#gonna see if i can just swap the cases over

[lia-is-a-slut]

I'm at the front window like a dog (my cunt) waiting for its owner (whatever makes me cum) x

[aeide-thea]

what if this year i gave up on even gesturing at ""passing"" and instead embraced the world of weird unisex natural-fiber garments available on etsy 🤔

[thetriumphantpanda]

freedom felt like summer | joel miller

Summary | Weeks of flirting back and forth with your neighbour Joel all comes to a head when he makes sure every inch of you in covered in suncream.

Pairing | Joel Miller x F!Reader

Word Count | 2.6K

Warnings | Explicit - reader wears a bikini and uses sun cream but is otherwise a blank slate. Alcohol consumption. Swearing, flirting, and dirty talk. Explicit smut - oral (f receiving), fingering, unprotected PiV smut, creampie. No outbreak au and no use of y/n.

Authors Note | We've had a slither of sun in the UK and this is what happens. Big thanks to @undercoverpena for the shorts idea ;) I hope you enjoy! If you do, please consider reblogging, leaving comments or leaving a tip via my Ko-Fi.

Divider by the wonderful @saradika

Main Masterlist | Ko-Fi.

There’s nothing quite like an Austin summer. Hot sun beating down, but with the new pool your parents had built when you’d moved out and their fully stocked fridge of soda and ice, it wasn’t too bad at all.

They’d gone on their annual holiday, two weeks in Mexico, which meant you had two weeks of lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun and bleeding them for their food and drinks. No responsibilities, is what you’d told yourself, laptop shut and job applications waiting, whilst you soaked the sun into your skin and made margaritas too strong once the clock struck 1pm.

The heat across your skin had dried the chlorine water quickly, coconut scented suncream slathered across every inch you could reach, not worrying about your back because it was pressed against the back of the lounger. You’re just started to drift off, eyes closing behind your sunglasses, when a voice jolts you.

“You manage to reach your back with that?”

There’s a small smirk that flashes across your mouth, quickly bitten away by your teeth as you sit up and turn around a little, looking over to the fence where Joel Miller is leaning over, pointing to the bottle of suncream on the small table next to you.

“Hard to reach there when it’s just me,” You shrug, “But it’s okay, it’s not getting any of the sun anyhow.”

He shakes his head and makes a tsk sound with his tongue against his teeth, “Don’t mean you shouldn’t try and cover it,” He says, sounding more like your dad than you’d care to admit, “The sun ain’t gonna look at that lounger and think it can’t burn you.”

“Well, I'm here on my own,” You offer, “Unless you’re gonna volunteer to smear it on my back, Miller, I'm gonna have to risk it.”

You can see him thinking over the fence, wondering if this is a good idea, much like he’s been thinking since you came home - degree done, jobs waiting - he’d flirted with you at your dad’s cookout in honour of you graduating, swapped numbers with you the day your parents left for vacation ‘in case you needed him’, and has spent the last week making any excuse to peek his head over the fence and talk to you, specifically when you’re out in your bikini, mostly when you’re dripping wet from coming out of the pool.

He holds his finger up and then disappears from view, only to come back seconds later through the gate at the bottom of your garden that connects your land with his. Your dad had been weary of it at first, but as soon as he’d met Joel, they’d hit it off, and now the gate is used more than the front door when they want to drink together.

He’s dressed simply, a pair of jeans and a worn t-shirt. Too stifling for you, you think, but you know he’s spent most of his life on building sites, so he must be used to the heat of the sun on his skin. Joel comes to a stop near the small table, but instead of picking up the bottle of cream, he opts for the half-empty glass of margarita you’d made not too long ago. He takes a sip and makes a face, which makes you laugh.

“Never understand how you women like this stuff.”

Setting the glass down, he picks up the bottle of cream and flips the lid, motioning for you to sit up, which you do, turning on the lounger so your back is facing him. The bottle of cream is really on its last legs, coming to the very end, so you can hear the bottle express more air than cream the first time he squeezes it. You hear him rubbing his hands together and then feel him step a little closer to your back.

“Ready?” He asks, voice low, to which you nod your head.

Then his hands are on you and it’s better than you ever had thought. They’re rough against your skin, but the way they’re gliding across your back is gentle. His hands drag the cream down your spine to the band of your bikini top, before he’s working it into your skin, all the way up to the nape of your neck. You can feel your head tipping forward, struggling to stifle a groan when you feel him gently shift one of the straps of your top down so he can bring the cream up and over your shoulders, his hand big enough that his fingers brush your collarbone. He repeats his actions on the other side, making sure to bring the straps back up when he’s done, then he gives your shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“All done.”

“You’re a professional at that, Miller,” You praise, “Spend a lot of time rubbing suncream into girls backs, do you?”

“All the time.” Is his dry response as you move to lay back down.

When you turn your head, he’s already walking away.

“You can stay,” You offer, “If you’ve got nothing else to do.”

He stands still for a second before he turns over his shoulder, “Let me change and then I’ll come back.”

He’s doing this on purpose, you think, as you watch him glide under the water again, head dipping up as his arms work him down the pool where he comes to a stop, taking wet hands to slick his hair back from his forehead.

“You ever thought of having your own built?” You ask, sipping from the fresh margarita you’d made.

He shakes his head, “Thought about it a fair bit when Sarah was younger but now it would be wasted on me,” He explains, “Besides, I can always come and use yours,” You watch him bend his knees a little in the water so his chest is submerged, “Kinda hot out there, why don’t you come in a cool off.”

Joel has a point, even though it’s mid-afternoon now, the heat is still just as strong as it was when it was midday, so you drag yourself as carefully as you can manage off the lounger and plop yourself down on the side of the pool, dipping your legs in as Joel swims over. You expect him to stop, but he doesn’t, just puts his big palms on your upper thighs and spreads your legs wide, settling himself between them. You lean back, palms against the warm stone behind you, and push your sunglasses onto your head so he can see your eyes.

“Finally gonna make your move, huh?” You ask, eyebrow raised.

“Somethin’ like that.”

His palms are dragging up your thighs, resting on the band of your bikini bottoms, looking up at you like he’s waiting for permission, which you gladly give with a nod of your head. His fingers are hooking into the waistband and dragging down, you lift your hips to make it easier for him, and watch as he steps back in the water to drag them down your legs, leaving them forgotten on the side of the pool as he spreads your thighs wide. You’re not even think about the neighbours on the other side as you watch him, eyes focused on your bare cunt in front of him.

“Like what you see, Miller?” You ask, with a smirk, reaching your hand down your body, using two fingers to gently spread your folds in front of his face, dragging one up the length of your pussy to play with your clit.

You swear he growls at you, big hand gripping your wrist to drag your hand away from your core. He steps back between your thighs and uses the hand not gripping your wrist to push you back a little. Then his mouth is pressing hot kisses to your thighs, working up and across your tummy, back down the other side until you’re squirming and ready to beg.

You can feel the back of his knuckles drag up and down the folds of your cunt, “You gonna be wet if I touch you?” He asks, tone low.

“Why don’t you find out.”

So he does, using a single finger to dip between your folds, dragging down gently until he’s pressing it into your cunt, easy because you are in fact already dripping for him. You feel him work his finger in and out of you, before he’s adding a second and curling them up inside you at just the right angle to have your head tipping back and a moan dropping from your mouth.

“Gotta be quiet, Darlin’,” Joel speaks, “Do you want next door knowin’ what you’re up to?”

You’re about to come back with some smart retort when he leans forward and uses the tip of his tongue to flick gently against your clit, making it all the more harder to keep your moans at bay. Joel continues the light flick of his tongue against you whilst his fingers more in and out of your cunt, until he switches things up and wraps his lips around your clit, suckling it into his mouth whilst his fingers remain buried deep inside you, curling up in a ‘come hither’ motion to caress that perfect spot inside you.

Your hands fly to his hair, tangling deep in his chocolate curls, keeping his face flush to where he’s working you towards the edge.

“Jesus fucking Christ, Joel,” You breathe out, “Don’t stop, please, I’m gonna come.”

At your words, he doubles down, moving his fingers faster inside of you, sucking at your clit with more vigour. He pushes you over the edge easily, easier than anyone ever has before, legs shaking, skin alight, a silent scream sent forth to the sky as his mouth works you through it. Your body feels like jelly when he finally pulls away from you, but there’s enough energy left through your body that you can pull your legs from the water and get up onto your knees.

“Get out of the water, cowboy,” You murmur, bending down to press your lips to Joel’s, tasting yourself on his mouth, “I wanna fuck.”

You push yourself back from him, shuffling back to let him pull himself out of the water. His swim shorts are wet, rivulets of water dripping into pools at his feet, but all your eyes can really focus on is the outline of his cock through his wet shorts. He’s hard and from what you can tell, he’s big. It makes your mouth water, makes you want to wrap your lips around it, but it seems like he has other ideas for you. He’s dragging you up from your knees, walking you over to the low patio chairs, where he sits himself down on one and promptly drags you onto his lap, your thighs wide as they straddle him in the chair.

Your naked pussy is dragging against the wet bulge of his jeans, his hands moving your hips as you lean down again to kiss him, the endless flirting and build up over the last few weeks finally coming to a head as you let your tongue run against his, his hands lifting your hips a little so he can reach between the two of you to pull his shorts down just enough to free his cock.

You can feel the thick line of him running through your folds, wide head of his cock brushing against your clit as he moves, making you moan into his mouth just as he pulls away.

“You wanna sit on it?” He asks lowly, hands moving back to grip your bare ass, spreading you wide.

“I do.”

“Go on then, darlin’,” He speaks, “Show me what you’re made of.”

He helps raise your hips, letting you reach between the two of you to grip his cock, lining him up with your seeping entrance, sinking down just enough to let the tip of his cock notch into you. You lean your forehead against his, both damp with sweat, and revel in the fact that his mouth drops open in a sigh of pleasure just at the same time as yours does. You ease yourself down onto his cock a little more, letting the slight burn and stretch of him easing in, inch by inch, set your skin aflame.

You still once you’ve sunk down fully onto him, letting yourself get used to his length nestled inside you. You feel your cunt fluttering around him, and you know he can feel it too, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip when you start lifting yourself off him and sink back down.

“Shit, baby,” He breathes, leaning up to catch your mouth with his briefly, “You’re so fuckin’ tight.”

He makes you smile when he says things like that, it makes you bold, makes you lift up on him, almost all the way, and then sink back down, but harder and faster than before. As you move, Joel lets go of his grip on your ass and brings them to your bikini top, slipping the straps down, then pulling the material over your tits. He leans down, sucking a nipple into his mouth, rolling his tongue against it until it’s a stiff peak, switching sides to give the same attention to the other.

Once he’s given enough attention to your tits, he takes your hips in his hands, guiding your movements from bouncing to grinding, his cock sitting right within the depths of you as you move backwards and forwards on him. Joel brings a hand between you, using his thumb to draw rough circles over your clit.

“I need to feel you,” He breathes against your skin, “Need to feel you come on my cock.”

“Just…” You breathe right back, “Don’t stop, keep doing that, I’m right there.”

Joel leans up, mouth hot against the skin of your neck as he starts to suck at your skin, tip of his cock brushing just perfectly against that spot inside you as the familiar feeling at your spine builds and builds until it’s crashing over you. You bury your head in his neck, damp with sweat and the remnants of pool water, letting out the quietest moan you can manage as your pussy pulls tight around his length and you feel yourself gush against him, his thumb continuing to work you through the aftershocks of your orgasm.

“You gotta tell me where,” He mutters urgently, “I’m close baby, where do you want me.”

“Inside,” You beg against his skin, realising it was muffled, you turn your head and speak again, “Inside me Joel, please.”

It only takes a few more deep grinds of your hips before he’s gripping your hips tight to keep you still, spilling inside you, warmth spreading through your cunt and as groans your name quietly, so as not to alert the neighbours as to what they just missed in your backyard.

He pulls you close, arms wrapping around your lower back, both of you catching your breath for a moment. You press a kiss to his chest, nuzzling your face into his warm skin as his softening cock slips from your tight heats. You can feel the trickle of his cum down your inner thigh, but make no effort to move, enjoying the feeling of his arms around you.

“Same time tomorrow?” You mumble against his skin.

“Same time tomorrow, baby.”

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Jack Howl - Room Relaxation Voice Lines

Back home, I'd have my family to celebrate with, but here... I wonder what kind of birthday tomorrow will bring.

Summon: Doesn't matter to me if it's my birthday or not. I'll just do what I gotta do.

Groovification: Today's a special day. I'll make sure to put special care into styling my hair today so it doesn't end up lookin' lame!

Home: I gotta put my homework away.

Swap Looks: What type of protein should I go with...?

Home Transition 1: I'd always just be wearing a shirt and cardigan back home, too. It's much easier to regulate my temperature if I'm wearing a jacket or something.

Home Transition 2: The nightcap that Rook-senpai gave me is nice that it even covers my ears, but... It kinda weirds me out that it fits me perfectly.

Home Transition 3: My room itself is pretty small, but I'd say the reason why I can't do my stretches here is because of all of my roommates' stuff scattered everywhere.

Home Transition - Login: I'll make sure to do my daily studying and training routines as usual. Birthdays aren't an excuse to slack.

Home Transition - Groovy: I really like Riddle-senpai's way of giving encouragement... It kind of pumps me up even more. Makes me happier hearin' that than just being told to rest 'cause it's my birthday.

Home Tap 1: My roommates keep throwing their dirty clothes all over my personal space. Maybe I should just finally throw them all away.

Home Tap 2: The body composition monitor that that Ortho gave me is pretty useful. Just knowing how much muscle I have really helps me determine what training I should do.

Home Tap 3: I've tried styling gel before, but my hair got way too stiff... I've only used wax since then.

Home Tap 4: I can't tell if Lilia-senpai is trying to celebrate or surprise me... I couldn't help but square up when he let off a party popper from his perch in a tree.

Home Tap 5: What's the knitted pattern on my cardigan called? Actually, I don't really know. It's something I see in my hometown a lot, so I've never really thought about it.

Home Tap - Groovy: Didja forget I've got a real good nose for things? I can tell just by smell there's food and cake prepared. So sorry that it couldn't be a surprise.

Duo: [JACK]: Riddle-senpai, I'll make this my most productive year yet! [RIDDLE]: That's a good mindset, Jack.

Birthday Login Message: Oh, hey, it's you. What am I carrying? Just some sports drinks that Deuce gave me for my birthday. He gave me a whole case full so I'm just carrying it to my room. Man, he just had to give me something so big... Heh, now where am I gonna find the place to put this? By the way, what do you have there? ...Huh? A present for me? And it's more sports drinks!? ...N-Nah, I'm not saying I don't need them. I drink 'em every day, so it's good to have a ton. Right then, I'll take them off your hands. What, you don't think I can carry two cases by myself? It's no big deal. So, yeah, uh... Thanks.

Requested by @farfalla049.

[myveryownfanfiction]

18+ MINORS AND THOSE WITHOUT AGE IN BIO DNI

tags: @iobsessoverfictionalmen, @illiana-mystery, @stark-ironman

warnings: swearing, mention of menstruation

Logan sniffed again as he watched me during dinner. I raised an eyebrow at him and he drugged, shaking his head. I shrugged it off as rogue pulled me into a conversation.

“so why haven’t you gone on a mission lately?” She asked. I laughed, taking a bite of food.

“Ask the professor.” I said, glancing over at him. “Might have something to do with the new recruit getting mission time.” I nudged her shoulder before laughing. “No. I offered to take some time off to help train the next group of kids coming of age. Just in case.”

“and doing a good job of it too.” Charles said, smiling at me. I raised my cup and nodded at him, everyone applauding. Logan sniffed again and this time his eyebrows went up in understanding. I cocked my head at him and he held up a finger. I nodded and went back to eating. I tilted my head as I started to feel uncomfortable. Logan caught my head and jerked his head to the side.

“Great dinner guys.” I said as I stood up. I took my plate to the sink and put it in the water. “I’m gonna head to bed. See you all tomorrow.” Logan followed me as I headed up to my bedroom. He laid out on my bed while I went into the bathroom.

“it started didn’t it?” He called. I groaned as I swapped out my products I had already put on in preparation.

“I hate you.” I said as I walked out. Logan smirked and titled his head. “Your stupid enhanced smell. I swear Logan…” he chuckled.

“not my fault. I didn’t ask for the fucking ability.” Logan said, leaning back on his elbows. I laid down next to him and put my head on his chest.

“It does help sometimes though.” I admitted. Logan shrugged as he wrapped his arm around me.

“if you say so.” He said.

“it is. Warns me I need to prep for it.” I said. Logan kissed my head. “So I can appreciate it. A little bit.” Logan hummed. “And you’ve gotten better at not making a big deal about it.”

“I’ve never been around so many people who go through this before. I didn’t realize…” Logan shook his head. “It was overwhelming.” I nodded and rubbed his chest.

“I bet.” I agreed. Logan tilted my head up to kiss me softly.

“at least it comes in handy.” He said as he pulled the blanket up over us.

“from time to time.” I agreed as I turned off my lights.

[reddpenn]

The current state of the Rock Wall!

Video transcript:

Who wants a tour of my rock collection?

I guess we’ll start over here; this is the newest shelf. I just added it. A lot of stuff from the other shelves have now joined this shelf. It’s got a nice little sliding glass door to protect my more high-end specimens. On this we have a lot of my thumbnails, including some of the more delicate, or some of the more valuable thumbnails. Some of my more high-end specimens over here, like that beautiful wulfenite.

I have started labeling the stones now, so some of the stones have these neat little labels, and some of them do not. But everything in this case does.

And then of course some of the larger high-end specimens down here. And I’m not sure what I’m gonna put on those lower shelves yet.

Up above that I have a new display case, and this is where I’m putting all of my cabochons.

So here I’ve gotten it down and we’ll open it up. This is all velcro. I made this myself out of a normal shadowbox that I got at the store. These are all attached by velcro so that I can take them out and rearrange them and add more to them and move them around.

This case is lighted. The case next to it is technically lighted, but the lights are out of battery right now. Eventually I want to switch that to something more permanent that can be plugged in all the time so I don’t have to constantly swap out the batteries.

This is the Original Rock Shelf, so it is crammed full of some of my oldest specimens. I recently did a project where I added these acrylic risers to it to kinda make a little bit of space, which made it a bit less crammed, which is nice. A lot of specimens on this shelf. Buch of geodes down there. That’s Geode Territory.

Next to it, below the North American giant ground sloth bone, we have more of my thumbnail specimens. Just a bunch of little guys. I’d like to light this shelf too. I think that would help them show up better. The meteorite collection is over here. We got some rust on this guy, but I think he’s doing okay. And then over here, my opal collection. So here is the Ethiopian opals, we’ve got an Australian opal, we’ve got a Honduran opal back there. That one up there is also Ethiopian opal, right in the middle.

Down below that, just more of the really tiny stuff, and some miscellaneous stuff.

The spheres and eggs are under that. The one under a cloth is a reconstituted quartz. If I leave it where sunlight can hit it, it’ll burn my house down so I just keep it covered because I’m a little bit paranoid about that.

Miscellaneous stuff: I got some tumbled stones, I got some palm stones. Just… stuff gets thrown down on that shelf.

The shelf next to it. This was at one point my large specimen and high-end shelf, and at this point is just the large specimen shelf because the high-end shelf is now over here. Which has made this shelf a lot less crowded, to move all that stuff over. Again, I’ve got my acrylic risers on there. I have a bunch of my big specimens. I’d like to light this shelf too. You can see how the shadows are kind of a problem like on the halite in the back there.

And then below those are the agates. This shelf is the bane of my existence. I have so many agates that I physically cannot cram any more agates onto this shelf. I’m gonna need to get some more risers and see if I can clear a little bit of space for the agate collection.

Down below that, some more miscellaneous large things. Got a jade, got a labradorite, got a kambaba stone. In the box is vivianite, but it can’t be exposed to light, so it lives in a box. And then here I have another one of these shadowboxes that opens up, and it’s got a bunch of gem jars inside of my very very small stuff.

And then over here, this is the shelf where my newest stuff starts living. Stuff that I’ve added to my collection most recently. This is also where all the fossils are living currently. And in that box is all the crinoids I just pick up off the ground. We have a ton of them around here.

Underneath that we’ve got this big desert rose, fills the whole shelf.

Next to that I have this tiny shelf that has some of my rock-adjacent things like my mineralogy puzzles. Tully lives here. Some of my mineralogy books but not all of them. They don’t all fit.

And that’s the short and sweet tour of the current state of my rock collection!

[quillpokebiology]

You mentioned a couple of times Bisharp and Gallade pair well, do you have any facts or pic on this crossbreed? :0

Yup! Here is one with a Bisharp father!

Pokemon Crossbreeds: Knight

Knight is the name for members of the Gardevoir line whose father's were members of the Bisharp line. The breed was named after their more armored and knight-like appearance. They've been bred by humans for a long time, as both Bisharp and Gardevoir have been by humans for centuries.

Ralts

Knight Ralts gain larger and sharper horns, a split-colored head that has a slightly metallic texture, and a mark on their chest that resembles a chest-plate. Due to the larger and sharper horn, these ralts are able to pick up on emotions easier, which can be overwhelming for them. These ralts are more defensive and aggressive than standard ralts.

Kirlia

Knight Kirlia no longer have flaps of skin resembling a skirt, instead, having fat wrap around their legs which look like pants. They have broader shoulders, sharper horns, and a darker stomach resembling a chestplate. It still follows the defensiveness and aggression of Bisharp, and they are often seen leading packs of Knight Ralts.

Gardevoir

My personal favorite of this line. Knight Gardevoir gain a sharp horn on their head, a green top, green gloves, and a bit longer hair. Knight Gardevoir have been loved for centuries for their mastery over battle and their more serious and knowing disposition. They lead groups of Knight Ralts and Kirlia. Some ancient kings in Galar had a Knight Gardevoir. Mega Knight Gardevoir gain long hair and longer ears, resembling Kingambit more than regular Knight Gardevoir.

Gallade

Knight Gallade gain the crest of Bisharp, border shoulders, extra blades on their arms, and larger hips. Not much changes behaviour wise, as Gallade are already aggressive and noble pokemon, but many battlers love this breed for their extra blades and extra defense. Mega Knight Gallade gain longer ears and a black cape, resembling the hair of Kingambit.

//My designs can be used by anyone if you credit me! Talking about designs under the cut

I had the idea for this crossbreed but I put it in the back of my mind bcuz there was always something new ig.

Ralts was pretty easy to design. It's hair already looks like a helmet, so I just made it look more like Pawniard's helmet. Was gonna leave the helmet primary colored, but then I went hack and gave it two color to match Pawniard's more.

Kirlia was more difficult bcuz it and Bisharp don't have much in common, so I instead just made it more serious looking and gave it the traits I could; like feet, hands, shoulders, and a chestplate.

I traced an old Gardevoir crossbreed I made bcuz I prefer the one I made over the canon one (for tracing at least. Also, its called Chantelaines Gardevoir!). But my main goal was to make it look a bit like those Warrior queens you see. For both Gardevoir and Gallade, I primarily used Bisharp as inspo because it felt right, but I did put Kingambit in there top (the sword mustache becoming long ears, the triangle shaped shoulders, and the markings on the shoulders).

I gave Mega Gardevoir longer hair to match Kingambit's. I also traced an older piece, which was traced from canon, but I just used it for the small edits I made when I made it.

Gallade was nice, and lowkey inspired by Roman Gladiators. Random fact, but did you know gladiators rarely ever killed? It was like wrestling back then, so it would be expensive to have them die, and extreme violence in Gladiator fights was frowned on. There were some cases where murder in gladiator fights were encouraged, but not as many as you'd think. Anyways! I was so happy to fix Gallade's hip wheel bcuz while Gallade may be one of my fav pokemon and I think the hip wheel is a furled up dress, I can still find it weird.

Not much changes with mega gallade, and I kept the OG color scheme. Though, the cap was hard to color since I kept swapping from blue to green to black. Eventually I decided on black to match with Kingambit's hair since it already didn't have a lot of Kingambit traits.

[ineffable-suffering]

Aziraphale, I love you. But you lied. And here's why.

Okay. I’m not gonna beat around the bush for too long. It’s time now for me to also throw my try at a personal Good Omens Season 2 Magnum Opus into the mix of already existing magnum op..i? Opusses? (Smited? Smote?)

If I’m honest, it isn’t fully my own magnum opus, as I read this meta not too long ago that made me go: „Oh! My God! That’s it!“ And I’m pretty sure a lot of other people have clocked this too by now. Of course I’m not saying it’s the objective truth but after having mulled it over for many endless nights and days, wading through the onslaught of coffee theories, body swap theories, The Metatron re-writing the Book of Life theories and many, many more, this is the one I think is most plausible and, if you look closely, most obvious.

And it goes as such: Aziraphale lied.

To all of us. All of them. And most of all, to Crowley. He lied to him. Well, he sort of did and also sort of didn’t. He certainly didn’t tell the truth. At least not all of it. I hear you ask: “OP, what the fuck are you talking about”. I answer you: Let’s start from the top and under the cut.

(Small note: this meta ended up being way too large for Tumblr, which is why I will redirect you to an external doc at the end of the post, where I have written it all down nicely and accurately. It's about 35 digital A4-pages long, just in case you want to save it for later.)

(Word count: 12.831 | Approximate reading time: 50 minutes)

Let’s start with a short recap of what happens before the Metatron crashes the bookshop party and everything goes to shit. The proper visuals for this are in my Tumblr post but I am absolutely convinced that right up until when the Metatron comes to take Aziraphale away and talk to him, the angel is fully ready to get into Crowley’s Bentley-chariot and finally ride off into the sunset (or Alpha Centauri-set or whatever). You can see it in his face and body language. You can see when the penny drops for him that a) Crowley loves him b) he loves Crowley and c) they can finally start their happily ever after. Aziraphale realizes this all throughout said Brielzebub reveal in the bookshop. And he’s such a lost cause once he does. 

I mean, look at that. Look at it. This (very shitty recording, sorry, I'm not tech-savvy enough to avoid the Amazon Prime screen recording blocker) is the very second Aziraphale realizes hat Crowley loves him. When he hears him suggest Alpha bloody Centauri as a getaway for Gabriel and Beelzebub, as Crowley has done to Aziraphale for so, so many times now. He finally understands what Crowley was trying to tell him with that all those times.

Aziraphale realizes this all throughout the Brielzebub reveal in the bookshop. And he’s such a lost cause once he does.

Right when Crowley suggest Alpha Centauri as a nice getaway spot to the two, Aziraphale looks at him and he gets it. That Crowley has loved him, has been loving him for millennia. Truthfully, they've both known that for a long while now. But there's a difference between knowing, wanting, craving and actually being able to finally have something. And that's exactly what we see on Aziraphale's face here. This is it. This is where it all starts working out for Crowley and him. This is were they can start their eternity together.

So from that second on, Aziraphale only has eyes for Crowley. He keeps physically pawing at Crowley with complete heart eyes, as if to say „Look, look, that’s gonna be us too! Finally!" He’s actually so smitten that he doesn’t even hear what Crowley is saying when he asks Shax if he can have back his apartment now because he’s sick of living in his car. (Also, what way to drop that bomb right in this moment Crowley, lmao). 

Once the Metatron comes in, the first thing Aziraphale says is that they don’t need to talk because „he’s made his position quite clear“. He doesn’t even want to talk to the Metatron, because in his mind, he’s already made the choice. Actually, he made the choice way before the bookshop showdown. For starters, I’m convinced that the Jane Austen Ball actually never was for Maggie and Nina but for Crowley and him (you can read more about that here). And apart from that, for this whole season we have seen Aziraphale trying to advance his relationship with Crowley romantically and domestically and move them to the literal next base (our car!). And after everything he just witnessed with Brielzebub, the final nail in the coffin of ethereal-infernal romance being possible, his choice is absolutely crystal clear: It’s Crowley. It’s always been Crowley and it always will be Crowley. And now it can be Crowley. They can be an us.

The whole of Season 2 is such a massive learning curve for Aziraphale’s character, with him remembering all those important pivotal points of his past,  and this very moment is the peak, with him not only understanding that Crowley loves him (because he certainly knew for quite some centuries now) but accepting that love, letting himself have that love, being allowed to want that love and taking that love and starting their new and final chapter with it. Nevertheless, the plot clock ticks for them. The Metatron saunters into the bookshop, evil and stinky as Metatrons do, and urges Aziraphale to come with him with his whole Take The Coffee schtick, which I will get into later. And Aziraphale, immediately sensing there’s Something Up, does. Can’t really turn down someone as high-ranking as the the voice of God, after all. Even if you were currently already planning how you were going to elope with a certain red-haired serpent of Eden. 

he next time we see Aziraphale on screen, it’s so painfully evident on his face that he is neither happy nor excited. Not even the slightest bit. We’d know if he was, thanks to Mr. Michael master-of-microexpressions Sheen. None of the usual “Aziraphale is happy”-signs are there. No blinding eye-smile, no giddy wriggling, not giggles and gasps. No, when the Metatron tells Aziraphale to „go tell your friend the good news“, his expression looks like this:

I’m gonna go out on an entire limb here and say: That does not look like someone who’s absolutely tickety-boo hyped to tell his demon soulmate that he just got the juiciest promotion and that they can both be angels and live happily ever after in ethereal eternity now.

This, folks, looks like someone who knows exactly that the news he has to break right now, are going to be tickety-shit awful and very upsetting to said demon soulmate. And already, from that very short snippet of conversation, we can tell that Aziraphale isn’t really given a choice by the Metatron. Because while the Metatron does tell him that he doesn’t have to „answer right away“, he immediately follows it up by: „Go ahead and tell your friend the good news!“ Very distinct and definitive choice of words here. It’s “good news” because it’s already been decided. Because it’s already a done deal. There is no “yes, no, maybe”. This is the only choice he’s giving to Aziraphale. Because it’s ‘Coffee or death’. 

And he already gave him the coffee. 

***

Tumblr won't let me continue this over a certain character limit and I am not even remotely done yet – so, I feel like this is a good moment to redirect you to the continuation of this insane meta before we're in too deep. You can do so right here!

I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions about this once you've fought your way through it. Hope you have a good time with it!

[quakiebaka]

⚖️BEHOLD, One and All!🪄

Troupe Gramarye's Apollo Justice and Prodigy Defense Attorney Trucy Wright!

Swap AU art of my recent favorite duo of all time! First time drawing them and it was an absolute joy to have them be the first thing I've properly drawn in months. Ace Attorney has a grip on me dear lord,, I should draw them more.....

[ Timelapse/ramblings under the cut ]

Trucy

trucy was so difficult to pose/design :sob:

her right hand is a reference to edgeworth's thinking sprite :)

you can see i almost gave her a jabot like edgeworth's but decided against it since the neck area was getting too cluttered

(which is why i switched the neck scarf around instead. its very iconic to her)

why edgeworth? because I am an "uncle miles -> papa" truther. aka narumitsu.

trucy's dress shirt is color picked from wright's aa5+ vest! her outfit overall is very inspired by his.

I considered taking away trucy's gloves but like her neck scarf, it's a part of her i cant take away

Apollo

was originally gonna just draw polly but it escalated quickly

went with valant's troupe gramarye long sleeve outfit bc I felt it suited apollo better

small little thing I noticed about the gramarye's is that thalassa's the only one without the neck flap things for the cape. so this is my slight little nod to trans apollo because i didnt want to draw the flaps. its a win-win

obvious ace of spades card is obvious turnabout trump reference. also phoenix's other cards

had to switch apollo's left hand to the front because the cape was in the way and i didnt wanna deal with cape physics/folding

other ramblings! AA4+ spoilers!

I like to think that trucy got very inspired by wright once she got taken in by him and that kickstarted her desire to become a defense attorney early on. she wanted to help out as much as possible with income. she also doesn't like magic that much anymore because it reminds her of her bio dad, which is really upsetting. kristoph takes this as an opportunity to mentor her since phoenix really can't take her to help with his cases, so this is how she takes apollo's place. turnabout trump is her first case.

as for apollo, i have no idea how he gets to becoming a magician since im still confused by his multiple backstories!! too many ideas that contradict the story. uhhh, let's just say he gets the rights because somehow magnifi finds out about him (prob through thalassa before the shootem) and apollo gets the rights sent over to him as a kid (apollo doesnt really question it) and he just. never told zak or valant about it. so zak still thinks he has the rights to pass it down to trucy. but trucy didn't even pursue magic so it all worked out anyway? hooray!

