#ninety-seventh

[comicwaren]

From G.O.D.S. #008, “The Fourth Axis”

Art by Valerio Schiti, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo and Marte Gracia

Written by Jonathan Hickman

[daydreamycrustacean]

So many people followed me for that iwtv fanart I did and I feel bad bc the only thing that I want to draw in the foreseeable future is doctor who fanart but only of the parts of it that are no longer relevant to whatever is going on with the show currently

[nekoprankster218]

me pulling for kafka as soon as the banner drops: okay but I hope if I do lose 50/50 it's at least Bailu

*gets Bailu*

fuck I shouldn't have said that

[dkpsyhog]

Not this one though

Nothing more unsettling than writing code that just works first try. I forgot to consider how negative inputs should be handled in these methods and they're just... working??? They're giving the correct results for negative inputs???

[yuesya]

“They finally found her?”

This is not the first Pillar meeting that was held in recent times, but it is certainly an unusual one, because these meetings are generally never called on such short notice. Pillars have many responsibilities, and are often traveling all over Japan, after all. And yet, Kocho Shinobu can understand the haste in this case; the search for the strange demon slayer whom Rengoku had spoken of had finally borne fruit, and Oyakata-sama wished to meet her.

The strange demon slayer who’d killed Upper Moon Three in combat during nighttime.

All demon slayers know that there are two ways to kill a demon. Decapitation, or sunlight. Yet according to Rengoku’s report, the girl had not gone for either option. Beneath the cold moonlight, she’d sliced Upper Moon Three into pieces with a sword that was not forged of sun-blessed nichirin steel.

How had she done it?

“One of the Tsuchinoto-ranked demon slayers found our mysterious demon slayer,” Shinobu tells her fellow Pillar. “From what I’ve heard, apparently she wasn’t even aware that we were looking for her.”

It was strange that this girl had, according to the Tsuchinoto’s report, never heard of their organization before. Hadn’t even known what ‘demon’ referred to, until the Tsuchinoto had brought up her feat of killing Upper Moon Three. To which the girl had responded with a simple, ‘So that’s what they’re called.’

It’s not unheard of for humans to encounter and kill demons prior to learning about the existence of the Demon Slayers and receiving proper training and support. Shinazugawa Sanemi, the Wind Pillar, had deliberately gone around hunting demons on his own before eventually being recruited… and he had been in a terrible state at the time. If he’d continued as he was, he’d likely only have succeeded in driving himself into an early grave.

If this girl had managed to kill Upper Moon Three, then it meant that she’d been trained –if not specifically in slaying demons, then at least in the art of combat. And yet, Rengoku had said that she hadn’t used any Breathing Style.

Considering that no one had any idea of who she was, or where she’d come from… was it possible that she shared a similar background to Uzui Tengen? Shinobu knows that the man came from a shinobi village hidden away from the world, where children had been trained from birth in the ninja arts.

… But musing endlessly on the various possibilities will get her nowhere. It’s best to see the girl in person first, then make any judgments after.

…

Shinobu’s first impression of her is pretty.

The girl that walks through the set of sliding doors is petite, with delicate features that are almost doll-like. Long white hair, deep blue eyes.

But she’s not pretty in the way that one would say of the loveliness of flowers, or a sun-bright smile. Rather, the girl’s beauty is one that Shinobu associates with the fragrance of wisteria poison, or the sharpness of an open blade.

Dangerous.

Shinobu takes one look at the girl and immediately recognizes that her instincts ring out in warning. But what–?

“Thank you for accepting my request for a meeting,” Oyakata-sama says softly, a gentle smile on his lips. “I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya, ninety-seventh leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.”

“… Gojo Shiki,” the girl names herself, impassive and expressionless.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Oyakata-sama remains amiable. “I understand that you were the one to save Kyojuro. Thank you for–”

Oyakata-sama suddenly breaks off in the middle of his words, harsh coughs wracking his body. Shinobu abandons decorum, scrambling to reach his side; she’s a doctor–

“… It’s alright, Shinobu,” Oyakata-sama shakes his head at her. Blood trickles down from the edge of his mouth, and Shinobu can feel something in her chest twist horribly at the sight.

“No, Oyakata-sama,” Shinobu shakes her head. “Your sickness, it’s getting worse. You need rest, Oyakata-sama–”

“Not while there are still other matters to attend to,” Oyakata-sama rebukes gently, and Shinobu falls silent, biting her lip. “I am touched and grateful for your concern, but I am not yet invalid –and there remains much to be done.”

… Oyakata-sama is not one to shirk his duties, but he can’t go on like this. His body–!

“Is this why you sought me out? Because your curse is killing you?”

Shinobu stiffens, and whirls around.

“What do you mean?” she demands.

“Your oyakata-sama isn’t sick,” the white-haired girl shrugs carelessly, “He’s cursed.”

[quasi-normalcy]

🔥 Star Trek

About the entire franchise?

Alright: I think that it always needs to walk a tightrope between depicting a better future and laundering propagandistic military/colonial narratives. I think that, of the series, TNG and DS9 walked this line best, the former by ensuring that it always (almost always) stayed on the right side of the line, the latter by calling attention to the line and problematizing it whenever it crossed it. Picard season 1 was actually very, very good at recognizing this line and illustrating what happens when your society crosses from the one side to the other side. One of the many reasons why I dislike Picard season 3 is that it seemed blissfully unaware of the line's existence. But for my money, the series with the absolute worst track record of recognising that this line exists and staying on the right side of it (and this is where the scaldingly hot take comes in)...is Voyager.

Seriously, though. We have a ship in the middle of nowhere. It's a Starfleet vessel nominally, but everyone in Starfleet thinks that it's dead, and a third of the crew are rebels who don't want to be there in the first place. And yet, for some reason...it continues to operate under strict military discipline at all times. The ship is basically a military dictatorship under Janeway, absolute, unquestionable, and (as far as anyone knows) for the rest of all of their lives. When one of the Maquis guys in the first season questions why this should be so, Chakotay slugs him. Everyone wears uniforms at all times; we barely see civilian outfits, even on the Maquis, after the first episode. There's another episode where Tom commits insubordination and they keep him in solitary confinement (a form of torture, btw) for a month. There's an episode in the seventh season where Seven of Nine imagines becoming fully human and the way that she embraces her newfound individuality...is by wearing a uniform. So...when you're little better than an automaton, you get to wear whatever you want, but when you're a fully realised person, you join the navy? Oooookay. Everyone is locked permanently into their jobs. Like we all laugh at poor Harry Kim and his "forever an ensign" problem, but just consider what it's like for the poor guy. He doesn't know if he's ever getting home. Every day, he gets up and he goes to the bridge and he presses buttons and takes shit from everyone else...and that's it. That's his life. As far as he's aware, when he's ninety years old, he'll still be up there with one pip on his collar, taking orders and pushing buttons with veined and palsied hands. That's his life; he is his job; they're all their positions in the military hierarchy and that's all that they will ever be...and they're happy about it. There are no labour disruptions, no: "Hey, maybe Chakotay could try pushing buttons for a few days and I could try dispensing New Age wisdom." When Neelix asks to cross-train with Security, he's politely rebuffed. But they're happy about it. Nobody seems to have a serious problem with this. The text of the series is about the value of human individuality versus the "mindless drones" of the Borg Collective, but the subtext is about the value and satisfaction that comes with absolute submission to a power structure. I mean, I like the series nonetheless, it has lots of good episodes, but...honestly?

[lewki]

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIXTH PODIUM AND THE SEVENTH IN SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE 2023; 📸: Lilian Suwanrumpha / Clive Rose

[the-secret-garden1]

𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬.

🚨| Palestine Update

Palestinians work to rescue a child from under the rubble following an Israeli strike, amidst the genocide. In Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, September 12, 2024 [Hatem Hani/Reuters]

Israel's military continues its ruthless attacks on Gaza, killing multiple Palestinians in Gaza city and Khan Younis attacks. Following at least nineteen people died in assaults throughout the Strip.

The UN-led polio vaccination drives first phase has officially concluded, resulting in five hundred and sixty thousand children successfully receiving their first dose over twelve days.

The chief of the UN told Al Jazeera that the US must apply pressure to Israel to end its genocide on Gaza, but admits.

"I know the American political life sufficiently to know that will not happen”.

