#i went to the library and picked up a couple books i’ve been wanting to read

[cetoddle-archive]

girl it’s storming !!

[anniebeemine]

Story Idea: The team has a case in Pasadena (Spencer’s old college town) and they keep ordering from a coffee shop throughout their stay cuz it’s close and delicious. Turns out the store is owned by Spencer’s ex and who actually named the store after him. Hurt/Comfort. Lots of teasing from the team when they find out. I love when fics reference Spencer’s uni days.

The team had been working tirelessly in Pasadena for days, hot on the trail of a serial killer. Being back in Spencer’s old college town brought back memories—some fond, others painful—but it was all business now. At least, that’s what he tried to focus on. No time for the past when they were neck-deep in another case.

One constant through the case, however, was the coffee. From the first day, they’d stumbled across a cozy little café close to the precinct. The moment they stepped in, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries made it impossible to resist. By day two, it had become a routine, picking up coffee and breakfast there before diving into their investigation.

“This place is perfect,” JJ said on their third morning, sipping from her cup as they walked to the precinct. “It’s like a hidden gem.”

“Best cappuccino I’ve had in ages,” Rossi agreed, tipping his cup towards Morgan.

Morgan grinned, looking down at the logo on the cup. “Spencer’s. Think our genius had a side hustle we didn’t know about?”

Spencer had remained quiet the first couple of days, hoping they wouldn’t notice the name. But today, with Morgan’s comment, his stomach tightened. He knew the café well—better than he wanted to admit. The shop, Spencer’s, was owned by none other than you, his ex-girlfriend from college.

Back when you were both students, you’d talked about your dreams of opening a café. You were studying business and marketing, and you always said that one day, you'd combine your love for coffee with your education. He thought it was a fun little joke when you filled out the paperwork with him, his name in the space for the business's name. Spencer had supported you through the years you spent sketching out ideas and running numbers, but soon after graduation, life had pulled you both in different directions. Spencer went into the FBI, and you stayed behind in Pasadena to make your dream a reality. He hadn’t spoken to you in years, but seeing your name on the storefront had been a shock.

Still, it wasn’t something he felt ready to explain to his team. Not yet. So when Morgan joked about the café’s name, Spencer forced a smile and hoped they’d drop it. “Just a coincidence,” he muttered, pulling his jacket tighter around him.

As the days went on, the team grew more attached to the café, making it their go-to stop before the precinct. And each time Spencer walked in, he half expected to see you behind the counter, but you were never there. Maybe it was for the best—he wasn’t sure how he’d react if you were.

It was on the fifth day that it happened. The morning rush was particularly busy, and Spencer lagged behind the team as they ordered their drinks. Morgan and Emily were at the counter when you came out from the back, your familiar voice drifting over the noise of the café. “Hey, sorry for the wait, everyone.”

Spencer froze, his heart skipping a beat. He hadn’t heard your voice in years, and suddenly it felt like he was back in college again, sitting with you in the campus library, laughing over coffee and books.

You were busy behind the counter, taking orders when you looked up and saw him. Your eyes widened in surprise, the smile faltering on your lips. “Spencer?” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

The rest of the team turned to look at him, and the air around them seemed to shift. Morgan raised an eyebrow. “Wait, you know the owner?”

Spencer swallowed hard, trying to recover. “Yeah, we went to college together.”

He noticed the way your eyes dropped for a second and he instantly regretted his choice of words.

Morgan’s curiosity instantly piqued, and he shot Spencer a look. “College? And you didn’t tell us about this place? C’mon, man.”

You smiled, clearly amused despite the shock of seeing him again. “We were a little more than just classmates.” You gestured to the café’s sign with a soft chuckle. “I named the place after him.”

JJ’s eyes widened, and she laughed. “Wait, hold on. You named your coffee shop *Spencer’s*? As in this Spencer?”

The team burst into laughter, but Spencer barely registered it. His mind was spinning. He hadn’t seen you in years, and now you were standing in front of him, looking just as beautiful as you had back then. Your hair was a little shorter, and you wore a worn apron instead of your old college hoodies, but the spark in your eyes was the same.

“Why didn’t you tell us your ex-girlfriend owns the best coffee shop in town?” Emily teased, nudging him with her elbow.

Spencer blushed, unable to meet anyone’s gaze. “I... didn’t know how to bring it up.”

You handed Morgan his coffee, smiling softly at Spencer. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, finally looking up at you. “It has.”

The team was relentless, ribbing him as they took their coffees back to the precinct. Morgan, especially, wouldn’t let it go. “You’ve got a whole café named after you, man. And you didn’t think to mention that?”

“It’s just a name,” Spencer mumbled, though deep down, it meant so much more.

The next morning, the team, eager for their now-routine caffeine fix, decided to grab coffee before the briefing. As they all entered the café, Spencer found himself scanning the room for you. He wasn’t sure why he suddenly wanted to see you so badly, but he couldn’t deny the relief that washed over him when he saw you behind the counter, chatting with a customer.

You caught his eye, offering a small, almost shy smile as he approached. The team ordered their usual, but this time, Spencer stayed at the counter a little longer, waiting for the others to move along.

“Are you sure you’re not mad about the name?” you asked softly as you handed him his cup. “I know it’s probably weird...”

Spencer shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “No, I’m not mad. It’s... nice, actually. I didn’t expect it, but I’m glad you named it that.”

You looked relieved, a soft chuckle escaping your lips. “I always liked your name. It reminded me of those days—good days.”

There was something heavy in the air between you, the years of silence creating an unspoken tension. Spencer had been so caught up in his career, in moving forward, that he hadn’t allowed himself to dwell on what he’d left behind. Seeing you now, seeing what you’d built, made him realize how much he’d missed out on.

“I’m glad you’re doing well,” he said quietly, not sure how to say everything that was on his mind. “You really made your dream come true.”

You smiled, a warmth in your eyes that made his chest tighten. “Thanks, Spencer. It wasn’t easy, but... well, here it is.”

Before Spencer could say anything more, Morgan interrupted, his voice loud and teasing as always. “So, when are you taking us for free coffee, pretty boy?”

Spencer groaned, rolling his eyes. But as he glanced back at you, he couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe soon,” he said, locking eyes with you again.

Spencer had been doing his best to ignore the constant ribbing from his team, but as the teasing continued, it became harder to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest. It wasn’t just about the café named after him—it was seeing you again, the memories of what you both once shared stirring up feelings he hadn’t expected. And now, as he stood by the counter, waiting for his coffee, his eyes caught something small, something that made his heart drop.

Around your neck, nestled against your skin, was a delicate ring on a thin chain. It was subtle, almost easy to miss, but once he saw it, he couldn’t look away. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut: you’d moved on. The ring had to be a sign of that. The small hope he hadn’t even realized he was holding onto began to slip away.

You caught him staring, but before you could say anything, he quickly grabbed his coffee, offering a tight-lipped smile before rejoining the team. Throughout the day, he couldn’t shake the image of the ring from his mind. He wondered who you were with now, if you were happy. Maybe you had someone who helped you build the café—someone who shared your dream.

The next morning, Spencer made a decision. He returned to the café alone, before the team could drag him along with their usual playful banter. The shop was quieter today, with only a few early risers sitting at tables, sipping their drinks. He ordered his usual, and as you handed him the cup, you noticed the absence of the others.

“No team today?” you asked with a small smile.

“Not yet,” he replied, glancing around. “I thought I’d get here early.”

You raised an eyebrow, sensing something was on his mind. After a moment, you motioned toward one of the tables. “Do you want to sit for a bit? It’s pretty slow right now.”

Spencer hesitated but then nodded, following you to a small table near the window. The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before you finally spoke.

“I’ve been thinking about expanding,” you said, fiddling with the necklace around your neck—the one with the ring. Spencer tried not to let his gaze linger on it, but it was hard not to. “Opening a second location, maybe closer to downtown.”

“That sounds... ambitious,” Spencer said cautiously, unsure how to navigate the conversation. His heart still ached at the sight of that ring, but he pushed it aside, focusing on what you were saying.

“Yeah, it is,” you admitted, sighing softly. “I’ve been going back and forth about it. It’s a big commitment, you know? Commuting between two locations, splitting my time... I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of responsibility.”

Spencer watched as you nervously twisted the ring between your fingers. He swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to find the right words. “You can do it,” he said softly, his voice full of sincerity. “You’ve already proven that you can make this place a success. Expanding is just the next step.”

You smiled at his encouragement, but there was a flicker of something else in your eyes—something deeper, more conflicted. “Yeah, maybe. But I’m not sure if I can handle it all on my own. I mean, I always thought I’d have someone to help me with this...”

Spencer’s heart clenched. Of course. He was certain you had a partner now, someone who could support you in this new venture. His voice wavered as he tried to comfort you. “I’m sure your partner can help, though. It’s not something you have to do by yourself.”

There was a beat of silence. Then, to his surprise, you laughed softly, the sound tinged with irony. “Well, that’s the thing. I’m actually... recently divorced.” Your fingers stilled, and you placed your hand gently over his, your touch warm and familiar. “It’s just me now.”

Spencer’s eyes widened, taken aback by your admission. “Divorced?”

You nodded, a sad smile on your lips. “Yeah. It’s been... rough, but I’m getting through it. That’s why I’ve been hesitant about expanding. I don’t have that support system anymore, and sometimes it feels overwhelming.”

Spencer’s heart skipped a beat. The ring—he’d completely misunderstood. It wasn’t a symbol of someone new in your life; it was a remnant of the past, something you were still holding onto. He felt a surge of relief and sympathy wash over him.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, squeezing your hand gently. “I didn’t know.”

You shrugged, your eyes softening. “It’s okay. Life happens. But... thank you. For being here. For listening.”

Spencer nodded, his thumb brushing over your knuckles in a comforting gesture. “You’re stronger than you think. If anyone can handle running two shops, it’s you.”

Your smile widened, and for the first time since seeing you again, he felt that old connection spark between you. The years may have passed, but the way you made each other feel—that hadn’t changed.

After a moment, you glanced at the clock behind the counter, biting your lip before looking back at him. “You know... if you’re free later, maybe we could catch up over dinner? It’s been too long, and I’d love to hear more about what you’ve been up to.”

Spencer felt warmth spread through his chest. He smiled, nodding without hesitation. “I’d like that. A lot.”

