#mile high lullaby

[anaktoria-of-the-moon]

The first time I saw the “empty spaces” tag (which was yesterday) I thought dolls were an extension of mech fiction, that they were heavily cyberaugmented people - muscle replaced with durable, flex-carbon synthweaves; skin substituted with thermal-resistant ceramic plating, with pliable polymer fabrics to fill the gaps and allow movement; joints made of silicon carbide and martensitic alloy, driven by motors that never die; a heart that beats three point six billion times a second, a tiny sun made of fissile material caged in a chassis of tantalum. Perfect eyes that see singular motes of dust a mile away and do not need wetting and will not yield to puncture or pressure. A face that can be anything - human, if you like, or a festival-goer’s animal god mask, or an ever-shifting screen, or a sheet of indifferent carbon steel to match the brutal and unchanging pace of your heartbeat, the augmented fearlessness of your modified brain.

And witches, I thought, were like pilots, and also engineers, the keepers and caretakers of the highly efficient dolls who served as their blades, their spies, their wings and eyes and ears. Witches I imagined were unassuming individuals who went unnoticed in the outside world, as unnoticed as their creations were not, and inside, in their lairs, donned helmets that sparked and flared with torrents of information - three point six billion times a second - enough to kill any regular person, but with a witch’s brain, shot through with silver threading and lovingly engineered through a homebrew of handmade viruses, all those data, all the eyes and ears and hands and sword-sharp legs, become as clear as the future to an oracle of old.

The dolls are marvels of outward engineering; the witches, their inward counterparts. While a doll might walk through a crowded square and cause all around it to flinch back in awe, or shock, or fear, while there is nothing quiet about the way a doll flickers (like frames caught in a flashbulb) a hundred meters at a time toward some unwitting target and slits their throat with unthinking and graceful precision and then vanishes before you know what has happened, before the splash of blood has time to hit the ground - while a doll is one you know you must fear - the witch is the true danger.

Because it is the witch who guides each doll; it is the witch who tells the infernal heart to keep beating, the eyes to keep seeking, who spends her nights polishing and adjusting and replacing each high-grade ceramic ball joint, who scrubs the white plating clean of rust-colored stains, who uses the blood money from each kill to buy ever better upgrades, for her own head as much as their forms. It is the witch who whispers nightmare into their iron skulls, and then, once they’ve had their fill of it, it is the witch who turns off their fears again and switches dirge for lullaby, so that she might go mad in their stead.

The dolls are the body, the heart. The witch is the mind and soul.

[aklaustaleteller]

Not For A Long Time

Klaus returns back to his lover omega's cottage after a long time, and he wants nothing more than to just mark her as his, all over again. But all Y/n seems to want, is to eat her dinner and get on his nerves, ...and to absentmindedly rub herself all over him.

Warnings - allusions of smut, and Alpha/Omega dynamic.

Word Count - 1.3k

Masterlist | Please reblog if you like the fic!

This is something I found in my drafts and well, let's just say I wanted to get it out of there. It's quite aimless and silly, and doesn't have my best writing skills used, but I still hope you enjoy reading hahah <3 (I lowkey enjoyed writing this type of fic though, so do let me know if I should write more stuff like this!!)

A candle flickered in the middle of the kitchen island, its crackling being the only sound other than one of the running water in the sink.

The fridge was, quite carelessly, left open ajar as Y/n kept herself busy on the other end, washing the rice before she could cook it. She hummed a very gentle tune, or it could be a rock song that her soft voice just happened to make sound similar to a lullaby.

It was as she was taking out a casserole from the fridge that she felt the night wind come in with a rather strong force, freeing some of her loose hair strands from where they were tucked behind her ear.

"Klaus, how lovely it is to see you," she smiled, closing the fridge and lifting her gaze from the stove to settle it onto the charming intruder.

"Hello, love," he pursed his lips before a smirk dug out one of his dimples. "It's been quite a long time," he continued, strolling closer to her.

Shaking her head, she turned away from him to focus on the task at hand. "A week is not a long time, Klaus," she said with a chuckle.

"Not even when it's your lover Alpha that's been gone?" He asked as a whisper in her ear, resting his chin on her shoulder while snaking his arms around his waist from behind.

"I'm afraid I cannot give you the answer to that in just words," she answered, her voice having gone quieter along with his, and turned her face to press a peck on the corner of his mouth, doing it again when a smile stretched out on his lips.

He sighed then, letting his eyes fall shut as he breathed in her scent. The smell of old books, soil after it's just rained along with some hint of a rose and finally, her blood, knocked his senses out for a couple seconds.

It reminded him of the first time he had caught the whiff of her scent from a couple miles away, the full moon shining down on him and making his night-sky fur look silkier than it was. Taking advantage of being in his wolf form, he’d chased down the scent and ended up coming to a halt in front of a front garden lit up with warm lights coming from inside the cottage.

He'd seen a couple fireflies near the ivy that crept all over the walls from outside, making the building look rather earthly and older than the time itself. The noise of plates and bowls clattering didn't go amiss by Klaus, making him near the noise with deliberate steps.

Saliva coated his tongue as he finally stood just below the window, keeping himself hidden as his eyes peered inside to see a woman stirring something in a pot, sputters of laughter falling from her soft mouth as an energized dog skittered around her feet, clawing at her skirt to reach the treat she held up high in her free hand.

His lips had pulled back in a smile then, eyes unable to move on from her.

He'd returned every night since then, catching her attention on a particular one when she'd been out by the lake, crying in her knees and that was when Klaus had realised that the woman, he'd secretly been going mad after, was an Omega, left all alone when she should've been in an Alpha's arms, being taken care of in all shape and form.

And so, very calmly he'd approached her and when she'd realised that he was an Alpha wolf, she lost even that slight control over her emotions and clutched his fur as she cried into his neck, stutters and hiccups escaping her mouth until she'd calmed down and passed out, tired, in his presence.

That was the day he'd swore to himself that he wasn't going to let her end up hurt ever again. And as he took her home in his arms, silently hoping that she wouldn't wake up to catch him naked, he'd laid her in her bed when she allowed him to enter his home in a sleepy haze.

"Stay, Alpha?" she'd asked, her eyes moistening all over again and Klaus had not the heart to leave her be, causing him to lie down beside her and hold her in his arms as she purred and slept the night away, his body merely covered by her sheets.

Since that night, he'd learned that she'd been crying that day because her puppy-dog had been adopted by someone in the town who had also adopted his siblings. He would be happier with them, she'd sobbed into his arms while telling him, trying to reassure herself over Klaus.

And also, the fact that she was, indeed, an Omega yet to be claimed by an Alpha. She'd yet to give herself to him completely, to surrender herself to be his to love and care for. But Klaus understood that, accepted her past traumas and allowed her time to open up to him day by day.

"I was just preparing dinner. Care to join this lonely Omega, Alpha?" She asked, giving him her full attention after finally placing the food on the stove.

Looking at him doe eyed as he cupped her cheeks and pressed a kiss on her mouth, she whimpered when a growl rumbled deep in his chest, meant to be heard just by her.

"Of course," he accepted gently, backing her up until she was sat on the kitchen island.

She motioned for him to wait, and Klaus looked at her confusedly before he saw her blow out the candle behind her. A chuckle came from him, finding the action cute.

Y/n faced him again with a sloppy smile on her face, letting him press kisses on her mouth over and over again until he had her laughing and pulling away from him. He chased after her nonetheless -- pressing his mouth to her forehead, cheeks, nose, chin and continued to pepper kisses down her jaw.

And it was when he reached her collarbone that he truly began marking her. He left a trail of love bites behind as he scattered his kisses all over the exposed skin. Her little whimpers and moans only made him hungrier for her, making him pull her hair back, giving him more skin to mark up.

"Klaus --" she began but he cut her off with a hiss.

"Now, darling," he breathed warningly against her skin. "It’s Alpha," he corrected her.

"Pl-please, Alpha," Y/n purred, beginning to feel sensitive. "Need to turn off the stove, please," she begged him to let her get away, and Klaus did.

Lifting her off the counter, he let her wrap her legs around his waist as he walked over and turned off the stove and moved on to speed up the stairs.

He laid her on the fluffy bed that reeked of her scent but before he could lie down over her and rid her of the clothes that got in the way of his mouth and her skin, she was out of the bed and running away from him, spurts of laughter falling from her lips.

His eyes flashed golden just for a second before he was chasing after her, finding the situation rather amusing.

"I'm hungry, Alpha. Won't you eat with me?" She said out of breath when he caught up to her, snatching her from behind and into his chest.

And her giggles stopped altogether when she heard him growl, this time louder to warn her against disobeying him as she realised that she’d begun getting on his nerves now.

"Please Alpha?" She mewled for him, getting him with those eyes all over again as he accepted her pleas and took her over to the dining table, bringing her the dinner and feeding it to her whilst she sat in his lap, talking about all the happenings that she came across while he was gone, not for a long time, clearly, as she couldn’t stop absentmindedly rubbing herself all over him.

[fuckyeaharthuriana]

🗡️ Character specific recs: MORDRED🗡️

Download/video texts are linked beside titles if present. This is just a list of what I think is the best Mordred material out there. Every list is favorite order.

Books (Mordred as main character)

Idylls of the Queen (Phyllis Ann Karr)

The Winter Prince (Elizabeth Wein)

I am Mordred (Nancy Springer)

The Traitor's trilogy (Kenealy)

The Book of Mordred (Vivian Valde)

The Wicked Day (Mary Stewart)

A Camelot Triptych especially the chapter "Mordred Manuscript" (Norris Lacy)

The Road to Avalon (Joan Wolf)

Books (Mordred as secondary character)

The Road to Avalon (Joan Wolf)

The Great Captains (Treece)

Lancelot (Vansittart)

Guinevere trilogy (Persia Wolley)

Guinevere trilogy (Rosalind Miles)

Sword at Sunset (Sutcliff)

Sources (pre-1800 texts downloads)

Annales Cambriae

Morte d'Arthur (Malory)

Vulgate and Post-Vulgate

The History of Scotland (Boece) (book 8)

Movies

Camelot (1967) (here)

Sword of Lancelot (1962) (youtube)

Morte d'Arthur (1984) (here)

Camelot animated musical (1998) (youtube)

Tv shows

The legend of King Arthur (1979) (queer-ragnelle links)

Merlin miniseries (1998) (youtube)

The Mists of Avalon miniseries (2001)

Fate/Apocrypha (2017)

Videogames

The bastard of Camelot (itch io)

Other

Camelot 2023 Broadway revival (youtube)

Camelot musical 2008 (youtube)

Webseries: The campaign for Camelot (youtube)

Album: High noon over Camelot by The Mechanisms (youtube)

Album: The once and future king by Gary Hughes (youtube)

Song: Mordred's Lullaby by Heather Dale (youtube)

Song: War Between Brothers by Heather Dale (youtube)

Song: Crashing Down by Heather Dale (youtube)

Song: Mordred's Song by Blind Guardian (youtube)

Play: Mordred, a tragey by Newbolt (camelot project)

The art used is by Pere Ginard (from La leyenda del rey Arturo y sus caballeros)

[yaut-jaknowit]

Okay lil idea! Don’t force urself to do this I had to write this down before I forget.

Fem reader who has a soothing lullaby voice while also good at singing!, reader lives in a cabin deep in the woods, hunts and build her own tools, she uses a bow and arrow, got that magnificent strong will, stubborn as shit tho, never backs down from a challenge no matter how overpowered her enemy is. Very smart mouth always fights back never fail to step back from a fight.

Fem reader x We'ar-ow

Siren Calls for a Challenge

Pairing: We'ar-ow (female Yautja) x Reader

Word Count: 3913

Summary: Deep in the woods of Alaska, far up north in the state, you have a little hut. It serves it purpose throughout the years and seasons. You live and hunt up there, far from civilization. The best life you've known. As you venture out for a hunt you've planned, there a shimmer in the tree line.

Author Note: I'm gonna be honest, I don't know if I did the smart mouthing right. I had to look up good comebacks and comments as such for this. I tried to make the reader be super sassy... I hope it works! I do love sassy reader who gives no fucks about a Yautja. I should probably write more like that.

Masterlist

Ao3

Deep in the lands of Alaska, was a small little hut that worked perfectly. Just enough space to house one person and the necessities of life. A life of hardships, surviving in world meant for kill or be killed. You enjoyed it. The challenges brought to you almost everyday. The need to hunt for you own food. Even down to creating your own weapons to hunt for said food.

Guns and bullets are useful out here, easier to use against a large predator such as a bear. Yet, to get the ammo and supplies was another thing. It required you to leave the safety of the lands and travel more than fifty miles on foot alone to reach even the nearest civilization. It wasn’t a risk that was worth when arrows are craftable out here. A more renewable source for weapons. Use what the land gives in plenty.

In the confines of your hut, your vocal cords hummed with a tune your parents sung to you while young. Though, it’s original use was to lull you to sleep, now you use to fill in the silence that pierced the air. It was a soft tune that you remembered by heart, letting muscle memory guide you. Both in song and craft

More arrows were needed before the next hunt took place tomorrow morning. The supply was running low after the wind kept knocking them off course a week ago. You still brought down the elk, a smaller one than you meant to. It’s last you the week but supplies were running low. With winter coming as well, you truly needed to stock up on food before the first cold freezes over everything. All the creatures will either hunker down or rarely venture out. You couldn’t do either of those. Your stomach still needed to be filled during that time. Plus, the extra pelts never hurt to be dried and put to good use.

The last arrow had been created and sheathed into your quiver. That was set by the door with your trusty bow. A hunting knife was hung by its sheath next to the bow. Lastly, a machete for anything that tried to be up close and personal with you. This is Alaska. A dangerous land that tried to kill anyone on it, no matter who or what you are.

.

As the sun rose high above the ground, you slipped every piece of gear needed. Hunting knife? Check. Bow and arrows? Check. Machete? Check. Food and water? Also check. Once you deem everything in order, you stepped out into the chilling air. The door creaked closed behind you.

Cool air filled your lungs to the brim and enjoyed the bitting to help you wake up then you exhaled. A short, small white cloud appeared in the air. It immediately disappeared afterwards. Perfect.

