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moreespressoformydepresso · 9 months ago

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Reaper is 100% giving the threatening big brother look but Felix was already planning on getting Dill medication for the tuberculosis because movie Felix seems pretty nice and no one can look at Dill and not want to help her without being an absolute monster. I’ll say Clemmie is out of the hospital already and isn’t turning into a snake woman because how would that even work? Also one snake managed to kill Treech so why would it give Clemensia snake characteristics? So I’m ignoring that bit.

The housing situation will definitely be very shitty for kids like Facet who drew the shortest of all the short straws that were drawn, but a big thing is that all the mentors started off with the same attitude Livia did aside from Sejanus. The difference is that Facet died before she could get close to him, Lysistrata only stated she became fond of Jessup after the bombing although it must have been a growing feeling. I think, if Facet hadn’t died, Livia might have started to care for him by the time the games rolled around. Brandy is still dead because that happened before the arena bombing, and thus Arachne is too (fuck her), so that’s a possible roadblock for the tributes, but all of them end up at least civil with their mentors. Yeah Arachne would absolutely do something like that to Brandy, so our favorite butcher girl gets to keep her “Imma drag your ass down to hell with me and watch you burn” moment.

Festus would probably be… meh. The games are still technically on so he needs Coral to be in the best shape possible. In the book he had a truly disgusting suggestion for how to force the districts to watch the games (execution of everyone who didn’t) and was okay with the idea of betting on the lives of children to “liven things up” so just like everyone else he was prejudiced against the districts, but he did call Clemensia heartless for not giving Reaper food during the games so we can infer he at least started to see the tributes as people in some capacity. Even though he changed his mind when Reaper tried to show other tributes respect. Because of this I think he’d go from “We have the same goal here, despite very different reasons, so lets be civil” to actually starting to care for her and have a moral crisis like most of the other mentors (and families).

The difficulty with Panlo and Sheaf is that we don’t see anything of them, really. We know Gaius Breen was a nice dude who always had a joke to brighten the mood, but given that he made prejudiced jokes about the districts he’s clearly just like everybody else in that city: nice to “their own” and horrible to the district people for reasons that are no longer justifiable (since the capitol has done far worse things than the rebels ever did by this point). Given that he is a nice dude I think he too could start giving a shit if given the time. Androcles… we know absolutely nothing about him, so we can make our own judgements and for the sake of the fix it I’ll say he’s less of a dick about the districts than Gaius. Not great, because capitol, but not as bad as he could be.

I hate Snow, but I think an important thing people miss is that he chose to be the way he is. Especially because people try to blame Lucy Gray for not loving him out of his ways, but those people seem to ignore that A) love will not magically fix mental health issues or bitch disease, both of which Snow suffers from, and B) Lucy Gray loved and trusted Coryo until the end of the story… after he confessed to killing Sejanus. He betrayed Sej, who he did seem to care for despite how much of an unreliable narrator he is, and shot Mayfair (for purely selfish reasons) even when Lucy Gray did what some people insist she should’ve kept doing. Snow going evil was a choice, one that became inevitable after he murdered Bobbin and took his own actions as confirmation of Gaul’s theory (which is a whole new level of failing the self-awareness check) and since that never happens here I’ll take the creative liberty to say that him having to show someone his living conditions and them not judging him is what pushes him over to becoming a better person. I really think having someone to talk to about his hardships would’ve done him a lot of good, and Lucy Gray lives in district 12 so I think if he’d talk to anyone about it it’s her.

Tigris is a queen. She becomes the tributes’ guardian angel? More likely than you think!

Sej and Marc reconciliation would be awesome and adorable that is 100% canon for this AU. I have thoughts on specifically Treech’s turbulent stay on Vipsania because I have many thoughts on their dynamic (both canon and not) but I’ve babbled on for too long already so I’ll cut it off for now unless you want me to type it out 😅

More TBOSAS fix-it food!! Instead of bombing the arena, the rebels bomb the capitol zoo while the tour is happening. Because throwing kids in a zoo enclosure is kind of fucked up actually, and it’s just as much a symbol of the capitol’s rampant dehumanization of the districts as the arena where the yearly underage death match takes place. Thanks to this, the kids obviously can’t be placed back in the zoo because, you know, it was destroyed. So what now? Well…

As I’ve stated in previous posts, I’m convinced the mentor program was an attempt at stopping the games in the long run that backfired horribly. Seeing that not enough progress is being made, dean Highbottom decides that the tributes should stay with their mentors. Peacekeepers will be around to make sure no funny business occurs, of course, but despite the outrage of some mentors (cough Livia cough) and all the mentors’ families the plan goes through. As much as I think the tributes dying was necessary to truly drive home the horror of the games for the mentors, it clearly didn’t work and the kids deserve to live so this is the next best thing.

At first, the tributes don’t have a good time, because the families they’re forced to stay with treat them like animals. Worse, actually, because most people don’t go out of their way to make things as unpleasant as possible for animals. However, it doesn’t take long for at least parts of the families to warm up to the tributes. Who stay jumpy and mistrustful and scared out of their damn minds because one wrong move means death, but hey they’ll live. The peacekeepers got a free hand to dish out whatever punishment they wanted so long as the family the kid’s staying with approves, which turns out to be in Highbottom’s plan’s favor because now capitol citizens get to see firsthand just how cruel and inhumane capitol punishment is in the districts. These families have private doctors too, so while at first the veterinarian responsible for the tributes is working overtime her work slowly diminishes. The mentors’ families are so influential that the initial denial of medical care is quickly retracted.

By the time the games are supposed to happen, the president has grown such a soft spot for Dill that he makes up an excuse to postpone them, and when the new date rolls around the tributes have spent enough time with people even outside of their mentor’s family that they’ve endeared themselves to all the important people in the capitol. The games weren’t popular anyways, so the president doesn’t feel a risk to his career when he cancels them.

I may post little tidbits of plot ideas I have floating in my head for this AU, but for now imagine Felix sitting in one of the massive living rooms in the presidential mansion, showing Dill some cool capitol stuff as she looks on with doe-eyes full of curiosity, while the president loses his mind in the background as he suffers a severe moral crisis.

#the ballad of songbirds and snakes #10th hunger games #the hunger games #tbosas #fix it au

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respectable-username · 3 years ago

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Based on the responses to my post yesterday wanting to know more, here's my guide to

🧑‍💻Code in Hermitcraft (and other SMP) Fanfic🧑‍💻

Note: This is just the interpretation of one Jr Software Engineer. If other developers have a different interpretation, I'd love to hear it in the comments or reblogs!

It's super common in Hermitcraft (and I'm assuming other SMP) fanfiction for the plot to revolve around errors in the game itself and how they affect players. The problem is, as a software engineer, this almost always immediately pulls me out of the story as the ways the game errors are described frequently don't make sense.

This is not a condemnation of writers who use game bugs as parts of their stories, as nobody expects all SMP fanfic writers to have a CS degree. Some even do it well and I adore those stories when I find them! But here are some high-level suggestions to have your glitchy plot points make a little more sense. Usually, it's just a slight change in wording that's required.

Code vs Data

"His code is glitched! He's evil now!"

"They carefully pulled at the strands of her player code, trying to find the bug that was causing her pain."

"Wow, your code is so ancient! You're from Alpha, right?"

These sorts of phrases are probably the most common ones I see that yank me right out if a story. Why? Because they're confusing data and code!

So, what is the difference?

Think of code in this scenario like the laws of physics. It's the rules that guide what can and can't happen in the world. It's what says "if you walk, you move forwards", "if you eat, you'll be less hungry", "if you use a shovel on a dirt block, it will end up in your inventory".

Data is the actual "stuff" in the world that the code changes via its rules. Data is the specific blocks in that building, that item hovering above the ground, the mobs staring at you from under the trees, the player character, the player's health, the player's inventory, the player's skin, and, in the fanfic context, the player's personality and memories.

In other words, if it's an action that can happen, it's probably code. If it's a specific thing, it and everything that makes that particular thing unique is data.

Of course, there can be bugs or glitches in the code which means that data does something it shouldn't, such as "if you put some TNT, some dead coral, and a minecart in this very specific configuration, you can duplicate the TNT." In this case, the act of duplication (ie the rules that let duplication occur) is a glitch in the code (the rules allow something they shouldn't), but the duplicated TNT itself isn't code; it's data. Data that shouldn't exist but does anyway because of that glitch in the code.

So, how could you rework the sample phrases above to make more sense?

"He got too close to a glitch, and his personality data got corrupted. He's evil now!"

"They carefully prodded at her player data, trying to find the broken property that was causing her pain."

"Wow, your data structures are so ancient! You're from Alpha, right? I can't believe you've survived so many updates without compatibility issues!"

Code vs Logs

"Xisuma looked through the code to find the source of the glitch."

This one's a little less clear cut, as there are circumstances where players could look at a version of the code. Some of the Minecraft code is Open Source (ie free to look at), and the rest can be decompiled from the Minecraft .jar (ie turned from machine-readable ones-and-zeroes back into words and stuff, although much less human-readable than what the original code would have been). The super-technical players such as the SciCrafters and I think Doc too will look at the code, which is how they make their super efficient farms and find and exploit glitches to, say, put 8 spawners in one chunk.

But generally, the code is not the first place you go when encountering a glitch. I mean, if it were that obvious from the code alone, it probably would have been caught before being shipped!

When something goes wrong, the first place to look is the logs. The logs of what the players have been doing, the logs of previous commands that have been run, the update changelogs for the game, the version history of the (admin-editable) config files, any warnings or error logs from the server itself. For example, if you have a malicious user such as, say, a Helsmit in your story, the logs would show when they entered the world and where, unless they also did something hacky to cover their tracks.

Personally, I also wouldn't say you'd have to stick to exactly what a server would realistically log if it makes your story more interesting. It's easy enough to hand wave that an admin has a mod in place that surfaces more information if it'd make the story better!

In a multi-server setting, this is also the point where the admin of your world could also reach out to the admins of other worlds and discuss if they've seen the issue before and how they solved it. The in-universe equivalent of looking it up on Stack Overflow or Reddit if you will!

Once the admin has looked at the logs and maybe chatted to others, if they still can't fix the issue via commands or config file changes, then it might make sense for them to try looking into the code if they can. Note that not all server admins are necessarily confident at programming as it's not a core part of their job.

But at the very least, at this point the admin should have a better idea of what part of the code could be bugged. This will make it easier to either a) make a patch for the bug or, more likely, b) understand what circumstances trigger the glitch and avoid those circumstances.

TL;DR: The code is not the first place admins will go when glitches cause issues; the logs are!

And as before, example sentence:

"Xisuma trawled through the logs, trying to find any indication of the source of the problem."

To Conclude

Code is the rules that govern what stuff can do and how stuff interacts. The stuff itself is data. When something goes wrong, that typically results in the data being in a state it shouldn't be in, wether that be because that thing's velocity is much higher than it should be after taking advantage of the ravager flight glitch, or because a player and a mob's data structures got combined on accident to leave them a player-mob hybrid.

Of course, this broken data is likely caused by a bug/glitch in the code. It could also be caused by somebody malicious who's purposefully trying to break things by messing with the memory in another way. It could also be because a cosmic ray hit a piece of RAM and flipped a single bit (this is an actual thing that happens believe it or not).

Either way, when something goes wrong, the admin's first point of exploration is the logs, not the code. The logs will give the admin a better idea of what the cause of the issue is, and talking with other admins could give them a solution without ever touching the codebase. But worst-case scenario, it is indeed possible for an admin to go spelunking through the codebase to find the cause of an issue and create a patch for it.

This just covers the most common code-related plot points that I personally see in Hermitcraft/other SMP fanfiction. If you have any further questions about writing code-related plot points, feel free to ask! And also, just to reiterate, this is all just my interpretation. Others may interpret differently, and if you do, I'd love to hear what your alternative interpretations are!

PS: I was also planning a section on hacking here, but this post is already getting long and that's complicated, and also I'm bad at hacking. But let me know if you have any questions related to that that you'd like to see in a follow-up post!

#and yes I did write this when I was supposed to be coding for work #hermitcraft #mcyt #shamelessly maintagging in case others find it useful #res writes #res rambles

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romanceimp · 3 years ago

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Bitter Taste: Iwaizumi x f/reader Pt. 1

pt. 2 here

THIS IS SO LATE and I’m a fuck up hahahaha (kinda ironic this was 2 weeks late for Mental Health Awareness month)

I am crediting my girl @kuso-deku for giving me Iwaizumi brain rot to begin with. I am also crediting @gixxie and @idonotagreebitch for helping me talk through my ideas... and crediting @doinmybesthere for the wonderful idea of a mental health awareness collaboration the link is here. PLS READ THE REST OF THE WORKS. Everyone deserves the love.

TW: manipulative male/female relationships, gaslighting?, subtle shit head crap that most men do (don’t worry Iwa is a peach as always tho, it’s Ushijima that’s the problem)

Iwaizumi stands and stretches in the cinema. The movie had been good, but long, he figured it was a little after midnight. “What’d ya think?” Kuroo asks as they exit the theatre. “I hated the ending…” Oikawa gripes, “I hate endings where everyone just dies.” “You are such a princess Tooru, I swear, it’s a metaphorical ending… did you not catch all the symbolism in the opening credits?” Iwaizumi sighs and turns his phone back on, trying his best to ignore their bickering. Slowly, notification after notification pops up… all from you. He blinks, surprised. You had declined his offer to join him for the film, stating you had previous plans attending a close friend’s birthday.

Iwa opens the messages from you. He sees first the selfies. You look beautiful, extravagant even. Your dress is beautiful, it compliments your figure perfectly with the corseted bodice. It’s white and so is your lace mask. Broad, feathered angel wings rest on your back. Angelic would have been a word he’d used to describe you before, but now, it was confirmed. He wants to keep staring at the photos but Kuroo and Oikawa are starting to become too curious about the contents of his phone. He scrolls and relaxes his face to look more casual. But it’s hard when your intoxicated messages are so darn cute.

hope the movie is good!

okay so I guess there’s an open bar? Is it my birthday too?

if you wanna come by after the movie I’msure you coul

this partyyyy suckssssssss assssssssss

wish id gon wiht u xx

You are clearly drunk and he laughs to himself before Kuroo peers over his right shoulder. “Well she’s thinking about you at least,” he smirks. Oikawa peers over Iwaizumi’s left shoulder, “ooo play the voice message.” Oikawa taps the message before Iwaizumi can give him an answer.

“Hiiiii Iwaaaaaa, hope you like the moovie and you’re having a good time, cuz I’m having a preetyy good time, they gots free margaritaaass. Okay byeeeee”

The guys laugh and Oikawa presses the next one.

“Hey Iwaaa, I made up a song about you, ready?

Iwaizumi

Doesn’t know what he does- to me…

Sshfhsijknfhahaha I cant remember the rest som’n bout… som’n I dunno. Byeee”

“Okay, Ushi says that I need to say sorry for sending so many…” you pause and then whisper, “drunk messages, but I’as only tellin’ ya I ssink ‘r awesome ‘n you should totally come to this party and hang out with me… you’re awesome, okay byeee”

Oikawa and Kuroo pause and look at Iwaizumi. “Ushi?” Oikawa asks, “like Ushiwaka?” Oikawa’s eyes are narrowed and he gags dramatically in disgust. Iwaizumi nods and walks to exit the theatre. “Wait… that’s her friend who’s having the birthday party?” Iwa grimaces as Kuroo chuckles. “No wonder you’ve had a stick up your ass all night.” Iwa glares at him, “they’re just friends… apparently… I don’t know, she said they’ve known each other for a really long time…” Kuroo claps Iwaizumi on the back. “I think you should definitely go to the party.” Iwaizumi starts to object but the ring of his phone draws attention, and he answers it. “Heyyy you're outta th’moviee, heheeheheha,” you slur. Iwaizumi laughs softly and smiles, “yeah, I’m out of the movie now, are you… good?” There is so much background noise, it almost drowns out your sweet sleepy voice. “I’m soooo good… … I just-” he can hear your voice drop to a drunken whisper. “I’z just hoping to see you today,” you mumble finally.

Iwaizumi can feel his heartbeat quicken, his head reeling. “Oh really?” He plays cool but then instantly regrets it when you give him a serious answer. “Yeah, I was really hoping you’d come to the party, even for just a little,” you murmur. Iwaizumi can’t help but chuckle. You were pretty cute like this, not normally so transparent. You were actually quite hard to read, so sweet but guarded and teasing too. You were a friend of Oikawa’s first and he had met you through him. He’d liked the way you sat cross legged on the couch smiling, chin in your hands while you asked questions and listened to his answers. Your eyes sparkle when you hear something you like, and your face lights up when you talk about things you find interesting.

“Ya don’t have to, I can just see ya another time,” you add. He’s been silent too long which causes him to speak without thinking. ��No, I’d love to see you, I’ll head to you now.” Kuroo and Oikawa are silently cheering him on and Iwa turns away in embarrassment. “Really? Okay! I’ll drop my pin… as the kids are sayin’ these days hahaha.” “See you soon, drink some water okay?” “Mhm, I will, see ya soon!”

You were at a club owned by Ushijima’s family. A place called ‘Eagle’s Nest’. He’d only known you for a few weeks but he couldn’t help his infatuation. It was immediate, the night he had gone to Oikawas for game night. You spoke to him so easily not knowing him at all and laughed at his little side jabs to his long time friend. The way you looked at him… Iwa knew then that he wanted to see you smile, hear your laugh, and that he would be happy to assume the responsibility of making that happen.

He was surprised when you had declined his offer for the movie, feeling that you both had some definite chemistry, but Iwaizumi was even more surprised when you had said that you had prior plans with his old time rival Ushijima Wakatoshi. Iwaizumi hadn’t seen him since high school but they knew a few people in common, Oikawa being one of those people. Oikawa could sure hold a grudge but Iwaizumi took all of his comments with a grain of salt. Ushijima often came off entitled and cold, which would leave Iwaizumi with a bad taste in his mouth. Maybe Oikawa had the right idea holding a grudge… But grudge or not he wanted to see you, hear your voice and admire you all dolled up.

When Iwaizumi arrives at the club he is met with a large security guard. “Invitation?” he grumbles. Iwa remains calm but a small trickle of fear runs down his back. Iwaizumi gives the guard a casual smile before he starts to answer but he is interrupted. “Iwaaaaa,” you cry from the top of the stairs. The mask you’d had on is now resting on top of your head, the delicate features of your face now exposed. The floofy skirt of your dress bounces with your excitement as you run down the stairs. You crash into him, throwing your arms around his neck. You bury your face in his collar and still momentarily. Drunk and bubbly, you melt when Iwa wraps his arms around your waist in return, avoiding your costume’s wings. “Mmmm,” you hum, breath hot against his skin, “you smell good.” You pull back and stare into his wide eyes. “You look incredible,” he offers, a slight pink tint to his cheeks. You grin in return and simply take hold of his hand. “He’s with me,” you beam at the guard. Iwaizumi is doubtful this trick will work here. But he is surprised when the guard steps aside saying, “as you wish Miss L/N.” You giggle and pull Iwa towards the doors. “I’ll bring you some cake later, okay Jurou?” Jurou laughs, “just have fun darlin’.” “You’re the best,” you call behind you as you push open the doors. Iwaizumi can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy knowing that you are on a first name basis with one of the body guards at the Wakatoshi’s club. How close were you with Ushijima?

Blue and purple lights illuminate the vast space while black tiles make up the main floor. The dance floor is sunken, in the middle of the club with a small set of stairs leading down to it. It’s made entirely of glass, beneath is a saltwater garden of different plants and coral.

“You’ll need one of these,” you explain, swiping a simple black mask from the welcome table. You hand it over to him and pull yours down over your eyes. Iwaizumi adjusts it to where he can see. “You look so handsome,” you admire. He grins, “what about you? You’ve got wings!” You laugh and adjust your mask back on top of your forehead. “I’m a swan, and Ushi said I couldn’t be a swan without wings!” You spin for him, trying your best to flap the feathered wings. Small pieces of confetti glitter rain from the skirt of your dress. Iwaizumi takes in your face illuminated by the lights of the club. Blue and pink dancing over your cheeks as you smile up at him. “What?” you giggle nervously. Just a few weeks but he is mesmerised by your everything. He shakes his head and tries to move on. He wanted to tell you how he felt but this wasn’t the right time. It should be when you’re sober, when you can take in his words properly.

You coax him down towards the bar. “You’re sure it’s okay to sneak in uninvited guests?” Iwa questions. “Well, I asked Ushi ‘nd he said it was okay, so yeah!” You grin but notice Iwaizumi’s reserve. “It’s really okay, I promise, let’s just get a drink,” you suggest and take his hand. “Only if you drink more water,” he smirks. You roll your eyes at Iwa, “I drank some water before you got here actually.” You look back at him as you both head down to the bar. “I’ll prolly regret that yurr seeing me like this tamorow, ya know,” you call over the blaring music. “It’s cute, you’re cute,” he assures as he leans against the bar, “I didn’t know you thought about me this much until I saw all the snapchats and voice messages and texts.” You cover your face in humiliation, “I knowww, I’m sorry but you were on my mind a lot, alot alot, and couldn’t stop think about ya, and the booze told me to keep on messaging…” You trail off, finding the last shred of your filter to keep you from talking. The bartender hands you your water and you take a long drink.

