#i just really vibe with his fast-talking efficiency

[luveline]

Omg ok Jade my love can I request a princess soulmate au with Steve? Where reader is Prince Steve’s soulmate but maybe she’s not royal herself and is struggling a bit with being the future princess?

Almost like similar vibes to some of the loser gf with rockstar Sirius things you’ve done

thank you sm for your request! (sci-fi fairytale au) prince!steve

cw talk of losing weight to fit into a dress 

Prince Steven sits across from you with a bowl of grapes and a pair of embroidery scissors. He's going to stab me, you think morosely. I'm wretched and boring and he's going to stab me and then the stars will give him another soulmate and he'll forget this whole misfortune.

He seems lost for words as you are, or uninterested. You think he's going to talk and he eats another grape instead, hair fluttering in the breeze that filters in from the balcony, his eyes trained on the holoscreen. He's pretty —soft face, softer hair, almond shaped eyes that seem perpetually amused— but more alarmingly, he's fit. Physically fit from years of sports. Royals do all manner of olympiad competition, evident in his toned shoulders and his sun-kissed skin. 

"How's your embroidery?" he asks suddenly. 

You startle, pretending you'd been attending to that rather than staring at him uselessly. "It's going well, Prince Steven," you lie. You've never embroidered before —you have practical sewing skills for darning scuffed trousers and patching elbows, but embroidery is a labour of time. Time is a luxury you haven't had. 

"Steve," he corrects. 

"Do I… Is it really okay for me to call you that? Won't people think I'm presumptuous?" 

"Ten dollar word." He slides the bowl toward you, a beautifully glazed ceramic piece that likely cost more than your month's rent. "Well, they usually let me have whatever I want, and I want you to call me Steve. And to relax. And eat more." 

"I can't. They said I need to fit into my wedding dress." 

"The wedding dress needs to fit you," Steve says, the simple cut of his button down pulled snug to his chest as he leans back in his chair. "Not the other way around. Is that why you didn't eat much at breakfast? Or was it just gross?" 

"It wasn't gross," you say softly. 

"You don't have to do any of that stuff, either, if it's boring." 

You run your finger down the creamy linen stretched between your bamboo hoops. "I don't know if it's boring. I can barely do it." 

"You're too mean to yourself," he says. 

Steve stands and puts his arm behind his head, pushing his elbow until something clicks. Embarrassed by his dismissal, you stare at your hands and fume at yourself when they begin to tremble. 

It's too much. All of it. The cruel Palace attendants who know you're not good enough. Steve and his good nature. The wedding dress, the fine China, your wonky stitches. 

Steve steps to your side. He holds out his hand, and you pass him your embroidery without meeting his eyes. Your mood worsens at the sharp slink of snipping, sure that Steve will cut your pattern from the sketch and tell you to start again. 

"Sorry, your white knot at the back was bothering me. Pass me a slimmer needle? I'll tuck it behind your stitches." 

Astonished, you pass Steve a smaller needle from the pin cushion. His brows creases gently as he works, rewiring the white thread with patience and efficiency. 

"There. It looks really nice, honey. You're a fast learner." He passes you the hoop. You take it a beat too slow and he either doesn't notice or doesn't make a fuss, chucking you under the chin softly. "Don't worry so much. I'll talk to Cordelia about your wedding dress, the idea that you need to fit into it like it's one size fits all is dumb. It's made for you. Like, what are they expecting?" 

"They're probably hoping this is all a big mistake." 

"Did someone say that to you?" 

"Nobody had to say it to me, I can tell from the way they look at…" Steve takes your face into his hand, effectively killing anything you'd been trying to say.  

He seems royal, then. Used to getting his way, maybe, the disapproving lining of his otherwise sweet eyes. You get a flash of a memory, the morning you'd been presented, Steve in his finery with his platinum crown like a beacon in brown hair, you in your best dress, embarrassingly drab in comparison, your hand offered. He'd been meeting with eligible women all week. 

You were there as a formality. Never for a second did you think your soul mark would react to his, lines of light around your opposite wrists. 

To think you'd worried about touching him. You could never imagine how beautifully careful he is, how tender. You didn't know men were like this until Steve showed you, his niceness apparently bone deep and in everything he does. 

"If people are being jerks, you have to tell me." You never imagined how casual and vulgar he'd be either. "What's the point in being a princess if people don't respect you?" 

"I'm not a princess," you say. Your heart is a hummingbird as he turns his hand and strokes your cheeks with the backs of his fingers. 

"You will be. Nothing can change that. You're going to be a princess, and you can do as much or as little as you want, because those dorks left me in charge and I say so. I can decree it, if that makes you feel better," he says, dropping his hand, the phantom of it lingering like static shock. 

"What if I'm not meant for this?" you ask quietly, shy but terrified enough to ask. 

"I was meant for you," he says, tone matching yours in timidity. His sleeves rolled up as they are, you can see the soft light of his soul mark taking a pink hue. "Right?" 

Your soul mark glows a gentle pink to match his. Because you and Steve don't know one another well, not yet, but the feeling is there, thrumming under the skin like a pulse. Not love, not not love, a glowing desire. A want to know him.

There have been moments where you wished he wasn't a Prince, but then there's no guarantee you ever would have met. 

"Right," you mouth, offering him a small smile. 

"We were meant to be together…" Steve bends at the waist, meeting your eyes. He's yet to kiss you in the week since you met, but his touches come braver everyday, the unfamiliarity between you melding into butterflies. His smirk shakes them awake. "So let's be together the way we want to. Think of princess-ing as optional." 

"And you as mandatory?"

"I'm also optional," he says with a warm laugh. "But dinner is not. I need to know what you like, if we're going to get married."

You practically gulp. Right. You're going to be his soulmate, his princess, and his wife. 

"Don't be scared. I'm not cooking it, chef Joyce is." Steve brushes hair from his eyes like a model from the giant holo screens, unaware of his own attractiveness. "I'm a shitty cook. My talents lie in other things," he drawls grandly, "like lacrosse, and neck massages." 

He winks. You laugh genuinely for the first time since you met him, and his face splits with glee.  

—

if you want to request anything for this AU please do! steampunk princess soulmate and her smitten prince is my new fave thing

[6okuto]

YOUR TOUCHSTARVED HCS ARE GOD TIER I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU CAPTURED THEM SO WELL WITH JUST THE DEMO

If you want, could I ask for some with Vere and Kuras?? I feel in love with them in the demo and am in desperate need of more toushstarved content

GENERAL KURAS HCS

gn!reader | ?!!?!! GIGGLES..THANK U THANK U a girl never shares her secrets 😍🤫😘 jk ive shared characterization tips at Some point. KURAS TIME!!! ;3c

has a sense of humour where if you say something silly he Does find it amusing,, he just has a calm + direct demeanor. "can i climb you like a tree" > he blinks because he's caught off guard but smiles anyway. says you could definitely try, but he thinks it might be more effective to just pick you up, no?

the Look the others give him when he says a joke You often say that just...does not match him at all. awesome

he'd get you flowers. not in a bouquet of red roses way but in an i checked the meanings of all of these and personalized it to have your favourite colours and what you mean to me. i'll either explain to you the most devastating story of eternal love and our souls being intertwined or look at you and go :) who's to say what it means? and let you figure it out

next level putting things high up so you have to ask him for help. doesn't try to hide his amusement at all. "odd how it ended up there." ? Yeah i know right

but seriously if you're on the shorter side and you choose to get a chair instead of asking him he's a little upset. and worried. please don't hurt yourself

very serious if you hurt yourself or get sick. if you want to recover fast, let him take care of you. just know he's going to follow some strict rules to make sure you're healing as efficiently as possible

don't let this guy in the kitchen.... his lack of cooking skills make him very appreciative of any home cooked meals, and he knows some pretty good restaurants to make up for it

go ahead and hold onto kuras if you're stuck in a crowd again. like you Can trust him to not lose you, he meant that. but also he won't stop you from reaching for his hand/arm. asks if you're alright before continuing on

get him to relax by laying his head in your lap while you run your fingers through his hair

never minds bending down to kiss you. you can solve ths problem by getting him to sit down and standing between his legs by the way

forehead kisses are a go to!! and a hand on the small of your back

likes when the both of you talk about how your days went in the evening. i think he likes hearing about drama. he remembers names and stories and if he ever sees the person that pissed you off he's. a Little petty/passive-aggressive. he's really good at making it seem like it's accidental though. LOL

you know when you recommend something to someone and they figure out the big twist or mystery so fast you're like wtf. that's kuras. he pretends he doesn't know, especially the first few times, but eventually you just have to take the opportunity to make it a challenge. how fast can he do it y’know.

? glitter eyeshadow. give it a thought and come back to me.

morning person who gets breakfast for you by the time you're up

giving me words of affirmation and quality time vibes. inviting you out whenever he isn't working and making sure you know you're a priority... casually saying some kind of sincere, poetic praise..

sort of a dry texter but you know what. he's supportive. boyfriend who doesn't know what game you've started and are now incoherently ranting about but does his best to guess and support u. looks up the wiki to read about the characters and plot on his own time

when the game has a secret and kuras Offers a Suggestion. a Guess. and he's right. and ur like OMG :D and he :). pretends he didn't look it up because you told him you were stuck yesterday

[albatris]

@multi-lefaiye hello hi forgive me for the awkward formatting but I saved my reply as a draft and tumblr is now lo nonger letting me edit it :c

so I will reply here!

thank you for the silly question!

Nat and Yvonne would do FINE, they've both worked customer service and they get it. Yvonne is cheery and organised and hard-working, Nat is lazy but efficient..... all his managers dislike him on vibes but they can't fire him 'cause he's actually really good at his job. Alex would also do fine... it hasn't necessarily worked customer service in this kind of sense before, but it's worked with People and knows how to handle The Public at their stupidest.... it's also very hard-working and efficient, it'd handle itself okay in a department store, and would probably really enjoy working alongside Nat and Yvonne :3 dream team!

