#mostly the objects within

[hhoneycloves]

very low quality thumbnails but these are their rooms

bonus points if Heart and Mind have a jack-and-jill shared bathroom

I'll eventually give their headspace house a fleshed-out floorplan but for now i just wanted to draft their personal spaces.

[frittercrittern]

I am feeling entirely normal and nothing is going on at ALL in my brain about this triangle and his horrible awful dimension he is from

[sskk-manifesto]

(*・ω・*)b♪

[falinscloaca]

Realized that my daydreams about retrieving Solanum from the Quantum Moon play out shockingly (hell, poignantly even) close to some sort of reverse tale of Orpheus

[watery-melon-baller]

lads a script is being written!!!

[reasoncourt]

is it just me or does anyone else have those actors who annoy the absolute bazonkas out of them. but for no actual reason. like u have no valid reason to dislike them. but there’s something about their face. u dislike their face SO much. objectively they’re not ugly. but like. my god. their face. there’s something about their face that makes u hate watching them

[kii2me2ii2]

I love calling people cis adjacent. Trans card revoked without straight calling them a trender. Good work boys.

[nyancrimew]

confession: two weeks ago my friends got sick of me slowly cooking to death in my self-pitying emotional soup of heartbreak, took me out for drinks, and installed a dating app on my phone. we are all in the same degree at uni (i'm 25 + i promise this is relevant), in a faculty that is extremely quaint and mostly comprised of academics married to people with normal jobs. two years ago a teacher-couple joined our program's faculty, a fact that caused a minor riot within the teaching staff, who thought it was unfair to give two of four tenured jobs to a couple... unfortunately for them both of these profs are extremely beloved among the students and very good teachers at that. even if you've never taken classes from either of them, you know about this couple and probably whatever rumors are going around about them too. i've taken classes w/ both.

anyway. back to me on the dating app in the bar with my friends, pretty drunk, swiping though my bumble suggestions. for extra fun, we have set the minimum age to 30 and the gender to include "both" even though i am a lesbian. the whole table is viciously tearing down dating profiles, investigating their pictures, etc. i go to the bar to get another round for the group, am about to pay for our drinks when i hear a virtual SHRIEK from our corner. i get back, dish our drinks out. my phone is in the middle of the table, untouched by anyone like it's a cursed object. i look at the screen. it's them, our teacher couple. they have a shared dating profile, stating that they are "looking for someone to explore her bisexuality with". lesbian readers will know that this is not exactly an uncommon profile type to find, but still, seeing it from people who have taught basically everything you know about 19th century literature is... quite something. so naturally i decide to swipe right before anyone can stop me.

maia, i am so proud to report: i fucked that man's wife, she was absolutely lovely, and we will see each other again, and i am currently taking another class from her husband where the vibe is more than chill. my friends have been sworn to secrecy, but i know it's only a matter of time before someone slips up and the rumor mill starts churning... but who cares? i haven't thought about my ex since!

OH MY GOD HOLY SHIT

[pangur-and-grim]

I'm so cynical about that two-headed calf.

it's 2 weeks old and still can't stand. yesterday's update was "here is a video of her holding her head up", with a claim that it is growing in strength - but in the video, it very much looks like the heads are being propped up by a bag of woodchips.

calves should be standing within 2 hours of birth. by the third day, they should be mobile enough that they're hard to catch. by adulthood, they weigh over a thousand pounds.

there's also a religious angle to this. many of the farm's posts have been intensely christian, the farm has described the calf as 'a miracle from God', and nearly all the comments are people offering prayers. meaning.....they might not be making the most objective decisions regarding this animal's welfare.

I'm in a livestock Facebook group and two-headed calves aren't as rare as you'd think. mostly, they're born dead, or die shortly after birth. this isn't a deformity that is compatible with life, and I just can't see any outcome where this calf starts thriving.

[the-moon-devi]

ROMANCE IN

SYNASTRY &

COMPOSITE

Mercury

(𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫)

🩷 Mercury-Venus This configuration is very poetic and harmonious. Sweet words are said, and you'll know that they care about you. There's a love & attraction for the mind, and the way the other person speaks. This, is a must if you have a lot of air influence in your chart. These two will genuinely love talking to one another. The communication will often be harmonious. This is a very flirty aspect to have within synastry. Words of affirmations is important within this connection.

🩷 Moon-Mercury (conjunct,sextile,trine & quintile/bi-quintiles) ; This configuration shows a very affectionate way of speaking & communicating with one another. Moon will understand where mercury is coming from on an emotional level. Mercury is nurturing the most vulnerable sides of Moon. These two can find it easy to express how they feel. This is similar to Moon 3h overlay, where both are constantly talking to the other about anything. There's a deep and intimate bond between these two great for romance, honestly, because you can vocalize how you feel about each other.

Sun

(𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.)

🩷 Sun 5h overlay: This overlay foretells that there is definitely physical attraction. Usally it will be the 5h person who sees the sun person a physically attractive. Since this is the house of romance and pleasure/joy, it's self explainable to see why this is on the list of romantic placements. Sun in the 5th can show more of short-term or just simply sexual type of love/romance. Nevertheless, though this shows that this overlay will be romantic and the other to be physically pleasing to the eyes. There can be many romantic gestures and comments given to the sun person. Both are able to feel this deep attraction to each other. This brings fun dates and even actually puts creativity into the gifts you give to each other. The theme of this relationship is joy and fun, not so much seriousness. This can also show talking about children, and it'd not uncommon to see couples that children quickly to have this or many 5-house overlays. You will experience romance and lovemaking within this synastry.

🩷 Sun 2h overlay: These two are constantly sharing and making the other feel comfortable. This one can make the 2h person feel like they need to commit towards the sun. 2h person can be very loyal towards sun, and trust is usally very important here. The 2h also rules touch, sensuality, money, but specifically money spent. This energy can go either way, but mostly, it could be the 2h person giving the sun person money. And also being very protective over them, also admiring their physical body. And doing sensual things to please the other. The 2h person may take mental notes of things that make the sun person happy, and use these things as gifts later on. The 2h person values the sun person, and 2h person should be careful not to view the sun person as an object. This van also turns into looking at the sun person as a trophy or an asset. Sun person in return definitely boosts the self-confidence/worth of the 2h person, and often won't hesitate to tell them nice things or share their valuable with them. The sun person can give all their assets to the 2h person because of all the trust that lies within this overlay.

🩷 Sun-Moon (conjunct,sextile,trine & quintile/bi-quintiles); Beautiful! LIKE THIS ONE.....🤌🏻, you will feel understood and safe 🥹. For women, and especially women who are moon ruled/dominant. It's very important for you to feel secure, comfortable, and safe within a relationship. That is ultimate romance and an indication of love. Specifically talking about conjunctions & bi-quintiles/quintiles this will likely feel the strongest. Even stronger when the man is sun, and the woman is the moon, simply because we know that the sun is masculine energy, and the moon is feminine energy. These aspects can feel like you get each other, and on an instinctual, and just basic level, you two get along. This is genuinely the clearest sign of a soul connection, in my opinion. Until you have experienced this, you haven't experienced a feeling of completely understood. This... will change your life. For conjunctions, we all know the closer the stronger, but in vedic, a conjuction is considered anything in the same sign. Personally, I say anything up to a 10° orb, especially when it comes to these two luminaries and personal planets.