“Iwaizumi,” a voice projects over the baseline. Ushijima stands tall advancing towards where you both stand. His expression is neutral though, his eyes keep darting to you and then back to Iwaizumi. Ushijima is dressed as a knight, his silver mask hangs languidly around his neck. “Ushiwaka,” Iwa acknowledges, “this is a hell of a birthday party.” You giggle and point at Ushiwaka, “he’s 28 today; getting sooo old.” In that moment, Iwaizumi watches him do something he had never seen him do before. Smile… and then laugh. Ushijima wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you closer. “You’re just a baby, you’re only-” You wave your hand in front of Ushiwaka’s face, shushing him. “No, no, Iwa doesn’t knowww, don’t tell him,” you plead. “She’s only 23,” Ushiwaka says. You hold your face in your hands once more and groan. Ushijima pulls your hands from your face, “just barely twenty three too.” You glare at him and look back at Iwaizumi embarrassed. “Did she not tell you her age?” Ushijima asks Iwaizumi. Iwa shrugs, “She didn’t, but I never asked,” Iwa shrugs casually, addressing you now, “didn’t seem important since you carry yourself so well.”

You turn to Iwa, mouth open like you’re about to respond but Ushijima swipes the glass from your hands before you can finish. “Drinking water?” You look up at him. “But it’s my birthday… and this is a party… you need something stronger…” Ushijima beacons the bartender with a single flick of his hand. The barman pours three double shots of a clear liquid from a foreign looking bottle. Ushijima takes a glass and hands it to you, before handing another to Iwaizumi. Ushijima gives him a wink as he loops his arm around your waist, pulling you closer to him. He raises his glass, the violet lights illuminating the liquid. Iwaizumi follows his lead. “To my Juliet, the belle of the ball,” Ushijima bellows. You smile slightly and shake your head. “No no, to you Ushi, it’s your birthday, not mine, we are celebrating you!” Your eyes find Iwa’s, but you leave your glass raised. Ushijima grabs hold of your hand that’s still wrapped around the glass. “Cheers,” He tips the glass towards your lips and you swallow the clear liquor as he feeds it to you. You down it all in one go and Ushiwaka smiles wide once again. “She’s good, huh?” With that, Ushiwaka clinks his glass to Iwaizumi’s, “to you brother,” he assures. Iwa is surprised with the sudden sentiment. “And to you,” he replies before downing the shot. The liquor is surprisingly smooth, expensive, and strong. Iwa can feel his head starting to get light from the small portion that was in the glass and Iwa wasn’t a light weight. “Strong huh?” Ushijima smirks. Iwaizumi nods then turns to the bartender to signal for a water.

Ushijima turns to where you stand swaying slightly with the music. “Look at her, she gets drunk so easily,” Ushijima smiles. “How are you feeling, princess?” he shouts over at you. Iwa turns away and downs his water in disgust. ‘Princess?’ Ushijima shouldn’t be calling you that if you’re both just friends. You blink and give him a smile and a thumbs up. There was a natural innocence about you, a childlike wonder and curiosity, the embodiment of sanguine. Ushijima’s air was sometimes sinister, like he was taking advantage of your natural trusting nature. Iwa watches as Ushijima’s large hands rest on either of your shoulders and he pushes you back and forth like a pendulum between his palms. You giggle and try to push him away, “Ushi stooopp.” He laughs with you and continues pushing you around, “you’re so cute and small though, see?” He places a hand on top of your head and you still. “I said to stop,” you mumble. “And I did,” he retorts before letting you go.

Iwa watches the sudden weight of gravity find you as you stumble in your heels. He catches your arm just in time. Your arms find their way around his neck once more, your face in the crook of his neck. You pull away and Iwa examines your foggy eyes. “You okay?” You nod, pushing off of Iwa’s chest. You fix your hair, “it’s fine, he just messin’” you turn to Ushijima, “and someone doesn’t know when to quit.” You’re pulled away into Ushiwaka’s arms. He sways you back and forth, your back held against his chest while he says soft apologies. He whispers something to you and you nod. Iwaizumi wanted to pull you away from him. Not because he was jealous, but because the way that Ushiwaka was behaving with you was odd.

“Y/n is a little bit tired, why don’t you join us in VIP?” Iwa smiles and gives his thanks, trying his best to hide his scowl. Iwa follows after you and Ushiwaka, upstairs and under velvet ropes hoping that he will find a good moment to pull you away. But instead you are pulled onto the couch beside Ushiwaka. He lights a cigar and offers one to Iwa, but Iwaizumi declines with a simple, “no thanks, don’t smoke.” It’s strange the way that Ushiwaka keeps whispering in your ear, giving you sips of his drinks, and blowing smoke in your face. “Ushi, stop please, the smell is making me sick,” you whine. But he just pulls you closer to him, chuckling all the while and does it again. You’re laughing and poking his face, but it’s not out of joy... Watching Ushijima interact with you the whole night has been like watching a cat toy with a mouse.

Iwa grimaces when Ushiwaka tickles you. “Stop-stop-don’t-stop,” you giggle and howl. “She said to stop!” Iwa raises his voice. Ushijima’s eyes shoot towards Iwaizumi while you squirm off the couch. Your eyes are heavy as you walk towards a dark hallway and disappear into the shadows. Iwa’s eyes flick to the entrance to the hall. Ushiwaka sits in a contented silence, sipping a drink, “she’s so dramatic,” he sighs. He continues smoking, arm rested over the back of the purple velvet sofa. Ushijima takes a sip of his drink, swirling the ice in his glass. Iwa doesn’t move to break the silence no matter how expectant Ushijima’s expression was. He stamps out his cigar in the tray before addressing him.

“She’s awfully talkative, and incredibly fond of you…” Ushijima starts, an odd smirk painting his expression. Iwaizumi raises an eyebrow in intrigue and Ushijima’s face hardens. “She won’t shut up about you since she met you… it’s annoying...” Iwaizumi, remains quiet, the silence settling over the men like a thick fog. The only sounds are muffled club music and the ice tinkling against Ushijima’s glass. “I’m going to be honest as a friend… bad idea.” Iwaizumi can feel the rage bubbling inside his gut, “I don’t think that what’s going on between us is any of your-” He’s cut off by Ushijima.

“I’m really looking out for you Iwaizumi, girls can break hearts and Y/n is kind of known for that… she’s just a sweet soul, makes friends easily, but love? That’s harder for her… doesn’t have the best taste in men I’m afraid, I want to protect her and you from a situation where I can already see the conclusion… I get that you like her, everyone does.” Iwazumi leans forward, “does that include you?” Ushijima is stone faced, then gives a cold laugh. “You’re funnier than I remember, Iwaizumi.”

Iwaizumi rises and heads towards the hall you disappeared down. If he sat in front of him any longer he was going to say something he regretted… and you still haven’t come back. He slips into the dark hallway as you’re exiting the bathroom. Your mask has been removed and even in the dim lighting you look pale. “Hey, what’s happened?” You look up at him embarrassed, your dress almost as wilted as you are. “Got sick…” you mutter. You’re shaking slightly, arms wrapped around yourself. “Oh Y/n, are you alright?” he sighs. His arm starts to reach for you but he thinks better of it, pulling it back to rest by his side. His eyes widen as he feels the warmth of your hand in his. He didn’t figure that you would want to be touched right now. But your fingers interlace with his, your skin soft. “Are you good to drive?” you whisper. His hand instinctively tightens around yours protectively. “I only had whatever Ushijima gave us, it was strong but I’ve had water- yeah I’m good.” “Would you mind taking me home?” you ask, as you start to walk back towards the VIP room. “Sure, course,” Iwaizumi replies gently. He feels how your thumb brushes over the back of his hand in silent gratitude. The gesture has his heart beating hard against his ribs. Iwa walks forward, his eyes on you and nothing else. Your brow is furrowed and your expression painted serious which was unusual from how he knew you to act.

“Iwa’s taking me home now,” you announce and walk towards the stairs. Ushiwaka’s face hardens, “I can take her home, you shouldn’t trouble yourself,” he addresses Iwaizumi. You smile and turn around facing Ushiwaka. “But Ushi, ‘s ur birthday, you can’t leave this party jus’ ‘a take me home,” You turn to Iwa now. “Let’s go,” you say and Iwa nods, still holding your hand. “Where’s my hug, princess?” Ushijima calls after you. You stop in your tracks and close your eyes, taking in a deep breath. You drop Iwa’s hand slowly, hesitantly. You walk back slowly and stand before his open arms. He lifts you and you groan. You’re still hugging him tightly but not quite with the same intimacy as before.

As Ushijima places you down you turn to look back at Iwa when Ushijima catches your face with his large hand. He coaxes your face back towards him then leans down. Ushiwaka locks eyes with Iwaizumi as he whispers something in your ear. Then he presses his lips to your cheek, still not moving his eyes away from Iwaizumi’s. Iwa tries his best to remain neutral but he can feel his lip creeping upwards in contempt. Ushiwaka is too prideful for his own good it seems.

You take Iwa’s hand again, leading him towards the exit. An exasperated look rests on your face. “What did he say to you?” Iwa asks. You sigh and shake your head. “‘S nothin’, ya shouldn’t worry your pretty lil head ‘bout it.” Iwa can’t help but allow a smile. He raises an eyebrow at you, “think my head is pretty?” he asks. He’s met with your hazy gaze, “I do,” you say simply. Iwa wasn’t prepared for such a straightforward answer to his question.

Once out of the club, the valet pull Iwaizumi’s car around. He’s careful not to let you walk too far on your own. Sick, in those ridiculous shoes and still quite drunk, he opens the car door for you before hopping into the driver's seat. “Will you put your address in?” Iwa hands you his phone and you type it in as asked. “Thanks for doing this,” you sigh. “Yeah of course,” he says as he puts the car into gear. A few streets of city light pass by in silence. Your hands are resting in your lap but your body is still trembling. “I can- umm- pull over if you need me to…” You wave the thought away with your hand, “it was the smell of the cigar more than anything…” Iwa’s gut begins to boil again. Your voice is soft, almost defeated. He speaks before thinking better of it. “Does he always treat you like that?” You look at Iwa and make eye contact briefly before his attention is back on the road. “He was being a little extra weird today, maybe because y’all used to play volleyball together or… I dunno really, he just gets like that sometimes…” You trail off, allowing your thoughts to fade into the rearview. The silence is deafening and you feel the need to break it. “He’s really nice too though, don’t get me wrong, he cooks for me and calls to check in, he even gets me little gifts, so I know he cares.” Iwa shakes his head, “if he cared he would have stopped when you asked him to.” You take a breath, “I know but he was just having a night I guess…” Iwa pulls into your driveway as the GPS notifies him that he has ‘arrived at the destination’. He puts the car in park, “you don’t have to make excuses for him… it’s okay to be angry, if that’s how you feel.” You start to open the door, your fingers on the handle. “I’m not angry though, I’m just kinda hurt.” You open the door and start to get out, “okay, maybe a little angry too.” You laugh to yourself but not out of joy. It’s an ironic laugh and Iwa can hear the pain ringing inside of it. “Let me walk you inside.”

#iwaizumi #iwa #hajime #hajime x reader #iwa x reader #iwaizumi x reader #haikyuu #hq #hq x reader #haikyuu x reader #iwaizumi hajime #pls protect me iwa

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pretendingboyfriends · 4 years ago

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A/N: holy SHIT u guys the way i absolutely LOVE how this turned out,,,,, i REALLY hope u guys love it as much as i do and pls pls pls don’t be afraid to tell me ur favorite parts or give me suggestions for the next part!! and thank u miss tanya @sunflowers-styles for beta reading this part!!! ily mwah<3

Warnings: some explicit language & slight sexual innuendos

Word count: 5.9k+

fic masterlist

You gaze out into the crystal blue ocean as you drive along the beachfront, car window ajar allowing the salty, warm breeze to kiss your skin gently. The sun glimmers brightly in the sky, not a single cloud in sight and you feel as though nothing could possibly go wrong.

Deidre invited you on this beach trip as a last minute getaway. She knew you’d been having a bit of a hard time with your mental health recently, so she decided to rent a beach house for the two of you to try and help you get out of your “funk” as she called it. Two weeks of relaxation with nothing to worry about. Just lounging around in the warm sun with your best friend for 14 days. You simply couldn’t say no.

Seeing as Deidre has been your best friend for the majority of your lifetime, trips like these aren’t uncommon in the slightest. In fact, you’ve been on so many vacations with her and her family that you can’t even fathom going somewhere like this without her.

“Do you wanna stop and grab something to eat before we get to the house?” The sound of her voice draws you from your almost dazed state and you turn to look at her as she drives. Immediately at the mention of food, your stomach gurgles violently, loud enough for both of you to hear which causes you both to burst into a fit of laughter.

“I guess that answers your question better than anything.” You choke through laughter.

“Well then,” She giggles, “McDonald’s, here we come!”

The two of you purchase almost the entire McDonald’s menu and eat approximately 3/4ths of it in the car before you’re finally headed to the beach house with bloated tummies and quenched appetites.

Eventually, you’re pulling into the driveway of a small, teal beach house facing the ocean. The house is lifted on stilts due to its position near the ocean and the paint is slightly worn, chipping away on the wooden slats most likely due to past tropical storms. There are two sets of steps, both leading to a wrap around porch, one coming from the back of the house (where the pool is) and one leading directly to the front door. It’s quaint and homey and you love it.

When you’d initially pulled in, you hadn’t noticed the other car parked in the driveway, but now that you’re stepping out of Deidre’s car, your gaze falls directly onto the bright yellow Ferrari parked only a few feet away from you. There is only one person you know that owns that exact car.

“Oh! I forgot to mention, Harry is staying here too.”

You whip your head in Deidre’s direction, your jaw nearly dropping from its hinges. “Why didn’t you tell me that earlier??”

She shrugs casually as she swings the drivers door shut and walks around to the back. “I guess I forgot.” She presses a button on her keys and the back door slowly opens in front of her. “Plus, I didn’t think you’d mind, the two of you have always gotten along.”

“Deidre, that’s not why I’m upset-”

“Great, then what’s the problem?” She interrupts, eyebrows raised in question as she stares at you. You definitely aren’t one for violence, but the image of smacking her directly across the face flashes across your mind for a moment and you seriously consider doing it. “He’s just here to relax like us. And he’s paying for the place, so I couldn’t really say no.”

You let out an exasperated groan in response, slamming the passenger door shut and stomping around to the back of the car so that you can retrieve your own bags.

The truth is, you and Harry had gotten along in the past, which would give you no reason to be panicking right now, but something you hadn’t told Deidre was that for the entirety of your childhood, you were madly in love with him. Yes, he’s older than you by a few years, but that never stopped you from pining over him from the ripe age of six. You had watched the way he treated his two sisters and mother for so long and fell in love with his kindness and care for others. You used to daydream about the day he would realize his love for you, but of course Harry got famous and that day never came.

It’s been years since you’ve seen him in person. The last time you were in direct contact was nearly 4 years ago, a couple years after he went on The X Factor and was immediately consumed by fame. He was 18 at the time, visiting home during a little break, and you were having a sleepover with Deidre, but the length of your collision wasn’t very long. A few harmless words were exchanged during dinner and then you and Deidre had excused yourselves to continue your evening and that was it. Then, he was undeniably the most attractive boy you had ever seen and now, if it was even possible, he’d blossomed into a beautiful man, even more attractive than he was before.

As you begin to haul your bags out of the trunk, Harry appears at the top of the steps, screen door leading into the house flapping loudly behind him.

“Need some help with bags?” He calls, swiftly galloping down the wooden steps.

Deidre sighs in relief, “That’d be great, thanks Harry!”

His long, curly hair is pulled into a tight bun at the top of his head, a few stray curls framing his beautiful face. He smiles at you, dimples sinking deeply into his cheeks as he strides towards you, “Long time, no see,”

You feel the heat rising in your cheeks and you smile sheepishly, “Hi, Harry, how are you?”

“I’m pretty good! And yourself?” He asks, effortlessly tugging your large bag from the trunk of the car and slinging it over his shoulder.

You swallow thickly, struggling to keep your eyes off of his straining muscles through his thin t-shirt. “I’m uh- I’m good as well.”

“Glad to hear it, babe.” He winks and you watch as he takes a few smaller bags from the trunk, heading back up the stairs and through the front door, breathing out a shaky sigh before grabbing your remaining bag.

Deidre is already halfway up the stairs behind him when she calls back to you, “Can you close the trunk before coming up?”

You shoot her a quick thumbs up and drop the bags onto the cement driveway, lifting your arms above your head and slamming the large door shut before picking up the bags again and heading towards the stairs. You’re still quite stunned at what just happened and, frankly, you’re a little bit vexed with Deidre’s nonchalant way of sharing that Harry was going to be joining you on what was supposed to be a relaxing trip. Nevertheless, you’re forced to set your feelings aside and keep your mouth shut for fear of Deidre prying the truth out of you.

As you step into the house, screen door slamming behind you, you take a gander around the living area. It’s small and you can tell it hasn't been redecorated since at least 1985. Every piece of decor has some sort of relation to a beach (quite fitting considering where you are). Even the wallpaper is covered with small seashells and fish and it makes you chuckle. There’s an opening connected to the living area that leads directly to the kitchen, a second doorway that you assume leads to the bedrooms, and a large sliding glass door that leads to the back porch.

Deidre saunters out of the second doorway, “C’mon, let me show you our room!”

You frown, “Our room?”

“Yeah, there are only two bedrooms.”

“Oh,” You take a moment to breathe in, feeling your frustration building with every passing moment as you follow her into the small hallway. You pass the first door on your right, glancing inside to find the bathroom before moving on. The next door you pass is a bedroom decorated identically to the living room, a queen sized bed crammed into the corner with a quilt covered in clownfish and seaweed and the last door is another bedroom. This bedroom is painted a bright coral pink and the theme seems to be seashells due to the seashell print on the bed’s quilt and the framed seashells above the bed. This room, although similar to the first one, is a little bit larger and the bed rests directly in the middle of the room instead of it being crammed into the corner like the first one.

You step into the room after Deidre and toss your bags onto the floor next to the wall before throwing yourself onto the bed as you kick your shoes off. “I’m so ready to relax,”

She hums as she unzips her large bag and begins shoveling her clothes into the top drawer of the dresser across from the bed. “Me too,”

“I think I might go for a swim,” You turn over onto your back, lifting yourself up to sit on the edge of the bed as you look at her. “Wanna join me?”

“As soon as i finish unpacking, I will.”

You shoot her a quick thumbs up and shove yourself off of the bed and towards your bags. Harry had set your large bag of clothes right beside the door, so you fall to your knees and pull it towards you to search for your bathing suit.

“Go ask if Harry wants to come, too.” She adds, tossing her own bathing suit onto the bed.

You hate her. You want to strangle her. It’s like she knows. But of course, she doesn’t. You’d never told anyone about your little crush and you planned to keep it that way. Tucking the valuable information into the very back of your mind for the rest of eternity.

Without a word, you push yourself onto your feet and pad through the doorway, the thick carpet squishing softly beneath your bare feet. You’re hesitant to call for him at first, quietly wandering through the hallway, peering into the open doorways. Both rooms are empty, but there’s evidence of him sprawled across the bedroom. A large suitcase thrown haphazardly on the bed with clothes and shoes strewn all around it.

“Harry?” You continue walking, stepping out into the living room to find him lounging on the couch with the TV on in nothing but a pair of tight, black jeans, tattoos on full display. “Oh, there you are,” He looks up at you, a hint of mischief behind his virescent eyes. “Dee was wondering if you wanted to go for a swim with us.” it’s a statement, of course, but the wavering of your voice makes it sound like a question.

“I would,” He starts, sitting up a little and reaching for the TV remote to turn down the volume. “But it looks like it’s about to rain.”

You frown, turning to the sliding glass window to find that in the short amount of time it took for you to take your bags from the car and into the house, the sky had filled with dark, fluffy clouds.

“Shit.”

Thunder rumbles in the distance, droplets of rain mizzling against the windows and roof quietly as the three of you keep yourselves dry inside the beach house.

“Alright, we have Monopoly, Life, Scrabble, Cards Against Humanity, a deck of regular playing cards, Jenga, and a few puzzles.” Deidre lists as she shovels through the large chest beside the couch, labeled ‘Games’. “Which one sounds the most fun right now?”

You curl your feet underneath you on the couch and shrug, “A puzzle sounds nice.”

She nods, turning to Harry who’s making himself a sandwich in the kitchen. “Harry?”

“I agree with her on the puzzle.”

“Puzzle it is, then.” She concludes, grabbing the first puzzle her eyes land on and setting it on the wooden coffee table. Another fit of thunder causes the house to shiver and you sigh, silently cursing the rain for trapping you inside on the first day of vacation.

After Harry comes back into the living room and settles onto the couch beside you, Deidre sits on the other side of the coffee table and dumps the puzzle pieces out onto it. A show you’ve never heard of plays on the TV behind her and you glance up from the puzzle every now and then to watch it as the three of you sit in silence.

The entire evening Harry sits beside you, his arm gently nudging yours every time he reaches forward to move a puzzle piece. At first, you brush it off as an accident, barely acknowledging his presence, but when he takes it a step further and knocks a puzzle piece out of your hand, you glance in his direction to find him smiling smugly to himself. You shake your head, holding back a small smile as you return to the puzzle, finding a different piece and placing it where it belongs. Two can play at that game.

As Harry reaches for another piece, you quickly reach over his arm and snatch the piece he was aiming for, mumbling: “Ah, here it is! I was looking for this one.”

You can feel his gaze burning a hole into the side of your face as you hold back a laugh, a grin tugging at your lips.

“Was that necessary?” He hums thickly, keeping his gaze in your direction.

You shrug, placing the piece into its home. “I mean, that’s the point of building a puzzle, right? Finding each piece and where it goes...”

He smirks and shakes his head at you but doesn’t respond.

A few hours pass as the three of you work and soon, it’s dark outside and the rain has calmed to a light drizzle. Deidre yawns and stretches her arms above her head before glance at the time on her phone.

“I think I’m gonna head to bed, it’s pretty late and long drives always make me tired.” She says through another yawn and you nod.

“Me too,”

“Alright then, wimps,” Harry replies, “I guess I’ll just have to party by myself.”

Deidre looks at you and rolls her eyes dramatically as Harry chuckles to himself. You push yourself up from the couch, stretching your arms out above your head just like Deidre had done moments ago.

“Goodnight, Harry.” She hums, stepping around the coffee table to smack a quick kiss to his forehead before sauntering off to the bedroom. You glance behind you as you follow her, giving Harry a small wave.

“G’night,” He mumbles softly in response and you can feel his gaze on you as you step into the hallway. Part of you thinks that maybe, just maybe, he’s checking you out.

Warm droplets of water cascade down your bare skin as you step out of the shower, wrapping a soft towel around your body. You hum quietly to yourself, patting the towel against your skin to dry off as much as possible.

Just as you’ve finished drying yourself off, you realize you completely forgot to bring a clean change of clothes into the bathroom, so you’re just left with the dirty clothes you’d spent the entire day in. Cringing at the thought of putting the clothes back on, you decide to take your chances and slip out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around your form.

You gather the pile of clothes into your arms after taking a moment to moisturize and brush your teeth, stepping out into the dark hallway. Suddenly, just as you’re taking another step, Harry appears at the end of the hallway, crunching loudly with a bowl of cereal in hand. He’s clothed in a thin, grey t-shirt and plaid pajama pants, fluffy socks pulled onto his feet.

“Shit,” You gasp, eyes widening as you press the bundle of clothes to your chest harshly.

“Oh, hey,” Harry says mid chew.

You pause, “I didn’t think you’d be awake...”

He smiles sheepishly, “Yeah, uh, I got a little hungry.”

“I can see that,”

“I can make you a bowl if you’d like,” He offers, jutting a thumb behind his shoulder towards the kitchen.

“Harry-” You scoff, “I am quite literally standing naked in front of you right now.”

He shrugs, chuckling to himself as his eyes flit to the ground and then back up to you. “Was just trying to be polite.”

“Um- well, thanks, but I think I’m alright for now.”

“Alright,” He sighs, taking another bite from his spoon, “Goodnight, then.”

“‘Night.” You murmur, watching him strut past you towards his room. You wait until the door is closed before you scurry into your own room, finding Deidre fast asleep on her side of the bed.

Morning comes sooner than anticipated and soon, you’re dragging yourself out of bed as Deidre snores. You’re not expecting her to get out of bed anytime soon.

You trudge out into the kitchen with a yawn, finding Harry leaning against the countertop with his nose buried in a book. He’s in the same clothes from the night before, but instead of his hair being pulled back into a bun

“Good morning,” You smile, wrapping your arms around yourself as you step onto the cold tile.

He glances up from his book and smiles back, tucking a bookmark between the pages before setting it down on the countertop. “Mornin’. Coffee’s almost ready if you want some. I made enough for all of us.”

“Oh, great, thank you!”

“I went out to the shops earlier as well and got some of that coffee creamer you and Dee like,” He starts, pushing his large hand through his long, curly hair. “I know it’s been a bit since we last saw each other, but I know that she still likes it, so I assumed you do, too.”

A smile tugs at the corner of your lips as you take a clean mug from the dish rack lying beside the sink, “I actually do still like it, thank you.”

He shakes his head, “S’no problem, really.”

The coffee maker beeps twice to indicate that the coffee is finished brewing and Harry turns, reaching out for your mug. “May I?”

“Oh- yes, please,” You smile, allowing him to take the ceramic mug from your hand and pour the scalding liquid into the mug before gently placing it back into your hand. “Thanks.”

You walk to the fridge, swinging the door open to scavenge for the creamer he’d mentioned earlier. The carton catches your eye and you snatch it from the shelf, kicking the fridge door shut before setting the mug on the counter.

“Did I get the right kind?” Harry asks as you unscrew the cap.

“Yep!” You smile, pouring the cream into the dark coffee, causing the two to swirl together into a thick, hazel colored liquid. You find a small spoon in one of the many drawers lining the countertop and you drop it into the liquid, stirring it momentarily before tapping off the excess liquid and placing the spoon into the sink. Glancing back up at him, you take a careful sip from your mug to test the temperature.

“Good?” He asks, sipping from his own mug slowly.

“Great.” You confirm, taking a larger sip as you lean your hip against the counter.

The two of you sit in comfortable silence for a few long moments, sipping your coffee leisurely before Harry speaks.

“Do you-” He clears his throat, “Do you want to go sit out on the back deck with our coffee? The weather’s great and the view is phenomenal.”

He seems slightly more nervous than he had been the day before, most likely due to your brief run in that evening, but you don’t mind. “Yeah, that sounds nice!”

He nods towards the doorway with a smile, waiting for you to take the first step before following behind you through the sliding glass door. There are a few chairs settled around a small, round table, overlooking a breathtaking view of the beach where a few people are getting their morning jog in or just strolling leisurely along the shore. You slide yourself into the furthest chair, careful not to spill the hot coffee in your hand as you do so, watching Harry as he does the same.

You wonder why, if he was paying for the entire trip, he would choose such a cheap beach house in such a rural part of this particular beach. Seeing as he was a multi millionaire, you’d assume he would choose the most expensive place to stay in the most popular area, but that obviously isn’t the case. Not that you aren’t grateful for staying there for free, because you are, you’re just curious.

“So,” You begin, sipping your coffee for a moment before continuing. “How’s celebrity life treating you?”

He chuckles, pushing a hand through his luscious mane, “S’not bad. Been treatin’ me pretty well, I can’t complain.”

You nod, “That’s good, I’m glad to hear it.” Pausing for a moment, you curl your feet beneath you on the chair before speaking again. “Can I ask you something?”

He glances up from his coffee, raising his eyebrows with a nod, “Sure.”

You take a breath, aware of the intrusiveness of your question but speaking anyways. “Dee told me you’re paying for all this,” You motion to the house with your hands, “And I’m just wondering why you chose to come here and rent this house when you have the money for something much nicer in a much nicer area.”

He thinks about it for a moment, brows furrowed in thought before he lets out a breathy laugh. “Honestly, there are a few reasons,” He clears his throat and crosses one leg over the other. “The first one is that I’m able to avoid paparazzi, for the most part, because they don’t suspect that I’d ever stay in a place like this,” He explains, using his hands to animate. “And the second one is that I like to make things as normal as possible, especially when I’m spending time with Dee. I know she would absolutely love staying in some bougie mansion with its own private beach, but I just don’t want things to be different from when we were kids, you know? I’d rather her not have the image of me being a rich asshole in her head all the time. I just want her to see me as she always has; her big brother.”

Your heart flutters in your chest at his sentiment, the reminder of just how much he cares about his family causing certain feelings to come rushing back to you. “I- sorry, I know that was a weird question to ask... but yeah that makes sense. I didn’t really think of it that way.”

Just as you finish speaking, Deidre comes bursting wildly through the sliding glass door in her bathing suit and a large towel draped over her arm.

“IT’S BEACH TIME, FUCKERS!!” She screams, leaping down the stairs and bolting across the dock leading to the beach. Her bare feet kick up clouds of sand as she runs across the beach, dropping her towel carelessly as she gallops into the water.

You and Harry look at each other with wide eyes, both of you bursting into a fit of laughter at the same time. You open your mouth to speak, but Deidre beats you to it.

“COME ON GUYS!! IT FEELS GREAT!”

You look back at Harry again, snickering. “I think we should get out there.”

He hums, “I agree.”

You both lift yourselves out of the porch chairs, heading into the house to change into your own bathing suits. Harry, of course, offers to take your mug and clean it.

Around ten minutes pass before you’re finally in your bathing suit stepping out onto the sand with Harry following close behind. Deidre is laying out on the sand with an arm draped over her eyes as she waits for the two of you to arrive. Since it’s still morning, there’s a bit of a nippy breeze to the air, causing goosebumps to litter your skin and shiver to travel down your spine.

“Finally,” She breathes, pushing herself up from the towel. Harry comes up behind you and drops both of your towels onto the sand beside her along with his book from this morning.

“S’quite nice out, innit?” He hums, resting his hands against his hips. His hair is pulled back into a bun and he’s wearing the shortest bright yellow swim trunks you’ve ever seen and you can’t help but to giggle a little.

Deidre rolls her eyes, reaching forward and grasping your arm before dragging you with her towards the water. It’s around 10:00 am and there are a few more people on the beach than there were when you and Harry had first sat on the deck, so when you enter the water, you and Deidre aren’t the only ones there.

Though there are people on the beach, none of them seem to notice that Harry’s there. They’re all caught up in their own vacations, oblivious to the fact that a multi-millionaire celebrity is galloping into the ocean towards you like a child.

You and Deidre screech as he comes toppling into the water head first, cool water splashing around him and onto both of you. The small waves crash into your legs whilst you clamor through the water, Harry surfacing dramatically, completely soaked and absolutely gorgeous.

“It’s fucking freezing,” You mutter under your breath, wrapping your bare arms around yourself as you trudge deeper into the water.

“If you get wet, it won’t be as cold.” Harry retorts, adjusting the sunglasses on the bridge of his nose.

You shake your head at him, “You’re insane,”

Just as you speak those words, Deidre dunks herself completely under water, splashing you once again as she comes back to the surface.

Harry chuckles, “C’mon, you’re gonna get wet eventually.”

You ignore the subtle innuendo. “I have no intention of getting in further than here so if you really want me to go under, it’s gonna have to be done by force.”

He cocks an eyebrow from beneath his sunglasses. “Is that a challenge?”

“Don’t even think about it,” You breathe, glaring at him.

“You really shouldn’t have said that,” Deidre snickers as Harry begins to creep towards you slowly. His eyes are hidden beneath his sunglasses but you can tell his pupils are narrowed in directly on you.

You step back with every step he takes forward, small waves crashing into the backs of your thighs at the movement of the water. He lifts his arms slightly as he stalks toward you and you squeal, nearly stumbling backwards and toppling back into the cold water.

“Harry, I swear to god-” You start but you’re quickly interrupted by your own shriek as he tackles you into the water. It feels as though you’ve inhaled gallons of water from the impact once you resurface, sputtering and gasping dramatically. He doubles over with laughter and Deidre cackles a few feet away. You feel like a sad, wet dog standing in the ocean as they laugh at you and you cross your arms over your chest with a huff. “I hate both of you so much.”

Harry rolls his eyes, “Oh, come onnnn, it’s not that bad.”

“My nipples could do some serious damage right now,” You growl between chattering teeth and both of them giggle.

“Well, you’re wet now so there’s no point in not swimming with us.” Deidre shrugs, dipping back under as a wave rolls by.

You stand in silent rage for a few moments, glaring at Harry as he tries in vain not to let his eyes flicker down to your breasts. You don’t notice his eyeline wavering, though, too distracted by the brumal temperature of your body. A particularly nippy breeze attacks your damp skin and you whimper slapping your arms around your chest.

“I’m going back to the shore. It’s way too cold for this.” You huff, the water sloshing loudly as you begin to traipse back to the shore.

Harry watches you stumble back onto the soppy sand with a slight smirk on his pink lips and you can hear the low chuckle escape from his chest breathily. You counter his haughty chortle with a middle finger thrown up behind you, eyes trained in front of you to shield your view of him.

Once you reach the towels you’d set out earlier, you unfold your towel and wrap it around your shoulders before plopping your ass into the sand. The chattering of your teeth subsides after a few moments and you glance to your side to find the book Harry had been reading. Curiosity fills you and you reach over, lifting it from its spot on Harry’s towel and bringing it in front of you to examine it.

It’s a paperback, the cover an off-white cardstock with a simple design of a bleeding heart, impaled by an arrow on the front. The title reads “The Course of Love, a novel by Alain De Botton” and a smile tugs at the corner of your lips. You never would have assumed that he would be such a romantic.

You turn to the first chapter titled “Infatuations”, scanning it briefly and landing on the small, italicized paragraph in the middle that reads, “A marriage doesn’t begin with a proposal, or even an initial meeting. It begins far earlier, when the idea of love is born, and more specifically the dream of a soul mate.”

“Insightful.” You mutter to yourself, eyebrows raised in understanding before fanning the pages to scour the book further.

As you scan the blur of pages, you find that there are words scrawled all over the margins of the paper, words frantically underlined like they’d been scribbled whilst he was in a hurry. Your thumb lands approximately a fourth of the way into the book, a small photograph slipping from the spine and into your lap as you open it. It’s a photo of him, Deidre, Gemma (their older sister) and Anne (their mother) all cuddled up together on Anne’s couch with warm smiles on their faces. Their smiles are almost identical to each other as well as their features and, in a way, it comforts you.

You glance back up from the photo to the page of the book, your eyes immediately landing on an underlined sentence from the italicized section. It reads, “When two people belong together, there is simply--at long last--a wondrous reciprocal feeling that both parties see the world in precisely the same way.” You suck in a breath at the words for a moment but a sudden droplet of water landing on the page pulls you from your stupor.

“I see you’ve found my book,” Harry’s voice belows above you and you snap your head in his direction as he shakes his dripping wet hair.

You nestling the photo back into the spine of the book before shutting it and smiling up at him sheepishly. “Sorry, I- it was just sitting there and I got curious.”

“S’alright, I don’t mind,” He shrugs, reaching for his towel and wrapping it around himself. “What’d you think?”

“Oh- I only read a couple sentences,” You mutter, tightening the towel around yourself. “But from what I did read, it seemed quite insightful.”

“Oh, yeah?” He quirks an amused eyebrow at you.

“Yeah,” You chuckle, “Very elegant and sophisticated.”

“Mmm.” He hums, nodding his head in agreement.

Your bottom lip slips between your teeth to hold back a grin as you glance away from him towards the water. Your eyes land on a group of people standing around Deidre in the shallow water directly across from you. You frown, “What’s Dee gotten herself into?”

He takes a swig from the metal bottle of water he’d brought with him before speaking, “Made herself some new friends, I guess.”

You study them for a moment, watching her laugh heartily at one of the guys’ jokes and pursing your lips together. Wherever the two of you went, she was always capable of making friends. Her natural charm could sweep anyone off their feet and it endlessly left you feeling like an extra wheel. You know she doesn’t mean to leave you out of things, she never has any sort of malicious intent, but you’re both so different from each other that it constantly feels like you’re left in the dust.

You glance away from the group, looking back in Harry’s direction to distract yourself from the intrusive thoughts filling your mind.

“So, um, what’re your opinions on it?” You start again, clearing your throat quietly. “The book, I mean.”

He smiles as he skillfully tosses his sopping hair into a messy bun, “I like it. S’actually the second time I’ve read it.”

Your eyebrows quirk at that, “Really?”

He nods, tilting his body closer to you and bending one of his legs up against his chest. “Yeah.”

You laugh, “What do you expect from that?”

“What, like, do I expect it to change?” You nod silently in response and he shrugs. “I mean- no, it’s just… comforting, in a way.”

“Comforting,” You repeat to yourself. “I guess that makes sense.”

“It also kind of helps me retain the information better, you know?” He continues, mindlessly digging his fingers into the damp sand.

“Yeah, I understand,” You reply softly, “Do you do that with all the books you read?”

He nods, “More or less.”

There’s an abrupt screech, followed by a few animated giggles and both of you look up at the sound. Deidre is running towards the two of you happily, a wide smile spread across her face as she skids to a stop in front of you.

“I’m gonna go get lunch with these guys,” She chokes, out of breath from the short jog over. “Do either of you wanna come?”

You glance behind her at the group as they watch her for a moment and then you turn your head back to her. “You go ahead, I think I’ll just stay back here.”

Her expression falls a little and she sighs, turning to Harry with a hopeful look. He looks at you for a moment and then peers back up at her.

“Think m’gonna do the same. Have fun, though.” He smiles and you nod along with him.

She sighs again, reaching down and yanking her towel from the sand. “Alright, well, I’m gonna go change and then I’ll be heading out with them for a couple hours.”

You watch as she calls back to them that she’ll “be right back” before galloping back up to the house with her towel dragging behind her.

“You could’ve gone with them if you wanted to, you know,” You say quietly. “I’m alright by myself.”

He shakes his head, “No, no, s’not really my scene anyways.”

You stay silent after that, watching the repetitive roll of the waves in a mindless state. Deidre returns in a matter of minutes, a loose dress tossed over her bathing suit, her long, dark hair tied into a high ponytail fluttering behind her as she prances.

“See ya!” She calls after you.

“Be careful!” You call in response and then she’s gone, engulfed into the group just like she had been before.

AHHHHHF;LSFSDLFJAS;DLKFJSDFK PLS PLS PLS LET ME KNOW WHAT U THINKKKK <33333

taglist: @first-one-that-i-see @harryandthatgayvodka @summertimestyles @bopbopstyles @harrysclementines @emsthoughts @theresthingsthatwellneverknow @clorenafila @harries-gayvodka @dmcupcakexo @glitterwhore @harryspinkshoelace @lovemenowseemenever @happydays @sisters-of-the-mo0n @shut-up-and-smile @fallingslowlyforu @slytherinambitious @moonlightmaliksblog @cocoamoonmalfoy @harryspirate @sunflowers-styles @sunflower6why @harrys-bitch

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drkineildwicks · 3 years ago

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Temtem – 12/10/2021 – Still Hunting Nessla...

Oh help me I’m back on my Temtem—

Anywho I really need to log on this more frequently

Now’s a good time because FF14 is stuffed to the gills thanks to the new update

Plus THIS time I get to be paid for it because I’m writing about it for work XD

So…oh gosh my poor dudes what state did I leave you in

Let’s get healed up first

Okay so the thing I wanted to fool around today with was this:

It’s the Temtem version of the EXP Share, I had to refresh my memory on how and where I picked it up, totally forgot I had it, but let’s see how it does

Let’s see, we’ll give it to Scrapit….

And now we’ll test and see how this goes

So glad I can right-click to move I’m stuck with our pet bird on my lap

She likes attention

Oh come on why y’all picking on Minion

This is how that works, apparently

So it’s something useful if I need to level up a guy quickly without the AI constantly targeting them

And it’s one Tem at a time and an equippable item you can totally forget about, not, oh, I don’t know, Game Freak hijacking your game and telling you how to play it

Sure Legends looks cool but I had better see some glowing reviews from people I trust before I give GF any of my money

Do I? I just clicked on her because there was a question mark on my map—

OH WAIT SALT GUY!

I do actually

So I got some scent for my trouble—

WAIT WHAT

That—

That is a Platypet—

THAT IS A PLATYPET I AM CATCHING THAT SUCKER AAAAAAAA

Yeah I’d better catch it THIS WAS THE FIRST TURN

That thing almost one-shot KO’ed Olaf and it’s four levels under him

Can’t get this experience with Pokémon

Oh my gosh if you idle too long he sits down XD

Okay so this thing killed Olaf and now it’s working on Turtlinni

Finley got knocked out by Kaku’s poison

Okay don’t know if I can risk another hit on it I’m gonna catch it

YAAAAAAS!

Okay I know everyone and their mother has named one of these Perry but IT WORKS SO WELL

I promise if I ever catch a second one I’ll give it a more original name

Okay I want to play with my new Platypet but I’m pretty sure my original plan with this group was to get them all to a comparable level so here we go to Skail Jail

Ooh but later Finley and Perry are teaming up

Still want a Nessla tho but that one’s got a catch rate that’s a pain in the Arrisola

So Scrapit leveled up like this that’s nice

Uhhhhh

This is new

Are they…planning on adding new content?...

I think this was just like…blocks and coral before this is interesting

Okay swapping things around, Minion replaces Finley who just leveled up and Olaf now gets the Coward’s Cloak

I like this, this is cool

And Minion leveled up and learned a new move!

What…does that mean, -1 Hold?

Let’s test

That does…not outspeed Lowkey’s DC Beam

So in order to test this I gotta either swap Lowkey out or find something he doesn’t insta-kill

Olaf’s leveling up nicely though

It helps that he’s way low in level compared to the others Lowkey’s pulling like a handful of XP per battle because his level’s so high XD

But that’s because he’s still my only Electric type and therefore effective against water Nessla where are you

Oh what’s this?

That’s cool

Oh a team!

FINALLY I can test Cheer Up!

I don’t see how this did anything soo…swapping that out

Lt Shock and Mister Chai, love the names :D

I love that you can check out someone else’s Tem and get the information that way another little thing that makes it better than Pokémon

Oh Minion leveled up again!

And so did Olaf but then again Minion got 108 XP, Olaf got 120, and Lowkey got 29

This was on a low-level Tateru but this is basically the EXP difference

This amuses me and I’m not sure why

Okay back to trying the Nessla fishing hole again

At least two people here have Nessla that seems promising

THREE okay come on Nessla come to me…

Yeah this REALLY shows the EXP difference X’D

Okay we’ll just do this until everyone who isn’t Level 20 reaches there

We’re getting there

Okay Lowkey’s getting dangerously low on health we’ll swap out and go find someplace to heal

And then try the other place I saw a Nessla

I don’t know what this is, but it’s cool

Those dudes are still floating next to that wreck

Oh my gosh I don’t think I’ve seen a Pewki knocked out from the front before but the eyes turn into spirals XD

Still love the music and designs

Okay and that’s everyone to Level 20!

My opinion on the Coward’s Cloak…I’m not actually sure if it leveled the team faster

Not something I think I’d use often

I…don’t know why this got reversed

Gonna swap Perry and a couple others in and then quit for the day

Did get some nice leveling in AND CAUGHT A PLATYPET :D

Still no Nessla tho….

The state of the squad

But now we’re off—until next time!

Nessla won’t escape me forever

#temtem #kineil plays #play temtem and make gamefreak suffer

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pearlplusau · 4 years ago

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Pearlplusau Chapter 7 part 2 - Familiar?

now available below:

Another option -> heres a link to part 2 posted in AO3!

Since the kindergarten was in constant darkness, Amethyst has never seen anything so… bright before. The brightest shade of light she’s ever experienced other than the warppad was that one open area where the dark, gloomy clouds would be drifted away from that are. It was the only ray of sunshine she has ever experienced. She had touched the little, but weak sunray, and felt warmth all around her hand. It was so different than the usual cold air of the kindergarten, but in a good way. But now, she’s travelling in a warp pad with the beautiful giant lady beside her. The light of the warp pad may be as bright as the little ray of sunshine, but it didn’t give out the warmth she experienced. As for the travelling, she never though she would be leaving the place she called home, what’s worse, there was this small little cloud of regret hanging around her, telling her leaving was a very bad idea. But the pink lady looked so sure, so kind and confident of what she’s doing, taking this new gem away from her home? That’s not how she thinks, that’s honestly how amethyst felt, being taken away from her own home, and be willing to do so just because this lady said so! The pink lady announced to her one audience, “We’re almost there! Oh you’re gonna love it!” Amethyst involuntarily felt a surge of excitement, but she wasn’t actually excited, she should be more nervous than the feeling she’s having now… When they finally landed in the new location, it was apparently early morning as the sun was rising into the sky. They appeared to be in a cave, surrounded by water, brief stairs up and down, neatly placed tiles and a huge door behind her. Rose held out her hand to the new gem, “Come, let me show you around first.” And led Amethyst down the several stairs, slowly and carefully making their way out of the cave and into the white grains and sand. The texture felt weird to amethyst as she was used to the solid hard dirt and rocks scattered around. But here, there was not a lot of rocks, just a bunch of white, tiny looking pebbles and water splashing onto the shore. It was the first time Amethyst left the kindergarten, and she’s already feeling rather uneasy with all these… new experiences. The duo circled around the pre-beach city land, where dozens of flowers and plants bloomed in the midst. Rose ran ahead, beckoning the purple gem to come along. She twirled around within the beautiful flowers, throwing her arms all around, showing how much she loves the planet and its beauty. “These here are called Flowers, they are all their own individuals, but ultimately, it takes more than one flower to bloom into a huge patch like this!” Amethyst walked up to a flower and noticed how its…glowing with health? Her fascination on the unusually strong and glowing little plant life caught Rose’s attention. The big gem slyly admitted, “I may have…used some of my abilities to grow a few missing patches here and there-” she said as she turned in embarrassment, awkwardly stroking her tuffs of hair. “Plants like these may not live long, as from our observation, they only live at most for one season, but they are all so very much worth it!” When she turned back, she noticed Amethyst laying within the flowers, as if she found herself a flowerbed to lie down after all this time. She was moving her arms and legs as if shes making a snow angle from the flower patch- Rose found that to be a very fun idea indeed and joined the small gem as they basked in the giant flower patches, each making a “flower angle” to commemorate the first every joy they had together. SWISH SWISH SWISH HEHEHE The duo had their fun for a while, playing in the patches, showering each other with flower petals, and playing hide and seek. Tho, Rose was a lot easier to find with her big fluffy hair and figure, while amethyst was just the right size to become invisible and be one within the flower patches. After a few losses for Rose, she suggested they move on to something else. She gave out her hand to the little gem, who was covered in flower petals, and gently pulled her out of the patches.

“Come on, there’s something else I would like to show you.” She led Amethyst into a beautiful forest, dotted with freshly grown oaks and little saplings covered in dirt. Leaves were fluttering around the atmosphere while also gliding around the rays of sunlight that shone through the little gaps and fissures. The two gems stopped at a flowing river, where the fresh, clear water streamed Living creatures, mostly animals like butterflies, lions, but also the mentions of humans “They kinda look like us, except they don’t live longer than a century and theyre very, very fragile. Us gems are very different from humans, so if you ever meet one, you have to be extremely careful not to hurt them, even if you don’t mean to. Amethyst tried to get close, but Rose stopped her before she took another step closer. The small gem turned her head back to see Rose carrying a worried expression, “Maybe we should start with observing them before we interact with them, they’ve never seen you before, so maybe we should start slow, alright?” Before Amethyst could say anything, the human at the distance got up and disappeared into the forest. The small gem sighed; she was so excited to meet other new people! Rose reassured she’ll be able to meet them soon enough. “We’ll get to know them sometime in the future, come on, let’s head back to the temple and I’ll introduce you to the gems!! The two gems held hands and started strolling back to the temple. There’s no awkward chemistry between the two, as they projected a simple mother daughter relationship, or even a sibling relationship, where one of them energetically leaped around the larger figure, while the figure in the middle giggled at the little ball of energy circling her and constantly made her laugh with great joy and longed snickers! They reached the temple. Rose asked Amethyst to stay behind so she can surprise them. Just then, Garnet, Pearl and Coral warped back from their mission Pearl reporting what happened as Coral and Garnet added on their own little details “Oh Rose, you should’ve seen Garnet’s new gauntlet rockets and Coral’s amazing strike on that gem, with those two final blows, the gem monster was poofed in an instant! Coral chimed in, “Well, we would’ve been able to throw in the final blow without your brilliant, strategic idea! Your plan made all the difference!” Pearl blushed at the complement, “Why thank you Coral!” While the two pearls were getting along well, the fusion stood behind and gleamed at the stronger friendship between the two pearls, looking very proud of both of them. And judging from the grin, it was pretty clear to Rose that, the mission somehow got the three of them closer together. As Rose slowly shuffled around, being suspiciously quiet, the gems noticed a little figure hiding behind her white dress. Pearl was the first to spoke.

P: uh, Rose…what do you have there? The small gem hid behind Rose while a smoothy suddenly appeared on her hand. R: A smoothy

Coral, who kept her eyes on the new gem, asked, “What’s a smoothy?” Before Rose could answer the definition of the contraption in hand, Garnet interrupted by stating, “The smoothy is not something we should be concerned about right now…” while eyeing on the new, yet unexpected little gem. “Garnet’s right.” Pearl agreed, “Rose, please tell me you didn’t bought that…thing with you?” Amethyst decided to hide behind Rose completely after hearing that statement. Rose slowly turned and calmed her down before she said more. “Pearl, you should think before you say, otherwise someone might get their feelings hurt you know?” Rose suggested while holding on to the small, frightened gem. Pearl was a quick thinker, and it seemed that Rose took a liking to the little gem, which was rather typical of the leader. She’s a kind gem that wouldn’t take no for an answer after spending a certain amount of time with the object, Pearl of all gems should know better than to refuse whatever Rose brought in. Coral and Garnet turned to Pearl, who sighed in desperation, “Rose, may we know where and how did you find…her?” The big gem slowly, and abruptly responded, “I…uh, was taking a stroll in the kindergarten until I noticed her hiding in one of the holes! Yeap! That’s how it happened! Totally not moping around the places we hurt and trying to bring justice by destroying those that caused it! Haha…ha…” Rose, looking embarrassed, tried very hard not to do or say anything more. The three gems were trying their best to interpret her words as positive statements, but from their time together, they pretty much got the idea of how things went down exactly. Coral stood a step forward, “Rose, are you sure about this? She’s not like the other Amethyst gems we know. I mean, compared to the other quartz friends we had, she’s small, she can barely speak, and probably doesn’t know anything about being a gem!” Rose took that information and digested it for a short while before she came up with ideas to counter those issues. “She can learn! While I was talking to her, I noticed she repeat whatever I said, just in a different way to convey another message! As for not knowing what being a gem is about, that’s okay too! We can teach her without having her go through any of those Homeworld stuff, wouldn’t that be great!?” Rose was gleaming at the idea of a gem with no prior knowledge to how gems are “supposed” to be and allowing themselves to be whatever they want to be! Amethyst came out just a little bit from her hiding and repeated the last word she heard, “Great!” before scuttling back. Coral still doesn’t look convinced as she turned to the fusion, “Garnet, what do you think?” “Hmmmm…” Garnet made a look that could only mean one thing, she’s trying to see the little gem’s future. Future vision can be tricky, but it’s good to see what could potentially happen when we add in another factor into the equation. Her shades shone as the possibilities were carefully drafted and narrowed down to the most likely events. “In the futures where we accept her, I see her adapting to our lifestyle, but nothing much on how it’s going to end. There’s a possibility of her being a great asset to us, but there’s also the possibility of her being a greater liability than we could ever imagine.” “I like those odds!” Rose gleamed at the wide range of unpredictability. Coral didn’t want to rain on Rose’s parade or be a wet blanket seeing her being so happy. But she’s also not completely on board with this…new gem appearing out of nowhere. Pearl was the first to speak, “It’s always been just the four of us, I don’t know about having that unproperly developed gem into the team. It’s rather suspicious that she suddenly shows up at the kindergarten when that place has been shut down centuries ago! She might be a spy from homeworld for all we know! Or worse!” Coral gasped in horror and whispered, “Ohno…There’s something worse than spies!?” “Coral please,” Garnet reminded, “focus.” It was up to that point where Rose finally realized why the gems were not on board with the idea of adding a

new member. Homeworld was still a threat, they’re never safe if they keep including new people they don’t know. It’s only been some time since the blinding light turned all the gems on Earth into corrupted monsters. A lot of them were still out there, alone, confused, and most importantly, scared. Those gems were once powerful individuals that were indestructible, but now, they’re terrified gem monsters running around, fleeing from who knows what, not knowing what to do in their current state. But this Amethyst, the sweet, innocent, and lonely gem, won’t be facing that kind of terror any longer when she has us. Rose took one more look at Amethyst, who was trying her best to be unnoticed by the other gems, and was determined to take her in. “Now Crystal gems, don’t you see this is our only chance to have a gem untainted with the rules of Homeworld?” Rose started her topic with the recollection of the crystal gem origin. “Wasn’t that what we were fighting for? To be free of Homeworld’s rules and to live without a care? To preserve the life on Earth instead of taking it, and leaving nothing behind?” Rose continued, “The earth, the rebellion-” “Its more than just that! It’s also for love! The love for ourselves, and the love we have for each other! We never get to show our love anywhere except here! And right now, we have Amethyst who has been living in an abandoned kindergarten, and has probably never been loved through her entire existence! If we neglect her, we’re going against everything we’ve worked so hard for. Besides, she’s a newcomer who had never experienced the horrible tragedy of Homeworld. I mean, isn’t this a good thing we found her right before any homeworld gems did?” She didn’t wait for a response and proceeded, “We can teach her everything about the earth and the crystal gems. Coral! You can teach her what being a Crystal Gem is all about! Pearl! You could teach her about speech and physical formation! Garnet! You could teach her about our current missions or even gem fusion! I know she’s different from us, but she can handle this! With us keeping her safe, she won’t have to face any of those linear rules like staying within your duty, or being cast away as off colours when you don’t fit in with the others?” “She can be a free gem right from the start, without facing the trauma we had. What do you say?” Rose’s words were being very persuasive and all, but none of the gems seemed to budge towards the ideas from their dear leader. “Rose, please, still this is a risk to take. Risks that could potentially have an impact on our freedom and the earth!” Garnet spoke with a hint of fear, perhaps took a glance towards the possibilities of the future. Pearl and Coral, each holding an arm, both stayed silent, but ultimately agreed with the fusion. “Come on you guys, give her a chance, if you get to actually talk to her it might change your minds!” Rose turned around, but failed to see the small gem that was hiding behind her mere seconds ago. “Uh…Amethyst?” Rose called out, but heard no response, nor saw the small figure behind her anywhere. But all she saw were footprints leading back to the temple, and noticed the warp pad was just activated. Amethyst went back home.

(A/N: Heyyyy so this is the second part of the newest chapter. As you may have known, i was pretty busy with the end of the University studies and internship, so i kinda had my hands full to do anything like writing for fun!

Now, this is the end of part 2, where i tried to keep things a bit more interesting, but not too complicated that it would go on for more than 3 parts.

And again, sorry for the lack of visuals. Some of you might prefer reading with the images, and unfortunately, i currently do not have the motivation to be drawing, even if most of them would be tracing from screenshots of the show itself.

When the chapter gets done, i might be doing some of the screenshot edits and reblog them under the written chapters. So theres that to look forward to.

Anyways, thanks for reading and liking this story i wrote. It's not as glamorous and interesting as the previous chapters, but it's still something i consider worth venturing into.

Thanks again and see ya next time! Bye!)

#stevenuniverse #amethyst #rosequartz #amethystorigin #pearlplusau

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pucking-insane · 5 years ago

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Speak Now - Ryder Donovan

Player: Ryder Donovan Word Count: 1866 Warnings: Swearing

Inspired by: “Speak Now” by Taylor Swift

I am not the kind of girl Who should rudely barging in on a white veil occasion But you Are not the kind the kind of boy Who should be marrying the wrong girl

The invitation was a surprise to say the least. Of course, you knew Ryder was dating, but you weren’t expecting the “save the date” to come. Immediately, you texted Shay, who, even though you and Ryder had broken up years ago, you remained close with.

It killed you to know that Ryder had moved on. You were happy that he was happy, but you were still in love with him.

Even though you didn’t really want to go to your ex-boyfriend’s wedding, Shay had convinced you to come as his plus one.

When you got to the wedding venue, you took a deep breath before even opening your car door.

Y/N Shay I can’t do this

Shay Donovan I know it hurts bub But you need closure I’ll see if I can sneak out to your car

Y/N Thank you

Eventually, there was a knock on your car window. You unlocked your car for Shay, who slid into your passenger seat.

“I can’t do this.” You said quietly.

“I know it’s hard and I know it hurts, but he’s happy.” Shay explained.

“It should be me.” You cried. “I should be getting ready to marry the love of my life. I should have my hair and makeup done and my dress and jewelry should be on. We should be taking pictures right now.”

“Believe me, Y/N,” Shay sighed. “It should be you.”

“You’re not making this any easier, Donovan.”

“Sorry, bubs.” Shay rubbed your back. “I’ll save a dance for you. That is if Cole or Turcs don’t get to you first.”

“They’re here?”

“Of course they are.” Shay smiled and glanced at his watch. “I should probably get going. But find one of them and you’ll be fine.”

I sneak in and see your friends And her snotty little family all dressed in pastel And she is yelling at a bridesmaid Somewhere back inside a room Wearing a gown shaped like a pastry

Eventually, you willed yourself to leave your car and walk inside. You quickly spotted the familiar head of curly dark hair you had known since college.

“How’s LA treating you Turcs?” You asked as you fell into the natural conversation.

“Great. Thinking of buying a ring for Tori.” He smiled.

“Oh my gosh! That’s amazing!” You gave your friend a congratulatory hug.

“What are you doing here?” Alex asked. “Not that I don’t want to see you, I just thought you wouldn’t want to go to your ex-boyfriend’s wedding.”

“Shay asked me to be his plus one, claimed I needed closure.”

“And how’s that working out for you?”

“Well. I had a mental breakdown in the car, so I’d say things are going swell.” You replied sassily.

You made small talk with Alex, Cole and some of their college teammates joining you. You laughed about the good old college days, when you and Ryder were dating, after all, you did follow him to Madison. You joked about the TikToks that were created in your dorms and the adventures around campus. The four years you spent at the University of Wisconsin were easily the best four years of your life and you were glad to spend it with your good friends, even though some of them left for their NHL teams before the four years were up.

But talking about your college years with the UW-Madison men’s hockey team brought some sadness. You remembered all of the wonderful memories with Ryder. How many times you fell asleep in his room that he shared with Shay, the number of games you attended at the Kohl Center with “R. Donovan” proudly displayed across your shoulders, the picnic lunches you would have on the quad.

Now, the love of your life was probably fixing up his hair, which you knew he was always particular about, one last time before entering the wedding venue. Those would be his last moments as a free man.

This is Surely not what you thought it would be I Lose myself in a daydream Where i stand and say

“Don’t say yes run away now I’ll meet you when you're out Of the church at the back door Don’t wait Or say a single vow You need to hear me out And they said ‘speak now’”

When you are all seated, you start to lose yourself in your thoughts.

What would it have been like at your wedding?

You would’ve gotten married in a church, for starters, and there would be far fewer flowers. Your bridesmaids would have been Ryder’s sisters, your college roommate, and a high school friend or two. The color scheme would have been coral and navy, two colors that complimented Ryder’s olive skin. Your first dance song would’ve been something by Dan + Shay. You would’ve had red velvet cake at your reception.

You would’ve been marrying Ryder.

Alex notices that you’re in your head and puts his hand on your leg, giving a quick squeeze to your thigh for reassurance.

In a perfect world, you would object when the preacher called for objections. You and Ryder would run away together, go to Vegas, and live happily ever after.

But it wasn’t a perfect world.

Fond Gestures are exchanged And the organ starts to play a song That sounds like a death march And I Am hiding in the curtains It seems that I was uninvited By a lovely bride-to-be

She Floats down the aisle Like a pageant queen But I Know You wish it was me You wish it was me, don't you?

The piano starts to play a nice andante movement as the ushers escort Bill and the bride’s mother down the aisle, and the preacher follows. Next, Ryder walks with his mom, giving her a kiss on the cheek before going to stand next to the preacher.

Cole, who is seated on your right side, gives you a sad smile, knowing how hard this was going to be for you.

Ryder stands in a black suit, one you had seen countless times on game day, only this time, he wasn’t wearing his usual beanie and a boutonniere was pinned to his chest.

You lock eyes with your former love as the wedding march starts to play. The doors open and Ryder’s bride and her father stand ready to walk down the aisle. She looked gorgeous. You looked back at Ryder, who had an empty stare.

He wished it was you walking towards him, and you knew it.

I hear the preacher say “Speak now or forever hold your peace” There’s a silence There’s my last chance I stand up with shaky hands All eyes on me

Horrified looks from everyone in the room But I'm only looking at you

“Dearly beloved,” The preacher starts. “We are gathered here to join Ryder Donovan and Alyssa Johnson in Holy Matrimony. If anyone has just cause as to why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Your heart races in your chest. Alex and Cole both look at you, making sure you don’t speak, Shay doing the same from next to Ryder.

You stay quiet. If Ryder was truly happy, then you were happy for him. Eventually, you would find someone to be your happily ever after.

You zone out for the rest of the ceremony. Until the vows.

Alyssa had already said her vows, saying “I do” through her tears.

“Do you, Ryder Donovan, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse,” Ryder glanced in your direction and then back to the preacher and then to Alyssa. “For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

Ryder took a deep breath before speaking.

I am not the kind of girl Who should be rudely barging in On a white veil occasion But you Are not the kind of boy Who should be marrying the wrong girl

“I don’t.”

Gasps come from everyone in the room. Ryder looks in your direction before turning to Alyssa.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered. “I thought I loved you more than I really did. You deserve the world.”

Ryder pressed a kiss to Alyssa’s cheek before walking back down the aisle.

Shay runs after him, pulling you with him as he runs past you.

“I told you everything would be fine.” Shay smirked.

You and Shay found Ryder back in the groom’s dressing room. He sat with his head in his hands, sobs rocking his body.

“Hey.” Shay says as he approaches his younger brother.

“I just couldn’t do it, Shay,” Ryder cried. “I just couldn’t.”

“It’s okay.” Shay said as he rubbed Ryder’s back.

“I wish I hadn’t been so goddamn stupid when I left for Vegas. I should never have dumped Y/N. Never.”

“She’s here,” Shay said. “You know.”

Ryder looked up, his cheeks soaked with tears and eyes puffy.

“Can you give us a minute?” Ryder asked.

“Sure.” Shay said, patting you on the back as he left the room.

“Hey.” You said softly.

“I said ‘I don’t’ because of you.” Ryder said, staring into your eyes. “I saw you with Alex and Cole and then as Alyssa walked down the aisle, I wished it was you.”

“I kept imagining what our wedding would have looked like.” You explained. “How you would cry when you saw me and how we would have red velvet cake with lots of cream cheese frosting because it’s our favorite.”

“I’m so stupid for letting you go.” Ryder sighed, taking your hands in his.

“If you love something, set it free.” You smiled. “And if it’s meant to be, it’ll come back.”

Ryder looked into your eyes before leaning in and kissing you on the lips. The kiss was tender yet passionate.

And you’ll say “Let’s run away now I’ll meet you when I’m out Of my tux At the back door Baby I didn’t say my vows So glad you were around when they said ‘speak now.’”

Two years later, you were at another wedding involving Ryder Donovan. But this time, you were the bride and he was the groom.

Ryder cried as you walked down the aisle and you had tears in your eyes yourself.

“Do you, Ryder Donovan, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse,” Ryder smiled wide as the preacher spoke. “For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

“I do.” He smiled at you, squeezing your hands.

“By the power vested in me by the state of Minnesota, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The preacher smiled. “You may kiss the bride.”

Ryder pulled you in for a kiss and whispered in your ear.

“I’m so glad you were around when they said ‘speak now.’”

#ryder donovan #hockey #Hockey Players #Wisconsin Hockey #shay donovan #hockey imagine

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alchemabotana · 3 years ago

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Horoscopes for the Summer Solstice 2021

Antonina “Little Thunder” Whaples - @whaplesantonina

If you find these astrological musings useful for your current journey or life path, please consider paying it forward by voting for me as Ms. Health and Fitness 2021 for Muscle and Fitness Hers Magazine front cover. Voting is every 24 hours and is free, unless you’d like to bump my votes with a “warrior” vote donation for disabled veterans. I am currently in 5th place in my division, and appreciate your support: https://mshealthandfitness.com/2021/antonina

Digital Painting “The Sacred Mountain Jomeokee,” by Antonina Whaples

Horoscopes for the Summer Solstice 2021

11:31pm EST N. Hemisphere, Sunday June 20th 2021

We welcome the turning of the seasonal year & mark the pinnacle of the Sun’s radiative force as Summer Solstice opens us to Cancer Season. This season of the water sign brings us the warm waters of Spirit to soothe the collective experience of the internalized personal battles stirred up during Mars in Cancer. In it’s echo, we turn to the Archer, Sagittarius, to take those hard won personal lessons of the past season as fuel for the fire of the next movements ahead. With Saturn and Mars opposing each other, it may seem that tensions are still what’s holding everything together. However, with Mars protected by Saggitarius, and Saturn being homed in the cool interior of the Aquarian, we may see tensions become bridges, and complaints become solutions quicker than we could have imagined. With these forces in homes that like to get things done, and not at the expense of others, we may want to check in on our strong friends. With Mercury Rx trining Saturn in Aquarius, there are large backroom system updates churning away at the etherium of our mental banks. Past problems, patterns, scenarios, and conflicts may appear in your consciousness, but not be actually reflective of the world outside you. Take this time to appreciate the dimensionality of the human experience, our relationship to perceived time constraints, and the pieces of your identity you’re willing to bring back, or let go of, in order to make the next quantum leap. This Solstice may feel like a true cathartic experience of release for many, with much of this release coming from the work of the prior eclipse work done intentionally or otherwise. The Past comes through for us in unseen ways, as the monsters, myths, and legends of our ancestral lineages & collective human condition, come to the council meetings of our inner spirits to help us ascend to an improved iteration of the stories of our lives.

Aries:

On this sacred Solstice day you can best support your internal needs by focusing on problems that do not distract you from your feelings of internal balance. When our fire feels out of place, or as if it has been stolen in some way, we can tend to look at ourselves in too negative a light. Refocusing your gaze on activities and pleasures that act as the Tiger Balm of your psychic muscles will help your recalibration efforts that have been secretly keeping your wires running a bit hot. There is always time to re-compartmentalize the data you’ve invested in, as well as space to enjoy the new ways of thinking that are not-so-secretly your thing. With this watery opening, remember that steam is a great way to open your aura and vent out the pieces of psychic and emotional debris that has been weighing you down. Embracing self-care as the to-do of the day will have your mental streams flowing into all new pockets of intel easily digestible by your system updates.

I hold my words as sacred to me. I’ve learned how powerful my words can be to me, and the world around me. I recall that I can ground my feelings of uncertainty in the changing world around me with my words. I choose empowering words that bring me joy, and let the planetary duels go on without me. I’m a warrior and I use this Solstice Energy to let go and honor the battles of my past by honoring my present. I create a sacred space inside myself to process experiences I have not yet found the words for. I trust the guidance of my intuition, and learn to read my signals in an epic feat of self-discovery, which I can choose to share or keep private. I enjoy a sense of self worth as I remember my growth and honor the goodness of my human nature.

Taurus:

This hot spot of activity in the turning of the wheel could be poking at a few sore spots in your emotional world. It’s best in these situations to watch out for unanticipated hungers and desires that seem forbidden - not because they actually are, but because your system is upgrading naturally to new experiences of pleasure. It’s ok to feel a bit off balance, especially if things in your work/career experience seem too good to be true, or your focus is drawn to the neverending litany of mistakes and errors you’ve been quietly tidying up. The good news is that problem-solving unnecessarily is about to get a facelift of some sort from a mysterious sector of beneficiary energy. In your in-between times of rest and respite, let yourself feel the inherent recharge of the season as a blessing meant especially for you. Laying in the soft pasture of your pastimes is definitely approved of by the Gods at this particular juncture.

I am thirsty for relief in major abstract areas of my life. I am beginning to see dimensions of these abstractions come into focused clarity, and the definitions are a bit jarring. However, as I define my parameters for a healed daily experience of life, a sense of calm greets my future. In this space of duality, I send healing to myself, recognizing that I am an important asset to myself. I do not need worldly praise, although I know I am worthy of it when it appears. In his healed state of grounded ego, I can look at myself with the compassion I’ve been craving to receive from the world outside.

Gemini:

This Solstice is a rare opportunity to return to yourself in all the ways you’ve been craving. You’ve been peeking into your secret closets of spiritual, psychic, and sexual resources and you kinda gotta admit you’ve got a lot to work with. The mirror that your shadow provides has been pointing you down certain rabbit holes of self appreciation and maturity since this past eclipse. You’ve begun to realize that you allow certain Spirits to pass through your gateways, and it is entirely possible to change the passcode on the wormhole’s gateway. Less of a struggle with your duality, your recent healing journeys have brought you to a place of integration and stability in your identities. There may still be things you are not yet ready to look at from the past, but you trust the spiral of the universe will lead you through the experiences necessary to feel as whole as you really are. This Solstice invites you to close the curtains, turn down the volume, and rest into the spirit of curiosity that most piques your fancy today.

I come face to face with my shadow self regularly, and I need not be afraid of my abilities to compartmentalize complex trauma. When I meet my shadow in the world around me, I see an opportunity to integrate my communication methods. I know that I process vast seas of information regularly, and I thrive when I’m consuming a vast array of juicy tidbits. I stop to breathe and enjoy the flowers, and I make sure to look up at the skies above me. I know that wherever I am, I am at home and connected, when I feel comfortable exploring what it means to “be myself”. There’s no reason to fear when others' needs are louder than my own, because I know there are still magic algorithms working in the background to help me navigate.

Cancer

You’re feeling a bit louder and prouder than you’ve allowed yourself to feel in quite some time. Maybe it has something to do with slaying the dungeon boss on that last level of intergalactic video game of life? Whatever you’ve recently conquered is feeding your home and community, and that is just the panacea for your warrior heart. You’ve swung the hook of Valour on your medicine pack, and it’s no surprise that your shine is quite attractive to the fishies of the sea. You can choose what schools to harvest from, and it’s important to you to be seen and loved for the intellectual matters you bring to the table. Your feelings often inform your thoughts, and you’ve come to understand that might be what’s missing from the world around you right now. Don’t shy away from the beaches or the rays being cast upon your exterior motivations - turns out, you already knew it, they’re the manifestation of your internal work & people can’t help but listen to your come-up!

My sense of self can rapidly shift within myself, and sometimes it feels scary to set boundaries with my own self. I’ve been feeling extra shiny in certain aspects of my sense of self, and I’m becoming more aware of what is mine to offer to the world. When I am confronted by the spirals of the universe, I ground myself in sacred awareness of my connection to the Great Mysteries of life. The depth and breadth of the waters of life call me to define spaces within my ocean of emotions where I can chill, be industrious, communicate authentically, and grow. I give myself a gold star for the growth I’ve made so far in the coral reefs of self restoration.

Leo

You’ve been inspired by the movement of the seasons towards the tone of sunlight that recalls your forthcoming rebirth, Leo. You’ve worked too hard, and too long, and for much too little to not recognize when the Gods themselves are raining down the magical fairy dust of your preference into the spheres of life that need the extra grease to make your motor hum. It’s ok to while away the hours just looking at the flowers at the tea party of your creation. You’ve been looking for a moment to invite a mental list of allies to your inner sepulchre where Kingly rewards await them. This is a pivotal time for recalling the power of your influence on the energies to come for many in your community. Instead of anxiously awaiting the arrival of fortune, you are able to ground yourself in truisms gained from a lifetime of watchful awareness. Tune into the rhythms of your soul to find the right cadence for your upcoming symphony debut.

I carefully test my re-entry to the Pride. I’ve developed a strong sense of community duty, and the fulfillments of those obligations was worth my effort. I can see clearly my impact on my community and feel a sense of grace and ease in the unfolding of this seasonal breeze. I use this eclipse to hunt the horizons of my psychic periphery, knowing that personal boundaries need not be treacherous territory. I am in awe and inspired by the mystery of the circle of life, and I find within this meditation, a place to use my energy for the highest purposes.

Virgo

This Solstice moment brings a recharge to the spaces in your creations that you’ve been abstracting for some time. As the picture becomes more clear, you find yourself refreshed to find that you don’t need to fine-tooth comb-over the facts, details, and opinions flowing through your consciousness. Instead, when you’re able to find the moment inside the moment, you are able to create new portals of connection between your tabulated reference points in time:space reality. You’ve been transversing the realms of the Gods supplicating for keys to unlock gateways even they didn’t know existed. Don’t be discouraged by the roles and archetypes of your family/community centers when you check back in for more data on the status of Love in your life experience, you may be surprise to find the speakers just weren’t set at the right volume. More than anything, the Solstice itself pays honor to your goddess-like stature in the earthly spiritual realm, giving you resources to grow and spread the vines you most wish to cultivate.

When I choose to use time as a mile marker for reflection, I remember to build in new generosity for myself on the next round of self mastery. I don’t apologize for the pace the treadmill of life forced me to run, but I’m willing to accept that the treadmill is transforming and my new experience begins to feel like a cosmic dance. Looking around, I can see the planets and stars are moving to a drum beat I can easily attune with and this helps me move smoothly through the spot-lights I walk under daily. When I shine my torch into the darkness of my fears around perfection, I take a deep breath and accept the quality of my work.

Libra

This Solstice is your chance to balance on the winds of time. The celestial storm clouds will settle the scores you haven’t had the energy to tally up for the cosmic account keepers that knock on your doors of consciousness. Forgiveness is a friend of yours, and you’ve found ways to communicate to this friend your need for space, time, and ultimately: boundaries. Forgetfulness is not a close companion, and you’re being encouraged by the growth of new generations of heart-filled warrior spirits to let your burdens be lightened (at least the psychic ones!). As the earth itself comes into celestial balance in the scales of the universal tow, so your scales of justice meet at just the right angles to allow safe passage for yourself, and others, to a promised land of personal liberation. What this liberation contains is ineffable courage to be and define yourself.

I am a universal quantifier and qualifier, adding the standards of the system I was created to define to the larger collective. I understand that my ability to weigh any situation is informed by the object of the inquiry. I choose to object to judgements that use me as the instrument. I can look at the past scenarios popping up for my attention and level the playing fields of the fair-and-square variety, with the power of my spirit. I use this eclipse to connect with communications & positive influences of the past as I moor my boat and wait for the right time to set sail again.

Scorpio

On this Summer Solstice you are pleased to discover that all the fairies, gnomes, wee creatures of the land, and other critters of the spiritual realm have accepted your invitation to convene for conference. In the quiet nooks and crannies of your subconscious, to the secret spaces you build and find retreat in, the healers of the land take you by the hand and call you a friend. On this day it would encourage your spirit and charge your secret batteries to find time to whisper to the winds you believe carry prayers. As the elements of nature converge to recreate the Earth for another seasonal spiral, you can be the catalyst for change the more you believe in your power as an animal of the earth. You are learning and evolving at a rapid rate, and this grounded meditation on your connection to the Sacred Circle of Life expands you into the identities waiting for your perfect fit.

As the season rotates, I pay special attention to my early experiences of warmth. I notice where and when it feels sage to share my emotions with others, and find relief in my own solitary experiences of beauty. I am co-creating on multiple layers of my personal and family realities. I tune myself into my power anthems of life to find the right vibrations for my focus on the present. I want to use this eclipse to find hidden caves and nooks where the small things can be appreciated. I am practicing new ways of being with myself and the scenarios my imagination reveals to me as inspiration for an archetype only I can define.

Sagittarius

This Summer Solstice gets especially toasty as you learn to actualize your various power sources and fuel supplies. You have been the secret scientist of your own soul, and you’ve got a lot of internalized data to download into a worthy project. Although the bumps along the road of the past year have been jolting, you have also realized that this spaceship could have blown a gasket a while ago if you weren’t so good at wielding that long-term magic. In fact, you’re so good at the longer vision, that you’ve been surprised to discover special pockets of untapped potential in stashes of energy you planted for yourself to find along the way. Paired with new discoveries of ancestral investment into your sacred identity, these resources remind you of your potential for growth, and the security you have in the patterns that create successes.

This Solstice I tie a rope to my arrow and go deep sea diving for hidden treasures in the emotional realms. In this underwater kingdom I discover channels of air-pressure release, ventings to let off steam, and ways to safely grow and contain my regenerative fiery spirit. I call on these powers of restorative calmness to empower my missions in life, and command the respect deserving of my very existence. No matter the oaths or promises of the past, I recognize that self-loyalty is a virtue, not a sin: “to thine own self be true”.

Capricorn

The Summer Solstice is a special retreat for you this year, dear Capricorn. You embody the merriment of Pan along the labyrinth of your inner workings. You’ve been inspired by the tales of the past to create visions for the future, and this Solstice acts as a gateway (not just a path) through the space:time continuum you’ve been awaiting an escape to. But it’s more than an escape, this opening leaves a lingering effect in your psyche, allowing you to bring back medicine from the land of the Giants for the village people awaiting your proclamations. If they’re not listening now, those who have the capacity to tune into your transmissions might be looping back around to catch your vibrations when the Full Moon lights up your sign’s splendor June 24th 2021.

As I reach another pinnacle of self discovery, I allow myself to heal by accepting real love into my mind and heart centers. In this space I allow myself to forgive others in the ways I allow forgiveness for myself. When I reach this reflection within me, I use the light of my higher self to empower my healing journey. I accept that on a journey with no destination, I can take the time I need to view all the peaks, valleys, and pinnacles of life’s successes. I am a free and easy wanderer in my own spiritual way, and this freedom within empowers my daily ritual success. I return to my herd when the signals are right, and share my wandering tales as the bard of my own campfire.

Aquarius

Although you’ve not so secretly been trying to go hard on yourself through these last few eclipses, you can give Saturn a place to chill out of the heat of the Solstice Sun by recognizing the work you’ve accomplished against all odds. Your sacrifices need a special space to be honored in during this seasonal shift, and you’d be wise to water your soul with the sounds, sights, and feelings that make you want to cross any horizon for the abstract experiences your soul has been craving. Instead of contrast, this Solstice celebration brings you vibrations of hues, tones, and shapes that give focused healing to the centers of your mental staples that feel un-pronged. You may want to create a pillow fort where your inner child can let out their emotions, so that you can discover the words you’ve been searching for. Things feel less topsy turvy when the spirit world is partying with everyone else, and it's ok to use this moment to isolate the things that mean the most to you. It’s not like you ever really check out anyway, so when you do allow yourself the journeys of internal dreaming, know you’re safe to do so.

As I watch the clouds traversing the skies, I’m reminded that expansion is a friend of mine. I’ve learned to hone my vibrational awareness and I tune out or eradicate frequencies within & without myself to conquer my fears. I am a cosmic warrior of superb proportions and to unwarily go sparring is not a quest I seek. I seek to conquest the unknown regions of myself, and strive to make room for myself during these gemstone level uploads, downloads, and reprogramming. I make sure that I have plenty of water for the gardens of my consciousness, and I feel safe knowing the good seeds I’ve planted within myself were worth sowing and cultivating.

Pisces

You know how to move information along the waterways of the human experience. Through your feelings you make small ripples find their waves and wash into the right bays. This Solstice the water magic meets-up, harmonizing with the deep resources Earth holds for our continuous growth. You can be sure that your wells won’t be drying up anytime soon, and that your internal psychic resources have a part to play in that. When you take time to name the gifts that others rarely do, you give those gifts permission to grow. Right now your gifts of many flavors and varieties are ripening on the trees and bushes you’ve cultivated in your personal emotional and spiritual Oasis. This Solstice as the sun casts its haze into the deserts of your life, notice how the heat waves keep your temples of beauty hidden, and where the shadows cast are hidden passageways meant for future exploration. In this sacred matrix of rejuvenated protection, the Solstice asks you to enjoy your own personal genius.

I’ve been shedding pieces of myself in the past:present that is allowing fuel for the passion of purpose in my life. I am a philosopher of Eudaimonia, and I find new ways of flourishing regularly. My energetic pulse sends out ripples of shift, growth, and change simply through my existence here on this planetary mass called Earth. I am aware that my very nature asks me to speak my message on the waves of the moon’s scheduled tides. I am no stranger to emotionally informed phenomena and I can speak clearly to the nuances of my school of fishes. I’m my own iconic merecreature, and my propensity for spirit connection guides me to new healing modalities that build this freedom kingdom within me.

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whales-and-recovery · 4 years ago

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Well, I don’t typically do things like this, but I think it’s worth the effort so I can come back and see this again at a later point.

9 Things / Experiences / Moments / Triumphs I am grateful for this year:

1) Firstly, wow, what a year it has been. This is the first year of my life that I have truly been on my own. It has been very difficult not having any parent figures around and really figuring everything out on my own, but I did it and I’m doing it. I was in one relationship for 5 1/2 years and another soon after for nearly an entire year, but as of now I have been single for quite a while. It’s been weird navigating on my own but absolutely worth it. I’ve earned my independence. There have definitely been some rough patches, but I am really proud of myself for being able to do this because it’s been a pretty scary ride.

2) I got my wonderful dog Thor last year in September, but since I moved here in January it has just been him and I. I’ve really gotten the opportunity to connect with him and he is my everything. I love coming home to his smiling face every day, despite the fact that sometimes he is a huge pain in the ass.

3) From January to September, I was working a job in downtown as a receptionist at a condominium. This is a very, very wealthy part of Miami and I worked in a residential building full of very - very successful people. The opportunity to meet many of these people and make good connections was amazing. I also got the chance to meet my very good friend George. Also a pain in my ass at times, but such a genuinely good and kind hearted person.

4) This is a big one, after two years of wanting nothing more than to be back in school, I am finally back in school! I am eligible for financial aid but as I am still considered a dependent student by fafsa guidelines, regardless of the fact that I am completely independent, and the fact that my mother refuses to comply with the application process as she does not want me to go back to college, I don’t get any aid. That means that I have to pay my own tuition for school. It’s been rough, but oh so rewarding. I am so, so, so happy, grateful, and excited to be furthering my education and working towards my career as an aspiring Maribe Biologist. I want nothing more.

5) I finally started SCUBA diving again! I found a new instructor to help me as I was having major issues equalizing my ears before which was causing me intense pain and discomfort. My last instructor did not take it seriously and I could have permanently damaged my ears. This new instructor is just so amazing and takes the time and puts in the effort to really help me figure everything out. You get what you pay for. I’m so passionate about the ocean / diving and I was fearful before as I was scared I would not be able to fix the problem with my equalizing but he helped me and I did it!!! I am just ecstatic.

6) I’m actually working a new job now. I’m working as a narrator on a glass bottom boat in the Keys. This is just wild for me. This is the first job that I’ve had that has anything at all to do with the field I want to be in. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been / can still be extremely daunting as public speaking is definitely something I’ve been fearful of for a long time, but now I’m spending hours talking in front of large crowds of people with a microphone strapped to my face. I’m really glad I was able to make some leeway on that fear and I am actually owning it! I’m getting paid to look at and educate people about dolphins, sharks, turtles, and coral all day. Sometimes I get applause when I’m done. Definitely not used to that part yet.

7) I’ve really realized how precious some of the relationships I have in my life are. I’ve had some very, very good friends move away to other cities and states chasing their dreams. While it’s definitely been saddening to see them go, my heart is so full of joy that I have met these wonderful people who are just as hungry as I am to have a spectacular life and not let ANYTHING hold them / us back from the wonder that life has to offer. I am so, SO proud. Obviously, I’ve also missed my dad since he passed away almost 9 years ago, but this year has definitely made me realize just how much I miss him. I wish he was here and I hope dearly that he is proud of the woman I’m becoming.

8) This year I’ve had so much wild stuff happen. Besides the craziness of 2020, my personal life has been particularly topsy-turvy as well. I sold my beloved Miata as Thor was getting too big for it. I ended up buying a Volkswagen rabbit which had very bad brakes which resulted in me hydroplaning and completely losing control of the car on Mother’s Day, spinning out, and slamming into a wall. I got the car fixed and literally a week later as I was driving it home from work again, it Caught. On. Fire. I had to jump out and call fire rescue. The car was sold to me as is. There was nothing I could do about it and I couldn’t get my money back. I am currently borrowing a friends car (thats another story). Thor also had another emergency surgery this year as he tore up my bedsheets while I was working one day and swallowed a big chunk. Another instance that happened not too long ago was where I was walking him at night in 65° weather (That’s cold for people in Florida guys, also I’m a pussy) and his collar just gave out and popped off of his neck. He saw a duck and took off straight into the lake which resulted in him swimming all the way out to the very middle of the lake at 9 PM which resulted in me having to jump in and swim out after him to get him back because he’s a little stupid sometimes and I know he’s never been in that deep of water. He’s a lazy dog, he tires out pretty easily, had I not jumped in, there is no doubt in my mind that he would’ve drowned. Definitely wasn’t expecting the lake to be that deep at all, not to mention that the water was freezing and it was basically pitch black out there. At one point I couldn’t see him anymore and I really thought he had drowned. I found him, alive, I got him back. We are safe. Very scary night. My life feels like a movie sometimes, the list of crazy stuff goes on. Despite the book I can write on the insane amount of stuff that’s happened this year alone, I truly admire my resilience. I know sometimes I can be very hard on myself and times get very tough, but when I fall down 753 times, I stand up 754.

9) This one sort of - kind of goes along with the last one, but at some point last year, I kind of lost the sparkle in my eye. I really lost the appreciation that I found for life. As of recently, I have been working very hard to push myself back to a point where my mental health is nothing but a priority. I am once again regaining the passion that I have for living, being able to wake up in the morning, even breathing which I forgot was a privilege. I am once again hungry, in the best sense of the word, for life. I can’t wait to continue growing and moving forward in this chaotic existence. I am so appreciative for the things that I have and how hard I have worked to get where I am. It has been truly rough out here on my own but as I said earlier, I am so proud of how resilient I have become.

I can’t wait to see what kind of incredible things I accomplish next year. I am so hopeful for the future. Looking forward with bright eyes y’all! I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years and that you can all look back on the craziness that was 2020 and find the good in it as well. Thank you @always-the-2nd for challenging me and always keeping me in mind. It warms my heart to know that you’re in my corner as I am in yours.

#personal #or whatever

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monstersandmaw · 5 years ago

Text

Male octomer x reader (nsfw) - Mermay story #3

Edit which I’m including in all my works after plagiarism and theft has taken place: I do not give my consent for my works to be used, copied, published, or posted anywhere. They are copyrighted and belong to me.

This has been up on my patreon now for a little while, and folks seemed to like him a lot over there, and the preview I posted got some excitement too, so I hope you’re ready for Caspian!

___

As first days went, this one wasn’t necessarily a complete disaster.

However, walking into the specially-designed meeting room at the aquatic and oceanography research station in Starfall Springs with a very suspicious looking (and entirely innocent) wet crotch, you did feel your cheeks heat up. The room itself reminded you strongly of a beach hut or the like, with scrubbed and white-washed wooden floors, and white-painted, ship-lap walls, and a wide window at one end, overlooking one of the sandy beaches of the wider curve of coastline that was Starfall Bay itself.

The research station was built right at the end of a rocky cob; a curving, protective wall which jutted out into the sea. A section of the floor of this room at the furthest end of the station had been cut away to allow a kind of trap door to be opened into the water itself, allowing for merfolk of all kinds to be present at meetings and consultations, without running the risk of drying out on land.

The merman who was currently resting with his huge, bulky, tanned arms on the lip of the opening took one look at your soaked jeans and hitched a lopsided, cheeky smirk. Your feet faltered at the sight of him; not only was he incredibly handsome, but he was also massive. He had dark hair that was cropped very close to his skull in a side-shave that revealed tapering ears which were attractively tinged with an inky purple tone at the tips, while the rest of his hair was longer on the top. Sections of it flopped into his warm, cocoa brown eyes, and your heart definitely lurched in its regular rhythms.

Below him, visible through the rippling water, you could see glimpses his lower body. He was not like the other merfolk you’d met so far since starting work at the station. Eight muscular tentacles billowed gently in the washing currents, the skin a rich, mulberry purple with paler, lilac undersides. You tried not to stare or flush any hotter.

The only other person in the room besides the two of you was Garreth. When the leader of the Starfall Bay Conservation Society saw the slightly soggy state of you, the werewolf tipped his head back and laughed. “I see Naomi forgot to warn you about the tap in the kitchen…” he chortled.

The octomer in the water chuckled softly to himself, a low, amused rumbling, and you rolled your eyes, shaking your head.

“Yeah,” you sighed. “Not my finest moment. Is everyone here?”

Garreth shook his head. “We’re still waiting on Elliott. He was supposed to have brought me the report on the plastic survey for this quarter, but he didn’t show up yesterday.”

The octomer snorted. “Probably forgot… or got distracted by pearl diving or something…” he said dismissively.

“Let’s hope he brings it with him today,” Garreth said. “Now,” he added, turning to you, “Let me introduce you properly to Caspian. He’s the newest of our three representatives and mediators between the merfolk and the land-folk. He’s also working on a joint project at the research laboratory which is measuring ocean temperatures and the effects on the coral reefs just offshore.”

“Awesome,” you said, stepping over hand holding out your hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

Caspian’s upper body was tanned a deep, nutmeg brown, and as you bent down, you saw a smattering of darker freckles across his cheekbones and down the length of his straight nose. His eyes were dark and kind, and they sparkled when he smiled. He really was huge though, you realised as you got close; had he been a human, he might have been pushing seven feet tall, with the broad shoulders and muscles to match.

His hand engulfed yours as he shook it, and his palms were rough and hard as a life-long sailor’s might be. “Looking forward to working with you on this project,” he said. “If our fourth member ever turns up…” He cocked his head slightly and you watched his tentacles tuck in so that he didn’t occupy quite so much space in the hatchway. “Ah… speak of the devil-fish…”

The final arrival shot into view with a stream of bubbles, a splash of water, and a burst of bright orange colour. He stuck his head above the surface, grabbed onto the side, slipped off, waved his long, floaty tail to bring him back to the edge and tried again. “Sorry I’m late!” he gasped. “I didn’t realise the time…”

Garreth laughed. “It’s alright, Elliott. We were kind of expecting you to be late.”

Elliott’s pale cheeks flushed almost as scarlet as his fiery tail, and he looked away. “I did bring the report this time though,” he said, shyly bringing out a clipboard with the report filled in with special pencil on waterproof paper.

The mer looked to be barely into his twenties, with long, flame-orange hair that was currently tied back with a length of seaweed at the nape of his slender neck. Sections of it had come loose, however, and they had plastered themselves to his alabaster face, half covering bright green eyes. Beside Caspian, he looked like an ornamental koi or betta fish, more suited to the safety of a secluded pond than the rough moods of the open sea.

Caspian, however, looked like he could weather anything the sea threw at him.

Your first assignment on the new project - monitoring the health of the reef, including pollution levels in the water - took you out into the field with him as your partner. You, of course, took the small RIB that the organisation owned, and Caspian had promised to meet you out there. True enough, as you slowed the small boat, he popped his head up above the water and grinned at you.

“You made it!” he called, waving.

“There was doubt?” you chuckled, cutting the engine and dropping the boat’s small anchor.

He only laughed. “You want me to check the anchor’s set ok?”

With a smile, you said, “Sure, if you wouldn’t mind.”

When he’d re-emerged, you passed him the various bits of equipment for data and sample collection and he dove down repeatedly, breaking the surface with minimal splash each time before handing you back whatever it was he’d collected for the project.

After the last sample had been stowed safely, he clicked his tongue at you and you looked round, puzzled. “Did I forget something?”

Caspian flashed you a broad grin. “Not exactly. Here…” and he handed you a shell.

At first, it looked like an ordinary scallop shell; pretty enough, but nothing special. Frowning with mingled confusion and curiosity, you turned it over and saw that the shell had a strange, dark colouring to it. The natural discolouration, however, resembled a little smiley face, with two eyes and a little curving, slightly wonky mouth that very much reminded you of someone… You held it up next to his face, laughing, and snapped a picture on your phone. “Looks just like you!” you said. “I didn’t know scallops painted portraits…”

Indignantly, Caspian cupped his hand and slapped it into the water, sending a large wave spraying straight at you. With a shriek, you lurched away from it, caught your calves on the side of the RIB, and fell backwards into the water.

Panic flared instantly and you flailed and sucked in a mouthful of water before you could stop yourself. In a rush of dark tentacles, Caspian grabbed you and practically threw you back into the RIB. Coughing violently, you rolled over onto your hands and knees, and he cursed.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean… I didn’t… Are you alright?”

You couldn't answer immediately, and when he got no response, he started to haul himself up onto the boat to get to you. The flimsy thing rocked alarmingly and then began to tip under his enormous weight, and you flapped your arm at him to try and get him to back off. It wasn’t going to sink, but he could still roll it enough that the contents - including you - might very well all roll out. You hadn’t the breath spare to tell him you just needed a moment.

He seemed to get the message and flopped disconsolately back into the water, still clinging to the side of the boat and staring at you with wide eyes.

With a tentative croak, you said, “I was not ready for that…!”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think that… Well… I guess that’s it: I just didn’t think.”

You turned to look at him, your eyes stinging from the salt water, and still streaming from coughing so hard, and you saw the worry in his big brown eyes. You pushed yourself upright, sitting back onto your knees to catch your breath, and ran your hand through your dripping hair. “Good thing I dropped my phone into the boat when I fell,” you said wryly. “If I’d have lost that, you’d really be in trouble.”

His lopsided smile flickered back into life across his face as the worry receded, and you shook your head. “Are you alright?” he asked.

You nodded. “If you were a landfolk guy, I’d at least make you buy me a drink for that,” you grumbled. “Jeez, now everyone’s going to think I’m completely incompetent. Can’t work a simple tap on my first day; can’t stay in a simple boat on my second… ugh.”

“You can tell them I did it,” he said.

“Yeah?” you snorted, raising your eyebrows. “And who do you think they’ll believe? The handsome genius researcher, or the clumsy new kid?”

Caspian blinked at that. “What?”

“Yeah. Just what I thought. Look, I’m going to get these samples back to the station before they all get cross-contaminated or something, and get me into some warm, dry clothes. It might be summer, but the wind is freezing out here. I’ll… see you back at the station when the results are back, I guess.”

“Wait,” he called as you started towards the outboard. “Wait… are you angry with me?”

You’d started to shiver with the windchill on your soaked body. “No,” you sighed. “No, I’m not angry. I’m just… cold. And embarrassed, I guess. I’m not a very good swimmer and I panicked. Look, forget it, ok? I’ll see you soon.”

And with that, you just left him and turned the RIB back to the station.

Garreth was standing on the jetty, watching you come in, and when he saw the state of you, his eyes widened. “What the hell happened?”

“Caspian.”

The head of the team scowled. “What? Are you ok?”

“Fine,” you snapped. “Just cold.” You tossed him the line and he secured the RIB for you.

“I’ll sort all this,” he said, gesturing at the samples. “You go inside and get dried out.”

With a watery smile of thanks, you brushed past him and headed inside.

But of course, you had no spare clothes with you because you’d left the bag - which you’d deliberately put out that very morning for just such an emergency - in the hallway of your apartment. “Fuck!” you cursed as you realised where it was. “Fucking perfect.”

It was only then that you noticed that you were not alone. A very sheepish and unusual-looking creature was standing at the research station’s main entrance, staring straight at you. “Hello?” he said in a quavering tenor.

He was one of the strangest mer you’d yet encountered, with a large, orange shell behind him, and crab legs sticking out the bottom of it, while a humanoid torso rose out of the opening so that he looked a little like the mer equivalent of a drider or arachnid.

You turned to him and said, “Can I help you?”

“I… I’m here to talk to Garreth about some activities for the children’s summer camp… but if this is a bad time?”

“It’s a bad time for me, but not for him. He’s just tying up the RIB out back. He’ll be here in a moment, I’m sure.”

A second or two later, Garreth’s heavy boots on the wood announced his return. “Leo!” he grinned when he saw the hermit-crab mer standing there awkwardly, blushing and trying not to stare at your chest where your t-shirt was now plastered to your skin. Garreth turned to you and said, “Did you have some spare clothes?”

Miserably, you shook your head.

“Hang on. I’ve got a t-shirt you can borrow at least. You can hang anything else over the chains on the jetty. With this breeze and sun, they’ll be dry in no time. Just… tie them down well, ok? No need to lose them and have you going skinny dipping…”

You all snorted a laugh at that, and in no time you’d put on one of Garreth’s huge t-shirts and had hung your shorts over the little safety chain along the jetty. It felt a bit indecent to be sitting there in the sun wearing only your underwear and a colleague’s t-shirt, but there was no one there to gawp.

At least, you had thought you were alone until you glimpsed the smooth, billowing movements of a now-familiar octomer swimming through the waters of the harbour towards the station.

You’d been trailing your toes in the water, leaning back on your hands, but as he changed course and swam directly over to you, you sat forwards, hunching a bit and tugging the t-shirt down as far as you could. It still only grazed the top of your thighs. You felt the heat flushing from your face all the way down to your collarbones, even before he surfaced.

Caspian, for all his rugged size and good looks, appeared even more flustered and awkward than you as he stared at you. He couldn’t take his eyes off your bare legs for a very long time, and when he did, he swallowed thickly and took a couple of goes at speaking before anything actually came out. “So… uh… I… I hoped you’d still be here,” he finally said.

You just raised your eyebrows. He really didn’t deserve to be given such a hard time over this, but you were embarrassed.

The octomer smiled sweetly and said, “I… I had hoped our first job would go better… You see… I’ve never worked with a human before.”

“I thought you were doing a joint project with the research lab in town?” you asked, surprised.

He nodded. “I am. The team is composed of non-humans.”

“Oh.”

“You said… You said if I were landfolk you’d make me buy you a drink…”

“Huh, I did, didn’t I?” you smiled.

Caspian’s chocolate coloured eyes drifted downwards again and you watched the thick tentacles writhe below the water.

“Look, it’s fine,” you chirped before he could speak. “I fell overboard, I got wet, no harm done. Let’s put it behind us. But next time I’m definitely not standing up at all in that thing.”

He hitched a lopsided grin, conjuring a dimple in one tanned cheek. “Listen, if we’re starting over, I want to ask you a question. Do you know about the Moonlight Festival?”

You frowned and shook your head. “No.”

Caspian swallowed and licked his lips nervously. “Ok, well… it’s… it’s a long-held festival in the bay. On certain summer nights, the sea glows. Way back when, we used to think it was magic, but now we know it’s actually just bioluminescence caused by a species of dinoflagellate called Noctiluca scintillans…” he broke off at the slight smirk of amusement growing on your face. “Fuck. Way to take the ‘magic’ out of it. Look, it’s a big festival, and the sea glows, and the landfolk like it, and the merfolk come and piss around in the water, and it’s pretty. I thought maybe you’d like to come. With me. But…”

“Caspian,” you said, laughing softly. “You’re not at all what I expected, you know that?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, a touch defensively.

You took a deep, slow breath and shrugged. “I went to college with a lot of guys who looked like you.”

“There were octomer at your college?” he blurted.

“No!” you laughed, tipping your head back and cackling at the thought of a bunch of eight-limbed octomer flip-flopping down the corridor of a very human-orientated, landlocked college. “Oh man, I wish there had been. No, I just meant there were lots of big, handsome, sporty-looking guys who relied a lot on their looks and ‘charisma’ to get what they wanted. I honestly thought you were one of them… Clearly, I was very wrong.”

His face was a mask of confusion. On the one hand, he looked pleased, and on the other, somewhat deflated. “So I’m just a huge nerd?”

“You want to know something?”

“Go on then.”

“I’d rather go to a festival about bioluminescent plankton with a nerd than with one of those guys…”

Caspian bowed his head and rumbled a laugh. “Alight then. And I promise to behave this time…”

You stood, self-consciously holding the hem of the over-sized shirt close to your thighs, and looked down at him. His jaw was ever so slightly slack, and his eyes shone. You bit your lip, unwilling to entertain the idea that the huge octomer could be attracted to you, despite the evidence to the contrary. Deciding to be a little braver, you let go of the fabric of the shirt and let it blow about a little in the breeze.

Caspian’s throat bobbed and he ducked a little lower in the water. “I’ll… yeah I’ll see you then,” he mumbled, and then he vanished.

With a boost of confidence like that, you felt a little bolder about your choice of outfit for the festival. When the evening came round, it found you wandering down through Starfall Springs towards the beach wearing loose summer clothing and simple sandals. Little lanterns had been lit all along the beach, and you were astonished to see the sheer number of merfolk in the water. You’d not known there were so many who were willing to interact with the landfolk.

Like a pod of beached dolphins, some had even hauled themselves up onto the sand and were laughing and chatting with the landfolk, while others played about in the water. You could see a faint blue glow as they breached and splashed, but the sun was still up, and the full effect of the bioluminescence was not really visible yet.

You hadn’t been in Starfall Springs all that long, so you didn’t really know very many people. In fact, you didn’t know anyone outside of work at the research station yet, and that job was only a part time one that you’d secured until you could find another that was full time. Following your instincts, you headed away from the crowds and towards the research station at the far end of the bay.

You’d not arranged a place to meet Caspian for the festival, and since your fateful first trip, your schedules had not actually aligned. You figured that without having organised anything, the station was the logical place to go. Plus it stopped you looking like a lemon, standing on the beach on your own.

All was dark and quiet inside the station, and you didn’t even bother going inside. Instead, you made your way round the outside, following the boardwalk until it became the jetty, and sat down to watch the sunset with the curving wall of the cob behind you.

Time passed, accompanied by the rush and hiss of the sea, and of the laughter and music of the festival in the bay beyond the station. There was a lonely kind of peace to it, and you took your sandals off and trailed your toes in the water again. A silvery blue shimmer rippled through the water as you moved, and you smiled at the sight of it. You’d seen videos of the phenomenon before, but had never experienced it in person.

A shadow moved in the water and you instinctively recoiled, drawing your feet up. Sliding his head out of the water, Caspian looked up at you, his handsome face highlighted with blue and white lights as the bioluminescence ran off him. “Sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

You lowered your legs back in and laughed. “It’s fine. I was a bit lost in thought anyway. You found me then…”

He smiled and swam closer, the water flashing in mesmeric pulses around his body. “I figured you’d come here,” was all he said in answer. He raised his hand and the plankton flashed across his fingers. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

“Mmhmm,” you nodded, swinging your feet back and forth and watching the lights dance.

Caspian watched your movements as though captivated.

“Can I ask you something?” you said after few moments.

“Sure.”

“When you said you’d never worked with a human before, does that also mean you’ve not really been around many humans at all?”

He flushed and looked away. “Is it that obvious?”

“You’re staring at my feet as though they’re something… alien.”

“I can’t imagine what they’re like, that’s all. What it’s like to have only two limbs… to walk… to… yeah. I’m sorry.” He broke off, scratching the back of his head.

“You can touch if you want,” you said, perhaps a little coyly.

He turned in the water and looked up at you with eyes wide and alive. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. Just don’t tickle me. I don’t want to kick you in the face.”

“You’re not that angry with me then, or you wouldn’t have warned me,” he grinned as he swam even closer and raised his hands in the water.

He slid his cool fingertips over your ankle and the top of your foot, and the moan you let out was not a sound you’d expected or intended to make.

“Is that ok?” he asked, touch faltering.

“Mmhmm,” you said. His fingers were surprisingly gentle, if tough, and as he closed his fingers and thumbs around both ankles and gripped experimentally, you inhaled sharply. If he’d wanted to, he could have dragged you off the jetty and into the water in a flash, but instead, he simply explored you with a stunning degree of reverence and delicacy.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, pulling himself slightly closer to you through the water. His limbs trailed behind him in the water, but you could see they were all flared wide, like an open parachute.

“So are you, Caspian,” you replied. “And you’re the most beautiful colour… you know that?”

He smiled and ran his palm up your calves.

You’d parted your legs before you knew what you were doing.

Caspian’s touch faltered and he looked away. “I…. probably shouldn’t…” he whispered.

“Caspian?”

“Yeah?” he said, his rich baritone hoarse and rasping all of a sudden.

“Can you… I mean… Can octomer leave the water at all? I know octopuses can, but… I actually don’t know all that much about your kind…”

He nodded. “Sure we can. Not indefinitely, but for a good amount of time. Why? You want me to come up there and join you?”

“I think it’d be easier than me trying to tread water…” you smiled.

“I’d hold you up,” he said, but he made his way towards one of the sturdy pilings which supported the jetty and latched his limbs around it. They were as muscular and powerful as the top half of his anatomy suggested, and with relatively little effort, he hauled himself up with a rush of glittering water.

Once he was on the wood of the jetty, with phosphorescent lights running down the lines of his bulky yet sinuous body, you felt your own mouth go very dry. He loomed over you while you remained seated, and he used his tentacle-like legs to pull himself towards you.

“Not too freaked out?” he said.

“Not at all.”

You turned to face him and he settled himself down beside you. You raised your hand and tentatively traced the lines of his collarbones and down his pecs, almost testing to see if he were really there, and not some salt-water hallucination. Caspian sucked in a breath at your touch, goosebumps prickling all across his torso.

“Ticklish?”

He shook his head, drops of sparkling water scattering around you.

“You like that?”

Mutely he nodded, and, feeling emboldened by his reaction, you continued to touch him, working lower and lower until you came to his hips. The skin at the transition between his human upper half and his octomer lower half was a bruised, inky purple, and the texture of it changed too, from smoothly human to a thick, tough sensation, almost like wet leather. His breathing hitched as you passed on down and shyly ran a fingertip along the top of one of his massive tentacles.

It coiled tightly and then went slack on the wood of the jetty. He started to keel over to one side, as if he were melting under your touch, and he barely caught himself on one arm. “Fuck…” he gasped. “Fuck, that feels so good.”

His head lolled backwards slightly and his lips parted to let loose ragged breaths.

You glanced down at his body and saw between his limbs that something else was becoming visible. When he saw you looking, he huffed an embarrassed laugh. “Look at the state you’ve got me into,” he snorted, and he started to pull back, pull away from you.

“Caspian, don’t…” you said. “You don’t have to… I… I want this… if you do…”

He fixed you with an unreadable look. “You mean it?”

You nodded. “You’re gorgeous, and funny, and intelligent… and… I trust you.”

He let out a shaky laugh and bit his lower lip hard. He put the flat of his hand gently onto your leg and began to slide it upwards, pushing the material of your clothes up with it, never breaking eye contact with you. He shifted closer on that writhing mass of limbs until he was rearing up above you. He let one tentacle slide around your ankle, and another began to creep up your inner thigh.

You tipped your head back and closed your eyes at the strange sensation of it. When he discovered a moment later how aroused you were, he moaned and rumbled something that might have been a half-swallowed curse. “You’re so warm,” he said, letting the tip of that tentacle play over your skin.

Fire shot up your spine the moment he began to circle and nudge you, and you arched your back. He caught your face tenderly in his hands and kissed you. His lips tasted of salt, but as his tongue found yours, you suddenly didn't mind. He continued to play with you while he kissed you, teasing you with the smooth, cool tip of his tentacle. When he sought out the heat of you more deeply, you felt yourself clench around him as he pushed gently inside you.

“More,” you gasped, loving the stretch of his tentacle inside you. “Please…”

He nodded and eased you down onto the jetty behind you so that you were lying flat on your back. He used two of his tentacles to undress you and then spread your legs, and once you were open for him, he began to squeeze around you, coiling and covering you with four of his limbs around each of your legs.

“Gods, you look so beautiful,” he said, face alight with wonder as he gazed at you. “You’re so beautiful…”

In the soft light you could see his cock now, flushed purple and fully hard, and weeping a pearly pre-come profusely down its length. It was shaped like a smaller tentacle, thick and ridged towards the base, with a more pointed head, and it coiled lazily in the summer air, drooling drops of his pre-come down onto your thighs. “Are you sure you want me to do this?” he asked.

You nodded.

With the highlights of bioluminescence in his hair and on his body, he looked incredible, and it was hard to believe he wasn’t some sea god or something, come ashore for the night as if out of a fairytale. As it was, you didn’t have time for any more lust-filled musings. He slipped the tip of his cock inside you and you gasped as he stretched you. The stretch grew until he filled you utterly, and as he seated himself fully inside you, he bowed his head over you, his whole body tense and taut.

“Gods, you’re so hot…” he hissed. “I mean… the heat of you is… it’s…” he shuddered and then began to move with an embarrassed chuckle as you grabbed his hips.

He started slowly, but soon his rhythm picked up pace. The tentacles that were wrapped around your bare legs began to grip you more and more tightly, each of the suction cups forming a delicious counterpoint to the intense pleasure that the ridges of his cock gave you as he pistoned in and out. His breathing deepened, quickening to match his pace as he lost himself in the feel of you, of being inside your heat. He used his hold on your legs for leverage, and tilted his own hips a little until he caught that spot inside you that made you see stars, and you yelled with pleasure.

“Yes! There… don’t stop… please don’t stop…” you whimpered, and he obliged. He fucked into you hard, the tip of his cock catching you over and over as you felt your orgasm building.

The white hot heat of it rushed up for you and as he squeezed your body just a little tighter with his muscular limbs, he grunted and tipped over the edge first. As the heat of his release filled you, you followed him a second later. Clinging to him, you felt yourself clenching around his cock, drawing his release from him. Caspian’s eyes rolled closed and he bellowed as he emptied himself into you in a series of powerful thrusts.

When he finally finished, he suddenly went limp, his tentacles losing all their strength and sliding off you, unfurling and falling to lie weakly on the jetty. Occasionally one would spasm and then lie quiet again. He just caught himself from crushing you completely, and propped himself up on shaking arms.

“Caspian?” you whispered, still dazed and still clenching around his cock whenever he shifted.

“Mm?”

“You ok?”

“Mm.” He swallowed. “You need me to move?”

“Not just yet.”

“Good, because I’m not sure I can… That was… That was incredible. You’re… You’re incredible.”

You smiled and kissed his forehead since it was all you could reach. He responded by nuzzling gently at your neck and kissing you there.

When he’d recovered, he rolled off you and lay on his back. You turned and watched him for a moment or two, enjoying the sight of his spent, glistening cock still lying openly amongst his limbs.

As you glanced down at your own body, you laughed and groaned at what you saw.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, cracking one eye open and looking at you.

You pointed at your legs. “Either I’m going to have to wear jeans tomorrow, or I’m going to have to say I’ve got chicken pox or something…”

He squinted, and when he saw the spiralling patterns of circles that the suckers of his tentacles had left on your skin, he laughed. Some of them, the ones where the tops of his limbs had been, were almost as big as the palm of your hand. “Sorry.”

You shrugged and lay back down beside him. “I might feel differently about them tomorrow, but right now, I couldn’t care less. You know, for your first time with a human, I’d say that was pretty good.”

“Being a scientist though, I can’t just rely on one experiment.”

You elbowed him hard in the ribs and he grunted. “I’m not a curiosity fuck, you know?”

“I know,” he replied, turning more serious. “But would you like me to do it again anyway?”

Turning your head to face him, you saw the way his eyes glittered playfully in the dark. “Yes,” you said very quietly, and you were met with a broad, happy smile. “Would you?”

One hand moved down his body to take his hardening cock in his fist. It writhed gently in his relaxed fingers, still covered in his come and once again leaking everywhere in anticipation of more. “Very much,” he said, and this time, it was you who straddled him.

************************************

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#octomer #exophilia #merman #mermay #octopus monster #gender neutral reader #starfall springs

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tawakkull · 4 years ago

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Spirituality in: Salik (Initiate)

A salik (initiate) is a traveler who follows a way to a goal and makes efforts to meet with God. The way of traveling differs according to the capacity, abilities and gifts with which each individual has been favored. Some are extraordinarily attracted and taken by God Himself to the ranks of loving and being loved by God and being pleased with Him and His being pleased with them, without having to observe some of the rules that must be observed during journeying. Such are mentioned as those who are attracted by God. They can reach, through the blessings of the Prophet’s Ascension, in a few minutes, hours or days the states and stations that others can reach after many periods of suffering, and become purified of carnal dirt. Their hearts are refined in the shortest way possible and, reaching their Beloved and Desired One at a speed that is not possible through other efforts, they are able to feel all the spiritual pleasures of being favored with His company. They have reached the horizon of “a perfect human being,” which is regarded as the point where the outward and inward have been united.

These perfect ones, who are attracted by God toward Him, are the hidden treasures of the Divine mysteries, the centers on which the lights of the Divine Knowledge and Existence are focused, and those who offer the water of life to believers for the health of their spiritual life, a water with which they will quench their thirst for eternity. They revive dead hearts with their speeches, open blind eyes with their glance and attentions, and cure the spiritual wounds of those who are in their aura. They live intoxicated with ever new gifts and favors, and cause those around them to experience the most dazzling of observations. With their seeing directed by their insight, and their speaking dependent on their hearts, they are enraptured with the colors and lines which pertain to Him, and which they see in everything they look at, and they scatter pearls and coral whenever they open their mouths to speak. Since they are dazzled and enchanted by even a half-seeing of Him, those who do not know them think that they are insane or intoxicated. Ruhi of Baghdad describes their state very well:

Do not think that we are intoxicated with the wine of the grape;

We are among the intoxicated from eternity in the past.

If some temporarily go into ecstasies with the initial signs of Him, they immediately come to their senses because of their nature, and they take refuge in wakefulness and self-possession, continuing on their way to meeting God in wakefulness. There is nothing in their feelings, thoughts or acts which causes people confusion; nor are there utterances of pride incompatible with the rules of Shari'a, nor any affectations, nor relaxed behavior. They advance toward being pleased with Him and His being pleased with them in reliance on Him in the atmosphere of The eye did not swerve, nor did it stray(53:17).

Some others complete their spiritual journey by observing its heavenly rules, reaching the horizon of attraction toward God with the support of Divine help and feeling as if their will-power has been connected to a sacred center of attraction. They continue their future life connected to that center in the manner of those who have let themselves go in the current. You can find in such people, who have taken off toward nothingness and carnal non-existence, neither anxieties, worries, nor grief. They are occupied with the Eternal Friend, they feel His intimacy, and live free from uneasiness and troubles because of the peace they find in His presence. The following verses of Niyazi Misri indicate this horizon in one respect:

Having renounced the worldly worries,

And taken off to carnal non-existence;

Zealously flying without ceasing,

I call, “O Friend, O Friend!”

There are still some others who constantly make an effort, from the beginning to the end, and, without expecting any return, sincerely fulfill their duties of servanthood. They neither feel attraction nor are attracted toward God, nor do they display any affectations, nor have any superiority or inferiority complexes or fancies and fantasies. They show great will-power and patience, observing even the least important rules of devotion without any show and being extraordinarily steadfast in His way. They prefer living an Islamic life over wonder-working and pleasures, and never adopt Paradise and what lies beyond it as a goal of their devotion. Regarding believing and devotion as the greatest blessing of the Lord, they live in thankfulness for such gifts in utmost humility and modesty. With his particular style, Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi describes being favored with this blessing as follows:

Happiness has come and held us by the skirt,

And set up our tent in the heaven.

Yesterday the Beloved asked me:

“How do you do with this unfaithful world?”

I answered: “How can one be who,

Has seen the fortune of the fortunate state?

Thanks that I have found in the bottom of my teeth

The sugar that Egypt cannot see even in her dreams.”

The first thing an initiate must do is to turn to God in repentance and contrition, in determination to emigrate to what God is pleased with from what He is not, to what He asks us to do from what He does not, and to a life in the heart and the spirit from a carnal life. So long as their efforts are supported by such a high degree of refinement of the carnal self, purification of heart, and good morals, initiates feel that they change both inwardly and outwardly while their horizons become gradually enlightened. To the extent of their sincerity and purity of intention, they begin to present an example of straightforwardness in acting, with the mechanism of their consciousness becoming gradually radiant. With belief developing into conviction, and conviction deepening with increasing knowledge of God, and knowledge of God being transformed into love, and love growing into burning passion, and passion ending in constant wonder, a human being, who has been created of dust, of wet clay, becomes the focus of attention for the inhabitants of the heavens. Those dwelling in the pure realm of the Divine dominion regard it an honor to follow the example of such humans. Whoever turns to them for guidance intends to be guided to the truth, and whoever holds fast to them intends to grasp a strong rope.

This “greatest copy and pattern of creation”, who has become a source of radiance in the inner depth of his or her self, turns into a center of Divine gifts and a storeroom of favors, becomes a blessed one who offers everyone the water of life. Each of the different mansions which such a traveler passes through during the journey upward is called a “state,” and the relatively stable point to which his or her abilities develop, and which we may describe as the “arch of perfections” of a traveler, is called a “station.” “The gifts and radiance of everyone is in proportion to his or her capacity.”

Every traveler to the Truth ends the journey at a certain peak and observes all the worlds, materially and spiritually, from this summit or pinnacle. The final point which every traveler reaches according to his or her capacity is the peak particular to that individual, and therefore each peak is of a relative height. The highest, the only real peak, which separates the mortal from the Eternal or the contingent from the absolutely necessary, which is mentioned in the Qur'an in “or nearer” in the statement a distance between the strings of two bows adjacent each other or even less (53:9), which describes the nearness of God’s Messenger to God, is the one belonging to the master of creation, upon him be the most perfect of blessings. All other heights are defined, in comparison with one another, with such expressions as “lower” or higher" or “greater” or “less” and belong to those whom God has made near to Him, and the godly are relative and in proportion to the capacity-capital of everyone and the Divine gifts with which they are favored.

When the initiates step on their individual horizon of perfection and make their heart into a polished mirror to the sacred Divine gifts, that heart becomes familiar with the Divine look and the breezes of Divine inspiration, and they begin to feel and view creation differently, according to the individual’s level. They burn with the excitement of demonstrating to others what each sees and feels.

Those initiates always think of Him and mention Him as “The One to be worshipped is He-God”, breathing the truth of “The One to be sought is He-God”, pondering their inner world and the outer world, respiring with “The One to be known is He-God” and relating everything to the truth of the Divine Being around the axis of Names and Attributes, developing their belief, first based on acceptance without seeing what is believed in, into a conviction based on a seeing by the heart, supported by a state of spiritual pleasures. They experience verbal and physical devotion with such delight that it is as if they have entered Paradise and been favored with a vision of God. Haqani says:

What behoves an initiate is to proclaim: We worship but God alone.

They hold back from everything which they think is not approvable in His sight, and think of Him only. They reflect deeply on a profound understanding of the fields that He allows.

Initiates who have come to the end of their journey think only of Him, consider Him, know and concentrate on Him with His of “He.” They consider and concentrate on Him because of Him and because they must do so, and they consider all else than Him-whether relating to this world or the next-only in accordance with and in proportion to His permission. For one who has focused on Him only and considers all else save Him because of Him, the only thing to be sought and desired is He and His good pleasure. Let us listen to Mawlana once more:

O you who are seeking the world; you are like a day laborer in this world;

And you, lover of Paradise, are also far distant from truth.

O you, who are unaware of the truth and pleased with the two worlds,

You are excused, for you have not felt the pleasure of suffering for the Beloved’ sake.

In short, initiates who have determined their goal well and who are aware of the horizon where they are, leave both their bodies and souls, with which others are most concerned, on the bench where corpses are washed for burial, and scatter all their capital of being before the door of their heart. Freed from all concerns of everything save Him that may keep them from their way, they turn to their heart and try to understand its voice. They put their eyes and ears under the command of their insight, they plunge into the pure world of metaphysical considerations. It sometimes occurs that they can transcend space in one attempt, and make their voices heard by the inhabitants of heavens in another.

This point, where the heart turns completely to the invisible speaker in it, is like a launch pad from which initiates can rise to the door of eternity in one leap. A step forward, with their head and feet having met at the same point, the heroes of ascension (to God) and descent (to return to being amidst the people) become like a ring. In such state, where the “bird of petition” should be sent to God, lips and voice fall silent, and only the warm sounds of the heart are heard. The head bends itself down to lean ever increasingly on the heart, and whispers to itself: Worship your Lord until certainty comes to you (by death) (15:99).

O God! I ask You for Your love and the love for him who loves You, and for the deeds which will cause me to get near to You.

O God, bestow Your blessings and peace on Your beloved one and the Messenger, Mustafa, and on his family and Companions, who were appreciative and faithful.

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punballchan · 5 years ago

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Secret Santa Gift 2019! X3

“Is there something wrong?” Kaldur asked the miko seated in his lap with her back pressed against his chest.

Kagome shook her head and turned in Kaldur’s arms to face him or, more accurately, his collarbone.

“Sorry! It’s just that—well I—I’ve never done anything like this before,” she uttered, embarrassed, “That is to say, I’ve never been close to someone—a boy—like this before. I’m not exactly sure what I should be doing right now.”

Kagome stilled when Kaldur gently touched her chin and tipped her gaze toward his. He smiled at the rosy pink hue that started from the apples of her cheeks and continued down the slender column of her neck. It was hard to believe a hero and comrade who confidently fought by his side could be so timid. They were several weeks into their courtship, and the most innocent of touches made the tiny miko flustered even when the two of them were alone.

Kaldur chuckled and pressed a kiss to Kagome’s forehead. He whispered against her skin, “You’re adorable.”

Kagome pouted. “That doesn’t help, ya know.”

She yelped when Kaldur tightened his grip around her waist and fell backward onto her mattress, bringing her down with him.

“Kaldur!”

“Relax. You don’t have to do anything at all,” he told her softly, “Kagome is all I need. Don’t overthink it.”

Kagome huffed but made herself comfortable, resting her ear directly about Kaldur’s beating heart as she traced the muscles on his chest.

“I’ll try not to.”

Kaldur hummed and began to run his fingers through Kagome’s hair, grateful that she finally released the tension in her muscles. He didn’t take offense to her hesitance, knowing how difficult romantic relationships could be for her. Despite her past experiences, he knew without doubt Kagome trusted him completely. There wasn’t anywhere he could go that she couldn’t follow.

-O0o0O FLASHBACK O0o0O-

Kagome nervously tugged at the collar of the black and neon pink wetsuit she wore and shifted her long braid over her shoulder. She was anxious with a frenzy of butterflies fluttering up a storm in her stomach. In less than a minute, she would enter a Zeta-Beam transport tube and enter the capital city of Atlantis, a place even she couldn’t believe existed.

“Kagome, are you ready?” Kaldur asked her as he approached her.

Kagome squeaked in surprise, but Kaldur’s demeanor composed her thoughts. She wasn’t the only one in a frenzy about today. Her quiet, reserved leader appeared to be the same as he always was on the surface, but she could tell he was excited to bring her to his home.

Kagome smiled to herself as she recalled Kaldur confessing he wanted to bring her to Atlantis. For that, she would put her nerves aside so he could be happy.

‘Not that I’m not happy too.’

“As ready as I’ll ever be!” she replied.

Kaldur gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting it go.

“Wonderful. I have received word from King Orin, and he is ready to receive us with his wife, Lady Mera, and younger brother, Prince Orm.”

“Seriously? All of that isn’t necessary!” Kagome insisted, comically shaking her head, “This is just a simple visit. No need to make such a fuss over me.”

“But it is much more than that,” Kaldur insisted, “Not only are you an integral part of the Team, you are a valued ally to the Justice League and its affiliates. You have done and are doing great things. You should expect the respect you receive and much more.”

Kagome flushed and looked away. “I’ll try.”

“And, on top of all that,” Kaldur continued, “you are my dear friend and, as such, are important me. Stop being so nervous.”

His only regret was that his parents were unable to travel to Poseidonis to join the Royal Family to greet them. He could have taken Kagome to Shaycris as well, but he wouldn’t risk Kagome’s health on an additional trip to his home. Kagome’s ability to withstand underwater conditions was temporary, and Kaldur wanted to be as close as possible to the transporters should something go awry. He took every precaution to ensure Kagome returned to the surface safely, and nothing discouraged her from wanting to visit Atlantis again.

“Is that a request from a friend or an order from my leader?” Kagome cheekily asked.

“That is a difficult decision. It is equally likely you will listen to neither.”

Kagome smirked and calmed just as Kaldur intended. “You’re lucky I can’t talk underwater, or you’ll get it as both.”

“Thank goodness for small miracles.”

Her heart pounding, Kagome took a deep breath as she stood, trying not to think that it would be the last breath of dry air she’d take for several hours. Sensing her nerves return, Kaldur reached out and took Kagome’s hand.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

Kagome nodded once. “Ready.”

Entering the transporter was a blur for Kagome. She only realized she was completely submerged in water when her body began to float and her mind went blank with fright. The strong, stable embrace of Kaldur’s hand engulfing hers and the steady stroking of his thumb did little to temper her body’s instinctive responses. Despite her preparation and training for this moment, she couldn’t force her body to ignore the perceived danger and draw a breath into her aching lungs.

Kaldur immediately noticed her distress and released her hand. Before Kagome could panic further, he placed one hand on her shoulder and the other cupped her cheek to direct her gaze to him. He gently but firmly pulled her closer until he became the only thing keeping her grounded, an epitome of calm and constant support.

“Breathe, Kagome,” he told her, “Just breathe.”

And, even though she did, she still felt breathless.

With Kagome’s hand in his, Kaldur led Kagome just beyond the transporter where the Royal Family was waiting to receive them. The meeting went better than Kaldur expected. With stiffened poise, Kagome released his hand and bowed before King Orin and his wife, presenting them both with Shinto talismans in the shape of the Shikon no Tama she prepared and blessed for the occasion. Queen Mera was immediately taken with the young priestess, admiring her ancient style of magic. Without her ability to speak, Kagome could only blush and nod, but her expressions spoke for themselves.

After a promise to join them in the evening for dinner, Kaldur brought Kagome to the Conservatory of Sorcery to meet his friends and former classmates. Kagome was more comfortable around people their age and visibly relaxed. Unfortunately for her, Tula, Coral, and Lori used her distraction to whisk her away from Kaldur’s side with promises to return her in one piece.

Garth chuckled and placed a hand on Kaldur’s shoulder to keep him from following.

“You don’t have to be so tense. She’s hardly in danger.”

“I know,” Kaldur replied, “It’s odd. For some reason—”

“You can’t help but worry,” Garth interrupted with a small smile

Kaldur lingered to speak with his friends for several minutes before he left to find the girls with Garth in tow. At Garth’s suggestion, they arrived at Poseidonis’s large shopping district to begin their search. Before long, Tula called out to them from the entrance of a popular clothing store.

“You saved us the trouble of finding you,” she said, “I didn’t think you would be so impatient, Kaldur.”

“You did catch me off guard. I take it Kagome is inside?”

Tula nodded. “We thought Kagome would appreciate more appropriate attire during her stay. I believe it suits her.”

Lori and Coral exited the shop, eagerly coaxing Kagome to do the same. She stumbled in open water until she stood in front of Kaldur, her hands clasped together in front of her.

The miko wore a lavender, high-collared halter top with intricate violet details that bared her midriff with deep purple shorts and a think silver chain clasped around her slender waist. On her arms were white bell-sleeves flowing over her wrists. Her previously bound hair was loose and held back by a white patterned headband.

Kagome looked at Kaldur from beneath her lashes, an expectant look in her eyes while she nervously bit her bottom lip. Kaldur smiled at Kagome, approving of her new Atlantean attire. He was grateful Tula and the other girls decided to take her shopping even though he would have preferred to accompany her as well. He reached out and tenderly grasped her hand.

“You look lovely, Kagome,” Kaldur said, his grin widening when she began to blush.

Behind them, Tula, Coral, and Lori giggled. Kagome made a noiseless shriek and ducked her head but didn’t attempt to remove her hand from his.

“We’ll leave you two alone, okay?” Lori said with a flirty wink.

“Make sure you see us before you go back to the surface,” Tula said.

Kagome nodded and approached her new Atlantean friends, giving them a bright smile and an eager nod.

-O0o0O END FLASHBACK O0o0O-

It wasn’t long after that day when Kaldur decided to pursue Kagome, and he did so earnestly.

“If you start to feel uneasy or uncomfortable, just tell me,” Kaldur stated, “We will figure it out together. This is new to me as well.” He continued speaking to Kagome in Atlantean, causing the miko to knit her brows. She knew enough to hold a simple conversation but was far from fluent.

“I’m sorry, but what was that?” she asked.

Kaldur smiled and repeated his words in English, “My arms are your refuge. With me, you will not know fear.”

Kagome shifted so that she could look Kaldur in the eye. She reached out and gently cupped his cheek. “That’s beautiful, Kaldur. Thank you.”

Kaldur leaned up, stopping just a hair’s breadth away from Kagome’s lips.

“No problem,” he whispered before closing the short distance and pressed his lips to hers with one hand pressed against the back of her head and an arm around her waist.

-O0o0O-

punballchan – That’s what I got! Assume this takes place in the Forgotten Hero universe. Hope you like it, @masquerabe. (Sorry it’s late!)

#secret santa #kagx secret santa #Kagome Higurashi #crossover #young justice #inuyasha #kagx secret santa 2k19 #Kaldur'ahm #Kaldur

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daffydom · 4 years ago

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Spotify, SoundCloud, or Pandora? spotify, but i have an account with apple music.

is your room messy or clean? clean atm.

what color are your eyes? green with blue around it.

do you like your name? why? i like it only because people compliment it and that it’s unique.

what is your relationship status? you wish.

describe your personality in 3 words or less. goofy. experienced. kind.

what color hair do you have? brunette.

what kind of car do you drive? color? i love my subaru & it’s white.

where do you shop? tj maxx mainly.

how would you describe your style? linen, & statement jackets.

favorite social media account. snapchat.

what size bed do you have? double.

any siblings? i’m the yougest. with 2 brothers & 1 sister.

if you can live anywhere in the world where would it be? why? i liked taiwan but i’d love to travel to europe.

favorite snapchat filter? rainbow hair.

favorite makeup brand(s) bare minerals. & jeffery star.

how many times a week do you shower? tbh 4.

favorite tv show? trash tv being married at first sight. but i haven’t found another tv show i enjoy seriously.

shoe size? 10

how tall are you? 5 11?

sandals or sneakers? sneakers.

do you go to the gym? i would if my apartment complex would open.

describe your dream date. if it’s a dream then something fancy & expensive, but with real love behind it.

how much money do you have in your wallet at the moment? a cc & less than $20 cash.

what color socks are you wearing? barefoot.

how many pillows do you sleep with? one.

do you have a job? what do you do? clean rentals & homes atm.

how many friends do you have? a few.

whats the worst thing you have ever done? this question is out of my context.

whats your favorite candle scent? vanilla notes. midnight rain.

3 favorite boy names. brendon. theo. james..

3 favorite girl names. kirey, ava, & idk.

favorite actor? jack nickolson. jim carrey. robert de niro.

favorite actress? susan sarandon. diane keaton.

who is your celebrity crush? theo james.

favorite movie? allegiant from the divergent series. new moon from twilight series or closer.

do you read a lot? whats your favorite book? no & i prefer health books.

money or brains? brains. But i believe even that doesn’t get you far.

do you have a nickname? what is it? niqueeyyy.

how many times have you been to the hospital? a couple.

top 10 favorite songs. turn by the wombats. glorious by muse. sweet thing by van morrison. i’ll never love again by lady gaga. to love you more by celine dion. last you heard of me by joyce maynor. rodent by the menzingers. cherry bomb by the runaways. somebody else by the 1975.. haha by mates of state.

do you take any medications daily? just supplements.

what is your skin type? (oily, dry, etc) normal. i remember to scrub the face well.

what is your biggest fear? afain, out of context.

how many kids do you want? 0. couldn’t feel right letting them grow up in the antics of the world.

whats your go to hair style? up in a bun.

what type of house do you live in? (big, small, etc) 1 bedroom apartment.

who is your role model? dad. various reasons.

what was the last compliment you received? my name was beautful.

what was the last text you sent? left a gift for mom at her house saying where i left it.

how old were you when you found out santa wasn’t real? oh please.

what is your dream car? anything extravagant & fast.

opinion on smoking? nah.

do you go to college? briefly online, but it wasn’t what i wanted to do.

what is your dream job? director of sorts.

would you rather live in rural areas or the suburbs? rural.

do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels? sometimes.

do you have freckles? used to.

do you smile for pictures? depends.

how many pictures do you have on your phone? 1,560

have you ever peed in the woods? & more.

do you still watch cartoons? bob’s bourgers.

do you prefer chicken nuggets from Wendy’s or McDonalds? wendy’s.

Favorite dipping sauce? chick fil a orignal sauce.

what do you wear to bed? t-shirt & undies.

have you ever won a spelling bee? could’ve.

what are your hobbies? photography.

can you draw? want to try again.

do you play an instrument? wish i played acoustic & piano.

what was the last concert you saw? cover band for led zepplin.

tea or coffee? black coffee.

Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? either or.

do you want to get married? mhmm.

what was your first crush’s first and last initial? A.B.

are you going to change your last name when you get married? standard.

what color looks best on you? orange/coral/black.

do you miss anyone right now? yes.

do you sleep with your door open or closed? closed.

do you believe in ghosts? you know they’re all demons, right?

what is your biggest pet peeve? “professionally taken” bad photos or badly directed movies.

last person you called? mom.

favorite ice cream flavor? chocolate with fudge.

regular oreos or golden oreos? both.

chocolate or rainbow sprinkles? both.

what shirt are you wearing? calvin klein pj’s.

what is your phone background? blue flowers with red setting sun.

are you outgoing or shy? outgoing.

do you like it when people play with your hair? yes.

do you like your neighbors? yes.

do you wash your face? at night? in the morning? night.

have you ever been high? :)

have you ever been drunk? :)

last thing you ate? white rice with thai curry soup and chicken.

favorite lyrics right now. i’ll get back to you on that one.

summer or winter? summer.

day or night? night.

dark, milk, or white chocolate? milk.

favorite month? does it really matter.

what is your zodiac sign. not into astrology.

who was the last person you cried in front of? joe.

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surveys-at-your-service · 5 years ago

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Survey #266

“... and buried deep beneath the waves, betrayed by family, to his nation with his last breath cried: beware the daughter of the sea.”

What's the last thing you looked up in the dictionary? Shit, it's right on the tip of my tongue... I was making sure I was using it right, which I was. Do you ever listen to instrumental music? Rarely, and if I do, it's normally game soundtracks. Who did you last sit on? I'm hoping you mean like... on their lap lmao in which case it'd probably be Jason. No one wants my fat ass to sit on their lap nowadays. What do you think about wind? I HATE wind, unless it's hot and there's a nice breeze. Has there been anyone that you wanted to get to know but never did? Well of course. That happened in high school a lot. What's the last thing you looked at that reminded you of someone? Teddy's picture on my shelf. Have your parents ever tried to commit suicide? Not that I know of. I couldn't even begin to imagine either of those trying that. Do you have a gag reflex? A VERY STRONG ONE. Would you rather have sex before you're married or wait till marriage? I don't care. Tbh by now, I kinda think before is wiser only to ensure you two are compatible in that area. It wouldn't matter to me personally, but I know that's important to some people and can cause issues and built-up bitterness. Just use protection, Christ. Have you ever let someone hit you? Um no? Do you have friends in other states/countries? Plenty. Been on the Internet since before I was even a pre-teen, talking to strangers lmao. Do you ever pay attention during church? I would try to back then, but I never succeeded well because my mind would wander out of boredom. Do you have self-control? That very much depends on the situation. I can be EXTREMELY impulsive, but in other cases hold it together. Have you ever broken a window? No. When was the last time you freaked someone out? I'm sure it was a few nights ago when I had another nightmare and woke up screaming. Mom always yells my name to snap me out of it. Have you ever gone on a date with a weirdo? No. Who's the last person you called a bitch? I don’t know. Is anyone in your family disabled? Yes. What do you want for Christmas? It's hella early to think about it, but I'm quite certain I'll be asking for a treadmill. How many moles do you have? I don't think I have any? Aren't freckles and moles different? Do you own any comic books? No. What is the nastiest dare you have ever committed? I don't know. I never did really nasty ones because I wasn't stupid. Do you know anyone who has been raped? Almost, anyway. Idk if I know anyone to really has been... I hope not. Are you an atheist? No. I think there's... something. Have you ever owned a goldfish? Well yeah, from like, carnival games and stuff. Who was the last person to call you beautiful? I dunno, probably a family member when I changed my FB profile picture. How many times have you been stung by a bee? Once. Those fuckin hornets better stay the holy fuck away from me. What was the last flavor of gum you chewed? Probably something fruity. When was the last time you used tape? Ummm probably when I had to tape the side of my laptop screen a bit. When was the last time you said fuck? A couple questions ago in this survey lmao. Have you ever stolen something? Only this pink crayon I thought was beautiful at Sunday school oof. Who would you like to kiss right now? Maaaan there's three people I would so long I wasn't involved with anyone else. Mark of course lol, Jason, or Sara. Who was the last person you told to 'Shut the fuck up' to? Ha ha, probably playfully to Sara. Why were you last nervous? So I joined this group on deviantART called the Guiding Light Project, which is about mental health help and positivity, and there is a list of people seeking help and what their problem is. I decided to reach out to two people I really thought I could help, and one was a guy. Men make me so nervous that I was very nervous sending him a message, but it's going very well. Whose pants did you last take off? Uhhhh. OH YEAH HEY when I was hanging out with Colleen and she got me to change her son's diaper. Hate hate hate hated it. I do not ever need kids. When was the last time you were disturbed? Hm. I'm sure over something I saw on Facebook. NO, WAIT. Sara, do not read this. When I was at Ashley's, we were watching Naked and Afraid, and they caught a chameleon to cook for food. I almost screamed. Poor thing looked terrified when the guy grabbed him. Why did you last feel awkward? Also when messaging that guy. When was the last time you got in a fight with your best friend? It's been a long time. Have you ever asked someone for a tampon? Only a friend. Who was the last person you read a book to? My niece had me read a book like fifty times. Who is the person you say the naughtiest things to? Ha ha, Sara when we're having our stupid fangirl moments. Who was the last person to send you a letter? Sara. It's still on my shelf. :') How do you feel about war? I’m a pacifist, so guess. Do you like cupcakes or muffins more? Hm, maybe cupcakes. Have you ever pushed someone on purpose? Yes. Have you ever slapped someone in the face? No. Do you have any tough life decisions to make soon? Nothing major. At what time of the day do you usually have the most energy? In the morning, once I've passed the drowsy phase. Magenta, aqua, or coral? Coral. Do you like the color orchid? Ye! Would you rather be a wedding photographer or a nature photographer? Uhhh I literally want to be both? I'm *realistically* more interested in shooting weddings for the income, but if I had my way, I'd be perfectly financially content being a nature photographer. Man, I hope that happens. Have you ever had an ulcer? No. Are you interested in health and wellness? "Rather than interests, I consider them two very important things I should always try to pay attention to. Health is very important." <<<< This. Would you ever be a fitness coach? HA no. Do you ever question whether something that makes you uncomfortable is a good thing or not? That's a very good question. This can definitely lead to you questioning flawed morals, so in that sense, it sure can be. In other ways though, it can certainly be a bad thing. Do you think for yourself? Yes. I am, generally, very opinionated and follow my gut instinct. Do you live life on your own terms, or do you do what everyone tells you to do? The former, usually. I can be AWFUL at making decisions though, so I definitely consider advice. What color is your bike? I don't have a bike. Are you due for a hike? There is physically no way I could handle a hike in my current shape. Muscle atrophy in the legs is not fuckin' fun, and with hyperhidrosis and THIS heat? Oh, hunny. Have you ever created a themed scrapbook? As a kid, I fainty remember having one? How often do you eat dessert? Very rarely. I don't need it. What's the trendiest item you own? Oh boy, I don't have a clue. I don't even know what's "trendy." Did you pull an all-nighter last night? No. When was the last time you wrote an essay? My first semester of this year. Do you enjoy writing essays? I actually do if it's a subject I'm passionate about. Do you enjoy learning? Yeah! What is your favorite fairytale? Fuckin fight me if you say Shrek isn't one. What is your favorite name that starts with a "Z"? I have no idea. Maybe Zena, though I prefer it with an "x." Have you ever felt like you were going to throw up while you were at school? Yes. I have before. Do you own a princess crown? No. When was the last time you were jealous of someone? Ugh... with how bad my PTSD has been lately, I've been having periodic episodes of raging hate and jealousy of the girl he dated after me, thinking things like, "what if he loved her more," "what if he also told her this or that," etc. They're not even together anymore, but my brain doesn't care. Do you know anyone with an eating disorder? Maybe? What was the last thing you killed? I think an earwig-ish thing. Whose number did you last get? The girl's who adopted Bentley. When was the last time you used a public bathroom? Probably not since an appointment with my psychiatrist some time ago. Have you ever used someone for money? Wow, no. Do you have manners? I honestly think I have great manners. Have you ever woken up and realized that yesterday really happened? That was ABSOLUTELY the day after the breakup. It didn't at all feel real when it was even happening. When was the last time that you had a pet that died? Last November is when we had to put Teddy to sleep. God, I miss that baby boy. Or did Mitsu die later? I don't recall for sure. Do you know anyone who retired at a young age? I mean, probably. I'm just unaware. When was the last time you took a taxi/Uber? Where were you going? Never, actually. We don't really have those here. Have you ever been diagnosed (by a professional) with OCD? Yes. Do you know any married gay couples? Distantly. Who is your favorite person to spend time with? SARA! I feel like kids having a sleepover when I've been with her. Is there anything you should tell someone, but don’t want to? Yes. Have you ever woken up somewhere and not known how you got there? I don't believe so. Do you live somewhere where recreational marijuana is legal? No. Have you ever quit a job with no notice? No. Do you have nightmares often? HA, it's just about a nightly basis now. Have you ever been on any sort of government assistance? I've gotten loans for school and stuff. Does that count? Did you have your own bedroom when you were growing up? No, I shared it with my little sister. Are you more optimistic or pessimistic? Pessimistic. Are you comfortable with your weight? Fuck no. How often do you listen to classic rock? Semi-frequently. Not as much as I did in high school. What about country? Just about never ever. Do you know anyone inside and out? I don't think that's possible. Is anyone in your family sick? Both Mom and Grammy are fighting cancer right now. I don't think my grandma has much time left. She can't walk on her own anymore. What kind of camera do you have? A Canon EOS Rebel T6. What is something you know you shouldn’t do, but do anyways? Download music. What is the most amount of money you have ever lost? Idk. Is photography one of your interests? Of course, I aim to make a career out of it. Do you know your neighbors very well? I personally don't. The person to the right of us, though, my mom knows decently and is a total and complete sweetheart. Have you ever hurt yourself just to get attention? "Kind of (I hurt myself for my own purposes, but I did want attention paid to it), when I was a teenager, because I desperately needed someone to treat me with compassion and, like, take the shit that was happening to me seriously." <<<< I don't like admitting this, but it's happened. I want to emphasize that it was not the primary reason and was rather impulsive anger and self-hate, BUT for the mentioned reasons, I did want this shit taken seriously and realize I really needed help. Has anyone ever called you conceited? No. Do you write ever write poetry just to get your feelings out? Certainly. Not like I used to, though. Who were you last really mad at? REALLY mad? I'm not sure, but probably Mom. What is a sad song that you like? "Terrible Things" by Mayday Parade has been in my head lately. What is a rumor people tell about you? I don't know of any. The only rumor that I know has ever been spread about me was that Jason and I had a baby in high school. Despite the fact I was slim then lmao. If you were given 1,000 acres of land with no strings attached, what would you do with it? Definitely plant a forest around a house I'd like to model myself, dig a nice pond for more wildlife... a lot of stuff that would benefit nature. If you had to flee their home country, where would you live? Canada. Do you think psychic abilities exist? Which one would you like to have? No. I'd like to uhhhh... predict the future when I will it myself, I guess. What’s a skill or craft that you would like to master, but haven’t? I wish I could draw exactly what I see in my head. How did you find out Santa isn’t real? My mom just told me. What’s a personality trait that you wish you had? CONFIDENCE!!!!!!! Do you believe in getting revenge on those who do wrong by you? If so, how do you go about it? Noooo no no. That creates so many more problems. If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family think you’d had done? That's a great question. If you could shop for free at one store, what would it be? For the sake of being smart, Wal-Mart. Necessities are there. Do you have any pets? If so, what are they? I have a Siamese-esque cat and a champagne ball python. I'm currently DESPERATELY trying to talk Mom into a Mexican red knee tarantula... and I really want a hognose snake. What event in your life would make a good movie? The breakup and my recovery. If you could dedicate your life to solving one problem, what would it be? Discrimination. Where do you find meaning in your life? Quite honestly, I don't feel it has much meaning currently. I'm not doing shit worthwhile. Do you believe things happen for a reason? Hell no. What do you think is a conspiracy? Honestly, I believe in quite a few. The one I believe in most was that the government was 120% involved in 911. Research. It is unbelievable. I'm very dubious that the "first" moon landing was real, either. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence it was on a soundstage. Why? America wanted to beat Russia in the space race. I love conspiracies. Do you believe in the afterlife? How do you picture it? Yes. I don't quite know how I picture it, but I lean towards like... this nirvanic state of peace and knowledge, and unity between the dead. What’s a superstition you believe in? I don’t believe in any superstitions. None. What is the dumbest way you’ve ever been injured? YOOOOOO when I was at Colleen's in-law's having dinner once, I literally took a large bite of rice RIGHT WHEN IT CAME OFF THE STOVE. I didn't know it'd only just been removed. My tongue was burned for weeks on end. Do you mind conflict? Hell yes I mind. I'm terrified of confrontation. If you could start a charity what would it be for? Something with mental health. Maybe to help those who can't afford help/therapy. If you were a cryptid (bigfoot, mothman, ect.) what would you be? I'm already a cryptid. What’s your ideal temperature and weather? Hm... like 55 and partly cloudy. What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on with no preparation? Gay rights. Have you ever worn those drunk goggles? Yes, for D.A.R.E. in elementary school. Can you agree to disagree, or usually get upset over conflicting views? It depends on the subject of course, but I'm normally very good at agreeing to disagree. Rodeos – entertaining, or cruel? Animal fucking cruelty. Dumbasses getting gored are well-deserved. Who is the best female rocker? Why? Lita Ford is a badass. Slays on the guitar and is just cool. What color of roses do you find the prettiest? I actually like the classic, deep red. Have you ever accidentally found porn when looking for something else? I don't think so. Why do so many fans with OTP’s insist that their ship is real? I don't really know, but it's annoying. Some people are just friends, y'know. Being similar/compatible does not equate to actually liking each other like that, and the feral ones are just... wow. Do you draw fanart of anything? Not anymore. There's soooo many pictures I'd love to draw of Mark, but I literally love him so much I don't want to disgrace his face with my poor ability to make shit proportional lmao. Favorite thing to see in museums? Fossils! Have you ever seen an unwrapped mummy in person? No. What things have people shamed you for? My AvPD doesn't want me to think about this. Are there any 'adult stores’ in your area? Probably at some point. Have you been inside of them/shopped there before? No. Do you watch The Masked Singer? Any theories? No.

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