#i wonder if anyone will recognize this pic

[bigtiddydevilbf]

When you reblog something and add tags then you hit post and realize one of them has a spelling error

[nanaarchy]

Hey chat !!!! I'm going insane.

Ever since my first listen to TMA, I've had a huge question that NEVER got answered.

Never. Not in the whole series, not Q&As or the wiki or anything. I thought I would never find answers. I thought it would be forgotten. I thought it was a small insignificant detail and I'd have to live with never knowing the truth about it.

Now with TMAGP 19, I might finally know the answer.

Maybe. Maybe maybe. But It Could Be. And now I'm losing my mind at the implications.

((For the record, I know that the stories and worldbuilding are inherently separate - hell, there are even timeline differences in the cases I'm using as evidence. But the overlap might be important, especially when it comes to the Web.))

Spoilers for both shows below!

Its branches were exquisite, and delicate, swaying slightly from small eddies in the liquid, and they shone with every spectra. I must confess that to look upon it, one was – (sigh) filled with profound wonder at its exquisite elegance. [...] Even I, steeped in worldly matters as I am, recognized The Lord’s words to Adam, and was much dismayed at the implication. Isaac then plucked the delicate fruit with ungloved hands and held it before me. [...] The creature was taking root. Strands of its mottled brown hair were extruding downwards between the floor, seeking the dark earth below. Then, too, its back began to sprout, radiant branches unfurling and thickening before me, reaching upwards towards the sunlight with a seemingly insatiable desire. [...] I tell you here, Robert, it saw me, and it knew me. (TMAGP 19 - HARD RESET)

It was an ornate wooden thing, with a snaking pattern of lines weaving their way around towards the centre. The pattern was hypnotic and shifted as I watched it, like an optical illusion. I found my eyes following the lines towards the middle of the table, where there was nothing but a small square hole. Graham noticed me staring, and told me that interesting antique furniture was one of his few true passions. Apparently he’d found the table in a second-hand shop during his student days and fallen in love with it. It had been in pretty bad shape but he’d spent a long time and a lot of money restoring it, though he’d never been able to figure out what was supposed to go in the centre. He assumed it was a separate piece and couldn’t track it down. (MAG 3 - ACROSS THE STREET)

Re: Magnus Institute Ruins. By RedCanary on Saturday April 23 2022 12:17pm. The photos from the spelunk seem properly gone, but I did find an old wooden thing with a bunch of similar symbols on. Some kinda empty box, not really sure what for, though. Gonna see if I can get the light right for a decent pic. Edit: No dice, I’m afraid. Must be something up with my phone camera. Really not helping the whole paranoia thing either. Anyone know anything about photographic distortion? Gonna see if I can borrow my dad’s SLR tomorrow. (TMAGP 1 - FIRST SHIFT)

Adelard Dekker stood in the corner. He was straight and motionless, his lips moving rapidly, though no sound came out of them. In the centre of the room, stood a table carved from dark wood and wrapped all over with a sprawling, intricate pattern. And in front of that table was the thing that had said it was my cousin. It was long and thin, the tops of it bent against the ceiling and its stick-like limbs flailed from too many joints and elbows. Wrapped around it were thick strands of what I think was spider’s web, stretching back into the table, which I now saw pulsed along its carved channels with a sickly light. The face at the top of that gangly frame was like nothing on earth. (MAG 78 - DISTANT COUSIN)

Now... Now I get it. I get it. I finally gave an answer. Or, at least, I think we'll get a concrete answer soon. But I think I get it.

I think I get where the web table comes from. I think I know what it's made of. why it glows. why it had a hole in the middle. I think I might know how the web gained control and sentience so much faster than the other fears. and, if it still manifests in the same way in the Protocol universe, how it also quickly became "the manager" of other fears, as theories suggest.

More importantly, I think I know what was up with the mysterious tree from so, so long ago.

Now I have an answer.

Why was there an apple buried in Hill Top Road?

I opened the box and sitting inside was a single green apple. It looked fresh, shiny, with a coat of condensation like it had just been picked on a cool spring morning. I picked it up. I wasn’t going to eat it, I’m not that stupid, but more than bleeding trees or phantom burning, this confused me. As I took it out of the box, though, it began to turn. The skin turned brown and bruised and started to shrivel in my hand. Then it split. And out came spiders. Dozens, hundreds of spiders erupting from this apple that was rotting right before my eyes. I shrieked and dropped it before any of them could touch my arm. The apple fell to the ground and burst in a cloud of dust. I backed away and waited until I was sure all the spiders had left before retrieving the box. I smashed it with a crowbar, and threw the remains into a skip. (MAG 8 - BURNED OUT)

And now I have an answer. Maybe.

[formosusiniquis]

Earlier this/last week @thefreakandthehair did some possible s5 scene speculation based on some leaked pics that circulated. The scene and it's kas!eddie/pre-steddie implications stuck with me and now I present you all with this

---

Maybe he should feel worse about it, but the first thing Steve thinks when he hears the voices cresting up the hill, angry in a way that sounds drunk, is he's glad.

It's not that he wants the kid's mourning time interrupted, Steve is just glad for something to do. Something that isn't standing off to the side doing his own mental math. How long do you have to know someone to feel this anguish looking at their headstone? How long to make it okay that you've added their grave to your city patrol, checking a couple times a week for new graffiti and especially two hours before picking up Dustin to bring him here. At least his time on the ladder outside The Hawk was well spent, paint remover and rags in his trunk beside a bat that only leaves to join him in places like this.

They put Eddie's grave near the back but it's still surrounded. The Hawkins Cemetery taking on dozens of new residents, tall dirt mounds marking their new homes. He tries not to think too much about the details. Was this the plot Mr. Munson had bought for himself? Did the government provide it? The least they could do for the hero they're generously allowing to take the role of villain, a free plot for an empty grave.

He's five back and four to the right of another empty grave, Steve needs to remember flowers next time he comes. Anniversaries have always stuck in his mind. Four years maybe geraniums.

Ball caps crest over the hill before faces, and he already knows this won't be good. Tiger green has become his least favorite color. He pats Dustin on the shoulder, letting the kid know he's stepping back and away. Let it look like privacy, not that he’s done more than stare. Edward Munson Now with God.

Meandering over to where the problem is headed his way, Steve wonders if that was deliberate. A preventative measure, to keep people away. Or is Mr. Munson a devout believer, hoping this inscribed plea will help the universe do right by his boy?

He tries not to think too hard about it.

There are other things to worry about. Five important things in ballcaps and letterman jackets, stalking up faster like the closer they get the better they can smell the blood in the water. He hadn’t moved fast enough. They’re too close. To him, to Dustin. Andrews and Miller and Jackson and Thompson and one other, three seniors, a junior, and a reedy kid that must be a sophomore like Dustin. Faces he recognizes in the vague sense of athletic camaraderie. Guys he’s played pickup with on nice days.

“What’re you doing here, Harrington?” It doesn’t matter who actually says it, it’s the voice of the mob. There’s a blankness in all of their eyes, maybe he was wrong about them not being drunk. Mob justice, the spirit of the night.

“Feels like I should be asking you fellas that.”

“Kid up there’s been running his mouth, he’s gotta learn what happens to freaks around here.”

They’re way too close. Steve can tell Dustin heard that the same way he can tell when the kid is ignoring him on purpose. There’s a second that he thinks about playing along, five on one, if he could play the jock card and get away with it things could be easier. But Dustin is pointedly not listening now, picking at the grass that’s barely started growing over the dirt they covered Eddie’s grave in.

“That’s not gonna happen, not while I’m standing here.”

Five against one.

He’s still not very good in a fight with people. Maybe it’s the fucking yips.

The bat has worked as a deterrent. When people with anger and bile in their eyes looked at him cleaning up red painted words across grey granite. Nails pointedly facing the sky, keeping their sneers at a distance.

Held at his side, they all know he doesn’t want to hit anyone with it. He swings low, he pulls them shy.

It isn’t long before it’s wrestled away. Tossed to the side and he’s left with only fists to swing.

When the first hand closes around his collar, the seams on his sleeve popping, the adrenaline presents him a pointless gift. The collar on Dustin’s shirt didn’t get torn by the agitator in their washing machine. Of all the things to lie about, of course he lied about this.

The telltale throb of his pulse in his face and his fists point to the fight going rapidly down hill. He’s put one down. Four against one.

“Hey assholes!” And of course Dustin can’t help but get involved.

“Get out of here,” Steve tries to urge him away. Can’t make the gesture with his hands, every time he moves another person grabs his shoulder or his arm. Pulling him deeper into the fight. Like he’s that horse in the swamp in that movie. 

But Dustin doesn’t listen. Of course he doesn’t listen. Dustin is swinging the bat wildly like it’s a club and he’s BamBam, he’s going to hurt himself before he hurts someone else.

Andrews or Miller or Jackson, they're all the same in this mob, pull away from him. Moving toward Dustin.

“Get away from him! Get away from him,” Steve struggles, shouting even as his voice cracks. He can't get away, can't move. Two people have his arms held. The sleeve of his shirt rips. The third hits him again.

Pain and adrenaline, there's a ringing in his ears that drowns out whatever Dustin is saying. Mouth moving in a babble that Steve can't make heads or tails of with his blurred out vision.

But he sees the swing. Dustin unused to the weight of the bat, the hit lands too close to the handle.

He only gets the one. Then it’s ripped from his hands and tossed back toward Eddies grave.

Then he sees the swing. A fist that lands exactly where it's meant to. Dustin staggers back but stays standing. Staggers closer to the grave.

Where rivulets of red are spreading across the ground the same way they're pouring from his face.

Steve struggles harder, pain tolerance fucked he can barely even feel the hits that have been landing. He has to get to Dustin.

Long black claws, a hand with greyed flesh. It digs itself into the ground ready to pull itself up.

“Dustin, Dustin, you have to run. Go!”

“I'm not fucking leaving.”

Another hit. It takes Dustin down this time. One eye blinks as the other already begins to swell. Steve can taste blood in his mouth.

A dark streak launches itself into the air. Moving too fast to make out anything but big, it vanishes into the dusky fall sky. Steve tries to track it. Tries to keep his eye on it and Dustin and the guys.

Another swing, on Steve this time. Attention drawn too many places he doesn't see it coming. Hard across the temple, one of these assholes is still wearing his class ring. 

Vision greying out, when Steve can see again there's one more missing. The hold on his arms is slack. Steve pulls loose, running straight for Dustin, trying to pull him up from the ground.

“We've got to go. C'mon, Dust, we've got to get back to the car. Make the call.”

He's tugging but Dustin isn't moving. The sound of a scream takes the air. Steve doesn't know if he can pick him up. Isn't sure he ever healed right after the bats.

Another scream. Another. Dustin is moving now. Barely. Feet stumbling over themselves. Two hard hits to the head, could be a concussion.

It's following them. Moving faster through the air than they have any hope of on their feet. Prey. They're running, they have to try.

Swooping low, the thing passes overhead. That throaty clicking that haunts his nightmares fills the air. It lands on two legs. Tall and human. Long, leathery wings extend from its back. Steve's bat clutched in its hands. It walks closer. Stalking.

Steve tries to shove Dustin farther behind him. Tries. Tries. But the thing walking toward them, it's Eddie.

He struggles against Steve's hold. “Let go. Let me go! It's Eddie, he's alive.”

“Dustin. Don't. Dustin,” he isn't sure what he's trying to stop. He isn't sure he can anymore.

Back wheels skidding on a wet road. There's a helplessness every time he realizes that things are starting again. When he knows for sure that the wreck is going to happen, fishtailing out of his control.

It's November and it's back.

It's back and it's wearing Eddie's face.

At least when he comes to the end of his borrowed time, the thing that will kill him will be beautiful. Even with the milky film covering those big brown eyes. Even though he looks pale as a corpse. 

Predator. Eddie moves with a fluid grace. Closer. Closer.

Anything is better than the demogorgon. He supposes. But he probably shouldn't be thinking that either. 

Will Dustin run when he goes down?

Steve thinks they're about to find out. Eddie starts to fold, a sprinter getting into position, a cat about to pounce.

Only he keeps going, collapsing until he's down on one knee. Far enough away that if they had to, Steve thinks they could get away before he's chasing them again. Close enough that he can make out the humor that's spread across a smile with too many new teeth. A seriousness in his eyes. He holds the bat flat across both hands, offering it out to Steve. Urging him to step forward and take it. Proposing.

“Your scepter, my king, you're going to need it. Vecna is coming but I have a plan.”

[allwaswell16]

[4 pics, 4 quotes, 4 iconic 1D fics]

Iconic Fics by...

- lululawrence -

[1]

Louis turned back to his food, getting his meal ready, and Harry meant to focus on Louis’ notes, he did. But he couldn’t help furtively watching Louis out of the corner of his eye as he hummed to himself, swaying and dancing a little in the kitchen as he finished pulling his lunch together.

He knew he couldn’t have it forever, so Harry did his best to memorize every detail he could. Maybe then, when this arrangement ended and Louis wasn’t around as much, Harry could imagine he still was and he wouldn’t feel lonely.

He suspected that no amount of imagining could ever come close to replacing Louis, though.

[2]

Whoever his soulmate was, Louis hoped they weren’t as bored as he was in that moment. Seriously, if he had to sit through another lecture on how much Mary loved Hamlet he was going to stab himself in the eye just to avoid class next time. He did remember as he watched another blossom slowly come to life that he was supposed to pick up Lottie and take her to dance class, though. He quickly scribbled, “Lotts dance 4,” on his hand so he wouldn’t forget. He wondered what his soulmate thought of that. Louis smiled a bit to himself and then continued to daydream as the vines on his arms grew in size and beauty.

[3]

Harry’s face shifted to something Louis couldn’t read.

“You don’t even know me.”

“Yeah, but I know you deserve to be treated with kindness just like anyone.” Louis cracked a smile. “Besides. I wanted to punch Niall earlier. You were kind to him even when he was being a total ass.”

Harry laughed heartily, and Louis felt butterflies erupt in his chest. It was the first time he’d seen more than a tiny smile out of Harry. He had dimples. They were deep and uneven and beautiful, just like his laugh was a little overloud. It was so distinctly Harry. Louis could tell that even after having known him for just a few hours.

[4]

He walked out, taking a little more note of what surrounded him this time around, but the only thing he recognized was his shirt laying on a chair in the kitchenette. Louis scrubbed his hands through his gross hair before he remembered getting soaked with champagne during the show the night before. That mixed with his sweat and the inordinate amounts of alcohol he was sure he consumed was enough to make Louis seriously crave a shower.

First, though, he had to figure out who he’d woken up in bed with and what the hell was going on with the ring on his finger.

Louis heard a voice that sounded familiar coming from the bedroom. The voice was quiet enough that Louis couldn’t hear what he was saying, but oh God some of the pieces were coming together.

- answers below -

1. Caught In Your Gravity

It felt like the blood froze in Harry’s veins even as he got a bit lightheaded. He hadn’t even made it two practices, only one of which he was remotely in charge of, without giving it all away and now he and Liam were both absolutely fucked.

“Shit,” Harry breathed out. “Who all have you told? Does everyone know? I thought I covered it better than that…”

“No, no,” Louis said quickly. "They’ll figure it out soon enough, though, because they’ll get used to you changing things up, but you’re only going to trip over your so called Americanisms for so long before they realize it’s because you don’t actually know fuck all about football.”

Harry sighed. “Yeah. I figured. I just need to bullshit for long enough to allow Liam to get the situation figured out from his end.”

“Right, which brings me to my entire point. I think we can find a mutually beneficial arrangement with all of this.” Louis leaned forward. “You need to learn the ins and outs of the sport incredibly fast. I can help you with that.”

“What do you want in exchange?”

Or, an AU inspired by a 30 second trailer of Ted Lasso that doesn't actually have much in common with the show at all.

2. Drawn to You

It had started with Louis getting in trouble for coloring on himself when he hadn’t touched a felt tip pen the entire day. Through the years, the random drawings had evolved and changed. There was a period in sixth form when his soulmate must have gotten shy or something, because the drawings only happened after school hours and in places that others wouldn’t be as likely to see. The inside of his bicep, his thigh. A couple times he even had drawings appear on his ribcage. While he didn’t mind those few years, he did seem somewhat soothed when they began to appear on his left arm again. He’d missed them.

Or that completely self indulgent soulmates au that plays out in not always romantic ways.

3. The World Will Open Its Arms

Harry scrubbed at the countertop. It wasn’t even dirty, but it was three in the morning and the girl who was supposed to relieve him over an hour ago never showed. He was now on hour ten of his shift and his feet hurt and his back ached and he was trying not to cry, thanks to more fucking judgmental alpha truckers who could smell it on him.

Of course they could. He practically lived at the diner. The entire place reeked of it.

Unbonded pregnant omega.

4. Will Love Be There

Louis didn’t care who he had to pay or how much, but he was pretty sure he would give his entire life’s savings and a year’s salary if it meant that whatever was causing someone’s fucking phone to ring would stop.

The person calling must have gone to voicemail, because it stopped ringing and vibrating, but it started up again almost immediately.

“Make it stop,” Louis whined. He lifted his head enough to pull the pillow out from beneath it and smothered his head to dull the sound. “Oh shit, I think I’m gonna puke.”

“Just be sure to get out of bed first, please,” a deep, gravelly voice said from right beside Louis.

“Holy fucking shit!” Louis cried in surprise as he shot up in bed.

Or the one where Louis attends a Steve Aoki concert and accidentally ends up with a husband.

[ysabelmystic]

“I just came from r/196” ask game

Saw another post. I think I should invite y'all to one of our longstanding traditions. Answer the questions then tag 10 (or more) people. I'll go first.

Name? Frankie

Pronouns and gender? he/they/it, transmasc

Sexuality? Lesbian

Country? USA

Top 5 fandoms? Bungou Stray Dogs, Cosmere, All for the Game, Fundiesnark (not a series but I'm too deep in it to not consider it a fandom), .....the tornado fandom? (they're my special interest)

What is your Most forbidden snack? The preserved bones at the Atlanta Bodies Exhibition. They looked so crunchy...

Would you pet a bug? If it's big enough, it is pettable.

Share a weird fact/story about yourself with the class. I like to drive around rural areas and photograph old, sometimes abandoned locations in the dead of night. I have been literally chased out of towns by foot and by car on two separate occasions. The second time this happened, "See You Again" by Miley Cyrus came up on shuffle and that's the soundtrack my friend and I tore out of town to. Also every "guy" I've dated except for my most recent ex (who has big egg energy) is a lesbian now.

What does the color blue taste like? Creme brulee

What is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? The appalachian mountains of Tennessee in the middle of summer. There's kudzu everywhere. On the backroads, there were several old, dilapidated Baptist churches barely hanging to the side of the mountain. I wonder how many of them were still in use.

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done? Short version: my friend's house almost got broken into by this dude who'd been stalking us for months while we were home alone. Instead of calling the cops, we decided to confront him with a bow and arrow (me), a hatchet, and a baseball bat (him). The plan was that if it went badly, we would simply throw his corpse into one of the many lakes in the neighborhood and let the alligators eat his remains (this was Florida). Why? Because we were afraid of having our home-alone privileges revoked. Luckily for us all, the guy fucked off and we never saw him again.

Stupidest thing you've seen/heard someone else do/say? My ex thought that Jackalopes were real. Also, a nurse I was doing rotations with apparently thought that "Witness Protection" was for Jehovah's Witnesses.

Hyperfixation song? Young Enough + Bleach by Charly Bliss

Is there any meaning behind your profile picture and/or username? Profile pic; I'm transmasc and I'm currently obsessed with TriStamp. Username; It was my fake internet name when I was like 13. I won't change it because I want my mutuals to recognize me, and because I do have a viral post associated with this name.

Dream career as a child? Doctor (funnily enough I'm now in nursing school)

Dream career as an adult? Professional Jester. Not a comedian. I just want to be some weird little guy who dresses silly and you can hire me to roast your boss at work parties.

Thoughts on cilantro? Delicious

Have you ever been banned from a location and if so, why? I honestly can't remember? Probably... but in recent memory I've mainly banned people from places.

What is your cursed food combination? Pineapple on a hotdog with grilled onions. It Slaps.

Trans rights? TRANS RIGHTS

Tagging: @rocket-mankoi @mostlymarco @atleast8courics @jazzlike39 @gemsweater72 @limbobilbo @ameliaaltare @redcrane112 @theoneofwhomisblue @twinkenjoyer @theultimatecarp and anyone else who wants to jump on

[jackdelroys]

hihi!!! i’d like to request either surprise or seductive for jack delroy or murdoc please, take your pic!! (honestly ive been in a slump with my own dd fics and your prompts have been a joy to read, ty for the lovely content!! 💕)

hi!! ty for the request 🖤 im very glad to hear people are enjoying! i decided to go with murdoc for this one, because as of late hes taken over my brain entirely : (

[ surprise ] a sudden kiss to catch the partner off guard

YOU always kept the bedroom door locked at night.

nestled deep in the covers of your bed, you were already drifting off by the time the darkened figure slipped through the open window -- that was a precaution you'd forgotten to take this particularly warm evening.

you didn't hear the soft thud of boots on the carpet, nor the distress of leather as he flexed his knuckles once, twice, hand gripped tight around the handle of a sharpened blade. he brushed back his hair, it was a long journey to get here. but he'd made it.

it wasn't until he reached the far end of your bed, eyes trailed on your sleeping figure did he even remember to breathe. once in, deep, then out, exhaling the sting of exhaustion with it.

he's on you before you can even wake.

you panic at first, until you recognize the familiar scent of lavender detergent and, much more prominently, gunpowder. you barely whisper his name before he silences you with a feverish kiss, forcing his knee between your legs and pressing his weight against you. he swallows the dazed groan you let out and trails his tongue over your lip, nipping at it. he drinks in the way you shudder underneath his body with a wicked, self-satisfied grin and dark eyes grow wide in intrigue as you squirm under him. he pulls away and allows his coat to drop to the floor, followed quickly by the thick sweater he's wearing underneath, and the gloves that get in his way of removing it.

"anyone could have come through that window," he breathes, mouth still working its way down your neck, hands brushing the ragged shirt you'd worn to bed up, just enough for his fingers to trace your sides, it was a figure he'd committed to memory already, but old habits surely die hard. it was one of his favorite pastimes.

"you're lucky it was me."

"lucky?" you choke out, "you fucking scared me. and then you --" you're cut off again by his lips on yours, one hand tugging gently at your hair, tilting your neck just up enough for him to return to it.

"-- and then you do this."

he pulls away suddenly.

"i can stop, if you'd like, doll."

"god, no, don't."

that shit-eating smile is back on his face, and then it's gone, buried in your skin again. your fingers reach up to weave into his hair, pulling harshly as you feel his teeth sink into the flesh just above your collarbone.

"shit --"

"so sorry, doll. can't help it."

you hiss his name, drawing his attention once more. his head falls slightly to the left as he hovers over you.

"i love you, but i was sleeping, murdoc. i'm tired."

with an inconvenienced roll of his eyes, he's also rolled off of you, and instead into the empty space of his pillow next to yours. his arms stay wrapped around you though, and his larger figure curls in on yours, pressing you close to his chest. you wonder if he's ever really comfortable like that, or if he's just so used to sleeping that way that he can't otherwise while he's home. he's still trailing his hands across your torso, just as he always does, almost as though he was curious, eager to study each and very part of you. and perhaps he was. this idea of permanence was all very new to him too, after all.

you fascinated him. it's why he kept coming back, over and over. it's why he breathes against you and kisses your head once more, and it's why he waits for you to fall asleep again before closing his eyes himself. he looks beyond you, to the now-locked window. he can feel your pulse in your chest as you resign to slumber once more. he almost laughs, knowing how quickly you'd fallen asleep in his arms, knowing full well the capabilities he has and the things he's done. things he was willing to do.

what a curious creature you were to someone like him. perhaps he'll keep you.

[ray935sworld]

The photo

Or: how to get a drunk Luca to a panicking Luca for beginners?

Answer: let him sent a drunk text

„Luca, Luca, corazon, you're drunk" Marc whispered holding his boyfriend close. He had to suppress a giggle as he looked at the young Italian. His brown hair was ruffled and his beautiful blue eyes were fixed on him. He looked worn out from their day. But happy.

They had woken up together, a beautiful house on a coast far away from anyone bothering them, secure enough to be sure that no one would see or recognize them. For once, they were just an ordinary couple, going on a hike, cooking together, kissing each other and more…

However, Luca was currently busy trying to wiggle out of Marc's hug which he only unwillingly allowed. Despite the heat, he refused to let his lover go. He wanted him close and feel his heart beating against his chest. „I'm- not drunnnnk!" Luca slurred as he stood up and made a few steps towards the side of their bed.

Marc, worried he might hurt himself while not being able to walk straight, was immediately on his side. He regretted letting Luca drink so much, underestimating that he could handle way less than him. It started with wine at dinner but had soon escalated to a few drinks too many.

But after all, they were on holidays and Luca was still young. He was allowed to drink a little too much, eat unhealthy and have some fun. He was far too serious and took his diet to strict most of the time anyway. Marc didn’t wanted to be the one stopping him from the little bit of fun he allowed himself.

Marc watched as Luca take his phone and stumbled back to the bed, taking Marc's hand and making him fall with him. He laughed about it. The Spaniard was now laying on his back, his boyfriend on his stomach, grinning at him like a cat that got the milk. „Can we sleep now?" he asked suppressing a yawn.

„Yeah but I still need to send my brother some picture. I promised him" Luca said as he started tapping on his phone. Marc sighed softly. He couldn’t see the screen cause Luca was holding the phone next to his head so he could see the screen and his boyfriend at the same time. But actually, he didn’t really care. Rossi was the last thing he wanted to think about when he had his boyfriend so close to him and all for himself.

„Just do it in the morning. He won't-" he tried to argue but was immediately shut down. „No! I promised. Marc, I pro-o-omised him!" he whined and the Gresini rider was close to laughing out loud. „I need to send him some pics!" „Okay. Okay, but I'll sleep"

He was well aware that Luca would look through all his approximately 300 pictures he had taken today. This would take a while, so - to stay true to his word - Marc started caressing Lucas hair until he was too tired to hold up his arm. Instead he placed it around the younger ones shoulders and soon fell asleep.

It was a peaceful sleep. It always was when he was close to his lover. He dreamed of Luca and their life. Their future. Their love. He dreamed about their wonderful vacation, far away from everyone. They weren't worried or concerned, they didn't need to hide. There was no reason to.

„Marc!" Someone was shaking him awake, disturbing his peace. Confused he blinked, trying to locate himself and figure out what was going on. „Marc, wake up!"

He stared at the wide open eyes of his lovers. He looked scared, filled with fear and pain and an unknown horror. It was terrifying to see.

„Luca?" he asked softly. „What?" „I- Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!" the other exclaimed, gasping for air. His breathing was too fast to be considered normal. He looked like he was in the middle of a panic attack. He was.

Quickly Marc sat up, hugging his lover. He felt the younger ones grip tighten around him. His arms holding him like his life depends on it. He clinched to him. „Ma-Marc" he choked as a sob left his throat.

He let a few minutes past. Luca was crying. He was crying and Marc didn't understood a word. There was no reason to ask Luca to repeat himself or explain anything. Whatever it was, he had to get his tear out of his system first.

There was nothing Marc do, except handle the gut wrenching sounds and hope his lover would be comforted by his presence. Somehow.

When he was finally breathing normally, still hanging in Marc's hug, he took a deep breath. „I... I might have done something very, very stupid yesterday" he whispered. „That's okay" he reassured him and kissed him softly. „We'll figure it out. What happened?"

For a moment he was silent, clearly avoiding his eyes. Then he looked him straight in the eyes. „Promise... Promise me... You won't yell at me" „I would never yell at you. I promise. Everyone makes mistakes and... Whatever you've done, we can find a way to deal with it."

„I... I... Fuck. I'm so sorry." he whispered, tears back in his eyes. „I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to. I swear. I... It was a mistake. It was an accident" „Luca, what did you do?" he asked again, softly but he couldn't help but notice the worry creeping in his chest. Luca was a calculating man. He had never seen him being overtaken with worry.

„I... I sent this to my brother" he whispered and showed his phone to Marc. A picture was open. One that was apparently now in Vale's inbox.

It was a beautiful picture, actually. It showed Marc, half naked. Actually he was completely naked and only covered by his blanket but luckily the picture ended under his chest. You could see with Luca wrapped around him.

The young Italian was still sleeping. His eyes were closed and his face had a peaceful look. His cheek was pressed against the older one's chest. You could see his right shoulder. He wasn't wearing a shirt either.

He looked beautiful. Calm and relaxed. They had taken the picture a few days ago. Well, Marc had taken the picture and sent it to his families group chat. His mother had asked for a confirmation that they hadn't done anything stupid and were alright after both hadn't answered for a few days.

Marc was grinning in the camera and winked. Then the realization hit him.

He fucking winked. It looked cheeky and was definitely intended. In that context it was funny. Clearly the two just had sex. In the Marquez family chat who had officially met Luca as Marc's boyfriend, that was okay. They could handle the joke. They made jokes like that all the time.

It was however highly inappropriate to send to the man who hated Marc with a burning passion.

„Fuck" he whispered. Now he understood his boyfriends panic. He was close to panicking as well but one look at his lover made him calm down. Luca was stressed enough. He was the one that had to calm him.

„I-I-I don't know what I should do! He's gonna be so angry." Luca muttered. „He's gonna - he's gonna throw me out the academy and never ever talk to me again. Fuck! What about the others? Pecco, Bez - Cele, Migno - Franco! No! No, no, no-" „Luca calm down. Please. Just breath with me-" he tried but it was too late.

He had talked himself into a panic. Again. He stood up, starting to chase his own shadow in the room. „Marc, they need the academy. Don't you understand? They own Vale everything! They can't betray him. It'd destroy them and their career. They... They will side with him and have to hate me too and they won't ever speak to me again!"

Quickly Marc stood up as well. Without thinking he grabbed his lover, forced him to stay still and took his face in his hands. He looked him straight in the eyes in a way that left no discussion about his words.

„Luca, his hate for me can't be stronger than his love for you" „No. No, you don't understand. He... He basically raised me. He was always there for me. He... He... I... I can't... He..." „But don't you understand what that means? Luca, you're his baby brother.” His mind drifted to Alex.

He tried to imagine what Vale must feel for his brother. “You're the baby he raised. He sees you as a brother and - maybe even as a son. It's obvious to everyone how much you mean to him. Trust him. Please. I trust him to make the right decision and... And if he fucks up, we'll ask the boys to get your stuff and - we'll, depending on you - We either move to Barcelona or Italy."

„I... I don't want to lose him" „I don't want you to lose him either. I know he means so much to you... That's why I trust him. You're a very good man. I believe you wouldn't trust him if he didn't deserve it."

Luca nodded. He didn't looked completely convinced but it was enough for now. The blue dots confirming that Vale had received and seen the pictures was enough to keep the tension in the room. There was no amount of words Marc could say to break it so he didn’t.

Silently they decided to start their day. It was impossible to follow they usual holiday routine of lazy morning sex and cuddling in bed. Instead they started making their breakfast. Both tried to start a conversation. Both were too uncomfortable and lost in thoughts about what might happen to keep it going.

Luca was scared to lose his family. Marc was scared Luca would resent him if Vale made the wrong reaction. Or he'd lose him. Maybe for good, he thought for a scary moment. Maybe this – a clean break, no ones fault, well maybe except Vale’s – was the best for them. Luca wouldn’t feel guilty anymore.

He stopped himself. Losing Luca, giving him up, was impossible. There was no way he’d let him go without a fight. He would find a way. Somehow. Even if he didn’t know how yet.

They sat on the patio of the vacation home they booked, when the ringing of a phone destroyed the silence. They looked at each other. It wasn't Luca's phone that was ringing.

It was Marc's.

„Who is it?" Luca asked as his boyfriend checked the display. „Your brother" he whispered, his cheeks turning white. „My- what?" Luca stared at him in shock. Neither of them had expected that turn of event.

„He calls me. I-" „Pick up!" Luca urged him and Marc quickly did. „Marquez" he answered the call. His voice was wavering He wasn't sure if attack or obedience was the best reaction.

„Here's Valentino... Rossi." The Italian answered. „I... I need to talk to you." „Okay. What's going on?" he tried to asked politely. „Don't act dumb. Your with Luca." he stated. Marc swallowed. He wasn't afraid of Vale for his sake. He was afraid of what Luca might had to go through.

„He drunk sent me a picture. Did you know that?" „Yes, he... He mentioned it." He shared a look with said man. “It was very… interesting. I didn’t expect to see my fucked out brother accompanied by… you” Luca looked defeated - sad. And that was the moment Marc decided that enough was enough. Their vacation wasn’t supposed to be like that. He wouldn’t allow that Luca’s one brake had this turn on him. He'd take control of the situation. He'd handle it.

„I know. He told me about sending it to you on accident. He was very concerned about your reaction - to put it lightly. He didn't mean to send it to you. He wanted to tell you. Not like this. But that's unimportant right now. What's important is that Luca is the most important person in my life.”

There was a light brush on Luca’s cheek. It made him look even younger. Marc looked only at him as he spoke. “I love him. I love him desperately and I feel like I can't breathe without him. I consider him part of my future, regardless and completely unrelated to his relatives. So knowing that, are you actually calling me to tell me I'm corrupting your baby brother? Are you going to accuse me, I'd be only with him to manipulate him or get back to you?"

There was a silence. Marc wasn't sure if he had overstepped. Maybe the silence was him hanging up and ending his brotherhood with Luca with one click. Or he'd get ready to yell at him. He was ready for both. He'd take care and defend Luca regardless.

„I deserved that." Came the surprising answer. „I’m not... No. No, I'm calling to apologize" he said again. His voice was calm. No amount of anger. Neither hidden nor obvious. „You what?" he asked, unsure if he had heard him correctly.

„I want to apologize. I will do a public statement explaining everything and a personal one, if you agree… I'd like to apologize to Alex and your parents too if they agree. I put them and you – all of you – through a lot of unnecessary shit over the last years.” „Wow. That's... That's a lot"

„No. It's the least I can do... Marc, I am sorry. I'm truly sorry. I didn't... Okay, let me explain. When I saw the picture I was angry. I... I was sure you'd... Well, you'd manipulate him and only use him – like you said. I know my brother is smart but... I still need to protect him." He had Alex. He knew that feeling all too well.

„I... I went to Uccio and he... It was a long and nasty talk. He wanted to throw Luca out the academy and never talk to him again. But he is my brother. He is my baby, even if he’d never admit that. I can’t… I’d never do that to him.”

Marc smiled. So he had been correct. “During the talk Uccio revealed that he consciously manipulated me to hate you. He faked data, even paid journalists to provide wrong information about you. He did everything to get rid of you and I played along. I'm sorry. All that time I trusted him and thought you were the bad one. I was the one being manipulated. I... I fired Salucci.”

He sounded sincere and that made the Spaniard hopeful. “I'm sorry, Marc. Really. I hope you can forgive me. I'd like to invite you after your holidays" „I guess not to the ranch" he joked and was glad that Vale took the joke light-hearted as he laughed along.

Lucas face became confused. „Allora, you're Luca's wag now. And no I won't consider it the other way." Marc couldn't help himself but laugh at that. Luca looked even more confused now which didn't help the Spaniard suppress his laughter. He wanted to lean in and kiss his worries away but that might be rude towards Vale and he wouldn’t risk that. Yet.

„And being the WAG means you're always welcome there too. But no. For now, I thought about my place. Not the ranch itself. More private" And more intimate. It truly meant family.

„I'd love to." he quickly agreed. He would look a gifted horse in the mouth. „Yes. I'm sure Luca will agree" „I hope... Is he sitting close to you?" „Ehm..." he said looking at Luca, the shirtless, very sexy, decorated with hickeys Luca. He was suddenly really happy this wasn't a video call.

„Yes" „Would you please hand him the phone? I'd like to apologize for being a shitty brother and not making him feel safe enough that he could have told me about your relationship when he was sober" „You're not a shitty brother." he protested. It felt like the right thing to do. Somehow. Even if he was happy to know what Vale wanted to talk about.

„Luca loves you. A lot. You mean the world to him. He was just afraid to disappoint you" „That's not really better, but thank you. I appreciate it... You know that I will kill you if you hurt him, right?" „Yeah, thought so already"

„Okay... You're treating him right... Like... Really. You're not pulling some fucked up shit and... I don't know..." „I don't. No. I never would. I could never. Luca... He means the world to me. If he'd asked me to quite motogp, I'd call Ducati on the spot."

Now Luca stared at him in shock. „Are you being serious?" The answer was immediat. „Without hesitation. I love him more than anything."

He handed his phone to his boyfriend and as Luca switched to Italian, his face twitching in horror, then release and finally happiness, Marc knew everything would be alright.

This story is part of the summer break fics 2024 and is also on my ao3

[elposting]

I JUST GOT BACK FROM SEEING BOOK OF MORMON ON WEST END AND IT WAS THE GREATEST THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD

little debrief/me chatting/face reveal???

My dad surprised me with first row center tickets last night and I’ve been begging him to see the show for so long I was sooo freaking excited

I was literally grinning ear to ear through the entire thing. Easily makes my top three best things I’ve ever been to (Taylor swift concert, snl barricades are the other two lol).

This was my first time sitting front row at professional theater and it was so worth it. Its literally magical and I hope everyone gets to experience it at some point

Rest of post below the cut! Somewhat long post sorry i have a lot to say lol (pics and vids too! and ill reblog this with the curtain call video i got)

OK now to the show

- colin was so fucking funny as mckinley I was literally dying and turn it off was so good. I tried to squint through the darkness to see the quick change but I couldn’t lol, guess that one video is the only way ill ever see them actually doing it lol

- baptize me was the best and funniest thing I’ve seen in a long long time. the entire audience was dying laughing the entire time. and the detail of naba’s shirt being wet after the gets baptized. wonderful

- idk how long they’ve been doing this for but after price comes into the mission hut with blood all over him the other elders start freaking out until poptarts just screams, silences everyone, and does the turn it off motion and all of them get calm and it was so fucking funny oh my god

- mckinley trying to stop the play in the middle of it. just starts clapping and trying to step in front of naba. colin!mckinley I love you so much

- the guy who played church looked identical to rory o’malley and i kept getting distracted by that so i missed McKinley’s enterance in smhd and the build up to price’s “fuck him” bc I kept looking at him 😭

- conner/cunningham is so fucking good. He is so funny I could not stop laughing. one of my favorite cunninghams ever. he made me love arnold sm more now. and he is SUCH a great singer like genuinely fantastic

—

STAGE DOOR TIME!!

- stage door culture for west end is so much different than broadway!! I forgot to bring a pen (on Broadway everyone has their own sharpies) so I shared with this one girl and her mom from Mexico, they were the only other people there

- my dad told conner he was better than josh gad and he was like who??? we don’t talk about him!! It was so funny lol

me and conner this vid is so goofy I love it

here's me and my best friend in the whole wide world colin burnicle (who looked at me weird when I told him all I wanted to do for the rest of my life was watch turn it off over and over again)

me and blair who was so good and he told me he recognized me from my shirt in the front row lol told me I looked like I was having a blast. love u blair 😘 tall king

charlie barnard cutie patootie

and my absolute fave pic of the night me and richard/mafala i love this man

oh and finally I got sm signatures and if (when) I see it on broadway and tour everyone else will be signing the book and if i meet matt and trey (or anyone in obc) i will beg them to sign it too

thank you for coming to my ted talk

[wromwood]

You know, when I first watched the "Sock Opera" episode of Gravity Falls, I wondered why no one asked Dipper what was up with his eyes during his possession by Bill. At first, I assumed that the eyeball change was something only the audience could see, that it was for our benefit. However, later Season 2 episodes soon proved that the eyeball change was visible to people in-universe. Did everyone just choose not to ask him about it, even though they know what Dipper's eyes look like normally? After all, how could they not pick up on something so obvious and (while cool-looking) off-putting?

Finally, ten years later, I learned the truth: it takes a while (if at all) for many people to notice that someone else's eyes look weird.

A few days ago, I cosplayed as Bipper at NYCC. The most daring and expensive part of my costume was my set of colored contact lenses, which gave me the true "possessed by Bill" look (I've included a close-up pic of my cosplay under the Read More if you're curious to see what I looked like). They aren't full-eye contacts, but they do make my irises look yellow and have thin slit pupils. My sister says they make me look like I "have a condition," so they're very effective!

Overall, my costume was a success in the eyes of other Gravity Falls cosplayers, and I got a lot of compliments for it. However, it was fun to watch the moment when people realized that I was wearing colored contact lenses. In many instances (with only a few exceptions from people who noticed right away), people learned I was wearing contacts in one of two ways:

After I've already spoken to them for a not insignificant amount of time, I offhandedly mention that this is my first time wearing colored contacts, which causes the other person I'm speaking with to make direct eye contact with me and go "OH"

The other person finally makes direct eye contact with me on their own while we're speaking and they visibly jump in surprise and go "OH"

While not everybody was caught off-guard, most people were! It was funny to see just how long it took for people to realize that my eyes looked all Bill-possessed. I think I even unsettled a few other Gravity Falls cosplayers when I stepped up to them while maintaining direct eye contact. They must have not recognized who I was by outfit alone, only for them to be surprised and then delighted by my contact lenses and the realization that I was Bipper.

Perhaps it had something to do with almost no-one else wearing colored contact lenses. While I didn't greet every GF fan at NYCC, I didn't see anyone wearing colored contact lenses like mine, and there were a lot of Bill cosplayers! (However, there were no Bipper cosplayers, which surprised me). So maybe the other people were used to everyone having relatively normal eyes.

Either way, I was happy to be unique, and I could finally rest easy about no one in Dipper's personal life asking what was up with his eyes. As long as you're not drawing attention to them, some people probably won't notice a thing.

[gingerylangylang1979]

Sydney wants Carmy… carnally

Images courtesy of @livelovecaliforniadreams, @starryyshadows, @cosmic-light-fics, @laryssamedeirss, @eatandsleepwell, @sydneysadamu

I said what I said. I think it's easier for people to recognize the instantaneous and continual attraction Carmy has for Sydney. It's difficult to ignore those laser beam, spiced up, supernatural looking heart eyes and the perpetual subconscious face study he's constantly doing.

With Sydney, it's more subtle, it's the yin to his yang of unrealized lust. I really wish I had found gifs of two key scenes that demonstrate this. One is in the pilot. Sydney is in the kitchen and Carmy comes back from outside to get the denim jacket from Nat. She kind of eyes him as he comes back in and it's so quick and sly most people miss it. The other moment is in "Sheridan Road" when they are prepping. The side eyes she gives asking about the menu seem a little more than curious. Both times she's looking sexy in his direction. If anyone has these gifs I'll gladly add them to this post.

Anyways, I just feel like Sydney has no idea that she had a hero crush before they even met. She had the meal she made and that linked them. She consumed his work, it had a huge impact. She knows about his Food & Wine award. I'm sure there were pics of young Carmy. I feel like she may have stared at them a bit too long, not thinking anything of it, but it imprinted. She never said, oh I have a celebrity chef crush. But if any part of her thought he was even a little attractive, a seed was planted.

Syd doesn't seem like the boy crazy type so I think while her eyes can't help doing what they do I think her physical attraction to Carmy was less pronounced in the beginning than her intellectual attraction to him. The thing is Carmy is problematic. This complicates things. She doesn't want to be attracted to him. He smokes, he's kookookachoo, they constantly fight, she looks up to him. Her dad would probably be suspicious. So I think this is all very difficult for her in a way it's different for Carmy. He has emotional blocks but thinks everything about her is perfect. She has emotional blocks too but his flaws are glaring in her face and manifest primarily with her.

Her mind is saying run but her libido, suppressed as it is, cautious as it is, is into him. She gets a very distinct lusty look in her eye with him sometimes. And I think she catches herself and tamps it back down. And sometimes his gazing at her draws her to gaze back. She also was the first one to intentionally touch the other. In "Review" she was trying to connect because they were not good but she took it to a physical place. The fact that it was on his arm, oof. Can't nobody convince me somewhere dark and secret she didn't like that. I also think she gets a charge when they fight. I think there is something scary about that for her because it's hot.

We know Carmy doesn't have dating experience but I'm starting to wonder if she's the same. She's especially awkward when both Carmy and Marcus suggest time spent together. Some would dismiss that as she's gay or asexual. I don't think so. She is clearly attracted to him and was clearly jealous of Claire in more than a professional way. I think she's probably really shy about sex and romance and it could be from lack of experience. So this whole sexy vibe with Carmy throws her off.

Sydney wants Carmy. It's as subdued as it can be but is starting to show. If anything happens she's going to want that short king to wreck her. I think she would be very bashful at first and then go feral the more they are together. Storer said this is a coming of age story. Her sexual awakening? That's both terrifying and tantalizing for our princess.

[cocoabubbelle-newblog]

Hello…again.

This is Cocoa Bubbelle, for anyone who may recognize this blog below:

If anyone has been wondering where I have been, I will keep this brief:

For some reason, the email I’ve always used for this app became invalid, making it impossible for me to sign back into my original account. Despite messaging Tumblr and going through the proper steps to attempt to regain access, it was determined for prevention of potential risk that my request for help was denied.

Rather than waste time being frustrated over now no longer having access to content I created, liked, drafted up, and reblogged for about 2 years and developing connections with those of you who followed me (thanks so much, btw!), I am going to attempt to start anew.

I will reblog as much of my original content as I can for those of you that found me through them.

I will also try to make my blog more coherent and organized now that I have a slightly better understanding of how Tumblr works.

It will definitely take time for me to rebuild this blog again, but I will make sure it is worth it!

(Warning: will involve a little bit of reblogging, a little bit of reposting, and a whole lot of shenanigans)

Again, thank you all who have followed, liked, and reblogged my content!

I have no idea how I can reach out to and reconnect with you all again, and I am truly sorry if the last post I have ever made will be the last you will have heard of me. I sadly am not able to recover all notifications and information of who follows me to alert of my new situation.

For anyone who does manage to find me, feel free to reblog this post to anyone who might be interested or you know do follow!

PS. Bonus Scogue pic I was working on before I got kicked out!

@withjust-a-bite @xlander @marvelshipper @nervouscolordeputypeach @flareonfury @therogue704 @light-miracles ( + everyone else I have not directly mentioned I promise it’s not bc I appreciate you less! I just currently do not have the mental capacity to find you all 😭) I will singlehandedly message my original posts if it is the last thing I do so my presence may be revived and that you can find me again mwahahaha)

[tale-of-two-queens]

As much as I love Shuriki and as much as i both enjoy her being evil but also the idea of being broken to the point of becoming a monster in the past (not justifying her actions but i do wonder about her childhood/ngl)

I was looking trough my pics and remember a subtle moment of hers that i love

Its small but i do love the fact that she has a moment of self-doubt (and almost human like XD) in a moment when She's struggles with the scepter of night.

I do think she was certainly doubting herself (as She does have confidence and/or she never lets anyone see her vulnerable side) but does make me wonder if she wasn't written off so early what type of sides we would see

I do personally headcannon on this situation two things

1. Since the Northern Islands is very strict when it comes to magic, she has this underlying pressure to excell as She's a sorceress and She's supposed to succeed (although i still stand her magic clashed with the scepter in a sorta water and oil)

2. this isn't the first time she failed at mágic. Contrary to what some fandom believes, i do think Shuriki knows a lot of magic but most likely was the outcast turn wrong. She does recognize magic crystals and knows how to do spells, but since she never got to fully use magic we don't get to see much sorcery

[itwasrealtome]

BEST BELOVED

CHAPTER TWO — THE OCEAN SWIRL

⚠️ TW: DO NOT READ IF THIS MIGHT TRIGGER YOU

Scarlett Johansson x fem!OC fic | Masterlist

Summary : Unsure how to help Carter, Scarlett comes to Elle's rescue.

Content Warning : Isolation | allusion to drowning, anxiety |tears | a kiss | mention of abandonment | feeling lonely

Navigation :

Chapter One

Chapter Three

Don’t miss any more chapters or info by being tagged

[Not my pic]

LOS ANGELES — CALIFORNIA

NOVEMBER 29, 2016

The numerous gifts Elle had bought didn’t quite work out as she’d hoped. Despite how much Carter seemed to love his new sweatshirt – a welcome replacement for the one with the holes in it, he remained as silent as a tomb. He would sometimes appear, like a ghost haunting their halls, headphones on, finally emerging from the nest he’d built himself in the spare bedroom. But the household felt even more oppressively silent than when the actress lived out her loneliest moments.

It had taken almost 24 hours before Carter agreed to eat something, 12 more before he finally looked into his sister’s eyes, and 72 hours for him to whisper a simple word. Elle was watching him drown with a heavy heart, finding herself grappling under the weight of her helplessness. She knew they had to talk. Only, she couldn’t even imagine herself reaching out to the young man, her words stuck in her throat as she desperately sought a way to communicate with him.

From the foot of the stairs, Elle experienced a truly different perspective. She’d lived here for several years but had never looked at her stairwell from this particular angle. From down there, she was almost dizzy. The distance between her and the floor — and therefore from Carter, seemed immense. The longer she stared, the more her heart swayed. She felt like she was on the upper deck of one of those huge ships. Skin still dotted with droplets of sweat and baby hairs sticking to the nape of her neck from her training session didn’t help with the floating sensation.

As she danced on her heels, leaning on the first step of the staircase, a set of words lost in the depths of her throat, a soft knock at the front door startled her. However wrong it may sound, she was grateful to anyone who might interrupt her contemplation. Another second and Elle was convinced she’d drown in the ocean swirl.

From the few colorful stained-glass windows on either side of the door, the brunette could make out a silhouette she would easily recognize even in complete darkness. The sun was drawing beautifully on their curves. In much the same way as Elle had done so many times before.

Stepping into the doorway, the actress spotted her own reflection in the wood-edged mirror by the staircase. The way the sun brought out the black ink on her arms, her brown locks pulled up into a messy bun, the very clothes she’d sweated in for hours still clinging to her slender body. Alarmed by her own scent, Elle buried her nose under her own armpit, relieved to detect the scent of the deodorant she had — perhaps abusively — applied to her skin that very morning.

The doorbell rang and Elle finally opened the wood-paneled door. Her tense, drawn features relaxed almost immediately into a smile. Now, she could breathe again.

— Hey, pretty girl, grinned Scarlett, book in hand. You left this back there.

The brunette clung desperately to her door, eyes locked on the familiar face in front of her. Light eyes, blond hair, full lips, and that sweet perfume that floated up to her.

Lord, how she missed that face.

— What?

— I never understood the point of taking a book to the gym but... I thought you might like to read the final pages tonight.

Scarlett arched an eyebrow at her friend. She had noticed how forgetful Elle had seemed today. It started with an oversight in the locker room, then a lack of concentration in training, and now the book. And God knows Elle never forgets her books anywhere.

— You were there? wondered the brunette, replaying her memories over and over again. I– I didn’t even see you. When did you land in LA?

— This morning. I texted you.

Elle seemed to realize, her mouth taking on the shape of an O as she rested her forehead against the door. She'd been so overwhelmed by Carter's arrival and the resumption of training that she'd forgotten everything else.

— You did. I’m so sorry, these last few days have been… tricky.

— Let me in? prompted Scarlett gently.

The owner nodded softly, a thin smile on her lips. Despite everything, she was happy to welcome the New Yorker into her home. Time tended to pass strangely slowly away from her. It was as if their last trip to the other side of the Earth had taken place years ago.

— Are you okay?

Elle's face broke into a smile. She patted the blonde gently on the shoulder before moving into the living room.

— I’m always okay, replied Elle without so much as a twitch in her voice. Can I get you anything? Water, tea... a soda?

Scarlett followed into the kitchen, leaning against the counter with an air of disbelief.

— Since when do you drink soda?

— I don’t. Carter does.

Elle dipped her hand in search of one of those cans. She’d bought them the day after the young man’s arrival and they hadn’t left the fridge since. The icy metal almost burned her fingers. The very way all her attempts were reduced to ashes.

— Soda, then?

The brunette got her head out of the cold just in time before Scarlett swung the door shut. The can between her trembling fingers was quickly placed on the kitchen counter as her friend lifted her chin with two of her manicured fingers.

— I’ve tried everything, Elle confessed without further ado. I bought all the stuff a kid his age eats, I also bought clothes from those skate brands and tried to introduce him to the dudes so they could hang out, but…

— Have you tried talking to him?

Elle shook her head so quickly that it made Scarlett giggle. She had unconsciously tried to solve the problem by buying her brother’s love and passing it on to others. While Carter probably needed attention and love, Elle had given him nothing but isolation and constant push-back.

— Honey, he doesn't need all those material things or for Seb to show him his pecs. He needs you – his sister.

Elle couldn’t help but sigh heavily. She had spent so many years apart from her own brother, now she felt like she was living with a stranger. She had left behind a little boy who loved Spiderman figurines, who loved to play tag with her, and who was very fond of her. But it was also the very same boy who had pushed her over the edge without even realizing it.

— He won’t talk to me.

Behind Elle's smile was a misty look. She could feel the tears burning her eyes, the way emotion stung her nose and tightened her throat. The weight on her shoulders seemed to grow heavier by the minute, getting a bonus every time Carter decided to ignore her a little more.

Sure, she’d abandoned him. But she had a good reason, right?

The lone tear on her cheek found refuge on Scarlett’s thumb. Once again, Elle found herself taken aback by her friend's gentleness. From the way Scarlett slid her hand up her neck, to the way she pushed a lock of hair behind her ear – to the way she tenderly kissed her lips.

Elle wanted to try and resist her but she instantly melted into the older woman. Her lips parted slightly to welcome the gentle gesture. Just for a fleeting instant, she forgot all about her brother on the upper floor.

As Scarlett broke the link between them, Elle couldn’t help but follow along, craving another taste of the simple act that so warmed her lower belly. She was met with nothing but emptiness and the warm breath of her beloved.

— Why don’t you try to relax while I have a chat with Carter?

— I’m perfectly relaxed, insisted Elle. Look, if even Seb couldn't get him to talk, I…

— Sebastian’s not a mom.

With that, the New Yorker slipped out of the kitchen, soda can in hand. Elle could hear her shoes on the stairs, her hand sliding against the railing, and her fingers knocking at the young man’s door. She hoped Scarlett was right. Sebastian wasn't a dad, she herself wasn't a mom - but Scarlett was. For such a short time, but she nevertheless was. It must have meant something.

It had to mean something.

•••

Taglist : @micaluvssoccer @rain-mikaelson @starbucks-06 @taylucky13 @aqiia24 @natalia-quinzel @youdontknowwhotfiamm @mmmmokdok @electricboost @angeliqueh5331 @emskisworld @sami1642 @waltermis @imjai02 @enjoytheentireworld @marvelandotheruniversesloveradhd @jatrovyknedl @madamevirgo @canvasscoloredin @red1culous @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @butwhynothavesomwmore @lyak12 @hi-1-1 @anku1901 @ssaaggwwaa @g1u2y @iheartmilfies @unexpected-character @greyslover3004

[dangermousie]

So Strange Tales DOES have a smidgen of romance! A tiny bit but still...

I kept wondering why that unfortunate lady had a pic of her fiance that actually looked like one of our MLs and that explains it! Also general dude, not meeting your fiancee because you are banging entertainers is ugh but sending your cousin to pretend to be you is downright stupid - not like general dude was planning on dying, so how did he think it was gonna go on inevitable wedding day when she saw someone she didn't recognize as her husband?

Also of course LLF was gonna tell her. Not only it's the sane thing to do bit the stick in his behind is about ten ft long.

Heh, enjoy dude!

Detective, if anyone heard your "compliments" - well, I get why you are single.

I have no idea if LLF is in love with her (I think he was def smitten but I'd hardly say he's ready to make babies; if he was he'd have visited her) but his defensiveness is delish. He's so rarely caught off guard.

Heh!

I bet MDL was full of haters for that poor woman but it honestly makes sense to me. In her life, she probably never had any lengthy interactions with unrelated men of her class, no wonder she glommed on and fell like a bag of bricks. And then he supposedly died so no wonder she lost it - she had an arranged marriage with someone she fell for which is a miracle in that time period and then it fell through.

[answrs]

Readmores And You - A Really Great Tumblr Feature!

(this is technically directed at stuff I've seen in a specific tag because of the content of said tag makes it more likely to spoiler things, but it applies to anyone likely learning the ins and outs of a new site. speaking of which, hello! welcome to tumblr!) (this got. longer than anticipated. apologies, I get bogged down in trying to make things as clear as possible. ^^")

I've seen this a lot recently in the VC tags especially, where the post goes something to the effect of "tw bloody animal!" then like six periods and the images of whatever dead thing the post is about.

I recognize this is probably being carried over from some other website (...reddit probably? maybe insta?) but please. I appreciate y'all so much for trying to do what you're doing. but this method of hiding pictures isn't effective on tumblr, but there is an infinitely better option!

"but why? it works fine on other sites?" firstly, a few extra lines typically don't even take up enough space on mobile (let alone desktop) to hide your pics, so even at a glance anyone is likely still seeing at least the top half of whichever picture you posted before even noticing the trigger warning on top. second, because you have to scroll all the way past the images at the bottom of your post anyway to get to the next one on your dash/in the tag/etc. so if someone comes across your post and the trigger warning is applicable as something they want to avoid, unless they have access to a keyboard to use a keybind shortcut that ive been here 12 years and still cant remember, they can't see any other posts after it without either having to scroll through the pics or outright block you. which is... not the most ideal of options I would say.

"but what else am I supposed to do then!?" I hear you ask.

READMORES!

tumblr has a wonderful feature known as a "readmore" that's built into the site! it creates a break in your post, which hides any content - be it words, images, whatever - that you place underneath it, not showing it unless the person viewing it clicks on the words "keep reading" (formerly "read more" - hence the name :D).

Cool, how do I do that?

on mobile you can place one by tapping an empty line and clicking the grey squiggle icon from the selection that allow you to insert an image/vid/link

which will place a squiggly line into the post you're making:

(desktop uses the same icon, it's just in a more compact row of icons.)

you can drag it around after placing it too, just like photos. (note: mobile can get finicky with this and it's usually just easier to remove it -click the big red X- and add it in the new place you want it.)

EDIT: some of the versions of mobile editor are broken and don't show the icons. to add it in manually type ":readmore:" (with the colons, but not the quotation marks) on its own line. Thank you for the reminder, LovingTogetic!

this is also a nice way to keep your blog tidy and not swamped in long and/or spoilery posts (say if you're posting 5k word fics, or extensive meta, or gushing over the ending of the latest game or TV show most people probably haven't seen yet)! it's not required, obviously, but it's generally considered a common courtesy for others that will be seeing your post cross their dashboard.

finally, an example of the readmore in action:

(ta-da!)

have fun out there y'all, I hope this is helpful ^^

as an aside (I wasn't sure where to put this but under the break seemed appropriate), you may also see a lot of personal/vent posts be fully under readmores as well, even if the post is only a sentence or two long. this is mostly so followers don't necessarily see it unless they specifically click, but there's a more frustrating history to it becoming a thing: when a post is reblogged, any content above the break is permanently frozen as it existed at the time, but anything under it will reflect edits made to the post. while not common, a certain type of user sometimes browse the various "do not rb" tags and will purposefully reblog personal posts in order to upset and distress the users. putting those things under a readmore make it so even if that happens, the text can be deleted from all iterations of the post. recently the site rolled out an option to lock a post to reblogs, but you gotta mess with the settings and it's mostly a habit after a decade here dealing with the nonsense.

[spotsupstuff]

No wonder he is always angry...

At least he has his family.

Does Sparrow knows? Do the others iterators know? Is there another city that does the same!??!

Also "venom of the lower circles"? What is happening there?

how very angry Boreas is is a testament of how much he has had to suffer, in both the lighter funnier ways as putting up with constant knowledge of everyone's life such as roadrage to darker ways such as actual torture, and how much self respect he has to recognize that he didn't deserve this. "just because we can heal does not mean it is alright for us to get hurt."

everybody knows about it! but it feels like it's always been like this, so it's okay. this is just how it is. it is just another fact of life. (yet both Zephyr and Orion still remember the first time Boreas has dragged himself online in their chats and how closed off he was- too hurt to interact with them normally)

there isn't anyone else with this kinda thing! the bigger the city the easier the empathy gets lost. and as we all know at this point, Boreas was blessed with being the biggest of them all

with the venom- i've laughed in the tags of that one big Boreas raging pic how it's funny that someone would rather put warning sign program into him rather than find a way to help him with his anger and as i've been working on him a bit more, i decided to take this idea a little further

he gets angry, the warnings pop up. he gets more angry, past what the Houses consider alright to allow him to feel, they "cool" him down by automatic injection of the paralyzing venom directly into the puppet. it hurts like a bitch and causes a very small Hivemind unsync, damages his puppet's internal organic systems (but "that is okay. he can heal." they say.) + sort of works like a sedative. nothing too severe that would affect the parts of his consciousness that controls the city, of course, can't be inconvenient to the citizens, but it pulls on his metaphoric reins like That

this was originally implemented because back when he still used to have Mechanics looking after him (those were from the Wellspring, too), he started being a little too... daring and disrespectful for their tastes. so it's his little "controlled shock FNaF: sister location" moment

it is no fun

after his facilities were deemed stable, he no longer had any Mechanics workin on him (an Admin and a Mechanic are two different roles, even though they r very similar). then he had only one Admin that sometimes checks in on his systems without directly interacting with him. the paralyzing doses were instead used when the Houses had to arrange things with him n he didn't want to comply for whatever reason and when the school became a thing, it was a way to ensure he doesn't actually hurt any of the students

because there is an exception in his taboos when it comes to laying harm upon certain kinds of Ancients instead of covering all of them. he is allowed to kill anyone who is considered an intruder And he is allowed to harm Iterator Mechanic students (not severely though) in order to rough up the to-be Mechanics. they have to be ready to deal with the absolute worse an Iterator can offer, Just In Case. this taboo gets a little bit more broken for the Mechanics' last test, which is looking after Boreas' systems for a few days

during this last test period, all of the students are guaranteed to be in the respawn cycle now. which means Boreas can wound them fatally if they provoke him enough (since that is a big No on what to do with ur Iterator charge as a Mechanic, the severe punishment would be warranted). the first meeting between the student n Boreas is monitored by the teachers- the student comes into his chamber to introduce themselves and lay out their plan of system check ups. if a student manages to severely anger/provoke Boreas Here already, the teachers will administer the venom n just send the kid home to retake the year or leave. if they can't handle the first meeting right, they are pretty much helpless. and for this helplessness Boreas has to suffer

the venom is advertised to come from willing lower circles (or levels), but it hardly is. while it is rarely extracted by force, it is usually gotten by financial manipulation of people who are well or as an abuse of unfortunate poor citizens/lower circles. if you give us this resource, we will compensate you, give you money, take it as part of your taxes. it's dehumanizing, but out of desperation the unfortunate souls give in

they do not know what their venom is then used for. they don't ask out of fear. and while Boreas is aware of this manipulation, he blames the unfortunate ones either way. the end result it that they've allowed him to hurt with those generous donations of theirs. he's too bitter, angry and hurt to give much of a shit. all of the Ancients are the same. all of them are a part of the problem

which is why the fuckin -ruffles hair- his and Sparrows' relationship gets me so hard

in his eyes, she's just as guilty as his Houses at the beginning. but she's strange, she gets bullied a lot, she's thrown away by everyone of these high city levels. she breaks one of his overseers- such expandable unimportant things to him- and she cries over the broken eye. and the most puzzling thing... during her last test, once she enters his chambers, she bows to him as she gives him a shortened version of her name- "just Three Sparrows, i know you don't want to waste your words on me"- she still flinches when he approaches to judge her, but she suppresses any other sign of distress that would warrant a venom administration. she offers to make him a deal. she offers to listen to what he's comfortable with her working on him. she says she won't force anything on him. it just makes no sense. cautiously, he accepts. he watches her like a hawk during her work, but she never breaks the promises she's made to him

this doesn't change his opinion on the Ancients. when later Sparrows changes Zephyr's, he's salty and still angry about it. they all should pay. this is just one individual. she is an anomaly. she is dangerous. with how sick his puppet feels from those doses at the end of each semester, there is no other way for her to be

and he holds on to that opinion until he witnesses that reconciliation between her and Euros after the 1st Rot situation. she could've been mean, she could've screamed, she could've hurt him. first two of those that he has done to Euros before the euthanization, even though he's already been made aware of his fault and the situation was considered in control (he's done it out of concern, his own fear and worry for the young thing, but still-). but no. Sparrows was better than him, then (she screamed at him at first becuase she had no idea how bad it could've been- maybe he was damned already n there was nothing she could've done to save him). she was kind and warm even after being lied to- betrayed- she gently whispered explanations, she leaned against him softly and allowed it when he leaned against her back.

an Ancient was a better person than him- the same venom held at bay in her fangs coursing through his bloodstream, remnants of yesterday's dose still ringing off- and he has no other choice but to see and recognize her for it