#honestly I think that i am a pure genius. don’t you think so.

[angelyuji]

I saw this post

https://www.tumblr.com/angelyuji/760364279022190592/vampire-stan-and-frankensteins-monster?source=share

And I raise you Dr. Frankenstein Ford with Frankenstein's monster reader, but instead of rejecting you he gets a little too invested in his creation....

oh u cooked. i honestly think i started with dr frank ford but i was like technically he’s human but anyway no smut sorry

tw // grooming, dubcon, (i cant think of anymore so pls lmk if i missed any)

he first created you to see if he could create life, to see if his genius is truly that great. then when you first breathed, he felt like he truly created something amazing. you are supposed to be better than him, better than humans. but... he doesn’t really see you as your own person, to him, you are and forever will be his creation.

at first, his goal was just to teach you how to act like a regular joe yk. so when you ask him why you look so different from people outside, he’ll get scared that you’ll be treated like he was when he was younger and he’ll try to scare you into staying inside.

it’ll work, but you’ll grow restless. watching movies and shows about humans making you increasingly more curious. he never lets you watch anything explicit, fearing that it would dirty your pure mind. however, when ford leaves for his research trips, you take the opportunity to watch movies that he had 'hidden' away.

“ford, have you ever kissed anyone before?” ford chokes at the question. you sit across from him.

“why-why are you asking such a thing?” he clears his throat, composing himself. you pout and ford's eyes drift down your lips.

"i saw in the movies that every human does this." he could see the innocence in your eyes, you were truly curious.

ford swallows, carefully choosing his words, "my darling, you shouldn't fall for these things. humans are disgusting, debaucherous creatures. haven't i told you to not watch these silly things?" he shakes his head, hoping you would drop it. you stomp your foot.

"humans are not disgusting!" your eyes well up, "i am disgusting!" you pull at the stapes and stitches holding various parts of you together. ford gets up, trying to stop you. "no one will ever love me." you wail and run off to your room.

ford's so confused on where the sudden shift in your behavior, but hours pass and you remain locked in your room. fearing the worst, ford decides to talk to you.

he sits at the edge of your bed, watching you silently lay. “kissing… and similar things,” you turn to look at him, “are things humans do with people they love. it’s not something that-”

“i love you. does that mean we can kiss?” your eyes shine and something stirred in him.

“no! i mean-” he sees the tears well up.

“you don’t love me?” your voice breaks and his heart stings. he moves to your side. he gently pets your hair, hand falling to rub your cheek affectionately.

“my darling, you are my creation, my world… of course, i love you.” ford coos. you open your mouth to talk and he holds a hand up to stop you. “if this is something you need, i will do this for you…." his hand touches yours, "i would do anything for you.”

GULP ….. anyway

it’s very much a weird situation but… im kinda into it idk

[imagionationstation]

WELL, SINCE THE LAST ONE WENT OVER WELL, LET’S HAVE ANOTHER FAV SCENE-

“Aw, man! What am I going to do? Save April and Mr. O’Neil? But what about Master Splinter?”

HE THINKING OF HIS OWN DADDY TOO! NOT JUST PUTTING APRIL’S FIRST- WAIT! Has Splinter been a part of his plan this whole time?! Does this mean that he hasn’t been working tirelessly just for April, but for his own father too? Sure, getting his crush back and fixing his mistake was a big part of the plan, but this kid clearly has his heart set on curing both. DONNIE, MY DUDE! STOP PROVING YOURSELF TO BE SO GOSH DARN SELFLESS-

“What about me?”

Broski, how long have you been standing there- 🤣🤣

“Oh, um. Hehe, hey- sensei…”

Genius in purple be acting sus. Further proof for new headcanon. Donnie has been planing to turn him human all along and wanted to make it a surprise. He feels awkward when this topic is brought up because A) Might not be able to now. B) he’s so used to keeping it on the down-low.

“Leonardo has informed me of the situation. You must split up to rescue April and find her father.”

Master Splinter knows exactly what’s going through his son’s head and is here to make sure that his priorities are in the right place. His intentions are honorable, but the conflict is unnecessary.

NEXT PERSON WHO SAYS THAT THIS DUDE DOESN’T KNOW HIS KIDS- Well. Honestly. I don’t get where you’re coming from. Respect to your opinion, but… How doesn’t he again?

”I’m sorry, sensei… This is all the retromutegeon I have left.”

HOLD UP- Why are you apologizing??? What did you do other than spend months of your life creating it? Stop with this misplaced guilt! This isn’t your fault! How could is possibly be your fault?! Actions speaking louder than words and your actions have been pure!

SENSEI, TELL HIM HE’S A GOOD BOY-

“I may not be human, but I am fortunate enough to have my humanity. Save Kirby.”

…Or attempt to reassure him of his worries. *cough* That works too.

This sequence tho-

Firm nod from an obedient student, but he still has the sorrow of a reluctant son. Splinter closes his eyes to collect himself, because he knows that he might be giving up his only way to become human, if even for a long while. The way Donnie looks so dejected tho. 🥺🥺

NOT ME THINKING ABOUT HOW HE NEVER TURNED HUMAN BEFORE HE’S RUDELY TAKEN FROM HIS SONS. NOPE. DEFINITELY NOT.

OKAY THAT’S ALL, BACK TO MY HOLE NOW

(Thank you for the encouragement to ramble @honorary-evil-genius)

[diosa-loba]

i managed to watch a little over half katt williams interview and scrolled through the many comments of praises. am i the only one who doesn't think anything he said was revolutionary, influential, enlightening, thought provoking, pure intentioned, came from a place of love, sparked change, solution based, uplifting of community, genius, selfless and deserving of all these praises?

i mean .. it's clear he doesn't "like" women at all by how he speaks of women, like a lot of these celebrities and “alphas” do, I just don’t get it. and unnecessarily criticizing the wives of men "he" doesn't like or "he" feels are doing undeservingly better than he is. also, calling a woman a whore, yet gave a porn addicted, women objectifier/dehumanizer some grace. any man who doesn't respect women and uses manipulating tactics and pandering to get us to go against each other, is either protecting himself or the patriarchy. .. and as a woman, i refuse to find any value in anything he says.

aside from me sympathizing what he went through in childhood and i can commend him adopting children (me being adopted myself). i mainly heard a bunch of hate, drama and gossip motivated in self-serving, "i'm better and know everything" ego, and so-called "truths" spoken in silly riddles. a person has a right to defend themselves, but drama among hollywood men is nothing impressing enough to warrant any praises like he's moses leading an exodus. if this is genius, the bar is extremely low.........vibrational.

what truths was he exposing, exactly? who and what do they benefit? i'd like to hear from women as to why you feel this interview deserves your praises?

no offense to men, but honestly tired of toxic men's voices loudly being heard, while healthy men's voices get drowned out. i believe it's partly why nothing changes. masses of people seem to flock to wherever there is gossip, hate and drama involved disguised in a charismatic persona and calling it "truth" .. this is why i care. these distractions hold freedom, healing and change back. the cycle is so sad and tired. enough already.

[nereidprinc3ss]

hii! i’m a small fanfic writer and i haven’t written in months. i just wanted to ask how do you keep yourself motivated?

(warning i’m abt to start yapping)

i get embarrassed when i write about certain characters bc i feel like i don’t characterize them well or im doing something wrong, and honestly i don’t know how to get my motivation back

i just wanna write abt our boy genius but idk where to start anymore 😕

well honestly i’ve never maintained an interest for as long as i have w reid/cm in general and while it does fluctuate in intensity i genuinely can’t explain why im still enthralled after over a year. like i have always been the person to get grotesquely obsessed with something and then find myself suddenly disgusted with it after like a month or two, so my interest being maintained in this dumb show is honestly like pure luck i guess lol and the fact that i havent hyperfixated on anything else since then? very very odd idk why that happened! anyway more below

also i just love writing, like i have loved writing my entire life long before i wrote fanfic and long before i wrote reid fanfic, so i think the fact that writing is so inextricably a part of who i am makes it easier for me to stay motivated because it’s not like my love of writing is contingent on my continued obsession with the character if that makes sense?

honestly just write him until you feel like you get him right, watch the show and study his mannerisms/how he talks, and write what YOU want to read, that’s super important, inspiration is easiest to tap into when it comes from inside yourself and not based on what you think others would like

it doesn’t need to be perfect there are a million ways to interpret a character!

and my best advice for writers block is to go back like ten lines and change whatever happened because when im most inspired the story literally forms itself and I don’t have to really stop and think about it very much as i go, so if i come to a dead end i just turn around and go a different direction!

but also sometimes you just truly may not have any ideas for a character or not have anything to say about them for the moment and that’s totally okay. in that case i go back and work on drafts or just read drafts, read my favorite fics, watch the show, and don’t force myself to write if it’s just not happening cause there’s no reason to do that

and also idk if this is universal but whenever i set hard and fast dates for myself to get a chapter done by or something i get scared and feel pressured and just completely abandon the whole thing so setting hard dates does not work for me at all and actually turns me off of writing so much

so that’s my advice!! i hope it was helpful<3

[beachyserasims]

♡ Intimate Moments | Autumn & Darion

* Autumn and Darion are talking in the shade lounge*

A: Ok, so let me get this straight… you, your father, AND your grandfather allllll have been following each other’s footsteps in the military? That is so amazing, and definitely what you call a legacy.

D: For sure. You know, its in my blood and I can feel it. It’s crazy, when I tell people I feel comfortable traveling across the globe to undisclosed locations to help lead a whole crew into conflict… People look at me kind of the way you are right now.

A&D: [laughing]

D: But enough about me, I wanna know more about you. What makes you tick?

A: Well, I don’t have as grand of adventures are you do… But let’s see… I graduated at the top of my class and am currently enrolled in the fashion institute of technology. Right after I started there I also started working for a magazine called allure, and that’s what I have been working on for a while now… So, yeah! That’s pretty much it for me.

D: So you are a true genius, I could tell. But, what do you do for fun?

A: What do you mean? I love what I do for work!

D: I get that, you don’t have to tell me about having passion for your job… But, what do you find yourself thinking about when… Hmmm, let’s say you get a whole week off of work, you have no homework, no responsibilities. What do you find yourself doing?

A: Oh my gosh, its been so long since I haven’t had something on my schedule… But, I actually love to play the violin. I don’t do it as much as I should… or want to.

D: That’s incredible Autumn! You should always make time to do what you love. If you don’t mind me asking, what motivates you to play when you do get around to it?

A: No one has ever asked me that before, but honestly, when I get going, the sound of the strings vibrating together in perfect harmony, it makes me feel like… Oh wow, this is going to sound so stupid!

D: Nothing you say could ever be stupid.

A: Ok, well you asked for it. When I hear the music I’m playing, I feel like I’m in the middle of a really great conversation with my closest friends. The kind where everyone is engaging and involved, and the beauty of our voices echo and create a symphony of pure togetherness.

D: That is so beautiful Autumn. You really are the most incredible, inside and out.

A: Thanks… You know, I’ve never told anyone that before.

D: Well I feel honoured

* hugs*

The Start || Beginning of Episodes || Previous || Next

[wibble-wobbegong]

The end of the year is near! Give a shoutout to your favorite blogs and tag them to spread positivity before the year ends! (from: a secret anon)

FUCK YEAH!!!!

okay my favorite theory/analysis blogs

@aemiron-main - actually i hate him. im lying. all he does is cause me unimaginable pain and suffering. no but genuinely a genius theorist and has eyes like a hawk!! he does a fantastic job at thoroughly combing the show and finding the littlest details that don’t make sense in order to build a bigger picture and i eat it up every time! love him even though i think he’s goading me to kill myself whenever he reblogs one of my posts and the tags start with “wibble what if i told you”

@bugsbenefit - my absolute favorite blog to read about narrative analysis from!!! they do an amazing job explaining oddities from a narrative position as well as identifying ways certain theories are either supported by or don’t work with the way the narrative needs to flow in S5. she’s also super skilled at keeping my attention throughout a post with the way she writes

@bylerschmyler - love this guy because they’re not afraid to point out the flaws of something and create counter arguments but they also aren’t doing that stuff to discredit a theory but rather challenge its strength!! like they won’t press on if the original theory can go against the counter points they make. PLUS they create incredible theories of their own!!! the mike is the 4th victim stuff is really good

@finalgirlbyers - idc if they consider themself an analysis blog or not because I do. they regularly have fantastic takes and explain things in a quick and easy to understand way. she genuinely has a great grasp on the show but she’s also very open minded which is always so nice to see!! like if you’re looking for short, sweet, banger posts that hit the nail on the head i am pointing at their blog

@heroesbyler - ok. stav is the only person whose analysis i have legitimately cried over. the approach she takes to covering the very serious and dark topics of stranger things is something i really appreciate because she doesn’t curve the pure horror of some of the stuff going on. if you really wanna feel just how horrific the gay horror show is i’d recommend reading some of stav’s analysis because she NAILS it and does not mask just how fucked up it can get.

@laozuspo - james always has some incredibly niche but great insight to the show!! theory wise, i’m always amazed by how intricate his research for a theory will get so when you read his posts it’s just evidence on top of evidence and it’s always really engaging and VERY interesting. radiationgate had me hooked for days because there was just SO much to explore regarding that topic and there were so many little details that just make so much sense!!!

@mlchaelwheeler - MY SISTER IN MICHAEL DEFENSE!!! one of the original mike defenders and someone who i trust to accurately talk about mike’s character, which is saying a lot because i’m Me. ALSO she kick started so many great conversations!! iirc, she was the one who made the original theory about henry having been the one who kidnapped will, not the demogorgon way back in like. June. she’s been on it longer than any of us

favorite authors :)

@andiwriteordie - ok SO i have to tell you guys that this shit??? my life hasn’t been the same since i first read this. i know it’s an older one but it’s in my top three fics of all time i legitimately adore it!! pure jet fuel for that last week before V2 dropped and honestly part of me still really wants that final scene to happen in S5 ngl. like it kills me every time i read it but it’s just so GOOD

@astrobei - oh suni, how i her love writing. always a GREAT time when you’re reading an astrobei fic, and i think my favorite is still this one!! it’s just got such a fun vibe and the characterization is immaculate and the plot is really intriguing! it’s one of those fics where you can’t stop reading even though it’s like half the length of an entire novel. sometimes sleep is worth the sacrifice and this fic is one of them

@blueeandyellowmakesgreen - top ten reasons to kill myself; this ficlet. jade i absolutely love you but this??? fuck you for making me go through that not once but TWICE. i felt that shit in my SOUL and it HURT. it hurt SO BAD. writing so good it makes you immobile for 6.5 hours because you can’t stop replaying the image in your head 🖕🖕 (<3)

@/byeler - ok not actually @-ing this person because we’ve never interacted and i’m not about to make a fool of myself by being a little fanboy loser BUT. absolutely incredible writing. reading this had me so fucking sucked in dude, like i was reading and reading and i couldn’t believe time had passed at all. pure romance can be hard for me to steam roll through sometimes but i genuinely forgot that I was a Person while reading that

@elekinetic - ummmmmm hello??? script writer of all time? you’re not just reading it, you’re not just watching it, you’re being transported inside the show with the way she writes. every single character is on point and she maintains the atmosphere of the show itself BEAUTIFULLY!!! my favorite script thus far is probably the one where eddie gets shot, though it doesn’t seem like it’s up anymore. the ending has me gasping out loud because i saw it happening in real time in front of my eyes

@smoosnoom - MOON!!!! OHHHHH MY GOD i can’t even recommend one specific thing because every fic is just soooooo giggles twirls my hair. i am the number one smoosnoom fanboy. i fucking eat that shit up!!! like, whenever it’s time to read a smoosnoom fic I don’t just open the fic i KNOW i’m not moving till i’m done so i get some snacks and get really comfy and then i dive in and don’t move till i’m finished. every fic absolutely slays i cannot recommend every single fic enough

favorite editors!!!

@strangersynth - do i really have to say anything?? it’s time. like no shit he’s one of the best editors around and i think everyone knows that at this point. THE editor!! absolutely obsessed with every video. i really like the way she takes clips that aren’t really character clips but just stuff you wouldn’t even really think of or remember to build the tone of the video and it always comes together so well!!! like it’s the small details that he nails and that make the videos so incredibly delicious

@/thatgaymood - ok they just made a lot of funny edits + they’re really good at adjusting audio/visuals to make the character say and do shit that definitely didn’t happen but it’s really really well done so it’s just. I don’t know how to explain it. i was gonna find one of the more popular audios but i was scrolling their blog and found this and it made me kick my feet a little cause like. idk watch it and you’ll understand

favorite artists

@blueeandyellowmakesgreen - and she’s back! art that is so scrumptious and delicious and like. It’s like spaghetti kinda ! anyway here’s my favorite piece from jade and i will never shut up about it ever because everything about it is just sooooooo chomping biting chewing slurping devouring

@bujomoss - Hsbebbdbva bc d bujomoss is fucking!!!!! i love the way they draw mike like i love it so bad it’s not even funny. everything they make is so so good and my current favorite is this piece they did but it changes like twice a day bc bujo never does anything that isn’t one of the best things I’ve ever seen with my own two eyeballs

@gmaybe666 - BARKING BITING OH MY GOD. ok just so everybody is aware i am the biggest gmaybe fan around. legitimately i am such a fan i could gush about every single piece they do for days on end. it’s just SO good and it’s an art style i cannot get enough of. i have to scroll through their art regularly or i’ll start combusting it’s like air to me!! if i could link every drawing i simply Would but for now go give this piece some love please please please

@new-ronantics - OHHHHH MY DEAREST EEVIE!!! <33 art that is just so pleasing to look at. like it’s like biting into the most satisfying meal you’ve ever had!! amazing texture but not in the art way like if i bit into it i think it would have the texture of something i cannot even imagine but i know it would be the greatest of all time. incredibly bitable art i wish it were real food so bad. top ten bitable images

@nnilkyway - BITES HIM. ummmm ok so im definitely totally 100% normal about his art! yeah no it’s not like i turn into a wild rabid beast whenever a new nnilkyway piece is finished no definitely not bc i’m just So Normal about it. this means a normal amount to me because i am So-

@/taeiris go to her fucking blog. not elaborating. fucking do it before I Find You.

and the non-st blog boys 💪

@ed89 - edward my funny silly guy 👊😼 it’s been a minute but he’s hilarious and his time in the st fandom will never be forgotten. also if he sees this hi ed guess who hit his first bong two days ago :)

@ronaldreaganoffical - me and ronald reagan have a bromance i don’t expect any of you to understand. they’re from way before i even joined the st fandom when i was hardly even a blog, so actually they’re one of my most treasured mutuals even though we’re no longer in the same fandoms. love you bro <3

[emotinalsupportturtle]

As much as I’m excited about 60th anniversary specials, David Tennant AND Catherine Tate coming back, RTD taking over again, Ncuti Gatwa as the new doctor etc do you know what I am most excited for? 3 words:

Murray Gold’s return

Sometimes just thinking about it makes me vibrate with joy and anticipation

That man is a pure and utter GENIUS and honestly wrote some of the best soundtracks ever. his music is purely magical and just so so good. The mixture of genres, how the music actually tells the story and perfectly encapsulates the characters personality is masterful. He has the epic tracks, the dramatic pieces, the contemplative ones, the bittersweet - I don’t know how but he does it all. There is also something so `’doctor who” about his music which is so iconic, I cannot explain

The new themes (60th anniversary, 15th doctors and Ruby Sunday’s) are FIRE and by god, I can’t wait for another whole dw era with his music

[el-255]

Literally no one asked for this but i decided to do my ranking of NPMD songs because I’ve seen some people do it on yt. I don’t post on yt and I’m shit at video editing so here we are-

This is all my personal opinions based on how much I enjoy the songs and how often I listen to them (also partly based on the scenes, choreo, etc) so please don’t lynch me, everyone’s allowed their opinions.

This was really hard for me because I actively listen to the songs from 11 onwards and I’m likely to change my mind as I listen to the album more so take this with a grain of salt. This is probably my favourite album that Starkid’s ever done.

Do not expect any coherent comments for this ranking as I’m terrible at articulating my thoughts, but just know that all these songs are incredible and they all hold a special place in my heart.

15. Go Go Nighthawks!

I don’t dislike this song tbh just very neutral towards it. I really enjoy the “fuck you Clivesdale” portion of the song but other than that, I can’t really say I listen to it. Kim and Bryce’s splits were incredible though holy shit.

14. The Best of You

This song, like many have said, is a bit too Disney channel for me. I like the scene and Steph and Pete are a really cute couple but not really into the song.

13. Bully the Bully

I love the scene for this, Angela’s choreo is brilliant and I think it’s a cute little song. The only reason it’s this low is because I don’t really listen to it outside of watching the show.

12. Bury the Bully

OKAY THIS ONE HURTS BECAUSE IVE REALLY GROWN TO APPRECIATE THIS REPRISE AND I THINK ITS BRILLIANT, HOWEVER, similarly to bully the bully, I don’t listen to it outside of outside of the show. Unfortunately cannot rank it higher than this as I enjoy the rest of the songs more :(

11. Nerdy Prudes Must Die

I’m ashamed that this is so low just purely based on Jon’s incredible “I’m not a loser” and Will Brenner’s amazing performance, HOWEVER, I’m not as into the rest of the song so unfortunately it is ranked as it is. The scene is pure genius though holy shit. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

10. Cool As I Think I Am

I had a hard time deciding between 11 and 10 but cool as I think I am just took it in regards to the fact that I actually listen to this song in my own time. What can I say? I’m a sucker for Joey’s Bug type roles and solos. Goes to show how much I enjoyed the album that this song I actively enjoy is ranked so low.

9. Dirty Dudes Must Die

This was originally higher on my list but I have since grown to enjoy other songs more but make no mistake, I think this is a great ending to the show and I adore Angela’s unhinged performance as Grace. The “who will pray for you?” reprise coming from Grace of all people is *chefs kiss*.

8. If I Loved You

Mariah and Joey’s vocals willed this ranking into existence. I love a good duet between characters who are obviously attracted to each other but for some reason, are desperate to act like they aren’t. While I don’t believe this is the strongest love duet in Starkid history (that belongs to the way I do imo), I do think it’s a sweet and a catchy tune overall.

7. Cool As I Think I Am (Reprise)

I did not appreciate this song as much as i should’ve when I first watched the show, but recently I’ve been listening to it a lot more and it’s just the perfect combination of cool as I think I am and if I loved you. Absolutely devastated me upon first watch.

6. Literal Monster

Honestly, when I first watched the show, I didn’t like this song very much and was very surprised when I saw that it had one of the highest views out of the album. I’ve listened to it a lot more since then and it’s genuinely been the biggest change from my original ranking to this one now. The harmonies are incredible, Kim is as always a queen, Will Brenner’s section is so good idek what to say. But yeah, I really like this song.

5. Dirty Girl

I know this is very controversial as it is currently first place for my poll on people’s least favourite/least listened to song. Like most people, the scene makes me extremely uncomfortable BUT THE VOCALS !!!!! I genuinely love the song it’s such a banger and Angela and Will’s voices go so well together it’s actually insane. (I do still cringe every time I hear the words “dirty girl soup”).

4. High School is Killing Me

Probably the best opening Starkid has ever done. I’m a big sucker for group numbers so it has that going for it. Idk what else to say really, I just love the song.

3. Hatchet Town

I 👏 LOVE 👏 THIS 👏 SONG 👏 arguably one of the best act 2 openers, I am a sucker for group numbers as mentioned above and the tune of hatchet town is just so good. I particularly enjoy the chorus and the ending.

2. The Summoning

Need I even say more?

1. Just For Once

Probably the most controversial ranking I’ve ever done but SUE ME, I think this song is brilliant and a modern masterpiece. Someone said it gave them Falsettos vibes which absolutely contributes to why I love it so much but theres just so much else going for it. I could write a whole essay on the importance of just for once but I’ll spare you for now. All I’m going to say is that this song slaps and I will take no other answer :)

[kasienda]

Rena Rouge: Secret Keeper - Ch 3: Nino

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Read on Ao3

Chapter 3: Nino

Nino had outdone himself. Like truly, he was never gonna top this remix ever again. It was going to work so well with his opening sequence for his current film noir project.

But when he shared it with Noel and his maman, they hadn't understood. 

“Sounds great,” his maman said with a warm smile. But she was required to say that. She was his maman. 

Noel didn’t say anything, which honestly, was probably an improvement. Nino needed a better audience. One who would appreciate his genius! 

He bolted out the door in the morning, excited to go to school for once. 

Adrien’s seat was empty when he walked in, which was unfortunate because Adrien just got music in a way that Alya didn’t. But Alya was unmatched in pure enthusiasm, so he was delighted to see her in her usual seat, scrolling through something on her phone with concentration lines furrowing her forehead. He just liked it best when they were both there. 

“Babe!” he spun his chair around to face her before sitting “You have to listen to my song.”

She smiled indulgently at him, and waved her hands in a “give it here” motion. 

He placed the ear buds in her palm immediately. She put them on and closed her eyes. Watching the expressions dance across her face - a soft smile here, raised eyebrows there - while her head dipped in time with the beat, was like experiencing the song for the first time all over again. 

The three minutes and forty-eight seconds ended too quickly, and she opened her eyes and grinned at him. 

“Nino! This was amazing! I especially loved the intro! The way it buil–” And then she seemed to freeze, her attention over his shoulder. 

“What is it?” He twisted around, but it was only Adrien. 

“Hey mec!” Nino greeted enthusiastically, holding out his open hand. 

Adrien started and turned to him, a smile spreading across his face and they exchanged their usual handshake. “Hey dude!” 

“I finished a song that I need you to hear! I mean, as soon as Alya is done telling me what she thinks!” 

Adrien laughed and then turned to Alya. “Morning, A-Alya.” 

“Adrien,” she said dryly. 

Nino eyebrows scrunched together, glancing between the two of them. “What am I missing?” he asked. 

“Nothing!” Alya insisted, an instant smile spreading across her face. Suspiciously fast. 

Adrien’s smile felt more natural. “Alya just helped me with a project last night. I just felt bad for taking up so much of her time.” 

Alya beamed. “Anytime, sunshine. Anytime!” 

Nino glanced between them again.

“So your intro! It was amazing! I especially loved the way it built in intensity. I don’t know how you did that–” 

Nino’s grin was so wide it hurt. 

Then the bell rang, cutting her off, and Ms Bustier started class before Nino could ask any more questions. 

Marinette ran in a second later. And when she did, Alya gave her best friend the same awkward smile she had given him a moment earlier.

Nino frowned. Something was up. She had come to him last night as Rena , but she had vented about their best friends not being able to talk. He should have realized then that something was going on. He glanced between Adrien and Marinette. 

He leaned over Adrien’s shoulder. “Hey mec, did something happen yesterday between you and Marinette?”

Adrien’s eyebrows furrowed together in genuine confusion. “With Marinette? No, nothing. I only talked to Alya last night.”

Nino frowned. Something wasn’t adding up. 

…

“You just have to talk to him!” Alya insisted for what had to be the eighth time that hour.

Marinette flopped backwards onto her bed. “But Alya!”

“No but Alya! Marinette, he loves you. You can–”

“That makes it worse!”

“—literally tell him anything at all and he’ll eat it up. And you need to tell him what you told me.” 

Marinette rolled over and buried her face in her pillow. “I can’t tell him that we were in love! He will never stop!”

Alya’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it. 

Adrien: 

Hey Alya! Can I ask for some advice?

“He absolutely would if you told him to stop,” Alya said, unlocking her phone. Adrien respected boundaries to a fault. “So just tell him to stop.”

Alya: 

What’s up?

Marinette shook her head. “I can’t do that either. It makes him sad. I hate it when he gets sad.”

Was she hearing herself right now? 

Adrien: 

I’m a bit nervous about meeting with our mutual friend later.  Is she mad? 

Alya: 

Mad is not the word I would use. I don’t think you need to worry though. 

“Marinette, are you sure you don’t have any feelings for Chat Noir?”

“No! I’m definitely in love with Adrien.” 

Alya didn’t facepalm, but she wanted to. 

“Don’t make that look,” Marinette said. 

“What look?” 

“Like you think you know my feelings better than I do.” 

Alya pressed her lips together.  She texted Adrien back instead to keep herself from saying something stupid. 

Alya: 

I have it on good authority that all you need to do is be yourself. She’s a sucker for kindness and vulnerability. You do that, she’ll forgive everything. 

“Alyaaaa,” Marinette whined. “You’re not listening. Who are you talking to?” 

“Chat Noir,” Alya said, putting down her phone. 

“What?! What are you talking about?” 

“You.”

Marinette turned red. “What are you saying about me?” Marinette started to reach for the phone, but stopped herself before Alya had to chastise her. 

“I’m definitely giving him all the secrets to winning your heart.”

Marinette’s face fell flat.

And Alya couldn’t help it. She laughed. “I’m just kidding.” There would be no point. Chat Noir already had her heart. Just neither of them knew it! And Alya couldn’t tell them. 

But Marinette didn’t laugh. 

“What is it?” Alya asked, putting her phone down, and nudging Marinette in the shoulder. 

Marinette turned to her, her face sad. “It’s not that I couldn’t love him, you know. I know that. It’s just— loving Adrien doesn’t result in world destruction.” 

Alya didn’t bang her head against the wall. She didn’t react at all.

She deserved a medal. 

Because loving Adrien did result in world destruction. Fuck! She wanted to bury her face in Marinette’s blankets and never come up again. How was she supposed to protect them all from an alternate timeline she knew almost nothing about?

She agreed to keeping them from figuring each other out. She didn’t agree to keeping them from falling in love! 

She didn’t think she could bring herself to sabotage Marientte’s next love confession to Adrien even if a successful confession would make everything ten times harder. Doing so went against the best friend code, and everything Alya believed about love.

But a superhero had to put the world first, didn’t they? 

Being a superhero was hard to live up to. 

Hopefully Marinette was skilled enough on self sabotage it wouldn’t come to that. 

“Would you come with me to meet Chat?” Marinette asked with that pleading face that got her everywhere with almost everyone, and absolutely nowhere with Alya.

Alya shook her head. “No! Marinette! He needs to hear all this from you!” 

“Your phone is buzzing again,” Marinette said, climbing down the ladder and into the bathroom.

“Marinette!” Alya called after her.

“I’m fine!” she insisted. “Talk to Chat!” 

Alya sighed and flipped her phone over. 

Adrien:

Are you allowed to be telling me all this? 

Alya:

Definitely not. Clear violation of the girl code. 

Adrien: 

Then why are you telling me? 

Because he could make her happy, and on doing so he would be happy too! Not that she could say that! 

Alya:

I’m just kidding. I haven’t told you anything her friends don’t already know about her. And you’re her friend, too, right?

Adrien:

Are you going to come tonight?

Him too? Gah! These two deserved each other. 

Marinette poked her head through the door. “Everything okay? Is Chat okay?” 

“Chat is absolutely fine,” Alya shot back. In more than one way. Marinette had no idea. 

Alya: 

I can’t. Nino and I have plans. 

Not true yet, but she would make it true. 

Plus! You and your girl need to talk things out. I wouldn’t want to get in the way. 

Adrien: 

She’s not my girl. 

Alya laughed. Adrien had no idea either. 

…

Nino came into his room to find it already occupied. Alya hanging off the side of his bed upside down, her hair just brushing the floor, scrolling through her phone. 

“Hey!” he said with surprise. “Two nights in a row? How did I get so lucky?” 

She grinned at him, reaching for him. “I needed to not be available tonight, and you’re the best excuse.” 

“I see how it is,” he said, sitting down on the floor next to her. She didn’t respond, immediately reabsorbed by whatever she was reading on her phone. He smiled at her fondly. He loved it when she got super into something. 

He watched her eyes flick back and forth as she read, only slightly worried that she was still hanging upside down. 

“What are you reading?” he finally asked. 

“Did you know you need to go to university and grad school to become a family therapist?” she replied absently. 

Huh? 

“Since when were you interested in therapy?” he asked. 

She rolled onto the floor, finally flipping upright. “Oh, I’m definitely not. Just trying to figure out how in over my head I am.” 

His eyebrows rose. “And how bad is it?” 

She pocketed her phone, and rested her head on his shoulder. “Oh, I think I’m completely screwed.” 

He frowned. “This still about Adrien and Marinette?”

She stiffened in his arms. 

“Babe?” he prompted again. 

She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have said anything yesterday. I can’t really talk about it.” 

“You can’t talk about Adrien with me?” he repeated. Like sure, Alya had always kept Marinette’s secrets, and that made sense to him. But Adrien was his best bro. Surely, Adrien hadn’t told Alya anything he hadn’t already told Nino right? 

Her silence was deafening.

Unless he had. 

Nino tried not to feel hurt. Adrien absolutely didn’t have to tell Nino everything, and he was allowed to confide in others, too. It’s just… he didn’t even know Adrien and Alya were that close. 

He pulled his knees to his chest. Nino had always had friends, but never close ones. 

Alya put a hand on his knee. “Hey, look at me.”

His gaze flicked to her honey-brown eyes that seemed to see straight through him. 

“Nino, I swear it’s not like that. He didn’t tell me anything. I may have… accidentally learned something about him that he’s… not ready to share.” 

Nino’s mind whirled with the possibilities.

But he knew he couldn’t ask if Adrien wasn’t ready to share. And if Adrien was in some queer closet or another, Nino would wait forever and a day for Adrien to be ready to tell him. But if it was something else. Like, if Adrien was being abused or had been hurt, would he ever tell anyone? 

“He’s… he’s not being hurt is he?” 

Her face transformed into absolute confusion and he could breathe again. So, that wasn’t it. 

“Is that something you worry about a lot?” She asked softly. 

Nino barked a laugh. “With the way his old man  is? All the time! And he’s also a 16-year-old celebrity who somehow doesn’t know how to say no.” 

“He knows how to say no.” 

Nino shook his head in disagreement. “Maybe sometimes, when he needs to for someone else’s benefit, but never for himself.” 

Alya’s lips pressed together. 

“And he lies sometimes about where he is, and like, what teenager doesn’t? But he lies to me and to you and it doesn’t make sense. What if he’s covering for someone?” 

“He’s lucky to have a friend like you,” Alya said. 

He smiled. For him, it was the other way around. Adrien was the first person who didn’t fade away as Adrien got to know him better. The first person who didn’t find him too weird and awkward. 

He looked up at her. “You promise he’s good?” 

Alya squeezed his knee and smiled. “I promise he’s good.”

Nino cleared his throat. “Well, thank you, then.” 

Alya’s eyes furrowed. “You’re thanking me? For what?” 

“Yeah, thank you for being there for him. He’s never had a lot of people he can rely on or trust. And I’m just glad that if something came out it was someone like you that he could lean on. Like, it’s not me, you’re definitely my second pick.” 

“Aww, babe!” Alya cooed, kissing the side of his face, and then his lips when he turned his head towards her.

“So umm… does my maman know that you’re here?” he asked. 

She winced. “No, I came in through the window.”

He pulled the Fox miraculous out from under her shirt. “You’re wearing your miraculous full-time now?” 

She pulled away from him. “Umm… no, I had it last night for a special mission for Ladybug, and she didn’t have time to retrieve it afterwards.” 

She was being incredibly vague, but he knew better than to press for superhero details. 

“That’s seriously no fair!” he complained instead. 

She laughed before kissing him again. “I suspect powers of deceit and illusion are more useful for reconnaissance than giant glow in the dark shields.”

She had a point he supposed. He still would love to transform whenever and run around Paris’s skyline, or even just hangout with Wayzz.

He sighed. 

Ah well. He knew miraculouses weren’t toys. 

“Still, it would have been cool if we could go out together just for fun.”

Her head fell back to his shoulder. “It would have been the coolest.” 

…

[tokuteasings]

Kisses - Kiryu Sento and Banjou Ryuga

Listen This is also extrEMELY SELF INDULGENT BECAUSE I AM SO DOWN B A D FOR SENTO OKAY??? LIKE??? F U KC ???????? HAVE YOU SEEN H I M????? NO ONE LOOK AT ME

Warnings: I don't really think so? It's more so along the lines of me projecting because I'm so down bad.

Kiryu Sento

Kisses with Sento are a mystery but an experiment at the same time. It’s meant to be something only the two of you can feel, energetic as the rabbit he is named after and heavy as the tank he is also named after. It’s this delicious mix of him gripping on to you like a lifeline and a puzzle that is meant to be complete. He’s never letting go, never letting you fade from his memory and wants to etch it into his brain forevermore. Sento just wants to think of you and only you, not the numbers and calculations that are always in his head and never seem to leave. He’s calculating his kisses for you now but sometimes those calculations never seem to work. They short-circuit when your lips finally meet and he goes on pure instinct more than anything. It’s a romp in a sunlight field for him, everything he ever wanted and craved. He could take it more and more but he is simply content to hold you or be in your arms and just kiss your breath away.

Public kisses are so sweet honestly. Depending on his mood, it’ll depend on what kind of kisses you get. Sometimes they’re simple quick pecks when he’s on the go, and other times it’s kisses fully on the lips because he just can. He isn’t really shy about it because he’s just so surrounded by love that he has really…nowhere to shove it so he shoves it all on to you, lol. Sure sometimes he gets embarrassed because of it, especially if you kiss him outta nowhere just to surprise him but he’ll melt into it. He’ll pout and be like, “I was going to kiss you first, no fair.” but he isn’t mad at all! It’s just his ego talking. Speaking of his ego, yeah you gotta sit on his lap whenever you kiss him or vice versa. He likes having a semblance of control in his kisses nyehehehe.

When I say you need to kiss him after he’s finished with a successful experiment, you need to. It’s mandatory. He’s just so hyped and hopped up on adrenaline and all that he has no true idea where to place all of this extra energy. It turns into the most passionate of makeout sessions for the two of you. He is oh so boundless in energy, screaming outwardly and internally about how amazing he is, how much of a genius he is but he is also a kissing genius. It’s overwhelming and overstimulating in the best of ways. Sento will cling to you as his lifeline and just never let go. He keens and purrs and keels when you play with his hair during this time, ruffling it up and messing it up and tugging it. This is the best way to make him in the mood of sexy times because of this energy. If you’re not up for sex, that’s completely fine. Sento is just happy to be able to kiss you instead. But listen, Sento is a lot more audible when he kisses you during this state; soft little whimpers and sighs and whines and moans and when I say it’s delicious, it really is. Please trust me.

Sento also needs kisses at a timely interval or else he’ll turn into a pouty mess. It’s embarrassing, yes, and he tries not to show it around others but it’s kind of obvious when he hasn’t gotten a kiss from you in a while. He’s sulky and always looking towards you or for you, wanting you to kiss these very kissable lips that are curled into such a cute little pout.  It’s not that he’s clingy (he kind of is) but it’s more so along the lines of using your kisses as a form of energy whenever he is at a low point. It’s a sort of motivation or reward for him in the best of times. To him, it’s the earth beneath his feet, fuel needed to keep on going for love and peace.

Kisses with Sento are nothing short of a damn dream. It’s full of ups and downs and moments of triumph and sorrows. But the slow, languid, and lazy kisses where he turns off his brain are his favorite - especially when it’s just the two of you in a headspace or in a room just cuddling and existing. He’s holding you close to him or you are holding him close. It’s a skittish sort of peppering of kisses to your form and his form, a rabbit darting in and out of sight, only to just keep coming back for more. He loves tracing your lips with tactile fingers that are meant to heal and bring happiness to others and loves it when you kiss the pads of his fingers and lavish attention upon him. It’s something he always looks forward to. Besides, using his lips on you and your body is his…favorite experiment ;)

Banjou Ryuga

Kisses with Ryuga are simply fiery, threatening to burn you to a crisp. He lost Kasumi after all, and he doesn’t want to lose this sort of sensation again. He cherishes you for as long as he possibly can in the kiss, and lets you know exactly how much you mean to him. He doesn’t really hide his affections he has for you, why would he? He loves you, is proud of you, and will show you off to everyone that asks. If anything, it’s a sensation that will devour you whole. A dragon keeping a close eye on his treasure and never letting it out of sight. He cherishes you and loves you, and it’s oh so evident in the way he kisses. It’s fire licking at your lips, asking for the most gentle of permission to enter your cavern and lavish affection upon you as you deserve.

Public affection is something he isn’t shy about. Why would he care?? He’s just so in love with you that it threatens to burn him from the inside out if he doesn’t show it to you at least once. Sure there are moments when he gets embarrassed and bright red but those are the best of times to make Ryuga flushed and whatnot. He’s dumb and stupid but he’s your fucking idiot. He’s the type of person that will always kiss you whenever he can get a brief moment…even if it’s just quick pecks on the lips or cheeks. Actually, he likes these quick pecks. They’re like good luck charms, truth be told.

Like Sento, Ryuga will also get a weeee bit (read: V E R Y) pouty whenever you don’t kiss him at certain intervals of the day. However, it’s a lot more audible than Sento’s and it’s hella fucking obvious. He’ll like whine and pout and stick close to you, wanting to tell you that he wants a kiss but never saying it until the last second because people are watching and he doesn’t wanna say it because he’s kinda tsuntsun and is just waiting for you to get the damn hint. This is why, I’m saying this now, this is the best time to tease him and test his short temper. Because the payout is so fucking good because if you don’t give him what he wants he’ll just…take it. He’ll grab you by your shoulders and just slam your lips together and when you two part he’s face is red and just grumbling out, “Damn it, just take the hint and kiss me already.”

Kiss his hands and the scars upon his body. As a former pro-boxer, there are some scars and welts upon his fists that never really faded. To be honest, his hands are sort of numb because of all the punching and it’s hard for him to feel things sometimes. He’s used to hitting things with his fists so it deafened his nerves so the kisses to his hands are the best. It’s kind of a placebo effect, healing and regaining his nerves but if anything…it just makes him giddy. It’s like a barely felt sensation and sometimes Ryuga won’t even notice that you’ve kissed his fingers or knuckles or hands until he physically sees you do it. He’ll flush and grumble, complaining that you don’t need to kiss him there but he doesn’t make any movements to move away.

It’s the everyday kisses that make Ryuga happy. The kisses when you wake up in the morning to greet with, the kisses you two share in like a hallway when no one is watching, the kisses as greetings, the kisses as goodbyes. It’s the normalcy that he wants to return to before everything went to fucking shit. It’s the simple kisses that Ryuga adores the most; the ones where you two are just in a world that belongs to the two of you and just….take in each other’s presence and savor it for all of time. Ryuga’s kisses are embers at these moments, could burnt into flame but are just simply content to give you a gentle warmth of his love.

[leclercsbf]

hello!! i know you posted about this a while back but i just wanted to tell you that i honestly would love to see you write that charlos + landoscar fic (the roommates au) i just know for sure that the entire fic would be CHAOTIC because they’re all oblivious lovesick idiots at the end of the day (pls feel free to add in a splash of maxiel as well if you would like too)

and the amnesia au!! YES YES YES. i love the fact that they’re husbands too, i think it’ll be really interesting to see the dynamic between them and that like whole ‘oh’ moment charles would get when he gets his memory back (pls tell me he does gets his memory back because i cannot handle pure angst in this context)

i am so on board with the idea of the set it up au as well, i haven’t watch the film but i did watch the trailer and small parts of it and i feel like it would just make perfect sense to have lando and oscar in that context. and also the idea of having charlos and maxiel as their bosses *chefs kiss* you’re an absolute mastermind

and that line from pierre in the “woke up with lady parts” au is EVERYTHING. it’s just so pierre coded and typically like charles said there’s always an element of “fucking the other person back to normal” so i cant wait to see the direction you’re going to go in with this fic

and of course the whole jack frost and pitch idea is literally so intriguing i love your mind so much

im so sorry if this feels like added pressure i really don’t mean for it to come off that way!!

i just absolutely adore your ideas and your whole thought process and if you do plan to write these fics i hope this gives you somewhat of a motivating boost :)

sending you so much love <33

hi there! please don’t apologize. you’re free to send me asks about whatever, whenever, because asks are generally appreciated. thank you so, so much for letting me know that the ideas i mentioned piqued your interest! if anything, i’m probably going to start with the roommates fic because it seems like the lightest fic overall, but we’ll see how it goes because i haven’t written up a proper outline for either pairing. your boy has unfortunately been too busy to write. i miss it. looks off.

to be honest, i haven’t really figured out whether or not charles is getting his memory back, but angst isn’t currently on the roadmap for the amnesia au. that might change once i start writing it, but i’m not planning on any tears for now! i feel like i owe my ao3 account a bit of joy after the last charlos fic i wrote.

set it up is a very good movie, and i’m not just saying this because i have a massive crush on zoey deutch. i’m not really a romcom kind of guy but this had me very entertained, so i definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in a romcom kind of mood. that said, i don’t plan on following the movie to the letter. i’ll basically just be taking the general premise and maybe a few details here and there, because the kiss cam scene? actual genius.

you know i just had to make pierre say it, anon. i absolutely had to, because it’s a very pierre thing to say. the direction for that fic is basically homosexuality (as per usual) and i’m very excited to write it! the question of when i’ll be able to write it is an entirely different matter, but the motivation is there. believe it. i’m similarly intrigued by my own brain because i feel like it was onto something with that jack frost and pitch thing… i just wish i knew what my brain was cooking because i completely forgot. HELP. glad to know that it sounds interesting to you as well, though!

and don’t worry, it doesn’t seem like you’re pressuring me in the slightest. i really appreciate that you went out of your way to express your enthusiasm for the ideas i’ve got lying around. fic writers do what they do because it’s fun, but it always helps to know that people enjoy reading our work, too. gives us a much-needed boost. sending you just as much love, anon! i’m wishing you the best day. ♥️

[astrobei]

I know that you don't like “i've come home, i'm so cold” for some strange reason I don't understand but it’s literally so perfect.

The PINING, the sadness when Will thinks his feelings aren’t reciprocated, the tipsy almost confession, the anxiousness when Will realizes what Mike wants to do, the willel and party dynamics, the cringefail loser Mike, El is a math genius, sharing a bed, the whole shower scene, the WHOLE making out scene.

It’s so SO perfect. One of my favorite fics EVER. I mean not only in st fandom but EVER.

You’re sosososo talented i’m grateful that I live with you on the same planet at the same time and that I understand English and can read your works 🫂

AHH ok i want u to know that i saw this ask come in back when u sent it and i haven’t been able to get to it until now but i’ve thought about it every single day since 😭 like HELLO OMG i think this is the single nicest thing anyone has ever said about my work i am . crying ??

and hmm okok i think it’s not rly that i Don’t Like this fic !! i think it was some good writing on my part and i do love their dynamic in it !! it’s just that i get very critical of stuff i’ve written and looking back i can like . see all the things i would’ve written differently or parts that make me cringe just a little so i definitely just get stuck on that !! but it’s been SO wonderfully received sjdksjdkskf i never expected it to be so many people’s favorite of mine since it was so out of my comfort zone when i was writing it !! i honestly didn’t even think anyone would read it LOL

but for real thank u soooo much for this u literally don’t know how much this ask made my entire month like seriously ?? weeping tears of pure incandescent happiness rn <3 hugging u so tight 🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

After weeks of my Persona 5 hiatus, I finally picked the game back up again. The hiatus was much needed honestly, especially with how addicted I was to the game and how busy I am nowadays with work, school, and other life stuff. Anyways, I started P5 again and…I had no idea what I was doing lol.

Yeah, it’s actually pretty difficult jumping back into a game like this, especially since I forgot what I was doing the last time I played. So I spent the first half hour just shaking off the ring rust and getting back into the swing of things.

Currently, I’m on palace…5? I think this is five since I recruited Haru Okumura. Here are my miscellaneous thoughts on this palace so far:

1) I forgot how hit-or-miss the story was lol. As soon as the game went into Haru’s family dilemmas, it was like a montage of overdone cliches and anime-isms. You got the heartless CEO dad, the pure evil fiancé, and the anime power of friendship. I mean, it was cute, but I also felt like I was watching a Power Rangers episode. At least the storytelling here didn’t annoy me as much as Futaba’s palace did (still the worst part of the game in my opinion).

2) I feel like the game didn’t do a good job introducing Haru. Everyone else had this solid introduction that allows the player to get to know the character, while Haru is sorta just inserted into the team. I don’t really know who this character is outside of her family dilemma. In comparison with Futaba, it takes forever to actually meet Futaba, but you already know that she’s antisocial, a genius hacker, and extremely awkward based on her interactions with Joker. With Haru, I feel like the game is telling me what her character is instead of just letting the character breathe. Remember the rule; show, don’t tell.

3) I can’t believe the main villain is Donald Trump. Which, I guess, means Haru is Ivanka Trump.

4) I was actually playing the game with my sister’s boyfriend watching on the side. Normally, I’d play quietly, but since I had a guest with me, we pretty much spent most of the time poking fun at the game. Look, I know that Persona 5 is well-loved and critically acclaimed…but it’s still a silly anime game, we couldn’t help but crack jokes. Especially when the main palace is a space station based on a fast food burger joint.

Okay, that’s it for now. I’ll update again once I make it further into the palace.

[voyeuristicvixen]

Captains Log No.33_ addsmespice

Firuz and Inari are a pair of naughty ass alts tht I made to start some adult content w WAV and we have yet to shoot a scene with them but for avis that I put together with less than 100Ls they look goodt. Stay Tuned! Follow their twitter its, https://twitter.com/firuzinari!!

she cute X.X So yaaahhhhhh Wav and I are working on episode 2 of Meta Love Talks and I am working in general on a full schedule for my creative ass (thank the fates) I am super grateful that I have so many amazing ideas and I ask for the strength to carry them out to completion and be fully committed and consistent in the act of self love that is putting it all out. AMEN!

Sub to our Youtube page! https://www.youtube.com/@studio19.

One thing we didnt mention and want to make sure we do more moving forward is give visibility and credits to all the creators that make our content possible. I honestly haven’t been good at doing that because of pure laziness lol. I will do better! I do not want to gatekeep any of these amazing creative tools and things that come together to make videos and pics and looks possible! So ya that first episode we filmed at a historic Sci Fi spot in SL called Hangars Liquides, def a place to check out because the artists there are dedicated to the political movements that art generates in their home countries. Its a dope ass movement behind Hangars that we didnt know about till after the filming. I have to do a whole post and more on that because its so fascinating to me.

I have been pulled into a deeper love for the history of SL, as time goes on there will be more history added and so everything we do in this platform can become apart of that too. Something to think about. Legacy is important to me. In RL and SL has now been a fun way to “troubleshoot” so to speak, the habits and skills necessary to make that happen fr. My Amor tribe will grow, and I have recently been honored to have been asked to be someones daughter. *pinch me im dreaming!* So now we growing our own family and im being introduced into another one all at once. Inshallah!  

Im pretty sure a black creator on zooby hud made this texture for the onesie and its just so clever because its got shoes and pants and a top but on one onesie its brilliant! I need to log in and look and add in where its from later for yall! Genius.

We have been experimenting and practicing more with lighting and photography, getting content. Its been a lot of fun and sometimes also can be daunting. Always remember never compare yourself or your work to others as tempting as it may be! Unless you want to stifle you motivation and creativity! Heed this warning fellow creators don’t you dare do that to yourself! I get into that mode sometimes feeling like “oh no one likes my stuff” but then I realize that hey, I LOVE IT lol and thats all that matters. The bonus is that people that end up liking it too  are oftentimes creators that I myself admire and who’s work I think is amazing representation of SL so that means a lot more to me than having hundreds of likes. I see a lot of ppl get discouraged and maybe this can help put things into a diff perspective. Keep doing you!

Wav had a whole ass amazing idea to do a shoot in the rain and so of course I needed to have us do a kiss in the rain. We have that on our RL couples bucket list. I think one of our meta love talk episodes will def have to include that segment in there because its really fun putting together and finding new things that we can experience together. Game changer! Anywayssss look how cuuuuuteeee they aree *hearteyes*

I be so annoying and nagging Wav a lot more than I would like to admit XD He shuts me up when he does things like take me on romantic dates like this... its such a treat. Also funny asl whenever we try and have a meal and realize we actually have to make reservations so that people can RP the whole dinner for us lmaooo. I hope that one day we can fully get it together but it is really the thought that counts for me. I dont care if we are eating air sandwiches as long as its with MY MAN MY MAN MY MAN. lols and they had a bar cart! I was going in on green fairy absinthe and champagne. Reminded me of RL college days I made my own wormwood tincture.. I used to concoct all kinds of potions since very young. I started out in a coven in 3rd grade... but thats another story entirely !

We need to go back and buy this couples walker it was such a delightful thing lol even when it was glitching out we were walking on air and thats how I feel when I am around this man (and when he’s not being annoying because we are mirrors for one another lmao) Fairytales are not always a walk in the park, the beautiful moments only exist because you choose to make them happen. Our generation has to learn that great things do not always come quick, they can be easy sure but things that last take time.

[ghostaholics]

BIIIIITCH I CHECKED THE WORD COUNT, AND THEN I CHECKED MY CALENDAR, BECAUSE I HAD TO MAKE SURE IT WASN’T ALREADY CHRISTMAS.

My reaction to seeing the update was damn near Pavlovian. I feel like I should be embarrassed to admit that, but I don’t care. Not religious, but definitely blessed this evening (not actually evening, I woke up at 1:30 in the morning and couldn’t sleep so I’m treating myself to this even though I have to officially be up at 5).

Anyways, here’s my live commentary, because you deserve nothing less.

I read the first line and it demolished me, so thank you for that. I thought I knew what I was in for, and clearly I was wrong because I was blushing the entire time. Price is too smooth. I can’t deal. I’d be a big old non-functioning ball of mush in his presence, so kudos to reader for being able to carry on about her day like business as usual, because if he were in such close proximity all the time that way, I don’t think I could relate if I’m being completely honest.

Actually foaming at the mouth for the way he touches her. I'm a grown-ass woman. I shouldn't be giggling like a fucking school-girl over here. Butterflies in my tummy and whatever. This is fucking blasphemy.

Such a slut for the pool game tutorial. Beyond feral. The ‘good girl’ praise outside of the bedroom rocked my shit. Jesus fucking Christ. Trying not to implode and failing miserably. I have read a handful of fics where he says good girl that at this point, I should be immune. But guess what? This one made my brain short-circuit the worst so thanks for that!

The whole birthday sequence was adorable. I like how you’re expanding the fic to include relationships with other characters because their dynamics as a whole and on an individual level are interesting. They seem like they’d all die for each other and if I don’t have friends like that then I don’t want ‘em at all. Also very nice considering that in the first part she didn’t know anybody and was basically on her own, so seeing them accept the Reader throughout the series has been extremely heart-warming. I’m a soft bitch for the group.

Reader is so real for thinking about whether Price’s chair can hold two people. Because honestly, same. I feel like I have to take breaks when I read because that entire office sequence almost made me combust and they were literally only talking.

Would die for domestic Price. The sweater? The apron? Cooking? CRYING. Soft touches and gentle kisses? SCREAMING. Reader has more willpower than me because I would’ve folded so fast if he asked me to stay the night. Perished during that part, not gonna lie. Like babe, you want to host a sleepover in your cozy house? Aha~say less. Price was gracious about it, but even if he manhandled me into agreeing (which I would not object to) and I would’ve been all, ‘oh no, I guess I’m spending the night in your wonderful home, how… :/ unfortunate.’ Me at Reader even though she declined politely:

The color coordinating with the dress – you’re a genius; big brain behavior right there. Commence more of me blushing. I actually can't fucking deal. I was basically devolving into something less human towards the end of this fic. Every interaction? Pure gold. Me? A settler migrating west for the California Gold Rush in 1848.

The end?? G O D. Plotting to hide a body: just cute, couple things <3 Or either way, whatever’s about go down can’t be legal and I’m here thinking that Price, who partakes in criminal/illicit activities is the same person who wears an apron with flour on it – like yes, get you a man who can do both. Also somebody else said it in another comment but the fact that she called him first when she didn't know what to do. I am quite literally not okay. Deceased.

vii. wise men say, only fools rush in

Pairing: Mob Boss!Price x F!Reader Word Count: 7.5k Warnings: alcohol, heavy flirting, violence, blood, minor character death Disclaimer: I do not own modern warfare or any of the modern warfare characters. A/N: this chapter is dedicated to the wonderful @chaoskrakenuwu, who was kind enough to let me name a character after her, and also to tumblr user @deadbranch, who mentioned that tags in taglists might not work if you have your visibility settings set to make their url unsearchable on tumblr!! i tested it out a few times and sometimes it works, sometimes not but if your tag isn't working below maybe double-check your visibility settings and turn them off (if you're comfortable with that) and I'll try updating your tag!! small edit: tumblr cut off part of the middle, so i re-added it in case you saw it when it first posted and it didn't make sense LOL prev | next

In the following weeks, you learn one very important thing: John Price is a relentless flirt.

(After that first conversation, he had disappeared into his office for the remainder of the day not reappearing until you had returned to the club to get ready backstage. You took your time, heart racing as your attention was split between preparing for the show and trying not to imagine Price joining you backstage and making good on his offer to wish you luck.

He never did, but once you took your place on stage, you immediately spotted him sitting at the bar between Ghost and Nik, eyes trained solely on you. He stayed in that spot for the entire show, his gaze never once leaving you, even when others came up to speak to him. He bought you a congratulatory drink afterward, handed to you with a sly smile and gentle squeeze of your hip.)

He hadn’t stayed long after that, whisked away by something important Ghost whispered into his ear, but you find him in that same spot every night after that, watching your performance with a singular intensity that sets your skin on fire.

Farah takes over the two weeks leading up to her and Alex’s departure, giving you a welcomed break and letting you enjoy the club and her flawless performances.

Price maintains his spot at the bar, making eyes at you anytime you pass by as you spend your time between dancing with Kyle and watching Valeria hustle unsuspecting patrons at the pool table. When you occasionally stop at the bar, you make it a point to stand next to him as you wait for your drinks.

Regardless of what he’s doing—whether he’s drinking with his eyes glued to you or talking to someone else, his attention focused entirely away from you—a warm hand always winds its way around your waist, slowly feeling up the fabric of whatever outfit Valeria’s put you in for the night before it settles on your hip. You lean into the touch, lightly skimming your nails across the back of Price’s hand as you wait for your drinks.

Alex serves you with a knowing look—one you make a show of ignoring—and you squeeze Price’s hand. He presses your hip in response, the slow glide of his hand as he pulls back his arm, leaving a blazing trail across your skin that lingers as you take your drinks and return to Kyle or Valeria.

“You know,” Valeria says one night, sharp gaze following you as you return from the bar with a drink for her and lemon water for yourself, “you still owe me a game.”

“Can’t say it’ll be much of a game,” you laugh, sitting beside her. “I’m shit at poker.”

“I wasn’t talking about poker,” Valeria grins, eyes sliding to her right where the pool tables sit.

“Alright, but fair warning, I’m about as good at pool as I am poker.” Valeria pays you no mind, taking her drink and sauntering toward the tables, crimson dress flowing with every step.

The table she approaches is occupied, surrounded by a small group that isn’t so much playing as they are holding cue sticks and talking. Valeria joins them, easing into their conversation with a coy smile and light touch to the nearest man’s arm. You don’t hear the conversation, but Valeria tilts her head and says something, and one of the group hands her his pool cue before leading the rest of his friends to the dancefloor.

“That was nice of them,” you laugh, joining her at the table. She hums a small laugh, handing you your own cue stick.

Valeria starts the game, and it ends almost as quickly as it begins, a look of absolute disbelief plastered on her face.

“I told you I was bad at this,” you tease her.

“I never thought I’d meet a worse player than Alejandro.” Valeria shakes her head, unable to compose herself for the first time since you’ve met her. You’d take some pride in being able to surprise her if it weren’t followed by the pitying gaze of disappointment she turns to you with.

It’s a quick, momentary glance before that tell-tale smirk crawls across her face. She lays her cue on the table, sights set on something behind you. “We’ll fix this, don’t worry.”

Valeria pats you on the arm, disappearing into the crowd of people before you can stop her. You let it go, setting your cue next to hers and taking the time to sip from your water and turn your attention to the stage where Farah gives another flawless performance.

“Enjoying yourself, Птичка?” You turn, finding Nik leaning against the other side of the pool table, dressed in solid black with his sunglasses pushed up into his hair.

“Very much so, actually.”

Nik laughs, tipping his drink to you with an easy smile as Valeria reappears beside him. You don’t get the chance to react as a hand slides across your waist, your body tensing at the sudden touch.

“Glad to hear it.” You relax as the baritone of Price’s voice reaches your ears, and you turn to land a playful slap against his chest.

“Let’s try this again—,” Valeria says, picking up both pool cues and holding one out to you and the other to Price, “—two against two.”

You’re reluctant to take the cue stick from her, but you do, sending Price a sympathetic smile, “Apologies in advance.”

“C’mon now, you can’t be that bad,” he chuckles. Valeria lets out a bark of a laugh as Price takes the other stick from her. She turns away swiftly, trying to bite down on the smirk stretching across her face as Nik re-racks the balls.

Valeria is gracious enough to convince Nik to let you go first, and you do your best on the break. Your best is…not great, laughable even.

And laugh Valeria does. Nik lets out a low whistle, turning away the moment you look at him, his shoulders shaking with unmistakable laughter. You turn to Price, your last saving grace, only to find him staring back with a pitying look that you think you hate more than the laughter.

“Yeah, yeah, get your laughs in,” you pout, setting your cue stick against the table and crossing your arms over your chest.

“Aw, don’t be like that,” Valeria coos, lips pursed tauntingly.

“You weren’t…awful,” Nik adds, though it’s choked out through stifled laughs.

“It’s the way you’re holding it,” Price laughs, making his way toward you. “Here, I’ll show you.”

You expect him to take over your turn, but he holds his cue stick out to you instead. You pout for an extra second before giving an exaggerated sigh and taking the stick from him. He catches your wrist before you can pull away and lightly pulls you toward him, guiding you to stand in front of him.

If you couldn’t play before, you don’t know how anyone expects you to concentrate when the solid warmth of Price’s body presses up against your back, his chin resting on your shoulder so you can feel the soft fanning of his breath against your neck. Gently, he adjusts your elbows, guiding you to hold the cue stick properly. When he’s satisfied, his hands glide down from your elbows, one settling on your hip and the other against your back. He takes his time, feeling the velvet material of the sapphire blue dress Valeria put you in. He hums appreciatively, the vibrations skating down your spine.

“Lean forward,” he murmurs into your ear, the club’s music drowned out by his voice. A small press to your back, and you bend forward, trying not to lose your grip on the cue stick as he purrs, “A little more.”

When he’s satisfied, his hand leaves your back to settle on your shoulder. He turns you slightly to the left, adjusting your angle before he steps back with a soft, “Now try.”

Keeping yourself composed is a struggle, but you do as he says. The cue ball sails, a successful break scattering the rest across the table. The group around you cheers as you stand up straight and instantly reach for your water. You sip the icy water, trying to cool to fire, crawling beneath your skin as Valeria takes her turn, but Price stands at your side, leaning down so close you can feel his lips brush against the shell of your ear.

“Good girl.”

You swallow hard, nearly choking on your water as he pulls away with a wide smirk, and you realize that he’s here to play an entirely different game.

After five rounds, your team loses 3-2, but Price leads you to the bar for a consolation drink with an arm around your waist, and you feel like the biggest winner in the club.

-

Kyle’s birthday comes mid-summer.

He doesn’t tell you about it, but you get a suspicious text from Soap one night inviting you to a “secret meeting” at the club and telling you to bring cash.

It’s the middle of the night, far too late for you to be safely leaving your motel room, but you get ready anyway.

Curiosity killed the cat, not the canary, after all.

When you get to the club, you text Soap, and he tells you to come through the front, lock the door behind you, and head straight backstage. You follow his instructions, finding backstage empty and vacant save for the soft echo of voices from the dressing room. You follow the voice, knocking twice before opening the door.

As soon as the door opens, the room goes silent. You’ve apparently interrupted a very serious meeting between Soap, Ghost, Roach, and König as their attention snaps to you. The room fills with a tense silence as you stand in the doorway, a stack of cash in hand as they stare you down.

You speak first, eyes bouncing between the four nervously, “You’re not about to kill me, are you?”

That seems to break the tension as Ghost scoffs and the others relax.

“’Course not, Owl,” Soap rolls his eyes, reaching over to take the money from your hand and add it to a small pile sitting on Farah’s vanity. “Assumin’ the worst there, aren’t ya?”

“You send me a cryptic text telling me to meet you in the backrooms with a stack of cash and expect me not to be suspicious? This is how people get killed in horror movies,” you argue, shutting the door behind you.

“You still came, didn’t you?” Ghost counters.

“He has a point,” König shrugs, and Roach nods.

“Why am I here?” you ask flatly, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Right, so you know how Gaz’s birthday is comin’ up?” Soap speaks as he counts through the small pile of money.

You blink, asking, “It is?”

He hadn’t said anything to you. Would it be rude to ask him about it?

“Every year, we always try to get him something, y’know, from all of us,” Roach explains.

“But every year, Valeria and Alejandro always get him something extra just from them,” Soap huffs. “So, we started doin’ the same.”

“It’s become a bit of a competition now,” Ghost sighs, obviously not as enthused about this as Roach and Soap.

“Of course,” you hum. A little more relaxed now that you know why you’re here, you lean back against the door and ask, “So, what’re you getting him?”

“Oh,” König starts, “we were thinking of—”

Roach smacks his arm as Soap lets out a sharp whistle, shaking his head furiously when König turns to him.

“Really?” you scoff. “I gave you my money—”

“And we greatly appreciate your donation,” Soap says, turning to you with a sly grin and your cash in his hand. “As will Gaz, I’m sure.”

“What am I supposed to get him, then?”

“You’re a smart girl,” Soap teases, “’m sure you can figure that out on your own.”

“You’re not even gonna give me a hint?” You look to the others, but Ghost and Roach stay silent, König giving you an apologetic shrug. “Fine. Just know I’m not showing up next time you need something from me in the middle of the night.”

“Yeah, y’will,” Soap laughs.

He’s right, but he doesn’t need to know that right now.

“Whatever, keep your little secrets. I’m going home.”

“Night, Kiwi!” Soap calls as you leave the dressing room. You let the door swing closed behind you, but the thud of it shutting never happens. You turn back, finding König closing the door softly before he catches up to you.

“I’ll walk you out,” he says softly, glancing back to the dressing room. There’s something slightly off as König trails behind you, constantly looking over his shoulder—not like he’s nervous, but as if he’s about to do something he shouldn’t.

He holds the front door open for you, giving one last look over his shoulder.

You have to ask.

“Are you oka—”

König leans down, almost uncomfortably close, and mumbles, “He likes practical things.”

“What?”

“Mostly clothes, preferably socks. Oh, and food. Especially pastries.” König takes a small step forward, getting close enough that you can see tiny flecks of amber brown in his eyes.

“He has a big sweet tooth,” he whispers conspiratorially, and it clicks in your head.

“Oh,” you say as König steps back, leaning against the door. “Thank you.”

“Viel Glück.” König gives you a short nod, the edges of his mask rising with the apples of his cheeks as he smiles at you.

The drive back to your motel room is spent formulating a plan to figure out the specific day Kyle’s birthday falls on and what to get him. You spend more of the night trying to think than sleeping, doing your best to devise a way to ask him about it without sounding too obvious. It should be easy—getting information out of someone is nothing you haven’t done before—but Kyle’s sharper than he lets on. You’ll have to be a bit more careful this time.

You’re still thinking about it when you get to the club the next morning, so focused on your plan that you nearly run into Ghost as he steps out of Price’s office.

“Watch it,” he grumbles, wrapping a hand around your arm to steady you.

“Sorry,” you mumble.

“Bit distracted this morning, are we?” You look up as Kyle walks out of the office behind Ghost, amused smile on his face.

“Didn’t get a lot of sleep,” you shrug, sending a quick, pointed look to Ghost, who stares back at you with his usual monotone expression.

“Been there,” Kyle chuckles, pulling his car keys from the pocket of his black jacket and handing them to Ghost.

“Going somewhere?” you ask.

“Doing something for the Boss,” Kyle winks.

“It’s a small business errand, nothing to worry about.” Ghost’s answer leaves no room for more questions, so you nod in acceptance.

“I’ll see you two later, then.” You watch them walk to the front and out of the club, waiting for the doors to click shut before you turn and slip inside the office. Price sits behind his desk, writing something in a small, black journal, and you grin at the sight.

Maybe you don’t have to talk to Kyle at all.

“Can I ask you a question?” you ask as you walk up to the desk. Price’s hand stills against the journal as he looks up at you in slight surprise. You’re sure you’re probably not supposed to be in here without being invited in, but you see how his eyes dip down over your form and decide that he probably doesn’t mind.

“Just the one?” he smiles, setting his pen down to give you his full, undivided attention.

“Just the one, I promise,” you laugh, sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “When’s Kyle’s birthday?”

The smile stays, but his brows draw together curiously, eyes narrowing slightly.

“Right, and which team are you asking this for?”

Ah, so he knows.

“Neither. I just wanted to get him something nice…and maybe get back at Soap for conning me out of my money.”

Price laughs at that, shaking his head as he leans back in his chair. It creaks softly, and you’re momentarily lost in the thought of how comfortable it looks.

It definitely looks like it could hold two people—

Stop.

Focus.

Kyle’s birthday.

“It’s next Thursday,” he says, breaking you out of your momentary distraction. “The club will be closed that night while we celebrate.”

That gives you eight days. You can work with that. All you have to do now is figure out what to get him.

And you’re sitting across from the one person who would know best.

“Do you have any hints for what I could get him?” you ask, giving your sweetest smile that he definitely sees straight through.

“That’s more than one question,” he chuckles.

“I mean, they both go together. Think of it as two halves to the same question.” You bat your lashes, keeping that tauntingly sweet smile aimed at him.

“So, you get an extra question,” he says, leaning forward and clasping his hands together atop the desk. He tilts his head, staring into your eyes, and purrs, “What do I get in return?”

“The satisfaction of helping out your favorite employee?” you tease, setting your elbows on the desk to lean toward him.

“You’re my favorite, are you?” he laughs softly, inching just a bit closer.

“You just said so yourself,” you grin. He hums, amused and impressed, a fondness in his eyes that sends a slight pang through your chest.

“He likes desserts,” Price tells you.

“Anything specific?” you press, slowly leaning forward until only a few inches are left between you.

“Careful now,” he warns, all silk and want and looking two seconds from jumping over the desk. “That’s a third question.”

You sit there for just a second, letting him watch your eyes fall to his lips as you lean a little closer before—

“You’re right,” you sigh dramatically, pulling back entirely, smug grin across your face. “I’m sure I can figure it out myself.”

“You’re a cruel woman,” he laughs, settling back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest. You throw him a wink that earns you a playful roll of his eyes. Your phone chimes from your pocket, and when you check it, you find a message from Farah asking you to meet her backstage.

“Time for me to head out,” you sigh, standing from your chair. You turn to look at Price, giving him an earnest smile, “Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.”

“Anytime, Dove.”

You head toward the door as Price picks up his pen, ready to return to what he’d been working on before you came in.

“If you can bake,” Price calls out just as you grab the door handle, “try an apple sponge. It’s one of his favorites.”

You turn back to thank him, but he’s already focused on his work. You stash the information away in your mind, heading into the club to meet Farah with a wide grin.

(It takes a lot of trial and error in your motel room’s dingy little kitchen—little more than a hot plate and a mini fridge—but you’re eventually successful with a small apple sponge pudding the night before Kyle’s birthday.

When you present it to him, waiting until the party’s died down and everyone else is focused on something else, his eyes go glassy at the first taste. For a moment, you’re worried you’ve messed up the recipe, but he sets the plate down and wraps you in a tight hug.

“Used to make this with my mum,” he laughs into your shoulder, watery and sad and so, so appreciative. “Haven’t had one in years.”

He pulls away after a soft squeeze, his signature bright smile a little tighter than usual.

“Thank you, really.”

He goes back to the dessert, offering a couple of bites to his date, the woman who had worn the purple and teal dresses and whose name you’ve learned is Tabby.

You glance up from the happy couple, eyes roving over the rest of the party until you catch eyes with Price. He grins, winking at you, before returning to his conversation with Nik and Alex.

You don’t know how you’ll thank him, but you have a few ideas.)

-

“Are you busy tomorrow night?”

You nearly jump out of your skin as Price startles you, not only with his question but also with his sudden appearance at your side.

The club is closed for the week—you’re not told why—but you still come in to clean in the mornings. You’d been enjoying your small break at the bar, scrolling through your phone absentmindedly.

You thought you were alone, but apparently not.

“Not that I know of,” you say, trying to calm the jittering of your nerves. “Why?”

“Would you like to have dinner?”

Your mind blanks.

Your heart skips a beat, stunned at the idea that he might actually be asking you out and even more stunned by the instant yes that sits on the tip of your tongue.

“I—”

“We’re having a small get-together for whoever wants to come.”

There’s a painful squeeze in your chest that you’re forced to ignore, and you do your best to cover the sting with a smile.

“Sure! Sounds fun.”

“Perfect.” He smiles back wide, leaning forward to press a kiss to the top of your head before turning and walking away. “I’ll have Gaz send you the address,” he calls over his shoulder before disappearing into his office.

You stand there, staring at his office doors, doing everything you can to quell the sudden heat flooding your body.

You add extra ice to your water and bury yourself in your work as a poor distraction.

Kyle texts you the address that night, along with a message telling you not to come into work the next day, and a single sentence after that reads: Wear something blue :).

You sleep in the next morning—the first time in years—taking your time to go through your clothes and get ready. Your wardrobe is limited—all of the outfits Valeria’s had made for you sitting in the dressing room at the club.

Those would probably be too formal anyways.

You decide on your usual jeans and boots, but dig out a lighter shirt—more grey than blue, but passable—to wear under your black sweater. It’ll have to work as you spend the rest of your time fixing your hair, relaxing, and singing along to the music on your phone.

You leave an hour early, still unfamiliar with the city streets outside your commute to and from the club. The directions are simple enough to follow, your phone’s GPS taking you through the city easily, but after almost twenty minutes, you take a turn and realize you’re being led out of the city.

The drive is almost peaceful, the bustle of the city melting away into broad open landscape then into large trees filled with lush greenery. You’re directed to an off-road leading deeper into the thicket, your car protesting as it leaves the pavement and starts down the dirt road.

It takes half an hour of driving through solid forest before the trees around you begin to thin, and the dirt road slowly turns to gravel, then to smooth stone. The road curves and winds through the trees before you take a sharp turn, and you catch sight of the house.

No, house isn’t the right word. Manor would be more accurate.

The car comes to a halt as you hit the brakes, hands tightening around your steering wheel until your nails dig into the heels of your palms.

A sprawling estate surrounded by lush greenery that grows up the front of the house, you’re reminded of your family’s old summer home. That house hadn’t been nearly as big as this, but Price’s manor carries the same quaint feeling you remember having every time your father took you on vacation at the summer home.

The knot that grows in your throat is sudden, the rush of nostalgia slamming into you without warning.

The last time you had been to that old house was for your wedding.

You still remember the smell of lilacs and sweet peas that drifted up from the beautifully decorated courtyard into the bridal suite, the gorgeous bespoke gown that had once been your mother’s—gifted to you by your father as your something borrowed—and the beaming smile you carried for the entire day.

The last good day you remember having in your old life.

That’s over now, you remind yourself. You’re safe here.

You take a deep breath, loosening your grip on the steering wheel and easing off the brake. You drive slowly, taking in the beautifully laid out gardens around the front of the manor, trying to push down the painful fondness that stabs at your heart.

You park behind the various cars at the end of the driveway, locking your car behind you just once before making your way to the front doors.

Just like the club, they’re unlocked.

As soon as you walk in, you’re hit with a delicious smell and the sounds of quiet laughter. You follow the noise, taking in the interior of the house. It’s homey, understated, downright cozy, and somehow fitting for what you’d imagine as Price’s home.

“Look who it is!” Alex cheers as you walk into a sitting room. He sits on one of the couches, an arm draped across the back and around Farah. Across from them is Kyle, spread out on the other couch, busy typing away on his phone, his feet almost in Nik’s lap. You’ve never seen them so dressed down before, all in some type of hoodie, sweater, sweats combination—or pajama pants in Nik’s case.

Farah and Nik give you the same eager greeting, but Kyle continues on his phone, ignoring your presence entirely.

“Don’t mind him,” Farah scoffs. “He’s too busy with his new girlfriend.”

“It’s no problem,” you laugh, looking around the room. Farah watches you, smirk plastered on her face.

“The old man’s in the kitchen,” she says, nodding toward the other side of the room. Alex and Nik bite back their laughs, and you choose to ignore them.

“Thanks, Farah.” She nods, and you head in the direction she gives you. You head in the direction she gives you, passing through the dining room before you’re able to find the kitchen.

It’s not exactly like the one from your old summer home, but it’s damn close—spacious yet comfortable, all earth-toned and welcoming—and it’s a fight to swallow down the knot in your throat.

“You’re here!”

You’re pulled out of your thoughts as Price catches sight of you, setting down the knife in his hand and making his way over to you. You’ve never seen him in a sweater before, but you know how you’d kill to see him in one again. Like the others, he’s dressed down from his usual club attire: a deep maroon sweater with rolled sleeves, jeans, and a black apron with small spots of flour across it.

“Yeah, didn’t want to miss out on seeing my boss in an apron,” you joke as he pulls you into a hug, followed by a kiss on the head. You let yourself melt into him, missing his warmth the minute he pulls away.

“You can have a drink and wait with the others if you want. Grab whatever you want from the fridge,” he says, heading back to his station.

“Actually,” you take a deep breath, setting your hands on the island counter, “I was wondering if there was anything I could help with?”

He seems surprised at the offer, brows raised as he looks up at you. But the surprise is quickly replaced with a fond smile.

“You any good at chopping vegetables?” he asks.

“The best,” you tease, inching your way over to him, giving him time to tell you no.

“You can take over here, then.”

He takes a step back, and you take his place, picking the knife up from the cutting board. You’re about to start when you feel his hands settle on your hips and his lips brushing against the skin of your neck. You tilt your head automatically, pressing back into him as he murmurs a quiet, “Thank you.” He pulls away immediately after, leaving you to your work.

Time flies by, the two of you work almost seamlessly together in the kitchen. You laugh and joke and enjoy as Price takes every opportunity to put his hands on you. Small, teasing touches, but they send your heart racing each and every time, and soon you find yourself returning the favor.

By the time the food’s ready, you’ve shed your sweater, the kitchen heat, and the man next to you far too much for you. You take it in stride, having more fun than you’ve had in a long time and allowing yourself to enjoy this moment.

Dinner passes by equally as fun, feeling like those rare dinners you got to have with your father—just you and him, just family.

The others bid their goodbye, Alex and Farah heading home after dishes are done, Nik heading upstairs to one of the many spare rooms, and Kyle leaving to meet Tabby at her place. You help clean, waiting until everything is spotless to take your leave. Price walks you to the door, hand on the small of your back the entire walk.

“You know,” he says as you reach the front door, “you could stay here for the night.”

“What? You mean you don’t want to come back to mine?” you tease, lightly nudging him with your elbow. When he doesn’t laugh, you still worry creeping up your spine.

Please, don’t ask me to “repay” you for dinner.

Please, don’t ask me to “repay” you for dinner.

Please, don’t ask me to “repay” you for dinner.

“There’s plenty of room here,” he says quietly, pulling his hand from your back so he can turn to face. “I just—I’d sleep better knowing you were somewhere…safer.”

Oh. Oh.

You don’t know how you can possibly feel more endeared than you do in this moment, the worry so genuine on his face.

“It’s not that bad. I’ve been fine so far,” you offer, voice soft as you set a hand on his arm. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

He huffs a quiet laugh, wrapping his hand around yours, “There’s always room for you here if you ever change your mind.”

“Thank you.”

And even if you don’t take up the offer now, you mean it with all your heart.

-

Summer nears its end when you find a sleek red box sitting atop your vanity that was definitely not there before you went on stage.

A small white card with your name written on the front rests on top of the box, a handwritten note with an address and a date for Saturday afternoon. You don’t recognize the address or the handwriting, so you set the card aside cautiously, sliding your fingers under the box lid.

You lift the lid, curiosity winning out over your caution.

Laying inside, pristinely folded, is a dress. A very beautiful, pale dress covered in pale blue columbine flowers. You run your fingers along the fabric, admiring the softness of the organza against your skin.

What is this for?

You wrack your brain trying to think of any upcoming birthdays or events, but nothing comes to mind. You’re sure you’d know; things like that are usually a big deal for the club.

You’re left wondering as someone knocks on the dressing room door. You quickly put the lid back on the box, tucking the card into the pocket of your jacket draped over the back of your chair.

When you leave for the night, you take the box back to the motel room, setting it on top of the duffle bag that holds your clothes, where it sits untouched for the rest of the week.

When Saturday comes, you wake up an hour before your alarm and head straight for the box. You set it on the bed and spend the morning getting ready with a long, room-temperature shower.

A small voice nags in the back of your mind as you stand in your underwear, staring down at the box on your bed. You’re excited and nervous, eager to try on the dress but unsure of what to expect from all of this.

The last time someone surprised you with a dress…

You shake the thoughts from your head, pulling the lid from the box, lifting the dress out, and finding a pair of nude flats lying at the bottom.

It’s long and light, made of a soft, airy material that falls to the ground with short, sheer puffy sleeves and a slit up to the knee. You have no trouble putting it on, the smooth silk gliding against your skin in a fit so perfect that you immediately think this must be Valeria’s doing.

You twirl, watching the material fan out with a wide smile. You leave the shoes in the box while you fix your hair, putting in the effort to get your hair just right and make yourself look as good as the dress makes you feel.

When you’re done, and looking far more stunning than you anticipated, you slip on the shoes and grab your keys.

You head out to your car in the early afternoon, pulling up the address on your phone. Your destination is just outside the city, opposite from where you are. It doesn’t take long, even in the afternoon traffic, and it ends with you pulling up to a large house with a driveway full of familiar cars.

You park behind Kyle’s car, giving yourself one last look in your slightly crooked rearview mirror.

When you step out of your car, you’re instantly met with music and laughter echoing from the backyard. You follow the path up to the front door, knocking twice as you admire the front garden.

The house is far enough out of the city to not be near anyone else but close enough to not have to drive an hour to get to the club like Price’s. Large, spacious, and a yard covered in different types of flowers.

A sharp whistle startles you as you take in how well taken care of the daisies look.

“Canary!” You step back from the door, looking across the driveway where Kyle stands, waving his hands at you, Roach next to him, holding open a gate that you assume leads to the backyard.

It’s weird to see them out of their standard black, but the bright summer colors fit them just as well. You make your way over, Kyle meeting you halfway to pull you into a hug.

“Glad you make it!”

“Me too!” you laugh, following him to the gate so you can hug Roach. “What’s the occasion?”

“Occasion?” Roach asks, holding the gate open with his foot so he can sign to you.

“It’s just a party,” Kyle says with a curious tilt of his head. “Valeria didn’t tell you?”

“Why would she tell me?”

“Because it’s her house?” Roach blinks.

“No one told me anything. I found a card with a time and place sitting on my vanity. And this—” you gesture to the dress, “—with it.”

“That’s one way to invite you, I guess,” Kyle shrugs, throwing an arm around your shoulders with an easy smile. “Either way, we’re glad you’re here.”

He and Roach lead you into the backyard, equally beautiful as the front, with tall trees providing shade and a large pool in the center. The entire club is here. Alejandro and Alex stand near the grill, laughing and passing jokes while the rest of the club is gathered at the few tables set up in the shade near the back doors to the house.

Valeria spots you instantly, making her way over with a wide grin. Kyle slides his arm from your shoulders as she gets close, and she pulls you into a quick hug.

“You made it!” she cheers, taking a step back and giving you an appreciative once over. “And you look fantastic! I’m proud of you.”

“It wasn’t all me,” you say, a little shy under the praise. “Thank you for the dress, by the way.”

“Hm?” Valeria raises a brow. “Well, it is lovely, and the blue’s a nice touch, but it’s not one of mine.”

“What?”

If it wasn’t her, then…who?

You look around the yard, glancing over the rest of your friends and coworkers. They all seem busy talking, laughing, enjoying themselves.

All except for one, John Price, who’s sitting between Ghost and König, wearing a pale blue shirt to match the color of the flowers on your dress and staring at you with an intensity that sets your skin alight.

“Oh,” Valeria laughs, following your gaze.

“Explains the blue,” Kyle snickers, nudging your arm with his elbow.

You pull your eyes away from Price to smack Kyle in the chest. You’re met with laughter from the three of them, covering your face with your hands in a poor attempt to cool the heat in your cheeks.

“I hate all of you,” you grumble, their laughter growing as you head for the tables. You do your best to smile and not appear as flustered as you are, returning hellos and hugs as everyone notices you. When you reach the back table, Ghost nods in greeting while König stands to hug you. However, when he pulls away from you, he pulls out the chair he’d been sitting in and gestures for you to sit.

“You don’t have to—”

“I have to help Alex soon, anyway,” König shrugs.

“Okay, then,” you smile, taking the seat, turning to add a quick thank you before he leaves for the grill.

“You look lovely,” Price says the moment you turn back to the table. “Blue suits you.”

Ghost doesn’t speak, simply picking up his glass and sitting next to Soap at the table across from yours.

“Like this color, do you?” you ask, setting your elbows on the table to lace your fingers together and set your chin atop them, smiling at him with a raised brow.

“You could say I’m partial to it,” he shrugs casually, eyes trailing down the expanse of your leg exposed through the slit of your dress. “Especially on certain people.”

You can’t help but giggle, shaking your head as you lean back in your chair.

You take a moment to feel the warmth from the sun, cooled by the gentle summer breeze carrying a soft bite of autumn’s inevitable chill.

You don’t remember the last time you could simply enjoy a day outside.

“Thank you, by the way,” you speak up, turning to Price with a soft smile. “You didn’t have to get me a dress, but I appreciate it.”

“Not a fan of gifts?” he asks, an unusual hesitance in his voice.

“I like them. I’m just…not used to them, I guess.”

Or ones that don’t come with ulterior motives, anyway.

He stares at you for a brief second before his hand slides across the table to settle over you with a light squeeze. “Think you better get used to it then, love. There’s plenty more where that came from.”

You huff a quiet laugh, shaking your head at the smug grin on Price’s face.

“I’m not going to be able to talk you out of that, am I?”

“Not at all,” he laughs, and you laugh along, turning your hand over to lace your fingers through his.

You give a soft squeeze of his hand, soaking up the warmth from his hand, “Price, I—”

“Sparrow, get over here! We’re starting karaoke!” You turn as Soap yells from his table.

“In a minute!” you call back.

“Fine, but I’m pickin’ your song!”

Price chuckles next to you, releasing your hand. Disappointment swells in your chest before his hand reaches your bare knee. “Go have fun. We can talk later,” he smiles.

You nod, and he lets his hand linger a second longer before pulling away as you stand up. You adjust your dress before glancing over to Price. As soon as the idea comes to your head, you act. Setting a hand on his shoulder, you lean down to press a kiss to his cheek before whispering into his ear your promise of later.

You step away quickly, making your way over to the rest of your friends, looking back only once to catch Price’s eyes. He sends you a wink, standing from his chair to join Alex, Alejandro, and König.

You don’t know what later entails, but you’re certainly looking forward to it.

-

Everything changes at the beginning of autumn when you return to your motel room exhausted from an incredibly long week.

You don’t take notice of the new car that sits in the usually empty parking lot.

Or how your door doesn’t click when you turn the key.

Or that your duffel bag sits open on top of your bed, instead of under it like you’d left it that morning.

If your father had been here, he would’ve killed you being so careless, for letting your guard down so much.

But the man who’s broken into your room takes up the job for him, waiting until you reach the bathroom door to shove his way out and tackle you to the floor. You don’t get the chance to scream as your head slams into the floor, and your vision goes blurry.

You feel his weight over you as he tries to grab at your arms, words coming out of his mouth that your fuzzy brain can’t process right now. He gets frustrated, hands wrapping around your neck before they squeeze, and your neck burns.

You squirm and push, fighting back with everything you have until you can land a kick to his stomach that sends him stumbling to the side.

You roll onto your stomach, stumbling to push yourself up to your feet. You make it to your dresser before a meaty hand wraps around your ankle and yanks.

You're sent back to the grab, scrabbling to grab hold of anything you can on the dresser. Your hand catches something, and you wrap your fist around it on the way down, waiting until the man tries to climb over you again before you swing.

You make contact with him, the object in your hand causing an audible crack against his head. He falls over, and instinct takes over. You swing again, then one more time before you toss the object aside—it's the table lamp that never worked, now that you're given time to look at it—and scoot back until your back is pressed against the foot of your bed.

It takes a minute before your vision can fully focus, and you process the man lying on your floor, blood pooling out from the cracked open dent in his head.

Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck.

You don't know what else to do, going straight for your phone. Your eyes glassy, you struggle to find the contact you need and gulp down as much air as you can while it rings.

"Hello?"

I'm sorry to bother you. Please, don't be mad.

"H-Hey. I—I um—"

You can't get words around, lungs constricting too fast to get air in.

"Canary? Are you okay?"

"I don't—I don't know what—what happened. I—"

"Breathe, love. Where are you?"

"He at—he attacked me. I didn't mean to—I didn't—"

You hear conversation in the background, multiple voices.

"Are you at home?"

"I—"

"Yes or no, love."

"Y—yes."

"Stay there, okay?"

"Okay."

You don't mean to hang up, but your hands are too shaky, and you hit end call button trying to put Price on speaker.

You don't know how long you sit there, hyperventilating as you stare at the man bleeding out on your floor. Minutes? Hours? You have no way to tell; time passes too quickly yet drags second by second.

You don't hear your door open or the soft call of your name, but you do feel the hand on your shoulder.

"No!" You try to pull away, but the person moves in front of you, and you go into full panic mode.

"Stop, it's me. It's me. It's okay. It's me, love."

Two warm hands settle on either side of your face, turning you to look forward, where you find Price on his knees in front of you, concern etched deep into his features.

"I—he tried to—"

His hands fall from your face, instead wrapping around you to pull you into him. You go easily, tucking yourself against him, against the familiar comfort as the knot swells in your throat and the dam finally breaks.

"Shh, it's okay," Price coos into your hair. "I've got you. You're safe."

Despite the circumstances, you believe him.

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[spghtrbry]

so… i joked that escamillo would be friends with figaro. and then i joked that if escamillo hadn’t dated carmen, the plot of the opera could turn into… the barber of seville. but without don bartolo. carmen just wouldn’t care.

so. here it is. il torero di siviglia.