#how much of this do you think is gonna stick with river?

[theosconfessions]

if youd like to read the stephens from the beginning you can over here:)

if youd like to read the stephens continued you can over here:)

@ohsosims

river- is the reason why we're having this conversation because he already has a kid?

dustin- i mean its part of it. being a parent is difficult... but its even harder when youre a young parent. and youre still trying to figure yourself out on top of that. i was young when i had you,riv. but this is way different. youre 18. youre still a kid yourself.

river- we're not getting married tomorrow. i dont see what nellie has to do with this

dustin- i just...see how much you like him and i need you to temper your expectations.

river- because he has a kid?

dustin- because he has a kid and hes had multiple women and men in his life and we see that. ive seen that just from being AROUND.

river- just because hes been with different people doesnt mean anything.

dustin- yes it does and let me tell you why,river. back before daddy and i got married he cheated on me. with some douchebag that worked at my bar. and he ended up getting sick because of it. something thats still with him to this day. all these years later.

river- i know hes sick.

dustin- yeah but what you dont nkow is how he put me in danger because i thought there was no way. 0 chance.. this man i was obsessed with.. in love with...that i brought into my kids lives would hurt me like that

river- but youre not sick.

dustin- youre missing the point. i should be. for as active as we were?

river- ew.

dustin- just listen. its going to be an uncomfortable conversation. the point is daddy didnt give a shit back then if he put me in danger for some piece of shit he knew for five minutes. he didnt want to settle down back then. i didnt see that. i was in love . so even though the clues were there the whole time i was..i was blind

river- blakes not like that.

dustin- but you dont know that river. he already could have something and he didnt give a shit about protecting you.

[archangeldyke-all]

hii idk if you’re still writing the cowboy sevika fics but i’m actually obsessed with them you have no idea!! anyway i was thinking a fluffy little fic about sevika being depressed after shimmers death and reader, vi, and jinx do their best to cheer her up/support her!! do whatever you want i’ll literally take anything i just love your characters so much🙏🙏

YEEHAWWWW i miss cowboy sevika

men and minors dni

it's been a month since you and your girls buried shimmer by your garden. not a night has passed where sevika hasn't cried herself to sleep in your arms. it's breaking your heart.

watching shimmer die was hard enough. you were never much of a horse person before meeting sevika's trusty mare, but shimmer converted you. before sevika settled down with you; one of your greatest comforts when she was out wandering the desert was that she had shimmer there with her. the horse was so in tune with sevika, and they'd been riding together for so long, that they practically moved as one. you worried less about sevika losing her mind when she had shimmer to listen to her rambling. you worried less about her losing her life when she had shimmer to run her back home to you if she ever got too beat up.

and as sweet as sevika is when she claims you're her best friend-- you know that title really belongs to shimmer.

"we should do somethin' for sev." vi mumbles one night. jinx is fast asleep between the pair of you, after insisting she wasn't tired for an hour straight.

"like what?" you ask.

vi shrugs. "cait and her dad go hunting sometimes."

you giggle. "you're crazy if you think we're giving jinx a gun."

vi laughs. "no, no, we wouldn't hunt. we could just, y'know, go camping or something. there are some cold springs thirty miles west of here."

"and how would we get there without a horse?"

"we could borrow one of grayson's." vi suggests.

you smile and turn to face her. "you've been planning this?" you ask. she smiles guiltily.

"sevika's just been so sad. i wanna cheer her up."

your heart bursts with love and you dart forward, squeezing jinx between your body and vi's as you attempt to hug her. vi giggles. jinx wakes up with an annoyed groan.

so, a week later, you, your wife, and your girls set out with a horse drawn wagon and one of grayson's newest additions: a young colt named 'teddy.' grayson was happy to lend you the horse, muttering something about him being a pain in the ass to train. "if there's anyone i know who can get through to a stubborn horse like teddy, it's sevika." she sighed.

the ride out to the springs is rocky and bumpy, sevika getting used to riding a horse that isn't shimmer-- teddy being an ass just for the hell of it. at least the girls find it fun. their giggles and squeals are the soundtrack for your entire ride to the springs. even with all the curses she's spewing at teddy, sevika looks more relaxed than she has in weeks back on top of a horse.

"what're we even gonna do once we get there?" jinx asks. you snort and ruffle her bangs.

"well, i'm going swimming. you losers can do whatever you want." you say. the girls giggle.

"do you think there are cliffs we can jump off of?" vi asks. you shrug.

"i'm sure we can find some. we've got a whole river to explore."

"none of you are doing any exploring until we set up camp and get a fire going." sevika huffs from on top of teddy's back.

"boo! boring." jinx whines.

'setting up camp' ends up being sevika building the tent and jinx feeding teddy while you and vi attempt to make a fire the old fashioned way.

"how did the cavemen ever do this?" vi huffs as she rubs two sticks together. you snort.

"i'm sure they had tools. blubber to make it catch better, or something."

vi rolls her eyes. "i don't understand why she won't just give us her lighter."

you laugh and look up at sevika as she wipes her sweaty brow. "she doesn't trust us not to burn down the whole riverbed."

"or she's just bossy." vi mutters. you cackle.

"i think you're right, kid."

you don't make it into the river on your first night, but you don't mind much. when the sun sets, the heat of summer fades and the cool dark forces you all to squish together on a log in front of the fire while sevika cooks up beans and weenies on the fire.

"is that a planet or a star?" vi asks. jinx looks up and hums.

"i think it's venus."

"yeah?"

"i think so. sev?" jinx asks.

sevika glances up at the sky, smiling proudly and ruffling jinx's bangs. "you nailed it, kiddo."

"what constellations are out tonight, sev?" jinx asks, tucking herself under your wife's arm. sevika hums, leaning back to study the sky.

you don't bother to look at the sky. pretty as the stars are, they're nothing compared to the sight of your three girls, cuddled together and illuminated in the firelight.

"follow my finger. you see those three stars close together?" sevika whispers, her voice melding with the crackle of the fire and the roar of the river.

"yeah." vi whispers. jinx nods against sevika's shoulder.

sevika drags her finger across the sky. "see how they lead into a cross? there?"

"is that the northern cross?" jinx asks. sevika nods, her smile growing.

"you know it. anyways, the cross is in the center of cygnus the swan. backbone of the milky way." sevika's eyes flick down and catch yours, and she smiles shyly. you grin. there are more stars in her eyes than in the whole night sky.

you spend the next day in the river with the girls, laughing and splashing and squealing when fish nibble your ankles. vi and sevika ride upriver to try to find cliffs to jump off of, and you teach jinx how to doggy paddle. when the girls return, they're soaking wet and cackling.

that evening, with the girls fast asleep in the tent, you and sevika smoke a joint and go skinny dipping.

"did you have fun with vi?" you ask, your arms and legs wrapped around your wife. sevika giggles against you.

"i shouldn't tell you." she says. you giggle.

"'s that supposed to mean?"

"means she almost jumped onto some rocks several fucking times. gave me a heart attack."

you groan, shaking your head. "no, you shouldn't've told me." you agree. sevika giggles.

"but, we both lived, didn't we?" she asks. you laugh.

"y'know we're gonna have to adopt teddy from grayson?" you ask. sevika snorts.

"what makes you say that?"

"jinx is obsessed with him. braided and un-braided his mane like six times today. calls him 'teddy bear.' plus..." you trail off.

sevika darts forward to kiss you. you hum against her lips. "plus?" she asks, her lips brushing yours.

"plus, you need a new horse. you look good in the saddle."

sevika hums and kisses you again. "you take such good care of me. how am i supposed to keep up my bandit appearance when i got a wife that talks me into adoptin' horses and takes me out on vacation?"

you laugh. "you haven't been a bandit in half a decade. and the vacation was violet's idea. she was worried about you."

sevika sighs and leans forward to rest her forehead against your shoulder. "you still take good care of me." she says. you kiss her scalp.

"well... y'know. you're my dingus the duck."

"your what?!" sevika asks with a cackle. you groan and shrug.

"i dunno, those stars you were talking about last night!" you whine.

"cygnus the swan!?" she asks. you nod.

"that's the one."

"what the fuck are you talking about?" she asks though her laughs. you snort.

"y'know. you're the backbone of my galaxy, or whatever."

sevika's teasing expression melts, stars sparkling in her eyes. "that's awfully corny, darling." she whispers, her voice shaky with emotion. you smile.

"what the-- what are you two doing?!" vi squawks from the riverbank. you and sevika giggle guiltily, caught by your kids canoodling in the cold springs.

"go back to the tent!" you shout.

"awe, gross, are you guys naked!?" jinx whines.

sevika snorts. "we all bathed together three hours ago!"

"yeah, but you guys weren't all up on each other-- vi, let's go before we overhear something nasty." jinx groans, tugging on her sister's arm.

violet laughs and stumbles behind jinx. "don't drown!" she calls.

taglist!

@fyeahnix @lavendersgirl @half-of-a-gay @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner

@kissyslut @chuucanchuucan @badbye666 @femme-historian @lia-winther

@lavenderbabu @emiliabby @sevikasbeloved @hellorai @my-taintedheart

@glass-apothecary @macaroni676 @artinvain @k3n-dyll @sevsdollette

@ellieslob @xayn-xd @keikuahh @maneskinwh0re @raphaellearp

@iamastar @sevikitty @mascdom @nhaaauyen @annesunshiner

@mirconreadzztuff22 @veoomvroom @lushh-s3vik4s @katyawooga @lesbodietcoke

@strawberrykidneystone @vkumi @fict1onallyobsessed @dvrkhcld @sweetybuzz25

@sluttysierraaa @snake-in-a-flower-crown @ruiwonderz @littlemisszaunite @biblicalcrybaby

@blackgaladriel @nightlyconfusion @dancingqu33n17 @losernb @p1nkearth

taglist!!

@sevikas-baby @ghostscandys @sevikasllver @runawaybaby3

[the-fiction-witch]

Woodcutter

Media - The Maze Runner AU Character - Newt Couple - Newt X Reader Reader - Y/n (GF) Rating - Smut Word Count - 2412

I walked through the thick trees and grass in my boots, my denim shorts and my hoodie, my Y/H/C hair in a braid pinned up around my head, my backpack over my shoulders starting to feel heavy already, and I did my best to control my breaths.

"Why... can't ... they ... pick ... a ... spot ... closer ... to ... the ... car ... park ..." Teresa gasped behind me, I turned to check on her as she walked in her cute purple athletics outfit of leggings and a crop top, her hair up in a high pony with her backpack but she was already struggling,

"Cause the boys, like an adventure in the woods." I sighed, "Plus less chance of getting busted."

"True..." she sighed,

"Come on Teresa, I believe in you," I told her taking her arm to help us keep at pace,

"How do people hike?"

"I don't know,"

"Why do people hike?"

"I also don't know," I answered, "Come on we're only five minutes from the cars,"

"I know," she sighed, "This is not like the gym,"

"It really isn't," I nodded, "You'll be okay, think of thomas."

"I'm gonna kick his dick."

"Fair enough," I nodded,

Soon enough we arrived at the clearing where four tents were set up around a campfire and the boys all stood around doing various tasks.

Gally was building the fire, thomas sat prepping food from his backpack, Newt stood hanging the last of the orange tent guidelines and Minho was lying on the airbed of the little blue tent watching everyone.

"Girls are here!" Minho called out,

"Girls!" Thomas perked up, "Sweetie!" He smiled but Teresa just went past him and lay in their purple tent so he petted her hair,

"Hi," I smiled,

Newt chuckled at me and opened his arms so I happily bolted over and jumped into his arms,

"Ummmm! Hello love!" He smiled as he squeezed me,

"Hi newt," I giggled, "How's the tent coming?"

"Good, a couple more lines and then we can set our bed up,"

"Alright," I smiled, "I'll unpack then,"

We shared a kiss before I started to unpack my bag into our little camp.

I sat by the fire enjoying a hotdog as I laid my head on Newt's shoulder, his arm around me tightly, I looked across the fire and saw thomas and Teresa cuddling up too looking ready for bed, Minho making another hot dog in the fire flames, gally sat feeding the fire with a few small sticks.

"Another drink?" gally asked,

"I'm good I'm ready for a dog," Minho shrugged taking his hot dog off the fire to add to his bun,

"you guys?" Gally asked,

"I'll take a beer," Thomas nodded so Gally threw him a beer,

"I'm good," Teresa shrugs,

"You two?" Gally asked,

"I'll take another beer," Newt nodded so Gally threw one other,

"I'm okay," I nodded,

"You guys wanna play another game?" Thomas offered,

"No, no more drinking games they only end badly," I laughed,

"How about a spooky story?" Minho laughed,

"Yeah!" Teresa nodded,

"No, you'll all be up all night unable to sleep," I remind everyone,

"Just a little spooky story?" Newt cooed,

"Fine one small spook," I warn,

"okay," Minho chuckled, "A long time ago on a night much like this..."

"Original," Gally glared,

"Don't comment on my story," Minho told him throwing a bun at him, "So a long time ago on a night much like this a word cutter was working on the edge of the woods, with his young daughter playing with the flowers."

"Why would you bring your daughter wood cutting? seems dangerous?" Newt spoke up,

"No comments," Minho complained throwing another bun at Newt,

"So, he is cutting wood on the edge of the forest with his young daughter,"

"At night?" I asked, but he just threw a bun at me, "Owww minho!"

"ANYWAY! The woodcutter is cutting wood on the edge of the woods with his young daughter playing one moment he turns and sees his daughter is gone, and he hears her screaming in the woods so he runs in after her he sees a woman carrying his little girl away so he chases after them with his axe in hand." he explained, "He hunts her down to the river where he axes her head right off!" he said,

"Not very scary Minho," Thomas spoke up but he too got a bun to the face,

"He saves his daughter but little did he know the woman was a WITCH! and she curses the woodcutter to never be able to leave the woods and curses him to have a deep hunger for human flesh!" he explained,

"Terrifying," I sighed,

"You know Minho scary stories are usually better than that," Teresa said,

"Well sorry I don't give you a story worthy of a booker prize," he glared, "But it's said he still haunts these woods..."

"Sure Minho," Gally nodded, "Now if you guys are all good I'm off to bed,

"Yeah we'll turn in too," Thomas nodded,

We all said our goodnights and headed into our tents Newt and I crawled into our little orange tent and zipped up the door laying on our airbed, quickly cuddling up for the evening,

"Ummm I love cuddling you love,"

"Aww, I love cuddling you to newt,"

We smiled and each shared a sweet little kiss before relaxing ready for bed,

"Y/n?"

"Yes, Newt?"

"You know... these sleeping bags do zip together? if you're interested?" He cooed,

"Ohh do they now?"

"They do, or if you want we could just huddle in one sleeping bag, for warmth?"

I chuckled and unzipped my sleeping bag he happily and egarly unzipped his own and came into mine zipping us ip inside together, "Just be quiet everyone is only just outside," I whispered,

"I'll be quiet love," He cooed pulling me into a kiss,

I laid ontop of him I immediately blushed but wrapped my legs around his hips as his arms wrapped around me making sure the blanket covered us both before pulling me into an intense lusty kiss, as we slowly pealed off one another's clothes even if we hadn't warn much to bed anyway in our little warm tent, we did our best not to moan even if we both desperately wanted too as our hands explored one another seductively but we made sure we made as little noise as possible as to not attract attention even if the sounds of our lips locking seemed so loud to me,

after a few minutes of our kisses he held my hips and gently rubbed his erection against me I smiled into the kiss and nodded, he growled a little and pulled me back to a kiss grabbing his bag from the side and sigging out a comdon as soon as he grabbed one he pulled away ripped it open with his teeth and quickly slipped it on,

we both gently shifted until I slipped down his erection luckily our kiss covering our groans as I reached the base we both pulled back gasping a little before we slowly began our movements making sure to be as slow and quiet as possible often having to stop, slow or eve cover our mouths to prevent Discovery but it got to the point neither of us cared if someone heard or if someone found out all we wanted was release moving fast and hard nuzzled up together as we both got closer and closer to the edge until after a few quick thrusts

I hit my wall biting his neck as I did to keep my quiet slowing almost to a stop with only really his guiding and thrusts keeping us moving as I felt the rush of pleasure thought my body causing me to shake which in turn drove him utterly crazy holding me tightly not thrusting mercliclessly desperate for his own which quickly came burying himself deep inside me as he hit his own moaning at first but quickly putting his hand over his mouth as he buried his inside me as deep as he could we both collapsed in his blankets exaughsted peppering little kisses on each other till we had some strength back.

He pulled out and I covered up and we shared a sweet kiss as he tied the condom and wrapped it in tissue to toss on the fire later when no one was looking,

As we cuddled and caught our breath we both perked up a little hearing rustling and moment outside the tent,

"AHHHHHHH!" Minho yelled,

We both grabbed our clothes and rushed out of the tent to see Gally, thomas and Teresa rushing out too, but Minho was gone.

"Minho! Minho!" We all called trying to find him but nothing he just disappeared,

Teresa began to hyperventilate and Newt grabbed hold me me in the tightest grip he could,

"What happened to Minho..." Thomas gulped,

"I don't know... maybe he uhh tripped on a log or-" Newt began,

"Or... something's out there," Gally said,

"You... you don't think..." Teresa began,

"The woodcutter." gally finished,

"That's just a stupid story Minho made up," I said,

"Yeah...and now he's gone missing," Gally said,

"This is stupid this is Minho we are talking about maybe he got up for a late-night run and tripped over a tree branch." Newt explained, "Besides it's dark anyway we should all just get to bed and if Minho still isn't here in the morning we go look for him at first light,"

"Good idea," Thomas nodded,

So we all went back to our tents a little tense newt and I cuddled up and got sleep for maybe an hour before we woke up to a loud screaming it was Gally, we both bolted out of the tent thomas and Teresa bolting too as we looked around and noticed gally was gone.

"Oh my god, oh my god... it's the woodcutter!" Teresa screamed,

"It would all be a -" newt began,

"It's the woodcutter he's come to eat us all!" She screamed,

"Teresa sweetie get a hold of yourself," Thomas began taking her in his arms,

"It's okay... it's all okay," Newt nodded, "We have... six more hours until sunrise..."

"To be honest newt I think we should act before then... if something has happened to them we should kinda call the cops," thomas spoke up,

"You're right thomas." I nodded grabbing my phone, "No signal,"

"Damn it." Teresa sighed

"Okay... I think we should all just sit by the fire and hope we hear anything from them," I said,

We sat by the fire for a while with no sign of Minho or Gally, thomas and Teresa had looks of worry but I just kept Y/n close to me kissing her head and squeezing her never letting her leave my arms.

"I hate to say this..." thomas sighed, "but I need to pee." as he got up,

"Nooooo! Thomas!" Teresa said hugging his legs, "You'll get gotted!"

"I'll be okay sweetie," he patted her hair,

"Just uhhh be careful thomas," Y/n told him,

"Thanks," he nodded, "Newt if I don't come back..."

"Delete your internet history and burn the box under your bed," I nodded,

"You're a good friend," He nodded before he kissed Teresa and he headed into the woods,

We all sat silently almost readying ourselves to hear a scream but he soon returned and sat back with her again so we all sighed in relief for a moment,

"AHHHHhhhH!" Y/n screamed gripping my shirt as she turned, I turned too and we all began to scream seeing a man standing with an axe over our camp he grabbed Y/n's arm and pulled her from my grip into the woods seconds later a blood-curdling scream and then... silence.

"He's real! He's real!" Teresa cried,

"Newt... I am so sorry-" Thomas began,

I couldn't even process it, the idea Y/n could be...

I felt so guilty for not holding her closer and tighter, for not putting her in the tent where it was safe, I broke down and began crying hysterically calling out her name until my voice was horse, I saw the mallet used to put the tent pegs in, I grabbed it and held it tightly in my hand,

"Newt...." Thomas began,

"You guys can sit here shivering if you want. Until he comes and picks us off one by one... But I don't care. Either I find Y/n. Or I die with her." I answered getting to my feet and bolting across camp only to see him return I swung the mallet into his head knocking him to the ground,

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH NEWT WHAT THE FUCK!" Voices yelled in the darkness,

"What!" I yelled,

Out of the trees came Frypan, Winston, and Zart,

"What the hell newt!" Fry complained,

"Wh- what are you guys doing here?!" Thomas complained,

"It was a prank!" Zart laughed,

"A pr-" I began unable to even form words right now,

"A Prank!?" Teresa complained, "What the hell guys!"

"Ohh we got you good," Winston laughed,

"Why... why would you do this!" Thomas asked,

"Fuck with ya," Fry laughed, "But what the hell newt you just threw a mallet at Ben!"

"That- that's Ben!" I yelled,

"Yes! You knocked him out!"

"How was I meant to know! he came at us! with an axe!" I complained, "After taking Y/n!"

"Okay know who I'm partnering with within a horror movie scenario," Zart laughed, "You have a real fight response,"

"My girlfriend was taken! I heard her scream! You do realize I was ready to kill all of you!"

"Awww newt that's so sweet," Y/n laughed as she emerged from the tree I dropped my mallet and hugged me as tight as I could giving her a billion kisses and telling her I loved her over and over and over, and she hugged me tightly too,

"We're okay too, not that anyone cares." Gally sighed as they came back to camp,

"I was an inside man," Minho laughed,

"Good, good to know it was nothing serious," Thomas sighed,

"We were gonna get all of you but you know Newt kinda went crazy" Winston explained,

"I still feel I was justified,"

"Come on everyone let's get some sleep," Teresa spoke up,

Everyone agreed the guys went home having to carry Ben with them, and we went back to our little camp I held Y/n in a death grip inside our tent,

"Newt it's okay-"

"I know, I know, but I got so scared... I couldn't ever think of losing you love,"

"I couldn't even think of losing you either newt, thank you for coming to save me I'd have done the same for you,"

"You would?"

"Of course I would I love you very much newt,"

"I love you more Y/n," I smiled giving her a sweet kiss before we drifted off into each other's arms,

[fallen-goldfishcracker]

Some assorted Wyll & Karlach Childhood Friends au thoughts

Baby Wyll and Karlach get along very well, but they do have their disagreements: Wyll wants to be a flaming fist when he grows up. karlach thinks the flaming fist are stupid (they are) and wants to be part of the Thieves Guild (she is not sneaky at all). Wyll secretly thinks being part of the Thieves Guild would also be cool but will not admit it. (stubborn)

When Karlach first tells her parents she's friend with a patriar's kid, they fully don't believe her. (That's nice, love). Until she brings a kid home for lunch with nice clothes and very good table manners, who introduces himself as Wyll (with a "y"!) Ravengard.

Karlach brings Wyll out one weekend to play some kind of football/kickball/community game, the Baldur's Gate equivalent of baseball for 50's America. All the tiefling kids have little hodgepodge padding wrapped around the tips of their horns so they don't poke anyone's eyes out. Karlach is pretty good at the game, though if she's not in the direction action she get's bored. Wyll is very enthusiastic- whether or not he's any good is up for debate. Every kid walks out covered in grass stains and mud. They get streetfood on the way back.

They both have very similar taste in make-believe games; they like to do great adventures and fight monsters and play bandits and soldiers and heros with sticks, ect. Wyll really really likes to reenact scenes from the adventure stories he's been reading; Karlach cannot sit through a chapter of a novel for the life of her and always goes off script when they reenact one. Wyll's one goal in life is to convince her off how cool adventure books are; Karlach loves letting him tell her about them, though.

Wyll and Karlach love to go exploring. They are menaces. Literally wandering through abandoned buildings and getting as far from the city as allowed looking for secret tunnels and underground lairs and adventure!

just wyll on karlach's shoulders so they can reach something on like. high up ledge. sneaking pie from a windowsill type of behavior.

wyll and karlach go fishing/looking for treasure in some shallower parts of the chionthar with a cobbled together net. and through shenanigans they absolutely fall in. it is the middle of Marpenoth (winter, essentially) and they have to run back to wyll's house with all they're little treasure's piled in their shirts. just shivering so bad. they climb up the side and go through the window to get to his bedroom. both of them are worried they're gonna get hypothermia and die (karlach is especially worried about wyll cuz she runs hotter). of course, they do not tell anyone what happened. but they get a bunch of blankets and lit the fire and like shiver next to it while looking over their trinkets. both of them remember hearing that when you get hypothermia people give you whiskey to warm you up, and they debate breaking into the spirits' cabinet to take some. (outcome: unknown). they put the wet clothes on the windowsill so that they dry, and weeks later the maid finds that the river water has ruined some of the detailing on the window and is very confused. Karlach does not fit into any of wyll's stuff so he sneaks into his father's room and steals some of his stuff. Karlach goes home like six hours later in very nice but incredibly baggy clothing.

They really do try their best, but the ravengard's house servant is so tired of them tracking mud into their townhouse. ulder makes him clean it up every time. but unfortunately it does still happen.

just wyll having lunch at karlach's. sprinting from his tutoring sessions in his nice shoes in order to make it. he makes food with karlach and her parents and is Very Helpful

ulder trying his best to be welcoming to karlach- even though he very much cannot talk to kids- mainly because he understands its good for wyll to finally have a friend. this does not stop him from being disappointed in their shenanigans. just karlach and wyll being sat down in two chairs in his office, covered in mud and leaves and scratched to hell, as he sighs deeply and goes, "what did we learn this time"

ulder taking wyll and karlach to the circus! they have a very fun time! ulder hates the circus but he Perseveres! they come home covered in chocolate and sick on like. 1400's deep fried twinkies.

[just-a-ghost00]

You got mail 💌

Let’s find out what the person on your mind has to say to you. Pick one of the following emojis and discover your reading.

🌍 🩵 🌄 🤠

Group 1 🌍

I may not show it to you but I am really happy we met. Everyday with you feels like a new adventure. Though we are worlds apart and so different from each other, I really feel like we match perfectly. You make me feel like I belong. Every moment spent with you is so much fun. It makes me want to jump forward and explore. You are so sweet and generous, so playful that I can’t help but to play along. I feel so lucky being with you. There is so much I want to do with you. I want to hang out with you and get to know you more. Maybe we could have a couple drinks, play in a park, have a little date by the river… if you wish. I feel so boring compared to you. With me, everything is always black and white. But you, my love, are so colorful and bright. I wish we were a family. I wish I could wake up in the morning to find you sitting at the table, eating breakfast with a smile on your face. I wish I could share with you my favorite spots and take you to every place I get to see. I wish I could find a way to express all that you mean to me. I tend to see the glass half empty. But when I’m with you I want to believe everything is possible. You have filled my cup with your love and I am so thankful for that. I can’t find the words to tell you how much I owe to you. You’ve made me a better person and I feel like I could never return the favor.

Group 2 🩵

I may look like all is well and fine but to tell you the truth I feel hollow. And I could use some fun. I always seem so busy, always the life of the party, making everybody laugh and ensuring they have a good time. But deep inside, it’s getting tough. As the days go by, I feel my energy depleting and my motivation as well. I don’t even know why I do this anymore. I force myself for the sake of keeping appearances but honestly I’m not sure I like it at all. I’m afraid that if you dig deep enough, you wouldn’t like what you find there. I am much more fragile than I seem. Also much more mellow and soft when I get the chance. But lately I’m more of a zombie than anything. I don’t think I could bring you much joy nor comfort. I’m afraid I’ve turned bitter. It’s all about work and making sure the money gets in and less about enjoying what I’m doing. I need to pay the bills. There’s competition around. I can’t afford to lose. Everyone’s counting on me. People look up to me. I sacrificed a lot to get there. I can’t back down now. Who would I be if I did? I can’t disappoint. It’s all a masquerade but it’s for a cause. It might not look great to you but it means a lot to me. So, sorry if I’m acting cold but… it’s all for you baby. Don’t go thinking I found someone better. Believe me I don’t have the time for that.

Group 3 🌄

Hold on a minute ! I know what you’re gonna think. What the heck is he/she saying? But hey, let me explain you’ll get it ! I may not be the strongest, the wisest or the most impressive of them all but one thing that’s sure about me is that I only have good intentions for you. I am ready to fight for you if that must be done. Thought I’m not good at that. Listen, my point is I really like you. I want to be with you, have fun with you, chat with you. I want us to take our time and get to know each other and hopefully to grow old together but that’s another story. With you I feel like a kid again. Sometimes, I gotta say, the feeling can be irritating. But at the same time it is freeing. I don’t have to chose a side. I don’t have to act a certain way to be accepted by you or understood. And that’s crazy! I’ve never experienced that before. Usually I would try to conform and play nice, show my best side and stick to the plan. But ever since I met you I want to free myself of those restraints. I want to find my home. I want to express my full potential without fearing being rejected or not belonging. I know you’ll never kick me out. Because you are the same aren’t you? The things I’ve seen, what I’ve been through, you’ve been there as well, right? I want to make a promise to you. Whatever comes our way, I swear I won’t run away. Even though it is scary and seems impossible, I will always work hard and do my best to make it. I may not be exactly your type or what you imagined a partner should be, but I am willing to learn. I am willing to tune to your melody and shelter whatever we may build together, not matter how unstable it may seem. I want you to feel comfortable with me. I want you to feel as safe with me as I feel with you. So if you’ll let me, let me fulfill that promise. You won’t regret it.

Group 4 🤠

To be honest, at first I didn’t get the best of vibes from you. I was a little intimidated and didn’t want to get to know you. Especially considering what people were saying about you. But I tried to see past your exterior and once I got to know you I found out that you were very chill. Maybe it was because I didn’t know you. Maybe I feared the unknown territory you represented. Maybe I was just afraid of going deep. But curiosity got the best of me. And luckily for both of us I stayed around long enough to make my own opinion. And I have to say that you are quite surprising. I won’t lie, being with you asks a lot of efforts on my part. But every second spent with you is worth it. In your presence, I feel comfortable. Being with you reminds me of my childhood. I think of my mother and my family, of the days we spent together before I moved away and followed the wind where it took me. Every page of our story takes me deeper within. I see sides of myself I never noticed or didn’t want to remember. I remember the innocent days where doing something new weren’t as terrifying and meeting new people sounded like a thrill. Being with you I feel blessed and content. There’s a light heartedness and a warmth in my heart I wouldn’t trade for anything. When I’m alone at home you’re all I think about. When I’m at work also. There isn’t a single moment when you’re not on my mind. When I’m with you I feel hopeful. I think that maybe life isn’t as tough as I thought it would be. That maybe there is more waiting for me. Please, show me more of your different sides. Tell me more about what makes you happy. Let me in and let me see for myself what you are made of. I’m begging you don’t shut me out. I want more of you.

[writella]

hi, sweetie! Hope you’re doing well. I just had the cutest thought that I wanted to share. And maybe if you want to add on to it as a drabble or something please feel free:) if not, then please just enjoy todays shower thoughts lol.

I’m thinking about a friends with benefits! reader and Daryl who find themselves travelling by canoe for whatever reason. And how they might get into some petty argument or even play fight that ends with them flipping the boat and the two of them just stand in the water, soaking wet and staring blankly at eachother with disappointment. Bangs sticking to your both your foreheads as the canoe slowly floats down the river along with all your dignity.

Take care! xoxo

Rocking the Boat

Synopsis: Daryl has been back home for weeks; the first attack against the Sanctuary is complete; Alexandria, the Kingdom, and the Hilltop are on their way to freedom; but nothing is the same as it was, especially not with you and Daryl. Maybe a house boat side quest will break the ice, or really, make some waves.

Details: This is set during the beginning of season 8, it includes violence, smut, a fwb relationship but feelings are involved, mutual pining, a little bit of switch Daryl and reader, and some sweetness because I think it’s just my thing at this point. ♡

A/N + Response: Hello, lovely miss T ♡ what a fun idea!! I love the imagery you set with the canoe tipping over, especially the bangs so cute— it was one of my favorite parts to write here! This is probably a bit unrealistic and much longer than I intended, so I think I might consider this a full one-shot as well as a concept, and… it’s also a bit sad? Just a little until we get to the good stuff, I promise ;) Anyway I hope you like it; let me know what you think!!

Daryl sat on Rick’s porch, his back against the poles, reloading his guns as you sped up the steps, “I think we should go back to the boats. Now.” Your voice was hurried, you had run all the way from your house, but he didn't even look up at you.

“Why would we do somethin’ stupid like that?” His voice was low, and annoyed. You didn’t expect to be greeted kindly, but at least he sounded like anything other than emotionless to you since the first time you saw him again; since the time he escaped the Sanctuary.

“There’s no one there. I saw it before I got back home. There were people with guns sitting outside the first time we saw it, but now there aren't.”

“A couple of guns ain’t gonna help us.”

“There had to have been a reason they were guarding it before.” Your words were urgent and your eyes pleaded for him to look up. “Any amount of guns could make the difference, Daryl. You know that.” You stare at him, waiting for nothing as he doesn’t respond. “Did you and Rick even find anything before you got back?” You cross your arms, “Cause it doesn’t look like it. And I think I just did.”

You had gotten separated from the group after the first attack against the Sanctuary: you ran without thinking, just trying to get away from the army of walkers stampeding the place. Straying off the usual path to Alexandria, you accidentally reencountered a place you and Daryl only saw once before. It was a time before Negan, before the Saviors. But now, remembering their jackets, and their weapons, and how their bikes looked parked at the shore, you realized those were three Savior cabin boats— fairly sized, a bit rusty, they had a shack like feel, but it was big enough to stand and sleep in. Maybe something of use could be in there, and at least it was something to do while you waited for the final attack.

Similar to Rosita and Michonne, you also got hurt by the scavengers— day zero of the war, when Sasha died— but the girls left you here, they didn’t even tell you they were going, you didn’t even see them leave. But you needed to get out too; you needed to help. “I’m going with or without you.” Your anger started bubbling at his indifference, “And I saw you talking to Tara, I know you’re planning something, so if you want to go off with her and complete your idiot side plan-”

“You’re the one with the dumbass plan.”

“- then that’s fine!” You glare at him, his eyes still so evasive, it infuriates you. “My objective is to find more weapons, before the final attack.” You lied, you both knew your objective was to rest before the final attack, “So I’m gonna go do that.”

You begin to walk briskly. You knew he was going to try to stop you. You knew he was going to come with you when he realized, yet again, he couldn’t stop you, or… you hoped he couldn’t… Sometimes you forget how much stronger he is than you. You had a smart mouth and you knew how to get a reaction out of him, or at least you did in the past, but he could pinned you down with one hand, making you completely immobile— it’s happened before. The thought makes you walk faster, heading for the nearest car. You were trying to make a point although you weren’t sure what it was. You were just tired of sitting around, tired of his treatment— mistreatment, actually. You knew he had reason to act curtly, what he went through was unspeakable, but you were still there for him, waiting, but he never came to you. Not even late at night. Not even to simply sleep.

Just as you’re about to reach the car you feel his hand wrap around your arm, you almost let it yank you. Your breath is a heavy mix of fear and excitement as he does so. Maybe you finally got something out of him. Maybe you still have it. Maybe you still have him. “We don’t got time for this,” he hissed. Then his jaw clenched, it almost looked like he was chewing on something, “but you’re forgetting the boat.”

“It’s a canoe.” You were pushing it with the retort, he was coming.

He grunts as he lets go of your arm, it slapping down to your side. You wait for him by the car as he retrieves the canoe and paddles from one of the house garages. You guys had found it a long while ago, never knowing when it would be of use. That time was now.

The ride toward the waterfront was irritable and depressing to say the least. You wanted to be around Daryl, you wanted to stop him from going off plan with Tara, but most importantly, you just wanted to talk to him; finally and for once. You all were on the biggest missions of your life, in the biggest war of your life… who knows where your fates would lie after this, but he has yet to say anything to you that didn’t involve fighting the Saviors, and even with that, he didn’t say much. He wanted to win. He was ready to do it fast. Whatever it took. That was all.

He kept shifting in his seat, short, low grunts coming out of the side of his mouth— he didn’t want to do this right now, but he knew you were just as stubborn as him, especially when it came to him. As dumb as he felt this was, it wasn’t time for another person he cares about to get hurt.

“Stop fuming,” you muttered.

He snapped back, barking your name, “We’re in a war! We could be doin’ better things right now and got me here for what?”

“Maybe so you don’t kill people we need alive right now?” You were talking about Dwight, you did more than just see Daryl talking to Tara.

His following grunt truly said typical. “You always got your nose where it don’t belong.”

You ignore him, “We should follow Rick’s plan.”

He shakes his head, ignoring you this time. He’s tired of talking about this. He’s going to go on the boat, see if there’s weapons, get Tara, and use whatever you two find to complete his own plan at the Sanctuary. This needs to be done.

“At least it’s a little over 5 miles off the out-post the Kingdom took out,” you reason, “that must be why no one is there anymore.”

Still no response. Typical, it’s your turn to think it. You let go of talking to him for now. The rest of the drive was silent as well as when you get to your destination, starting to put the canoe on water.

You look at the three small, now unguarded, boats. Only one bike was by the land and there was blood splattered on the middle house, the biggest one. Maybe the Kingdom took out the guy that was there, but there were no boats or canoes around, no way for someone to get close enough inside.

You two get in, starting to row. “There better be somethin’ good in there,” Daryl huffed. You hoped so too. Uncertainty started filling in with the reality of your awful plan. There really could be nothing in there and you really could have spent your day doing something that mattered to the cause. If these boats held anything important, why wasn’t a Savior there already? But even worse, the realization that you were acting out of desperation just because Daryl had been acting so cold… felt even more terrible.

You knew Daryl was scarred, far more than before and you were trying to be patient. You were going to let him come to you. You knew he needed time, and he was at the Kingdom for a little bit anyway, hiding out from Negan. You couldn’t even talk to him if you wanted to because of that. But now you had been planning that first attack for weeks, you were sleeping in the same place together again, but not in the same room, not touching. And again, you understood why, but then again… you didn’t. It was so hard to gain his trust, for him to open up to you, you thought that was something you gained for keeps; but now he wasn’t even allowing you to have a friendship anymore, let alone this in-between relationship you used to have. It made you upset how much power you realized you let him have over you. You missed him so much, and now you weren’t even sure if he missed you back, or if he had reason to. Maybe it was just a fling after all.

War feels long, but it’s only a short time in truth. Nonetheless, a short time that can define who you are thereafter. This could be him, and maybe it always was. And this could be how you two will always be. Forever.

You decide to break the silence again as you row, your thoughts becoming insufferable: “That’s actually not the right technique,” you stutter, “if- if you’re curious.” You start to row based on what you taught yourself, the canoe going just a bit faster now, “I read it in a book from Deana’s old library.”

“So you read somethin’ in a book and now you think you know everything?” His eyes were annoyed. “Hmph.”

Your voice raises, “Well just because you’re so experienced in the wilderness or whatever doesn’t mean you know everything either.”

“I’m doin’ it fine.” He wasn’t. “You don’t even know how to swim.” You didn’t. “So maybe just be glad you ain’t dying today.”

You repeat yourself, “Still- doesn’t- mean- you know how to do everything… You expect me to think Merle took you canoeing? Of all things?” You cock your head, “Pretty sure he was out finding the next score.” You knew it was a low blow to bring up the dead brother, but you were upset. No talking and now insults? You could be cold too, even colder, even if you didn’t like it.

“Shut up.”

“You shut up!”

Then you screamed. A walker with gills, swimming in the water approached your boat behind Daryl. Your voice made him turn around to see it. You take your paddle to try to stab it in the head, but the walker’s hands are along the canoe rim, coming closer to you, it makes you accidently hit Daryl with your swing. “Oh- Sorry!”

“Fuck!” He yelled.

“I’m sorry!” A realization comes, “Is this the guy?”

“If it was he’s been dead for a while.” Daryl shouts, taking out his gun and you take out your knife. He’s trying to shoot the walker in the head, it’s closer to your side now. But you’re thrashing and water is flying while you try to jab them in the head with your knife. The walker has one of your arms and you’re trying to pry it away with the hand that has the knife. Neither of you have a clear shot at getting the thing, all three of you rocking the canoe far too much.

“Stay still!” He yells at you.

“Im trying!” You shout with the same force, the same annoyance, “He’s not making it easy, Daryl!”

Daryl has a chance to shoot the walker in the stomach, and he takes it, but it does nothing. The walker’s hands on you do not quit. The two of you just keep yelling at each other, riling the walker up. You can hear the biting sounds they’re making near your arm.

He shoots again, but you and the walker are still moving too much and Daryl’s loosing balance. The walker is tipping the canoe with their hands, water splashing inside. The next bullet goes into the wood, making a hole.

Their starving mouth continues to try to bite at you. You pull using all your strength to get their mouth away, trying to use your other hand to slice into their head. You two have never seen a walker like this: they can swim and they’re so strong.

Water now fills the boat from the hole as Daryl moves forward on the canoe, pushing your head, his hand quite literally covering your whole face to shove you out of the way, getting a clear shot at the walker and firing at their head. He clicks twice: Boom. Boom. Guts and water fly everywhere.

The splashing of the water and the firing of his gun overwhelms all your senses. The weight of Daryl is on your side now, neither of you have balance; both your weights pull the canoe over the edge as it flips over entirely with you under it.

You scream, but your voice is muffled. You thrash around, trying to use what little experience you have. You come above water for a few seconds, wailing, and Daryl grabs you.

“Hey- Hey- Hey!” his words snap, rough like barks until he gets you to look at him, gripping your face so it’s forward. “It’s okay,” he’s breathing almost as heavy as you are. His voice becomes even now, “It’s okay.” You realize he has you in his arms— it really was okay.

Feeling he might make a comment about you almost drowning, you force yourself to speak through water filled lungs, “Don’t. Say it.”

So he didn’t. He just holds you tight, you even feel his thumbs squeezing into you at the waist now, and through half lidded eyes, you see his arms tense, working hard to make sure you never fall, but it’s at a half arm's length, his elbows bent. You blink rapidly, your wet eyelashes still flapping shut until you’re able to open them better. You can see Daryl more clearly now.

You try to swipe some of the hair out of your face. The baby hairs at the crown of your forehead stayed slick in place while some parts of your hair started to lightly form your wave or curl pattern, but in all, you were absolutely drenched.

Your hands now hold onto his forearms just as tight as his below. It was one of those rare moments where you remember just how blue his eyes are. Their narrow shape and the way his hair lays always hides them away. But the sun was behind you, casting its light directly on him and his hair was now slick to his head as well: only some of it resting on his forehead.

If someone were to describe Daryl’s looks, they would probably say something typical like dark and rugged. They don’t see what you see. God, you forgot how uniquely handsome he was.

His hair changed colors in the light, it wasn’t as dark brown anymore, flecks of it were a more golden brown in the sun. And you loved the mole that was just above his lip and facial hair. Almost no one else in the group had something like that. And now, there was the way his button down stuck onto his skin. The color was dark enough that it wasn’t see-through, but you saw every indent, every line of his bicep and tricep as you looked at his arms, trying to avoid his face, trying to avoid his chest or anywhere lower.

On the other hand, Daryl was trying even harder to avoid looking at your soaked body, failing even worse. His eyes couldn’t help but linger on how your chest huffed as you tried to catch your breath. Your collarbones are now exposed as your shirt slides down just a bit further, the light color almost see through because of the water, and your bra didn’t help much either. It was one of those without the padding, it was the only one that fit— your supplies, food and wearable, clean clothing, were running dangerously low at home. The thin material of both top garments showed how your nipples perked up now. And the way he had to grasp tightly on the smalls of your waist, feeling your stomach inhale and exhale as you calmed yourself down didn’t help either. It was like he felt your hold body moving… similar to a way he used to feel it.

It all makes him realize now how he hasn’t gotten the courage to look at you directly in the longest. God, he forgot how pretty you are. How lovely it was to hold you. Even if it was to escape death.

Your eyes are so big as you hold on tightly to his arms, you’re still shaken up. Trying to paddle your feet like you’ve seen on tv and in videos in the past. It’s adorable.

He didn’t dare look any longer, but part of him wondered if you were looking at him the same way. And you were. Specifically, the way you could see every line and ripple of his abdomen with his button up now glued to his body. As you let your eyes trail just a bit more form his arms, you noticed how magnified his chest looked, how his nipples were just as pert as yours.

It all made you feel something warm down below and it made something inside him twitch, but this wasn’t the time. He had been feeling so many things since he returned that he didn’t even know which ones to act upon first, so he reverted back to saying nothing, or at least nothing that had to do with how he really felt, how he really felt about you that is.

In the end, “You better hope I can make one of those shits run or we’re fucked,” was all he decided to say.

He moves your hands onto the back sides of his waist and he starts to swim. Your legs are off to the sides and he tells you to kick as he is and hold on tight as he swims you both to the middle boathouse, the one with the blood.

You hold onto the ledge as you finally arrive, allowing Daryl to go in first, checking for walkers at each boat. He does the side ones first. No one is there. Finally, he goes to the middle house: out of all of them, it’s the biggest wreck. The place is filled with pictures, Polaroids, scattered all over the place. It’s of the Saviors. And there’s all kinds of guns scattered on the floor, but he can’t help but to stare at the faces. He knew some of those faces.

You call his name, but he doesn’t respond. “What was in the other two?” You yell for him again, but nothing. You decide to go in the middle one as well, your eyes are amazed by the mess of guns on the floor. There were even ones still hooked up to the wall. There were knives and daggers too. Even glass cases with various bullets, you wondered what they did. Was this the emergency weapons stash? Had you reached it before a Savior could? “Why aren’t you picking this stuff up?” You look up at him impatiently, shaking your head and huffing, you’ll do it yourself you guess.

Daryl continues to look around, picking up a frame. The only framed picture in the boat. It was cracked on the ground: A Polaroid of Negan.

He takes the picture out of the broken glass to look at it closer. As if this wasn’t already the attitude of much of the Saviors, whoever lived and protected this place must have worshiped him. Negan stood proudly in it, his bat on the side of his shoulders, a big rifle strapped around his back on the other. His hair and beard was all black, and that notorious, all encompassing grin plastered his face from ear to ear. Daryl turned the picture over: the words, ‘Negan — The First Savior. My Savior,’ was written on the back.

It fired him up. It made him think of the dark, of that cell, of the food that probably wasn’t even food, when he was kicked and jumped by those Saviors in the parking lot, and that damn song— the saccharine melody would live on in his brain like a siren. There would never be silence inside him again. In fact, there never was. It was only louder now. So loud and so angry he feels it in his throat, traveling to his tongue, beneath his eyes, as he can no longer keep it in anymore; but he tries, and tries, and tries, quietly holding everything in while you keep collecting weapons, putting them in bags you find. The picture crumples in his closing hand, his fist turning red as he grips tightly, ruining the shining paper.

He slides down against the boat wall, sitting on the ground biting his tongue, stopping the feelings until you're done; until you two can leave and he can do what he needs to do. It’ll be without you, without Rick, without anyone. This needs to be done. He’ll do it.

“Daryl,” you call out, not facing him, collecting the bags. “I think I counted 32, but it could be 40… I think there’s smaller ones by the wheel and I didn’t even get the swords yet. If there's about the same number on the other two, there could be maybe over 100 new weapons,” you gasp with disbelief. “Were the other two like this?“

You we’re relieved, you knew it was a dumb plan, but you came out of it with a win; it was worth it. “Daryl, come on-” you turn to him now, “oh.”

You almost couldn’t see his eyes with how much more narrow he made them, they were practically closed and his face was down. You wondered if this was the moment you would first see him cry: his lip quivered, his face was as red as his fists, and he wouldn’t look in your direction, his head was basically to the wall as you started to walk to him.

Your movements are slow as you kneel down to the corner in which he sat. You place fingers along his jaw until your whole hand wraps around the area. Your strokes are gentle, feeling the bristles of his beard on your palm. He had been so angry since he returned, hell bent on war and death, but you remembered… he must have also been so sad, so depressed too. Poor boy, you thought. Poor boy, you forgot; in some ways, he still was just a boy.

You turn his cheek to face you, but his eyes don’t dare meet yours as a few tears start rolling out. Your own emerge too. It’s heartbreaking to see him like this.

You put your forehead to his, your nose rubbing against his own, “I’m so sorry,” you whisper.

You come even closer. Your lips lightly touch his, you’re tentative at first, not knowing if it was right, but then you feel his brush against yours just as light. You decide to move in, your lips parting his own as you kiss him.

Your tongue goes into his mouth, your hand raising his chin, you’re so delicate. He holds your shoulder, you lean into his bent body and your other hand slides against his chest. You’re both still wet and cold, but his heart beats warmly.

His head leans up against the wall as you push yourself further onto his lips. You hold his shoulders and he allows you to slide him down.

You look up at him, your hands on his shirt. This is not how you expected today to go. “Is this okay?” You ask softly. His nod is just as soft, you almost don’t see it, but his hands are lightly on top of your own as you unbutton his shirt, he lets you. It’s okay.

He’s unbuckling his belt now, pushing his pants down and your top goes over your head. He starts to unbutton your own jeans. It’s quiet except for your breaths, and the clinking of belts, and the undoing of zippers.

You pull him out a little more from the corner so you can straddle him. You start grinding your hips down into him and he pushes into your clit with his finger, circling it. The bit of warmness you felt below before is now almost pooling out instantly from just the littlest touches. Your back arches, you haven’t felt him in so, so long. You gasp and it accidentally turns into a moan. You’re so needy for it, but you remember: you want to help him.

Your hands move down to his stomach, your lips kiss his neck as your hands travels up to his chest and then back down, you start kissing him everywhere there as you do so, breathing him in, it makes him fidgety, little gruff sounds irruption from his throat, he’s trying to keep it in. Then you got even lower: you kiss down his cock until you’re at the tip. You lick at the pre-cum there. You put just a little bit of him inside your mouth, sucking, stroking the rest of it. His exhale comes out as a shaky gasp, he whimpers slightly.

Finally, you move back up and line yourself up with him, sinking down slowly as you look him in the eyes. You can’t help it, you start to ride him immediately thereafter. The stretch feels so good and so big and full as if you’ve never felt him before. Your moan is light and airy, you missed him. And he groans, “-ugh, fuck” and moans, “uh- mm- argh,” right after you do so. He missed you. You know that now, it makes you smile.

You lean up against him slightly. His mouth parted and you speak into it, your breast brushing against him as you rolled onto him, your stomached touching a bit. “I’ve got you,” you pant into his mouth, he’s panting too, “always.”

He holds onto your hips as you go faster, you’re holding onto his shoulders. “Does it feel good?” You kiss him right after you ask, his tongue going to the top of your mouth, sliding in wet and deliciously, it’s everything you’ve waited for. He hums into you as a response. You feel his dick twitch as your pussy grips on him tighter.

You feel like you both could be close until he starts kissing you more fiercely. His tongue only slipping in slightly as he pecks your lips, he bites down slightly, then kissing you deeply again. Then he turns you over. You’re under him now. His hands go right by your ears, flat on the ground and he thrusts into you. Hard. It almost hurts, you can’t lie. He’s grunting, short and quick, but his rasp, and his hair flying as he quickens the pace, and the fact that pain is slowly turning into pleasure… you’re fine with it. If this is what he needs, you’re fine with it.

His next grunt is almost a yell, it’s like a battle cry. He’s angry and you know it. You hold onto his flex arms tenderly, caressing him, silently telling him you’re there, but you allow him to continue.

His movements are faster now. More irate. His body comes closer to yours, but his movements do not stop their force. His thrusts feels like poundings, you feel like the floor is moving, maybe the boat is rocking, the bags jump with it.

He looks at your screwed shut eyes as one of his hands comes to touch your chest. Trailing your breast, then to the bottom of your stomach, staying there, pressing down, feeling himself inside of you has he shoves himself up and in, he’s deep, so deep. “Mmm,” You’re whining now, “-uuh.” It makes his eyes lighten, he’s humming, low and gruff and continuous, stuttering into you, eyes open waiting to see you come so then he can. It’s right there for him, but he wants to see you, he needs it.

Your moan mixes into a whine, “Daryl please,” you beg, “Daryl please- it’s- it’s too much, it hurts,” it makes him go even faster, and he can’t help himself as he comes in you first, sighing as he does so, but it’s exactly what you need to come undone yourself.

You grab the back of his neck, holding it close to you as you squeeze your arms around him and he does the same to your waist.

You both try to calm your breaths, “Never leave me again,” you say into his ear, breathing roughly. “Please.”

“Never.” He looks at you right in the eye when repeats it, “Never.” He wipes the tears from your face as you both nod, affirming a new promise to each other. “We’ll win. Together.”

After laying for a few moments, just looking at each other, he goes to the bathroom to find a washcloth, warming it with water, helping you clean up. He takes your hand so you can start doing it yourself and he kisses your forehead before he starts to get dressed. “I’ll be back.”

Soon enough, you hear the engine in the front start to rev up. He got it to work.

“You can drive a boat?”

“Gonna learn.” He turns to you, pulling you in front resting your hands on the wheel while he stands behind, his arms over your own. “We both are.”

[julietsbody]

Okay first of all You are amazing and really feeding my obsession over Coryo😵‍💫❤️I love Your fics so much

Second of all…

What are Your thoughts of Coriolanus with spit kink who just loves punishing and degrading reader in public places?

Like pushing you in the nearest empty room to just spank You and spit in Your throat for being a bad girl😵‍💫

a/n : thank you so much!!! ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა also i love this idea sm… he DEFINITELY loves to humiliate reader! i hope u enjoy this!

tags : orgasm denial , edging , spanking , spitting , spit kink , angry sex , public sex

( divider by mewmyu )

coriolanus snow was your boyfriend, he was a good boyfriend, he showered you in riches when he could, spoil you in expensive roses or all the finest things. he would save up his pocket cash and surprise you with something you had been wishing for when he finally was able to afford it. but, that’s only when you were good to him as well.

when you weren’t, when you refused to wear something he recently bought you, or wore shorter skirts to tease him in public. today was one of these days in which you decided to wear those mini skirts, and god, he hated it. he hated how he could see your ass peaking underneath, because he knew everyone else could as well.

such a slut, it didn’t take long for him to speed - walk after you in the busy academy halls, eventually catching up to you and abruptly taking hold of you. he keeps walking until he finds a nearby empty class, ignoring your questions as he slams you into the classroom.

you breathe against him, “coriolanus? what are you—“

“you wore that on purpose, didn’t you? fucking slut, i spend so much on you, so much fucking money,” he moves to take hold of your jaw, prying your glossed lips apart, “and you make me look like an idiot by showing off your body like this, you want me to look like an idiot?”

“no, no.. i promise, coriolan—“

“don’t call me that.” he snaps immediately, “stick your tongue out.”

so you did, you did anything he wanted you to, and immediately he spat into your mouth without any warning, “swallow.”

the taste of his saliva smooths down your throat as you gulp it down, and your doe eyes peer up at him, “i’m sorry.”

“are you, now?” he chuckles, spinning you around so you’re not pushed, front - first, against one of the nearest desks, “surely you just love to embarrass me, after everything i’ve done for you.”

before you can speak, his hand spikes against your ass, already reddening the skin there. you yelp into the wall, mumbling out incoherent apologies as his hand becomes relentless against your ass, slapping it until the skin is maroon.

tears prick at your eyes, glossing over your dilated pupils.

coriolanus’ eyebrows furrow as his hand moves to pull up your skirt, only to find that you are free of any panties as well. fucking hell. his jaw ticks, “you fucking bitch.”

it doesn’t take long for him to have you bent over the desk, gripping the wood for dear life as he slams into you. he doesn’t respond to any of your incoherent mumbles, or sobs, or sweet apologies. no apology could remedy such slutty behavior, especially when you knew damn well what you were doing.

his fingers lace around your neck, prying you off the desk and pulling you up against his chest, “look at me, you slut.”

his fingers are tight around your neck when you turn to him, rivers burning down your cheeks, puffy lips begging to feel his gentle kisses. but he doesn’t kiss you, of course not, he moves his free hand to pry your lips apart, tugging your tongue out before he harshly spits down your throat one more.

“swallow,” he feels the saliva travel down as you gulp, due to his tight fingers around your neck. it wasn’t enough to constrict you of air, but enough to teach you a lesson. his jaw shifts, “you’re so fucking tight— you gonna cum, hm?”

you nod immediately, moaning against him as he pounds you relentlessly, “yes, yes.. i— ‘m gonna cum— corio—“

“you think you deserve to cum? sweet girl, you’ve made a fool of me, why do you think you’re allowed satisfaction?“ he chuckles, “so entitled, spoiled bitch.”

he takes time to fuck into you until his cum is deep inside of you and you’re whimpering on his dick from your awaited orgasm, and he still doesn’t allow you the pleasure, he just pulls out and allows you to move exhausted against the desk. you breathe heavily, glass tears continuing to fall, “‘m sorry, coryo— please forgive me—“

“no,” he scoffs, tucking his softening dick back into his pants, “see you in debate, and change your fucking skirt.”

[anonymous-dentist]

A very confusing day in the Merpepito AU

Richarlyson is being weird.

...Okay, so Richarlyson is usually weird, but now he's being super weird! Maybe he's dying. He has a worm in his brain eating it or something. Oh! Or there is a sea cucumber growing between his ears!

Pepito isn't a doctor, but he thinks that Richarlyson might actually be dying. Because there's no other reason why Richarlyson would be hanging out with Apa Roier so much.

It's been a week since the Sky fell, and maybe Richarlyson got hit by a piece of the Sky and his brain started bleeding, because he's decided that he's Apa Roier's new best friend. (Which is crazy because Apa Roier doesn't have friends! He always says so.)

Every morning, Richarlyson sits next to Apa Roier at breakfast. He helps Apa Roier with his chores. He brings Apa Roier cups of water when it starts getting hot out. He eats lunch next to Apa Roier. He tells Apa Roier that he'll take care of his afternoon chores so Apa Roier can take a siesta. He eats dinner next to Apa Roier. He calls Apa Roier cool, he says that Apa Roier is the strongest Pepito he's ever seen, he says that he hopes that Apa Roier stays forever on the ship.

It's weird! Richarlyson has to be dying.

...But maybe Apa Roier is dying, too, because he's been talking to Richarlyson a lot over the past week. He saves Richarlyson a seat at the table between himself and Captain Celbi, but he's never saved Pepito a seat. He says that he's going to teach Richarlyson how to fight, but he won't teach Pepito how to fight.

But it's fine! Pepito isn't upset at all! Pepito is happy that Apa Roier is making friends... even if his new friend is the person who hates Pepito the most.

Pepito doesn't interfere. Pepito keeps doing Pepito's chores: helping Richarlyson and Pomme mop the deck, helping Mister Pac sort through foods in the kitchen, helping Mister Felps tie knots. Miss Mouse says that she's gonna teach Pepito how to do magic soon, and Miss Baghera wants to teach Pepito how to draw and read maps.

Pepito likes being a pirate. It's super fun! Pepito likes the ocean, and Pepito likes the stars- and his best friend, the Moon. Pepito likes helping around the ship. Pepito likes watching Captain Celbi at the wheel. (He's so cool!)

...Pepito just misses Ama Rivers and Apa Carre and Apa Mariana and Apa Quackity and Awuelo Foolish and Leo and Empi and Sunny a lot. And Pepito thinks that Apa Roier misses them, too.

He has to.

But Apa Roier has been smiling a lot, recently. He smiles when he's near Captain Celbi, and he smiles when he's with Richarlyson. Sometimes he smiles when he's with Pepito, but not always.

He doesn't smile when he's talking to Captain Celbi about Pepito's brother. Bobby always makes people sad, though, so Pepito doesn't think about that too much.

Pepito thinks about Pirate Things instead, because Pepito is going to be the Best Pirate Ever!

Apparently, Pepito is a really Good Pirate because Captain Celbi wants to talk to Pepito alone in his office!

Pepito is sooooooo getting promoted! He won't just be the ship's Pepito, he'll be the ship's Pirate Pepito. He'll get a fancy pirate hat and everything; Richarlyson doesn't have a fancy pirate hat, so Apa Roier is going to look at Pepito and pick him up and tell him that he's such a Good Pepito that he's going to sit with Pepito at dinner and teach Pepito how to fight!

"Now, Pepito, I called you in here for a very good reason," Captain Celbi says as soon as Pepito is sitting (evilly!!) in the chair in front of his desk.

Pepito nods, serious.

Captain Celbi takes that as a sign to continue: "I understand that you're Roier's son?"

Pepito nods. Pepito is Apa Roier's Pepito!

Captain Celbi sighs, relieved. "Okay, good."

And then Captain Celbi's face falls. He almost looks ready to cry- his face is all red and his eyes are all wide and he looks really super freaked out.

"What does your dad like?" Captain Celbi asks, face all scrunched up like he's in pain. He sticks his hands up under his hat and pulls at his hair so hard that his knuckles knock the hat off of his head. The pointy things on the top of his head lay flat, unable to be seen through his hair.

Pepito blinks. Apa Roier likes Bobby? But, no, Bobby just makes Apa Roier cry. Hmm...

Captain Celbi groans and slumps back in his chair, his wrists and arms covering his face.

"He's impossible," he moans. "Every time I've tried subtly asking him, he's just shrugged!"

That sounds like Apa Roier. He's never liked talking about himself. Pepito didn't even know his name until all of the other Ocean Pepitos yelled at and made Apa Roier take Pepito home.

"He's always just-" (Captain Celbi's Pointy Things twitch, and he pitches his voice up in an impression.) "-'Hey, man! I don't know, man! I like lots of things, man! I like fish!' Like!" (He drops his impression and his hands, sitting up in frustration.) "What fish!? We're on the ocean! There are lots of fish in the ocean!"

Pepito nods sagely. There are lots of fish in the ocean. Captain Celbi is very smart, that's why he's the captain!

Captain Celbi rubs his eyes with his thumb and pointer finger.

"He deserves something nice," he sighs, much quieter and much calmer. "Better than fish. He deserves... gold. Silver. Diamonds. Rubies. He deserves good things."

Apa Roier has never been one for shiny things. That's always been Apa Quackity, even though he can't ever afford anything shiny because of how many times the Sea Witch has blown up his house with Sea Witch Magic, and Awuelo Foolish, who is basically the King of the Reef.

Apa Roier likes fish. He likes Bobby. He hates pirates. He likes crabs. He likes blue and red coral. He likes Miss Niki's candy. He likes-

Captain Celbi looks at Pepito seriously. "I need your help, Pepito. I want to get your father a really nice gift. It has to be perfect."

Pepito looks at the notepad on Captain Celbi's desk.

Following Pepito's gaze, Captain Celbi slides the paper over along with a pen.

Pepito hums, and he thinks. What does Apa Roier like most?

Aha!

Pepito draws exactly what Apa Roier would like! Once he's done, he flips the notepad around to show Captain Celbi with a triumphant grin.

"Pepito," says Captain Celbi, smiling only a little, "that's a picture of me."

Pepito nods. Captain Celbi makes Apa Roier really happy! The perfect gift!

Captain Celbi sighs, and he leans across the desk to ruffle Pepito's hair.

"That's a good thought," he says, "but let's try and think of something I can buy him."

Ooooooh! Okay!

Pepito turns the page and starts to think again. Something you can buy...

Oh! Pepito knows!

So, Awuelo Foolish has this friend named Mister Vegetta, and Awuelo Foolish wanted to give Mister Vegetta the BEST gift ever. So Awuelo Foolish found the most perfect shell at the Bottom of the Ocean, and he put it on a string of kelp, and he gave it to Mister Vegetta, and now they're Best Friends! They have sleepovers every night and they kiss a lot, which Pepito thinks that Married Pepitos do, but Awuelo Foolish and Mister Vegetta aren't Married Pepitos yet, they're just Best Friends who make each other super happy.

So Pepito draws the shell, and he draws the string, and he even draws Captain Celbi giving Apa Roier the necklace.

He holds the picture up to Captain Celbi, and Captain Celbi grins.

"That's perfect, Pepito," he says. "The next time we're near a beach, you and I are going to find your dad the perfect seashell."

YES!! Another secret mission with Captain Celbi!

Take that, Richarlyson! You might be friends with Apa Roier now, but are you going on secret missions with the captain? Nuh-uh!

Pepito is the best pirate ever!!!

--------

To Be Continued...

[stitchwraith-stingers]

autistic hazel headcanons because i lost my last post

spoke really late, around 5 years old, since then she hasnt stopped talking, god speed

i shouldnt have to say itsince its so obvious in the show but geology special interest..... i like to imagine she has various really niche hyperfixations (like her hat thing going on) one day she could just pop up next to you and go btw did u know that birds r crazy cool and then the next month shes talking about furneture

and to add to that, it all started when her family went onto some museum exibit and her brother was like ohh rocks r so strange and explained whatever he learned in the...... 8th grade i cant count about them and from that day on

no idea where to put this but she has had bad sleeping problems since forever . she lives off 2 hours of sleep baybe and they r heavenlyyyy... unrelated but the nightmare haver...

not really much sensory issues going on, but she perfers lights off in her room if shes able to

she doesnt like alot of different fabric textures, silk is a 100% no-go for her, she sticks with wool

doesnt like soft fruit (bananas, strawbarries, mangoes, blueberries) and doesnt like most nuts

would hide in the janitors closet when she has a meltdown / shutdown, everyone in the school just kinda accepts it now and always know shes there since where else could she be, she doesnt actually have those often she just had it 3 times and keeps using it as an excuse to talk to coswan

her main stim was rocking back and forth often, but the kids would point it out often and shes trying SO hard to not do it again so they wouldnt stare at her, body stims alot in general but probably doesnt notice it

often makes alottttt of hand gestures when talking and people would repeat those gestures to her

the short term memoryerrrrrr (crock to the future.....tbh same)

has a hard time distinguishing phrases (break a leg, i could eat a horse etc) but is fine with sarcasam

COLLECTOR OF FIDGETS!!!!!! had to sell most of them before leaving for dimmadelphia though :( her faves are tangles, popits are just easier to carry around

probably had a weighted plushie she had everywhere as a kid, i like to imagine it was an elephant

doesnt like strong smells WORST sensory nightmare for her, unfortunatly for her, onions are her fathers comfort food

doesnt like eyecontact, unfortunatly for her, her best friend likes intense eye contact

her family is full of undiagnosed neurodivergents (marcus/angela r autistic4adhd to me) so they probably connect the dots after guzman pulls them aside and goes weve been observing ur daughter and i think you might want to check this out

I CANT FIND THE FUCKING IMAGE NOO but hazel n marcus r basically that one image thats like "sorry mom im gonna be late i have to drop this pebble down a river to see how big the splash it" / "ok but tell me too how deep it is how loud i was etc"

[godhandler]

Rent A BF!

#4 | young toji fushiguro x reader | fluff, mentions of prostitution, aged and sometimes offensive terminology, gun violence incredible bilingual usage of slurs | 600 words

previous next series masterlist

25th May, 1996

The distance between two strangers does not decrease just because one is an escort and the other a client. Many a times these two could fuck raw for two hours, but once the pants get back on, they’d rather leave the cash on the table than have their palms touch again. 

Insulting each other’s very touchiest points is a far quicker method to get close. It could go either way– you become lifelong enemies (which is quite intimate by itself) or become … rather chill with each other. 

Only by the third session, Toji and you have realised that you’re more comfortable with each other than you would’ve expected. Rude and passive-aggressive it might have been, but the mussel-pasta debacle led to you setting a precedent of extremely open honesty with each other:

Toji– “I don't like to be scoffed at. Can’t stand it, makes my hair rise, lose my head. Was gonna stab you with your own silverware for a second there, heh. I'd rather you didn't scoff at me. Or around me, that fine?”

You– “Yeah, I’m sorry. I don’t want to hear any talk about my family.”

Toji– “Yes, yes, I’m sorry. I guess. I don’t wanna either.” 

You– “Wait, pardon, but did you say you were about to stab m–”

‘Chill’ is fine, Toji tells himself. Chill is the best thing you can be with a woman. 

Aside from the obvious exception of his blood-related family, he’s chill with literally the majority of the world’s population. Sure, he used to think that the faggots and the chong-gong Koreans were sketchy, but look at him now, friends with both of them. He’s grown so much that he’d even accept a faggot Korean– he had his suspicions about Shiu, though he never could bring himself to ask.  

You’re so chill together, walking around the flea market in Shiori Park, shifting through piles of Chenel scarves and Botega prints. There’s not a lot of customers, but the pretty cherry blossoms waft through the air, sticking to your hair and nose, creating a romance neither Toji nor you are part of. The Sumida river laps by. Songbirds practice for spring. 

No, no, something just isn’t sitting right with Toji. This ‘chill’ is different from the ‘chill’ towards the faggots and the Koreans, because this ‘chill’ doesn’t mean ‘apathy’ or ‘casual diregard’. ‘Chill’ for you is nothing more than a blanket covering pesky little other emotions. Unfortunately, Toji is not emotionally mature enough to unlock these.

The weight of this suspiciously stable word, ‘chill’, sets a frown on his brows, a pebble in his shoe. He glares down at the handmade earrings you put up to your ears. He scowls at the candy floss man. He grumbles at the antique tea set hawker.

“Does it bother you?” He surprises himself asking. “Me grumbling about everything?”

You blink. “Do you dislike it so much?”

The boy just shrugs. 

“We could just leave, Toji-kun. I’ll come here later by myself. Let’s do something you want to.” You suddenly realise that you have no idea what that would be.  He didn’t seem very into thrifting. It made you wonder what exactly he was into. Under the veneer of enthusiasm as fake as the brands here, there didn’t seem to be a topic that he wasn’t nonchalant about. Of course, you understand that this is a business transaction, but aren’t you two still humans who care about each other as humans do? Maybe it’s the age difference. Maybe it’s that he’s a paid whore. It doesn’t matter, because you two were chill. 

“How about bowling?” you ask. “Or a grill restaurant?”

“‘Kay.”

You walk towards the exit over a little cobblestone path, turning sharply into a corner to a gun pointing at your face. 

previous next series masterlist

a/n: open communication but the person communicating is toji ugh

today also marks the declaration of ceasefire in gaza. this isn't a political take of anything, im happy this came about. it's just that i can't help thinking it all meant nothing at the end. thousands upon thousands of brothers, sisters, mums, dads, granny and granpas died, and for what? everything goes back to how it was. nothing has changed. i don't mean to bring down the mood. maybe im too young and naive. i don't know. i cant shake off the feeling that im guilty of something but i don't know what.

[w3ath3r-0f-sw34t3rz]

˗ˏˋ ♬⋆.˚ ― RAYLLUM ♪⋆

★ I, Carrion (Icarian) - Hozier you have me floatin' like a feather on the sea // while you're as heavy as the world // that you hold your hands beneath // once i had wondered what was holdin' up the ground // but i can see that all along, love, it was you all the way down

Moonlight - Grace VanderWaal remember last year when you told me // to always stay here and never leave me // the light from your eyes made it feel like // we were dancing in the moonlight

Talk Too Much - COIN you know i talk too much // honey, come put your lips on mine // and shut me up

★ Down Bad - Taylor Swift i'll build you a fort on some planet // where they can all understand it // how dare you think it's romantic // leaving me safe and stranded // 'cause fuck it, i was in love // so fuck you if i can't have us

Someone to Stay - Vancouver Sleep Clinic you were alone, left out in the cold // clinging to the ruin of your broken home // too lost and hurting to carry your load // we all need someone to hold

★ Forever With Me - Conan Gray but who am i to blame? // i broke your heart the same // but i ain't sorry // i wouldn't change a thing // but it'll take a lifetime to get better // i ain't sorry // though i should probably be // i think i'm gonna love you // you're forever with me

I Was an Island - John-Allison Weiss i was a fighter and i was so brave // but i lowered my sword when you held me and swore // you'd stay, stay, stay

Wonderland - Taylor Swift didn't they tell us "don't rush into things"? // didn't you flash your green eyes at me? // didn't you calm my fears with a Cheshire Cat smile? // ooh, didn't it all seem new and exciting? // i felt your arms twisting around me // it's all fun and games 'til somebody loses their mind

Talk to Me - Cavetown you don't have to be a hero to save the world // it doesn't make you a narcissist to love yourself // it feels like nothing is easy, it'll never be // that's alright, let it out, talk to me

Habits - Genevieve Stokes you go and i stay // it's always right person and wrong way // i hate to be right, please, tell me i'm wrong // please, tell me i'm wrong // 'cause it's on again, off again // love you like oxygen // you don't know what i'd do for you

★ BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Billie Eilish birds of a feather, we should stick together, i know // i said i'd never think i wasn't better alone // can't change the weather, might not be forever // but if it's forever, it's even better

Take Me to the River (I Will Swim) - Alex Yurkiv + Thelma Costolo i'm in the river, its rising // for you i'm all in // my soul is bursting with praises, deep within // your presence overwhelms me, It cleanses my soul // oh how you saved me and changed me, make your glory known

This Love - Taylor Swift your kiss, my cheek // i watched you leave // your smile, my ghost // i fell to my knees // when you're young, you just run // but you come back to what you need

Adore You - Harry Styles you don't have to say you love me // you don't have to say nothing // you don't have to say you're mine // honey // i'd walk through fire for you // just let me adore you

★ The Great War - Taylor Swift my hand was the one you reached for // all throughout the Great War // always remember // uh-huh, tears on the letter // i vowed not to cry anymore // if we survived the Great War

Scared of the Dark - BoyWithUke don't you tell me you're fine // i can tell when you're lying // caught you slipping on ice // but your heart is on fire // 'cause i notice your scars ... 'cause i'm scared of the dark // can we skip to the part // where you fall in my arms // and you tell me you're tired?

Peter - Taylor Swift and i won't confess that i waited, but i let the lamp burn // as the men masqueraded, i hoped you'd return // with your feet on the ground, tell me all that you'd learned // 'cause love's never lost when perspective is earned

★ Over the Moon - Penelope Scott and on god, i love you // i'll keep you here with me // if i have to fight every devil in hell // then i'll run out of blood to bleed // before i lose you

Dummy - The Regrettes i know i'm a dummy but // you love me either way // maybe you're the dummy // 'cause you say you wanna stay

So High School - Taylor Swift are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me? // it's just a game, but really // i'm bettin' on all three for us two

At The Cemetery - Madilyn Mei + cloudkissed i have something to tell you // just promise me one thing // i have something to tell you // promise you won't scream ... would it be better if we never // met each other, never stayed together? // would you stick around with all that you know?

★ Nothing Matters - The Last Dinner Party even when the cold comes crashing through // i'm putting all my bets on you // i hope they never understand us // i put my heart inside your palms // my home in your arms // now we know nothing matters

Cosmic Love - Florence & The Machine i took the stars from my eyes and then i made a map // and knew that somehow i could find my way back // then i heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too // so i stayed in the darkness with you

anything - Adrianne Lenker weren't we the stars in heaven? // weren't we the salt in the sea? // dragon in the new warm mountain // didn't you believe in me? // yeah, you held me the whole way through // when i couldn't say the words like you

You Get Me So High - The Neighbourhood wish i didn't doubt it // i wish i never ever told you all about it // but i just had to let you know // i never meant to hurt you though ... used to stick together // you're my best friend, i'll love you forever

Sharpest Tool - Sabrina Carpenter we were going right, then you took a left // left me with a lot of shit to second guess // guess i'll waste another year on wondering if // if that was casual, then i'm an idiot // i'm looking for an answer in between the lines // lying to yourself if you think we're fine // you're confused and i'm upset // but we never talk about it

★ No One Noticed - The Marías come on, don't leave me it can't be that easy, babe // if you believe me i guess i'll get on a plane // fly to your city excited to see your face // hold me, console me and then I'll leave without a trace

Strange - Celeste isn't it strange // how people can change // from strangers to friends // friends into lovers // and strangers again?

Jackie and Wilson - Hozier happy to lie back watch it burn and rust // we tried the world, good god, it wasn't for us // she's gonna save me, call me "baby" // run her hands through my hair // she'll know me crazy, soothe me daily // better yet, she wouldn't care ... we'll name our children, Jackie and Wilson // raise 'em on rhythm and blues

★ From Me, The Moon - Lav two years and you still look the same // wide blinking eyes look at me the same way // do my lips take you back to June? // do my lips make you miss me, too? // tell me if the years are all gone // is the moon still in love with the sun? // do you still keep counting my sins? // will your heart ever forgive my skin?

[atsadi-shenanigans]

You Could Just Ask

Summary:

“You still gonna be a jackass to our friends instead of just asking me to pleasure you?” you say. He swallows. His adam’s apple bobs. “If this is my reward, absolutely.” He can’t see you smile at this angle. He can feel your grip leave his cock to slide your fingers through his hair before you grab. Still slow, still steady, giving him plenty of opportunity to stop you. He don’t. He lets you pull his head back, bare his throat, and only whimpers and shivers against you.

Or: Astarion is terrible about communicating what he wants. But Eleanor is getting good at translating gremlin.

Astarion has been in a fucking mood for two days now. It’s driving you nuts, it’s driving everybody nuts, and by all accounts, it’s driving him nuts. Ain’t nobody can put a finger on it, neither. He’s well fed, y’all went on a murder spree day before yesterday, and he even found a nice, silk jacket to wear around camp.

Man’s got it made.

And decided to be a bitch about it.

You sit at the breakfast fire, needlessly poking at the embers with a stick while he makes snide swipes at Gale’s cooking (which he don’t eat), Karlach’s clutter (she just found a stuffed owlbear to match Clive), and Lae’zel sharpening her weapons (he got a point, there).

Even Wyll stares at the fire, shoulders set in a tense line. Something’s gonna snap if somebody don’t do something.

“It’s not as if you can deal any real damage,” Astarion says to Shadowheart, who tried to get him off Gale’s ass and is now taking the brunt of it. “We all saw how accurate your spells were in the temple.”

She looks all cool and collected. Just lifts one of her eyebrows. But her knuckles are white as her fists tremble. Shadowheart fought off the mother superior of her former, well, it ain’t called a church, here. But she fought the bitch and won and she paid for it.

“That’s it.” You stand

Astarion clocks the movement and turns to face you (stares down his nose at you; or tries to since you two are the same damn height).

“Y’all wanna head out?” you say over your shoulder to the others as they stash their day gear into their packs. “I think we’ll stay here, today.”

“Gladly,” Gale mutters in an outside voice.

“Welcome to it,” Karlach says which means hoo-boy, even she’s getting pissy.

Wyll gives you a blank look, that slowly morphs into a sly “good luck” sort of grin. Turd. Everybody thinks the Blade of Frontiers is so upstanding, much nobility, wow. But Wyll is a sly little shit, is what he is. He just hides it real good until it’s time to strike.

They all shuffle on outta there double quick. Astarion watches them go as he checks his nails for damage that ain’t there.

Then you’re alone—well and truly, Shadowheart and her half-elven hearing—and you turn to your exasperating lover.

“The fuck was all that?” you say.

He just looks at you, all unimpressed. Sniffs. “What was what, dear? You’ll have to be more specific.”

You will not throw your camp slipper at him. He dodges too well, and then you got to go fetch the damn thing before either Scratch of Sweetums gets it and demolishes it (or drops it in the river, bad dog) (but not really bad bad dog, and he got pets later on, anyway).

“You’re being a dick,” you say.

To which he, predictably, rolls his eyes. “As if it’s my fault we’re surrounded by incompetent idiots.”

His gaze flicks down. Just for a second. You almost miss it, but it landed on the top of your tunic. You got yourself a new one of those, too. But only to wear around camp, cause it’s got itself a damn titty window under some satin neck straps. Astarion’s pupils flare wide a second, and then he glares at you as if challenging you to comment.

You been together several times, in several way by now. He usually initiates (you did once). But you got a suspicion.

You step closer. Reach out slow and careful to crook your finger over the top of his trousers, since he tucks his shirt in and all. Then you pull, slow and steady, leave him plenty of time and distance to stop you or pull away.

But his pupils dilate again, and he steps into you. Lets you drag him flush against your front.

“Astarion,” you say. The man actually licks his lips. “Did you get horny and decide to be an asshole to everybody about it?”

A hint of a smile tugs his lips before he buries that under scorn. “Of course not.”

But you’re learning his tells. The way his gaze hovers over your face, darts down to the titty window and the hint of cleavage like a hummingbird. Also the less than subtle grind against you as he says it.

“Were you being a dick to get us alone?” you say.

A pause, this time. His voice wobbles a touch when he says, “No.”

You lean in. Catch the way his face tilts to meet you.

“I think you’re lying,” you say against his lips. “I think you want me alone, and I think you went all bratty so I’d feel ornery about it.”

His inhale stutters. A minute shiver runs through him. “And what would you do if you were, ahem, ‘ornery?’”

It’s mind boggling how much things’ve changed in the months since y’all met. Since the disastrous first days of…this. That you can be here now, with him, talking like this? It’s a minor miracle.

He’s so fully pressed into you you can feel his cock twitch even through the cotton trousers.

“Did you do all this so I’d fuck you?” you say. You cannot keep the smile off your face or outta your voice.

He finally cracks. Closes his eyes and runs his lips over yours. Drawls, “Maybe.”

“Is it the strap?” you say. He’d picked it out and purchased it in the city, and then the nice sex shop man showed you how to put it on and, well, implied how to use it. And clean it (that part was very explicit, detailed instructions.)

The tip of his tongue swipes your upper lip. His hands ghost up your sides.

“Would you?” he says.

He takes charge in the sheets. But he bought that dildo to use on him, and he seemed to enjoy it when you did (he whimpered as you fucked him).

You’re learning what you like in terms of dirty talk (it’s surprisingly graphic). He’s an excellent teacher. So you gird your loins, ignore the heat all the way down your neck, and open your mouth. “You want me to spread you wide on my cock and fuck you all better?”

He sucks in a gasp. “Gods, darling, yes.”

Then his lips crash into yours and you’re both stumbling towards y’all’s shared tent.

The rest on AO3 for very, very rated E reasons.

[mariacallous]

It’s telling that both Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais decided to end 2023 by releasing specials in which their comedy pivots to poking fun at the disabled. Could they be more obvious about finding new ways to punch down than targeting people physically unable to fight back?

In a false promise near the opening of his brand-new special and seventh for Netflix, The Dreamer, Chappelle boasts: “Tonight, I’m doing all handicapped jokes,” because “well, they’re not as organized as the gays, and I love punching down.”

Similarly, Gervais decides to have a bit of fun at how we’ve decided as a society to say “disabled” instead of “handicapped” and what that says about us, and suggests further in his special Armageddon, released on Christmas Day, that he’d mock Make-A-Wish kids if given the chance to make videos for them.

And, of course, both men take yet more cracks at the trans community.

Early in The Dreamer, Chappelle tells the audience trans people make him feel like he has to go along with them pretending, as if they’re method acting like Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman: “If you came here to this show tonight thinking that I’m gonna make fun of those people again, you’ve come to the wrong show,” only to keep going back on his word.

He says he hoped to “repair” his relationship with the LGTBQ+ community – by writing a play for them in which a black trans woman only identifies as the N-word to trip up liberals. He also jokes that if he went to jail in California, he’d identify as a woman so he could tell the other inmates to “suck my lady dick.”

But it’s all just jokes, right? Can’t we just take a joke? Have we lost our sense of humor? Or have they?

Earlier this month, we lost two pillars not just of the comedy community but of our American community writ, as Norman Lear and Tommy Smothers stood taller than most anyone and everyone else in television, standing up to the establishment and protesting the powers that be for the sake of civil rights and humanity.

Now we’re left with Chappelle and Gervais—two titans in terms of Netflix ratings and paychecks—who are fighting for… the right to utter slurs onstage and tell already marginalized people that their existence is a joke for reasons that are nearly impossible to divine. Especially when there’s so much in the world to talk about right now, that they’ve chosen anti-trans rights as their comedy cause célèbre is dispiriting. As Mae Martin said in their 2023 Netflix special, Sap: “Big multimillionaire comedians in their stand-up specials are, like, taking shots and punching down at a time when trans rights are so tenuous and slipping backwards.”

Lear and Smothers used their clout on TV to speak truth to power about America’s involvement in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, the hypocrisy of religion, racism, abortion, homosexuality and civil rights. While great trans comedians such as River Butcher and Jaye McBride resorted to releasing their stand-up specials straight to YouTube this year, which famous straight comedians can you recall sticking up for the rights of trans people in America?

It feels so frustrating to sit and watch comedians with the stature of Chappelle and Gervais devote so much of their time and energy to bullying the LGBTQ+ community when they could be doing anything else on stage. And then they have the temerity to question us, the audience, for not laughing with them.

For his part, Gervais willingly misdefines and misuses “woke” by suggesting, “if woke now means being a puritanical, authoritarian bully who gets people fired for an honest opinion or even a fact, then no, I’m not woke. Fuck that.” Is Nazism or transphobia an honest opinion that shouldn’t get you fired? He then claims in his closing bit that “all laughter’s good,” a concept that would be news to 2005-era Chappelle when he cut ties with Comedy Central precisely because he could hear racism in the laughs during a taping of Chappelle’s Show.

In his Grammy-nominated lecture to students at his alma mater, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, What’s In A Name?, Chappelle claimed: “The more you say I can’t say something, the more urgent it is for me to say it. It has nothing to do with what you’re saying I can’t say. It has everything to do with my right and my freedom of artistic expression.”

But that’s not comedy, either—much like Gervais’ admission in his special that as a university student, his idea of a joke was calling his mother and pranking her by saying he was hospitalized and potentially blind. Gervais said her mom could’ve had a heart attack, but in his mind, he remembers it now as “they could take a fucking joke, right?”

At least Sam Jay, in her 2023 HBO special Salute Me Or Shoot Me, wrestles with her conscience and moral compass over the use of certain words in her act and concludes that having empathy for others is key. “How do the rest of us get here? I don’t know… I’m not going to pretend that I have the answers,” Jay says, adding: “So we’re doing things like we’re policing words, but we’re not policing behavior.”

Anthony Jeselnik, who has built his comedy career on brandishing himself as an offensive caricature of a comedian, told fellow comedian and podcaster Theo Von earlier this year that too many stand-ups would rather get into trouble by saying the wrong thing instead of focusing on their job and saying funny things.

“People think — oh, as a comic your job is to get in trouble. But they don’t want to get yelled at. It’s like, it’s OK to make people mad, but they don’t want any push back. And I think that’s wrong,” Jeselnik said. “As a comedian, you want to make people laugh. This is a quote attributed to Andy Warhol that I love: ‘Art is getting away with it.’ You know, if you put out a special and everyone’s pissed, like, you didn’t get away with it. You know. You need to make everyone laugh that they’re like, ‘Yeah, he talked about some fucked up stuff, but we’re all happy.’ That’s art. Otherwise, you’re just a troll.”

Kliph Nesteroff, a comedy historian whose newest book is Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars, similarly told me last month that some while comedians see themselves sometimes as “philosophers” he believes they are “betraying their job description because you’re supposed to make people laugh, and philosophers are supposed to philosophize.”

Comedians may claim they can’t joke about anything anymore, but they joke about more now than ever before. The real problem with stand-up today is that too many comedians would rather kick people when they’re down, then lecture us on how we’re too sensitive for not laughing about it.

When Chappelle, Gervais or their acolytes have to incessantly explain that their jokes are just jokes, then they cease to be great comedians—or even comedians at all.

[danaduchy]

all texts from River

Willing to testify? Hey, V. It's River. Question - would you be willing to testify against Holt and Han? * Hey, River. Sure. Thanks. Might not be necessary - asking just in case. * Don't count on me. Can't stick my head out right now Too bad. But it's fine, I get it… I hate to say it, but… You were right all along What happened? Nothing much to tell. Testifying is a snooze-fest anyway. Ehhh, I know better ways to have fun ;) Don't doubt it - first time I saw you, I knew you had that kinda vibe…

Urgent: need your help Hey, V. There's this thing I really could use your help with. Heavy stuff. Please come to the Glen in the evening. Sending you the location now.

Waiting for you Hey, V. I'm at the market in Japantown. Come by when you're free. Lost track of you somewhere, but I found Christine Markov. Waiting for you. I'm at the address the CI gave us. Dump looks sketch. I'll wait for you. Waiting in front of the CI's store. It'd go a lot smoother if you were here… come over, alright?

Come here please Couldn't wait around any longer for you, V. Take care… V, where are you? I'm waiting… Hey, where are you? We don't have time - come back quick, please! Don't have time to wait for you, V. Randy's out there and he needs our help. Looks like I'm doing this alone… V, where are you? I'm waiting in the car…

Where are you?! V, where are you? We're losing time. Get back here, quick! I'm counting on you. Don't have time to wait for you, V. Randy's out there and he needs our help. Looks like I'm doing this alone… I can't believe you just left me like that - not a word, nothing. Doesn't change the fact that someone's still gotta save Randy, so I guess I'll do it without you. You truly know how to disappoint, V. I'd rather you stayed out of my life from now on. Goodbye.

Where are you??! Get back here! I don't know where you are, but I can't keep waiting. Thanks for your help till now, but I need to hurry up and find Randy… V, where are you? Heading back to the car. Get over here and help me, please! V, where are you? We have to save Randy, I need your help! Strange of you to leave at this particular time. I just hope Randy'll make it out alive… I'm heading back to that barn. Where are you?!? I don't know where you went, but I can't keep waiting. Randy needs help! You could've called quits at any other moment, V, but you chose that one? Well, guess what. Randy's dead. You and I are finished. You could've called quits at any other moment, V, but you chose that one? Thankfully, Randy's alive. Thought you might wanna know. Quick, get in the car! We need to go!!!

Need your help again ;) Hey, V, I'm gonna go visit Randy in the hospital and wanna buy him a present. Got any tips? * How should I know? He's not my nephew… * How about a new record? Some fresh tunes might cheer him up Good thinking. How about you? How're ya holding up? * I'm all right. Question is how you're handling all this… Still haven't decompressed after everything, but at least I'm not worried sick. Randy's alive and that's all that matters. * Been a rollercoaster of a ride lately, so biz as usual I guess. You? Manage to unwind yet? Which beer are you on right now? xD Still haven't gotten around to that, but I promise I'll drink one for you ;) What if I said you didn't have to? We should celebrate - just you, me - somewhere chilled, laidback… whaddaya think? ;) Now there's an idea! I'll keep it in mind ;) Alright then, take care, Riv. And tell Randy I said hi! How's your ride? Still in one piece? Banged it up pretty bad… Docs say she's in critical condition, but she'll pull through ;) * We could knock a few back together if you want… Well… how could I say no to that ;) Sweet. And tell Randy I said hi! Course I will. Take care of yourself, V! * I think it's about time I got to know the real River Ward… Hehe, well I think the real River and the real V would get along perfectly… I'll be in touch soon;) See ya later! And if you need anything, just holler.

Dinner at Joss's Hey V. Feel like swinging by Joss's for dinner? * Sure, be happy to join. Great! See you then! * Thanks for the invite, but have to catch you next time. Gotcha. Well, just gimme a call if you change your mind, k? I missed you, you know. * Missed you too. See ya soon then. * C'mon… hasn't been that long. * Me too, but now's not the best time. * Sorry, but definitely another time, yeah? Alright, another time then.

It's all fucked Harris is a corpse, V. I killed him and covered my tracks. Even if I don't fully understand why I did. This is goodbye. V, I just wanted to say… I'm really grateful for your help, even if we fucked it all up. I just… I have to forgive Harris, forget about what he did to Randy, put everything and everyone behind me. That includes you. I'm sorry Harris is a corpse. I killed him and covered my tracks. It's finally over… Goodbye, V. I know you couldn't care less, but Harris is a corpse. I iced him and covered my tracks. The nightmare's finally over… and this is goodbye.

Hope you had fun Hey V, hope everything's alright with you… Thanks for dropping by. I had a really good time :) I'm really glad you dropped by. Missing you already ;) * Yeah, it was cool That's good OK, maybe this isn't the best time… Lemme know when you wanna meet. * Thanks for inviting me. I had a nice time too. Your family's awesome Well my family thinks I've got an awesome friend ;) Joss says hi. You have no idea how nice it is to see her smile again… Thanks for everything, V. You should come over again soon :) Next time I'm buying dinner. See ya! Thanks, River. Take care. * We should do that again. Especially the second half of the evening… :P Oh, I'm all for a round two - I've already got some new ideas that'll drive you crazy ;) You'll be begging… Begging for more… But seriously - I've got a good feeling about this. And well… I'm just happy, like, dumb happy, you know? You're really amazing, V. Hey listen, about the thing with Johnny. I can imagine it must be pretty hard on you. If you ever need to talk, I'm here. * Thanks. That means a lot to me * Thanks, but don't worry. I'll figure something out Just remember you can always count on me. For anything Thanks, River. You too. We'll get El Chamuco next time :) Bye! Hmmm OK, guess you're busy… Hang in there, V

Hey V… I was tidying up the bedroom when I realized there's way more space here than I need all to myself. If you ever want to leave a few things at my place, feel free. Something cozy to slip into… or maybe just a box of grenades. You know, the usual ;)

Randy says hi! * Oh, you visited him at the hospital? What did he think of your gift? Loved it, actually. I mentioned it was your idea. Well… He sure tried to look like he enjoyed it. Gotta sharpen up my uncling skills pronto. * Always happy to help. With anything :) Anything, you say? I'll keep that in mind :) * Randy knows he can count on you That's what matters. Don't hesitate to hit me up. Whatever you need. * Hi Randy! :P How is he? Getting better, I hope? Yeah, he gets stronger every day. You have no idea how grateful we are. * Glad I could help. By the way - I was at the hospital and met the parents of those two boys we'd saved at the farm. They wanted me to thank you. * Randy's lucky to have a family like that. * For you, I'm available 24/7 :) 24/7? Don't think I won't pick you up on that! * Randy's lucky to have a cool uncle! Since we're exchanging niceties - I met the parents of those two boys we'd saved at the farm. They wanted me to thank you. * Good to know they're recovering. * Shame we managed to save only two of them… You shouldn't think like that. We did what we could. Oh, and I also met with Yawen. You know, the one from the lab. * I know, the one who's your ex. Ancient history. Exactly. * The lab? You'll have to refresh my memory. Yawen Packard. She helped us with the Peter Pan case. My ex, remember? * Reigniting the old flame, are we? You couldn't be more wrong. Someone else is on my mind these days. Don't know about that. I feel like too much is happening right now to even consider it. Good luck with that, River. She seemed like one of the good ones. Time will tell. Keep your fingers crossed, anyway. I'll see you around. * Right. How is she? I thanked her for helping us with Harris. She risked her job back then. Sends her regards. * Right. And how did you "thank" her, exactly? Oh my, V! Did I just smell a hint of jealousy there? * Maybe, maybe not, maybe fuck you? :P Haha! You have nothing to worry about, really. Promise. Hope to see you soon, V. * Jealous? For you? Gimme a break :D Not for me, for Yawen! She's a great catch - intelligent, stable job, doesn't leave dirty dishes in the sink… She's all yours for the taking! Seriously though, hope to see you soon. Take care, V. * That's nice of her, thanks So… Have a good one, V!

Weird dream You were in my dreams today, you know? * Hope I wasn't haunting you! …in a way. Wanna hear it? * Don't think I wanna know the details XD Think you can handle it? ;) * Don't know if I'm ready for that today. Shame… Thought you'd like that. * Hit me! Can't pass on an opportunity like that! Well, I woulda told you anyway. You were riding a motorcycle, jacked into it via smart link. Your every thought, every reaction were immediately picked up by the machine. Before a turn, the bike leaned to the side before you even thought about it. When you pushed on the throttle, it roared forward, eager to please and thrill you. Your thighs were clutching its metal body, your muscles pulsating with excitement as you dashed down the highway… You probably figured by now I was the bike in the dream. And then… then I woke up. What do you think? Who haunted whom? * Who are you and what have you done to River Ward XD That bad, huh? Well, you win some, you confuse some :) Time to park the bike in the garage. FOREVER. * Now I really wanna see that engine running ;) It's as good as the rider :D

help with name Hey, V. I could use your help with a tricky matter. Don't worry, the only thing needs saving this time is my dignity. Remember when I told you I considered becoming a PI? * Course. Still hoping to see that private dick in private action ;) Well now the private dick is blushing! * Sure I do. I'm gonna go for it. Feels like the right move for me. Combining the familiar with something new. And you played a part in it too, you know? And not a small one at that! Which is why I'd like for you to pick a name for my new enterprise. Whaddya say? * I'm sure you can come up with a good one. It's your business, after all. Come on. I've seen how creative you can get. Help me out on this one. Please? * Fine. But I thought all those years of interrogating people left you with more wit than that :P Phew. That's a load off my shoulders. I'll be waiting, then! Give me your suggestions, I will pick the right one. Simple as that. * Damnit. Fine. I'll think about it. * Sounds tempting, I'm in! But… But? I'll help you, but I need a list of suggestions. Ain't great at marketing, you know. Ugh. I'll bet your sweet ass I'm even worse at this! I will suggest the names and you pick one. I was actually counting on that. Got anything good? How about "Warning Shot PI" or "NC Crime Ward?" NC Crime Ward sounds good… How about "Private Sherlock?" :P Edgewood Findings PI." Or maybe "NC Crime Ward." "My Justice PI" or "NC Crime Ward." Oh, wow. Don't know what to choose now… "Warning Shot Private Investigations." For sure. Night City Crime Ward. For sure. Edgewood Findings Private Investigations. No doubt. My Justice Private Investigations. Really like that one. Hmm… * You don't like those? I do. A lot, actually. Just need to sleep on it now. * Hmm? I got some options, now I have to sleep on them. * Could sleep with me, you know ;) Was thinking the same thing ;) We're in touch! * Let me know :) I will. Unless I decide I don't like your suggestions, in which case I'll start actively avoiding you :P

Still thinking. * About me and my goods, I hope? Especially about your goods. * So much thinking… Poor, dry River! Laugh all you want. Thinking isn't exactly in the NCPD job description. Okay, two ideas right off the bat: "River Ward Patrol" or "Detective Hunch Private Investigations." Thoughts? * River Ward Patrol is funny. I like it. Hmm… Why? River… Ward… Patrol. It's not clear to you? Suits your personality. Trust me on this, baby! * Detective Hunch PI… That's cool. It really says everything about you, babe :) Carries a promise of a genuine detective. Right. Makes sense. Thank you, V, you helped me a lot! Already mentioned that you deserve a lot of credit for all of this. But I'll understand if you don't want to have anything to do with it. * Look, I'm happy for you, setting up a new business and everything. But really, it's your future, you should be the one making important decisions like that. * Sorry, River. Don't really have the time for this right now. Fine. I still like you, though. I like you too, you big dummy. More "big" than "dummy," I hope! I'll keep in touch about this. Let me know what you decided on!

Hey! I talked to my neighbors today and I got really inspired. I think I got it. Ready? Here goes… "Your Super-Detective Companion." I'll get a big, old-fashioned signboard and everything. What do you think? It's great, right? * The name won't matter once they see that handsome face of yours ;) Now that's a good answer if I ever saw one! You deserve a special kiss for that :* * Awesome! Matches you perfectly XD …you're messing with me now, aren't you? * Hey, you're a super-detective to me! :* * I'm totally not! It really is perfect. Damn, do I like you, girl :)

Official Private I - that's me! Guess what, V… Today, I founded my very own company! It's official! Night City Crime Ward | Warning Shot P.I. | Edgewood Findings P.I. | My Justice P.I. | River Ward Patrol | Detective Hunch P.I. | Your Super-Detective Companion Has a nice ring to it, don't ya think? You - a merc. Me - a P.I. Quite the pair and not all that unalike. We help the client find what they can't find themselves. * Yeah, true. Easy to get lost in the details Exactly. And I'd rather not dwell on those details… Or the old cop in me is gonna get antsy * Dunno… Somtimes its my job to keep things hidden See? We complement each other. That's good business ;) * A merc doesn't always need answers. Sometimes we go in blind Well, not even the lucky ones get to work with complete info… Still, see what you mean. But if I'm looking for a missing person, it'd be good to know if they don't wanna be found. Like a woman fleeing her abusive husband. * A problem solved for one client raises a new problem for another Not sure you have any idea just how many enemies I made in my service with the NCPD. I know a thing or two about replacing old problems with new ones :) * But I gotta say. Bein a merc, having flexible hours is quite the perk So you're on call 24/7? Hey, if you like it… :D * At least bein a detective means bein insured Right! Thanks for the reminder. Knew I forgot something… Btw, cross your fingers for me. Think I might have my first contract. Client has til the end of today to decide and give me the scoop. It's re: a disappearance, which is perfect. That's where I see myself focusing my effort. * Not gonna focus any of that effort on me? Hmmm… Now what could that mean… Wait, don't telll me, I'm a detective after all ;) * Only without any repeats of Peter Pan I hope. Gotta watch your back Nah, c'mon. Don't worry about little old me. Athough it is cute :) * Ever take a shower and just get lost in thought? Gonna be me today. Thinking about you… Oooh… well if you do get lost, I'll be there to find you. ;) Unfortunately gotta put down my phone for a bit, but we'll talk soon. Givin you kisses up down and all around. * Gonna miss hangin out while you're out there finding all the city's missing You're always at the top of my to-do list! Unfortunately truth is I do actually gotta go right now. Hang in there, V. Love ya lots!

Memories Sat for a spell on the water tower yesterday, you know the one. Couldn't stop thinking about last time. Us up there, that view… Never thought I was the puppy love type, but here we are… * Ah good times… No, wait… the best times. I'm glad you feel the same. I've been buried in this city for so long now it feels like, with you, I've finally dug my out, filled my lungs with fresh air for the first time. Does that make sense? It's such a strange, new, wonderful feeling I can't even describe it. * If you're gonna climb 50 feet for memories, just do me a favor and watch your step Haha! I may be falling for you, but not off that tower. Not now that I have someone in my life who can make me laugh again… And make me feel like I'm always soaring 50 feet above the earth :) Say, you ever think about your roots? Where you come from, where you're going, and all that? Just thinkin how my parents didn't and now I know so little about my ancestors. I've tried to connect with other people of the Pomo tribe here in NC but they're either all gone or they're like me and Joss - lost and detached. Heard there's strong community in NorCal but idk… maybe someday. * All that matters to me now is where I'm going and who I share the road with Maybe you're right. It's about where you choose to put down your own roots and who to build a life around. * I come from a world of cash grabs and power struggles. Not much else there to think on… * My old tribe… they're long gone. But the world keeps moving. It never stands still * My roots have always been right here in Night City. Used to think I knew what that meant, now I'm not so sure Yeah, why dwell on what's not yours anymore or never was. It's about where you choose to put down your own roots and who to build a life around. * That's you and me, River. We're one tribe now God dammit, V, I love you. Still can't believe the lucky bastard I am to have you * Prefer to focus on the here and now. The time to plant roots comes later Right. All anyone can do is seize the day. One day at a time. | Right. First we gotta get that squatter out of your head.

Sorry, can't take a holo right now, a little tied up. But hit me - what's up? Need your help * Got a sec? Could use your help * Got a moment for someone in need? Course, what's the issue? Straight to biz. Gotta admit it stings a little that I only get a sign of life when there's trouble. As much as I admire your directness, we really gotta work on our foreplay :) So tell me what's goin on * A couple acquaintances of mine found themselves in trouble. Talkin real bad * I met this pair, both are BARGHEST. Y'know, Dogtown goons. They're in a tough spot That's why I need 4 power generators Whoa whoa you need what? Generators…?? * Ahem… Word is the boys over Santo recently confiscated some generators… ;) I think I got just the thing… Hold on, need to think a sec. I always excpected we'd throw some fun surprises at each other. This… I did not expect. BUT that doesn't mean I'm any less willing to help! There's an evidence locker with some generators on file But you do remember I got kicked off the force, right? Surely you're not asking me to steal NCPD property or grease anyone's palms… * I'll be straight with you. This is a life or death situation. Fully serious Ahhh fuck it… ok. I've kept in contact with a couple friendly faces who still owe me a favor. I'll figure something out I'll get you those generators. I'll even toss in the fixer's delivery fee. They'll drop them in the dumpsters by the Coronado Bay movie theater. * Thanks, River. Seriously. You're a big softie at heart I know I know… :) Oh I know… Just don't tell anyone. No one's gonna hire a big softie for their hard-line detective :) <3 xo * You. Are. The. Best. What can I say - just like to help I like you, V. A fact you know how to use to your advantage. But dammit if that's not part of your charm ;)

Think about me sometimes? hey, how goes it? still think about me from time to time? * not right now, sorry. got a pretty demanding gig, need to stay focused. I respect that. Staying focused is staying safe. * I could use your input for this complicated gig I'm on right now If you wanna talk about, I'm here. Who knows, maybe I could even help… * I was actually thinking about you - my imagination was running wild until you interrupted me ;) Well now you HAVE to give me details…! * oh you know - just a cozy evening together :) Seeing as our ideas for a date match up, maybe we should set things in motion? * only thing you need to know is that whipped cream was involved… Well excuuuuse me… Instead of saying sorry, I could make it up to you by helping you reenact that scene in real life…? * my imagination, my biz ;) All good, understood. You've got your secrets, I've got one or two of my own ;) * there's still a lot I don't know. it's a complex sitch. I'll tell you everything later Not an appropriate subject for the holo, hm? I get it. * Definitely not. But maybe sometime over a drink…? * Definitely not right now. Eyes and ears everywhere. * well, I guess I'm basically a bodyguard. one-time thing, but with the potential for future cooperation. Just remember that no matter what the job is or who it's for - your safety's most important * Gig I'm on's pretty layered, complex - maybe another time…? I'll hit you up, don't worry ;) * can't spill detes, but it's not the best time. for now we'll have to settle for fantasies * let's leave it at that :) I'll catch up with you later, promise I get it. Do what you have to do. In my experience, sacrificing too much on someone's behalf rarely pays off. People's gratitude is usually shortlived and the money doesn't last forever. * I know, I know. I'll explain everything some other time. Course, I'll let you get back to it. We'll catch up later. Maybe over dinner, who knows ;) * No need for the lecture - I got this. Course, I never doubted you. I just hope we'll meet up soon to chat… Whatever happens, look after yourself :) * I'll try. you too - I'll make sure to check <3 * thanks. I just hope all's good between us. Next time just give me a sign, anything, that you're still alive…

Someone misses you! V! How've you been? * River! How've YOU been? Ha, good, good. But could always be better… * Pretty good, you? All's well, thanks. Although I'd love to hear you ask me that in person… * Can't complain. What, you miss me? :) Wow, good read. You ever thought about becoming a detective? :P You probably already guessed what this is all about… want to meet up? Catch up? * Definitely! Come by my megabuilding apartment :) Perfect! Be there in a flash! * What would you say to a house party in Northside? Great idea! Should I bring chips…? * Wanna meet in Japantown? Sounds great! I'll head out soon! * Yeah, swing by my place in the Glen! I'll clean myself up and be right over! * Hell yeah, come downtown to my pad in Corpo Plaza! It's settled then :) So, yeah… Ok! Can't wait! * Let's do it! Time to rock Dogtown! Haven't you heard what they do to the cops behind that wall? Do me a favor and keep us within NCPD jurisdiction :P * Today's not great for me… sorry :( Guess you'll have to keep missin me :P Ouch! Heartless! :P I'm sure we'll have better luck next time!

Hey, sweetie… Can I call you that? Sweetie? hmm… Maybe… you'd like to get together again? If you're not opposed… Hey, how's your day been? Mine's been full of thoughts of you :) Any chance you'd like to enjoy my humble company? Do you know how much I like you? T H I S M U C H I'd like to do something for you. Like… maybe visit? If you're looking to improve your day… maybe I can help? :) * You read my mind :) Come to my megabuilding apartment * Well aren't you adorable? :P Meet me in Northside Good thing I can't get speeding tickets ;) * I'd love that! Swing by Japantown! Sit back. I'll be there soon <3 * Can't say no to you! Come to my place in the Glen ;) Getting ready now. Me and the butterflies in my stomach :P * Let's meet downtown, Corpo Plaza <3 * Hmm… how about a dog day in Dogtown? ;) I… would prefer Night City, if I'm being honest :)

Hey there, beautiful :) You know, think it probably goes without saying at this point but… you bring light to my life, V. If you feel the same, just remember - one word and I'm at your doorstep <3 * I do. And I'll let you know when I'm free again, I promise! You have my number. I mean… obviously, haha. * You're sweet :) Can't wait to see you again soon Already counting the hours and seconds :) * Just remember to knock :P Ha, I'll need a signature knock then. Don't want you confusing me with a Buck-A-Slice delivery :D Well… talk later!

What's up, River? Got anything on your plate? Be nice to see you :) Hey, V! Work is pretty light right now. Can I come by your place? :) A lot of somethings on my plate right now, actually. :( But I'll let you know when I'm free!

You spoil me Haha, thanks for the gift, V. This thing is 100x better than my old police cruiser! V, what a romantic! Do these flowers smell like you too? Or is that just my wishful thinking? ;) * Just a pity I can't box up my kisses and send you those too :-* * y'know, you're the only gift I could ever ask for <3 I love you, babe <3 As for sharing memories, I'd love to tell you more about myself. But… by "dry" did you mean "sober"? * Well, y'know, a few drinks in and the eyelids get heavy. And I don't wanna miss a word ;) Say, just how much have you had to drink today, hm?? :P * Nah, just a joke about the water tower :P Haha, well I know other places too, you know :)

Unexpected trip outta NC Hey, just wanted to let ya know I'll be outta town a few weeks. Somethin suddenly came up Outta town? Without me? * If this trip was for pleasure, you'd already be packin your bags ;) I know, just kiddin around. But you'll be home quick, yeah? Do my best * Not missin much. This trip isn't exactly for fun Then why go? What's this about? Tell ya once I'm back. :) For now, gotta delta

Please? Can you pick up? Just pick up. I don't like to play games Where the hell are you? I'm turning NC upside down trying to find you… PICK UP THE HOLO Please I'm begging you Johnny…? Just one call, you owe me that much

Wanna grab a beer? V, feelin thirsty? Beer's on me. Wanted to bounce a thought off ya. and of course enjoy the company of the preemest woman in the city ;) Or… maybe you're working a big gig right now? V, everything ok? I'm trying to call, can you please answer? Hey, checking in. It's been a few weeks… Hey again, starting to get real worried now. You said just a few weeks and that was half a YEAR ago Make that a full year… what the hell? 17 missed calls from River Ward

[starberry-cupcake]

I have made up from last time that was about only one chapter, this time we have 5 in a row. We finished act one, fam!

previously, in harrowbean the ninth:

this happened

I want to also thank you for all your nice comments and replies, I read every single one, I promise ♥

ch. 7 to 11 summarized terribly, here we go:

it's time to cross the river

difficult task to perform

as someone who lives literally surrounded by rivers, in every direction, I can relate

my rivers don't carry ghouls though, as far as I know

I mean, there are ghost and cryptid legends, but not ghouls that stick to the windshield of a spaceship like bugs

like these ones do

so harrow and yandere twin aren't doing fantastic

yandere twin loses it in like the first 2 seconds

harrow sees the ghosts of all the ninth kids who died for her to be alive

there's water also, but that part sounds very relaxing, actually

getting covered by water but not needing to breath

I'd be there forever tbh

but we can't, because ghoulies

mercygirl is still doing sound effects like kronk

btw we're changing her name to mercygirl because it's what I've been calling her now

I have been told by a number of you that mercygirl is your camilla so I apologize for disrespecting your blorbina

I might do it again, if the situation arises, though

mercygirl is piloting the ship and emperor the fool is just chillin' until he realizes harrow is walking about and doing theorems, which they didn't think she'd be in a state to do, so they didn't tell her not to do it

these people half-assing plans, who would have thought

mercygirl calls the emperor john

emperor johnnyboy tries telling harrow to come back from her state because she's in too deep and it's becoming dangerous

mercygirl stars talking about the death of cassiopeia (another name that's easy to remember)

says cassiopeia had a ceramics collection, which makes her worthy of all my respect

harrow was thinking "five", idk what it's about

next thing we know, we're back to our gideonless retelling of gideon

in this version, teacher explains things

he says the house was inhabited previously by "ten normal human beings of the Resurrection, though half were blessed already with necromantic gifts"

I'm tired of MATH

he says they left blueprints, he tells them about the Sleeper, he tells them how not to awaken it, he tells them about the trap door, he tells them what's under the trap door, he asks them to work together...

you know what this is like

it's like reading gideon was entering a new game and skipping every tutorial they give you

and reading this is like clicking every NPC's info and reading all that they say

ANYWAY, here is where ortus 1...

wait, this is going to be confusing

I want to call ortus from the ninth "ortus 1" and the new guy "ortus 2"

because ninth ortus was the first to show up

but new ortus is actually older and also is ortus the first

we're gonna go with ortus and lyctor!ortus, for now

so, as I was saying, this is were ortus starts becoming much more insistent in these "flashbacks" about him not being the right choice

which, he's not wrong

we know he's not wrong

and harrow is saying stuff like "unless you can summon matthias nonius" (matthias nonius is becoming a recurrent thing, let's remember harrow compared gideon to him at one point)

and ortus goes "I don't understand why you chose me" to which harrow says "there was nobody else" and ortus exasperatedly says "you never did posses an imagination"

VERY IMPORTANT THING

a skeleton turns around when they're walking and says "is this how it happens?"

we'll come back to that shortly

REMEMBER IT

(I know you all remember it, you've read this already, just act like I'm dora the explorer and play along)

next chapter starts in not!dulcinea's funeral

I'm sad I used the oliver queen grave meme already, I can't use it again to express my feelings

I'm gonna use the steel magnolias scene where they laugh at the funeral instead

so, we are introduced to the famous augustine who's name I will remember

there's some conversation about first and second generations and about not!dulcinea being chosen, and Emperor Johnny Bravo says "we were all there to meet her, all sixteen of us"

MORE MATH

I guess she was the last one of these, but maybe we knew that already, I feel we knew that already

apparently, not!dulcinea was the most reluctant to slurp her cavalier, but that didn't stop any of them, not even her, so

Emperor Johnny Quest says "for god's sake" and harrow thinks "the god who became a man and yet still invoked himself, apparently"

when she's right, she's right

that's better commentary than I could make

I have to respect augustine a little bit because he asked "which one of the kiddies did her in?" and I thought that was hilarious

he is called the saint of patience, which makes my previous comment about them being named via sarcasm very correct

it's like captain planet or the power rangers but chosen as funnily as possible

they start summoning lyctor!ortus by saying that he's interested in "you-know-what", which is both suspicious and childish and the vibes of these lyctors are all over the place

augustine thinks something's wrong, which is an understatement at this point, but ok

lyctor!ortus comes in as if summoned by the gossip and harrow calls him "the next terrible part of your life" which is saying something

lyctor!ortus comes with news of the seventh beast or whatnot that's trailing them

harrow bleeds from her ears and smashes her head on the next available surface to pass out

the mood

who could blame her

this lyctor job is terrible

it's like the end of drop dead gorgeous and harrow is kristen dunst

I'm not explaining that, in case you haven't watched a classic

we are back to the "flashbacks" and we've got a special appearance from the fifth

*studio audience claps and cheers*

they say they prefer to look into books than going downstairs, which is something one would consider if one had known what the fuck was downstairs from the start

abigail also does sound effects like mercygirl, it's catching on

abigail finds a piece of a recipe note that mentions an M and a Nigella

still no G&P

we know nigella is the cav of cassiopeia, the ceramics collector

I remember nigella's name because of the cook, which makes it funnier that it's a recipe

M could be mercygirl

abigail also gives harrow a note

abigail says that she'd like to summon the ghost of a lyctor but she's not sure how that could work or where they go when they die

ortus, magnus and abigail, in this gideonless version, are a polycule

I am convinced of that

while they're talking, magnus says "is this really how it happens?"

REMEMBER I SAID WE'D BRING THAT BACK

IT'S BACK

abigail starts telling harrow that she's got the energy of a lot of dead kids in her and harrow storms out

harrow gets angry when ortus calmly agrees about things and she doesn't want to look into why

I WONDER WHY THAT IS

harrow looks at abby's note again and now there's text on it

it's a longer version of the note she found before

it's a rant

it mentions dead eggs, implantation, some guy being sent after the OP, said guy taking pity on OP

OP is mad about all of this and doesn't use punctuation

what ortus reads isn't what harrow reads, once again

NOW THIS BIT

"ortus, I need a cavalier with a backbone" "You always did and I am glad, I think, that I never became that cavalier"

the gideon points keep adding up

harrow then goes to sleep and is like this

final thing in act I, in chapter 11, is harrowbean stabbing not!dulcinea again, which

always make sure, it's like resident evil in here

just in case, let's stab her a bunch of times

so, are these "flashbacks" happening in real time whenever harrow isn't conscious?

is it her trying to remember what actually happened?

or is it her trying to hide it?

was there actually a longer period of time between the defeat of not!dulcinea and the emperor Jon Arbuckle coming to pick them up?

a period of time in which harrow learned things that made her write those letters?

and in which something happened regarding gideon?

is the note of the implantation also related?

why was gideon born in space?

of course I'm not asking you, please don't spoil anything, I'm just asking the void of desperation and chaos right now

we'll see if any of this gets answered soon or if I just get more questions

also, guess who wasn't mentioned

see you on the next one!! I'll try to get back to the awesome replies I've been getting soon ♥

[comickergirl]

I thought it would be kinda cool to try and make a tier list with my own drawings and, in hindsight, that was maybe too ambitious, given I had more manga titles this year and less free time for fanart, but regardless, here we are! Gonna hide additional thoughts on some of the books under a read-more for the terribly curious. XD

Going in order from top to bottom, left to right:

Snow White with the Red Hair: ...No. There is too much to say. I'll need to return to this some other time. XD (Actually I'm gonna skip the other 2023 titles on the tier list as well)

King in Limbo: LOVED this one. Possibly one of my favorite that I read this year. (Am I biased because it takes place in San Francisco? MAYBE SO.) Really great sci-fi series with a crime/murder mystery element, and Rune and Adam make for a great mismatched 'buddy comedy' duo. Also... *cough* Am I excited for the Your Forma anime? Yes. Do I think King in Limbo did the same plot but better and first? Also yes. *cough*

QQ Sweeper/ Queen's Quality: Look this title has everything, okay? Action, romance, comedy, horrifying nightmare monsters, tips on window cleaning, what more could you want, really?

Wolf's Daughter: A Werewolf's Tale: THANK YOU SEVEN SEAS FOR LICENSING THIS FOR PRINT THIS YEAR!

Library Wars: Admittedly I'd tried this one a handful of times before and struggled to get into it (also I don't care for the anime) BUT. I told myself to stick with it and lo and behold, loved it. Such a charming cast of characters.

Immortal Rain: I recall encountering this in either middle school or high school and loving the art, but I don't think I read past volume one. Really enjoyed reading the whole series through.

Wolf and Revolver: How can an unlicensed title rank this high, you ask??? V I B E S

Rose of Versailles: Listen I felt genuine anxiety over the fate of Marie Antoinette and if that isn't the mark of a skilled storyteller right there, I don't know what is.

Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom: IT'S SO CUTE AND CHARMING and way funnier than I thought it would be??? Also reminded me of The Thief and the Cobbler a fair bit, in terms of tone and art.

From Far Away: Feel like this had a bit of a slow start but the main draw, in my opinion, is Noriko. She’s such a sweet, determined heroine.

Children of the Whales: I actually have some nitpicks with this one, story-wise, BUT. It’s so impressive from an artistic standpoint and unique in its world building that I just gotta give it to ‘em, you know?

The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love: How can a manga with only two volumes out rank this high, you ask? IT'S ADORABLE. XD In all seriousness, I love that it’s a ‘fish out of water’ story that doesn’t infantilize the woman so that the guy can save her with his worldly ways. Refreshing! And I say again: so. Heckin’. CUTE.

The rest of the titles all tend to fall in the same sort of, ‘I liked this!’ area for me, except fooooor….

Fushigi Yuugi: Listen LISTEN, it ranks real low and I’ve got complaints about the plot and pacing BUT. I’m glad I read it and would like to someday dive into the sequels because it is clearly a genre-defining staple. Maybe I’d like the anime better?? (I liked the first volume of the latest spin-off! XD)

SECRET BONUS ROUND! Most of these had a physical edition of their first volume drop at the tail end of the year and as such, felt a bit too last minute to draw, but they generally all fall in the ‘solidly entertaining’ tier:

Stomp, Kick, Love Blade Girl Love, That’s an Understatement Agents of the Four Seasons* In Another World, My Sister Stole my Name*

(*These came out less recently but I forgot to write them down! XD)

SECRET BONUS ROUND: 2023 EDITION! These didn’t make it onto my illustrated list that year but I *have* read ‘em:

Red River (Note: If I had to pick a soap-opera-esque, sprawling, vaguely historical isekai fantasy, I prefer this to Fushigi Yuugi) Prince Freya

SECRET BONUS ROUND: SHONEN/SEINEN EDITION! Nozaki Kun Your Forma Dahlia My Dear Detective Noragami Tropic of the Sea Opus Seraphim The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store The Golden Sheep

And there we go! :D