two you resolve to give him a chance.

✧ Finishing your breakfast, you decide to wander until you can meet someone (as to ask them where Merry Brandybuck is).

✧ When you finally encounter someone who knows, they give you a smile and ask your name - saying that he was asking around for a hobbit of your description and her residence.

✧ In the end, you have to race to meet him outside your own house just before he knocks.

✧ There’s clear relief on his face when you show up, and he apologises for the miscommunication before beginning to show you the Shire.

✧ You get quite far into your tour, but not to the whole town, so Merry eagerly asks if you’d meet with him tomorrow.

✧ (This time with a specific time and location in place).

𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧

✧ Pippin’s simply wandering around Rivendell, head tilted back to properly admire the architecture (and not so subtly trying to figure out where the food is), when he bumps into you.

✧ There’s no damage to either of you, but you can tell the poor hobbit is mortified as he apologises to you.

✧ After reassuring him for the sixth time that you’re okay, you ask if he’d like to be shown around Rivendell.

✧ He agrees eagerly, and so you begin your guided tour.

✧ Pippin’s a genuinely good tourist, listening and absorbing all your information while also constantly asking interesting and genuine questions - the fascination with the place clearing coming through.

✧ (Of all the things you’ve shown him he still thinks you’re the most wondrous one.)

✧ It’s only an hour into the tour, while you're walking past the hobbits, that they ask why Pippin wasn’t at breakfast.

✧ You then remember he hasn’t eaten yet, and it’s your turn to apologise while he reassures you.

✧ The pantries are quick to be raided by you, and although Pippin feels slightly embarrassed to have you get almost everything off the shelves for him you don’t mind.

✧ In the end, the two of you simply sit on the floor while you eat before his friends pull him away for the rest of the day.

𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐦��𝐫

✧ A large part of you would be happy to never see Boromir again, you don’t think you’ll ever live that down, but a smaller part truly does want to. He has the caring and compassionate side of Faramir that makes you love your commander, and also another spark that makes you fascinated.

✧ You're informed beforehand you’re going to be meeting him again, in a semi-formal setting to discuss tactics, and this small part of you makes itself known with a light blush.

✧ You elect not to tell anyone precisely why, although when Faramir looks at you out of the corner of his eye you can feel it deepen slightly.

✧ You arrive first, and to your surprise Boromir arrives second.

✧ There’s a moment of recognition before he smiles, grasping your hand and pulling you into a half-hug, expressing he’s glad you're here.

✧ When you ask why, he says that it’s refreshing to have someone who isn’t his brother to challenge him on his opinions.

✧ You smile with him, before reassuring him jokingly that you will certainly tell him if he’s wrong.

✧ He laughs with you, a cheerful look in his eyes before he turns back to you, promising that he can take the criticism - and if you see flaws you should say them.

✧ For one of the first times you feel truly welcome in a military meeting between rangers and the soldiers of Minas Tirith, and for that you’re grateful.

𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐫

✧ Waiting was bad enough, especially with a hang-over and a potential marriage on the line. Apparently your father was rich enough to skip most of the queue, but not rich enough for the Steward to glance over at you for more than the minute you had been introduced.

✧ It was nice, honestly, and gave you more time to try and place the mysterious figure you remember from last night.

✧ You feel you’re getting somewhere when the door opens and the two Steward’s sons appear - and then it hits you.

✧ On his part, Faramir doesn’t want to be here either. He doesn’t agree with this thing, he has a headache, and he feels guilty about the previous night.

✧ He’s already resolved to go there again, and this time not try to get drunk, so he can apologise to the stranger he kissed - the drunken stranger.

✧ And then, as his eyes scan the hall of waiting people, he recognises you.

✧ His first thought is how beautiful you look in your finery (it’s clear why his drunken self went to you for affection), and the second is panic as to what he’s going to be able to do about this.

✧ When he accompanies his father, memorising the names of people who may become his in-laws, he stops when you introduce yourself.

✧ Boromir can tell something is different about this meeting, as can his father, but there’s no additional time spent with you. Faramir cannot even say a word to you before he’s moving.

✧ It’s only in their chambers that his father congratulates him for finally taking an interest in the event, and that he may also conduct the interviews with potential in-laws.

✧ The only name on his list that matters is yours.

𝐄𝐨𝐰𝐲𝐧

✧ Despite travelling together, you haven’t truly seen Éowyn - or looked out for her - until you see her handing out stew to the Rohirrim.

✧ Reminded of your hunger, you smile and catch her eye, glad she turns to you and not your brother.

✧ Approaching, she offers you the bowl and some of the stew which you eagerly take, stopping briefly to look at it.

✧ It isn’t the most appealing thing you’ve seen, but you’re also a ranger from the north, so it isn’t like you can be judging food.

✧ As you taste it, you’re suddenly hyper-aware of Éowyn’s eyes on you. And the fact she’ll see if you spit it out.

✧ Forcing yourself to swallow, you look back up at her and think back to the conversation you had with her previously; perhaps small talk can save you from the food.

✧ Eyes landing on Gimli, you ask if he’s already told her the dwarven woman story - glad when you make her laugh. Keeping going, you share a tale of your own.

✧ Smiles are given again, and when you keep talking you find you're talking not to keep her mind off the stew, but because you genuinely enjoy her company.

✧ When she gives another laugh, a thought briefly hits you that - perhaps - this was worth the stew.

✧ As she leaves, a sudden burst of inspiration hits you. “Aragorn was out of rations, last I checked. I imagine he’ll appreciate the food.”

𝐄𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫

✧ Not too long after your first meeting, Éomer sees you again outside of his sister’s rooms.

✧ With a bit of reflection, he realises he’s seen you in this same spot before, and is slightly annoyed at himself for having not introduced himself to you sooner.

✧ When he walks over to you, this time, he makes his footsteps echo more so as not to startle you.

✧ You look up instantly, and he’s relieved when you recognise him with a smile.

✧ He’s glad he could meet you again, and tells you as much, not noticing the blush that creeps onto your cheeks.

✧ Unsure of what to talk about, you resort to asking him about his day.

✧ Éomer instantly brightens, and begins to explain about the recent troop that has gone out, and the new saddles that are to be fitted later today.