🩷 Sun 7h overlay: The 7h is ruled by libra/venus. All of this venusian energy is highlighted. The focus, the theme, will be relationships, marriage, sharing ,coupling, and all of those things in the context of romance. The 7h person will feel like and view the sun person as the perfect partner. They can feel absolutely completed. Sun can also feel like they belong to each other. This can indicate strong attraction and feeling of opposites attract, but you beautifully balance and complement each other. You two just make each other look good. Think of this similar to sun conjunct Venus. Venus is looking at the sun like they are some god/goddess that came into their life and swept them off their feet. Honestly, any rules/expectations you had when it came to relarionships/partners they can either go out the window or they perfectly fit those standards. In the romance sense, this can become very romantic, especially once these two get to know each other. This is the house of lovers, so over time, this is one that can show a very romantic couple. This is also an indication of marriage.

🩷 Sun-Venus: This aspect brings warmness, and strong romance. This makes it easy for both partners to express love, and do romantic gestures for the other. These two really get along espcially if this is a conjunction, sextile, trine, and biquintile/quintile. Venus person is usually the one who admires the sun person, and finds them to be very physically attractive. Sun can increase venus's self worth, and image. They could love giving each other gifts, and having fun/indulging together.

🩷 Sun-Loving (432971) (conjunct,sextile,trine & quintile/bi-quintiles); Affectionate, and of course loving. The loving person can love the charecerisics of the sun person. They wouldnt want to do anything to bruise their ego.

🩷 Sun/ASC-Lovelock (51663)/ 1h overlay (conjunct,sextile,trine & quintile/bi-quintiles); This aspect shows an almost obsessive love with the sun or ascendant person.

🩷 Sun/ASC- Valentine (447)/ 1h overlay

🩷 Sun-Amor, Cupido

🩷 Asc-Valentine/ 1h overlay

🩷 Amor/Cupido-Asc

Moon/Venus

(𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐧𝐨-𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝! 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐞𝐭𝐜.)

🩷 Venus 1h overlay: This overlay indicates that Venus finds the 1st person very attractive. Venus, known as the planet of love, suggests that the Venus person loves the appearance of the 1st person and loves them as well. This could indicate love at first sight, with romance flowing easily. Venus may see the 1st person as marriage material, and love languages are easily understood. While this overlay is very loving, it can sometimes come across as superficial, making the 1st person feel like the Venus person only likes them for their looks. However, this overlay also indicates a deep mutual admiration. Venus will boost the self-esteem of the 1st person and will always make sure to express love and care for them.

🩷 Venus 5h overlay: This one is pretty self-explanatory. Venus, the planet of love, pleasure, beauty, finances, luxury, etc, falls into the house of dating, attraction, sex, love, and flirting. The attraction will be through the roof with this overlay. This overlay feels like summer love. There will be a lot of cuteness and passion. This brings so much joy & pleasure to both partners. Venus person sees the 1h person as very attractive & sexy. This is a very romantic overlay. In the Sexual sense, it's not hard to get turned on by each other. 🤭❤️‍🔥

🩷 Venus 3h overlay: Some people may not agree with this and may not find it romantic. However, depending on your personal Venus placements, this could be romantic to you. The reason I say this is romantic is that the 3rd house represents words, communication, expression, and much more. If your love language is words of affirmation and mental stimulation, this is perfect. The Venus person can love the way the 3rd house person talks, and both can feel like they can talk all day about anything. The 3rd house also rules transportation, so these two may enjoy driving and going on short trips together. They may even exchange love notes and poems. This is a very artistic and creative connection. They can come up with lots of ideas together. The mind and the voice are like honey to the Venus person. They can truly feel understood when they are together.

🩷 Venus 7h overlay/ conjunct dsc: This overlay is beautiful. Venus feels at home here. The 7h person can feel like they have found their partner whether they are actually right or not is up to fate. However, this is a good indicator for marriage. And a loving marriage/ long-term relationship. Venus people feel like it's easy to be romantic with the house person. They can actually view the house person as wife/hubsand material as well. This shows a love based relationship.

🩷 Venus 8h overlay: This interaction brings two individuals to explore the depths of their personalities. Fortunately, Venus adds a light touch to this interaction. Initially, there may be a transformative, intense, and forbidden attraction to each other. This dynamic works both ways, although the person with Venus in the 8th house may feel more intimidated. While Venus is intrigued, this bond develops into a close connection that is hard to let go of. It's a deep and intense romance, and both individuals feel like no one else can understand the depth of their connection. There is an evident sexual tension, and you may find yourself doing things you never thought you would. Both parties will feel like nobody understands them like the other person

🩷 Venus conjunct nodes: This one is automatic attraction, especially from the aid of the nodal person. If this is the north node, there is a natural feeling of being romantic & wanting to express your love for the other person. If this is the south node, the same applies but this could indicate that eventually one or both parties start to grow out of this, because the south is what we are leaving, while the north node is what we are going towards. There's a strong feeling of fate here, but it doesn't always indicate growing apart, but if it happens, there will. likely be no hard feelings, just maybe a lot of what-ifs, and that would have been a great relationship if we met at the right time, etc, etc.

🩷 Venus-Mars: Allllll venus-mars bring passion. It's just those harsh aspects like the conjunction, oppositions, and square that can make this attraction feel insatiable and constantly grow stronger & stronger over time.

🩷 Venus conjunct Uranus: This aspect is known as the love at first sight aspect, and honestly, I can see why, lol. Uranus is unexpected, rapid movement, and Venus is love. Venus unexpectedly falls for the Uranus person, and vice versa. Uranus person may tend to be more.... let's say flighty, but the attraction is there. These two are going to have a lot of fun together. There's an unorthodox connection that they feel liberated by.

🩷 Moon 1h/ conjunct asc: 1h person feels very understood by the moon person. The house person views the moon person as nurturing, and if the house person is a man, he views him as someone who would make a good wife. Due to the wife showing the wife in a man's chart. This develops into a very intuitive connection. On a biological level, you two just mix very well. The 1h person thinks about starting a family with the moon person & vice versa. Moon people view the 1h person as their baby and can be protective over them. They just get each other on an emotional level. This also shows a lot of physical affection and speaking softly to the other, lol.

🩷 Moon-Venus: This is very soft and romantic. Even if this does happen to be a harsh aspect due to these both being feminine planets, they can find similarities within each other that they grow to admire 🥺. This is important because the moon is our inner self, emotions, and subconscious, and Venus is our love language/romance. When these two come together, this shows a language where these two are speaking to each other with care & softness. With softer aspects (Conjunction, sextiles, trines, quintiles) it's so much easier for this energy to be expressed whereas with harder aspects (squares & oppositions) this energy is there they both just have different ways of expressing it, which ultimately something both parties need to learn. 😉

🩷 Juno-Venus: COMMITMENT & LOVE,

🩷 Venus-Valentine (447) (conjunct, sextile, trine & quintile/bi-quintiles) self-explanatory, I talked about this here

🩷 Vertex Conjunct any love asteroids : Meeting the other for love

🩷 Vesta-Venus (conjunct,sextile,trine & quintile/bi-quintiles) Through love, the sacred flame is ignited.

Juno

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 ��𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬. 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.

🩷 Juno 1h overlay: 1h person embodies what juno person wants in a long-term partner. This leads juno person to want to make the effort to be with the house person. Juno person can feel completely fulfilled by the house person. They feel that they have met the one!

