#love this love this dance routine the skates the whole routine hot

[skyhowlsworld]

Can you guess which holiday we are celebrating? 😉 @YesmyWong 🎀

[starcrossedreaders]

Hi! hello! I'm new to the RE fandom and let me say that, i fell in love with Leon (RE2 and RE4), and my god, i can't stop thinking about him!

So... if you can, can you do a little story where reader loves to roller skate, and tries to teach Leon how to do it and both have a clumsy-cute-fluffy day.

(actually i'm trying to learn how to roller skate. It's acceptable too the other way around, Leon teaches reader, idk, i just thought is just a cute thing to do)

Thank you for read!

Authors Note: This is so so cute, so thank you for requesting it. I hope you enjoy it!

Warnings! None! Just cavity-inducing fluff Re4 Leon.

"Come on Leonnn, it will be fun, trust me,"

"You know I don't skate,"

"Baby, you are literally the top government hero of the world, I think you can handle roller skating," The attitude dripped from your voice as you gave Leon a 'seriously' look.

"Besides, it's my turn to pick what our next date is and I want to go roller skating," If looks could kill you would probably be deceased right now. Leon loved you to literal pieces but sometimes, on very rare occasions you can push his buttons; this was one of those occasions.

It was Friday night and you and Leon had just finished the movie he had put on. It's been a long week so the movies and cuddles were something you guys really needed. It was a normal routine you guys had established at the beginning of your relationship. Friday night you guys stay in, Saturday night was date night. You guys often alternated between who picks what you guys do, and you had just happened to luck out this weekend.

"Fine." He crossed his arms in defeat while you excitedly jumped around him.

"Oh my gosh, this is going to be so fun,"

"Whatever, I get to choose dinner then," You stopped your fit of excitement and looked at your boyfriend. His blue irises looked right back at you and for a few heartbeats, you guys stared each other down.

"Okay," you shrugged your shoulders and skipped off to your shared room. Leon could only scoff and shake his head.

The next morning you guys spent in bed sharing lazy kisses and quiet 'I love you's till you finally wiggled out of Leon's arms to get ready. His protests fell on deaf ears as you skipped to the bathroom.

Leon couldn't believe what you did to him. Never in a million years would he think he would find himself still in bed on a Saturday morning listening to you dance around in the shower singing along to the playlist he made for you when you first started dating. Just the thought of a future with you had him smiling as he rolled on his back to look at his phone. He mindlessly scrolled through past pictures of you guys on previous dates and his heart fluttered.

You had always made a point to take at least one picture together on every date you guys did. The last date you guys went on was a hike. Despite the rough terrain, the hot sun beating down on you guys, and the sweat running down your brow you still looked like the most beautiful thing in the world to him. Your face was red which contradicted the blue lens sunglasses that shielded your eyes. Your baby hairs stuck to your head as your cheek was pressed up against his. Your smile brightened up the whole picture, the mountains in the background could never compare. He took one last look at the picture and remained himself to print and hang the most recent picture.

The water came to a sudden stop and the music became louder. Leon could hear you humming to the song as you stepped out of the shower. Upon opening the bathroom door hot steam pilled into the cold room and you stepped out with a towel wrapped around your body and a similar one on your head. Leon had to hold back the urge to take you right then and there. He groaned and covered his eyes with his arm.

"Please change fast, I don't think I can hold back when you look like that,"

You could only snort as your waddled to the closet, "Perv,"

You heard Leon mumble 'meanie' under his breath as he rolled on his stomach to get a better look at you.

"What should I wear? A dress? Jeans? Leggings?," You look back at Leon in hopes he would help you out His arms were tucked under his pillow showing off his defined shoulder blades.

Leon mumbled into the pillow," Hmm, what about those jeans I just bought you,"

"OH!, That's a good idea, I love you,"

"Love you more."

After taking your sweet sweet time getting ready Leon was finally getting out of bed to get ready. You could tell he was trying to delay the enviable. While you were doing your finishing touches and your make-up Leon was brushing through his hair. The shirt he had on squeezed his arms in just the right way, and the Jeans he had on curved his ass, which you were secretly jealous of. Putting your mascara down you turn to look at him.

"Are you ready to go love?"

"Of course baby."

Leon grabbed his jacket and keys as you walked out of the house. He triple-checked that the door was locked before he lightly jogged over to you so he can open the door for you. On the ride there his hand stayed on your thigh rubbing soft circles while you serenaded Leon with your singing.

Upon arriving at the roller skating rink the harsh A/C hit your body. The lights were dimmed down while LED light shone around the area. Leon gripped your hand tighter as he heard a little kid scream out a laugh. The smell of greasy food danced in the air the further you guys walked in. Walking up the shoe counter Leon did most of the talking, and paying, like the gentlemen he is.

Sitting down on a bench you had cringed at the worn-down roller skates while lacing them up. Leon had yet to move to put them on, the look on his face said it all: I'm fucked.

Turning towards him you placed your hand on his thigh, "What's wrong love? Does roller skating scare you that much? If you want we can le-,"

"NO-no, you wanted to roller skate so we're going to roller skate, it's just.... I don't know how..."

"You don't know how to...skate?" You could barely see the light pink dust on his cheeks as he slightly shakes his hand.

You laugh a little, "Baby, that's okay, I'll teach you how. Don't worry is easy,"

"....Are you sure...?"

"I'm super sure love, Besides if you fall while holding onto me I'll be going right down with you so you won't be the only one falling," The beaming smile you gave him lit up the whole room.

"Tch, yea right," Leon bent down to put on his skates. After he tied his last knot you stood up and pushed yourself to curve in front of him.

"Kind Sir," You placed your hand out and bowed your head a little. Leon shook his head a little as he place his hand in yours.

Leon tripped a little when you helped walk him to the rink. When he placed his first skate down his skate rolled back and forth a little as he lost his balance. You were quick to lead his other hand to your shoulder to help him make the step-down.

"There you go, that's the hardest part I promise,"

Leon mumbled a 'whatever' as he slowly took his hand off of your shoulder.

"When you skate it's almost like walking, but instead of lifting your foot up and down, you are going to push your foot. Watch," You let go of Leon's hand and showed him the pushing motion.

Leon was amazed at how well you did this, you glided along with no problems, and you looked....graceful doing it. You circled around him and by the time you did your second lap, you skated backward to face him again.

"See? Easy enough, now it's your turn," Your curved to be on his left side.

"Want to hold my hand," You offered your hand to his. Leon was embarrassingly quick to grab it before you started to skate.

You guys started off extremely slow pushing one foot in front of the other. Leon was really struggling to keep his balance, the grip on your hand was starting to hurt the further you guys moved. The kids around you guys were putting Leon on edge. How are children better at this than him? He is literally a government agent, he had saved the president's daughter, and he can easily skate in a circle. His grip on your hand lightens up and his pace fastened.

"Okay baby, I see you," You laugh a little as Leon skated in front of you.

Your laughter squeezed Leon's heart. Looking back at you he could see your beaming smile as you sway to the music that was being played. He was memorized, the most beautiful girl in this building was his girl.

Being too engrossed in his thoughts Leon didn't notice the slight curve, and you had been too late to call out to him, "Leon watch o-" Taking the curve straight on he was too late to turn his body, and when he did he turn it was to fast and he lost his balance and fell.

You really had to try hard to not laugh your ass off. You were quick to skate over to his fallen body.

"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" A snort fell past your lips.

Leon was sitting down with his legs sticking straight out to form a 'V'. His head fell down to look at his hands that lay on the floor. His bottom lip stuck out a little as he small pout adorned his face.

"Poor baby," you moved over to his right side and crouched down to move the hair out of his face.

"Are you okay?" He shook his head slightly side-to-side

"mmhm," The pouting was too cute to take him seriously. You just had to take a moment to capture his cute face.

It's very rare to see Leon pout because if he pouts it's into your chest or neck. You were quick to pull out your phone and pull up your camera. You stretched your arm so you and Leon could fit into the frame. You tried to copy his pouting face by pushing your bottom lip out with puppy eyes. You clicked the button at least three times before Leon lifted his head up.

"Did you just...?"

"Nope, let's go get dinner I'm hungry,"

Clearly, Leon didn't believe you but he couldn't care less. Because in a few years, he would look back at the picture and laugh as he remembers this moment.

"Whatever you say....Can you help me get up?" Your laugh danced throughout the room as you stood up and shook your head.

"Of course, you big baby."

[sleeperswakewriting]

i just thought of a new prompt omg rivetra skating partners au??? IMAGINE THE SEXUAL TENSION??? THE SLOWBURN FROM BEING SKATING PARTNERS TO FRIENDS TO LOVERS 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

saw this tweet and imagined them sm: https://twitter.com/oyimpian/status/1383173356774699012?s=21

Omg anon, thank you for showing me this. I have 0 knowledge about figure skating but I do love watching it! I was totally listening to the Yuri on Ice soundtrack writing this. I don’t think I would be the best person to write a full fic, but I hope this 2k ficlet works! Routine and outfits based on this performance!

They had kissed more times than she could count. It had always been the same in their five years of working together--orchestrated, chaste, but just enough acting to dazzle the crowd and judges.

And tonight would be their last.

Petra tightened the laces of her figure skates, making sure not to snag the nylon of her stockings from her freshly manicured nails. She checked herself in the mirror; ginger hair locked neatly into a bun for the maneuvers they would be pulling off later, and her deep red velvet dress twirled around her hips. It was one of the most daring outfits she had ever performed in, with the back almost completely exposed and and the front neck cut a deep v-neck with the mesh layer.

She took a deep breath as memories washed over her, wondering where the time had gone. It had only seemed like just yesterday when Petra met her grumpy skating partner, Levi, and she had wanted to knock him off the ice  from their initial meeting to his brash attitude. However, they performed the tryouts at their coaches’ requests, and not only were they physically compatible, she had latched on to his crude sense of humor and found his company enjoyable.

Sure, it took them awhile, he would frequently get irritated at her when she would lose her footing or not stick a landing, and she would throw him a few choice words whenever he dropped her, which wasn’t often, but the minute his hands slipped and she came crashing down, tempers flared. They were both good at what they did, they were hand selected by the top coaches in their country, and with talent, came ego.

Unsurprisingly, their common work ethic served as a guidepost for their mutual partnership over the course of the five years they had been working together. Petra was relatively newer to the competitive figure skating scene, only doing some solo competitions but felt that she could accomplish more with a partner. Levi was in a similar boat, about to retire since he had gotten bored, but when his coach Erwin suggested a partner he said, why not?

Except it had been disastrous, with Levi mouthing off to each of his partners, and not to mention that they all commented on his height. It wasn’t a huge sore spot because he had been used to it, but the fact of the matter was, no woman wanted to be lifted by a man who was 5 inches shorter than her, so he resigned himself to retiring until Erwin suggested that he meet up with Petra Ral, a new, but talented skater who was 8 years his junior.

Not only was she shorter than him, but they were able to move in time with one another and were able to wordlessly read each other’s movements. It was an intimate type of connection, one that their mutual partners over the years had questioned time and time again, but they both reassured their partners and more importantly, themselves, that their feelings were completely platonic.

Or so had Petra thought until Levi told her that after this year, he would be retiring. He was getting older and he was looking at other career prospects, like possibly coaching, but valued their companionship over the years. He said the words with such a precise staccato that Petra even wondered if he cared at all since he took her out to dinner after practice to tell her.

It was then that her heart broke. She assumed it was just from losing her skating partner, that was a common occurrence in their field, but as the day of their last competition grew closer, Petra knew it was something more.

The way his hands pressed into her waist was no longer a section of choreography, but a gesture that made her heart flutter. His concentrated stormy look when they breathed in time with one another, preparing to execute a synchronized dance, was now filled with an electricity when their blades scraped their ice.

This routine in particular was special; it was from Moulin Rouge, one of her favorite movies and the first part of the routine was sensual and filled with lust. They had spent hours upon hours perfecting each and every single lift, and they had barely any time to see family and friends from the hours they put into their routine. Truth be told, they spent the most time with each other, and the action of hanging out after work wasn’t even strange, it was expected, as they alternated who picked the restaurant for the night.

There was a knock at the door, and Petra shouted, “Come in!” as she already knew who it was from the three steady raps.

Levi entered, looking handsome in his simple black outfit to compliment her own. He took her in and nodded appreciatively as the weight of the next hour hung heavy over them.

“You ready?” He asked, hand outstretched.

Petra smiled, used to the familiar words and routine they had as she took his hand and he led them out for their warm up lap around the rink with the other couples.

They had their routine down pat--they always kept their gazes locked on each other during warmups, not wanting to let the other couples distract them. Hands danced across each other’s bodies as muscle memory took over, going over their routine in bits and pieces and letting themselves become reacclimated to the ice for the day. Petra had often thought that she was becoming more used to skating than walking for the amount of time she spent dancing with Levi, and she flexed her back as they spun in time, hands locked onto each other.

Feeling satisfied with their warm up, they exited hand in hand to the waiting room as they were the third couple to go. It wasn’t unusual for them to be physically close during competitions, Petra was always nervous as hell, and even though Levi had a cool and fixated composure, competition day nerves also stirred inside him. Better to face them with each other, and they sat on the bench, looking absently at the TV as the announcer gave their routine opening speech.

Petra bit the corner of her lip. “Levi, I know we’ll have time for this later, but I wanted to let you know how much your partnership has meant to me over these last five years. I almost want to retire since you won’t be with me anymore,” she laughed airly, but fell silent at his narrowed gaze.

“Don’t do that, you have a whole future ahead of you,” he said in a clipped voice, eyes fixated on the television. He squeezed her hand a bit tighter as he diverted his expression to the floor. “But the same goes for you, Petra. I’ll miss you a lot.”

She nodded, feeling more reassured by his words as she moved to lean her head against his shoulder as they watched the other couples perform. They didn’t say a lot, usually keeping their opinions for post-competition hang outs and replays, but Petra didn’t know if there would be any of those anymore.

“Do you think the other couples are like us? I feel like we’re so in tune, like we get each other. Like them,” she said nodding to the current pair, “You can tell they don’t trust each other from the way her muscles are so stiff during her lifts.”

“There’s no one else like us,” Levi replied simply, raising himself from the bench to do a few stretches. Petra did the same and admired the way lean body looked in his current outfit, back sinewy and his hair gelled perfectly into place.

The speaker announced them, and Petra’s heart wrenched that that would be the last time she would hear Levi Ackerman and Petra Ral and as they moved onto the ice, holding hands, eyes locking. Petra took a deep breath, and all was lost as soon as the music started.

The routine started with her straddling him from behind, and she effortlessly jumped as he took her, arms locked at her thighs and hers around his neck. He lifted her as they danced, and she twirled, eyes fixated on him as her center as it always was. Then came the synchronized dancing and Levi’s hands were at her bare waist, hands hot and precise as they spared no moment in moving and darting between them. He lifted her again, and their foreheads touched while they circled around the rink, not caring for anyone but each other.

That was Petra’s favorite part about the way they skated together--nothing else in the world mattered besides them. She could drown out the crowd with him by her side, it was just the music, the ice, and them, moving and breathing in time. He held her from under her legs, the action sending a pleasurable shiver throughout her body despite being touched there by him thousands of times, and as she descended they locked eyes as they prepared for their next big moment.

They let go, red and black speeding and twirling around each other but not quite touching. As the music reached its crescendo, Petra leapt into the air as Levi caught her from around the waist, and they spun as each other's center of gravity. Legs wrapping around his, she straddled his waist as they leaned into each other and kissed as the music went softer and moved to a more sensual rhythm. Her hand laced through his hair, feeling his fresh undercut and inhaled his musk and their lips moved against one another, sending ripples of pleasure between them.

Breaths heavy, they released their lips as the crowd went wild, and Petra unhooked her legs as Levi took her hand and they moved in time, parallel to each other. Her heart beat fast as Levi’s lips still hung against her own, the kiss much more passionate than in their practice kisses or former routines, but tried to push it from her mind as the finale was coming up.

The music built and ended as they both stuck their landings and bowed as the crowd cheered. Petra was crying, just realizing the magnitude of their last competition as she saw her face on the large screen and Levi sped over to her, taking her hand, his eyes also filled with moisture as he kissed her cheek and led them away to watch for their scores.

It always took a few minutes for the judges to get the scores together, and before Petra could say anything, Levi moved her against their locker and pulled her in for a searing kiss. Legs weak from their routine and the adrenaline, her knees wobbled and he caught her, hands at her waist as he brushed his tongue against hers, deepening the kiss as she returned it with fervor.

Breaths heavy, Levi pressed his forehead to hers. “I’m not imagining things, right? This kiss was different.”

Petra smiled between tears as she nodded, threading her fingers through his hair as she continued kissing him the way she had wanted to for the past five years.

“Hey guys, what are you doing? They’re just about to announce the scores--” Erwin walked in and smirked at the partners as they held each other, but broke apart as they heard Erwin’s voice.

Both blushing from being caught, Levi held Petra’s waist as he guided them back outside, neither caring too much about their scores since they both had won the biggest prize that night.

[ecclais-fouoras]

Sometimes moving on is good pt6?

WARNING ⚠️: MAJOR SMUT DO NOT READ IF YOU AIN'T OF AGE !

anyAys byeeeee

It was a few weeks later, you were going out roller skating like you promised diane a few days ago.

"You ready" you said softly while she put on her coat.

"Yeah are you?"

"Of course, honey it's a little chilly outside...you should put on your scarf"

As you put it on her you kissed her cheek, "there you are...all set"

She looked at you with her eyes filled with love.

"Are we taking your car or mine ?"

"Oh no well walk babe it's not that far"

"Really ?.."

"Or we can take my car if you don't want to go by feet"?

"It's just I'd like to take you elsewhere afterwards"

"Yeah Sure Diane I'll get the keys"

You got in the car after getting everything you needed and started driving.

After a few minutes your hand landed on diane's thigh and dragged your fingers up and down over her jeans. You couldn't get enough of her, her sent her hair her eyes everything about her made you heart flutter.

She closed her eyes at the feeling of your touch.

"We're almost there diane darling don't fall asleep" you joked looking at her on the passenger seat.

"I'm not...i Just..rested my eyes a little bit."

She couldn't admit she was getting very aroused just from the feather graze.

"Is everything ok hon ? You seem all Shakey"

You asked as you put more pressure on her leg.

"Yes I'm okay y/n"

"You sure ? You know you can tell me anything right ?"

There was a short pause and she was considering telling you what made her

Agitated, she looked away from you slightly.

"It's just... you are doing that with your hand...and it...well..it turns me on ok ?!"

You took off your hand rapidly and responded

"Diane I'm sorry if I'd known it made you uncomfortable i would have stopped immediately...you should have told me it did honey"

"No..I'm not uncomfortable it's fine... I just...It makes me want......you"

She replied honestly, but still looked embarrassed.

"Okay well...then you have nothing to be embarrassed about.. it's normal diane, if anything I'm flattered to have this affect on you" you winked teasingly at her.

"Now let's get out of the car shall we"

You both got out and found a spot where you could sit by the empty skate park.

