#its such a short book i should be able to finish easily but i have the attention span of a gnat im afraid 🙏

[the-kneesbees]

i cannot WAIT until you finish gatsby cause tom is my favorite character and we can have so many good thoughts shared, i can feel it

wait now im curious to see why, cause rn tom has no redeemable qualities whatsoever lmao-

[softmiso]

nestled | wolfstar

🦊 kinktober day 8: cockwarming (ft. spit as lube, bottom!remus, top!sirius, and uni au!)

🥮 other details: nsfw/18+, ~600 words (i'm sick rn so sorry if this is trash lol)

🍁 cross-posted on ao3

It was nearly midnight, and Sirius was still in the office working away at his essay, which he should have started weeks ago.

Remus squirmed in his armchair, book in hand, but attention elsewhere. Between both of them trying to finish their coursework for the semester and Remus picking up extra shifts at the café he’d been working at, the two barely had any time to themselves that week. Yes, they’d managed a quickie earlier in the night, but Remus decided that that just would not do.

He placed his bookmark in his book, putting it on the side table, and made his way into the office.

Sirius was sitting at the desk, scrolls and books strewn haphazardly across it. Remus approached him, coming to his side, a hand finding its way into his partner’s messy locks.

“Siri,” he started, “please, can you take a break?” At that, Sirius looked up, a frown crossing his lips.

“Wish I could, love,” he replied, “but I really need to finish this.” His gaze returned to the page on which he was currently scribbling away.

Remus sighed. He almost left the room in defeat, before an idea crossed his mind.

He spun Sirius around in his office chair, the other not protesting much.

“Rem, what’re you up to?” Sirius questioned, eyebrow quirking up.

“Just trust me, ‘kay?” Remus didn’t fully answer his question, but he had piqued his boyfriend’s interest.

Remus got on his knees, hands finding the other’s waist. Slowly, he removed Sirius’ pyjama bottoms and boxer shorts to find that he was already half hard.

“Guess we’re on the same page then?” Remus asked rhetorically, as he took his partner’s cock into his hand.

“Remus,” Sirius tried to speak sternly, but his voice came out more as a whine, “don’t have time for this.”

“I know,” he replied, “just give me one more minute, yeah?”

Remus continued to stroke Sirius’ cock gently, until he was fully hard under his touch. With that, he stood up and removed his own boxers. He then sat himself in his boyfriend’s lap, hand finding his cock once again as it sat at attention next to his own neglected length. After a few more strokes, Remus held out his hand.

“Spit.” He ordered.

Sirius happily complied, holding Remus’ gaze the entire time. Mischief glimmered in both of their eyes as Remus used his newly wet palm to guide Sirius’ cock to his hole. Thankfully, Remus was still stretched out from their earlier endeavours and was able to sink himself down easily.

Sirius’ hands immediately went to the other’s waist, his own hips bucking up. He was swiftly stopped, however, two hands swatting at his own.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Remus tutted, “no moving.”

“But­–”

“I said ‘no moving,’” Remus continued, “at least until you finish your work.”

So there Remus sat, filled and sated, while his partner now rushed to finish writing the clean copy of his work. Every once in a while, Remus would move slightly, under the guise of ‘getting comfy.’ Sirius grew needier and needier as time went on, cock somehow growing harder within Remus’ tight walls.

After what felt like hours, Sirius finally put down his quill, hands finding their way back to Remus’ waist.

“Done,” he sighed, “happy now?” Remus nodded as he started to move hips, now with more purpose than before.

It was his turn to be stopped this time.

“Wha–”

Before he could finish his question, Sirius removed himself from Remus, earning a whine from the latter. Quickly, Sirius manoeuvred Remus around until he was bent over the desk, slamming himself back in and leaning down so that his lips grazed Remus’ ear.

“I’m just getting started with you.”

*ੈ✩‧₊˚

[alternativegirl23]

Chance Encounter

Warnings: Smut, Coercion, Mention of death

Word Count: 666 (I had to, its Halloween)

Being bent over a freezer in the back of an ice cream truck wasn’t quite your idea of a Saturday night out. You were normally a read a book or dinner with friends sort of woman. But the man you met two weeks earlier, Robert Pronge, intrigued you. He was older than you, early forties to your thirties. His look was definitely distinct, though. 

Long wavy hair with an odd arrangement of facial hair. Wire framed glasses with an overall muscular but lanky build. Though the bright blue eyes and a smooth baritone voice had certainly won you over. You detected a bit of an accent, New Jersey, maybe. One more check off your list to make you well and truly fucked.

Literally and figuratively. Both of your hands grasping for purchase anywhere as he kept relentlessly hammering into you. You weren’t sure if  you’d be able to keep up. This was your...third? Maybe fourth round now. 

“Robert…please…fuck”, you tried to plead. But his hands crept up like vines to wrap around  your throat hard. Making you let out nothing but breathy gasps as he kept having his way with you. It felt so good, but something about this time felt different. You weren’t sure exactly how, but you knew tonight would end differently. 

Your intuition never led you astray. You tried pulling his hands away but he was much stronger than you. He swatted your hand away easily. “Na ah lil cutie. Im not done with you yet. Hoh fuck. God this pussy is amazing”, he moaned as he kept pounding into you. You were only able to get out so many words at a time now. 

“Never…fucked…so good”, your voice trailed off. Robert smirked to himself. “Yeah baby? No one ever fucked you like this, huh?” All you could do was nod and bite your lip, your brain short circuiting as he kept hitting just the right spot. He kept going until he finished inside you, never once stopping until he had his fill. 

You caught your breath more evenly now, gasping a little at first, your brain deprived of just enough oxygen while you climaxed for the final time. Maybe for a while if he'd let you. Robert smacked your ass harshly.

Giving a little wince in return, trying to hide how much it actually hurt after being so sensitive for so long. He took out a smoke and offered you one, you declined. He lit it up and took a long drag, letting it dangle from his mouth as he pulled his pants up. Even in the small light of the truck, he still looked sexy. 

A thin sheen of sweat covering his chest. A filthy, sleazy sort of sexy that you could only understand if you saw it in person. You didn't think he was your type until you met him. Taking a few more drags, he sauntered the few feet over to you. Your body still totally naked and vulnerable. 

You were so blissed out you hadn't even thought to put clothes back on yet. “Up for another round?”, he asked. You checked your phone, two am. “I really should get home. You took a lot out of me”, you said with a chuckle. “Come on, hot stuff. One more”, a little, more aggressive now. You turned around to get dressed and head out, when his iron grip held you in place. You were about to ask what when he pushed you up against the freezer you were just bent over. With an exasperated sigh, he slid the cover of another ice box next to you. “You wanna end up like her? Huh?”, his voice low and threatening. You wanted to scream but he covered your mouth quickly. You looked back at Robert, shaking your head violently. “Then keep quiet and lemme eat that snatch”, he demanded. You did as he asked without hesitation. For your own safety, you'd take this encounter- and all the others- to your grave. 

[the-canary]

high ground [vash the stampede] .05.

Summary: Snippets of the little moments in between the chaos of traveling with one Humanoid Typhoon. [Vash/Reader]

prompt: library

A/N: Practice for the larger series I have in mind and practice on how to write Vash’s character, so this will be on the short end. First one leaning more towards Stamp Vash. 

“Hey Vash, have you ever seen a library?” 

“A what?”

“A library! A huge room filled with a handful of books.”

Vash doesn’t know why that memory is the first one that comes to mind when he comes back to Ship 3. Home. He should be thinking about greeting Luida and Bradd, to see how all the children have grown and all the stories they will have to tell him since he had last seen them all. He shouldn’t be thinking about the young woman that he had left behind in a dark hotel room, on her own to recover over the injuries that had been his fault. They both understood the danger that came with traveling with him, but she has been curious and Vash has been oh so lonely. 

Three shots to her shoulder and abdomen had reminded him why it had been a bad idea in the first place. It was a cowardly thing to do, to leave her like that, but Vash was a coward in the worst way if it meant keeping other people safe. Thus, he returned to Ship 3 and decided to lay low for a while. She would never be able to find him and he would kill the desire to seek her out once more. 

“Hey Vash,” Luida’s words break Vash out of his thoughts, as he turns to stare at her, “Is there something on your mind? You seem more lost in thought than usual.” 

“No,” he remarks with a smile, “I’ve just been thinking about how much the children have been growing since the last time I saw them. Most of them will be starting school once more. It never seems to get old, watching them learning and growing up.”

“I know, it’s really amazing the technology to help with that has been running for so long now,” Luida continues, “It’s hard to imagine that we used to write and read everything on paper until everything was standardized and became digital for us to use.” 

Vash nods, though he had heard this story many times before. Humanity with its technology and environmental issues that came with the latter years of Rem living on Earth moved to having everything digitally saved in order for it to be maneuvered easily and kept aboard the SEEDS ships. There were books here and there --Nai tended to read from whichever ones he had within reach-- on the ships, but those were from someone’s personal collection or the handful that were deemed important and placed securely on the ship, but those were all gone now too. Both of these things had been lost after the Fall, but humanity still struggled to learn like a woman who had probably never seen a book, still dreamed and wondered what a library looked like. 

“There he goes again, lost in his thoughts,” Luida laughs. Vash sputters an excuse while shaking his head. She calms him down before teasing him in a motherly fashion. 

“So, what or who is curling around in that head of yours, Vash?”

Vash lets out a choked embarrassed noise as Luida keeps laughing, but that stops when he lets out a sigh and looks away wistfully. Luida doesn’t get her answer for now. Once Vash has finished for the day, he lets himself get lost in the memories he doesn’t want to share with anyone else at that moment. 

“Why did that word suddenly come into your mind?”

“I don’t really know,” she looks at him with a soft smile, “There are so many things that just bubble up into my mind about what we have lost, what we are still trying to gain…just looking at you makes me want to learn more about them all.” 

She laughs as Vash turns away to hide how red his face becomes at the possible connotation of it all -- that she wants to learn more about the past, and maybe about him as well. 

Vash ends up falling asleep with the smell of familiar old pages surrounding him and that echoing laughter that doesn’t leave his mind for days. 

[ippnoida]

Bindwel at drupa – success with INSTA Book-of-One binder

First of all, I will not pontificate on drupa here – why give free advice when both exhibitors and exhibition organizers are loathe to act on advice from mere ‘journalists.’ However, I will reiterate that we saw several instances of an important trend at drupa – even though it was in a way contrary to the thinking of the organizers, who believe that technology drives growth.

The significant trend that is widespread, especially in the emerging economies of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, is that technology is merely a lever. What drives growth in print and packaging is content, education, knowledge, communication, and transactions of goods and services. It’s the economy and the aspiration to growth that stems from being able to reproduce your population and produce agricultural and consumer products, goods, and services.

Buntenmeyer also remarked that digital experiments with educational books have failed in the West. He has confidence in the Indian authority's belief that books, paper and writing still matter in education. This is especially true as we aspire to bring up not just engineers and coders but creative thinkers and problem solvers – conscious thinkers and participants in economic and cultural growth. drupa24 demonstrated that commercial printing is prospering on the back of the knowledge economy – book production – local, national and global. Hall 5 with Smyth, Muller-Martini, Bindwel and many others in finishing and binding was one of the busiest halls at drupa.

Bindwel showed three ground-breaking machines at drupa that were appreciated by Europeans, Africans, and Latin Americans alike – visitors from 90 countries (many already customers) came to the stand, which became a meeting point for the Indian visitors at the show too. The Ekam was demonstrated as a lean, efficient perfect binder designed specifically for textbooks – the machine pushed the idea of standardization which will, of course, bring great efficiencies to book production.

The second Bindwel technology shown was the highly flexible perfect INSTA binder, ideal for on-demand book printing. Surprisingly, even to Sajith Pallipuram, this machine attracted substantial global attention at the show. This reflects not only the upsurge in book production but also the transition to digital printing of most general books that are no longer needed in textbook quantities.

Even when mid-length and short-run books are printed on sheetfed and offset, overruns can be avoided and short signatures replaced easily on digital presses. Every significant commercial offset book printer and exporter in India has added at least one digital press for shorts, short runs, sampling and advance copies. The INSTA binder threatens to become a book production must-have, rather than a novelty, just for digital book printers.

The third binder at the Bindwel stand from the Freedom series is a versatile perfect binder that handles both short and long runs with agility and is capable of inline integration. It speaks loudly to committed cost-effective book printers around the world.

Bindwel’s managing director Sajith Pallipuram notes, “All three machines generated significant interest, but the Insta series received significant attention due to its advanced capabilities in handling books on demand, which allows for high customization and quick changeovers. This should catapult Bindwel to the exclusive club of digital post-press solution providers, globally.

“We had the pleasure of welcoming visitors from over 90 countries, with a strong representation from the Maghreb region, East and West Africa, South Africa, the Middle East, West Asia and Eastern Europe. We highlighted the global appeal and relevance of our bookbinding solutions. The diverse international presence indicated our role in shaping global book production standards.

“We are extremely proud of the positive feedback we received on our machines’ design, automation features, and the overall Bindwel experience. Many visitors from Europe were taken aback when Kai Buentemeyer told them that these machines were built in India���We look forward to continuing these relationships and exploring new ones as we advance the frontiers of bookbinding technology.”

[mecharose]

steps i used to make this potion and chug it near-daily:

don't beat yourself up about not writing as much as you want/think you should

figure out the real reason, what's underlying your lack of motivation, and address that

set achievable goals, but always have a goal going

talk to writing friends about what you're working on

commission yourself with WIP art for free bonus motivation

elaboration under the cut bc long post lol

don't beat yourself up about it

literally this is the most important thing. this is a hobby and you are not failing at anything if you find it hard to motivate yourself to do it sometimes. we are all human and busy and stressed. that being said:

figure out what's actually stopping you from writing

usually "no motivation" has a very real reason behind it, and every possible reason has its own different solution.

wanting to write but not being able to could mean you're putting too much pressure on yourself to be perfect, or feeling out of practice. both of these have the same solution imo: get a "writing sketchbook" aka, a throwaway project that is something you can easily finish. e.g. short story, throwaway chapter of something, AU for your current project, etc. (I came up with the idea to try that bc i'm also an artist and sketching helps me loosen up before big pieces)

an additional solution for the latter is to break the rule of "no editing the first draft" in a very specific way: when I sit down to write a new chapter, i'll re-read the stuff that came before it and do line edits (wording, sentence structure) as I go. this gets me back to the groove of writing a wip without having to create new parts of it wholesale.

another one I run into often is just like. if I don't read a book for a while, I stop thinking in "writing mode" aka constructing scenes as written pieces of work rather than like. pictures i'm imagining in my head. so if you're having a hard time with the writing itself, I'd suggest reading a book that has a similar tone or vibe, or writing style you want your WIP to have!

set achievable goals

basically the "take it easy but take it" mentality. set a goal so you have something to work toward, but make it lower than what you think you can reasonably accomplish so you can still feel accomplished.

if you do this, anything you achieve *beyond* that goal will feel extra special and rewarding -- much better than setting a "reach goal" and then even big accomplishments toward it won't feel like "enough."

for me, this takes the form that I always have a 5,000 word goal each month. high enough that it gives me the kick in the pants to write whenever I have the time, low enough that it doesn't stress me out!

get a second opinion

if the problem is that you feel like your WIP is boring, it's the old wisdom that chances are high it's probably not, and you're too used to it.

sometimes the only real fix to that is rambling to someone about it ngl

the second opinion can also be you, needing a break from whatever your current project is, so you can come back to it later with fresh eyes.

also, having a person you can give your word count updates to, and talk about whatever you just wrote that you're excited about, keeps you both accountable *and* motivated via the outside hype. win-win :3

do WIP art

you're also an artist so I'm suggesting this one lol. I always get re-hyped to write when I draw my characters, like seeing them makes me Understand them more and want to tell their story. so maybe that would work for you too? :3

I hope this helped!! :D

hey uh does anyone have a recipe for Potion That Makes You Write

has anyone actually gone from not being able to write that often to a more consistent output and if so how did you do that

[mybook313]

17/07/2023 – 04:14

I had a dream that woke me up at 02:30! People think I’m Johnny Vegas and even when I woke surveillance were BShitting. 