Quinn and Zeke are where we run into problems lmao

Quinn has no work ethic, hates pushing themself, and has no tact. Quinn would think department store work is beneath them and they'd absolutely talk down to customers, subtly at first but eventually just telling people flat out to go fuck themselves. they'd refuse to stock shelves and carry boxes, they'd bitch about customers within earshot of those customers, they'd never obey the dress code...... they'd last a week, tops, and they'd hate every second of it fthdks

Zeke would last longer than Quinn but still not long.... although she'd love the fast-paced environment and the pressure and competitiveness, she'd suck at the customer stuff..... she'd have no patience for rude or angry customers. telling customers to fuck off may be the only thing she and Quinn ever agree on xD

Nat MIGHT be able to coax Quinn into doing some hard work (as long as he's not also been fired for eating a customer for harassing one of his other co-workers) but he'd be annoyed at them the whole time.... likewise, Alex may be able to reign in Zeke's righteous fury but it would take a lot of effort.....

so nah, Quinn gets fired and everyone is happier for it and Zeke MIGHT get fired..... she's on thin ice..... she gets fired and everyone is kinda bummed about it bc she's a lot of fun :c but unfortunately fistfighting customers is against store policy 😔

[comicmanstudioink]

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG BUT SUPER EVIL AND SCARY AND STUFF!!!

(SONIC.EXE PARODY)

By Oscar James.

(PART 2)

The zone changed, this zone was called “MELLOW MEADOWS”

This zone was set at night with a sleeping moon in the corner (they’re just vibing) with pink grass and blossom trees. The music playing this time was “STARLIGHT ZONE” from the first sonic game. This time I was playing as Knuckles, “This will hopefully give me a fighting chance against the evil Sonic” I thought to myself unaware of the horrors I was about to witness.

Just then! A hole opened up in the ground!

Knuckles slowly looked towards me, pulled out a sign which read “OH NO!” and fell through down the hole.

The next zone was called “THE MEADOWS ARE NO LONGER MELLOW”

The background was black, the grass was dead and it was extremely foggy. Knuckles seemed really nervous and shaky. I don’t blame him though, fog is pretty scary.

I walked forward for a bit. Hoping the evil sonic wouldn't appear, for mine and Knuckles sake.

Suddenly! The Evil Sonic appeared!

The screen went black and text appeared. It read:

"HIYA KNUCKLEHEAD! COME GET ME IF YOU CAN."

Suddenly boss fight music started playing, the track itself was from sonic 3d blast (again I might add) it was the second boss fight track of the game.

I then went to go hit the Evil Soni-

I said I then went to go hit the Evil Soni-

I SAID I WENT TO GO HIT THE EVIL SONI-

Oh dear god, Evil Sonic can teleport…

No matter how fast I ran up to Evil Sonic, he would just teleport behind me. Over and over again, I just couldn’t catch up to him… the worst part of it all however, the evil blue dude with an attitude kept mocking me the entire time�� 

About five to ten minutes of trying to catch the Evil Sonic, Knuckles collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. My fingers started to hurt anyway from pressing the arrow keys so much so I could understand the pain the echidna was going through.

The ring counter read out instead of none! It read out you suck!... like squeezing lemon juice into a paper cut.

But me and knuckles weren’t just gonna give up that easily, we weren't just gonna let some loony tune ass looking son of a gun take us down. But this would be a horrible mistake, as Evil Sonic would show us true horror, beyond our wildest nightmares, as he turned around, we saw the most terrifying, horrific, Eldredge abomination to ever land itself upon mankind!!! When he turned around, he was wearing a mask…

OF KEN PENDERS!!!

Ok context:

Ken Pender's was a writer for the Archie Sonic comic, now he wrote some of the worst sonic comics EVER! And his artwork…

His artwork (if you can even call it art) is some of the ugliest things anyone can lay their hand upon.

Oh and how can I forget that he also did this:

Yup… 

Anyway years later Ken sued Archie for the rights to this character's back. Now Archie could have one this lawsuit easily, however the lost the necessary paperwork to win said lawsuit and ken won so Archie had to remove all of Ken's characters and contributions to the comic, and SEGA was so sick of Archies incompetence that the took the comic rights away and gave it to IDW instead. 

Yeah it's a whole bag of worms. There are loads of you tube videos that talk about this more in depth, so go watch those if you want a more in depth discussion about this. I just needed to write this all down for people who didn’t know.

Ok back to the Evil Sonic.

He was wearing a mask…OF KEN PENDERS!!!

Me and Knuckles let out a horrendous scream of terror at the sight of the Sonic writer. However,  Knuckles was more terrified at the sight of Ken than I was (rightfully so I might add) that the mere sight of Ken Pender's was too much for Knuckles' heart…

Knuckles, clutching his chest, slowly falling to the ground…

And died…

Evil sonic took off the mask, and was shocked (and terrified) to find how efficiently the mask worked. The screen turned black, and text appeared on screen which read:

"I was only trying to spook him… I didn't mean to kill him! I undermined the true horror that was Ken Pender's, I may be a supernatural entity that haunts a sonic game. But KEN is on a whole new level of horror."

“Gee, YA THINK!!!

“Shush peasant! You have already lost two characters to my hand! Do you really think you have a chance to beat me? HA, I think not… HOWEVER! I am willing to give you one more chance to beat me, but if you fail this time… GAME OVER!”

part 1

part 3

[kindaoptimisticsquirrel]

Trigun Bookclub Trimax Vol9 Part1

Vol01: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3  | Vol02: Part 1 | Part 2

Trimax: Vol01 Part 1 Vol01 Part 2 | Vol02 Part 1 Vol02 Part 2 | Vol 03 Part 1 | Vol03 Part2 | Vol04 Part1 | Vol04 Part2 | Vol05 | Vol06 | Vol07 | Vol08 Part1 | Vol08 Part2 | Vol09 Part1

Vol 9 recap start! It's late and I'm not having that many clever thoughts, so more just...reacting and saving cool panels :D

Chapter 1:

Aww Nico and Miss Melanie checking to see how Livio is doing. Nico's really got the big brother vibes.

Great catch, buddy!

Smiling and laughing little Wolfwood! This is killing me with so much cuteness. Also, love how he got his big Wolfwood nose as a kid too (I mean, of course he does, but then you never know, an author might make all kids look kinda similiar even unintentionally by giving them big kid eyes, small noses and such stuff...it's just nice to see distinct facial features drawn in different age states)

*** you for that evil trap, Chapel.

Livio not saying anything to that in that one panel is telling a lot actually. Now we know in what way he himself is tied to that orphanage...does he consider it a burden too? I wonder if Chapel struck a nerve with that sentence.

And just like that I knew I was gonna like Livio. Oooh he had it coming.

Hmm love this page. It really feels like the start of something.

Chapter 2:

So so proud of him...I read other bookclub posts about how Wolfwood symbolizes the humanity that CAN change and boy is that right.

I can only imagine Nightow having SO much fun drawing this!! :DD I have no idea but if I'd have to guess I'd say he was just waiting to draw a full page cool blockbuster scene of Wolfwood riding a motorcycle with an explosion in the backgrounds. Probably been wanting to do this since some volumes. And finally got his chance!! Cause there was no need to draw this so action-movie epic-like and he still did, hehe.

First of all, this page here looks so cool! Wolfwood is so shapey, but also the pose and composition...*mwah* Then in this fight we get to see just how good of a fighter Wolfwood actually is. Not that we didn't witness that before, but it was often together with Vash, or if alone, like with Ninelives, he was struggling quite a bit. But here to me it felt like we get this glimpse of a trained assassin he once was, fully in control of the situation, being fast and efficient (without killing).

Such badassery!!! I'm a big fan of how Livio, despite being fully indoctrined, still kinda protects the orphanage too! Well, maybe it's also because Chapel is prob sitting there too and they still need to use the orphanage as bait but STILL! I chose to believe that at this point some point inside Livio was still acting out of attachment to his old home.

Chapter 3:

Hey! That's not a nice thing to say boy! D: Also, she's obviously trying to reassure the kids so don't make them more scared by saying it won't do anything!

Oh fuck. The kids are talking about Nico here but this obviously applies to Vash, as well. Wolfwood can not rely on Vash now who is not around to help.

Also, may I say, what an utterly gorgeous drawing of Wolfwood and Livio.

RAZLOOOO

HMMMM Livio the Double FANG

And in that moment he thinks of that one moment where a person DID need him, where he saved someone :'(

These two pages look soooo cool. I never knew how ominous laundry cool look!

I do wonder...how did Razlo know about the Eye of Michael? Did he meet an informant some time, or overhear smth?

You're not going to kill your brother now, are you Wolfwood! (Not really brother but brother in heart, you know.)

Chapter 4:

Oh I misremembered, he DID mean to kill Livio? Or only momentarily put him out of order, knowing that he has SOME kind of regeneration abilities? I'm not quite sure now. What I do know is that Chapel has a creepy grin and I want that old man out of my face.

Ah hm maybe I should read at least the next page before rambling off. He really only wanted to incapacitate him. I'm relieved!

Rude! You didn't need to throw him through a suddenly spawned set of wood!

At this rate, Wolfwood must be riddled with bullets. Shot from behind, from the front, lost a HUGE amount of blood from his shoulder...

...and yet he's still going on. Oh my boy he's such an awesome character. (Also quick side note, love how Nightow draws hands)

Saving this because awesome pages. This is only the second time we're seeing these vials being used, right? Funny how quickly they became such an important plot device. (I wonder when Nightow planned them into the story...I'm guessing kinda late? Just wondering)

He must have really trusted on Livio blocking that thing!

Aww :(

Making a cut here! The rest will be done in a part 2 post, I don't want to get to the image limit in the middle of a chapter.

[icharchivist]

Hmm *stares at Lucifer* so I reread scene when he kills Lucilius and when fights with Baha

Lucifer: You intend to continue creating these monstrosities, any one of which could destroy the world, merely to satisfy your rebellious heart?

And then when Baha says "I have no answer"

Lucifer: You must have some idea

And idk, it just feels like he is... Idk... I think he is getting tired and fed up with others bullshit, but still has enough self control to not show it. Just Belial would be kind of fucked up, if he would kept Lucifer as that perfect, innocent and unable of deliberately harming others with words. During fight it's completely different matter.

Maybe it's just my own experience of trying to appear perfect and not being openly aggressive with people unless having them absolutely enough, that I get such vibe? from Lucifer.