✧ With his enthusiasm and level of detail it’s almost like you’ve asked him the best question of his life, and the worry you have of being able to carry a conversation fades away.

✧ This time when Éowyn interrupts you, the disappointment makes itself just a little more known.

𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐝

✧ When Tilda suggests making cookies for Sigrid’s saviour, Bard agrees that it’s a great idea and is happy to spend the morning baking with his daughter (and the rest of the kids, once they realise what he’s doing).

✧ It’s only once the cookies are made that he realises he has no idea where you live, or even where you work.

✧ He’s resigned to your fate of not getting the cookies until the kids insist they should try and find you - and the three drag him out of the house to search around Laketown.

✧ He’s just beginning to give up hope when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees you on duty.

✧ The kids latch on and immediately run to you, dragging their father along and making him give you the cookies while telling you everything you could possibly want to know about them.

✧ It’s honestly very sweet, and the sincerity in their voices makes you smile.

✧ You shake off Bard’s worries that they’re being annoying, and thank him for going out to search for you.

✧ He still insists it’s no big deal, and at the end of the day - Tilda eventually needs to go home - he has no regrets.

✧ Except that he never found out your patrol route.

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐢𝐥

✧ After getting the job, it takes you almost a week to meet the king again - although his son is quickly enamoured by you.

✧ You finally encounter him again when Legolas insists he cannot read from any book except Glaer tathren, and you’re exasperated enough to go with him to the royal library so he can pick it out.

✧ Predictably, the guards refuse to let you inside, so you make one of them go with Legolas and promise to be back soon.

✧ It isn’t until the guards next to you bow that you realise your king is behind you, and when you turn around to greet him he’s really too close to bow too.

✧ Seeing your obvious internal struggle amuses him, and he reassures that it is ok not to bow before enquiring what you are doing.

✧ Once you explain he opens the library doors, before bidding you to follow him - giving you full permission to browse through here even without one of them.

✧ When you get in Legolas instantly runs up to you, holding his book and demanding to be read too before he notices his father.

✧ You then spend the next few minutes trying not to die inside when Legolas insists you're a much better story reader than the king is (“because they do voices, ada. You’re boring!”)

𝐓𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥

✧ The next day you begin to head to the training grounds again - eager to put yourself back in the lead - before you realise that Tauriel may not be there.

✧ It’s strangely disappointing for you, especially considering you’ve only met her yesterday, but good sparring partners are hard to find.

✧ With the disappointment your blades feel dull in your hands, not as polished and good as they could be, so you decide to go to the armoury and get them touched up.

✧ “I hope I didn’t damage your weapon too badly.”

✧ Tauriel’s voice is instantly familiar, and you grin at her when you see her also sharpening her sword.

✧ She quickly tosses a whetstone to you before moving up along where she’s sitting, inviting you to sit next to her.

✧ The noise of sword against sharpening rock doesn’t make for the best conversation, but you enjoy sitting with her in silence for the time it takes your blades to get up to scratch.

✧ Finishing earlier, she begins to head out before turning to face you and asking if you could train together two days from now.

✧ You eagerly agree.

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫

✧ Staring into Rivendell’s gardens, you wish you could appreciate the beauty of it without worrying about the hurt elf.

✧ There’s footsteps and you turn around to see Lord Elrond, who greets you before confirming you are the one that saved Lindir.

✧ When you say you are, he smiles and tells you that he is awake and asking for you.

✧ You don’t bother to hide the relief on your face, but do try to refrain from running into the healing ward and making a horrible first impression. (Or second impression, depending on if the same elves are still there.)

✧ Lindir is surprised when you walk through the door. The elegance of the bowshot, the quickness at which you dealt with the orcs, he was sure you were an elf.

✧ You see his slightly bemused expression before he hastens to reassure you it isn’t disappointment, simply unexpected.

✧ On your end you’re highly honoured, and try to keep your smile from being too wide while he’s still bearing a massive wound.

✧ There’s some silence before Lindir remembers to thank you, showering you with praise and apologising for his breach of etiquette.

𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐫

✧ After the meeting with Galadriel you still feel uneasy, unworthy to gaze into the eyes of the greatest elves in Middle Earth or to keep company with Legolas, the prince you are charged to protect.

✧ When the lament to Gandalf begins, the rest of the Fellowship begins to drift into smaller groups and you decide to leave to explore Lothlórien.

✧ The trees are beautiful, and remind you of your homeland of Mirkwood - although without Sauron’s taint.

✧ You’re so absorbed you don’t even notice the marchwarden approaching behind you, eager to speak after you had only exchanged a few words.

✧ “Consider these words as a warning for my arrival, if only so I don’t end up with an arrow in my side.”

✧ Upon hearing his voice you turn around, glancing guiltily at your bow, and again ask if there’s nothing you can do to apologise.

✧ Haldir again insists you’ve done no wrong, and instead offers you a tour of Lothlórien with him, only expressing sadness that you cannot see it while the leaves are golden.

✧ As the two of you walk he asks you about tales of Mirkwood and the halls of the Elvenking, which you gladly share with him.

✧ The two of you walk for so long you lose track of time, only noticing when dawn begins to break through the tree-line.

✧ This time it’s he who apologises to you for keeping you so long, and you reassuring him all is forgiven.

𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧

✧ As you walk into Rivendell’s library, you begin to wonder what your next book to borrow will be. You’ve been steadily working through Elladan’s reading list, or at least the books he’d recommended, and all of them were wonderful.

✧ You hoped the two of you could meet again - if only so he could give more advice in the library.

✧ There’s almost complete silence in the library, but you can hear the quiet sound of soft breathing - as if someone is asleep.

✧ Following it you come across the sleeping half-elf, form gently slumped over a piece of script and surrounded by books.

✧ Elladan looks so peaceful and you let out a soft laugh, instantly feeling bad when he awakes and looks around sleepily.

✧ Noticing you, he immediately begins to defend himself (rather terribly) before taking a second to look at you again and realise who you are.

✧ This time, he briefly runs his hand through this hair before asking if you’d like to join him in reading.

