#i have a feeling most people will pick Nik

[origami-butterfly]

No Marolmar option, because I hate him ✨️

Non hfth fans, vote for which title you vibe with

[klausysworld]

(This is based on that cam girl idea I had except I ended up making more boring than I initially thought so I might make another or something? I dunno, either way I hope everyone likes it cuz it’s still cute)

Something special

Klaus was no stranger to sex. Over a thousand years he had tried damn near everything and knew just how to pleasure both himself and others. He found it both amusing and inspiring how humans invented new things to satisfy their needs and often tested them out. Webcaming sites were one of his favourites.

Having an eager, gorgeous girl on his screen teasing him for hours and moaning softly. It helped that he had a lot of money, it mean he had private chat rooms and calls with a lot of these girls. There, when it was only him, they would begin to lose more clothing. Some were happy to be completely naked for everyone to see but the ones who were out for money only did it for the right amount. They were his favourites, knowing that they got excited when he joined the live because he would offer what they needed.

He hadn't been on for a good while while he was busy with his curse and hybrids but once he had the time, he decided to log back on. He scrolled for a little while to find someone who peaked his interest. Klaus was careful with who he picked, he didn't want to have loads of girls waiting for him, he needed them to feel special and wanted.

But after a little while, he found her. Y/n, or at least that was her name on here. With a slight smile, he joined. She was in her panties and an oversized baby-pink jumper that went just over her thighs and swallowed her pretty body. Her hair was down and she was simply eating her dinner, gammon egg and fries. The wall behind her was white and he could see the end of her bed at the edge of the screen. She smiled at the camera as she dipped her fry in her egg and took it into her mouth, chewing slowly before swallowing it down.

He watched the comments, and then her, studying how she reacted to different requests and compliments. Some people were asking for her to take off the jumper, some were asking her to lick her knife and others were asking to have a private or members only stream. She hummed softly as she took a sip of her drink, which was a tall glass of milk making Klaus smirk.

She shifted to sit up in her knees, her thighs parted but the jumper making it impossible to see between them. A good few people send her money, most a maximum of $50 but he could tell that she was happy with that. She let out a soft laugh at one of the comments, "mm it's just milk, I'm sorry" she smiled and as though it were contagious, so did Klaus.

For the next few nights he just watched her. The most she would let anyone see of her was her thighs or sometimes a little cleavage but she wasn't explicit at all. He began to wonder how much it would take to have her take her panties off. So, out of curiosity, he asked.

He watched as her face went pink and she fiddled with the edge of her t-shirt. "You're very forward..." she glanced at the accounts name "Nik" she murmured softly and he grinned.

A hundred?

He questioned with a sly smile and she nibbled her lip and ignored him making him hum lowly to himself.

Two hundred?

He asked, his eyes narrowing slightly in determination. When she still didn't answer him and instead began talking to a different one of her...fans I suppose, he decided to send her some money. $500 to be exact. Her eyes went wide and she seemingly shrank into herself. "I- um..." her face reddened and she paused for a moment before the steam ended. He then received a private message

I can refund you

was all it said and he frowned

Why would I want a refund? It's for you, sweetheart.

he replied with a click of his tongue, watching the three dots dance across his laptop screen.

I won't do what you want for it. You can have it back.

she was scared and he knew that but he didn't want her to be.

That's alright, love. You can keep it anyways. Maybe buy yourself something and wear it in your next show.

he offered, hoping she would accept. As soon as she did, he was in.

If you're sure? I'm very sure. Well then thank you, Nik ❤️

he smiled at his screen and went offline for the rest of the night. He began to picture how her body would look beneath her baggy clothes, he imagined her sexy little figure crawling towards him on his screen and her lips whispering his name like she had before.

The thought stuck with him even in sleep and followed him all the next day and onwards.

It took a good couple of weeks to fully gain her attention. Then he was on every day, sending in money and flattering her. He was happy to do so though, besides she had been more confident and a little more seductive with her behaviour. She still never took her clothes off, especially not for everyone but when he went into a members only room with her and a few others she would be in only her underwear. No shirt or jumper to hide her soft skin.

And after persistency, he managed to have a one-on-one session. He had his camera off to begin with but when she shyly asked if she could see him, he didn't want to deny her sweet voice. Her expression was somewhat relaxed when she saw him, he wondered what other kinds of people would manage to get her like this.

He smiled and hummed as he allowed her to look him over for a moment. "Better than expected sweetheart?" he purred and she shrugged sheepishly.

"Well yeah honestly" she laughed and so did he. Most of the men she went one-on-one ended up being either old and alone, young and horny or married and telling her she needed to be quiet because his wife was in the next room over or that he was on break at work. Still, she never hung up, they were paying her after all. Some of them were there purely to talk and of course others were much more direct about what they wanted.

Nik had been a bit of a mystery to her. Sometimes he was asking to see her panties and the next he was just wondering about her day or what things she had in her room like the teddy bears on her bed which she didn't mean to have in the shot.

So she was curious as to how this first personal interaction would go.

Klaus was mostly proud that he had gotten this far but also somewhat excited, after realising that Y/n had become his release for his stress after a long day in Mystic Falls, he began to feel a little something for her. He just knew if she were here that she'd be terrified, she was far too lovely for war and pain. If Klaus were honest, he didn't really understand why she was on this kind of platform, she really didn't seem the type but he assumed it was for the money or perhaps she wasn't as innocent as she made him and the others believe but he didn't think that was the case.

Either way, he had been looking forward to this evening for a while. "Well I'm glad I haven't disappointed" he chuckled and she smiled. She sat back against her fluffy pink beanbag so the camera could see her top half. His eyes traced the pattern on her white lace bra, a little jewel handing for the bottom. Her hair looked freshly done and he could tell that she put in much more effort for her spenders.

"Don't worry about disappointing me, I can promise that you won't" she told him, her voice smooth like silk as his tongue wetted his lips and he straightened up. He was sat in bed, his laptop on his lap over the covers and a bottle of lube on his bedside table just incase.

They began just talking about simple things, she asked him questions and he answered to an extent and vice versa.

But as the night grew older, he began to ask if he was allowed to have a better look at her. She agreed easily and stood up for him, giving a 360 of her body. He groaned softly and damn near begged for her to take her panties off and by the end of the call she did. Her thighs squeezed together but he could see her smooth little mound. She sat back in her beanbag on her side so the curve of her ass was on display for his eyes and occasionally when she shifted, he would catch a glimpse of her glistening cunt.

After a good while she had to go and thanked him for everything he had said to her and given her. He smiled back and thanked her in return "Perhaps next time we'll get rid of that pretty bra of yours too?" he teased and she blushed.

And next time, he did. He had her completely naked, lead on her front and eating some chips while they spoke. Klaus could imagine her tender breasts spilling out of his hands as she told him some innocent story without realising his attention being elsewhere as she leaned up on her elbows allowing him to see her pebbled nipples. Once he let out a groan, she popped her head up and realised. He could see something dim in her eyes and it made him feel some sort of guilt? But she brushed whatever it was away and smiled, asking if he wanted her to help him feel better.

After that he began to push further and further each time, becoming aware that when she trusted him enough, she would do just about. anything.

Her manicured nails would squeeze at her budded nipples while he gave slow strokes to his hardened cock, occasionally cupping his balls to tease himself.

Her legs would part for him to get that view he had longed for, his mouth watering and cock beginning to twitch with the need to bury inside her and yet he feared that he never would.

Often it was one-sided, Klaus would get off while she spoke delicious words to fuel his desire and showed off her body. But after a while he began to request that she showed him how she played with herself. He asked if she ever thought about any of her spenders when she was alone at night and if she would ever let any of them, more importantly him actually meet her. Touch her, fuck her. God he wanted to, he needed to.

Seeing her little fingers curl inside her tight little cunt was becoming addictive. It got even better when he would send her the money over and a link of the toys he wanted her to play with for him.

Sometimes she would bring her toys out in some of her normal streams, she would have her vibrating panties on while she spoke to her fans, grinding against a teddy and biting at her own lip to keep quieter than she would be normally.

Klaus and Y/n had become somewhat emotionally involved without telling the other of their true feelings. They both assumed the other was their for physical things. Y/n especially thought Klaus could care less about her. Especially when he suddenly stopped turning up. Never joining her performances or even coming online. She assumed he must've gotten bored or something?

She didn't know that he was in New Orleans, in and out of wars and living in a house full of bloodsucking creatures, night howlers and magic practisers.

And he didn't know that she was also in New Orleans, working in a little coffee shop out of the way. Not until he found himself inside it after a very long night. He didn't want to go home and stayed out, wondering until the sun rose and shops began to open. That was when he stepped inside and his eyes found hers.

Recognition flashed through both of them and he could hear her heart pounding as she stepped back quickly, tripping on her foot as her breathing escalated and a whispered chant of "nonono" slipped past her lips. On instinct he rushed forward to follow her, shoving past the little gate that let the employees go behind the counter. Other staff yelled at him but he just focused on following her breathing.

He got to a small room which a couple coats hung up and some bags, then he heard a slam and lifted his head to see a window smack closed.

Hurriedly he went back out through the front and sped round where she must’ve climbed out, he could faintly hear the quick patter of footsteps and chased it. His breathing was almost as fast as hers as he turned corners with pace and ran straight into someone. He apologised with a grunt and looked up only to find himself surrounded by people once again as the day was beginning in the busy city.

He let out a frustrated groan and spun around, checking through the crowds as much as he could. “For fucks sake” he growled, storming through the people until eventually finding his way home.

After that day he went back to that coffee shop every day until he eventually compelled one of the other workers only to find out she quit on the same day she saw him there. He compelled every person in the building until one of them told him that they knew where she shopped.

He then continued to hang around the shopping centre for hours like a full on stalker.

Eventually he spotted her, and he did not waste a single second before he was directly behind her “Y/n?” He whispered and she physically jumped as his hand came in contact with her shoulder. She smacked his hand off her, wide eyes staring at him and he knew she was ready to run so he moved forward. Hands either side of her head against the shelves of the supermarket.

Her breathing was laboured and fear rolled off of her. “What do you want?” She whispered, her voice a little more breathy under the circumstances but still mellifluous.

“I- I don’t know” he whispered back, becoming a little confused. What did he want from her? As if realising the situation a little better he moved his hands away from her. What the hell was he doing?

He had caged the poor girl, scared her and for what? To look at her? He could do that online though he was certain she would have blocked his access by now. He didn’t even think to log back on.

His jaw clenched and he took in the anxious expression painting her face. Had someone found her before? Did she think he was here to hurt her?

“I’m sorry” he murmured, taking a hesitant step back “I didn’t know you were here, I just saw you and- I don’t know…I just wanted to…see you? Or talk to you? I don’t-“ he could feel his mouth going dry as he stared at her

“How did you know I’d be in here?” She asked, afraid and a guilty look spread through him.

“Well…okay that makes it look worse” he laughed uneasily. “I just…I missed you” he whispered and she studied his face

“It’s not like it’s hard for you to see me” she whisper yelled and he sighed

“Well I know that but I couldn’t come on there anymore” he mumbled knowing that a number of beings would’ve been able to hear it.

“Right, you’re married or something. Look I don’t care okay? I’m not gonna tell anyone. I don’t even know if your name is Nik” she promised. “I won’t say anything and you won’t say anything…right?” She asked, a twinkle of desperation glistening in her eyes.

His expression softened slightly and he backed away slightly so she wasn’t trapped. “I’m not, married- but I won’t do or say anything. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you” he told her, still confused with what he himself was thinking and doing.

She watched as he left, bumping into someone by mistake as he left. She wasn’t sure whether she should be more afraid or at ease. She leaned more towards the first one.

