#i don’t miss my old town but by god am i getting close

[aroace-genderfluid-snake]

my joints: snap crackle pop

me, under my breath: pop it, lock it, polka dot it. country fivin’, hip hop hip. put your-

[thinplacesradio]

wooden pews in a small chapel with a shining floor, red and blue light. the image is distorted by VCR static. white text reads:

[031] THE WRONG TURN. A CALLER LOSES DIRECTION. THE HOST REACHES BACK.

listen here, or anywhere you find your podcasts. transcript under the cut:

[static, radio tuning]

[Traveling Sales Rep: Don’t touch that dial! We’ll be right back, after these short messages.] [static, radio tuning]

[click]

Hello and welcome to Thin Places Radio. I’m your host,

and it is the middle of the night. But don’t worry. You’re not alone.

[Thin Places theme] 

[wind blowing] [wood creaking] [clock ticking]

I’m coming to you… from my studio, which is what I like to call this rickety chapel, closed up for the week, waiting for Sunday. I can hear the wind whistling in the cracks of the old wood, feel the whole frame shudder. There’s stained glass in the windows, but I can’t tell what color any of it is. Does God stay behind in the places we’ve carved out for him, when no one’s left? Does anything else? 

So… what is Thin Places Radio? Well, you can call in about anything strange that you’ve got going on in your life - feelings, omens, premonitions, hauntings.

Are you retracing your steps, even when you can’t remember where you’ve been? 

Are you lost in your own hometown?

Are you reaching out for something you can’t experience? 

Call in, get it off your chest. Lines are open.

[click] [voicemail:]

Never done anything like this before, but I figured that you might understand? I have a amazing sense of direction, I’ve - I drive somewhere once and I know how to get there, I never get lost. The other day last summer, I was headed to the post office by my house, and I'm driving down the road and I - I'm not recognizing any of the landmarks. And I’m like, well, that’s weird, I must’ve just passed it. So I turn around and I drive back, I’m driving further, and I'm passing the intersection, I’m like, well I must’ve passed it again. 

I drove up and down that road three times before I finally had to pull into a parking lot. And I pulled up my phone and my map and - I was on the opposite side of town? I wasn't anywhere near my house or near the post office and I have no clue how I got there. I was so freaked out that I went straight home and I put it in my GPS even though I knew how to get there, I just - just to double check. I thought that was kind of weird. And you know, if you're still looking for a name, Host, you know, hopefully you find yours, but maybe Jade would work in the intro? Just a thought. Bye. 

[click] 

I do. I understand. Out of all of the things I have experienced, this is the most frightening: a lapse inside of my own world, or inside of my own mind. [eerie, curious music] Sometimes when you’ve lived somewhere for years, you wake up one day and its familiarity makes you feel sick to your stomach. You think, why? Why am I here? What is my purpose? The same misery, every day, on its own reliable schedule? You get in your car after work and you begin to drive home. But you miss your exit. And you think, I could - I could keep driving. I could keep driving all night, until I don’t recognize anything. Until I don't - 

[music stops]

I’m sorry, that's... not what you were talking about. I don’t know why I said that. Let me try again, caller.

You were pulled into something wrong, on your way to that post office - something uncanny, unfamiliar when it should have been understandable. Transported, or perhaps transformed. It’s terrifying to look up and not understand how you got there. [searching music] To not recognize the shape of your own life.

I think that there are two things you can do when you get to that parking lot: one, you can take advantage of that strangeness your life has become and say, I’m somewhere new now. I didn’t expect to be here, but I’m going to explore it. Or two, you can do what you've already done: look around at this unfamiliar new place and say, no, no, no, I can’t be here. I have to find my way back home. 

Thank you for the name, caller. Jade. Carveable into a thousand different shapes but not easily broken. Resilient. It’s a good name. I wish it was mine. 

And, just in case - as always - say it with me - please check your home for carbon monoxide. 

[click] [clock ticking]

Something strange, listeners. There is a type of deep-sea squat lobster that eats wood. It is called Munidopsis andamanica. It waits there, in the abyss, for trees and shipwrecks, gifts from the waking world that fall slowly into the darkness of the water. It was made to subsist something it will never see - something that does not exist where it exists. The sea provides.

This is beautiful. I know that it is beautiful. It lives, despite all odds. It finds sustenance, despite all odds. [clock ticks louder] But I think it must be lonely. I wonder if it craves other food. I wonder if it is happy down so deep, or if it thinks of the surface. If it wants to see the sun. 

No, probably not. It’s a crustacean. It doesn’t know any of this. It doesn’t know how improbable it is - that it’s either a freak or a miracle, or both. It eats what it was meant to eat until it dies. However long that is. How are you supposed to keep track of something that’s down so deep? 

[click] [wind whistling] [wood creaking]

I am going to be honest, listeners, in this empty place. I am going to say it to the wind that's tearing apart this chapel and to you. I wish I'd never remembered that there was something to forget. I wish there was someone who could hear me where I am and not just over the radio. I’m lost. I’m lonely. I want to talk to somebody face to face. I want to see the surface. [eerie, curious music]

I don’t think I can get any of that back. But I have to find out what happened. I’m going back for what I lost, even if I lose it all over again. 

[click]

Thank you for listening, callers, and thank you for calling, listeners. I hope you feel a little bit lighter. [heavy pause] I know I do. As always, our number is 717.382.8093. That’s 717.382.8093. Until next time. I’ll be here.

[static] [Traveling Sales Rep: visit us at the - diner just off -] [Various Garbled Voices: the - road - provides - the - road - provides -]

Thin Places Radio is a podcast written by Kristen O’Neal and produced by Kaitlin Bruder. The voice of Your Host is Kristen O’Neal.

Tonight’s voicemail was left for us by a mystery caller. Editing and sound design are by Kaitlin Bruder, and the music tracks you heard in tonight’s episode are: the Thin Places theme and Unearthed, by Miles Morkri, and Umeed by RANA. If you have a question to ask, a story to tell, or a suggestion for the host, give us a call at ‪(717) 382-8093. The lines are always open.

[Thin Places Theme outro]

the - road - provides -

[away-ward]

Just Get the Tampons, Will

Note: The original link was giving me trouble, and I think it's because it's a reblog, so I'm making an original post just to link.

--

No disrespect to PD but I just really wanted Will to get the tampons.

So I wrote it.

Here you go. It’s not heavily edited, written in 3rd person POV, and meant to give you a laugh. I hope it gives you a laugh.

“Guys, shut up, my wife’s calling,” Will announced to the still rowdy car. Smiling despite it, he slid his thumb across the screen and hit the speaker button in a fluid motion. “Hey babe, you’re on speaker,”

“Can I not be?”

Three pairs of eyes slid his way; Damon from his left, Michael from the rearview mirror, and Kai rotating around from the front passenger seat, each with a salacious gleam. Grinning, Will turned toward his window and dropped his voice. “Why? You got a secret you wanna tell me?”

His wife huffed. “Not like there’s any secrets in this family anyway. Can you pick me up some tampons on your way back into town?”

The scandalous vibe of the group immediately dissipated in the face of real world responsibilities. Will shifted to check the clock on the dash - nearly midnight. They had finished up some meetings in Meridian and stayed for a late dinner before starting back to Thunder Bay. “You’re out?”

“I had a box, but our son thought they looked fun ‘growing’ in the toilet water. The pharmacy here’s already closed, not that they carry my brand anyway.”

“I’ll call Banks,” Kai offered from the front, already pulling out his phone. “Maybe she can run some over.”

“Thanks, but she uses a different kind.”

Will scrunched his face. “Does it really matter?”

“Do you have a favorite condom brand?”

The only sound that could be heard in the car was the low music as each man considered the question. None volunteered an answer.

“Thought so.” He could hear her smugness on the phone and imagined that look she got when she knew she was right. He had to remind himself his wife probably wasn’t up for sexting now, given her physical state. Though he had heard that organisms help with cramps, so maybe…

“So, can I count on you or am I free bleeding in your bed tonight?”

Will blanched at the idea. Michael was already hitting the freeway exit. “You can count on me,” he said, not at all excited about it. “Send a picture?”

A few minutes later, Michael pulled into the empty parking lot of a 24-hour pharmacy. “Thank god,” Will muttered, opening the door and stepping out. “Wish me luck.”

“Embarrassed?” Kai asked, laughing to himself.

“Nah,” Will lied. As much as he loved sharing everything with Em, he loved her even more for keeping that part of her life to herself. She even promised to handle The Talk with the girls when they were old enough. He was only slightly concerned that Indie was getting close to that age. What was next? Bras? Boys?

His mind pulled hard left away from that thought.

How did Michael do it? They only had Athos for a few years before she was a teenager. He felt like it was going by all too quickly, and couldn't imagine how Michael handled it.

On the other side of Michael’s Land Rover, Damon stepped out. “You’re going too?” the driver called in disbelief.

“And miss this moron wandering around the Pink aisle?”

Will rolled his eyes and swung the door shut behind him. He made it five feet before he heard all three doors shut and shook his head. “You guys’ suck balls.”

The four men strutted into the pharmacy the same way they strutted to face any opponent, with confidence and swagger. Once inside the door, they came to an immediate stop, unclear of where to go next. The bright florescent lights spanned across the ceiling of the large store, shining down on the many, many aisles.

“Where would they be? Near the medicine?” Will asked.

“She’s not sick, dipshit,” Damon said.

“Well, I don’t know!”

“We should ask,” Kai reasoned.

“I’m not asking.”

“Either ask or I leave you here,” Michael told him. “I want to see my wife tonight.”

Will grumbled, grabbing a cart and heading farther into the store. His eyes swung from side to side, looking for any sign that he was nearing his target or a store employee. He hoped for the former.

He found the latter.

A young girl stocking the bottom shelves of the paper goods section. Brown flyaway hair that had parted from her ponytail stuck fell around her face. She looked fourteen. A wire ran from her back pocket to one of her ears, muffled music playing as she focused on her task. He hated himself.

“Uh, hey,” he said from the end of the aisle. She jumped, dropping the 12 pack of extra-large toilet paper rolls. Quickly, she pulled the headphones from her ear. “Sorry,” he offered weakly. Clearing his throat, he continued, “Uh. Where are the, uh…”

Exhausted and not nearly as entertained as he thought he’d be, Damon interjected. “Where’s the girly shit.”

“The what?”

“You know, the shit girls use.”

She blinked, eyebrows drawn in confusion and probably fear. At nearly forty and with five children, Damon still had that effect on people. “Make-up?”

Will could feel Damon’s irritation twisting at his side. “Tampons!” He shouted to cut his friend off. “I need tampons.”

Michael and Kai tried not to be obvious with their laughter, hiding behind their hands, but Will could still hear them at his back.

“Oh,” the girl gasped, but then she gathered herself. She pointed deeper into the store. “Three rows down, on your right.”

Will nodded, looking to where she was pointing. “Thanks.” He pushed the cart. He didn’t even know why he had the cart, other than it was giving him something to grip. How many boxes was he going to need? He should have asked. He pulled his phone out, checking to see if Em had sent that picture.

Nothing. He sent a question mark, hoping for the best.

