#for weeks now I've been thinking 'okay okay the anniversary is coming up I should do art of serenoa + the main cast!'

[space-spring-art]

an Avlora for tri strat's 2nd anniversary!!

[atmilliways]

Wrong On The Money (1-3)

parts 1, 2, & 3 of ?? | 888 words | Teen+

Blackmail fic on Ao3 | on tumblr

Summary:

Wayne is sick and they don't have the money for the treatment he needs. Eddie, desperate and spread thin between school, a part time job, and dealing, spots Steve outside of a gay club and opts for blackmail. Steve, who has heard about Wayne through Dustin... just sort of lets him.

I started writing this while Ao3 is down. Haven't quite finished it yet, but I've got 6.7k written so far, so I should be able to do daily posts for at least a while!

Now also posted on Ao3.

Quick note, if it helps anyone who might be hit too close to home by Wayne's serious but relatively brief health scare. First, he's going to be fine. I love Wayne, I wouldn't do that to him. Second, Dustin's mind goes straight to cancer when he hears that it's serious serious, but Wayne's illness is never specified. The only symptoms described are basically a cough and general weakness/fatigue.

1.

Dustin is really upset one day after school, the day he tells Steve about his dad. 

Steve had never asked, alright? It was family shit, and that kind of thing was. . . . Well, not sacred, he can’t even think that and keep a straight face, but definitely private. There could’ve been any number of reasons why Mr. Henderson wasn’t around. 

Turns out it was cancer.

And . . . it’s not insensitive to wonder, right? Steve doesn't know if it’s an anniversary or if someone’s been giving him shit at school about not having a dad or something. So, after a few bumbling questions about why this is upsetting him now, an explanation comes tumbling out.

The leader or president or whatever of the nerd club Dustin joined at the start of the year had to cancel their game this week. “Eddie never cancels, Steve,” Dustin insists, eyes red from crying and voice gone all squeaky. “And we were giving him shit about it, we all were, even the upperclassmen guys, and he. . . he j-just broke, Steve. Said his uncle is r-really sick, bad sick, and I know what that means. They don’t have the money for treatment. He’s Eddie’s only family, and he’s probably going t-to. . . .”

Steve regrets dropping Robin off at her house first today. She might not know what to say either, but at least they’d be in this together. “Dust, that’s. . . . That’s awful.”

Turns out he doesn’t have to say anything else, because Dustin thumps against him and bawls his eyes out. 

2.

“It was awful, Robs,” Steve says, rubbing a hand over his eyes as he talks into the phone. “I haven’t seen him like that since after Starcourt, when we had to tell him about Hop.”

Robin’s wince is audible in her reply. “Yeah, that's. . . . That’s pretty bad.”

“Yeah.” He heaves a sigh, hoping it’ll get some of the constricted feeling out of his chest. It doesn’t.

“Steve? Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” It’s just, he hates it. Hated it then and hates it now, because both times there’s no way for him to jump between Dustin and this thing. “Everything was starting to sort of feel okay again, and then suddenly there's Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson and his uncle, who I’ve never even seen in my life—”

“It’s not about the Munsons, Steve,” Robin says gently. “You and Dustin have that ‘you die I die’ thing. He’s like your kid brother who annoys the shit out of you, but you love him to death anyway. And right now he’s sad but you can’t do anything to help.”

Lifting his face from his hand, Steve looks around the room. He’s on the big comfortable couch in his big fucking house with too many rooms, all empty except for this one. His parents are never home, always away on business trips that got way more frequent after Barbara Holland disappeared from a party he’d hosted. They send money—not an allowance, not since he didn’t get into any of the colleges he’d applied to. But the utility bills are always paid up, and a gardener still comes around to do lawn maintenance every other week.

He wonders how the cost of maintaining a house they don’t live in compares to the cost of whatever kind of treatment Munson’s uncle needs.

Doesn’t let himself wonder if it would make a difference, but he knows that treatments don’t always work. It hadn’t, apparently, for Dustin’s dad.

“Yeah,” Steve agrees heavily. “I know.”

3.

The nice thing about being done with high school and working weekends at a shitty retail job is, Steve can do whatever he wants on some weekdays. As long as he doesn’t have a shift that starts before noon the next day, anyway. Which he doesn’t.

So, a few days after Dustin’s revelations, Steve drives up to the nearest outskirts of Indy. Eventually he ends up in one of those clubs that he and Robin have been researching how to find.

He tells himself that he’s scoping it out before he brings her, but he wants to get lost for a while. Empty his head out of things he can’t do a damn thing about—the Upside Down, the monsters, the Russians, the Munsons, the memories of Dustin crying and, just for funsies, of Nancy calling him bullshit. Because that’s always somewhere in the mix, these days.

Fill it back up with music and movement. Not with drinks, because he still has to get himself back to Hawkins in one piece.

He goes and he dances and he sweats. Sometimes guys dance with him, and Steve goes with it. Who cares? No one knows him here, it doesn’t mean anything.

Turns out, it does mean something after all. 

When Steve finally stumbles his way out of the club, he finds none other than Eddie Munson sitting on the hood of the Beemer he’s been buying off of his parents in installments. (Their idea. It’s a ‘pay for it or lose it’ kind of deal.) 

The buzzing under his sweat-tacky skin—satisfaction at successfully getting out of his head—fizzles out. He keeps walking and stops when he draws even with the car. 

Eddie Munson, looking tired and prickling with restless energy, and exhales a cloud of smoke and vapor into the chilly air. “Hey, man. What’s a nice boy like you doing in a place like this?”

[aswho1estuff]

I love it, my designer

EP #2

Dior for I adore, Versace I can't stay away

Plot- Taylor feels understood, cherish, and quite frankly loved the problem is her husband isn’t anywhere in the equation. The root of the problem is the model her husband assigned her to photograph.

Masterlist

"Lemme lock this up and we're out" I say putting my keys in my purse. "Not the silent treatment" I announce laughing. Looking up I follow Diana's gaze to meet Hyunjin.

"Oh, hi Ms. Carter, and ?" Hyunjin says walking over."Hey this is Diana my friend, what are you doing here today?" I say shaking his hand after Diana "Well I'm moving my activities under this company and need a stylist soon, So everyone told me come to you".

"You should definitely work with Sasha then, she's one of the best assets here" Diana jumps in poking me forward. "That would be wonderful actually" Hyunjin grins at Diana. Pushing her I say "Don't mind her, when do you need the outfit".

"I'll need them in two weeks actually, one for the carpet and another for the after party" he lets out low. I sigh laughing "I'm gonna need all your time these two weeks then no debates". "My lips are sealed" Hyunjin whispers.

"We should take him to lunch with us then" Diana says quickly almost giving me whiplash "you know for business and time management and stuff" she lets out sheepishly.

"And that's when she came with me up to that school id never seen those girls so scared before" Diana cackles at the retailing making me and Hyunjin laugh. "You've always been so caring huh" he says leaning over.

"she has don't let her tell you otherwise, that's why I'm glad you were able to care for her yesterday" Diana says softly she's always worried about me even though I'm older. "It was my pleasure really, I enjoyed every minute truly" Hyunjin states smiling.

"did something happen that day though before I came? if I can ask of course" Hyunjin asks low. "It's alright it was just my anniversary that day and it didn't go how I planned it would" I elaborate.

"I didn't know it was your anniversary I would have got you something" "Hyunjin you don't have to do that, it's alright" I cant fathom the thought that he and Diana would be the only ones who'd actually given me a gift.

"Well if not for your anniversary then I should get you something for our anniversary yesterday was the first day we met. You became my photographer and now stylist I think our relationship will be a long and beautiful one" Hyunjin says smiling. "Oh sorry y'all, my rides here gotta head back to the office but have fun" Diana says grabbing her purse as we wave her off.

"let's get to business then, your manager has messaged me with your brand deals so we can hit up a shop nearby for inspiration" I say muddling through my purse grabbing my wallet. "No need I've already got it" "you sure?" I ask "I want to".

Ohh this purse is cute wait look at those shoes. "You should try them on, a little pleasure with business is okay" Hyunjin slightly smiles. "I couldn't.... maybe just for a second" I say grabbing the shoes from him. Throwing my shoes off I put them on "wow okay she's cute" I say pointing to the shoes "indeed she is" Hyunjin adds laughing.

"okay let me take em off before I get attached" gigging I sit down reaching for the shoe Hyunjin stops my hand "you don't want them?" He asks confused. "I shouldn't Ive got enough shoes really you know" I reply slowly pulling off the shoes. These are gonna live in my dreams for weeks "but you can never have too much of what you like" Hyunjin says helping me up.

"well I think daniel would disagree and he's right I do have too many shoes, I probably wouldn't wear them often anyways I'm more of a purse girl" I say putting them back.

"You've got a package" Daniel says putting it on the bed. "Thanks?" I tell him as he walks out resuming his phone conversation closing the door. Versace? This can't be I think Opening the box to find a note.

"I got the black purse so you can switch with the white one you have. Our first anniversary of many years to come I hope." - Hyunjin

Masterlist

<-Ep. #1 Ep.#3->

[skylinx2o]

Admittedly, I've been feeling terrible lately. I didn't even finish my weekly drawing and broke my now months long streak. I thought I would be able to do it, but my emotions weighted me down too much. I might go back to drawing one art every two weeks.

Anyway, I feel like I should do more fun things. I mean, drawing is fun, and I love creating stories for my OCs, but I do have a lot of other interests. And tho I'm sticking to talking about LEGO today, I want to talk more and get out of my shell. And maybe give you more insight into me as a person.

So today I'm going to talk about my favourite LEGO themes and why I love the series, plus how I personally got i to all of them. It's not a normal review whatsoever, just an excuse to ramble about my interests freely. Just remember this is my experience and my feelings.

(And it's not at all like I'm making this post because I need all of this to prepare for a speaking class and the only way to motivate myself is by making a post about it o _o Come on, I'm killing two birds with one stone here!)

Okay, so, my all-time favourite themes are (in chronological order to when I found them):

1. Bionicle

Honourable mention: Hero Factory

2. Ninjago

3. Legends of Chima

4. Monkie Kid

5. Dreamzzz

1. So. Bionicle. I have a weird history with Bionicle. My dad's friends used to get movies for us, and one day it just happened that my dad's friends gave us a pen drive with Bionicle: Legend Reborn on it. I think I would be around... Seven or eight when I watched it I've seen fans say that it was a pretty weak film, but I didn't know Bionicle back then, and I really enjoyed it! That movie was a soft reboot of the series, and as someone who started their Bionicle obsession with that movie, in my opinion it worked really well as a standalone supposed to capture new audiences. I really loved the sense of mystery that was probably lost on new fans. It wasn't exactly explained what or who Mata Nui was, besides him being a warrior who lost his people. And the ending... I really thought there would be a sequel to it, and was really intrigued by whom the great beings were, and what happened to the world, why Mata Nui knew them, what the giant ahh robots were supposed to do.

Of course, when a few years later in middle school I looked for the sequel, I didn't find it. And to be honest, the ending was disappointing to me. However, there was a whole other storyline in Bionicle to catch up on! And so one faithful summer was spent reading all the comics I could find, reading wiki pages one after another, playing Mata Nui online game obsessively, refusing to use a walkthrough. Believe me when I say I was obsessed!