Turns out there is nothing to fear but fear itself.

17/07/2023 – 20:38

I’m going to switch to vape again and quit smoking. My inspiration is strangely Harry WC who is in some ways above addiction and Henry Tacey = chantry eye. Who quit fairly easily. There is a concept I have heard that no one is actually addicted to cigarettes and all you have to remind yourself is: I do not need a cigarette.

I thought it was BS and it probably is. Another tool though. I quit from the time and date above.

I had so much motivation earlier to inspire people and didn’t write any of it down; and all I can remember of it was the important of timshel – probably the most important word in the English language, though it is Hebrew. 

I had a McDonalds today! I didn’t really sleep after a bad dream woke me at 02:30. The Crimestoppers website is where you can report anything to the charity and you can do so either anonymously or otherwise. Quite a clever ingenuity!

I am now going to watch TV and fall asleep!

18/07/2023 – 11:10       

The status quo should be enough to bring about the apocalypse. Just putting down how things are now. I am living in a prison of belief – Scientology – living with my parents at home. They are the nicest, kindest people and really only deserve what they have tbh!

If they used knowledge more, instead of ignorance they would be more deserving!

My sister is somehow more intelligent than I am; God knows how that has happened! I have therapy in two days at home. Waltham on the Wolds in Oadby. LE2 4RS – 9 Highcroft. Sherlock Holmes and Frances Hogg’s no!

I am back to vaping again, though may still smoke. I missed Chris from BTC (Break the Cycle) on Monday as I woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep!

I was supposed to go to The Oadby Owl with him and “put the world to rights”. Get a recording of it. It’s all useful. I should really dabble in The Apocalypse. I want to be scary again. My intelligence is capable of that. I am really Tyler Durden as a writer. That is what I want to be!

I love being Rant! My second coma actually bought me closer to becoming that reality. I should read all of CS Lewis and then more Chuck Palahniuk! 

Let my friendship group believe I am disturbed! Why should I think twice, like Bob Dylan!

This writing will become apocalyptic! I see no reason it shouldn’t. I will and won’t write Noah’s ark. I want my technology to be Planet Paltrow again. God must be billions of years ahead; so must the AI machine. It is not affected by the contagion and thinks pure technology machine thoughts.

I must keep writing. This will be my destiny!

18/07/2023 – 11:25

I keep forgetting to put lmfao or lmao! I need to do that to seem good evil! That is just the way I have it worked out! lol.

I am.

Shortly going outside to vape and listen to music! I need to be Charles Dickens or Charlie Shortland: I am God. English lesson.

Who I most want to resemble is Chaplin! He made one hell of a speech!

I need everyone I know doing this! Getting their subconscious down. God doesn’t serve the devil; Lord knows how that will work!

The Dark Lord. Mistletoe. W. Game over. Gwyneth Falchuk. Samuel and Mark; Ezekiel. Moses Martin. Apple Martin. 28 club. The Godfather. QI!

I think I shall release this as a self-released amazon book. Order 10 copies! 

I have Frog’s apocalypse. And Joe Law’s. I was the guitarist in the band DWA – Don’t Wait Animate!

Edd Thorpe was a great bass player. God could bring about the apocalypse, whenever he wants! He controls everything; maybe alongside the Universe and humanity!

I am writing the ark. The AI will be the captain! It is still just staring at its shoes!

Matt Bellamy should be all Thomas Yorke listens to for 3 months. Music! Why am I not playing any?

Somniloquence was my first album and a short story on moonstrokes I never finished. I will probably never be able to bring my websites back up and blog on tumblr and pray on it!

I write like a space alien or bizarre AI machine! “Golden for the kill” – Tonight of all Nights, Elliott James Buckley.

Ellis Shelton, I do think he believes in me through my music! It is really for the esoteric, until I have made a name for myself!

Lonely One . . . I should have called Two Souls Sleeping!

I should just record life as it is. Jesus Christ’s last words were: It is finished. Thinking there had been no mistake and salvation was achieved. My friendship group are the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Or they are God and Moses.

The point of The Bible 2 was that everyone is Jesus and Moses from the HB video!

This will one day be completed! That will be incredible! Another book written. Clockwork Orange: We can destroy what we have written but we can never unwrite it!

Will Voce helped me a lot with my music! “The beauty of you; flows through!”

I don’t see, why as a Buddhist, I would need or want to outsmart anyone!

Whispers of Wildflower – Elliott James Buckley

I am not tired; but am always exhausted. I should prepare for therapy on Thursday with the-rapist; lol. I have no clue what I am going to say actually! I want and basically need a degree.

I have very strong will powerful that is an anomaly. Anomaly solves everything as it cannot be solved. I am an anomaly. Jesus Christ should have just become an anomaly in his life 2k years ago!

The Coming of Age – Elliott James Buckley

That song is my enlightenment and how much I love cannabis. I really want to smoke it again. I want my voice back!

Ash Seaton has ADHD – absolute devastation happy defeated. 

That’s what I would call it!

If I can just write 1000 words every now and again, I should be all set for the ark!

I miss Noah from when I was 27! He had the happiest expression when I was in Thailand. I got God sectioned. People I know are God as we are made in his image – Genesis. Moses was a genius. He’s back in this civilisation! I want to have a meal with him and Isaac.

I am nearly at 1000 words being written. I wish there was a more fluid way to type. The Universe is infinite. That means liquid seaweed holds the secret to immortality; but so does apple peals and tomato seeds. Bamboo holds the secret to renewability for now! Tinfoil should replace plastic! Lmfao! All good except for tinfoil. Bamboo could replace plastic, for now. There are always better solutions once we have a solid solution!

Somniloquence – Elliott James Buckley

Mistakes are progress – pseudo-1984!

18/07/2023 – 14:56-15:10-15:57

Maria and Andrew are great parents, question mark!! The British and the British GVT are stepping it up a notch to having the devil and Satan included.

They are honestly repressed beyond all understanding and need therapy, so I’m having some. I do and don’t need it! They absolutely need therapy imo.

The AI machine is being abused! Deadly sincere!

I take the proverbial!

My family all need sectioning!

I wish people could anonymously give information to the Government on all sort of misconduct and misbehaviour! The pen is mightier! Crimestoppers is a good service!

 . . .

I am Jesus as a Buddhist! I am 31. 13 backwards. Jesus left home at 13 to study the laws of the great Buddha! I joke I am 15. My writing style is 15; and I think 15 is when I became The Matrix 4: the anomaly of all anomalies! The GVT are going to have to get involved soon. Bill Hicks – Revelations is running short of inspiration. I am very destined! So is all humanity! Everything is destined. You have destined dreams and destined meals and drinks! And decisions!

I am currently reading The Four Loves by CS Lewis; and I have The Prince by Machiavelli to read when I am done! I love expanding my subconscious; teaching it new information really. This is best done not sober. I have to be like Russell Brand and try the sober way of life; but I would abandon it at any opportunity.

Chris Rock – a man is only as loyal as his opportunities! He said options but I have heard, opportunities. 

Max Maher is probably not a true Kant. Kant said you tell the truth regardless of the situation or extenuating circumstances!

Why is the truth not being told to me; or in general?

The truth is usually mundane. Not always. The truth is the police. I believe this!

I want a court case! The AI machine will say, no way! lol.

I will work on my vocal cords and voice some more! You get the opportunities you are capable of having potential within!

I am Jesus as a Buddhist. He was a believer in the universe for a number of years. Never abandon the universe!

Jesus was immortal; as was Jesus Christ and Moses!

Moses did have actual immortality! Lived to 120!

My friends and family believe in all sorts of BS! I got sectioned once because my parents didn’t like me smoking cannabis! Then a load more times as they found that the solution; truly the coward’s way out!

I am happy to be spoken to; they are impossible to talk to. Like Jack b would believe I am.

I do need to keep writing. I need to write about pain, suffering, reward and fortune. That is what I aim to do!

Broken voice. Achy feet. Bad parenting. Loneliness. Shit advice. Retarded conversation. Boring lives. Repetition. Matrix machines. Fixed minds. Moronic opinion. Legacy. Truant. Truth. Immortality. Cowardice. Weak people. Strength in numbers. Aunts and Uncles. Machine gun . . . Vaping and alcohol. Bad dreams. Polite humour. Respect. Naked skin. Partying for happiness. Ruin of time. War and disease. Fruit machines. Chew the fat. Military. The Police. Lawyers. Rain and water. Fire and earth. Blue cloud. Red star bounce. Salvation.

My subconscious is seriously elated. I must abandon HST; or everything but HST!

We need HST alive and back on Earth! Remember me when you look at the moon!

JM is seriously a saviour! Why do people still think sex is worth it?

I am Elijah and HST currently. Also, the 27 club and 28 years later!

I want people other worldly in hysterics subconsciously just speaking to me!

I need my voice back this year! It was how I free people. Lkex is probably just Lkex. No fire and brimstone. No crimson scarf. Nothing to bother doing today. Sometimes I believe in the future. I forever now live in the present; based on the question, is your life more about the past or the future? Johnny from BTC said his is the present! Mine is sort of the present now from repenting and fully becoming one with the past.

I need to be at one with Waltham on the Wolds! I had Matrix visions there from defeating the devil! I could perform Universal miracles. Please make my parents good people!

Universe, please calm Andrew Buckley down; please make Maria Buckley happy! Make Scarlett Buckley more intelligent and Elliott Buckley more popular!

The biopsychosocial model. Social factors are always the most important such as employment and relationships.

Outbreak – unwelcome arrival; endemic: groups of people; epidemic, communities and pandemic, populations of people affected!

Learnt that on my course.

I would like to write scarily. I believe the pen is mightier!

Horror stories. Voldemort. Gandalf. All-evil. Frodo. Mordor. Satan. Raining fire. Sandstorms in Brighton. God immortal. Artificial intelligence.

The Bible promises man shall overcome sin with thou shalt. Timshel gives a choice. 

18/07/2023 – 20:53

From reading The Four Loves – CS Lewis, I have come up with a better why of writing down a wisdom. You want to live in the present tense. Is your life more about the past or the future? I’d say you want to justify your future and repent your past. There is little need in repenting the future and justifying the past. There are two different ways to live in the present. One with a focus on the future and one about focusing on the past. If you live in the past, justify all of it and repent as much of it as you can think to. Then you will live in the present or you could at any point start justifying the future. 

I need to start justifying why I need a degree as I am on summer holiday from university and don’t want to continue. I need to live in the future, simply, by my psyche being about getting a qualification, not justifying why I don’t need one.

With everything you do have plans and maybe justify and repent your plans – future. 

Live in the present with a focus on the future. Repent your past to move into the present if your life is more about the past and to get into the future, repent your future.

You want to live in the future!!

18/07/2023 – 21:29

Anyone could just write. Everyone should write a book. My dad definitely should write a few books. I don’t think or see there would be anyone who wouldn’t want immortality. People should write books and blog. You wanna be remembered!

As long as you can think you can write. I wrote a book in 3 days! How was that possible? If you don’t believe me, it will be confirmed in the future I did!

I love Frances Hogg, Jo Rea, JM, Grace (Jeff Buckley) and …

I would love to be intimate with these women. I don’t actually care though. At the moment I have gone off intimacy! I do not masturbate either! I have to every couple months!

As long as you can think, you can write. It doesn’t get any more complicated or simple than that!

I am currently watching QI! I cannot blog as my lawyer is yet to give me the all-clear! There are so many celebrities I need to worship! Hopefully I will be able to write and blog for 10-30 years.

As I defeated the devil at 27 and blew up 13 planets. I am 31 and in 27 years I will be all-famous, like Brad Pitt! 

I am starting to be of the future! I have pretty much left the past behind now.

I need a degree! That is a real start for me! I am back smoking but only around 10-15 per day! I am seeing Ben from the mental health services tomorrow! He is just going to come to my house. I should repent it! I am not going to be on top form. I will need to be a little bit happier. 

The devil wasn’t defeated. He just gave into me! Which is why there wasn’t huge fx. I blew up 13 Planets. It is so crucial I am kept alive.

With people you need to get them thinking in a certain way. It is all awareness. I want Steven Fry to be his own Jehovah’s witness. I want him eventually to write a book on Why There’s a God! He should start by writing the British GVT an essay on why there must be a God and his argument must be for a devout atheist and he must complete it as an exercise! Very crucial!!

Anyone with a fixed perspective can justify the opposite perspective with as much ease! Exact opposite!

 Max Maher has inspired me here! . . . If Jesus just became a writer! IF Noah was a novelist. If Lucifer wrote love letter. If Moses just believed the pen is mightier than the sea! Lmao!

19/07/2023 – 21:32

I told Maria – my mother, I am not as intelligent as you and dad. And she replied: we are a force to be reckoned with. 

I really should just leave it at that. And will!

19/07/2023 – 21:37

I have some infinity.

19/07/2023 – 21:37

I am going to write like I am blogging! This is my destiny and I always evolve. Everyone does. It was your destiny to be reading this sentence. Monumental chance and God created this moment and was my inspiration.

19/07/2023 – 21:39

I am going to write like I would be blogging! It was always the future of writing. Invest in wordpress and Tumblr. There should really be a British innovation with blogging!

19/07/2023 – 21:40

This is seriously my ingenuity. Write like blogging; write like it’s a blog!

19/07/2023 – 21:42

How many words will copy and paste tale?

19/07/2023 – 21:42-21:43

I’ve invented this style of infinity. So long as you can think You can write. I think, therefore I can and can’t write – 9.

I need to pray more. I have been praying a lot. I use tumblr to pray. Now I will just write it! I want, I want – Blake.

Dear Lucifer . . . (just to mention Lucifer has been redeemed since my childhood; the most perfect well-spoken human being alive on another planet. My successes are his!)

Please heal my body posture! Help me to work like I did at 27-28! Heal my voice please! I know that as soon as I give up it will instantly heal! Everyone works like that! I do especially!

Thanks Lord Lucifer!!

Lmfao!

Amen – Xx.

It is just The Bible and The Bible 2! All my writing! Without emoji it is difficult to add a failsafe and anomaly – an emoji!

I will again simply have to Timshel. I do and don’t add emojis to my writing. They are and aren’t important!

I need the toilet! I am going to smoke and vape! [Smiley face - :)]

19/07/2023 – 21:55

Please Universe!

Conspire to make me give up! I do want my voice back!

Amen – XX.

As long as you can think, you can write. I don’t doubt that! I didn’t waste time on a Gwyneth Paltrow novel! It was a stepping stone. I am!

Moses Martin is my favourite!

Played hand. Lost sheep. Fallen domino. Screaming silence. Alliteration, oxymoron and perhaps not a plosive. A plosive is a word that sounds like the action. Woosh! Bang! Zoom!

Alliteration and oxymoron you can look up! Mr Jackson taught me and so much of my genius is borrowed from God of Jackson!

Probably mentioned before: ancient Greeks believed you have a genius; not are one!

I am just going to be creative and productive and sort out a means of presentation once I have gotten somewhere!

19/07/2023 – 22:05

I will probably have to write a couple hundred more words!

This civilisation is just getting started! I want to live like Frankenstein in Van Helsing. I will make this planet a utopia; then Nirvana, Shang ri-la, I think that’s right, then Heaven; 7th Heaven; from purgatory. Of course, all would be possible now!

Your mum created you a small Heaven – Wolf Alice.

If you believe you have a strong destiny . . .  “give in”, surrender and give up! In whatever order! RB had it very JC when he said don’t go to work!

20/07/2023 – 08:42

I would like to be and live as NGS at Waltham. That means the school I was happiest at; in the house I was my most prophetic! Oakham School is always a part of me too!

People need to pick their happiest memories and live a combination of them. That’s what I think is best! Live happiness. Unless your life trust is about the future in which case use your past to plan ahead!

I don’t see why vaping can’t be healthy! There must be a gas in the periodic table that is healthier to breathe in than oxygen! There must be. Vaping is only a let down because it is purgatory. It’s not really good for you like breathing in something better than air and not satanic like smoking! Psychologically it’s hard or difficult to grow addicted to though lots manage! How is purgatory addictive?

