#not til after the events of book 4.

[moe-broey]

That one meme but it's Moe lore🧍

Directly reffed some battle scenes for the bgs! (Under cut!)

Askr castle and tbh Askr motifs as a whole you are so. Difficult.

[schoenpepper]

Midnight pumpkins and mirrors

Intro: A countdown to midnight, when the dark mirror can finally send you back to your own home. Tick tock, Cinderella!

Warnings: bad writing, awful grammar, not proofread, angst-ish, reader is yuu, open ending, gory descriptions just a bit

A/N: This one's a little longer than the others, but hey, a finale's gotta be grand, right? Happy birthday to my baby darling sweetheart babygirl love of my life Jade!!! and floyd too ig idk. The extras will all be posted at 6, I just have to link them up so if you want a working navigation system, maybe wait til 6:15 or something. Taglist will start after this event.

Masterlist

Jade's Birthday Countdown

Extras: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

[2:00 pm. 10 hours to 12.]

“Y/N! There you are, I’ve been looking for you.”

Now that’s a voice you don’t hear everyday. You take a deep breath in preparation for his bullshit and swivel on your heels. Crowley seems happy as he waves his cane and the thick tome in his other hand, decorated with jewels and black velvet. “I have excellent news!” he exclaims, and you ready yourself for yet another task to fulfill in his name, “I’ve found a way to send you home!”

…That was not what you expected him to say.

There’s happiness, of course. You miss your parents, your family. You almost miss normalcy. There’s a little bit of relief, as if your soul itself is sighing that finally, you could go home. But more evident than all of those feelings is your heart falling to your stomach—so heavily weighing you down with such little words. Because as much as you miss your family, you have family here too, right? You belong here as much as you belonged in your old world.

But it’s not like you can choose to stay. 

This isn’t the place you’re supposed to be, even if it feels right.

You’re weak, and you’re magicless, and you stir up so much trouble and danger on a daily basis unlike you’ve ever known. But earth is all you’ve ever known. Crowley waves the book again, right in front of your face, as if to pull you back down to reality. “I’ll set the coordinates in the Dark Mirror. At exactly 12 am tonight, the portal will open, but until then,” his smile widens, “my benevolent and kind self will allow you to say goodbye to your friends. Just remember to be there at 12, okay? It’s very difficult—almost impossible—to open a second portal, so don’t miss this chance.”

Right. Don’t miss it.

You’ll say goodbye. And maybe, leave your boyfriend and Grim for last.

[2:30 pm. 9 hours 30 minutes to 12]

Heartslabyul always smells like roses and baked goods. You hate to interrupt the gathering, but you wave to your friends with a small smile on your face. Even if you’re devastated, you need to seem happy. Because it’s right to smile. Because it’s right to be excited to go home.

“I’m leaving.”

Ace and Deuce seem confused, questioning you about it, Cater’s eyes are wide with surprise as he drops his fork back onto his plate with a loud clatter. Trey is quiet. But Riddle looks like he immediately understood what you meant, an expression of hurt on his face.

“Where are you going?” Deuce asks.

“Home.”

The silence is deafeningly loud.

“I came to say goodbye. Thank you for taking care of me.”

You can’t even find it in yourself to look at them as you walk away. Riddle, Cater, and Trey were like your older siblings, while Ace and Deuce were the first people to befriend you in this strange place. At this point, they’re already a part of you. 

It feels like your flesh has been ripped out, your organs trailing behind you as you walk out of Heartslabyul.

[3:00 pm. 9 hours to 12]

The sun is beating down on your back at Savanaclaw, and you push through despite the tears running down your cheeks and the sweat dripping down your back. In any case, you’re soaked. Ruggie sees you first, and he drags you over worriedly to Leona.

“Oy, herbivore, who did this to you?” Leona sounds so harsh even when he’s gently wiping your tears away with a handkerchief.

Ruggie is folding laundry, watching you, and Jack is patting your back as you sob.

“No one,” you hiccup.

“Then why’re you crying so much?”

“I’m sad,” you mumble, and Leona rolls his eyes. Still, the lion beastman takes you into his arms and hugs you tight.

“That’s a stupid reason to be crying.”

“Leona,” it hurts, but it has to be done, “I’m leaving. Forever.”

Your trek to Scarabia is accompanied by an echo of growls and the vivid illusions of animal ears pressed flat in an instinctive sadness.

[3:30 pm. 8 hours 30 minutes to 12]

There’s a distinct lack of music and confetti and frills when you step foot into the decorated dorm lounge of the Sorcerer of the Sands. It seems like the whole place and all its occupants are entranced in gorgeous dreams, with a lot of students napping on the carpets like cats. Jamil and Kalim are sitting at the corner of the room with a small tray of snacks, the former stitching a piece of cloth and the latter staring hard at a textbook. The sunny red-eyed housewarden positively beams when he notices your presence, and Jamil has to tug on his arm to remind him not to wake up the sleeping Scarabia students.

“Y/N! Want a cracker?”

You deny Kalim’s enthusiastic offer and sit down.

The happiness seems to drain right out of him when he notices your eyes swollen with tears. “Kalim, Jamil,” you take a deep breath. The day’s already tired you out enough, but it hasn’t numbed you to the point that you could so easily do the thing you set out to do. “I’m here to say goodbye.”

There’s a look of quiet shock and disappointment, but Kalim’s sadness is loud.

You can still hear it as you leave the desert.

[4:00 pm. 8 hours to 12]

Rook already knows. Of course he does. You can tell.

He’s looking at you with a scarily blank expression, as if he’s trying his best not to let his emotions leak out of him from the very moment you stepped into the grandeur of Pomefiore. Epel is standing beside Vil who was sitting elegantly atop his throne. The atmosphere is one of an execution.

But it’s unknown who holds the ax.

“Rook said you had something to tell me?”

“Something to say to all three of you,” you correct him, “I’m here to say goodbye. Crowley found a way for me to go home.”

As expected, like most of your other friends, Vil and Epel stay silent at your declaration.

“Wait,” the beautiful housewarden signals, “let me pack you a few things to go.”

Epel chimes in with teary eyes that he forces back, “I’ll grab you some apple juice that you can take home with you.”

[5:00 pm. 7 hours to 12]

You walk into Ignihyde with your arms stuffed full of self care products and apple snacks and juice. The halls are empty as usual, so you make your way to Idia’s room and kick at it gently to make noise, sniffling. It’s opened by Ortho.

“Y/N L/N! What a nice surprise,” Ortho pulls you in, and you see Idia passed out on his bed, almost suffocating underneath a pile of blankets, “I can wake him up for you if it’s urgent.”

“Um, I can wake him up myself.”

You sit down on the mattress.

“Idia,” you poke at his face, “wake up. I’m here to say goodbye.”

“Mmh…where are you…going…?”

“Home. Forever.”

His golden yellow eyes flutter open, expression blank as he looks at you sleepily. “Forever?”

“Forever.”

[6:00 pm. 6 hours to 12]

By the time you get to the castle of Diasomnia, you’re already lugging a high-tech suitcase around. In it are the things that Vil and Epel forced on you, while Idia passed his favorite anime figure into your hands and told you to take care of it well. Ortho gave you the suitcase so you didn’t have to walk around with an armful of stuff.

To be honest, you dreaded this goodbye almost as much as you hated it when you had to give your farewell to Heartslabyul. If only because Malleus had also become one of the most important friends you’ve had in this place. And he has no other friends besides you. It’s less that you’re fearful of his reaction and more worried about this strange fae companion of yours. With you leaving, who would come on long walks with him through abandoned ruins in search of gargoyles? Who would patiently attempt to teach him the ways of modern technology?

It can no longer be you.

In any case, only Lilia takes it well.

You feel like shit when Malleus is looking at you with teary eyes, like a puppy abandoned by its owner. Sebek doesn’t make it any better when he’s yelling at you for making his liege upset. Silver is looking at the floor, but you can see the tension on his shoulders and the harsh grip he’s keeping on his mug. Lilia smiles at you so joyfully and it’s the only one you’d seen all day.

“We all say goodbye someday,” he takes you in an embrace, “yours is just a bit earlier, hm? Go home. Your parents must miss you a lot.”

You nod.

Green lightning crackles in the distance as you walk back to the mirror.

[6:30 pm. 5 hours 30 minutes to 12]

Ramshackle is quiet. Even the ghosts seem to have realized the severity of your situation—shying away from you and the tears that haven't stopped falling since several hours ago. You leave the suitcase at the door and head towards your room.