✧ Soon enough you begin talking, sharing interesting details to each other from the books you’re currently reading while Elladan asks if you liked his recommendations.

✧ And if, in the morning, when Elrond comes into the library and sees the two of you asleep together. Well, he simply smiles and leaves you alone - instructing others not to disturb you in the library.

𝐄𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐫

✧ It’s only after meeting Aragorn in the Houses of Healing that Elrohir remembers your promise to him, and his horse.

✧ Some confusion must show on his face as Aragorn inquires the matter, and Elrohir confesses what he’s done. A small smile starts on Aragorn’s face, before Pippin speaks up and gives a description of you - asking if you’re the person Elrohir speaks of.

✧ When he confirms Pippin explains you were in here only a half-hour ago, checking on the condition of your twin before heading back out to look for the wounded.

✧ Spurred on by this fact, Elrohir decides to wait outside the houses until you arrive again - riding in with a man and looking almost dead.

✧ As the wounded man is taken away, he holds onto his horse before you leave and asks if you’re alright.

✧ You respond that you’re fine, and he asks you when you last rested. The guilty look on your face betrays you, and Elrohir has no problem guilt-tripping you into sleeping - promising he’ll continue helping with the wounded.

✧ Still not trusting you, he escorts you himself to some new rooms and makes Pippin promise to keep you there.

✧ At the time you’re annoyed at him, you outrank him in Gondor, but as your head hits the bedroll laid out for you, you can’t help but be thankful for his kindness.

Hopefully your enjoying the storylines so far. Here are the details about requests, and again thanks for reading!

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[trivenimarketing]

We empower parents to tap into the power of neuroscience to support their The Neuro Mastery children and foster a resilient family environment.

[malarign]

who they were written by

contains: enhypen | genre: angst, comfort | tw! mentions of death, mention of major injury, lack of confidence, family problems, loneliness | wc: 1,0k

author’s note: let’s just say i chose violence 🫣 who the hell let me write this?

Lee Heeseung | 이희승

➶ an elder lady who reminiscents her past lover

Love never felt so blissful and serene as with him, making it hard to forget his small but meaningful gestures, like fresh morning coffee, his contagious laughter, and jokes that never failed to make her laugh. There was no day she didn’t miss him, death taking his beautiful soul too early, along with hers too. She felt like her life ended the day she lost him forever. Wanting to have at least a little substitute for feelings that accompanied their love she wrote Heeseung, who just like her late lover, is impossible not to love. Heeseung who is a pure example of chivalry and a true gentleman, who treats everybody with empathy and sympathy.

Park Jongseong | 박종성

➶ a man who regrets not letting his son pursue his passion

Watching how his son gets drowned in the huge corporate world that surrounds him. How there’s no sign of the spark in his eye that used to light up whenever he picked up his guitar. The boy who found such relief in playing his favorite songs and felt proud of mastering different riffs was long gone, now somewhat replaced by constantly tired and dispassionate about anything and everything. Regret filled his heart and decided to somehow find a remedy in creating Jay, who thanks to his burning love for music and the wonderful people surrounding him, achieved his dream, and performed his songs on big stages, igniting passion in his fans’ hearts.

Sim Jaeyun | 심재윤

➶ a boy who always felt lonely

Ever since primary school, he never had a friend to rely on, always feeling lonely and not heard. Nobody ever paid attention to him, neither at school nor at home. His parents invested their time mostly in his younger brother’s education and hobbies, driving him to his after-school football practices and maths tutoring and leaving the older one alone most of the time. To feel at least a tiny bit wanted and liked he wrote about Jake, as his older brother he never had, but always dreamt of. Days spent alone at home started to get more bearable and gradually he couldn’t wait to be left with him and his new best friend, with whom he played football and who helped him with his homework.

Park Sunghoon | 박성훈

➶ girl who lost her confidence in sport

Injury is the worst fear of any athlete including her, but once it happens it turns out to be much more. She never even imagined a day she would have to experience the pain of a twisted ankle, but now daily rehabilitation has become her reality. Even after complete recovery, her foot felt like it belonged to somebody else, not listening to her like before. Things that she had been doing easily now were her biggest enemy. All eyes of her teammates were filled with pity, and even her coach stopped spending her time helping her, increasing her misery. What helped her ease her mind was a boy she imagined named Sunghoon, who was the only male ice skater among all the girls, they isolated him by whispering to each other and watching his every fall. None of this stopped him from mastering every jump and technique he found hard in his tempo. If he was able to do that, she would too, even after a painful injury.

Kim Sunoo | 김선우

➶ girl who always wished to have a boy best friend

She always knew boy-girl friendships weren’t particularly the easiest - it’s easy to catch feelings and not every boy is trustworthy enough to be considered a friend. That’s why she desired it so much. Her every male friend ended up being a freak who had a bunch of weird opinions, turned out to be even misogynistic, or simply caught feelings for her when all she wanted was to have a companion. The more she tried the harsher the disappointment. To compensate, she started to imagine one, who she named Sunoo. Hanging out with him was just as she wanted, maybe that’s why she spent so much time in her head. Both of them had their weekly tradition of doing face masks and watching old romantic comedies, judging wrong doings of the characters but also simping to them, just like it happens in movies.

Yang Jungwon |  양정원

➶ a grandma who lost her grandson

Nothing could ever prepare her to lose him, who just like cherry blossoms sweetened her old days with his pure smile and eyes full of curiosity, after years of endless winter. But, the thing about cherry blossoms is, it doesn’t last long. Her grandson, contrary to pink petals, wouldn't be back in a year, he would be gone forever. That pure smile and curious eyes disappeared, or should I say, were ripped off her arms so brutally, so pitilessly. Her life came back to the excruciating dullness and silence. She couldn’t stop thinking about how her lovely boy would grow up, what hobbies he would pick up, and who he was going to love, since he didn’t have a chance to experience any of that, subconsciously creating Jungwon, who lived surrounded by love and gave it to others. Who never lost his pure smile and curious eyes, just like her grandson.