Also, funni lil thing: we saw Lucifer killing Faa due to time space distortions around Canaan. And just, why and how there are distortions and even Four Primarchs had problems getting to Canaan, but Lucifer didn't seemed to have any problems with leaving this place when needed??

Oh, also when starting talking to Faa about rebellion

Lucifer: You mean to say those suspicions ring false?

When knowing already that Faa is responsible, so it's not like lie is beneath him when necessary to interrogate. Tbf, I often get a feeling that Lucifer's morality is... How to say it... He couldn't lie for no reason, but if it would be necessary, yeah, why not, it's useful tool in certain scenarios and may work better or more efficient that other method.

Belial behaves horny to make people uncomfortable and I think after Lucifer learned about certain double meaning of words, he still wouldn't react, because well, lust is just one of the many emotions you can feel, what's wrong with that? Which would drive Belial insane. Guess here comes thingy that pride and shame are two sides of the same coins and Lucifer don't seem to show none too highly. He neither does act pridefully, but also when apologizing to Sandalphon, he isn't stopped by subordinates or other people watching him, like, he hurt Sandalphon and isn't stopped by shame from apologizing. So good luck Belial, your tactic works thanks to shame and your opponent seems to have none. Also I guess that Lucifer is really fast learner, so... Good luck buddy, you will need it

Also from granblues, it seems that Lucifer understands economy ("No, bad Cosmos, printing more money won't help") which I think means something, like, idk, his ability to understand weird mortals thingies. It just that he not always catches emotional stuff if it isn't said straight into his face (Sandy), but from what I know, it's possible to learn these things, so... GOOD FUCKING LUCK BELIAL

Yeah, I am projecting like fuck, but fuck it, I am right because I am right, not taking critics, but new ideas are welcome or something like that

But seriously tho, why the hell Canaan had these time space distortions around? Logia, do you know something about it? It's suspicious as hell 🧐

That's a very cool observation in regard of how Lucifer is going through the motions. I kinda agree, i do feel like he progressively gets more and more fed up with things (evolution level: fuck this shit)

I also agree on the vibe from Lucifer of trying to not be openly aggressive and try to deal with things by talking it out while also growing more and more frustrated because the people facing you basically refuse to do that.

As for the time distortion, this is. a really good question. And really worrisome.

For the reading of Lucifer and Belial i don't really have much to add, i see it as well yeah, it fits them.

and helpppp. Good luck Belial indeed omg.

And yes you ARE right actually, no comment on the rest but it's totally working with those ideas in so, very good.

But yeah back to Canaan this is so suspicious. Maybe Logia is aware of something? After all Light!Arulumaya's FE (kinda retcon Sandy's murders) end up saying that because of visions given to her directly by Orologia, Arulumaya was able to forsee the cataclysms and was able to issue orders to evacuate the islands Sandalphon was about to throw to the bottom of the skies.

I don't really like the idea of removing the crimes and murders from Sandalphon's bloody hands but, this retcon does still imply that Logia specifically made sure to ease the cataclysms. Perhaps that, indeed, he saw that the best course of action was to let Sandalphon lashes out, while also trying to limit just how many people would be hurt by this.

So, it does mean that Logia had an eye on everything that happened on wmtsb. Maybe the time distortion was a way for them to help their child once more…. Even without them seeing that they're here……. suspicious though sobs.

[makeitagoodoneeh]

@rebloggingrexan hi, it looks like you tagged someone from an earlier reblog but you're asking about what I said about partnering in my tags, so I'll answer!

The short answer is that Dracula and Jonathan look like they are moving independently while trying to hold onto each other, as opposed to organically moving as one unit. This shows up in their overall posture, as well as in how their legs move.

Professional dancers whose primary training is a partnered style create shapes with their bodies -- leaning or curving towards and away from each other -- that allow them to use each other's energy to move together as an efficient unit. Different styles have different holds, but across styles, the holds have a certain elasticity, and typically, there is close body contact that isn't *just* the arms. The head, chest, hips, and feet move closer to and further from the partner's depending on what kind of movement you're creating. They bounce off of each other and reel each other in from the end of their reach, especially when transitioning in and out of dramatic movements like "lines", drops, lifts, etc.

You also have to use your legs differently when you partner dance as a unit, than in ballet-type partnering. Ballroom dancers (this choreography, and their hold/posture, is definitely more of a ballroom/"dancesport" tango than a traditional Argentine style) have a very "grounded" energy, sinking deeply into their knees and hinging at the hips to generate power for long, fast steps that cover a lot of ground, and, crucially, to control/balance/counterweight the shapes they're creating with their upper bodies.

These two are *sort* of using each other to stop/start and change directions, but not very fluidly, and only in specific moments of complicated choreography or tricks/"lines". Their "frame" (position of the arms when they're holding each other) is relatively rigid and upright, which is where you start when you're trying to create the visual of a ballroom dance, but not where you end up when you're experienced.

Check out these dancers at the Gay Games in Paris -- they're not "professionals" at the level you'd see in mainstream (M/F partnered) championships, but they're very serious, highly trained competitors. The couple where the follower is in all white and the couple where both partners are in tails are good examples of the shapes I'm talking about. They are in a "closed position" with their arms in frame the whole time, but see how the frame tilts, sways, twists relative to their hips, and expands/contracts, even though their hands are staying in the same place?

This one is American style tango (of course the US has its own unique versions of the competitive ballroom and Latin dances), which allows things you see in stage choreography (separation of partners, turning moves etc.) that the International style, seen in the Gay Games clip, does not allow. You can see how their separation and coming back together is more organic and fluid, even when there is a dynamic of pursuit and/or resistance in the choreography.

Okay that's probably way more elaboration than necessary, but obviously I was hoping someone would ask, lol. As a lifelong ballroom dancer, I really wish more different types of productions would hire ballroom dancers to do their partnered performances!

Just for fun, I'll finish with a link to one of my favorite tango "showdances" of all time with some horror vibes.

Dracula and Jonathan’s Tango - from The Polish National Opera production of ‘Dracula’.

With Choreography by Krzysztof Pastor and Music by Wojciech Kilar.

[astarab1aze]

// light blue heart because my computer is old and therefore legally blind. Husbies.

muse relationship headcanon game

who curses more?

you and i both know it's garrett and why. mans is from brooklyn, and has always talked mad shit. who doesn't love to drop an f bomb all the time? he's always been a punk, and he's always had one hell of an attitude when he was pissed. but v also says fuck. :I hmmmm. hmmmm, ooze, hmmm. i think i need your take on this honestly. this one's a toughie for me. in my heart, it's garrett, but i know v's been playin' pretty fast and loose in his old age-- jshdgfs

who is more patient?

it depends on the context. garrett can sit and stay no problem, but he gets impatient and irritable too. where it comes to v, garrett is unwaveringly patient, if a little pushy at times - he can wait and take a hint, it just won't stop him from trying to get v to let him put his mouth on him-- no no, but really he is genuinely very patient with v. everyone else? no. not at all LMAO. he has a hotter temper than v, though that isn't to say he doesn't also have his moments.

who does the driving?

.....don't they walk everywhere, wdym ksdjhfsd we've never written them in a vehicle... except for just...sitting there, while it was off ofc. taxi makes more sense to me since they're based in europe iirc (red grave's in britain right? lol). i just can't see them driving. garrett can ofc but like...why. when v can just hop on his back, summon him as his teleporting demon mount since he's the only person alive who knows his name and the importance of that--

who is louder? who is quieter?

they can both be loud and quiet, this one's all context.

who is more physically affectionate?

garrett, because he literally can't keep his hands to himself when it comes to v. he is so in love, always, forever, and will show it in every way he can. verbally, physically, emotionally-- are you kidding me? it's he. v's more reserved, but relents ufufu

who is more likely to tease the other?

this is an entirely mutual affair and i don't think i need to tell you why >:)

who is better with time management?

....i think they both take certain things very seriously and are, thusly, very determined to resolve x thing quickly and efficiently as they can. that doesn't always work out, as we can see with shokolade. or the entire cult of moloch issue. they were so fucked. EVEN MORE FUCKED IN VIOSTRA. ooze. garrett is definitely freaking the fuck out over everything, urgent but also lay low then keep moving in an effort to protect-- i don't think they think about it honestly skjdfh ACK

who wins the arm wrestling matches?

garrett...... :I himbo remember. v is beefcake moronsexual skdjhfsd

who controls the music in the car ride?

i'll substitute with the bar-- um, both of them? duh. >:I they have similar tastes in music!!! 80s, punk, goth-

who covers dinner when they order in?

garrett. you know how he is. he's gotta be a gentleman!

who is more outgoing? who is more shy?

garrett has always been the more outgoing, talkitive, flirty, generally out there one out of the two. v's more reserved and aloof, but i wouldn't say shy, specifically, except in certain circumstances. like in the beginning of his and garrett's relationship? yeah.

who has the more outlandish fashion sense?

v all the way. what are those fucking sandals-- garrett's good with a t-shirt and ripped jeans ok, classic bad boy vibe for him

who starts the tickle fights? who ends them?

it would absolutely 100% be garrett who starts them, and v who ends them. i fully believe this. uncompromisingly.

who has the darker/more “edgy” sense of humor?

garrett. :I the evidence his encounter with saryn where he thought it amusing to blast him with hellish lava until his neck fucking melted. 'hehe woops! better call bianca--' >:I he thought it was concerning but funny, and all he actually cared about in the moment was if it would piss v off or not.

who is more competitive when it comes to games?

they both have competitive streaks but where v's concerned, garrett's more willing to relent.

who has the bigger appetite? the bigger sweet tooth?

garrett could eat forever. human garbage disposal. he will try anything once and you know this very well, from demonic helltree to magical grass that'll get you high skjdhf he's so dog coded

who is more likely to get in a confrontation in public?

garrett. guard dog. with a temper. also demon of wrath (and lust)--

who hosts the parties/hangouts? who organizes them?

i think it really depends, but v and bee keep in contact i'm 10000% sure, well and garrett too-- it's really vergil who doesn't want to socialize skjdhfsd but i still think about vergil and garrett cracking open a cold one and having a bro chat outside--

who is better at cooking? do they ever cook for each other?

garrett is. he be makin' blackberry pancakes every sunday with bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns unu with fresh coffee. you know how he rolls. gotta take care of pretty boy over there like a good husband should

who is more likely to engage in dangerous and/or illegal behavior?

both of them since they're devil hunter skjdfhs

who is more likely to notice when something is wrong with the other?

they're both fairly quick on the uptake when it comes to each other. i don't see them ever not immediately knowing something was up and needing to sort it through and fix it. i just know how garrett is, he can smell it on v. and v is so intuitive and aware-- they just pay attention to each other when it matters and when it doesn't. they're so good to each other, i'll accept nothing else.

who does the talking in public settings (i.e. to the waiter at a restaurant)?

they both very much are capable of speaking up for themselves each, and they respect each other's autonomy besides. simple as.

who is more likely to extend a helping hand & provide emotional support?

v and i don't need to explain ksjdfhd garrett's an ass and could generally give a shit less about other people in the grand scheme of things, unless it has something to do with v. well, and sometimes their adopted grown up children :I and bee and vergil... and fumis. but so...!!!

who is the bigger prankster? do they get the last laugh or do they suffer for it?

they can both be very mischievous but i think garrett's more likely to actually prank and then promptly suffer for it in some way ksjdhfs then v, much to his own chagrin, will be wooed in the aftermath. i'm just saying. u kno. u know how it would go.

