#or do I not talk about it cause I don't want to ruffle feathers?

[medicinemane]

You know... well first off all this is a complex topic and this is me throwing stuff at the wall with my thoughts in the middle of the night, so I hope any place I don't phrase things the best or fully think things out, you can get that that's why

That said, I'm thinking about any kind of fuck nazis media from Indiana Jones to Wolfenstien to whatever, and I'm thinking about how popular they are (which is good) but... the thought goes something along the lines of I think part of that is it's very easy to say fuck you to horrible people from going towards 100 years ago, in part because you don't have to analyze anything about yourself or your own beliefs

Most people find it easy to say fuck nazis (good) particularly when it's historical nazis

I suppose my point here is I wonder how much this ends up being kind of thought terminating for people where they feel like "well I said fuck nazis, so clearly I couldn't share anything in common with them"

It's a complex topic, it's a touchy topic, and frankly I don't think I have the bona fides to lead the discussion... at best to point in a direction and say it's worth thinking one

Most people don't think of themselves as someone that would be a nazi, clearly they'd be part of the resistance, they'd never let it get that bad cause they're a good person... but like... do you really think that the majority of flesh and blood day to day people in nazi Germany were sitting there thinking about how much they'd love to commit genocide?

Complacency, ideas like "I care about people... but these acceptable targets are different because...", being tuned out and saying "well surely they'd never actually do something that bad"; I just feel like if you can't look at yourself and see that the right arguments given the right way stand a chance of causing you to be willing to allow bad things, well I think you're not being honest with yourself or not doing very much introspection

It's not secret why this is on my mind right now. The left says "I couldn't be a nazi because they were right wing and I'm not", and the right says "I couldn't be a nazi because I only want what's best for people, I don't really want to see anyone hurt", and magically everything's absolved from everyone and isn't it great that no one would ever behave like a nazi

Never mind the rising antisemitism in all directions, never mind people on all sides dismissing horrible behavior so long as it comes from people similarly aligned to them; you hate historical nazis so what more could anyone ask from you?

I'm reminded of a story from a Rwandan preacher (and I wish I knew his name, by the time I tried to find my source, I couldn't track it down... cause tumblr has a great search function) where he talked about hiding people during the genocide

Specifically he talked about how the people who forced their way into the church and grabbed him and the people sheltering there... these people getting ready to kill were people he'd know for years, members of his congregation, good people... ready to murder, to kill the cockroaches because he just didn't see, this is something that had to be done

(The reason he survived was he more or less said "well at least I know where I'm going when you kill me, can you say the same for yourselves?" and people hesitated enough to say more or less "you freaks aren't worth our time, get out of here before we change out minds")

I don't know... you look at yourself, and can you honestly say there's zero chance you'd ever be the ones breaking in, pulling people out to murder them because someone somewhere had whipped you up into a fervor in the right ways?

Obviously not, you'll introspect, and you'll come back here and say obviously not. Maybe it'll be true... maybe you've already got a list in your head of people who aren't human where it wouldn't count. How should I know? I'm not the judge of true morals, I can't see your inner secrets

Regardless, no, you obviously wouldn't fall to that. You have your reasons why you know for a fact that you wouldn't. Besides, you hate historical nazis, so how could you be anything like them

(To be clear, I'm not asking anyone to tear themselves to pieces looking for secret shame, last thing I need is people with anxiety worrying they're secretly a horrible person)

(I'm more just asking something pretty impossible, which is for people to take a real honest look and acknowledge that like... yeah... maybe my hatred of trans people for whatever reason I give why it's fine is getting pretty fucked up... maybe in my valid criticisms of Israel I'm starting to slide into actual full on antisemitism... maybe I've gotten so caught up in some dogma that I'm starting to excuse some pretty awful shit so long as it comes from people I agree with)

(It's bad times, and I see a lot of people, even people I like, turning a blind eye to a lot of awful stuff because "well no, it's not meant like that" or similar and... man, no one is going to fucking listen, it's called a blindspot for a reason and people really really hate being wrong but man... what I wouldn't give to just be able to open a few people's eyes to where their actions are leading them)

[dragonridernoobie]

I’m kinda embarrassed cause I messed up last time so I may go anonymous for a lil bit but I had an idea! Okay transformers=shiny reader who likes shiny things=crow behavior

And what do crows love?! SHINYS! Now to ideas for this Crow!Reader who keeps just trying to collect the transformers(wether reader is like a crow harpy/actually has bird characteristics or is human/crybertronian is up to u😌) ORRRRRRR she keeps bringing them shiny things cause she likes them and is trying to court them but they don’t get it, and reader is super possessive of her shiny things

Characters: Optimus(TFP or Bayverse you can pick!) Wheeljack, Ratchet, and Megatron(I’ve read all of the fics for him and need more:,))

Don't be embarrassed. We all do stupid shit, but if you still want to go anonymous then go ahead. Remmber one of my rules here are no shame. Also, I like this. I will try my best, hope you like it!

TFP X Avian Reader

Background info: The reader is an escaped experiment from MECH. They tried to make a super human but failed, this is for the optimus one.

Also, reader is an avian. I think it fits better. Also, this is what a avian looks like.

Optimus

Optimus was minding his own business. He was following an energon single intel he came across a massive trap laid out by MECH.

Inside he found reader.

He was amazed since he never seen a human with feathers or wings.

He definitely noticed how they acted like a bird. Meaning reader ruffled up their feather's, and tried to make themselves bigger.

Like an owl.

How an owl dose it

He talks calmy to it and frees it.

Reader takes this chance to fly away.

Optimus was surprised, worried, and sad that reader flue away but he hopes to find them again

Weeks past and optimus starts to find strange objects right outside of the base

Broken beer peices, rings, cans, even an engergon crystal once.

When he stayed up late to catch the intruder, he finds reader.

She was the one bringing the stuff to the base.

Optimus takes this opportunity to try to help and earn trust from the reader.

It takes a Hella long time.

But reader comes when optimus calls them and will actally bring him things he lost.

Even ancient objects that reader can carry.

Wheeljack

When wheeljack was captured by the decepticons he was brought into Knockouts lab.

(Shockwave wasent in the story yet)

While he hanged there, he noticed movement from the corner of his optic.

When he looks over, he finds reader looking at him curious from her contaner.

Wheeljack was definitely surprised since he knows humans don't look like giant turkeys.

He tries to talk to it, but reader just dose clicks and chirps.

When wheeljack has the ability to knockout...knockout...ya

He takes this chance to grab the container reader is in and runs out of the decepticon warship.

Once back at his jackhammer, he opens the container and reader quickly flies off.

Wheeljack definitely will tell the autobots but pains no mind to reader.

She's free, no longer in danger, no longer his problem.

After a couple of weeks after the incident, wheeljack flies off earth to find more autobots.

That's when he hears wierd noises at the back of the jackhammer.

He goes back to investigate. Preparing since it could be a con.

But he finds reader, making nest out of his tools.

He is surprised but tries to talk to reader.

He is surprised when reader hands him a can.

He learns quickly that shiny is readers favorite thing.

Ratchet

Ratchet was going thru the internet at base, looking for any spotting of weird things.

Like ancient shit.

That's when he came across a article about a moth/bird person.

He knew humans made up alot of woerd story's to scare there kind.

He would have dismissed it, if it wasent for the fact in the picture, this moth/bird thing had a necklace.

An ancient cybertronian artifact.

He looks at all the spotting and narrow it down in a forest in south America.

He takes a portal there, since he thinks he can handle this alone.

After a few hours of searching, he finds the necklace...with a bunch of other shiny stuff in a giant ass nest

He was amazed since all the reasurch he has done on earth life never talked about birds or anytbing making nest this big.

When he reached for the reckless, something swoops down and latches on his face.

Ratchet curses and tries to swat the thing off.

It makes a painful chirp and crashes into the ground.

When he looks at it, he is amazed to find a human...half bird?

He was amazed but seeing it hurt, he curses and helps it

He takes it to base and helps it

Que a stressful few weeks

Reader was a pain in the aft.

But ratchrt somehow earned their trust...also alot of shiny nick-nacks on his keybord.

Megatron

Megatron met reader when he captured a human and gave it to Shockwave.

Ordering him to make a hybrid.

Weeks later, Shockwave presents reader. A half bird and human hybrid.

Megatron wasent happy that it was dangerous but dosent kill it.

Nah, it's his pet.

Soon, reader gets out of the warship and dose there own thing.

Soon returning with shiny stuff they find.

They made a nest up high in the throne room

Megatron was annoyed by that but it dosent interfere with his planes so leaves it alone.

Soon, he noticed shiny things in his berthroom.

Like rings, cans, broken beer bottles, chip bags, anything shiny.

He was confused and went to Soundwave to see the recording who dared went into his berthroom

He finds reader flying in there and setting them in there.

He was confused.

Intel once day, reader returned to the ship with an artifact they just lost to the autobots.

He was amazed and actally impressed for once.

He praised reader and ordered anyone who hurts reader will lose their spark.

Reader was now a higher rank then starscrsam XD

Hope you like it!!!!!!!!!

[mint-in-the-moonlight]

the fandomification of paganism

hello everyone! first of all, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I want to preface it by saying that it is based on my opinion and observations and it's coming from a genuine place of care for the community. I don't mean to attack anyone or deny anyone's experience, I simply want us to reflect on the path that online paganism has been taking in recent years. with that being said, I hope you can continue reading with an open mind and limit your critiques to those actually related to my points, framing or conclusions. thank you!

there is something that I've been noticing in online pagan spaces lately, a shift which has me worried and feeling disconnected from much of the community. it seems to affect the way we think and talk about our deities which then seeps into the rest of our practices and communities.

I think we have already witnessed many large ways in which it manifests. the most recent and widespread example that I can think of was the whole "the gods are mad" thing on the eve of the US presidential election. some people were adamant that the gods were emotionally affected by the affair as if they themselves had a personal stake in it. now, I don't mean to say that the gods don't care about human affairs but the general consensus after this whole debacle seems to be that the gods are generally quite distant from stuff like this as they have no stake in things like human politics beyond potentially how it affects their worshippers. I agree with this general idea and I think what is likely happening is people are projecting their own opinions and feelings onto the gods because it is important to them that the gods seemingly agree and can sympathise (i wrote a bit more about this situation here if you're interested in reading it).

so from this one example, but potentially many more that I or you reader have experienced, i think what we are seeing is a certain trend (and I don't mean this in a negative way) of the gods as much more human-like. this is not necessarily a bad thing, many pagans see the gods as much closer to humans than I do (I see them as much more non-human or superhuman and just completely out of our realm of understanding). but what i usually see this being accompanied by is a certain belief that the gods are always around and very invested in every tiny aspect of our lives. in some people's practices, they seem to serve a more companion role and their importance as gods is severely downplayed.

I think this want for spiritual companionship is completely understandable and normal, this is after all one of the reasons why people can decide to become pagan or religious in general. but I think at times I see this move into a territory that I find problematic. I call it the "fandomification" of paganism.

I've been struggling with how I want to describe it because as much as I want people to be able to worship and practice however they want, I genuinely think that some of these behaviours cause problems in our communities and I want to address that from a place of good faith. with the knowledge that this might ruffle some feathers I want to say the following: I think some people treat the gods too much as manifestations of their favourite blorbo from a tv show or book rather than the powerful spiritual beings that they are.

I think that the idea that anyone can immediately communicate with the gods through a candle flame or a pendulum has led people to believe that they always have the ear of the gods and that the gods care and have opinions about every little thing that we can think of. I think skits on tiktok have popularised the erroneous idea that the gods can have snippy little conversations among themselves and practitioners and that they have beef amongst themselves.

what I honestly think is that many people have lost the respect and awe of the gods and made them into their personal entertainment clowns and that really rubs me the wrong way. this is not the way I want to engage in my religion, and once again while I do not wish to compel people to adapt their religion to what I believe, I have definitely noticed a growing schism between pagans who think like me and pagans who do not. I think it may be time for us to reflect on this development and how we want to tackle it going forward in relation to the future of our pagan communities.

[dragon-kazansky]

Heart of the Dreaming

Morpheus x Female Reader

Soulmate AU

You are the daughter of Rodrick Burgess. You find out about the "demon" in the basement and decide you want to see it. Things take an unexpected turn when your soulmate connection is made with the man you find down there. You are the one he has been waiting for, and you're being taken away from. Not for long. Dream will protect his soulmate.

{Masterlist}

{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}

Chapter Four - Pocket full of sand

☆☆☆

You had been locked away in that house for so long that you had no idea just how much the world had changed. You had never really been to London before, but you were sure even then it had been much different to the London you are in today.

You turn around to see Dream composing himself. He looked a little... tired, dare you say. He looks at you silently.

"You alright?" You ask.

He nods and then turns around. It's dark out, not many people around. He would know Constantine when he saw her. She had his sand.

You stand a good few steps away from him, holding yourself. You didn't bring a coat. You didn't exactly have time to bring anything. You were in a city you couldn't navigate, and your only companion was a strange man who had told you you were his soulmate.

It was a lot to take in one night.

"Constantine."

You turn around to see Dream looking at a woman in a long coat. She doesn't exactly hang about. The conversation is short as she directs his attention to a raven that has landed on the bench behind you. You find yourself confused at its sudden appearance. It seemed to be watching Dream.

"I do not need a raven."

You look at Dream, confused. The man was talking to a bird. Of all the crazy things you've seen so far in regards to this man, this was the craziest.

"Lucienne said you'd say that," the raven spoke.

You stare at the bird with wide eyes. "It's talking?"

"Uh, I'm Matthew," the raven replies.

"It's talking!"

Dream stands beside you and looks down at the raven. He doesn't act like he heard what you were saying. His attention was fully on the bird. "I do not need a raven," he repeats.

"Respectively, sir, you do." Matthew caws.

"Go back to the Dreaming."

"Look, she's got away!" Matthew exclaims, looking behind Dream.

Morpheus turns and finds Constantine has completely vanished from sight. She's made sure to put distance between them.

Dream turns to you. "Fine. You stay here with him. Don't move."

"What?" You look at him with slight panic. He can see it in your eyes.

"Just wait for me."

Dream walks off, and you scoff in disbelief. This man, who is supposedly your soulmate, has the audacity to "rescue" you from your family home and then abandon you in an unfamiliar city? The universe could have chosen someone with more dignity at least to tie you with.

You sit on the bench with a huff. Matthew cocks his head to the side, looking at you intently. You turn and glare at him, causing him to take a few steps away from you along the back of the bench.

"So, uh..." He snaps his beak gently, making a clicking sound, "who are you?"

"No one important," you sigh.

"That can't be true. Wait, are you the woman Lucienne mentioned? She said he had gone off to rescue someone."

"Does everyone know about this?" You ask.

"No? Not that I know of."

"I'm sorry, but how are you talking? You're a bird!" You look at him.

"I don't know. I just... am. I wasn't always a bird, mind you. I was like you once."

"Like me?"

"A human." He cocks his head again.

"Oh... What happened?"

"I, uh... I died."

"Oh... I'm sorry." You frown.

"It's fine. This is my life now." He ruffles his feathers a little. "So, uh... Are you just gonna sit here?"

☆☆☆!!!!!!!

Morpheus finds Constantine within her nightmare. He'd standing there when she woke. She states at him for a good few moments and then speaks. "For fuck's sake." She sighs. "How did you find me?"

"You were dreaming. But it wasn't only a dream, was it? It's a memory. No wonder you do not sleep."

"Maybe I don't deserve to."

"Perhaps not." He says to Constantine. "But I could make it go away."

"Only if I help you find your sand."

"Though finding anything in this place may require more magic than even you can muster."

Joanna falls silent for a moment and then gets up. "I'll look in the office. Try not to clean up while I'm gone."

"I'm coming with you," he says. "You have a gift for disappearing."

"All right. But if the mess in here offends you, wait till you see my office."

The office was so much worse.

Constantine started going through her things, hoping the pouch would pop up somewhere and she could get this over with. She didn't particularly want him hanging around.

"Why do humans love objects so much?" Dream asks.

"They do come in handy sometimes." Constantine tells him. "You seem pretty attached to your sand."

"It's not just an object. It's a part of me."

"If that's true, how'd you happen to lose it?" She asks, looking at him.

"It was stolen by a magic user called Burgess."

"Wait, not Rodrick Burgess? The old demon king himself, eh? Everyone used to say he was a fake. Said he had the Devil locked up in his basement. How the fuck did you..."

She looks up.

"Shit." She walks over to him. "Were you down there? All this time?"

His lack of response was in itself an answer.

Morpheus plucks a set of photos from a box and looks down at them. They picture Constantine and another woman in them.

"Is this you?" He asks.

"Why? Do I look that different?"

"No. Happy."

A moment of silence passes.

"Shit." Constantine whispers. "I know where your sand is."

☆☆☆

Dream had gone all the way to Rachel's apartment. He had first gone to Constantine's, assuming she had the sand there, but it became rather complicated quickly.

Turns out the sand was at her exes. An ex she hadn't seen in quite some time. He was ready to go inside with her, but she told him to wait outside.

She needed to do this alone, apparently. However, he was reluctant to let her out of his sight. She had a tendency to disappear.

While he waited outside, he turned to see you walking around the corner.

"I told you to wait," he scolded. Though you wouldn't say you felt overly threatened by him.

"We got bored."

"We?"

In that moment, Matthew flew down and landed by your feet. Dream was far from pleased. "I told you to wait for me."

"If we're soulmates or whatever, shouldn't I help?" You ask, looking at him just as unimpressed.

"No."

You scoff softly. "You're hard work, you know that?"

Dream says nothing as he stares at you, hands in his pockets. It's Matthew who breaks the awkward atmosphere between you both. He really doesn't know what's going on, and there was very little time to ask about it.

"You know you can't trust her, right? You should really go in there."

Dream shifts his eyes away from you. Matthew had a point.

"Wait here."

This time he was wanting you both. You cross your arms and watch him go inside. You stand there for a moment before slumping down onto the ground.

"That bad, huh?"

"I've known him less than a day, kind of. Well, I've known of him a while. It's complicated. Soulmates or whatever. I don't care about some stupid divine bond." You sigh.

"So, it's legit? The soulmate thing, I mean."

You lower your wrist to his level and show him the scar. "I got this the day I first set eys on him. Sometimes, it burns. Though it hasn't for a bit. It's what binds me to him, I think."

"Hm. So, why do I sense so much anger toward him?" Matthew caws.

"He's insufferable. We have this weird bond, and he has the emotional capacity of a teaspoon. He rescued me less than an hour ago, and now we're off on some strange quest to get... sand?"

"Well, yeah. Lucienne told me about that. He's getting his tools back," Matthew says.

"His tools?"

"His sand, his helmet, and his ruby."

"I'm so lost."

"How do I put this? Lord Morpheus is the dream lord. He is king and creator of the Dreaming, his realm. His tools include a pouch of sand, a helmet, and a ruby. Without them, he doesn't have much of anything."

You listen to Matthew speak. "I see."

"It's important he gets them back."

"I've gathered that much. I just... I don't see why I have to be part of any of this. Fine, I'm not going to grow old and die, but do I have to stay with him?"

"I don't think he's going to just let you go," Matthew caws.

"Why not? He doesn't need me."

Matthew goes quiet.

Constantine leaves the apartment and walks off, looking not so perky anymore. Not long after, Dream comes out and follows the direction she went in slowly.

You rise from the ground and watch them. He hadn't even glanced your way. Matthew goes on ahead to join the two. You keep your distance, watching them talk.

Constantine says something to Matthew, and then she looks up at you. She stares at you for a while and then turns and walks away under her umbrella.

Dream looks at the pouch in his hand and then looks up at you. "You're still here."

"You told me to wait."

"You could have run," he says flatly.

You glance at Matthew, who looks up at you. What he said earlier flashes before your mind. Dream probably wouldn't really let you go. "Yeah, well... whatever."

Dream stares at you in heavy silence. You hate it. You hate the way he looks at you. You hate the way he doesn't say anything. You can't say you're all too fond of him either.

"Stop looking at me."

Dream turns his eyes back to the pouch. "Come here."

You sighed and walked over to him, standing where Constantine had been standing just moments before.

"So, where are we going next?" You ask.

"Hell."

"Hell? Like metaphorical Hell or... Hell Hell?" Matthew caws.

Dream stares at you silently, and you swallow nervously. "Hey, I didn't agree to... that!"

"My helm is in Hell."

"I don't care. Hell? That's crazy." You yell at him quietly.

He just stares. He slowly raises his pouch and opens his other hands. He gives you time enough to walk away, but you don't. You know what he's doing. He pours the sand into his waiting palm, and it flows around the three of you in a blanket.

There really was no going back now.

☆☆☆

@deniixlovezelda - @missdreamofendless - @kpopgirlbtssvt - @meganlpie - @thoughtsfromlayla - @ladyjbrekker

@mwaaaaaugh - @bluespecs14 - @intothesoul - @lady-violet - @navs-bhat - @krahk - @oldsoulmagic

@rubyrose2014 - @lorkai - @roxytheimmortal - @star-maker-rain-dancer - @intothesoul - @gemini-mama - @whotperlinda

@dreamingblueberries - @the-shadow-of-aurora - @novavida - @blackgirlmagicforever

@permanentlyexhaustedpigeon88 - @hopshusushi -

[loganwritesprobably]

I Can't Do This Anymore

Inspired by some chatting about Shanks I was doing with @fanaticsnail and @maritimebird

Content/Warnings: Shanks/GN!Reader, breaking up, arguing, hurt/no comfort, Shanks is characterised as a bad guy/ kind of toxic

Four years. Four entire years of your life dedicated to Red Haired Shanks. He was globally revered and respected, considered one of the strongest of a generation, a real contender for Pirate King as an apprentice and honorary son of Gol D. Roger. He was also a scumbag. It seemed like you were the only person who knew that, though, and frankly you were ashamed it'd taken you this long.

You'd woken up today feeling stronger than you had in ages, and when you sat for breakfast alone once again, you knew it was over. You were already gone, you'd emotionally left your partnership months ago, you'd just been hanging on for the sake of nostalgia, because of the man he'd been at first, who you'd wanted him to be. Who he hadn't been in a long time. Plus, you were finally coming up on an island and the Red Force would be docking, so you'd be able to completely leave Shanks, the ship and the crew. A clean break.

He wouldn't wake up for hours, you knew that now. No matter how many times you'd told him it would be nice to spend the morning together, to be quietly present for each other when you first woke up, he never stirred til after noon. It was because of his drinking of course, and you knew that, but he wouldn't cut back on that either. Why would he do that?

You left the kitchen before Lucky had even finished preparing breakfast with just a slice of toast in hand. You didn't feel like food this morning.

You sat on the deck with Beckman while he smoked, and you explained to him what you were about to do. He accepted it, had even seen it coming, and agreed to help you leave without Shanks clinging on or lingering on the island to try to make you come back.

When Shanks finally emerged after lunch had already been served, you headed to take a shower while Yassop and Hongo helped to pack up your stuff from Shanks' room, wanting to cause as little suspicion as possible.

Freshly washed, in the perfect outfit for the occasion which made you feel confident, you returned to the deck. Shanks sat with Beck, one smoking and the other drinking, idle chatter occasionally passing between them.

"Shanks, I need to talk to you." You said, interrupting whatever they'd been speaking about. "Sorry doll, I was just chatting with Beck, can you give me ten mi-" "No. I can't. This is more important." You said, voice firm, expression stony. "Oh c'mon just a few-" "No Shanks. Not this time. We can have this conversation here and now if you really want, I don't care, but it might be better for your ego to go somewhere more private." You said, and Benn awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, clearly wishing he was anywhere but there. "Go on then, gorgeous, what's up?" He asked, taking zero regard for your serious tone or the look on your face. Of course he didn't, nothing ruffled the feathers of Red Haired Shanks.

"You are, you overgrown child," you hissed, surprised as the words came out of your mouth, you'd been intending on separating peacefully but clearly that wasn't going to be happening, "I am sick of you, and your bullshit Shanks! This? Us? It's over, I'm done. I'm getting off at the next island, and I'm not coming back." Shanks paused, looking temporarily confused, before a smile came back over his face and it made your blood boil. "Oh c'mon, is this cause I missed breakfast? You know I try, I just don't do mornings. I'll try again tomorrow." You'd never wanted to strike someone more. "I don't know why I bothered even trying to have a conversation - I can't even have a damn argument with you! I'm fucking leaving, you cannot grin and laugh your way through or away from that. I'm leaving this ship, this crew - I'm leaving you." You couldn't stop your anger from pouring out in your words, your hands slightly trembling from the rage coursing through you. "That feels like a bit of a rush decision, love, are you sure you've really thought about that?" Shanks replied, now looking concerned for you, as if you were experiencing some sort of meltdown.

"Oh- I've never been so fucking angry. Rush? I've been planning on leaving you for months! I'm so tired of the way you treat me, Shanks. You treat me like I - and frankly like nothing else - matters! You can't just laugh and shrug all your problems away, and ignore my attempts to communicate and tell you when there's a problem in our relationship. I have dedicated four years of my life to you, and most of those years were spent being delusional and convincing myself that it wasn't that bad, and I just had to remember how could things could be. But they never went back to being that good. I'm not even sure they were that good to begin with, you just charmed me with your words." It was a lot to scream at someone in public, knowing the crew had all stopped what they were doing to listen to you, to witness what would happen when you raised your voice at the Captain like that. "There's no need to yell doll, c'mon. This should be private." You couldn't believe him. A wave of unstable, humourless laughter overcame you that you couldn't help releasing, and Benn eyed you warily. "Oh you are so lucky you're stronger than me, because if I thought I had any sort of chance, I'd attack you." You told him, still laughing just a little. It was a cruel sort of power imbalance between you really. "Is that a threat?" Shanks asked, and you pinched the bridge of your nose, the humour passing and being replaced by just.. exhaustion.

"Benn, my stuff is all packed, I'm going to go sit with it until we dock and then I'm gone." You said to the first mate before turning on your heel to walk away. "Where are you going? Are you seriously just walking away from me like that?" Shanks yelled after you, standing from his chair. "Yes! That's exactly what I just told you I was doing!" You replied, but you didn't turn to look back at him, just continued on your way.

When you docked, Shanks appeared to have disappeared. You hauled your stuff from the ship, and hugged the crew goodbye. It wasn't fair that you'd lose your friends just because you'd split with Shanks, but that was just the way of things. They were his men, not yours. You sat on top of a crate, rubbing hands over your face as you shoved down the rising tide of emotion in your chest.

"Hey," Benn said, stepping up to stand beside you, "if you ever need anything.. I mean it anything, just call." He said, handing you two pieces of paper. One piece held the number for his den den, while the other was blank - his vivre card. "Thank you." You said emphatically, and then he walked away, back to the crew.

You sat there, just observing, as the crew ran to quickly board their ship with their small restock, and undocked from the port, Shanks stood on the deck observing you.

The red force sailed away, and you heaved a deep sigh of relief. You finally felt like you could breathe again.

Tags: @claryeverlarkf @uselessboots @cainnoable

[justafriendlystranger]

Milkshake mansion members incorrect quotes cause I'm pathetic-

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

Laffy: who else thought Sylas and I were together?

Laffy: Sylas put your fucking hands down

~~~

Casimir: How did none of you hear what I just said?

Luck: Sorry, I have been zoning out for the past couple of hours thinking of what to plant next in the garden

Eris: *holding a notebook with the words saying-* I got distracted halfway through, sorry Cas

Felice: Ignoring you was a conscious decision

~~~

Victor: Didn't you die!??

Neo: That was years ago, dear. Things change

~~~

Juliet: Are you seeing anyone?

Elijah: *shocked and blushing* N-no, why?

Juliet: I don't know, I just think you'd benefit from a therapist or something

~~~

Viktor: Your smile? It makes my day

Neo: Your happiness? I live for that

Felice: A room? Get one

Amelia: Hotel? Trivago

~~~

Felice and Laffy texting (I'm sorry but I like the idea of these two having a sibling relationship, the chaotic older sibling and the short tempered youngster lol)

Felice: knock knock

Laffy: who's their?

Felice: *there

Felice: you fucking asshole, I don't even want to tell you the joke anymore

~~~

Casimir: I'm being serious

Trevor: hi being serious

Casimir: Don't ever talk to me again

~~~

Talissa: FLIRT BACK GOD DAM IT

Hayden: H O W

~~~

Luck: oh fiddlesticks, this really ruffles my feathers

Nohana, also an angel: oh fuck

~~~

Elijah: Juliet is playing hard to get

Elijah: little does she know I'm playing hard to get rid of

~~~

Yugure: you fuckers don't know about my knife stick. It's a knife taped to a stick and I'll use it as a weapon to kill whoever hurts my sister

Tsutsuji: spear

Yugure: BLOCKED

~~~

Nathan: Every time I inhale, I can feel my spine pop

Nohana: And every time we kiss, I swear I could fly— (yes, I saw the artwork and it made me think of this lol)

~~~

Casimir: God, give me patience

Eris: *showing him his notebook* don't you mean 'god give me strength'?

Casimir: *In his head* 'If god gave me strength, you'd all be dead'

.

.

.

Casimir: huh I guess you're right, my bad heh

~~~

Felice: hey nerd, what do you call people you hang around with but don't try to engage in a romantic interaction or just a normal interaction in general?

Viktor: ........ People?

~~~

Elijah: you know, Viktor gives Neo a flower everyday. I wished you'd do that too

Juliet: ok

*The next day, Juliet approached Neo and gave him a flower*

Neo: ????

Juliet: Trust me, I'm just as confused as you are

~~~

Nathan: Y'know... Maybe things aren't so bad. I'm here, I got to live in a mansion with a beautiful garden that I can spend my time in, a lot of people like me that I can get along with and I could be alone with my thoughts—

Meztli: Hey, Nate~

Nathan: what... The fuck

~~~

Bee: I don't have a "murderer face" do I? No one has ever said that to me before..

Eris: *showing his notebook* Yeah, because they didn't want to be murdered --_--,,

~~~

Beatrice: Oh don't worry, visitor. You'll be fine

Visitor: You really think I could get out?

Beatrice: oh no, you'll definitely die if you keep trying, I meant you'll be fine cause you aren't doing anything right now.

~~~

Talissa: I don't think your caretaker, Casimir approves of me being with you

Hayden: Don't worry, he doesn't approve of me either-

~~~

Yugure: Felice challenged me to a water fight

Yoake: ok? What are you doing right now?

Yugure: waiting for the water to boil

~~~

Nohana: don't joke about murder. I was murdered once and it offends me

----------

Casimir, Hayden and the Milkshake Mansion belongs to @boiling-potato !! Elijah, Juliet and Talissa belongs to @gachaclubideas, Tsutsuji, Yoake and Yugure belongs to @n0vatsu, Neo and Viktor belongs to @neosaskblog, Eris and Bee belongs to @screwzara, Nathan and Meztli belongs to @aesopsbaby, Luck belongs to @lucytsukii, Felice belongs to @chipi-chupi-chips, Nohana belongs to @onionjay21, Amelia belongs to @ry4nn2, Beatrice belongs to @imma-sue-you-becky, Laffy belongs to @2laffy2 and Trevor belongs to @edgywithaheart

It's 12 so I'm going to sleep-

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

The Arcana HCs: When MC has to reject someone painfully

~ is this oddly specific? yes. is writing this getting me through an impossible workday and potential nervous breakdown? also yes. is there any other way I'd be able to write right now? ... probably not ~

-- to set the scene --

You had hoped that making it clear you only see them as a friend would work. You had hoped that expressing your disinterest in a new romance multiple times would work. You had hoped that encouraging them towards other people and reiterating that you are not the gender they are attracted to would work.

... it did not work.

It takes an hour of being misgendered and suppressing your PTSD to counter every argument they propose for why you should reconsider (and to make it clear, again, that you really aren't the person for them) before they give up and walk away, and there's still five hours left before you can go home. You're starting to feel a little nauseated from the whole ordeal and seriously contemplating telling everyone you're sick and leaving early. Just as you're about to give up, you see the familiar face of your beloved walk into the room for a surprise visit.

Julian

He's already starting his story from across the room about how terrible the traffic was but how worthwhile the suffering is if it means he gets to see your face and - speaking of your face -

That is a very tight smile, he can tell something's not right

His voice dies mid-sentence before he's settling in front of you with a serious expression on his face. "What's troubling you, MC?"

Won't leave you alone until you either tell him or make it clear that you genuinely don't want to talk about it

If you do tell him about it right away, you're about to watch him get very angry on your behalf (though he won't lose his composure - his main goal is to comfort you)

Will go full protector mode. You keep getting reminded of the way Malak paces and ruffles his feathers when he's upset

If you want to stay and finish your tasks, he'll leave you to it, but only after giving you one of his signature all-encompassing hugs

Stops by half an hour later with a raunchy love letter to read in front of "the miscreant" in case you have any more trouble from them

Rants about it to everyone he meets that afternoon. By the time you get home that evening Mazelinka has already heard about it and sent over some comfort soup for dinner

Asra

Knows something's up as soon as they walk in. Doesn't want to cause a scene, but also doesn't care two whits about anything keeping them from comforting you

Yes he's hugging you regardless of who can see. No he's not letting go until he's sure you feel safe and loved and supported

Will indirectly ask what's wrong and if you feel okay telling them about it. Won't push you to or not to talk either way

If you tell him right away, he'll silently decide that he's spending the rest of the day at your side. Makes himself comfortable until you're either ready to go home or you tell him that you've got this

May or may not teasingly suggest leaving an obvious hickey on your neck. Will enthusiastically follow through if you allow it

If "the nuisance" walks in while they're with you, they'll practically plaster themself to your side (to the extent that you're comfortable with) and send them judgemental glances the whole time

Starts making a point of dropping by every day to bring you a snack or a trinket and drop a kiss on your cheek

Certainly not to let everyone you spend your time around know that you're happily taken

And definitely not to harmlessly prank "the nuisance"

Showers you with gender affirming compliments for months

Nadia

She's so intuitive, the whole reason she decided to stop by so abruptly was because she suddenly felt worried for you

Glad she listened to her gut as soon as she sets eyes on you because you are clearly not thriving and she can't have that

"MC, my darling, you look perturbed. What's the matter?"

The difficult thing about being asked questions by a woman in leadership is that even when she's not trying to get an answer out of someone, it's still almost impossible to dodge her questions

Her face will slowly darken and twist with disgust as your story continues, but her grip on your hands remains gentle and cool

Asks you how long it's going to be until you can come home. Then asks what would be involved in bringing you home sooner

Makes the arrangements for you to come home with her right now

Does all of the above while either holding your hand, wrapping her arm around your waist, looping your arm through hers, or some combination of all three

Makes sure to send you off every morning with a lipstick print on your cheek and a love note in your pocket

May or may not start collecting info on "that scoundrel"

May or may not start subtly asking if you've had any further communication or trouble with them at the end of every day

Muriel

Knows from your body language that you're uncomfortable and upset as soon as he sees you and briefly wonders if it's his fault

As soon as your face lights up with relief on seeing him, though, he knows that's not the case and starts looking around for whatever is causing you this much distress. He can't see anything

Well, now he's uneasy too

Might ask "what's wrong?" but is more likely to offer you a big, comforting hug and then look at you with such loving worried eyes that you crack and spill everything in the first five minutes

Listens closely while you talk, only giving small nods of acknowledgement and gentle encouraging squeezes

Makes no effort to fix his resting bitch face towards anybody that walks by or tries to approach you. Here's not here for them, he's here for you, and one of them potentially caused all of this

Offers to stay nearby for the rest of the day (which is quite the sacrifice on his introverted part, mind you) if it will help you feel safe and remember that you're loved and accepted as you are

Makes sure to have all your favorite grounding and soothing things laid out when you get home. (comfy clothes? check. comfort food? check. thick furs and fluffy blankets? check. snuggles? ... check)

Sends a bouquet of wildflowers with you every morning now

Portia

So excited to surprise you that she doesn't realize how overwhelmed you are until she gives you her signature bear hug and notices that you're shaking all over

Slowly steps back, eyes widening with concern as she looks you over and then steps back in to wrap you in a gentler hug

"Hey, you okay? Talk to me, MC, what's wrong?"

Absolutely infuriated the longer you speak. By the time you've told her everything, she's got tears in her eyes and seems ready to rip "that bastard" a new one. (She doesn't, she squeezes you instead)

Showers you with aggressive gender affirming compliments instead and starts asking if you need anything

She brought snacks. Eat the snacks. She'll take care of the rest

You'll have to stop her from storming off to a find a person she's never met before and giving them a piece of her mind

Squeezes your hands and tells you how much she loves you and how proud of you she is before stepping back and loudly calling you her amazing perfect partner so everyone hears her

She has to leave shortly because her schedule is packed full but she'll be back every half hour to check in on you and bring you a snack and kiss you where everyone can see her

Comes up with all kinds of curses for "that bastard"

Lucio

He doesn't know and he has no way of knowing because he's himself. You'll either have to visibly cry or tell him yourself

And if you do want to tell him right away, well, you're going to have to wait until he finishes loudly expressing how happy he is to see you and how much he missed you

Because that's it, that's what he does every single time he sees you regardless of the context (even at a funeral, once, it was unfortunate)

And anyways, who wouldn't want to brag about being the one MC chose? That's the world's greatest honor! He'll announce it from the rooftops if he feels like it!

Which is how Lucio obliviously solves most of your problem before you even have the chance to tell him about it. Everyone in your vicinity knows you're taken by someone who takes you seriously

And who wouldn't be at least a little cheered up by a genuine greeting like that? That "human oopsie" has nothing on him

When you do tell him, he's shocked. How dare someone treat you like that! That is not MC-appropriate behavior

He's tempted to hunt them down and challenge them to some kind of competition so they'll be suitably humbled and leave you alone

He settles for peacocking around you several times a week during lunch so the "human oopsie" knows what they're up against

[stirthewaters]

Twenty Dollars

SUMMARY: Dared to make Wednesday flustered by Enid, you try your best to flirt with her, unaware of the fact that she knows far better how to break you instead.

WARNINGS: None, this is pretty much fluff.

______________________________________________________________

Nevermore in the afternoon is probably the favorite part of your day. Once school is over, you can hang out with your girlfriend and your friends, and typically even though you don't really do anything other than chat, it's pretty fun.

Unfortunately, your girlfriend, the Wednesday Addams, prefers to stay inside and maybe watch a movie or discuss philosophy rather than chat with your friend group.

So instead of hanging out with Enid and your friends in the quad, you're with Wednesday in Ophelia Hall, trying to get her flustered as part of a secret bet.

Earlier, Enid had bet twenty dollars that you couldn't make Wednesday flustered or blushy at all. Confident in your amazing skills as a girlfriend, you accepted, and now you're hanging around the raven haired girl as she types at her novel.

Clearly physical touch isn't her soft spot, since whenever you try to hold her hand, her expression doesn't change in the least. She hasn't blushed once in your relationship, so the bet you've accepted has started to become a personal goal.

"If nothing lasts forever, will you be my nothing?"

"Are you a triangle? Cause you're acute!"

"Excuse me, but I think I dropped something. My JAW!"

The cheesy pickup lines you're currently smothering her with seem to do little to no damage as she frowns.

"If you say another nauseatingly cliche pickup line one more time, I'll tear my ears off as well as yours," Wednesday deadpans, not taking her eyes off of her typewriter.

"Hey, it's not my fault that you're so pretty," you shrug, smirking a bit. "Come over here so I can compliment you to your face."

Wednesday rolls her eyes.

"Your frivolous attempt at flirting is as transparent as the glass I'm considering cutting you with. If you're trying to fluster me, it won't work."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," you scoff, wrapping your arms around her neck gently. "Come on, admit it. My flirting skills are actually pretty decent."

"If by finding somewhat nauseatingly overused lines on the internet, then yes, you're somewhat above average," she turns to glare at you, which is clearly an awkward position since you're arms are wrapped around her neck. "Now take your arms away from me or I'll dislocate them."

Somewhat hurt, you pull away.

"Whatever," you sniff, folding your arms. "If you think that my flirting skills are trash then I'd like to see what you've got. From the way you're dismissing mine you must have some pretty nice ones, hmm?"

"Is that so?" she deadpans, eyes still fixed on the typewriter. "Or are you sure you're just not disappointed you can't ruffle my feathers?"

"No, I'm serious," you say, leaning against the desk so you can look her in the eye. "Surely the great Wednesday Addams isn't being a chicken?"

Wednesday pauses to look at you, her gaze challenging with only a hint of murderous intent. "Are you sure you want to go down that road, Y/N? Because if I make half the effort you do in flirting, you'll be wishing that you will physically incapable of blushing ever again."

You shrug. "I'm not seeing any effort, actually."

Wednesday stands, walking over to you. Even though she hasn't been your girlfriend for very long, she knows almost everything that can fluster you, from the slightest bit of physical touch to the right words that will make you blush. The observant Addams has carefully kept count of every single time that your cheeks have gone red or you've fidgeted with your shirt, without fail, and with a smirk, she knows that you'll be a mess after this is over.

"Is that so?" She murmurs, standing opposite you. She wraps a hand around your waist to pull you closer to her, staring you down.

Your breath hitches. It's as if she's been planning this. Realizing that this isn't a battle you're going to win, you curse under your breath, as she begins pressing all the right buttons.

"Because I think that in reality you're weak," she says, takin the other hand to tilt your chin upwards, forcing you to look her in the eye as her powerful gaze holds you captive. "And I know perfectly well how to break you."

Unable to speak, your breathing accelerates as she pulls you even closer, stroking your hair as she begins to smirk.

"And it's clear here that you've picked a fight you can't win." She whispers in your ear. Her hand on your jaw is sending goosebumps down your spine and it feels like you can feel everything there is to feel. You sputter a protest, but she shushes you with that same smirk she continues to wear; fully knowing of how much this is affecting you. Unable to pull away, she closes the small gap as she kisses you, eyes fluttering closed as she kisses you softly but firmly.

Heart pounding, your eyes widen as you hesitantly kiss her back until she pulls away. You're blushing now. Obviously. Your face is one whole shade of red.

"There it is. Now admit that I was right, and maybe I'll kiss you again," Wednesday says, a bit mischievously. Stammering and caught in her arms, you realize that clearly you've lost the bet at this point. With a small sigh of defeat, you lower your head.

"Y-you were right."

"Mhm. And don't ever forget it," she smirks again, cupping your face in her hand as she goes in for another kiss, using the other hand to accept the twenty dollars that Thing sneakily delivers from Enid.

[cherrycola27]

All Too Well

Series Warnings: Language, drinking, military inaccuracies. Allusions to smut, eventual smut. Unrequited love, enemies to lovers. Adult themes and situations. 18+ Minors DNI

Series Masterlist Previous Part Next Part

...........................................

Chapter 1: I'm Not Fine At All

You weren't going to let Bradley ruin this redemption arc for you. So what if he didn't want to listen to you right now? Maybe you could make him see that you'd changed.

You took your drink and tucked yourself over at the opposite side of the bar. You weren't in the mood for any more words of wisdom from either of your parents. You happily sipped on your drink as you scrolled through your phone, and people watched.

"Evening, Ma'am" a voice drawled from beside you. You slipped your phone in your pocket and looked over to meet a set of emerald eyes and a thousand watt smile. Clad in his service khakis, you read his name tag, "Seresin," you remember your father talking about him.

"Hi there." You responded politely. "Why is a beautiful thing like you sitting all by yourself?" He asked you. "I don't think everyone here is thrilled by my presence." You tell him as you look over his shoulder and jut your chin toward Rooster.

"Bradshaw's been an ornery cock his whole life. Nothing new about that." He tells you. "Well, aside from Rooster tarnishing my reputation, not that I needed any help with that, most guys are too afraid to flirt with me because of who my parents are. It isn't worth them getting banned from their favorite bar or getting a shit duty station for breaking my heart." You tell him as you finish your drink.

"Penny m'dear, another round for her and put it on my tab." Jake says without breaking eye contact with you. Your mom sets down your drink and another beer for him. "Who said I was going to break your heart, darlin?"" He asks as he cocks his head to the side.

"Who said I wouldn't break yours first?" You counter. He chuckles before taking a swig of beer. "You're feisty. I like it." He says. "How about a game of pool?" He asks you.

Now you laugh. "You do know what my callsign is? Don't you Hang—man?" You ask as you draw out the syllables of his. "I sure do—Hustler. Which is exactly why I want you to be my partner. Doubles. Us versus Phoenix and Rooster." Jake states.

"You really think that's a good idea?" You ask him. "Just because we're friends doesn't mean I don't enjoy ruffling Rooster's feathers. You in?" Jake asks you.

"The only way I'm going to play is if I get a little more liquid courage in me." You state. Jake quickly orders two whiskey shots. Your mother rolls her as she sets them down. You toast with Jake and down the amber liquid. It warms you from within. "Alight, let's play." You cheer.

Jake offers you his hand as you hop down from your bar stool and grab your drink. He grabs his beer before placing his free hand on the small of your back and guiding you to the poor table.

"Evening, Pops," Jake says as he tosses Maverick a wink when the two of you walk by.

"Pete Mitchell, so help me if your daughter causes a fight in my bar. You're dealing with it." Penny says as she smacks Maverick with a bar towel.

"Hey! She's not just my daughter." Maverick defends himself. "She is when she starts acting just like you." Penny says as she prepares to watch the enviable chaos unfold.

"Rooster, Phoenix, I found a partner for pool, rack 'em and let's play a round." Hangman says at the two of you walk up the to pool table. You can already see the anger on Rooster's face.

"Y'all this here is Hustler." Jake announces the the group. "Hustler, this is Coyote, Bob, Payback, and Fanboy." Jake says as he introduces you to the men sitting. He pivots and is about to say something but Phoenix cuts him off.

"Hey, Hustler." She says with a small wave. "Hey, Nix." You wave back. "Roo." You nod you head a Rooster.

"Well, now that everyone is acquainted, let's play!" Jake claps his hands together before grabbing a pool cue and handing one to you.

You and Jake win the first round of pool, and Phoenix asks for a rematch. She and Rooster win the second game. You decided to play one last game for the best two out of three. The two tequila-sodas and the whiskey shot are buzzing in your system, making you feel giggly and flirty. You've switched to gingerale so you can ride your bike home later. During this last game of pool, you've been very touchy-feely with Hangman, and Bradley can't stand it. He has a death grip on his pool cue as he watches Jake shamelessly hit on you.

It's the final shot of the game. You call the pocket and line the eight ball up and sink it perfectly. You jump up and down excitedly, and Jake picks you up and spins you around and cheers with you. You give him a victory kiss on the cheek before excusing yourself to the bathroom.

When you come back, you noticed that the bar is a little bit busier than it was when you first got here, and the juke box is playing one of your favorite songs.

You run up to Jake and grab his hand. "Come dance with me." You demand as you drag him to the dance floor.

Jake tosses his beer bottle and follows you without hesitation. He twirls you around the dance floor through a country song and some pop jam, but then someone cues up a hip-hop track and your face lights up as you turn around and press your body to his.

His hands slide to your hips and grip them tightly as you rock against him to the beat. Some song he doesn't recognize comes on after that, but you don't make an effort to change your position. You continue to sway your hips to the music, grinding your ass over his crotch.

Rooster is sitting over in the corner watching the two of you. The jealous anger builds the more he stays nestled on his perch. He feels like he's going to be sick. He keeps hoping Maverick or Penny will do something, but they are still at the bar watching this trainwreck play out.

You slide your arm behind you and curl it around Jake's neck. You slide your fingers in his hair, and he lowers his head just enough to place a few lingering kisses on the side of your neck. He trails them up your skin. He locks eyes with Rooster as he nips your ear before whispering, "Want to get out of here?" You shake your head before replying, "Take me home, Cowboy." Rooster almost snaps the pool cue in half when he sees you lean up on your tip toes and kiss Jake. You stand there and make out with him for half a minute. You pull apart for air. You bit your lip as you savor the taste of him on your lips. He tastes like hops and cinnamon gum, and it's forigen to you.

Jake goes to settle your tabs. You tell him you're going to lock up your bike in your mom's storage shed, and you'll meet him out front.

You went around the back to grab your jacket and helmet to put inside the bar for the night and to secure your bike. You'd have Jake or an Uber bring you back here tomorrow. You were just about to round the corner when you felt a hand encircle your wrist and pull you back before pushing you against the outside wall of the building.

"Bradley!" You gasped when you saw that it was him. His body towered over you, one hand still on your wrist, the other planted beside your head as he kept you in place. "Bradley, what are you doing?" You asked him.

"There's no way in hell you're going home with Bagman." He gritted out. "And why not? I'm an adult Bradley, I can fuck who I want." You sassed him.

You cocked your head to the side and waited for his response. You could see the anger on his face. His jaw was clenched, and a delicious vein was straining in his neck, but he remained silent.

"Bradley, if you can't give me one good reason why I shouldn't let Jake rearrange my organs, then I'm going to need you to move." You told him as you tried to push him out of the way.

Bradley didn't speak. Instead, he pushed you back against the wall and crashed his lip to yours. One of his hands tangled in your hair while the other gripped your waist and pulled you to him.

You moaned, giving him the chance to slot his tongue in your mouth. You tugged on his curls as his mouth worked against yours.

He tasted like beer and wintergreen tobacco, a habit he had picked up in flight school that he just couldn't seem to kick.

His kiss was hot, heavy, and dizzying. It was something you knew all too well.

He pulled back and admired his handy work. You were breathless with flushed cheeks and swollen lips.

"I thought you said we weren't going to start this again." You goaded him. "You and I both know that it was going to end this way. It always does. I never can tell you no, can I?" He says before kissing you again.

"Get on your bike, and I'll follow you back to your place." He tells you. "Why my place? You ask him.

"You can't leave in the middle of the night if you're already home." He says matter of factly.

You smirk at him. "What about Hangman?" You ask. "I'll handle it." Bradley says.

You climb on your bike and meet Bradley in front of the Hard Deck, with Jake no where in sight.

He climbs into his Bronco and follows you to your little beach house.

The second the two of you make it through the door, you're caught up in each other. You manage to lead him to your bedroom as the two of you strip the others clothes off.

The sex between the two of you is mind-blowing. You've done it enough to know how to make each other feel good, even if your feelings had been dead and gone and buried for some time.

After losing count of the number of orgasms you've had, you collapse against the sheets and curl up against Bradley's chest for a good night's sleep.

The next morning, you wake up to a cold bed. You reach out for Bradley only to find that his side of the bed is empty. You get up and see his clothes are gone from your floor. You slip on your robe and check the bathroom. Still no sign of him.

You walk downstairs hoping that he's in your kitchen, but it is empty as well. You look out of your curtains to see that his Bronco is gone from your driveway.

So this is what it feels like to wake up alone. You sigh before taking a seat at your kitchen island. It's then that you notice the note scrawled on a piece of paper.

You open it and immediately recognize the four words written in Bradley's hand writing:

"How does it feel?"

Chapter 1 is here! Hope you guys enjoy it. Also, please don't slash my tires over toxic Bradley.

Tag list: @thedroneranger @roosterscock @shanimallina87 @desert-fern @teacupsandtopgun @mayhemmanaged @lovinglyeternal @lovingbradshawafterdark @wkndwlff @shanimallina87 @roosterforme @daggerspare-standingby @dakotakazansky @startrekfangirl2233 @hecate-steps-on-me @bradshawsbaby @cassiemitchell @na-ta-sh-aa @blueoorchid @milestellerlover @katieshook02 @mak-32 @je-suis-prest-rachel @soulmates8 @ohgodnotagainn @diorrfairy @eli2447 @xoxabs88xox @cornishkat @littlewhiterose @annagraceevanss @djs8891

[amazingmsme]

Oh no I accidentally wrote a whole lil drabble 😭 The Ler! Hermes brainrot is real man

Omg they're talking about which Gods scare them the most and Polites says a typical answer like the big 3, and Odysseus teases him about how he's shocked it isn't Hermes cause he's so ticklish. Polites gets flustered and enacts some fake bravado to hide it like

“Why would I be scared of a lame God like that? I'm not that ticklish-”

Eurylochus raises his eyebrows and chuckles like “Yeah, okay buddy. Whatever you say.”

Polites gets a lil defensive and pouty.

“I'm not!! Hermes doesn't scare me, okay? Zeus is way scarier-”

Famous last words lol. Hermes catches wind of the interaction, perhaps on a typical check in of Odysseus or in search of Athena and decides to have some fun. He lingers on the edge of Polites’ periphery, making him question if he's seeing what he thinks he's seeing and he eventually goes to Odysseus to confirm and maybe ask him to go away so he doesn't have to. Odysseus just winces sympathetically and laughs at him, a hand on his shoulder as his eyes twinkle mischievously.

“Ahh, that's Hermes alright. But you should be fine, right? You said you weren't scared of him. Good luck~”

Polites is left gaping after him at the betrayal and Hermes decides now is the time so he just poofs into existence and smiles innocently at him, waving Odysseus’ way who's watching with amusement.

“So; I heard you're not scared of me? Awfully bold for a Human with your…”

He trails off as his eyes scan him up and down and a smirk quirks his lips, already making Polites want to giggle.

“sensitivities. Though perhaps it's not too surprising, you do seem to gain quite a bit of enjoyment out of the whole arrangement, don't you?”

He laughs at the blush and frantic shh'ing that earns him as Eurylochus and Odysseus snicker and whispher amongst each other from afar.

“Oh trust me, my friend, they're already well aware. Why do you think they bully you so? Perhaps that's why you saw fit to provoke me as well, hm?”

Polities shakes his head as he backs away, a shaky smile already on his face.

“No, no! Of course not, your Grace, your Highness- I-I just-”

“Hermes is fine. They weren't exaggerating; you truly are downright endearing. I'll let you in a little secret, since I'm feeling charitable. You know, I don't even have to lay a hand on you to tickle you?”

He winks, and with a wave of his hand, Polities squeals and jumps away from what feels like a poke at his ribs, quickly followed by another and another until he's dancing in place trying to dodge the phantom tickles. Poor Polites is a flustered, jumbled mess.

“Point proven, point proven!! Please!”

Hermes hums in mock thought; smirking.

“Mm, Mm, much better! But enlighten me. Who's the scariest God again~?”

Politics feels a feather at his neck, and shrieks briefly as something squeezes his hips.

“Yhohohohou, you, Hermes!”

Hermes giggles and with another wave of his hand, the sensations stop, leaving him to crumple to the floor. Hermes leaves him with a water skin and a knowing, dare I say, fond smile and a ruffle of his hair.

“Good boy; do try to keep that in mind, yes? Ta-ta~!”

He disappears as quickly as he came and Odysseus and Eurylochus help him up, trying to hold back laughter of their own.

Eurylochus discreetly gives Odysseus his winnings for not holding out against Hermes behind his back. Then they both tease him.

“...See? Even the Gods think you're cute. Now you really can't deny it.”

“Looks like you were cursed after all~”

Polities just covers his face and groans, pouting, knowing they're never gonna let him live this down.

“Leave me alone…”

Ahhh I totally flustered myself writing this send help 😳

YOU FLUSTERED ME TOO OMG THAT WAS SO GOOOOOD! I can totally see them playing a silly game like that & finding any excuse to tease Polites, it’s just so fitting!

& the way he’s so defensive about it, going as far as to call him lame & downplaying his own sensitivity. But I like to imagine the Gods have a radar whenever someone mentions them & Hermes is curious & peeks in just to see Polites basically shit talking him & he can’t let that fly!

He’s so smug & teasy kxsjkzbdjd poor Polites can’t even defend himself! This is seriously amazing, I’m gonna reread it immediately!

[frogdisco2021]

I am already anticipating in the second season the showrunners downplaying Tyson's intellectual disability coding and instead making the reason he gets bullied entirely to do with him being gigantic and homeless and not at all to do with being perceived as developmentally disabled by humans. I'm afraid they'll do the thing that the ATLA live action is doing by removing Sokka's sexism. They'll remove the bigotry which was inserted to show that bigotry in a negative light in favor of just not acknowledging any bigotry cause the talking suits don't want to ruffle any feathers. One of the first scenes we get of Tyson and Percy interacting, another student calls Tyson the r-slur and Percy has to stop himself from starting a fistfight about it. The kid is not just calling Tyson that to be mean, he and everyone else are under the impression that Tyson is disabled in some way and he's attacking Tyson specifically because he thinks he's disabled.

At Camp Halfblood he's mocked by the campers not just because he's a monster but because they see him as unintelligent. Percy is embarrassed of him not just because he is not a human or big or ugly but because he has child-like innocence and naivety and doesn't always realize he's being made fun of. He has nearly identical traits to a human with a disability like level 2 or 3 autism or Down's Syndrome.

There's so much coded ableism in Sea of Monsters that was put there to send the message that it is wrong, that our main characters who are supposed to be the heroes of the story fuck up and don't treat Tyson how he deserves because they are just children after all and they learn from their mistakes too. And I'm afraid they'll water it down or remove it entirely out of fear of being controversial but all it'll actually do is rob the story of its moral backbone.

[simsstuph]

I parked my bike and chained it to the railing on our stoop. The school day felt as long as winter does compared to the other seasons.

Danny: Hey June, what's buzzin' cuzzin?

June: I don't want to talk to you.

Danny: Oh c'mon now, don't act like big cheese.

June: I mean it, skidoo back to your side of the steps. I really don't like you.

Danny sighed: Ain't that a bite cause we're talkin'.

June: It's been a long day already, I don't need you adding to it.

He put his hands on his hips and his eye brown hardened into a hard line: Why do you always gotta be so difficult? Can't ya ever just listened without yappin' all the damn time?

My eyes opened as wide as they could: You've got some nerve walking over here with this attitude after our last encounter.

Danny smirked: SO you think about me do ya? [he slipped a quick wink]

June: My mama taught me that if I don't have nice things to say, don't say them and boy, I sure don't have any nice things coming to mind right now. How's that for thinking about you.

He put his hand out as if motioning me to calm down: Woah dolly, don't let me ruffle your feathers.

Oh, but he was and I couldn't hold back the frustration anymore. I turned a cheek and closed my eyes letting out a long sigh. I would not let myself angry cry in front of this jerk.

He stopped for a moment and grabbed my wrist as I waved him away: Now just a minute, June.. I was kidding with ya. I wasn't tryin' to hurt your feelings..

My voice cracked as I quietly said; Just go away, Danny. I mean it, would you just leave me alone.

He turned and scratched his head: Screwin' up is all I seem good at these days...

He looked back at me, his eyes were such a light green with the sunlight shining in them: I know it means nothin' but I'm sorry for the other night. Chuckin' that cigarette butt at you wasn't right and I'm sorry.

He walked away and I didn't say a word. I hated him and his apology meant nothing to me.

[mrs-monaghan]

Ok, but like why does Yoongi do Jk dirty like that? Lol Yoongi doesn't LIKE Jimin like that (does he?) and it's obvious that Jk does and the members know it.

Like in the behind the scenes of the xylitol Christmas commercial where Yoongi touches Jimin's ear and Jimin looks at Jk, Yoongi also looks at Jk's reaction. And a lot of other times where Yoongi is just waiting for Jk to react and Jk does and Yoongi just stands there without anything to do anymore.

Yoongi knows he is ruffling Jk's feathers by touching Jimin lol but why does he do it!?!

Could be many reasons

1) He doesn't care. 😂 At the end of the day he's older than JK so this could be a hyung card at play here. Who knows? (RM too stopped caring. He used to pull away from Jimin in the past when JK got bothered but at some point he said "fuck it")

2) Suga respects the Jikook relationship. (This should be number one but his behaviour is the reason we're talking about this so...😂)

Contrary to popular stupid beliefs, BTS wouldn't be BTS if they were dating eo willy nilly. Some of the things I see under YT comments are insane! V used to date JK but then JK left him for Jimin and now he's trying to win JK back. Or When JK rejected Jimin, Jimin started dating Suga and then Jimin left Suga for JK and now bla bla bla I mean, i see this shit everyday and I'm like;

I think it has to do with fanfiction, but it also has to do with the kind of TV shows we watch where a group of friends date eo and break up with eo all inside the group and somehow they remain friends and life goes on?? That's not how real life works. At all.

If any of that fuckery 👆🏽 actually happened it would affect the dynamic of BTS as a whole, big time. They wouldn't have been together all these years as a group if this was the case. Especially considering how possessive JK is. How attached to Jimin (satellite Jeon) he is. You really think Jimin getting with Suga would not cause some bad blood???

When they were young BTS were given scenarios where they were asked what they would do if 2 members wanted the same girl. Jimin said he would find another girl while JK basically said he would fight for his girl till the death. (I'm paraphrasing 😂) but yeah, JK said he would never give her up. Then couple that with JK's "mine mine mine" thing he's got going on and you know that man ain't about sharing, loosing Jimin, or none of that shit.

Another time Jimin said he wants to fall in love with one person for the rest of his life.

So these are the men we are dealing with. Those are their personalities. So this fanfic drama, love triangles people make up are just that, fan fiction.

3) Jimin is the only member he's comfortable having skinship with. This is because Jimin is very attune to people's feelings and u can see the way he initiates skinship with Suga is not how he does it with JK or Jhope. With JK he will just throw himself at him and call it a day. With Suga he will take a beat and actually make sure Suga is okay with it. And I believe Suga appreciates that.

Idk why Suga does what he does, anon. But there is one important thing we have to remember. JK doesn't have an issue with ALL Yoonmin moments. He could have an issue with them on Monday then on Wednesday he won't care. A good example would be this episode.

During this game Suga spent a good chunk of it all over Jimin and JK did not bat an eye. Not even once.

He wasn't bothered even for a second. Which fascinated me honestly. So just coz we don't talk about Yoonmin often, doesn't mean it happens all the time.

Also JK trusts Jimin explicitly and knows nothing is ever gonna come off whatever Suga feels. So it is what it is.

Bonus

Proof that Jimin knows about JK and his anti Minimoni agenda.

RM pinches (or almost pinches?) Jimin's nipples (which is a Jikook thing btw; to randomly nipple play on official content 😂😂) and what does Jimin do? He looks at JK. And what was that face Jimin??? 👀

Seems to me like someone was relived another certain someone did not see what just happened. He he he hee!

Oh. If u didn't get what i meant by Jikook have a nipple thing here u go. Nipple Nipple Nipple (Jimin actually looks like he felt that one 😏) another Nipple. Like i said, its a Jikook thing. 🤭

[charles-leclerc-official]

Yeah agree with your analysis on why Bahrain wasn’t the best show for Carlos.

I also don’t know why people think it’s good to disobey team orders. Carlos has done it constantly and everytime I see someone praising his bravado for going against the team, I am like why is that a good thing. It just proves how much of non team player he is. He throws them under the bus anytime things are not going his way. He is way too inconsistent with his statements on if the car is good for him or not depending on his results. Like bro make up your mind. And he never takes responsibility for his mistakes.

And like you said top teams are not looking for non-cooperative drivers who create problems on and off track. I am 100% sure if in Singapore 2023 it was Charles ahead of Carlos, he would have not backed up the pack but would have been trying to get past Charles but that’s a hypothetical situation.

The thing which is interesting here is that both RB and Merc are going to think about the optics of taking Carlos which is that they are basically signing someone who Ferrari didn’t want. Now tbf they replaced him with 7x WDC Lewis Hamilton but still it looks a little bad for them to sign their rival’s ‘reject’. So I am sure they are gonna think about it. Also with RBR - Carlos is only slightly better than Checo so it doesn’t really make sense for them. Like it’s not really an upgrade tbh.

You can get away with the ignoring team orders move and have it work in your favor in some limited circumstances. However usually it isn't a good look. There are a few times in the past a driver has defied orders and it's come out looking good for them, but that really isn't the case for Carlos.

It's why you see this disconnect between the way fans and the media talk about him and his performance, and the way other teams and TPs are looking at him.

I think there is a good reason Ferrari are not resigning, yes Lewis is part of it, but I also don't think they like how he doesn't fall in line and is also messy in the press(Ferrari especially do not tolerate that well from their drivers)

Checo may have his own faults, but he causes very little trouble, doesn't ruffle feathers and gets on well with Max. He doesn't need to be the best, he just needs to be good enough, and right now he still is.

Merc also implied that the reason they didn't extend Lewis' contract further was because they did not want to miss out on Kimi Antonelli. They have made it so clear they are not missing the chance to put him in as soon as they can. They are terrified of losing out on that rookie talent. So anyone they sign will be short term and likely not sticking around for long. Just to fill the seat and bring in points, support George etc.

I think it comes down to Carlos playing a very different game, and it isn't the same as his team or the other teams he may want to join.

[florathecoralien]

I have one of those dumb spelling word projects

I'm doing the thing for 12 points where I write a story using all of the words

I still have like a few more I need to use but I honestly love how this is going so far-

I wanted to post what I have so far but I'm putting it under the cut cause I think it's a bit long-ish

Dawn curiously walked over to the big chart of the food chain, her feathers brushing against the tight corridor that led to the room. These topics weren't talked about too often, since it allowed citizens of predator tribes to kill off most of a prey tribe just with the excuse that they were hungry.

"Pretty impressive, eh?" Marble chirped, ruffling slight bits of snow off her feathers. The two griffins sat down, looking at the chart in its entirety. "I was told my chart would be used by the federal officials of almost every tribe!" he exclaimed excitedly, "or sometimes in magazines, which I guess is still good!"

"Well, considering it'll be nationally public," Dawn responded, "I bet it'll be popular, and become historical at some point." Marble squawked cheerfully but unintelligibly as a reply. "Although, do you think any amendments or additions will have to be made to it?" he asked, "After all, it'd need to be clear enough that a written version of it could have a preamble- Er, introduction I mean..?"

"Surely you don't need to pay mind to that," she reassuringly answered, "Any insults that activists throw at you won't affect you, the delegate, the representative I suppose you could say."

For a moment, the room stayed silent but thoughtful. "They'd probably be domestic anyway," she followed up, "As in what they do only happening in this area instead of everywhere, I mean."

[nameshifter]

SCP-8000 contest entries abridged daily

(Except, like, not well)

Wikidot still hates Russia, and I while I can't vote/participate in SCP-8000 contest, I still want to interact with it. So here's a semi-daily series of abridges I'm gonna make for each 8k entry, whenever I finish reading one (Bear in mind, I work fulltime). Entries aren't gonna be covered in any specific order, and with 151 unique entries there's zero chance I'm gonna be able to cover everything.

Placeholder/Cimmerian/Blank/Billith - Eight-Ball Two off-sets, a few crosslinks, fewer collapsibles Relevant GOIs: MC&D, Serpent's Hand, as well as some mentions of MCF

Beginning is a separate off-set to the rest of the article, and outside of introducing us to the smug arsehole that is Director Ryoto Hishakaku, also informs the readers that 8000 is, in fact, stolen

Second off-set begins with a rather techno-babbly special/converse containment procedures and description, typical of Placeholder McD. In essence, the object is a magic eight-ball on thaumic "steroids", acting as a powerful predictive supercomputer with enough precognition to look into people's consciousness and predict any inquiries before they are voiced, among other things. An incredibly useful artifact, which is why when O5 catches the word of the ball being stolen by an unknown party and chew Director Hishakaku out for letting it get stolen. No one is happy

Except for one Dr. Danill Sokolsky. He informs the council that the item can be retrived, as he has a contingency scheme, and, provided the right people, can get it relatively easy.

The right people are as follows: Ethics Committee member Dr. Cimmerian, Researcher Harknesss (who I only know as Billith's character with very high CRV), Dr. Wettle of SCP-7000 (negative luck sink), Dr. Moncier (I've not done my homework, I don't know who she is), Dr. Placeholder MCD (Esoteric Polymath, proficient in pataphysics), as well as Agent S. of MC&D (an inventor/creator of anomalous spy and infiltration tech)

Oh, and Hishakaku is there. About 20% of the article is spent dunking on him, I'd be remiss if I didn't do it a few times

Bulk of the article is spent covering an infiltration into the Wanderer's Library in search of the eight-ball. In particular, there's some fun interactions between the characters and their surroundings in the Library's Casino (read: they wreak havoc), find a gigantic place under the Wanderer's Library (aptly named Underlibrary), which stores, among other things, every book from every lost non-anomalous library as well as a talking Lighthouse of Alexandria.

They also awaken the serpent. The Serpent. The One after which the Hand is named after. That Serpent. Chaos ensues.

Wettle's bad luck ruffles Casino's feathers by making every Casino Goer win absolute jackpots, Agent S turns out to be a reality bender, affiliated with a number of other benders calling themselves House of Stars (I've not done my homework) and quickly dashes away, Cimmerian gets transported back to Ancient Egypt, eight-ball in hand, while the remaining group is reprimanded by the Casino and Librarians for causing a mess.

In time, everything is fixed, including damage to the library, as well as Cimmerian teleported back into an appropriate era, still with the eight-ball, and all is well... Except it went missing again, because of course it did.

Thanks to Cimmerian, Hishakaku ultimately gets demoted (which is immensely satisfying, considering events of 6488 and 7579) and while the foundation doesn't have their magic ball, they do, however, get rather cinematic footage of events surrounding the sentient eight-ball, seemingly made by Agent S. herself, including final scenes of the two on a beach

Tl;dr: A sentient ball of immense magical and clairvoyant powers goes missing. Six foundation researchers, Type Green MC&D agent and That Arsehole from SCP-6488 go to the Wanderer's Library to retrieve it. They trash the place, get one of their own sent back in time, temporarily retrieve the eight-ball only to lose it again not seconds later.