She put on her roller blades and tied up the laces and before she could finish you were already in the pool dropping and warming up.

She looked at your hair dancing in the wind and the way your body moved with such ease. It sort of reminded her that hers could not really anymore, she could feel she was getting old, maybe not very old but still. the age gap you two had was more obvious now for her.

"Are you coming diane I didn't come here to skate by myself" you said in a sarcastic tone and she giggled.

"I'm not as young as I used to be I'll fall y/n"

She didn't mention that's she had no idea how to skate whatsoever.

"Oh i know what's going on here you don't know how to skate !.."

She opened her mouth to protest but you had already raced fast to her and silenced her with your lips.

When you parted away you spoke;

"It's okay I'll teach you it's not too hard...here put your heels like this..yeah good...now keep your balance and try going forward I'll hold you."

You two kept going back,  forth and then in circles when she gained some confidence.

"You're doing good babe"

"Really ?" She asked meeting your gaze steadily.

"Of course"

You pulled her closer and kissed her soundly as you guided her movements, rolling down the park.

After a heavy make out session, and hands Wondering around your bodies. You rested yours on her hips as she was getting back to the spot you put your stuff in and rest.

When she sat down she told you to go have fun since you stayed with her the whole time.

"Babe I had fun staying with you"

"I know but now you can skate without having to keep me off the ground y/n...go enjoy the rest of the park"

So you did, you went to a place where the floor was flat and did a few figures. Then you wanted to try to see if you could do your old routine and started the choregraphy you learned in college. Diane looked at you amazed, she had never seen so much grace. You were doing flips and spins in your rollerblades and she wondered where you had learned that, she'd have to ask you later on.

After you were done you both went back to the car but diane drove and you kept your hand away from her thighs and rested it on her neck instead.

You needed to feel her, physical touch was your love language and diane knew that.

She took you to a lake not to far and you sat on the back of your car watching the sunset on the water.

It was a beautiful evening and you found it even better that you got to spend it with her, as she rested her head on your shoulder.

"I love you diane"

You pulled back as you were equally as shocked as her to hear that come out of your mouth.

"Oh my God I'm sorry i don't know why I said it. I just...you don't have to say it back..it's okay I know it's important for you ....I just.. it came out before I could even think"

You rambled quickly with your hand in your hair.

"I love you to y/n"

after she said it she gave you a loving kiss, that got more heated as you held her tightly and grabbed her hips to lock her in place.

After a while you got back to driving, both of you had a smile on your faces, and you put your hand back on her thighs, knowing it drove her crazy.

"I'm ready y/n"

You didn't know what she was referring to so you asked

"What do you mean ?"

"...for us..to you know"

"...Oh .. are you sure, we don't have to do anything you know ?"

"Yes I know, but I'm ready to...and i want you"

"..oh and what exactly do you want ?"

You asked in a low tone as your hand ran up her thigh. Her cheeks reddened at your comment.

"...well...like.. I..i don't really know"

"You mean you've never had sex with a women ?"

"Yes..."

"Well it's okay babe. Don't feel embarrassed about it. We'll go slow and you'll tell me to stop anytime. And if it's still too scary for you we don't have to do anything, we can just cuddle"

"Okay... I'm just worried i won't be good...or that you won't like me"

"Diane i love you... There is nothing that would change that"

"I know"

The rest of the ride was quiet, except for her soft humming to the radio, a sound you would never get tiered to hear.

You both arrived home 5 minutes later, and once you were inside you asked if it was still okay with her, and when she nodded you kissed her right cheek, then her left and finally pressed your lips against hers, she opened hers slightly and your tongues met in the middle.

You broke of to whisper

"Let's go upstairs and take this off diane...i want to see you" as you held her shirt with both of your hands.

She it took and went to her bedroom, as soon as you were both inside you pressed her against the door slightly and nibbled her neck whilst praising her slightly.

"Such a sweet girl diane...your neck is so soft darling. And i love to hear your little groans"

She was beyond wet now as you caressed her boobs while taking her bra off and then your shirt.

You laid her down on the bed and kept kissing your way down her chest, sucking and biting the pale skin.

Getting closer to her nipples and taking one between your fingers as the other one went in your mouth.

"OH GOD"

"No no no...Darling... God has nothing to do with this...leave him out of the bedroom"

She arched her back and wriggled on the bed as she grabbed your head and the bedsheets.

"Please...OH..ah"

"Mmmm...?"

You asked as your fingers went down dangerously closer to where you needed her most..

"AH..mmm FUCK PLEASE Y/N"

"What do you want babe...my fingers or my mouth ?"

"Please.. just touch me..."

"My..my someone's eager...has no one ever touched you like this ?"

"Yes no one ever did that...it feels so good"

"And i haven't even started...

"..sure please now.. AAHHHH"

You went down on her and cut her off by shoving your hand down her panties and pinching her clit. "You are so wet diane.."

You took of her underwear and she was left a whimpering naked mess underneath you.

She moaned again as you licked her folds and sucked on her clit lovingly. Her hands flew to your head and she bucked her hips to try to get more contact.

"Hey..hey..hey..no...stay still or i won't keep going" so she tried not to move and breathed

"Dont..Don't stop..please.."

When you felt her ready you pushed two fingers into her making her scream your name, and curled them inside her to match your tongue. After a few moments you felt her arch her back and her muscles clench as her cum filled your mouth.

"Mmm you taste so sweet my love.."

You helped her ride out her orgasm as she spasmed on the bed. When her breathing was back to normal she said ;

"..oh my God.. that what was that ?! I've never felt this good of my life"

"That was an orgasm diane... And please don't tell me you've never even gave yourself one ?"

"No...i never...should i have?"

"Well there are no obligation of course babe, just masturbating is an important part of exploring your sexuality"

"Well I'll try sometime in the future then"

"Oohh...and I'll be happy to watch..."

She flushed deeply at your words and you kept going in her ear

"It would be so hot... watching you put those lovely fingers deep inside your pussy..while you moan my name...oh so sweet."

Diane felt herself getting aroused again at that. And you could see her clench her things to try and get some relief.

So you spread her legs and started to run your fingers up and down her cunt and her body trembled.

"Mm yes...oh.."

"You like that huh? ..."

You pushed two fingers into her and she screamed ;

"OH GOD YES...!"

She came twice letting out a long moan and a soft breath before you took your fingers out carefully because of how sensitive she was.

After a few minutes she kissed you soundly as you sat next to her on the headboard, she got up on her knees in front of you and started to kiss your neck and take of your pants. "You don't hav..."

She cut you off ;

-"I want to"

"Okay.."

She kept kissing your body as you held her hips and gently moved her so she laid on her back. "What are you doing...I want to make you come n.."

"I want to sit on your face ?" You said in a coarse voice.

"You can say no.."

"No i want to try.." she replied happily and took your underwear off before you put your legs on either side of her face and lowered yourself onto her mouth.

"Mmmm"

You rode her face while she tried to suck on your clit and move her tongue up and down.

You came after a few minutes of rocking your hips into her face and laid next to her painting.

"So... how'd i do ?"

"Mmm so good diane...it wasn't to much for you was it ?"

"Not at all..i loved it...and i live you"

"I love you to babe..."

You kissed before cuddling and drifting off to slumber.

[jaskierswolf]

Born to Make History Pt.2/3

A Geraskier Ice Skating Fic (with Yuri on Ice Influences) - On AO3

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Geralt couldn’t seem to calm his heart and it was fucking annoying. He’d managed to watch Jaskier in secret for years, ever since Yen had become his coach. He wasn’t sure why today had been any different. He couldn’t be angry at Ciri for letting slip that they’d been to a few of Jaskier’s performances when their schedule allowed. With any luck Jaskier would assume it was for Yennefer.

But it was Jaskier.

It had always been Jaskier.

He’d first seen Jaskier skate three years ago when Yen took over as his coach. He’d popped into the rink to collect Ciri. The rink had become a neutral spot to handover without Ciri getting upset as she loved to watch the skaters, even as a baby. So he’d snuck into the end of Yennefer’s session to find the most beautiful man gliding around the ice. He was in training gear but it was still tight enough that Geralt’s could see the firm muscles of the figure skater. Geralt’s mouth had gone dry and he’d been completely entranced. There was no music in the rink but Geralt could hear it anyway as the man had glided and danced and leapt around the rink.

Until he’d seen Geralt watching him. At that point he’d tripped over his toe-picks and fallen flat on his face. Geralt had been so embarrassed that he’d grabbed the two year old in her pram and fled from the rink before the skater could regain his composure.

It happened almost every time after that. If Jaskier spotted Geralt whilst he was skating then he would trip or mess up. So Geralt tried to keep his distance. He didn’t want to be responsible for Jaskier injuring himself. He couldn’t have that on his conscience not when Jaskier clearly had a glittering career in front of him.

Except for today Jaskier hadn’t spotted him until the end of the routine and Geralt hadn’t run away. They’d had a conversation, they’d even skated together with Ciri acting as a sort of buffer between them. Geralt still kept his distance, preferring to watch as Jaskier taught his daughter the basics of figure skating.

Geralt almost wish he’d brought his old figure skates with him instead of his hockey ones. He reckoned he could still do a double toe loop maybe even a triple. He doubted that he would have as much grace as Jaskier whilst doing it though. He was built for hockey and he was out of practice. He could lift Jaskier though, the figure skater was almost as tall as him and well built but Geralt was strong enough that, if given the chance, he could definitely lift him.

Not that he’d thought about it.

Much.

And now they were getting coffee. It wasn’t a date. Geralt kept telling himself that but Jaskier’s hand was gripping his arm as he laughed at some joke he’d told that Geralt’s hadn’t heard. Ciri was holding Geralt’s other hand and chattering happily with the figure skater. Geralt was stuck between the two of them feeling like he’d walked out of one of his dreams, a dream he hadn’t even allowed himself to imagine.

“Geralt?” Jaskier’s hand squeezed his arm and he looked up to find Jaskier’s beautiful cornflower blue eyes looking at him.

“Hmm?”

“Are you alright?” Jaskier frowned and licked his lips.

God, Geralt wanted to kiss him.

He nodded. “Yeah.”

Jaskier flicked his fringe from his eyes and chewed on his lips again. It was fucking distracting. Did he even realised how much Geralt wanted him? Geralt would have to get him some lip balm to try and stop the never ending lip licking. Otherwise they would never get through a conversation without Geralt’s brain cutting out.

“How do you have your coffee?” Jaskier sang as they entered the rink’s coffee shop. Geralt noted his often sang random sentences. He recalled that Yen had said Jaskier had composed his own free skate music.

His free stake music was ridiculous but catchy. Geralt had caught himself humming it more than once during practice. The song just wriggled its way into your head a refused to leave. By the end of the first week of the figure skating season, the whole hockey team were singing it. Jaskier could have easily become a musician if he hadn’t fallen in love with skating.

“Black.” He grunted.

Jaskier made a face and wrinkled up his nose. “Oh god, really?”

Geralt chuckled. “No but that’s what people assume.”

Jaskier rolled his eyes. “That is not the question I asked. Come on, let me get you coffee, as a thank you for catching me earlier.”

“Caramel latte.” Geralt mumbled. “I need the sugar for training.”

Jaskier laughed and god even that was beautiful. “You and me both!” He strutted up to the counter to order whilst Geralt found a table with Ciri.

She sat opposite him and watched him intently, her chin resting on her hands.

“What?”

“You like him.” Ciri stated. It wasn’t even a question.

“Hmm.” He hummed nonchalantly. His daughter was perceptive but he wasn’t ready to admit it just yet, not aloud, not where Jaskier could potentially hear him. He glanced over at Jaskier who was busy flirting with the barista and Geralt’s heart sank.

Definitely not a date then.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Why had he let his hopes get up? What would Jaskier see in him? His grey hair made him look decades older than he really was, his eyes were a weird yellow colour, nothing like Jaskier’s gorgeous cornflower blue eyes. He had less grace than a new born giraffe and little to no musicality. He was in so many ways, Jaskier’s opposite, but then again, they did say opposites attract and fuck was he attracted to Jaskier.

The object of his desire laughed at something the barista said and then he turned to face Geralt with a dazzling smile. Geralt returned the smile weakly, still feeling a little nauseous from having his crush to close to him and yet so unobtainable.

“Why don’t you tell him?” Ciri asked, her nose scrunched up as she tried to figure out why Geralt was being a coward with his feelings.

“It’s more complicated than that.” He muttered and ruffled her hair.

She shook his hand off and pouted. “Why?”

“Just is.”

“Yeah but why?”

Geralt sighed. “He won’t like me back.”

“How do you know?”

Geralt groaned. Bloody children and their endless curiosity. “I just know.”

“Know what?” Jaskier asked as he passed Geralt a large coffee cup. He put the coffee carrier down on the table and carefully handed Ciri the smaller of the two. “Careful, sweetheart, it’ll be hot.”

Ciri rolled her eyes and gripped the cup between her little hands. “Duh.” She muttered.

“So know what, Geralt?” Jaskier asked again as he bit his lip. They was chapped from too much time spent at the rink and Geralt couldn’t stop himself from staring.

“Hmm?” He replied, blinking as he vaguely registered Jaskier’s question.

“Dad said he knows that you won’t like him.” Ciri stated matter-of-factly and Geralt’s brain suddenly snapped into gear.

Shit!

Jaskier choked on his drink and Geralt almost knocked his all over the table. “I’m sorry what?!” Jaskier shrieked.

Geralt groaned and hid his face in his hands. “Ciri!”

“What?” She snapped. “He asked!”

“Go find your mother.” Geralt muttered sharply. His hands were shaking and Jaskier was just staring at him with his radiant blue eyes. “Now. Ciri.”

“But—”

“Now.” Geralt insisted and pulled out his phone to send Yennefer a quick heads up before sighing and turning towards Jaskier. “Sorry. She’s just a kid.”

“Geralt, I—”

“No, it’s fine. I understand. I’m just sorry you found out.” He cut Jaskier off before he could hear the words that would break his heart.

“No but Geralt I—”

“It’s fine, Jaskier.” Geralt reassured the skater. “I can stop coming to your performances.”

Jaskier stood up with a wave of his arms. “Geralt, would you just listen to me, you emotionally constipated himbo?!” Jaskier yelled and Geralt’s mouth snapped shut.

Fuck.

Jaskier put both hands on his hips and glared at him. “You’ve seen my routine?” Geralt nodded but didn’t say anything. “Have you worked out the story yet?”

Geralt frowned. “Eros, sexual love?” He grumbled.

Jaskier chimed a laugh. “The story of seduction, Geralt. I am the seductress trying to woo my playboy lover.”

“Playboy lover?” Geralt repeated.

Jaskier tossed his fringe from his eyes. “Famous hockey player who could have anyone he wants, formerly married to the most successful and most beautiful female skater of our generation?”

Geralt felt his cheeks heat up. “I’m no playboy.”

“No. Perhaps not, but my story was better.” Jaskier shrugged and licked his lips. His cheeks were as red as Geralt’s felt.

He furrowed his brow. “You were trying to seduce…me?”

Jaskier scratched the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly. “Well I didn’t think it would ever work. God, Geralt you are way out of my league!”

Geralt laughed. Out of Jaskier’s league. It was Jaskier who was out of Geralt’s league. The way he skated was absolutely breath taking, if he good just manage to land all of his jumps and maybe increase the difficult of his routines he would be dominating men’s skating. There wasn’t a single skater in the Grand Prix final that could out perform Jaskier. Yennefer would and had disagreed but none of the others were able to enchant Geralt the way that Jaskier could, and fuck, his Eros routine plagued Geralt’s dreams.

How many times had he dreamed about peeling off the sequinned black outfit? The skirt that flick up to reveal that little tease of blood red. Fuck. It was hot. It drove Geralt mad and the way Jaskier licked his lips at the start of routine and winked at the audience.

Out of his league.

It must be a joke. How could Geralt even begin to compete with his beauty?

“Geralt!” Jaskier whined, snapping him out of his Eros fuelled daydream. He refocussed on the real Jaskier’s face. The skater was pouting at him and it took every ounce of Geralt’s self control not to kiss him.

“You think you’re out of my league?”

Jaskier nodded and Geralt just laughed again.

“God, I’ve wanted you for years, Jask.” He admitted with a shake of his head.

Jaskier’s jaw dropped. “No.”

“Yes.”

“You mean we could have been…?”

Geralt nodded. “Yes.”

Jaskier groaned and flopped back into his seat. “Fuck me.”

Geralt took a long sip of his caramel latte as he watched Jaskier despairing over the potentially lost time. He hummed. “Normally I would ask you to dinner first.”

Jaskier’s eyes snapped up to meet his gaze. “Geralt!” He was blushing brightly but a playful smile danced on his lips. “How about I ask you to dinner?”

Geralt smiled and nodded, today was suddenly seeming a lot brighter. “Dinner it is.”

Jaskier reached across the table and Geralt took his hand. It was warm from where Jaskier had been holding onto his coffee, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Geralt was still reeling over the fact he was allowed to hold Jaskier’s hand, after so many years of watching him on the ice. He’d always seemed so far away. A joyful presence in both Yen and Ciri’s life but never his, and for some unknown reason Jaskier had wanted him.

“Why?” He asked.

Jaskier raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. “Why?” He repeated the question.

“Why did you think I was out of your league?” It wasn’t exactly what he’d meant but repeating Jaskier’s earlier words were easier than trying to think of his own.

Jaskier laughed and squeezed Geralt’s hand. “Because look at you!” He gestured with his free hand. “You’re bloody gorgeous.”

“So are you.” Geralt mumbled.

That seemed to give Jaskier pause as his mouth opened and shut a couple of times. “Yeah. Well. You’re more gorgeous, and you’re this famous ice hockey player, Captain of the Kaer Morhen Wolves, ex-husband to the Yennefer Vengerberg, the Ice Queen. Father to the sweetest most adorable little five year old. You have everything. Why would you want me?”

Geralt felt his expression soften as Jaskier’s gaze fell to the table. “Because you make me hear the music even when there’s none playing.” Jaskier frowned and chewed on his lip. Geralt sighed and ran his thumb along Jaskier’s bottom lip, pulling it free from his teeth. “You keep doing that. It’ll start bleeding.”

“Yeah well.” Jaskier muttered breathlessly.

“Being famous means shit all.” He sighed as he pulled away from Jaskier’s face. “No one gives a fuck about the person underneath. I’m just the ice hockey hero.”

Jaskier scoffed. “Well, then, Mr Ice Hockey Hero. Who is Geralt Rivia?”

Geralt chuckled. “You sound like press.”

“You don’t mind if I record this do you?” Jaskier teased and moved the small pepper pot to sit in the middle of them. “It’s easier than taking notes. I’d rather this just be you and me, without a notebook.”

“Jaskier!” He growled.

“Now, we’ve all heard about your skills on the ice, tell me…” Jaskier paused dramatically and licked his lips. “do those skills transfer to the bedroom?”

Geralt barked a laugh. “I wish I could say I’ve never been asked that in an interview before.” He groaned.

“No!” Jaskier giggled.

“Hmm.” He agreed. It had been just after his divorce with Yen and the press were trying to market him as the next playboy bachelor.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice that you dodged the question, Geralt.” Jaskier teased.