🩷 Juno 7h overlay: This is probably more of an indicator of romance because the 7h shows relationships, and Juno does too, so this is a very strong indicator of that happening. It's easier for both to engage in romantic conversations & activities. Likely marriage came up very early. When these two meet, there is a feeling of being in each other's lives for the long haul.

🩷 Juno-Agapenor/Valentine (conjunct,sextile,trine & quintile/bi-quintiles)

🩷 Juno- Ceres (conjunct,sextile,trine & quintile/bi-quintiles) explained this here....

The Love Asteroids

🩷 Lovejoy/Lovelock 7h overlay

🩷 Agapenor (5023) 1h/7h Overlay

🩷 Amor (1221) 1h/5h/7h Overlay

🩷 Cupido (763) 1h/5h Overlay

🩷 North Node conjunct Valentine/Agapenor

Composite Charts

𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐨𝐨

🩷 Venus Rules Ascendants (Taurus & Libra) ~ Libra & Taurus are ruled by the planet of love, so within this relationship, these two will want to be romantic and loving with another. As a matter of fact, it feels more natural to do so and likely won't feel forced. These two can also look good together.

🩷 Ascendant conjunct Venus

🩷 Ascendant ruler in 5h/7h/12h~ now hear me out about the 12h part lol. The 12h is ruled by the sign Pisces, which is exalted in the planet Venus ( of love & beauty). To me, Neptunian & Pisces energy shows a higher love, and this can be reflected in the 12h. When BOTH individuals are spiritually enlightened. The 12h is unconditional love.

🩷 Venus-Neptune~ With the right amount of Neptune in a relationship, it can feel heavenly. The couple can feel like they've found their soulmate. There is an emotional connection.

🩷 Venus conjunct Mars~ Passion and great Sex lol. They feel good together, and they just know each other.

🩷 "The Love Stellium"~ I've experienced this once before, but I can't say I was in love, LOL. me and this person also had a few prominent love asteroids in composite & synastry however It didn't last long enough to get there. But I can say that I cared a lot about them and did things I wouldn't usually do. If you're not familiar with the love stellium, it's basically when the Sun, Mercury, and Venus are all in conjunction with each other. This stellium is lovely. The relationship just feels so nice. It's good to have if there isn't a lot of Venus stuff going on. The sun conjunct mercury helps with communication and makes it easier to understand & listen to each other while the sun conjunct Venus makes the relationship enjoyable & pleasurable. Both parties feel pleased & beautiful together. Venus conjunct Mercury is amazing because not only do you have good communication, but it is also sweet & you get the words of affirmation that you want. This is such a good one to have. Consider yourself lucky if you have it! 😊

🩷 Union 1h/7h~ Looking & feeling like you were made for each other. You feel whole & united together.

🩷 Agapenor 7h~ The relationship between the two is filled with unconditional love. Even if they part ways they will always have love for each other. Honestly, they could be each other's first love

🩷 Valentine 1h/7h~ Self explanatory

🩷 all love asteroids in strong aspects to sun, moon, dsc/asc, venus

🩷 7h lord in 7h/1h~ the relationship is likely the main focus and is very important to them

🩷 Venus 10h/ conjunct mc~ Their reputation is pleasant & beautiful. They look good together. Their love is seen by the world, and it's something that has only grown stronger over time.

🩷 Moon 7h/1h/5h/2h

𝐷𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐷𝑒'𝐿𝑢𝑥𝑥𝑒

𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

𝐻𝑜𝑡 𝐴𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦

[thefatfemme]

(hope you don't mind OP, just wanted to include your tags for context)

I love this take. I don't entirely believe Bioware fully realizes it at this point, or at least they haven't verbalized the series' overarching themes in this way, but they need to so they can do it better. This is a series about the inevitable march forward, empires rise and fall and change the world and in the end no one really remembers, life just keeps going until the moments you thought etched in stone are less than specks on the horizon. Your choices matter within each game, in the immediacy of the moment, but like all history they are flattened and forgotten as time moves on. Nothing matters but it *all* matters, you understand? Dragon Age is about how one person or one small group can simultaneously do so much, have such an impact on the world, and yet barely leave a scuff behind. Bioware just needs to listen to Dolly Parton and do it on purpose.

Mfw the game about the futility of choice and the horror of living in an oppressive system where individual actions can do very little even when well intentioned isn't narratively important in its minutae a decade+ after its close

[paintedkinzy-88]

Blood/Gore warning! Just in case—

My first major post to a new fandom and I brutally kill a main character. Shouldn’t have expected much else from myself, honestly. ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

Anyway, context if my subtle background hints weren’t enough (or ya just want a little bit more info):

Post movie, Leo couldn’t be saved, and everyone went home mostly expecting him to be dead. There was very little hope for his survival, really, and they all had injuries to care for themselves. While they did plan on trying to check later on, (at least to get a body), with Donnie building a portal and Mikey trying to unlock his powers, in the end, they didn’t have to.

Within a few days, things started happening gradually around the lair (moving objects, closing doors, flickering lights, etc), until eventually they were getting texts from Leo’s number. No one really wanted to believe it, whether out of fear of what his presence implied or straight up not thinking ghosts were real, but eventually, as Leo texted things only he’d know (and the general acknowledgment of Hamato spirits being a thing), they came to be… open to the idea.

Draxum confirmed that ghosts were fairly common amongst yokai, separate from spirits, and with that Donnie dived head first into researching it, determined to see the ghost and get solid proof that it was, in fact, his twin.

In that research, he came across information on a ghost’s appearance. He didn’t pay much attention to it, or the dread that settled in his stomach. He didn’t care. He didn’t.

But Leo does. Leo really, really does. And that’s two reallys.

[moonstruckme]

hihi mae!! in honor of the season, could i request reader convincing bodygaurd!james to carve pumpkins together. and it’s basically just him on the brink of cardiac arrest bc reader is using the biggest butcher knife possible, like an absolute menace, and he’s 100% convinced she’s gonna saw her fingers off lol. thx for considering ♡

Thank you lovely!!

bodyguard!James x fem!reader ♡ 814 words

James has half a mind to find you a plastic knife and let you make do with that. It might take you a while longer, yeah, but at least he wouldn’t have to feel every muscle in his body tense each time you stab the knife you’ve picked through your pumpkin. 

“I thought you were doing a cat,” he says, watching you push another piece out from what will be your pumpkin’s mouth. 

“I am.” 

“Why does it have fangs?” 

“It just felt like it should.” You shrug. “Sort of spookier that way, right? Maybe it’s a vampire cat.” 

“And here I thought it was going to be cute.” 

You smile at him. “No, Jamie. That’s yours.” 

With all his attention on making sure you don’t slash yourself, James has made pitifully little progress on his own pumpkin. He’s only managed to cut out the nose, but when he’s done it’s going to be a classic, smiling jack-o-lantern, except with hearts for eyes. You’d beamed and called it fitting when James told you his plan. He’s been ruminating over what you could have meant by that ever since. 

For his own project he’s using a small paring knife, mostly because he’d hoped you’d follow his example (what wishful thinking that was) but also because James doesn’t tend to do well with precision and he didn’t see a big knife helping matters. You, however, have selected what may be the largest knife he’s ever seen. He can’t comprehend what a beast that size would even be necessary for in a kitchen, much less for carving a pumpkin. Your unskilled grip on the handle makes the hairs on his arms stand on end. 

“I think we ought to find you a different tool,” he tries again. 