You squeezed his hand one last time before standing up. “Great. How about we meet here around six?”

“Sounds perfect.”

As you headed back behind the counter to tend to the next customer, Spencer lingered for a moment, watching you with a soft smile on his face. The past was behind you both, but maybe now there was a chance for something new—something neither of you had seen coming. And this time, he wasn’t going to let you slip away so easily.

[marlsswrites]

Books and Red Hair

Ice skating AU, part 6!!

August 6th - words: 1109

First part Previous part

James would quite like to think he was extra welcome at a library, but that’s just not true. He’s clumsy, he knocks books over and can’t whisper to save his life. He’s always either too quiet or loud enough to get himself kicked out. Last time he came to this specific library, the local one to his university, he played full volume music on his AirPods - blissfully unaware that everyone around him could hear.

So how someone managed to get him back in here was a mystery, but here he is anyway.

He trailed behind Lily like a lost puppy, keeping his hands firmly to himself and not the bookshelves.

“James you look petrified.” Lily laughed out in a hushed tone.

“I’ve been told multiple times that I am severely not wanted here.” He hissed.

Lily blinked at him a few times, raising an eyebrow and flashed him an awfully unimpressed look. “What did you do?”

“Me, Rem, pads and Pete might have started a small fire in here last year.” He bit his lip to stop the smug smile from forming on his face, clearly the look still flamed alight in his eyes.

“Don’t look so proud.” She swatted his arm. “I only brought you here because you promised me a coffee after work.”

He and Lily worked in the same little record store down the street, well it used to be just records, now there’s comics, posters, collectables, CDs, everything like that honey. They’ll normally pop into a cafe after, treating themselves to a coffee before going home, but today Lily needed to grab some studying materials from the library.

“Stay here.” She said as she started to walk away.

“I’m not a child!” James protested.

“Sure!” She flashed a sarcastic smile over her shoulder as he went, leaving James with a frown on his face as he wandered through the tables of people studying, taking a seat at one of them without paying attention to anyone around him.

-

After about five minutes, he started to pick up some of the hushed whispering around him as the sound of a few people sitting in front of him hit his ears. Now he fiddled with the pages of the random book he’d swiped from the shelf and - innocently - eavesdropped after he swore he heard a voice he knew.

“Reg can you help?” A hushed female voice sounded after a few flicks of a page.

“Yeah.” A familiar voice responded. “One second Cas.”

His head slowly lifted, a smirk appearing on his face as he realised who had sat next to him.

“Hi.” He propped his head on his hands and drummed his fingers against his cheek.

The girl only gave him a confused look, she had dark shining skin, adorned with a couple of dainty tattoos and stacked jewellery that reminded him of the stuff that Lily likes to wear. But she wasn’t the one James was looking at.

“What are you doing in a library?” Regulus gave a raise of his eyebrow.

“Okay ouch, and actually I’m just waiting for my friend to finish finding - uh - whatever she needs.” He shrugged.

“So that’s why you’re reading The Great Gatsby - but specifically the blank page at the front?”

His eyes flicked down to the book, where the only words written were ‘The Great Gatsby.’

“It has some writing on it.” He proclaimed.

Regulus just hummed, no sign of emotion on his pale, blank face, yet it seemed to hold the world. His eyes like once grey clouds drowning in water, his skin as milky and smooth as a white silk pillowcase, his hair curled perfectly and dark as it hung around his face like Medusas snakes danced.

“I’m sorry, how do you two know each other?” The girl - Cas he thinks - interrupted. “Because I could swear that Regulus here doesn’t talk to anyone.”

“I talk to you!” Regulus bickered. “And Barty, Evan and Pandora.” He counted on his fingers.

“Four whole people.” Cas gasped.

Stifling a laugh, James simply watched as the two went back and fourth, clearly playfully as they argued. Still, Regulus looked beautiful with a scowl, even better with a smile though. Even better while he skated, face stoic and wondrous, face on full display and body moving like a puppet controlled by the god of love herself.

“And me.” James smiled and battered his eyelashes, Regulus pointed and nodded.

“You never answered my question.” Cas pondered, looking between the two boys suspiciously.

Stuttering out an answer, James realises he didn’t actually have just one.

“Tried to buy a book, stalked me, stalked me again, and is apparently friends with my brother and my coach’s son.”

“Hey now, I didn’t stalk you. I-“ But he cut himself off when he saw the slightly smiling face of Regulus Black - covered slightly by his baggy sleeve - but still there. The end of his pen was placed between his teeth and a silver glint on his tongue catching the sun and shining like the star the paler boy is.

“I know.” He shook his head, still smirking slightly as he moved the pen to his page, scribbling slightly and leaving James to stare at the way a ring was slid onto every single pale finger, shining bright and jewelled - as he said - like the star he is.

-

Stretches of comfortable quiet later, he felt a hand tap his arm as the silence surrounded him. “I’m done.” Lily smiled and held up the books and couple of bookmarks up with a squeal. “You owe me a coffee, let’s go.”

“Right.” He looked between the redhead and the other two, Regulus’ head still in his book but the once cal, expression had been covered by one of tension and thorns sharp as daggers. “Bye!” He waved as he and Lily left.

“Yeah, bye.” He heard dully before he walked away, the sunlight splashing in on him as soon as he stepped outside, blinding his eyes and burning into his skin.

“I bought my girlfriend this,” Lily waved up a little flowery pin that she’d picked up from the library store she’d insisted on looking in seconds beforehand. “Isn’t it adorable.”

“The cutest.” James winked with a smile.

Yet he still couldn’t get the anguished expression of a star from his mind, burning holes into the once bright irises of his eyes, stabbing into his once radiating heart. Oh what he would do to wipe it away with one quick swipe of love, leave that smile on his face that he seems to feel the need to hide.

Someone like Regulus Black shouldn’t be hidden, he’s much too special for that.

Next part

[midmourn]

good 4 u

title good 4 u

pairing lee donghyuck x gender neutral!reader

characters lee donghyuck, mark lee [nct] yoo jimin/karina, uchinaga aeri/giselle [aespa], kim seungmin [stray kids], jeon heejin [artms, ex-loona],

summary it’s all thanks to you that haechan is doing so great.

warnings angst

word count 1640

a/n last fic to the sour series!! next is guts series ;) if you have a song in mind for a dream member, lmk!!

“Egoistical.”

“Jerk.”

“Fuckboy.”

“You really know how to pick ‘em, don’t you?” Seungmin hummed as he took a bite of his sandwich. You rolled your eyes, ignoring him and turning back to Giselle and Karina.

“Ignore him,” Giselle scoffed, side-eyeing him before saying, “OK. Continue. What else?”

Karina snapped her fingers, getting an idea, “Name his icks!”

“Oh, God,” you sighed, putting your head in your hands. “How he’s a fucking gamer. He would be on that game twenty-four-seven!”

“Immediate red flag,” Karina said, patting your shoulder as you groaned, slumping over the table. “Are you sure you're not colorblind, Y/N?”

“More like just dumb,” Seungmin pushed your bowl of salad closer to you, bumping it into your head. “Eat.”

“I don’t think I can,” you huffed, “I see him next period. I’m afraid I’ll throw up.”

“Ooh, throw up on him!” Giselle said excitedly with Karina nodding in agreement.

You threw a look at her, “I will not! No matter how funny it would be, I’d be so embarrassed.” Seungmin stiffened next to you, making you glance his way and see that he was glaring at something in the distance. You follow his gaze and feel your mouth dry, blinking as you stare at the scene in front of you.

Here was your ex-boyfriend, only being broken up for two weeks, throwing his arm over some girl you vaguely recognized from your English literature class. Heejin, you thought her name was. He looked good, way too good for someone just broke up with someone who they supposedly wanted to give the world to.

You thought for a split second, that maybe, just maybe, they were just friends. And then his head turned to plant a kiss right on her lips and every hope you had left shattered.

“Two-timer,” Karina added bitterly to your conversation from earlier. You swallowed roughly, tearing your eyes away from the scene. You briefly registered the feeling of Seungmin’s hand resting on your knee, squeezing once in comfort. You don’t know if your eyes teared up from the sight of Haechan and Heejin, or from the once-in-a-lifetime kindness from Seungmin.

“There’s no way he wasn’t,” Giselle gaped at the sight. “In a couple of weeks? Cheater.”

“Fuckboy,” Seungmin repeated, stressing the word. He stood up, shoving the last bite of his sandwich in his mouth and pulled you up with him. “C’mon, we’re skipping class. He better hope we don’t see each other off campus.”

Your head perked up slightly at the sound of a familiar voice, watching Haechan and Mark Lee walk around the corner, neither noticing you in your corner of the library. You were surrounded by your textbooks, studying for your upcoming test in literature.

“—But yeah, this therapist I’ve been seeing, I can totally hook you up with her,” Haechan was saying, patting Mark on the shoulder as they went to a bookshelf. “She’s great, helping me work on myself to be better. For Heejin.”

You were the one who got him in touch with the therapist. Your fists clenched.

“Cool. Wait, dude, what? I thought you couldn’t refer me,” Mark said in confusion, scanning through the titles of the books.

“No, Mark!” Haechan shook his head, adding an unnecessary whine to his voice, “I think that only applies when you’re the therapist, can’t have any patients with, like, personal ties.”

“Oh,” Mark dragged out the second letter, nodding his head and coming to a stop on a book. “Hey, found it. Let’s go check it out.”

“Ms. Jang loves you more than she loves me, you do it—”

“Because I don’t defile her sacred place with all your sins—”

“Sins! What else is the library meant for? Studying?”

“Definitely not making out and going to third base—”

Their loud voices faded away the further they got. Your pencil lead broke, making you blink in surprise and turn to it, seeing you had been gripping the pencil so hard onto your paper that it made a harsh mark on it and broke. You unclench your jaw and look back down at your paper as a drop of liquid hits it, staining it.

The feeling of wetness on your cheeks made you inhale and exhale unevenly, trying to calm your breathing. You blinked away an onset of tears, thinking back to last night when Seungmin finally left your dorm. As soon as you reassured him that you were OK, he reluctantly left and when you were sure he was gone, you burst into tears.

Instead of bothering your roommate with your crying, you hid in the bathroom for almost the entire night. Being pathetic, looking at your gallery full of Haechan and crying.

