#ooohh I’m looking forward to this!!

[99liv3s]

A Birthing Show

(Wrote in collaboration with @ashmallow)

The two girls waddled onto the small stage, applauded by the 10 members of the audience: 7 men and 3 women. These 10 had paid a considerable amount of money for exclusive access to what the girls were offering: the chance to witness and control both their labors. Monica was a short, pale, black haired girl with brown eyes, thin except for her noticable pregnant belly, her hair in a low ponytail that hung over her right shoulder. She was wearing a gray maternity gown that seemed to enhance her pregnancy features. The other girl, Ash, had shoulder length brown hair, a bit darker skin, and her eyes were brown as well. She was a bit taller than Monica, but not by much, and though she was a bit less skinny than Monica, Ash's bump looked considerably bigger. Ash was wearing a small shirt and a skirt, which protruded outward over her large belly.

The girls took their place in front of the waiting audience, showing off their protruding bellies, as the ten audience members settled in their seats. "Welcome," Monica said to them, smiling. "In a few moments, the pills the two of us ingested will put us into labor, and the show can begin!" "As the ad stated, you will all be here to witness us labor and give birth simultaneously, and as an added bonus," she pointed toward two tablets lying on a table in front of the audience, "Those pads there will control how our labors play out, giving all of you complete control of this experience!" "My name is Monica, and my fellow partner in birth is named Ash!" "We hope you all enjoy the experience, and thank you in advance for your generous payments!" On the stage were two chairs, which the girls both sat in, as well as two beds. The two of them rubbed their bellies absentmindedly as they smiled at the crowd. “I’m so nervous” Ash whispered to Monica, looking down at her big 34 week belly, wondering what the audience would do. "Me too." Monica whispered back, smiling at Ash as they waited for labor to begin, while the audience chatting with each other. One woman spoke up: "So, how does this even work?? How can we actually control your labors?" Monica smiled at her, rubbing her belly slightly. "The pills we took contain little microscopic machines that will settle into our lower bodies," Monica answered. "They're connected to the pads, and can do all kinds of stuff once they jumpstart labor!" The woman, beaming, nodded and thanked Monica for her answer. A minute later, Ash felt a twinge in her lower abdomin, and a sharp intake of breath indicated that Monica was feeling the same thing.

“Oh oh oh! I can feel contractions starting!” Ash gasped out, panting, though they were not very strong because it was still the early stage of labor. However, Ash could tell her cervix was trying to open, and she felt a lot of pressure building up on her lower back, radiating out towards her crotch and legs. "Oooh, I can too!" Monica panted out softly, clutching her belly as she felt the pressure start to build in her pelvis. The small crowd watched with smiles of wonder and entertainment on their faces. "Can you two touch each other's bellies?" Asked one guy in the back. In response, Monica and Ash started rubbing each other's bellies all over and bumping them gently together, giggling a bit. Then, they could all see Ash's belly visibly squeezing and relaxing. “Ahh… ahh… the contractions are getting harder!” she cried. Monica grimaced as she felt a contraction hit her as well. "Ooohh," she moaned out, as several people of the audience leaned forward, two in front grabbing the pads. "Yeah, mine are too!" “I think they’re making the baby more active!” Ash whispered as she felt her belly twist and turn with movements, as if the baby was turning upside down over and over, spinning inside her. Monica looked over at the watchers, seeing them tapping commands into both pads, and then a sudden surge of pressure hit her pelvis. "Uugghh!!" She cried out, clutching her bump, as Ash moaned from the pain of the active baby. "Uugh, let's... sway together," Monica suggested.

Ash held the sides of Monica's hips while Monica held Ash's, and they slowly swayed together to ease through the pain. Seeing the girls trying to relax, the audience was not satisfied. Suddenly, Ash's 2 cm dilated cervix became 5 cm dilated. “Ahhhhh I can feel the head trying to go through!!!” Ash moaned out. "B..breathe Ash... breathe through... aaggghhh!!" Monica began, but cried out as her pressure worsened, and she involuntarily spread her legs. "N..no... we mustn't push...yet... oooohh..." she groaned, clutching her belly as she felt herself opening quickly as well. The audience smiled at the girls' discomfort, and tapped more commands, causing both girls' water to break all over the stage. Panting, the two of them slowly scrambled to the nearby beds, and lowered themselves onto them. “Ahhhhh I can feel the head going into my birth canal!” Ash screamed out, holding her big belly in pain. “Ahhh… ahhh…” Her belly was contracting intensely, but one of the audience pressed a button, and her contractions grew even harder. “Ughhhhhhhh…” Lying on the other bed, Monica spread her legs and moaned loudly, squirming in pain. "Oooohh god, this hurts!!" She moaned. "The... p... pressure..." "Ash, it hurts!!" The two girls looked into each other's eyes, both locked in the pain of their labors and their moaning.

“I want you girls to strip naked.” An audience member said after they reached a calm point between contractions. The girls nodded, then they both stood up and reluctantly took off their clothes, revealing their big contracting bellies and swollen breasts, as well as their dilating vaginas. Ash's tits were milky, and as another contraction took her, more milk squirted from them. Still moaning and mewling, both girls laid back onto the beds completely naked. They knew it would have come to this sooner or later. As audience members played around with the tablets, Monica let out a loud, drawn out moan, clutching her belly as a huge amount of pressure hit her pelvis. Meanwhile, Ash felt her dilation increase rapidly, and the pressure on her hips increased as the baby's head painfully pressed against her cervix, which barely opened. Becoming quite aroused by Ash's milk squirts, the audience made her boobs start lactating more. Streams of milk ran down her breasts and onto the bed as she moaned loudly in pain from the dilation and contractions. "Can... we come and help suck that up?" A woman in the audience asked. Ash nodded, and half the watchers scrambled onto the stage, trying to drink up Ash's milk.

"Aaaahhh, it hurts so bad!!!" "OW OW OW AAHH I CAN'T AAAGHH!!" Monica yelled out, clutching her belly as she felt the pressure and pain ram her cervix hard. After a few high loud moans, she screamed out, "OOH, I GOTTA PUSH!" Ash felt her cervix dilate rapidly as well, and the heaviness of the head started to fill her vagina. The audience murmured in satisfaction to the girls' suffering. “Ahhhh I can feel the hair!” Ash screamed out, reaching down and feeling a sliver of the baby’s head trying to stretch her lips wide. “The pressure!!" "Ahhhhh… it burns… ahhhhhhh!” The burning was agony, but someone tapped a control, and Ash felt the head slip back in. Meanwhile, Monica thrashed around on her bed, moaning and crying, the pressure feeling like it would tear her apart. "IT'S GETTING WORSE!! AAAAHHH!" She screamed, her legs spread and trembling in pain. Monica involuntarily pushed, and she felt her pussy bulge outward. "OH GOD OH GOD AAAAHHH!" As the audience watched, they started to see just how big the head of Monica's baby seemed to be. With more loud howls of pain, Monica seemed to stretch more and more with each push. Ash cried out again as she once again felt her baby's head start to crown, but the audience kept making the head go back in every time she relaxed, prolonging her suffering. "OWW PLEASE LET IT OUT!" Ash begged, as the burning hit her over and over.

By now, those audience members that were trying to suck up Ash's milk had had their fill, and settled back into their seats to enjoy the show. Both girls' vaginas were on full display as they shouted and yelped in pain. Ash's baby had peeked out and gone back in another four times. Meanwhile, Monica was clearly struggling, a huge head still lodged in her opening. Ash suddenly screamed as the already overwhelming pressure hit her even harder, and her baby's head immediately shot out. As it hung out of her vagina, Ash moaned loudly, as it seemed her body had had enough of the baby playing peekaboo. The audience murmured in amazement, but at this point, the girls were in so much pain and agony of labor, they no longer cared what was happening around them. "Monica push!" Ash said over Monica's cries. "OOOOHH I'M TRYING..." Monica wailed out, and indeed, she had been pushing, but the head seemed to be stuck. With loud grunts and groans of effort, Monica tried to bear down again, but there was still no movement. "Maybe... change... positiaaaahhh" Ash began, but was distracted by her own baby's emergence. Ash pushed, and with a gush of fluid, her baby was fully born. The audience applauded and cheered as Ash reached for her newborn. It was a girl!

With some difficulty, Monica repositioned herself on the bed, finally getting onto her hands and knees, with her belly sitting on the soft bedsheets, which tickled her popped out navel. Her vagina now hanging in the air, everyone could now see just how big the baby's head was, but the change in position seemed to do the trick. Monica let out another wail as she pushed and the head eased out slowly. Ash watched along with the audience, as she waited for the contractions that would deliver her placenta. The audience tapped some commands that increased the intensity of Monica's contractions and she shrieked as her belly visibly pulsed. With a squishy pop, the head finally ejected from Monica's pussy and hung out of her in the air. "You did it Monica!" Ash cheered, as the audience murmured. She felt contractions and prepared to push out her placenta. However, as she listened to Monica pant, she started to feel pressure again. Monica, still on her hands and knees, looked over at Ash, who was grimacing in pain. "That was... rough... hey are you ok??" Monica asked. Ash shook her head, her eyes closed. "Placenta hurts that much?" Ash moaned softly, as the audience's murmured increased; They had definitely figured out that things were not going according to plan.

A few minutes later, the pressure increased, and Ash cried out, "OH GOD IT'S ANOTHER BABY!" Members of the audience gasped, as Monica began to wail again, her big baby deciding it was ready to finish coming out. Monica yelled and moaned as she pushed. Ash breathed heavily, feeling the strong contraction that would push the twin out of her. Ash bore down, already feeling the head hit her already sore vagina. The audience watched intently, so engrossed in the show before them, they seemed to had forgotten the pads. Monica's loud screams echoed throughout the room as the huge baby finally slid out of her and gently onto the bed. It was a big baby boy. Ash smiled, still panting, as she saw Monica finish giving birth, slumping onto the bed in exhaustion. Then, she felt the familiar burning, and screamed out as she felt her second baby crown. "OW OW AH AH AH AHHHH!!" With one more very painful push, the entire baby fell onto the bed beside her sister, and the twins cried loudly.

As the two girls panted exhaustedly, the 10 watchers got to their feet, clapping and cheering. Monica, who had turned back over and was lying on her back, holding her newborn in her arms, smiled softly. Ash continued to lay on the bed, her eyes closed as her twins, their cords still attached, both hanging out of Ash, squirmed and cried. "You both did amazing," one watcher said. "Yes, it was incredible!!" Another said. Clearly satisfied, the watchers filed out, chatting to each other about what they had witnessed, leaving the two girls alone on stage in the beds with their babies. Ash had scooped up her daughters and was now breastfeeding them. She smiled over at Monica, who was rocking her newborn to sleep. "Well, that was fun!" Ash said, holding her daughters on her breasts. "And we made lots of money too!" Monica smiled back at her, nodding. As much as it had hurt, she had to admit to herself that she also enjoyed the experience. "You know what, let's do it again soon!" She proposed. Ash giggled and nodded.

End

[stepintothelimelight]

▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄ I FEEL ALRIGHT, I’M GONNA TAKE ON THE WORLD!

┊┊┊✧ ⁺ ⁺ 　° Light up the stars

got some pages to turn ✧ ⁺ ┊

PART 3 of the Spitfire Saga

TRAILER: In honor of Spitfire’s graduation…

(2018!f1grid x genz!fem!driver!reader)(SMAU and written)

For more Spitfire content go to my account and it’s my pinned post since tumblr hates me and won’t let me link anything :)

WARNINGS: Seb being an embarrassing grid mom, maybe one rude comment? VERY american reader in this one, but please feel free to imagine whatever, lolita (book) probably inaccurately mentioned, slightly blurry pictures, reader-centric

fc: Pinterest girls + topanga

Aaaaannnnd ACTION!

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graduation-gate ~ Monaco 2018

You’re content. 

For the first time since you joined F4, you’re content. You have rebuilt your relationship with you family (to an extent), you’re having a stellar Rookie season (best since Hamilton, who just so happens to be your teammate), your team is great, you’re racing next to your idols and your best friends (Charles is only a little jealous you’re on a top team), and you’re about to graduate high school, valedictorian and with about a million honors. 

However, right now, you’re halfway across the world from your school, in a presser that’s going at a ghastly slow pace, a day out from racing in the Monaco GP. You sit sandwiched between Seb and Kimi, on your left, and Nando and Lewis, on your right. All of them your idols. 

