#he has the biggest bum in the world

[rhysler]

Half of my favourite Rhys Strongfork moments

[romcomeon]

❝ 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐩-𝐢𝐬𝐡 ❞ Ver 3

╰┈➤ LOVE ME DESPITE IT ALL? | HEADCANON POST

question : "Does this get tiring...?" AKA nondateables seeing their beloved sheep... as a human!

part.s : demon brothers | triworlds | nondateables

pairing.s : Thirteen x MC, Mephistopheles x MC, Raphael x MC [all separately] + a suprise guest

note.s : That took longer than I expected. Seriously, this week felt like such a rollercoaster ride that I didn't think I'd be able to finish this in time— but here we are!!

Fair warning that I have no notes on Raphael whatsoever. I am purely basing these off of interactions that I recall at the top of my head; consider this as another practice round :"DD

Anyhow, hope you enjoy the conclusion to this trilogy! ^^

The sheep's curse returns.

It's been so long, why MUST it happen NOW!? After your family getaway to the human world, no less. Back to square one: memory loss and stubby legs. Everyone came to your aid, albeit more protective than before due to circumstances. New people? New People! You have bonded with them after a while, and while most weren't too overjoyed, you'd say it was an enjoyable-

Oh my for goodness' sake-

The all too familiar poof arises again. But, was it just you or did it hurt than the last- ahh.. You placed your palm to your forehead. Hurts. It fucking hurts. With one eye open, you try and ask for help to maybe Lucifer or- Oh right, they're also in this room.

THIRTEEN ; "Awww!!"

Thirteen is very supportive.

Hm? She stans you all the way, one of your biggest fans! This privilege will surely seal the deal!

Another fangirl added to your roster. You have piqued her interest at the sight of your adorably special soul but-

Girly runs up to you and pulls you in a tight embrace.

Thirteen is absolutely GUSHING over how you look. That hair? adorbs! Any tattoos? Cuties!! More, more, more!!

What's got our reaper even more excited was your soul! Well, so the curse also managed to hide your soul- not literally though it slightly hindered its view.

The first instance she went to check on your soul, Thirteen noticed the white glowing light emitting like dispersed shockwaves; urging to be released to its full glory.

And to FINALLY inspect it with no obstacles? She was beyond thrilled.

Although, she does feel kind of bummed out about it, to be honest.

Thirteen had spent eons crafting and perfecting specialized traps and pranks for the little sheep. Seriously, do you have ANY idea how long it takes to get the measurements right?

Hmph! now she has nothing to use them for!!

It didn't matter how frickin' shorter you are than all of them, you still aren't plushie sheep size!

Hmm.. maybe she should instead use this as an opportunity to conduct larger-scale traps... though that wouldn't just be suited for you.

Unless...

Hey hey human, get ready! Once she gets you, she's got you.

MEPHISTOPHELES ; "So THIS is the human?"

Pft- the nobleman scoffs.

He has seen far greater escapades than the sight beholding his very eyes at the moment.

It's really no outstanding feat.

Truly.

As much as he wishes to brush this aside as yet another antic done by the human, you know that he will never escape it.

You know he will be thinking plentiful of it — though not in any particular light [yet]

You see, this transformation will become the next talk of the school for weeks. By cursed virtue, it felt mandatory to handle this topic and present its own article.

Unfortunately for Mephistopheles, it meant all who are part of the Newspaper Club would constantly observe; asking you questions to publish this latest issue.

Why must he care? Sure publication is necessary for the RAD archives yet he didn't have to think about you.

He shouldn't have to think about you.

Yet there he sat, scribbling through the papers on his desk to get your physical description as accurate as possible. A good headline may do? "The Tiny Lamb Turns Human!" — no. That's not read-worthy enough.

The last time he was ever like this was describing Lord Diavolo's newest outfit during one of the many balls he'd host back in the day. That article reached headlines as people exchange opinions on this "newest fashion trend".

Did he really pay this much attention to your appearance? You? An otherwise useless mound of flesh that's got everyone's attention?

"What did Diavolo see in you?" — whatever it may be, it made sense.

It should make sense. He trusts Diavolo's word for it, and he quotes: "the prettiest human to ever grace this land."

RAPHAEL ; "..."

...? Huh.

Raphael was very curious. It dates back to the first time he encountered you.

Frankly, at the time he had to look down to the ground as he didn't know humans could be so. . .

Short.

But now that the curse had once again faded away [perhaps], he tries to understand what all the others were fussing on about you.

His eyes peer over your form, taking in each and every detail. He has a sharp eye, though once you take a glance at him, you feel as if he's trying to memorize your form.

Don't get too appalled, he does not have a disappointed look on his face.

As much as he's observing, Raphael won't comment on anything. Positive, Negative, none at all — he just stood there quietly. He lets other people do the talking for him.

That doesn't mean he won't give a comment or two asking if you're alright... Well, your face was indeed contorted in horror for a few seconds before you felt the traumatic headache building up once more.

He never understood how people's eyes seem drawn toward your direction. He thought that it almost looked like their eyes were permanently glued onto you.

Well at first he assumed that it's with how cute you were. Luke and Simeon constantly talk about it over at Purgatory Hall, paired with Solomon gushing about his "adorable apprentice" like an overproud mentor.

Now? Raphael sees himself fallen victim.

Ah. You got him.

Hm? Oh! A message from heaven?

MICHAEL ; "Surprise Surprise.."

Such an adorable little sheep. . .

You didn't know—no one did—but Michael had been observing everything up from the top of the Celestial Realm.

He wouldn't say he was curious, but more or less intrigued by the idea of what you looked like. All he received was a glimpse of one of the many chaotic instances that you got yourself into.

Oh my, it was a delight.

A small chuckle escaped Michael's lips. With a snap of the finger, the cloud within the orb dissipates, gone from within the crystal dome.

If you ever meet in the far distant future, Michael has exactly one question prepared for you.

Human, what have you done to them?

A/N: and that's a wrap! Now the Michael thingy was just a bit of a silly idea and to be clear I have not yet played Lessons 40+ of NB so I have no idea what goes there- so that last part is purely for the feels ;v; There won't be a part 4 or further continuation for "Feeling Sheep-ish", so what comes after is now up to the reader's interpretation. Would also like to add that my schedule will be taking a toll for the next few months, so there will be an update in the rules. And this will be the last you will see of this formatting because I'm updating this blog's theme- but hey, now it's series exclusive! How about it? That's all and stay safe whenever and wherever you are ! !

divider/s by @/cafekitsune | artwork by NTT Solmare

[orphicdreamers-wp]

Girl Of My Dreams — Mat Barzal

Summary: In which Mat Barzal inadvertently falls for the oldest Hughes sibling and her brothers aren’t happy.

Content Warning; Taylor swift 1989 isn’t by Tay(its by reader) Mentions of University of Alabama (reader went there) Trevor Zegras being hopelessly in love with reader. Readers social media face claim is Addison Rae bc idc she’d clear as a WAG for a athlete.

Pairing: Mat Barzal x Hughes! Reader.

Mat would be lying if he said he didn’t sneak glances at the announcers box after meeting you. You had been carrying a plate of food and two margaritas to your booth where your friends sat. Tito had made a joke about you seeming familiar then the pair heard your voice and knew, “Alright now, eat up because y’all are bumming me out.” Mat’s jaw slacked, “He’d known that the Islanders had gotten a new game announcer who was a girl but he wouldn’t have known it was you. You were effortlessly stunning, you had captivated the attention of every straight man in the bar. Mat had approached you as you sat at the bar, “I’m Mat, can I buy you a drink?”

You grinned and spoke, southern accent slipping out, “I’m Y/N, I mean Barzy after the way you played last game? You better buy me a drink. ‘Yknow how many hate comments my broadcast got?” Mat grinned as the bartender approached you, “Another Corona Light and whatever she’s having on me.” You grinned sheepishly, “I’m fucking with you. I’ve heard worse.” Mat grinned, “So now would probably be a shitty time to ask you out?” You smiled at him, “Maybe not.” Mat smiled, “If I may, your not from New York are you? Where are you from?” You grinned, “I grew up in Toronto with my 3 younger brothers and moved to Alabama for college and been in New York for a few months now.” Mat grinned, “Well welcome to New York beautiful.” That was a year and a half ago. You still hadn’t told your brothers who your boyfriend was, just that his name was Mathew. Until your album release came creeping in and you wanted to go public with Mat.

Instagram

ynhughes; my album ‘1997’ is now streaming! thank you for all your support(especially the bf, ‘slut’ and ‘suburban legends’ are 4 us)

barzal97: celebrating you is my favorite pastime. i have never met someone who people gravitate towards more than you. you are by far the most wonderfully amazing woman i know. it is a privilege to say i love you🤎 this past year or so has changed my life. you make living easy and so so much better. i can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.

trevorzegras: alexa play that should be me💔💔

ynhughes: forever in awe of you mathew barzal. amazed a gal like me is lucky enough to be adored by you🤎

oliviarodrigo; THEY HIT THE PENTAGON!! @conangray

>conangray; told you it was them i saw at radio music hall!

ny_islanders; our roman empire is all the sweet posts for to y/n today🥹🥹

sydneyemartin: brb crying. the purest people in the world. so grateful my girls get to grow up seeing a love this pure that isn’t their parents.

