#i am very honoured and happy about it. i jump up and down in my enclosure

[first-blight]

tag game time! tagged by @shadowcursedballs (thank you!) to use this picrew (click here)

woe, rhidian be upon ye! without their neck tattoos and neck scar, but close enough :] i decided to have a little fun and do a beginning vs middle comparison (hair and clothes for end didn't quite satisfy me, unfortunately)

tagging @emeraldgroves @strixhaven @meowstarion @opaleyedprince @spiderslyre and whoever sees and wants to do it!!! <3

[whumptober]

Whumptober 2023

Welcome to Whumptober 2023 — the sixth year running!

COMPLETIONISTS/PARTICIPANT BADGES CAN BE FOUND HERE

To those of you who participated last year, welcome back! To everyone joining this year, welcome!

Please make sure to read the Event Info carefully, as most of your questions will be answered there already. For everything else, you are welcome to come to our ask box or ask questions in our Discord server here.

This year’s AO3 Collection can be found here.

And this years playlist can be found here.

There are 139 prompt options in total this year - this is including the alternatives list! A special thanks goes out to those who took part in our trope vote back in July. From the 1526 responses to our list of 223 tropes, we looked through the popularity results, as well as your honourable mentions, and were able to produce this years prompts list. Stay tuned, as we will be posting some of the results at a later date!

We’re very excited to see the community come together once more and be a wild, chaotic bunch of creators and consumers of whump. Go wild with the prompts, and support your fellow creators - we wish you all the fun!

Best of luck and happy whumping,

Mods Vanne, Yenn, Kitty and Surro

(All 31 Themes + Prompts, Event Information and FAQs are posted below the cut!)

Whumptober 2023 Prompt List

No. 1: “But now this room is spinning while I’m trying just to fill in all the gaps.”

Safety Net | Swooning | “How many fingers am I holding up?”

No. 2: “I’ll call out your name, but you won’t call back.”

Thermometer | Delirium | “They don't care about you.”

No. 3: “Like crying out in empty rooms; with no-one there except the moon.”

Journal | Solitary Confinement | “Make it stop.”

No. 4: “I see the danger, It’s written there in your eyes.”

Cattle Prod | Shock | “You in there?”

No. 5: “You better pray I don't get up this time around.”

Debris | Pinned Down | “It's broken.”

No. 6: “Do or die, you’ll never make me; Because the world will never take my heart.”

Recording | Made to Watch | “It should have been me.”

No. 7: " “I paced around for hours on empty; I jumped at the slightest of sounds.”

Alleyway | Radio Silence | “Can you hear me?”

No. 8: “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier.”

Overcrowded ER | Outnumbered | “It’s all for nothing.”

No. 9: “Learning everything ain't what it seems, that's the thing about these days.”

Polaroid | Mistaken Identity | “You're a liar.”

No. 10: “Can’t you see that you’re lost without me?”

Broken Phone | Stranded | “You said you'd never leave.”

No. 11: “All the lights going dark and my hope’s destroyed.”

Animal trap | Captivity | “No one will find you.”

No. 12: “I haven't slept in days but who's counting?”

Red | Insomnia | “I’m up, I’m up.”

No. 13: “It comes and goes like the strength in your bones.”

Cold Compress | Infection | “I don’t feel so good.”

No. 14: “Feed me poison, fill me ‘till I drown.”

Flare | Water Inhalation | “Just hold on.”

No. 15: “I don't need you to help me I can handle things myself.”

Makeshift Bandages | Suppressed Suffering | “I’m fine.”

No. 16: “Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”

Gurney | Flatline | “Don’t go where I can’t follow.”

No. 17: “You’re the lump in my throat and the knot in my chest.”

Collar | Touch Aversion | “Leave me alone.”

No. 18: “I tend to deflect when I’m feeling threatened.”

Blindfold | Tortured For Information | “Hit them harder.”

No. 19: “I’ll take one final step, all you have to do is make me.”

Floral Bouquet | Psychological | “I’m not as stupid as you think I am.”

No. 20: “People don’t change people, time does.”

Blanket | Found Family | “You will regret touching them.”

No. 21: “See the chains around my feet.”

Vows | Restraints | “Don't move.”

No. 22: “They never saw us coming, ‘til they hit the floor.”

Glass Shard | Vehicular Accident | “Watch out!”

No. 23: “It’s gonna get me by the end of the night.”

Shadows | Stalking | “Who’s there?”

No. 24: “I’ve got a head full of chemicals; mouth full of ridicule.”

Goodbye Note | Neglect | “I thought they were with you.”

No. 25: “You’re not delivering a perfect body to the grave.”

Storm | Buried Alive | “They’re not breathing!”

No. 26: “Sometimes I get so tired; I don’t even know myself.”

Seeing Double | Working To Exhaustion | “You look awful.”

No. 27: “You drew stars around my scars; But now I’m bleeding.”

Matches | Scars | “Let me see”

No. 28: “We might not make it to the morning; so go on and tell me now.”

Bloody Knife | Sacrifice | “You'll have to go through me.”

No. 29: “I only sink deeper the deeper I think.”

Scented Candle | Troubled Past Resurfacing | “What happened to me?”

No. 30: “It’s okay, just to say, ‘I’m not okay’.”

Borrowed Clothing | Bridal Carry | “Not much longer...”

No. 31: “I thought that I was getting better.”

Emptiness | Setbacks | “Take it easy.”

Alternatives List:

Betrayal

Aftermath of Failure

Brass Knuckles

Decoy

Body Modification

Playing Cards

Examination

Hunting

Drugging

Shaking

Panic

Broken

Miscommunication

Lab Rat

Reluctant Whumper

Event Info & Rules

~ Please read our extensive event info posts before sending us an ask ~

WHUMPTOBER is a month-long, prompt-based creation challenge (think: Inktober, but whumpier). There are 31 official themes this year - one for each day of the month - which can be used, skipped, or combined in any way you’d like. The 'theme' of each day is the line of lyrics.

The prompts are merely to serve as inspiration without being taken literally (e.g. you don’t have to include the exact wording of prompts into your work). Feel free to run rampant on interpretation. For example, if the prompt is "flame", you could create something with reference to a candle/campfire, your character could have suffered a burn, or the flame could be related to the 'spark' of a relationship. It's truly up to you!

In total, there are 4 prompts for each day: there's lyrics, an object, a trope and a line of dialogue to choose from.  We want to give everyone as much creative freedom as possible, as well as increase event accessibility for folks with triggers and squicks.

Creators can PRODUCE work in any media they choose, including but not limited to: writing, visual artwork, photo/video/audio edits, paper crafts and elaborate recommendation lists (not just a list of links). Creators can PARTICIPATE as much or as little as they want (i.e. you don’t have to do ALL the prompts if you don’t want to) and prompts can be used in any order. They are also free to use even after the event ends.

When uploading Whumptober content to your blog, be sure to tag the with:

#whumptober2023 …..(the event tag)

#no.1, #no.2, #no.3, …..(day number)

#lyric, #bruises, #stabbing,  …..(the theme or specific prompt you chose)

#fandom or #OC, … (ironman, originalcontent, oc …)

#medium …..(gifs, fic, podcast, art, etc.)

#teeth, #gore tw, #etc …..(trigger warnings & any additional tags. Add "tw" AFTER the trigger/content warning. )

#nsfwhump …..(only for nsfw content)

#your own tags go here

PLEASE BE DILIGENT WITH YOUR TAGGING. Only properly tagged posts are considered for archiving on the official @whumptober-archive blog. They must be tagged in the order above. An elaborate post about our tagging system can be found [here]

Unfortunately, due to the sheer number of participants in recent years, we cannot guarantee your work will be archived. A random selection of properly tagged posts from all genres will be reblogged each day.

Whumpers who produce content for 31 total theme days are considered event completionists and will be tagged in a masterpost at the end of the month. A form will be published at the beginning of November asking you to tell us if you completed the event. You do not need to post anything you have created, we rely on trust and we will not check this.

Questions not addressed in one of our many event info posts can be directed to this blog. We will not answer any questions that have been answered in the FAQs or rules already.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does this year’s prompt list work? What do I have to choose?

You can create something based on:

The overall theme/lyric of the day

Prompt 1, 2 or 3

One or several of the alternative prompts

A combination of the above

Q. Is [specific anything] allowed?

When in doubt: JUST DO IT!

Q. Do I have to do all 31 days?

Participate as much or little as you like! Just be sure to tag your posts properly (ex. #no.7, #radio silence). If you create works for 31 total theme days you will become a completionist. But apart from that, there are no repercussions if you don’t fill prompts for each day.

Q. Can I post early/late?

Yes, you can post whenever you want. We will only reblog posts during October, but you can use our prompts all year round. The day you post will only affect your probability of being reblogged.

Q. Will you reblog my post?

Due to the sheer number of content posted during Whumptober we can’t promise to reblog every single post. We will make a random selection trying to capture a wide variety of content. The following will increase your chances at being reblogged:

tag your post properly

post within 2-3 days of the theme you want to fill: if you fill the prompt for Day 1 your chances of being reblogged during October 1st to 3rd are highest and will go towards zero afterwards.

Q. What if I don’t understand a prompt/theme?

Send us an ask! We’re happy to help with wild, unhelpful clarifications or brainstorming. That being said, the themes are entirely up for interpretation. Don’t take them too literally. For example: You can be choking on a cherry, someone else can choke you or you could be choked up on emotions, etc.

Q. What kind of content can I make? Can it be NSFW?

This is a MIXED MEDIA event! You can write fic, post meta, doodle or paint, create a gifset or photo edit, link a song, or get crafty with video - anything goes. As for NSFW, make what you like, we just hope that you’ll tag your work accordingly so that others participating in the event can stay safe.

Q. Can I combine Whumptober with other creation challenges?

Absolutely, as long as the other challenges allow it too.

Q. Can I upload/repost my Whumptober content to other social media platforms?

Of course! You can post your own content wherever you like (or you can opt to not publish it at all). Additionally we’ve created an AO3 Collection to archive any fics posted there. It can be accessed here. The tumblr blog @whumptober-archive is the official archive, so please respect the boundaries of any closeted whumpers in your social circle.

Q. Can I use prompts to write a new chapter for an existing fic?

Yes.

Q. An existing fic I am currently writing contains many of the Whumptober prompts, can I use it?

If you are actively writing this fic at the moment with the Whumptober prompts in mind, yes. If you’ve previously posted something that checks the boxes, we ask that you not include it retroactively for this current year. You can, however, add new chapters relating to one or more of the prompts.

Q. What kind of characters can I write for?

Fandom characters, OC characters, human, furry, alien, cyborg, RPF, whoever you like. You can use the generic “whumpee” character or have specific ones.

Q. Does it have to take place in a specific fandom?

No, you can create works for your own worlds or for fandoms or for both. You can also create more generic or pan-fandom works. You can do cross-overs or use OCs, whatever you want.