A few months ago, you would be totally freaking out and fidgeting because this is like, the big four. 

Well, the big three. Seb doesn’t really count.

Now, you lean your head back against the couch and sigh, just wanting the conversation to lull enough for the officers to call it good. When Lewis is asked an in-depth question about Qualifying, though, you know you’re in for a spiel.

You nudge Seb with your knee. He leans over to you, eyes still fixed on Lewis, but lending you an ear. 

“I’m graduating next Friday,” You whisper in his ear. “Can you make it?”

He turns to look at you, eyebrows furrowing. 

“I’ll see my schedule. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

You shrug. 

“Forgot.”

“And you decided to ask me in the middle of a -“

“Anything you two would like to share?” The moderator asks good-naturedly. You and Seb throw out identical annoyed glares, then put on poker faces. 

“Yes,” Seb says. Oh boy. “Y/n just invited me to her graduation.” He sounds very proud. You flash a gratuitous smile at the team of reporters covering this particular star-studded presser. 

Lewis leans over.

“Am I not invited?”

“¿Y yo?” Nando asks softly. “¿Porque no lo mencionaste?”

Kimi makes a soft noise. 

“You are graduating.. university?”

“No,” You roll your eyes. “high school.”

He raises his eyebrows, surprised, once again, at how young you actually are.

“And you guys,” you cast a look at Lewis and Fernando, before narrowing your eyes at a smug Seb. “can come if you’d like. I wouldn’t want to make Seb think he’s special or something.”

They all ooohh at that. Seb clutches his chest. 

“Right to the heart, Spitfire!”

The presser comes to a close quickly after that, but it’s imprint echoes in every single corner of social media for the rest of raceweek.

People trying to poke their noses into your business ask you where you go to school, when you’re graduating, if Seb, Nando, Lewis and Kimi are actually going. You just shrug and try to keep a straight face. 

After all, the Iceman has been giving you lessons. 

▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄

twitter

Y/n, Seb and Kimi are in a presser together post-quali. She’s seated between them, as she qualified in pole, despite slightly slippery conditions.

“Y/n, this question’s for you,” Says a reporter. She leans forward, acknowledging the question. “We saw Lewis sitting with the team during the red flag, but we didn’t see you. Where were you spending the break?”

She smiles sheepishly and rubs the back of her neck, glancing over at Seb.

“I have an essay due tomorrow, so i was doing a final review on it.”

“What class?” That’s Seb. 

“it’s like a writing class? the whole point of the class is to write this specific research paper, which I have to write for my diploma.”

“How many words?” The interviewer asks. “And what’s your topic?”

Her face lights up. You can tell she absolutely loves to talk about this type of thing. 

“Mines about five thousand,” She says. “But it just has to be upwards of four. You can write about literally anything, so it’s pretty easy.”

“What’s your topic?” Kimi asks, not unkindly. 

She pulls a face. 

“Not a happy one. Fetishization of female innocence in literature and popular culture.” She seems to see the surprised faces the reporters are making and lets out a nervous laugh. “It’s not a fun topic, but I find it extremely interesting, and it somewhat applies to my life, too, so…”

She trails off. Seb picks up his mic.

“What do you mean by that?”

It’s genuine, curious. Not patronizing in the way that all the reporters ask her questions.

“I mean, there’s an expectation placed on women in the spotlight that we be.. innocent and good and pure, you know? And like, if you’re not, you’re a slut or a witch or something. And then we see this fetishization and fixation on innocence in things like movies and books. One of the books I’ve read for this essay is called Lolita?” She pauses. “It’s a very drastic depiction of hebephilia, and to me, it’s a bit satirical. While it’s about Freud and his theories, it also criticized ..”

And she talks and talks and talks. You can tell through the screen, her hand gestures, how she can’t seem to slow down, that she’s very invested. Seb has this look on his face, like he couldn’t be prouder, while Kimi listens, enraptured. Eventually, she rolls to a stop and puts both of her hands on her cheeks.

“Sorry,” she says into the mic. “I didn’t mean to talk that much.”

The interviewer assures her it’s fine, and they move on, and that’s when the video fades to black.

caption (1): [When asked how she’s going to spend time on the plane home] Y/n: I actually have a speech to write! (….) It’s the valedictorian speech. I honestly hate public speaking, my voice always shakes!

caption (1):

Reporter: congratulations on your National Merit scholarship!

Y/n: My what?

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yourusername

yourusername: i feel alright, i’m gonna take in the world 🎓

ps. Seb, Nando, Lewis and Kimi thanks for the support 🫶 i caught u guys creeping 🧌

tagged: yourbestfriend1, yourbestfriend2, yourbestfriend3, fernandoaloofficial, lewishamilton, kimimatiasraikkonen, yourmominsta, yourschoolinsta

liked by yourbestfriend1, charles_leclerc and 378292 others 

view 6383 comments 

user1: academic queen!

yourbestfriend1: grad u ate

⮑ yourusername: our mantra

yourbestfriend2: gonna miss seeing u every 2 weeks 😞

⮑yourusername: i’m acc kinda sad ngl

user2: Honestly such a power move having 4 of the most famous F1 drivers show up at your graduation 

user3: She’s too young. Crazy to have racing at that age

⮑user4: ik

user5: all her friends headed off to college and she’s going to race in Canada next week 

lewishamilton: Beautiful speech, beautiful ceremony. Congratulations, Spitfire.

⮑ yourusername: awwww 🥰 thanks my fav teammate

⮑ charles_leclerc: wow. 

⮑ yourusername: fav f1 teammate @/charles_leclerc 🙄

landonorris: Congrats, mate! 

⮑yourusername: imagine not even getting a diploma 🤓

⮑ landonorris: I left to focus on racing!! 

⮑yourusername: 🤔this is awkward 

user6: beautiful, talented, educated. Name a better trio 🩵 congrats Spitfire! 

max33verstappen: You do look a bit like Dobby…

⮑ yourusername: Wrong ‘99. That’s @/landonorris

⮑user10: @/yourusername tagging him is actually brutal

⮑landonorris: @/yourusername: HEYYY!!!!

user7: did anyone see how many honors she graduated with? insane 😂 (but super impressive, y/n!)

⮑user8: yeah, and she got about five different diplomas 

user9: The fact that Seb, Lewis, Kimi and Fernando showed up after Graduation-gate

yourbestfriend3: I expect visitation in NYC

⮑ yourusername: don’t have to ask me twice 🌆

user11: Y/n slamming Lando in the comments 😭 girl lay off him you’re already living his dream you don’t need to crush his ego too😭

⮑user12: She’s acc seriously so mean to a lot of drivers

⮑user13: @/user12 it’s just her love language 🙄

▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄

✧ ⁺ ⁺ I’ve got a ticket

to the top of the sky ┊┊┊✧ ⁺ ⁺ 　°

▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄

Aaannnnddd scene!

DIRECTOR’S CUT: I’ve had the idea of ‘Graduation-gate’ in my head for a long time and kind of modeled this whole fic around it. Sorry if it seems rushed! School restarting is kicking my ass 🙁

A little background info

Charles and Spitfire were F3 teammates

Want to join the taglist? drop a comment below or message my inbox

🏷️ : @octavikravecell218 @laura-naruto-fan1998 @sugarrush-blush @scarletwidow3000 @umm-i-love-u

[twoidiotwriters1]

Can you do Luffy x top male reader

Sure!

I, hope you like it and... I'm not gonna lie, it was a challenge to write like this... . -Val

Warnings: SMUT!

Just admit it (Monkey D. Luffy x Male!Reader)

Words: 1,038

“Your body shivers every time I hug you, are you okay?”  

“Yes, of course, I love it when you–I mean, I like your hugs–as in, you know–yeah. Oh! Nami’s calling me.”  

“But Nami’s right there by her trees.” 

That was the moment Luffy started to suspect of Y/N. No matter what the others may think of him, Luffy believes he’s smart and capable of dealing with odd situations. And now, he’s determined to resolve whatever his most recent crew member has going on. 

And that’s why… he broke into your bedroom when you didn’t answer. The door wasn’t locked, and you weren’t there. He shrugs and sits on your bed to wait. 

“What the hell? Luffy!” 

“I waited for you for hours!” He whines. (He waited five minutes). 

“Why? What? You broke my door!” 

“It was an accident.” He waves it off. 

“How it could be an accident?” 

“That’s not the point, here.” 

“But–” 

“Shhhh!” Luffy puts a finger against Y/N’s mouth. “I’m your captain, so you have to obey my orders.” He frowns, then Y/N sighs and waits for his captain. “You have to tell the truth to your captain.” 

“What?” 

“Don’t lie.” 

“About what?” 

Luffy purses his lips and his eyes water. “Just admit that you hate me!” He cries. 

“What?” He looks at Luffy searching for any sign of a joke. “Luffy, I–I don’t hate you.” 

“No?” He sniffs. 

“How did you–?” Y/N walks closer to him. “Why do you think that?” 

“You don’t like my hugs. And you run away from me,” he pouts. 

Y/N feels his cheeks getting warm. “I didn’t want to hurt you, Lu.” 

“You did! But I don’t get why.” 

He sighs as he sits beside Luffy on the bed. “I don’t hate you,” he doesn’t dare to look at his captain. “I do like your hugs, it’s just–” 

“Why are you blushing?” Luffy grabs his chin to turn his face. 

Y/N takes Luffy’s hand but when he looks at his eyes, he stops. While Luffy frowns, his brain turns off and travels to another world. That’s why he doesn’t think as he leans forward and kisses Luffy. 

Although it’s a short kiss, Y/N feels an explosion inside of him… until he notices Luffy’s expression. “Holy shit. Luffy, I’m so sorry, I didn’t–I–” 

“Ooohh, now I get it,” Luffy smiles. “You like me!” He giggles. 

“I–yeah. I always get nervous when you hug me or touch me, because… I like you,” he confesses.  

“Ha! I win!” Luffy exclaims. “I solved this case!”  

“What? Luffy, now it's your turn!” 

“For what?” 

“Do… do you feel...? Do you like me too?” 

“Oh! Right,” he giggles. “Well, I like your hugs too! And you smell nice, and I have lots of fun when you’re with me. And I want to be with you all the time.” 

Translation: Luffy reciprocates the feelings. 

Y/N laughs in relief. “Can I kiss you?” 

“Yeah!” 

The kiss is longer now, and Y/N takes Luffy by the back of his neck to get him closer to him. 

“I like your kisses too...” mumbles Luffy. 

“I want to show you more things that you could like too, can I?” He says as he pushes Luffy to the bed. 

“Oh, you mean sex?” 

Y/N looks surprised. “Uh, is it okay?” 

“Yeah, I know sex,” Luffy says as he makes him shift so now, he can be on top. “I want to show you too.” 

Luffy doesn't wait for an answer as he kisses Y/N with more passion, his tongue travels into Y/N’s mouth making things messier. Luffy’s body leans completely against his as he feels his shaft, he starts to grind making him moan. 

“Luffy...”  

“Yeah?” He says with a raspier voice, his eyes change, and his breathing increases as he leans again to kiss his neck. 

“Fuck...” he says as Luffy bites and licks a sensitive part, making him giggle. 

“You like it when I bite you? ‘Cause you taste really good–no, wait, I have an idea!” 

Luffy wiggles as he takes off his clothes so quickly that Y/N can’t even admire him like he always wanted. Luffy’s back on the bed, but he leans straight to go down on Y/N. He undoes his pants and pulls down his underwear to lick and then suck his cock. 

“Luffy!” He’s taken by his eagerness. “Fuck!” He moans. 

“Yep, I was right! You taste soooo good.” Luffy’s head goes up and down tasting every part of him and he feels like dying and flying to heaven. Y/N still can’t believe what’s going on, but it's too late to take it back. 

“Luffy, wait...” he grabs his hair and pulls, Luffy whines but obeys. “I-I can’t take it anymore. I need you.” 

Luffy smiles playfully. “Well, as the captain, I should be the one to give orders…” He giggles. “Now, turn over your tummy!” 

He laughs. “Oi, Captain.” 

“I like your laugh, you know,” Luffy says as he caresses Y/N’s butt cheeks. “And it’s better when I’m the one who’s making you laugh,” he starts to prep him. “Only me can make you feel like this, right?” 

Y/N didn’t know that Luffy was a talker during sex, although this sounds as innocent as he is most of the time. 