At least forty one thousand one hundred and eighteen people have been killed. Additionally ninety five thousand one hundred and twenty five people have been wounded in result of Israel's war on Gaza. However, in Israel the number of those killed equivalates to at least one thousand a hundred and thirty nine. In result of the Hamas led retaliation on October seventh. Whilst more than two hundred people were taken captive.

source: Al Jazeera

[lovebugism]

Congrats on 6k!! 🎉 You deserve it and plenty more! ❤️

This one is slightly different but mutual pining office romance with modern Steve? Some inspo like “I got a coffee and muffin for you because I noticed you haven’t left your desk all morning”, teasing jokes, tension in the elevator, the a/c in the office doesn’t work and it’s the middle of summer 👀

18+ (ish)

It was Casual Friday on a Tuesday.

The air conditioning went bust building-wide, and the stuffy businessmen on the fiftieth floor decided to be lenient about the dress code for the time being. Of course, that still meant everyone had to work in ninety-degree temperatures with little to no relief, but at least Steve could see you waltz around in a pretty little tank top and pencil skirt.

“I’m pretty sure there’s a policy against showing your shoulders, sweetheart,” Steve jokes to announce his arrival as he walks into your office.

Jolted from your stupor at the printer, your head whips over your shoulder. You find the boy in his usual white button-up, unclasped to reveal his ribbed undershirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. Sweaty honey hair pushed back over his forehead, the underside of his glasses slightly fogged.

He sits a white paper bag and a cup of iced coffee on your desk.

You smile, warmed by his presence in a way that’s far more tolerable than the heat wave.

“I’m pretty sure that’s because Mr. Harrington knew his son wouldn’t be able to keep it in his pants otherwise,” you squint at him, still grinning. 

“Well, I must say, you are far sexier than balance sheets.”

You giggle like a schoolgirl when his broad arms wrap around you from behind. His lips sprinkle chaste kisses to the sticky skin of your bare shoulder. You can feel him smiling against you.

When you turn around to return the favor, you notice that the blinds of your office are still open — leaving the both of you on display to the entire rest of the floor you manage. They’re all too busy with their own work and too plagued by the heat to notice, but you pull away from Steve and his kisses anyway.

“You didn’t shut the blinds, you dork!” you scold, pushing your hand against his chest as you step back like he’s burned you.

Steve laughs. “C’mon. Nobody’s looking. I can kiss you.”

You’re not swayed by the wide palms he slides on your hips.

“Not until you shut the blinds and lock the door,” you scowl sternly, using your uncowed, badass businesswoman voice that always makes his knees buckle.

And even though he thinks twisting the slatted curtains closed is far more suspicious, he listens to you anyway. It’s the least he can do to make his girl feel comfortable — to make her less tense and more receptive to his touches.

Your concerns aren’t totally unfounded. You’ve told him a million times why you don’t want to make your relationship public. “I’d be dating my boss’s kid, Steven,” you’d gripe. “All my accomplishments stop meaning something after that.” 

You started out on the second floor in the mail room, spent a year slaving over the books in the dim eerie hall of the seventh, and then got promoted to floor twenty-five after a particularly lucrative sale. You worked your ass off and it left you much more concerned about your position in the firm than most people tend to be. 

You were halfway to the top. The very first woman to run this whole floor. 

And you loved Steve, just not enough to throw all that away.

“Happy now?” he singsongs as he locks the door with a low click.

With your bottom lip between your teeth, you nod. 

Now you can ogle him without fear of someone noticing, touch him all over without someone reporting it to H.R. 

He looks far too sexy than what should be allowed — in his loose slacks, glasses perched on the bridge of his strong nose, chest hair poking out from the collar of his tank top.

Screw the shoulders, Steve’s body should be a company-wide violation.

Propped up on your desk, the boy settles between your thighs — spreading them slightly with his hips and making your skirt ride up. His wide palms settle on the outsides of your bare knees. Your hands rise to cradle his scruffy jaw, pulling him down for a much needed kiss. 

His lips on yours are as all-consuming as the humidity surrounding you.

Your mouths click wetly when they part.

You smile at each other like two lovesick idiots.

“What’s in the bag?” you wonder, nodding your head to the paper sack beside you and the iced coffee already melting next to it.

“A blueberry muffin and one of those bagels you like,” Steve answers, big hands squeezing your thighs. “‘Cause I know you haven’t eaten all morning.”

“I’ve eaten!” you protest half-heartedly.

“Yeah?” he challenges. “What.”

“…An apple slice from the platter we had in the meeting room.”

A laugh rumbles in his chest. “That so does not count. You gotta eat better, babe. Alright? Especially in this heat. Can’t have you passing out at the copier or something.”

“Well, that’s why I have you, right?” you retort, arms wrapping around his neck to pull him closer. This heat wave’s no match for the fire that sparks between the two of you every time you touch. “So you can bring me breakfast and feed it to me when you know I’m too busy to eat.”

“Why would I feed it to you?” he chuckles in a scoff.

You shrug. “‘Cause you love me.”

“…Touché.”

“What about you, Stevie?” you lilt, almost teasingly. “Have you eaten today?”

“I bought me something when I stopped at the café for you, but… I could always go for another bite.”

You grin wide like a mischievous cat. It would be alarming how quickly the air between you can turn from innocent to sinful if you weren’t already so turned on. You’ll just blame it on the heat for now.

“I bet you worked up a real appetite in this heat, huh?” you ask him, feigning sympathy, as the tip of your nose brushes his own. His breath fans against your mouth. You can already taste the coffee on him. 

“Yeah,” he huffs lowly. “Definitely.”

“Maybe I should give you something else to eat…” 

Your eyes flutter shut when his hand trails between your thighs to cup your pussy over your cotton underwear. Your neck becomes free real estate for his mouth when your head tips back. His thumb rubs your clothed clit. He can feel a damp patch already starting to form.

“Let me clear off your desk, baby,” he slurs into your pulse, smearing his spit there. “Need you to ride my face…”

“Shit, Steve—”

A knock at the door pierces the silence made velvet by sweet nothings and heavy breaths. Both of you freeze in shock, still clutching onto each other, like if you stay still enough whoever’s behind the door will leave.

“Who is that?” Steve murmurs to you, his eyes trained on the shined shoes behind the sliver of space beneath the door.

“I don’t know…”

“Steve? Are you in there?” Mr. Harrington’s voice comes muffled as the door handle jiggles. “When I told you to be fast. I meant fast. I need you for another errand.”

“Oh, shit,” you swear, breath caught in your throat. “Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit—”

“It’s okay,” Steve whispers sharply back to you. He inches toward the locked door.“Just… Just be cool.”

“Steve Harrington—”

“It’s fine.”

“—Don’t you dare open that door.”

He swings it open anyway. His father stands before him, looking just like his son but a few decades older and not nearly as pretty. He scowls. “Care to tell me what the door was locked?” he deadpans.

You’re glad he’s not looking at you for an answer. You wouldn’t have been able to lie like Steve does. It comes rather effortlessly to him because he’s done it all his life.

“I was bringing her breakfast, remember? Like I told you. And then we just started talking, you know? I can be a real blabbermouth sometimes.”

“Don’t I know it,” Mr. Harrington monotones. By the time he pokes his head around the doorway to your desk, you’ve already rid yourself of any evidence that you might’ve been kissing his son. His stern expression never wavers. “Both of you. Come with me.”

You nod like you’re happy to do it, swallowing down the inkling that you’re about to get fired that rises like bile in the back of your throat.

Like cows to the slaughter, you and Steve trail behind his father as he leads you through the twenty-fifth floor and to the elevators. Steve tries to grab your hand in a feeble attempt to comfort you. You jerk away from him, not wanting to be caught being so unprofessional a second time.

The elevator is quiet and stiff with sweltering heat. Mr. Harrington presses the button for the fiftieth floor.

“Um… Can I ask where we’re going?” Steve answers when the doors shut.

“I’ve got a big client coming in and want you two to sit in on the meeting. I think it could be very beneficial for you both,” he answers, still monotone, but obviously not angry.

Your chest deflates with a sigh of relief.

The man’s hands are tucked neatly behind his back. His eyes stay locked on the digital inclining numbers below the ceiling — 28, 29, 30…

“I want you to clean up in the bathroom before you go in, too. You’ve both got lipstick smeared on your chin.”

Your heart sinks all over again.

Mr. Harrington turns to his son, still as stern as ever but with a foreign glint in his eye. It borders on playful. “And if you run off my best accountant, Steven, I’m booting you back down to the mail floor.”

[senselessviolets]

“stay soft”

Roman Roy x Fem. Reader

Rating E (Smut)

Word Count: 3.3k

AO3 Link

WARNINGS:

Mommy kink, smut, some plot, this man has MOMMY ISSUES™️, gentle femdom, titplay, breast sucking, so much dirty talk, Roman gets called “baby” a lot, no PIV, no uses of Y/N

Author's Notes:

The people have spoken—y’all want Roman being fucking babied in bed so that’s what the fuck I did and I have zero regrets. Totally gave up in the end but school’s been incredibly draining for me so I’m proud of myself for even getting THIS out.

