#i love that we’re half a year out and the tag is still this active though

[hawkinslibrary]

so many gifs. so. many.

[teenytinyjimin]

i miss you, i’m sorry (j. jungkook)

nothing happened in the way i wanted

every corner of this house is haunted

and i know you said that we’re not talking

but i miss you, i’m sorry.

summary: the first time seeing each other after the breakup is always the hardest. but seeing each other when you're still in love? an absolute nightmare

pairing: jungkook x reader

word count: 2k

tags: angst, smoker!jk, brokenhearted!jk, equally as brokenhearted!reader, why did they even break up in the first place?, featuring reader’s bestfriend!jimin, also jimin is sexually ambiguous let's keep it that way please

warnings: none, alcohol/nic use but nothing too intense, kinda sad but it's a happy ending i promise

author’s note: idk why i keep making my fic names and stuff inspired by songs, i guess it just helps me beat writers block.

also i wrote this in second person, lmk if you guys prefer that over third. i personally find third person fics easier to write, but i'm sure second person is easier to read for some of you. enjoy my angels!

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

Bars weren't really your thing.

If you were going to be honest, they were miles better than nightclubs, but still not your thing. It was something about the air that just rubbed you the wrong way. Perhaps it was all the creepy old men that turned you off of them, or just the fact that there's not much to do besides sit, drink, sit some more, maybe play some pool and... sit.

Jimin, on the other hand, loved bars. He loved being able to sit there, look pretty, and watch as absolutely anyone and everyone flocked over to him to start a conversation. It admittedly fueled his ego, and he loved the feeling of being the center of attention. However, he didn't love being at bars alone. Being so drop-dead gorgeous meant that about twenty times the amount of creeps bothered him than the average bar patron. Many of them figured that a pretty boy like him was sitting there waiting to be swooped up by a sugar daddy. Let's get one thing straight – that wasn't him. He had plenty of money. He just wanted to have a little conversation, give a little kiss here and there maybe, and dip at the end of the night with his bar companion by his side.

Unfortunately for you, that bar companion was usually you. It was certainly a compliment for Jimin to want to bring you along with him instead of any of his other gazillions of friends and other social connections, but it was quite exhausting for you to be in a bar pretty much every day of every weekend. He liked the attention, but you didn't. If it were an empty room with nothing but you and a bottle of rum, you'd have a blast. But what bar in Itaewon was going to be like that?

Alas, here you were, sat at the end of a bar with your friend sitting next to you. Something about the light in the building made him look extra beautiful tonight, his skin shimmering like the most precious of diamonds and his eyes deep and full of allure. At the moment he was making small talk with a lady on the other side of him, one who was definitely at least twenty years his senior but didn't look a day past thirty. Sighing, you drop your head down to look at your drink, a half-full martini glass that held a rather disappointing cosmopolitan (you weren't a vodka fan anyway, it wasn't the bartender's fault).

You wanted to be home. That was the only place you ever wanted to be these days. At home, cuddling your darling kitty in bed, and sleeping your days away. Maybe a year ago you would have loved being out and about, but now it feels more like a burden than a fun activity. And you know that Jimin doesn't mean any harm in doing what he does, but seeing him talk with so many people over the course of the night and being so happy is almost a bit gut-wrenching for you because you can't be as happy as him.

You began to feel the blood rush to your ears and your face get warm. Something was wrong, you could sense it. Everyone has those gut instincts when something isn't quite right, and this wasn't just an instinct, it was like a neon sign. A neon sign that read DANGER. Perhaps it was just you feeling rather anxious and overwhelmed, but either way you were craving the comfort of your home.

"Hey, 'Minnie, can we-" Just as you turned to Jimin to softly ask him if you could go home or at the very least switch bars, you felt a presence behind you. It wasn't just an I'm here to order a drink presence, but rather an I'm here for you one. Realizing that Jimin wasn't even listening anyway, you froze, waiting to see what would happen. And that's when you heard a familiar voice that you thought you'd never hear again.

"Hey."

You didn't want to turn around. You tried to stay as still as a statuette for as long as possible, however the more you thought about the man behind you the more you felt the urge to turn around and take a bite of the forbidden fruit. Taking a deep breath, you slowly turned until you were face-to-face with your ex, Jungkook.

"Want to talk outside?" Not yet looking at him directly, you hesitantly nodded before quickly looking back to Jimin and then standing up. You left your purse there, figuring that your friend would grab it if he changed locations, and began trailing after the tall tattooed figure that navigated his way toward the door.

As the two of you stepped out into the cool autumn air, you crossed your arms and leaned against the building. Your heart was between your ears at this point, buzzing at what felt like 200 beats a minute. It was stupid for you to have even left Jimin's side, you thought, because now you were alone with your ex of all people and God knows what this boy has up his sleeve.

"You look good," Jungkook said gently as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and placed one between his lips. "And I know what you're going to say, you're so full of it Kook, but I mean it."

"Since when have you started smoking?" You asked, ignoring his previous two statements and gesturing toward the pack in his hand. He shrugged. "Couple weeks after I last saw you maybe? Not a big deal."

"You know that stuff's bad for you."

"I don't think sitting here third-wheeling with Jimin and his beau of the night is any better."

"You don't know Jimin, don't act like you do," You said, completely taken aback and offended by the words coming out of his mouth. "And I'm having a good time, thank you very much."

"Doesn't seem like it. Weren't you about to ask him if you guys could leave?"

"I was having- What?- Is there a reason you asked to talk to me out here?" You were struggling to form a complete sentence. This man always knew how to leave you speechless, but now it was just irritating. You watched as Jungkook leaned back onto the building with you and shook his head, giving you a toothy grin before lighting the cigarette in his mouth. "Nah. Just figured you'd have more fun out here talking to me and getting a break from it all."

"You know he's waiting for me, right? I should go back inside." You stand back up straight and begin walking back into the bar, however you feel a warm hand wrap gently around your wrist and tug you back. "Hey hey hey," Jungkook called. "He'll survive a few minutes without you. Just chill with me. I'm not asking you for anything, just a second of your time."

You turned to face your ex-lover, your eyes finally meeting his for the first time that night. Even after all this time of being apart, those beautiful doe eyes still yearned for you, and yours for him. With a shaky sigh, you brush his hand away and return to where you were standing. "Exes don't hang out like this, Jungkook."

"Woah, you're pulling out the full government name on me now?" The boy teased, puffing a cloud of smoke from his mouth. "Should I be offended?"

"I'm setting boundaries," You crossed your arms and kicked at the ground beneath you. "Nicknames are for friends or more than friends, which we aren't."

"We aren't strangers either though."

"That doesn't matter. Not friends."

"Alright, fine," Giving up, Jungkook looked down at his hand and flexed it awkwardly. "Just trying to be friendly."

"Friendly?!" You said frantically, finally having enough of his antics. "You don't need to be friendly. We broke up and that's the end of it. Exes aren't friends. They go their separate ways and when they see each other again – if they see each other – they ignore each other. I don't get why you're doing this psychological warfare bullshit on me."

"Exes can be friends," He breathed out in protest. "Can you even tell me why we broke up in the first place?"

You remained silent. The truth was that you didn't know why you broke up either. It had been almost a year since the whole ordeal went down, and you were still confused more than anything else, even more than you were hurt. All you can remember is that you guys went through some bullshit ‘mutual breakup’ that apparently neither of you wanted in the first place. The only reason you even agreed to it is because somewhere within you, you felt like perhaps you weren’t deserving of such a wonderful relationship. And the only reason Jungkook agreed to it is because he thought that it’s what you wanted.

"No, seriously. What went wrong? What did I do? I just want some closure..." His voice became increasingly softer as he kept speaking, which only meant one thing. You stared at the ground intensely, refusing to look up and see his teary eyes.

You felt his hand gently wrap around yours and tug on it as a plea for your attention. Jungkook was your weakness, the only person you'd willingly do anything for, and he really loved to take advantage of that without even realizing he was.

You peered up at him hesitantly, worried that you'd find yourself in tears the second you saw the ones pouring from his eyes. Sure enough, when the eye contact began, you were driving yourself forward into his strong arms and dampening his shirt with your tears.

Jungkook's embrace felt the same as it did the last time you felt it. It was still so warm, so inviting, so loving. Never once did you feel unsafe in his arms and this moment was not an exception. As you sobbed into his shirt you felt his hand move from around your waist to the top of your head, stroking your hair gently.

The two of you stood there for what seemed like hours, simply letting all emotion out while enjoying the company of one another. While Jungkook has been exceptionally transparent in expressing the fact that he's heartbroken about the situation between the two of you, it's safe to say that you feel equally as devastated. This man was once the love of your life and the only one you ever needed, but now everything about him except for his embrace feels foreign. This was someone you once saw yourself building a life with, but now it's shattering to think that he has a life after you.

You pulled away after a while, refusing to make eye contact as you wiped the tears from your eyes. This all felt entirely pointless. It was obvious that nothing went wrong in the relationship yet here you were, no longer in one. You couldn't begin to imagine what Jungkook had been going through since you guys broke up considering the fact that for you, your entire world turned upside down.

"I'm sorry," You managed to choke out before you felt Jungkook's hand gently guide your face up to look at his. You watched him stare at you for a moment, taking in your features, before his lips began to curl into a soft smile. "Mmm. Yeah. You're way too pretty to let slip through my fingers."

Feeling your face turn hot as a blush crept to your cheeks, you let out a soft giggle before you were cut off by a familiar pair of lips meeting yours.

"JUNGKOOK?" You heard a voice call out. The two of you pulled apart, eyes wide. Shit. You forgot about Jimin.

[mylovelies-docx]

Sorry, I Love You - Part 3

I think some of you were looking for this?

Plot: You and Bucky have a good thing going - best of friends that also have more than a little chemistry between the sheets. Everything is fine until you develop feelings for the man who doesn't want a relationship. What will happen when Bucky finds out?

C/W: WAR, fighting, guns, anxiety

Word Count: 1,800

Tag List: NOW CLOSED! If you'd like to keep up with this story, please follow my blog and turn on notifications! ❤️ you :)

Part 2

The explosion of brick and mortar behind you leaves your ears ringing. The drone strike you’d called in had saved your life, but the impact zone was a little too close for comfort. Looking around at the small pieces of debris raining down, you shrug your shoulders and can’t help but think that these pieces of rock are far more preferable than the bullets that it had been only moments ago.

You’ve bounced from place to place, helping out where you’re wanted – a few negotiations here, a few training courses there. You’ve been assisting SHIELD allies around the world for the last half of a year, hoping that the time and distance was helping Bucky get over your fuck up.

Not that you aren’t still in love with him – you knew you loved him then, and it hadn’t gone away. Even after the radio silence since you last spoke to him in the kitchen. 

You’ve been in contact with all the other Avengers since you left. Obviously you called Nat and Wanda as often as you could, and Steve every other time, and Sam when you needed someone to really talk to about situations like the one you’re in now. You’re looking forward to actually seeing everyone when you get out of this mess.

A static crackle permeates through your still ringing ears. Assuming it’s the commanding officer in charge of this mission, you give your head a little shake and a rough smack to your temple in order to clear the sound. 

When sound comes flooding back in, you press a finger to your in-ear communication device. “What was that, ma’am?”

“I said,” a distinctly male voice responds, “on your left.”

Your eyes light up at Steve’s voice in your ear. You peek over what’s left of the wall you’re hiding behind just in time to see him running full speed and leaping over your cover to land beside you. You holster your weapons and throw your arms around his wide shoulders, happy to see your friend in the flesh for the first time in what feels like forever. Steve puts one arm around you, the one holding the shield rising to deflect shots coming towards the two of you.

“‘Ma’am’!” someone laughs in your ear. “Man, that’s hilarious. It’s been so long that she’s forgotten what you sound like, Cap.”

You laugh along, happy to hear Sam’s teasing. “It hasn’t been that long, Sammy. My ears just weren’t working when he said it.”

“I obviously need to work on my timing,” Steve sighs good-naturedly. Your smile widens further when you pull away to look at his face. He smiles down at you. “It’s good to see ya, kid.”

“You too, Cap.”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s not like we’re busy with something right now,” Sam grumbles jokingly as he flies over where you and Steve are to land on a rooftop just across the alley.

You step away from Steve completely to cup your hands up to your mouth and shout up at Sam, “It’s good to see you, too, buddy!” He bats his hand at you dismissively, taking off again as someone takes a shot at his position.

Your smile refuses to leave your face as you turn back to Steve and motion for him to follow. You dual wield your pistols and get back in the fray, Steve running at your side.You turn a corner and take down three enemies that were coming toward you, gathering ammo from their belts.

“So,” you start, “to what do I owe the pleasure, boys?”

“Do we need a reason to come see a friend?” Steve asks mock innocently.

“You do if said friend is in the middle of an active war zone.” You prop a hand on your hip to sass at Steve, pointing the other one over your shoulder and fire at the single combatant coming up behind you. They go down with a heavy thump. Steve lifts a brow.

You shrug self-assuredly, knowing that you’ve got great skills and not afraid to show it. You direct Steve further across the battlefield, making your way towards where the enemies have hunkered down.

“So?” You question again as you both settle inside a building that is miraculously still standing. “Are you going to make me ask Sam?”

“You go right ahead and ask me, baby girl,” Sam coos in your ear. You laugh delightedly and smile at Steve.

Steve sighs and shakes his head. “Let’s discuss this when we’re not about to die, alright?”

“10-4, good buddy.” You give Steve a proper salute and run away cackling, high on the feeling of having your friends with you again.

***

Hours later, you’re sitting in the medical tent, getting patched up. The nurse delicately pulls the needle and thread through the flesh of your upper arm, murmuring an apology when you flinch. You assure her not to worry, you wanted to save the numbing agent for the other soldiers that were hurt worse than you, anyway.

