#opposite of slow burn

[cinnikiroll]

saved by the bartender (Dwayne Pride x Female Reader)

Summary: You thought you were just going to have a pleasant afternoon at the Trutone, drinking away your sorrow. But evidently, life had other plans. (Based off of Season 4, Episode 20)

I hope you like this fic (which is freakishly long sorry about that)! If you do, please feel free to follow me on my AO3 account for more. Below is a link to my account.

The Trutone's atmosphere was particularly calm today, Dwayne thought as he wiped down the bar, waiting for a customer to call him over for something.

Typically, on a warm summer afternoon like this, the bar would be packed with people- tourists and native Louisianans alike- trying to escape the oppressive heat and humidity that plagued New Orleans at the peak of the season.

But that seemed not to be the case today, as there were many empty tables, and the people that did come in only came for a drink or two before tipping Dwayne rather generously and going back out into the streets that smelled distinctly like melting asphalt.

The exception to this rule, he noticed, was a woman who was seated in a booth by the window. She occasionally ordered a shot of bourbon, but most of the time she'd just sit and stare out of the window. Evidently she was deep in thought, and judging by how much alcohol she'd ordered, the thoughts were not pleasant.

As Dwayne watched, the woman looked away from the window and made eye contact with him, tilting her head in a curious expression. She didn't seem to understand why she was being spied on by the bartender, but she didn't seem upset about it. In fact, it didn't seem as if she felt any emotions at all...

"Excuse me, miss."

Dwayne said politely, bowing his head to her before looking away.

He didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of his patrons, nor did he want them to think he was a creep who stared at women drinking alone. But damn, was that lady beautiful!

After a few moments, the woman got up and headed over to the bar, leaning against it with a smile. It was clear to Dwayne, being a skilled NCIS agent, that the woman's smile was more for his benefit than hers. There was no genuine joy behind it, just a simple extension of perhaps feigned politeness.

"You must be Dwayne Pride," she said in a tone that made it clear she already knew the answer to that statement.

"Pleased to meet you, darlin'!"

Dwayne tried to inject a great deal of joy into his voice, hoping that it would somehow make the woman smile. Judging by the way she narrowed her eyes, it did not have the desired effect in the slightest.

"Is there a reason why you can't seem to get your eyes off of me?"

Her tone was aggressive, but he could tell that she was pretending to be tough to hide a great deal of pain. That assumption was corroborated by the copious amount of liquor she'd consumed and the fact that she was wearing long sleeves and pants even in the summer heat.

As she leaned closer to him, the screen of her phone lit up with the movement, revealing her lockscreen photo of her and a rather angry looking man. The man had his arms around her, and his fingers were digging into the skin of her upper arms, doubtlessly leaving bruises. They were both smiling in the photo, but it was clear that she was terrified.

Seeing that image and then looking back at the outfit she was wearing, Dwayne put two and two together. The long sleeves and pants were to cover any injuries her boyfriend had given her, and the alcohol was to numb the pain of what was most likely an excruciating breakup.

Reaching out to take her hand in his and comfort her, he didn't notice the loud police sirens ringing out outside until it was too late.

"Everyone, put your hands up! Wallets and cellphones on the bar, now!"

The terror in the woman's eyes was almost palpable as she quickly dropped her phone and wallet on the bar along with everyone else. The men- a tall skinny man with dirty blond hair, a muscular bald man, and a rather worried African-American man- herded the bar patrons up against the windows, and Dwayne walked out from behind the bar to negotiate with them.

This is not how I assumed this day would go, he thought with a deep sigh.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Your heart was beating a million miles a minute as the extremely contentious bald man shoved you against a window. Despite being drunk, you could clearly tell that you were in great danger, and it made you feel ill.

The bartender, a handsome man who appeared to be in his 50s, calmly walked out from behind the bar, his hands raised in a placating gesture. His eyes flitted over to you once again, and you couldn't help but curl your lips into a small smile at the care he clearly had for you.

"Let's negotiate calmly," the bartender, Dwayne Pride, said as he approached the bald man, who appeared to be the leader of the trio.

You're going to get killed, idiot!

You wanted to scream, but your words were trapped in your throat by fear. So you just fell down to a seated position by the window and shut your eyes, praying silently that Dwayne knew what he was doing.

After a great deal of arguing and many lies being exchanged- there was no way in fresh hell that anyone called Dwayne Pride 'D-Man'- it appeared that the angered leader of the group, a man named Boomer, was somewhat placated, which calmed down all of the patrons at least a bit.

When Dwayne walked to the back of the bar with the African-American member of the trio, who seemed very hesitant to even be in this situation, the slender blond man approached you, the way he walked with a sway in his step saying a lot about his intentions with you.

"You know, I know your ex boyfriend, girlie."

He said in a low, vitriolic voice that made chills go down your spine.

Not knowing whether to respond or stay silent, your eyes kept on flickering towards the entrance to the bar's kitchen, hoping you would see Dwayne returning soon.

"That bartender isn't going to save a little bitch like you," the blond man said, angling his arm that held the gun as if he was planning to hit you with it.

"W-Who even are you?!"

You managed to say, attempting to sound upset but just sounding like a scared little girl.

"Red Jacobs, asshole!"

The man exclaimed, bringing his gun down to your forehead with a sickening thump!

Pain flashed in your right temple, and you were blinded with tears. Trying to brush them away, you saw Red readying himself for another strike, his eyes full of hatred and callousness.

"Dwayne!"

You wailed, knowing your cry would most likely be useless. Even if he heard, why would a random bartender you'd just met defend you, of all people? You were just a pathetic woman who couldn't even defend herself against her own boyfriend. Honestly, you probably deserved this treatment.