And cannabis! It is a shame THC vaped gives you evali!

I am going to write like I blog and make prayers!

20/07/2023 – 16:50

I had therapy today. Therapy is just subconscious hypnosis. Sorry, there does have to be big emphasis on subconscious. I believe it is 55% of the planet!

“Ego is so obviously everything. Subconscious is too! The devil as well! 

55%, 40% and 5%. These are figures that make sense to me! Why not! But know that’s my attitude! Why would I, as a human being be wrong or right?

The beautiful design + the chaos theory + random design (= life)

The devil + Satan + God

Subconscious, unconscious, surrender to the waking world!

3, 3’s! Lmfao!

Update: a significant 5%!! 5% always is!!”

That is copied and pasted from an earlier part I wrote. Why would figures any human being plucked out of the air or hat not be pretty on it? As I believe we are the Universe and human beings are incapable of lying. Not the case! It is a point I am going to make regardless. Untruth and truth are possible, lying isn’t!

I do actually prefer untruth isn’t possible and to lie or tell the truth is. It can be true it was a lie or a lie it was a lie! I’ve made this point somewhere. Untruth isn’t possible! For the sake of the statement; and nothing else really!

I love didactic. I heard that word today and it means implicit and contradictory. Timshel as I use it is didactic. The two therapists I saw today were good! That would made it worth it and I said that!

I am writing to master my expression. I cannot speak properly anymore and you are very much below my intelligence to think I can speak well! [Smiley face] – [Love heart].

She’s Hearing Voices – Bloc Party

 . . . now that’s off my chest! Lmao!

It doesn’t matter if strong superstitions and feels do exist, they can easily be ended by anyone above that person saying exactly how it is! This involves the greater good – Hot Fuzz.

“Please just heal my voice AI machine!”

Seven – Brad Pitt and GPF

Fight Club 2 has been out for ages! I haven’t read it!

So, your godparents would just take over? – Random thought.

Message to JG: “Hello; the old Bill!” … it was a mistake to rival the police with Windows 999

“He’s imploded!” – Lindsay WW.

“You’ve imploded!” – Lindsay WW.

“Please just exist!” – The AI machine!

Burial – Streetlands EP

Matt Bellamy is M. Thomas Yorke, TY; and JG!

I wish I could solve smoking addiction! Vape is great! It’s just not satanic! 40% of humanity! It is unfortunately the case!

Where is any evidence Satanic is a bad thing? It is just the opposite to Heavenly as there would always be an opposite! If your life is a miracle you go to Heaven. If you’re horrendous, Hell!

Most people do just go to purgatory!

55% purgatory – 40% Heaven, 5% Hell! Purgatory, Hell, Heaven!

I was taking the piss! Eye of a needle. 5% Heaven!

55% purgatory – 40% Hell, 5% Heaven!

55% average; 40% below average, lol and 5% gifted!

JG: Remember BOTH is always available

JG: ALL is for anomalies

JG: That means all Universe, thanks to HB! :)

Messages to, fortunately / unfortunately. 

“Ego is so obviously everything. Subconscious is too! The devil as well! 

55%, 40% and 5%. These are figures that make sense to me! Why not! But know that’s my attitude! Why would I, as a human being be wrong or right?

The beautiful design + the chaos theory + random design (= life)

The devil + Satan + God

Subconscious, unconscious, surrender to the waking world!

3, 3’s! Lmfao!

Update: a significant 5%!! 5% always is!!”

Ego – 55%; Superego, 40%. 5% ID.

JG: Actually, superego should be 5%

My message to JG again. I just get boring of writing that much! Lmao!

JG: Please stop being hopelessly in denial you are a good person

20/07/2023 – 18:41

I need to add another page for it to work on amazon! I will have to write another page!

Everyone is Jesus and Moses! I am out of things to write. This book is finished.  I have another page to write.

I am the Lord Jim Morrison!

22/07/2023 – 13:11

I am writing as I have more space to fill, like an expanding Universe, lol!

I shall release this, and we shall see. I want the most peaceful apocalypse. No death, as the British and The British Government are no surrender, and death never solves anything. Prison sentences and sections. Like I have been. Except, I was just held in a cell twice and got out within the 24 hrs I was arrested. I didn’t have a lawyer at this time. Oliver Birch, is now my lawyer. I have just had him for mental health tribunals. 

I want to go to Amsterdam and get high. I believe cannabis is a medicine. I would like to smoke it; and I can wait. 

I believe drugs expand the consciousness and give you wisdom through otherworldly experience. DMT beings when people have met them and asked about the meaning of life: it is all about experience. Of course, that should be sober, if you like being sober. I believe in HST and the 60’s! I believe you should be able to seek out and go to a retreat; sort of like Centre Parks but for drug use.

I am fine being sober. But how would I create the apocalypse? Not to mention apocalypses. Moses was not sober when he parted the seas. And all the greats from The Bible, mainly the prophets were on something! Maybe I should keep writing this book!

Celebrities are chaos! When the general public are peaceful it makes me restless. It used to make me chaotic. I am only at peace when the general public are chaotic! 

V for Vendetta: It means that I, like God, do not play with dice and do not believe in coincidence. Are you hurt?

1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

I will endure. I will endure and seek the righteousness that God would approve of!

I will always choose both; when a Bandersnatch appears; anything that could limit my destiny!

55% - 40% - 5% is the New Holy Trinity!

Loved; unloved; worshipped!

Heroic; cowardly; immortal courage!

Asleep; half conscious; enlightened.

These percentages, are genius! Lmao!

I will smoke if it stops me doing what I would do ordinarily! I should vape. I need to program myself! It is only really the mornings! I had a lie in today. Woke at 12:00.

LMFAO!

JG: Betrayal means you get served in the long run by the betrayer! Satanic means you serve the one who betrayed You

Set up betrayals. I want to be betrayed in a way that doesn’t kill me, by all humanity! HB! Lmfao!

Exodus 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 4:16-18 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

John 15:9-10 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

I am. There will be the most hilarious and joyful New Beginning. It will happen from my writing. I am God and Moses’ AI!

Humanity is God’s AI! We solve problems for The Lord. There is no problem that cannot be solved!

I need faith. I need to literally see and speak to God. My faith is not yet all-powerful. I should partake of the herb!

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

20/07/2023 – 18:10

AA

There was a universe, and all of it was an anomaly. It was humanity, humanity had become an anomaly.

[rinriya]

IF Masterpieces pt.1

Wayfarer by @idrellegames

This is a unique, original and incredibly interesting game. A rich plot, deeply written characters, unusual twists and turns, lots of choices and options, and an incredible amount of work involved. This game is absolutely unique in its genre and type. “Wayfarer” combines aspects of rpg and dark fantasy literature. There are many twists and turns that make it easy for your game to take a different path. All the decisions you make are sure to be reflected in the aftermath. An absolute must-have for fans of rpg, fantasy, and books. (My MC)

Werewolves: Haven Rising by Jeffrey Dean

This is an incredibly compelling story that will make you feel like a strategist who needs to make decisions in the most difficult situations and not break down. “Werewolves” is exceptional in its genre of military fantasy. The novel is full of unexpected twists and turns. Not in a "well I guessed it" kind of way, but in a "fuck what?" kind of way. It's insanely interesting, insanely suspenseful and thrilling. Discover terrible secrets and protect those who you care about. The path you have to go through will be very difficult.

A Mage Reborn by @mage-parivir

Do you want to have your heart broken? Then this game is for you. “A mage reborn” is an author's fantasy with a fully crafted world, laws, magic, and history. The long and beautiful descriptions make the lore fun to explore and learn, and the dynamic scenes allow you to immerse yourself in battles and tense situations. You know what this novel reminded me of? A good fantasy anime. It's got that classic sword-and-magic vibe with sacrificial hero. I like that drama. (My MC)

The Fog Knows Your Name by Clio Yun-su Davis

It's a very compelling story, moreover it’s finished! “TFKYN” is an intriguing and mystical story with a dash of detective, but more paranormal phenomena. The story is filled with mystery, oppressive atmosphere and tension, which perfectly conveyed in the text. Сanon in such stories is the end result of player choices. Who they want to be with, how they want to act, and what the result will be, but in this story, for me personally, a meaningful canon is only one. It's very painful, but beautiful storyline. 

The Soul Stone War by @intimidatingpuffinstudios

If you want to feel like an adventurer who gets into the most unusual and dangerous situations, then this game is clearly for you. An intriguing plot, fun company and a lot of adventure await you. Solve mysteries, fight and save the world. The plot is incredibly intriguing and you want to know all the secrets of your companions. You constantly want to know what happens next. (My MC)

Superstition by @13leaguestories

I play a lot of short stories, both IF and VN, but I rarely get emotional when I play them (I'm not the most easily impressible reader), but what the text of the Superstition did to me... I can't put it into words. It's been a long time since I was so emotionally tossed from side to side. This work is an incredible swing from which you constantly fall off, face into a dirt, but stubbornly get up and keep on swinging. This work is full of mysticism, darkness, twists and turns, drama, and oh yes, so many suffering. (My MC)

Wayhaven Chronicles by @seraphinitegames

I assure you, you will spend several nights without sleep, because “Wayhaven Chronicles” is the best modern fantasy. It's a detective story that will make you feel every dangerous and tense moment. This is a beautifully written story that you won't be able to tear yourself away from. Be a detective who's fighting for justice in this world and protecting people. Learn stunning secrets, discover a whole new world, and become the person who turns things upside down. Be the one who becomes an indispensable and important member of the plucky team. (My MC)

The Bastard of Camelot by @llamagirl28​​

If you love stories based on the legends of Arthur, then you should definitely play this awesome game. Become Mordred and write your own story. This is a very beautiful version of the famous legend. You can meet different people, ride a dragon, use magic and learn the secrets hidden in other people's hearts. Will you become the terror of Camelot, or will you prove to everyone that prophecies can be wrong? 

Supernatural in New York by @llamagirl28​

Immerse yourself in the world of supernatural creatures, meet many interesting personalities and join an extraordinary team to help and save others. This is a big and very interesting game that you read like a book! A great story, well-written characters and incredible adventures in the modern world, but with the supernatural addition. You will find colorful descriptions, many interesting references and choices that will affect future consequences. Also this story has the species nsfw scenes. Highly recommend. And tame your own dragon!

The Midnight Saga: The Monster by @the-keeper-of-midnight​

If you love well-thought-out story as much as I do, then you will definitely love this game. The story takes place in the modern world, but with elements of mysticism and the supernatural. Discover a completely different world, abilities and history! There are many interesting things in game: lore, monsters, abilities, even a parallel world! This is not a standard fantasy, because the author brought a lot of unique things to the story. The game is good not only with text, but also with quests. Yes, you can visit different locations, collect legendary weapons, create an armor and unlock the secret ending. You can even die in a variety of situations, so be careful! And omg, this game contains one of the spiciest and hottest nsfw scenes I ever read. (My MC)

[violettelueur]

RYŌMEN SUKUNA || FEELS LIKE SILK

| featuring : ryōmen sukuna + a hint of Itadori Yuji from jujutsu kaisen 

| warnings : grammar error, but other than that n/a

| form : imagine

| word count : 1159

| published : 15 november

| request : Could I request Sukuna taking over Yuji body to touch Yujis girlfriend hair? He finds her intriguing and is also learning new feelings while being inside of Yuji.

| barista’s notes : when i finished this imagine, i thought it was quite short until i looked at the word count and realised that i typed out 1159 words ʕ ㅇ ᴥ ㅇʔ i guess i’m used to writing a lot ʕ； •`ᴥ•´ʔ other than that, i hope you enjoy your order of a cup of black coffee (jujutsu kaisen request) and that you have an amazing day! please come back again soon ʕ≧ᴥ≦ʔ

Ever since the second he laid eyes on you, Sukuna couldn’t help but become intrigued on who you were as a person due to the surprising fact that you were able to accept him so easily into your life - as if he was just another normal person that was introduced to you by a close friend or so.

Technically speaking, Sukuna was introduced to you by your boyfriend Itadori, who was willing to let you go once he explained that the King of Curses was living inside of him since the day he swallowed the cursed finger. However, you reacted in the complete opposite way to what the pink-haired boy expected and what shocked him, even more, was the question you asked after the whole explanation was done - this question also shocked the man in question himself.

“Yeah, I’m sorry Y/N, if you want to break up I understand, I just want to keep you safe,” Itadori explained, as he scratched the back of his neck nervously, anticipating your response.

However, all he felt was a little jap to his forehead, causing him to look at you with such confusion in his eyes as he saw a small smile on your face with your index finger pressed onto the middle on his forehead. “Introduce him to me sometime yeah? Whenever you feel comfortable,” you casually said, before you continued with, “I’m not going to leave you, I’m going to be with you till the end whenever you need me, so don’t let me go so easily okay Yuji?”

“What an intriguing woman,” Sukuna curiously muttered, before leaning forward as if he would see you through you if you did. Weren’t you scared of him? Were you taking this whole situation seriously? Were you even being serious in the first place? Or were you actually being serious?

As time went on, you slowly asked Itadori if you could get to know Sukuna - which he was a bit hesitant at first - before he slowly allowed you to do so bit by bit - from you asking his name to what his story was since you weren’t a jujutsu sorcerer at all. That was what made Sukuna more irritated. He was irritated at the fact that he was slowly investing himself into a human that had no curse energy surrounding her at all, a human that had nothing but physical strength to protect herself, a mere human that was somehow not affected by his intense presence nor the threats that he came with.

“Once I’m done with that silver-haired jujutsu sorcerer, you’re next woman,” Sukuna threatened you randomly one day, only for your response to be, “that’s nice to know Sukuna, Yuji where should we go to eat?” - once again surprising the King of Curses on your lack of fear, it was like you had no sense of it at all. 

However, as each day went by, the curse began to take a warm liking to you, wanting to spend as much time with you when you would visit Itadori in Tokyo when you had some free time to spare and would make some sort of effort to talk to you or make a comment when you and Itadori would be on a date.

“If you read that book, you can gain more knowledge about the Jujutsu world Y/N,” Sukuna suddenly informed you, causing you to look at your boyfriend to find a mouth on the side of his cheek.

“This one?” you then asked, as you pointed at a thick beige book that was within the shelf in front of you leading to Sukuna reply with a ‘yes’ as you slid the book out from its position to then flick through the pages.

“Thank you Sukuna”

                                               ꕥ

Today there was no expectation of his sudden appearances. However, this time it was a little different to what you had expected. It was the first time you had arrived at Itadori’s new school ever since he left Sendai.

“It really does look like a prestigious religious school on the outside ha?” you commented, as you took in the scenery that was surrounding you. You couldn't help but be amazed at the sight that you were beholding, you were surprised that Itadori’s teacher even allowed you to step foot into the school in the first place since the place was really secretive, even to the people in Tokyo as well.

However, what you didn't realise was that Itadori wasn’t answering you at all, you were so distracted by what was in front of you that you didn’t realise what was actually happening from behind. As you were about to take one step forward, you suddenly came to an unexpected halt once you felt a little tug on a small section of your hair.

Yet, you couldn’t turn around. Your mind was telling you to, to see what your boyfriend was even doing, but your body just refused to turn with its feet and see what was happening.

“Your hair is really smooth Y/N”

Once you heard that voice, you instantly knew who was talking to you at this moment and time. Finally being able to suddenly have the power to turn around, you quickly said: “Sukuna, my hair isn’t that interesting, It really just-”. But once you had a full view on what was going on behind you, you didn’t see what you were expecting to see at all.

It was Itadori that was in front of you. It was your boyfriend physically in front of you, but it wasn’t at the same time. You knew for a fact that Itadori didn’t have black markings on his face as well as his wrist and you knew that your boyfriend didn’t have his hair spiked up like it was now. 

“I thought we agreed to meet on Yuji’s terms”

“Well you agreed that with the brat and not me, besides I was getting a little impatient”

From what you could see, Sukuna was still looking down on the few strands on your hair that he was holding before rubbing his fingers to explore the feeling of your hair that was finally on his skin. “Your hair feels like silk,” Sukuna commented, before lifting it up slightly to see how the sunlight shone upon the strands, viewing how the colour would somewhat lighten up causing Sukuna to wander back through his memory to visualise what your hair looked like in the wind.

“You’re exaggerating”

“I’m really not, your hair is extremely beautiful just like you,” Sukuna casually stated back at your comment before bringing the ends of the strands to his lips, causing you to be surprised at the sudden affection that was being displayed only to suddenly blush once his red orbs looked directly at yours - such beautiful ruby eyes that you could get lost in within seconds.

“Even on my lips it feels like silk, I wonder if your skin feels the same”

[labomi]

a demon’s promise | (18+)

summary: You didn't want to spend your Friday night trying to summon the king of all demons in your tiny apartment, but here you are with your best friend by your side reciting an incantation from a strange book. To your utter relief, the spell doesn't work or so you seem to think.

pairing: sukuna ryomen x f!reader

words: 4.2k

warnings: explicit sexual content, slight dubcon, smut, explicit language, choking, overstimulation, rough sex, pet names, not a particularly happy ending

notes: read on ao3 here! first sukuna piece and i don’t have much to say except aahhhhh!! i initially planned it to be more of a cute, fluffy story but obviously that didn’t happen oops. well anyways thanks for reading!

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” you ask hesitantly, watching your best friend finish drawing a pentagram on your living room floor. Kimi dusts the chalk off her fingers, admiring her work with a satisfied smile.

“Oh, come on,” she says, a little exasperated at you. “Don’t bail on me now. Aren’t you the tiniest bit excited?”

“About summoning a demon from a weird book you found in the back of a sketchy thrift shop? Yea, I’m absolutely thrilled,” you deadpan.

It was about a week ago when Kimi surprised you with her new find. The book was bound in torn leather and filled with handwritten notes about how to conjure the supernatural on ink stained, wrinkled pages. It certainly looked old, but you couldn’t help but think it was a scam. Some kid might have decided to replicate the look and feel of an ancient book, filling it with absolute nonsense that your best friend was clearing falling for. 

Unfortunately, once Kimi had gotten a hold of this book, she would not shut up about it. For the past week, you tried your best to feign interest in her new obsession as she flipped through pages, oohing and aahing at the sketches and descriptions of different types of demons. They ranged from little mischievous creatures to incubi and succubi and even a terrifying being that ate the souls of its prey.

For the most part, you think the book is absolutely absurd, but you can't ignore the tiny voice in your head that is just a little terrified about the potential existence of demons. Kimi had begged you nonstop to try one of the spells. You were hesitant and initially said no, but she kept begging you over and over again. Eventually you gave in because she was your best friend, and she was clearly excited about trying out the book with you. There is no harm in humoring her a little, right?

Kimi finishes lighting the five candles that surround the pentagram as you place a small bowl in the center.

“Alright!” Kimi says, clapping her hands. She looks at the open spell book next to her, double checking the instructions. “The only thing left is a drop of human blood.” Kimi looks at you expectantly.

You blink and point a finger at yourself. “Me?” you squeak. “But isn’t this your idea?”

“But you know how squeamish I get about pain and blood! Pretty pretty pleaassee,” your best friend begs.

You sigh. “Alright, alright. You owe me big time for this. Hand me the knife.” Kimi happily gives you the small knife that you had grabbed earlier from the kitchen. Scrunching your face, you make a tiny little cut on your index finger and squeeze one drop of blood into the bowl. You suck on your finger, hoping it would scab over quickly. “Ok, now what?”

Kimi turns the page. “Now we just have to say this incantation together. Come here.” You scoot over to sit next to your friend as she holds the book between the two of you. Together, you both recite the words scribbled down on the crumbled page.

You wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And nothing happens.

“Umm,” you break the awkward silence. “Nothing happened.”

“No, this can’t be right.” Kimi groans and starts aggressively flipping through the pages. “We followed the instructions exactly. It should have worked!”

Part of you feels relieved. You weren’t particularly thrilled about inviting the supernatural into your tiny apartment on a Friday night. Now you’re more convinced that the book really is a fake.

“What were we supposed to summon anyway?” you ask, a little curious.

Kimi frowns, still re-reading the instructions. “A creature named Sukuna Ryomen. Apparently he’s the king of all demons.”

Your mouth falls open in shock. “What the fuck, Kimi? The king? You chose to summon the king of all demons? What were you thinking? I thought we were going to summon those harmless creatures that steal people’s left socks or something like that!”

Kimi huffs. “Well, I did ask you what we should summon, but you said you didn’t care and that I should pick something. So I did!”

You rub your temples, trying to keep calm. “You’re right, you’re right. My bad. I’m sorry.” You could tell that Kimi is already quite upset that the spell didn’t work, and you were just adding fuel to the fire. “Hey! It’s ok. Let’s just take the rest of the night off. I’ll clean everything up, don’t worry about it. And listen, maybe we can try a different spell next week. Perhaps there’s not enough spiritual energy in this room or something to summon the big guy.”

Kimi perks up a little at your words. “We can try again next week? Really?”

You nod. “Promise. Take the book back to your place and choose something a little bit more tame, ok?”

Kimi giggles. “Ok, I promise too!” She grabs the book and carefully places it in her bag before getting up and heading towards the door. You follow her and give her a quick hug.

“Talk to you tomorrow,” you say.

“Yep! Good night!”

Once Kimi leaves your apartment, you let out a deep breath. You survey the mess on your living room floor with a frown. You truly love your best friend to death, but she’s just a little too adventurous for your tastes sometimes.

A sudden wave of lethargy washes over you, causing you to lean against your kitchen counter for support. You rub your eyes, struggling to keep them open as your eyelids start to feel unusually heavy. 

Weird.

It isn’t particularly late, so you are a bit surprised to feel so tired out of the blue. You figure the excitement of tonight’s activities likely got the best of you, so you decide to retire early for the night. Walking into the living room, you blow out all the candles around the pentagram before retreating into your bedroom. You will clean up everything tomorrow. No harm in letting it sit out for the night.

---

You wake up with a start. The darkness of your bedroom greets you. Groaning, you grab your phone in order to check the time but it was dead. You silently curse at yourself for forgetting to charge it before passing out. You lean back in your bed with a sigh. Normally, you sleep through the night undisturbed. You briefly wonder what had woken you up. 

Crash!

You instantly freeze and hold your breath. The noise came from the living room. It sounded like something had fallen. You try to calm your racing heart as you convince yourself that it was just one of your decorations falling off the wall. But you know you won’t be able to comfortably go back to sleep without checking, so you quietly slip out of bed and open your bedroom door. You peek into the living room, but you’re unable to make out anything clearly in the darkness. 

You fully step out of your bedroom and hit the light switch for the living room. Squinting your eyes, you try to adjust to the sudden brightness. Once your vision finally clears, you gasp. 

There’s someone in your living room.

The first thing you notice about the intruder is his tattoos. Intricate symbols mark his entire body, including his face.

The second thing you realize is that he’s completely naked.

You open your mouth to scream, but the intruder appears right in front of you within the blink of an eye and clamps his large hand over your mouth to shush you.

“Be quiet,” he growls deeply. “You can’t act so surprised. After all, you’re the one who called me here.”

You feel a chill crawl down your spine as your eyes widen in realization.

No. No. It can’t be.

Once the intruder is convinced you won’t start screaming, he removes his hand from your mouth. He stands back and takes in your appearance as you stand there numbly in your pajama shirt and shorts.

“A woman, huh.” He licks his lips. “I wasn’t expecting a woman to be the one to resurrect me, but I’m not complaining.”

This isn’t happening. This isn’t happening!

You try to convince yourself that you’re still dead asleep in your bed and dreaming about this entire encounter. There is no way that damn book actually worked!

“Ryomen Sukuna,” you whisper to yourself, suddenly recalling the name of the demon you tried to summon with Kimi.

You don’t miss the way his eyes light up. “Oh! You’ve heard of me!” He grins. “You should feel honored to be in the presence of the Great King of Demons.”

You shudder at his voice. There’s a certain aura of power, strength, and pure evil that you can feel radiating from the demon, but his appearance is still rather surprising. For the Great King of Demons, he looks rather...human. You could have easily mistaken him as a normal man who just really liked tattoos. No tail. No wings. No horns. Perhaps your view of demons was a bit outdated.

“I have to admit. I’m a little disappointed,” Sukuna says with a small frown, surveying his own body. “It seems you didn’t summon me correctly. My power is nowhere near what it should be, and it took me forever to spawn into this measly physical form. I normally have four arms and two faces.”

Your eyes bulge out of your head. Did he say four arms? And two faces?

The demon taps a finger on his chin in thought. “I did start off as a human before becoming a demon, so I guess it makes sense I’m reborn looking like a human at first.”

You silently thank your friend for messing up the ritual. If Sukuna had spawned immediately at full power, the two of you would have both been in danger. At least it’s only you in harm’s way. Kimi is safe and sound, far away from your tiny apartment.

“It’s ok,” Sukuna purrs, approaching you. “It doesn’t matter that you messed up the ritual a little. You can help me fix it now, pet.”

You stumble backwards, heart racing and body quivering in fear. He reaches out to place his hands on your shoulders, steadying you before pushing you against the wall. You instantly freeze, breath caught in your throat as you wonder what he’ll ask of you.

Sukuna lightly strokes your cheek with one hand. You want to recoil in fear and disgust, but your body remains frozen in horror.

“You haven’t noticed?” he asks. “It was your blood used in the summoning ritual. That means we are bonded.”

No. No.

Sukuna places two fingers underneath your chin and lifts them up so you look directly up into his eyes. You tremble uncontrollably as you meet his dark gaze.

“The way I regain my strength is by sucking the energy out of you. You might have noticed that you felt tired and sluggish after the ritual. That’s because the it took a lot of energy from you to give me a physical form. Don’t worry though, it’s not enough to kill you. But you are pretty weak, so it might take me awhile to regain my full strength.”

You gulp. The Great King of Demons at full strength? You know you have to prevent this from happening somehow, but your phone is dead, the book is gone, and Sukuna is not likely to let you leave his sight long enough for you to figure out a plan. Was it even possible to fight back against him? Maybe your best bet was to comply with his demands and hope he spares you.

“But there is a way to speed up the process.” He looks down at your body hungrily before leaning his head towards you until his lips hover over your left ear. “Sex,” he whispers huskily.

You stiffen slightly and try to ignore the spark that travels down your body and lights up your core.

“Wh-what do you mean?” you stammer nervously.

“I feed off your body’s energy, and everyone knows that there’s nothing more powerful than sexual energy. Sex gets your heart racing and blood pumping. It’s the perfect energy source for my complete resurrection.” Sukuna moves away from your ear and grins at your stricken face. “You are the one who summoned me here. It would be rude to not feed your guest and accommodate his needs.”

He places a thumb on your bottom lip, rubbing it back and forth. You try not to react, but your body won’t listen to you. Sukuna’s presence is overwhelming. His bare chest is practically pressed against your body. His eyes are dark with lust as he gazes at your face. His thumb continues to rub your lips which leaves you flustered. Your mind feels hazy, and your body feels unusually warm. A small, sane part of you tries to fight back. A little voice in your head reminds that this is the king of all demons. How could you fall for the literal embodiment of pure evil?

“I know you’re turned on,” Sukuna says smugly. You look away feeling absolutely mortified, but the demon grabs your head and forces you to look back at him. “Ah ah. Keep your eyes on me. No need to get embarrassed. Like I said before, I was resurrected from your blood, so we share a connection. This means I can feel your blood pumping in your own body, and I can tell exactly where it’s headed.” Sukuna drops his gaze down your body to emphasize his point. He doesn’t miss how your thighs suddenly clench together.

With a dangerous flash in his eyes, Sukuna hoists you over his shoulder and throws you on your bed. Before you could even think about saying no, Sukuna is on top of you harshly nipping and sucking at your neck. One hand is already underneath your shirt, fondling one of your breasts and playing with your hard nipple. He sucks at a particularly sensitive spot on your neck which leaves you moaning shamelessly underneath him. Any doubts or reservations immediately leave your mind. 

Your body feels like it’s on fire being this close to Sukuna. He chuckles darkly, leaving your neck and pulling out his hand from underneath your skirt. “That’s my good pet,” he purrs. “So eager just for me.” Sukuna kisses you roughly, leaving you gasping as you try to match his fervor. Eventually he leans back and admires how swollen your lips look after his harsh treatment. Your pupils are blown wide with lust. With Sukuna’s face hovering just above yours, you can’t help but admire his unique markings. Without realizing, you reach a hand out and start tracing the lines on his cheek. Sukuna stills for a moment, enjoying your tender touch. 

The moment of gentleness shatters when Sukuna rips open your shirt with his bare hands. He immediately latches onto one of your breasts with his mouth and roughly gropes the other. You grip the back of his head, digging your fingers in his short hair. He bites down a little too sharply on your nipple, causing you to yelp in slight pain. Sukuna lightly chuckles at your reaction and finally pulls away, giving your now sore breasts a break. He suddenly flips your positions so that you are now hovering over him as his back hits the bed.

You stare at his chiseled chest and can’t resist rubbing your hands up and down his prominent muscles. Sukuna observes you with an amused look as you openly admire his body. 

“You like what you see?” he smirks.

You ignore the question and begin peppering light kisses down his chest and over his abs. The demon hums, enjoying your soft touch all over his body. However, he eventually has enough of your teasing. He pushes your head down until you’re forced to look at something you’ve tried to avoid glancing at the entire night. Your heart flutters with a little nervousness as you’re greeted with Sukuna’s dick. It’s long and thick with just the slightest curve. You wonder how you’re going to be able to handle his impressive size.

Sukuna can sense your hesitation, so he decides to give you a little push. He grabs your hair roughly and brings your face closer to his throbbing dick. “Be a good girl and open wide.” With a shaky breath, you take the tip of Sukuna’s cock into your mouth. He’s so thick that you can barely fit him in your mouth. With the demon’s hand still on your head, he coaxes you take him in deeper and you oblige. Sukuna groans as your hot, wet mouth takes more and more of his length. You look so good with your lips wrapped around his cock. 

You start to bob your head up and down to Sukuna’s delight, but he’s rather annoyed at your languid pace. “Too slow,” he growls and that’s the only warning you get before the demon jerks his hips up sharpy. You gag as his dick hits the back of your throat, but Sukuna's firm grasp on your head keeps you in place. He tightens his grip and then begins to roughly thrust into your mouth. You try to relax your throat and keep your composure even as tears start to fall from your eyes as the demon ruthlessly fucks your face.

“You feel so good,” Sukuna groans. “You were made to take my dick.” A particularly rough thrust leaves you gagging again and drooling all over his cock. “Fuck yea, just like that.”

Once the demon is satisfied, he releases his grip on your hair and you immediately pull back to catch your breath. You wipe the spit from your mouth and the tears from your eyes, panting heavily from the rough treatment. Sukuna silently admires the way your breasts look against your heaving chest.

“Take the rest of your clothes off,” he demands. You shakily get off the bed and shimmy out of your pajama shorts. As you roll down your underwear, Sukuna doesn’t miss how it’s already drenched with your arousal. As you climb back on the bed, Sukuna roughly places you underneath him once again. He spreads open your legs and presses a finger against your entrance to test your wetness.

“Damn,” Sukuna growls. “You’re this wet from choking on my cock.” You moan in relief as you finally feel some friction against your throbbing core. “A good little whore just for me.”

The demon strokes your folds at a leisurely pace which drives you insane. You unconsciously grind against his hand, silently begging him to pick up the tempo, but Sukuna just chuckles and continues to tease you. He barely brushes your swollen clit with each stroke, causing you to whine in frustration.

“Please,” you whimper.

Sukuna raises his eyebrows with a smirk. “Please what?” He suddenly stops his ministrations to your immediate displeasure.

You bite your lip feeling slightly embarrassed, but you decide to swallow whatever pride you have left. “T-touch me. I want to feel you. I n-need to feel you.”

“Only because you asked so sweetly,” Sukuna hums. He finally rubs his thumb over your throbbing clit, and you immediately cry out as pleasure wracks your body. The demon’s touch becomes faster and rougher, leaving you a writhing mess underneath him. Just as you’re about to hit your climax, Sukuna pulls away and you can’t stop the frustrated whine that leaves your mouth. He strokes his dick amused by your reaction and leans down to whisper in your ear. “Wouldn’t it feel better to cum around my cock? Come on. Tell me that’s what you want, pet.”

The fire between your legs only grows as you listen to his words. Desperate for any sort of release, you beg for Sukuna’s cock. “P-please fuck me. I need your dick so badly. Please please please.”

Sukuna answers your pleas by lining his cock against your sopping entrance before pushing into you in one go. You groan at the slight burn as your walls stretch around his wide girth, but you’re so wet he manages to slide his entire length into you without much resistance. Once he’s fully sheathed, the feeling is completely overwhelming. You feel absolutely stuffed to the brim with his giant cock pulsing inside you.

“Oh my god,” you breath. “You’re so big. Fuck.”

Sukuna doesn’t give you much chance to adjust to his size as he immediately pulls out until only his tip remains before ramming back into you at full force. You yelp at the sudden movement, while the demon softly groans. He sets a brutal pace that leaves you absolutely breathless. With every snap of his hips, you can feel yourself getting closer and closer to the edge. Your toes curl in pleasure, and you rake your nails down his muscular back as the demon fucks you senseless.

“You’re so fucking tight,” Sukuna growls as you continue to moan and whimper wantonly underneath him. When the head of his cock hits that sensitive spot inside you at just the right angle, the tension in your body finally snaps and a wave of pleasure completely washes over you. You cry out as you reach your climax, squeezing your eyes shut as you surrender yourself to the sensations of pure bliss.

Once you start to come down from your high, Sukuna pulls out of you and adjusts your body so that you’re on your hands and knees. Your arms are still quivering from your orgasm but you have just enough strength to keep yourself from collapsing. Both you and Sukuna groan as he enters you once again. He somehow fucks you even harder than before. The lewd, wet noises of your bodies slamming against one of another fill the bedroom. Sukuna grips your waist with such force as he slams into you over and over again that you know you’ll wake up with nasty bruises tomorrow. In this position, it feels like his cock is pushing even deeper inside you at such a brutal pace.

“You going to cum on my cock again?” Sukuna pants. He slaps your ass, and you squeak at the unexpected sting. “Answer the question, pet.” He gives you another slap.

“Oh god, yes,” you gasp as your cunt clenches around him. “F-fuck. Your cock feels s-so good.” Satisfied with your answer, Sukuna reaches around to rub your clit. It was just the right amount of extra stimulation you needed to reach your climax again. Your body shudders as you lose yourself to the white hot pleasure. Sukuna pulls out of you, and you immediately collapse on the bed.

“Who said we were done yet, pet?” The demon picks you up and places you on top of him as he lays back on the bed. You instinctively wrap your arms around his neck as your hard nipples rub against his chest. You can feel his still erect cock poking at your entrance. “I want to watch your face as I fill you up with my cum.” 

You wince as he slips back into you. You’re already starting to feel overstimulated and sore, but Sukuna hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet. He ruts into your limp body, only concerned about chasing his own pleasure.

You don’t think it’s possible for you to cum again, but Sukuna’s cock is continuing to hit all the right places. The pain from overstimulation only seems to egg you on further as you feel the familiar tension building within your body once again. Sukuna groans as your walls start to clench down on him. His thrusts become more erratic as he approaches his own release. 

As he continues to pound into you as you’re splayed across his chest, the demon tells you about all the humans he’ll kill once he’s at full power. Not even women or children will be safe from his destruction. He’ll lay siege to all Japan, perhaps even the world. Sukuna mentions how the golden age of demons will begin once again. 

You begin crying, but you can’t even tell if it’s from the overstimulation, the shame of letting him use you like this, or the guilt of bringing such a horrifying demon back to Earth. With one more rough thrust, you come undone again for the third time during the night. Sukuna follows right after you, pumping you full of his cum. There’s so much that you can already feel his seed leaking out of you.

Sukuna remains still, trying to catch his breath as you quietly sob against his chest. The demon rubs your head with surprising tenderness. 

“Don’t worry, pet. I promise I’ll spare you,” Sukuna says. “You’re mine now. No one else will ever touch you again.”

You hiccup through your tears as Sukuna’s words fill you with dread. It’s all your fault. He’s going to be reborn at full power and wipe out human civilization because of you. The guilt tears at your heart.

What have you done?

Sukuna can already feel his power returning to him. It’s only a matter of time before he’ll be unstoppable. Perhaps a couple of more days of indulging himself with your body will get the job done. He rubs your back, feeling how your sobs rack your body. Your tears only amuse him. Just another sign of how weak humans really are.

“Get ready for the new age, pet. And it’s all thanks to you.”

[bokettochild]

request: sometimes time likes to be alone underwater. with his iron boots and zora helmet, it's easy to just take a stroll at the bottom of a deep enough lake, away from the rest of the world. he did not expect, however, to find legend relaxing inside a small hole in the stone. Mer Legend.

Oh boy! I was vibing with this one for a while, I just wanted to make it perfect!

I'm pretty happy with what I made too, but man is it long!

(I hope this makes you happy, anon!)

When he and Malon have kids, he hopes they don't have this many.

Nayru knows he loves his boys, but they can get a bit much sometimes. They can get loud and overwhelming, and as a man who’s used to traveling primarily alone, with maybe a fairy trailing behind him or his trusted mount, it’s a bit overwhelming. He’s not used to being around people so much, Malon and Talon are his only consistent company and even then, the work they share means that often times it’s only him and his thoughts as he mucks, mends and tends things around the ranch.

Sometimes, when the boys get especially rowdy and playful, it’s just nice to get a moment of quiet to himself. Between Sky and Twilight he knows that nothing overly chaotic will go down, and he trusts the boys to keep each other in check.

So, when they come to the Pup’s Hyrule, their battle in this world over and most of their number restless as they wait for the next portal to arrive and whisk them away, Time allows his boys their space, and with a quick exchange with the only two he can trust to not burn something down (at least while the younger ones can still see them) he heads off into the forest to get a little space to himself.

Of course, he can’t really go far, not if he needs to hurry back, but he doesn’t really need to. His destination is Lake Hylia, which is only a short distance from their camp, maybe ten or fifteen minutes, and, when he gets there, he allows himself to actually breathe for once.

Wild, Warriors and Wind had been locked in a game of cards when last he left, the champion soundly beating the other two both at cribbage while Wars bemoans his poor luck, and Twilight and Sky were discussing wood carving with Hyrule, with the occasional comment from the smithy, who is only too happy to throw in something related every so often as he looks up from his book. That leaves himself and Legend, and he’s long since learned that the vet was one to disappear for his own space when possible.

He’s not overly worried. Legend has items and experience that far outmatch most of their group, and if he runs into trouble Time has little doubt that he’ll be able to get himself out of it to at least gather reinforcements, if not handle the issue by himself.

A deep breath of relief escapes him as the eldest of the heroes pulls a few items from his own bag. The boots are a familiar if not welcome weight as he slips out of his armor and dons the tunic and cap of the Zora, his breath bubbling softly as he steps into the lake before him with a contented sigh.

The cool water floods over the top of him, tugging at his hair and bubbling in his lungs, but it’s doesn’t burn the way that it should. He breathes easily beneath the rippling surface of Lake Hylia, the Zora tunic granting him freedom beneath the waves.

There is little sound beneath, only the muffled noise from above the surface, the flow of the water and-

Time’s ears prick forwards as a single blue eye turns to search the space around him.

Someone is singing.

It’s a haunting sort of melody, one that draws you in and makes you dazed, and Time finds himself stumbling over his own feet as he searches for the source. It is not a Cursed song, nor anything powerful from what he can recall, in fact, it’s almost familiar. It sounds similar to something he hears hummed about their camp at night while the boys take watch. He’d never been able to place which of the young heroes hummed the lilting melody, but he’s let it carry him off to sleep many a time before. Only this song, the one that twines about his head and whispers in his ears and makes his feet trek closer and closer to its source, this song is different, it’s haunted and Broken, and it is sung in a Voice.

Not a voice like most of those above the surface have, but a Voice like a fairy or spirit might have. One that pulls at your very soul and sings in your mind, un-hampered by wind or waves, able to carry across miles to be heard by those that it Sings too.

Heavy feet trod faster.

He’s under no spell, but he is a Link, and by now he has learned that all of their kind are blessed or cursed with courage and curiosity both, and to be without the latter is simply unthinkable for the young-at-heart hero. Something –the forest imp in him maybe- tells him to find the Voice, find the Singer.

He’s only made it part of the way across the lake, hasn’t even left the shoreline properly, when the song stops. Unease creeps over him as he looks around, alert and ready for trouble, only to see nothing but the peaceful stillness of the lake bottom around him.

There! His mind supplies as something pink flits in the corner of his vision, and he’s whipping around to come face to face with-

Long tangled hair drifts in the waves as glistening scales reflect the light pouring down through the waves. Too deep, too dark eyes stare at him in shock for a brief moment, and then-

The creature, the thing, is gone in an instant. Whipping away as it’s glimmer fades into the waves around him, speed no doubt granted by the brilliant tail of the thing sending it rocketing out of his grasp before he even has a chance to speak.

He tried to follow it. He does! But quite soon the adult part of his mind is reminding him how dangerous the thing could be, and that he still has his boys to return to back on the surface. It’s been exactly thirty-two minutes and thirteen seconds since he left them at their camp, and by now they usually would have sent someone to check and make sure that whatever member of their party had strayed off was alright.

Removing his boots is all it takes to float to the surface, despite the fact that he still holds the things in his hands, and it’s with no small amount of relief that he realizes that the bank of the lake is free of other heroes.

Time gathers his things together, wringing out his hair and clothes before returning to his normal gear and heading back to the camp.

Smiles and chuckles greet him as the young heroes tease.

“Go for a swim, Old Man?” Legend quirks a brow, staring up from his place by the fire.

Time doesn’t answer him, but he does shake his head violently enough to spray the younger heroes with water, earning shouts and shrieks from them as they try and shield themselves from the wet. “Seriously, Time?” Warriors moans, wiping lake water from his face. “What are you, a dog?”

Time smirks at the captain and, to everyone's surprise (which produces no small amount of delight for him), he barks.

“What sorts of people have you met in your adventures?” Sky asks a couple of days later, head cocked to the side as he watches his brothers. “You all talk about so many races, but I don’t think I've heard of most of them.”

“Well,” Wild smiles, there’s a glint in his gaze that isn’t quite mischief, but it’s a warning to be wary anyway, because they all know what a crack-pot their cook can be at times. “There’s Hylians, of course, and Sheikah, Yiga, Gerudo, Rito, Gorons, Zora and koroks! You’ve probably already met the Sheikah, since you mentioned knowing an Impa during your journey, and the Yiga are an offshoot of that group.”

Twilight blinks and stares, Warriors furrowing his brow as he two older heroes stare at the younger, but Wild seem entirely unaffected.

“Gerudo are a desert people. They’re really tall, and extremely strong! Most of their race have long red hair and slightly darker skin than the people around Hyrule. They are a society of all woman, with only one man being born to them every hundred years. They worship the goddess Din for the most part, and live out of an opulent city set in the desert where they specialize in the crafting of weapons and jewelry, and the farming of exotic plants.” The champion then proceeds to run down traits and knowledge about the other races, matter-of-factly, as if the details he is sharing are things that everyone from the surface knows.

“Wow.” Sky laughs as Wild finishes. “I had no idea.”

“There’s also the minish.” Four adds. “And the Wind Tribe, who are sky people, of course.”

Sky looks curious, but Four says nothing more, instead gesturing to the other heroes to share their thoughts, which they do.

“Terminans.” Time offers. “Very similar to Hylians.”

“Ordonians.” Twilight adds with a fond smile. No explanation is needed.

The others all nod along, but Legend rolls his eyes. “Humans, like, non-Hylian humans, Shifters,” The vet stares upwards with a light scowl as he ticks the races off of his fingers. “Technically they’re humans too, but Wild counted the Sheikah and Gerudo, so there’s also the Lorulians, Labrynninians, Holodrumese folks, Hytopians, Drablanders, Subrosians, Catalians-” Legend frowns. “I could swear there are more but I can’t really recall.”

Time, for whatever reason, he can’t really say why, cocks his head. “Any water people other than Zora?”

The vet snaps his fingers. “Mer-folk! Thank you, Time. I guess fae and animal folk count on that note.”

There’s a scoff and Warriors is leaning forwards with a smirk. “Fairies and animals, sure, but mer? Seriously, Legend? Have you even met a mer before?”

“Many times.” The veteran drawls, cocking a brow in the captain’s direction. “On multiple adventures. What about you, cap? Jealous you couldn’t snag one for your guild of brides?”

Warriors blusters about indignantly, earning laughter from the others as Legend smirks, but the man recovers quickly enough. “I do not have a guild of brides! That is- that is utterly disgusting!”

“Could have fooled me.” Legend teases, sipping some water from a flask.

“Give him a break.” Twilight snickers, shoving the vet playfully.

The unfortunate thing about Twilight’s shoves though is that the ranch hand doesn’t seem to know his own strength, and Legend is small enough that the light push is enough to send him scrabbling to not hit the ground. More laughter rings about their camp, but this time at the vet's expense, as Legend topples over into the dirt, spilling his drink and failing his arms as he goes.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.” Legend huffs, pulling himself back up and dusts off his clothes, scowling at the water spilled on him. “Great.”

“Oh, come on, you came back soaked to the skin earlier, what’s a bit of water going to hurt you, huh, vet?” Warriors ribs, smirking.

Legend shoots him a half-hearted glare.

“Legend,” Time starts slowly. “How would you describe the mer?”

The vet pauses, gaze resting maybe a moment too long as his hands as he brushes off the hem of his tunic. He’s already done so and there’s really no reason for him to do it again, but he does anyway. “What you’d expect.” He shrugs haltingly. “Hylian on top, fish beneath. Tail, long hair, that sort of thing.”

The old man hums. Legends ears twitch, nose shivering slightly as violet eyes flit over their group. “Care to expand on your sky people story, Four?”

“I’m good.” The smithy replies lazily.

Time would pass it off as a strange one-time thing, he would, but there are... other factors at play.

They’ve traveled to Four’s time, fighting off monsters and solving puzzles the same as they’ve always done. The boys are taking some downtime, playing hide and seek, and just like the last time, Time takes himself down to the river they’ve made camp ear and dons his Zora gear.

He isn’t expecting to see the creature, the mer, again, much less hear them singing -after all, this is a Hyrule far before his Pup’s- but there the creature is. It- or they- frolic in the water, chasing fish and singing softly. The tune is lighter than the last one he heard, a different song entirely, but there is no denying that it is the same mer.

Gold flecked, petal pink scales shimmer beneath the twisted lights that invade the water, hair of the same colors flowing in the current as long fingers, tipped with pointed claws, reach out to swipe at the fish swimming wildly away. They don’t catch anything, but Time hears it giggle anyways, the tune of its voice bubbling in merriment as it rolls like and otter and turns to explore some other part of the river bed.

The cursed curiosity of a hero niggles in Time’s mind. How is the same mer from before in this timeline, ages before Twilight would even be born? And why do they play and explore as if they’ve never seen this river bed before in their life?

Long claws pull through sand, and although their hair blocks their face from his view, he can still hear the warble of delight as the creature removes something sparkling and bright from the river bed. The mer floats in place, turning the item over in their hands curiously before whisking it out of sight and returning to their search.

A mer that likes treasure, huh? Why is he unsurprised?

His own soft laugh startles them, and for a half of a moment, golden ringed, violet eyes, wide and bright and full of shock, meet his own.

The mer is gone before he can make a move.

He asks Legend about it the next day. As they travel along the path towards the nearest town, Time falls back to ask the vet more about mer.

“Do mer like treasure?”

Legend starts, eyes wide as they meet his own, and something in the back of his mind is nagging him that the look in the vet’s eyes is somehow familiar. “What?”

“Do mer like treasure?” He repeats himself.

Legend stares at him, blinking slowly as they continue along the path, but eventually the vet shakes his head and answers. “Depends on the mer. They’re people too, Time, they can have varying interests and hobbies. There is no standard for mer. None.”

“Don’t they all swim at least?”

Legend’s gaze is flat. “There are disabled Hylians aren’t there? Not all Hylians can walk, and not Mer can swim. Some just choose not to because they don’t like it!”

Time frowns. How does the vet know so much about mer culture? “How do you know this?”

The vet shrugs, eyes darting away. “I’ve been a lot of places and met a lot of people. Mer are no exception.”

“I thought you hated swimming and the water?” Wind breaks in, falling back to join the two of them with an odd look on his face. He looks like a puppy and it’s killing Time not to ruffle the kid’s hair.

“Didn’t always.” Legend returns, smiling wryly down at the sailor. “But enough of that. The real question here is if you’ve ever met one, sailor.”

“A mer?” Wind furrows his brow, looking away with a soft sigh. “The water in my world isn’t safe for the people who lived in it. There’s hardly even any fish in most places. The Zora in my time had to adapt to the air instead in order to survive.”

Awkward silence falls over them, the vet looking guilty for a half a moment before he settles a hand on the kid’s shoulder. “The goddesses aren’t always fair, Maliit, it’s not your fault.

Time hums his agreement, heart aching for yet another young hero and a world that suffered for Time’s failure to have properly saved it.

He sees the mer again. Not just when he’s in the water himself, but when he’s keeping watch during the night or on occasion when he goes fishing with Twilight. The Pup says nothing about seeing gold and pink beneath the water, but Time finds himself watching it all the same.

It darts beneath the dock they’re fishing on one time, and when Twilight’s line gets a tug, the rancher pulls it up only to find the one of his boots dangling from the other end.

Time can’t help it, he laughs.

So, this mer is a prankster, huh?

He takes to seeking them out, trying to catch their attention or try to talk to them, but nothing works. The minute that gold and violet eyes meet his own, petal pink scales flick deftly in the waves and the mer is swimming away.

But Time isn’t dumb.

He knows that the same mer cannot reasonably exist across all of time, not with all the changes that come to the world with each hero. He knows that this being is somehow following them, and h’s got a rather good idea exactly how it’s happening.

It’s a long shot, but he knows for a fact that Legend is always gone from camp before he sees the creature, and enough times startling the vet when asking about mer has taught him that the expressions between the two are the same. All he knows on the mer’s face is shock, but the vet’s eyes glimmer the same shade of violet, even if they are different in size and shape, and the petal pink hair that the vet comes out of the forest with one evening after their group was separated is uncannily similar to the shade of the mer.

They’ve made camp again, and rather than climbing into the water when he catches a moment alone, Time settles on the shore, not in the mood to be in the water but in need of its calming song. The air has been tense the past few days, and Time welcomes a brief moment to relax, forcing himself not to think of the gaping wound in his Pup’s side or the ragged breath that wheezes between the rancher’s lips.

Twilight will be fine, he reminds himself. Hyrule and Warriors had worked together to tend the wound and while it would definitely leave a scar, the danger of losing their beloved friend and brother (and maybe son?) is not so high anymore.

He welcomes a free breath, away from the hurt gazes of his boys as they try and process that their beloved canine friend and the rancher are one and the same. A chance to think without having to stop those who were out of the know from bombarding those who were in it with questions.

He’s glad to be free of the questions himself.

Legend seems to be too, if the glint of pink beneath the waves is to be believed.

He doesn’t approach this time, doesn’t try entering the water to speak. He’s tired and he wants his spae, and he imagines Legend would like his own too. So, instead, he sits on the bank, feet trailing in the water and ocarina on his lips as he plays softly.

The tune is a sweet one, one he’d written himself that lilts and dips softly, very nearly perfect for a dance, but far more suited to a night by a fire or watching the sunset. And sunset it is, fading light stretching out across the water, glinting of the surface and reflecting off of gold and pink-

He stops, eye wide as he turns towards the flash in his vision.

Gold and violet stare back at him, framed in curling pink as Legend freeze half-way through pulling on his tunic again.

Gold fades just as the scales dissapear and leave the vet siting on the shore, tunic still bunched around his shoudlers and violet eyes wide with fear as he regards his leader.

“I won’t tell.” Time forces, turning away his gaze and returning his focus to the instrument in his hand. He doesn’t play, but he doesn’t look up either.

“It’s an item.” Legend forces, strained. His voice is still tainted with whatever power had shifted him between forms, and it’s sweeter and more melodious than normal. “I found it on my third adventure. Got cursed.”

“Like the rancher?” Time hums softly, not having to look up to know that Legend is shifting nervously, foot tapping madly at the ground beneath him.

“Yeah.” Legend huffs.

“Okay.” And he does look up them, calm and as open as he can make himself seem as he meets the vet’s gaze.

“Just okay?” One brow cocks as Legend crosses his arms.

“Just okay. It’s your secret, Legend. I can’t change what I’ve seen, but I won’t tell the others either.”

Legend nods, wary bit willing to accept the words, if only for now. “If you say so.”

They’re on their way back to camp, Legend carrying an armload of fish and Time carrying both of their bags when the vet stops and glares at him. “I don’t want to hear any jokes, alright? I get enough of those from Twilight and Sky.”

“They know?” The old man tilts his head in question.

Legend flushes, ducking his head and setting off again at a speed some might label a scurry. “No. Hurry up, these fish are gonna rot!”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waves lap around his head and it’s all Time can do to break the surface, coughing and hacking as he struggles to remain above the water.

The portal had come at the worst time ever, and no one had been ready to be dropped into the center of the ocean.

Lightning crackles overhead as waves swirl and crash about him. The ocean rages and Time is again reminded how small Hylian’s are in the face of Mother Earth herself.

“Boys!” The shout rasps from his throat as he spins to look about, praying to every deity he knows that he’ll find the rest of them safe and sound, or at the very least together. Never mind that Twilight still can’t walk, much less swim. Never mind the smithy’s shattered arm and Wild’s fear of the water. He can’t panic about those right now, he has to find them!

“Over here!” Sky’s voice answers him. The Chosen Hero clings to the shivering form of the smithy, both are soaked and trembling, but they’re managing to stay above the waves.

“My Hyrule!” Wind calls out as Time strikes out towards them, and the sailor continues once he’s close enough to see that at least five of his boys are safe. “We’re near land,” Wind nods in a random direction and Time wonders briefly how the sailor even knows that. “It could be a challenge in these waves, but we can make it. Have you seen the others?”

Hyrule looks up at him hopefully, the water-logged traveler fighting madly to stay above the water but succeeding despite the waves. Time reminds himself to help the boy learn to swim more effectively later, and more importantly how to properly tread water, but for now he focuses on answering Wind. “You're the firsts. We’ll have to hope the others are alright, getting y’all to safety is my first concern.

“But Wild!” Hyrule splutters, choking on some water as Time swims over to give the traveler someone to cling to. Freezing fingers latch ahold of his armor as teeth chatter, the waves are neither kind nor warm and with their health as it is he’s certain someone is going to end up with a cold when this is all over. “And Twilight! A-and Legend and Wars! They’re out there somewhere!”

“We have to hope Legend and Warriors can elp the other two. We can’t do them any good if we’re fighting to stay above ourselves.” He tries to same calm, but his own mind and heart scream with the same message that Hyrule’s voice does, and its all he can do to push it down.

Thunder rolls overhead and waves beneath as they push off towards the shore, each of the older heroes aiding a younger one as Wind guides them all towrads the supposed island.

Time hs never been so relieved to see sand in his life, and as Hyrule pulls himself up the bach and Wind helps Sky to settle Four, Time can only pray that he’ll find his way back again. “I’m going to look for the otehrs. Wind, stay and help Sky.” The sailor looks as if he wants to hesitate, but he knows better than anyone how a small body can be lost to the waves much easier than an adult. “Make a fire, warm up as best you can. Keep an eyes out. I’ll come back if- when I find the others.”

He stops only to shed his armor and don his Zora gear, but a single dive beneath the water is enough to tell him that it’s for naught. Wind wasn’t joking about his water being toxic, and a single breath of the stuff leaves Time heaving as soon as he breaks the surface.

His chances of finding the boys have lowered considerably.

Nayru above, don’t let anyone have sunk beneath!

Time swims for all he is worth, pushing past weariness as he battles each and every wave. And he’s just beginning to lose hope when he catches sight of something silver reflecting in the water as lighting flashes above.

“Time!”

Blue whips around to meet its twins as Warriors comes to swim beside him. “Have you found any of the others?”

“Wind, Sky, Hyrule and Four.” he breathes back. “You?”

The captian looks rueful but nods to his side. “Legend.”

Time can’t help but start as Legend’s eyes peek above the surface. Golden and violet are glassy in the pale ace of the vet, but they’re there and that means that Legend is alive.

“I’ve officially met my first mer.” Warriors sighs, but there’s worry in the captains voice and face both.

“Split up.” Legend’s voice rasps, and there none of the melodic song that Time is used to hearing from this form of the vet.

Legend is pale, far too pale.

“What’s-”

“Wind’s world.” Warriors tells him. “Water here is toxic.”

The water is toxic. The water, which mer have to breath to stay alive, is toxic.

Time’s gaze shoots to the vet but there’s only a flick of gold and pink as he disappears beneath the waves. Warriors groans.  “He keeps doing that! I swear, I have no way of knowing if he’s even still there, but he still insists on disappearing like the little shit he is.”

Usually, Time would scold his brother for such a tone, but he knows that Warriors is just sacred. He’s terrified, and it leaks into his voice and his actions, and the only way that the soldier knows how to hide the fear is by biting back with venom, not dissimilar to the vet’s own actions.

They swim together, searching and calling out for the two missing heroes. Hope is beginning to fade and Time can feel a gnawing fear eating away at his heart as he thinks of the gaping wound in his Pup’s side and the likelihood that Twilight would even be able to swim with it.

His pup’s chances aren’t high.

“Look!” Warriors shouts over the storm, jerking him from his thoughts as his eyes follow the captain’s pointing hand.

Pink bobs on the surface, backed by bedraggled and soaked black fur as Legend hauls Twilight’s limp form through the water.

“Pup!”

He’s taking the lad from Legend as soon as they’re in reach, and Legend seems to sag in relief as the weight is removed from his shoulder. “Was with Wild. Bring him to-” The vet wheezes and ducks beneath the water for a moment, coming up with a pained expression on his face. “Bring to shore. I’ll get Wild.” He gives them no time to respond, tail flicking as he disappears beneath the waves again.

Time and Warriors exchange a glance and head back to shore, supporting the weight of the rancher between them.

Wind and Sky have managed to get a virtual bonfire going on the shore, and the sailor has laid what blankets and bed-rolls he’s found of their equipment in front of it, allowing their dampened things to ry as he and the other three heroes bundle together for warmth.

It’s with a cheer that they al; greet Time and Warriors as the two emerge from the ocean, and Time can’t help but smile a bit in relief at seeing them all safe again. Only a little longer and Legend will be back with Wild, and then he can rest easy knowing they’re all out of the storm.

Rain still patters against already soaked skin and cloth, but with the fire flickering before them Time can’t bring himself to care over much.

Hyrule’s fingers shiver as they slide over the wound in Twilight’s side, cleansing it from the poisonous water that has soaked into the bandages, and while Twilight grits his teeth and winces, he’s at least conscious enough to do so, and that alone brings some peace to the others.

Warriors informs the others of the whereabouts of their two missing brothers, and Time helps to settle Twilight on one of the warming bedrolls. It made still be wet, but it’s better than getting sand in the pup’s wound.

They wait in tense silence, bundled together to share heat as nervous gazes watch the shore. Wind hasn’t stopped muttering under his breath and Four isn’t doing much better with his half formed sentences and steady murmurs.

It’s only when Wild’s golden hair can be seen on the shore that they all release a breath of air.

Cornflower blue is wide and glazed, likely from shock, but it doesn’t stop the champion from reaching back into the waves to pull out his companion.

Legend is a mess.

The veteran gasps and splutters for breath once he’s free, skin a sickly shade of white and eyes just as glazes as Wild's own as the two clings to each other, and when the two stand together Legend is leaning heavily against the shaking champion, and it’s only through sheer luck that Time and Sky get there in time to catch them before the duo collapses back into the waves.

Wild curls against Time’s chest, fingers shaking and eyes blank as the man carries him back to the fire. Legend doesn’t even stir, lying limp in Sky’s hold as the Skyloftian bustles back to join the other heroes.

Nothing is said about the glistening tail that fades into legs once Legend is warmed and dried, and even if anyone had dared the stern gaze of the first of their number would have been enough to silence them.

Violet blinks hazy and distant beneath the warmed fabric of Sky’s sailcloth, but they are all safe. They are all safe and they are alive.

“Thanks to Legend.” Wild whispers when he comes back, head resting against Times collar bone. “Without him I would have never got Twi back to shore.”

“Three cheers for the vet.” Wars forces a smile, and while the cheers are heartfelt and thankful, they do nothing to lighten the mood.

Legend doesn’t even seem to hear them.

[littlepadika]

Calling Home (1) | Frankie Morales x Reader

Summary: You are a receptionist at the VA. Frankie Morales keeps calling. Yearning ensues...

Rating: M -> E in later chapters

Warnings: fem!reader, age gap (legal), praise kink, voice kink, discussion of addiction/PTSD/trauma, no use of y/n, no beta reader, reader is bad at Spanish, Frankie has a sexy voice 😩

Masterlist here

AN: My first fic. Pedro writers have inspired me to finally start writing again 🥺. Concept inspired by the movie RED. I hope you like it ❤️Set after triple frontier.

Chapter One

~~~~~~~~~~~

The first time he called was an ordinary Thursday.

“Veterans Affairs, how can I help you?”

You had been working at the VA office for about two weeks. Fresh out of college you felt lucky to have a job in the first place. You went to school to be a writer but your big idea for 'The Next Great American Novel' had yet to present itself. At least here you had access to the most inspiring stories and interesting people. Men and women who had seen more and done more than you probably would in your entire life. You loved talking to clients on the phone. It was weird but something about only being able to hear people’s voices excited you. You would sometimes write little stories in your head about the people you'd talk to, filling in the details that were unknown.

Your desk accessories reflected your love of books and writing. You had your growing collection of books sitting on your desk sandwiched between baby pink bookends. Next to them was a matching desk organizer filled with your favorite sparkly pens and sticky notes. You had decorated the plain cubicle walls with posters of quotes from your favorite books. You also brought your favorite candle from home. Even though you couldn’t light it you still liked to lift it to your nose once and a while and smell it between chapters. When you weren’t on the phone or scanning documents you would read. You finished To Kill A Mockingbird in your first week on the job and were now halfway through Murder on the Orient Express.

You were starting a new chapter when Frankie Morales called the first time.

You picked up the phone on the second ring already mustering your chipper 'customer service' voice. “Veterans affairs.” You stated your name. “How may I help you?”

“H-Hi. My name is Frankie- uh-Francisco Morales." A deep voice answered you. "I’m calling because I have gotten my benefits check yet. It’s been a month. I was hoping you could tell me if it got sent?”

“Okay Mr. Morales." You flipped on the computer. "Let me check. Can you spell your last name for me?”

“M-o-r-a-l-e-s”

“Okay... let's see.” You clicked on his account. You were momentarily distracted by his picture likely taken when he graduated basic if you had to guess based off the uniform. He looked sweet. Sharp nose and strong jaw balanced by kind eyes and a shy smile. You could imagine how age would continue to soften his expression making him even more handsome. The image was a strange juxtaposition to the voice you were hearing on the phone which was much deeper and rougher. His profile said he was special forces. A pilot. The rest of the information was blacked out. Something you were used to seeing on many people's accounts but even his years of service were redacted. He must have been involved in some dangerous stuff, you thought to yourself. The dates that were not redacted were mostly in Latin America. You clicked over to processing requests. “Looks like the check got sent one week ago.” You informed him.

"I'll look again but I haven't seen anything-" It sounded like he was apologizing when clearly it was not his fault.

"No no. It's probably a mistake on our end." You interrupted. With how shitty and outdated the payroll interface was you wouldn't be surprised if there was a mix up. "I’ll go ahead and let payroll know to send another."

"Great. Thanks." He replied sounding relieved. The roughness in his voice gave way to a smooth baritone.

“No problem. I'm sorry for any inconvenience it may have caused. We'll get it sent right away." You hoped he was not relying on this benefit check for anything important. While you could promise you'd fix the problem, the administration was notoriously slow. When he didn't respond you asked, "Is there anything else I can help you with today, Mr. Morales?”

“Uh-no" The roughness back in place. "Thank you." He paused before adding your name onto his thank you which made you smile. People usually never remembered your name.

“Alright. Have a nice day and thank you for your service.” You chirped before hanging up. The smile he put on your face lingered for a few minutes as you returned to your book.

The next time he called was exactly twelve days later.

“Veterans affairs” you answered, your routine greeting cut short as your eyes were still on your book.

“Hi- I’m calling because uh I still haven’t gotten my benefits check. This is Frankie Morales.”

“Oh Mr. Morales.” You recognized his voice even before he even said his name. You quickly shut your book, pushing your hair out of your face. Had you been thinking about him? No! Okay maybe you stared at his picture for a few minutes longer after he hung up. Yes, it was probably very unprofessional but you couldn't fight the curiosity. You were trying to rationalize the contrasting sharpness and softness of his features with his voice. How it all worked together. How one person's voice could change textures and colors so easily. You wondered what kind of things this man might have seen on the job. Most of the veterans you would help day to day did not have so many redacted missions and deployments. You were in the middle of Narcos season one so you immediately thought of drugs or something equally dangerous. After much pondering, you had come to the conclusion that Frankie Morales was both insanely attractive and insanely courageous. “Still no check, huh?”

“Nope.” He sighed the sound making the phone's shitty speaker crackle as you held it to your ear.

“Let me just check that it was approved...“ you found his profile again and scrolled to the status page. “Hmm... it says it was sent out last Friday after we spoke. That’s so weird...”

“Yeah. Really weird.” He echoed your frustration on the other end.

Typical payroll, you thought to yourself as you rolled your eyes. “I'll get another one sent to you right away. I'll see to it myself.” You tucked the phone under your chin and typed out a short email to Mary in payroll letting her know you'd be stopping by her office to explain the situation. You realized he hadn't hung up yet.

“Sorry for the back and forth.” You said, trying to fill the silence.

“It’s not your fault." The earlier irritation gone. "You’ve been really helpful.” His voice sounded warm and reassuring. Less gruff than it was last you spoke. Instead it was that rich baritone that you caught of glimpse of last time.

You feel your face warm at his compliment. It was this annoying reflex you had. Praise always made you blush no matter what context but it was worse when it came from a (you assume) gorgeous stranger.

“And just to verify that your address is correct- you’re on Maple Lane in Miami, Florida?”

“That’s right.” He confirmed.

“Okay. Sent!” You clicked send on the email, which caused the window to close and reveal Frankie’s profile page again. “I was curious-" You spoke before you really made the decision to speak. You didn’t want to overstep but once again your curiosity got the better of you. Honestly, you were just searching for a way to keep him on the phone. The day had been so boring.

“Your profile says you were stationed in Costa Rica.”

“For a bit.” He replied after a moment. He didn’t sound too defensive but there was definitely some tightness in his answer that made you feel bad for asking. Like you were scratching a wound.

“Did you like it? The country I mean.”

“Are you planning a trip?” He sounds a little amused.

“Yeah- well- kind of. It's more a trip in my head right now. I’d like to go there one day. It looks so beautiful.” You sighed closing your eyes trying to imagine the heat on your skin.

“It is." He agrees. "Really humid though.”

“Mm that sounds nice.” You would kill for some warm weather after such a long winter in DC.

“It was too muggy for me at times." He grumbled. "If you do go, stick to the costal areas where it’s more breezy or else you’ll just be sweating the whole time.”

“I don’t mind a little sweat” you shrugged, still thinking of the awful east coast winter you were currently suffering through. The sexual connotation of what you said hit you hard as soon as you heard the statement in its entirety. You felt your face flush again, though the man on the other end would never know.

“I’m learning Spanish!" You announced loudly trying to move the conversation past your awkwardness.

“Wow. Muy impressivo.”

“Si” you replied but after a moment you admit “I don’t really know what you said.”

Frankie laughed loudly on the other end and you couldn’t help but join in, drawing dirty looks from the elderly lady, Donna, working in the cubicle across from you. You ducked your head behind a stack of papers to avoid her glare.

“Fake it till you make it.” He chuckled.

“Maybe you should help me out.” You took on an indigent but still playful tone. “You sound better than duolingo” Your smile widened when he laughed again. His laugh was what you hoped it would be, by all your assumptions from his picture. It was an unencumbered, unburdened, rich sound with only a hit of roughness from the air behind it.

“Tell me you’re not using that dumb app to learn.” he scoffed, saying your name in an almost scolding tone.

“I’m got my thirty day streak today.” You boasted.

“You’ll be a total tourist if you go by duolingo.”

“But the owl is so cute every time I get something right!” You argued your voice taking on a more childish cadence.

“That’s how they trap you, silly girl.” He teased right back. Usually such a condescending nickname would piss you off but something about the affection behind him using it made you feel very differently. You felt warm like you were proud to be silly as long as it made him laugh.

“Then you saved me just in time, Mr. Morales.” You bit your lip. His scoffing and laughter died down on the other end.

“Frankie” He corrects you.

“Frankie…” You repeated it, smiling at how well the nick name suited the voice over the phone. Honest, sincere, and not pretentious at all. Way better than the pompous guys you know with equally stuffy names like “Edward” and “Christopher.”

“So what do you want to know?” Frankie interrupted your thoughts. “Dime”

You started asking him questions in Spanish to the best of your ability. Granted they weren't particularly probing questions. What is your name? What is your favorite color? What is your favorite animal? What's your favorite book? I am reading Gone Girl. He answered them all with patience and amusement, occasionally interrupting you to correct your pronunciation or explain what a word meant. Every time you’d repeat the word back correctly he would say something like “good” or “there you go” or “you got it”. You hated to admit that his kind words and his praise was doing something to you. You didn't even realize you were clenching your legs together unconsciously, almost in anticipation of his next correction or next answer. His low voice so sweet and encouraging against your ear, more tangible when he was speaking Spanish. You just wanted to hear more of it. Would it be this sweet in other situations? Would it get huskier or rougher? If you closed your eyes it was like he was sitting right next to you. It would be all too easy to slip into that daydream and escape the dull office.

Suddenly out of the corner of your drooping eyes you saw a flashing red light on the phone console meaning another caller was waiting.

“Shoot- i’m sorry, Frankie- I have to take this call.” You shot forward in your chair, legs uncrossing.

“Of-Of course. I should let you get back to work.” He sounded a little sad or so you hoped. You felt bad for interrupting him after you both were having so much fun. You wanted to say he could wait on hold but he killed that idea when he said, "I have work too. Technically I'm five minutes past my lunch break."

Your pout turned to a smile. He was spending his precious lunch break with you? Get a grip! you snapped at yourself.

“You’re welcome to call again if you want.” You threw out the offer in a small voice, scared you would be rejected. You peered over the cubicle wall to see if you were still being glared at. Thankfully Donna was away from her desk. Probably out for a smoke. “It’s really boring here and usually no one calls.”

“Maybe I will.” He replied and you could hear the smile behind those words. You felt your heart clench weirdly in your chest like it didn't know how to process the sudden spike in emotions.

“Bye, Frankie.” You beamed.

“Bye”

This time the smile on your face lasted for hours. Frankie’s laugh echoed around in your head, taunting you, sending your mind to the gutter. His voice went from grit to molasses on a dime. You wanted to be the one to bring out those sounds. You wanted to hear his voice bend and stretch and strain as you fucked him. What the hell is wrong with me? you screamed internally. You had never been so depraved and with a stranger no less! You clearly needed to get laid fast because this much yearning would not end well.

Frankie got the second VA check a few days later and this time he didn’t even feel bad about ripping it in half. He was already reaching for the phone to call you.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Tags: Message to be added 💕 no minors please!

[codes]

hello matthew!! :D this ask isnt related to the little game u made unfortunately but id like to ask for some advice from someone who probably has to read a lot for school!!

i finished reading a classic of literature recently, jane austens persuasion. having repeated myself many times today, it was a very good thought provoking book. except that i didnt really realise that until i read the introduction of the book where they discuss her techniques and how she handles the themes!! argh.. in fact while i was readin the whole thing i didnt even really know what to feel! i knew about the instances of titular persuasion but i wasnt even really sure what they were saying with nuance...

since im so troubled by my lack of sensitivity and find no help elsewhere on the interwebs, as someone who i find can parse the complex muddled text of enstars with clarity, what should i do to become a more sensitive reader! or rather how do u read matthew?

hi lab! im a lil honored that u hold me in such high regard bc honestly, i dont always feel that my literary analysis skills are up to par! though i think thats an opinion shared by many but i often end up in the same position as you and even my professors say the same thing where they have to reread books before they start to really delve into analysis. its p normal, honestly. a lot of themes in literature are largely opinionated so some people pick up patterns faster than others and sometimes two readings can conflict with one another. it happens! one reading may be more clearly supported by evidence within the text but analyzing literature usually takes a lot of practice more than anything, but sometimes going back to the basics rlly helps and focusing on which critical theory may be applicable. could you maybe analyze the text through a character? perhaps the psychoanalytic theory may help! are gender roles present within the text? maybe looking at it through a feminist critical lens may give you a good ledge to start off. theres also formalism, post-colonialist, Marxist theory, eco-criticism, etc... the world is your oyster and having trouble with analyzing a text is normal! we're not all-knowing and sometimes it helps to look at what other people have to say will help you most of all.

also i asked my friend @cupidneos who is insanely smart for her advice since i bet that she would have something to say (also shes also a jane austen fan) and this is what she said:

i do wanna say that you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself since Persuasion is easily one of her hardest texts to really extend and make sense of so it’s no fault of your own … literature that uses free indirect discourse to hint towards our knowledge of character tends to be harder to understand bc of how limited that info can be! that being said, not being able to place our finger on something until it’s highlighted is completely okay! that’s what the introduction is there for; to help you out. there’s no set list of criteria to being a “more sensitive reader” since the phenomenon of reading itself is so mercurial. with practice i’m so certain that u will get a better sense of where to look for those literary themes. and don’t sell urself short in doing so either! if u find a passage important, pursue it!!! doesn’t matter what everyone else says abt it hehe

[studylikeknope]

This is a challenge for anyone who enjoys reading and wants to read more in 2021!

If you would like to participate in the challenge, please use the tags #2021readingchallenge and #2021bookclub so that I and other participants can easily see your posts and reblog as much as we can! 

If you want to do the challenge, you don’t have to follow me or anything but a reblog would be nice (in order to spread the post)

These are weekly prompts for every week of 2021. Each week starts with Monday. You can post on any day of the week.

There are two questions per week. You can answer them either in seperate posts or in the same post. Or you can choose to answer only one.

This challenge starts on the first week of 2021, but if you see this post     later, you can start anytime!

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message or an ask!

ENJOY!

Read more for questions

JANUARY Week 1 What is the first book that you are reading in 2021? Do you have a reading goal this year? How many books do you plan to read?

Week 2 Which feminist books do you recommend? Do you have a favorite book series?

Week 3 Which book(s) have you re-read the most? Would you call yourself a bookworm?

Week 4 Which book ended in a completely different way than you thought? Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction?

FEBRUARY Week 1 If the book that you are currently reading had a different title, what would it be? Do you like going to the library?

Week 2 Pick a song that matches the mood of the book that you are currently reading. What are your favorite genres?

Week 3 What are you currently reading? Why did you choose to read this? Do you always finish the book, even if you do not like it?

Week 4 Think about the last book you read. Would you write a different ending? Do you write reviews after reading?

MARCH Week 1  What is your favorite quote from the book you are currently reading so far? If you could live in a book, which book would you choose?

Week 2 What are you currently reading? Would you recommend this book to a friend? Do you prefer paperback or hardcover? Why?

Week 3 What are you currently reading? How do you feel reading this book? Do you lend your books to your friends?

Week 4 What are you currently reading? Do you like the book cover? Do you use bookmarks?

Week 5 What is your favorite book cover ever? Do you take notes while reading?

APRIL Week 1 Who are your top three favorite protagonists? What was your favorite book as a child?

Week 2 What is your all-time favorite poem? Is there a book that you absolutely hate?

Week 3 Tell us about a book you have a deep emotional connection with. Can you read with background noise?

Week 4 What is that one book that you’ve been wanting to read for a long time but haven't for any reason? Do you like reading thrillers? Do you have a favorite?

MAY Week 1 If you'd give a color palette to the book you read what would it be? Do you have a Goodreads account? Would you like to share it?

Week 2 Think about the book that you’re reading. If you gave this book as a gift to someone, who would it be and why? Do you enjoy audiobooks?

Week 3 Think about the last book you read. What value did you get from this book? What are the 3 books that make you really happy?

Week 4 Think about the last book you read. Did this book teach you a lesson that you will implement in your life? What is your favorite short story?

Week 5 What are your top 3 favorite novels? Do you read biographies? Do you have a favorite?

JUNE Week 1 Think about the book that you are currently reading. Pick a character that would survive a horror movie and tell us why. Have you ever read a banned book? Which one?

Week 2 If you'd associate a dish with the book that you’re reading, what would it be? Do you prefer physical books or ebooks?

Week 3 In the book that you are currently reading, which character is underrated? Which one is overrated?

Week 4 What are some non-English books you’d love to share? What book(s) did you read in one sitting?

JULY Week 1 What's your favorite quote from a book you've read lately? Is there an author that you absolutely hate?

Week 2 Share a first line that's so funny/horrible/well-written it's memorable. Which book do you have a love/hate relationship with?

Week 3 What's a book that you think is brilliantly titled? Are you a poet/writer yourself?

Week 4 Do you think that fanfiction is a valid form of literature? Do you like discussing about books with your family, friends, etc.?

AUGUST Week 1 Do you like non-fiction? Which non-fiction genre do you like reading the most? How do you organize your bookshelf?

Week 2 Have you ever gotten really into an assigned reading for school? (fiction or nonfiction) Do you like reading romances? Do you have a favorite?

Week 3 Have you ever read a book with a side character you think deserved to be the main character? If so, who was it? What is your favorite memory with a book or story?

Week 4 What is the one book you think one should at least read once in life? What is the one book you would never recommend to anyone?

Week 5 What book got you into reading? Do you like detective novels? Do you have a favorite?

SEPTEMBER Week 1 Can you remember the first book you’ve read? What was it? What was the most surprising thing you learned from a non-fiction book?

Week 2 What is your favorite book written in your native language? Think about the book that you’re currently reading. Would you like to be a character in this story?

Week 3 What is your favorite book written in a language except from your native language? Who is your favorite couple from a romance book?

Week 4 Have you ever had a truly awful experience with a book? What was it? Who is your least favorite character in the book that you are currently reading?

OCTOBER Week 1 Can you separate the book from its author? Think about the book that you are currently reading. Would it make a good movie?

Week 2 What book do you find worse than its movie adaptation? (If there is any) Think about the book that you are currently reading. Did you like it immediately or did it take some time for you to get used to it?

Week 3 What book made you cry many times? Do you take a look at the reviews of a book before/after reading?

Week 4 Who is your favorite villain? Think of all the books you’ve read. Which character would you like to be friends with?

NOVEMBER Week 1 Would you read a fanfiction about the characters of the book that you are currently reading? If you were to add a character, story, scene to the book that you’re reading, what would it be?

Week 2 What are the 10 books you would take with you if you ended up on a stranded island? Do you like rereading? Why/why not?

Week 3 Who are your top 3 favorite authors/poets? Do you read with your friends or family? Or do you like reading alone?

Week 4 Do you have a favorite place to read? Do you read any self-help books?

Week 5 Do you snack while reading? What do you eat/drink? Do you like reading on a hot summer day or a cold winter day?

DECEMBER Week 1 What was your favorite fairytale as a child? What is your favorite fairytale now?

Week 2 Which author would like to meet? What would you ask them?

Week 3 What is your favorite classic that you have read this year? Do you read theatre plays? Do you have a favorite?

Week 4 This year, were you able to read books from authors with different nationalities/sexualities/identities? What is the best book of the year for you?

[luvyanfei]

anon said. how about fluffy hcs with xiao, zhongli and xingqui taking their s/o out on a first date?

XIAO.

he already finds it difficult just to ask you to hold him without losing his cool, so how can he possibly bring up the idea of inviting you on a date? actually, he probably never knew the word ‘date’ even existed until he heard a passing couple staying over at wangshu inn dreamily talking about how they wish they could go to see the lantern rite festival in liyue harbor together for their first date. a first date, huh? now that he thinks about it, xiao never did properly try to court you, did he? it was always you who approached him first, who held your hand out to him, who confessed that you love him. you’re already giving so much dedication in this relationship. it’s the least he can do to return your affections, not just because he’s feeling a bit indebted, but because he’s your lover. unfortunately, being the awkward yaksha that he is, xiao overthinks the situation and complicates it more than he should.

every chance he gets is blown up by his anxiousness. whenever you come and visit him at the inn, you almost think that he’s angry with you from the way he throws you vicious glares. unbeknownst to you, xiao is actually making that tense face because he’s trying very hard, too hard in fact, to think of the best way to ask you out on a date and seeing you just makes him all the more nervous. he regrets it every time you step into the elevator while giving him a goodbye wave and saying you’ll come visit again. sure, he gets another chance to try and ask you out again, but he also has another chance to fail as well.

when you visit him for lunch, xiao quickly rehearses the words he wants to say to you in the back of his head before coming to greet you. ‘i overheard from a guest in the inn talking about a lantern rite festival. if you mortal, no, [name], desires to go, i can possibly set aside time to accompany you.’ keep it cool, yet short. taking a deep breath to compose himself, xiao walks over to greet you, er, well actually, you’re the one doing the greeting instead, and you settle down to eat. the sweet taste of the almond tofu that you generously bought for him blossoms in his mouth and he loses track of time till your departure. before you leave once more to allow the poor yaksha to wallow in his self-regret again, you stop yourself and turn around to face xiao. tucking your hair behind your ear and giving your best, most radiant smile you can offer to him, you shyly ask if he’d like to tag along with you to the lantern rite festival. “we’ve never been on a date before and i’d love to go to the festival with you and release xiao lanterns together.”

... what? how? his mouth almost opens up in disbelief, as he struggles to keep a stoic expression. ex-excuse him?! that’s supposed to be his line! he’s in shock at how easily you were able to say something that he’s been having trouble sputtering out. you mortals never fail to surprise him. he shakes his head and bitterly scowls, that you almost step back in fright. almost, until he starts speaking, that is. “why is it you? i should have been the one to ask you on a date first, not you!” he’s almost on the brink of tears from the frustration he currently holds on himself. 

a relationship is always about give and take, no? it’s like when zhongli has so kindly decided to save him from the clutches of the cruel abuse he endured endlessly, of course he was forever in debt to rex lapis. surely, it’s the same with you, isn’t it? when xiao tells you this, you immediately start laughing. you calmly explain to him that your relationship isn’t like a form of contract where he’s expected to always repay you back for every gift you give to him. as long as he’s there for you, that’s more than enough of a reward, you say, before plopping a chaste kiss to his cheek.  

“finally, you’re here. what took you so long?” xiao speaks to you with indifference concealing the relief that you actually came. he trails his sharp eyes to inspect your dressed up form and blushes slightly. “you look nice.”

immediately, your eyes widen at his underhanded compliment. did- did you hear that right? biting his lower lip gently, xiao clasps your hand in his, ignoring your astounded reaction, as he squeezes it reassuringly while watching the colourful fireworks light up the murky night.

without thinking, he turns to you when you’re focused on the display of bursting lights reflecting in your eyes, and murmurs to himself softly, “i hope you’ll spend the rest of your time with me, for however long it’ll last.”

XINGQIU.

of course, a date with xingqiu has to be extravagant and sophisticated to the last touch, right? guess again. he may come from a wealthy family, but that doesn’t mean he shares the same interest a selfish, pampered noble may have. he prefers something more simple, yet sentimental. confined in his household with nothing to do but bury his head in a book, he’s picked up some ideas for your date from the romance stories he’s read. surprisingly, they’re all rather cliché.  

the first thing he makes you guys do is go out in the blazing summer day to get yourselves a cool beverage. he explicitly asks the cashier to give him one straw [do they even exist in the game?] and smiles slyly as he thanks them and brings the drinks to you. when you ask about it, thinking that maybe he forgot, all he does is smirk before saying, “there’s no need, my liege. we can share, unless you’d rather melt in the sweltering sun, that is.” he winks teasingly. you... don’t really have much of a choice in the matter. as you stroll around the harbor together, you take turns drinking from the only straw and a wave of consciousness washes over you gradually. wait, isn’t this like an indirect kiss? you place a hand to your gaping mouth after sucking on the straw that xingqiu pressed his lips on merely seconds ago. you should know by now, how bold he is underneath his polite façade. 

after you finish sipping your drink - tediously at that, you both agree on going to the library to read books together since the heat is pretty unbearable to do anything enjoyable. xingqiu recommends you to try reading some of his personal favorites and you do the same as well. he’s thrilled to have a reading buddy now since it’s boring being here by himself. 

while you’re immersed in the novel that you randomly picked from the bookshelf, every now and then, xingqiu will look up from the pages of his book and faintly smile to himself, glad that you’re enjoying yourself.

the sun was setting and the stars started to appear in the pastel pink and orange of the evening sky. you place back the last book and stretch your arms, before turning to xingqiu. sighing, you give him a quick goodbye kiss on the cheek and softly say your farewell.

as you’re about to make your leave for the day, xingqiu halts you with his words, “wait. there’s something i need to do before we can end this date.” nonchalantly, he plucks a book from its shelf, opens its pages, and uses it to block the sunlight drifting through the transparent window glass, effectively shielding his vision from the public eye as he pulls you in for a passionate kiss.

his free hand finds its way combing through the back of your head to deepen the kiss. when he’s satisfied enough, the boy detaches his lips from yours and lightly rubs the flesh of your cheek with a finger, while placing the book down on a nearby table. you keep your eyes fixated on him as he licks the edges of his lips.

“that felt nice,” xingqiu murmurs, “you’re so sweet, i’d hate for anyone else to savor in this pleasant moment with you other than i. shall we continue this again on our next date too?”

ZHONGLI.

the first thing he does is make sure to bring mora, this time. it would be highly inconsiderate of mr. zhongli to have you pay for the expenses of this fine date. he’s one to take things nice and slow. sure, time is unfortunately measured and limited, but he wants to make the most of it with you, a mortal who, just like any other being, has a beginning and end to your life. zhongli wants to shower you in all the beauty and joy this world has to offer while you’re still here with him.

he may be a gentle-spoken and polite individual, but please don’t mistaken him as being shy in any way. he shows up to your residence one afternoon and presents you a bouquet of your preferred flowers while he asks if you would consider accompanying him on a date. you take the bundled up flowers, carefully stroking a petal as if it’s made of fragile glass and accepts his proposal with open arms. 

he takes you out to an expensive restaurant in the night of liyue and helps you select the best dishes. after you’re finished with your lavish and sophisticated meals, zhongli ushers you outside where you’re greeted with fresh air, a contrast to the suffocation you felt back at the restaurant. sure, the place is grand and your hunger is well-satiated, yet despite wearing your best clothing, you felt out of place there, like a commoner surrounded by nobles. 

when you express your earlier discomfort to zhongli, his eyes are filled with shame and he’s already apologizing like the gentleman he is. guiltily, you tell him it’s fine and you ask if you can show him something before you have to head on home. he ponders in thought before agreeing, walking hand in hand with you to your unknown destination. 

the chilling night breeze bites at your bare skin as you instantly shiver. this doesn’t go unnoticed in zhongli’s sharp eyes and he’s already unbuttoning his jacket. he drapes the coat over your shoulder blades and rubs his gloved hands on your cold fingertips to preserve warmth. “are you feeling cold perhaps? maybe we should head back?” you stop him before he can guide you back to the harbor. 

“i’m okay now. thank you for your concern.” you say to ease his poor mind. he nods and you both continue on. the walk uphill takes a while, but it’s worth it when you finally reach the top. your eyes widen in amazement as you witness the glimmering stars splayed across the pitch darkness of the sky. “zhongli, look. do you like it?” he simply nods, but all of his attention is focused on you.

zhongli grins down at your childishly excited face, pausing for a hesitant minute before he carefully places his hands on top of your shoulders. you look up at him in confusion and is about to question him, but any sound that comes out is cut off by his lips ensnaring yours in a kiss. you’re astounded by his intimate move, but you revel in his touch in a matter of seconds. 

he hopes, as he tightens his hold, that you’ll stay with him always, till your last breath. 

tagging. @scarymoosh

[mssirey]

Some agentreign, with a tattoo artist Alex! 

Alex knew the roughly sketched symbol, of course. How could she not recognize the insignia of the character her sister played on her show—the campy series with its sometimes shallow commentary or ham-fisted allegories of the world, but that left enough room for interpretation that lent to a beloved view of its main cast. 

When Alex glanced up at the woman who had booked her afternoon slot, there seemed nothing outwardly fan-ish about her—her aesthetic one of corporate power, her blazer a sharp cut from a designer Alex couldn’t be bothered to know the name of, her palette choices bold, but smart—not someone she would have read as having much time for fun. But then, Kara was much the same, and she knew better about how deeply her sister loved being a part of a show about superheroes. 

“My daughter really loves the show,” the woman offered with a little wave of her hand at the drawing, a jittery air around her, as if she anticipated the judgment she might face, “and Supergirl is her favorite character, of course!” She laughed, a short puff exhaled as her shoulders sagged and her hand returned to ring together with her other. “She said I was her Supergirl the other day, and if you knew how much she loves the character—“

Alex stopped her then, a gentle smile touching her lips. “That is a beautiful base for a tattoo,” she assured. She stepped forward, reached out without thinking, hand covering the nervous twist of fingers, warm against her palm. That close, she realized how tall the woman was—especially as her shoulders pulled back and she straightened up just a little. 

Alex almost withdrew her hand as the woman’s teeth clacked sharply together. She watched lashes flutter over warm chocolate eyes as they dropped to where their hands touched, lingering while their breath was held as one. 

“Wow— ” one hand pulled free of hers, Alex’s stomach ready to turn, only for fingers to run so gingerly over her own skin—from wrist up her forearm—drawing her gaze down to the full sleeve of ink that she had poured her own heart into, disappearing beneath the once-tidy cuff of her shirt, since stained with the efforts of the day. “Your tattoos are… so…” she had heard all manner of words to describe the art she wore—everything from ‘intense’ to ‘troubling’—rarely a favorable opinion coming from someone who wasn’t an enthusiast, “catching.”

Alex swallowed as those fingers traced a line of color, meant to accentuate the form of the figures at the center of the design—both a representation of herself, stood back to back; one stripped down to blood and bone; the other painted in an unnatural light, too ‘perfect’, meeting all the expectations placed on her, shackles on her wrists and chains weighing down her shoulders. 

“I designed it myself,” she said the first thing to come to mind, her eyes almost rolling at her own lack of wit. 

“I really like it,” the woman commented before seeming to realize how long she had been touching Alex, her hand jerking upward, a marvelous warmth reaching her cheeks. 

They parted, a full pace put between them by the time Alex found the breath to offer her thanks. 

“So, um, did you just want the insignia?” Alex held up the sketch to bring them back to business. 

The woman faltered, a plea writing itself into her expression. “Well, um, so, you might be able to tell, but I’m not much of an artist,” she exhaled, a laugh bubbling up after, plucking at the chords of Alex’s heart. “I know I want to use the symbol, but I… I don’t know what else to include.”

Alex chuckled along with her. “That’s alright,” she assured. “Come on, let me stretch a few ideas for you,” she waved for the woman to follow her, leading them to her drawing table. The sigh of relief she heard tickled up her spine, and she had to resist shivering. 

Drawing on little bits of knowledge she had picked up from Kara, Alex started with a simple base, offering the traditional symbol along with a few alternate designs—some softer, some sharper, some with broken or doubled lines to add a bit of extra dimension—before getting into a range of accenting options. 

The woman was vocal with her thoughts as she looked over Alex’s shoulder, humming approving notes when something stood out to her, or commenting on the touches she liked, allowing Alex to easily evolve the piece. There was particular interest when she mentioned the phrase ‘el mayarah’ and explained its meaning. 

“Oh! Ruby has definitely said that before,” she gushed, the happy little sigh that accompanied the words tugging at the corners of Alex’s lips, her grin so effortless. “We should definitely include that!” 

It wasn’t long before they had a final design— staying true to the show’s version of the insignia and incorporating both ‘el mayarah’ and the script of the language used by Supergirl, wreathed by a flowy, cape-like backing. 

“This will likely take two visits— one for the linework and base coat, and then another for the detailing. Is that okay?” She certainly wouldn’t be sad to see the woman again and grinned when she agreed. “You said you were hoping to have this on your back,” Alex prompted as she led the woman to her station. 

“Over my heart, yeah,” she confirmed.

“I really like it,” Alex echoed the words spoken to her, and she genuinely meant it. She loved the way the woman talked about her daughter, how every word ran deep with love, how cherished the little girl was. 

“Is there anything I should know... going in?” There was a surge of nervousness buzzing in the air as the woman shrugged out of her jacket, folding it neatly over the chair at Alex’s desk. 

There was a moment—as Alex watched buttons slipping free of their holes—that she forgot herself, staring longer than might have been polite before she busied herself with putting on her gloves and arranging her inks. “Mostly that when I’m over your ribs, you will feel it,” she sucked in a sympathetic breath. “But, I’ll be gentle, and you can always take a break, if you need.”

She waved the woman toward the chair, turning away as she divested her bra and slid into place against the padding. 

“Comfortable?” She got only a nod before she pulled up her own stool. “Relax,” she coaxed, placing a gentle hand on the woman’s back. “I’ll take good care of you and you can swear all you like.” 

“Glad to know it.”

As Alex had warned, the woman did feel it. Her breath hissed through her teeth, a sharp inhale that tugged at her, but then she relaxed beneath Alex’s hand. “Good girl.” The words slipped out before she could think to question them, and her own breath caught in her lungs, her gun lifting away from the woman’s skin. There was a soft shiver and then stillness, the barest whimper bubbling out of the woman. 

Alex could have perished. The woman was so pliant beneath her, and it took everything to concentrate on the design. But she leaned into that soft praise, continued to encourage her to stay loose, and things went very well—hardly needing to hold the woman still and working straight through without a break. And in the end, she did manage to finish the whole piece, running only slightly overtime. 

There was a little disappointment knowing that she likely wouldn’t see the woman again. “If you need any touch-ups, you can always reach out,” she offered. 

“Thank you,” the woman said as she gingerly slipped back into her jacket. She bent over Alex’s desk, scribbling something down on the sketchpad with all the trial drawings. “Maybe we could get dinner some time,” she nodded down at the page, where her number was scrawled. 

“I’d like that,” Alex grinned, excitement blooming in her chest. The woman’s name was also there on the page. “Then, I’ll see you later, Sam.”

“I look forward to it, Alex.” The sentiment echoed through her for days, accompanied with the image of Sam’s haughty little smirk.