“Only my Captain could make me feel like this,” he looks at him over his shoulder. Luffy smiles and leans forward to kiss him. “Please, Captain...” he whines. 

Luffy starts to enter him as they keep kissing. Both moan when he’s completely inside and he thrusts slowly, but his hands travel all over Y/N's body, and of course, he bites and leaves marks along his back. Then, his thrusts become faster and harder as their moans and whines become louder.  

“Shit, I...” pants Luffy. 

“Me too” Y/N whimpers. 

Luffy groans falls on his back to rest as both try to control their breathing. 

“I’m glad you don’t hate me, ‘cause I think I like you too, Y/N,” Luffy whispers as he moves to be beside him. 

He chuckles and caress his cheek. “I’m glad too.” 

“Oi! Y/N, what happened to your door–AH CRAP, MY EYES!”  

“Franky why are you yelling?! Holy shit!” 

“GET OUT!” 

Taglist!

@sosactrl @irethepotato

[hayhenna]

Captain Clueless Gets a Clue ♥️🩵

_a shank x his crew telling him to go fuck buggy now_

A continuation of A Split Decision ♥️🩵

-----

Shanks sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, sipping lazily from his sake cup while his crew surrounded him in a semi-circle. The atmosphere felt heavy—an unusual sight for the usually carefree Red-Haired Pirates. Benn Beckman, standing with his arms crossed, glanced at Yassop, who looked like he was about to burst.

“Alright, Captain,” Benn started, tone firm. “We need to talk about... Buggy.”

Shanks blinked, mid-sip. “Buggy? What about him? He’s been enjoying himself on the ship, hasn’t he?”

Yassop groaned, slapping a hand to his forehead. “For the love of all that’s holy, Captain, he’s been throwing himself at you for *days*! He practically *gift-wrapped* his ass for you last night, and what do you do? You molest his legs like some kind of awkward teenager!”

Lucky Roux snorted into his food, while Shanks frowned, confused. “I was just messing with him! He didn’t seem to mind.”

“Oh, he didn’t *mind*, alright,” Yassop snapped, leaning forward, “but he’s not looking for a damn massage. Buggy’s been in prison, Captain! You know how long it’s probably been since he’s had a good fuc—”

“Yassop,” Benn warned, but Yassop waved him off, too far gone.

“Nah man, let me say it! The poor clown deserves a proper, *earth-shattering* fuck, and you’re just sitting here playing footsie with him!” He jabbed a finger at Shanks. “You need to take that man to bed, and I mean *hard*. Pin him to the wall, bend him over the damn table, I don’t care—just do something before he combusts!”

Shanks’ face turned a deep shade of crimson as the rest of the crew howled with laughter. “Yassop!” he barked, though it lacked the weight of an actual reprimand.

Lucky Roux grinned. “He’s not wrong, Captain. Buggy’s been *asking* for it. You’re just too oblivious to see it.”

Shanks scratched the back of his neck, flustered. “I mean... I didn’t think he actually *wanted* me to—”

"OOOHH" everyone in the room shouted while covering their faces in frustration.

“He CLEARLY wants it,” Benn interrupted dryly. “You don’t give someone those kinds of looks and let them feel you up without wanting something more. He’s practically begging for it, Shanks.”

Yassop smirked wickedly. “So here’s what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna march your ass back to Buggy, tell him you’ve been a clueless idiot, and then you’re gonna fuck him so good he forgets how to talk. And I mean *good*, Captain. None of that sweet, slow stuff—you need to ruin him. Mess him up inside until he forgets his god damn name, Got it?”

Shanks stared at his crew, slack-jawed. “You’re all insane.”

Benn raised an eyebrow. “We’re insane? Buggy’s been moping around the deck because you haven’t picked up a single one of his hints. You’re the one driving him crazy, Shanks.”

Yassop grinned again, leaning back with his arms behind his head. “And once you’ve done the deed, Captain, you’ll thank me for this little intervention. Trust me.”

Shanks groaned, downed the rest of his sake in one gulp, and stood. “Fine. I’ll talk to him.”

“*TAAALK*?” Yassop snorted. “Captain, if you come back here without him looking like he’s been through a goddamn hurricane, I’m gonna personally throw you overboard.”

Shanks rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re clueless,” Yassop shot back, waving him off.

As Shanks left the room, the crew erupted into cheers, placing bets on how long it would take for Buggy to come out of their captain’s quarters looking thoroughly satisfied—or whether Shanks would end up back in the room for another intervention.

-----

Been thinking about How Shanks' crew interacts with him after reading this NSFW in AO3. Enjoy :3

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (NSFW Part 7)

[wilanserulia]

FFXIV Write 2024 - Prompt 24 - Bar

“Would you put that godsdamn drink down and LOOK AT ME!?” It was more than a little uncharacteristic for Wilan to lose his temper like this, but his mounting sense of urgency was clashing violently with the relaxed atmosphere of that peaceful beach bar, cradled by the gentle waves of Costa del Sol’s beach. The burly veteran, however, didn’t seem to share the same urgency.

He was a Roegadyn by the name of Wheiskaet. Nowadays he was a personal guard to Gegeruju, but Wilan remembered him from before the Calamity as a member of the Company of Heroes, a group of adventurers who worked independently from Minfilia’s organization to slay Primals. They weren’t even blessed with the Echo. While he had never met them himself, he remembered one time when Nessa and he had hiked all the way to O’Ghomoro to slay Titan, just to find out that by the time they got on the scene the Company of Heroes had already dealt with him.

Wheiskaet took his sweet time gulping down his ale. The more Wilan fumed, the more he seemed to enjoy testing his patience. It was only when he could see the bottom of his tankard that he so much as glanced in his direction. “Oh, it’s you again.” he acknowledged him, as if he had just noticed him. “What was it that you wanted, again?” “TITAN!” Wilan screamed furiously, making even the bartender flinch. Wheiskaet, however, was nonplussed.

“Ooohh right, right” he said, irritatingly drawling the words “You’re that hotshot adventurer trying to take a shortcut to fame and glory. Wilian or something.” “Wilan.” he corrected him through his teeth. “And look, as I’ve told you before I’ve spent the last eight years of my life adventuring, believe me I’m not in it for the fame.” “Right.” He replied sardonically “You’re a veteran, I can tell. No doubt many basements can claim to be free of vermin thanks to your heroic intervention. Your mother must be proud. But this is a Primal we’re talking about.”

It had only been a few weeks prior that Wilan had learned that in the wake of the Seventh Umbral Calamity the island he hailed from had been erased from the nautical maps. His mother, his brother, his father, and everyone else he had known back home were dead, victims of Bahamut’s fury. He hadn’t yet allowed himself time to grieve. And now it was not the time, either. He pushed that pain back down into the depths of his soul.

“Look,” Wilan said through clenched teeth, in a considerable effort to remain calm. “I’ve slayed Primals already. I know how this works.” “You have certainly claimed so.” Wheiskaet said, slouching come comfortably on his stool, with the face of somebody getting ready to enjoy a performance. “Ifrit, was it?” “And Garuda.” Wilan growled in response. “And King Moggle Mog the Twelfth.” The Roegadyn snorted. “You’ve made that moogle one up, didn’t you?” He turned around to loudly laugh with the barman, who awkwardly joined him. He became serious all of a sudden though, leaned forward and inquired. “As for Garuda, well... that’s an interesting tale. I’ve heard no reports of the Ixali attempting a summoning.” “Not recently, you idiot. A couple yea–“ he caught himself as he was saying it. “I mean, some seven years ago.” Wheiskaet lifted an eyebrow, as if he had heard a really good joke. “Seven years ago? But I thought you have been an adventurer for eight? What, you claimed a victory on the Lady of the Vortex in your teens?” …Gods damn it, Louisoix.

Granted, he could have told him about being at the battle of Cartenau Flats, the day Dalamud Fell. He could have told him how Louisoix Leveilleur invoked the power of Althyk to spare him certain death. And he could have told him of how he was propelled five years forward in time from that fateful moment. Somehow, though, he felt like saying the truth was going to make Wheiskaet even less likely to believe him. Still, Gods above, this condition had been nothing but traumatic so far. Before today it never felt so... utterly infuriating.

“Look, all I need to know is how to reach Titan’s lair. Instead, all you’ve done is sending me on fool’s errand after fool’s errand, running me ragged, all while people’s lives are at stake! What the fuck is wrong with you!?” At this, Wheiskaet stood up, his Roegadyn build towering over Wilan’s. “Aye. People’s lives are at stake. Including yours.” he growled, his voice sounding more serious than it had their entire conversation. “I’m not going to send some untrained fool to die under the heel of the Lord of Crags.” “Untrained–“ Wilan’s blood started to boil. “Who the fuck are you calling an untrained fool!? I was part of the raid to take Castrum Novum!” He screamed confrontationally, pointing a thumb at his own chest. “I joined the Grand Companies’ operation in Rivenroad!” One step forward, his voice rising even louder, his eyes screaming bloody murder. “I killed Nael van Darnus myself!”

Wheiskaet regarded him with his arms crossed, never backing down a single step, waiting for him to finish his speech. Only then, with a smirk, he said: “If you’re such a big deal, how come I’ve never heard of you?”

Wilan choked a frustrated scream into his hands.

[dance-in-the-morning-glow]

💥and✍️ for the ask game!!

💥 Is there a chapter, scene, or WIP you're most excited to write? Share a snippet or tell us about it!

Honestly, is it dumb if I say that starfish poetry scene in asaan I mentioned a few weeks ago?

a) because it’s hilarious and I love putting James in these kinds of situations (sorry, Jim!)

b) because, despite being utterly ridiculous, it’s still supposed to be dripping with tension — Beckett in full interrogation mode and all that

Here’s where it’s at right now, but I haven’t really started working on it since I’m trying to write chronologically:

Her mouth was dry. “He writes me poetry.” The words were out before she could stop them.

“Intriguing,” he replied with mild interest.

“The latest poem was an ode to starfish.”

Beckett’s lips twitched, the faintest shadow of amusement passing over his face. The hint was clear; he still didn’t believe her.

“Was it now?”

Other than that, because asaan is more of a slow burn, I’m also looking forward to the usual milestones; the first kiss, confessing feelings, all that good stuff.

And tbh, if I ever get around to writing my UTLHS AU, that would take the cake, because that fic still lives in my head rent-free to my eternal dismay.

✍️ Which stat matters most to you (if at all!): subscriptions, kudos/favorites, comments, bookmarks, word count, or hits?

Ooohh, I love getting comments! I mean, I write for myself but post for engagement (as one does), so naturally, I thrive on interactions with my readers and love hearing what they think!

[girl-in-the-chairs-void]

Okay I got one! Sending letters back and forth while one party is deployed, with Rooster? It just seems like something he'd do. If it matters, I'd prefer female reader.

Ooohh I like this one!! Rooster is just a softie.

I miss you.

I don’t know why that was the first thing I wrote but it’s the truth. I haven’t seen you in…what? 3 months? Gosh it feels longer than that. I got your letters, by the way. Of course I got them, you are reading this letter as a consequence of me receiving those letters. Also, is it true? I thought Mr. Jones was settling in a care home or something? Please do tell Mrs. Jones that I’m sorry for her loss and that I won’t be there for the funeral.

Yeah…they are extending my stay. I know, my love, I’m sorry. I wish I could have a say in it but admiral Harris wants me to carry out another team mission here.

How are you? I’m sorry, I should have asked at the start of the letter but I’ve started this letter so many times and Bob will kill me if I steal from his stack of paper again. He has a wife…did you know that? There are so many things I don’t know about him, but we are working on it. He says hi; I’m sorry I’m rambling, well, writing rambling.

How are Millie and Lana? I hope they aren’t giving you too much trouble. They can be a little fussy when they want food but if they are fed, just let them out in the park or back yard for a bit. They’ll be fine.

I miss you, like a lot. I don’t know how to explain it. Did you know that your skin cells regenerate every 15 days? I have lost the feeling of your touch. There had been and still is a part of me that is completely foreign to your touch, the feeling of your skin; how your breath feels on my skin when you kiss me or hug me or… I can’t wait to show you how much I have missed you. I much I have craved your touch (I know it’s cheesy, but it’s the truth).

I hope I get to you see you soon. I look forward to your next letter sweetheart.

Forever yours,

Rooster Bradley

You clutched the tear stained paper in your hands. Hanging onto it for dear life as salty tears slid down your face. There was nothing in the letter that was entirely sad…true, it was a bummer that he was being held back for what would possibly be s few more months, but it wasn’t that, that was making you cry.

You had read over it multiple times in the past few days. Reading it before bed every night. Sometimes falling asleep in one of his shirts, clutching the piece of paper in your arms.

You stood at once, making your way to your desk and writing up another letter to send off.

Hey Brad Roos,

I miss you too. It’s okay though, you enjoy your job, right? And you are out there, saving lives! How exciting is that?

Sophie is doing okay. I think she kinda knew that James wasn’t doing completely fine no matter how much he made it to be. She says ‘it’s okay, tell him to come home soon’. Oh and she wants you to play something for her on the piano when you come back. One of James’ favourites, she thinks you know it.

Bob has a wife? I did not know that… sorry I fully knew that, I got a call a few days ago before I received your letter, she introduced herself. We are meeting up for lunch this weekend, actually.

I didn’t know that actually. Both of our skins have regenerated, so my skin has lost your touch too. Your shirts don’t smell like you anymore, you know? Been spraying your cologne on it every night, but even that doesn’t help.

Millie and Lana are fine. I think they enjoy my company more than yours. I’ve been taking them out for walks everyday, morning and evening; I think they enjoy it. I take them to Sophie’s every now and then. She gives them those little bone treats? I don’t know what they are called, but they like it.

Don’t sulk too much by the way. I know how you get when you don’t get your daily kisses haha. Seriously, don’t be sad or angry, it’s your job and no matter what I will be here, waiting for you, every night, no matter what.

Forever yours,

Y/n

Rooster read the letter once, twice, then once again. He read each word, syllable, over and over again. Admiring the way your writing, smooth cursive, precise writing. Imagining those sweet words being spoken out of your mouth instead.

He wanted nothing more than to leave everything and run home to you. This was the longest time he had been away from you. It felt like a lifetime.

“No matter how much you stare at that letter, it will still stay a piece of paper. It won’t turn into her.”

He snapped his head towards Bob, who was lying on the bottom of the shared bunk, admiring a small picture of his wife in his wallet.

“Same goes for you,” he smiled, a small bittersweet smile that mirrored on Bob’s face.

“We really are whipped right?”

“At least I married her. It’s about time you marry her too, Roos.”

The statement hit him like a brick. Marry her. He hadn’t thought about that. The thought has crossed his mind before but he never gave it too much thought, thinking you weren’t ready.

But now, being away for so long for the first time in your relationship, he feels as though you are the one. That maybe, just maybe, you are it for him.

A/n: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!! I had a lot of fun writing this. I hope you enjoyed this and I hope I did it justice 😭😭. Let me know what you think!!

Taglist

@blue-aconite

@lemur46 @harrycherrylove

@elicheel

@fandom-life-12

@arson-tm

@fandomunite2107

@tongue-like-a-razor

@bussyslayer333

@roostersrooster

@roosterbruiser

(I’m tagging a few mutuals (you know who you are) just cause I know they are fans of Roos as much as I am)

[meenatranslates]

[R] Kazunari | V-Sign Rabbit Ears

Ta-da! Yukki and I tried making a sack for the sack race~♪ This just makes me wanna hop hop☆

__________________________

Ways to Hype Up Sack Race - Part 1

__________________________

*Director's default name as Izumi

―Lounge Room (Night)―

Kazunari: I went shopping today, and guess what? The store was selling Easter goodies~!

Izumi: It’s that season already, huh. Are you guys gonna make Easter eggs together this year too?

Tsumugi: We had a great time when we made them before, so I think that’s a good idea!

Taichi: I wanna do the egg hunt again! We did it at the dorm last year, right?

Kumon: Yeah, and it was super fun!

Izumi: Speaking of, I remember there are many other Easter games that you can play. Like egg race, sack race, and so on.

Kumon: Woah, sounds interesting as heck!

Taichi: Let’s try those other games too!

Kazunari: In that case, we should hold an Easter event with plenty of Easter games for this year!

Tsumugi: Easter event?

Kazunari: Yup! Wouldn’t it be fun if we compete against each troupe and score points for each game like the sports day?

Kumon: Yeah, it totally does~!

Taichi: We’ll name it “MANKAI Easter Event”!

Tsumugi: That sounds very exciting. I’m sure everyone would love it.

Izumi: Alright then, we’ll continue the discussion while listening to everyone’s opinions and plans.

Kazunari: Yay~! I’ve actually been wanting to do an Easter event with everyone for a while now!

Kumon: Hey, hey! Let’s double the excitement by adding a prize for the winner!

Taichi: Ooohh! Nice idea, Kyu-chan!

Kazunari: Okie, then I’ll let everyone know after I put together the overall event plan~!

Izumi: Sure, we’re counting on you.

Taichi: For the prize, I want Director-sensei to prepare it!

Kumon: Good idea!

Kazunari: They’d be totes motivated if they hear that Director-chan’s gonna reward them~!

Izumi: Really...? I’ll have it ready if that’s the case.

Tsumugi: Please do.

Taichi: So excited for the event~!

 ―Mini Lounge Room―

Kazunari: I’m home~...

Muku: Welcome home!

Yuki: You’re unusually in low spirits. Did something happen during sack race practice?

Kazunari: Nah, it’s just tougher than I thought...

Yuki: If I recall, sack race is a game where you put both legs inside a big sack and jump to move forward, right?

Muku: I can imagine how hard it must be...

Kazunari: Sure, it’s exhausting, but I’m just not feeling it at all~.

Yuki: Isn’t that because you’re using a plain-looking sack? Add some pattern on it and that should motivate you, even if just a little.

Muku: I see, he might be able to do his best if he uses a cute sack!

Kazunari: You’re right! Guess I’ll go and draw something on it~!

Yuki: It won’t be that exciting to draw on a brown sack, right?

Since it can’t be helped, I’ll make one with a bright colored cloth for you.

Kazunari: Eh, you will?!

Yuki: A sack’s easy to sew after all. If it’ll help Kazunari wins and gains some points for the troupe, it’s a small price to pay.

Kazunari: Thanksies!

Muku: Good for you, Kazu-kun!

Kazunari: Yeah! Alrighty then~ I’m gonna make the sack look even better by drawing on it!

__________________________

Ways to Hype Up Sack Race - Part 2

__________________________

―Lounge Room (Noon)―

Misumi: Are the triangle onigiris delicious~?

Citron: Very much! Thank you, Misumi~!

Kazunari: Sumi’s onigiris are the bestest!

Tenma: I’m home~... Oh, you guys having lunch? Quite late for that.

Citron: No, no! We’re eating these as a fuel before the exercise that we’ll be doing later!

Tenma: Exercise?

Misumi: Kazu and Citron said they’ll be practising for the sack race! That’s why I made some onigiris for them~.

Tenma: Oh~ For that Easter event...

Yuki: There you are, Kazunari. Here, it’s done.

Kazunari: Is this a sack for the sack race...? Eh, you finished it already?!

Yuki: Of course.

Kazunari: Thanks so much, Yukki! Now then, let’s come up a design for it~.

Since it’s for a sack race, I want something that’d make me go hop hop~. I wonder what would be good?

Misumi: I think onigiris are good!

Kazunari: Ooh, that’s a nice idea~!

Yuki: Only Trianglian would be happy for that.

Citron: I suggest sweet shrimp candy!

Kazunari: I see. Ronron will be in the sack race as well, so drawing a sweet shrimp candy might motivate him too!

Tenma: Hey, don’t forget that he’s your opponent!

Kazunari: Oopsie, true that~! In that case, I’ll draw it in the backside!

Citron: Yay! My idea is approved~!

Kazunari: Thanks for the idea, Ronron! Let’s draw the backside now~!

―(Evening)―

...Hm, like this?

Citron: Yes! That’s very well-drawn~!

Tenma: There’s still some space, so why don’t you draw something that makes you excited, Kazunari?

Kazunari: Hm~, something that gets me excited, huh~. If that’s the case...

It’s gotta be this!

Yuki: “Hype Up!” are words, not a drawing.

Kazunari: Oh right, gotta draw this too~!

Misumi: A triangle onigiri~! Thank you, Kazu~!

Yuki: In the end, you drew the words “Hype Up!”, the Trianglian’s favourite onigiri, and the sweet shrimp candy requested by Citron...

Tenma: You sure you’re happy with this?

Kazunari: I feel like doing my best when I see it, so it’s totes OK!

Hey guys, let’s take a pic with the sack! Get in, get in~!

Misumi: Okay~!

Citron: I’m in~!

Kazunari: Alrighty, say cheese!

*shutter*

Misumi: Did you take it~?

Kazunari: Yup, got a good shot!

Yuki: So? What’re you gonna do with the front?

Kazunari: Ah, you’re right! The front needs a design too!

Tenma: More importantly, weren’t you guys gonna do the sack race practice? It’s evening already.

Citron: Oh! That’s right!

Kazunari: I totes forgot about it~!

Citron: Even if we practise now, it’ll be dark outside soon...

Kazunari: Right~. Such a bummer~.

Story Clear!

[milkteaarttime]

I’m so happy with how my Keegan turned out! Your tutorial was so easy to follow <3 thanks again for taking the time to make it. I’m looking forward to more tutorials if you ever make more :D take care!

OOOhh!!!!! It looks so good!! Im so glad my tutorial was easy to follow, I am always open to making more for other characters if anyone ever would like to see more :))) ❤️❤️❤️

[midwestmade29]

It’s AEW Full Gear day!!!

I’m so hyped for tonight…it’s gonna be a good one 🥳

I’m most looking forward to:

Eddie Kingston vs Jay Lethal

Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne vs Sting, Adam Copeland & Darby Allin (DUH!)

Young Bucks vs Kenny & Jericho

Hangman vs Swerve

…I’m also highly invested in the story with MJF & Jay White! I’m wondering if the devil will be revealed tonight 🧐

Ooohh I almost forgot about the “Blockbuster Signing” I’m guessing Will Ospreay but only time will tell…

Let’s freaking go!

[luminouslotuses]

i just realized. bagi and jaiden haven’t met yet right? ooohh i’m so looking forward to their interactions i feel like they’re gonna have a fun dynamic :D

[technicallysideacc]

Hi there looooveeee!!

I can’t believe I’m finally having time to write this, but here I am, back for our “fic talk show”!😂💖🌸

Sooooo the fic I’m reading (still reading…) at the moment is called of mates and men and, as I said in the last ask, it’s a veeeeery long fic!

The thing about this fic, that I don’t always like or find satisfying (not this case, in this case I’m LOOOOVING it) , is that it’s a sooooooft fic. I think there’s like 0% of anger, just fluff, love and emotions. I like how all the characters have their own specific and well described personality, how every one of the boys is so so so deep and so mature. I think this is (since now) my favourite Niall’s characterisation. Every relationship in this fic is well built and based on communication. They talk about their feelings, about their fears, about what they do want and what they don’t. The friendships are on another level! I swear I can feel the love while reading it! Sometimes I’m reading a conversation between Louis and Zayn and think: ooohh look at that. I’d like to have a friend like him. And then I read a lovely chapter about H/L talking, you know, about the future and how they love each other but they also have fears or insecurities and they just…listen to each other, understand what the other is saying and…talk. And that…that’s not how it always is, you know, in real life as in fics (especially when you like the drama!) but…it feels so right, in this fic. I found myself yearning for a love like theirs. I found myself in the words Harry used to tell Nick (his cheating ex) that they’re over because…because their relationship was just…toxic and sometimes you can love someone in the wrong way, but you can see it only when you love someone in the right way? Does it make any sense? I’m rambling.

All of this just to say that I’m loving this fic, every chapter is a new day of understanding and knowing the characters and seeing them grow and find their way is just beautiful. I feel like it’s all so well written and so well built that for (maybe) the first time, there’s no need for drama in a more then 600k words fic! It doesn’t need it to make you want to read more and more and mooore!

Sooooo all the kudos in the world to the author for doing such a great job!!

Sorry, I hope at least half of what I said made sense😂

How’s your re-read of the rose of Whitechapel going??? At what point of the story are you??

Hope you’re having a lovely week, sending you a biiig big hug! Love you💖🌸🌈🌻

Good morniiiing, love!🥰🌺✨💕 Here I am (finally!), ready to answer your lovely message!