She began to look over her shoulder whenever she was out, she moved apartments and changed her loyalties when it came to shopping.

And yet still, even with Klaus also trying to avoid her and leave her be, they managed to collide.

Walking straight into each other in the middle of town. His hand had lurched forward to catch her from falling and they both looked to the other prepared to look annoyed before both going silent and wide-eyed. After a second he let go of her and they both muttered an apology, what was worse was that he was with Rebekah and Hope. As soon as Y/n saw the child she turned moved past him, gaining speed as she went. Rebekah could tell something was wrong as her brother went to follow the girl only to sigh and turn back to Hope.

“Secret lover?” She teased but he didn’t look amused so she kept it to herself though she had Hope shared a look.

Klaus however only appeared troubled. He found himself making a new account to watch his girl once again but she’d been inactive for a little while, people asking for her to come back. He hoped he wasn’t the cause but part of him knew he was. He’d spooked her.

But after a while she came back and he watched, send in some cash and eventually he was on a one on one session again. He apologised for how he’d come across and promised he never had ill intentions. After a little time they fell back into pattern and their confidences grew when asking and doing things.

And when he saw her working in an art store selling paints and other mediums as well as helping out with some galleries nearby, he decided to actually talk to her comfortably.

He asked if she’d consider going to dinner with him and gave her his actual number. After a good week she agreed and he had in a fancy restaurant. He could practically smell her nerves but tried his best to soothe her, promising everything was okay and safe. She told him she did the camming for two reasons, for the money but also for herself because she enjoyed it and it made her feel good about herself. They both agreed that if their relationship progressed that it wouldn’t stop her from doing what she wanted just like she wouldn’t stop him from his….job that he made up.

In fact he asked if she’d ever let him join her. She had laughed and shook her head but several dates later when he had her pressed against the same bed that he’d watched her touch herself in months earlier, and was sucking pink marks into his skin, he asked again. And with convincing, she agreed.

God he couldn’t wait to have people know she was taken, he knew it would take a little while but he wanted to make all those people watch as he fucked her senseless. Show them how a real man could treat her instead of those toys.

Not that he didn’t enjoy using them with her, whether it was steaming or in their personal time. He kept her hidden from his family and she didn’t want to ask about it, a little worried for the answer after that time she saw the little girl and blonde women but she had fallen in love with him and it frightened her to think that any of this wasn’t real for him.

For her, she was safe. She was with someone who respected and knew about what she did and would pleasure her not only privately but willingly be apart of her…show.

And for him, she was someone who didn’t see him as a monster or a freak. She wasn’t caught up in any of his family drama or causing any. Everything was nice…for a while.

[cod-dump]

Nikpricegraves thoughts, special delivery!

Nik getting more grey in his hair, and neither Price or Graves wants to bring it up, because they don't know how Nik feels about it. They dom't want to make him feel self-conscious.

So they wait. And Nik finally brings it up, very casually (fronting like hell) musing aloud that he might color the grey so people don't think their evac pilot is too old.

And maaaaybe Price and Graves wanted their responses to be a liiiittle more restrained, a little more level-headed. But they weren't.

Price: You are not TOUCHING that silver--

Graves: Like HELL you're--absolutely not!

Price: Anyone lucky enough to have you picking him up has no right to complain about that!

Graves: And it's sexy as hell anyway!

Price: Exactly, you're fuckin gorgeous.

Nik: ... Thank you?

Nik was a very confident man. He was sure of himself, comfortable in his own skin and almost never doubted himself. But seeing the thin stripes of silver in his hair… he wasn’t too confident on it. The reality of him being old was setting in and he wasn’t very happy about it.

Nik never gave the thought of him getting old much thought considering he didn’t think he would get this far, especially not with his constant flirting with death. He never thought about how he would feel about growing grey, and now that it was here, highlighting his temples? Nik felt his heart squeeze, uncertainty making his chest tight.

Worse part was that neither his husband or boyfriend had mentioned anything about the grey, which just added to his uncertainty about it. He’s caught them whispering about it, both immediately cutting themselves off upon noticing him. He’s caught them staring, again no comments about it. Nik knows they had noticed it, of course they did. They notice everything new or different about him, most of the time even before he’s noticed it.

He didn’t like their silence and was choosing to assume the worst. But he kept quiet, just like how they were choosing to stay quiet. The topic of greying hair wouldn’t come up until one night while they ate dinner. He couldn’t help but stare at their own hair, how he would’ve noticed if John had started to grey (surprising he hadn’t by this point). The silver would’ve been noticeable amongst his dark brown hair, within his beard. It would be undeniably attractive.

Phil greying would been less noticeable considering his golden hair. There would’ve needed to be quite a few grey hairs before it was obvious and even then it would blend nicely with the gold strands. It would add to the American’s charm. Both would carry silver has crowns yet… Nik couldn’t determine that about himself. Couldn’t see himself with it, even as it took residence within his hair.

“I think I need to start investing in hair dye.��

The speed in which Phil turned his head to look at him made Nik fear he would break his neck. John just froze mid bite, eyes looking up to stare at him. Nik kept his usual level of smug confidence about him even though he wasn’t feeling anything remotely similar. Phil swallows his food, taking a deep swig of his water before he glares at him.

“Over my dead body.”

Nik blinked in surprise, his facade cracking.

“Nik, my love, if you do that you’d break my heart,” John added, staring intensely at him.

Nik looked between his partners before he cleared his throat, “Right-“

“Nikky, I’m serious,” Phil said firmly, “That silver is so fucking hot and if you dye it I’ll probably cry.”

“I second that,” John said very seriously.

Nik couldn’t help but laugh at their seriousness. Phil stood and walked behind him fingers going into his hair which of course caused Nik to lean back and practically melt. John stood as well and walked over.

“Should’ve known something was up when you hadn’t said anything. Big, bad Nikolai, insecure over some grey hairs.”

Nik huffs, closing his eyes as Phil continued to play with his hair, “I am not insecure.”

“You just said you wanted to dye it.”

Nik huffs, he could hear Phil’s smirk. He mustered up an unamused frown, which was immediately chased away by a well placed kiss from John. Nik was choosing to be annoyed in order to hide how relieved he felt about their approval. The two would probably pry that confession out of him later when it wouldn’t add onto their smugness over his unusual lack of confidence.

“You might want to prepare for when we return from leave, the boys are definitely going to say something when they notice.”

Nik snorts, “If they have a problem with their transport getting grey then they can cry about it.”

“Cry and complain, with bad jokes on the side.”

By the time they returned from leave, Nik would regain his rock solid confidence. And some jokes of his own because what is an old man without his jokes?

[laswells-ashtray]

It's me yet again. I need me some slightly tipsy Kate and John in a lighthearted sparring match while her wife and Nik stand off to the side and gossip about their respective partners. (Again, take your time. Don't burn yourself out )

Now, because I can't describe movement for shit. I'm an internal dialogue like the Green Goblin voice or a banter typa muppet this interaction will mostly be between Nik and Laswell's wife. and I'm using my interpretation of her whom I have called Sarah if only because typing out Laswell's wife so many times makes the words stop looking real

"I cannot see this going well in the long run." Sarah Laswell, very proud wife of a certain Kate Laswell. It's not often she sees Kate get tipsy in front of anyone who isn't her, she'll indulge in a drink or two but never to the extent of this. However, it'd be dumb to assume that combining Kate, John and alcohol that Nikolai, bless that man, was paying for would lead them anywhere else.

"And yet you make no move to stop it." Nikolai doesn't bother pretending that he isn't amused, it's deeply humorous to watch two of the most fierce people he knows spar each other.

"Neither do you, don't think I can't see you staring at his ass."

"You haven't stopped looking at your wife's chest since she took off her jacket."

Okay, they're both deviants.

John is in what are probably his nicest jeans, not very suitable to a lot of movement given that they must've been painted onto his arse.

Kate is wearing a dark blue tank top that Sarah bought her absentmindedly last week and for the briefest moment, she considers just dragging Kate to the nearest closet and hoping it's soundproof.

The two move in such fluid ways that it's clear they've sparred together before. Even with a few drinks in both of them, it's the most gracious violence she's ever seen.

When John narrowly avoids Kate's elbow to the face Nikolai does little more than chuckle, he clearly isn't worried about his partner and he enjoys the smug grin on the other man's face.

"Tempted to video this." Sarah mutters, watching them both in awe. Even if her main reason for watching was to shamelessly admire her wife in all her glory, she can't deny how impressive Kate is. She throws a hit with enough force that Sarah almost pities John and she takes an equal hit with such little care. God, if there was to be a walking advertisement for lesbianism it would be Kate Laswell.

"That would involve taking your eyes off of them."

"Nevermind."

Nikolai understands, he truly does. His three favourite Johns are fucked senseless John, John when he's asleep and purring against Nik's chest like a cat and John when he's fighting just for the fun of it. Watching his biceps flex, testing the tight stitching around the sleeve of his t-shirt is a damn near biblical fucking experience.

Maybe the greatest bit of their little sparring match is how happy the two look to be there, throwing hits at each other while simultaneously muttering their banter in a way that neither Nikolai nor Sarah can hear. Carefree for once in their lives, it's no secret that their jobs weigh down on the both of them and to see them in a position so laid back, it's endearing.

"Those the socks Kate bought him for his birthday last year?"

"Да."

"Thought so, I picked them out."

"I assumed so."

"What gave it away?"

"The word cock printed on the soles." Sue her, she thought it was funny and given the expression on Nikolai's face so did he.

She watches John swipe out Kate's legs from under her and feels pride settle in her chest when the other woman immediately pulls the Englishman down with her.

She spares Nikolai a knowing glance, it would appear the both of them are going to be enjoying their nights when they head home.

Kate moves so quickly that Sarah can't help but think of one of their cats back home as she pins John to the mat, their sparring might be lighthearted but she wouldn't make the mistake of thinking Kate would let herself move.

Her muscles are taut as she holds the struggling Englishman in place, her back arched and a downright gleeful smirk on her face. Strands of hair fall into her line of vision, fallen loose from her typical bun and they frame her face in a way that can only be described as angelic. If angels were the single most fuckable woman that Sarah has ever interacted with in her entire fucking life, Jesus Christ.

As much as John is losing, he does so proudly. Who better to lose to than Kate of all people. And Nikolai isn't complaining, John's t-shirt is riding up and he's offered the perfect view of the happy trail he has every intention of running his face over later.

Their little sparring match comes to an end, with both participants walking over to their respective partners before heading to grab their shoes and the jackets that had been dumped carelessly on the floor.

It's only when Nikolai catches the two sharing a look that he realises they've been played. Kate and John are both too smart to start a friendly spar for no reason. And it isn't a coincidence that both Sarah and he are desperate to drag their partners away for the night.

They were putting on a show. Sly bastards.

[hexxedghost]

NikPrice Holiday Threadfic

I hit 200 followers and bluesky and did a NikPrice threadfic as a celebration, figured I'd post it here. I will expand on it and post it to ao3 at some point, but y'all get this for now. (Inspired this art of Nik in a Hawaiian shirt by @nekrosmos that lives with me always)

The holiday had been a great idea, honestly.

They'd all earned a bit of R&R after the shitshow of a year. Some sun, sand and relaxation, lazy drinks by the pool and good company. 

Except that hadn't worked out.

A hotel a few streets over had flooded. Not a big deal.

Until the convention it had been hosting had every attendee spill over to the hotel they'd picked. From relaxing holiday to surviving the madhouse within hours.

And they'd only just landed.

The lobby was packed with people, a wall of bodies they had to battle through to get to the front counter.

John was already looking forward to hiding in the hotel room and just drinking away the rest of the day, and from the white-knuckle grip Kate had on her luggage, he wouldn't be drinking alone.