[Gif creds: I forget. if it’s yours, lemme know!!]

Summary:

You are an equally wealthy childhood friend of the Roys and Roman in particular. After years of little to no contact with him, he and you decide to finally act on the mutual attraction you both share in the most ‘Roman way’ you can think of. 

“Okay, but like if we…fuckin’...if we fuckin’ do this, I will want…some things. But I’m not g’na fuckin’ beg or anything…call you mommy, ‘goo goo ga ga’…none of that shit. I will want you…to be there…and I will want you to ‘not be there’...if you catch my drift. I-I don’t wanna hear a fuckin’ word or a single moan. I don’t want—I just don’t want it, okay. And this might sound bad—even though I’ve definitely said worse—but you would be just a-a means for me,” a voicemail blears in your ear as you are made aware of the four calls you missed in your slumber, “‘Kay? I dunno. Think it over. It’s not fuckin’ life or death. Until it is. And I kill you. And hide the body and burn the evidence…kidding! ‘Kay, love you, kidding, ‘kay, bye!”

This was uncharted territory for you both. 

You and Roman and the other Roy children were longtime family friends. Like Stewy Hosseni or a lesser example Ray Kennedy. What that meant was your incredibly loaded dad gave Logan Roy an ungodly sum of money in the nineties and had managed to stay on his good side ever since. At their status, that’s what qualified as ‘friendship’. Everything was a transaction at the end of the day. Like you suspected Logan and Caroline had bought their way into their kids’ hearts, to even be in the same room as these titans—to breathe the same air—you had to beg, steal, or borrow. Fortunately, you hailed from less-than-humble beginnings; your father being an incredibly successful venture capitalist-turned-philanthropist and your mother the heiress of a billion-dollar publishing company. 

But it was all just details. 

You were eternally grateful to be an only child, imagining an existence where you and your progeny were destined to forever claw at each other's throats—all for whatever scraps your parents were generous enough to leave you.

Unfortunate. ‘Pitiful’ felt more accurate. Every hollow soiree and vapid function served as a reminder. These were not your people. And they never would be. And yet—

“Heya! Well, you look less miserable than usual. Lemme guess, you finally ditched Loser What’s-His-Face and have taken up my longstanding advice of giving lesbianism a try,”

“Hi, Roman. No, I’ve actually been reminiscing about our younger years together. Remember the time you threw up in your mouth before presenting me my corsage the night of the winter formal? Seventh grade? Ring a bell?”

“That was because it only dawned upon me then that I would be getting Cody Keener’s sloppy seconds,” he answers, “I just couldn’t cope with that, I’m sorry,”

You slug him in the arm and he reacts overdramatically, as if someone stuck him with the pointy end of a knife. Onlookers included none other than Frank Vernon, Hugo Baker, and a close friend of your mom’s, Michelle Anne. This time, you and Roman had crossed paths at your father’s 70th birthday party. It was held at your parents’ penthouse on the Upper East Side and attracted a decent crowd. Faces you’d sworn you met pass you by as strangers come up to you, recounting memories of you who were only this tall. It was always a discombobulating experience but you continued to frolic and mingle nonetheless. 

In truth, this little ‘reunion’ was nothing but a facade. 

You and Roman had been talking for weeks now after years of no contact with one another. Brief texts turned into prolonged phone calls which by the end of the night became one-sided, pathetic voicemails expressing some sort of yearning for the other. It was becoming all-consuming and quite frankly, exhausting. And now it had finally come to blows. 

There was a plan, there were contingencies (of course, there were) but above all—there was transparency. And that was something you could hold onto. Oh, the many men who lied their way into your bed. And then here comes Roman, who’d made it abundantly clear he’d rather inhale glass than have you worm your way into his. So this scheme would not transpire at his place or yours. 

It would be occurring in a Central Park Suite at The Carlyle—just a quick jaunt from your parents’ place. He deigned to be a gentleman and handled the reservations as well as your transportation because you had to already be there. You were going to be lying on the bed, in some satiny sleepwear. No lingerie, no hosiery—nothing that could be construed as ‘sexy’. You were to look mundane, average, and bored. 

Roman would enter and you would be still and let him do as he pleased. While you’d had this endeavor nailed to a T, you’d be lying if you said the prospect of him going off-script—doing things rougher, harder, doors off the hinges, letting his darker impulses get the better of him—didn’t make your knees buckle a bit. 

So once the candles had been blown, the birthday wishes made, and goodbyes were said—you were to slide into his black Range Rover SV while his secondary chauffeur Crispin brought you to your destination. In your duffel was your change of clothes and a few other goodies. It had crossed your mind—once, twice how exceedingly easy it would be to bail right about now. Crispin could drop you off on the side of the road like some floozy and then your personal chauffeur could pick you up and drive you back to your cozy brownstone for a mundane evening spent by yourself—alone. That was the part that struck a pang in your stomach. That was the truly unbearable part. That, and the heat between your thighs which was starting to become really inconvenient. 

…

Now was not the time to get cold feet. 

You had already slid your sequin cocktail dress off and exchanged it for your satin sleepwear. Like the pretty kept thing he’d instructed you to be, you lay flat across the plush hotel mattress, awaiting his arrival, legs swinging to and fro like an eager teenage girl.

Maybe he’d be the one to pussy out.

At least then you’d have yet another thing to hold over his head for the foreseeable future. In your phone’s front-facing camera, you inspected the makeup you’d done earlier that evening for the party and it still seemed sufficient. Your lips seemed a bit drab. You roll off the bed and I sift through the contents of your bag, searching for the mauve lip color you’d brought along. Dabbing it onto the purse of your mouth while gazing into the mirror of the room’s modest vanity—you begin to lose track. 

This isn’t it and you know it. 

You know it. 

So fucking do something about it. 

Examining the time on the wall clock, you decide to hastily shake off your striped satin pj set and tear through your duffel for the sheer lace slip and matching long gloves. Not liking the unkemptness of your long hair at this particular moment, you palm your bag for one of the chignon French hairpins that had sunk their way to the bottom—a go-to for you since your younger years. The best you can muster is a half-up, loose, more-than-messy low bun because suddenly, a knock on the door can be heard. Your heart leaps into your throat and you shove your duffel bag into the armoire in a hurried panic. The click of the hotel room’s keycard lock comes next and you spring to the door as to be the one to open it. You and Roman meet each other’s gaze through the crack of the half-open door, you two beam down at your hands, enclosed over both sides of the handle. He is very noticeably startled, not expecting you to answer the door.

“C-Come on in,” you stutter, gesturing into the hotel suite with a gloved hand. 

Roman’s mouth goes dry. It is not all that often the family jester is able to be truly caught off-guard. This absolutely was one of those times. He shuffles into the room with tepid steps and doesn’t turn around to face you until he hears the door click shut. With a blank, nonchalant expression—he shrugs, prompting you to provide some sort of explanation. Of which, you do not possess. 

“What?” you say. 

“What’s…all of that about?”

“Yeah, sorry…wasn’t really feeling the pajamas tonight. I opted for something I felt was a little more fitting. You don’t mind, do you?”

“No,”

He definitely fucking does mind actually. But any frustration at being caught unawares expresses itself in the form of big beautiful hazel eyes beaming at you with fear and uncertainty. His lips are parted, unable to form the words he can’t even begin to think of at this particular moment.

“So…,”

“...so…?”

“So…lay down,” you finally say.

Roman is able to briefly channel the smarmy assholeishness he usually hones with a sarcastic scoff and smirk. He shakes his head to himself before his gaze finds the floor. 

“...I’m sorry, maybe you just didn’t hear me right the first time,” you say, crossing over until you are eye-to-eye with him and your competing breaths can be felt, “...or maybe I should’ve been a bit more specific.”

You lean in until your lips brush the outer shell of his right ear and he stops breathing. 

“Roman. Lay the fuck down on that bed. Now.”

He quickly scrambles onto the bed, resting on his back while slightly sitting up. There is a tentative eagerness in his demeanor as if the last hints of resistance in his muscles had yet to dissipate.

“Good. Now can you unbutton your shirt by yourself or do you need my help?”

“...I-I-I need your help,” he mindlessly babbles, “P-Please. Please, can you help me?”

You click your tongue at his wanton request, attempting to maintain your composure. It was after the first ‘please’ that you knew you were going to willingly give everything in you to this man right then and there. 

The safeguards? Fuck the safeguards. 

