#it is 11pm and it simply is not working and I am giving up

[curiosityschild]

I am not built for all nighters. If it gets too late and I get too sleepy I simply give up 👍

[madlittlecriminal]

[INTRO] Secret Ingredient⥓ Mafia!Miguel O'Hara × Female!Baker!Reader

Warnings: mention of robbery, mention of Miguel missing breakfast, mention of Miguel being used for homework

series masterlist | miguel o'hara masterlist

To say his day was rough, was an understatement.

He felt as though no one paid attention to him for the simple fact that every little thing had gone wrong. It was worse when he got told one of his clubs got robbed by none other than Osbron's little crew.

If Miguel was being honest, he needed a damn drink. Unfortunately, he had a meeting with his Alchemax team in about an hour, so drinking was out of the question; he'd have to wait until after to have a drink, but he didn't really mind it as much.

He stepped out of the club after reviewing the damage, relieved that no one was hurt and that his rule was followed: give them the money as a life means more than cash. Plus, they robbed him on a slow night, so he lost about three grand in total from his bartenders' tips and the money from drinks. He simply reimbursed them and told them he makes more than that in an hour, so he didn't care.

He fixed his ruby colored sunglasses as his eyes traveled to the bakery across the street from his club. He tilted his head to the side, confused as to how he's never seen it before. "Is that bakery new?"He asked one of the bartenders at his club who shook her head with a grin.

"Depends on what your definition of new is, boss. It's been there since you hired me, and I've been working here for three years." Miguel's brows furrowed as she explained it to him.

"How am I just now noticing it?"

"Easy. You come to the club at 12 am. The bakery closes at 11pm."

"Why so late?"

"Because the ovens are cold by then. We're her last customers. Remember that concha Lyla gave you?" He nods. "It's from there. She does desserts from all over the world. She's talented." With that, the bartender takes her leave. Miguel tilts his head to the side before heading across the street and into the bakery. His nose is hit with the delicious scent of baked goods, some bringing him back to his childhood when his mother would bake for him and his brother Gabriel.

"I'll be with you in a sec!" You called out from where he believed was the kitchen. He doesn't respond, too focused on the orejas and the many pan finos you had. He took note of the flan, apple pies, banana bread, muffins, macarons, and more. His stomach growled, remembering he missed breakfast.

Then you appeared, flour on your cheeks and on your burgundy apron. You gave him a kind smile and he took off his sunglasses, putting them away and getting a better look at you from the natural sunlight that broke through from the window of your bakery. Were you real?

"How can I help you, sir?" His heart raced as his breathing hitched slightly. His palms were clammy with sweat, and he wasn't sure if it was because of the rush of nerves that entered his body or the heat from the bakery. Wait, was it hot in here?

"Uh...hi. C-can I get a piece of..." Miguel didn't trust himself to finish the sentence as he resorted to pointing at the stack of conchas. The last time he remembered being this nervous around a girl was back in high school when the cheerleader asked him for his help on biology homework. Unfortunately, he also remembers that she only flirted with him to get her homework done. He was glad they didn't have science together after that as he went to AP Chemistry the following year.

You smiled and nodded. "Chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry?"

Once again, he didn't trust his voice so only pointed at the chocolate one.

"How many?"

He held up two fingers and you nodded. "Alright. Your total is $4.25. Cash or card?" You put the conchas in a bag as you waited for a response.

"Cash." He handed you a 20-dollar bill and took the bag. "Keep the change. Don't need a receipt." He quickly rushed out of the bakery without another word.

You stood there with the 20 bucks in hand, blinking down at the register in confusion. You put the cash in the register and put the receipt down. "Well, that wasn't weird at all." You mumble to yourself before heading back to the kitchen to check on the rasgulla you had cooling down.

———

tags:

@deputy-videogamer @barbiecrocs @deepinballs @faimmm @wakeupr41 @bubblegumfanfics @smartyren @kimmis-stuff @latenightcravingz @youcantseem3 @corpsebridenightamare @thedevax

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

hello! :) could i do a request for xavier?

One where y/n & xavier are dating already, but since his nightmares of the hyde started he’s been ignoring y/n for their own safety but they think that they have done something wrong and go to confront him one night. y/n goes to his art shed where xavier comes out of the door with the fresh scratches on his neck. y/n wants xavier to finally tell them the truth about what is going on and they make up 🥺

Love your works! ❤️

Xavier gives kitten energy…am I right?

keep sending requests for Xavier

—

There's many different ways that you can kill the one you love. The slowest way is never loving them enough.

Something’s changed in Xavier. He’s been distant and cold toward you. Every time you try to make plans, he's got an excuse. A schoolwork that needs to be handed on Monday or an art project he wants to finish.

You were starting to think he didn’t want to spend time with you.

‘’I went to his dorm last night and he didn’t answer.’’

‘’Maybe he was sleeping? He almost fell asleep in English class,’’ Enid hypothesized, applying pink polish to her nails.

‘’Or, perhaps he was not there,’’ Yoko added simply, scrolling on her phone.

Enid nodded. ‘’Perhaps he was with Ajax? I saw them leaving the dining hall together yesterday,’’

You shook your head, looking down at your lap sadly. You wish they had been right. ‘’No. I could hear him on the other side of the door. He was there.’’

Two weeks went by and the murders started. A body had been discovered in the woods near Nevermore Academy a few days ago. A normie. The police claimed it was a bear attack, but bears don’t claw their prey that way and most certainly don’t steal a body part as a trophy.

In those two weeks, the distance between you and Xavier kept growing. You began to ask yourself if you had done something. Perhaps you had hurt him without realizing, or perhaps he was simply not into you anymore.

The latter was a harder pill to swallow, but you would rather know and be done than have this situation drag until Xavier mustered the courage to end it.

It was past curfew, but you couldn’t sleep so you slipped on your jacket and your boots and snuck into the boys’ dormitory. You were about to take the stairs to Xavier’s dorm when you saw him coming down. He looked a little frantic and agitated.

Quickly, you hid in the shadows and watched as he went outside. It was too late to go for a run, so he probably went to his art shed.

The night air was cold, but you ignored the chills and kept walking. You knew the way better in daylight, almost taking a wrong turn twice and stepping in a puddle. You were not a nocturnal person.

When you made it to the shed, you were having second thoughts. This shed was Xavier’s private place, his quiet corner to create in peace, and you didn’t want to step into his space. You felt like you were invading his privacy. The only reason you knew the shed was there was because he stopped by to pick up some things once or twice. You’ve never been inside though.

A wing blew, causing some dead leaves to fly in spirals and making you shiver. Going outside in your pajamas at 11pm was not your brightest idea. Especially in November.

Suddenly, you heard a scream accompanied by a commotion coming from inside the shed. Your heart leaped in your chest and you rushed to the doors, forgetting about privacy. Before you could reach for the handle, the door opened slightly and Xavier to come out.

‘’Xavier! Are you alright?’’

The boy jumped when hearing your voice, not expecting anyone around. ‘’W-what are you doing here?’’ His eyes were wide and scared, making you wonder what happened inside.

You reached for his face, cupping his cheek gently. ‘’I heard you scream. What happe—’’ He glanced back at the door, something inside obviously scaring him, and you caught sight of blood on his neck. Scratches. ‘’Your neck. You're bleeding.’’

Xavier covered them with his hand, hissing when he touched the fresh injuries. You saw fear spark up on his face and you grabbed his hand, pulling it away from his neck.

‘’What happened?’’ you repeated in a soft tone, trying to calm him, but the fear on his face wouldn’t dissipate. ‘’Xavier. Baby, talk to me.’’

His eyes found yours and he clutched your hand tighter, anchoring his mind to you. ‘’Can we please go somewhere else? I…I don’t want to be here right now.’’

You nodded and got back to the academy — to the dorms. As expected at this hour, there was no one around in the boys' dormitory, but you were still careful as you made it to Xavier’s dorm. You never know when one of the masters — or worse, Principal Weems — will be lurking in a dark hallway.

Strangely, Rowan was not there when you and Xavier got in. His bed was perfectly made still. Xavier would have worried about his roommate’s whereabouts if he had not been so emotionally shaken by whatever had happened in the shed, but Rowan was old enough to take care of himself.

The bed squeaked as Xavier sat down. He had calmed down since you had left the shed, but something was still bothering him. You could feel it in his demeanor, you could see it in his eyes.

He released a breath, then began talking. ‘’This creature has been haunting my dreams for the past couple of weeks. I see it growling with its big round eyes and sharp teeth and claws. I try to block it out, but I can't so I just come to the shed and paint it.’’

‘’At 11pm?’’

Artists get most creative at night, he had once told you after staying up all night sketching instead of sleeping. The drawing had been beautiful, but he almost fell asleep during Botany the next day.

‘’I paint to get it out of my head. It’s something Dr. Kinbott suggested that I do. It’s been helping, but this thing is strong. It has…power over me. I don’t know how to explain it.’’

You pulled your eyebrows into a frown. ‘’What do you mean?’’

‘’When I was painting tonight, the claws reached out of the canevas and took a swipe at me.’’ Xavier reached for his neck again, as if the creature was touching him.

‘’I thought you were able to control your ability?’’

Xavier shook his head. ‘’Not when it comes to this thing. I can feel it in the shadows, kinda lurking in my mind. It’s scary.’’

You walked over to the bed and Xavier’s arms wrapped around your waist, searching for something familiar and comforting. ‘’I’m sorry all of this is happening to you.’’ You circled your own arms around his shoulders and held him close. ‘’I…I thought you were made at me or that you didn’t want me anymore,’’ you said, feeling dumb and selfish for not thinking Xavier could be going through something.

Xavier shook his head, pushing his face in your chest and bathing in your hold. ‘’That’s nonsense.’’ 

—

Xavier Thorpe taglist: @sofiaadler @partyfly @hoodforcalum @thelilacmourning @ellessecretobsession @su-alteza-emia @achoo---uu @not-leaprvt @xaviersgf @peterparkerdilf @roadworkaheadisurehopeitdoes @dragon-chica @coldtacozinepanda @wrldofsage @eddiemunsonsluvrrr @capriaura @officialsaturn @babyfiva @maevaomizzolo @kelloggs-world @whosljt @ajpanda181 @belovedrey @emerycrt @elizabitchsshit @heaven-hiding @lilithlikestoread @est-liber @moonisu @dessxoxsworld @parker-nite @bellblake121890 @vesperazhier @kaldurahms-lover @beeebo234 @nephilimsss @mayuphoenix @sweetheartlizzie07 @watermelon-18 @snixx2088 @555stargirl555 @robinscardigan @chumchum19 @lilttblog @aphex2winn @heizenka @mystargirl-interlude @hwrtsiren @babygirljay20 @wildflowerlyss @strangersomeone @openfandoms @charlottelaffin @iheartmaddyperez @starless-starkov @ali-r3n

[bradshawsbitch]

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎↠ 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 - ⅷ ↞

⁘ bradley bradshaw, the notoriously ill mannered head chef at the small franchise pub down the street, is quite content with his fast paced job. no commitments or obligations outside of his kingdom of sharp knives, pots, pans, prep work and a shot of jäger after a double. that is until a new waitress is hired, and suddenly his strict and rigid rules of no obligations or commitments starts to waver. . .

› pairing; bradley bradshaw x f!reader

word count; ~ 5.1K

× chapter warnings; swearing, see general story warnings, mentions of missed meals

disclaimer; I am basing most of the chefs/waitresses on people I have worked with/encountered. Most of their traits will be as realistic as possible.

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“Fucking piece of shit…”

It seemed as if luck was due to run its course. Clocking out, gathering your things and saying goodbye to the chefs after a very successful service on your part, you had headed out into the ever cooling night air to your car. You weren’t even on closing shift tonight, getting off at 11pm instead of the usual 3am. 

However, as you flung your backpack into your car and turned the ignition… nothing. Car was completely dead. Cursing softly, you got out of the car to lift the hood up. Blinking a few times you muttered “Well, at least I know how to open the hood…” before sighing and grabbing a worn manual from the passenger seat door.

“Hey, chef,” Jake grunted out as they finished up cleaning the kitchen. Bradley’s gaze shot over to his line chef, and followed his line of sight until they landed on a figure outside their window - struggling to get their car started. 

“Stop being a fucking chicken, would you?” Jake looked at Bradley earnestly now, and Bradley licked his lips at the look Jake was leveling him with. Rooster knew then that Jake was more perceptive than he’d originally thought. 

“I don’t– I can’t… do that to her,” he whispered, almost to himself as he again glanced out the window at your sweet form. 

“Man, stop. She’s not like her, nor Michelle, nor Thea. Take a chance. Act like a fucking adult about it this time,” Jake was nothing if not honest. Bradley contemplated for only a moment before giving his co-worker a hesitant look “I’ll fucking close up the kitchen, get going you dumb fuck,” 

And so, Bradley raced up the stairs, changing into the casual t-shirt and jeans combo he’d worn to work, his hair tousled and slightly curled as he shrugged on his shearling lined jean jacket. Approaching you, he’d uttered the words of help to you. 

“Bradley!” your voice was surprised, and he could see that your exposed skin had formed goosebumps. 

