#like i didnt have the energy at all for this and then this.

[queenrizzardnthelizardscissored]

ithink the really striking thing here is that like they got thinner but they didnt get that much thinner in a way that counts. like either way from the bottom laptop to the top laptop that is still taking up ur entire laptop compartment in your backpack or in ur super cool gay leather briefcase (okay thats just me) it is not like you would be carrying more stuff if u had the thinner vs the thicker one, the lighter vs the heavier one.

i have owned a thick laptop (thinkpad t440) and a thin laptop (t490s, framework laptop) and there was never a moment ever where i broguht my thin laptop but would not have brought my thick one. both come to class, both come to coffee shops, both come on trains and planes, both sit unused in my backpack for way too long while i use my actual main pc lol. so like what was the point of the technological advancement that lead to this thinness? why not keep this thickness and improve everything else about it? like imagine the battery life and performance you could cram into a thick one with modern tech and you could give it such a big radiator that it wouldnt even need fans for 90 percent of everything. but instead of making the product better we spent most of our energy into making it thinner.

idk it just really showcases how useless this all was, how it was to sell thinner n thinner machines with no real purpose. like my mom hates windows machines in general and needs too many specific apps to use linux, but the issue is that new macbooks have a sharp edge on the keyboard, which cuts and scratches her arms and wrists as she uses it, and so she has to have a thicker machine that is actually designed well. why did we go this route? every year thinner after thinner after thinner and its like. what was the point? the framework laptop or a thinkpad are really the only reasonable laptop options if u want to h ave anything you can repair instead of throw away that is also comfortable to use and not some janky diy contraption. i have to go out of my way to find a phone with a headphone jack and like all th e options are years old or wayyy too expensive unnecessarily powerful 'enthusiast' phones who have like dedicated communities of old white men discussing exactly one product. and all the while we have these advancements and its like? for what? why do we need the thing to be 5% thinner and 5% lighter and 20% worse. its just such a blatant attempt to upsell year over year and while i think ppl are finally catching on (more due to wage stagnation than any like. shift in understanding.) it took way too long for it. at the same time we are lacking variety,. like all the goofy old laptop designs with some degree of 'charm' are gone. so its like. what are we left with? a bunch of same-y increasingly thin and sharp metal slabs with low travel keyboards for laptops n fragile glass sandwiches for phones with n+1 cameras compared to last year but less and less features?

[the-winter-spider]

Invisible | Part 19

Bucky x Reader AU

Word Count: 4.1k

Warnings: Nothing

A/N: This is lowkey a pretty boring chapter lol but i really didnt wanna just jump right into the next bit, so ill probably post the next one right after!

The bar was alive with the familiar buzz of laughter, clinking glasses, and low music, but tonight felt different. Tonight, you and Bucky weren’t just walking into your usual booth as friends, as two people who danced around each other for years. Tonight, you were something more, and everyone would know it.

Bucky’s hand brushed against yours as you entered, a subtle but grounding gesture. His fingers lingered, warm and steady, before he finally slid his arm around your waist. You glanced up at him, catching the small, reassuring smile he shot your way. For years, you’d craved moments like this. Now, they were real, and the world felt a little steadier.

Sam was the first to notice, his gaze snapping to the two of you as you approached the booth. He froze mid-sip of his beer, his eyes widening before he stood up dramatically, spreading his arms wide. “Well, holy shit! Would you look at this! Holding hands and everything! Hallelujah—finally!!”

The table fell silent, all eyes turning toward you. Natasha and Wanda exchanged knowing smirks, and Steve, seated in his usual corner spot, leaned forward slightly, his sharp blue eyes narrowing as he took it all in.

Bucky chuckled low in his throat, squeezing your waist as he nudged you forward. “Well,” he said, smirking at Sam, “someone had to put you out of your misery eventually.”

“Oh, please,” Sam shot back, grinning. “My misery? Barnes, you’ve been in love with her since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. I’m just glad the rest of us don’t have to watch you suffer anymore.”

Wanda let out an excited squeal, practically jumping up to pull you into a tight hug. “Finally!” she exclaimed. “You two were driving me crazy. I’m so happy for you!”

You laughed softly, the warmth of their reactions easing the tension that had been building in your chest all week. “Thanks, Wanda,” you murmured. “It means a lot.”

Natasha leaned back against the booth, crossing her arms with a smug grin. “Took you long enough,” she drawled. “But I’ll admit, the slow burn was fun to watch. Better than reality TV.”

The group burst into laughter, the energy at the table light and easy. Bucky slid into the booth, pulling you down beside him. His arm rested casually along the back of your seat, his fingers brushing against your shoulder as if he couldn’t help but touch you.

But then your eyes flicked to Steve.

He hadn’t said anything yet. He was sitting in his usual corner spot, nursing a glass of whiskey, his face calm but carefully guarded. His eyes flicked between you and Bucky for a fraction of a second before he finally smiled—a polite, distant smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Congratulations,” Steve said, his tone kind but restrained. “You both deserve to be happy.”

Your stomach twisted. The cracks in his mask were subtle, but you could see them. You wanted to say something, to reassure him that this didn’t change anything between you, but before you could find the words, Steve leaned back in his seat and took a long sip of his drink, effectively removing himself from the moment.

You forced yourself to smile, but your chest felt tight. Bucky’s hand brushed against your shoulder, pulling your attention back to him. “You good?” he murmured, his blue eyes searching yours.

You nodded, offering him a soft smile. “Yeah. I’m good.”

But as the group started talking and laughing again, you couldn’t help but notice the way Steve’s eyes lingered on his drink. And when Natasha leaned across the table to whisper something to Wanda, you caught her glance at Steve, her gaze filled with something you couldn’t quite place—longing, frustration, maybe even sadness.

Your chest tightened further. You were happy, truly, but there was an unshakable weight that came with knowing the ripple effects your relationship with Bucky had on the group. The laughter continued around you, and Bucky’s arm stayed firmly around your shoulders, his warmth anchoring you. But every time you met Steve’s eyes across the table, a small pang of guilt twisted in your stomach.

You weren’t just navigating a new chapter with Bucky; you were navigating the fragile balance of a friendship that felt more delicate than ever. And as you caught Natasha watching Steve, who was watching you.

The bar was alive with the warm buzz of chatter and laughter, your group nestled into the corner booth like you always were, drinks scattered across the table. For the first time in what felt like forever, things felt… normal. Easy.

Sam was halfway through an animated story about one of his more adventurous days at the VA, his hands flying around as he described some “wild” shuffleboard tournament involving a 92-year-old named Agnes. “And I swear to God, she hustled me. Agnes had that killer glint in her eye. I didn’t stand a chance.”

Everyone burst out laughing, Wanda clutching her stomach while Natasha shook her head, muttering, “Should’ve seen that coming, Wilson. Never trust anyone with that much bingo experience.”

Bucky’s laugh came deep and unrestrained, his head tilting back as his free hand squeezed your leg. His other hand, resting on your knee, gently rubbed small circles into your skin as if grounding you, even through his laughter. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver of happiness through you. You looked over at him, your chest tightening when you saw the pure joy in his face, the crinkle of his eyes, the twinkle in them as they caught the low bar light. This was your Bucky. This was home.

And in that moment, everything felt right. The weight of the last few weeks lifted, and for the first time, you allowed yourself to simply exist in the bubble of joy that surrounded your friends.

But then, your gaze wandered.

Across the table, Natasha sat beside Steve, her hand casually toying with the edge of her glass. At first, it was nothing out of the ordinary—Natasha, composed as always, listening to the group’s banter with her usual smirk. But then, as Steve leaned forward to share his own jab at Sam, her eyes lingered.

And that’s when you saw it. Really saw it. The way her gaze softened as she looked at Steve. The way her lips quirked into the faintest of smiles, one that seemed reserved only for him. The way her fingers, usually so deliberate and precise, nervously traced patterns on the rim of her glass. It hit you like a freight train— how could you have been so oblivious before?

Your stomach dropped, and your mind spun. How had you missed this? All the little moments, the quiet exchanges, the way her demeanor shifted when he was around—it all clicked into place, a puzzle you hadn’t even realized you were holding.

Steve, blissfully unaware, was chuckling at Sam’s next ridiculous quip, his broad shoulders shaking as he leaned back in the booth. Natasha’s eyes followed him, her expression softening further, almost imperceptibly.

You wanted to say something, to acknowledge it somehow, but before you could, the server appeared with a tray of shots, breaking the moment. “Alright, next round!” the server announced, setting the tray down with a flourish.

Everyone cheered, grabbing their glasses and raising them high. Bucky leaned closer, his breath warm against your ear. “You okay?” he asked softly, his hand giving your leg a gentle squeeze.

You forced a smile, nodding as you grabbed a shot. “Yeah. Just… thinking.”

His eyes lingered on you for a second longer, searching, before he smiled and pressed a quick kiss to your temple. “You worry too much sweet girl, but im here no matter what's going on in that pretty little head” he murmured, his words a promise.

The group clinked glasses, Sam yelling, “To Agnes and her ruthless shuffleboard skills!” before throwing back his drink. The warmth of the whiskey burned your throat, but it didn’t quite chase away the new weight in your chest.

As the night carried on, the laughter and teasing continued, but your eyes kept drifting back to Natasha and Steve. You couldn’t unsee it now, couldn’t ignore the quiet longing in her gaze, the way she seemed to absorb every little thing Steve did. And for the first time, you realized just how deeply entwined all of your lives were—how every choice, every relationship, every word could ripple through your group in ways none of you could fully predict.

But for now, you let yourself focus on the warmth of Bucky beside you, his hand never leaving yours, his laugh like a lifeline tethering you to the present. Whatever the future held—for Steve, for Natasha, for all of you���you’d face it together. But tonight? Tonight, you’d hold onto this moment, this joy, just a little bit longer.

When the night finally wound down, Steve excused himself before the rest of the group, his usual good-natured demeanor replaced by a quiet reserve. His steps were quick, purposeful, like he needed to get away before anyone could stop him. But you couldn’t let him leave like this.

“Steve,” you called softly, your voice catching in your throat.

He paused, his shoulders stiff as he slowly turned to face you. His hands were shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket, his face calm and composed—but his eyes betrayed him, dark and heavy with emotions he couldn’t hide. “Hey,” he said, his tone too casual, too forced. “What’s up?”

Wrapping your arms around yourself, you took a tentative step closer. The cool night air bit at your skin, but it was nothing compared to the ache in your chest. “I just… I need to know if you’re okay.”

Steve’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. It never did these days. “Of course, I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Steve,” you said more firmly, your brows furrowing as you searched his face. “You don’t have to lie to me. I know this is… hard. And if you need anything, if you need time away from me, I—”

“No,” he cut you off, his voice low but resolute. “I don’t need space. I don’t want space. I don’t want to lose you, even if…” He trailed off, his jaw clenching slightly before he continued. “Even if things feel complicated right now.”