Q. Can I use a prompt multiple times?

Yes, but it only counts once towards being a completionist.

Q. If I’m not comfortable with one day’s prompts can I use a prompt of a different day as a substitute and still be a completionist?

No, you can’t exchange prompts for different days. However, if all four prompts of a specific day make you uncomfortable, we have created an alternate prompts list that you can draw from. You can exchange any prompt with these, but please make sure not to use them twice.

Q. Where can I post my work?

Post where and how you want. You don’t have to (cross)post it to Tumblr or at all. Just keep in mind if it’s not on Tumblr we will not be able to add it to the blog archive.

Q. Can I start posting early?

You can, but this is an October event and wouldn’t it be more fun with everyone doing it at the same time? That being said, you can post early, but we won’t be reblogging any work predating October 1st.

Q. Do I have to finish a fic I started/can I post WIP’s?

Yes you can post WIPs. And you’re not obligated to finish it in October for it to count towards being a completionist.  

Q. Is co-writing allowed?

Yes, absolutely, and it would count towards being a completionist for both/all of you.

Q. Do I have to create 31 standalone pieces to be considered a completionist or can I write one continuous story?

One continuous story is fine.  The challenge is to write something for 31 prompts. If that’s spread over 31 fics or just one, you are still considered a completionist. (The same goes for every other media you choose.)

Q. Is there a min/max limit on word count?

There is no limit.

Q. Can I combine prompts? Is there a limit on how many?

No limit and combine as many as you’d like.

Q. Is a hc/angst/emotional whump focus ok?

Of course! We are not going to establish a threshold for whumpiness. If you think it’s whumpy enough, then it’s whumpy enough. It can be physical, psychological, emotional, or any combination of the three.

Q. What’s considered nsfw?

See this post

Q. What is whump?

Typically the genre includes situations where a fictional character is hurt, be it emotionally, psychologically, or physically. Fanlore provides information here.

Q. My interpretation of the prompt isn’t whumpy at all, does that count?

If you don’t think your interpretation is whumpy, then it doesn’t count for Whumptober. Remember that whump comes in many forms, though, and that we don’t have a whump-checker or a threshold for how much whump needs to be included. If you think your interpretation contains enough whump to count, then it does.

Q. Can I start working on the prompts before October?

Absolutely! That’s why we post the prompts a month in advance. We recognise how difficult it can be creating for 31 days in “real time” so feel free to start creating early!

Q. How do I tag triggers?

tw at the end of the word, ex. #gore tw

Q. Do I have to use your tags?

Yes, if you want your work archived on the blog. If not, feel free to use whatever tags you want. 

Q. Does combining prompts count towards completion?

Yes

Q. Can we @ you?

Yes but we mostly rely on the #whumptober2023 tag.

Q. Is there anything we are absolutely not allowed to write?

There are no rules, but please make sure to properly tag your trigger warnings. And keep in mind Tumblr’s policies if you are posting it here (or the policies for whatever site you use).

Q. Where can I go for brainstorming help?

Here on Discord or come into our ask box.

Q. My characters are minors, is that ok?

Yes, but as with everything else, use clear and descriptive tags.

Q. Can I cross post on other blogs?

Yes, multiple platforms and blogs are perfectly acceptable. You can also post different works to different accounts under different names, without posting them everywhere at once.

Note: This is a creation challenge, please don’t repost your old work under our tags (unless it’s been changed or edited for the event).

Thanks for reading, and happy whumping!

[vivwritesfics]

Hi my love 🫶🫶🫶🫶

First of all, love you

Second of all LANDO FUCKING NORRIS WON THIS FUCKING RACE

I was having a heart attack from the second he took the lead until he finished it lol

SO IN HONOUR OF THIS ICONIC WIN

Lando and reader celebrating his win in miami and just fluff and cuteness

And bonus of kiss on camera (bonus bonus points if they are not kinda public? Like nit very out there with pda and lando jaut not giving a fuck and damn near make out, maybe one of those cute ones where they pumps nose??)

I AM SO HAPPY 😭😭🫶🫶❤️❤️🥹

She leapt over the barrier. Yeah, you're not supposed to do that, but nobody was stopping her. Several members of the McLaren team helped her to get over the barrier (because God knows she couldn't have done it on her own).

Lando didn't notice at first, too busy getting congratulated by Daniel. But, when he turned himself around to pump his fist at the crowd, she was there. She was running towards him.

His arms were open in just enough time for her to run into them. Suddenly they were jumping, spinning in a circle as they jumped up and down.

"You did it! You did it! You did it!" She cried through tears.

She looked at her boyfriend, her F1 race winner boyfriend! This was something he'd been wanting for so fucking long now, since before they'd met. And, after 110 races, 15 podium and five fucking years, it finally happened.

She kissed him. Not caring much about the cameras on him, she grabbed his sweaty face and pulled it towards her own, full on kissing him in front of the cameras. She pulled away just slightly, but Lando was pulling her back, nose bumping against her own as his tongue licked into her mouth.

(It was certainly unprofessional, certainly too much for Formula One).

But they didn't take it further than that. Lando's face was red when he pulled away, and he could see the embarrassment written on her own. Tears were in her eyes as she smiled at him and Lando pulled her into his chest.

He held her there as she cried happy tears against his chest. Lando turned towards the crowd, his arm around her, keeping her hidden as she cried. But she was just so damn happy. He pumped his fist and the crowd cheered.

"I love you," she whispered. "I love you, I love you, I love you."

"This one's for you, baby," he whispered.

But there wasn't a chance for them to say much else to each other. A steward or FIA official or whoever was pulling her away so that Lando could get weighed and taken to the cool down room, and get his trophy.

She was there, screaming up at the podium as he got his trophy. Her heart was in her mouth when he threw it into the air. And, as he was doused with champagne, Max and Charles concentrating their spray of champagne, she'd never been so proud of him.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Office Space 4

Warnings: this fic will include elements, some dark, such as noncon/dubcon, and other untagged triggers. Please take this into account before proceeding. It is up to curate your online consumption safely.

Summary: you’re an assistant to private and corporate investigator, Nick Fowler, and find yourself brought into the fold of his shady professional life. 

Characters: Nick Fowler, Jonathan Pine, this reader is known as Elfie.

Author’s Note: Please feel free to leave some feedback, reblog, and jump into my asks. I’m always happy to discuss with you and riff on idea. As always, you are cherished and adored! Stay safe, be kind, and treat yourself💜

💼Part of the Bad Bosses AU💼

“Well, it has been a day, has it not?” Pine frightens you as he emerges. You pop your head up, your vision squiggly with the imprint of a spreadsheet. 

“Sir,” you straighten up to see him past the monitor. 

“Hmm, and when do you let out, darling? Surely Nicolas wouldn’t have you pent up on a Saturday such as this?” He makes a show of checking his watch. You give a sheepish smile and run your thumb along the space bar. 

“Soon.” 

“I’m sure.” His tone is unimpressed. “I did say I owed you for the tea.” 

“Oh, that’s--” 

“I do like to follow through and I must admit, aside from our mutual acquaintance, I am not very familiar with this city. I would not complain for company.” He twists on his heel and struts to Fowler’s office door. The knock has you strangled in the fraught silence that follows. 

Pine sighs and leans on the door frame. He clucks impatiently and raises his hand again. You sink down to hide behind the screen. 

“Jonathan,” Fowler greets. 

“Hello, I was just packing up for the day and I noticed your lovely assistant is still hard at work.” Pine intones 

“How observant,” Fowler snorts. 

“Well, I think she’s due for her release and since I’ve promised her recompense--” 

“Recompense?” 

“Ah, yes, she has been a gracious host. You may learn a thing or two.” Pine’s chuckle sets you on edge. Even behind the shield of the computer you feel your boss’ roiling irritation. 

“I forgot about you sort and your pints.” Fowler spits the last word. 

“If she is so inclined, a pint is in order, but she does seem to be more of a sophisticated type, though perhaps not so much as you and your vintages, eh?” 

Fowler huffs. “I thought you came for work.” 

“What is work without fun? Let the poor thing go. On my honour, I’ll keep it on the up and up,” Pine insists. 

Silence. “Elf, didn’t I promise you a work dinner? For all your hard work, of course?” 

You’re happy neither of them can see the surprise rippled in your forehead. You wipe it away quickly and peek up above the monitor frame. You force a smile. Fowler’s icy blue eyes chill you to the bone as Pine turns with a coy crook of his brow. 

“I think... yes. Um, but, er...” 

“Least I can do,” Fowler smirks. “I’d hate to be rude. You don’t mind if my colleague joins us? He is new in town and all?” He looks at Pine who returns his challenging glint. For a moment, they stare at one another. 

“I should hate to presume...” Pine says. 

“It’s okay,” you say a bit to quickly for your brain to process. You bite down on a cringe and clear your throat, “but if you’d rather catch up, we can do it another time.” 

“Sounds like a plan. My treat.” Fowler insists with a defiant tilt of his chin. 

“Right, okay.” You sit back as he retreats into his office and Pine hums. You click around on your screen as you try to figure out what just happened. You’d rather just go home but it would be rude to say so. 

As you double-check the autosave, Pine’s shadow comes to loom from the other side of the desk. You glance up with a sheepish smile as you sign-out and push your chair back. You bend to grab your purse from under the desk. 

“Your boss has ever been a rather stormy man, hm? Though you’d have laughed to see him on my side of the pond. He mightn’t admit it but he was rather fond of a pint or two. Perhaps a bit too fond. It may just be the reason for his recent aversion.” Pine laughs and you do your best to humour him. 

“I don’t really drink beer. Makes me feel bloated but I have some drinks now and again. Last night, I had some with a few friends. Nothing wild but it was nice.” 

“And he made you come in today?” He tuts. “How cruel. Well, never worry, I shall endeavour to make our own working relationship less than burdensome.” 

“It’s work. Really.”  

You leave him to turn off the printer room lights and as you come back, he leans on your desk. He watches you with his soft blue eyes. “Old friends?” 

“Some of them. We... we work in the same field.” 

“PI work?” He wonders. 

“Oh, no. We—we’re all personal assistants or secretaries or whatever. Couple of us met in college, others at work, a few randomly. Guess we just ended up together.” You come around the desk and seal your lips against a yawn that flutters your lashes. 

“Alright, let’s go.” Fowler snaps his office door behind him as he marches out. “Remember that steakhouse I mentioned, Elf?” 

Nope. You don’t think he’s ever talked about a steakhouse or anything fun with you. If you didn’t bring him most of his meals, you might think he doesn’t eat at all. He is inhuman enough that he might subsist on resent alone. 

“Uh, I think so,” you lie. 

“You’ll like it. Wagyu is their seasonal special.” He surpasses Pine and ushers you to the door. As he opens it ahead of you, you hesitate. It’s strange. He’s being... nice? You step outside and Pine trails, thanking Fowler as he does. 

“Wagyu?” Pine puts his hand to your lower back as he turns you down the sidewalk. “I’m more inclined to a nice filet or beef wellington.” 

“This way,” Fowler catches your arm and pulls you around. Pine scuffs and turns back to follow once more. “It’s close. Don’t even need to drive.” 

“Mm, ever the man with all the secrets, eh?” Pine comes up on your other side.  

Fowler keeps his grip on your arm. He seems to recall himself and unclamps his fingers, only to hook his arm through yours. You let him as you walk stiffly down the street. What the heck is going on? 

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Fowler tosses back. He is met with another airy chuckle from the taller man. 

“So long as they have good drinks, eh, Elfie? It might be a good place for girls’ night,” Pine brushes your shoulder gently. 

Fowler looks over, a terse slant in his jaw, then sets his sights straight. “I don’t know, the vintage might be a bit too much for an Englishman’s taste.” 

[thebenjiblackwoodexpress]

Jump then Fall prt.6

Description: Aeron must win back the heart of Y/N after breaking her trust, but he must also deal with his unwanted betrothal to Roslyn Tully in order to be with the woman he loves.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Warnings: female reader, pure angst, Canon typical misogyny, mentions of slut shaming, slight non-con kiss.

ℑ'𝔩𝔩 𝔤𝔢𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔩𝔬𝔫𝔤𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔤𝔩𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔰𝔥𝔢'𝔩𝔩 𝔤𝔢𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔉𝔬𝔬𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔥 𝔬𝔫𝔢~ 𝔗𝔞𝔶𝔩𝔬𝔯 𝔖𝔴𝔦𝔣𝔱

Y/N had not wanted to dance with Edmund Bracken, he was pompous and had little respect for those he viewed below his station, which included her and her family. But he was part of Aeron's family and she would at least try to be amicable for him. Shooting Aeron an apologetic glance, she allowed Edmund to take hold of her hand and waist to turn her about the room.

"You seem very close with my cousin Ser Aeron, Y/N." Of course he would never address her as "My lady" as Aeron always had, he had no such respect.

"We have been since we were children and I should hope that it's obvious that we love one another."

"Did he tell you that?"

"What?"

"That he loved you?" Y/N was dumbfounded by Edmund's question. Of course Aeron had told her he loved her, they were very open about their love for one a other, she did not see a reason to hide it when she was certain they both felt the same for one another.

"I do not take your meaning Ser" she spoke through gritted teeth.

Edmund simply shot her a smile that was all teeth with no warmth. "Only that I'd be wary of how publicly you have expressed your...affection for one another. I do not wish to be the one to tell you that my Lord Uncle has promised his hand to another. I am sure that he does love you in his own way if he has said so."

Y/N was furious that Aeron's own cousin would speak such lies about him, spew such vitriol, attempt to stain his honour in such a despicable manner. He could never understand the faith she had in Aeron, their bond of trust unbreakable.

She was sure her face must look like a stormcloud and she spat back "You lie."

Before she could get another word out to defend the man she loved Aeron had cut in and wrapped her in his arms, with Edmund mumbling a final case for her to consider what he had said. So happy was she to dance with Aeron after he had so oft avoided her at his uncle's banquets, falsely believing his feelings to be unrequited, she was able to cast Edmund's taunts from her mind entirely.

That was until the world came crashing down around Y/N as Lord Bracken revealed to the whole hall how foolish she had been to believe the word of any man, even one she had trusted since childhood and loved almost all of her life.

She could bear to look at Aeron for only a second before she swiftly fled the hall, not caring what any of the guests thought of her. From his pleading look she was sure he would follow her and so she tried to prepare herself to do that which was hardest, to safeguard her heart and reputation from any further damage she would have to place a wall between them that could never be pulled down.

Aeron ignored his Uncle's shouts and the shocked expressions of the guests gathered in the hall, sprinting out so fast he almost tripped over several times in his desperation to reach Y/N and explain everything. He quickly caught up with his lady, wrapping an arm around her waist to halt her movements at the end of the hallway atop the stairwell that would lead her out of his home. His words were frantic, his heart beating wildly in his chest. "Y/n please, I beg of you to let me explain." Y/N pushed him away from her, whipping her head around to fix him with a glare so fierce but full of sadness. Tears streamed down her face already and he thought he would die at the devastation and distrust evident upon her face, all which he had caused. "Did you know?" Each word was enunciated so he could not misunderstand her question.

He had to force himself to answer, to admit that he had in fact known about this farcical betrothal and kept it from her. He had of course never meant to go through with it, he'd been under the impression that his Uncle had forgotten about it entirely once he'd stormed from his halls. He was struck by his own selfishness and carelessness, to Y/N of all people, the one person he had always wanted to put her faith in him. Taking a deep breath, aware that his next words would irrecovably alter the already tenuous invisible string of fate he had always believed tied them together, he spoke. "Yes, but you must believe me when I say that I never entertained even for a moment the idea of marrying any other but you. I could and would never." In that moment Aeron knew that no explanation would ever be enough to atone for what he had done. As her face fell into a look of utter despair, he felt the invisible string break as she lost her trust in him and cut the cord herself. He wanted her to rail at him, shout at him, strike him even if it would make her feel better, though he knew she was much too gentle for it. Anything but the tears and look of utter betrayal she now bore which cut him to the quick.

Her voice came out so soft and broken it sent an acute pain through his chest, through his very soul, to know that he had hurt her so deeply. "I defended you. I trusted you. You wanted to know what your cousin said to me. He told me that you were already betrothed, that you had no intention of marrying me, that everyone knew it too. I trusted you so completely, wanted you so desperately that I would not believe it. But he was right, you had no intention of ever marrying me. Indeed it is I who have been foolish, you never made me any such promises."

Aeron floundered briefly at a loss for how to comfort his Y/N, to prove his love for her. He would get on his knees and profess it over and over if he had to. "Y/n please don't believe for even a second that I would ever cast you aside for another. I have only ever wanted you. I have never and will never love another." He could hear the desperation in his own voice, his throat restricted and closing up, thick with his own tears. His words did nothing to assuage Y/N's anger however. "Love isn't enough Aeron, not for an unmarried woman and truthfully I don't understand how you could have ever loved me and yet kept something so essential a secret. I gave you my heart so publicly. Even that Blackwood who attacked me knew the truth of it better than myself" she muttered the last part and shock jolted through him at her remembrance of the Blackwood bastard calling her a whore. He found he could barely breathe at such a horrific notion, that he could have had anything but pure intentions towards her.

He spoke his next words carefully, looking into her eyes all the while in the hopes that she would read the veracity of them in his eyes. "My intention has always been to marry you, my love for you always pure. Anyone who doubts it cannot see with their eyes. Do you not understand the depth of my feelings for you, how my heart beats as one with yours?" In an act of pure desperation he feverishly pulled her to him and kissed her with an intensity that caught her off guard. It took Y/N a couple of seconds to react before she forcibly shoved him from her. Aeron's intention had been to pour all of the love he felt for into this kiss and allay Y/N's fears that there could be anyone but her for him, but he instantly knew that he had done the wrong thing as she pushed him again. Had she not just told him of her fears for her reputation, her wariness of his true intentions? He was a fool to think any physical comfort could have convinced her that his feelings for her had a stronger foundation than mere attraction.

Y/n was incensed, to kiss her now after what she'd just said. It was almost cruel. He made no move to stop her as she pushed him in the chest a third time before letting out an agonising sob and turning her head away from him. He stood a few paces apart from her, his head bowed downward. He tried to restrain himself from reaching out to embrace her as he heard her laboured breathing and saw her try to steady it with a hand on her chest, concerned she would faint. "How can I acquit myself to you" He begged solemnly, his voice coming out weaker than he had intended. Y/N turned fully back to him to drive a dagger straight through his already broken heart with her words. "What you've done cannot be undone. I wish for you to never touch me again. Do not follow me." And to respect her wishes he remained where he stood to watch the only woman he would ever love flee from him a second time that night.

He waited for hours each day underneath their favoured meeting place, the familiar leaves of the golden brackentree doing nothing to calm his perpetually racing thoughts and growing despair as another day passed where he did not see his love, did not hear her voice. It was on the fifth day when he next saw Y/N as she made her way up the hill to their tree, her head turned downward. He dared to hope that she had sought him out. But no, she looked surprised and quite frankly alarmed to see him as she finally looked upon reaching the summit of the hill. Perhaps she had also hoped to find solace here where they had both once been so happy. Aeron quickly stumbled to his feet, hoping she would allow him to explain himself better this time and to regain her favour. But to his dismay she immediately turned back whence she had come and walked at a brisk pace away from him. This time he did not idly stand by but pursued her with long strides.

"Y/N I have loved you since I've known you. Please do not doubt it. You have been a part of every hope and dream, every waking thought and it has always been my greatest desire that you should be my wife and Lady Bracken."

Aeron followed Y/N ceaselessly down the hill, though she did not slow her pace or look back at him once. Reluctant to touch her or invade her space as he had mistakenly attempted at the banquet, all he could do was beg her to listen to his entreaties. A glimmer of hope etched its way into his heart when Y/N suddenly halted at the base of the hill but it was quickly dashed by her expression, an admixture of despair and anger that pulled at his heartstrings and made him hate himself more than he already did for causing the woman he loved such pain with his utter carelessness. She spoke but a few words to him but they struck him like a blow and echoed in his mind days after. "I do not wish to speak to you or see you ever again Ser, if you ever cared for me at all I ask that you respect my wishes and never approach me hence." Y/N's voice trembled on the last few words, but she was resolute. Nonetheless he pleaded "Please do not order me away from your side" losing any semblance of restraint and pulling her back towards his chest, one hand wrapped around her shoulders as he placed his head upon her shoulder, the other gripping her waist to hold her against him. Y/N was swift to remove herself from his arms, Aeron quickly dropping them once he felt her shifting. He would not keep her there against her will.

Y/N let in a shaky breath as she tried to hold in a sob but said no more, merely walking in the direction of her home. Aeron stood rooted to the spot, praying to the gods that she would glance back at him, even while knowing she would not. 

Another week passed where Aeron had no word from Y/N, despite the various missives he had sent by raven, hoping they would be more acceptable to her than seeing him at present. He could barely eat or sleep, so consumed was he by his grief as he started to believe he had really lost his love. That he could not win her back. His uncle remained insistent on the matter of his betrothal to Roslyn Tully, although upon his return to the banquet Hall where Y/N had fled she had made it clear that she had no more desire to marry him than he had her. This renewed his hope in swaying his uncle's mind peaceably. He would not marry anyone but Y/N, he'd sooner put himself to the sword and had threatened his uncle with as much.

With so much time alone to think he began to believe the true problem lay in the tensions between the Blackwoods and Brackens to begin with. They'd fought for so long they hardly knew what for. We're they truly to destroy one another over feuding Targaryen rulers so far from the Riverlands? A strange occurrence had him questioning everything he had ever believed about duty and loyalty, about the hatred of the Blackwoods he had inherited. Two days past, Benjicot Blackwood had arrived at the front entrance to his halls cradling his dearest cousin in his arms and looking at her like she was that most precious to him in the whole world. He had known then that it was a look of love, he was sure he'd looked at Y/N just the same. Taking his cousin from Benjicot's arms, careful not to jostle her injured ankle too badly, he discovered a newfound respect for the future lord of Raventree and ordered his uncle's bannermen to let him pass freely back into Blackwood land.

If he could treat with the Blackwood heir, perhaps they could forge an alliance that would put an end to the years of strife and conflict that had cost both sides so much already. It was a bold idea, but one that would no doubt save countless lives and secure both Aeron and Benjicot the chance to marry the women they loved without the pressing weight of political alliances and boundary stones to hinder them.

He jolted up from his slumped position on his desk and scrambled to find paper and ink for the two letters he was about to write. One would go to Raventree, an appeal to Benjicot Blackwood to treat with him on the boundary lines that separated their lands and Houses. The other would go to Y/N. He was not certain he would ever be able to make amends or earn her love back, but he owed it to them both to share this wild idea of his that she might understand his pure intentions towards her, that his love for her had always been true. He had spent hours upon hours pacing back and forth, writing and rewriting his letters to her, considering how each word might be interpreted. This time he knew exactly what he wanted to say, so sure was he in the course he had set. With a final flourish of his quill, he blew on the parchment to dry the ink and rolled up the letter which contained within it all his hopes for future happiness.

My Dearest Love,

I realise that no promises or professions of love will sway your heart and I understand now that they could never have sufficed for what I have done. I will offer you tangible proof of my love instead so that if you cannot bring yourself to love me once again, you will have no doubt of my truest intentions or the depth of my love for you, which reaches farther than the ancient roots of the Brackentree where first we met. I think often of my good luck in being the one to catch you that day and for every moment since with you. I will treat with the heir to Raventree in the hopes that we may put aside our ancient grievances to forge a new path of peace between our two Houses and, gods willing, avert a terrible conflict. Should I fail in this admittedly bold undertaking, I will assure you now that nothing will or ever could have persuaded me to marry Roslyn Tully, an act which would have ensured the perpetual misery of three parties.

With all the love that I possess,

Your Good Knight

I actually had so much fun writing this, weirdly think I'm most comfortable writing angst over fluff. It must be the track 5 girlie in me (for all my fellow swifties).

@lovebabe18 @poppyflower-22 @ithilwen-blackwood @spinachtz @lady-callisto @twistytimesandthoughts @abookloverlawyerfan-blog @mymoonempress @alexandracgg

[gayf1hoe]

Behind the Pit Wall

Scenario - Y/N is a new race engineer for Williams but he never expected to become a race engineer straight away, bit following the resignation of Logan's race engineer he receives a very prompt promotion. The two quickly hit it off professionally but their relationship quickly exceeds professional.

Race 1 - Spa 

Nervously and full of anticipation I take my seat on the pit wall for the first time as a race engineer for Williams.

Ever since graduating University I have been working in F1 for the past 2 years, last year I was with Sauber as a junior race engineer and I applied to Williams on the off chance they would actually agree to take me but to my genuine surprise they did. 

When I first met with James he said I would be a secondary Engineer in other words I was just there to assist the main engineer. However when I walked in this morning I was told I would be Logan Sargeant's permanent race engineer after his engineer resigned unexpectedly. 

As I'm sitting in the pit wall looking at all the data, it's starting to set in. I'm a driver's race engineer with just a year's experience, talk about being thrown in the deep end. 

Logan hasn't got the best track record but he's a great person with a great sense of humour and undeniable charm so I am honoured I get to work with him. 

After qualifying yesterday we are in P11 and we missed out on Q3 by 0.012 so it's a little frustrating but the way things go in F1. 

“Logan radio check” 

“Yep, your voice sounds great, and mine” 

“even better, 30 seconds to lights out maintain focus and be clinical” 

When the lights go out my heart pounds faster and my palms sweat a little. 

We don't have the best start as Logan ends up in P15 and with the weather conditions around Spa showing no signs of improving cars are spinning left, right and centre. The strategists and I decide to bring Logan in now for the inters before everyone else 

“Logan box, box” 

As he comes in I see a train of cars following behind him but our crew do a fantastic job at fitting the new tyres that will stay on until the chequered flag.

Logan emerges back on the track at P11 which is a great advantage for us and I coach him through every lap telling him where he can improve and with that he manages to overtake a few people, and by the final lap he's probably sick of my voice. 

“Logan that's P7 really good job today, do your cool down lap and we will see you in Parc Fermé”

“Yeah good job, thanks for all your guidance today we did great today, we will continue to improve”. 

“Absolutely, sorry if my voice became annoying”

“Never I loved hearing your voice every second, and that's not sarcasm”. 

After the race I am interviewed by a reporter about what I think of my first race as a lead race engineer.

Reporter: Y/N great result for your first race. How did it feel to be thrown right in at the deep end and get such a great result?

Y/N: Yeah of course it was stressful being thrown in at the deep end, I arrived in the paddock this morning and was told I'm Logan's new race engineer so it was a little stressful but we did really well despite the conditions and it's a good start for Logan.

Reporter: We saw you too having lets say some ‘flirtatious moment's’ . Is there a relationship brewing?

Y/N: Haha me and Logan are just naturally flirtatious people and I think we have a good work relationship together.

As I'm answering questions Logan comes from behind me and jump scares me and the reporter turns her attention to him.

Reporter: Logan what do you think of your new race engineer?

Logan:  He's amazing and he really helped me out there today so I'm grateful I have got him

Reporter: You complimented his voice a few times, is there something going on there? 

Logan: Well yes he has a naturally calming voice and it's great to hear in stressful situations. 

Race 24 - Abu Dhabi 

As my second season in F1 comes to an end I am extremely happy where Logan is at P8 in the championship with only 1 point separating him and Stroll. 

Coming into this season we could never have predicted that me or him would do this well this season and since Logan has been performing so well this season consistently he is on the move to Mercedes next year but what he doesn't know is that I am also moving to Mercedes. 

Additionally since the season exposition mine and Logan's relationship has well let's say developed. It is sort of unconfirmed knowledge that we are dating but neither of us confirmed it but our constant flirting and physical contact has confirmed it for us.

“Logan 30 seconds to lights out I want a great finish from you today” 

Logan starts from P6 which is his best starting position in his career so I'm anticipating a good race. 

He gets a good start and quickly takes P5 from Norris and maintains a good pace. 

When he comes in for his first and only pit of the race and he drops down to P10, one of Logan's biggest problems is that after a pit stop and he loses positions he thinks it's all over so we have been working on his

resilience and as he was the first car to pit I know that the cars in front will pit soon and he will be bumped up a few places. 

With 15 laps to go Logan has made his way up to P5 and is chasing Lance for P4 and heading along the DRS straight he manages to get past and we now set our eyes on Oscar Piastri.

“Alright Logan it's Piastri ahead 2.1 seconds they are having mechanical issues with their brakes” 

For 14 laps straight Logan is tailing Oscar and it's painful and nerve wracking to watch but in the final lap in the final DRS zone Logan squeezes past him and whilst it's a good move the team doesn't celebrate just yet. But when he crosses the line there is a roar of cheers from the garage behind me.

And my normal angelic radio voice turns into a coarse shout 

“Logan that is P3, well done, I'm so proud of you and the improvements you have made and those 15 points put you in P6 in the standings”

“Y/N thank you for all your hardwork and dedication this year you have really helped me achieve great things and I will really miss hearing your voice”

“Well, do you want another piece of good news?” 

“Of course” 

“You aren't going to Mercedes alone, I'm coming along as well as your race engineer” 

“Holy shit that's the best thing I have been told, I would have missed your voice on the radio. I love you Y/N”

“I love you to Logan”

For the first time Logan is on the podium and the entire team is here watching him and cheering him on. 

It's a great sight to see him smiling and finally believing in himself. 

[shy-blue-blossom]

Betrothed and Marriage

Thranduil

Thranduil, prince of Mirkwood, was minding his own business reading in the royal library when his father came in and following him was a young she-elf with beautiful knee-length h/c hair and shining e/c eyes. He didn't quite notice the silver crown upon her head until she had sat down and begun to read after his father had left her.

When he looked away for a single second and then looked back she was still there but she didn't seem to notice anything or anyone else around her. As he made his way over to her and tapped her shoulder, she jumped out of shock. She looked up at him and when he could see her soft fair skin and plump l/c lips, he put his hand out for her to take, which she did, he placed a soft kiss upon her hand.

"It's an honour to meet you, my lady. I am Thranduil." He introduced himself, leaving out the part that he was the prince of Mirkwood.

"It is an honour to finally meet you, my prince. I am y/n, the second princess of Lothlórien." She, too, introduced herself with a small smile on her face.

"Would you like to go on a walk through the royal gardens?" Thranduil asked her with a smile of his own, which he got a nod in return.

They walked through the gardens, sharing stories of what they did as they grow up. When the time came for y/n to leave, Thranduil kissed her cheek and wished her to visit again. She did many times until both of them were told they were arranged to be wed, but they didn't know that it was to one another. So when y/n showed up at Mirkwood to be wed to him she was completely shocked, as was Thranduil. They soon found out afterwards that their parents thought it would have been a nice surprise as both of them were in love with each other, but they were just too scared to say anything to one another. As the years went by they fell more and more in love with each other, and when the day y/n became very ill, for she had been outside in the cold too much, or so she thought, Thranduil called the healer to check upon her. He was led outside the room while the healer did some health checks. When Thranduil was let back into the room he saw her with a huge smile on her face and small tears forming in her eyes. He ran up to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly as he asked her what was wrong.

"We are expecting a baby." She whispered out into his ear and tears slide down her fair cheeks.

He froze, then stood up with y/n in his arms and began spinning her around with a full-hearted laugh. She hugged his neck and buried her face into it. When he calmed down he let her feet touch the ground and just hugged y/n close to him, then let her go to spread word that the next heir to the throne was soon to come. The new king of Mirkwood couldn't have been happier than he was when his father had told him about his mother, but the happiness moment of his life would have to be when he first had seen y/n and walked up to her and talked, but for now, the growing Mirkwood royal family was happy.

The end.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Masterlist

[miracles-and-butterflies]

This marks my 1,000 post.

Thank you to everyone for the likes, reblogs, comments and asks!

In honour, you can have a sketch (at the very end) and a wip from the Reincarnation AU; Mirabel’s death.