“Need a ride?” his voice was soft, apologetic almost as those doe-like eyes took in your surprised face. Nodding, you closed the hood of your car with a finality that seemed somewhat foreshadowing.

Locking your car up, you slowly walked next to Bradley up to his car, brows furrowed as he lended you his hand to help you up the steps to the passenger seat. His skin was warm, and that brief touch alone had your body buzzing with longing for more. 

After making it out on the roads, the silence pressed between you. Rooster had yet to ask for directions to your home, and your breath was coming just a little shorter in anticipation. 

“Can I–” Rooster trailed off for a beat “Would you mind… coming back to my place?” he chanced a glance at you, his voice was uncertain, but soft and low. Smiling softly, you nodded your head;

“I like your place.” you simply said before reaching over to grab a hold of one of Bradley’s hands. It was large, and as you tangled your fingers with his, you were surprised when Bradley squeezed your hand before letting his thumb gently run over your knuckles, seemingly okay with driving one handed.

Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted the way Bradley tried to fight a smile, but how he ultimately failed - letting the corners of his lips draw up in the softest of smiles you’d witnessed on his beautiful face. 

Silence stretched between the two of you, his thumb still rubbing soothing circles on your skin. The night sky was starting to darken, and it was soon tinged with the twinkle and shine of stars scattered across it. The moon was still rather new, and sometimes the night sky in all its glory lent you the peace and comfort you felt you needed.

“What’s the deal, Bradley?” you whispered softly, tearing your gaze away from the night sky to look at him. He glanced at you, and you tightened your hold on his hand before he could pull away. Clearing his throat, he once again shifted his attention to the road, squirming a little in his seat.

“How do you mean?” his voice was low, and you could tell he was trying to keep an airy approach, but the crease between his brows gave him away.

“What’s the deal with us? What have I done to make you pull away?” your voice was soft. There was no hint of accusation or hurt - just genuine curiosity. The large car slowly pulled up at Bradley’s driveway, and he was silent as he killed the engine, brown eyes downcast as he pondered how to answer truthfully without making you run to the hills.

“I’m–” he cleared his throat again, glancing at your serene face before continuing “I’m a pretty broken, lonely person, Bambi… and I guess- I guess I didn’t want to break you in the process of trying to become whole again.” it was as close to the truth as he could get. 

Maybe even closer to the truth than he had previously known himself. It felt as if he had laid himself bare for the woman sat before him, had revealed his very core - and had given her the tools to strike him down if she so pleased.

He dared another glance at her pretty face, and the small smile that quirked the corners of her mouth, and the twinkling of all the stars in her eyes… it was overwhelming. She was so beautiful. Inside and out. Sometimes it felt painful for Bradley to look at her for too long, knowing he’d never be good enough for her. 

“Sweet man…” she whispered so softly it touched his very heart, her hand laid gently against his cheek, cradling him softly in her palm “the road isn’t meant to be walked alone.” 

With a final stroke of her thumb across one of his scars, she dropped her hand down to his thigh, soft smile still evident on her lips.

“Should we go inside? It’s getting a little chilly,” her sentence had Bradley stirring again, and he nodded before swiftly hopping out of the car and making his way over to the door she’d just managed to crack open just slightly. Rooster sent her a joking look of disapproval.

“That’s my job, missy.” he smiled down at her form as she now stood before him. “Are you hungry, sweets? Managed to eat anything at work today?” he murmured softly as he leaned down to place his lips on her soft cheek.

She hesitated a moment too long, and now the look of disapproval wasn’t as jestful anymore. “Bambi…” he reprimanded softly, and you shrugged a little, eyes twinkling with delight as he took your hand and led you inside his home.

Bradley swiftly led you to his kitchen after you’d both removed your shoes and jackets, sitting you down in the same spot you’d been in last - when he’d treated you to breakfast and the morning newspaper. 

“You’ve just spent, what, 10 hours of cooking and you think you’re going to make me something now?” you’d managed to snag your fingers into Bradley’s belt loops before he could get moving again, pulling him in between your spread legs. His amber eyes looked down into yours, letting his fingers grace over your jawline, down your neck, as you tilted your head further back to take him all in. 

“12, actually,” he smirked “and I don’t mind. It’s what I love doing.” he shrugged. You didn’t let him leave though “I can have a bowl of cereal,” you murmured, trying to pull him closer. His loud laughter echoed in his homey kitchen “Ain’t no fuckin’ way you’re eating fucking cereal in my house, Bambs!” 

“Could you–” you trailed off, suddenly overcome with shyness again. What if you’d misinterpreted the whole thing? “Could I what, sugar?” Bradley murmured, his palm now cupping your neck in its large expanse. 

“Maybe kiss me first?” you murmured, straightening your back and arching it just slightly, so that you came closer to his chest, closer to reaching his chin. A broad smile stretched on Bradley’s lips before he started leaning down.

“I can manage that, Cookie,” he murmured just before his lips met yours in a soft, warm kiss that had your head spinning, a sharp inhale of air rushing through your nose as you pushed closer to your head chef. 

“Y’almost had me,” Bradley murmured as he broke away from the kiss, gently tapping your nose before moving away from your embrace “almost made me forget to feed you!” he was full on smiling now, and it was a look you wanted to keep on his face for as long as you could. 

“Fuck… forgot to grocery shop yesterday…” Bradley groaned, rubbing his chin as he scanned the contents of his fridge - which still looked quite full to you. In comparison to the condiments and sad cordial bottles in your fridge, it looked like a damn dream. It wasn’t easy to keep a full fridge when you practically lived at work and got fed by professional chefs. 

“This’ll have to do,” he grumbled under his breath as he got to fixing up a stir-fry, complete with eggs and just the right amount of seasoning to have you holding back moans as you ate. “You’re fucking incredible, you know that?” your comment had Bradley chuckling before he turned to clean, and you thought you could see a hint of red creeping up his neck at your comment. 

“Need any help?” you’d finished your dish quickly, hopping off your stool to place your empty bowl in the sink where Bradley was washing up his knives. Wrapping your arms around his midsection, you let your cheek rest against the warm fabric of his broad back.

“No, sweetheart. That’s alright, you just sit and look pretty. I’ll be done soon,” he smiled softly, secretly relishing in the way your arms felt wrapped around him. Smiling against his back, you placed a chaste kiss there before untangling yourself from him. Glancing towards his living room, you decided on something else.

“Would you mind if I put on some music? Your vinyl collection is superb,” 

“Go ahead, babe. Want a glass of wine?” Bradley asked over his shoulder as you made your way towards his record player, already knowing just the track you wanted to play for him. Crouching down, you flipped through a couple of covers before answering you’d love a glass of red. Hearing Bradley’s soft movements in the kitchen made your body thrum with a pleasant buzz. It felt comforting. As you recognized the cover you wanted, you delicately placed the vinyl disk on the player and expertly chose the right track. 

As Bradley entered the room, two glasses of wine in one hand, and a shot of whiskey in a hobstar glass in the other; the opening tunes of the track you chose rang out, a little crackly, in the soft light of the room. Placing the glasses on his living room table, he licked his lips as he watched you walk towards him slowly. 

“This is one of my favorite songs…” he murmured as you stepped closer to him, guiding his hands so they rested on your waist as you slung yours over his shoulders. “Mine too,” you smiled, letting Bradley hold you closer as you swayed to the music. Bradley found it surprisingly hard not to get overwhelmed by emotion as he held you in his arms and danced to a song he’d seen his parents dance to.

“Are you alright?” he felt your lips move against his chest “Yeah,” he choked out, letting his arms wrap around you just a little tighter. Somehow, you managed to wriggle further away from him to look into his eyes. 

Smiling, you walked him backwards until the back of his legs hit the sofa, and he tumbled down to a sitting position. Slowly, you moved to straddle him, holding his face gently between your hands, holding his stormy gaze steady. 

“Nothing,” you sang softly in time with the record, a small smirk playing on your lips “can be sadder, than a glass of wine alone..” Bradley could only chuckle, placing his large hands on your hips, squeezing softly. 

“Loneliness, loneliness” your gaze roamed over his beautiful features “such a waste of time.” 

As you sang softly along to a song Bradley thought he knew inside and out, he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d ever even listened to the song before. Never before had he payed such attention to the heart wrenching meaning of the song as he did with you, holding him as if he was the most precious thing in the world as you sang to him. 

“You don’t ever have to walk alone,” you leaned forward, letting the tip of your nose slowly rub against his. Rooster let his eyes flutter close, brows pinching in a frown as he tried not to let the burning of the tears welling in his eyes to distract him from your touch and gentle voice. 

He felt the pressure of your thumb against his cheek, the breath you let out as you sang, your lips moving against his own as you uttered the last words you’d sing before connecting your lips to his again;

“Baby, won’t you walk with me?”

Stormy emotions swirled and roared within Bradley’s chest, and he felt he needed to be closer to you. Needed you like the air he breathed. His strong arms circled your waist, pulling you closer to him, his hands gripping at your clothes as his lips chased yours in a needy kiss. 

Your name falling from Bradley’s lips over and over again, mixed with the sound of Cry to Me ringing out around you felt otherworldly. You’d never forget it as long as you lived. Bradley’s gasps, how wrecked he sounded as he voiced your name, the feel of his eager touch, the way he moaned as your lips attached to his neck… the way he let out the most sinful whine as you gently tugged at the short hair at the nape of his neck.

Never before had you felt so aroused, felt so wanted, as you did perched on Bradley’s lap, painfully aware that only the flimsy material of your panties covered your core under your skirt.

“Bradley..” you moaned softly as you tipped your head back, short bursts of air exhaled through parted lips as the skilled chef started to grind your hips down against him. The roughness of his jeans felt incredible as you rolled your hips to create more friction, your grip on his shoulders tightening slightly as he chased you to place his lips all over your exposed neck. 

“So fucking pretty for me, Bambi…” Bradley murmured against your skin, hesitating for only a moment before he gently dipped your upper body away from his chest, his forearm holding you up as the movement pushed you harder against his jean clad hard-on. 

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner?” you smirked as he brought you back up after having nipped and sucked colorful marks into your collarbones and the exposed skin of your chest above your shirt. 

“Nobody.” he grinned back, looking up at you like you were the one that had hung all the stars and the moon in the sky that night. Smiling down at him, you bit your lip, enjoying the crackling of the record player as Roosters hands smoothed down your back. 

“Want to see my room?” Bradley’s lopsided smile hit you like a ton of bricks, and you giggled softly “Honey, I’ve already seen your room,” you reminded him, shooting him a look as he grinned playfully.

“Wanna see it again?” he sounded so eager you couldn’t help but laugh before you nodded. Laughter soon turned into a surprised yelp as Bradley stood up, hoisting you up in his arms before walking towards the stairs that led up to his room. 

Laying you down gently on top of his mattress, Bradley stood back to take in your form as you leaned on your elbows, eyes alight with desire for him as he towered over you. 

“Do you want this, Bambi?” he murmured as he knelt on the bed, slowly leaning over you, trapping you in his frame as he gazed into your eyes. “You say the word and we stop.” he continued earnestly before gently laying you back against his pillows. Being in his room, laid in his bed again, a feeling of safety enveloped you as his scent surrounded your very being.

“I want this.” there wasn’t even a hint of a waver in your voice “I want you, Bradley.” God, the sound of your whole name falling off of his lips would be your undoing. Never had it sounded so reverent as when Bradley whispered it lovingly before pressing his lips and body to yours. 

“I want to be yours,” you breathed out as Bradley’s hands cupped your tits, his lips kissing along your neck and collarbones. Bradley groaned, his large hands palming harder at your words, his kisses turning into nips and suckles against your skin, marking you. 

“Mine.” he grunted as his mouth trailed lower, hands slipping into your shirt from the neckline, grasping your tits over the fabric of your lacy bra before they dipped below that too. The moan you released at the feel of Bradley’s calloused fingertips against the bare skin of your breasts was loud enough that you were sure you might be heard all the way to the restaurant. 

“Fuck, Bambi!” Rooster moaned, forehead resting against your collarbones as he massaged your breasts slowly, every whimper and moan that left your parted lips making him impossibly hard. You were so soft, so pliant, so good. 

Ever so slowly, Bradley nudged the fabric of your shirt and the cup of your bra down to reveal your breast. Moaning softly, he wasted no time on placing kisses and licks across the swell of your tit, letting his tongue glide over your hardened nipple before he sucked it into his warm mouth. 

“Bradley!” you whimpered, hands flying up to tug at his slightly curled hair, gasping with every stroke of his tongue against your nipple, chest heaving and arching to press closer to Bradley’s mouth. The noises he let out were dizzying, and you found yourself moaning in response to them as he rutted the bulge in his jeans against your thigh. 

Satisfied with his work, Bradley let his lips place one final kiss to your skin before taking in the wetness he’d left there, a proud smile on his face as he moved to kiss you again. This time there was nothing sweet about the kiss your chef gave you. It was tongue, teeth and harsh nips, biting down and tugging on bottom lips and frantic movements, before he broke away. 

His hands had wandered to the softness of your bare thighs, reaching up under your skirt to rub gently at the very top of them, before they slowly moved to the inside of your thighs, still squeezing softly before parting them slightly. Sitting back on his heels, he looked at your heaving chest, both tits now spilling out from your top, your skirt bunched high on your thighs as your legs spread for him. He could see the pretty black lace of your panties, and the sight made him groan. 