“James, you worry too much.” You roll your eyes, hardly looking as you shove your knife through the flesh of your pumpkin. He flinches. “This one is working fine.” 

“Right, I just feel like—” You do it again. James worries he’s developing an eye twitch. “—like possibly I’m not doing my job by letting you handle a weapon like that.”

“It’s not a weapon, it’s a kitchen knife.” 

Again, not a clue what in the kitchen could require a knife that large. 

“I think its capacity for injury is the same regardless, angel. Let me have it, please? That way I can keep working here and you can keep all of your fingers.” 

“You need to chill out,” you say, unnervingly serene for someone who seems to James on the precipice of life-changing injury. “This knife is the perfect size for how big I want my eyes to be. If I have to saw using another one, they won’t look as clean.” 

“Is that really worth risking your hand for?” 

“Yes. I want the triangles to look nice when I stick them onto the top as its ears.” 

“How are you going to do that?” 

“With toothpicks.” 

Right. A more moderate risk of injury, for sure, but James is now too high-strung to imagine anything other than disastrous outcomes between you and sharp objects. He imagines you skewering one of your lovely fingertips on a toothpick, the surprised look on your face when it happens. His own heart bursting straight out of his chest from overexertion. 

“Maybe I could do that part for you,” James suggests weakly. 

“Shit.” You’re looking into your hollow pumpkin. “The eye won’t come out.” 

“Let me try.” 

“No, I’ve got it.” 

Before he can stop you, you’re sticking your knife inside your pumpkin. It comes spearing out the other side a moment later, the triangle of one eye impaled on its tip. James chokes on a gasp as you stop it within inches of your abdomen. 

“There,” you say satisfiedly. 

James makes a strangled sound. “No,” he says, seizing your wrist and carefully removing the knife from your hand. “No, I can’t do it. We’re swapping.” 

“What?” You look at him with wide, wounded eyes. It’s adorable, compelling even, but James won’t allow himself to budge. “But your knife is so lame.” 

James guffaws. He feels half delirious. This is it, he thinks. His love for you has finally driven him insane. 

“It’s not lame.” 

You pout. “It’s tiny.” 

“Sweetheart.” James sets the knife down to hold your face in both hands. You go still with surprise. “If you stab yourself with your giant knife, I won’t be around to get fired. I’ll die of heartbreak. Do you understand?” 

You roll your eyes at him, but you’re softening. “You really like my hands that much?” 

“I like all of you. In tact. You’re perfect as you are.” 

“Fine, whatever.” You pull your face from his grasp, picking up the smaller knife. “I know you secretly just wanted to be the one with the bigger knife, though.” 

“Yeah, you’ve caught me. Can’t get anything past you.”

[orcasoul]

Not My Man

Summary: Joel is accused of abusing you, and, oh hell no! You're having none of that!

Warnings: Swearing, injury, implied domestic abuse, use of Y/N.

Word Count: 4,132

"Ow, shit! That really stings." You wince and pull your head back as Joel lightly dabs a alcohol soaked cloth over your cheek. His hand slides behind your head pulling you back in, keeping you in place. "Quit squirming and it'll be done quicker," he tells you firmly yet softly, his big chestnut eyes fixed intently on the task at hand. You grudgingly obey, - keeping still despite the the burn of the alcohol seeping into the raw cut across your cheek - holding an ice pack over your eye on the opposite side. You just know it'll be black by tomorrow.

"How's the head? Feeling dizzy or sick at all?" It's the millionth time Joel has asked you this, and every time you have to reassure him. "I'm okay, Joel. Really," you stressed, but you can see the guilt and anger simmering within him flicker to the surface every time you try to make light of it all. "I shouldn't have let you go off alone. Fucking hell... if I'd been just a few seconds later you'd be-" Joel closes his eyes and breathes in deeply, both to calm his nerves and to avoid having to finish that sentence. Just the thought of losing you makes Joel want to rip his hair out in vexation.

"It's my fault," you try to reason, cupping Joels' scruffy cheek and forcing his eyes to meet yours. "I should have been paying closer attention. Don't you dare go blaming yourself." "You're never leaving my sight again," Joel declared, his voice low and determined. "Joel-" "I mean it Y/N! From now on when we're outside these walls I'm gonna be on your ass like your shadow!" You sigh, knowing there's no getting to through to Joel when he gets like this. So, you silently concede with a nod, mostly for his peace of mind.

After applying some antiseptic cream and a large plaster, Joel leans in to press a featherlight kiss over the sensitive gash and rests his forehead against yours, closing his eyes. "I could have lost you today, sweetheart." The ache in his voice stirred a deep ache in your chest in return. You place your hands over his own, which are now cradling your face. "But you didn't, and that's all that matters." It crushes your heart to see Joel so torn up over something no one could have seen coming, over something he couldn't have known.

But, here he is again; blaming himself for circumstances beyond his control. All you can do is comfort him and try to make him focus on the here and now and not on the "what could have been". Easier said that done, though when your mind keeps replaying that dreadful encounter. You could kick yourself for letting your guard down.

You and Joel had started to take Ellie out to prepare her for patrol duty, now that she'd turned 18. A small town about 5 miles west of Jackson seemed like the best option, given that the place mostly remained infected free at this time of year. Most of the wooden houses had collapsed in on themselves over the past two decades. Only brick buildings had survived the ravages of time and the elements, and even some of them looked to be on their last legs. Once it appeared the three of you were alone you'd proposed you split up to inspect the last few unchecked buildings, just to get it over with ASAP. The sooner you were all done, the sooner you could all get home and stop freezing your asses off out here.

Joel, of course, objected immediately but you brushed off his concern, insisting it was safe enough. Famous last words! While Joel and Ellie searched an old bank building, you'd turned you attention to a restaurant next door. You entered slowly, gun raised in front of you, head turning in every direction, ears pricked for any indication of company. The crunch of broken glass underfoot was deafening in the eerie silence.

As the moments wore on, you began to feel less tense, there being no signs of raiders or loners passing through, and if there were any infected in here, surely they'd have heard the scraping of glass as you'd entered. A thorough scan of the dining and kitchen area revealed no danger, luling you into a false sense of security. You absentmindedly lower your gun as you make your way to back room, which you assumed was an office. All you could think about was the hot bath awaiting you later on as you opened the door and walked through.

It all happened so fast after that. A ear splitting scream echoed through the room and before you could even turn to face it, you are tackled from behind, both yourself and the rotting corpse on your back tumbling over a desk and landing with a hard thud on the floor. The impact of your head hitting the ground sent the room spinning around you, but even through the haze, your body reacted instinctively, pushing the furious creature away from you by it's shoulders. It's putrid breath and brown teeth almost made you gag as you fought desperately to keep it's searching fungal tentacles away from your face.

You let out the loudest scream you possibly could, hoping Joel and Ellie would hear. Your gun had gotten lost during the skirmish so all you had to rely on right now was your own strength, which was waning by the second. Just when you felt like you couldn't hold out any longer a gunshot split the air and the infected fell to the side of you in a heap. Through the ringing in your ears you could hear Joel's frantic voice calling your name, his hands grabbing and pulling at you, checking you over for bites. "Holy shit! Is she alright? Is she bit?" Ellie asked breathlessly from over Joel's shoulder. "No, no... she's not bit. She's fine," Joel sighed in relief.

The fog in your head cleared, bringing you back to yourself and that's when you noticed how much your body hurt. A dull ache settled in your ribs where you'd landed, your head felt like it would explode at any moment and your cheek and opposite eye socket throbbed continuously. A warm, tickling sensation ghosted along your cheek. When you pulled your fingers away they were red and sticky. You can't even remember hitting your face on anything in all the commotion. "Joel..." you whimper, body trembling from fear and adrenaline. Before you could say another word, Joel pulled you into his arms, holding you against his chest in a crushing bear hug, a chorus of "You're safe, sweetheart" and "I've got you" repeating over and over.

You're snapped from the memory by Joel's weary sigh. "It's my job to protect you and I nearly failed... again." You're heart sank on his last word, knowing exactly what he meant by "again". Pulling back, you gently cup Joel's face in both hands, staring compassionately into his tormented eyes.

"Don't do that, honey. Please. It was my fault." you asserted, shaking your head. "I suggested we split up, I let my guard down. That's on me." Joel released a small, humourless laugh, clearly not about to relinquish any of the blame and it guts you; to see what your carelessness has caused. "But do you know what's all on you?" you ask, your tone softening. Joel shot you a quizzical look. You wave a hand over the front of your body, Joel's gaze following your gesture.

"Me... here, alive and well. You saved my life today. If it wasn't for you I'd be dead... or worse," you shudder at the thought. "So, you see, you didn't almost fail. You saved me and I love you for it." Joel exhaled long and slow, a small smile lifting the corner of his mouth. Joel lifted his hand to caress the back of your head and pulled you towards his face. His soft lips pressed against yours in a deep, lingering kiss. "I love you too, sweetheart, so damn much!"

The next morning as you, Joel and Ellie made your way towards the mess hall for breakfast, you can't help but notice the stares from passers-by. You were right about the black eye; the deep purple hue had bloomed overnight, the swelling causing your eyelid to slightly droop and a few bruises decorated your jaw. Even the area surrounding the bandage on your cheek was flushed red. You must be quite the spectacle right now. After collecting your food, the three of you joined Tommy and Maria at their table, as you do every morning, but this morning something felt... off.

A few times you could have sworn you'd heard yours and Joel's names mentioned in hushed tones, heads turning away from you quickly as you glance around. Joel and Tommy, being so deep in conversation, remained oblivious to the odd atmosphere, and Ellie was too busy shovelling food in her mouth - like it was her last ever meal - to pay attention to her surroundings. Maria, however picked up on your unease, also noticing the excessive looks and whispers in the hall. She looked to you, eyebrows raised in silent question, to which, you could only shrug in response.

Once you had finished your meal, you got up to take your tray to the used area, setting it down on the pile. Just as you turned to walk away you hear your name being called by Millie - one of the serving ladies. With her short, dumpy stature and short grey hair, she gave off the classic warm granny vibe. She's also a renowned gossip around town. "Are you okay, dear?" she asked in a breathy whisper. "Um... yeah?" You weren't really sure what she meant at first. When you noticed her concerned eyes darting all over your face you suddenly remember how ghastly you look. "Oh this..." you wave at your face, casually. "I got jumped by an infected yesterday. Knocked my face pretty bad but I'll be fine."

Millie didn't answer for a few seconds, her eyes flicking to your table, then back to you. "Are you sure?" she finally spoke, even quieter than before. "Of course." you tilt your head, wondering why she's acting so weird. "It's just..." Millie bit her bottom lip, nervously. "If you need someone to-" "Millie? Can you help me out in her for a minute?" came a shout from the kitchen. "I've got to go. You take care," she smiled sympathetically before rushing off into the kitchen, leaving you bewildered. "What the hell was that?" you muttered under your breath before returning to your seat.

Later that afternoon you were alone in the house when you heard a knock on the door. Maria stood on the other side, and one look at her face told you this isn't a social call. "Hi, can I speak to you?" she asked. "Sure, come in." You opened the door fully and stood aside, allowing her in. "Is everything okay?" you asked sitting on the settee opposite her. "Maybe I should be asking you that." "What?" Maria cleared her throat and shifted, uncomfortably. "Is... everything okay... between you and Joel?" "What do you mean? Why would there be something wrong?" you queried, taken aback at such an abrupt question.

"Look, if you don't feel safe enough to talk about it-" "Talk about what? What exactly are you insinuating?" You don't like how this sounds one little bit, but you want to hear her say it before you possibly jump to conclusions. Maria sat forward, looking you dead in the eye. "Y/N... did Joel do this to you?" There it is; what you were hoping she wasn't going to say. "Of course he fucking didn't!" You sprang to your feet, fists clenched at your sides. "You know what happened. I reported it yesterday when we got back!" "I know but-" "How could you even think Joel would do such a thing!" Maria raised her hands in a show of surrender.

"I'm sorry. It's just I heard he might have been... hurting you and as a member of the council I had to investigate. I'm also your friend," she continued, "and I just had be be sure." You can feel the blood in your veins boiling as the seconds tick by. "Who the hell has been spreading bullshit like that?!" "There have been rumours going around-" "Rumours!" you scoff. "And you believed them?" Maria stood up slowly, counteracting your indignation with calmness. "I'm not saying I believe them-" "It's obvious you do or why would you be here?"

"I just needed to know. We both know that Joel can be volitile-" "Oh trust me, I know how Joel can be. I travelled across the country with him, remember. I know what he's capable of and I also know what he would NEVER do! He'd never hurt anyone he loves. Your head is now throbbing from the anger bubbling under your skin, but you just can't stop yourself. "He's never laid a finger on me or Ellie and I won't have anyone spreading vicious lies like that!' "He's killed innocent people before. How can you be sure one day he won't-" That's fucking it, the last straw!

"Do you trust Tommy?! Do you fear what he might do one day?" you throw back at her, sarcastically. "Because Tommy killed innocent people too, or have you conveniently forgotten that?" Maria's demeanour hardened slightly at your judgement of her husband. Good. Now she knows how it feels. "Tommy was just following Joel's lead." "Oh don't give me that bullshit!" you snapped in frustration. "He's a grown ass man capable of making his own decisions, and he chose to do that. You can't keep making excuses for him, but still hold it against Joel." Maria remained silent, seeming to realise the truth of your words. You inhale a calming breath before continuing.

"Maria, you've got to let go of this constant animosity you feel for Joel. Yes, he's made some wrong choices in the past, but he's not that man anymore... just like Tommy isn't. And wether you like it or not he's your family now. If not for Joel's sake, do it for Tommy's. Joel means the world to him and you know it." After a few tense seconds Maria nodded slowly, looking slightly abashed. "I'm sorry. Really, I am. As a council member it's my job to keep the peace in Jackson, so I had to ask..." she steps closer to you, taking your hand in hers.

"As your friend, I believe you. I can see how much you love Joel. No one would be so fiercely protective over someone who hurt them." Your shoulders sag as the tension drains away. "Thank you." "You also make a fair point," Maria says. "It's true I've never been Joels biggest fan, and maybe I have been a bit harsh on him," she rubbed the back of her neck, awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I'll try to... make things right with him, I promise." You squeeze her hand back. "That's all I ask."

"So, we'll see you tomorrow for breakfast?" The sincerity and hope in her voice, softened you up a bit. "Sure, see you then," you smiled at her. Maria began to walk towards the door but stopped when you called her name. "If you hear anymore gossip-" "I'll be sure to set the record straight," She interjected. "Thank you." When the door closed and you were alone once again, you slumped back down into the settee, leaning your head over the back, bringing your hands to your face in exasperation.

The weak winter sun began to dip behind the mountains, casting looming shadows in the streets of Jackson. Joel was due home from maintenance duty any minute, so you put the kettle on to make him a cup of coffee before you head out together for dinner at the mess hall. Worry had been plaguing you all afternoon. You just hope word of these rumours hasn't reached joel's ears. As Joel entered the house - tired but otherwise in good spirits - you felt your worry settle, knowing he's none the wiser or he would have, rightfully, been a murderous mood.

The last thing you want is for Joel to have to deal with hearsay from sad busybodies with nothing better to do with their lives. If you can discreetly nip this in the bud without Joel having to know, that would be for the best. Joel sauntered into the living room after kicking his boots off, sitting down with a groan. Even though his back ached and knees creaked, he relished in the deep satisfaction that came at the end of a hard day's work. He never though he'd have the opportunity to live a normal ( well, as close to normal as you can get) life again.

Instead of smuggling and scraping to get by on a day to day basis, he now has the chance to do something honest and meaningful, and he'll never take that for granted again. "Hey honey," you greeted joel as you sat next to him, handing him his favourite tawny owl mug. "Thanks, darlin'," he smiled and kissed your forehead. You watched as he closed his eyes, savouring the rich flavour of coffee as he swallowed. "You look tired," your voice was a gentle whisper as you ran your fingers through the curls at the nape of his neck, knowing how it soothes him. "I'm okay," he said, stifling a yawn.

"How are you feeling? Any pain?" Joel gently brushed your hair behind your ear, examining your your face. "I'm fine. The swelling's actually starting to go down now." Joel smiled, relieved. He still blames himself for what happened but any indication that you're recovering is music to his ears. "MOTHER FUCKING ASSHOLES!" You both jumped half a mile in the air as Ellie barged through the front door, slamming it so hard behind her the whole thing rattled. "Whoa, whoa, easy. What happened?!"

Joel rushed over to Ellie, his shoulders tensing and fists balling. You've seen that posture many times on the journey here. A posture that screams "I will kill anyone who hurt you". "Stupid people running their fucking mouths. That's what fucking happened!" Ellie seethed as she ripped her jacket off and flung it on the floor. Oh god, Ellie. Please don't! "What the hell ya goin' on about?" Joel drawled, his Texan accent thickening as it always does when he's upset. "Oh you didn't hear? Well, you would have soon enough. People have been going around saying you gave Y/N those bruises."

"What the fuck?!" Joel roared, the muscles in his shoulders and arms visibly straining as anger flooded his body. Joel looked back to you, a mixture of disbelief and fury contorting his features. You dash over to him, resting a hand on his arm in support. "Joel, please ca-" "What the hell is wrong with people!" he continued to rant looking between you and Ellie. He felt sick to his stomach that anyone would even entertain the idea the he would hurt you. "I'll fucking kill whoever said that," he mumbled in an ominously dangerous tone as he began pacing back and forth. "I'll rip their goddamn tongues out for them. I'll make sure-"

"Joel!" Reaching out, you grab both of his shoulders, forcing him to stop and snap out of this manic descent he had slipped into. When his eyes landed on yours, the darkness swirling within them, melted away, replaced with a devastation that almost made you cry. Joel brought his hands to cup your face. "Darlin', you know I'd never do that." "You don't have to tell me that, honey." Joel brushed a thumb over your cheek, sighing and shaking his head. "Did you know?" You nod, pressing your lips together in a thin line. "Yeah. I was hoping to put an end to it without you having to know."

"What do you mean?" Joel asked, his brow furrowing. "Maria came by earlier..." Joels face slid into a cold stare. "Of course she did," he huffed with disdain. "Oh don't worry, honey. I had a few choice words for her. I told her, well, practically screamed at her that you'd never do such a thing. And if she hears anymore talk, to shut it down." "Even when the world goes to shit, people still love a gossip," Joel spat the last word out like it was a bad taste on his tongue. "So, did she believe any of it?" he asked, his expression hardening once more.

"I think at first she did." Joel rolled his eyes. "But after I corrected her," - you emphasized the word corrected - "She believed me." Joel huffed with scepticism. "Joel, I don't want you to worry about this okay. I'll take care of it." "We both will!" Ellie, who'd been watching the whole exchange in silent anger, piped up. "We're not gonna let them drag your name through the mud. I'll make them fucking eat it first!" You couldn't help but chuckle at Ellie's choice of words.

"Ellie, as much as I would love to see that... and help you, we can't just go around roughing people up. There's rules here for a reason, unfortunately," you muttered the last part under your breath. "So... what? We just sit back and let them slander Joel!" Ellie threw her hands in the air in irritation. "Absolutely not!" you retorted, determination settling into your voice." We show them just how wrong they are." Joel placed his hands on his hips, a typical stance for him when he's stressed. "And how exactly do we do that?" he asked, sounding defeated.

"By presenting a united front. We make them see how strong and happy we are, all of us..." You look to Ellie, then back to Joel. "We show them there's nothing to hide or be ashamed of, and then they'll have nothing to yap about." Taking Joel's hand, you give it a reassuring squeeze. "And if I hear just one more person bad mouthing you, I'll make sure they regret it." Joel's face softend into a grateful smile. He's not convinced he's worth such loyalty and devotion, but he can't deny the warmth spreading through his chest at the thought of his girls so eager to defend him. It's an odd feeling for him, as he's used to being the protector. He could secretly get used to this.

"It'll be okay. I promise," you say, not letting go of Joel's hand. "We've got your back, old man." Ellie slapped Joel on the back, drawing a chuckle from him. "Not that old, you little shit," he replied in mock offense. "Now... let's go," You moved to grab your coat and boots. "The mess hall is open and I'm starving."

On the way to dinner, you found yourself paying close attention to everyone you passed, noticing a few side eye glances and disapproving looks. And every time, you pulled Joel's arm further around your shoulder and nestled closer into his side, a silent sign to the doubters that you feel no fear or discomfort in his embrace, as you would expect from an abused victim. Dinner wasn't as bad as you were expecting. Maybe Maria's influence with the townsfolk is to thank for that.

However a few inevitable glimpses were thrown in your direction. A middle aged couple made the mistake of allowing their eyes to linger on you for too long as they passed your table and you just couldn't let that slide. "Something you want to say to us?" you narrowed your eyes at them, daring them to open their mouths. Joel's arm snaked it's way around your waist, his jaw ticking as he too, stared them down. The woman's colour left her puffy face, while her husband forced a placating smile.

"Um... uh no, no." You smiled smugly at the alarm the old man was trying and failing to keep from his voice. "Good. keep it that way," Joel growled. The nervous couple looked at one another and hurried on by. Ellie smirked, "Fuck yeah, man! That's how it's done." "Damn right," you agreed, triumphantly. You could feel Joel's whole body relax around you and you gave him a "we've got this" look.

It may take longer than you'd like for all this nonsense to die down, but no matter how long it takes, you'll prove Joel's innocence, one way or another. You remember a saying from "Before"; "it's not all men", and if it's the last thing you do, you're going to make damn sure everyone knows it's certainly not your man!