[mythvoiced]

-. wenzhe-core (pt. 5) SPECIAL EDITION: yu qianru-core

tol wifey

[insert] protection squad president, she will start shit on your behalf

not easily flustered or embarrassed or is she just very good at hiding it

don't hit on her just be direct she doesn't like weird verbal flirting (she likes joking around and playing and the kind of flirting that is also yknow FUN but finding pick up lines and setting them up and then acting all smug, BLEAH)

mechanical engineer baybay

very good with her hands, very sexy hands

somehow acespec but the jury's still out on how exactly

very efficient, annoyingly efficient, if you're the kind of person who likes to tease folks or learn something with someone don't do it with her because she'll roll her sleeves up and Figure It Out

if you see a tall girl carrying the backbags of several other people that's her

she's chivalrous but less in a 'allow me to woo you' kind of way but more in a 'give that to me GIVE-'

very bad at handing off responsibility she's either gotta do everything on her own or you have to RIP it out of her hands

excessively competitive but not actually at anyone's expense, it's about? proving something to herself? she loves challenges, she LOVES personal challenges, she's Very Intense actually

if you're scared of dating women who are boyfriends don't ask her out

she knows wenzhe is bisexual she's known him almost all her life and she's very confident in her own queerness and he's so fucking obvious

nothing gets her going as much as correcting a figure of authority does

wenzhe may seem slightly Out Of His Boots but qianru is the one you actually have to look out for

she's not even all that deranged she just refuses to make herself 'bite-sized' for people and wears her neurodivergency TITS OUT

gosh they would have been THE audhd couple of the year

wenzhe recognized he was crushing on her sometime in high-school and repressed that shit so fast

i will NOT TALK ABOUT HER DEATH i am maKING MYSELF SAD

probably panromantic or demiromantic

i am not sure if qianru was also romantically interested in wenzhe, she certainly adores him in a vibrantly queerplatonic way and if they idea was 'spend the rest of my life with him' she'd say 'yes' but is it romantic?

she actually also knows EXACTLY who his male crush in high school was, she knows exactly, she was sitting around him and he'd get these sparkly eyes straight out of a shoujo whenever the guy would walk in

she knows way too much about that guy as a result because she kind of stalked him to figure out if he's any good

i was not joking when i said she's the one you actually have to look out for

she had to stop when people started spreading rumours SHE was into him because she could see the negative visceral reaction that had on wenzhe and fuck

between the two of them, wenzhe's??? softer????

qianru doesn't like people 'protecting her' or 'looking out for her' she likes small gestures of kindness but doesn't like when people try to fight her fights or underestimate her ability to fight her own so she really rarely reaches out and often even backtracks when she does

she prefers being the one Who Looks Out and she's Very protective of wenzhe

from an outsiders perspective, if you met them casually, wenzhe is a relatively relaxed extroverted kind of guy with a bit of a bitch-face when he thinks no one's watching him who's always poking and prodding at her, whereas qianru seems like a relatively introverted bookworm-ish kind of girl who brushes him off with tsundere vibes

in REALITY wenzhe's mental health has a always been a little more on the fragile side of things, he gets in his head a lot, has a noteworthy amount of misplaced resentment, and this really tires him out so his relaxed is usually just mentally exhausted, his extroversion is partly an act to help him mask, and he only pokes and prods at qianru because he's comfortable with her

and QIANRU is quiet because she isn't particularly verbal, she can absolutely pop off given the right conversation topic but her quietness is not meek or submissive, she just... doesn't talk a lot, and that is commonly associated with bookworm-ish shy characters, which qianru is not, she's a very active person, she likes hiking and trying out sports sitting somewhere, reading is not for her, and she is the absolute opposite of a tsundere, she's very direct with her feelings, it's just her way to tease wenzhe back

also i'm not saying oh, you can fuck with her just don't touch her friends, no bro, don't fuck with her either, she's also her own very best friend don't do it man

wenzhe needs qianru more than qianru needs wenzhe, wenzhe needs qianru in his life, qianru wants wenzhe in her life

if you've read this far and went HMM qianru is a lil similar to hyun, well that's the thought i got but consider this: hyun is aggressive, not violent, but her stuff is aggressive, qianru is 'simply' direct, yknow? hyun will weaponize brutal honest, qianru will not tell you shit that doesn't have to be said, and well that's another post anyways lmao

also hyun will not take one for the team but YOU KNOW WHO WILL? qianru, qianru is the head of the team, she comes up with the crazy plans, she's the one who suggested breaking and entering to retrieve balls as a child, a classic qianru line is 'i have a plan'

[godlessondheimite]

why adam ragusea is my designated shitty youtube cook man

1. used to be a journalist = hot

2. used to be a professor = HOT

3. also used to be a music guy? not as hot but pretty interesting

4. talks really fast

5. other than some quick SponCon, his videos are lean. this guy is not afraid to make a 6-minute video. (youtube only allows ads on 10+ minute videos, so the fact that he's leaving ad revenue on the table to make quick, easy, bare bones cooking videos is pretty great)

6. like there might be 20 second throwaway lines about his wife/kid/italian family but you're also not gonna get filler like that, either

7. great hair

8. if you go into his lore he clearly has a bit of an ego but his videos emphasize simplicity and stray away from food snobbishness. he's not big on exact measurements if they're not gonna fuck up a recipe, he intentionally doesn't use fancy gadgets, and he'll cut a corner to avoid washing pans and encourages you to do the same and i think that's really neat

9. he doesn't just do recipe tutorials, he does deep dives into food science and history etc

10. one time he made like 100 trays of brownies to discover what actually makes brownie skin

11. his italian meringue cake is DIVINE

[cognitosclowns]

hey this might be a weird request but do you have any headcanons about everyone's handwritings? thanks!!!

OOH THIS WAS SUPER FUN TYSM,

all sfw!! Program used is (here)

OKIE ILL TRY TO KEEP THIS SHORT BC I COULD TALK ABOUT THIS FOR DECADES BUT :

OKAY on debated giving her,, Super Pristine Writing because she seems to have everything together

BUT

It's implied that she used to be a reporter? SO <333 I WANTED TO GIVE HER SMTH A BIT MORE,, SNAPPY <3.

Quick but legible! She's used to having to write down a lot of info vvvv quickly, so she kinda had to adapt on the go and WHABAM <3

LIKE,,, if she NEEDS to, ofc she can have Really Smooth, Pretty Writing,, but,,,, nah she likes to stick to Old Reliable sndmsnd.

OH and she absolutely knows shorthand. Anything of her's that,, doesn't need to be read by others is gonna be in shorthand <3

OH COME ON <333 THE TRIANGLE A'S I COULDN'T PASS IT UP. Not only efficient but,, On Theme smdsnd

Took reference from ep's 2 and 4 where we got to see her write!! She <33 seems to like Big Clunky Letters

NOT DIRECTLY RELATED BUT,, she types so INTENSELY DEAR GOD. VV fast, VV loud - everyone assumes she’s mad but,, nah she’s just efficient smdns

She much prefers typing bc,,, her handwriting can never keep up with how fast her thoughts are going?

EY SAME N'S AS REAGANS, PICKED THIS MOSTLY BC I LOVED THAT PARALLEL.

He gives me the vibes of smb who,, writes SUPER HARD but also vv fast?? It makes an audible sktch-sktch-sktch and leaves an indent on the page underneath. 

<3333 UNCANNILY clean, to the point that it looks typed out

HE ALSO,, writes like 3d printer?? like he doesn't go letter by letter - to an outside observer, he makes this Very Quick Diagonal Scribble Motion, and somehow it creates Pristine Writing. (absolutely unecessary, but he delights in unnerving ppl)

OH AND DON'T THINK FOR A SECOND that this man wouldn't do,, the most Dramatic, Swoopy handwriting when signing things. Just to be a showoff. Little bastard smdns.

*vague gestures* business

OH but just <33 very loose-wrist handwriting. He signs so many things,, all the time,, oughe he absolutely has a Ganglion cyst or like,, carpel tunnel. By the end of most nights its just an,, Up-Down-Up-Down zig-zag.

he used to have a Super Swirly signature but,, eventually it just became a loose scribble

OH he probably had,, passable handwriting but his coordination is dreadful post-surgery

SMDNS DOESN'T HELP THAT,,, HE ABSOLUTELY SKIPPED MOST OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPY HE SHOULD HAVE DONE.

It isn't that he can't write, it's just difficult to get the letters as precise as he used to and that has a habit of frustrating him? So then he writes even worse and it becomes a kerfuffle

if he's patient tho and gives himself a singular break its pretty clear!!

A hint of Fancy Yancy, but it's loosened up a bit as he's gotten older and distanced from his Private School Years!!

OH he absolutely journals <33 nothing too fancy - a few photos he's printed out, mostly of The Gang, little things around Cognito that he appreciates, etc!!!