At his pause, you pushed up, swiftly removing your top and your bra before you laid back down, an easy grin playing on your lips as your hands moved slowly to cup your breasts - moaning softly as you rolled your nipples, eyes never leaving Bradley’s. 

The growl that rumbled deep within Bradley’s chest almost made your eyes roll back into your head, but you settled for squeezing them shut as a whine left you. He swiftly removed the t-shirt he was wearing, before fiddling with his belt buckle. The sound made your eyes snap open again, and a soft gasp tumbled out as you again took in his upper body. 

“God, you’re gorgeous…” you breathed out, fingertips softly gracing his abs. Bradley placed a soft kiss on your lips before he managed to wriggle out of his jeans, reaching to remove your skirt. “Don’t bother,” you whined, trying to pull him closer to you. 

“Need you.” 

“Aw, Bambs,” Bradley smiled, leaning down to place chaste kisses on your lips. “Gotta make sure you’re ready for me first,” he murmured, and the implications of his words had you whimpering. His lips on yours were dizzying, the soft press of them combined with the taste of his tongue languidly stroking yours… his hands had skimmed down your sides and were gripping your hips where your skirt had been bunched up before gently guiding your thighs to rest over his. 

“Is this okay, sweetheart?” he rasped out as his fingers traced over the lace of your panties, and you nodded, bottom lip secured between your teeth as you looked up at Bradley. His thumb ran down your clothed slit slowly, before he pressed the pad of it softly against your clit - making you whine out, body tensing at the jolt of pleasure that ran through you.

“That’s it… atta girl, relax honey - I’ll take care of you,” Bradley murmured, drawing gentle circles against your clit, looking down at your heaving chest and pinched brows - looking so sweet for him. 

“Bradley!” you moaned out as his fingers snuck underneath the fabric of your panties, gathering your slick onto his middle fingers. His other hand was palming at your thigh as he sat on his knees between your spread legs. 

“Look so pretty like this, Bambi–” Rooster cooed, a soft smile on his lips as your eyes roamed over his upper body hungrily. The glimpse you’d caught of his bare chest at work had not been anywhere near this good, the soft dusting of chest hair on his sternum, his defined abs and pecs… and the bulge of his biceps as he finally started pumping his fingers slowly into your core was enough to leave you utterly breathless.

Panties pushed to the side, Bradley’s fingers slowly fucking you steadily, you felt surprised that you were already on the verge of an orgasm - the slow flick of his thumb against your clit and the way he curled his fingers just ever so slightly–

“R-Roos–!” your breath caught in your throat as Bradley reached up to pinch at your nipple, whilst plunging his fingers especially deep, had you tumbling over the edge, keening and letting out high pitched moans as your back arched slightly in your euphoria. 

“Good girl, baby�� so pretty,” Bradley’s soft voice touches something deep in your chest, and you gasp out another broken moan as he leans down to attach his lips to your neck, fingers pumping slowly to prolong your pleasure as his tongue licks over your damp skin. Trembling fingers reach up to grasp at the hair on the nape of his neck, trying to push him closer - needing him closer to you so bad. 

As he sucks softly on your sensitive skin, you cry out again, his name falling from your lips like a prayer over and over. His fingers have slipped out of you, again holding a steady grip on your hip as you grind down against the hard bulge in his boxers. Desperate moans keep spilling from your lips as Rooster nibbles on your neck, kissing and soothing with his tongue. The hand that had rested on your breast joins the other to grip you hard, guiding you in rolling your hips against his cock, your back arching to reach him with your thighs slung over his hips and thighs as he kneels still. 

His lips move against yours, hot, needy, desperate, as he breathes hard through his nose. The soft grunts and groans he lets out as his cock brushes against your wet core making you keen softly. One hand leaves your hip, and you feel him struggling to push his boxers down to his thighs. Wiggling, you help him free his swollen cock, tip red and leaking precum already. You gaze at him open-mouthed, moaning softly at the sight of him wrapping his fingers around the thick length, languidly stroking himself whilst looking down at you. 

“C’mere, Bambs…” his voice is raspy as he reaches beneath your back, hoisting you upwards with ease so that you’re now upright, straddling him. Your chest pressed tight to his, his warm cock resting between the two of you making you gasp. You whimper softly as you realize the tip reaches far up your abdomen. 

“Condom?” Bradley murmurs against your shoulder, panting hard as he gropes at the globes of your ass. Shaking your head, you inform him of the IUD you’d inserted last year.

“Want to feel all of you, Roos,” you whisper, leaning down to attach your lips to his neck, suckling softly at his pulse point. The long, broken moan Bradley lets out makes you whimper and clench around nothing. 

“Please, Bradley– need you!” you try again, and this time Rooster complies, gripping the base of his cock, his other forearm moving under your ass to lift you up slightly, before letting his tip tease at your entrance, fucking you so shallowly he’s barely inside of you. Licking your lips, you gasp and pant wildly at the feeling of his swollen cockhead dragging slowly against your core. 

“Fuck, Rooster - d’you want me to fucking beg for it or what?” your impatient whine has his chest rumbling with laughter before he kisses you chastely “Wasn’t my plan, but I sure wouldn’t mind,” he smirks.

If that’s how he wants to play. You put on your best pout, brows drawn together as your grip his shoulders, leaning away slightly from his chest to tip your head back slightly. 

“Please, Bradley – need you, please!” you whine and keen “Need your cock so bad, chef, please, please – fuck me,” the last syllable is drawn out in a moan as he sinks a little deeper “Oh, god, yes- fuck, want you to fill me up so bad, Rooster– you feel so good, baby,” you continue, your whines getting more and more high pitched as he lowers you onto his cock. 

“You’ll be the fuckin death of me, Bambi” he growls, biting down hard on your shoulder before he pushes you down so that he’s balls deep. Quiet gasps fall steadily from your lips as he holds you still on his cock. You couldn’t move if you tried, his arms encircling you, your thighs wound around his hips, arms slung over his shoulders, you’re clinging onto him as if your life depends on it. 

“Sweet girl…” Bradley murmurs against your shoulder, relishing in your soft whimper at his voice and the way you clench as he grips your ass, lifting you and fucking you slowly onto his cock, barely letting it leave your warm core before sinking you back down. 

The silence of the room is only disrupted by your soft noises and Bradley’s grunts, your movements slow and languid. Bradley holding your body so reverently in his lap, helping your body move up and down his length, fucking into you ever so slightly with each dip and movement of your hips. His hands are ever moving, stroking your spine, gripping your asscheeks, your thighs, or gripping the back of your neck, tangling his fingers into your hair. 

“Bradley… Bradley.. Bradley…” his name is repeatedly falling from your lips, breathlessly, as if it’s the only thing you can think while he’s got you riding his cock. He growls softly at that thought, pushing into you harder, gripping you tighter - and he’s rewarded by high pitched mewls of his name. He can tell you’re close again by how fucking tight your needy cunt is squeezing him, and Bradley can’t remember the last time he fucked someone this good. 

“You gonna cum for me, sweet girl?” he murmurs, looking up at your glossy eyes. Nodding, you can only let out a pathetic “Uh-huh!” in reply. Rooster smirks, pressing his hand against your lower back to cant your hips just so, so that your clit catches against his skin. 

“Cum for me, Bambi, soak my fucking cock with that perfect little pussy of yours,” he grunts, grinding his cock so deep into you he feels a little dizzy himself, his swollen tip repeatedly hitting that sweet spot that makes your entire body spasm slightly, clenching around him so fucking good. He feels when you tip over the edge, and he drinks in your loud moans, the way your eyes roll back and how your brows pinch in pleasure. 

“Fuck, good girl - so fuckin’ good for me… gorgeous…” he grunts, speeding up slightly, palming your ass and grinding you faster down onto his cock. 

“Where can I cum?” he grunts, slowly lowering you onto your back, fucking his cock into you harder now that you’re laid out before him. 

“Tummy, please, Bradley!” you whine, thrashing slightly at the overstimulation of his cock still hitting that spot. Rooster moans, pulling out abruptly to pump his cock in his fist, ropes of cum painting your soft stomach and upper body. He pants slightly as you let out a soft moan at the sight, swirling a finger into his spend to bring it to your lips, gently sucking it into your mouth.

“Fuck, baby…” he groans, reaching up to let his thumb stroke over your cheek, brown eyes roaming over your beautiful body laid out for him, skirt messily rumpled against your hips, his cum painting your skin so beautifully, and your eyes hazy and glossy in the afterglow.

“C’mon, baby…” he whispers softly, and you whine as he gently lifts you off the bed and into his bathroom. There he gently helps you out of your skirt and underwear before guiding you into his shower, where he gently washes your body, leaving soft kisses all over your face, embracing you to his chest as he praises you softly. 

“Did so good for me baby… felt incredible,” he pecks your lips and you keen at his words, leaning heavily against his chest as you place soft, mindless kisses on his sternum.  “My sweet little Bambi…” he murmurs against your hair, and you nod against his chest 

“Your sweet Bambi,” you agree before tilting your head up to meet those amber eyes of his.

“My sweet Rooster?” you ask, voice wavering slightly with uncertainty. His soft, almost mournful smile takes your breath away as he cradles your face in his large palms. “Your sweet Rooster.” he confirms.

[my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction]

Dark Necessities [Part 3]

Steven Grant/Marc Spector/Jake Lockley X F!Reader • Rating: 18+ pals Masterlist• ao3• want to be tagged?•Dark Necessities Masterlist

Summary: “I,” Marc swallowed, just about managing to pull his lips away from yours. He cupped your face with his right hand, pressing ever so gently as he ran his thumb over your cheek. “I’m sorry, it’s Marc, I didn’t- I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.”

Marc manages to get you both passage over the Caspian Sea in a fishing trawler.

A/N: I am so sorry this has taken me so long. Me writing this: I’m not going to write Marc subby, I’m not going to write Marc subby, I’m not going to. 

I wrote him subby.

Warnings: blow jobs, fingering, p in v sex, typos, swearing, please let me know if I’ve missed a warning

Word Count: 2901

________________________________

The journey so far had been difficult. Time-consuming in the vague fragments of clues Khonshu would give, leaving the majority, if not all the work to Jake and Marc and their contacts. 

As frustration festered along your spine you began to seriously entertain the idea of eating the moon god. Would he taste brittle and dry like the old bones he inhabited? Or sweeter, greater, like some forbidden ambrosia? 

He was obviously playing some kind of game here, one that you were simply a pawn of. 

A blessing, however, was the gentle ease that seemed to be growing between Jake, Marc, and Steven. Their communication had continued to stay effortless, with Jake no longer forced to listen and scream without the other two hearing. 

The ship Marc had managed to secure your passage on was a factory fishing trawler. You were staying with it across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan.

Nearly all of the cabins were taken up by staff who either maintained the ship, fished, or canned - or most who did a combination of the three. 

Which is why you both were crammed into a tiny cabin on the ship, a room so small you weren’t sure how it was meant to fit one person, let alone two.

It had an odd layout, a fractionally larger than hospital sized bed bolted to the wall bunk bed style, with a single metal ladder leading up to it. Underneath was a metal toilet and sink with an old folding door contraption that you still hadn’t managed to work out. 

It was a good job that none of you had brought a lot of luggage. 

You had squeezed into the small bed with Jake around 11pm, thankful for the metal guards on the open side of the bed that would stop anyone falling the second someone turned over. Jake had still insisted that you take the side closest to the wall, refusing to even entertain the idea of you getting hurt. 

“Jake, you know I can turn into a massive wolf thing, right?” You said as you settled into the bed.

“Massive wolf things still get injured.” He mumbled, his eyes already closed. 

You laughed softly. 

There was a pause before Jake spoke again, “Steven says it’s not just a wolf.” 

You laughed louder as you lay down next to him. 

“How is Steven?” 

“Talking when we should be sleeping.” 

You lean a little closer. “Hi, Steven.”

Jake opens one eye at you, mock glaring. “It’s time to sleep.” 

“If Steven wants to talk,” you giggle, “then I think-”

Jake leaned up quickly, pressing his lips to yours and lightly holding your cheek. He kissed you deeply for a moment before pulling back and urging you to lay down on your side. “Time for sleep.” 

He snuggles close, wrapping his arms around you, his chest to your back. 

“You’re very demanding Jake Lockley.” You tease, unable to keep your smile out of your voice. 

“Good.” He paused for a moment. “Do you know how many times I used to have to front just so that Steven or Marc wouldn’t run our body into the ground? Left up to them we’d collapse from exhaustion.” 

“Oh, I see, so when you want to talk, it’s fine,” you teased. “But when I do,” you let out a little yelp as Jake moved his hand to tickle you. 

“Shh, let’s sleep.” 

You tutted, but it was in jest. “Bossy.” 

“Someone needs to be.” He whispered, this time you could hear the smile in his voice. 

You shifted a little and then settled, an odd lightness in your chest. The pull of Set’s Hunger far from your mind. 

.

Unsurprisingly at some point in the night, you had managed to get tangled up in each other. 

You had turned to face him, his head buried in your neck while your thigh rested between his legs. 

It wasn’t quite clear who had partially awoken first, whether it was you shifting and coincidentally brushing your thigh against his semi-hard cock that caused him to moan and mouth at your neck or vice versa. 

But whoever started it didn’t matter.

You let out a shuddered breath as he sucks a love bite into your skin, his fingers digging into your waist at the sound and dragging you closer. Eroding the tiny slither of space between you and pressing your leg more firmly against his length. 

He moans again, the sound shifting the sleep from your eyes. And you can’t help but thread your fingers through his hair and pull lightly, yanking his lips away from your skin so that you can press your mouth to his. 

He whines as you lick into his mouth, eagerly accepting your tongue and happily moving onto his back when you press against his shoulder.

Hunger spikes, low and deep in your stomach and throat. Electrifying through your veins as it burned like acid into every cell. You wanted him, you needed him.

The small space is awkward, making it impossible for you to fully sit up. But you still climb on top of him, pressing your needy core against his length and grinding down. You swallow his little moans and sighs of content as you rock, his chest firmly against yours as he runs his hands down your ribs. The tips of his fingers sneaking under your top. 

The little gasp of pleasure you let out brings Marc to his senses. A sharp sting of panic momentarily ringing out louder than his arousal. It didn’t stop him from kissing you back, however.

Shitshitshitshit-

You okay? Marc’s seeming panic raising their heartbeat to near-catastrophic levels had been more than enough to wake Jake.

I-

I don’t mind, you know. Not if they’re okay with it. 

So-

Just ask. There was a smile in Jake’s voice before he purposefully faded back, making sure that Marc could feel him leave. 

“I,” Marc swallowed, just about managing to pull his lips away from yours. He cupped your face with his right hand, pressing ever so gently as he ran his thumb over your cheek. “I’m sorry, it’s Marc, I didn’t- I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.”

The ‘I’ had been enough to tip you off that it wasn’t Jake who was fronting. The pause before he spoke again, the accent, how his face twisted under his own emotions. 

“I, Jake said it was okay, that he didn’t mind if you didn’t, but I thought I should-”

“Jake doesn’t mind?” You ask, just about managing to contain yourself. Set’s form wiggles under your skin, drawing its claws along your bones. The snap of its teeth rumbled deep in your chest. Needed him, needed him, needed him. 

Marc shook his head, misunderstanding your bluntness for annoyance. “He didn’t mea-”

You kiss him again, deep and desperate as you nip softly on his lower lip. And Marc just melts into you. 

Straight away his hands go back to your waist, inching upwards and under your top. You break the kiss only to help him pull it off you, your lips quickly going back to his. 

He groans again, bucking upwards against you when he runs his hands over your breasts, pinching at your nipples and smiling as you squirm above him. 

His dick rubs against you deliciously, the fiction of your clothing suddenly too much for you to bear. 

You pull yourself away from him, enjoying the little whine of protest that escapes his throat at the loss and quickly shuffle down towards the end of the bed. 

With little ceremony, you bite softly at his hip before hooking your fingers under his pyjama bottoms and pulling them down his legs. In your haste, you just notice the small patch of wetness on the clothing as precome soaks into the fabric.

His cock springs free, forcefully slapping against his lower stomach. And you don’t wait, can’t wait. You don’t even bother to finish pulling his trousers down before your mouth is on him. Kissing and licking all over the length of him before sucking his tip into your mouth with a satisfied moan. 

He tastes so good, rich and salty and you take him deeper and deeper. The weight of him on your tongue easing that burn along your veins, that desperate need. 

You press your left hand against his hip, your fingernails just on the edge of digging in too much, as you relax your throat and try to take him as deeply as you can.

Marc lets out a sob, one hand grabbing hold of yours, squeezing it until you squeeze back, the other fisting in his own hair as he bucks and moans out praises. 

“Oh fuck, oh fuck, thank you, I just-ah, oh god, that feels so good, taking me so well, fuckfuckfuck, please just, I,” the rest of his words are drowned out by gasps and groans. 

All those pretty little sounds he made sent sparks of excitement along your spine, the sensation rushing straight to your core.

You pulled your mouth off him slowly, dragging your lips to the very tip and letting go with an obscene pop, before running the flat of your tongue up his cock. You traced the outline of a large vein before swirling around his head and lapping at his slit. 

Marc gasped, his stomach muscles clenching at the sight of you alone. He arched upwards, eagerly following your mouth and sighing in gratitude as you took him deeply yet again. Pleasure was drumming deep in his lower stomach causing the muscles in his thighs to twitch and jump. 

He squirmed a little, trying to free his legs from the twisted up confines of his pyjamas, but your body and the combined angle kept him trapped so he could only pull and wriggle in a vain attempt. There was a deep down part of him that liked it. 

Liked being held at your mercy, wanted you to just take, and take, and take until there was nothing of him left. 

He choked out your name. You were nearly so lost in the moment that you didn’t hear him, but the string of “wait, wait, wait,” that fell out of his mouth hit you clearly. 

Quickly you pulled away from him, his hand still squeezing yours. 

You breathed deeply, anxiety beginning to bubble along your skin. “You okay?”

Marc nodded, forcing his head back on the pillow, eyes closed and the droplets of tears in his lashes. “Really okay, I just,” he took a large breath, “I didn’t want to… you know.” He leans up and gives you a small smile. 

You can’t help but grin back. Straightforward, quick thinking Marc didn’t want to say the word. “What?” You ask innocently, though your smile betrays your intentions as anything but. “You don’t want to finish? Orgasm?” You inch higher up his body until you can take his face in your hands, your lips inches from his. “Cum?” 

He bites his lip and nods, his eyes dream like and glazed over. “Not yet.” He whispers. 

You kiss him softly, slowly, dragging your lips over his and just dipping the tip of your tongue into his mouth, only sliding inside when he moans frustratedly and presses his hands against your lower back. 

His cock skims against your thigh and he shivers at the feeling, the drag of your pyjamas over his sensitive skin. 

You break the kiss briefly to pull off his top before you go back to kissing him, revelling in the warmth of his skin against yours. 

He runs his left hand up your side, taking hold of your breast and groaning as he touches the soft skin before rolling your nipple between his fingers. 

With a heady glee, he drinks down your moans of pleasure, repeating the action until you writhe against him and run your hand through his hair, pulling lightly. 

He hums against your lips, savouring the sensation as he pressed his forefinger against your clothed pussy. You jump a little, arching towards him as he rubs little circles around your clit. 

“Can I?” He mutters, kissing down your jaw and to your neck. 

You nod, barely finishing the movement before Marc slips his fingers under your waistband and glides through your folds. He groans deeply against your neck at the feel of your click coating his fingers before pushing two fingers inside and curling them slowly. 

You gasp loudly, arching into his touch. It’s too much, not enough as he presses into you and strokes gently. 

“Marc,” you growl against him, his sweet careful movements driving you to insanity. 

The next movements are a blur. You force his hand away from you, pushing him back to laying flat, and kick off your trousers before climbing on top of him and straddling his waist. 

Your chests are flush, pressed close at this angle, as you reach down and move his dick against your core. 

He lets out a little gasp of surprise that turns into a groan as you start to sink down, pressing his head into the pillows and exposing his neck.

“Please, I need to feel you,” you murmur, unsure if you’ll be able to stop yourself if he denies you. 

Marc nods rapidly, hands on your hips and pulling you back, down onto him. He swears loudly as he fills you, moaning as your tight, wet heat completely envelopes him. 

His moans only get louder as you start to move. 

The angle is difficult in the cramped space, not enough room to bounce so you roll your hips against him, rising up and down lightly. Swirling them in a figure of eight. 

You barely manage two rotations before Marc plants his feet, changing the position of where you meet slightly as he presses his lower back into the mattress and pushes down on your hips. 

And it’s perfect. 

You cry out, grabbing hold of his shoulders and writhing against him as he keeps dragging the head of his cock over and over that devastating spot inside. Stroking you carefully as he moves within you, echoing the maddening gentleness of his fingers from before. 

You moan his name, pulling his hair and rolling with his movements as every deep stroke builds you higher and higher. 

He bites his lip, hard. Groaning, and cursing and whimpering out little choked breaths of, “please, please, please,” with every lungful of air. He’s so painfully close, but he needs you to feel good, craves it more than breathing. 

A fresh wave of wetness leaks out of you, sticking your thighs to his, and with a gasp somehow he slips in impossibly deeper. Grinding against you relentlessly, your orgasm builds dizzyingly fast. So close you can taste its sweetness. 

You want to warn him, tell him how good he’s making you feel, but the air catches in your lungs and the words won’t come. 

Your nails dig into his shoulders, the bed creaking relentlessly with the force of your thrusts. 

The urge to bite overwhelms you and you sink your teeth into his neck. Hard. But not enough to break the skin. 

Marc sobs out a cry of pleasure, his eyes fluttering closed as his back arches off the bed and you cum against him as he hits unthinkingly deep. Pleasure shakes along your every nerve as he keeps grinding, keeps hitting that same spot and you moan against his skin desperately as you keep cuming, as he relentlessly fucks you through your orgasm and into his own. 

He cums deep, your pussy clenching around him as he pulses and thrusts. Pushing his release further into you.

It takes you both a good few minutes to recover, simply breathing heavily and holding each other tight. 

It’s Marc who moves first, nuzzling into you and kissing your forehead. His arms wrapped tightly around you, your combined sweat sticking you to each other. 

You press a kiss to his shoulder. “Sorry,” your voice is weak, tired. “You’re probably warm.” Part of you is unsure why that is seemingly your first concern. 

Marc smiles. “I’m okay. Jake told us that your body temperature’s a bit higher because of Set.” 

You chuckle lightly. 

The Hunger had faded back to nothing. Blissful calmness.

“At least we don’t have far to go to clean up.” Marc looked down at you, a large, dopey love sick grin on his face. A look you are very much mirroring with your own expression. 

“That’s true… Probably gonna make a mess getting off you though.” 

Marc laughs. “Good.” He kisses you lightly, soft and sweet. “I don’t mean to get all, sorry, I mean, if you want this just to be a one time thing, I don’t min-”

“I would prefer it not to be.” You answer a little too quickly. 

But Marc’s smile just widens. “Me too.” He hugs you tighter, relaxing into your embrace. 

For a moment you both just stay like that, his hands on your back as you run your fingers over his chest and shoulder. 

That’s when you catch sight of the bite you’d left on his neck.

Marc feels you grimace. “What is it?” 

“I, erm,” you trace the outline and he shivers. “Left a bit of a mark there.” 

He chuckles. “Good, maybe you can bite me harder next time.”

“Yeah?” 

He hums a yes. “And in more places.

“Oh, I can definitely do that.” 

______________

Thank you for reading

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[terrifictomholland]

I know everyone thinks I’ve disappeared (I pretty much have, but I actually wrote something! Sliiightly based off of a conversation me and my bf had not too long ago, it’s a complete fluff piece. But with our favourite Tom instead of my bf, or no one would read (maybe you’re not judging by how inactive I am on here lmao 😂✌🏻) anyway, almost 11pm blurbs - here you are 😊

Idk if anyone is even here anymore and not on a hiatus or have completely abandoned ship but some of my mutuals - here you are @spidey-sophie @worldoftom @stuckonspidey @tetralea @duskholland @userholland

—————

You unlocked the door to your shared flat, stepping inside to the sounds of mugs clinking about, an audiobook playing and Tom humming a song to himself. No doubt being in the midst of making some tea.

“Honey, I’m home!” you sing sang only for his face to pop out from the doorway leading from the kitchen to the hallway. “Hi cakes!” He grinned, “you want a cuppa?”

You took off your shoes, placing them neatly beside his. “Yeah sure hun, just going to the bathroom! Give me a moment!” You quickly went inside the bathroom doing your business and coming out after drying your hands.

Sneaking up behind him and wrapping your arms around his waist. You felt his sculpted back and shoulder blades underneath your touch through his cosy-looking hoodie.

“How’s your day been?” You murmured, lips pressing against the back of his neck, sensing the shiver that ran through him.

“It’s been good, haven’t done too much - did some tidying up and took some garbage out.” He said swiftly turning sideways to fully wrap you up in his strong and safe arms.

“Oh, thank you,” you positively beamed hearing that. If there was one thing you absolutely despised it was taking out the garbage. Such a hideously boring task.

“You talked in your sleep again,” you laughed thinking back on early this morning before you left for work. He tightened his hold on you. “Oh yeah? What was it this time then?”

“That your team apparently sucked so hard, they aren’t getting any of the 4 blocks of chocolate. We’ll be keeping them all to ourselves.” You cackled seeing the way Toms cheeks turned pink before he burst out into hysterical laughter. “Well that sucks for them, not for us though,” he grinned.

For a second he let go of you to throw the teabags into the sink. “Oh come on,” you complained seeing where he threw the tea bags. He simply shushed you with a kiss.

“Come join me on the couch, what do you fancy watching?” He was already on his way to the living room and you had no other choice but to follow him.

“I’m not too bothered,” you said tucking your legs under you in the couch. Tom sitting right beside you giving you a sweet smile.

“I’ve missed you,” to hear those words made your heart swell, “I’ve missed you more,” and his eyes softened with a much smaller smile, but the one he always reserved just for you, on these moments where it was just the two of you in your own little world.

“Do you fancy watching Mindhunter?” You asked after you took a sip of your peach and mango black tea. No milk, no sugar - just some honey in it.

“The FBI show?” And you nodded, he shrugged and turned the TV on, going to Netflix to search for the show.

After a good while of watching the second episode, you snuggled up against Tom’s chest, playing with the strings of his hoodie. His steady heartbeat soothing and calming you right down.

“Do you ever think about what our song is, Tom? Like that one song every couple has?” You asked quietly feeling him run a hand through your hair.

“Sometimes, which song do you think is ours?” His voice laced with curiosity now. You took a moment to ponder over his question.

“For me, spontaneously I’d have to say ‘Photograph’ by Ed,” you landed on, “I feel that song has stuck with us through thick and thin,” you added and felt his lips on your forehead. “Yeah I agree, Ed’s been there for us a lot hasn’t he?” He joked and you buried your face in his clothed chest, laughter bubbling out of you.

“He sure has,” you lifted your head up, looking into his eyes, just getting lost in those brown eyes, the longer slightly curly hair at the ends that framed his defined face so well.

“Do you ever think about the day when we get married? Like, our first song to dance too?” You mumbled slightly embarrassed now that you had exposed the thought of being married to Tom.

The tiniest of smiles played at his lips, eyes glittering ever so slightly, “yeah I do,” he said almost nonchalantly and your eyebrow lifted at that. “Oh?”

“How could I not? It’s gonna happen one day, don’t you worry,” he smiled matter-of-factly, stealing a kiss from you. “What song would you choose?” He mumbled pulling away from your lips ever so slightly, still close enough for his breath to land on your face.

“You’re Still the One by Shania Twain,” you said embarrassingly fast and his lips formed a massive smile. “Play it for me, please.” he urged handing you his phone.

Soon enough, the intro to You’re Still the One started up and you revelled at being in his arms, hearing the song you hopefully danced to one way day in the future, wearing a pretty tux and a beautiful dress.

“I’m feeling really vulnerable right now,” you whispered as to not ruin your moment with the song still playing in the background. “Why?” He whispered back, placing two fingers under your chin gently, to meet his gaze.

“Because I’m exposing such a deep and private part of me, to you for you the best my innermost truest feelings for you - and as much as I love you, it’s still scary to put all of this trust and love in your hands although I know you’d never do anything to hurt me or in any way jeopardise my love for you.” You got out, your eyes turning misty as did Toms at your confession.

“Thank you darling for letting me hear your innermost personal song, but I think it describes us perfectly and I’d be more than honoured to dance our first dance to this song.” His smile could have lightened up ten thousands miles, your heart about to burst with love for this man. Knowing how precious you were to him, for him to treat your feelings so respectfully it meant everything to you.

“I love you, those words aren’t even close to describing the way I really feel about you but they’ll have to do - though I’m more of a shower on how I feel, you know that.” a lone tear spilled over your cheek as you poured your heart out to him and all he did was smile that special smile just for you.

“I love you too, more than words could ever mean,”

[a-land-lacking-sleep]

Day 14: Working Late

(AO3 time)

I am Emmet. I won’t be home for dinner.

This text would be much more normal for Elesa to send compared to Emmet, but Ingo still took it in stride as he lets the spaghetti sauce simmer. So, with the change in schedule for the evening, Ingo went about getting the night ready. It was currently 5:45pm, and Elesa was due home from the Gym by 6:30. Get the food ready, and maybe spend some time watching either TV or movies until she had to get to bed before her photoshoot in the morning.

And by 8pm, the pair were settled down in pajamas, watching The Food Network on the couch in the living room, since it was their shared guilty pleasure that Emmet simply didn’t care for. It was odd for him to not be home yet, especially on an early day, but they made the most of it. The pair salivated over the food these television chefs were making, and occasionally paused to note down specific recipes that strike their paired fancies.

And by 11pm, Elesa was curled up in bed and asleep, and Ingo was at the dining room table, with several books strewn about him and a notebook open for notes. And it was like this that Emmet finally opens the apartment door and walks in. “I am Emmet! Today was too long!” He falls into a chair across the table from and groans in exhaustion.

“Welcome home, brother,” Ingo says, looking up from his studying. “Was today really that busy?” While Ingo was almost always frowning, the furrow of his eyebrows shows his concern as he closes his notebook. “Are you sure I couldn’t have helped today?”

Emmet waves his hand with a sigh as he sits up. “I am Emmet. I am a Subway Boss. You won’t be until Monday. It’s Friday.” With a grunt, he stands up to begin reheating the spaghetti sauce. “You get a bit more on your vacation.”

Ingo grumbles as he taps his pencil against the notebook. “I’ve been on an extended vacation for three years, Emmet. I’m wanting to get back to work, it’s been killing me to do nothing but cook, clean, and study for recertification.”

“Did they let you know if they would waive the fee?” Emmet pokes at the sauce with a spoon as it begins to simmer. “I’d be able to help with the fee. It’d be nice to have it gone, though.”

“Very nice,” Ingo says, slumping in his chair. “They did say that they would waive it due to the circumstances. I feel confident for the test on Thursday.” 

Emmet nods quietly as he prepares his plate of spaghetti and sits across from Ingo again. “You’ll do fine. You are Ingo. You were, are, a Subway Boss.” He slurps up a bit of noodle and swallows before smiling at his brother. “If you fail, then they simply gave you a bad test.”

“Bravo,” Ingo says sarcastically, rolling his eyes as he begins to gather up his books. “So, nothing out of the ordinary at work today? Just stayed late?”

Emmet nods with a mouthful of spaghetti, giving Ingo the chance to clear the table of his study material before swallowing. “Just some maintenance on the computer systems. They needed a manager to sign off. Hilda and Isadore were openers, Cloud had an issue arise.” He shrugs and sighs down at his half-eaten spaghetti. “And I haven’t been here much, so I offered to stay. And now I am tired and hungry, but my appetite is quickly going.”

“Don’t force yourself,” Ingo says with a yawn before stepping over to give Emmet a one-arm hug. “Make sure to treat your engine with care, and get some rest when you’re able. I’m heading to bed. Good night, Emmet.”

“Good night, Ingo.”

[monster--boyfriend]

So there is this late night DQ right near my house and I just went to get a burger and I love being right

I was sitting out front munching and this couple parks and gets out of the car and one of them is carrying one of those sad little beasts that doesn't know how to dog because it's always been treated like a baby and start walking towards the door.

And I say "you can't take that animal in there"

They stop and look at me and I give them the benefit of the doubt, assuming they simply were caught off gaurd that a stranger suddenly spoke to them and repeat myself. Politly, mind you, while mentioning that it says right on the door no animals except trained service animals. Which that clearly is not. I don't say that part.

I of course get a solid "fuck you, asshole" and they go inside. I am certain they assmued no one inside would bother them. I have seen this before, I'm sure others have, where service staff are just so tired that when someone starts arguing about 'oh I won't put him down, I'll hold him' they just tend to give up and get it overwith.

Except the manager of this particular DQ works almost every night, especially in the summer. I suspect it's because this is the only place around for about 5 blocks in any direction of a residential heavy area so it is The Hub, The Place To Be and the ultimate Hot Spot so he wants it to run smoothly.

And HE is a hard ass.

Polite, respectful, but runs a tight ship and probably a nightmare to work under sometimes, but since he took over a few years ago, that place is never understaffed at high times anymore.

Anyways, not 2 minutes after they walked in, they walked back out, no ice cream, no food, just dog, and clearly pissed off because they left. Clearly not used to not getting their way and trying to make a statement. Coulda left someone outside with the dog, coulda even left him in the car for 5 minutes, it's 11pm and not hot out. He'd have been safe. But nope, how dare you tell us we can't have an animal inside a restaurant.

I warned them

[overtime-city-works]

Moon child

Dabi x gn reader no warnings.

The darkness is something that has always been feared, as something that only brings trouble, pain and suffering.

For you that is not the case, the night brings peace, calm, and healing. It is the time you can escape from the expectations of the day and simply dream of a different place.

You look up to the moon above, its silver light is simply that, a neutral unjudgmental light that gently curves and grazes against the deeper parts of black.

Your quirk is something that not even you fully understand. Some people would say you didn't even have one, as it only ever works in the light of the moon. You don't mind how cliche and useless that could be to some people.

When the light reaches your outstretched hand, you feel the cool touch of metal. In your hand, stretching the length of your body is a spear. You close your eyes, feel the shift, and then you open them to the weighted rivets in the handle of a katana.

"You shouldn't play with those," a raspy, deep voice comes from the shadows of an alley. There's a spark of blue and in the light smoke swirls out from a cigarette into the bright moonlit street.

"It might give someone the wrong idea."

You're not afraid. The katana melts and slips from your fingers and becomes one again with the light. A new form emerges, and you pick up the small cat, you nuzzle into the soft grey fur of its belly before you set it gently down on the road. It wanders towards the stranger in the dark, hidden from the moon, hidden from you.

There is a flash of blue, before you can even consciously call something forward, the light has hardened into a box around you. The cat walks forward, unharmed.

"What's your quirk?" The stranger says, suspicious.

"Something stronger than the flames of cremation," You say quietly, recognising the black haired man who steps into the light.

Dabi has found you at your most powerful. The only way your could be more so is if you were in more open space like a field where all the light could touch.

"I'm guessing you know who I am," Dabi smirks.

"And you do not know what I am," you answer, calling the cat to return to you. As it does, you see the image of Dabi in your mind from when he was fighting the children from UA.

The cat gets bigger, and shifts and moves until in its place is the copy of the man in front of you.

You make the moonlight Dabi turn, and pose, and then come to you, and you can't help but scoff at Dabis obvious disgust when you make the copy of him throw a peace sign.

"Some sort of mimic?"

"Something like that," you say vaguely.

Again, he throws blue flames at you. It's sudden, and it engulfs you like a ring. The Dabi form melts away again as you sigh and keep your composure even though the fire light is brighter than the moon, perhaps Dabi is one of the only people who could kill you then.

"I didn't come here to fight," you say.

It seems at your lack of fear he creates a pathway through the flames and stalks towards you.

"You shouldn't be out if you don't intend to fight tonight," his eyes look you over, with something like disdain. "You're not a hero are you?"

You shake your head, and the mirth comes back to his lips.

"Didn't think so, you're too fucking weird. Standing in the middle of the street like that,"

"I'm neurodivergent." You say.

"Weird and blunt," Dabi says, a wrinkle at his nose.

"No, just neurodivergent. If you expect common answers, go find someone common"

There's a buzzing, coming from Dabi's pocket. He finishes the cigarette, but he doesn't blow the smoke in your face like you expect. Instead, he pulls a slightly singed card from his jacket.

"Call this number tomorrow evening. If you feel like you want to do something with that quirk of yours,"

"And if I don't want to join you?" You ask, even as you take it.

He shrugs. "I don't give a fuck, just know that I'll burn it tomorrow at 11pm even if you're holding it," He grins.

You highly doubt that Dabi's power works similarly to Hawks', but you don't really want to take the risk. You hold the singed card, and as Dabis flames burn lower you summon the grey cat once again. It's soft fur against your face as it nudges against your cheek is calming.

Dabi begins to walk away.

You expect something scathing, but it seems he's done with you. You stand still, holding your cat until Dabi has disappeared down the hill.

You inspect the card, turn it over and commit the number to memory before you summon flames of grey and it burns up to nothing. You'd be useless to them anyway.

"Aizawa will find this interesting hmm, that's the third villain to approach me this month. I wonder if I'm giving off some sort of signal" You say quietly as you hold your head still for the cat to gently headbutt it.

The cat meows softly, it sounds like your old childhood pet.

As if you hadn't been interrupted, you go back to practicing with your quirk, Aizawa for all his faults with his hero students, has a different relationship with you and the others. Unsuitable for hero work, something of an experiment.

You don't mind, it gets you out of the house.

[luna-redamancy]

I posted 1,489 times in 2022

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I tagged 673 of my posts in 2022

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Longest Tag: 130 characters

#my coworker asked what i wanted to do with my life and i said if it was up to me i’d be in a cottage in the woods rather than work

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Hi could i request the following prompts by @imaginexhobbit please.

Imagine Haldir being shocked that you have an interest in him, because he's nothing like other elves.

Imagine comforting Haldir after he is taunted for having a bulkier build than most elves

Ehe...Look at me, writing at 11pm when I should be getting ready for bed cause I have my stinky stupid office job tomorrow to go do office job things at.

For proper credit for the idea- Prompts by @imaginexhobbit

I hope you enjoy it, Nonnie!

The sun left the atmosphere sweltering, sweat beading down the back of your neck as you put away your training sword. Hearing a commotion, you raised a brow, head lifting and turning to look behind you to see the new recruits still in the training pit, laughing and making mocking gestures. 

“What the hell..” You muttered, leaning over the railing to watch them closer. 

“I am captain Haldir, a bulky dwarf,” You could faintly hear one say, your breath hitching as you saw Haldir coming up the steps you just came up. 

“More like an orc!”

If you heard it, then surely he must have as well. 

“Alright new recruits, that’s enough!” You shouted down, glaring at them. “If you want to stay on the guard then you will learn to respect your captain!” 

“Haldir-” You turned to talk to him, to give him encouragement. 

But your words were too late, as Haldir didn’t even acknowledge them, instead choosing to brush passed you to put his own sword away and exiting the training area without so much as a murmur slipping out of his lips. 

“Damn it,” You huffed under your breath, ignoring the urge to go bathe and instead followed after him. 

“Haldir, wait,” You called after him, jogging to catch up to him. 

“Leave me alone, please,” Haldir muttered, not stopping to look at you but his pace did slow to allow you to walk next to him, contradicting his words. 

“Unfortunately, I can’t do that,” Your words made him pause, a furrow in his brow as he turned to look at you. Not quite glaring, definitely not smiling either. 

“Why?”

“Because I care.”

“You are dismissed, (Y/n),” Haldir rolled his eyes, moving to keep walking. Reaching out, you grasped him by his upper arm and pulled him back. 

“Not as a captain, Haldir,” You made your intentions clear. 

“What they said was rude, and hurtful, I want to make sure you’re alright,” You stated, watching the way he analyzed your face. 

“You shouldn’t care, after all, they were right.” Haldir sounded resigned, expression blank, but his eyes- oh his eyes. They swirled with the hurt and the pain at the words of his underlings.

“No they weren’t, don’t say that,” You nearly begged, grabbing him by the hand.  “They aren’t right, Haldir, you are not some bulky orc-ish creature. You are handsome, yes you are slightly larger but that is simply more to love and to treasure.”

Haldir scoffed, shaking his head, and pulled his hand out of your grasp. You tried to ignore the sting in your chest as he did so, watching as he clenched his fist.

“To love? To treasure?” He laughed, a bitter and dark one deep in his chest. “There’s nothing to be treasured about me.” He glared at the ground. “Nor to love.” 

“I think there is,” You gently coaxed, reaching for his hand again.

“Tell me, then, tell me who would care for me the way I so strongly desire?” He snapped his eyes to yours, angry tears forming on his face. 

You remained silent, heart aching at the way he began to break down in front of you. 

See the full post

305 notes - Posted August 11, 2022

#4

Headcanons: Kili as a lover...

Literally no one asked for these, but I’m sick and daydreaming is my coping mechanism so here ya go- I’m soft rn..

Kili is the type to... Pick up on your moods very easily, in tune with your emotions and how you interact with the world with each one going through you.

Kili is the type to... Soundlessly pull you into his embrace, hand cupping the back of your head as he envelops you into him- knowing that you’ve had a bad day and knowing you don’t wish to speak of it, needing the comfort without the questions.

Kili is the type to... Stroke his fingertips almost absentmindedly over your flesh, seeming as if an unconscious way to make sure you’re by his side and safe.

Kili is the type to... Urge you to sit in between his legs as he helps you with your hair, no matter the texture or length, grinning like a mad man when you lean into his touch. 

Kili is the type to... Always make sure to get two of everything, whether it be food or drink or more meaningful things like jewelry or hair decorations. 

Kili is the type to... Fight for you no matter what, you are his beloved. Even if this means getting into a brawl at the local tavern whenever a son of men looks at you a little too long... 

Please note that if your tag is in Bold, Tumblr won’t let me tag you!

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312 notes - Posted April 25, 2022

#3

Hi beautiful! I hope you like my commission:

Thorin's little daughter coloring or painting and adding sparkles and ribbons to the orcrist, in the end it kinda looks like cartoon kitty kissy face with ribbons hanging on the handle and her only explanation is: it looked boring before! Now it at least looks pretty.

Reader (thorin's wife, who's been with him since the quest) can't help but laugh and agree. Just family fluff moments :) - Irene <3

Ohmygoodness Irene, I loved writing this so much! I hope you love it as much as I do:

It was quiet, oddly quiet, you noted as you looked up from your papers, your eyes narrowing as you listened in for the sound of giggles or little feet running on the floor. It was just before high noon, and your daughter was nowhere to be found. 

“Thorin,” You caught your husband’s attention, who looked up from his adjacent desk, looking at you with a concerned expression. 

“What is it?” 

“Where’s kurkarukê (my little raven)?” You stood from your desk, brows furrowing. It was too quiet. Normally she would have been running in and out, demanding to be in your lap, playing with your desk supplies, then running to Thorin and playing with his hair before then loudly exclaiming how hungry she was for the three of you to go enjoy lunch together. 

“I haven’t seen her since this morning and she isn’t due for nap time until later this afternoon, after lunch,” You explained, rounding your desk. This was not like her. She was not a quiet child, no, she was loud and boisterous and craved excitement, much like her cousin, Kili. 

“Didn’t Balin agree to look after her since we had our council meeting this morning?” 

Pausing in your strides, you ran through your memory as you began to bite at your lip. “Yes, he did, but that was hours ago…” 

“Surely he would have brought her back after they were done with their activities,” Thorin reassured, knowing how worried and protective you get over your little child. 

 “Right…” You mumbled, looking at the door with your furrowed expression remaining. 

Chuckling amusedly to himself, Thorin shook his head. “Go check on her, you know you want to.” 

“I think I will,” You agreed, walking to his desk to press a kiss to his cheek. 

“Don’t work too hard while I’m gone,” You teased, a grin forming on your face as he leaned upwards to press a kiss to your own cheek. 

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” He grumbled, looking to the stack of letters he had yet to formally address. 

Exiting the Royal Office, you headed straight to Balin’s office. Maybe he had her set up to do some arts and crafts while her father and yourself worked. 

“Kurkarukê? Balin?” You called as you rapped your knuckles on the door, a grin growing on your face as you heard her begin to squeal with giggles. 

“What’s going on, hm?” You spoke out loud as you entered the office. She was laying on her stomach by herself on the floor, Balin nowhere in sight as she poured what appeared to be “stardust” that you two bought in the market a few days ago.

“Make pretty!” She giggled with glee as her little legs kicked in the air, amusement clear in her voice as she sat up to grab bright pink and green ribbon. 

“Oh?” You inquired, walking forward, expecting to see a piece of paper or maybe a wooden toy Bofur had crafted for her–

“Is that… Your father’s sword?” You did your best to keep your composure as you knelt beside her, watching as she began to wrap the handle in the green ribbon. 

“Mhm!” She nodded, tongue sticking out as she carefully turned the sword to wrap underneath it. The blade’s shiny reflective surface was soon covered beneath wrappings of thick vibrant green. Only now did you notice the gold detailing on it.

“What’re you doing now?” You couldn’t help but ask, realizing she’s taking away room to pour more of her glitter. 

“Gotta wrap it, amad (mother),” She said simply, not really paying you any mind. “Why do we have to wrap it?” 

“So no ouchies,” She said in a tone that reflected how silly she thought your question was, almost as if the word “duh” was lingering on her tongue but out of respect she chose to not say it. 

“Ah, silly me,” You pretended to smack your forehead as you sat down properly. 

“And this?” You held up the roll of pink ribbon. 

“Bows!” She cheered, gluing down the rest of the green ribbon so it would hold in place before launching into action. 

See the full post

318 notes - Posted July 13, 2022

#2

Hello (*ﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ here to request some thorin x reader where the reader is a dragon trainer ? She lived with dragons since young and Smaug was actually her familiar/partner before, now she is trying to help the Dwarves get their home

Hello!! This is such a cool idea and it makes me want to watch How to Train Your Dragon...

Edit: I just now realized this was supposed to be a Thorin x reader... And I wrote just a Company x reader.. I’m so sorry!

Anywho, I hope you enjoy it!

“So you work with…Dragons,” Balin was carefully wording his sentences, in hopes of not offending you, nor his kin that he knew were listening very closely as he sat across from you. The fire crackled in the background and it reminded you of teaching the young drakes to control their fire in terms of intensity and range.

You had yet to sign the contract, wanting to read every bit of it thoroughly. As you told Gandalf, if there were any bits of information regarding killing or hurting Smaug, you would not sign it and you wouldn’t join in on their mission. 

Looking up from the parchment, you gave him a smile. “I do,” You encouraged, putting a finger where you were last reading so you could continue in a moment. 

“Do you know of Dragon Trainers, Sir Balin?” You inquired, tilting your head. 

“I’m afraid I do not,” Balin chuckled nervously to which you nodded in understanding. 

“I know Smaug had hurt you all severely, and for that, I am forever sorry,” You began, “But please know, that not all dragons are like him. He lost his way,” You sighed, looking back down at the paper. 

“How do you know he lost his way?” 

“I once worked with him, when he was younger.” You realized you now had an audience. The entire Company now hovering in the doorway, trying to not look so suspicious. 

“His former trainer died from old age, and he was heartbroken, he barely got up to hunt or make a small hoard, so they gave him to me to work with,” You began to tell his story, remembering play fighting with the small drake, taking him to get treats whenever he did exceptionally well during training. 

He transformed in front of your eyes. No longer was he the depressed dragon that he came to you as, he was kind and playful, courteous and passionate. Not this greedy, murderous, vicious beast that the world saw him as.

“And what happened?” Balin seemed very interested, wanting to know how he went from being in something akin to a dragon’s camp to rampaging his home. 

“We aren’t entirely sure,” You shook your head, “But the elder trainers think that it had to do with the unearthing of the Dragon Stone, or what most called it, the Arkenstone.” 

It felt like the world was put on pause as Balin stared at you in horror. 

“It’s a magnificent jewel, yes,” You nodded, “Beautiful and vibrant, glowing on its own. But it also has magic within it,” You explained. Pausing to put the quill where your finger was so you could grab your book out of your bag. 

“See here,” You flipped the pages rapidly to get to where you had put a placeholder before. The Arkenstone was drawn in the center, glowing bright, with dragons lined up behind it. 

“For some reason, the magic within it causes unfathomable greed in mankind, but for dragons, it sparks undeniable rage that is only calmed whenever the dragons are near it. Like some sort of drug,” You explained, “We haven’t ever been able to have a dragon near one without it causing them to go feral.”

“So you think when the Arkenstone was found and put in King Thror’s throne-”

“It was a beacon to dragons to come take it,” You finished Kili’s sentence as he approached the two of you.

“I don’t know if that’s the exact reason he did what he did, and nothing can excuse the hell he rained down on you all,” You looked over to them. 

“What Smaug did was terrible, and I understand that you want his head on a pedestal,” You focused on Thorin, eyes pleading. 

“Just let me help get you your homeland back. I can get him out safely and take him so he can go back to the far north so our elders can work with him.” 

“How do you know he’ll go with you?” Ori piped in, looking concerned. 

“I am a dragon trainer, and since he has left and done this, well, we’ve trained in how to deal with dragons that are falling to Dragon Stone magic.” 

“Bilbo can help me get the stone away from Smaug,” You looked at the newly contracted burglar with a grin, “And once it’s out of sight and covered, the magic effects should wear off and he should come to his senses.” 

Thorin sighed deeply through his nose before approaching. 

“We will trust what you can do, Lady Dragon Trainer.” 

See the full post

344 notes - Posted August 14, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Hey could I have a Kili x Reader where the reader is someone Gandalf recruited early on the adventure. She spends all her time in the woods and can even converse with animals as well as being an adept hunter and survivalist? Kili just becomes infatuated then and there

Hello!! I'm so sorry this took so long to complete, but I hope you enjoy:

“I thought you said you had another person attending, Gandalf, your apprentice?” Thorin’s words floated above the murmur of the company members as they feasted on poor Bilbo’s pantry. 

“I do, however, unfortunately, they were caught up in other matters. Do not fret, Thorin, they will meet us along the way.” 

“What matters were so important to have missed a vital meeting before we set off on this journey?” Thorin’s tone was criticizing as he imagined a young lad trying to drink himself into a stupor- 

“Medical ones,” Gandalf’s cheery disposition turned into a frown as he gazed upon the dwarf. 

“They are providing medical guidance for a town riddled with disease. I say a sobbing child with a fever needs their attention more than a group of rowdy, but otherwise healthy, dwarves.” 

“My apologies,” Thorin tilted his head to Gandalf who responded in kind. 

“I know you are anxious to meet the final member of your Company, Thorin, trust me when I say everything will fall together- in due time.” 

And that was the last they discussed the missing apprentice, your absence not being brought up again. 

The next morning, after a night of feasting and somber singing, the Company set out on their journey. 

The trees were lush and soon the rolling hills of the Shire had all but disappeared behind the horizon. Coin was shared upon the arrival of Bilbo, but the final member of the Company had still yet to arrive. 

“Gandalf,” Thorin addressed as he fell to the middle of the line where Gandalf was atop of his horse. 

“Do you know when your apprentice will be arriving?” 

“I would say–”

“Right now,” You called out, popping up next to Gandalf as you stared at the bird in your hand. It was a small old-world sparrow, happily chirping as you nodded. 

“You are-” Kili almost interrupted, the Company now halted as they stared at you awaiting introduction. 

“One moment,” You held up a finger, keeping your gaze trained on the bird, pausing in your steps. 

“Thank you,” You said after a moment, smiling at the small creature. You watched as the bird then took off, flying into the trees. 

“You’re Gandalf’s apprentice?” Balin tried this time, your gaze returning to the Company. 

“Yes, I am,” You bowed your head, “My name is (Y/n),” You greeted, your grin widening as each dwarf gave their name. 

“And you?” You stared at Kili who seemed to be starstruck, eyes wide and round as the wind shifted the leaves of the trees, making the sunlight highlight different areas of your face. Dipped in golden light. 

Fili chuckled, turning into a cough as Kili elbowed him harshly in the gut. “Kili, at your service,” he bowed his head. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you,” You turned to Gandalf, “There may be trouble along the old road,” You explained, “The sparrows have seen trolls taking livestock from farmers, they recommend to stay away.”

“Sparrows?” Bilbo questioned and before you could explain, Gandalf was quick to boast. 

“(Y/n) holds many abilities, but one of them is animal conversing, birds are her favorite.”

“They know so much,” You shrugged, as the company resumed traveling. Walking alongside Gandalf, you failed to notice the eyes trained on your form and drinking in your appearance. 

“Also, they say the population of rabbits has increased, especially towards the winding trees further north, we’re likely to be able to catch a few for supper come time to set up camp,” You were already planning your hunt in your head.

Kili felt like he was going to swoon. He was most certainly in deep, and you’ve only said a few sentences. 

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356 notes - Posted September 29, 2022

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[literaticat]

Do you have any tips for working with your agent? Thanks!

There are a variety of questions about "working with an agent" in the pinned FAQ. But I guess there isn't one about LITERALLY working with an agent lol. So uh - I'll just give some random tips?

WE ARE ON YOUR TEAM. If authors/illustrators are having some kind of crisis with a deadline or an issue with edits or *something* -- a lot of times they go to ground and hide from their agent because they feel like they need to figure it out for themselves, or they don't want to "get in trouble" or something. Which, like, I feel that instinct in my bones, BUT -- we are on your team. We can solve (or help resolve, at any rate) pretty much any publishing issue, IF WE KNOW ABOUT IT. And the earlier we know about it, the better. If creators are hiding from their agent, their agent can't help them. So, communicate!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE A SQUEAKY WHEEL. I'm not saying "be an asshole" or anything, of course -- you can be a NICE squeaky wheel. But if time has passed without hearing from your agent or something, don't be shy about reminding them. Things get lost! We have nine million things going on! We are putting out fires all the time, and sometimes, the "not urgent" gets pushed to the side for later, and then later we're still putting out fires and that thing has been forgotten! But we don't WANT to forget. I, personally, greatly appreciate reminders. (Just as I hope if I send gentle reminders to my clients about something, they would not be annoyed or pissed with ME!)

BOUNDARIES ARE HEALTHY. Some agents are OK with texts, some are probably not into them. Some agents have hard rules around when they are available, some don't. Some have small children and are somewhat working around THEIR schedule and can't just hop on a call at any given moment. Some are on social media all the time, some avoid it. So, you know -- ask how THEY prefer to communicate. The two if you will get into a groove as you work together, but just, you know. Be mindful.

Ultimately, as much as we may want you to FEEL like the most important person in our lives, agents have other clients, and a personal life (hopefully) -- so maybe don't text at 1am or DM them important things on Twitter AND Facebook AND Insta that would be better as an email, or send a constant stream of emails when you know they are on vacation.

(Sidebar: Something about finding out their agent going away for a bit really spurs a lot of people into suddenly NEEDING to correspond with them, like, "I know I haven't said a peep in months and yes this COULD wait a week, but also, I know you are about to go out of town, here's ten manuscripts for you to read on the plane!" -- pls, I beg you, no, I just want to read a real book on the plane, or better yet, sleep, and I already have plenty of work to do if that's what I wanted to do on the plane.)

SCHEDULE EMAILS WHEN POSSIBLE: This might be a personal one, but. One of the joys of email is, you can send whenever you want, and I can reply whenever I am able. So yes, it is totally fine to send an email in the dead of night or on weekends if that's the only time you have, and I do understand well the need to "get this off my plate and onto yours" or "tell you now before I forget!" . . . HOWEVER, I get *hundreds* of emails a day, and personally try hard not to look at email after 7pm or on weekends -- and sometimes things that get sent at 11pm on Friday end up getting totally buried by Monday morning. So IF you are able to schedule emails for normal working hours, can I gently suggest you do that? And if you can't... OK! But you might have to nudge to get it back up in the pile!

(I do this all the time, btw. I often only have time to prep submissions at night or on weekends -- and when that's the case, I simply put everything together and then schedule the email to go out in the morning on the next business day -- or, I have to send something to somebody in a different time zone, and I can schedule it so they aren't getting it after hours -- this technology is a BOON!)

I would further suggest if you have a bunch of small things, maybe gather them into ONE email rather than a half dozen.

That's all I can think of right now!

[lavenoon]

Good Morning, or Night as I think it is for you!

Happy to hear you enjoyed my very weird agents setup story dream thing.

The game of snake portion of that dream had killed me with laughter and was the main reason why I wanted to share the dream so it's nice to know you liked it too!

However, it looks like the dream did to you what it did to the 'agents' in it: misdirection.

The dream is about two people: an animatronic and human. Field Agent and person in the chair. (well i guess it still is an animatronic sona, there's just two new agents not one)

In the dream, the Agency had thought them being one and the same.

Remember when I mentioned wanting to add Neon Eclipse? Thats the animatronic.

To avoid confusion on saying Neon I'm taking my sister's nickname for him and now he is Agent Glowstick. (wont stop me from maybe doing a silly doodle later) Viper is still Viper.

I am still so very tired from having just woken up so I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!

*relooks at your tags real quick and sees* #very lighthearted but the anime joker in the yt vid took me out

pfft this tag took me out. brain didn't even process that was what the background image was so thank you for that.

also imagining when Viper and Glowstick work for the Agency all the other agents are like "so this is the slippery fuck we never found- wait wait why are there two of them oh dear god"

: )

- Viper

I AM THE AGENCY CONFIRMED IM STUPID AND FORGOT ABOUT YOUR ECLIPSE!! head in hands I am. SO scattered GFHDJ I have no excuse I am simply all the distractable brain and none of the attention

BUT HELL YEAH ACTUALLY Oh my god a tag team - Glowstick and Viper give me serious "Someone will die." "Of fun!" vibes from their codenames alone hfjdks (tho Viper seems to enjoy those games very much also <3 So perhaps "Someone will die >:3c")

Funny thought of Robin only hearing about the Viper incidents, and upon successful recruitment heard through the grapevine it was a team, actually, so they go "wow how come no one noticed they worked in a team, smh so careless" while Sun/ Moon just look at them like. really. you of all people. you of all people make fun of agents thinking a tag team is one person.

Robin feels their gaze, and just goes "Shut up" because they realize the hypocrisy just a second later.

Also also also blue Eclipse blue Eclipse!!! Hell yeah hell yeah hell yeah he sure gonna look like a glowstick then hehehe

It's 6PM now - time for dinner for me! I have a bigger reply to an ask scenario in the works that I'll finish after, so not quite night yet (because I'm a weenie responsible adult who goes to sleep before 11PM) <3

[count-von-kit]

A friend of mine calls it "drop everything and read".

For the last two weeks I decided to do this thing where, because of how stressful work has been, once I clock out at the end of my shift I mentally clock out as well. I work from home, so I stare at a computer from 8-5 doing data entry. I am also a writer, so add in the additional time of staring at my non-working computer from 5pm up through 11pm or sometimes even midnight. It's not entirely kind on the eyes, but also my attention span scattered quicker than the little dust sprites from Spirited Away. Between that and the frequent writer's block I decided to do something a friend of mine calls "drop everything and read".

I know the benefits of reading, especially as a writer. But I remember I was already apprehensive because it made me feel alone and isolated. In some instances it also felt like I was forcing that loneliness onto myself and using it as a not so great way to escape, as I once told my therapist. It felt obligatory and forced when I was doing it earlier this year - like I was doing it because "well everyone else is busy, so I guess I'll do this instead of sitting around waiting". But this time around I didn't feel that way. It was something I genuinely wanted to do. I genuinely wanted to experiment on myself, and make note of the changes. For context, in some cases my work gets to be stressful to where I have an inability to disconnect, and because of how I grew up it becomes extremely difficult for me to detach from such things at an emotional level and it kind of ruins the whole evening or weekend for me. I don't like to vent to my friends often, so most of that emotional distress gets bottled up. I decided in that instance that once I clocked out of work and tended to my household chores I would drop everything and read. From when I finish my chores right up through bedtime. You could view that as roughly 5-6 hours worth of reading time. My cat was very much a fan of me doing this because he likes to lay beside me, so there were very few cons when I decided, "Fuck it. Let's do this."

Far as results go, last week I noticed great benefits to my mood. Nothing shocking about that. This week, while I wasn't so lucky in the mood department, I was able to still feel accomplished in some degree. From Monday through Friday last week, and Monday and Tuesday of this week, I plowed through books 1-5 of MDZS [the core story, not counting the extra chapters]. Five books in a span of seven days. I found the only real downside was that I couldn't stop thinking of all the characters when I went to bed, and in some cases it made it difficult for when I wanted to daydream about my own stories. But as far as everything else went it left me feeling a bit better. I mean, outside of getting brushed off at work I did have the urge to sit down and work on my story. So that already shows me what I was trying to gain from my experiment.

I haven't noticed much else as far as if it has necessarily helped with lifting my frequent bout of writer's block. Normally I try to draft things by hand because I find myself too distracted at my personal computer which only adds to my struggles. But what I did notice is the will to write returning to me along with a kindling of inspiration. I feel nurtured in some way because of this. So as I gradually continue with this I am hoping to at some point finish more to my story and/or start posting my fantasy project. I guess we'll see where August takes me. Sometimes it's necessary to just give a middle finger to all the happenings and life, and drop everything to simply read. Work might be shit at times, but it cannot keep my from reading about my gays.

[xerospaced]

I want to function on - not expected time - reasonable and desirable timing

I would like to not have my brain activate at 8, 9, 10pm

I would like not to be most focused when I want to be winding down

When I got close to launching my business. When I was doing the dry run, giving free sessions. When I was building my site, managing bookings, consistently active, it was all done between the hours of 8pm and 4am

I would like to have mainly UK based clients when I do launch so I cant work to those timings.

I would also like to begin working alongside other people in my life so I cannot work to those timings.

I also DO NOT WANT to work to those timings.

But i'm sitting here after 11pm and my brain is ready to work and focus and only now am I watching thought provoking and educational content. Only now do I feel driven to work on my business. Only now is my brain switched ON.

I wonder if I might be better off leaning into these timings. Laying the bulk of the groundwork utilising these hours of function. Allowing myself to operate at inverse hours to my peers.

Simply because I will be able to focus more, build faster, and gain momentum.

And then, when things have started to take off, when I am consistently being productive, gradually shifting those hours into the optimal timings.

Instead of struggling and struggling and losing all of my activated hours to winding down and sleep. And being awake while my mind is switched off and inactive. And wanting to bang my head against the wall because it just WONT do the thing!!

I really REALLY do not want to lose mornings again.

I don't want to be awake all night.

I don't want to be out of sync with the people in my life.

But I'm grasping at straws.

I was discharged from the adhd service and I desperately need an increase of dosage. Or, if that doesn't do the trick, to switch meds altogether, at least for some time before switching back. Because I have clearly built up tolerance and my meds are not working anymore and my brain is not activated and I...

I don't want to work all night and sleep all day and miss opportunities for connection.

I don't want to be sleep deprived when I am socialising with people because I've had to omit sleep in order to be active in those hours.

I don't want to miss calls and messages because I don't wake up until well after midday

I don't want to have limited time to run errands because I've only got a few hours before everything closes.

I don't want to be perceived as lazy because I'm sleeping all day and people won't understand that I'll be working all night.

I don't want to miss out on sunlight.

I ESPECIALLY don't want to miss out on sunlight.

It's winter.

I've been there.

I've done it before.

Months on end where I literally did not catch a glimpse of sunlight.

It's not fun.

But I've been waiting for the adhd team to give me an appointment for months and there's no signs of it coming any time soon and I am trying to be more productive and I am trying to activate my brain yet day in day out it is only after 10pm that I find myself in that state of mind to DO and THINK and FOCUS.

I just don't know what to do.

[sarah-dipitous]

Hellsite Nostalgia Tour 2023 Day 274

The British Invasion/Thin Ice

“The British Invasion”

Plot Description: Mick is forced to confront his own disturbing past when Sam and Dean’s search for Kelly Kline leads to a deadly disaster

Would I Survive the First Five Minutes??: I….simply…probably not. I dunno

When Sam compared the BMoL school to [fandom redacted school], he wasn’t kidding. These kids are full on wearing robes. Oh. But even worse. The headmistress just made Mick kill another student

Awww, I like seeing Eileen back

Oooooo, poor Mick is in a tough bind between what he’s learned from even the limited time he’s had with the Winchesters and orders from the BMoL (I almost said ‘from above’ but that could implicate that Chuck was giving them, and we all know he’s doing jack shit right now)

Is Kelly having some doubts about having this baby? I mean. She should have many doubts, but is that why she’s insisting on the ultrasound?

Lol that awkward moment when your doctor asks you to tell him about the father of your baby, and the father is literally the devil

Of all the things that have turned my stomach while watching supernatural on my lunch, watching up close as Lucifer licks the grimy floor of hell might actually take the number one spot

I don’t believe Lucifer’s been beaten down this easily

Is it bad I’m JUST A LITTLE BIT shopping Mary and Ketch? I don’t want them to actually get together but this little dance they’re doing as they work hunting jobs together, the way he calls her Mrs Winchester, it’s not NOT intriguing

How is Cas not even in this episode (so far) and he’s still the funniest one in it? “This is my voicemail, make your voice a mail”

SEE? I knew he was lying. How am I smarter and wilier than the current king of hell?

What is this accent, Sam? It is all over the place

I love how little everyone cares about this guy Mick was forced to bring with him. Sure, Kendrick’s formal training is good in some ways but it’s still lacking

Ohhhh, that can’t be good for Hunter/BMoL relations. Eileen just shot the new guy. No. No, Mick. It DOES matter. She was aiming for Dagon, and you know it

Oh. Ok. So they noticed it, too. I mean. Mary, get it, girl, but him? Really? (I say as though my taste is any saner) Ketch, you need to work on your pillow talk.

Thing is, now that they got fucking each other out of the way, I do kind of like them as allies. I like that he appreciates that Mary is trying to make hunting and having familial relationships work. He seemed genuinely supportive of her. I hope I’m not wrong (but I could see him catching feelings for her but not the other way round)

Sam starting to learn sign language for Eileen ❤️

And NOW how do you feel about being Luci’s baby mama, Kelly? Now that you know it’s fatal? I’m curious what will win out. The Winchesters saving the day (with an abortion that probably will only be ok with the network because the mother’s life is in danger) or supernatural’s long standing misogyny?

Oh Mick. Are you about to die because you’re finally standing up for yourself?? Dammit, Ketch…

Huh. How’s that gonna work out? How, um, how’re you gonna go kill your new fwb’s sons?

“Thin Ice”

Plot Description: London, 1814. The Doctor and Bill investigate disappearances on the frozen river Thames

Been a while since I had to do a no whammies run for Doctor Who…but I got home and settled and just needed to rest my eyes for a little bit and suddenly it was almost 11pm

Yeah, I would have that look too if I stepped out into centuries ago London and saw an elephant

Bill and the Doctor both having a bit of a crush on the TARDIS is cute

Nowwwwww she’s getting the hang of time traveling. This frost fair looks fun and I’m glad Bill’s enjoying herself

They really are doing the barest minimum to address the fact that she could be in very real danger being a black woman in 1814

Oh…oh poor Bill. Be honest with her, Doc. She’s still new to this

I don’t believe you when you say you’ve never had the time for the luxury of outrage…

This little band of street urchins is so freaking cute

Yeah if nothing else from this show deterred me, these old ass diving suits they’re using to investigate in the frozen Thames, to intentionally get eaten by whatever’s at the bottom…couldn’t do it

The problem isn’t aliens, it’s capitalism.

I love Bill, don’t love how she’s being treated. Ten never tried to tamper down Donna (not that it would have worked), so why is Bill’s “temper” a problem for Twelve??

Oh. What happened to “passion fights but reason wins,” Doctor? Not that I actually mind you decking that lord in defense of Bill

The sonic screwdriver doesn’t do wood but it will do rope?? Oh no. It just makes a noise that attracts the little fish and that’s how they escape their captor

I wonder if there wasn’t a second reason the Doctor chose this face for a regeneration. Like…we know it’s too keep the promise to just save SOMEONE but to not make the decisions that should be left to humans

Maybe I’ve seen too many episodes but there are a LOT of parallels to a LOT of past episodes

Though he DID go off world, Nardole doesn’t know that, the one thing he DOES know technically took place on earth…just in the past

Oh I NRRF to know what’s in that vault

[lindsaystravelblogs1]

Days 6 to 8 - The Drake Passage & our first landing

Day 6, Wednesday, 21 December

Immediately after breakfast, we all had to have a RAT test – and I was told everyone on board tested negative.  One more test in three days and if all are still negative, we won’t have to be tested again.  We did learn, however, that four people tested positive on the day of boarding so they were not allowed on and are now stuck in Ushuaia until they get clearance and make arrangements to go home.  I feel so sorry for them.  It would be devastating for them and a big expense, not to mention many wasted days! At least one person on board subsequently succumbed to the bug and was placed in isolation, so there will be more RATs coming up in a day or two.  And after the next RAT test, four more passengers, including Megan and David, were confined to quarters.  (There were no more tests though.  I suspect Aurora has realised that they can’t go on forever, giving trip credits to anyone who tests positive.  We simply have to live with Covid and no doubt, more people will be infecting more voyagers until it is finally eradicated.  By then, the average cruise will be 40-year round trips to Mars!)

I spent some time exploring the ship looking for vantage points to find some birds. As I said above, the best vantage points are still very poor, but maybe that has not been such a loss so far because there have been very few birds.  We were at sea crossing the Drake Passage for two full days, a long way from land, but I hope we will see more birds as we get closer to feeding grounds near the islands and the peninsula.  I probably expected to see more birds in open waters because many simply soar around for 5 or 6 years without ever setting foot back on land – but it is early days so far and I am sure there will be plenty of excitement ahead.  For the record, I identified twenty-two species whilst in Argentine and have so far identified seven more at sea.

After lunch there was a lecture about sea birds, but not quite what I expected. The guy was Ian McCarthy who was also on our two Arctic voyages earlier in the year and gave a very personal account of some of his wildlife experiences - and he did much the same here. He is mainly a wildlife photographer and worked for the BBC for many years, including filming a lot of the material for David Attenborough’s epics.  He gives quite an enjoyable account, peppered with his personal experiences (his feminine side?), as well as the technical stuff and I like it!

He started his presentation with a couple of relevant observations: firstly, that the day was the day of the Summer Solstice with its precise timing to be at 6:27 pm today. And secondly, that we would be crossing the Southern Convergence at about 11pm – just as it was getting dark. The Southern Convergence is an imaginary line that marks a real feature.  It is effectively where the cold Atlantic current meets the warmer Pacific current with the Pacific current rising and creating an upsurge that brings nutrients to the surface and becomes an area of rich biodiversity.  We were asleep by then, but I am sure some people waited up for it.  It is apparently quite a distinct line where the water temperature on one side is at least 4 degrees warmer than on the other side, creating a precise geographical/marine feature.

The first night out is always celebrated with the Captain’s Cocktails – drinks, a few nibbles and introductions to all the staff, including the ‘behind the scenes’ crew.  It is more a ‘getting to know you’ session, combined with a short briefing, then dinner.

After dinner, some of us participated in an eBird survey with Ian in the Observation Lounge on Deck 8 – and there will be several more during our time on board. There weren’t many birds around, just 4 species sighted, and not many individuals of any, but even the absence of birds is still valuable data for the scientists.  For me, it was a good opportunity to renew my personal contact with Ian and I reminded him that we both got into a spot of trouble in Iceland when we were deep in conversation while the entire Expedition staff were waiting on him to join them for a planning meeting.  We both got a gentle smack on our respective wrists, but it seems that bygones really are bywents.

Concurrent with the survey was a guessing competition to which quite a few people contributed.  We wrote down the precise time and location of where we thought the first iceberg would be sighted.  My guess was more than 24 hours too early, but the ship changed course during the night to avoid a storm and bypass the South Shetlands (a pity!) where we might well have seen an iceberg.

Day 7, Thursday, 22 December

There was a compulsory briefing on zodiac safety after breakfast.  We have been through so many of these now – along with lifeboat drills and other briefings – that they are pointless bores.  They are like the safety briefing everyone endures on every flight you ever take – so it drones on in the background while some of us were doing more important things (playing games) on our phones and tablets.

There was a very interesting lecture about some of the very early Antarctic explorers. Some of the names were familiar but many weren’t, and the woman who did the lecture (Nina – quite brilliant) must have read widely and deeply because she was able to relate numerous expeditions and incidents as entertaining and fact-filled stories.  She is a great storyteller and we both enjoyed it a lot.  A different lecture in the afternoon was much less enjoyable.  The woman who did that one (and a later one) basically read the same text that was in her Powerpoint slides – all basic facts, all done and dusted within 15 minutes or less and dry as the dust that was dusted.  It was all about identifying the various species of Whales, Seals and Penguins we are likely to see, but it was just a drawing of each species with about eight ten-word facts about each that she read verbatim and there wasn’t even a Q&A session afterwards.  It would have been much better to have given us all a copy of her slides to take away and refer to whenever we needed it.

We went to the bar for a cocktail prior to the daily Recap/Precap session and then went up to the Rockhopper Restaurant for dinner.  This is a smallish restaurant where the service is even better than in the main dining room and the views are better because you are three decks higher.  The food is pretty similar but they have a more extensive wine list – but you have to pay for most of the wines up there whereas it is all inclusive down with the plebs.  It was all very nice but we will probably stick with the plebs for the rest of the trip and let others enjoy the plusher experience.

Day 8, Friday, 23 December

We slept badly and were up early – to what a sight.  Towering mountains, eye-wateringly bright with the blazing sun shining on more snow than you can imagine.  Utterly breathtaking – words (or pictures) can’t describe.  There was not a cloud to be seen and it stayed like that most of the day.  Very cold and often very windy, but the scenery simply has to be seen.  The mountains were impressive, some around 2700 metres high and all blanketed with perhaps hundreds of metres of pristine snow. There are patches of black rock where avalanches have removed the snow and high snow cliffs all the way along from where icebergs have calved, or the banks of ice and snow have simply slipped into the sea.  There were a few large icebergs and thousands of bergy-bits and growler dotting the sea. And areas of brash ice from the breakup of last season’s sea ice.  I saw two other cruise ships a couple of kilometres away – both much bigger than ours, but still a long way from the massive floating cities that give me the creeps.

We went on a long zodiac cruise during the morning and saw lots of ice.  We also did a short Citizen Science project.  They drop a white Secchi disk attached to a long tape measure over the side of the zodiac and watch until they can no longer see the disc.  They then measure how deep the disc went and use that to determine the density of the water and the amount of zooplankton in the water.  Because zooplankton is at the bottom of the food-chain, changes over time indicate the health or otherwise of the environment.  Apparently, we have lost more than 50% of our Antarctic zooplankton in recent years, allegedly due to global warming.

We saw a few birds whilst zodiacing, but the crew seem ultra-cautious – absurdly so in my view.  We never got closer than about 200 metres from any of the icebergs, just in case they calved or turned turtle at the precise moment we got close enough to get swamped. (It normally takes several minutes for even a medium sized iceberg to roll: more than enough time to race away in a zodiac.)  There is about the same risk of that happening in the impossibly narrow timeframe as being hit by a meteorite.  Previous expeditions we have been on, we have gone right up the icebergs and touched them. On one occasion, some of the people in our zodiac got off and walked on the iceberg but that ain’t gunna happen on this trip!

Just before lunch, I was leaning on the rail on our balcony lining up a photo when there was a loud ‘whoosh’ and a big Humpback blew and surfaced immediately in front of me no more than 3 or 4 metres away.  Fantastic! and I watched it surface and dive several more times as it moved away over several minutes.  And just after that a big seal sailed past on an icefloe, maybe 40 or 50 metres away and suddenly, there were penguins porpoising all around for about ten minutes. It was a very special half-hour with lots more to come.

I can’t believe how wonderful the scenery is here.  We have seen some pretty amazing mountains and kilometres of snow in other places but the beauty and grandeur here defies description. Wherever we go, the ship passes spectacular mountains piled high with snow, kilometre after kilometre – it is just too hard to explain!  Almost too hard to imagine.

In the afternoon, we made a landing at a Gentoo Penguin colony at Neko Harbour. It was a simple wet landing, but the climb from the beach to the several metres-thick snow plateau was difficult and the constraints placed on us by the crew complicated it further.  We weren’t allowed to place anything on the ground that might contaminate the acres of Gentoo droppings, and even using my hiking pole, I was sometimes thigh-deep in hard-packed snow.  Heather wisely chose not to attempt the rough climb from beach to the start of the walk and went on a solo zodiac cruise instead.  I trudged a few hundred metres up the mountain but found it very hard going so returned to the beach just as Heather’s zodiac returned, so five of us ended up on another zodiac excursion for an hour or so. It was absolutely fantastic with close encounters with Humpbacks, Weddell Seals and more Skuas.  We even saw a small avalanche fairly high up the side of one of the mountains.  It was almost over by the time we saw it, but we saw it settle and the aftermath on the mountain from whence it had slipped.  We got a bit closer to some of the icebergs and had a fabulous time cruising through the brash, chasing whales and exploring the bay.  We were eventually summoned back to the ship where we had warming showers and retired to the bar for cocktails – followed by a very brief briefing and dinner.

After a superb warm sunny day, the forecast for tomorrow is not good.  It is expected to very windy, preventing us from doing what was originally planned – as happened this morning as well.  So, by popular vote, we are sailing down to the planned location tonight (Lemaire Channel) and will do a ship cruise along the channel starting at about midnight.  It will certainly be novel, and we will return to a different, less windy, place to attempt another landing in the morning.