The time for self-preservation was about five or so minutes ago before his knuckles had rapped gently on the heavy wooden door. Without breaking eye contact, you straddle him effortlessly, both knees on either side of his hips. You aren’t certain because all the blood had flooded to your ears and you were unable to hear much over the thumping of your own heartbeat but you swear you hear a quiet ‘oh god’ slip out of him. Your fingers find the buttons on his grey button-down and your wrists noticeably begin to shake as they undo them.

For fuck’s sake.

Up until this point, you had conjured the impression that you were the one in control here and that there was nothing he could say or do otherwise. But now the true vulnerability of the situation had begun to set in. The playing field had been leveled. 

His fingers enrapture yours and he steadies your grasp as you both work to unbutton his shirt. Roman swallows, anxiously. You get more than half of the way there before he gives up and presses his face firmly to yours. 

It’s a declarative kiss. 

It’s long-lasting and when the two of you eventually break it—you know there’s no going back. Those hands of his, wracked with nerves, find their way to your hips. He slowly drags the lacey fabric up so your upper thighs are exposed. Once you can feel the soft flesh of your hips exposed to the cold air, you grab his wrists and he freezes. 

“Ah-ah-ah, I don’t think I remember saying you could do that,”

“I-I’m s-sorry. I’m sorry. Don’t—I’m sorry,”

“So many apologies, they just keep on coming,”

“I’m…,” he deeply exhales out of his nose. 

“You’re what? Wait, lemme guess,” you goad, “Sorry?”

He bobs his head up and down, face full of embarrassment.

“Hm…think I’m a little sick and tired of those ‘sorrys’, sweetie. You and that mouth of yours. Oh, that fuckin’ mouth of yours. You couldn’t even begin to imagine the amount of headaches it’s caused me in what, the two decades I’ve known you? What are we gonna finally do about that mouth?”

Roman looks up to you, hanging onto your every last word. 

“I-I don’t know, j-just tell me what to do. I can make it up to you, I-I promise,”

You genuinely take a moment to mull it over, though the growing hardness pressing against your most intimate place admittedly was making it hard to think.

“...I think…we need to find another use for that mouth of yours—something to keep it busy, hm? How does that sound, my sweet baby?”

You swear his face goes pale as he assumes you mean your cunt. While the thought had crossed your mind (many, many times in fact), knowing Roman—you know that would be too much. And that you would lose him forever somewhere along the way and you didn’t even want to begin to think about that. 

You tilt your head, staring longingly at that poor little boyish face of his. Your clothed index finger traces its way slowly from the exposed flesh of his tummy, up to his ribs, across his collarbone, along his Adam’s apple, over his bearded chin— finally stopping at his pinkish bottom lip. You pull it down, making him pout for you. 

“Open for me,” you utter softly. 

Roman obeys, his tongue moving upwards in his mouth when he swallows. You continue to tease around his mouth torturously, the lace creating a delicious friction against his beard. The heat of his pants against your lone finger makes you stir inside. 

“Now, close your eyes—mouth still open,”

He noticeably resists before relenting, his eyes flutter closed. You drop one of the spaghetti straps of the slip off of your shoulder, exposing yourself. Your nipple pebbles in the cool air conditioning of the room. You awkwardly lean your torso inwards, inching your breast closer to his mouth. For a brief second, his eyes flick open, taking in the scene. Catching your drift instantly, he swallows as much of the soft flesh as his mouth will allow, moaning into it. The most obscene sucking sounds soon fill the room. Roman whimpers into your skin, letting his head fall limp against your chest. You wrap your arms around his neck, cradling his head. His brown fluff of hair is too tempting for your hands to not tangle themselves in. 

“There, you go…you’re so good. You’re so good for me, aren’t you? Yeah?” you sigh, tilting your head backward.

You swear you can feel your hips gyrating on their own. Roman’s fingers have ensnared themselves onto the flimsy fabric of your slip, gripping it so tight you think it might tear. Not that you’d give a shit if it did. 

“Y’know what I think? I think you act the way you do all the fucking time because you’re just waiting for someone to come and put you in your place, is that right? Yeah? You’re a brat ‘cause you want someone to do this to you? Hm?”

He releases your nipple and an almost pornographic line of spit drools from his mouth. Roman’s lips are plump and rosy, kiss-bruised and swollen. You find out just how warm they’ve become when his wet mouth comes to meet your own in a kiss so messy, you know you’ll touch yourself thinking about it later.

“I-Is this good? A-Am I being a good boy for you?”

“Mm-hm, you’re being a very good boy for me. My good boy. Mommy’s good boy, right?”

“Yes, fuck, yes—” he sobs, moving onto your other breast.

His voice is shrill and wrought with desperation. You only ever heard it get this high-pitched when he was making a mocking impression of you or some other woman. And now here he was, making these noises all on his own. The edge of his bottom teeth catches your nipple in just the right away. You squeal, jolting upwards in his lap and laughing at the surprise sensation. He soothes the sensitive skin with the flat of his tongue immediately after. 

“That’s it. There’s my boy, there’s my sweet baby boy,”

All of the sudden, his hands leave your slip and fly to the buckle of his belt. Roman undoes his zipper and shimmies down his slacks enough to pull his dick out. He jerks it quickly with his eyes wound tightly shut in an attempt to get himself completely hard. 

“M-Mommy, c-can I see ‘it’? P-Please, god!” Roman begs out.

Your current position leaves his cock hidden by the hem of your slip. All you can see is the silhouette of his fist in the fabric pumping up and down speedily—relentlessly. He could easily just lift the skirt himself and look at your bare pussy, just as he hungrily wants but he doesn’t. 

He waits. He waits for you to give him permission. 

“See what, sweet boy? Say it, use your words for me. You’re a big boy, you can do it. I know you can,” 

Your hands cup his face and you rest your forehead on his. The skin is taught and slick with sweat. A vein above his brow becomes visible as he strains into his own palm. 

“What do you want, Roman?” you reiterate, trying to regain his attention.

“Fff-fuck! Your p-pussy, I wanna see y-your pussy!”

“All together. Say it all together. Say ‘Mommy, can I please see your pretty pussy?’” 

“Mommy, can I please see your pretty pussy?”

His eyes finally open and they aim downwards, expectantly. 

“Is that all you want, pretty boy?”

“N-N-yes!”

“Is that all you want?”

“No! No, I wanna cum, I-I wanna f-f-finish! W-Wanna finish on it,” he whines.

“All together, baby…”

“Mommy, can I please finish on your pretty pussy?! Please!”

It’s on the last syllable of his sentence that he erupts. Only as he’s cumming is he able to look at your cunt. You swiftly move the fabric up and his load catches the edge of it, the rest of it coating your exposed pussy. Roman falls backwards limp onto the pillow and you roll off of him and the bed and onto your jelly-like legs. The two of you don’t look at each other, occupying opposite sides of the room while you make yourselves decent. You shed your stained garment, using it to wipe your cunt clean. You fling it onto the hotel carpet and don’t think twice about it. 

“Mind if I…borrow that…for a bit?” a weak voice croaks from across the suite. 

You turn your head and smirk, still topless.

“All yours.”

Briefly, you catch a glimpse of Roman from behind, buttoning up his shirt. You pull up your dress, sweatier than before when you had taken it off. You expected there to be a palpable shift between the two of you, had everything gone according to plan. You figured the next RECNY ball that was just around the corner might be a bit awkward but it was nothing a few sarcastic quips and some alcohol couldn’t fix.

“My guy’s still waiting out front, so that’s my not-so-stealthy getaway. I can have Crispin pull around in twenty if I guess, I dunno, you wanted to shower the stank off of y…”

Roman’s words trail off as he becomes caught up in the sight of you; your cocktail dress zipped up halfway, your hair in an even messier updo than before, one heel on with the other remaining to be seen. It left him dumbfounded, feeling impulsive, like he could leave everything behind then and there and things might turn out alright. 

“Um…d’you maybe wanna just come with me…I dunno. Back at my place, I mean. And don’t make it into…it’s not a thing. Th-This is not a thing. But, yeah, we could order in whatever you, you could stay over, I-I got spare rooms–”

“Roman—”

“—it-its not like a big deal or anything, y’know? This isn’t, this wasn’t ‘a thing’. Fuckin’ labels and everything, I m—”

“Roman! That all sounds fine; I just would like to exit one of the nicest hotels in the damn city not looking like a two-bit whore, yeah? Come and zip me up,”

“I mean, if you ask me—I think it’s a rather fitting look,” he says, echoing your previous words.

“ROMAN!” 

“Alright, fuck, fine!”

End.

{ Feedback is welcome! }

Follow me on twt: @endlessviolets

<3

[corvid-ae]

So you want to listen to Main Range?