Geralt tilted his head and smirked. “If you win the Grand Prix final, maybe you’ll find out.”

Jaskier gaped. “Geralt!” He groaned. “That’s just not fair. I’ll never win.”

Geralt just shrugged.

“You’re joking right. God please tell me you’re joking.”

Geralt didn’t answer.

“Geralt!!” ______________

Next

[shadow-dancing]

Some (썸)

Part of a Sports AU collab hosted by @leesmrk​

Dedicated to Dee —🌿 Inspired by a fan video of Denis Ten & Yuna Kim, as well as Robbie Williams.

Words: 4,052 Genre: sports AU, figure skater!jisung 

Listen: She’s the One ; Vuelie ; Some (썸)

The figure skating competitions at the Winter Olympics came to an end with the conclusion of the free skate for Ladies' singles. It was your first time representing your country at the Olympics, & you had clocked in at 140 points, landing you at 5th place.  

The event after the competitions was the Gala Exhibition, where the individual & pair skaters who either won or were close to winning a medal got to perform routines—showcasing each skater's personality & performing tricks— followed by a group skating. You were one of the selected skaters to perform, & while you could hardly wait to perform the routine for your individual program, you were incredibly nervous for the group dance.  

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[Practice Day 1; 5PM] 

You panted, finishing your individual routine with a flourish. Yulia, a fellow skater clapped, praising you. You laughed & curtseyed dramatically, thanking her as you skated off to grab some water from the bench. There were a few people in the audience who had come to watch the practice & they waved at you; you waved back.  

"ALRIGHT EVERYONE GATHER IN THE MIDDLE!" A voice boomed over the speakers, almost making you choke on your water.  

You turned just as a burly man jostled into your arm; the man apologized curtly as he walked off. Unfortunately, you had forgotten to cap your bottle, & some of the contents splashed onto the windbreaker of the skater near you. You gasped, & the skater looked down at the wet patch on his jacket. You recognized him—tall & baby-faced, Park Jisung was the 19-year-old gold medallist of the men's singles. He was well known for his agility & grace, as well as his ability to execute triple Axels with ease. Jisung was immensely popular amongst skaters; you've heard people say he was very friendly & funny, & got along with everyone. You had never spoken to him, as you saw yourself as a mere nobody amongst the industry giants. & now you had blown the chance to make a good impression. 

"I am so sorry!" You wailed as you juggled between capping the bottle & grabbing a towel to wipe the water.  

"No, don't worry! It'll dry," he assured you with a wide smile. With that, he pulled off his blade guards & set it on the side before he entered the rink. You stared after him, quickly following. 

All skaters made their way to the centre, where the burly man stood, a mic in one hand & a clipboard in the other; a silver whistle hung around his neck. He introduced himself as Mr. Khan, the choreographer for the group dance, & gave a brief rundown of the group dance. You swallowed nervously—for the first part of the group dance, individual male & female skaters would pair up, & have a sort of waltz on the ice. Immediately people began excitingly searching for pairs, making a racket as they talked up a storm with who they wanted to partner up with, but Mr. Khan blew the whistle around his neck.  

"Quiet down, I will pair you guys up!" He said, turning to his clipboard as skaters erupted in groans of dismay.  

One by one, skaters were paired up, & then it was your turn. By this point only a few skaters were left, & you really hoped you were paired with someone you were familiar with. 

"Y/N!" Mr. Khan barked. You raised a tentative hand. "With Mr. Park Jisung!"  

You swallowed. Skaters & the crowd oohed & aahed, congratulating you as you made your way over to the gold medallist, whose faded pink hair made him stand out among the crowd. His face showed obvious signs that he had no idea whose name was just called, but his eyebrows shot up as you sidled up to him. 

"Oh hello, it's you! I'm Jisung," he smiled, nodding politely.  

"H-Hi, I'm Y/N," you introduced, holding out a hand.  

Jisung took it, gave your hand one firm shake, & you both proceeded to stand next to each other in silence, watching the other skaters chat livelily with their partners. You felt incredibly small standing next to the gold medallist, having won no medals yourself. Jisung on the other hand, felt very shy being paired with a girl, especially you—he had no idea who you were but he found the meet cute between the both of you funny, like something out of a romcom.  

Mr. Khan called for everyone to listen up as he began to play the music that was to be used for the group dance—Love Story, by Richard Clayderman. He arranged all skaters into groups by gender, with females standing in front of the males in 3 rows, & males behind in 3 rows. He gave a demonstration of the first choreography for females, where they were to skate forward, make 4 loops, & stop at the end of the rink to address the audience, before facing behind to hold both arms out to the males. Males will then skate forward, make 3 loops, & reach out to the females. Taking their partner's hand, the couples will break into 2 groups & sort of waltz with their partners. After 5 practices of the first part of the choreo, it was time to waltz.  

"Excuse me, may I use you to demonstrate the closed hold?" Mr. Khan asked, addressing you & Jisung. He shrugged, looking to you for permission. You nodded, & Mr. Khan pulled you both out, speaking into the mic to get everyone's attention. 

"Face your partner; males, step to the left a bit. Ladies, left hand on men's upper arm near the shoulder!" Mr. Khan instructed. You rested your left hand on Jisung's upper arm, ignoring the need to admire how well developed his biceps were. You could hear screams & hoots from the audience. 

"Men, hold the ladies' right hand in your left, & put your right palm on the ladies' shoulder blade, on the bra strap." 

Jisung took your hand without hesitation, but at the mention of where his other hand was supposed to go, he looked at you in alarm, the panic obvious in his eyes. Your face was on fire, but you nodded. He flushed, but pressed his right palm on your shoulder blade, avoiding eye contact with you.  

"Okay now sway side to side with your partner! Sway with grace!" Mr. Khan said, swaying like seagrass against the ocean currents. 

You & Jisung swayed... Not so gracefully. In fact, you were as stiff as a board—as if the fact you were holding a man so close wasn't bad enough, the whole world will have their eyes on Jisung during the gala, & you feared making him look bad. Jisung on the other hand, was equally stiff—he felt incredibly awkward holding you intimately when he couldn't even look you in the eye, & was worried he was making you uncomfortable. 

"Hey don't be so stiff—you two look like drunk octopuses! Loosen up & sway like a lazy ocean hugs the shore! Be the epitome of grace!" Mr. Khan commented as he skated by, checking up on each couple.  

You slouched, a nasty pit of anxiety swirling within you. Jisung noticed the further drop in your confidence, & wanted to say something to lighten the mood but he didn't want to say something that would make the situation worse, opting to keep his mouth shut instead. You both attempted to sway much more gracefully, but Mr. Khan's sigh of disappointment was proof it wasn't going well. 

3 excruciatingly long hours passed before you were allowed to leave the rink for the day. You broke away from Jisung immediately, giving him a small bow before leaving the rink quickly. Jisung watched you speed walk to the back after slipping on your blade guards, his heart heavy. You sat in one of the bathroom stalls, wiping the hot tears that fell—you were making a fool of yourself with your nerves, & worse of all, you were probably embarrassing Jisung too. 

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[Practice Day 2; 7AM] 

Jisung awoke from an exhausting sleep, having tossed & turned all night. He felt awful; after you had exited the rink, Ten, a friend & the silver medallist, told him you were clearly uncomfortable, & this ate at him—he wished he had said something to break the ice between the both of you sooner.  

He was determined to set things right today. He informed his coach he was leaving the Olympic Village for a bit to get something, & used the bicycle-sharing system to bike into town.  

Jisung stopped in front of a little florist. He peered through the glass doors—it looked like a mini greenhouse with flowers & leaves everywhere. Gingerly, Jisung pushed open the door, & was greeted by a little old lady who was forming a heart shape with some roses. Next to her was a huge flower display, bursting with bright colours.  

"Hello dear. Wait please, I'll get my grandson to help you," she smiled as she hobbled to the back.  

Jisung looked around at the abundance of different flowers, a thought suddenly occurring to him—he had no idea what to get you.  

"Hi there, how can I help you?" A very tall man, with jet black hair & a cheeky glint in his eyes, approached Jisung. Jisung glanced at his name tag—Johnny.  

"Hello. Ah, I'm looking for... A flower to give my skating partner," Jisung mumbled.  

"Skating... Oh? You're that 2-time Olympic gold medallist, Park Jisung!" Johnny gasped, giddy with excitement. He straightened up & recomposed himself, & held a hand out. Jisung shook it.  

"But aren’t you a single skater?" 

"I am, but I have a partner for the gala. I, uh, made her feel uncomfortable & awkward during practice yesterday, & I wanted to make amends," Jisung confessed, heat rising in his cheeks as he remembered yesterday's events.  

"Okay. Anything in mind?" 

"I was hoping you could help me." 

"Sure. What's she like?" 

"I don't actually know." 

"Then, is there anything you'd like to tell her?" 

Jisung paused. He wanted to say many things—he wanted to apologize, say something to ease up the tension, & mostly, he wanted to befriend you.   

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"Can we start over?"  

You blinked, registering the question. Jisung had appeared at your room, out of breath, & hammered at your door so hard the someone called the security guard to remove him from the premises. After apologizing to the guard, Jisung pulled a yellow daffodil—wrapped in a plastic package & tied off with a pink ribbon—out from the bag in hand & thrusted it into your face as he blurted out the question.  

"Ah, sorry. Let me start again," Jisung corrected himself, facepalming. "I want to say, I'm sorry with how we hit off yesterday, & I want to start over. Can we?" 

"YES WE CAN!" Your roommate, Irene, yelled from the balcony, where she was hanging clothes.  

"IRENE!" You screamed in horror, throwing your disposable slipper at her. She laughed as she closed the sliding door, & your flimsy sponge footwear bounced off the glass harmlessly. 

Steam was practically coming out of your ears as you hid your face in utter embarrassment. Jisung failed to hide his amused smile, but held the flower out once more. You hung your head, but took the flower, looking up momentarily to give him an embarrassed smile.  

"Thank you for this." 

"Shall we go practice our waltz?" 

"Okay, I'll just put this here..." you quickly placed the daffodil on your nightstand, grabbed your bag & shoes, & shot Irene a look as she giggled. You closed the door, & faced Jisung. "Alright, let's go." 

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"Okay, no breaking eye contact, yeah?" Jisung reaffirmed. You nodded. 

You both got into your closed hold, eyes trained on each other, never breaking away even when swaying, which was more twisting than swaying as you both swayed at your own rhythm, pace awkwardly unmatched. Skaters who passed by eyed you both weirdly. It was definitely awkward continuing to stare at each other for longer than necessary, & you looked away first, much to both your relief.  

"What was that?" Ten asked, face scrunched & arms crossed—Jisung had asked him to spectate & give pointers. "It looked more like an intense staredown at a punching ring than an intimate dance." 

"You're both as stiff as a pine tree, both trying to be the lead. Let Jisung lead, & you follow!" Ten instructed pointedly at you.  

"Trust each other. Once you're as loose as a ripe durian, you fall—" Ten dramatically keeled backwards, free falling. Jisung let go of you quickly as he shot forward to grab Ten, who laughed in delight, by the front of his windbreaker. "& you trust this guy here to catch you. Wanna try?" 

"Next time I'm letting you hit the ice," Jisung grumbled as skated over to you, & you held your hand out for him to take. You looked up at Jisung, & he stared down at you. Relax, trust him, let him lead. 

You relaxed into his hold, & held his hand firmly. He swayed, & you followed in his rhythm. He led you into a gentle sway, & your pulse quickened at he stepped aside to twirl you. He pulled you back into his tender embrace, & Jisung's breath hitched in his throat at how close you were when you came to a stop.  

"EVERYONE GATHER AROUND FOR REHEARSALS!"  

Ten groaned, rolling his eyes. "Way to ruin the moment, Mr. Khan." 

Mr. Khan had everyone run through the routine. Everyone got in their positions, & Mr. Khan cued for the song. You readied yourself & pushed forward with the rest of the female skaters, making your loops, addressing the audience, & turning back to await the males.  

An idea formed in Jisung's head & he dropped on one knee as he glided to you, arms open as if he were welcoming a hug; he pouted his lips & stuck his chin up in a faux gentleman persona. You chuckled & amused him; you received him with arms dramatically outstretched & knees slightly bent, like a curtsey. He broke character, giggling as he enclosed his hand around yours; you pulled him up, & he spun you in his arms before slowly dipping you, careful not to lean you back too much or risk concussing you on the ice. Jisung's heart skipped a beat as you squealed with ecstatic laughter.  

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[D-day; 3PM] 

Jisung examined his appearance in the long changing room mirrors. He spent an hour poking his eyeballs out while putting on blue coloured contacts; he managed to find a fellow skater to put brown eyeshadow & light touches of red lipstick on his face so his features could be seen.  

He wore a getup akin to Anna from the movie Frozen as his music choice was Vuelie, the opening to the movie. His top had a light to dark blue gradient, with a mandarin collar & poet sleeves. A gold waistband wrapped snugly around his waist, & his black trousers had some gold accents going up his pant leg as a nod to the gold patterns on Anna's boots. He had a short magenta cloth that cascaded down his left shoulder like a mini cape, pinned in place by a silver leaf cape clip on his left collar bone & linked to his top button with a silver chain.  

"Looking good, Jisung!" Ten sang as he skipped by, dressed in a black shirt & white pants with a red cloth tied around one of his belt loops. 

"Thank you. I'll see you out there," Jisung waved as he walked out the changing room.  

Out on the rink, he took in the sight of the dozens of excited skaters warming up on ice, whizzing by in their unique outfits & updos. The seats were packed with people, their cheers echoing through the stadium. Jisung removed his blade guards & stepped out on the ice to practice his individual routine. The rush of the wind was against his face as he sped down the rink, executing his jumps & spins flawlessly. He spun to a stop, almost clocking you in the face when he raised his arm.  

" Whoa Y/N! I'm sorry!" He said quickly, moving his arm.  

"It's fine, I shouldn't have come so close," you assured him. You held your head up & put your hands on your hip, posing dramatically to show off your dress. "What do you think?" 

Jisung took in your appearance—you were dressed in black from head to toe, with a black empire dress with sheer bishop sleeves; intricately sewn diamonds on your dress sparkled in the bright lights of the stadium. You had bold dark eyeshadow, & your glittering hair was brushed back into a ponytail. 

"You look very pretty," Jisung said earnestly.  

"Thank you. You look very princely yourself," you smiled, adjusting his cape straight. "Would you like a few rounds around the rink?" 

Jisung took your hand in response, & pulled you forward. You both went around the rink several times, practicing the part of the group choreography that came after the waltz. Soon the lights cut off, signifying the start of the event as all skaters got off the rink.  

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

As the piano slowed & She's the One by Robbie Williams slowly came to an end, you finished your routine with a spin, your arms hugging your shoulders; you opened them, dropping into a bow as the audience gave a round of applause. You waved, exiting quickly so the next skater could come on. Jisung waited at the side, holding out some water for you.  

"That was lovely, I liked your song!" Jisung spoke into your ear as he handed you the bottle.  

"It was what got me into skating in the first place, I wouldn't be here if not for it," you panted, taking a swig of water.  

"I should be grateful for it, then, otherwise I wouldn't have met you." 

You choked, your heartbeat picking up as heat rose in your cheeks. Jisung thumped you on the back, asking if you were okay as you coughed. You nodded. Jisung continued to pat you on the back gently until your coughing fit died down, & by that time, it was his turn.  

"All the best!" You gasped out. He nodded & left.  

You swallowed the ticklish sensation with a quick gulp of water, eager to watch Jisung's performance. Vuelie came on, filling the stadium with the powerful vocals of the Norwegian female choir, Cantus. Jisung hit his choreography hard, executing multiple turns & jumps along while bobbing his head along to the vocalisation. With a deep breath, he glided forward to perform a difficult triple Axel & quadruple toe loop combination he wouldn't dare attempt in a competition. A diapason of applause came from the audience & skaters alike, as his routine came to an end with a final sit spin. Jisung gasped for air, catching his breath as he bowed to the audience. He turned, catching sight of you clapping with all your might, your eyes lit up & shining in the fancy stadium lights. Heart racing & cheeks flushed; he made his way over to you; you held your hand out, & he grasped it as he put on his blade guards.  

"You were absolutely brilliant! Especially the triple axel & quad toe combo!" You praised, brushing some hair out of his eyes.  

Jisung flushed, mumbling a thanks. People were starting to stare as you went on holding his hand, & his blush deepened; not that it could be seen in the dim lights. You finally realized people were staring—especially focused on you holding onto Jisung's hand. You jerked away quickly, cheeks burning; Jisung's face fell, but said nothing.  

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

Gingerly, you pushed forward into a smooth glide with your peers as the music cued; the audience clapped & waved as you all opened your arms out towards them. You turned back, focusing solely on Jisung—he slid forward with the male skaters, completed his loops without a hitch & made his way to you on one knee, arms opened. You grasped his hands, & he entwined his fingers with yours as he pulled you into the closed hold. You felt delicately light, as Jisung gently swayed you to the melody & gave you a careful twirl.  

You wished the tender moment lasted a little longer, but the tempo picked up as Love Story faded into Chopin's Minute Waltz. You kept next to Jisung as all skaters began to circle the rink, performing inside & outside parallel spread eagle with their partners, spinning twice before finally breaking away to perform the skater's preferred jump choice. You struck the ice with your toe pick, propelling yourself into a triple Lutz while Jisung swept himself into a triple Axel. Jisung slid forward & set his hand around your waist, gently pulling you forward to circle the rink with the rest of the skaters once more, before gathering at the centre of the ice for a massive group hug with your peers. The audience brought the house down as they screamed & clapped; you lined up with the skaters, & dipped into a deep bow to the audience. One of your fellow skaters brought out a selfie stick & their phone, calling for everyone to gather around for a wefie. Jisung slung his arms around your shoulder, & you leaned your head on the crook of his neck, smiling widely as the photo was taken. Jisung almost fainted with joy but managed to grin for the camera.  

You hung back to wave & take photos from the audience, & a child even gave you a fat dolphin plush, much to your delight. You rubbed the child's hair, thanking him, & waved to him one last time as you made your way to the exit. You make your way backstage, adrenaline coursing through your vein as you slipped on your windbreaker, the dolphin tucked safely under your arm. You curled your fingers into a fist to warm the tips of your fingers a little—it was getting pretty cold now that you were drenched in sweat. 

"Y/N!" 

You turned to see Jisung dashing over to you, struggling to pull on his jacket while holding a large bouquet of roses & his water bottle at the same time.  

"Here let me hold that," you offered, taking his water bottle & reaching for the roses next, but Jisung shook his head. He stopped fidgeting with his jacket, & held the roses out to you. 

"W-Would you like to have dinner with me?" He stammered, very red in the face.  

"Me?" You asked in disbelief, your cheeks starting to tingle as heat rose. 

"Yeah," he nodded, hiding his face behind the bouquet. "If-if you want to, of course!"  

You gaped, mouth opening & shutting like a fish. Jisung pursed his lips, awaiting your answer.  

Finally, you found your voice. "Yes, I would love to."  