And then out of nowhere in 2015 g2 came out, and I was stoked since I missed out on practically the whole g1 as it was being made. (I mean, it's understandable, I was born the same year the first Bionicle movie came out.) I mean, can you blame me for being excited? A dead franchise that I just started becoming a devoted fan of is suddenly revived from the grave. I felt like the luckiest person on earth that day. Honestly, g2 was a lot simpler than g1, but I really like it, even if most people said it sucked. Sure, it wasn't exactly like g1, and even I cringed a few times when watching the g2 show, but for what it was, it was cool in my eyes, and loved finding all the g1 references. And there were quite a few of them! The story of g2 was simpler, but for little kids I think it would've been fine. But alas, LEGO did a crap job promoting it, and it died early, with an ending that was so bad even I can't defend it. It just didn't make sense, and it was rushed as hell. But I still wished it would've continued.

I love both generations for different things, and I'm sad I didn't get any g2 sets when they were out (Lewa was my favourite one). But years later I managed to get a promotional anniversary set of Tahu and Takua, and you wouldn't believe my happiness when I was building it. It's strange being a relatively new fan compared to others I see online, but I still remember seeing Bionicle commercials, and even have a very vague memory of seeing a Phantoka commercial on our ancient TV. I mean come on, I was so into it, I even learned the Matoran alphabet! My mom had to listen to my countless rambling, and if I ask her about Bionicle today, she still remembers some answers, that's how much into it I was. Hell, this blog started as a Bionicle blog before I moved fully to Monkie Kid content.

Okay, this Bionicle ramble is getting a tad long, so I'll wrap this up. Would I recommend Bionicle to anyone? Well... Not really, unless you like long lore researching adventures. The story is so convoluted, with many sides stories, and it went on for so many years, that despite my obsession I still probably missed like, 40% of the lore. G1 at least, wouldn't vibe with casual audience probably. G2 might be easier on the brain, despite it having some deeper lore too. Plus, there's the cultural appropriation issue, that I'm not qualified to talk about, but others already made pages long blogs and articles about. Plus the weird gender situation. But, it's still a good story in my eyes, despite its many faults. But that's just me, and if you didn't catch on yet, I'm already deep in this hole and there's no getting out of here now.

Honourable mention: This brings us to Hero Factory. I watched the first few episodes at around the same time as the first Bionicle movie. Came from the same source as before. I think it deserves a mention, because I still loved it, and did some lore digging, but I wasn't as obsessed with it as the other positions on the list. I didn't like the later stuff as much, tho some concepts were really cool too. But the story of the first episodes was really well done, and worked great as a movie. The fights were tense, and when watching it for the first time, I couldn't really know if the characters would be okay. Honestly, it got me really excited and invested. A factory of heroes is a unique concept, and I always found it intriguing how they made the robot society work. But, I don't think it needed more time than it needed, unlike Bionicle, where I didn't like the ending of either generation. I think it wrapped things up quite well with the first episodes, and the later ones just feel like cool side stories, and it works in my opinion.

This one I would definitely recommend, because I feel like it's underrated, and it's not long. Like I said, the version I got was just a one movie like compilation. I checked and there's just 11 episodes. It would probably take 1–2 hours to watch it, not counting the later movies and all.

2. Next one is Ninjago! I started watching it almost from the start. I must have been around ten or so... The episodes aired on TV, so I had easy access to it! I almost never missed an episode, and watched even the reruns. And believe me, I was hypnotised when watching it. Tho, starting from rebooted I watched the episodes online, first in my native language, then in English since I started getting too impatient to wait. This was my first obsession. For the longest time, when people asked me what I wanted to do, I said I wanted to be a ninja. One of my oldest OCs is Mika, and she grew up with me. Whenever a new season was to come, I would design a new suit for her. I have a whole dedicated blog to her, I wonder if you all can find it lol. Anyway, for a kid's show, the first seasons were really well written, and the show could be dark when it wanted, but it didn't lack jokes, and most were very funny. And honestly, Ninjago had a really big impact on my life. It taught me not to give up, and it made me want to make the world a better place. Grade school was a horrible time for me, and Ninjago was like my escape. Tho, I might have daydreamed about it too much at one point...

I started distancing myself from Ninjago around hands of time. I didn't watch the show as regularly, catching up on seasons long after they aired. I think that's also where the writing quality started dropping… I just didn't like it as much any more. But it should've been expected with a series that went on for so long. I'm not one of the people who think old Ninjago was better than anything. It wasn't perfect at all. But I didn't like the short format of newer seasons. But then secrets of forbidden spinjitzu dropped, and i as a person started getting better too, so I went back to Ninjago, and while it wasn't still the best and people had a lot of issues I loved those few next seasons. I mean, they somehow hit right into my interests with those seasons. First the adventure movies like atmosphere with the Egyptian like tomb, then they get sucked into a video game, then the very DnD like feeling Shintaro. It was right up my alley. My love for Ninjago was back in full force by then. So you can imagine how sad I was when the word that Ninjago was ending started going around. The series has been with me for half my life. My friends even knew how much I liked it, my best IRL friend even bought me a Ninjago set for Christmas one time. But you know, I thought it was probably Ninjago's time. Nothing can last forever after all, and it had a very good run. Why not end it when the story was still quite alright? And then… Crystallized happened. I didn't watch Crystallized. I heard the spoilers, and I wasn't… thrilled. Especially with Harumi. And people hated that season. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. It didn't feel like a send-off Ninjago deserved.

So you can imagine how damn happy I was about Dragon Rising! And surprise, it's the best Ninjago has been in a while! I absolutely loved the first season. The new characters are wonderful, and that change was certainly what Ninjago needed. And the fact that it's merged with one of other of my beloved LEGO series only makes it better. And that's probably my cue to move to it hehe

So, would I recommend Ninjago? Yeah. Its story is easy to follow, you just need to watch the show. If you're ready to watch sixteen+ seasons that it! Even the worse seasons have some value to them I'd argue. But I may be biased with how close to my heart that series is.

3. Yeah boy, Legends of Chima! I started watching Chima around the same time I started watching Ninjago, and I was equally hooked. And yes, my mom remembers this one as well, I watched it every time it was on too. Actually, I think the first fanfiction I've ever written was about Chima. With a pencil on paper. I think that, while the other series captivated me because of magic or the setting or the action, in Chima it was the characters and their dynamics mostly, despite there being plenty of magic powers and action too, plus a unique setting. The main characters all have distinct personalities, and it's fun to see how their personalities clash or work together. I think it's cool because the conflict between lions and crocodiles takes the main stage in the first season. Later seasons are great too, and they shake things up to make things interesting quite well. The lore isn't as broad as in other series, but it's pretty cool and interesting either way. There were some unique concepts there. I can't explain my love for this theme as well as with other series, because I don't think there was anything big that made me like it. It's just a cool show. I think what there was has been satisfying, tho young me was really sad and angry it ended anyway. But it's great for what it was. But I can't say I'm not happy that Chima is now merged with Ninjago, and it works so well together, and I absolutely love Lord Ras.

I would absolutely recommend it. It's a fun show, and only three seasons long. It can be both fun and serious, and I definitely had a blast watching it.

4. Now one of my newer obsessions! Monkie Kid! I watched the pilot in Chinese when it came out, then I promptly forgot about the series and binge-watched it all when season 3 came out. I was reading about Journey to the West long before the series was announced, since I have a liking for old stories and legends and myths and stuff. And Asian cultures fascinate me. I blame Ninjago with its Japanese influence and all the martial arts movies that were on the TV all the time. Plus Mulan and Kung Fu Panda. Anyway, I can't say much about how accurate it is or anything since I'm not Chinese, but I think the show is great. I noticed a lot of references to Journey To The West. No shocker here, it's inspired by it. But being in this fandom made me learn a lot of new things about China, tho I still have a bunch of things to learn. I'm no expert yet. Tho, I try my best to be respectful.

Umm... Like I said, not much to say about how accurate the story is. But I really liked Journey to the West, so naturally I like Monkie Kid too. Plus, MK i really relatable to me. I feel like my personality is really similar to his, tho I'm more introverted. For some reason, I relate to this portrayal of Macaque and Wukong as well.

I dare to say that from all the series so far, I find this one to be the most well written. I just find the writing to be the most impactful. Plus, the artstyle is very different from other LEGO shows. Action scenes are really fun. The artstyle definitely works in its favour. And yeah, I would recommend this show 100%.

5. And finally, the newest addition to the LEGO series, Dreamzzz! The show is really new and just starting, but I love the concept and the writing! Plus again, I really relate to Mateo. The characters feel like real people you would meet, and how they interact feels realistic. And I found myself liking even the characters that annoyed me, because their personalities were the realistic type of annoying, one that you might find out in the wild. And the concept of a dream world just really speaks to me. And it gives the creators a lot of creative freedom. All wacky things can happen in a dream after all. One thing I didn't expect in the show was the secret agency, and I think it's a clever addition to the story.

I would recommend this series. I hope it'll have a bright future, and that the writing will stay this good.

Well, time to wrap all of this up. Whoever suffered through this whole ramble deserves a juice and a cookie 🍪🧃 For a few finishing thoughts... I noticed a lot of the series I like blend magic powers and technology together. I just thought it's interesting. And I wanted to mention that the songs for Bionicle, Ninjago and Chima absolutely slap. I used to listen to them on repeat all the time lol Even my mom really enjoyed those songs

Yeah, I don't know what this post was for, I just felt like writing all that :v

[oh-saints]

Hello!! Love how you write angst, could you maybe write a one shot for either mason mount or martin ødegaard, where you have been dating for a couple of years and suddenly he starts being nervous around reader and she thinks that he is going to ask her to move in but he breaks up with her because he starts thinking that she should be with someone that can give her all their time and not being in the spotlight and then idk ajajajaj

Maybe they call them when they are drunk or they get hurt in a match and they call her or something where they hace to face each other or something

Omg this is long ajajajajaj hope you like my idea and it inspires you to write something, I know anything we got from you will be nice :)

hi nonny!! sorry it's only now i can write this request of yours. i hope i'm not too late? ;-)

but since i'm writing an angst-y series for mason, here may i present you something for our favourite young captain that i've been working on the past week...

ghost

it’s true what people say when they tell you to wrap up your unfinished business first. you’re just too blind to see the big, fat ass flag that’s waving as red as your boyfriend’s kit.

martin ødegaard x you tw: insecurity + cheating wc: 3.3k note: this is just a fiction ok i'm just in the mood to make devil out of everyone lolol this actually hits a bit too close to home but I need to let it out, so here we are. I don’t support cheating whatsoever btw, so remember to break it up good first things first 😉but as usual, I happen to write at dawn so it’s not beta-read yet. songs: almost is never enough - nathan sykes, ariana grande & midnight rain - taylor swift

“are you engaged or something that I don’t know of?”

it wasn’t often your best friend paid you a call, considering her florist business was thriving and all and they were now rather short-staffed. so when her name flashed over the screen of your phone, you didn’t think twice to excuse yourself out of your office to pick up her call.

but you didn’t think she’d fire you that question. sure, you’d been dating your boyfriend since the early days of his arrival to the north side of london and things had been going stable between you two. sure, you’d talked about the more serious part of your relationship, such as what if you both get married and all. but that was it—none of you discussed more than that, what ifs.

you wouldn’t turn down the opportunity if given, though.

“uh, no? why are you asking?”