Closing your tear-filled eyes, you waited for the next blow, memories of your boyfriend's frequent strikes through the many years you were with him flashing through your head.

But the next blow never came.

Opening your eyes, you saw that Dwayne had indeed heeded your call and returned, and was standing above Red, who he'd overcome and flung to the ground. A bloody wound on his temple similar to the one you had proved to you that getting the man away from you was hard, but he'd prevailed in the end.

"Dwayne?!"

You gasped in shock, gently pressing your fingers to the wound he'd sustained for you.

Silently, the bartender shifted closer to you and began to gently clean your bloody head wound with a rag covered in warm water and soap. In his pocket, you could see another rag that held a phone.

Following your gaze, Dwayne urgently whispered an order not to say anything about the phone. Clearly, it was a contraband item, and he would be injured and possibly killed if Boomer, the aggressive leader of the trio, learned of it.

"Thank you," you whispered in a voice choked by emotion.

Nobody had ever stopped men from hurting you. When you were with your ex and begged for help, everyone would just avoid you like you were carrying the plague or some other horrible sickness that'd kill them if they even got near you.

Being ignored in such a dangerous situation made you feel worthless, like you didn't even deserve to survive. But the tenderness with which Dwayne cleaned your injury and the injury he'd sustained himself trying to help you proved otherwise, that you were worthy of love, even if you didn't often receive it.

"Will we ever get out of here?"

You whimpered, feeling fear coursing through your veins once again.

The phone in Dwayne's pocket buzzed, and he rapidly switched rags, dabbing your wound with the phone rag and not the wet rag. He quickly typed out a response to whoever texted him and nodded to you.

"Yes, darlin'. We'll be out soon, I promise."

The way he spoke to you was gentle, loving. The look in his eyes mirrored his tone of voice perfectly. He truly did seem to love you.

"Why... why did you get hurt for me?"

After a sharp intake of breath, he responded in a low voice full of conviction.

"I'm a federal agent, I work for NCIS. It's my job to put my life on the line to save others."

Then, in a more hesitant, almost shy tone, he spoke again.

"Not to mention you're a gorgeous lady."

His compliment made you blush and your heart flutter, momentarily banishing all worry.

The sound of a large vehicle pulling up to the bar and Boomer's order for the hostages to all leave the bar now, however, brought all the worries back to the forefront of your mind.

You rushed outside, terror filling you at the horde of people that had gathered outside the bar. Hostage situations were evidently not common, especially one involving such a beloved man as Dwayne Pride. The people crowding you made you even more anxious, and you found yourself leaning against Dwayne's broad shoulders as he led you to the bus that had arrived to take you away to what was hopefully not going to be your deaths.

The bus ride was as uneventful as a bus ride full of hostages at gunpoint could be... until the police officer driving the bus suddenly began to beg not to have guns pointed at him.

Your brow furrowed in confusion at that. Why was the police officer lying? Boomer and Red had their guns pointed at the hostages, and Curtis Isaacs, the other man who had been a part of the trio, had been disarmed and was now included with the hostages after his previous stunt as a cop's CI had been revealed.

Nobody was threatening the driver, knowing that he was their only way to get to wherever they wanted to be. So why was he suddenly lying and pretending he was under threat of being injured?

After the driver repeated the same plea twice, Dwayne's eyes widened in shock, and he grabbed your body, throwing himself and you to the ground while ordering all the other hostages to do the same.

Confused, you opened your mouth to ask him why he had reacted the way he did, but the hail of bullets and rain of glass shards from the bus' breaking windows answered your question more effectively than any words could.

Blood sprayed through the air, dyeing your light colored clothes a sickening crimson red, and you found your chest tightening with anxiety, feeling a panic attack coming on.

Dwayne's tight grip on you never faltered once, and he constantly whispered soothing words to you as the glass rained down and groans of pain were heard all around you. His gentle, slow, deep baritone voice soothed your anxiety a great deal, but your heart was still chugging along at an obnoxiously rapid pace.

Please, God... help this end soon!

You begged, not knowing how much more you could take.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the attackers stopped firing, and Dwayne escorted- well, basically carried- your shaking self out of the bus.

As you were being treated by the EMTs for your head injury and several little cuts caused by the flying glass, Dwayne sat next to you and silently took your hand in his. It seemed as if he wanted to say something, but was afraid to or didn't know how to express it.

"You saved my life," you murmured gently, trying to encourage him to be open with you.

"You can tell me anything."

With a firm squeeze of your hand, he began to speak, pouring his emotions out in a torrent similar to the rain of bullets you two had just weathered.

"I didn't think I'd be saying this, but... I think I'm in love with you, darlin'. Now I know I just met you, so you must be thinking, This old man is crazy! And maybe I am, but..."

Dwayne hesitated, and you took a risk, leaning your head on his shoulder and putting your arm around him to try and make him feel more comfortable. It was clear that he rarely opened up about his emotions, so doing so was hard, but you wanted- no, you needed- to know why he loved you, what made him feel the way he did.

Feeling your gentle, loving touch brought Dwayne confidence, and he took a deep breath before continuing to speak in a shaky voice.

"Seeing your strength, knowing what you've been through... it makes me want to protect you. I want to find that ex boyfriend of yours and give him a beating for all he's done to you."

You gasped in shock at that, not wanting Dwayne to get hurt and also amazed by the degree of love he had for you. He'd hurt your ex boyfriend, the man who had caused you so much pain and trauma, just because he loved you? How could you deserve a relationship like this?