I'm so glad to hear you've been enjoying Of Mates and Men! I've heard plenty of good things about that fic, and everything you were describing sounds super enjoyable! I always love to see depictions of healthy relationships in fics - it sounds really good how they listen to each other and there's a lot of communication in their relationship. It must be a joy to read, and so nice to see them evolve, individually and together as a couple!😊💕And not to forget the friendships, because you were saying that the relationships of friendship between the boys are also so healthy, so deep and amazing! Also - the level of maturity must be really nice to read! Very often we have lots of childish attitudes and reactions in books and fiction, so it's a breath of fresh air to see the contrary, right?

Have you been able to read more in these past few days? If so, I hope it's continued to be as nice as you were describing!😍🩷

And about The Rose of Whitechapel - yessssss, I've finally been able to finish my reread! And I must say it's been as amazing as I remembered!💗 It's such a compelling story, so engaging and the way everything evolves (the plot, the characters and the relationships!) is incredibly well-narrated and it moves forward in the best possible way. It's definitely a fic that pushes all my right buttons and makes me feel a lot. And the epilogue! Won't go into details so as not to spoil anyone reading this, but it's such a fantastic ending to the story - definitely the icing of the cake!!🥰🌺

Now I need to choose what to read next - but for now I'm doing a break to read a Christmas novel that my sister insisted we read at the same time hahaha we'll see how that goes!

Sending you all my positive thoughts for your day, and hope you're having a lovely Sunday! Big loveeeeee🥰🌺✨💕🌹🌈🩷

[whisperedhistory]

hello dear holiday pal!!!

i hope you've been having a lovely week so far! i'm currently using the many upcoming deadlines as a reason to spend as much time as possible in cute cafe's and frankly i think it's done wonders. a couple days ago my friend took me to this tea place near my place and they made a thai tea that i, a lifelong 'thai tea is too sweet' person loved...do u have any favorite drinks/treats?

i'm also looking forward to heading home to some cute cats and a lot of time to catch up on movies soon, so i really can't complain. do u have any fun plans for the holiday season? (no pressure to share ofc!)

took a scroll through your blog and u seem like a big movies + tv person! i am desperately in need of tv recs sooo what are ur faves? i mostly just cycle through a couple of the same endlessly long shows i like but i think it's time for something new lol

super excited to be ur holiday pal this season, and i hope something nice happens to u today 💖

love,

t

hi, t!! this message came at the absolutely PERFECT time.

i’m currently fielding dozens upon dozens of emails from anxiety-ridden teenagers about their upcoming midterms and getting to chat is a welcome reprieve from the trials and tribulations of being a teacher right on the cusp of winter break 😅

cute cafes are truly a balm for the soul so i’m glad you’ve been able to take advantage!! i definitely have an affinity for matcha (and really just tea in general). thai tea is always a treat for me and, having a monstrous sweet tooth, rarely think that it’s too sweet haha do you have a go to treat/drink (since this thai tea experience seemed to be an exception)?

home for the holidays with cats and movies sounds like a dream! anything in particular you’re hoping to catch up on? i don’t have any formal plans, but almost all of my family is local and we tend to get together on xmas eve/xmas day and participate in aggressively competitive game nights so that’s something for me to look forward to!

ooohh boy hopefully you didn’t scroll too far down and see the absolute meltdowns i’ve had over some of the shows i watch… i promise i do things with my time other than watch tv lol. tbh, i find myself in a similar position to you, where I watch the same long shows over and over again. two of my go-to rewatches are the west wing and criminal minds. what do you like to cycle through? if you like medical procedurals, i’ve been having a really great time watching brilliant minds! it had me in literal tears within the first 5 minutes, if that’s something that appeals to you lol

so glad we get to be holiday pals! i hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend and that something special comes your way this week 💕

love,

isabella

[porcelaindolloflove]

hints? i suppose i can try!

my blog is already a bit cherry blossom themed, and i do sign off a few of my posts with one! and i do go by the name vas or vassal on here! my blog name starts with a w.

i do hope this helps, i’m not trying to be too hidden, in fact i look forward to being found! god luck angel <3

~🌸

Ooohh!! Im going to try and find it than! I believe I'd be able to find it!♡♡♡ thank you my dear I adore you so muchhh

[traveltrainsandcoffee]

THE EURO FFL 2024 REVIEW

Picking the teams was a big challenge this time, in the old days it was easier to tell players positions, but much harder now. Confusion over who were forwards, Midfielders and even defenders. Newbie Team Aroma barista Tilda tried to pick Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, but he wasn’t in the Euros, because he’s from Brazil. To add to the mix we had a general election going on at the same time. Good news Rishi, the euros are on BBC and ITV, so you don’t need Sky. As the Euro’s got closer the sad news broke that Liverpool and Scotland Legend Alan Hansen was seriously ill in hospital. Former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell was also seriously ill in hospital. He sadly died on the first weekend of the euros.

So who were the favourites? The current Euro FFL champion was Steve Tatham, but he hadn’t really challenged much since winning it. Colin Fenwick was a contender, back in April he won the FA Cup. Could Kieron Mullin win the only FFL title he’d never won before? Jon Thomson had come very close in the main league before coming second to Kieron. Before the kick off most of Scotland seemed to go to Munich. I got a text from a German friend saying ‘I saw a drunken Scotsman in a kilt in the street at 6am.’ The news seemed to be full of my favourite places full of drunken Scott’s, from The Augustiner Keller to swimming in the fountains in Marienplatz. Oh yes sir, the Scotts were boogieing all over Germany. Then there was the English in their campervans. One family on the BBC news had just been to Lidls. How strange, they have Lidl and Aldi in Germany, whatever next.

With all the teams in I sat in the mailbox with Team Aroma’s Olivia and Shann to watch the mighty Deutschland completely destroy Scotland 5v1. Sorry Liv. After game one Chris Geoghegan was top. Senol Durmush then proved he didn’t know his Hawks from his Grimsby Romas. Spain, Portugal and the Dutch made good starts. England in a slightly under par performance beat Serbia with a Bellingham goal. VAR disallowed 2 Lukaku goals, costing Belgium, meanwhile Austria were knocking hell out of the French players. Lots of kicking, Griezmann was pushed into the advertising board, cutting his face. Then Mbappe had his nose broken and would miss the next game. Christian Eriksen had pretty much died on the field at the last Euro’s. Amazingly after those horrible scenes he made a full recovery and scored for Denmark at these Euro’s. Tuesday morning and Team Aroma got a mention on BBC Radio 5Live, ooohh Kolsch. The first full league table of the Euros saw Colin Fenwick top, with Paul Taylor 2nd, Jon Thomson 3rd and Senol Durmush 4th. Team Aroma were bottom.

Round 2 started with a bit of controversy. Scotland scored what look very much like an own goal, but the UEFA goals committee gave it to McTomiany, Pleasing Blessing who had picked him. These dodgy goals committees once gave Crespo a goal, which he didn’t really touch, resulting in Kieron Mullin winning the 2006 World cup by just 1 point. Thursday night, in the Mailbox, with a few members of Team Aroma. Kane scored, but Denmark battled back for a poor draw. England were very poor and the folks back home weren’t sticking by them. All across England fans got very angry, even Shearer and Lineker were having a go, like a pair of angry uncles at a wedding.. Even in our FFL group chat people were saying how boring England were and should Southgate be sacked right now. Then things got a bit weird, Barista Sarah called for Positivity. Manifest a win, align our Chakras. Chakra? Didn’t they sing, I feel for you and I’m every woman? Well you cant say Manifest without thinking of succulent Chinese meals. In the end the call was to ‘get your hands off my portico pizza’. All this fun couldn’t takeaway how poor England had been and how unhappy England fans were. Another unhappy person was Dutch Manager Ronald Koeman. A very dodgy bit of VAR stopped the dutch beating Mbappeless French, get used to that Ronny. Turkey scored a terrible own goal in their 3 nil defeat to Portugal. The match will also be remembered for loads of Ronaldo selfie hunting pitch invaders running on the pitch during the game. At the end of round two Paul Taylor was top, 3 points ahead of Jon Thomson, with Senol 3rd ,Our Grimsby Roma 4th and Danny Lawson 5th.

Round 3 and Germany were through, but the Scotts were out. Austria won the group of Death and amazingly Georgia beat Portugal. A poor performance by England and a draw resulted in them winning the group unbeaten and in the easier looking half of the knock out draw. All good news, well the England fans didn’t see it that way. Boos, gestures, abuse, calls for Southgate’s sacking and some even started throwing things at Southgate and the team. Whatever happened to backing and supporting your country? In Euro FFL, Jon Thomson was still top, but facing a strong challenge from Colin Fenwick, Paul Taylor and Pam Taylor. Team Aroma were off the bottom at the expense of Holly Shakeshaft. Good news as Alan Hansen was now out of Hospital and recovering.

Round 4 and it was the weather that was making the headlines. I’ve never seen so much rain in Germany, not in all my visits. It poured down, even thunder and Lightning. It got so bad that the Germany Denmark game had to be suspended for 20 minutes. When they returned back to the field Germany beat Denmark. Defending champions Italy had been very disappointing and were now out. Also on that Saturday night Chris Geoghegan posted some very strange photos of Tattoos and urinals, no idea why, but he seemed to be “loving it, loving it, loving it”. England were terrible against Slovakia. Even Bellingham was poor, somehow Southgate had turned him into Carlton Palmer. Slovakia were winning and England looked out, but with seconds to go, Bellingham scored an amazing overhead kick goal. Kane scored in extra time and somehow England had turned things around. Belgium were out, while France and Portugal were through. Several FFL managers had picked Ronaldo, but he couldn’t score. To try and cheer the England team up and improve the mood, Ed Sheeran turned up at the England camp. I’m not sure that helped much. In our league Jon Thomson was still top and 3 points clear of the Hawk, with Danny Lawson 3rd, Our Grimsby Roma 4th.

Round 5 and in one of the best games of the Euros, so far, Spain beat Germany. So as Rishi was being kicked out of number 10, the hosts were being knocked out of the Euros. After a great game, followed a terrible game. France beat Portugal in a bore draw. Was this the end of Ronaldo and FFL??? Mbappe or Batman as I like to call him seemed very out of sorts, who knew that a broken nose would have such an affect. England took on Switzerland and went behind, but a great Saka goal took the game to penalties. England won and Saka got his penalty redemption like Stuart Pearce did in Euro96, was it coming home? Jon Thomson who had led for most of the Euro’s was still top and 5 points clear. After leading the FFL back in April and letting it slip he wasn’t counting any chickens, even quoting A Tribe call quest. The main competition for the title was coming from Danny Lawson and Sally Sands. England would play the Netherlands in the semi finals.

Round 6 and with only 3 games to go Jon was top of the league, but not that confident of victory. France who had been terrible and broken nose Batman couldn’t save them. Spain were through to the final and 16 year old rising start Yamal was shining. Remember those pitch invaders from the earlier rounds? Well another one ran onto the pitch to celebrate victory, chased by security men. One of which lost his footing and two footed crashed into Morata, hurting him. Would he be fit for the final. The England semi and I was in The mailbox with some of Team Aroma. Many went to Lincoln castle including Our Grimsby Roma, who even made the BBC. Blessing said that England were always getting away with it. Yet another 90s song reference. Netherlands took the lead, but a controversial VAR penalty from Kane got England level. In a tight game it was Super sub Watkins who scored a winner right at the end. Amazing scenes as England made the final again. Jon Thomson top and 5 points clear of Sally Sands. All the 90s references and Jon and Sally top, it felt like the old days of 90s Tesco Lincoln 1. Oh the memories of England Spain penalty shootout on the radio in the staff canteen, while the shop floor was left empty. 1 point behind Sally stood Kieron Mullin, Danny Lawson, The Hawk and Ashton Lawson. At the bottom Holly was still adrift , 7 points behind Ollie Taylor Yassin and 13 behind Lee Ritchie.

So just the final to go. Off to Germany I went. Saturday morning and lots of England fans getting the Eurostar to Brussels, then Cologne. I spent the night in Cologne even saw the fan zone. Sunday morning and as I was getting the I.C.E to Munich the Spanish were getting the I.C.E to Berlin. Me and Ducklan Rice went to the Augustiner Keller very early and got a great seat. Caught the end of the tennis, but it was the football that matters. Having to explain to the Germans why I had a small yellow duck next to my beer was funny.

The final kicked off and the beer garden was packed, well over a thousand there. England had plenty of the ball, but couldn’t really do much with it. Few chances. In the FFL Jon was still clear and closing in on his first trophy since winning the champions league in 2002. Spain scored and lots of Spanish and Spanish supporting Germans cheered. England scored and lots of English and English supporting Germans cheered. Unfortunately for England, Spain were just too good and scored again. The side which had beaten Germany and France, had now beaten England. Back to back euro final defeats. Spain won their 4th major title in 16 years. Jon Thomson won Euro FFL 2024. He was 5 points better than the man who had snatched the FFL title from him in the final weeks of last season Kieron Mullin. Then came a couple of Lawsons, Sally Sands, the Hawk and our Grimsby Roma. The wooden spoon went to Holly Shakeshaft.

So that’s it, the Euros are over. I’m on holiday across Europe for the next 2 weeks and when I return we’ll be starting to think about the next season of FFL. Thank you for being part of Euro FFL 2024, I hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as I have.

Final thought

60 years of hurt

MT

[lonelypond]

fOOLs

NicoMaki, KotoUmi, HonoUmi, KotoHonoUmi, Love Live, 6.6K, 1/1

Summary: An experimental play, A Midsummer Night's Dream mischief mixing with μ's and chess. Kotori and Umi are clashing. Kotori uses magic to mess up everyone's night. Nico has to fix it all before dawn or become Nozomi's pet. Eli is confused. Maki is helpful in the least helpful way. But she has a keyboard. Honoka and Rin bound their way through. Hanayo is a little lost. And very hungry.

fOOls

Act I, sc i

Two women are rushing the front door, they collide, glare at each other. The shorter steps back, glares, then bulls forward again at the same time, juggling an overstuffed bag and a stack of things. The taller one finally sighs and opens the door.

Nico: (curt) Thanks.

Maki (shrugs),

Nico puts her papers down on the center table, taking up all the space, calling to the barista.

Nico: All the coffee please.

Nozomi: You’re not our only customer, Nico-chi.

Nico: I’m your most likely to be famous customer working an impossible deadline so all the coffee please.

Maki (standing at counter): There’s a line. I’m first. I’ll take a macchiato.

Nico: Give her nothing (shoves past with hip)

Maki: I’m sorry, but technically that’s an assault.

Nico: It’s a check. Sit Nico in the penalty box.

Maki steps back.

Nozomi: Please treat people less rudely.

Nico: Nico treats everyone the same.

Maki: Henry Higgins.

Nico: Who?

Maki: My Fair Lady. Professor Higgins. Treat a duchess like a shopgirl and a shopgirl like a duchess.

Nozomi (leans over counter): Nico-chi, aren’t you the great American hope for theatre. How could you not know that?

Nico: Professor First in Line here just surprised me, that’s all.Nico is very familiar with all musicals. “I could have danced all night” is a total bop.

Maki: What the hell does that mean besides you throw slang at every thing?

Nico: It means gets stuck in your head, gets your feet moving, spins you through an incandescent, irreplaceable, irrepresible musical moment. (grabs Maki’s hand and spins her. Maki falls into a chair, clutches her bag to her chest and glares.)

Nozomi pushes the biggest mug they have over the counter.

Nozomi: Here, Nico, stop harassing the new customers.

Nico: If she comes back, can …

Nozomi: One macchiato.

Maki works her way cautiously to the counter, obviously avoiding Nico, who continues to hum, suddenly breaking out into song. Maki rushes back to her seat, deliberately turning her chair away from Nico.

Door opens, Eli Ayase rushes in very abrupt, very focused, pushes through Nico like she doesn’t see her.

Nico: Hey!

Eli: Quad espresso

Nozomi: Love the suit. Why are you in such a rush?

Eli: I save time by not sharing my life with strangers.

Nico: (snorts) (moves into Maki’s vicinity, spreads out paperwork)

Nozomi: ooohh, the icy type.

RIn and Hanayo and Honoka fall through the door, followed by Umi. Nozomi immediately drops her focus from Eli.

Nozomi: Hey, you shouldn’t be here. She’s due in any minute.

Honoka: The sign said ‘Open!”

Nico: I don’t think she’s talking to you.

Eli (looks at watch): Can I get my drink, please?

Honoka: Hey, Rin, what do you want?

Rin: Coconut milk cause I’m a nutty cat.

Hanayo (giggles and pets Rin’s head): You’re so cute.

Honoka: Okay, she’ll take a coconut milk and I’ll have something super tall and sugary and…

Nozomi ignores them all, moves from the counter to confront Umi.

Nozomi: Did you hear me?

Umi: Yes. But I no longer come and go at her whims.

Nozomi: She’s going to whim you right into another dimension.

Eli (approaches behind Nozomi, taps on shoulder): Is there a manager I can complain to?

Nozomi: (over her shoulder) Yes, me. I’ll take your phone number.

Nico snickers and taps Maki.

Nico: Just watch.

Maki: I’d rather not.

Nico: But Nozomi is relentless when it comes to torturing the women who end up on her radar.

Maki (arch): And I should care…

Nico: Because it’s god tier drama, with a side of revenge porn for dessert.

Nozomi: (glares at Nico): Just porn, Nico-chi, no revenge necessary, I never get complaints.

Nico: Or second dates.

Nozomi: I don’t recycle, not plastics, not playthings.

Nico whistles. Maki turns to her.

Maki: Is this a friend of yours?

Nico: Is a friend someone you hope doesn’t spill a hot drink on you?

Maki: That’s not the dictionary definition, no.

Nico: Then, not friend.

Meanwhile Rin and Honoka have ended up behind the counter.

Rin: I worked as a barista. I can make coffee.

Honoka: Looks pretty simple. We just pull this here and…

(loud whooshing noise, cloud of steam)

Nozomi whirls.

Nozomi: Touch nothing.

Returns to counter, picks up Rin and Honoka and dumps them on the other side, pulls four espresso shots for Eli.

Nozomi: Here. Bet it’s good. Everything I do is.

Eli: I just need hot and strong.

Nozomi: Exactly.

Eli: (slides card through, ignores Nozomi).

Door opens, Kotori steps through, everyone but Nozomi and Umi freeze.

Nozomi: Boss.

Kotori (in the softest, gentlest voice as she crosses in Umi’s face): Bitch.

Umi: I’m not the one with a (points to Nozomi) procurer.

Nozomi: Fancy. Cool kids say wingwoman.

Umi: (glares) She’s married.

Nozomi: That’s more a you problem than a me problem.

Kotori: I don’t want to fight, Umi. Can you feel that storm Umi? That’s what happens when we fight. All the world feels it, all the world storms, all the world.

Umi: Once you told me all the world loved when we loved.

Kotori: And they do.

Umi: You didn’t say they would all love you.

Kotori: (hand on shoulder, or something) Isn’t it easy to do, Umi-chan?

Moment, audience is very aware of everyone frozen, holding their breath, even Nozomi.

Umi: Too easy. (steps back, breaks the spell, everyone comes to)

Eli (taps Kotori on the shoulder): If you’re the owner, I have a complaint but no time to register it right now. But I’ll be back.

Kotori: (waves Eli off, her attention on an Umi who has turned her back to her and approached Nico)

Umi: Hello, Yazawa.

Nico: Sonoda.

Umi: Are you still in search of a collaborator?

Nico (shoots to her feet): Are you interested? (smooths down shirt or skirt or…) Of course, Nico has other offers, but…

Umi: (pulls a notebook out of her bag) Can you do anything with this?

Kotori is watching, closely.

Nico flips through…

Nico: Yeah, maybe...might need some music, but Nico’s connected...you don’t look like a poet.

Umi: What does a poet look like?

Nico (gives Umi and once over and glances back at Maki who is untucked, biting on a pencil or some other nervous habit, twisting her hair, and working on a score): Messier.

Umi: I leave that for my emotions.

Nico (chuckles): Good one. Now sit down and sell me on this phrase.

Kotori fades back to the counter.

Nozomi: I like Nico.

Kotori (pouts)

Nozomi: What about those two? (points at Rin and Honoka who are doing some kind of stupid, messy physical challenge)

Kotori: Oh, that would be far too messy for Umi…(baited pause, exchange of glance) perfect.

Kotori opens her bag and takes out some fabric and thread, waves a hand, throws a weave, a quick flash of light and a light gauze mask is laid over her hand.

Kotori: and now we move some pawns…(points at Honoka, snaps at door)

Honoka (rushes Umi and Nico’s table): are you working on a show? Because I’m an actress.

Eli (comes back in, furious): This is the worst tasting thing I have ever had.

Kotori snaps again, light fun, everyone freezes.

Kotori (with a giggle): I’ll do Umi; you do Madame Angry Hot.

Nozomi: Gladly.

Bit of stage business where Eli and Umi are both masked; Kotori possibly leads Umi in a dance; Nozomi possibly gropes Eli before she pauses with a mischievous look and moves her to Maki’s table.

Honoka is eagerly leaning into Umi’s view at the freeze and when Kotori steps back, continues.

Honoka: I need something to post. I’m alllll out of ideas and I promised my followers I’d post something new every week so if you’ve got any ideas…

Umi: How breathtakingly beautiful you are. What’s your name?

Nico: Really, I’d say she's kinda cute.

Umi (shakes head): No, a fresh breath of beauty like 1000 sakura petals released on a breath of wind to flutter with hope in the air, transversing the globe, never sullied by the ground, always lifting our dreams.

Honoka: ooohh, that’s fancy. Now could you say it like regular people?

(A moment)

Umi: Like a flower that never lands on earth, you hold all my hopes in the palm of your petal like hand, your fingers caressing my dreams as they guard them. (raised Honoka’s hand to her lips)

Honoka (turns to Nico): Write that down.

Nico: I’m not your secretary.

(Maki snorts which triggers a ‘lovestruck’ Eli out of her trance where she was staring at Maki)

Eli: My queen.

Maki: (jumps, startled) Who are you?

Eli: a mere pawn.

Nico can’t decide who to glare at more.

Nico: DId everyone’s brain die from food poisoning?

Nozomi: Just a little (looks at Kotori) Spring in the air.

Nico (deciding to glare most at Eli): So why’s no one noticing Nico. Nico is very noticeable..

Maki: Annoyingly so…(knocks down Eli’s hand) hey, hands off...I’m moving.

Eli: And I shall follow.

Nico and Maki in unison: Oh my god.

Act I, sc ii

Nico and Maki rush in again, hitting the door at the same time, Nico with an even bigger pile of things.

Nico: Where’s your stalker?

Maki: I don’t know. Let me help you.

Nico: I don’t know. Can you?

Maki glares down at Nico, mutters something.

Nico: What was that?

Maki (opens door) probably nothing can.

Nico: Charming.

Maki continues to hold door, watching Nico throw her pile on the same table, and call out to Nozomi, once again behind the counter.

Nico: Make it a vat.

Nozomi: Sounds medieval.

Nico: Make it a liter.

Nozomi: Sounds European.

Nico (Charges the counter): Make it IMMEDIATELY.

Nozomi shakes her head, laughing.

Nozomi: Always so Nico Nico Needy.

Nico: Hey, lips off my catch phrase.

Nozomi: How about….

Nico just stares down Nozomi, Maki behind her, and Nozomi shrugs.

Nozomi: Your loss.

Nico: Look at me, continuing to be STD free.

Nozomi: Ha! I did you a favor yesterday. There’s a reason your friend there has the icicle follower not you.

Nico: How is that a favor for Nico?

Nozomi: When Kotori acts out, it tends to go badly for everyone involved.

Nico: I stay out of domestic disputes.

Maki: Can I have a caramel macchiato today.

Nico: (turns) Are you going through the menu in order?

Maki: Maybe.

Nico: Why?

Eli rushes in, a little more undone than the day before. Throws herself at the counter, pushing Nico to the side, and much louder than polite.

Eli: I’ll have what my queen is having and pay for both.

Nico (grabs drink, moves to table): Loser.

Maki: I don’t need you to…

Eli (flips so she’s facing Maki): It is my pleasure.

Maki: (to Nozomi): I really don’t want her to pay.

Nozomi: Okay.

Eli (with card out, tapping on the counter): I insist. And there’s a big tip for you.

Nozomi: (shrugs): what’s a pawn to do?

Maki: No one even plays chess here. If there was a board, it turned to dust from disuse.

Nico: Knight on A3.

Maki stares at Nico.

Nico; (shrugs) My little brother’s a fan. So Nico learned to think several moves ahead.

Rin and Honoka fall through the door, followed by Umi

Rin: What are we talking about.

Nico: Nothing.

Maki: (to Eli, as Maki moves behind Nico) Go away.

Nozomi: (with an odd look at Nico) Chess.

Honoka: Oh, I know chess. (strikes a pose) King Me.

Umi has moved closer to Honoka. Umi is still wearing the mask.

Nozomi: No, the one with the queen.

(Next three comments overlap)

Umi: You can be my queen.

Nico: Enough with queens.

Honoka: Like a drag queen?

Nozomi: One night in Bangkok.

Rin: Bang COCK.

Nico: Oh my god.

Maki: I am going to forget I was ever here. And all of you. Wiped from existence in my memory.

Nozomi: (crumples with laughter): I get my kicks below...

Nico: (through forced teeth): no one wants to know.

Rin: Is it a rooster? Is it a prick? Isn’t that weird, going to gas station and thinking about that all the time when you stick the nozzle in.

Nico: I don’t think people think about that all the time.

Rin: Isn’t that why they designed it that way?

Nozomi is practically on the floor,

Nico: No.

Umi approaches the counter.

Umi: Please mix up your finest… (glances to Honoka)

Honoka: (perking up at the thought of sustenance) Unicorn Sparklefruit. And a cookie. Can I get a cookie.

Umi: (Very gravely): You must have all the cookies. All the cookies for my Queen, Nozomi.

NICO: NO QUEENS.

Maki: (hisses) Be less dramatic.

Nico: I’m getting a dripping guillotine tattoo. Let them eat cookies.

Maki: You mean cake.

Nico: I mean that’s annoying (pointing to Umi fluttering eyelashes at Honoka, who is juggling cookies and tossing them at Rin).

Maki: Fair.

Nico: Thank you.

Kotori (walks in, with a giggling Hanayo on her arm) straight up to Umi, speaks once again, in the softest voice imaginable) Bitch

Umi: I already know your name.

Nico (stares): woah

Umi: Come with me, Honoka. We should find someplace private.

Honoka (mouth full of cookies): ooohh, just give me a minute. Hey, Rin, I thought you were going to come as PussyKate.

Rin: (glances around) This might not be the crowd.

Honoka (Grabs Rin): Hey, everyone, you’re okay with my buddy here being herself right.

Eli: (with a lean toward Maki): I only feel like myself now, when I’m looking at you.

Maki: No. (heads to bathroom)

Umi: And I only felt like myself yesterday, for the first time, when I saw you, Honoka, and how you glowed as bright as the sun over a summer noon. Winter melted, and overleapt Spring, and your heat melted all of the ice that had scarred my heart.

Honoka (wide, worried eyes): Did it hurt?

Umi (grabs Honoka, drags toward bathroom) Come with me, my love.

Kotori, with Hanayo, heads to Nozomi, Nico watches Maki disappear, glares at Eli, then sigh/vents as Umi disappears too.

Nico: So what’s this ‘PussyKate?’ You roller derby or something?

Rin: No, that would be cool though, wouldn’t it?

Hanayo (through a mouthful of cookies, becoming a little interested in Rin as Kotori is now paying no attention to her): It might be a little scary.

Rin (pulls Hanayo to her feet, whips her round as best can be done wheel-less): Nah, it’d be superfun.

Hanayo: SOMEBODY SAVE ME!

Rin (just laughs and whirls her partner)

Nozomi: That does look superfun. C’mon, Nico, I haven’t seen you dance in ages.

Nico: That’s because this isn’t a club, no DJ, just coffee, which Nico needs a refill of…

Nozomi pulls Nico to her feet: Dance, first.

Nico becomes immoveable, arms crossed, very out of sorts, Eli wakes up from another trance, discovers Maki has gone and begins to look around the room. Nozomi grabs her.

Nozomi: You’re very buttoned up.

Eli: Control is essential. Emotions stain and strain and….

Nozomi: Sounds like laundry and buttons and…(snaps top 3 or so buttons from Eli’s shirt) More freedom solves that, you can move, emotions can fly out into the world (spins Eli)

Eli: My Queen is probably lonely.

Kotori (sitting on counter, very prim, very pretty, very not pleased): Now why can’t Umi be like that?

We hear (if we can’t see) Eli singing something silly like “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” or “Witchcraft” or “Heart and Soul” or…?

Nozomi: Have you asked her?

Kotori huffs; Nico’s still glaring.

Kotori: She spends her time with…

Nico: And you spend your time with (gesture to Hanayo, still dancing with Rin) Have you read any of your wife’s poems?

Nozomi: Ooh, a quiz, this will go well.

Kotori (with a hair toss): No, she won’t share them.

Nico: They’re full of...longing. Of love. Of loveliness. All of this she finds in a very particular person, who always seems to be shattering and slipping away from her, like scattered clouds across a liquid moon. (Nico pauses, taps counter or something) That’s a quote.

Kotori: Umi’s?

Nico nods.

Maki has come back, shoving Eli and ends up in the middle of Rin and Hanayo, who are still dancing. Umi and Honoka come out of the bathroom, Umi all over Honoka, who is grinning goofily.

Kotori: Why don’t I know that?

Nico (shrugs): Who were you paying attention to? Umi or whatever willowy, whispering wisp wandered by?

Nozomi is leaning over the counter: Nico…

Nico: No, Nico is not going to be quiet. (she picks up Umi’s book) It’s so beautiful and you (points at Kotori, then Umi) scorn her, shame her, when you should be sweeping away her tears.

Maki has frozen, is watching Nico.

Honoka has released from Umi, to pick RIn up.

Honoka: C’mon, Rin, let’s get your suit.

Eli: Maki, let me buy you the best…

Kotori: STOP.

Everyone freezes but Kotori, Nico, and Nozomi.

Kotori: Show me.

Nico: What?

Nozomi: Oh, Nico-chi…

Nico: (snaps) Shut up.

Kotori: (approaches Nico, with Umi’s book, slaps Nico with it): Show me this fondness of feelings, this wealth of wonder, this salve of sorrow. Here are your actors.

Nico: Are you crazy?

Kotori (looking a little crazy): I am the Queen. Empowered. Ruling. (quick snap, magic effect) And if you don’t do this, I will make you crawl lower than either the blonde or Umi for Nozomi here. Check, little knight.

Nozomi: ooh, a pet. I’ve always wanted a pet just this tall (holds up hand to Nico’s head).

Kotori (wild light in her eyes, freezes Nico) Pet. (goes to Honoka and Rin): Come back real.

Honoka and Rin head out the main door; Kotori goes back to Nico.

Kotori: Now show me. Here are your actors. I can command them to do your bidding.

Nico: Just let Nico handle it.

Nozomi: You don’t want magic.

Nico: Nico has her own magic (opens the book).

Kotori (for the third time, as if sealing a spell) Show me.

Act II, sc i

Nico and Maki meet at the door of the coffeeshop, Maki juggling a keyboard. Nico glares, Maki stares pointedly, Nico after a moment, sighs and opens the door. Maki nods happily as if a decision has been made.

Nico: What’s that thing? A prop.

Maki: Keyboard. You need music.

Nico: Nico sings. Don’t need anything but Nico.

Maki: I’ll play. You have poetry, right? People like lyrics better, you know, with the music added in.

Nico: Poetry’s fine.

Maki (sets up on table): Music’s better.

Nozomi: Are we getting a DJ?

Nico: We are getting exactly what Nico says. And Nico didn’t say piano. (to Nozomi) Now, get me something that’ll make me buzz. (to Maki) And put that thing away.

Maki is setting up, ignoring Nico, playing something. She walks over, grabs the book out of Nico’s hands, reads a page, and starts humming.

Nico: HEY!

Maki (shrugs)

Nozomi (in a REALLY bad fake whisper) Nico-chi, that one’s hot enough you should just let her do whatever she wants.

Nico: She’d be hotter if she did what Nico wants.

Maki (raises an eyebrow, continues to play, half smirking)

Eli bounds in, having switched to ballet clothes, some dance sequence across the room, down on one knee with a grand gesture in front of Maki): You play a siren song as I dash against your granite heart.

Nico: (leans against counter as she grabs her drink) Got anything that will knock dancing and dazed out?

Nozomi: Can’t take the competition?

Nico: (quick gesture indicating NICO!, shakes head) Whole different league, hon.

Nozomi snorts.

Rin, Honoka, and Hanayo fall in, followed by Umi, obviously fawning over Honoka, who now has a collar and dog ears, Rin is either in a cat fursuit or ears and a tail and makeup, depending on budget and costumer.

Nico: Give ‘em an hour and they change species.

Nozomi: Some nights are like that.

Maki: (howls)

Eli: (has approached counter) Two espressos, one for me, one for my…

Nico grabs Eli by the tutu, ruffle, or something: Just step off, TinkerSwell, maybe Billy Joel’s a tea drinker.

Maki: Actually, I am.

Nico: See. Get Baryishnikov a muzzle. And Rachmaninoff some tea.

MAki: Maki.

Nico: (shakes head)

Meanwhile, Honoka has been playfully butting her head against Umi, who is liberally petting her. And Hanayo has approached the counter.

Hanyo: Milk please, and a hot chocolate.

Nozomi: Hot chocolate. Hey, do you like hot chocolate, Eli-chi?

Eli: Love it in the winter.

Kotori enters, hears winter, snaps fingers, and suddenly the temperature drops. Nico, with her cardigan, is really the only one dressed for it. Kotori once again, approaches Umi, pulls out a leash, snaps it on Honoka’s collar, and whispers in the softest voice possible: Bitch.

Umi: And she’s a beauty.

Kotori: I was referring to you.

Hanayo hops up happily, Rin following, Honoka is picking up on the tension and getting nervous

Umi: Still true. Excuse me, I have business. And you gave her to me. (puts her hand on Kotori’s to prevent her pulling the leash and kneels to free Honoka)

Hanayo: Hi, Kotori!

Kotori: (side glance, very dismissive) I’m done with you.

Honoka and Rin bump noses, Rin hisses as Kotori jerks back from Umi, Rin slashes at Honoka, and then Honoka gives chase, half dragging Kotori, who ends up in a heap on the floor, Hanayo has fallen too.

Nozomi: Your actors have assembled.

Nico: (head in hands): Yeah.

Eli is once again staring at Maki in a trance like state, Maki pointedly turned to ignore her.

Maki begins to sing one of Umi’s poems.

Sakura soft touch Fluttering my pulse, my heart Whipped by a bare branch

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind is too You, sharp and cruel

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind is too You, sharp and cruel

Umi: Did you compose that?

Maki: Yes.

Umi: It’s lovely. You really understand the melancholy, there’s the yearning in minor.

Maki: (Nods, looks at Nico): Yearning.

Umi (pulls out a pen): Let me work that into something. Can you add some bright? For the lightness of Spring.

They consult over a paper; Eli is crying, has possibly tried to hug Maki and been shoved off. Meanwhile, Honoka has rushed to Kotori and Rin has rushed to Hanayo.

Honoka and Rin (with big, bright, caring eyes): I’m so sorry. Are you okay?

Kotori: (just stares)

Hanayo: You’re so sweet.

Rin helps her up. Honoka is holding a hand out to help Kotori.

Honoka: Please let me…(stops, it’s a strange mood Honoka can’t read)

Kotori (after a pause, reaches up): Okay.

Nozomi: Well, this is interesting.

Nico: I don’t have time for interesting. (stares at Maki) Turns out, I’m directing a musical.

Act II, sc ii

Nico: standing over Maki on the keyboard; Rin, Honoka, and Hanayo are reading scripts, Umi is sitting taking notes, Eli is too close to Maki, Nozomi is pouring out espresso shots, Kotori is sitting on the counter, pouting.

Nico: You can’t just turn this into a musical. Nico is trying to prove a point. An important point…

Maki: Isn’t Nico a genius? I thought I heard that 5 minutes ago.

Nozomi: Ooohh, Nico-chi, that sounds like another bet? Can you lose two in one night?

Nico: (rushes counter, looks like she might hit something, throws back an espresso shot)

Eli (leans in, all flirty) I can sing.

Maki: You can go.

Nico: seconded.

Nozomi: Nah, I like the eye candy.

Nico (rolls eyes): Pervert

Nozomi: Is it Tuesday?

Nico: No.

Nozomi: Then yes, pervert.

Nico (shakes head)

Kotori: I’m bored.

Nico: You’re speaking out of turn.

Kotori (sighs): so over that, but… (snaps fingers)

Honoka, RIn, and Hanayo speak like they’re being fast forwarded.

Honoka: I can sing.

Rin: Dancing, we got to have dancing or this isn’t a party.

Hanayo: I don’t understand what’s happening.

Kotori beckons them with a gesture, waving a hand over the espresso shots remaining: Thirst.

They drink.

Nico looks concerned. Kotori examines the rest of the room, as Nozomi pours out three more shots. She points at Maki, Umi, and Eli.

Kotori: Thirst

Maki steps forward, Nico grabs her wrist,

Nico (speaks without looking at Maki): Stay. Nico needs you.

Eli, with a reluctant look at Maki, steps forward, takes a drink.

Umi: You have no power over me.

Kotori: Who lets love go to waste?

Umi: Only the cruel.

Kotori (jumps down, grabs Honoka, stares in her eyes) This is my penalty for speaking out of turn. Plus, (she looks at where Hanayo and Rin have joined hands) I need a new toy. (takes a shot)

Nico looks at the third shot like it’s a bomb, still holding onto Maki’s wrist.

Nico: Play something for me.

Maki (confused) Okay.

Eli has taken her shot and is looking confused, Nozomi watches for a moment, then grabs the third shot and Eli’s ponytail.

Nozomi: What the hell (downs shot)

Maki: what’s happening?

Nico: Chaos. Gods colliding. Love and disaster.

Maki: sounds like a musical to me.

Nico: Get over it.

Maki: (Plays and sings)

Love and disaster Faster and faster Crashing and crashing Why you bashing Love and disaster Bringing me you

Maki winks:

Don’t drink the potion RIn’s with the motion

(RIn hops up and dances)

(Umi steps over to the piano)

Cruel wind, cutting yourself Can’t you see the sun Still shines And you’ll cry for it As you speed by

Kotori, Honoka following, approaches Nico.

Kotori: You’re running out of time. Dawn dissolves dreams.

Nico: Poet for a poet.

Kotori: No. She hates me.

Honoka: Nobody should hate anybody.

Umi whispers: I don’t (as Honoka continues).

Honoka: I know what dawn does; it takes the stars away, like waking up your computer from a screensaver.

Kotori: Not poetry.

Honoka: (Takes Kotori’s hand) I only dream during the day because at night I keep reaching for the stars. Want to go see my favorites? (there has to be an earnest goodwill about Honoka that can’t be dented no matter what happens)

Umi: (writing): Stars too often called Diamond. They only tempt not Cut or Burn like you

Nico: (whirls) Write me a dream song.

Hanayo: Write me a rice song.

Umi: Rice?

Rin: You can’t eat a song. Wouldn’t you rather order a pizza or donuts?

Eli: They don’t deliver donuts.

Nozomi: There's a Fusion bistro that’s open a two minute walk away.

Rin: C’mon, let’s go. Can’t act on an empty stomach anyway.

Hanayo: (sadly) No rice song?

Umi: (shrugs)

Maki (plays): Rice is nice, even cooked twice, breakfast and base, for food it’s an ace

RIn: Ooohh, such a cool song, now let’s go get some.

Nico: (frowns at Maki) Enough. (pushes Rin and Hanayo) You get food (points at Honoka) you get lost in the twinkle (shoves Nozomi and Eli) you help me set up a game board, push tables, out of the way, mark out squares, just half a board.

Maki: What kind of board?

NIco: A Nico plays musical chess board. Now write me a Dream song. So we can rehearse.

Umi: Do you want a waking song?

Nico: That depends on the story you want me to tell. (Nico sits next to Umi, book out) Isn’t this a nightmare? Do you wake up or change the dream and stay?

Maki plays a quick chord progression.

Maki: Isn’t waking better?

Nico: Never sleeping is probably best; that way you’re never blinded by what might be.

Maki: Then how do you find what you want?

Nico: You see what is.

Umi: What if what is is a tornado?

Nozomi: (staring at an Eli, who is stacking chairs) What if what is never looks at you?

Eli: What if what is is something you’re never good enough for?

Nico: (as if lecturing, Maki behind her) You just do what you can to survive.

Maki: (softly) What if what is is you?

Act III, sc. i

Nico is perched/standing on a chair; there are squares marked on the floor. Maki’s keyboard has been moved next to Nico.

Nico: All right, we are in Nico-Time now, my rules.  Everyone (glares at Nozomi, then Kotori) has to do what Nico says. Nico has until dawn to rewin…(pause) the Dark Queen’s heart for her consort (Nico bows to Umi). For that…(Nico leaps down) Nico needs another King (moves Honoka not far from the corner where Umi is), some pawns (grabs Rin and Hanayo, sets them up), and two rooks (puts Eli and Nozomi in place, facing each other). Our royalty are dark, foggy, lost souls shadowed by their past, but the rest of you are bright with hope, potential, spark.

Maki: Violence on the board.

Nico (whirls): What did you say?

Maki: (shrugs): White has an overwhelming advantage.

Nico: Yes.

Nozomi: So we’re going to win? (giggles) Then her Majesty (sweeps a curtsey at Kotori) gets angry, you lose your bet, and I get a pet.

Maki: (glares) Nico’s a winner.

Nico: (wink) Now you get it.

Eil: What do I get?

Nico: What do you want?

Eli: (hands through hair, disheveling, much more undone than anyone has ever seen her) I want to…

Maki (hands hastily written music to Nico, begins to play)

Nico (points at Eli)

Eli: I want to not be the best, to be in with the rest To see what I want (faces Nozomi) and grab for it To be free (pushes off Nozomi) To leap (pauses two spaces away, then leaps left, shirt open, tank top underneath) To keep going

Honoka: Cool...just do it.

Rin: People always notice me.

Hanayo: (they are separated on the board) I’ve noticed you noticing me. No one does that.

Kotori: Bitch. (moves away) I did.

Umi: But only briefly. Only a sudden heat, growing nothing to grow cold. Steam that dissipates, no bond created.

Kotori: What’s a bond if it’s only a bridge that leaves a shadow but never connects? What’s a bond if you’re always looking away.

Umi: (turned away) All I can see is you.

Maki: (stops the music) They don’t even look at each other, let alone talk TO each other. What are you going to do?

Nico (jumps up again, waving arms like a conductor) Make them sing! (all eyes on her, a different kind of music plays as Nico tosses songs into the air)

Eli: What choice do I have?

Nozomi: (the quietest, most doubtful) Me?

Rin: I choose you.

Hanayo: (turns away) No one does.

Rin finds she can’t move.

Honoka: Magic...If it’s in the air, it’s in my hands. (Nico nods and makes a gesture toward Kotori, Honoka copies it) If it’s in my hands, I can command. Truth. (points to Umi) For her (points to self) For me.

Kotori (sole focus on Umi): I want all of you, every you, any you, anything you’ve touched, anyone you’ve touched…

Maki shudders.

Kotori looks like she’s holding a globe, spins it: All the world in you. All in my hands.

Umi: All my softness stripped, all the beauty gone in a cold wind that only cares what it takes with it.

Sakura soft touch Fluttering my pulse, my heart Whipped by a bare branch

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind is too You, sharp and cruel

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind is too You, sharp and cruel

Your wind can’t carry The weight of all the tears caught In my petal heart

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind is too You, wandering weak

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind leaves me Torn, scattered, dulled

Kotori whirls as Honoka reaches out to an Umi who is starting to sob. A snap prevents an embrace.

Nico: A fondness of feeling, you can hear it in every note. And it upsets you. Awakes you. Makes you remember the moment…

Kotori: The moment

Umi: Your breath brushed me Your lips crushed me You rushed by me

Honoka: You pushed me Rushed me She blushed

Kotori: a flower flushed Kissing blue sky Blushes soft touch

Kotori: hand reaches out

Umi: Wind, storm, rain So fragile, here alone, Can your hands be A gentle touch A stroke of hope, A finger kiss

Kotori: But I want all of you, any you, every you (looks at Honoka) anyone, everyone you touch

Umi: But gentle

Honoka: You rush

Umi: To crush

Kotori: Just a brush (hand to mouth) soft as…

Umi and Honoka: Sakura

Eli: NO!

Nozomi: ...Zomi...Nozomi...and Eli. Let’s make our own music. (Nozomi looks poised to move)

Eli: NO! It’s just a spell, just a spell, a potion, a binding, winding us all in a snare

Nozomi: It could be more.

Rin: I’m real.

Kotori: I’m Queen.

Hanayo: I’m scared.

Umi: I’m mad.

Honoka: Magic, right? Let magic happen.

Eli: No. (Facing Nico): Break the spell.

Nico: Why?

Eli: This isn’t real.

Nozomi: It could be

RIn: As real as me

Honoka: As magic

Kotori: Break the spell.

Maki (plays) Dealer’s choice, Madness or Magic Real or rehearsed What’s your card?

Umi: Why do we always choose? Why can’t we include?

Maki: Make a choice.

Nico: But the bet.

Maki: Take a chance Be bold Be brave enough to

Eli: BREAK

Umi: THE

Kotori: SPELL

Nico winks at Maki: Then you forfeit.

Kotori Umi Eli: BREAK THE SPELL

Act III, sc. ii

Nico is standing staring at people. Maki is stopping her from moving toward either people or the door.

Nico: Make them stop. It was supposed to end better than this.

Maki: You won your bet. The rest is theirs.

Nico: So Nico moves on. Next project.

Maki: No, Nico stays.

Nico: But there’s nothing for Nico to stay for.

Maki: What about someone?

Nozomi: Ooohh, Nico-chi, how do you respond to that? A trap? A treasure?

Eli: And this is why there’s no real. You think love is a pirate game. A gamble.

Nozomi: Otherwise it’s not fun. See something pretty and gold (touches Eli’s hair), chase after it.

Eli: (pauses, then pulls back) I’m not a prize.

Nozomi (sighs): Have a coffee.

Eli: Only if we talk.

Honoka: Make me one!

Rin: Two for us.

Hanayo: Thank you, Rin-chan. It’s nice to be seen.

Nozomi: Anyone you want to treat, Kotori.

Kotori: (sotto voce) Bitch.

Umi: Petal beauty floats Let it touch you, spark of warmth Let it drift by, leave

This sakura spring For you: choose touch or tarnish Me, now that we’re here

This sakura spring For you: choose touch or tarnish Me, now that we’re here

Honoka joins in: Petal beauty floats Let it touch me, spark of warmth Don’t drift by and leave

(To Umi) This sakura spring You embrace this touch, choosing Us, now that we’re here

(With Umi) This sakura spring You embrace this touch, choosing Us, now that we’re here

Maki: (to Nico): You can trust this. It will work out.

Nico: Trust.

Maki: Trust us. Isn’t that always the lesson?

Trust Spring, Trust sakura, Trust Softness, trust sparks, trust truth Will blossom for us

Sakura softness Keeping my heart light, a kiss Melting sorrow’s snow

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

Nico (reaches a hand to Maki’s cheek): Like this.

Maki: (a nod)

Nico: Treasure.

Maki (shakes head): No. Sailing with no map. A challenge.

Nico (Laughs): Nico loves a challenge.

Maki: I know. (hands Nico the book) There’s one last poem.

Nico: No, there’s not.

Umi: It wrote itself.

Nozomi: Last of the magic.

Eli: We don’t need magic.

Rin: We need dancing (spins Hanayo)

Hanayo: We danced all night and it was never enough.

Honoka: (comes up behind Umi) Make the spell.

Kotori: (reaches hands out to Umi and Honoka): Take the chance.

Maki: (with a wink) Win your bet. (Sings)

Sakura softness Keeping my heart light, a kiss Melting sorrow’s snow

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

Nico: (sings as the couples/thruple close in)

Sakura softness Keeping my heart light, a kiss

(No surprise, but it should be a breathless build, a moment, everyone kisses, from a gentle kiss on a cheek to ?. Read the mood.)

And we get a group chorus:

Melting sorrow’s snow

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

A/N: I was going through my files, looking for something I could finish for Maki's birthday. And I found this, which I've already finished (phase one of a "Michelle writes a play" experiment). And I haven't posted it for no really good reason. So here you go, in honor of Maki's birthday. Enjoy. Thank you Maki for helping me find my voice. May you continue to inspire.