“shit,” your friend muttered under her breath. “promise me, first. don’t tell him it comes from me, okay?”

the more your friend gave you disclaimer like that, the more your heart’s palpitation grew rapid. “as if I’d throw my best friend under the bus.”

she laughed at your lame attempt to hide your nervousness. your voice tended to reach an octave higher when you did so. “martin ordered so many peonies for the weekend.”

peony is your favourite flower, you’d told martin that a long while ago—to which martin utilised the information for every of your anniversary bouquet, along with every time your birthday came up. but he never orders for peony on ordinary days because he thinks it defeats the purpose of presenting you everything special on particular days.

and this weekend was the last game of the season, a mark to officially begin your summer break, which is always the time you both look forward to because in between martin’s constant flying schedules and your 9-5 hectic schedule, it’s always nice to have one or two week(s) secluding yourself from the entire world, spending day and night only with your boyfriend.

you had to take a deep breath to slow down your pounding heart. can it be?

＊✿❀○❀✿＊＊✿❀○❀✿＊＊✿❀○❀✿＊

see you on the weekend, baby.

martin wasn’t supposed to be smiling this wide. he wasn’t even supposed to smile at all. because despite the sweet moniker, the sender wasn’t his own girlfriend of a little more than two years. worse, the sender had even been deprived of every right to call him by endearments since that painful moment she broke up with him, right when he informed her that there was a better opportunity for him in london.

logically, he was supposed to hate her with all his might—how could he stand someone who didn’t support his growth and development as a young football player? how could he stand someone who only crawled back to him when he was now an up-and-coming name in the football world?

logically, he was supposed to come back home straight from the training ground instead of ordering a bunch of flowers for the next time he met her. why did he feel obliged to bring her a handful of flowers? where did this feeling come from?

martin wasn’t one to understand flowers, anyway. he only bought flowers for special occasions, and that was also because he’d gotten the information yourself about your favourite flower. so why was he purchasing something he didn’t possess the knowledge of, to begin with?

but logic seemed to have escaped the most level-headed person under mikel arteta’s team since the ghost of his past decided to appear before him last week.

“martin, you should know that I’m very sorry for what I’ve done,” she started explaining, and the moment she reached for martin’s hands over the table was the moment his resolve crumbled apart. “I wasn’t thinking straight and I was too foolish to want you all for myself. but I’ve grown up, for you, so that I can be someone you need by your side.”

martin should naturally ask for an evidence, or anything to convince him that she had indeed become better for him, had turned into someone she believed he needed. martin should ask what she had become—could she be like you, the one who put shattered pieces of him together and glued him back to his old self?

martin should prove it himself if this very lady in front of him, who’d inflicted more pain than logically accepted, was a better fit to be his other half than you. hell, martin should’ve even proved it himself that she was no better than you, period. so why did his hand now get tangled with hers, reciprocating the light squeeze she gave him over the table?

why did he think she deserve at least a chance to explain herself?

ironic, really, when his gaffer picked martin to be the captain of his team himself solely for martin’s extraordinary football iq.

＊✿❀○❀✿＊＊✿❀○❀✿＊＊✿❀○❀✿＊

landed! can’t wait to see you! xx where are you?

“martin, baby,” martin jumped in his place, his phone almost fell off his hands, as the sultry voice he loved—and he discovered that he still loves it all the same—tried to lure him back to bed. “what are you doing? come back here,”

the pristine white sheet of the hotel slid down her chest as she sat up, beautiful in between the mess he made of her—her now-tangled hair, purple spots down her neck and chest, red marks down her arms and thighs—and martin’s heart broke into two. one at the revelation at how much he’d missed this sight of her, the other at the fact he needed to leave this behind because he still had you to come back to.

you, who’d been waiting for him at the airport for two hours now, because he forgot about picking you up from your business trip. something he never did during the time you both spent together.

you, who would be waiting for him in his house later, ready to spill everything you went through during your business trip, because you know martin was a good listener and never a judgemental one. because you know martin would always have your back.

you, who had loved him before his name, who have loved him through the calm and the storm of a football season, who always love him no matter wins or loses, and who promises to always love him through thins and thicks.

something came up at the training ground. I’m sorry I can’t pick you up myself.

martin’s heart plopped down the plush carpet as he pressed send, for reasons he didn’t want to acknowledge right now. not when a pair of arms managed to snake its way to his waist, eliminating the distance between martin and her in no time and they were now skin to skin, and good lord, was it not satisfying to have no barrier between them.

martin’s heart plopped down to the deepest part of hell, perhaps, when he felt his phone vibrated in his hand—the one that wasn’t busy moulding his body to fit the vixen in his arms—and saw the immediate response you replied him with.

alright, good luck with that. see you at home! xx

you, whose love martin had betrayed. consciously so.

“do you still love her?” was the question the woman martin believed as siren incarnated, fired off as soon as she saw him dressing up, ready to leave her behind in this luxury confinement they called five-star hotel.

brave, martin got to give her that. it was the very question martin kept asking himself as he laid awake last night, facing the ceiling while listening to the sound of her gentle breathing, tickling against the skin just an inch from his pecks. her flimsy finger was ghosting yet so palpable, just like your existence—resting there waiting to be acknowledged, like the elephant in the room.

funny how it was his favourite position of yours since the first night you slept together, for it reminded him of her touch, the very touch he’d lost because she was a selfish human being.

yet, martin was currently the one selfish beyond possible combination of words.

but somehow, martin was even braver for responding her when he himself wasn’t sure he could answer his own question.

“I’d be lying if I say I don’t, søta,” he donned his jacket before he leaned down, claiming her lips once more—for what, he didn’t know. to satisfy himself? to soothe the impending thirst that’d been building up unknowingly since she left him? to boost his confidence and justify himself that he was about to do the right thing? “and probably a part of me always will.”

the woman frowned in the way martin was supposed to hate her—she was the reason he’d grown to hate frowny, clingy women—but instead, he shot down a well-placed kiss that she reciprocated in the same fervour, obvious to tell him that she didn’t like sharing. her hands pulled him down further the bed, trying to lull him back to her arms, just like siren personified, and martin laughed in between their heated exchange.

“I’ll be back soon, okay?”

“what if you never come back?” the woman refused to let go of him, hugging him tightly like a koala to his tree. “what if you suddenly realise you love her more?”

“it’s clear to see I don’t love her that much anymore, no?” martin swept the brown locks that reminded him of milky chocolate fondue. sweet, silky, smelt as nice as it looked, as he plucked off one of the peony petals he’d showered her with. “not enough to make me stay with her, anyway.”

martin even surprised himself by saying such words. he didn’t know he was capable of that, he didn’t know how he could have it in him. but if he thought that was surprising, he certainly wouldn’t hold a candle against himself for the things he did—or maybe, had done—to you.

you, whose entire world martin shattered. consciously so, since the moment you parted yourself from the embrace you enveloped him with but whose warmth wasn’t returned.

“what’s wrong?”

he knew it wasn’t easy. it was never easy to be with you since the very beginning anyway—you gathering his broken pieces, you swiping off all of his insecurities and assuring him that you’d wait for him till he wiped off all traces of her, you hiding off your identity so you wouldn’t drag him down in any way possible—but martin didn’t expect them to be very difficult, disclosing all his sins and admitting his faults.

admitting she wasn’t the only one in his heart.

worse, admitting she was never the only one since the start.

“was the emergency that bad at work?”

martin wanted to scream at her, telling her off that she wasn’t supposed to think the better of him, not after everything he’d done to her and their relationship. martin wanted to scream at her, telling her to be the bad guy for once for putting herself first. martin wanted to scream at her, telling her to live happily without him because she didn’t deserve him.

“don’t look at me like that, martin,” your eyes were as clear as always, and martin’s heart broke once more for you and every of the emotions displayed in your eyes. you were scared of him, of how cold he was being around you, and martin’s heart broke because you had been nothing but warm to him. “what’s wrong?”

you didn’t look any different to him at that moment, still lovable and looked very much like his, in every sense of the word. yet he was no longer yours, in every sense of the word. that was what went wrong.

“nothing,” martin acted the way the word implied. martin acted like nothing was wrong, as he kissed the top of your head and slid his hand into yours. “how was your trip?”

“I just wish you were there,” other days, your words would warm him up—the way your presence always succeeded to—but today, as you didn’t grasp back his hand, you meant every single word that escaped your mouth. “too bad, you know?”

too bad, indeed, my love. what if you stayed? what if she wasn’t here? martin thought inwardly as he poured the risotto he was making.

too bad, indeed, my love. because you’re gone already the moment you come home. you thought inwardly as you received the only dish he’d serve you by far because cooking had always been your thing.

too bad, indeed, as the risotto started turning as cold as the long withstanding iceberg in the form of white marble countertop separating you two. too bad, indeed, as the risotto was beyond salvageable even if you tried resurrecting it with every kind of heat earth could produce.

but neither of you moved, so different to the silent dance you both had been doing around the room. yet everything around you two was as loud as obnoxious bunch of drunkards watching the netflix show playing in your living room.

“you know I love you, right?”

the deep breath he let out indicated everything but, and you had never felt so alone in a room full of him. you were left alone, behind a four-wall full of him—his scent, his words, his voice—with nothing but abundance of confusion in your hands. it was, more often than not, your job to declare you love to him, instead of the other way around like this, so what changed?

“I love you,” yet martin couldn’t look straight into your eyes. “but I’m sorry.”

the confusion in your eyes were still evident and martin’s heart broke for you once more because he knew you didn’t deserve any of this. of him, of what he did, of how he’d been treating you. a small doubt crept in for a millisecond—what if he could fix this?—but he buried them down once more because you deserved this from him, an ending as respectable as you are.

“I love you too.”

no, no, you don’t get to say that. you’re not supposed to say that. you were supposed to throw him a thousand questions why he said sorry to you, contradicting his rather fake declaration of love for you.

“I forgive you.”

martin’s head had never snapped that fast, this time it was him that couldn’t hide his bewilderment. of all scenarios he had in his head, what you just did was never in his card. “you don’t know what I did.”

“I don’t care,” you squared your shoulders, and martin knew you meant your words then. you were so full of love and compassion, and it was why martin decided to forget her to be with you, but now martin wanted to run away for how hard life had come to bite his ass. “I love you. I forgive you.”

“I slept with another person,” and he noticed the slight tremble on those strong shoulders that overcame you. there, he needed that. he needed you to know, to feel, to see reality. “I cheated on you. I want to say that I���m sorry every time and every chance I can but I can’t. I’m sorry.”

you had gone through the worst obstacles there was on this earth—tower of terror, skydiving at palm jumeirah, being struck by lightning. you had gone through even worse obstacles—you’d seen your parents divorced before your eyes, you’d seen your friend took his life in front of you. yet nothing was as painful as the joke martin just threw in your face. you could even brave yourself for a guillotine if given the chance.

anything but the lemon your boyfriend just handed over your open wound. clean-cut and straight to the point.

“you said you love me.”

“I do,” martin replied immediately, as if he was sure of it. as if he was sure that loving you was the right thing to do when he’d just committed the wrong thing to do. “that’s why I’m sorry I did what I did.”

“with who?”

“you don’t want to know who.”

but with martin’s answer, it didn’t take you another second to figure out the woman in question. and you regretted asking immediately because you knew it’d be better if you didn’t know. you could even truly forgive him for what he did, as long as it wasn’t her. knowing who the partypooper was always a better option, because not being able to place a face to a name was always better.

but now you knew about it, and you didn’t have time to save your fragile heart from a heavy rain of sharp knives, endlessly stabbing your open wound to enlarge it even more, giving space for another knife to launch itself to a bleeding heart. you didn’t have time to hide your pain, as tears slowly escaped your eyes.

“why?” you gathered every of your remaining energy to sound brave as you faced your losing battle. “what did I do wrong?”

you needed to know because you’d been doing only the right thing. nothing less than perfect for your boyfriend.

martin wanted to know too because you’d been nothing short of what he needed.