Ofc he could do all that online but,,, the act of writing everything out forces him to take his time with it? and really thing through and appreciate the memories he's writing down? eaoughe <3

This font was chosen for the kindness of it's smile and I'm not ashamed to admit it

TENTACLE MAN WOULD HAVE SHIT HANDWRITING. IF HE GAVE HIMSELF HANDS IT'D BE EVEN WORSE.

Truly deeply madly please never ask him to write down anything for you it will only end in pain. 

He both does not listen and does not care about most things that ppl are saying and OOFE THATS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER SMDNSD.

LIKE SURE ITS VAGUELY comprehensible but overall??? no smdnsmd. If he's gotta record smth he's 1000% gonna prefer oral dictation - he can speak a mile a minute when he wants to!

He's on Every Drug All At Once All The Time sdmsnd there's no way he has clean hand writing

I feel like it also,, wobbles a lot?? Full on ~~~~ across the page, and instead of correcting on the NEXT line, he just follows that same curve??

OH and he has a horrible habit of overestimating how much he can cram in the margins. There's never enough space, he's gonna end up overlapping into stuff he's already written and hate himself in the morning when he's gotta re-read it-

DESPITE ALL THIS? He does like writing stuff by hand most of the time - it kinda helps ground him? He has a bad habit of getting,, TOO caught up in his projects. When his hand starts cramping, its usually a good reminder to stop.

The only time he sticks to typing is when his tics are being A Pain In The Ass bc,, he doesn’t want to bother with having to scratch stuff out over and over again lmao

[ddarker-dreams]

Hey lock ! Abt hwr reader, I wonder about her mbti type. Ik it's a reader insert but I can see girlie being ixtj or ixtp (since reader's kind of, stiff ? Rigid ? Like she means well but her face is just :| which gives off ixtj or inferior fe vibes). Wdyt of hwr reader's mbti ?

LONG HAVE I WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO ASK ABOUT HWR READER'S MBTI... cracks knuckles... it's time to get to work. >:)

HWR reader’s mbti is... drum roll please... ISTJ! 

she is 100% an introverted sensing dominant. structure is more of her thing — hence her inclination toward following orders rather than making decisions for herself, though she starts to progress in this area throughout the main story. she prefers efficiency over exploration and tends to approach things in a straightforward manner. unspoken verbal nuance also tends to go over her head... but she has a strong grasp on solid concepts and thrives when working with fact. she tends to pull from her long-term memory to make sense of new information, which tends to make her less flexible at times. she relies heavily on schemas and struggles to comprehend things (and people...) that don’t follow logic. hence her occasional apprehension toward chrollo who often acts in weird, self-contradicting ways, and clear disdain for hisoka. the dude just makes zero sense to her. 

what you said about her meaning well but coming across as stiff is one of her biggest concerns HJKETMR she prefers to let her actions speak for her, but sometimes, that just doesn’t always work. hence the rift that formed between her and ash. it’s also why, if she was to be honest with herself, charismatic individuals annoy her so much. they can talk circles around people and come off exactly how they intend to while being ingenuine. it comes to them so naturally and that irks her, since that’s not really a skill you can learn like mathematics. her pride would never let her admit this though. 

one of the reasons why chrollo managed to slip through her maximum security vault of emotional defenses is that he recognized this quality of hers and ran with it. my favorite example of this happens pretty early on:

[...]

“You used to not like fiction?” Chrollo questions, and you’re quick to defend yourself. It’s no secret that your boss is a fan of literature — specifically, the classics that all fall under fiction — so you don’t want him to get the wrong impression.

“I didn’t see the point when I was younger,” you confess, stirring your lemonade, ice cubes clinking in the process. “It felt like a waste of time that could’ve been better spent elsewhere. Nonfiction, of course, gives you useful information. Stuff that you might use at some point or another.”

You rest your chin on your hand. “I grew out of that phase. There’s still value to be had from fiction, it’s just a different kind. I can appreciate it now.”

“I’m relieved to hear you say that,” he takes a sip of his drink of choice, unsweetened iced tea. “Until you clarified yourself, I thought about revoking your membership.”

You don’t know why, but the way he says it so seriously while smiling manages to get to you. The back of your hand rushes to cover your mouth, a small giggle leaving your lips, that grows into a full-blown laugh. Chrollo freezes in his spot, taking in your unexpected reaction as if he was trying to immortalize it into his mind. He stares at you with slightly widened eyes until you settle down, heat rising to your face at the uncontrolled reaction.

“That—”

“I—”

You both start speaking at the same time and stop just as fast. Clearing your throat, you motion for him to continue with your hand, taking a big sip of your tangy lemonade.

Chrollo shifts ever so slightly in his seat. “I believe that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you laugh.”

[...]

the man is a legend. she is capable of loosening up, it just takes a particular set of circumstances. chrollo just... makes her feel human?? something she never knew she wanted, but now that she’s experienced it, it’s rather... pleasant. 

anyway oh god this is getting long isn’t it. i just love my MCs a lot. for funsies, here are the MBTI types of some of the original characters in HWR: 

estella avalor - ENTJ ash avalor - INTP  karina novikoff - ENTP xue ya - ISTP victor avalor - ESTJ dinara avalor - INFP

[retvenkos]

bargained for | n.l.

Grishaverse - Nikolai Lantsov x Reader, fluff requested by @onceupon-a-decembr​

tw: sword fighting

word count: 870

song: sugar we’re goin’ down - fall out boy | ✒️

A/N: alright, so it doesn’t really have to do with the song lyrics, but it carries the vibes. and you cannot tell me this isn’t a stellar nikolai song. it’s a banger.

Summary: It’s a day for sparring, aboard the Volkvolny.

Your swords clashed together, the sound of metal on metal sharp and clear - a symphony of the highest order, an ode to life aboard the Volkvolny. The skies were clear, and for miles, there was nothing but the open ocean. When the sun had been at its highest, Nikolai tossed you your double swords. It was a day for sparring.

Most of the crew had gathered to see your little show, and Nikolai quite enjoyed the spotlight - parrying your blows with efficiency but taking the time to tease you all the while. It was a game of his - a way to rattle you into losing while earning the delight of his crew. It was frustrating, but it would give you the upper hand in the end.

"There's no shame in losing, (Y/n). I was taught by the greats." You pressed him with an overhand cut, and Nikolai blocked your attack with just enough time to shoot you a wink.

There was something bright in his hazel eyes, clear and burning. He was grinning, and all the world seemed to bend to his will. Even now, thick in piracy and swashbuckling adventures, he carried the aura of a prince. 

Oh, how you’d love to wipe that superiority right off his face.

“You don't want to talk?” Nikolai delivered two deft blows, but you countered quickly, intent on not letting him gain any ground. He seemed to see the dangerous intensity in your eyes, because he thrusted with a move that drew the two of you close, your blades locking playfully they way they wouldn’t, in a real duel. Nikolai taunted,  “Afraid you'll lose your focus?"

You rocked him off balance, and when you were certain he had gotten used to the steady pattern of your attacks, you changed the pace, quick to advance once more. Pulling your second sword out of your sheath, you lunged fast and didn't stop for Nikolai to regain his balance. You continued to lash out with a series of thrusts, pressing Nikolai backward as he hurriedly tried to counter and block your swift attacks.

You felt the steadiness of the wood beneath you, the rhythmic sway of the ocean, and the gentle breeze. Your footwork was graceful, and you had reserved your energy - everything was in favor of you winning.

Soon, you had backed Nikolai up against the edge of the boat. With one fluid motion, you disarmed him. His sword clanged on the wooden planks. 

"What was that about losing?" You mused, holding him at the end of two blades. You slapped his cheek lightly with the flat end of your left sword.

Nikolai grinned. In a flash, he swiped your legs with his own and knocked you off balance. You fell to your knees, and Nikolai had a dagger pressed to your chest before you could recover.

"Why don't you tell me?"

The crew cheered and laughed, talking amongst themselves as you and Nikolai sheathed your weapons. A few were exchanging small purses of coin. You scoffed when Tolya handed over money to the slight Fabrikator you had on board. The young girl teased Tolya as though he were her brother, and not a stoic pirate who could snap her in two.

"That’ll be the last time Tolya will bet on you,” Nikolai said, picking his sword up and examining it’s edge. His eyes met yours briefly. “He doesn’t like to lose coin on bets.”

"I would have won had it been a real duel," you grumbled, wiping sweat off your brow, "I had you, first."

"But I had a trick up my sleeve," Nikolai shot back, accepting claps on the back, but never losing sight of you. You leaned against the side of the Volkvolny, facing him with calculated disbelief. "I always had the choice to pull the dagger out."

You scoffed, rolling your eyes. "I never gave you a chance."

Nikolai walked over, and you both turned to the clear blue of the True Sea. You were smiling, some of the excitement wearing off and leaving you filled with a pleasant sort of energy - like fizz in a drink. The world was perfect here. On the sea, it was just the two of you and a world of possibility. It was glittering before you, bright as a diamond.

"I had plenty of chances; I just never took them."

You turned to him, a mischievous glint in your eye. "Is that so, Sturmhond?"

Nikolai leaned in, and you could see the way he savored the anticipation that hung in the air, thriving off of the adrenaline that still pumped in his veins. "I could have had you at my mercy whenever I wanted,” he mumbled. Then he kissed you.

You chuckled against his lips but pulled him closer, holding him by the collar of his shirt. He tasted of ocean spray, and when his hands wandered to your back, he felt like warm sunlight.

You broke apart smiling, and after a moment, you narrowed your eyes and smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt. "I'm winning, next time."

"Are you sure about that?"

"I'm more than you bargained for—" you leaned in to whisper in his ear "—Sobachka."

-- taglist: @musicallisto, @catsbooksandmusic, @fives-cup-of-coffee​ // message me if you want to be added!

[halfabreath]

Holster goes on Survivor after graduating, part 2

here! we! go! part one here, tag here

so Holster's got a strategy to update and an ex lover to deal with and like. He and Esther didn't end great.

