#it's a story i've had on my heart for years

[aelfgiure]

From the moment I was coherent, I knew my family was different. Off, somehow, not normal. It was something in the way my parents looked at me when they thought I was distracted, the way they treated me like I didn't belong. Like I was an inconvenience.

My brother and sisters? So, so spoiled. Between mom's modeling and dad's business stuff, there was MONEY, and my siblings had it lavished on them. Toys, designer clothes - whatever they wanted. They were hugged, cosseted, taken on trips, given actual attention! They had a fabulous childhood.

Not like mine.

There was this undercurrent of resentment towards me that I never understood. I never had birthday parties, the folks were always "too busy", tossing some money my way so I could get a present. It never mattered what my grades were, I handed over the report cards to get signed and that was it. Unlike my siblings - they got pizza parties for not failing classes! but my damn near perfect marks were shrugged off. It was a lonely, confusing life, especially for a little kid.

My solace was in books. (Yep, I nerd.) If it was in print, I'd read it. That empty feeling inside me was soothed when I filled myself with words, stories, information, music. Yes, I taught myself how to read music, too, and how to build and play instruments. The early ones were crap, but I got better at it.

Anyways. I read everything, which led me to the 'occult/spiritual' section of the library and book stores. Right next to the fairy tales and legends, of course, so I read those too because why the heck not? It was ... it was educational. Upsetting. I wandered around the house and saw all the cold iron and silver on every window, every door. The weird herbs growing at every entrance. Keep in mind that I was TEN. Ten years old, trying to understand what was going on with my life, and suddenly figuring out that my parents were keeping something out. Of course, the next thing I did was check my clothes and, surprise surprise, everything had odd things sewn into the hems. Not only was something kept out, I was warded against being Taken.

So, I did what any angsty pre-adolescent would do, and plotted. Come hell or high water, I was going to find out what was going on. For the first time in my life, being ignored worked in my favor. Using the books and stories as a guide, I bought things, ingredients and materials, and worked quietly. Waiting for the night of the full moon.

I was as thorough as only an angry child could be. Opened doors, front and back. Walked around the house widdershins, sweeping away the protective ring of salt and runes. Did I mention I was naked? Yeah, I took a bath and washed myself with a bar of Ivory soap, getting rid of even the smallest trace of binding or charm. Since I didn't trust any of my clothes, or any in the house really, it made sense for me to go naked. To be sure.

The results were impressive. Also terrifying. Two powerful, ancient beings stormed into the house and dragged my parents out of bed, starting a three-way screaming match about contracts, oaths, stuff I didn't understand.

That was when I learned why I was conceived. It hurt, honestly. Learning that I was just a bargaining chip, chattel to be bartered or sold, broke my heart. They kept me warded to avoid issues, they said. They didn't know which being had the first claim on me, and neither one wanted to give up the wealth and beauty they bought with my life.

I was ten years old, and heartbroken, and oh so angry, and I interrupted with a suggestion. The witch and the faerie exchanged a look, before turning to my parents with the same smile on both their faces, one with extra teeth and mischief.

To this day, I have no idea what happened to them. I've lived with my dads for ten years now. Not full time anymore, university is a beeyotch and I live off campus, but every break, I go home.

My family is still kinda off, and different, but my dads love me. They're proud of me, they encourage me to be awesome, and we celebrate birthdays and holidays together. They keep saying that they have to make up for lost time, but knowing they were trying to find me, knowing they never gave up hope - well. They wanted a child to love, and i needed parents to love me. It all worked out in the end.

Your mother sold her firstborn to a witch in exchange for beauty and your father sold his firstborn to a fairy for wealth. Today you are born.

[mrs-gauche]

I beat Veilguard.

It's 4am. I'm a mess. I'm in tears.

[icarusredwings]

A date with Death.

Slightly nsfw.

The moon is out. The only thing about this specific moon is that it's a full moon. The Blood moon to be specific.

They came every march. And every march you could count on Wade Wilson to be busy that night.

Currently, he was sitting at the top of a sky scraper, kicking his feet over the edge with earbuds in.

Next to him was a sweet little spread, an expensive wine, two glasses, a couple of sodas, a bag of burger and fries, and a box with a small heart-shaped cake inside it, strawberries lining the top.

In his hands was a large bouquet of dark colored roses, burgandy, black, and reds (of course). He knew the moment he gave them to their recipient, they would die instantly, but he knew so would he. And he was okay with that.

Starting to hum, he pulled up the sleeve of his jacket, glancing at his hello kitty watch. 5 til 3.

Any moment now, he thought, glancing at the things next to him, moving the glasses over to be closer to the cake, wanting it to look perfect.

Look, if anything, he was a lover. A lover who just happened to love fighting and love kiling. But that didn't make him any less of a hopeless romantic, especially for dark harked ladies that thought he was funny.

Sure, Wade had a lot of lovers. Never being able to pin himself to just one. He spent more time with some than others, but it didn't mean he loved them any less. Even if it was only a couple of minutes a week or, in this case, an hour a year. A singular, annual date.

No, it wasn't merely enough for him, not enough for her either, but he enjoyed their little time together. How she held him and replied to his quips with further jokes that turned him into a puppy, head over heels.

It's not his fault his heart was so big. Honestly. But he knew that even if everyone left him, she would still come each March to see him.

"Welp.." He whispers, wrapping up his Ipod, laying it neatly next to the sodas as he stood up.

Turning on the heel of his good shoes (cheap half off dressage from the thrift, slightly tight, but perfect for dancing) he held the roses near his chest, like a corpse he leaned back, letting himslef fall.

This had to be one of his favorite parts. The cool wind on his back, the freshly ironed jeans and button-up flapping in the wind, the soft sherpa lined denim feeling like laying in a bed of sheep.

"Oh my darling.. Must you always take a swan dive off a 50 story building?"

He smiles, opening his eyes to see that he was back up on that roof, the dark robbed woman rubbing her hand on his arm.

"How else am I supposed to get your attention, sugar?"

She giggles, glancing over the side with an inquisitive hum. "Hhm.. always such a lovely color of red for me."

"Of course. Anything for my boney muffin." He takes her hand, kissing it softly.

"Wade Wilson, you flirt."

"My middle name. How was your trip, pumpkin?"

"Mmh... decent. Such a tease you are. You know that?"

"Obviously. Oh! These are for you. Put them on my grave when I finally get one, willya?" He coes.

She accepts the flowers, barley getting a hold on them before they wilted, drying up. Dying.

"They're beautiful.. but.. erm.. Who's that?" She questions, glancing behind them to a dark figure practically clinging to the roof top exist door.

"Oh, that's just Wolvie. He's fine, got him a number 5 meal and a soda. He's scared of heights." Wade grins, giving him a lazy wave but Logan didn't take his claws out of the metal door to wave back, the other hand holding a burger but he did tip his head. "Ma'am."

"Yeah, he should be at the end of your book somewhere. Slipepry one. Just like me."

"Mmh.. Logan Howlett...Wait I thought I've already taken him?"

"You did! He's a different one. The best one." He smiles towards the man, putting his head agisnt her shoulder.

"The man with many names.... Yes, he should be."