You swiftly wiped under your eyes as Giselle and Karina entered the back of the library, beelining to your corner. They didn’t need to know.

“Woah,” a classmate from Linguistics gaped as Haechan pulled into his parking spot, in his shiny, bright, new Tesla. “A Tesla! That shit’s crazy.” He turned to his friends to either talk shit about Haechan or praise him. You hoped it was the former.

“Where the hell did he get money for that?” You spat under your breath to Seungmin, who crossed his arms and shook his head in reply.

“I heard he got accepted at that internship,” Giselle crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at the boy as he stepped out of the car. “That one he’s—”

The one that you helped him study for?

“He got money from that?” You scoffed, glaring even harder as Heejin stepped out of the passenger side. The two joined hands, walking off without even a glance your way. You were seething by now. You wanted to strangle him so bad. “No way. He’s gotta be, like, in the mafia.”

“He’d die in seconds because of that mouth of his,” Seungmin snickered.

“I hate him,” you huffed, storming off into the opposite direction. Your friends followed dutifully as you rambled on about your ex-boyfriend. “He doesn’t even look my way! It’s like we weren’t in a relationship for a whole fucking year! And I’m the reason he’s doing so better; that internship? I helped him with it! What the fuck?”

Haechan discarded you like he was bored of you, even after an entire year of dating. That was partly the reason why it hurt so much; did you really mean nothing to him?

His sweet words, touches that seemed to burn you everywhere. He left a mark on you like no other. You didn’t know if it would ever fade away.

You were back in your spot in the corner of the library, far away from the librarian, Ms. Jang. Your books were closed, put away. You just needed some space to think, and then it turned into a silent crying session after getting too far into your memories with Haechan. You were just lucky that no one had come to the back yet.

It was only a moment later that giggling filled your ears and you rolled your eyes so hard you thought they were going to fall out. Of course, you had to jinx yourself. There was no way you were staying to witness a happy couple make out in what they thought was an empty corner. Groaning under your breath, you go to collect your textbooks and folders, only to stop midway once you recognize one of the giggles.

Despite not wanting to, you slowly looked up to confirm your thoughts. Right in front of you was Haechan and Heejin, the boy peppering kisses all over her face with a lovestruck grin on his face.

There was a loud crack, but it seemed like you were the only one to hear it. Your heart clenched painfully in your chest, chest tightening as it got harder to breathe and see. Tears clouded your vision, but you could hear Haechan’s next words loud and clear.

“I swear, you’re like the only one that gets me,” he whispered seriously. He said that same fucking sentence to you.

Your eye twitched. That was the last straw. You stood up, chair screeching as it slid back against the marble floor and shoved your books in your bag clumsily. You could barely see, but you knew that they were looking at you.

You wiped under your eyes harshly, blinking back the tears as you sniffled. God, you hoped he couldn’t tell you were crying. That would be so embarrassing.

“Y/N,” Haechan said your name softly, almost in an apologetic way but you knew he wasn’t truly sorry. Instead of acknowledging him, you shoulder your bag and swiftly turn to walk past the couple quickly. Your hopes die as he grabbed your arm as you went to walk by him.

“Hey,” he said softly. “I—I didn’t know you were here or—”

You turned to him so swiftly it startled him, glaring straight at him and ignoring Heejin, “Oh, yes you did. You know that this is usually my spot. You came here on purpose to try and make me jealous. It’s pathetic, really. Having a new relationship yet here you are, basically chasing after your ex, trying to get my attention.” You turn to Heejin, who looks at you wide-eyed, and a bit of hurt at your words, “I truly do feel sorry for you, Heejin. He isn’t the boy,” you spat the word out, “—you think he is. He’s a liar, and I bet you he was talking to you when he was still dating me.” Your head turned to him slightly, “People don’t change. Especially people like him.”

“But, you know what,” you chuckled breathily, “Congratulations, Haechan. You seem to be getting everything you want. Good for you. But you should really be thanking me, because I’m the fucking reason you’re doing so well. Fuck you.”

sour masterlist. main masterlist.

[cassiecourtemanche]

This is the first thing i’ve ever written so tough criticism please! 🙏 I need to know if you enjoyed it and if i should continue it:)

DeanXReader (suffers with depression and anxiety) 18+

“dean?” you called out walking down the hallway of the bunker towards the library. As you approached the library there was still silence. “Hello??” You called out but still met with nothing. You reached into your pocket and grabbed your phone dialing deans number. No answer. You started pacing the hallways of the bunker wondering where he may be. The panic starting to rise in your chest, you kept trying to call him but still met with radio silence. “Where the fuck are you?” You mumbled to yourself still wracking your brain thinking if he had told you or not.

All of a sudden you heard the door open and slam and made you jump in your place. “Hey sweetheart.” Dean walked down the stairs and met with you in the library bags in hand. “Where have you been?” The panic evidently clear all over your face. “Grabbing supplies, I thought I told you last night i had to go out this morning.” He said placing the bags on the table and walking over to you. “I don’t know.. i guess i forgot.” You said clenching your jaw, you seemed to forget almost everything nowadays. “Hey I’m here now what’s going on?” Dean furrowed his brow slightly at the look of concern on your face. “Uh, nothing, it’s nothing.” You braced for his stubbornness to push but he didn’t. “What did you end up getting?” you said trying to change the subject not wanting to sound anxious. “Just grabbed some food, the usual.” Dean said as he shrugged his shoulders. “Oh okay.” you started to walk away but he wasn’t letting you get away that easy. You felt his hand grab your wrist “Y/N, what’s really going on?” He said softly as you turned to look at him. Damn him and those beautiful green eyes, why did he have to look at you like that? “I don’t know, i just didn’t remember you telling me.” you said as your face fell. “Hey,-“ he started his hand letting go of your wrist and bringing it under your chin so you’d look at him “It’s okay to forget sometimes sweetheart, is that all that’s bugging you?” He said his brows furrowed as the worry was evident on his face. “Yeah” You said with a fake smile “I’m just gonna go read for a bit.” As you walked off and into your room, dean stood there somewhat lost, not knowing if he should go after you or let you be. He decided to give you some space and stayed in the library, seeing if you’d come back out of your room. A couple hours went by and you still haven’t emerged.

“stupid stupid” you whispered to yourself as you sat on your bed with the book in your hand. It was more of a decoy than anything else, wanting a distraction from the anxiety rising in your chest more than anything. You couldn’t stop your mind from spiralling, as you sat on your bed it felt like the room was closing in on you. The weight of everything you’ve endured in your life just started to crush you. The thoughts, the urges, the self destruction, it was overwhelming. You took a few deep shaky breaths as you tried to calm your racing mind but it wasn’t helping. How dean had saved your life from an abusive ex, to sam being there for you when he’d be on hunts. You felt like such a burden to them but the thoughts where to much. You sat there frantically trying to get ahold of yourself but it was becoming to much, something just snapped inside you and you threw your book as hard as you could across the room. Dean had heard the loud thump from the library and instantly got up and ran to your room “Y/N? What’s going on sweetheart? Can you open the door?” He said as calm as he could, as he knocked. You couldn’t bring yourself to get up out of your bed everything was just too much, you started to sob and panic. “If you don’t open the door i’m gonna pick the damn lock!” He said starting to panic as he heard your sobs through the door. You had your knees up to your chest, your hands covering your ears trying to drown out the thoughts. Dean frantically searched through his jacket trying to find his lock picking kit, finally he found it and started “Sweetheart, just talk to me please” He said as he was fumbling with the tools and the lock. All you could hear was the muffles through your hands as you pushed tighter against your head, the sobbing and panicking just kept getting worse and worse. Dean finally got the door unlocked after what felt like an eternity, he opened the door and felt his heart shatter at seeing the state you were in. He rushed over to the bed and sat down beside you “Hey, hey it’s okay, just breathe Y/N” he tried pulling your hands away from your ears but you where to stubborn. “You need to breathe.” He said starting to get really worried now, this isn’t the first time deans had to deal with you and your panic attacks, and it broke his heart every time. “Please” He tried taking your hands away again and this time you let him, he held onto your wrists “Hey, just take a couple deep breaths for me.” You tried listening and taking a few deep breaths but they came out short and shaky still. “Come here sweetheart” He said scooting closer to you wrapping his arms around you. You just started to sob in his chest, “Just let it out, it’s okay” he said as one hand started running through your hair.

Eventually you started to calm down, and the room fell somewhat quiet besides your sniffles. “You wanna talk about it?” He said still holding onto you. You shook your head no against his chest. Dean let out a sigh “Well you know you can always talk to me. Me or sam whoever’s around, right?” He said in a somewhat comforting but stern voice. “I know..” You managed to let out quietly. He felt his body somewhat relax as you spoke, even if it was just two words. “You know we are always here for you right? No matter the day, or the time. You can come to us, with anything.” He said as he kept his hand running through your hair in a comforting way. “I know, dean.” You said as you nestled your face into him more. “Sweetheart… Can i ask you something?” He said with a stern but worried voice. “Of course.” You said muffled into his chest. “I need you to look at me.” He said with his hand going under your chin to tilt your face up to look at him, his heart ached, seeing your eyes red and puffy and your cheeks tear stained. “I need you to be honest with me.” He started, you just stared into his eyes. “Has it been getting bad again?” He asked like he didn’t want to hear the answer to that. All you could do was nod as it broke your heart that you’d worry dean. “Y/N, you need to speak to me so i can help you. You need to tell me how bad it’s getting, on a scale from 1-10, at least.” He said with worry written all over his face and in a stern tone. “You don’t wanna know.” you said quietly, letting your head fall back on his chest. “Sweetheart, yes i do. I’m worried about you.” He said running his hand through your hair again trying his best to comfort you. You took a deep breath and said “9ish” quietly. His hand stopped and it sounded like he stopped breathing “Y/N, it’s that bad?” He said trying not to sound to worried. You just nodded against his chest as he held you, his arms wrapping tighter around you. “I’m so sorry sweetheart, i’m here if you need to talk about it, and please, please for the love of god, don’t listen to any bad thoughts in that pretty head of yours. Please.” He sounded almost broken as his words sunk into your mind.

[mac-cheez]

My Guide to Surviving the Waynes

This has been sitting in my drafts for a while and I finally finished the ending!! Don't expect an update soon I have no idea when the fancy will strike again and the TMA brain rot is real rn.