Behind him, Kai said, “You really shouldn’t be listening to music if you can’t hear the door. Anyone could come in.”

“Move it along,” Damon called. “You can’t be everyone’s hero.”

Will found the aisle just where the girl said it would be and walked in. He scanned the shelves, looking for something that was familiar. He’d seen the box below the sink a hundred times. It sat right next to… her face wash? Mouth wash? Extra toothpaste? He really needed to pay more attention.

Was it a pink box? Nearly every box was pink. Some were black. Who were those for? Did she want the pretty one with the nice applicator or - what was super? Super meant better, right?

He checked his phone again. Still no picture.

“What’s the hold up?” Michael asked. He seemed to be avoiding looking at the boxes all together.

Will shook his phone. “No picture.”

Kai picked up a random box. “Reusable? How- “ he flipped it over. “It’s a cup?”

Michael cleared his throat, casting his eyes to the box in his friend’s hands. “I heard Rika and the kid talking about that. Apparently, it’s better for the environment.”

“Athos uses it?” Will asked, grabbing a second box. “Is that healthy?”

“Says it last ten years,” Kai read aloud. “Medical grade silicone. I wonder if Banks would like it.”

Damon grabbed the box from Kai’s hands, ignoring the glare he received. He tossed it into the cart, along with five others that were on the shelf. “Decision made.”

“Hold up,” Will said, “I don’t even know if that’s what Emmy wants.”

“It’s good for the environment and is reusable so we never have to do this again. What’s there to consider.”

“Um, what my wife wants,” Will argued. “What if it’s not comfortable? What if it doesn’t work for her?”

Damon motioned to Michael. “Call Athos and get the details.”

The three men looked at him like he was insane – which, considering…

Michael scoffed. “It’s past midnight. She’ll be sleeping.”

Damon arched a brow. “Did you sleep you’re first week at college?”

Michael pulled out his phone, ignoring the way his friends laughed. Holding it out, he waited as it rang and rang, silently daring her to not answer.

“Dad?” Athos questioned on answer, a note of curiosity, but not sleep, in her voice.

“Do you use a – what’s it called?” he asked the guys.

“A menstrual cup,” Kai finished.

There was a beat of silence from the phone, before a whispered, “It’s never what I think it’s going to be.” Raising her voice, she answered, “Yeah, and how do you even know what that is?”

Will took the phone from Michael. “Is it comfortable?”

Athos laughed. “Is this for you, or someone else?”

“It’s for Em.”

“Then shouldn’t I be talking to her?”

“This is an emergency.”

“A menstrual cup emergency?”

Damon snatched Michael’s phone from Will. “Listen, you little brat,”

“No, you listen, you werido,” Athos broke in, still laughing, “Don’t get her anything she doesn’t already use.”

“I don’t know what she uses,” Will shouted at the phone. Then his eyes diverted to the end of the aisle. A second later, his friends did the same.

The employee stood at the end, the cart of items left to be stocked next to her, staring at them in bewilderment. Will could only imagine how they must have looked to her; four grown men arguing over tampons and cups at a quarter past midnight.

“Hey, little girl,” Damon taunted, “you wannna help us?”

“Oh my god, Uncle D!” Athos’ voice rang from the device in his hand. “You can’t say things like that to people.”

Damon hung up on her, tossing the phone back to Michael, who was only thankful he still had the reflexes to grab it mid-air. He started towards the end of the aisle, to the girl, but was pushed back by a hand on his chest.

“Ignore him,” Kai said, stepping in front of Damon. “He’s unstable. We’re working on the proper combination of meds, but until then-“ Kai lifted a shoulder as if to say, What can you do?

“Okay,” the girl answered, not giving away how she felt about Kai’s explanation. Damon suspected she might be too stupid to have processed what he said. Then she stepped forward, motioning toward the shelf. “Did you need help?”

The men paused, staring at her. She really did look young, her face round, eyes big and brown. She was small too. “Is it even legal for you to be working this late?” Michael asked, suspicious.

She nodded slowly. “I’m nineteen.”

“Oh,” Will said as they all immediately relaxed. The last thing he wanted to do was talk to some young kid about period stuff. Honestly, this is the first thing that had gone right all night in his book. “Great. Then, yeah. I need tampons for my wife, and I don’t know what I’m looking at.”

“Do you know what size she needs?”

Four gazes landed on back her. “There’s different sizes?” Kai inquired with astonishment.

They spent the next half-hour quizzing the girl who proved to be a wealth of knowledge. She gave the menstrual cups a glowing review, assuring Will that his wife would be happy with it, but also recommended a variety box of tampons that she pieced together was Em’s usual picked based on what Will could finally remember once he stopped panicking.

“What’s this one?” Damon said, pulling another box off for her.

“That’s a disk,” the girl said. “It’s similar to a cup, except you can have sex with it in, so there’s no blood.”

Kai looked over boxes, inspecting the difference from the one he was already holding. “Really?”

“Afraid of a little mess, Kai?”

“My sheets are expensive,” Kai responded, not bothering to feed into his goading, and tossed a few of the new products into the cart.

Feeling like he’d done his due diligence as husband of one Emory Grayson, mother of his children and woman who warmed his bed each night, Will pushed the cart to the front. Not only had he taken the girl's advice, but he filled the cart with everything in the aisle that had piqued his interest. His girl would be well stocked, and the aisle was a little less intimidating at the end of it all.

Tapping his card against the reader, he looked at the angel in disguise sent to save him. She looked tired but hadn’t given any indication she wasn’t happy to help. “You like the night shift?”

She shrugged. “I’d prefer morning so I can do want I’d like with my nights, but the manager gives those to his favorites.”

“And you’re not?”

She smiled, her eyes slanting in a way that communicated a deeper message. “I’m a bit of a troublemaker. Don’t always do things by the book.”

Will grinned, feeling like he knew exactly what she was talking about. He liked her, he decided. “Well, my friend, have a good night.”

Things usually worked out for his friends. One way or another.

–

The horsemen get the girl her morning shifts (cause in my head they occasionally use their influence and amassed power to do nice things for people they like).

Emory thought she hit send on the picture and fell asleep. She was very happy to wake up to not only the right brand of tampons, but the cup, since she wanted to try it. She was also impressed he did it without the picture… until the boys ratted him out.

Damon makes sure all the women have multiple cups so they don’t have to worry about cleaning it right away.

Kai still invests in the whatever cup he picked. I don’t know. It’s probably women owned, though.

Rika got a very confusing phone call from Athos the next day, but it made sense eventually. She had a good laugh at Will and then made sure the boys knew they couldn’t just go around asking people what products they use.

Michael’s just happy it’s over.

-

Thank you for reading! As always, likes, reblogs, and comments are appreciated and welcomed.

[seungkw1]

untitled (hoshi oneshot)

pairing: kwon soonyoung x reader (gender not explicity mentioned)

word count: 1.3k

genre: exes to lovers, non-idol au

warnings: drinking, cursing, implied sex

author's note: hi this is literally the very first fic i've ever written in my life!! it's just a short one but any constructive feedback is appreciated :)

What an annoying fucking day. 

Missing the bus and being late for work, coworkers getting on your nerves, and to top it all off you completely forgot to do that important task that was due today, so you ended up staying late. It was only Tuesday, but you needed a goddamn drink.

It was already dark by the time you stepped out into the freezing cold air, and you huddled up in your coat as you made your way to the mediocre dive bar down the block. Not your top choice, but it was close. You ordered a vodka soda and zoned out as you listened to whatever depressing ass Smiths song was playing - shitty vibe, but you were too tired to care. 

So when the man you had vaguely noticed was staring at you from your peripheral vision got up and headed towards you, you sighed as you turned to immediately shut that shit down. 

“Sorry but I am really not in the mood for a conversation right n-“ your stomach dropped as you made eye contact with the all-too-familiar face. 

“I thought that was you,” your ex-fiancé said sheepishly. 

Frozen in shock, it took you a good five seconds for you to utter a response. 

“Soonyoung?”

What the FUCK was he doing here?

As if he read your mind, he explained, “I’m in town this week for a work conference, but I didn’t expect to run into… anybody I knew.” He paused, waiting for your reaction. More silence. After what felt like an eternity you finally snapped out of it.  

“Um… me neither.” 

Jesus Christ, pull yourself together. 

It had been nearly two years since you last saw him. The breakup had felt like a relief then - he was moving across the country and you never planned to see or hear from him again. Especially not in some random fucking bar on a Tuesday. 

Your heart raced as you noted that he looked good. Like, really good. 

“Mind if I join?” he gestures to the vacant seat next to you. 

“Yeah, definitely. I mean- no I don’t mind. Sorry yeah go ahead, sure” you tripped over your words. Why the hell are you so nervous? It’s just your ex. 

Yeah, just the person I very nearly married. Just the person I had once considered my soulmate…

You shove that thought to the back of your mind. 

Soonyoung sits down and awkwardly begins to make small talk - something neither of you are that great at. You chat politely for a few minutes, asking each other the usual generic questions.  There’s clearly so much you want to say to each other, but you both hold back. 

“Soooo… how’s the…” he pauses. Shaking his head, he abandons whatever he was going to say. He turns and makes eye contact with you, giving you a questioning look. You feel your heart rate spiking. You try not to think about how handsome he looks right now. 

“Do you still like playing pool?” He nods his head over to the open pool table in the corner. A smile involuntarily creeps onto your face and you see his eyes light up in response. The tension suddenly melts away. 

“Only if I can still kick your ass.”

—

A few drinks and several rounds of pool later, you and Soonyoung are laughing it up as if you hadn’t spent a single day apart. 

“Tired of losing yet?” you taunt sarcastically. You are both terrible at pool and neither of you even know how to play properly. But neither of you care about the game at this point anyway - you’re lost in old stories and inside jokes. 

And god, he looks REALLY good. 

Soonyoung pulls out his phone and laughs as he checks the time. 

“Uh-ohhh, it’s gotten prettttty late. We better get you home before you turn into a pumpkin!” You roll your eyes but feel a sudden tinge of sadness. You were truly enjoying yourself - more than you had in a long time - and you weren’t ready for the night to end. But it was getting a bit late. 

“Ugh let me check the train, who knows how long until the next one.” You go to put your coat on but he’s already holding it up for you, not realizing his old habit. 

“Fuck the train, I’m driving you home! It’s toooo cold,” he insists. You let out a short laugh - he only had one more drink but he was clearly drunk. 

“No, dummy, you are in no condition to operate a vehicle. I’ll drive for you.” 

—

You park Soonyoung’s car near your apartment building. He’s mostly sobered up by this point, but he’s clearly a little embarrassed about the fact that he had spent a good chunk of the ride crying as he apologized and confessed that he really missed you. But honestly, you realize that you had really missed him too. 

“Welp, here we are… guess I’d better get going,” he says, trying to hide his mopiness at the thought of leaving you. He slowly starts to open the passenger door but you catch his sleeve to hold him back. As you pull him back into his seat you find your hand subtly sliding up around his bicep. Fuck, he was even more muscular than you remembered. 

“Excuse me but I am not letting you behind this wheel until you are fully sobered up, which you clearly are not,” you tell him firmly. “Come on babe, we’re going inside and getting you something to eat.” The affectionate name rolled off your tongue so naturally that you didn’t even notice you’d said it. 

His eyes light up again. He had always been stunning, but in this moment he was insanely hot. Still holding onto his bicep, memories of his toned body flash through your mind as you feel the heat rising inside you. 

Is this really happening? Fuck, I want him so bad. 

And the way he looks back at you, you know he wants you too.

—

“What do you want, leftover pizza? A sandwich? Ramen?” 

“Ooooh RAMEN!” Soonyoung exclaims eagerly as he comes running into the kitchen. “Pretty please,” he adds with a goofy grin. It all felt so natural. You didn’t realize how much you had missed this, missed him. 

“Drink this,” you force a cup of water into his hands. Your hands brush and you instantly get butterflies. 

Jesus what is this, a middle school crush?? 

He locks eyes with you. Huge pang in your stomach. 

Okay, yeah. You need him. Badly. Right now. 

Overwhelmed, you panic and turn back to busy yourself with the ramen, but you find yourself too distracted to even continue that. 

Soonyoung can’t wait any longer. He grabs you by the hips and turns you around, pulling your body into his. He’s already excited, and you feel his excitement grow even more as he wraps his arms around you and kisses you with more intensity than you’ve ever felt before. 

Fireworks. Electricity. All the things. In that moment, nothing in the world mattered but you and Soonyoung.

God damn. 

He breaks the kiss so he can take a look at you. “You’re so fucking beautiful, you know that right?” He gently grabs your chin and tilts your face up toward him, going in for another kiss. 

You suddenly become aware of the ramen packet that’s still in your hand. You giggle and he ends up kissing you on the teeth. You both burst out laughing and Soonyoung pulls you even tighter into his arms. You feel both of your hearts pounding in your chests. 

He places his forehead against yours. “Soooo…”

“Soooo what?” You give him a tiny peck on the lips. He gives you a tiny peck back. 

“Soooo aren’t you gonna invite me into your room?”

“What for?” you ask coyly. 

“Mmmm I think I have a few things in mind,” he says in a low voice. 

“Like whaaaat,” you tease. 

You feel the both of you becoming even more excited as he mutters into your ear. 

“Mmm I like the sound of that,” you say softly. Then jokingly, “but what about your ramen?”

“I think I have an appetite for something else now…” 

[end]

—

find me on ao3 as well ♡

[m0srael]

Unfinished Friday

A crawling what @tackytigerfic ??? (Seriously— a brilliant premise! And thanks for tagging me!). This is a wip I started and abandoned some time last year—re-reading this snip has reminded me to get back to it asap! I’d love to see what you’ve got lurking in your drafts, @avenueofesc, @makeitp1nk, @hogwartsfirebolt, @geesenoises, @phdmama, & @saintgarbanzo!

Imagine if Wolfstar raised Harry away from wizarding society in a sleepy little seaside town that a certain aggressively blonde, pureblood family happened to vacation at?

Harry uses his magic to silence his creaky door as he slips out into the hallway and pulls it shut behind himself. It’s a house rule that the door to the linen closet is always left slightly ajar, thanks to the time Harry shut himself in during a particularly ferocious tantrum and was too embarrassed to call for help for nearly an hour–it doesn’t matter that it happened when he was three and he’s nearly eighteen now–so he just has to stretch out a hand as he passes to summon his favorite beach towel and stuff it into his backpack before zipping it closed.

He steps carefully over the threshold to the kitchen to avoid the one loose tile and is nearly to the sliding glass doors and home free when–

“And where do you think you’re off too, this early?”

Harry jumps and nearly drops his backpack. He whirls around to find Remus seated at the kitchen table in his old, checkered robe, a steaming cup of tea clasped between his hands and his reading glasses perched on his nose. The newspaper is spread out on the table in front of him.

“Couldn’t sleep again?” Harry asks, his voice high and pinched. “Full moon’s only a couple nights away, I guess, but you should really get your rest!”

Remus raises an eyebrow and sets his mug down. His lips twist with the smile he’s trying to suppress. “Don’t try to deflect. The sun isn’t even up yet.”

Harry sighs, finally relenting to the fact that he has been well and truly caught. “I’m just going out for a bit before I have to get to work! You know how crowded the beach gets this time of year. I want to beat all the tourists!” He knows he sounds whiny, but the weather is supposed to be perfect this morning and he doesn’t want to miss the best waves.

Remus chuckles and pushes his reading glasses onto his forehead as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Were you even going to leave a note? Did you want us to wake up and think you’d been kidnapped in the night?”

Harry rolls his eyes, but a flush heats his cheeks. “Yeah, ‘course…” he says unconvincingly. “But it’s not like you wouldn’t know exactly where I am!”

“Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten the time Sirius had the beach patrol out searching for you at six in the morning.”

Harry laughs, “I could literally never forget that. Oh my god that was so embarrassing. Why is he like that??”

Remus makes a soft noise and considers Harry for a long moment. “He just worries about you. Because he loves you.”

Harry shifts on his feet, hearing Remus’s words for the gentle chastisement they are. “Yeah. I know.”

“And he’s always been a bit of a neurotic twat. Can’t help it.” Remus’s eyes sparkle with mirth. “Have I ever told you the story of the first time you got lost in the grocery store?”

Harry laughs again, more loudly. “The one where Sirius cried more than I did before and after you found me?”

“That’s the one,” Remus says, grinning, as he picks up his tea again and takes a sip. “Now go, before said neurotic twat wakes up and decides to keep you here for three hours casting sun protection charms, making sure you have a full breakfast and reading you the pamphlet on how to escape an undertow again.”

Harry grins so wide his cheeks hurt. “Thanks, Re.” He pulls open the sliding door and has one foot nearly out when he feels a hand on his shoulder.

“Here, at least take this,” Remus says as he hands him a banana. “You really should be sure to eat something. And don’t forget this.” Remus presses Harry’s wand into his hand–it’s an old, second-hand thing that he rarely uses, but he knows it makes both of his uncles feel better if he has it on him whenever he leaves the house.

“Thanks, Re,” Harry says again, more softly, as Remus pulls him into a hug.

“Be careful, Harry. Text when you’re on your way to work.”

Harry tightens his arms around Remus’s back. “‘Kay,” he mumbles.

[nickwildelvr]

Genshin rant that I have to get out bc no one has talked abt this but

BIGGEST PET PEEVE is when people make childes dad abusive or homophobic because he sent childe to the military bc ik that sounds bad OUT OF CONTEXT but lets put this into his fathers perspective ok. His “timid and hesitant” 14 yr old boy suddenly goes missing for 3 days and has come back a completely different boy. He is now an egotistical violent maniac. He HURTS people, PICKS FIGHTS WITH EVERYONE, imagines tearing off BIRDS’ WINGS. And even though his dad was extremely worried the last straw was when childe took place and POSSIBLY EVEN STARTED a HUGE BRAWL with CLOSE FATALITIES. HE ALMOST KILLED PEOPLE. Do u realize how scary that is to see that type of drastic change from your own child(e). (I had to) THAT MAN WAS SCARED OF HIS OWN SON. THATS SCARY TO SEE??? and in this little town of morepesok it’s not like there’s fucking mental hospitals let alone ANYWHERE IN TEYVAT so at that point what else is there to do. I mean u CANT just let him get worse as he gets older he’s probably gonna join some gang or smthn. So “he had no choice but to send his BELOVED SON to the fatui”. It’s not like he did it to make his son worse or to hurt him, plus childe was FAR from hating it and still loves his job. Plus he gets big bucks too 🤤❕

And I do not for one second think that childe resents his father for it. Now I still definitely don’t think they have the best relationship when it comes to opening up though, or anything emotional, maybe their past plus as dash of toxic masculinity in there. I feel like they would both avoid the topic too, maybe sometimes it’s a little bit stiff between them. Childe would probably be a little more closed off to his old man than he is to his mom yk cuz there’s no way he’s not a mamas boy. BUT THEY STILL FUCKING LOVE EACH OTHER AND HIS DAD ISNT HITTING HIM OR CALLING HIM SLURS LIKE GOD. Leave that man alone he loved his son more than anything and still probably does.

I’m sad childe isn’t that major of a character to the point that we would probably ever get a close look into his relationships with his family let alone his father but that’s just my personal take on their dynamic. I just am GETTING TIRED of people saying this like “I bet childe hates his father” “his dads probably homophobic” “poor childe he got sent the the fatui :((“ MAYBE BC HE ALMOST KILLED PEOPLE???? Like what That’s on him bruh 💀

I removed the drawing I originally put bc anything angst that I draw makes me cringe so bad after a week 💀💀💀💀

[2baddiesfanfics]

The Wildfire Within

Pairing: Seele x Bronya

Tags: Comfort, Comfort Sex, First Time, Vaginal Fingering, Oral Sex, Enemies to Friends to Lovers

Summary:

As Bronya and Seele discuss their respective pasts, Seele's declaration to save her strikes a cord in both of their hearts. If tonight might be the last night they ever have together, they better make the best of it.

Read on Ao3

The two women stood on the cracked blacktop of the deserted playground. The orphanage swam with the ghosts of their pasts but haunted them in different ways. To ease the tension of the moment, they shared memories of their respective childhoods. Although raised in different circumstances, this planet would always be their home - Overworld, Underworld…it was all the same Belobog.

Talks soon turned to plans for stopping Cocolia and ending the freeze. These thoughts weighed heavily on Bronya.

“The secrets and the lies….I need to know why she’s kept that from me. I thought it over and there’s only one thing I can do: Ask her,” she stated with determination.

“Wait…hold on. You’re not really going? Alone?” Seele replied in shock.

“I’ve already thought this through, and I’m the only one who can talk to her. I am her daughter, after all…and I’ve seen the truth.”

“Bronya…”

“Seele. Don’t try to stop me. This is something I must do.”

“Okay…I understand. But remember this - if you run into trouble, I will come to save you, no matter what.”

“And I’ll be waiting for you,” Bronya replied as she took both of Seele’s hands in hers. The two searched for comfort in each other’s eyes, fear of the unknown evident in the reflection. Without thinking, Seele pulled her forward and kissed her.

After the initial shock of the action wore off, Bronya stepped back.

“W-what are you doing?”

“I-I’m sorry! I-I just…I don’t want to miss this opportunity. I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but…” Seele’s rambling was cut off by Bronya lips seeking hers once more.

When they parted next, Seele broke the silence. “I know it’s probably not as fancy as you’re used to, but…if you’d like…we can go back to my place. I want to show you how serious I am about being there for you.”

With a resolute nod, the two walked briskly hand-in-hand to Boulder Town.

Once the door closed behind them, words weren’t needed. It was freezing and they knew not what the future held for them, but they both needed the warmth of someone who cared.

Their mouths clashed clumsily, both strong-willed women unwilling to seem weak in the other’s eyes. As Seele reached to unzip Bronya’s dress, the commander of the Silvermane Guards grabbed her by the wrist.

“S-Seele! Wait!” She stuttered.

Deathly afraid she’d moved too far too fast, she halted. “Oh god…I’m sorry. I thought you felt the same-“

“No! No. That’s not it. It’s just…I’ve…I’ve never…” Bronya tried to explain, her face burning with embarrassment.

Understanding where the conversation was going, Seele couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny? I’m just being honest!”

“Ha! No, I get it. Really, I do. I haven’t either. I once found an old romance novel when I was out patrolling for Wildfire, so that’s the extent of my knowledge. But I’d like to try with you…if you’d let me,” she explained shyly.

“Ok…just go slow. Please.”

“I’ll do my best to make you comfortable. I promise.” With a nod of approval from Bronya, Seele began to undress her slowly. She had let the excitement of these new, powerful emotions overcome her and thrown caution to the wind. With her mind refocused, she took the time to savor and get to know the unique aspects of the commander’s body.

For someone who supposedly lived a life of privilege, it was evident she had earned her position through many a fierce battle. Light scars marred the skin usually covered by her clothing. Seele traced one with her finger, to which Bronya responded with a quiet, “ah.”

“Does it hurt?”

“No. But…it’s not what you expected, is it?” She said with a sad smile.

Seele cupped her face. “Bronya, please. I’ve got way more than you do, I’m sure. You’re gorgeous and I’m amazed I’ve been able to slow down instead of ravishing you before we even make it to the bedroom.”

Bronya chuckled, clearly relaxing and letting her guard down. “Is that so? Afraid you’ll break me?”

Seele looked at her with a fire blazing in her eyes. “Something tells me you’re not as easy to break as you may think.”

“Guess it’s time to find out,” she replied before reaching to pull Seele’s shirt over her head. They continued to move toward the bedroom between fierce kisses, a trail of clothing the only thing left behind.

Seele backed her carefully down onto the mattress. A part of her worried her meager living space would make Bronya uncomfortable, but judging by the sounds she was making, she couldn’t care less about her surroundings.

Figuring she’d feel more at ease with her by her side, Seele positioned herself so they were now lying facing each other. With feather-light caresses, she trailed her fingers down her shoulder and then across her chest. Both wanted to carve the memory of the feeling of each other into their consciousness, for who knew what fate awaited them at the end of this next battle? Bronya closed her eyes as she sank into her touch.

“Hey…look at me,” Seele whispered tenderly. “You’re ok. I’ve got you. Your eyes are so beautiful. They burn with the passion of a wildfire.”

Bronya giggled, all nervousness and tension draining from her body. “That’s so corny, Seele! Did you steal that line from the romance novel?”

The woman rolled her eyes. “I’m trying to be romantic! Cut me some slack.” She gave one of her breasts a firm squeeze to snap her back into the heat of the moment. Any witty retort was cut short with a soft moan.

“That’s better,” Seele murmured. Continuing to massage the warm skin in her palm, Bronya leaned in to kiss her once more. The dual sensation of her tongue against hers as well as the tips of her fingers now teasing her nipple sent an electric pulse down her spine.

“Hmmm. I did say I’d have to teach you some Underworld slang, didn’t I? Let’s see…I think hearing the word ‘fuck’ come out of your dainty little mouth would be fun.”

Bronya’s face flushed even more. “I-I was only kidding about that. I don’t really think I should…”

“Ah, come on, princess. You’re not scared, are you? Being the big, bad commander you are? Let me hear you say it,” she taunted as she gave her nipple a firm pinch.

“Gahhh fuckkkk!” she hissed. Seele let out a satisfied snicker. Bronya gave her a stern look but then broke out into a sweet smile.

Now that she had clearly relaxed, Seele’s hand moved down between them to test if she was ready. Judging by the wetness that coated the inside of her thighs, it didn’t take much to prepare her.

Resting her forehead on Bronya’s, Seele asked, “You sure you’re ready for this?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything,” she responded. The calm tone of her voice grounded Seele. They felt the same about one another and this act would be a firm piece of evidence for her to turn to in the future.

Seele gently prodded her opening with her middle finger, wanting to ensure she wouldn’t hurt her. Bronya groaned, her hips moving involuntarily to drive her deeper.

“That ok?”

“Ahhh yes…more…”

Seele smirked. “Yes, commander,” she teased before inserting her ring finger as well. Moving at a safe pace, she had to stop herself from giving too much, too fast. The sounds coming out of Bronya made her head spin. She had spent the past few weeks dreaming about what she’d feel like, sound like.

“Seele…”

Hearing her say her name like that made her growl.

“Seele…I think…getting…close…”

Her thumb had begun to work her clit in time with the pumping of her fingers and she could feel her start to shudder.

“Come for me, Bronya. Let me hear you.” Her breath on the shell of her ear, heavy and hot with need, sent her over the edge.

As they both came out of a shared lustful haze, Seele brushed a tendril of hair from the girl’s forehead. “…was Bronya what that ok?” She had almost been too afraid to hear the answer.

Bronya propped herself up on her elbow to face her. “Ok!? That was better than ok, Seele. That was amazing!” Bronya flashed a dazzling smile at her. “They don’t teach you that in Silvermane Guard training.” Seele mirrored her grin and let out a sigh of relief.

The commander had gained confidence with the desire to make her feel as good as she did. Shifting to lie on top of her, Bronya’s gentle kisses quickly adopted an air of urgency. Running her hands up Seele’s defined arms and down her chest, she marveled at the feel of her breasts in her hands. Learning from what she had done earlier, she toyed with the sensitive nubs that now stiffened at her touch.

Their mouths parted, both of their lungs aching for air. Bronya’s hands moved to trace the scars that painted Seele’s body. Wow, she wasn’t kidding when she said she had them, too. Taking her time, she placed a kiss on each one wondering when she might hear the story behind them.

“You don’t have to…,” Seele started before a groan replaced her words. The feel of Bronya’s teeth nipping at the tender flesh of her hips distracted her from what she was trying to say.

“Oh, is that a sensitive area? I’ll make a mental note of that,” Bronya teased.

Seele wasn’t used to having someone carefully tend to her injuries, let alone touch her the way Bronya was now, and her body was ultra-sensitive because of it. As Bronya slowly moved her legs apart and sat between them, Seele covered herself with her hands.

The commander looked at her concerned. “Seele…we don’t have to…”

“No…I’m okay. Just not used to this. A bit self-conscious, is all.”

“This isn’t just a one-time thing, you know. If we survive this Stellaron situation, I want more nights like this. Many more. And I want to see all of you, Seele. There’s nothing to be worried about.”

Seele noted the sincerity in her grey eyes and moved her hands away. Bronya brought her lips to her inner thigh, navigating ever closer to where she desperately needed her.

“I need more,” Seele whined.

“More what?”

“I-I don’t know! More anything…touches, kisses…just more, please,” she begged as she blushed. She wasn’t used to pleading for anything from anybody.

“As you wish,” Bronya smirked as she slid a finger into her.

“Yesssssss that’s it!”

The commander was careful not to hurt her with her movements as she kissed and sucked on her thighs. Seele’s moans grew louder and her breathing became more erratic. When Bronya suddenly pulled her hand away, the girl whined from the lack of sensation.

“What?” Seele’s head shot up in confusion. Bronya placed the finger coated with her arousal into her mouth. Seele’s legs twitched at watching her do something out of her normal regal character.

Bronya cracked a mischievous smile. “Oh, so you like what you see, then?”

Seele nodded as Bronya pulled her hair back and out of the way before bringing her mouth to her pussy. She licked her folds, stopping toward the top to attend to her clit.

“Oh god yes!” Seele cried out while throwing her head back into the pillow.

Bronya slipped her tongue in and out of her rapidly. Seele’s gripped and twisted the bed sheets beneath her, each thrust and swirl of her tongue bringing her closer to the edge.

Feeling the urge to draw her closer, the commander covered Seele’s fist with her hand, intertwining their fingers. This sign of intimacy sent her reeling, Bronya’s tongue coated with evidence of her release.

The two burrowed under the covers as the cold of Belobog permeated the room. Bronya rested her head on Seele’s chest, both content to be in each other’s arms.

“I mean it, you know. I swear I’ll save you if it comes to that,” Seele whispered, giving her body a reassuring squeeze.

“I know,” Bronya quietly replied as she burrowed in closer, warmed by the knowledge she didn’t have to face the future alone.

[txemrn]

Like Ships in the Night

Prologue: We Finally Got It All Right

Welcome to my new anthology series Like Ships in the Night! I am so fortunate to have some amazing readers that enjoy this sweet pairing, and have expressed interest in seeing how fate tried bringing them back together during their 15 years apart. And you know what? I want to see that, too! So... here it is, and I hope you enjoy this adventure as much as I enjoyed dreaming about it and creating it! Each story can be read as a one-shot (unless noted), and--I'm so excited about this part--you are going to see some of canon woven into this. And in true Emily-fashion, it's not going to follow a specific time-line, but you will be able to follow along.

For those of you who are new to Tatum Erikson: this is the infamous "Hopkins Girl"... and in my AU, she and Ethan find their way back to each other.

🔞This collection of stories is intended for mature audiences only. By continuing, you agree that you are 18 years of age or older. TW for chapters will be included with each part. 🔞

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x f!OC (Tatum Erikson-Ramsey)

Series Music Inspo: "Ships in the Night" by Mat Kearney

Chapter Music Inspo: "I Choose You" by Sara Bareilles

Chapter Summary: On the night of their wedding, Tatum begins to reflect about her relationship with Ethan... and about all of the missed opportunities that they had with one another.

Word Count: ~3400

Warnings: NSFW/smut 🍋; language

A/N: Some of these characters/plots belong to our friends at Pixelberry. Huge thank you to my girl @charlotteg234 for helping me choreograph my smut, and to my girl @ao719 for looking over said smut! lol Love you both! Not truly beta'd; please excuse my errors.

~🖤~

Would you call me crazy if I told you I believe in cheesy romance stories? You know the type: the kind where the rich CEO’s car breaks down in a small town, where he meets the shy, yet beautiful local pastry chef with a failing bakery? He inevitably screws things up, but he proves his love by performing a grand gesture–in this case, buying out her bakery to give it back to her. Or how about the age-old story where a woman meets a stranger in a bar, spends a hot night of passion with him, only to find out in the morning that he is her new boss?  Or he’s the son of her boss? Or he’s the crown prince of some made-up country in the Mediterranean? 

Now, before you roll your eyes at me, I know what you’re thinking. Stuff like that doesn’t actually happen in real life. Men don’t go out of their way to make fools of themselves for love. Love has its limits, and the sensation of being ‘swept off your feet’ is nothing more than a trigger of chemicals in your body, supported by the greeting card companies and flower shops.  And let me tell you: I totally agree with you.

Until it happened to me.

When I was twenty-three, I fell in love with the most intelligent, fearless, most handsome man I had ever met in my life. He was strong, yet sensitive; he was quiet, but hilarious.  He was such a colossal pain in my ass. And I absolutely loved him for it. For over three years, our relationship was thrilling, breath-taking, all-consuming and wild. It was the kind of love that inspires love songs and poetry, a love that makes you believe in soulmates and wishing on stars and happily ever afters.  We had no idea what the hell we were doing, which made it so incredibly perfect. He was so incredibly perfect.

Then, I single-handedly fucked it up. Everything that was good in my life, I threw it all away in a single moment. And that incredibly perfect man… I broke him. And the worst part? I changed him. Because of me, he learned to be cold and hard; he learned to be closed off, to protect himself from getting hurt ever again. He lost that spontaneous bright light in his eyes. And love?  He stopped believing in it.   

But, I’ll let you in on a little secret: the story of Ethan Ramsey and Tatum Erikson doesn’t stop there.  It should’ve. My God, it should’ve, but fate had a different ending for us.

“Tate?”

His voice. It still rings like a melody to me, especially with my name dancing on his lips. Well, that and judging from his mumble, his keys must be in his mouth.  His hands are full with a late dinner, and no doubt, Jenner is making it nearly impossible for him to sneak through the door with his excitement.

I give the navy velvet sky one more glance as I turn to walk back inside from our balcony. Pulling the curtains shut, I watch Ethan set the table before lighting a few tapered candles between our plates. He then promptly unpacks the brown paper bags of our greasy, late-night fast food dinner.

Recinching the white satin belt of my short, lace-trimmed robe startles him into a double-take.  “There you are,” he beams brightly at me; he offers a guilty smile as he claps his hands. “Nothing was open at 1:30 in the morning except…” he sighs, “the golden arches.”

Raising a playful eyebrow, I saunter closer to him, closing the gap between us. As I wrap my arms around his thick, swole musculature, his taut, strong arms envelop my own body. He pulls me closer, pressing me lovingly into the flat planes of his chest.

“Mmmm…" I nuzzle into him, "it’s perfect. My husband did good,” I steal a fry.

He smirks before kissing my forehead. He looks at his watch. “It’s been–” he clicks his tongue, “--nine hours? I really hope I haven’t messed this marriage-thing up too badly just yet. Although, I’m not so sure that feeding my wife McDonald’s on her wedding night is being a good husband.”

"I think you're doing a damn good job on keeping her satiated, Mr. Ramsey," I giggle under my breath. 

The man truly is a god. His glorious tongue and nimble fingers permeated secret parts of me during our quaint wedding reception earlier, making us swiftly take our exit during the main course.  Even now after spending four breathless hours making love, I look up into those possessive crystal eyes, and my arousal instantly awakens. God, I need him.

Ethan tilts his head lower towards me, his breath warm on the shell of my ear. “Every touch from you, Mrs. Ramsey, leaves my begging… for … more," he nips at my earlobe, punctuating his words.  The sudden sting ignites a fury of goosebumps across my skin.

And suddenly, I can't let go of him. Feeling the heat of his body against my own intoxicates me like a fine vintage wine. This man, this honorable and selfless man: he is my beloved, my husband, my forever. My soul literally craves just to be in his presence; my being thirsts to be held steadfast in the oasis of his heart. I want to dive deep and succumb to his currents; the height of his love I will never, ever be able to fathom. 

And to think: he chose me. Again.

The silky fabric of my robe slips off my shoulder. Ethan's large hand brushes across my exposed freckled skin, admiring my decollete as if he was experiencing it for the first time. His breath shutters against my chest, his desire hardening against my belly. His mouth presses to my exposed skin as he marks me as his own. The pull from his pout is heavenly; he burrows his face into my neck, his arms hugging me tightly.

I tenderly rake my fingers through his espresso waves, massaging the back of his neck.

"My wife…" he silently breathes against me like a fervent prayer. His hands find the loose knot of my belt, pulling the tie undone with his thumb. The material flounces open, his fingers roaming across my bare curves.

His lips find mine, a slow fire kindling between them. His tongue flirts inside my mouth, swirling languidly around the tip of mine. 

My knees buckle with the abrupt throbbing between my legs, but his arms brace me. We both warmly snicker before I peer up at the gorgeous, chiseled lines of his face. His dark stare is so attentive, so captivated with me; I can feel my heart pirouette in my chest. 

I want him–God, I fucking need him in the most feral of ways. Now. I am his lamb, his sacrifice. I need him to strip me, ravage me, break me, consume me. 

"I thought you were hungry," he growls, tracing my jaw with the bridge of his nose. His eyelashes flutter against my skin; even my toes curl to the command of their gentle tickle. 

My breath quickens, the rise and fall of my chest pressing into his firm body. "I thought you were," my voice softly rattles, painfully aware of his tightly constricted appetite in his sweatpants.

He rolls his tongue across his bottom lip as he tucks a finger under the material resting on my other shoulder. With a careful flick,  the satin glides down my arm, drifting into a delicate cascade until it ripples on the floor around my ankles.

"I am," he cups my cheek, painting his thumb across my own pout. He then drags his knuckles down my exposed body: down my chin and neck, between my breasts and around my navel. He takes a knee, his mouth replacing his hand. He trails sweet kisses down my abdomen before tenderly caressing my sex. I hum as he gazes back up at me, his eyes dark with want. "I am very–" I gasp as he pushes his fingers into my core, "--very hungry." Pulling back out, he lifts his hand to his mouth. He moans in pleasure, his tongue eagerly lapping up my sweet desire.

As he sensually sucks on the tips of his fingers, I greedily steal his hand, bringing it back to my own lips. With a mischievous grin on my face, I kiss his palm before dragging it down to my pert breast. I guide his hand into massaging me slowly, his secure grip finding and teasing my nipples. Losing myself in the vast wilderness of his longing stare, he renders me speechless; the anticipation leaves me breathless. God, just put your mouth on me already...

I drag my teeth across my lips, watching my new husband shiver, unraveling on his knees. Combing my nails behind his ear, he shifts his gaze back to me, and I whisper. 

“Take me.”

Hastily finding the bottom curve of my ass, he takes hold of me, pulling me closer to himself. His hands wander smoothly up my thighs, discovering my wet slit. He tenderly traces my folds, and a sudden ache for more courses through my legs 

His finger grazes over my plumping clit, once… then twice before he circles around again… and then back the other direction. My foot coyly turns inward as my knee curls to shield my throbbing apex from his welcoming intrusion.

“Uh-uh,” he scolds me. He slips my leg out from under me, instantly finding its way over his broad shoulder. I brace myself on the back of a chair as he strums my swollen button. 

My knees quiver with reckless electricity; my body trembles with raw nerves.  My lower belly warms with excitement, euphoria building deep within me. I begin to rub against his hand.

“Ethan,” I gasp, “please baby–”

He stops. As he flicks his eyes to me with that irresistible smirk, he must’ve seen the look of betrayal written all over my face.

“Ethan?”

But before I can get my words out, he scoops me up bridal-style, hurrying me into our bedroom.  He throws me like a ragdoll onto the plush bed before ripping off his undershirt.  I sit up on my knees, my fingers reaching for his waistband. As I lunge closer to take what I want, he grabs my wrists. He crawls on top of me pinning me down, my hands helplessly over my head. 

He kisses into my whimpers, his teeth nipping at my swollen lips. “Such an eager girl,” he snickers, biting my lip again until he gently licks into my mouth. 

Ethan traces his tongue down my body, circling around my nipple before pulling it into his mouth.  Fuck, it hurts so good. One of my hands has traveled to the back of his head, encouraging his rapacious mouth into my sensitive skin. But, he possessively steals my hand from his neck, restraining it useless above my head.

“Stay,” the corner of his mouth turns up as he pants, “you stay right here until you finish for me." He playfully tugs on my other nipple with his teeth before stealing another glimpse of me. "And you will finish on me.” 

His demanding claim on me as well as his overpowering strength sends a chilling ache through my body. My need for him grows fervent, restless, completely starved.  I am his hostage, and only he holds the key to my release, to my pleasure. He is my undoing.

He slips down my body, spreading my legs apart for him. I quake as he spreads apart my lips, and all at once, his tongue drinks me deeply. My back arches against the mattress, as he swirls around my most sensitive area.

My breath becomes ragged as my hips thrust off of the bed. Hoarse mewls escape my mouth as my head thrashes back and forth across the pillow.

Without warning, he glides two thick fingers into my channel, stealing the very breath from my lungs.  Finding the perfect spot inside, he strokes deeply, smoothly, my toes curling with the change of sensation.  

I am overwhelmed; each stroke builds on the last, the intensity obliterating my mind. Is this pleasure? Is this pain? I can’t–I can’t take anymore.

That is until Ethan takes his other hand, firmly pressing it down on my lower belly. The electricity of my desire erupts into a million stars, dancing in my own galaxy. 

And then he slides in another finger.

My mouth drops open into earth-shattering silence as I pump my hips uncontrollably into his hand. My body trembles, hurdling me towards an orgasm. It’s terrifying, and thrilling, and absolutely emotional. I can barely breathe anymore, my inhales catching in my chest as my body cries out. 

But suddenly, as my climax overcomes me, throwing me off the edge to complete ruin, Ethan stops. He grips my ass and swiftly, flips us both over. Finding myself on my knees, my husband’s head is between my thighs, his lips a breath away from my wet pussy.

"Ride me, baby."

He pulls my hips down, the sudden jerk causing me to grab the wooden headboard. His stubble tickles my sensitive skin as my nerves reignite with pleasure. My body melts into him, his mouth instantly finding my deep ache. He blows gently across my throbbing clit before wrapping his mouth around it, giving it a nip with his teeth.

"Ethan!"

A stun of electricity courses through my veins.  A deep burn contracts in my belly as groans of ecstasy escape my throat; my eyes prick with tears of euphoric joy as he strokes me through another orgasm.  My whimpers fill our room as I uncontrollably pulse and constrict around his tongue and fingers. My thighs quiver as I grind my quaking pussy across his hungry mouth.

My knuckles blanch to white as I grip the headboard; glistening with sweat, my body grows limp, begging for rest, begging for oxygen, begging to collapse from my husband’s predatory gleaning of my body… now his body.  

But, he holds me fast and close, his hands gripping firmly to the swells of my ass as he continues to feast on my ravaged center. He tenderly nuzzles me open, his tongue consuming every last drop of my pleasure.

He crawls out from under me, quickly climbing onto his knees to kneel behind my body. His arms snake around my abdomen as he pulls me back into his lap. And I collapse against his chest, my hands finding the tops of his before tangling our fingers together.

Relishing his touch, Ethan presses his lips into my jaw, along my neck, coming to rest on my shoulder. He tightens his hold on me as his mouth finds the shell of my ear, my body lax against his. 

And then I giggle. His soft whispers of the most lovely, the most hidden of secrets saved just for us drip like honey from his lips, his sweet words seducing me in the most intimate of ways.

Turning my head to meet his gaze, our lips brush against one another as we finally relax into each other's arms, laying down against the swirl of sheets and stacks of pillows. Finding a comfortable silence, I can feel his pulse bounding in time with mine as we share the air around us. He mindlessly traces shapes with the tips of his fingers across my hips. His ankles intertwine with mine, and somehow, something so mundane feels so possessive, so intimate. I could drown in this moment, knowing my last breath was him claiming me as his own.

"How?" I sigh, not realizing the actual word escaped from my mind.

"Hrmm?" He rasps, readjusting his hold on my body against his.

I titter in embarrassment. "This. I just can't believe… we're here…"

He nuzzles his nose against my neck. "Just you and me." He takes my hands, gently interlocking our fingers together as he brings it up to his mouth for a kiss.

A thought crosses my mind. And I sit up, leaning myself against the plethora of pillows against the headboard.  Grabbing a sheet to cover myself, I look down at my husband, a pensive grin quirking on my mouth. "Do you–" I sigh, shaking my head. "Nevermind."

Ethan sits himself up next to me, playfully knocking his shoulder into me. "Do I what?" 

"It's silly."

He smirks. "Like that's ever stopped you?"

I swat his arm before wrapping my hand around his bicep, laying my head against his shoulder. "Do you believe... in fate?"

He rolls his head towards me, giving me that look, like I just asked him the most idiotic question on the planet.

"What?" I teasingly pout. 

He raises his eyebrows. "Do you really want to know my answer?" 

No. I chuckle to myself; I know better. I have always appreciated Ethan's ability to remain level-headed. He's a realist, a believer in physical matter. Everything can or will be explained by science. For the most part, I agree with him. Afterall, I am a scientist, too. 

And maybe he's right; the rekindling of our relationship was a complete coincidence. But still… after all of the missed meetings and stolen glances from afar… after all of these years, why now?

He presses a lingering kiss to my forehead. "Tell me. What do you think?"

"Whether or not you believe in fate?"

"No," he rolls his eyes, grinning wide. His deep chuckle reverberates through his body, warming mine. He pulls me gently into his chest. "Tell me, baby," he softly croons. "Tell me what you're thinking. Tell me what's got you thinking about–" he waves his hand in the air as if he's presenting a magical word on a rainbow. "--destiny."

"Not when you say it like that," I pinch his belly.

"Okay, okay!" He flinches, snickering before cradling me closer. "I'm sorry. I'll be serious." I give Ethan a questioning glare until he holds up three fingers. "Doctor's honor."

I giggle as I mindlessly begin to play with his fingers in silence.  I finally sigh because I officially sound like a lunatic, and surely, this beautiful man is about to go get our marriage annulled. "I don't know," I breathe him in deeply, my fingertips grazing through the hair on his chest. "I feel like… now looking back on us, we had so many missed opportunities… divine interventions… I don't know," I snicker at myself because I don't just sound insane; I am insane.

That is until Ethan takes my hand, giving me a reassuring squeeze. "I'm listening."

"What if we were always meant to find each other? Like… God, I don't know." I turn around to face him leaned against the wall of pillows. "Imagine we're heading to work on the T, but we keep missing the stop… and yet, we still end up where we're supposed to go, even if we have to catch another line or hail a cab."

Ethan gives me a skeptical look. "Okay, so… you believe you and I had missed opportunities to be together–"

"I don't know if I believe it… but somehow calling those missed connections, those times that we almost crossed paths again…" I bite my bottom lip, shaking my head. "Rams, how could they just be coincidences?"

Ethan couldn't take his eyes off me; I could tell he was perplexed with what I was insinuating by the way he chewed the inside of his mouth. We fell into a quietness, my question left unanswered. 

I could feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment. Maybe I was being hyper-emotional with it being our wedding day and all the talk of love everlasting.

After spending a few moments studying my face, Ethan tenderly takes my foot, pushing back the sheet to expose it completely. He lays it on the firm planes of his abdomen as he begins to gently knead his thumbs and knuckles into my arches.

"Coincidences, hrm?" He exhales heavily. "Or fate?" He shakes his head with uncertainty as he strokes each one of my toes. "Tell me a coincidence. One of our coincidences."

Feeling myself melt into his touch, I look down at my wedding band, twirling it around my finger. Taking a deep breath, I lick my lips and begin.

"Do you remember the time…?"

~🖤~

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~🖤~

Thank you so much for your support! Every like , comment and reblog means the world to me! 🖤

[writingwife-83]

Am I starting another multi chapter? No… probably not… honestly idk. 😆 All I know for sure is that while I was listening to Taylor Swift’s “‘tis the damn season” today this scene legit just popped into my head. I had to get it out lol. Thanks to @thisisartbylexie for pushing me to just do it! I don’t usually share the whole fic on here anymore, but I think tumblr did something that made AI scraping less likely, right? Anyway, hope you enjoy this little modern au one shot. Will I ever do more with it? Who can say? Again, I just had to get it written. ❤️

Hometown

The floorboards creaked loudly when she stepped up into the attic, sounding as angry and bitter as the late owner of this old house had been.

Rey walked around the boxes and tools and junk, silently cursing her grandfather for leaving all this for her to deal with. Not a word of love or care in all these years since she’d left. Nothing but a cluttered old house, left to her out of legal necessity.

Her eyes soon narrowed in on a box in the corner with “Rey” scribbled on the top. Crouching down, she ripped the tape off the box’s seam, opening the top to reveal the contents. She found herself instantly transported back to another time. Another life.

Rey pulled out a little doll, tattered and worn after all the years she’d clutched it close in the nights she’d cried herself to sleep. She swallowed a jagged lump, setting the little thing aside and continuing to pull items out. There were books and clothes and shoes, and little scraps she’d collected as a child. It might have warmed her heart to see that these things were kept, but she knew it was only for lack of care that these random items were all swept into a box and placed in the attic, her grandfather as content to forget her as she was him.

When she reached the very last item at the bottom of the box though, she instantly froze, sitting back against her heels, almost afraid to touch it. Hesitant fingers finally reached out, grasping the weathered red flannel, pulling it out and allowing herself to hold it close for the first time in so many years. Rey’s eyes clamped shut… she could smell his soap. Maybe the cling of the subtly spicy and woodsy aroma was long gone from the fabric and this was just a memory. It didn't really matter. Because either way, just like that, it filled her senses all over again. He filled her senses.

The slow walks in the woods, the long country drives going nowhere, the late night laughter over nothing at all, the almost daily light hearted arguments because neither were good at admitting when they were wrong.

And the way his arms wrapped around her body had taught her what it was to want something more than friendship from a boy.

Before Rey knew it, she was slipping her own arms into the flannel and pulling it up over her shoulders, allowing herself to get as close to those memories as she could. She was swimming in the thing, just as she was the night Ben put it on her as he walked her home, grumbling about how she was always cold and never remembering her own jacket. But he didn’t mind, not really. She could tell. He looked almost pleased at the sight of her in it, but his lips twisted away the smile that threatened for just a moment. So quick, you could almost miss it. But she didn’t, and it warmed her almost as much as the flannel that still carried the literal warmth of his body.

God, if she could only go back to that moment, and a hundred more just like it. If she could only have stayed in this town a little longer, to see where those moments would have led. To see if one night his arms might have stayed around her a little longer and held her a little tighter.

But they never got that chance. Ben seemed almost as eager for her to leave town as she was, to get away from her grandfather and to make something more of her life after high school. He was excited for her. Sometimes she wondered what she might have done if instead Ben had begged her to stay.

But he didn’t.

Rey hugged the flannel a little tighter around her body, realizing that her eyes had started to cloud. She had to sniffle genuine tears away, even though she wasn’t sorry for the loss of any other part of her life in this town. The loss of him was more than enough.

Shaking her emotions off and standing up, that old shirt hanging almost to her fingertips, she looked around at the seemingly endless work it would take to unload this house. She wondered how long she’d have to stay here and be away from the city. This wasn’t exactly the vacation she’d been wishing for, but it had to be done regardless. And maybe something good would come from all of it.

Not that she could hope to see Ben Solo again, she thought to herself with a little laugh, hands absentmindedly smoothing up and down the comforting fabric against her arms. What were the chances he’d still be here in this town?

Right here where she’d left him seven years ago.

Read on AO3

[losvoleiboles]

Let's start with a little TsukiHina story illustrated with some simple doodles (originally done in 2021 for TsukiHina Magic Week Day 1: Curses/Blessings).

--

Moon's Child: A TsukiHina Tale

The Tsukishimas were a big family. However, none of their seven children had managed to conceive a healthy child of their own. They had tried every remedy they could think of, even traveled to far away lands looking for the counsel of renowned healers and witches, but to no avail. The bloodline seemed doomed to end there.

One night, out of sheer desperation, the matriarch, who was already well into old age, used her last breaths to pray to whomever was listening. And through the veil of life and death, the Moon heard her prayers and promised her that every Tsukishima to come would be blessed with a child. And, that that child would grow healthily and live a long and prosperous life.

The only thing the Moon wanted in exchange was that, if they ever manage to conceive a second, they would belong to her. The next day, the younger daughter was pregnant.

Fast-forward a couple generations, it was a full moon the night Maiko Tsukishima gave birth to her second child and the child’s pale skin seemed to glow beneath the moonlight that filtered through the window. They called him Kei.

The Tsukishimas briefly worried about the old pact, but years passed, and the child grew healthy; so they gathered the Moon’s boon might have run his course.

The Moon, though, didn’t have a sense of time like humans did.

--

Kei was seven, when he met Hinata for the first time. Hinata who was loud, annoying and always pestering him. They fought more often than not, but you could rarely see one without the other. “We are not friends though”, they would swear if anyone asked.

One day, when they were barely 15, Kei disappeared. Hinata looked in every one of the usual places, under their favorite tree, next to the creek were the frogs gather, even in a cave on the forest when they once took shelter from the rain; but Kei was nowhere to be found. So, he went to the Tsukishima’s, and there he learned about the old pledge.

“I will find him whatever it takes, and I will bring him back”, he promised, not a trace of doubt in his face.

Thus, Hinata traveled the world, looking for people who still believed in the old magic, people who could give him answers.

He crossed seas, climbed mountains, fought agains terrible creatures. Until one day, on a remote town at the edges of the world, he found an old lady, her mother had been a Moon priestess.

“The only way to reach the Moon’s realm is with a blessing from the Sun”, he told him. So, Hinata’s quest continued.

--

Everything was dark and humidity seeped through his clothes. He didn’t know how long he has been in this place, time didn’t seem to pass here, on the Moon’s realm. He felt no hunger or thirst. However, he was sure his body was growing.

Loneliness consumed Kei’s every thought. “I wish he had taken me as a baby. If you don’t know something, you can’t miss it, right?”, he often thought. But he did know, and he did miss.

He missed his family, he missed his brother and his books, and all the little creatures he used to observe (there was nothing here). And, most of all, he missed Shouyou, with his bright smile and his loud voice… and his constant presence… he missed him so badly sometimes he thought it was gonna kill him.

--

“Let me pass, I have to get in there”

“You’ll have to go through me”, roared the mighty dragon.

It was an arduous battle, both bled and tiredness seeped through their bones, but at last Hinata managed to defeat the fiery creature.

“Now you’ll let me meet the god Sun.”

“You already have, child. I am the Sun and you passed the test. This sword is imbued with my light, there’s no darkness it cannot reach.”

“How do I find it, the dark side of the moon?”, asked Hinata hesitantly.

“Just close your eyes and think of what you most desire, the sword will guide you”

When Hinata opened his eyes, everything surrounded him was in complete darkness. For a moment, he panicked, then he remembered the sword. “Deep breath, focus, find Tsukki”. Suddenly he felt it, he barely didn’t notice drawing his sword and slicing through the darkness.

“A light?”

Kei looked up, tear tracks on his face, the brightness hurt his eyes, but he couldn’t make himself look away. Then he saw something, a figure coming from the light.

“Is that... Shouyou?”. It can’t be, he must be hallucinating.

The figure (Shoyou?) descended besides him.

“Hey, Tsukki! At last, I found you. Don’t tell me you forgot about me”, with a bright but slightly teary smile Shoyou offered his hand and Kei took it and propped himself up.

--

--

Don’t know how long they stood there, taking each other in. Then, Hinata lunged forward, his surprisingly strong arms wrapping around Kei’s waist and enveloping him in a crushing hug.

“I missed you”

“What? Didn’t have anyone to annoy", Kei quipped, "missed you too.”

"So...let's get out of here"

[afireyearth]

How do you describe the god affirming qualities in the Missouri sunset to a nonbeliever? Do you describe the ability to see the atmosphere in the golden shafts of light awaking the greens of the rolling hills. Inviting you to lay down endless in their time altering light? Do you talk of your childhood. Of the transformative properties of the sunset. Its ability to transport you across space and time into a Life infinitely better than your own. With just it its light, its sky, its playful dance of mood across the landscape that seems in hospital in the winter. It’s the way looking at this light makes you feel like you live a life worth living because the beauty is so picture worthy that all the other shit-the neglect, the lack of intellect, the constant poking fun of your personality- is washed away. That as long as life is AS BEAUTIFUL as the girls of California, you’re an okay person too. But it’s also in getting older, and realizing that it was beautiful regardless of the need for it be an escape. That it was about you noticing how good your life was in the moment. You craved to be outdoors, you just hadn’t known it yet.

It’s the fact that it’s beauty encapsulated you for a moment. It stopped your thoughts, your worry, your dread, and it held you in its self. It did nothing but exist. That was enough. Itself in its entirety, its green hills, its trees, its granite cliff sides, its small quaint farm houses doting the land. It was all there and it was enough.

It was comforting in the way it self you. In the way it didn’t decimate you, in the way you could be anyone in its eyes. It was infinite.

Its not being normal, watching Sharp Objects just because I miss the small town life of Missouri.

It’s comforting. It’s Warm. It’s Safe. It’s home. It’s endless possibilities, it’s an endless fantasies, it’s not entirely my life, so it hasn’t been ruined but it’s also close enough it’s tangible.

It can be felt in my endless searching of “Ozark Mountains Missouri” into google. Into researching the Ozark Plantau, into wanting their beauty to be just as recognized as the Appalachian mountains. It can be seen in my watching of Sharp Objects, in Ozark, in absolutely anything that has taken place in Missouri. It can be heard in my eulogizing of the landscape, of my yearning for the rolling hills, in the constant mentions of it to my friends. It has taken a hold of me, enraptured me in its warm golden light, I feel forever stolen by those moments of pure beauty. How do I move on from such a delightful moment, Of an ability to find beauty, to find peace, to find silence in an other wise dark, chaotic life. How can I explain to someone that I’ve built a shrine to this place in my soul. That there is no place in the US that will ever shine life Missouri does. That there is no place that will feel as secure as the fields, the woods, the lakes of my childhood. Of the air conditioned rooms the screened in porches of the decks and docks of my childhood. How can I get over the grief of knowing I can never go back. That those moments are gone from me forever just as I am learning to accept them. Just like meditating, I accept the thought for what it is and it continues down the stream as I learn to let it go. I don’t know how to accept that I let it go. That is is slowly moving down the stream. It’s gone. My family still lives there. My old life is still held up by their presence.They still go to the same dock and they still walk the same path into the woods and they still drink shitty beer on the same boat I sat in. Not knowing it would be my last time there. I cried my eyes out the last time I was there, left a day early because I felt so isolated and foreign and in pain from my family. I want to be able to walk the halls of the lake house by myself. To accept it for what it is and let go and move on. To get into my paper boat and float down stream.

[katelyn-scstudyabroad]

Da Nang and Hoi An

Still having one week off of class I moved up to central Vietnam where my first stop was Hoi An.

Hoi An is a small city that is famous for its Old Town, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to how well its centuries old buildings have been preserved. It’s also known for its Lantern Festival that takes place once a month when there is a full moon. I narrowly missed this months festival due to having to return to Hanoi for class, but even without the festival Hoi An was decked out with lanterns and it was still decorated for Tet. On my first day I arrived in the morning when the town was basically dead and got to see it progressively fill up with visitors in the afternoon until it came alive at night. Nighttime in Hoi An is when the lanterns light up, boats fill the river, and vendors take to the bustling streets. It truly had a magical feel.

There was also plenty to see during the day. The place I stayed at rented bicycles for 20k dong/day (that’s less than $1) so I spent a day biking around. I went out to the rice fields just outside of town where there were paths to bike along and I made it up to the beach north of town. Most people just think about the Old Town, but there is a lot more to Hoi An. I still liked the Old Town during the day, there are lots of shops, cafes, art galleries, museums, and more. There are also many tailors, another thing that Hoi An is famous for. I will have to make a return to get a nice business suit tailored.

Overall Hoi An was a beautiful place that I want to return to. Pictures don’t come close to capturing its full beauty, but here are some I took anyway:

After Hoi An I went up to the nearby city of Da Nang.

Da Nang is a big city but it’s still smaller and quieter than Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It’s also located right on the coast, so there is a nice set of beaches spanning the length of the city. Unfortunately it was raining while I was there, but I still made the best of my time and got around the city.

While looking for indoor activities to escape the rain I found the Museum of Cham Sculpture. The Chams are currently a minority group in Southeast Asia and have faced a lot of persecution, but centuries ago the Champa Kingdom ruled over a large portion of central and south Vietnam. Their culture and religion have a lot of influence from Hinduism; many of the sculptures in the museum depicted Hindu gods and figures. The sculpture below depicts Garuda, the Hindu bird-god who represents strength and vigilance.

Eventually the rain cleared out to blue skies and gorgeous weather, so I hit the beach. I also ventured over to Linh Ung Pagoda, a Buddhist temple located on the Son Tra Peninsula just outside of the city center. This is home to the Lady Buddha, the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam. She is so large that she can be seen from the beaches of Da Nang.

One more highlight of my trip was quite unexpected: delicious tacos! I stopped by a taco restaurant in Da Nang as I have not had any type of Mexican food since leaving the US and the tacos did not disappoint! They also gave me a “taco ticket” where you get a stamp for every taco until you get enough for a free taco, so I will now have to plan a return trip to Da Nang just to fill up my taco ticket :)

I am now back in Hanoi, as classes resume tomorrow, but I am so glad I was able to explore other parts of Vietnam!

[ma88da2]

I am posting short stories from my original novel idea. I am not looking for money or fame, I just noticed people post art, music; brag about their hobbies but we authors tend to be left out. I just want to let someone else see my work.

I hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave feedback.

Story 1

Hunting Lessons

The only thing Janelle knew about the primitives was they were scared, weak, and fragile creatures. The Kingdom gave her and her siblings protection and the only thing they took from the primitive world was food.

Everything Janelle needed existed in her home, the servants took good care of her family and for the most part, meals were brought to the kingdom.

Janelle was not excited for today’s lesson. Her eldest sibling was focused, Freddie resembling their parents more than the ten years she’d been alive.

Kat and Pauley were wiggly, hyped up and uncontrollable. Kat was eight while Pauley was six. Freddie had seen both her younger siblings go through this but Kat was too young to remember Pauley’s first day.

“Calm yourselves, children,” Goya said as they prepared to leave. Janelle didn’t see the need to do this. She’s had her food delivered to her every time before.

The three-year-old whined, “Mama, I don’t want to go to the backwards world.”

Kat took her hand. “You’ll have fun. It’s so much better picking your own food.”

Pauley hopped in place. “Let’s go! I’ve been waiting on the day you can join us.”

Bart, their father, put his hands on Pauley’s shoulders. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. This is her first trip out. We’ll see how this trip goes.”

Janelle still didn’t like it. “We have plenty of food at home.”

Freddie ended her protests. “It’s a long way to town. We should get going.”

Goya agreed. “Children, you will be on your best behavior.”

Janelle was so bored on the long ride to town but at least their roads were better maintained. Once they left the Kingdom, the smooth, stone street turned to mud, filled with potholes. Janelle did not know what her siblings enjoyed about this. Knowing how the servants reacted to her beautiful home, Janelle knew she wasn’t missing anything.

All that time wasted and all the time it would take to return. Janelle was not impressed. The people smelled, there were various diseases, she wouldn’t be allowed to use her natural abilities. Janelle did not understand why they hid when they were the gods.

Goya and Bart would get involved as little as possible. They preferred for Janelle to learn how to do it for herself but being the youngest, that wouldn’t happen. Freddie stayed close, understanding that they all hunted differently. Kat would mettle a bit but she was older now and got the importance too. She was also young and this was the first time she could experience this and fully grasp it. The excitement prevented her from behaving as a mature elemental.

Pauley was entirely experiencing this as an older brother. He was leaning against the wall, acting like their prey was some dangerous animal. “You just need to find one you like. The bigger ones are the best. Do you have your spell?”

“Why waste our energy saying spells,” Janelle said, bored. “Couldn’t we brew potions?”

Kat bounced in place, her eyes lighting up, hands balling into fists and she grinned widely. “That’s a good question!” Maybe Janelle was wrong and Kat was just as silly as Pauley.

They both were acting like this was some grand adventure. Janelle still did not get the appeal.

Her oldest sibling, Freddie was just supervising. “Settle down.” She calmed the two kids with her controlled demeanor. Janelle was bored and uninterested but she didn’t have the control her oldest sister did. “We can’t use potions because we expend our powers to capture them. It’s important to keep our power use low, so we get the most return.”

Janelle knew her parents would not get involved again until they return home. This was Janelle’s test. Her siblings would get involved because as her elders, it was their right to aggravate her.

Janelle didn’t want to pass this test. She didn’t ever want to leave home, have to return to this slow and moronic place. If she passed, she would be expected to get her own food. If she failed, though, she let her family down. They trained her well and nothing should oppose her. She can’t let her family down.

Spells were rhythmic words broken down per syllable. She had power inside her that allowed her intentions to become reality. Since before she could walk, she was taught to build that power. Janelle was a level 2 even as a toddler. Goya made her weak, her level threatening to drop to a level one. She was hungry and this was supposed to inspire her.

The tiny dark haired girl, dark eyes with a dark complexion set her eyes on the tall, wide man that was leaving the town. He was approaching his horse and Janelle set her powers on him.

“You see me, what will be. Plans no more, come sure. Over to crowd, not loud, no sound. With all your trust, you must.”

Her siblings looked concerned. Her spell was a mess but her intention was very clear. The man was going to forget what he was doing and come to her quietly.

Janelle knew what she wanted and the spell she cast was pretty simple. Everything else was perfect. She just botched the rhyming. She recovered by making sure they were equal and the last syllables rhymed.

Her little rhyme was about five syllables long, broken up by a pause. Janelle tried not to focus on her screw up and focused on her final blow. The hunt would be over after this next spell.

This is the end of part 1. Please stay tuned for more!

[alleyratts]

10/20

We’re leaving the villa. Mom is not thrilled to be leaving but we’ll be enjoying the sights and foods on our way back to Rome, hopefully overshadowing the saddness of leaving such a place.

Before I forget, it’s Porcini season in Italy, so most restaurants we go to have featured dishes with Porcini. Of course in America we use them for burgers mainly, here it is presented alone with salt or marinated in fish sauce. If you don’t like mushrooms, don’t go to Italy in October. We can’t escape them, not that we want to. Another fun thing we’re here for is olive picking season, so most olive farms are being worked, leaving no room for tours of goat farms or wineries; the entire country is extremely busy making olive oil for everyone. What an amazing treasure. In this way, I don’t feel like I’m missing out, I feel like I’m here for the cultures busiest season and for that I am accepting in the lack of tours we’re on. Plus, who wants to do touristy things anyway? We went to the Vatican and Basilica, think we’ve done enough of that.

I asked Carlo last night to visit me in my dreams to test if religion is real or not, instead, I didn’t sleep at all. Is that my answer?

We’ve just arrived in Amelia, Madi from the villa told us to go here for their ancient city wall. In this town, they have a wall built around it that is the most perfectly preserved ancient wall in the world. You can’t enter by car, you have to park below it and trek the ten minute walk through the small city to the square where the duomo is. It’s grey outside again, but every now and then we get patches of sun, and to me this makes moments in the day that much more special. I have never had to pee so much in my life.

I have not sat on a toilet this big ever before. The seat is so wide I don’t understand who made this model to be universal. It’s not.

Anyways, we went to a cafe per Madi’s suggestion, that she has an apartment above as well. Hers is the only apartment with a balcony. I think I want to become Madi. She said she lived in the states for 20 years and wanted the closeness of her homeland again, but something that was just hers. Something she owned by herself that she could call her own hill in Italy, since she was originally from Genoa she chose Guardea to be hers. Then the birth of the villa ensued. Then another, then another, and a few apartments. She was a professor at Yale, having her daughters attend the school as well. This family is the genuine idea of wealth and health. Passing down the hearts that are full of Italian soil and American university brain abilities. I believe if anything, that god gives her whatever she wants because she is a pure form of light and love, only meant to spread kindness and speaks so elegantly when she does you have to listen. This is what beautiful people are like. You will stop whatever it is you’re doing to be present with them.

Amelia was beautiful and special, like Madi said. Small and perfecto. I met a man named Marten who used to live in Beverly Hills, his dad was Greek and his mother Italian. He now lives in Amelia, three minutes from the main square. He told me I had a sweet soul and a huge heart. We talked for a good ten minutes while Taylor enjoyed a glass of wine and mom was taking baby sips off of it. He told me to stay active and do sports because we only live once, to travel everywhere, and love everyone. I hugged him and took him over to meet the girls, where upon leaving, all got hugs too. Marten touched my soul today, he waved me over to the bench he was sitting on after seeing me take photos of a saint from 2002, unnamed. I gladly walked over, we had seen him from afar earlier, working out with elastic and doing arm stretches. We commended him as he must’ve been almost 90 years old and I was unaware I’d later be having this gorgeous conversation with him about all of his travels. He’s been in Amelia for 4 years now, it was kind of hard to pin down where he was before Amelia because his accent was so thick. But he told me he wanted to be an actor in Los Angeles, and that he’d modeled for Gucci; probably in the 80s if I could guess. He told us to write him a postage, so after lunch my goal is to find him a post card that reminds me of him, and write to him a goodbye from us and to Italy itself. I can’t wait to send it. Though I hadn’t gotten his last name, I trust the higher authorities to send it straight to Martens front door in Amelia. What would life be without strangers?

Madi texted her friend that owns a restaurant in the middle of the woods in Umbria, close to Amelia, to save a seat for us at the restaurant he owns. 30 feet from where we sat were local cows, chickens, sage bushes, all the necessary ingredients to their menu. Talk about farm to plate. I could walk to the steak I was eating and say hello, thank you.

[sebastianorion]

HELLO OLD FRIEND 

How I’ve missed you but also been so glad we’ve been apart, I haven’t been getting my words out, maybe because I finally feel heard in places besides a digital page. Feeling more alive but knowing that means death will be harsher than before. Reminding myself of my own mortality and that of those around me. Times New Roman doesn’t look as good as it did earlier in the page. Time has passed and things have changed and other things have stayed the same, some things have left and others have come but I don’t know about all of it and I am glad I don’t. I remember what I want to know and I throw away what I don’t. I am about to move into my grandparents home, my safe haven and sanctuary. Nothing has ever harmed me there and I wait for the day something will and I know I will be fine with it. Chasing around my cat and a lengthy shadow that has been playing tricks on me. I have the weekend off and I stopped thinking of you at the perfect time. I have finally repieced myself and it took a while but I knew I could do it. I give these pieces away and I finally have enough pieces to keep for myself. Finally I feel better, I realized it in September, it is November now and there isn’t any snow around or in sight. I know it will sneak up on us towards the end of the month, the beginning of December is the deadline, it’s just procrastinating at this point and I don’t blame them. I feel fine now. I feel fine now. I have to keep telling myself this because I don’t know if I am able to really convince myself anymore, I need that constant reassurance because I was infected with it from someone else a long time ago. It's funny how those things transfer over and plague others with the same simple things you don’t even know you need. I know I need this and so I try to get it anyway I can, trying my hardest not to pass this on any further. All of my text is self indulgent I’ve realized, just because I needed it up until this point, maybe I will need it again but until then I think I will write with a different point in mind. I don’t know yet what that will be but I will find it soon. Or I won’t and will continue still. Really just like Zeno I have finished my study, no doctor will surmise this and give me my final prescription. I have finished ! Until I start again and I’ve already made that decision. I am in love with the life I live and I live everyday the same and it's the same perfect day. Groundhog day's curse but a blessing in disguise because on this day I was never hurt, I never remembered what happened prior, I’m just teleported to a warm autumn day with the leaves still on the trees just starting to change. I am driving down Saint Lawerence going through the tree canopy after just passing God and his friends. I am everything and nothing at this moment. Going the speed of light to a sanctuary just outside of the town I have always known. I have found peace in the eye of the storm and there is so much for me to do. I feel close to ending the story because I believe another one is about to begin. Leaving my fortress of solitude, an unheard story, so unheard that it was lived before it was written and will be lived again and again. Reminisce through trial and tribulation, sometimes the fear or hurt of sitting down with this page and continuing and knowing I will continue again but something tells me now that I don’t have to do that anymore. Old friend I think I’ve overstayed my welcome just a couple pages too heavy. Just a couple sentences overstuffed and crammed with a little too much punctuation. I think the weight is light enough today for me to take it off. Endings seem immature because nothing ever ends really, just stops and gets picked back up somewhere else. I think I’ve done it.

[eadanga]

The Press Secretary Part 8

Summary: Chris the mayor of town is married to his wife Becca. When he hires a new press secretary who happens to be his lost love old feelings resurface and Chris finds it hard to resist the desire he once had for her

Parings: ChrisxMC

Chris stood in the mirror straightening his tie he smiles This looks good He heard a knock on his door he goes to open it and sees James and Zig outside Zig claps him on the shoulder “Hey man you ready?”

“Yeah just let me grab my phone” Chris grabs his phone then heads out the door as they walk down the hallway James turns to him

“Haven’t seen you since you married Becca”

“Just been busy with work you know political stuff”

Zig raises an eyebrow “Work stuff or Becca?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t know thought you did”

“Know what?”

“Well she told me to stop calling you were mayor and needed time to be with elite people”

Chris felt rage inside of him That bitch what is doing? He shakes his head “Please ignore her I never told her to say any of that and I’m sorry she did you know I will always have time for you guys”

Zig nods “I know I knew she was just full of shit”

Chris laughs “Of course”

James smiles “You’re here now and we’re glad to see you”

“You too”

They head to the restaurant down in the lobby of the hotel where everyone is waiting. Chris spotted Emily and he felt his heart race at the sight of her the hot pink dress she wore that fitted her and showed her curves was driving him crazy The things I would do to her right now His thoughts are interrupted by Kaitlyn’s voice

“Hi Chris!”

Chris smiles “Hey Kaitlyn how’s everything?”

“So good so glad to see you”

“You too”

Zack strolls up to him “Hey there’s our quarterback captain how’s it going?”

“I’m fine Zack how are you doing?”

“It’s great be out the house and have you seen the guys here?”

Chris laughs “Aren’t you in a relationship?”

“Hey I can still have some how do you put it Kaitlyn?”

Kaitlyn giggles “Eye candy”

“Yeah that”

Chris laughs harder “God I missed you guys”

“Missed you too wish that crazy girl will let you go”

Chris shakes his head “Don’t even mention her”

“Will do” Kaitlyn smirks “So what about you and Emily over there?”

Chris rubs the back of his head “Ummm well”

Kaitlyn grins widely “You slept with her!”

“Shush! Keep it down Kaitlyn!” Kaitlyn mimes zipping her mouth closed “Yes we did”

“But aren’t you still married?”

Kaitlyn playfully smacks him “Who cares Zack? They belong together and besides the bitch deserves it she’s horrible and Chris doesn’t need her”

Zack nods “You’re not wrong about that”

“I mean look what she’s done kept our Chris away from us all these years I mean we didn’t even get invites to the wedding”

Chris looks at her confused “What do you mean by that?”

Kaitlyn crosses her arms “Of course she kept it from you she told us not to come to wedding”

Chris looks at her stunned “What she told me that no one wanted to come”

“Well sorry Chris she lied to you”

Chris clenched his jaw “Why am I not surprised?”

Kaitlyn grins “But when you get rid of her we can finally come to the wedding of you and Emily!”

Chris facepalms “Say that louder Kaitlyn I don’t think she can hear you”

“She already heard”

Chris turns around and see Emily behind him He chuckles “I’m sorry about Kaitlyn’s big mouth”

Kaitlyn laughs “You should thank this big mouth”

Zack laughs “Let’s leave this two alone” They walk away

Chris shakes his head “Those two”

Emily giggles “I know”

Chris looks her up and down “You look amazing”

“So do you Chris” Chris looks away “What’s wrong?”

Chris sighs “I didn’t know Becca kept me away from everyone like that”

“They told you?”

“You knew?”

Emily nods “Yeah it was best your heard it from them than me”

Chris balls up his fists “I’m guessing that’s why she didn’t want me to come so that I didn’t find out”

“Hey none of this is your fault Chris”

“I feel like it is I should have known no wonder I barley heard from them”

“Well they know you and know that you wouldn’t do that to them they knew it was all Becca”

Chris felt the anger “You know what Em I’m gonna deal with her after the wedding till then don’t mention her name to me gets me pissed”

“Ok Chris let’s enjoy ourselves”

“Of course” Chris leans in and whispers “I’ll enjoy you later”

Emily blushes “Chris stop that!”

Chris chuckles “It’s cute Em”

Emily kisses his cheek “Save it for later I’ll meet you in your room”

“I look forward to that”

Emily smiles then walks away Chris smiles as he watches her

Tags: @indiacater @mfackenthal @the-soot-sprite​​ @jared2612​​ @darley1101​​