Great! I know how intimidating it can be to try and start listening, so I’ve tried to compile a guide to the main story arcs. More under the cut (minor spoiler warning)!

Also known as the Monthly Adventures, it’s a great way to get into the DWEU and definitely one I would recommend. It is also accessible, with the first 50 stories available on Spotify, or available to buy from Big Finish or second-hand fairly easily (or, you know, via less-legitimate means).

Main Range involves stories from the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Doctors, and various TV and original companions. If you are a fan of eighties and nineties Who, then Main Range might be for you! My general recommendations for people are to pick a specific doctor AND companion(s) to listen to and go from there. Although, if you’re looking for a first story to try, why not start at the very beginning (a very good place to start) with the Sirens of Time.

While many Main Range stories are stand-alone, there are also some overarching plots, which are actually very companion-focussed. Trying to understand these arcs and listen to them in order can be intimidating for people looking to get into listening, however its probably simpler than you’d think.

To help you out with all of this, I have done my best to write down the stories that are probably best listened to in order, with a bit of an explanation about how it fits into TV continuity if relevant. The order is pretty easy to follow as it is pretty much just in release order. No, Big Finish did not intentionally try to confuse their audience by releasing stories out of order (okay maybe they did just a little). However I have provided the story number in brackets [like so] for clarity.

Also, to be clear, all of the arcs are self-contained, so seperate arcs don't have to be listened to in the order I've written them down in, unless I've specified otherwise (like with the Evelyn and Hex storyline).

Again, it is not super important to listen to things in order. If you are getting bored with a story or with listening in order then feel free to skip things. Maybe you could just skim the Tardis Wiki page for the plot if you like. To help, I’ve also marked any of the super plot-heavy stories with an asterix. Most other stories, especially ones that I don’t mention here are standalone and can be listened to however you like.

Also feel free to let me know if I miss anything! Happy listening :)

Fifth Doctor:

The Erimem Arc

This takes place after Planet of Fire and before Caves of Androzani, and features the Fifth Doctor, Peri and an original character called Erimem - an ancient Egyptian princess. This is a pretty good arc and one I would definitely recommend. Please feel free to skip Nekromanteia though it’s genuinely terrible.

[24] The Eye of the Scorpion*

[38] The Church and the Crown

[41] Nekromanteia

[56] The Axis of Insanity

[59] The Roof of The World

[69] Three’s a Crowd

[71] The Council of Nicaea

[81] The Kingmaker

[99] Son of the Dragon

[102a] The Mind’s Eye

[104] The Bride of Peladon*

The Key 2 Time

A trilogy featuring the Fifth Doctor and an original companion called Amy which acts as a sequel to the Key to Time. It is set between Planet of Fire and Caves of Androzani. The Fifth Doctor meets Amy again in the boxset Wicked Sisters.

[117] The Judgement of Isskar

[118] The Destroyer of Delights

[119] The Chaos Pool

The Stockbridge trilogy

Featuring The Doctor and Nyssa and set in the fictional town of Stockbridge which was first introduced in the Fifth Doctor’s DWM comics. Knowledge of that is not at all essential however. Set between Time Flight and Arc of Infinity.

[127] Castle of Fear

[128] The Eternal Summer

[129] Plague of the Daleks

The Older Nyssa Arc

This is set between Enlightenment and the King’s Demons and features Tegan, Turlough and an older Nyssa - some years after the events of Terminus.

[136] Cobwebs*

[137] The Whispering Forest

[138] The Cradle of the Snake

[146] Heroes of Sontar

[147] Kiss of Death

[148] Rat Trap

[159] The Emerald Tiger

[160] The Jupiter Conjunction

[161] The Butcher of Brisbane

[172] Eldrad Must Die!

[173] The Lady of Mercia

[174] Prisoners of Fate

[195] Mistfall

[196] Equilibrium

[197] The Entropy Plague*

The Hannah Arc

A very short trilogy featuring the Doctor, Nyssa and another original companion - Hannah - an Edwardian woman. Set sometime between Time Flight and Arc of Infinity.

[185] Moonflesh

[186] Tomb Ship

[187] Masquerade

The Season 19 Gang Arc

Set during the events of Season 19, these stories feature the original gang of the Doctor, Adric, Tegan and Nyssa.

[221] The Star Men

[222] The Contingency Club

[223] Zaltys

[234] Kingdom of Lies

[235] Ghost Walk

[236] Serpent in the Silver Mask

The Kamelion Arc

There’s not much to say about this apart from that these three are probably best listened to in this order? Set between the King's Demons and the Five Doctors (i think) and featuring Tegan, Turlough and Kamelion.

[247] Devil in the Mist

[248] Black Thursday/Power Game

[249] The Kamelion Empire

The Marc Arc

These stories follow the Doctor, Tegan, Nyssa, and an original companion Marc - a man from ancient Greece. It is set sometime between the end of Arc of Infinity and Mawdryn Undead.

[256] Tartarus*

[257] Interstitial/Feast of Fear

[258] Warzone/Conversion*

[266]Ghost Station/The Bridge Master/What Lurks Down Under/The Dancing Plague

[267]Thin Time/Madquake*

Sixth Doctor:

The Evelyn Arc

One of my favourite arcs with some great stories, and maybe where things get a little confusing. This arc features the Sixth Doctor and an original companion, Evelyn - an historian from modern-day England. Set sometime before the Sixth Doctor meets Mel I think.

This arc set up some story aspects which are explored further with the Seventh Doctor’s stories - specifically, the Forge trilogy. There are a few ways you could listen to these but to keep it simple I would also recommend listening to the Seventh Doctor story the Harvest before you listen to Thicker Than Water, and then A Death in the Family once you’ve listened to all the Evelyn stories AND the Forty-Five anthology. This could also be listened to concurrently in release order with the Hex storyline which I’ll outline a bit later.

[6] The Marian Conspiracy*

[9] The Spectre of Lanyan Moor

[11] The Apocalypse Element

[22] Bloodtide

[23] Project: Twilight*

[37] The Sandman

[40] Jubilee

[43] Doctor Who and the Pirates

[45] Project: Lazarus*

[57] Arrangements for War*

[58] The Harvest (7th Doctor)*

[60] Medicinal Purposes

[73] Thicker Than Water*

[100] 100 BC/My Own Private Wolfgang/Bedtime Story/The 100 Days of the Doctor*

[143] The Crimes of Thomas Brewster

[144] The Feast of Axos

[145] Industrial Evolution

[115] Forty-Five anthology (7th Doctor)*

[140] A Death in the Family (7th Doctor)*

You can theoretically listen to the following before or after Thicker Than Water if you want - they are sort of standalone stories with the Doctor and Evelyn:

[78] Pier Pressure

[84] The Nowhere Place

[108] Assassin in the Limelight

The Charley Arc 2.0

This is best listened to once you’ve listened to the Charley Arc with the Eighth Doctor. Featuring the Sixth Doctor and Charley.

[105] The Condemned*

[111] The Doomwood Curse

[114] Brotherhood of the Daleks

[116] The Raincloud Man

[124] Patient Zero

[125] Paper Cuts

[126] Blue Forgotten Planet*

The Flip and Constance Arc

Featuring the Sixth Doctor and two original companions, Flip - a girl from modern-day England - and Constance - a woman from World War II. Set sometime before the Doctor meets Mel.

[143] The Crimes of Thomas Brewster*

[156] The Curse of Davros

[157] The Fourth Wall

[158] Wirrn Isle

[182] Antidote to Oblivion

[183] The Brood of Erys

[225] Vortex Ice/Cortex Fire

[184] Scavenger*

[204] Criss-Cross*

[205] Planet of the Rani

[206] Shield of the Jotunn

[218] Order of the Daleks

[219] Absolute Power

[273] Colony of Fear

[220] Quicksilver*

[231] The Behemoth

[232] The Middle

[233] Static

[263] Cry of the Vultriss

[264] Scorched Earth

[265] The Lovecraft Invasion

The Older Peri trilogy

Featuring the Doctor and Peri from after she marries King Yrcanos.

[192] The Widow’s Assassin*

[193] Masters of Earth

[194] The Rani Elite

Seventh Doctor:

The Hex Arc

A great arc that sort of starts with Evelyn’s arc. I would not recommend starting this until after you’ve listened to Project: Lazarus, but maybe at least listen to The Harvest before Thicker Than Water (no stress if you don’t want to juggle listening to arcs concurrently). Features the Seventh Doctor, Ace, and an original companion from 2020s London - Hex. Set after the end of Classic Who.