"Huh?"

"He should be scared of heights. I've been trying to catch him since the early 1900s. Slippery indeed...Finally caught him a few years back." She doesn't bat another.. well... dosn't move her skull away from him.

Becoming a bit nervous, Wade intertwined their hands. "Y-yeah he uh... he was curious. So.. you dont have to worry about him, though. Oh! Look! The ambulance finally showed up. Sheesh, tough break, fellas. You're too late!" He shouts at them.

"I see.." she turns back to Wade, grinning. "Don't worry.. I won't take him from you just yet.. he IS the one you were talking about last time, Yes?"

Now, Wade wasn't blind. Death was a jealous woman. Possesive of what was hers. Though Wade wasn't hers. Not quite yet. Not for.. awhile.

It's why she was so intrigued with him. So infatuated. She's never met a human that has wanted to die so much in all these centuries. So badly wishing he could crawl into her arms and let her pet his head for thousands of years as eternity went by.

He nods, blushing a bit. "Y-yeah.."

"Mmh.. quite a looker is he not?"

"Oh he so is. And he acts all tough but really hes a bit softy."

"I bet he's not soft everywhere-" She says, cassually, making Wade cough out a chuckle.

"Oh- my- god! My lady's a freak!" He laughs, still kicking his feet some as he grunts. "Not wrong tho.."

"I bet not." He watches as she looks over the small moonlight picnic he laid out for them. "Wade.. what is all this?"

"It's for our date! I made a cake and everything- well actually Wolvie helped me make it but I cut up the strawberries!"

"You did? Aww, you must be tired from such hard work. But my love..you know I can't eat." She says, frowning, not wanting to rain on his small parade.

"Oh I thought about that already. So I can eat it and then you can taste it. Fun right?"

Her black heart swells, running her hand up to behind his ear, holding his jaw. "You're too sweet."

Wade closes his eyes, leaning into hold, her thumb running over his cheek.

"Hopefully, his icing is as sweet as the cake." She whispers as he gasps, genuienly becoming giggling. "Sttaapph! You're so bad!"

"The baddest?"

Somehow, Wade knew she was giving him those eyes. The kind that suggested something.

"Oooh, the baddest. You know it, babe. Good thing I love me a bad bitch huh? Actually, It's a good thing you like funny losers. Guess in the lucky one."

"Wade.." She says, "you're not that funny."

"Ouch!!" He exclaims, hand drimatically going over his heart, shifting to fall into her lap. "You've wounded me!!" He whined, sticking out his tongue, pretending to be dead.

She laughs through her nose, holding his head in her thighs, petting over his head as she grabs his hand, rubbing over his bumpy skin.

"You're pretty hot tho.." she mutters, bringing the hand to her breast with a teasing smile.

Opening his eyes, he looks up to her with a big shit eating grin. "Oh, you flatter me! And apology accepted." Sitting up he brings the hand to her neck, starting to kiss up her jaw, little pecks.

"You really mean that? Me being pretty hot? And which is it? Am I pretty or am I hot? Cause I think you're gorgeous-"

"Wade."

"I mean, truly, deeply the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. And I don't just mean your killer rack either-"

"Wade."

"Did you do your hair for me? Goddess, forgive me for saying this, but damn, How are you so fine? Half of you is literally bone and Id still fuck ya until your hip needs replaced, What do you think? Right here on the roof? Hm?"

Pushing the food over, he starts to run his fingers down her side, getting to the point where her waist used to be. "Fuck, babe how are you so tiny down here? You know what, We'll fix that. Lemme pump a baby in ya-"

"Wade!" This time, It came from about 30 feet away, behind them.

"Wha!?"

"Let her speak! Damn!"

"oh..." Honestly, he had forgotten entirely that Logan was even here. He was so quiet..

"I tried to warn you, darling.."

"Well, I'm not sorry! He knew what he was getting into when he came here.. I can't believe I even let him come.. cockblocked on my own date.." he mutters, obviously frustrated as he agressivly popped open the wine bottle, starting to pour.

Seeing how upset he got only made her smile, pulling his waist closer, her hand dipping to 'accidently' brush up against him.

"Why would I thought that was a good-" for a second he stopped talking, leaning his head back into her boobs with a big smirk. "Oh but IM the tease?"

"Shh. Your cock dosn't seem very blocked to me."

A small squeal came from him as he handed a glass to her after swirling it a couple of times.

"A nosotros mi carino." He says, rolling his r all fancy like, leaning on her still with such comfortably.

The smiles, smirking lovingly. "A la esperanza de que te rompas el cuello mi amor~" She coes back, raising her glass to his until it made a CLNK noise, dumping it into her mouth.

Wade does the same, chugging the glass only to sit up, crawling to the edge as he coughs, spitting it out. "Oh, that's HORRIBLE! Jesus! White woman drink that shit? Why? I mean- I get it- after having to watch 5 hours of a pathetic excuse for a soccor game, I'd drink that too."

Death giggles, watching Wade refill their glasses.

[iraprince]

im havingggg. so much fun w necrotech99. this feels like the tvrn era again?? as in like... i had forgotten what it's like to be so totally consumed w a story that it's literally all i think abt. which is the kind of intensity i think is necessary for me to keep a story going for any meaningful length of time at all

it kind of makes sense bc tvrn was started before i had made art my fulltime job... and since i've gone fulltime like. i think i talk a big game abt work-life balance and keeping things fun and prioritizing the stuff that feeds my heart/brings me joy, and i do TRY really hard at that, but i think talking about it/trying really hard is different than. actually succeeding at it. and maybe i'd let the grind get to me over the past few years more than i really realized

i've been able to let loose quite a lot w gw2 ocs as well -- there's something freeing abt them being attached to an MMO bc it basically means nothing abt them can be monetized lmao so i don't even consider that angle, vs a lot of other oc stuff/story ideas insidiously get crept up on with "can i turn this into a ttrpg concept?" "if i made this a downloadable comic would it sell?" etc etc -- but it's different when it's ur own story entirely. (tho... i cannot promise i'm not bodysnatching some of those ocs and sticking versions of them in necrotech... lol)

anyway. i really like it. i'm happy that readers seem to like it as well. i'm so exciiiited. and it's giving me so much juice at work too lmao i feel like a kid slamming my way thru homework so i can play video games... i'm like let's fucking ANNIHILATE these comms so i can draw dead cyberdykes. and in return the energy endowed to me by the dead cyberdykes is empowering my work. vicious cycle slash pos

[roboticchibitan]

Not a job (I am disabled) but I also have a story. I'm a Tibetan Buddhist and my teacher is a Tibetan refugee and he's been a monk for 48 years. He's 65. He lived alone in a cave for five years. He holds some conservative views about things like marriage (in the sense of arranged marriages often being more successful and therefore better than "love marriages," not in the sense of "same sex marriage bad") and how children should be disciplined. So I was nervous to come out to him as nonbinary.

I visited him a few weeks ago and made a remark about wanting to be a monk in my next life and he said "well you never know what will happen. It could happen in this life." I told him that was true as I've already decided I'll become a monk if something happens to my gf. I then said something along the lines of "I guess technically I'd be a nun... I'm kind of somewhere between a monk and a nun though." And then I was internally like "will he think anything of that? Maybe I shouldn't have said that."

But he responded really positively! He told me about how being trans wasn't a thing in Tibet but now they've had their first trans person transition from being a monk to being a nun and that she's very popular. Then he told me about Indian hijras and asked me some questions. He very excitedly said "you're teaching me so much today" like three times.

He asked me if third genders are legally recognized here for things like official documents and I told him that federally I didn't think so but that our state does. And he told me that India recently recognized third genders legally and that "people should just accept it because it is the reality now."

I haven't heard him use any pronouns for me yet but I know he'll try his best to respect them. English is his third language so I don't really mind if he makes mistakes cuz I sure don't speak more than one language and I still make mistakes when someone I've known my entire life changes their pronouns.

Lots of people have open hearts. The haters are just loud.

I started a new remote job last week, and I'm the only genderqueer person at the company (and the first person who uses neo pronouns that anyone on my team has ever met, apparently).

So far:

Manager carefully wrote down spelling and pronunciation of my pronouns and told everyone on the team to respect them.

Coworker apologized privately for misgendering me (I hadn't told her yet) and said she will practice.

Guy on another team valiantly tried to use my pronouns and ended up saying something like zirzs-zhizz (I DM'd him and thanked him for trying and linked him to a practice site).

Teammate told me he has written out my pronouns and how to use them in a sentence and literally taped it to his monitor so he can practice.

Teammate also referred to me as compañere after I linked to a comic about gender-neutral endings in Spanish (whole team except me + 1 other person speaks Spanish as first language and they held all meetings in Spanish before the two of us started).

I am so stoked that people are actually trying. 💜🤍💚

[estcaligo]

My favourite Sebek moments from this update (Book 7, chapter 11)

*what is this picture? who knows... *Spoilers, obviously

EQUESTRIAN CLUB LORE Silver's horse name is Samson and Sebek's - Tempest (ok ok I'm so normal about this) Once again, a reference to Sebek and books, I think, amazing And guess what other horse was called Samson?

Azul mentioned that someone uploaded a video of Equestrian club to Magicam and people were saying "He looks like a prince" (obviously about Silver but Azul actually says he meant both of them :)))

When Silver asked Sebek if he knew about it he said no because

But anyway Silver thought it was about his white horse Samson Sebek got jealous (big news) and said HIS horse - Tempest - is better and Prince of Horses ahsdkjhasdkah I can't with him (don't mind this wonky translator, I'm too lazy to type everything)

Next to Jack's dream

"To live in a dorm run by a man you can't respect. What an unlucky guy he is" - he comments on Jack's dream version of Leona (the opposite of irl Leona yikes) But then he adds "well, anyone who is not in Diasomnia is unlucky" lolol ok ok we get it you're proud as you should be

TEAM RAMSHACKLE OK YES Please Sebek transfer to Ramshackle at least for one week for one day for one second I beg you, It'll be fun I promise

Leona calls Sebek TsunTsun Head :)   ツンツン頭 can be translated as "spiky-haired" or "with spiky hair" (Leona was talking about their hair) but also it's a reference to Sebek's tsundere character :) Cute detail, imo

And what does Ruggie say about Sebek?? "That Diasomnia first-year - he's built just as well as Jack" RIGHT?? I've been saying!!! He literally has dumbbells in his room, like. Canon. Thank me again for drawing canon-accurate Sebek :)

Unprotected hand-holding with Leona :) My LeoSeb heart is throbbing aw (like someone once said on twttr - Sebek do be living his dating sim dream life lol)

Also oh? Main story SebeJack - "I have no intention to forgive a Sawanaclaw students who tried to hurt Young Master with their sneaky plan. But to think they also have someone like you…" Aaaa two tsunderes interacting yes pls

Next we have some lore about Baur. Sebek says his grandfather told him it was hot, but he couldn't imagine just how hot. He comments that Baur must've had a hard time when he (suddenly??) moved to the subarctic Briar Valley. *why did he say suddenly, what happened? Was he banished???

OH??? Baur also told Sebek that there were many different species, including Night Faes and that it was an easy/nice place to live.... Then why did he leave?????

Anyway! Sebek and Grim are hungry and wanna eat lots of doughnuts (3 doughnuts omg how Sebek.....) We've got options! Either we tell them to be modest, or we cheer them on hehe

OF COURSE SEBEK EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT

Then Ruggie wakes up and cries, of course. "Malleus you are heartless, you're not a human!!" - briefly And Idia comments "Well, he it's technically not, he's a fae" IDIA💀💀💀 Then Ruggie goes - "Ughhh These faes with their fae ways..."

And Sebek hears this and OF COURSE he says

LMAO CALM DOWN

Aslo I like this Moment with Silver. Our prince is stronk

That's it! In conclusion - Sebek is the best once again!!!

[alextydaisuda123]

Pepperman PT + MLP Creepypasta [WARNING!: Lots of text] Let's admit honestly that MLP Creepypasta has already become a separate fandom, existing separately from MLP itself, whose stories are one better than the other. I've had an image of Pepperman in the role of "Lil Miss Rarity" in my head for a long time. Why her? Well, explanations in the studio! 👏 1. There is something in common between the characters of both, and both are creative natures and love themselves; 2. Both have cats (this is not a reason, but just a fact); 3. I can imagine Pepperman as the same sado-masochist, but in his "role"; 4. Let's admit that Pepperman can be a "Daddy" too 🌚✨️ 5. Lil Miss Rarity used to be one of my favorite creepypastas (which I only knew a quarter of, it turns out, because the rest of the story was shrouded in darkness for me for many years, and... I just didn't understand the rest of the events when I learned the rest of the story, so for me only a part of it exists and that's enough for me). Well, if I explain the image, then... I took from the original Lil Miss Rarity only scars with scratches and a black eye. As for the brand, sorry, but I removed it, because there is nowhere to put it on Pepperman, but the question is, would he have made it as a "sign of devoted and mutual love of fans and himself", the answer is "yes", damn it!>:) For some reason I wanted to remove his shoes and gloves, exposing his paws and hands, replacing them with something else (I don't know what it is, like... the remains of his shoes and gloves? I have no idea how to explain this😐), like for the sake of convenience and "beauty". As for the doll, I'll go into a little more detail about it, because I slightly changed the events in the story, if Pepperman were like Rarity. I'll start with the fact that the wounds were not left by his kitten Chili (because he, logically, is a kitten, not aggressive and physically cannot scratch him), but by Noise, who ruined his paintings and statues once again. During the fight, Phil got injured and he killed Noise, and in fear and panic, in order to cover his tracks, he made a doll of Noisette because of Noise's connection with her (now Noisette's phrase: "You will always be in my heart" played with irony, lol) and placed his heart there, hid the remains (he does not remember where), and disguised the blood as paint (which he later drew with due to carelessness, but from there came the pleasure of drawing with this, and then a tendency to cruelty). Don't ask what I smoked to come up with this, I just wanted to speculate on this topic, to bring his image to at least some logic. And finally, I made the style of the drawing almost like from the comic about Lil Miss Rarity herself. I thought it was appropriate here. Yes, I didn't color Pepperman himself, he was originally in b/w, but I colored him in digital format, just to show the approximate shades of his palette as a whole. Is this necessary at all? 🤔 No, but if someone was still interested in finding out, here it is. And while I was drawing, I listened to 2 songs dedicated to this creepypasta (and I took the phrase written next to it from the song and replaced the word "mommy" with "daddy". So yes, now we have a cruel, but "loving" daddy😏.

