#flash fiction challenge 26

[hashioki7]

Sunset

It was all because of the sunset.

Bathed in the light of the setting sun, Laura bit her lip. The sky was almost dark. On the edge of the mountains visible beyond the town, layers of orange light like gas lamps were stacked. As the light spread upward, it softened, turning into a faint pink that dyed the gray clouds.

It was a fantastical and beautiful sunset. Such a beautiful sunset couldn't be seen in the city. It was a view that could only be seen in a rural town like North Kill, with nothing around to obstruct it.

That's why she felt this way now—because this magnificent sunset was making her sentimental for no reason and unnecessarily stirring her emotions, Laura thought. It was definitely not because of the insidious and sarcastic sheriff of North Kill standing right in front of her.

After that incident ended, she came to North Kill for the first time. Laura herself didn't quite understand the reason. She just wanted to see Travis. She didn't know why, but she felt that way.

But when she came, she couldn't muster the courage to visit the sheriff's office. Even though she knew he'd be there—no, precisely because of that, she didn't want to go. In the end, she wandered aimlessly around North Kill until this hour without realizing it. She should have gone sooner. If she had, she wouldn't have witnessed that scene.

When Laura finally decided to go to the sheriff's office and got up from the café, what caught her eye was Travis standing in the street talking with a woman. A woman much older than Laura—probably in her forties. She didn't seem particularly beautiful, just an ordinary-looking woman. But she seemed kind. Her refined and friendly demeanor showed in the warm laugh lines around her mouth and eyes. A woman completely different from Laura.

But it wasn't the woman who caught Laura's eye. Travis. His face, as he talked with the woman, was softer and kinder than Laura had ever seen. Had he ever shown such an expression to her, even once? It was probably just a polite smile, but even so, her chest ached terribly. There was a Travis she didn't know. For some reason, Laura found that incredibly annoying. Even though she knew Travis's secrets that the woman would never know. In fact, Laura probably knew his deepest secrets more than anyone else in the world.

Now, Laura stood facing Travis on the street illuminated by the sunset. His expression had reverted to the one she knew well. The deep furrow in his brow, the mouth twisted in displeasure. The moment he saw her, the kind Travis Hackett face he had shown earlier vanished, replaced by the silent, intimidating Sheriff Hackett.

Laura's heart pounded. A great discomfort colored her heart. As if the pink and gray clouds spreading above were quickly being painted over by the color of night.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

Ignoring his question, Laura spat at him, "So you can make that kind of face too. You always show me nothing but that annoyed expression." He seemed genuinely surprised by her unexpected words. "You always glare at me whenever you see me," he replied. There was no hostility in his voice.

Laura was at a loss for words and stood there in a daze for a moment.

The buildings on the street were being engulfed by the night. The faint lavender light that remained was now about to fall beyond the mountains. In the darkness, Laura couldn't see Travis's face clearly. She wanted to see his face once more before everything was swallowed by the dark.

Before the last drop of sunset completely disappeared between the mountains, Laura took a big step forward.

[fanovember]

Fanovember 2024 prompt list

(Written list below the line)

We decided to go through literary genres this time, although you can fit the prompt however you please (by using the literal word in your piece, a small reference, or writing in the style of that prompt!)

→We'll be posting some ideas every day to spark creativity if any prompt in particular doesn't work well for you. Although you don't have to complete the challenge 100% (I won't, more on that later)

→There's no limit on extension at all, whatever you need will be fine. (At least 200 words was the initial idea, but I, for instance, sometimes need less)

→You can write in any language you want, we'll repost anyway. It's also valid if you mix languages! (I'll use Spanish since the media I've chosen is originally in that language)

→Arists are welcome too, of course!

→Some people suggested creating an Ao3 Collection for this challenge and we have listened carefully (also had some help from @prettysophist, tysm again!) So here it is! Fanovember 2024 Ao3 Collection is now available for all of you. Remember to tag and categorize your works correctly so people can find what they'r looking for/avoid anything they don't want to read. Be nice!

→Remember to mention this blog @fanovember and use any (or all) of these tags both here and on Ao3:

#fanovember

#fanovember 2024

#fanovember 24

→Needless to say, this event does NOT allow AI generated content of any kind. We want to see the most human of arts and writings

Personally, I don't think I'm completing the full list, as I'm absolutely surpassed by daily responsibilities. But since Softober went well, I'll choose 12 or 13 of the prompts that appeal to me the most and write those throughout the month. You can do whatever works best for you too, we don't want you to feel pressured by any means.

Choose your fandom (or fandoms) and start creating! Let's have some fun!!

Fanovember 2024

01. Romance

02. Short story

03. Terror

04. Adventure

05. Art

06. Retelling

07. Historical

08. Journal

09. Theatre

10. Witchcraft

11. Religion

12. Fantasy

13. Astrology

14. Mithology

15. Poetics

16. Reality show

17. Press

18. Urban fantasy

19. Film/Movie

20. Family

21. Music

22. Epistolary

23. Sci-fi

24. Autobiography

25. Cuisine

26. Dance

27. Board games

28. Classic

29. Triller

30. Flash-fiction

[steviebbboi]

Bad or Good? (Lumberjack!Ari x F!Wife!Reader)

W/c: 100 words~

Warning(s): fluff fluff fluff! Lumberjack!Ari and you have a daughta! <3

A/N: for @justagirlinafandomworld Flash Fiction Challenge 5 ❄️! So fun to be apart of this (and sorry for any editing/formatting mishaps— wrote this in my phone)! This is apart of the Good For It universe!

Song prompt: Santa Clause Is Coming To Town by Michael Buble <3

“Shhhh, Ari. She’s sleeping!” You whispered urgently as Ari threw out wrappers. You hurriedly put away the wrapping-covered toys into your 4-year old daughter’s stocking. 

Ari snorted before your daughter murmured in her sleep, but it was enough to make you and Ari freeze in place until she settled back into her sleep. 

A relieved sigh left both of your tense bodies as you continued to carefully place gifts into the clothed sock. The whole week, you and Ari’s daughter highly anticipated ‘Santa Claus coming to town’. Ari and you were determined to give her the best Christmas this year.

a/n 2: thanks for reading :)

Join My Tag List!

*if you would like updates on my works!*

tag list: @patzammit @mercurial-chuckles @caplanbuckybarnes @autumnrose40

@jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory @rogersbarber @blushingrn @alexxavicry

@mrsevans90 @misscherry-26

@innorogers @inlovewiththefictionalcharacters

Main Masterlist

Ari Levinson Masterlist

[ear-worthy]

DC & Spotify Release "Batman Unburied: Fallen City" on November 26

 Spotify has experience a lot of duds during its podcast training period, but Batman Unburied is not one of them. The fiction podcast has been an unqualified hit.

DC Comics has also experienced disappointments from The Flash to Joker: Folie à Deux. Yet Batman has always been their financial savior. [Trailer Link HERE]

Batman Unburied: Fallen City, the chart-topping Batman Unburied audio series, returns with an all-new season dropping November 26. Available only on Spotify, this season promises to take listeners deeper into the Dark Knight’s story.

Here's the summary: "As Gotham City is plagued by seismic tremors, Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent launch a social program that rattles the city's elites yet earns praise from the city's newest masked figure, the Oracle of Gotham. But when Harvey goes missing, Batman is forced to descend into the city's labyrinthine underground, uncovering a horrific conspiracy by a secret society that has ruled Gotham for ages, one that has ties to his parents' tragic murder. While Two-Face works to puppeteer the strings of law and order, Batman must defend his life — and his city — before everything he knows and loves turns to rubble." This season stars Colman Domingo (Batman/Bruce Wayne), Gina Rodriguez (BarbaraGordon), Jason Isaacs (Alfred Pennyworth); also starring Morena Baccarin (Allie), André Holland (Harvey Dent / Two-Face), Cheech Marin (Jim Gordon), Tahar Rahim (The Patriarch) and Alan Ruck (Coby Williamson).Colman Domingo: "This story, one that explores Bruce losing a friend and an emotional new discovery about his parents' death, was exciting and challenging. I can’t wait for listeners to experience the twists and turns awaiting them."  Colman Domingo is an Oscar, SAG, Golden Globe, Bafta nominated actor who will next be seen in Netflix’s limited series The Madness.   Saladin Ahmed, Jess Carson, Meghan Fitzmartin, and Alex Kemp wrote and executive produced the Spotify audio series, which was directed by Alex Kemp. Executive producers include David S. Goyer, Keith Levine, and Gracie Wheelan of Phantom Four. Alongside producers Chica Barbosa, Alex Kemp, and Winnie Kemp of Wolf at the Door Studios. The series was also produced in association with Blue Ribbon Content’s Shaleen Desai, Tyler Dorson, and Peter Girardi, and Spotify Studios executive producers Liz Gateley and Rachel Wolf. Executives in charge of production for DC are Mike Pallotta and Victor Diaz.Music for the series is composed by Jonathan Snipes. Music from the Spotify audio series Batman Unburied will be available on Spotify starting this December 2024. You can catch up on Batman Unburied: A serial killer known as The Harvester terrorizes Gotham City, but Batman is not coming to the rescue. In fact, Bruce Wayne has no memory of being the Caped Crusader at all. Instead, Bruce is a forensic pathologist, performing the autopsy on the latest victim when he’s attacked by the killer himself. As Bruce’s obsession with the Harvester consumes him, Dr. Thomas Wayne, head of Gotham City Hospital, orders his son to take medical leave and seek treatment from an unusual psychologist, Dr. Hunter. With Batman missing in action, Detective Barbara Gordon is left with no other choice but to seek help from Gotham’s second smartest detective: The Riddler. Check out Batman Unburied: Fallen City starting November 26. During Thanksgiving dinner, you can listen with your earbuds on while Grandpa Joe reminisces about the good old days. 

Technical Advisor: Pushpa Khanal

[julieduffy]

7 Ways To Write Flash Fiction with Windy Lynn Harris

  In this revist of my interview with writer Windy Lynn Harris, we talk about Seven Ways to Write Flash Fiction, a skill that is extremely handy during the upcoming StoryADay challenge Sign up for the challenge at StoryADay.org

CHAPTERS: 1:16 Flash art comes organically when being open.

6:58 Flash fiction: creative, short, under 500 words.

12:28 Be specific in short flash fiction writing.

13:05 Editing is essential for shorter pieces.

17:37 Essential aspect of storytelling, representing a moment.

19:32 Woman faces fear, mystery, and self-discovery.

23:27 Enjoy working on soliloquies and rants in writing.

26:56 Background, training influence the form of writing.

29:13 Accessing your authentic voice is essential.

33:08 Writers adapting to shorter work during pandemic.

36:51 Creativity can flourish without lofty goals.

41:05 Distraction in the world, set timer, create.

43:12 First book on writing short stories.

46:12 Strategic shorts can boost writing career prospects.

49:43 Writing needs community for support, progress, success.

54:27 Exciting prompts for daily creative writing in May.

The StoryADay Podcast

[randombouquet]

Hello,

So this page is to try and experiment and grow creatively, finding ways to integrate AI to assist me in that (shout out to my fav collaborator Chat GPT). Taking daily time to try and flex and train those muscles with only myself to be accountable and disappoint.

We're starting off with a 30 day creativity challenge with small tasks and some big to keep me motivated and undettered.

Here's the outline:

30-Day Creativity Challenge for Your Blog

Day 1: Micro-Story MagicWrite a 100-word story based on the first object you see today.

Day 2: Snap & CaptionTake a photo of your morning routine and write a captivating caption.

Day 3: Mood PlaylistCreate and share a playlist that reflects your current mood, along with a brief description of your song choices.

Day 4: One-Sentence JournalSum up your day in one powerful sentence.

Day 5: Color Palette ChallengeCapture photos of objects in your surroundings that create a compelling color palette when put together.

Day 6: Character CreationWrite a brief introduction to a character you've just thought up, complete with quirks, likes, and dislikes.

Day 7: Photo RecreationRecreate a famous artwork or photograph in your style.

Day 8: Flash FictionWrite a 300-word flash fiction piece inspired by the word "Discovery".

Day 9: Virtual TourCreate a photo or video tour of your favorite spot in your home or city and describe why it's special to you.

Day 10: Quote InterpretationShare a quote that resonates with you and create a visual interpretation (drawing, photo, digital art).

Day 11: Review in HaikuWrite a haiku review of the last book, movie, or TV show you enjoyed.

Day 12: Shadow PlayTake a series of photos focusing on interesting shadows during different times of the day.

Day 13: The Sound of EmotionsRecord and share ambient sounds that represent your current mood, with a brief explanation.

Day 14: Dialogue ChallengeWrite an intriguing dialogue between two people who just met in an unusual circumstance.

Day 15: Creative CollageCreate a digital or physical collage that represents your week.

Day 16: Life in MonochromeCapture your day in black and white photos.

Day 17: Dreamy DescriptionsDescribe the most recent dream you remember with vivid details.

Day 18: Silhouette StoryPhotograph silhouettes during the golden hour and weave a short story around them.

Day 19: Letter to YourselfWrite a letter to your future or past self and seal it in an envelope (to be opened later).

Day 20: Nostalgia TripShare a childhood photo and narrate the memory associated with it.

Day 21: Recipe RemixInvent and photograph a new dish by remixing ingredients from two of your favorite meals.

Day 22: Urban SafariCapture the wildlife of your city (birds, insects, pets) through your lens.

Day 23: Minimalist ChallengeCompose and photograph a minimalist scene that conveys a strong emotion or story.

Day 24: Echo PoemWrite a poem where each line is a response or reflection to the previous one.

Day 25: Time-Lapse ArtCreate a time-lapse video of you drawing, painting, or crafting.

Day 26: Perspective PhotographyTake a photo that plays with perspective in an unusual way (e.g., forced perspective photography).

Day 27: Found PoetryCreate a piece of found poetry using headlines from old newspapers or magazines.

Day 28: Themed PhotoshootPlan and execute a themed photoshoot, detailing the process and inspiration.

Day 29: DIY DecorCreate and showcase a DIY decor project for your home or workspace.

Day 30: Reflection and ProjectionReflect on the 30-day creativity challenge with a blog post summarizing the experience, your favorite entries, and what you've learned about your creativity.

[limejuicer1862]

#TheWildness. Day 24. Imagine you could communicate with one animal species. Which species would you choose and what would you ask them? Please join Jane Dougherty and me in celebrating wildness all this month. I tried to get permission from the Wildlife Trust to use their #3ODaysWild as prompts but it was not forthcoming, so here are my own prompts with a little help from chatgbt. I will feature your draft published/unpublished poetry/short prose/artworks using the following prompts. Please include a short third person bio. Numbers refer to dates in June: Day 1. Describe the sounds you hear when you step outside your home. How does nature contribute to this musical work? 2. Write a letter to a tree or plant that you encounter on your daily walk. What would you say to it? 3. Imagine you could transform into any animal for a day. Which animal would you choose and why? 4. Write a short story about a magical encounter with a wild animal in your backyard. 5. Describe a peaceful moment spent observing a body of water. What emotions does it evoke in you? 6. Write a poem inspired by the vibrant colours and patterns of a butterfly's wings. 7. Imagine you are a wildlife photographer. Describe the most breathtaking picture you have taken during your challenge. 8. Write about a favourite childhood memory spent in nature. How did it shape your connection with the natural world? 9. Create a dialogue between two different species of birds perched on a branch. What would they talk about? 10. Describe the texture and scent of wildflowers you encounter on your nature walks. How do they make you feel? 11. Write a persuasive essay on the importance of conserving and protecting local wildlife habitats. 12. Imagine you are a nature guide. Describe a walk you would take visitors on to showcase the beauty and diversity of your local environment. 13. Write a poem about the changing seasons and how they affect the behaviour of wildlife. 14. Imagine you are a detective investigating the disappearance of a rare animal. Describe your search for clues in the natural world. 15. Write a poem/flash fiction about a mischievous squirrel that causes chaos in your garden. 16. Describe a special moment when you felt truly connected to nature. What did it teach you about yourself and the world around you? 17. Write a letter to future generations, urging them to protect and cherish the natural world. 18. Create a detailed observation log of a specific species of bird that you have been monitoring throughout the challenge. 19. Write a poem inspired by the soothing sounds of a flowing stream or river. 20. Imagine you are a nature-inspired artist. Describe the masterpiece you would create using materials found in the great outdoors. 21. Write a short story about a group of friends who embark on an unforgettable camping trip in the wilderness. 22. Describe the most fascinating insect you have encountered during your challenge. What makes it unique? 23. Write a diary entry from the perspective of a tree, chronicling its experiences and the changes it witnesses over the course of a year. 24. Imagine you could communicate with one animal species. Which species would you choose and what would you ask them? 25. Describe a magical sunrise or sunset you have witnessed during your journey. How did it make you feel? 26. Write a letter to a future self, reflecting on the impact of the challenge on your relationship with nature. 27. Imagine you are a character in a wildlife-themed adventure novel. Describe the perilous situation you find yourself in and how you escape. 28. Write a poem celebrating the diversity and resilience of nature, even in the face of human challenges. 29. Describe the feeling of walking barefoot on cool, damp grass. How does it connect you to the Earth? 30. Write a short story about a hidden, enchanted forest where magical creatures dwell. What adventures await those who discover it? Feel free to adapt these prompts to suit your writing style or preferences.

Old Moor Bird photo by Paul Brookes Wolf, where are you? I know you’re there, lying low. Not in these quiet meadows and wooded slopes perhaps, but along Garonne’s broad reaches harried by flood waters, where farm buildings sink beneath the weight of ivy, wooden planking falls like flakes of slate. Wolf, where are you? Down there amid the forest-tangle, the woodland left untended, plantations…

[slaveforartpop-blog]

Emergent Literature (Part 3)

Emergent Literature embraces and explores new genres that pushes the boundaries of traditional literature. In this literature, it is dynamic and is constantly evolving as new perspectives emerge  and embrace diversity and represents a wide range of experiences, cultures, and identities. This take various forms, including novels, short stories, and even experimental works that can be accessed through digital platforms. In this literature its ability is to capture and reflect the spirit of the present era, where some of the literature address contemporary issues, challenges societal norms, and offers fresh insights into complexities of our modern world. Some of the example genres of emergent literature are listed below, to further understand you can read the following:

CHICK LITERATURE THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA by Lauren Weisberger

This 2003 novel of Lauren Weisberger is a great example of chick lit as it features a female protagonist that navigates relationships, career challenges, and personal growth which is Andrea “Andy” Sachs. Andy was initially dreaming of becoming a journalist, but takes the job at Runway hoping it will help her in the future. She works for a powerful and demanding fashion magazine editor, Miranda Priestly, who is a perfectionist and often making Andy’s life incredibly challenging. The novel explores Andrea’s experiences in the fashion industry, there she struggles to balance her work and her personal life, resulting her to have a journey trip down self-discovery. However, in the end she was able to get up off of her feet and made a decision to leave that kind of set-up and challenge for her and decide to continue her journalist dream career.

FLASH FICTION POSSESSIONS by John Smolens

This flash fiction that was created by John Smolens in the 2014 entitles Possessions is a passage that depicts the experience of a widower after the death of his wife. He describes here how his life has changed and how everything felt different afterwards. The widower talks about the presence of his wife’s clothes in the closets and how it filled so many memories and stories along with it. He then decided to donate most of them and kept few sentimental items. In their home, he still traces and feel her presence in unexpected places, from there he expresses willingness to be haunted by his wife’s spirit. He then contemplates the idea of letting go of everything, excepts the stones that his wife had collected from various beaches. He imagines that without these stones, her wife’s presence will be gone, and the house will be silent.

DIGITAL FICTION LEVEL 26 by  Anthony E. Zuiker

This thriller novel of Anthony E. Zuiker is categorized as digital function as its unique blend of traditional storytelling and multimedia elements. This book incorporates video components and an engaging online community in its online content. The story follows Steve Dark, an agent for a secret FBI section, as he hunts for the vicious and evasive serial murderer Sqweegel. While chasing down the killer in a race against time, Dark is forced to confront his own dark history. As the death toll climbs, Dark is sucked into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where he must battle his own demons and learn shocking secrets. Dark must use all of his abilities to outsmart Sqweegel and catch him before it's too late since lives are on the line.

ILLUSTRATED NOVEL THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden was first published as a full-length children’s novel in 1911 by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young girl who is sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy mansion on the Yorkshire after her parents’ death. With the help of a robin, Mary finds the door's key in the flowerbed and one day uncovers a secret passageway that leads to the estate's overgrown and neglected garden. Here, she explores around the home and strange garden and discovers unknown secrets and surprises. The story celebrates the magic of youth, the splendor of nature, and the transforming power of friendship and love. Young readers will find pleasure and interest in this book as they read through to the finish because of the accompanying visual drawings that bring the narrative to life.

References:

The Secret Garden: A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Edition. (n.d.). The Secret Garden: A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Edition ~ Read Aloud Dad. https://www.readalouddad.com/2011/04/secret-garden-best-illustrated.html

B. (n.d.). Summary and reviews of Level 26 by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski. BookBrowse.com. https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/4236/level-26

Possession(s) - [PANK]. (n.d.). [PANK]. https://pankmagazine.com/piece/possessions/

The Devil Wears Prada Summary. (n.d.). www.BookRags.com. http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-the-devil-wears-prada/

[cap-ironman]

Cap-Ironman Mid-Year Fanworks Alphabet 2021

Welcome to this year’s low pressure mid-year cap-ironman challenge:

The Cap-Ironman Mid-Year Fanworks Alphabet 2021

! In this challenge you pick a letter (or several), find a theme or prompt starting with each letter you've pledged to create for, and make a fanwork inspired by that prompt! By the end of the challenge, we'll have amazing new Steve/Tony and Steve&Tony works for all 26 letters of the alphabet.

There are no minimum requirements for works .You can submit sketches, podfics or vids of any length, flash fiction, 100 word drabbles and so on!

Schedule

Make a pledge and create your work(s): July 26 - August 23

Posting Deadline: August 23, midnight ET

Reveals: August 24 - 30

How does it work?

Find out and make a pledge at the challenge post!

[latveriansnailmail]

Favorite Movies as of 2021

Subject to updating because surely I’ve missed a few. This is not supposed to be a list of meritorious films but rather just a list of movies I genuinely enjoy. It runs from Shakespeare to Bill & Ted with heavy doses of 80s fantasy, superhero schlock, and pretty much anything with Kurt Russell in it. Enjoy.

1- Harvey No contest, my favorite of all time.

2- Big Trouble in Little China It’s always a great joy to introduce a new viewer to this film.

3- Flash Gordon (1980) In which they totally lean into the camp and low budget.

4- The Thing I watch this annually upon the first major snowfall.

5- Titus (Taymor) One winter break Titus would be on one of the movie channels each day when I woke up, so I watched it daily for a month and it didn’t get old.

6- Death to Smoochy “Are you alright?” “I’m a little fucked up in general so it’s hard to gauge.”

7- Blade Runner (The Final Cut) So there’s this dude Deckard and he hunts robots but it turns out HE’S a robot, oh so very clever, little film

8- Tombstone I recently learned that Kurt Russell directed this film in all but name.

9- The Dark Crystal Immersive fantasy, though I’m sure it appears plain, drab, and simple now after the Netflix prequel.

10- Somewhere in Time I’m a romantic, I guess. Thus all the John Carpenter movies.

11- Grosse Pointe Blank So good, I used to think I liked John Cusack.

12- The Producers (musical) You heard me. Wilder and Mostel were great but the musical version had decades to mill over and expand the premise.

13- To Be or Not To Be (Brooks) Surprisingly suspenseful.

14- The 13th Warrior Saw it again recently and it holds up. Horror, only it happens to viking warriors who would rather chop the horror down than run.

15- The Mighty Thor I mean, Black Panther is objectively the best of the lot but subjectively this is my personal favorite superhero flick. I must have seen it a half a dozen times at least.

16- Lost Boys A billion Chinese can’t be wrong.

17- Die Hard A Christmas tradition. As a postman, it’s cathartic for me to watch Christmas get blown up a little before all the hugging and sentiment.

18- The Blues Brothers Deadpan hilarity cut with performances by legends of blues and soul.

19- The Sting The best heist film. It keeps you guessing until the very end and no twist feels arbitrary or leaves a hole.

20- Interview with the Vampire Fun fact, I looked like Pitt’s Louis when I was a young man in the goth scene.

21- Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure “Be excellent to each other!” “Party on, dudes!” *air guitar*

22- The Seventh Seal See? This list has its high points.

23- Revolutionary Girl Utena Note: Read the entire manga, watch the entire anime series, and read Adolescence of Utena BEFORE watching this or you’ll be left confused. Dazzled but confused.

24- The Nightmare Before Christmas So good I got the tarot deck.

25- The Last Unicorn It’s still a damn shame they never made that live action remake. Christopher Lee was set to reprise King Haggard.

26- Chasing Amy Honestly changed my life.

27- Excalibur It’s weird though how they’re always in armor. Wedding? Armor. Dinner? Armor. Deathbed? Armor.

28- Ginger Snaps A cut above any other werewolf movie I’ve seen.

29- Top Secret! My sense of humor distilled.

30- Clash of the Titans (Harryhousen) Yeah it’s dry but then there’s the monsters.

31- Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life People are not wearing enough hats.

32- Shadow of the Vampire Nosferatu nearly made this list but it’s hard to pinpoint a definitive cut. Try instead this film about the making of Nosferatu with an actual vampire as the vampire.

33- Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust Look, we as a culture had the unfortunate experience of Twilight. This is the same premise but actually good.

34- The Last Supper This film challenged and changed me as a young man more so than any other work of art.

35- The Princess Bride The perfect film, but I’ve seen it so much it’s down at 35 now.

36- Blazing Saddles What can I as a white guy say? Just watch the movie.

37- Streets of Fire Always suspicious to me how Final Fight premiered within a year of this movie.

38- Gremlins More Christmas havok. Yum?

39- The Beastmaster Forgotten and underappreciated.

40- Ladyhawke A thing of beauty.

41- Willow C’mon. It’s Willow. I have nothing to justify here.

42- Speed Racer I know you heard it’s bad but hear me out: it is the strongest narrative I’ve ever seen on film and it’s exactly the way you played with your toy cars when you were little.

43- Angelheart You’re supposed to know that de Niro is Lucifer. The rest is mystery and the final reveal set up a trope that’s been done into the ground nowadays.

44- The Hunger More atmosphere than plot, but hey, vampire Bowie!

45- Zoolander My partner’s favorite.

46- Faust (Murnau) You will be shocked to see what was possible to achieve in film in 1926.

47- A Muppet Christmas Carol but a cut that includes the fiance’s song This finishes out my traditional Christmas films.

48- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Y’know, I’ve got two Branagh films on here and neither are what you would expect given his catalog. The other one’s Thor for crying out loud.

49- Highlander I noticed in recent editions of Vampire: the Masquerade that it’s still possible in that game to hide a katana in a trenchcoat. This movie is why.

50- The Name of the Rose One of only a few instances where I prefer the film to the book. That book loooooong.

51- Robocop (1987) Of all the damn science fiction, why must we be in Robocop?

52- The Prophecy Now we’re getting into films I demoted since the last time I updated this list. This film’s a slow burn unless you get turned up for angels and Christopher Walken like I do.

53- The Warriors Would be higher if the opening wasn’t so slow.

54- Legend Tim Curry kills it as Darkness.

55- Black Panther Objectively the best superhero movie and the Academy backs me on that one.

56- Wonder Woman I do wish they’d trot out Vandal Savage as a Wonder Woman villain.

57- Captain America: The Winter Soldier Just rewatched this one earlier! It is heavily marked by the height of the War on Terror.

58- Blade The ancestor of all modern superhero movies and a solid vampire flick to boot.

59- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nostalgic for me? Maybe, but I hold that this is the first comic film worth a damn because they stuck with the comics when they wrote it.

60- Captain America: the First Avenger This movie is a real test of character. If someone doesn’t like Cap it’s because they think goodness is unrealistic.

61- Four Rooms Really just rooms 3 and 4.

62- Reservoir Dogs Hey, two Tim Roth films in a row!

63- Event Horizon Do you see?

64- What Dreams May Come Kind of an emotional ringer, especially after William’s death.

65- Monty Python and the Holy Grail Have I watched it into the ground? Yes. Is it still hilarious? Yes, and it gets funnier the more you study Arthurian myth.

66- Pulp Fiction I’m kinda over this now.

67- The Crow People who liked the comic passionately disagree with me but I still like this one.

68- Akira Still.

69- Ghost in the Shell Still, though the farther you get from 13 the less titties you need in your art.

70- Beetlejuice Why not? Let's just tack this on there.

Honorable Mentions:

Fight Club A suburb film but one I grew out of, as should everyone. If you meet a man who’s passionate about Fight Club, run!

American Psycho Ditto. I grew out of this but it’s still excellent.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape A horrible caricature of my brother’s life. I don’t get along with my brother any more.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Not actually a good film if you watch it straight with no commentary. Still, it’s a cornerstone of queer culture.

Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 Of all the superhero films, this is the one that resonated with me the most. I was in a weird place at the time. It still resonates with me now because I’m a foster dad.

[callmecaoimhin]

Day 100/100...

It’s 100. And I’m...going to keep going.

What started off as a challenge to stay off social media apps for 100 days has now turned into a new lifestyle. Or at least until April 30.  You see, I get birthday anxiety - at least I have over the last few years. And as it so happens, Day 101 of the year (the day I was due to return to SM) is my birthday. And I decided that rather than nervously scrolling through feeds I avoided for over 3 months on a day where I know I’ll be consumed in despondent self-reflection and anxiety, I should enjoy this newfound freedom I’ve carved out for myself that much longer. Life has turned majestic since I quit SM (in this pandemic? I don’t think). But I don’t doubt for a minute it would have been a tougher start to 2021 if I spend my evenings and weekends looking at people on Twitter giving out about something I was already trying to learn to cope with, or people on Instagram flagarantly flouting guidelines or bragging, or Facebook sharing right-wing shitposts. 

I felt I wasn’t writing as much as I’d have liked, but tbh, I did write 3 or 4 short stories/flash fictions. Which is more than I would have in any other circumstance.  I spend an afternoon 2 weeks ago crying over the mere thought of 26. But now it’s tomorrow and I’m feeling diassociated from it (I think).  I have a lot of nice stuff planned tonight and tomorrow (in my house of course), from takeaway plans, to video chat dates with friends, opening parcels I was sent, reading a book I’m enjoying, and watching one of my favourite movies. I will connect to 26 much better than I have to 25.  The last thing I’ll say is more to myself reading this back in the future, or to anyone else who might have similar woes, but: you have time. 

[fanovember]

IT'S FINALLY HERE, PEOPLE, OUR PROMPT LIST FOR THIS YEAR'S FANOVEMBER!!! (Written list below the line)

We decided to go through literary genres this time, although you can fit the prompt however you please (by using the literal word in your piece, a small reference, or writing in the style of that prompt!)

→We'll be posting some ideas every day to spark creativity if any prompt in particular doesn't work well for you. Although you don't have to complete the challenge 100% (I won't, more on that later)

→There's no limit on extension at all, whatever you need will be fine. (At least 200 words was the initial idea, but I, for instance, sometimes need less)

→You can write in any language you want, we'll repost anyway. It's also valid if you mix languages! (I'll use Spanish since the media I've chosen is originally in that language)

→Arists are welcome too, of course!

→Remember to mention this blog @fanovember or use any (or all) of these tags:

#fanovember

#fanovember 2024

#fanovember 24

Personally, I don't think I'm completing the full list, as I'm absolutely surpassed by daily responsibilities. But since Softober went well, I'll choose 12 or 13 of the prompts that appeal to me the most and write those throughout the month. You can do whatever works best for you too, we don't want you to feel pressured by any means.

Choose your fandom (or fandoms) and start creating! Let's have some fun!!

Fanovember 2024

01. Romance

02. Short story

03. Terror

04. Adventure

05. Art

06. Retelling

07. Historical

08. Journal

09. Theatre

10. Witchcraft

11. Religion

12. Fantasy

13. Astrology

14. Mithology

15. Poetics

16. Reality show

17. Press

18. Urban fantasy

19. Film/Movie

20. Family

21. Music

22. Epistolary

23. Sci-fi

24. Autobiography

25. Cuisine

26. Dance

27. Board games

28. Classic

29. Triller

30. Flash-fiction

[terramythos]

TerraMythos' 2020 Reading Challenge - Book 27 of 26

Title: How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? (2018)

Author: N. K. Jemisin

Genre/Tags: Short Story Collection, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Dystopia, Magical Realism, Steampunk, Cyberpunk, Post-Apocalyptic, Female Protagonist(s), LGBT Protagonist(s).

Rating: 8/10 (Note: This is an average of all the stories -- see below the cut for individual story blurbs/ratings).

Date Began: 9/27/2020

Date Finished: 10/4/2020

I really liked this collection! Jemisin wrote my favorite fanstasy/scifi series ever with The Broken Earth trilogy, and I really enjoyed her recent novel The City We Became. I was in the mindset for shorter fiction so decided to read this collection of short stories. Of these 22 stories, my absolute favorites (9/10 or higher) were:

The City Born Great - 10/10

The Effluent Engine - 9/10

Cloud Dragon Skies - 9/10

The Trojan Girl -10/10

Valedictorian - 9/10

The Evaluators - 10/10

Stone Hunger - 9/10

The Narcomancer - 9/10

Too Many Yesterdays, Not Enough Tomorrows - 9/10

Sinners, Saints, Dragons, and Haints, in the City Beneath the Still Waters - 9/10

A more detailed summary/reaction to each story under the cut. WARNING: IT’S LONG.

1. Those Who Stay and Fight - 8/10  

Describes a utopia called Um-Helat that exists solely because no one is seen as superior or inferior to anyone else. Over time we learn it's a future, or potential future, of America. But America today is pure anathema to it due to rampant structural inequality. In order to achieve its utopian ideal, Um-Helatians have to root out and destroy people corrupted by the past.

This story was apparently written as a tribute/response to the Ursula K. Le Guin story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”. I first read this without context, then went and read the Le Guin story. I definitely see the parallels. Both feature a narrator describing a wonderful utopia in the midst of festival, trying to convince the reader of the place's existence, before introducing something dark that is the price of the utopia. In the Le Guin story, the utopia exists at the price of the horrible misery and suffering of one child, and everyone is aware of it. Most live with it, but a few leave for the unknown rather than continue to live there (hence the title). In Jemisin's story, the price is instead the annihilation of those tainted by exposure to the evils of the past. The choice, instead of leaving, is for those tainted yet capable to become protectors of the new world, or die.

The thesis is pretty clear: that only by abandoning horrible ideologies and refusing to give them any ground or quarter can a utopian society truly exist. I will say that rings clear, especially when one considers Naziism and fascism. Not all ideologies deserve the light of day or debate, and even entertaining them as valid allows it to take hold. I liked this story, though it comes off as a social justice essay more than a story in and of itself.

2. The City Born Great - 10/10

This one is told from the perspective of a homeless young black man who feels a strange resonance with New York City. He meets a mysterious figure named Paulo, who tells him the city is about to be born as a full-fledged entity, and the man has been chosen to assist with its birth. However, there’s an eldritch force known simply as The Enemy that seeks to prevent this from happening.

I've read this one before since it's the prologue to The City We Became. And honestly it was one of my favorite parts of that book. New York City is a phenomenal character. I love that the proto-avatar of NYC is a young homeless black man, one of the most denigrated groups out there. Cops being the harbingers of eldritch destruction is... yeah. It was fun to reread this. The ending is a little different, because in the novel, something goes terribly wrong that doesn't happen in this short story. There is also a flash forward where he is, apparently, about to awaken the avatar of Los Angeles. Makes me wonder if that is ultimately the endgame of the series. But otherwise it's the same thing with absolutely phenomenal character voice and creativity regarding cities as living creatures. I'm glad Jemisin expanded this idea into a full series.

3. Red Dirt Witch - 7/10

Takes place before the (1960s) Civil Rights Movement in Pratt City, AL. The main character is Emmaline, a witch with three kids. A creepy figure called The White Lady comes to visit and steal one of her children.

I love the little twist that The White Lady is a faerie. And the different take on rowan/ash/thorn instead being rosemary/sage/sycamore fig. There is a lot of touching bits about the horrible trials and human rights abuses during the Civil Rights marches (which are unfortunately all too relevant still), but ultimately a hopeful glimpse of the future of black people in America, though hard-won.

4. L'Alchimista - 6/10

Stars a Milanese master chef named Franca, who fell from glory for Reasons, who now works as head chef at a run-down inn. She feeds a mysterious stranger, who then challenges her to fix a seemingly impossible recipe.

This one was fun and charming. I thought the food (and magical food) descriptions were very vibrant and interesting, especially the last meal. I can tell this is an earlier story and it's pretty light hearted, but I enjoyed it. It felt like it needed a little more of.. something.  

5. The Effluent Engine - 9/10

In an interesting steampunk take, Haitian spy Jessaline comes to the city of New Orleans to meet one of its foremost scientists. Her goal is to find a viable, unique energy source to strengthen Haiti in a world that wants to see her nation dead.

I really liked this; it's one of the longer stories so there's more time for character development and worldbuilding. And it's gay. I'm not hugely into pure steampunk because a lot of it comes off as very... samey (hyper Eurocentric/Victorian, etc) but I thought this take was fresh.

Like much of Jemisin's work, there is a lot of racial under and overtones; this one specifically goes into the terrible atrocities committed against the Haitians during their Revolution, and the varied social classes of black/Creole people in New Orleans at the time. A lot of this is stuff I was unaware of or knew very little about. I thought it was interesting to bring all of these to the forefront in a steampunk story in addition to the dirigibles, clockwork, action, and subterfuge. Also, everything tries together in a very satisfying way by the end (the rum bottle!), which I love in short fiction.

6. Cloud Dragon Skies - 9/10

Takes place in a post-apoc future where some humans evacuated to space while others stayed behind and took on more indigenous traditions to heal the Earth. The sky has suddenly turned red on Earth, and some representatives from the "sky-people" come to study it and figure out why.

I really enjoyed this little story; fantasy/scifi fusions are my jam, but science fiction specifically told through a fantasy lens is just so cool to me. The cloud dragons were very interesting and imaginative. Also, I love how the opening statement's meaning isn't particularly clear until you read the whole thing.

7. The Trojan Girl - 10/10

This one is about sentient computer programs/viruses that struggle to survive in something called the Amorph, which is basically a more advanced, omnipresent version of the Internet.

Holy fucking shit was this a cool story. Probably the coolest take on cyberpunk I've ever read. The main character Moroe has formed a messed up little family of creatures like him who live and hunt in Amorph's code, but can upload to "the Static" (real life) if needed by hijacking human hosts. The way this is described is so damn creepy and unsettling. I love that while they're anthropomorphized, the characters are mostly feral and compared to a pack of wolves. Soooo much wolf pack imagery. And the ending is so fucking good and imaginative.

This was apparently a proof of concept story that Jemisin decided not to adapt to a longer series, which I'm kind of sad about, but it was REALLY cool nevertheless. The next story is apparently in the same universe and serves as the "conclusion".

8. Valedictorian - 9/10

This one is about a girl who is, well, top of her class in high school, and the stresses that mount as graduation approaches. But while it seems like a familiar setup, there is something decidedly Off about everything, which is revealed gradually over the course of the story.

I originally gave this an 8, but honestly I couldn't stop thinking about it so I boosted it to a 9. It doesn’t become clear how this connects to the previous story until the midpoint. I liked this one because it functions as a nice dystopian science fiction story but also biting social commentary on the modern American education system. I'm not going go say more on it because spoilers. While I personally like the first story more I think this is an interesting followup/conclusion with a more cerebral approach.  

9. The Storyteller's Replacement - 6/10

This one's presented as a traditional "once upon a time" fable told by a storyteller narrator, about a shitty despotic king named Paramenter. Desperate to prove his virility, he eats the heart of a dragon, which is said to be a cure-all for impotence. It's successful, but the six strange daughters that result seem to have plans of their own.

Not really my cup of tea-- it's pretty fucked up. But it's definitely cathartic by the end, which I appreciate, and I do like how creepy the daughters are.

10. The Brides of Heaven - 5/10

Framed as an interrogation in an offworld colony called Illiyin, in which a terrible accident occurred on the way that left all the adult men dead. Dihya, who lost her only son to an alien parasite, is caught trying to sabotage the colony's water supply for reasons unknown.

I like some things in this story. I love the trope of alien biology affecting human biology in unexpected ways. I'm not terribly familiar with Islam but thought it added an interesting faith vs practicality vs tradition element to the science fiction. However I found the sexual body horror REALLY squicky which turned me off the story as a whole.

11. The Evaluators - 10/10

Stylized as a collection of logs and excerpts from a First Contact team of humans visiting and studying a sapient alien species to potentially set up trade relations. There's a focus on one team member named Aihua and her conversations with one of the aliens, but there's miscellaneous important hints/excerpts from the survey that hint Something Creepy Is Going On.

This one was BIZARRE and took me two reads to fully appreciate, but it’s a great work of nontraditional science fiction horror. Just... the epitome of "*nervous laughter* 'what the fuck'". I can't say more without spoiling but dear lord. That whole Jesus bit hits different on a second read. Fucking hell.

12. Walking Awake - 7/10

Takes place in a dystopian society in which parasitic creatures known as Masters keep a small number of humans alive to be flesh suits for them, which they take over and trade around at will. The main character Sadie is a human "caretaker" responsible for propagandizing and raising well-bred human children that eventually become the Masters' hosts. She starts to have disturbing dreams when one takes over the body of a teenage boy she was particularly attached to.

This is apparently a response to Robert Heinlein's The Puppet Masters, which I have never read. It's a full damn novel so I probably won't. Google tells me it's about parasitic aliens, but was obviously also Red Scare paranoia about communist Russia. The argument in the Jemisin story is that the parasites are a result of human folly in an attempt to punish/control people their creators didn't like. This went poorly and resulted in the whole world being taken over.

The story itself is disturbing since the victims are innocent children, but it's ultimately about standing up and taking the first step toward revolution. I felt pretty neutral about the story itself; perhaps I would have liked it more if it was longer and I had more time with the world and protagonist. I wanted to connect to Sadie and her maternal relationship the boy who got killed more. Or maybe it's more impactful if you're familiar with the Heinlein novel and can see the nods/digs.

13. The Elevator Dancer - 7/10

A very short story that takes place in a Christian fundamentalist surveillance state. The protagonist is an unnamed security guard who occasionally sees a woman dancing alone in the elevator and obsesses over her.

I like this one but I'm not sure if I really get it. It's heavily implied the dancer is a hallucination, and the narrator gets "re-educated" but it's all a little ambiguous. I think it's about the struggle to find meaning and inspiration in an oppressive world.  

14. Cuisine des Mémoires - 8/10

This one's about a man named Harold who visits a strange restaurant that claims it can replicate any meal from any point in history. He orders a meal which his ex-wife, whom he still loves very much, fixed for him years ago.

This one was certainly different, but I really like the idea of food-as-memory, especially because that's an actual thing. This story just takes it to an extra level. Honestly this story made me feel things... the longing of memory and missed connections/opportunities. Jemisin did a great job with emotion on this one.

15. Stone Hunger - 9/10

Stars a girl in with the ability to manipulate the earth who's tracking down a man she senses in an unfamiliar city. It's heavily implied the world is in a perpetual post-apocalyptic state. When she's caught damaging the outer wall of the city to break in and injured/imprisoned, she's aided by a mysterious, humanoid statue creature with motives of its own.

I have to say it's really interesting to see an early beta concept of The Broken Earth. Orogeny is a little different (and not named)-- there's some kind of taste component to it? Though that's possibly unique to the main character? While hatred of orogenes exists I don't think it's a structural exploitation allegory at this point. Ykka + proto-Castrima existing this early is pretty funny to me. People also use metal, which is VERY funny if you’ve read the series. But I was thrilled to see stone eaters were Very Much A Thing this early and almost exactly how they appear in the series (a little more sinister I guess. At least the one in this story is. I think he basically gets integrated into the Steel/Gray character in the final version).

Anyway as a huge fan of The Broken Earth it's inspiring to see these early ideas and just how much got changed. It's hard for me to look at this as an independent story without the context of the series. I think I'd like it due to the creative setting and strange concepts, but I appreciate the final changes to narrative style and worldbuilding, which really made the series for me.

16. On The Banks of the River Lex - 8/10

Death explores a decaying, post-human version of New York City. He and various deities/ideas created by humans are all that survives in the future and they struggle to exist in the crumbling infrastructure of the city. But Death gradually observes new and different creatures developing amid the wreckage.

I liked this! Despite a typically bleak premise the story is very optimistic and hopeful for the future of the world post-humanity. I like anthropomorphized concepts/deities/etc in general. I thought the imagery of decay and life was gorgeous. Also octopuses are cool.

17. The Narcomancer - 9/10

Told from the perspective of Cet, a priest known as a Gatherer, who can take the life of someone through their dreams in order to bring them peace. When a village petitions his order to investigate a series of raids conducted by brigands using forbidden magic, Cet joins the party. However, he is troubled by his growing attraction to a strong-willed woman of the village.

This apparently takes place in the Dreamblood universe, which I have not read and know nothing about. However, I really enjoyed this story. It's the longest in the collection so I felt I really got to know the characters. The dream-based religion and fantasy was captivating to learn about. It was also romantic as hell, but not in the typical way you’d expect. I thought the central conflict of a priest struggling between an oath of celibacy and his duty to do the right thing (bring peace to someone who needs it) was fascinating.

18. Henosis - 4/10

A short piece, told anachronistically, about a lauded, award winning author on the way to an award ceremony. He gets kidnapped, but there's Something Else going on.

Honestly I get the sense this one is personal, lol. I will say I like the disturbing play on expectations, but I didn't connect much with it otherwise.  

19. Too Many Yesterdays, Not Enough Tomorrows - 9/10

Follows a group of bloggers who have found themselves caught in isolated quantum loops. Their only human contact is through tenuous online conversations with each other. Styled as various chat logs and emails interspersed with the thoughts and perspectives of Helen, a young black woman who before the loop was teaching English in Japan.

This one is real depressing and definitely Social Commentary (TM). The central thesis about loneliness and disconnect at the end made me pretty dang sad. Good stuff in an ouch kind of way and made me think.

20. The You Train - 6/10

Told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator talking (presumably on the phone) to a friend about her struggles adjusting to life in New York City. She regularly mentions seeing train lines that either don't exist or retired a long time ago.

This is the kind of story I'd normally really like. I think trains are interesting and like vaguely supernatural, inexplicable shit. The one-sided phone call is also an interesting narrative device. But I'm not sure I really got this one. It comes off as vaguely horror-y but also optimistic? I couldn't really figure this one out, and it was too short to feel much investment on top of that.

21. Non-Zero Probabilities - 7/10

Luck has gone completely out of whack in New York City. Highly improbable events suddenly become way more likely, both good and bad. This story follows a woman named Adele and coming to grips with the new ways of life this brings.

I liked this one well enough but I don't have a lot to say about it. I liked how the story looks at how people would adapt to a life where probability doesn't mean anything anymore.  

22. Sinners, Saints, Dragons, and Haints, in the City Beneath the Still Waters - 9/10

A magical realism story about a man named Tookie struggling to survive in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He meets a talking, winged lizard and the two help each other out. But it soon becomes clear there is something sinister lurking in the flooded ruins of the city.

This story was very imaginative and a great cap to the collection. I thought it was an intriguing time period to set a magical realism story in. I love the little details, especially those of omission -- the "lizard" is never called a dragon, for example. I can see echoes of this story in The City We Became, especially the themes of cities as powerful entities, vague eldritch fuckery centered around hatred, and certain people being guardians of the city.  

[plumplips]

30 DAYS WRITING CHALLENGE

Write a page in a form of a “flash fiction”, also called “one shot”. You can use 1000 or more words, meaning one page and a half or two.

You can write in whatever language you prefere, as long as you respect the theme and other readers get to understand the story.

There is no need to edit the story, if you post it in tumblr ; But the editing process for your own pleasure when you re read your PDF or Word or OpenOffice (etc) is rather satisfying.

Good luck, remember that missing a day or more is okay ! Writing less than 1000 words is okay to, this challenge is supposed to be fun.

(ps: You don’t have to talk about your personal life, if you want to put a little twist on your stories and make them all fictional you can ! Again: Have fun, enjoy !)

1. Write a love letter.

2. Fille a page.

3. Write and share a story.

4. Journal as a character.

5. Write about an unexpected event.

6. Google “weird stories” and write about the first story that comes up.

7. Write about your favorite celebrity.

8. Write a story about your favorite song.

9. If you could produce a tv show, what would the story be about.

10. Write a road trip story.

11. Write about something that happened to you when you were a child.

12. Write a story for kids.

13. Write a scary story.

14. Write a romantic story.

15. What’s the love recipe.

16. Write a backward story, from the ending to the beginning.

17. Write a poem about someone you love/your crush/someone you’re attracted to.

18. Write a short story in a genre you have never before.

19. Write about 4 problems with social media.

20. Write about your first love/kiss.

21. Your current relationship status, if single discuss that too.

22. Write about your favorite color.

23. Write about your zodiac sign/birth chart, and whether or not it fits you.

24. Write about things you’d say to an ex.

25. Write about your last kiss.

26. Write about a date you’d like to go on.

27. Think about your favorite food, describe it and try to make it sound as disgusting as you can.

28. Tell the story of a man who lives in a motel.

29. Write a sexy story from the undressing to the orgasm.

30. Write and finish a story with “Nothing ever felt easier to say.”

[harryandmolly]

tequila sunrise

A/N: part 3/3! clearly the Senorita video fucked me right up

summary: Shawn and Catalina deal with the aftermath of their night together

warnings: Language, NSFW in a big way holy cow (unprotected sex, wrap it before you tap it), my perfect dream switch!Shawn

WC: 6k, truly what on earth

----------

Catalina’s favorite nights at Plucky’s are the quiet ones. They don’t come around often, but when they do, they’re something special.

Quiet is relative, of course. Plucky’s is usually a madhouse, so when there isn’t a constant line at the bar, and when you can sort of tell the music they’re playing over the din, that’s quiet enough to count in Catalina’s book.

Tonight, though, it’s really, really quiet. They don’t even have the speakers on full blast -- they don’t need to. The thunderstorm has kept most of the newcomers away, and some of the regulars.

Not all of them.

Shawn and company sit sentry at the tables by the door, as always. They’re the first to know if trouble’s on its way in or out. That’s the way Bonnie likes it. Catalina knows she can’t complain, even if she’d rather not see his stupid pretty face again.

He’s stopped staring at her. It took him a lot of effort and another few weeks of recovery time after their last romp, but he’s managing it. It’s not easy, especially on such a quiet night. He can hear her laughing with the girls at the bar, chanting “chug! Chug!” and pouring shots into their mouths.

She doesn’t look like she’s missed him one bit. All he’s done for 26 days is miss her. Yes, he misses her so much he’s counting the days.

He’s hunched over a beer, nursing it slowly. He’ll switch to bourbon soon if he can wrangle one of his buddies into going to grab it for him. He’s too chicken shit to see what she’d do if he walked anywhere near her bar.

He’d rather sit in the corner and imagine it -- he pictures her launching a shot glass at his head or shooting him with the fountain sprayer. Sometimes, when he’s really, truly fucked, he imagines that she’d drag him into a stellar kiss again. He misses kissing her most of all.

A chorus of raucous laughter from the table behind them knocks him from his self-pitying reverie. Connor next to him rolls his eyes. The jokers at the next table arrived about half an hour after they did and they’ve been hitting the drinks hard ever since. It’s not a cardinal offense at Plucky’s, of all places, but it’s a quiet night and these douchelords are being obnoxious.

“... no, not the redhead. Idiot. The dark-haired one with the rack.”

Shawn perks up again and frowns, listening. Connor and the rest of his guys heard it, too. They’ve fallen quiet, listening in.

“... Couple weeks ago. Tightest cunt I’ve ever had. Was fucking begging for me.”

Shawn tenses. He glances over at the man speaking and catches the eye of the moron that grabbed at Catalina’s dress that night. Shawn gives him a withering glance, one that clearly reads ‘knock it off.’ But the problem is, the loser has an audience. He brought his buddies along and they all want to hear about his (totally fictional) conquest of Catalina.

Shawn looks around. His friends are already looking poised to square up. Shawn backs them off, quietly insisting they ignore it. Bonnie begs them to ignore rowdy assholes unless they’re being violent or especially disruptive. These guys may be gross, but they’re not causing problems yet.

But he can’t just turn his ears off. In fact, they grow pinker and pinker as the guy rambles on, getting into details so dirty and vivid Shawn half believes it was real. He chances a glance up at Catalina, watches her flash a proud grin at a girl in a 21st birthday crown as she squeals through a shot of Fireball.

How can he even think to talk about her like that? It’s unfathomable. Talking about anyone in the manner this guy is going on in is disgusting. Shawn shifts uncomfortably, shaking his head.

“And then I threw her up against the bar and--”

“Can you shut the fuck up?” Shawn barks, springing out of his seat. His nostrils flare. His jaw closes in a tight line. His friends look him over, assessing his mood, and stand. This isn’t going to just end quietly.

The loser stands too, followed by his other loser friends. He’s smirking like a jerk. Shawn wants to wipe his face across Catalina’s bar.

“Look, it’s pretty boy,” the idiot mocks, making his buddies laugh, “Are you her little bitch boy? She got you on a leash?”

Shawn rolls his eyes. “I’m doing you a favor, asshole. If she hears you talking about her like that, she’s gonna have you on a fucking leash.”

Shawn’s friends chuckle in agreement and look over at Catalina, who has taken note of the confrontation, keeping an eye on them as she continues pouring drinks to distract her customers. She knows very well if the morons think they have more of an audience, they’ll be harder to shut up.

Shawn turns, ready to sit back down. His shoulders are tense. They have been for weeks, yet again. His body is like a coil, scrunched tighter every day.

It was only a matter of time before the snap.

“Anyway, it was good pussy. For a nasty fuckin’ bartender.”

Snap.

Shawn’s chair clatters when he stands so fast he knocks it over. Before his friends can temper him, he launches himself at the mouthy guy, decking him hard across the jaw. The only reason it didn’t knock him out clean was because one of his friends got an arm around Shawn’s to slow his swing. The damage is done, though -- blood pours from the guy’s mouth. His friends descend, several of them locking themselves around Shawn’s arms so the mouthy guy can get some hits in before Shawn’s friends can drag him off. He gets in a couple good punches, one that splits Shawn’s eyebrow, the rest investing in damage that will result in another black eye to match the one that finally fully faded a week ago.

Connor and Geoff wrestle the guy out the door while a couple other regulars come to aid the cause of kicking out the rest of the drunk losers.

“Fuckin’ idiot couldn’t even hit me unless his friends held my arms down!” Shawn growls after them as they skulk off.

He slumps into a chair, wincing as blood starts trickling into his eye from the slice in his brow. He reaches up to poke at it, but a set of soft fingers wrap around his, pushing them away.

“Don’t touch it,” Catalina murmurs from above him, her voice chilly, her eyes on the first aid bag she’s swinging onto the table. She nods at Brian to move out of her way.

She perches on the seat gingerly, holding some clean napkins up to the wound, dabbing carefully. He hisses, cringing away. She cups his other cheek to hold him steady. His protest stops immediately. The corner of her mouth lifts.

“The fuck is wrong with you? I never see you swing first.”

Shawn swallows and keeps his eyes down as she continues dabbing, swapping out the napkins for gauze with alcohol. Shawn winces again.

“Fuckin’ gross idiots, that’s all,” Shawn mutters.

Catalina nods thoughtfully. “Think one of them was the guy that grabbed at me a few weeks ago, yeah?”

He lifts his eyes to meet hers briefly. “Yeah.”

She smiles a little wider, patting antibiotic cream into the clean wound that she’s decided doesn’t need stitches.

“Don’t have to defend my honor, you know. It’s long gone.”

“Oh, I know,” Shawn murmurs, a chuckle in his voice, “Just doing my feminist duty to not let guys say shit like that about women.”

He looks up at her again. She forgot how big and brown and sweet his eyes can be. This time he keeps his eyes on her as she carefully applies the butterfly bandage, pressing as gently as she can with her fingers.

“Well, aren’t you just Prince Charming,” she murmurs, looking from his lips back up to those puppy brown eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. His eyes fall to his lap.

Catalina takes a deep breath and nods at Brian, who nudges their other friends into making themselves scarce. Shawn and Catalina are alone at the table with the first aid kit.

“For what?” she asks, keeping her voice steady.

“For… making you cry last time.”

Not the answer she was expecting.

She squints at him. “You’re not sorry for leaving before I woke up the first night?”

Shawn looks startled. “I… thought you’d want me to.”

“Why?”

“Because… it was a one night thing,” he stammers, starting to get flustered. His chest heaves under his white tank and patterned suspenders.

She lifts an eyebrow. “Clearly it wasn’t or it wouldn’t have happened again.”

“Yeah… but… I--I mean…”

Catalina looks unimpressed. She stands and turns to walk back to the bar. Words bubble up in Shawn’s throat against his will.

“I didn’t want to stick around long enough for you to kick me out when we woke up,” he blurts, immediately looking mortified.

Catalina turns back. Her disinterest has shifted to concerned confusion.

“Why would I do that?”

Shawn closes his eyes, feeling his ruddy cheeks go pinker. “I don’t know. I just didn’t want to give you the chance. I’ve been kicked out before. It’s not fucking fun.”

Catalina’s lips part. Her eyes unfocus. She’s having a mini epiphany.

From the beginning, she used Shawn like a toy. Their cat and mouse game was only supposed to be fun. She just didn’t want to make it easy for him. The excitement was in the challenge for them both, or so she thought. While she was quietly wondering if his interest would fade after they fucked the first time, he was worrying about the same thing.

He left first to save himself. He left first to see if she’d chase him.

“You wanted me to make the move,” she breathes, sinking back into the seat beside him.

Shawn doesn’t look up. The bar is closing, the last patrons have shuffled out. Bonnie is wiping down counters. Shawn’s friends give him a wave and watch curiously from outside as they climb onto their bikes and drive away.

Shawn lifts his eyes experimentally. She’s still looking off into the distance, putting pieces together in her pretty head. Finally, she looks back at him.

“When was the last time you felt really wanted?”

Shawn goes cold to his bones. He feels translucent -- he swears she can see every scrambled thought in his harried brain, can see the blood pumping double time in his veins. No hiding from her now.

“Uhm… I....” He trails off. He’s not sure that question needed a real answer, anyway.

Her fingers pluck some curls off his forehead, away from his cut. He looks up at her, into warmth and tenderness he’s seen snippets of in the months they’ve known each other. He’s never seen her look like this. She’s never looked so beautiful.

“Lina, I--”

She leans in and kisses him softly. It feels like a kiss from their first night together, like when she sat in his lap and rocked their hips and came, holding his arm around her stomach. He kisses back, tilting his head as she guides him, resting a hand on the outside of her thigh on her leather pants. She murmurs softly into his mouth. The vibration has him squeezing her leg and nibbling sweetly at her lower lip.

Catalina purrs, lifting herself into his lap without disconnecting their needy mouths. As Bonnie keeps her eyes mostly down, mopping up behind the counter, Shawn and Catalina explore in a way they haven’t yet. When Shawn releases a particularly sweet and overwhelmed groan at Catalina’s gentle hair tugging, Bonnie stifles a chuckle and decides the rest of the job can be done before opening tomorrow. She opts to leave out the back, locking up behind her.

Shawn sucks at Catalina’s tongue, sneaking his fingers up under her tank top like he’s never touched her before. It feels naughty. It feels good. It feels even better than before because he knows she wants him.

She wants him.

It feels real, like it’s not just for tonight, or not even just for sex. She might actually want--

“Shawn,” she coos, pulling apart enough from his lips to speak, “Want you to take me back to your place.”

Her fingers slip beneath his suspenders, teasing the skin under the thin shirt beneath. She plucks, letting the elastic snap back. His breathing comes up short.

“Want to show you just how much I want you, baby.”

Shawn huffs a soft breath, nodding eagerly. She plants another kiss on him and stands, tangling their fingers. They stay tangled while Catalina pushes in chairs, turns off lights and fishes her keys from her bag, laughing as Shawn holds his phone flashlight out for her. They lock up.

His bike is waiting for them. He climbs on first, handing her a helmet with a wink. She settles in behind him, this time much more comfortable snuggling up to his broad back in his soft leather jacket. The bike growls to life, stoking the fire in her lower abdomen. Her thighs clench around the machine as Shawn takes off down the street.

She knows why he ended up here all the time with his friends. He lives five minutes away. She raises her eyebrows at the quaint townhouse, not expecting his home to look quite so… domestic. He parks the bike right outside between a Honda and a Volvo and holds his hand out to her to help her off, sliding off his own helmet.

When she’s on her feet, she steps into his body that’s bleeding heat. She cups his cheek and runs her thumb gently along his bruising skin.

“We should get ice on this,” she murmurs. He turns his face, eyes fluttering as he plants a kiss on the inside of her palm.

“Later. Please, baby. It’s been so long. Need you.”

His thoughts are short and simple. She draws both hands up to secure around his neck, easing him down for another head swimmingly full, tender kiss. While her tongue swipes along his lower lip, she slides her hands down, taking hold of the suspenders in both hands, dragging him toward the door.

He stumbles along with her, sifting through his keys, grunting into her mouth as he struggles to find the one for his front door. She peels away from him with a giggle, allowing him to focus. He seizes the right key and thrusts the door open, letting her in first. He trails behind, turning on lights.

The house is small and simple, masculine and a little cold. She sets her purse and jacket down on the counter of his very clean kitchen. She plants her hands on the cool marble countertop and closes her eyes, feeling him edge up behind her with his hands on her hips.

Shawn goes silent. Every thought in his brain is muted, replaced with feeling her. He noses at her hair and slips his fingers up her sides curiously, allowing himself little tastes of her, though he craves more.

“Baby,” Catalina murmurs, her voice warm and steady and feeling like a shot of adrenaline through his body, “Need you to do something for me.”

“Anything,” he pants immediately, almost before she finishes speaking. She smiles, chewing on her lower lip.

She turns in his arms, held between him and the counter. She takes hold of his suspenders again, watching the flush creep up his pretty neck.

“Need you to be good for me tonight. Let me take care of you.”

Shawn’s knees tremble. He leans harder into the counter and releases a choked breath. He nods, keeps nodding until she takes his head in her hands and gives him another perfect kiss.

Her hungry hands glide over her own body, pulling her tank up her pale stomach, separating their mouths only long enough to shed it behind her. Shawn starts to try to help with the buttons on her leather trousers but she plucks his fingers off with a smile against his mouth.

“Not gonna let me touch you, baby?” he whispers, his voice a little closer to a whine than he’d like. She hears it, reveling in it while she wriggles out of her pants herself, kicking them off after her boots and socks.

She replaces Shawn’s hands on her hips, wrapping her arms around him as she leads him toward the stairs.

“Haven’t touched me in weeks,” she points out between kisses, “And you seemed to be doing just fine.”

He groans into her mouth at her teasing. He knows what she wants. He’s not used to having to give it, but he’ll do it. He’ll give it for her.

“I wasn’t,” he pants, leaning into the vulnerability. 

His lips trail off down her jaw, letting her tug him upstairs to his bedroom, “I was fucking-- god, Lina, I’m miserable without you. I need you.”

Catalina wants to bathe in this feeling. She knows how good their first two times were. She relives them more often than she probably should. But this is honest and open and she can feel the way he means his words by the way his heart sprints in his firm chest. This time is going to be even better.

“You know you’re the only one that calls me that?” she whispers when they reach his spartan bedroom. She pushes the suspenders off his shoulders until they fall limp at his sides. She guides him to sit at the end of the bed, standing between his spread knees. His fingers twitch at his sides, wanting to touch.

“What, Lina?” he pants.

“Yeah. Everyone else calls me Cat.”

Shawn looks bewildered, like maybe he never noticed. “I can call you Cat if you want.”

“No,” she says, tilting his head back to rest in her hands, watching his eyes flutter, “I like that it’s just for us.”

Shawn squirms, his wet pink lips parting with the effort of his breath. He wants to touch her. He wants it so bad. The only thing he wants more is for her to give him whatever she wants. He fists his hands into the duvet on either side of him as she lowers herself into his lap.

“Did you think about me the last few weeks?” she hisses, rocking herself into place so she grinds against his hardening cock in his black jeans. He gives it back, using his hands against the mattress to match the rhythm of her perfect hips.

“Of course I did,” he chokes, “Always think about you, Leens.”

“When you’re touching yourself? When you’re alone and it’s dark and quiet and you need a release?”

Shawn’s eyes shut. “Baby, it was always you. Always.”

Catalina is flooded with it. She should get that word tattooed on her somewhere. Maybe somewhere sexy so only he knows it’s there. She gently eases him onto his back, lifting off his hips to pluck at the button of his pants. She notices the suspenders still lying around his hips. Her eyes flash.

“Shawn,” she coos, sliding up his body so their faces are level, “Baby, have you ever been tied up before?”

His glassy eyes clear up in an instant. He squirms again, swallowing hard.

“Fuck, not in… a long time.”

Catalina smirks. “Bet you’re usually the one doing the tying up.”

Shawn chuckles. It’s cocky and sexy and it makes Catalina wetter in her panties.

“Usually,” he replies.

Catalina ducks her head to whisper in his ear, “If you’re really good for me this time, we can try that next time.”

Shawn groans again, but it cuts into a squeak when Catalina drags at his earlobe with her sharp teeth.

She sits back and eyes him, her gaze raking over his long, lean body, still fully clothed, his dick straining beautifully in his jeans. She cups him, giving him a teasing squeeze that makes him flinch and huff a breath.

“Take your clothes off for me,” she commands, firm but affectionate, “Nice and slow.”

Shawn presses himself up on his hands and stands in front of her, reaching for the collar of his tank at the back of his neck. He lifts it slowly, revealing inch after inch of perfect, soft skin, warm brown chest hair and a trail leading into his pants. He tosses the shirt away, licking his lips.

“Mmm, you know exactly how hot you are, don’t you?” Catalina sighs. Shawn lifts an eyebrow.

“I don’t know about that,” he begins, tugging at the button of his jeans, dropping his zipper, “But I know exactly how hot you are for me.”

Catalina laughs, delighted. She leans back on her forearms, propping her feet up on the bed. She spreads her thighs just enough for him to notice she’s doing it, and it’s not just to get more comfortable as she watches him.

Shawn’s eyes fix on the wet spot on her panties. His exhale whistles through his nose. He tucks his thumbs in the waistband of his jeans and pushes, slowly again per her request, watching her eyes get heavy lidded and her fingers grip the sheets like his were only moments before.

He drops his jeans around his ankles, kicking them off.

“These too?” he pants, pointing at his navy Calvins. She nods, breathing hard, which makes his dick twitch.

“Those too.”

Again, Shawn pulls at them slowly, his eyes locked on her when his leaking cock springs free to slap up against his lower abdomen. She licks her lips obscenely. A moan gets throttled in his tight throat.

Catalina sits up and beckons to him, spreading her legs so he can stand between her knees. She gathers him in by his hips, eyes roaming his body like she’s never seen it before. She likes what she sees. He can tell by the way she’s going pink all over. It makes him preen, flexing just a little under her touch.

“You’re perfect, every inch of you,” she whispers, her voice muffled against his skin as her lips brush his chest. Her sneaky fingers curve around his hips and sink into the cheeks of his ass, urging him even closer.

Shawn gasps, pushing his hands into his hair, “God, fuck, Lina. Fuck.”

She’s not shy about leaving marks. She bites and licks and sucks like he’s hers to do with what she wants. And, goddamnit, he is. He so is. It’s all he can do to keep his hands to himself. Pulling at his curls helps a little. But when he watches her perfect little tongue swirl around his nipple and suck it between her lips, his hands drop to her hair, hugging her close as he whines.

She releases his reddening, swollen skin from her rosy lips and smirks up at him, squeezing the palms still planted on his ass.

“Ok, baby, time for me to play.”

She slaps her flat palm against his ass lightly to watch his stomach tighten. He grunts, but the corner of his mouth lifts. “Where do you want me?”

“Everywhere,” she purrs dangerously, “But let’s start with right here.”

She enjoys watching the shiver roll down his spine as she pats the bed. He gracefully lowers himself, head on the pillows, blinking down at her. Catalina frees the suspenders from his jeans and crawls up the bed, sitting over his chest as she lifts his willing arms over his head and binds them together, then to the headboard.

She sits back, looking over her work. His bulky arms are pinned up around his ears. His chest is heaving more quickly now as the reality of it hits him. His eyes are glazed. His cheeks are pink and patchy. He looks fucking delicious.

“Gonna sit on my face, honey? Let me taste that perfect pussy again?” he pants.

She hums. “Maybe if you’re lucky.”

“You mean maybe if you’re lucky.”

Her eyes skip from his hard nipples to the clear challenge on his face. She gasps a laugh.

“Oh yeah?”

“I know you remember,” he nearly growls, his voice low and scraping. She can feel it in her clit even though he’s not touching it.

“Bet you’ve been thinking about the way I pressed you up against your bar and made you come on my face. About how I hitched your leg up to keep you spread for me while you dripped on my tongue.”

He’s looking down at her through his lashes, his swollen lips wet and parted. It’s a dare. He’s playing with her just like she’s playing with him. For a second, Catalina feels like the one with the restraints around her wrists. And then she remembers she’s not.

He is.

“You’re a fucking tease, Mendes,” she chuckles, climbing off his stomach to sit beside him.

“Not teasing if I’m lying here totally willing,” he counters, “C’mon, honey. It would be so easy. Just take off those pretty panties and come sit on my face.”

Catalina’s jaw clenches. She looks up at his face. His grin falters.

“Turn over.”

Shawn’s face goes blank. He blinks at her. “What?”

Catalina remains firm, her face serene. “Turn over onto your stomach.”

Shawn opens his mouth as if to ask a question, but he thinks better of it. He fights to roll over with his hands bound, but the suspenders are long enough to allow him to twist until he’s flipped ass up.

“Tell me, baby,” she rasps, straddling his thighs, running her nose along the little curls at the back of his neck, “What would you do for me if I did sit on your face?”

Shawn’s massive shoulder blades come together as he inhales sharply. Catalina busies herself, waiting for his answer, by marking up his back the same way she did his chest. She starts on his shoulders, sweet wet lips tending to him after her teeth nip sharply.

“Oh, fuck,” he hisses, imagining what he’s going to look like when she’s done with him. Probably like he got mauled. How appropriate.

“I’d… fuck, I’d start nice and slow, honey. Miss you on my face so much. I’d take you in, tasting your sweet lips, feeling how warm and wet you are for me.”

Catalina groans encouragingly, sinking her teeth into an already inflamed mark at the top of his spine that makes him wince and grind into the bed.

“I’d let you rock against my face as I kiss you, letting you know I know how fucking lucky I am to have you, baby. Suck on your soft lips, massaging them with my tongue.”

“God, Shawn,” Catalina whines, sliding a flat palm down her stomach as she breathes wet and heavy against his left shoulder blade where a series of little bite marks are starting to purple. She presses her needy fingers against her pussy, soaked through her satin panties. The relief is good, but not enough.

“I know you like it when I flick your clit hard and fast to get you so fucking wet for me. But I’d do that nice and slow too, soft strokes from your entrance to your perfect little button of nerves. Hot and wet and slow until you’re begging for me, pulling my hair to get me to give you what you need.”

Catalina is panting hard, stroking her clit through her panties, hips rolling as she sucks hard at the center of his spine.

“I’d stiffen my tongue, moaning when I feel you dripping on my lips and cheeks. God, you’re so wet. You taste so good, so sweet. I’d want more. I’d slip my hot tongue between your lips and press into your entrance, thrusting in and out of you to feel you go even tighter for me. Can you feel it, baby? Can you feel me fucking you with my tongue?”

He’s onto her. Catalina doesn’t care. She nods eagerly for him to continue, whimpering into his abused skin, her hand moving faster against her wetness.

“You’re so wet we can both hear it. My hot breath is on your clit, my cheeks are wet from your thighs. You’re so close. Your clit is throbbing. You need me there again, don’t you, baby? Need me to play with your pretty clit to get you to come.”

Catalina moans again, the sound choked and soft. She shifts down, rolling her hips hard to meet the heel of her hand. She brushes the tip of her nose over the swell of his ass. With a deep breath, she bites down on his left cheek, grinning at his sharp gasp.

“Fuck! Fuck, Lina!” he cries, rolling his hips, fucking down against the mattress. She doesn’t let up, just follows her teeth with hungry lips and the occasional soothing of her tongue.

“More, Shawn,” she grunts before returning to her task. He shudders, nodding, eyes shut with his cheek on his pillow.

“Wanna hear you come for me. Wanna feel it all over me when you let go. I flatten my tongue against you, I know you need something to grind against to come hard. C’mon, baby. Give it to me. Fucking come on my face.”

Catalina’s shoulders pull, her back arching as she feels the hook. It drags her under, has her moaning and chanting his name into the firm flesh of his ass. Her hips buck wildly for several seconds. Shawn lives for each and every one, praising her as she drives through it, soothing her when she comes down.

When she does come down, lifting her head from his backside to see him smiling down at her, looking totally content even though she knows he’s beyond hard still, she hums, pressing a chaste kiss over the violet mark she left on his perfect ass.

“That’s gonna be a good one,” she giggles, tracing it with her fingertip. He shudders again, his eyelids fluttering.

Catalina peels herself away. She stands on shaky knees, shedding her soaked panties and her lace bra, dropping them on his floor while he watches.

“There’s no one on earth as beautiful as you,” he whispers, gazing at her almost hopelessly. She perches beside him, rubbing his back.

“I think you could give me a run for my money,” she replies, the corner of her mouth lifting. Shawn smiles, closing his eyes again.

“Can you turn back over for me, sweetheart?”

Shawn grunts as he flips himself back over. He has pillow marks on his cheek and his cock is harder, pinker, prettier than she’s ever seen one. She climbs over his thighs again, reaching between her legs to gather some wetness on her fingers. Shawn watches with bated breath until her fingers lift to his lips in offering. He accepts them with a grateful moan, sucking them into his hot mouth, swirling his tongue. Catalina smiles, using her other hand to stroke his cock, deciding he’s certainly earned some relief.

He’s the picture of sinful indulgence, lifting his hips to meet her strokes while he sucks needily on her fingers like they’re giving him life. He doesn’t want to let them go when she starts to pull them away. He nips at them teasingly, smirking at the reproachful look she gives him.

Catalina scoots her knees up, lifting to position the head of his throbbing cock at her entrance. Shawn watches, his chest quaking with his ragged breaths, waiting for it, for the perfect feeling he knows he could never get anywhere else. He’d wait forever for her.

“Please,” he urges, his head lolling back, “Lina.”

Catalina inhales, smiles shakily, and sinks down, taking him to the hilt.

Shawn hasn’t gotten so close to blowing his load too early since he was a fucking teenager. How is it better every time with her? How does she keep feeling better? He thought it was perfect the first time. Now, as he looks up at her, knowing she wants him, knowing she likes him, knowing he’s falling in love with her, he knows what perfect is.

She eases in, rolling her hips smoothly with a flick upward that has him shifting in and out of her as she rests in his lap.

“That’s… oh god, shit, Lina…”

She nods in agreement, breathless, thoughtless, with no goal other than to make him feel good. By the look on his face, she’s succeeding.

She shifts her weight into her hands on either side of his head, rocking down harder and a little faster. The noise is obscene. With every stroke up, she gasps a breath, reveling in the warm burn of the stretch. No one’s ever been so perfectly deep in her. No one’s ever felt so good. She knows it’s not just the sex -- it hasn’t been from the beginning. It’s him.

Shawn slides his feet up the bed to give him purchase to meet her hips. Their wet skin slaps and it’s the only thing louder than their synchronized breath. They’re staring at each other, memorizing, desperate to hold onto the feeling of such tantalizing closeness.

Catalina shifts, the angle of her hips meeting his allowing him to stroke her g-spot with every perfect roll. She snaps her eyes shut and gasps, slowing their rhythm, wringing out this feeling for all it’s worth.

“You getting lost down there?”

His voice is sharp and bright, poking through Catalina’s hazy cloud. She opens her eyes to see him grinning at her, a line of perfect white teeth sparkling, his eyes teasingly taunting.

“Wh--”

Before she can release any coherent thought, Shawn wriggles his hand, slipping from the bind of the suspender and freeing the other. Catalina’s mouth drops open. She wrinkles her brow and opens her mouth to protest, but Shawn wraps his arms around her and rolls them so she’s on her back, still gaping.

“You’re cute when you’re surprised,” Shawn hums, shifting onto his knees to pulse his cock even deeper.

“Shawn!” she croaks, spreading her legs wider to accommodate him as he takes over.

He’s not as controlled or subtle as Catalina was. He pounds in and out hard, restless, reckless as he chases after her orgasm. He’s single-minded, lifting her legs around his hips, using his grip on her for even more leverage. He’s holding her off the bed, watching her fall apart.

“Can’t hold on,” she squeaks, shaking her pretty head.

Shawn nods eagerly. “I know, princess. Time to let go. Fucking come, baby. Show me.”

Catalina’s eyes roll back. Her pussy pulses, fluttering around him, a warning before she falls. The squeeze of her around him, the way she screams as she bites down on his jaw, he swears it’s the most satisfied he’s ever felt. He fucks her through it, managing to hold himself off until she’s limp in his arms, blinking up at him lazily.

“Do something for me?” she whispers, but it’s a plea, not the start of a command.

Shawn nods, panting in her face.

“Kiss me when you come.”

Shawn’s face scrunches. His whole body aches with pleasure that makes his blood simmer. He reaches for her hand, linking their fingers. He looks at them, watches them intertwine when his rhythm fails. He looks back at her and sees her watching him. It’s all he needs to give in.

He drops his lips to hers, lets her drink in his rasping moans as he comes hard, his entire body spasming. She fists her free hand into his hair, steadying him against her, reminding him she’s close, as if he could forget. She takes him so well, rocking her hips to ease him from his peak, pressing kisses all over his face to let him breathe. He doesn’t want to breathe, he just wants her. He searches out her lips again, collapsing against her willing body, sighing into her mouth.

When at last he can stand the idea of releasing her lips, he shifts back, disconnecting their protesting bodies, cupping her face in his hand, the other still laced with hers.

They don’t speak again before they fall asleep. When he wakes up, she’s still there, twisting one of his curls around her finger, taking stock of the marks she left on him the night before. Neither of them even thinks about getting out of bed for hours.

---------

WOO that was a marathon and a sprint all in one. thanks for hanging on this crazy weekend, guys ✌🏻 if you feel so inclined, the link to buy me a Ko-fi is on my main page!

Taglist: @the-claire-bitch-project @achinglyshawn @infiniteshawn @mendesoft @singanddreamanyway @alone-in-madness @abigfatmess @shawnitsmutual @awkwardfangirl2014 @september-lace @grittyisaho @sinplisticshawn @rollingxstone @yslsaint @randi-eve @fallmoreinlove @heyits-claire @itrocksmysocks @parkerspicedlatte

[limejuicer1862]

#TheWildness. Day 23. Write a diary entry from the perspective of a tree, chronicling its experiences and the changes it witnesses over the course of a year. Please join Jane Dougherty Misky, and me in celebrating wildness all this month. I tried to get permission from the Wildlife Trust to use their #3ODaysWild as prompts but it was not forthcoming, so here are my own prompts with a little help from chatgbt. I will feature your draft published/unpublished poetry/short prose/artworks using the following prompts. Please include a short third person bio. Numbers refer to dates in June: Day 1. Describe the sounds you hear when you step outside your home. How does nature contribute to this musical work? 2. Write a letter to a tree or plant that you encounter on your daily walk. What would you say to it? 3. Imagine you could transform into any animal for a day. Which animal would you choose and why? 4. Write a short story about a magical encounter with a wild animal in your backyard. 5. Describe a peaceful moment spent observing a body of water. What emotions does it evoke in you? 6. Write a poem inspired by the vibrant colours and patterns of a butterfly's wings. 7. Imagine you are a wildlife photographer. Describe the most breathtaking picture you have taken during your challenge. 8. Write about a favourite childhood memory spent in nature. How did it shape your connection with the natural world? 9. Create a dialogue between two different species of birds perched on a branch. What would they talk about? 10. Describe the texture and scent of wildflowers you encounter on your nature walks. How do they make you feel? 11. Write a persuasive essay on the importance of conserving and protecting local wildlife habitats. 12. Imagine you are a nature guide. Describe a walk you would take visitors on to showcase the beauty and diversity of your local environment. 13. Write a poem about the changing seasons and how they affect the behaviour of wildlife. 14. Imagine you are a detective investigating the disappearance of a rare animal. Describe your search for clues in the natural world. 15. Write a poem/flash fiction about a mischievous squirrel that causes chaos in your garden. 16. Describe a special moment when you felt truly connected to nature. What did it teach you about yourself and the world around you? 17. Write a letter to future generations, urging them to protect and cherish the natural world. 18. Create a detailed observation log of a specific species of bird that you have been monitoring throughout the challenge. 19. Write a poem inspired by the soothing sounds of a flowing stream or river. 20. Imagine you are a nature-inspired artist. Describe the masterpiece you would create using materials found in the great outdoors. 21. Write a short story about a group of friends who embark on an unforgettable camping trip in the wilderness. 22. Describe the most fascinating insect you have encountered during your challenge. What makes it unique? 23. Write a diary entry from the perspective of a tree, chronicling its experiences and the changes it witnesses over the course of a year. 24. Imagine you could communicate with one animal species. Which species would you choose and what would you ask them? 25. Describe a magical sunrise or sunset you have witnessed during your journey. How did it make you feel? 26. Write a letter to a future self, reflecting on the impact of the challenge on your relationship with nature. 27. Imagine you are a character in a wildlife-themed adventure novel. Describe the perilous situation you find yourself in and how you escape. 28. Write a poem celebrating the diversity and resilience of nature, even in the face of human challenges. 29. Describe the feeling of walking barefoot on cool, damp grass. How does it connect you to the Earth? 30. Write a short story about a hidden, enchanted forest where magical creatures dwell. What adventures await those who discover it? Feel free to adapt these prompts to suit your writing style or preferences.

The Tree photo by Paul Brookes The poplar waits for the orioles to return Winter torpor boughs break in wild winds squirrel-scamper slows sluggish we sleep while pigs root deer scrape boles fill with sleepy snakes lizards curl toads dig down deep in leaf litter leaves stay tight closed inside in warm sap crow-song and jay-chatter crack the icy air grey and clinging cold a monotone…