[58] The Harvest*

[67] Dreamtime

[74] LIVE 34

[79] Night Thoughts

[82] The Settling

[89] No Man’s Land

[92] Nocturne

[106] The Dark Husband

[115] False Gods/Order of Simplicity/Casualties of War/The Word Lord*

[120] The Magic Mousetrap

[121] Enemy of the Daleks

[122] The Angel of Scutari*

[139] Project: Destiny*

[140] A Death in the Family*

[141] Lurkers at Sunlight’s Edge

[149] Robophobia (side note: this is our introduction to Liv Chenka who is one of the Eighth Doctor’s main companions from Dark Eyes onwards).

[151] The Doomsday Quatrain

[152] House of Blue Fire*

[162] Protect and Survive*

[163] Black and White*

[164] Gods and Monsters*

[181] Afterlife*

[189] Revenge of the Swarm

[190] Mask of Tragedy

[191] Signs and Wonders

Also at some point before or after the Angel of Scutari you can listen to the following as they are standalone stories:

[226] Shadow Planet/World Apart

[245] Muse of Fire

[268] The Flying Dutchman/Displaced

The Klein Arc

An Arc featuring The Seventh Doctor and an original character, Klein - a woman from 1940s Germany. Set after the end of Classic Who.

[25] Colditz*

[130] A Thousand Tiny Wings

[131] Klein’s Story/Survival of the Fittest

[132] The Architects of History

[175] Persuasion

[176] Starlight Robbery

[177] Daleks Among Us

Klein is also involved in the final story of the Daniel trilogy which spans the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors.

Eighth Doctor:

The Charley Arc 1.0

The best Main Range arc in my opinion. If you listen to anything, listen to this. Featuring the Eighth Doctor and original companion Charley, with another original companion C’rizz in Part 2 of the arc.

Part 1:

[16] Storm Warning*

[17] Sword of Orion

[18] The Stones of Venice

[19] Minuet in Hell

[28] Invaders from Mars

[29] The Chimes of Midnight

[30] Seasons of Fear

[31] Embrace the Darkness

[32] The Time of the Daleks

[33] Neverland*

[50] Zagreus*

Part 2:

[52] Scherzo*

[53] The Creed of the Kromon* (TW for sexual assault in the Creed of the Kromon. Feel free to stop listening after episode one or just read the Tardis Wiki page for relevant plot info)

[54] The Natural History of Fear

[55] The Twilight Kingdom

[61] Faith Stealer

[62] The Last

[63] Caerdroia

[64] The Next Life*

[72] Terror Firma

[75] Scaredy Cat

[77] Other Lives

[80] Time Works

[83] Something Inside

[88] Memory Lane

[101] Absolution*

[103] The Girl Who Never Was*

The Mary Shelley arc

A short arc featuring the Eighth Doctor and Mary Shelley! Yes, that Mary Shelley.

[123d] Mary’s Story*

[153] The Silver Turk

[154] The Witch from the Well

[155] Army of Death

Multi-doctor arcs:

These are mostly trilogies featuring stories which Big Finish probably mostly intended to be listened to together.

The Forge trilogy

Relevant to the Evelyn and Hex arcs - best listened to in conjunction with the rest of their stories.

[23] Project: Twilight (Sixth Doctor)

[45] Project: Lazarus (Sixth Doctor/Seventh Doctor)

[139] Project: Destiny (Seventh Doctor)

The Villains Trilogy

[47] Omega (Fifth Doctor)

[48] Davros (Sixth Doctor)

[49] Master (Seventh Doctor)

The Harvest/TheReaping/The Gathering trilogy

^^^ I’m naming it that because the other name I’d give it would be a big spoiler lol (if you saw me forget the Harvest out of this no you didn’t)

[58] The Harvest (Seventh Doctor)

[86] The Reaping (Sixth Doctor)

[87] The Gathering (Fifth Doctor)

The Brewster Arc

Thomas Brewster is also vaguely relevant to the events of Stranded with the Eighth Doctor but it’s not really important.

[107] The Haunting of Thomas Brewster (Fifth Doctor)

[113] Time Reef/A Perfect World (Fifth Doctor)

[143] The Crimes of Thomas Brewster (Sixth Doctor)

[144] The Feast of Axos (Sixth Doctor)

[145] Industrial Evolution (Sixth Doctor)

The Sorsha trilogy

[165] The Burning Prince (Fifth Doctor)

[166] The Acheron Pulse (Sixth Doctor)

[167] The Shadow Heart (Seventh Doctor)

The 1963 trilogy

These don’t really have an overarching plot as far as I can remember, they were just released as part of the 50th anniversary.

[178] 1963: Fanfare for the Common Men (Fifth Doctor)

[179] 1963: The Space Race (Sixth Doctor)

[180] 1963: The Assassination Games (Seventh Doctor)

The Companions Trilogy

[198] The Defectors (Seventh Doctor)

[199] Last of the Cybermen (Sixth Doctor)

[200] The Secret History (Fifth Doctor)

The Master trilogy

[211] And You Will Obey Me (Fifth Doctor)

[212] Vampire of the Mind (Sixth Doctor)

[213] The Two Masters (Seventh Doctor)

The Daniel trilogy

[237] The Helliax Rift (Fifth Doctor)

[240] Hour of the Cybermen (Sixth Doctor)

[244] Warlock’s Cross (Seventh Doctor) (Klein is in this one if you want to listen to her arc beforehand)

Edit/addendum:

If you’re like me, you’ve maybe been intrigued by Main Range from seeing/hearing other fans talk about some of the excellent stories there are. Personally, when I am struggling getting through a series, it helps to have a specific story or episode to look forward to. As such, here are a few of my personal favourites from the above list that are definitely worth waiting for (at least in my humble opinion):

5th Doctor:

- Warzone/Conversion

6th Doctor:

- Jubilee

- Doctor Who and the Pirates

- Arrangements for War

7th Doctor:

- Afterlife

- Master

8th Doctor:

- Seasons of Fear

- Zagreus

- Scherzo

- The Natural History of Fear

[comicwaren]

From G.O.D.S. #004

Art by Valerio Schiti and Marte Gracia

Written by Jonathan Hickman

[todaysdocument]

An Act of October 15, 1914, Public Law 63-212, 38 STAT 730, to Supplement Existing Laws Against Unlawful Restraints and Monopolies, and for Other Purposes

Record Group 11: General Records of the United States GovernmentSeries: Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of CongressFile Unit: Laws of the United States; 1913-14, 63rd Congress, 2nd Session, Part 2, Public Acts 151-222 and Public Resolutions

H.R. 15657 PUBLIC NO. [handwritten] 212 63rd CONGRESS

[Stamp] [?] OCT 15 1914

[Stamp] [CHIEF CLERK] OCT 15 1914 DEPT. OF STATE

[Stamp] [?] OCT 10 1914 RECEIVED

Sixty-third Congress of the United States of America;

At the Second Session,

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the first day of December, one

thousand nine hundred and thirteen.

AN ACT

To supplement existing laws against unlawful restraints and monopolies, and

for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That "antitrust laws," as used herein, includes the Act entitled "An act to protect trade and commerce against unlawful restraints and monopolies," approved July second, eighteen hundred and ninety; sections seventy-three to seventy-seven, inclusive, of an Act entitled "An act to reduce taxation, to provide revenue for the Government, and for other purposes," of August twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and ninety-four; an Act entitled "An act to amend sections seventy-three and seventy-six of the Act of August twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and ninety-four, entitled 'An Act to reduce taxation, to provide revenue for the Government, and for other purposes,'" approved February twelfth, nineteen hundred and thirteen; and also this Act.

"Commerce," as used herein, means trade or commerce among the several States and with foreign nations, or between the District of Columbia or any Territory of the United States and any State, Territory, or for nation, or between any insular possessions or other places under the jurisdiction of the United States, or between any such possession or place in any State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or any foreign nation, or within the District of Columbia or any Territory or any insular possession or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall apply to the Philippine Islands.

The word "person" or "persons" wherever used in this Act shall be deemed to include corporations and associations existing under or authorized by the laws of either the United States, the laws of any of the Territories, the laws of any State, or the laws of any foreign country.

SEC. 2. That it shall be unlawful for any person engaged in commerce, in the course of such commerce, either directly or indirectly to discriminate in price between different purchasers of commodities, which commodities are sold for use, consumption, or resale within the United States or any Territory thereof [complete transcription at link]

[mavrintarou]

[4:38 PM] Oikawa Toru [6]

Thank you for your patience, I've got carried away with reading some novels I found on Instagram.

Warning: fluff and explicit smut activities

Fifth part Seventh part

.