I feel like we don’t talk enough about why Holster’s chirped so much for hooking up with Esther in canon? Like there’s mention of a rash and a saga that requires an email but we don’t really know?

but essentially Holster likes Esther and is made fun of for it and I can’t imagine that feels good for her? And they probably didn’t do it in front of her but surely that’s not great for anyone’s mindset

Holster and Esther start dating after Winter Screw and she’s so enamored with this sweet dork who sings to himself while he brushes his teeth but the second he’s around his friends she feels like he doesn’t change per se but he showcases such different parts of himself and she likes what he doesn’t show! She’s into that! But that’s Holster like a large percentage of the time and Esther’s got a life of her own so they’re on again off again, Esther doesn’t come to kegsters or games and things fizzle and reignite a couple of times until Holster becomes a captain

Esther knows in her bones Holster will never ever ever ever ever ever choose her over his team (especially Ransom, like what’s the deal there?) and honestly Esther Does Not Enjoy having intimate conversations about how things make her feel and she’s really good at talking her way around her problems so when They break up Esther’s trying to articulate how she feels around SMH she says “I hate who you are when your uniform is on” and for Holster, who’s entire identity rests on being on A Team (literally his position on the team is being part of a tiny two person team within the larger team) this is his life this is what makes him happiest this is how he feels most himself so Holster hears “I hate the thing that makes you you”

So yeah! They broke up and then avoided each other and didn’t really get closure but also neither of them are bitter, it just felt kind of like “man I miss hanging out with them but yikes who was I at that point??”

of COURSE the first challenge involves the exes having to work together in pairs for their tribe and it’s a clusterfuck and Esther is downright cold to him. She’s sending him all the bad vibes in the world and Holster’s now legitimately worried he destroyed her life with their breakup because there’s some tangible animosity there and then they lose the first challenge and Holster’s wondering why he even got out of bed this morning when Esther pops up behind him and says “come with me, I need your long ass arms for coconuts”

The SECOND they’re out of earshot from the camp Esther‘s like “I’m really sorry I was so mean but I think it’s a huge advantage for the rest of the exes to think we hate each other so they don’t suspect an alliance”

Holster: So you don’t hate me? We’re good?

Esther: Good isn’t the word I’d use, Adam

Holster: That’s fair, I wasn’t a very good boyfriend. But I’ve got your back and we’re going to the top three, you good with that? Here, have a coconut wait let me open it for you

Bada bing bada boom, alliance

Don't get me wrong, it's awkward. Like, really awkward. The vibe of this island is uncomfortable and the near-constant rain for the first five days certainly doesn’t help and their tribe loses three immunity challenges in a row so this alliance is TESTED but Esther and Holster always surreptitiously check in by having lightning fast strategy sessions by the well or when everyone has left camp and they’re SO careful to maintain the illusion that they hate each other when they’re actually earning back trust day by day

Holster’s SUPER helpful around camp. He always offers to carry heavy things and makes people laugh and always knows exactly where the machete is and delivers coconuts to people when they’re resting but it’s miserable

There’s this SWEET moment where, after watching Esther shiver for three days straight Holster takes the machete to the woods and cuts off the bottom half of his sweatshirt to make a scarf/towel/wrap for Esther and they pretend like she did it out of spite and honestly? It’s a power move that helps Holster gain access to this smaller faction of people so they have more intel because the other contestants are like this helpful strong idiot need someone to look out for him

It also means Holster’s running around this island in a cropped sweatshirt and compression shorts

The Himbofication of Adam Birkholtz is complete

And even though Holster’s constantly surrounded by people, hungry, wet, participating in incredibly strenuous physical challenges, and at Tribal Council every night it’s still better than having to hear Ransom say they’ll never be together

Esther can fully tell Something Is Up. At first she just thought it was the stress of the game and the circumstances but then during a challenge she and Holster are on a platform way out in the water waiting for their turns on a relay race and they’re actually completely alone for the first time in days and she absolutely uses that time to interrogate Holster because she’s efficient, damn it

And Holster’s annoyed she’s taking his head out of the game and he’s exhausted and hungry and he’s the last leg of their team which means if he loses they all go to Tribal AGAIN and he can’t let his team down, he really can’t so the whole thing bursts out because he just wants her to stop and it goes like:

Esther: Look, I know you’re annoyed but you’re not telling me something and I think you can see why that would be concerning to me given the fucking context

Holster: It doesn’t have anything to do with the game, you know I’d never jeopardize this for us

Esther: No, that’s not what I think it’s just -

Holster: Holy hell, all I did was tell Ransom that I’m in love with him, are you happy?? NOW SWIM, SHAPIRO

Esther, while diving: I FUCKING KNEW IT

Holster, under his breath: that makes one of us, you could have told me. saved me a lot of time. Rude.

So now Holster’s just admitted this before his ex and 7 million viewers and oh yeah he’s gotta swim through an obstacle course so he and his team can eat today

And finally, FINALLY, their tribe wins. Holster gives it everything he’s got to gain ground (water?) and win it for the team and he’s just laying in the sand, trying desperately to catch his breath, Jeff Probst screaming in the background, while his whole tribe swarms him and if he closes his eyes he swears he can feel the ice under his feet and hear the clack of the sticks and pucks and it’s the first celly he’s earned in years and it feels incredible but it makes him ache for Samwell

Jeff notices that he’s tearing up and of COURSE asks what it’s all about and Holster’s swallowing back tears when he says “I’ve spent my whole life playing on one team or another and after graduating from college I suddenly wasn’t? And I didn’t know how much I missed it until I was on a team again and I even though I love my friends I think this is the first time I’ve let myself admit that things aren’t like they used to be and that I’m not, either”

So Ether’s watching her ex cry on national television and for the first time she understands exactly how deeply he loves his team? And how hard he tries to make them proud of him? And suddenly a lot of their relationship makes a hell of a lot more sense

After the challenge Holster’s laying in a hammock and Esther rolls into it with him and just says “We’re good. Top three?”

Holster, beaming: Bro! Top three!

Esther: What did I tell you about calling me bro when we’re cuddling

Holster: I thought that only applied to post-coital romantic cuddling? Unless of course you’re trying to tell me that you’re ARDENTLY in love with me

Esther: shut up

Holster: a heart full of LOVE a heart full of SONG NO FEAR NO REGRET A NIGHT AS BRIGHT AS DAY -

Ether: Hi, guys?? can someone vote me off this island please?

Part 3 coming soon!! This is so much!! But I fuckin love it!!

[multiplefandomfics]

Vacation

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x Virgin!PlusSize!reader

Warnings: self consciousness, unprotected smut, authority kink, daddy kink, angst, fluff

Words:3295

You were sitting in a bar somewhere in Croatia. Frustrated about the turn of recent events.

The trip was supposed to be about you and your friends. Just enjoying the sun and ocean. No boys allowed! But then on the 2nd evening your friends had abandoned you at the bar to go clubbing with some boys from spain. Fan-fucking-tastic, you thought.

There went your nice all girls vacation. The way you knew your friends you weren't going to see them for a while.

Just as you were about to pay your tab and leave, someone sat down next to you and started talking. “Hi, sweetheart. You alone here?” he didn’t say much but you recognized that voice immediately. Your head snapped upwards and your eyes widened. Of all the people you would have never expected him there. Sebastian Stan. The man of your wet dreams.

You fumbled your phone out of your purse and unlocked the screen. Yep, he was definitely the man from your wallpaper.

“You okay there?” he asked, smiling before his eyes fell on your background picture.

“Oh, so you know me.” he figured.

“Ehm, yeah, yeah I do. Holy shit you’re even more beautiful in person.” you swooned.

He laughed heartily at that and ordered you and himself another drink.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you with your girlfriend on vacation? Sorry if I give off stalker vibes” you turned red faced.

“That’s a long story but to cut to the chase, I don’t have a girlfriend anymore.” his face turned slightly sour at the thought of his ex.

“Oh, I’m genuinely sorry to hear that. She seemed to make you happy.”

“Well, she did. But not anymore. So enough of her, what’s your name and what are you doing here?” He changed the topic.

“How rude of me, my name is Y/N and I was initially here to have a nice week with my girls. But now they've abandoned me in favor of some guys. So I decided to have a few drinks by myself and then go back to the house we rented.” you let all your frustration out.

“Wow, that sounds terrible. But the night doesn’t have to end like this. Would you like to dance?” he asked friendly.

“I can’t dance.” you objected.

“I’ll lead you, come on.” he paid for both of your drinks and then held out his hand for you to take. And how could you say no to that face?

“Alright. Let’s do this. And thanks for the drinks but you didn’t need to pay for me.” you told him.

“I know. You look like you could hold your own but I simply wanted to pay.” he grinned and you accepted his answer.

He pulled you onto the kinda crowded dance floor and guided your hands on his shoulders. Then he guided your clumsy body to the beat and soon it started to be real funny.

“Okay, that was fun but I need a break. And preferably some fresh air.” you yelled over the music out of breath.

He understood and took you outside in front of the bar and a bit away from the entrance where the smokers stood.

“See I told you if you ease into things and give me a chance I can make this a night you won’t forget.” he grinned, mischievously.

“A bit cheeky aren’t we?” you tried to play his game but his advances made you a bit uncomfortable to say the least.

The thing was, you didn’t decide on a men free vacation with your friends because you wanted to get a break from all the guys pursuing you at home but because your friends were constantly surrounded by guys and only talked about their experiences with the opposite sex and that reminded you of how inexperienced you were.

You had always been self conscious. Your girl friends were always tall and skinny or at least of normal weight and could wear all the trendiest clothes but you could not shop for nice wearables so easily. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, when you went out with your friends and you had really given your look everything, still they were advanced by men and you weren’t. It was frustrating.

That brought you back to the situation at hand- why did Sebastian Stan, Hollywood hottie, decide to pick you out of all these beautiful girls at the bar? It was a riddle to you.

“Can I ask you something?” you hesitantly asked.

“Anything.” he smiled.

“Why did you want to talk to me?”

The hurt in your eyes told him that you were genuinely interested in an honest answer.

“Because you seemed lonely and so am I. Also you are beautiful and now I know that you are kind and funny, too. You are perfect.” you couldn’t believe that.

“Are you serious? Me? Perfect? You have gotta be kidding me!” you scoffed.

“Why would I? In you I see something permanent. Something that could develop into more. What do you see?” he asked, concerned.

“I don’t know. I just have never heard that I am beautiful from a man before.” you looked down, embarrassed.

“You can’t be serious! What kind of stupid idiots have you met in your life before?” he asked, astonished.