Grim’s taking a nap.

“Grim,” you whisper as you wake him up, cradling him in your arms, “I have something to tell you.”

“Hench human?”

“I’m leaving.”

You leave for the last dorm with your suitcase and scratches littering your arms, your shoulder soaked with the direbeast’s tears.

He promised to meet you again in the Hall of Mirrors before 12.

[7:00 pm. 5 hours to 12]

Saying goodbye to Floyd and Azul was okay. It wasn’t any harder than saying goodbye to any of your other friends. Still, they share a look with each other that you take as a warning to yourself.

You sit down at one of the tables.

Floyd promises to drag Jade over.

Azul picks up an apron and a notepad to help run orders.

“I was given a sudden break,” your boyfriend sits beside you with a grin after a few minutes, “and I was wondering what you told Azul that made him so willing to cover for me.”

You take his hand.

And take a breath.

And still, you don’t have enough courage. Not yet. You give him a smile past tears that blurred your vision, and he worriedly wipes them away. “What’s wrong?” he asks softly.

“I’ll tell you,” you press a kiss to the back of his hand, “but will you spend a few hours with me? Let’s just…cuddle, maybe.”

Jade agrees and pulls you to his room.

[8:00 pm. 4 hours to 12]

It feels so warm within his embrace. Draped in his blankets, wrapped in his arms—it feels right.

[9:00 pm. 3 hours to 12]

“And there’s a special flower that’ll bloom on that day. Will you come with me to see it?”

“...Maybe not.”

“Then I will take many pictures for you. And perhaps bring one back as a specimen.”

[10:00 pm. 2 hours to 12]

“My parents have mentioned wanting to meet you. Could you spare me some time for the next holiday?”

“They want to meet me?”

“They do.”

“What did you tell them about me?”

[11:00 pm. 1 hour to 12]

“I have to go.”

The smile fades from Jade’s expression. He holds on tight to your wrist, speaking lightly, “Where are you going? How long will you be gone?”

He’s so unreasonably perceptive.

“Why are you unable to make plans with me? Do you wish to end our relationship?”

You don’t want to.

“Y/N. What are you hiding from me?”

But you must.

“Jade,” you break out into sobs, “I’m going home. I’m never coming back. I’m so sorry, I just, I wanted to spend more time with you. Just a little more time.”

There’s anger in his eyes, disappointment and shock and irritation. He’s so scarily still. Until he lets your wrist go and turns away. “Then leave,” he says quietly, “I bid you farewell.”

[11:10]

The lounge is already closed.

[11:20]

The roads are deserted.

[11:30]

The Hall of Mirrors, however, is crowded. You see all of your friends waiting for you, some smiling, some sobbing.

[11:40]

You hug Grim to your chest. You can’t cry anymore. All your tears are dried up.

[11:50]

“Not even a second thought? I tell you to leave and you do?”

You freeze when Jade enters the hall. He’s still in his dorm uniform, unchanged from when you’d whisked him away from work hours ago. You can say that he’s mad, but more than that, he looks so hurt. Not a single person says anything as he walks towards you.

[10 seconds]

“Were you lying when you said you loved me?”

“No, Jade, I love you—”

“Just not enough to stay?”

[9]

“I have family waiting for me. My parents are waiting for me!”

“And so you betray my trust. You leave me behind.”

[8]

“I can’t stay.”

[7]

“Or you don’t want to.”

[6]

“Jade, I don’t want to leave you.”

[5]

For the first time since the day you met him, Jade Leech seems to be crying. He doesn’t acknowledge the tears as they fall.

“Then don’t leave.”

[4]

“Please…just stay…”

[3]

“I’ll give you everything.”

[2]

“Stay with me. With us. I beg you.”

[1]

Hey. Check out the sequel. K bye.

[vitaminseetarot]

July Elements Game - CLOSED 🔥💧🌫🌸

Messages From Nature

Saturday 7/13 @ 3pm EST

til

Monday 7/15 @ 3pm EST

So I have this huge oracle deck called Alchemy Elementals that I've been slowly learning. I'm reading its ridiculously massive (size wise) book, and writing down long notes about each card. And I decided, for this deck, I wanted to do something different and use it for this game. Each card, save for 8 special cards, belong to one of four classical elements (Fire, Sky, Water, and Land). I can separate them into 4 piles and draw them along with 1 of the special cards to get a reading, coupled with Tarot cards.

I've also got a die, a D4, that will help us determine what element each person will get. When you request a reading, I will roll the die then draw from one of the piles, along with a special card and a tarot card, to get your message. This game is similar to the Aura reading, except that your element will represent your most current energy, as well as its gifts and challenges. This isn't a natal reading, so the element you get may not necessarily be one that you prefer the most; it will be whatever is most relevant to your current life path.

:Key: 1 = Fire 🔥2 = Water 💧3 = Sky 🌫4 = Land 🌸

RULES to Play:

❣ 1 Follow this blog if you're not already a follower: VitaminSeeTarot

❣ 2 Reblog this post with the tag #vitaminseetarotgame

❣ 3 Send me an Ask (not DM) along w/ any two random signature emojis of your choice (some examples 💎🌙 🌈🧙‍♂️ 👽💌)

❣ 4 Asks will be accepted starting 7/13, deadline is 7/15 @ 3pm EST (NYC time). Be sure to check the open/closed status of this post and the masterlist before submitting. Asks submitted before 7/15 will receive their reading after the 7/15 deadline has passed, however Asks submitted after the deadline will not. Make sure to submit your Ask before the deadline if you want to participate.

❣ 5 Please be kind & patient while I finish your reading, as I don't know how many will play.

❣ 6 This game is for your specific energy/aura/life only. This free reading game is not meant for your friends, family, or other people in your life (unless the reading calls me to mention somebody important). I will not do readings for celebrities, events, or situations here.

❣ 7 Remember that this is mainly for entertainment, insight, and guidance only. Energy is always in flux, so please take what resonates and leave behind the rest. The element picked for you represents your current state and not a fixed placement for life.

❣ 8 I reserve the right to refuse a reading for any reason. (Admittedly, alliteration is always appealing and accurately applicable.)

❣ 9 You must fully read and agree to the above rules before playing.

❣ 10 If you would like to leave a tip, you can do so on my Kofi page. Check back after the game because I will be opening paid readings right after. My menu will be posted up along with instructions for booking. Thank you so so so much for your patience and patronage!

This reading has not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or infection. Please ask your physician before going online.

2024, @VitaminseeTarot ™

[twilghtkoo]

hiiiiii <33

hehe im here sending you a love letter cuz i right away think of you when this tiktok passed my tl since you always do bf!hyuck based on tiktok vid sometimes yes. so i dont want to be crazy alone while imagining that hyuck definitely do that to his gf 🥺🥺🥺

pairings. haechan x reader (f)

genre. fluff :'), established relationship

warnings. haechan is just the sweetest and most loving boyfriend

notes. thank u for the love letter ilysm :( <333 and it's ok bc every couple shit i see on tiktok my brain routes to being delusional @.@ ALSO i had a draft for this?? i was almost done w it but then tumblr deleted it????? or made it disappear???? 😭😭 like that shit was so well written i was up til 4 writing this shit and i had to rewrite this so i’m sorry if it’s kinda :/

—

spring is here, the days are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter, temperature is getting warmer, and flowers are beginning to bloom. a season you always despised because you hate how the sun’s beams get stronger and hotter, and you’re not much of a morning bird but a night owl. your sleep patterns have always been inconsistent but you always got a sudden burst of motivation to do random things late at night.

you remember a metaphor about spring your teacher had told you when you were younger; spring is a breath of fresh air. spring is an opportunity to turn over a new leaf. all the springs you’ve spent living in a continuous cycle, and suffering the loss of the cold spell of autumn and winter.

changes have always been hard for you to accept and hard to come to face with. so why was it so different with him? why were you easily soaking in his sunshine and warmth?

you can call haechan a book worm when it comes to you. you are his favorite book on his shelf and the only one. he memorizes every little detail about you, bookmarking a certain page of you to go back and relive the memory in his sleep. easily reading you by how you act and behave.

he would love to spend every spring the universe brings, if you allow him.

a funky, red, plaid pattern blanket you had bought recently specifically for this picnic date lies neatly under a huge, green sapling, hiding from the sun's rays.

you are going off about a certain topic you had learned in your psych class and how you were a little scared to do an experimental test with your class, but it was interesting to see the psychological tests can be used to improve your understanding of certain behaviors. he loves hearing you talk about your classes, as if with his difficult career, he can be a student with you.

an hour or two passes and the sun moved, the rays of sunlight seeping through the branches of the tree above you is hitting your skin and your bare legs that are uncovered from your short floral dress. you looked beautiful under the spring's sunlight. he makes sure to tell you every day, even if he doesn't see you in person. a simple text sent to you around the early afternoon, saying 'you are looking so pretty today sunshine'.

he wouldn't mind if each spring was like this. he'd wait til the next spring to be able to taste your sweet lips, the delightful smell of fruit, being strawberry. your favorite lip balm (and fruit) that you have expressed to him before and being shy after. he likes strawberries too, but he has a theory they would taste better from you. nonetheless, he'll wait. and when the time comes he'll bookmark that chapter from his favorite book and adding his thoughts and emotions from the events with you into a piece of text.

and if you both end up spending one hundred springs together, at the last spring you two share, he hopes to gift you the sincerity of his love with the thousands of pages written and printed about you.

he hopes spring has another meaning for you with him in it.

[lady-margaret]

bridgerton season 3 episode 2 screaming thoughts (unedited)

guys is it wise to watch bridgerton in public (like while playing bingo 😭) i had to leave the dorm for the event and therefore had to cut my watching time short 😔😔😔😔

also it completely escaped my mind that it was only 4 eps until next month this SUCKSSSS i wanted to binge til early morning

DID EDWINA MARRY THE PRINCE

AW VARLY SO CUTE

i fck with the mondrich storyline kinda slay

DAMN pen looks good in that dress

OUF AJSJJSHDSJDHSJDH if only u knew colin

PEN PLSSSSSSSSSES 😭😭😭😭😭😭😓 PEN NOOOOO

hyacinth is my queen

i rly feel like kate will step up and take over francesca’s debut situation

COLIN???????????????????? anthony season 1 vibes

i rly thought it was ben before my eyes focused 🙃🙃🙃

he chugged that water LMAO

did she… enter the wrong room HEY DONT BE CREEPY

OH MY GOD ITS THE DIARY SCENE im glad i reread the book before watching

colin’s pen game is also 🔥🔥🔥🔥 theyre meant to be

YAY A BOOK CANON SCENE im happy

for a good sec i thought shed catch kathony being themselves again

i predicted that eloise would ask about her lmao

HAHAHAHAH the curtsy-off is funny asf

BENEDICT IS SO FUNNYYYYY

prudence and philippa’s husbands are funny asf too like? such losers but so cute

SPEAK TO LORD DEBLING

“and YOU are penelope featherington” 🥺🥺

PEN MADE HIM CRY 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 WTAFFSGSGA

eloise………….. why would you tell her that

eloise is so charming

DYNAMITE ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

PHILIPPA WHAT PLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

CRESSIDA NO OKAY THANK FUCK CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PLS DEAR GOD

oh! remington is pretty handsome tbh

HES SO CUTE HAHAHHA this whole interaction is so cute

WHO TOLD

FFS CRESSIDaA

okay tbf to cressida, eloise like did not hold unto that secret at ALLLL she wasnt even discrete about telling mere seconds after being told not to say anything jeeeeez

SLAY FRANNY !!!!!!!!!!!!! the queen sure does loves her pianoforte

PORTIA WTF

EYYYY ITS THE KISS SCENE!!! FROM THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!! *insert the captain america “i understood that reference” gif*

EYYYYYYSHSJSHSJS THEY KISSED 😔💕🫵🫵🫵🫵🫵🫵 colin i know u felt a spark buddy !!!!!!!!

[dabisqueen]

Hi, I'm a new follower and I hope all goes well for you!

Thanks for having this event and extending it. Thanks for being awesome and whelp .. this may have gotten away from me ..

Dabi is Obsessed:

He notices innocent little you when he's out one random cloudy day looking to cause mischief. He sees you in a cafe, your nose buried in a book. He watches you for a solid 15 minutes and in that time, you never once looked up from your book, randomly grabbing at your drink to take a sip. Lips chasing the straw, brows scrunched in annoyance, but you just keep reading. He finds your whole demeanor fascinating. There's just something so innocent, so naive about you. And he wants to ruin it.. wants to ruin you.

To his chagrin, Dabi is called away from watching you anymore that day. He checks back by the cafe every few days at the same time. His heart racing when he sees you again; same table, same drink, same book (though much closer to the end). He watches as you finish your book and sigh softly to yourself. You collect your things to leave, and he knows he just has to keep you in sight. His obvious choice is to follow you home.

He's not even that inconspicuous about it, but you don't even notice. He can tell just how privileged your upbringing must have been. You couldn't have gone through any terrible ordeals like he did. Further proof to him of how innocent you are and how much he deserved to have you.

Now that he knows where you live, Dabi's there watching you from a finding spot outside every chance he gets. He learns your routine. How you snooze the alarm 4 times, before rushing out the door for work during the week. How you work only part-time for a finance company, that allows you free afternoons going to the library and cafe. He learns on the weekends you prefer to sit at home or go to the park by yourself. You don't seem to ever have people over or go out for long periods of time with friends.

His favorite discovery was realizing what a trusting person you were. Dabi absolutely ached for you one day, couldn't wait til after your work shift to see you. He knew he needed something more. So he took a chance by opening a window to your place. Silly you, it wasn't even locked! He easily slipped in and looked around your place, taking in even more about you. He takes in all the sights and smells of your place, the kitchen, the bathroom, and especially your bedroom. He sifts through your dresser, his fingers fondling your panties. Sniffing at them, just to smell your detergent, still he pockets them. His eyes wander to your laundry basket. And, oh, it must be his lucky day. Right one top a surprisingly lacy pair. He snatches them and, letting himself lay on your bed, he sniffs your dirty panties.

Dabi is absolutely intoxicated and fully aroused by this scent that is purely you. He allows himself to get lost in it, hand swiftly undoing his pants and letting his cock free. Throbbing and aching, he inhales from your dirty panties again as he fists himself. He doesn't hold back and groans as he finishes. He doesn't think he's ever gotten himself that fast and that well before. He reaches for his pocket, pulling your clean pair of panties out, and uses those to clean himself up. He puts your used panties in his pocket to save for later use. He smirks to himself, getting off your bed. He looks at the rumpled (and possibly slightly charred) mess he made of your bedding and tosses your once clean, now soiled by him panties right on top before he sneaks back out. He can't wait to see the look on your face.

Oh wow 😳 This has me thirsting for more. It's so hot!

That's one 🎟

💙💙💙💙💙

[sassyfrassboss]

Gosh I think they’re just beyond desperate at this point. I don’t think she’s signed any deals, we haven’t heard a peep from WME and the only thing being remotely spoken about is invictius. Partly people there’s a real feeling that it’s a dumpster fire behind the scenes and harry is desperate to right the ship in time for the actual event.

The fact that we didn’t get some sort of leak from Meghan about whats potentially dropping ~soon~ while Catherine was in the hospital is wild to me. Going even further, with the release that she wasn’t going to be doing public facing duties til April at the earliest and nothing from monceito. She hasn’t touched the suits reunion rumors, and not a peep about the blog revival. I think she’s hoping and praying that Harry’s going to get an in back with the family and that will re open doors for her.

Let's look at some of their "accomplishments/projects" since 2020:

Travalyst - NO CLUE what happened to that. I feel like it was similar to that dude who tried to get a big concert going and then took people's money and nothing ever came of it. Harry took all this money and made a few speeches but no a peep in over a year.

40x40 - Yeah that crashed and burned for Meghan. All of the SWAG she bought and is sitting on. Some of it was even returned to her from A-List celebs.

They got the cover of Time but people made fun of the cover so much because it looked like Harry was her hair stylist.

Their NYC royal tour when they went to the UN and were relegated to meeting someone lower on the totem pole than they wanted and it was a very short meeting.

Harry at the Endeavor Awards and her in that awful dress. Right across the street was a big celeb event that they weren't invited to...

Meghan is still involved with Smartworks but you never hear anything about that.

They have each gotten small awards here and there that don't amount to anything and get basically zero press.

During 2020 they were doing Zoom calls and jumped on the BLM bandwagon but that stopped.

They donated some $ to that women's shelter in Texas.

They joined that Chef's organization but basically threw some money at him and hopped on his coattails while taking all the credit.

She went to Uvalde for attention and brought sandwiches and chips...she had her camera crew with her and was banned from entering where the volunteers were. Shortly after this there was a school, mainly black kids, that had a school shooting and people died but she ignored this because it didn't have the massive headlines Uvalde did.

Spotify - fired after 12 episodes which took 2 years to produce.

Netflix - their series went over relatively well but people are tired of hearing them complain. Their next production was basically a handout from Netflix because they had nothing else.

Her book tanked. Epic Failure.

He op-ed in the New York Times I think was buried after a day basically.

I mean the only thing they have done in the past 4 years that actually brought them some sympathy and positive attention was the Oprah interview.

Then Prince Philip died and all of that went away.

They have crashed and burned left and right the past four years.

Every project or bandwagon they have jumped on fizzles out after a few months. Then they show up to random events that leave people wondering why the hell they are there.

Right now they desperately need the BRF. Even if Meghan refuses to admit it. They need the shine that William and Catherine bring. But they won't be welcomed back. He might because he is a royal prince but she would be sidelined.

[cr-noble-writes]

Six Song Soundtrack Playlist Part 2

Well, I suppose since @swaps55 and @unfair-water-plane twisted my arm (joking), I shall also do this for Alex lol

Again, a lot of this is gonna be vibe based because that's just how I work haha

An event that defines your character's past.

Akuze changed everything.

2. How your character sees themself

This is particularly true during the ME2 timeline, but Alex very much sees himself as being totally alone and responsible for a lot of things that he isn't actually responsible for.

3. How others view them

For the most part, whether Alex believes it or not, others see him as kind of a beacon of hope and perseverance. No matter what happens, he always keeps pushing forward; he never gives up.

4. Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic)

I'm taking a page out of Swaps' book and giving you two songs, because his relationship with Liara is just as important as his relationship with Kaidan.

Liara is Alex's best friend, and although they have an extended period of rockiness after Alex finds out it was Liara that handed his body to Cerberus, ultimately Liara plays just as big a part in his recovery and happiness post-war as Kaidan.

I think this one speaks for itself about Kaidan and Alex's relationship

5. A major fight scene

Alex on a rampage against Cerberus

6. End credits song

Post-war, Alex leaves the Alliance, changes his name, and does his goddess damned best to fade from public view.

I tagged a few people in the one of these I did for Jackson, so I will just leave this one open ended, and say anyone who wants to do the thing!

[rat-cigars]

i would actually kill for a trey x reader x matt

Ask and you shall receive 🪷

CW: 18+, smut smut, MDNI

(Gonna use this to connect for part 4 kinda)

The rest of the shoot had gone relatively well given the circumstances. No one really said anything, mostly due to Trey playing it off for you both. Something you couldn’t thank him enough for, even Matt seemed thankful. The events from lunch hadn’t seemed to bother anyone else and luckily it didn’t mess up your scenes with Matt and Trey either. If anything it made your chemistry with Matt more believable, cuddling up as directed in the script.

Still, the day of shooting eventually had to end and this meant going back home. Away from your new favorite fling, and bored to death with no roommates. As you packed your bag to head out and the crew was putting away their equipment, Trey and Matt approached you.

“Hey, what’re your plans after this?” Trey asked, holding his backpack on his shoulder. “Yeah, what trouble are you gonna get in?” Matt teased you, earning a polite chuckle. “Well I’m going to see my TV and probably order some pizza, or whatever is cheap.” You shrugged, putting your bag on. Matt and Trey shared a look back at each other for a moment before Matt spoke again. “Do you wanna get some dinner together and we could run lines? There’s a few parts of the script that Trey wants to change and we promise it won't keep you up.” He smiled, Trey in the background giving some prayer hands.

You thought for a moment, biting your lip. It would be nice to have some company, but also you didn’t want to be up til 3 again. However if Trey was wanting to work on some parts, it would be helpful to get it done early. You nodded, finally answering “Yeah, but y’all are paying for dinner.” You teased with a chuckle heading out with them.

They smiled, excitedly following behind as you drove home. Pulling into the driveway you found your script laying in the grass, going to pick it up as they pulled in behind you. Following you up to the door as you unlocked it, allowing them in. “Well, there it was.” Matt laughed, walking in behind you. Trey set his bag down on the floor next to your recliner, looking through the phone book to find a good pizza place.

In the meantime you headed for your room, Matt following behind. “So, you’re just gonna creep on me?” You rolled your eyes and he smiled, “I can leave if you want, but I know you don’t.” “Whatever.” You laughed in response, beginning to undress from the day. Matt’s eyes glazing over your body, laying back on your bed. “God, you look so good.” He sighed dreamily, watching you.

“Oh shut up, Treys right down the hall.” You teased, removing your top and turning to face Matt. “So what? He already heard us earlier.” Matt smiled, gently pulling you into him. “I guess..” you whispered, leaning in with him again. The door for your room wasn’t shut, but it wasn't at the top of your mind. Matt’s lips connected with yours as you leaned over him, removing your pants quickly, him pulling off his shirt. He pulled back, leaning into your neck, leaving trails of kisses down to your chest. “Matt..” you sighed happily, reaching to palm his erection as he kissed.

“U-Uh.. do you guys want-“ it was Trey. The surprise caused you both to jump, quickly covering yourselves. Matt shrugged as a wide eyed Trey spoke back into the phone before hanging up. “I'm so sorry.” You groaned, apologizing to Trey. “We should’ve locked it, but I-“ Trey cut you off, eyeing your body. “It’s okay, I shouldn’t have just walked in.” He shrugged.

You looked at Matt, getting an idea, you called for him as he was about to leave. “Trey, um..” you blushed looking down as you walked over to him. “Would you wanna maybe join us?” You looked up to him as he turned around, nodding as he leaned in to kiss you. “Are you okay with this?” Trey was basically asking both of you, looking at Matt as he nodded and you returned to kissing him in response.

You pulled back to walk back to the bed, laying down as you finished removing your clothes. Matt leaned in to kiss you, Trey leaning into your neck, leaving little marks as he worked down to your chest. “Fuck..” Trey whispered, removing his pants, palming himself as he licked your chest. You gasped into Matt’s mouth, your face pink as you couldn’t believe it. Matt and Trey with you, both exploring your body as you laid back, relaxing into their touches.

Trey leaned back up to kiss you and Matt trailed down between your thighs, looking up at you. Trey worked off his boxers, continuing to kiss you as Matt leaned in. Licking a line down your slit, earning a moan from you. “Matt..” you whispered. Trey smiled, beginning to jerk himself off to the sights. Matt continued to lick between your legs, causing you to gasp and moan as Trey moved to position his dick into your mouth.

You smiled up to Trey, quickly pulling his length into your mouth. Repositioning himself again, Matt had pulled back to slowly push himself into you. “You look so good..” Trey groaned, feeling your warm mouth, taking him deep in your throat. “So perfect..” Matt joined, finally filling you up with his own cock. “P-Please use me..” you blushed red, not even able to look Trey in the eyes as you spoke. You weren’t sure why you had gotten so submissive for them, but it felt great.

Matt and Trey chuckled, Trey quickly rutting into your mouth as he let out whimpers of your name. Matt joined, slamming into you at a godly pace. You could feel their eyes on you, and even as Treys orgasm built up, he kept your name in his mouth. You gasped, calling out their names as your own pleasure began to peak, tightening around Matt and moaning on Trey's cock. Without warning however, Matt whimpered as he came into you, riding out his orgasm. Trey wasn’t too far behind, finishing with a load coating your cheeks, stroking himself.

Gasping for a moment, everyone was trying to catch their breath. Eventually Matt pulled out and Trey was quick to offer you a towel for your face. “Thank you.” You smiled, cleaning your face as Matt worked on your thighs. “You’re the best bosses ever.” You teased them, watching Trey get dressed as the food had arrived.

[aziraphales-library]

Lost Fic #157

1. Hello, first of all thank you for all your hard work 🫶 really appreciate! I'm looking for a fic i read about a year ago: unfortunately i can't remember much, so i apologise if it's a vague description. I also think i might be mixing some facts with this fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39533883 so i’m sorry if i’m making it hard to find. Trigger warning from here on (depression, su! c!de): the fic was set in the crowley's flat and the characters were canon (im pretty sure it was set a short time after S1's canon events, but somehow C still had holy water). Crowley had just suffered some sort of physical and emotional trauma (r@pe? sorry, i can't quite remember) and couldn't trust neither Aziraphale nor himself. He fell in a state of depression and couldn't see any other way out but use the holy water in his safe. (Spoilers) | remember a scene where he weakly walked to the safe and wrote a note, then tried to reach the thermos but was stopped last second by Aziraphale. Thank you in advance🫶; and if you manage to find it, congrats😅 - anon

2. Helloo I hope it's not too hard to find but I lost a fic on ao3 a bit ago I didn't finish reading and was hoping someone recognise it, it starts off with post apoca-nope Crowley being confronted by demons in his flat who tell him to stay away from aziraphale and summon a screen through which to view him. buuut since there was no audio they all missed a conversation between aziraphale and god in which god gives him a golden string (I think) and explains that metatron has been giving orders independently from god, then asks aziraphale to go to heaven and stirr up trouble. And that's when I accidentally closed the Tumblr app and lost it :( - anon

3. so theres this fic i was reading where its post canon but basically crozira gets locked up in heaven and crowley does his snake thing and releases them both (was in the beginning ish) but thats all i remember 😭😭 im sorry if this is too much to ask for, thank you in advance!!! - @stars-v3ria

4. Hello! I hope y'all are doing all right in what I imagine is a swamp of new asks from season 2's approach. (Writing this in the final few weeks til release.) I'm writing in search of a lost fic--I've scrounged through the Aziraphale's True Form tag but come up empty. It was T, M, or E rated, and more or less a true form sex fic, but may or may not have included genital sex. The part I remember (which I think was the focus of the story, it being a oneshot) was framed as a divinity/grace kink scene in which Aziraphale revealed his true form to Crowley. It was overwhelming to him (verging on pain iirc), but also very beautiful, intense, and possibly sensual or sexual. The part I really remember, though, came at the end-- Crowley, crying, used their safeword, which was "Amen." And after that I think it was more on the tender side. Would you happen to have encountered such a story? Thank you very much for your time, and potentially that of your followers-- I very much appreciate all the work you do for the fandom. <3 P.S. In case this reaches the author, and you with to remain anonymous, please know that the fic really stuck with me and I was merely searching for it in hopes of leaving a comment to that effect. &lt;3 - @elderly-worm

5. Hello! I was recently told about the (cursed) movie script and was told that there is a fanfiction of Book and Show Crowley saving movie Aziraphale from movie Crowley. The person said they're sure they read it on ao3 but cannot find it now and I'm extremely curious. Any help would be very appreciated and thank you so much for the library you're doing here, helped me to find a lot of gems. - anon

If you know any of these fics please include the number in your reply! Thank you :)

- Mod D

[weirdgirlsimmer]

Disney Princess 10 generations legacy challenge!!👸

So I got this challenge of Reddit and the op got it from ts4 but brought it to ts3, but idk who originally made. I gonna add my own add, but there optional, ANYWAYS

General rules for all gen’s

Must look the princess (my own add: doesn’t have to be an exact depiction but similar style/ and coloring)

Complete lifetime wish

Generation 1: Snow White 🍎

If you want to be more realistic make her a teenager (14) and give her an evil stepmother, but this is optional.

Rules: Must be female. Should never answer the door to strangers or old women. She should have 7 children with the same partner. She should know all her children traits. Complete her lifetime wish.

Child rules: Must have one negative trait (commitment issues, over emotional, rebellious, clumsy, unstable, klepto, etc.)

Generation 2: Cinderella 🥿

“Even though you had 6 brothers and sisters, you had to always do the cooking and cleaning But you kinda loved it, it made you feel relieved”

Rules: Complete your lifetime wish. Must clean and cook every day (own add on: til married). Must meet your partner at a party/social event. You can’t marry until your mother dies. You can’t have more than 3 kids. Must have perfectionist and neat traits.

Generation 3: Tiana 🍽️

“Your family wasn’t that good in the past two generations, so you gotta change that!”

Rules: Must have the aspiration celebrated five-star chef. Must have ambitious trait. Your father must die before you turn into an adult. Must marry a sim that has something green on its genetics (hair, eyes, skin, wings, etc.). With the sim state mod, you have to buy a restaurant and run it (if you can’t have it, you have to buy a restaurant property). (Own add on: max out cooking skill before owning restaurant).

Generation 4: Aurora 🛌 💤

“Thanks to your mothers success, you had everything in life, except love, since your father was overprotective and barely let you go out”

Rules: Must have the couch potato trait. You can’t have more than 3 friends. Meet your future partner while your parents are asleep at night. Must have private wedding. Have only 2 children (better if they’re two twin girls)

Generation 5: Anna ❄️

“Your sister locked herself away for no reason. As toddler, you were best friends, but now it’s just a dream”

Rules: Lose all contact with your siblings until you’re a young adult. Find love with a criminal. Experience near death by your lover. Become best friends forever with your sibling. Find your partner after reuniting with your sibling. Have only one child.

Generation 6: Rapunzel ☀️

“Your mother never trusted you or the outside world. You never knew about her past (and don’t want to). All you’ve gotten was loneliness.”

Rules: Must have artistic and loner traits. Must reach level 4 painting before becoming a young adult. Your future partner must be your only friend until you marry. Must have a private wedding. You have to sneak out at night and have a strict relationship with your parents. (Own add on: must have long hair until married, must have easily impressed or some naive trait, partner must be older OR criminal)

Generation 7: Belle 🌹

“You always loved books and visited the library often. You think that the beauty of every person is inside. Everyone was in love with you, but you turned them down. You wanted to choose someone that will actually love you.”

Rules: Must have the bookworm trait (own add on: irresistible trait). Date at least 5 men before meeting the love of your life. Marry an ugly or supernatural sim (OAO: preferably wolf, or rich person). Your partner must become beautiful after your first child is born (OAO: OR after you marry)(If it’s an ugly sim edit in cas, if it’s an supernatural you can make it human or edit the genetics).

Generation 8: Mulan ⛰️

“Your family always wanted that you bring fortune back to your family by marrying a high status sim, but you don’t want love, you want glory

Rules: Must have active trait. Fall in love with a coworker, marry and have kids when you reach the highest points of your career. You have to be a militar(???). You have to get famous by your career and reach at least 2 stars of fame.

Generation 9: Jasmine 💎

“You hated being rich and living like a princess. Your father wants you to marry a rich person, but you don’t want money in your life.”

Rules: have a childhood best friend (if you have the pets expansion it must be a pet). You can only leave home for school. Your partner must be poor, your partner must be on the criminal career. Have maximum of 4 children

Generation 10: Merida 🐻

“You always judge your mother for leaving her rich life and marrying someone poor. Your adventures lead you to trouble and getting grounded.”

Rules: you must have the rebellious trait. Lose yours siblings and mother in an accident.

Now you can choose two endings:

You try to change your families past, but you fail. You don’t believe in love and you never marry. You believe you’re cursed so you never have kids. When you’re older you realize you weren’t and you reject (oao: I think they meant regret) not having kids.

You gain the commitment issues trait as a young adult and you never marry. You can choose to adopt a child or be child free when you complete your lifetime wish.

[calamari-minecraft-corner]

See I just read the echo your name spoilers that you posted and I have no idea how to express how I'm feeling about them because you are breaking my heart (in a good way!) and at the same time it's so deliciously sad and tragic and he doesn't even remember her properly!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhh it's so tasty and so painful and auodbqijztajzbuaiafisgshn

But either way it's a brilliant choice

100/10 will probably make me cry

And I can just imagine Cala and Dream are going to be going through the ringer in terms of emotions

Oh! Actually I do have a question! How long has it been since Dream died when he's revived? And how are you going to do limbo's time dilation? Like how much time will Dream have spent in limbo?

HEHEHE YOU GET IT!

Cala and Dream will defintiely go through the wringer a lot and they would both cope with it in different ways to be honest— especially since after seeing Dream she does want to fulfill her promise to Tommy so she tries to go home but uh-/ Dream really doesn’t let her HEDKD

But on with your question ! :3

I was thinking back and forth on how long it’s been since Dre died when the events of the Ghost AU start— so I decided when basically Cala summons him it’s probably right around a year/a little after. And then Dre stays in Cala’s world for like… 8-9 months before they both hop into the DSMP. And then Cala’s stay til his revival would be like 3-4 months.

So I would say Dream has been dead for a little over 2 years!

As for how long Dream has spent in limbo- it’s actually part of the reason why he’s more unhinged tbh

When Dream died, he knew it was gonna take a small bit til Punz revived him. So he was very patient. He has to be in this situation— so he was honestly expecting to be there for at least a month or two real time til Punz brought him back. So Dream waited around 5 years in limbo time patiently—

And he started to slowly lose his nerve after that.

He was getting impatient, he was getting paranoid; why wasn’t he alive by now? He should have been! The only thing really keeping him sane was him counting the days and it honestly felt like the prison all over again but more lonely.

So he kept counting. And counting.

Until the years began to turn to decades in his point of view. And he was really doubting everything.

Meanwhile uh— there’s a reason why Punz couldn’t revive Dream! The main one being after Dream’s death, Quackity and Sam tracked him down and basically took the book from him.

Everyone in the server knows Dream had died by that point- because Quackity told everyone what happened:

That Dream apparently killed himself trying to escape and his plan fell through.

And majority of people believe it!

Majority ;)

So really by that point everyone really moved on… until Dre popped up and was basically ‘hidden’ from Q and Sam.

But back in limbo Dream was just waiting. And I figured out the math I think

Dream has been in limbo for 60 years until he came back!

The longest he has ever been in limbo— not as long as Wilbur or Schlatt but long enough for him.

And Dream is not happy about that at all.

[v1leblood]

Sincere question: I remember you talking about retcons to Amy's character in Ward at one point. As someone who also basically despises what was done to that character in that story, I'm curious as to which specific retcons you mean? Was it that she was made into a *literal* rapist on top of all the other stuff, or was it a different thing? Apologies if this brings a maelstrom of Ward discourse your way, I'm just interested in your take.

cw: rape

I was going to write a longer and more thorough reply to this, but wanting to do that has kept me from actually Answering It, so i'm going to forego being thorough and not let it sit in my inbox til next week

the long and short of it is that amy as she's depicted in ward has very, very little resemblance to the amy we see at the end of worm -- and the contrast is intense, because the reader spends a cool 4 arcs with post-birdcage amy during the events of gold morning. i don't have specific citations to pull because i'm Not being thorough, but like... open any chapter after arc 25 where amy appears and it should be pretty obvious.

then there's also the fact that the wretch incident (which was unto itself a horrible, traumatizing violation of bodily autonomy) wasn't written to be Literal rape, despite later insistence in wog that this is the case.

...because wildbow of Back Then said he wouldn't be including any form of sexual assault in the text of worm

I mean, maybe he changed his mind within the span of six months (time between this post and the carol interlude), but... that's not great for credibility, either.

and if we run with the assumption that amy Was a (literal, not just figurative or allegorical) rapist throughout the entire run of worm, then it's just... extraordinarily strange that we spend So Much Time with her over the course of the book, including after she goes to the birdcage -- where we get continuous glimpses into how she's coping, growing and otherwise developing -- And in the finale, where she's framed as having changed for the better and being more grounded than our protagonist is

ward is a huge change to the direction her character seemed to have headed and reads as an overcorrection borne of the post-worm fandom being incredibly nasty towards victoria and too charitable and whitewashy about amy. wildbow said that he wasn't taking fandom reactions and junk into consideration when writing ward, but he also made a point of explicitly describing number man's boring trousers after the joke about him having his dick out got big, so... yeah

so the answer is like. when talking about retcons i'm talking about both of the thing? amy changed a lot insofar as Who She Is and What She Does in ward and the rape thing is contradictory, unnecessary, and really just a big mess

other amy posts that touch on similar topics and i broadly agree with here and here (rip brockton-breakers you are missed). there are others out there i think but i'm too lazy to look them up, sorry!

[wordingg]

The Husky and His White Cat Shizun Vol. 4

Haha, I almost forgot to post about The Husky and His White Cat Shizun Vol. 4 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou. Like last time, talking about this book at all is going to spoil volume three so, I'm going to put my recommendation at the top and then talk about the book itself under the read more break.

I thought this book was probably the slowest paced out of all the books so far, but it was also the sweetest and fluffiest. Don't expect any big bombshells in this one, but it still advances the plot.

So book three ends with Master Huaizui accepting Chu Wanning's souls from Mo Ran and telling Mo Ran it will take him five years to put Chu Wanning's souls back into his body and revive him. Book four starts in an epistolary style, showing a few quick snapshots of what Mo Ran is doing in the five years Chu Wanning is still being revived. He desperately wants to become someone who can support and protect his shizun, so he travels and studies and helps people selflessly. But, he's also still absolutely tortured by the knowledge of who he was and what he did in his past life. It haunts him constantly.

When Chu Wanning wakes up, it doesn't really sink in that it's been five years until he sees Xue Meng and doesn't recognize him. Xue Zhengyong tells Chu Wanning about all the good that Mo Ran has been doing, how he's been making a name for himself in the cultivation world and working hard. But, it's still a shock to see how much Mo Ran has changed when Chu Wanning finally meets him again (in the bath because of course that's where their tearful reunion takes place, fucking butt ass naked). Mo Ran 2.0 has finally arrived, and he's tall and tan and ripped and also the sweetest boy that ever happened!

I'm not going to recount every event of this book because I think it would take forever. But, yeah, this book definitely has a different tone and feel. Mo Ran is both sweet, but tortured. Also! He doesn't realize until THIS FUCKING BOOK that he LOVES Chu Wanning?!?! I was. My guys. My dudes. I started to cuss this book out loud, I had to put it down (loudly) I was so. I don't even know what I was feeling. I was laughing, but I was also mad. Apparently? He thought he just SUPER respected Chu Wanning, but all that fucking they did in his past life was just mucking it up with lust. It isn't until this book that he's like "oh fuck, I'm in love with him". In his defense he does say he feels like an idiot for not realizing it before but like. God dammit. I'm not even mad. It feels like it's my fault, honestly. I signed up for this.

This book is primarily both Chu Wanning and Mo Ran pining for each other, but trying to keep it professional. With a lot of silly situations thrown in to make their lives hard. They're both struggling with lusting after each other while also respecting the hell out of each other. Chu Wanning is freaking out because he's never felt lust for anyone in his life (supposedly because he's practiced asceticism his whole life, but I'm just going to plunk the demisexual label on his forehead just to make myself happy) and Mo Ran because he's afraid that if he gives in to his baser instincts he'll turn back into Taxian-jun.

The book ends with them all going to Rufeng Sect to attend the wedding of Nangong Si and Song Quitong. Mo Ran meets Ye Wangxi the day they get there, and Ye Wangxi is so fucking sad, Mo Ran decides then and there he's going to fucking ruin this wedding. God, I love this idiot boy so damn much.

ANYWAY! How am I going to survive until next month when the next book comes out? I'm really asking. I've already preordered it! Til next time, I guess.

[nesrinslittleworld]

The Sultan's request.

Lale Hatun has a conversation with her Uncle when she visits him with the second portrait.

Book: Romance Club: Dracula A Love Story

Pairing: none

Characters: Lale Hatun ; Sultan Murad II

This scene takes place slightly before the events of Episode 1 Season 4, in the Ottoman Empire, when Lale decides to visit her sick Uncle.

--

She stayed at the entrance for a moment, watching the physician, Shirvani, as he treated his honorable patient. The dim room smelled of incense and medicines. This combination of scents brought a certain feeling of uneasiness to Lale, and she tightened her grip on the canva carefully rolled in her hands.

Shirvani eventually headed towards the door, bowing respectfully once he reached the Sultan's niece level.

"Lale Hatun", he cautiously started. "I'll ask of you not to linger for too long. Our Padişah must rest in order to regain his strength".

She only bowed her head in agreement, the lump forming in her throat preventing her from uttering a single word. She waited for the door to close behind the physician before taking a few more steps toward the imposing bed, where the Sultan was laying.

As he heard her, Sultan Murad turned his head in her direction, and happiness appeared in his tired eyes.

"Aisha! My beloved sister.."

Lale felt her heart sink as she heard him, and she allowed herself to come closer.

"No Padişahım" she softly corrected. "It's me, Lale."

"Lale..." He repeated as he eyed her with confusion, before smiling weakly. "Forgive me, my sweet Girl ; when I look at the beautiful young woman you've become, I cannot help but seeing your dear mother." The sultan barely had the time to speak that a fit of coughs seized him, and Lale immediately placed the roll on the bed, rushing toward the jar of water and pouring its precious content in her Uncle's glass before helping him drink it.

The Sultan gratefully took several gulps, then winced as he layed back on his bed.

"You should not be here, Lale" he eyed her with some sadness in his eyes as she picked up the roll. "A sickroom is not a place for a young woman."

"I will do as you say, Uncle" Lale started softly. "But I was hoping that I could lift your spirits with this humble gift." She gestured to the canvas in her hands, and unrolled it once the Sultan nodded to her. Alaadin was staring back at him as if he really was in the room; yet the sultan remained unmoved, as if he could no longer remember him.

"It is your second son, my Lord. Alaadin... " Lale muttered softly, but only earned a pensive glance from the Sultan.

"My son. Yes..." he eyes went from the portrait to his niece, and his expression became serious once more. "My dear girl, I am so grateful for your forgiveness towards my son. I know... that his past behaviour wronged you deeply."

Lale could feel her fingers shake slightly, and she crossed her hands in front of her to conceal it, once the painting placed aside.

" As you yourself have said, Uncle, the Şehzade has changed. He seems to have gained wisdom and truly wishes to make amends." She disliked discussing of Mehmed, with anyone. The Şehzade was a topic she preferred to remain private, for herself only to ponder upon. Especially after what had happened in his chambers, when she asked him for the sword.

" Yes. It brings joy to my heart to see that you are now getting along, as you did when you were only children."

She felt a lump in her throat as she heard him, and anxiety seized her gradually. What if someone had reported them? What if Mehmed himself told him about the sword?

Her Uncle's voice called her back.

" Lale, you have always had the wellbeing of your family at heart." He looked at her with tenderness, and pride. "You have grown into such a brave and clever, beautiful woman..." he raised his hand to her, taking her own hand in his. "I'm not a fool; I know that I might not last 'til winter. So I'll ask you this, my brave niece: if I were to join our Creator, would you find in your heart the will to give a chance to Mehmed?" He raised his free hand as she was about to speak, thus interrupting her." I know, I know. But you and Mehmed are equals, Lale. I am not referring to your statut, but to your characters. Mehmed, and our Empire, will need someone strong and brave by the new Sultan's side. Someone whose pure heart will protect our people from wrong, and help my son to bring glory to our Empire as he so often wished to." he paused, looking at her with a spark of hope in his eyes. "This vision brings some peace to my tired heart. Please, my dear girl, at least promise me that you'll consider it."

Lale remained silenced for a moment, considering her Uncle's plea. But the moment the Padişah thought he might never get an answer, she softly said:

"I wish you a long and healthy life, Hünkarım." She bowed deeply, her hands folded in front of her, then took three steps back before turning around and leaving the room.

"May Allah hear you, my dear child", Murad's reply barely managed to reach her ears before the door closed behind her.

[simon-x-billy]

Simon x Billy

Year of the OTP: March

March prompt: Acceptance

Meet my OTP: Simon Lewis, author of a best-selling paranormal book series, who keeps writing himself into his novels; and Billy Delaney, Irish handsome devil and nomadic man of mystery, who chefs internationally. AN: Simon x Billy is a slow-burn m/m first-time-bi fic (nsfw at ch. 7). TW: References to the pain of being cheated on, language, Irish-isms, massive rewrites. Event details || ao3: Full Event || @yearoftheotpevent

Masterlist || ao3 || Start: Jan Ch. 1 || Prev: Feb Ch. 2 || Here: Mar Ch. 3 || Next: April Ch. 4

————/-/—————

March Chapter 3: My red stripe of pain

———/Simon/———

Ooh, my ass is sunburnt. In a slightly-but-mostly-not sexy way. Look at that. I’ve taken on a rather tomatoesque appearance after four hours in the meaty embrace of the sun at midday without sunblock. But even pain can’t spoil this utter relaxation and bliss I feel.

Huh. I’ve just realized I’ve never done this before — traveling to another country alone. Maybe it’ll turn lonely again later. But right now, watching a boat streaking across my view, I feel free.

And slightly dehydrated.

————/-/—————

“You have a stripe on your arse. That’s what yer tellin me, is it.”

“Yes.”

“A stripe of pain. Have you been naughty, Simon?” Billy asks with the most obscenely good looking smirk. Ew. How dare he.

“Don’t grin at me like that, you barbarian. My red stripe of pain isn’t worthy of that kind of interest, trust me.”

“Why not?” He’s pouring me his favorite wine at the hotel bar, while I wait for my table at the very-big-deal restaurant outside.

“Why n- Are you- My red stripe of pain is a boring kind of red stripe of pain, I assure you.” After a second’s very deep reflection, I’ve realized I want to know, “Why are you so focused on my red stripe of pain, anyway? Never mind. I’ve changed my mind about wanting to know that. Ugh, look at this place. I have no words,” I sigh as the sun dips toward the horizon.

“Finally noticed you’re in Italy, did you,” he chuckles. He’s chuckling. Great.

“Even I had to notice sooner or later. And though it was a little, ok fine, quite a bit later, it’s ok. I’m good with that. Look, the point is…” What was my point? (I am the essence of cool rn.)

Now he’s raising one of his eye caterpillars at me.

He squawks out a laugh and then ducks, as a few of the other patrons look up at the bar.

“Tell me I didn’t say that out loud,” I ask weakly.

“You didn’t say that out loud. But the truth is, yeh said that out loud, mate. And I’ve never heard quite that arrangement of words, ever. Eye caterpillars,” he chuckles.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I bet they keep your face warm come winter. But don’t worry, I was once described as having eye caterpillars, too.” By whom I can’t remember. But am I admitting to furry eyebrows? Fuck no. His are far furrier than mine.

“Mate, looks like your seating is ready.” He inclines his head to the side to indicate the host coming to claim me.

“Oh. Ok. Have a good night Beelee.” I waive as I say, “Ciao,” then cringe. “Oh kill me now, I said ciao.” All I can think every time I hear it is puppy chow. Or puppy ciao.

“Keep using it, til you don’t think about it anymore,” is Billy’s random advice. ”Ciao, Seemon.”

“Does he talk dirty to all the guests?” I mumble as I’m seated.

“The list of the wines, signore.” The host hands me a binder so freakin big it requires tabs. Oh look, there’s another one for their selection of olive oils, too.

I never was any good at languages. I’m thinking maybe I should have spent some time on important things, like “Where’s the bathroom? Right and left. Do you have a cell phone charger?” The essentials.

I was too focused on setting everything up for the proposal. The one I’d planned for tonight.

…Fuck, man, I miss her. Why? Why the fuck do I miss her? Why does she get that from me, karmically? It’s so unfair.

I mean, at least I finally feel buzzed. But it’s not cheering me up. It’s just making me all moony.

…I’ve never seen a lavender sky before. Have you? This would be an impossible place to contemplate suicide. Not when you get this sky every day.

…Why does she get to have me miss her? That’s just not cool. “What did I ever do to you?” Maybe I really shouldn’t shake my fist at the sky in the middle of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Even when there isn’t somebody here to get embarrassed by me. So I’m hereby mentally shaking my fist at the sky. Screw y-

Whoa. Look at that.

Is that a freakin schooner? I mean that looks like the Pirates of the Caribbean came to the Mediterranean. I just- I can’t- It’s- It’s a freaking cruise ship. A sailboat version of a cruise ship. My god.

That is simultaneously brilliant and an unholy alliance of two things that should not exist in the same paragraph on a travel brochure. I dunno. I’m just jealous. I’ve always wanted to be in Pirates of the Caribbean.

…You ever wonder what he or she saw when they looked at you standing there at the end? I can’t stop thinking about it. What had I turned into in her mind, right before she finally got the balls to say and do what she wanted to? How long? Why didn’t I notice the change? How much of this can I blame on myself? Because I will find the things I can blame on myself and then I’ll chew on them like an old piece of beef jerky. And my whole head will ache after, because of all the chewing.

…Towns lit up, like a diamond necklace draped aaaaaaaaaaall along the bay. I would have bought her a diamond necklace. I totally would have. I already bought the ring. Would have felt obligated to keep it in my underwear, so, at least there’s an upside to her dumping me. Oh hey look, that must be Vesuvius. Why would you want to live near Mount Vesuvius? It’s alive.

…I shake my head back to consciousness as someone steps in the way of my view and leans toward me over the back of Elijah’s seat. (That’s a joke. An empty chair for Elijah. If you’re Jewish you get it.)

“How you doin there, mate?” It’s Billy.

I don’t much like that careful, quiet tone he’s using.

“Yeah, totally. Amazing restaurant.”

“Em,” he looks back over to the kitchen and says quietly, “Mate, you didn’t eat.”

“What? I ate!”

“You ordered olives. At a Michelin-starred restaurant that people can only reserve a year to the day ahead of time. Everything ok?"

Or you call and bribe them. That can get you a table, too.

“Yeah, the olives were good.” And are still largely untouched, I see as I glance down at my plate. Yet I’m certain I’ve ordered something. Beyond the wines, I mean.

“Shit.” I now realize that the staff of the restaurant are waiting for me. “This outdoor patio is a patio all day. Doesn’t it just turn back into a patio at night? Like when the clock tolls midnight?”

“Sure but midnight’ll still be two hours away.” He pauses to look behind him and motions to someone that he’s going to sit down with me.

“Um…” I don’t know what to say. Cuz I really don’t want to talk to him rn. It’s not that I don’t - I just - I don’t want to have to try so hard to speak in complete sentences.

“You’d rather that I didn’t join you. Well, if you can put up with my less than ideal company for the next half hour, then the kitchen will be locked down and you can sit out here staring at Naples all night by yerself. Or is it me specifically?”

I snort.

Billy shifts in his seat. “Simon? You didn’t actually answer the question. You just sort of breathed loudly at it.”

I shake my head, not sure what he’s talking about.

“Leave by yourself, or sit for 25 more minutes with me.”

I feel like he’s speaking a different language and frown at him. Why is he looking at me like that?

“Mate, you’re thinkin out loud again. And for your information, I’m speaking English, with an Irish accent, which really isn’t that different to all other versions of English. Because it’s English. And I’m lookin at yeh like this cos you’re startin to scare me, yeah?”

“Is that a rhetorical question? I’m not sure that was a question at all.”

He slides his chair back looking kinda pissy.

“What did I say?! Don’t look at me like that,” I finish in a mumble.

He stands. “Em.” It’s Billy, who is annoying the fuck out of me rn. “You’re not looking too-”

“Fuck it. Where can I sit?”

Billy takes a step back, definitely looking pissed off now, and raises his hands in an “I give up” kinda gesture. “Enjoy your solitude. I’ll just tell the owner to turn the lights off on yeh, then.” He turns and starts to walk away toward the kitchen again.

“Yes! Thank you. I’ll be able to see the view better,” I say, tapering off at the end. I hear the kitchen door close.

I go to take another sip of wine, but my glass is gone. All that’s left is the last bottle I ordered, already uncorked, thank god.

The lights go out. Finally.

————/Billy/————

“Well if it isn’t the lovely Rosalina. What brings you my way this early in the day, love?” She always blushes when I greet her this way. If she didn’t work here at the hotel, I’d be finding all the places I could make her blush. Christ, she’s beautiful. They grow ‘em like that here. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“It is the American on the roof. You come, please.”

That can’t be good. “On the roof?”

“Or maybe I do not speak it well. He is on the floor of his room, on the floor next to his room. He sleeps there. Maybe he drops his key in the sea? Or the window?”

“He’s asleep on the floor?”

“Si.”

“But not in his room?”

She shakes her head. So do I. What now, Seemon.

Haven’t laid eyes on him in a coupla days. Hoped he’d be doin better.

She looks very serious now. “And I do not like to see the other girls also seeing him when they go to clean. You speak English to him and you are tell him to go to his room for the sleep.”

That’s really very sweet -- she doesn’t want to embarrass him. “I do not like them seeing him like that, either, Rosalina. Thank you. You are very kind.”

“Kind?”

“You have a beautiful heart,” I say, tapping my chest. No use listing everything else beautiful about her. “And your English is improving.” She smiles, and twists away so I can’t see her blushing. Why do women do that? When are they more lovely?

She’s a coworker, Billy, she’s a coworker. I already regret my feckin principles.

She shoos me toward the stairs to the top floor, and all but flees down the hallway when I aim a smile her way. She’s sweet.

————/-/—————

Even before I top the stairs, I can already hear him snoring.

Actually, that sounds more like choking.

Aw, mate, this isn’t good. He snores until his head lolls too far to the side, then he chokes, making his head roll back against the wall, where he starts up with the snoring again. Jesus Christ, has he been choking like this all night?

He’s sat propped up next to the door to his suite. The closer I get, the more I smell fumes. It’s sickly sweet, and oof, he’s got sticky-looking drool migrating in a slow stream from his mouth down the side of his chin.

The label on the half-empty bottle says Limoncello. “Aw, mate. The pain you’re about to feel is a unique suffering.” I hate to get in his face to wake him up. Something tells me Simon’ll be mortified, but there’s nothin for it.

The hall is dim with the storm shutters bolted tight from the inside. Maybe if I shed some light on the situation… Result!

Simon choke-snorts, then groans as he attempts to shift away from the source of light. So the – oof, they stick – shutters at the far end of the hall are open. Result again.

He mumble-whines. “Mmmfm mmmmbnnnaway.” Then there’s groaning, as if the sound of his own voice is too offensive to bear. Then growling and groaning. Until I finally hear some English I recognize. “Ow? Owwwwwwww. Nooooooo. Make it ugly again. n’Go away.”

“Make it ugly?”

“Dark. Too pretty. Hate it.” Followed by whimpering.

“How can something be too pretty?” I mumble under my breath.

“Just can.” Then he tries to roll his head toward the sound of my voice and fails. “Owwwwww?”

Probably needs a hand up. Leaning down, I can see his pulse pounding in his temple. I’d take the pain away if I could, mate. I would if I could. “Let’s get ye to bed, get ye down for a kip, mate. It’ll make you feel better, promise.”

“s’Too pretty in there. Don’t want pretty. You’re too pretty, go’way.”

I can’t help snorting.

“Said go’way.”

“Sorry, mate. Not happenin. Anyway, I can shutter the windows in there to keep it dark. The bed’ll be more comfortable for yeh to sleep it off than this floor, at any rate.”

“Don’t wanna be comfortable.”

Hm. “Here, man. Take my arm. We’ll get you sorted.”

“Go’way!” he shouts, then clutches his head and whimpers. “n’Stop being so nice. s’Disgusting. Don’like it. Don’like you. Go’way.”

“Yer lucky I’m pretendin to be hard of hearin, or I’d go ahead and leave ye here. Now take my arm and-”

“Stop it!” He tries slapping my hands away. And misses.

Shaking my head. Just shaking my head.

“Can do it myself,” he demands. But no, he really can’t. He gives standing a go, and all he manages is a high pitched sob.

“Aw, man. Go on, lemme help yeh.”

Apparently there is a threshold of stupidity with Simon Lewis, thank Christ. He holds out his arm.

But before he takes my hand, he squints up at me. “Never speak of this,” he says with deadly seriousness. “Never happened.”

As I shutter the windows and draw the curtains, he shuffles into bed, fully clothed. “Gross. Why am I sticky?”

“Aw, mate. Ye don’t want to be sleepin in those clothes. I promise yeh, mate. You get your kit off, and I’ll fetch you a wet cloth.” I hold up my hand to stop the inevitable complaints and refusals. “Enough whingeing, man, just do it.”

I come back from the bathroom to find a pile of clothes on the floor, and Simon snoring away with the sheet stuck to his face. It would be endearing if he wasn’t such a feckin pain in my arse.

————/-/————

Simon’s been silently staring out the window for 45 minutes. But not out the window with the gorgeous view. He’s staring at the rock cliff face blurring past too fast to see much of anything.

I want to reassure him that everything will be alright. But it’s not my place, and he’s not for hearin it, anyway.

And what if it isn’t alright.

I try to just leave it be, but I can’t help myself. “You alright man?”

“Why.”

“You’re usually a lot gobbier than this. I’m worried about yeh.”

“Italy was a bad idea.”

“Italy is never a bad idea.”

“Says the man not living my life.”

He’s got me there. “Ok.

As I’m pulling his bags out the boot, I feel like I can’t leave it like this. I don’t know why. It’s just unsettling seeing someone in pain like this, and not bein able to help. I wasn’t lyin -- I’m worried about him.

“Thanks, Beelee,” he says, holding out his hand.

We shake, and before I give him his hand back, I find myself saying, “Text me in 6 months and let me know you’re alive, yeah?”

He huffs out a breath and looks at me. After a moment he shifts uncomfortably, and finally says, “Yeah.”

I’ve no idea why I feel so relieved. “What’s yer number, I’ll text yeh.” Shocked be fuckin I when he gives it to me.

“Thanks, Billy. You’re a good guy. Appreciate you.” And then he’s gone.

————/-/—————

Start: January Ch. 1 || Prev: February Ch. 2 || Next: April Ch. 4

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