Toru vaguely remembered a few weeks ago before he knew Y/n was his unite mate, that he had wished there was a window connecting to their units to allow the piano sounds to flow more clearly between them.  

Well, Mother Nature heard his wish. 

He eyed the damage before looking at Y/n’s equally shocked expression. “Well, this is a surprise.” 

“Indeed,” Y/n muttered, walking closer to stand across from him. She could partially see into Toru’s bedroom and Mateo’s nursery. “They weren’t kidding about possible interior damage.” 

They stared at each other for a few seconds before bursting out into laughter.  

“This is crazy!” She exclaimed, breaking into a fit of giggles. After a few seconds she wiped her tears, “today can’t get any better.” 

Toru steps across and over to Y/n’s side, pushing aside the rubble on the ground. “Something we will definitely remember.”  

“Is Mateo down?” Y/n’s eyes are on Toru as he closes the distance between them.  

Toru nodded, standing before her. “Completely out, didn’t even stir when I set him down in his cot in the living room.”  

They gazed silently at each other, enveloped in a world that consisted only of the two of them amidst the eventful day. 

“Would you like… some tea?” Y/n offered, gesturing towards her kitchen. “Or I can bring it over so we hear Mateo if – “  

“It’s okay, we can have tea here. When he wakes up, you will know.” He chuckles, “Mateo makes it known he is up.” 

Y/n smiled and headed to the kitchen, “then I’ll get some tea going.” 

Toru took the opportunity to tour her living room, he walked towards her bookshelf and something immediately caught his eye. “I remember this manga!” Memories began flooding back as he remembered the storyline and which volume he left off. He had completely forgotten about this manga.  

Y/n returned with two cups and watched Toru huddling by her bookshelf. He was so engrossed in something that she set their cups down before approaching him and peeking around his body to find him flipping through the old manga they were once invested in.  

“You remember?” Her voice startled him, making him flinch. She broke out in a fit of giggles, “sorry, thought you heard me… did you ever finish the manga?” 

Toru shook his head, placing the book back on the shelf. “Actually, do you mind if I borrow your books? I wanna reread it.” 

Y/n shrugged her shoulders, “go for it.” 

.  . 

The following morning, Y/n woke up early, her eyes drawn to the clear view through Toru’s unit. It had not registered that the wall between her unit and Toru’s was accessible.  

Crossing across her living room, she peeked inside Toru’s bedroom and found him still asleep. He lay on his stomach with the comforters pulled up to his nose.

Y/n tuned her ears, as she heard faint cooing and realized it was coming from the little white monitor beside Toru’s bed. Shifting over, she peeked into his nursery and she couldn’t exactly see him but she could see and hear him more clearly.  

She quietly tipped toed over and Mateo was definitely wide awake, cooing to himself as he was still wrapped in his swaddle. Their eyes immediately locked and a wide smile spread on his face.  

“Good morning,” Y/n cooed, hovering over him from the side of his crib. “Your daddy still sleeping.” She reached over to loosen the swaddle, freeing his chubby arms as he stretched out his long body.  

Mateo was tall for his age and Y/n found out that he was at the ninety-eight percent tile for his height. It was no surprise considering Toru was tall himself, Y/n guessed if Mateo’s mother was a supermodel that she was most likely tall as well.  

He rolled over onto his belly and shifted his body towards her, he immediately began to whine, wanting to be picked up.  

Seeing that Toru himself wasn’t waking up, Y/n picked up the baby. She spotted a pre-made bottle beside the crib and reached for it. “Are you hungry?” 

Mateo excitedly eyed his bottle as Y/n shook the bottle, mixing the formula and water. She popped off the cap and walked over to the glider in the corner of his nursery. He reached for his bottle and latched on to the nipple, hungrily sucking away.  

Y/n had imagined countless times how motherhood would be when the day came. She had heard about the magical bond between a mother and her baby when it came to nursing and would love nothing more than to nurse her baby. Her heart ached at the thought of Mateo not experiencing that bond with his mother, let alone having a mother figure in his life.  

She didn’t judge his mother’s actions and decisions, but could not fathom how she could walk away and not look back. 

It was beginning to become harder for her to keep Mateo at a distance, she knew she shouldn’t overstep her boundaries, let alone get too close to him just in case… things didn’t work out.  

The thought already tore at her heart if she ever had to walk away from them. 

Was there room for Y/n in their lives? Could she potentially be someone to them?  

Mateo finished his bottle and began chewing on the nipple, cooing to himself.  

“Are you all done?” Y/n asked, lifting him in a sitting position. “We should probably change your diaper?” She stood up and walked towards the changing table. “Should we wake your daddy?” 

“I’m up,” a husky voice answered, “good morning to you two.” 

Y/n turned her head towards the open wall as Toru stood against the frame with his arms crossed. He stood tall and ran a hand through his ruffled hair. “This route is faster than going through the door.” He studded over and kissed the top of Mateo’s head before wrapping his arms around them both. “Morning hug!” 

. 

Y/n glances over her shoulder at Mateo sitting in his walker as her fingers dance across the keys of her piano. He remained in the exact spot she left him when she went and sat on her bench and began playing. His eyes are mesmerized as he suckles his pacifier and watches Y/n giving him a private show.  

An hour ago, Toru received a call informing him that his mother had been rushed to the hospital following a fall at the grocery store.   

“Go. Mateo can stay with me.” Y/n assured. 

Toru exhaled deeply and nodded his head, he leaned and pressed a kiss on Mateo’s head and then on hers, “thank you Y/n, call me if you need anything.”  

Y/n’s fingers gently slowed down as she smiled, noticing Mateo’s eyes started to droop. His head began to nod as he struggled to ward off the drowsiness.  

Completing her musical piece, Y/n stood and approached Mateo, who could hardly keep his eyes open as she drew near. She extended her arms, and he eagerly raised his own, yearning to be held. She cradled him in her embrace, and he nestled against her chest, his eyes closing instantly as he sought warmth and comfort. 

. 

Toru quickly punched in the code on this keypad and hastily entered his unit. Without pausing to remove his jacket, he rushed through his room and into Y/n’s unit. The space was tranquil, and he took a moment to catch his breath before his gaze landed on them, peacefully cuddled together on the couch, fast asleep.  

He couldn’t contain the smile on his face as he took a seat on the edge of the couch. Mateo seemed to be in dreamland with his face nestled comfortably against Y/n’s chest. Toru couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy at his son’s current position. 

As if sensing someone, Y/n stirred, and eyes fluttered open. She smiled, “is everything okay with your mom?” 

Toru nodded, brushing her hair away from her face. “Yes, she had to get surgery, but it was minor, so she has to stay off her feet for a few weeks.” His eyes shift to Mateo, his hand brushing his son’s brown hair which has gotten longer each month. “Thank you,” he murmured, “I hope he wasn’t a handful for you?” 

Y/n shook her head, “he was good.” Her hand rubbed his bottom as he let out a sigh and Y/n chuckled, “he is such a good baby, Toru.”  

His gaze is soft as he glances between his son and Y/n, “I know, I’m truly blessed.” He held her gaze for a moment longer, “I’ll say it again, we’re truly blessed to have you too, Y/n.” His hand trails along her jaw and he gently grips her chin, “can… I kiss you?” 

Y/n nodded her head.  

Toru leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. It was a light kiss but sent electricity down to his toes. Their last kiss had been on his mind and with each passing second, he wondered when he would taste her lips again. 

Y/n moaned against his mouth, her hand cupping his face.  

“Goo...”  

Y/n shoved Toru, breaking their kiss. They both turned their gaze at Mateo who could barely hold his head up as he blinked away from his sleep.  

“Teo, why are you always interrupting us?” Toru groaned, he let out a chuckle and quickly sneaked a kiss from Y/n before planning dinner. 

.  . 

Within days, everything seemed to have changed in their little world.  

Their mornings would consist of their morning hug and breakfast. Next would be lunch and an afternoon walk around the park. Y/n and Toru took turns making dinner and ending the night with Y/n playing her piano and lullabying Mateo to sleep while Toru rocked him in her living room.  

The damage between their units was listed as a low priority and neither Y/n nor Toru was complaining about it. Toru didn’t mind that he had a walkway from his bedroom to Y/n’s unit and he didn’t think Mateo minded either, who recently learned to maneuver in the baby walker and would roll himself into Y/n’s unit from his nursery.  

Y/n’s once clean and tidy living room now has a large playpen filled with baby toys and colorful padding play mats.  

“Do you think he’ll start walking soon?” Y/n asked while watching Mateo trying to pull himself up on his feet by grabbing onto the wall of the playpen. He was determined, he had fallen on his bottom but would try again.  