Warning, sensitive topics below, especially blood/injury and death.

~~~~~~~

Am I Too Late For a Miracle?

“What is going on!?”

At the sound of Abuela’s approaching voice, Mirabel and Isabela stop talking, quickly standing up.

“Abuela, it’s okay,” Mirabel tries gently. “Everything is okay—”

“What are you talking about? Look at our home! Look at your sister!” She gestures sympathetically to Isabela and the surrounding mess. “It wasn’t enough that you ruined her proposal, now you have to do this too—”

“Please, listen, I-I didn’t. Isabela wasn’t happy…”

Mirabel turned to her side, where Isabela no longer was. Her sister had wandered off behind Abuela, towards where their parents and Luisa had appeared.

At the other side of the room, Tía Pepa, Tío Félix, Dolores and Camilo have also walked in on the scene.

All of them staring her down.

“I don’t want to hear another word from you.” Her gaze hardened.

“Abuela, you don’t understand, the vision—”

“You have to stop, Mirabel! The cracks started with you; Bruno left because of you; Luisa’s losing her powers, Isabela’s out of control because of you! I don’t know why you weren’t given a gift, but it is not an excuse to hurt this family!”

Cracks emerged around the pair, though neither seemed to pick up on it in the moment.

Mirabel’s heart broke.

She opens her mouth but is silenced immediately by a hand in front of her.

“I’m sorry,” she whimpers. “I didn’t want to hurt us—”

“Enough!” Abuela thunders. “You don’t get to cry about what you’ve done. There isn’t a punishment worthy. How dare you speak to me about our miracle! How dare you hurt this family! How dare you break our home! How dare you try to harm our miracle! Let me tell you, young lady, I regret the day you were born. You have brought nothing but misfortune at every opportunity! I never would have kept you here if I’d known what a burden you were going to be! You are a disappointment. You have always been such a disappointment. A pathetic excuse for a Madrigal, a granddaughter, daughter, sister and whatever else is in your never ending list of failures. You don’t deserve to be in this family.”

The floor between them cracks, separating them. Abuela silently gasps in surprise and confusion, eyes glued to the damage; Mirabel flinches back, one hand at her heart and the other covering her mouth to prevent any fearful screams getting out.

“No, no, no!” Pepa suddenly cries.

Félix follows her gaze. “The candle!”

As if on cue, the cracks spread. One in particular splitting the house in half and knocking the candle off its perch, the candle flickers and the building shakes subsequently.

Dolores grabs onto the wall to steady herself and Camilo, firmly held by the ruana in her other hand. Isabela lurches forward to keep Abuela in her feet. Pepa almost falls into Félix. Luisa, barely fazed, secures Julieta and Agustín with either hand.

Mirabel, who had been knocked to the floor, shakes her head and recovers herself, setting her eyes on the candle.

“Casita, help me up there!”

The house tears off a line of railing, flipping it into a makeshift ladder for her.

Meanwhile, Camilo had taken the back staircase and was sprinting along the corridor towards Abuela’s door. Using his shapeshifting abilities to parkour through any suppose obstacles.

Isabela creates herself a vine to swing from and pull herself to the candle. Just as she gets close to the ledge, her door fades. The vine quickly dissipates into nothing.

She screams. Casita uses its beams to catch her, gently dropping her to the floor.

Camilo’s door flickers out next. He was mid-jump as the notably tall Josè and just as his hand goes for the edge of the roof, he shifts back to himself and misses. Casita’s other line of railing bends outwards for him to grasp on, breaking his falls as he lands beside Isabela.

He stares in horror at his own hands, his older cousin looks similar as the plants around them shrivel quickly and die.

Nearby, Antonio is stood frozen, watching as his own door goes out. It is immediately thrown off its hinges as the animals come bursting out, running and flying away into the wilderness.

“Careful! Antonio!” Félix remarks, quickly scooping the boy up. As his door comes crashing down to where he was just standing. With the boy in his arms, Félix makes for the exit. “We have to get out of here!” He throws over his shoulder to Julieta, Agustín and Pepa, who are doing everything but that.

“Mirabel?!” Julieta shouts.

Just as she tries to go after her daughter, Casita ripples it’s tiles in powerful waves forcing them out.

“Mirabel!” She cries again, almost tripping to step over Casita.

“Mirabel! You have to get out!” Agustín yells.

“Mirabel—”

The family is thrown out front door at that point. Luisa manages to break Abuela’s fall, Félix does the same for Antonio.

Bruno races on the inside of the walls that are crumbling and piling with dust, quickly shoving every rat inside his ruana. He retrieves Hernando’s bucket, slams it onto his head and crashes head first through the walls.

He tumbles out into the grass below, lifting the bucket as he eyes everything in disbelief. It’s been so long since he’s seen the outside; who would have thought it would be like this?

“Mirabel?!” Julieta cries in alarm, reaching out over Abuela’s shoulder. Casita hasn’t thrown her out. She’s still there. Struggling on her short legs to reach the candle. “Mirabel! Leave it!”

“Mirabel! The house is going to fall!” Félix hollers up.

Pepa twists anxiously at her braid. “Mirabel! Get out!”

“Mirabel!” Agustín shouts.

Casita shifts its tiles and Mirabel finally grasps the candle, panting in relief. Just as she dusts it over, the walls come crushing down around her.

The roof jolts downwards without warning, sending Mirabel hastily over its edge. She cries out. The stairs rise, sliding her onto the ground.

She sits up, eyes going wide as the building caves in. She closes her eyes, adjusts herself to lean over the candle, cradling it like something fragile in her lap. Various pieces of furniture stack themselves protectively around her, trying to shield her from the incoming attack.

“Thank you, Casita.”

~~~~~~

Dolores wailed in agony outside.

Her gift, unfortunately, seemed to be one of the last to fade.

She gripped her own ears tightly, nails digging into the skin, almost determined to rip them off. Over the top of her own hands were Isabela’s and Luisa’s, both her cousins looking at her with such concern.

Abuela was still stood frozen, Julieta and Agustín hovering beside her. Her father was off to the side comforting Antonio with help from Camilo. Her mother was partially sidetracked by something, no someone, in the distance. Townspeople were starting to gather further behind them all.

“Mirabel?!” Julieta cries in alarm, reaching out over Abuela’s shoulder. “Mirabel! Leave it!”

“Mirabel! The house is going to fall!” Félix hollers up.

Pepa twists anxiously at her braid. “Mirabel! Get out!”

“Mirabel!” Agustín shouts.

And Dolores just had to hear it.

Each item, each beam, each tile hit the floor and shatter, one after the other. Mirabel’s cries of absolute terror. It’s clearly her voice, but it sounds nothing like her. All haunting and broken. Dolores thinks she hears Mirabel calm, both realising Casita has sheltered her, and they whisper, “Thank you, Casita.”

And then there’s the deafening cracks as Bruno’s tower comes loose.

It falls.

And falls.

And takes Mirabel’s head down with it.

Dolores heard her splutter on her own blood and air. Her body coming to a silent and abrupt halt. Wherever it lands, Mirabel’s head is still alive. Her glasses smash on impact and cut into her cheeks. She hears the eyelids flutter open and the lips move, trying to scream, no doubt at the sight of her own headless corpse. But she doesn’t have her vocal cords to do that. The eyes blink again, straining to look away. Then nothing.

Casita breaks.

There’s a ringing in Dolores’ ears, in everyone’s ears, when Casita is completely gone and everything is still.

Two doors that had been sheltering Mirabel’s body fall apart, one squeaks open and shut one final time, as if saying you’re welcome. As if the house didn’t just let Mirabel die.

She covers her mouth and drops to the grass. Isabela being the only thing keeping her upright - Luisa had already walked off to her father.

“Shush, it’s okay, I’ve got you. Lola, I’ve got you,” Isabela whispers, holding her against her.

It’s been ages since she and Isa have been this close.

In spite of herself, Dolores can’t help but take the opportunity and tightens herself around Isabela.

Julieta pushes Abuela aside, running into the building. “Mirabel!” She calls, searching the debris.

“Everyone okay?” Agustín asks around. “Is everyone okay?”

“How could this happen?” Luisa questions nobody in particular.

Félix shakes his head in disbelief. “The Encanto is broken…”

“What do we do now?”

“My powers… they’re gone.” Camilo sulks. “And what about Antonio? What’s he going to do?”

Isabela taps her shoulder. “Dolores? Are you okay? Can you hear me? You aren’t listening to me.”

Dolores looks stunned.

She realises.

“My gift,” she mumbles. “Our gifts. They aren’t gone. I can still…”

She can’t bring herself to finish.

Isabela looks unconvinced, but doesn’t say anything. Though she does wave her hand half-heartedly, only for a cactus to suddenly pop out from the ground beside them.

“Mirabel!” Julieta cries in relief, finally spotting the familiar teal among everything. She races over, checking the girl bottom to top for injuries, as she always does; Dolores didn’t need her hearing for that, her Tía always does that. She tries to imagine what Julieta sees. The embroidery must be snagged and torn, the candle must still be glowing in her hands, she’ll be covered in dust and blood— and then Julieta screams.

Dolores figures she worked it out.

“Julieta, come quick!” Her mother calls in the distance, pointing at Bruno, who is not so-subtly hiding in the grass. “Julieta!”

The healer just collapses in front of the body, shrieking in anguish, reaching out but can’t bring herself to touch Mirabel’s severed neck or anywhere else.

~~~~~~

[topsyturvy-turtely]

The Noises He Makes

if you're in search of a very quick very fluff fanfic... happy to be of your service ;)

read on Ao3 or here :)

Sherlock Holmes. The emotionless machine. The unfeeling genius. The sociopathic detective.

That’s what people say, what he likes to say about himself. Truth is, he is actually quite emotional, and he articulates his emotions loudly too.

When he is excited (about a new intriguing case) he jumps and shouts for joy. When he is irritated (with people or an unsolvable case – yes, those do exist) he throws his head back and groans out of frustration.

Oh, but when I touch him (with my lips, my hands, press my body against his), he makes the most delightful noises.

In the early morning, when I let my hand slide over his shoulders, an almost inaudible hum. Whenever I hug him, a sigh so heavy as if he means to say, he wants to stay in my embrace forever. At night, when we cuddle, when I have my hand buried in his hair, or comb through it, a noise escapes from deep within him, which reminds me of a cat. A big, dangerous cat – a panther perhaps – but a cat nonetheless.

When I kiss him… Gasping, moaning, groaning, mumbling - depending on where I kiss him. If I peck his lips, a tiny inhale through the nose, as if he was surprised every time. When I suck on his lip, a content hum. When our tongues fight for dominance (I usually win), a sound that could be a chuckle or something like a sob – ah, can’t be sure, I do have my tongue in his mouth while this happens. When I kiss his neck, a gasp. This usually comes along with a grip on my hips. When I kiss his nipples, he moans. When I kiss down his happy trail, there is gasping and moaning, with a hand in my hair and my name on his lips. Oh, and when we become one, melt into each other, when I am not sure where I end and where he starts, all these sounds happen at once. Sometimes we are both so overwhelmed by the love making, by the love we feel from the other, for the other, we both end up sobbing, giggling and we hold each other until we can both tell each other ‘I love you’ again.

What I am trying to say… is that Sherlock Holmes is actually extremely sensitive, more often than you might think even sensual.

And one day, after I made him make those noises all day long, heard him say my name like it’s a miracle, a mystery and magic all at once; I asked him if he will do me the honour to marry me. What followed wasn’t any noise. It was silence. But that silence said more than any sound could ever have.

∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻∻

please consider supporting me on both platforms (tumblr & ao3) with reblogs & likes/ kudos & comments. thank you so much!

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[jokeroutsubs]

Nace Jordan on the cover of Slovenian tabloid Lady (22 February 2023)

Nace Jordan from the band Joker Out

"They even impressed grandma Marija"

Nace Jordan is not a new name on the Slovenian music scene, as his bass guitar can be heard in many songs by various music artists, and we also spent some time with him on the entertainment show 'V Petek Zvečer' (On Friday Night). But he, of course, is having the time of his life since he became an indispensable member of the hottest music band in Slovenia at the moment, our Eurovision representatives, Joker Out.

"The rest of the guys tell me that I can just chill and be happy because I joined them now when they're having the best of times," says Nace Jordan, who can't hide his excitement about becoming a member of Joker Out. "I'm very positive by nature and I find something good in everything, and coming into the band is definitely one of the best things that has happened to me." He also feels a little troubled about it, though. "What if someone says that now that Nace has come into the group, it's going downhill. You never know, that's just how I think," he says self-critically, but he has nothing to fear. Bojan Cvjetičanin, the singer of the group, knew who he was calling when he invited him for a coffee. "Having jumped into some bands before as a substitute, I knew it could be very difficult. Especially if there are some disagreements in the band. So I first asked Bojan if they had had a fight. And him confirming to me that they didn't was the decisive factor that made me accept the invitation," says the 28-year-old from Kranj.

Caption 1: Nace Jordan is the newest and the oldest member of the band Joker Out.

From dreams to reality

Nace joined the band with a wealth of musical experience, as the description of his work states that he is a musician, bassist and producer. But he started -like most young people- with the dream of becoming a singer. "I loved to sing when I was little and I always said I would be a singer when I grew up. Then my cousin, Miha Zore, also a musician, inspired me to pick up the guitar for the first time.

At home, they didn't want to buy it for him because they were convinced that his first enthusiasm would soon pass. Then he found his mother's old guitar at his grandmother's house, and he practised so hard that his parents relented. However, he switched to bass guitar quite early on, because he realised that there was a shortage of bass guitarists in this country. He says he is self-taught, but he has had some very good mentors, including Primož Grašič, Matej Hotek and Englishman Scott Devine, who has one of the biggest bassist schools on YouTube today. There are also his musical friends Denis Beganović - Kiki, a renowned multi-instrumentalist from the Primorska region, who played with Magnifico for a long time, and his drummer colleagues David Morgan, who plays with Avtomobili, and Anže Langus, who he says believed in him, supported him and opened many doors for him. "I'm grateful to all of them for passing on their knowledge and encouraging me," he says modestly, adding that he also had a hand in writing down the tunes. "That's why they call me a musical jukebox. I am lucky that I learn a tune quickly and remember it quickly. Today, for example, I still know all 200 songs, including quite a few German shlager songs, that I played on a cruise ship one summer, by heart."

Nace earned his first real money from music when he went to play on a cruise ship at the age of 18. "At a jam session in Kranj, I met musicians who told me about working on the ship. I auditioned and was selected. We then cruised the Baltic with Maja Založnik and others and played," he says, easily recalling those days. It is much harder when he has to remember all the musicians he later worked with as a bassist. "I have fond memories of working with Katarina Mala. I loved playing with Samuel Lucas and his band. I accompanied Nina Pušlar a few times. I consider it an honour to have worked with Elda Viler. And I could go on and on." But he prefers to stop, because he really doesn't want to forget anyone, and he admits that he will miss his musical friends from V petek zvečer (On Friday Night), with whom he had a great time for two years. He is now saying goodbye to them, as he would not be able to bear being on two ends at the same time. At the same time as saying goodbye to the show, he is also saying goodbye to the hat that has been his trademark for many years. "I put that hat on my head for the first time in 2013 and people liked it so much that they kept asking me about it. Then it started annoying me because I realised that people thought I was bald. So I took it off, because I have a fine haircut," he explains with a laugh, running his fingers through his hair.

Caption 2: "The real passion is not the music, it's the people you make it with, play it with. And that's what I've got now," says the satisfied Kranj inhabitant. PHOTO: Primož Lavre

Night jogging

As befits a true Gorenjska inhabitant, Nace also likes to ski, but this winter that is not an option. "Just recently, Bojan and I, who is a keen snowboarder like me, were talking about how good it would be to go skiing. But we really can't afford it this year, because it would be unwise to get injured before Eurovision," he says. He still has some sporting activities to do despite Eurovision. "Apart from skiing, I really like swimming, badminton and running. The latter is still the one I do the most, but I'm probably the funniest runner in the world. I'm the slowest and the latest. I like to run between 11 p.m. and midnight. This stayed with me from the days when I was much heavier, and I felt awkward running in the daytime. But I really enjoy running," he admits. Since he's sculpted his physique, he also enjoys looking in the mirror. Nace finds it easy to talk about the period when he was chubby, but he prefers to explain that he feels much better since he started to pay attention to his diet due to health problems. "When I started to watch what I ate, the weight just melted off. I found a lot of useful things online and I've put together a lunch menu of seven dishes that I really like." Nace mostly cooks for himself, but he is also very grateful to his mother Darja for helping him now that he is busy. Even though they have not always been enthusiastic about his musical pursuits, his family has always been there for him. "I listened to them for a long time, wondering 'When will our Nace find a job?', but now I know they are happy for me. They see that I enjoy what I do, that it's such a big part of me that I can't do without it. And just the other day at lunch, my grandmother Marija said: 'Well, now we're going to have a celebrity in the family too?'" he tells, laughing.

Caption 3: He enjoys being on stage because he is always 100% ready to perform.

Article by: Simona Dakič Nemanič

Scans and translation by: @kurooscoffee

[lenreli]

Day 15 - UST

[AO3]

“Are you sure I’m not intruding?” Dream asks him, expression intense and Hob tries not to squirm under it. Out of all the ways he expected Dream to act around this, it certainly wasn’t like this as the other man he was kissing ― thankfully, not a goth twink like some of them were ― and Hob grimaces as the other man flees. 

“I’m always happy to see you,” he offers with a smile, the tension thick in his living room as Dream steps in, pink lips almost pinched. “Just, ah.” 

Dream hums, stepping closer to him, and Hob’s heart jumps with how Dream is staring at him, “I did interrupt you, though,” Dream purrs, and Hob swallows, feeling like prey even as Dream just simply sits next to him on the sofa. “Was he not what you wanted?”

Hob opens his mouth, shuts it, “um. Like I said, always happy to see you,” he says weakly, the words of course not, he’s not you burning in his throat as he gulps them down. Dream’s arm brushes his, and Hob tries not to jump away too obviously, walking quickly into the kitchen to ― get a biscuit, maybe. “And how’ve things been with you, my friend?” 

Even as he gets out some biscuits to eat, Dream’s stare on him feels like a brand, and he can feel his face heating up as he sits back down, Dream’s eyes a deep, dark blue as they stare at him unblinkingly. “Surprisingly, quite quiet,” Dream offers eventually, head tilting as Dream stares at him. “Mainly, I’m failing to understand why a creature of hedonism like you did that.” 

Hob’s face feels even hotter, and his insides squirm, arousal still stuck around even though the other man hasn’t, spurred on by Dream’s presence, “it’s. Ah. Well. You do take priority over many things for me, considering you’re my oldest friend,” which is true, just not the whole truth. Considering how Dream reacted in 1889 though, revealing those seem a bit much. Even though Dream does seem oddly stuck on uncovering why.

Dream blinks, long black lashes sticking in Hob’s mind as Dream continues to look at him, “I feel honoured, to mean so much to you,” Dream says softly, and Hob refrains the urge to hug the entity tight as he sees a sheen of wetness over the other’s eyes. 

“It’s not much of an honour―” he starts until Dream’s lips twist, and Hob tries not to think about kissing the scrunched look off the other’s face. Before he even realises, his hands grab Dream’s pale ones, lukewarm and Dream tenses momentarily in his hold, then relaxes with a gust of breath. Hob can only see the wild black of Dream’s hair as the entity looks down at their hands, “but you are important to me.” 

Dream’s hands squeeze his own, strong enough to make him wince, and his heart beats wildly as pale thumbs begin to massage his hands, “you are important to me as well, Hob Gadling,” Dream says softly, giving him a look through his lashes. “I am only beginning to understand how much,” Dream continues, voice like silk, and Hob’s eyes widen as he realises that Dream is coming closer, and Hob lets out a strangled sound as he watches the sweep of Dream’s long lashes, insides writhing as he bites his lip and Dream zeroes in on his lips, easy to see from so very close, only millimetres between them. “My friend.”

[duchessdepolignaca03]

WIP Wednesday - A Most Self-Indulgent WIP

Getting an early jump on WIP Wednesday (GASP). I think I am coming to terms with the fact that I have a very specific wheelhouse that I like to play in. And it's not going to be something that 99.9% of the fandom will care for, but my God am I going to write my self-indulgent bullshit. But still, I'd be interested to know if there's any interest at all in this BS :D

So I bring my latest WIP, currently titled: Horny Trophy Wife!Henry Committing Adultery with Alex in a Vaguely Historical European Setting, feat. not-Baron Zemo.

Warnings: Mpreg of the hand wavy variety, Forced Marriage, Infidelity/Adultery.

Read under the cut. Tags also under the cut!

Henry looks over at his husband across the table, and barely conceals the grimace that wishes to peek through his wide, placating smile. Five years of his life he has given this man, five years of wearing the mask of a happy, content spouse. It’s true that the Baron is handsome in his own right, unimaginably wealthy and educated and refined despite his humble origin, and on paper ought to be an ideal husband. But the Baron’s stubborn nature and Henry’s tempestuous fury make for a sorry, wretched match. 

Yet Henry cannot say their marriage has been unproductive. Four little angels he has given the Baron, all four with strawberry-hued yellow hair and eyes as blue and fearsome as his own. They are Henry’s creatures, clinging to him like barnacles even as they grew out of infancy. His little angels serve as balms to his unrelenting loneliness, the ache of foreignness and not-belonging that will never dissipate from where it has settled down into his bones like the bitter cold air of this unforgiving land.

Henry craves the excitement he has been denied his whole life. First, because he was a threat to his older brother, who was pale and sickly yet ambitious, a stark contrast to Henry’s vigour, fertility and frivolity. Henry’s circumscribed upbringing was intended to diminish him in the eyes of the world, lest the unparalleled beauty and grace of the spare cause him to rise above the anointed heir. The match with the Baron was therefore ideal: the marriage brought England wealth and a mighty ally, and Henry would vanish out of sight and out of mind. 

Then, because he was dutiful and sweet, he was with child within weeks of his wedding night. His fertile belly had scarcely been empty since, a consequence of his temper flaring up at his husband, making them both concupiscent despite the lack of affection for one another in their hearts. As each one came into the world, the Baron jested that Henry was birthing his own army to rival the Baron’s own. Henry demurely denied his allegations, instead dreaming of more illustrious futures for his babes than to become lords and ladies of desolate lands rich only in the treasures that could be hewn from the rocks. 

But there is little promise of excitement in his life, besides the happiness the children bring. Occasionally, his heart will race – like when there is little news days after the end of one of the Baron’s military campaigns, and he can briefly fantasize about a merry widowhood. Then news arrives and his hopes are dashed and his husband returns and he finds himself once again with child even though the last one is barely out of swaddling clothes. 

A visit by emissaries of a young nation sets the court abuzz. The new nation had been born out of the ashes of a rival empire the Baron had helped set aflame, and so the visitors were to be honoured with days of dazzling amusement. But Henry is in a melancholy mood, and cannot bring himself to pretend to look forward to the long, agonising hours of politicking he will have to attend at his husband’s side. 

There is a silver lining, however. A quite literal one. The Baron, in all of his wisdom and quest to show off his dearest prize, had commissioned an elegant gown for Henry to wear to the ball celebrating the emissaries’ arrival, inspired by the suits of armour from the ancient days of chivalry. And bashful as he might play, Henry is a creature of vanity, excited by the notion of being observed and desired as an ethereal, untouchable beauty: the Baron’s angel of war and mother to his nation.

Tagging: @sparklepocalypse @orchidscript @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @priincebutt, @piratefalls, @onthewaytosomewhere @nocoastposts, @magicandarchery,, @zwiazdziarka, @taste-thewaste and ANYONE because I need more friends.

[ravennasgf]

QR: I love you

TW: none

My mother being extremely ill and not knowing what to do I head to the queens castle. After being admitted inside the castle I’m shown the throne room. 

“Your majesty,” I say curtsying before kneeling.

“Rise darling, what’s the matter?”

“My mother your majesty she’s very ill, and I’ve tried everything and didn’t know what else to do save from coming to ask for your help,” 

“Of course I’ll help my dear, bring me to her,” she says. Riding on horseback we reach the small cottage we live in. 

~~

Muttering spells of healing my mother is fully healed. 

“Thank you your majesty, how can I ever repay you?”

“My dear it’s my job to protect those in my kingdom, you don’t need to repay me,”

“Your majesty please let me repay you in some way,”

“Very well when I have a way I’ll let you know,”

“Thank you your majesty,” 

~~~

It’s been a week since my mother was healed. Today I went for a ride on my horse Daisy. Upon arrival home I see the queen's guards there on horses. 

“Can I help you?” I ask still on my horse 

“The queen would like to see you,” 

“As she wishes let us go then,” I follow them on Daisy, they look back every so often to make sure that I am following them. Upon entering the courtyard of the castle I dismount Daisy. The guards tell me they will take her to the stables and I thank them. Entering the castle I am led to the throne room once more. 

“Your majesty,” I acknowledge curtsy. 

“y/n,”

“How can I help you your majesty?”

“I have found a way for you to repay me,”

“Of course,”

“I just ask for your presence for a few hours everyday just to keep me company,”

“If that is how I shall repay then I will, it would be my honour,” 

“Thank you,” 

“Of course your majesty,”

~~~~

So for the last month I have been to the castle everyday like she asked. We have grown quite close, and I’m beginning to gain feelings for the queen. And now I’m worried about it. 

“y/n I’d like to go for a ride with you if that’s ok?”

“Of course your majesty,”

“Please call me Ravenna,”

“If that is what you wish then it shall be done Ravenna,” I say with a smile. I lead her to the stables and get Daisy ready. Once Daisy is ready I jump up on her and help Ravenna on behind me. We ride into the beautiful lush forest near the castle towards the lake. Once there we dismount and watch the sunset. 

“y/n?”

“Yes Raven,”

“In the month we’ve been together I’ve gained feelings for you and I understand if you don’t like me in that way - ” 

“My dearest Raven I also like you like that please don’t sell yourself short, you are beautiful, kind, caring, loving,”

“Thank you Dove” she says. 

“Of course my Queen,” she leans in and gives me a light peck on the lips. The kiss was full of love. We eventually break the sweet kiss.

“y/n my Dove will you be my girlfriend?”

“I would love to my Raven,”  

~~~

It’s been a year since I started dating the Queen. It has been a magnificent journey and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. Today was our one-year anniversary, so I am taking her to the spot where we became official a year ago. Going early I set up a little picnic for the two of us. 

~~~ Sipping wine with my Raven leaning against me, by the lake watching the sunset is something I will never forget. 

“y/n I have a question for you,”

“Of course my love,”

“Look Dove since you came into my life I felt complete and when you’re not here I feel incomplete, I don’t want you leaving me anymore. I love you more than anything in the world, and you have made me a even better person, my love my light will you marry me and become my queen?” she asks pulling out a beautiful silver diamond Ring

“Oh my love of course I’ll marry you,” I say as a few tears fall down my face. 

~~~ the next day 

We announced our engagement earlier this morning and the whole kingdom was happy for us especially my mother. 

We’ve started planning our wedding which will be in a few weeks. 

~~~ The wedding day 

Dressed In With a Crown upon my head, walking down the aisle I see my future with the love of my life nothing will separate us I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her. 

[sqtorux]

🫁 hello friend <3 i’m so surprised to hear you’re not that good at fluff ?? your fluff works are definitely some of my favs !! i agree that apples are such a luxury … tell me why i rocked up to the supermarket yesterday and they were seven bucks a kilo. why were they seven bucks a kilo. they’re not usually that expensive either so ?? i was genuinely so outraged. also yes i am a cat parent !! i have two lovely cats <3 that love hunting and dragging dead birds in the house for me to toss out <3 

i really enjoyed the premise of the most recent text au <3 i’m generally a huge fan of pre-relationship to newly dating content because it’s such a fun period to read/write about. anyways guess my favourite parts !! it’s going to shock you. suguru (no surprises here) and shouko. 

that’s my girlfriend right there your honour, i’m so happy to see her alive and well in your works. happy to say that every single one of my male favs in jjk might be dead but gege would never kill a woman except for the many, many times he has. utahime you little schemer you. i appreciate the fact every single person is so so blatant here ?? not a drop of subtlety in any of them. shouko’s little “i can drop it if you want me to”? girlkisser girlkisser. in what world is that slick or subtle shouko? in what world is that a casual little thing to say.

are we even surprised i loved every line of suguru’s. he immediately knew what shouko was up to and you know what ?? i respect him so much for jumping on that opportunity. “wonder why you look lonely standing in the corner like that?” just say you want to be by them man LMAO. a normal person would walk up to you and go “hey!” but not this guy. “maybe, but she’s doing a very good job at it.” you little liar you. the only reason that worked is because he was probably already down bad <3 god. him immediately offering to go somewhere more quiet with the reader? i know what you are. full disclosure but every single time someone has done that to me i’ve folded like a wet paper towel. “somewhere quiet would be nice” “very nice indeed. stay there i’m getting you.” and you expect me to just casually live on knowing this man isn’t real.

anyways yes !! loved this post as always. the reason everything is due for me rn is because i am the ceo of procrastinating. i haven’t even been writing so i have no valid excuse for struggling with this workload rn. Embarrassing. hope you’re well friend <3

inflation is not sparing even fruits im crying. two cats!!!!! i love them i love cats they have my heart. ever just look at cats and want to sob hysterically because they're just so... cat like. cat.

noooo bc this time i actually twirled my hair making shoko's i love her sm. also very nice to know suguru has you in his grasp we're so down bad for him understandably so.

dw im a master procrastinator as well there's just something about speed working last minute that hits and it works everytime so why should we change our ways exactly exactly.

[onevolon]

my love for you is infinite - part9

Santiago Garcia x afab!reader(Darcy)

note: pride and prejudice (2005) but with triple frontier boys because why not lol

word count: 1859

warnings: things are getting a lttle heated

you can also read it on ao3.

part8 - part10 - masterlist

Santiago's carriage arrives at a smallish but charming rectory in Kent. This is Hunsford, Charlotte's new home. She rushes out and greets Santiago, kissing his cheek nervously.

Mr. Collins bows and ushers him in.

“Welcome to our humble abode.” He starts and continues to talk but Charlotte cuts him.

“My dear, I think our guest is tired after his journey.”

“Ah, yes… My wife encourages me to spend as much time in the garden as possible, for the sake of my health.”

A beat. Santiago glances at Charlotte, who remains impassive.

“I plan many improvements, of course. I intend to throw out a bow and plant a lime walk. Oh yes, I flatter myself that any young lady would be happy to be the mistress of such a house.”

A tiny nod from Santiago. Charlotte takes his arm and starts to walk to another room.

They are at last alone. They sit down in a charming little parlor that faces the front of the house. Charlotte pours out tea.

“We shall not be disturbed here, this parlour is for my own particular use. Oh Santiago, it's such a pleasure, to run my own home!”

Santiago nods uncomfortably.

“Charlotte! Come here!” Mr. Collins yells.

Charlotte jumps up and rushes to the window.

“What's happened?” says Santiago, alarmed.

“Charlotte!”

“Has the pig escaped again?”

Outside in the lane, Mr. Collins stands, bowing: at a carriage.

“Oh! It's Lady Catherine. Come and see, Santiago!”

Santiago goes to the window, unnerved by his friend’s enthusiasm. Mr. Collins rushes back towards the house and talks to them through an open window.

“Great news! Great news! We have an invitation to visit Rosings this evening from Lady Catherine de Bourg.”

“How wonderful!”

Santiago tries to feign pleasure.

“Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel.”

“Just put on whatever you've brought that's best.”

“Lady Catherine has never been averse to the truly humble.”

Santiago stares at them both in disbelief.

***

Santiago, Charlotte and Mr. Collins walk hurriedly across a bridge towards the great house. The grey building looms ominously above them. It is grand without being elegant.

“One of the most extraordinary sights in all Europe, is it not. The glazing alone cost upwards of twenty thousand pounds.” Mr. Collins bragged.

The salon at Rosings is spectacularly grand; hideously so. Heavy furniture, rows of servants. The three guests are shown in by the footman. Again, Mr. Collins scrapes the floor with his bow.

“Your Ladyship. Miss de Bourg.”

Lady Catherine ignores him.

“So, you are Santiago Garcia Bennet.

“I am, your ladyship.”

“Hmm. This is my daughter.”

“It' s very kind of you to ask us to dine, Lady Catherine.” Charlotte interferes.

Lady Catherine ignores her, too.

“The chimneypiece alone cost 400 pounds.” Mr. Collins whispers to Santiago.

But Santiago doesn't hear. Miss Darcy walks into the room. freezes. Another man is with him.

“Miss Darcy! What are you doing here?”

“Oh, Miss Darcy. I had no idea we would have the honour...”

A stiff bow from Darcy, who looks at Mr Collins as if he's something brought in by the dog. She turns to Santiago, trying to collect herself.

“Mr. Santiago... I'm a guest here.”

“You know my niece?” Lady Catherine says, not pleased.

“Yes, madam, I had the pleasure of meeting your niece in Hertfordshire.”

Fitzwilliam, a much more easy-going chap, introduces himself.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam. How do you do?”

He bows. Santiago returns his smile gratefully. They move towards the dining room. Mr. Collins leans towards Santiago.

“You know Miss Darcy is as good as engaged to Miss de Bourg?”

“Really? Caroline will be disappointed to hear that.” He looks at the girl, and whispers to Charlotte “What a miserable little thing! They should suit each other perfectly.”

But Charlotte's uneasy smile confirms to Santiago that she has lost his friend in more ways than one.

***

The dining room is laid for a very grand dinner - footmen waiting, thousands of candles. Lady Catherine seats herself at the he and of the table.

“Mr. Collins! You can't sit next to your wife, get up. Move over there.”

After an awkward shuffle, Santiago finds himself sitting next to Darcy. Only his own discomfort prevents him from noticing Darcy is by no means master of her responses.

“I trust your family is in good health, Mr. Santiago?”

“They are, thank you. My eldest brother is currently in London, perhaps you happened to see him there?”

“I haven't been fortunate enough, no.”

Santiago looks at her. She colors slightly. Lady Catherine addresses Santiago in a loud voice, from the head of the table.

“Do you play the pianoforte, Mr. Bennet?”

“A little, ma'am, and very poorly.”

“Oh. Do you draw?”

“No, not at all.”

“Your siblings, do they draw?”

“Not one.”

“Has your governess left you?”

“We never had a governess.”

Mr. Collins squirms in embarrassment. Darcy watches Santiago, keenly.

“No governess? Five siblings brought up at home without a governess, I never heard such a thing! Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education.”

“Not at all, Lady Catherine.”

“Mmmm. Are any of your younger brothers out in society?”

“Yes, ma'am. All.”

“All! What, five out at once? Very odd! And you only the second the younger ones out before the elders are married! Your youngest must be very young.”

“Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. But I think it would be very hard on younger brothers, not to have their share of amusement because the elder is still unmarried. And to be kept back on such a motive! It would hardly encourage brotherly affection.”

“Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?”

“With three younger brothers grown up, your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own to it.”

Lady Catherine looks astonished. Mr. Collins shifts in his seat, Santiago's enjoying himself and Darcy's having great difficulty concealing her admiration.

***

Dinner is over and they are drinking coffee. Darcy moves towards Santiago but Lady Catherine interrupts, by shouting from her seat.

“Come, Miss Bennet, and play for us!”

“No, I beg you-”

“Music is my delight. In fact, there are few people in England who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a prodigy. So would Anne, if her health would have allowed her.”

“Lady Catherine, I am not afflicted with false modesty and when I say I play poorly ...”

“Come come, Santiago, her ladyship demands it!” Mr. Collins insists.

Santiago reluctantly sits down at the piano and starts to play. Lady Catherine takes no notice and talks loudly over the music.

“How does Georgiana get along, Darcy?”

“She plays very well.”

“I hope she practices. No excellence can be acquired without constant practice. I have told Mrs. Collins this. (Turns to Charlotte) Though you have no instrument of your own you are very welcome to come to Rosings and play on the piano in the housekeeper's room.”

“Thank you, your ladyship.”

“You would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part of the house.”

Darcy flinches at her bad manners. He moves away to the piano where Santiago is playing - not that terribly well, it must be said. He's nervous, plays a wrong chord and then gets angry with himself and focusses.

“You mean to frighten me, Miss Darcy, by coming in all your state to hear me, but I won't be alarmed even though your sister does play so well.”

“I am well enough acquainted with you, Mr. Santiago, to know I cannot alarm you even should I wish it.”

A beat. They eye each other warily. Colonel Fitzwilliam joins them.

“What was my friend like, in Hertfordshire?”

“You really care to know?”

The colonel nods.

“Prepare yourself for something very dreadful. The first time I saw her, at the Assembly, she danced with nobody at all “

“I knew nobody beyond my own party.”

“True, and nobody can be introduced in a ballroom.”

“Fitzwilliam! I need you!” Lady Catherine calls.

He moves away. Darcy and Santiago are alone. Darcy's struggling with her pride which suddenly gives way.

“I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before.”

“Perhaps you should take your aunt's advice and practice.”

Darcy flinches. Santiago turns away from her and carries on playing. Darcy gazes at the curve of his neck.

***

Santiago is writing a letter in the drawing room. He starts "Dear Francisco..." The doorbell rings in the background, he thinks nothing of it and continues. The maid opens the door to the drawing room and Miss Darcy enters.

“Miss Darcy!”

An awkward pause.

“Please, do be seated. I'm afraid Mr. and Mrs. Collins are gone on business to the village.”

A pause. What on earth does Miss Darcy want? She paces up and down.

“This is a charming house. I believe my aunt did a great deal to it when Mr. Collins first arrived.”

“I believe so - and she could not have bestowed her kindness on a more grateful subject.”

Another pause.

“Mr. Collins seems very fortunate in his choice of wife.”

“He is indeed lucky to have found one of the few sensible women who would have accepted him.”

Darcy sits down.

“Shall I call for some tea?”

“No. Thank you.”

The sound of the front door, and voices. Darcy jumps up.

“Good day, Mr. Santiago. It's been a pleasure.”

He bows to her and leaves. Santiago sits there, bemused and intrigued.

Charlotte, in the hallway, taking off her bonnet. Darcy hurries past her, with a swift bow, and leaves abruptly. Charlotte gazes after her in surprise. She heads to the drawing room where she finds Santiago still sitting thinking.

“What on earth have you done to poor Miss Darcy?”

“I have no idea.”

Truly, she doesn't.

***

Mr. Collins, in his vestments, stands in the pulpit delivering his sermon. Lady Catherine sits in the front row with her daughter.

Santiago sits a little way behind with Colonel Fitzwilliam. They talk in whispers.

“How long do you plan to stay in Kent, Colonel?”

“As long as Darcy chooses. I am at her disposal.”

“Everyone appears to be at her disposal. I wonder she does not marry and secure a lasting convenience of that kind.”

Fitzwilliam looks at Santiago, curious about his brittle tone.

“They would be lucky.”

“Really?”

“Darcy is a most loyal companion. From what I heard, on our journey here, she recently came to the rescue of one of her friends just in time.”

Darcy glances across from the adjacent pew.

“What happened?”

“She saved the man from an imprudent marriage.”

“Who was the man?”

“Her closest friend. Charles Bingley.”

A silence.

“Did Miss Darcy give you her reasons for this interference?”

“There were apparently strong objections to the lady.”

“What kind of objections? His lack of fortune?”

“I think it was his family that was considered unsuitable.

“So she separated them?”

“I believe so. I know nothing else.”

Santiago grows pale. He turns to look at Darcy.

[nickywhoisi]

It's midnight mods are asleep post chefs

That's right, we're veering off course from my usual project again as I have officially gone full batshit and dove head first into the Pizza Tower fandom. No regrets baby. I mean have you seen the shit poppin off over here rn? Buck wild. And all the cool kids make ocs, so

The dude in purple is my oc Adlin Bäkermann, he/him/ they-them sometimes, probably mid 30's, and they run a bakery just down the block from Peppino's pizzeria. It's the best in town because all of it is homemade by him. Peppino gets the pizza dough from Adlin, if he doesn't make it himself. Adlin sometimes comes by for a snack break. Sometimes Peppino comes over for a well-needed coffee break. Local businesses supporting other local businesses <3

Adlin is a very quiet guy. He rarely speaks in more than affirmative sounds or disapproving grunts, but on occasion he will use his words. And he is one cool cucumber, so instead of frantically worrying about what his friend's went through, he will just ask calmly, practically like a therapist, "What happened?" He's an honourable soul and cannot stand seeing injustice. Things like that, and other stressors (like work) can bring up his inner rage meter though, because he is not impervious to anger management issues. And he's German, so he can be scary about it. It really isn't a smart move to piss off a lad who will throw massive gauntlet hands that can crush you like a bug, or make him use his steely eyes to bore into your very being. And, strangely, he can be a tad absent-minded. If he screws up something, you will hear a quiet, ashamed, "...Sorry." There's more times than he'd care to admit that he was kneading dough while fuming, and before they realized it, the work table was fuckin shrapnel. Oops. Lil' bit of a klutz. Better watch those mitts of yours, boy! Ooo hoo hoo hoo

Now with that blurbo finished for my blorbo, I wamna discuss the pic. Specifically, I love how the colouring and effects used turned out. So close to what I was looking for! Huzzah! I'm happy with the mach speed lines and Adlin's beeg bright rocket blasts. I was also on the fence about colouring in Adlin's pants, was thinking of keeping them white, but...actually it was a really good idea. It matches the other guys, and when I designed Adlin, I really wanted to make it a point that he had things that could make him a playable character. Just like one of the cast. His hands fire little dough blasts, but because of the hole of fire he launches them out of...they come out as little cooked brioche buns. Gdsffddsggssgff This is basically a proof of concept for my jump 'n shoot baker boi. I love my child so much. My sweet bebeh. In canon, he's got that androgynous pretty swag, which makes him all the more intimidating to approach. Oh and before I forget...there isn't any shipping. Naughty children ;) I know what you're after you wanna know if my boy smooches the italian like a lot of the other ocs. Nah. These guys are literally only friends, but good friends. Which might not be so obvious with how I introduced them, but that happens in universe too. You'd think there's rivalry going on, and there is occasionaly some weird indescribable tension between them, but nope. I'm just so happy that I drew Adlin just like how I wanted and then suddenly he looks like the metal to Peppi's sonic. It just happened outta nowhere, and that's frankly amazing. Pizza Tower is the gift that keeps on giving and I am alive

And yeah this was my first try at drawing The Noise, can ya tell? He has details that aren't so correct, but I'm kinda diggin the caramel top I put on his hat. To make him look closer to a cream puff. And I wasn't sure how many teeth he was supposed to have. But there ya go I think I still captured his noisy noidy e s s e n c e . AND THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE HIS BUTT NOT A BIG KOO- OKAY JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR THAnks. And the same applies to Brick, I didn't think to study his design and then draw so it was off memory. Still looks super cute though ngl

What are they racing towards? Who's gonna win? Idk I just like the stardust speedway vibes goin on look at these funky little dudes go