>ynhughes: we adore your girls more than words can express.

_quinnhughes: my biggest inspiration is out here killing it. in awe of you everyday sissy🥹 thank you for being my best friend from day 1

ynhughes: in a puddle of tears quinny. thank you for always being on my side, even when im wrong.

sabrinacarpenter; hockey players making me ugly sob wasn’t on my 2023 bingo card

elhughes; my first babies🥹 extremely emotional over you all today

>_quinnhughes: we love you momma💕

jackhughes: 1997 reasons to love my meanie head sister, i guess her bf’s alright

ynhughes: i love you little brat, come visit me and mat!!

>jackhughes: will do, sissy🫡

trevorzegras: i can’t believe she won’t date me 😞😞

>ynhughes: buck up z, your way too young for me. perfect age for @sabrinacarpenter tho!

lukehughes: the worlds best big sister came out with the best album to date

ynhughes; really feeling the hughes love train today, i need to plan for all of us to be together soon! so y’all can meet Mat!

etnow; this just in; the Hughes brothers have brought tears to my eyes supporting their sister

barzal97: the third picture is actually the most accurate representation of your sister now

>lukehughes; always messing with those darn cats! even if they are on the side of the street.

[luveline]

jade i don't know if you're taking requests, this could be something super short if you want it to be! i am just dying to see rockstar!eddie and reader at a halloween party. i think he'd look so dreamy

rockstar eddie forever <3 fem, 1k

cw friendly use of the word harlot, rough kisses mdni

"Nice costume." 

You pick your head up where you've draped yourself across the pouffe and smile when you realise who it is. "Thanks, Munson. Yours is better. Super brave." 

"Fuck off." Eddie, very much not in costume, puts a knee between your thighs and bends over the pouffe and your splayed body, careful not to drive the stake in deeper. "Superglue?" he asks, hitting the stake in your chest lightly before putting his hands behind your head like a net to lift you up. "Come on, you'll give yourself a migraine." 

"My hero," you croon, sitting up at his insistence. "I have fake blood in my bag, if you want to be my slayer. Or I can just give you a hickey." 

"I'm good, sweetheart. Vampire wasn't outlandish enough for you?" 

"You know I don't stop at what's already been done." 

He snorts and drops your hands, not without kindness. "Where have you been?" your bandmate asks, the curls of his hair dark like oil slick in the red lighting. His pale skin is blushed with blood. 

"Around. Waiting for the hiatus to be well and truly over." 

"Well, you got your wish." He bends down to kiss your cheek. "Missed you, babe. Had a nice vacation?" 

"I did! Saw the 'rents, saw the world." 

"Don't tell me you stayed here?" he asks, gesturing to the walls of Jamison's lavish house with disgust. "The point was to get away from each other." 

"I like his company." 

"You let him fuck your brains out," Eddie corrects. 

"Come on, Edward, you know I only have eyes for you." You bring his hand to your lips and kiss the bone of his wrist, leaving behind a dark lipstick print and a more syrupy splodge of fake blood. "Your refusal to commit the sin of interband relationships is bumming me out." 

"Well, we can't have that," he says, knee again between your thighs, unafraid to rough you up a little as his hands get acquainted with the slopes of your cheeks, pressing your skin back to get an unfettered look at your blood-splattered face. "Once I kiss you, that's it. Not turning back." 

You beam. "Holy shit," you say, breathless, chest heaving in your tight corset and eyes like hearts as he smirks at you. "I don't wanna turn back." 

"You really didn't fuck Jamison?" he asks, eyes heady as they pour into yours. It's hard to distinguish the irises of his eyes from his pupils, the dark of them like dimes in the red-light. 

Eddie has a talent for removing the rest of the room. Whenever you're together, on stage, behind a camera, you have eyes for him and only him, and he's known that for a while. This will they won't they flirting has been a fun pregame but you're ready for the climax, the culmination, the bite of his rings digging in as he bites your lip. Your breath hitches as you think it, giving a wordless nod. "Of course I didn't fuck Jamison," you say, fighting to keep your voice smooth, soft. 

"I know," he says, leaning down. 

The wood of your stake aches between your sternum as his chest hits it, digging in, the kiss of a new bruise as his lips inch closer and closer. You can't close your eyes; you don't believe him. He won't really kiss you. 

"What?" he asks, blinking at your still-open eyes in milk confusion. "Don't want me to?" 

"You're stabbing my heart." 

Eddie rolls his eyes, yanking the stake off of your corset with a cropped ripping sound. "You're always so dramatic." 

"There's gonna be a real bruise there, I'll show you–" 

You lose your sentence as he kisses you. You truly aren't expecting it. Here, now? At some lame party in the Hills, where the biggest celebrities are literally him and the lesser known members of Cat's Club? You always thought Eddie would kiss you on stage in a throw of passion, or slammed up against a wall, a tour bus, a hotel bathroom door. This kiss is tame in comparison, though his knee juts between your legs and the grip he has on your face is as biting as you imagined, lines of rings embedding themselves in your soft cheeks, his lips stickied by the glucose blood and your wet lipstick. You grab a handful of his curls and there, as you've always imagined, is the scratch of his teeth as he pulls the flesh of your top lip between them and pulls. 

You're startled as he kisses it better. Dizzied as he sighs into your lips, a sound that feels like praise. You give into the pressure of his kiss and let your lips part under his, heat like nothing you've ever felt passed between you. His nose digs into yours, the bridge sliding hard as he turns his head this way and that, like he's trying to kiss you dumb. 

"Is it the costume?" you ask as he pulls away for breath, wide-eyed, startled and wanting and needing him closer. 

He tugs at your corset strings teasingly. "It's fucking everything. We were on a hiatus for two weeks and the whole time I'm wishing I kissed you before I left. You're gonna let me do it again, right?" 

"Uh, duh." 

Eddie practically rags you up off of the pouffe to the couch just behind it, "Think we can make everybody else leave?" 

"No–" He cuts you off again with a kiss, two rough kisses, a third, hands at your waist and pressing into you hard, lips pressing harder as he wades in, a laugh humming between your lips. White hot delight and the stupid delirium of giving in, no more than four kisses before he's being pulled off of you by the collar. 

"We have one fucking rule," Jeff says, Jamison with a handful of Eddie's shirt at his side having broken through the partygoers. 

You smile lazily and lay back in the couch cushions, a picture of ardency, fake blood smeared by kisses across your face and up one cheek, your corset ripped.

"Fucking look at her, man, what was I supposed to do? I'm but a mere human," Eddie says. He's whining, but he's grinning at you like he usually does when you conspire against the others, like you're his very favourite person on earth. "Fuck. Let me at 'er." 

You laugh more at his ridiculous overplay. Gareth stomps on his foot as Jamison chucks a pillow at your chest. 

"Harlot. You're a fucking siren." 

"I really don't get why you're all so mad," you say, delighted at finally having gotten what you wanted. 

Eddie winks at you. "Jealousy, babe. S'all it is. Jamie, man, unhand me. Me and Y/N have unfinished business. She has a bruise she wants to show me." 

"I'm sure she does. Idiots." 

[hawkland]

Art Masterpost: This Impossible Happiness Story by @friendofcarlotta Art by @hawkland / sidewinder

I'm always happy to get to work with @friendofcarlotta again and I know you are all going to love this story as much as I did! I just had to jump on it during @deancasbigbang claims as I am so keen on stories that reference The Winchesters' universe and explore all that it opened up with alternative worlds in SPN canon. (In fact I'm only bummed I didn't get to do some more art of those specific characters, but time and the extent of one of my other projects for this story got in my way. Maybe if I get the chance this winter when I'm promising myself a little time off from deadlines...)

The first image that immediately called out to me that I had to paint was Cas and Jack talking in Heaven while Jack is creating the skies. I had a really clear image of how to paint it in watercolor, and the biggest challenge was preserving the white of the paper (and I'll admit I threw in the bees to cover a small blemish/accident!) This was a large piece (20"x14") and I had to plan it out really carefully not to mess things up.

I then got the idea in my head that I wanted to try to paint each of the different versions of Cas & Dean in the story in tight close-up, to illustrate how they are the same yet also different. The first is what I called the "Winchesters Universe" versions, where Cas is a professor whom I visualized a lot like Jeremy Bradshaw in Bridgewater. This Dean is younger and has been raised in the hunting life but by supportive parents, so I saw him a lot like young!Dean in SPN but softer, happier.

Then there's " '80s Universe" Cas and Dean, who have had a rougher time of things before reuniting in the story. For Cas I used some reference caps from some tv work he did pre-SPN (particularly CSI: New York) that had a look I felt fit that particular character. For Dean I was thinking about him being of the same age as Winchesters' verse Dean, but having had a harder life. (And maybe a more 80s-style look and hair!)

And then of course there are our Cas and Dean, as we saw them in Season 15 (and for Dean, in The Winchesters finale episode.) There's a particular moment in the story I had in mind for their expressions but I don't want to say too much to spoil the story.

As a final project, I was trying really hard to closely match up these different portraits so I could overlay them and make a gif morphing on into the next. You can find that gif below the cut (or wait to see it when you read the story!)

Thanks as always to @friendofcarlotta for being such a wonderful and supportive bang partner! I loved this story and I know you will, too!

[satorufever]

"yuji is a bum" "yuji's just a side character"

shut yer mouth because yuji became a student at tokyo only a COUPLE of months before the shibuya arc. within THREE months he learned rct, surpassed gojo in black flashes, learned blood manipulation and unlocked his awakening. ofc sukuna's pissed off bc his biggest threat is a 15 year old boy who has little experience in the jujutsu world..

so if yuji itadori has no defenders, i must be 30 feet under laughing with the devil named sukuna bc what... I WILL ALWAYS DEFEND HIM!!!!

[pterodactylterrace]

Wrath of the Dragon

Title: Wrath of the Dragon

Summary: Fanfix of House of the Dragon Season 2. Some scenes were transcribed and left for the sake of some continuity between the show and the fic. Each chapter will be a rewritten version of the Green scenes in each episode, more faithful to the book and without butchering characters. It's unapologetically Team Green and pure copium. Enjoy.

Words: Aprox 4k

Episode: A Son for a Son

Warning: Death, child death, CA, allusions to CSA. B&C.

*Song used is from Tom Glynn-Carney's band, Sleep Walking Animals. Title: Ghost of a King

~*~

“Aemond… what has happened?” Alicent asked her son as he entered her chambers, dripping wet, his usually well kept hair curled with rain water and sticking to his face and neck.

“Lucerys is dead.” Aemond replies, his lone eye not meeting his mother, his tone emotionless.

“Aemond… what have you done?” Alicent gasps, covering her mouth in horror as realization begins to set in, her face going pale. “Mother, have mercy on us all.” She whispers in dismay.

Aemond turns his eye up to his grandfather, seeming to look through the hand of the king as he speaks. “I have won us the support of Storms End. Floris Baratheon will be my wife.” He continues on, undeterred.

“You only lost one eye, how could you be so blind?” Otto shouts as his daughter weeps.

“T’was a victory, grandsire.” Aemond insists, his voice soft and shaken. “A dragon rider was eliminated and we won the support of Storms End.”

“You slew Rhaenyra’s bastard!” Otto snapped, beginning to pace as his mind tried to untangle the mess presented before him. “Your nephew! Do you realize what you have done? War is now unavoidable!”

“You have brought the wrath of the Gods upon us!” Alicent weeps, grabbing onto her son’s riding coat, the smell of brimstone clinging to him as she clutches him close.

“Hmm.” Aemond hums, pushing his mother’s hands from him and leaving without another word. He didn’t tell them it was an accident. He couldn’t risk letting his family know he lost control of his dragon. Vhagar was their biggest asset, and carried with her a promise of their safety. No harm would befall them while the largest dragon in the world was protecting the city. They couldn’t know she had disobeyed him. He couldn’t risk them finding out. 

~*~

What a strange sight to behold. Aemond the fierce, still in his riding leathers, standing in the nursery with a baby in his arms, swaying back and forth as the child grabs at his uncharacteristically messy hair, pulling at the pale silver locks. Aemond has his head tucked low, his nose pressed into the white curls decorating the top of the child’s head, slowly breathing him in.

“Something has happened.” Helaena surmises when she happens upon the scene, Aemond not looking up from the baby as he gives a slow nod. 

“I woke him.” Aemond admits, wincing when Maelor grabs at the scarred side of his face.

“You needed the comfort.” Helaena assures him, sweeping past Aemond to wake the twins for the day.

“Good morning. Good morning! The best to you this morning.” Helaena sang softly as she gently shook Jaehaerys’s shoulder, rousing the boy from his peaceful slumber before turning to his sister, curled up on her stomach with her bum hiked up in the air, her mouth wide open as she drooled onto her pillow. “Good morning. Good morning, to you.” Helaena finished singing, kissing her daughter’s cheek to wake her.

“Uncle!” Jaehaerys gasped excitedly, jumping up from his bed. His feet tangle in his blanket in his haste, tripping him as he tries to run to his uncle.

“Uncle?” Jaehaera grunts, still half asleep as she crawls from her bed, barreling towards her uncle with the grace of her father after midnight. Jaehaerys pops up, kicking his feet free from his blanket and joining his sister in her charge, both grabbing onto a leg as they slam into their uncle, though Aemond barely sways on his feet under their loving attack.

“Good morning.” Aemond greets them, absently pushing a loose strand of Jaehaera’s hair back from her face.

“Up, up!” The little girl demands, trying to scale her uncle like he was a tree in the gardens.

“He has Maelor!” Jaehaerys reminds his sister, tugging her free from Aemond before she can accidentally cause any harm to their little brother.

“No! Me up!” Jaehaera insists, angry tears gathering in her eyes when she was denied a morning cuddle. Her face turns red as she pushes her brother’s hands away, the tears spilling down her splotchy cheeks.

“No need for tears, Jaehaera.” Aemond soothes the little girl, kneeling down and shifting Maelor to one arm, catching his niece in his free arm and lifting her as he stands, letting the little girl stroke at his hair as she calms herself down.

“Jaehaerys, the chamber pot.” Helaena reminds the little boy, noticing how he squirms on his feet. 

“I think it’s a bit late for Jaehaera.” Aemond tells Helaena, noting the smell coming from the little girl he held close nonetheless. 

“I’ll get her a bath before we break our fast. Would you like to join us?”

“Yes… I think I would like that.”

“Uncle!” Jaehaera gasps happily, throwing her arms around his neck and squeezing him tight before squirming to be let down, rushing off to tell her brother the good news.

“You should bathe as well. Wash the night away.”

“Hmm.”

~*~

Aegon sweeps into the room, heading straight for the blonde toddler quietly playing with their toys by the fireplace, their back turned to him. He peeks over the child’s shoulder and looks up to his sister wife. “Where is Jaehaerys?” He asks, giving his daughter a small pat on the head and scanning the room for his eldest son.

“Attending his lessons.” Helaena replies, not looking up from the golden dragon she was embroidering. 

“And those are where?” Aegon presses after it becomes clear she won’t give the information without being asked.  

“What do you need of him?” Helaena sighs, adding another deft stitch.

“I’m taking him to the small council. He’ll be king one day, he must begin his instruction.” Aegon explains with a beaming smile.

“What if he does not want to be king?” Helaena questions, finally looking away from the fabric in her hands.

“Where is he?” Aegon asks with a smile that seemed more of a grimace at his wife’s words, crouching down to be at eye level with her.

“In the library. You must not interrupt his custom.” She cautions, Aegon seeming to think on her words for only a moment before stepping around her to look for his son.

“I am afraid.” Helaena admits just as he reaches the door.

“Don’t be. They’d be fools to come with Vhagar protecting the city.” Aegon soothes, giving her a reassuring smile.

“Not the dragons. The rats.” Helaena corrects, much to Aegon’s confusion. His lilac eyes quickly scan the room, as the servants also look for the offending pests, no one finding signs of the rodent's presence. 

“The Queen is an enduring mystery, is she not?” Aegon offers to the staff, effectively dismissing her concerns about the pests in her chambers. He takes his leave, making a mental note to hire more ratcatchers, hoping to put Helaena’s mind at ease. 

~*~

“Jaehaerys must learn the ways of the court if he is to rule one day.” Aegon proudly proclaims to the Kingsguard as he leads his son into the small council room. “Up you go!” He playfully growls as he lifts his son up the steps, laughing as he places the small boy down. The silver haired boy rushes to the table, his lavender eyes alight as he takes in his surroundings, excited to get to spend the morning with his father instead of the boring maesters.

 “Good morrow, my Lords! Mother.” Aegon greets as he rounds the table to take his place at the head of it. “What news?” He asks as he takes his seat with pride.

“Our letters to the North and the Vale have gone unanswered.” Otto begins.

“Cunts.” Aegon scoffs.

“The Stormlands should be ours after Aemond’s marriage pact to the Lady Floris Baratheon. I anticipate their sworn declaration.” Otto continues.

“My brother is raising the strength of the West to mass the Golden Tooth. But we-” Tyland begins pausing when the young prince picks up the yellow ball in front of him. “Yeah, thank you, my prince. That’s very helpful.” Tyland tells the prince as he gently takes his attendance marker from Jaehaerys and places it back in its holder.

“My nephew Lord Ormund musters his forces to sally forth from Oldtown. They expect to march quickly, meeting little resistance until they reach the Riverlands.” Otto cuts off whatever Tyland was about to say next. 

“My letters to Rhaenyra, has there been any answer?” Alicent pipes up.

“An apology for her dead son?” Jasper Wylde asks flatly.

“None, your grace. Between that and their blockade of the Gullet, we must presume that the Princess has refused the offered terms and war is now inevitable.” Orwyle responds, ignoring the Master of Law’s snarky reply. 

“Perhaps his Grace might lend his voice to our outreach?” Alicent suggests, though Aegon is too enamored watching his son steal Tyland’s attendance marker and taunting him with it. 

 “Stop! Enough!” Tyland hisses, trying to wrestle the ball away from the child.

“In hopes that new terms might, might be negotiated?” Alicent speaks louder, hoping to get her son’s attention. 

“Release it at once!” Tyland demands, looking around the room for help. “Would someone please?”

“Is the heir to the throne bothering you, Tyland?” Aegon asks, ignoring his mother’s pleas to continue trying for a peaceful resolution.

“No. No, no, not, not in the least, your Grace.” Tyland quickly responds, letting go of the ball like it burned him.

“Because I think he wants a ride.” Aegon continues, smiling at his son.

“Your Grace-” Alicent attempts to interject.

“A ride?” Tyland asks, confused.

“A pony ride.” Aegon clarifies. “Wouldn’t that be fun, Jaehaerys? Should the Master of Coin be your royal steed?” He asks his son who nods enthusiastically. Tyland laughs awkwardly, his eyes darting awkwardly around the room before landing on the King, a stony look on his face. The Master of Coin quickly stands, realizing the King is serious. 

“Your Grace! There are important matters to discuss.” Alicent reminds her son, unamused by the scene unfolding before her. “Despite Sir Tyland’s interruptions.” She adds in, her eyes flashing to her grandson, clearly blaming the boy for the interruption, in spite of her words declaring Tyland to be the problem.

“Very well. No time for amusements, Tyland.” Aegon sighs, nodding for him to take his seat. 

“Your Grace.” Tyland replies, as he takes his seat again.

“Off you go, Jaehaerys. Good boy.” Aegon dismisses his son, the cup bearer taking the child’s hand and leading him from the council room. “Where were we?”

“Rheanyra’s blockade has placed King’s Landing under strain. Those pressures will multiply quickly.” Otto continues on, undeterred by the interruptions. 

“Well, we should’ve just killed her when we had the chance.” Aegon laments. 

“Regrettably the opportunity for surprise has been lost, and with it, the chance to end this conflict quickly.” Otto gives his daughter a pointed look as he speaks. “We must play the board before us.” 

“If we are to break the Sea Snake’s blockade, we will need to bolster both the Lannister and Hightower navies.” Tyland points out. 

“We do have need for a new Master of Ships.” Orwyle muses, “We could offer the title to the young Lord Dalton Greyjoy.” The Grand Maester suggests as Aemond enters the council room. 

“Aemond, what is your business here?” Alicent questions.

“The King summoned me.” Aemond explains coldly. 

 “You have no seat on this council.” The dowager queen protests.

“Aemond is my closest blood and our best sword. I welcome him.” Aegon easily overrules his mother, much to her clear chagrin as Aemond easily strides to the map of Westeros on the wall. 

“The path to King’s Landing is through the Riverlands. We must establish a toehold there, at Harrenhal.” Aemond declares, his long fingers sweeping over the Crownlands and up to the Riverlands as he speaks. 

“The River Lords will either declare for me, or they will meet Vhagar and Sunfyre together.” Aegon decides haughtily. “Ah, and-and we can burn the blockade while we’re at it!” He adds in, clearly proud of his idea.

“Rhaenyra has dragons as well.” Alicent protests, her distaste for her son’s idea clear on her face.

“Mine are bigger.” The young king easily dismisses the threat. 

“If we lose the dragons to war, there’ll be no calling them back. We must proceed cautiously.” Alicent insists.   

“No. Fat, old Lord Tully will either raise my banner, or see his burn.” Aegon asserts. “We should fly to Riverrun”

“You are the King, your Grace. You must not put yourself at risk.” Cole attempts to dissuade the hot blooded king before he can make any rash decisions. 

“And Vhagar is needed here, to deter Rhaenyra from attacking in retribution for the death of her son.” Alicent spits, giving her second born son a spiteful look, which the prince ignores with a stony face. He had grown used to her microaggressions and passive aggressive comments over the last week and a half since he had returned from Storms End that fateful night. 

“Errors were made in the hours following King Visery’s death. We mustn’t compound them. You’ve already demonstrated your might, Your Grace. We must now favor patience, and restraint.” Otto advises. “I send ravens by the hour. Many and more houses will declare for you in time. History and precedent will come to your side.” He continues as Aegon idly spins his marker before him, clearly not interested in passivity. 

~*~

“Mama! Mama watch!” Jaehaerys calls out, waiting for his mother to look up from her embroidery before leaping from his bed to his sister’s, looking proudly to Helaena when he lands safely on the feather mattress. He turns around and leaps back to his bed, falling just short and thumping against the side of the bed rather than landing on top of it. Helaena drops her project, rushing over to her son and gathering him in her arms as he begins to whimper.

“My brave little boy.” Helaena soothes as he gathers him in her arms, sitting down in the rocking chair, hugging him close as he sniffles and whimpers into her shoulder. “That was scary wasn’t it?” She asks as Jaehaera abandons her toys, peering over the arm of the chair to her brother.

“I help!” The little girl declares, moving behind the chair and making it rock as her brother tries to hold back his tears.

“I-I want my-my s-s-ong.” Jaehaerys whimpers through his sniffles, his little fist holding his mother’s dress tight.

“You want me to sing your song?” Helaena asks, resting her cheek against the top of his head as Jaehaera rocks them back and forth.

“Dada.” Jaehaerys sniffs, turning his tear lined lavender eyes up to his mothers. “Dada sings it.”

Helaena looks up to her handmaiden, silently requesting her to send for the king while she continues soothing her son.

“Perhaps you two should lie down for your nap after your song? I can tell you are tired.” Helaena suggests, gently wiping the escaping tears from her son’s face.

“Dada sings first.” Jaehaerys insists, his sister jumping up and down behind the chair and chanting “Dada, Dada, Dada!” In agreement.

“So if your father sings your song, will you rest?” Helaena asks, Jaehaerys giving a solemn nod picking up his mother’s hand and wrapping their little fingers together. 

“I promise.”

“Yes? What is it? The rats again?” Aegon asks as he enters the nursery a few minutes later, finding Helaena still in the rocker, Jaehaerys half asleep on her shoulder while Jaehaera stood behind the chair, continuing to make it rock back and forth, lost to the rhythm of the movements.

“Dada.” Jaehaerys mumbles sleepily, rubbing at his eye with one hand and reaching for Aegon with the other.

“He wants his song.” Helaena explains as Jaehaera pops out from behind the chair. “They both do. They won’t take their nap without it.”

“Alright, but only once.” Aegon agrees, caving instantly at the pleading, sleepy looks on the twin’s faces. Aegon lifts his tired son into his arms as his daughter quickly clings to his leg, almost making him trip as she latches onto him, giggling as he stumbles trying to catch himself.

“I’m a little dragon, strong and stout.” Aegon begins, stooping down to take his daughter in his other arm, his son resting his head against his shoulder. “Here is my tail, here is my snout.” Aegon continues, patting his son’s bottom and kissing his daughter on the nose.”If I get upset, you better watch out.” He sings, spinning with his twins in his arms, both giggling and clinging to his doublet. “I’ll roar and shout and stomp about.” He finishes, bouncing the twins in his arms while stomping his feet, much to their delight. 

“Nooo, the other song!” Jaehaerys insists, refusing to release the collar of his father’s doublet when he tries to set him in his bed.

“What other song?” Aegon asks, craning his neck to look down at his son.

“The ghost king!” Jaehaerys reminds him as though it is the most obvious thing in the world.

“And you promise you’ll sleep if I sing you that one?” Aegon asks, both twins nodding as he sets them on their beds.

“I saw the ghost of a king today. I saw the ghost of a king today.” Aegon begins as his children pull their blankets up to their chins. “Ivory bone and two babes in his arms. The weight of the world having killed his charm. Cuts at the trees and hunts the deer. Reared for slaughter when the bows are near. He said hey I got kids now a house and a wife. This is my new death now this is my life.” Aegon pauses, Jaehaerys giving him an offended look when he tries to cut his song short.

The king can’t help but chuckle as he continues. “ And I, Know you, You, I know you, You. Turns out the lights to escape from the moths. Sits in the dark with a painting awashed. With the life that he wishes would meet him in death. Remembering tales as he takes his last breath. So take all the money and choose a new door. Cause change isn't change when you know whats in store

Oh it might seem you don't know who I am anymore. But you're the only one who knows the person I was before…” Aegon’s voice slowly drifts off when he sees both twins have lost the battle to stay awake, taking a moment to admire the two pure lives he helped to create. “Sleep well.” Aegon adds softly, pressing a kiss to their foreheads as Helaena tucks them in properly, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze before turning to leave. He pauses at the doorway, looking back and peeking in at the sleeping Maelor, watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest, his long white lashes kissing his chubby cheeks and a mop of silver curls sticking out at odd angles from his head.

“Do not wake him.” Helaena insists, seeing Aegon hovering over the baby. Aegon flashes her a smile over his shoulder, leaning in and kissing the baby’s forehead before leaving to attend court.

~*~

 “You know the Keep. You know of it’s hidden passages.” The voice of a cloaked figure breaks through the quiet of the night.

“Who are you?”

“You are a ratcatcher in the Red Keep, yes? Tell me, does the crown pay you well for your services?” The figure continues on, staying just out of the light of the fire, a larger figure looming behind him.

“They pay well enough.” The ratcatcher finally replies, unsure if this was a trick to land him in trouble with the crown.

“I can pay you better. And you don’t have to kill anything. Just lead the way for my friend here.” 

“Lead him where?”

“The true Queen’s son has been slain by Aemond Targaryen. The scales must be balanced. A son for a son.”

“You want us to kill Aemond Targaryen? What if we can’t find him?”

“Then you go to the Tower of the Hand. To the Dowager Queen’s chambers.” Daemon instructs, a smile curling on his face.

~*~

“Mama, come on.” Jaehaerys sighs, tugging at his mother’s dress. “It’s time to go see grandmother!” The little boy reminds her, taking his sister’s hand as she runs to the door, eager to see her grandmother and get a treat before bed. Helaena collects Maelor from the wetnurse, thanking her and tucking the child close to her chest, following after her twins as they rush off to their grandmother’s chambers.

“Drag!” Jaehaera gasps, pausing before crossing the dry moat and staring up at the twilight sky as a dark shape passes over them.

“Vhagar! Uncle!” Jaehaerys cheers, waving up at the dragon patrolling the skies, looking back to his mother. “Did he see me?”

“I don’t know. We will have to ask him later.” Helaena tells her son, smoothing his hair back from his face.

“UNCLE!” Jaehaera screams out, jumping and waving her arms over her head. “UNCLE!!!” 

“We mustn’t distract him. He is busy keeping us all safe.” Helaena explains, Jaehaerys quickly takes his sister’s hand.

“I’ll keep you safe too!” The little boy declares, proudly marching over the drawbridge, leading the way to his grandmother’s chambers. Jaehaera slips her hand from his, racing her brother up the stairs and bursting through the door.

The air felt wrong as soon as Helaena entered the room. First, she saw her mother’s handmaiden laying on her bed, her eyes wide and unfocused. It took the Queen a moment to realize she was dead. Before she had a chance to grab her children and flee, she heard her own guard give a shout, turning to see a large man pulling a knife from the guard’s throat, blood staining his white cloak as he fell to the ground, never even having the chance to draw his sword. 

Alicent screamed through her gag, jerking at her wrists binding her to her chair as someone else snatched Maelor from Helaena’s arms, holding a knife to his throat while the large man grabs hold of Jaehaera’s arm and drags her to the other side of the room.

“No! Leave my sister alone!” Jaehaerys yells, holding his sister’s arm and smacking uselessly at the man’s wrist, trying to make him let go. 

“Scream and you all die.” Cheese warned the Queen as Blood snatched Jaehaerys by the arm, wrenching his grip from his sister and shoving the little girl to the ground.

“Who are you?” Helaena asked, her voice shaking as she instinctively reached for her children, stopping when Blood yanked Jaehaerys’s head back by his hair and held his knife to the boy’s exposed throat.

“Debt collectors.” Cheese replied. “An eye for an eye, a son for a son. We only want one, t’ square things. Won’t hurt the rest o’ you fine folks, not one lil hair. Which one you want t’ lose, Your Grace?”

Helaena’s blood ran cold as his words sunk in, her mind racing with how she could possibly save her children. “Me! Take me!” Helaena pleads, falling to her knees. “Please. Don’t hurt my children. They’ve done nothing. They are innocent.”

“A wife’s not a son.” The large man holding Jaehaerys replied. “It has to be a boy.”

“You should choose quickly, Your Grace, before my friend grows bored and decides to entertain himself with your little girl.” Cheese goaded the sobbing queen. “Pick, or we kill them all.”

“Maelor.” Helaena forced out, on her knees with tears streaming down her face. He was but a babe, he didn’t understand the danger he was in. It would be over quickly. The babe would never know what was to befall him.

“You hear that, little boy?” Cheese whispered to the child in his arms. “Your mama wants you dead.” Then he looked to Blood and gave a nod. Helaena followed his gaze and screamed as Blood struck off Jaehaerys’s head with a single blow before her very eyes.

Time stood still as the little boy’s body crumbled to the floor, blood staining his clothing and pooling on the floor. Helaena gathered what was left of her son in her arms, sobbing and clinging to the little boy as the guards began to beat at the door, trying to gain entry. The bar finally splintered under the force, the Kingsguard rushing into the room, Otto and Aemond with them, having heard the Queen’s screams.

“Uncle?” Jaehaera asks unsurely, tearing her eyes from her mother and looking up to Aemond, her little body shaking as she holds up her arms to him. Aemond quickly picked up the little girl, tucking her face into his neck, trying to shield her from what she had already witnessed.

“He waved.You see him?” The little girl asked against his neck.

“Yes, Jaehaera. I saw him.” Aemond lied to the little girl as Otto unbound his daughter. The dowager queen pointed with a shaking hand to a painting, jutting from the wall at an odd angle, a trail of blood leading up to it. The Kingsguard pulled at the painting, revealing a hidden tunnel behind it, the trail of blood leading into the darkness. Arryk grabbed a torch, leading the way into the tunnels, a second knight followed, leaving Criston behind to guard the rest of the family.  

“Your Grace?” Cole murmured softly to Helaena, kneeling next to her and gently taking the boy’s body from her arms, letting Alicent lead the queen away from the horrific scene. He pulled off his white cloak, laying it over the boy’s body, staining his cloak with the boy’s blood as he was tucked in for the very last time. 

“Commander, we lost them. The tunnels are a maze.” The Kingsguard relayed as he came back in through the painting. “Ser Arryk is continuing to search, but we cannot find them in the labyrinth.”

“Tell the King.” Criston directs, his dark eyes staring at the blooming blood on his white cloak. “Tell the King his heir is dead.”

[dark-elf-writes]

I want a khr x pjo/hoo crossover so fucking bad

Like

Imagine the chaos

Skull the immortal stuntman is a son of hades who just,,, refuses to go see his dad because Reasons™️ and Thanatos lets him get away with it because he’s playing favorites

Hestia saw baby Tsuna once and went, “he’s Perfect” and gave him all the blessings ever (is he also a demigod, or perhaps a legacy? Maybe)

The gods seeing the Arcobaleno curse and just ignoring it because their assholes and don’t see it as their problem (the earthlings are some sort of divine race, possibly created to watch over humans so the gods could bum around)

Child of Hecate Mukuro?

Hibari has to be just Some Guy though, absolutely no godly blood

Reborn is also not allowed to be any part god, it’d give him too much power

(This spawned from the idea the Sky Flames are basically just Hestia and her hearth in a nutshell)

HELP THIS IS SO FUNNY

Skull being immortal not because wig any flame nonsense but fully because of his own daddy issues is perhaps the most in character and hilarious thing I’ve ever heard.

Tbh I want Tsuna to be a full demigod because the insult to injury of Iemitsu not even being his real dad and just in fact really bad at math is very funny to me but that leaves figuring out what god cucked Iemitsu. But I do however love the idea of him being Hestia’s little guy. You know she would be so upset with Iemitsu about Tsuna getting bound.

Zeus: *sees the mess that is the Arcobaleno

Zeus: Not my circus not my monkeys.

Hades: that’s easy for you to say. One of them is VERY MUCH MY MONKEY

Yes absolutely yes for Hecate and mukuro. (Possibly chrome as another child of Hecate or another god? Many thoughts.)

Oh hibari and Reborn have to be just some guys. Like there’s no other option. They would take over the world otherwise and it is also really funny for the two biggest god complexes to… not be related to gods in the slightest.

Squalo is a son of Ares. Xanxus is a son of Nemesis. Luss absolutely has Aphrodite blood somewhere in his family tree. Bel might be another Just Some Guy tbh that would be very funny

[lixzey]

hii happy birthdayy can you please do

no one's ever had me, not like you !

✨ give me a scenario + character for headcannons! with connor stoll and a daughter of apollo who write songs and plays the piano? tyyy

you are the music in me !

connor stoll x apollo!reader headcannons

a/n: please PLEASE let me know how I did with these 😭 bcs I honestly feel that these are meh 🥲 thank you so much for requesting, my lover!!

• Let me just say that Connor Stoll is completely head over heels for you.

• He thinks that you, his angelic pretty girlfriend, is the most amazing woman in the whole ass world. 

• Not only are you smart and caring, but musically gifted as well (duh, you’re the daughter of apollo, of course you’d be musically gifted—Connor told himself that a million times)

• Connor never really liked music, well, that is until he met you.

• He often says that you stole his heart with your beautiful, harmonic, lovely, angelic voice. (Yes, he is overdramatic.)

• The way you play the piano is the most ethereal thing Connor has ever heard in his life. The way your voice effortlessly blends with each note in perfect harmony, made the son of Hermes actually swoon. 

• He secretly records you play and sing, he is literally your biggest fan. The amount of recordings he has is actually concerning if he wasn’t your boyfriend. Pretty sure he could start a whole recording label because of it. He has a video recorder and a voice recorder on hand every time, it’s honestly so cute!!

• The way your fingers dance over the keys remind him of your gentle touch, the feel of your soft lips against his felt like heaven every time. 

• Connor loves stealing your notes, making you give him a kiss before he’d give it back (well, sometimes he needs more than a kiss before giving you back your journal.)

• LOVES GIVING YOU NICKNAMES!!! like little miss sunshine, daylight, my morning dew, lyric, harmony, symphony, sweet tune, and a shit ton more. Who knew Connor Stoll could be this creative? Hell, sometimes he’d even call you by song titles. Hey, out of my league! Whatcha doin’, fearless? I love you, uptown girl!

• Honey, at this point, every song you wrote is about him. This boy, this menace you love, he is like a poem you wish you wrote! 

• Remember those recordings? Connor loves twirling you around to them as the two of you dance by the docks or anywhere, really. He’d be fine dancing inside of a volcano as long as he’s with you. 

• The way he took the time to memorize you is honestly so cute???? He knows every little quirk and pet peeve you have. You’re this song he has played on repeat in his head at this point.

• Funnily enough, you got Connor to sing, and surprisingly, he has an amazing voice. Jesus Christ, the gods really gave you everything!

• Aside from those recordings he has, Connor loves taking photos of you while you play! His favorites are when the sun sets in the afternoon, casting a soft glow through the window where your ebony upright piano sits. He says you look like an angel with that soft glow.

• Connor has your original songs memorized, like tunes and everything. 

• He brings an extra small notebook and pen in his pocket in case you need it because he knows how hard it is to stop when an idea comes into mind. He hates to see you so bummed out because you forgot a melody or a tune, even a lyric. 

• This boy, despite being able to just steal, saved up money so that he could get you a special necklace for your first anniversary. It was a golden chain with an eighth note pendant with yours and his name engraved on it!

• The two of you love making playlists! Pretty sure he even has a secret wedding playlist because he is just so in love with you. 

• Every time you and Connor get the chance to roam around the city, he makes sure to get you a few records you like!

• If you and Connor were characters in a movie, you’d be Kelsey and Ryan from High School Musical. 

• Musicals? You bet Connor is taking you there on a free night (technically, he’s gonna sneak the two of you out, but it still counts).

• This silly little lover of yours will belt out the entirety of Hamilton with you if you ask him to.

• Travis calls him a simp, and Connor is fucking proud of it.

• Connor Stoll loves and adores  his musical side, aka you <333 

[lovelytsunoda]

crying over it all // clement novalak

summary: there are few things in this world more mortifying than failing your drivers test when everyone else your age has a license. it’s made even worse when your boyfriend is a racing driver

pairing: clement novalak x female reader

warnings: reader fails her driving test, which leads to significant self loathing, clem is just trying to be supportive and god I need someone like him right now

authors note: guess who failed her drivers test 🙃 I’ve rebooked it but now I have to commute by way of three buses to my college campus :( and don't even get me started on field placement...i wish i had never left it this long but at this point i need to trust to process and find some sort of way to move past it.

“I’m sorry, but you will need to retake your road driving test. I understand that’s not what you wanted to hear, but you need some more practice. you can see the full list of mistakes inside.”

it had been twenty minutes since she’s heard those words, and she still felt shaky on her feet. her hands had shook and tears fell down her face as she went inside, taking a number and waiting in a notoriously long dmv line to admit to the woman at the desk that she needed to rebook her test.

she didn’t want clement to see her like this, utterly defeated and trying not to scream her lungs out as she watched four teenagers in line in front of her get their licenses.

she was twenty one, for god sakes. she should have been driving by now.

she was sitting on the wooden bench, slouched I gracefully and letting the tears fall as she played with her car keys when clement found her.

what was the point of even owning a fucking car if she couldn’t drive it?

“oh, love." clem frowned, feeling his own stomach sink when he saw how distraught she was. "i take it that things didn't go well."

"could you tell?" she sobbed, trying to wipe her eyes. "was it that obvious? i hate myself, clement. how is it that i can't do something that pretty much everybody my age has been able to do since they were sixteen."

his heart ached as he heard her words. he'd passed his test on the first try, and he drove things for a living, so he's never really thought about what it must have been like for her, having to bum rides off her friends and family or to be bound to the transit schedule. while she was in college, it hadn't been the biggest deal, although it was a minor inconvenience. now that she would be working full time, the stakes were higher.

"i'm sorry, pretty girl." he frowned, pulling her closer, allowing her rest her head on his shoulder. "but you can take it again, and you know what you did wrong, right?"

"i start work next week, clem. i've looked up the commute and if i take public transit, it's almost two hours each way. and i feel like i'm a burden by constantly asking people for rides, or telling them that if they can't pick me up, we can't hang out. hell, my mother had to drive to my first date with you!"

clem chuckled at the memory, the image of a frazzled y/n stepping out of her mother's suv and frantically scanning the parking lot for clement. moments later, her mother had insisted to getting out of the car and introducing herself to clem. y/n thought that she would combust then and there.

"your mother loves me!"

"yeah, but imagine being a grown-ass adult and still having to get your mother to drive you to appointments because you don;t want to chance the bus route not aligning with your appointment time? i feel like my grandmother, and she's ninety, clement. she had her license revoked because she has cataracts."

"i know it hurts right now, but you are never a burden, y/n. your friends love having you in the car when they drive. hell, i feel like i drive better when you're next to me. i don't mind driving you places, you know. it means that i get to spend more time with you."

she smiled at the gesture, turning to allow clem to cup her chin and wipe some of her tears away. her face was flushed, eyes red and puffy. she couldn't shake the idea that she might have made a scene inside the testing center.

"i know. i just wish i could be more independent. transiting gives me so much fucking anxiety. i went over the curb when i three=point-turned and an old lady on a mobility scooter started yelling at me."

"but you never go over the curb."

"exactly! i think i was nervous, when i practiced the route with my dad, there were never any cars on the road. and i think after that happened, i got into my head and it screwed everything else up. i'm such a fuck up. i feel like i've let everybody down, especially you, since you helped pay for my fucking car."

'"hey, hey, don;t talk like that. you'll get it. i promise you. you know jenson button didn't pass his road test on his first try, right?"

she snorted, sitting up straighter, but still clutching clem's hand. "did he really?"

"yeah, and i think lando failed as well."

"yeah well, i've seen how lando drives. that doesn't surprise me at all."

having a laugh seemed to help, and at least now if people mwere staring at her it was because of the f2 driver sitting next to her, not because she was a grown woman who still couldn't drive and decided to cry about it, and then fling her keys onto the grass.

"i have some plans i might have to move around, and then i need to call my parents, and then my dad can take me out to practice a bit more but i have to trust that when i take it again in october, something goes right. because i know exactly what i fucked up."

she moved to get up from the bench, clm following closely behind as she shamefacedly handed him the keys to her volkswagen. well, the volkswagen now, since she couldn't drive it without someone who'd had their license for five years present.

"i'm proud of you for trying. i know that this was something you put off for a long time because of your anxiety, and even though it didn't work out, at least you tried." clem encouraged, his arms comfortably slung around her shoulders as she laced her fingers with his. "hey, it could be worse. you could have had your dad drive you here."

"clement, don't even joke!" she laughed. "you know that i hate taking transit, and that i don't always feel safe going places alone."

"i know. and if you ever feel unsafe, or too anxious to function, or just like you want to see my gorgeous face, call me. as long as im in the country, i will come and get you. and if im not, i'll send someone i trust."

"like who? max fewtrell? his driving is worse than landos."

clem snorted. "i meant ria. or pietra.

"thank you, clement." she sighed, leaning into him as he unlocked the car. "i love you."

"i love you more, pretty girl." he kissed the top of her head softly. "it will all work itself out, love. just you wait. and then you'll be the one driving me places."

TAGS:

@httpiastri @magnummagnussen @oconso @thatsdemko @scuderiamh @libraryofloveletters @diorleclerc @sidcrosbyspuck @cartierre @clemswrld @love4lando

[bubbipond]

Highkey, both the main characters are big losers lmao.

Wan can't:

Keep a job to save his life.

Not good at modeling or vlogging.

Can't cook or pay his own bills.

And won't go to physical therapy for his bum wrist.

Crashing on his friend's couch who is also a whole-ass physical therapist.

And can't pay for a cup of coffee.

The only thing saving him from being the biggest loser in this drama is the fact that:

His dumbass love interest is a famous-world-renowned chef who doubles as a broke-world-renowned chef.

He has to sell his restaurant to save his exes father and to top it off, the girl doesn't even want him fr.

He thinks the restaurant that obviously ain't making him bank is worth 20 million baht (nearing 600K in usd).

He dedicated a restaurant to his ex who basically said, bffr, and dipped.

And to top it off, let his "fan" through a competition knowing this little boy wasn't gonna do shit.

So, in conclusion, who is the reaaaaal loser here? Both, both of them are total losers. And I cannot WAIT til these losers are loser in love and heartbreak hehehehe....

[poorlittleyaoyao]

ngl I don't really like it when jgy hiding lxc is presented as this idyllic getaway at all because like uh. Canonically, in Xichen's own words, he found running away from the burning of the cloud recesses to be shameful, he's injured himself and afraid for his life, his father(in the novel) just died and while I don't think that guy's good for much Wangji cried about it so there's a decent chance Xichen is pretty bummed too, his younger brother is injured and taken to evil summer camp where he doesn't know what'll happen to him, he doesn't know if his uncle or any other family members he might be attached to are alive, and he's hiding out with some stranger who isn't even a cultivator who is endangering his life out of the goodness of his heart. I agree that there's no way jgy is hiding him at his childhood brothel, he definitely didn't go back there, he's only mentioned to be a book keeper at an unmentioned location which could be literally anywhere? Ye olde literacy rates were not high, a literate dude who was good at math could get a job without having to slink back to trauma central. I just think that the whole experience was kind of awful and that's why they bonded so strongly, with maybe moments of peace before the reality of their situation came crashing back in.

YEAH. One of my biggest beefs with Novel Xichen is that he doesn’t tell anybody about Meng Yao hiding him, even when asked directly by his best friend who knows them both and wants to know how they know each other, even though this would have immensely helped Meng Yao and a letter of recommendation is the least you could do after a guy of low social standing risked what little he had to save your life. And the only way that choice makes sense at all is if the shame and pain associated with that time cuts him so deeply that neither duty nor gratitude can compel him to speak of it. If it was foremost a soft romantic getaway, then Xichen’s refusal to speak of it is beyond selfish (and tbh would imply that he was ashamed of Meng Yao in some way, since Meng Yao himself only keeps silent out of deference to Xichen). Not cute! Bad actually!

I can see it working as idyllic in CQL canon to a degree, due to the timeline changes. Meng Yao has just been exiled from Qinghe, so he too has been abruptly rendered homeless and friendless. They already know each other and are finding each other again in similarly-traumatized states. For this version of Xichen, Meng Yao caring for him would have less shame attached to it, because it’s not “despite being the new leader if one of the great cultivations sects, I’m now so helpless that I must rely on this poor stranger’s kindness” in this canon, it’s “the small kindness I showed before is now being repaid a hundredfold by my friend’s trusted deputy.” (There’s a post I remember seeing about how Meng Yao’s kindness would be vital to Xichen maintaining his view that the world is ultimately a just and good place that I think is true for both canons.) Meanwhile, Meng Yao in this canon is relieved to find Xichen safe, and having lost his former standing because Mingjue doubts his integrity, he would be basking in the glow of Xichen trusting him and thinking he’s a good person. I know the change in motivations/circumstances isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (because yeah, “helping the guy from your meetcute” isn’t the same vibe as “helping a stranger because it’s the right thing to do”), but I do think in CQL the changes lend themselves more readily to Xiyao enjoying each other during their time in hiding beyond bonding through shared hardship.

[duckprintspress]

Did you know? So far this April, Duck Prints Press has put out 10, yes t.e.n., new short stories? Two to our website, and eight to our Patreon! Learn all about them now...

Website Releases

Title: Foundations Author: Johnathan Stern

F/F, Science Fiction, Meet Cute on Mars

Addison is browsing the stacks of the Valles Marineris Coprates Chasma University Memorial Library when she's shocked to find someone looking for the same obscure book about the history of space travel that is.

-

Title: Worlds Apart (but Still Close) Author: Sanne Burg

F/M and M/M to F/M/M, Urban Paranormal, Confessions of Mutual Attraction, When in Doubt Fuck it Out

Flo is consistently frustrated with how her boyfriend Arthur's bodyguard Kacen is always watching her suspiciously. But when she discovers Arthur and Kacen in bed together, it casts a whole new light on the relationships between the three of them, and Flo finds herself considering possibilities that had never dawned on her before.

Patreon Releases

Title: Coffee For My Valentine? Author: Cedar McCafferty-Svec

F/F, Contemporary Romance with a Splash of Magic, Bookshop-slash-Coffee-Shop Meet-Cute, Heat Resistance for the Win

Valentine's day is invariably a disaster for Nissa. And when she starts this Valentine's work day by spilling coffee all over a new customer?

Maybe she should have just stayed in bed this morning.

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Title: Glass Slipper: A Dance Author: Cedar McCafferty-Svec

F/NB, Fantasy, Dating Royalty is Hard Even if Your Stepmother Isn't Evil, Attraction at First Sight, Getting to Know One Another

Going to the ball was Marienne's dream, but it still never occurred to her that she'd catch the eye of the Royal Heir Apparent. Their dance is a dream come true, and their walk around the gardens together helps demonstrate they could have a future together even putting perfect first-dances aside, but that doesn't mean things will be easy.

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Title: Into the Wyvern's Lair Author: Mikki Madison

F/F (Pre-Relationship), Fantasy, the Inherent Eroticism of Being Competing Mercenaries After the Same Mark (and the Same Pay Day)

Usually, Kella wouldn't take a job from a tiny podunk town in exchange for the risks of facing wyvern, but they're offering 25 gold pieces, and that's too much to resist. She doesn't expect the job to be that hard - it's not her first time facing a wyvern - but she also doesn't expect competition, in the form of a stubborn mage who has been hired by the same town at the same rate. But what she really doesn't expect is the wyvern...

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Title: Washer Wars: A Laundromat Feud Author: Samantha M. Piper

F/F, Contemporary Romance, Meet-Awkward, Sometimes the Only Difference Between Fighting and Flirting is Point of View

Every Saturday morning, before the crack of dawn, Dee goes to the laundromat to do her laundry alone and in the quiet, with her pick of the available machines.

Until the morning she's not alone anymore.

Truly, she doesn't know what's worse: the loss of her solitude, or that this intruder has taken the biggest washer.

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Title: Fool's Gold Author: Eliot Lovell

M/M (Pre-Relationship), Fantasy, Dragon Hordes and Lifelong Dreams, Hurt/Comfort

When Tomas sets off to defeat a dragon, he does so despite the aches and pains of growing older and a bum hip. Little does he expect that his attempt to be a valiant hero will be derailed prematurely when he's set upon by wolves. After they leave him unconscious in the woods, the last thing he expects is to be rescued and nursed to help. But he has one burning question: who found him, and why?

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Title: Escape Author: Sanne Burg

F/M + F/M Established Relationship with Partner Swapping, Contemporary Romance, Middle-Aged Characters, Friends with Benefits to Lovers

Anxiety means that it doesn't take much to push Liam into needing some quiet time to himself, and he's so appreciative of his wife Alice taking the initiative to get him that quiet time.

He's slightly less appreciative when their friends-with-benefits partner-swap married friends Dan and Lola show up, especially considering that it was finding RPF fanart of him and Dan having sex that triggered Liam's anxiety in the first place...

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Title: Old Kings and New Author: Lyonel Loy

M/M, Fantasy, Omega/Omega, Middle-Aged Characters, Bonding Over Shared Favorite (Rape Fantasy) Books

No one in their right mind would name Isemund king, but he's the only heir left, and so the council names him and then flees before the conqueror Caith can seize the castle.

Isemund is prepared to die at the hands of the invader.

Caith has other plans in mind.

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Title: Georgia Rain Author: R. L. Houck This is a sequel to the Patreon-exclusive story "Pretty 7 Days a Week"

F/NB, Contemporary Suspense, Reunion after a Long Separation, They Work Hard for the Money, You'll Never Guess How This Sex Romp Gets Interrupted...

Four years after the events of Pretty 7 Days a Week, Tomas, who has changed their name to Aster, has built themself a new, better life no longer working on the streets.

The last thing they expect is for Lydia to come sweeping back into their life. It's also the last thing they want...or so they keep trying to tell themself...

So, Looking for New Queer Short Stories to Read? Visit Our Webstore and Become a Patreon Backer Now!

[ilikestuff69]

For season 2 of House of the Dragon, showrunners or the writers or someone like that said that “season 2 will make you question which side you defend.”

I’m sorry but I literally don’t know what Rhaenyra could do to make me turn against her. (Spoilers for episode 1 is season 2 here) Daemon (who’s one of the biggest players on Rhaenyra’s Team) literally just sent assassins to kill a child and I was like, “that is truly, truly horrific… wouldn’t have happened if they didn’t usurped the throne from her.” Like, I know that that’s bad, but if I’m out here trying to justify child assassination, I don’t know what you could to make me turn against this team or at the very least Rhaenyra herself.

Like, season one literally ends with Rhaenyra finding out her father is dead, finding out the Greens usurped the throne, having a stillbirth, having a funeral for that baby, and then finding out one of her sons was killed by a member of the Greens (yeah it was an accident, but I doubt that’s how the story was told. When the last people to see Lucerys alive see him running away from Aemond, (who has history with Lucerys and literally was screaming to take his eye from him, and then) and then Lucerys’ dragon is found dead and washed up on a beach, most people will assume Luke’s death was intentional).

Then, in the first episode of season 2, Rhaenyra’s only scenes are her looking for proof that her son is dead, finding the proof that her son is dead, declaring that she wants Aemond Targaryen to die, comforting/grieving with her oldest son (while also probably feeling relief that Jace was able to make it back) and then having a funeral for Luke. This along with the ending of season 1 happened in like, a couple of weeks(?)

And what were the Greens doing in that timespan? They lost Viserys and then immediately after his passing, they undermined what he wanted for years and put Aegon on the the Throne instead of Rhaenyra and then they were literally just chilling in Kingslanding when they weren’t accidentally starting the oncoming war early (Aemond) or being the worlds biggest hypocrites (Alicent and Criston).

And you can call me biased (because I am) but I’m not siding with the Greens because I literally hate every member on that side, except for Helaena and sometimes, Alicent. But, Aemond? Aegon? Criston? Larys? Otto? Bums. All of them.

[blurglesmurfklaine]

hello nobody asked but here are more unsolicited Newsies Uno ReVerse thoughts that I can NOT get out of my head

Crutchie is Jack’s brother, but he never expects him to go out selling with his disability

When Les and Davey meet Crutchie for the first time, Les tells Jack something borderline offensive like “Why didn’t you tell me youse had a little brother with a bum leg? Between my face and his leg, we coulda been making MILLIONS this whole time!”

Davey is appropriately embarrassed and apologizes profusely on his brother’s behalf

Davey is obsessed with Portland, Oregon (it’s his Santa Fe) somewhere he can get away from the heated claustrophobia of the city, lock himself away in a cabin and finally put down on paper the little stories he tells himself to get through the day

Jack volunteers to go to Brooklyn with Davey

Les is the one hauled away to the refuge after Seize The Day

David and Katherine are the ones who hit it off, and Jack is The Pining One (TM)

Post-Rally, the Something To Believe In scene starts off with Kath confronting Davey and i don’t have details but I do have this piece of dialogue:

“If you weren’t a girl, you’d find out exactly why they call me Mouth.” “I think your inability to shut up might have something to do with it.” “No, it’s because when I hear someone talking about something they have no idea about, I aim for the mouth. And I don’t miss.”

And then Kath kisses him and Davey’s like omg??? Do I…..??? Like girls??? (Bc living in a house full of boys there’s no WAY he doesn’t already know he’s gay (umbrella term))

This Affects Post Canon bc I said so. Fun Post Canon Stuff (it’s fun for ME. Probably not for yall. You’ll call it angst or something):

Jack catches a Davey and Katherine kiss when they win the strike and it kind of makes him Unwell

Davey gets a job writing for The World

Jack has a hard time adjusting going back to school, can’t focus, realizes he’s happiest when he’s with the newsies (and Davey)

He brings up to Medda the idea of dropping out to get a job. She agrees because she sees how unhappy he is and school really just isn’t I for him

Kath gets him a job as an artist at The World

This means he has to see Davey and Kath Together Every Day and it makes him even more Unwell (although he loves the art part of it!)

Davey notices this because he is Davey

Because he is Davey and is the smartest man in the room but also the biggest idiot on the planet, he completely misconstrues the reason Jack is Being Weird

So Davey invites Jack to hang out one on one, without Katherine and Jack accepts at first but it gets harder and harder and Davey is more engrained in his life than ever and he just can’t do it

So Jack stops interacting with Davey at work, blows him off outside of it, and generally starts distancing himself and Davey is totally clueless

Finally, he goes to Katherine and complains about it and the conversation goes something like this:

“I thought spending time alone with him, away from you—no offense—would make him feel better. You know, remind him that no matter what’s going on with you and me that he’s still my friend.”

“I think that’s part of the problem, Davey.”

“I mean yeah. Truth be told if he and I weren’t friends I doubt you and I would even be an issue. I think he’d just go for it.”

“…… What?”

“I think he’d ask you on a date outright, instead of feeling guilty about his feelings for you.”

“….. oh my god you fucking idiot.”

Don’t ask me how this is resolved because i have absolutely no idea :)

[666writingcafe]

An Interview With Levi

Part Two of a New Series

Question One: What turns you on?

Oh, we're starting here. Okay...um...info dumping? Like, I enjoy listening to someone talk about something they're passionate about, especially if it's something that requires a lot of skill and/or knowledge.

Question Two: What kind of kiss appeals to you?

I'm a sucker for a kiss on the cheek. There's something so sweet about it that makes my heart race.

Question Three: What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

Even though this is ongoing, I'm proud of the fact that I've been able to overcome some of my social anxiety.

Question Four: What is a positive childhood lesson that helps you even today?

This is gonna sound stupid, but "sharing is caring". I've found that the more I trust someone, the easier it is for me to share. It's a sort of litmus test that I use to determine someone's character.

Question Five: What advice would you give your younger self if you ever met?

People care about you more than you think. Don't allow your insecurities to push them away.

Question Six: What is your greatest fear?

It used to be rejection, but now it's waking up one day and finding out that Mammon sold all my stuff.

Question Seven: If you could fix one of the biggest problems in the world, what would that problem be?

Racism. It seems to be a huge problem across the three realms, and I don't think that's right. You can't judge someone solely based on the color of their skin or the type of being they are.

Question Eight: What’s the best surprise you’ve ever received?

Okay, so there was this limited edition Ruri-chan figurine that I really wanted, and the website said there was one left, but when I went to buy it, it had been sold. I was really bummed about it for a while, but then one day MC comes in my room and gives me a wrapped box with a bow on top. Turns out, they bought the last figurine specifically so that they could give it to me as a gift. I nearly dropped the box the figurine was in out of shock.

Question Nine: If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

Scare Mammon. He has a fear of ghosts.

Question Ten: If you were stranded on an island, which three items would you be unable to live without?

Other than food and water? (Yes.) Okay, um...my phone, its charger, and my goldfish.

Question Eleven: If you had the chance to ask your future self one question, what would it be?

There are so many questions that I'd want to ask that I'd probably end up overwhelmed by having to choose just one.

Question Twelve: What is the weirdest food you love to eat for breakfast?

Waffles drizzled with ketchup.

Question Thirteen: What is the most embarrassing autocorrect fail you have ever had?

One time, when I was texting Mammon to pay back the money he owed me, the word "money" autocorrected to "mommy". He teased me about it for days. It was awful.

Question Fourteen: What is the most bizarre thing you have seen someone do in public?

Solomon. Just...he's a really strange guy, and anything he does in public is bizarre to me.

Question Fifteen: What is the craziest dream you have ever had?

Intentional or unintentional? (What do you mean?) There are times where I ask Belphie to create a specific dream for me, mainly whenever I've been up for days and need to go asleep and stay that way for a while. (Would you mind sharing one?) The one that comes to mind and that fits the question is one that required coordination on everyone's part to make possible. To disclose more than that would be breaching their privacy, and I don't feel comfortable doing that. (I see. Well, how about an unintentional dream?) I once fought dinosaurs with Ruri-chan, but the dinosaurs were my brothers, and I didn't want to hurt them, but they were attacking Ruri-chan's village. It was a really strange dream.

Question Sixteen: Who do you think is more romantic, men or women?

I think they're equally romantic. I feel like women tend to go for the grand gestures, while men focus more on the small things, but that's hardly universal.

Question Seventeen: What do you think makes a person attractive?

Confidence.

Question Eighteen: What do you think is the difference between romance and love?

One's a blazing inferno of emotions, and the other is a single candle lighting up a room.

Question Nineteen: What would be the name of the book written on your life?

Probably "The Insecure Otaku", although I'm sure that answer will change as I get older.

Question Twenty: What is a quirk of yours you feel comfortable sharing?

I can sing a bunch of anime theme songs backwards.

Question Twenty-One: What is the dumbest question you were asked?

Every other question asked by Mammon. It's not that he's stupid; he just doesn't think things all the way through before he opens his mouth.

Question Twenty-Two: Have you ever been kicked out of any place?

A human world aquarium.

Question Twenty-Three: Would you rather fight a hundred ant-sized horses or a single horse-sized ant?

What kind of horses are they? (Wild stallions.) And the ant? (A fire ant.) Fuck that; I'll take the horses any day. I'm not messing with a fire ant.

Question Twenty-Four: Where would you take aliens first if they ever approached you?

It honestly depends. If they asked me to take them to a specific place, then I'd probably oblige, but if they pull the whole "take me to your leader", then I'm taking them to Lord Diavolo and making him deal with it. He'd probably get a kick out of it, if I'm totally honest.

Question Twenty-Five: What song would be the theme of your life?

You know those songs that are insanely loud and the singer is screaming and you can't understand a word they're saying and you're overwhelmed by the sheer amount of noise? That's basically the story of my life.

Question Twenty-Six: Would you prefer a pause button for the globe or a rewind button for your life?

Honestly, I don't know. There are too many variables. Is there a force field that's created by the pause button that makes it possible for you to still move? If there is, can you put anyone else in that force field? And then there's the rewind button. How far back can you go? How do you return to the present? Are you even able to, or are you forced to relive that portion of your life all over again? Do you retain the knowledge of your present self, or do you revert back to the person you were at that point in your life?

Question Twenty-Seven: Which dad joke is your favorite?

I like the punny ones. They make me snort in amusement.

Question Twenty-Eight: What is the most inventive way you can think of to use duct tape?

Ask Lucifer. He can turn the most ordinary objects into torture devices. He's like a spy in that regard. Or maybe a ninja.

Question Twenty-Nine: What rule, if any, would you add to the game of hide and seek?

Being able to come up with punishments for the people that you find.

Taglist: @lost-in-time-wanderer, @fuzztacular, @dianedancer18, @sweetbrier2908, @flare-love, @completelyshatteredbrokenmschf, @thunderlightning351, @l3v1chan