“I’m sorry,” you stopped yourself when martin didn’t give you a response, then you gathered yourself again as you reciprocated his strong gaze. as best as you could anyway. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t enough—”

“no, no—”

“tell me what I can do to fix this, martin,” you pursed your lips, holding back the tears left unshed. “we can still fix this. just… please don’t leave me.”

“please don’t do this…” martin sighed because while he knew you’d always fight for what you believe in, he didn’t know it would bring him a big boomerang instead. “I’ve hurt you. staying with me will hurt you more and that’s the last thing I want for you.”

but that was the last straw for you, the look on his face. he spared you a look of sympathy, an emotion you rather detested because you weren’t a charity case. so you cried, this time not because of the lost cause in your relationship. you cried for yourself, because while you were displaying your desperate frustrations to amend the broken bridges, you addressed such wave of emotion to the wrong person.

“what did I do wrong?”

“it’s not you,” martin wanted to hug you—he still hated seeing you cry—but he knew it wasn’t his place anymore to comfort you. he’d deprived himself of the exclusive right in lieu of another set of different luxurious rights. “it’s never your fault.”

but martin never said it was his, either.

[gradstudentdrone]

What grief has taught me: we are more than work

I returned to work on Friday and was hit with an avalanche of emails. While I was dreading opening my inbox, after awhile, I realized two things: first, that while there are emails that require your attention, they almost always get resolved without you responding and second, there are matters that do require your attention, but aren't as urgent as they appear. This has led me to reach the following epiphanies:

Our importance within institutions (academic or otherwise) is over-stated-- institutions will continue without us, even in the face of death;

"Urgency" in academic contexts is, in many ways, misplaced.

The people at work who I (we all) should hold close are those who step up in ways that matter.

The latter, I think, is what I need to remember. Sincere emails of condolence are kind and much appreciated (more on this below). But you know who truly have your back, those who you should keep close in your inner circle? Your work friends/colleagues (frolleagues?) who make sure that when you get back from leave that they've actually reduced your work load so you won't have to deal with it, people who get how excruciatingly hard it is some days to even wake up and try go on as 'normal' (whatever that means) and tell you, after you check in to ask about a specific task, "we've got this. Don't even think about it." While I've long since understood just how corrosive institutions are, it is people who have your back that make these institutions humane because they know, as well as I do, that when the time comes when they are facing horrific shit, I will also have their backs.

What I also appreciate is sincerity. I can smell from a mile away folks who are emailing to "check in" with me, but are really trying to see whether I'm "okay" now so they can line me up to do tasks for them. Such is the uncaring nature of neoliberal capitalist institutions: people within them have been so used to seeing each other instrumentally that "check ins" are equated not with actual care and compassion, but are a way to surmise whether the person can be tasked with yet one more thing.

All of these epiphanies are making me realize, again and again (and again and again and again) what I've known: that we are more than work. That we have value beyond what we give our employers. That we matter because of who we are, not because of what we can produce.

Having these epiphanies have been monumentally helpful in guiding me to recalibrate my expectations about work and my presence: that, at the end of the day, what matters is who we love and who love us in turn, and that getting caught up again in the academic arms race of publishing, emailing, grant-applying and grant-receiving means prioritizing work over self, work over life.

One regret that I have is that even as I have tried so hard to reorient myself away from the academic arms race - documented in Academic Aunties - I relapse and forget to find an identity outside work. There have been multiple times in my life when I prioritized work over living. The one that still haunts me is opting to finish the academic term and fulfill my teaching commitments in 2013 despite receiving news that my grandma - my lola Pining - was diagnosed at 89 with pancreatic cancer. When I got the news, it was November, and I thought, foolishly in hindsight, that I would finish out the term and head back as soon as December break started, especially since the doctor's prognosis was that my grandma had a "few more months." Yet my grandma died weeks after this diagnosis which meant I wasn't able to see her one last time. Here is a blog post I wrote in her honor.

Another memory that haunts me is my assumption that my dad and I still have a lot of time together. As we prepare for his 40th day death anniversary, which my community celebrates because it signifies the deceased's transition into the afterlife, I am haunted by how much I took my dad's presence for granted. One decision I wish I could undo was in the summer of 2008. Rather than heading back to see my parents in Vancouver, I opted to stay in Toronto so I could keep studying for my PhD comprehensive exams. I had the option of writing the exam in May, which all of the professors teaching the class encouraged us to do. They were telling us not to worry, that we would all very likely pass. But because I was caught up in the academic arms race, I opted to write the exam in August so I could spend an extra two months studying. Our professors pretty much told us that we would pass, but I didn't believe them, and so spent most of the summer in the library rereading Robert Bates and James Scott. Why didn't I just write the exam in May? Why did I have to try to not just know the material but try to master it? Who was I trying to impress?

I wish I knew then how finite life was. I wish I'd decided to spend an entire summer with my dad and mom in Vancouver. I wish we had taken more family trips. I wish I had treasured evenings spent going with my family to the Richmond night market, doing day trip drives to Seattle, hanging out at home and chatting. Even though my family, like many, has had its share of turmoil, my mom, dad, brother and I - pictured above, in my high school graduation - actually like each other's company. We know each other's quirks and tendencies. There's a comfort with knowing that in our family, we can be who we are, because there is unconditional acceptance.

As I enter the academic year, I will endeavour to remember that what I value is my family, my friends, my community. That email doesn't need to be sent. That paper can wait. That meeting can really be an email. Don't waste my fucking time. Because the time we have left is so limited.

[jaidasstuff]

“Found Again” - Vinny Mauro

Summary: Vinny and Y/N break up, but they have a pet together and neither of them want to give it up. Then they spend a few days each with the pet separately. It kinda brings them back together.

- Yesterday -

"Y/N can't you just stop arguing, at least for once?! I'm taking her for three days, that's it!" Vinny yelled at me, his face all red because of his pure anger. I really never wanted us to end up like this. Actually I hated it! Vin looked so much like my father right now, but in the end i still loved him. i wouldn't ever be able to hate him, i know that i will always have a soft spot for this guy and love him. that's a fact, for sure."Okay well then I'm taking her three days after you!" I replied, also angry but trying not to yell at him. yelling is something that i disliked a lot because my father used to do that a lot.. let me tell you it never ended in a good way.

- Today Vinny’s POV -

God, Lexi reminded me so much of her. How come we ended things on bad terms? We were both ready to take the next step and move into our own house, but two weeks before moving, things literally went downhill. I really didn't know what our fucking problem was and why we were so angry at each other. these past days I've tried to find a solution for the both of us. I loved Y/N but things can't be like this anymore and we both should know that. But how am I going to stop us completely from drifting away from one another? Lexi was our child, well not really but basically she was. She's our almost one year old Pitbull. I got Y/N a puppy on our second year anniversary. it was a very sweet moment to remember, she cried a lot of happy tears that day. It was one of the happiest days i've ever experienced in my whole damn life. Her smile is everything for me. Now Lexi grew up and I knew it hurts her when we both aren't there for our dog like usual. "You miss mom too, huh" i said while petting her head, Lexi just looked at me but I could see that she didn't understand why mommy wasn't here with us.

- After the three days -

"Oh hey Vinny you're pretty early!" Y/N said, sounding surprised. I'm over an hour early but I just couldn't wait any longer. Through these past three days Lexi made me realize that life without us all being one family isn't what I wanted. I want Y/N back, my beloved girlfriend. This time I'm definitely doing it the right way. "I know I'm sorry to disturb, but we really need to talk about something. It's very important Y/N" I replied calmly looking down at her. She didn't look too good, Y/N had red and puffy eyes which revealed that she must've felt the same, which did made me feel better somewhat. "Alright let's go upstairs, Mads is here" she whispered softly and i nodded my head slowly, letting Lexi walk into the house. We arrived in our once shared bedroom and sat down. It was difficult to start the conversation since I was nervous but I knew that it's now or never.

- Y/N POV -

"So? What's up Vin?" I asked quietly. To be honest I was afraid of what he was about to say, being clueless and all isn’t that fun. "Right, so I've been thinking these past days.. about us and the whole relationship" after this I completely frowned. What was he about to say? God please don't tell me you already found a new girl. I wouldn't be able to live through that. i think that'd probably kill me. "Don't look like that, I'm not saying anything bad" he smiled softly and it reassured me somehow, which was odd. "Okay" I simply stated and he continued "i still love you and that won't change. These past days were horrible without us being together, Lexi and I missed you so much. Right then I knew that I want to be with you forever okay? She made me see things that I didn't really see before, she looked like a daughter that missed her mom dearly. It made me realize a lot if i'm being honest. even though i've already adored you, it just made things more clear." He whispered quietly and i exhaled a breath that I didn't knew I was holding. Vinny got up from our bed and stood in front of me. "Now I want to do this the right way. We've got so much memories together, both good and bad but we always kept supporting and loving each other. You've always had my back. Even when I decided to move back to my hometown you supported me and came with me. I want us to be a family for real and I want the whole world to know about us. Y/N Ramirez, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Vin asked while kneeling down on one knee. was this really happening right now or am I imagining things? Oh my gosh, this whole time i thought he was seeing someone else! I've honestly always wanted to marry, just like in those movies. "Of course.. yes Vin I'll definitely marry you and become Mrs. Mauro!" I almost shouted while tears of happiness were rolling down my cheeks. I kissed him "I love you" I whispered almost thinking that I was really dreaming. "I love you too Mrs. Mauro" he said and kissed back.

[hinnymicrofic]

Are there going to be prompts for every month or will there be like a holiday break so we can catch up? Cause I dunno if can do 12 months worth of prompts it feels overwhelming

Hiya anon!

I really hear you and understand why you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed with wanting to keep up and write lots but there being an awful lot to write, so I'm going to put quite a long answer here, and if you want to follow up with any thoughts, please don't hesitate to contact me (whether its through asks again or a message 😊) as it's important that you feel that your concerns have been recognised and resolved 🙃

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Personally, I feel that every single day of the year should have a prompt available. Why, you're probably thinking? Well . . .

• I've had messages from a range of people telling me how this blog has really lightened they're day, and that they're feeling a lot better through the fabulous microfics of all the incredible writers contributing to @hinnymicrofic, and through writing for the prompts themselves. This means so much to me - as someone who struggles a lot irl, having the community that comes with fandom is essential to my wellbeing, so I know how some people are feeling! Through just reading a brilliant little microfic, my day can go from unbearable to managable, and I get the impressions that quite a few of the people who interact/follow this blog feel the same, and I don't want to take that away from them - even if it's just for a short period of time!

• My second reason for wanting to provide prompts for everyday is for the routine aspect. As someone who really struggles with changes in routine and a lack of predictability and control that comes with a difference in the things in our day to day lives, the little things like having the same breakfast, wearing the same clothes, getting up at the same time and having a prompt to write for can make or break a day for many of us, especially neurodivergent people. Not long ago my high school hosted a surprise non-uniform day. That day I couldn't go into school because of that, and I couldn't go in the following days because this change had upset me so much - I literally didn't stop panicking and crying for multiple days. For many people writing for/reading @hinnymicrofic has become apart of their daily routine. And knowing how even the smallest of changes to my daily routine effect me, I know how it can effect other people aswell, so having periods of time without @hinnymicrofic could really unsettle many of us. Even if it is just one person who is deeply upset over this change, I would never want to make anyone feel like that.

• Another reason why I don't really want to put a pause on @hinnymicrofic is because of the fabulous reward-like system we've started! If you write something for every prompt in a week, you get this:

And a version of this image for writing for the whole month is in the making aswell!!! If we took a break for a few days it would interrupt this reward system - which would be very irritating for some people!

• My final reason for not feeling great about putting a hold on @hinnymicrofic would be - when would we have a break? Would we go for religious holidays? Public holidays? School holidays? Anniversaries of important events? For particular times of the year (e.g 1st few days of every month)? It would be too hard to decide, and I can guarantee you people would then disagree with the placement of the break and want it in a different place, as unfortunately I can't please everyone. If I did conclude that it really was worth taking some breaks, obviously this isn't a massive barrier to get past, but it most definitely is a contributing factor.

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Okay, now I've said all that (sorry for rambling a bit 🤣) I'd like to suggest some things that will hopefully make this feel a bit less overwhelming for you! No one should have to feel overwhelmed, and it upsets me that you may be feeling this way as a result of Hinny Microfics, so these suggestions will hopefully help 🙂

• This may seem a bit obvious, but you don't have to write for every single prompt. If you struggle with the idea of not knowing what to skip or write, try working out some days that you won't write. You could choose to not write every Monday & Wednesday, or deciding not to write on some specific occasions, whatever suits you - go for it! Or you could just choose to write it based on the prompt for that day, or what you are feeling 😀

• Merge prompts together! A few people have done this already and it works really well! It means you're writing only one microfic, but still get to write for each prompt!

• Write shorter microfics - easier said than done! But, if you can master the art of a super tiny microfic, I'm sure things will become less overwhelming as you won't be writing as much.

• Write ahead - I give you the prompts in advanced, so if you have a free evening where you are doing nothing, you could go ahead and write your microfics in advanced, meaning you get a few days of no writing. 😄

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Please, please, please reach out to me again anon if you don't feel content that this issue has been resolved or anything else that is concerning you, or any suggestions - I'm happy to help 🙂 Also - if anyone else wants to comment/suggest anything about this, my ears are open 😁

Have a fab day <3

[violetganache42]

Okay, the month is almost over, and I think I should probably drop the bomb about something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now: my family and I are going back to Orlando again. XD There's an interesting story behind this.

My mom has the first two weeks of September off before she starts her new travel nursing contract. Part of her wanted to spend some of that time going out and doing something, so she thought of different places to go, like Maine, for example. While browsing on Expedia, she stumbled upon a travel package where a hotel, booked airport flights, and a rental car bundled together cost about $1,200. Intrigued by this, she checked it out and discovered that Orlando was a good option to use it. This officially had her mind made up and she surprised me and my brothers with it earlier this month. Needless to say, we were genuinely surprised by it because we typically go there once every some odd years, not twice in the same year. Plus, with the summer weather here having been mainly rain for a good chunk of the season and a couple of weeks—including this coming week—having high temperatures in the 70s, Mom wanted a good excuse to get some sunshine while she could.

Unlike the Orlando vacation we went on earlier this year, this one will be a bit more lowkey as it will be only the four of us this time around. It also will be roughly half as long too; we're leaving on the night of 9/3 and returning home on the night of 9/9.

I'm particularly excited for this trip for two reasons:

This vacation will mean we have gone to Orlando during a big Disney anniversary celebration twice in one year. Similar to how the February vacation took place during the last few months of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary, we will be going during the Disney 100th celebration. Stuff for it were already being put on the shelves when we last went, so I'm certain they will still be there in the midst of all the Halloween merch.

Speaking of which, we also happen to be going during Walt Disney World and Universal Studios' annual Halloween festivities. 🎃 In fact, we're going to attend Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Labor Day! I've always wanted to go to a holiday event at one of the theme parks and I'm so glad this will be my first time doing so! Mom and I agreed on doing the Halloween party because it was a better event to do as a family than Universal's Halloween Horror Nights; she did that a couple of times herself and said it was scary. Still, you know I'm gonna be mesmerized by all the Halloween decorations and merch I come across.

[inkabelledesigns]

I wanna talk about a new exciting art endeavor! Back when I started doll customizing, I tried to make some dolls to take with me to Disney while on a trip with my family. For those who don't know, I've fancied myself as a photographer for years now, long before I ever got into doll customs, and one of my favorite things to do is take photos when I travel. So it made sense to combine my loves on my last trip in 2019.

Well, I've always felt like I could do better than what I did last time, so I've been trying to figure out what to make for months, but nothing was coming to me. But I think I've finally got it!

Meet Mikaela Spellabrate! I've taken a lot of time to think this one through, and now I've got a week to make her happen. Here's what I'm thinking: we're gonna use a Cave Club doll for their small stature, that way she can fit easily in my bag. Also, these dolls have an easier time standing on their own than my other dolls, so that will make photos easier. To avoid her hair getting messed up, I'm opting for a curly look that's unraveled yarn rather than brushed out, then I can glue it in place. I have a mad love for afro puffs, and my thought is to make pompoms and then unravel the ends to get a similarly poofy look. It's not gonna be exact, but it should work well for this scale and make for some cute hair. Thrifting with my grandma this summer has also proven useful, we got this really cute kid's skirt that's all ruffles and purple with polka dots, and that's what inspired my palette. Because this is the 100th anniversary of Disney, they have all this merchandise that's purple and silver, so I'm going to adapt that to my doll. I knew there had to be polka dots, I LOVE some good dots, and it's very Minnie Mouse. Perfect for her dress! Also, I have not done pie cut eyes yet on a doll, but it is TIME to try it! I also love drawing on sprinkles for face paint, I've done it for like three dolls now and I'm not stopping any time soon, it's cute.

Really excited to make this happen! I just hope the weather cooperates. Truth is, it's a little too humid here for dolls in the summer, but I have an alternative sealant method I want to try, and this might be the doll I start with. I kind of want to run that test this week too, we'll see what we get through.

There's so much to do, I have a lot of cleaning to get done and other stuff to prep for, but it's okay. I'm really excited to make some art for this trip. It's the first time we're doing this as a family of seven. My sister's husband and my other sister's fiance are coming with us, and the fiance has never been to Disney World before. I'm hoping this will be a good experience for him, and that I can get to know him better. And also that he can handle our brand of crazy. X'''D It'll be good, there's a lot to look forward to!

[duskwoodgirl4life]

Chapter 3

Jake and I had been texting each other back and forth for the last week. We were getting along really well. Jake was still dating Emma; they had been together for 1 month now. I had agreed to give Jason another chance. My heart still wasn't really in whatever it was we had going on but I stuck with it. I had been with Jason for 1 month. He insisted we go out for dinner. I knew what he was getting at; he kept leaving hints every time we were together. I kept telling him I wasn't ready to sleep with him yet but it didn't stop him from trying. Tonight was going to be the biggest challenge as it's our 1 month anniversary if that's what you can even call it.

I've found myself thinking about Jake a lot more than I should. We have been talking every night on the phone before we go to bed. We have even video called each other and fallen asleep with the video still running. I know I still care a lot about him. I never did stop loving him but I think he's moving on at least that's what it looks like. I get snapped out of my thoughts by my phone buzzing. I pick it up and see that it's Jason.

Jason: hello beautiful, just wanted to check in make sure your doing okay I can't wait to see you tonight 😘

I really wish he wouldn't call me that, that name is only for Jake to call me. I take a deep breath in and out and reply back.

MC: Hi, yeah I'm doing okay thanks I'm looking forward to dinner as well see you later

Jason: I've got a very special evening planned I just know your going to love it

MC: can't wait will see you later

I throw my phone down on the bed and drop down onto the bed, I can sense that tonight it is going to be so annoying if he thinks I'm sleeping with him he's got another thing coming. I finally pull myself off the bed and go to get a shower and change into something that isn't sweatpants and Jake's hoodie. After showering I wrap the towel around me and go into the bedroom. I sit myself down on the bed and start to dry my hair. Once I've finished I put my hair up so I can do my makeup. Before I even get to put any on my phone, I see that it's Jake video calling me and a smile spreads across my face.

MC: Hey Jake what's up?

Jake: Hey MC, I need your help. I'm going out tonight and I can't decide which shirt to wear. Please help!!

MC: oh I'm fine thanks for asking Jake I couldn't help but giggle at Jake's facial expression

Jake: MC!

MC: alright, alright I'm only messing hold them both up again

Jake: This one? Or this one?

Jake holds up two shirts, one is plain black I always loved Jake in that shirt. I never thought it was possible for someone to look even hotter in a shirt before. The other one was a blue shirt with a check pattern on it.

MC: go with the black shirt Jake

Jake: thank you MC you're a lifesaver

I sit and watch as Jake takes off his t-shirt I've missed seeing his smooth chest, watching him put on the black shirt is driving me crazy

MC: Jake? Can I ask you something

Jake: sure MC anything

MC: can you come over please

Jake: sure I have a few hours before I need to meet Emma

I put down my phone. I can't help but smile should Jake and I try again? Could we really work better a second time? I think breaking up with him was a mistake and I think I really wanna give us another go. I'm so lost in my thoughts that I completely forget I'm still in my towel and Jake's at the door. I quickly go to answer the door. "Hey Jake come in" standing to one side I let Jake in and close the door behind him. I feel like my heart's beating a million miles an hour. Why am I so nervous now? "Are you okay MC? You look flustered "I snap out of my thoughts quickly it's now or never. I walk over to Jake and push him up against the wall and kiss him. I can feel his hands running over my butt.

I felt Jake push me away slightly and look into my eyes "MC are you sure this is what you want?" I looked into Jake's ocean blue eyes. I knew this is what I wanted. "Yes Jake it's what I want" Jake's lips crashed back onto mine pushing me up against the wall his hands running all over me. We started to take each other's clothes off dropping them on the floor as we moved to the bedroom. After we finished we both lay panting on the bed in each other's arms. "You haven't missed a beat Jake, that was amazing" I felt Jake's arm wrap around me and kiss my forehead. "I could say the same about you MC" we stayed in each other's arms for a while longer until Jake had to leave to go meet Emma. "Jake, can we do this again sometime?" Jake finished putting his trousers on and looked at me. "Anytime you want my angel"

Jake kissed me goodbye and I got myself dressed and applied some makeup and fixed my hair. I couldn't help but smile. I could smell Jake's scent on me. I didn't care if Jason would smell it. Once I'd finished getting ready I grabbed my keys and purse and headed to my car. Before I set off, my phone buzzed in my purse. I took it out and saw that Jake had texted me.

Jake: Hey, just wanted to say thank you for before I had an amazing time ;)

MC: Hey, I had the best time seeing you in that black shirt. I just had to see you ;)

Jake: I'll have to wear it more often for you ;) I better go Emma as just arrived talk to you later xx

MC: talk to you later Jake xx

I put my phone back in my purse and started the car. Jason had booked us a table at the new restaurant that's just opened up. It was called the smoking hot which did not apply to Jason. I parked my car and got out of the car and walked towards the restaurant. I could see Jason already sat at the table. I took a couple deep breaths in and out and walked into the restaurant. I was greeted by the matradee who showed me to the table. Jason's face lit up as I got closer to the table. "Hi MC you look stunning it's so good to see you" the matradee pulled out the chair so I could sit down. "Hi Jason, this is a really nice place" I looked around the restaurant and everything was stunning.

The waiter came over and handed us a menu each as I was looking at what food they had. I felt Jason's hand move across the table and touch mine. "You really do look stunning MC seeing you here tonight it only confirms my feelings for you" I look up at Jason I can see in his eyes what he's about to say before I can stop him he's already said it. "I love you MC I really do" his words made me feel awful. I knew I didn't feel the same way about him and yet before I knew what was happening the words slipped out of my mouth. "I feel the same way" I mentally cursed myself for saying I felt the same way. I didn't love him and yet I've just sat here and told him I did. He looks so happy. I have no idea how the hell I am going to get out of this now. I guess there is no going back at least not yet.

Jake's POV

Sitting across from Emma listening to her tell me about her day my thoughts drift off to MC and the encounter we had. It brings a smile to my face. She really is the most beautiful creature I have ever been with. I really don't know why I'm even dragging this relationship out with Emma. I guess I don't really want to be alone so I'm just stringing her along until I can decide what I want. I know it's not fair on Emma. She's going to be heartbroken when I finally tell her. I can't do it tonight. This is our 1 month anniversary. Her hand reaches across the table and takes my hand in hers. "Jake I need to tell you something I've been wrestling with the thought of telling you and I'm just going to do it. Jake I'm in love with you"

My eyes feel like they have shot out of their sockets. Did she really just say that to me? She's fallen in love with me. I can see the smile starting to fade on her face. She thinks I don't feel the same way. Her thought would be right but I like the idiot I am. I tell her that I feel the same way. "I feel the same way Emma" her face lights back up and she leans across the table and kisses me on the lips. Great Jake you have really gone and done it this time.

After we finish our dinner we take a walk along the river holding each other's hand. I can sense that she is wanting something more out of this walk. She turns to me and kisses me on the lips. Her hands are all over my body. It feels strange to have someone else's hands on me like this. "Jake let's go back to my place" before I even have a chance to reply back. She's dragging me back to the car and we are on our way back to her apartment.

We get back to her apartment and her hands are back on me. Her lips crash onto mine. She's pushed me up against her apartment door trying to get the key in. After a few minutes she finally gets the key in and drags me into her apartment. "Come on big boy the bedroom is this way" she takes hold of my hand and leads me towards the bedroom.

The next morning I wake up before Emma and quickly get dressed and leave her a note making up some excuse that I've had a family emergency. I feel back doing what I've just done but I need to get out of there. I will make it up to her another time. I make my way back home once I get back to the apartment I go up to my room and fall back on the bed and let out a long sigh.

[pof203]

Justice Week: Happy Tiger & Bunny Day!

It's almost time! Countdown with me!

12...

11...

10...

9...

8...

7...

6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

Happy Tiger & Bunny Day!

>The entire arena cheers at the stroke of midnight, beginning Tiger & Bunny Day.

Mario: As part of Justice Week, the Mayor has declared April 4th Tiger & Bunny Day since it's the anniversary of the first episode the anime series, Tiger & Bunny. Hard to believe it's been 12 years and we now have 12 heroes. Let's see how each one is doing. Let's start with our Crusher of Justice and one of our veterans in the Hero Buddy System: Kotetsu Kaburagi, aka Wild Tiger!

Thanks, Mario. Though I wish you wouldn't have used my real name. I may not have my powers anymore and no longer a hero, I still have to hide my identity. Anyway, I'm still trying to find a way to keep busy. I still want to be involved in Hero TV.

Mario: You could always try becoming an announcer... Actually, don't. I already have the job... But I suppose there's always that.

Kotetsu: (curious) What do you mean?

Mario: (smiling) You'll see when Justice Day comes. So, what are you doing now?

Kotetsu: Well, right now, I'm making my famous fried rice. My family's coming over for Justice Day. We're going to the Blorkus Spring Fair and then the parade.

Mario: I'm told you go there every year. Have you ever thought about doing anything different?

Kotetsu: I don't see why we should change a perfectly good family tradition.

Mario: That is true. Me and the old ball n' chain watch the parade every year without fail... (nervously) Not that she is a ball n' chain. She's one of the best things that ever happened to me. Well, thanks for you time, Ko- I mean, Wild Tiger.

Kotetsu: Anytime.

Mario: (Oh boy, I wonder what Agnes and Lloyds will say if he's not coming.) And now, we should check on Super Scion of the Aristocracy and the other veteran of the Buddy System: Barnaby Brooks Jr.!

Thanks, Mario. It's a pleasure.

Mario: So, what are you doing now?

Barnaby: Well, I just finished reading The Legend of the Goddess of Justice to the children here at the orphanage. I've never seen them more excited for Justice Day since that one Justice Day when we thought the legend was coming true.

Mario: Yes, that was a very memorable time. They even made a movie out of it. It just makes me wish to know if they're going to make a third one.

Barnaby: We can only hope.

Mario: Which makes me wonder, what will you be doing on Justice Day? Will you be coming to the Justice Day Ball at the Maylor's mansion this year?

Barnaby: I don't know. I was hoping to take the kids here to the fair and the parade... But I saw what happened... (wink) Don't worry, I'll make sure he comes.

Mario: (unsure) Okay. Thanks for your time, Barnaby.

Barnaby: Happy to help.

Mario: And next up, the Wondering Prince of Gravity, Ryan Goldsmith, aka Golden Ryan.

Thank you! Who's awesome? I'm awesome!

Mario: (unimpressed and whispering) I think that's mantra's taken. (back to normal and out loud) So, Ryan, how are you doing?

Ryan: Just fine. Just watched a movie with my pet, Molly. I thought it would be a nice way to spend some time before Justice Day.

Mario: So, you'll be going to the ball that day?

Ryan: You bet. I've got my tickets and my suit ready.

Mario: That's great. Will we be seeing Blue Rose coming with you.

Ryan: (laughing) You wish. She's performing at the parade. But don't worry. I have someone in mind... Jr. said so.

Mario: Oh, now we're really curious. Anyway, thanks for your time.

Ryan: Just make sure you get my good side when they show the ball on TV.

Mario: I'm sure we will. And speaking of the Icy Superstar, let's check on Blue Rose now. How are you, my dear?

Thanks, I'm fine. Just getting in some last minute rehearsals before the big day.

Mario: Yes, Ryan told us. Have you got a new song for us in store?

Blue Rose: Not really. Just some of the recent stuff, but I know some new talents that might have something up their sleeves. I just know they'll be the real show stopper.

Mario: True. But I doubt... Never mind.

Blue Rose: (unimpressed) Yeah, we better.

Mario: But still, we can't wait for any new songs you might come up with soon.

Blue Rose: Don't worry. I will. I'm actually working on one right now. It's still a working progress, but you'll hear it soon enough.

Mario: I'm sure we will. Thank you for your time.

Blue Rose: Hope to see you all at the Justice Day Parade!

Mario: Now, to check up on our Expert of Being Seen in the Background, Origami Cyclone, who, at this time, is with his partner, the Bulltank of the West Coast, Rock Bison.

Thank you.

Mario: Where's Bison?

Origami Cyclone: Probably best you don't know.

>You can clearly hear the sound of gagging in the background.

Mario: So, got any plans for Justice Day?

Origami Cyclone: Not really. I'm just going to hang out with some old classmates from the Hero Academy. Catch a movie and then finish off with the parade.

Mario: Does that include He Is Thomas?

Origami Cyclone: No. He's got plans with his sister.

Mario: Really? I would have thought you would go to the ball.

Origami Cyclone: No, but Bison is. Right?

(panting and staggering) You bet I am! I'm gonna have ball- (quickly ducks out of the camera and clearly into a toilet)

Mario: (a bit worried) I thought he quit drinking.

Origami Cyclone: Actually, we were having dinner and he eat some bad sushi. As you hear, one of the chefs is being yelled at by the manager.

Voice from outside the bathroom: YOU'RE FIRED! HOW COULD YOU SERVE SUSHI THAT WAS ON THE FLOOR!?

Other voice from outside: (nervously) Three second rule...

>More gagging could be heard from Bison. Origami is not happy with what he sees in the bowl.

Origami Cyclone: (serious) And there's blood there. Sorry, we'll have to cut this short, gotta get this one to the ER. Thanks for checking in.

Mario: Sounds like the hospital's going to have their hands full. Here's wishing Bison a speedy recovery. Next up, the Wind Master, Sky High, and his partner, the Bourgeois Open Flame Broil, Fire Emblem!

We're so happy that for the interview. Thanks, and thanks again!

Mario: Do I see fancy wear in the background? Are you two going to the ball?

(this is the only picture I could find) You bet! I know we'll be the stars of the ball... Until the surprise. I'm told this year's Justice Day Ball at the Mayoral Mansion promises to be a memorable one.

Mario: Really? What is it?

Sky High: We're not sure ourselves at the moment. We're just as excited about this as you are.

Mario: No doubt. Thank you for your time.

Sky High and Fire Emblem: You're welcome, and you're welcome again!

Mario: And now, to see the Lightning Bolt Kung-Fu Master, Dragon Kid!

Thanks, Mario. I was just doing some last minute training. I'll be back.

Mario: So, got any plans for Justice Day?

Dragon Kid: It took a while, but it looks like my parents can come for Justice Day. We're even going to the ball at the Mayor's house.

Mario: That's wonderful. Got any plans for the rest of Justice Week with them?

Dragon Kid: Well, mostly we're just going to do some sightseeing until it's time for them to go home. But I'm sure it won't be so bad. There might be some places in Sternbild we might not even know about.

Mario: You mean... Everlasting Life? You don't really believe that, do you?

Dragon Kid: Who knows, Mario. Who knows. Well, better get back to training. See you at the ball.

Mario: (whispering) It takes all kinds of people. (out loud) Anyway, let's move on to the Magical Girl Carnivoran, Magical Cat!

Hello, everyone!

Mario: So, what are you up to?

Magical Cat: I convinced my mother to play tennis with me. She's just taking a break right now.

Mario: So, what do you have planned for Justice Day?

Magical Cat: Me and Mama usually spend it with a big dinner and watching the parade on TV. But this year, my boss gave me a ticket to the ball. I'll be going. I wanted to bring Mama with me, but she says it would make me stand up more to the fans if I want by myself. Of course, she doesn't mind I share the spotlight with Dragon Kid. I can't wait to see what will happen.

Mario: Neither can I. Or the fans.

Magical Cat: (hearing a flushing sound nearby) Sounds like Mama's coming back. Hope to see you later!

Mario: Same here. Now for the One Adorned in White Light, He Is Thomas!

... Hello. I'm just here with my sister.

(this is the only picture I could find) Hello, everyone!

Mario: How sweet. Spending time with you little sister. I guess you two have plans for Justice Day?

Ruby: Yes. First, we're going to visit the Spring Fair and then we're going to a ball.

Mario: Does this mean we'll be seeing you at the Mayoral Mansion on Justice Day?

He Is Thomas: Yes. It was Carlotta's idea.

Mario: Even Mr. Black?

He Is Thomas: He says he already has plans for that day... Carlotta was really upset.

Mario: I can imagine that. But I hope you two will have a fantastic time.

Ruby: I'm sure we will.

He Is Thomas: Thank you.

Mario: Just one Hero left: The Literal Man in Black, Mr. Black!

What was that?

Mario: Oops! Caught you at a bad time?

Mr. Black: (just realizing he failed to acknowledge the camera again and pulling the towel up) Holy shoot! When did you guys get here?

Mario: We're just checking up on our Heroes and asking what they have planned for Justice Day. Thomas said you're not going to the ball.

Mr. Black: I'm not. One of my friends from Panjourney's coming over to visit for Justice Day. We're just gonna do some sightseeing, hit up the fair, and finally end it with the parade.

Mario: That sound nice. Having a friend over from when you were Hello Goodbye.

Mr. Black: No kidding. (starting to get embarrassed) Now could you please leave? I was just about to take a shower.

Mario: Right, thank you for your time. (whispering) I wonder how many fans he'll earn from that interview? (out loud) Well, that's all the heroes we can interview. Before we end tonight's program, a word from the famous NEXT, Little Aurora.

Thank you, Mario. It is wonderful to know that our heroes find some time outside of being heroes. These days, we hope to celebrate Justice Day knowing that for this day, and, possibly now, Justice Week, we are reminded that we all carry a heart of justice. For when all is said and done, we are one people. Thank you.

Mario: And that concludes tonight's program. We hope to see you all again soon. This has been Hero TV Live!

[astorythatwritesitself]

OC interview

Stealing from @commander-krios because why not xD No-pressure tagging @mxanigel @wintersstreams & @korblez ! Take the questions and answer them in-character as an OC of choice!

{Takes place post Omega 4, pre-Arrival}

name ➔ Adrian Olivier Shepard II. ... my parents were... very starry-eyed over the idea of being among the first to establish their legacy away from Earth.

are you single ➔ No. It... still feels a little wild saying that. -grins-

are you happy ➔ More than I thought I'd be.

are you angry ➔ More than I'd like to be.

are your parents still married ➔ Yes- just celebrated their thirty-second anniversary as a matter of fact.

NINE FACTS

birthplace ➔ The SSV Victoria, somewhere in... the Hades Gamma cluster?

hair colour ➔ Brown

eye colour ➔ Brown that's frequently mistaken as black.

birthday ➔ Going by Earth's calendar: April 11th, 2154.

mood ➔ Not bad, but exhausted and vaguely lost- but that's pretty much been my answer since about Eden Prime.

gender ➔ (Editor's note: preceeded by about three minutes of silence) ... I genuinely don't know how to answer that one right now. Sometimes? I guess??

summer or winter ➔ Haven't experienced either enough to have a firm opinion, but summer seems more appealing on the whole.

morning or afternoon ➔ Afternoon, or whenever there's more people up and about. ... I'm starting to come around to mornings, though.

EIGHT THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE

are you in love ➔ Yes, and it's still a little terrifying. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

do you believe in love at first sight ➔ I've been informed that no less than three people will violently oppose my answering anything other than 'yes', but: I certainly believe in intense attraction and infatuation at first sight. Love itself takes some time.

(Unidentified voice: 'Must I remind you of Dr. Solus' Illium report?' unquote.)

who ended your last relationship ➔ Eh... well, however you define 'relationship', it was me. It's just a matter of whether we're talking 'kicked out of bed' or...

... no, we'll just. We'll just count that first one.

have you ever broken someone’s heart ➔ I don't think so. Let people down? Absolutely, but I don't think it ever veered into outright heartbreak? I hope not.

are you afraid of commitments ➔ I can't say 'yes'. I can't say 'no', either.

have you hugged someone within the last week? ➔ Yes.

have you ever had a secret admirer ➔ Do we count 'never outright said anything but literally everyone could tell'?

have you ever broken your own heart? ➔ More than once.

SIX CHOICES

love or lust ➔ Both. Both are good.

lemonade or iced tea ➔ Tea with enough lemon it could qualify as both.

cats or dogs ➔ Honestly they both kind of freak me out. I'm sticking with fish. (Unidentified voice: 'You've gotten upset over not getting to keep one of those creepy-ass barreleye fish, normal pets should not freak you out')

a few best friends or many regular friends ➔ A few best friends, quality over quantity. Not saying no to any friendships, though!

wild night out or romantic night in ➔ Ideally, split the difference for a romantic night out, but of the given choices... night in. We don't get nearly enough real downtime.

day or night ➔ Either one, though I don't get to truly experience either much.

FIVE HAVE YOU EVERS

been caught sneaking out ➔ A few times when my family lived on the Citadel, there haven't been a ton of opportunities otherwise.

fallen down/up the stairs ➔ Look, when you're trying to run from something like a charging krogan, survival is key and there shouldn't be any judgement-

(Unidentified voice: 'Yes. To both. On multiple occasions.')

wanted something/someone so badly it hurt? ➔ Gods yes, to both.

wanted to disappear ➔ Honestly? I've only just hit a point where I'm okay with this whole 'continuing to be alive' thing, wanting to disappear has been a constant for a while.

FOUR PREFERENCES

smile or eyes ➔ Eyes. Anyone can fake or hide a smile, but if you know what to look for, you can always see it in the eyes.

shorter or taller ➔ Close to even with me, really, strong difference either way is kind of a turn-off.

intelligence or attractive ➔ I want to say 'intelligence', but again, promise of violent retaliation... though really, it's hard to maintain attractiveness without the brains or personality to back it up. (But goddamn, when you're handed beauty itself, gift-wrapped in tight leather- *transcript cut*)

hook-up or relationship ➔ Relationship now, but historically I was more into casual hook-ups. Soldier and minimal romantic leanings, you know?

FAMILY

do you and your family get along ➔ On the whole. There's been some friction, but who doesn't have that?

would you say you have had a “messed up life” ➔ It probably answers this and a few other questions that I heard this as, 'would you say you have messed up your life'. Yes to that one- but on the whole, everything was pretty okay until I was like, twenty-three.

have you ever run away from home ➔ No, but considering the only option I had to run to was 'the infinite cold void of space', that's not saying much.

have you ever gotten kicked out ➔ No.

FRIENDS

do you secretly hate one of your friends ➔ No, but I wouldn't consider someone I hate to be a friend in the first place. I can be civil towards people I hate, but that isn't the same as what I'd call friendship.

do you consider all of your friends good friends ➔ There are a few who fall more into the range of... 'work friend' than someone I'd hang out with on shore leave.

who is your best friend ➔ That's a category, not a single person, and there's six I can think of off the top of my head.

[notebookmusical]

Hi! Omg happy friend anniversary! 🩷🩷🩷 I can't believe that ask is what started it all.But it shows that we have always sent long responses to each other haha. Like if I never mentioned something about Les Mis I think, I might have never talked to you again which is kinda crazy. Then your Taylor show was coming up so we talked about that. I am really not good with talking to other people at all but somehow I still have a lot to say and sometimes I worry it's too much. Don't worry about not replying and I hope you had a good time at the sports game! And I hope you have the best time in New York with seeing those shows and your friends! I hope you can handle two show days haha and I hope you love them! I haven't..I mainly see shows in SF but I saw Les Mis in SJ. I honestly don't pay attention to how different theaters are or anything, maybe cuz I don't see a lot of shows idk. I did see the SMASH thing and I'm honestly not sure what to think or expect from the musical but of course I'm excited. I still love the show and listen to the songs all the time even if I never did a rewatch. I think I'm gonna keep sending asks in parts now and I hope thats okay. So this is just replying to the part 1 and I will respond again later so it's not too much. I hope you have a good day in case I don't reply again today! 🩷

happy frienniversary!!! 🩷 i'm so glad our paths crossed & that you always pick up on my little bat signals hehe! i saw a twenty one pilots ad (i guess they're going to climate pledge on their tour?) when i was there for the basketball game on friday and thought of you!! you don't need to worry about being too much! i always love hearing from you! and thank you so much!! i feel like i'll be fine, and will mostly just run off of adrenaline and then crash very hard when i'm home (which is also fine, given that i don't have anything really planned for september right now). i... feel like i knew you were in that vague area of california but was not entirely sure — anyways san francisco playhouse is doing a regional production of waitress from november until january!! and i actually knew this without looking it up for this ask because my friend and i may end up going down to san francisco/san jose instead of LA in january so i've been doing some research and trip planning! y'all have some really great theatre coming to town soon!! the smash thing is just that both seasons are on peacock now! i might do a rewatch soon, i've been meaning to! but i should also ... read a book ... at some point! hope your week is off to a good start!

[aleskyyy]

Saved — Kyle Garrick x F!Reader

Three years of marriage with your husband who you thought would change for the better and he didn't. And finally being saved by someone who has been around you all along but both of you didn't know it.

Warnings — fem!reader, light angst, unhealthy relationship, cheating (not reader), attempt of sexual assault, a bit of violence/blood, fluff, fingering, oral [fem!receiving], cum eating, 18+ MDNI, etc.

3,2k words (maybe I'll make a second part, but I don't know when).

Main Masterlist COD Masterlist

You know this is not a healthy relationship to be in. But you still hope your husband can change for the better, giving you the attention you deserve like when you were still dating. Even though you know all this is tiring, you still try to serve your husband well. Cooking food for him, cleaning the house and running errands for you and your husband.

Like right now, you are cooking dinner for you and your husband who will soon be home from work. You cook his favorite food and you hope he comes home from work in a good mood. Especially since today is the third year anniversary of your marriage. You really hope that tonight will go very well.

After your cooking is done, you look at the clock on the wall and it's already seven in the evening. Your husband should have been home half an hour ago. Without thinking about it anymore you immediately arrange the food onto the dining table. After finishing you hurry to clean yourself, you want to look very good in front of your husband.

After cleaning up, you return to sit at the dining table while waiting for your husband to come home. But until the clock strikes ten at night your husband hasn't come home. You tried calling your husband many times but there was no answer. You are very worried about him. You sigh and prepare to clear the dining table.

While clearing the table you hear the door being rudely opened making you rush over. You see your husband come home drunk and with his clothes all messed up. You rush towards him wanting to help him walk but he pushes you roughly.

"Dante, why are you home so late? I've been waiting for you and called you but you didn't answer," you tell him in a worried tone.

You again try to help your husband walk ignoring the smell of the woman's perfume and the color of the lipstick printed on your husband's shirt. You try to get rid of the bad thoughts that cross your head. This must be a one time mistake, your husband won't do it again. You're sure of this.

It's been two weeks since the incident with your husband you are currently shopping for supplies that have been emptied. You're so serious about looking at every shelf in the super market that you accidentally bump into someone in front of you with the trolley you're using. Your eyes widened and you tried to apologize to the man in front of you.

"Oh my God, I'm really sorry. Does anything hurt?" you asked in a panicked tone. The man in front of you just laughs softly while shaking his head.

"No, ma'am. I'm fine," he says casually.

But you're not sure he's really okay, you're sure you hit him a little hard earlier. You try to look at him to see if he's really okay. But your gaze is distracted as you look at his handsome face, which is very sweet in your opinion. A gentle look on his face as he turned to look at you.

"I really apologize. I should have paid more attention to my surroundings," you say feeling embarrassed.

"It's okay. I'm Kyle by the way," he introduced himself with a smile on his face.

"Kyle..." you spell his name softly. Then introduced yourself to him with a smile.

"So, did you shop alone or with someone with this much groceries?" Kyle said as he pointed at the items in your trolley.

You look at your almost full trolley, you didn't think it would be this much. Especially since you came here by taxi. You really regret it now.

"Ah no, I'm alone," you reply as you push your trolley again.

You thought Kyle would leave after hearing your answer but you were wrong he walked after you. You walk side by side while talking casually, Kyle even helps you pick up the items on the high shelves. When you have finished shopping you smile happily because you were faster than usual, thanks to Kyle. You looked at him with a smile full of gratitude.

"Thank you Kyle, you shouldn't have helped me. But I'm really grateful and once again sorry for bumping into you earlier," you say to Kyle who smiles at you.

"I said I was fine, and I was happy to help you too," Kyle replies.

"But I made you stay longer, even though you didn't shop as much as I did," you say pointing at the groceries in his hand.

Kyle just laughs. He walks with you to the cashier. After you guys finished paying, Kyle took more of your shopping bags and helped you carry them out. You try to take your shopping bags from his hands but he still wants to carry your stuff.

"So where's your car?" Kyle asks.

You feel embarrassed again, you should have brought a car but your husband's car suddenly didn't start so he brought your car to work instead.

"I took a taxi here, just leave it and I'll find a taxi," you reply as you put down the groceries you're carrying.

"Let me take you home," he invites.

You can only shake your head. You've just met, you don't want to take any chances. Besides, it's not good to go home with another man when your husband isn't home. Kyle seemed to know what you were thinking, trying to calm you down.

"Believe me I'm not a criminal who would kidnap people," he said with a laugh.

You laughed stiffly at his words, Kyle who saw your expression at his unhelpful words scratched the back of his neck with an embarrassed smile.

"I'm sorry, I just want to help you that's all," he said.

You tried to consider his request. If you went with Kyle you wouldn't spend any more money than you had to. Finally, you nodded your head in acceptance of Kyle's invitation. Hopefully you made the right choice. Kyle carries your groceries back to the jeep that you believe belongs to him.

You try to help Kyle put your groceries in but he takes them all and puts them in by himself. Then he opens the passenger door and lets you in. Even your husband when you were still dating until now has never opened the car door for you. You thank Kyle and he follows you into the car. After starting the car Kyle asks where you live.

"What?" Kyle says after hearing where you live. You think he didn't hear you so you repeat yourself.

"I heard what you said, I just didn't expect you to live there," he says with a chuckle.

You looked at Kyle with a puzzled expression. "Why?"

"Because I also live there, if you know the house at the end of the street is my house," he said.

"That's your house?"

"Yes."

"But as far as I know it's often empty," you confirmed.

Kyle just nodded in confirmation of your words. "Because I rarely go home, if I come home from duty I always sleep in the barracks."

"You're a soldier?" You asked in a surprised. Kyle just nods answer your question while smiling at you briefly then refocuses on the road.

When you got to the road, you showed Kyle which one was your house. Until now you still don't believe that you and Kyle are neighbors because you've never seen him. Or maybe it's because you have a hard time socializing, is what you think.

When you get to the front of your house you panic seeing your car in the garage. It's a sign that your husband is home, but it's still noon and not even lunchtime. You and Kyle get out of the car to get your groceries. Before you can thank Kyle you hear your husband's voice yelling your name. You're so grateful that it's quiet in your neighborhood so you don't become the talk of the neighbors.

"I'm sorry, it looks like my husband came home early," you say while holding your groceries.

"Husband?" You hear the hesitant tone of Kyle's question.

"Oh God, I forgot to tell you that I'm married. I'm really so–"

Once again your husband's voice rang out loudly calling your name. You see your husband standing at the door looking at you and Kyle. Your heart was beating fast, you were afraid that your husband would get angry and do something bad.

"I apologize in advance and thank you for your help, Kyle," you say as you run a little with your groceries.

Kyle who saw you struggling to carry the groceries wants to help but he doesn't want to interfere in someone's household. But Kyle felt angry when he saw you struggling to carry the groceries but your husband didn't help. Still standing by his car, he saw your husband violently close the door to the house. Kyle sighed harshly, he was just attracted to someone but it turned out that the person he liked was married.

It's been three days since he met you, but Kyle is still thinking about you. He feels something odd that makes him not stop thinking about you. He knows he's wrong, you're married and he shouldn't be thinking about someone else's wife. But Kyle felt something was wrong. Since that day, every morning he did his morning running past your house but didn't see you come out of the house. He didn't even see your husband go to work.

It was the fifth day he saw you come out and it looked like your husband wasn't home. You were watering the plants in the yard. Kyle walked up to you and called out to you, making you startle and accidentally splash Kyle with water.

"Kyle!" you yell in surprise at him.

You frantically disconnect the water hose and walk towards Kyle. You tried to dry his face with your hands, Kyle could only laugh and said it was fine. Hearing the sound of his laughter makes you laugh too. Your hands return to your sides. You look at the surrounding area which is quiet because people have gone to work.

"Is your husband home?"

Hearing Kyle's question about your husband makes the smile on your face disappear. Ever since your husband saw you coming home with Kyle he had become more grumpy, especially with your husband having been fired from the company making him dare to hit you when he was angry with you.

"He went out," you reply. The truth is that you don't even know where your husband is at the moment.

Seeing the change on your face made Kyle try to change the subject. But before he could ask about anything else Kyle's eyes caught the bruise under your eye. Even though he knew you were trying to cover it up with makeup, he was sure it was a bruise. Kyle walks slowly towards you and holds your face gently which makes you surprised by his actions.

"What's wrong with your face?" he asked. His voice sounds different in your ears. You instinctively held the bruise under your eye. The bruise caused by your husband last night. You try to smile and answer that you fell in the bathroom last night and hit your face. But Kyle can see through your lie. He moves away from you a little, afraid that if anyone sees your closeness, it will become a problem for you.

"You know I'm here if you need anything, right? I can help you anytime, if I'm not home you can call me."

Kyle looked for something in his pants pocket and found a pen and a small book that he always carried around. He wrote down the number and tore off the paper to give it to you. You can only be silent while accepting it. You are so grateful to have someone like Kyle in your life even though you have only known him for a few days.

Tonight you're cooking for your husband who hasn't come home yet, the rain is pouring down with thunder and lightning. As you finish cooking you hear your husband's voice with someone else's voice that you never heard. You walk up to your husband and see a man who looks older than him.

"Thank you Kyle, you have no idea how helpful you are right now," you say with a grateful smile.

"Dante, who is that?" you ask. But your husband is only silent while looking at the man who is with him. He whispers something to the man then walks out and drives back in his car.

"You know I paid a lot of money for this with your husband. I hope you taste as good as he says," the stranger says.

You try to process the situation in front of you. You try to run towards the door but are quickly stopped by the man. The man pulls you towards the sofa in the living room, he tries to rip off the clothes you are wearing. With all your might you try to escape his grasp. You grabbed the man's face and pressed your thumb on his right eye until he screamed and blood came out of it. He immediately releases you and holds his eye.

"Bitch!" he yelled at you.

Before he could touch you again, you picked up the vase on the table and smashed it on the man's head. After that you ran outside barefoot. The area near your house looks empty because of the heavy rain. You run towards Kyle's house at the end of the street. You hoped he was still home and not on duty.

When you get to Kyle's house, you knock on his door with all your might. Tears are already mixing with the rainwater on your face. Your body shakes with fear and cold. You feel like you're going to faint if Kyle doesn't open the door. He looks at you with a worried face and brings you in. Kyle hugs you from the side to take you inside his house. He finds clothes and towels for you to wear. He takes you to the bathroom and asks you to change without demanding any explanation from you. When you come out of the bathroom Kyle takes you to the kitchen and makes you some hot tea.

"If you're calmer and want to talk I'll listen," Kyle says as he places the hot tea in front of you.

"He wanted to sell me, my husband wanted to sell me to someone and that person was still in my house when I ran away. I wounded his eyes and hit his head with a vase. And I don't know if he's still there or not," you explain in a trembling voice. Your tears fall again remembering what just happened to you.

You see Kyle taking his cell phone out of his pocket and calling someone, you can only hear a little of what he's saying. All you know is that he's on the phone with someone he calls captain and there are strange words like 'ghost' and 'soap'. You try to calm yourself down and drink the tea Kyle made. Kyle sits back down next to you and holds your hand gently.

"Everything will be fine, maybe tomorrow I need you to answer some questions. So you can sleep here, I'll prepare a guest room for you," he said while stroking your hand.

You're washing dishes when you feel hands around your waist. You feel little kisses being placed on your neck. You can only laugh amusedly when your neck is bitten lightly.

And sure enough, the next day Kyle somehow got all the information about your husband. Even your husband was linked to the drug dealer. Kyle also got information about the man last night that you confirmed with his picture in the file. And a few hours later you hear the news that your husband and the man last night were arrested by the police but unfortunately the car carrying them crashed leaving your husband and the man dead on the spot. You know this all seems strange, but you ignore it all. In fact, you feel relieved when you hear the news. You didn't even come to your husband's funeral and let his family take care of it.

"Kyle! I'm washing dishes here. Don't distract me," you said with a laugh. Kyle just laughed while kissing your cheek lightly.

It's been two years since that night, and one year since you and Kyle got together. He's been patiently waiting for you to open your heart to someone else ever since that night. He even moved out of the neighborhood and took you with him so that you wouldn't remember what happened that night. He took you to a house near the house of a man named John Price. And you know John Price is his captain and also the person who helped you that night.

"I want to take you out to dinner tonight. I hope you'll wear the red dress we bought earlier," Kyle said. His hand moved to graze your inner thigh which was only covered by his t-shirt.

"Tonight?"

Kyle just cleared his throat and went back to kissing your neck while giving a small bite there. His hand slowly touched your pussy from outside the underwear you were wearing. Kyle carried you straight to your room when he saw you finished washing the dishes. He immediately laid you on the bed and pinned you there.

"What are you doing, handsome?" You ask in a flirting tone that makes him laugh.

"You know what I'm going to do," Kyle said as he took off his your t-shirt. Leaving you with only your underwear.

Kyle kisses you passionately again, he plays with your breasts making you moan his name. Kyle is always gentle with you and focuses on your needs first. His kisses move down your neck and bite there, leaving a lot of hickeys. Then he brings his mouth to your breasts, taking turns sucking on them. He sucks one of your breasts and lightly nibbles on the other.

Kyle goes back down to your pussy and kisses it from outside the underwear you're wearing. His tongue plays with your pussy and makes you moan loudly and your back arches. Kyle quickly takes off your underwear and throws it in a random direction. His lips went back to kissing your pussy and suckling your clit.

Kyle puts one of his fingers inside your pussy and moves it slowly. Soon he fastens his movements after inserting another finger there and curls his finger on your tight walls which makes you cry out his name loudly. He also goes back to kissing your pussy and gives your clit a gentle bite. Your breathing has become ragged and your lower abdomen is tightening. Soon you will come and Kyle knows it so he quickens his hand movements and kisses your pussy even more.

"Kyle I'm coming, please, please, Kyle..."

"Come baby, come in my mouth."

Your hand gripped his hair as you came. Your body trembles and your toes curl. As you came Kyle kept licking your pussy which was leaking cum.

"Tonight baby, tonight I will fuck you so hard. I love you so much," Kyle said. He glanced at the bedside table drawer for a moment. Let's hope tonight goes well.

© 2024 aleskyyy

[bekindtoyou4007]

Today I slept in, I was so tired. Got to sleep the night before without any issues. One mildly concerning dream in that I had moved to Glasgow with H and couldn't remember why I thought it was a good idea and he couldn't tell me either! I imagine that's coming from me coming up to my 1 year anniversary at my place of work and that meeting next week to make things official. I always seem to get skittish around commiting like that. I've had to be so agile for nearly 10 years in where I worked and where I lived but now I've managed to land in the job and area I always wanted. I can remember being 21 years old and seeing the role and this area for the first time and being so enchanted, then finding out barrier after barrier in my way. It's sort of crazy. I'm now going to be part of an organisation in a long term way and already been asked to do promotional things... it's all so strange. I'm just happy I have the life I have overall though. Today I was able to do some ball based bonding with the dog, even though it hail stoned. Cooked a batch of chicken soup and also made SF chicken which is another meal, added to my hot Tofu wings already, I've got a lot of home cooking available. I'm also going to make a Haddock rice dish as well as it needs done. Aside from that I also managed to push myself to the gym and rewarded with a hot bath afterwards, just in time as I finally started my period. I think the ab exercises may have made cramping worse, who knows. I have a full week coming up so I'm getting things ready, should be okay though. And now I can take some time off weights and just walk instead.