When Kate had given their booking number, the receptionist had frowned at their screen in confusion.

They'd politely told them to wait as they made a call, and John could swear he felt Kate's blood pressure rise. There'd already been a cock-up with the flights, so Jen and Nikolai wouldn't be arriving until tomorrow. It wasn't doing wonders for her mood.

The receptionist turned back to them, a sheepish expression on their face, as they apologised for the mix-up. Apparently, in the chaos, their booking had been cancelled.

He can't see Kate's expression from where he's standing, but judging by the way the blood drains out of the receptionist face, he can guess she isn't happy.

To avoid potential bloodshed, he manages to coax Kate down the street to a bar, where she angrily stabs at her phone.

"For fuck's sake." she tosses it down on the table and picks up her drink angrily, most of the wine drained in a single swallow.

"Okay," she says, "I have back ups. We are going to relax if it kills me."

"Might if you don't calm down." he murmurs into his beer, unable to stop the smile at the daggers she glares at him.

"Shut up, John." she mutters.

It takes a few phone calls, and abandoning the beach idea, but at least they have somewhere to stay that isn't infested with tourists and loud screaming children.

It's a cabin, further up river. Jen and Nikolai had managed to change flights and were already there, while John and Kate endured a crowded train ride that left them sore and tired.

But at least they'd made it, finally, with no bloodshed.

The cabin is what some magazine would call 'quaint' or 'rustic'. It's set amongst a forest, with a jetty leading onto the lake. There's even a small dinghy docked at the end.

Against all odds, John feels his shoulder might be beginning to relax.

------

The sun is setting now.

Nikolai had cooked, signing along to the radio while Jen kept them plied with drinks. They've all since collapsed on the couch, the music softly playing in the background, gentle with the fading light.

"Another?" Nik is already handing him the glass, ice clunking amongst the amber liquid.

"Cheers." he raises the glass in toast before taking a sip, savouring the pleasant burn.  

Kate is cradling the cocktail with the kind of care most would reserve for their firstborn, and judging by the flush on her cheeks, she's well and truly drunk.

"Wish we'd managed to beach house." she says wistfully, staring into the distance.

"Beach house? You wanted beach house?" Nik teases, falling into the seat next to John, the long line of his thigh warm against John's.

"I'm a beach party girl." Kate deadpans, Jen giggling into her shoulder.

They eventually head to bed, Kate declaring the night was over after Jen and Nik had drunkenly screamed their way through another verse of Queen.

John falls facefirst into the pillow, limbs lax and limber with drink and tries not to think about the memory warmth of a hand on his knee lingering.  

When he opens his eyes, there's sunlight filtering through the blinds. His mouth is tacky and his head aches a bit, but a brew and some food should put him right.

Nik's in the kitchen, apparently none the worse for wear as he bustles around humming softly, moving aside so John can make a coffee.

"The other two?" he asks, stirring sugar into his cup.

"Sleeping still. I am thinking they want a quiet day." Nik says, pushing a plate of food towards him.  

"Ta." he says, not one to turn down a free meal.

"What's plan for today then?"

John thinks it over, gaze drifting outside.

"Might go fishing. Boat's there." John pauses, glancing over at Nik "You could come along, if you want. S'not for everyone."

Nik beams at him.  "I would like that."

-------

It takes a quick trip into town for some gear, but the boat's serviceable. There's a slight breeze, the lake waters rippling.

It's not quite the beach vibes they'd wanted for a holiday. Although that hasn't stopped Nikolai.

"What're you wearing?" John sighs, setting the rods down in the boat.

"I am holiday, I am dressing for occasion." Nik says, holding out his arms to show off the eye searingly bright Hawaiian shirt

Price rolls his eyes, but can't help but smile as Nikolai saunters down the pier like a model on a catwalk. Behind him, Kate has shuffled out of the cabin, clearly hungover with sunglasses crooked on her face.

He gives a wave and laughs as she just flips him off and collapses into a chair.  

"Don't drown." he hears her call out.

------

They'd brought beer with them, sitting back and cracking the cans open once they out on the water, lines dangling in the water.

Nik, sneaky bastard, had apparently decided more beach vibes were needed as he stuck a shitty cocktail umbrella into the can.

"You've not got a coconut in there too?" John asks, nudging him as he laughs. "Sadly they did not have any." he chuckles, before looking to John seriously, "I did check." "Course you did, you bleeder." John settles back, tucking his hat forward to block out the worst of the sun,

"Suppose it's not quite the summer holiday we'd wanted." he sighs. "It is sunny at least." Nik says squinting at the bright sunshine beating down of them. "We could have gone to France or Spain for that." John gripes.

"My French is not very good." "My Spanish is worse." John counters.

They enjoy the silence, occasionally reeling in a line. Nik is muttering angrily as he fails to get a worm on the hook for the fifth time. John takes pity on him. "You don't like fishing, do you?" he asks, as he threads the hook through tossing the line back out into the water.

"I have never fished before. I do not think I am very good at it." Nik sighs, taking a drink.

Price shakes his head, "S'alright. Not about being good at it. Just relaxing with company really." "I like the company." Nik says earnestly. Price clears his throat.

"Should hope so, you put up with me enough." he coughs, prepping his own line and casting. "I am enjoying myself just fine." Nik insists.

"Bit rubbish though. We could have done something you liked." John insists.

He feels a bit guilty about it, if he's honest.

Kate had endured one fishing trip with him before telling him that as much as she valued their friendship, if he ever put her on a boat again, she'd hold him underwater until the bubbles stopped. Nik wouldn't threaten him. He'd be more likely to just smile and endure it, which come to think of it, he might be.

"John." Nik says gently, breaking him out of his thoughts, "I am where I want to be." "Stuck with me on a lake?" he looks at Nik doubtfully. "And very happy about it." Nik counters readily, grinning. John nudges him with his shoulder, and they let the conversation drop, a comfortable silence enveloping them. They finish most of the beer, Price settling back and tipping his hat forward. "Might have a kip for a bit." John murmurs, eyelids already heavy. Nik hums. The sunshine and the liquor in his veins has made him pleasantly warm, and he drifts off the sounds of the water lapping against the edge of the boat.

--------

The sun is low in the sky, peeking through the trees when he wakes up. "Christ, how long was I asleep?" he glances down to see Nik snoring at the other end of the boat. He rolls his eyes fondly, nudging Nik with his foot. "Rise and shine, Nik"

Nikolai grumbles, curling in on himself in a way that doesn't melt John's heart in his chest. He shakes him by the shoulder. Nik snorts, looking around before blinking up at him sleepily "Oh, your skin" Nik frowns, gesturing to John's arms "Eh?" As he looks down, he sees what Nik is talking about.

Angry red sunburn covers his arms. John sigh, at least his hat had spared him the worst of it. In his defence, he thought he'd had enough sunblock on. "Can't get any worse at least." he says. The clouds above them choose that moment to open and unleash a torrential downpour. "Fuck." John mutters

Nik meets his very unimpressed look with a grin. "You should know better, Captain" he teases. "Shut it you, help me get the lines in." -------- They're a few meters from the dock when the boat tips over. John bursts through the water, yelling in frustration.

Between the sound of raindrops pelting his hat, he can hear Nik's bright laughter. "What's funny?" Price shouts over the rain. "All of it, no?" comes the reply over his shoulder. He turns and gets a splash of water to the face. "Fuck off." he says, splashing back. There's a moment they lock eyes the challenge mirrored in his gaze. Kate finds them giggling like idiots, shoving water at each other. "What the fuck are you two doing?"

"Fishing." Nik says proudly, sending John into another fit of hysterics, the sheer fucking ridiculousness of the situation finally breaking him.

"Just get inside." Kate says, rolling her eyes.

-------

Later on, John is now realising just how badly he got sunburned. He groans into the pillow, his skin feeling tender and too tight on his body. "You're very stupid sometimes" Kate says, putting a whisky beside him. "My hero." he groans. "Oh hush, you big baby. it's sunburn. You've complained less with bullet wounds." Kate chides, turning to him with her hand on the door handle. "You gonna live until morning?" "No." "That's the spirit." she says nonchalantly, moving down the hallway. John thinks he can hear murmurs but he doesn't care enough to listen. He's too busy feeling sorry for himself. The footsteps reapproach. "I'm not dying, Kate." he grumbles, rolling his eyes. "Glad to hear it." Nik says, closing the door gently behind him. John leans up to look at him and immediately hisses at the pressure on his arms.

"Figured you went to bed already." he says, trying to settle back in a position that doesn't leave him in pain.

"I am." Nik says moving towards the bed. John frowns confused. "What you doing here then?" he asks, tracking Nik as he moves around the room. "Sleeping?" "Not in your room?"

Nik sounds amused when he sighs. "It's a two bedroom cabin, John."

John blinks. He hadn't actually given it much thought the first night. He'd been drunk and tired and just fallen into bed. But-

"Where'd you sleep then?" he asks.

"Couch. But my back is old, this seems more comfortable, no?"

Nik seems to consider something for a moment, looking a little unsure of himself as he says, "If you are not comfortable, I can-"

"No, it's fine. Just-" John breaks off, suddenly unable to meet Nik's eyes "Hadn't thought about it." he finishes lamely.

They sit there awkwardly for a moment.

Nik passes over a tube. "For your arms. Jen said it would help."

It's some kind of moisturiser with 100% natural aloe vera, apparently. He clicks open the tube and gives it a sniff. It's not unpleasant, oddly reminding him of the smell of clean laundry and rain.

It's stickier than he anticipated, though, as he massages it into his forearms.

Price sucks air through his teeth as he twists to get the back of his biceps. The angle is awkward and pulls at the skin, which even with the cooling lotion feel too heated and tight.

"Let me." Nik offers, holding out a hand. Price shakes his head.

"I got it." he insists. Nik shrugs and leans back.

He doesn't 'got it'. After stubbornly trying to shift his shoulder forward only to feel further irritation, he growls and offers the tube out for Nik.

Nik, to his credit, doesn't laugh at him. Just nudges him forward to get a better angle.

John jumps at the first touch of cold cream, Nik murmuring an apology before focusing on the task at hand. Given the size and general way Nik carries himself, his hands are surprisingly gentle.

The thought makes John's stomach twist in a way that he doesn't particularly want to examine too closely

It maybe takes all of a minute, but it feels like an eternity before he hears the click of the cap being closed. He lets out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding, jumping when Nik pats him on the shoulder.

“Helped?" he asks, raising his eyebrows while John shrugs back into his shirt.

"Yeah, ta." his throat feels tight. His skin feels flushed, wholly unrelated to the sunburn coating his arms. The bed shifts as Nik gets up and busies himself in the bathroom.

Wanting to prevent another awkward conversation, and desperate to ignore that melting feeling in his chest, John makes the very mature decision to avoid the entire thing and just go to sleep.

It nearly works.

The bed dips under Nik's weight as he settles in, snuggling under the blanket before idly asking if John was awake.

John feigns sleep and after a few minutes, he hears Nik's breathing deepen and even out, interrupted by the occasional snore.

Sleep is illusive though, and instead his eyes track the shafts of moonlight shift on the wall, as his mind refuses to settle.

There'd been an awkwardness between him and Nik as of late. Which he desperately wants to fix. They'd had an easy, close friendship for years. But now there were sudden stumbles in their conversations. John could never anticipate them, thrown off every time by the sudden surge of emotions that he couldn't seem to identify.

It left his stomach in knots, blood rushing under his skin and palms sweating. Like he was anxious, but there shouldn't be any reason as to why. He trusted Nik, hell he might trust Nik more than Kate and that was saying something.

It wasn't fear, or caution. But it made him feel skittish in a way that unsettled him. And part of him, didn't want to deal with it. Instead, shoving the emotions away, and desperately trying to steer them back towards normal. Though, he often ends up throwing them further off course, over correcting and stumbling over words.