Nishimura Riki | 西村力

➶ girl who always danced alone in her room

She always knew her destiny was on the dance floor. Even her tiny bedroom she had to share with her two younger siblings. Or the daily nagging and lack of support from her parents. Even the fact that she had to do that all by herself. None of that stopped her from doing everything to achieve her dream of standing on stage, in blinding spotlights with crowds watching her moves. Her main inspiration was Riki, a boy she imagined had the same dream as her. In contrast to her, Riki had everything she ever wanted and needed to make things easier - a family full of great dancers, who also owned a dance studio and great teachers and mentors from whom he learned not only different techniques but also to love dancing.

thank you for reading! back to the masterlist

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[pursuitseternal]

“Persuade Me,” Ascended Astarion tells you, a sub!Astarion, all tied up for you in “The Rogue You Were”

Ascended Astarion x F!Reader | E | 3.9K persuasive dom/sub bdsm smut

Summary: He’s so terribly stubborn, it will take a lot of persuasion to get him to come around. All tied up, it should be easy, but no matter how *hard* it is, it will be… delicious for you both…

CW: bondage, sub!Astarion, tender confessions, possessive and stubborn Ascended behavior, persuasive bedroom techniques so effective, he tells you the reason he can’t let you out of his sight, why you are not just… some… spawn…

Based on “Just A Drop🩸”

Read on AO3 | Astarion fic Masterlist

How will you persuade him…

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen Lord Astarion all morning,” you give your most convincing look of worry, of concern and confusion. Eyes wide and brows furrowed, painted lips pouting as you close your dressing gown tightly around your body. “Perhaps try the grounds? Everyone knows he enjoys a good stroll in the dawn…”

And with that you shut the door in the poor trembling servants face. A brief flash of relief on their fearful countenance that dismissing them and shutting the door on them was the worst you did. You hear their poor feet skitter away. And then, you turn with a deep, contented breath to view the sight stretched in your bed.

Yours. And his.

He’s waiting. Patiently. Spread wide and tethered to the four posts of your bed frame, and most of all, your mouth waters to see that hardened, twitching, eager cock proudly erect.

Just as you left him.

Only now, his eyes are drawn, half-lidded, his tongue licking his lips.

“They will get suspicious eventually, darling,” he croons, all the tones of confidence as you draw alongside the bed, dropping your thin, little dressing gown to reveal you pale figure again.

“Let them,” you purr right back. “They wouldn’t dare enter without my permission,” you cock your head flirtatiously, “or yours. But since you are… tied up with other matters…”

“Puns, darling,” he groans, face twisting in a sour show of distaste.

“…they will just have to take my word for it.” You laugh slowly, sitting yourself beside his hip, a single finger tracing through the ridges of his stomach. Ignoring his little taunt, savoring his submission as your willing plaything for now.

“Liar,” he croons rolling his body to press against your ass, where you are perched almost out of reach. “You said Lord Astarion isn’t here,” he’s growling. Provoking. Straining against his binds that are restraining both him and his ever-growing magic.

You give him that wide-eyed innocent look, scanning the room, a show of searching, a pantomime that only makes him sneer playfully and shake his head. “All I see is my lover, my Vampire Rogue, who is being rather stubborn about all this,” you sigh as you swiftly roll to brace yourself above him, perched on your hands and knees to hover over his taught form. Tantalizingly close.

He groans, trying to lift himself to touch any part of you. But you are clever, you’ve played enough games on the receiving end of such pleasurable punishments to know just what you wish to do.

“I am allowed to be stubborn when what you ask for is reckless… painful… dangerous…” he’s snarling below you, his chin jutting up to make his shining fangs all the more fearsome.

“It has been months since the end of our adventures,” you reply in calm and steady tones, “months of solidifying our power, of eliminating the traces of our enemies and assuring alliances, even with old friends…” you think of Wyll, new Duke Ravenguard, and the tenuous agreement to turn his literal blind eye on most of what Astarion does. Trusting you to be the one to keep him in check from anything horribly nefarious.

“You think my consort… my queen… should wander the streets of Baldur’s Gate alone? Unguarded? Like some….”

“Adventurer and hero?” you interject.

“I was going to say commoner…” he sniffs, disgruntled.. “You’re so much more than that now, my love. Let me free and I’ll show you just how special you are… how regal and unique…”

You skate your fingers down the hard lines of his stomach, barely ghosting their way towards his straining erection. “Mmmmm my love, you’re always so good at persuading with your body, I’d like to give it a try.”

“You can try, darling…” he swallows his grunt as you finally touch him, just the pads of your fingers tracing up the underside of his cock. “But you’ll find my tongue is better suited to other… pursuits… than merely trying to give you my word.”

“I’ll take my chances,” you simper, you pout, lowering your head to place a gentle kiss at the joint of his hip. “I think all you need is the correct incentive… the sweetest persuasion…”

“What you ask will certainly take a lot to persuade me, darling,” he groans. “If you think I’m about to allow you to go without an escort around the streets of Baldur’s… hngf…”

You suck him hard, taking in as much of his straining, painful erection as you can until it jabs at the back of your throat and makes you gag. But that’s it. You release him with a deafening, sloppy pop. Meeting his eyes, they are glassy, his teeth bared in a grimace of pain. Or pleasure.

“Hells,” he whines, bucking his hips erratically off the bed, even with his legs tethered and spread as they are.

“You want to rethink that assertion, my love?” you preen, crouched beside him, nested in the bedcovers.

“Never,” he growls, a playful smile on his full and pouting lips. “But I’ll join in your game all you want, darling. You’re burning for my cock as much as I am for you and all your deliciousness.”

“Is that so?” You simper, slowly lowering your mouth back down to hover above his aching erection. The closer you get, the more he betrays his anticipation as it twitches. You barely run the tip of your tongue around that ridge of its head. “Just a simple acquiescence to the little thing I ask of you… just to walk beyond our palace…”

“Not without me,” Astarion’s eyes flash, his fangs glinting in the morning light that seeps through the window. “Never alone, my pet…”

You take him in mouth lips again, loose and sloppy, just a bit of wet and warmth to tease him before you dodge away, avoiding the thrust he attempts to make for some relief. “Ah, ah,” you scold with a simpering pout, “we ask first before we start fucking faces, my love.”