You look away from her kind but tired eyes when Steve and Sam part the entrance and walk into the tent. You smile up at them as they come to stand before your seated position. Sam grins and slaps an arm around your shoulder, tugging you into his side.

The nurse chides him gently, asking you to please keep still. You apologize to her and shove Sam away, laughing at his fake-hurt expression.

“So boys,” you try again. “What brings you to my temporary corner of the world?”

Steve diverts his attention away from you to address the nurse still at your side.

“How long does she need to recover, nurse?” He asks her.

“Oh, she’s fine,” the nurse replies, finished with your sutures. She turns away to pack up her kit. “It’s just a scratch.”

Turning back around to you, she says, “Just as long as you don’t lift anything too heavy. Okay, honey?”

You nod reassuringly at her and jump off the bed. “Will do, Marta. Thanks!”

Joining the boys, you slap them each on their shoulders as you pass by. “Come on, since you’re being so secretive. Let’s go to my tent.”

You journey across camp, leading Steve and Sam to the bunks you share with a couple other women. Everyone is in the mess hall having a late dinner, so you’ve all got a few minutes to speak in private.

You flop down on your cot, fluffing your pillow behind you and bringing your favorite blanket up and over your lap. You scoot your feet backwards until you can circle your arms around your knees and lean your chin on them.

“Out with it, Stevie.”

Steve sighs and takes a seat on the cot across from you, Sam sitting beside your feet.

“Before you start freaking out –” Steve says, holding his hands up in a hold on, wait a minute gesture, “Nat is fine.”

“Nat!” you exclaim, lifting your head in alarm. “What happened to Nat? Is she okay?”

“Hey, he literally just said not to freak out,” Sam interjects, elbowing you in the shins. You kick lightly at him to get him to stop.

“She’s fine,” Steve repeats. “It’s just that her mission is taking a lot longer than we had originally anticipated.”

Phew, you think to yourself. You narrow your eyes at Steve before saying, “Don’t worry me like that, dude.”

Steve rolls his eyes exasperatedly. “I told you she was fine up front.”

You cross your arms over your knees and let out a huff as you place your chin on your forearms. You decide to let Steve say what he needs to say.

“Anyway,” he continues. “That means we need help with the next mission.”

“Okay?” You respond questioningly. “You know I don’t mind coming back, it’s just…”

You glance between Steve and Sam, letting the name hang in the air between you. Sam snatches it up and speaks it into existence.

“Bucky.”

You nod your head slowly and grimace. “Yeah.”

“Look,” Sam says, “I don’t know exactly what happened between you two, but that man’s been –”

Steve abruptly cuts him off. “Sam. Don’t.”

“And why the hell not?” Sam counters. “It’s not like she’s the one that screwed it up.”

You reach over and gently pat Sam on the leg, ending the argument between the two men before it can begin. “It’s alright, Sam.” You retract your hand, settling your legs into a criss-cross and worrying your fingers in your lap. You nibble on your lip before saying, “It kind of is my fault, though.”

“Bullshit,” he grumbles and crosses his arms. The material of his t-shirt stretches across his back and chest with the movement. You smile appreciatively, happy that Sam is always on your side, and rub your palm across his shoulder blades in a soothing motion. “Everything is always the Tin Man’s fault.”

“Sam,” you chide. “You can’t say things like that unless he’s here to argue with you.”

Sam harrumps and stops talking.

You finally turn back to Steve. “You know I only left to give him some space. As long as me being on this mission won’t bother him, you know I’ll do it.”

“That’s the thing…” Steve raises his hand to rub at the back of his neck, not meeting your eyes. You lift a brow, not liking the hesitation. “This is the undercover mission we were going to send you on.”

Your heart plummets in your chest hearing Steve’s words. A spark of anxiety burrows into your stomach, making you slightly nauseated. 

“Ah, that’s – uh…” You really don’t know what to say in response. Your mind spins, running through all the possible scenarios of reuniting with Bucky before he’s ready. Before you’re both ready.

Based on Bucky’s previous reactions, none of them turn out well.

You start picking at a hangnail on your finger, not meeting their eyes. Sam places his hand on your knee and squeezes gently. “Does Bucky…?” you begin.

“Ohhh yeah,” Sam chuckles, “he knows. Man, you should have seen Steve’s face when Buck asked –”

Steve’s long-suffering sigh cuts Sam off. He stands abruptly and walks the two paces to your cot, settling his hand on your shoulder and forcing you to look up into his eyes. “It’s not our place to tell you anything, Y/N. You and Buck can figure things out when we arrive back at base.”

“And when will that be?” You question, hoping beyond hope that you’ve got your dates wrong and the undercover mission isn’t actually set to begin two days from now.

“As soon as you’re packed,” Steve responds. 

He claps your shoulder and turns to grab Sam. Steve ushers him out to allow you the privacy to pack up your belongings.

Part 4

@jackiehollanderr @rabbitrabbit12321 @12345sebby @blackwood-bodecker-housewife @lauraashley93 @themorningsunshine @happinessinthebeing @nash-dara @calwitch @stany0url0calwh0res111 @pono-pura-vida @learisa @introverbatim @kentokaze @marvelogic @kaz11283

[eddiediazismyhusband]

Buddie in S8 and Slow Burns:

so those of you who follow me or see my posts popping up in the buddie tags know that i am still apprehensive of believing that we will actually get buddie canon in s8. tim has done too much to destroy my trust in him as a writer, and the show has baited us with buddie far too many times for me to easily take anything as a “clear/obvious sign that buddie is happening” when it is just as likely that we are being clowned yet again

that being said, IF we get buddie canon, it needs to happen fairly quickly. I have seen a lot of people saying things like “I don’t want buddie to go canon until the s8 finale” which, i disagree with.

I know a lot of people are saying this because they want a mutual pining era, but i don’t think these people are grasping the fact that if they waited until the finale, that is 18 episodes of tv to fill with something of substance for buddie. Another eighteen episodes; almost eighteen hours of tv. Even with a mutual pining era, that is far too long for them to continue dragging this story out.

Yes, i know that if they are going for a slow burn, that that takes time, but good lord it’s been 6 seasons of actively building up to a relationship… they’ve had six years of stalling, they need to go ahead and fucking commit to it, not take 18 more agonizing episodes of them dragging their feet. If you commit to them having acknowledged feelings for each other, they don’t need more than one or two episodes of mutual pining before it would start getting old.

realistically, we could have a fully fleshed out queer arc for eddie AND mutual pining leading to buddie canon within 8a. 8 or 9 episodes is MORE than enough time to build up to that with what they have to work with— they’ve reached the point for conceivably going canon so many times that it feels like there isn’t any build anymore; it feels like they’ve parked the bus a half mile from the station, and have started doing a thorough inspection on all the parts after driving almost the whole distance.

i know we love drama and angst and slow burns— that’s the appeal of buddie as a ship; but this slowburn has been way beyond fully cooked since s4, and there is no need to keep cooking it (unless they’re just baiting us, which in that case we need to decide when enough is enough and call it a day on this show)

this is not a fanfic that has no expiration date. this show isn’t going to last forever. i ship buddie because i want to actually see them navigating a relationship— i don’t ship them to be edged for 7 years just for them to go canon for one singular episode. i want to see them bask in each other’s love, i want to see them living together with the happiness they’ve been chasing their whole lives, i want to see them encounter speedbumps, and go through hardships together. That is why i ship characters. The chase is fun for a while, but I actually want to see what happens once the chase is over, and them going canon in the last episode is not narratively satisfying to me, and at this point feels like a copout for the writers.

We don’t know how long past s8 this show will last. we don’t even know if we’re getting a s9, let alone more. it’s already unheard of for tv shows to reach this longevity post-2016, we can’t just go into each season assuming that we still have all the time in the world for them to give us buddie. the reality is we don’t have all the time in the world, and this is the make-or-break season.

we don’t need 18 more episodes of stagnant growth. if they’re going to give us buddie, they need to stop dragging it out and just give it to us if they actually intend to, not cop-out and give us a last minute kiss in the season/possible series finale.

anyway, getting off my soapbox for now, but i just wanted to get those thoughts off my chest.

[sukunasdirtylaugh]

a/n: based off of this piece I wrote literally like not even an hour ago I’m obsessed with these two. happy early Valentine’s Day to all 🤍

tags: gojo x f!reader, slowburn, reader is an older sister raising her brother and Satoru comes in, sort of like found family au, mentions of readers brother having an infection/going to the er and Satoru comforts reader, slight angst there but fluff at the end (inspired by this)

Satoru doesn’t know when it was he loved you.

He thinks maybe it was the time you answered one of his lonely late night calls. When the moon is faint and the silence too loud for his liking. the floor is too cold and he thinks he’s nothing but a man, with blankets that can’t give him the warmth he seeks. Only those but your words can warm a home, and when he finishes talking to you that night, he feels like maybe there is something to look forward to.

But that was before he met you, the real you in flesh and bone. He wasn’t blessed hearing the sound of your laugh inside the same room, only through landline, and he wasn’t blessed with seeing you blush. He didn’t know how holy it would be be to hold your hand, or how fulfilled he felt when he drove you home after a night full of laughter. No, it wasn’t then.

It could have started when he saw how troubled you were after your sprained ankle that he sent an order of your favorite food to you and your brothers door. He also sent a pack of ice wraps that could help your ankle according to ichiji who always had foot problems and was an expert himself. but that wasn’t it.

Or maybe it was when he heard your distraught call, your brother’s fever had not decreased after 3 days and he had spent most of his days sleeping. He thinks it was then when he loved you, when he helped carry your 10 year old brother into the ER waiting for the doctors to give you reports. He had consoled you that night, your hair was messy and your shirt two days old as you cried into his chest. “I’m such a failure,” you cried into him, “mom... if only mom-”

“You’re doing such a great job, sweetheart.” He tells you, rubbing your back, holding you tight. “I can see it and your mom can too. You love him, and you’ve been doing everything you could, no one can deny it.” He tells you.

“I’ve never met anyone who actively measures every cup or hour, you haven’t slept for days, angel. We’re okay, we’re at the doctor’s. He’s in good hands, okay? I’m here.”

He remembered how you nodded against him and how it broke his heart seeing your tear stained face. It turned out your brother had a minor infection that medication given to him that night lowered all of his fever overnight. He stayed with you that night.

But it wasn’t then.

He found a new sense of love for you after he offered to fix your door. It was late winter, cold air would enter your loose door, and he offered to close a gap within the door that a few screws could fix. Of course, why not change your lock into something safer while he was at it? And if your brother was here too, why not show him too? Serves as a learning experience, and he liked the kid.

When he finished fixing your door, your smile made him feel proud, almost nudging at him to look for something else in your apartment that was broken that he could fix, but before he could do anything else, you spoke. “I thought about making you something. You know, to thank you for fixing my door.” That day, he learned to love your cooking, no matter how small or elaborate. If it was made by you, he would love it.

It finally struck him that he loved you when you were in the comfort of your own home. Your brother long asleep in his room as satoru watched you cook some late night dinner. The two of you had gone out eating, but were both half heartedly dissatisfied with the portions. Still hungry, you suggested making something in your home.

“I told you I could help you,” he gently nudges then pouts at your soft laugh as you stand before the stove.

“I know, but what’s the fun of it since I can’t spoil you, hm?” You smile.

“You should be angry at me, I picked a terrible restaurant.”

“Maybe I should,” you muse, “but I’m not. Maybe I’ll give you the burnt piece, how does that sound?”

“You should be crueler,” he sighs dramatically, “make me do the dishes or something.”

“Maybe. Or how about I don’t kiss you for the night instead?” he gasps dramatically.

“You wouldn’t.”

“I could...”

“That’s too mean.”

“You think?”

“Yeah,” he huffs, setting his chin on your shoulder as he watches you cook. His arms nicely wrap around your waist. “You’re too pretty.”

“And you’re too...” you huff, melting into his embrace, “sweet.”

“Yeah?” He whispers, pressing a kiss to the underside of your jaw.

“Yeah.” You breathe, closing your eyes as your bloodstream fills with euphoria as does his. Satoru buries his face against the part where your shoulder and neck meet before pressing a kiss there.

“I love you.”

[lietomevpr]

just keep swimming - ART DONALDSON! short blurb

description- ever since y/n moved in to a new house with a pool, the caretaking of the pool started to take a toll on their schedule and something had to change. their pool company offers to send a pool boy out for maintenance. unfortunately for y/n, he’s blonde and SUCH a charmer. a universe where art probably never went to summer tennis tournaments and instead was a gorgeous pool boy!

warnings- 18+ (vulgar language) but really just so much flirting!! i'll decide later if I want to write smut if you all like this so far :)

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Summer came around again like clockwork. I can tell by the way the sun torches the pavement and the bugs fly around you no matter where you are. I had just moved in about half a year ago, and unpacking has been slow. Usually my Saturday afternoons are for cleaning and organizing, and even clad in shorts and a tee shirt with my hair tied up, I was still sweating. On my pathway to the kitchen, I pass my sliding door window out to the backyard. All I see is my covered up, likely hideous underneath, swimming pool. Annoyance etched my features. I've been avoiding the pool because I just got a new job as well and my schedule has been busier than I ever imagined it being. The idea of chopping off the time to take care of the pool myself this summer seemed like such a hassle. Setting my laundry basket down with a plop, I look up the nearest pool service company and give them a quick call. The representative assured me they’d send out one or two “fellas” out tomorrow, as the gruff old man told me during our conversation. I’ve been swimming all my life. My parents taught me to swim really young, and I continued competitively throughout college. I am as much fish as I am human. It was only natural that when I searched for my own place at 25, I wanted a pool to continue my love for the activity. However, the relief that flew through me when the call was finished was enough to allow me to move to the next room to clean.

THE NEXT DAY was somehow even hotter, if it was possible. Once showered and dressed for the days events, I was making my lunch and watching my comfort show when there was a knock on the door.

“Oh great, those must be the pool cleaners", I thought to myself.

Giving a quick glance at my appearance, I was satisfied with opening the door. Smooth, shaved legs, blue denim shorts, and a yellow tank top with sandals seemed to be appropriate for guests in the back yard to me. Upon opening the door, there are two older aged gentleman a decade or so older than me.

“Hello Ma'am! We’re Marcus and Devin and uh…”

One turns around with eyes squinted from the sun and gestures back to the service van where there is a figure messing around in the trunk with heavy equipment or something.

“That’s Art back there in the van, new intern.” Says Marcus, who I now can see the name tag of.

“Well alrighty! Thanks so much for coming, let me show you out back and assess the damage.” I take them out through the side yard and show them the monstrosity of a chore I've been putting off.

The two gentleman eventually wrestle the pool cover off and look around to see what needs to be done. They're talking amongst themselves, and hopefully it's not too much of a big project. Having an in ground pool was a luxury and I knew it. Thats why I was so appreciative of them coming out. They told me in general how much it was gonna cost, and said they’re ready to start whenever the intern made his way on over.

“Well I will leave you guys to it, knock if you need anything! In a hour or so I might bring out some lemonade for you all, it’s so hot!” I say, shooting them a smile. They beam appreciatively and I set for inside.

Busying myself while people were making loud, machine sounds in my back yard was harder than I thought. I liked to watch it all get done. But in general, watching people out of the window was frowned upon. After I finished eating my sandwich, I decided the best use of my time would be to just veg out in the living room. After roughly three or four episodes of a show pass, I figure it's time to make my signature lemonade and bring it out to them. These gentleman won't know what hit them. I've been complimented on my lemonade recipe before, so I was excited to see the final opinion. Setting four glasses on a wooden tray, I make my way out of the front door and around the side yard, as to not walk right up into their space by using the sliding door. I don't get very far into my backyard before I almost drop the tray of lemonade because I collided abruptly with a body. A warm one. Pool company shirt drenched in sweat, I looked up at the figure obstructing my path. I was met with someone roughly around my age, maybe a year or two younger. A simply gorgeous man, one of paler complexion, but sporting a full, fluffy head of blonde hair. So bright it makes the sun look like a dying flashlight. His eyes were so breathtaking and his lips looked so soft and pink, he was a sight to be had. When he smiled at me before he opened his mouth to apologize, that was even brighter. I step back and laugh sheepishly.

"I am so sorry!" That barely gets out out my mouth because this beautiful pool man standing before me says,

"Holy shit, I am so sorry are you okay?".

He backs up, and gives me a once over. Something that was probably just him making sure I wasn't hurt or covered in ice cold lemonade. But the once over brought out some sort of stirring in me, and I questioned if my outfit was actually okay or not because now it mattered that the man in front of me liked what he saw. The genuine concern in his voice was refreshing to hear though, so I recover from the initial embarrassment.

“Yeah I’m fine, it’s alright! I'm Y/N, Y/L/N, I own the place.” My cheeks blush because now I’ve bumped into the most beautiful man and he’s here to clean my pool. It almost looks like he smirks at my coloration. But it could've been the sun's glare playing tricks on me.

“Lovely pool you got out there ma’am. And yard too while we’re at it.” He wipes the sweat from his forehead with his forearm and sticks that same arm out to shake. Watching a sweaty hardworking man was one of my favorite past times, and the fact that he used the same hand made me insanely hot in the face. His hands in mine feel firm, but respectful.

“I’m... uh, Art Donaldson, by the way. Im the…”

“The intern?” I tease.

He gives a look of panic when he whips his head around and shouts to his older crew mates.

“I told you guys to stop introducing me like that!”

I can hear deep chuckling somewhere in my backyard and I smile at the interaction between the three gentlemen. Art spins back around to me, laughs, and rolls his eyes.

“Sorry about those guys. They mean well of course. I think they’re just jealous of my amazing pool skills. What I was going to say, is that I’m the person who’s going to be doing routine checks once we clean it out completely. Every three weeks I come back without my two friends over there, and I deep clean and treat the water. Or more often, if you want to upgrade your plan. ”

These words weighed on me. This man would be in my back yard by himself and I had the option to make it more often? I would be lying if I said I wasn’t considering it. But having him around so often would be a personal distraction right?

“Well thanks for being my pool cleaner I really appreciate it. I love to swim but I’ve just been so busy lately and I haven’t had the time to maintain it.” I tell the guy, hopefully not looking as upset as I really feel. He looks at me in a way I can’t decipher.

“Don’t worry about it you did the right thing calling us.” He says, offering a stunning smile. Not sure where to go from there, his eyes shoot anywhere but mine it seems, and lands on the lemonade tray in my hand.

“Oh my god please tell me that is for us I am sweating like a dog out here.”

He leans his head over and shakes his blonde curly hair that I am already fond of and I watch as the droplets drip down on my patio brick. My throat hitches at the strange sexiness of the action and I awkwardly cough it out and hand him a glass.

“My speciality! Enjoy.”

He basically chugs it and leaves a cliche and comical "Ahh", after the sip.

"Thank you, it's amazing", he says out of breath from the gigantic sip he took and grins.

"It's just so hot out here ya know?", he spoke softly, lolling his head to the side and glancing up and down at me with a smile that punched me in the gut. Whether he's talking about me or the weather was really up to debate with the look he gave me.

Art looks down at his lemonade, and back at me. Well, back at my tits it feels like.

"Matches your tank top", he says nonchalantly

Then Art grabs the tray from my hands, something I wasn't expecting. When the exchange happens, our fingers brush over one another's. We snap our heads up at the same time and look at each other. The electric jolt of his touch and the comment about my choice in clothing made my brain spin. He smiled to himself, like I wasn't supposed to see that one.

"Let me take these to them for you. See you around Y/N." He turns around but doesn't get far before shouting,

"LEMONADE! GET YOUR FRESH LEMONADE!"

I spin around to go back inside but not before laughing at this energetic, and playful man romping around my yard to give his coworkers my lemonade.

An hour goes by and now that I know what Art looks like, the itch to look out the window was increasingly difficult to resist. Eventually I cave and pull back the curtains slightly and look down at the back yard from my bedroom window and see them out there, standing on the perimeter of the hollow ground. They're almost finished actually, just about ready to turn the water pump on if I had any guess. I spot Art easily, and watch as he lifts up a heavy trailer cart of material away from the pool and to what I assume is the front yard to take to the van. He stops his trek and drops his cart and though I can't hear him too well from the upper floor, it seems as if he lets out an expletive.

"FUCK it's hot." It sounds like.

In a matter of milliseconds, Art's company shirt gets tore off and all that's left is a devastatingly handsome body, covered in sweat from working in the conditions. He looks like can use a dip in the pool himself he's so hot. Nothing could've prepared me for seeing him shirtless in my back yard, but yet here we were. It was bordering on ogling at this point, but the abs to blonde hair ratio nearly made me collapse. I guess I picked the right time to do this because Art looks up at the window AS IF he knew I was watching. His face brightens up at the sight of me, sees where my eyes landed and smiles to himself. Then waves to me with the shirt in hand and I wave shyly back and watch the man return to his journey with the cart of heavy things. I start to tear my eyes away from the window and retreat, pretending I wasn't checking out the man who will be cleaning my pool for the next short while. But not before noticing a boyish smirk placed on his lips as he turns out of vision. Having a beautiful pool boy in my yard was going to be a lot harder than I think I would ever anticipate.

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let me know what you guys think! i wrote it for fluffy long hair art but the gif i chose matched the hot summer day and sweat aspect of this blurb.

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lietomevpr

[greenrazberrysoda]

I Will Go To You Like The First Snow

pairing : annabeth chase x percy jackson

word count : 765

tags : angst, dead percy jackson, grief/mourning, no dialogue, post-tartarus, post-house of hades annabeth chase-centric

!! notice !! : this fic was written on november 1st, 2023; it was originally posted on what's now my main but i have no idea if you can transfer posts from a primary to an alt,,,, sooo,,,,

cross posted from ao3

Before she had him, she didn’t realize the world she was in was this bright. Now he was gone.  

She stared out the window, cheek resting against the icy glass, her breath turning to fog and clouding the transparency of the pane. It had been such a long time—years—since she stayed at Camp Half-Blood year-round. With her being the only occupant of Cabin #6, and with the absence of Percy, everything was so, so quiet. Deafeningly quiet.  

She studied shrubs that patterned the forest outside of the Athena cabin. The pretty flowers had withered, though she knew that they would soon flourish beneath the gentle touch of the spring’s sun, blooming once more. The season of him would never come again.  

Annabeth recalled everybody’s pitiful gaze, unwilling to look her in the eye as if she were an active grenade, ready to explode and wreak havoc at any given moment. She remembered the way Grover clung to her like she was going to disappear next, the way he sobbed into her shoulder and left stains of his tears on her sleeve. She missed being able to cry into Percy’s shirt like that.  

She remembered the way Piper had pulled her into the tightest, most loving hug and told her that she was there for her. Annabeth remembered how warm she felt. It warmed every part of her but her hollowed chest. She appreciated the gesture when Piper told her that she knew how loving Percy was, but she didn’t know. Not like Annabeth did, never like Annabeth did.  

She remembered the way Thalia kissed her cheek and told her how strong she was. Annabeth didn’t want to feel strong, though. She wanted to come home after a long, exhausting day and be able to fall limp into Percy’s arms like a ragdoll, melting into his touch knowing that he would never take advantage of her vulnerability. Thalia embraced her tightly and called her strong. Annabeth wasn’t strong. She was a husk of the woman she once was.  

She remembered the way she saw Nico cry for the first time. It was like watching him slowly regress back into his 10-year-old self, sobbing into the sleeve of his sweater, saying it was his own fault. She held his hands and told him it would be okay, but she knew it wouldn’t and he knew it wouldn’t. Later that day, she watched Will cradle Nico in his arms gingerly. Annabeth bitterly wondered if they would be able to get the happy ending that she was promised.  

Promise.  

Annabeth remembered when she was dangling at the mouth of Tartarus, darkness dragging her down into the hollow. The way she clung onto his hand, trembling and weak, but clinging. “We’re staying together,” he said, with such sincerity that she wondered if he had ascended from Elysium, pure love wrapped in blue ribbon for her. “You’re not getting away from me. Never again.”  

Percy promised her. He swore to her. And it had been shattered into trillions of pieces, enamorment reduced to nothingness. Utter, complete, nothingness.  

Annabeth remembered all the anger she felt towards Percy. Every dumb, life-risking stunt he pulled in favor of saving her life, every time a girl tried to flirt with him, every little thing that irked her. She took all the better moments for granted, never savoring how lucky she was, how perfect her situation was before it was torn from her hands no matter how hard she tried to hold on.  

Before she let go of him, she didn’t realize that the world she was in was this lonely.  

The snow descended from the sky still. Annabeth fluttered her eyes shut and tried to envision where she would go once she would die. All she saw behind shut eyelids was him. The tousled sable hair, the sun-kissed freckles that flit across his blushed cheeks, the tanned skin patterned with scars that silently spoke of his strength and devotion, the hypnotizing smile with those dimples that poked into the sides of his face, the sparkling sea-green eyes that spoke of a million years' worth of love. Annabeth wondered when she would be able to cup his cheeks in her hands like she did before and brush the hair out of his face and admire how much she absolutely adored him, when she would be able to wrap her arms around his warm body and feel the steady rhythm of his heart beating against her chest.  

Some day, they’ll meet again.  

And she will go to him like the first snow.  

She will go to him.  

a/n : hope you enjoyed ^_^ i love ailee's music sm and her voice always makes me tear up </33 im gonna be real honest i wrote this for a hot minute thinking i was cooking and then i put it through a word counter and was like ಠ_ಠ... but im still proud of it and i hope u like reading this as much as i liked writing it !!! :P

[wallpaper-inside-my-heart]

💛Smoshblr December Asks Final Day💙

IMPORTANT NOTES (that I forgot to include in todays ask):

If you aren't done with answering all your questions yet, but want to; then don't feel any pressure to do this today 🤗 Just bc it says december on the tin, doesn't mean I will appreciate getting your answer any less, if it's in late january or smth 🫶

also: I promise I will get around to looking at & interacting with everyone's responses! I promise I did not forget about you, I have just been/still am incredibly busy irl 🙈

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

Alright, buckle in folks, this is a long one 😅✨

(Split into three parts like the other asks; No pressure to any of you to do the same tho, I just really like this format and it suited my thoughts/organizing needs)

My favourite smosh related memories of 2023 (chronologically):

Tldr:

1.) Joining the smoshblr community 💚

2.) Spommy nation 💜

3.) Smoshblr December Asks 💛💙

now for anyone who is interested in me rambling way too much:

Joining the Smoshblr community 💚

I got into smosh at the start of this year bc of the Reddit stories videos (I watched a couple smosh vids over the years before, but never consistently followed their releases). They became smth I looked forward to every week and lead me to check out more smosh videos in general! I also remember checking the tumblr tag for smosh back then and being a little disappointed, that the fandom was fairly inactive, barring a few exceptions <3

And then the reunion happened and it took me like 3 whole days or so to actually realizewhat went down 🙈. Bc I saw the thumbnails for the interview and the 2t1l vids and was just like “Aww, it’s so nice that they are friends again and doing a collab! 😊 (I’ll watch these later tho…)” Little did I know that finally watching them would turn my year around in a way that I could have never seen coming!

Suddenly the Smoshblr community exploded with activity and so so many lovely ppl joined and started sharing their thoughts and feelings about the reunion. And while I wasn’t an OG fan by any stretch, it really felt like there was magic in the air/ on this platform! 😹💕

I’ve been into fandom for more than half of my life by now. But I’ve never really gotten “personally” involved in any active communities. Just someone hovering on the sidelines and simply liking & reblogging stuff from time to time.

But with this community smth just started to click for me and made me to get “more out of my shell” or whatever idioms might apply here. And this allowed me to meet so many awesome people!! 💖 Special shoutout to @wiggog-y-hecox 💜, who was literally my first friend in this community! I still so fondly remember our talks about your cool smosh AU concepts! 🤗💙 And also to @swiftllama 🩵 for discussing so many taylor swift lyrics and ianthony with me (+occasionally good omens too 😹💕) And also @japhan2023! 💚 I know we’ve been chatting on and off since the beginning, but I am also so so happy that this month in particular allowed us to grow even closer!

2. Spommy nation 💜

So we’re moving into the middle/end of summer now on the timeline for this one. I was in the middle of writing my bachelor thesis and really going through it mentally bc of that. Getting deeper and deeper into the Smoshblr community also lead me to check out more smosh fanfics in general. Which is how I discovered the fic the right side of my neck (still smells like you) - jovenshires (imdeansgirl) - Smosh [Archive of Our Own] by our beloved @jovenshires 🩷.

Now I’ve told Katie <3 this story before so I’ll keep it brief here; but basically smth about this fic was incredibly comforting to my overworked brain. And I’ve reread it more times that I’ve ever read a fanfic in my life before that. And I truly think it has forever changed my brain chemistry, and also made me very attached to this ship (aside from the fact, that spommy is genuinely such an amazingly adorable ship with incredible amounts of potential, like!! I don’t wanna downplay that bc of the chemical reactions in my brain around that time 🙈) Some more stuff happened which eventually lead me to become friends with Katie, who is truly one of the ppl I treasure the most in the world at this point 💖

But I also wanted to mention Spommy nation as a whole, bc this subsection of the fandom is filled with so many kind, creative and just generally amazing people!And I also just love all of us freaking out whenever we get new crumbs for this ship lmao 😹💕

Special shoutouts to @soupy-girl 💛, Kit! @hoohoobeanie 🖤, Mer!!! @tommybowefuneralattendee 💜, @ancientvamp 🤍 & Snel @blondeforyou 💙 for being some of spommy’s nations strongest soldiers 🫡 and also absolutely lovely and incredible people in general, who I adore so so much🫶🥰

3. Smoshblr December asks 💛💙

I doubt anyone didn’t see this coming 🙈😹

So, I had been meaning to do smth inspired by the “Shayne guesses” series for a while now (also the fact that the official smosh compilation of those vids dropped this week, near the end of this challenge, is so funny to me for some reason). But I never quite figured out how to do it, since I knew guessing for eachother would be difficult. And if I just started randomly messaging all the blogs I’ve followed with an onslaught of these questions, it might get a bit weird or overwhelming 😅…

⚠️slight too personal ramblings ahead, that I don’t wanna force on anyone without warning⚠️

And then, towards the end of November, I gotta be honest, I was really not doing well, especially mentally. (First masters semester and I was still sorta dealing with the damage I caused to my brain while writing the thesis and barely getting two weeks between defending it and starting the new semester to truly recover from it all) And I knew december would get worse, bc I still hadn’t finished all the Christmas presents for my family, assignments were piling up & I kept on catching way too little sleep.

So all of these stressful thoughts made me think “You know, a lot of other ppl are probably struggling with similar stuff rn, especially during these dark & cold times of the year. So why not try to do smth that might bring some joy or fun into other ppl’s lives?” And that’s how I literally typed up that initial post, two days before December started without having planned it for more than a literal day or so 🙈😹 (I did already have a long list of questions, bc I started doing the top 3 stuff in my friendgroup, but rearranging everything to fit the sorta 3-day cycle I wanted to do, still happened up until last week lmao; tho I always knew that this would be the last question <3)

(end of rambling ⚠️)

And I was genuinely, positively overwhelmed by how many people wanted to join in for this silly little game!🥹 I love and appreciate all of you, whether you stuck around for the whole month, might still be catching up on some of the questions (which, no worries, I know there were a lot 🤗) or just answered a few of them! 🤗💖 And as I am currently fighting the urge to tag every single person who participated in this activity, I cannot help myself but atthe very least tag the ppl that I feel like I have grown closest to/gotten to know a hell of a lot better, over the course of this month (some of which I may have known/followed for a while now, but some I also got to know mainly bc of them joining in on this journey with me in the first place: @ceilidhasworld ❤️, @fantasticduckchaos 🩶, @notthatalex 🖤, @natashasbitxh 🧡, @shaynetopps 💜,  @only-frann 💛, @smoshmonker 💚, @smoshidiot 🩷, @craintheodora 🩵, and so so many more of you guys! I just don’t want this entire post to become a taglist or send this to too many ppls notifications 🙈🫶

Note:

I know that I am super behind on interacting with everyone's responses! 🙈 And I promise that I will get to each of them eventually! 🤗 I am just super busy with assignments and exam prep atm. And also get very easily overwhelmed by talking a lot to people, even if it's just online 😅 (I love and appreciate ppl reaching out, asking questions or otherwise trying to have a conversation with me tho! It might just take me a good while to respond in some cases, which I promise has nothing to do with how much I value any of you 🥹🫶💞)

PS: The month might be over, but I do have something special planned in honor of this event and everyone participating in it 👀🫶

💚 Smoshblr December Wrapped 💚

[ruthofroses]

Prince Smolder Should Not Be Considered “Good.”

TW: Mentions of p*dophilia behavior, as well as child abuse.

A TL;DR EDIT: Smolder is abusive to his own daughter, displays creepy behavior towards women her age, and is so easily forgiven for doing such awful things, it’s baffling.

Normally I don’t like to do rants, but I’m being so genuine when I say that. Tui seems to be making it so that we’re supposed to like the guy when his behavior is beyond concerning.

The key factor I have against him is that he is a p*do. But since that stuff is just an awful topic overall, I figured I’d start with the other awful things he has done.

So, for starters, this guy is an awful father. He apparently tries to connect with her but it feels half-baked. Onyx, his daughter, doesn’t accept this and I don’t blame her considering her father is trying to get with someone only a year older than her. Later, Onyx, goes to challenge Thorn (which she DOES have a right to) and after Smolder finds out she was going to cheat, what does he do? Tell the guards? Apprehend her? Alert Thorn or Qibli? Nope! Why not cripple her! That’s right. Smolder severely breaks her leg to the point that Onyx is disabled, as we can see since she is actually classified under that tag on the Wings Of Fire Wiki. Onyx should have been punished, but not mangled for trying to cheat. Onyx, I would never want to be within a foot of my father if he brought home a woman who was only a year older than me either. While you do so many awful things, sheesh, your father is worse in tenfold.

Secondly, in book five, he lures Thorn and Sunny into the library. It’s a trap but he is later forgiven so easily, including by Thorn. This goes against her character so blatantly; she was willing to KILL DUNE, one of her most loyal and committed soldiers up until he stole Sunny, for taking her daughter. The two no doubt have many good memories as friends, but Thorn still was vengeful to the degree she wanted Dune murdered. Yet, Smolder, who could have gotten Sunny stuffed or killed by Burn is just… instantly forgiven? It makes no sense whatsoever. He lets out another half-baked apology, and while I could see Sunny accepting it… Thorn? Really?

The main issue with Smolder is his behavior with Thorn. He is actively flirting with her, a dragon who is only a year older than his daughter. I don’t blame Onyx for disliking her father; not only is he physically abusive, he’s also a p*do! While I’m by no means justifying or condoning Whirlpool’s behavior, we can at least know Whirlpool was only intent on marrying Anemone for the royal status, not because he wanted to get with her. But what other motive could Smolder have? He doesn’t need royal status, he IS a royal! He’s flirting with Thorn because he’s a p*do. He also, according to the wiki, “Naturally gravitates towards her” which just sends off way too many alarms.

And the fact Thorn seems to reciprocate the feelings is, again, messed up and out of character. To me, I don’t understand why she needs to rule with a king. Nearly none of the other queens do, as far as we are aware. And after her heartbreak over Stonemover I just can’t see her looking for another relationship, let alone one with Smolder of all dragons. Thorn is independent by nature and doesn’t need a man alongside her. We see she is capable of leadership as-is with the Outclaws. If she really needed a love interest, make a new one around her age or maybe have her miss Stonemover and they try to reconnect? Just not Smolder. Three moons no. But seriously, I don’t see the issue in Thorn just being a single mother and queen. She is more than able.

And, a personal opinion of mine, what if Thorn doesn’t find SandWings attractive? There’s nothing wrong with liking someone of another race, and I think it could just be me getting upset about this as someone who is mixed, but adding Smolder in as this “replacement” seems kind of like Tui is trying to “fix” Thorn’s preferences. Again, as someone who is the child of a mixed couple, this makes me frustrated.

I think the thing that gets me the most angered about all of this is that Tui is addressing it like Smolder is this character we are supposed to sympathize with. No, I will NOT sympathize with a child abuser and p*do. I don’t care if his sisters were committing war crimes, at least none of them exhibit p*do behavior. Honestly I wish Burn had killed him.

The fact he’s also alongside Thorn’s portrait in the upcoming guide also just makes me not want to purchase it. To me that just rings so many alarms in my mind.

I know writing is hard and Wings of Fire is still a series I hold dearly to my heart, but the fact Smolder’s p*do behavior is getting glorified by the author just really upsets me. Thorn x Smolder should not be something that could become canon. It’s p*dophilia and obviously unhealthy.

Sorry for such a long post. It’s probably messy too, but I really needed to vent.

[questforgalas]

In Brothers I Trust

Summary: On their way back to Coruscant after the events of Umbara, Anakin and Rex find comfort in sharing old memories and promises of brotherhood

Notes: This started as an idea to tell about Anakin and Rex's first meeting and then it just spiraled from there whoopsie. For some reason I love making Season 7 of TCW and the march on the temple even more painful for myself, so the last bit with Anakin's pledge and the promise of the 501st staying together is meant to directly foreshadow the events of ROTS. Thanks for reading!!! Comments and feedback greatly appreciated!!!!

Warnings/Tags: Angst comfort, post-Umbara Arc

Word count: 3.6K

Tay's Masterlist

On AO3

“Figured I’d find you here,” Anakin announced himself walking through the door into the meditation chamber.

Some might find it strange that meditation chambers were standard on most Venators. When thinking of a war class cruiser, meditation is usually on the bottom of the list when going through the necessary functions in order to win a war, but when Jedi are involved, the activity tends to make its way to the top. Hence, meditation chambers on every Venator.

What certainly wouldn’t surprise anyone is that Anakin Skywalker’s is the least used in the GAR. The haze of grey on its ledges is less to do with a design choice by the general and more to do with a dust layer that is rarely disturbed. That said, the chamber doesn’t go neglected. They may not be Jedi, but some troopers have found a retreat within the beige and wooden walls.

That’s where Rex found himself now, relishing in the rare experience that was complete silence. He didn’t meditate. That wasn’t a tool taught on Kamino, but Rex so rarely experienced complete silence that he found himself seeking out the solitary chamber after missions that, well, stayed with him a little longer. If he was honest with himself, it was more because he didn’t have the energy to face his brothers, knowing they’d look to him for comfort that he wasn’t sure he could offer. So, solitary-beige-completely-silent-Jedi-meditation chamber became his refuge. Or so it was, until Anakin Skywalker walked in.

Rex didn’t recover from his leaned position against the chamber wall immediately. They weren’t on duty, and, silently, Rex was annoyed that his hiding place was being disturbed. With half-hearted hope, he kept his eyes closed for a few beats longer wishing Anakin would get the hint. When the tell-tale “whoosh” of the door didn’t sound again, Rex internally sighed while opening his eyes and taking in his general next to him. Two years serving under Skywalker, and Rex is still impressed when the Jedi appears next to him almost like he came out of the walls. The silence a jedi could move with was unnerving, and at least now Rex was familiar enough with it that he didn’t react when his general or commander appeared by his side. To his annoyance, he knows Ahsoka owns some memories from early on of him throwing a datapad or two in the air out of surprise thanks to her.

“Sir,” he greeted Anakin. “What can I do for ya?”

“We’re not on duty Rex. You can drop the formality,” Anakin responded. He mimicked Rex’s relaxed position, putting his lower back against the wall, crossing his legs at the ankle. Folding his arms in front of him, he relaxed his shoulders and dipped his head towards Rex, amused twinkle in his eye.

“I feel too much like Kenobi when I call you Anakin,” chuckled Rex.

“Is that because it’s usually with a hint of exasperation?” Anakin lightly jabbed.

“Me? Exasperated sir? Never. Especially with your plans,” Rex joked back. He appreciated having a relationship with his general that allowed the banter. The battles that the 501st were often sent on required unconditional trust between Anakin and Rex in order to bring as many of his brothers back alive as possible, and the brotherhood that seamlessly formed between the two of them was effortless. Although, Rex remembers a time when a Jedi like Anakin was the least probable match he’d pick for himself.

As a cadet, he’d hear stories of the Jedi from his trainers, but the powerful warriors with the ability to manipulate the energy around them remained a figment of imagination until he was 10 years old. There was a ripple of energy throughout Kamino when word got out that a Jedi finally arrived to inspect the clone army. Rex remembers making his way to grab something to eat after running through his third simulation that day. His exhaustion was so heavy he was sure that any trooper looking at him would see it pulsing off of him in waves. Trudging through the hallways, making it to the mess hall door, he almost missed the hushed whispers coming from a group of young cadets.

“He showed up an hour ago. Been with Lama Su this whole time. I saw him!”

“You didn’t see him! He wasn’t anywhere near the strategy center.”

“Did too! Gave a quick look up when my eyes started crossin’. Caught him in the hallway. Looked like a drowned womprat, not a Jedi.”

“You’ve never even seen a womprat!”

The group made its way out of Rex’s earshot, but not before he caught that mythical word. Jedi. His exhaustion disappeared as if he’d been injected with a bacta shot. Quickly, he scanned the room to find a batch mate or familiar brother, but he was able to catch site of a table full of troopers huddled close together, whispering animatedly. Rex made sure to walk by the table on his way to the conveyor hoping to catch the hushed conversation, and sure enough, the words “Jedi” and “visit” were caught again and again. So, they were finally here.

“Good,” thought Rex. “Hopefully that means no more simulations soon.”

Apparently, Fate and Rex had a different definition of soon because while he was thinking in the upcoming months, Fate was thinking one rotation. The next day he was on a Venator making his way to Geonosis with his blood buzzing for a fight, and the desert planet didn’t disappoint. By the end of the battle, Rex’s white armor could barely be seen under the rusty red dust, and his count was close to 60, but exhaustion hadn’t settled in his bones yet so he joined some brothers chatting animatedly by the barracks’ entrance.

“Rex! Heck of a first battle, huh? Saw you taking a few of those bugs down, good job brother. Maybe they’ll even give you your own company soon!” Tat exclaimed. A gentle punch to his shoulder greeted Rex as he joined the group. He rolled his eyes at Tat’s antics hoping to play off the excitement the idea of leading his own company gave him. 

“Not too bad yourself Tat. Saw you up there with one of the Jedi. Mace Windu, right? Easy to spot him with his purple laser sword,” Rex said.

“Lightsaber. They’re called lightsabers,” another trooper, Proto, corrected. “The Jedi are very particular about their weapons.”

“Yeah, well I heard two of them tracked down and engaged Count Dooku. Dooku made it out, and one of the Jedi lost his hand,” Tat relayed to the group. “Pretty gutsy if you ask me. I heard these sith aren’t anything to trifle with. Only one Jedi alive has beaten one in 1000 years – one of the ones that went after Dooku.”

A skilled enough warrior to take on not one but two sith? Rex liked the sound of that. The troopers were yet to be assigned their Jedi generals, but Rex hoped he was lucky enough to be assigned to a Jedi with that level of combat and tactical skill.

“What about the one who lost his hand?” Rex asked. “Did he make it?”

“He’s fine. Reports say he rushed in alone. Tried to take on Dooku himself. Just a padawan too, which I think is like a cadet. So, not exactly the smartest move,” Tat answered.

Impulsive, young, inexperienced. Rex ticked off all the reasons in his mind he’d want any Jedi but that one. Or, so he thought.

Back in the meditation chamber on the Resolute, Rex chuckled to himself thinking about the last joke Fate had up her sleeve for him. Newly knighted Anakin Skywalker was appointed general to the 501st legion shortly after Geonosis. There was a rumor he was told as his mechanical hand was being attached, but Rex knew better than to listen to barrack gossip. Besides, at the same time, he was being fitted for his pauldron indicating his new status as captain of the 501st. He had more important matters to pay attention to.

“Do you remember when we first met, sir?” Rex broke the silence that had settled over them. An amused laugh escaped Anakin.

“Do I ever,” Anakin answered. “Sometimes I still think our files got mixed up somehow. That you were supposed to be with Aayla Secura instead of Anakin Skywalker. Or really, anyone else.” Anakin moved to the cushioned bench to his left as he spoke. Once settled in, he looked up at Rex. “Why do you ask?” he inquired.

“Just sifting through some memories. I heard about you before I met you, which now doesn’t seem all that surprising. More like the authentic Skywalker experience,” Rex supplied. “It was after Geonosis. The first battle. I was back onboard the Venator when some brothers were swapping battle reports. That’s when I heard about the Jedi padawan who tried to take on Dooku alone. Lost a hand for it.”

“I was about to be knighted,” Anakin grumbled under his breath. A deep laugh made its way out of Rex. Of course the small detail of still being a padawan is what Anakin would hold onto. As unpredictable as Anakin’s battle strategies could be, he was the most predictable person Rex knew.

“I’m sure your hand shares the sentiment,” Rex joked.

“If you ask me, it’s an improvement. If I hadn’t rushed Dooku, I’d never have this amazing advantage. All worked out in the end,” Anakin said.

Chuckling, Rex continued his walk down memory lane, “Well, as I stood and listened to the tale of the two Jedi who took on Dooku, I thought to myself ‘Maker please, whatever you decide for me, just don’t let it be the padawan’. The more I heard about your, er, strategy decisions, the more bacta I needed for my growing headache.”

Now it was Anakin’s turn to laugh, “I’m insulted Rex. I’d think my creative thinking would be a plus for winning over commanding officers.”

Unable to hold in their laughter after Anakin’s comment, Rex made his way to sit on the ground, staying relaxed against the wall. One arm propped on a bent knee and one leg stretched out, Rex felt himself starting to relax for the first time since leaving Umbaran space.

“I’m trying to picture you pitching one of your battle plans to Wolffe,” Rex mused.

“Even I have my limits, Rex. I tried to crack a joke to Wolffe once. I’m pretty sure if his eye had a laser, I would’ve had an unplanned haircut,” Anakin said.

“He’s not so bad, once you’re on his good side. Which usually takes a couple years,” Rex admitted. Another comfortable silence settled between them, but after a few moments, Anakin spoke up.

“I remember when I was assigned the 501st. It felt like my padawan braid was cut, and in the same breath I was being told I’m leading a battalion. I didn’t know what that meant – I had to go to the archives right after to look up what a battalion even was. What I did know is that I was now in charge of 1000s of lives. That in a heartbeat, I was responsible for keeping men I hadn’t even met yet alive.” Anakin was leaning on his knees, absentmindedly rubbing his chin with his left hand. It was a move Rex was familiar with, telling him when his general was deep in thought. “It was the most afraid I’ve felt since the day Qui-Gon Jinn took me from Tatooine. I know, not very jedi of me. But the idea of failing my troopers, knowing that if my decisions went wrong it didn’t just mean a bad day for them, nearly crippled me. Then I heard about my commanding officer,” Anakin said. “’Top of his class, he’s the youngest commanding officer. He’s one of the best strategists in the army, and his playbook has yet to be beat. Even by the commanders and the ARCs. He’s impressive Anakin, I think you’ll be in good hands,’ Obi-Wan told me. I’m sure he could sense my anxiety, so of course he took it upon himself to help me. Looking back, I think he was more reassuring himself that someone else was going to be around to have me in check since we were going to be separated,” Anakin finished his thought with a chuckle.

Rex was never one to bask in compliments. He was a soldier, a commanding officer. It was his job to develop top strategies, train his men, and execute plans flawlessly, or as close to flawlessly as they could. His job was to win battles, so he never saw the point in being patted on the back for doing his job. His brothers were soldiers expected to follow orders, so he found every opportunity he could to highlight their achievements and express his pride in their hard work. But himself? He was just doing his job. So, to sit still and not cringe as Anakin spoke took most of his self-control.

Rex’s internal nightmare was gratefully cut short though, “Want to know what I thought once Obi-Wan was done rambling?”

“That you were the luckiest Jedi alive?” Rex went along.

“That I’d rather be stuck in a nest of gundarks than be stuck with such a stuffy, by-the-book commanding officer,” Anakin answered with a smirk. “I thought my nightmare was confirmed when I met you at the GAR base the first time. I was convinced you were a statue – you didn’t move a muscle. If you hadn’t jolted to a salute at the last second, I was going to poke you to make sure you were real.”

A deep laugh escaped Rex. When Anakin met his eyes, he joined in.

“In my defense, sir, I was operating off of 10 years of being told about the stoic, rule abiding Jedi. Who was I to make a bad impression by not following protocol?” Rex joked at himself.

“Rex, a stiff salute is one thing. The next seven minutes of protocol formalities and strategy briefing is another,” quipped Anakin.

“It was not seven minutes.”

“Oh Rex. It was seven minutes. Believe me, I counted every agonizing one.”

That earned Anakin an eye roll. “If I remember correctly, sir, you weren’t bored by me by the end of our meeting.”

“No Rex, I certainly wasn’t. Before you could drone into minute eight of your rambling,” Rex was jostled by a gentle shove to his shoulder, “I deftly turned the topic of conversation to our next battle, Christophsis. There I was, relaying my first ever battle strategy to my captain, and when I was finished, I admittedly was a little smug with myself. I mean, it was a sure win. I stood there waiting for you to respond, but you just…kept standing there. I thought you became a statue again. After what felt like forever, you finally responded,” Anakin said with a smile taking over his face.

“’Well sir, I understand better how you lost your hand if that’s what you consider a plan.’” Rex finished for him. “Honestly sir, listening to your strategy was my 7 minutes of protocol hell. I couldn’t decide if I was having a harder time understanding your strategy or understanding how someone could actually come up with that plan.”

“Yeah well, I hope my stunned silence gave you enough amusement for a couple rotations. Granted, the relief I felt that you weren’t some stuffy, clone replica of Master Windu gave me my first glimmer of hope since Geonosis. I knew you were exactly who I’d want by my side. I haven’t been wrong since,” Anakin murmured to himself.

Rex could feel Anakin’s stare so he turned to meet his general’s eyes which he noticed had taken on a melancholy softness. He knew what was coming next, and in a feeble attempt at holding the inevitable at bay, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall trying to block out the reality around him. As usual, Fate and he were not on the same page.

“Rex, I’m sorry. If I hadn’t left, if I had listened to my instincts instead of listening to Krell, I would’ve been there with you. We would’ve executed our plans and you boys wouldn’t have had to go through that hell,” Anakin’s voice infiltrated Rex’s dark solitude.

“With all due respect sir, it doesn’t matter now. You’d be the first to tell me not to dwell on it. That it won’t help the men,” he answered.

“Is that why you’re hiding in the meditation chamber instead of being in the mess hall right now?”

Rex and Anakin’s comradery was special, but Rex really hated it in these instances when he really needed Anakin to not know him as well as he knew himself.

“It’s not hiding. It’s quiet reflection. I figured you being a Jedi and all would understand,” Rex deflected. Anakin’s gaze didn’t falter, and Rex let out a long sigh he’d been holding since the general walked in. Stubborn as usual, Anakin wasn’t going to let this drop. “The casualties are one thing, sir. Sadly, we’ve seen worse, and we were engineered to handle the loss of our brothers. Not to say it’s easy, we mourn them all in our way, but it was a reality we were trained 10 years for. But we also heard about our Jedi commanding officers for 10 years. The peacekeepers of the galaxy who valued life above all else. As long as we had a Jedi with us, we could do anything. The Jedi would protect us.”

While he spoke, Anakin finally broke his stare and let his head hang taking in Rex’s words. This wasn’t news to him – Anakin and Rex had spoken before about how the clones revered the Jedi after a decade of stories – but it didn’t make it any easier to hear just how deep Krell’s betrayal cut the troopers.

“I can’t promise anything, Rex. I don’t want to offer false oaths to patch up deeper wounds. But as long as I can help it, I’ll never leave you and the boys to battle on your own. The 501st is strongest together, and that includes me. No one is taking me away from you guys again,” Anakin swore. The intensity with which Anakin looked at Rex held every ounce of fear and sadness the general had been harboring since he heard the news, and Rex felt his words wrap around him as if they were tattooed on his soul. It was one of the many reasons the 501st would follow Skywalker straight into Castle Serenno if ever needed without question – they knew their general was as loyal to them as they were to each other, and loyalty means everything to the clones.

“We’re honored to serve with you, sir. All those years of hearing about the Jedi, and none of those stories live up to the real thing. You, Kenobi, General Koon, all of you. You surpass legends,” Rex declared. Some moments passed and eventually, Anakin’s expression softened, his signature smug smirk taking its usual place.

“So, should I expect some nose art tributes in the near future?” he joked.

“Oh, did Fives not show you his designs featuring General Kenobi?” Rex quipped back.

Anakin mocked insult at the insinuation, “You’d give tribute to Obi-Wan before me, your beloved general? You wound me Rex, after all the times I’ve gotten you lot out of trouble.”

“Quit turning a blind eye to Fives and Ahsoka’s pranks, and I might consider letting Appo draw something up for you,” Rex responded.

“Ok fair. You deserve that much,” Anakin conceded. He gave a quick crack of his neck before continuing, “You feeling up for leaving this isolation nightmare?”

“Really not a fan of meditation huh?”

“Obi-Wan tried. Pretty sure he’d live in meditation if he could. Just was never my thing. Reminds me too much of the time alone I’d spend in the shop I worked in as a kid. Surround me with my friends, and my soul will heal just the same.”

“I’ll lock you in a room with Dogma and Fives and see if you feel the same way after.”

With a soft chuckle, Anakin stood with a stretch to his stiff limbs. “Alright, enough torture threats. It’s time to be a general and a captain. When I passed by the mess earlier, Fives was trying his best to keep things light, but he could certainly use some back up.”

Accepting that his retreat of solitude was at an end, Rex made his way to his feet preparing for the uphill battle that will be the return to Coruscant. “If I know my men, sir, they don’t need a captain and a general right now. They need a brother and a friend,” Rex spoke softly, and when Anakin didn’t answer or move right away, he looked up to see the Jedi staring pensively at the floor.

“What about two brothers?” Anakin asked quietly, his head cocked to the side in thought.

“They’d like that very much, sir,” Rex answered without hesitation. With his bucket tucked under his arm, Rex started for the door, and Anakin fell in beside him with the ease of a dance they’d performed 1000 times before. Umbara was going to leave its scars, and the ones they couldn’t see will take the longest to fade, if they ever did. But like Anakin said, as long as the 501st sticks together, everything will be fine.  

[aristocratic-otter]

Hello everyone on this nearly-still-Sunday-night. Thank y'all for the tags. I've been extremely busy, though more with creating valentines for the discord valentine's exchange than writing. Still, I've got some words in every WIP. Below the cut for length.

Thank you and tag backsies for Wednesday to @artsyunderstudy, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @fatalfangirl, @hushed-chorus, @ileadacharmedlife, @frjsti, @takitalks, @confused-bi-queer, @thewholelemon, @chen-chen-chen-again-chen. Your fics are so freaking brilliant, it's unfair how much talent is concentrated in this fandom.

From Westward Son (Only three chapters left!)

 I remember drowning. I remember fighting the river back in Virginia; trying to hold my head above water, trying to hold my breath until I just…couldn’t anymore. I remember falling falling falling.

Then Shepard is on me. “Simon!” he shouts frantically. “Is she…” 

His voice snaps me out of the spiral of memory I’d been trapped in.

From The White Chapel (writing the last scene this week!)

I kiss him. And kiss him. And kiss him.

He kisses me back frantically. On my lips, my nose, my cheeks, my eyes, anywhere he can reach. “You shouldn’t be here,” he’s mumbling between kisses. “You need to leave. Before it’s too late.” But, even if I were inclined to agree with him, he never stops kissing me long enough to let me go.

From: Raising Dragons (a chapter and a half to go)

I truly think we became a single entity for several seconds there. My thoughts were his, his were mine and our bodies were united in every possible way. 

Now, we’re exhausted and happy, ready to sleep the remainder of our wedding night away in each other’s arms. 

At least, we were ready. Until Niamh began pounding on our bedroom door with all the subtlety of a battering ram, shouting, “Simon! Baz! Your eggs are hatching!”

From: To Heal a Broken Mind (18,000 words and nowhere near finished):

I never want him to go home. I refuse to examine that thought. It’s not hope. I know there’s no hope for him to fall in love with me. He’s straight. And he hates me. But maybe he hates me a little less now?

From Double Your Pleasure (WILL be done by the 24th) (will have art, too! I'm excited about who I'm getting to work with) (and that's all you're getting 😉)

I do know the spell. But I’ve never tried it before. I’m flammable, and a mispronounced syllable could be fatal for me. But I can’t face down my own clone’s confidence. He thinks I can do it. 

I’m going to try. 

From Saving Simon Snow (18,000 words and about halfway done):

I settle back against the plush leather seats of Basilton’s Jaguar. Really, what right does an eighteen year old have to own a car like this? He says it's his father’s, but he drives it deftly, confidently. It’s like he was born to drive this car. 

I shake my head. I know I’m perseverating on the car because I don’t want to think about the numerous ugly outcomes that are possible for Simon.

Should I be excited that 2/3s of my WIPs are nearly done? ...well, there may be three more WIPs waiting in the wings 🤦‍♀️

Tagging a few more folks: @angelsfalling16, @annabellelux, @bazzybelle, @bookish-bogwitch, @basiltonbutliketheherb, @bloodiedpixie, @carryonsimoncarryonbaz, @dragoneggos, @excalisbury, @erzbethluna, @fight-surrender, @facewithoutheart, @foolofabookwyrm-activated, @giishu, @gekkoinapeartree, @ivelovedhimthroughworse, @ionlydrinkhotwater, @johnwgrey, @j-nipper-95, @jbrrring, @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists, @krisrix, @larkral, @letraspal, @messofthejess, @moodandmist, @nausikaaa, @nightimedreamersghost, @otherworldsivelivedin, @onepintobean, @petrodobreva, @prettylightsbigcity, @raenestee, @thehoneyedhufflepuff, @theearlgreymage, @tea-brigade, @technetiumai, @whogaveyoupermission, @yellobb-old, @yeonjunenby

[treewithabark]

Just an unnecessarily long post about dog gear I want- scroll by if you don’t want my ramble

So in feb I’m gonna have a treat yo self month because it be my birthday, and I may have a lil extra spending money from working a bunch of overtime during Christmas (I am knackered but I needed the cash and work needed my assistance)

And seeing as no-one likes buying me dog gear as Christmas/birthday gifts I’m gonna buy myself these nice things.

I wanna get Juno a lovely leather collar, nefjas person sent me a link to a German company who make elk leather collars in a martingale style??? Absolute perfection. I’ve been a sucker for martingales for a couple of years now and am reluctant to turn back.

What a delectable collar. So chic. So stylish. Fancy collar for my non-fancy mutt to strut about the town with (no flooded field walks for that collar)

Gonna pair it with a brand new cute dog tag because Juno currently wears Hana’s old one. I think after a year she’s earned her own tag, don’t you think?

Lookit!!! So cute!! It’s not Juniper tree but it’s close enough (don’t tell my partner, the tree surgeon, I said that). Would look so good with the collar.

And since my mendota lead is looking real ropey (haha, because it’s a rope?) I’m gonna treat myself to a new one. It’s served me so well but I did not look after it. Now it smells and is fraying and the leather by the clasp is loose. It just looks a mess. Love my mendota lead, don’t love that I’ve destroyed it. I did dabble with the idea of an adjustable lead but they’re all flat and I’m sorry but round leads are superior. I’m not ready to go back to flat. Mendota so comfy, mendota so röund, medota have goldish clasp to match tag and collar ring.

But do I stop the spending there?? I’ve been gagging for a ruffwear backpack but my lord £100 for a backpack??? I know it’s quality, built to last, and most importantly designed to minimise injury but it’s a rather frivolous spend.

My reasoning is that added weight to some walks may help reduce some pulling, she’s so much better but still gets excitable. It can be useful if we wanna go on longer hikes once my partner and I have time to do some weekends away. Carrying water etc. I really want to do a camping getaway at some point and having her carry her own food is adorable and practical. But also it could be useful on days where we want or need to be a bit lazier. Dog needs exercising but we’re burned out/ill? Cool, mile and a half sniffy walk with lightly packed backpack. If I wanna tire her out because we have plans and need her nice and calm? Boom, backpack walk.

Also, backpack cute. Backpack could have patches. Backpack bring joy to look at. Backpack make chronically ill days much easier.

Backpack.

Oh there’s also an adorable martingale collar on Etsy that I want. An unnecessary purchase but I so rarely find a martingale I really really like (I’m picky okay)

But there are things that I could spend my money on that is (arguably) needed more. Waterproof longline, new treat pouch, new walking boots because mine are leaky, dog toys that serve a purpose more than “it squeaks and can be thrown”. I also need a haircut and new prescription glasses but it’s more fulfilling to spend money on the dog.

GAH! Maybe I’ll win the lottery on Friday and I can buy it all. But until then I gotta budget and make informed purchases.

Anyway I just wanted to rant to the void because I usually do all this in my head but I wanna get more active on tumblr and sometimes airing these thoughts helps make decisions. And if you suddenly see me posting Juno in 4k completely decked out in new gear in the mountains? I’ve won the lottery, quit work to travel with dog that has a whole new wardrobe, captured on a top of the line point and shoot 😂

[sexysapphicshopowner]

🤎 Context/AU (Alternate Universe): Long distance love birds, Stasi and King move in together after graduating college. Cue the ‘let’s christen this place’ jokes, but Kingsley has something a bit more heartfelt in mind.

🤎 Anastasia James: 21, travel blogger

🤎 Kingsley Mancini: 22, photographer

🤎 CW/TW: fluff, lesbians being lesbians, proposal, kissing, pet names, consensual groping, suggestive comments, hickeys, domestic activities, alcohol, swearing, romantic stuff, Italian and Spanish (translations provided), nsfwish, slight angst (only in the beginning for the most part), no google translate, proofread (but not really i need to be sleep rn)

🤎 A/N: Another piece for my love @certainlynotasimp enjoy sugarplum 🫶🏽 (reminder, requests for my tag list are open as well as in general) I was lazy and didn't feel like writing a description for the garden, nor the rings so...deal with it I guess. Enjoy !!

🤎 Notes:

Kingsley was raised by Afro Italian (Mumi) and Afro Spanish (Ma’) mothers so she grew up speaking both Spanish and Italian (born in Italy) 🇮🇹🇪🇸

Anastasia was raised by Afro Dominican parents and grew up speaking Spanish (born in London) 🇩🇴

Kingsley’s contact name for Anastasia is Italian and it means ‘my brown sugar honey’ 🥺

Anastasia is contact name for Kingsley is Spanish and it means ‘my cinnamon apple baby’ 🤎

🤎 Translations: (all translations were checked with the help of deepl translate)

Ma’, pensi davvero che dovrei farlo?- Mom, do you really think I should do this?

Guardami- Look at me

Bimbi- nickname meaning little one

Mumi- nickname meaning Mom

Mi nenita, toda crecida- My little girl, all grown up

Ti amo sempre di più piccola amore- I love you more and more, baby love

No más que yo- Not more than me

Cicchi- nickname meaning chocolate

Bichita- nickname meaning little bug

Merda- shit

Scusi? Non è così che parli davanti a tua madre- I beg your pardon? (Lit. Excuse me) That’s not how you speak in front of your mother

Mi dispiace, mamma- I’m sorry, mom

Cara mia- my dear

Mamme- moms

Buona fortuna- good luck

Buona serata- have a good evening

Ora- now

Madrine- godmothers

Sei proprio un romcompiglioni, Valé- You really are a pain in the ass, Valé

Picci- nickname meaning little or small one

Puttana- bitch

¡Ay Dios mío!- oh Lord or oh God

Paella- Spanish rice dish

Ricotta gnudi- Italian dumplings

È perfetto- it's perfect

Mis favoritos- my favorites

Muevete, por favor. Déjame ir para que podamos ir a casa, mi amor- move, please. Let me go so we can go home, my love

Darmi un bacio- give me a kiss

Su con la vita, amore mio. Ti darò tutti i baci che vuoi dopo cena- Cheer up, my love. I'll give you all the kisses you want after dinner

🤎 Word count: 3.6k

18 June 2017

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Kingsley

To say I was scared shitless that day was an understatement. I had no idea how she’d respond. Even though we were moving into a house together and had been together for 3 and a half years, I don’t think my anxiety has ever been worse. But I was in love. I still am in love. And I’m going to marry the love of my life.

I played with the ring, looking to my mother in question, “Ma’, pensi davvero che dovrei farlo? I mean…what if she thinks it’s too soon?”

She regarded me for a moment before she spoke, placing her hand over mine to stop me from fidgeting with the ring, “Guardami. I can’t tell you how she’ll respond, bimbi. Have you two ever discussed the idea of marriage?”

“I mean, yeah, we have. And we agreed we wanted to get married before we made it to 5 years together, but like…at first I figured with the house it’d be cute to propose to her now that we’re finally moving into it, but what if……what if it’s too much all at once?”

“Then I’m sure you guys will figure it out. Not being ready for marriage is nothing to break up over, I tell you that.”

“Were you and Mumi ready back then?”

My mumi poked her head in from the kitchen with a smile that ma’ shared, “I wasn’t. It was a different time back then, though. It was hard enough that we hadn’t come out our families yet. The thought of coming out and announcing an engagement? I was terrified.”

Ma kissed her cheek as she sat down next to her, “She helped me reevaluate my reason for wanting to marry right then in the first place. I thought that if we were married when we came out it would legitimize our relationship a little more in their eyes. Sure, I loved her, and yes I truly wanted to marry her it just wasn’t for the right reasons right then. In the end we just agreed that we’d wait to plan the wedding until we were both ready, and in the meantime, we’d grown even closer for it.”

“Very cute, you two but that doesn’t make me feel any better.”

Mumi reached across the table to rub my arm, “Well, why do you want to marry her, Mimi?”

The thought of my girlfriend was usually enough to turn me into a blushing and flustered mess, but sitting in front of my mothers, all I could do was gush about her and this time was no different.

I beamed as I took Mumi’s hand, “Because in all my years, though few they might be, I have never found anyone who sees me the way she does. Anastasia is the muse I had been in search for when I switched my studies abroad. She’s- she’s my everything, simply put. I love her with my entire being. And I want to marry her because she’s someone I don’t think I can live the rest of my life without.”

They shared a look as they both teared up, Ma rubbing Mumi’s shoulder, “Mi nenita, toda crecida.”

My phone lit up with her contact name on it and I held up a hand as I turned my chair around to check the message:

“Looks like someone just got a text from their girlfriend. Feeling better, Mimi?”

I nodded as I looked over my lock screen, “Sure did. Her flight is taking off soon. Which means I have 2 and a half hours to get my life together. Whew, okay……I’m doing this. I’m about to propose to my girlfriend. Merda-“

“Scusi? Non è così che parli davanti a tua madre,” Ma scolded me.

I rubbed the back of my neck, sheepish and apologetic, “Mi dispiace, mamma.”

“Cara mia, go easy on her. She’s stressing out right now,” Mumi defended, tossing me a wink.

I held back my smile as I spoke, “I am sorry, though. Should I…I don’t know, decorate the house a little bit? You know, candles, flowers? Maybe some balloons?”

“Did you show her the garden when you guys bought the place?”

“No, I wanted it to be…a surprise for when we moved in,” I finished, getting excited. I hopped from my seat, sticking the ring in my pocket as I rushed to my mothers, wrapping my arms around their shoulders and kissing both their cheeks, “Mwah, I love you both so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you, mamme. I’ll tell you how it goes tomorrow, I promise.”

“Be safe, bimbi.”

“Buona fortuna, Mimi.”

“Buona serata,” I called as I headed out the front door.

I all but sped off to the house, instantly palming my forehead at the sight of the mover’s truck parked at the end of the driveway, my best friend guiding the workers.

“Kingsley Allegra Vittoria Mancini. Get your ass over here and help! Ora!”

I bit my lip as I grabbed a box of Stasi’s things from the truck, “Wow, Valé. Happy to see you too.”

“Oh don’t act like you didn’t see me before you left to go stress out my madrine. Has the flight left yet?”

“Yeah, Bubbles text me like 30 minutes ago to let me know that they were preparing for take off. Say, I need you to pick some things up for me actually.”

“No.”

I smacked as I set the box on the couch, “You don’t even know what I want nor what for yet.”

“I’ll do it for 500 bucks,” she offered.

“Sei proprio un romcompiglioni, Valé. I don’t have 500 bucks. You know that.”

“Cap.”

“Okay, maybe I do, but dammit, will you just hear me out?”

She folded her arms, quirking a brow at me as she tapped her foot, “Alright. And it better be good or I’m only dropping to 250.”

I pulled the keys from my pocket, holding them out for her to take, “Here.”

She frowned as she took them, “And just what the h-“ she cut off with a gasp as she noticed the ring, inspecting it, “Oh, babes….she’s gonna love it. You’re proposing?”

“Yeah, and I don’t have long. I need you to get some things for me to set up the garden for it. I’m gonna put it all together, but I need you to go get it while I put all these boxes up and out of the way with the movers.”

She rolled her eyes as she handed the keys back, grabbing her car keys from the ledge over the fireplace, “Send me a list. I’ll try to hurry. I know that flight isn’t long and you’ve gotta shower and pick her up as well.”

“That I do. Thanks, Valéncia.”

“Uh-oh. Mimi’s nervous. Talk to me.”

“Do you think I’m moving too fast?”

“It’s been almost 4 years, picci. You guys have bought a house together, and didn’t you both agree that one of you should propose before you guys make 5 years?”

“Well, yeah, but-“

She placed a hand on my shoulder, shutting me up, “No buts. You’ve got this, babes. Hurry with that list, stop stressing yourself or you’ll chicken out.”

I pushed her off of me, rolling my eyes playfully, "Oh, shut it you old bat. I’ll tell you and the mamme how it goes in the morning, okay?”

“Alright, hop to it, asshole.”

I helped the movers take all the boxes into one of the many empty rooms of the house, thanking them for the help before retreating to the guest bathroom to shower and freshen myself up.

My brain couldn’t help but wander as I pulled on my clothes, anxiety twisting in my stomach like a storm brewing on the horizon.

I had a horrifying cacophony of ‘what ifs’ and questions. What if she says no? What if it makes her change her mind about us moving in together? What if I stutter? What if I fall into the lake? What if something catches fire with the candles? What if she doesn’t even answer? What if I lose the ring?

What if she doesn’t like the ring? What if everything that could possibly go wrong does?

What if?

“Puttana! You better not be up there bitchin’ in your head.”

I rolled my eyes as I made my way downstairs, “You got my shit?”

“Of course! I also have some food. You need to eat.”

I shook my head as I took the bags from her hands like a madwoman, rushing toward the back door, “Can’t eat. I think I’ll be sick.”

“¡Ay Dios mío! Please eat for me, Kingsley. Madrina Morgana said you didn’t eat with them and you didn’t eat with me this morning. Just a bite at least.”

“What did you bring?”

She beamed, holding the Tupperware from Ma, “Paella from your Ma and Mumi made ricotta gnudi.”

“Give me a dumpling so I can go set this up and get to the airport for my baby. You can put the rest in the car.”

“Kingsley.”

“Yes?”

“One more thing before I go?”

“What is it,” I asked impatiently as I turned back to her.

She rolled her eyes as she handed me a velvet box, grumbling, “Here, witcha angry ass.”

“Girl what the f-“

My voice died on my tongue as she turned to head out the front door with a smirk, “Mumi owes me 20 bucks.”

I whispered as I looked on at the ring, smiling, “È perfetto.”

Anastasia

Actual heart stop that day. Speechless isn’t even the word. I forgot what words even were. Yet here I am. Engaged to the love of my life.

I laughed softly to myself as my notifications started coming in:

I poked my lip out as she picked up the call, “You know how I feel about surprises, Mimi. Tell me~”

“No, Bubbles. You just have to wait and see. Besides, you said yourself that you like surprises that include blindfolds,” she mumbled, smirk evident in her tone.

I fought back a smile of my own, squeezing my legs together as I watched the carousel of luggage for my suitcase, “Maybe I do, maybe I don’t…but I still wanna know what you’re planning. What if I had something planned and your surprise interferes with it?”

“Well, do you have something planned,” she chimed as I made my way down the escalator. She pulled me into her arms the second I was close enough in reach as I hung up, placing my phone into my pocket.

“I mean, nothing too big, but….yeah I had a lil something-something planned,” I admitted, nibbling on my thumbnail as I thought about the package I’d asked Valé to slip into the house.

“I mean we still have time before it gets dark enough outside to do what I want,” she whispered against my skin as she pressed soft kisses along my jaw and cheek.

I couldn’t help but giggle as I squirmed in her arms, “Alright, alright! You got your one kiss, now muevete, por favor. Déjame ir para que podamos ir a casa, mi amor. I think we’ve given enough of a show in this lobby.”

She relented, letting go of me after one more kiss to my lips, “Alright, alright. I guess the longer we stand here the less time we have to lay up together.”

I prodded her with my elbow as she grabbed the handles for my suitcase and carry-on while I picked up the poster board, “Hey, at least you know.”

I studied the poster she had made as she dragged my luggage alongside her, poking my bottom lip out, “You know what, I might just let you have some tonight. I mean, you made me a proper poster this time around and everything.”

She scoffed at the accusation, “What do you mean “this time around”? My posters are always proper.”

“Yeah, proper jokes. Last time you picked me up after a flight the poster was welcoming me home from rehab. And the time before that it was prison,” I exclaimed.

“I stand by those. They were hilarious,” she shrugged, opening the trunk.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s ride.”

45 minutes later…

After a car ride full of Kingsley rubbing on my thigh like she’d never have a chance to hold it again, I was playing in her hair as she lay on my chest between my legs, kissing my chin.

I smiled, tilting my head down for our lips to meet, “Mm, should I get dressed up for this little dinner you’ve got planned?”

“Just a little bit. You know I know you look good in anything, but you’re gonna wanna be at least a little dressed up for this,” she mumbled before leaning into my kiss.

Kissing her always felt like everything, everywhere, all at once. Every place where our bodies met my skin blazed with heat, all sprouting from the pit of my belly. I could feel her smile against my lips as she moved higher over me, tongue lavishing mine before she sucked on it, coaxing a moan from my throat.

Breathless, I took two handfuls of her shirt as she pulled away slightly, forehead rested against mine, “Well damn, Kingsley. Tell me something good then.”

She chuckled, pressing soft kisses against my lips in between her words, “You have no idea how much I missed you.”

“Mm, I think I’ve got a pretty good one. I mean you haven’t stopped touching nor kissing me since I got here. I don’t mind though.”

Soft brushes with her lips turned hungry as hot, open-mouthed kisses scathed their way down my jaw, her mouth latching onto a pulse point as she sucked softly. I sucked air in through my teeth, a whimper escaping me as her teeth nibbled on the area, “Fuck…”

She let go, kissing the new bruise, “You alright up there?”

I huffed, caressing her cheek with my thumb, “Yeah, I’m okay. Darmi un bacio?”

She moved as if to oblige, lips ghosting over mine before she sat back, rubbing my thighs, “Later. Go get dressed, Bubbles.”

I pouted, folding my arms across my chest, whining, “Hey! You’ve been kissing me all this time, but now that I asked for one it’s a no? Meanie.”

She kissed my cheek quite audibly before pecking my bottom lip, “Su con la vita, amore mio. Ti darò tutti i baci che vuoi dopo cena.”

“Hmph,” I frowned harder, turning my face away from her.

“Stasi-“ she called in a sing song, pulling me into her with her arms around my waist, “The quicker you get ready, the sooner we can kiss.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning into her kiss on my cheek, “Fine. You’ve gotta look cute too, then. And dibs on upstairs. You’ve gotta get ready down here.”

“Whatever~” she rolled her eyes, pushing me up, “Get to it.”

I waited for her to take her clothes downstairs before locking the door, hopping on the sink counter, “Hello?”

“Stasi! How are you, love?”

“Doing quite alright, Ma. I had a question.”

“Yes?”

I nibbled my lip as I looked under the sink for the package, “Could you put me on speaker, actually? So Mumi could hear me?”

“Of course, sweetheart. Cara mia, Anastasia’s on the phone!”

“Ah, darling! How are you?”

I chuckled, “Well, I was hoping to ask you guys for something.”

“Anything,” they answered in unison before laughing together.

“So, you guys know that Kingsley and I have been together for almost 4 years now, and obviously we’re moving in together finally, but I was wondering if maybe-“

“Yes.”

“What?”

Ma giggled as Mumi responded, “Go ahead and ask her. I’m sure you guys will be great.”

My face flushed as I put the velvet bag on the counter, “Thanks guys. It means more than you know.”

“Oh trust us, we know. Go on, you have business to attend to,” Ma chimed.

It didn’t take me long to get ready. At least, I didn’t think it did until a knock sounded on the door, “Baby? I forgot you take forever and a day to get ready. Are you almost done?”

“Not even close,” I joked, putting on my lipgloss.

She groaned, “Ugh, I got myself into this.”

I opened the door, her jaw dropping as I did, “I’m just joking, my love. You ready?” She just eyed me appreciatively, mouth still agape. I closed it, smirking, “Don’t act like you’ve never seen me dressed up before. Come on, you have a surprise for me, don’t you?”

She cleared her throat, scratching her neck sheepishly, “Yeah um…right, right. C’mon, follow me, Bubs.”

I laced my fingers with hers, following her downstairs to the living room. As we reached the couch, she grabbed a strip of silk from the back of the couch, “Alright, time for my favorite part.”

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah, yeah, get it over with, will you?”

She moved with the utmost delicacy and care, sweeping my hair behind my shoulders as she pulled the fabric over my eyes, securing it at the back of my head. She spoke softly in my ear, always with a flair for the dramatic, “Do you trust me?”

“With all of my being,” I whispered, a thrill running through my spine as she placed a kiss to the area behind my ear.

Her hand returned to mine and I followed quite blindly behind her as she led me through an unfamiliar feeling area and I tightened my hold on her hand, causing her to stroke her thumb over my knuckles, “Don’t worry, we’re almost there. It won’t take long at all, I promise.”

I felt her stop in front of me, taking my other hand into hers, “Okay so, before I untie your blindfold, I just want you to know that I promise I hid this place from you on purpose.”

“Will you just take this damned thing off of me?”

She reached around my head, untying the fabric, “Ready?”

Fighting the urge to reach up and snatch the blindfold off, I nodded, “Yes.” She pulled it away, my eyes taking a moment to focus on her before shifting to the scene behind her as I gasped, “What is that?”

She snickered, “It’s a garden, duh.”

And what a beautiful garden it was.

She led me closer to it, as I smiled, “Help- the fireflies?”

She grinned sheepishly, “I had nothing to do with that, but lucky us, I guess?”

I studied her shifty demeanor, noting how nervous she seemed, “Okay, what’s up with all this? What are you doing?”

She rolled her eyes, kissing the back of my knuckles, “You’re so impatient all the time, oh my God. Okay, okay…whew……I can do this.”

“Hey, eyes on me, loser. Breathe first,” I instructed.

She scrunched her nose in distaste, “Shut it. I’m getting to it, I swear. So, I know we’ve been together for 3 years, 9 months, and 13 days-“

“And why do you know that off the top of your head,” I questioned, half-shocked and half-enamored.

“Details, unimportant,” she responded, waving a hand as she continued, “Seeing that we’ve been together for almost 4 years now and are finally moving in together, I was nervous as hell, but I ultimately decided I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. With that being said,” she began, moving to get on her knee as she reached in her pocket.

I stopped her, shaking my head with a hand on her shoulder, “Wait, come here.”

She looked at me confused as she stood, hand still poised at her pocket, “Yeah?”

I reached for my own pocket with one hand, prompting her to continue with my other, “Nothing, go ahead.”

Things clicked as she pulled out a velvet box at the same time I pulled out a velvet bag and she palmed her forehead, chuckling softly, “God, and here I was worried that you’d have said no.”

I smiled, teasing, “Awww, you were stressing over little ole me? For the record not only am I saying yes, but it’s a hell yes times a bajillion.”

She took my free hand in hers, bringing it to her lips, “Well, I know that now, but can I ask properly? I did in fact have a proper speech in mind.”

“Who am I to deny you such a sweet request?”

She returned to her knee, stroking her thumb over my knuckles as she took a deep breath, looking up at me, “As I said earlier, I was nervous as hell, I spent the majority of the morning pulling out my hair back home about any and every worry under the sun, but talking to my moms reminded me why I want to ask you in the first place. I first switched to studying abroad in search of a greater muse than what I could find here in Italy. Luck would only have it that I ended up with you as my guide around London. You’ve been my inspiration, my best friend-don’t tell Valé I said that-my lover, and I want nothing more than to live the rest of my life with you by my side. With that all being said, yes I forgot half of what I wanted to say the second I saw you, I love you and it would do me a wonderful honor if you would marry me.”

I poked my lip out, “I would love to marry you, bichita. On one condition.”

“Yes,” she questioned, eyes still looking up at me full of love and hope.

I tugged her from her knee once more as I pulled out my mother’s engagement ring, “You have to agree to marry me as well.”

She smiled, eyes watering a bit as she opened the velvet box in her hand, revealing a ring I recognized all too well, “I do. Trust me, if nothing else, I will marry you, and start a family, and take care of you.”

I poked my lip out, chuckling through my tears, “Kingsley….is that…is that the ring from when your Ma proposed to Mumi?”

She nodded, “I had went and gotten a ring made for you but Mumi sent it over here by Valé earlier. So? You’re definitely saying 'yes' right now, right?”

I nodded as she took my hand, “Yes, baby. I’ll marry you.”

🤎©️ All work belongs to sexysapphicshopowner. Do not use or repost my content in any way without my consent or permission. Thank you! 🤎

🤎 Taglist 🤎:

@certainlmarseilleotasimp @trafalgardvivi

[lissomelle]

First Lines Fic Meme

Tagged in a first-lines-of-fic meme by the diabolical (and wonderful) @hmsharmony​!

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag however many people you like. If you have written fewer than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway!

Tagging: @morewonders​, @theopensea​, @spurlunk​, @bananaleaves, any other writers who want to do this 😘

There’s going to be a lot of WIPs here, lol — additional asterisk that anything unpublished is not set in stone. I have more in the drafts, but this is more than enough. (Telling myself I’m allowed to post because I’m actively working on most of these!!)

* * *

1. untitled post-s2 fic — in-progress | Shadow & Bone (TV), Nikolai/Zoya/Alina/Mal + permutations

The shadow demon wakes him in the dead of night on the palace rooftop.

Or the edge of it, as it were. Shivering, palms smarting and feet bare against the crushed tiles as the wind tears at his thin shirt and trousers, Nikolai employs his years on the sea to swear profoundly.

Sleepwalking. Again.

*

2. untitled canon divergence AU fic — in-progress | Shadow & Bone (TV), Alina/Mal

The first thing Alina learns in Ketterdam is that the Crows are proper criminals.

When Kaz isn’t dispensing alarming advice (“Preferable when the blood on your hands isn’t your own”); Inej isn’t sharing leads on honest work; and Jesper’s not eyeing a conquest, losing money, and recommending pleasure and leisure establishments like mayor of the city all at once — they’re a sleek, secretive unit. A deadly one, if the rumors are true. Their discretion doesn’t slip so much as deliberately lower when it might benefit to leave a fingerprint. A warning that they were there.

They know the city better than anyone, but more importantly, the city increasingly knows them.

*

3. untitled post-canon fic — in-progress | Moon Knight (TV), Marc/Layla/Steven

Despite everything, two constants remain in Layla’s life:

One, Marc still disappears.

Two, most times, Steven’s there instead.

She doesn’t know how this works. Being good at math never prepared her for having half a husband or two husbands or just many, many shards of a man. Fractions don’t explain the way Marc and Steven will flow into each other now, quicksilver fast, just as they don’t explain why or when one will stay while the other leaves.

*

4. untitled canon divergence AU fic — in-progress | Knives Out, Marta/Ransom

What’ll you do when I’m gone?

Marta had her fingers at his wrist, counting beats to measure his pulse. That’s not for a long time, Harlan. God willing.

You need an adventure. Go now, send me postcards and pictures. Crack open the bone and suck the marrow out of life!

You wouldn’t last a day.

*

5. untitled canon divergence AU fic — in-progress | King of Scars, Zoya/Nikolai

In their record-breaking run of poor ideas, Zoya thinks, this has to be the worst.

Lying side by side, the space between them feels narrower by the moment.

“I would make you my queen because I want you.” In the dark of the cargo hold, Zoya can’t be sure of Nikolai’s expression but his words sound certain. “I want you all the time.”

*

6. sanctity of our own devising (Mature) | King of Scars, Zoya/Nikolai

Sainthood is its own kind of death.

In the long, slanted hand of history, she is already being worn smooth, iconified yet also erased. Names rise and fall like snow in Ravka. Pure, cleansed by the storms that wrought them. Such is the way of Saints, bodies and humanity alike spent in the making of sanctity. Only one lives to rule a nation, scholars have begun to write.

Daughter of the Wind. Dragon Queen. Herald of a new age.

*

7. Null and Void (Teen) | To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Lara Jean/Peter

The first note is easy.

Just the bottom of a clean sheet ripped out of his notebook and folded twice. Peter doesn’t even think before adding the heart and writing her name outside.

We’re gonna crush this, Covey. Trust.

*

8. rhythms of unseen drums (Teen) | Black Panther, Nakia/T’Challa

When the world first spoke to Nakia, it chose to murmur.

She discovered early her aptitude for language, her mouth deftly forming words to fit their native shapes. Her teachers encouraged it, offered tomes and music from every country, which she drank up in greedy gulps until she could quote lines by Murakami and sing bars of Edith Piaf with equal ease.

The idea to leave home stayed buried, setting down spindly roots but never peeking above the soil. She thought and then quashed the idea of becoming a translator in the capital city one day; Wakanda’s borders were not hers to open.

*

9. timbers we place by hand (Teen) | The Punisher, Frank/Karen

The front door won’t shut.

Less than a year of living in a doorman building, and the auto-lock for the entrance is useless because the goddamn door won’t shut all the way. Karen tries coaxing it into place, nudging and wriggling the doorjamb. No good. Sighing, she’s got the number for the front desk pulled up on her phone when the thought appears, unbidden, that this might have been the point. To catch her on the stoop, distracted.

She looks up sharply, sweeping her gaze from left to right and sliding a hand into her bag.

*

10. The Hollows of Shells (Explicit) | The Scorpio Races, Puck/Sean

To no one’s surprise, Sean Kendrick steps across the threshold of the Connollys’ house so many times it isn’t long before he arrives to an extra place already set at the table and a worn groove in the ancient, battered sofa that fits around him.

Today, however, he stands on the front step, shifting from foot to foot. He has a strong urge to knock on the door even though it’s been months since Puck made an impatient noise and told him he could simply walk in. It feels like an old contract rendered null, the new terms uncertain now that he’s arrived with everything he owns in hand — scant though it is.

[radley-writes]

I posted 8,300 times in 2022

That's 2,151 more posts than 2021!

373 posts created (4%)

7,927 posts reblogged (96%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@vaspider

@spaceshipkat

@fragrant-stars

@thelibrarianjesser

@headspace-hotel

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#jugemu jugemu go-kō-no-surikire kaijari-suigyo no suigyō-matsu unrai-matsu fūrai-matsu kū-neru tokoro ni sumu tokoro yaburakōji no burakōji

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Hello yes I am another toothpaste pain experiencer

I am allergic to the mint flavouring in toothpaste and it is the worst

On the upside, I have discovered that watermelon flavoured toothpaste is a thing that exists, even if it is aimed at toddlers

W A T E R M E L O N T O O T H P A S T E

I have SUCH a mighty need, that sounds amazing

except uh, I would absolutely eat that stuff right out the tube

1,052 notes - Posted May 10, 2022

#4

THIS IS NOT A DRILL

I REPEAT

THIS IS NOT A DRILL

THE STRICTLY NO HEROICS (Feiwel & Friends, Macmillan Children’s, 2023) IS UP FOR PRE-ORDER!

[ID: cover of a book showing a figure in a gasmask, hoodie and gloves, leant on an old TV. A rainbow pride pin is pinned to their jacket. Text reads ‘STRICTLY NO HEROICS’ in neon pink and green, and ‘B. L. Radley’ in white.]

If you're a powerless normie in a world run by superheroes, you need three rules to survive:

1: Keep your head down

2: Don’t make enemies

3: STRICTLY NO HEROICS

When a hero gropes her best friend, Riley Jones breaks all of them.

​Her attempt at serving justice gets her fired from her summer job. Luckily, Sunnylake City’s biggest business is booming (literally, when there's C4 involved).

​Every villain wants henchmen: masked cronies who take their coffee orders, vacuum their secret lairs, and posture in the background while they fight. The HENCH agency provides a steady stream of drop-outs and losers who are willing to get beaten up by sidekicks for minimum wage.

​Riley might just be the perfect candidate.

I’ve worked so hard on this project, with an incredible team of people. And we’re getting closer to that sweet, sweet pub date (March 28, 2023)!

Any boosts would be greatly appreciated <3 Let’s give my debut some love?

If you like queer & wlw content, teenage activists organizing strikes, and superhero stories from the perspective of the civilians... this is the book for you!

Tweet!

Goodreads page!

PRE-ORDER NOW!

(If you’re short a bob but still want to get your hands on this glorious beast of a novel, consider requesting that your local library buy it! x)

2,470 notes - Posted March 22, 2022

#3

has this already been done or

2,487 notes - Posted October 22, 2022

#2

.....roe v wade being overturned is fucking horrific, but as I’ve already seen more than one grumbly ‘why are people still posting casually like nothing happened’ post, it feels like a great time to remind folks that a) performatively posting on social media is not activism and you don’t know what people are doing irl, b) not everyone is American, c) some people really mentally struggle with being surrounded 24/7 by doomposting and misery, d) not everyone is American, e) people often have sideblogs categorised by the sort of material they post, so you might not be following the place where they are posting about roe v wade, f) NOT EVERONE IS AMERICAN -

6,941 notes - Posted June 27, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

...Do you ever see people critiquing specific word usage in novels and wonder if they know that language can be used in fun and figurative ways? And that this is half the joy of writing?

An example off the top of my head - if I say ‘He gave a whisper of a smile’, it does not mean that the smile is literally whispering; it means that the word ‘whisper’ invokes a sense of smallness, due perhaps to subtlety or shyness, and that is something I want connected to your mental envisioning of this dude’s smile. 

Saying ‘But that makes no sense; a smile and a whisper are two different things’ misses the point e n t i r e l y

28,585 notes - Posted July 11, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[philsmeatylegss]

Oh yippee!!!!!

What’s your favorite color: it switches between purple and green and blue

How long have you been on Tumblr for: August 2017, so almost seven and a half years

Where’s a place you’ve always wanted to travel to: it would be quicker to list places I don’t want to travel to. If I won the lottery, it would be spent on traveling. Iceland is the first that comes to mind, but there’s so many places

What’s your fav clothing brand(s): don’t have any

What’s your fav singer/band: I plan on my first tattoo being |-/ as a symbol of hope and remembering how far I’ve come. Do the math.

Current phone lock screen: a picture I took at my 21p Clancy concert I went to a few weeks ago

Most recent/current hyper fixation: I’d say dan and phil but that’s been going on for nearly ten solid years now

What’s your relationship status: single, open to a relationship but not actively seeking it out, terrified because I have mental issues

What’s your dream job: Archiving or working in a museum with artifacts or historical research probably. Which is still a possibility, I have to look more into it. Also I would love to live in the middle of a forest with my wife on top of a hill with a clearing field filled with daisies and I sell homemade soaps and whatnot

Outside of tumblr, fav social app: Does youtube count? If not,,,, please don’t kill me please oh no,,,, tiktok. It’s a complicated relationship. It’s has made me the most mad I have ever been but she’s so good to me

Do you have pets: yes! A dog who is the first thing I’ve felt real love for and made me realized it’s a real emotion and I genuinely don’t know how I will cope when he dies and we’re not going to think about it

Tea or coffee: neither

Favorite ice cream flavor: just generic ice cream store is cookies and cream. There’s an ice cream shop really close to my campus that serves Graham cracker icecream and it’s incredible. A small chain near my home makes amazing cake batter and marshmallow ice cream as well. I adore Ben and Jerry’s and recently have been obsessed as it’s being sold on my small shitty campus store and milk and cookies is my go to

Tagging some mutuals. All tagged feel free to ignore and all mutuals not tagged feel free to do!!! @ademigodgirl @lesbiankingphil @possum-tooth @glassofpumpkinjuice @topperscumslut @frumdyke @navigatings @yellowjeans @cheekyvank @texashippiecowboy @castrotophic @honeypothowell @anchovies-are-tight @bluesesclueses @tictacbud @youretheworstperson @all-is-unwell @ectospazm @distracted-milkshake @homophobicranch @coseris @otherwiseromantic @thecakescene @logicallyphan @aromanticphillester @whatsitcalledfromthingy @string-chese @ingydar-phan @evensquirrellier @rachosaurusrex @badhabitnun @official--cheese @phanyu @spnyuri @houseofwolvess @second-chances123 @awkward-imp @astaarnars @catboydan @inturruptedbyfireworks @pissterdaniel @flowerchild-nani @skybruises @lobotomist-at-claires @queerdnp @theo-files @travelingstargazer @ghostly-rantings @the-paladin-gay @ghostboyhaunted

i was tagged by @jumpsuit-jumpsuitcoverme to answer these random questions (thank you sm violet!). sorry for making a brand new post for this. anyway:

questions:

: ̗̀➛ what’s ur fav color

: ̗̀➛ how long have u been on tumblr for

: ̗̀➛ wheres a place u always wanted to travel to

: ̗̀➛ what’s ur fav clothing brand(s)

: ̗̀➛ what’s ur fav singer/band(s)

: ̗̀➛ what’s ur current phone lockscreen

: ̗̀➛ most recent/current hyperfixation

: ̗̀➛ what’s ur relationship status

: ̗̀➛ what’s ur dream job

: ̗̀➛ outside of tumblr, fav social app

: ̗̀➛ do u have pets

: ̗̀➛ if u do have pets, what kind/how many

: ̗̀➛ do u prefer tea or coffee

: ̗̀➛ whats ur fav ice cream flavor

: ̗̀➛ tag at least three other tumblr accounts

answers:

pink and black

five years i think

the usa (especially new york), iceland, india, australia

don't have one, as long as it's oversized or black it's good lmao (my sister always says i look like a gangster)

twenty one pilots (everybody shocked), but i also listen to a lot of musicals (especially lmm and dave malloy) and some pop girlies (right now mostly gracie abrams), my music taste is amazing as you can see

current lockscreen: happy boys (i change it so often tho i just have too many pics that i love)

twenty one pilots and right now also warriors i'm afraid (new lmm's album)

have you seen my blog single

broadway actress but i have no talent lmao

probably insta but i am mostly just lurking and discord if that counts

nope :( my apartment is too small to have a pet

again, i do not, but i want a cat (i would name him clancy)

coffee, but i drink a lot of tea now that it's autumn here

chocolate or mint with chocolate

npt: @wagingmywarsbehindmyface @thepaladinstrait @xproskeith @redwidow616 @mymuses-acquiredlikebruises @noproof-youjustknow @anixknowsnothin @soupiiiie @missmultipleaffairs @reverseblackholeofwords @phantaloon @thefootnotes @the-paladin-gay (that's more than three i'm sorry)