Jisung's eyes brightened, & he took his bottle from you as held out the roses to you once more. You accepted the roses, taking in how pretty the flower arrangement was.  

"This is really beautiful, thank you," you grinned, holding out your free hand to him—he closed his huge palms around yours, warming your frozen fingertips.  

"Where should we go?"  

"I'll go wherever you go." 

"Then... I know a nice place nearby. Shall we?" 

"Let's." 

Smiling uncontrollably & heart hammering in his chest, he pulled you forward gently, walking in front so you didn't have to see how incredibly red he was getting.  You were partially hiding your face in your flowers, your neck & cheeks burning & your stomach doing happy flip flops.  

You both passed Ten, who was filling up his water bottle. He eyed Jisung's red face, how you were hiding your own face, & the hand holding.  

"You two a thing now?" He smirked, raising an eyebrow suggestively.  

"NO!" You both yelled in unison, hurrying out in embarrassment.  

Ten stared after you both, blinking in confusion.   

"Kids these days," he chuckled, going back to filling his bottle. 

- 完

[sweeterthankarma]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: SKAM (France) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Maya Etienne/Lola Lecomte Characters: Lola Lecomte, Maya Etienne Additional Tags: Post-Season/Series 06, Pre-Rehab, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Drug Addiction, Fluff Summary:

It’s a little bit embarrassing for Lola, if she’s honest. There are two thoughts fluttering around in her mind, desperate to be said, though she keeps her mouth shut, busies it with kissing Maya’s. One: she’s in love. Two: she doesn’t want to leave.

Title comes from the song "Lucky Strike" by Troye Sivan.

Grass tickles Lola’s ankles, the stretch of skin between the hem of her jeans and her high rise socks that scrunch against her shins. With fabric the color of rosewood and patterned with little flowers that have lost their definition after too many cycles in the wash, Lola figures that even a stranger could likely tell that they don’t belong to her, but rather the girl beside her.

Lola doesn’t ask, but she knows she’s taking these socks with her when she goes, maybe even snagging a few other pairs from Maya’s drawers, the ones with cats or pizza or funny sayings scrawled with loose, stringy thread. “Putain, c’est lundi,” reads one pair that Lola’s seen Maya wear most frequently, always on the correct day of the week, and never without a chipper, unwavering smile on her face. Lola thinks Maya should give those socks to her indefinitely, or at least for the next few weeks as well, considering that her own wardrobe— almost exclusively solitary colors, primarily black— echoes the sentiment rather well.

Besides, Lola just wants every piece of Maya that she can get, every bit that she can possibly hold onto.

They’re not exactly dancing around the subject— where Lola’s going, why she’s going, how long it’s going to be— but they’re not really talking about it either. Lola doesn’t exactly want to either,  hence why she brought the food— crepes, bread, salad drenched in vinegar, feta, and olives; Icelandic style yogurt, countless pre-packed containers of fruit, just to name a few. It’s all in hopes to keep them busy, sated, though she knows they don’t need food to accomplish that.

Some bird squawks in the distance. Lola’s knees shift, twist up the picnic blanket, and Maya laughs beneath her, the sound shiny and silver and golden and actually just about every color Lola’s ever seen, ever known, mixing and blending into one. The dots of eyeliner beneath Maya’s lower lash line scrunch up against her top one when she goes on, keeps giggling, keeps looking at Lola like she’s lucky, like she’s happy. It’s hard for Lola to believe that she is. Even harder to believe that Maya is beautiful— so, so beautiful— and Maya is hers. Even if just for right now, just for this brief, fleeting moment. If that’s all that this is, all it’ll ever be, Lola will take it, no questions asked.

But she feels safe, steady, like she can trust this. Like it isn’t going anywhere, like Maya isn’t running, or won’t be as soon as she gets the chance. Her hands skate up Lola’s back, tap against either side of her spine, each notch, all the way until she reaches the nape of Lola’s neck. Lola doesn’t need coaxing to bend down, to kiss her, again and again and again and again. She could tell Maya that, but she won’t. Won’t do anything to make them move, to get Maya to pull her hands away from her shoulders, to make her be in any position where she can’t be like this, holding her, with her.

It’s a little bit embarrassing for Lola, if she’s honest. There are two thoughts fluttering around in her mind, desperate to be said, though she keeps her mouth shut, busies it with kissing Maya’s.

One: she’s in love. Two: she doesn’t want to leave.

She sticks with silence. Maya is good for her, but Maya is good, period, just as whole on her own as she is when she’s in Lola’s arms, splayed out beneath her looking like the purest picture of heaven Lola’s ever imagined. Lola, however, needs to be just as good on her own, and there’s one third, final statement that she knows, maybe even truer than the first two, no matter how much she’s going to drag her heels on the way out the door: she has to leave.

It’s what she needs right now. There’s no way around it. And honestly, it’s a good thing. It’s going to be a good thing. This time, she swears it’ll be different.

    “You taste like strawberries,” Maya mumbles against Lola’s lips, nudging them back together in more of a languid movement than a purposeful kiss. Lola’s back burns hot from the sun, from Maya’s fingers playing with the straps of her shirt.

    “We ate a lot of strawberry things,” Lola supplies. A little movement of her elbow and she’s both shrugging the strap down more and nudging the non-alcoholic champagne beside them. It rolls off the fabric of the blanket and into the grass, onto its condensation-wet side. Maya turns her head to the side to look at it, as if wistfully, like it’s long gone and wouldn’t take another effortless, lackadaisical attempt to retrieve it. Then she’s peering back up at Lola again— unbothered, still beaming, flushed from Lola’s kisses and the July sun— and that’s as close as they’ll get to the topic.

That’s okay with Lola. This is more than okay with her, finding solace and hope and renewal in the arms of the first person who’s ever truly loved her without any kind of force, any sort of mandate. Maya is pure, giddy and true, and Lola is sure she mirrors her expression, even if not her soul— at least not quite yet anyways, though Lola’s really not expecting to come out of rehab with a heart that’s anywhere as close to gold as Maya’s. It’s therapy and routine and good influences, not magic.

But Lola has no doubts that if she could see herself, more than just the limited reflection in Maya’s summer-drenched eyes, that she’d have difficulty recognizing herself. For once, she finally means that in a good way.

     “Viens ici, chérie,” Maya says, and Lola’s sinking down again, fitting her legs between Maya’s and dropping her cheek against her chest. The softness of her t-shirt , decorated with cherries and a stitched-in saying in English, something about féminisme, sweeps against Lola’s kiss-stained lips, rhythmic with every rise and fall of Maya’s chest.

    “Let’s stay here all day,” Maya decides, sounding wistful and far away. Lola wonders how it’s taken her this long to propose that idea when she’s been thinking since the moment they arrived that maybe they should just say “screw it” to the rest of the world, camp out here forever, find eternal blue sky in some vacant park far too wide and flourishing to sensibly be this empty.

    “That was the plan,” Lola answers, sounding entirely committal and meaning it. She reaches up, finds loose fists of lilac hair, the back of her hand brushing against the shell of Maya’s right ear. Maya hums in content— maybe at the touch, maybe at the words, maybe just at Lola’s presence— and Lola does it right back, then sets on a mission to kiss every centimeter of Maya’s skin that she can reach. She does it for now, for the minute after that she hasn’t yet gotten to, and when that minute comes, she’ll do it for tonight, when Basile will make her his famous risotto again and Daphné will cry like she always does when these sorts of departures happen, even though this time it’ll be for different reasons than before. Lola kisses Maya for tomorrow when she’ll be too busy packing, for the evening when she’ll sleep alone in her bed for the last time for a while, and she kisses her for every day after that, every day until she comes home.

Goodbye will be hard, but it won’t be for long. Lola swears she’ll be rebuilt, rejuvenated, better in no time.

If you enjoyed, please let me know! Comments and kudos make my day.

Come say hi and talk to me about the Skamverse at my Tumblr blog here or at my Twitter account here! I adore Lola and Maya, so if there's anything else you'd like me to write for them, tell me about it and I'll see what I can do!

[fletchphoenix]

The Calm After The Storm

Hey! so this is for Varigo Week 2020! Wooo! Day 1 - Cozy / Soft

I thought ‘why not start it where it all began for me?’ so boom! A small snippet of life for the boys after the coffee shop au! Hope you all enjoy!

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

  Mornings like these made it difficult for Varian to want to get out of bed and leave his boyfriend for his classes. It honestly wasn’t fair how Hugo’s arms wrapped around his waist and held him in a cozy embrace as the seconds kept on ticking by the longer he waited, his breath ghosting against the back of Varian’s neck in his deep sleep. It seemed like years since they’d met in that coffee shop in the winter, christmas relentlessly edging closer each day, but he’d met Hugo and they’d spent it together in perfect bliss.

  Memories of dates and almost kisses flooded his thoughts as he shuffled further back into the warmth of his boyfriend to combat the coldness of the room. They really had been through a lot, huh? His favourite date by far was the ice skating - even though it had been a horrible night, for that one moment where it was just them, it was perfect. They twirled and danced over the rink without a care in the world as Hugo guided them in their own secret routine that outsiders didn’t notice - hands holding hands and fingers intertwined. 

  Also when they snuck out, streetlights and christmas decorations being their only company as they laughed and joked on the way to the park where Hugo presented him with his gift - the glowing necklace. Varian’s hand slid from its place on top of Hugo’s to play with the small vial still around his neck, it illuminating with a small shake. It really was beautiful. And when they got their tattoos, his eyes travelled now from the vial to the beaker on his right wrist that Irene had done for them oh so kindly as a gift for his twentieth birthday and Hugo’s small test tube on his left wrist peeked out slightly from under the covers. Wow. 

  Hugo had always been there to soothe him from his nightmares too, playing with his hair and placing gentle kisses to his forehead as he attempted to calm down. Like the night before trouble came, and they’d cuddled up with hot cocoa and snacks on a makeshift bed on the sofa to watch one of his dramatic teen movies to calm down. They’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms that night, his head on Hugo’s chest and legs tangled in their slightly awkward position, but neither cared. It was them and they were happy. 

  And then there was his mother returning. Of course she hadn’t stayed long, but in the short time she was here, all hell broke loose between them all. Hell, he’d even broken up with Hugo! What was he even thinking? Even he himself wasn’t sure - he was just so angry and confused and betrayed, because his Hugo wouldn’t do that and he just let himself believe Ulla. He remembered the heartache on Hugo’s face as he’d screamed at him - the way he was clearly trying not to cry as he ran out of the apartment. Varian had wanted to go after him and pull him into an embrace, to kiss and wipe each one of those heart wrenching tears away, but he just couldn’t. Not with Ulla there.

 But that was behind them now. All that mattered was them cuddling under the bedsheets in their room - even though Varian knew he’d have to get up soon anyway. 

  Varian wanted to shuffle out of Hugo’s grasp. To head out of bed while the other man was still soundly asleep and get changed and ready for college before Hugo tried to convince him to stay for the day and just call in sick, however something stopped him. He wasn’t sure he even wanted to leave today. He wanted Hugo to keep him in bed all day where they could cuddle with the bitter winds outside that seeped through due to the apartment’s shitty insulation and even worse heating units - it hardly even worked most of the time.

  A groan left Varian’s lips as he turned to face his still-sleeping boyfriend, his blonde fringe barely covering the scar running through his right eyebrow and the slight tilt of his lip making it look like he was smiling in his sleep. He reached out - slowly, carefully - to push the fringe aside and tuck in behind the other’s ear. He always looked so at peace sleeping. It was adorable. He’d missed this during their break. Sighing, he pushed himself into sitting up, a slight smile creeping onto his face as his legs swung over the edge of the bed to rest on the blue carpet of his floor, a familiar heat moving behind him and wrapping his arms around his waist again.

  “Yknow you could always just stay at home.” Hugo’s husky voice sounded absolutely heavenly at the moment - that alone making him want to sink back into the covers and fall into a sleep again. But no, he couldn’t just give up that easily. Not when it’s Hugo.

  “Mmm...I could, couldn’t I.” he muttered, leaning back into his boyfriend who placed a kiss to his shoulder that made his stomach melt and heart soar. God, he loved Hugo so much when he was being soft and affectionate. Ruddiger bounded into his lap and curled up, purring and promptly falling asleep. Ah. 

  “Well, the fat bastard has decided you’re staying. So, will you relent to the Lord and Saviour Ruddiger Ruddiger’s laws or will you suffer a whole day of your son ignoring you?” Hugo questioned, and Varian could hear the smirk on his face. Sure, Nuru would probably scold him for not showing up, as would Isla and Eugene, but...with Ruddiger making his rules and Hugo being such a tempting person, how could he leave his two favourite fellas at home? That would be unjust torture!

  “Alright, almighty cat lord. You’ve convinced me.” Varian relented with a grin as he flopped back into bed, Hugo moving to lay down as well and pull his boyfriend into another tight embrace as they did so. “But we’re gonna have to think of another illness to let me off. So what will it be? The flu?”

  “I’m thinking something more along the lines of...I don’t want to leave my extremely attractive and loving boyfriend syndrome. Absolutely killer disease. Took the life of my friend Zander. Very tragic.” Hugo commented sleepily, his lips ghosting on the back of Varian’s neck, sending little tingles down his spine and making him shiver all over. 

  “Sounds like the perfect excuse.” He murmured back. “Hey Hugh..I love you.” Varian whispered as he slowly shut his eyes, Hugo merely making a small groan of agreement to Varian’s confession as they both drifted to sleep once again, deciding to neglect all their responsibility for the day and just...live in the moment.

  Thank god for that coffee shop.

[z-iridest]

The Snow Angel and the Cream Puff- A Yu-Gi-Oh! DM One Shot

Featured Pairing: Ryou Bakura x Figure Skater! reader

Song Featured: Yuri On Ice (from the anime Yuri On Ice)

The snow that fell around a young man was as pure white as his hair. A pair of innocent, sweet as hot chocolate brown eyes watched as the snowflakes danced all around him before one landed on the tip of his nose. Winter had indeed come, and it looked to be a white Christmas this time around. Despite the beautiful, Winter Wonderland scenery around him, Ryou Bakura was a man on a mission... See, Ryou was looking for the love of his life... You. The date the two of you had planned ahead for so long was just hours away, and quite frankly, he couldn't wait to see you. So there he was, wandering the snow littered streets of Domino City as he continued his quest to find his love.

Just as he passed by the Domino Skating rink however, the beautiful melody of a song reached his ears, making him stop to listen. His brown eyes closed, his ears listening to the rhythmic piano. The piece was so beautiful, he couldn't help but go inside, sheltering himself from the cold, but also to see the source of such goregous, alluring music. The music was like a Siren's call, and thus, he was pulled in.

Shock entered the boy's brown eyes as they found the form of the love of his life, Y/N, on the ice, gracefully moving across it as if they had done it their whole life. Entranced, Ryou stepped closer to get a better view of the enchanting sight, the sight of his love gliding to the music on the shimmering ice. He had called you his Angel time and time again, and this sight before him... It was one of the reasons why. The way the ice glistened as you gracefully moved across it to the gentle, alluring music made you look absolutely beautiful... Like the angel he already knew you were....

He knew, from personal experience, that ice skating was in fact no easy feat, as it took so much balance in order to even stand on the ice without falling every two seconds. His jaw dropped when he watched you do jumps and tricks just like the skaters at the Olympics, though your eyes were closed. The amazement was clear on his face as he admired you from the barrier of the ice, watching every move of your routine.

You completed your routine with both hands over your heart, one foot out and your head slightly tipped back, the finishing pose as the music faded with its last note. "Angel..." The soft, British accented voice made you jump as your e/c eyes snapped open, slipping in your panic and tumbling to the cold, hard ice below you. "I'm so sorry, my love, I didn't mean to startle you." You looked to where the voice was coming from to see your boyfriend, your sweet, loving boyfriend, looking at you with admiration and worry about the fall. You got up and dusted yourself off before skating gracefully to him without effort, ultamitely leaving the rink to stand beside him behind the barrier.

"Ryou? H-How long have you been there?" You asked, heat rising to your cheeks despite the cold temperature in the room as you placed the guards on the blades of your skates.

"Long enough.... You didn't tell me you could ice skate. You were beautiful out there." He complimented, your face only growing darker red with each sweet word that came out of his mouth. You hid your face in his chest, feeling him wrap his arms around you as his scent washed over you. You wrapped your arms around him back, a giggle slipping out as he gently squeezed you in a hug. You felt him peck the top of your head. "Come on, let's go get some hot chocolate together. I bet you could use some warming up after being on the ice." Ryou smiled down at you, proposing to begin the date earlier than planned. You smiled back.

"I'd love some hot chocolate, but I don't need it to warm me up." You snuggled into his chest. "I have your hugs for that." It was his turn to blush, thought you couldn't see it, and he burried his face in your strawberry scented, h/c hair. It had only been a year since the two of you had gotten together, and yet, he still wasn't used to your random compliments... Just like you weren't used to his, though he supposed that's what made you two such an adorable couple. Once he actually got a hold of himself, he lifted his head from yours, in time for you to lift your own to see your e/c eyes looking up at him with an adoration that nearly made his heart burst. Without even thinking, Ryou pressed his lips against your own, feeling you kiss back the moment contact had been made. He wrapped his arms slightly tighter around you as he kissed you, holding you close as he felt your arms wrap around his neck. When the two of you pulled away for air, he kept you within his embrace, his brown eyes admiring each feature of your face. He pressed gentle kisses to your forehead, your cheeks, the tip of your nose (which made you giggle), before once again claiming your lips again in a sweet peck.

"I love you, my beloved angel." Ryou admitted, his tone soft as if speaking too loudly would break the tender moment. It made you smile, partly because you knew how shy he was. It wasn't often that you you got to hear his sweet voice saying those 3 little words without him either stuttering or becoming a blushing mess.

"I love you too, Cream Puff." You spoke back just as soft, a giggle leaving you for the third time that day as he gave you and eskimo kiss.

A little while later, Ryou had your hand in his own, your fingers interlaced with his and his heart soaring in happiness as the two of you walked in the Winter Wonderland together. Little did you know, that this moment would mean everything to you and Ryou later down the line....Because this was the moment Ryou knew, without a shadow of a doubt....

He wanted to spread the rest of his life with you, and not even the Evil Spirit of the Millennium Ring could change that...

(A/N: And that's my very first one shot for Yu-Gi-Oh on Tumblr.... Lemme know how I did! >.<)

[tagsecretsanta]

From @willow-salix

to @fallenfurther

Secret Santa does not own this work, full credit to the author above!

Grandma Tracy might portray herself as a hip, cool, down with the kids granny to anyone that would listen but even she had to admit that she was a traditionalist at heart. Not in the way that many might expect, not in the boring way of not moving with the times when needed, she could work the holoprojector almost as well as John when it came to coordinating a rescue, she just subscribed to the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ school of thought.

She knew that old fashioned things still had a place in the world, they still had a use, even when people thought they were antiquated and fit for nothing but a museum or a rubbish pile. She’d proven that to Virgil when they had been stuck in London with no technology whatsoever and since then Virgil had had more of an appreciation for the older things in life.

Traditions were important in her eyes, although rarely were they the common ones that everyone in the world did. Mostly because Sally Tracy did not follow the pack, she never had. She refused to do what everyone else did, to her traditions began at home. They should invoke memories of a time long ago and remind you of the things that were important. Family traditions, now they were the way to go.

She could vividly remember her mother singing along to the radio as they decorated the Christmas tree. They would drink hot chocolate and have a lovely time as they decorated, dressing up in the tinsel and talking, catching up on the things they might not have had time to talk about before. Always on the 1st of December, always with Christmas songs playing and always as a family. And Sally had made sure that she'd done exactly the same with her boys.

Now it was Christmas Eve, the gifts had been purchased and wrapped, the tree had been decorated and the family had just about escaped with their sanity after a month of non stop christmas songs on the stereo courtesy of Grandma. Jeff had been the only one brave enough to suggest that maybe they listen to something else but he had quickly backed down when she had speared him with a glare that could have stripped the paint off Thunderbird Two’s hull if she had been close enough to it.

It’s tradition, she said, one of the only ones she could count on since moving to Tracy Island. Beautiful as the island was, it was far too tropical to feel in any way christmassy and the only way she could get in the mood (or so she claimed) was by listening to festive music.

She missed feeling the days grow colder as summer lost its grip on the world and the crisp, chilly days of fall took over. Once fall was firmly there and you couldn’t leave the house without a sweater it was only a matter of time before the smell of burning leaves and woodsmoke filled the air and winter came nipping at its heels. The cold of winter, the first flurries of snow, brought with it the sound of carols, bells and the smell of baking gingerbread. She loved being wrapped up in warm clothes and feeling the icy blast of wind that stole her breath and she missed it when temperatures on the island rarely changed at all.

Rescues often made regular meals and time off difficult, they often interrupted family time and special occasions. The Tracys were used to it, but it did make getting into any kind of routine difficult and often meant that such things as birthdays and christmas felt unimportant. But not to Grandma, to her it was of vital importance and no one had better argue with her. Jeff, wise man that he was, had given up and retreated to his office, his almost soundproof door and peace.

Gordon was in London spending the day with Penelope for her birthday before they returned to the island that evening for Christmas. John was in Five as usual, finishing up preparations for a few well deserved days off (although he would probably be regretting his decision by dinner time Christmas Day), Kayo was visiting Kyrano for Christmas Eve and would return in the morning and Brains was wishing he had never walked into the lounge.

“Snow is falling, all around me, children playing, having fun,” Grandma sang, joining in with the video playing out on the holoprojector as she attempted to crochet a scarf figuring it was as traditional a pass time as any to indulge in, maybe it would be ready by next Christmas if she was lucky. “Come on, Brains, you know the words, join in.”

“B-but it’s not accurate for our climate,” he argued, never having been one to enjoy a sing-along like some members of the family. “There is never snow on T-T-Tracy Island.”

“That’s not the point, Brains,” she sighed, trying to untangle the yarn that insisted on knotting on her lap rather than in the carefully ordered way it should.

“It’s not?”

“No!” She tossed the scarf, all four wonky rows of it, onto the table, giving up for now before she was tempted to lob it up Thunderbird Two's tail pipe.

“I d-don’t understand,” Brains admitted, something that was very hard for him to do. He was used to being one of the smartest people in the room, if not the smartest, and now, here he was, not understanding a simple thing like this. Maybe he’d been working too hard?

“It’s not about the song, it’s about the meaning behind it,” Grandma explained patiently for what felt like the millionth time that December. “It’s traditional.”

“A song is traditional?”

“Well, yes, but not just the song, it’s the image it portrays. Christmas in my day meant snow, cold weather clothes, wrapping up warm, skating on a frozen lake, then coming inside to drink hot chocolate around a crackling fire and listening to carols on the radio with my mother as we waited for my father to get home. We knew that once he was home the holidays could really start. He worked hard and had very little time off in a year, only every other sunday, two days for Easter and Christmas Day.”

“Kinda like us then,” Alan muttered from his spot on the couch where he had been relaxing before breakfast, playing a handheld game.

“Yes, and because we have none of the weather here or the time off, not that I would want to be anywhere else, but the only thing that really makes it feel like Christmas is the songs. So we’re going to keep the music and you’re all going to like it.”

A new song came on and Grandma sighed happily as Alan groaned as if in pain.

“I love this song, it was one of my favourites,” she stared dreamily at the screen. “Oh, it’s Christmas time, mistletoe and wine. Children singing Christian rhyme. Isn’t he handsome? I wouldn’t kick him out for eating cookies.”

“Grandma!” Alan gasped, shocked to the core, his tone showing his disgust.

“What? Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I can’t look and do a little window shopping. I’ve got all his albums, including his live concerts, it’s just not Christmas without seeing him on the TV. Here, I’ll show you. Just listen to him some more and I’m sure you’ll learn to love him.”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes, it’s Christmas.”

“That’s your answer to everything,” Alan grumbled but he put down his game and prepared to do his duty as a grandson.

“I’ll start you off easy with Little Town,” Grandma told him, pressing play.

                                                              ***

“This comes to pass, when a child is born. When a child is born… oh, oh, o-” Grandma sang along to the fifth song of her playlist when, to Alan’s intense relief, John’s hologram popped up, replacing the music video that had been playing.

“International Rescue, we have a situation,” he started, then paused looking around the room, frowning when he saw only Grandma, Brains and Alan in attendance.

“A situation? Yes! I’ll get Scott and Virg,” Alan cheered, jumping up.

"That's not the reaction I usually get," John observed, wondering what could have brought about that sort of excitement so early in the morning from the brother who liked his sleep the most.

“Never mind that. What have you got?” Grandma asked, all business now, her Christmas spirit in song form now forgotten.

“Guests trapped in an ice hotel in Sweden.”

“Scott! Virgil! It’s safe to come up, the music’s off and John needs us to go to Sweden,” Alan yelled as he clattered down the stairs to the kitchen where the older two were no doubt hiding.

“A what now?” Grandma asked, ignoring Alan.

“An ice hotel,” John repeated. “The hotel was first built in 1990 in the small village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, now they rebuild it every year and add to it with a different architect for each room. I’m sure it looks very beautiful when you can actually see it and a freak snow storm hasn't covered the entrance then frozen.”  He pulled up a feed to show what must have been the hotel but all that was visible was two large piles of snow.

“What are we looking at, John?” Scott demanded to know, jogging up the stairs with Virgil hot on his heels, Alan bringing up the rear.

John brought up a picture of the ice hotel in its normal glory.

“This is the Winter Heart Hotel in Sweden,” he began. The picture showed a beautiful backdrop of a frosty night with the northern lights visible dancing in the sky behind two pure white domes of snow which were obviously the hotel. They looked like elaborate igloos, connected by covered tunnels and slopes that had formed on the sides with big, wooden looking doors on the front of the domes. The snow sparkled in the moonlight and even though it was clearly freezing cold the whole place looked very welcoming. Little cabins were scattered here and there around the hotel itself, giving the whole scene a picture postcard feel.

“Looks great,” Virgil commented.

“That was it three months ago,” John answered before flicking aside the picture to replace it with the previous image. “This is it as of four hours ago.”

“Woah,” Scott breathed, his eyes tracking over the large mounds of snow that covered the domes so effectively they looked to be nothing but snowy hills. “What happened?”

“Freak snow storm blew in from the arctic circle and dumped around seven feet of snow on the hotel overnight. By the time morning came the fresh snow had frozen solid, trapping a number of high profile guests inside.”

“High profile?”

“The Winter Wonder charity concert happens there every year, people from all over the world pay big money to stay there and not just for the music,” John answered. "It's reported to be an amazing experience but not for the faint hearted. They keep the inside at a constant -5 degrees centigrade, although they do have warm rooms of the hotel such as bathrooms and some bedrooms. They should be fine in there for now, but we obviously need to get them out. The hotel itself has been trying to dig their way through for the past hour. They had a snow plow of their own but it broke a week or so ago and as no snow was forecast they hadn't rushed to replace it.”

“Any casualties?” Virgil asked, already walking across the lounge to his launch chute.

“None reported, apparently they have placated the guests with numerous free drinks and dinner, but unfortunately they are now reported to be getting a little rowdy.”

“Rowdy? Well it won’t do to keep them waiting much longer, will it?  I guess we had better hit the skies,” Scott grinned, crossing over to stand in front of the wall where his launch chute was hidden, reaching up to grasp the light fittings that triggered the revolving door. “See you out there!”

“Alan, you're with me,” Virgil called, much to Alan’s delight. He dropped down in one of the bucket seats that would take him or a passenger to Thunderbird Three so he could suit up, grinning like a mad man, happy to be off the island for a few hours.

“I’ll send the coordinates and brief you when you’re airborne,” John told them as they all vanished, his hologram blinking out a moment later.

“Well,” Grandma sighed, turning back to the holoprojector. “Now that they have gone I guess it’s just you and me, Brains.” With a quick flick of her wrist she had turned the music video on, the sound drowning out Brains’ pitiful groan.

                                                    ***

“Bulldozer Pod is go!”

“Alan, be careful with it!” John warned, his voice echoing around the pod cabin, as the bulldozer shot forward at a much faster speed than was sensible. His hologram popped back into existence to give their littlest brother one of his patented death stares when Alan dared to roll his eyes at him.

“I think I know what I’m doing, it’s just a little snow.”

“No, it’s not just a little snow, if you go too deep or too far you’ll risk taking out one of the walls of the hotel itself. It’ll register as snow, exactly as the rest of it does. Here,” John paused to send through the holographic map overlay he had just finished creating. The overlay settled on top of the map already in front of Alan from the pods scans, then sank down over the snowy mounds, now showing the outline of the buildings.

“Avoid the ice walls, I got it,” Alan assured him.

“Just make sure you pay full attention,” John ordered.

“I’ll be fine, go bug Scott, he’s the one you can’t trust.”

“Unfortunately there isn't just one, I can’t trust any of you,” John sighed and, against his better judgement, left Alan to his own devices.

Alan trundled forward a little slower than before, heeding the warning. He might be excitable but he wasn’t stupid and now that he had a better idea of what he was looking at and supposed to do he could see that he would have to be a little more careful.

As John had said, scans from their equipment were registering nothing but ice and snow, there was no clear definition between what was fresh snow and what had been there before and was part of the building. He could detect life signs deep inside the snow piles, as expected, but they seemed calm enough, their heart rates slow and easy, showing them to be totally relaxed.

He moved the pod closer to the huge wall of snow and maneuvered it into place, his plan being to work in a square, side to side, front to back, moving in closer and closer until the majority of the snow had been removed, allowing Virgil and Scott access to come in with a modified Sherpa Pod. The idea being to use the heat bank element to create what amounted to a high powered hair dryer to defrost the ice that had the guests trapped.

With his first run he plowed a wide path in front of the hotel a good twelve meters away. He checked the map overlay, calculating that he could manage two more full sweeps, working back and forth before he’d be risking getting too close and would have to hand over to his brothers.

Scott and Virgil were configuring the modifications to the Sherpa Pod when John called in to give them an update.

“Alan has removed the snow down to quarter of a meter from the doors, now it’s down to you guys.”

“FAB Thunderbird Five,” Scott answered, swinging up into the passenger seat of the pod. He’d finally grown out of his desire to drive every single vehicle he got into and had learnt that Virgil was, in general, a much more capable pod pilot than he was, although he’d never admit that out loud.

Virgil gave him that look that said he knew exactly what he was doing but, being the more peace loving Tracy, he declined to comment. Instead he climbed effortlessly into the driver's seat and settled in. He carefully guided the vehicle down the module ramp and out onto the snow, ignoring Scott’s impatient huff in response to his sedate pace.

“Slow and steady,” he quoted, knowing that snow was tricky terrain to navigate at the best of times and this wasn’t the time or the place in which to push their luck.

“The danger here is with the hotel itself,” John told them as Virgil made his way across the snow.

“How so?” Scott asked. “I thought the reports said that the hotel was stable.”

“It’s made of the very thing we’re going to be melting,” Virgil answered, checking his instrument readouts as he navigated up and over the snow into the ditch that Alan had excavated.

“Oh, yeah, good point,” Scott conceded. “So what’s the plan?”

“The snow fall isn’t the real problem here, the hotel can take the weight of it easily having been subjected to weight tests to ensure it could retain its structural integrity for these exact reasons,"John answered. "In this case all we need to do is concentrate on freeing the doors, the rest, as long as they take precautions, should be fine to leave in situ.”

“Got it, just the doors,” Scott confirmed.

“You’re going to have to go steady,” John warned. “There’s not a lot of clearance there, Alan has done his best but it’s going to be a delicate operation.”

“Steady is my middle name,” Virgil assured him. “I’ve got it under control. You just concentrate on keeping the hotel employees in the loop.”

“FAB,” John answered, blinking out as quickly as he had come.

Heat bank raised, Virgil worked the controls expertly, taking his time to melt away the snow that was left, being careful to keep it moving and only work on the front of the hotel where the doors should be, following the same map overlay that John had provided for Alan.

Alan, they saw, had done a thorough job, moving the snow far out of the way and was now using the loader and the pod’s caterpillar tracks to tramp down and spread out the snow he’d plowed, eliminating the possibility of the new snow piles posing a danger to anyone.

After only a few minutes of careful work the doors to the main entrance of the hotel began to appear through the snow as it melted away, sliding down the wood. Virgil checked the map one more time, realising that there was little more he could do without risking the ice of the hotel itself.

“I’m gonna have to get my exo-suit and do the rest by hand,” he decided, sounding like he was talking to himself, almost like he had forgotten that Scott was even there. Scott declined to comment, busy watching Alan work, pleased to see that, although the youngest Tracy sometimes had the same kind of offbeat humour as Gordon, he was as competent and sure as ever in his work.

Virgil turned the pod back to the module, not wanting to walk the entire way and, leaving Scott to reconfigure the pod to something a little more manageable for travelling across snow, he got himself into the mechanical suit.

Twenty minutes later a stream of grateful employees and guests came pouring out of the freed doors, all talking at once, jabbering away in excitement at seeing the mighty Thunderbird vehicles up close.

“Please, please come inside,” one waiter gushed, grabbing Scott by the arm and hauling him into the hotel. Virgil glanced at Alan who shrugged, it wasn’t like they couldn't be spared for a little longer. "My name is Felix, please, anything I can do, just tell me."

"It's OK, Felix," Scott started. "We don't need you to do anything…" he trailed off as they stepped inside, their attention instantly taken by their first look at the hotel.

“Woah,” they all breathed in unison, their eyes feasting on the beauty in front of them. They were surrounded on all sides by sparkling, crystal like slabs of ice that formed a lobby area that immediately opened up into an ice bar, a warmly wrapped up waiter behind the bar ready to take their orders. Several guests sat on fur covered ice chairs, sipping from thick glasses that looked to be crystal but were obviously made of ice too.

“This is just...wow,” Virgil’s eyes darted here and there, trying to take in everything at once. He slipped his arms out of the exo-suit and allowed the mechanical limbs to fold down alongside the suit against his back. Reaching out a hand he stroked the delicately carved face of an ice maiden, one of the many sculptures that were dotted here and there. “Can I have a look around?”

“Of course,” the waiter, Felix, who had invited them in nodded eagerly, clearly happy to be of service. “Come, I give you a tour.”

Virgil knew that he must have looked a sight, stomping down the icy walkway with his suit on so, with Scott’s help, he shed it and left his brothers to guard it while he followed the man who had already darted ahead.

Now that he was free of the cumbersome machinery he was able to navigate the icy corridors and smaller walkways with ease. He descended a staircase, again completely made of ice, something he found hard to get his head around as it all looked like crystal, and stepped into a high ceilinged room that sported the most magnificent chandelier he had ever seen.

The ice shards hung down in elegant lines that culminated in three perfectly formed circles. The artist in him was in awe of the work that had gone into creating something that was not only visually stunning but practical at the same time.

Walking through the rooms he saw more exquisite sculptures, fur draped beds in bedrooms that each had a different theme such as under the sea with giant ice jellyfish hanging from the ceiling, clowns, dancers, and solar systems. On the way to the beautiful chapel with its ice shard altar and fur covered pews, he saw a magnificent unicorn that dominated a large part of a hallway. Here and there he saw leaves, animals, birds, faces and flowers, all carved from the ice and snow that made up the hotel. It was, simply put, stunning.

He returned to find Scott and Alan, who had taken up residence in one of the warm rooms with cups of hot chocolate, surrounded by guests. Many of them seemed a little worse for wear after their extended stays in the bar areas where the drinks had been flowing freely in an effort to keep them unaware as to the predicament they had been in.

It seemed that the guests were also fans, their voices carrying that slightly raised, mildly slurred tone that drunk people got, as they peppered the boys with questions.

“We really can’t reveal any of our secrets,” Scott told them, sounding as if he were repeating himself for maybe the twentieth time.

“You eat?” someone popped up behind them and offered a delicious looking burger on a plate.

“Oh, don’t mind if I do,” Scott grinned, reaching to take it. “Thank you.”

Alan and Virgil happily accepted their own plates, diving in to take large bites, eager for some food that hadn’t been cremated by Grandma. Decent food was hit or miss on the island, but everything dished up was met with a general sense of trepidation until the first bite determined its edibility.

“Damn, this is good,” Alan mumbled, his mouth full.

“I’ll say it is,” Virgil agreed, his cheeks resembling hamster pouches as he answered with his mouth full.

"I am glad you like,” Felix smiled, looking rather proud of himself. “They are our speciality, made from our own reindeer.”

Alan choked, his eyes growing wide as he stopped chewing and stared at the burger. Reaching for a napkin he, as politely as possible, spat out the food in his mouth.

Virgil looked a little horrified while Scott just shrugged and kept right on eating. Scott counted himself as a foodie, he would try anything once, or even twice if he was undecided the first time. He had eaten in top restaurants around the world, in little cafes, from carts on the side of the road, anywhere and everywhere that there was food, there was Scott, willing and ready to try it.

“What?” he asked when Alan stared at him in disgust. “It’s a burger, plus it’s good.”

Virgil was obviously fighting some internal war between his stomach and his brain. On the one hand he was hungry and Scott was right, the burger was damn good, but on the other his brain was insisting on conjuring up visions of Santa and his sleigh. In the end his stomach won and he took another bite.

“Virgil!” Alan gasped, making Virgil wince guiltily.

“There’s nothing wrong with the burger, Al. They were good enough to feed us, it would be rude not to.”

Alan, clearly torn between his desire to not be seen as impolite and his desire to not eat Rudolph, was spared from making a decision by a sudden burst of music coming from deeper in the hotel. All three Tracy brothers groaned in unison.

“Is there a problem?” Felix asked, concern etched on his face. Had he given them a bad burger? Food poisoning? Insulted their ancestors? “Anything I can do to thank you, please do say.”

“No,” Virgil assured him. “We just recognised the music, that’s all.”

“Ah,” Felix smiled, clearly relieved. “That is the band beginning a last minute rehearsal and sound check before the concert.”

“Concert?”