Color version:

[freeuselandonorris]

hi! i've been thinking about this for some time; when did you realise that lando and oscar had potential as a pairing? like is there a specific video/moment that got you thinking 'ooh that's a very interesting dynamic/there's something more behind this stare/gesture etc etc' and that eventually led you to write rpf of them (for which i'm very grateful 🙏🏻). i think mine has to be the finish the lyrics video with oscar looking at lando while licking/biting his lips (at 3:56) and i was kinda flabbergasted bc even though i had been following the sport and the extra content for a while and also knew that ppl shipped charles and max and such i wasn't really aware of the possibilities this sport presented. and this video kinda led me down a rabbit hole of searching for fics on ao3 etc... so yeah i was curious to know what was your starting point with landoscar!

also, somewhat related but what's the video/picture of them that feels the most intimate to you? in a 'i shouldn't be seeing this' way. the behind the scenes video of the opening credits for the 2024 season and stuff (at 2:18 ) is the first thing that comes to mind, with their little convo that feels so normal and laid-back and yeah, intimate. + the thing lando does with his fingers while looking oscar dead in the eye got me blushing. maybe it's because of the hushed tone, the fond looks and the smiles they exchange, the small talk etc but hhh idk i love this vid so much. also the fact that oscar is the only one who goes to see his teammate getting ready? anyways. i could also list the countless pictures of oscar looking at lando like he hung all of the stars in the sky but i won't bc this ask is already long enough!

hope you have a lovely day/afternoon/evening depending on the time it is when you're reading this!

helloooo!! ahh this is such a cute q and a nice excuse to go back through my mctwinks tag thank you 🥰

so i’ve been watching F1 and reading fic for it for 47292 years now and i read a bit of dando when they were teammates (and an even smaller bit of carlando but i am very meh about carlos) so i was like. aware of lando as an rpf concept but didn’t really get super into him?

thennn i read a few oscarmark fics around the time he joined mclaren, and a few months after that i also saw the two extremely camp lando moments that are red flag green flag and whatever the hell was going on with that baseball guy. at which point i caught brain rot and demanded that @scenetocause do a roundup of landoscar fics for me.

(this moment literally had me googling 'is lando norris bisexual')

i do think though that the moment that made me really get obsessed with them and want to write as much as possible for them (and definitely the catalyst for starting mondayverse!) was also finish the lyrics! the ‘love story’ bit in particular really had me like. going full galaxy brain about them. it just really sums up their dynamic to me, lando being a bit of a show-off because he's revelling in oscar's attention and oscar happy to give it to him and also kind of shyly being nudged into performing a bit too. wauuuh.

and YESSSS the little smoothie moment!!! god. that was also my first thought for most intimate moment between them both, the way they match each other’s vocal cadences and the whole conversation has that sweet air of a series of in-jokes (“this is what we LIVE for!”) just makes me feel sooo warm and fuzzy about them. it's intimate in the sweetest, softest, most mundane sense of the word. also lando fingerbangs a table and that should not be overlooked.

runner up moment goes to this tiny moment from lando that i love so much, in the season wrap-up video last year where he makes this sweet little heart gesture and his face lights up when oscar compliments him. makes me melt every time.

thanks anon this was v enjoyable to think about even though my answers don’t differ from yours very much! hope you’re having a lovely day too 💕

[tikosblogg]

I've been in an angsty mood lately so I need something with Noah being a jerk and a cheater instead of typical fluffy and sweet. Please rip my heart out lol.

Summary: request. Noah ripping your heart out 🥲

Warning: mentions of sex, cheating.

A/N: hope this is what you wanted, this hurt to write 😭😭😭

The day felt like it had slipped through my fingers, dragging along with it a curious weight that plucked at my heart. For three years, my life had been intertwined with Noah's; his warm presence had become the horizon I could always return to. We laughed, we fought, and we loved fiercely, or at least we used to. Lately, clouds had gathered in the sky of our relationship, casting shadows that I couldn't ignore.

"Are you okay? You’ve been awfully quiet," I asked him an hour earlier while we bickered half-heartedly over dinner. His fork stalled above his plate, and he offered a flicker of a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. I frowned. Something was off. The love we had always shared felt like it was fading. Gone were the days of impulsive kisses and the clothes that found themselves ripped off in a heat of the moment. Instead, we had settled into an unnerving routine.

"You know I’m just tired," Noah replied, shrugging it off, but the words land like dull thuds. He had always been my rock, yet I was slowly sinking, and he was miles above the surface. The last two weeks had been particularly devoid of intimacy, not that I was counting (though it certainly felt like I was). My thoughts spiraled as I tried to piece together what had changed.

When my friend Sarah suggested a girls' night, I was hesitant. Could a night away from the murky waters of my relationship reinvigorate me? Reluctantly, I decided it would do me good. Maybe it was time to step away and gain clarity.

I threw on a casual sundress, put on light makeup, and glanced in the mirror. Even with the flutter of doubt in my chest, I forced a smile. Maybe some time apart would do us all some good. I told Noah I was leaving, and to my surprise, he perked up, a brightness returning to his features that made me raise an eyebrow. “Have fun baby” he chimed, perhaps a little too eagerly.

As I made my way to Sarah's house, I tried to shake off the settling apprehension sinking into my stomach. The evening started off light and filled with chatter, laughter. But as the clock creeped toward ten, it became evident that Sarah had a much lower tolerance than I did; her laughter faded into giggles and then to incoherent mumblings as she slumped into a cacophony of drunken joy.

Deciding it was time to head home rather than wait for her to pass out completely, I gathered my belongings while providing her with promises of checking in on her later. My heart carried a heaviness as I walked back to my car, fingering the smooth metal of my phone nervously as I started the engine. If my evening had gone as planned, I would still be sharing stories and sneaking whispers at two a.m. Instead, I was headed into the uncertain quietness of my home.

The unfamiliar car parked awry in the driveway sent an immediate chill down my spine, twisting dread around my heart. My mind raced. A friend? Maybe? Surely Noah wouldn’t invite someone over without telling me. As I unlocked the door, an eerie silence invaded the house, wrecking my thoughts and heart alike.

“Hey, Noah?” I called out tentatively, my voice shaky. Silence remained, a waiting void, until I caught the faint sound of laughter wafting up the staircase. My heart dropped.

Every step up the stairs felt like walking into a surreal nightmare, the increasing volume of their voices echoing off the walls. When I pushed the door to our bedroom open, the sight that greeted me felt like the world collapsing around me.

There was Noah—my Noah, the man who promised to love me forever with a blonde woman straddling his bare hips. My breath hitched in my throat as I stood frozen, my heart racing in disbelief. "That’s it, baby, you’re so perfect,” I heard him say through clenched teeth. I swallowed hard, fighting the nausea rising in my throat.

And then something broke inside me. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, fueling my rage and sorrow, and I slapped the door wide open. Their bodies bolted apart, and Noah’s eyes widened in shock, horror mixing with the pale glow of the room. “I—I’m so sorry!” he stammered, desperately scrambling for words as he covered himself.

I stood there, a visceral anger spilling over my disbelief. “It meant nothing,” he pleaded. “Can you just let me explain?”

I couldn't hear him. My breath quickened, and it felt as if the weight of the world pressed down on my chest as I dove into the rawness of the situation. The reality of who I once thought he was shattered in front of me. With trembling hands, I turned to my closet, mind swirling as I yanked my suitcase from the shelf. “You don’t get to explain this,” I snapped, desperation clawing at me, pulling me into a dark pit where love once flourished. As I threw clothes into the bag, he stepped closer, determination etched on his face.

“Please, just listen to me,” he said, reaching out to pull my clothes from my arms, a frantic look taking over him. He was pacing back and forth like a caged animal, searching for words that would never suffice.

“Fuck you, Noah! There’s nothing you can say or do to fix this! You fucked up!” My voice trembled with anger as tears began to fall unbidden down my cheeks. I watched him shake his head, voice breaking. “Whatever… I was miserable half the time with you anyway,” he spat defiantly.

It was my turn to be shocked, but all I could manage was a laugh—bitter and hollow. As I zipped up my suitcase, I pulled his house key from my chain and tossed it onto the floor.

The blonde woman sat silently on the couch, a ghostly figure in my emotional battlefield. My gaze flickered to her before I gritted my teeth and looked back at Noah, anger rising in my chest like a storm. “You can fucking have him!” I sneered, my heart a vivid bruise that felt raw and exposed.

With every ounce of strength I had left, I turned on my heel, stretching my neck to glance back one last time at the man I thought I would grow old with. “I hope she was worth it,” I shot at him, each word a dagger that struck a nerve. My heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces, yet part of me reveled in the release. As I stepped out into the night, I found both fear and freedom coursing through me.

I was at a crossroads. The life I’d built had crumbled, but it left behind a strange sense of possibility—maybe this was the moment I would learn to spread my wings again and fly high above the wreckage he left behind.

[writingforfishes]

Hicvember: 2+ and Induced (adjacently)

I'm cheating a little bit on this. I've actually had this story started since the 30th of October. That's not the cheating part. I noticed it indicates induction, but not directly. But I'm counting it!

Fandom: Gr4vity F4lls Featuring: F0rd, St4n, D1pper, M4bel, S0os, and Mel0dy

CW:

old men hiccuping

fast hiccups

hard hiccups

brothers hiccuping together

NOT TWINCEST!

children present briefly

childhood traumas mentioned

unconventional curing method?

hiccups being a metaphor and such

very safe for work

not really a hiccup kink fic if you look at it from the outside

no kinky bits at all

just old man twins getting the hiccups together like babies

F0rd and St4n had returned from the first year of their adventures on the St4n O’ War II. Much growth had been made between them. Many long (boring, as St4n would amend rolling his eyes) conversations had been shared between their discovery of more Cryptids. Many reflections were made. It was all very adult, and tears had been shed, not that St4n would admit to having emotions past the security of his loud personality.

Now they both settled back into their rooms in the Shack. When summer arrived D1pper and M4bel, both going on 14 now and full of horror stories of being teenagers, came to stay at the Shack as well forcing F0rd and St4n to share a room.

S0os had also moved in when St4n turned over ownership to him. M3lody had made the move to Gr4vity F4lls a month before St4n and F0rd had returned. It was a full house, to say the least. But there was some comfort in the extra bodies who inhabited the humble space, though St4n would never admit it. It felt like ‘family’. St4n cringed at the idea. ‘Family’ to him had never been a particularly positive experience.

This all being said, all six of the dwellers now crowded the kitchen. S0os was making breakfast for everyone as the older twins sat at the table. St4n was reading a physical newspaper, the funnies, while F0rd scribbled in the journal he’d started while they were asea.

D1pper and M4bel entered the kitchen and, just as St4n had assumed, the kid went straight for his brother when he saw F0rd writing. He was preparing himself for the gushing and technical talk D1pper and F0rd often devolved into when M4bel showed up with a picture she shoved into his lap.

“What you got there, kiddo?” he asked as he held the picture away from him so he could see it better.

“I drew you and Grvnkle F0rd on your trip! See? That’s Grvnkle F0rd steering the ship and there you are!” she said enthusiastically.

Even when she wasn’t yelling M4bel was inexplicably loud. St4n covertly turned down his hearing aids to prevent them from giving feedback.

“Am I...why am I puking a glitter rainbow?” St4nd asked, gruffly.

He heard his brother snort from his and D1pper’s discussion. St4n gave him a half-hearted glare.

“Cauuuuse,” M4bel said leaning over St4n’s lap. “You got glitter rainbows inside!”

M4bel poked his belly enthusiastically with a chuckle. “Boop!”

“Ow! No I don’t. I’ve got coffee inside! And if you keep poking it that hard, kid, it’s not gonna be rainbows or glitter coming out!” St4n exclaimed.

“No, silly! I mean metaphorically. You’re like a mean bulldog on the outside but on the inside you’re all...colorful and warm and fuzzy,” M4bel insisted.

“She’s right on that one, Mr. P1nes,” S0os piped up. “You’re pretty rough on the outside, but gooey and sweet on the inside. Kinda like cannoli! Oooh, I should make cannoli’s tomorrow!”

“You really should!” M3lody said. “You’re my cannoli…”

“Hee, hee. With chocolate chips?” S0os asked, blushing.

“Mmhmm,” M3lody said, and they kissed.

“Awww!” M4bel cooed.

“Ew, seriously? You’re ruining my appetite. Keep that schmutz to yourselves!” St4n said before turning back to M4bel.

“Yeah,” he said, “but why does F0rd look all heroic and I’m puking off the side of the boat. That never happened! I was heroic and brave too!”

F0rd snorted again as he drank his coffee but then another sound interrupted him and St4n’s eyes widened.

“Oh no. Not again! Keep those to yourself, bud!” St4n said pointing a finger accusingly at his brother.

“Keep what to yourself?” D1pper asked, looking up from his excited reading of F0rd’s ship journal.

F0rd’s body jumped again and a modest “hic!” made it’s way out for a second time.

“His hiccups. Every time…” St4n said gritting his teeth and started muttering under his breath. “It’s all in my head. It’s all psychiatric…”

“Psychhup!-psychological St4nhmp!ley!” F0rd said.

“Whatever! I’m not gonna get ‘em this time!” St4n demanded.

“There’s no rehimp!-reason why you shhmp!-should!” F0rd responded, struggling as the hiccups started picking up the way they often did.

“Whaaat is happening?” M4bel asked looking from one grunkle to the other.

St4n rubbed his chest with a grunt, refusing to answer as he focused on willing his diaphragm to stay calm.

“Wait,” D1pper said as he picked up on the context. “Do you guys both—”

“HUCK! Crap!” St4nd said, inadvertently interrupting his nephew.

“—get the hiccups at the same time?!” D1pper said, amusement building.

“Oh. My. Gawd!” M4bel yelled. “They doooo!”

“That’s precious!” M3lody said.

“Holy crap, seriously? You both have the hiccups at the same time? Dude. Maybe we should film this!” S0os said grinning while he held up his spatula.

“You’re not HUCK’M!-filming anything HULP!, S0os!” St4n said.

“Awww, Grvnkle St4n. It’s okay. Me and D1pper used the get them at the same time too...when we were BABIES!” M4bel said, laughing.

D1pper couldn’t help but join in snorting laughter with his sister.

“Okay HLMK! Okay! I’m HUCK!-out!” St4n said and stood up, taking his paper and coffee with him to the living room to watch TV and hopefully drown out his own hiccups. “This is HUCK’L!-your fault F-HERK! F0rd!”

F0rd just shook his head and watched his brother retreat.

It had been fifteen minutes and somehow F0rd had escaped D1pper’s inquisition to find solace in the basement where the portal had been. D1pper hadn’t seemed to mind about F0rd’s or St4nley’s hiccups, but M4bel had been hellbent on curing them. As a result, the scientist had managed to slip out without being noticed.

He felt a little guilty leaving his brother there to be subjected to every cure M4bel could conjure in that endlessly creative brain of hers, but F0rd found that he had even less tolerance to the boisterousness and attention of social interaction than he had when he was younger. Add to that some good old fashion trauma and being stuck in a portal for several decades and his natural introversion led to some pretty expert level evading skills.

It wasn’t hard to notice St4nley’s presence as his brother’s hiccups echoed before he caught sight of him. For the most part F0rd didn’t mind his own hiccups. But they did get a little fast sometimes, causing him to have to measure his breathing. St4n’s hiccups, on the other hand, sounded like they hurt though his brother claimed they didn’t.

“You finally hup!-finally got hup!-got away?” F0rd asked as he looked up from his journal.

“Yeah, kids got HUCK’M!-tired of tryin’ t—to cure me. HULMPK! Figured I’d find you dHOK!own here!” he said as he pat his chest over his white a-line undershirt. “Ugh. I don’t understHUCK!-St4nd why every time you get ‘em HUH! I get—get ‘em!”

“Be—been that way sihip!-since we hu’up!-we were ki—ids!” F0rd noted. He rubbed his own chest as his hiccups seemed to quicken all the more in his twin’s presence. “Some kup!-kind of emp—empathetic resphock!sponse! Or—” he paused as a couple of silent hiccups jerked his body and halted his speech, “Or echohup!praxia. Mirror neuhup!-neutrons. Hmk! Like yawns. Hmp!”

F0rd groaned, closing his book. He rubbed his eyes from underneath his glasses.

“Yeah HUCK’L! They’re wearHIC!-wearin’ me out, too! HNGK! Ugh!” St4n agreed with F0rd’s non-verbal sentiment.

St4n sat next him heavily and ran his hand over the back of his neck as another hiccup burst from his chest and caused his head to fling back.

The Portal had long since been dismantled. Some circuitry was in pieces, but most had been crated up. But there was still a table and chairs remaining. The furniture was the only real evidence of what had occurred. It was odd for St4n to see the place look so empty after he’d spent 30 years using every moment he could get trying to figure out how to get his brother back. He idly scratched the branding on the back of his shoulder, body thrown again with another powerful hiccup.

F0rd watched him, not missing the gesture and the significance of where St4n had touched.

“One th—thing I never hup!-never under—understood,” F0rd said interrupting the staccato of their hiccups.

“That’s a HUCK’AH!-rarity! What’s that? ULP!” St4n asked.

“Why are yup!-your hiccups so himp!-loud?” F0rd wondered. The question was obviously rhetorical or, at the very least, unimportant and inconsequential. Still, when having a sibling, saying what you were thinking without a filter seemed to happen naturally.

“You mean HUCK’M!-why don’t I hicHIGGA!hiccup like a puUCK!-pussy?” St4n shot back with a smirk.

F0rd guffawed with a surprise laugh that did nothing to help his hiccups. St4n grinned back.

“Sorry HUCK’L! Gotta make UCK!-up for lo—lost time busting your HUCK!-chops,” St4n said with a chuckle.

“Thouup!-Thought the ti—time on the St4n hup! St4n O’ War tu-hup! II was enough!” F0rd said with a smile.

“Yeah, but I can't cuHUP!-cuss up there!” St4n insisted, pointing up to where the rest of the house dwellers were.

“Fair enough,” F0rd replied. Then he covered his mouth with his fist as he rode through a number of hiccups in a row, frowning as they kept coming. Hmp!hmp!hmk!hmp’m!hmp’m!mp!mp!hup!

When the fit passed, he felt St4n’s hand on his back. The scientist shook his head in frustration.

“I hate when they c—come back huck!-back to b—back like that,” he said as he put his hand on his stomach.

“I take it HUCK!-back. Mine might be HUCK’M!-louder but UH’HUCK!-at least I can breathe,” St4n said.

For a few more minutes they shared another companionable silence with their hiccups. St4n found his hand on is stomach, holding it there as it jerked powerfully. His body pressed into the back of the chair with every hiccup.

F0rd propped his hand on his head as he endured more clusters of less violent but just as annoying hiccups.

“You wann—wanna do the thimp!-thing?” F0rd said, his speech uncharacteristically casual. He looked over the top rim of his glasses at his brother.

“What thHIUK!thing?” St4n said.

F0rd wordlessly indicated with his hand to each of their stomachs. It took a while for St4n to underSt4nd but once he did his eyes widened in memory.

“Oh. ReHEEK!eally? We haven’t HUCK!-uh, don—done that since we H’MUCK!-were kids!” he said incredulously.

F0rd shrugged in response. The truth was despite them having had a few cases of hiccups on the boat it usually hadn’t lasted this long and if he was getting sore and tired, he could imagine St4nley was as well.

“You thiHIP’K!-think that woHUNK’L!-uh, would work?” he asked.

F0rd shrugged again, noncommittal.

“They’re stERK!-starting to hurt me ULK!-too,” St4n finally confided. To be honest, his whole back had started to hurt. Hiccups at his and F0rd’s age were not for the faint of heart, he decided.

“Though sohup!-so,” F0rd said.

F0rd reached out a six-fingered hand to St4n’s stomach and St4n sighed dramatically, chest jumping sharply with another loud hiccup as his belly bounced. St4n reached out for F0rd’s midsection trying not to be too jealous of how less jiggly F0rd’s was than his own.

F0rd had always had a slimmer physique than St4n. Whether it was because he was just more genetically inclined than St4n to not store fat in his midsection or that F0rd often forgot to eat, St4n noticed their size difference as they hit puberty and beyond. Sometimes he didn’t care. Other times, it got to him. But ultimately, he couldn’t care less about the way his body naturally carried weight. Hell, that’s why they invented girdles, right?

As their hands crossed to lay on each other’s abdomens F0rd nodded.

“We hav—have to match hup!-match our bre—breaths, remember? In hup!-and out,” F0rd said.

“Yeah HYUK!-uh, I remember. HMMK! Damn,” St4n said and blew air out as he placed his other hand on his chest.

St4n focused on the movement of F0rd’s stomach against his hand and tried to mimic his intakes of breath between both of their hiccups. Then he squirmed thinking about how this hiccup cure would look to anyone walking in on them.

“By the HI’UCK! way, this HULMPK!-uh, this doesn’t le-HEEK!-eave this room, de—eal?” St4n said gesturing to the awkwardness he perceived in F0rd and his current position.

“Of co-hup!hup!-course St4nley. Hip! That w-uh!-as assumed. This lo-oop!hup!-looks weird. Ev—even to me. And I was hup! I hup! I was in a two hmp! di—mension—al universe!” F0rd exclaimed.

“Ain’t that th-HUCK!-the flat HU’UP! truth!” St4n joked.

F0rd’s face cracked in a rare grin, and he laughed.

“D—don—n’t y-hup!-our hip! mak—ing them wo-erk!-rse!” he said amidst chuckles.

“Sorry HUCK! Just HI’ILP! like seein’ y-HAH! laugh! And suffer a bit HNNGK! Ow!” St4n exclaimed, rubbing his chest again.

“Ser—erves you ri-ip!-ight,” F0rd snarked.

“Yeah HUCK’L! I know,” St4n sighed.

Wordlessly the brothers started syncing their breaths again. Memories flashed in both of their minds of the times in their youth where F0rd had started hiccuping and St4n had started, and they both secluded themselves until it ended. St4n, specifically, remembered something that had him frowning more than usual. But he waited until the thumps from his brother’s stomach and his own trailed away after a minute or so before bringing it up.

“Oh, that’s better,” F0rd said taking in a deep breath.

“Yeah…” St4n replied, distracted. “Um. You remember when you got them in front of dad that one time? Like, I think it was the first time I remember us having them together, actually.”

F0rd frowned.

“Um, maybe?” he replied. He was honestly having a hard time bringing up the memory. He picked idly at his second pinky with the fingers of the other hand.

“It was at dinner. I remember cause dad didn’t give us pop all that often and so you drank it a little too fast, maybe? I dunno. Anyway, you had them pretty bad. Dad was yelling at you. I guess he was in a mood. I mean, when was he not, right? So, I...I took up my pop and gave myself the hiccups, too. So, he’d...he’d yell at me, instead. I didn’t like when he yelled at you. Made me feel like I-I dunno. Kinda like it was unfair? Never really thought of that.

“Anyway,” St4n continued, “it worked! My hiccups were way louder, and I was burping and stuff, too. But I guess...I guess I always tried to protect you from him in a way. You were...I mean I know you’re not...but back then you seemed more sensitive or some shit. So, I took it. I took all the heat. Cause I knew even back then I wasn’t...you know...like you...cause you were smart and...anyway. I figure that’s why I get the hiccups when you do. Maybe it’s, like, something like that. Ugh, hanging out with you’s got me thinking like that.”

F0rd took a moment to answer his brother. Sadness had settled on his eyes, but his mouth set firm.

“That makes sense, St4nley. You always tried to protect me, even when you didn’t have to. In some ways, a lot of ways, I took that for granted. I never saw you as vulnerable. And you never thought you could tell me if something was bothering you. So, when you accidentally broke my science fair project, I never considered you’d done it out of anything but spite. But now I know you needed me, and I was leaving. You weren’t able to tell that to me. Dad just…egged us on,” F0rd said with a sigh.

“Yeah, good ole’ dad really fucked us up, huh?” St4n said.

“I am sorry—” F0rd started.

“C’mon, F0rd, we already did that!”

“I know. But I am. My hubris may have been encouraged by our father, but the lengths I took my desire to be accepted and validated were mine. For the role I played in our separation, I apologize. Sincerely,” F0rd said.

“Yeah. Well. Same, I guess. I fucked up our relationship just as much as you did. And my life. All ‘cause the old man said I wasn’t worth shit and I was gonna prove him wrong,” St4n said.

“St4nley, I think between the two of us opening an inter-dimensional rift and making a deal with a demon who tried to destroy our reality is probably a little more damaging than screwing people over with cheap products and stealing,” the writer said.

“It ain’t a competition, bud. Trust me. I did more than my fair share of bad stuff. Hell, I’m the one who re-opened that rift and started the whole thing…”

“To save me,” F0rd reminded him.

“Nah, I just wanted to get a second punch in, poindexter!” he said pushing at F0rd’s shoulder.

“Yeah, yeah,” F0rd said, the New Jersey accent he’d fought against his entire life coming out in a rare moment.

“That me?” St4n asked of the drawing F0rd was making in his journal.

F0rd looked at the drawing and faced it toward his brother with a nod.

“Dude, look at me! That makes me look like a twig! Put some meat in there. I’m not shameful. I know I got pudge!”

F0rd laughed, “You’re not that fat, St4nley!”

“Please! I’m a...what do you call ‘em...BBW?”

F0rd laughed harder, shaking his head.

“That St4nds for Big Beautiful Woman,” F0rd exclaimed.

“Oh. Well, the other one, then. BBM...wait, no, that sounds like I’m a bowel movement. I mean, I know I’m a piece of shit sometimes…”

“St4nley!” F0rd laughed again.

St4n just smiled and watched his brother take off his glasses and wipe his eyes.

“Think S0os looks good in the hat?” St4n asked, keeping the conversation going.

“I think our father would be rolling in his grave,” F0rd said.

“Good…”

They continued talking until St4n’s stomach told them it was time to eat. Every moment spent with each other healed another moment of shared trauma. Every hiccup they had growing up was slowly being cured. It might never be okay or forgivable, their past sins, but it was still something they were able to love each other through.

All-in-all, they had it pretty good.

[galvanizedfriend]

hii Yokan <3 How are you??

I was wondering how many people from Mystic Falls did you keep alive in TW4 !!! 👀👀 In TVD/TO, by the time Klaus was released, Enzo(💔), Stefan, and Tyler got killed. In addition, Elena woke up and took the cure with Damon.

Not that I really care about any of them (except my dad, aka Lorenzo St John), but I did notice that you mentioned Stefan visiting the girls during these 5 years, and after a worrisome amount of times I re-read that story, I got curious!

Is Enzo alive? Is Elena awake? Is Enzo alive? Is Tyler alive? Did Elena and Damon take the cure? Is Enzo alive? Did Alaric create the school, but in a different building? Is Enzo alive?

I remember you saying that, besides Alaric, someone from MFS will make an appearance, and i kinda want to know how much canon did you bring in to understand how much fucked up they are 😭😭😭 (my take was Bonnie as a "special guest", due to the whole Hollow thing, but I know you're a Klefan girl, so I wouldn't be too surprised if Stefan would be the one to show up)

love u, have a good day!

Hii, friend! 😊 Your messages are always so good 😂

So in my heart, and this might come up at some point in the story (I had a whole extra scene planned where they would talk about some of the things Klaus had missed out on in chapter 2, but then I deleted all the extras at the end of that chapter, starting with that scene I posted as an Outtake, because it wasn't vibing): Damon is the one who died to save the city or whatever, and Stefan is very much alive. Enzo is also alive because I can't forgive Stefan for killing him, so that never happened. Elena was heartbroken and in mourning for a while after waking up, but let's face it, she was always supposed to end up with Stefan anyway, so they are now both human and happily together (I think it hasn't been enough time for her to have finished Med School and be married with kids yet). The school does exist because Stefan gave it to Alaric on Damon's behalf (they were besties, after all) when he was looking for a place. It's not Jo's and Alaric's school for gifted kids or whatever the hell that's called (Jo is also alive, if you remember from TW2, because Mikaelsons were present while Kai was wreaking havoc). Tyler is dead, Damon still killed him (fuck Tyler tbh). As for the special guest, I could keep the mystery, but the truth is I think I've already mentioned this a few times? It's Bonnie. She will play a part in the resolution at the end of the season. I could bring Stefan back as well, but in this context it doesn't really make much of a difference because Klaus is a happily married man 😂 There is nothing for Stefan here. I think that answers yours questions? Let me know if I missed anything 😂 Thanks for the ask, friend! Have a wonderful week!

[leylayilmz]

His response garners a smile from Leyla, suddenly feeling much more at ease. Maybe he.. didn't mind being around her, and potentially didn't regret their night? The thought sent a rush of butterflies fluttering through her stomach, but to her surprise, she didn't feel awkward around him. The two had only just met, but she truly felt an undeniable ease in his presence. "I'm not sure I got much sleep either," the brunette teases as she lifts her gaze to meet his, a smirk dancing along her lips.

And then he made room for her, the sweetest gesture; she couldn't help but smile as she settled down onto the bed across from him. Her fingertips brushed against his as she reached for her cup, instantly causing her to chuckle softly; nervously. The warm cup of coffee instantly hit the spot the moment she took a sip, savoring the rich taste. I like coffee. Instantly Leyla approved; she didn't understand people who didn't enjoy coffee? "Thank you. I've.. had lots of practice." I.e. I'm addicted to coffee and need it in an IV drip. Her gaze wanders, then, scanning the tattoos splayed out across his chest, abdomen, his arms. His physique was lean and angular, with strength that was impossible to ignore—sharp lines and solid muscle. But it was the tattoos that held her attention now. Maybe she hadn’t noticed them as much the night before, but seeing them in the light, she realised just how covered he was. Suddenly, the thought of tracing each one with her fingers, uncovering the stories behind them, became almost irresistible.

The complexities of motherhood and the idea of dating settled in again. She hesitated, unsure how to explain her day plans without feeling like she had to justify everything. She was still new to this whole mom thing, a year in. But the way he leaned in toward her now, catching the mischievous glint in his eyes, told her she didn't need to worry about that in the slightest. "Well, I had a few things in mind," Leyla mused, her voice light but betraying a flicker of nervous energy. With her legs tucked beneath her, she shifted on the bed and reached forward on all fours to set her cup down on the bed side table. On a sudden whim, her fingers brushed against his own as she gently pried his coffee cup from his hand. Her heart was racing, the fear of rejection creeping in, but she pushed past it and set his cup beside hers. Instead of pulling back, she let herself lean in further, closing the space between them. Her knees brushed against his leg, and she hesitated for just a moment, searching his face for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, she let a sly smile curve her lips as she caught his gaze. "But something tells me I'm going to need to clear my schedule."

Benny tilts his head slightly, his gaze drawn to the bareness of her skin. His eyes lift to meet hers, a warm smile spreading across his lips at the sight of her. He really wanted to be here, Benny realized the longer he looked at her. It was as if he were spellbound by her presence; the nagging feeling of impending doom hovering over his shoulder seemed to fade away in her company. He smiles when she does, shrugging. "Out of the four hours I might've slept, I think I had one real good one," he nods, noting the cups of coffee. As she approaches, Benny sits up, the duvet falling to his waist as he pulls his legs in, folding them for her to make space. He can't help but let his eyes wander as they please, as though he were memorizing the shape of her and embedding it into his mind for later.

"I like coffee," he reassures, taking the cup in hand as he gestures for her to sit. Benny then reaches over to take her cup with one free hand, waiting for her to settle before handing it over. "I'll drink anything, honestly. Thank you," he smiles, eyes lingering on hers before taking a hearty sip. He hums in approval, nodding as the familiar taste awakens his senses. "You make a good cup," he compliments. He rests his elbows on his knees, daring to be back in her personal space so soon as he leans in slightly. Was it so bad that he wanted to crawl back into bed with her again? "Do you have plans for the rest of the day?" he adds, failing to hide his mischievous grin. Benny did have plans for the day, but those plans (whatever they were) were long forgotten.

[sunnydayzes]

Chapter One: A Place to Call Home

Millhaven had been Lyla's home for as long as she could remember, but it was only recently that she had found herself without a home. Tragic circumstances had lead the seventeen year old girl to the entrance of the trailer park with nothing but the ratty and torn clothes on her back and her entire life savings - a whole 500 dollars - in the back pocket of her cargo pants, and she wasn't even sure if she would be able to afford the rent in this place. Anything had to be better than where she was coming from, and she wouldn't go back there - not for anything in the world.

"It looks like there is someone inside the office.", Lyla thought to herself, as she peered over her shoulder, trying to gather the courage to approach the office. She knew that she had to do this, and the truth was that she didn't have a choice. She had to take care of herself, because no one else was going to do that for her. Her mother was gone, and there was nothing she could do to change that reality.

As Lyla made her way towards the little building by the front entrance, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with the anxiety of her new life. She would have thought she would have been more prepared for this. Mama had been sick for a long time. It should have been such a relief that she didn't have to suffer anymore. But, the reality was that she had been taking care of her mother for so long that she hadn't really ever learned how to take care of herself. She had always been a fast learner, however, and she knew she would tackle this situation head on.

"Breathe, Lyla. Everything is going to be okay.", she said to herself as she approached the front door, knocking gently.

"Come in.", the gruff voice called out from the other side, and she took them up on the offer, doing everything in her power to remain calm despite the chaos that raged inside her mind and her heart.

[stealingpotatoes]

hands you all this cal to announce i’ve FINALLY finished fallen order (by which i mean i finally picked it up again after those couple hours i played a few months ago and then finished the whole game in 2 days lol)

[primrose-path-of-dalliance]

thinking about them (jester and caleb)........ once more unto the breach

[bookshelf-in-progress]

There's always a danger of caring too much about a story, and then getting paralyzed by the need to do it justice, so it never gets written.

I've solved this problem in the past by writing stories so fast that I don't have time to get too invested, or writing stories that I'm not that attached to.

But maybe the trick is to love the story so much that I want to share it any way I can, even if it's imperfect. To feel that any version of this story is better than the story never getting written at all. To get out of my own way and stop worrying about what other people will think of my writing, or even what I think of my writing, and love the story for its own sake, love the readers enough to want to have the joy of sharing the story with them.

Maybe it'll work. Maybe it won't. But so far it feels like a much better approach.