“May… I…” he clenches his beautiful white teeth, forcing his words through them, “fuck… you?”

“No, but thank you for asking,” you taunt, running your tongue up that grooved underside, letting it linger along the intricate map of veins that weave around that hard, throbbing length. “Once you agree, then I’ll be more than happy to let you in… somewhere…”

He lets out a ferocious growl, a smile still playing around his lips, eyes craning above his head to inspect your bindings. Even as they tingle with a little magic, a little extra assurance against all his mighty vampiric powers now. “I swear, if I could shift into my newest form…”

“Your cute little bat?” you grin, laughing loudly as you take him deep enough into your throat to feel the vibrations of your throat. Then, you release another strong suck with a pop. “What would you do, make a nest in my hair?”

He laughed at that, low, dark, and rolling. “Tempting,” he hissed back, “nothing short of what you would deserve, darling.”

“To wander without needing to wait for you to be free from your rule… your duties?” you return your attention to that glistening cock with a hungry grin, “I’ll take my chances again.”

He squirms as you barely graze it with your lips again, just little nipples of that smooth, stretched skin up and down its shaft. “Please, darling, please,” his voice grows desperate, edged with need, “give me just a little of your body.”

“And in exchange?” you croon, gracing him with one last lingering suck and swirl around that blunted tip.

“I will take you where you wish to go,” he groans at the continued release, your little reward of rhythmic bobbing over his length as you take him satisfyingly deeper. “To hells with duties, if that is your wish.” Tone softening, he bucks into your mouth, his timing as always impeccable, jamming that slick hardness down your throat as you lower. You sputter and gag, your throat closing around him before you can lift away.

“Naughty,” you chide him gently, frowning with a hint of a smile as you creep to dangle your body over him, all hands and knees and swinging breasts. Breasts he’s licking his lips for as you draw nearer.

“Just a taste, darling,” he flashes those wide, pleading eyes up at you, “I swear I only need a little…”

“Mmmm, I’ve heard such beautiful lies before,” you raise yourself onto your knees, straddling those clenching muscles of his belly. A single one of your finger slips inside your own folds, and you let him hear just how wet you are. It squelches, sloppy and thick as you tease yourself. You ride over his belly, locking your half-closed eyes with his, wide and burning and dilated as they are. “Good rogues get the spoils,” you pant, letting yourself thrust those fingers into your dripping folds harder, faster. You spasm, riding your own hand, feeling his belly rise and fall against your thighs and cunt as you pleasure yourself.

You can hear the bed groaning, the wooden frame creaking loudly as he pulls at every binding. It makes you lick your lips, eyes fluttered shut to savor the way he’s writhing between your thighs, shaking as he comes undone to watch you panting. Always watching as you begin to come, trembling and moaning as you shatter, your arousal pooling over his belly. As you try to catch your breath, you let him look into your gaze, that feral, barely-bridled glow of red in his eyes. You feel his cock throbbing against your ass, twitching as you make the slightest of contact with where his is in deepest agony.

It makes you smile wickedly, leaning forward to proffer your slick and dripping fingers for his lips. You need not say a word, not when he opens, straining against his tethers to suck you clean. Every lap and lick of his tongue, he feasts on your cum, little noises of feeding in his throat, the same he has always made, lips bruising your neck in the wee hours of night.

You tug them roughly from his mouth. “Enough of that from you,” you chide, smiling. Taunting. “I give you a little, and you still have yet to give me my due, my love.”

He grins, licking the corner of his lip. “You still haven’t figured it out yet, have you, my darling… my treasure…? Have you stopped and thought, perhaps, why I won’t let you wander aimlessly into the open, outside of my protection?”

“Because you just can’t bear to be without me…” you tease him, a wicked smile on your face as you place a quick kiss on his insolent lips. He fights for you not to break away, his teeth biting into the swell of your lower lip. “Selfish lover that you are…” you mumble as he tries to devour you all the more.

“Naturally, my little love,” he pants as you raise up, a hand firmly pushed on the base of his throat. “Has it not always been so, darling? Your ferocious rogue always at your side? But now, my sweet consort, have you ever wondered why I can’t resist being just oh.. so… possessive of you?”

You pause, tilting your head, considering. You wait for an answer, but those full, smirking lips of his just press silently together.

“Oh, you wish for me to draw out your answer,” you needle him, an edge of irritation in your voice now.

“Isn’t that the point of your charming, little game?” he presses, tugging at his bonds to make them snap with tension.

“Then let’s play,” you smirk, neck taut as you cock your chin, posturing with all the dominance you can muster.

“Anything to get some wet part of you on my cock, my love…” he arches his body as you slide off his belly. “If you please,” he adds, extra silken temptation in his tone.

“You haven’t been good, but I suppose you require more persuasion,” you hum, “and perhaps you could use a more convincing sight. Until you tell me exactly why you insist on being my constant escort, at least.”

“You’re clever,” he hisses as you begin to turn your back to him, hand gripping that throbbing shaft, his pulse pounding beneath that smooth skin. “If you can defeat the Absolute, the Netherbrain, it should be easy for you to puzzle out why your vampiric lover can’t let his consort out of his sight for a moment…” He groans as you straddle those narrow hips of his, one hand sweeping his cock through your drenched folds. “No matter how powerful… or insolent she may be…” he adds, a deep-throated growl on every word, a snap as he taunts you.

You let him dip slowly inside you, barely taking more than the ridge of his tip between your thighs. Hands gripped on his knees, you feel his legs shaking, trembling to finally find some relief as you fuck him leisurely. A gentle sway, an agonizingly slow riding. And never enough to let him sheath inside you fully.

A mischievous smirk on your lips, you glance over your shoulder. His teeth are grit, his eyes darkened with lust and wide as he cranes to watch your ass, the gradual, rhythmic rise and fall as you pleasure him with total control. “Powerful, am I?” you gloat, taking him just a little deeper.

It makes him hiss, his eyes shutting as sweat begins to dampen his forehead.

“More than you realize,” he gasps, voice grating as he forces his eyes open to drink in the sight of you. “More than I have ever admitted to anyone… to you.”