A heavy sigh leaves him as he burrows into the pillow, hissing again at his arms brushing the cotton.

Maybe he'd talk to Kate about it.

She might at least knock enough sense into him to get him back on track. Stop him putting his foot in his mouth at every opportunity.

--------

Kate has that thousand yard stare she usually gets when he talks about Nik.

"You're very stupid sometimes, John." she says eventually, taking a long sip from her cocktail.

"Bit early innit?" he nods to the mimosa

"I'm. On. Holiday" she says, flicking drops from the glass at him with each word. Price flinches away, but smiles warmly at her. It's nice to see her more playful side, normally hidden under the sturdy persona of competence and intellect.

Though a lot of that is due to Jen, who's very presence seems to immediately thaw Kate's icy exterior. Jen is dancing away in the kitchen, singing off-key to the radio as she washes the dishes.

Kate glances over and smiles in a way that makes Price feel like he's intruding. Like a secret, kept hidden, soft and warm lighting her eyes from within.

He smiles into his coffee.

"Glad you're happy, Kate." he says softly. Kate looks over to him, raising an eyebrow.

"You could be too, you know?" she says coolly, but the shine in her eyes lingers as she glance towards the kitchen.

"I am happy." he argues, frowning. Kate gets that look again, eyes faraway before they focus back on him, intently.

"I used to think I was happy to. But it wasn't happiness. Not really."

"What was it?"

"Status quo." she says simply. "Nothing lost, nothing gained. Until Jen." she tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "When I met her. I realised that what I'd called happy…it couldn't even compare. Like stepping into the sun after only having a candle to light your way."

She idly draws patterns with the on the table, condensation having slipped down the edge of the glass. "You deserve the sun, John."

"Reckon I had my fair share yesterday." he jokes, gesturing to his arms. She rolls her eyes and flicks another drop at him.

There's the sound of footsteps as Nik shuffles into the room behind them, jaw cracking from a yawn.

"Morning." he says sleepily, eyes still heavy lidded.

"Sleep alright?" John asks, turning back with an elbow over the back of the chair. Which he regrets immediately as the sunburn stings.

"Suffering still, Captain?" Nik teases, pausing on his trek to the kitchen.

He's in agony.

"I'm fine." he smiles, even if it feels a little forced. Nik doesn't call him out on it.

When John turns back, Kate is giving him a very searching look.

"What?" he asks.

She just sighs and pats his hand. "Try enjoy the weather, John." she murmurs, going back to her drink.

-------

There's a nice restaurant in the nearby town. It's got good ratings, the food is apparently a local speciality and the drinks are cheap. It sounds like a good night. That John definitely can't take part in.

Over the course of the day, the skin on his arms had gone from a shiny red to angry and peeling. He feels disgusting and grumpy, patience wearing thin at the constant tug and pull of flaking skin.

Now that night had fallen, he'd set himself on the deck out back with a supply of whisky,   deciding he'd earned it after the annoyance of the day.

He can hear the click of high heels in the kitchen, Jen most likely, as she peeks around the door.

"You sure you won't come along?" she calls out. He can hear Kate and Nik speaking from further in the house, words muffled by the walls.

"Nah, I'm good here. Not the best company right now. Reckon I'll turn in early." he smiles, toasting her with his drink.

Jen smiles softly, walking over and dropping a kiss onto his head before calling goodbye as she headed back inside.

Price settles back, gazing at the night sky above him. This far from the city, he can make out some constellations.

The breeze off the lake is cool in the night air as it brushes over him. The amber liquid in his glass delicately swishes against the ice as he eagerly welcomes the smoky heat over his tongue.

For a moment, he closes his eyes and just lets himself exist for a moment. His nerves are still raw, irritated from the pain and constant push and pull of his mind trying to untangle his thoughts.

Kate's words ring in his mind. Was he happy? If he was really honest with himself. He was proud of his accomplishments, grateful for those close to him, his squad, his friends.

He was lonely, though. They'd attended Gaz's wedding last year, and the space beside him had felt emptier than normal. It felt more pronounced when he caught Ghost and Soap being drawn to each other like magnets, like they were the only ones in the room. With Kate and Jen, he wished he had that kind of warm, gentle joy they shared.

Which brought the trail of his thoughts back to Nikolai. The sudden choking awkwardness, the moments he didn't know where to step in case he lost his footing on the precarious edge he found himself perched on.

Kate said it was like having a candle before seeing the sun. He didn't know how to fix that. There was no sun at night.

"John?"

"Christ!" he jumps, knocking the glass over as he spins to look where Nik is sheepishly peeking around the door.

"I did call out, you didn't respond." Nik moves over, settling in the chair next to him.

"Didn't hear." John says, hand over his heart where it's doing it's best to beat out of his chest.

"Didn't mean to scare you." Nik apologises, pouring a fresh whisky after righting the glass.

"You don't scare me," he says without thinking, mind still tangled in the weeds of his thoughts.  Nik looks over to him, tilting his head.

"I should hope not." he murmurs, still staring at him with that odd look in his eyes. "You sure you're okay?" he reaches forward, gently touching John's hand, mindful of the angry skin at his wrist.

"M'fine, Nik."

That clench deep in his guts is back again as he feels callused, warm skin against his own fingers.  He feels torn between pulling away or turning his hand over to trace the lines on Nik's palm.

"Thought you were going to dinner." he asks instead.

"I thought I should stay." Nik hesitates, and draws his hand back as though something has just occurred to him, "Although I am now realising perhaps you wanted to be alone?"

"No, it's...don't mind the company." he urges. He doesn't mind, truthfully, he just can't imagine he's good company right now. Still turning over Kate's question in his mind.

"Are you happy?" John finds himself asking suddenly. Nik's eyebrows raise in surprise, not expecting it. Neither had John, truthfully, it had just spilled out of him. Nik seems to consider it for a while, his hand shifting so the skin brushes against John's.

"Yes, I would say so. I am on holiday, in a nice cabin with good company." he breathes deeply, staring up at the sky scattered with stars. "I am where I want to be."

The urge to turn his hand, to capture those broad fingers between his own, is strong, but there's still that little dissenting voice at the back of John's mind. That wonders if there's not something better, someone Nik would be better off spending time with than his sorry self.

"Not enjoying a good meal in town?" He can't help it, the need to check, to push, to try to remind Nik of the options he has.

"The food would be pleasant, yes. But I'd rather spend the time with you."

"You- Oh." he swallows, tongue suddenly feeling thick and useless in his mouth. "You came out here to spend time with me."

"That was in doubt?"

John doesn't know what to say, instead taking a long pull from his drink to try to loosen his tongue.

"That was in doubt." Nik repeats, but not a question this time. He leans forward, "Have I done something to upset you?"

"No, no!" John is quick to reassure him, that swooping feeling of being on the wrong foot is back with a vengeance. He scrambles to put it right, hating that he can hear the barest hint of hurt in Nik's voice. "Just...been thinking.  "I just - There are better things to spend your time on, right?"

"No." Nik response is sudden, John turning to look at him. There's a conviction in his eyes, a solid, unwavering truth glinting in the dark. John holds it, but still feels confusion drawing his eyebrows down.

"I mean, we're not young men anymore, Nik." he tries, trying to summon the words to get to the heart of what he means. That Nik deserves the world, deserves happiness, Nik deserves the sun.

"You're right. We don't have time for waiting." Nik says softly. John nods, and pulls his hands away.

"Kate was telling me to be happy. Thought maybe someone should tell you, that you deserve that too. More than what you've got now." he mumbles around the glass, staring out at the dark water.

"To have a happiness to share with someone?" Nik rumbles beside him.

"Yeah." he feels relieved, he's gotten that across at least. Even if the snare in his thoughts still won't unravel, it feels like he's at least made sure Nik can be happy. Even if it does feel like his stomach is going to drop out of him. "I wanna meet them first. Make sure they're worth your time."

"I do have someone in mind. " Nik murmurs. John turns to him, surprised. He recovers quickly, nudging him with an elbow before grunting at the sudden chafing on his skin., muttering angrily.   

"What are they like?" he asks, settling back and picking up his drink.

"Well, " Nik rubs at his chin. "They're very stubborn. Annoyingly so. But, it makes them dedicated to things they believe in."

"Suppose, still sounds like a pain in the bollocks."

Nik chuckles at that. "Yes, true. But i find it quite charming."

John shifts a bit. His gut clenching oddly. He clears his throat.  "S'at all about them then?"

"Sometimes they can miss the point." Nik sighs.

John laughs at that, "Reckon you need someone that can put 2 and 2 together."

Nik hums in agreement. "Hints don't work either."

John sets his glass down, the ice clinking with the motion. "They sound like a pillock." he says.  Nik barks out a laugh at that.

"Da. But I find it endearing, even if it is frustrating."

John rests his chin on his hand. It hurts, not just the sunburn, but hearing Nik talk about this person he hadn't known existed. That he's clearly interested in, wants more from. It feels like losing something, he realises. Something he isn't sure he realised how badly he wanted until it was already slipping away from him.

As much as the realisation leaves him reeling, there's a stronger truth beneath it, that he wouldn't let anything stand in the way of: Nik deserves to be happy.

"Why haven't you told 'em then?" he asks, looking at his feet where they're splayed out in front of them, slumping in his chair.

"I'm trying to." Nik says, also looking down at his feet.

Price nudges him, trying to lighten the mood. "Not gonna manage that wasting the night with me." he smiles.

Nik stares at him blankly, running his hand through his hair and sighing in irritation.

"You really are an idiot." he says simply. Before John can put together what he said to set him off, Nik tugs him forward by his collar and kisses him.

John had thought about kissing Nik before. In brief moments before his mind snapped shut and pushed the idea away as something he didn't deserve.

He'd thought it would be different from his past, that he'd have to learn. That it would feel strange with someone else taking the reins, that it would be aggressive and claiming.

But it's not. It's at odds with itself. The thumb stroking along his jaw is firm but gentle. The night air has further chilled around them, but Nik radiates heat. It makes John think of summer and the way light strikes off windows, golden and bright. It feels like the sun.

Nik's teeth scrape against his lip, he tastes like the whisky they'd been sharing, like smoke over water. He can feel the rumble deep in Nik's chest, the heavy weight of an arm around his waist and his head spinning from the lack of oxygen.

It leaves him reeling, unable to do much, unable to reciprocate as his mind runs over the conversation that led them to this point. The person Nik had been talking about. The sunlight shining bright in the middle of the night that Kate said felt like happiness.

Nik pulls away, resting his forehead against John's shoulder, while he's left struck dumb and blinking.

"Oh."

"You're very stupid sometimes." Nik says to his collarbone.

"Been told that a lot lately." John mumbles. His face is radiating heat, not just from the sunburn but the sudden flush that's overtaken him. His hands feel shaky as his heart thunders in his chest.

Nik just waits.

"I don't take hints." he says to the top of Nik's head.

"Nyet. But it is endearing."

John huffs, Nik's hair ruffling with the air. They sit there for a moment, Price trying to find a position that doesn't irritate his arms before Nik captures his hand and holds it instead, pressing a kiss to the back of it.

"How long were you going to wait?" John asks, looking down at him. Nik rests his chin on his chest, slumped over him. It can't be comfortable but he doesn't think there's a force on Earth that could move Nik from where he is.

"As long as needed." he says, voice warm and eyes soft. John feels his cheeks heat again and looks off to the side, grumbling as he can feel Nik chuckle.  There feels like there's something Nik isn't saying. John thinks he knows though.

"Kate?" John guesses. Nik stills for a moment, nodding with a sigh.  

"Da. Threatened to castrate me if I didn't do something about it. She said you would not realise."