Felix pointed to a holographic poster on the wall.

Alan’s eyes widened in recognition and he leant over to whisper to Scott. Scott listened, his eyes widening too as he realised what his little brother meant.

Clearing his throat he made his request. “Maybe there is something you can do for us, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Of course! Anything!” Felix gushed, pleased that the high profile Tracy brothers weren’t mad at him.

“Can you get us their autographs?”

Felix grinned, looking even more proud of himself than he had before.

“I can do better than that.”

                                 ***

Grandma hadn’t known what to think when Virgil had called home and told her that Scott was on his way back to collect her, telling her only to wear as many warm clothes as she could, but she had done as she was told.

Digging deep into the back of her wardrobe where she kept the clothes that had languished there for more years than she cared to remember, she had dragged out a thick winter coat and a warm top to wear under her customary onesie, along with wooly socks, gloves, scarf and hat.

She was waiting impatiently in the launch bay before Scott had even made it home and was soon comfortably installed in a passenger seat as her eldest grandson whisked her away into the unknown.

Virgil and Alan were there to greet them as they landed, a pair of ice skates in hand and identically proud grins on their faces.

They had spent a pleasant hour or so sliding around on the custom built ice rink. The ice, as with the hotel, had been imported from the nearby Torne River. Grandma was pleased to find that, although slightly rusty at first, she was able to take to the ice with a reasonable degree of competency, much better than that of her grandsons.

Scott was all long limbs and over enthusiasm, trying to go fast straight off the bat and failing spectacularly until he slowed down and figured out how to walk before he ran. Virgil was a little better, adopting the tactic of trying to place his feet carefully, as he would while walking, getting his footing before doing a slow first lap around the outer edge of the rink, gaining confidence the longer he was on there.

Alan it seemed, much to their surprise, had inherited her grace on the ice and took to it easily, executing an almost perfect first lap before streaking off across the ice like a bullet.

Skating gave way to an impromptu snowball fight started by Scott aiming at Alan and finished by Grandma who pelted the troublemakers with snow while Virgil held them in place.

“How about we head inside and grab a warm drink before heading home?” Virgil suggested, shaking the snow off his shoulders, thankful that their uniforms protected them from such a wide range of weather conditions.

“That would be wonderful,” Grandma sighed happily as they walked towards the hotel.

“I want to thank you boys for such a lovely surprise. Much as I love our home it’s been nice to feel snow again and experience an old fashioned Christmas eve again after so long of endless summer.”

“You deserve it,” Scott assured her, draping an arm around her shoulders.

“Yeah, it was our pleasure,” Alan agreed, holding the still freely swinging door open for her.

Grandma experienced much the same wonder as they had as she enjoyed a tour of the hotel at the hands of the ever accommodating Felix, who had been more than happy to be her guide, showing her all the hotel had to offer.

It was beautiful, a true once in a lifetime winter wonderland of crystalline ice and exquisite sculpture that reminded her of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, her favourite book as a child, when the White Witch had frozen all of Narnia in an endless winter.

Felix was happy to let her wander at her own pace, never trying to hurry her as she explored, her eyes taking in all there was to see. But, eventually, she grew tired and needed to rest, not being as young as her mind would have her believe. She was more than happy to be delivered back to her waiting grandsons with the promise of a hot chocolate in one of the warm rooms.

The function room was beautiful in its simplicity, decorated in a cozy cabin style with insulated fireplaces here and there which gave off no heat but looked perfect in the wood panelled room. There were comfy couches and wooden tables with rings of chairs dotted here and there, all arranged in a semi circle that faced towards the raised platform that was acting as a stage if the instruments there were any indication.

The room was still empty apart from five men sitting around a table, enjoying a quiet drink before the show started. They looked up expectantly when the door opened and the three Tracy boys led their special guest into the room.

Grandma had never been one to be lost for words before but there was a first time for everything and this appeared to be that time. She froze in the doorway, requiring a gentle nudge from Virgil to get her moving again. Her eyes were firmly fixed on one man as he put down his drink and moved towards them, a bright smile of welcome on his face.

“Hi there,” he started, holding out his hand, “I’m Cli-”

“Cliff Richard Jr!” Grandma shrieked, coming out of her starstruck daze to grab his hand between both of hers, yanking it closer, reeling him in for a smothering hug.

“Woah, easy there, Grandma!” Scott laughed as the singer’s arms flailed in shock. “Let the man breathe.”

Alan gently untangled Grandma’s arms from around Cliff, allowing him to back up and regain his freedom.

“So,” Cliff wheezed, straightening his tie and clearing his throat, regaining his composure before he bestowed upon her another dazzling smile. “Am I right in assuming you’ll be staying for the show?”

“You bet your ass I am.”

“Grandma!” all three boys yelped in shock but, thankfully, Cliff just laughed.

The music might not be to their tastes, in fact for Alan it was akin to torture, but seeing the look of joy on their Grandmother's face made it all worth it.

And wasn't that the true spirit of the season? Taking the time to think about others before you thought of yourself, spreading joy and happiness whenever you could.

Grandma was the heart of International Rescue, the heart of the house and the loving center of their family. She had always gone out of her way to look after them, now it was their turn to give something back to her. Something that she would never, ever forget.

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

Humans are weird, “Water”

I was thinking about this he other day after my swimming class, and thought it would probably be an important observation for aliens in close proximity with humans. 

It turned out to be a nice, short little thing for you all :) 

The rec room aboard the U.N.S.S Harbinger was only partially full scattered here and there with an assortment of humans, a couple playing ping-pong against a single Drev opponent, having two more arms than you average human, while another group played pool or lounged around on the over-sized bean bags reading, drawing or listening to music.

Dr. Krill had only recently begun investigating the human activity known as “relaxation.” and so far he hadn’t made much progress. The Commander said he was too ‘neurotic’ for relaxation, whatever that meant, and Sunny pointed out that he ended to think to much to relax. Either way he was trying. Apparently it was acceptable to think during relaxation time, but not about one’s work. He wasn’t exactly sure who had made the rules about relaxation, but that seemed to be how it worked.

He leaned back a little further in the beanbag aware that he would not be able to get out on his own as sunken down as he was. He rubbed two of his upper limbs together as he stared at the ceiling.

From somewhere to his left  human purred contentedly, not really purring but more like a short hum, “Doing better than usual, Krill. Watcha thinkin ‘bout.” he chose to ignore the horrific grammar.

“I am thinking about writing a book.”

“Like another boring medical journal?” The human groaned

Krill sighed deeply, “Honestly, the way you talk always makes me forget that you’re supposed to be educated for a human.” 

“Ouch, and besides my degree was in aviation, I’m not a doctor. If it isn’t a medical journal, than what is it?” Krill tapped his hands together, or what would be considered hands by human standards, “I am thinking about writing a sort of…. Care manual for the proper upkeep of humans.”

That earned him a snort and a laugh, “Like a ‘how to train your dog manual’.” The human laughed, “Krill, we are people, not pets.” Krill glanced over at the human aware of an irony the human didn’t seem to have picked up on. Lounging on a couch head resting on one of Sunny’s armored legs as she absently stroked his hair attention fixed on the pages of a weapons catalog. The human closed his single eye contentedly as she continued to ‘pet’ him.

“Uh-huh.” Krill acknowledged smugly.

“Alright, oh great expert of humankind, tell me what the first chapter is going to be about.”

Krill tapped his chin, a habit that he had picked up from the humans, “I don’t know, I was actually thinking something more towards my area of expertise. Proper ways of soothing a sick human.”

The human opened his one green eye eyebrow raised, “Well I have to hear this.”

Krill waved his hand, another human gesture he had picked up, “Well I was thinking about the importance of water for humans. I mean think about it what do humans do when they are upset, tired, sick, or in pain.”

The human thought for a long moment, “Um ... sleep.”

“Before that?” 

“Uh, well, personally, a hot shower.”

“That’s it!” the human looked over at him curiously, “No other species I know of does that. Give a human the ability to soak themselves in warm water, and they will spend hours doing it. They do it for pain, sickness, stress, relaxation, social bonding. Literally everything. It doesn’t even have to be a LOT of hot water, just a shower or a shallow pool. Not to mention that you just love the use of water as a soothing agent in all generalities You consume hot water flavored with powder. You like to LOOK at water, tell me that humans don’t go to specific places to look at lakes or waterfalls or streams. You even put them in your buildings with fountains and things. Humans love water.”

THe human shrugged, “I mean yeah, probably because we are like 70% water ourselves plus warm water increases blood flow, AND if you get in the water than you can ignore gravity for a bit and relax. It isn’t a mystery.”

“Accept for the fact that humans also love the SOUND of water.” 

The human tapped his foot absently, “Ok, that’s fair…. I love space but….. Do I miss the sound of rain.”

“Exactly!” Krill exclaimed, “You like the sound of destructive storms, some of you even fall asleep to them. Doesn't that seem strange  how humans like falling asleep to the sound of the most powerful destructive forces on the planet. Waterfalls, the ocean, a storm, and all of them water themed. I'm thinking about advising other medical professionals o use these sounds in clinics to soothe humans .” 

Sunny had stopped stroking the human’s hair to turn the page of her catalogue, and in annoyance he prodded at one of her extra arms. With a roll of her eyes she began stroking his hair again returning back to her reading, “Not that I disagree with you, but based on that logic, humans also love fire. Think about it, we have to use fire to heat our water, we love lighting things on fire, we use it as a decoration, we keep it in our homes, and I would argue that there is nothing more soothing than the sound of a fire.”

“Yes but not to the degree of water.” Krill argued, “you wouldn’t much like the sound of a forest fire would you because that’s TOO much fire, but yet you insist on playing in the ocean which is the definition of TOO much water. Plus, despite your love of lighting your drinks on fire, you generally aren't supposed to ingest it.” 

The human gesticulated his hand’s wildly now invested in the conversation, “Ok fine, but how about air. We need air more than we need air. We breath it in, heat it up, move it around. I like the sound of wind against the outside of a house. We sit in rooms specifically built to heat up the air because it makes us feel good.”

“ok , but you don’t like it when a hurricane blows down your house.”

“I don’t like tsunamis either, or flooding. Everything on earth can be dangerous.” Th human pointed out.

Krill sunk a bit further into the beanbag. He was definitely going to need help getting up now. This would probably be a good source of restraints for some species seeing as you needed a fair amount of muscle and coordination to escape one of these death traps, “Your house burns down, blows over, or is hit by a rockslide and you are upset, but you can’t tell me that if the town floods you won't find some human canoeing down the street.”

The human shifted his head to the other side, allowing Sunny to pet him at a different angle, “I won’t deny it.”

Krill tried to sit up, and failed, “All I am saying is that humans love water. You even like it frozen, you play in it frozen, slide down mountains of the stuff, throw it at each other, put it in your drinks, strap knives to your feet and dance on it. Humans love water, and that needs to be acknowledged as something useful for non-human dealing with humans. Even that tiny piece of knowledge will help you understand how humans relax and pass their time.” 

The commander frowned thoughtfully, “I mean that’s one way to talk about ice skating, but back to your point, our earth is like two thirds water, it would be really inconvenient if we DIDN'T like it.”

“Do you dispute my logic?”

“No, I think you may be exaggerating though.”

Above him, Sunny snorted, not entirely an accurate approximation of the human vocalization, but it was close,” This coming from the man who routinely takes 40 minute showers.”

The human glowered up at her, “You were listening this whole time?”

She turned the page of her catalog, “bits and pieces, and I agree with the doctor.”

The human waved a hand at her, “Oh shut up and look at your guns.”  Sunny smiled and flipped another page.

To summarize my point, humans, having come from a world that is covered in nearly 2/3s water, it is the single most important elemental compound in all its forms and can be utilized in one way or another to sooth, please, or socialize with a human. As a doctor I highly recommend its use in the context of extra-medical therapies. 

[seeds-of-the-garden]

Dear gardeners, two words for you: Shirtless Lance

Okay, we were supposed to post last Friday, but it was missed. So, to make it up to y’all we present you with a doubly long Seed. It’s still qualifies because there’s plenty of story to write before this scene happens and plenty of story to write after it as well. Enjoy not just Shirtless Lance, but Shirtless almost everyone.

This (You) is (are) Fine

The crowded bar was getting noisier and more boisterous the longer the event was delayed. Pidge and Allura were stuffed into a small, dark corner booth, the other Paladins blocking the stage while they argued amongst themselves.

“Well, I think I should be the one to enter, everyone loves Loverboy Lance, I’m sure they can’t wait to see what I have underneath my clothes.” The amount of confidence that rolled off Lance as he smoothed his hands down his body to showcase his physique never ceased to amaze Pidge. He knew he looked good, or so she assumed.

“That won’t do.” Coran spoke up from behind the guys. “Clearly Shiro is the beloved of everyone, and has the most commonly admired physique amongst you all. If he enters our chances of securing the Credits needed rises ten fold.” 

Everyone nodded, they had to admit that Shiro was a prime specimen of a man.

“Now hold up, we can’t really be sure what the crowd is looking for. Look at the other entries.” Hunk, the constant voice of reason, pointed over his shoulder at the stage, moving to the side enough that Pidge could see. 

He wasn’t wrong, there were several different beings up there, some of which Pidge questioned how in the world they would participate in a “Heavily Moistened Upper Body Clothing Item” contest. She also had a strong suspicion that, though they were at a weird outpost bar, in the farthest reaches of the universe, the proprietor of the establishment had been to Earth at some point. Either that, or everyone across this universe enjoyed ogling wet, hot people. It was probably the latter.

A half empty glass smashed on the wall behind Pidge’s head, the crowd becoming more restless due to the delay. They wanted wet men, and they wanted them now. Pidge leaned over to Allura “Can’t you do something about this? You’re an all-knowing space goddess now, right?” 

Allura rolled her eyes, stifling a giggle. “I already told you, I traded the all-knowing part in order to bring Lotor and myself back to this reality.” Pidge knew this, but had spent so much time ‘talking’ to Allura when she was gone, that it became a habit. “Who do you think should enter then? It’s getting rough in here, and we really need the credits to get home.”

Pidge watched as Allura tapped her chin, a little glint in her eye. “I’ve got it!” She stood up, slapping her hands on the table. “How about all of you enter? That way we have five chances to win. Our odds go up quite favorably.” 

“Uh, Allura, don’t you mean four? I’m not entering a wet t-shirt contest.” Pidge crossed her arms, besides, the contest seemed designed for dudes anyway.

“Oh, Coran will enter as well. We need as many chances as possible.” She gave Coran a sly look.

“Why Princess! This is a brilliant solution. Your time being all-knowing has really paid off!” Coran grabbed the guys and headed toward the director of the contest. Keith seemed to become aware of what was going on at the last minute, hollering about how he didn’t agree to any of this right before his jacket was ripped off and a thin, white shirt was pulled over his head. 

Moments later the bar got even darker as the stage lit up. All the men were paraded out and lined the stage. Pidge full on laughed at the two glowing balls of energy wearing the prescribed shirt. She wondered at their chances in winning.

Sexy music started playing and the guys started moving and gyrating, making themselves as appealing as possible. The energy orbs kind of faded in and out in rhythmic pulsing, an Unilu did the weirdest thing with his arms, and Shiro full on started dancing some ancient Earth dance that the people did in the 1970’s. The man was hot, but he could not dance. Pidge hid her face in her hands, realizing Shiro was more embarrassing than whatever it was Coran was doing. Holy moly, they might not have bettered their chances. At least Hunk and Lance both had some very good moves, though Keith just stood there with his arms crossed.

Suddenly, a grotesque gurgling sound echoed through the bar. Heads started turning to find out where it was coming from, though it seemed to surround them. Pipes that looked like shower nozzles rose up in front of the stage. They started shaking as the gurgling sound made its way toward the stage, then they burst forth with a pungent, sticky, goo-like substance that began to spray all over the contestants on stage. The contestants began to slip and slide in the goo as it soaked into their weird shirts causing them to go almost see-through instantly. The glowing orbs began to change color, Coran started some sort of ice skating routine, and Lance screamed at the top of his lungs. “WHAT THE QUIZNAK!?”

He ripped off his shirt, tossing it into the crowd. The crowd went wild. Everyone was screaming and whistling, drinks sloshing to the floor as the spectacle on stage worsened. 

Allura was laughing her head off, thoroughly amused at the chaos. She had been oddly delighted when things went wrong ever since she came back.

Lance screamed again, slipping on a glob of the goo and careening off the stage. “Pidge! Help me!” He ran through the crowd as they grasped at him, trying to get him back up on stage, but he was too slippery. He came to a halt directly in front of her.

He was panting, his chest rising and falling with every breath. Pidge couldn’t take her eyes off of him, the way the slime caused the limited light to shine off of every lithe muscle, the expanse of his chest in her sight. His skin reminded her of hot coffee with a lot of heavy cream. Hot. He was hot. And so slippery, standing in front of her. She knew who she was voting for.

“Earth to Pidge!? You okay?” Lance was tapping her head. She dragged her eyes away from their joyous task, only to immediately get lost again in the blue of his eyes. 

“You’re more than okay. You’re fine. Capital F.” Lance cocked an eyebrow at her rather off the wall statement.

“No, are you okay? You’re staring…. Ohohoh. You are staring. You like what you see?” Lance leaned over Pidge, his hand on the wall behind her. “Cause, Lancey Lance will give you a show any time you ask.” 

Pidge slowly nodded, then realized now wasn’t the time to ogle her long time crush. Even if they’ve been a little more than friends recently. She really would like a show though….

Allura pulled at Pidge’s arm. Pidge realized all the guys had gathered around and they were being dragged out of the bar. The whole place had gone insane and the contest had turned into a giant brawl instead. 

“Let’s get out of here!”

They moved as quickly as they could on all the slime everywhere, finally bursting out into the darkened streets of the small moon’s town. 

“Thank Bob we made it out in one piece.” Shiro said, while looking worse for wear. His pants were barely held together, they were torn so badly. All of the guys had completely lost their shirts, though Keith had fared better other than that. At least his pants were firmly on his body.

“So, who won?” Allura clapped in anticipation. Everyone looked at her like she had gone insane.

“No one. Did you not see what just happened!?” Keith finally spoke up.

“Oh. So...we don’t have enough credits to get home?”

Everyone’s eyes widened as their predicament loomed large again.

“Quiznak.”

[animnerd]

Bucky

"Bucky's Little Secret"

There is something that Bucky is not telling his fellow team mates. What could it be? Who will find out first and will they tell the others?

On a crisp fall day. The tower was busy some of the team was down in the rec room exercising getting ready for the next assignment from shield. While there were some others in the living room reading a book or watching tv. There was one person who was not in the rec room which got Steve concerned. He looked around the tower and could not find him. He even asked Nat. “He told me he went out to a gym to practice said he had a trainer help him.” “A trainer! I thought I was supposed to help him!” She just shrugged her shoulders and walked off. In truth, Bucky was not at a gym with a trainer. Yes, he was with a trainer but not that kind of trainer. He snuck into the local ice skating rink in downtown New York. He was in the locker room changing his clothes. He was nervous for today’s practice because he was very close to confessing to Nat what was truthfully going on. He couldn’t believe she almost got it out of him. If looks could kill he would be dead and she would tell the whole team his little secret. But he had to keep it a secret. He didn’t want them to know that he ice skates to help with his anger. He loves to do it but his “tough guy image” would be ruined if they knew he did it. So no one must never know. He sighed while slamming his locker door shut. He took a deep breath and walked out of the locker rooms. He draped his skates over his left shoulder while his left arm holds them and walks out to the rink. Once he opens the door. He smiles when he sees you. You wave on the ice while you practice your moves. He waves back and goes sits down at the closes bench. He takes off his shoes and puts his skates on.

“Ready for today’s practice?” A voice says. Bucky looks up and smiles “ready Mike!” He says with enthusiasm. Which Mike just laughs and slaps Bucky's back. “I love your enthusiasm son. Let’s get out there!” “Right behind you!” He bends down getting the last string tie and walks out onto the ice. He glides up to you with a smile. “Hi y\n ready for the practice?” You look up at him and smile. “You bet! I just hope I don’t mess up when you catch me.” As you bite your bottom lip looking down. While playing with your skirt. Bucky rolls his eyes and lifts your chine. To look you straight in the eye. “You will not mess that up. You are an amazing skater! Our timing is just off. “ “But….but…” “No buts y\n.” Ok, you two lets get started.” As Mike claps his hands Bucky releases your chin and glides away. “Let’s start with warming up Bucky and y\n let’s start with your routine. Ok, you two?” They both nod their heads and slide away from each other. Bucky went around the rink warming up while you were practicing your moves in the middle of the rink close to Mike.

After many hours it was time for Bucky to go. He sighed but felt like practice was good. You and Bucky finally got the jump right. Which brought a smile to Bucky's face. He waved you goodbye and went to the locker room to change. He pulled out his duffle bag while changing. He pulled out his phone to see he had ten miss calls from Steve, three from Nat, and one from Stark asking him what kind of pizza he wanted for tonight’s dinner. He rolled his eyes. He loved Steve dearly like a brother but sometimes he can be overprotective of him. He replied to Stark's text then put his phone away. Walked out of the rink. When he got back to the tower on the main level everyone was not there except for a sleeping Loki. He sighed in relief and walked to his room. To be bump into someone. He looked and there was Nat giving him a questionable look. “Hi Nat um… what are you up to” “Was going to the kitchen when I heard the elevator ding. What were you up to?” She puts her hands on her hips looking up at him.” “Went to the gym to practice. Have a new trainer there.” “That’s funny I thought Steve was your trainer and partner. He seemed really upset that you got a new one.” The blood ran off his face. “I didn’t mean to hurt him.” While he put his right hand in a fist. “What is really going on Bucky?” “I can’t tell you but I dug myself in a big hole.” He sighed. “Its always better to talk about it. Get it off your chest.” She said while touching his shoulder.

He looked up at her. Trying to decide to tell her or not. “If you promise not to laugh or say anything to anyone else then I will tell you.” He looked at her sternly. She was shocked that she didn’t have to forcefully get it out of him but happy she can help him. So she smiled and nodded her head. “Lets go to my room. No one will disturbed us there.” He nods and followed her to her room. Once the door closes and she motions for him to sit on the bed which he takes. He looks down at his hands while wringing them.

He sigh and looks up at her. “I have mess things up with Steve haven’t I?” “Yes lying to your best friend of 100 years is messed up. So why are you lying to him?” He sighs and looks at her. “I ice skate.” She starts to laugh but stops and looks at him. “Wait you are serious why?” “It helps with my anger.” “Ok that makes since but why hide it?” “You guys would laugh at me and it would ruin my bad boy image.” As he says this with air quotes. She just shook her head. “Still getting use to our sayings Bucky. But listen we are a team and team stick together. We would not have laughed we would be supported you. Also, since when do you care about your image?” She looks at him with a quirky look. “I don’t but Stark keeps talking about images for our public fans. So I got to keep up the “bad boy” image and ice skating is nothing a bad boy does.

She sighed and put her hand on Bucky's right shoulder. “You don’t need to worry what Stark says he is just full of hot rich air. You need to do things that you enjoy and if ice skating is just that I say go for it! Tony be dam!” Bucky looked at her shocked and nodded his head. “Thank you Nat for understanding but I still don’t feel comfortable telling Steve or the others. Especially because I have a show coming up.” “Wait you are competing too?!” He blushes “no no it’s not like that! It’s a small show its to raise money for the local kids who have cancer.” Nat was taken back. It made her heart feel good that Bucky wanted to help his local community after everything he went through. I think she should thank Steve for that. But it broke her heart that he had to hid this from the team most importantly Steve. She started to get a plan into motion.

“When do you have your show?” He thinks about it. A week from today. Why?” “I want to come and I’ll cover for you on the team just promise me you will tell them eventually?” He sigh and thinks about it. He nods hi head. “I will soon Nat. I will get you tickets to the show. Thank you for covering for me.” He gets up of the bed and hugs Nat. Which she was shocked at first them returns the hug. Once they released from the hug. He thanked her again and left. Once back in the hallway he grins. Nat was right it felt good to get it off is chest. He didn’t notice though that he bumped into someone. He looked up to see a distraught looking Steve. Steve looks at Bucky sighs and waves his hand. “Hi Buck” and walks away. It hurts Bucky that Steve is this way. In fact it breaks his heart. He wants to go back and apologize and explain to him what is going on.

But he just can’t. He watched Steve slump away. He quickly turns and runs towards his room. With tears in his eyes. He flops down on his bed and cried. He is so angry at himself they he wishes the ice rink was open. But then he remember that Stark said that in this tower was an ice rink. So he gathers up his bag and goes to the rink. He just prays that no one is up at his time of night. Once he makes it to the rink he changes once again while playing on his phone to the song for his routine. Once he finds it. He placed his phone down on top of the speakers and glides towards the middle. He looks down hands open waiting till the music starts. Once the music started the world just melted away. He felt like he was in his element. He closed his eyes and his body took over remembering the dance routine like the back of his hands.

He glided along the rink. Doing quadruple, spins, kicks, and axles. He did not notice that Nat was watching him in the shadows. Shocked beyond believe that he was this good and didn’t want the team to know. She thought he was good enough for the Olympics if he ever wanted to stop being a hero. He could always fall back on this. It made her mad that he didn’t want to tell the team, and made her sad that the team didn’t see this and not show it off to the world.

She decided that she would put matters into her own hands and get both of them to see eye to eye. She slipped away in the shadows and walked back to her room. She saw Steve looking around. She stopped and asked him ”what are you looking for Cap?” “Hmm? Oh trying to place were the music is coming from.” She contemplated to tell him or not. She bit down on her lip. Weighing her options when she almost screamed. “Its in the winter floor.” “Who would be on the winter floor this hour of the night?” He looks back up at the ceiling. She chuckled and whispered under her breath “if you only knew.” Then pated Cap's shoulder and walked back to her room. Steve was curious and walked up to the floor were the music came from. He walked up the stairs and slowly opened the door to see no one. He was disappointed but shrugged his shoulders and walked back to his room.

Not far away was Bucky releasing his breath. “Phew that was close.” He gathered his things up and walked down to his room and got ready for bed. The next few days was uneventful for Bucky. Him and His partner tightened up on their performance getting better and better to the point they were ready. Steve was still sad about Bucky's new trainer while Nat was getting things ready for her plan. While her tickets are hanging next to her door. The night before the show. Almost everyone was in the living room watching tv when Nat stormed in lifted the remote shut off the tv. To hear groans of everyone there. “Oh shush it’s a re-run anyways.” She gave them all a stare. “Is anyone doing anything tomorrow?” She looks around they all shock their heads. “Why?” Banner asked. “We need to go support a fellow avenger is why. That is all I am saying.” They gave her wearied looks. She sigh “Its for a good cause and we as a team go and support one another right?” “Right!” They all shouted back. “Even if someone back stabbed you still got to support them.” Sigh as Steve says this. It broke Nat's heart but by tomorrow everything will be all answered.

She cleared her throat to get everyone attention. “Wiill anyone go with me?” “Yes I will go!” They all agreed. She grin “good dress warm and meet me in the common room tomorrow afternoon at four.” They all nodded their heads while Nat turned the tv back on. She walked out of the room and down to Bucky's room. She knocked on the door and opened to see Bucky. “Hi Nat what can I do for you?” “I wanted to wish you luck and I will be there front and center watching you, and routing for you.” Saying it quietly while making Bucky blush and smile. “Thank you Nat for coming and supporting me.” He gave her a hug. She grin and huge him back. She let go and waved to him and went to her room. The next day was busy for Bucky. He got ready and left the tower to go to the rink while Steve watched him left. Curious and sad that Bucky didn’t trust him enough to talk with him.

When Bucky got to the rink he went straight to the locker room and got changed. He was nervous his hands would not stop shaking. He kept taking deep breaths go calm him down. Which worked for a little bit. He walked out to the rink to see his partner and waves. He got his skates on and glides out to her. They hug. “Ready for the performance?” As she looks up a Bucky. He blushes and nods his head. “I am just nervous my friend is coming she is the only one who knows about this.” You look at Bucky and hug him. “She has your back and here to support you. You were awesome during practice you will be that today to! Trust me.” He looked at you took a breath. “You are right, I got this!” She laughed and high five him.

You both got warmed up before the show. While back at the tower Nat was waiting for the others to come down. She was looking at her book. When she looked up she saw Steve, Banner, Stark, and Clint. “Ready to go Nat?” She nods her head got up and placed the book down and went to get her coat. Once she was ready they all walked out of the tower going towards town. Once they reached the center where the rink was at. Clint looked at Nat confused. “Why are we at a skating rink?” Nat rolled her eyes. “Our fellow team mate is In here where his show is. Just follow me and you will see who.” They followed her keeping their mouths shut. They walked in and everyone stopped what they were doing and walked up to them asking for their autographs.

After helping their fans they walked to the bleachers and sat down front and center like Nat told Bucky. The lights went down and the announcer said “welcome everyone to the first ever ice skating competition raising money for the local kids who have cancer. We have some amazing talent returning and new talent for you tonight. We will start with a new and brand new teams. They are both local. You might even know the guy. Please give it up for y\n and her partner Buck.” The crowed clapped and cheered. Nat smirked at Bucky's nickname. “Good job Bucky” she whispered. Down on the ice to see Bucky and his partner gliding through the ice waving to everyone. He scanned the bleachers for Nat. Once he was her he winked. They got into position in the middle of the rink. Waiting for the music to start.

Once it started they touched hands then separated from each other to do their part of the routine. Bucky went to the right while you went to the left she did a double axel while Bucky did a spin. Back up in the stands Nat was watching in amazement while the rest of the team had no words. Stark mumbled “is that Buck down there?” to Nat which she nod her head. He was shocked. Which Clint over heard them. He pointed to Buck then back without saying a word. Only you get a single from Nat and another nod of her head. But Steve was so focused on the show to hear their conversation. He was focused on figure out who the ice skater was and why he looked too familiar. The rest rolled their eyes. At this point in the show Buck was waiting for his partner to jump into his arms which everyone cheered when she did.

Once all the performers did their routine the team walked down to the rink hiding behind the benches waiting till everyone was gone. You glided off the ice and walked towards the bench waiting for Buck. Once he sat down on the bench you talked to him about the routine. “You did great Bucky. I bet we raised a lot of money for those poor kids.” “I bet we did Rose and your jump was perfect! I knew you could do it! You grin. “I had a great partner. See you in a couple of weeks!” You hug him and got up to leave but not before waving to the avengers. The team came out of hiding and walked towards Buck. “Dude you did amazing!” Clint shaped Bucky's back while Stark pated his shoulder. “Good job man. I didn’t know you could do that!” Nat walked up with a smirk on her face. “Told you they would have supported you through this. “ Bucky smirked back “yeah yeah you were right Nat. But what about the bad boy image?” “Remember don’t listen to this dope. “ As she pinches Stark’s right ear. They all laughed while Stark complained. They all stopped when they heard someone clearing their throat. They all turned around to see Steve. “Buck you are an ice skater now? Is that where you go when you say the gym? How long have you been Ice skating?” Buck looked away embarrassed “yes I am an ice skater now it helps my emotions. Yes this is were I go when I saw the gym. I have been ice skating for three years now. I am sorry I didn’t tell you all before I was worried that you all would laugh at me. “ He looks to everyone with sadness in his eyes. All the team pats his shoulder. “We would not have thought less of you man. Everyone has their own way of dealing with stress. We just wish you would have told us sooner we would gave you our supported sooner.” Clint told him. Bucky looked over to Nat to see a “I told you so” look. Which made him laugh. He looks over to Steve “I am so sorry Steve I should have told you. Now you probably hate me.” Steve runs up to Buck and hugs him. “I dislike that you lied to your best friend but I can understand why and support you.” Tears fell down Bucky's face. He sobbed into Steve’s shoulder. Everyone else was touched by the seen that they too stated crying. Banner, Clint, and stark joined the hug while Nat was watching on. Once everyone let go of Bucky and whipped their tears away. Steve looked at everyone “lets go home.” They all agreed and went to the tower.

The months followed the avengers would be seen in the rink supporting Buck even if it was his practice. They got to know you more now you became close to them. If someone ever talked bad about Buck ice skating especially online the team would be there to defend him.

@wintersongstress

@winteralpine

@saiyanprincessswanie

@optimistic-dinosaur-nacho

@sweater-daddiesdumbdork

@babyyhoneyydarling

@ballyhoobarnes

[ecclais-fouoras]

Sometimes moving on is good

Ch6

WARNING ⚠️: MAJOR SMUT DO NOT READ IF YOU AIN'T OF AGE !

anyAys byeeeee

Ch5 pt2

It was a few weeks later, you were going out roller skating like you promised diane a few days ago.

"You ready" you said softly while she put on her coat.

"Yeah are you?"

"Of course, honey it's a little chilly outside...you should put on your scarf"

As you put it on her you kissed her cheek, "there you are...all set"

She looked at you with her eyes filled with love.

"Are we taking your car or mine ?"

"Oh no well walk babe it's not that far"

"Really ?.."

"Or we can take my car if you don't want to go by feet"?

"It's just I'd like to take you elsewhere afterwards"

"Yeah Sure Diane I'll get the keys"

You got in the car after getting everything you needed and started driving.

After a few minutes your hand landed on diane's thigh and dragged your fingers up and down over her jeans. You couldn't get enough of her, her sent her hair her eyes everything about her made you heart flutter.

She closed her eyes at the feeling of your touch.

"We're almost there diane darling don't fall asleep" you joked looking at her on the passenger seat.

"I'm not...i Just..rested my eyes a little bit."

She couldn't admit she was getting very aroused just from the feather graze.

"Is everything ok hon ? You seem all Shakey"

You asked as you put more pressure on her leg.

"Yes I'm okay y/n"

"You sure ? You know you can tell me anything right ?"

There was a short pause and she was considering telling you what made her

Agitated, she looked away from you slightly.

"It's just... you are doing that with your hand...and it...well..it turns me on ok ?!"

You took off your hand rapidly and responded

"Diane I'm sorry if I'd known it made you uncomfortable i would have stopped immediately...you should have told me it did honey"

"No..I'm not uncomfortable it's fine... I just...It makes me want......you"

She replied honestly, but still looked embarrassed.

"Okay well...then you have nothing to be embarrassed about.. it's normal diane, if anything I'm flattered to have this affect on you" you winked teasingly at her.

"Now let's get out of the car shall we"

You both got out and found a spot where you could sit by the empty skate park.

She put on her roller blades and tied up the laces and before she could finish you were already in the pool dropping and warming up.

She looked at your hair dancing in the wind and the way your body moved with such ease. It sort of reminded her that hers could not really anymore, she could feel she was getting old, maybe not very old but still. the age gap you two had was more obvious now for her.

"Are you coming diane I didn't come here to skate by myself" you said in a sarcastic tone and she giggled.

"I'm not as young as I used to be I'll fall y/n"

She didn't mention that's she had no idea how to skate whatsoever.

"Oh i know what's going on here you don't know how to skate !.."

She opened her mouth to protest but you had already raced fast to her and silenced her with your lips.

When you parted away you spoke;

"It's okay I'll teach you it's not too hard...here put your heels like this..yeah good...now keep your balance and try going forward I'll hold you."

You two kept going back,  forth and then in circles when she gained some confidence.

"You're doing good babe"

"Really ?" She asked meeting your gaze steadily.

"Of course"

You pulled her closer and kissed her soundly as you guided her movements, rolling down the park.

After a heavy make out session, and hands Wondering around your bodies. You rested yours on her hips as she was getting back to the spot you put your stuff in and rest.

When she sat down she told you to go have fun since you stayed with her the whole time.

"Babe I had fun staying with you"

"I know but now you can skate without having to keep me off the ground y/n...go enjoy the rest of the park"

So you did, you went to a place where the floor was flat and did a few figures. Then you wanted to try to see if you could do your old routine and started the choregraphy you learned in college. Diane looked at you amazed, she had never seen so much grace. You were doing flips and spins in your rollerblades and she wondered where you had learned that, she'd have to ask you later on.

After you were done you both went back to the car but diane drove and you kept your hand away from her thighs and rested it on her neck instead.

You needed to feel her, physical touch was your love language and diane knew that.

She took you to a lake not to far and you sat on the back of your car watching the sunset on the water.

It was a beautiful evening and you found it even better that you got to spend it with her, as she rested her head on your shoulder.

"I love you diane"

You pulled back as you were equally as shocked as her to hear that come out of your mouth.

"Oh my God I'm sorry i don't know why I said it. I just...you don't have to say it back..it's okay I know it's important for you ....I just.. it came out before I could even think"

You rambled quickly with your hand in your hair.

"I love you to y/n"

after she said it she gave you a loving kiss, that got more heated as you held her tightly and grabbed her hips to lock her in place.

After a while you got back to driving, both of you had a smile on your faces, and you put your hand back on her thighs, knowing it drove her crazy.

"I'm ready y/n"

You didn't know what she was referring to so you asked

"What do you mean ?"

"...for us..to you know"

"...Oh .. are you sure, we don't have to do anything you know ?"

"Yes I know, but I'm ready to...and i want you"

"..oh and what exactly do you want ?"

You asked in a low tone as your hand ran up her thigh. Her cheeks reddened at your comment.

"...well...like.. I..i don't really know"

"You mean you've never had sex with a women ?"

"Yes..."

"Well it's okay babe. Don't feel embarrassed about it. We'll go slow and you'll tell me to stop anytime. And if it's still too scary for you we don't have to do anything, we can just cuddle"

"Okay... I'm just worried i won't be good...or that you won't like me"

"Diane i love you... There is nothing that would change that"

"I know"

The rest of the ride was quiet, except for her soft humming to the radio, a sound you would never get tiered to hear.

You both arrived home 5 minutes later, and once you were inside you asked if it was still okay with her, and when she nodded you kissed her right cheek, then her left and finally pressed your lips against hers, she opened hers slightly and your tongues met in the middle.

You broke of to whisper

"Let's go upstairs and take this off diane...i want to see you" as you held her shirt with both of your hands.

She it took and went to her bedroom, as soon as you were both inside you pressed her against the door slightly and nibbled her neck whilst praising her slightly.

"Such a sweet girl diane...your neck is so soft darling. And i love to hear your little groans"

She was beyond wet now as you caressed her boobs while taking her bra off and then your shirt.

You laid her down on the bed and kept kissing your way down her chest, sucking and biting the pale skin.

Getting closer to her nipples and taking one between your fingers as the other one went in your mouth.

"OH GOD"

"No no no...Darling... God has nothing to do with this...leave him out of the bedroom"

She arched her back and wriggled on the bed as she grabbed your head and the bedsheets.

"Please...OH..ah"

"Mmmm...?"

You asked as your fingers went down dangerously closer to where you needed her most..

"AH..mmm FUCK PLEASE Y/N"

"What do you want babe...my fingers or my mouth ?"

"Please.. just touch me..."

"My..my someone's eager...has no one ever touched you like this ?"

"Yes no one ever did that...it feels so good"

"And i haven't even started...

"..sure please now.. AAHHHH"

You went down on her and cut her off by shoving your hand down her panties and pinching her clit. "You are so wet diane.."

You took of her underwear and she was left a whimpering naked mess underneath you.

She moaned again as you licked her folds and sucked on her clit lovingly. Her hands flew to your head and she bucked her hips to try to get more contact.

"Hey..hey..hey..no...stay still or i won't keep going" so she tried not to move and breathed

"Dont..Don't stop..please.."

When you felt her ready you pushed two fingers into her making her scream your name, and curled them inside her to match your tongue. After a few moments you felt her arch her back and her muscles clench as her cum filled your mouth.

"Mmm you taste so sweet my love.."

You helped her ride out her orgasm as she spasmed on the bed. When her breathing was back to normal she said ;

"..oh my God.. that what was that ?! I've never felt this good of my life"

"That was an orgasm diane... And please don't tell me you've never even gave yourself one ?"

"No...i never...should i have?"

"Well there are no obligation of course babe, just masturbating is an important part of exploring your sexuality"

"Well I'll try sometime in the future then"

"Oohh...and I'll be happy to watch..."

She flushed deeply at your words and you kept going in her ear

"It would be so hot... watching you put those lovely fingers deep inside your pussy..while you moan my name...oh so sweet."

Diane felt herself getting aroused again at that. And you could see her clench her things to try and get some relief.

So you spread her legs and started to run your fingers up and down her cunt and her body trembled.

"Mm yes...oh.."

"You like that huh? ..."

You pushed two fingers into her and she screamed ;

"OH GOD YES...!"

She came twice letting out a long moan and a soft breath before you took your fingers out carefully because of how sensitive she was.

After a few minutes she kissed you soundly as you sat next to her on the headboard, she got up on her knees in front of you and started to kiss your neck and take of your pants. "You don't hav..."

She cut you off ;

-"I want to"

"Okay.."

She kept kissing your body as you held her hips and gently moved her so she laid on her back. "What are you doing...I want to make you come n.."

"I want to sit on your face ?" You said in a coarse voice.

"You can say no.."

"No i want to try.." she replied happily and took your underwear off before you put your legs on either side of her face and lowered yourself onto her mouth.

"Mmmm"

You rode her face while she tried to suck on your clit and move her tongue up and down.

You came after a few minutes of rocking your hips into her face and laid next to her painting.

"So... how'd i do ?"

"Mmm so good diane...it wasn't to much for you was it ?"

"Not at all..i loved it...and i live you"

"I love you to babe..."

You kissed before cuddling and drifting off to slumber.

[houseplant-central]

Yuri Katsuki does a better, more nuanced job of the "clumsy girl" trope than any female character I've ever seen

I will start this off by saying that I DO NOT think the 2016 anime about figure skating "Yuri!!! On Ice" is in any way "good cinema". It's 90% fanservice, fetishization of mlm relationships, and one 16 year old antagonist/ comic relief character being way over-sexualized (Plisetsky, where are your parents?)*.

It has some problems to say the least and I'm certainly not here to hype it up as an example of good writing or an example of good representation.

HOWEVER, Yuri Katsuki's character (the main character of the show) does an interesting thing by very closely conforming to what I would describe as the stereotype of the "clumsy girl".

My childhood and teen years were FULL of "makeover stories". Of narratives in which a nerdy, clumsy, bookish girl gets a makeover by the popular kids, gets contacts instead of glasses, and suddenly becomes a member of this societal elite, escaping former bullying. From the music video for "Last Friday Night" by Katy Perry, to (the classic) Mean Girls, to the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, to the Heather's Musical (although Heather's pokes a bit of fun at this trope and how popularity might not work out for you), narratives about a dorky girl who suddenly gets swept up by somebody popular and "taught" how to "be" popular permeated my youth.

Besides just giving my entire generation the incorrect impression that glasses had to be taken off in order of the makeover to be complete, these stories had the strange reverse effect of appealing to girls who felt like they were the "before" of the makeover. If Bella Swan, self described as "too clumsy to play badminton without sustaining an injury" and "too awkward to have friends" could be swept off her feet by the hottest vampire in town because he saw something in her, then there was hope for the rest of us. This sort of idea of "potential" untapped permeates the genre, because the clumsy girl was always pretty, she just needed to take off her glasses, put on some makeup, and gain some self-confidence.

The concept of "untapped potential" is also quite prevalent in the world of sports anime. Again, this makes sense, since a story about a winning athlete just continuing to win would be boring, so naturally works within this genre often start with the athlete at their lowest, and then follow them on their journey to a comeback or newfound fame. The mentor character who gives the athlete life-changing advice is also a staple, and it's easy to see how that mentor character might be similar to Regina George holding the makeup brush in "Mean Girls".

However, the creators of "Yuri on Ice" seemed to want their (questionably fetishizing) romance to over conform to the genre standards so they drop-kicked the mentor character archetype out the window and had Yuri's dreamy coach do much more makeover-ing than athlete-training. Some of this rests at the intersection of the fact that the sport of choice in the series is figure-skating, where your image matters quite a lot, and Viktor being implied to be in love with our fair protagonist Yuri**, but neither of these aspects fully explain how well the writers made this sports anime series fit into the "makeover" genre instead of the "sports anime" genre.

But back to Yuri Katsuki himself. In the first episode, we see him crying in a bathroom. We learn that he has serious issues with self-confidence in his sport and his personal life, and that this materializes in insecurity about his weight. Episode one Yuri fits nearly every aspect of the "clumsy girl" trope: he's socially awkward, quiet, and... well, clumsy. He narrates a lot of the first episode with his own voice, saying he's "a dime a dozen skater" and "totally awkward", a kind of self-narration reminiscent of Bella Swan. While the other characters are dressed in modern clothes, Yuri's in an oversized, comfortable sweater, and has a generally very outdated wardrobe. He doesn't seem to care about how the world perceives him, (or more likely won't make an effort because he's afraid of rejection). Were he a female character, this is what I would call the "not like other girls" trope. We immediately elevate him to a pedestal as the viewers because he's relatable, and in comparison, the other characters seem to be trying too hard. While this is not as prevalent in male characters from the time (because the other male characters surrounding them are rarely well dressed except for maybe one jock the viewers are supposed to hate), it's hard to find a piece of media between 2014 and 2016 with a female lead without this opposition of "main character can't dress but all other female characters are well dressed, clearly they're try-hards." (Ironic, because that main character is about to be well dressed after their makeover, but I digress).

(Yes, this is an issue that's been in media for a long time and will be for a long time still, and yes there are plenty of good examples of stories where the male main character is just "not like other boys" and has to compete in a world where the other boys are all well dressed, but cases of writers doing this to their female characters SKYROCKETED in the few years while I was a younger teen and it was slightly ridiculous).

Anyways, Yuri is insecure and undressed. But he has a heart of gold! Who can help?

Enter mentor character Viktor (who is.... very naked for some reason. Mitsurou Kubo, was that really necessary to subject my eyeballs to?). Viktor is the epitome of high class. He's good-looking, rich, and successful at his sport, and we're told that Yuri has personally idolized him for a long time. While not exactly a Regina George, he does present his offer to help Yuri in a way that implies that Yuri would be a fool not to accept his help; he's the best of the best and he knows it, he's used to hearing it.

Over the next few episodes Yuri is basically forced into a position acting outside his comfort zone preforming a figure skating routine called "Eros". There's a weird but somewhat comedic moment where a frazzled Yuri, hard-pressed to explain what the concept of eros means to him, says that eros means his favourite food, pork katsudon. While comedic, it is to me the very epitome of "clumsy girl": while other female characters might be alluring in their experience, the clumsy girl is appealing to the love interest and appealing to the male gaze because she doesn't "get it", she's not tangled up in the politics of sex like many female characters are written to be, she's different. (I could talk for hours about how problematic this aspect of the "clumsy girl" trope is, the implication that childishness/ lack of experience is attractive is so gross, but I will spare you).

As a whole, this fanservicy nonsense is fairly par for the course, but it's two aspects of the journey to completing the "Eros" program that interests me. We see him eventually go to his friend, who is a dance teacher, and ask her for help on how to move more femininely. This in part is a nod towards his future realization of his sexuality (or not, depending on whether you watched it before or after they retconed his and Viktor's relationship). But as his dance teacher friend shows him how to move with confidence, he fulfills one of the first steps of getting the clumsy girl makeover: somebody shows him how to move in a "sexy" way, and he is miraculously no longer clumsy. The other thing about this figure skating program is his literal makeover: as Regina George had given to Katy before them, Viktor gives Yuri one of his old outfits, which symbolizes the high-class and success that he's supposedly preparing Yuri for. Yuri switches his glasses for contacts (an iconic aspect of the trope), slicks back his hair, and is suddenly more confident.  

As the show progresses Yuri gains more confidence, symbolized not just by his body language but also by his clothing and presentation. He meets a fan of his and has a character changing moment when he realizes that he has a fan who idolizes him like he once idolized Viktor. This realization of new societal power is often a turning point for the clumsy girl finally feeling like she has self-worth, and indeed, Yuri immediately ties a new sense of self-worth to the knowledge that he has fans.

After quite a lot of figure skating animation, fanservice, and a weird subplot about a poodle, Yuri finds a sense of self-worth in the life he's building for himself as a member of "high society" and leader in his sport, no longer relying on outside validation. This, I think is the part that differs from other clumsy girl stories.

Why is this interesting? I think because I'm so very used to seeing female characters get shallow character development in the form of taking their glasses off, letting their hair down, and suddenly being hot, and male characters getting character development in the form of working out in a montage to the eye of the tiger and then getting hot. Despite Yuri basically only doing what female characters often do to become "popular" and no longer nerdy, his character development feels genuine, fuller, and less shallow. For him, his new look genuinely ties to internal character development, whereas in media with women it's usually all about the looks, and the assumption that a changed style must equal a changed character.

Bella Swan from Twilight, Katy from Mean Girls, and Veronica from Heathers all experienced a makeover and new look and implied character development because of a rise in social status (whether they asked for it or not), but ultimately all of them realized the popularity was not what was important to them and they went back to how they "looked" before to symbolize their identity and values shifting back to what they were at the beginning. Yuri ends the series in the fanciest suit we've seen him in yet, dancing with Viktor and excited about the prospects his new high-society life will present him with. His transformation into being self-confident is genuine, and his changing appearance was just a reflection of that internal transformation. Ultimately, I think this plotline is what the original genre of "clumsy girl gets makeover was aiming for", because it is what's most appealing to the viewer: genuine growth and happiness. But all the female "clumsy girl" stories I've seen fell flat of that in one way or another, leading me to very much dislike the trope until "Yuri on Ice" quite accidentally did a good job of it.

* to anyone who's seen this show: yes, I do know what is implied to have happened to Yurio's parents. I'm just a) quoting that vine where the kid goes "wouldn't you like to know, weatherboy" and the reporter goes "where are your parents?" and b) I'm mad that this over-sexualization of Yurio (even within the plot of the series) is something that happens relentlessly to young female characters who've "carved out a place for themselves in an adult world" and also apparently happens to effeminate (implied to be queer) male characters who have done the same thing, and that's not cool either.

**For the sake of my sanity I'll say implied, because though they kiss onscreen, there is apparently much room for debate. The original Japanese cut had them exchange engagement rings near the end of the series, but then both the Japnese version and the English dubbed version ended up having them show off their rings and say "look at our friendship rings". (Ah yes, because I love wearing a matching gold band on my left ring finger with my buddy to show the world what good homies we are (/sarcasm.))

As an interesting aside, in an Uno reverse card moment, the "clumsy girl" trope was made for the male gaze (proof: any trope that talks that much about women putting on less clothing and suddenly becoming hot is 1000% for the male gaze), and was accidentally latched onto by teenage girls. Yuri on Ice was made for the teenage girl gaze (proof: the fetishization of queer men, the pre-existing "boy love" genre that's so popular it has a name), and accidentally fell into the trope of the "clumsy girl".

[amusement-spark]

Busch Gardens Tampa part 5: miscellaneous!

On my most recent visit to BG, I did not ride any rides. I just used the opportunity to enjoy the Florida air, and experience a lot of what BG has to offer besides thrills. I will make a separate post about all the animals. This post will be dedicated to all the random other stuff that doesn't fit neatly another category, as well as some other thoughts I had on this recent trip.

Currently Busch Gardens has three performances throughout the day. I have only had the chance to experience one, Cirque Electric. This dance/stunt show is in the Stanleyville theater over by Tigris and runs every couple hours starting at 3.

The first thing I noticed about the show was it's unique aesthetic. The stage is decorated with gears and other items to build a fun neon steampunk look to the show. The costumes also carry this feel, somewhere between burlesque and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Be aware, there is use of intense lighting effects as well as smoke machines. All the technical aspects of the show, lighting, costuming, sound, etc, are really fun. Arguably it doesn't go with the aesthetic of the park itself, but works as a change of pace from the sometimes generic ruins and buildings of the rest of the park.

The performance itself is a series of circus type stunt acts with dances in between as the transitions. The dances were quick routines, never more than 1 or 2 minutes, but nevertheless had unique costumes for each one, as well as the occasional extra showpiece. The dancers kept the energy going while the stunt performers were setting up for their next thing. You have roller skating, intense balancing, some chair based acrobatics, and a couple other surprises. Sometimes it felt like a mid-tier circus, other times I felt like I was at a particularly nice Ren faire. The final stunt act in particular. Anyone who has been to the Bay Area Ren Fair will likely know what I mean. The performers themselves were all great at managing the crowd and getting well earned applause. It really felt like they were having a lot of fun, even though a couple of the stunts felt just a tad under rehearsed. Possibly part of the showmanship. Still, Cirque Electric is a lot of fun, and a great excuse to get out of the sun for half an hour. If you're wandering Busch Gardens after lunch and need time to digest before your next thrill, check them out. Cirque Electric gets 4/5.

One major aspect of the park that I had not experienced until this most recent trip is the train ride, the Serengeti Express. Currently they only have two of the four train stations open, and since the Skyride is closed, the train is your only way to get around the park while resting your feet. Quick tip, pay attention to the signs that tell you when the next train is arriving. It can hold quite a few passengers, so you don't need to worry about getting there particularly early to ensure a spot on the next train.

The two stations currently operating are Stanleyville, right beside SheiKra, and Nairobi, near the Myobi Reserve and the penguins. Both trips take out around the inside of the park as well as out into the Serengeti area. If you want to spend a but more time out with the animals, I suggest taking the Nairobi station train. However, at least for the time being, you can always get on at one station and ride it until you get back to where you started if you want to see everything.

I'm not gonna lie, the train is kinda magical. The stations themselves have plenty of decorations to evoke an early 20th century adventure, and the train itself is outfitted with old fashioned lanterns. When you're far into the Serengeti, for a moment you can easily forget Tampa, Florida and experience the Safari for what it is. I'm not sure if it's the real train whistle and railroad crossing signs or the fact that that the employees have to wave you off as you embark, but the Stanleyville express is just wonderful. Seeing the rides and everything from a different angle really helps me appreciate all the effort that goes into designing a park like this. Trying to maintain a single theme throughout an entire park is difficult, and the train ride is the perfect way to experience some of the little touches. I'll touch more on the animals themselves in my next post but rest assured, seeing the antelopes and giraffes from the train is one of the best experiences in the park that comes with the price of admission. The Serengeti Express gets a 5/5. I guess I just like trains

The final thing I'm going to touch on here is the Giraffe Bar. Located right beside Cheetah Hunt, and up a whole lotta stairs, you will find, for the time being, the classiest eatery in Busch Gardens. In the same lobby as the Giraffe Bar is the Oasis Pizza, which looks decent, though I haven’t been hungry enough to try it yet. Coming soon they also have the Treetop Kitchen The ambiance of this area is a welcome change of pace. Even the long line felt surprisingly calm.

The Giraffe Bar was quite a few specialty alcohol options. Three frozen cocktails, three on tap, and two curated beer flights. Prices are what you would expect from amusement park alcohol, but on a hot day, a frozen cocktail is more than welcome. I personally tried to Serengeti Sunrise, a fruity rum drink with a orange wedge and strawberry for garnish. As far as ten dollar cocktails go, I've had worse. It was certainly refreshing. Next time I visit I am tempted to try the Thorn & Berry, a whiskey cocktail on tap. A couple of the spirits they use here are from conservation efforts, and presumably these drinks help support those funds. They all sound pretty tasty as well, and a step above the frozen strawberry daiquiri and margaritas you can find at other locations in the park. Bonus note: in order to cut down on single use plastics, the straws for the frozen cocktails are edible. Imagine sucking down rum with a long hollowed Smartie. Pretty dang tasty if you have a sweet tooth like me.

The Giraffe Bar also has three food options meant as small snacks, and not a meal. These were the Giraffe shaped pretzel with beer cheese, a brisket truffle Mac and cheese, and hummus with pita. I tried to pretzel. It's not much to write home about. I was especially disappointed with the beer cheese. Like, you're owned by Budweiser, Busch Gardens. Up your beer game. If you need some carbs, go for it. As expected, a bit pricey but if you're sharing (and have that sweet pass holders discount) not a bad option for an afternoon munch.

The outdoor seating is nice. The Serengeti isnt quite as visible as I would like, but maybe I was just at a bad table. I'll have to go back some time and try different drinks. Oh no, what a travesty. Giraffe Bar gets a 3.5/5. That extra half point was because some birds were chilling on the terrace looking for food and one of them almost went inside. What a cutie. I love birds.

Side note mini review: as part of the Summer Nights event, some of the vendors have new desserts and drink specials. I tried to beignets, nice and soft, and am dying to try the “Churro Explosion” that comes with a bunch of different flavored sauces. Fried pastry gets a 5/5 any day of the week.

Just in 2021, I have already visited Busch Gardens Tampa 4 times. I am still finding new things to experience and enjoy, all included with the price of my annual pass (except for food, obvi). It seems to me that they are always trying to shake things up, especially with drinks and snacks. I just think it’s a really nice park. Later this week I will have my review of the various animal enclosures and experiences. Happy Summer!