[probablyasocialecologist]

Despite Sparta’s reputation for superior fighting, Spartan armies were as likely to lose battles as to win them, especially against peer opponents such as other Greek city-states. Sparta defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian War—but only by accepting Persian money to do it, reopening the door to Persian influence in the Aegean, which Greek victories at Plataea and Salamis nearly a century early had closed. Famous Spartan victories at Plataea and Mantinea were matched by consequential defeats at Pylos, Arginusae, and ultimately Leuctra. That last defeat at Leuctra, delivered by Thebes a mere 33 years after Sparta’s triumph over Athens, broke the back of Spartan power permanently, reducing Sparta to the status of a second-class power from which it never recovered. Sparta was one of the largest Greek city-states in the classical period, yet it struggled to achieve meaningful political objectives; the result of Spartan arms abroad was mostly failure. Sparta was particularly poor at logistics; while Athens could maintain armies across the Eastern Mediterranean, Sparta repeatedly struggled to keep an army in the field even within Greece. Indeed, Sparta spent the entirety of the initial phase of the Peloponnesian War, the Archidamian War (431-421 B.C.), failing to solve the basic logistical problem of operating long term in Attica, less than 150 miles overland from Sparta and just a few days on foot from the nearest friendly major port and market, Corinth. The Spartans were at best tactically and strategically uncreative. Tactically, Sparta employed the phalanx, a close-order shield and spear formation. But while elements of the hoplite phalanx are often presented in popular culture as uniquely Spartan, the formation and its equipment were common among the Greeks from at least the early fifth century, if not earlier. And beyond the phalanx, the Spartans were not innovators, slow to experiment with new tactics, combined arms, and naval operations. Instead, Spartan leaders consistently tried to solve their military problems with pitched hoplite battles. Spartan efforts to compel friendship by hoplite battle were particularly unsuccessful, as with the failed Spartan efforts to compel Corinth to rejoin the Spartan-led Peloponnesian League by force during the Corinthian War. Sparta’s military mediocrity seems inexplicable given the city-state’s popular reputation as a highly militarized society, but modern scholarship has shown that this, too, is mostly a mirage. The agoge, Sparta’s rearing system for citizen boys, frequently represented in popular culture as akin to an intense military bootcamp, in fact included no arms training or military drills and was primarily designed to instill obedience and conformity rather than skill at arms or tactics. In order to instill that obedience, the older boys were encouraged to police the younger boys with violence, with the result that even in adulthood Spartan citizens were liable to settle disputes with their fists, a tendency that predictably made them poor diplomats. But while Sparta’s military performance was merely mediocre, no better or worse than its Greek neighbors, Spartan politics makes it an exceptionally bad example for citizens or soldiers in a modern free society. Modern scholars continue to debate the degree to which ancient Sparta exercised a unique tyranny of the state over the lives of individual Spartan citizens. However, the Spartan citizenry represented only a tiny minority of people in Sparta, likely never more than 15 percent, including women of citizen status (who could not vote or hold office). Instead, the vast majority of people in Sparta, between 65 and 85 percent, were enslaved helots. (The remainder of the population was confined to Sparta’s bewildering array of noncitizen underclasses.) The figure is staggering, far higher than any other ancient Mediterranean state or, for instance, the antebellum American South, rightly termed a slave society with a third of its people enslaved.

[wandasfavv]

Fuzzy

Wanda x Fem!Reader

Summary: You’re embarrassingly told to do something out of the ordinary for Wanda as she watches.

AN: was supposed to be like a 100 word drabble to fend you horny mfs off but I got carried away and became the horny one instead</3 so sorry if it seems a little rushed !!

Word Count: 2.6k

Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI. Mommy!WandaxFem!Reader, dom/sub, stuffie humping??(r receiving), breast and nipple play, mostly soft Wanda, kinda very really super need this

Below by the small crack between the bottom of bedroom door and the wood floors shined a gleam of soft orange light from the hallway against the darkness you laid in. You remained in your shared room for about an hour so, lying mindlessly and sleepily until the gentle racket of the door handle was heard. Your head perked up at the sound as you’d already foreseen the sight of Wanda coming in. The door opened slowly with a subtle creak, more light spreading inside and hitting your face before her head poked through and casted a shadow over the bed.

She was careful to be quiet as her eyes searched for your closed ones until she was met with just the laziness of them. “Still awake?” She questioned softly, further pushing the door with a little more force once she saw your conscious state only tucked in. The entrance behind her closed with a small sound. Although the room was plunged into darkness, some of the light from the street lamps outside came through the parted curtains in front of the window, allowing Wanda to find her way to the side of the bed where you heard a click of the lamp turning on before light hit your eyes again blindly. Blinking repeatedly to get rid of the blur, you see a clearer image a loving smile plastered on her while she leaned over with both hands holding herself up against the bed to kiss your exposed forehead.

In response, you groggily answered, “Mhm, I was waiting for you.”

Her smile widened and she took a seat at the edge of the comfortable and plush surface. With the sight of your eyelids barely lifted she sensed that maybe tonight wasn’t a time for anything more than cuddling. After all, Wanda took a longer time in her home office finishing up left over papers than she expected whilst you waited patiently. She stared down at you adoringly and took in how your tired self was holding up for her sake. “That’s sweet, baby.”

You shifted under the covers a bit, turning your body to lay on its side, facing her. But in the process, the thick blanket on top moved down from your shoulders to more so below your chest, revealing the adorable scene of you clinging onto the stuffed bunny Wanda gifted you all those months ago. Her head quirked to a tilt. “What’s this? My replacement?” She playfully remarked, gazing down at half of the animal’s head peeking out.

Your tired expression contorted into a matching grin at her words, only holding onto the squishy object slightly tighter within the crook of your arm. “Uh huh.”

Wanda feigned a scoff, moving and getting under the comforter with you. A sigh of satisfaction left her from the warmth of you once arms twisted around your waist and gently tugged you towards her. However, the fluffed animal stayed in between both your bodies like a wall separating you two. She stared down at it, a faux frown playing on her pink lips before words slipped through them. “I don’t know if I like this little thing.”

“What do you mean? You got it for me.”

“Yeah and now it’s just… in the way.”

You gave her somewhat of a deadpan look at the unserious response until you decided to please her and prise it out from the crevice, onto the empty side of the bed behind you. “Better?”

Wanda confirmed with a nod and a smile returning. With nothing there blocking her, she pulled you in again, this time flush against her front as your cheek was flattened by the area below her collarbone. And like usual, she was snuggling with you while whispered affirmations left her mouth which gently pressed against your head from time to time.

For a moment, one kiss lasted longer as her nose was in your hair. She muttered more sweetness in your ear with a rasp. “You smell so good.” Nails then dragged carefully on your lower back, a soothing feeling that would usually lull you to sleep.

Yet, unlike most nights, you suddenly couldn’t feel the drowsiness take over. There was a lingering and sensual tingle from Wanda’s gentle touches. Every brush of her fingers against your body was for some reason taunting you despite being innocent and with no intent. You were already so pliant and focused on her without much effort. It was strange, but you guessed that it was the fact that she left you for so long the whole day.

Shifting within Wanda’s small embrace, a noticeable change in your breathing caught her hearing. Her head tilted down to you as she saw your eyes already looking up, and she was met with a knowing roused and pleading cloud in them. So different from your earlier expression. A huff of a small laugh broke out before she could’ve contained it. “What, sweetie?”

You didn’t respond, but instead let your hand find hers to drag it down between your thighs. She let you with no protest, if anything encouraging it as her fingers willingly pressed up against your center. The tips of them teasingly went back and forth against you, only thin cotton separating her as you didn’t wear anything over your underwear.

You bit inside your lip, trapping a moan from the pressure before she let her hand slip away purposely. A rush of disappointment took the place of the previous satisfaction. Your hands came to the hem of her shirt, fingers clinging onto the cloth before tugging on it eagerly but lightly.

“Mommy, please…” your muttered begging was typical, but of course still so so pretty for Wanda. She didn’t think you’d be needy from just a normal routine and especially from how late it was getting, yet the heat emitting from you proved otherwise. A part of her wanted to give into your pleading without a second thought, but there was an underlying idea that pushed itself in front.

You watched her with only a single thing in mind, your body just itching under the few clothing that stuck on loosely. As she suddenly but slowly moved and sat up her gaze fell on the forgotten fuzzy toy. Extending one arm, she reached over your body and took one of the bunny’s legs to bring it to herself. She looked at it carefully while it sat in her lap, her eyes then flickering over to your confused face. Maybe you were unpredictable, but so was she.

“Use this.”

Wanda looked down at you as she gestured the stuffed animal, lifting and gradually swinging it over in your direction before it just dangled in her hold. Your brows furrowed, not knowing how to reply or even take in her soft demand. Her face read nothing for you to study, and that heightened your uncertainty. But with silence fuming from you, she took the lead and signaled a hand motion before grasping the covers and pulling it off you. “Cmon, get up for me.”

The rush of cold air against your skin caused little bumps to appear while you took your time sitting up like Wanda said, still unsure about what she was wanting from you. For a short moment you stayed still once her hand came up to your head, patting down some of the strands of hair that frizzed and stuck out. Her touch was so gentle, so comforting. Like her voice, despite the lingering control and dominance it held.

“Get on your knees,” she continued, watching you do just that without any complaints in the mean time. With your knees slightly parted as you obediently sat on your legs, Wanda instantly took her chance to lightly shove and position the plushie in between, having it pressed up against your core. Though, with your panties still on, your wetness didn’t make evidence on the toy yet.

As your eyes trailed back up to her blank expression, you weren’t sure of what or how you should go about it. Just the thought of pleasing yourself without her touch as she watched was enough to make your body shudder. But of course, it was also completely embarrassing. You’ve had this gift taken care of since you received it, yet now the woman who gave it to you was making you do something so dirty with it.

“Mommy…” you quietly whined, your hands fisting the sheets at your sides in a subtle frustrated manner. You only wanted her to make you feel good.

“You agreed that it was replacing me, right?” Wanda quipped with a small pull of her brows together, making up a look you’ve familiarized.

“But I didn’t mean it like that-“

“Shh, just do as mommy says,” her interruption shushed you up quickly, leaving your pathetic refusal to shrivel. You cowered looking down at the soft bunny again, seeing it squished between your thighs while trying to avoid the look on Wanda’s now smug face. And her gaze on you left you even more sheepish than merely doing the impure action she went on to announce. “Go on, move your hips and use it to get off.”

You sighed lowly as your center partially moved against it, starting off slow to see how much you could get out of it. And to no surprise, it didn’t feel as good as you wanted. Your stiff movements were viewed through Wanda’s eyes, them roaming all around from your pursed lip in frustration to then your lower half that tried to speed up in search of more pleasure. Although the friction was enough for you to feel heat course through, it didn’t match the unforgettable feeling of her fingers, mouth— anything of hers.

You continued to look down, shifting every once in a while as you wanted to discover some sort of special spot you haven’t felt yet. Your attempts were futile though, only prompting Wanda to smile as she bit down her bottom lip in amusement. “Uh huh, just like that, baby.” She noticed the way you nervously fumbled with the ears of the plush, focusing solely on that while you let out small huffs.

At some point you gave up on the goal of an orgasm, seeing how useless it was despite the evident growing arousal. You were soaking more than just your underwear now. As Wanda saw your hips halt after slowing down, she was tempted to tut at you to make the previous pace return. Although, once you raised your head back up to look at her, the sight of your pleading and glossy eyes pushed her over.

“Fuck… you make it so hard not to touch you,” she muttered with an exhale. Internally she wanted to yell at her own defiance, but you were acting so good for her. How could she help herself.

You responded with another beg, not caring about how desperate you sounded. “Please- please mommy I need it.”

“Aw do you? My little girl needs mommy’s help?” she asked, speaking to you more belittling but also lovingly. With the return of your nodding head forcefully shaking nothing but thoughts of her inside, she moved behind you in leniency and imitated your kneeling stance.

Her hands grasped the end of your shirt, urging you to lift your arms up so she could pull it off for full access. The moment it was just your bare skin exposed, the feeling of her hands gliding all over made you want to lean back into her body. But they came downwards to your hips, a gentle push from her to coax you into grinding again.

“Mhm, there you go princess. Keep humping your little stuffie for mommy. You can do it.”

The sound of Wanda’s pleasant voice in your ear and the feeling of her breath left you to heat up, making you jerk in response as a large warmth spread throughout you. You started up a pace again, looking back down still shyly all while you felt your rear push back against Wanda in the process every time you moved. And louder moans came out from your lips, filling the semi illuminated space. It was nerve wracking having her watch from afar before, but now that she was up close and touching you, there was really nothing to hide.

“You sound so pretty, you know that?” The continuous tone and husk in Wanda’s words worked you up impossibly more. She pecked behind your ear before making her way down to your neck, kissing it gently until her mouth attached and pulled at it. Her gaze fell down to the stuffed bunny trapped under the weight and pressure of you moving helplessly against it. Your pussy left a damp area on it, making an overlapping mess. It was like the feeling of her on you just amplified the sensitivity of everything, considering how your clit was more stimulated from the fluffed toy even through your panties.

And just as you thought this would be it to bring you over the edge, Wanda’s hands smoothly made their way up your torso. To your hips to your waist and to your chest— you were surrounded by her. You closed your eyes shut as you felt lost in it all, sensing her fingers brush over the perky buds that begged for attention. Her hands fondled your breasts until a certain rougher grope made you utter her name again.

She played with them shortly until fingers came in contact with your nipples again, pinching lightly as your hips stuttered. “Mhm, cum for me just like this. Make mommy proud, come on sweetheart.” Her mumbled words of encouragement took your movements further, your head thrown back on her shoulder while she continued to nip at your neck.

The bubbling sensation inched closer every time you gasped, signaling a close high. Part of the stuffed animal that you clung onto was scrunched harder in your hands, knuckles becoming more apparent with a lighter shade. It was even more difficult to ignore the increasing soreness of your lower half as well from the force and weight of the repeated motions, but it felt so good that you couldn’t stop. Then finally the continuous bend of the feeling inside your lower portion snapped, leaving your movements out of pattern and shaky. Wanda’s hands moved back down to your sides again to support you, leaving your nipples still tingly from the slight pain but pleasure she caused.

“There you go, see? I knew you could it. So good for mommy,” Wanda praised you once you settled back and heavily into her. Feeling limp and out of breath by the effort you put in, you didn’t bother to pull the stuffie out under you. Eyelids lifted back up as you caught her stare again, only adoration swimming in the green that shimmered slightly from the light. Your body was lifted upward for a second as she removed the plush between your legs.

And like Wanda expected, the lower half of it was damp with a subtle darker area. The corners of her lips tugged upward once again, tilting her head back down to where she saw you looking flushed because of the wet object presented. A tiny snicker escaped her before she leaned down, placing a short kiss on top of your head from the uncontrollable love for you.

“I’ll put it in the washer for you in the morning.”