"I know I must sound crazy, but-"

Overcome with your emotions, you pressed your lips to Dwayne's, not knowing what else to do. His sentence was cut off, and his eyes widened in shock at your sudden display of affection.

"D-Darlin'?!"

He gasped when you pulled away from him.

"I don't deserve this... but I love you."

You said, feeling your heart beating rapidly again, but this time with love and not with fear.

Dwayne's eyes became teary as he smiled a trembling smile, pushing a flyaway strand of hair away from your face.

"You deserve the world. And I love you too."

The two of you kissed passionately again, forgetting the wounds you had received as you melted in each other's embrace.

[hepbaestus]

What is the official name for something that is the opposite of slow burn?

Cause I've seen 'fast quench ' being used and I fucking love it.

[ponderingmoonlight]

Chapter 1 : Forbidden Bond

Pairing: Gojo x fem!reader

Warnings: Language, violence, physical abuse, traumatic childhood, Gojo being a jerk

Next Chapter ->

His usual so unbothered eyes grow wider and wider with each passing second, watch in slow motion how this tiny human being he’s never seen before draws closer to him. Step by step, not paying attention to the stinging fact that she’ll run straight into him. He couldn’t care less, though.

That smile.

Has he seen you before? No, he would have remembered for sure. There wasn’t a single moment in his still young life that made Gojo Satoru gaze at a smile twice, that made him wonder about the name and voice behind it. But seeing you like this, laughing to yourself so unmoved by your surroundings leaves him pondering.

Who is this girl?

He doesn’t get the chance to think about it any further. Like in slow motion, you trip over his feet first before dragging him along with you onto the hot tarmac, tiny stones digging themselves into the palms of his hands.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry! I didn’t even look out, I…I’m so clumsy!”

“It’s okay...”

No, it’s not. Why weren’t you paying attention to where you’re walking, how dare you to run him over – him, the pride of the Gojo clan? Now he’s all dirty, his pants probably sliced open.

But instead of complaining, he simply watches how you lift yourself off the ground so awkward that you almost trip right back on top of him, brushing the dirt off the dark blue kimono you’re wearing.

“Now you’re all dirty because of me”, you sigh with a pout.

Your voice. It matches your appearance perfectly, the innocent gleam in your eyes, the way your laughter sounded earlier. Angelic, hypnotizing, so melodious that he urges to hear you talk again.

“Let me help you back up!”

You stretch out your tiny hand in front of his and out of instinct, he grabs it. How is it possible that his palm seems to swallow yours whole? You have to be around his age, an inch or two smaller. But his hands…

Your hands…

You let go way too early.

“I was actually on my way home and got distracted by that dog over there. It got so happy when I laughed so I couldn’t stop and then you came and-“

“Do you ever stop talking?”

His cold interruption catches you off guard while he shoves both hands in the pocket of his hoodie. That boy…You’ve never seen him before around here. Sure, you would have remembered those bright blue eyes and white hair. Where does he come from? Why does he look so different? All those questions piling up inside your head.

Where were you even going?

“(y/n)?”

Her cold voice makes your blood freeze in an instant, widened eyes not daring to look behind you. Why is she here? You aren’t late, did nothing wrong…did you?

“Who’s that?”, the boy in front of you questions.

“(Y/N) ZENIN!”

You swallow hard, the tone in your nanny’s voice making you realize what will happen next. Suddenly you don’t care about the boy with the bright blue eyes or the happy dog anymore.

“You…You’re a Zenin?”

He can’t believe his ears, orbs studying you up and down. Of course, he heard about your family, about the stinging fact that he should keep a safe distance from you. Out of all big jujutsu families, the Zenin clan is the worst with its members being as cold as ice. His teachers warned him, parents literally begged him to keep himself away from anything that comes from this family. And that includes you as well, apparently.

“A Zenin…”, he mumbles under his breath.

You look nothing like their description, though.

His voice fades into the back of your mind. All you feel is thick fear crawling up your veins, the dark foreshadowing making your limbs ache already.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing here with this brat!?”

Her cold hand grabs your tiny arm roughly and forces you backwards so harsh that you almost fall over again.

“I ran into him-”, you desperately try to explain yourself.

“You…You are that Gojo kid, aren’t you? The honoured one…”

“And you’re a nobody.”

Gojo.

Your eyes widen in sheer horror. If there’s one thing your father told you over and over, it was staying away from members of the Gojo clan.

“Especially Gojo Satoru. Don’t you dare to even talk to him or you’ll feel my anger.”

“I didn’t know it was him, I was on my way home when I-“

“Quiet.”

A ruthless slap right in your face sends you onto the ground all over again, blood squinting out your tiny nose immediately. You…You did something unforgivable, something your father will punish you for. Shivers haunt your whole body, thick fear almost taking your sight. One last time your glossy eyes dart towards the boy with the unbothered blue orbs that now show a hint of disturbance.

-8 years later-  

“Look what we have here, Suguru! There’s that dirty brat from the Zenin clan!”

“I don’t think you should call her like that…”

“I smelled your arrogance miles away, douchebag”, you mutter under your breath.

There he stands. Probably a few inches taller than the last time you saw him but still with the same dumb smirk plastered on his dirty face. He looks horribly good, arrogance dripping from every pore of his body. Oh, words can’t describe how much hatred you hold for that boy, how much willpower it costs you to not wipe him from the surface of this earth in an instant.

“Be nice to me, (y/n). After all I’m a special grade while you’re a lousy grade 1”, he bites back at you.

“Don’t make me launch another bit of Phobia Projection your way. I’ll never forget the way you cried like a baby.”

A cursed technique rooted in the dark arts of Jujutsu, a technique you learned by your grandfather by the age of 12. Those who wield this technique have the ability to delve into the depths of their target's psyche, extracting and manifesting their worst fears into reality. Through manipulation of spectral energy, the user projects vivid illusions that evoke intense sensations of terror and anxiety, effectively trapping their victim in a nightmarish realm tailored to their deepest fears. This technique not only inflicts psychological torment but can also paralyze the victim with fear, rendering them vulnerable to further attacks. It is a formidable and sinister ability that exploits the vulnerabilities of the human mind, leaving a lasting impression of dread long after the encounter has ended.

And made none other than Gojo Satoru break down in front of your feet.

“You’ll cry as well when I’m done with you, little bitch.”

Gojo builds himself up in front of you before Geto is able to stop him, glimmering eyes staring at you filled with nothing but hatred.

“Want applause for using a dark art on me? You’re nothing but a pathetic little girl that got slapped by her parents a little too often. And even though they trained you like there’s no tomorrow, your still not good enough to face me.”

His words hit you with full force, flood your mind with memories you tried to avoid so desperately. Out of instinct, you grab him by his throat and thrust him into the grass underneath, dig his flawless white hair into the dirt. If there’s one thing your family was right about, it was Gojo Satoru.

“I fucking hate you, Gojo. You’re nothing but a waste of space, just like your whole pathetic clan”, you hiss through gritted teeth, voice dripping in venom.

“My pathetic clan? Your family roams around and kills innocent people, (y/n). Who the hell are you to judge, huh? You’re not even strong enough to even talk to me”, he barks in reverse.

“Why does it always have to end like this between you two? Get off him, (y/n).”

Geto’s firm hands grab your shoulders and yank you backwards in order to create distance between Gojo and yourself while you can’t catch your breath.

Your deadly orbs still glare at him, blood pulsates through your veins so rapidly that you feel like exploding any given minute. He has some fucking nerve, talking about your past like that. Him, who’s nothing but a spoiled brat. Him, who’s gifting just by being born. Him, with nothing but immense powers and a pretty face.

“Next time you’re getting so close to me, I’ll kill your ass without thinking twice”, you spit at him from afar, Geto holding you back with all his strength.

“I love to see ya try little girl!”

“Come on, (y/n). Just turn around and leave, this is senseless. You’re just hurting each other.”

Suguru’s calm voice has always been the only thing that kept you from scratching those bright blue orbs out of his eyeballs. You allow your eyes to rest for a brief second, your heartbeat to calm down. Your family told you to stay away from him, to be better than him and forced you to attend Jujutsu High. Why does it have so damn hard to make them happy, to show your father that you’re worthy? How are you supposed to stay away from him when he’s around you all the time?

Without gifting him a single look, you turn on your heel and simply walk away.

Training. A training session is exactly what you need right now.

“Don’t you dare to shout after her, Satoru”, Geto warns his best friend right when he takes a deep breath in.

“I really don’t get it. All that hate just because your families don’t get along?”

“You don’t get it, Suguru.”

“What makes you hate (y/n) so much?”

Satoru can’t believe his ears, the sheer question of his best friend seeming like an insult. Why would he even like you? You with your stupid pretty face, you with those remarkable eyes that shook him to his core when he first saw you, you with that laugh…When was the last time he heard you laugh?

He shakes his head violently. Why would he even care about something so stupid?

“Cause she’s a Zenin brat”, Satoru replies monotone.

You are his enemy, the biggest threat of his family, hunting after his future. You deserve nothing but his hatred, nothing but disinterest. You are the devil himself. Yes, your sheer presence on this earth is enough reason to hate you.

“Didn’t you tell me she was quite nice when you met her as a child?”

“I never said that”, Satoru mumbles under his breath immediately.

Enough of all that bullshit, all that talking about your dumbass. It’s not like you deserve his attention anyway.

“C’mon, let’s grab something to eat.”

That was the first chapter babes, hope you enjoyed! It would mean the world if you take your time to tell me what you think and how you liked it so far! 🤍

Tags: @whereismysane @risuola @colouringfrogssittinginleaves @livmarauder @sapphireandange @madaqueue

[hyakunana]

Encounter V — Reverse Boost

+

[maruren]

Inukai should check collar chains, because two of his dogs run off somewhere at night.

[lexxwithbooks]

📖: 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 (𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑛𝑢𝑡 𝑆𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 #1) 🐂🫀

✍🏽: 𝐄𝐥𝐬𝐢𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫

[jessread-s]

✩🦄❤️Review:

These books have quickly become comfort reads of mine!

“Apprentice to the Villain” follows Evie Sage as she becomes her outrageously handsome evil overlord’s apprentice to save both him and the Kingdom of Rennedawn’s magic.

Evie and Trystan made me giddy with joy! Their romantic tension heightens as the two are put in situations they would only fantasize about. I was left feeling satisfied and not (in a good way because I don’t want this series to end!) as they inched closer towards coupledom. While the slow burn is truly infuriating, there is nothing I would not endure for them.

I really appreciate how Maehrer leans into the found family element with this book. The added points-of-view shed light on the backstories of characters new and old. Learning more about what Evie went through as a child and the sacrifices she had to make informed my understanding of her character and the growth she underwent in this story. She steps out of her comfort zone and learns new skills to embrace her new role as Trystan’s apprentice while holding on to her kind, gentle, and optimistic personality. I think that is what I love most about Evie—she never loses sight of what is important to her, her softness included!

This series is so ridiculously fun and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 3!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[sweetarethediscords]

The Maiden of the Barren Rime Kickstarter is Live!

A character-driven, slow burn, adult fantasy-romance novel featuring a female lead with just as much bite as her bark.

The Fallow Peaks, a frozen wasteland of cruel mountains and blood thirsty beasts, where the veil between the Realm of Mortals and the fae realm thins, where very few adventurers have dared to tread, where very few guides are qualified to lead.

Guides such as Mina, unfortunately.

Isolated by choice, Mina finds her solitude interrupted by a sudden request from the Crown of Lanholde to lead their latest band of contractors up the Peaks to finish their quest and deliver their bounty to the capital. The overly friendly five-some she’s contacted to escort seem hell-bent to step over her every boundary, no matter now stern and scornful she acts, worst among them their leader, Sebastian Windenhofer.

Will the fire wizard warm Mina’s cold heart? Or will the reasons behind her icy demeanor turn them all to ice before he gets the chance?

________________

A character-driven adult fantasy-romance narrative featuring a female protagonist with flaws that serve more to the story than just being a character trait. The Maiden of the Barren Rime is a book about love and family and acceptance and people, all while throwing you into an amazing, fascinating, fantasy world. 

AND, as this is a slow-burn romance, there are well-earned, intimate scenes for those who like a little spice with their catharsis. 😉

With plans to expand the series into a trilogy, your backing will help The Maiden of the Barren Rime reach it's intended audience, and a fresh style of narrative into the fantasy-romance drama.

Check it out on Kickstarter

[islxms]

-ˏˋ⋆ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ︱ 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐄 ⋆ˊˎ-

𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 ☆ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ☆ 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟

──────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹──────

pairings - actor!aaronwarner x actress!femoc

summary - Kenji Kishimoto, your best friend, insisted that you audition for Dear Love, a romance series, as he didn't want to spend time there alone. After various pleas, you finally accepted the request.

warnings - none

words count - 1,948 words.

︳⋆ ⎙ 𝅄 𝖬𝖠𝖨𝖫𝖡𝖮𝖷 ﹎ hope you enjoy the first chapter, especially since it took me a while to start and finish, since I couldn't decide or think how to. I don't know how to feel about it, I hate it and love it. I promise the future ones will be better.

"Finally, ugh," I grumbled as the credits for Tangled rolled across the screen. Kenji had insisted on making me watch his favorite Disney movie again, and I was over it. This had to be the fifty-sixth time, on a fucking Friday! I could've done many things!

"Hey! Don't say that. Tangled is a masterpiece," he protested, flinging a pillow at me, which made me slip slightly on the couch.

"Yeah, sure," I said dryly, barely masking my irritation.

"I hate you," Kenji fake-pouted before storming off to the kitchen. Just like a little kid.

"So, are you going to audition for the new series or not?" Kenji changed the subject as he rummaged through the fridge. I knew he was after those damn Skittles he always devours at my place.

"I'm thinking about it," I replied, getting up from the couch and heading toward him. "But I heard it's a romance story, and I'm not keen on kissing anyone on screen." I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes as he finally pulled out the Skittles. "And if you keep raiding my stash, I might just stop buying them."

Kenji's eyes widened in mock horror as he clutched the candy to his chest. "How could you say that, Sunshine? I'm deeply hurt!" Despite his dramatics, he tore open the bag and started munching away.

"By the way, I'm in it too," he mumbled through a mouthful of Skittles.

I rolled my eyes. "Great. Just so you know, Kenji Kishimoto, I have zero plans of kissing you on set or out."

Kenji Kishimoto, my best friend and one of the few people I trusted, had a knack for making me laugh, even when I was at my lowest. He could pull me out of any funk with his jokes and relentless teasing. But despite his flirtations, I never saw him as more than a friend-something I could never admit to him since his ego was already larger than Asia, and the last thing I needed was to inflate it even further.

"Don't worry, you'll change your mind eventually," he said with a playful smirk, but his triumph was short-lived as I smacked him on the arm.

"Ow! What was that for?" he whined, rubbing his arm.

"For letting your stupid ego get the best of you again," I shot back with a grin.

Kenji pouted, rubbing his arm like it was injured. "You know, you could work on your people skills. Not everyone is as charming as me."

I rolled my eyes, leaning against the counter. "Charming? Is that what we're calling it now? Delusion suits you perfectly."

He ignored my jab and popped another Skittle into his mouth, grinning like he'd won. "So, if you're not planning to kiss anyone, what's stopping you from auditioning? You could just act."

"Acting involves more than just pretending," I said, brushing a stray hair behind my ear. "And romance isn't exactly my thing."

Kenji studied me, his playful demeanor softening. "You used to love the idea of being in love. What changed?"

I paused, taken aback by his sudden seriousness. He wasn't wrong. I used to be a hopeless romantic, dreaming of whirlwind love stories. But life had a funny way of turning those dreams into something else entirely.

"I grew up," I replied firmly. "Realized that not all stories end with a fairy tale."

Kenji frowned, searching my face. "You don't believe that, do you? That happiness isn't in the cards for you?"

I shrugged. "Let's just say I've become more realistic."

"Realism's overrated," Kenji said, leaning closer with a serious edge. "You're too young to give up on love. You should audition. Who knows? Maybe you'll have fun."

I met his gaze, a smile tugging at my lips. "Since when did you become such an optimist?"

He grinned, the mischievous spark back in his eyes. "I'm not. I just think you'd look great trying to resist falling for me on set."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You're impossible."

"Impossible and irresistible," he corrected with a wink.

I sighed. "You know," I said, reaching for a Skittle from the bag still clutched in Kenji's hand, "if I audition and get the part, I expect you to be on your best behavior."

Kenji's grin widened. "No promises, Sunshine. But for you, I'll try."

Did I just sell my soul to the devil? Probably.

Kenji managed to drag me to the set I might be working on. He was practically bouncing with excitement as he led me through the studio doors, and I had to remind myself this was my choice even if it felt like I was being dragged.

"This is going to be great, trust me," Kenji said, flashing his trademark grin. "Castle's a good friend, and he's excited to meet you."

Castle-the director. Naturally, Kenji was on a first-name basis with him. He seemed to know everyone who mattered. We walked through the bustling set, with people rushing around and the constant hum of activity.

"If I'm being honest, this isn't as bad as I thought it would be," I admitted, glancing around. The set was impressive-detailed and alive, like the story was already coming to life.

Kenji shot me a triumphant look. "See? I told you. It's not all that scary."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't deny a small thrill of excitement starting to build.

As we continued our tour, Kenji pointed out different parts of the set, explaining what each was for and how they'd be used in the scenes. He was in his element, effortlessly charming everyone we passed.

When we finally reached Castle, he greeted Kenji with a warm hug and then turned to me with a welcoming smile. "So, this is the star Kenji's been talking about," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Glad to finally meet you."

I forced a confident smile. "Nice to meet you too, Mr. Castle."

"Please, call me Castle," he replied, waving off the formality. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do. Kenji's been talking you up like you're the next big thing."

I shot Kenji a look, but he just shrugged, grinning like a cat that got the cream. "Just speaking the truth."

Castle laughed, clearly entertained. "Well, I can't wait to see you in action. I have a feeling you're going to bring something special to this project."

I wasn't sure how to respond to Castle's enthusiasm, so I just nodded, keeping my nerves in check. I loved acting, just like I loved watching romance movies, but being in one and living out those moments on screen made me jittery. The thought of kissing someone on screen, even though I'd done it before, still gave me chills. This felt different.

What are you even worrying about? It's just acting. Don't throw away your opportunities. You've done it many times before!

Perfect, now I'm talking to myself.

Audition for the movie and stop being an overdramatic baby.

I'm not!

Then why are you still thinking about whether you should audition?

...

"What are the available roles for Dear Love, again?" I asked, breaking the silence as we continued walking through the set.

Kenji turned to me with a grin, clearly pleased with my sudden interest. "Ah, so you're considering it, huh? Well, the lead role of Emma is still open, and a few supporting characters too. But I have to say, you'd make a great Emma."

I bit my lip, the character's description echoing in my mind. Strong-willed, independent, and hesitant to believe in love-qualities that matched mine. Could I step into Emma's shoes and bring her story to life?

Before I could second-guess myself, I glanced at Kenji and said, "Alright, let's do it. I'll audition for Emma."

Kenji's face lit up with excitement and pride. "That's the spirit, Sunshine! You're going to crush it."

The next morning, I sat in front of my vanity, staring at my reflection with a sense of purpose. My mind was racing with thoughts of the audition. I had agreed to try out for the role of Emma, and now that the reality of it was sinking in, I was ready to own it.

What if I'm not good enough? What if this role isn't for me? What if I completely mess it up?

I shook my head, dismissing the doubts. I had done this before-auditions, roles, the whole process. I was a pro, and I had the confidence to prove it. The thought of kissing someone on screen, while still nerve-wracking, wasn't going to stop me. I faced tougher challenges and came out on top.

Kenji's words from the previous day echoed in my mind. "You're going to crush it." He had so much faith in me, and I was ready to show him and everyone else what I was made of.

With a deep breath, I started getting ready, choosing an outfit that made me feel confident and powerful. It was just an audition, after all.

As I applied a touch of makeup, I rehearsed the lines I'd been practicing. I could feel Emma's character taking shape within me-her strength, her hesitance, her guarded heart. I related to her in many ways, and I was determined to bring her to life on screen.

When I arrived at the studio, my nerves were still buzzing, but I was focused. Kenji was waiting for me at the entrance, his usual grin plastered on his face.

"Ready to show them what you've got?" he asked, his tone teasing but supportive.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, forcing a confident smile.

We walked inside, surrounded by the buzz of activity. The studio was alive with the sounds of people preparing for their auditions, and the energy in the air was palpable.

Castle was chatting with a few other actors when he saw me. He waved me over with a warm smile. "Ms. Solans, great to see you again. Ready to give it your best shot?"

"Absolutely," I said, my voice steady and clear.

"Good. Just remember, have fun with it. Don't worry about being perfect-just be yourself," Castle advised, his words surprisingly comforting.

As I stepped into the audition room, the familiar lights and cameras in place, I felt a surge of determination. This was my world-acting, performing, and becoming someone else for a while. I had this.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment. When I opened them, I was Emma. The lines flowed naturally, and the emotions felt genuine. For those few minutes, I was fully immersed in the character's world, forgetting about everything else.

When I finished, there was a pause, followed by Castle's approving nod. "That was fantastic, Ms. Solans. You really brought Emma to life."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, the tension in my shoulders easing. "Thank you," I replied, my voice steady.

As I left the room, Kenji was waiting outside, his grin wider than ever. "I told you you'd crush it! You were amazing in there, Sunshine."

I couldn't help but laugh, the earlier nerves replaced with a sense of accomplishment. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

"See? I knew you could do it," Kenji said, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "Now, let's get out of here. I'm starving, and I'm sure you could use a break."

"I saw you munching a sandwich earlier," I said with a smirk.

"What? A star can't eat now?" He crossed his arms dramatically, giving me an exaggerated pout. I stared him down, and the facade crumbled into a playful smile.

"Fine," I said, laughing. "Let's go grab something to eat."

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 You, Again Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD Have you ever been to New York (if yes, what's your go-to spot, if no, what's your favorite type of bagel)?��� 🦇 When Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly. A free-spirited, struggling comedian who likes to keep things casual, Ari sublets, takes gigs, & she never sleeps over after hooking up. Born-and-bred Manhattanite Josh has ambitious plans: Take the culinary world by storm, find The One, & make her breakfast in his spotless kitchen. They have absolutely nothing in common...except that they keep crossing paths. As they're both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship. Turns out, spending time with your former nemesis is fun when you're too sad to hate each other--& too sad for hate sex. Can they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love?

💜 I have so many conflicting thoughts & feelings about this book. Prose that might seem witty & modern to some will come off as cringe (over-attempting at 'hip' & relevant) to others. Yet there's a sort of magnetism to the entire thing, like trying to look away from a train crash running in slow motion. The concept of two people constantly colliding (getting second & third chances to repair the bad first impression they made on one another) is definitely intriguing, & works perfectly in a setting like New York City. There's also something painfully realistic about hurt people finding comfort in one another, learning how to heal by helping the other heal. The underlying themes--healing, recognizing your self-worth, making your own legacy--resonate on every page. There's also a little love letter to New York here, the same way The Bear is a love letter to Chicago (& this book definitely screams The Bear vibes, for those of you who FINALLY watched it).

💙 Unfortunately, both characters are dreadfully unlikeable. They're both equally stubborn, & since this is an opposites attract romance, they clash constantly when they think they're in the right. Poor Josh has his heart wide open but moves too fast, while Ari has her heart under lock & key with unrelenting skepticism in relationships (in complete conflict with her carefree attitude). As much as I love my bi rep (especially during Bisexuality Awareness Month), Ari's sex-focused rep reads as problematic. There's nothing wrong with enjoying sex or threesomes, but it's almost used as Ari's main characteristic; an insulting cliche that bisexuals only care about one thing.

🦇 Recommended to fans of Will They or Won't They & Funny Feelings.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🍁 Slow Burn Contemporary Romance ❤‍🔥 Bi FMC 🍁 Chef & Comedian ❤‍🔥 Annoyances to Friends to Lovers 🍁 Opposites Attract (Commitment-Phobe/Hopeless Romantic) ❤‍🔥 Dual POV 🍁 Open Door ❤‍🔥 Angst/Hurt/Comfort 🍁 The Bear Vibes

💬 Quotes ❝ Better to be the one who walks away than the person who gets left behind. ❞ ❝ "I like being with you more than I like being by myself.” ❞ ❝ Right now, “just friends” is a comfortable certainty. A gravity blanket. A subtle vanilla-scented candle. And the alternative is a giant blinking cursor and a blank document. Sometimes it feels like Josh has already been poking around that page. Writing passages and deleting them before she’s ready to open it. ❞ ❝ "They’re the antidote to every little thing you hate about yourself. They can see past it when you can’t.” ❞ ❝ “No one should marry the person who makes them happy. Marry the person you want by your side at your lowest p- point. Marry the person you… you never get sick of. Who you always want more from. Who makes you proud to be theirs...If that’s your person, it’s worth the risk. Because your person will see the best version of you. They’ll have a whole list of reasons why they think you’re irreplaceable. And they’ll tell you.” ❞

[ominous-feychild]

✦ SUN AND SHADOW MASTERLIST ✦

Everything goes wrong for Freya Ula when she leaves her simple life as a fisherwoman to get engaged overseas. Her ship gets wrecked, she finds out her dad's been hiding secrets from her for her whole life, and, oh, she gets framed for a terrorist attack. Wait, WHAT!? After the city's greatest detective is attacked and disappears before she could consult with him, Frey has to enlist the help of his kid and her would-be fiancée to find out who framed her and clear her name. Between Crow's unorthodox detective work, her fiancée's dad being the most convinced of her guilt, the political strife plaguing Lynsmouth, and the looming celestial deadline of a conspiracy's final plan coming to fruition, is there any chance Frey can clear her name?

Introduction: (pending)

Main tag: #sun and shadow novel

Character Profiles:

✦ Freya Ula | #freya ula ✦ Crow the Cursed | #crow the cursed ✦ Daleira Fenastra | #daleira fenastra ✦ Valyarus Fenastra | #valyarus fenastra ✦ Ponderosa | #ponderosa the storm spirit ✦ Marlon Pesce | #marlon pesce ✦ Maritza | #maritza the mermaid ✦ Soren Ula | #soren ula ✦ Faer | #faer the wild ✦ Grimnir | #grimnir the criminal detective

(feel free to send in an ask for a specific character to expedite the process of my creating their profile!)

Moodboards:

✦ Freya Ula ✦ Crow the Cursed ✦ Daleira Fenastra (pending) ✦ Freya / Crow / Daleira "OC In Three"

(feel free to send in an ask for anyone else and I'll make one!)

Worldbuilding:

✦ Magic Overview ✦ The Faewildes ✦ "Soren Magic Puppet Guardian"

More, outside-of-SaS worldbuilding: #the feychild worldbuilding

(feel free to send asks for anything you want to know about the worldbuilding of Lynsmouth! There's... there's a lot.)

Tags and taglist underneath "read more"!

Relevant tags: #urban fantasy #action fantasy #action #high fantasy #victorian fantasy #romance fantasy #romantasy #slow burn #opposites attract #detective mystery #mystery #crime fiction #worldbuilding #fantasy worldbuilding #fantasy world #comedy #humor #diverse characters #lgbtq+ characters #lgbtq characters #ace characters #aro characters #aroace character #autistic characters #adhd character #autistic coded #autistic creator #morally grey characters #morally gray #villain coded #feral oc #feral character #harpy #harpy oc #faerie #faeries #fae folk #the fae #fae #faecore #mermaid #merman #merfolk #reality warping #thaumaturgy #curses #magic #magitech #mage #wizard #sorcerer #warlock #sun magic #fire magic #light magic #dark magic #darkness aesthetic #void magic #water magic #wind magic #steampunk #steampunk aesthetic #victorian aesthetic

Sun and Shadow taglist: @honeybewrites @the-golden-comet @illarian-rambling @ashirisu @urnumber1star

@the-letterbox-archives @48lexr @aalinaaaaaa @mysticstarlightduck @paeliae-occasionally

Divider and "masterlist" header by @saradika

[leviiackrman]

"I used to think you were unapproachable. But here I am, approaching you"

template || more edits

tag list (ask to be added or removed): @carrionsflower @statichvm @risingsh0t @simonxriley @tommyarashikage @bbrocklesnar @confidentandgood @unholymilf @florbelles @thedeadthree @shellibisshe @roofgeese @aezyrraeshh @faerune @tekehu @jackiesarch @jacobseed @minaharkers @sergeiravenov @carlosoliveiraa @rosenfey @queennymeria @shadowglens @nokstella @imogenkol @heroofpenamstan @fenharel @alexxmason @tethrras @jamessunderlandgf @a-treides @solasan @bigbywlf @delzinrowe

[alarrylarrie]

Just a thought… that quote about Louis disappearing and Satellite…

Anon. I want you think very carefully about what you’ve just done. Go to your room. How dare.

[stardust948]

Do not be done rambling about opposite au!!

Does the fire nation still has a firelord on the beginning of the story??

And so, are all water tribes united but still independent of each other?

Also love love nonbender zuko!!

What would be a ln appropriate replacement for otter penguins?

Also how does suki and Yue fit into this??

In this Opposite AU, everything is flipped.

The United Water Tribes, lead by the Southern Water Tribe chief, started the 100 year old war by using the Blood Moon that comes once every century to flood the Earth Kingdom in an attempt to wipe out the new Avatar. Balance is thrown off. Most of the EK is submerged with only mountain villages and places like Omashu remaining.

The Air temples are still intact but there's division on whether to return to the ancient ways of Warrior Monks and join the fight or remain pacifists.

The Fire Nation is wiped out saved for a few scattered islands like Hira'a. (And the Sun Warriors but they don't show up until later). The survivors scrap out a humbling living until Water Tribe raiders come based off a lead of a firebender remaining alive. Ursa takes the blame and dies in Azula's place. Shortly after, Ozai and the men of the village leave to aid the Warrior Air Monks.

Years later, Zuko and Azula free a young girl and badgermole fossilized deep in a cavern. She turns out to be the last Earthbender and the missing Avatar.

*cue theme music*

Yue and Suki are Katara’s friends/lackeies like Mai and Ty Lee. Aang is the runaway they found in the circus bc his temple chose the Warrior route and he wanted nothing of it. (Too bad. You gotta train the Avatar)

Ty Lee is a dragon princess who sacrifice herself to save the Sun. Mai's a bounty hunter. Sokka's the banished prince and Katara’s the bloodbender prodigy. For otter peuiguns I guess it could be those giant lizard things.

[swanqueensalad]

THE MAGICAL REGENCY ERA SAPPHICS WON!!!!

Y'ALL

go watch demons and daughters on youtube (& follow the DamselsInDicestress on twitch for early access to new episodes) if you want to see these absolutely heartwrenching regency era, estranged childhood best friends teenage lesbians embark on a harrowing and chaotic adventure, uncover a demonic underworld, and desperately yearn for one another the whole time.

[jessread-s]

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🌊🖤Review:

A dazzling adult debut from Saft!

“A Dark and Drowning Tide” follows Lorelai Kaskel, a sharp-tongued folklorist, and Sylvia von Wolff, her academic rival, as they pair up to solve their mentor’s murder whilst on an expedition to find a magical spring for their king.

Saft’s atmospheric writing contributes to her immersive world-building. Her story is set in the fictional kingdom of Brunnestaad, a country heavily inspired by Germany, that is populated by both Brunnestaaders and the Yevani, akin to the Jewish community. Saft tackles problems of nationalism and antisemitism through the perspective of her main character Lorelai, a young Jewish woman whose determination to make a name for herself in being a part of the Ruhigburg expedition stems from her experiences in being “othered”. I really appreciate the Jewish representation and how Lorelai’s rich knowledge of Jewish and German folklore contributes to the reader’s understanding of the country’s history, culture, and politics.

I could not get enough of the murder mystery Lorelai tasks herself with solving as well as the sapphic, academic rivals-to-allies-to-lovers subplot! Sylvia is the only suspect that Lorelai can rule out following their mentor’s murder. These circumstances push them to strike a begrudging alliance as they work together to prevent the murderer from striking again. I love the slow pacing of their relationship development as they are forced to confront their feelings while in each other’s proximity. I thoroughly enjoyed occupying Lorelai’s mind during this time. Lorelai is fascinating to follow as she draws on her knowledge of folklore, quick wit, and keen observation skills to find the Ursprung and the killer. At the same time, she is actively fighting against her love for Sylvia by burying her emotions and masking them with self-loathing. I adored watching Syliva break through Lorelai’s stubborn and guarded personality with her unrelenting optimism! They are truly opposites in every sense of the word and complete each other. Nothing was more satisfying than watching them capture the culprit and each other’s hearts!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph