#handsome rambler

[disturbnot]

other muses underestimate ash all the time hehehehehe it's so funnyyyyyyy /pos

[moniquemartinez]

Basement Minneapolis Basement - large transitional underground light wood floor basement idea with beige walls and no fireplace

[esmedelacroix]

15 days til' Christmas

planning to surprise husband!miguel o'hara with the best gift ever⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅̩̩͙‧͙ ‧͙̩̩͙❆ ͙͛ ˚₊⋆

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If there was one thing about Miguel that confused you it was what gift to get him for Christmas. You were always buying things that made you think of him or clothes that he would look handsome in(he looks good in literally everything).

But you couldn't help but feel like it wasn't enough. You couldn't help but feel like you needed more. You wanted to give him a gift that was tear-wrenching.

You thought that you would never get the opportunity to give Miguel the gift you thought he deserved. Until that opportunity presented itself in a certain two-lined symbol on a white stick you had peed on.

Right then you knew exactly what his gift would be this year. The only issue was that you had to keep this secret until Christmas which was in a whole week. But, you couldn't keep anything from Miguel for the life of you. What was worse is that he was incredibly perceptive and always knew when something was different.

You were already two months along and you never realized that you were extremely behind on your period until your period tracking app pointed out that you stopped getting your period after you logged unprotected sex during your fertile window.

You and Miguel were dating for three years before you got married and your second marriage anniversary was coming up. You weren't really trying for kids but the two of you didn't mind if you were to have one. You talked about it and you both felt ready so you started being more carefree about protection every now and then.

Miguel was used to taking three days off of work once a month to help you through your abnormally painful period cramps. He was so busy that hadn't realized you hadn't gotten your period.

You quickly got a long box and placed the pregnancy test in it before wrapping it up and putting it under the tree. There were already tons of gifts under the tree so it didn't seem weird at all.

You cleaned up your mess and right when you checked your watch you realized that it was seven o'clock. Miguel should be arriving any minute by now-

"Honey! I'm home!" you heard Miguel call out from the mud room. You could hear the noises of some bags indicative that he went grocery shopping like you had asked.

You rushed to the entrance and gave Miguel a big hug. You'd been missing him all day and it was taking every fiber in your body to not just tell him the great news right then and there.

"Woah amor, did you miss me that much?" he chuckled as he walked down the hall with you clinging to him.

You sat on the counter taking groceries out of bags as he put them away listening to him rant about how things were going at work. Most people wouldn't be very fond of listening to someone ramble about work for 30 minutes straight but Miguel wasn't a rambler he was a storyteller.

If he was going to tell you about his day, trust he would talk about it in a way that made it intriguing. He often made you laugh when he told you about some of the harmless silly rumors floating around at the office.

One thing that his fellow spiders other than Peter B would never know was that he enjoyed observing and gossiping about who was dating and who wasn't at Spider Society knowing that it was absolutely not his business.

The two of you thought yourselves to be cupids and would talk about what couple desperately needed to break up or who should be dating whom.

"Cariño I have a question..." Miguel started interrupting you laughing at his joke about who he thought Hobie should date.

"Yeah? What is it?" you asked in a more serious tone.

"Why haven't you gotten your period yet?" he asked.

Shit. Shit shit shit shit. You cursed to yourself trying to think of an answer.

"Well my period tracking app told me that it's because of my increased amount of weight training recently, it happened to me when I was 14 as well I lost my period for like half a year then," you explained.

"Huh, you never told me you've been going to the gym, you usually just run in the mornings," he said, accepting your answer. It almost hurt lying to him about this because he had so much trust in you that he believed everything you said.

"My practice closes at five now, remember? So I have a lot more time," you said.

"Oh I see," he said as he took out ingredients to make dinner.

He didn't really talk about it for the rest of the night and everything went smoothly but as you lay in bed that night in his arms you couldn't help but worry. What if you're not able to keep this up and the gift is ruined? All should be fine though besides you only have to keep from him for the next 7 days.

. . .

next part → 7 days til' Christmas

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taglist: @aripet22@to-the-endoftheline

[strawhbrrries]

Delicate, i

pairing: dbf!southern!frank castle x innocent!afab!reader

summary: a sweet older gentleman moves into the house next door, or rather a few acres away. he spends a few evenings with your dad and consequently earns the attention of a much younger girl, you.

warnings: age gap (reader is 22, frank is 46), protective dad???, no use of y/n, not proofread

word count: 972 words

author’s note: here is the very first part of delicate and i really hope you guys love it! not too much action, entirely just set up for frank and peach's future endeavors and relationship. please enjoy! mwah!

tag list: @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin

find the masterlist here! read the next part here!

The first evening Frank Castle had visited your home you weren’t there, off galavanting around with some of your friends in a nearby town. Your presence in the home was obvious to Frank, from the scented hand soaps by every sink to the baby pink door down the hall from the kitchen and finally, the big picture of you and your father that hung in the living room. He didn’t think much of any of it, a single dad living with his daughter was nothing out of the ordinary.

He’d met you in the driveway hours later when he went to leave, you had just pulled into your usual spot in the gravel. He was still leaning on the bed of his truck talking to your father, who reprimanded you for being out so late.

“How old are you?” Frank asked, tilting his head to the side as his eyes scanned over your frame. He figured you were still young, maybe twenty at best, by the picture in the living room. Even in the dark he could see the blush that crept up your neck from his attention.

“Twenty-two.” Your voice was quiet, your dad’s friends never spoke to you much. The man in front of you was nothing short of a sex dream, you’d never had one but if you looked at him any longer you were sure to have one soon.

“What’s your name?” The amount of questions he was asking was making you nervous, the small town you lived in meant everyone knew everyone. Newcomers weren’t very often and even then they were never your neighbors, sure he lived acres away from you but it was still…new. 

Your dad interrupted whatever words were going to come out of your mouth and formally introduced you, it felt childish for him to do the work. The blush was turning a deeper shade, this time from embarrassment.

“She just goes by Peach though, has since she was itty bitty.” Your dad laughed, playfully hitting your arm.

You said your goodnights and walked towards the house, turning around to give Frank a second glance. Your eyes made contact with his, the blush was burning at this point. You closed the front door behind you, leaned against it, and exhaled loudly. This was the only friend your dad ever had over that was insanely handsome and spoke to you.

The second evening Frank Castle visited your home, you were there. You had just finished showering, the smell of vanilla and honey wafting through the house as he came inside. You hadn’t heard him coming in, leading to the confrontation in the hallway. Only clad in a towel that was hanging on for dear life. Eyes wider than a deer who had been caught in headlights. Frank cleared his throat, trying to avoid looking at you.

“My dad is out back, uhm I didn’t hear you come in.” Your hands rushing to hold the towel tighter against your skin, the same blush creeping up your neck. 

“Nah, it’s my fault. Apologies, honey.” He scratched at the beard on his neck, clearing his throat once again before making an indication he was going to leave to find your dad.

You rushed to your room to get dressed, absolutely mortified that he’d seen you like that. You weren’t religious by any means but no man, or boy, had ever seen you in anything less than a swimsuit. A swimsuit that covered most everything at that. The guilt had flooded you almost instantly, you hadn’t done anything wrong and yet you felt the need to to repent of your actions. Frank, on the other hand, had been glad to have gotten a glimpse. The small conversation he had with you the very first night had intrigued him, the picture on the wall of your living room was nothing compared to you standing in front of him. Blushing from head to toe in a frilly pink dress.

He asked your dad about the pink, got some half-assed answer about how you never truly grew up. Frank figured it was because your dad never let you, meant more help around the ranch so he never complained about the girliness that overtook the house. The more he learned about you the more he wanted to twist everything you knew about yourself and the world. He’d take the title of a twisted man if it meant corrupting you. You’d never had a real drink of alcohol, never had sex, never did anything that Frank considered fun. You needed fun, he decided.

The third night Frank Castle visited your home solidified his decision. He’d moved out to a small Texas ranching town to get out of his head, move from everything he knew. He, however, didn’t realize he’d meet a sweet thing like you that he couldn’t get out of his head. He spent just as many evenings in the local bar trying to find another woman, more his age, to get you out. Nothing worked, no matter who he fucked you stayed there. Clouding his thoughts. Sweet Peach who didn’t know a thing about how dirty an old man could be.

You’d been tending to the small flower beds in front of the house, bent over in the mulch that was sticking to your knees, when you heard his truck pull up. The gravel crunching under his tires overpowering the song you were humming softly. You turned around to give him a small wave, your signature sweet smile proudly on display. He simply nodded his head and watched as you turned back around to tend to the flowers, eyeing the way your shorts hugged your ass when you bent all the way over. No way in hell was he going to change his mind, not even if it meant going to hell.

[nerdieforpedro]

I love how you write and it makes me so glad you are here.

can I ask what inspired you to start?

signed - a maybe inspired future fic writer

This is such a wonderful ask! 🥰

I'm glad you enjoy my writing. I have ideas and I write them is my short answer and explains nothing I realize.

The long answer:

I've written fanfic before, off and on for maybe the last 10-15 years. Very different fandoms. Started out with anime, dabbled a bit in Yaoi then transitioned to Marvel and now I'm firmly planted in the Pedro Pascal, Oscar Issac, Benny Miller triangle of hotness.

Fanfic for me is an expression of a story, show, movie, video game or pice of media that I enjoyed so much, I just had to make something. I can't draw, no mixing of hot tracks or beats, I've just started dabbling in photo editing this year and am a beginner at that. It's all purely fun for me. I enjoy it and it's fun to share with other people who create and are like, "Hey! You like that? I like it too. Let me see yours and I'll show you mine. Where'd you get the idea for that?" And then hilarious conversations leap from there.

What inspired me to start specifically in the Pedro Pascal fanfic world was The Mandalorian. It was the first time I realized, "that's the man I've seen before!" And then realized I've seen Pedro Pascal in many of my favorite shows, (The Mentalist was watched for the sake of completion. After season 6 and the first episode of season 7, there wasn't a real reason to continue other than spending time with my mom. She's fine, when I tell people that they think she's passed on but the woman is still lifting 50 lbs mulch bags in her mid seventies. She more than fine.) I then became fixated on this man, reset the password on my AO3 account and found Pedro Pascal character fanfics. I was then led back to Tumblr which before I was on years ago for anime and read fics by @secretelephanttattoo ( I shall always sing about Headshots. It inspired the first fic I posted on Tumblr and is just so damn cute. El is also just a sweetheart.) and @morallyinept whose Tendrils fic only deepened my brain rot for that tall beskar bucket, she's also a dear friend who's made me laugh, cry in a good way, inspired me and very time I turn around she's crafting something new. Fics, banners, self-care, doodles, smut, databases, and all sorts of Pedro interviews and dialogue. Because I'm a fangirl of them both and many others actually, I keep 👀 on them.

What keeps me going is the fandom overall and that despite, recent tribulations let's say politely, we're all still here. Geeking out over a goofy, handsome, I know he gives the best hugs, actor who loves what he does and has been working at it for years and it's finally paying off.

I've met wonderful friends and moots who reach out, give me encouragement, tell me I do well (I'm starting to listen to them I swear. I'm not good at taking compliments in person so it's even worse online FYI.

So I hope this answers your ask and I do encourage you to write that weird, funny, smutty, cute, sweet, dark, twisty, angsty fic that you want to write. I do hope whoever you are, you tag me in it so I can read it. 🤭

Special love to the following and if I left anyone off, I'm sorry. It's after work, I rubbed my eyes, wipes my glasses because I got them wet while writing this and it was a lot:

@maggiemayhemnj @megamindsecretlair @soft-persephone @angelofsmalldeath-codeine @magpiepills

@mysterious-moonstruck-musings @for-a-longlongtime @i-own-loki @undercoverpena @connectioneverywhere

@soft-girl-musings @perotovar @julesonrecord @lotusbxtch @604to647

@yorksgirl @pedroshotwifey @fhatbhabiee @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @bitchwitch1981

@jessthebaker @avastrasposts @inept-the-magnificent @lady-bess @grogusmum

@schnarfer @boliv-jenta @iamskyereads @iamasaddie @chaithetics

@tinytinymenace @yourcoolauntie @alltheglitterandtheroar @musings-of-a-rose @rhoorl

@trulybetty @laurfilijames @wannab-urs @legendary-pink-dot @din-cognito

@sin-djarin @beefrobeefcal @spacecowboyhotch

[romana-after-dark]

Guard Dog

Riader!Joel Miler x Dark!fem!reader

Masterlist : Taglist

Summary: Joel attempts to raid the wrong house, and having the Joel Miller on his knees before awakens something in you... and in him.

Content and Warnings: DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT Dub con on Joel (Is it non con? idk. Idk how im supossed to tag this but it's no where near the violence of tww someone help), references to non con from Joel to other women, gun sucking, fem domme, dark!reader but Joel is also dark soooooo, subby Joel, dead bodies, Nick reference (if you read TWW you know lol), multiple orgasms, overstim, dumbification?

AN 1: This essentially came of two thoughts, me thinking hmmmm how to write raider!Joel in a new way? 2. I want to avenge Little One. Joel did her so dirty and is still doing her so dirty in the dark timeline addition, lowkey wanted someone to get revenge for her. Plus, subby Joel is always a win for Fen and Maura lol

AN 2: Shout outs to @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin and @toxicanonymity for talking me through this idea, esp Toxi for letting me use the gun blowjob bit lololol if you like that concept, I encourage everyone to check out toxi's raider joel Or maybe Jake's part in the chasing series

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Whoever it was, they had chosen to raid the wrong fucking house.

Yes, you were a single woman. Yes you lived alone. But no, you were not helpless, far from it, actually. Whoever it was is lucky they had made it past the set of boobytraps thus far. Actually, it sounded like a few of them had been taken out as it was.

*

Joel watched in relief as the arrow went through Nick’s skull. Relief it wasn’t him. He never liked Nick that much anyway, real creepy guy. In fact, he didn’t like any of the men that this house had gotten either. It was exhausting, trying to lead a group of dumbasses and whatever the fuck was in here it wasn’t worth it, so Joel attempted to make his exit. Thing was, leaving was proving just as hard as entering was. Whoever lived here didn’t want anyone living to tell the tail. Stepping over the dead bodies of a few of his men, Joel had narrowly dodged more arrows, spikes, darts; the whole lot, until some secret fucking door opened up like a goddamn scooby-doo house and there you were, gun to his forhead.

“Joel fucking Miller, I’ll be damned.”

Joel narrowed his eyes. He didn’t recognize you, but you knew him. That wasn’t surprising, he’d gained a bit of a reputation from raiders, fireflies and regular people. “Who the hell are you?”

You tell him your name, first name at least, and make quick work of taking out the gun in his hand. “Armed with anything else, Miller?” He said he wasn’t, but you knew that was a lie. “Don’t believe that for a second.”

“Then why the hell did you ask?” His texan drawl was prominent, especially when he was worked up.

“More fun to mess with you.” Keeping the gun pressed up to his temple, you press your body against his in turn as you pat him down for more weapons. It didn’t hurt that he was handsome.

“JESUS!” Joel jumped as you grabbed at his ass. “Watch your fucking hands.”

You can’t help but giggle; he thinks he's in charge. “You could be hiding weapons anywhere-” He tenses as you slip your hand between his buttcheeks as much as his jeans allow. “-Can’t be too careful.”

Joel was a brutal man, you heard stories of his rage and carelessness for human life, including women. There’d been many such stories of him forcing himself on women, kidnapping and trafficking… maybe he needed a taste of his own medicine? You take your time on his top half, feeling up every muscle, every bit of pudge, every dip on his broad body. Then, onto the lower. Without hindrance, you grope at his crotch and are very impressed by the size of him; and amused by the way he’s already semi-hard. Men are so easy, it’s funny sometimes. 

“This make you excited, Miller? Or does it scare you to be at a woman’s mercy for once? Maybe a little bit of both?” 

Joel didn’t look at you, lips pursed in a hard line.

You continue, moving the gun to his pants as you kneel before him to check lower. “I bet this is more your speed isn’t it? Having a pretty woman on her knees?”

The scoff above you doesn’t go unnoticed. “Mighty full of ourselves, aren’t we?”

After taking a knife and a gun that were strapped to his ankle, you stand up, satisfied with your work and the ever-growing bulge in his pants. “I own a mirror, Miller. I know what I got going on.” Degrading won’t work on you. With a nudge, you press him towards your room. 

“Yuh gonna kill me?” There was no fear in his voice when he asked. This was a man prepared for death whenever it came.

“We’ll see. Gonna have a little fun with you first.”

*

Having Joel Miller on his knees for you was a goddamn treat. He looked so good like this, so submissive even if his bratty little face wanted to put on a show. 

“It’s natural, you know.” With a glance down, you let him know that you are referencing his half-hard cock. “The adrenaline.” You squat in front of him. “How many girl came when you forced yourself on them? How many felt their bodies betray them? Did you laugh at them for getting wet?”

“I didn’t-”

“It’s humiliating, isn’t it?” Your gun was still out, knowing physically he could probably overpower you still. You weren’t weak by any means, but you also were aware he had far more upper body strength, muscles bulging through the seem of his shirt sleeves. The cool end of the gun prodded at his face as he tried to keep calm; the bob of his adam's apple and subtle rise of his chest was giving away his nerves. It was exhilarating, having a man that many feared, the cause of death of so many men, someone of damn-near legendary status and his knees for you… You couldn’t help the reaction the thrill had in pooling in your stomach. It was natural, wasn’t it? That’s what you told Joel. 

Using the gun, you move his face around a bit to really take in his features. Strong nose, curly salt and pepper hair, soft brown eyes and lips you just really wanted to make whimper.

“Your quite handsome, you know that?”

An ironic chuckle. “I have a mirror too, sweetheart.”

You can’t help smiling at him as you straighten back up. “Take off your shirt.”

He rolled his eyes but did as he was told.

“Obedient thing, aren’t you? Bet I could train you, bet that’s what you need, isn’t it?” You slip your hand in your pants, feeling up your own wet cunt as the thrill of power elevates things. “Tired of having to decide, having to lead…” Maybe the adrenaline was getting to you, but you suddenly wish you had a dick to make him suck. You don’t, so you settle for the next best thing. You tap his lips witht he barrel of the gun. “Open.”

Joel hesitates, a slight spark of fear in his pretty eyes as he keeps his lips tightly closed, and that just won't do. You slap his cheek with the gun, and as grunts in pain the seal of his lips pops open.

“Ah-mph” His cry of pain was quickly muffled by the gun being shoved in his mouth. 

“Suck on it, cowboy. Act like you fucking enjoy it.”

You don’t think he needs to act. Joel sucks on your gun like he would a dick and you furiously finger yourself to his rhythm. As he closes his eyes, you can hear a low groan emitting from his throat and his hands twitching at his side. 

“Touch yourself, go ahead.”

He didn’t need to be told twice, his right hand flying to the seam of his pants and palming at his full erection.

 “Good boy, good fucking boy” You praise. “Just an obedient little dog pretending to be a lone wolf. Is that it? You just want someone to tell you what to do, huh?” You release the gun from his mouth and can’t help but grin as his lips chase it.

“Y-yes.” Joel admits, face strained in tension as he kept touching himself. Must hurt, being constrained like that.

“Take it out. Eyes on me.” You guide his face to look up at you with the tip of your gun. “Look in my eyes as you do it.”

As he released himself, Joel did indeed look up at you; he looked up at you as if you made the stars in the sky. 

Once his cock was out, all 9 or so inches, you take off your sleep shorts and straddle over him but not yet putting it in. “I don’t think I need this gun anymore… but I think you like it.” When you sink down on him, gun pressed to his ribs as a firm reminder of who was in charge, you hold your breath in order to hear the simple whimpers and guttural groans that Joel tried so hard to hide.

“This is where you belong, isn’t it?” You goad him, eliciting a quiet ‘yes’ from his lips. “Under me, belong to me.”

You are speared on him, his dick spreading you open and stretching you unlike anything you had felt before and you loved it. Every chance you had, you felt his muscles, reveling in the fact such a physically strong man was so mental weak for you and only you.

“Can I cum? Please?” Joel begged for you, pleaded ever, lips quivering even as you kissed him.

“Almost there, baby, almost- mmmm- almost there. You can cum after me, okay?”

Joel nodded quick, tiny nods and hesitantly moved a hand to your hips. He looked up at you bouncing on his cock for permission, and when you nod back he goes to thumb at your clit. 

“OH GOD!” You shout, breathless, slick all over your thighs and his pants, his touch sending you over the edge. You cum hard, walls pulsing all around him and he doesn’t ask again before spilling his seed inside you, filling you to the brim.

Your body relaxes, but then Joel throws you to the ground causing you to drop your gun and for a moment you thought he bested you, got you distracted; until he dove right into your cunt with no regard for the lost gun. He didn’t care about beating you, he cared about tasting you. As he desperately licked his cum out of your dripping hole, you tugging at his curls, Joel humped the floor as if he hadn’t just gotten released. You pull him close, riding out another orgasm on his face. When you cum a third time, you have to push him back, the overstimulation from the desperate man’s tongue, lips and beard being too much. When you do, he looks up at you with wide eyes as if he had done something wrong, but you pull up and into a kiss before laying him down on the floor to kiss him some more.

“Not sure if I wanna let go of you, cowboy…” You tease, playing with his hair but keeping him firmly pressed to the ground. “Might have to keep you around, but my little guard dog, how about that?”

Joel’s eyes were glossy, his face so fucked out you weren’t sure he was fully cognizant. “Baby boy too tired to speak? That’s okay, I’ll take care of you too. You be the arms; I’ll be the brains. You won’t have to have a single thought outside me again, okay?”

***********

Part 2 here

LOWKEY NERVOUS BC THIS IS SUCH A DIFFERENT JOEL AND HE DOESNT DO A LOT OF TALKING?!?!?!?!?!??! UNSURE HOW I FEEL

Anyway I do hope to write more maybe? so if you wanna be tagged comment below! I liek the idea of having a joel I can kinda just write stuff about whenever instead of a story and an arch and characters to balance. This is just more casual. and i dont gotta go nuts keepingup with posting like my other stories. Im think a v joel tess kinda vibe where she's clearly leading him

I was supossed to be working on the next part to my Javi P x reader x Santi AU buuuutttttttttttt I couldnt get this idea out of my head. So. here you all go! I'll try and work on that, the dark! TF boys, TWW, and the Will Miller story lol its kinda a lot rn

Please consider reblogging and commenting to support your fav writers <3

@fandxmslxt69 @moriartyyouwhore @hereforthepedrofanfic @alwaysmicado @noisynightmarepoetry @morallyinept @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @the-fox-den @not-a-unique-snowflake-blog @k-ra

If you'd like to join the dark! taglist, click here! this is different from my regular taglist on my main account

If you'd like to join only on this tag list, comment below

[romanarose]

Happy Birthday

Joel Miller x fem!reader

Summery: It’s your birthday! Joel and Sarah wake you up to celebrate.

Warnings: for the first time ever ever in a romana fic…. None

Immersion: Reader is fem

A/n written for my friend @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin for their birthday week!

Happy birthday 🎉🎁🎂🎊🎈

****************

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!”

You are jolted awake by the sound of your husband and kindergarten age step-daughter, the said little girl jumping on the bed as she screamed. When you oriented yourself and realized that no, there wasn’t an emergency, you smile as you notice that Joel was carrying a trey.

He gave you an apologetic look. “Happy birthday honey.”

Sarah crawled up and gave you a hug, then gasped. “Daddy! You forgot the candle for pancakes”

“Oh man!” Just smacked his forehead with a smile. “Silly daddy. I’ll go get it”

“Nonononono” she waved him off, but took his hand as she jumped off the bed. “I godit! You’ll just forgeddit again.” With that, she scampered off.

Joel turned to you with a smile. “Sorry honey, I know you wanted to sleep in.”

You return the smile, sitting up at the bed. Joel balenced the tray in one hand and helped prop up the pillows against the headboard. “It’s okay, this is a great way to wake up” and you meant it. You didn’t mine getting woken up early if you were greeted with your handsome husband and the beautiful girl you considered a daughter bringing you pancakes and coffee.

“Don’t worry, you can nap when Sarah goes down for hers. I’ll take care of the chores.”

He was sweet, so sweet he made your heart swell “thank you, baby”

Joel leaned down to give you a deep kiss, still holding the tray”

“ ‘esgusting” Sarah muttered. Holding out two number candles. 5 and 5 “dis is ‘nuff, wight?”

You sigh. You were not 55, but she was cute “yeah baby, that works.”

Putting the candles in the pancakes, Joel lit them, and him and Sarah sang happy birthday terribly, with cha cha cha’s. When you blew out the candle, you hoped for another year just like this.

*****************

Written at Olive Garden between people. Lots of mistakes, but happy birthday my dear friend 💕

[bethanydelleman]

Northanger Abbey Readthrough, Ch 3

❤️❤️HENRY TILNEY HAS ARRIVED!❤️❤️

The master of the ceremonies, Mr. King, who introduces Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland is one of the two real people mentioned as characters in Austen's novels (the other being Humphrey Repton in Mansfield Park, a real famous landscaper). Mr. King was retired by the time of publication.

I love Henry's description:

He seemed to be about four or five and twenty, was rather tall, had a pleasing countenance, a very intelligent and lively eye, and, if not quite handsome, was very near it. His address was good, and Catherine felt herself in high luck.

Ah, he is well matched with "almost pretty" Catherine Morland.

Henry Tilney is a lot like a male Elizabeth Bennet, "there was an archness and pleasantry in his manner" and "there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner" (Pride & Prejudice, Ch 10) sound very similar. We also have the descriptions of their eyes being intelligent.

Now because I believe in Henry Tilney Supremacy, let me point out that Henry went to a ball where he didn't know anyone and instead of making everyone else uncomfortable (DARCY!) or just not going and doing his business (Knightley), he uses of the Master of Ceremonies to get a partner and then is just delightful. Darcy begins with insulting Elizabeth and Henry begins by being utterly charming. Just the best guy.

He starts with a hilarious bit, and while Catherine isn't sure if she's allowed to laugh, she's clearly enjoying herself. Then Tilney offers two opposing things for her to write in her journal:

Friday, went to the Lower Rooms; wore my sprigged muslin robe with blue trimmings—plain black shoes—appeared to much advantage; but was strangely harassed by a queer, half-witted man, who would make me dance with him, and distressed me by his nonsense.

or

I danced with a very agreeable young man, introduced by Mr. King; had a great deal of conversation with him—seems a most extraordinary genius—hope I may know more of him. That, madam, is what I wish you to say.

Clearly the second passage is what Catherine would actually write, though maybe not that Tilney was an extraordinary genius. She is having a very good time.

Then they discuss if women or men write better letters. Catherine is unsure that women are superior, and after some gentle teasing Henry basically agrees and says this lovely progressive opinion:

"I should no more lay it down as a general rule that women write better letters than men, than that they sing better duets, or draw better landscapes. In every power, of which taste is the foundation, excellence is pretty fairly divided between the sexes."

And then we get to Henry's most famous attribute, he understands muslins!

Catherine is a bit confused by Henry's behaviour, but she does like it (and him). However, we again have some Elizabeth Bennet vibes with this observation, "Mr. Tilney was polite enough to seem interested in what she said; and she kept him on the subject of muslins till the dancing recommenced. Catherine feared, as she listened to their discourse, that he indulged himself a little too much with the foibles of others"

There are many who think Catherine is too unintelligent to be paired with Henry Tilney, but he clearly has more respect for her than Mrs. Allen, who we are told has, "a trifling turn of mind". She is catching more of his jokes than her chaperone.

She has detected a flaw in Mr. Tilney! (This will apparently be very much forgotten later). Catherine also tells something of a lie, but then is immediately honest about it:

Catherine coloured, and said, “I was not thinking of anything.” “That is artful and deep, to be sure; but I had rather be told at once that you will not tell me.” “Well then, I will not.”

The narrator then points out that it is very bad for a heroine to think fondly of a man before he is known to love her. This is a reference to a ridiculous letter in The Rambler, where it is written: That a young lady should be in love, and the love of the young gentleman undeclared, is an heterodoxy which prudence, and even policy, must not allow. It's pretty nuts, read the whole thing if you are curious.

And we see proof of Mr. Allen's sensibleness, he quickly inquire into Mr. Tilney and finds him to be from a good family and a clergyman. Catherine is being well cared for!

[ownedbythescribe]

Zhongli | In Beloved Memories

ıllı Synopsis: "Under this night sky I dance.…” Centuries after Guizhong's death, the Archon War, and Cataclysm, you opted to leave Liyue and travel the lands of Teyvat alone. Yet, nobody could escape the pull of fate. What awaits your pained soul as you return to Liyue once more?

ıllı Genre: Slight Angst, Fluff

ıllı Warnings: Character Death

ıllı Part 2: Zhongli - In Beloved Stars

ıllı A/N: This contains spoilers for 3.4 Lantern Rite event, and a Zhongli x Fem!Reader story. Happy Lantern Rite!

Longevity could be a blessing or a curse depending on a person’s perspective on life. One had the opportunity to see and enjoy the world to its fullness, while on the other hand, it would mean watching those that you love fall into eternal slumber. Two sides of the same coin that could be flipped with a flick of the hand. Happiness, sadness, regrets, and fulfillment could be felt in one lifetime. Truly, longevity was one burden to carry.

Born as an illuminated beast, you were fortunate to meet the God of Contracts and the adepti under him. You did not sign a contract to serve Liyue, but you were kind enough to help them in times of need. Whether it would be to help shape the land, teach humans agriculture and mechanics, or fight monsters that tried to seize Old Liyue. You met countless important figures because of these, and you treasured every memory to heart.

Before the Archon War, Morax invited you to some tea with his friends. It was not the first time that he wished for your presence, but this time was different. He wanted to introduce two of the people, an adeptus and a goddess, who were of the same interest as you. The curiosity to meet them overpowered your shy nature, so bearing gifts and wearing a beautiful yet convenient hanfu, you went to the said location.

Upon landing on the lake of Mt. Aocang, you glanced around to look for a familiar silhouette. A series of footsteps to the right caught your attention, and you saw Morax in all his glory. The God of Contracts was, indeed, a handsome man that even you were not immune to his charms, but at this point, it was more of a seedling yet to blossom.

“(Y/N), you’ve finally arrived. I take that your journey here was smooth sailing?” He asked. You gave him a nod before materializing the food that you brought for your get-together. It consisted of Bamboo Shoot Soup, Qingce Stir Fry, Minty Meat Rolls, Lotus Crisps, and Padisarah Pudding which you learned from Sumeru. You heard a gasp from behind Morax and noticed a small figure with sleeves covering her lips. There was a noticeable glint in her eyes as she stared at the pudding. It made you lightly laugh at how adorable she looked.

“You will love the Padisarah Pudding. I’m sure that none of you have gone to visit Sumeru, so I brought one dish here that I enjoyed there. I am (Y/N), may I know your name?” You politely asked. The figure stepped from behind the tall male and gave you a closed-eye smile.

“Guizhong, my name is Guizhong. It is nice to finally meet you, (Y/N)!” She grinned, taking your hands in hers. Morax coughed out loud, making you two look at him in confusion. He sighed and stepped aside to show another person (or rather adepti in this case). He introduced her as Streetward Rambler whom you could call Ping.

Meeting the two was such a delight. Their brilliant minds allowed your creativity to rise and take hold. This gathering was the start of a bright friendship that you all cherished for life.

“Guizhong? Ah… I see you’re still on the design of the ballista. Have you put thought on who could utilize it?” You inquired, finding an empty seat by the goddess’ workshop.

Guizhong paused on her drafting, giving your question a thought. It was you who showed Streetward Rambler, Cloud Retainer, and her the resolve of humans, and she thought that if ever problems arose and they were put in danger, they should be able to use it. She gladly told you that its function will mostly be used by the adepti for now. As soon as it has been tested to be effective, then she will make it accessible to humans.

“And I already have a name for this wonderful one, (Y/N). It’s Obscuro Vulpes.” She proudly stated. Dark foxes, the name must have been derived from the little creatures you two found below the mountains. She was always curious about everything around her, and nature had been her friend for as long as she could remember.

“How about you, (Y/N), have you finished the idea that you presented to me last week!? I am looking forward to the finished product!” She piped. You nodded and materialized the scrolls containing your idea. It was simply a large-scale telescope that could be adjusted through plausterite minerals. This way, even humans will be able to watch out for enemies from afar. Aside from that, you also devised other mechanisms derived from the technologies in Sumeru. Their technologies far surpassed the current ones and had the similarity to that of the godless nation. It was amazing how their minds worked in different ways than yours.

“Oh my! If we can partner this with my mechanism, it will be easier to deal with large monsters. Even humans will be able to spot their weak spots through this!” Guizhong marveled. You nodded, also amenable to the suggestion. As she gushed about the joint project you two could have, you pondered upon the possibility of creating a similar device to that of the God of Woods. It was merely a glimpse that you saw, but it served as a treasure box that intrigued you.

“Guizhong, I actually have something to tell you.”

Days later, Guizhong and Cloud Retainer posed their creations to Morax. The God of Contracts analyzed each device and deemed the Goddess of Dust’s creation as superior. Cloud Retainer was a bit bitter, but she could not help her amazement as well. As for you, you preferred not to participate in their little games. It was much amusing just watching from the sides.

“Hmm? Ohhh, Ping? That guqin, may I hear you play it?” You asked, sitting beside her as the other three continued to discuss what could be improved with the ballista.

“You’re not going to join them?” She asked, strumming the strings of the instrument lightly. You shook your head and told her that you were contented watching them bicker.

“You’re a peculiar one, (Y/N). A passive immortal, who could pass off as a god, yet you desire only to enjoy the world.” She uttered. It was a first for somebody to voice their opinions on you. Morax would do so too when the atmosphere was jovial, but never like how Ping did it.

“Hmmm, it might be because this world has a lot to offer that I’m overjoyed watching everything unfold. I don’t find delight in lives lost, but I learned from a friend that sometimes, we have to appreciate the smallest things like humans do. Although they can get distracted by selfish desires, they have their moments.” You replied, allowing your power to manifest and create silver leaves. It flowed before riding the wind, letting it take wherever its destination might be.

Ping smiled at the musings, finally striking the first note. Her music brought shivers to your body and you swayed to its beauty. What you did not notice was Morax’s eyes on your smiling figure. He, too, did not harbor feelings yet, but the sight of you enjoying his friend’s music was mesmerizing. The wind gently blew your strands, and the silver leaves circled you like sakura blossoms of Inazuma.

“Beautiful… (Y/N) is truly beautiful.” Guizhong whispered. She was captivated by the scene in front of her.

“Truly, another memory to be cherished.” He patted her head.

Months had gone by, and your days were filled with combinations of joys and sorrows. As strange as it might have been to others, you spent most of your time in the human realm. Guizhong and Morax would often join you in their own forms, while the others remained in their abode. As for Ping, you only had twice the chance to drag her to join you in mingling with humans. However, those days were also filled with sorrow as you encountered lovely humans who received early deaths. It was tragic as you could feel the loneliness and regrets lingering whenever there was a funeral. Parting and moving on was always difficult.

“If that is so, how will we, the adepti, move on properly when we carry each memory like gold?” You thought out loud, curling up your knees to your chest as you watch Guizhong and Morax from afar. The sea of glaze lilies engulfed their figures, and you were not going to lie. At that time, they looked good together.

‘Harboring such feelings for a friend, really? Seems a bit foolish for somebody like me, yet I continue to indulge. Guizhong, you truly are lucky.’ The selfish desire flickered but was extinguished the moment they turned to you, holding out their hands for you to join.

‘Yes, my love for these two is greater than any selfish desire for a relationship.’ You thought.

Life continued as it is. You visited places to gain inspiration on what could be created to improve Liyue’s living conditions. The trust built upon years of banter and battles strengthened your relationship with your companions. Such a time came when Guizhong wished to create simple melodies through her mechanisms, a simple and innocent desire so one would say. However, Streetward Rambler believed music to be an expression of the soul. There had been debates going on between these two, and from what you’ve read, Morax confiscated the bell for ceremonial uses.

“These two, really. However, I am glad that they are all doing well. I can’t wait to get home and show them the fruits of my travels.” You voiced. It had been months since you last saw them, and only through letters sent using adepti arts could you contact them. It was truly dejecting how you had been invited by a friend to Fontaine for ‘old times sake’ purposes when in reality, it was to ask for your wisdom when it came through engineering.

Sadly, it was also during your travels that the Archon War began. Many lives were lost to time, and you feared for your friends’ lives. As quickly as you could, you traversed the entirety of Fontaine to get to Liyue. There was too much bloodshed on the land. Villages were destroyed, and your help only posed minimal help. Luckily, several adepti were ready to lend their aid. Whatever psychotic idea Celestia had for pitting gods against each other proved to be disastrous and inhumane.

“Where are they? They… can’t be that far right?” You huffed, tired of pushing yourself to the limit. Remembering one certain place, you pushed your legs to speed up and jump over ridges of rocks.

“Wait, is that them?” You squinted hard to see what was happening, only to see the yakshas sealing somebody. It was a familiar figure. The way she hugged her legs, and the scent of glaze lilies and blood in the air signaled who it was.

‘Gui…zhong? T-That can’t be right. You’re not really dead, right?!’ The dark thoughts that you desperately kept at bay froze you in place. One of the people you cherished succumbed to eternal slumber, possibly at the hands of a cruel god. Her struggles to defend and protect were not rewarded.

“Why…? You promised that we will have more Padisarah puddings when I come home. Guizhong? Guizhong! Guizhong!” You shouted, tears finally falling in an attempt to reach her. However, your hand was pulled back by the God of Contracts. He did not shed a tear, he remained fierce. It pained you.

“Morax, why do you not shed tears!? She’s gone! I wanted to spend more time with her. What is this cruel game!?” You asked. Morax could only shake his head. He, too, felt immense pain at the passing of a dear beloved, but the war was still ongoing. There was no time to grief just yet.

“She sacrificed herself because she loved her people. Her wishes will be honored, so let us go after this and continue the battle.” He ordered. The adepti gave a series of solemn agreements. However, you were irrational at this point and thought that it was too heartless not to grieve even for just a moment.

‘I’m in so much pain, but I will do my job and protect Liyue in your stead.’ You watched them complete the sealing, leaving only four items as her memento: the cleansing bell, the ballista, the Memory of Dust, and the ankle bracelet that you gave her as a token before you left.

Right after, you turned to Morax and bid your goodbye. It was too painful to be with them, so you opted to go far. You gave them a promise thought that wherever you may be, you will do your part in protecting Liyue. Morax wanted to argue and have you stay by his side, but your mind was already determined.

‘Stay safe. Please come back to me.’ He thought.

That was centuries ago. After Guizhong’s death, the establishment of the Seven Archons, and the bloody war with Khaenri’ah, you opted to leave and travel alone once more. Each nation changed in response to the cruel fate given by Teyvat and Celestia. The cycle of happiness and sorrow continued. You found it especially hard to move on. Not only did you lost a friend, you also lost a budding relationship.

“Under this night sky, I dance. The sorrows that dwell slightly perish. And flowers beneath shall grow in moonlight.” You voiced, walking through the waters of Sumeru. The Nilotpala Lotuses were luminous tonight, and the wind called you for a little dance.

Although Sumeru brought you great comfort, you wished to return to Liyue once again, so you grabbed your belongings and traveled to Guili Plains. It was only right to visit her.

It took hours to get there, and its beauty remained. It was such a shame that the sea of glaze lilies that covered the area was now drifting in the wind of the past. The magnificent sight would have brought you closer to her soul, but you knew that she was far gone. So in return, you let the wind chime and danced with it.

Nighttime travelers and patrols were surprised to see somebody dancing above the lake. You paid them no mind, eager to release what you had been holding in your heart, the regret of nothing being there. It went on for days, a nightly routine you might say, while you stayed in Guili Plains before moving again.

“I hope you liked it, Guizhong.” You whispered, ending the song with an elegant turn. Suddenly, a clap resonated behind you, causing you to let out a startled noise. An old woman standing behind you, but her aura said otherwise of the claim.

“You… Your aura reminds me of a dear friend. Ping, is that you?” You questioned. She softly smiled and nodded. Tears gathered in your eyes as you rushed toward her for a tight hug. She equally gave you one, missing an old friend who left to defend people on her own.

“I’m glad you’re back to Liyue, (Y/N). You’re alive, safe, and breathing. I’m most grateful.” She whispered, gently caressing your head as a grandmother would. A smile bloomed in your face as you nuzzled further into her chest.

It felt like time has paused for a minute, but you knew that there was no such thing. Gently pulling away, you asked her why she had taken the form of an old woman. Her answer made you understand her deep love for their departed friend.

With a smile, you left your post and told her that you will commemorate such a reunion with song and dance, a delight you learned from Mondstadt. You brought forth your power and activated your adepti arts, letting the wind chime once more. Soon, you fell into step with the sound, each turn and dip of the body showing elegance. It etched into the Streetward Rambler’s mind how it mirrored their past, the emotions conveyed making her tear up.

Once you were done, you materialized a stone table where you two sat down for tea. Ping talked about what happened years after you left Liyue. What intrigued you were the disciples they took and that a traveler had come to aid Liyue when Morax fell. This caused you to worry.

“What do you mean, Ping?” There was evident fear in your tone as well. The old woman lightly laughed and assured you that Morax simply left divinity in hopes of wishing to enjoy mortal life. You let out a sigh and thanked her.

There were more stories shared between you two, but Ping wanted to ask one question. She turned to you who had been rambling about Fontaine’s expensive alcohol.

“Will you be staying here in Liyue, (Y/N)? Finally allowing yourself to rest and maybe, interact with him? He missed you just as much as we did. More so, we see him visiting the Luhua Pool more often. Isn’t that where you and Guizhong would go play after tinkering with your devices?” She urged. There was silence permeating through the air before you broke it, shifting your skirt to face the warm sunset.

“I haven’t… moved on completely. It still hurt, but I know that we all are suffering great losses after the Archon War and other battles called by Celestia. Unnecessary deaths could have been prevented, but the loom of fate stands as it is. Maybe soon, but not yet today. Just not yet.” You whispered the last part to yourself. There was still one more thing left to do.

“I see. How about you join this year’s Lantern Rite? I surmised that you have yet to truly experience it with your own eyes. The harbor welcomes any guests from afar, don’t worry.” Ping assured, seeing the unsure look on your face. You were about to answer when you felt another familiar swish in the wind. Immediately, you dodged and jumped up, landing perfectly on still waters.

A young man, wearing a demon mask, stood in front of Ping and pointed his spear at you. You were about to complain when you squinted hard to analyze the new person. It was Xiao, the youngest yaksha adopted.

“Ohh, Xiao! It’s been years! Have you been well?” You jovially asked. He was confused for a second until Ping ordered him to put his weapon away and relax. She told him to focus his energy on you to recognize the familiarity you exude.

Doing as told, he put off his mask and concentrated. It was indeed familiar, it resembled that of the eccentric immortal that would be seen with the God of Contracts. He recalled your name and carefully uttered it out loud to which you grinned. Swiftly, you dragged him down for tea to bother him with how he was doing. He was hesitant but still spoke of the truth. You heard that he accumulated karmic debts that would often torment him at night, but he assured you that he was taking medicine to push it off.

“I see. This may not be that much help, but I hope you’ll be able to take it. I made this device back then for Inazuma, but it could only function at a smaller perimeter. I’d claim that it can help with what you have, but you have to see it for yourself. Please, don’t be shy and take it.” You urged, giving him the device that floated in the air. It gave off warmth that made him crave it. Having no issues, he took it before telling you two to be safe as he will be going out for patrol.

“Ever the hardworking yaksha. Hmmm? Are you curious about that, Ping? It’s merely a device that could erase the ‘karmic debt’ little by little. I reckon that what he is suffering from was similar to that of god’s residue, so I invented this one. It‘s not extremely effective as it takes time to dilute the residue to elemental particles, but it should ease the bindings.” You explained. Ping was amazed by such a creation, and truly, the brilliant mind you have will take you places. However, she knew you were kind and humble enough not to abuse anything in your hand.

“Ping, I actually have a favor to ask.”

It was almost nighttime when you arrived at the harbor. They were already preparing for the festival, and it warned your heart to see children playing around. Liyue was now home to these people. They will cherish and defend it as much as you all did back then. Now, it was time to leave it to them.

You sighed in contentment before scanning the crowd. You were in for a specific shade of brown that Ping mentioned. After watching people pass by, you finally saw him. Morax—Rather, Zhongli was there, sitting around a table and drinking his tea. The storyteller was enacting bygone stories that seemed exaggerated for mere entertainment to the point that it was amusing. It did look like he was integrating well into human society.

“Zhongli! Hey there! Didn’t expect to see you here.” You saw him conversing with people, and you were happy enough to see him. Now, it was time to enjoy Lantern Rite on your own, but before that, you wished to give him a small gift.

“Happy Lantern Rite, Morax.” A translucent teal feather slowly landed in front of him once he was alone. His eyes widened at the sight before a genuine smile made its way to his eyes.

“You’re… safe and well. I’m glad. Truly happy to feel your presence again. I shall wait until you’re ready to face the future again.” Zhongli whispered to himself, hopeful for a lovely reunion with you.

Please do not copy or repost my stories, but notes and reblogs are always appreciated!

[aguamarinee]

➪ 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: K × reader

➪ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: action, slightly suggestive, a bit of crack

➪ 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: inspired by The Heat (2013), the whole club scene with some small twists and changes. And K. ;)

➪ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭: —

➪ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 4,9k

It was almost 10 pm. Me and my partner were sitting in her old AMC Rambler in the dark, parking after a black truck, close to a club named Ekko. We were watching every movement of the said building's entrance, especially the people who went in. We weren't too far, so we saw everything important without needing to sharpen our eyesight. It was for the better, perhaps we needed to keep watch all night, so we had to be extra careful.

Once again I looked at my phone and recalled the suspect's name and appearance; Yudai Koga, or — in the federal operation — just K, for short. The picture was not the best quality we had of him but his main features were still clearly present. He was tall and lean, but thanks to his fitted clothes he was perspicuously muscular as well, especially his legs. He seemed like a good runner. His face was chiseled, spotless, with a defined jawline and cheekbones, a firm but delicate face shape and features, small but sharp eyes, simple, nicely-curved lips, a perfect and smooth nose, and endless raven locks. His hairstyle was nothing too outrageous, but it sure looked soft and shiny... He was handsome, to say the least. A handsome bastard, drug dealer, and co-owner of the club in front of us, who we're about to catch.

He was always on the phone with some suppliers, and by the time we cracked his current number with the experts of the federation, he already had a new one. He changed it almost every week, so it seemed. That's why we had to seek a critical solution to this problem; do this impromptu operation and plant a bug into his phone to track him down successfully.

"Hey, see that? That's Koga, the guy we need." My partner said, sharp, as I looked up and in the dim street lights I noticed his lanky figure towering over one of the bodyguards and they exchanged a few words. He was still glued to his phone, obviously, but we successfully spotted him going inside, just in time.

"Let's get moving then." I announced confidently and we opened the car's doors at the same time, walking towards the ominous entrance in big steps.

The place was packed for sure, people swaying to the loud and noisy pop-music left and right, as soon as we stepped in, the crowd was present in every millimeter of the facility. It wasn't anything fancy, it even seemed a bit rundown from the inside, but perhaps it was just the sea of people. Or the aesthetic they were going for. Who knows.

We gravitated towards the center of the big dance floor and kept pushing away sweaty bodies — sometimes a bit aggressively, to teach them a lesson. Eventually, we saw a couple of V.I.P. booths towards the back and a sneak peek of our guy, Koga.

"Look! He's there!" I signaled to my partner. "We have to dance our way through." I whispered sharply and we exchanged a look.

We started to push through the crowd but we couldn't get much closer, we were slowing down and it seemed like we were tottering in the same place for minutes, while trying to keep a safe distance from some drunk residents.

"Okay, this can't go on like this." My partner turned to me, trying to shout over the music. "Let's go over there!" She pointed towards a more peaceful area, close to the counters, more to the sides. I let her lead the way and followed without question or disagreement.

When we swam through the crowd and finally had a chance to catch our breaths leaning against the wall beside us, I noticed a fire alarm there. It was a little red box and all I had to do was pull on it and it'll go off.

This will go fast.

"...So when I pull the alarm, everyone in shock will go towards the two exits." I signaled with my hands as I presented my spontaneous plan to my partner. "He will head towards the nearest one, which is northeast. I will bump into him, pull the cell, plant the bug in his phone, and say that he dropped it. It's something I like to call a 'cop drop'." I finished with wide gestures and waited for my partner's reaction. "Yeah, I got it." She shrugged and stood back a little bit. "Okay, here we go..." I confidently touched the small red box then pulled on it with ease... But the main part stayed in my hand with the pulley thing and the rest of the box fell apart. "What? There are no wires attached to this thing..." I examined the poorly-made mechanism with a surprised but confused expression. "And what is this? Gum? Or Silly Putty?" I carefully touched the weird, slimy thing in the middle of the box, where the alarm should have been. "Don't touch it! It's a condom." My partner whispered and quickly looked behind us, while I hastily dropped the thing "...He's on the move!"

Then she sighed sharply — as if she was already expecting this. "Let's just find a bathroom ." She nodded her head in the restroom's direction with a bored expression. "I don't have to pee." I said blankly, still holding the plasticky remains of the failed fire alarm in my hand. She didn't answer, just grabbed my hands and started dragging me closer to the restroom. "Oh, come on!" She dragged me all the way and struggled to open the strong door with one hand while keeping me close to her with the other. "But I told you I don't have to pee!" I added, frustrated, when she finally pushed me inside, the music and the crowd were almost inaudible here, which, at least was a relief.

"I didn't bring you here to ask about your bathroom habits!" She said and rolled her eyes. "You're killing us out there. We need to blend in and we need to shake our asses like the rest of the foxes." She answered in a serious manner. "Oh yeah, dancing to get close to him! Fantastic idea!" I tugged on my blazer and set to go back outside where the crowd was, but my partner stopped me harshly.

"Jesus, don't. Don't do anything you're doing!" She eyed me. "W-What? But he's over that way!" I stuttered for a second, now even more confused. "Take off that freaking jacket. You look like you're about to sit down and do their taxes." She said in a deadpan tone while I was completely serious. "This is a nice jacket..!" In my final defeat, I sighed and took off the off-white blazer, folded it, and put it on the counter of the sink beside us. "Okay, the jacket's off. How about this?" I looked into the mirror and patted down my azure-colored shirt that lay underneath my blazer. "I can't watch whatever process is about to happen." She muttered. "I'm a federal agent!" I retorted to her cynical words. "I know, and you look like one! You think you'll go up to him like this and he won't suspect a thing?" She shook her head. "Now button down." She reached in my way to kindly help me out but I snapped her hands away. "I got this." I whispered and unbuttoned the first two buttons, my bra's lacing was almost see-through through the thin, silky material.

"Fine. How's that? Is that good now?" I asked impatiently after I completed the task. "I think it's getting worse." My partner was watching me for a couple of seconds, thinking hard. "My fear is that I could put you in a bikini, but you'd still look like a bank teller." I stepped back. "Do you really have to say it like that?" She shrugged. "I'm trying to make a point. I'm saying that your face, and whatever's underneath this shitty outfit might not be bad. It's just when your big mouth opens, it ruins the whole picture. It's a total boner killer, and I'm going to help you." Then suddenly she pulled out a small pair of scissors from her pocket. "What are you trying to do?!" I panicked, stepping back, completely ignoring her previous insults. "Making you a proper outfit. Now, hold down your arms." She responded casually. I did what she asked me to, but I was nervous.

She got hold of my sleeves and cut into the fabric above my elbow, leaving it uneven and the edges started to frizz immediately. "No, no! This is one of my favorites! I only brought five of these to the city!" I struggled, as I saw the piece of clothing being cut to shreds. "Then I'll cut the other four as well." She continued on a bit more firmly, not paying attention to me, and eventually both sleeves of the shirt were cut off to a simple T-shirt length.

Does this really look better?

"I look like I've been attacked." I said, frustrated. "That's not my fault." She answered nonchalantly. "Oh, is it my fault then?" At this point, I was getting a bit angry by her behavior. "Let me even out the bottom then." My partner pointed to my dress pants and I freaked out once again.

Why is she so calm? How is she so calm?

What is she planning to make out of those, shorts?!

"Everyone likes shorts." She crouched down and pulling the length of my pants, she started cutting it mid-tigh. "No! This is such a nice and comfy material!" I protested but at this point, I knew it was no use. She was cutting silently, the edges of the fine textile were left a bit uneven as well.

"Don't touch that area..." I whisper-shouted when the scissors were traveling up my thighs a bit more. "Jesus, would you stop pulling my pants off—?" I shrieked but suddenly she stopped me. "Oh my god..." She said in disbelief, looking at my legs. "What are those?" She pointed at my spandex and pulled on it because they were visible outside of my newly-cut shorts. "Stop that! That's my spandex... It holds everything together." I confessed with slight embarrassment. "Why? What's going to pop out?" She looked at me with genuine curiosity. "Nothing! It just keeps everything where it needs to be." I slightly stuttered. "But like, medically?" She insisted. "No, not medically. It just keeps everything in the right place." I tried to clarify, using my hands. "You've got to vent that furnace, you know. It's a lot of compression and heat." She shook her head. "It gets plenty of ventilation, thank you." I answered hastily. "My hand's a foot off and it feels like it's on fire." She deadpanned. "Then why don't you cut them shorter, because no one can see my cervix yet?" I rolled my eyes and gestured with my hands as I couldn't believe her actions. "I will cut them shorter—" She began but I interrupted her. "No way! We're finished. Let's do you know." I nodded my head in her direction, standing before me. "I don't need a makeover." She put away her scissors casually. "So I get to look like this and you get to look like that? Like you were?" I asked, and now I was in disbelief. "Yeah, I know it's not fair." She shrugged and frowned but I didn't feel any sorriness in her voice.

"...Let's hit it!" I announced as soon as we were out of the bathroom.

Eventually, I had to take off my spandex so it doesn't interrupt anything visually and only the newly-cut shorts were left on my legs — and my boots of course, those that I had on already. At least she spared my shoes by not altering them... Furthermore, my T-shirt length silky azure shirt was cut into a discreet crop top and that's how my federal agent work outfit was changed in the end. And my hair too; she messed up my locks, because as she claimed it, it matches the clothes' vibes better.

Now I really look as if I'd been attacked. I refuse to comment on anything else.

"What are you looking at?" My partner asked a random guy that was eyeing me rather vividly while we stepped into the crowd. "I like how your friend's shorts make me feel in my shorts— I'm sorry, that was much cruder than I meant it to be." Said the guy with glasses and a cup of beer. "See? I was right about the shorts." My partner whispered to me. "I stand corrected on the shorts." She agreed with the guy out loud. "Let's proceed." I ended the small talk and put my hands on my hips.

We started mingling with the people once again, dancing around and slowly inching closer to the V.I.P. booths and Koga.

"...At one o'clock." My partner bumped my hips and pushed me a bit forward. Now our suspect was on the dance floor too, a big group of young girls were around him, presenting themselves in revealing outfits and trying really hard to dance with him at the closest proximity. You'd expect him to enjoy it and indulge in as much as he can I guess.... but most of the time he looked through the girls with a blank, expressionless face, his mouth corners rarely lifting. But it was surprising to see him without his phone being glued to his ears for once, although it meant that locating it in the building or on him will be much harder.

"Get in there." My partner signaled toward the magic circle around Koga. "How do I get in there?" I swayed my hips to seem like I'm dancing, and slowly closed the distance between us and the crowd while slightly panicking on the inside. "I have no idea..." She said and eventually, I just let her push me from the back to get close to him faster. "Get in there and get your hands in on the phone. And do the fucking cop drop!" She said while pushing me, growing frustrated by the second with the people around. "I can't do it from this position!" I answered back with the same attitude. "Okay, coming in one more time!" She kept me on my toes and pushed me in one final time, to Koga and his circle.

I'm not the upfront type who likes to get into conflicts and lift a hand... But I have a mission this time, so I'm about to get ugly with these girlies if they don't back down.

There was a girl who was completely holding onto Koga and trying to climb him like a mountain or something. I gave a look to my partner and she sprang into action to get her off. "I got her! But you're like a freaking nanny, speed up!" She said as she kept the girl in her strong hold. At this point I was really close to him, up in his personal space with the others. No doubt, he was dashing in real life too, but I was more intimidated by the younger girls around me, at the maximum of 19 years old by my calculations. I guess he is Mr. Club Owner Popular guy here. "Picture time!" He suddenly said, not making eye contact with me yet and finally pulled his phone out.

This is my chance!

With an enthusiastic turn I crashed into him and the said picture on purpose and tried to follow with my eyes where his phone could've landed and tried to get a hold of him as well. "Damn it, can somebody get my phone?" He asked and was about to crouch down but I held one of his arms and waist, cuddling into him in a weird way. "I got it!" The same guy with the glasses who complimented my shorts showed up and handed him back the device before my eyes. I could have just snatched it but I didn't...

"Thanks a lot, bro. But close a couple of buttons, ok? Club policy." Koga said from beside me sassily and nodded in the direction of the guy's shirt. It was kind of an asshole move, but as he took his phone and was about to put it back into his pocket he turned his head and noticed me on his side.

"Koga! Hi, hello." I tried to speak in a normal voice but I was already sweaty and a bit exhausted from the previous events so my tone came out much more desperate than I wanted it to... Meanwhile, I saw my partner dragging the random guy away aggressively and pushing him way back. "Hi." Koga said and for the first time we made eye contact; for a second he genuinely seemed curious as I looked up at him, since even in boots he towered over me. "Your moves were weird as hell, but I loved it." He said with a small smirk as he looked down at me, his dark, inviting orbs gliding over my outfit. He was not afraid to take his time exploring my being, while the music was still loudly going off in the back. He pulled me into a slight daze but when I snapped out of it, with a spontaneous idea my hands immediately met with his soft, silky raven locks — they were truly as fine as they looked in the photo.

Oh yeah, that's the shampoo move from now on.

"Your hair is so soft." I said, putting emphasis on the word 'soft'. I wanted to sound seductive but I have no idea if I succeeded. The music around us suddenly changed, the beat dropped and in a moment everyone started dancing like crazy, swaying, jumping and just colliding with everyone else in general. This time I got pushed into Koga against my own will, but I didn't mind as he held onto me because the crowd was taking away both of us, fast. He grabbed my waist as I was still fiddling with his hair, messing it up lazily but eventually, I was bound to hug around his neck firmly to keep my balance. We made eye contact again, both of us being enticed and it was even kind of magical as everyone else was moving around us and we just stood in silence, tangled together. But not for long. A strong push jerked me forward and I completely crashed into him, my face getting incredibly close to his chiseled one. Our eye contact was never-ending, our noses almost touching just like our lips... Those nicely-curved but narrow, cherry-colored lips opened slightly as if awaiting something. Something even closer and sensual, than now....

"Want to get a drink?" He asked in a low voice, the words rolling off his tongue smoothly, just a smidge above the art of whisper but I could still hear him clearly when he decided leaned in a bit, speaking directly into my ears. "Yeah, sure." I said as quickly as I could, breaking our 'hugging' position and turning on my heel, walking back to the V.I.P. booths while catching ahold of his hand and lightly dragging him with me. I didn't want him to see my face change to crimson so I acted as fast as I could. As we walked through the crowd our positions changed soon enough, and now he was the one leading the way. As we arrived and sat down on a small leather sofa the realization hit me that my mission is to get his phone. His phone was in his back pocket at the moment—

"—Who's this?" He picked up the said device with a strict gaze. The alarms in my head went off and I was full-on agent mode, a bunch of ideas popping into my head as I watched him quickly end a phone call. When he finished he put his mobile onto the armrest beside him lazily and I knew I had to spring into action. I had no idea where my partner was, but I knew I could count on her abilities to carry out our initial plan. But I was the main attraction — literally — so it's time to do something, it's time to be upfront.

"Can I sit on your lap?" I looked at him from under my lashes and ran a hand through my messy hair, trying to loosen both the mood and my nervousness inside. I may have thought I look intimidating in his eyes, but in my eyes his look still gave me a chill, a good feeling spreading through my spine. "Obviously." He answered boldly and didn't even wait for me to move, he just casually placed his hands onto my waist and lifted me up, and sat me onto his lap with a swift movement.

I'm not going to lie, that felt nice. Very nice. His hands could stay there longer...

"I like where this is going." I continued as I got comfortable in my new seat. Our heads were in the same height now and I could see his spotless features even clearer than before. He shifted around a bit too, opening his legs a bit wider and relaxing his arms, his shoulders, and leaning back his torso. He was wearing a simple outfit, but it still proved to be difficult to tear my eyes away from his form. His jeans fitted him perfectly, not too loose but not too tight, just the right amount to hug around the few curves and muscles of his long legs. His long-sleeved maroon-colored shirt was tucked into his pants and its sleeves were rolled up, exposing slender but firm forearms, a big palm, and long fingers. He wore a couple of thin bracelets, but no rings. And a delicate chain necklace around his neck. As I was mapping out his build and persona, it seemed weird how two-toned his being felt. He was a simple man, handsome, tall, and muscular by body, but at the same time, his face was the perfect mixture of innocence, pure beauty, and a dash of sweetness with full-grown masculinity. I got lost in his presence again, no doubt, he was definitely a sight to look at — if not for anything, but as a side-part of my mission to memorize his face and character for the future.

"I, too like where this is going." He gave me a mysterious smirk as he hug around my waist once again, but not long after one of his hands slid down to my knee, then my thigh, and I felt light caresses on my exposed skin in a circling motion.

Damn, he's good at this.

I let loose too and leaned a bit into him, part of my back hitting his chest while my hands traveled to his neck and necklace. "What is this supposed to mean?" I asked pointing to the 'Y' letter charm on the small chain hanging around his neck — faking that I know nothing about him —, but I wasn't shy to touch his whole neck first. "It's for my name." He responded and his palm caught mine, moving away from my leg and he intertwined our fingers. "Your name?" I asked back and a smile was growing in the corner of my mouth. "What's your name..?" I asked, slowly breaking into a mischievous grin. "You should tell me your name first. I'm here almost every single night and this is the first time I've seen you. You're the first woman over twenty to sit on my lap like this and touch me, talk to me. So you tell me first." He spoke softly, sweetly even, but there was a strict, demanding undertone to his sentence as well. And his words didn't fail to tickle the shell of my ear and heat up my skin when his hand from my waist slid under my crop top, his palm touching my warm skin in that area. He kept his hand there, as a guard, as a comfort, his body heat colliding with mine and I was enjoying more and more being in his hold by the minute. His actions caught me off-guard again and I forgot both my mission and the question he just asked, but obviously one was a bigger problem than the other. "About that drink—" I tried changing the subject but his hand grabbing my hip suddenly cut me off. "We're having a big foam party later. Maybe I could get you a drink there, exclusively. And we could continue this... even further." Then he gave me a discreet wink, smile growing wider and he showed his white teeth while he watched my reaction, intrigued. "I would love to then!" I said enthusiastically, for a moment feeling genuinely excited, then I remembered my mission again.

Yes, right, let's do something about that freaking phone.

But before any of us could prepare for the upcoming events, suddenly someone really drunk and wasted crashed into the open booth and landed on the small glass table not far from us, almost overturning it. But as I examined the person's outfit — as much as I could see from it — I quickly realized it was my partner so I was at ease. "So sorry!" She said, but her voice came out muffled like a drunkard's. As the table moved, luckily there were no drinks on that could've spilled out but it almost hit us. Koga tried to stand up in a hurry so he can stop the table and my partner's dramatic falling, but this ended in me falling off his lap towards the armrest his phone had been placed on. I quickly snatched the thing and made it seem like I'd completely fallen off the couch while keeping the small device to myself. I opened it at the back with a quick move, removed the previous storage battery card, and placed in the new one which was connected to the federal system by a microchip, resulting in the knowledge about his location and position all the time, instead of cracking his current phone number and eavesdropping his calls. It was a few seconds really, but it was more than enough to catch our suspect off-guard, while he was loudly calling for some guards to have my partner removed. "Guards! Get her the hell out of here!" He stood tall. "I swear some people hold their liquor like a five-year-old..." He sighed in frustration.

My partner kept tottering, trying to get up from the table, and from the corner of her eye, I tried to signal that I was done. I didn't want her to get taken away by real guards so when I saw two of them coming closer I figured it was my chance once and for all, to get out of here as well. Although I kind of wanted to stay, this moment ended our night so suddenly but there was no real point, so I might as well get out in the safest, fastest way possible.

"Alright, sweetheart, you're out." I walked up to my partner, touching her shoulder and trying to make her get up to leave as the bodyguards were getting closer and closer. "I'm a pony!" She said and she jumped up as I tried to pull on her hand and I knew she was just making a fuss since at this point we completed our job. "Get her out already!" I heard Koga again from behind me and the bodyguards finally reached the three of us. "No! I've got to drive the school bus tomorrow! It's my shift!" She protested and the tall and armed men helped her to stand up while I stayed by her side as well. "Here we go..." I said casually in a light, upbeat tone to sound silly as she was being taken away and I followed them shortly.

"Hey, I didn't get your name!" Koga pulled me back by my hand for a second which I was genuinely surprised by. "I'll find you, I'll find you myself!" I spoke in a rush, loud and unclear because of the music and all I wanted to do was to get out. I ignored his stare and his hands holding down mine, I rather came off as cold and in a hurry. I even waved him off at the end as I quickly searched for the guards stepping out at the entrance, typically kicking out a club's resident to the streets. Not suspiciously, a minute after I made my escape too, and by the time I got out my partner looked like her old self, waiting for me. "Pretty nice, right?" She asked and held up one of her hands for a high-five. "Yes, I have to say that was pretty awesome." I accepted her gesture and we quickly started to walk back to her car.

This time I got to sit behind the wheel and when I comfortably started to drive at an appropriate pace I noticed something off in the rearview mirror.

"We've got company." I said in a low voice as the exact black truck started following us the second we took a turn to get away from the club. "Do you want me to take the wheel?" My partner asked, but she got her gun ready at the same time. "I've got this, I'll lose them." I replied confidently and took a speedy, sharp left turn right after.

Looks like our night isn't ending immediately.

...Some real action is happening at last.

➪ 𝐀/𝐍.: I just rewatched The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy and I came up with this idea because this scene in the movie is gold! (P.S. I don't own any of the original scenes, dialogues, or characters, I was just inspired by the film!)

➪ 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 【𝐌 𝐀 𝐒 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 𝐋 𝐈 𝐒 𝐓】 !

[galacticrambler]

I’m one of the many millennials that grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series and fell in love. Yes, Kevin Conroy is my Batman/Bruce Wayne. With that said, oh my goodness Batman: Caped Crusader is an absolute banger of a show.

The animation looks amazing, the storytelling is fantastic, and the voice cast is top notch. It’s a very impressive show. In a year that gave us X-Men ’97, we are so very lucky to get this as well.

This will have spoilers, so don’t read further if you’re wanting to avoid them.

Bruce and Alfred

In the first episode, I was a tad weirded out when Bruce kept saying “Pennyworth” for Alfred. Then, it continued. And it continued. I watched the guys over at Heroes Reforged on YouTube, and one of them pointed it out as well. I was getting mad.

Then, I finally realized that this was building towards something. It may have taken until the final episode, but when Bruce breaks down and calls him “Alfred”, it was a cathartic moment. He knows he can’t do this alone and knows how much Alfred means to him. This was such a great moment in a series full of them.

Harvey Dent

Making Harvey so handsome was a great idea for this show. It made his gruesome turn into Two-Face later after the shift attack much more impactful. He wasn’t a strange color like a lot of Batman media do to his face, so his face was hard to look at.

This version of Two-Face wasn’t really evil, and I think it worked for this show. They went out of their way throughout this season to show that Harvey and Bruce were pals, so this was always going to hurt more.

(SPOILER) When Harvey gets shot and killed, I loved what they did with Batman. Because of Bruce’s relationship with Harvey, I honestly wasn’t sure what Bruce was going to do with the guy that killed Harvey. Bruce not killing him was a great indication of where he’ll be going in the future.

Jim Barbara Gordon and Batman

While most Batman properties out there focus on the relationship between Jim Gordon and Batman, this show has moved toward building the relationship between defense attorney Barbara Gordon (yeah, Jim’s daughter) and Batman.

It’s a different take from what we’re used to seeing, and it’s an interesting one. This Batman is different, and this relationship is a great example of why.

This show is great. Watch it!

[andy-clutterbuck]

omg hiii lolz i love your account so much. i love all the content on andy and your captions, the gifs, all that. you're actually so funny with your gifs 😭😭 i love reading them it brightens my day! im sorry if it's weird that i'm randomly hopping on the asks and rambling but you seem really nice and we both love andy lincoln and i just NEED to get this out. i wanna meet him SO BAD BROOO 😭! LIKE HE SEEMS SO KIND, SO LOVELY AND I JUST WANNA TALK TO HIM, ASK ABOUT HIS DAY, I JUST WANNA HAVE A FRIENDLY DEEP CONVERSATION WITH HIM BROOFDJGKFDJKJG (and i know i'd be awks as hell and visibly freaking out but STILL) HES SO HANDSOME I WOULD ACTUALLY CRY OR DIE (prob both) IF I MET HIM. I WANNA GIVE HIM A BEAR HUGGG I WANNA SEE HIM IN THE FLESH 😭😭😭

i love this man too much help me.. anyway thank you for letting me ramble!! LOLL ILYY !!! <333

HELLO, FRIEND! 😭😭💙💚 Thank you so much! You are too sweet for sending this 😖 I'm so happy to hear you find enjoyment from my little dumpster corner of the internet.

Andy really is something special, the mold didn't even break, I don't think you could make one. His parents knew some other worldly magic or like Danai said once, he hatched from an egg 😂 I actually did meet him 5 years ago and I'm not entirely certain how I'm still alive. It's not every day you walk through a curtain and into his arms 😳 I pretty much forgot how to breathe. I can confirm he's just so attentive, sweet, and warm (even physically warm 😂). He's also even more handsome in person which is annoying 🙄😂 I too would probably offer up an organ to talk his ear off about all sorts of things, he's an interesting dude.

Never apologize for rambling! I'm a rambler too and I know what it's like when you just have to get it out! Even if it's a stream of chaos. My ask is always open 💚

[ophelia-jones]

HAVEN Chapter 10 the beginning of the end

Negan was doing his best to move quickly toward Haven. He didn't want to lose the paladins and lose track of the girls, but if they were headed straight toward Haven? He had to warn them. Once he was there, they could use the truck to follow the trail and catch up to them; be appropriately armed and prepared for a fight.

He heard a noise come from the east, but the rising sun was blindingly bright and he could not see what was coming toward him. He drew his gun with one hand and shielded his eyes from the sun with the other.

"Coulda had your head if I wanted it," Etta said from so close behind Negan that if he had swung Lucille he would have done some damage. Fortunately for both of them, he did not. Lana was the one approaching from the west.

"And he could have had yours, sneaking up on him like that!" she laughed at Etta. "Not your brightest move."

Etta scowled at her friend and then wrapped her arms around Negan from behind, resting her head on his back.

"Daddy wouldn't hurt us," she said playfully. Negan's heart was racing with adrenaline and anxiety, but seeing the young ladies safe and sound was just what he needed at that moment. Negan closed his eyes for a moment and smiled gently, patting Etta's hands where they rested against his chest and stomach. Her calling him Daddy had been a fun diversion, just a little game with very adult rules. It had been her idea, but he had never complained.

"What the shit are the two of you fucking doing out here?" he chuckled slightly.

"Stanley got up this morning and told us Justin and the girls snuck out yesterday to find water. They haven't come back." Lana said. Concern darkened her eyes. Negan sighed deeply and reached out to Lana to embrace her.

"What's wrong?" Lana asked, she and Negan didn't have a hugging relationship.

"Let's talk on the way back to Haven," he said, licking his dry lips. They couldn't afford to waste time.

"Back to Haven? What about the teenagers?" Etta protested, but both women fell into step with Negan sensing his urgency.

"I know where they are," he told them, his voice like rolling thunder.

***************************

"Stanley, Emily, Olivia, and Vida are safe in the stairway to the rooftop with Nancy," Grace told Verity as they began to put their improvised plan into motion. They could hear the UTVs in the distance. Nancy was the eldest of their group at 69 - but not at all the woman you might expect when all hear is her name and age. She was born smack dab in the middle of world war two in Appalachia. She worked her way out of poverty and moved to Owensboro, then Louisville.

She had never married but claimed to have more than her fair share of beaus, and a long-term roommate named Beverly. They had been roommates for 32 years, and Beverly had passed away unexpectedly in 2001. Nancy had not had any other roommates.

She knew how to hunt, fish, get a motor running, and keep it running. She wasn't afraid of much other than going back to the area she'd been raised. She often told the other women that there were far worse things in the darkness up in those mountains than any rambler she'd seen yet. But then she would refuse to discuss the subject further.

She was a handsome woman, never beautiful nor homely, and sort of otherworldly. As if she knew more than anyone else about the meaning of life. Her skin was weathered, and every wrinkle was well-earned. Her hair was an iron slate and her eyes were steel blue. Still, she stood straight, her shoulders square and her arms strong - Etta had challenged her to an arm wrestling match not long ago and lost.

Her eyesight was fading, though, and there was very little to be done about it, so she was the last person in the building who would take up arms. But she would, if it came to it. She didn't mind watching the children - even though she had come of age at the beginning of the sexual revolution, it took a little longer before the ideas driving it reached Kentucky. Anyway, Nancy had been asked to care for children throughout her life, despite never having her own.

Shondra had been born in the late 1980s on the south side of Chicago to a single mom and had been raised by her disabled grandmother more than her mother - though who was taking care of her was up for debate. It was, in fact, her grandmother that was the first walker Shondra encountered when she and her son Elliot had stopped in to check in on the woman who insisted on living in her own home, alone, until the day she died. It was cold comfort for Shondra to know the dearest woman in her life had her final wish granted. Especially when it was her walker who had taken her boy from her.

Shondra relished the opportunity to pick up a rifle and defend this place, she was tired of losing and she was not going to do it again without one hell of a fight.

Sister Sarah was also armed with a semi-automatic rifle - each of the women stationed at the door to the second-floor stairwell to take out anyone who made it past Verity and Grace and through the booby traps. Jessie was stationed on the roof with their prized weapon, a long-range sniper rifle. She was by far the most likely to do what needed doing with it, and doing it efficiently with no collateral damage. Haven could not handle a single loss. Without Etta, Lana, and Amari - that was every pair of hands they had to defend themselves. Six women against at least 17 young men and their Father Confessor. That was assuming, of course, that he didn't have any more men in other locations whom they didn't know about.

Grace and Verity stood on either side of the gate, each peering through a slit in the fence just big enough for them to fire upon unwanted intruders.

"It doesn't matter what happens to me, or to the building. Save the little ones." Verity told Grace - it wasn't a sentimental request, it was an order.

Grace nodded once, never being one for useless words, but her eyes were full of a great many emotions.

"It's been a privilege, being a part of this with you." she finally managed to say, clenching and unclenching her jaw to maintain her demeanor and keep from showing weakness.

"An honor," Verity said.

The sounds of the UTVs were almost upon them. The women squared their shoulders and focused on the driveway leading to Haven. It was covered in glass and bits of metal, gravel, and anything else they could devise to help slow the arrival of dangerous strangers, but that alone would not work this time.

[nerdieforpedro]

Missing My Baby

Marcus Pike x Reader

Summary: You’re missing your fiance Marcus while he away. Having time alone isn’t good for everyone.

Word Count: 543

Warnings: loneliness, depression, obsession, angst (did Nerdie manage this?!)

Notes: Written for the Selena Drabble Challenge put together by the wonderful @fhatbhabie 💕

Main Masterlist / Writing Challenges / Marcus Pike Masterlist

He’s gone. Not permanently of course. Marcus, your sweet fiance is in France, one of the most romantic places on earth. Why are you not with him? It’s for work, he’s part of a team dispatched to the Louvre Museum to study different arts and methods of identifying pieces from different time periods.

His excitement was written all over his face when he came home and told you. Of course you were proud of him, you always are. Outside of him being an FBI agent in the art crimes division (sounds like he could have his own TV from that alone), he’s so patient, kind and understanding. He’s also one of the most handsome men you’ve had the pleasure of knowing, both with facial hair and without.

It’s been a full month and you swear you’re fine. It’s what you keep telling yourself, family, friends and Marcus. You ensure your best self is shown to him. If there’s one thing that worries you about Marcus is that he can be rather selfless when it comes to marking out time for himself in his own schedule. You had encouraged him to go, do something for himself and that you’d hold down the fort of your two bedroom apartment.

After another FaceTime call with your dear special agent, you drag yourself to his side of the bed, laying on your side so you can breathe in his scent. It’s a light musk that’s mixed with pine based off of the body wash he uses. Unfortunately tonight, you’ve been sleeping on his side of the bed one too many times and it smells more like you than him. Sitting up on the side of the bed, you take hold of his pillow and laugh at how silly you’re being. You’re an adult, so is he. He’s only gone for work, it’s an excellent opportunity for him.

Your chest still hurts though. It doesn’t stop your face from contorting with tears. This is making you wonder if you should just tell him to come home. You could, and you know with all certainty that Marcus would be on the next plane home.

He would never leave again unless he took you with him. That makes you smile, but your head is buried deep into the pillow. You need to believe he’s coming home safe. Things will go fine and he’ll be back in two more weeks. Just because you miss him doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be allowed his own advancement and interests.

But the same part of you that misses him want to have him tethered to you so you can hold him tight, never let him out of your sight. You’d be able to feel his heartbeat next to yours and tell him over and over that you love him. Don’t go anywhere again Marcus.

“Time keeps passing by. I’m missing my baby…Missing my baby, weighs on my mind…”

Your tears continue to wet his pillow as you stand and begin to pace the room, keeping your eyes trained on a photo the two of you took on your six-month anniversary at the Smithsonian.

“Missing my baby, missing my baby. I’ve gotta have you here by my side and hold you tight. I miss you Marcus…”

Pike pool swimmers (safety first!) 🛟: @secretelephanttattoo @trulybetty @magpiepillsjunior @i-own-loki @morallyinept @pedritapascal @yorksgirl @goodwithcheese @marcus-is-my-muse @megamindsecretlair @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @pamasaur @pedroshotwifey @missladym1981 @harriedandharassed @maggiemayhemnj

[olivieblake]

Hi Olivie!!! So, I have been severely slacking in sending you praise for all the works I’ve read of yours this year (very sorry life is chaotic this year truly). But, I am here finally to offer some words on everything I’ve read so far! I will try to keep it short (it’s nearly impossible for me, I'm a rambler, I am very sorry) but I’ll split it up into 2 parts so it’s not too insane hopefully. My goal is still to finish your blacklist this year and I’m close so fingers crossed I can do it!!

(Spoilers for Alpha graphic novels and Fairtytales of the Macabre included)

Alpha Graphic Novels:

These were so fun! I got really invested in the characters/the world really quick and just flew through them! Chmura’s art is STUNNING and it really helped me feel immersed in the world and I tabbed a lot of pages just because of the art alone it was beautiful. CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE ENDING OF VOL II: RISING THOUGH??? LIKE MY JAW WAS ON THE FLOOR TAU IS BACK???? I shipped them so hard in book 1 and was so upset when he “died” but WHAT OMG??? Fingers crossed that when things start to (maybe possibly idk) slow down in a few years you guys can finish it because I’m DYING to know what happens.

Atlas Six Re-Read:

I’ve already sent you a long ask a year ago about my love for this book so I will not make you bored and rehash everything. But, I still love them <3 (well everyone but Callum I’m sorry). So excited for Paradox this month! I’m actually going to one of your tour dates for it so I will see you then 🥺🥺🥺 (will try my hardest to talk to you but we shall see how nervous I get 😂) Although trying to decide if I should bring all your books with me to get singed or just a few so I can actually talk to you is SO hard. I gotta do some priority picks hahaha.

Fairytales of the Macabre:

Pins and Needles: Such a fun story to start off with. I love some vengeance and some obsession so I really enjoyed this story! I remember reading it and feeling like Masters and Charms lowkey gave me NicoLibby vibes (I really don’t think that’s intentional but I love nicolibby too much so I see them everywhere hahaha). The plot twist ending was insane too!!

The Animation Games: OLIVIE BESTIE A MURDER COMPETITION LOVE STORY WITH REINCARNATION TROPE WHO ARE YOU (in the best way) AND WHY DID I LOVE IT SO SO SO MUCH. I really never wanted to stop reading about Bran and Rhosyn’s strange beautiful love story. AND YOU BLESSED ME WITH A DANCE SCENE MY KRYPTONITE THANK YOU QUEEN. One of my absolute favorite lines was “He looked terribly handsome, she couldn't’ wait to see the light go out”.

Fates and Consquences: This one was really funny and some of the punishments had me laughing so hard hahahah (especially when his “mom” had to read him fifty shades of grey)

Sensual Tales for Carnal Pleasures: Although Animation Games was a close second this one was actually my favorite in the collection. I was just so entranced by this story and the takes on power, dress, freedom, and fear. I’m someone who loves longing and I just could FEEL the longing and chemistry between them. And the ending where she get a few previous sands around her neck so that she could keep her prince/her love and they could revisit their story sometimes made me emotional 🥺. It's Nightmare and Noctus’s world and I am just living in it!! This story really spoke to my soul so thank you for it.

Thank you for all these stories, I’ve been having a blast reading everything this year so far! Be back with the rest of the praise so far real soon! ❤️

-Amanda

I know I’m extremely behind in addressing these but I do love them very much! I love that you’re enjoying all your reads. I think two things of note:

- Alpha III is written, but I think increasingly unlikely to be completed due to little chmura’s workload. I think this year we’ll discuss what we plan to do, which may include releasing the script as is, or potentially with some hybrid options (including some sketches, maybe, but not fully in the graphic style, which chmura tells me is too laborious due to her unfamiliarity with illustration techniques at the time)

- I think it’s very likely that I will revisit the animation games in novel form. it would be a different storyline—a new story, not an expansion—but I feel like it’s a promising concept that I am more able to work with now. but anyway I’m glad you liked it and so happy you enjoyed carnal pleasures! that one is on the list for future little chmura collabs, as she is also a fan of that story

[eviesessays]

5. How did you decide when to have children?

To answer the question of how I decided when to have children my first response should be that I did not give it the thought such a profound decision deserved.  I was brought up Catholic and thoroughly bought into the notion that God knew best  .Contraception was verboten.

So at the wise age of 21 I was a registered nurse and  I was married.  My husband had a secure career. A month after my wedding I was pregnant.  Heather was healthy, beautiful and a good baby.  At 6 weeks she was sleeping though most of the night.   She met all the milestones and walked soon after she was 10 months old.  Three months later we were on our way to Anchorage, Alaska to Jay’s new job.  We drove the Alcan Highway when the paved portion only extended about the first twenty miles out of Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The next 1500 miles was a constant barrage of stones pitching up at the windows and no guard rails in sight .  At times we were driving above the clouds.  It was some of the most beautiful scenery but I was very glad to be at the end of it.  Housing was scarce. We had a one bedroom apartment on the 10th floor of the 1200 L Street Apartments.  We moved to a two bedroom apartment near Elmendorf AFB which was much more practical as Jaylyn was due to be born in February.  She came a few days early on January 30,1960.  She too was beautiful and healthy.  She experienced some jaundice on day two.  She had an ABO incompatibility which was newly being explored.  Dr Helen Whaley sent all our blood samples to the Ortho Clinic in NJ.  Jaylyn’s jaundice cleared and she met all her milestones.  That Spring President John F. Kennedy kicked off his “New Frontiers” campaign and we joined the crowd to meet him at the airport.  I shook his hand.  He was very handsome.  In May of 1961 we left Anchorage for Kip and Bobbies wedding in Sioux Lookout, Ontario..  After the wedding we would go to Houston , Texas and visit Jay’smother, Kitty.  She was a lovely woman.  Jay would fly back to Anchorage to complete the last twelve weeks of his contract. .We had a small apartment near Kitty and visited almost daily.  I was now pregnant with Robin.  Jay now worked for RCA and was going to be in Moble, AL for four days orientation..  I closed the apartment, said goodbye to Kitty, hitched the trailer to our Nash Rambler and headed to Mobile with my two babies.  We met up with Jay and the next day we all left for Kiptopeke, VA.  We spent a week in a motel and then after impassioned pleas to anyone who would listen, we rented a very sweet beach house on Cheasapeake Bay in Cheraton.  It was an idyllic time.. We walked on the beach and the native Virginian nearby taught us to dig clams.. We drove past fields where black people were digging peanuts.  Our neighbor’s husband came home with a bushel of green beans for her to can.  I could not imagine snipping the ends off that many green beans.  The little girl who belonged to that family did tell Heather there was no Santa but we corrected her  and our bliss remained intact.

At this time I was in m last trimester with Robin.  My ABO titer was rising which did not concern us as Dr .Whaley in Alaska had prepared us for that eventuality and assured us it was of no concern.  However, the hospital was 25 miles up the peninsula and did not always have O neg blood which concerned the doctor.  So two weeks before Christmas we moved to Mobile, AL.  Robin was born on January 21, 1962 a perfectly healthy baby.  The hospital was staffed by Sisters of St Vincent de Paul who wore those large head coverings that Sally Field wore in the movie, “The Flying Nun”.  Heather was amazed at the sight of  them and asked if they were cowboys since she had never seen real specimens of either.  I digress.

 Six weeks later we were on our way to Jay’s new assignment.  We would be living in the suburbs of Washington, DC.  We rented a house in Camp Springs MD where we met our most wonderful and lifelong friends, Rose and Jack Beck and their daughter, Joanne.  Washington was a wonderful and exciting place to live especially with children.  There seemed no end to the galleries, historical places and museums that were available.  The children became familiar with famous paintings and awesome exhibits like the Hope diamond, the Foucault pendulum and the massive elephant in the rotunda of the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum.  Before long I was pregnant with Peter and along with my obstetrician, Dr Catherine Johnson, we decided that if my baby was healthy I would have a post partum tubal ligation immediately after delivery.  Peter was a very handsome and healthy baby. On day four we left Washington Hospital Center  and brought home a new brother for the girls.  

So, the answer to the question of how I decided when to have children, is that I didn’t.  I only decided when not to have children.