His words twisted something inside you, and for a moment, all you could do was nod. “I don’t want to lose you either,” you whispered. “I just—I don’t know how to make this easier for you.”

Steve let out a quiet laugh, but it was bitter, devoid of humor. He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers tugging at the strands like he was trying to ground himself. “You can’t, and I wouldn’t ask you to. It’s not your job to make this easier for me.”

You opened your mouth to speak, but the weight in his gaze stopped you.

“Look,” he said, his voice softer now, tinged with resignation. “I’m happy for you. For both of you. I’ll figure out the rest on my own. I always do.”

The silence between you was deafening, and you could feel the walls Steve had so carefully built pressing between you. You hated it—hated that you couldn’t bridge the gap, that you couldn’t fix this.

Finally, he sighed, shaking his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. “You know,” he began, his tone quiet but laden with sadness, “there was a time I thought maybe… if I’d said something sooner, things would’ve been different.”

Your heart clenched painfully, and you couldn’t stop the tears that welled in your eyes. “Steve…”

He gave you a small, sad smile, waving off your words. “It’s okay. It’s not your fault. I didn’t, and that’s on me. But it’s not all bad. You’ve got your happy ending now, and… I’ll find mine eventually.”

You reached out instinctively, your fingers wrapping gently around his hand. “You deserve the world, Steve. And when you find someone, they’re going to be the luckiest girl alive.”

His smile faltered, just for a second, before he nodded. “Yeah,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe.”

The sound of the bar door opening behind you pulled you both from the moment. You glanced over your shoulder, and there was Bucky, stepping out into the cool air. His expression softened as his eyes landed on you, and without hesitation, he walked over, his hand finding its place on the small of your back. The touch was subtle, comforting, but it carried a weight you couldn’t ignore.

Bucky’s voice was gentle but edged with curiosity. “Everything okay?”

You nodded quickly, brushing at your cheek as you turned back to him. “Yeah. Just needed a minute with Steve.”

Bucky’s gaze flicked to Steve, and there was a moment of silence, a quiet understanding passing between them. “Hey, man,” Bucky said, his tone genuine. “Can we talk for a second?”

You hesitated, your gaze bouncing between the two of them, but Steve gave you a reassuring nod. “Go on,” you murmured to Bucky, stepping slightly to the side.

Bucky leaned down, pressing a kiss to your temple. “I’ll see you inside,” he murmured, before turning to Steve.

As they moved a few steps away, you stayed rooted to the spot, watching them. Your heart felt heavy but strangely hopeful as Bucky and Steve exchanged quiet words, their silhouettes outlined by the streetlights. You couldn’t hear what they were saying, but you could see the respect in their stances, the way they were trying—really trying—to make this work.

The silence between them stretched, thick and heavy like the weight of all the years they’d shared. The hum of the bar behind them was a distant echo, muted compared to the tension in the cool night air.

Bucky leaned forward, his elbows braced on his knees, his head bowed slightly. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, raw. “Steve… I never wanted to hurt you. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I just—”

“Stop,” Steve interrupted, holding up a hand, his tone resigned but calm. “You don’t have to explain, Buck. I’ve had plenty of time to figure it out.” He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head as his gaze flicked up to meet Bucky’s. “She was always meant for you. I get that.”

Bucky froze, guilt and sorrow etched into every line of his face. “That doesn’t make it right,” he said hoarsely. “You’re my best friend, Steve. And I—”

“You love her,” Steve said, cutting him off again, his voice softer now but no less certain. “And she loves you. That’s all that matters.”

Bucky’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. The words should have offered relief, but they only deepened the ache in his chest. “It’s not that simple,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “It’s never been that simple. You were always there for her when I wasn’t. You picked up the pieces when I messed up. I don’t know how to fix that.”

Steve let out a long breath, leaning back against the wall, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. “It’s not about fixing anything, Buck. It’s not about me, either.” His lips curved into a sad smile. “She chose you. She’s always chosen you, even when she didn’t know it.”

Bucky’s hands clenched into fists on his knees, his knuckles whitening. “And you? You’re just supposed to what? Move on? Pretend it doesn’t hurt?”

Steve let out a dry, humorless laugh. “What else is there to do? You think I haven’t known all these years? I’ve seen the way she looks at you, Buck. The way you look at her.” He glanced down at his boots, his voice dipping lower. “I never stood a chance. Not really. But I always held out hope.”

Bucky flinched at his words, his chest tightening painfully. “Steve…”

��Don’t,” Steve said, his tone firm but not unkind. He looked up, his blue eyes steady despite the sadness swimming in them. “You don’t have to apologize for loving her, Buck. You think I wouldn’t have done the same if I were in your shoes?”

The question hung in the air, unanswered but understood. Bucky’s head dipped, his jaw working as he struggled to find the right words. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked finally, his voice quiet, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Steve hesitated, then offered a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll get there,” he said honestly. “It’s not easy, but it’s not supposed to be. Just… don’t screw this up, okay? She deserves someone who’s all in. Someone who won’t run the second it gets messy.”

Bucky let out a small, broken laugh, his eyes glistening under the streetlights. “I won’t. I promise. She’s it for me, Steve.”

Steve nodded, his expression softening as he pushed off the wall. “Good. Then do right by her.” He clapped Bucky on the shoulder, his grip firm but brief, and took a step back toward the bar. “Now get inside before she starts thinking we’re out here plotting something.”

Bucky watched as Steve turned and walked back toward the entrance, his silhouette illuminated by the warm glow of the bar lights. The tension in his chest eased slightly, but the weight of their conversation lingered.

“Steve,” Bucky called after him, his voice steady but earnest.

Steve paused, glancing over his shoulder.

“Thanks,” Bucky said simply, the word carrying more weight than he could ever fully express.

Steve’s lips twitched into a small, genuine smile. “Always, Buck.”

And with that, he disappeared into the bar, leaving Bucky standing alone under the stars, more determined than ever not to let Steve—or you—down.

The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a soft golden glow across the apartment. The city was still waking up, the distant hum of life filtering through the cracks of the world outside. Inside, everything was still—quiet but warm.

You shuffled out of your room, still in your oversized sleep shirt and fuzzy socks, rubbing your eyes as the smell of freshly brewed coffee hit you. The sight that greeted you was enough to make your heart do a little flip.

Bucky was standing at the stove, shirtless, his gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips. His hair was a mess of soft waves from sleep, and he had one hand on the frying pan, the other holding a spatula as he carefully flipped pancakes. The muscles in his back flexed with every movement, and for a moment, you just stood there, taking it all in.

“You’re staring, doll,” he said, his voice gravelly from sleep but tinged with amusement. He didn’t even turn around; he just knew you were there.

You smirked, padding over to the counter where the coffee pot sat waiting. “What gave it away?”

“I’ve got a sixth sense when it comes to you.” He glanced over his shoulder, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. “Or maybe I just heard you stumble into the wall on your way out here.”

You rolled your eyes, pouring yourself a mug of coffee. “It’s too early for you to start with me, Barnes.”

“Never too early,” he shot back, returning his attention to the pancakes. “Besides, you love it.”

“Debatable,” you teased, taking a sip of your coffee. You leaned against the counter, watching him move with ease around the kitchen. “What’s all this, anyway?”

“Thought I’d make you breakfast,” he said, plating a stack of pancakes and setting them on the counter. “Figured it’s the least I can do since you’re stuck with me as a roommate.”

You raised an eyebrow, grabbing a fork from the drawer. “Oh, so now you’re trying to bribe me into keeping you around?”

Bucky smirked, finally turning to face you, his arms crossing over his broad chest. “Something like that. Is it working?”

You pretended to think about it, twirling a piece of pancake on your fork. “Hmm… I don’t know. You do hog the covers at night.”

“Lies,” he countered, stepping closer and leaning against the counter beside you. “You’re the one who turns into a human burrito and leaves me with, like, a sliver of blanket.”

“Okay, that’s fair,” you admitted with a laugh. “But you snore.”

He laughed, his head tilting back, and the sound was so pure, so carefree, it made your chest ache in the best way. “I do not snore.”

“Do too.”

“You’re imagining it, baby,” he said, leaning in a little closer, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Admit it—you just like having me close.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t stop the smile that spread across your face. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you love it.”

You didn’t deny it. Instead, you nudged him with your shoulder, breaking the momentary tension with a grin. “What’s the plan for guys’ night tonight?”

“Sam’s got some stupid idea about poker and whiskey,” Bucky said, rolling his eyes fondly. “Probably just gonna end with Steve lecturing us about the health risks of drinking too much.”

“And you’ll love every second of it,” you teased, taking another bite of pancake.

As you leaned back against the counter, sipping the last of your coffee, Bucky nudged your hip with his. “What’s the plan for girls’ night? Anything exciting, or is it just the usual chaos?”

You grinned, setting your mug down. “The usual. Probably face masks, way too much wine, maybe even a terrible rom-com. It’s a sacred tradition.”

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head. “Sounds dangerous. You think you’ll bring up the whole Steve and Natasha thing?”

You froze for a second, his question catching you off guard. “Why would you think I’d bring that up?” you asked, feigning innocence.

He shot you a look, one eyebrow arching. “Oh, come on. I know you. It’s been bugging you since the bar last night. You think I didn’t see the way you were watching them? Your eyes were practically glued to them.”

You sighed, crossing your arms over your chest. “Yeah, well… maybe I will. She used to do it to me all the time, so I think it’s only fair.”

“Do you, though?” Bucky asked, leaning a little closer. His voice was softer now, less teasing and more thoughtful. “Do you think it’s fair to poke at her about it?”

You tilted your head, narrowing your eyes at him. “What’s with the sudden wisdom, Barnes?”

He smirked, running a hand through his hair. “I’m just saying, Nat’s not you. You’ve always been a little more… open about your feelings. She keeps her cards close, you know? You might not get the reaction you’re hoping for.”

“I’m not hoping for a reaction,” you said, though even you didn’t sound convinced. “I just… I don’t know, Buck. I’ve been thinking about how much she must’ve been holding in, how long she’s felt that way about Steve. And now I feel like an idiot for not seeing it before.”

He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind your ear. His touch was gentle, grounding. “You’re not an idiot. You were caught up in your own stuff. Nat’s good at hiding things—trust me, I’ve been on the receiving end of that more times than I can count.”

You sighed again, the weight of everything settling in your chest. “I just feel like I should say something, you know? Like, if I don’t, it’s like I’m ignoring it. And she deserves more than that.”

Bucky tilted his head, studying you for a moment. “Just… be careful, okay? Nat’s not as tough as she makes herself seem sometimes. She’s been there for you through a lot, and I know you want to be there for her. Just… don’t push too hard.”

You nodded, his words sinking in. “You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right,” he teased, grinning. “I’m always right.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped you. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Barnes.”

“Hey,” he said, his grin widening as he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you closer. “You’re the one who’s stuck with me now, sweetheart. Might as well get used to it.”

