#one of my hobbies is photographing the sky

[seyvia]

☁️ *.as Gentle as the Clouds.* ☁️

cc~ hair @dogsill / baby hairs @ceeproductions / earrings @liliili-sims4 / blush @saruin / face shine @twisted-cat

[spookypete-94]

Take a Picture

Scareactor!GhostxFem!reader

Reader is a professional photographer hired out at a haunted theme park where she catches the eye of one of our favorite masked men.

Inspired by a TikTok I saw that I can not find for the life of me! Will do a part 2 tomorrow if time allows it. Feeling festive :)

Happy Halloween!!

"$1,500."

"For the weekend??" Y/N asked eagerly. After starting her own business, money was tight. Wedding season had slowed down from the change of seasons, and senior pictures would be her next pick-up in the spring.

"For the weekend," the manager of the theme park said before continuing, "if things stay busy and the weather is good, we will ask you back for the next weekend. Does that work?"

"Absolutely!" Y/N said, without any hesitation. Fuck yeah! Was what she wanted to say.

"Great, shift brief starts at 4 PM before the park gets dark. If you want to attend to see how we operate, you are more than welcome."

"I'll be there." Pleasantries were exchanged before the phone was hung up. She felt like she was riding on cloud 9. Gathering her camera equipment, flashes, and extra batteries and a few lenses, nearly skipping out the door to her car. The money would be nice, but how many people get to take pictures at a Halloween event at a theme park for their portfolio as well?

The autumn air was crisp on her skin, the sky bright blue with Toy Story clouds in them. This felt promising for her, and she loved the feeling. She gave up her hated job and moved on to her dream career as her own boss, making her hobby into her life choice.

Pulling into the theme park, she immediately noticed the dark aesthetic, further feeding her anticipation for the next two nights. The black metal gates at the entrance decorated with twinkling purple lights. Seeing what appeared to be a group of workers, she gathered her things and followed them I'm.

"Y/N?" Someone asked as she walked through, assuming it was the person she talked to on the phone.

"Yes," she said, sticking out her hand to shake the other person's

"Thought so with that camera around your neck, come with me, have some information and papers for you to sign before you get started." The woman turned on her heel waiting for y/n to follow.

"My name's Kate. Basically, we want jump scare shots if you can get them and some candids of the actors. We will take your pictures at the end of the night and place a watermark on them. If the customers want to buy them, then they can. Sound good?"

Kate kept walking at a fast pace, heading to what looked like an office.

"Yeah, totally," she nodded.

Once inside, she sat down and signed the proper paperwork.

"Stay out of the actors' way if you can help it. They can get pretty into it and don't want you hurt. Wear this mask," she said, sliding a black and red formal mask to her. "I've already shown them this mask so they understand you're here to photograph, not to be scared. Alright?"

"Got it." She said taking the mask and looking at it. It was flat black with red sparkles outlining it. Black ribbon used to tie it back.

"They should all be in the meeting room, I'll lead you there and then you should be good to go."

Standing up once more, she followed Kate. Heart pounding in her chest, ready to get started.

It was almost like a locker room, men and women scattered through it. Most were in actual costumes that would frighten anyone, fake blood spattered across fabric or skin. Full masks of different creatures on their shoulders.

One of them caught her eye, however. He was shirtless but wearing black pants. Red over his tattooed arms and hands, making it look like he had freshly killed someone. His eyes were brown, like the leaves in the trees right now, the only feature she could see of his face from the skull mask he had on.

Instantly, her breathing hitched. It was like her heart stopped, making her stand still. Awkwardly moving in, realizing that people were watching her move now.

She tried to make herself small, standing in a corner. Listening to who was designated in what area and when everyone would rotate around, trying to pay attention to the map. Her eyes kept wandering over to the large man that was built like a Greek God, finding she wasn't able to control herself. The brown eyes glanced over to her, making her hair stand on end. He caught her staring at him.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer." The voice in his chest rumbled.

She couldn't quite place if he was making a joke about her, or if he was upset with her for staring.

"S-sorry," she stuttered out quietly, turning to face the speaker once more. Shortly after her apology, the meeting was over. He walked past her, shadow looming over, making a chill across her skin.

Kate must have seen their interaction. "Don't mind him. He comes across gruff sometimes but mostly just sticks to himself."

Y/N nodded, readying herself, doing one last check through things ready to get the night started. Tying her mask around her face, she walked out into the main courtyard.

It started off amazing. People come through the gates in waves. Laughing to herself when people were scared by the actors, but then stopping her with them when they wanted their picture taken. It was beautiful to her, even as it was creepy. People were having a good time spiking their adrenaline, and she got to capture it. It made her earlier embarrassing moment go away. She had completely forgotten about it... until it was shift change, and there he stood. Making her stomach feel like it had just rolled.

Underneath his mask, he was smiling. Seeing the fear strike her face. It was what he lived for... but she was untouchable... for now.

She told herself to move past it. Getting paid was important. It didn't stop her. She took her photos of him in awe of his ability to just intimidate his victims, bolting after them, making them run away. His chuckle in his chest made her body heat up in such a way. Heart throbbing at the sight of him.

The night is coming to its end. The clock striking midnight at the park, the bells rolling off in the distance. It was like it signified something to him. She watched his head turn around to her, his eyes wicked. Taking large steps, he approaches, rolling his shoulders in the same manner that he did when he picked his next target. Her eyes were wide, and she turned and tried to run, unable to process what he was doing. He grabbed her arm and pulled him to her, where he then backed her up into the corner of a garden and a doorway. Hands now on either side of her head, all she could do was look up at him and breathe. Even that was hard to do.

"You get your picture, finally sweet girl?" His voice rasped. "Get my good side, did ya? I get to take pictures of you next, right?" He said, taking the camera of her shoulders and lifting it over her head. He snapped a few photos of her before leaning in further, lips now brushing her ear through his mask.

"Would like to take different photos of you...if you're interested." With that, he turned on his heel, walking away now. Just leaving her alone with her thoughts... all she could think was-

And I get to do this again tomorrow.

part 2

Simon Ghost Riley Masterlist

[ellethespaceunicorn]

Pretty As A Picture

Title: Pretty As A Picture

Rating: Explicit, 18+, Minors - DNI

Pairing: Lloyd Hansen x F!Reader

Fandom: The Gray Man

Word Count: 2.2K

Summary: What started as a hobby day in the park turns into Lloyd Hansen showing you why taking photos of strangers is a bad idea.

Warnings: Murder Daddy, gun, murder(not Reader), chase, knife play, kidnapping, pet names(gumdrop, princess), slight dacryphilia, Sir kink, blood, language, head injury, bondage, cutting clothing with a knife, DUBCON, unprotected rough p-in-v sex, pussy slapping, hyperspermia, slight aftercare, implied captivity

A/N: This is my late submission to @the-slumberparty’s Naughty or Nice Challenge. Unbeta’d, we die like people who tried their best.

Dividers by me

Support/Reblog banner by me

Cover Art by me

My Masterlist

You sit on the bench in the park, digital camera resting against your sternum as it dangles from the strap around your neck. The sky shines above you and illuminates the world around you as you look for something to capture. It’s been so snowy and the park’s surfaces are covered in white fluff. You had to wipe off the bench considerably to be able to sit down on the old wooden seating.

Your knee-length puffer coat is zipped and buttoned, but you still cross your arms to retain heat when the wind sweeps through, blowing snow in your face. You’ve taken about a handful of photos of empty swings and the slide that has become an ice luge. You hear voices nearby and turn toward the sound.

Two men are talking in the front seat of a town car parked on the edge of the park. Strange that they would pick here to have a casual conversation, but you can’t blame them. You came here for the peace too.

Curiously, you raise your camera and point it at the men. You zoom in, trying to read their lips, snickering when you see the younger man’s mustache. That was a choice. You catch little snippets here and there. But you can’t put all the pieces together. You are just about to lower your camera when movement surprises you.

You freeze when you see the man with the mustache on the passenger side bring out a pistol with a silencer on the end of it. He points it at the man in the driver’s seat and pulls the trigger. The mustachioed man then proceeds to wipe down the interior of the car and exits.

He turns to face the park, putting his hands in his pockets. He closes his eyes, tilting his head from side to side to relieve tension in his neck. When he notices you, you lower the camera slowly and wish upon wish that you can make it back to your apartment before he catches up to you. 

You let your camera hang around your neck and rise from the bench. Turning on a dime, you race between the swingset and head for your building. You are barely past the seesaw when you feel the man’s body crash into yours. Air escapes your lungs as you hit the ground and your camera is whipped to the side of you. You are disoriented for a second before you are turned around and grabbed by the front of your coat.

“Well, what do we have here? A little spy, maybe?” The mustachioed man removes one hand from your coat to reach into his pocket and withdraws a butterfly knife, holding it to your neck, “Who do you work for?”

You squeak when the point of the knife meets your skin, the sharp poke keeping you from moving. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just taking photos of the park. I didn’t see anything.”

He turns the knife slightly, the tip penetrating your neck. You feel the sting of the cut as a drop of blood slowly trails down the blade. He watches as you plead with your big doe eyes for him to let you go.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Oh, gumdrop. Anybody who says ‘I didn’t see anything’ most definitely saw something. The question is: What do I do with Little Miss Photographer?” His tone could have been considered sweet, if not mocking.

“Please, let me go. You can have the camera. Just please don’t hurt me, Sir.” Unshed tears blur your eyes and you try to blink them away but they fall down your cheeks.

He bites his bottom lip, shaking his head slowly. “Calling me Sir and crying for me? I just may have an idea of how to...take care of you, princess.”

He pockets the knife, the pressure of it releasing from your neck. Standing you to your feet, he turns you to start walking to the left, away from the direction of your apartment. With one hand on your coat, he reaches down and grabs the camera as you walk, his long legs moving faster than your shorter ones.

Once you get to a car, he tries to put you in the front seat but you get the sudden urge to fight for your life. You let him open the door then you kick it closed, turning in his arms and scratching at his face. He jerks away when three nails make contact with his forehead and slide down to his temple.

“Fucking bitch!” Blood wells to the surface and starts to trickle down his face. He grabs you by the skull, bringing you toward him before he smashes your head into the passenger door. It slows you down and your head pounds. Your legs are out from under you as he picks you up bridal style and takes you to the back of the car. 

You are barely alert while he speaks to you. “It didn’t have to be like this, gumdrop. All you had to do was get in but no, you had to be a brat,” He sets your feet down on the ground so he can grab a key fob from his pocket. The trunk opens and you are lifted inside, the zipper on your long coat being pulled down to reveal your clothing underneath. “Well know this. I don’t tame brats, ok? I correct them. Now, you get some sleep. I’ll wake you up when we get there.” He taps the end of your nose and winks down at you.

Your vision swims but you register him leering at you while licking his lips. He’s kind enough to not close the trunk too hard. You hear his steps crunching in the snow as he walks around the car. A door opens and closes, the engine turns over. You lurch toward the back of the car when it starts to move away from the curb. The darkness of the space and the steadiness of his driving lull you to close your eyes, falling asleep soon after.

"...you there, Gumpdrop?” 

You hear a voice that feels distant. Slowly, you pick your head up and open your eyes to see the man with the mustache sitting in front of you on a bed. He has two flexi-strips holding together the scratches you gave his face. Your coat is off, you are left in your fuzzy green sweater and black skirt. You try and move but you only wince when you look up to see your hands cuffed to the framework of the headboard. Your thigh-high sock-clad feet are left free and his hand idly moves up and down your shin.

When you try to move your leg away, he holds it back and squeezes your ankle as a warning. You don’t want any more head trauma so you resign yourself to doing whatever he wants.

“I am so glad you’re awake. You have no idea how hard it was to keep my hands to myself. Well, I did take these,” he reaches into a pocket and pulls out the familiar white panties, and waves them in your face, “Oh don’t worry, I didn’t play with that pretty little pussy. Wanted you awake for that.” He winks at you and stands. 

You watch as he walks away, listening to his footsteps going and then coming back. In his hands is your camera, safe and sound. He brings it up to his face, the lens moving forward and back before you hear the snap of the shutter.

“God, you are too damn sweet, gumdrop,” he coos, kneeling on the bed between your legs. He lifts your skirt and snaps a few photos of bare pussy. He hums, letting the camera dangle from the strap around his neck. The butterfly knife is back out, you shudder and he puts a hand up. “Calm down, pretty girl. Just gonna cut these pesky layers off you so don’t move unless you want me to cut you.”

You shove fear down and nod, following as he cuts through your skirt and sweater like butter. When he gets to your bra, he hooks a finger between your sternum and the fabric, cutting into the center of the material. When you are laid bare in front of him, he cups his crotch and groans. He raises the camera again and snaps away.

He takes the camera by the strap off of his neck and sets it on the nightstand. As he moves his hand back, he takes the opportunity to squeeze your tits. Pinching your nipples, he chuckles when you whine.

“Please...um, Sir?” you blurt, a mix of pain and pleasure radiating through you. You wish you could close your legs to get some friction but he is back between them.

“Lloyd,” he offers, still tweaking your nipples, “You can call me Lloyd, gumdrop.”

“Lloyd…um, please… uh,” You subconsciously begin to twist your hips and he gets the hint.

“Aww, my little princess needs some attention on her little pussy, huh?” You’re only turned on by his mocking tone and condescending words. He leans in to kiss and nip at your neck while he grinds his covered dick against your now slippery folds. “Alright, alright. I won’t tease you anymore. I know you need this much more than I do, gumdrop.” He uses one hand to unzip his pants and pull out his stiff dick. 

Although it is obscured from your vision, by the way he has to tilt his hips, you can tell he is packing a sizeable length. Covering the tip in your juices, he taps it against your clit. When he enters you, the stretch has you hissing along with Lloyd. He tilts his hips away from you and then comes back, going a bit deeper inside you. Adjusting his arms, he wraps one under your head and the other hand goes to hold your side while your legs wrap around him.

By the time you are used to his size, his hips are slamming into the backs of your thighs. His hand is sure to leave bruises on your hip and you don’t give a fuck in the slightest. He’s already restrained you and cut your clothes off. Might as well be fully debauched, right?

“Shiiiiit, this pussy is squeezing my fucking dick so good. I can feel you holding back, gumdrop. Let go for me.” He lets go of your hip and uses his thumb to pay attention to your clit. While he leans on his other hand, he clutches the bedspread as his hips continue their onslaught.

Your climax was just out of reach, like a word caught on the tip of the tongue. Lloyd locks eyes with you and lifts his hand, bringing it down to slap your puffy folds. You squeal and it only makes Lloyd slap it again. And that is how you discovered that this was a kink for you.

The tight band that held together your resolve snaps and on the third slap, you lose all control of your body. You let out the breath you didn’t know you were holding in a long moan, your legs clamping around Lloyd’s waist. Your walls flutter around his cock and your orgasm washes over you like a warm summer rainstorm, refreshing and necessary.

“That’s a good girl! Fuck, you are clamped around me like a goddamn vice. Oh, shit. I’m gonna cum, princess. Shit, shit shit!” Lloyd thrusts into you a few more times before pulling out and fisting his dick until he’s shooting thick, white ropes across your belly, chest, and neck.

You stop counting the spurts of cum after eight, watching as you essentially get glazed like a donut. He squeezes the head of his dick, pushing out the last dregs of his orgasm. He grabs the camera again, his eye lining up with the viewfinder. “Smile pretty for me.” 

You’re so fucked out that you smile when he asks. He snaps the photo and puts the camera back down. He leaves the bed and walks off, you hear him go down the hall and come back. He carries a wet washcloth and wipes you down, cleaning off the sticky substance before tossing it over his shoulder.

Lloyd opens a drawer in the nightstand, retrieving a small key, and unlocks your handcuffs one by one. He doesn’t offer to check your wrists for bruising, but you don’t expect him to. You’re more than surprised that he wiped his cum off of you, you didn’t want to push it.

“Now, gumdrop. So we’re clear, I’ve already made up my mind. I’m gonna keep you here with me. You’re gonna be my little playtoy. Whenever I need to take out frustration, I’m gonna take it out on this little pussy of yours. Or option B: I could kill you. Your choice.” 

And just like that, your fate is sealed. 

“Option A,” you mumble, tears line your eyes as you yawn.

“I knew you were a smart girl.” He pets your head and your eyes lose focus as you drift off into a dreamless sleep.

A/N: I really wish Lloyd would give me a break sometimes lol. I think I got this posted literally on the last day of the challenge.

**Tag List**

@cakesandtom @brattymum96 @ambinxe @avengersfan25 @kebabgirl67 @thabiddie23 @sweetandgentlecreature @foxyjwls007 @art2emily @titty-teetee @princessaxoo @gummydummy19 @posiemax @motivation-idontknowher @buckysteveloki-me @magnificentsaladllama @gyusbrownie @milknhonies @peyton-warren @raccoon-eyed-rebel

Let me know if you wanna be added (or removed) 😁

[taey0ngsvape]

ENHYPEN as: soft things they'd do for you...

Heeseung: Hold onto you while crossing a street or walking through a crowd

Whether it’s holding your hand or gently placing his hand on the small of your back, he’s there to gently guide you. He just likes having you close to him and feels better when he knows that you’re right there and safe.

Jay: Cooks for you

Kinda unoriginal but I believe it’s true with my whole heart. He keeps track of your favorite dishes without you ever having to say a thing, he just pays attention to what foods you make for yourself or what you usually order whenever you go out to eat. He loves cooking for you, it makes him happy to engage in a hobby that he enjoys so much and it makes him even happier to see your reaction when he surprises you with your favorite dish.

Jake: Sends you pictures of anything that reminds him of you

All day every day he takes pictures of things that remind him of you, whether it be flowers in bloom in someone’s window box or a blue sky with puffy white clouds, he’ll snap a photo and send it to you with some cheesy little message attached. Sometimes he even does it when you’re together just so he can see the smile on your face when you open the message.

Sunghoon: Saves you during social situations

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, Sunghoon pays close attention to you whenever you’re talking to someone, and he knows you well enough that he notices immediately when you’re ready to leave. As soon as it happens, he’ll swoop in and make some excuse that the two of you have to go and lead you off with a hand in yours and a knowing smile. 

Sunoo: Is kind of your own personal photographer

We all know this man has skill when it comes to taking pictures, but that skill is usually reserved for himself. However, with you, it’s different. He loves to take pictures of you, especially candid moments. He takes pictures when you aren’t looking, or you’re laughing too hard to notice and on special days like your birthday or anniversary he picks out the best ones and gives them to you as presents.

Jungwon: Lends you his sweatshirts when you’re cold and never asks for them back

He’s another one of the boys who’s very attentive of you and how you’re feeling, both physically and emotionally. When you get cold, or even when he can tell that you’re just upset, he’ll offer you one of his sweatshirts or a shirt of his for you to wear (even his favorite hoodies that he doesn’t let anyone else take, even the other guys). He likes seeing how you visibly relax when you’re wearing his clothes and he likes the way they look on you. He wouldn’t even dream of asking for them back.

Ni-ki: Cares for you when you’re not feeling well

When you’re sick or you’re on your period for those of you who get it, he makes it his mission to make you happy. He’ll constantly try to make you laugh and he’ll bring you all your favorite snacks and play video games with you to distract you. Still teases you, but it’s all out of love.

[cxsmicals]

The Slashers with a S/O who is in to film photography

(Includes: Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Brahms, Bubba Sawyer, Vincent Sinclair, Billy Lenz, Ghostface)

~ I’m indulging myself since I love film photography and it’s my favorite hobby! How would the boys react if you were a photographer AND what is their preferred camera?? Also I finally watched Black Christmas so Billy gets to come out and play for this one, yay!

Michael Myers: Michael doesn’t really care one way or the other about photography of any kind. He will be interested to watch you find things deemed ordinary and try to photograph them. If you show him some post-mortem photographers he might show a little interest. When all is said and done a point and shoot is his go to. Simple, easy to control, the flash built in gives it a sense of eeriness. He prefers black and white film as to give mystery to his photos.

Jason Voorhees: He’s enamored by your documentation of the forest. He takes a keen interest in your photography right away and asks to at least hold your cameras, and is careful to not break the vintage ones. if you convince him, a simple instant camera is his go to. He enjoys having the instant pictures of you in his belt compartments. If you get him out of his comfort zone he would like a brownie camera since it reminds him of his mother. He prefers color film as to see all of the details

Bubba Sawyer: He loves your photography. He supports it wholeheartedly like the sweet boy he is. If you’re a portrait photographer you might be able to get him to pose on a good day, but it’s unlikely. He loves polaroid cameras. He wants to scrapbook and keep all your memories together. Color film, he wants to preserve every single aspect of the memories.

Brahms: He doesn’t mind the photography that much. If you manage to catch him on a good day where he’s eager to learn he’ll pick it up quickly and want to learn all he can. Brahms is a classy bitch. He wants to be elegant and have the best, so a high class Hasselblad is his make of choice. Boujee and badass. I feel like he’d like to shoot in verichrome because it’s incredibly hard to find film and even harder to find someone who knows how to develop. He will absolutely fund your habit and get you a dark room to set up.

Vincent Sinclair: Any artistic hobby is great by his accounts. He’s happy that you have this hobby as it’s something you and him can talk about. He’ll want to keep all the photos you make and might enlist your help to make advertising for his own wax museum. He’ll want to show genuine interest so a 35mm or a standard 120 is his go to. He wants you to know he cares. He prefers black and white because he sees it as more “artistic” since you need to take more liberties for it. Much like Brahms, he might be willing to help you set up your own dark room to get the photographs properly developed on your own.

Billy Lenz: Oh Billy Billy Billy. Boy is ecstatic to turn your hobby in to a depravity. He is the most gung-ho about the photography since he wants to see you from all angles. If you let this goblin near your collection some cameras will just go missing. Typically it’s your polaroid but occasionally your 35mm might go missing as well. He wants to see you but he also wants to see the stars so he’ll try his best to photograph the night sky. If you want to spring the money for a telefoto lens or just give him a telescope he will be appreciative. If you two are intimately inclined then you WILL hear the shutter go off at random points in your sessions. If it’s not from your polaroid he will urge you to get the photos developed as quick as you can.

Ghostface: He’s got things to see and people to murder, so he’s not always around to indulge your habits. However, if he were to pick a camera, since he’s always running around, he prefers a simple point and shoot disposable that you can get at Walmart. Black and white, bland.

(Thanks for reading y’all. I am super drunk while writing this so if some if these are OOC or there’s spelling issues i’m blaming the gin for that. I also enlisted my boyfriend’s help for this since he knows these characters better than I do. Sorry for those whole like Ghostface i’m just not good at writing for him I’m sorry..)

[raainberry]

Record and Rewind

« Photographic film is a chemically reactive material that records a fixed or still image when the film is exposed to light. »

fem!idol x gn!reader

Fluff

synopsis - while on one of your many solo adventures, your signature scent unexpectedly draws in the love of your life to you

word count - 1.5K words

A/N - I got inspired after seeing a picture of Sana and her friends in the snow on Pinterest so I wrote this with her in mind. I don’t use her name though, so feel free to imagine whoever you want. Also if anyone’s actually reading this, this is only part 1 of 2, I’m new here and I thought I would test the waters with it. All feedbacks are welcome, if you’d like the second part, let me know!

“Could you take a few pictures of me and my friends?”

The voice brought your attention from the cloudy sky down to the face it belonged to. Or at least half of it, seeing as they were wearing a mask like everyone else.

It was a woman about as tall as your shoulders, handing you what looked like a film camera. The device hung there for a few seconds as you processed the request. She had pulled you out of a pretty deep trance, but you grabbed it nonetheless, nodding.

Not a sound came out from behind your own mask, not finding any reason for it. You only focused on fulfilling the duty you suddenly got entrusted with.

The woman excitedly ran up to three other women, who you only assumed were her friends, and as she did so, you looked down at the camera in your hand.

You were surprised to see your own reflection in the objective pointing directly to your face. A small chuckle escaped your lips at the sight, and an idea was quick to appear in that creative brain of yours, as it was always the case when confronted to such opportunities.

While a lot of those have lead you to what could be considered as odd situations, this one was part of the softer, more normal and innocent ones.

So you quickly executed it.

“Is everything okay?”

A different voice startled you, catching your attention. Surely one of the woman’s friends, you just couldn’t tell which one though, as you tore your eyes away from the lense and found all of them looking at you with the same questioning look.

“Yes, sorry.” You spoke up, voice cracking softly enough for it to go unnoticed. A product of this solo trip on which you obviously rarely spoke.

You lifted the camera up to your eye, perfectly framing the group of girls who offered a collection of poses, all concording with one another. Some chemistry they had, one that could only be birthed through a long time friendship.

It was somewhat nice to witness such complicity. It reminded you of your own friends, and you suddenly felt a bit sentimental as a memory flashed in the back of your mind. It felt like a lifetime ago you had gotten all together and captured moments like you were doing for those girls.

Hopefully you would get to meet again soon.

“Okay, I think that’s enough.” The black haired one of them laughed.

You nodded in agreement, although the words weren’t directed at you, and met them all halfway to give them back the camera.

The group of friends thoroughly thanked you and released you from duty soon after, to your delight.

Not that it was the worst time of your life—far from that, you loved to help. You simply happened to want to tend to other activities on this short break from this snowmobile trip.

So, glad you could help, you parted ways in good fashion, bowing respectfully before grabbing the notebook from your back pocket.

You found a seat on a bed of snow, undoubtedly covering a small patch of dirt in the middle of these woods, and looked up to find the clouds again.

Your gaze traveled back and forth from the sky to the paper in your lap, hand gliding across it as you drew the sights that caught your attention.

The photographer duty was long gone from your mind in just a few strokes of your pencil, just as was the world around you.

Completely immersed in this hobby of yours, you became oblivious to the most obvious happenings around you.

The small family having a snowball fight not too far away from you, that group of friends joking around a little farther, the guide restarting his snowmobile…

None of those so much as ticked off your mind.

Not even her.

The one your heart would be longing for to the point you’d feel your mind drifting.

The woman you’d just taken a picture of.

Granted, it was a group setting, but it was only a matter of time until you asked yourself how you couldn’t have noticed her.

But boy had she noticed you.

She couldn’t help but feel her eyes drawn to you ever since you parted from her small group.

Your scent had her hypnotized as soon as it had reached her brain.

That sweet, sweet perfume. It hung in the air, surrounding her when you stood near them earlier.

Saying she loved it would be coming short of whatever it was she felt. It had quite the effect on her, so much so it took a beat to realise where it emaned from.

When she did though, it was only natural for her to want to comment on it. To point out how she loved the sweetness of it. That the vanilla her nose picked up on was heavenly.

That one was undoubtedly a strong ingredient in the confection, yet it was so soft in the air. Surely tamed by the blurry floral notes she could make out.

It all blended and landed so well, it felt as though everything was so perfectly dosed and thought out.

She had never smelled anything like it.

There was so much she had to say, but there’s only so much you could tell a stranger. Even though she usually experienced no difficulty in engaging with those, this time was different.

Time was limited on this break, and truth be told… You did not seem open to such a conversation.

So she decided she’d simply let you know she liked it.

However you were gone before her brain even settled, unknowingly leaving her with questions on the tip of her tongue.

So now there she was, stealing glances at you as if it would bring her the answers that had been ripped away from her.

Irrational thinking, sure, but it was the least of her worries. Especially when her friends noticed her behavior and decided not to let this pass under any circumstance.

The afternoon dragged out, the sun only setting after the woman had experienced an unseen before number of playful elbows to the back and teasing jokes.

That trip had turned into quite the teasing fest. It would have been fun if she weren’t the sole target.

Yet as much as she despised it at the time, she could never be more thankful for her friends and what they pushed her to do that night.

While everyone enjoyed the barbecue provided by the trip, all engrossed in conversations neatly guarded by the thick structure of none other than igloos, you made your way out of the one you’d been assigned to.

You’d shared the meal with three other people, a small group of friends who’d come all the way from Canada. They were nice, you had spent a good time, but you weren’t there to make friends.

So when you finished your meal, you excused yourself before stepping out to do what you were there for : appreciate the weather.

Winter, the cold air and winds, the snow… It was a tough season to love, but growing up in a region like Hokkaido sure made it easy for you. Having spent the better half of your childhood in a place like the south of Spain only sealed the deal.

One thing you were never going to get used to though, was stepping out in that weather.

Might as well step into a freezer, it would be the exact same, you thought, the temperature difference between the hot barbecue smoke and cold breeze hitting the sensitive skin of your cheeks.

But boy did it feel good.

You took a deep breath in, feeling the cold air slowly relieve your stuffed lungs before letting out a sigh. The steam spread in the air near your lips before vanishing, and you pulled a piece of paper out from the warmth of your pocket.

You resumed the origami you’d started a few minutes ago, another hobby of yours that made the sound of utensils clacking inside the few igloos around you fade out after a while, only to be replaced by the sound of… steps?

Your eyes shifted up towards the familiar sound of powdery snow being crushed beneath the feet.

The decorative string lights surrounding the iced out restaurant offered a dim and ambient lighting.

Quite the setting for a first meet.

The woman stopped to stand beside you, all cozy looking with her face practically burried in her scarf, her body lazily wrapped in one of those trendy black puffer jackets.

You didn’t think the sight could get any cuter until you noticed the warm smile hiding behind the fabric, and you froze.

Your eyes met.

Knees became weak as hearts went on a marathon.

Not a good mix if either of you were counting on winning that one.

Finally close enough again, your scent engulfed her lungs as she breathed it in, all while her eyes took you in.

She had seen your face from afar about an hour prior, when her friends pulled her attention to you as everyone started up their dinner. She had never been so thankful for contact lenses in her life.

All she had seen so far were your eyes, and while these mask wearing times made way for a few disappointing reveals, yours turned out to only be a teaser of what was hiding behind that cloth.

Needless to say, she found you beautiful.

Amazing perfume, pretty face, seemed to be the artsy type… As much as she wanted to respect your obvious yet unspoken want to be alone, she was but just a girl.

Her friends agreed, she had no choice but to talk to you. At the very least she had to try.

“Hi.” She spoke up, breaking the unofficial staring contest.

That voice, you recalled…

“Is everything okay?”

So it was her.

“Hi...?” You answered, your tone letting her know you wondered about her sudden presence. “Are you looking for something?”

The woman let out a soft chuckle.

“Yes. Your perfume."

[lemoncrushh]

The Entertainer II - Track 05 - That Harry Styles Quality

Summary: What if it wasn’t the end? What if Sky did actually see Harry at the Forum in the early 80s, and he saw her too? What if fate took hold of them both, and they realized their journey was not over? Set in 1981, Harry and Sky’s story continues with more music, more romance, and a few more twists and turns.

STORY PAGE

Track 05 Word Count: 5.2k+

Read The Entertainer

“I have tried calling you for days!” moaned Halo, dragging out the last word.

“It couldn’t have been days,” I argued, “you were at your mom’s until Sunday. This is only Wednesday.”

“Yeah huh!” she spat back. “I called twice Monday, and the line was busy. Then again Tuesday and it just rang and rang. And then now. That’s three days!”

I had to laugh as I kicked my feet up on the sofa and laid back. “Well, I’m here now, so let’s talk. How was Thanksgiving?”

“No no no. You’re not getting off that easily. Something’s up with you. What happened?”

“How do you know something happened?”

“Sky, I have been your best friend since forever. If your line is busy twice in one night, and it’s not ‘cause you’re talking to me, that means you’re on the phone with a guy.”

I giggled. “Okay. You got me there.”

“Who is it? Tell me!”

“Well…it’s someone you know…but haven’t seen in a long time.”

“Oh God, not Alan!”

“No,” I sighed. “Not Alan.” Why did everyone think I’d get back with my ex?

“Who?” Halo gasped. “Is it that photographer?”

“What photographer?”

“The one we met that night at the gallery who said you had great legs.”

“Eww, no!” I cringed. “He was gross!”

“I thought he was kinda cute.”

I rolled my eyes. Halo always had a soft spot for men who gave compliments and bought drinks.

“Let’s steer away from that…further back…like five years ago.”

“Okay, okay,” said Halo. “Five years ago…oh my God, Harry?”

“Bingo.”

“Sky, are you serious? You saw Harry? Holy shit, tell me everything! Or, wait…should I come over? Does this have a sad ending?”

“It…doesn’t have an ending. Yet.”

I spent the next hour filling Halo in on my encounter with Harry, our evening out, followed by a brief synopsis of our weekend together. I finished with a simple description of the previous evening and his confession.

“Oh, Sky! He loves you! He’s loved you all along!”

“I don’t know about that.”

“But that’s what he said, pretty much.”

“Well, there’s more to it than that.”

“Okay, but he has feelings for you. He’s never let that go. And it sounds like he wants to try to make it right.”

“Yeah,” I sighed.

“How do you feel?” my best friend asked.

“I’m a little scared, Halo. I mean…I never stopped loving him. But…you saw me. You were here to pick up the pieces.”

“God, was I ever,” Halo mumbled.

“Please don’t let me go through that again.”

“I won’t. We’ll make sure he’s in it for real, okay? But…just from what you told me…it sounds like he is.”

“He even wants me with him if he tours again.”

“Okay…” said Halo. “There’s a good way to test him. Is he leaving soon?”

“He hasn’t said. The band broke up, but he and Mitch are working on a solo thing. He said he’s just staying in LA for a while.”

“Ah, Mitch,” mused Halo. “I miss that doofus.”

I chuckled. “Want me to see if we can double date?”

“No thanks, not my type.”

“Halo!” I guffawed. “You slept with him!”

“Yeah, five years ago! My tastes have since upgraded. No offense.”

“None taken. I think.”

“Oh, you know. Harry’s different. He’s already an upgrade.”

“I will accept that.”

Time had changed Halo a lot more than it had changed me. While she still enjoyed rock music and going to concerts, she was no longer interested in following bands around and being a groupie. She had been working for an art gallery the past couple years, and her new hobby was schmoozing, as she called it. She said she enjoyed meeting more interesting and intellectual men, but I took that to mean she liked men with a lot of dough who enjoyed spending it on pretty women.

We finished the call by catching up on each other’s Thanksgivings and making loose plans to get together before Christmas to do some shopping.

“Is Harry planning to be here for the holidays?” Halo asked.

“Um…I guess?” I stumbled. “We haven’t really discussed it.”

“Oh, well I’m sure he will. Start thinking about what you’ll get him.”

I groaned, not looking forward to having to pick out a gift.

Halo laughed. “Relax, you have time. Keep me posted okay?”

I didn’t see Harry again that week, though he called me every night and we’d talk for at least a couple hours, sometimes until I was nearly asleep.

“I feel like my efforts to stay away are in vain,” Harry chuckled low through the receiver as I laid on my pillow.

“What do you mean?” I yawned.

“I’m still keeping you up,” he said. “I would much prefer to be doing it in bed.”

“Harry…” I grinned.

“Yeah, babe?”

I shook my head, pulling my sheet over my shoulder. “I need sleep.”

“I know, baby. But first…let me ask you out for tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“An old mate of mine is in town. His band is playing. I’d like to take you, if you’re free.”

“If I’m free?” I quipped. “Who else am I talking to until one a.m.?”

“So you’ll go?” Harry asked with a smile in his voice.

“Of course, I’d love to.”

“Great. I’ll pick you up, alright? Eight o’clock?”

“I’ll be here,” I yawned again.

“Goodnight, angel. Sweet dreams.”

I barely got a goodnight in before I drifted off quickly into a sea of green eyes and soft kisses.

“Close your eyes

I want to ride the skies in my sweet dreams

Close your eyes

I want to feel you tonight in my sweet dreams…”

Sweet dreams, indeed.

“Those crazy nights

I do remember in my youth…”

I lightly brushed my cheeks with blush as I sang along to Steve Perry. I was excited for my date with Harry - our first evening out since the restaurant the week before. And we were going to see a band play, so I decided to put my Journey record on the turntable to get the night started.

Dancing in the bathroom, I dropped the blush into my makeup bag and chose a lipstick.

“Those summer nights are calling…”

I’d just circled my lips with crimson when I heard a knock at the door. Giving one pucker to the mirror, I dropped the lipstick and dashed to answer.

“Sounds like the concert’s already started in here,” Harry beamed at me when I opened the door.

“Come in, I’m almost ready,” I smiled, still swaying my hips to the song.

Crossing the threshold, Harry pulled me to him.

“‘In the heat with a blue jean girl’,” he sang along as he slid his hands into the back pockets of my jeans. His eyes sparkled as they gazed into mine, and I felt weak in the knees.

“Too bad I’m not going to hear you sing tonight,” I said after he kissed me.

“Aw, I can’t compete with Steve Perry,” he joked.

I playfully pinched him and shut the door. “You know what I mean.”

Turning for the bedroom, I told him I’d just be a minute.

“What’s your friend’s name?” I called as I pulled a jacket from my closet.

“Who?” I heard Harry ask from the hall.

“Your friend we’re going to see.”

When I didn’t get a reply, I wondered if he heard me. “Harry, can you turn down the stereo?”

“I just did,” he said, surprising me in the doorway.

“Oh! You scared me.”

“Sorry,” Harry stepped toward me. “What were you saying?”

“I asked who we’re going to see. Do I know this band?”

Helping me into my jacket, Harry stood behind me, then wrapped his arms around me.

“Yeah, uh…Stargazer. Hunter Howe.”

“Oh. Why does that sound familiar?”

“The band went on tour with us. Last tour.”

“Oh! Oh, damn, I should have known that. Sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” Harry rested his cheek against the top of my head as we swayed to the next Journey song.

“I didn’t see you on that tour. Or any tour. I feel bad.”

“Don’t.” I waited for him to add something else to his word, but instead, he turned me to face him. “Let’s not feel bad about the past. Let’s just…look forward to the future. Alright?”

I smiled and nodded as he brushed the back of his hand against my cheek.

“You look absolutely beautiful.”

“Thanks,” I beamed at him.

Stepping back, I let him get a good look at my outfit. I had to admit I felt cute. On top of my favorite pair of jeans, I wore a red and white striped blouse, a red belt and red shoes. My black jacket and a white hair comb on one side of my head finished the look.

“God, you’re so sexy,” Harry added.

Even if he hadn’t said it, the way he looked at me was enough to make me feel like the most gorgeous woman in the world.

“Are you ready to go?” I asked softly.

Licking his lips, he stood up straight and cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

I turned off the stereo on the way out and followed him to his car where he opened the door for me. Before I slid into the passenger seat, he lifted my chin and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

The stereo blasted a guitar solo as soon as he turned the key, making us both jump.

“Sorry,” he cringed, lowering the volume. “I forgot I had it up that loud.”

“No, turn it up,” I argued. “I love Van Halen.”

“Yeah?” Harry grinned as he backed out of the parking spot. “I wasn’t sure if you would.”

I turned in my seat and glared at him. “Have you forgotten who I am?”

Harry chuckled, grabbing my hand. “I just thought maybe you’d turned a bit soft.”

I gasped. “I am…offended, Harry Styles.”

“Sorry.”

“I am still and will forever be a rock and roll fan.”

“Okay, okay,” Harry snickered, turning up the tune just as David Lee Roth muttered “Have you seen Junior’s grades?”

We jammed out to several rock songs on the way to the club, including one by Stargazer that I loved immediately.

“What?” I eyed Harry when I caught him looking at me at a red light.

“I just love your love for music,” he commented with a grin. “I know I said it before, but I never met anyone like you.”

“I’m just me,” I smiled, sitting back and squeezing his hand.

“I know, and it’s wonderful,” he squeezed back.

The club was surprisingly crowded when we arrived, considering it wasn’t even nine o’clock yet. A long line formed at the entrance, a bouncer checking IDs and such. Grabbing my hand, Harry pulled me to the front of the line, much to the dismay of a cluster of girls who gave me the evil eye.

“Hey man, good to see ya!” exclaimed the large man with a clipboard.

“How’s it goin’, mate,” nodded Harry as he slipped him something I could only assume was cash, just as I heard someone behind me yell, “Oh my God, is that Harry Styles?”

“Have a nice evening,” said the man as he lifted the velvet rope.

Harry pulled me inside, the echo of his name being called getting further and further away. It was quickly replaced with the deafening sound of a bass drum that kicked into Nazareth’s “Hair of the Dog.”

The air was thick with smoke as Harry continued to pull me through the crowd, stopping only when we reached the bar.

“Are you okay?” he finally leaned over to ask me.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “As long as you didn’t pull my arm out of its socket.”

“Sorry, babe,” he grinned. “Just didn’t wanna lose you in the crowd. It can get pretty wild in these places.”

“Harry, I have been to a club before.”

His smile widened, and I caught a slight pink on his cheeks just as a hand slapped his shoulder.

“Hey man, I thought it was you!”

Harry turned to face another guy, just about Harry’s build and height. He looked like he could be a musician, but I couldn’t place him. I watched as they exchanged handshakes and small talk, then the guy nodded at me and walked away.

“Who was that?” I asked.

Harry shrugged. “Dunno. A fan.”

“Oh,” I giggled. “I thought he knew you.”

“They all act like they do. It makes it easier to approach me.”

“And the bouncer at the front…?”

“Never seen him before in my life.”

“But he obviously knew who you were.”

“Sure. It’s just an unspoken understanding we have, you know?”

“Doesn’t hurt that you have a wad of cash,” I interjected.

Harry side eyed me before turning to the bar. “That, too. D’you want a drink?”

“Vodka soda.”

I watched Harry as he ordered our drinks and handed the bartender money with exquisite finesse. Before I knew it, the bar itself had filled to the rim with patrons, whether they were ordering drinks or not. A couple of the girls from outside had made it in and crowded against me just to get a closer look at Harry. I realized then that even though to me he was still the Harry Styles I’d known years ago, in here, he was Harry Styles, rockstar.

“Let’s go over there,” I heard Harry instruct in my ear. “The band should be on soon.”

Instead of grabbing my hand like before, he gently placed his hand on the small of my back and led me to a table closer to the stage.

As soon as I removed my jacket, a waitress arrived like magic, asking if we needed anything. I shook my head, having barely made a dent in my cocktail, but Harry gestured for her to bring me another one as well as whatever he was drinking. As soon as she left, Harry slid closer to me, pushing my hair off my shoulder.

“I’m glad you’re here with me,” he mouthed, his voice barely audible over the loud music.

“Me too,” I smiled at him.

His fingers traveled down my back and found my back pocket, wedging themselves inside again. I blushed as he leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine.

“Styles, you son of a bitch!”

The words made me leap off my chair, nearly knocking over my drinks.

“Hey Charlie, what’s happening?” Harry greeted, wiping my red lipstick off his lips with one hand and reaching out his other to the strange man.

“Good to see you man, it’s been a while,” said Charlie who quickly looked at me and gave me the once over. As if I hadn’t just been embarrassed enough, his gaze gave me the heebie jeebies.

“Charlie, this is Sky. Sky, Charlie Groten. He’s Stargazer’s road manager.”

“How do you do?” I nodded politely.

“I do very well, sweetheart,” Charlie wiggled his brows. I wanted to puke.

As Charlie slid into the booth and started small talk with Harry, I excused myself to the ladies’ room. The escape wasn’t much better, however, because if any girl inside wasn’t snorting cocaine, she was discussing her sexual conquests with her friend. Now I remembered what I hated about being single.

After washing my hands and fluffing up my hair, I noticed the girl at the sink next to me staring at me in the mirror.

“You’re so lucky,” she declared when our eyes met.

“Sorry?”

“I’ve been trying to land Harry Styles for years. He’s such a hard catch. And I hear a fucking righteous lay.”

Clearing my throat, I reached for a paper towel. “Yeah, well…”

“Just make sure he wears a rubber ‘cause…” the girl made a face, “that last bitch he dated was nasty.”

Dumbfounded, I watched her walk around me and leave the bathroom. Drying my hands, I dropped the paper towel in the trash and left as well.

Fortunately, Charlie Grotesque was gone from our table when I returned. I was pleasantly surprised to find Harry sitting alone, a dimpled grin on his face as he watched me slide in next to him.

“What’s that smile for?” I asked.

“I just missed you. Glad to see you back.”

“I was gone two seconds.”

“Two seconds too long,” he murmured, leaning in for a kiss.

As if on cue, the music stopped and the stage lights began to flash. A tall, long-haired guy stepped onto the stage and sat behind the drums, the crowd erupting into a crushing cheer. As the rest of the band members took their places, Harry lifted his arms and yelled, then gave a loud wolf whistle.

I smiled as Harry sat back in the booth, his left arm around my shoulders. It was fun to see him be part of the audience rather than the center of attention as the front man. I sat back too, sipping on my second vodka soda, and I watched this new singer give it his all. I had to admit, he was really good. He was tall and lean like Harry, with strawberry blonde hair that cascaded down his shoulders. Halfway through the first song, I caught him smiling at a woman near the stage, and I suddenly felt a twinge in my stomach. Though I knew it wasn’t jealousy, I couldn’t quite pinpoint it.

“What d’ya think?” Harry asked in my ear when the song was over.

“They’re fantastic,” I replied. “Hunter’s a great front man.”

“I taught him everything he knows,” Harry smirked, then gave me a wink.

Though he was joking, I could see some truth in it. Hunter Howe had that Harry Styles quality. And that’s when it hit me. As the band started their next song, I watched Hunter cross the stage and wave at another girl before singing his first line. Through the whole first verse, he continued to stare at her.

The feeling I’d gotten - that little twinge - was the same feeling I’d gotten every time I’d watched Harry on stage. Though I knew he wasn’t singing to me, it had always felt like he was. Like we’d had a connection. It was a great feeling. I hoped the girl Hunter was singing to felt just as lucky.

The waitress kept the drinks coming, and by the middle of the band’s set, I was feeling tipsy. I excused myself to the ladies again, fortunately with no strange remarks from strange girls, but on my way back, I almost lost my footing and crashed into a guy.

“I’m so sorry,” I muttered.

“Hey, it was my fault, baby. Let me buy you a drink.”

“No thanks, I’ve had plenty.”

“Then come sit in my lap, pretty thing,” he insisted.

“Oh. Uh, no thanks,” I blinked, trying my best to see through the smoke and the dark club.

I was able to get around him, but he still managed to grab my arm before I could get away.

“Why not?” he asked.

“I uh…don’t think my boyfriend would like that too much,” I replied, thinking on my feet.

“Boyfriend, huh?” the guy snorted, looking around. “I don’t see any boyfriend.”

“I’m right here,” announced Harry as he stepped up behind me.

I sighed with relief, turned around and slammed into his chest. He pulled me into a bear hug and guided me back to our table. I didn’t dare look back to see if the guy was watching.

“I’m so sorry,” I cried as Harry and I slid into our booth.

“Whatever for?”

“He was coming onto me.”

“I see that,” said Harry. “But that’s not your fault.”

He lifted my chin to look at him, and I saw the sincerity in his face. Lowering his mouth to mine, he kissed me ever so gently. Then I smiled and laid my head against his chest.

Harry was sweet and made sure the waitress only brought water for the next round. I was able to relax and sober up a bit before the band made a special announcement.

“Some of you might remember last year when we went on tour with a little-known band called Wildfire,” Hunter said into his microphone.

The crowd cheered and I sat up, looking at Harry.

“We really have a lot to thank those guys for,” Hunter continued, “and one of them just happens to be here tonight.”

The audience cheered louder.

“C’mon, Styles, you knew this was comin’. Get your ass up here.”

I glared at Harry who stared back at me. Then he grinned, shrugged and stood up. As he made his way to the stage, I suddenly felt nervous and excited all at once. I hadn’t seen him perform face to face in five years.

I clapped and bounced in my seat as he took the microphone and whispered something to Hunter. Then the band started the intro to a song I immediately recognized - one of Wildfire’s hits, “Only Angel.”

The crowd lost their minds. I could only imagine I was getting a taste of what it was like at a more recent Wildfire concert. My eyes were locked on Harry the entire time, although Hunter took the lead for the second verse. While he sang, I caught Harry looking my way, and he gave me one of those smiles that made me melt, just like in the early days. Then he pointed at me and placed his hand over his heart during the line “my only angel.”

When the song ended, I stood up and screamed louder than anyone. Harry waved to the audience with his dimpled grin that we’d all come to adore. My blood rushed to my toes, and I felt like I was that young girl at the Troubadour all over again.

“Alright, let’s do one more!” yelled Hunter, and the drummer did a count-off, leading them into “Honky Tonk Women”.

“Holy shit,” I muttered to myself, covering my face.

Deja vu was not the word for it. I watched in awe with wide eyes as Harry and Hunter took turns with the verses and harmonized with each other. It was the best thing I’d ever witnessed in my entire life. I danced through the entire song, feeling nostalgia and joy.

Harry took a bow and blew kisses at the crowd before giving Hunter a hug and stepping off stage. I clapped for him until he returned, his gorgeous face grinning from ear to ear.

“That was so amazing!” I screeched as I threw my arms around him.

“Thanks, baby,” he said, hugging me back.

We slipped back into the booth, and I could feel his heart beating fast in his chest. He grabbed a glass of water and guzzled it down. Then he looked back at me and chuckled.

“I loved watching you while I was up there,” he said. “You’re so fucking cute.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you!” Harry looked at me with wide eyes. “I’ve missed how into it you are. It turns me on.”

I sat up proud. “Oh! Well…that’s good to know.”

With another chuckle, Harry pulled me to him and planted a fantastic kiss on my lips. And he didn’t stop. Slipping his tongue between my teeth, he pulled me even closer, one hand behind my neck, the other on my thigh.

My entire body lit up like a Christmas tree, suddenly needing to feel his touch. It didn’t matter that there was a crowd of people around us. They might as well have been invisible. Harry was the only other person in that room.

The band continued to play, but I had no idea what song they were singing. Harry’s tongue was doing more to my senses than any music could. I felt his hand slide up higher on my thigh, reaching the tightest part of my jeans. I gasped against his mouth, suddenly needing air.

“Fuck,” Harry cursed. “Let’s get outta here.”

I grabbed my jacket faster than humanly possible and pushed my body out of the booth, my knees still shaking. Harry took my hand and pulled me through the crowd like before, though it had grown much bigger than when we’d arrived. I heard a few people tell him he was great, and he gave a few thank yous, but we managed to make it to the exit in record time.

Though there was a chill in the night air, Harry’s car seemed to be just as hot as the club, and I quickly took off my jacket.

“Jesus, Sky,” I heard him mutter low.

“What?”

I barely had the word out before his mouth crashed into mine again. I smiled against his lips and gently pushed his chest with my palms.

“Harry. I want you, too,” I moaned through heavy breaths. “But maybe we should drive home first.”

“Right. Yeah. Let’s go.”

I sucked in my lips as he revved up the engine, letting the stereo blare again. He took my hand after he turned down the street humming along to Foreigner.

“Your desire is insane

You can’t stop until you do it again…”

I was definitely as turned on as Harry, and I thought this song was particularly sexy. I took his hand and placed it on my leg, letting him slide it as high as he wanted. Harry growled as he squeezed my thigh, turning his head just enough to give me the sexiest “fuck me” look.

I was relieved when the car turned onto Harry’s street, as we hadn’t discussed who’s “home” we were driving to. He pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine, swiftly making his way around to my side of the car before I had time to slip back into my jacket.

The cool evening air chilled my arms as I followed Harry up the path to his front door. I could barely hear the click of the lock and switches of lights over my own desire pounding in my ears. Before I could adjust my eyes to the lights, Harry had me pressed against the door, a moan rising from his chest. His mouth found my neck, sucking hard underneath my ear as though he were a vampire. His hands cupped my breasts before fumbling with the top buttons. His wet mouth traveled down my neck to my chest while his hands slid around my waist and traveled down my butt cheeks, lifting me up. I wound my legs around him tight as he carried me through the den and up the stairs.

“Urgent, just wait and see

How urgent my love can be…”

Laying me down on his bed, Harry finished unbuttoning my blouse and continued to kiss the tops of my breasts. The room was dark except for the sliver of moonlight shining through his curtains. I heard him kick off his boots with a thud as he breathed heavily over me. I tried to reach for him, but he sat up and tugged off his shirt, throwing it on the ground. Then he rose from the bed and I watched his silhouette relieve itself of his jeans.

When I felt the mattress move, I reached for my own jeans, but Harry stopped me.

“No,” he whispered. “Let me.”

With great precision, Harry unbuckled my belt and unzipped my pants. I raised my hips to help him pull them down, but he stopped at my knees. His mouth nipped at my hips, his teeth tugged at my panties. I could feel myself get wet all over again, and I wondered how much more I could stand.

“Harry…” I moaned.

I thought I heard him chuckle low, though I wasn’t sure as he ripped my jeans off my legs like a Band-Aid. Then he slithered back up my body, resting himself between my thighs. I gasped as I felt his erection pressed against me.

His fingers teased me next, playfully tracing the lace on my bra before he finally pulled it away, revealing my tender flesh. My breaths quickened as he took my breast into his mouth and let his tongue play. Throwing my head back, I raked my fingers through his long hair.

“God, you’re driving me crazy,” I cried.

“Mmm, good.”

Harry looked up at me. Though it was dark, I could still tell his eyes were wild with sexual desire. Peeling off my bra, he dropped it beside us, then did the same with my panties.

“Sky,” he said, his face finally above mine. “Baby. I’m gonna fuck you so good.”

I felt the cold metal of his rings touch my thighs as he lifted them up, entering me quickly but with ease. My entire body was on fire, and I could feel every bit of him. We rocked gently at first, then he picked up speed. My toes began to curl as he thrusted harder, and I whimpered with pleasure.

“Fuck, you’re so sexy when you do that, babe,” Harry groaned in my ear.

“When…when I do what?”

“When you cry like that. And say my name.”

“Oh.”

“I fucking love it. You’re so hot.”

I giggled nervously, nearly out of breath. “So are you.”

“Yeah? Tell me what you like.”

“What d’you mean?”

“What things you like. What gets you off.”

I stared at him, biting my lip. He’d slowed his thrusts, but I could still feel him moving inside me.

“Do you like dirty talk, or no?”

“I��suppose so,” I whispered. “I like when you tell me what you like.”

“Yeah? Did you like when I said I’m gonna fuck you good?”

“Mmmhmm,” I nodded.

“That’s my girl,” he growled, shifting his hips and thrusting hard again.

I let out an expletive as Harry moved faster, pinning my hands above my head. My ankles wrapped around him, I surrendered to the high and cried out in orgasm. Harry soon followed, his hot body trembling above mine.

“Baby…” he breathed in my ear.

We laid in silence for a moment or two before I whispered, “I like that.”

“What, babe?”

“You calling me baby.”

“Mmm,” Harry sounded as he rolled off of me and faced me. “I’m glad.”

I pushed away the hair stuck to his face as he looked at me in the moonlight, his beautiful eyelashes fluttering. I could see his face better now, a gorgeous expression on it as he stared at me. Then with a sexy little smirk twitching his lips, he ran his hand down my shoulder.

“You called me your boyfriend tonight,” he declared.

“Oh,” I blushed. “That creep was hitting on me. I wanted him to think I was taken.”

“Ohh. So I’m…not your boyfriend?”

“Well…” I bit my lip and shrugged. “I dunno. Are you?”

“Am I?” Harry mocked, leaning towards me, eyes wide and a goofy grin.

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“Do you want to be?”

I felt Harry’s chest shake as he chuckled low. Then he pulled me closer and kissed me.

“Yes, baby. Sky. Mary Lou Jones. You sexy, stubborn woman. I wanna be your bloody boyfriend, alright?”

He rolled me on top of him, kissing me with determination, like ending the sentence with an exclamation point.

“Well…” I sighed, when I came up for air. “At least that’s settled.”

Songs mentioned:

Air Supply - Sweet Dreams

Journey - Stone In Love

Van Halen - And the Cradle Will Rock

Nazareth - Hair of the Dog

Harry Styles - Only Angel

The Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Women

Foreigner - Urgent

Taglist: @fkinavocado, @daphnesutton, @freedomfireflies

MASTERLIST | KO-FI | FEEDBACK

[wereh0gz]

Answering some questions about Elysium!

Filling out this questionnaire for @sonic-oc-showdown so that everyone can know a little more about Ely!

(Questions under the cut)

✨- How did you come up with the OC’s name?

Chuggaconroy's playthrough of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was fresh on my mind at the time, so I decided to pull a name from there! I first thought of naming it Aegis, but because I saw another OC who had that name already, I decided on Elysium instead, and I think that's for the better. (Plus I'd end up using the name Aegis for an original project later on, so naming it something else made things less confusing lol)

Elysium is a sort of heaven in Greek mythos, so I think it's pretty fitting for a character who's searching for a purpose as well as inner peace in life.

-

🌼 - How old are they? (Or approximate age range)

He's an android, so he's technically ageless. He's modeled after Shadow, who is 15 years old, so you could consider that his age as well.

If you wanna go chronologically, though, he's only existed for a little less than a year.

-

🌺- Do they have any love interest(s)?

Nope! No interest in romance. They don't really know what that feels like.

-

🍕 - What is their favorite food?

She doesn't have taste receptors or the ability to eat, unfortunately. She wishes she could try flan though, it looks so yummy...

Maybe one day...

-

💼 - What do they do for a living?

Thanks to Sonic's world being the way it is, it doesn't have to worry about working for money in the slightest.👍

It does wander the world and occasionally fight against Eggman, if that counts.

-

🎹 - Do they have any hobbies?

They have quite a few! They take up a lot of different hobbies trying to find what sticks. They like to study a lot of things, mostly culture, biology, astrology, and mythology, as well as travel the world with Livewire. They also really enjoy landscape photography, birdwatching, going to Chao Gardens, literally anything that allows them to study and learn about the nature around them.

-

🎯 -What do they do best?

For a good while, he didn't know what he was good at. Being discarded for his inability to fight like other Shadow Androids (among other imperfections) tore his self-esteem to shreds. It took a long time for him to feel like he could be good at anything.

In spite of that, he's got pretty good aim, even if he's unwilling to shoot anyone or anything. He also has near perfect memory (for better or for worse), and is a pretty good photographer.

-

🥊 -What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?

She loves to wander and explore new places, seeing new sights and listening to the world around her. She could sit outside for hours upon hours simply watching and hearing people pass by, birds fly overhead, plants shifting in the wind, anything she can notice in her environment. It's her favorite thing to do.

She absolutely hates fighting, even against Eggman's forces, though she knows she's doing the right thing by standing up against him. She hates having to draw her weapon against another and wishes she'd never have to. She also hates speaking. Her voicebox is faulty, so most of the time her voice comes out glitchy and wrong, if it comes out at all.

-

❤️ - What is one of your OC’s best memories?

Its best memories are often some of the most mundane. Waking up and stepping outside to a cool morning shower, watching the sunrise or the sunset, spending the day lazing around on the couch with Livewire and Nebula watching movies, traveling to new places...

The best out of all, though, is seeing the night sky for the first time. It had never seen it before during its short time with Eggman, but when it got to see it for the first time, lying on the grass and gazing up to the cosmos above, it was overcome with a feeling of awe, and of relief, too. It was the most beautiful thing it had ever seen.

-

✂️ - What is one of your OC’s worst memories?

Shadow Androids are put through a series of tests before they're considered suitable for deployment. Many of these are combat-based, or speed-based. Defeat a certain amount of enemies under a time limit, reach the goal in a certain amount of time, etc.

Elysium failed all of these.

Those who fail are to be torn apart by the other Shadow Androids, before being thrown out into one of Eggman's personal scrap yards.

They remember all of it, up until the moment their energy reserves ran out, and they completely shut down lying in a pile of scrap metal, completely unable to move.

Good thing Livewire eventually found them, huh?

-

🧊 - Is their current design the first one?

Yup! He hasn't gotten any redesigns yet, and I don't see him getting any in the foreseeable future.

-

🍀 - What originally inspired the OC?

I saw other people's Shadow Android OCs and Ely eventually popped into my head! I wanted to do something a little more unique with her, though. Most of the ones I've seen either still work for Eggman or rebelled against him, so I decide to make her defective from the start instead since I hadn't seen that before.

-

🌂 - What genre do they belong in?

Slice of life :]

-

💚 - What is your OC’s gender identity and sexuality?

It's agender and uses any pronouns! It hasn't figured out what it's sexuality is, though. Probably aroace.

-

🙌 - How many sibling does your OC have?

Do the hundreds of thousands of badniks currently online count as siblings? If so, they're all disowned by him.

-

🍎 - What is the OC’s relationship w/their parents like?

Eggman kiiiiiiinda counts as a parent right?

Yeah they hate him. Also disowned.

-

🧠 - What do you like most about the OC?

Her backstory. I love when robots who typically don't have any autonomy break away from their creators and original programming and find their own purpose <3

-

✏️ - How often do you draw/write about the OC?

Not enough 😔

-

💎 - Do you ever see yourself killing off the OC?

God no. If I ever do that I, I want you to shoot me in the head.

-

💀 - Does your OC have any phobias?

It has a crippling fear of failure, confrontation, and abandonment, due to its past experiences.

It also hates seeing dismantled robots. That's like gore to it. It begins to panic at the sight of it.

-

🍩 -Who is your OC’s arch-nemesis or rival?

Eggman is definitely their arch-nemesis. He's probably the only person out there they're willing to hurt, given the chance.

As for rivals, they don't have any. They're just not good rival material. They're way too nice and too avoidant of any kind of confrontation.

-

🎓 - How long have you had the OC?

Over a year now! I made him in June 2022 :]

-

🍥 - What age were you when you created the OC?

I made her just before my birthday in 2022, so I was almost 17! Time flies, huh.

-

And that's all! Thanks for reading!

[applesap-fics]

FABril day 6 - Photograph

G, 1385 words, Camilo & Isabela, implied Félix/Agustín/Bruno

Camilo and Isabela find incriminating pictures and have a few thoughts about them.

--

Camilo is not proud of the meltdown he had when he found out his mami dated other guys before his dad. What he holds in his hands right now somehow feels even worse. 

In the back of his dad’s hobby cabinet that once stood in his parents’ room — now part of the pile of selectively sorted rubble next to what remains of Casita — he’s found a tintype photograph faded at the edges of his father kissing another woman. 

It makes no sense. His dad is plighted to Mom, his eternal devotion to her as clear as the morning sun. Surely this has been the case since the dawn of time; like the moon has the sun, like the night sky has the stars, his father has his mother and vice versa.

His mouth twitches. The pair doesn’t even look that young. The envelope he pulled it out of said ‘1923-1925’. Pa must’ve seen the woman right before Mami.

An intense cocktail of fury and denial swirls inside his chest and dries out his lips. Before he has time to process any of this, his cousin pops up behind him.

“Woah, is that tío Bruno?” Isabela says, peeking over his shoulder. Her words drop like stones from great heights because woah, is it? That’s absurd, and, no fucking way, no way no way no way.

“No,” Camilo croaks dismissively. “No way. I’m the only changeling here.” He squints and presses his nose against the paper to inspect the woman to confirm that she is not, in fact, their tío Bruno. But it’s a little difficult because the photo is in black and white and her face is turned toward…she’s kissing Papi. And Camilo’s hands are shaking.

He can’t color-type the woman in order to determine if she’s wearing Bruno green or Abuela maroon. Her hair is dark and curly like tía Julieta’s, falling to her shoulders, and parted with a bow the way Mami does it. She wears a modest dress that covers her from wrist to neck, a lace shroud draped over her shoulders; Abuela’s signature look. In her ears hang large hoops that look like Mami’s and her nose is kind of big for a lady-

“Guess you got it from him, then,” Isabela says. “Two dads! Wow. Good for you, Milo.”

He twists around. “He’s not my dad. This is probably just one of his telenovela things, right?” That last word comes out a tad too desperate, so he tries to rectify it with a weaker “right?”.

Isabela shrugs her shoulders. “He’s probably just goofing around.” Camilo can only hope so. Their uncle does that a lot. “Are there more?

In fact, there are more photographs. The two cousins huddle behind the cabinet, hidden from view from the others working around the construction site. There’s a bunch more in the envelope Camilo found the first offending tintype in, but a lot of them are simply pictures of their parents from when they were younger: tía Julieta without her worry lines. Mami and Papi — these feel much more correct. Young Abuela with braids, so weird. Tío Bruno in more dresses. Tío Agustín- oh. 

“Well, would you look at this,” Camilo says, waving the picture in his cousin’s face, hoping the anxious beating in his chest will disappear if he taunts her. “Seems like tío Bruno’s been getting around.”

Isabela snatches the tintype out of his hand. Sure enough, it’s tío Bruno and her father. Bruno wears a different top Camilo thinks is one of tía Julieta’s, bare at the shoulders with a shawl draped over them. His face is clean-shaven, softened with make-up, and he’s looking up at Agustín with an arm around his waist. Tío Gus looks down equally smitten. It’s a damn near exact copy of how he and tía Julieta always stand together, at ease like the unit they are. Having each other for support.

“He’s…He’s probably copying my mother,” Isabela says coolly. But she adds an equally fragile “right?” after. “It’s a joke.”

The problem is that it looks genuine, their affection. And not in a way Camilo knows Bruno roleplays. It’s the face he makes when he dreams away with a romantic story.

Barring the contentious truth that Papi used to date other people before Mami, the pictures make him feel weird. Like they’re snapshots into relationships Camilo isn’t supposed to be privy to. Hidden in the back of his father’s cabinet. Not both his parents’. Who has ever heard of three men in love?

“They look pretty into it,” Camilo says, feigning casualness. “But that would mean that our dads are…and…they’re not like that…are they?”

“It’s hard to imagine.” 

“Not that I think anything is wrong with that,” Camilo says, just in case. It would be hypocritical of him, after all. It’s just…it’s a bit of a blow to consider that Papi could be like him. “It’s like you said. Hard to imagine.”

Isabela gives him a queer, scrutinizing look. “No. I wouldn’t mind either.”

For a second, the world stands still against Camilo’s wish that it should get on with it.

Frowning, Isabela studies the picture for a moment longer. Then her face slackens a little as she gets used to the idea of her dad getting it on with their uncle. “If this is what we think it is, and that’s a big if, do you think they’re still…”

Camilo shrugs. 

Having tío Bruno back with the family is weird. Suddenly there’s this new guy messing up the dynamic between everyone. Mirabel has become an emotional support niece, like a crutch that Bruno uses to lean on whenever the family and the neighbors get to be too much. The triplets are a triad again, the unspoken gap filled with someone they have evidently missed between them. The stories that are coming out from the adults now don’t need to accord for one missing member. They no longer trip and fall over the guy they’re supposed to forget, or close the door on him like he’s a boogeyman to banish.

That last one is a very fun but problematic image Camilo helped perpetrate and hasn’t quite reconciled with. Really, Camilo kind of likes the guy. Bruno is shy but creative and outwardly odd. He’s nothing what he thought Bruno was.

No signs of a rekindling romance between Papi and los Tíos Ridículos though. Not that Camilo noticed, anyway. 

“Doesn’t look like it,” he says to Isabela.

“No?” she offers. “You don’t see tío Bruno looking all moony for no reason and wonder what he’s thinking about?”

“Sure I do. Just don’t think it’s about our dads. I mean, I kinda assumed that he did that because he’s Bruno.”

“Yeah,” Isabela agrees. “I’m not about to ask him, by the way.”

“You’re not?” Camilo asks disappointed. It’s been a while since he’s had an adventure — everyone else in the family seems to get one. “Then how are we supposed to find out-”

She places her hand on his shoulder. “Milo, maybe this is one of those things that’ll come out when it’s time.” 

Isabela’s secret weapon is congeniality. Camilo has always thought that poking and bullying that mask of perfection off of her is fun, knowing there’s a loser like him underneath the princess. But being on the receiving end of that generous face makes it hard to deny the resemblance between her and Abuela. Ergo, he crumples like a little boy under her gaze.

“If tío Bruno and our dads need to have a conversation,” she says sternly, “that’s between them. There’s no way I’m asking tío Bruno and freaking him out — if these photographs are what we think they are and he’s not just putting on a play.”

She has a point. There’s a chance he’ll flat out deny or skirt the issue, which Bruno has done before with less thrilling subjects than forbidden romance. It has been two months since the house fell down and their uncle got plastered back into their lives like a gob of spackle. He’s barely getting used to everyone seeing him. Literally.

“Or maybe it’s nothing and he just likes wearing lady’s dresses.” She shrugs with a smile.

The two of them gather all the photographs back into the envelope and place it in the back of Papi’s cabinet where Camilo found it, hiding the memories a little while longer until they’re ready to come out.

[feverinfeveroutfic]

the skeleton key | chapter seven: a caress of silver

”men wish to feel desired, women wish to feel in control”

-something i read learning about sexual needs (because i’m clueless otherwise) and something i wish this new generation of fic writers would understand already

It was one of those mornings in L.A. where the fog had rolled in and I was more than eager to head on out to the airport. I had to figure a way to go and meet the other guys again like what Marcy had told me, but for the time being, I was on my way to the Pacific Northwest. It had been quite some time since I had been up there, only ten years before.

Ten years. Ten years since I was last in Seattle.

It proved to be a homecoming for me the more I thought about it, and more so when I reached the airport and checked myself in for the first flight up the spine of the West Coast. I was going up there alone, and at some point, I was going to have to find my way back down to Sacramento to meet up with Marcy and Eric. And I was going to have to go back to work as well.

But for the time being, I was on my way up to the Emerald City, and I had my eye out for Alex once I touched down: apparently, his flight from Burbank came in at about an hour before me, which meant it was going to be me and him for a good chunk of the day. I chuckled to myself when I thought about seeing him from the plane window, that little plume of gray from the view into the airport. But I never did, until I reached the inside of the airport instead. He greeted me with those little buck teeth and his arms wide open for me.

“Hey, stranger!” I declared, and I held him close to me for a good long minute. It felt so wrong, but it felt so right at the same time. I then held back and gazed into his face, and I thought about giving him a kiss on those cherry lips. But then he beat me to the punchline and gave me a kiss, and he held me close again.

“Warm just like a bakery,” he remarked.

“I try my best,” I assured him with a smile.

“Come on... let's go check in and I'll take you to meet the guys,” he told me, and he offered to help me with my things out to the rental car that awaited us. I had my phone with me so I could take plenty of pictures for Marcy, but I was drawn to the big silvery camera dangled against Alex's hip, and more so when we prepared to go through baggage claim.

“Where'd you get that?” I asked him as we waited before the big conveyor belt.

“What, this?” He showed me the camera. “Oh, I've been into photography for a few years now. Randy—you may have seen him at the Metal Allegiance show, Randy Blythe, tall guy with the dreadlocks, the horned glasses, and the tattoos all over his arms, he's one of my best friends in the whole world—saw a picture I took and recommended I do more of that but with a proper photographer's camera. He lent me his and was thoroughly impressed by it, and then I had to give it back to him. It was an expensive camera.” And I chuckled at that.

“So you went ahead and got your own,” I followed along.

“Exactly!” he declared with a little twinkle to his eye. “And it seems to have done me justice, even as just a simple hobby on the side.”

My big blue overnight bag emerged on the conveyor belt, and he scooped it up for me and slung it over his shoulder.

“That's not too heavy?” I asked him as I remembered that I had packed a bunch of baking supplies in there.

“Not at all!” he assured me as we walked side by side. “Guitar cases and accompanying amps can get pretty heavy, but simple luggage is nothing for me.”

“You and your big, strong, lanky arms,” I noted with a glance at his biceps enshrouded under his peacoat, and I couldn't help myself. I reached up and gave him a squeeze on his upper arm.

“Yeah, you gotta be pretty strong to tour with a bunch of stuff like that,” he told me, and we stepped outside of the airport to the graying sky and the incoming rain. It was this gentle mist that fell in sheets, almost like the rain at the beach, and it was chilly enough for us to huddle together there at the walkway for a moment before we caught a break in the cars.

He led me to his rental, a small black hatchback with a rack on the roof even though we were nowhere near a place for skiing. He unlocked it for me and, once he tucked my bag next to his things, he turned to me with a deep, firm kiss on my lips.

“Make love to me,” he begged to me. “Give me what she can't give me.”

“You know I will,” I vowed to him.

“We're in Seattle, my dear,” he told me. “We should have some fun here.”

“Fun in Seattle even while it's pouring rain and drenching us down to our clothes.”

“Fun in Seattle with a cup of coffee and some scones,” he followed up.

“You want some scones?” I couldn't help the smile across my face.

“Yeah! You got any in your bag?” He chuckled at that.

“You wish,” I teased him. “I mean, I wanna make you some scones. Some chocolate ones, or chocolate and cherry like a play on the Black Forest cake.”

“Sounds devilish,” he replied with a slight squint to his eyes. “I like it. I think there is an oven in the room, too.”

“So, I could make some all for you,” I quipped, and I couldn't resist caressing his arms once again. “I brought my flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, eggs, handheld mixer, measuring spoons and cups, pastry cutter, a couple of spatulas, and a sheet pan with me—I never go too far without them. I never know when I'm going to need them, so... I can definitely do that for you.”

“Oh, would you!” He cocked his head to the side a bit at the sound of that.

“You know it! Just let me get some other things first, like the chocolate and cherries and butter. I'll make sure they're kosher, too.”

He kissed my forehead right as the mist formed into straight rain, which then showered down in sheets over our heads. He then gazed up to the darkening sky, those blue eyes as bright as ever, and to the point I could not stop looking at them. In junction with the rain, they reminded me of the sky afterwards.

“You have the clearest eyes I have ever seen,” I told him, and he glanced down at me. The way his gray streak pointed up to the cold graying sky made me think it had descended from the clouds themselves. “You're like a ghost. The gray ghost.”

“I'm a dog,” he remarked with a straight face. “A wiry gray dog with floppy ears.”

“You mean the Weimareiner?” I asked him.

“Yeah, that's the one,” he replied with a snicker. He then peered up to the sky, such that the raindrops kissed his face and the crown of his head, and then he took a glimpse at his watch.

“It's after noon,” he declared, and he glanced down at me. “We don't check into the room until three, either. You wanna get a drink?”

“I'd love to have a drink,” I said. “A mimosa or something along the lines of brunch like that.”

“I think I spotted a place not too far from the hotel...” He gave me another kiss, and then we climbed into the car, and we drove to the western side of Seattle, complete with a view of the Puget Sound, and as far as I knew, it was ground zero for the grunge scene. When we climbed out, the rain waned back down to a fine mist.

Alex held his hand out for me, and I locked fingers with him. I huddled closer to him, away from the cold winds. I thought about asking him as to when the Metal Allegiance guys were going to meet up again, but I shelved it once we started walking onward to this little restaurant right down the block from our hotel.

He held the door for me, and I stepped inside first. We were greeted by the aroma of things cooking in the back part of that warmly lit place, such that he led me back there. There was a table under a single suspended lamp with a big stained glass shade covered in clusters of grapes and leaves; we huddled next to the window out to the street. Down the block stood the harbor itself.

He was going to be too tipsy to drive, but I let him have his fun with the big glass of beer and me with the mimosa in the champagne flute. I watched him drink that whole glass all the way to the bottom, and that point, his eyes drooped closed and he showed me more of a smile.

“Something tells me you haven't had a drink like this in a long time,” I remarked.

“Had a few too many,” he remarked with a little snicker.

“You certainly did, but I just had one too many,” I quipped; the mimosa was doing a number on me even without a second thought.

“Oh, c'mon, Alison, they always say that,” he hit back.

“'They'?”

“Yeah, you know. 'They.' 'Them.' The ones who always say that they—they—they—they—they—they had one too many.” He stifled a hiccup and showed me a sweet little smile complete with a peek of those little buck teeth. Sweet, but there was something tempting in there, however. He had had a few too many and now he had this look in his eyes as if he wanted to do something unthinkable in the back of that restaurant. It was just us there, after all. I leaned in closer to him with my arms folded over the top of the table before me so he would stay back a bit.

“There's something on your mind right now,” I said to him in a low enough voice for him to hear over the noise of the restaurant around us; he closed his lips so he showed me a little smirk instead. “There is something on your mind right now. We're in Seattle. We've had some drinks and now we're alone under a veil of immense passion courtesy of the sky overhead. You're feeling something.” His eyes hooded a bit, but it was enough to darken them. They went from that soft dream to the realm of a handsome devil at the drop of a hat.

I leaned in closer to the side of his head so my lips were right up next to the rim of his ear, obscured by his hair. He held still; out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him closing his, especially once I nudged the hair back away from his skin.

“Let me find the skeleton key into your heart,” I whispered into his ear, and I lightly kissed him on the side of the face. His shoulders jolted a bit, and I couldn't help but lick my lips and move on back to my spot. Alex opened his eyes again and gazed on at me, good, long, and hard right into my face as if he was trying to read my mind.

He then leaned in closer to me, to which stray tendrils of his frizzy dark hair drifted down over his shoulders: a piece spread over his brow and his eye as if to hide the two of us away from the world. Where I had breathed right into his ear, he brought his face up to mine so the full tip of his nose nearly brushed up against mine.

“I think you just found it,” he whispered back to me, and he locked lips with me. We were in public and yet he moved in slowly and deeply.

“I got my camera with me... and I just got the worst, stupidest idea, too,” he continued.

“I was thinking about that, too,” I said in a near whisper, as I helped him split the bill.

We were within range of Alki Beach, and we couldn't drive back to the hotel as of yet, at least not until the alcohol lightened up in our systems anyway. At that point, the rain had stopped enough to where the clouds broke a bit, and the sun shone down over us. I could stand by the fence that separated us from the rest of the gray waters of the Puget Sound as if I was posing for a glamour magazine. I leaned against the cables on the backs of my hands, right as the sun emerged from behind the clouds.

“Oh, that's stunning!” Alex declared as he held the camera to his face and pressed the shutter button. I opened my jacket to show off my shirt to him, including the low neckline.

One hand up on the cable closest to my head. My head tilted back all the while so I resembled Debbie Harry.

For a moment, I swore he was a young buck again, especially when showed me that crooked little smile from behind his camera. It was going to be something to meet the guys that evening, especially when I knew how things flowed between the two of us.

And I wondered as to how I was going to make those scones for him, too, especially since we were going to be tipsy for quite some time, possibly for the next few hours until we could check into the room.

But it made no difference to me as I posed for him and that camera. I was having too much fun, and I wanted to give him what he couldn't have back home. And all the while, I hadn’t thought about Jerry for one second.

[darkstar225]

Twice's 10th member is the only single lady in the group (lol that's me)

A/N: I got an ask on Tumblr from one of my besties on Tumblr and I loved writing it, ty bae! :D

The request: whats up broskie >:) another request lols anyways in a world where y/n is the only single member so like idk 3mix, dahmo, satzu, michaeng, so Jiheon from fromis_9 and y/n are like classmates and they never spoke ever until they got partnered for a project they ended up getting close quickly and they developed...feelings (A/N: Hey love, I adore receiving your asks <3)

PS: Tysm for everyone that reads what I write, I hope I can bring a smile to your faces every time I post! I'd like to thank whoever sent me this idea 'cause I loved to write it <3

__________________________________________________________

In a world where TWICE's Y/N was the only single member among her bandmates (all the single ladies~), the idol life was both exciting and isolating. Despite being surrounded by her supportive and loving sisters, there were moments when she couldn't help but feel a bit left out. But little did she know that fate had something extraordinary in store for her. The maknae's world, as she knew it, was about to change when she found herself partnered with Jiheon, from the girl group fromis_9, for a school project. They were classmates, yet they had never spoken before, moving in different circles with their busy schedules. The day the teacher announced the project partners, Y/N glanced nervously at Jiheon, who returned her curious gaze with a warm smile. They exchanged a nod, acknowledging their newfound collaboration. TWICE's child couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

As the days passed, they began working on their project together. Initially, the conversations were centred around the assignment, but slowly, they started to open up to each other about their lives outside of music. TWICE's maknae discovered that Jiheon had a passion for painting, and Jiheon found out that Y/N loved photography. Their shared interests brought them closer. They found comfort in each other's presence, a unique bond forming between the two youngest idols. There was an unspoken understanding between them, as both had experienced the demanding life of being a K-pop idol and the loneliness that came with it. One afternoon, as they worked on their project at Jiheon's place, she suddenly brought out a canvas and a set of paints.

Jiheon - I want to show you something! 

With her eyes filled with excitement, she then started painting, her brush strokes filled with emotion and grace. It was a breathtaking sight, and Y/N felt captivated by the raw talent in front of her (You're my zing~). Her heart pounded as she watched Jiheon's art come to life. She had never seen someone express themselves with such passion before. Without thinking, she took out her camera and started capturing the moment, preserving Jiheon's artistry in photographs.

Jiheon noticed what Y/N was doing and smiled gratefully. 

Jiheon - Thank you for capturing this, bae. It means a lot to me.

Y/N blushed, feeling a warmth spreading through her chest (She's down bad). 

Y/N - I should be the one thanking you for letting me witness your art, hon.

From that moment on, their connection grew even stronger. They spent more time together, both at school and outside of it. They explored new hobbies together, from attending photography exhibitions to trying out different art forms. They were each other's support, a source of strength that they could lean on in the challenging world they inhabited. As the weeks passed, TWICE's sunshine couldn't deny the fluttering feelings in her heart whenever she was around Jiheon. She admired Jiheon's talent, her kindness, and her unwavering determination. Jiheon, on the other hand, found herself drawn to Y/N's dedication, her love for her group, and the genuine care she had for others. One evening, as they sat on a rooftop under the starry sky, Y/N couldn't hold back her feelings any longer. 

Y/N - Jiheon, there's something I need to tell you...

Jiheon turned to face her, her eyes filled with curiosity. 

Jiheon - What is it, Y/N?

Y/N - I... I've developed feelings for you. I know we've become close friends, but it's more than that for me. I think I'm falling for you. *blushing*

Jiheon's eyes widened in surprise, but a gentle smile graced her lips. 

Jiheon - You have no idea how happy I am to hear that, I've been feeling the same way too! You've become such an important person in my life, and I can't imagine it without you.

The confession opened up a floodgate of emotions between the two. They shared their stories of insecurities, hopes, and dreams, finding solace in the understanding they provided each other. They decided to take their relationship slowly, letting it grow naturally without any pressure. When the maknaes finally decided to share their feelings with their respective groups, they were filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement. Y/N stood in front of her TWICE unnies, taking a deep breath before speaking from her heart.

Y/N - Unnies, there's something important I want to tell you. I've developed feelings for Jiheon, and she feels the same way about me.

At first, there was stunned silence, and then a wave of surprise and joy washed over the faces of the TWICE members. Nayeon, the group's eldest, was the first to react. She smiled warmly at their kid as she talked. 

Nayeon - Baby, we've noticed how close you've become with Jiheon, and we're happy for you both. As long as you're happy, we support your relationship wholeheartedly.

Her other older sisters nodded in agreement, assuring Y/N that they had no issues with her dating Jiheon. They all expressed their excitement and curiosity about their relationship, eager to know more about the girl who had captured their sunshine's heart. Meanwhile, over in the fromis_9 dorm, Jiheon gathered her courage to talk to her fellow unnies with a slight blush on her cheeks. 

Jiheon - Unnies, there's something I want to share with all of you. Y/N and I have become really close while working on our project, and we've developed feelings for each other.

The fromis_9 members, too, were taken aback at first, not expecting the news. But after a moment of processing, they all broke into smiles and cheers. Jiheon was met with hugs and enthusiastic congratulations from her sisters, who were genuinely happy for her.

Gyuri, one of the closest to Jiheon teased playfully. 

Gyuri - Ah, Jiheonie, you sly fox! I can't believe you kept this a secret from us!

Jiheon laughed, feeling relieved that her unnies were supportive. She explained how she and Y/N had connected on a deep level, their shared experiences as idols forging a strong bond between them. As days turned into weeks and months, the two groups interacted more, attending each other's events and even collaborating on some projects. The bond between TWICE and fromis_9 grew stronger, and the members of both groups saw how happy their maknaes made each other. 

During joint gatherings, the TWICE unnies showered Jiheon with affection, treating her as one of their own. They admired her talents, and she felt welcomed into their close family. Likewise, the fromis_9 unnies embraced Y/N with open arms, grateful for the happiness she brought to Jiheon's life. They shared laughter and stories, and the girl felt accepted as if she had been part of fromis_9 from the beginning. In their intertwined lives as K-pop idols, the new couple became a symbol of love and support for their fans and the entertainment industry. They proved that love could blossom even amidst the demanding schedules and challenges that came with being idols. As their relationship grew stronger, they faced the ups and downs together, supporting each other through it all. Though they still had to manage their busy careers, the youngests always made time for each other. From late-night phone calls to surprise visits during breaks, they cherished every moment together. When they had a chance to collaborate on a project, they poured their hearts into it, their chemistry evident in every performance. Their fellow members and fans alike marvelled at the harmony between the two groups and the vibe created by their relationship.

In the end, Y/N and Jiheon's relationship proved that love knows no boundaries, not even those of hectic idol life. They became each other's pillars, finding solace in knowing they had someone to lean on during both the highs and lows of their journey. And this made them have a single thought:

We are proud of our chosen family.

A/N: I apologise for any errors, English is not my first language. Pls, let me know if there's something wrong, ty for reading <3

[skykidsam]

Introductions

Hello, I'm Sam. Pronouns are she/they. I am the character and the character is me, so here's entirely too much info!

Season of Nesting moth, born during the Cinnamoroll collaboration event. Because of this (at least in part), I'm very into decorating and have a special fondness for the café.

I consider myself to be an amateur photographer with a focus on Sky's ecology, history, archeology, ancient architecture and machinery. For fun, I also like to take pretty scenery shots, pictures of friends, or just quick pics of nest upgrades.

I see value in both the light and the dark. I know one cannot exist without the other, and that the key to homeostasis is balance between the two.

Hobbies include hanging out at the café (I really miss the hourly cinnamon rolls u^u), taking pictures, decorating my nest, studying history, exploring new areas, exploring old areas with a new perspective, and playing dress-up.

I am learning to pet and boop the krill, but only when I'm feeling brave because I am clumsy and bad at dodging. I really like to take pictures and ponder their biology and exact origins. I also like to visit the Leviathan in the abyss. I need to save up for that scuba mask one of these days.

I'm super curious about the diversity of wildlife before the Shattering, and also before light harvesting. Also curious about how long the entire timeline is. Curious about a lot of things, in general.

Most looking forward to: Days of Color, the 5th anniversary event, Season of Duets, Days of Style, Days of Mischief, and last but certainly not least, Sky: The Two Embers

[suzuran777]

Cocoon (Adelta) Review + Guide

Recently I decided to re-play a visual novel I haven’t heard that many people talk about, Adelta’s first game, Cocoon! Adelta is pretty well-known these days for their other games, Koshotengai no Hashihime and Uuultra C, which were both released in English, but I don’t think many people have played Cocoon. I couldn't really find any English summaries or reviews, so I decided to write my own while I was re-playing the game. Cocoon was released in 2014 and there's actually two games, 'Cocoon' and 'Cocoon Black Noise', but I decided to include both of these in this review.

Synopsis Set in the second half of the 21st century in the Taitō Ward of Japan. In this world, talented indivuduals are embedded with a microchip called the ‘Sky Implant’ (SI). These implants decide what kind of special skill set these people receive. Our protagonist Sora, is a painter who lives in Asakusa. He has a form of synesthesia which makes him able to 'see' colors in human voices and environmental sounds. After graduating from a special training school, he moves to a SI-based mansion called 'Cocoon'. For those who live inside these mansions, work can be done remotely from home, daily necessaries are usually bought online and human contact is minimalized. One day while visiting a museum in Ueno, Sora meets a mysterious person with bright red eyes, setting off a chain of events.

Characters

Hajima Sora  SI Skill: Artist | Age: 20 | The main character of this game. He doesn’t go outside much and tries to express his view of the world through his oil paintings. In contrary to his serious appearance, he’s not very good at studying or getting work done.

Kondo Yuki  SI Skill: Social worker | Age: 21 | Sora's childhood friend who cares a lot about him. After his parents died in a fire when he was young, he decided to become a firefighter. He cares a lot about others and will try to save anyone in danger.

Motogi Gin SI Skill: Engineer | Age: 26 | A music producer who likes sharing his creations with everyone online. He’s also a big fan of Sora. He has been trying to meet Sora for a while now after seeing one of his paintings. Incredibly easy-going and optimistic.

Shio (CO) SI Skill: None | Age: 20 | A foul-mouthed young man who often pushes himself to achieve his own goals. He is one of the people the Sky Implant was tested on many years ago, but escaped the facility together with an engineer. Multiple personalities reside inside his body. He returned to Tokyo to take his revenge on the company that created the Sky Implants (Mother). He has the ability to read people’s minds.

Kagami Motogikyō SI Skill: Engineer | Age: 27 | An employee of Mother, the company that created the Sky Implants. A very intelligent and serious man who is strict with himself and others. He’s Gin’s half-brother. A side character in the first game, but has his own route in Black Noise.

Yashiro SI Skill: None | Age: 20 | A tall, intimidating looking man. People around him often don't understand what he's thinking. Similar to Shio, he was part of Mother’s Sky Implant experiments, but he didn't develop multiple personalities. He’s a side character in the first game, but has his own route in Black Noise.

Tsukishiro Ayato SI Skill: None | Age 24 | A mysterious side character who Sora keeps running into. His hobbies include visiting art museums and watching Kabuki. Doesn’t have his own route but he does have some bad endings in both games.

Tsukishiro Yoshimasa SI Skill: None | Age: ??? | A mysterious young boy who looks like Ayato. Although he looks like a child, his way of speaking is similar to an adult. Also a side character.

Takamiya Kaname SI Skill: None | Age: 20 | A young photographer who’s originally from Hokkaido. He’s very soft-spoken and uses polite language when when he’s talking to children and animals. He is currently undergoing a rehabilitation project in Tokyo. He only appears in Black Noise and also has his own route. 

If you’re just here for the guide, scroll down to ‘’Recommended play order & Guide!’’. The summary includes some spoilers.

The story of Cocoon and Cocoon Black Noise is pretty much the same, but each game has different routes. Yuki, Gin and Shio only have routes in the first game, but Kagami’s and Yashiro's routes are only in Black Noise. The second game also adds a new character called Takamiya who also has his own route. I have to say that the quality of Black Noise is definitely better and it also has a lot of new scenes, but I also feel like it's better to play both games because they're short anyway. The only game I can kind of compare it to is CAGE, which is also split into two different versions (CAGE -OPEN- and CAGE-CLOSE-). 

By the way I’ll be calling CO ‘Shio’ in this review because that’s how they pronounce his name (and I don’t want to keep writing CO to be honest...)

Immediately after starting my first route (Yuki) it becomes clear that this futuristic society deals with a lot of problems. There’s a new kind of computer virus which has been infecting Sky Implants and violent arson attacks and bombings are becoming more frequent. Sora and Yuki witness this almost immediately after their trip to the museum. Normally the Sky Implants prevent people from committing any crimes or hurting themselves, so they suspect this series of strange events is caused by someone else’s actions. 

I recommend playing Yuki’s route first and Gin’s after that. After finishing both of these you unlock Shio’s route, which feels more like the ‘’true route’’. Shio's route reveals a lot more information about Mother and the individuals who work for this company. Yuki’s a bit of a possessive childhood friend character which I’m not always the biggest fan of, but his route wasn’t too bad, it just doesn’t really explain much. Gin is a funny character, I like how he basically lured Sora into his house by...pretending to be a girl online. However, I liked Shio’s route the most because it’s a lot longer than the others and we finally learn what is up with him and Yashiro. Some Shio route spoilers below!

It turns that that whatever has been ‘infecting’ people wasn’t a virus after all, but a person called ‘Shou’’. Shou was accidentally created by Mother (the company that created Sky Implants and the network) and has no physical form, so he can only posess others. He’s one of Shio’s other personalities, but Shio doesn’t always seem to agree with the damage Shou causes. 

Yoshimasa (the young boy who looks like Ayato) is actually the founder of Mother. He must be almost 90 years old but I think he has the ability to shift his consciousness to his family members or change his physical form? Though he also used a hologram in another scene. What surprised me the most is that Ayato (the guy with the long purple hair) is his son.

After finishing the main game I immediately played Black Noise and decided to play Takamiya’s route next because he doesn’t appear in the main game. Sora meets him during the park scene after they visit the museum, but he doesn’t like talking to him. His voice is ‘jet black’ and it makes Sora feel somewhat uneasy. They also added a new side character, a detective who’s investigating the recent incidents. Takamiya seems to have a difficult time understanding other people’s emotions and his bad endings are pretty brutal. He spent six years in a youth detention center because of his psychopathic tendencies. I did think he was an interesting character but oh man did I have trust issues every time he showed up.

After that I played Kagami’s route who appears a lot in the first game too. It was interesting to see everything from his perspective. In this route they chase Yuki, who has been posessed by ‘Shou’. I had no idea Kagami used to have a wife and children?? They all passed away in an accident, but the Sky Implant limits his emotions which is why he’s able to act pretty normal. Eventually he disables this and he starts showing strong emotions again. Kagami turns against Mother and in the good end he purchases a solar power business in Austria and they move far away from Mother’s network and influences. By the way, he looks good without the glasses too! A pretty solid route.

Yashiro’s route is the last one I played and it’s not the most ‘happy’ route. Sora follows him because he wants to meet Shio again, but nobody knows where he went. Shio’s... unfortunately killed by Yashiro later in this route because Yashiro still follows Mother’s orders, and Yuki has been permanently posessed by Shou, so Yashiro kills him too. Surprisingly he doesn’t betray Sora and decides to run away together with him. In this ending they move to Osaka, but Mother is rapidly expanding their network to new cities, so they probably have to move again in the near future. The ending is kind of bittersweet, but I’m honestly surprised he got a good ending at all after everything that happened in this route omg.

Recommended play order & Guide Cocoon Yuki good end: 拒絶できない > ありがとう > 自分を信じる Yuki bad end: 拒絶できない > ･･････ごめん > シオを信じる Ayato bad end: 拒絶できない > ･･････ごめん > もう少し時間がほしい

Gin good end: これ以上だませない >  ･･････ 頼る >  ･･････  Gin bad end: これ以上だませない > 信用できない Kagami bad end: これ以上だませない > ･･････頼る > いい加減にしろ

Shio good end: Select ‘CO’ in main menu > 自制だ > 取る Ayato bad end 2: Select ‘CO’ in main menu > 自制だ > ‘‘拒む’‘ Yashiro bad end: Select ‘CO’ in main menu > 怒りだ > ‘‘払う’‘

Black Noise Takamiya good end: 眠って忘れる > やり直さないか > 鴇色だ Takamiya bad end 1: 眠って忘れる > なかったことにできないか……？ Takamiya bad end 2: 眠って忘れる > やり直さないか >  漆黒だ 

Kagami good end : 気晴らしに外へ出る > 誰かに会いたい > 鏡を信じる  >ついていきます Yoshimasa bad end: 気晴らしに外へ出る > 誰かに会いたい > 鏡を信じる  >待ってます Ayato bad end 3: 気晴らしに外へ出る > 誰かに会いたい > 雪信じる

Yashiro good end: 気晴らしに外に出る > 頭を冷やしたい > 引き離す Yashiro bad end: 気晴らしに外に出る > 頭を冷やしたい  > 見守る > このままでいい Ayato bad end 4: 気晴らしに外に出る > 頭を冷やしたい > 引き離す > 目覚めて欲しい　

There aren’t that many choices so luckily it wasn’t that hard to figure out! Some of the bad endings have a CG and some don’t, also Ayato has so many bad endings... The ‘full completion’ CGs should also show up immediately after you play the final ending.

Final thoughts Cocoon Black Noise was released some months after the first game and you can really see the improvement. I remember when I played Cocoon for the first time I wasn’t really sure what to think after playing Yuki’s and Gin’s routes, but the other routes do a much better job at explaining the plot. I really liked Shio’s and Kagami’s routes. Takamiya’s route was pretty interesting, but I kept fearing something horrible was going to happen, so I had some trust issues while playing through some of the wholesome scenes LOL. Yashiro’s route was...an experience, I do like the ending but it was pretty painful to see Shio die after he became one of my favorite characters.

It took me about 8 hours to finish the first game, Black Noise's length was similar, so if you want to play a short visual novel and see how Kurosawa Rinko's writing and art has changed throughout the years, I do recommend playing this one (just don’t expect anything as polished as Hashihime). It’s only available in Japanese you can just use Textractor to translate the dialogue, if you don’t mind machine translations. Both of these games have a lot of CGs and they look pretty good! The only thing that could be better is the music I guess? There’s not a lot of different tracks and the game is unvoiced, so I often muted the game while listening to different music.

I also appreciated to little extras they added, like the full character profiles which you can unlock after finishing each route. Also, if you go to the gallery and look at the CGs there’s some fun extra commentary (though it’s Black Noise exclusive unfortunately). Some of these are really funny, especially Ayato and Yoshimasa’s... Ayato behaves like a pervert but Yoshimasa truly sounds like an old man lol.

By the way the official website doesn't seem to work anymore? I tried using the wayback machine but none of the pictures on the site work anymore and I can't really access any of the pages. You can still buy both of the games on DLsite though. 

[cartoonyfangirl]

Hello Toons, Toonies, and Toonettes.

It's about that time that I make my introduction, post, as well as a Bio of who I am, my interactions and DNI's, and just things about me!

So lets get started!

(Picrews made by ActionPilot and Sangled)

What is my name? - My name is Summer! I usually go by my username CartoonyFangirl by most!

How old am I? - I'm 23 years old!

When is my day of birth? - I was born on January 9th, 2001, So that also makes me a Capricorn! ♑

What pronouns do I use? - She/Her! ^^

What is my Sexuality? - I'm currently Bisexual/Demisexual!

What are your hobbies? - I usually like to explore my surroundings, and hang out with my friends, I also love going to the movies! Especially ones that I've been dying to see! And I also love taking pictures, especially when they involve Cityscape!

What are your likes? - I love anything Animated, old and new! I love Nachos and Hamburgers! I absolutely love both Chocolate Peanut Butter and Mint Chocolate Ice Cream! And I love Photography!

What are your dislikes? - I hate hot weather, I don't like strawberry ice cream, I hate spiders and anything that creeps me out, and I don't like horror games

What do you want to do for a future career? - I have two actually, I've always wanted to hop into the Voice Acting business, as I have always loved doing silly and crazy voices for my OC's since I was a kid. The other is to become a Cityscape Photographer, as I love to examine the old and rustic buildings that are next to the new and modern ones!

(Now lets get to the Animation part of this)

My favorite animated films! - Finding Nemo/Dory, A Goofy Movie, Atlantis The Lost Empire, The Emperor's New Groove, Castle In The Sky, Megamind, Pinocchio, Scooby Doo and the Alien Invaders, Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School, Elemental, The Iron Giant, Cats Don't Dance, The Super Mario Bros Movie, Beauty and the Beast, The Rescuers, and etc!

My favorite non-animated films! (LA/Animated included) - Looney Tunes Back In Action, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Muppets From Space, The Muppet Movie, Follow That Bird, 1993 Super Mario Bros Movie, Splash, The Goonies, To Kill A Mockingbird, 2015 Cinderella, and etc!

My favorite animated shows - Animaniacs (1993), Tiny Toon Adventures, Ducktales (1987 and Reboot), Darkwing Duck, Bonkers, Goof Troop, Recess, Amphibia, The Owl House, Steven Universe, Ed Edd and Eddy, Chowder, A Pup Named Scooby Doo, The Looney Tunes Show, Regular Show, The Woody Woodpecker Show, and etc!

(Now here is my Interact/DNI of my page)

Interact with me (Will add on more to this)

Kind and Respectful on posts, reposts, and etc

Animation Fanatic/Lover

Movie/Show Fanatic/Lover

Apart of the LGBTQ community/LGBTQ Supporter!

Comfort Character/Kin Lover

Muppet Fanatic

Art Lover!

DNI with me (Will add more onto this)

Homophobic

Transphobic

Racist

Pro-Ship/Pro Shippers

Political/Anything of this topic

Spam/Bots

Starts up Fights with others

Bullying and Being Disrespectful

Hates anything Animation related and etc!

This is all that I have so far! But I will be adding more to this! That way this can be fully completed! Until then, Welcome to my page everyone! ^^

[tenebriism]

❝Do you ever wonder about the life you could’ve had? The life that in some far flung universe, you and I might even be living right this moment?❞  Stretched out in a field of dandelions, blue eyes train towards the sky, fingertips raised towards the heavens as Jean maps out the stars with a lazy swipe of her hand.

❝Just somewhere out there, way beyond the stars. Maybe some other version of us is staring at the same sky right at this very moment. An us that are married. Maybe we’d have a little house in a Khaenri’ah that was still thriving, a proper white picket fence and a garden full of every flower we could imagine. Maybe we’d be parents. The kind that are forever obnoxiously proud of their children and show photographs to anyone and everyone that will listen, even total strangers. Maybe they’d have your eyes and my smile, and just enough blonde hair to fluff up like a mane whenever it got too humid. Our little lion children. Fierce and brave, but compassionate and gentle.❞

It’s a bold dream. A silly, ridiculous flight of fancy observed in the most sedate of circumstance, but it makes her heart ache to think about it. To clutch at the scraps of a nonsensical impossibility, because there is hope in it, even if not for them, then for some distant version of themselves that may have been dealt a kinder hand by life. ❝Is it silly to want that? To know that in some infinite string of possibilities, maybe we got to spend at least one life together? ❞

// aaaaand, one for Dain, which is soft but also a bit sad. 

The quickest, simplest answer ? Yes.

Yes, of course he has thought of many ' what ifs. ' Many ' what could have beens ' and ' alternate timelines. ' Things that could have transpired differently if he'd made THIS choice at this moment, or been in THIS place at another. All it does, though, is make him yearn for the things he'd once had that were far, FAR out of reach now. The somewhat NORMAL life he'd lead, with a home and hobbies and, indeed, even loved ones that had all been taken from him in the blink of an eye.

He tries, then, not to dwell on it too much, lest he make a mockery of the once proud and strong Khaenri'an military and succumb to his own depression. Keeping on the move helps . . . being stagnant tempts overthinking, and then, the vicious mental cycle begins again, but he doesn't mind it if he's with her. She keeps the static to a dull, manageable buzz, and helps him forget how TRAPPED he is in his own mind and body. She's surprisingly DEEP today, though, and as much as her words cause an ACHE to form that he can easily lump with that constant YEARNING, he wants to listen . . . and does.

Intently. Hangs onto ever word, lets the images that she weaves form in his head like a fantasy novel. Not because the things she says are ludicrous, no . . . it all sounds like a standard, mortal dream. A home, love, a family. All things he, too, had once worked towards, but now had accepted he would never, ever have. That, tragically, is why it is fantasy. An idea for them to cling to when their own realities seem too much, until they're dragged back down and chained to it again.

" . . . I would want them to have your eyes, " he begins, not even HESITATING to offer his own input despite knowing this conversation would hang over him for weeks to come. Months . . . no, years. Forever. " There is . . . a strange comfort in knowing they would look like both of us no matter what. Blonde hair, blue eyes. An inevitable, undeniable conclusion. I have always found comfort in our similarities, even ones that are physical. " It helps him see HIMSELF in someone else, even if, in the rare chance they WERE able to have a family, it would take a good portion of the fun GUESSING GAME away. He knows, though, that because of her . . . they would be beautiful.

Alas, if only they -- these sunshine haired, ocean eyed, imaginary children -- could make it past the level of mere wishful, certainly hapless thinking. " However, I feel as if I am . . . holding you back from the things you want and deserve. That you plant these seeds, only for me to trample it all at the faintest sight of life, when there is greener grass elsewhere. All of this . . . you could have it with someone else. " Yet, the thought does not please him, and he knows precisely why. He wants this with her, more than he, so well spoken and oft poetic, can ever put into words, but that she would want it with him BACK . . . archons, it is both a source of hope and happiness, and a source of SADNESS.

" If I . . . were to never return one day, how long would you wait until you moved on ? Until you pursued these beautiful dreams with another ? I want . . . only the most perfect, prosperous life for you, and if I must LEAVE so you may attain it, I . . . "

Archons, but he would not want to. Yet, should he deem it the best course of action to ensure she would not hang over these heartbreaking desires FOREVER, he would do so, even at the cost of his own fleeting joy. Besides, he has heard, in the whispers of the wind, that there are a few who could very well give her what she seeks. She will remain BLIND to that the longer he lingers.

" . . . maybe in another lifetime. Another universe, indeed . . . "

@gunnhildred ;; ♥

[priestessofspiders]

Concrete Heaven

I quite enjoy urban exploration as a hobby, which is just sort of a fancy way of saying I enjoy snooping about in places where I really ought not to be. I sometimes refer to it with my friends as recreational trespassing. Old buildings, steam tunnels, water infrastructure, it doesn't matter so long as it's man-made and not somewhere too frequented by cops or security guards.

I was on one such excursion at a dried up old reservoir when I found the notepad. I was taking a few photographs when I heard a faint plop from behind me. I turned around to see it just sitting there on the sunbleached concrete; a small yellow legal notepad. I looked about to see where it could fallen from, but there wasn't anywhere above it where someone could have tossed it. It was as if it had simply fallen out of the sky.

Obviously I went over and picked it up, what else was I supposed to do? It felt old, the pages stiff and crackly as though it had been left out in the sun for far too long. The first few pages were just the normal sort of things you'd find on a notepad like that; random numbers, grocery lists, various reminders, etc, but eventually those gave way to a solid block of dense, close-written text that continued for the remainder of the notepad. What follows is a transcription of what I found written there.

- - -

I always loved the immensity of cities, the awe-inspiring magnitude of it all. It was just the people I didn't like. There is a calmness, a beauty to the vast concrete expanse of urban development, ruined utterly by the stupid, pointless creatures who inhabit it. This was one of the reasons why I started spending a lot of my spare time in the parts of the city where there are no people.

In any given city, or even large town, there are vast swathes where nobody actually goes. All those places you pass by while driving which just look like empty expanses of cement and graffiti. Usually they're some sort of waterworks, concrete rivers where rainwater is meant to flow into in order to prevent floods and the like. Of course, the state I used to live in had been in a drought for most of my adult life, so it was rather rare there would ever actually be any flooding. Just long pathways of concrete and silence, a private sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Nobody ever tried to stop me, that's what's funny. People are always so afraid of wandering out where they aren't supposed to go, terrified of hopping fences because of the vaguely threatening signs insisting they'll be prosecuted for trespassing, but it's all meaningless. The barrier exists entirely within your mind. Nobody actually cares, and the police have much more pressing matters to attend to than keeping out trespassers on bits of infrastructure that haven't really been used in over a decade.

Obviously I wasn't actually alone, I'm sure I wasn't the only explorer in these artificial wildernesses, and there was always the ever-present hum of city traffic at the edge of my hearing. There was enough graffiti to indicate at least some other people had visited these places, but I never encountered anyone. If I tuned out the sound of cars passing on the nearby freeway I could almost convince myself I was the last human being on the planet.

Do you know what it felt like, walking through those vast empty spaces? It was as if I were an ant, crawling steadily along on my own on a crack in the sidewalk, surrounded on all sides but up by the weight of a world so much larger than I was. It was so liberating, so freeing to be so small, so alone, with nothing but the sun-warmed concrete and the gently cloudy skies above for company. I usually brought my polaroid camera with me, snapping photos here and there to look at later on the days when I couldn't go on an excursion in person.

It was a day like any other when I crossed over to the place that I am now. I was walking along one of my favorite spots, the canal I called it, though I'm sure it had some more official name in the city planning parlance. It was just a long artificial river of sorts, designed for water to flow down, though none had ever passed through it for as long as I could recall. It went on for miles and miles, and I could walk uninterrupted for hours if I chose to. I can't place the exact moment that it happened, when the illusion of isolation transformed into reality. When you work so hard to tune out the sound of cars passing, you fail to notice when it actually does stop. I recall feeling faintly uneasy, as though something was wrong and I should turn back, but I can't for the life of me pinpoint exactly when that feeling started or what actually prompted it.

It was in the late afternoon when I had decided I needed to head back home, during that period of time where the sun's rays cast long shadows and everything feels subtly unreal, as if you are wandering through a dream. I don't wear a watch, so I had no idea what the exact time was. I'd arrived at the canal at about 5 o'clock I believe, and must have been walking for at least 2 hours, so it couldn't have been earlier than 7, but at the same time it seemed too light out, too warm.

I began my journey back, sneakers slapping gently against the warm concrete as I watched my lengthened shadow march ahead of me, stretched out like taffy by the afternoon sun. The clouds were a faint pink. Or, to say more correctly, they are a faint pink. They haven't changed one bit since that afternoon which now seems so long ago.

I have no precise idea of how long I walked down the canal. The sun showed no signs of lowering, there was no breeze to move the clouds, and I had, as previously mentioned, no watch to measure the minutes. I could have been walking for 3 hours or 3 days, there is no way for me to know for sure. However, it eventually became apparent that I had been walking significantly longer to get back than it took for me to get there. I was just about to turn back around, thinking perhaps I had missed the spot I had entered and just didn't notice, when I spotted something up ahead that made me very, very concerned.

The canal split, forming two distinct paths to the left and right. I want to make it very clear, the canal never split on any of my previous excursions, and I had traveled both directions multiple times for hours each way. It wasn't as if there were signs of drastic new construction, a branch off of the main route, it just split evenly down the middle, the graffiti covered concrete on both paths looking as though it had been there a long time, weathered by years under the hot sun.

I paused for a moment. At least I think it was a moment. It's impossible to tell here. Time doesn't have much meaning when there is nothing to measure it. I tried to think of what logical explanation there could be for the sudden discrepancy in the structure of the canal. I couldn't come up with a single valid reason. I knew I wasn't losing my mind, I'm not sure how, but I was absolutely certain that I was still sane and lucid. Something had changed. I snapped a picture of the split, determined to compare it with the polaroids I had taken previously when I got back home. It's amusing to think back on it now, my belief that I would one day be able to return to the place I chose to think of as a home.

By this point I was uncomfortably aware of the complete and total absence of the sound of traffic, and decided I needed to investigate. The walls of the canal weren't very steep, so I scrabbled up them and hauled myself over the edge to try and find some sort of landmark.

I didn't see any sort of recognizable landmark when I stood up. I saw something so much stranger.

At first I couldn't believe my own eyes. It seemed utterly impossible. I could see nothing but a vast, endless expanse of concrete, as far as my eyes could see. There were no buildings, no freeways or proper roads, it wasn't as though I was looking upon a city. The closest comparison I can make is this; imagine an outdoor skate park, the sort that is simply slopes, tunnels, and ramps of concrete. Now imagine it spanned a continent.

Nothing seemed to serve any actual useful purpose, not really. It was just an abstract landscape of gray, marked occasionally with graffiti. At the time I believed this meant that there must be other people here, but I know better than that now.

I didn't really know what else to do, so I just started walking. Ascending up the side of the canal had led me to a sort of pathway that was elevated above the rest of the concrete wilderness, and as I walked I was able to get quite a good look at my surroundings. The further I traveled, the more I noticed how strange the landscape was.

As I said, nothing seemed to have any sort of real purpose, but certain structures did seem to emulate "real" ones. Occasionally I'd see bits of chain link fence randomly blocking off certain places, though there always seemed to be some way to get over or around it, like it was an obstacle to avoid rather than any sort of actual barrier. There were bridges of sorts, but it seemed less like they existed to span gaps and more as if they were meant to recreate the shade created by highway overpasses. I'd see stairs leading to nowhere in particular, and random tunnels shaped like sewer entrances but which seemed totally devoid of any wastewater.

Even the graffiti seemed pointless, random. Later on I tried to analyze some of it, attempting to translate some sort of meaning from the scribbles painted haphazardly on the walls, but it was no use. Everything is either meaningless squiggles or just random sequences of letters.

All the while as I walked, I snapped pictures with my camera, watching them print out and shaking them dry, checking to make sure that the landscape looked the same on film as they did in my eyes. Everything always turned out normal. If I wasn't already convinced of my utmost sanity, the photographs at the very least seemed to prove that I wasn't hallucinating.

Eventually I expended what little food and water I had brought with me in my backpack, and still the sun showed no sign of lowering and the path showed no sign of ending, just continuing onward forever into the horizon. I decided I would descend down the next slope I saw that diverged from the path and walk a different route instead, just to try and see if the change in scenery would bring about any new revelations as to where I was, and how I could leave.

I came across what seemed almost like a concrete slide of sorts, gently curving downwards with many twists and turns. I began my descent carefully, watching my footing. I wear fairly high quality sneakers, and the traction is generally good enough to help me on any precarious slopes, but this time I wasn't so lucky. I'd been walking for God knows how long, and I was far too tired to think carefully about putting one foot in front of the other. I stumbled, and soon found myself on my back, sliding down the slope.

I was afraid there might be a fall of some sort at the bottom, that I might break a bone in this place and die of an infection, and tried desperately to slow my descent, scraping up my hands a bit in the process. I needn't have worried though, as eventually the slope leveled out and I found myself on flat ground. Beyond some mild scrapes on my hands and a slight tear on the back of my jeans, I was none the worse for wear.

Surveying my surroundings, I found a series of rectangular concrete blocks, perhaps 8 feet tall, arranged in a grid. I rested against one, closing my eyes for a moment and trying to catch my breath. I was still no closer to finding an exit from this place.

I opened my eyes after a minute or so and noticed something peeking out from behind the corner of one of the concrete blocks. I got up, groaning from fatigue and soreness, and moved over to see what it was. To my immense surprise, it was a soft, padded blanket.

Next to the blanket was a transparent plastic water bottle, with no brand sticker visible, and a similarly unbranded granola bar. I was baffled. I picked up the water bottle, examining it. It was unopened and entirely full. I opened it and drank, finding the water within oddly colder than the ambient temperature around it, refreshingly cool. I downed the entire bottle and set to work on devouring the granola bar immediately afterwards.

They say that hunger is the best sauce, and that might very well be true, because that simple meal tasted better than anything I'd ever eaten up until that point. I lay down on the blanket, pulling my hat over my eyes to block out the sun, and slept long and deep.

I'm afraid I can't say exactly how long I slept, but when I finally did awake there was that faint soreness that accompanies especially long rests. I blinked the sand from my eyes and stood up, stretching my limbs out and blinking in the light of that perpetual late afternoon sun. The empty water bottle and the wrapper for the granola bar were gone, though there didn't seem to be any wind that could have moved them.

I was scratching gently at an itch on my behind when I realized my jeans had been mended somehow. The rip that had been there when I had fallen asleep was gone now that I was awake. I took them off so I could get look at it, and the damage had been sewn up with gray thread. I knew I slept deeply, but not deeply enough for me to not have noticed somebody taking off my pants to repair them. There was an odd shiver that ran up my spine when I realized the scrapes on my hands were gone too, as if somehow they'd had time to completely heal over.

I contemplated bringing the blanket with me, but decided against it, I didn't have the room in my backpack to carry it. I continued on my journey through the concrete landscape, wandering with no clear direction in mind, just hoping that if I walked far enough I would find a way out of this place.

I walked for as long as I could stand to, taking whatever paths caught my eye. I walked on sidewalks without roads to accompany them, bridges, the occasional tunnel, vast stretches of flatness, stairs leading up and down, all manner of structures, and yet there didn't seem to be any end. As I walked, I'd occasionally come across more water and granola bars, and would consume both immediately.

It took me a while to realize that the food and water only ever seemed to appear when I felt hungry or thirsty. I never went long enough without either to feel any effects of starvation or dehydration, I always went just long enough to feel the slight want to eat something or have a drink. At the time, that revelation made me feel deeply uncomfortable. I began to feel like I was being watched.

The sun always stays in its late afternoon position in the perpetually partly cloudy sky, but my internal clock did once again inform me I was due for sleep. I looked about for a place to rest, some suitable area to curl up and at least take a short nap, when I once again found another padded blanket just lying there, peaking out from behind a nearby wall. It looked exactly the same as the one from before. It sent a shiver down my spine, but I didn't feel like I had much other choice, I was once again exhausted.

My first sleep in this place was dreamless, just comfortable rest, but that second time brought about the first of my dreams about Her. Would you believe that at the time She frightened me? The folly of youth I suppose, or perhaps it simply takes time to appreciate the true beauty of divinity.

The dreams are vague, disjointed in the manner that such visions so often are. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the dreams from the waking world, since my actions are the same in both. I wander the beautiful landscape, warmed by the gentle sun. I am not alone in this place. She is with me. My concrete angel with wings of rebar and a face like graffiti, smiling down upon me with infinite kindness.

The first time I dreamed of Her, I woke up screaming. Isn't that silly? In fact, for quite a long time after that I avoided sleep entirely, ignoring the blankets I found and choosing instead to keep on walking for as long as possible. Nobody can keep the sandman at bay forever, and when I did eventually pass out, slumped against a staircase to nowhere, I found myself dreaming once more of my concrete angel. When I awoke, still startled, I found I had been lovingly carried to a padded blanket at the base of the stairs.

Since then, I have had periods of madness, of anger towards She who I perceived to be my captor. I screamed at Her to show Herself, I pleaded for my "freedom", I sobbed for hours, begging desperately to return home. But as time passed, I've come to realize this is my home. This is where I belong.

In life, I spent every hour I could wandering places just like this, only infinitely smaller and more pathetic because they were built by the hands of men and not those of angels. I never fit in with my peers, and craved absolute solitude amidst the concrete wilderness of city infrastructure. Now I have what I always wanted.

I don't need to worry about food, I don't have to think about deadlines, I can just wander forever, seeing sights so beautiful I cannot hope to describe them accurately. Here I am loved, I am cared for. My concrete angel speaks no words in my dreams, but I know She wants nothing but my happiness. I often wake up from my slumber with tears of joy.

I don't know how long I've been here. My hands tremble slightly now, and seem somewhat wrinkled in appearance. My voice sounds hoarse, like that of someone nearing the end of a long, fulfilling life. But I don't feel old. The more I've roamed, the more I have seen that fills my heart with wonder and joy. I have seen cyclopean monuments that would put the pyramids of Giza to shame, I have crossed bridges that make Golden Gate look like a child's toy. I have looked over the depths of pits that seem to extend downwards into infinity.

I am, as I write this, sitting next to one such pit now. I ran out of film for my camera long ago, and have decided that it is time for me to stop lugging it around. I don't need it anymore, nor do I need this notepad I am writing in. The clothes on my back are enough, and I know food and water will be provided whenever it is needed.

I didn't want to just leave them in some corner in this place though. I cannot see the bottom of this pit, but it seems far, far deeper than any rational structure could be. Something tells me that at the bottom is a way back to the world I came from. Perhaps it is my concrete angel, whispering it to my mind. I'm going to throw down this notepad, along with my camera and all the photographs I have taken. Perhaps someone will find them, someday.

There is a padded blanket next to me. After I throw this notepad into the depths of the pit, I think I shall take a nap before continuing on my endless, beautiful journey.

- - -

I'll admit, this writing disturbed me greatly when I first read it, and I found myself listening desperately for the sound of traffic. For several seconds I was horrified that there would only be silence, before I eventually heard the deep rumble of a passing truck and allowed myself to relax a little bit.

There is every possibility this is just some idiot's idea of a joke, perhaps the notepad was dropped by a drone or something like that, but I don't think so. It seems awfully involved to be some sort of prank. The end of the narrative mentioned photographs being dropped along with the notepad, and I did indeed find one, tucked in the last pages, but it hardly proves the tale's veracity.

It's just a photograph of the late afternoon sky, a gentle sun turning the clouds faintly pink.