Pt. 1 Pt. 2

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Dear Diary,

I was wrong. SO WRONG. You’d think rich people, especially adopted rich people, would be at least a little sane, but no, they’re not and I have no idea how to deal. It’s only been a couple days since my last entry and so much has happened. So here’s what I’ve learned:

Let’s start with the first incident that happened roughly 10 min after my last entry. I had just finished when Tim offered to meet me in the coffee shop outside of the library (he was picking me up from campus)(Alfred was busy). When I walked in I saw him about to order and walked to the side to wait. He looked at the menu for roughly 0.2 sec before looking the barista dead in the eye saying “I’ll have a Vanilla Cold Brew with seven shots of espresso.”

The barista laughed and joked “Damn you want some cocaine with that?” Then he just said, “Sure that too.” and fucking walked away? He didn’t even give his name he just paid and went straight to the pickup area. The most concerning part of that story is that they fucking did it! And he drank the whole goddamn thing without batting an eye! I was highly concerned for his well-being the entire drive home. (I really need to talk to Mr. Wayne about a rental)

What’s even weirder is when we walked into the manor Dick was just hanging from the chandelier. It was sans rope and more acrobatic, but still concerning considering how tall the ceiling was. I’m still not entirely sure how he got up there, but I just walked away hoping to find my sanity once again.

The rest of the day went relatively smoothly with the normal amount of yelling and death threats (still can’t believe this is reality). The next day something actually nice happened while I was off from college and heading to the kitchen for lunch. It was a Friday so most of the house was either at work or school, and it was pretty quiet (thank god). When I walked in one of the others was in there cooking already (Jason I think?). I decided on a sandwich since he was currently using the stove and it was going smoothly till I got to the pickle jar. For whatever reason that thing was tight as hell and was going nowhere. He looked at me and after my fifth try (and many curse words) he held out his hand. I handed the jar to him, and he opened it without trouble.

“I loosened it,” I said trying to hide my embarrassment.

“Uh-huh,” he said distractedly. We sat in awkward silence till I noticed one of the books from the library on the counter. It was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Sign Of The Four. I asked if he was reading it and he said yes. I asked him if he’s gotten to the twist yet and he looked at me puzzled.

“You’ve read The Sign Of The Four?”

“Yeah, not my favorite Sherlock Holmes Novel, but still good nonetheless,” I said not paying attention, “Are you reading unabridged or abridged?”

“Unabridged,” he said, “you into the classics?”

“Totally, I love a good Victorian mystery or gothic horror novel,” I replied.

“You?” I asked.

“More of a Jane Austen fan myself, but I can respect those choices,” he said thoughtfully.

“I’ve never read her works, but if I have a chance I wouldn’t mind trying,” I said. He looked up at me somewhere between excitement and bewilderment.

“Would you like some recommendations?” He said cautiously. I said sure, and he immediately went into a long speech about Jane Austen and her novels. By the time he was done my sandwich and his ramen were long gone. By the end, I had a list of books to read and a new reading buddy to rant about books to. We’ve hung out intermittently since then, and honestly, it was the sanest thing I did all week. However the sanity didn’t last long.

Many other incidents (too many to write) all culminated in this afternoon, when I finally caved and decided if this was my life, it might as well be documented for (at the very least) the enjoyment of others. It was fairly quiet (first clue) and my morning class had been canceled so I was just sitting in the living room doing some work. Everyone else was out and I was about to leave for my 2:30 class when suddenly someone smashed through the window and a smoke bomb was thrown. I honestly thought it was Tim or Jason being weird again, but then the smoke cleared and there was just a bunch of dudes in Green suits with question marks. They looked around and saw me pretty quickly and immediately pointed whatever weapons they had at me. Eventually, some other ones came in the room and said the house was empty and “Wayne is nowhere to be found.” They started arguing till they finally concluded that if none of the Wayne’s were here, I must be the next best thing. Honestly, I can’t even blame them, and at this point I just let it happen.

They put a bag over my head and put me over the strongest one’s shoulder. I was in a car for about an hour before I was potato sack’d again. Once I was placed down, the bag was taken off my head, and I saw that I was in an abandoned-looking warehouse. I saw some more of the brightly clothed men off to the side arguing, one looking even more ridiculous than the others. The extra ridiculous one finally gave up talking to the others(henchmen maybe?) and walked (more like strutted) over to address me.

“Hello guest of Wayne, may I ask your name?” He asked rhyming for some weird ass reason.

“Vic?”

“Ah yes but what is it’s whole, for a half shall not know?” He said lilting his voice… ‘whimsically’?

“What?”

“Your designation that all might know.”

I just continued looking at him with apparent confusion not knowing what the hell is going on. After a minute he hung his head and spoke normally.

“What is your full name?” He sighed.

“Oh! Victoria Blanc,” I said.

“Ah! And what is your relation to the name of Wayne?” He said trying again with the talking in circles bull.

“Look dude usually I could appreciate….. Whatever it is that's happening, but I’ve had one hell of a week so…….”

“Oh come now it couldn’t have been that bad.” He said dismissively.

“Alright bet! You might wanna sit down this is gonna take a minute.”

Once he sat I started explaining everything that had happened since I’d moved to Gotham. As I was explaining more and more of the “henchmen” started joining the crowd.

“He chased him through the manor with a sword?” Riddler asked (at least that's what one of the others called him).

“Yeah, and apparently this is a normal phenomenon,” I said exasperated.

“And here I thought I was crazy.”

“Oh, no this is probably the most sane thing that's happened to me all week,” I said hand waving (They untied me after a while)(I asked nicely).

I was about to continue when suddenly three figures jumped down and got into fighting positions.

“Let her go Riddler!” Said the one in Black and blue(and maybe a bird?)

“Oh, she was free to leave a while ago.” He said casually to the masked people.

“What?” said the one in red.

“Yeah, we even offered to get her away from that mad house,” said Bob.

“Mad House?”

“Yes, it's almost criminal how they act in that house, you bats should really get on that,” ‘Riddler’ said chidingly. 

I didn't really understand why he called them bats since they all looked bird-themed but I didn't bring it up because honestly, weirder things have happened at this point. They agreed to look into it, albeit very confused(and almost offended), and said they still needed to take me back.

“Fine,” ‘Riddler’ sighed heavily, “ but Vic, sweetie, if you need somewhere safe to stay in Gotham I have plenty of friends who will keep you safe while you finish your degree.”

“Yeah, kinda tempting, but I don't think my parents would like that very much, and they are paying for it so…….”

“Very well, offer stands in perpetuity, to Arkham yes?”

“You're not gonna ask a riddle or…..” said the one in red and black.

“Usually I would but honestly I’m far too concerned right now to care.”

After that, they handcuffed him and the other goons (kinda unfair but i guess they did kidnap me) and walked me out to one of the police cars so I could go back to the manor. They offered to drive me but I've seen enough motorcycle crash scene pictures to put the fear of God (thy name is friction) in me. When I got back Mr. Wayne was in the foyer with Alfred and immediately came over to make sure I was ok.

“Yeah, I'm fine Mr. Wayne, honestly I’m more worried about the class I missed than the kidnapping,” I explained.

He seemed concerned by that but had a phone call right after that he needed to take. Alfred walked me to my room (I think to make sure I wasn't concussed) and I just kinda went back to writing and here we are. Can't wait to see what fresh hell awaits me in the coming week……….. Maybe I should've taken Riddler up on that offer.

[barbedbetty]

You and I

Halbrand x Reader

Warnings: no smut, some fluff, memory loss, memory flashes

PART ONE

The first thing I felt when I drifted back to consciousness was the lack of water lapping at my skin. There was no blistering heat burning me. No rough wooden planks on my makeshift raft to irritate my body.

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in a ships hold.

My body was beyond exhaustion, even my eyes ached as they scanned the new surroundings. I didn’t care if i was laying atop a crate or a cloud, i closed my eyes and wanted to slip back into a dreamless rest.

I heard a door open, and every part that dreaded movement before snapped into action without warning.

The next thing I knew, I was standing up and braced in a fighting stance.

A man walked in, wearing some kind of sailors uniform. An ivory vest with golden details stitched across it delicately over a ocean blue tunic. He was tanned and scarred, his dark brown hair fell in soft wave-like curves around his gentle face. He was tall and could have been menacing but his demeanor was gentle.

He walked toward me slowly, he raised his right hand in surrender and in his left was a small tray with a bowl of food and a canteen.

“We pulled you from the sea last night.” He explained. “You’re safe here, no one else has been in here since you passed out.”

“Am I a prisoner?” I didn’t ease one screaming muscle in my body.

“No, you are a guest.” He set the tray on a small barrel and bowed towards me.

“Where are we headed?” I demanded as he stood upright again, clasping his hands in front of him.

“To our home port of Númenor.”

“Númenor?” The name felt familiar to her.

“Yes, I’m Captain Elendil of the Sea Guard.” He tilted his head and scanned my face. “What’s your name?”

“…Y/n.” I answered curtly.

“Where do you come from?”

I paused.

“Not Númenor.” I said and stood up straight, this man wasn’t a threat.

“I understand.” He nodded. “You will have to give a proper answer to our Queen. We don’t allow strangers on our island.”

He turned and left without another word.

I went for the tray and picked up the canteen and took a small drink, even though I wanted to drain the whole thing.

I sat down and looked at the bowl of food and then at my own hands, willing them to bring me an answer.

Where did I come from?

After meeting with Queen Regent Miríel and explaining that I had no solid memory of my life apart from my name, I was sent to a room to rest. The Captain had confirmed I had hit my head before they rescued me, there was a massive bruise and knot on the back of my head. Memory loss from being exposed to the sea for who knows how long was to be expected.

For the next couple weeks, I recovered and kept to myself. The Queen was weary of me, but left me to my own devices and I had no problem being confined to the Palace Grounds.

I tried to remember something from my life, maybe a husband or sister or maybe even a neighbor I hated. Even trying to remember my favorite color was a trial that took me a week to win. I must admit Elendil helped me crack that one, he pointed to my ring made of red metal and said I must love that color if I managed to keep the ring through everything I’ve been through.

I can’t believe I didn’t even realize I was wearing this ring to be honest. It felt like part of my body, and when I took it off I felt cold and alone, but back on I felt fearless and powerful. It must mean something to me, I feel it deep in my soul.

I wandered through the library and spent my time reading books and studying maps hoping something would give me a clue. Eventually, I was given a task of helping the lore masters find a certain scroll that the King had taken years before and before I knew it, they gave me a necklace with a mark of the scholars and I was part of their guild.

I began to build a life on the island, more out of necessity than choice but it was so peasant nonetheless.

Until they were brought ashore.

The same Captain that found me adrift brought back two more souls with him one day a couple weeks later. When I heard, I raced to the throne room where they were being taken.

I got to the room amidst a crowd of other nobleman and gentry. I was caught in the back before they were brought in, people were chattering left and right giving me snippets of gossip while I attempted to make my way closer to the front.

“An Elf, I tell ya! An elf as tall as a horse!”

“Seawater! I heard the Elf is no bigger than you, it’s a man they brought that’s taller than most on the island.”

“A she-elf, they oughta toss her back into the sea and be done with it all.”

“Both of them should be sent on their way.”

“What if they bring others back? More men? Or worse, more elves!”

The great doors opened and after the first two guards stood a woman more beautiful than any I’ve ever seen, well at least that I could remember.

Her hair was the color of the sun, her skin paler than milk, and her eyes were fierce and wandering. When I looked to the Queen, she was unmoved in body but in spirit I knew she was becoming uneasy.

Then I turned and felt more than curiosity at the strange man.

He walked pensively, scanning the room but not the people, he stood beside the Elf as they awaited judgement from the Queen.

Even though their backs were to me, I felt there was something about the man. Something…familiar. I stepped forward, forcing my way through the crowd in a daze. People were whispering things to me but I heard nothing except my heart beat.

That dark hair, those strong shoulders, that tall stature.

Something in my bones knew this man.

“What do they call you?” The Queen asked the man.

“Halbrand.” He answered simply, in a tone that sang like a bell to my ears.

A memory flashed through my mind, so powerful and unyielding that I gasped and fell to my knees. Head pounding I cried out as a flash of a darkened room took over my vision with a window revealing a moonless night and green eyes begging me for something.

“Are you okay?”

I blinked and was back at the throne room, I tried to sit up but my head reeled like I had too much mead.

“Someone get the healer!” A woman shouted as she cradled my head off the marble floor.

I turned my head and saw the man, he turned and we made eye contact.

And in that flash of a moment before someone knelt in front of me with a potion that made me sleep, I felt it as sure as I knew the sun rises: that man knew me too.

I woke up sometime in the night, my head throbbing but I was energized nonetheless. I remembered a room, a bed room to be exact, with a wide window the had a balcony and snow falling against a black night sky. And Halbrand as he called himself begging me to run away.

I jumped out of bed, grabbed a blue shawl, and bolted out the door.

I wasn’t sure where I was going but my feet were swift as I ran across the courtyard. My room was near the library now but when I first arrived I was given a room that overlooked the harbor. That had to be where he was. As I looked around the great hallway and into the throne room, I heard footsteps.

I hid behind a pillar and hoped whoever was walking was quick.

I peeked around and saw an empty, quiet room. I leaned back against the pillar to give it another moment but when I turned to my left, I saw Halbrand.

I opened my mouth to scream in surprise but he covered my mouth and pushed me against the marble.

“You don’t want to wake the guards, do you?” He whispered.

I shook my head and stared up in his eyes.

“Are you going to scream when I take my hand away?” He asked.

I shook my head.

“Okay, then follow me.” He took his hand off my mouth and grabbed my hand, he looked both ways and together we snuck off into the darkness.

“Where are we going?” I hissed as we ran along the outer walls of the castle.

“You’ll see.” He answered as we stopped at a dark corner and he peeked around to look for the guards.

An urge to giggle bubbles in my chest but I held it in.

He took me to a small garden in the courtyard and held my hand as we walked through green foliage until we hit an orange tree. We sat underneath it and leaned against the trunk side by side. An act that felt as familiar as breathing, I barely registered that he still had his finger intimately entwined with mine.

“Why are we here?” I asked him.

“Because I thought we could talk.” He smirked at me.

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked him.

He tsk’ed and leaned in close to me.

“I know you have questions about you, about me,” he paused and looked up and down my body and winked at me. “About us.”

He was smiling so knowingly at me, and my body, it made me blush.

“So we do know each other.” I whispered.

He reached over and cradled my cheek in his hand.

“Yes.” He whispered and stroked my cheekbone with his thumb. “Yes, we do.”

“What are you to me?” I asked quietly, I took his hand away from my face and held it between my hands looking at all the scars and lines it had.

“Your humble servant.” He bowed his head for a moment while smiling.

“You’re awfully familiar with me to be a servant.” I let out a giggle and he beamed.

“We found each other while in service to another.” He explained and let me continue mapping his palm. “But to me, you are a Queen.”

“Me? A Queen?” I scoffed and traced my finger down the center of his palm. I thought I saw him shiver out of the corner of my eye.

He reached back up and held my chin to tilt my head up to look at him.

“Queen.” He whispered as he leaned in. “Goddess. Woman. All words fall short in presence of your beauty.”

The silence that fell between us felt intoxicating. Like swimming in sweet wine.

I wanted to lean just a little closer, feel his lips against mine, feel his strong hands grip and pet parts of my body like an instrument. I wanted to get so lost in each other in this beautiful quiet moment.

“Halbrand.” I looked into his green eyes and sighed.

“Y/n.” He whispered back, his eyes looked over my face like he was trying to memorize it.

I felt a knot of anticipation in my stomach.

Looking into his green eyes felt like coming home. I couldn’t explain why, but I knew deep in my bones that he was mine and I was his.

Without a moment to second guess myself, I leaned forward and simply pressed my lips against his.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as he gently moved his lips against mine and held my face in his hands.

Everything felt so right, it felt so natural, it was too much and not enough at the same time. He rose to his knees leaning over me as we kissed, gently pushing his tongue against mine and moaning when I threaded my fingers through his hair to encourage him.

He pulled his lips away and began kissing down my neck, his hands roamed down my body like he already knew it.

“ Miquelis” he murmured against my skin.

I gasped and for a moment, memories came flooding back in fragments. Red hot metal that was cool to the touch, blood and broken bones, screams of elves, clashes of swords, deep resonating voices that rang so loud my skull felt like it was going to split open.

Before I knew what I was doing, I pushed at Halbrand shoulders shoving him backwards.

He landed with a thud in the grass and I scrambled backwards panting with my back against the tree.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He said sincerely as he knelt in front of me searching my face. “I shouldn’t have assumed-“

“You-“ I cut him off.

There was a pause.

“You.” I whispered.

He was still as a statue, I could see his shoulder slowly rise and fall with his breathing but he was waiting for me to say something.

I took a moment to think back on what I remembered.

“You and I were a part of something.” I whispered. “Something dark.”

He swallowed slowly and nodded.

“What did you call me?” I asked.

“ Miquelis.” He repeated. “It means-“

“‘Sweet Kiss’.” I finished.

He nodded and kept watching me.

My head suddenly felt so fuzzy, with a pressure behind my eyes that was quickly becoming uncomfortable.

“I have to go.” I rose quickly and turned away from him.

I heard him chase after me an his hand gently took my elbow.

“Let me walk you back to your room.” He asked.

“No.” I tugged my arm away and looked up at him. “I need time alone.”

He nodded and took a step back.

I turned and hurried back to my room. Once I was behind a locked door, I pushed my back against the wall and sank to my knees. I tried to control my breathing but another memory was itching it’s way in and I wasn’t sure I wanted it. My heading was pounding and it felt like the room was spinning. I wanted to cry and scream and beg for it to stop but I knew it wouldn’t help.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes and let the memory flood my senses.

I saw Halbrand trying to talk to me in a forge, it was dark and snow covered every surface. The cold was bone deep but I felt nothing.

He was speaking but I couldn’t hear him. He took my face in his hands and had such a look of sorrow in his eyes that it broke my heart.

Suddenly a dark shadow figure emerged and dragged us apart.

“There will only be one ruler of Middle Earth.” A deep voice roared from somewhere in the darkness.

“There will be a king and his servants.”

The voice chilled me to my core, I was fighting with everything I had but whatever invisible force held me back was strong. Halbrand was on the opposite side of the room and shouting for me.

“To make sure you both obey, I will erase Y/no’s memory.”

Halbrand screamed, veins bulging across his neck and face as he fought and shouted. His pupils turned to skits like a snakes as he roared and fought to get back to me.

“If she can’t remember you, she can’t love you.”

Orcs burst into the room and grabbed me and dragged me out, I punched and scratched to no avail.

“And if you can’t find her, you’ll do as I say.”

Then darkness took me.

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Part 2: “Us”

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Tags: @ateliefloresdaprimavera @beatrice-san @arana-alpha @jooooosie @aarinisreading

[ilovewhiteroses]

Teasing You (part of "Workplace Affair")

Pairing: The Corinthian x Librarian of The Dreaming Reader Genre: Smut (although there’s no explicit sex), humour Warnings: references to sex, some curse words Rating: +18 Notes: - In the original ’Workplace Affair’ series, Reader was written as Female, but I wanted to write this story as Gender Neutral, so everyone could enjoy it 💕 - This one is shorter than my usual fanfics, but I hope you will like it

You and The Corinthian spice up your already exciting love life...

You and Corinthian have been together for a while. You often slept at his place and at work, when he dropped in sometimes, you tried to make time for each other. Lucienne and Merv soon accepted you together and after some time, Morpheus also managed to accept the fact that you are a couple. In your relationship, Corinthian was the dominant one, which you didn't mind at all, but sometimes you also liked to take control, especially in the bedroom. One night you decided that the next day, when he visits you in the library, you are going to tease him. Considering that Corinthian is very sex positive and often thinks with his dick, you wondered how long he would be able to hold back…

In the morning you got up a little earlier than usual so you could leave before Corinthian gets up. An hour later he also woke up and was a little scared when he found your place empty, but when he saw a note with the inscription "I left earlier", he calmed down. He went down to the living room and noticed a paper folded in half on the coffee table. He picked it up and read it.

"Have a nice day honey! I can't wait to feel you inside me again..."

"Baby, my dick is already hard, what will happen to me later?" he said to himself, reading your sexy message. He sighed contentedly, then went to get ready for work.

 It was finally time for the coffee break you've been waiting for since morning. You walked into the cafeteria and saw the nightmare having a conversation with Merv. You went to the coffee machine to make yourself a drink while waiting for the janitor to leave. When Merv left, you and Corinthian were finally alone. He walked over to you and pulled you close with a firm movement.

"Come here, you naughty librarian!"

He wanted to kiss you, but you didn't let him and escaped from the grip of his arms. You took a few steps back and started to move your body in front of him, then you went back to him, but this time you turned away and started rubbing your bottom against his crotch. You heard Corinthian purring in satisfaction like a big cat while placing his hands on your hips.

"Uh, Y/N, if you knew what you're doing to me. I wish I could fuck you right here right now on the table, I've had an erection since your message this morning." he said with a sexy smile. You turned to face him and reached down to grab his "package".

"I know and I really enjoy it." you said and caressed his cock through his pants, giving him a suggestive look. He tilted his head back slightly and sighed softly, causing you to bite your lip. You loved the way he gave himself in to you. You caressed him like that a little more, then before his thoughts could wander too much, you stopped and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"Oh, why did you stop?" Corinthian asked like a disappointed child. You deliberately didn't answer the question, you just said:

"See you later baby!" You winked at him then went back to the library.

 You collected the books on your table and walked to the shelves with them in a good mood. After you finished putting them up, you went back to your desk. You saw Corinthian again and this time he was talking with Lucienne. When you got a little closer to them, you heard your boyfriend ask the chief librarian about the rumours he heard from the other dreams. You waved to them and had a thought. Since Lucienne was standing with her back to you, you decided you would take advantage of the situation and provoke the hot nightmare a little...

You sat up on your desk so that Corinthian could see you clearly. You usually wore a skirt to work, but this time you wore pants so you could spread your legs more easily. You slowly started caressing your thigh, then reached between your legs and in the process, you gave your boyfriend a seductive look. He glanced over every now and then, but he tried to keep Lucienne from noticing, because even though you were teasing him, he was still enjoying the show you were putting on for him. You continued to ”touch” yourself and bite your lip, then threw your head back for a moment. Corinthian, even though he can't sweat, felt like he was flooded with heat and loosened his shirt a bit at the neck. He felt that he was starting to lose control over his thoughts and he heard Lucienne's words more and more quietly, he could only hear the beating of his heart in his ears. As you imitated masturbating, deep inside you prayed that Lucienne wouldn't look back or you'd end up in an extremely awkward situation, and Corinthian hoped she wouldn't notice his erection. He was trying his best to pay attention to the conversation, and in his head he was thinking that when he gets home, he is going to fuck you hard for being naughty all day.

 When you finished work, you went to his apartment and waited for him to come home. The nightmare hurried home as fast as he could. When he finally arrived and saw you, he walked towards you with the intention of ripping your clothes off.

"Hey big boy! What are you doing?” you asked him pretending to be surprised by what he was up to, laughing to yourself.

"Listen, I've been so horny all day because of your little games that I can’t take it anymore! I’m losing my mind, I want you so bad!" he said and pulled you close, but you got yourself out of his arms again.

"I know, I have been very, very bad! But, it's still not over." you told him mischievously, then picked up a strawberry from the plate on the coffee table. Corinthian frowned, but he was curious as to what you were up to.

First, you slowly ran the strawberry over your lips, then you started to lick it with the tip of your tongue, imagining that you were licking the head of his cock like that. Corinthian no longer frowned, but instead smiled and grunted in satisfaction. He loved it when you sucked his cock, because you were always enthusiastic and creative and he felt like the luckiest man in the world.

You then put the strawberry in your mouth and began to carefully suck it. While doing that, you moaned because you enjoyed the delicious taste of the fruit. You did all of this with your eyes closed, but at one point you opened them and saw Corinthian sitting on the couch, leaning back and looking at you. You were surprised that he didn't touch himself, although he usually never masturbated in front of others, he preferred his partner to do it in front of him, thus showing his dominant self. The way he was sitting there was so sexy to you that you felt yourself getting turned on. When you were sufficiently aroused, you bit into the strawberry and let the juice run down your chin as if it was the result of Corinthian's orgasm. The nightmare couldn't take it anymore, he went to you and kissed you passionately, then he took you in his arms and went up to the bedroom with you...😈

  Tags: @thecorilove86, @e-dubbc11, @harlekin6 @jessamydreams, 

@destiny-rahl, @merryandrewsworld @i-like-the-eyes, @drowningnikki, 

@mirandkimy,  @translat0r  

@delicateteenagerunaway, @imjustmessy, @zealoussaladsublime, 

@lilithsdreams, @cloudsofcondensation, @blondehotbrook, 

@enkelimoonstone, @bakerstreethound, @amidalasruby, @kittycat-kai, 

@hopeless-07,  @miss-wednesday98, @littlewierdalien, @littlefoxgirl-13, 

@dahlinq @dayleis, @idealai

@icytrickster17, @belladiaz, @smileymissbee

@foodlover123456789, @lazy-queen26, @yellowwithalisp, 

@onehundredyearsofyearning, @constantron, @violentviolet88, 

@strudelbug07​,  @underwater-garden

[hyuge]

Blade's Blade

🗡️BLADE'S BLADE🗡️

⚔️Nu: Carnival | BladeOli ⚔️Rated: M | 514 Words ⚔️For IdolOlivine for the @nucarnivalremix ⚔️Sex Negotiation | Kink Negotiation | Knife Play ⚔️Remix | Missing Scene | Sex Play Research ⚔️Inspired by: knife's edge by idololivine

Mutant rabbits were pesky creatures. They were easy enough to exterminate but their numbers posed a problem. Thanks to them, though, Blade now knew how absolutely fascinated Olivine was with his daggers. Blade worked hard to keep them pristine. An assassin couldn’t have sub-par blades. After a brief discussion and a lengthy cuddle session with several other clan members, Blade was now doing thorough research on the proper way to go about engaging in knife-play. Olivine expressed his interest in the subject, but said it was a matter for a different day.

Fortunately for Blade, Little Aster had a vast collection of books in his library. Many of them were dedicated to various sex acts. It only took him a couple of hours to find one that covered the dos and don’ts of engaging in intercourse with knives. Olivine would be proud of him to know how thoroughly he had studied. One of the chapters stated it was best to use dedicated knives for the act. That meant Blade couldn’t use the daggers that Olivine was so fascinated by. That was disappointing, but he wanted to be safe. Even though Blade cleaned them regularly, he didn’t want to infect their fair priest with some sort of unknown disease because of his carelessness.

When he finished reading and memorizing all seventy-two pages regarding sex with knives, Blade pulled Olivine aside to tell him all that he had learned. As expected, Olivine was disappointed to hear they couldn’t use his weapons.

Aster happened to overhear their conversation and pointed them in the right direction. “If you need knives, I know a blacksmith. He’s incredibly discrete and does amazing work. Every client I’ve ever pointed in his direction has been enthusiastically pleased with their requests.”

Olivine looked skeptical, but Blade was intrigued. They went to the smithery that Aster directed them to and placed their order. Three days later, a message was sent to the manor to let them know their order was ready to be picked up.

Blade’s eyes widened in delight when he saw how excited Olivine looked. The end result was a magnificent knife made of the finest steel Klein had to offer. It gleamed in the sunlight as they walked down the street, casting a rainbow on the ground as they stepped over a puddle. It was a sure sign that things would go well.

“You like it?” asked Blade, his head cocked to the side.

Olivine nodded. “It’s beautiful.”

“Just like O~~livine,” sang Blade. Olivine blushed.

With their new weapon in tow, Blade and Olivine sat down in the library with a sheet of parchment between them. Olivine began to jot down what they would and wouldn’t do, while Blade explained everything else that he had read in the book. They agreed that no blood would be drawn on their first attempt. They would save that for a later date. Blade’s chest fluttered with excitement over the prospects of them doing this more than once. He couldn’t wait to fill Olivine with all the pain and pleasure he so desperately desired.

[doll-collecting-aerialist]

AG Items and Dolls I’ve Found While Thrifting!!

I’ve been collecting for a couple years at this point, but my favorite finds are always the unexpected ones at local thrift stores!! Here are some of the things I’ve found (that I remember)

Dolls:

JLY #21 w/ Star hoodie meet

JLY #33 w/ Mia’s underwear

JLY #39 w/ Rebecca’s one piece PJS

Grace Thomas w/ meet shirt

Kira Bailey w/ accessories and meet

JLY #16 w/blue snowflake PJs (hair cut. fixed and gave away for a family friend’s birthday)

Joss Kendrick (when I worked at a thrift store- she was sold by the time I got off shift and went to buy her)

Multiple Julies (again, when I worked at a thrift store. I have two Julie dolls so I didn’t see a point in buying them.)

Lea Clark NIB (the store wanted $175 for her- no thank you)

Kendall (WW)

Willa (WW- I’ve seen and priced multiple when I worked at the thrift store. I’ve only bought one.)

Camille (WW- I don’t like her so I’ve never bought her. She looks like my elementary school bully and shares her name. Also one of the thrift stores wanted $40 for a one-legged Camille)

Large Items:

Samantha’s Bed (this came from what we called an “estate dump” at my old thrift job- ie. someone dying and their family dumping all their possessions to the thrift store. Samantha’s bedding had to be disposed of with all other soft items in this “dump” because of infestation. Since Samantha’s bed frame is metal, I scrubbed it and saved it.)

Julie’s Bed and Bedding

Floral Bed and Bedding

Kit’s Roll-Top Desk

Julie’s Egg Chair

Truly Me Chestnut Horse (For Felicity)

AG Hair Styling Caddy

Truly Me Grill (from a mid 2010s TM camping set)

Coconut

Kanani’s Dog (bought and gave to a friend)

Random AG Farm Fence Pieces and Food Items (honestly the weirdest lot of items. Fence pieces from a horse set, some of Molly’s multiplication cards, Truly Me meet boots, a doll sized AG waterbottle from a TM backpack set, etc)

AG Bubble Bath (bought and eventually re-donated. It wasn’t in the best condition and I want the dark blue bathtub JLY bathtub instead. I kept some of the bubbles.)

AG Electric Car (thrift store forgot to give me the controller and when I went back they said they sold said controller to someone else?? Eventually re-donated because these dolls are eight why are they driving?)

AG Hair Styling Chair (never seen one in good enough condition to buy)

Julie’s Bathroom Set (store wanted $75 with NO accessory items and water damage. No thank you, especially not for an item that I can only use for a couple photo ideas.)

AG Concession Stand (had no accessories. Couldn’t justify having such a large incomplete, poor condition item taking up space in my house.)

WW Magical Llamacorn and Carriage (I wanted it but where am I supposed to put it??)

Notable Paper Items and Books:

(Honestly my entire AG book collection comes from the thrift store, these are just the interesting items.)

An entire binder of AG trading cards and PC era pamphlets.

PC era stationary cards (thrift store had about 50 packs)

Kit’s Railway Adventure

Welcome To… World Books (multiple girls)

Addy’s Short Story Collection

Addy’s Theater Kit (x2- one well loved and one sealed)

Kit’s Stationary Set (sealed)

PC Story Collections for ALL the early girls (including Kit)

The American Girl Party Book

Hardcover library editions of all of the PC cookbooks

The American Girl Board Game

The American Girl Card Game

The American Girl Family Album

NIB STEM Craft Kit

AG Intermediate Fiction: A Sky Full of Stars, and Smoke Screen

What I Wish You Knew (a PC parenting book!! Gone before I could pick it up back when I worked at a thrift store)

Our New Baby (unfortunately it was moldy so I had to throw it away- this was at my thrift job)

Assorted History Mysteries and GOML

[2-lines-and-a-circle]

Always by your side~ Lilia ver.

A sudden project required you to research some past history from the Briar Valley, turning to your dorm leader for advice it quickly turned sour.

You: Leona! Do you know the best book to read for information on the Briar Valley? Leona: Oi! Puppy, why are you asking me?

  You: Because you’ve been here at the school for a long time so I thought you would know this place like the back of your hand. Was I wrong? Leona: There *points to a book* if you want to know so much read this. You: *picks up book* I knew it! You do have a book on the Birar Valley! Leona: When you’re done with it, make sure you return it to the library for me. I haven’t returned it since the first year I attended this place. You: Will do dorm leader Leona! *skips away happily*

Searching for a quiet place in the school to read this book proved to be more of a struggle than getting a book from Leona. Walking throughout the entire school, you somehow ended up in Diasomnia. Since you were Savanaclaw this was a doom flag for you. After all, the two were rival dorms in sports. Not to mention how loyal you were to Leona and followed his hatred towards Malleus. Though, the reason you disliked Malleus was mainly because he felt childish to you.

Lilia: Oya? What is a puppy like you doing here? You: I don’t know either… I was looking for a quiet place to read my book *waves it to him* Lilia: I remember when I made my report on the Briar Valley like you~ Ah youth~ You: How can I get out of this place? Do you know where the exit is? Lilia: Fufufu. I’ll show you. You: Ah, thank you! Lilia: After I talk to you about the Briar Valley that is. You: I’ve been played.

After what seemed like hours, Lilia finally came to a stop with his speech on how the Briar Valley is like. Of course, such an experience wasn’t pleasant at first, but it worked out in the end. Lilia grazed you with plenty of information to use on your project and guided you back to your dorm to prevent you getting lost again.

The hard work you put into your project didn’t fail either. Results came back with the best in your grade, even beating your classmate who was from the Briar Valley.

Sebek: How did you know so much about Briar Valley! You knew stuff even I didn’t know about! Almost as if you talked to a local of a hundred years *holds his head in disbelief* You: I guess you can say that I met someone like that… Sebek: Impossible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even Malleus didn’t want to talk to me about the things I didn’t know about Briar Valley! You: Umm… I’m gonna go now!

Rushing away from the steaming Sebek who was in despair was a smart choice. Receiving such a good grade was thanks to Lilia, so you went to Diasomnia to thank him for the information.

You: Sebek? Why are you blocking me from entering the dorm? Sebek: You can’t go in to get close to Malleus you little puppy! You: I’m sorry little fairy, but I’m here to see Lilia not Malleus. I just want to thank him for helping me. Sebek: *looks you up and down* Fine, but you have to stay close to me! You: Alright!

Taking you to Lilia you sat down in the lounge and thanked him for the information given.

Lilia: You didn’t have to go out of your way to thank me for such a thing. Fufufuf. But, these chocolates are very tasty~ You: That’s great to hear, I actually made them. Lilia: I didn’t know Savanaclaw’s puppy could cook. *eats a couple more* You: Yeah, I didn’t know either till I tried to make some earlier. It’s a miracle they came out so well! Ah, that’s right. Since you helped me with this project, put your trust in me! Lilia: What? You: I will be there when you need help, you can rely on me! Think of this as an appreciation for you helping me that day. I mean I received the best score of my life thanks to you! So I owe a lot to you! Lilia: Fufufu. I’ll make sure to take you up on that chance when it comes. You: Yes!

[slytherslyth]

The Task - OminisxMC

Third Chapter

"She's bubbling over," Sebastian said as he flipped through the pages of his book. Davina was glowering at a missing book on the library shelf. "She'll snap at any-"

"How hard is it to just have what I need?" She spat through gritted teeth.

Ominis leaned in and whispered, "I know she has been receiving an abundance of letters from her family. You didn't hear it from me."

Sebastian looked her up and down from the table. "Do you think they're like... well-like yours?"

"My father isn't particularly close to the Rosiers, so it's hard to say," Ominis said. "Marvolo was after her sister for years, though, while at Hogwarts. Apparently, she's a real piece of work—but I wouldn't trust anything that comes out of my family's mouths."

"You could start a gossip column in The Daily Prophet, you know."

"Shut up, Sebastian."

Davina had been stomping around all day. Ominis had noticed her sour mood first in Herbology when she'd left him to trim the Venomous Tentacula on his own.

"Oh, bloody hell!" She cursed from behind them. Ominis jumped at the sudden noise. He straightened the books he'd knocked with his elbow and continued with his Potions essay. Sebastian kept his head down, a smirk on his lips.

Just then, a large black owl appeared and dropped a letter right on the floor in front of Davina. She bent over and picked it up, scanned it quickly, and then threw it into the library fire. The flat paper floated from her hand to the fireplace, landing at the very corner but not quite catching. She hadn't noticed. She had already stormed off.

Sebastian grabbed the letter immediately.

"What are you doing?"

"Relax, Ominis," Sebastian said. "I'm just worried about our friend. You saw how high-strung she has been the past couple of days."

"That's her private correspondence, Sebastian. You can't." Ominis stood up and went to snatch the letter, but missed.

"I just want to know what's wrong. Then maybe we can help her or at least tread around the subject so we don't upset her further." Sebastian reasoned. Ominis sighed, as he often did when Sebastian had ideas.

"Fine. Read it."

Sebastian opened the letter.

Daughter,

It has been two entire days since I sent my last letter and you've yet to accomplish anything. Perhaps I was wrong to suspect you might finally make yourself useful. If I don't hear from you by the end of the week with good news, do not bother returning home for the holidays.

Signed,

Mother.

"That's awful," Ominis' voice was soft. It broke slightly as he recalled all the awful things his own mother had said to him.

"What do you suppose she is meant to be doing?" Sebastian asked.

"Coming from a Sacred Pureblood family, it can't be good."

Sebastian straightened up. "You have a lot of experience with this sort of thing."

"With Pureblood supremacy? Yes." Ominis rolled his eyes.

"What I mean is you can relate to her," Sebastian said. "Whatever is going on, I think you should be the one who talks to her about it. I don't want to press her, and I wouldn't understand what it's like, anyway."

Ominis couldn't disagree. She was clearly worked up, and her mother's letter was downright nasty. He closed his books and began putting them back in their places. He rolled up his homework parchment and placed it and in his bag with his quill and inkpot.

"I suppose I should find her sooner rather than later," Ominis started, "but if she isn't talking to us by supper, it's your fault."

.

It was in the Undercroft where he found her. She was sitting slumped against the stone wall, looking pathetic. Ominis could sense her despair. It filled the room and made the air feel heavy.

He allowed his wand to guide him toward her. She didn't look up, didn't acknowledge him. She just seemed finished. Ominis thought of all the letters he knew she'd received, likely from her mother. The poor girl was being hounded. Ominis crouched beside her.

"Davina," he started, "I've something to tell you."

She lulled her head up and to the side, staring at him blankly.

Ominis continued, "I owe you an apology. Sebastian does, too. We've been awfully worried about you over the past couple of days and we thought perhaps that letter you received might tell us why-"

"I burned my letter. I'm not telling you what was on it."

"The fire didn't quite catch. Sebastian grabbed it and-"

"You read my letter?!"

"Purely out of concern." She would calm down soon. He knew it. While her friendship with Sebastian was fiery, her friendship with Ominis was cool. She wouldn't escalate much further. In that, he was confident.

"I don't need your concern." She snapped. "I have enough concerns from-"

"From your family," Ominis interjected. "From your mother, in fact. I understand. I get it too from mine."

Davina took a deep breath, her shoulders shaking as she did so. "Our circumstances are entirely different."

"Perhaps," he said. "Perhaps not. I cannot know if you don't tell me."

"It's stupid," she mumbled. "You couldn't possibly relate."

"Try me." He sat beside her and pressed his back against the stone. She took another shuddery breath.

"My mother has decided I am to marry as soon as I graduate from Hogwarts."

Ominis sniggered through his nose. "We have more in common than I thought."

"What do you mean?" She looked at him now, properly.

"My eldest brother announced his engagement over the holidays. Of course, in true Gaunt fashion, he proposed to our cousin." He wrinkled his nose. "My father has decided if Marvolo is to take his position as heir, the rest of us need to marry up and get out. So I've been told to find a nice Pureblood girl-"

"To betroth yourself to," Davina finished. "One who fits whatever criteria they have given, one to bring pride to the family name..."

"Y-yes," Ominis faltered. Realization dawned on him. Perhaps he wouldn't need Anne's help after all.

"My family stopped liking me when I failed to get a Hogwarts letter," Davina opened up. "I wasn't invited to anything. I wasn't spoken about. I wasn't spoken to." Her voice broke. "I was told over the holidays that I need to find a good husband. One from a Sacred family so they can get rid of me while bringing pride to the family. I-"

"I can help you." He interrupted her. Her cheeks flushed a brilliant red.

"O-Ominis... I can't-"

"I'm not proposing marriage, Davina," he clarified quickly, his own blush spreading across his cheeks. "I'm proposing a scheme."

"You sound like Sebastian."

"Spending too much time with him does have that effect." His blush began to fade. "No, my idea was to pretend. We can both write to our parents and tell them we have paired up. I'm a Gaunt. You're a Rosier. They won't contest it."

Davina was no fool. She had thought of this idea from the moment the order had left her mother's mouth. But to hear him offer in earnest...

"I cannot ask this of you."

"You aren't asking anything of me. I'm offering." He said. "Besides, it's only a matter of time before my family turns up the pressure."

Davina thought of how he had spent the holidays with the Gaunts, much to his disgust. She could only imagine what he had to endure. "Okay," she said. "Let's do it."

See the rest of the story over on Wattpad. The Task by Slytherslyth here 

[camgoloud]

22-25 for the end of the year reading asks!

(In response to this ask game which I reblogged Several days ago lmao)

22. What's the longest book you read?

By page count it's pretty close to tied between Iron Gold (Pierce Brown) and The Will of the Many (James Islington)! Iron Gold is the fourth book in a sci-fi series that I read a while ago—since this summer I’ve been slowly rereading/listening to the audiobook versions of the first five books because I learned that the sixth one was being released in July after a several year wait and couldn’t remember enough about the plot to jump straight into it. Working my way through the fifth one right now which is even longer (34 hour audiobook!)... hopefully I'll finish it before the end of the year so I can finally start the new one. Meanwhile The Will of the Many is the recently-published first in a planned trilogy and it's all about Gary Stu's adventures in the fantasy Roman Empire with a magic system that's a somewhat-clunky, hilariously unsubtle satire of trickle-down economics. I had fun with it :)

23. What’s the fastest time it took you to read a book?

I think the full-length novel that I went through the fastest is probably Catherynne Valente’s Space Opera, which I read in a sub-24 hour period (picked it up at the library on a Friday afternoon and was done before Saturday evening). My feelings on that one are somewhat mixed—it’s a quick read (lmao) and a fun concept (2/3 ex-members of a washed-up English glam rock band get forcibly conscripted to represent Earth in its first inter-galactic Eurovision analogue after first contact with aliens; if they lose humanity is deemed unworthy of entering the cultural conversation and the planet gets destroyed) and months later I am still compelled by the relationships between the main two characters/their narrative-haunting dead best friend, and there are a few specific sentences I could quote word for word because I liked the prose so much—but also the prose is just So Fucking Much. My god. Valente read the Goodreads quote page for Hitchhiker’s Guide and said “I’m going to write a book where Every Single Sentence reads exactly like all of these” and by god she fucking did it! Kind of grated on me after a couple of chapters tbh and also I can’t decide whether I think the ending was strong or not... I'd recommend it though if you're a fan of Hitchhiker's and/or Eurovision and/or rock band drama!

24. Did you DNF anything? Why?

I think the only things I got properly invested in (as in, read more than the first few pages) before setting aside for an extended period of time and don’t plan on finishing before the year ends are House of Leaves and The Crying of Lot 49 - and both of them especially House of Leaves are books that I actually would like to finish, but realized partway through that I absolutely did not have the bandwidth at that point of time to give them the time/attention they required. But one of these years I will actually sit down and read a Pynchon novel from cover to cover I swear… and I should be able to get to House of Leaves in 2024!

25. What reading goals do you have for next year?

I want to read more short stories! I got pretty into the speculative fiction short story scene this year—bits and pieces of various anthologies, finally subscribed to some magazines like Clarkesworld, etc.—and I’ve been having a really good time with it, so next year I’d like to keep that energy up. I’m also hoping to finish House of Leaves as previously mentioned!

[deepautumncolors]

Today was a bit rough. Yesterday I washed the towels and they were fine, but then I washed our clothes and they were still wet when I went to get them out of the dryer over an hour later. So I guess there’s something wrong with it and it was already here when my husband bought the house in 2014, so we’re going to order a new one. This morning we brought our clothes down the road to my mother-in-law’s house during our 15-minute break and put them in her dryer while she was at work. Oh and there was a water main break somewhere near our house, so we didn’t have any water for a couple hours. And then we had to watch a presentation about the new insurance plan during our lunch hour, so I didn’t get to watch Frasier and read my library book like I usually do. At least they gave us an hour of personal time to make up for it, though. And another good thing was that my supervisor helped me fix a problem I’ve been having for the past two weeks, so I’m really glad that’s taken care of. I figured we would go pick up our clothes at some point, but my mother-in-law dropped them off and she had even folded them for us!

I left at 4:00 (we got up early and worked at 7 again) and went to Cassie’s class because I wanted to do all our Halloween dances one last time until next year. I decided to wear my cat ears and pumpkin earrings with an orange outfit. Grace had on a Halloween outfit too, but we were the only ones. Actually, only two other women came besides us and one of them was the one who likes Taylor Swift. Cassie let me do LWYMMD, Walking on Air, Monster Mash, and Zombie Zoo again and I redeemed myself for the parts I messed up on Saturday. Oh, and she let me go up front and lead Disturbia too. It was really fun!

[oliviab-scstudyabroad]

Uruguay, Papá! (Part I)

Hey everyone! I apologize for the delay in blog posts; I’ve been sick this past week! Study abroad can really take a toll on you physically since you’re always on the go, so I took some time to reset and recover. That being said, I wanted to write about a road trip that I took a couple of weeks ago to visit the interior of Uruguay! The interior refers to all the departments (like the states in the U.S.) except Montevideo. The interior is rich with culture and nature, so I was glad I got to spend the long weekend there!

There were five of us that went (all international students studying abroad): one from France, two from two different parts in Mexico, and one from England but was born in Palestine! I loved that we were a mix of all different nationalities. On Thursday afternoon, we picked up our car rental and drove 3.5 hours to Minas, the capital of the department Lavalleja. We arrived late in the evening, so we went grocery shopping, arrived at the Airbnb, and cooked a delicious dinner of chorizo with homemade chimichurri, grilled potatoes, and Michelada, a traditional Mexican drink. We ate like kings and stayed up playing games and chatting.

The next morning, we made a breakfast of yogurt and fruit with honey and budin (sweet bread). We wanted to explore a little bit of Minas/Villa Serrana before heading to the department of Treinta y Tres, so we visited the Obelisco (Obelisk? It’s basically a tall skinny pyramid that most departments have). It was way smaller than we expected, but we had to laugh because we drove 15 minutes on bumpy roads in a stick-shift car to visit it. On the way, we also found a little free library where people could take and leave a book, write poetry, and give book suggestions! The books were in a refrigerator painted in all sorts of colors, so of course I had to take pics.

We then headed to the Salto del Penitente where we walked to a series of lagoons and waterfalls. I wanted to jump in, but it was impossible to get close enough to the lagoon without basically scaling the rocks/cliffs! We decided to play if safe and tan next to the waterfall. After soaking in the sun, we had a late lunch and tried croquettes (more like egg rolls) with jabaldi (warthog). It tasted just like regular pork, and I can say that that’s the most “exotic” thing I’ve ever tasted! We then decided to pack up and drive the three hours to Treinta y Tres. We passed by an olive orchard along the way, so we stopped and bought olive oil to cook with and fizzy wine in a can made from grapes grown in the area! There were also so many cats roaming around; we each wanted to steal one and take them back to Montevideo. When we were driving, we also drove past a fox that was sleeping on the side of the road! We slowed down and he sat up and just stared at us for a couple of minutes! He was clearly used to seeing humans because he just had this look of curiosity on his face. I wanted to steal him too but thought better of it 😉

Once we got to our Airbnb in Treinta y Tres, a few people went to the store while my friend Cleo and I started the fire! I was so proud of us that we got it going and that we could start cooking dinner right away. We had another delicious dinner of chorizo and grilled potatoes. The next day was Cleo’s birthday, so we stayed up to sing to her in Spanish, English, and Arabic! How neat is that?

Part two is on its way! Stay tuned!

[accidentalspaceexplorer]

2023 Goals

As with last year, most of my goals don’t have numbers attached to them, because I find that really stressful, and it turns my goals (and my reading) into a task to complete. Instead, I pick things I’d like to do more, to encourage me to consider them when putting things on hold at the library or buying something at a bookstore. With no further ado, my goals:

Read 100 books: I read almost twice this much last year, but I shall not count on anything during grad school.

Read more translated literature: Last year most of my translated works were manga, and while I really enjoyed them, I also want to make progress on my TBR of other kinds of translated literature!

Reduce my physical TBR: There’s still some stuff on my shelves I haven’t touched for years, and I’d like to get to them! This also includes books that were gifted to me or that I borrowed from people.

Read books at the top of my numbered TBR: A long time ago, I went through a couple of times and ordered my Goodreads TBR based on what I was really excited about! I may no longer be using Goodreads, but I still have 250 books that I dragged to the top of my list I haven’t gotten to, and I want to someday get through those - either remove them from my TBR because my tastes have changed or read them! Last year about 10% of the books I read were from this list - maybe I can beat that this year!

Read books in Spanish: I have put this damn goal on my list for two years running and read nothing. This year I vow to read at least one!!! Just one!!!

Read 40% Authors of Color: I’m still trying to get to this goal - I’m close, but not quite there, and I’m trying to pay attention to this to make sure that I’m not reading a narrow swath of literature!

Read more Discworld: I have 9 Discworld books left, and I’m getting really invested in some of these storylines so I’d like to read more soon. I’m currently reading Thief of Time, and then it’s time for Night Watch and Monstrous Regiment, two of the ones I’ve been really excited about for a while.

Finish series: I currently have 100 unfinished series on my TBR, 22 of which I’m caught up on. That still leaves 78 series I could be caught up on or finished with! I want to make progress! Hypothetically I liked these books and wanted to read their sequels! Realistically I think I’m going to have to re-read quite a few of these first installments to continue on in the series, and I may learn that I’m not as interested in them at this point in my life.

Read recommendations from the Storygraph: I’ve liked their recommendations in the past, and I’d like to continue using this as one of my discovery methods for interesting books!

Read indigenous authors: Still working on this, still not doing as well as I’d like. I need to be more proactive about putting them on hold at the library.