"That all she said?" John asks, unable to stop the smile.

"She may have also mentioned the cabin is cheaper than the therapy from seeing us dance around each other." he pauses, "And that if we didn't sort this out by the end of the week it was remote enough to hide the bodies."

"Lake is deep enough for that." John muses.

"Mhmm." Nik agrees, the vibrations settling into John's ribs. He glances down at where their hands are joined, and slides his thumb along the ridge of Nik's hand, before tugging it upward.

Nik looks up confused.

"C'mon. Can't be comfortable down there." John tugs on his hand again, and gets them to their feet, knees cracking. Nik pulls him, hand spanning over John's jaw as he kisses him again. This time, it feels like John has both feet on the ground. No missteps or stumbling, instead knowing the path to take.

"I like being able to do that now." Nik beams at him. John scoffs, but feels a boyish grin that refuses to shift from his face.

"Shut up, you."

-------

When they wake up the next morning, Kate is giving them a smug look above her coffee cup and Jen giggles somewhere in the kitchen.

Nik's hand is warm in his under the table and his eyes are bright whenever they catch each other's gaze.

He goes to help Jen in the kitchen with the dishes, Kate leans forward, tapping John on the hand.

"Are you happy, John?"

He steals a piece of bacon off her plate, winking at her as he chews.

"You were right." he gives her hand a squeeze, "It's like finding the sun."

~End~

[islandtarochips]

Little Snippet

Arthur's Note: Before you read what is down there. Just to let you know that this is the conversation between Nikolai and my OC, named Alana. These two were just talking about life and all. And this conversation will show you why I picked Alana's last name as Kalani. And how I made Alana as she is now. An inspiration from someone from the past. So I hope you enjoy this little snippet which will never be part of ANY completed story that I'm working on. Lol.

“I don’t understand how YOU would be falling for a Russian man like me. You know our history with the Americans.”

“I know, Nikolai. But I don’t feel like I’m ONE of them. Never will be. I’m just…being undercooked with those Americans. Since my home has been under their control for a LONG time.”

“Oh yes. I read about your history, General. The Queen, named…um…what’s her name again?”

“Queen Liliu’okalani. The most respected woman that her people could give. With her kind heart and strong mind. Making sure that her people are well taken care of.”

“Ah. That sounded like someone that I know.”

“Oh shoosh you.”

“Heh. And she had given up her throne from preventing bloodshed onto her people. And the Hawaiian has been under the rule of the Americans ever since.”

“Never knew you learned so much about my culture, Nik.”

“I have my interests, General. ……what would you do if you’re under the Queen’s shoes? Would you give up your place to protect your men?”

“I will give up EVERYTHING to make sure that they’ll continue to fight for our home. Our families. The whole Pacific. Even if it costs me my rank as a General to be strippened or my life.”

“......you truly are the most fearsome leader that any of these people could have. That’s what I like in a woman~”

“You’re flattering me too much, Nikolai. But to answer what you said from before. I have fallen for a Russian man because of two things.”

“Oh?”

“His charms and his wit.”

“I’m not that smart. BUT those two things fit PERFECTLY for a General who is like the Queen. And she does have the last name related to the Royal Majesty as well. And that’s what made me fall in love with her even MORE.”

“I don’t know if you’re falling for the Queen or me.”

“You KNOW who I’m referring to.”

“Heh. I know…and Nikolai?”

“Yes?”

“...I love you.”

“I love you as well, Alana.”

Tagging: Opt In/Out

@ctxinari @fw-priyanshu @raresvtm @itsastronxmy

@pricescigar @toukasbae @justasmolbard @alypink

@lacunabiscuit @dirtfullofwork @kaitaiga @deeptrashwitch

@sweet-samnang @welldonekhushi

[rodolfoparras]

Alec I'm so severely unwell over that drabble you wrote, I'm like super emotional about it please-

I wanted to make Nik into catty asshole who is trying to push your buttons and make you jealous maliciously but like...the idea of him just teasing both you and John is better almost.

Like sure part of him is jealous and he can't help but to be little petty but for the most part he is just pushing your buttons for the sake of riling you up. Even better if he sees that you and John are in love with each other but neither you or John see it. And he's little hurt sure, he doesn't exactly see why John would pick some punk ass rookie over him but as long as John is happy...

And he knows John most likely won't make the first move because John is probably all types of upset because he fell for someone he took under his wing to keep safe and take care of so Nik does everything he can to make you jealous (he totally plays into your hot-headed nature) so you'll finally confess.

At some point absolutely everyone is aware it and is just waiting for something to happen because holy fuck can Captain and rookie just fuck already? Why do they keep dreamily staring into each other's eyes while we're trying to have mission briefing?

For extra angst, imagine you finally finally deciding to confess, probably after drinking and getting all hyped up and you come to John's office and you're about to know but... John is there with Nikolai and maybe they're fucking, maybe they're just having sweet moment, maybe it's just misunderstanding on your part. Whatever it is, it doesn't mean anything but to you it does because it just reaffirms that John isn't yours.

I imagine it's not until everyone gets hammered or near death situation that confession finally happens tbh.

-🔮

Okay hear me out

Nikolai wasn’t stupid. He was aware that Price likes you, not because he had told him so, because the Russian is sure that the other man would rather die than answer honestly to that question

But he could see the way price acted around you, the way he talked to you, the way he behaved nothing like when Nik and him were together.

Price and Nik had met in their early teens, Price thought Nik was his first and last love Nik, simple put, didn’t feel the same.

Sure he loved Price, dont get it wrong, but there was so much to the world than being bound to one person for the rest of your life.

So they decided to break up, only ever hooked up for the sake of old times or the surge of adrenaline that came after a mission.

Price was so hung up over Nik, the Russian never though he’d get over him but one day the rookie became all he talked about, most of their hm-meetings got called off because he needed to be with rookie for the night.

Nikolai was sure Price would fess up any time soon but Price didn’t, instead he played stupid every time he got asked about it.

So he tried another approach, targeting you by making you jealous in hopes of that being enough to make you fess up but instead it pushed you further away.

Nik almost pulled his hair out, flying a plane was much easier than getting two people together so he gave up, let universe handle it instead.

In the meantime 141 was up your ass about it, telling you that it’s so clear that the captain reciprocates your feelings.

For one second you had allowed yourself to believe it. With one too many drinks in your system you had stumbled over to Price’s office in an attempt to confess your feelings.

However what you saw had shattered your heart.

Stupid, stupid so stupid you think to yourself tears trickling down your cheeks as you sprint to you room, far away from Price’s office.

Of course Price didn’t return your feelings he was busy getting fucked by the man he was actually in love with.

Yet you had allowed yourself to be persuaded, had let 141 convince you that Price reciprocated your feelings.

However what you don’t see is Price’s attempt to run after you only for Nik to stop him.

“What is he going to think? Fuck!” Price says kicking the trash can laying around in his office, still half naked.

“John cal-“ Nik tries to say but gets interrupted by the older man.

“Don’t Nikolai just please leave, please? I would like to be alone for a moment”

Nik wants to argue but instead he lets out a sigh and picks up his clothes off of the floor, quickly dressing himself before walking out through the door.

“You should tell him you know?” Nik says with a smile on his face. Price doesn’t even get to spit out an impromptus lie about how he doesn’t like you in that way before Nik is walking away.

The opportunity to talk doesn’t come around. His days are filled with missions and his nights are filled with paper work that just seem to be piling up and when the two of you have some sort of interaction Price doesn’t even know what to say because it’s not like the two of you are anything in the first place.

He did nothing wrong by fucking Nik he was just lonely and tired of pining for the man who doesn’t even seem to noice him. But then that very same man walked in at the wrong moment and everything came crashing down on him.

Stupid stupid so stupid, Price thinks to himself as he sulks in silence.

Weeks have passed after that incident, the two of you are distant as ever.Price thinks that maybe it’s meant to be this way, you weren’t even anything in the first place.

But just as the thought pops up in his head there’s blood - your blood splashing across his face and you’re falling to the ground while he rushes towards your bleeding body

You’re muttering i love you’s while he’s carrying you to the emergency room and Price is repeatedly saying that he won’t say it back not yet because this isn’t a goodbye and if you’re going to confess your love for him you have to ask him out on dinner first, you have to be alive and well when you do it, goddammit!

Spitball w/ me?

[nightfurylover31]

Since the first part of @starrjoy's Pandora AU is reaching its climax, I decided to write something in between. With all that Sonic has lost he did end up gaining something very important. I hope this doesn't end up contradicting anything in the story, and that you all enjoy.

It had been some time since… that day. The guilt and grief still weighed heavily on Sonic like a thousand tons. His home, his people, his family… all gone. He was completely alone. And it was his fault. He finally got to see the world, but it cost him everything. 

While traveling, Sonic eventually came across Dr. Robotnik, the scientist his mother told him about. The one whom had been threatening the other islands. Trapping animals in his machines, and using his robots to destroy the forests. It was all so wrong. Sonic made it his mission to stop this Robotnik. After what he had done, he felt he owed to it to everyone that was lost on Christmas Island, especially his family. Even a year after his first encounter with Robotnik, the pain in Sonic’s heart had not lessened. He tried masking it with humor and taunts, just laughing at most things to hide how he truly felt. But he felt incomplete, like nothing could ever fill the void he left upon himself. 

He was resting under a tree on Westside Island. Sonic wrapped his arms around his crouched legs, hiding the tears that he could feel forming. He wanted to stop the hurt, but at the same time, he wanted to suffer for what he had done. If he had listened to his brother and sister, if he had just stopped and thought things through, none of this would have happened. Dora’s words still rung in his head. How he was supposedly some sort of destined hero. He was nothing more than a selfish idiot. 

“What difference does it make?” Sonic finally spoke. He was alone, no one could hear him anyway. “Even if I do stop this Ro-butt-nik, it’s not going to bring everyone back. It’s not going to make things right. I wish I could—“ 

Sonic’s train of thought was lost when he heard voices. Something like laughter. He got up and peered out from behind the bushes. He saw three foxes, one smaller than the other two, and clearly being picked on. 

“Stop it! Please!” the young one cried as one of the older kids pulled on his tail. 

“Aw, is the little freak gonna cry?” 

Sonic clenched his fists in frustration. How could anyone be that mean? He wanted to intervene, but… 

No, he thought to himself. I’ll just make it worse. Like I do with everything else. I just bring bad things to others. He was about to turn around and walk away.

“Pull harder! Maybe it’ll come off!” 

“NO!” 

As if on instinct, Sonic ran right passed all three of them, knocking the two bigger kids over.

“What was that?!” 

“I don’t know!” 

Sonic zoomed back around, and glared at the duo. “It’s one thing to pick on someone, but two-on-one? And someone who’s younger than you?” He took a step forward. “If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s bullies.” 

The two were shaking in fear, and then turned tail and ran. Not as fast as Sonic, but enough to get out of there. The blue hedgehog turned around, checking on the yellow fox. “You okay?” He asked. 

“Y-yeah…” The young kit stared at him. Almost as if in amazement. “That was—“ But before he could continue, Sonic took off. 

I can’t stick around. I can’t get close to others. I’d be just a burden to them.

When Sonic thought he was a good distance away, he made it back to his plane. That’s how he had been managing to get from island to island. He couldn’t stand the thought of going by boat. Being near the water. Not after…

“Wait!” 

Sonic looked back and saw the fox from before. He was still a good few yards away, but he managed to find Sonic so fast. It almost looked like there was a propeller behind him.

How did he…? No one’s ever been able to keep up with me before! 

The kit ran up to Sonic, stopping only to catch his breath. He was gasping deeply, obviously not used to running so much. 

“How did you find…?” Sonic began to ask, but something caught his eye. He didn’t notice before from a distance. He began to inspect the fox and the surprising sight. “You… have two tails?” 

The kid turned to his appendages, and nodded. “Yeah. That’s why those guys were picking on me.” 

Sonic did a quick scan of the extra. “That’s… pretty cool! I’ve never seen anything like that!” Heck, Sonic was always fascinated by things that were different, but this took the cake. A fox with two tails! Way past cool!

“Really?” the young kit blushed. He clearly wasn’t used to compliments. “W-well it’s not as cool as you are. I’ve never seen anything move so fast. You were amazing!” 

Sonic couldn’t help but chuckle. He smirked and brushed his nose. “It was nothing. I wasn’t even going that fast.” 

“You mean you can run even faster than that? Really?!” The kid’s eyes seemed to grow twice their size. 

“Oh, easily!” Sonic bragged. It was nice to be be able to show off a bit. But the ache in his heart suddenly started again. He shouldn’t stay.

“It’s been nice talking, and I’m glad I could help, but I have to get going. Just gotta fix my plane. You know where I can find a repair shop or something?” That was pretty much the reason Sonic stopped on the island in the first place. Something was up with the engine, maybe? He knew nothing about machines. 

“Let me take a look.” 

Sonic looked a bit confused by the fox’s words. He pulled out the toolbox Sonic kept under the seat, opened the panel, and started working. 

“You can fix it?” 

“Maybe. I’m pretty good with tools. I do stuff like this all the time.” 

This kid was full of surprises. Sonic watched as he worked. He even seemed to be enjoying it. He went from the controls to the propellers, and then the engine. Giving the plane a full inspection. Sonic had never seen anyone who loved to fix machines since— 

WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS STICKING YOUR NOSE INTO MY BUSINESS?!

Sonic felt his heart drop. That was the last thing he said to Manic. He never should have yelled. It was one of the things he regretted most. And now he’ll never be able to apologize. He’d never see his family again... 

“Are you okay?” The voice suddenly brought Sonic back to his senses. Good thing too, he could feel his eyes starting to burn. 

“Yeah, just lost in thought. You done already?” 

“Yep. It’s pretty well maintained, but it’s important you pay attention to the equipment.” 

“Man, two tails and a mechanic? Your folks must have their hands full with you,” Sonic joked. 

However, that just seemed to make the fox’s ears droop. His tails became limp. “I…I don’t have any.” 

Sonic’s eyes widened. “No parents? What about siblings? Friends? Anyone?” All were met with sad head shakes. 

“Everyone in my village thinks my two tails are weird. I’m kind of on my own.” 

With that, a new pain began to form in Sonic. This kid… was just like him. Different, and all alone in the world. Not only that, he was a lot younger. The hedgehog decided it would be better to be by himself, but he couldn’t leave this poor kid. But still…

After some thought, Sonic scratched the back of his head, and took a few steps closer. “What’s your name, kid?” 

“Oh, uh I’m Miles Prower. But everyone calls me ‘Tails’.” 

Sonic leaned to the side a bit to adjust his gaze. “Because of the extra tail?” 

“Hehe, yeah.” 

“Well Tails, I’m Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog. And if you can keep up, would you interested in going on an adventure?” 

Tails stared in shock. “You mean it?!” 

“As long as you don’t slow me down. Maybe help keep the plane in tiptop shape.” 

“Yes! YES!” With that, his tails started spinning and spinning and… suddenly Tails was off the ground. 

“Hold up! You can fly with those?!” 

Tails turned around and slowly descended. “Uh, yeah. A little bit.” 

Sonic smiled and held out his hand. “Tails, I have a feeling you and I are going to get along just fine.” Tails beamed and happily shook Sonic’s hand. 

————————

The night sky couldn’t be more clear. Not a cloud in sight, far from any town, and the stars illuminated the area with only a sliver of moonlight. A perfect night for stargazing. 

Sonic was relaxing, looking up and trying to find as many constellations as he could. He heard footsteps, but didn’t bother diverting his attention as Tails sat down beside him. 

“See any shooting stars yet?” his little brother asked. 

“Not yet, but the night’s still young.” 

After so many crazy adventures lately, it was nice to kick back and take it easy. They sat for awhile, taking in the crickets and other night noises. 

“Sonic, you remember the day we met?” 

“That was years ago. What brought that up suddenly?” 

“I don’t know. Just feeling nostalgic, I guess.” 

At this point, Sonic pushed himself back on his hands for support and let out a light chuckle. “As if I could ever forget the best day of my life.” 

"That's my line," Tails snickered a bit, and then continued. “You really saved me that day.” 

“Those bullies were giving you a hard time, but ‘saved you’ seems like bit—“ 

“No, I mean how took me in. Everyone thought I was just some freak. You were the first person to believe in me. You inspired me to be a hero. To believe in myself. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Thank you, Sonic.” 

“Careful, you’re going to make one of us start crying.” Sonic teased while flicking his pal’s nose. Tails started laughing at the jester, while Sonic just stared fondly. 

You’re wrong there, buddy. You save me that day. That was the first time I felt genuinely happy in so long. That I could do something right. Thank you, Tails. For being my friend. For being my brother.

[padme-amidala]

CREATOR TAG GAME

thank you for tagging me char @bixcaleen! <3

pick your 5 favorite gif sets of 2023 that got less than 1k notes and then pick 10 gifsets of someone else's that got less than 1k notes.

mine:

this anakin skywalker set is probably one of my favorite gifsets i've made in general. i absolutely love this quote from the rots novelization (matthew stover i'm in your walls) and the parallels are so satisfying to me

i had so much fun making this obi-wan kenobi set! i love when people make sets like this and wanted to give it a go myself, pretty happy with how it turned out!

this shadow and bone set took literal years out of my life. wouldn't do it again but it was fun lmao

i'm really happy with the coloring on this alicent hightower set. my best girl <3

this katherine pierce set which is pretty simple compared to the other sets on this list but i love my evil girlie and loved giffing her!

others:

this yennefer set by @bixcaleen is SO spectacular i'm never getting over it. everything from the lilac coloring and the absolutely mindblowing triple blends to the typography are flawless and i'm so in love!

this daenerys set by @zoya-nazyalenskys lives in my head rent free!! ana always uses the most beautiful shades of blue in her sets and that combined with the red accents and incredible blending are the most stunning thing i've ever seen.

i literally gasp every single time i see this yellowjackets set by @cardvngreenbriar!! this set is what really sold the casting for me, the scenes chosen and the way the gifs are blended are pure magic. i will never ever stop gushing about this one, it's a masterpiece.

i'm never not thinking about this alicent set by @azoraahai. the most beautiful muted green coloring combined with black & white and flawless blending AND the lyrics that hit so incredibly hard?? yeah it's perfect. and i'm enamored.

this anakin skywalker set by @hayden-christensen is literally everything to me. the absolutely perfect song and scene combinations and the flow of colors make my brain buzz. truly a masterpiece!!

this jake peralta set by @jakeyp is pure genius (as is literally everything ives makes, i'm constantly blown away by her creativity) and i'm in love! it's beyond gorgeous. it's so funny. it's everything to me. i need to physically consume it.

i'm not sure i have the words to describe how this anidala set by @lady-arryn makes me feel. the gutwrenching quote with the b&w coloring that compliments it perfectly has me on the floor. not to mention the insane triple blends that i could stare at forever. i will cherish this set forever.

i'm so obsessed with this alicent hightower set by @saws2004!! literal perfection from the coloring and the blending to the layout. i love outfit sets and this one is so creative. all the details. the quote in the last gif?? the most perfect addition.

this kaz set by @cal-kestis is one of the prettiest things ever and a masterful display of typography, blending and coloring. nik's ability to pair fonts so flawlessly always blows my mind. the rich colors blend together so beautifully i'm in awe!!

forever sobbing about this rogue one set by @starfighters!! in addition to the most heartbreaking lyrics (NIALL MY LOVE) this set also has one of the prettiest color combinations ever. the scenes, the blending... i'm in heaven.

no pressure tagging all the people above!

[badmoodbatflowers]

fic tag game

I was tagged by @beri-allen! <3

1. How many works do you have on Ao3?

18.

2. What's your Ao3 word count?

183,264 total.

3. What fandoms do you write for? Wednesday (2022).

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Who is in control?

Sweet like honey

Of curses and intrusions

Unclaimed

Golden retriever boy

5. Do you respond to comments?

I do! or at least I try to. The mental health has been a bit of a dumpster fire recently but I really appreciate every comment and always try to respond even if it's weeks later lol

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't think I've written anything with a particularly angsty ending, except my lil angsty drabble: But you're not special, you're evil.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I think most of my fics end happily bc I am a sap, but maybe Golden retriever boy.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I wouldn't consider it hate per se, but I have encountered people who don't know how to use a back button and who think I care that they disagree with my bi4bi headcanons.

9. Do you write smut? What kind?

I literally only have three fics that are not rated E lmao

10. Do you write cross-overs?

I'm not really deep enough in any other fandoms to write cross-overs, and they are never my go-to to read either.

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No

12. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Yes, one chapter of No such thing as purity with my darling kae (who is not on tumblr)

13. What WIP you would like to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I outlined an angsty hurt/comfort wyclair piece that picks up during S1, but I struggled a little with Enid's voice and the complexity of the dynamic given where it falls in canon, so it is mostly abandoned. I think it was a good idea but it requires a lot of time and attention I don't think I can give it rn. Maybe one day I'll go back to it

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

I actually don't know that I have one?

15. What are your writing strengths?

I think I do fairly well with descriptions/body positioning etc.

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

Sometimes writing dialogue is like pulling teeth.

17. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

If it's a language I know well enough, then sure.

18. First fandom you wrote for?

Wednesday.

19. Favourite fic you've ever written?

I feel like this changes all the time but possibly If you wanna go to heaven. The supernatural elements were fun and it was a gift for my dear nik, who in turn has gifted me a succubus!Wednesday fic I will cherish forever (killing boys).

20. What fic would you want to rewrite one day?

If I was going to rewrite anything, it would probably be SLH. It has evolved a lot due to the nature of writing while posting, so I'd probably want to edit and revise it to make it feel a bit more cohesive and trim the fat.

Not sure if you have done this already but @nonamemanga @suchaladyy @the-strangest-person I am curious about your responses 👀

[iheartchv]

dunno if you still doing them, but I really wanted a romantic CoD match!! <3

I am fully 100% Russian (quite proud of my roots, but not in racist way), with drown hair and blue eyes. I am about 171 cm and 61kg (big girl, yeahh), I am currently learning English, my native language, Freanch and Spanish. I am an extrovert-introvert (open up with close people only) and I really enjoy music!!!

//it was so hard trying to pick someone; its very late here so i apologize if nothing makes sense ;;^;;

🤔I match you with...

Nikolai "Nik" 🪖

Perhaps you have caught the attention of Nik?

Because he asked if you'd be interested in working with him

"It's just an upkeep job. Most easy job I can offer"

You are a housekeeper/maid, whichever you seem fit for the job

You go every week to Nik's house to make sure everything was in tiptop shape

As you do your chores you think back on the day you first met him

You were being harassed while you were shopping

Nikolai happened to be there and threatened the person to leave you alone

You noticed who he was; you kept up with the military news and such

You thanked him with a soft smile and was on your way

❤

For a year Nikolai had grown to like having you around

It was nice to have food waiting for him whenever he came back from a mission helping Task Force 141

He watched you quickly clean up any little mess

He would look your way, whether you noticed him or not, with an endearing small smile on his face

He doesn't mind having you in his garage, playing music while giving him a helping hand

Or maybe taking you with him and play music to pass the time

He doesn't mind having you around at all; he just wants to be around you

Quality time is one of his love gifts, so he appreciates it when you stay a lottle while...

Though lately he'd been wishing you stayed longer...

Or stay here with him

He had grown feelings for you

And you had the same with him

He just... had this vibe that made you want to be around him all the time

Who'd be the first to tell the other how they felt?

[richincolor]

Most Anticipated Reads of May 2023

I know I say this every time I write about my TBR, but holy crap -- there is so much good stuff coming out in the next month or so. I am not kidding! Have you seen it? Take a peek at our Release Calendar if you don't believe me. It was super hard to pick what is at the very top of my to-read pile, but I did indeed manage to pull it off. So here is what I'm really looking forward to reading in May:

Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa -- Out May 2

Aristotle and Dante meets The Hate U Give meets The Sun Is Also A Star: A stunning YA contemporary love story about a Mexican-American teen who falls in love with an undocumented Mexican boy. Finding home. Falling in love. Fighting to belong.

The Santos Vista neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas, is all Ander Martínez has ever known. The smell of pan dulce. The mixture of Spanish and English filling the streets. And, especially their job at their family's taquería. It's the place that has inspired Ander as a muralist, and, as they get ready to leave for art school, it's all of these things that give them hesitancy. That give them the thought, are they ready to leave it all behind?

To keep Ander from becoming complacent during their gap year, their family "fires" them so they can transition from restaurant life to focusing on their murals and prepare for college. That is, until they meet Santiago López Alvarado, the hot new waiter. Falling for each other becomes as natural as breathing. Through Santi's eyes, Ander starts to understand who they are and want to be as an artist, and Ander becomes Santi's first steps toward making Santos Vista and the United States feel like home. Until ICE agents come for Santi, and Ander realizes how fragile that sense of home is. How love can only hold on so long when the whole world is against them. And when, eventually, the world starts to win.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee -- Out May 16

Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians in this heartfelt, joyful paperback original rom-com that follows an aspiring chef who discovers the recipe for love is more complicated than it seems when he starts fake-dating a handsome new customer.

Dylan Tang wants to win a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making competition for teen chefs—in memory of his mom, and to bring much-needed publicity to his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn. Enter Theo Somers: charming, wealthy, with a smile that makes Dylan’s stomach do backflips. AKA a distraction. Their worlds are sun-and-moon apart, but Theo keeps showing up. He even convinces Dylan to be his fake date at a family wedding in the Hamptons.

In Theo’s glittering world of pomp, privilege, and crazy rich drama, their romance is supposed to be just pretend . . . but Dylan finds himself falling for Theo. For real. Then Theo’s relatives reveal their true colors—but with the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can’t risk being sidetracked by rich-people problems. Can Dylan save his family’s business and follow his heart—or will he fail to do both?

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic by g. haron davis -- Out May 16

Perfect for fans of All Out and Cemetery Boys, this anthology claims a seat at the table of fantasy literature for trans and gender nonconforming stories.

Transness is as varied and colorful as magic can be. In Transmogrify!, you’ll embark on fourteen different adventures alongside unforgettable characters who embody many different genders and expressions and experiences—because magic is for everyone, and that is cause for celebration.

Featuring stories from: AR Capetta and Cory McCarthy g. haron davis Mason Deaver Jonathan Lenore Kastin Emery Lee Saundra Mitchell Cam Montgomery Ash Nouveau Sonora Reyes Renee Reynolds Dove Salvatierra Ayida Shonibar Francesca Tacchi Nik Traxler

[choices-and-voices]

Kat’s Guide to Choices: Fave Books and LIs

Hey everyone! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kat, and I’ve been playing Choices since ~2016. Being on the app for so long has given me a lot of time to read a lot of series, and of course, I’ve accumulated a lot of favourites from among them. Some of those favourites are unsurprising, because they’re widely recognised as well-written or they’re similar to ‘real-life’ books that I enjoy: think Blades of Light & Shadow, Most Wanted, Mother of the Year. Others are surprising, even to me, because at first glance they seem like shallow romances but if you play them just right then they go straight for your heart: think Baby Bump (I dare you to play it romancing Myra Dixon), Big Sky Country (I dare you to play it as an MLM romance), The Cursed Heart (it doesn’t even matter how you play that one, I think it’s the most underrated series Choices has ever had). It’s gotten to the point where I think it’d be cool to have this pinned post of all the series that stand out to me on the app, plus all the LIs that made them feel special. I’m not the type of person who likes picking between favourites, so it’s not going to be a ranked list, or a list with a limited number of slots – I’ve just done it alphabetically, and I’ll keep adding to it as I go. I hope that it helps people celebrate their own favourites, and maybe even inspires people to read something new 😊

Without further ado, here are my favourite series and LIs on Choices:

Alpha – Channing Lowe (a male version)

Baby Bump – Myra Dixon (whom I renamed Harper)

Big Sky Country – Sawyer Oakley

Blades of Light & Shadow – Tyril Starfury

Bloodbound – Adrian Raines

Crimes of Passion – Princess Trystan Thorne

The Cursed Heart – Prince Kieran

The Deadliest Game – Dante Valdez

Desire & Decorum – Ernest Sinclaire

The Elementalists – Griffin Langley

Foreign Affairs – Tatum Mendoza

Guinevere – King Arthur

Laws of Attraction – Gabe Ricci

Most Wanted

Mother of the Year – Thomas Mendez

Ms. Match – Jack Monroe (whom I renamed Elijah Bennett)

Murder at Homecoming – Donovan Navarro

Nightbound – Nik Ryder

Open Heart – Rafael Aveiro

Perfect Match – Damien Nazario

The Royal Masquerade – Kayden Vescovi (a male version, whom I renamed Kaspian)

The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir/The Royal Finale – Liam Rhys (whom renamed Nikola)

Save the Date – Simon Hendricks

Slow Burn – Julian Navarro

The Unexpected Heiress – John Somerset

Veil of Secrets – Naomi Silverhawk (I got really close to picking Kate O’Malley once I realised that she was an option, but in the end I couldn’t reject Naomi, and I think she doesn’t get enough love)

[practically-an-x-man]

I saw the question Vexic sent and now I have to ask the same: your OCs have the opportunity to swap places with my OCs for 24 hours, who do they choose?

Hm.... very good question!

Rae: Director Hawke - she's got 24 hours to take down that whole shebang from the inside out, and damn if she isn't going to make the most of that time. Bonus points if she gets Warren in on it, to restrain her body and keep guard while they swap so Hawke doesn't ruin Rae's life in the process.

Robin: Jessi - not just because she's used to sonic powers already, but she's on a mission. By the time they switch back, Hyun-Ki is nowhere to be found, 90% of Jessi's money has been donated to a variety of charities, and she's being absolutely flamed on social media for a variety of reasons.

Madison: Maybe Qiara? Or possibly Meredith... I'm still not sure who Madison would swap out with, she's been the toughest pick in both lineups

Ophelia: Anyone with interesting powers - which could be fine, since she could end up with someone in complete control and it would be fine... or she could end up with Onnie and end up wreaking absolute havoc since she's suddenly developed eldritch powers.

Jasper: Hm... Cory, maybe? They've got a pretty similar style and all. Maybe they'd want to try and swap with Ameerah, just to fix a few things, but it also might be nice to have a break from all the empathic input for a while.

Kestrel: Arya, for the same reason they'd switch with Gabi in Vexic's lineup - it would feel suffocating not to be able to shapeshift

Katherine: I could see her swapping with Pippa - their personalities are really similar, being kind and generous and positive, so I think they'd both try to make it the most seamless swap they could and try not to stir up that many ripples (at least... until night falls and Pippa's expected to take care of a living museum, and Katherine ends up fighting an eldritch metahuman)

Quinn: Siv, or maybe Kayla - someone who can move well, since she'll be spending as much time as possible just parkouring through the city like she used to.

Eris: Still doesn't really want to switch. Like, at all. The only person they ever want to be is Eris. But they'd probably just end up picking someone that will let them cause a lot of havoc - Laila, Onnie, even the Negative Speed Force itself

Nikoletta: Cassandra? They're pretty similar people overall, which would make the transition fairly easy for her. But as I said with Vexic's lineup... Nik wouldn't really care who she switches with, since she'd either be over the moon about being without her shadow-touch or would see it as a chore to leave her usual life.

[laswells-ashtray]

Regarding my last thing, I feel as if the others also have stuff they can all of a sudden do when they're blackout drunk.

Mac can all of a sudden do ballet. I mean he becomes a fucking prima ballerina kinda thing. Mans not flexible AT ALL sober, but as soon as he's drunk, man is all of a sudden naturally flexible, dancing like a ballerina.

Kate ends up juggling. Not even something easy, no, drunk as fuck she can fucking juggle alcohol bottles, any type any shape kinda thing. the bottles ain't even empty, most still being full or at least half full.The limit doesn't even stop at 3, she can do like 5-6 bottles. No one who was there to witness her juggling knows what's her limit on juggling alcohol bottles, they were too scared she was gonna end up dropping, breaking, and waste the alcohol in the bottles to go further on it.

Sarah ends up somehow doing split jump. She doesn't get blackout drunk often, she likes to pace herself and be able to remember the fun night. But one night she was just absolutely blasted and full on going for it. Kate was scared she was gonna hurt herself, that's her pretty wife come on! But her eyes were bulging out of her sockets when Sarah all of a sudden just ran into a perfect spilt jump. Wasn't even a forward spilt jump, it was a middle split jump. Kate tries to get Sarah to show her it again when she's sober, but when she is, Sarah can't even do any of the splits.

Nik, ballroom dancing. I don't know, but something about such a tough man being blackout drunk all of a sudden knowing how to ballroom dance does something. Man can't even do a regular dance sober either, he's got two left feet. When he's blackout drunk, he just yanks Price and starts ballroom dancing with him, leading him. Price will be confused, flustered, and just turned on while Nik is just all smiles leading him on the floor.

Sorry for ranting! I just zoned out throughout the day and figured out what the others could all of a sudden do while blasted

Oh, I like this. When I'm drunk I gain the ability to post weird, horny and utterly shameless AleRudy content.

John has an old phone that he keeps solely because it's full of old, grainy videos of one Captain MacMillan in a positively beautiful pirouette. There's a wet stain on his shirt from someone knocking into him while he was holding a pint, and his hair is a little fucked from a small incident in which he wrestled Nikolai to prove a point but he looks truly glorious. Mac has no memory of ever even watching ballet, his ability to dance is lost on them all but they're too scared that if he tries to learn it naturally then it'll stop being as good when he's drunk.

Kate actually learned how to juggle when she was a kid, she taught herself but throughout the years completely forgot about it because when you're a kid, if you're the kid that juggles then you're weird. When she's drunk? Everyone fucking loves it, John loves showing off her drunken juggling skills to people. On one occasion Nikolai bet a cocky man that Kate could juggle better than him, the man insisted that some "little blonde" couldn't juggle better than him, Hell, she's a fucking woman. Nikolai made $25 that night and spent it all on Kate's drinks.

Sarah is the type of drunk where if you leave her alone for too long, she's gonna find a stranger and show them her cool splits trick. She has been wrangled away from strangers by Kate, John, Nikolai and even Mac on one of the three occasions that she's met him. Kate will just drag her away with an arm around her waist. John uses Kate as a ploy. "There's some fella over here flirting with Kate." Nikolai will just pick up Sarah and walk away with her, they are friends and he's passed being polite about it. The one time MacMillan had to drag her away from a stranger, he did it because for once this wasn't some kind stranger, it was someone with bad intentions and Sarah was a little too plastered to see it. He gently guided her away with a kind hand on her shoulder, glowering at the stranger as they walked away. "C'mon, hen. Yer lassies looking fir ye."

Nikolai will ballroom dance with John and not only that, he'll dip him and smooch him. It scares the tits off of John a little every time because he always wonders is this the time where Nikolai will be too drunk and drop him but he never does. People are amazed to see it, because Nikolai moves with the fluidity of water flowing. He's graceful, agile and he's glorious.

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Newscapepro SCP Rewrite, Too Spooky 4 You

“Wow, Johnny, this is such a romantic night!” A woman giggled as she sat in a car with her leather jacket clad boyfriend overlooking a hill; it was like a scene out of a mediocre romance movie from the 60s.

The man nodded as he laid back in the car. “Yeah Stacy, this took a whole five minutes to set up, baby.”

“Yeah, I feel nothing could ruin this night...” She laid on Johnny’s chest, stars in her eyes as- 

“Oh, but you’d be wroooooong!” An old timey voice called out.

“Eek! Who said that?”

“Yeah, baby, you better come out or I’ll beat your ass, baby,”

“You’ll be too busy cowering in fear!” The creature walked up to the car, it looked like a poorly made Gorilla costume wearing a spaceman’s helmet. “Fear me! I am the Ro-Man!”

“Oh that’s... you were scarier when I couldn’t see you,”

“The what? I didn’t pay attention in history class, baby,” Johnny stood up from his car and punched the thing in the chest. “Ow!” He recoiled in pain.

“You... don’t fear me? I will make you scream in terror!” The Ro-Man easily picked up Johnny, Stacy screeched in terror and immediately turned tail to run, her heels clicking against the road as she ran.

“The hell are you doing, baby?” The greasy haired guy kicked around as he was carried by the Monster.

“I will make this world feel true fear!”

—

“Alright guys, we’re handling a Keter today,” Triana announced, most of the team looked at her in a combination of fear, Nikole looked with annoyance instead.

Triana cleared her throat at the spooked reactions. “Remember, Keter means hard to contain, not dangerous; what we’re re-containing today is SCP 2006,”

“That’s the guy that tries to scare people, right?” Hooper asked.

“Yeah, but he’s like… super shit at it like: ‘I’m the scary Ro-Man ooooOOOOoooo!’” Lara waved her hands around as she chuckled.

The rest of the team chuckled too, even Triana who quickly cleared her throat. “Do not mock the SCP on the mission. It may not be great at actually scaring people, but it’s still a powerful shape shifter,”

“True, true,” Hooper stopped himself from chuckling any further. “We heading off to it now?”

“Yup,”

A silence ensued as the MTF entered the elevator, which Scott quickly broke “So uh… we gonna need to be amnesticising these people?” Scott asked as the MTF flew through the air. “Cause like, that’s gonna take awhile,”

“If we need to someone else will do it,” Triana reassured. “Out job is just to convince the Skip to return to his containment,”

Nikole rolled her eyes. “Negotiations… cause we’re great at those,”

“Oh c’mon, at least try to have a positive outlook, Nik,” Cory chastised. “At least it’s not dangerous,”

Nikole sighed and crossed her arms, grumbling to herself as the Helicopter finally landed in the small, currently desolate town. Specifically what seemed to be a market area of the town, with restaurants, shops and other businesses lining the streets; there was also a strange noise coming from further within despite the lack of anyone else in the street.

A dishevelled woman suddenly ran towards the team at full force, nearly managing to bump into Triana.

“Oh my God, oh my God!” Stacy ran flailing towards the MTF as they landed, mascara streaming down her face. “Who are you? Are you here to help us?”

“Yes, ma’am we’re here to help,” Triana put her hand on the woman’s shoulder, which quickly calmed her down. “Did you witness some kind of monster in this town?”

“Y-Yes, it took my Johnny!” She sniffled, and then suddenly stopped crying. “I-It wasn’t really that scary looking at first to be honest,”

“At first?” Hooper quirked an eyebrow, which no one could see cause of the helmet.

“Yeah, but then he started taking scarier and scarier forms-”

Nikole interrupted by clearing her throat. “Couldja just tell us where it is?” This got her a dirty look from Triana, probably not the first of today.

“W-Well he headed into the theatre with my Johnny and…” She started sniffling again. “Oh, I can’t take it, please save my boyfriend from that monster!” Stacy crying developed into even worse screech crying, making Nikole cover her ears and whisper something in Polish.

Triana cleared her throat. “I promise, we will save your boyfriend, and remove that creature from this town,”

“Oh thank you so much!” The woman smiled as the MTF moved.

“Bluejay, where’s the theatre in this town?”

“To your left, should only take like… five minutes tops,” Lara reassured as she smacked her lips.

Cory turned to Nikole. “Y’know, you could’ve been nicer about that…”

The woman shrugged. “It was the quickest way to do it, I coulda gone way worse,”

“I hate to agree with her, but she’s right; we needed to find out where the Skip was as quick as possible,” Triana said.

Cory pouted as Nikole took a swig from her flask. Scott quickly patted Cory on the back.

“Hey man, just try to think about somethin’ else. Nikole ain’t that bad,”

“True…” Cory used one of his two braincells to think about a different topic, “Do you think I have a chance with that girl back there?”

“Ya dirty dog!” Scott chuckled as he slapped Cory on the back.

Hooper chuckled a little too. “She has a boyfriend, Cory,”

“Oh…” Cory looked down for a minute. “Do you think I have a chance with him then?”

Scott and Hooper both chuckled, in fact, Hooper seemed particularly happy about this joke for whatever reason.

“I think he has a girlfriend, dude,”

“Oh yeah, right…”

“Quiet down boys, we’re here,” Triana said as the MTF stood outside of the rather small, desolate movie theatre. The signs for whatever movies were showing hadn’t even put up yet.

“You’re there, the Skip should be on the inside,” Lara said.

“Welp, one of us is gonna have to go in there,” Nikole crossed her arms as literally everyone turned their head to look at Cory.

“What?”

“Nothing…” Triana cleared her throat. “Private go in there,”

“B-By myself?” Cory stuttered.

“What are you too scared?” Lara chuckled a little as Cory began to blush.

“N-NO!” Cory screeched just a little too loudly. “I just uh… it’s not scary enough for me to take it seriously!”

Scott and Nikole chuckled a little.

“I think it’d be a good idea for ya to go in, Cory seems to have a way with Skips,” Hooper said.

Triana nodded “Yeah, move into the theatre, Cory; that’s an order,”

“Fine…” Cory pouted as he tiptoed into the theatre, painfully slowly… in fact so slowly that.

“Now, Cory!” Triana shouted which made Cory instantly bolt inside of the building.

Cory tiptoed sneakily around the incredibly small movie theatre, slowly searching for where this damn SCP was.

“Agh, help me, baby!” Johnny yelled from the first room.

“Muahahahaha, cower in fear!” A very ‘spooky’ voice ordered from the same room. Cory instantly felt all the fear that had built up dissipate as he heard the creature talk.

He casually walked into the theatre to see the Gorilla-esque creature forcing Johnny to watch what looked like the absolute worst horror movie of all time.

“Oh, another person, are you here to scream in fear, or scream in… laughter?” The Skip’s spherical head looked downwards in a combination of shame and depression as Cory slowly approached it.

“Oh, of course not I’m terrified right now-”

“You do not need to pretend, I need to take drastic measure to make even the most cowardly afraid of me,” The creature sighed. “This Ro-Man form is one of my favourites, and yet no one seems to so much as shiver at it!”

“That’s… pretty sad actually,” Cory puffed his cheeks. “Well uh, if you’d go back into containment I could try to cut a deal with my employers; let them let you watch some scarier movies,”

“Y-You mean it?” Despite the lack of a face on the Ro-Man’s form, Cory could tell he was smiling. “Then, I suppose I could come back, I tire of hearing this man’s screams,”

Johnny quickly ran out of the theatre. “Finally, baby,”

“Great! Now, you just need to-”

“Freeze!” Triana ordered as Hooper and Her ran into the room, armed and ready to fire. “SCP 2006, you need to return to your containmen-”

Hooper suddenly started laughing, causing Cory and Triana to turn their heads to look at him with the biggest ‘dude, stop’ look they could muster. “I-I’m sorry, he’s just too stupid lookin’ to take seriously,”

“You dare call the Ro-Man stupid!?”

“Hoop, I’d uh… maybe stop laughing,”

“I’ll show the both of you true fear!”

Cory quickly turned his head as the monster began to transform, growing rapidly in size.

Hooper realised his mistake and bolted out of the theatre, nearly dropping his gun as Triana fainted, falling to the ground with a thump.

“You can look now, kind, camera faced human,”

“Oh, thank God,” Cory huffed. “Sorry about my friends there, they-”

“It’s all good, I will return to containment soon; there’s so many people to scare back there anyway!”

“That’s the spirit, buddy,”

“Ack! What the hell just happened?” Triana shouted as she flew up from the ground.

---

Triana walked out of the theatre, gritting her teeth from embarrassment fueled anger alongside Cory, who had only recently stopped chuckling.

“You seem happy,” Nikole teased the Lieutenant as she sauntered over to the group of two. “How’d the mission go?”

Cory proudly cleared his throat. “I manage to negotiate it back into containment!”

“How?” Triana raised an eyebrow at the Private.

“Well, I’m gonna try to get the higher ups to let him see scarier movies,”

“Cory!” Triana went from embarrassed anger to regular old anger. “Are you insane? If this Skip sees actually scary movies it could be impossible to contain!”

“Give him a break, Tri, he actually figured out a decent solution,” Lara said over the intercom

“Yeah!” Cory cheered.

Triana sighed. “Fine, you did a good job, Private,”

An awkward silence ensued, broken by Scott clearing his throat, smiling and opening his arms widely.

“Well in other news, I heard that Johnny guy talk about breaking up with his girlfriend; seems like you do have a chance with him!” Scott chuckled, Hooper seemed to get just a touch grumpy at this comment before going back to his usual, neutral look.

“Nah, I’m over him,” Cory said.

---

“Ahh… it’s good to be back at the base, I’m tired,” Cory yawned as he sat on a couch next to Hooper in the common area of his barracks.

“Cory, that mission barely took an hour,”

The aforementioned Cory pouted a little. “Well, I can still be tired,”

“Yo yo, you two,” Lara pointed as she walked up to the two MTF, then seemed to zone out for a minute as she thought of what she wanted to say. “Oh uh… would you be up for a… shitty horror movie thingy I wanna set up with our team?”

“Oh, sure! That sounds like fun!” Cory beamed.

“Sounds good to me,”

“Phew… okay that’s everyone, even Nikki,” Lara said. “I’ll go get the popcorn, try not to die of fear, you two,”

“Yeah Cory, I think you’re the only person to ever be scared of SCP-2006,”

“What about Triana?”

“What about me,” Triana gave Cory the biggest death stare as she walked into the common room and sat on a couch to the left. Scott and Nikole sat on a couch to the right soon after as they both chuckled a little at this.

“N-Nothing,”

“What I thought,”

The first movie wasn’t particularly eventful, the team (but mostly Lara) found fun in tearing it apart. Lara would insult the special affects any chance she got in any way she could.

“You ain’t scared?” Hooper asked the camera faced man, shocked.

“Well duh, this stuff looks like it was made in the 60s,”

“It… was made in the 60s,” Hooper threw a kernel of popcorn at Cory’s arm, who retalliated by throwing one at Hooper’s arm; this evolved into both of the grown men throwing popcorn at each other as they chuckled.

At around the 2nd movie, both Triana and Lara fell asleep with the latter leaning against the former’s shoulder. This drew the focus of everyone else in the commons room.

“So, everyone can tell that they’re dating right?” Nikole asked, everyone answered yep or some southern accented yep equivalent.

Nikole chuckled. “Alright, nice, I’ll tell them that so they’ll finally woman up and tell everyone,”