Toru hummed softly, running his hand through her hair. The three of them settled within the playpen, Y/n finding comfort by resting her head on Toru’s lap while they observed Mateo playing in the corner.   

Mateo, in his attempt to stand, nearly succeeded before his grip gave away, causing him to tumble and roll onto his back. Frustration welled up, finding release in tears.  

“Come here baby,” Y/n sat up and beckoned with a gentle wave of her fingers. Mateo, with tears-streaked cheeks, began crawling towards them. Y/n scooped him up, embracing him tightly. 

Toru rested his chin on Y/n’s shoulder, his gaze fixed on his son who immediately ceased crying and blinked at his dad. “Do you feel better now that you’ve cried?” His son tilted his head and squirmed out of Y/n’s hold; he shifted his body towards his dad.  

Toru had expressed how he would do his best to provide his son with unwavering attention and affection, always mindful not to be overbearing. He seeks to find a balance, ensuring that Mateo feels cared for without becoming excessively indulgent. He aims to meet Mateos' needs without fostering a sense of entitlement, guiding him to understand the value behind every provision.  

Y/n quietly observed in silence, her heart swelling at the sight of the strong bond between father and son, especially as Toru spoke affirming words to the baby.  

Mateo maintained steady eye contact with his dad as if he understood every word.  

. 

Y/n gently swayed her body with the piano piece, a new piece for Mateo.  She continued playing even after Mateo had fallen asleep in Toru’s arms.  

She felt the spot beside her dip and glanced to her left, “tired?” 

“No,” he answered, his eyes spellbound by her music. “One day, I want to watch you play live.” 

“You’re watching me now?” 

Toru squeezed her sides, making her squirm. “You know what I mean.” He has always been amazed and impressed at her unwavering focus when playing the piano. Even during their teenage years, when he would groan and throw a fit during studying time, Y/n remained absorbed in her playing as if he weren’t present. She could effortlessly perform in a sizable auditorium, unfazed by the surrounding crowd, always maintaining a composed demeanor. 

He leaned close and pressed his nose against her neck. “Are you easily distracted?”  

Y/n narrowed her eyes at him. “No, as a pianist your focus is one of your strongest strengths. You must be able to continue playing even if there is an earthquake happening.” 

“Is that so?” He hummed, his tone lower suddenly, “it’s been a while since you must have been tested, should I help see if your focus is still there?” 

Y/n tensed as his right hand rested on her thigh, through her silk skirt, she could feel the heat of his palm. 

Not only have they been kissing more, but their kisses have also intensified. Always leaving them both breathless and turned on. Toru paid attention to her body language, making sure not to do anything she wasn’t comfortable with.  

“Are you still good?”  

“Yes,” she breathed, her fingers still dancing across the keys perfectly.  

His fingers slowly bunched her skirt until the tip of his fingers danced across her skin. He expected a shift in her breathing but was amazed when she maintained a steady composure. “Your skin is so soft, Y/n.”  

Y/n’s breath hitched, for a reason as he withdrew his touch as he got up from the bench. Her eyes followed him as he moved behind her, “can you scoot as close as possible to the edge of the bench for me?” 

Without pausing her fingers, she shifted herself to the edge and frowned when Toru positioned himself behind her, his chest to her back and his legs resting on each side of hers.  

“Y/n,” Toru’s voice sent chills down her spine. “Spread your legs for me.” He smiled when her thighs widened, and he reached to pull up her skirt. “Good girl,” he praised, he rested both his palms on her thighs, rubbing along the length of them. “Is this, okay?” 

It was a few seconds, and she released a steady breath and nodded. “Yes,” she answered meekly.  

“At any point, if I make you feel uncomfortable, you stop me, okay?” He needed her to answer him, agreeing and understanding. 

“Okay.”  

“You continue to focus on your music,” he whispered, “and I’ll focus on you.” 

The moment his fingertips brushed against her panties; Y/n flinched. He wouldn’t have noticed but for just a millisecond there, her finger slowed, causing her to go off-tune. Only an expert would have caught it.  

Her lower lip was already trapped between her teeth as she remained quiet. She channeled her focus to her fingers, trying to keep the tingling feeling at the core of her pussy at bay. Can he feel how wet she was? 

“You’re so wet, already?” Toru chuckled, “is it for me?” his finger rubbed a gentle circle around her clit. “Answer me, Y/n?” he pleaded.  

“Y - yes.” She didn’t need to turn back and look to know he had his boyish grin.  

Her breath hitched when he trailed his fingers along her slit, teasing her and making her toes curl.  

The weight of his other palm lifted from her thigh, and she feels the cool air meeting her pussy as he pulled her panties to the side. His fingertips now pressed against the wetness of her pussy, spreading her juice. 

“To - Toru...”  

“You can’t be distracted, remember?” He pressed a kiss to her nape, his fingers itched badly to feel what the inside of her pussy would be like. “Keep your legs spread,” he reminded, teasing her as the tip of his middle finger would probe the opening. Her breath quickened but her fingers remained calm, moving across the piano with no problem.  

With the rhythm of the music, his fingertip would move in and out and would probe deeper each time.  

As Y/n’s fingers moved quickly, so did his fingers.

One… two… three… she counted each mistake she was making in her head and gave up as she no longer cared. It wasn’t like Toru knew the tune anyway and could distinguish the wrong notes played.

Toru nipped the junction between her neck and shoulder, and he slipped two fingers inside of her, groaning when her hot walls clamped around them. With his other hand, he released her panties and hooked one of her thighs, hiking it enough to not interfere with her hand movements.  

Y/n’s head rolled back and continued to keep playing, nonetheless. At last, she let out a soft moan and chanted his name; it rolled off the tip of her tongue beautifully with the music.  

“Toru... I’m - I’m so close.”  

His nose graze along her neck until his lips met her ear as he nipped, “if you cum before you finish with this piece, I get a wish then?” 

“O - okay...” 

Toru pressed his thumb against her clit and pumped his fingers faster. He felt her tense up and tightened his arm around her leg.  

Her pussy clenched around his fingers. They were long and reached her sensitive spot, stimulating her upcoming orgasm.

“No - wait – Toru!”  

Her fingers slipped, pressing the wrong key.

“Ah!” Her hand abandoned the keys and gripped his wrist that is pumping faster.  

With no more music, the only sound audible is her whimper and the lewd noise each time his fingers pump into her pussy.  

“Toru - wait... I’m going to cum,” she gripped the top of her piano, head dropping forward as her body tremble in a release.  

His fingers slowed down but continued to keep pumping until her walls finally stopped convulsing around them.  

“You!” she spun around, shooting him a glare over her shoulder, her cheeks flushed.

“I get a wish?” Toru smiled at her innocently, bringing his fingers to his lips and sucking them.  

She grabbed his wrist, forcing him to withdraw his fingers and whatever she was going to say was forgotten as she stood up and pressed her lips against his.  

. . .

E/n: Toru is so daddy...

@queenelleee @mfreedomstuff @erintaro @callmeraider @chaotic-fangirl-blog @wolffmaiden @cloud-lyy @rukia-uchia-98 @anejuuuuoy @tooruchiiscribs @mommyourcall420 @haikyuubiggestsimp @lilguycoded @random-734 @ghostlyneckoaftoad @abcde12345 @shotenvinsoot @princess-sunshyn @anonymoussimper @junglewoos @basically-an-anime-stan-acct @mih311 @m1nt-3lla @qualitygiantshoepsychic

[lakesbian]

kind of enamored with the animorphs background detail that rachel is in charge of tobias and ax's closet. she's canonically either just purchasing shit for ax without his input (has his size memorized?) and bringing it to the scoop for him or dragging him shopping and trying to keep him away from the food court for long enough to try on outfits. and the little nineties magazine cover model outfits she puts him in, which are apparently dork-preppy enough that they make marco want to shove his head in the toilet, certainly do not cater to any of ax's actual tastes. do you suppose rachel ax and tobias all went to the mall together and tobias coerced him with promises of cinnamon rolls to try on 4 different stupid pink polos so rachel could decide on her favorite. cool shorm bonding experience (tobias tying a pair of shoes onto ax's feet at his girlfriend's behest while ax politely inquires for the seventh time in a row when they will be obtaining cinnamon buns)

[thisiswhereikeepdcthings]

Wally: Happy New Year!

Dick: It was funny the first few times.

Dick: This is our ninety-seventh time.

Dick: It’s not funny now.

Wally: Okay look, just because we’re stuck in a time loop doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the new year!

Dick: We can celebrate it when we make it to January 3rd.

Wally:

Wally: Fine.

Random civilian wondering what’s wrong with the superheroes: