#if it's your birthday...send me an ask

[softquietsteadylove]

Declaration of War

For @oldtvserieslover 's birthday, after asking about something for the Gladiator AU!

"My name is Eros," the newcomer smiled in a way that made both the queen and her daughter bristle. "And you, Princess, are as beautiful as the legends say."

His statement was accompanied by an up-and-down of her with his hungry eyes.

"Prince Eros," Ajak addressed him directly, and rather kindly, given the way he was looking at her daughter. "We welcome you to the tournament of Champions. You have come to challenge?"

"Indeed I have," the Prince grinned at them, bowing his mane of hair slightly to them. "I believe my selected champions will stand a great chance of beating you this time around, my Lady."

"Hm," Thena vocalised, mostly to herself. Her eyes drifted from the challenger in title to the actual fighters accompanying him.

They were lined up, facing their own gladiators. There was one who was clearly their first pick to win. He stood like a beast, massive in height and still heavily muscled. His face hardly even seemed human.

He was staring down Gilgamesh.

"We shall see," Ajak offered diplomatically, offering a polite sort of smile to the visiting Prince. "We have yet to be bested in the past years."

"Actually, I was hoping to propose," the Prince stepped back into proximity with the ladies, "higher stakes."

"Such as," Ajak frowned, backing up a step, incidentally pushing Thena further back as well.

"Such as a proposal," he tipped his chin up, his eyes shifting to Thena as if Ajak had disappeared from his line of sight. "I propose that my prize is the hand of the Lady herself."

"What?" Gilgamesh spoke up from his end of the line, although no one but Thena even looked at him as he spoke.

"That is hardly-" Ajak blinked as the Prince swooped down in a deep bow.

"I ask that if my chosen gladiators win, that I win the hand of the princess," he spoke downward, expressing a humility that he completely lacked just a moment ago. "The treasury I'm offering as a bet on my warriors is triple that of our other competitors."

Indeed, the funds offered by the brazen prince would provide for their coffers very nicely.

"And if we win?" Thena challenged, although something about the Prince's sly gaze and the presence of that beast of a man made her skin crawl.

Eros cocked his head at her with a grin that she could only imagine would have his concubines melting. "Why, you may ask anything you like, my darling bride. Since I intend to win no matter the challenge posed."

"We haven't even fought yet."

At last, the other royals present looked at Gilgamesh, still speaking up with no regard for if it was considered insolent of him - a mere fighter for the crown - or not. He met their critical glares without fear, shrugging his wide shoulders. "You could at least let her set her own conditions."

Thena shook her head ever so faintly, urging him to stay silent on the matter. She had come to enjoy speaking with him, and her mother - having become aware of this rapport between them - tolerated it. But most who were part of royalty did not welcome interruptions by civilians.

Eros chuckled, giving Gilgamesh a different kind of smile. It was still a smile, and still meant to appear affable. But this one was sharper edged and colder--the tilt of his head was so...demeaning. "Did you say something, brute?"

"Yeah, I did," Gil continued, undeterred by Eros' obvious disgust with him. His fists clenched, "it's pretty ballsy of you to come in here and demand to marry the princess. The least you could do is accept the conditions if you lose."

"Well, I don't intend to lose, so by all means," the prince bared his teeth at Gil now, like a predator toying with prey it knew it could outrun. "Set any conditions you like."

"Gil," Thena whispered, but he stepped up to Eros (and in front of her).

Gil got right in the Prince's face, who happily let him, meeting his challenge with a manic delight. "Speak up, pleb."

"If I win," Gil started without even considering the other gladiators selected alongside him. It was always just him by the final rounds of the tournament anyway. "Thena gets to marry anyone she chooses."

"The Lady may select her own groom," Eros postulated, emphasising the proper title for her, in contrast to Gil's overly familiar use of her given name. "What a peculiar thought."

Gil stood firm on the spot, even with the beast of a challenger moving forward and breathing like a bull ready to charge. "She gets to make her own choice. And no one gets to say a damn thing about it--not you, or anyone else."

"Hm," Eros raised his brows at Gil's adamant proposal. He looked amused by the resolve he showed and stepped away from the shorter but significantly more strongly built man. "Fine, I accept your little wager."

Thena glared at him again. Her life and freedom was a 'little wager', apparently.

"But know this, Gilgamesh," Eros turned his eyes on him again, voice sharp and eyes cold. "I do not intend to leave this place empty handed."

"I don't care what you intend," Gil snarled at him, finally backing up but not moving away from Thena behind him as Eros walked off and beckoned for his chosen fighters to follow. "You're not coming anywhere near her."

Ajak let out a breath as the prince and his entourage descended the steps to their mezzanine. She looked at the guards, who were hovering with their weapons, waiting for the word to be given about how the lowly gladiator was standing inappropriately close to the princess. Ajak shook her head, "relax, all of you."

The guards stood back against the walls, although Gil was still glaring at where Eros and his gladiators had vanished. He huffed, crossing his arms, "the nerve of that guy."

"Gil," Thena cut in, glaring at him (and forgetting that she too was addressing him far too casually).

"What?" he shrank back at her obvious ire. "D-Did I do something wrong?"

"Y-You-!" Thena pinched her full lips together, pressing her fingers together before she could make a real fist with them. "That thing with him will be out for your blood, after that altercation!"

"Well," he shrugged at her as if he were talking with anyone else and not the crown princess herself. "He was going to be anyway, right?"

"That's not the point!"

"Thena," Ajak scolded, watching her daughter squabble with one of their own fighters.

"I'm sorry," Gilgamesh conceded, bowing his head to his monarchs. "To both of you, my Lady. But I couldn't just...I couldn't let him think-"

"You have issued a very serious challenge, Gilgamesh," Ajak addressed him firmly but not unkindly. "This cannot be taken lightly."

"It won't be," he assured his queen before turning to his princess. "I'll win."

Thena bit down on the inside of her lip, "you can't know that will happen."

"I can, I'll make it happen," he affirmed, stating it as boldly as he would state any fact about the ocean being deep or the sun being bright. He held her eyes, not letting her fear sway him at all. "I'll win, Thena."

Ajak cleared her throat. That was quite enough use of given names for now. She would have to address it later. "Come--you must prepare for the first round of fights."

"Yes," Gil bowed, stepping back into the line, where his fellow competitors were staring slack jawed at him for yet again speaking with the princess audaciously.

"And you," Ajak turned to Thena, whose face betrayed her nervousness for just a second. "Come with me."

"Yes, mother," Thena murmured, indeed following Ajak up the stairs to the shaded platform for their respective thrones. She looked behind her.

Gil offered a faint smile and a little wave, same as he did every time he saw her, no matter the distance between them.

Thena's eyes were drawn and her frown was heavy, but she still managed to wave back at him as they drifted apart.

[kimtaegis]

JIN HUGS JIN HUGS! for @jinstronaut ♡

cr. namuspromised, dwellingsouls, 0613data

[bunnyboy-juice]

im ngl i think my favorite headspace to be in is "want to be annoying"

[crzyimp]

Wander and Monkey: Dragon Boat Festival

Prompt: The duo at the dragon boat festival making Zongzi and Monkey(Wukong) missing his family

Warning: Angst, but with comfort

Author's Note: A day late, but this is for my friend @sparrow-in-boots request and birthday gift! Feel free to send an ask or prompt if you liked my story. Inbox is open!

How on earth in all their centuries of living did they end up here, here making sticky rice balls, what's the word again? Zongzi, that was the name, wrapped in bamboo leaves to eat later or to toss it into the river. Wander didn't want to linger in the village during what seems to be a festival just around the corner, honoring a beloved poet or worshiping gods and dragons alike; several scents overwhelmed their nose as children and women walked by with silk sachets or the wormwood and calamus. Something about the smell irritated them and the last time they asked someone, they got strange looks and the logic behind it all was to ward away evil spirits. Their eyes drift over to Monkey, too absorbed in noticing he's being watched.

Their once tattered clothes and furs were finally replaced after enough complaints from Monkey about ‘scaring the locals more than him’ or ‘You look more beastly than man’; now most of their wardrobe matched the locals, all but their furry cloak and their walking staff. Over the long journey since they left home, there are still some things they can't let go, at least a keepsake of their homeland; how they long to return, but know deep in their hearts they can't. Wander shift their thoughts at how they got into this mess, well the one Monkey dragged them in.

Monkey, the same stubborn fool, asked Wander to stay and observe the upcoming festival. When he heard a quick and harsh no, all hell broke loose; the tiny bastard kept pulling and yanking their hair back to the village, the colorful words he used (certainly picked that up from Wander), to biting and kicking, normally the harassment or abuse they can easily ignored or brush off, but it had more power and gruffness that Monkey never had before. Wander soon relented and agreed to stay longer, just to get him to stop, their eyes still linger on him.

“Hey Monkey, why did you want to observe this festival so badly? It's not like we never encountered this before.” Wander’s ears twitch as the melodious hum, Monkey still focus on his zongzi. They continue as they shift back to their own zongzi, “Didn't we see this five years ago? Weren't the people there worshiping a god or a dragon? I recall seeing those folks on decorated boats.” They laughed at the memory, “And I happened to remember you jumping on one boat with a family close to the river's edge.” Monkey stopped, his eyes locked on the zongzi and the edge of his lips tugs downwards. “Oh, didn't they offer to invite us for dinner after we cleared the air? That's right,...” They nod to themselves in thought, “...the entire family was visiting as a reunion, it was certainly a sight to see; some seeing each other for the first time in years, or bringing new additions to the family like a spouse or a child. Must be nice for everyone to see each other again.”

whamp!

Their body jerks and the table shook, Monkey stared long and hard at his smashed zongzi splattered on the wooden table with some of the rice sticking on his callous hands. “Monkey's going to get more rice.” he said abruptly with an unrecognizable tone, Wander didn't had the chance to object that the two still had a full bowl of rice left when he marched off. Their eyes watched him head towards the direction of their camp; most people refused to lodge them due to the duo’s appearance, but neither of them minded as they were both at home beneath the stars. Still though, it concerns them that Monkey left like that, but it's also clear as day to them that he needs time to be alone. So they give him time to himself and wait for his return.

They waited for nearly two hours before their stomach twisted itself into a knot and a frown on their lips. Rolled up sleeves, sticky hands stained with fruits and nuts, and a completed batch of zongzi for the intended goal later on. And yet, Monkey hasn't arrived back with a better mood or a smile; instead Wander stands alone with knitted brows, hastily grabbing everything and marching back to camp. Normally he's back in ten minutes, thirty at most, but it's rare, too rare, that he's gone for this long.

Wander pays no mind when people move to the other side of the road or the whispered stares as they briskly walk past. Walk past the village’ outskirt and into the trees, close to the river, but just a little over at the edge of its rocky banks, and finally next to a fallen tree is where camp was set up. Their eyes wide at the sight of the only bedroll thrown half-hazardly over the ashy firepit and supplies scattered everywhere with Monkey's back towards them.

“Monkey!” everything falling from their hands, their vision blur, and the sudden burning friction on their knees as they rush to his side. Ignoring the mess, the potential culprit, the future clean up, the only thing that concerns them was their beloved friend. Their hands on him as fingers touch and feel for anything out of place, his body slumps into Wander's body before he climbs into their lap.

“Wander” his voice quiet and soft, small hands clasp tightly against their robes as Monkey buries his face and body into their chest. “I…I miss'em, I miss my family…” His body shakes and his tail curls in. The reason for his departure earlier. “I miss them so much and yet I can't remember what they sound like or their faces. It's been fifteen years and I'm scare Wander, I'm scared I'm going to die alone!”

Arms, arms bigger and stronger than his encase him, a hand nudges him to the sound of a beating heart and the other gently grooming him as he sobs. He feels his friend, his sole companion in his lonely journey, press their lips on the crown of his head, and in a warm whisper: “You have me.”

His arms, his gangly and hairy arms clasp behind their back, embracing them tightly and takes a deep breath. Taking in the comforting scent, their scent, a scent that reminisce of home and happy times. “Thank you, my beloved friend. Thank you.”

[ashipiko]

“Miss Ashi, do you have some time to spare?”

The distant voice of a fellow prefect called her name and a smile.

“...I wanted to drop by and wish you a happy birthday as well as giving you my gift as well. But given you are probably loaded with lots of gifts today, you may not be able to carry them all by yourself... I can offer to help you if you want to!”

She took a pair of boxes out of the bag she was carrying and handed them to her. And inside of the boxes were...

...A pair of keychains!

“I have to admit... I couldn’t pick one of them, so I bought both! Especially since I had to go to Mr. Sam’s shop with Ace to pick them and he kept distracting me... I assume he has something to buy you too, but didn’t tell me.”

She giggled to herself and hugged her before spotting Grim in the crowd who tried to sneak some tuna in the food.

“Again, happy birthday.. Ashi. May you have lots of good times like this in the future...”

Then she immediately went to the cat monster’s direction to grab him with her hair.

“Get back here, you little troublemaker!” “Fnyaah!?”

And a wild chase started and finished in one second with him getting wrapped in her hair. Before he could open his mouth, she headed to the kitchen to grab him some tuna.

Guess that was one way to interact...

Side note, you actually inspire to me to share my own interests with others! Have a very good birthday 🥺

ASHI’S BIRTHDAY CAMPAIGN! 🌺

“RenRen, you’re so uber sweet…! You got my vibe right on the nose! How’d you know~” Ashi chimed, gleefully examining her gifts, “This other one reminds me of a certain someone, too. Hm~ The color red doesn’t look the same to me anymore, hehe.”

“You said Acey went with you, huh? I’ll have to ask him about that later! I’ll tease him as payback for distracting you, DW. Oh, and—“ Suddenly, the sounds of rumbles and tumbles could be heard, causing Renée to dash after the animal. With an amused sigh, Ashi waved a goodbye before they ran out of right. They’ll catch up another time, she’s sure.

[yuriyuruandyuraart]

Teehee

HELLO?? omfg ZJHSSSSSSSSSGJWHATWHAT<33333333

[singedbutter]

It’s my girls birthday today! We’re gonna go get butt tattoos 🍑🌿🍰 @raisingaudisgoddesses

Send a gift for her and I’ll make sure you get to see the finished product ☺️

[jovenshires]

My dearest, darlingest Katie 🩷

First of all, I want to wish you a very happy birthday! 🥳I sincerely hope that you get to enjoy your day as stress- and cold-free as possible! 💚 And in general wish you many, many wonderful and pleasant days to come! 🫶

Now since you provide so well for us with your wonderful fanfics <3 I wanted to make sure that you got something as well, and therefore made you a little (emphasis on little) present!

And while I love your recent works so, so much! (and hope you know that through my comments 😹💕). I wanted to go back to the fanfic that made me fall in love with your writing in the first place! “The right side of my neck (still smells like you)” will always have a very special place in my heart, as one of the first fics to have read more than like 15+ times by now!  You have such a great skill for writing truly comfortable intimacy and so much more, ofc!

Hope you’ll like this <3 and take good care of yourself! 🤗💜

Love you literally so much!

Stella 🩵

STELLAAAAAA omg this means. SO MUCH to me you have no idea!!!! i love you, i am so glad we met through this lil community and became friends, this is gonna send me absolutely spiraling from now until forever. i ADORE you ty so so so much <3333333333

[emilythedog661-tf2]

how old are you

I'm 27 years old with my birthday being on the 23rd of June, i feel old 👵

[spockoholic]

weird birthday vibes this year, wonder if my brother is gonna text me back (we are twins) or if he’s just gonna ghost me again this year

poll????

[meownotgood]

MAGS UR SUPPOSED TO TELL US IN ADVANCE SO WE CAN PREPARE FOR IMPORTANT EVENTS LIKE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIFEYYY! Words cannot thoroughly express how much I love ur work. I’ve actually had a rough past few years and I was really going through it when I first found your blog. Your work took me to a world where there was comfort, ease, and love. I was inspired by many of your works to confront difficult aspects of my life and prepare myself to accept love in a vulnerable and meaningful way. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me this safe space and place of comfort. You are far more appreciated than you know. ❤️‍🔥

don't make me tear up... I appreciate that so much, I'm so glad you could enjoy my writing and my blog like that, when I hear that it just pushes me to want to write even more... thank you so very much 💗

[itsahotminuteinbetween]

pfft-

[blujayonthewing]

I realized a little while ago that, thinking over my whole life, I don't think I've ever been the person to ask someone else if they want to hang out with me. Like... ever...? I've been to people's houses and they've been to mine, I've met up with people out and about, but the closest I've come to initiating those conversations has always been, like, putting an open call on facebook. And now I'm over thirty and the idea of even trying-- even with, like, my mom, or nearby irl friends who would clearly definitely be up for it-- makes me feel like throwing up

[6okuto]

Pooh, Moots Bingo? How does that work?

honestly Beats Me. like i'm really not sure what the appropriate order of events is. u can ask me to do my opinion on u!! or if u reblog i will Automatically do my opinion! and then... also send an ask back... asking if u would do it for me... ?? since ur here I'VE DONE IT ALREADY! one less step ^____^

ur creativity and ideas astound me for realsies!!! & i don't think questions count as ranting but if u ever wanted to i would also enjoy that!! YIPPEE !!!

[jasonsthunderthighs]

Honestly, my twin and I are kinda hurt that Tobin (our dad) didn't text or call us to tell us happy birthday.

Nothin all day.

Reminds me when he went to a water park with our brother when I lived literally 30 minutes away from it and he didn't even call to invite me.

We use to go to the same water park for our birthday every year, but stopped a few years ago. It's not that I didn't want to go (I did, actually, it was fuckin HOT that day), I just wanted to see him after a few months of not seein each other when I moved away.

He did call to say happy birthday that day, but it still made me upset he didn't bother to invite me to have fun with him and my brother.

Even his girlfriend thought that was rude as fuck to do.

My twin was PISSED OFF when they found out what he did and chewed him out for it and that's when he called to tell me happy birthday and that he was sorry he didn't invite me.

I'm like Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler when it comes to my birthday. I never cared for it.

It just hurts, y'know?

[samssims]

I'm asking you this because I swear it was you who made it or you reblogged it or something xD but I'm trying to find a pose based on that kiss image from Twelfth Night and I can't seem to find it! Do you happen to know the one I'm talking about? If not, I'm still gonna continue my search!

You're not wrong. I did do that!

But I never uploaded it. I could probably clean it up (and update it as it was made 3 years ago and my pose skills have upgraded) and upload it if its something people would want.