A softly smile tugged at the corner of your lips while you began a path towards a known area for elk. A spot where they frequented as of late. You didn’t want to spook them from the area so soon and have to track them down all over again. Always a balance to nature, including this. After this, you would have to find a new spot to hunt before winter fell over the area. Or else, you would be stranded with no easy food source in the dead of winter. That was lesson you once learned the hard way. All it took was that one time.

Hunger wasn’t a fun feeling.

Though, you live within the confines of nature, you enjoyed every moment you were allowed this. A peacefulness that washed over you. As if you were just taking a normal stroll out to wander around. Yes, you were on a mission but it was never wrong to breath in this life you were given. A life you were too stubborn to die from, to give up. Anyone or thing would have to rip it out of your cold, dead hands.

In a peaceful atmosphere, you were still on watch. Lax as your form was, you watched everything around. Anything that could pose a threat to your way of life. May it be a mountain lion or bear growing to comfortably around your territory. You made a mental note inside of your head. Then, later on, a plan would be devised on how best to solve this situation all by your lonesome. There was no backup, no other savior this deep into Alaska. It was just you out here. Just you.

Light, carefully placed steps took you from the cozy little cabin you called home. Deeper into the forest, tracking down prey you needed to eat. With such knowledge, muscle memory guiding you, you reached the known grazing area and stopped just shy of the tree line. The meadows were void of larger life. Only soon-to-be wilting grass filled the open space. You hunkered down in a bush and took a couple sips from your water. It was refreshing over your tongue, cooling down your slightly warmed body. The hike long and helps warm up your body.

In the brush, you pulled your bow free from your torso and notched an arrow. Like the predator you’ve become, you wait as one, never faltering your gaze from the open meadows before you. Today, you were taking home next week’s food.

The day was slightly hotter, not enough to shrug off the jacket pelt that hung off of your shoulders. The sun rose higher in the sky but never crested to hit the peak. The tilt of the earth did not allow for that. It stayed midway through the blue sky the entire time, short in the amount of hours for light.

Soon, light would be a rarity this far north into Alaska.

As your hand reached out to touch the pouch containing water, a shimmer of light your attention. You froze to the spot, breath caught in your throat.

Out on the other side of the meadows, just into the tree line, sunlight reflected off something. You didn’t dare to move, only observing as the shimmered moved closer into the meadow. Nothing instantly came to mind to supply what this could be from. It wasn’t like light reflecting off of a cats eye. It was also too light for that to be. Your muscles grew taunt, ready to spring into action at a moments call.

From the corner of your eye, you noticed movement and had to take your gaze off of the shimmer. Elk. A herd of elk you’ve grown to know pranced into the meadow. A spot known for their grazing. The group bowed their heads and began to snack away at the grass.

The shimmer caught your attention again yet goes unnoticed by the prey animals. Downwind from them, you waited for a single elk to walk just close enough to strike down.

The herd dispersed a little, spreading out and growing closer to your hunkered down. You steeled your nerves despite the disturbance across the field. The bow in hand was held tighter and prepared yourself to pull the string back and fire the notched arrow.

As you prepared for the upcoming kill shot, the shimmer was on the move. Internally, you cursed and prayed to whatever god would listen to you this thing wouldn’t disturb your hunt. Just don’t spook the herd! That’s all you could ask for. It could be weeks before they returned to spot if it scared them badly.

Before you could comprehend the sight unfurling before you, one of the elks laid dead on the meadow. A large axe lodged into his head, nearly splitting the skull into two. The creature officially dead with no chance of escape. Your jaw dropped at that alone.

Then, the air was caught in your throat.

Pink, cream, and purple. A humanoid form stood at the down elk, easily dwarfing it. Adorn in metal armor, a mask covered the entirety of its face; hiding away what hid below. Four long… dreads hung over its shoulder. Then, the rest were tied up behind its elongated head shaped slightly like a dome on top. That was all you could get from the distance away.

All the other elk scattered like the prey they are. Anger flared to a blazing heat behind your sternum. With little care of what this thing was, you marched out into the field like a crazed hunter. Your steps were loud and easily announced your presence to this creature. This damn thing ruined your hunt and made you lose your next week’s food. Worst of all, this probably scared off the herd. They won’t return for some time. A growl rumbled in the back of your throat.

A blank, metal expression snapped up at you. That didn’t deter you in the slightest. You got within twenty feet of it before a bone rattle snarl bore through the rather quiet air. That stopped you in your tracks. A warning. A threat. If you stepped an inch closer, you would end up like its downed prey.

You still set a glare on the unknown, faceless creature. A challenge burning in your heated eyes. “You stole my kill. You ran off the herd. You spooked them! They won’t come back here for weeks,” you accused, knowing this thing couldn’t respond back to you. Humanoid or not. This wasn’t a human. Not with its height or the strange shape of its head. But it messed with your hunt. You weren’t about to let that slide.

Behind its emotionless mask, clicks and hisses sounded. It sounded like it was grumbling to itself. As if you were just some gnat that was annoying it. Your hand tightened on your bow, straining the wood under you palm. “You ruined my hunt,” you spat at it and pointed a finger at the unknown creature.

It snorted, muffled, and leaned down. The hatchet was swiftly pulled from the skull of its kill. The weapon twirled in its fingers. A skilled trick just show you how well it was versed with the axe. Your free hand drifted to the machete latched to your hip, ready to defend yourself.

“I did no such thing.” Soft in its tone yet told you about a chapter in its life of battle. Your grasp on the weapon nearly dropped it to the meadow’s grounds. This humanoid figure that clearly wasn’t human spoke to you.

Your eyes only flinched for a second before the glare was returned in full force. “Yes, you did! I set out this morning and waited in the brush since then for them to return here. They are a herd I follow. I know their pattern. You just scared them off!” Your body was shaking with anger. The comfort of your life had been disturbed by this thing.

The humanoid figure brushed you off by kneeling down. A knife was pulled free from a sheath at its side. With practiced movements, it sliced through the belly and began to clean its kill. This was hunter. It was too precise with the cut, the way it scooped out the guts. Your eyes narrowed on the creature and stepped closer.

An axe stuck out of the ground before your feet. Your gaze snapped down to it, nonchalant about its threatening manner. “You think that scares me?” you mused with a dangerous grin. You knew your prowess and were willing to challenge this creature for its hunt. “I’ve face worse than whatever you are.”

Without taking your eyes off of it, you leaned down and plucked the weapon from the ground. It wasn’t meant for you hand. The size and weight weren’t something even the average human would use. Yet, you still twirled it, testing its weight. “I think this mine now.” An shit eating smirk spread your mouth wide as you looked at the kneeling figure.

The growl it released shook the very ground you stood on. But, that didn’t deter you. Like any other predator who wonders into your territory, you’ll just beat it back until it learns its lesson.

It rose back to a standing position, body tense, ready just like you. You only shifted slightly into a less cocky stance and prepared to fight if it came down to it. This creature easily towered over your form, that much you could tell with the distance between you. That didn’t deter you. Instead, that only pushed more adrenaline into your veins, heart pounding into your ear.

“it’s only fair I keep this. Deny all you want, but you ruined my hunt. I feel like you need to pay for it. Either with me taking this as payment-“ you held up the hatchet- “or possibly with shed blood may sedate me enough.” The long-handled weapon was twirled again, showing off the fact you knew how to handle it.

Behind the mask, it scoffed and rolled its shoulders. “You didn’t have rights over this hunt,” it snarled at you and pulled out another hatchet on its other hip.

“I’d agree with you but then we’d both be wrong,” you snarked dropped your bow onto the ground and used the newly freed hand to grasp at your machete. Both of your hands filled with a weapon. One you were far more knowledgeable then the other.

The soles of your self-crafted shoes dug into the soft earth. Your muscles helped you launch yourself forward, straight at the creature. Instantly, you took up the offensive position. Your moved were swift, bringing down the hatchets blade  to bed itself into the creatures shoulder. An action it caught onto quickly. You weren’t looking to kill, only maim.

This newer weapon was harder wield than your machete, a different fighting style in general. It left you open for attack. The hatchet held high above your head to bring down onto its skin.

It darted backwards and started its own offensive attack. A battle of dance, trading blows and swings. Neither figure willing to back down. There you were, keeping up with this thing. Though, only by the skin of your teeth where you able to skim past without losing a limb.

A slice cut at your side, tearing your shirt open. Fresh, hot blood graced the open sky and dripped down your skin. You snarled, teeth bared in a whole show of unbridle rage. The beast returned the gesture with a bellow that shook your bones. You bared more down on it with a slash that drew its own blood and dipped the tip of your blade with neon green fluids.

The two of you trading dodges and hits the same. You were able to keep up with a beast such as it.

More cuts opened your skin. None of them fatal.

Both of you backed away from each other. Sweat clung to your skin uncomfortably, doing its job in cooling down your overheated body. Your shoulders heaved with panting breathe as you surged for air and studied the beast after a timeless battle. It took panted, chest expanding with each inhale.

“I didn’t expect for you to be able to put your money where your mouth is. If you have one. I’m impressed,” you mused and rolled one of your shoulders. An ache growing in the taunt muscles. “It’s time to leave. I told you; this was my food for the week.”

Either it straight up ignored you or just didn’t bother to care. You were quick to find yourself back into a harrowing battle with it again.

“Whoa, whoa. Hold your horse, there’s-guh! There’s plenty of me to share. Gotta keep some of it for the ladies though,” you jestered. The grin returned to your face. The hatchet’s blade skirted past the spot you once were a second before. “Man, you truly want to break off a piece like a kitkat bar.”

A small pout passed over your features when it didn’t even make a chittering noise. “it’s okay if you don’t like me. I know not everyone has good taste.” The creature only faltered for a second but left you a moment slice along its pink thigh. The creature snarled and whipped its axe towards you. Barely missing your scalp if you didn’t duck just in time.

“Oh, you missed me!” Despite not seeing its facial expressions freely, you read the irritation clear as a sun day. The muscles that lined its forearms flex while it gripped the wooden handle tighter. You thought it was about to cleave your head into two when it had the chance.

Something caught the heel of your foot while dodging a particularly deadly swipe. You gasped and teetered over straight onto your rump with a grunt. This was the end. The dance had ended with you making a fatal mistake.

Instinctively, you brought up your machete to block an knowingly incoming blow. Pain exploded in your  forearm as a weight bared down on it. You choked on spit and fought underneath the tremendous weight, but it was futile.

A blade was pressed to the vulnerable part of your throat. One swipe and everything would be over. You swallowed down the lump building in your throat and looked up at the winner.

Behind its massive head, a halo of light framed it. Like a god or goddess peering down at your injured form. The seconds began to tick on by. The only sound in the air being the two of you panting to regain a balance. Your tongue darted out to wet your dry lips.

It never came for the killing blow.

“If you’re expecting me to beg for my life, might as well finish your cleaning. You won’t get anything from me,” you spat though there was a slight tone of respect in your voice. It fought well again you and became the winner in the end.

More weight was shifted onto your arm as it shuffled above you. The hatchet was pulled away and latched onto its belt. You knew at a moments notice, it could whip it back out and finish the job. Then, it’s stolen weapon was plucked from your smash arm and sheathed all the same. You clenched your teeth together in both the pain and disappointment it got it back from you.

“Can you at least give me the curtsey of knowing who and what you are before you kill me?” you questioned, tone still firm but with less anger in it. You truly wanted to know what this thing was. At least you could take that knowledge with you before it took your life.

Weaponless hands, one pinched your chin and tilted it up so you could face it. The other reached up and pulled at two tubes attached to its head. A small hiss entered the air before it tugged the metal mask free from its spot.

What was revealed wasn’t something you would ever expect. You nearly cringed at the sight. This wasn’t anything known to mankind. As if a crab was turned humanoid with a face like that.

Four mandibles or fangs adorn its completely inhuman features and twitched every once in a while. Hidden behind those were more teeth you didn’t wish to meet at anytime. Then, orange pupils that could possibly glow in the dark peered down at you. A predator look set on your pinned form. This thing screamed predator. A creature born, built for the hunt.

The hand on your chin stayed and forced you to keep looking into its eyes. “You would be dead by now. Your head hanging from my belt. Consider yourself lucky that I spared your life. I see potential in yout skills. I want to help develop those skills. I will not let them go to waste. You need a teacher.” That voice, less muffled this time.

“Wow, sparing my life? I feel so honored.” Even after escaping death, not fully though, you were still being smart mouthed.

It tightened its grip. “I might take back my offer.” The creature leaned down crowded into your space. You flashed your teeth at it with a grin.

“Nah, you wouldn’t. Seems like you already like me too much to do that.” You don’t know how you do it but you act like this was conversation with an old friend. It growled and shoved your head to the side but never made a move to gut you like the elk.

Then, it stood back up, towering over your laying form. You sat up and rubbed at your wrist you knew surely was going to bruise later today. “You still didn’t answer my questions.” If you were going to work with this beast, you would like to a put to its strange face.

At this point, the two of you caught your breaths. Its chest expanded with a deep, heavy breath. The beast turned on its heel to look down at you with a critical eye. “I’m called We’ar-ow. You will learn later what I am once I deem you worthy of the information.” You faked gasped and got up, placing a hand over your heart.

“Oh come on! We just had a battle to a near death,” you whined. “I feel like I’ve earned it.” The machete you once bore was sheathed back into its spot on your hip. Your body now sliced with multiple cuts that will require some medical assistance but not at that very moment.

All the pink beast did was look down at you with a neutral expression. Despite the difference of features, you felt it was universal for the expression to mean the same. “Fine. If you can’t answer me that, can you at least tell me if you’re an alien or not.” Still with cheeky smirk on your face. Yeah, you’ll learned it could if it so wishes. Why not tempt fate while you’re at it?

Its pink back met you, long legs striding away from you. The creature turned its head to look over its shoulder for a second. “Yes.” You jumped up and thrusted a fist in the air.

“Ah-ha! I knew it.” You scrambled after We’ar-ow, not wanting to wander too far from it. “So… what happens now? You said I had potential or something.” You were forced to trot next to the newly friended creature. The steps easily dwarfing three of your own.