You tilted your head up, your eyes meeting his. “Oh, I’m used to it. Doesn’t mean I won’t call you out on your nonsense.”

“Fair enough,” he said, leaning down to press a quick kiss to your lips. “Now, promise me you won’t stir the pot too much tonight?”

You pretended to think about it, tapping your chin. “No promises.”

“Figures,” he muttered, shaking his head with mock exasperation.

As he turned back to the sink to rinse the dishes, you watched him for a moment, a warm, contented feeling blooming in your chest. It was moments like this—simple, easy mornings together—that made everything else feel worth it.

And tonight? Tonight you’d handle Natasha in your own way. You just hoped she’d be ready for it.

[neostellarjpg]

inner mono-dialogue

the more time i spend being davepeta with you the more i realize almost every single problem in my life was caused by my obsession with being this unfeeling cool dude

but youre cool already

like in the way that actually matters

youre chill and friendly and just nice and thats all there is to it

youre shamelessly yourself even if everybody around you is a jackass and gives you shit for it

youre similar to jade and john in that way

i really envied that about them

but its different actually being at the control panel and feeling where that earnesty comes from

it makes me wanna match your energy and keep that pawsitivity ball rolling even if it ends up being weird or cringe or whatever

fuck man do you know how exhausting it is building yourself social hoops to leap through all the time and when you trip up even once its suddenly the end of the world

what kinda dumbass does that its like dealing with life in hard mode for no reward

fuck that noise

i like your way better

Nepeta's heart burns and shines inside you.

:33 < thank you :))

:33 < but you know

:33 < i dont think doing things your way is unrewarding

:33 < its like

:33 < a shield!

Dave scrunches up with discomfort.

X33 < i dont mean that in an insulting way!

:33 < the fact is that shields are just purractical sometimes

:33 < it doesnt make you cowardly to hide behind one

:33 < in the same way that it isnt cowardly for a predator to hide in the bushes when stalking prey

:33 < its just a way to make sure you dont get hurt!

:33 < purrsonally i found shields too cumbersome

X33 < im a hunter after all!

:33 < and i guess maybe the same goes for my personality

:33 < its not really that im purrticularly brave for being myself

:33 < i just didnt have a say in the matter in the furst place!

:33 < honestly if i had a choice i would have loved to be more like you dave

:33 < you can befriend people almost effortlessly

:33 < and its beclaws youre also just a nice person

Dave recoils in surprise, but Nepeta passionately pushes forward.

:33 < fur real! i feel it inside you! theres a really strong sense of empathy there

:33 < its just like mine! just smarter, and a bit more analytical

:33 < whenever we encounter someone mew, its like i f33l you lock onto them, and you gather so many insights into their purrsonality without even trying

:33 < and you can use that to bond with others without giving every part of you away

:33 < which unfortunately

:(( < i never really knew how to do

Nepeta sours with unpleasant feelings. Your brows scrunch together with both pain and sympathy.

Nepeta has a big and complex heart. She always tried her best to keep it from spilling over, but it always did in the end. And it was embarrassing. It was embarrassing when your friends dismissed your hobbies or focused in on your strange quirks. It was embarrassing when they revealed they knew about your crush on Karkat that you'd worked so hard to hide. And it hurt whenever he would say mean things about you. He and anyone else.

But you always puffed out your chest and sucked it up. You stuck to your guns no matter what. Because it was fun! The things you liked, the people you liked, were fun, and they made you feel good. Why couldn't anyone else see that? And why did it seem like they never gave a single thought to who you were?

You curl in on yourself. Your chest hurts. You suddenly really miss Equius.

And you miss Rose. You miss Jade. You miss John and Karkat and Aradia and Tavros and Terezi and all the others. You miss all the people you can go outside and see whenever you wish, and you miss all the people that you have no hope of ever seeing again. You feel the choral echo of all the times you've ever felt this need for comfort, this thrumming pain searing hot inside you, like hunger wracking your stomach.

You clench your teeth. You remember being on your bed, curled in blankets, not having eaten a proper meal in days. You remember holding your stomach and sneaking to the kitchen, turning your shoulder at every step to look fearfully behind you, only for your fingers to falter hopelessly on the handle of the refrigerator, knowing there was nothing for you inside.

You shake with anger. You know that feeling. The feeling of being chased by something much bigger than you, a hulking silhouette of menacing strength following your scent through the thicket. You'd clutched a beast carcass to your chest, barely breathing as you stalked clumsily through the trees, performance wavering from exhaustion and hunger.

You'd almost died. You'd almost died often. And then after escaping death so many times, it one day claimed you. Casually. Unflinchingly. And the world beat on without you, leaving you stunned by your own insignificance. You'd looked out onto every preceding moment of your life, wondering if there was anything to truly be proud of in the face of your friends accomplishing all these fantastical things. You'd felt lonely before, but after that, you were truly walled off from every single person you knew.

And now, despite everything, you're alive again. Twofold, together with someone.

A warmth coats the ache inside your body. The two parts of you swirl together, feeling and tasting each other, trying to understand themselves.

It feels like a hug.

[gtzel]

Winter and Claus (title TBD)

Chapter 3

first/previous/next

The human looked down at the borrower with something that would have resembled sympathy, realizing he might’ve done serious damage to the little guy. He reached into the box, causing Winter to scramble back and yelp in fear, obviously still vulnerable form being grabbed so roughly the first time.

Nevertheless the human, oblivious to Winter’s fright, scooped him up. This time he was more soft with his movements, and kept the borrower in an open palm. Winter struggled weakly as one of the human fingers drew down and pinched the borrower's thin torso, lifting up his dark blue striped shirt to view the bruising on the borrower’s body. It obviously wasn't a pretty sight, the finger shaped markings that had started to bloom on the tiny borrowers form. But the human finally got a good look at the person he was dealing with. 

Winter gave up with the exhausting attempts at fighting, which were fruitless anyways. The human fingers gently caressed Winter’s lean torso, which looked concerningly underweight for the borrower's age. 

“Gods do you eat at all?” the human said quietly, the cold tone still hanging in the air, but a twinge of concern hidden underneath. As the human continued to poke about at the borrower's body. The boy looked human enough, but the pointed ears and thin tail proved a challenge to the human's intellectual curiosity. 

Winter gulped nervously, pulling his bandaged arms to his chest protectively, not allowing the human access to that part of him. Though it seemed that the human was disinterested by the movement. Instead lightly pinching the borrower's black tail and rubbing the fuzzy hair at the end. WInter suppressed a moan, knowing what would follow if that ensued. He wasn't about to let the human humiliate him further. However, he couldn't hold back the guttural vibrating noise that came with the feeling of being petted, a light soft purring not unlike a cat’s. The human, to Winter’s much disdain, perked up and smirked coyly at the noise, gently rubbing and stroking the creature’s soft tail.  

“So you like that?” the human said, an undertone of playfulness pulling at him as he spoke. WInter blushed hard and pouted away, a soft ‘humph’ escaping his lips as his tail moved on its own to wrap around the human's finger. The human made a soft chuckling sound and relaxed his finger to the borrower’s voluntary touch, counting it as a win. 

“S-shut up *human*” Winter spat, quite obviously flustered at his body’s natural reaction. Though he didn't ever admit it, the human could deduct that the borrower was a bit on the touch starved side. 

“Fine then, but you have to actually make conversation with me” the human started, looking into the borrower's grey eyes. Winter reluctantly complied. “So~ starting off, what are you? I thought you were like…a shrunken person but you don't look very human.” the human said factually, not bothering to be subtle.

“Geez, straight to the point. Don't you want to at least know my name first?” winter said, slightly put off by the humans sudden burst of energy. 

The human nodded thoughtfully “yes, well i'm Claus. Claus Woodm-i mean Evergreen.” the human said the last bit with a frown. Maybe he didn't like the name or something, winter didnt know nor bothered to ask. “And you would be-?” 

“Mhm…yeah uhm…im Winter…Ivus” the borrower said quietly, his fingers subconsciously moving and tracing the subtle markings on the human palm. “And uhm…i can't tell you what i am” winter muttered, a sharp tone at his lips. “I already said that” 

Caus frowned “what? But I was nice to you?” he said in earnest. Zeal scoffed internally. This human seriously believed that just being a bit more gentle- while still manhandling him mind you- was “nice” absolutely unbelievable. 

“Yeah well being ‘nice’ won't cut it. Rules are rules” Winter muttered. Despite still being scared, the borrower found that he could talk back to the human relatively well, not making him completely terrified. 

“Oh? And what kind of rules are those? Why are they so important?” the human said sassily, but genuine curiosity ebbing away at him.

“Well for one, No being seen by humans, or caught. Or talking. Unless its a threat to life. No revealing the secrets. And no fraternizing, speaking of which, you can kindly set me down and be on your way” Winter demanded with a not-so-scared tone of voice. 

The human chuckled “well it seems like you've already broken 3 of those rules, if i'm counting. And I don't want to let you go, not when ive just caught you, "Claus said, a sly smile pulling at his lips. Something about the tone of voice by which the sentence was delivered sent shivers down the borrower’s spine. 

“b-but …” winter felt his nerves spike with his fear. “But you have to let me go-” winter said “i-i have a-” he caught himself. He couldn't reveal anything, not the fact that he had family, or that he lived in the walls. He had to keep the secrets. “-a uh…a” he stuttered, blanking at a false excuse to escape. 

“Well i think you don't have any reason to leave. Don't worry, now that i know how breakable you are, ill be much more gentle” the smile on his face made the borrower ring his tail anxiously “after all, if i let you go, who knows what kind of things would happen to you. You could get stepped on, or eaten alive by a cat, or-” 

“Stop!” Winter interrupted him promptly, already shaking at the visualization of what the human had described “j-just stop it…i-i get what you're trying to say,” 

The human looked down, a twinge of guilt pulling at his heart, realizing how shaken up the little guy was.  “Ah-o…okay” he said softly. He sighed, slightly frustrated with himself for screwing this up. 

Just before they were going to continue their conversation, a loud yelling- a man’s voice- called out from downstairs in the house. Winter noticed the way Claus flinched at the voice. But before the borrower could ask, he was promptly dumped in the box. Winter cried out, startled and confused as he was jostled around and shut into darkness. 

The box finally stilled and Winter heard the thudding of footsteps as the human suddenly left, thudding as they walked downstairs. 

Muffled yelling ensued for the next hour or so, Winter chewing at his hands anxiously as he waited for the human to come back. It was getting late. Winter was in too dark a place to tell, but the sun had begun to set when the sharp sound of a slamming door rang out downstairs. 

Winter waited….and waited and waited. The human didn't come back. The yelling ceased and minutes turned into hours, and still no sign of the human…finally, Winter caved to exhaustion and passed out in the corner of the warm cardboard box, wondering absently what had happened, and where the human had gone now. 

[bridgyrose]

Weiss found herself staring at her reflection in the mirror as her heart pounded in her chest. She was supposed to be getting ready for her first day of class, something she had done plenty of times before while living in Atlas. So why was she so nervous today? Was it the fact that she was finally wearing a skirt? Maybe it was that the longer she stared at her reflection the easier it was to find imperfections in her looks like the little facial hair that was missed when shaving or how her makeup didnt look as even in the light. 

Her eyes moved from her face to her chest as she tried to adjust the bra she wore under her shirt. This was the first time she’d worn something more than just a sports bra under her clothes and she couldnt seem to get it to sit right. Maybe her chest and shoulders were just slightly too wide for the size she picked or maybe the type of bra she had wasnt quite right. Either way, it made it difficult to focus on being prepared for classes. 

Still, it wasnt like there was much she could do about it now. She was already dressed, classes were going to start right after breakfast, and she still had to worry about her skirt. Her hand ran down to make sure she didnt have any unsightly bulges, only for her to stop as she saw the bathroom door swing open with Ruby standing just outside with a syringe, decanter, her clothes, and a towel wrapped around her to be ready for a shower. 

Ruby quickly closed the door. “I-I didnt know you were in there!” 

“And I had thought I locked it,” Weiss answered back as she cleared her throat. She took a moment to compose herself as a blush started to cross her cheeks. If she was going to be living with three other girls while at Beacon, she was going to have to find a way to keep her own secret from coming out to them. The last thing she wanted was for them to think they were living with a boy. First, she’d have to make sure the door locks to keep anyone from walking in on her. A bathroom schedule could work, though there was no telling how long it’d take Yang and Blake to shower or brush their hair with how long they kept it. Not that she could complain, she had always kept hers long too and she knew it took her nearly an hour for all the upkeep on it-

“Do you know how much longer you’ll be in there?” Ruby asked. “I do still need to shower.” 

Weiss quickly brushed her hair to pull back into a ponytail. “I-I just need a few more minutes!” 

“Alright,” Ruby answered back. 

Weiss took a deep breath and ran her hands down her clothes once more to make sure everything sat right and to give her one last attempt at adjusting her bra before heading to class. Once she was sure everything was in order, she opened the door with a smile. “All yours.” 

“Great!” 

Weiss huffed a bit with how quickly Ruby seemed to shove her aside to get into the bathroom, and then flinched when she heard the door slam right behind her, hair almost getting caught with it. She walked over to her bed and sat down to make sure she still had her book bag packed for classes, a habit she had formed ever since she realized she wasnt much of a morning person. 

“Are we getting breakfast as a team, or just heading down while Ruby finishes getting ready?” Blake asked. 

“She wont take too long,” Yang answered. “She’s usually pretty quick, so it wont be too much longer of a wait to head down together.” 

“If you’re sure.” 

Weiss quietly watched Blake and Yang to try to figure them out more. Yang seemed to be the easiest of the two to understand. Ruby’s sister, protective of those she cared about, and she almost seemed to have an endless supply of energy to her. She was the first to rise along with Ruby to train, didnt  seem to tire out no matter what she did, and she only seemed to like to be around gatherings if she was around anyone she knew. 

And Blake almost seemed like a mystery to her. The bow she wore never seemed to come off, even while she was sleeping, which as far as Weiss was concerned, had to mean she was hiding something. Though, there wasnt any proof that she was and Blake always stayed up late into the night reading, so it was possible that she took it off right before bed. Beyond that, she seemed to get along with Ruby well since the two had been talking ever since the party after initiation. 

Then there was Ruby. For being the youngest of the team, she seemed to know her way with her weapon. Which was better than most from what she saw in the highlight reel during the party. Most of the other students looked as if they had never faced a grimm before. But beyond that, Ruby at least seemed like someone she could get along with even if she was the one who was supposed to lead their team. 

However, none of that really eased Weiss’s mind. The thought of them finding out she was trans was still a terrifying one. If her family was any indication on how most people would take it, then she’d rather keep it a secret for as long as she could. 

Weiss finally stood up and stretched. “I’m going to make my way to the cafeteria and save a table for the rest of you.” 

Yang shook her head. “We really should wait for Ruby. She wont be much longer.” 

“It’ll be fine,” Weiss said as she finished putting on a pair of heels and hoisted her book bag over her shoulder. “I wont eat until you’re all down there, all I want to do is make sure we have a table we can sit at. There’ll be nothing worse than trying to find a table when there isnt one.” 

“Alright, we’ll be down there shortly.” 

Weiss nodded and started to slowly walk through the halls as she tried to keep her balance. It may not have been her greatest idea to wear thinner heels than what she’d practiced with, but it was a bit too late now. She was still waiting for Klein to send the rest of the clothes she’d asked for including the wedges she preferred to walk in. Until then, she had to work with what she had and the shoes she normally wore for her combat gear were certainly not suited for classes. 

Once she caught her stride, she started to walk a bit quicker to the cafeteria in hopes to snag a table for the rest of her team. Her speed started to pick up with each step as she used a few glyphs to keep her balance. 

And yet, it wasnt enough to keep her from missing a step down the stairs. 

Weiss’s heart raced as she felt herself start to fall, losing concentration with her glyphs. Her eyes started to glow on instinct as she put a hand in front of her to create a wall in front of her to catch her fall. At least until she felt someone grab hold of the back of her collar. 

“Are you okay?” a girl’s voice asked from behind Weiss. 

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” Weiss answered as she calmed herself enough to let the fire in her eyes die. She used a glyph to help herself get her balance again before turning around to see another student behind her, amber eyes and black hair. “Thank you.” 

The girl almost seemed to look Weiss over before nodding and walking down the stairs. “You shouldnt run in heels like that.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you… uh…” Weiss paused. “What’s your name?” 

“Cinder,” Cinder answered. “And something tells me that we’ll be seeing more of each other.” 

“What makes you say that?” Weiss asked, though her question fell on deaf ears as Cinder continued without answering. She tried to follow her out, only to lose track of her in a crowd of students. She paused at a window when she saw a blush on her cheeks, almost tracing it with her fingers. She needed to find her again.

[m4yday-m4yday]

reblog with your own if you want

tw: hypersexuality

hiiii im mayday!! ever since i was like 9 when i got "the talk" (cus i didnt even know i had a vulva before this i never thought about it i was so pure) my brain has never thought about anything but sex. like nonstop. as a way to cope, something to add value to my otherwise mundane thoughts, just compulsively. and it could be about anyone my age that wasnt a family member, i used to force myself to have crushes and i used to force myself into so many fwb relationships i was WAY too young for since i was in middle school at the time and now im in a relationship and its great and now im noticing all of this rampant sexual energy towards anyone who will take it has just kind of.. melted away? which is good i suppose but now i feel like a shell of a person and i feel like ive lost smth bc what am i if i am not sexually interesting?

i brought oreo cookies and cream!!!! cus theyre my favorite

REBLOG WITH YOUR OWN!

Hey! I'm damera you can call me Mera or whatever

When I was 11 my martial arts coach used to bend me to the point where he tore muscles!

Oh! And I brought gummy bears

[snapcracklepop-myjoints]

im so fucking mad i was gonna finish making the raspberry tart today only to find out my sister who KNEW i was gonna make a tart made fucking almond horns this morning and used all the fucking almond flour and eggs and only left enough for like half of what i needed

[melimelotus]

entertaining the idea of eeveelutions as survivors of their own type. evolving when struck by lightning or caught in a fire/explosion as a way to survive

[ganondoodle]

one of the requests/suggestions i got :3 (demise + cats)

still struggeling with drawing anything (depression yippie) but trying my best anyway

[rookeryyy]

i adore this disaster cat :) so much. YAHOO! absol be upon ye

[heartorbit]

always by your side

[deoidesign]

For my birthday... read my webcomic! It's literally free! (Unless you want books. Those are not free)

It's beautiful, it's gentle, it's funny, they're canonically t4t and gay... And it's about time traveling vampires solving supernatural mysteries!

I've spent thousands of hours writing and drawing it, and it's really good! I'm not biased!

It's on hiatus right now and coming back in 2 months, so it's the perfect time to get caught up

[gothoffspring]

baby's first tattoo set! I don't know what made me do this other than I really wanted some more simlish knuckle tattoos (it always leads back to simlish somehow) and it.. escalated into a full body endeavor. You can mix and match these, so they're not just full body! More previews, details and download under the cut! P.S: happy simblreen!!! (this KIND of counts because it has a spiderweb and plague doctor tattoo.. right??)

DETAILS:

these are tattoos for the masculine frame. I will absolutely be re-arranging some things and reuploading a fem frame version asap!

You can choose to pick which categories you'd like them to show up in (out of 4 different slots: upper chest, lower back, left upper arm and left lower arm) or download the merged package.

There are 54 swatches, with two different opacities for some swatches. I tried to give y'all as many combinations as possible, so there's just face tattoos, just chest, just arms, etc and then every single tattoo is also available individually. After calculating the math, that gives you... a fuck ton of combinations probably

for a full preview of all tattoos click HERE. I don't know why I made him naked, my brain did not realize I could show all of the tattoos with him in undies.... I blurred it i promise.

I will most likely never make tattoos again because this didn't spark joy BUT I am so happy with how these came out and I really hope y'all can get some use out of them. Please tag me or mention me if you use them so I can see!

CREDITS:

I definitely did not draw any of these tattoos. All credit goes to gold chain arts, tattoo_paine, maximumblack, woodcutter fonts, malflashtattoo, and simlish fonts found through franzillasims' masterpost right here.

thank you to the lovely and amazing jessie @bibliosims for testing!

also huge shoutout to @/vyxated for the perfect cas background and lighting, idk what i'd do without it now and the mirror background made taking this preview so easy! thank you so much!

DL:

IINDIVIDUAL: SFS / MF

MERGED: SFS / MF

@alwaysfreecc @mmfinds ❤️

[tmos-time]

and then they spent the rest of @erisolweek day three playing ghost trick <3

[luck-of-the-drawings]

"I think this is the most inhuman; and human, that I've ever felt.." MUCH CAN HAPPEN IN A YEAR. IN FIVE YEARS. A DECADE. imagine how much can happen in a century. just ONE (1). How will you grow? what phases do you find? even in 5 years, you will find patterns.

[xxplastic-cubexx]

bro the feminine wiles aren’t even a joke like. im with that anon who thought hellfire gala charles was a woman when they first saw him bc same, that design is insaaaane (/pos). how could u not think that when u see it lmfao. idk whose choice it was to give him a corset but the hourglass figure + female coded jawline combo do not lie. i saw it on pinterest and i was like ohhh don’t lie to me i know an anime girl when i see one- WAIT PROFESSOR X????

and that’s not even to mention movieverse charles ofc. we’ve all seen james mcavoy and his big sparkly kawaii anime eyes, i shouldn’t have to say it. charles xavier is never beating the allegations, i fear

gonna need this ask hung in the louvre i fear