[phantom-0-writer]

what even is your life danny?

Danny had been shocked awake by Adam practically breaking down the door to Wes’s room as he barged in. “Wake up!” He yelled frantically. 

“What’s wrong?” Danny asked, sitting up at the thought of a ghost attack. 

“Wha-” Wes asked, bleary-eyed from his side of the bed, drool still wet on his mouth. Adam in all his everlasting energy, practically pushed Wes off the bed, making room for himself. 

“Y’know Nightwing’s recent case-” He started excitedly before turning around to face the two of them, his voice more serious, “You know about it, right?” Adam asked. When they both nodded- as if Tucker would have let them go this long not knowing about it- Adam continued in his original energy. “They finally released the names of all the kids that got switched.” Adam started in the same excitement someone would announce they won the lottery in a hallmark movie. “They made this mini-identity check thing, since, y’know it counts as personal medical history, and it legally can’t be free access to the public. It’s actually quite ingenious- yet simple.” Adam’s voice began trailing on the edge of mystification before snapping back to his original energy. “I thought we’d all give it a shot to see if any of us qualify!” He ended happily. 

“Dude, how can you have so much energy so early in the morning,” Wes asked, bundling himself in his blanket, his voice heavy in a sleepy drawl even though he looked much more awake now. 

“It’s 1:30. Regular people like me have been up for hours now,” Adam responded snottily, shoving a hand in his younger brother’s face.  “Also Danny, your phone’s been going crazy all morning. You left it on the couch last night.” Adam said, handing the device to Danny.

“Who was it?” Wes asked, looking over at him. 

“My parents,” Danny put the phone on speaker. Two rings echoed in the still anticipation of the room before the familiar voice of his mom came through the other end. “Hi, sweetie!” She said happily, “Did you just wake up?” 

“Oh, uh Yeah. I did. I was-”

“We got a call this morning and you’d never believe who it was.” Mom started, her voice only marginally louder than the loud work of whatever she was doing. “The FBI! Can you believe it? They said you were one of the children involved with Dr. Kilye’s case-” 

Danny looked up to share a look of shock with Adam and Wes, jaws loose, having pierced the puzzle together. 

“-Apparently the child they swapped you with, mine and Jack’s biological child, had been born with an undiagnosable fatal condition, and hadn’t been able to make it. His name was… Philip. We were quite sad about the news.” The sound of the drill echoed through the room. “But apparently the agent- the FBI agent!- had already talked to your biological parents - you know Jack and I always wondered who it was you took after, and I thought it was my Great Aunt Sally, but Jack always said his late Uncle Bob. Oh right, what was I saying? Oh! Your parents- right! They seemed pretty eager to meet you. Or at least your father, I think -or was it your mother, I can’t remember. The other one went missing a while after you were born. I don’t remember all the details. I sent you the phone number they gave me, I figured you’d want to talk to her.” And before Danny could even get a word out she hung up. 

There was a palpable silence, “I’ll make us some food,” Adam said, being the first to leave his spot. 

Wes jumped up instantly at the declaration, “No!” 

“How about I make us some food.” Danny offered, making his way to the kitchen.

“Yes, that is the better option.” Wes nodded sagely, plopping onto the barstool as Danny took inventory. Adam hauled himself onto the counter, letting his long legs dangle right above the floor as he watched Danny cook. 

“You got your bio mom’s number, right? Are you gonna talk to her?” Adam asked his hyper attitude from the morning replaced with a still-eager yet more restrained and slightly somber one. 

Danny let himself consider it before responding. “I don’t even know her name or anything though. What would I even say?” 

“We could look it up on the thing Adam was tellin’ us about.” Wes offered. “I’ll grab my laptop.”

“Your call,” Adam added. 

“Yeah… I think that’d be good.” Danny looked up from the food he was preparing, “Thanks, guys. I dunno how I would’ve taken this without you.” He smiled softly. 

“You’re the one cooking for us, man. We should thank you.” Adam laughed. Plates wiped clean and in the sink, they all huddled around Wes’s laptop as Danny put his information to the FBI’s server. 

“Dude,” Wes gasped reading the file, placing his hand on Danny’s shoulder as he leaned in closer from behind him.

“Your dad-” Adam spluttered, “Your dad is Bruce Wayne?” He practically yelled, turning to look at Danny for confirmation. As if he had any idea what was going on. “Bruce Wayne.” He said, again amazed. 

“What even is your life Danny?” 

“Did my mom just casually send me Bruce Wayne’s personal phone number?”

“Tucker’s so going to lose his mind.”

except from regular boy: daniel wayne (chap 6)

[wileys-russo]

little blurb about supportive arsenal gf finding out lessi is starting 🥹

two posts in one day, spoiling y'all

debut II a.russo

"lessi did you grab my training top by accident with yours?" you called out as you rummaged through your closet with a frown. "babe?" you called out again a little louder when your girlfriend didn't answer.

"no! are you sure you didn't already pack it?" the blonde called back from down the hall where she was sat in the spare room on the bed, laptop balancing on her knees as she worked on an assignment. your own shared bed was covered with your clothes as you of course had left it to the last minute to pack, your girlfriends own case already down by the front door ready for lotte to pick you both up tomorrow.

"oh. yeah i did, thank you!" you smiled in relief as you searched through your suitcase seeing your training kit folded neatly in the bottom, the taller girl in the other room rolling her eyes with a small smile.

the two of you headed to sweden tomorrow for your first match of the season and the qualifier of the champions league, you were over the moon to finally be playing alongside alessia than against her.

and it finally meant no more hours of travelling on the tube or cross city roadtrips just to spend a day or two together and then weeks apart until the cycle repeated. the distance wasn't easy but with time and communication you made it work, and you had never pressured one another about switching clubs.

but seeing how poorly alessia was treated by her former club, a team she'd supported since her childhood, was hard to bare when you loved her dearly. but you were there by her side through it all, the same way she was when you tore your hamstring early last year.

"i'm packed." you announced with a relieved sigh finally joining the striker on the spare bed, collapsing beside her on your back and resting your head against her hip, scrolling through your phone.

"thank god i was worried we might miss the flight." the taller girl teased, not looking away from her laptop as her fingers flew against the keyboard and you playfully pinched her leg for the comment.

the two you sat together in a comfortable silence, you swapping your social media deep dive for a book as your girlfriend tangled a hand in your hair, nails scratching at your scalp as she read through her study material.

"i'm gonna go start dinner baby." you finished your chapter, marking your page and sitting up. "hey!" you laughed as your girlfriend poked at the slit of skin which appeared as your arms up with a stretch. "what's for dinner?" the blonde asked with a curious smile.

"whatever i can make with as many items as possible, the last thing i'd like to come home to is a fridge full of expired, soggy or mouldy food." you winced in disgust, scrunching your nose at the thought. "do you want a hand?" the striker offered, moving her laptop off her knees and tugging you to lay on top of her.

"hi. "hello beautiful."

you blushed at her words as the blonde kissed your nose with a soft smile.

"no it's okay you said you need to study so you can focus when we're in sweden, i'll come get you once it's done baby." you answered her previous question with a smile, kissing her softly in thanks.

"now hit the books!" you ordered playfully, rolling off of her and standing to your feet as the blonde gave you a salute and picked her laptop back off the bed.

~

"smells almost as divine as you." you smiled as hoodie clad arms wrapped round you, the taller girl pressing her front into your back as her chin rested on your shoulder, kissing your cheek affectionately.

"charmer." you grinned, a slight blush coating your cheeks as you relaxed into her hold. "so, i have news." alessia broke the silence, unwrapping herself from you and taking a step back as you turned round and raised a curious eyebrow.

"jonas called." your girlfriend started, fiddling nervously with the sleeves of her hoodie as you tilted your head, unsure where this was going. "i'm starting on wednesday." she finally revealed, watching as your mouth dropped open, her own curling into a shit eating grin.

"baby! you're getting your debut!" you squealed happily, launching yourself at her as the blonde stumbled backwards but caught you, your legs wrapping around her waist.

"i am so proud of you less. i told you he was impressed at training!" you beamed, kissing happily all over her face as the tall blonde let out a giggle making your heart soar.

"i did smoke you at the wind sprints." "hey your legs are like half the size of my whole body you have an unfair advantage."

"but i can't believe we'll finally be on the pitch together for the same team and in the right red." you teased lightly as alessia spun you around before taking a few steps forward and placing you down to sit on the counter top.

"so long as i'm with you i couldn't care what color i'm wearing."

[jadewritesficshere]

Hold me close as you drift off to sleep

Eddie Munson x reader

Eddie spends the night for the first time

Contents: no use of gendered pet names,, no physical descriptions of reader but clothes are described, mentions of nervousness, mentions of sharing a toothbrush which leads to mentions of spit kink, no actual smut but allusions to it,

MDNI 18+ only

You slowly looked over your pajama choice in the mirror. A pair of warm plaid pants and a t-shirt from years ago that was faded and soft in the most comfortable way. You weren't sure why you were so nervous about this, you and Eddie had seen each other in many different clothes and lack thereof.

But there was something different about spending the first night together. The first time sleeping together, and by sleeping you actually mean it in the sense of the word. Snoozing. Dreaming. Resting. Snoring-

Oh God what if you snored? You bit your lip as the anxiety started to rise. You didn't think you snored, but what if you did? What if you walked in your sleep? Or worse, what if you talked and shared all your secrets (the most important being you loved Eddie, but you didn't think it was that big of a secret).

The door to your bedroom creaked open, causing your eyes to dart over. Eddie walks in, dumping his clothes on the floor. The white tank top clings to his lean torso, the ill fitting red plaid pants rolled up at the hems. Eddie smiles at you slightly before sighing loudly. You stomach turns until Eddie gestures to his pants," Well, one of us is gonna have to change."

A laugh escapes you just as your worries do. This is Eddie. Your Eddie. There is no need to be nervous.

You walk over to the bed and crawl in," Should have packed a bag just in case. You saw the forecast was calling for snow." Eddie scoffs slightly but crawls into bed," You're my weather.. guide? the weather diviner...the weather-" "meteorologist" "Yeah that! You're that. Wayne watches the news, not me. They just want you to see one side." Eddie pulls the blankets up to his chin and bats his lashes at you," You're my meteorologist and you didn't tell me. Almost like you wanted this to happen."

You smile as you roll your eyes," Yes Edward, I wanted you all to myself and chose to not tell you so that way you had to borrow clothes from whatever was left here by Steve and Robin." "Oh, I'm not borrowing, these are mine now. Finders keepers." Eddie winks at you.

Eddie reaches over and turns off the lamp, letting the room go dark. You blink your eyes a few times, adjusting to the lack of light. You can feel the dip in the bed where Eddie is laying next to you. Your hands almost touching. Hear his breathing cut through the deafening silence.

You look over at Eddie and find him already staring at you. "Sorry if I snore," you mumble looking into his eyes. Eddie brings up a finger and traces your cheekbone," Don't worry about it. Wayne snores, won't bother me if you sound like a chainsaw." You huff and go to turn away but Eddie holds your face towards him.

"Goodnight." Eddie whispers as he leans in and kisses you lightly. Its soft, sweet, and almost shy. You grin into the kiss. Eddie sighs and pulls back a fraction, lips barely touching. You can feel his breath against your face. You can smell peppermint- wait.

"You brush your teeth?" You ask. Eddie hums an affirmative, " Yup. Got my molars and everything. Rinsed your brush really wel-" "My brush?" Eddie looks a bit sheepish as you gape at him," My brush Edward? That's-! What? Eddie!"

Eddie blushes," We've swapped spit when kissing-" "That's different!" "Is it?". You roll away as Eddie makes grabbing hands and tries to keep you facing him. You evade his grasp and stare at the wall, feeling Eddie wrap his arms around your waist,"I'm sorry?"

You can't help but smile as Eddie kisses up and down your neck, apologizing the whole time. You grab his hand resting on your hip and interlock your fingers," It's okay i just don't want to think about it. I guess you have spit in my mouth-" "No I haven't! Wait, is that...Is that on the table cau-" "Don't press your luck tonight Eddie you know what I meant," you warn. "Shutting up" Eddie makes a motion of zipping his mouth shut.

You start to laugh and pretty soon Eddie is too. If you had had any nerves left, they would be gone now. You sigh, relaxing into the bed. The weight of Eddie's arm laid across you, holding you in place, had you feeling secure.

"Night Eddie. Don't let the bed bugs bite," you grin as you close your eyes. They snap back open a minute later as you feel the sting of Eddie's teeth lightly clamp onto your shoulder," Hey!" "No bed bugs here, just me. Your loooovveee bug." Eddie grins as you swat at him," Go to sleep!"

Eddie goes to roll over but you grasp his forearm, pulling his arm back over you. He smiles as he nuzzles his nose into your shoulder. He slides one leg and slots it between yours. Your limbs entangled in a more innocent way then normal. You smile softly as you lay there, trying to go to sleep.

You can hear Eddie's breathing even out as he falls asleep behind you. Knowing he feels safe and comfortable enough to do so makes you feel warm inside. You grin as you start to feel the edges of sleep start to overtake you.

Your eyes flutter open as the sun shines through the window. You look over at Eddie and try to stifle a laugh. His face pressed into the pillow with his hair a wild, tangled mess around him. The pillow slightly discolored from where he has drooled onto it. You can't hold it in when you realize the tank top he's wearing has shifted to reveal his entire pec to you.

Eddie slowly wakes up to your laughter, glaring at you slightly for being woken up. The grumpy look fades from his face as he realizes it's you that woke him up. Eddie sits up quickly, brushing a hand through his hair and only getting it caught once or twice. He wipes at the drool on his chin and gives you a big grin," What are you laughing at?"

You nod at his chest and he looks down. Eddie gasps dramatically," My virtue!" He fixed his top as he chuckles. You're sad to see his chest get covered. "Good morning," you say, hand reaching out to lightly graze his.

Eddie grabs your hand with his, thumb stroking the back of your hand," Good morning my dying fish" You wrinkle your brow at him," your what?" "My dying fish, you flopped around so much like a-" You cut Eddie off by hitting him with your pillow. His mouth drops open before he grabs his and hits you back.

Giggles and the sound of pillows hitting each other fill the air before Eddie tosses the pillow aside and tackles you to the bed. He kisses you before hovering over you slightly," Good morning." You grin back, tucking a stray curl behind his ear," Good morning.

Eddie grins down at you and you smile back. The warmth in his eyes causes your stomach to flutter and heart to beat faster. You don't know what he is thinking but can see the love written plainly on his face. You know that while this was only the first time he slept over, it definitely wouldn't be the last.

Eddie kisses the tip of your nose before jumping up," I'm gonna brush my teeth." He starts to giggle slightly making your eyes widen. "Eddie you better not use my brush!" You holler after him, hearing him cackle as he rushes down the hall," Edward!"

[sugarcubetikki]

Okay. I am annoyed by the everything so I’m gonna go ahead and debunk all the arguments against the Francesca X Michaela storyline.

In case you weren’t aware of all the complaints going around, here they are:

they’ve completely changed the storyline from the books! francesca’s infertility storyline was sooo important and now it won’t happen!

eloise would’ve made more sense as the queer bridgerton, her and cressida or some other female character would’ve been great over francesca.

by immediately making francesca attracted to michaela they downplayed john and her’s relationship that was built up this season, they cheapened the book storyline into a cliche love triangle!

michael was the best book hero ever! I can’t believe they’ve changed him to michaela.

I am taking all these criticisms/complaints at face value and ignoring any lesbophobia undertones (for now) just to prove how flawed they still are on their own.

Firstly, saying that Francesca’s infertility storyline has been ruined is far from the truth. Instead it can be done in a different way. Think about Francesca in a queer relationship and wanting kids in the kind of society she lives in. It basically mirrors the infertility storyline from the books except her struggles would become representative of the struggles that queer people who want kids face. If they went for this storyline in her season, I think it would be really really nice, we’ve seen a straight infertility storyline play out so many times, this would be great.

Secondly, I am so tired of hearing that it should’ve been Eloise over Francesca. I don’t think Eloise would’ve made more or less sense as a queer women. I think any and every character has the potential to be written as queer or straight. Being an outspoken women with little interest on marriage shouldn’t make Eloise more queer. I also really liked the idea of a potential Eloise X Cressida romance but that does not mean Francesca cannot be queer. In fact, I’m excited to see this introverted autistic queer girl rep! Francesca, go prove we exist.

Thirdly, Francesca’s season hasn’t even happened yet! Getting mad over one scene of Michaela, saying that John and Francesca’s relationship has been downplayed and that we’re in for a cheapened love triangle story is so unreasonable. It was a single scene and people are choosing to get mad over something that hasn’t even happened yet? Besides, if this storyline plays out, it wouldn’t mean that Francesca shouldn’t have been made queer but simply that the writers didn’t write the storyline to your liking. The fact that there’s this much outrage over this is so ridiculous to me. Wait till her season. We have no idea how they’re going to play out the storyline just yet so stop hating already (there may be some lesbophobia implications to this claim which I have spoken about below).

Fourthly, I know it’s not a nice feeling to not get the chance to see a beloved book character onscreen due to this gender swap. It may feel unfair but I mean but…give Michaela a chance? We haven’t seen her personality yet and we don’t know how Masali will bring her character to life. If your qualms are that the love interest is no longer a guy you can fetishise and fawn over, then well…log out of the internet, rant to a friend and stick to the books. Let the sapphics have their wlw romance that we rarely get these days because we keep getting cancelled since streaming services hate gay women. And no that is not an exaggeration but our plain reality. So let us have this.

Finally, to end things off, let us address the lesbophobia aspect to this separately because it is 100% worth mentioning.

The treatment towards queer women onscreen is hardly the same as the hype around queer men.

We can see it in the way streaming services and the internet hype up gay romances whilst sapphic romances are largely ignored and cast to the side (just to make it clear I have nothing against people enjoying mlm romance I enjoy mlm romance all I’m saying that it’s a real shame that wlw romance doesn’t get the same amount of appreciation).

The response to Francesca X Michaela has been largely negative and it’s frustrating. Outside of the cosy gay rabbit hole that tumblr is, there’s just outrage over this storyline/pairing for a number of different reasons that well…all feel ridiculous.

Bridgerton has gone off the books many times yet there’s more outrage than before when it comes to Francesca X Michaela?

Fans are getting a lot more defensive of John and Francesca’s relationship despite knowing he was never going to be endgame all because of Michaela? I’m sorry but I’m sure that if Michaela was Michael and we got the exact same scene with Francesca, do you think there would be as much outrage over John and Francesca’s relationship being downplayed? No. Let’s be honest. People wouldn’t be as mad because there’d be an attractive man involved.

I think the sapphics deserve so much more and better treatment from fellow non-sapphics. Instead of a show of appreciation, we keep getting unreasonable amounts of fire onto this storyline that hasn’t even happened.

What’s worse is that I know that Francesca X Michaela’s romance could follow the story beats of previous seasons that were eaten up by fans and still be bad to people because sapphic romances are just judged more harshly as straight audiences refuse to connect with them. If their romance isn’t phenomenal and just good, then it won’t be enough which is just frustrating.

So yeah, the hate towards Francesca and Michaela is unwarranted and unjust. People need to calm down and realise that their claims are contributing to lesbophobia whether they realise it or not.

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

from this prompt list (send me some if you'd like!) prompt #s 35, and 82

pairing: steddie | word count: 819 | rated: M (just in case!)

“Ah, fuck!” Eddie pants, finally letting go and dropping his weight into Steve’s capable hands.

Steve lets the other man catch his breath, running his hand up and down Eddie’s bicep in a soothing motion.

“You’re doing great, Eds, that was fucking perfect.”

Eddie looks up at him, mouth still hanging open though his breath is finally slowing.

“This is a one-time thing, you know.” Steve says.

“Fuck you.” Eddie heaves out, finally catching the last of his breath.

Steve chuckles at him, “Well, it is! I told you you’ve only got to try it once.” He moves his hand from Eddie’s bicep to pat the scraggly bun on top of his head sympathetically.

“Stop laughing at me, asshole.”

“I’m not! I’m not,” Steve laughs, “Well, okay, yes, I am–but!--it’s only ‘cause I love how irritated you get.”

Eddie rolls his eyes, “Shut up, Harrington, just pass me the fuckin’ weights.” 

Steve smiles as Eddie lays back onto the bench in a huff. “You think you’ll get up to 25s by the end of the month, or are you gonna stick with 20s all year?”

“If you keep making fun of me, I’m gonna bench the 5s. Now pass them over; I gotta get this done ASAP.”

“Oh do you now?” Steve asks, coaxing his boyfriend to sit back up so he can take the weights properly. 

Eddie takes the free weights and lays back down, holding them over his head for another set of presses. “Yeah, duh. The faster I’m done, the faster I get to see you do yours.”

“You got a thing for jocks or something, Munson?”

Eddie’s starting to huff again, finishing off rep seven of ten.

“You know I do, sweetheart.” he grits out, pressing out the last one; he sits up and drops the weights to rest on his knees. “Pretty boy muscleheads lifting 70 fucking pounds over their head at once really gets me going.”

Eddie’s not lying either, he’s been giving Steve the eyes the whole time they’ve been in this gym, and it’s NOT helping Steve’s concentration.

Steve does his warm-up jog on the treadmill? Eddie gives him the eyes.

Steve manages to do a full set of reps with 35s instead of 30s? Eddie gives him the eyes.

Steve loads up the leg press machine, eyes. Actually does leg presses, eyes.

Eddie sets the dumbbells on the floor and stands so Steve can take his place on the bench.

“You’re insatiable.” Steve gumbles, hefting his own weights (still 35lbs each!!) onto his legs so he can push them up properly with his knees and lay back for his presses.

“And I can’t wait for you to saiche me when we get home.” he says, relishing in the fact that he made Steve laugh in the middle of his last rep.

“Don’t do that, asshole! I coulda dropped this thing on my face!” 

They swap spots once more, Eddie finishing his last set on the bench, then Steve starts talking him through the next exercise.

“Okay Eds, you’re gonna stand up for this one. Make sure you’re standing straight, take one weight in your hands by one of the ends like this,” he cups one bell of the dumbbell in both his upturned palms, “and go behind your head with it, palms up.

“Then, all you have to do is push the weight up toward the ceiling and back. Got it?”

He demonstrates, both arms stretched up and bent at the elbow to let the weight hang from his hands behind his shoulders. The stretch causes Steve’s shirt to ride up, leaving a sliver of his soft stomach bared, the muscles at the back of Steve’s upper arms (He told Eddie the correct term for them before, as if he was going to remember that..) bunch and stretch with each movement…and Eddie immediately wants to climb him like a tree.

“Eds, you got that?” his boyfriend says, sounding slightly out of breath as he continues to press his weight above his head.

“Steve.” Eddie breathes out.

Steve keeps going, concentrating on his movements.

Eddie tries again, “Stevie, darling. Either you need to stop. Or we need to leave.” 

“What?” he stops, carefully moving the weight back to his front and putting down onto the bench beside them. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean.” How could he not? Does he not know how he looks right now??

Eddie feels his cheeks flush hotter as Steve searches his face, his eyes dropping down.

“Oh—oh yep, yep, okay, lemme just–” Steve wastes no time re-racking their weights and grabbing a spray bottle of disinfectant and paper towel to clean off the bench they were using.

“C’mon, lets go,” he says in a low voice as he pulls Eddie by the hand out the door to their car, “You’re lucky you’re cute,”

Eddie only grins, letting himself be towed along.

my husband gave me these numbers! so this is based on my own love for my husband and his strong arms and shoulders that make me 🥵 when i go to the gym with him lolol

[mrsevans90]

Puppy Love

Captain Syverson x OFC Emma Miller Part 12

Summary: Austin Syverson has returned to Texas after retiring from the military and starts his own contracting business. Syverson is used to being alone and thinks he prefers it that way. While at work he stumbles upon an injured and abused puppy. When he meets the new veterinarian in town, Emma Miller, he is immediately smitten with her. It turns out Emma has some baggage of her own. Will they be able to make it work? Or is it just a case of fleeting puppy love?

Pairing: Henry Cavill as Captain Austin Syverson x OFC Emma Miller 

Warnings: mentions of sex, anxious Sy, Nana (because her sassiness is a warning), language

MINORS DNI! Must be 18+

I do not authorize any copying/pasting, stealing of my work, or using my words as your own. 

This story is not beta’d. All mistakes are my own.

A/N: I am an imperfect person who makes mistakes. All that I ask is to please be kind and if you enjoy it then please comment and REPOST! I appreciate any love, comments, and reposts more than you could know. Thank you for reading! 

Part 11

Emma and I spent Sunday together in pure domesticity. We grocery shopped and then went back to her house so that she could start meal prepping. She cooked loads of food and then divided them in little containers for the both of us. I spent as much time sampling little bits of the food when she wasn’t looking as I did with my hands wrapped around her waist. She was so cute humming to the radio in her tiny short shorts that I couldn’t help myself but to touch her. I guess I wanted to just feel her since our routine was going to be off. The next week, Emma is busy preparing her house for her parent’s upcoming arrival. I knew I wouldn’t get to spend the weekend with her, so I was already dreading it. I’ve become so used to having her in my bed all weekend and spending time with her that I felt like I was going to have withdrawals from her. The plan was to have brunch with her and her parents on Saturday where she would introduce me as her official boyfriend. God, I’m a grown ass man about to meet my girlfriend’s parents and I’m nervous. I know her dad’s approval means the most and I’m not certain he’ll feel comfortable with his little girl being with the big, gruff army captain. Plus, the term “girlfriend and boyfriend” feel so juvenile at this point. About midday on Wednesday, while I’m installing flooring at a jobsite, my phone chimes with a text.

Mills’ Mama: How do you feel about weeknight sleepovers?

Sy: Sounds like the best damn idea you’ve ever had. Yours or mine?

Mills’ Mama: Maybe we can swap back and forth? Mine tonight and yours tomorrow? I’ll cook you dinner!

Sy: I’ll be there after work, Sugar, with the dogs and my bag. Can’t wait to see you.

Mills’ Mama: Can’t wait to kiss you.

Sy: Is that so?

Mills’ Mama: Mmhmm. Maybe even more. 😉

Sy: Darlin’. We still got 4 more hours of work, you better quit teasin’ me.

The afternoon rolls around and after a quick shower and packing some clothes and toiletries in my military duffle, I load the dogs up and head to Emma’s house. I’m nervous about sleeping somewhere else since I’ve been retired, but I need to get over it eventually. Emma met us at the door and after loving on the dogs she pulled my cheeks down into a deep kiss. Dinner was on the table when I made it inside and it smelled delicious. I went and set my bag down along with the dog bed I brought for Aika to help her arthritis in her bedroom and smiled as it was immaculately clean with the bed made. I felt Emma’s arms wrap around my waist and squeeze.

“Mmm.. I’m so glad you’re here.” She murmured.

“Me too, Sugar. Ya had a good day?” 

“Busy.” She mumbles into my back and I chuckle. 

“Ya gonna let me go so I can see that beautiful face?” I chuckle and feel her shake her head with a mumbled “no” into my back. I reach back and tickle her sides which has her instantly let go and jump back.

“There’s my girl.” I say as I lean in to kiss her. I try to deepen the kiss but she pulls back. 

“Supper’s on the table.” She reminds me before grabbing my hand and leading me to the table that the dogs were already corralled under, begging for scraps. 

We enjoyed our meal sharing relatively bland aspects of our day before quickly retreating to the bedroom. I was a little nervous about sleeping over for fear that I might have a nightmare, and reluctantly told Emma so when she asked me what was bothering me. She promised that if I was too uncomfortable she would understand, but I didn’t want to wimp out. Emma promised to distract me and before I knew it, she was quick to undress herself and show me a sexy little dark green lingerie number she told me she was wearing just for me. My worries momentarily forgotten, I spent the next hour of our night thoroughly fucking Emma and bringing her to a total of four orgasms. Sweaty and exhausted, we showered together and then climbed in bed. I wrapped Emma’s body tightly against my own and exhaled a sigh of relief.

“You feel okay about sleeping here?” Emma murmured sleepily.

“Yeah, I think I’ll be okay as long as you’re in my arms, Sugar.” 

“My favorite place to be.” She sighs.

Just like that, we fell asleep wrapped in each other and I got one of the best nights of rest I’ve had in a while surrounded by Emma and the scent of her perfume.

The rest of the week went well and before I knew it, I was getting ready to meet Emma and her parents at the diner for brunch Saturday morning. I of course, arrive about 10 minutes early because the military man in me can’t seem to break that habit after years of having it engrained into my personality. I go ahead and get us a table before shooting a text to Emma letting her know where I’m at. A few of the local people I know stop by the table to say hello, or catch up which helps my anxiety about impressing her parents and before I know it, they’re here. I catch sight of Emma in a pretty pink sundress with a smile so bright that has my heart aching and my pants feeling a bit tighter. I politely stand up when Emma makes her way over to me and presses a light kiss to my lips which surprises me. I extend my hand immediately as she introduces us.

“Mom and Dad, I’d like to introduce you to my boyfriend, Austin Syverson.”

“It’s nice to meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about you as Emma has been looking forward to your visit.” I say as I shake hands with her mother and father who introduce themselves as Diana and James.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Austin. Emma has told me bits and pieces about you but she keeps a lot of things to herself so we were itching to meet you.”

“My descriptions wouldn’t do him justice.” She replies.

We all sit down in the booth and take a look at the menus before ordering and handing our menus back to the waitress.

“So, Austin, tell us about yourself.” James says and I take a deep breath before responding.

“Well, I’m a retired military captain who decided to open my own contracting company when I got back to Texas. I didn’t initially plan on it but I bought a house that needed a ton of work and found a lot of appreciation for fixing up myself. I ended up liking it so much that I decided to start my own company which is doing pretty well. I’m really close with my grandparents who own a farm about ten miles from here, and I have two dogs that I care about a lot. That’s how I met Emma, was taking my dog to the vet.”

“Interesting, Emma said you were in the military but didn’t say you were a captain. What division?” James inquires.

“Army, Special Forces.” 

“Damn. I’ve bet you’ve seen some things.” You don’t know the half of it.

“Yes sir, but I try not to focus on it. Easy to do with work, my dogs, and spending time with this pretty girl.” I say as I smile down at Emma.

“She did tell me that you were very helpful in getting all of the security installed at her home, so I appreciate that. Especially after that idiot stalked her all the way out here.” James says.

“I was happy to help out, and it gave me piece of mind that she would be safe at all times. Most importantly that she continued to feel safe at her home. That was my number one concern.”

“I agree. We tried to convince her that she should move back, at least closer to home, but she’s not budging. I guess we now know why, seeing as she has you here.” Diana replies with a smirk.

“She is sitting right here, you know.” Emma says and I chuckle. Sassy girl doesn’t like being talked about.

“I’ve told you, I’m happy here and I’m not going to run away from my problems. I’ve started a new life for myself and it makes me happy.”

I beam at her proud of her for not backing down when it’s her life and her decision.

“All I ask is that you take care of her. I know she’s grown, but I look at her and still see my little girl dancing in a princess dress to her favorite Disney movie.” 

“I promise, sir. Emma’s safety and happiness are my priority.” I look him dead in his eyes and he nods. Emma intertwines our fingers together under the table and squeezes my hand tightly.

“So, tell us more about your family. Parents?” Diana asks and Emma immediately interrupts.

“Mom, no.”

“No, darlin’ it’s alright. My father left when I was a toddler and remarried and I don’t have any contact with him. My mother passed away from breast cancer several years ago. I have an older brother, Mark, who is happily married and they have a little girl. They live in Tennessee so I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like. My grandparents and I are extremely close though and I see them every Sunday for lunch.”

“That’s lovely. I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. Cancer is such an awful thing.”

“It sure is.”

The conversation quickly moves on to how hard Emma worked to get the guest bedroom ready for their visit, where she praised me for doing the heavy lifting, before shifting to Emma’s veterinary practice. Emma explained in more detail how we actually met when I found an abused Mills behind a property I was working on.

“We are huge animal lovers; I guess that’s why Emma became a veterinarian. You’ll have to introduce us to your dogs at some point.”

“I’d be happy too. Mills doesn’t have the best manners yet, but he’s still a pup so he’ll get there.”

“We’ll have to introduce you to his Nana and PawPaw at some point too. His nana is an absolute trip! She is your typical southern sassy woman and I adore her.” Emma boasts and I smile. I know of a way to make Nana really happy if Emma wants to introduce them.

“Y’all are welcome to join us for lunch tomorrow. I know Nana would be tickled pink.”

“Oh my gosh, really? That’s not too short notice? I wouldn’t want to impose.” Emma responds excitedly.

“You know that woman will be absolutely thrilled if you and your parents join us. She always overcooks anyway. I’ll call her to make sure just for your peace of mind but I promise she’d love it. They don’t get many visitors these days so it will give her something to look forward too.” I smile, glad that the two most important women in my life seem to want to spend time together.

We finish eating and I pay for our entire meal as I had discreetly requested from the waitress when I arrived before everyone. James seemed absolutely shocked that I had done that but gave me a strong handshake and thanked me for the meal. I feel like I made a good impression but it’s likely too soon to tell. Diana hugged me quickly before Emma wrapped her arms around my neck and pecked a chaste kiss to my lips before they left to go explore the town with the promise to call me in a bit. I got in my truck feeling good about the experience before calling Nana.

“Well hello my darlin’ grandson!” She answered as lively as ever.

“Hey Nana. How y’all doing today?”

“Just as well as ever. We’re still kicking so at our age that’s all we can ask for.” She jests.

“What about you? I missed our Sunday lunch last week. Please tell me Emma’s coming tomorrow?”

“Emma’s parents are in town visiting, but I figured if y’all were up for it they could all come?” 

“Well I’ll be damned!” She crows and I have to hold my phone back from my ear slightly.

“Now, what do you mean by that?” 

“My sweet grandson is finally getting serious about a woman! Enough to let us meet not only her, but her family as well? Hot damn!”

“D’you curse like that in church, Nana?” I joke, making fun of her southern Baptist persona.

“Only if the sermon’s good enough.” She retorts.

“I’ll take that as a yes, then.”

“Of course! Oohh now I gotta be thinking about what all I’m going to cook.”

“Don’t go to any trouble, Nana. This isn’t some big thing. Whatever you had already planned will be perfect.”

“Nonsense. We need to make a good impression so her daddy will agree to let Emma marry you.”

“Slow down, woman! It’s not that serious yet. We haven’t even said I love you. Emma was telling them about you and PawPaw and it just came up. Promise me you won’t scare them off.”

“Boy, don’t make me smack you. I will be my typical charming self and they will love me. That’s not what I’m worried about. I need to make a good impression for you.”

“I met them and I think they like me.”

“Well, I’m going to make sure they love you.”

“I’m regretting this already, Nana.” I sigh. 

“Is PawPaw around?”

“Yes, let me get him…JOE! Austin’s on the phone!” She yells away from the receiver and I can’t help but shake my head and smirk endearingly.

“Hello?”

“PawPaw, how are ya?”

“I’m just fine, son. What have you done that’s got your Nana all in a tizzy? She’s running around crazier than a betsy bug.”

“Well, I’m bringing Emma and her parents to lunch tomorrow.”

I hear a low chuckle into the receiver.

“All I can say is, you’ve done it now. Hope you and Emma are prepared for an overzealous ole’ woman chatting her parent’s ears off tomorrow.”

“What was I thinking, PawPaw? Do me a favor, try to get her to be on her best behavior. She doesn’t listen to anyone but you.”

“Son, that woman doesn’t listen to anyone, myself included. Just take a deep breath and hope she doesn’t pull out the baby books.”

“Jesus. Hide them for me, please PawPaw.”

“Will do. Try not to worry. See ya tomorrow.”

“Alright, love ya Pops.”

“Love you too, Son.”

I take a deep breath and place my head on the steering wheel as I think about what I’ve subjected myself too. I ought to warn Emma’s parents before we get there tomorrow.

I meet up with Alex since I haven’t seen him on the weekends since I’ve started dating Emma and caught up with him. We played a few video games at his place before I grabbed some dinner on the way back to my house. I hated how empty my house felt without Emma there. Already she was this presence that I craved and even found myself wishing she left some of her things here so that I could more easily imagine her in my home. We had texted a few times throughout the afternoon but I wanted her to enjoy her time with her parents since they would be leaving Sunday afternoon. Emma had even invited me to go out to dinner with them but I just didn’t want to monopolize their time together. After my shower, I was trimming up my beard when I saw Emma facetiming me.

“Hey, Sugar. How was your afternoon?”

“It was good! I took my parents to the clinic and showed them everything before we went to the little town museum. After that, we did a little shopping for my house and I bought patio furniture for the backyard which will be great. Then we went to dinner and came back here to relax a bit. I’m exhausted.” She says dramatically while flailing back on her bed.

“I bet, you had quite a busy day.”

“What did you get up too?”

“Not much, just hung out with Alex. Played some video games with him before grabbing take out and coming home to the pups.”

“Wish I was there.” “Me too. I really found myself craving your presence here, Sugar. You’ve gotten me spoiled by staying here every weekend.”

“Aw, I miss it there too. I really liked our weeknight sleepovers by the way. I suggest we just start staying together every night.” I smile at her.

“You sure about that?” 

“Mhmm. I sleep so good cuddled up to my big teddy bear.” 

“I sleep the best with you too. Even though you put your ice-cold feet on me.” I say and she giggles.

“You’re always so warm! I’ll freeze tonight without you here to warm them.” She giggles while stifling a yawn. 

“Sugar, you’ve had a long day. Why don’t you go ahead and get some sleep. I’ll see you at mine tomorrow before going to Nana’s?” I ask and she nods.

“Okay, goodnight baby.”

“Night, Darlin’. Sleep well.”

The next day, I woke up at my usual time and after some breakfast I went ahead and gave both of the dogs a bath. Mills has turned into such a water loving dog, and I could hardly keep him from chasing the water hose while I cleaned him. After that, I decide to get a decent work out in my garage/makeshift gym. Since I’m already sweaty, I then cut the grass with the lawn tractor since I have such a large yard before heading inside and cleaning up a bit. Emma’s parents are going to be coming with her to mine so we can all ride together so I want to make sure everything looks good. Fortunately, the military is strict on tidiness, so other than wiping down the counters and taking out the trash there wasn’t that much to be done. Lastly, I cleaned myself up with a shower and put on some fresh clothes. Emma texted that they were on their way and so I played with the dogs a little bit before their arrival. When I heard Emma’s jeep pulling down the gravel driveway, I met them out on the front porch. My house was something that I was really proud of, taking a broken down, weathered Victorian style home and making it new and beautiful again was special. I just didn’t look like the type of person who owned a beautiful historic home with a wraparound porch. I know that Emma loves my home and I hope her parents do too. 

“Austin, your home is absolutely gorgeous!” Diana praises as she steps from the car. Emma walks up and hugs me tightly.

“Thank ya, ma’am. I’m pretty proud of it.”

“It must be worth a fortune.” She says and Emma rolls her eyes.

“It certainly wasn’t when I bought it. Roof leaked, porch was entirely rotten, plumbing and electrical were both in need of repair and a tree had fallen on the southwest corner from a storm. It sat abandoned for years. I grew up here and always thought it was such a shame because it had great bones, just needed a lot of work. When I moved back and saw it was still here, I jumped on it without giving it too much thought. I was needing something to keep me busy and it certainly did.” I say.

“Well, I’m sure it must’ve taken so long to do but you did well.” James adds.

“Thank you, I worked on it for about 10 months before I could get it to where I could live in it while repairing it, before I moved in and spent another year and half making all of the repairs and updates that it needed. Come on in, I’ll show you around and let you meet the pups.” 

Emma and her parents come inside where Mills races towards them. All of them, including Emma’s dad squat down to allow Mills to assault them all with puppy kisses. Aika’s a bit slower and not as forthcoming, but she of course comes straight to Emma who gives her all the attention and ear scratches.

I give them a short tour of the house before it’s time to head to Nana’s house. We all ride in Emma’s jeep but I drive and Emma enthusiastically tells them about my grandparents. I feel like it might be a good time to warn them about Nana. 

“Just so ya know, I love her very much but my Nana is one of a kind, in a very exuberant way. She thinks because she’s old she can just say whatever comes to her mind, but she’s been like that my whole life. Hopefully she won’t offend anyone. PawPaw is a very quiet, taciturn man but I figure he has to be to have been with Nana for as long as they have.”

“I’m sure they are just lovely, Austin.” Diana chirps from the backseat.

Emma reaches over and grabs my hand before winking at me. We quickly arrive and I help Emma out of her car before we head inside.

“Nana?” I yell as I open the door.

“Ohhh, Joe! They’re here!” I hear Nana chirp before she comes fluttering towards the front door that we’ve all entered.

“Hi! I’m Daisy! This is my husband Joe, and we are Austin’s grandparents. I’m so glad y’all could join us for lunch today.”

“Nana, this is Diana and James, Emma’s parents.” They shake hands and Nana wraps Emma into a tight hug.

“It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for having us out here on such short notice.” James says.

“So nice to meet the parents of the most wonderful woman. Emma here is an absolute gem!” Nana dotes and I can’t help but smile. PawPaw gently slaps my shoulder and winks at me without anyone seeing.

“Aw thank you, Emma just adores you and tells us that you are a wonderful cook!” Diana adds.

“Oh that’s just the sweetest, but really I cook everything in butter or lard so it has to taste good!” Nana says and they all laugh. 

“Y’all come on in and make yourselves at home. Lunch is on the table. I’ve got southern fried chicken, steamed broccoli and carrots, mashed potatoes, and cornbread. I also have plenty of salad and fruit in case any of you are allergic or not a fan of meat.” Nana explains and I feel my stomach rumble. It all sounds so good to me.

“That sounds absolutely mouth-watering.” James says and I quickly agree with him.

We all sit down after stacking our plates sky high as Nana goes about filling drinks for everyone. Nana asks PawPaw to bless the meal like she usually does and the room is silent as he does so. My PawPaw has always been a man of few words, but he commands a room when he does speak and I almost feel like he saves those moments for times he considers most meaningful, like this.

We all get tucked into our meal and Nana is absolutely loving the constant praises of her cooking. She knows she’s an amazing cook, but she’ll never hesitate to take a compliment for it. We make light conversation throughout the meal talking about Emma’s parents in Alabama and where they work, etc. 

“Tell us about Austin growing up. I bet he helped a lot here on the farm.” Diana asks.

“Oh, he’s always been the hardest worker. We knew Mark never wanted much to do with the farm, but Austin took pride in even the worst jobs like mucking horse stalls even as a kid. Joe and him spent plenty of time out there building fences, sheds, feeding and watering the animals. He’s been such a help to us over the years.” Nana said as she pats my hand on the table.

“I was going to pull some photo albums out to show you all but I can’t seem to remember where I’ve put them.” Nana admits and I subtly glance at PawPaw whose expression of steel doesn’t change but I know that I owe him for that. 

“I’ll keep looking and show them to Emma next time she comes around. He was such a cute boy with wild curly brown hair like his mama. I feel like every time she bought him new pants, he’d hit another growth spurt. We couldn’t keep up!” Nana chuckles and I blush slightly.

“Tell us about Emma as a kid. I bet she was the cutest.” I interrupt and Diana quickly jumps in to brag about her beautiful daughter, not that I could blame her.

“Oh, Emma was just the prettiest little thing, but always very independent. She was stubborn but only about things she really cared about. She once rescued a baby squirrel, Pip, who she found covered in ants on the driveway and almost dead. She was about 11 and was adamant she was going to nurse it back to health. She fed it formula from a syringe every few hours and I swear, that thing would come back to her when she called it like a dog. We knew then, she was serious about becoming a veterinarian. She’s always been very compassionate and had a love for animals.”

“How sweet! What else did she do growing up?” Nana urges.

“Well, she was in high school and competitive cheer. She also did a few pageants and won some of them before she begged to stop.”

“I didn’t know you were in pageants?” I ask her and she blushes.

“I don’t usually tell anyone that. It was in an effort to get scholarship money towards college but I just couldn’t deal with the catty dramatic girls.” She says timidly.

“I can’t blame you for that! Teenage girls can be just awful, especially in that setting. Little poisonous bitches!” Nana says and Emma busts out laughing which causes us all to start cackling. Oh nana.

After we eat lunch, Nana has us all come out to the back porch to digest a little bit before slicing into the strawberry cake she made. I felt like I was going to puke if I ate another bite, but I’ve never turned down Nana’s strawberry cake. It’s delicious. We all continue chatting about different things with the occasional goat bleating or cow mooing in the background. I couldn’t be more relieved at how down to earth Emma’s parents are. Her dad accepting me was one of my biggest concerns, but we found ourselves in easy conversation about all sorts of things. I was also relieved that they seemed to flock to Nana just like she predicted. By the time we needed to leave, Nana had packed everyone a plate of food to take home and was hugging Emma’s parents like they were old friends. 

“Y’all better come visit us for lunch the next time you visit!” Nana hollered at James and Diana who readily agreed.

“After a meal like that, we may just come back to visit you and Joe instead of Emma and Austin!” James joked and they all just cackled. Emma leaned against my arm as she had a hand on my bicep and smiled up at me. I kissed her forehead before opening her door and thought Nana was just going to float away in her excitement. 

Everyone thanked them again for having us and I promised that I’d call Nana in the morning with a peck to her cheek.

I drove us straight back to Emma’s so that I could see her parents off with her. After lots of goodbye hugs and kisses from Emma and a surprise hug from them both to me, they drove away seeming relaxed and supportive of the life she has built herself here. 

Emma pulled me back inside and kissed me deeply.

“They love you. Thank you for being so wonderful.” She said.

“They’re great people. It’s easy to see why I like you so much, because they raised you. So thank you for being the best girlfriend I’ve ever had.” I tell her. Mushy but true.

Emma turns and walks to her room and I’m a little surprised because she walked away so abruptly. Did I say something wrong?

“Sugar?”

“Sugar, did I say something wrong?”

“Nope, never. I’m just packing a bag so I can go home with you.” She smiles as she throws a clean pair of vet scrubs into the bag.

“I sure like the sound of that…home with me.” 

“Me too.” She smiles and kisses me softly.

Ten minutes later, we are back in her jeep headed to my house to be together with the dogs and it feels so right.

Part 13

Taglist: @shellyshellshell, @henryownsme, @caramariehurst, @beck07990, @mollymal, @kingliam2019, @syversonswife, @identity2212, @starfirewildheart, @hannah9921, @wa-ni, @kneelforloki, @cutedoxie, @enchantedbytomandhenry, @foxyjwls007, @geralts-yenn, @courtlynwriter, @corrie1013, @squeezyvalkyrie, @summersong69, @livisss, @mayloma, @uunotheangel, @warriormirkwood, @sofiebstar

Authors Note: SO sorry this took so long. My kid brought home a stomach virus from school and it slowly went through each family member. I didn't think it was ever going to end but we are FINALLY feeling better and no longer cleaning up vomit. Hope y'all have a great week!

[thegreatstoryteller]

The Great Shift: Reunion

The Great Shift is a well known event that had swapped over 90% of the world’s population! However, after the initial fallout and chaos, a few years later people began to acclimate to their lives. Though there were still moments where people were confronted with just how much they’ve changed.

“Ok Ned Nuno. No one is gonna remember you as Ned the know it all. It’s been years. People are mature and have their own lives.” Ned said to himself in the mirror. 

The young man looked back at his model like reflection. Sometimes he still couldn’t believe it was him. Only a few years ago he was looking at his own bespectacled face with his receding hairline. Sure he’s what some would call cute and charming. He always had a knack for intelligent conversation. After college he embraced his intelligence even more and had the luxury to travel as he got older... but he couldn’t deny that his former body wasn’t turning any heads romantically. They’d haver to notice the 5 foot tall waifish man for that to happen. 

But now... that was no longer the case. All those years ago he was traveling at an airport when the Great Shift happened. One moment he was departing his plane, the next he was in a boarding area waiting to be seated!

Needless to say it was a shock. He’d gone from a smaller and dark skinned to a clearly white and very in shape young man! He later found that this guy was named Connor Duval and was  just 21 years old at the time! Still in college too. And... well those first few days he certainly had a lot to learn about his new form. 

However he couldn’t reminisce any further. He needed to get ready for his school’s 10 year reunion. He wasn’t the same timid nerd that people would pick on. He was braver! He’d seen the world! And wasn’t afraid!

- One ride to the school later -

“Ok. I’m afraid! Jackie! Are you here yet? I know this is the 2nd message I left for you on your phone, but I don’t want to be the only one here I know! You were always my best friend and I’m sorry I’m so nervous and-” Ned was pacing nervously outside of the building he once learned at, waiting to go in with his friend.

“Easy there poindexter. Your bestie is back.” A deep voice says spooking  Ned as he jumps.

“J-Jackie?” Ned asks nervously seeing the towering muscular figure beside him.

“In the flesh. I though I told you that I shifted into that big Ukrainian construction worker? I mean all the better for it right? None of your old bullies ever messed with you when you butch lesbian bestie was at your side.” Jackie said with a flex.

“I know. I know. You were always so open and brave with yourself It’s honestly inspiring. I’m sorry i was so shocked. I’m just nervous and it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. I hope your girlfriend is taking it ok.” Ned offers sympathetically.

“Yeah she loves it. She swapped into this bi goddess of a woman and works out with me a lot. Good thing too! I’m still only attracted to women and I have the best one sucking me off every night!” Jackie bragged. Previously her normal crude humor always let out a laugh from Ned, but now Ned trembled a bit as Jackie sounded just like those macho straight guys that bullied him.

“Aren’t you a little under dressed without um... a shirt?” Ned asks.

“Ha! Well you know. I thought about going nude. But I did pack a polo so i can be decent. Aren’t you over dressed Ned?”

“What!? I  couldn’t decide what to wear! I just chose one of my body’s outfits that still fits...” Ned blushes in his nice suit. Sure he was a 6 foot tall model with abs, but his indecision in outfits was ever present.

“Neverminded that anymore. Let’s get in there! You’re a tenured professor for Pete’s sake. And I’m a well known LGBT author. We got a lot to talk about.”

Jackie pulled Ned in with his surprising strength and they began to hear the music and mingling. Inside they were given name tags and soon saw the crowds of people that none of them recognized! One of the perks of the shift was that no one was ever mad when they didn’t recognize one another. In this case though Jackie and Ned’s eyes zeroed in on a few key people.

Stacy Skarsgaard was always known as the head cheerleader and total B. Her platinum blond hair and perky breasts getting her through life and landing her a cushy secretary job somewhere in the city, from what Jackie had heard. Now once again, as she was so many other times, she was blasted drunk and taking her top off. Only this time it revealed a powerful dark skinned chest with curly black hairs. Her perfectly shaved face saying, “And like. I”m already on my 4th husband and he totally worships me. Takes care of the kids and still tops me like a champ. Like. I totally see why gay guys do it all the time. I can’t stop. Any more martinis?”

Jackie snorts. “Where was that open mindedness when she tried to get student council to take down the LGBT Support Club? Freaking hypocrite. Their eyes then drifted to three men chest bumping and laughing.

“Are those guys Chad, Thad, and Grad?” Ned asks surprised. “Weren’t they... like the biggest guys on the football team?” Ned recalled the days when those beefy fat bodies would pound through the halls and shove him against lockers.

“Oh yeah. I heard they were working as assistant coaches at some college and ended up swapping with their respective school’s freshman swim team. They... certainly lost a lot of that freshmen 15 that we saw them with in university.” Jackie laughed admiring how they both towered over their former bullies, though Ned once again felt insecure about how much their abs looked better than his. Those three guys kept messing around but in different ways. Instead of belching and arm wrestling they were doing some handstands and showing how flexible they were. 

“Ok. Ned. Stop sulking and start catching up. You wanted to prove to yourself you could stand up to your past. Now is your chance. Next person to walk through that door is gonna be a new person you have to say Hi to ok?” Jackie commanded.

Ned gulped and looked at the door nervously and was in awe of who stepped in.

“Paul Bailey?” Ned said astonished. He’d recognize that familiar leather jacket anywhere.... he could still smell it as the closeted athlete wrapped his arms around him all those years ago under the bleachers after a big game. Neither have them had mentioned the night since, but that hadn’t stopped Ned from cherishing that memory.... as well as stalking him occasionally on social media seeing who he swapped with. 

Ned hadn’t realized he’d been staring that long as Paul immediately saw him and walked over. “Holy... Ned? Is that you. Wow you sure changed.” The man joked. His voice was different... but still so deep and smooth Ned nearly swooned.

“H-hey Paul. Guess we all have since the switch. You’re um... looking good.” Ned admitted, blushing. He missed his previous heritage that made these embarrassing actions less noticeable with his former darker skin. 

“Thanks. I guess I traded in my older pasty body for a new more bronze kind. I wasn’t expecting to swap with an Asian bodybuilder, but hey I was at the airport. Right or wrong place depending who you ask for the shift.” 

“Really? I was at the airport too when I shifted. It was kinda funny. I’d been traveling a lot since I got tenure as a professor, but the first thing I did when I shifted was trip. I guess no amount of travelling prepares you for suddenly having size 14 feet.” Ned laughs.

“Really? They do look big... dang. Those are like twice the size of your old ones.” Paul laughs too!

“Y-you remembered me that well?” The nerd felt touched.

“Of course,” Paul replied as it was his turn to blush. “Though hey! I got you beat with these size 17 wide feet. With these heavy muscle I nearly took out an entire cart of luggage.”

The two continued to laugh, comparing bodies, stories, and catching up. Jackie suddenly took her leave to be ogled by all of the female attendants.

Ned and Paul were having a great time walking around, having fun, and enjoying each other’s company.

Ned didn’t know that their bodies had met previously. That Connor was on the way to visit his boyfriend at the time... that miles away their original bodies were holding hands and laughing too... Ned couldn’t know that Paul had also been secretly keeping up with Ned after feeling bad about kissing and never calling...

But there are some things a know it all doesn’t know. Maybe it’ll be fun for him to start learning again. This time with someone both old/new.