We’ar-ow, if you remember correctly, knelt down at the belly of elk it once worked on and returned to cleaning its kill. “You will quiet down and stop asking many questions,” she snapped at you but didn’t even look over at you, focused on cutting out unneeded parts.

“Well, that’s going to a problem. I want to learn, that requires questions.” You had the creature caught then. It grunted underneath its breath and sheathed its blade after wiping it off. “I can carry that if you want.”

Orange eyes glanced over at your smaller frame. Yes, you were muscular for having to survive in a wilderness that was more than happy to kill you. The creature dipped its domed head and stood up.

You walked over to the dead elk and glanced at We’ar-ow. “Watch and learn from the master.” You crouched down onto your haunches, careful of your weight and maneuvered the downed elk onto your shoulders. A single push and you were back to a standing position, proudly looking at We’ar-ow. “Where to master?”

Oh, you were going to have fun with this creature.

[popodoki]

Come get your overload of sappiness with a soft fluff Catwin ficlet x

Featuring Mabel, my own little kitty, one of my muses

The day had dissolved into a glorious summer evening. Thin layers of clouds marched out from the horizon, all of Port Townsend bathed in a dusky, warm glow from the fading sun. A blessedly cool wind chased through the air now and again, slipping through the high grated windows,  ruffling the corners of the papers Edwin was trying to sort through. 

The Cat King sat on a veritable nest of soft cushioning material, on the floor, a little way away, directly in the bright beams of sunlight streaking through the windows. In his lap, five small kittens, still in the early stages of life. Under the watchful gaze of their mother, he was brushing warm, calloused fingers over the litter, both pairs of slitted eyes brimming with affection. The cat, named Mabel, purred softly at the gentle touches being lavished upon her babies. It'd been a long and trying day, for Edwin, full of slogging through a long case, continuously feeling one step behind, moving through one clue to find two more, contradicting the first, around the next corner. The rest of the agency had descended into an evening of much needed distraction, Edwin had quietly exited the room, eager to sequester himself in his own version of sanctuary. 

Reconsidering his priorities, Edwin quietly shuffled the last of the papers into a neat pile, set them aside. Reaching instead for a comic book, a sort of hazy warmth settled over the two of them as Edwin found himself switching glances between his comic and the Cat King, humming under his breath along to the music filtering through the air, from the old record player propped on a crate near the wall. 

Really, quite distracting. The Cat King had long been in the habit of spending his free time shirtless. The golden sunlight shimmered on his tanned skin. As his lover twisted slightly, leaning over to comb his fingers delicately through Mabel's fur, the muscles in his back rippled and moved. Edwin knew intimately, the sensation of running his own fingers over the miles of skin on display, the hardness beneath. 

The softness, that had taken Edwin more time to get used to. It snuck up on both of them. The Cat King showed his affections with little smiles and half cast looks, an idle need to always touch him, fill his nose with Edwin’s scent, however fleetingly. Edwin returned the favor with his hand always reaching out to hold his lover’s first, reading his favourite comics aloud, allowing the Cat King entrance into his most private of spaces, thoughts.  

Mabel began to purr a little louder, moving from her position next to the Cat King’s lap to drape herself over his leg, nearer to her litter, nearer to those warm hands. As though fearing she would fall, his lover’s hands instantly went up to support her. With half-hearted murmurs of protest, Mabel tried to worm closer still, shoving herself head-first into the Cat King’s lap, who, with a laugh, rose to his feet instead. Kittens secured in the warm cradle of his arms, Mabel chose to brave the climb to her king’s shoulders. The sudden change in elevation at the end of her venture made her pause, ears swivelling as she had a better idea of where the music was coming from. As though soothing a child, the Cat King slowly began to rock to and fro on his feet, moving to the sound of the music. Like a lullaby, he began to sing from somewhere deep in his chest, to the kittens, to the feline draped over his shoulders like a shrug. 

"If happiness was a tangible thing, it would be you..."  

Edwin's attention had by now entirely slipped from the comic he held loosely in his hands. The wind tickled at the back of his neck, ruffled the papers on the desk, attention never straying from the Cat King, unfairly graceful in combining a slow dance, soft singing and a warm safe hold on a litter of kittens, drape of a hitch-hiking cat, all at the same time. 

Offering a small peek into his lover’s own little version of sanctuary. 

"If you’d have told me the feeling you’d bring, I’d think it untrue..." 

The light of the sunset did beautiful things to the Cat King's lithe muscles, swaying, singing softly. Gradually, Mabel shifted, his lover bent at the silent command, letting her jump down to the floor, trot back to the middle of the nest, where she commenced washing herself as though nothing had happened. Her kittens were gently placed beside her, and encouraged to feed by warm fingers guiding them to where they needed to go. 

The Cat King continued to hum lyrics under his breath, stopping midway through standing up, when he finally noticed Edwin's eyes on him. He turned with a sheepish smile on his face, winking to nervously cover for himself, running a hand through his hair. 

"Sorry bout the noise, ghostie." 

Edwin blinked, slowly. "There's no need to apologise," he replied, adding with a smile, "in fact, you may continue, louder, maybe?" 

He fully expected the flirtatious energy that settled over the Cat King's frame, the spark that came into those slitted golden eyes. His lover resumed swaying gently to the music, persuading the sunbeams to curve and drape over his bare chest. A hand held out in invitation, that he did not expect. A blush brewing unseen underneath his cheeks, Edwin haltingly took that warm hand, let it lift him from his seat. 

“If you’re ever feeling like you’re lost, I’ll come find you...” 

The Cat King's hands, calloused and capable, guided Edwin, gently, to place one hand on his bare hip and the other on his shoulder. Edwin could feel the sun warming his back through his shirt. His lover radiated warmth at his front all the more. He felt like a sunbeam, looked twice as nice. Somehow, their feet moved without clashing, Edwin basking in the focus of the Cat King's golden gaze, letting himself be led without thought. The warmth in his cheeks doubled, the Cat King's only reply a raised eyebrow, gentle smile. 

Papers fluttered delicately to the floor as Edwin found himself being led in slow, endless circles. Their shadows danced and played upon the pale floorboards. With playful nimbleness, Mabel batted and played with their silhouettes cast on the floor whenever they edged close to her nest. For forever and a moment more, the world was perfect; made up only of one room, one endless summer, one sanctuary, for the both of them. 

“Keep you safe, here in my arms... At all cost.” 

[cosmicbrowniebox]

Ill betray you like a man

wc. 2,705

pairings: post timeskip! atsumu x mangaka!fem reader

warnings: mentions of alcohol,mentions of sex and hookups, unhealthy relationships, hurt/no comfort, actual pure pain, wtv else for tags I'm not sure

an: i rlly liked writing this i might make a part 2 for this if you guys like this but send requests if u have any characters and prompts you want written for!

Tokyo had seemed colder that night. The two of them sat on the curb in front of the bar where they and their friends had always seemed to be regulars. But tonight was different. It was just the two of them—no Bokuto, Meian, Hinata, or anyone else to steer the conversation. It was unusually quiet for them. The only light flickering between them was the click of her lighter as she let the cigarette hang from her lips. Atsumu moved his hands as if it were second nature to help her light it after she struggled and grumbled strings of incoherent curses at the wind.

“Thank you,” Y/N mumbled as she took a long drag from the cigarette. The smell seemed to relax them both after the long day they had. Atsumu gave a small nod as he watched her for a moment. Something in him felt the memories of high school returning—the late nights they would sit outside after a long day, or after losing to Karasuno in their second year when they sat in the cold night watching the stars just to comfort each other. It seemed like a recurring thing, them sitting outside together like this throughout their relationship and their friendship afterward. It might seem cliché to think about it, even after so many partners they’ve both had since high school, but something always seemed to keep them tied together as if it was fate for them to hurt this much.

“Thanks for the drinks,” he told her with a soft smile, earning him a nod.

“You always buy mine, so I just thought to return the favor,” she responded, flicking the ash from her cigarette. “Plus, you deserved it after today’s game. You did good,” she told him, the praise making him grin. Oh god, that grin always had her in a chokehold. How could he sit there and look so pretty after spending so long on the court? Why did she always want him the moment she was finally fine? It was like she had always known she was meant to be hurt but still be with him, to grow old together with her working on her manga and him in volleyball. It was supposed to be fate, right?

“It only went so well because you were in the stands watching us,” he blurted out, his voice devoid of the usual cocky tone he always wore but instead sincere, like the night he had first asked her out. She almost wanted to laugh at the thought that he believed she made him play better. She always felt like he was miles ahead of everyone in sports and some aspects of their former school life. He had always been the sun, and she was the moon. She always circled him, never able to catch up to his pace.

“You don’t need me to make you play better, Atsu. We both know you’re the star on that court every time you get on it,” she murmured, her voice soft and soothing to his ears like a lullaby in a drunken haze.

“You always made me play better ever since we were little,” he returned. At that moment, Atsumu just seemed to want to stare into her eyes for as long as he could, just to see the beauty he could always find in her no matter how drunk or sad she was. She had been the brightness in the night sky leading him back home. No matter who broke his heart, she would always be there to mend whatever the person broke.

“Because you’re my favorite player I’ve ever seen,” she hummed with a small smile. The cigarette lifted with the curve of her shiny lips, a small ring of red pigment visible if you looked as hard as Atsumu always had at her lips. To him, she was a goddess living among mortal humans, but to her, he was the mortal she always returned to, so that she could feel something away from the gods’ wrath reigning down on the mortals who had dared to anger them.

It was stupid, in a way, how Atsumu and Y/N had always sought out the other in the partners they had since their breakup on graduation day. It was like they yearned for a memory to stick with them of the other, even if it was forbidden for them to keep each other as they once had. The secret nights on the roof of the abandoned building near her house, or how his mother and grandma treated her as if she was more family than just a friend or their son and grandson's girlfriend—it was like she had wiggled her way into the hearts of everyone, even the lives of their upperclassmen and juniors. She was always there for them all but always seemed to stay Atsumu's number one fan.

It probably seemed so dumb to still hold onto the hope that he would ask her to stay with him, and they would become those grumpy old people who liked to yell at teenagers running all over their garden when they were with friends. Or how she always described her grandma and grandpa to be like—an arranged marriage still blossoming into love until their last breaths, out of pure devotion for one another. Maybe in another universe, he would have asked her to stay, and she would have stayed with him, and they lived out their dreams together instead of a loop of, "This is a one-time thing, Atsu. We can't get attached. We aren't seventeen anymore." He knew she wasn't lying; he was her favorite player, even with the wins and losses he had in high school. She was always his biggest supporter, but now it was a rare sight to see her at his games. She always found a way to make it up to him.

It was like he was the guard dog, and she was the sacrificial lamb who was always meant to be hurt from birth. He wanted to protect her from the fate she believed she was doomed to stay with till death. "That's a lot coming from someone who only remembers volleyball players if we went to school with them or if you met them while we went out drinking after games," he responded after a lick of silence. God, he must have looked like an idiot staring at her for so long.

"I was always more into art instead of sports, like you and 'Samu, but look at us now. We're all doing something that makes us happy," she said in response as she stared back at him. The air felt so stale, even with them sitting outside. For her, it felt like the lump in her throat she couldn't make go away just at the sight of him and that dopey smile he had since they were young. It all hurt too much to even bear, but she still did. She always would if it meant making him happy, no matter the cost. She had to, didn't she?

"Remember that poster you made for the volleyball club in our second year?" he asked her with a small chuckle. He remembered it so well for some reason—the look of her so excited to have helped her best friend get more popular in the sport he had grown in so much.

"Oh god, I remember it. I think it was one of my first pieces of digital art. I had mixed in with the yearbook club president's help. I still have some of the photos at my apartment, I think," she responded, exhaling the smoke she held in her cheeks. He had always thought they were so soft, even when she had little blemishes. It was always his favorite thing to touch, never in a wrong way, just in the idea that he always wanted to be close to her when she was near. Whether it was simple contact between them or just the knowledge she was there watching him at a game, even though she didn't understand anything happening, all that mattered was that it was them together. That's all it was. It had to have been; it couldn't have been more than it was.

"I'll have to come over and see them sometime. I'd think the social media manager would love to use some of my old pics for a throwback post or something," he huffed with a small grin. She perked up.

"There's a beautiful park not far from here if you wanna go for a walk. Since I'm pretty sure we both are probably too drunk to drive currently, Atsu," she said with a laugh that made his stomach churn with regret of the past. A smile turned up at the corner of his lip.

He stood up, brushing his dusty hands off on his jeans. “C’mon then, we’re not getting any older here sitting on the curb like we’re waiting for something to happen,” he told her with a smile, holding out his hand. She smashed the lipstick-stained cigarette on the concrete before taking his hand.

“I’ll show you the way. I found it when I was researching for a good location in this last chapter,” she told him, dropping the bud into a little cigarette can so they didn’t stay on the pavement.

“How did the readers like it, anyway? You never told me?” Atsumu asked, his tone curious. He was always eager to learn about how her manga was doing since she had always drawn stuff you’d think would be shoujo, not a story about a schoolgirl managing the troubles of normal life, like falling in love and meeting her soulmate, Kasai, from childhood. Even with all the pain and suffering they had caused each other since childhood, mixed with the looming threat of a man who could control much of Japan’s population as he searched for the power the girl held deep inside her—a secret not even revealed to Kasai.

“A lot of them got upset since I’d been on a break for like a week after spraining my hand when I got really drunk with Saeko and Yachi,” she answered with a soft smile. She always knew her fans could be a bit crazy. She was just glad she had always remained under a pen name, so her friends wouldn’t get harassed by people who didn’t like it or who did and would pester her siblings or parents about it. “But they’ll be fine. They always will be since I released a lot of new sketches for them to see. My editor says the fans really like them so far in this current arc,” she added, her smile never wavering as she led him down the blinding Tokyo streets lit up with different signs and billboards.

They walked towards what Atsumu knew was a constantly bustling area of Tokyo's back streets, full of natives and tourists alike. But who cared about everyone else? All that mattered to them was each other. Her footsteps made a soft crunch with each step as they got closer to the park. He could make out a swing set and a set of slides in the distance. The park seemed full to the brim with little toys left by children who must have visited before them.

“It’s really pretty, Y/N,” he told her with a kind smile. She ran over to one of the swings and sat down, as if she were a little girl once again with the same chubby cheeks, wanting to get to the swings first so she could make one of the Miya brothers push her. But now, she had grown into her body, those chubby cheeks transforming into the soft pillows of flesh that had scratched an itch in his brain he never knew he had the first time he cradled her face.

It was weird. The first time he remembered the two kissing was at a park eerily similar to this, when they had gone for a practice match with Nekoma. He remembered the cherry blossom tree right behind the set of swings, hanging over it like a shield to protect the life of a soldier who had fought through God knows what horrors. Instead, it was a tree soaked in the memories of its viewers.

Atsumu seemed to have wanted to be around her forever—the smell of cigarettes, alcohol, and her perfume strangling his nose. It felt comforting, knowing she was with him, even though it wasn't like how it was when they were younger. It was still something he would never take for granted again, as long as he breathed. He moved behind her, watching each movement he could spot as she waited for him to push her. “Do you think you would have stayed when I asked, Y/N?” he said, loud enough for her to hear. Her movements stilled, as if she was holding her breath as tight as she could, trying to wake herself up. Maybe God was just trying to torture her for the sins of her current and past lives, wanting to take vengeance for whatever she must have done. Maybe she had killed one of his angels in some form they had taken, or he just wished for her to atone for her sins in this form, having to face this question she always dreaded.

“You never asked, so I don’t think we’ll ever find out, Atsu,” she responded. Her voice seemed so lost, as if she was unsure if it was the right thing to say, but she had to respond. She couldn’t leave him like that.

Y/N shot up from her spot on the bed. Her body felt ice-cold, like it was all just a cruel joke her mind wanted to play on her. That night, she couldn’t remember anything except the vague memory of going out drinking with the twins and some of their friends from high school and the team after a match between EJP and MSBY—a seemingly nice reunion for them all, except for the drunk hookups that always happened between Atsumu and her. Every time, she would say how she hated him for what he did to her and that she didn’t want him getting attached again because it wouldn’t work in any universe. Y/N and Miya Atsumu would never be a couple. It would always fail, and they would never be happy with each other, no matter the blissful times they might share. It was all over. They couldn’t cling to the hope that the connection would be there just like it was in high school. She looked over and saw Atsumu passed out, half-naked, and noticed some of her clothes scattered on the floor beside his bed. God, this felt like she was back in college again, doing the walk of shame back to her apartment after a drunken hookup. But instead, it was like a human torture machine was her heart, always dragging the deep feelings of resentment from her heart she hoped would never surface again.

She grabbed her loose pieces of clothing from the night prior. Should she feel guilty leaving him like this? She had to have felt something deep down inside as she left his bedroom without saying a single word to wake him, but something in her knew he was probably wide awake. He always was. It was like clockwork—he would get up before her and watch her every morning after, like a love-stricken dog, just like how she used to be for him for God knows how many years, like a loyal dog following its master to its grave. Instead, she was just a girl who fell too hard and allowed herself to get hurt over something so stupid.

In the end, Y/N and Miya Atsumu would always be meant to fail—the sun and the moon never being able to meet as close as they needed to but always hoping and yearning to be with one another at a point in time. But it would never happen. It couldn’t. She had to hate him for tearing her soul in two and putting it on display for everyone.

[realityjoey]

COWBOYS (RILEY ANDERSON MC x EVAN BUCKLEY)

The Halloween night was alive with crisp autumn air, pumpkin spice scents, and the thrill of a chill-inducing adventure. The 118 team—Buck, Riley, Eddie, Hen, Chimney, and Bobby—had decided to take on the challenge of a haunted house attraction, one of the most notorious in the city. It was known for pushing the limits of fear, with hidden actors, gruesome scenes, and sound effects that could make even the bravest tremble.

Riley, always up for an adventure, had brought along some of her siblings—Georgie, Bailey, Kyra, and Ollie. The younger ones, Miles and Lily, were too young for this particular brand of Halloween fun, but the older siblings were excited, their energy adding a buzz to the night. Buck, of course, was in high spirits, taking every opportunity to position himself next to Riley, playfully nudging her shoulder and whispering mock-bravery claims about how he was going to protect her from whatever lurked in the darkness.

As they approached the entrance, the haunted house loomed ahead like a shadowy monster, all flickering lights and ominous music. A sign at the front read, “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” Buck scoffed, but Riley raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Feeling confident?” she teased, leaning in close enough for her breath to tickle his ear.

“You know it, babe. Nothing in there’s gonna scare me,” he replied with a bravado that sounded convincing—until Riley’s siblings caught wind of it.

“Okay then, Buckley,” Georgie grinned, eyes glinting mischievously. “Why don’t you take the lead?”

The rest of the siblings joined in, egging Buck on to be the fearless leader. Buck’s chest puffed out slightly, determined to prove himself, especially with Riley’s watchful eyes on him. He shot her a confident smile and strode forward, the others falling into a line behind him. Riley chuckled softly, rolling her eyes, but there was a fondness in her gaze as she watched him lead the charge.

They entered the haunted house, where dim, flickering lights barely illuminated their path. The air felt thick, and eerie sound effects filled the air—chains clinking, ghostly whispers, and distant screams that seemed to echo through the darkness. Riley stayed close to Buck, letting him take the lead even as her siblings huddled together, their initial excitement turning to nervous giggles.

The first jump scare came quickly—a masked figure leaping out from behind a hidden door with a loud growl. Buck jolted, letting out a surprised shout, and Riley couldn’t hold back her laughter. “That’s one for the brave Buckley,” she quipped, nudging him with her shoulder as they continued down the dark, winding path.

Buck huffed, his pride dented. “I’m just… staying on alert,” he said, trying to regain his composure. But each time another scare came—a bloodied zombie lurching out from the shadows, a creepy doll whispering in a dark corner, a sudden flash of lightning revealing gory scenes on the walls—Buck flinched. And each time, Riley was quick to tease, her voice light but filled with affection. “You’re really showing those monsters who’s boss, aren’t you?”

Eddie and Chimney were having a field day with it too, taking turns to mock Buck’s bravado, but Buck kept pushing forward, determined to make it through without admitting defeat.

They soon reached the most chilling part of the house: an old, decrepit nursery room with creaking rocking horses, dusty cribs, and broken dolls that seemed to follow them with their eyes. A distorted lullaby played softly in the background, adding an eerie touch to the scene. As they walked through, Riley’s smile faltered, her steps slowing. She glanced around the room, her eyes lingering on the shadows that seemed to crawl along the walls, her breathing becoming a bit unsteady.

Buck noticed her change in demeanor almost immediately. He stepped back beside her, his earlier bravado melting into concern. “Hey, you okay?” he asked, his voice low so that only she could hear.

Riley nodded quickly, but there was a tightness around her eyes, a tension that Buck knew too well. He reached out, gently taking her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You know, we can get out of here if you want,” he offered, his voice softer than she’d heard all night. The teasing, cocky tone was gone, replaced by genuine care.

She shook her head again, taking a shaky breath. “No, it’s just… reminds me of things back home. Places I’d rather forget,” she admitted quietly, not meeting his eyes. It wasn’t often that she opened up about her past, especially in front of the team or her siblings, but in that dimly lit room with Buck’s warm hand around hers, she felt a little more at ease.

Buck’s expression softened, and he pulled her a bit closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders protectively. “Hey, you don’t have to explain,” he whispered. “I’ve got you, okay? Nothing in here’s going to hurt you. And I promise, we’re getting out of here together, no matter what spooky dolls decide to jump out at us.” He tried to add a bit of humor, hoping to lighten the heaviness he felt coming from her.

Riley finally looked up, meeting his gaze, and managed a small, grateful smile. “You’re such an idiot, you know that?”

“Yeah, but I’m your idiot,” he shot back, and she chuckled softly, leaning into his side for a moment. It was a fleeting but intimate moment amid the chaos of the haunted house, one that made the whole experience feel less terrifying, knowing they had each other to lean on.

As they moved on, Buck kept a protective arm around her, guiding her through the remaining rooms. Despite his earlier jumps and scares, he remained steadfast by her side, ready to pull her closer whenever she flinched at the sudden noises or creepy props.

By the time they reached the end of the haunted house, the group emerged into the cool night air, buzzing with the thrill of surviving the ordeal. Buck, with his arm still around Riley, tried to play it cool in front of her siblings, despite the teasing that continued from Georgie and the others about his bravery—or lack thereof.

But Riley, seeing the way he’d stayed with her when things got tough, couldn’t help but see him in a new light. She knew how much he’d done it for her, how hard he’d tried to keep the fear at bay, even when it got to him.

As the group laughed and recounted their favorite moments from the haunted house, Riley pulled Buck aside for a moment. “Thanks,” she said softly, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. “For being there, and for not making me feel stupid about… you know.”

Buck smiled down at her, brushing a thumb across her cheek. “Anytime, Riley. You know I’d walk through a hundred haunted houses if it meant keeping you safe.”

“Even if you end up screaming more than me?” she teased, the sparkle returning to her eyes.

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. “Even then. Besides, I like hearing your laugh—worth every jump scare.”

And as they stood there, wrapped up in each other beneath the glow of the Halloween lights, surrounded by Riley’s siblings and their makeshift family, they both knew they’d remember this haunted house adventure not just for the scares, but for the way it brought them closer together.

The haunted house adventure had left everyone in high spirits, and the night wasn’t over yet. Bobby and Athena had invited everyone back to their place for pumpkin carving, a tradition that had become a staple for the 118 and their extended family. The backyard was decked out with string lights, autumn-themed decorations, and tables lined with snacks, drinks, and enough pumpkins to keep everyone busy for hours.

As everyone gathered in the backyard, laughter filled the cool night air. Bobby stood at the grill, flipping burgers and hot dogs while Athena handed out hot cider to warm everyone up. Hen and Karen helped their son Denny set up his pumpkin on a table, while Maddie and Chimney tried to wrangle Jee-Yun, who was toddling around excitedly between the adults. May and Harry were busy picking out the best pumpkins with Eddie and Christopher, who were already discussing the intricate designs they wanted to carve.

Buck and Riley arrived with her siblings—Georgie, Bailey, Kyra, and Ollie—who had been buzzing with excitement since leaving the haunted house. They immediately ran over to the table covered in pumpkins, eager to start carving their own spooky designs.

“Alright, everyone, grab a pumpkin and some tools,” Bobby called out, smiling warmly as he watched the chaotic scene unfold. “We’ve got a lot of carving to do before these kids eat all the candy.”

Riley found a spot at one of the tables with Buck and her siblings. She noticed Bailey eyeing the spread of candy eagerly and gave him a mock-stern look. “You can have more candy if you actually finish a pumpkin this time, Bailey.”

Bailey grinned cheekily. “You sound like a proper mum, Riley.”

She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. “Just don’t make a mess of Athena’s garden, alright?”

Buck, meanwhile, was trying to keep up with Ollie’s ambitious plan for a skeleton face pumpkin. “Okay, so you want the teeth to look… like this?” Buck asked, sketching a rough outline on the pumpkin.

Ollie scrutinized Buck’s sketch and then nodded approvingly. “Yeah, that’s perfect. But make it scarier, okay?”

“Scarier, got it,” Buck replied with a wink, ruffling Ollie’s hair. “You picked the right guy for the job.”

Across the yard, Riley joined Kyra, who was carving a classic jack-o’-lantern face with a mischievous grin. Riley’s hands worked skillfully as she helped Kyra shape the eyes, her thoughts drifting for a moment as she glanced over at Buck. He was in full “big brother” mode, guiding Ollie’s hand as they carved together. The sight warmed her heart, and she felt a wave of gratitude for how easily he’d embraced her siblings and made them feel like they were a part of this patchwork family.

Riley’s gaze lingered on him, and a soft smile curved her lips. Noticing her distraction, Georgie elbowed her playfully. “You’re staring, Riley.”

“Shut up,” Riley mumbled, blushing slightly but not taking her eyes off Buck. “I’m just making sure he doesn’t mess up Ollie’s pumpkin.”

Georgie smirked, shaking her head. “Sure you are.”

Not far away, Hen and Karen were getting into a friendly competition with Eddie and Christopher over who could carve the best superhero-themed pumpkin. Christopher insisted that his dad’s pumpkin would win, while Denny sided with his moms, and soon, their laughter filled the yard as they teased each other over their carving skills.

Meanwhile, Chimney tried to distract Jee-Yun with a small pumpkin of her own, carefully guiding her tiny hands as she smeared paint across its surface. “Look, Jee-Yun, you’re making a masterpiece,” he said, beaming at her messy creation.

Maddie smiled at the sight, capturing the moment with her phone. “She’s going to be a little artist, isn’t she?”

Athena, watching the scene from the patio with a warm smile, turned to Bobby as he finished up at the grill. “You’ve got to admit, there’s something special about this group. It’s like one big, chaotic family.”

Bobby nodded, his expression fond as he glanced out over their makeshift family, all gathered together under the glow of the patio lights. “Yeah, it’s nights like these that remind you what it’s all about.”

As the evening went on, the pumpkins slowly took shape, each one unique. Riley and Kyra’s jack-o’-lantern had a wide, mischievous grin, while Georgie’s had sharp, menacing eyes. Ollie’s skeleton pumpkin with Buck’s help turned out to be one of the more detailed ones, though it took a few teasing jabs from Hen about how much time they’d spent on it.

“Hey, we’re perfectionists, okay?” Buck defended, pointing a carving knife at Hen in mock seriousness, making everyone around him laugh. Riley rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling at his antics.

As the night drew on, the group gathered around the table to admire their finished pumpkins, each one lit up with a flickering candle inside. The yard glowed with an eerie but comforting light, the warmth of the company making it feel like a true celebration.

Riley leaned into Buck’s side, her head resting on his shoulder as they watched Ollie excitedly show off their skeleton pumpkin to Denny and Christopher. Buck slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “You having a good time?” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“Yeah,” she replied, her voice soft as she looked up at him. “I am. It’s nice… being with everyone like this. Feels like home.”

Buck’s expression softened, and he gave her a gentle squeeze. “Yeah, it does. And you know, I think we’ve got the best pumpkin here.”

Riley snorted, glancing over at their pumpkin, which now had a bit of a lopsided grin thanks to Ollie’s last-minute changes. “Sure, Buckley, whatever you say.”

He laughed, pressing another kiss to her temple. “Okay, maybe it’s not the best, but it’s definitely got the most heart.”

She couldn’t argue with that, and as they stood there, surrounded by their friends and family, Riley felt a warmth settle in her chest, one that chased away the chill of the earlier haunted house and left her feeling truly at peace.

As the afternoon sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the neighborhood, Buck and Riley headed home from Bobby and Athena’s. Their next mission for the evening: taking Riley’s youngest siblings, Miles and Lily, out trick-or-treating. The backseat of the car buzzed with chatter as Riley checked in with her siblings over the phone, reminding them to have their costumes ready by the time she and Buck arrived.

When they pulled into the driveway, Riley spotted Miles and Lily waiting eagerly at the door, already in their costumes. Miles had chosen to dress up as a cowboy, but there was a nervous look on his face as he fidgeted with his hat. Next to him, Lily bounced up and down with excitement, her princess dress glittering in the fading light. She had insisted on being a princess for Halloween, complete with a tiara that she wore proudly atop her curly hair.

Riley stepped out of the car, her eyes softening at the sight of her younger siblings. She reached out to ruffle Miles’ hair as they approached the door. “Hey, you two, ready to get some candy?”

Lily nodded enthusiastically, clutching her pumpkin-shaped bucket. “I want to get so much candy!” she declared, her eyes wide with determination.

Miles, however, shifted uncomfortably in his boots, glancing at his costume and then down at the ground. “I… I don’t know if I want to wear this anymore,” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

Riley exchanged a concerned look with Buck, who knelt down beside Miles, keeping his tone gentle. “Hey, what’s up, little man? You look great in that cowboy getup. Those boots are awesome.”

Miles hesitated, shrugging his shoulders. “Some kids at school said cowboys are lame… that it’s not a cool costume.”

Buck’s brow furrowed, a flash of protectiveness sparking in his eyes. But he quickly softened his expression and leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You know what? I think cowboys are the coolest. In fact, I bet if I had a costume like that, I’d wear it too.”

Miles looked up, his eyes widening in surprise. “You… you’d wear a cowboy costume?”

Buck grinned, ruffling Miles’ hair. “Give me a second.” He winked at Riley, then jogged over to the car. From the trunk, he pulled out a cowboy hat he’d brought along—just in case. He slipped it on and grabbed a bandana he found in the backseat, tying it around his neck like a makeshift cowboy. He threw on an old flannel he had, completing the look.

When he returned, striking a dramatic pose with his thumbs hooked in his belt loops, Miles couldn’t help but let out a little giggle. Riley covered her mouth to hide a smile, the warmth of the moment filling her heart. “Well, what do you think?” Buck asked, tipping his hat at Miles. “Think I make a good sidekick for the toughest cowboy in town?”

Miles’ smile widened, his earlier insecurity fading as he looked at Buck. “Yeah. You look cool, Buck.”

“Yeah?” Buck beamed and nudged Miles gently. “That’s what I thought. Now come on, let’s show the neighborhood what real cowboys are made of.”

Riley couldn’t resist stepping closer, wrapping her arm around Buck’s waist and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “You’re the best, you know that?”

He leaned down, catching her lips with his for a brief, sweet moment. “Just want to make sure Miles has a good time.”

With their spirits lifted, the little group set off down the street. Lily practically skipped ahead, waving her wand and announcing herself as “Princess Lily of Candyland” at every house they approached. Each time a door opened, she’d strike a royal pose, her high-pitched voice chiming, “Trick or treat!” The neighbors couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, and she quickly amassed a pile of candy in her little bucket.

Miles, now more confident with Buck at his side, got into the spirit as well, adopting a bit of a swagger with his cowboy boots as he and Buck approached each door. He would give a serious “Yeehaw!” after every house, and Buck would follow it up with a deep “Howdy, partner!” that made Miles laugh every time. The two of them made quite the pair, tipping their hats and playing up their roles.

Riley followed close behind, her heart swelling as she watched Buck and her siblings together. There was something so tender about the way he made Miles feel seen and special, the way he encouraged Lily’s wild imagination without a hint of teasing. It was moments like this that made her realize just how much he had become a part of her life—of their life. She felt a deep sense of love and gratitude for the way he embraced her family, for the way he made them feel safe and valued.

At one point, as they paused under the glow of a streetlamp, Buck caught her watching him with a soft expression. He offered her a lopsided smile and reached out to take her hand, pulling her in for a side hug. “What’s that look for?” he asked quietly, his voice gentle so as not to interrupt the kids’ excitement.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, squeezing his hand. “I just… I love seeing you with them. You’re amazing with them, you know that?”

Buck’s expression softened, and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “They’re great kids. And I’m pretty lucky, too. Not everyone gets to be a cowboy sidekick for Halloween.”

Riley laughed softly, the sound carrying through the cool night air. “You’re definitely the best one they could ask for.”

They continued down the street, Lily and Miles darting from house to house, collecting candy and showing off their costumes. As the night wore on, their little group made its way back home, the kids chattering excitedly about their candy haul while Riley and Buck followed behind, hands intertwined.

When they finally arrived back at Riley’s house, Buck lifted Lily up in his arms, spinning her around until she shrieked with laughter. “Alright, Princess Lily, I think it’s time to count your royal treasure,” he said, setting her down on the porch. She immediately dumped her candy onto the steps, sorting through the pile with wide-eyed excitement.

Miles joined her, comparing their hauls and divvying up their favorite sweets. Riley leaned against the porch railing, watching the scene with a content smile. Buck joined her, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.

“You know,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with warmth, “I never really thought this was something I’d be doing—taking kids trick-or-treating, being a cowboy, all of it. But… I think it might be my favorite Halloween yet.”

Riley looked up at him, her eyes shining. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

He glanced over at Miles and Lily, then back at her, a soft smile playing at his lips. “Because I get to do it with you. And… it just feels right, you know? Like this is where I’m meant to be.”

Riley felt her heart swell, and she reached up to brush a gentle hand against his cheek. “You’re where you’re meant to be, Buck. Right here with us.”

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in the glow of the porch light and the laughter of the kids, knowing that this Halloween—this simple, perfect night—was something they’d both remember for a long time to come.

[lanternlightss]

Old Mondstadt and ISAT crossover and/or swap au because I’m brainrotting so hard about them

-I have already said enough about decarabian and the king however in a swap au it would be so funny if deca not having a design is canon because. Deca being ecstatic that he not only has a physical humanoid form but a really powerful and intimidating one, meanwhile the king lamenting about how he got turned into the missing texture image. Two dimensional square.

-NB and siffrin!!! They would absolutely be best friends!! Siffrin would teach nb the best ways to use a dagger properly while nb would teach him how to play the lyre. Nb letting siffrin borrow his cecilia pin while sif lets nb try on their hat. Inseperable. Also sif and nb being confused about eachother’s age (both think the other is in their early teens, when sif is in his mid-late 20s meanwhile nb being in his mid-late teens. <- the two being made fun of by their respective parties for being short)

-Dormont worships the god of change, what if old mond worshipped the god of time? Especially since they contrast with eachother- dormont’s citizens being quite literally frozen in time, while life in old mond is stagnant over the years. Wind wisps look like tiny change gods. Dancing wind wisps. Do you see my vision. (Instead of the actual god of time being a wind wisps, wind wisps are more seen as representatives)

I have more to say, but this might be too much to fit into one ask so I’ll split it into multiple <- too many thoughts

SHDHDHDHDHDJD THE KING JUST ONE DAY POPPING OUT OF EXISTENCE TO TURN INTO A STARRY NIGHT, A CASTLE ON THE HORIZON,,, a crown even ,,, and you can hear him complaining miles away IS so super funny oh my god, giggling. ohhhhh…. bright one ….. They turned me into a png 😔 …

but also REAL that would be such an apprehensive fight,,, decarabian feels like smthn otherworldly sometimes, we don’t know his origins so far, so to have him that Tall ?? to have him looming over everyone …. Wuh . Wuh Oh . like everyone needs all the luck and skill they can get because that seems like a . soulsgame boss fight where you just spotted a stumbling 25 foot horror and they’re running for You, the sky blooming into darkness, the cut string of a chord going taut accompanying it. but also him …. being more visually of the “eye of a storm now” too …

also god yeah the age confusion 😭😭 that would be such a treat and a half to get to witness in full. nameless bard thinking he has it down on lock and then one day siffrin is like oh . yeah . im almost thirty ? and loses his entire mind over it. how LONG ???? WHEN . (AND UEAH YEAH YEAH . yeah . i think it’s especially funny because even nameless bard, resident old mond shortie, is still taller than siffrin is. mostly because it seems venti himself is somewhere between 5’4”-5’5”, nb being maybe a smidge ?? taller ?? like rip siffrin and your 5’1”ness your shorty buddy can also join in on the teasing 😔 …. however he is a ride or die so !!!!) (<- but like. oh my godd. both of them making plans to add their heights together because dammit they want this object and they’re not gonna let it get past them bc it was too high) (<- immediately becomes a deer in headlights when one of their crew spots them. it was for the greater good.)

AND NAMELESS BARD BEING TAUGHT THE WAYS OF A DAGGER !!! CHEERS !!!!! he would be listening So Intently, he may make a few. injury ouchies, but mark his words he will Learn this. siffrin learning memory of menace because this will have 100000% good consequences dw about the name nb is going to be so normal abt this. don’t even worry. good friend siffrin is it possible to juggle knives. but also 🥺🥺 ohhh them sitting down to make music …. the possibility of siffrin remembering an old tune from his childhood, maybe some kind of lullaby ……. nb trying to perfect it so the memory never truly gets to fade….. Ough …. ohhh …. trying to look to the stars, and see if he could match the twinkling of them…

also wind wisps being the representatives sound SO SUPER INTERESTING i am looking i am looking so hard. you see these little guys, simply appearing as though out of thin air, simply going with the breeze, and you know something is about to go very very very wrong ….. good omens, bad omens, perhaps …. depending on what they do ? but anyways — YES HELLO ???

[edutainer2022]

@lenfantdeverone , @idontknowreallywhy, @janetm74 I don't think Spotify is available in my country, so I did it longhand - just went through my mp3 playlist, trawling for everything that is "Scott" in my head (themes, lyrics, vibes, something he would like, something that goes along with some headcanons or Scott fics I read) - there's no system, but there IS a rather recognizable pattern, I guess:

Nothing_Breaks_Like_a_Heart_(Mark Ronson)

Imagine Dragons - Believer

paul_mccartney_-_hope_of_deliverance

P!nk - Try

kate-bush-Running-up-that-hill

one republic-I-aint-worried

Nickelback - Million Miles An Hour

Nickelback  -  If Today Was Your Last Day

Daniel Powter - Bad Day

Sky Full of Song (Florence & The Machine)

disturbed-The-sound-of-silence

How You Remind Me (Nickleback)

Nickelback_-_Far_Away

The Darkness - I believe in a thing called love

Metallica - Unforgiven

lp-Lost-on-you

Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor's Version) (2021)

taylor-swift-Anti-hero

shania-twain-I'm-gonna-getcha-good

Sinead_OConnor_-_Nothing_Compares_2_U

AC-DC - Thunderstruck

Kenny_Loggins_-_Danger_Zone

lady-gaga-Hold-my-hand

Hold_back_the_river_-_james_bay

bonnie-tyler-total-eclipse-of-the-heart + I need a hero

Carole King - Where You Lead

Nickelback — Trying Not To Love You

Nickelback — When We Stand Together

Nickelback_-_If_Everyone_Cared

Imagine Dragons - Thunder

The Weeknd — Blinding Lights

Harold Faltermeyer — Top Gun Anthem (Film Version)

the-smiths-How-soon-is-now

Joan_Osborne_-_One_Of_Us

Scorpions - Rock You Like a Hurricane

Bryan Adams – You Can't Take Me I'm Free

Bryan Adams – Brothers Under The Sun

Bryan Adams – Here I Am

Bryan Adams feat. Sting, Rod Stewart – All For Love (From The Three Musketeers)

maria_burmaka_- Той, той, хто зі мною/ The one with me

Fleur — Сегодня / Today

Bon Jovi – Have A Nice Day

Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name

Kansas - Carry on My Wayward Son

Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Lyra-Falling

a-great-big-world-Say Something, I'm Giving Up on You

tom-odell-Another-love

the_pierces_-_three_wishes

Timbaland – Its too late to apologize

Simon & Garfunkel – Sound of Silence (Hello darkness, my old friend)

skillet_-_awake_and_alive

skillet-monster

Tailor Swift – I knew you were trouble

nightwish_-I_wish_i_had_an_angel

Rachel Platten – Stand By You

Shakira – Underheath your clothes

Mans Zelmerlow - Heroes

melnica_- Господин горных дорог/Lord of Mountain Roads

nickelback_-_Hero

nickelback_-_Savin'_me

Nightwish – End Of All Hope

green_day_-_Wake_me_up_when_september_ends

sekret_ Безпечный ездок/Reckless Rider

Bravo - Это за окном рассвет/ It's the dawn in the window

ChaiF - Поплачь о нём, пока он живой / Mourn him till he's alive

Keha – Die Young

kancler_gi - Брат мой, брат/ Brother mine, brother

eric_clapton_-_Blue_eyes_blue

fleur_- Расскажи мне о своей катастрофе/Tell me of your catastrophe

gary_jules_-Mad_world

Demi Livato - Give-your-heart-a-break

Lullaby (Hunger Games)

David_Guetta_feat._Sia_-_Titanium

bon_jovi_-_It's_my_life

30seconds to Mars – The Kill

The Feeling - Love It When You Call

a-ha_-_Crying_in_the_rain

Age of Information - Shattered (And-I've-lost-who-I-am)

avicii_Hey_brother

kantsler_gi- Вы ненавидите меня так страстно/ You hate me so passionately

phillip_phillips_Gone_gone_gone

Suzanne_vega_Solitude_standing

Queen- Show must go on

florence_the_machine_Seven_devils

imagine_dragons_Demons

[ladylooch]

Our Little Family [Miles Wood] - Chapter 23: Decisions and the future.