“The kind that wants a model type by their side. Just the kind of arm candy you should have by yours too. Not a chubby girl like me. I’m sorry I wasted your time.” you had to hold back tears at your confession and wanted to turn around to leave. But he grabbed your arm and forced you to look at him. “Hey, don’t go. I meant what I said. I am sorry that you have only been hurt by men so far but I promise I’m not like that. You can rely on me. I really want to get to know you. Let me take you home and we watch a movie or something? It’s only 10pm. No strings attached.” he offered.

That did sound like a dream and you decided quickly that you had nothing to lose if you said yes.

“Okay. The house is right up that hill and behind that little bit of forest.” you informed him.

He offered his arm, gentlemen like and you took it.

“So where are you from when you are on vacation here at the moment?” he asked to make smalltalk.

“I’m from Germany.”

“Impossible! I heard Germans speak English and they have a strong accent. You have barely an accent and I would have placed you closer to the states.” he was surprised.

“I hear that a lot actually. But I have never been to the US. I just watch a lot of movies and TV shows in English. And I read books in English too.” you smiled bashfully.

“That’s amazing. I think I have a stronger european accent than you do and I’ve lived in the US since I was 12.” he laughed.

“Well, English is my comfort language so I’m always happy when I can use it.” you said nonchalantly.

“Marvelous. You’re amazing.” he complimented.

“Oh, stop it.” you turned red.

“I’m only saying what's true.”

“You’re too kind.”

You walked uphill towards the small wood you had to cross, in the dark. Great idea!

He walked pretty fast and you had to almost jog to keep up with him which made you sweat and got you terribly out of breath.

When the trees around you got thicker and it got even darker it happened. You stepped on a rock, it rolled to the side and you twisted your ankle.

“Shit! Ouch!” you exclaimed loudly.

“What happened?” he asked scared.

“Twisted my ankle. It’s just too fucking dark.” you were angry at yourself for being so stupid.

“Damn. Can you step on your foot?” he asked.

“I don’t know. But what other options do we have? I gotta try.”

You stepped from your left foot onto your right and it buckled beneath you under the pain. “Fuck!”

“Okay that won’t work.” he stated and the next second he just picked you up bridal style and started to carry you on.

“Are you crazy? Let me down. I’m definitely too heavy to carry.” you ordered him.

“No, you are not. And when you try to hobble home we won’t make it until sunrise. So now shut up and let me carry you.” he silenced you efficiently.

“But take a break if you need to, and you will need one eventually.” you mumbled.

The rest of the way you held onto him and buried your face in his neck. Damn, did he smell good. It almost made you moan.

When you arrived at the door he didn’t let you down as you would have expected him to, no, he grabbed the keys from your hands, opened the door and carried you into the living room to lay you down on the couch.

“Thank you Sebastian. You are so kind. What can I ever do to repay you?” you asked him.

“Hmm, maybe let me kiss you?” he suggested and you had to swallow nervously. He immediately picked up on your hesitation “Only if you want to of course.”

“Sure I want to, but… I have never kissed anyone before.” you averted your eyes in embarrassment.

“Then let me change that, please.” he begged. You saw no resentment or reproach in his beautifully blue eyes.

Of course you caved and nodded your consent.

He leaned closer to your crouched form on the couch, put his hand on your thigh and brushed his lips to yours.

The kiss was sweet and careful not to startle you or demand something from you that you could feel uncomfortable with.

“So how was your first kiss?” he asked and smiled.

“Very nice.” you looked blissed out at him. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I would really love to do that again.”

“Please do.” you confirmed.

Oh and he did. The kiss was magical. This time he pushed his tongue sensually into your mouth and you were stunned how good that felt.

“You okay?” he wanted to know afterwards.

“More than okay. I’m happy you picked me at the bar. Usually they say “never meet your heroes” but with you that’s different.”

“Thanks,doll. That means a lot to me.” he leaned in and kissed your neck.

At the mention of that particular nickname your posture stiffened. He noticed.

“What’s wrong? Did I say something?”

“Ehm, well … you know I haven’t only had a crush on you but also on Bucky… maybe.” you whispered.

At first he seemed confused as to where this confession suddenly came from but then it clicked.

“It’s the nickname. I called you doll.” he laughed. “I didn’t even register that I got that from him. But if it turns you on I will keep using it.” that grin could win you over any day.

“I could get used to it actually. I never would have imagined someone calling me that. But you make it sound so hot. Thanks for making me feel good.”

“Anytime, doll.” he kissed you again.

“By the way, didn’t we wanna watch a movie?” you suddenly asked.

“Yes, of course. Do they have Netflix or something on here?” did he wanna know.

“Disney+. And with it all the Marvel Movies.” you winked at him.

“Anything you want, doll.” he kept using that nickname over and over but you loved it.

“Which one have you not seen yet?”

“I think I’ve actually seen them all. Which one is your favorite?”

“I love the ones you’re in the most.” you confessed.

“Okay, close your eyes and I’ll pick your favorite one.” he suggested.

“Alright. Let’s give it a try.” you agreed.

When you were allowed to open your eyes again you saw the opening credits of a Marvel movie flashing. You recognized the first scene: The Washington Monument and a very exhausted looking Sam Wilson and you heard “on your left” which made you smile. He knew then that he had picked the right movie.

“Good choice.” you praised him.

Then you cuddled up to him and he put his arm around you.

Although you were pretty tired after about half the movie you could not skip over one second of that glorious movie.

“You know- the Winter Soldier is kinda hot. So determined and dominant.” You slurred when you saw him walk down that car after he jumped from the bridge.

“You think so? You like to be dominated? Controlled? Called names? Maybe tied up and used?” he growled into your ear.

“Fuck.” you whimpered and clenched your thighs.

“You like the thought of that don’t you?” he bit into your earlobe.

You nodded furiously.

“Use your words babygirl.”

“Yes, sir.” you said.

“So, an authority kink is there too. And here I thought you were so innocent.” he pushed.

“How can you be innocent when you read fanfiction almost every day?” you quipped.

“Fanfiction, huh? Can you show me examples so I can paint myself a picture?” he asked.

You took your phone out and opened Tumblr. Then you searched for your favorite Bucky fanfic with all the kinks you enjoyed and handed the phone to him.

He read with interest and you studied his facial expressions, smirking when you saw reactions to certain parts you had expected to come.

“So that’s the kind of naughty literature you enjoy alone in your bed, touching yourself maybe.” he growled.

“Yes, sir. The imagination of what you could do to me makes me so wet.” you bit your lip seductively.

Suddenly you were in a flow. All the insecurities about your body and weight were gone. Only him and your sexual fantasies existed in the moment.

“Fuck baby.” he moaned and grabbed your hand to push it onto his growing bulge. “Feel what you do to me, doll?”

“So hot.” you moaned back and felt the urge to take charge. So you got onto your knees and sat in his lap grinding down on him.

Before anything could go further he stopped you and whispered “if at any point you want to stop or feel uncomfortable or I’m doing something you are not ready for or don’t like, tell me and we will stop immediately. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sebastian. I understand. Thanks.”

And so it continued. Grinding and kissing. Until he suddenly stood up abruptly holding you close. “I’m not taking your virginity on this couch. Where is your bedroom?”

He was so considerate “upstairs and then the last door on the right.”

He carried you to the room, carefully laying you down on the bed so as to not disturb your injured foot.

When he unbuttoned the button down he was wearing and took it off you were already drooling.

“Let me undress you, darling. Turn around so I can unzip your dress. Which is beautiful by the way.” he suggested and winked.

You did as he told you and soon felt your dress falling off your shoulders. He helped you pull it over your head and left you in your bra, chub rub shorts and panties.

A little embarrassed at the shorts you looked to the side. But you couldn’t go out in a dress without wearing any type of pants underneath.

“You are so sexy, baby.” he did everything to make you feel comfortable and you started to believe him.

“May I?” he motioned for your bra and you nodded your consent.

Next he took off his jeans and the realization of what was to come started to seep into your mind.

“You still okay with this?” he made sure.

“Yes. I want this Sebastian. I really do. I trust you” you assured him.

So he proceeded with the rest of your clothes and lastly his boxer shorts.

The whole time he kept kissing you hungrily. When he crawled on top of you and you had that skin on skin contact you had never felt so safe with anyone before.

“I gotta prep you before we go all the way, alright? Don’t wanna hurt you, doll.” he whispered between kisses.

“I’m gonna make you feel so good, promise.”

“Please.” you begged.

That’s when he scooted down your body, kissing every inch of skin he could reach. The next thing you felt was him placing a kiss on your mound, and then his tongue poking out starting to flick your clit. He pushed your legs further apart to gain better access.

“Fuck, feels so good.” you moaned just when he inserted one finger into your tight pussy. “Oh, my gosh. Don’t stop.” you begged him.

“I won’t” he mumbled and kept attacking your clit.

“‘m so close.”

“Come for me baby. Come now.” That command was the last straw which brought you to orgasm.

Breathlessly you smiled down at him and he smiled right back at you.

“You up for more?” he needed the confirmation that you were alright.

“Yes, sir. Now I don’t know why I have never done this before. I don’t ever want you to stop again.” At that statement he laughed heartily.

“Then let’s start, shall we?” he kept kissing over your belly, up to your breasts, licked your nipples and sucked hickies onto your neck.

“Ready?”

“Can you just fuck me already?” you asked annoyed.

“Someones being needy.” he joked and finally penetrated your pussy.

“Oh, fuck. So big. Hmmm. deep. Shit.” you were already reduced to a mumbling mess.

“Such a tight fit. You feel amazing.” he buried his head into your neck.

And then he started to move. Slowly at first but picked up speed rapidly. He hit spots inside you that your favorite vibrator was never able to get.

End then something you never wanted anyone to hear slipped your mouth “Fuck, daddy. Harderr!” and suddenly he stopped completely and you mewled disappointed until you realized what you had said. You opened your eyes to see his reaction.

You expected him to be disgusted but all you could see was a hunger. He looked like a predator who finally caught his prey.

“Say that again!” he growled. That statement of his made a surge of pride and confidence rush through you.

You bit your lip mischievously and said “Please, daddy. Fuck me harder.” and he immediately snapped.

He pistoned his hips forward, hitting your cervix over and over until you were so desperately close.

“You’re about to come, aren’t you? I can feel your pussy squeezing me, doll. Alright I’m gonna count down and I want you to come with me. Understood”

“Yes, daddy please… need to come… so bad.”

“Five..” deep thrust. “Four…” nip to the collarbone. “Three…” you clawed at his back. “Two…” you tried your hardest not to come and closed your eyes. “Look at me babygirl..” so you opened your eyes. “One… Come” and the dam broke. You had never come so hard in your life. No toy could ever make you feel the way this man did. Your quivering cunt made him come so hard. When he rolled off you he was breathing just as heavy as you were. The only noise you heard was your rapid heartbeat and blood rushing in your ears.

“That was amazing. We definitely need to do that again” you said.

“Oh yes. Anytime.”

The next week flew by so quickly and you two spent most of it in bed. You decided that your lives needed to be lived together so the next chance you got you would be moving in with him. Sometimes dreams do come true!

[lilkermit14]

Jay is from the show Red Widow and unfortunately he's not really known 😅 At first I wanted to ask for Jack but I had no idea of ​​the details for the story... Maybe he had to leave reader because of his job, but he loves her too much and decides to come back and find out that she is pregnant (a baby girl) I know, it's not original but i can't imagine anything else for this charming cowboy 🥺

Whole (Jack Daniels x Fem!reader)

Notes: Idk why I struggled so hard to write this fic but here she is in all her glory........yay. Not as smutty as per usual to prove I’m not a total whore but here ya go

Summary: after your life is threatened unbeknownst to you, whiskey takes it upon himself to protect you the only way he thinks he can––by leaving you. but what his cowboy brain doesn’t for see, is that he’s doing both of you more damage than good especially after a happy little accident. 

warnings: brief description of smut and aftercare (like the La Croix of smut but still no minors), ANGSTTTTTTT, rOUGH, unplanned pregnancy, a slap, and a happy ending

Jack should have known the first time he wasn’t meant to have this kind of happiness—the kind where one could always have someone to return home to at the end of the day. No, he couldn’t have it with his late wife and he couldn’t have it with you either.

The human trafficker had somehow gotten access to personal statesmen information, because he had found out about you. Had your name. Had shown him pictures of you. Had shown that men were waiting at your doorstep if Jack didn’t back down now.

Thankfully, they were able to stop the man before it came to any of that—but it broke something in Jack. He couldn’t have another woman he loves die like his wife. He didn’t know if he could handle it. You didn’t even know about Jack’s real job, all you knew was that he was the CEO of a distillery and you never asked questions about that. Maybe it was easier keeping it like that, as Jack realized the only way to keep you safe was to leave you.

He had picked a night, picked a place to head out to after it was all over, and planned out the note. He had made love to you one last time before leaving—slowly savoring the way your skin felt pressed against him and the way it felt to have your walls drag against him when he thrusted, and finally stilled deep inside you. He made sure to take care of you before he left, clean with all sore muscles rubbed out and well hydrated—comfortable as you could be. You fell asleep so easily it somehow made Jack more guilty for what he thought was the right thing. He stayed longer than he should have after he wrote the note and got dressed, bag packed by the door, just staring at you, attempting to memorize the sound of your soft noises as you slept and the way your naked body looked covered by the sheets and pale moonlight. It was the most beautiful scene he had ever seen and wanted it to be the clearest memory he had of you. Tears sprung in his eyes, thinking that this is the only thing he will ever have of love—memories. He kissed your forehead one last time before walking out of your life forever.

*****************************

Jack hasn’t felt alive since, the toll of leaving you behind eating at him more than he ever thought it could. He’s changed in a way and everyone knows it—they see the way he moves or speaks now and know something has changed. He just goes through the motions of living with no actual life in his eyes to prove he is alive. He throws himself into his work working through cases and bad guys more efficiently than ever, but it doesn’t distract him from losing you—not when he lies awake at night crying and missing you.

Everyone around him changes too—Tequila doesn’t tease him anymore and walks around him like they’re threading through a room full of broken glass. Ginger does more medical evaluations—ones that are less to do with physical health and more to do with mental health. Most of all—champ acts different, “son—“

Jack pauses from exiting the debriefing room after giving Champ a status report and picking up another case, “I’m wondering if you should take a few days off from wo—“

“No,” Jack says curt and without a single space for bargaining. Champ is stiff when Jack looks at him, “I know you're wallowing over that girl.”

“I did what I had to do and I’m going to continue doing it.” Jack reminds him, staying steadfast in his decision. Champ shakes his head, “and it’s tearing you apart—statesmen get threats like that all the time Whiskey and they don’t go deserting their relatives or loved ones—“

“Well they're not me,” Jack states his stare is cold as he looks down at Champagne, “I can’t lose another person like that again.”

“You’ve lost her by leaving her,” his words cut through him and he knows it’s the truth, but it’s not something stubborn ol Jack is willing to withstand. Jack turns to leave again, “I’ll be off on the case.”

*****************************

You can’t help but pick up one of the sandwiches from the various food carts before they go out. It’s too tempting after standing for hours on your feet with a six month old pregnancy belly on your front—one you’re rubbing as you enjoy the taste of the mozzarella, pesto, and tomato together. The father of your child disappeared before you could even tell him—fitting considering you never grew up with a father in your house. So it has just been you and your baby girl, and well your best friend and business partner that was walking towards you now, joking “are the sandwiches up to your standards?”

“I needed something to eat after four hours of standing and being pregnant Travis,” you contest, taking another big bite. He shrugs with some sort of understanding, looking over the trays of food with you and approving them before they go off. Travis randomly starts, “I don’t think we should try to have this client again.”

You turn, finishing your sandwich with an eyebrow raise, “why? Did someone from the company say something to you—“

“Not that—although I was worried when the CEO invited his childhood priest—” he notes sending off the last tray, “I get bad vibes from the company itself.”

You think about it for a moment agreeing that something was fishy about the way a family-owned soap company was able to afford such a lavish event—something was a little off. You nod, “maybe not—I don’t want to get too close to a company that's a front. I doubt they would want us back because they’ve fired every event planner they’ve had before and the CEO’s wife already complained that the flower garnishes weren’t the correct shade of maroon.”

“We just have to finish the job then and we’ll be scott free” Travis mutters checking his watch, “just a couple hours left—what could go wrong?”

As though you were in a badly made comedy, right as Travis says that you hear clatter and gunshots come from the main event area, “......I spoke too soon didn’t I?”

*********************

Vincent Marsulio had tried to make a run for it once he realized his plans to run a million dollar drug business had gone to shit—I mean a soap company as a front? Really? Jack had dodged gunfire, tequila and the new agent rum covering him—allowing him to use his lasso to drag Vincent into Statesmen custody.

The scene was under control now—with agents and Ginger’s crime scene investigators gathering follow up information and evidence. Jack was just there to make sure the scene stayed secure and that no witnesses ran off that were revealed to be involved. Scanning the crowds of those being interviewed is when he saw you.

He should have known you were here—he should have seen your touches in the flower displays, the food selections, the drapery, and the table cloths. You were a party planner, he should have made note of that. You’re the same as the images in his mind—the memories that flash through his mind whenever he gets a flicker of your perfume or hears a laugh that sounds like yours. The only thing that's changed about you is your stomach—there's a sizable baby bump there, and he mumbles to himself “no…”

It had been seven months—seven months since he left you. It had to be his. He left you pregnant. As though you heard the gears turning in his head you turn and make eye contact with him—freezing in your place. He has to talk to you now, but you make efforts to move away, running towards a stairwell to get away from him as he shouts your name.

************

Despite being seven months pregnant you make a good chase, ducking down the stairwell and moving as fast as your swollen ankles will carry you while he shouts for you behind you. You can’t see him right now, he left, he doesn’t deserve this. Your condition must somewhat get the best of you as you end up stumbling on a landing—slowing down enough for him to catch up. You knew it was futile after all he ran faster than you even when you weren’t pregnant.

He grabs your wrist before you can go any farther, pulling you towards his body—only for you to wack a big slap to the side of his face, “how dare you—you asshole.”

“You're pregnant?” He asks quick as hell, and you frown still jabbing hits at him, “Why else am I so fucking big dickhead.”

He pulls you closer in an effort to restrain you from hitting him and from running away at any point, “is it mine?”

You had been avoiding looking at his face the entire portion of the ordeal—not wanting to see the face of the man that abandoned you. But you end up looking anyway and feel the tears spring up in your eyes. Despite the fact he left you you still feel love for him in your heart. You can’t lie to him, “it is.”

“Sugar, I’m—“ he breathes out, struck in the moment by every error he’s made in the past few months knowing he should have stayed, “I’m so sorry, please let me explain why I did what I did.”

You don’t respond just letting him speak at his own will as he settles you two down to sit on the steps of the stair. Jack tells you about his job, his wife, and the scare he had that just accumulated to him feeling like he had to leave to keep you safe. You had known about his late wife but none of the details about the affair and understood just why he was so afraid—but he still acted like an idiot. Head in hands, “why did you keep everything hidden from me Jack, I mean you lied to me about your job––no wonder I was able to find you after I found out, I was stuck looking for Jack Daniels brewery CEO instead of Jack Daniels statesmen.”

You got him there, “I should have––everyone told me I should have told you.” Silence emanates between the two of you, “I know sorry doesn’t make up for all I did––I don’t know if I can ever make up for what I did, but give me a chance because I want to be there for you and the kid–I love you sweet pea.”

Tears spring from your eyes, “I love you too Jack, we’ll figure it out I promise.”

Jack pulls you into his arms whispering what sounds like a thousand thank you’s for you and the girl in your belly, “it’s a girl you know.”

“A girl…” Jack trails off with a smile gleaming on his face and some unspoken joy in his eyes, that shifts into something of deep regret, “I was almost like him I don’t ever wanna be like him”

“You won’t.” you state firm and jack pulls away to cup your face and wipe away the errant tears still streaming down your face, “can I kiss you darling?”

“Please,” and with that the lips you have missed meld on to yours. After months, both alone and apart, both you and Jack feel a sense of security that everything will be alright––that your little family is finally whole.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m sorry that its bad....

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