#how can I enjoy 3 days off if my brain and body aren’t in sync about what to do

[aquaticaberration]

If I rewrite my resume today, then I can focus on applying to jobs tomorrow. But my brain has put that idea in the back of the fridge and is instead focusing on the snacks in the pantry labeled “Writing Ideas and What We Can Do About Them.”

However, my body is busy walking laps around the house, intent on neither of those options.

[capcarolsdanver]

Why Her? (Part 3)

Summary: This fic is based off a request from an anon after some speculations that have been made on my blog. Brie enlists the help of the reader to get a date with a girl that reader knows from class, only for unexpected feelings to be caught. Drama/angst/fluff to come! Pairing: Brie x Reader

A/N: Part 3 is here! Apologies for the slight delay! The next and final part should be out soon! As usual, any feedback is much appreciated, so I look forward to hearing what you think! Enjoy!

Please do not repost my writing anywhere without my permission.

PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 4

“Wait, you’ve never seen Star Wars?!”

Brie has to literally shout for you to hear her over the loud thumping of the music that fills the room around you, though her apparent outrage at your new admission is evident. You shake your head and laugh as she continues to look at you incredulously.

“None of them?”

You take a brief glance around to see if anyone else is paying attention to the outburst you’re being subjected to, though none of your fellow partygoers seem to pay you or Brie any mind.

“Nope,” you confirm again. Brie stares at you in disbelief for a few more seconds, almost as if she is personally offended by your revelation. In fact, the longer she stares at you, the more you’re convinced that she does feel personally offended.

“Well, we’re gonna have to fix that, then,” she says with such determination that you’re actually a little worried what she would do if you tried to disagree with her.

Since you had first introduced Brie to Sarah about two weeks ago, you both have attended another two parties together, this being the second. During those two weeks, you and Brie have grown a lot closer, texting each other constantly and even hanging out every couple of days. Of course, you’re still helping her with Sarah, and you have to remind yourself of that every now and again.

It’s hard for you to admit to yourself that Brie is probably the person you are the closest to now when you are highly aware that the reason for that is because you’re trying to help her get another girl. Who knows how Brie views your relationship, and who knows what will happen between the two of you when she does inevitably get that date with Sarah.

You’re pulled from the rabbit hole your thoughts had managed to take you down when Sarah herself suddenly appears in front of you and Brie.

“Oh my god, I’m running into you guys again?!” She exclaims instead of a more formal greeting, a large grin on her face.

“Small world,” you reply, and return the warm hug that Sarah envelops you in, a greeting that you’ve grown used to from Sarah. You watch her then turn to Brie and crush her in a hug too. You would laugh at the sudden shock and panic evident on Brie’s face if it weren’t for the uncomfortable feeling that hits your entire body at that very moment.

Brie is late to wrap her own arms around Sarah, who seems entirely unfazed by Brie’s awkwardness as she steps back again to regard you both. You notice that her skin is flushed, the expression on her face perhaps a little too laidback, and she takes a large sip from the cup that you only now realise she’s holding.

Sarah is drunk. Very drunk, if the slight sway of her body despite her standing in one spot is any indication.

She surveys the space around her, her body dramatically twisting around with the movement, and she looks back at you and Brie with excitement in her eyes.

“Let’s dance!” She proclaims eagerly. You and Brie share a quick look while Sarah downs the rest of her drink and unceremoniously drops her plastic cup to the ground. She grabs you both and drags you towards the overcrowded group of people who appear to be attempting to move in sync to the beat. Although, it looks like most are too drunk, or just simply have no sense of rhythm whatsoever.

Sarah doesn’t give you a chance to protest before she joins the flock of people and starts moving her body to the music. You hazard a glance at Brie, who still looks shell-shocked at the sudden turn of events. You also can’t help but notice the distinct direction of Brie’s gaze, her eyes obviously landing on Sarah’s ass as she dances in front of you, seemingly in her own world. That same uncomfortable feeling washes over you again and you frown at whatever reaction your body seems to be having without your permission.

You purposefully advert your gaze from the scene unfolding in front of you. Suddenly feeling like a major third wheel, you decide that maybe it’s a good time to leave Sarah and Brie on their own. You can’t be a buffer between them forever after all.

Without another glance at either of the two girls, you turn away from them and begin pushing through the thick crowd of people towards a more open space. You noticed earlier that the house has a wrap-around porch. Maybe you can go there for some fresh air now.

On your way, your arm catches on something, or more accurately, someone. You’re pulled to a stop a you let out a deep sigh, getting ready to ward off any unwanted to advances from some drunk frat boy that you expect to find attached to you.

You turn around in a flash, your deep scowl quickly fading from your face when you realise that it’s Brie who has a hold of your arm. You freeze, watching her. Her eyes move over you, her features laced with concern and she tightens her grip on you, leaning her body towards you. She stops once her face is practically right next to your ear so you can hear her.

“Are you okay?” She asks. Despite having to somewhat raise her voice still, her tone is surprisingly gentle. You realise you aren’t actually sure how to answer her question. It’s obvious you’re going through some kind of emotional reaction, though you aren’t quite sure what to make of it just yet.

Brie waits a long beat, and when you don’t answer she leans back so she can look at you again. She observes you for another few moments before she seems to make up her mind about something, her hand dropping from your forearm to your hand.

“Come on,” she says and tugs you to walk with her towards the porch you originally were headed towards.

She pushes the sliding door open and shuts it again when you have both made it outside and you’re surprised by how much the door drowns out the sound of the ridiculously loud music. Suddenly in a much more open, quiet space, you feel like you can actually breathe again.

“What’s wrong?” She asks. She’s still watching you carefully, and you begin to wonder just how fragile you must look given her reaction. Damn your stupid emotions. “Did something happen?”

“No,” you breathe out, shaking your head, willing this rogue feeling inside of you to go away. “I’m fine.” You lock eyes with her in an attempt to convince her. Judging from the expression on her face, you don’t do a great job of that.

It’s silent for another minute when something suddenly crosses your mind. “Wait, why did you come after me? You had Sarah dancing basically on top of you.” This time it’s her turn to drop eye contact and she shrugs lightly.

“I was worried about you.” You’re taken aback by how sincerely she speaks. “I mean, you just up and left.”

In truth, you hadn’t even expected her to notice your absence after you saw the way she was watching Sarah. The fact that she immediately realised you’d left and then followed you to make sure you were okay is actually remarkable to you, considering the circumstances.

“Well I’m okay,” you assure her, squeezing the hand that’s still clasped in your own before letting go and dropping your own hand back to your side. “You wanna go find her again?” You nod behind you towards the door and Brie’s eyes follow, glancing passed your shoulder.

She considers it for a second before shaking her head. “No, it’s okay.” You blink at her, not expecting that. She notices your surprise and jumps back in to explain herself further. “It’s getting pretty late now so I think it’s a good time to go. Besides, she’s drunk. She probably still hasn’t realised we’ve left her on the dance floor yet.”

You laugh at that, figuring that she could actually be right. Sarah did seem pretty out of it. You doubt she’ll remember much of tonight.

You agree with Brie, eager to leave the party as well. Brie walks with you back to your dorm, which is thankfully only a short walk, before you bid her farewell and watch her walk in the direction of her own apartment.

————————

The following Friday, you’re trying to force your brain to pay attention in your morning class when you phone vibrates on your desk, easily pulling your attention away from your professor.

You see a new text from Brie waiting for you.

“Are you free tonight?”

You sigh, expecting yet another invite to a party to help Brie out with Sarah. You personally haven’t heard anything about any parties she’d be attending that night, but maybe Brie had.

“I don’t have any grand plans if that’s what you’re asking”

You don’t even bother to put your phone back down. You’ve learnt by now that Brie is a quick replier.

“Okay great!! Movie night??”

You stare down at your phone for far too long. It definitely had not been the text you were expecting from her. You of course consider Brie at least a close friend at this point, but you weren’t sure Brie considered anything similar about you.

“Where?”

“How about my apartment?”

Again, you’re slightly surprised. Over the admittedly short few weeks of friendship you and Brie share together, Brie had only seen your dorm room once when you had to run back up there after forgetting something before one of the parties you’d gone to. You still haven’t even seen the building that Brie lives in.

You consider your answer for a moment. It briefly occurs to you that this might just end up being another planning session, but the prospect of spending more time with Brie has you agreeing before you really even give yourself time to think too much about it.

“Sure”

————————

You stare at the apartment door, feeling uncharacteristically nervous. Though, it seems to be a more and more common feeling the longer whatever you have with Brie goes on. You step forward to knock on the door and then step back, surveying the hallway while you wait.

There’s nothing out of the ordinary, and you find yourself feeling glad that Brie is living in what seems to be a clean, safe apartment building. You had admittedly been worried when you first arrived, as the building itself doesn’t seem to have any lock or security feature to stop strangers from waltzing into the building whenever they please. Those fears seem to dissipate slightly, though, when you see no reason to worry by the state of the interior of the building thus far.

An older woman steps out of her own apartment a few doors over and notices you, offering you a smile before heading in the opposite direction down the hall. The people here seem nice, too.

The door in front of you swings open and Brie is greeting you with a wide smile.

“Hey!” She pulls you into a hug. You’re not quite expecting it but you happily return the hug. “Come in,” she says and steps back to give you room to walk through the doorway and into her apartment.

It’s not the greatest apartment you’ve ever seen, but it’s a major improvement over the tiny shoebox you call a dorm room. The apartment is mostly one big open space, the kitchen to the left of the entrance and the living area to the right. It looks like there’s a small hallway straight ahead that must lead to the bedroom and bathroom.

“It’s not much,” she says, watching you take in the new space around you.

“I love it!” You reply, shooting a reassuring smile her way before you continue scanning the apartment. You can see that her living room area to the far right is perfectly set up for movie-watching, with a ridiculously comfortable looking couch, a couple of bean bags and some plush throw blankets neatly folded over the back of the couch.

She also has a couple of gaming consoles and their respective games all stacked neatly within the TV cabinet underneath her large television. You smile at the insane amount of Nintendo games you see.

What an absolute dork you’ve managed to make friends with.

“Did you bring popcorn?” She excitedly asks, noticing the bag of microwave popcorn in your hand that you’d bought on your way to her place. She grabs it from you and looks at the bag to confirm what it is.

“Of course,” you nod. “What would a movie night be without popcorn?”

“I like the way you think,” she laughs, dropping the bag on the kitchen counter. “I’ve ordered some pizza too, so once that gets here we can officially start the night!”

You silently thank whatever higher power is out there when you realise that Brie appears to be planning on taking the night off of the whole Sarah thing too.

She walks over to the couch and drops down onto it and you join her, sitting towards the other side of the couch. You’re unsure of the appropriate distance you should sit from her so decide on a relatively safe distance. Not too far but not too close. The couch is just as comfortable as it looks and you practically melt into it.

“So what are we watching?” You ask and Brie hits you with an expectant look, as if you should know the answer already.

“Star Wars, obviously. Duh,” she says matter-of-factly. “I told you I’d make you watch them.” You snort at her how serious she turns at the mention of Star Wars, and raise your hands defensively in front of you.

“Okay, okay. Star Wars it is. I’m too scared to try to make you put something else on.”

Her serious look suddenly brightens and she smirks at you. “That’s what I thought,” she says in a playfully menacing kind of way and you chuckle at her.

Yep, an absolute dork.

There’s a knock on at the door that grabs your attention and Brie jumps up to her feet again.

“Must be the pizza! Gimme one sec.”

Brie hurries off to the door and answers it, chatting politely to the delivery guy on the other side of the door, and a moment later she closes the door again and walks back over to the couch, looking all kinds of pleased with herself over the pizza in her hands.

She throws open the pizza box and eagerly grabs a slice, taking a bite. You grab your own slice as well, just as eager as Brie. While she continues munching on her pizza, she grabs her TV remote and gets the movie ready.

“Are you ready for the most incredible cinematic experience of your life?”

You roll your eyes at her playfully and hold back a laugh at the intense look on her face. “Just play the damn thing, would you?” You say, which does earn you a glare from Brie, but she decides not to retaliate in favour of playing the movie. She puts on A New Hope.

To your surprise, you actually do enjoy the film. Although, you do have to ask a lot of questions throughout the entire thing to understand everything that’s going on. To Brie’s credit, though, she doesn’t seem at all annoyed by your non-stop questions. She seems more happy that you’re actually trying to pay attention and understand it than anything.

“So?! What did you think?” Brie asks when the credits start rolling, turning to you and expectantly awaiting your response.

“I liked it,” you confirm, smiling when Brie grins at you. “But where was the little green guy? Isn’t he, like, one of the main characters?”

Brie’s grin drops so quickly that you almost flinch. “The little green guy?!” She exclaims. “You mean Yoda?”

“Yeah, him!” You light up with recognition of his name. Brie looks completely dumbfounded.

“I can’t believe you forgot Yoda’s name. Everyone knows who Yoda is.” She shakes her head at you, truly looking speechless. “Luckily for you, he’s in Empire Strikes Back.” You blink at her, a completely blank look on your face, and she narrows her eyes at you. “It’s the next movie in the series,” she explains.

You nod your head in understanding, quietly enjoying how frustrated she seems to be getting by your complete lack of knowledge of all things Star Wars.

“Let me go get some popcorn ready and then we’ll put it on,” she says and stands from the couch again. “Do you want anything else?”

“No thanks, I’m good,” you smile and watch her head to the kitchen.

Your attention is pulled away when you hear your phone vibrate on the couch beside you. You pick it up and check your new notification, frowning at the screen.

It’s an invite to some last minute party one of your peers has decided to throw tonight. You do get these kinds of invites a lot, and you know practically the entire student body usually gets sent the same invite, so you quickly click on the link to take you to the event page for the party.

You click on the list of people who have confirmed their attendance and you feel your frown deepen when you see Sarah on that list.

Brie returns to the couch where you’re still staring at your phone and notices the frown on your face before she even sits back down.

“Is everything okay?” She asks.

“Hm?” You look up at her, snapping yourself back into reality. “Oh. Yeah.” You sigh before aiming the phone screen in her general direction. “Turns out someone’s throwing a party tonight.” You try to add some kind of lilt to your voice but you know it falls flat.

“Oh,” Brie says, barely paying any mind to your phone screen before flopping back down onto the couch, closer to you now than she was before. She looks remarkably unbothered by the event page open on your phone.

“Looks like Sarah is gonna be there,” you say, studying her face. All she does is nod vaguely at your words, and then she’s picking up her TV remote again like she doesn’t even register what you’ve said.

“Okay, are you ready for Episode V?” You blink at her for a moment, watching for any kind of rogue emotion on her face, but seeing no signs of any.

“You don’t want to go to the party?”

“Not really,” she shrugs with one shoulder. “I’d honestly rather we just stay here tonight.” Her eyes flick over to you, showing the first signs of emotion you’ve seen since you brought up the party. “Did you want to go?”

“No,” you easily answer, and you mentally scold yourself for answering so quickly, but your answer seems to please Brie. You notice the hint of a smile at the corner of her lips and she looks back at the TV.

“Good,” she mutters. She presses play on the movie and leans back into the couch, offering the bowl of popcorn out to you. You grab some and find yourself leaning back and making yourself more comfortable, too.

You let yourself forget about the party, at least for now. If Brie would really rather stay here watching movies with you instead of dragging you along to yet another party so you can help her talk to another girl, then by all means you’re thrilled to go along with it.

You still have more questions to ask throughout the movie so you can follow along, but you do at times find yourself a little distracted by the gap between yours and Brie’s bodies that seems to be growing smaller and smaller as the movie goes on.

By the time you’re halfway through watching Return of the Jedi, your thigh is pressed against Brie’s and her head is resting on your shoulder, tucked slightly into your neck. You realise she’s asleep somewhere towards the end of the movie, and it’s not long after that you find yourself drifting to sleep too.

————————

You wake up the next morning to sunlight filtering in through the windows, pleasantly warming your skin as it reaches you. You let out a content sigh, stretching your arms out and snuggling further into the throw blanket that’s been draped over you.

Your eyes suddenly open the second you remember where you are. You’re alone on the couch now, lying down, no longer in the seated position you remember being in last night. You sit up, glancing around Brie’s apartment from your spot on the couch.

Everything seems very still, and you wait for any signs of someone else in the apartment, only to be met with complete silence. You stand up from the couch, dropping the blanket back down and take careful steps through the apartment, almost too scared to disrupt the quiet of the morning.

You don’t exactly feel comfortable making yourself at home by walking through Brie’s apartment wherever you like, but you do glance down the hallway, looking through the open bedroom door to find no signs of Brie.

You make your way back to the kitchen counter, hoping for some kind of clue as to where Brie could have gone to. Luckily, you find it; a piece of paper with a handwritten letter that you assume is meant for you.

“Morning Sleepy Head,

Was in need of some coffee so I’m heading to the diner down the street. Come meet me there once you’re awake. I’ll order us some pancakes!

xx Brie”

You assume she’s referring to the diner you and her had previously met up at to discuss the Sarah plan. Now that you think about it, you do realise that the diner is incredibly close to Brie’s apartment. That certainly explains why she likes to go there so frequently.

You smile to yourself as you read over the letter again. Your feelings towards Brie had grown confusing, but they were starting to become more and more clearer. So you can’t help but wonder if the fact that Brie wants to spend even more time with you means anything significant or if you’re just reading into things.

You move quickly, trying to make yourself at least somewhat presentable given that you’re still in the clothes you showed up in last night, and leave Brie’s apartment to head to the diner.

It’s only a short walk, and you don’t even allow yourself to overthink anything before you walk into the diner and start scanning for Brie. You spot her standing near the same table in the far corner that she was at the last time you were here. Only, you abruptly realise, she isn’t alone.

Standing opposite her is Sarah. The two of them are chatting animatedly, laughing among themselves. At one point Sarah reaches out and touches Brie’s forearm mid-laugh, and you can do nothing but watch their interaction from a distance.

The smile that you don’t even realise is on your face drops and you only watch them for another couple of seconds, but that short time makes you second-guess everything. Your heart sinks in such an indescribable way that you almost start worrying that you can’t breathe for a moment.

Without even thinking about it, you’re already turning to leave, just at the same moment that Brie looks your way and notices you. She goes to wave at you but instead her brows furrow as she watches you turn and hurry towards the door you had only just entered through.

In the back of your mind you register her shouting your name, but there’s only one thought that demands every ounce of your attention, repeating itself over and over again.

Why her?

[undyingskies]

Adventure Days

request: yes;

“You did an amazing job with the booboo gf panic attack one.  Could you write one for Willex, Alex is having a bad day with dealing with being a ghost and his anxiety is bad and he’s pacing a lot and is on the edge of a panic attack, Luke finds Willie for him because Willie helps calm him down (Willie is his bf in this) as he’s talking to willie about what’s wrong he has a panic attack and then Willie has to help him though it. Thank you 🙏 I love all of your work your writing is soo good.”

“I hope it’s ok to request a fic. This is for Willex. They are on one of their adventures/dates, Alex is having a bad anxiety day but he didn’t want to tell Willie and ruin his day or scare him off. Alex is not being himself and Willie notices so they have a little chat about Alex’s anxiety and then Willie try’s his best to make Alex feel better. He’s the best boyfriend ever and finds ways to take Alex’s mind of it and makes the day really special for Alex. Lots of comfort, hugs and kisses.” 

A/N: I hope everyone enjoys this one, this was my first time writing about characters so I hope it turned out well! Both of these requests were very similar so I decided to combine the two!

warnings: none

tagged: @mah-gah-lee , she’s the best check her and her fics out!

_____________________________________

Alex had woken up this morning, his anxiety sky rocketing. He had no idea why, sometimes this just happened. Anxiety is a funny little thing that does this sometimes, it doesn’t need a reason to ramp up but it does. 

Alex did his best to get through it and shove it deep down. Today Willie and him were going to go around LA, Willie said he had a few places he wanted to show Alex.

He knew his boyfriend was really excited for the day and he didn’t want to ruin it. He wanted the two of them to have a good day, that was full of fun and laughter, he didn’t want it to be ruined by his anxiety. 

He was waiting for the time to come to meet up with Willie. They had both agreed to meet up at their spot near the beach. Alex had a few minutes before he had to go, which he spent pacing in the bands studio.

He was just trying to get a grip on his shaking hands and shallow breath before he leaves. What he didn’t realize is that Luke and Reggie had poofed in and were watching the blonde walk back and forth.

“You good there buddy?” Reggie asks, breaking the silence in the studio. Which caused Alex to jump. 

“Jesus! I told you two not to do that to me anymore!” Alex yells back frustrated. He’s already overwhelmed by his emotions, he didn’t need his band mates scaring him to add on top of it. 

“And I’m fine. Just a little anxious today is all.” Alex tells them. 

“Can we do anything to help?” Luke pipes up, worried about his friend. He can tell by the look on Alex’s face that he wasn’t just fine but knew not to push it.

“No, thanks though.” Alex says while checking his watch. “Shoot, I’ve got to go meet Willie. I’ll see you guys later.” With that Alex poofed out of the room, leaving his two band mates worried. 

Alex had poofed to the small park next to the beach. He watched as Willie kept busy skateboarding around and through the people who took up the sidewalks. 

Alex shook his head, laughing. It was always interesting to me that Willie did not seem to

mind just to go through people like that. While on the other hand Alex almost always refused to do so, it felt weird and Alex didn’t like that.

Willie rounds the corner, and a huge smile makes its way onto his face as he sees his boyfriend standing there waiting for him. He quickly hops of his skateboard and jogs over to Alex. 

“Hey Alex!” Willie says walking up to him engulfing him a hug not before placing a quick kiss to his boyfriends lips. 

“Hey!” Alex says, shoving his hands into his pant pockets, wanting to hide his shaking hands. “So, what do you have planned today?” 

“I was thinking we could walk around LA for a little today, maybe go up to the hollywood sign? There are also a few pop up museums I wanted to take you too!” Willie says filling him in on his plans. 

Alex can feel his breath hitch a little. He doesn’t know why the plans cause his anxiety to flare up a little more but it does. 

“Sounds good.” Alex says, trying to put on his best smile. Hoping Willie doesn’t notice.

Willie does notice, but chooses not to question it. He knows that if Alex needed to say something he would. 

Willie grabs onto Alex’s hand, and with a smile, poofs them away. 

Alex opens his eyes as his feet hit the floor, he opens his eyes and sees that he’s in some type of museum. An art museum is what he assumes based on the art figured around him. 

“Soooo?” Alex asks.

“This is the neon art museum, I figured you would like it since it’s not the normal type of art museum.” Willie says with a big smile, taking Alex by the hand and dragging him around the museum.

All that Alex can focus on is trying to keep his hand steady in Willie’s. He also couldn’t help but question if Willie could tell that his hand was sweatier than usual or the fact that he kept having to take deep breaths in and out. 

He wanted to keep his anxiety at bay but it kept seeming to break through the wall he was trying to build up.

It was like a damn and it had sprung a few leaks. He was trying to patch the leaks up before it took the whole damn down, but he wasn’t sure how he was doing. 

No matter how many pieces the two of them looked at, or how much information Willie told him about the pieces, Alex couldn’t focus. 

His facade was fading and he knew Willie could tell.

“How about we get out of here? Get some fresh air.” Willie offers noticing Alex’s unusual behavior. 

With that Willie grabs ahold of Alex’s hand again and poofs them out. As usual it’s Willie leading Alex, which causes those thoughts to sky rocket in his brain.

Days like this always cause Alex to panic and he’s started to put the pieces together. Anytime they want to go on a date or adventure, Willie is the one who takes the lead and plans it. 

It makes Alex worry that Willie feels like he doesn’t care or isn’t fun enough since he doesn’t plan these.

As Alex’s feet hit the ground and the view of LA comes into view he can feel a panic attack setting in. The view from the Hollywood sign is calming and it should be peaceful but right now to Alex, it’s anything but. 

Willie can tell something was off, he could tell all day. The sight of Alex right now sitting on the sign, with his head in his palms, worries him and he knows he should ask.

“Is everything okay Alex?” Willie asks him, placing a hand on his shoulder to hopefully comfort it.

Alex just shakes his head yes, knowing he has to get out of there and doesn’t want to start this conversation.

“Ya I’m fine, I just have to go.” For the second time that day Alex poofs out with no other explanation except for the fact that he has to go.

Alex plops down onto the couch in the studio, another body is besides him. As the panic attack fully sets in, he ignored the body next to him, closing his eyes and trying to calm his breathing. 

He can hear the body next to him shuffle around to face him. “You okay buddy?” Those words let him know that the body next to him belongs to Luke. 

Alex shakes his head no, letting his guard finally come down for the day.

“Want to talk about it?” Luke asks. Alex shrugs his shoulders knowing that he might as well get his emotions about.

“I just feel bad. Willie always plans our dates or our adventures and I never come up with any ideas,” he says, “I just feel like I’m boring or that I don’t do enough for the relationship.” 

At his words, Luke sits quietly by processing them. He knows they aren’t true, Willie adores Alex. 

“Have you told him?” Luke asks him. To which Alex responds with a shake of his head. “Well I will be right back.” Luke says with a pat to Alex’s thigh and then poof he is gone. 

Alex sits in silence for a while, hoping that his anxiety will pass. The longer he sits alone he can feel his breathing get shallower and his eyes well with tears.

He slowly slumps to the floor from the couch, letting the panic attack fully take over. He has his arms wrapped around his legs and head buried in between his knees.

Nothing going on outside his little bubble matters to him. He doesn’t hear the two sets of feet hit the floor or hear them come towards him.

He only notices when a pair of arms wrap around him and a voice is in his ear.

“I want you to listen to my voice Alex, okay?” Willie’s comforting voice says. “I want you to try to breath in sync with me okay? I am going to count to 4, 2 in and 2 out okay?” 

With that Willie starts to breath. He breaths in for one and two, then out for 3 and 4. He continues this until he can hear Alex to start breath in sync with him. 

Alex’s breathing starts to slow down, his shaking stops, and his crying can’t be heard anymore. He just lets Willie continue to breath and breath in sync with him.

Willie’s presence just calming him down, as well as his hands rubbing small circles on his back.

Willie let’s Alex sit between his legs for a little longer until he decides to ask questions.

“Want to tell me what this is about?” Willie asks him. “I know something was off all day.” He continues. 

“I, I don’t know.” Alex says trailing off not wanting to admit to Willie what was wrong.

“You do know, you and I both know that. So let’s talk about it.” Willie says not letting this go.

Alex nods, knowing his boyfriend was right. “Okay.” Alex says before he continues with what’s wrong. “I feel bad that I never plan dates or adventure days. I don’t want you thinking I am boring or don’t care.” 

Willie smiles softly at Alex’s confession. He loves that Alex cares but that has never been an issue or ever will be an issue for Willie.

“Aw Alex. You know I don’t care about stuff like that, I just love spending time with you.” Willie says. “All that matters to me is our time spent together not who planned it. Besides I love planning our days.” 

Alex smiles at Willie’s words feeling better. 

“If you ever want to plan something, let me know though! Or if you have something in mind we can do, we could plan a day together!” Willie offers.

A bigger smile makes its way onto Alex’s face at this idea, which in turn causes a big smile to

make it’s way onto Willie’s.

“I like that idea, it could be fun.” Alex says. “Also how did you get here?”

Willie laughs. “Luke came and found me. I knew something was up so when he told me what was happening, I knew I had to come back with him.” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”

Alex says looking down, feeling a little embarrassed. “I just didn’t know how to say it and my nerves just kept getting worse so it made it harder.”

“I get that Alex. I hope you know that you can come to me with any of these things! I am a judgement free zone and all I want to do is be there for you.” 

Upon hearing those words from Willie, Alex flings his arms around his neck. Alex pulls him into a tight hug, his love for the boy overwhelming him.

“Thank you.” Is all that Alex says.

“Of course.” Willie says back, pulling back to place a sweet kiss on the lips of his adorable boyfriend.

They both pull back with wide smiles on their face. They spend the rest of the night, cuddled up in each other’s arms just enjoying each other’s presence. Of course kisses were stolen throughout the night, smiles never leaving either of their faces. 

[green-eyed-weirdo]

Mornings aren’t that bad with Chloe.

To my dear friend @aca-awesomenerd ;

I haven’t written anything in a while, so this is a few weeks late. It was supposed to be posted for your birthday but as that’s already 3 weeks ago, I post it today as a present for moving day. Enjoy! 💛🖤

Read on AO3

Beca hates mornings. She hates them with a passion. As her mind is being dragged to consciousness, she refuses to open her eyes just yet. She tries to stretch a little but feels another warm body pressed against hers. She registers the arm around her and the skin contact on her cheek. Sneakily, she opens one eye and sees freckled skin and messy red hair. She feels a sleepy breath of air going through her own hair and can’t stop her brain while it takes off on a trip back to last night's events. “Last night. Oh shit, last night…”

Beca and Chloe were so bored after almost six weeks of quarantine in their tiny Brooklyn apartment. Amy had been visiting family in Australia when the pandemic started and she’d let them know she was staying there for the time being. Yesterday Chloe had been in a very un-Chloe mood. She’d been moody, sad and easily annoyed all day and Beca had been doing her absolute best to cheer her best friend up, but nothing seemed to be working. Chloe, who got her energy from seeing and speaking to other people, just needed human contact. Beca understanding this being a difficult time for the usually bubbly redhead, had been trying to think of some way to distract Chloe. When she took two beers out of the fridge some time after dinner, she hoped offering to spent the evening playing games would do the trick.

She feels Chloe stir a little beneath her, and quickly closes her eyes again. She doesn’t want her best friend to know she’s awake yet. Chloe’s hand starts to lazily run up and down her arm and she feels goosebumps following the motion.

Chloe’s happy self had come back more and more with each round of some weird card game Beca had never heard of before. Chloe had insisted this was a game she used to play in college all the time, but Beca was pretty certain Chloe was making up rules as they played, making Beca drink more than she intended to. Not that she minded of course. Anything to see Chloe smile.

Suddenly she distinctly remembers a particular moment; She was looking at Chloe, subtly admiring her beautiful face when Chloe had looked up, locking eyes with Beca. Her bright smile turned into a cheeky smirk as her eyes quickly looked down at Beca’s lips and back up again.

Beca, still desperately trying to keep her eyes closed, feels her lips start to tingle and her mouth going dry. “They’d kissed.” This is the moment Beca’s brain decides to have the trip down last night’s memory lane be accompanied by a spiralling freak-out.

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck. They had kissed. She’d really made out with Chloe. Finally!! But also; Fuck! What does this mean? Did they do more then kissing? Did they have sex? Wait…” - Beca makes her brain focus - “No, she’s wearing her shorts. Okay, pfieuw, no sex yet. What? Yet? Bec, focus.”

She knows she breathing heavily by now and that Chloe would’ve probably noticed she’s awake. She hasn’t said anything yet though. “why hasn’t she said anything? She must know i’m awake. I'm not exactly having a subtle freak out here. Oh my god, what if she regrets it? She does. Chloe regrets what happened last night! She’s also pretending to be asleep just to not have to talk to me. This is going to be so awkward. I fucked everything up”

Beca’s emotions are trying to take over and she decides to do what she does best. She tries to move from Chloe’s embrace but feels strong arms tighten a little more around her. Chloe lets out a tired sigh, pulls her a bit closer and plants a soft kiss to her head. Beca tries to move from the embrace again, with a little more force this time, but Chloe still won’t let her go. “Bec… please don’t…”

It’s spoken so softly but Beca hears it loud and clear. She looks up and meets Chloe’s bright blue eyes shining back at her. She gives Chloe a questioning look and waits for her to speak again. “I know what you’re doing. Your brain is going a mile a minute to process the fact that we made out.” Beca lets the breath she’d been holding escape while she slowly nods. “It’s okay, Bec. Take your time, just… don’t run. Please.” They lock eyes again and she sees sincerity in Chloe’s eyes. And just like that, she calms down. It’s like it washes over her as Chloe’s arms tighten around her once more. Beca settles back into Chloe’s arms, her own arm around Chloe’s waste and their legs tangled together.

Beca has no idea how long they’ve been laying together like this, but she definitely feels more rested then when she first opened her eyes. She looks up and sees Chloe looking at her. “Good morning sleepy head” Chloe sounds like she’s probably been awake for a while. “Where you just watching me sleep, you weirdo?” Beca’s voice still a little sleepy. “Yes. You looked so cute” Beca frowns and pulls the blanket over her head. “I’m not cute. I’m badass” Chloe laughs, pulls the blanket back and kisses her cheek. “Of course you are.”

“About last night…” Chloe starts carefully, “it’s okay if you just want to forget it ever happened, Bec. I understand.” Beca doesn’t really know what to say. The internal dialogue starts immediately though: “No she doesn’t want to forget it happened. But, if that’s what Chloe wants… then yeah, of course. She can do that. She can shove her feelings down again. She’s been doing it for years. No big deal.”

Chloe sits up a bit more in the bed, and Beca looks up at her as she adjusts herself too. Chloe gives her a sad smile and Beca realizes she’s been quiet for a while. Her brain and mouth are definitely not in sync, because her mouth starts talking before her brain even thought about what to say. “No Chlo, that’s…” she needs a moment to gather up her courage “That’s not what I want. I can’t just forget this happened.” She sees Chloe’s smile relax a little, but also a mixture of anxiety and hope on her face. She knows she has to be more clear and tells herself to be the badass she always claims to be. “I can’t just forget about last night, because… ehm... I’m in love with you.”

She isn’t looking at Chloe the moment she speaks the words and she speaks them so softly, it’s almost a whisper. When Chloe stays quiet, she genuinely begins to wonder if Chloe even heard her at all. After another moment she dares to look at Chloe and is met with two watery eyes as Chloe lets out a sob. “Chlo, I’m sorry. Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m…” Beca’s ramble is interrupted by Chloe’s lips pressed against her own. She relaxes into the kiss and almost whines when Chloe stops it way to soon.

“What…” Beca starts but is interrupted yet again. “I’m in love with you too.” Beca has never seen Chloe look at her like that before. “yeah?” Beca asks while she wipes away the tears on Chloe’s cheeks. “yeah.”

Beca has to admit, mornings with Chloe aren’t that bad.

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #322

“you will hear it when your god cries  /  you will see it when the sun dies  /  upon the altars of change”

What is your favorite nickname that you’ve had? "Bee," from my old best friend. I don't want others calling me it, though. Where did you go on the best date you’ve been on? A big arcade. It was a super fun double-date. Have you ever gotten a professional massage? No, and I don't want one. It'd be so awkward. What’s your favorite milkshake flavor? Chocolate. What act would you be most likely to perform in a talent show? I got nothin'. If you had braces, do you wear your retainers still? I don't. If you had braces, have your teeth moved since you got them off? Yep, because of the whole "not wearing my retainer" thing. Whose was the first baby shower you remember attending, and for what baby? I'm unsure. Possibly my sister's for her first daughter. Do you know anyone personally who’s lost a child? Many people. When was the last time you did something that felt like rebellion? So every now and again, I get a massive craving for soda at night, so I grab one from the kitchen and can hear my sleeping mother rightfully nagging me about it, haha... What is one present you got for your last birthday? Ashley got me this really cool skull bank that says "tattoo fund" on it, aha. I love it. What is one thing that you took to show and tell as a kid? I have a clear memory of bringing a Snorlax plushie one day. Do you remember losing your first tooth? Not my first, no. Are you afraid to pop a balloon? Not really, but it's kinda easy to make me jump just a lil bit when one is popped. When was the last time you laughed when you shouldn’t have? I don't know. Which was better: the first The Lion King or the second? That is fucking HARD. I adore both, but I think the original is slightly better. Do any of your grandparents have a tattoo? I'm pretty sure none of them did. Do you believe that your pets feel love towards you? My cat, definitely. As for my snake, I'm aware that snakes' brains simply aren't developed enough for love, but she clearly trusts me. Are you proud of your body? Fuck no. I'm humiliated by it every waking moment. Watermelon or cherries? I don't like either, but if I had to pick, watermelon. Favourite brand of cookies? I don't really have a favorite brand. Have you ever stuck gum under a desk/chair? No, that shit grosses me out. When shopping at a grocery store, do you return your cart or just leave it? Return your goddamn cart. What is one thing you’d never want your parents to find out? Uhhhh. I guess places I've "done it." When you were little, did you like Dr. Suess books? I did. Do you like eating out at restaurants? Yeah; at least, before Covid. What was your least favorite year of your life so far? Fuck 2016 into the next millenium. Do you like fried bologna? I haven't had it in so long that I don't really remember the taste. I think I would. Have you spent money on a game online? Yeah, very briefly with WoW. Mom was nice enough to refresh my subscription after the breakup (Jason paid for it prior), but from then on, I was rich enough in-game to use monthly game tokens to "pay." Do you put a line through your "7"s? Yes. What about your "Z"s? Also yes. Do you like cold pizza? Yeah, yummy. Do you like broccoli and cheese? Yessss. Toaster or toaster oven? We've always used a toaster oven. What are you most known for? Being artsy, I guess. Do you have any reputations? What are they? *shrug* What was the last thing to leave you speechless? No clue. What is the curviest part of your body? Well, I'm overweight, so it's difficult to tell where I'm naturally curvy... but I guess my hips. Even when I was at a perfectly healthy weight though, I don't think I was exceptionally curvy anywhere. What is your opinion on sex change? You are entirely deserving to feel comfortable in your own body. If you’re still a virgin, how important is your virginity to you? I'm not, though I thought I was when we were together, when we were really just using a loophole. It was a denial thing BECAUSE my virginity was so important to me. If you have lost it already, do you regret it? No. Would you take a break after graduating from high school (like, postpone going to college for a year or so)? I didn't. What regret keeps coming back to haunt you daily? Things I said to Jason. If you could cure yourself of one allergy, what would it be? Pollen. Would you ever post a picture of yourself crying on social media? No. Have you ever held a newborn baby? Yeah, my most recent niece I actually held. I don't THINK I held Aubree or Ryder as newborns because I was so afraid of not doing it right and hurting them. Do you know anyone who has twins? Yeah. Are you following in the career path of any family members? No. What is your favorite country in Europe? Germany. How many times have your comments been top comments on YouTube? A few times. I rarely ever comment, but if I do, it's because I feel like I really have something worth saying. Would you ever wear a wig? I'm not opposed to it. Do you like the moon or sun more? The moon. Do you like turkey or ham more? Ham. Have you ever slapped someone’s butt? Yes. Do you think dimples are ugly? I think they're cute, actually. Have you ever deleted Facebook friends for a significant other? No. Have you ever spent the night in jail? No. Do you consider yourself a good kisser? I assume I am from experiences. Do you watch Pewdiepie? Not anymore, no. His current content doesn't interest me. The most recent thing I watched was his playthrough of The Last of Us 2, because I adore the first game and definitely wanted to see him play the sequel. I think he's pretty funny and have no personal issues against him, though then again I am so uninvolved in the fandom that I have no idea if he's done something stupid again. Do you like "Despacito?" Haha, my mind went to The Dark Den's bearded dragon before the song... I'm not a fan of it, no. Did you ever color your hair pink? No, but I absolutely want to dye it pastel pink one day. :( I even edited a picture of me "testing" different hair colors out, and pastel pink looked suuuuper pretty. Do you drink energy drinks? No, they're too strong for my taste. Do you have any subscribers on YouTube? I don't now how many I have, but I know it's below 100. Do you have a Steam account? Yeah. Have you ever played Five Nights at Freddy’s? No, but I enjoy the franchise. I'm not totally clear on all the lore, though. Do you like religion? Quite honestly, no. Do you swear in front of children? No. What is the next craft you are going to make? There's no telling. I don't really do crafts. What was your favorite Backstreet Boys song? Maybe "The Call." Favorite *N Sync song? I don't remember enough of them, at least not right now. Which of those two bands did you like best? The BSB, baby. Do you learn choreography easily? When I danced, I'd say I learned at a fairly average pace. What’s your favorite candy to receive on Halloween? Reeseeeeeee's. <3 Do you have a bobblehead? No. Have you ever had a lead role in a play? No. Have you ever been insulted or called names by a significant other? No. I wouldn't tolerate that shit. What’s your favorite movie battle scene? Oh man, idk. Maybe something from Troy, though I honestly barely even remember the movie by now, haha. Have you ever been to a same-sex wedding? No, actually. Who takes care of your pet(s) when you’re out of town? Hypothetically, one of my sisters would come to feed and water Roman and clean his box. I'm certain I couldn't talk either into spraying Venus' cage, though... What was the last thing you wrote down on paper? Some group work during therapy. Did you have a Walkman when you were a kid? No. What’s your favorite recipe you’ve come up with? Oh dear, I don't make those. Do you like celery? Yuck, no. By what age could you swallow pills? I dunno. A normal age. Do you like to drink alot of water? I need to drink more. :/ I've gotten better, though. For years, I literally never drank water. How I even survived, idk. How many times have you gone fishing? Countless times. Ever been to a roller-skating rink? Yeah. I loved having bday parties there as a lil'un. What do you refer to your mother as? (Mom, momma, mommy) Mom, Ma, and Mama. Have you ever swam in the ocean? Yeah, multiple times. What is the last movie that made you cry? I think the remake of The Lion King. What would you like to swim in other than water? Nothing? If you could uninvent one thing what would you chose? Damn, just one? Maybe cigarettes? Have you ever read someone's diary? Absolutely not. I respect people's privacy. Have you ever played in a waterfall? No, but that'd be dope. Who has inspired you the most in your life? Probably Mark. Is there a place where everyone who lives near you tends to hang out? Idk. Teens sure do love to hang out at Sonic, though, reving their stupid fucking trucks. Does your alarm clock wake you with music, or with an annoying buzz sound? Music. Did you make it all the way through the Oregon Trail game? Yes; I was obsessed with those as a kid. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Which one are you more scared of? I feel like being alone with a tiger would scare me most. Though let's be real, I'd probably try to pet it. Have you ever changed your favorite color? From what to what? It was originally red, but then became pink when I actually understood it was its own color. Then it was maroon forever, and now it's back to pink. On a scale of 1-10, how competitive are you? Eh, 4-6? It depends on the situation, I guess. At what age did your have your most memorable birthday? My 21st, because I was in the psych hospital for it. Yes or no: Guys in skinny jeans? Yeah, man. Yes or no: Girls with dreads? Some people can pull it off. Have you ever attended a themed b-day party? What was the theme? Oh yeah, plenty. Do you have any Eminem on your iPod/MP3 player? I do. Has anybody ever given you a promise ring? No. What do you think about putting ‘spinners’ on cars? So long as they're not too distracting, I don't care. Do what you want with your car - again, so long as it is not disruptive. What celebrity do you wish would have a big comeback? I wish poor Britney Spears could catch a goddamn break and be happy again. She's a legend that doesn't deserve to feel like a puppet. Were you outdoors or indoors more as a kid? I'd say there was a pretty even split. Do you or have you ever owned a horse? No, but I LOVE horses. Have you ever had a relationship that began via text? (weird, I know, but it happens…) Most of my relationships started through a text message. Did you believe in unicorns as a small child? I don’t think so. Would you ever date a guy with longer hair than yourself? Yeah; I have short hair anyway, and I also like long hair on guys. Do you watch the show Wizards of Waverly Place? I used to love that show. Have you ever been to the rainforest? No; humidity aside though, that would be so amazing. Bats are not spooky or are they? I think they're precious. Do you like the song "Womanizer?" I sure do, actually. Do you like ice cream cake? Not really, but I'll eat it. Do you know how to change a tire? Nope. What kind of headphones do you have? Just cheap earplugs. Do you experiment a lot with new looks on yourself? No. What were some fun experiments you did in science class as a kid? Dissecting a frog was my favorite, and doing the same with an owl pellet was also very cool. What was the last strong emotion you felt? Guilt. I lied to get out of group therapy early because I was just NOT feeling it whatsoever that day, and I hate lying. Do you use dry shampoo between washes? No. Have you ever lived with someone you didn’t get along with? No. What types of animals have you had as pets? Jeez, what haven't we had... We've had cats, dogs, snakes, rats, gerbils, a rabbit, hamsters, lizards, fish, guinea pigs... Hell, I'm probably forgetting one or two. Can you name three good things about your most recent ex? She's so creative, a real advocate for proper reptile education and appreciation, and very kind. Name three bands/artists that you hate. Uhhh The Talking Heads, Bob Dylan, and The Police. What’s the best memory you have of your father? Playing softball with him in the front yard, and when he taught me to ride a bike. Should tattoos be meaningful? You get a tattoo for whatever reason you damn well want. I don't plan on all of mine to be meaningful. Some stuff I just want because I think it's cool. Are you afraid of the dark? No. Have you ever been through a trap door? No. What's the most recent good news you’ve heard? Hm. Who was the last person in your family to have a baby? My older sister. When’s the last time you used the microwave? Last night. What’s the worst thing in your life right now? Financial struggles. Have you ever owned a tire swing? No. Does anyone you know own a bird that can talk? No. Have you ever been someplace tropical? Yeah, Florida. Have Jehovah'ss witnessess ever called to your door? Yep. when was the last time you went to mass/church? I have no idea. It's been many years. Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis? Thank heavens no.

[vivpurple7]

Title: Bulletproof | Chapter 2

Summary: The secretary and right-hand woman for the CEO of JinHit Entertainment suddenly breaks down and everything is falling apart. Can you, a mere intern, be able to piece things back together for Seokjin as his new right-hand woman, at work, and at home?

Pairings: Kim Seokjin x female reader

A/N: second chapter! Meet the family!

Part: 1 | 2 | 3 |

“So that’s pretty much the basics, do you have any questions so far?” Misoo just finished going over essential things with you and your brain is overloaded with information. “I-I don’t think so. At least not for now anyway. Thank you.” She’s been very kind so far, and you’ve bonded over the fact that you use the same stationery brand.

“Okay, well, as the secretary to the CEO, Kim Sah-Jang-nim, we have some other tasks that aren’t really listed in the job descriptions...” she gives you a wry smile as she begins to explain when the intercom beeps. She picks up the phone like her life depended on it. “Yes, Sah-Jang-nim? Yes. Yes. I will.” She gently hangs up the phone, and she looks at you with worried eyes. “Sah-Jang-nim would like to meet with you right now.” Now? You internally panic, eyes scanning the room to see if there was anything that provided some level of reflection for you to check your appearance. Both of you quickly stand up and brush out invisible lint and folds on your attire, before she clears her throat and begins leading you towards the two double wooden doors. 

She gives you a small smile and a quick thumbs-up before she knocks twice. You hear a faint but authoritative voice. “Come in.”

“Nice to meet you...again, Y/N”. Seokjin gives you a pleasantly business- smile. “It’s my pleasure to meet you Kim Sa-Jang-nim” hastily you bow down to hide your forming blush. He didn’t have to mention it right now...! “I look forward to working with you closely, after all, you’re like the right-hand woman to my right-hand woman.” He folds his hands across his chest as he leans back in his luxuriously plush chair. “Yes Kim Sah-Jang-nim! I will try my best!” You give another enthusiastic bow to try to lamely convince him of your determination. “Ah, call me Seokjin, the CEO thing is too stiff. I tell Misoo to call me that too so don’t worry.” He lightly chuckles as he sees you debating whether to really call him without his title or not. “Ah... yes, Seokjin-nim.” You shyly say. That’s the right choice...right? He gives you a flashy smile and laughs. “I love it! Relax Y/N! Enjoy the experience! Loosen up! I can’t wait to see how you help out the company!” He gives out another windshield-wiping laugh. The beeping of the intercom signalling Misoo was paging him disrupts the meeting and he tsks almost inaudibly before picking up the phone. “Yes? Oh, yes, let them come in.” Hanging up the phone, he stands up and slowly walks towards you. You stand frozen in place not quite sure knowing what or where to look. He gently pats your shoulder with a smile that crinkles his eyes. 

“Y/N! Meet my-” BOOM! The two wooden doors and blasted open and rebound off the walls before closing out of sync. Your whole body tenses for a moment before daring to turn around and look at what made the loud sound. Instead of an army or the police blasting into the room, there stand 6 boys at the entrance.

“Hey, dad! Are you done work yet?” The one with a mop of brown hair says energetically. He gets nudged in the side by the one with a blonde mohawk standing next to him. “Hobi, he’s in a meeting with someone, can’t you tell?” Hobi gives him a sheepish smile “Sorry Joon, I didn’t see-” He gets cut off by another boy with a boxy grin “you didn’t SEE the BEAUTIFUL LADY standing next to dad, Hobi?” His mouth gets covered by the shorter boy standing next to him with pink hair “Tae, she can HEAR you! And you’re freaking out Kook!” Pink hair looks over to a brown-haired shy boy who you can only assume is the boy named Kook, who’s currently blushing and being mesmerized by his shoelaces. “S’okay Jiminie...” He barely says to the protective pink-haired boy. The last boy is standing at the end with mint-dyed hair and glaring at the others and hasn’t said a word, though you noticed that he went and grabbed Kook’s hand after Tae blurted out his mind.

You hear a stern cough from beside you that has you and the 6 boys goofing around at the entrance stand straight up. “Sorry Y/N. As I was saying, please meet JinHit Entertainment’s ‘trainees’ and my adopted sons. There’s Yoongi, 14, Hoseok and Namjoon, 13, Jimin and Taehyung, 12, and Jungkook, 10. They’re still a little too young to be seriously training to debut soon, but they all seem to have a passion for the music industry so I let them train after school, as long as their grades don’t slip. Boys, meet Y/N, she’s the new intern working beside Misoo.” Each of the boys gives you a wave of hello in their own fashion as their name gets called.

“Y/N-noona! You’re so pweth-” Taehyung tries to confess to you again but this time Namjoon covers his mouth and forces Taehyung to go down into a slight bow with him. “Y/n-noona it’s nice to meet you!” You can’t help but finally let out your first laugh of the day at these silly boys, who remind you so much of the children from the orphanage. “It’s nice to meet you guys too! Please let me know how I can help you guys, and I’ll try my best!” You energetically bow back. It feels like an elephant has been lifted from your shoulders as you begin to visibly relax after meeting the boys.

When you turn slightly to look at Seokjin, you somehow feel less intimidated as you see the loving gaze he has for his children. He’s not so scary after all. You’re dragged out of your thoughts when you hear Hobi repeat his question. “Dad! Can we go home now?” Seokjin sighs before dejectedly replying. “No Hobi, I still have some work to do. But you guys go ahead with the driver. I’ll be home late, order takeout or something.” You hear instantaneous and simultaneous whines. “But Dad! You promised you would cook for us tonight! You said it was Eat Jin night!” Jimin shyly pipes up. Kook looks through his lashes as he joins in. “Yeah Dad, you promised...” oh my god, how do you say no to this kid? I just want to engulf him in the biggest hug ever and give him everything he wants. Seokjin pinches the bridge of his nose. “I know guys, I tried to get all of my work done, trust me, but there’s still some left, and no I can’t do it tomorrow Yoongi.” All of their expressions fall as they realize that they won’t be winning this battle. “Guys, c’mon, we can have a great time still! There won’t be any dad-jokes, but... hey Kook didn’t you say you wanted to have fried chicken? Let’s get that!” Namjoon tries to take the lead and try to cheer up the gang. “No, I want dad’s jajangmyeon and jjigae” Jungkook sulkily replies and looks like he’s about to burst into tears. Before you know it, you’ve automatically raised your hand as if asking for permission to speak. “Y/N-noona can cook for you guys! I-I don’t know if it can match what your dad makes, but I can do jajangmyeon and jjigae! I mean..if your dad...I mean Kim Sah-Jang-nim, I mean, Seokjin-nim.. doesn’t....mind” your begin to falter as your actions finally catch up with your brain. The first day inviting yourself over to your boss’ home, good call Y/N. 

Seokjin looks at you, surprised, eyebrows raised. He thinks for a moment before he breaks out into a warm smile. “I don’t mind if that will make the boys a bit happier.” You return his smile, relieved that you aren’t going to get fired less than 12 hours of getting the job. The boys burst into cheers and begin pumping the air with their fists like they won a championship. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot Yoongi, still holding Jungkook’s hand, flashing the little boy who visibly looks happier, a gummy smile.

Well, I guess this was what Misoo was trying to get at.

[thewritewolf]

Two Cursed Detectives in Paris Chapter Three: Cats and Raccoons

Connor struggles under the weight of the secret and spends quality time with Adrien.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 (Final)

Enjoy!

Read on Ao3

The sun was only just starting to dip below the horizon, but you wouldn’t know it sitting inside Connor and Eerie’s hotel room. The black curtains were drawn shut and the lights turned out except for a bedside lamp. A crime show was playing on the television and Connor watched it with narrowed eyes. His attention was divided between the show, brushing his tail with a vintage silver brush, and worrying about his recent discovery.

“You figure out who the murderer is yet?”

Eerie glanced up from her book with pursed lips. “I’m trying to read here.”

“I saw you peeking at the TV. So what’s your guess, boss?”

“Well, boss,” she said as she closed the book. “It’s pretty obviously the old man at the lighthouse.”

“They aren’t even subtle about it.”

“Honestly. Amateurs.”

They fell silent again. Neither of them were particularly tired, but this was going to be their only chance to get some sleep before the stake out tonight.

But would he be able to get any rest if he didn’t get this off his chest? Eerie was the most dependable person he knew. If he couldn’t trust her of all people to share this secret with him, who could he trust? Deciding to put his faith in her, he started talking before he could chicken out.

“Hey, can I-”

“I need to-”

They cut each other off and Connor snorted while Eerie concealed her smirk behind one well-manicured hand. Maybe they’d gotten too in sync with each other.

He motioned to her. “Go ahead, Eerie. I can wait an extra minute or two.”

“Thanks.” She smiled gratefully before a serious expression settled over her face. “Do you know about the situation in Paris? With the superheroes and everything?”

“More than you might think,” Connor said, raising an eyebrow. “Why?”

“I meet Ladybug.”

“Oh wow, that’s-”

“I know who Ladybug is,” Eerie added in a low voice, as if there were people listening in. Whatever reaction she was expecting, Connor busting out laughing didn’t seem to be among them. She pouted, her hair poofing out like an owl’s feathers as she got up to loom over him. “This is serious, Connor!” She smacked him with a pillow.

“Trust me, I know. After all, I found out who Chat Noir is, so I understand the kind of pressure you’re probably under”

“Oh, good.” After a moment’s processing, her eyes widened. “Wait, what?” She sat down on the edge of his bed.

The next half hour was spent catching each other up on their adventures earlier that day.

“I guess we’re better detectives than we thought, huh?”

“And that’s saying something, given how much you talk yourself up.” Eerie rolled her eyes with a smile. “God, this was a crazy day.”

“No argument from me.” Connor stretched, tiredness starting to creep up on him. “So what are we going to do about it?”

“What do you mean?” She got off his bed and walked toward hers. “Doesn’t sound like we need to get involved, does it?”

“Well… I was just thinking… Chat seems pretty fond of Ladybug…”

“Connor,” she said, her tone reminiscent of all the times she’d found him digging through dumpsters or rifling through trash cans. “We are here to catch bad guys. Not play matchmakers for two fifteen year olds.”

“But you have to admit that they’re cute together!”

“I’m not having this conversation.” She turned off the lamp. It was purely a symbolic gesture since they both had night vision.

“...Fine. Good night.”

“Night,” she said as she rolled over onto her stomach.

“Sleep tight.”

“Mhm,” she hummed into her pillow.

“Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

“Connor. Go to sleep.”

“You’re right. Nothing to worry about, really. This is Paris after all. It’d be the fanciest bed bugs of them all. You’d thank them for biting you.”

“Sleep. Now.” She did her best to put on the Boss Voice, but he could hear the undercurrent of amusement just below the words. He smiled contently as he rolled over to cuddle his banana body pillow.

“Sure, boss.”

------------

Connor suppressed a yawn as he tried to focus on the game in front of him. The night was both incredibly brief because he got to spend it mostly goofing off with Eerie as they poked around for clues, but also unbearably long as night turned to morning.

His character was soundly thrashed, the irritation being just about the only thing getting through how fuzzy his brain was at the moment. Adrien turned toward him, a smug grin on his perfectly punchable model face.

The smirk vanished when he saw Connor’s expression, replaced by a look of concern. “You okay, Mr MacThomas? You seem a little, um… Tired.”

“You don’t need to sugar coat it, I know I’m not at my absolute most handsome today. I just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night since I had to do some detectiving.” Explaining Connor’s real reason for being in Paris hadn’t taken that long. He stretched, reaching his hands high above his head and flexed his fingers. “Not all of us get to jump straight into the beating up bad guys part of the whole fighting for justice gig.”

“It’s hard to believe you’re here undercover…”

“What? Just because I’m cursed that means I’m somehow less qualified for stealthy missions?”

Adrien’s eyes widened and he raised his hands in a placating gesture. “Wh-what?! No, I didn’t-”

“Relax,” Connor said, punching Adrien’s arm. “I’m messing with you. And hey, it wasn’t easy coming to grips with you being a super- MMH!” Connor glared at Adrien as the latter covered his mouth with both hands.

“Sorry! Sorry. I just - can we talk about something else? It’s really weird talking about that with anyone but my kwami, especially here at home.” Once Connor nodded, Adrien returned to his side of the couch.

“Why don’t you tell me about your friends, then?”

“Well, I don’t have a whole lot of them…”

“Oh come on. You’re a sweet kid and not half bad at video games, I’m sure you’ve got plenty of folks beating down the door to be your bud.”

Adrien smiled. “Thanks. I guess you could say I’m friends with most of my classmates, but there are only three that I hang out with much.”

While Adrien was staring off into space thinking about those friends, Connor’s fingers inched ever so slowly toward the unopened bag of cheetos nearby. “Sounds like you really care about them. What are their names?”

“Well, my best bro is Nino. He was one of my very first real friends when I started public school. I couldn’t ask for a better friend - he even got akumatized because he got so mad for my sake once.”

“Uh huh,” Connor said, quietly opening the cheetos. He still wasn’t super clear on what akumatization meant, but it sounded bad. “Sounds like someone who always has your back.”

“Definitely. Although we don’t hang out as much as I’d like - I’ve got my schedule, and he has a girlfriend. Who is another of my friends, actually. Alya, she likes superheroes and journalism. It’s been… interesting being her friend while being Chat.”

“That leaves one person. Best for last or is this the one you aren’t as close with?”

Adrien smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. “Kind of both? She’s absolutely amazing, but I think she mostly hangs out with me because she is Alya’s best friend. I wish we were closer.”

“Well, well, loverboy,” Connor said while nudging Adrien with his elbow. “It looks like you’ve got a crush. What’s the lucky girl’s name?”

“It’s not like that!” Adrien sounded a little exasperated, like he’d had this argument before. “She’s wonderful and cute and all that, but my heart belongs to Ladybug.” He sighed. “Marinette is just a good friend is all.”

Connor’s eyes bugged out and he sputtered in surprise, but with his mouth stuffed full of cheetos, he ended up doubled over into a coughing fit.

“Um… Mr MacThomas, are you okay?”

“Water,” Connor managed to croak out between coughs. In the minute that Adrien was gone, Connor’s mind whirred as it came to grips with this revelation. If he weren’t busy choking to death on snacks, he’d have laughed. What were the odds that they’d both go to the same school, let alone the same class?

Probably pretty good, now that he thought of it. They were probably picked by the same guy after all.

Adrien returned with the water and Connor eagerly gulped it down.

“Connor, by the way.”

“Huh?”

“Mr MacThomas is way too formal, kid. Just Connor is fine.”

“Okay… Connor.”

“Anyway, I think we were talking about your future girlfriend, Marinette.”

Adrien sighed patiently. “I told you, I’m in love with-”

“Ladybug, yeah, got that part. But you realize you can have a crush on multiple people, right?” True, just not in this case. “Just because you have feelings for the Bug doesn’t mean you can’t feel something for Marinette.” Adrien seemed about to say something, but Connor covered his mouth with his hand. “And I notice you didn’t deny having feelings for this Marinette girl.”

Whatever Adrien was trying to say was muffled by Connor’s hand over his face. His attempts to pull it off were to no avail.

“Yes, yes, I know you are madly in love with her, it’s very obvious. But we have to stay on track.” Connor felt something wet on his palm and raised an eyebrow. “Wow, you really are an only child.” At Adrien’s confused look, he added, “I’ve got a bunch of brothers and sisters - this is far from the only time this exact thing has happened.” Connor leaned back, letting Adrien’s face go free and wiped the spit off his glove onto the couch.

“I’m not in love with Marinette.” When Connor scoffed loudly, he folded his arms and pouted. “What? I’m not!”

“Really?” Connor smirked and settled into a relaxed slouch. “You care about her a lot, right?”

“Well, yeah, but-”

“Do you look for excuses to be closer to her?”

“Of course! She’s my friend-”

“Uh-huh. And how often do you think about hugging this ‘friend’ or wanting to hold her hand? And remember,” Connor added, waggling his finger in front of Adrien’s face. “You might be able to lie to yourself, but I get paid the big bucks to know when you’re not telling the truth.”

He was quiet for a few long heart beats. “So… you’re saying… that’s not normal for friendships?”

“Not usually, no.” Connor ignored the treacherous part of his mind that was thinking of Eerie. “I’ve seen a lot of cases of love sickness in my time and buddy, let me tell you - you’ve got it bad.”

“How bad is it?” Adrien squirmed worriedly in his spot.

“Bad.” Connor scooted closer and put an arm around his shoulders. “But hey! Don’t worry, I’m here to help.”

Adrien eyes widened and he stared at Connor as if he had all the answers in the world. “Really? You must have tons of romantic experience, right?”

Connor flashed back to his last romantic experience, a kiss in middle school from before he was cursed.

“Absolutely.”

[toeil]

summer is over, and so are we. [1] ↠ jung jaehyun

[pt.2] [pt.3]

➹ jaehyun x reader ➹ genre: angst, fluff ➹ word count: 2,104

➹ summary: He introduced you to a warm summer you thought you would never have to leave. Yet, here you are, in the middle of a ruthless winter which’s ending seems to be nowhere in sight. a/n: yall remember her? im bringing it back lol

It still hurts a little bit. When I walk into that café down the street and I’m sipping on bubble tea, but you’re not the one sitting across from me.

“I’ve only had the matcha milk tea. I haven’t tried anything else.” You stood in line with Jaehyun, studying the menu of the endless flavors as you two waited your turn to give your order.

“Only matcha milk tea? I usually stick with the fruity flavored ones. Like, the mango and the lychee ones are probably my favorite.” He explained to you while he observed the staff create the drink of the person in front of you two.

“Would I like them?”

He paused for a second and thought about it, “yeah, you would! I think you’d really enjoy the mango one, actually.

A chuckle escaped your lips and you looked up at him, a bright smile overtaking your face, “I’ll trust you then.”

You two had noticed that one of the tables outside was vacant, a very rare occurrence. Not wanting to miss this chance, you had rushed outside and claimed the table as yours. You moved your chair and now you were seated next to Jaehyun, a mango bubble tea in the both of your hands.

“Can I try yours?”

“...We have the exact same one?” Although you were a bit confused with Jaehyun’s request, you still pushed your drink towards him.

“Yeah, I know. But I told myself if we ever came here for a date, I’d take a sip of your bubble tea, to you know, share an indirect kiss.” He took ahold of your drink and swirled the straw around for a way to avoid eye contact with you. He felt embarrassed, you could tell by the way his cheeks had turned a light crimson color along with the way his ears seemed to burn up, too.

A small giggle escaped your mouth. How could he be so adorable? “Well...why settle for an indirect kiss when you can get a direct one?”

He let out a shy chuckle allowing you to notice his dimple prominently popping in on the side of the cheek that was currently turned to you. Oh, the self-control it took for you not to poke it with your finger.

He licked his lips unconsciously and faced you, “I can kiss you?” You replied with an ecstatic nod. Maybe a bit too ecstatic.

“Then…” You intently watched his every move. The way his right hand had hesitantly come up to your face, his fingers shakily settling under your chin. The way his other hand was still holding onto the drink that he had entirely forgotten about. The way he moved in closer and then took a pause, allowing his eyes to trace over your face to memorize everything about it. His eyes fluttered closed and shortly after, so did yours.

He kissed you, your lips molding together like the last two pieces of an incomplete puzzle. At that moment it was just you two, your senses completely flooding with his smell. It felt like no one else was around, that the past and future didn’t matter anymore. The kiss wasn’t fiery or full of need. It was slow, cautious, sweet, full of promise and didn’t fail to make you feel tingly all over. It was comforting in a way that words could never be. That was when you knew you loved him. From the first kiss you two shared. And maybe that was when he did too.

When I stumble into the park at night, but it’s not you and I sitting on the swings cooling off from the heat of the day.

It was dark out and here you were, sitting on the swings at the park. The usual bird song and the baying of dogs were replaced with the sound of crickets. The unusual rustle of leaves at a time like this would heighten your senses and alert your brain, convincing it some type of danger was approaching, but it’s been different nowadays. Coming here this late has become a routine for you and Jaehyun. It’s a spot to take a breather and spend time together without having to interact with the busy bustle of the day. So you’ve learned to tune out such thoughts. And besides, with Jaehyun by your side, nothing felt as scary as it used to.

Usually, you two felt relaxed in this environment but tonight, Jaehyun was feeling tense and that face didn’t go over your head.

Your feet were planted on the rubber mulch while you used them to slightly sway yourself back and forth on the swing. Jaehyun was on the swing next to you not moving as much as you mainly because he was too busy watching you. Your gaze was set on the floor so he must have assumed you didn’t notice his stare but, of course, you did.

“It feels really nice out.”

Jaehyun sighed and looked away, “yeah, it does. Thank god it gets cooler at night time.”

You hummed in response before turning your body towards him, “are you okay?” He looked back at you and nodded. He held his hand out to you, palm facing up, wanting to hold your hand. You gladly obliged and as soon as you set your hand in his, he enclosed his fingers around it tightly.

It was silent for another few minutes as Jaehyun stared at your hand in his. His eyebrows were furrowed which could only mean he was thinking about something deeply and you so badly wanted to know what was bothering him. He took in a deep breath and finally spoke up, “I think...I...I love you.”

“Oh...Is that a bad thing?”

He quickly shook his head, “of course not! It’s just...I’m worried your feelings aren’t as strong as mine and that maybe you’d get annoyed of it or something. I don’t know.”

“I don’t think I love you,” you watched as his expression completely dropped, “I know I love you.”

Jaehyun let out a gasp and used the hand he was holding to tug you up out of your swing to bring you closer to him. You stumbled up and laughed as he pulled you between his legs where you stood and snaked your arms around his neck. You looked down at him with a grin, your hair now covering the sides of your face and coming down to tickle him.

“y/n! You scared me!” He whined, his bottom lip coming out in a cute pout.

“It’s what you deserve for being so silly and thinking that I’d get annoyed of you!”

“So you love me, huh?” He jerked his brow up cockily, doing a complete 180 from his pouty behavior from earlier in a matter of just a few seconds.

“More than anything.”

“Good, because I do too.” And at that moment, it was undeniably true.

When I’m laying in my bed after a long day, but you’re not there with the sheer comfort that your arms always provide.

“Oh, you’re here?” You walked into your room encountering Jaehyun’s body sprawled across your bed on his back, his legs dangling off the edge.

He nodded, “It seemed like you were having a bad day so I decided to put the spare key you gave me to use.”

Your shoulders fell, no longer feeling like you had to put up a front. Jaehyun could figure you out like you were the back of his hand. “You could tell even over text?”

“Of course I could baby. Was it work?”

“Yeah. I don’t wanna talk about it though, it’ll make me angry and upset all over again.” You sighed and combed your fingers through your hair as you moved across the room to set down your bag down on the dresser.

“Come here~” He opened his arms up without moving up from his position. You gladly complied and settled between his legs, your body falling on top of his. As soon as you fell down on him, his arms found their way around your waist and yours, in return, wrapping around him too. Your face nuzzled into his chest and you instantly were engulfed with his sweet smelling cologne tinged with the soft scent of the citrusy body wash he uses. The same smell that would stick to your bed sheets and provide you with comfort when he wasn’t with you.

“Ugh, I love your smell.” You mumbled into his chest.

He laughed and you could feel his chest vibrate with each breath, “why thank you! I work really hard to smell like this.” It was quiet after that. The only thing that could be heard was your breaths that were starting to sync up now and the sound of the tapping rain against your window that had started falling lightly just a few minutes ago.

“Oh! I did my nails yesterday and I regret it already. They’re so hard to work with.”

“Oh my gosh! Let me see!” Jaehyun started to lift his butt up off the bed to allow you to easily slip your hand out under him. Your heart warmed up with how genuinely excited he sounded. When you brought your hand out, he let go of your waist with one arm and grabbed ahold of your hand to get a better look. You watched him marvel at the fake nails that were glued to your real ones and you immediately began to beam. He always showed interest in every little thing about you and made it so difficult for you not to fall in love with him over and over again every single day.

“They’re so pretty,” he focused his gaze on you and brought his finger to boop you on the nose, “but not as pretty as you.”

You snorted, “you’re so cheesy.” Instead of letting you return your hand back under him, he continued to hold your hand against his body and shot you a grin, bearing his teeth and those dimples that you loved more than anything.

“Let go of my hand, I need to itch the inside of my nose.”

“No.” You whined out his name in response.

“Worry not, I’ll itch it for you!” Before you could protest he picked out your index finger with his own index finger and thumb and began approaching your nose with it. You tried to move your head away and the sudden movement caused him to end up shoving your finger way too far up your nostril. You jerked up off of him, your hands flying up to your nose where you could feel the pain begin to spread.

You groaned with your eyes shut tight and Jaehyun flew up off the bed after you, his eyes were wide and full of worry accompanied with regret. “OH MY GOD Y/N I’M SO SORRY! ARE YOU OKAY!? LET ME SEE! OH MY GOD, I’M SO SORRY!” He grabbed at your hands and removed them away from your nose. He peered into your nose to check if you were bleeding. His relieved sigh indicated you weren’t bleeding at least.

Jaehyun suddenly grabbed the sides of your head and you let out a yelp when he tugged you into his chest, squishing your face against it, “I’m so sorry!” He continuously repeated until you muffled out an “oh my god Jaehyun it’s okay!” against him

“Are you okay?” He asked when he finally let go of your head.

“Yes, I’m fine, babe! Come on, let’s go lay back down.” He nodded and crawled up onto the bed, you following suit with the blanket that was previously at the foot of your bed. You opened it up and loosely wrapped it around him and then yourself. This time his head rested against your chest, the feeling of it rising and falling was therapeutic to him. Your hand played with his hair so softly that it was starting to make his eyes droop heavily with sleep. His arms gave your body a tight squeeze as he groggily mumbled out an “I love you.”

“I love you more, Jae.” And you did.

I met you in the summer, but I wish I hadn’t.

You were my first love, but I wish you weren’t.

I wish I was over you, but it’s been a year and I’m still dwelling on that summer that was once ours.

It’s winter all year long now, and it’s killing me. I need to feel the warmth that is you in order to survive, and I hate it so much.

[bamyersauthor]

Avoiding Writer Burnout

We've all been there. You get really excited about a project, write to it non-stop, then somehow days, weeks, or even months go by and you realize you've lost passion and enthusiasm for your work. And you've worked so HARD on it.

I get it. It recently happened to me.

Here are a few tips that have helped me get through rough patches so you can avoid that dreaded Writer Burnout.

No. 1: Take Breaks. This is a BIG one. I don't know about you, but when I get going on a writing project, breaks aren't automatically on my mind when I sit down at the computer. My goal tends to be: WRITE. This isn't a healthy way to look at writing which is why I suggest routinely taking breaks while working during long stretches. I find getting up after a scene or halfway between a chapter to do something else (even just to refill my water or grab a matcha latte), is enough to give my brain (and eyes) a break from staring at the computer screen for too long. It's good for you, and I promise you, your story is still going to be there when you get back.

If it helps, set a timer on your phone to go off every hour to remind you to stand up, stretch, crack your neck, and get your butt out of that chair, even if it's only for a minute. I realize many of you fiercely protect your writing time, but I have found more frequent breaks actually makes me MORE productive. Try it out. Your body will thank you. And refuel on that caffeine while you're at it.

No 2: Take Notes. Lots and LOTS of Notes. When I really get into a project, I have everything in my head lined up perfectly. I will take some notes, but I often find not enough. This can be an issue later when I might be returning to a project after a few days break or months. So do yourself a favor and take plenty of notes in the beginning. Heck, I wholeheartedly encourage you to sit down at your computer or with a pen and notebook and writewritewrite about everything you can think of about your story. Character details, bits of dialogue, world-building questions, plot possibilities. EVERYTHING.

I keep a separate notebook for each writing project I have, often several notebooks as ideas grow. This helps me stay organized, and I'm easily able to access and refresh my knowledge of worlds and plots when I'm been away or consumed in another story for X amount of time. If you're like me and enjoy discussing your ideas with others, and/or just find better flow with speaking out loud (hey, whatever helps!), I recommend getting a digital recorder. I bought one of these beauties a few months back after Susan Dennard did a newsletter covering diction (HERE--You should check her site out if you haven't already. Amazing author and invaluable writing resources). I haven't looked back when it comes to note-taking. It has encouraged ideas to flow easily, and the handy part is you can replay hours of discussion and take notes after. I often have even more ideas during my times listening to conversations. I highly recommend this method if you find it hard to take notes without cramping your brain flow. I also utilize the Notes app on my phone. Smartnote and Evernote are two great options if you'd like to sync content between devices. Especially when an idea hits you as you’re falling asleep. :P

No. 3: Try writing somewhere different. Okay, I'm not as great with this one. I have my nice cozy office that is set up for my writing needs. I struggle to write outside of this writer haven because it's so dang perfect. But it helps reduce distractions if you write outside your comfort zone, even if this is only venturing as far as your patio and getting some fresh air while you log your word count (I hear it's spring in other non-desert states :P). I'm not telling you to get crazy here, just to try something different to break the repetitive cycle that can lead to stress and the dreaded burnout. This can be your local library, coffee shop, or even a park. If you're really prone to distractions ala the internet, you might even want to venture to places without wi-fi. (Gasp! I know, I said it. I'm evil.) The point is to change things up frequently enough to trick your brain into being productive when it might not want to be. Added bonus: you get to people-watch when you leave your home and write somewhere different.

No. 4: Read a book. If you're really having a hard time sticking to your project, books can help with the solution. I like to pick titles that are similar to what I might be currently writing (epic fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi, you get it). This helps me two-fold: by letting me familiarize myself with what's in the current market for the type of book I am writing and what content/plots already exist, and as means for inspiration. I don't know about you, but when I read a really good book that unexpectedly sweeps me away (Hello, Victoria Schwab), I get riled up and inspired to WRITE. I mean, we all started out writing because we loved books. We wouldn't be pursuing our hobbies or dreams of improving our craft if we didn't, ammiright? Books are an amazing outlet of escape. They always help calm my stress, give my brain a break from my own work (see this recurring theme?), and remind me that what I'm striving toward (getting traditionally published), is possible, because right there in my hands is an author who has been through it all (and possibly more) than I have with writing. Like I said, inspiring.

No. 5: Schedule writing time. Write for one hour a day during a certain time each day. Or make it two hours. Just set yourself the task of chipping away at your manuscript without overdoing it. I started doing this when I read an article on Sarah Dessen (bestselling author or YA contemporary titles like The Truth About Forever and Saint Anything). She writes from 3-5pm every single day. Breaking it up gives you time to split the rest of your day doing things you love or need to (like work, dinner, caring for kids, adulting). But slotting your writing time helps create balance which is really what you should strive for in an effective and productive writing routine. Here's the article if you're curious about how Dessen has written 13 successful novels with a 14th on the way this June.

No. 6: Take a longer break. Now, sometimes no matter what you do, the words just won't flow and you are miserable working on your current WIP. In this case, might I suggest you step away for a bit. By this I mean, take a mini vacation from writing. Now before you harp me for suggesting not to write when common advice is to sit your butt down and just write anyway, hear me out: it's okay not to be writing. Let me put it this way, you're a writer even if you're not writing every single day. You're a writer if all you can manage is 100 words in a day, a week, a month. The point is, your life shouldn't be only about writing. Life is about balance, and if you overextend yourself or do too much you will burn out. Trust me on this one. So before you hurl your computer/notebook/current WIP across the room or out the window, remind yourself you can step away. I have taken writer hiatuses as long as six weeks for various reasons--re-outlining, stress, life crises, and to avoid scrapping an idea. There is no set amount of time to take off. Find what works for you. I often find that I get an itch, for lack of a better word, and I want to write again. It could be only one day or three, or more, months. Take as long as you need. Your story will be waiting for you when you return. I promise.

No. 7: Whatever you do, DO NOT give up.. Take the break if you need to, but make sure you come back to it. I don't know how to reiterate this enough. If you let yourself give up on your project you will never finish it and it will hang over your head. It's easy to tuck that WIP away when the going gets tough--I've done it, we ALL have--but make sure you return to it and see it through. I really like to make Vision Lists to help me recapture the enthusiasm and passion I have for a project when it's fizzled out. Sometimes this is all you need. A piece of paper and a pen and time to list all the things you want in your story, all the things you love about it, why you want to write it. This helps keep you focused to avoid the dangerous Shiny New Idea Syndrome that can kill an idea and guarantee you won't finish your WIP.

Here are some journal prompts to and help get your passion and motivation flowing once more: -Why am I writing this story? -What do I love about it? -Why is my main character important to me? -Why is the story I story I want to tell important to me? Jon Acuff talks about finishing goals in his book Finish. Pick it up for motivation if you need it!

How do you handle burnout? I'd love to hear in the comments below!

<3 B

[astreetcarnamedwynn]

ask response: fic questions

This was fun! Thank you, @goldensillydragon, for submitting the ask and for giving me the opportunity to take sweet trip down memory lane. I was able to answer them quicker than I anticipated. If anyone else would like my rambles about any fic I’ve written, just submit an ask/message with a fic title. I’ll answer some or all of the 15 questions. :D

goldensillydragon: Thank you, and don’t worry, take all the time you need. The fic is “Remembrance Of Things Past”, because it owns my heart and it’s a thing of beauty (and, frankly, to me it has become the standard I compare all Blackfrost fics to!).

Feel free to add anything you may want about it, just reading your thoughts on it will be a pleasure, you cannot imagine how much I love that fic!

Fic Links: Here on AO3 or here on FF.net

1: What inspired you to write the fic this way?

I am a fandom old. I first started writing fic in 2001. I wrote steadily from 2001 to early 2007, and then I stopped for 5 years, largely due to work. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was the first fandom I ever wrote for, I loved it and Firefly to bits, so I was super excited at Joss Whedon directing a big budget movie (oh how time changes perspective). I’d never read an Avengers comic before seeing the movie (I was an X-Men gal growing up). I can’t even remember at this point if I’d seen any of the Marvel movies prior to Avengers. I just know I came out of my first viewing of it in 2012 with a restored fannish heart. I needed it too. That year was hell for me personally, and writing Avengers fic was an escape.

I’d come out of Avengers, like many, impressed by Tom Hiddleston’s Loki. I was especially intrigued by his scenes with Natasha, how both of them played around with perception (Loki with his illusions, Natasha with people’s conceptions of herself), so the first Avengers fic I wrote was a short one-shot called “The Animal Inside” in which Loki visits Natasha to talk with her about the animal/beast inside and redemption:

Loki holds her gaze and says, “My sentencing happens today. Odin will…render his judgment against me. I believe even your society grants last requests to the condemned.”

Natasha holds her breath, unsettled at the confession.

“How did you do it?” he asks. “How did you stop being who you were and become who you are? Barton told me about your past. The red in your ledger. How did you…stop?”

I continued it in a slightly longer one-shot called “The Dog Days are Over” in which Loki has somehow found his way to Earth, rather than having been executed by Odin for his crimes, and Natasha encounters him on a mission. She tracks him down to understand why.

“Why aren’t you dead?”

He smirks. “Because Odin loves sadism almost more than his missing eye.”

And then came the beast. “Remembrance of Things Past.” In its current and unfortunately permanent incomplete form, it clocks in at over 200,000 words in nearly 50 chapters. I worked on it for close to 2 years. From what I remember, I wanted to challenge myself to find a way to write a Loki-Natasha romance that seemed plausible, that especially didn’t compromise her character in significant ways. What I settled on was Loki crossing Dr. Doom (a villain who, in the comics, was powerful enough to go toe-to-toe with him), and Odin directly asking Natasha to help Loki as he knows about the conversation they have in “The Dog Days are Over” through Heimdall. To save Loki, Natasha would have to delve back into her past, as he would have to deal with his past sins to try to atone.

Hence the title: “Remembrance of Things Past”

2: What scene did you first put down?

Probably the first scenes, bridging the time from “Dog Days” to Odin asking Natasha for help. I likely planned a good chunk of the first set of chapters in advance, but I would have started at the start.

3: What’s your favorite line of narration?

It’s been so long since I’ve worked on this, and so long since I’ve read it, that it’s hard to choose a favorite with any certainty. Here are some that I liked enough to highlight when posting and that stick out to me now making this:

In one of the rooms, she forgets which they are so numerous, Natasha finds Loki regarding the carved and painted ceiling. The reflected light shines golden on the room and on him. She wonders how he ever successfully lied or deceived, his eyes convey so much. His gaze now is elegiac, a smooth sky covering a seething sea of rage and regret.

*

On the smooth expanse of his life in Asgard, Loki had always felt the scratch, the spot that mars, the place where the pieces of himself should come together and fit, but instead they grated, they set his teeth on edge, and he lived in Paradise as a man tormented by a shadow from the corner of his eye, glimpsed only but never seen.

*

Odin looks once more at Loki and Thor, then he turns and finds Frigga. As they regard one another, a goodbye too inadequate for millennia together, the body of Odin Allfather begins to rupture, the energy within pouring forth, burning, burning, burning his body to ash. He looks up at the stars beginning to shine in the night sky, and Loki may not be able to stop him, he may not be able to save him, but he can do this. He closes his eyes and pictures the view from the end of the world in Asgard, the deep ebony of space, the graceful curve of the distant worlds, the stars as they flare and beam golden light upon the realm, and he projects the image for his father to see. He sees Odin smile as he gazes upon the vista, then the energy takes hold and his body disperses, disappearing amongst the stars.

4: What’s your favorite line of dialogue?

“Isn’t it funny the way the worlds turn and the fates fall?”

I ended up liking it so much it became the summary/tag line for the fic overall.

5: What part was hardest to write?

The last major sequence, an epic fight on the Helicarrier that spanned 5 chapters- collectively known as “Blow Up the Outside World.” There were SO MANY different threads to interweave, SO MANY characters to keep track of and get into position for the final outcome to happen. In the first chapter alone, Loki, Maria Hill, Natasha, Bruce, and Sif all have point of view sections. The next chapter, Thor, Frigga, and Darcy on top of a few repeats. Jane, Tony, Clint, Steve in the next few.

SO. MANY. CHARACTERS.

But I made it work. It was hard. I remember having charts planning out what was happening where on the Helicarrier so events could sync up correctly. It was brutal and satisfying when it all came together.

6: What makes this fic special or different from all your other fics?

It got me writing again, and in a serious way. It will always have a special place in my heart for that reason alone.

7: Where did the title come from?

It’s a riff off of the Proust novel Remembrance of Things Past, which is one of the few huge epics I haven’t read.

8: Did any real people or events inspire any part of it?

Not that I can remember.

9: Were there any alternate versions of this fic?

Not of the fic overall, but of individual scenes and plotlines. I can’t remember any specifics. I’m fairly sure I didn’t intend to write Steve-Sif as a romantic pairing until story events necessitated them interacting and then I fell in love with their interactions.

10: Why did you choose this pairing for this particular story?

See the response to #1. :)

11: What do you like best about this fic?

I think I did a great job with the action sequences. I think I developed Natasha and Loki’s relationship in an interesting way, in a way that respected both characters and felt plausible. I like a lot of the narration and weaving the various plot threads together, especially in the last big action sequence.

12: What do you like least about this fic?

It’s unfinished. Unfortunately that’s how it will have to stay. My fic writing interests have strayed from Marvel, and I’m currently trying to finish another epic fic beast.

13: What music did you listen to, if any, to get in the mood for writing this story?

So many songs. I don’t have my Blackfrost mixes on my iTunes anymore, but I know I listened to a lot of Olafur Arnalds. “Heart’s a Mess” by Gotye. “The Difference Between Us” by The Dead Weather. “Cosmic Love” by Florence + the Machine.

14: Is there anything you wanted readers to learn from reading this fic?

Not really. I hope they enjoyed reading it!

15: What did you learn from writing this fic?

To not indulge in EVERYTHING I want to write in a story. I doomed myself when I let the POV of the story expand from Natasha to Loki and then to other characters. Don’t get me wrong. I love, love, love so much of what I wrote, but the story grew to something I couldn’t sustain, especially when Cap 2 came out and my brain was all Bucky, Bucky, Bucky. So with “That Which You Seek” and “And the Wounded Sing,” my two big Bucky-Darcy stories, I kept the POVs focused solely on them- Darcy in the first, Bucky in the second. The same with my Yuri on Ice story “Sixty Impossible Things.” There are times I’d love to delve into Viktor’s or Yuri’s POV, but I keep the focus on Yuuri. This has helped. I finished the two Bucky-Darcy stories, and I’ve gotten back to writing “Sixty Impossible Things.”

[zecretsanta]

To: @merouses

From: @aleena-san

Alee here with my Secret Santa for merouses!

prompt 1 – luna tending to plants

The air was ripe with the sweet scent of flourishing flowers. Luna could taste the honey of their petals upon her tongue as she swept in a small breath of hot summer air, a breath that delightfully seared at her lungs with heated relish, and promised even warmer days to come. She couldn’t resist the small smile tugging up at her lips at the thought. Sunnier soaked days like this meant even more time in the company of her most favorite friends in the whole wide world!

…That being the flowers. Laugh all you want, but Luna could almost hear their soft chatter carried upon the soulful whisper of a breeze. A cheerful hum sprung to life within her throat, as idle hands began their busy work scuffling through dirt and tending to wrinkles written within the leaves. It had become a routine of hers, one might say; indeed, it wasn’t rare to see the young girl of ringlet locks and gentle blue eyes surrounded in a wreathe of her precious dahlias and daisies. Her fingers worked like magic on soil that was once rough with age. Now, the dirt thrived with life, and the sturdy stems of her friends grew thick and healthy.

“Oh, Scarlet, you look happy today.” Luna’s smile grew even broader as her hands came to gently caress the petals of a blood-soaked rose. This beauty towered above the rest with pure royalty intertwined into its very aura. “Let me guess. Good sleep?” Though it could not utter a reply in return, Luna liked to think that it was nodding its head in gentle affirmation under the sway of the wind. “That’s good. Here! You must be thirsty on such a hot day.”

The watering can breathed life into soil turned crisp by the sun. Already her flowers seemed to perk, their roots digging deeper into what Luna must’ve imagined as now very comfortable moist earth. She didn’t notice the shadow blotting out blue sky until a familiar voice jolted Luna from her reverie.

“Um…Ms. Luna, what are you doing?”

“Quark!”

His head just came to level above her shoulder. Wide, curious eyes reflected the objects of her handiwork. “Gardening…?” Luna couldn’t help flushing with embarrassment at the note of ire held within his voice. Quickly, he glanced shyly away. “I didn’t know you liked tending to these gardens too, Ms. Luna. I mean – not that I come here often or anything.” As if to accentuate that fact, he puffed out his cheeks and blew a whistle of air through tightly pursed lips.

“Oh! You like flowers, too?”

Quark’s cheeks flushed scarlet. “I mean…when I’m bored…or there’s nothing else to do. But if you’re here that’s okay. I’ll go play somewhere else.”

A small part of Luna was almost glad that he might leave. Perhaps the only selfish bone in her body was reserved for this garden – her secret place as one might say – and to share it with anyone else might just dampen the magic in the air. Though perhaps that was merely her anxiety speaking on her behalf. Sometimes, silence was comforting, but it wasn’t always welcome.

Maybe sharing her garden with Quark would fill the air with even more magic then before.

It was sheer instinct that had Luna grasping onto Quark’s hand, just as he was about to trudge on his way.

“No. Don’t go.” She smiled and gestured to a small shovel near her feet. “To be honest it gets a little lonely, out here all by myself. The flowers are nice, but they aren’t exactly the best talkers. So…would you care to join me?”

Quark paused. Luna barely even acknowledged his tiny nod until he plopped himself down by her side. His hands sought out the tiny shovel, and with the vigor of a playful child, he began burrowing a new hole for one of the many plotted plants she had yet to set.

Sun soaked the earth in pools of molten gold; birds screeched as they soared above thermals on wide open air; and friendship filled the wind with the scent of roses and dandelions, a scent that Luna would be sure to treasure for the remainder of her lifetime.

prompt 2 – lotus playing video games

“Ha! This’ll be a piece of cake!”

Clover’s beaming proudly from her perch on the couch. She’s looking adorable as ever, with arms tucked neatly against her chest and one leg swung across the other in an almost royal pose. “Hate to break it to ya, Lotus, but I’m the Queen of this game! Are you prepared for the bitter taste of defeat?”

Lotus is not at all impressed. With a huff of air, she flops down next to Clover and snatches up a spare controller. “Sure. So let’s make this quick, alright?” It’s no secret to the gathering crowd that Lotus hasn’t even touched a gamepad in her life before this very moment. Raising two kids and holding down an array of part time jobs didn’t exactly leave much time for childish activities like this. At Junpei’s urging, however, she finds herself forced into a challenge she really cares little about.

Clover plucks up her own controller and leans forward, eyes glinting with the fires of determination. Mortal Kombat’s screen flashes upon the television set, its foreboding music reverberating throughout the room in the looming promise of war. “Ready?” Junpei asks. Sweat clings to his forehead as if he can taste the competitive spirit hanging in the air.

“Ready as I’ll ever be!” Clover chirps.

“Sure, whatever.”

“On your marks…get set…Go!”

The war is on.

First, choose a character. Clover predictably goes for a woman dressed in flashy pink. Lotus doesn’t really care which one she has – they’re all just a bunch of ones and zeroes dressed to look pretty, after all – but, she finds herself drawn to Kitana, with her deadly aura and bladed fans. The game began mere seconds after.

“H-Huh?”

Clover lurches back. Not even three seconds have passed and already the first round has come to its end, ending with none other than her character avatar knocked out upon a cold metal floor. Her cheeks flush scarlet. “Hey! You’re cheating! That’s no fair!”

“Cheating? I just pressed a few buttons and boom. You’re dead.”

Clover turns to Junpei for help. “You’re gonna let that pass?”

“Sorry…but Lotus didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. It’s fair game so far.”

FINISH HER

Clover can scarcely believe her ears. She whips back around to the screen, only to see a bored looking Lotus punching buttons in any random order, which inevitably leads to her character’s gruesome execution. A booming voice proudly accompanies the red text that flashes over the murder.

FATALITY

“Uhh…Lotus wins…I guess?”

Everyone present awkwardly claps.

Laughter pours from Lotus’ lips. It’s almost as surprising as the fact that she beat Clover in less than ten seconds at a game she knew nothing about. She leans back into the couch, a mischievous smirk painted upon her lips. “Hey, that was actually pretty fun! Wanna do it again?”

Devil-woman. The terrified thought echoes through all the minds of the Nonary Game survivors. “I think I’m good,” Clover begins.

“Me too…” says Akane.

Needless to say, Lotus was never allowed to touch a controller again.

prompt 3 – snake tries to learn another instrument

Light wasn’t very familiar with the strings of a guitar.

He couldn’t exactly say he was fond with the way they tore at the soft pads of his fingers, or how the clunky instrument seated lamely above his leg. It felt less than graceful to hold, and sounded even worse to his ears, especially since he had naught a clue on how to tune the beast. Beside him, he could hear Clover’s breath taut with anticipation.

“You’re gonna do just fine!” his sister chirped. “It’s not hard at all, I swear!”

“I don’t know…” The sigh that left his lips was more sombre than usual. “I cannot say this feels the same as a piano. Nor does it have the feathery weight of a violin.”

“Well duh. Of course it doesn’t. It’s something so much cooler!”

He frowned. “Cool…er?” The word tasted foreign upon his tongue.

Clover gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “Jeez, you’re such a grandpa. Just give it a try.”

“Hmm…”

His fingers brushed polished wood and came to tug at the individual strings and nobs of his new toy. No matter how much he plucked, or twisted and turned in a futile attempt at tuning, nothing seemed to work. Frustration curdled in the pit of his stomach. He wasn’t used to being genuinely bad at something, let alone unable to overcome said ‘badness.’ Badness. Great. The guitar was turning his brain into mush if that was the only word he could think of!

Clover, however, would beg to differ. She hummed off tune in sync with his awkward fumbling and poor strumming of its strings. “You’re enjoying this?” he inquired, brow furrowing to rest close against his eyes.

“’Course! I’ve always wanted to hear you play guitar.”

He smiled. “And why is that?”

“No reason. I just think you’d do well in a band!”

A band! What a ludicrous thought! Despite that, he couldn’t help laughing in good cheer. “Sorry to disappoint you, Clover, but I don’t think the guitar is for me.” He could feel the weight of the air plummet under her predictable pout. “But…I suppose I won’t mind if it’s just you and me. Provided my talent with this awful thing never leaves this room.”

And the air was light again, surely because of Clover’s broad smile. “Awesome! Does that mean I can play your piano, too?”

“I don’t see why not. Perhaps you will have more luck.”

She didn’t. But the sound of random key smashing and off-tuned guitar strumming echoed throughout the Field residence for many days to come, and it was a sound that – while awful for the neighbors – meant the entire world and more to two very tight-knit siblings.

[saeyoungs-sunflower]

Hiraeth (Seven x MC)

Hello! So...this is my first Mystic Messenger fanfic and the first part of my word series, which is basically just where I find an unusual word and make a fanfic out of it. Easy as pie! If you like what you read, feel free to send a request.

Right, on to the fanfic! Enjoy!

WARNINGS:

Contains spoilers for Seven’s route and Secret Endings

Strong language

References to child abuse (only hints, nothing explicit)

NOTES:

Slightly angsty with poofs of fluff :3

hiraeth (n.): a homesickness for a home to which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was; the nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past.

PART 1 - The Agent (2 years ago)

“You’re slacking, 707.”

He knew he wasn’t in his right mind that day, who would be on a day like this?

“Listen to me kid, this is serious. You know exactly what happens to people like us when they don’t get things done in time. There is a reason they are called deadlines,” Vanderwood said smoothly.

Luciel felt a chill crawl down his back at the memory of agent 425, who for some reason disappeared out of thin air after ‘a small accident’. Luciel knew the danger of the situation, he knew he needed to get this done, he just couldn’t keep thoughts on track, “Sorry.”

“What’s wrong with you? You’re usually much faster than this, are you sick or something?”

“I’m fine.”

Vanderwood let out a sharp sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. This kid was going to be the death of him. He knew all this time what was wrong with him, it was the same every year. “Listen, is this because today is the anniversary of when you left home?”

Luciel flinched at his choice of words. Anniversary sounded too jubilant to be wasted on such a day, it should only used for a day that should be celebrated and  not loathed. However, home was the word that hit him the most. That place was not home. It was an empty shell, a hollow space that seemed only to be appropriately filled with the screams and cries of those who were too weak to escape it. That had no privilege to be called home.

“I said I’m fine, Vanderwood,” he said steadily.

Vanderwood let out another sigh, this one much lazier than the last. Whilst he wasn’t supposed to, he knew this kid had had a hard life; that even though he supposedly chose this path, Vanderwood knew deep down that when it came to the bottom of it, he had no choice. “Whatever it is, please at least try to focus and get this done. I have things that I need to get done so I’m going to trust that you will finish this, okay?”

“Sure.”

As soon as Vanderwood left, Luciel rocked back on his stiff chair. This was torture. He let his mind wonder and his rather vivid imagination took over him. He thought about all the terrific places he could have gone, all the beautiful things he could have seen, all the brilliant people he could have met. Was this really the right choice? What other options did he have? What other ways could he have saved him? He snapped back into reality at the thought, and as if by instinct he reached for the floppy disk hidden inside a book of fairytales and inserted it into his computer. Everything melted away as he scrolled through the photos of his other half, and his chest ached and he felt a lump form in his throat at the nostalgia of their smile and how their eyes squeezed shut as they did so. This is why he went through this torture. It was for him. Maybe Vanderwood was right, maybe he did leave home behind after all.

Luciel shook his head and shut off his computer, all the colour that enfolded him gradually fading into a cold, bland grey once again. This was for the best. Deciding that he needed a break, he plonked himself onto his bed and logged onto the RFA chatroom.

Yoosung★: Failed my midterms fml T_T

707: Cuz u played LOLOL all night lol.

Jumin Han: If you want to work for our company, you should take care of your GPA.

Yoosung★: I’m still on the list?! +_+

Luciel quietly chuckled to himself as he read through the chat, joining in here and there. He truly loved the RFA; it was the closest thing to family that he had, the only secure thing in his rickety life. But he had to put up a barrier between himself and them, to ensure their safety and to prevent things from getting…complicated with the agency. That barrier just so happened to be painted with silly jokes and a happy-go-lucky persona, which was both exhausting to keep up and a refreshing distraction from his other life. This was all apart of the game he had to play, the balls he had to juggle and stones he had to step on to keep everything in his life as balanced as it could be.

He had come to the realisation a long time ago that he will never live an honest or steady life, since it appeared that he would never see his brother again and the RFA could never know who he truly was. He was slowly loosening his grip on the fantasy that he will ever have a true ho-

707: Wait!!

Yoosung★: Why?

ZEN: ??

707: Think someone entered the chatroom;;

PART 2 - The Apartment (1 year and 358 days ago)

“Seven, why the headphones? Are you avoiding me?”

Dammit. He knew his meaningless flirting in the chatroom was turning into something…maybe not meaningless. Now he was here with her in Rika’s apartment, and he could no longer keep up the facade like he had in the chatroom.

His barrier was being broken down.

This was for the best, he thought. Just push her away and eventually she will give up, she’ll move on and be happy with someone else. Someone with an honest life, a good job and a secure future. This was right. This was good. This would 100% ensure her safety and well being.

So why did it hurt so much?

He carried on typing to stop himself looking back at her, otherwise he would never be able to say no to her. He kept his focus as his fingers moved across the keyboard like he was being repeatedly shocked by electricity. It felt like that too.

He glanced at the clock on his laptop and noticed that he had been working for several hours, which meant it had been several hours since MC had last spoken to him. Did his plan work? Had he finally got her stay away? Was she finally safe?

In that sense he was relieved, but something just wouldn’t settle in his stomach. They had only known each other for a week, but he knew MC well. She was stubborn, there was no way she would have given up so easily. He slowly removed his headphones, expecting to hear the sound of pans clashing in the kitchen or the shower running or loud music leaking through earphones. Nothing. Feeling everything in his stomach sink, he darted to the kitchen. Not there. Bathroom? Not there. Living room? Not there.

His heart was pounding against his ribs as he frantically searched the apartment, nearly turning it upside down. Shit. His breath started to grow more rapid as memories of her spilled into his mind from when his beloved twin almost took her away from him. For the first time in his life, somethings clicked:

“Seven!!!! I love you!!!”

He was loved.

“Seven…are you okay?”

He was cared for.

“Alright, I’ll trust you, Seven.”

He was safe.

Seven froze as he reached the one room in the house he hadn’t yet searched: her bedroom. Lightly he rested his ear on the door, only to hear gentle and quiet sobs coming from the other side. His beaten heart split right down the middle and he squeezed his eyes shut to prevent his own tears spilling out. Gathering up all the strength he could find within his shattering form, he gently knocked on her door.

“MC?”

The crying abruptly stopped, apart from a few sniffles before a small voice peeped from the other side of the door, “Y-yeah?”

“Can I come in?”

“Mhmm.”

Slowly he clicked the door open and creeped into the dim room. He could just make out her crumpled figure lying on the bed, hiding her face from him. He knew it, she was stubborn. He knew he shouldn't have, but he impulsively wrapped his long arms around her body in an embrace. MC was shocked at first, but eventually gave into his warmth and wrapped her own arms around his torso, her head resting in the crook of his neck, “I-I just-“

“Shhh it’s okay MC, I know.”

Together they sat there in silence. Neither spoke, neither needed to. They just sat there in each other’s arms as their breathing and heart beat synced. Time passed and MC could feel her eyelids growing heavier and heavier, until the power of sleep over took her. Seven felt her eyelids flutter shut against his neck, and laid her down on the bed to keep her in a comfortable position.

When he was sure she was going to stay asleep, he removed his arm from under MC and laid the blanket over her sleeping form. Before leaving her to rest, he pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead, “I’m sorry, MC, but I think I might be a little bit in love with you.”

And with that, he went back to work. New thoughts started flooding into his brain, thoughts of how he had almost lost her twice. Once to Saeran, once to herself.

He found her, then he saved her.

He saved her, then he shoved her away.

He found home, then he burnt it down.

Seven laughed at his own stupidity and the ridiculousness the situation he had found himself in, “People like me aren’t supposed to settle,” he thought to himself, “we’re supposed to forget.”

…

“We’re made to lose.”

PART 3 - The Housewarming Party (Present day)

“Hello? Earth to Saeyoung?”

Saeyoung snapped back into reality and turned his head away from the view from the balcony to find an even more stunning view in front of him, “Terribly sorry m’am, the Defender of Justice just received a call from the Space Station. Apparently they have run out of napkins for our wedding so we will have to bring some ourselves.”

MC playfully slapped his shoulder before hugging his arm and looking at the rest of the city. This was their favourite time to watch the city; all the little lights from the buildings blended perfectly with the stars, a light breeze flowed through the air, and it was quiet. The only sound to be heard was the sound of music coming from inside their new house. More specifically, music from musicals (it was Jaehee’s turn to choose). MC looked up at her fiancé before pressing a kiss on his shoulder, “This is our home now.”

“I guess it is. We did a pretty good job finding this place. Nice neighbours, amazing view, gre-“

Saeyoung was interrupted by his lover’s giggles. God, he wasn’t sure if he would ever get used this. She settled down and once again rested her chin on his shoulder, “That’s not what I meant. I mean, you’re not wrong, it is a lovely house. But, that’s all it is right now, a house. It will become home in time.”

“And what is home to you, oh wise MC,” Saeyoung queried.

She shot him a playful glare before turning serious again, “Well, I think home can be a lot things. A place, an object, a person, an idea, anything. It��s not really about what it is, it’s the feelings that you get from it. It’s where you go when you have nowhere else, where your heart takes you when you are most lost. Home is where you feel all fuzzy inside, like when you’re drinking hot chocolate or when you’re snuggled up on the sofa watching your favourite movie. When you’re home, you’re cared for and looked after. It’s a bandage, a medicine, a kiss better. Home is warm, it’s safe, it’s love.”

When he went quiet, MC turned to Saeyoung but was caught off guard when he leaned forward placing a firm but soft kiss on her lips. How did he get so lucky? How did he find someone who understood him so well? He laced his arms around her waist, bringing her closer to him as she wrapped her own arms around his neck. They could go on forever, completely lost yet found in each other, something neither could describe. But a familiar salty taste brought MC back to reality. She loosened her grip to look up at him, tears streaming down his face. She would have asked him what was wrong, but she didn’t need to. She knew the answer, and she knew those tears had been held back for a long time. So instead, she just gently wiped away his liquified fears with her sleeve, never to be seen again, “And what is home to you, Saeyoung?”

He let the corners of his mouth curl upwards and leaned towards her again, his hand cradling her neck. Yes, he thought to himself, this is it, right? This is hom-

“Ew.”

Almost flying apart, they looked at the doorway only to see a familiar figure standing in the middle of it, “S-Saeran!”

“Uh sorry to…interrupt but um we’re going to take some photos inside…” Saeran said, looking at the floor and rocking on his feet.

“Oh yes of course! We’ll be out in just a sec,” Saeyoung replied cheerfully.

“Actually, uh, Saeyoung?”

“Yes, Saeran?”

“I just wanted to say,” he paused, “thank you for letting me…live here with you guys. I know I’ve been a lot to handle over the past few years, but thank you for not giving up on me and watching over me. When you first helped me escape Mint Eye, I thought I was being betrayed, but now I see that you took so many risks to help me and save me. Thank you, you two…are my family and I..love you both.”

Both Saeyoung and MC were stunned to silence at this sudden outburst. Saeran was usually so bitter and had spent most of his time blaming Saeyoung for everything that had gone wrong in his life, but now he was thanking him? And saying he loved him? His initial thought was that Saeran was just playing some sick trick on him, but the rosy flush over his cheeks told him otherwise.

Saeran’s figure started to blur through Saeyoung’s eyes as they once again filled with tears. Overcome with emotion, he lunged towards his twin and engulfed him in his arms, which Saeran reluctantly returned. One step at a time.

“Um, should we go and take the photos now?” Saeran said, though his voice was muffled in his brother’s hoodie.

“Yes, yes we should,” Saeyoung quickly wiped his tears with the sleeve of his hoodie, “um, you two go ahead, I’ll be right behind you!” he shot them his signature cheery grin.

“Okay, don’t stay out too long, it’s getting cold out here,” MC said before pecking his cheek and following Saeran inside. She linked arms with him and playfully ruffled messy hair with her free hand, the sight of them interacting like that made something warm bubble in Saeyoung’s chest. His heart may be be damaged and bruised, but it was healing. They were healing him. Maybe home wasn’t just one thing, maybe it was in the form of two people? Taking a deep breath, Saeyoung went back inside his new house. The whole RFA was there preparing for the photo.

“Jumin, move! You’re blocking my good side!”

“Every side is your good side, Zen.”

“Well, you’re not wrong, Jaehee.”

“Yoosung, you’re standing on my foot. Please remove it.”

“Oh! Sorry Jumin! I’ll just sit here instead.”

Saeyoung chuckled warmly at them, which grabbed the attention of the blonde who was moving round the red sofa, “Saeyoung! You’re back! We saved you a space next to MC and Saeran.”

Taking his place on the sofa, he looked round at all his friends. They were all smiling at him, at each other, laughing and settling into their own positions. Saeyoung felt that familiar warmth in his chest before something clicked.

“Ready!”

He had waited so long.

“3!”

This was it.

“2!”

He found it.

“1!”

It found him.

Click.

“Woohoo! Good job gang! It looks great!”

“Lemme see!”

“Me too!”

“I would like to see.”

“Jaehee, can you see it from there?”

“I can, it’s wonderful.”

Only MC and Saeyoung were left on the couch, a few seconds passed before MC spoke up, “You okay?”

“I think I know what home is to me now.”

MC smiled fondly at him, relieved that he had finally found peace, “I’m so happy you found it, you deserve it.”

Saeyoung leaned back on the couch, MC in his arms and observing the chaos in front of him. Sure, it was messy, but it was his mess. It took him his whole life up to this point to find his haven, and it finally came to save him. The RFA was home, his brother was home, the woman in his arms was home.

This was home.

There we go, my first piece of writing for Mystic Messenger. I know it’s not perfect and it’s a bit rough round the edges, but hopefully I’ll improve with time. As I said before, requests are open and I have some more ideas in mind, so stick around!

Have a fab day everyone!

[c-rankin93]

Welcome to Stamford Pt 4

Okay so how long has it been of sever writers block, crossed with an earthquake and to many hours at work? Weeks, months? I don’t know but all I know is im back, and this ladies and dudettes is what I call- ‘you know when you have written like 3 chapters and you think they are all shit so you re-write them and you spew corny shit all over the pages’! But I needed to give you guys something, you were begging me and I felt bad. So please don’t kill me for this.

Now the way I see Finn in this, is different. He’s more loveable, cheerful and what I think FUNNY??

Just think of the way Nico acts in real life. I always see moody Finn and grumpy Finn… what about happy Finn. But hey if you don’t like it, then pass this on as a flake.

Now my writing is meh? I haven’t written in so long and this was a spur of the moment thing where I had to write this down before it disappeared.

Enough with my rambles, READ. READ. READ. And P.s I might be on Wattpad now? So im not just writing fan fic anymore!

I LOVE YOU ALL MY PATIENT FOLLOWERS! MWAH!!!

&&&&& NOT EDITED 

PART 3 GUYS! HAVE A RE-CAP 

 FINN POV

 Sweat baby Jesus.

I could see the blush invade her ivory skin, her plump cheeks turning a glorious shade of crimson red. Her eyes avoiding mine as I tried in vain to see those deep chocolate irises of hers.

Stubborn girl

I knew she was embarrassed. The all mighty Rae with a mouth as lethal as a gun was stunned in silence.

I could hear Archie briefly chuckle under his breath before my eyes flicked to his. It was a moment of gratitude when he cleared his throat and straightened his posture, not muttering a single word more. I didn't need to give this girl a reason to run.

I couldn't help the broad smirk stretch across my face, not that she would even notice. No she was too busy playing with the loose threat of her shirt. Dazed by her own lyrical words, and most likely regretting the last five minutes of her life.

"Oh really" I couldn't help but question with a little pep to my words. I won't lie, I was enjoying this. Watching her body squirm under my gaze like I was her weakness, I felt powerful but also very amused.

I straightened to my full height but kept my arms crossed across my chest, my smile never fading. This girl was really something.

"Go on..." I asked as I lifted an eyebrow, my gaze never wavers from hers.

Her head shot up, I could see her brain ticking away. Most likely over thinking the situation she got herself into.

“I... ugh- I only just read that part" she stuttered barely above a whisper.

Before I had the chance to reply to the vixen my view was obstructed. Blue eyes pierced into mine, it wasn't a foreign experience looking into them but it was an experience I unfortunately discovered one too many times.

"Hiya Finn" Her slightly squeaky voice made me shutter. I learnt a few months back that Chloe wasn't going to give up, yes I might have led her on at the start, body first, mind second. I am a guy, and nobody in their right mind can say they have never done or won’t ever do something like that. By the time I learnt other aspects about Chloe, the way she coolly spoke about other females, her slightly flirtatious fingers that wondered a bit too much along the planes of my body I realised we had nothing in common. She likes attention, I hated it. That was more than enough reason to keep away. I hadn't even kissed the girl and I have to fend her off with a spatula.

Her finger nails slide alone my shirt, whilst her other hand tangled through her hair, twirling her locks into a tight knot. Ha! Hope her fingers get fucking stuck.

"Chloe" I nodded, removing her hand and backing up slightly. I noticed her smile drop before her fake facade crept its way back onto her face.

"I was thinking that maybe we could hang out again tomorrow night" her sickly sweet voice was drumming through my head. I noticed her eyes flick back towards Rae who still looked like a deer in headlights. A smug smirk etched its way onto her slim face, and I knew exactly what was going on.

I knew at that moment she was marking her territory. Fuck, she might as well just cock her leg and piss on me instead. I've had numerous girls attempt this, and all of them failed. I was not some object, I liked my space and I liked to make my own decisions. And right now my own monologue sounded like a pre-teen-fucking-girl.

"Actually chlo" I spoke coolly, fuck I hope this worked. "Rae and I already had plans".

Four mouths dropped in unison, but only two mouths spoke- or yelled.

"What" Chloe and Rae were in sync, both tones slightly pitchy but I gave it a C+ for effort.

"Maybe all that erotic smut has seeped too far into that head of yours Rae" I wiggled my eyebrows to emphasize what I meant; "If you don't remember us having plans tonight, then maybe I should just drag you away now".

I hoped to God Rae played along with this one, my eyes were pleading to her. I could see the sparkle of mischief in those doe eyes, it manifested in self into a full blown grin and I was nearly knocked of my feet.

Two rows of while teeth, cute little dimples that sat on the edge of her beautiful smile, and I even noticed the wrinkle she got near her eye.

God, this sad sap of and man could just reach out and pinch the roundness of her cheeks like an overbearing Grandma. I have officially lost my balls.

"Oh that. Sorry totally forgot, ugh. Well all I really remember is that you- you promised me pizza all expenses paid for and I can't really turn that down" Rae was a natural liar, I wasn't sure to be scared or amazed.

"You sure you need the pizza" Chloe mumbled under her breath, but I know that Rae and the others had heard her snide comment.

Just as I was about to say something in return, I heard Rae speak up. To say I was shocked was an understatement, to say I was now stiff as a board down stairs was completely accurate. Oh the bite in her words was beyond erotic.

"Well Chlo, yeah I do. An ass like this doesn't stay this round by only eating salad. Maybe you should try it one day; I mean it might give them something to look at from behind".

SHE HAD ME. HOOK. LINE. SINKER.

My arm was then suddenly torn from my body, blood spraying the weak as zombies raided the school demolishing those who couldn’t run fast enough. Poor Chloe dead, her jugular spraying warm blood one the walls… is what I wanted to narrate but really it was Rae pulling me along towards the library exit whilst I threw I peace sign over my shoulder to gayer, red and blow –up Barbie. Oh I could so be a writer.

She let me go from her clutches as soon as we were far enough away and stopped awkwardly. She smelled like coconut, her face flushed red, and her tacky bag just hung limp from her hand.

“Okay well this was fun- ugh… See ya!” have you ever watched a girl speed walk away from you like you just announced that you had leprosy? Well that was what Rae was currently doing and I must say my ego wasn’t too impressed.

“HEY!” I yelled, which caused her to walk a little faster. I swear she could win Olympic gold with that stride.

“Rae Stop! I mean it…” shit this was not working. She had managed to cross the quad and head towards the front of the school. I knew once she made it out of the gate I would lose her. So many possible ways she could turn and with a walk like that I wouldn’t be surprised if she walked all the way to London by the time I made it to the chippy.

It was time to officially lose any street cred that I had.

Operation embarrass-the-shit-out-of-rae-until-she-stops comenses.

“Rae Earl! How could you do that to me! Kiss me then leave me for another!” I yelled, fake sobs raked my body and any student between her and I gawked. Including Rae herself, excellent.

“You told me it was only me!” I continued, falling to my knees in a dramatic fashion.

I looked at the ground as she started to cuss in my direction. I didn’t need to see her to know she was currently heading my way.

“Get the fuck up Finn”.

“Why don’t you love me anymore?” I wailed waving my hands in the air like a mother giving birth. I really shouldn’t have dropped drama class. I was just imagining my name in flashing lights- Finn ‘the knicker dropper’ Nelson, God of the theatre. Ultra sexy alter ego named ‘Nico mirallegro’ king of the Italian mafia. (Always had a thing for Italian names, sue me!)

“If I wanted to listen to an asshole Finn, I’d fart. Now get the fuck up!” Rae’s face was just a whisper from my ear and I couldn’t help but crack a large grin as I got back to my knees.

“You had me at hello” I spoke lustfully giving her a good ol’ wink.

“You’re a pervert! Why the fuck did you just do that to me… and you? Aren’t you worried about your reputation! God you are so stupid” she smacked her palm on her forehead and huffed.

I sighed. “Why would I care what any of these people think?” twisting my brows together as I saw the shock on her face. “… and plus the way you were walking you’ve be in Australia before I knew it. I wanted you to stop”.

She gave me a look as to say ‘why?’ and I breathed heavily… well ive already gone this far.

“I thought we had plans… you know-pizza?”

“You meant that?” I nodded.

“Oh well I thought you were just saying that to get away from Chloe” I rubbed my face with my hands and then looked straight into her chocolate eyes.

“You intrigue me Rae. You act different, you look different. I need a change in my life. So what do you say? Pizza…?”

Ohkay who the fuck am i, and what have i just done to grumpy Finn. i took me years to perfect that grunt, and in a matter of 10 minutes she just managed to turn me into a completely different person. Ohkay maybe i need to rethink my acting career, im not good at staying in character.

----

Its short i know, but its up. SO TEll ME HOW IT WAS YO! 

TAG LIST THUS FAR…

@lovinglifeandlivinglove

@bitchy-broken

@nenita1978

@lau-vm

@lilaviolet

@fuck-sewing-machine

@tinakegg

@broadwaybaby25

@girlwithafoxhat

@rae-as-in-rachel

@nutinanutshell

@jackiewalsh2013

@kneekeyta

@parisgirly93

@pink-royaute

@cocora84

@eveerez

@luly310

@milllott

@bitchesbecrazy89

I just copied my old tag list, so im sorry if i missed anyone. feel free to remind this old girl if i did :D

[wallythayer]

What’s the Rush?

My dog, Wabi, lives for his daily walk. The word alone sends him into a tailspin of delight. Yet he spends most of our outings pulling at the limit of his leash, desperate to get to the next yard, next corner, next fire hydrant. He careens from hosta to street sign as if in a sniffing version of a hot-dog-eating contest. Technically, we’re not going anywhere — the walk is the destination — but this doesn’t slow him down one bit.

Truth be told, I often go through my days the way Wabi approaches his walks, rushing from one task to the next, looking forward to crossing items off my to-do list even as I’m doing them. And it’s not just onerous chores I hurry through, either. I’m often thinking three steps ahead even while enjoying what’s supposed to be a nice, relaxing meal.

My dog and I aren’t the only ones in a rush. For many of us, the habit is reinforced by nearly every aspect of our modern lives. From speed reading and speed dating to the ever-increasing speeds of the little supercomputers we carry in our pockets, the overwhelming directive of American culture seems to be, Hurry!

Web-browser extensions increase the speed of online videos’ playback time, lest we watch too few YouTube offerings in any given hour. Instead of broadcasting alarming new headlines every 24 hours, news outlets now drop bombshells every 24 minutes.

“The world is a giant smorgasbord of things to do, consume, and experience, and we want to have it all,” says journalist Carl Honoré, author of In Praise of Slowness. “The problem is that having it all is a recipe for hurrying it all.”

Even our bodies change in response to this harried environment. In his book Timeshifting, Stephan Rechtschaffen, MD, explains “entrainment,” a law of physics that compels disparate rhythms to ultimately synchronize. Two pendulums swinging in different cadences, for example, will eventually sync up if placed side by side. Rechtschaffen argues that we are similarly inclined to sync up with the accelerating pace of life.

“We no longer entrain to the sounds of birds [or] the waves on the shore. Today instead we move to the rhythms of computers,” he writes.

“We’re in a tunnel,” explains Robert Butera, PhD, author of Meditation for Your Life. “We’re not aware of how fast we’re going, because everything around us is humming that way.” It takes concerted effort, he says, to resist the pressure and learn to slow down.

Where’s the Fire?

It’s not only outside forces that keep us moving faster than necessary. Many of us rush because we’re chasing some anticipated moment of happiness: If I can just finish writing this article, driving through rush hour, and get dinner on the table, then I can relax and feel good.

But when our internal clocks are still madly ticking, we can’t fully enjoy the experiences we’ve hurried to create for ourselves. “As the pace of our lives grows faster and faster, our definition of a ‘moment’ grows shorter and shorter, moving our awareness of time into ever-tinier increments,” Rechtschaffen notes.

“By cramming each moment so full of events, we leave ourselves no time to actually experience them in any meaningful way.”

Without making a conscious effort to downshift and entrain to a slower rhythm, we may end up watching our lives pass by in a monotonous wash, leapfrogging the present moment and anxiously awaiting the next.

For some of us, speed is just a defense mechanism. Many experts suggest that what we really fear is not wasting time, but encountering empty moments in which we might come face-to-face with feelings we’d rather ignore.

“People stay in a rush because it’s easier,” says New Jersey–based psychologist Leslie Becker-Phelps, PhD. “There are things they’d have to face if they slowed down.”

It’s not just emotional discomfort that gets stifled, either. When we avoid confronting sadness or regret, we’re also likely to miss out on wonder and delight. Rushing is not a selective anesthetic.

This superficiality can weaken our most important relationships, and when those suffer, so does our health. Deep social connections have been shown to increase longevity, strengthen the immune system, and support cognitive functions. But they take time — and attention — to build and sustain.

We may think social media can help us connect on the fly with more people, but a recent study found that heavy usage can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation. For me, spending an hour “liking” 20 acquaintances’ photos online doesn’t remotely confer the same sense of warmth and connection I feel after spending 10 minutes talking with a friend in person.

Rushing to Slow Down

Even when we try to slow our internal rhythms, it can end up being counterproductive. More than once, I’ve found myself careening into the parking lot of my yoga studio with a racing heart and clenched jaw, trying to make it through the door and onto my mat on time. (Here’s a riddle: Just how much yoga does it take to undo the stress of constantly running late to yoga?)

“Culturally, there’s a lot of pressure to do more and be better,” says Becker-Phelps. “Even self-improvement is often about doing more, as opposed to practicing more self-acceptance and simply being in the moment.”

If you’re cramming your schedule with ever more activities and commitments that you’re scrambling to meet, even ones geared toward relaxation, Butera suggests you may be running from something. “Rushing can be a version of addiction,” he explains. “Adding a yoga class or some other intervention can just be a way of perpetuating it.”

Consider whether you’re trying to prove something or please somebody, or whether your sense of self-worth might be dependent on rushing around. “You can’t break the pattern without understanding it,” Butera says.

Becker-Phelps agrees. “Slowing down is a life-perspective change, and that’s harder than learning a technique or two.”

Find the Balance

I will probably never drift serenely down a sidewalk. My mother called me “Loper” after she became weary of trotting to keep up with me when I was a kid. But slowing down isn’t simply a matter of pace; it’s a matter of presence and awareness — and those are things any of us can practice.

“Finding balance in life is similar to riding a 20-speed bicycle,” observes Rechtschaffen. “True success, deep satisfaction, and longevity are promoted by learning to shift gears to find the best rhythm for each moment.”

That means you can be mindfully brisk as long as you consciously choose to shift into high gear. “The problem is [that] when your brain is pushing faster than your body, it gets disconnected from the moment,” says Becker-Phelps.

We don’t need to spend so much of our time straining at the limits of our leashes, mindlessly gobbling up maximum stimuli and racing to the conclusion. Consciously noting our pace and its effect on our surroundings isn’t always easy, but the stakes may be nothing less than our ability to feel fully alive.

Just as the clock seems to speed up when we operate from a place of scarcity (not enough time, not enough pleasure, not enough productivity), slowing our internal metronome invites a sense of abundance.

To that end, here are a few practical tips to help you start slowing down and enjoying the luxury of now.

5 Ways to Slow Down

Illustrations by Cliff Alejandro

1. Take the Long View

When you feel yourself reacting to some external stimuli with an impulse to speed up, push pause. “During this brief time-out, imagine yourself looking back on this ‘crisis’ a year from now,” says Honoré, “and notice how insignificant it will look then.”

Becker-Phelps offers a similar suggestion. “Ask yourself: At your 100th birthday party, how will you feel good about having spent your time?” she says. This can help clarify your priorities and bring a wiser perspective to your current urgency.

Once you’ve sorted out what’s truly important to you — family time, meaningful work — you can choose to make more room for those experiences and learn how to savor them.

2. Make Time by Doing Less

“We have a deep-seated conviction that more work, more enrichment activities for the kids, more likes on Facebook or Instagram, more stuff would be better,” writes Christine Carter, PhD, a senior fellow at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of The Sweet Spot: How to Accomplish More by Doing Less. But, she adds, “unless we like feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, we need to accept that more is not -necessarily better.”

Carter recommends taking the minimum effective dose (MED) approach to activities in your life — spending the minimum amount of time on checking email, meditating, and exercising that you need to feel effective and balanced — and liberating yourself from other people’s expectations or demands on your time.

3. Schedule Unstructured Time

Honoré suggests picking consistent times of the day when you switch off all technology. Maybe it’s at dinnertime or in the hour before going to bed. He also advises incorporating a slow ritual into your day. Whether it be yoga, gardening, reading a novel, sketching, or playing an instrument, choose an activity that “inoculates you against the virus of hurry.”

Butera notes that nature is particularly effective at entraining us into a slower rhythm. “Go into nature with no devices,” he advises. He also recommends taking one day a week away from all technology, wherever you are. “We all need a regular tech sabbath.”

4. Check In

“Stop at random moments throughout the day and ask yourself if you’re going too fast,” advises Honoré. “If you are, return to the task or the moment more slowly.” If you find yourself automatically reaching for your phone at a red light or in the middle of a conversation, pause, notice the impulse, and imagine it’s an ocean wave you’re surfing, using your breath to maintain balance as the wave rises and eventually subsides.

5. Build a Buffer

Slowing down can be tough if you’re afraid you won’t live up to your obligations. “We pack in events so tightly that we end up running from one thing to the next,” says Honoré. “Or we go into firefighting mode, because even the slightest delay can throw off our tightly wound schedules.”

You can avoid this simply by building in more time between commitments. If you normally schedule 10 minutes to get from point A to point B, allow yourself 15 minutes instead. If you do find yourself running late, remember that it’s not worth the danger of speeding or driving erratically. It’s better to arrive at your destination 30 seconds late than in the afterlife 30 years too early.

Learning to slow down might be tricky at first, but let’s face it: The time we have on Earth is limited. Shouldn’t we do all we can to enjoy it while we’re here?

Get the full story at https://experiencelife.com/article/whats-the-rush/

[chadpetersondatingblog]

4 “Vanilla” Sex Positions You Should Never Feel Guilty For Enjoying

Sex kind of intimidates me. I’ve spent a lot of time during hookups trying to impress other people instead of focusing on my own pleasure. But you know what gets me off? Plain, old, unadventurous vanilla sex. Vanilla sex gets a bad reputation. People label it as “boring,” when really, it’s just a bunch of easy sex positions anyone can do without intimidation or insecurity. Who wants to feel intimidated or insecure in the bedroom? Not me. Absolutely no kink shaming here against more involved fetishes, but also, please don’t kink shame me for liking vanilla sex.

Just because you’re a little vanilla in the bedroom, doesn’t mean you’re a sexual snooze-fest. Boning for basics doesn’t have to be repetitive, unoriginal,  unenjoyable, mediocre, or unfulfilling. In fact, vanilla sex can actually be the most intimate, romantic kind of sex. It’s more love-making than it is lust-driven. You’re connecting on a more emotionally intimate level with someone, as opposed to needing to tie them up and f*ck their brains out. Why do we so quickly assume that just because we want to be gentle or tender with something, it must mean we aren’t passionate about it?

Yeah, that’s not true. So here are some vanilla sex positions you should never feel guilty for enjoying.

1. Missionary

gpointstudio/Shutterstock

Missionary is the go-to position for vanilla sex lovers everywhere. I will defend missionary until the day I die. Why? Because everyone looks good in missionary position. You can easily control how your boobs look, so they aren’t flailing around or falling into your armpits. You get to feel the weight of your partner’s body on top of yours, which, IMO, is dope and a big turn-on.

And if you don’t know how to do missionary, all you have to do is lie down. Then, your partner gets on top of you, and you have sex. It’s that easy! But additionally, they have access to your breasts, neck, and ears (all erogenous zones), so it’s more about full-body pleasure than a boring sexual experience.

2. Spooning Sex

Viktor Solomin

Vanilla sex is supposed to be intimate, and not intimidating, so hooking up while spooning is the best way to accomplish both of those things. With your leg slightly raised toward your stomach, your partner enters you from behind while spooning you. Holding you tightly, you can then move in sync together until climax. This position also leaves your clitoris open for extra stimulation, whether it’s from your own hand, your partner’s, or a toy.

Additionally, both sex and cuddling (particularly the cuddling part) release oxytocin, otherwise known as the “love hormone,” which can simulate feelings of love, trust, and bonding between you and your partner. So if you’re looking to intensify the feelings you and your partner have for each other, this is the position to try out.

3. Legs-On-Top Missionary

Why People Who Have More Sex Are Healthier

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If there’s anything basic people like, it’s vanilla sex and probably also yoga. So legs-on-top missionary is a great position to add to your routine if you’d put yourself into that category. In this position, you start in missionary, and then, you stretch your legs over your partner’s shoulders, with your ankles around their neck. If you really want to show off your flexibility, try putting your legs over your own head.

This position allows for deeper penetration, more focused and direct stimulation of your G-spot, increased pressure, and pleasure. There’s nothing vanilla about that to me.

4. Cowgirl

Mosuno

Cowgirl position is for the vanilla girl who likes to have control in the bedroom. You get on top of your partner, riding and gyrating until climax. This allows you to direct your own sexual experience in terms of depth, speed, motion, and angle — ensuring you an easier, faster, and better orgasm. And if you want to vary the position slightly, try reverse cowgirl, where instead of facing your partner, you are looking away.

Don’t ever let anyone make you feel guilty for liking vanilla sex. Sometimes, in the bedroom, basic is best. There are many ways to get to the same destination. The destination is an orgasm, and you’re just trying to get there the easiest way possible. Sounds smart to me!

Check out the entire Gen Why series and other videos on Facebook and the Bustle app across Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV.

Why Life Is Never Like The Movies

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Check out the “Best of Elite Daily” stream in the Bustle App for more stories just like this!

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4 “Vanilla” Sex Positions You Should Never Feel Guilty For Enjoying

from Meet Positives http://ift.tt/2wD46Hu via IFTTT

[ashleyjacksonblog]

4 “Vanilla” Sex Positions You Should Never Feel Guilty For Enjoying

Sex kind of intimidates me. I’ve spent a lot of time during hookups trying to impress other people instead of focusing on my own pleasure. But you know what gets me off? Plain, old, unadventurous vanilla sex. Vanilla sex gets a bad reputation. People label it as “boring,” when really, it’s just a bunch of easy sex positions anyone can do without intimidation or insecurity. Who wants to feel intimidated or insecure in the bedroom? Not me. Absolutely no kink shaming here against more involved fetishes, but also, please don’t kink shame me for liking vanilla sex.

Just because you’re a little vanilla in the bedroom, doesn’t mean you’re a sexual snooze-fest. Boning for basics doesn’t have to be repetitive, unoriginal,  unenjoyable, mediocre, or unfulfilling. In fact, vanilla sex can actually be the most intimate, romantic kind of sex. It’s more love-making than it is lust-driven. You’re connecting on a more emotionally intimate level with someone, as opposed to needing to tie them up and f*ck their brains out. Why do we so quickly assume that just because we want to be gentle or tender with something, it must mean we aren’t passionate about it?

Yeah, that’s not true. So here are some vanilla sex positions you should never feel guilty for enjoying.

1. Missionary

gpointstudio/Shutterstock

Missionary is the go-to position for vanilla sex lovers everywhere. I will defend missionary until the day I die. Why? Because everyone looks good in missionary position. You can easily control how your boobs look, so they aren’t flailing around or falling into your armpits. You get to feel the weight of your partner’s body on top of yours, which, IMO, is dope and a big turn-on.

And if you don’t know how to do missionary, all you have to do is lie down. Then, your partner gets on top of you, and you have sex. It’s that easy! But additionally, they have access to your breasts, neck, and ears (all erogenous zones), so it’s more about full-body pleasure than a boring sexual experience.

2. Spooning Sex

Viktor Solomin

Vanilla sex is supposed to be intimate, and not intimidating, so hooking up while spooning is the best way to accomplish both of those things. With your leg slightly raised toward your stomach, your partner enters you from behind while spooning you. Holding you tightly, you can then move in sync together until climax. This position also leaves your clitoris open for extra stimulation, whether it’s from your own hand, your partner’s, or a toy.

Additionally, both sex and cuddling (particularly the cuddling part) release oxytocin, otherwise known as the “love hormone,” which can simulate feelings of love, trust, and bonding between you and your partner. So if you’re looking to intensify the feelings you and your partner have for each other, this is the position to try out.

3. Legs-On-Top Missionary

Why People Who Have More Sex Are Healthier

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If there’s anything basic people like, it’s vanilla sex and probably also yoga. So legs-on-top missionary is a great position to add to your routine if you’d put yourself into that category. In this position, you start in missionary, and then, you stretch your legs over your partner’s shoulders, with your ankles around their neck. If you really want to show off your flexibility, try putting your legs over your own head.

This position allows for deeper penetration, more focused and direct stimulation of your G-spot, increased pressure, and pleasure. There’s nothing vanilla about that to me.

4. Cowgirl

Mosuno

Cowgirl position is for the vanilla girl who likes to have control in the bedroom. You get on top of your partner, riding and gyrating until climax. This allows you to direct your own sexual experience in terms of depth, speed, motion, and angle — ensuring you an easier, faster, and better orgasm. And if you want to vary the position slightly, try reverse cowgirl, where instead of facing your partner, you are looking away.

Don’t ever let anyone make you feel guilty for liking vanilla sex. Sometimes, in the bedroom, basic is best. There are many ways to get to the same destination. The destination is an orgasm, and you’re just trying to get there the easiest way possible. Sounds smart to me!

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Why Life Is Never Like The Movies

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4 “Vanilla” Sex Positions You Should Never Feel Guilty For Enjoying

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