A/N from 👢 anon: Hey guys, how are you doing ? So this is the chapter before the finale. Our little family is coming to an end. What journey. This one doesn't have smut, and it's probably the hardest for me to write so far. Enjoy !

Since the day Miles found out you were pregnant, he's been all over you, and it makes you a little annoyed at him.

He wanted to bring your doctor to Massachusetts, but you said that was too extra and convinced him to try something different. You guys are going home for one day and a half to check everything; the girls will be with Cheryl and Randy for that time.

And as you predicted, everything is okay with you and the baby. Miles can relax now and enjoy his day with the cup.

Miles Cup Day is finally here. The girls are so excited. They want to eat everything from the cup. And their dad is going to make it happen. He has a few stops that he has to make first. He's going to his high school and the rink he played in growing up.

You're going to stay behind to help get everything settled. The girls want to go with their dad, and it's okay with you. Miles really wishes you had gone with them.

The morning goes by quickly, thankfully Miles and the girls ate while they were out. By the time they're back, everything is ready to go. You're in the bathroom getting the finishing touches with your Woody t-shirt. Like always, Miles watches you from the bathroom door.

“Hey champ !” You smile, locking eyes with Miles in the mirror. He smiles as he moves to hug you.

Miles spins you, and you wrap your arms around his neck. He kisses the top of your head. You breathe him in. You missed him today.

“I'm sorry for taking so long.” You frown before looking at him.

“Why are you apologizing ? I know that I'm not really going to have you today.” Miles pouts because he doesn't like the idea of being away from you, especially when you're carrying his baby again.

You pull him in for a kiss, and Miles sighs into your mouth as you play with the hair on the back of his head.

“Don't worry about me, have fun, and enjoy being the champ. I'm not going anywhere.” You wink at him, and Miles gives you your favorite smile.

You push him to go get ready and have a shower. Meanwhile, you'll move downstairs to check on your crazy girls. They're eating some snacks that grandma prepared them. You kiss both girls' heads as you pass through them to grab water.

You sit down with them at the table, and both girls tell you that today was amazing. They had lots of fun with Daddy, and he gave them ice cream from the cup. Of course he did. You're not surprised.

People start to get there, and you start to let them in. Miles makes his entrance in the backyard, lifting the cup with both girls beside him. You smile watching your family be the happiest they can be.

The girls start to run around and create chaos like daddy. You're making sure that there is food for everybody and drinks. Miles is walking around with the happiest grin while he lifts the cup.

You decide to sit on the couch inside to have a moment to yourself. It doesn't take long for El to come and crawl into your lap. You kiss her head and just hold her close. You don't blame her. This is a lot for anybody. El crashes hard against you, you hear her soft little snores. It's adorable.

You take her to her bed, settling her and taking the baby monitor with you. When you're hitting the bottom of the stairs, Lily is there looking like a puppy. You pick her up and take her to the girls' room too. You lay with her in her bed, holding her and singing a lullaby. Those Wood eyes start to blink. She smiles.

“I had fun today, Mommy.” That's what you needed to hear. You know that it can be a lot. “I'm glad baby, rest a little bit, and we can play later again.” She nods and focuses on your breathing. Just like that, she's out.

You get up and watch both of your girls for a couple of minutes. You start to rub your stomach, thinking about what can happen in nine months from now. You basically bump into Miles as you leave the girls' room. You look at him, a little surprised because he's supposed to be having fun.

“I missed you. Mom said you were inside. Is everything okay ?” He looks at you, worried. “Yeah don't worry, I needed a couple minutes to sit down. El came in for cuddles, and she fell asleep. Lily wanted her nap, too. Everything is okay, babe.” You peck his lips before lacing your fingers to take him downstairs.

Miles stops you at the top of the stairs. You turn to look at him. “I can ask them to leave.” That catches you off guard. That's not what you want at all.

“Miles, please stop. You're going to go downstairs and have fun. I'm okay, and the girls are okay, too. I just don't have the same rhythm as you right now. But you're going to stop this, you waited so long for this moment. I'm not going to ruin it.” He can see that you mean it, and he brings you for another kiss.

This time, you stay closer to him as he mingles again. You give him a couple of beers so he can stop overthinking about you and enjoy this moment. A couple hours later, the girls are up, and they're hungry.

Thankfully, Miles is having fun now. After eating, the girls go outside to have fun, too. Now that his whole family is together, Miles is going to make his speech before opening the champagne. He thanks everybody who came out today- all his coaches, his teammates over the years, his family, and praises you for holding down the fort while he lives his dream.

Your cheeks get so hot at the praise, thankfully, the focus goes back to Miles, and people forget about you. You give your glass to him for Miles to drink.

By the time the girls are in bed and everybody leaves, you're exhausted. Miles is sitting outside with the cup beside him, the fireplace going. He asked the photographer to stay for a couple more minutes. You take to him a beer. He thanks you softly as he brings you to sit beside him. You sigh, feeling exhausted.

“Babe, before I let the photographer go, and we can enjoy the last hours with the cup. Can we take a few pictures ?” You look at him, surprised, but you agree. Miles calls the photographer, and you don't know much what to do.

At first, it feels off for you. You're tense until Miles drops on his knees, and he kisses your stomach. You look down, smiling at him. And you guys do a photoshoot with the cup. Just the two of you.

You thank the photographer as you accompany them to the door. You and Miles stay outside, enjoying the cup, the stars, and the fire. Miles gives you a foot rub because he knows you're exhausted.

“Sorry, if in some way I ruined your day. I just didn't want to be in your way today.” Miles stops his movements and looks serious at you.

“You didn't ruin anything, sweetheart. I wanted you to be here with me. I'm not the same man that I was the first time we were here. I just want to be close to you. Your presence makes me comfortable.” You smile as you lean in to give him a kiss.

You rest your forehead on his. “I know you're not the same man, and I'm glad.” He chuckles, kissing you again.

Midnight comes and Miles needs to say goodbye to the cup. But he's happy, and now he has one more thing to look forward to, another baby with you.

……

The next few months are a big struggle for you. Growing Miles' baby, it's not easy. This baby is bigger than the girls, and they're not in a comfortable place for you.

Miles was at all the doctor appointments. You guys decided that with this one, you weren't going to find out the sex. But during one of those appointments, Miles stepped out to make your next appointment that worked with his schedule.

Before the doctor turned the ultrasound off, you saw something that wasn't in the girl's ultrasounds. So you decided to check. You asked if you were seeing right, and the baby was a boy. Your doctor praises you and says that you're right. You smile thanking her. Of course he was going to show off. That baby is totally a Wood boy.

Keeping this secret from Miles is going to drive you crazy. And there are moments where you want to tell him, but then you realize that it's not fair.

You're huge, a lot of things that you could do before you can't now. And you feel that you're letting your girls down. Asking for help is not really your strong suit.

One afternoon, you're sitting on the couch, and you hear noises from the kitchen. You get up annoyed because you can't really move around. And there is Lily in the kitchen “cleaning” a few things that you left behind because you couldn't bend to put it away. Your heart shatters in a million little pieces, not crying at that it's really hard, too.

You call Lily as you move to sit on the closest chair. Lily looks at you as you pat your lap for her to sit or try to.

“Baby, you don't have to do this. It's mommy's job.” Lily pouts a little.

“But I want to help, Mommy.” You look at her with soft eyes and kiss her head.

“Baby, mommy appreciates you wanting to help, but mommy wants you to play and enjoy being a kid. You already help me so much by being yourself.” Lily nods.

“Sorry mommy.” You close your eyes and hug her.

“You don't need to be sorry babe, mommy is not mad and if you want to help we can find something for you. Okay ?” Lily gives you her Miles' smile, you hug her saying that you love her so much.

Lily goes to play, and you put the things away. By the time Miles gets home, you're a little upset, but you don't tell him anything.

Later that night, you go around giving the girls good night kisses. You tell Lily that she doesn't have to worry about you. Mommy is going to be okay. Lily says that she loves you and that she's excited for her baby sibling. You kiss her and watch her fall asleep.

You do the same with El, but El's bed is shorter, and with your huge bump, it doesn't make it easier. After kissing her goodnight and waiting for her to fall asleep. Your back was mad at you, so you sat in the space beside her bed. The problem is that you can't get up alone.

You start to cry softly sitting there on your youngest floor. You need help. You need help around the house. You can't do this to your child. The feeling of failing them is overwhelming.

Miles gets home, and everything is quiet. So he thinks you're in bed, and he goes through his night routine after the game.

Then he gets spooked seeing you on the floor of El's room. You look at him with a huge pout, making grabby hands. You can't be sitting there for one more minute. Miles chuckles as he walks to help you.

“What happened here ?” Your lips are pursued.

“Lily broke my heart because I've been a bad mom, then my back gave up on me, I cried sitting there..” You point to the spot. “... I couldn't get up, so I stayed there until you got home.” Miles kisses your forehead as he puts his big hand on your back.

“You're not a bad mom, babe. You're just pregnant.” You roll your eyes at him.

“It doesn't help, Wood.” Miles throws his hands up. “ Sorry, what happened with Lily ?” You sit on the bed letting him help you take your pants off.

“She was helping take care of things because I can't do it anymore.” Miles nods as he moves to grab the lotion.

“Babe, I know you don't like it. But she's your daughter first and foremost. She's going to help, without you asking her. Because you're like this.” You sigh feeling his hand on your feet.

“You're right, I don't like it. She's a kid, I'm the mom. That's my job….” You poke his side, and Miles looks at you. “... but I need help. I need someone to help me around the house and with the girls. I can't fail them now.”

Miles helps you get up and sits beside you. He cups your cheeks with both of his hands.

“Babe, you're the best mom for those girls. They love you with all their little hearts. You're not failing them. That's a promise.” You sigh, leaning forward into his arms. “I just need to do this right.”

He kisses your hair. “You're already doing the right things, babe, but before my next road trip. You're going to find someone. Okay ?” You nod against him.

Miles helps you lay down for the night. He rubs lotion on your bump. His way to connect with the baby and the baby loves it. Kicking your bladder, now you need to pee. He helps you get up.

Thankfully, soon, you're going to pop this baby out.

….

You don't know why you agreed to come to a matinee game, being 9 months pregnant. You can't find a comfortable position. Thankfully, Cheryl and Randy are in town to help you.

Things got better after you guys hired someone to help and you're glad you asked for it.

You came in knowing that you still have a few weeks before the baby comes. Well, that's what you thought. Baby had a different idea.

During the second period, you think you're having Braxton hicks, because it's early. But then that knowing pain that you're in labor comes. Thankfully, the girls are playing, and you reach for Cheryl that is beside you. She looks at you, and you tell her that you're in labor. She looks at you with big eyes. You nod because yeah, you're in labor.

She gets up to talk to Randy. You write Miles a note. You get up and find a staff member for the team, and you tell them that you're in labor to let Miles know and give him the note.

You lean against a wall as another contraction hits you. Once you're recovered, you talk to Peyton, asking her to help Randy with the girls. Then you talk to the girls saying that mommy needs to go to the hospital and then she'll bring their baby sibling home.

El is a little sad, but Lily says that they're going to play together. You smile at your oldest, saying that you love both of them and not to worry with mommy.

Miles just finished his shift when the trainer came to whisper something to him. His eyes go so wide, and he looks towards the suite. The trainer gives him the note.

“I'm in labor. Finish the damn game and meet me at the hospital.”

Miles chuckles, shaking his head. He really wants to go with you, but he knows you're not having it.

Cheryl drives you to the hospital, she's a calming presence. You need that for sure, you don't like that the baby is early.

Your phone rings, and you pick up seeing Miles' name on the screen.

“Babe, are you okay ?” You can hear the guys talking in the locker room while they rest during the second intermission.

“Yeah, just a little in pain, I don't like them coming early, babe.” He knows that wasn't the plan and knowing you, you're worried.

“Babe, the doctor said the baby could come early, and that's okay. Just keep hanging in there, I'll meet you as soon as I can. And don't pop the baby out before I get there.” You chuckle, rolling your eyes.

“Okay, no promises. Since I don't control their time. But seeing you soon…” Another contraction comes, Cheryl squeezes your hand. “Love you.” You say gritting your teeth.

“Love you too.” You hang up the phone and give Cheryl a thankful look.

Your water brakes in the middle of the drive while you call your doctor to meet you at the hospital. Thankfully, everything is ready. When you get there, they get you straight to your room.

Cheryl stays with you, holding your hand. You thank her softly, she smiles, saying that it's okay. You close your eyes when another contraction comes. You hate this part so much, but soon you'll be holding your baby boy.

You're with your eyes closed when Miles comes in, hair all over the place, same for his dress shirt; he totally got ready in a hurry.

He kisses your head as he holds your hand. You open your eyes, and the man of your life is right there. Looking so worried about you.

“How are we doing babe ?” You take a deep breath.

“In pain, but all good.” He chuckles and pecks your lips.

You just try to rest as much as possible before you need to start pushing. “Did you eat ?” Miles looks at you while you have your eyes closed.

“No, I just came as fast as I could.” You nod..

“Then you should go home at some point and eat.”

Miles hates this so much. “I'm staying with you, sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere.” You sigh because you're not getting into that with him right now.

Thankfully, your doctor comes in to check and see if it's time to push. You're so relieved that it's time.

El's labor was painful, but nothing compares to this one. You curse at Miles the whole time, leaving a few scratches on his arm. Miles just coaches you through it and helps you breathe.

You're pretty sure you said you couldn't do it at least five times. When you think you don't have any more strength, your doctor says that their head is out and she needs one more big push from you.

You use all the strength that you have left. You only stop pushing when you hear the crying filling the room.

“Go look at our son.” Miles stops dead in his tracks. Like you just said that it's a boy ? He's really having a son. His eyes get filled with tears as he moves to where his baby is.

Your body is completely limp. You really don't have any more strength to give. Your doctor goes through the rest of your labor before Miles brings your baby boy.