“Tch,” you suck your teeth in that way he always has, “how sweet, my love. Is that why you keep me here, keep me at your side always? For my power?”

“Don’t forget your beauty that would launch nations into battles for you, my treasure…”

That makes you smile, makes your stomach flutter in expectation, and for your own sake, you take him in, all the way, until you feel the slap of his thighs between your legs.

He roars, pulling on his binds on this hands and feet to make the wood of your bed groan almost as loudly. “Please,” he spits, “do that again, darling.”

“Tell me more reasons, and I just might,” you toss over your shoulder at him, making him feel only the tip of his cock piercing you again.

“Why don’t you think, clever girl?” he hisses, trying to buck into your cunt, to reclaim that little hint of wet and pressure you gave him.

“Because I am your equal?” you grind with every thrust, letting your walls clench as you take him just a bit deeper.

“Yes…” he pants.

“Because you just can’t bear to be so far you can’t smell just how aroused you make me…” you giggle, splaying a hand behind you, over his navel, pressing against those hardened muscles of his belly as you sink all the way down.

“Gods, yes…” he’s groaning, licking his lips as you let him fill you at last.

“Because you’ve given me your power, extended your blessings…” you cant your hips slowly, still drawing him along, but he can only sigh, at last feeling the tightness, the wetness he’s sought for so long now.

“Not just my blessings and power, darling,” he cranes his head back into the bed with a sated sigh as you ride him. Even slowly.

But you pause. Clambering over his hips you spin around to face him, cock still sunk inside you, a hand gripped around the lines of his jaw, his chin, to make him look at you. “What do you mean?” you bite.

“Don’t you recall, clever girl?” He’s laughing under your hold. “That night, your final night… what more did I give you?”

Your mind races, your hips grinding, that need now built inside you too, finally feeling filled to bursting, his cock twitching as it drags right over that perfect, secret spot between your walls.

“Free me, if you please, so I may remind you…” he’s crooning, purring as you fuck him. “Please,” he adds, a little extra seductively, his face twisting in that way that makes your stomach knot as it always has. You spread your hands beside his head, eyes narrowed to see him gloating so smugly under you. His little order sends ripples of anticipation down your spine to pool even hotter where your bodies join.

Your hand shakes, your body now riding him of its own accord, even as you reach for the binding around one wrist to slip it off his pale skin. Instantly, his hand grabs your wrist, pulling it to his mouth as he sinks his fangs into your flesh. You groan, the wave of painful pleasure tearing through you hard enough to make you come. All you feel is his lips drinking you in, his cock throbbing as you spasm and ride him still through the clenches of your orgasm. You’re so full, so taken, so overwhelmed.

And he’s laughing, swirling his tongue over your dripping blood.

“Blood,” you breathe through your climax.

“Not yours,” he growls before biting into his own wrist in the same way. Then, he proffers that flow of his blood for your own lips to taste. “I gave you mine… I made you mine.”

You suck your fill, the tingle of his power, the rush of all that he is, all that he has always been, filling your belly.

“You are not some spawn, darling,” he smirks, that secret dancing over the full pout of his lips. “Your vampire lord gave you his own blood.” His words reach your ear through the euphoria of drinking him in. Suddenly, his hand pulls from your hungry mouth, fingers clawing around your throat. He presses, just enough to make your eyes wide as you swallow under his strength, his hold pulling you down so close to his handsome face. “Even a drop given to you, to turn you, it makes you mine… my consort, my bride, my vampire lover forever, beyond the touch of time itself.”

“Not spawn?” you rasp through his hold on you, a pleased, pleasured smile flickering around your lips as he stares with such longing and adoration up at you.

“No,” he purrs, “but it means I will never let you out of my sight, my power, my protection, so long as we walk this earth. I would rather burn the world to keep you with me forever than risk losing my bride for an instant….” You tremble, you gasp at the ferocity in his gaze as he pulls you down by your throat until your lips crash into his. He feasts on your mouth, groaning at the taste of how your bloods mix and mingle into an intoxicating flavor. Rich. Powerful. United.

Inseparable.

“What a good, good master,” you simper into his kiss. “You shall be rewarded…” You touch the binds again, they all go limp as he shakes them off. He growls his pleasure. He touches you everywhere, fingers sliding from your neck to claw into the hairs at the nape of your neck, nails grabbing for your hips. Legs now liberated, the muscles of his thighs bunch as he starts to fuck hard into you from beneath, feet planted firmly on the bed at last.

“Thank you, my dearest love,” he grins widely, wickedly at you. “I hope I need not persuade you to trust me. Never again forget what it means to be mine…”

“Your bride,” you simper, tasting the title on your tongue, face quirking in a slight and knowing smile. “And that makes you my hus-”

“Your master,” he lifts his head, the weight of his hand at your nape pressing your mouth back down, barely brushing his taunting smirk. “Your lover… your mate or spouse or what have you behind closed doors only.” Then he bites into your neck, fangs piercing like the razors they are. A loud moan slips from your lips as you shiver and shudder in orgasm again from the pain and pleasure. His voice cuts through just as sharply, “And you may only call me husband… three times… for all eternity…” His tongue laps the blood that spills from your veins and down your shoulder now. “Choose wisely, my dearest darling.”

You fight the pull of your pleasure, the need to go limp and just let him fuck you. Not after your hard won victory. So you pull from his mouth, pushing that controlling hand at your neck back down to the bed. “Of course, darling,” you give a naughty smirk, a defiant rake of your brows and flutter of your lips as you press to whisper against his neck instead. “Whatever you say, husband,” you hiss with pure, delightful insolence before you bite him back. Now it’s your mouth that makes him squirm, your control that makes his shudder and hitch as he chases his climax, seeking with reckless abandon the thing that you have kept just tantalizingly out of reach.

“You fuck me like this, my love, and you just might persuade me to get used to it…” he rasps, hands grasped at your hips to keep you steady so he can pummel you mercilessly.

“Ah ah,” you tut your tongue to chide him. “Remember, good masters ask before they come inside their brides,” you gloat, feeling that truth, that connection of your blood and your undead hearts beating all the stronger for it.

“Please,” he begs harshly through gritted teeth, his fucking undeterred as he waits for your word.

He slams up into you with all the more force, his face already screwing and twisting with how close he is.

“Yes, my love,” you acquiesce with a dramatic lilt. It doesn’t take long, not after he watches you smile and feels you clench your walls around him with all your strength. He roars, writhing and spasming as he empties inside you. Buried so deep you feel the tip of his cock twitching against the end of your channel.

You gasp, your sweat dripping down your temple as you watch him begin to still and relax beneath you. But you stay, cock deep and warm inside you, his thighs beneath you soaked with your mingled juices.

“So,” you pant, letting your own body respond with its own basking in the glow of your pleasure, as you slowly lower your body to blanket him. His hand strays absentmindedly through your hair, fingertips softly brushing your cheek with each pass. “You must have lots of ruling to attend to now that you’ve persuaded me,” you murmur, nestled against the hard bone of his jaw, tracing your finger through the pooling of his blood from your bite. You bring that finger to your mouth to suck it clean. “I’ll wait for you before I wish to venture out for the day.”

“Oh,” he grips into your hair, raising your head to look at him again, and your smile widens to see the intensity, the possessive glint in his crimson eyes. “I think all that can wait. Right now, you can choose, venture out and then fuck again until you’re begging me for more? Or fuck first and then venture out into the day, my love?”

You giggle, a grind of your hips to drag over his still hardened cock inside you. “Hmm, a tough choice,” you grin, scoring your own fingers through his hair, “perhaps you need to persuade me this time…”

[literaryvein-reblogs]

5 Literary Terms for Studying Prose Narratives

AESTHETIC DISTANCE: An effect of tone, diction, and presentation in poetry creating a sense of an experience removed from irrelevant or accidental events. This sense of intentional focus seems intentionally organized or framed by events in the poem so that it can be more fully understood by quiet contemplation. Typically, the reader is less emotionally involved or impassioned—reacting to the material in a calmer manner.

CATHARSIS: An emotional discharge that brings about a moral or spiritual renewal or welcome relief from tension and anxiety. According to Aristotle, catharsis is the marking feature and ultimate end of any tragic artistic work. He writes in his Poetics (c. 350 BCE): "Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; . . . through pity [eleos] and fear [phobos] effecting the proper purgation [catharsis] of these emotions" (Book 6.2).

IN MEDIAS RES (Latin: "In the middle[s] of things"): The classical tradition of opening an epic not in the chronological point at which the sequence of events would start, but rather at the midway point of the story. Later on in the narrative, the hero will recount verbally to others what events took place earlier. Usually in medias res is a technique used to heighten dramatic tension or to create a sense of mystery. This term is the opposite of the phrase ab ovo, when a story begins in the beginning and then proceeds in a strictly chronological manner without using the characters' dialogue, flashbacks, or memories. (Contrast with flashback, in which the past events are experienced as a memory, and anastrophe, in which the entire story is cut into chronological pieces and experienced in a seemingly random or inverted pattern.)

JUXTAPOSITION: The arrangement of two or more ideas, characters, actions, settings, phrases, or words side-by-side or in similar narrative moments for the purpose of comparison, contrast, rhetorical effect, suspense, or character development. 

PERIPETEIA (Also spelled peripetea, Greek for "sudden change"): The sudden reversal of fortune in a story, play, or any narrative in which there is an observable change in direction. In tragedy, this is often a change from stability and happiness toward the destruction or downfall of the protagonist.

More: Writing Notes & References

[tarotwithavi]

How can you unlock Your Full Potential?

Masterlist

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1. Know Yourself

You first need to know who you are. Take some time to think about your strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself:

What am I good at?

What do I enjoy doing?

What skills do I want to improve?

What moments have made me feel proud?

How do I handle challenges?

Tips:

Write down your thoughts in a journal.

Talk to friends or family for their insights.

2. Set Clear Goals

Once you understand yourself better, it’s time to set goals. Clear goals give you direction and motivation. Make sure your goals are SMART:

Specific: Be clear about what you want.

Measurable: Find ways to track your progress.

Achievable: Set realistic goals that you can reach.

Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your values.

Time-bound: Set a deadline for your goals.

Questions:

What specific outcomes do I want to achieve?

How will I measure my progress?

What challenges might I face, and how will I overcome them?

Example:

Instead of saying, "I want to be fit," say, "I want to run 5 kilometers in three months."

3. Stay Positive

A positive mindset is essential for unlocking your potential. When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to take risks and try new things.

Questions:

What negative thoughts hold me back?

How can I reframe these thoughts positively?

Who inspires me, and what can I learn from them?

Tips:

Surround yourself with positive people.

Practice gratitude by writing down things you are thankful for each day.

Use positive affirmations, like "I can achieve my goals."

4. Learn Continuously

Never stop learning! Whether through books, online courses, or workshops, gaining new knowledge and skills can help you grow.

Questions:

What new skills do I want to learn this year?

How can I make learning a part of my daily routine?

Who can I learn from in my community or online?

Tips:

Set aside time each week for learning.

Join clubs or groups that interest you.

Ask for feedback to improve.

5. Take Action

Dreams remain dreams without action. Break your goals into small steps and take action every day. Even small progress is still progress!

Questions:

What is one small step I can take today toward my goal?

How can I hold myself accountable?

What rewards will I give myself for completing tasks?

Tips:

Create a daily to-do list.

Celebrate your small wins.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they are part of learning.

6. Take Care of Yourself

Physical and mental health are crucial for reaching your potential. Make sure to:

Questions:

Am I eating foods that nourish my body?

How can I incorporate more physical activity into my routine?

What stress-relief techniques work best for me?

Tips:

Eat healthy foods.

Exercise regularly.

Get enough sleep.

Take breaks when you need them.

7. Stay Resilient

You will face challenges along the way. It’s important to stay resilient and not give up. When things get tough, remind yourself why you started and keep pushing forward.

Questions:

How have I bounced back from challenges in the past?

What strategies can I use to stay motivated during tough times?

Who can I reach out to for support?

Tips:

View challenges as opportunities to grow.

Learn from failures instead of fearing them.

Seek support from friends or teachers when needed.

[callistocalavarni]

Shifting and using LOA with OCD

I feel like it's important to talk about how harmful it can be to ignore this subject. So if you have ocd or anxiety and still want to shift or use loa this post is for you. I want to stress that it is ok to worry about intrusive thoughts. Just because you dwell on an obssesion does not mean its going to manifest. However, I still feel the need to share ways you can prevent your intrusive thoughts from making you stress while shifting and using loa. First we need to fully know what we are dealing with and then how to fix the issue.

If you are not aware, OCD has four stages:

Obssesion - Unwanted, intrusive, and distressing thoughts, images or urges. (sometimes these thoughts are not clear and can just feel like impending doom without reason.) These intrusions are unwanted and are sent from your areas of your brain including the prefrontal cortex (orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortexes), basal ganglia, and thalamus. !!!

Anxiety - Intense fear and discomfort triggered by the obssesions. Dwelling on the thought, worring that you are a bad person by thinking a certian thing ( you are not ) or stressing that the intrusive thought will happen.

Compulsion - Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals performed to reduce the anxiety caused from these thoughts. ex; counting in your head, doing something untill it feels "even", washing your hands a certian amount of times, or even yelling and shunning the thought out of your head.

Temporary relief - The compulsions provide temporary relief from the anxiety, reinforcing the cycle. Once you do your compulsion it tricks your mind into thinking that these obssesions pose a real danger, and that compulsions are necessary in order to be safe. (these are what we want to stop so we can break the cycle.) And yes, telling the thought to go away and cursing at it is also a compulsion.

I'm going to start this of by saying, compulsions are bad. Please try not to give into them. I know it's hard at first and you will feel scared and uncomfortable but thats the point. You have to undo the cycle to build a new one. Compulsions give the intrusive thoughts meaning. We don't want this. If you give the thought meaning or show feelings to it your brain is going to think its important therefore it will keep sending you the thought. There is two ways to stop this, Ignore the thought, or decunsruct the thought (aka ERP.)

Ignoring the thought can go like this: Label the thought as intrusive but do not add emotion to it. But also don't push it away Ex; "This is an intrustive thought, I am going to think about something else now." If the thought becomes overwhelming and you can't get away from it, start manually breathing. This will distract your brain. We want to act like the thought is like any other thought you would have. The avarge human has about 60,000 thoughts a day. Do we remeber all of these? Of course not. This is because we dont attach any emotion or dwell on them. It's kind of ironic because this method is basically using loa. If we act like the thought is usless and not important it will become just that and our brain will stop sending us the thought.

Decunstructing the thought or exposing and response prevention (erp) can be a little more difficult. The goal here is to overcome the fear and expose our selves to the intrusive thoughts completely. I know it sounds scary but remeber if you have no intention of manifesting said thought then it simply won't manifest. (an intrusive thought saying you have intention does not count don't worry) I also use this to re script traumatic events or nightmares. Imagery rescripting is what I am going to call this method of moving away from your intrusive thoughts. Imagery Rescripting is a technique that is often used in therapy to deal with upsetting or significant images that occupy our mind and play a part in keeping our anxiety going. The problematic images that people often struggle with can be memories of the past, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts. You have probably noticed that with all of your intrusive thoughts or images, the common response is to try to avoid the image, to push it away, to shun it out of our minds. This is a very understandable reaction, unfortunately avoiding these thoughts and using a compulsion usually makes it worse. It makes us very fearful of the thought itself, giving the intrusive thoughts power over you, and therefore the thought becomes something more than a "just a thought." By rescripting you are no longer avoiding them. Instead you are actively approaching them. You run the full image/thought in your head and then re write it. You can do this however you want. Rescripting it can range from complete fantasy or staying in the guidelines of this reality. Ex; Inflating the image and adding different hues to it. Making the scary thing in the image look silly; this takes away power from it. Do you want Hatsune Miku to start e dancing on your fears? She totally can! Adding a comfort character or a s/o to the image and letting them change it for you/comfort you can also work. If it is just a thought I would try and see the full sentence of said thought and then change the letters in your head to make it say something else. Or you can make the letters change into silly little characters..make them dance! Important note - You have to first deal with the intrusive thought/image. You cannot skip over this part or else it will just be a compulsion. If it is to triggring have someone else in the room while you do it so they can wake you up from the visualization and help you ground yourself. I would only do this method if you know for a fact that you are ready to face your intrusive thoughts head on.

Crying or experiencing hard emotions while doing ERP is normal. Though, I did this alone, I would recommend someone you trust is there while you are doing it so if things get too overwhelming they can help you. I as well have ocd so most of this is from my personal experience.

If you have any questions about this my asks are open. :)

<3

[hermitw]

It didn't rly fit into my Suguru Geto did nothing wrong theory post, but hear me outtt

or tell me if this super obvious and I just didn't notice until now??

Geto's CT tastes rly, rly bad. The years he's spent swallowing curses has made him associate that taste with non-sorcerers (bc they create the curses). Since taste and smell go hand in hand, it would linger in his senses.

No one else can smell it, of course, it's only in Geto's sinuses. So they're like...?? Ok dude, whatever.

It's also interesting that Gojo and Geto's techniques involved a sort of sensory hell, and were mentally draining.

Gojo was able to overcome this by covering his eyes and using RCT. But Geto had no relief. As long as he was absorbing curses and breathing, he could taste them.

Edit to add:

Monkey makes sense as a descriptor - I can't think of any other fitting metaphor (though the idea was born from Toji's words in the first place).

Even the non-violent sorcerers like Mrs. Sa(ito) and her daughter, who seek out help and benefit from Geto's services, are in the animal realm - at the mercy of whatever happens to them, of how sorcerers and curses treat them. They can't see or understand or control these things themselves.

And the non-sorcerers calling for ignorant violence are like monkeys wielding knives (which is why I have this fear of monkeys. Stop stealing knives!! No other animal does this. Respect your hand privileges).

Additionally - I've been searching my own memories with monkeys. And I cannot remember actually seeing them - but the first, the main flashback I always get about the zoo, is the monkey smell.

And Geto having to endure that stench left from the non-sorcerers' leaking cursed energy... Monkey just fits.