He lays baby boy in your arms as soon as you talk to him with your raspy voice. He calms himself and stops crying. You smile, kissing his head.

Miles goes with the baby boy to get checked, and the nurses and your doctor leave you alone. The quiet is very welcoming.

You try to get up, but your legs feel like jell-o. You can't stand still for now. And a couple minutes later, miles come in with your baby.

You smile, reaching for him. He places the baby boy in your arms, and you relax. There is something about holding your baby for the first time.

Miles watches you hold your baby with fond eyes. You scoot to the side as much as you can for Miles to join you guys. Miles kisses your head as his hand slides under yours for support.

“He needs a name, babe.” You close your eyes, nodding. “Yeah, he does. How do you feel about the names we pre-selected ?” Miles traces baby boy's features, thinking.

“I like the one you are going to pick.” You chuckle softly, shaking your head.

“Not helping, Woody.” Miles giggles, making you relax more.

You lean against Miles, enjoying his comforting presence. You close your eyes enjoying this.

“Noah Matteo Wood.” You say after a couple minutes in silence. Miles smiles. He doesn't need to say much. He likes the name. The only sounds in the room are your breathing and the machines beeping.

“I like that, welcome Noah.” He brushes Noah's cheek with his thumb. Baby boy reacts. “I think he likes it too, babe” Miles is not wrong. It makes you so happy.

You're so glad both your boys are good. It was a ride for sure. Your eyes start to blink, and you're exhausted. Miles shifts Noah to be more in his arms than yours. He makes sure you are comfortable, too.

You need to feed Noah first before Miles can hold him and take him back to the nursery. Miles helps settle Noah on your chest, giving him some skin to skin first, before trying to make him latch.

Miles gives you the space to have this moment with your baby. You watch Noah seeing all his features, Noah takes a little time to latch at first, but then he understands what he needs to do and just continues eating happily.

“He looks so much like you. It's not fair.” Miles looks at you from his chair.

“Sorry, but the Wood genes are strong, babe” You shake your head.

“Yeah, I know. Just wished one of your kids looked a little like me.”

That's when Miles realizes that this postpartum will be different for you. There is something about the way you said that. Are you disappointed that Noah looks like him ? But it doesn't matter. He needs to be there for you and make sure you're okay. And he's going to help you, he's going to take care of you.

You purse your lips, watching your baby eat his food. You don't know what it's happening to you, like yeah, El has a little more things from you, but she is still a Wood. Lily is Miles' mini, and the same can be said about Noah. But you were a little hopeful that this time around would be different. It's not. It's making you upset for basically nothing.

You're lost in your thoughts when Noah finishes eating. You shift him to burp him, and then you get your cuddles before the nurse comes to get him. You thank the nurse before settling in to take a nap.

Miles watches you the whole time. He lets you have your space. But then he sees your body shaking like you're crying. He gets up from the chair and moves to lay beside you.

He does the best he can to fit his body on your bed. You feel his arm over your waist. He kisses your shoulder and whispers that he got you. You pull his hand, lacing your fingers, bringing him as close as possible.

You let your tears fall. This pregnancy wasn't even close to the girls. You knew that pregnancies are different, this feeling is new to you and you don't like it. That's not how you're supposed to feel. Upset that your kid looks like your husband. It's not fair to Miles, or you

You eventually fall asleep, feeling so guilty about this mix of envy and disappointment. Now you have a long road in front of you, but you have to be the mom your kids need and the wife Miles needs.

Miles starts to relax when he feels your body going limp against him. He knows you're falling asleep. His phone starts to buzz in his pocket. Is Cheryl calling to know how you are and the baby, too?

He talks to her, making sure that you continue sleeping. He talks to the girls before their dinner. They want to know how mommy is and their baby sibling, too. Miles assure them that mommy and their baby sibling are okay. Mommy is taking a nap, and they're going to talk to them later. The girls want to see mommy, but Miles is not going to wake you. So he sends them a picture showing that mommy is okay.

You roll facing his chest, and Miles helps you turn without moving your wires. He finishes the call and takes care of you. He brushes his fingers on your arm.

You groan because everything hurts and your mouth is dry. Miles starts to shift, but you fist his shirt to hold him in place. He kisses your head, wrapping his arm around you.

You slide your hand under his shirt, needing contact with his skin. Miles sighs, holding you close.

“What do you need from me, babe ?” You blink a few times getting your thoughts in order. “I need you to… Get me food, water, help me go to the bathroom and….” You close your eyes and sigh. “.. go home to be with the girls.”

Miles' body gets a little tense. “The first ones I can do, sweetheart, but you know how I feel about leaving you here alone.” You nod against his chest. But that's what you need.

Miles gets you water and orders something for you to eat. Then he gets your bag before helping you get up. Your legs are still wobbly, so you cling to Miles as you both walk to the bathroom.

He checks with you what you need from him. Seeing you like this breaks his heart.

He gets on his knees to help you wash yourself. He's being so careful and gentle with you. And just like that, you're crying with sobs. He stops everything he's doing and gets up to hug you.

You fist his shirt, holding him close to you. Miles knew this one was going to be hard. But seeing you like this is breaking him so much.

Miles holds you until you stop crying. He's the one that speaks first, asking if he can finish cleaning you. You give him a weak nod. That's all Miles needed. He works as fast as he can. He lets you put the pads on your underwear before he slides one of his sweatpants on.

He puts everything back in the bag before helping you go back to bed. You lay there staring at him. He comes closer, rubbing your cheek with his thumb.

You murmurs I loves you to him.

Miles does go home. He does the girls' bedtime routine with them while facetimimg you while you feed Noah. It's not ideal, but he knows that it's what you need.

By the time he gets back to the hospital, you're sleeping. He lays beside you, making sure that you feel safe and protected. You just gave him the world again.

"I love you, my love." He whispers softly.

……

Not even in your wildest dream, you thought, your family was going to be this complete. Two months ago, your family became a family of five. It's crazy but Noah fits perfectly. The girls are the best big sisters ever. El loves him so much, and Lily loves being a big sister of two.

The weeks after you gave birth to Noah, were probably your worst. In so many ways, and you're not proud of it. You watched Miles being a dad, a hockey player, and a husband.

You feel so bad. You still need to make it up to him. So you're up in the middle of the night, waiting for Miles to get home. Noah had himself a night and only settled now. You checked on the girls, just lying with them.

This new routine still has a lot on them. So you have to make sure they're loved and taken care of. Lily started to go to school, so this adds a little more to the family routine.

“What are you doing up, my love ?” You hear Miles's voice entering the room while you're contemplating everything that happened in the past two months. “Waiting for you.” Miles gives you a soft smile as he strips to join you in bed.

“I'm sorry.” Miles lifts his head from where he's brushing his finger on Noah's head. “Why ? You don't have anything to apologize for, sweetheart.” You bite your bottom lip.

“Yeah, I do. I was a bad wife and a bad mom. I should have been stronger, and I wasn't. I'm really sorry.” Miles moves to the bed, bringing you in for a hug. “Babe, you had a baby, Your body is still full of hormones. Things happen.”

You clean your tears. “but… you still have to play. You need to worry about that, not me.” He lifts your chin to look at him. “Babe, I don't care if I have to go to practice or games tired. I care about you and our babies. I'll do anything for you and them. I'm just doing my part a little late, but I'm doing it. You do this every day.” You just look at him, Miles leans to kiss you. You cup his cheek.

“It's my time to take care of you, and I'm going to make it up to you soon.”

You just lean against him, just needing his strength and comfort. There is something about the way he said. Maybe Miles time as a hockey player is coming to an end.

[lxndonorris]

football masterlist //

Aaron Ramsey:

movie date (S)

fun at the pool (S)

sneak peek (S)

Alvaro Medran:

make the best of it (F)

André Silva:

rooftop snuggles (F)

thirsty (S)

habits of my heart (S)

cinderella (F)

Ben Chilwell:

special present (S)

hungry for you (S)

his jersey (S)

by your side (F)

Benjamin Pavard:

in your eyes (S)

Ben White:

morning shower (S)

Brahim Diaz:

first day training (F)

Declan Rice

Yoga (S)

naughty one (S)

Dominic Calvert-Lewin:

national pride (S)

Dries Mertens:

just a nightmare (F)

Eden Hazard:

my girl (S)

lazy boy (F)

Emre Can:

magic touch (S)

Eric Dier:

scaredy cat (F)

Harry Winks:

roses and foam (S)

Gianluca Frabotta:

selfie (F)

Héctor Bellerin:

pillow fight (F)

my favorite shape (S)

sleepy boy (S)

Jack Grealish:

 something in your pants (S)

thighs (S)

a mouthful of lust (S)

so tight (S)

Jadon Sancho:

first time’s song (S)

James Maddison:

new Joggers (S)

comforting warmth (F)

that’s mine (S)

Jannes Horn:

cuddly morning (S)

Jude Bellingham

new heights (S)

Kai Havertz

fiery red (S)

Kepa Arrizabalaga:

papito (S)

Konstantinos Mavropanos:

kiss the pain away (F)

Kylian Hazard:

soft, cuddly bear (F)

Leon Goretzka:

coffee date (F)

suit up (S)

teddy bear (AF)

warm heart (F)

inside the locker room (S)

Lorenzo Insigne:

Domenica (F)

Luca Zidane:

hoodie thief (F)

Lucas Hernandez:

Two for one (S)

bruises and scars (S)

Luka Jovic:

late night bath (S)

Manuel Neuer:

who’s in charge? (S)

Marc Bartra:

big guns (S)

confessions (S)

Marco Asensio:

a little teasing never killed nobody (S)

beach boy (S)

Marcos Llorente:

hips don’t lie (S)

Marcus Rashford:

lullaby (F)

striptease (S)

Mason Mount:

drunks tell the truth (S)

Memphis Depay:

inked (S)

mile-high club (S)

shower time (S)

Miroslav Klose:

who’s in charge? (S)

Munir El Haddadi:

those three words (F)

Olivier Giroud:

becoming reality (S)

Patrick Cutrone:

teach me a lesson (S)

Paulo Dybala:

nailing it (F)

Phil Foden:

revealing sight (S)

Robin Koch:

jealousy (S)

another type of dessert (S)

Roman Bürki:

valentine lovers kit (S)

aftermath (F)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek:

one night stand (S)

Theo Hernandez:

 Two for one (S)

dance for me (S)

Thorgan Hazard:

Lovefool (S)

booty boy (S)

Tyrone Mings:

nighttime struggles (AF)

[braveveth]

This is by no means an comprehensive list of aftg fic I very much adore and since I don’t know what you like it’s kind of a wild mix. But maybe there is something that catches your eye (and you don’t already know). Sometimes I have shortened the summaries to just a few tags so you might want to look that up for further information. It’s also a lot of AUs and so far only Neil/Andrew. If you are also interested in Kevin, Jean, Jeremy in some kind of combination- that’s a whole other list. If you’ve got questions, let me know. Otherwise: Enjoy :)

Push to talk by alexjosten | Firewatch AU: Neil needs a fresh start. He has a new name and a new job in the middle of nowhere, miles away from anything to do with Exy. The only person he speaks to is Andrew, who knows nothing about him... until Neil's past catches up with him.

And we‘ll be running by allysavedtheday | Band AU: It had been six months ago when Kevin called him, sounding drunk off his ass and on the verge of a breakdown, begging Neil for help as guitarist for The Monsters until Andrew comes back. First it was just something to vill the void. Now he doesn’t want to leave..

Sleeping with ghosts by boybeaulieu | Band AU / breakup and makeup: The Band AU where Andrew and his Monsters learn how to deal with notoriety while performing for an emo, grunge crowd. But what kind of musician has never experienced heartbreak? Not even Andrew, apparently.

Andrew Minyard‘s Diary by fuzzballsheltiepants | Bridget Jones AU: In which Andrew is Bridget Jones, Kevin is Daniel Cleaver, and Neil is Mark Darcy. Except none of them are like their inspiration characters at all.

We used to be friends by gluupor | Veronica Mars AU

No mourners, no funerals by gluupor | Six of Crows AU

Pie another day by gluupor | Basically a Pushing Daisies AU: very humorous

Murder boyfriends by justadreamfox | High School AU / Inspired by the movie heathers: It’s 1989. Riko Moriyama rules Westerburg High School and The Butcher rules Baltimore. Neil and Andrew are so, so over it. Shit’s about to get real

Such a fool for sacrifice by likeareacord | Bodyguard AU: Neil is a successful author with a stalker who seems to know a little too much about his past. He needs a bodyguard for his upcoming book tour. Enter: Andrew Minyard.

Meow Meow Lullaby by moonix | Library AU: When the existence of their library is threatened, rival librarians Neil and Andrew must team up to save it.

Much Ado by puddlejumper99 | Shakespeare AU: Loosely following the plot of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, avowed bachelor Neil is determined never to marry, and also determined to insult Andrew into an early grave. Meanwhile, Riko is plotting to ruin Matt and Dan's wedding.

(dont‘t fear) the reaper srcibbleb_red | Under world AU: Andrew and Neil don’t meet in life. They meet in limbo. Andrew is a Reaper – a ‘ferryman’ charged with taking the souls of the recently deceased through limbo to the Other Side. Neil wakes up dead – killed by his father – or so he believes. But as ever for our Foxes, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

honey don‘t feed me (I will come back) by talls | Greek Mythology AU: There’s a new god in the pantheon; Andrew remembers hearing about the scandal a while back, the newest Demeter having a child with the current Zeus and then going on the run, child in tow. They call him Persephone, the god of springtime and new life, the antithesis of Andrew's realm. It would be ludicrous of Persephone to ever interact with Andrew at all. If only someone told Persephone that.

under the kitchen lights by ephemeralsky | Neighbours AU: in which Andrew and Neil are neighbors who do various neighborly things

Back to the start by fuzzballsheltiepants | Amenesia / hurt/comfort: Andrew has been on his pro team for 6 months when he takes a ball to the head. Neil flies to Boston to see him - only to find that Andrew doesn't remember him.

Feels like falling by gluupor | Post canon / Getting back together: After college Andrew left behind both exy and Neil. Five years later, he’s built himself a stable life with nothing wanting. Or so he thinks, until a chance encounter brings him back in contact with Neil.

hello world by lolainslackss | Canon Divergence / Enemies to lovers / Professional Exy: Everyone on the US national team knows that Andrew Minyard and Neil Josten hate each other, so of course they all think it's hilarious to force them to share a room in the name of 'team harmony' for the entirety of the Exy World Cup.

LIFE SAVER!!! this is wonderful tysm<3 very excited about a lot of these. that firewatch au… and the underworld one….

totally get you about it being a wild mix btw. i’m the first to admit i can be pretty picky about characterisation but with these books you could genuinely be reading the wildest of au’s and it could still be incredibly in character (and vice versa). so i’m up to try a lot and this is giving me a whole lot to try!!

[ikjun]

21-29 hehe

21. your favourite kpop albums?

an ode - seventeen

humanoids - tvxq, tense - tvxq, xv - tohoshinki

chill kill - red velvet

waterfall - b.i

never gonna dance again - taemin

she is - jonghyun

1/6 - sunmi

brother act - btob

fatal love - monsta x

1 and 1 - shinee

epik high is here 1 - epik high

mr mr - snsd

paradise - infinite

neo zone - nct 127

22. your favourite concepts?

fantasy / ker by vixx, chill kill by red velvet, retro concepts like 1 of 1 by shinee (NOT y2k), aespa's entire lore and concept (sci-fi esque), noir and reality show by u-know, tail by sunmi

23. your favorite choreographies?

SPIDER - HOSHI

DOOR - TAEMIN

ECLIPSE - GOT7 [BRICK WALL]

gashina + heroine - sunmi

shangri-la - vixx

sherlock - shinee, don't call me - shinee, view - shinee

thanks - seventeen, super - seventeen, flower - seventeen, hot - seventeen

monster - irene & seulgi

cake - kard

my house - 2pm

dream in a dream - ten

why / keep your head down - tvxq

move - taemin, criminal taemin

boy meets evil pt. 1 + 2 - j-hope & jimin

lullaby - got7, you calling my name - got7

24. your favourite debuts?

face - nu'est >>>>>> BRICK WALL >>>>>>>>> replay - shinee, black mamba - aespa, spider - hoshi, 24 hours - sunmi, danger - taemin, 28 reasons - seulgi, into the new world - snsd, 7th sense - nct u, empty - winner, fire - 2ne1, mama - exo, loner - cnblue

25. your favourite music videos?

mr mr - snsd, thank u - u-know, the chaser - infinite, pporappippam - sunmi, spider - hoshi, fear - svt, fallin' flower - svt, run - bts, tell me goodbye - bigbang, criminal - taemin, heroine - sunmi, red velvet - psycho, bss - fighting

26. your favourite collabs?

the entire artistic collaboration between sunmi and cha hyunseung takes the top spot by miles

hybrid - changmin ft. ha hyunwoo, goodbye summer - f(x) ft d.o, boy with luv - bts ft. halsey, btbt - b.i ft. devita & soulja boy, try again - jaehyun ft. d.ear, acceptance speech - epik high ft. b.i, new woman - lisa ft. rosalía, palette - iu ft. g-dragon

27. your favourite vocalists?

changmin, chen, dokyeom, kihyun, taeyeon, ken, jinki, jonghyun, jaehyun, doyoung, changsub, sungjae, ningning, ace vocal line

28. your favourite dancers?

hoshi, taemin, ten, hyoyeon, seulgi, sunmi, hakyeon, kino, u-know, jhope, shownu, boa, yugyeom, dino. idc about keeping track of anyone else.

29. your favourite rappers

kim hanbin or the artist known as b.i, epik high, bibi, gtop (i am sorry .... everyone else just isn't that good), changkyun and jooheon from monsta x, gray

kpop ask game!

[rainhearted-ramblings]

Run Away?

"Do you ever think about running away?"

Where would we even go? Who would take us? Those with our soft skinned lies Ruby disguise peeling from our lips Dark blue ilk dipped in rose-white gold Gentle waves screaming to shore?

Where would we go? Those with our soft stained eyes Stars shining out of every life Wet paper under nails Sogged and stuck Pooling at our feet?

Who would take our kin? The ones with broken letters Dancing between fingertips You with the ones who never lived Caught between the backs of our teeth Tearing at rabid pieces of meat Faraway scarecrows Hay piercing our throats?

Can we even run afar, my dear? We with our bloodstained milk Swirling down to our cloven feet Stones for soles of shoes To hide everyone we greet?

Where would we hide? Within cities of stone Marble and bone fading to ash Lights shining in broad daylight The moon screams a lullaby Steel and glass faces Porcelain ages Too fragile to break Just like us?

Have you felt your breath hitch, my love? The soft pounding of your heart beneath your feet Concrete quakes shuddering down our spine We aren't supposed to speak lest we run out of breath But the only thing we run out of is our lives We with our tear stained hands Canyons on our faces Suns under our eyes Laughing?

Feel the earth beneath our feet? It spins and we can barely stand still and not move a thousand miles an hour How fast do we spin, dear?

Where do we fly? beneath these glass stained silk clouds velvet skies rippling to smother all life Not even the birds fly this high Are you sure, my love?

"Do you ever think about running away?"

Only every other day, my love? But I must say I don't know where we would go No place we could tame to drink in the rain of memories No face we could claim as ourself so we can finally get rid of this hay maze we find ourself in Solely due to our fates. I believe we are famed to die today?

"Do you ever think about running away?" Only if it's with you, I pray?

Those with our soft hearts have died ages away.

~Eventide

[hsladies]

Salt-Sore

I wrote up a little intro to that Rose/Jane fic I posted those doodles for yesterday, because this AU will NOT leave my head. CW for alcohol/alcoholism, addiction, unreality, Old Gods, and generational trauma.

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

Your name is Rose Lalonde, and you are not sure how you got here. "HERE" being "living alone in your dilapidated childhood home that you swore you'd never set foot in again."

"Here" is "broken up with by the one person you've ever believed yourself capable of spending the rest of your life with." It is "had a stranger film your extremely public drunken meltdown, the video of which subsequently went viral." It is "your career in shambles, alone and both still drunk and already hungover, gripping the splintering, salt-warped porch railing of your dead mother's ridiculously gaudy palatial mansion as your head throbs and your stomach churns and your heart aches."

Currently, you are trying with every fiber of your being not to vomit. You've already done it twice this morning already, and with nothing left in your stomach but the dregs of last night's binge-drinking and too many cups of over-strong coffee made from stale grounds, the stomach acid is starting to really burn your throat nearly as much as the tears burn your eyes.

You grip the porch rail tighter, ignoring the splinters digging into your palms, and stare out at the sea. It's dreary and gray- it usually is, here. Most of your memories of your childhood are of rain, or snow, or black ice, or else gray skies. Distantly, you recall being a child and hearing about a group of reporters come to town to cover the strangely high rainfall the town and surrounding areas get. More than anywhere else in the state, nearly more than anywhere else in the country.

Out past the stony, gray beach is the stony, gray ocean, choppy with waves and laced with white foam. A strong, salt-laden wind whips the waves up, and you feel strangely tranquil, listening to them crash on the rocks. Behind you, behind the manor, and all around, for miles and miles, are the pine trees- taller than the heavens, stalwart, their endless green needles whispering some long-forgotten lullaby in an equally long-forgotten tongue.

You look up at the widow's walk that leads to the observatory, and your heart squeezes in your chest. A widow's walk- Jane would have loved the drama of it. Just looking at the sprawling manor would have set her feet on fire with ideas for yet another of her endlessly twisting mystery novels.

Jane.

Again, your heart feels as if it's being crushed in a vice. Tears burn at your eyes and you take a series of deep, shuddering breaths as you try not to drop to your knees and sob. You can't believe she's gone, she's left you. In your pocket, your phone rests, countless texts and calls to Jane, apologizing over and over, begging her to give you one more chance, just one, you can fix this, you'll never drink again, you can make this right-

But you can't. You know you can't. This was, as the cliche goes, the straw that broke your beautiful beloved's back. She's put up with so much, but she's only human and there's only so much she can take, and this was what pushed her to her limit.

This time, you do break down and sob.

[newsandnotesblog]

THOM ASHWORTH

Derry Gaol

Pathfinding

High Germany

Ratcliffe Hwy.

Everybody's Gone To the Rapture

RL BOYCE

Coal Black Mattie

Ain't the Man's Alright

Child Of God

Going Down South

Don't Worry My Mind

Shotgun

BOYGENIUS

Salt In the Wound

Ketchum, ID

Bite the Hand

True Blue

Cool About It

Not Strong Enough

BILLY BRAGG

Waiting For the Great Leap Forward

There Is Power In A Union

BRIGHT EYES

Bells and Whistles

The Time I Have Left

Tin Soldier Boy

We Are Going To Be Friends

Something Vague

Saturday As Usual

The Feel Good Revolution

An attempt To Tip the Scales

Ladder Song

Calais To Dover

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD

Expecting To Fly

Hung Upside Down

Questions

Rock n Roll Woman

On the Way Home

NEKO CASE

Last Lion Of Albion

Furnace Room Lullaby

Thrice All American

At Last

Fox Confessor Brings the Flood?

John Saw That Number

Deep Red Bells

Things That Scare Me

Magpie To the Morning

The Tigers Have Spoken

LUCY DACUS

Forever Is A Feeling

The Most Wanted Man

DARLINGSIDE

My Girl/My Guy

DEAD TONGUES

Dirt For A Dying Sun

Call Out To Me

The Gold Is Deep

Stained Glass Eyes

Embers If Midnight

Garden Song (from Dust)

DECEMBERISTS

The Infanta

This Is Why We Fight

A Cautionary Song

Legionnaire's Lament

The Mariner's Revenge Song

Don't Carry It All

Calamity Song

Once In My Life

Sucker's Prayer

We All Die Young

Long White Veil

BOB DYLAN

Lenny Bruce

Man of Peace

Neighborhood Bully

They Killed Him

Political World

Ring Them Bells

Disease of Conceit

STEVE EARLE

Johnny Come Lately

ESPERS

Caroline

Rosemary Lane

Tomorrow

Black Is the Color

Dead King

I Can't See Clear

The Road of Golden Dust

Sightings

Another Moon Song

FIRST AID KIT

Random Rules

It's A Shame

Stay Gold

The Lion's Roar

Ready To Run

The Last One

Postcard

To Live A Life

Distant Star

Nothing Has To Be True

RHIANNON GIDDENS

Come Love Come

Yet To Be

Another Wasted Life

If You Don't Know How Sweet It Is

I'm On My Way

JARLATH HENDERSON

The Mountain Streams

Young Edmund

Courting Is A Pleasure

HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER

If It Comes In the Morning

Gregory Alan Isakov

JASON ISBELL

Shotgun Wedding

24 Frames

Cumberland Gap

Stockholm

Hope the High Road

Seven-Mile Island

The Blue

Soldiers Get Strange

Streetlights

The Last Song I Will Write

JETHRO TULL

Reason For Waiting

Look Into the Sun

We Used To Know

With You There To Help Me

Inside

Songs From the Wood

Ring Out Solstice Bells

GARY JULES

Mad World

KACY + CLAYTON

49th Parallel

Spare Me Over One More Year

In A Time Of Doubt

Intervention

Providence Place

The South Saskatchewan River

The Light of Day

White Butter Country

A Certain Kind of Memory

This World Have I Wandered

AMYTHYST KIAH

Sleeping Queen

Hitchin A Ride

Fake Plastic Trees

Black Myself

Dark Matter

Wildebeest

Die Slowly Without Complaint

LANKUM

The New York Trader

LOS LOBOS

When the Circus Comes

Saint Behind the Glass (Fillmore)

Good Morning Aztlan

The Road To Gila Bend

Wreck Of the Carlos Rey

Tears Of God

One Time One Night

LILLIE MAE

Terlingua Girl

Over the River and Through the Woods

Wash Me Clean

Honest and True

Nearing Home

SINÉAD O"CONNOR

I Am Stretched On Your Grave

The Emperor's New Clothes

OFFA REX

Sheepcrook and Black Dog

The Queen Of Hearts

The Gardener

Flash Company

The Old Churchyard

Willie O' Winsbury

To Make You Stay

CHARLIE PARR

God Moves On the Water

Send Your Child To War

Come Along and See

Cropduster

Walk Around My Bedside

Farmer

Rain

Heavy

Hobo

Salt Water

THE ROCHES

Hammond Song

Speak

Everyone Is Good

Losing Our Job

Person With A Past

Another World

Love Radiates Around

Live To See You

Losing True

MAGGIE AND TERRE ROCHE

Down the Dream

Telephone Bill

If You Empty Out All Your Pockets . . .

West Virginia

The Mountain People

RICHARD SHINDELL

The Next Best Western

Smiling

I Saw My Youth Today

Beyond the Iron Gate

Money For Floods

Atlas Choking

The Deer In the Parkway

All Wide Open

Your Guitar

Abbie

SONGS OF GREEN PHEASANT

I Am Daylights

Dear Prudence

Whitsun Girls

Wintered

The Burning Man

Knulp

Until . . .

Truth But Not Fact

Have Patience

Baby I'm Deranged

SUN KIL MOON

Glenn Tipton

Carry Me, Ohio

Ocean Breathes Salty

Unlit Hallway

Lost Verses

Tonight the Sky

Like the River

I Know It's Pathetic . . .

Sunshine In Chicago

That Bird Has A Broken Wing

BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE

Moratorium

Carry It On

Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee

The Uranium war

Working For the Government

God Is Alive, Magic Is Afoot

The Big Ones Get Away

Farm In the Middle of Nowhere

Generation

I Don't Need No City Life

Ain't No Time For the Worryin' Blues

We Are Circling

RICHARD THOMPSON

Turning Of the Tide

Keep Your Distance

From Galway To Graceland

Bird In God's Garden

Beatnik Walking

Broken Doll

Devonside

Dad's Gonna Kill Me

The Ballad of Easy Rider (with Sandy Denny)

I Still Dream

Jerusalem on the Jukebox

NEIL YOUNG

Welcome Back

Cinnamon Girl

Motorcycle Mama