#pixie gets overwhelmed (positive)

[severevoiddragon]

DING DING DING DING WAKE UP EVERYBODY IT’S SAY NICE THINGS TO PIXPICKLE O’CLOCK (at least it will be when she wakes up and presumably answers this)

Anyway just popped in to remind you that you are a really nice and fun person to be around and I am glad to have met you, I get really excited when I see you in my notifications :)

JASKAKFKWKFKWJFJWJDJZK?????????

This was such a nice thing to wake up to wtf ;-; thank you anon <3

[astrobydalia]

🪻Lavender Observations🪸

it's pisces season my dudes so here's my fave pisces aesthetic... this music video really spoke to my pisces moon soul so I wanted to pay homage to it. As always enjoy the observations!

work by astrobydalia

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡

🪻✨Capricorn risings are very full of themselves to be honest. They have an overall pleasant reputation and are loved (Libra 10th+Cancer 7th) but for some reason they're actually very individualistic and conceited deep down, like they think of themselves as being 'on other level' than others. I think this is because their shadow revolves around their ego (Leo 8th house) and we all know they love status but unfortunately fame and popularity tends to change them and/or take out their toxic traits (Scorpio 11th house). Basically they’re the type to become extremely entitled individuals just because they’re successful

🪸✨The virgo placement urge to have a harmeless and innocent personality/reputation while also engaging in the most unholy, taboo and sometimes immoral activities behind the scenes............ iykyk

🪻✨I’ve noticed Geminis are what people think Aquarians are??? Idk Aquarius placements are the most chill and unproblematic people I know and typically don’t make any fuss out of their “quirks” or opinions, they’re just living and vibing them on their own. Geminis on the other hand are the chaotic manic pixie girls/boys or the mad scientists with the most random and out of pocket interests and ideas. They always be leaving me like ‘wtf are you talking about?🤨’ They’re also opinionated af and will jump into controversy pretty easily.

🪸✨Oh! And Geminis are WAAAAAAAAYYY more detached than aquarius dude. Geminis are air AND mutable, for them it is extremely easy to move on and detach from things

🪻✨All the people I've met who's had cosmetic procedures done (botox, plastic surgery, fillers, etc) always had libra placements and/or Neptune aspecting the ASC. Overall Venus and Neptune influence is big in people who wanna look like a glossy instagram filter

🪸✨Chiron in the 6th house are HUGE control freaks due to feeling like reality overwhelms them too much, they feel like their life is never sorted out. They are also the type to overwork themselves with pointless things or hyper fixate on short-term goals cause it gives them a sense of control

🪻✨Capricorn placements are attracted to ambition and independence. It is not so much about age difference that they look for, but rather they like it when someone has their own things going on for themselves and has solid life values that they stick to. Capricorn's love language is supporting your ambitions and you doing the same for them so.... they need to see potential in you and with you

🪸✨Libra+Scorpio placements are VERY envious people and tbh I've seen this in everyone who has this mix regardless of how developed they were.... The type to befriend/get close to people they're secretly jealous of to either ruin them or get a taste of what they have. Seriously these natives are never happy with just themselves they're always focusing on how good others' things are

🪻✨People with fire in their big 3 HATE it and get defensive when other people make unsolicited assumptions about who they are or when people assume they can know the native better than the native knows themselves. It’s hard for them to brush that kind of thing off, they don’t like to feel like people are ‘appropriating’ their identity. The type to be like “you don’t know me or my story so stfu”.

🪸✨All of the Scorpio moons I've met had at least a phase in their life where they had a very unhealthy relationship (scorpio) with food (moon)..... They always seem to turn to food when going through a hard time but in a very self-destructive way

🪻✨Sagittarius is as much of an escapist as pisces. They both crave for things to be good, positive and unserious (Jupiter)

🪸✨I’ve noticed women with personal planets in Aquarius usually have very thin and sparse eyebrows and usually enhance them with makeup

🪻✨Natives with Mars in Capricorn are SUPER hairy. A very thick and stunning head of hair and/or noticeable and abundant body/facial hair. Their hair is usually deep and dark as well

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡

🪸✨Scorpio Moon men I’ve noticed are attracted to a woman who is a bit cold, mean or is not easy to get to her because it makes him feel like she can handle him and his intensity. They’ll likely commit to a woman that captures his heart in such a way that he knows she can potentially hurt him more than he can hurt her. Deep down they wanna be the softer one in the relationship cause they’re a water moon after all

🪻✨I personally never had any 2nd house synastry relationship that actually involved money (except for business relationships ofc). Instead people who had planets falling in my 2nd house always make me feel like a million bucks frfr 🥺 They made it clear that they valued my opinion, my talents, qualities etc (essentially they valued all I had to offer which is 2nd house themes) and also made me feel like they favored me in many ways, like I'm a part of their top priorities, one of their 'faves' and wouldn't let me go easily. I have to say this turned pretty superficial in some cases on both sides, with 2nd house synastry there's a tendency to think of the person in terms of what they can offer be that money, time, services, advice, skills....

🪸✨That been said, you're more likely to be hired or promoted by people who have their planets in your 2nd house because they value your talent and skills. The best feedbacks I've gotten were mostly from clients who had their planets in my 2nd house

🪻✨Cancer Jupiter gives a very loving and caring husband that will totally adore you and provide for you both emotionally and financially. Husband is bound to be highly emotional and sentimental as well, the type to make it obvious to the world that he is truly in love with you. This is Jupiter's exaltation so this placement really gives Disney's Prince Charming vibes fr

🪸✨I've also noticed Scorpio Jupiter gives a similar kind of husband^ but less Prince Charming and a more 'dark fantasy novel'. This placement is giving Edward Cullen’s “your scent is like a drug to me” vibes when it comes to your husband

🪻✨With debilitated Jupiter (Virgo, Gemini, Capricorn) you might get a husband that is kinda detached and could even be distant or indifferent depending on other aspects or positions. Best case scenario is they love and support you but they are just not good at showing affection for some reason and might provide in more practical/straight forward and less sentimental ways. Again, house position,aspects,degrees, etc will give nuance

🪸✨I find Virgo and Aquarius are so similar in that they’re kinda judgmental of people and also tend to be very detached and analytical

🪻✨A crazy amount of athletes and fitness people have debilitated Mars

🪸✨I've also seen a lot of YouTubers, podcast hosts, etc have Sun-Mercury conjunction which makes a lot of sense lol

🪻✨Moon/Venus in Scorpio/8th house natives have a 'I hate everyone but you' kind of love. They really do have a level of misanthropy in their personality but it's low-key amusing

🪸✨Couples that have this best friends and partners in crime dynamics always have 3rd house synastry, I haven’t really seen 11th house as much… The 3rd house creates a fraternal understanding in a couple, two keen minds thinking alike (Gemini, twins, etc)

🪻✨I’ve actually observed 11th house synastry is pretty messy??? It creates connections (any kind) that are a bit all over the place tbh. You really don’t know if you’re gonna be together forever or fall apart tomorrow. You haven’t talked to each in years now one of you is reaching out like nothing happened and both people are keeping it chill the whole time specially the planet person. I guess this dynamic is okay between friends, colleagues or acquaintances (which is what this house rules) but when it’s a romantic or more intimate relationship…. Like I said it’s just messy, not necessarily bad, it be can refreshing and exciting but it has to be your cup of tea (I assume Air venus/mars people will dig it). You’re always wondering what’s next with this person, it feels like the sky’s the limit. I’ve seen this synastry a lot in couples who make odd decisions in the relationship that make people often question if the couple is actually serious about each other like that or not like being engaged for too long, etc

🪸✨Capricorn moons are extroverted or at least they easily pass as extroverts in social situations. They really stand out to me for having a very defined public persona that they’re mostly known for but they’re not really like that in private at all, you’d be surprised for better or for worse lmao

🪻✨"My love language is all of them" = Leo Venus

🪸✨Virgo placements are just as talkative as Gemini placements, they ramble just as much (Mercury). The difference is Virgo’s speeches are usually more thoughtout and eloquent like a presentation they’ve practiced a hundred times, in fact they tend to talk about the same stuff and repeat the same jokes, themes and rambles in most conversations because they like to stick to what they know (earth). They’re 100% the type to give you an unsolicited lecture on whatever it is they’re interested in. Gemini’s speech on the other hand is usually more spontaneous, random and chaotic, they tend to brainstorm out loud and enjoy finding new ideas in conversations (air). They’re more likely to wonder, play with ideas and ask ‘what if’ questions cause they like to explore the possible connections of different things

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡

🪻✨Pluto-asc aspects/Pluto in the 1st house/Scorpio rising come across as the cool girl/boy. They always have some unattainable energy to them that people secretly look up to and this admiration often translates into jealousy

🪸✨Aries in the big 3 always have something with their forehead. Either they have a big forehead or they have a sacar there etc

🪻✨Capricorn placements work hard and party HARDER. This results in them having a rather fast-paced life style honestly

🪸✨Istg Virgo Moons got a stick up their ass. In their minds they are judge, jury and executioner and never give people grace or just the benefit of the doubt. I don't doubt they're soft deep down but damn they can be very very stubborn and they can get mean easily.

🪻✨Best Virgo placement imo is Virgo mars, I’ve noticed they tend to channel the best traits of virgo (constructive criticism, self-accountability, collaborative, understanding but know what they don’t tolerate)

🪸✨When I first joined Tumblr I read an observation that said Aphrodite (1388) conjunct Mars creates injuries or scars from beauty products and that is SO true! I have this and I've burnt myself several times with curling irons and laser hair removal gadgets

🪻✨All the people I’ve met who loved country music, country life style and that sort of cowboy aesthetic mostly had Sagittarius placements 🤠🐎 (myself included lmao)

🪸✨People with Virgo+Scorpio placements are the most intimidating people I've ever met. Imagine the nitpickyness of Virgo mixed with the intensity of Scorpio.... yeah... not the best at going easy on others or letting people in. Don't test them, they have a “get away from me you fucking scumbag” energy whenever they’re upset or simply dislike something and are the hardest to please. They are very sensitive deep down tho, very sweet and selfless if they genuinely like you.

🪻✨Sagittarius is the master, teacher, guru and guide so it makes a lot of sense for the Sagittarius Pluto generation to be hung up and obsessed (pluto) with influencers, life coaches, etc (sag)

🪸✨Moon in the 3rd house natives tend to make vey quirky movements and gestures with their mouth/jaw when they speak or they're very expressive with their mouth like they may grimace or pout a lot

🪻✨Cancer Mars men are huge mamas boyzzzz!! The type to be completely dependent on their moms/wives to even fry an egg and provide overall home security. They will marry a dominant woman who is fully or mostly in charge of the house and family stuff

🪸✨Speaking of, men with domicile or exalted mars (Aries, Scorpio, Capricorn Mars) can be huge assholes if underdeveloped. If immature they can channel toxic masculinity since mars feels very comfortable here it could go a bit overboard and give fuckboy vibes. The type to be very controlling, inconsiderate and always feel entitled to sex

🪻✨On the opposite end, men with debilitated mars (Libra, Taurus, Cancer Mars) are super chivalrous and often present themselves as very polite, thoughtful and modest. Very popular among women for sure. They can be players and have huge ego too if not mature but even then their energy is very inviting

🪸✨Fire moons process their feelings by letting things out in the moment as they come either through anger, humor or simply speaking their mind. They can often appear rude when expressing something that they feel very strongly about but they'll always value authenticity above anything else

🪻✨Earth moons process their feelings by creating a course of action. Like they internally make a plan for things they will do in oder to make themselves feel better, fix their issue or fulfill their needs on a long-term/permanent basis. They could develop a whole personal system or life style that caters to their emotional needs

🪸✨As we all know Air Moons process their feelings by rationalizing their emotions. Ironically, this can make them lack some emotional intelligence because they put so much focus on their feelings making sense that they don't allow themselves to feel their feelings and figure out what genuinely feels right for them

🪻✨Water moons process their feelings by fully owning their emotions. They find comfort in the mere validity of their own feelings which is why they often have this tendency to victimize themselves, blame others for their issues and constantly look for sympathy

🪸✨I’ve very very very often seen Sagittarius/Jupiter in 7th house, Sagittarius Groom/Juno/Briede creates age gap with spouse!!! As mentioned, Sagittarius is the master and guide of the zodiac so with the influence of this sign in your marriage you are bound to have a teacher-student dynamic where either one of you has much more life experience specially in relationships

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・． ｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟﾟ･｡

work by astrobydalia

[liorae]

Where is My Mind ୨୧ 𝓟ark 𝓙ongseong

pair: guitarbf!jay x fem!reader | genre: fluff, established relationship | warning(s): kissing | wc: 669 | synopsis: your boyfriend helps you recreate a tiktok video he oversaw you watching.

The soft hum of your phone’s speaker fills the room as you scroll through TikTok, the volume set just high enough to keep you engaged but not overwhelm the tranquil evening. Jay lounges against the headboard, his fingers tapping out a gentle rhythm on his knee, a comfortable silence enveloping the space between you.

You pause on a video of a couple effortlessly strumming "Where Is My Mind?" by Pixies on an electric guitar. The melody is nostalgic and captivating, and you’re instantly hooked. You hadn’t realized you’d been looping the video until the bed starts to sink slightly on your left side. Jay’s presence is warm and close as he peers over your shoulder, curiosity piqued.

“Cute. Want to try it?” he asks softly, his voice a tender caress in the dim light. His eyes sparkle with playful mischief, and his smile is as genuine as the love you feel in your heart.

Your face lights up, a grin spreading from ear to ear as if you’ve just been handed a treasure. “Of course!” you exclaim, your excitement bubbling over like the first day of summer vacation.

Jay’s smile widens, and he pulls out his phone, quickly skimming through the tabs for the song. You spring into action, setting up his guitar and amp with a sense of eager anticipation. The ritual of preparation—plugging in the cables, adjusting the amp—feels like part of a shared dance between you two.

As Jay immerses himself in the song, you watch him with adoring eyes. The love you have for him is profound, a gentle force that fills every corner of your being. It’s a love so real and deep, it makes the world seem like it’s perfectly in tune.

Jay pats his lap, drawing you out of your reverie. “Come here,” he murmurs, his voice tender and inviting.

You carefully position yourself on his lap, settling into the warmth of his embrace. Jay places the guitar in front of both of you, his touch both guiding and reassuring. “I’m going to strum it a few times. Watch closely,” he instructs with a gentle authority.

He strums the intro, his fingers dancing over the strings with practiced ease. You follow his lead, your own fingers slowly finding the right places on the guitar’s neck. Each note you play is met with Jay’s encouraging smile and soft, approving nods. His gaze is fixed on you, filled with an adoration that makes your heart swell with a love you’ve never known before.

“You’re getting it, love,” Jay says, his voice rich with pride. “Ready to try together?”

With a heart full of anticipation, you nod and adjust your hands on the guitar’s neck. Jay’s fingers glide over the strings, and you mirror his movements, your playing growing more confident with each pass. The melody begins to take shape, and as you both reach the desired speed, the sound becomes a perfect echo of the original song.

When you finally finish, Jay places the guitar aside and leans in, his lips gently grazing your neck. His kisses are soft and affectionate, each one a testament to the depth of his love. Your laughter escapes in small, happy bursts as you savor the tender moment.

You turn to face him, your heart full to bursting, and your lips find his in a kiss that’s both sweet and profound. The connection between you two is palpable, a dance of emotions that transcends words. You wrap one arm around his neck, your other hand playing with his hair, feeling every bit of his love as if it’s a tangible thing.

In that kiss, you experience a love so pure and genuine that it feels like the universe has aligned just for you both. To be seen and cherished by him is to feel truly loved in a way you’ve never imagined before. And in his arms, you know with every fiber of your being that this is the love you’ve always dreamed of—beautiful, enduring, and perfectly yours.

[whatudowhennooneseesyou]

Can a request more about Felix dominant side? I thinks he hides a lot of potential to be a Dom, he would be perfect for for a late bloomer, he seems very warm,but also controlling if he wants to

🥺

𝘍𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘹 𝘓𝘦𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘋𝘰𝘮 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺:

I feel like my warnings are getting so repetitive but I gotta include it in every post.

I'm using astrology so nothing I say is accurate or confirmed- it's completely theoretical.

Anyway- let's go!!

Out of the members of Stray Kids- I would honestly say Felix isn't one of the best members for a late bloomer relationship BECAUSE of his overthinking tendencies with all his Virgo placements.

He might tend to think TOO hard about being such a good boyfriend and giving you the best late bloomer experience that he'll probably forget to just live in the moment.

His Aries Moon also indicates impatience and he might want to try too many things too quickly and it might get overwhelming.

One of the best traits of having a Libra Venus is they value equality in the relationship and Felix might feel like he has TOO much power in the relationship with his experience and you're lack of experience.

But to end this on a positive level, I think no matter what...Felix is going to try his absolute best to be the best ever 'first ever' boyfriend for you.

Now for his dom energy- yes while I think Felix is one of the more 'submissive' members of Stray Kids- I don't think he's 90% submissive and he's more of a balanced switch than what people realise.

This will be shorter than Ateez readings b/c I don't have Felix's Rising Sign so I can't analyse his house placements but his Aries Moon/Leo Mars are great placements to indicate he has 'dom' energy.

I feel his dominant energy would come out when he's pushed hard enough-like if he's jealous of somebody flirting with you or his masculinity feels challenged in a way.

His voice will get deeper, his eyes will darken and become more stern and his grip against you might be more tight.

'I'm not worried about you getting attention sweetie, I'm worried about the way he looks at you'.

I've seen him on-stage and when he's performing- he has a very powerful and 'manly' energy which juxtaposes against the 'fairy' concept he's confined to with group dynamics.

Both Felix Lee and Han Jisung have a Leo Mars and men with a Leo Mars typically love heated-in the moment type of sex and are visual people.

And yeah- as a dom with a Libra Mercury...you best believe he'll talk you through it.

Would watch you put mascara on in the mirror and then he'll randomly think about how pretty you'd look with his cock in your mouth and mascara running down your cheeks.

'You look so pretty as you gag on my cock sweetheart, want to paint your face and see your mouth covered in me'.

Lipstick smeared, stockings ripped, bra straps falling, buttons torn are some of the things he'd find so sexy- having a Leo Mars means he can be quite primal in the bedroom.

But it would take him a lot of teasing or jealousy to get to that unhinged level of dominance- and it would take A LOT of time (and rounds) for him to break out of it.

It's why I love Felix with black hair SAUR MUCH!!! because I think it brings out his dominant energy and doesn't confine him to 'baby subby pixie Felix' persona.

I also just want to appreciate the Taste fancam and this performance b/c I think this fit and song was the key for Felix stans to think-

Oh shit- He could be a dom.

[notyourmajesty]

"I Can't Believe I Was So Wrong About You": Parallels between the Love Scene and Alex and Henry's First Meeting.

CW: I talk about a part of the love scene in a bit of detail here.

So thanks to this amazing post and reblog by @sylvidra and @manic-pixie-fever-dream, I've been thinking more and more about the Paris Love Scene. Particularly the shots that precede this moment:

Gif by @gay-bucky-barnes

When I first saw this scene I thought of this dialogue as more a general, romantic observation Alex makes of Henry - a result of months and months of being with him and seeing him in a way that very few do. It was only on rewatches that I was able to recognise why he says it in this exact moment.

We know, from the way Henry uses his hand to gently press the small of his back, that he is guiding Alex. But the extent to which Henry guides him, aware that it's his first time with a man, comes from small gestures that are easy to miss because a lot of it is out of frame.

Gifs (from the same gifset as above) by @gay-bucky-barnes

These two moments follow the shot where Henry presses down on Alex's back. In the second shot here, if you look closely enough, you will notice Henry's thumb below his knee, leveraging his thigh to make access for Alex easier. In the first, you see his other arm slightly raised, carefully guiding Alex inside.

Not physically easy to work both your hands when you're so overwhelmed yourself by the sensory and emotional impact of what's happening, but Henry is determined to make Alex's first time an unforgettable one.

At the very beginning of this scene, Alex tries hard to "play it cool" the moment Henry requests they make love - first by simply agreeing (with a catch in his voice), then by breaking into a joke. It's only as they kiss - signifying the start of the lovemaking Henry's proposing - that he admits that he has never had sex with a man before. Alex is nervous and insecure and afraid to show it, but trusts Henry enough to confide in him.

When Henry comforts him and lets him know that he is in good hands, this - this gentle, loving guidance that will not scoff at their partner's inexperience, that is patient and will ease him into the process - is what he means.

That Henry will care for and help him. That it is okay for Alex to ask when he doesn't know. That Alex doesn't have to feel scared, or feel insecure or inadequate. Not with him.

The more I think about that, the more it brings me back to the first time they had met. Not the royal wedding, but the Melbourne Climate Conference that happened years before (according to the film - in the book it was the Rio Olympics).

Gifs by @chiefnooniensingh

Alex is - in his own words - a formerly anonymous working class kid whose mother became President. Someone who always fears putting the wrong foot forward, who feels the weight and responsibility of the platform and position he has, who moves around all these elite spaces feeling a little out of place.

At the very beginning of the film he grimaces when the British press calls him "The American Prince Henry", admitting to Nora that unlike Henry, he wasn't born into this life and "...if I use the wrong fork at dinner, they'll just...eat me alive". Nora is shown helping him with his anxiety just before they enter the palace, reminding him that "you're handsome and charming and everybody loves you". It's pretty clear that a lot of Alex's bravado and humour hide his very deep-seated fears that he won't be good enough, and he's had those fears for a long time.

So when a guy his age - who was born into literal royalty, and who he clearly looked up to - looked at him like he "had head lice" and seemed to not even want to be in the same room as him, you get why he held on to his resentment of Henry that long.

Henry understands this the moment Alex admits the truth, and even offers his perspective of that night so Alex will know that it wasn't him - it was the pain and stress of having to pretend everything was normal, while he was still grieving his father's death. (There is also the fact that he possibly fell for Alex that same night...but of course Alex doesn't get to know that until the State Dinner)

And from this point on, Henry makes sure that whenever Alex reveals his insecurities and self-doubt to him without the varnish of humour, he is there to help him.

Sometimes it's in the form of his letters - reassuring a worried Alex who thinks he's letting his mother down, by telling him about Imposter Syndrome and reminding him of the incredible work he has done so far.

Sometimes it's in holding Alex's hand even when he's shit scared himself, and telling his grandfather and King that he loves the man next to him, deeply, and they are committed to each, deeply.

Sometimes it's in the simple act of wearing a tie that represents Alex's home state, and showing it when Alex feels nervous and scared and regretful, wondering if he is responsible for the (possible) failure of his mother's campaign.

And sometimes it's like this - reassuring a nervous Alex, letting him feel safe both sexually and emotionally, putting Alex's needs first, making him feel safe.

Making sure that when Alex asks for his help, he doesn't regret it.

[withwritersblock]

Hey

~Hey by Pixies~

Author's Note: this is lowkey my own version of that scene between Barney and Robin in HIMYM. My fav show of all time. So enjoy this recreation of it :) The song is the song that played during that scene. As always italitcs are flashbacks Summary: Alex returns to Denver for the first time since being traded Warnings: swearing, implied smut Word Count: 1,787 Alex Newhook x fm!reader

“I can’t leave Denver, Alex,” she muttered while she wiped a tear that fell onto her cheek. She looked into his dark brown eyes, they were watery but he refused to cry. He couldn’t. It was too overwhelming and confusing. 

He was leaving the team he won the Stanley Cup with. He’s leaving his best friend, he’s leaving his girlfriend of three years. He’s leaving the town he’s fallen in love with.

The rumors of the trade were circulating the locker room, he remained optimistic that he would have a positive outcome from it. Whether that is he’s traded away to a team that treats him right or he stays in Denver. But he was in fact leaving, going to Montreal. A young team, full of potential. He was ecstatic. 

Except when Y/N heard the news she broke down. She was successful in Denver, a full-time job that would be difficult to get anywhere else.  

“But you don’t need a job, I can prov-”

“I need to be independent, Alex. I cannot imagine just following you wherever you go. Alex, I can’t follow you to Montreal,” she mumbled standing up from the couch and walking towards the front door.

“Y/N. Y/N!” he let out urgently as he followed her movements. She spun around and met his gaze. His eyes became more teary eyed. “What does that mean?” he asked in a hushed tone. 

She pressed her lips together as she dropped her gaze towards the floor. “I love you, I love you with everything that I have, Alex. But I can’t follow you to Montreal,” she muttered as she wiped another tear that fell on her cheek. “I have a life that I love in Denver. I grew up here, everything I love is here,” she explained. 

He looked into her eyes as he nodded slowly. His heart shattered in that moment. He was going to a team that cared about him, wanted him so badly. But all he cared about in that moment was that the woman he loved was not going with him. 

The season was not going as Alex expected. He was injured for the majority of it and was feeling incredibly low. The fans were overwhelmingly supportive over the whole process. He was feeling at home with his new team. He was actively taking French lessons to try and become more accustomed to Montreal. 

He was getting along great with his new teammates, he was happy. He was also happy because Y/N and him were still friends. Despite ending their relationship, they remained friends. 

At first it was awkward, only keeping their friendship over text but it was still close. Now they talk almost every day, she was his rock during his recovery. And now he was in Denver for two days. 

She was sitting on her couch, her gaze watching Alex fall into the boards hard. A gasp left her lips as she covered her mouth with her hands. He was slow to get up, but was able to get off the ice on his own. He went straight down the tunnel.

She began texting with Kailey, Bo Byram’s girlfriend and her closest friend. She was frantically typing about how nasty the injury looked on Alex. It was a long intermission, waiting to see if Alex would return but it was hard to tell.

Kailey had called her, the Avalanche game was just starting in Arizona. “I saw the clip on Twitter, that didn’t look good,” Kailey mumbled.

“I know it was tough, but he hasn’t been ruled out,” Y/N explained as she watched the intermission report draw to a close.

“I’m sure it was just scary, easier to get checked out than to force it,” Kailey reassured as she let out a dramatic groan, probably about something that was happening during Bo’s game. 

“Yeah, yeah, totally,” she mumbled. 

“So, are you sure you and Alex aren’t doing long distance, seems like you guys are still super close,” she pressured, a smirk evident on her lips. Y/N rolled her eyes playfully as she watched the ice fade into view. The broadcast zooms in on Alex skating on the ice, to start the game.

“He’s on the ice,” she mumbled into the phone, a sigh of relief leaving her body as she smiled towards the screen. “I gotta go, call me later,” she mumbled before she hung up the phone and rested it beside her.

The game starts and only twenty seconds in, Alex is shoved and falls awkwardly into the net, his foot getting entangled with the net. She gasps as she watches him try to get up, but finding it impossible to put any pressure on his ankle. 

The ref calls the play dead, she gasps as she watches him get assistance from his teammates to stand. He skates towards the bench with help, unable to put pressure on his other ankle. 

It had been forty minutes since the game ended, Alex unable to return to the game. She calls him, needing to hear his voice. After seven rings, she nearly ended the call before he answered.

“How bad is it?” she asked as soon as he answered. He chuckled dryly.

“Not looking good,” he mumbled as he took a sharp breath, “Definitely out for a while,” he mumbled, sadly. 

“Oh Alex, I’m so sorry,” she muttered as she tilted her head back. He stayed silent. “Al?” she let out. He hummed. “Whatcha thinking?” she asked. 

“I’m frustrated,” he mumbled, “Finally have a place where I can say I can actually make an impact and I’m out for like the whole season,”

“You don’t know that,” 

“Two months at least,” he let out, groaning. “So you were watching?” he asked, changing the subject. She smiled as she tilted her head back.

“Haven’t missed a game yet,” she mumbled.

He let out a huff of air as he smiled widely, “No?” and she hummed as a reply. “Well, you’re gonna have to watch the games even though I’m not playing,” he let out.

Tonight was the first night he was coming back to Denver. He was nervous especially since his best friend, Bo, wasn’t playing for the Avalanche anymore either. He was laying in his hotel, unsure if he was allowed to call and ask to see Y/N. 

The boys were supposed to be on lockdown and rest inside their hotel rooms, alone. But he had to see her. He pulled his phone towards his ear, the phone rang a handful of times before she answered.

“Welcome back to Denver,” she said teasingly. He chuckled as he bit his bottom lip.

“Go to dinner with me,” he requested, in more of a demand. She furrowed her eyebrows harshly. “Meet me at our restaurant in an hour?” he asked. 

She needed to say no, this whole being friends was easy with phone calls and texting. She wasn’t sure how she was going to act if she saw him in person. It’s been nearly a year since they’ve broken up and she hasn’t even thought about being involved with anyone else.

“Okay,” she mumbled before hanging up the phone. 

~

It was several hours later and they were finished with the dinner. It wasn’t awkward at all, almost as if they’ve been together this entire time. Except there were no signs of romantic tension. “I can’t believe we finished a whole bottle of wine,” she mumbled while shaking her head.

“You act like that’s a lot for us,” he said laughing. They stood up from the table, walking together out of the building. She rolled her eyes playfully as they continued walking through the restaurant that they used to be regulars at.

They waited for the Uber they were going to share home. It was easier than riding separately. Her apartment was on the way to his hotel room. He stared towards her with a look she couldn’t quite decipher. 

“I’m glad you agreed to go with me,” he let out, a smirk toying his lips. She smiled towards him, unsuspectedly she wanted to kiss him. It was a sudden urge, she wanted to blame the half bottle of wine she drank. Or it was the way he was looking at her, she missed his lips. The small scruff of facial hair looked amazing on him, as his brown eyes seemed brighter than normal. 

The Uber pulled forward, and stopped in front of them. They climbed in the backseat. They were suddenly aware of each other's presence. Being on the opposite end of a dining table it was easy to feel normal. But being a near inch away from one another it was hard to ignore the magnet pulling them towards one another.

“Are you nervous?” she asked as he shifted his gaze towards her. His eyes looked down towards her lips for a brief second, admiring the red gloss covering them. 

“Right now?” he asked, she shook her head. “Oh tomorrow? Yeah, a little. But I’m excited to play at Ball Arena again.” he mumbled as he licked his lips.

“I’m excited to see you play in person again,” she muttered. 

“Yeah?” he asked, squinting his eyes slightly. She nodded.

“You know, our nights after that restaurant usually end differently,” she changed the subject, dropping her gaze to her lap. He smirked as he leaned his head towards her. She lifted her gaze to meet his eye. Her heart was pounding so loud it was the only thing she could hear.

She was getting hot as he was staring her down with utmost desperation.

“Yeah we are usually all-” he began making dramatic kissing motions towards her, purposely swirling his tongue out of his mouth. 

“Right?” she laughed as she began mimicking the motion again as they leaned towards one another. Suddenly they began kissing for real. His hand took a hold of her cheek, pulling her towards him. The kiss was sloppy and desperate for more. 

It was only a few minutes before the Uber driver stopped in front of her apartment building where they both climbed out of the car without thanking the driver. He took a hold of her hand guiding her towards the apartment as they were both breathing heavily. 

Stepping inside the apartment they stumbled into the stairwell beside the front door to the building. He shoved her body against the wall and began kissing her again. She leaned her body against him as his hands held her hips tightly against him. 

“Fuck,” she mumbled against his lips before she slipped away from his grasp, taking a hold of his hand as she guided him up the stairs towards the second floor.

[linalinsims]

✨ Positivity Pixie Dust! ✨ Sending positive vibes to those that get this message! Copy and send this message to the last 5 people on your dash to spread the positivity. (Or to anyone else you like, no need to limit yourself). Have a great day! 🫶🏻

thank you so muuuuch, ily💖💖💖

p.s. also, thank you to everyone who sent me love trains during the last few months, I really appreciate all of you💖, and I'm sorry I didn't answer directly to your asks, I just felt lost&bit overwhelmed with other things in my life

[carnivorousyandeere]

Student Council Intros

Short descriptions of their positions, personalities, interests, and relations to one another. I will elaborate more on their specific yandere tendencies in another post soon~! requests about them are also okay <3

President: Hailey (she/her)

Eldest of the triplets

Undergraduate

Double Major in Math and Business

Queen bee, popular, pretty, ambitious, ruthless. Dedicated follower of the clean-girl aesthetic; bloodless, antiseptic, minimal, devoid of any evidence of actually living. Competitive, cutthroat.

Totally having the time of her life in college and her sorority!! (Maybe…?)

Probably destined to climb a corporate ladder somewhere.

Short; light green eyes; shoulder-length blonde hair (dyed)

Likes: being heard, being in charge. Being the center of attention, admiration, and jealousy. Tennis, running, smoothies, scrunchies, being just mean enough to watch people squirm but not mean enough to get called out on it

Dislikes: being challenged (well… depends on context), being away from her sisters (literal sisters not the sorority sisters), anything super messy or woodsy/outdoorsy

Vice President: Kaylee (she/they)

Youngest of the triplets

Undergraduate

Law Major

Minor in Latin

Devil’s advocate, casual, incisive, irreverent, witty. Competitive, though not as much as Hailey. Argumentative, blunt, analytical, but also committed to the bit.

Kinda hates college but wasn’t sure what else to do after high school.

Short; light green eyes; dark brown hair in a pixie cut (not dyed)

Likes: debating, arguing, true crime, reading the wackiest court transcripts she can get her hands on, chess, drama and theatre

Dislikes: math, science, being compared to her sisters, the law enforcement system and most of the judicial system too tbh (corrupt from the start and ineffective)

Advisor: Emerson (they/them)

Kendra’s older sibling

Graduate student and T.A.

Studying architecture

Typically calm, easy-going, and thoughtful, although busy places can overwhelm them. Generally asocial, but kind, and cares deeply about the people close to them. Punctual, organized, artistic.

Heavily burnt-out from school, but their deep love of architecture as a subject keeps them going.

Tall; dark brown/black eyes; hair in thick, long, jet-black dreads.

Likes: sketching, watercolor, prismacolor markers, learning about architecture, reorganizing their collection of markers

Dislikes: being a T.A., loud environments, most strong smells, bright lights, inconsiderate and closed-minded people

Treasurer: Rayleigh (she/her)

Middle triplet

Kendra and Jace’s friend

Undergraduate

Double-Major in Biology and Geology

The rare shy extrovert (?). Talks your ear off when you get to know her. Passionate and excitable, tends to be literal-minded. Comes across as very anxious and high-tension if you don’t know her well.

Wasn’t too sure about college at first, but she’s really starting to open up some and enjoy herself more.

Short; light green eyes; long light brown hair with highlights and stuff (dyed), but also her dark brown roots showing

Likes: her friends! :D, archaeology, fossils and “living fossils,” SHARKS, anything outdoorsy, anime, documentaries

Dislikes: being the center of attention, alternately having to compete with her sisters for scraps of attention, debating, writing papers for humanities classes 😣

Secretary: Kendra (she/her)

Emerson’s younger sister

Rayleigh and Jace’s friend

Fashion Design Major

Another shy extrovert? Emotional, excitable, creative, always up to try something new, once you get to know her. Otherwise comes across as very quiet, deep-in-thought, serious, or maybe a little spacey?

Loves college overall even though the professors in her major can be real assholes.

Short; dark brown/black eyes; keeps her jet-black natural hair in an afro sometimes, and pulls it back and up into a puff a lot too. Has a collection of pretty, colorful hair bands for this reason.

Likes: anime, cosplay, writing, daydreaming, blue jean material as a medium for her art, heels (not comfortable but she wants to feel taller 😭)

Dislikes: anything super outdoorsy, math classes (“I already know all the math I need for my patterns! 😫”), a lot of the required classes tbh (“Booooring.”)

Honorary Member: Jace (he/they)

Rayleigh and Kendra’s friend

Undergraduate Researcher

Biology Major

Shy, reticent, cautious. Just wants to keep his head down, but their friends keep dragging them into stuff like the student council… for better or worse. Analytical, meticulous, curious.

Hates college, but is determined to graduate anyway.

Short; dark brown/black eyes; short, black, shoulder-length hair.

Likes: camping, hiking, rowing, campfire food, stargazing, ALGAE (their research topic)

Dislikes: most people, his voice (started T somewhat recently and is embarrassed by the voice cracks 🥺💕)

[taomyou]

The Affections of an Architect - Chapter 1

Pairing: Levi Ackerman x Reader Status: ONGOING, inconsistent updates Summary: There’s a woman Levi sees every Friday on bus 143, and he thinks she’s really cute. It wouldn’t hurt to keep a paper star from her, would it? or, you and Levi take the same bus home from work every Friday, and he falls in love slowly, clumsily, and with all the time in the world to design the architecture of his dreams. Word Count: 5.7k Tags: slow burn, friends to lovers, modern au, office au, fluff, romance, meet-cute, matchmaking, levi pov (A/N: this fic is available on ao3 here if you would like to read it there instead! The Affections of an Architect is a spin-off of The Romance of Reimbursements, but can be read as a standalone if preferred. They are the same story, but The Affections of an Architect is written entirely in Levi's POV. The Romance of Reimbursements is already completed, and The Affections of an Architect is currently a side-project that will be updated infrequently.) Chapter Navigation Accompanying Playlist

a boring briefcase

“Let’s grab a drink sometime this weekend, yeah? Keep an eye on your phone!” Pixis calls after him, his hands cupped around his mouth to project the echo of his voice further amongst the crowd.

Levi takes mental note to not read any messages sent over the span of the weekend to avoid any patronization from his coworker, but he looks back at the man with a nod to appease him in the moment.

The ravenette turns to face the front of the walkway ahead of him, and he takes slow breaths to ease the stress in his shoulders as he takes the short path through the forested shade. He finds himself moving quickly in spite of his heart, his feet light against the weathered pavement. A small, bashful blush breaks out on his face as he becomes more acutely aware of the lessening distance between himself and his destination, not paying any mind to how idiotic he must look.

Ordinarily, he’d be walking normally after he clocks out, so what has him acting so differently today?

Well, it’s Friday, and Friday is when that woman on his bus is there.

✰

He first saw her in September, a stressful time marked by gentle breeze and the crunch of autumn leaves.

He remembers the soul-crushing pain of even landing this teaching position. Years of taking low-level entry positions and building his portfolio led to this, wherein he’d finally be given the chance to teach others the craft he’d so delicately mastered. He knew what he was signing up for—already on top of his private architectural practice, it was going to be a major shift in his career—but he couldn’t have expected what’d befall him in his newfound endeavors.

He’d anticipated the workload.

Professors in their first year hardly receive respect from their students, nevermind the faculty themselves, so he knew to expect that they’d be putting their most unimportant and draining tasks onto him. He scaled back on his personal projects to make more time available to work on lecture materials and aiding his teaching assistants, and thought it was at the expense of his already-limited leisure time, it brought him great reassurance to know that he was doing right by himself and his staff.

He’d anticipated the pain of having to interact with so many students.

He’s not an idiot—he obviously remembers the overwhelming volume of people that have to be on campus everyday—but he knew to expect the absolute worst, at least to be over-prepared rather than not at all. His email has been nothing but flooded with messages from barely-independent young adults asking the most asinine questions known to man, his office hours are ripe with overachievers trying to milk him for the most irrelevant industry information, and his days are full of frustration in trying to get his lecture materials to reach them meaningfully.

That’s not to mention his obvious dislike for social interaction in the first place, either.

Fuck, he’d even anticipated the workplace drama. Who was a snitch, who was painfully lazy, who was married to who, who was on the brink of divorce with who, who was looking for a partner, who was exes with who—all of which were things that hadn’t ever been important to him in the past, but he to expect them as prevailing topics of discussion during future work dinners.

And he could handle all of that.

He’s spent many a night in his home office, preparing for both the moment he’d be stood at the front of the lecture hall with an annoying clip-on microphone attached to his shirt’s collar and the moment he’d be stuck between two overly-chatty coworkers in a stuffy restaurant he’d never otherwise step foot into.

So what was it that he hadn’t anticipated? Surely, social interaction would’ve been the greatest of his worries, all but behind the rest the other pro forma bullshit he’s had to deal with.

Perhaps an impromptu confrontation with faculty was what was nagging at him?

Or his lecture files all getting lost in the computer system during transfer?

Maybe even a gas leak in his office that’s gone unchecked since the dawn of time?

No.

None of that.

Quite frankly, he’d prefer any of those things, because at least it wouldn’t be his own fault.

God, what he hadn’t anticipated was the fucking parking.

Good fucking grief, Levi had no idea it’d be this bad.

God-awful, horrendous, terrible, nightmare-inducing, criminal. There simply are not enough words in the English language for him to describe how absolutely horrific it was—that first time he’d tried navigating the parking lot.

He did everything right. He left the house hours earlier than he needed to, he already had a staff parking permit neatly placed at the edge of his dashboard, and he made sure that he knew how to navigate the inner roads and whatever other infrastructure he’d be driving through.

And still, after an astounding 47-minutes spent combing through four different lots, he’s been cut off six times, had his spot stolen three times, and been honked at more times than he can count.

All of that to not even get a spot at the very end of the furthest parking lot on campus.

He knew to expect some trouble in finding a place to park—that much was true during his own schooling anyway—but it was never this bad. He’d have just bit the bullet and illegally parked somewhere on the street if he knew it’d take nearly an hour of driving in circles just to attempt to find a spot.

He finds solace when a bald kid (“kid” as a means of referring to anyone who looks young enough to still need their mother to do their laundry) offers him his spot as he’s about to leave, and Levi can finally turn off the engine of his car and put his head down on the steering wheel.

Unfortunately, that’s about as much as peace as he finds with regard to his parking situation, because when he returns to his car at the end of his first day, there’s an orange slip tucked under his windshield wipers, mockingly placed right next to where you can see his parking permit.

This same routine of begging to powers he didn’t believe in for just one parking spot, no matter how far, continued for just one week before Levi just couldn’t do it anymore.

He was already dealing with the stress of teaching on top of everything else (including a sum of multiple parking tickets), and Levi had enough of trying to figure out how to make this work.

On the 15th of September, he angrily marched calmly walked to the employee services building, curtly asked for help in obtaining a bus fare card (which apparently came as one of the very, very few benefits of working at the institution), and made his way back to his car for the last time it’d be parked on campus.

As he drove home that fateful Thursday afternoon, he looked at the route in spite, a scorn deeply etched into his features. He’d rather die than have to deal with this bullshit again, and if that meant taking public transit and having to deal with even more people, then he’d take the deal.

When he got home that Thursday afternoon, he looked over the routes several times to make sure that he’d be prepared for the following day, and after deciding that he didn’t want to have to switch buses during his commute, he’d settled on parking his car at Isabel’s parents’ shop near the supermarket on Rose. He rang the older couple up to ask if it’d be alright with them (which it obviously was), and Levi was set.

Convenient enough anyway, considering he went there often regardless to do the grocery shopping for the house he shared with Isabel and Furlan.

But, no matter, because on the 16th of September, Levi got dressed in a neat suit for work, got in his car, headed over to park at Magnolia Floral Company for the day, and made his way over to the bus stop.

Thankfully, he had no issues taking the bus in the first place, having done so all throughout his latter high school years. Even with all the time that’s passed since then, he figured it wouldn’t be any different.

When bus 143 arrived, he hopped on without any issues, scanned his bus fare card without any issues, and sat down at the back of the bus without any issues. The seat he’d chosen faced the sides of the row, giving him a view of the landscape and cityscape which’d pass by. It was a sight to behold, where trees shed their summer greens for autumn browns and birds would migrate south, but that entirely uninterested him.

Who cared if the leaves were starting to turn and the sun set lower in the sky? Who cared if people seemed to dress slightly warmer to keep from the nipping cold? Who cared if the sky was dotted with clouds in the shape of flowers?

Certainly not Levi, so when the bus reached the Sina University campus, he didn’t even bother lifting his head up as he stepped off the vehicle and headed over to his office.

There, he discovered a box left by another professor in the department: Dot Pixis, as written on the top in messy handwriting. Cautiously, Levi put down his backpack on the chair and stared at the gift.

It wasn’t anything particularly fancy—just a packaged teapot and an accompanying tea cup. Levi picked up the box, careful not to drop it, and he turned the box in his band to read all its labeling.

Though he wanted to appreciate the sentiment, it was so obvious that Pixis had just repackaged an old gift he hadn’t wanted for himself. There was a sticker on the box’s underside that addressed the teapot to Pixis from “Granny,” and Levi can’t quite get behind enjoying the tea set when that’s the case.

Levi puts the box into an empty drawer at his desk, and after fully gathering his bearings, he sighs before hoisting his backpack up on his shoulders again and making the walk to the lecture hall.

Levi’s sure he’ll never get used to having a student at his ear on this walk, asking what his favorite pastime is or if he’s going to be offering extra credit this semester. It’s almost as if he’s surrounded by a hive of overachievers begging for his approval and validation, and he has to bite his tongue to keep from lashing out at them.

They pay enough money to be in this hellhole. If nothing else, he could at least listen to them.

Not like he enjoys it, but whatever.

Just another Friday.

Lecture goes just as well as he expected it would, with himself preaching to the choir about course attendance and such. The material itself was simple enough, so there wasn't any particular need for him to stress about whether or not the students will be able to absorb the information. When he finished with his presentation, he answered a few questions, and right as the clock marked the end of class, everyone was off and running. Levi called over the few members of his teaching staff to make sure they’re set for next week’s lessons, but after that, he was gone and off to get on his ride home.

The walk was especially drab, only through a long cement pathway lined with tall trees. The colors all seemed to blend together, imprinting itself as unremarkable to him.

But regardless, Levi had no trouble at all finding the transit station again and locating the correct stop. He paid no mind to the handful of students that were waiting for the same bus, only concentrating on getting the bus fare card out of his wallet and making sure that no leaves had made their own onto his person.

He checked the time on his watch; 2:45 PM. He heard the screech of the tires seconds later, and he waited in the line as he went to scan the card he’d received from the services office yesterday.

And, well.

The ride was normal.

It passed through the same boring cityscape that it did in the earlier part of the day, only now in the opposite direction. He sat in the exact same seat as he did this morning, for whatever reason now used to this particular spot in the space, and he kept his head down as he waited to reach Rose.

The scenery passing by would’ve looked different, had he bothered to look up and witness its beauty, but he didn’t.

As it did periodically, the speakers announced the bus’ next stop, and it subsequently stopped and waited for its new passengers. The sound of frantic shuffling towards the front of the bus caught his attention, but it wasn’t until a voice spoke that he looked up.

“Thank you so much!”

Lifting his head, he saw a woman clad in pink at the fare card reader, biting her lip as she struggled to fit her card back into her wallet. Nervous laughter reached his ears as she continued to apologize to the bus driver in earnest, which brought upon grateful reassurance from him as he waited for her to gather her bearings. The modest gems on her shoes glittered brightly, forcing him to squint his eyes slightly as she started making her way down the aisle to find a seat.

And, whether it’s because he’s cursed or he’s blessed, she decided to sit directly in front of him.

She seemed all too distracted with getting herself settled into her seat, so Levi took the opportunity to steal brief glances at the woman now.

Her hair seemed to glow in the sunshine that leaked in from the windows behind her, illuminating her in a glow he’d never thought he’d find beautiful before. A dainty pearl necklace hung from her neck, drawing attention to the lace collar of her fancy blouse. She seemed to belong to some sort of high profession—that of business, or perhaps law—because she was exceptionally well put-together, her outfit pristine and-

Well, he supposed he found her outfit rather… pretty.

Yeah, pretty.

But going along with her professional appearance was a smile, the expression looking almost as if it’d belonged on her face. That paired with the obvious consideration for others as seen in her exchange with the bus driver made her seem rather friendly. Her eyes, though downturned, still shined in spite of the tire that seemed to lull her into a quiet rest.

But even with her very cute smile and her very pretty attire and her very endearing laughter, perhaps what stood out most about her was that her briefcase was… boring.

It bore no semblance to her at all. It was a plain black with practical pockets, with not a single scratch on its surface. No keychains, no charms hanging on its zippers. Even he had a small keychain hung from his backpack, and he found himself to be as plain as they came.

It just didn’t seem to really match her, but he supposes it added to the mystery of her—that, in contrast to her otherwise bright demeanor.

But who was he to assume that, really? That it didn’t match her? She was just a stranger. One that was admittedly very attractive, but a stranger regardless.

Still, for whatever reason, it seemed as if his heart was caught in his throat, and he couldn’t breathe, his wit failing him as he found himself dreaming for the moment her eyes would reach his and he'd fall to the floor in embarrassment.

He needed to be knocked out of his staring, but thankfully, his senses came back to him and he managed to do that himself. He obviously knew it would be weird to stare any longer than he already had been, so he tried to busy himself by suddenly taking interest in the leaves blowing against the wind in the sky behind her.

His eyes darted in every direction, pretending to look out the window she sat in front of. She never seemed to look back up at him, though, so maybe she didn’t care that he was even there in front him.

He was grateful for his choice in outfit, since he’d felt rather good in it—he wouldn’t want such a beautiful stranger to think he had poor fashion taste. Not that she probably cared. She didn’t seem to look in his direction at all.

He was grateful she didn’t look at him.

Well… some part of him was grateful that she didn’t.

Before his brain could even wrap itself around the idea that this stranger could’ve actually given him a fucking heart attacked if she made eye contact, god forbid she fucking smile at him, the bus stopped at 3:40 PM at Rose, and Levi got up from his seat and left the bus without so much as a sound.

He felt like he was out of his own body as he walked to his car, only his instinct guiding him to unlock the car and get himself strapped in. His hands were on the steering wheel, holding on tightly so as to keep himself from sinking into the earth, and he found himself having to cover his face so as to hide the growing blush on his face from himself.

What the fuck was wrong with him? Here he is, a fully grown man, burning in embarrassment over a woman he’d only met a mere half-hour ago. Fuck, they didn’t even meet each other—he just awkwardly stared at her on a bus ride through the September sun. He didn’t even know her name.

It had to be the mystery of a stranger, right? He lightly slammed his forehead against the wheel, trying to knock some more sense into himself, and he groaned.

This wasn’t him. He wasn’t one to care for love at all in the first place, and he was all hot for a woman he didn’t even get to make eye contact with.

He decided then that, in spite of the budding dream he’d had to have her eyes see his, the stranger on bus 143 would be someone he didn’t think of outside of 40 minute-ish ride he’d just shared with her. He’d probably never see her again anyway.

And he was right. He didn’t see her the following Monday. Not on the ride to work, not on the ride home.

When he didn’t see her on Tuesday, having had to come onto campus to finish some paperwork, he figured she would just be gone forever, and the woman could stay someone he could form an answer around if someone asked about what his type was.

Truth be told, he probably didn’t even have a type. He doubts he’s anyone else’s, and it’s not like he’s ever bothered to ever even form an opinion on other people as romantic partners. People were attractive, sure, but that had absolutely nothing to do with what he wanted from love.

The following week continued as normal, with Pixis stopping by his office constantly to ask him about the teapot and his supervisors coming through to greet him. It was nothing special, really; all he did was lecture, help his staff with grading papers, and start drafting his courses’ finals. With regard to his private practice, he worked freely on designs for a few clients, but nothing particularly taxing took up his time.

He was glad to be getting into the groove of working at the university. That, combined with him not having to deal with the fucking parking, made for a somewhat pleasant work week there, and he was glad to be finally done with it all and head home.

By the time Friday came around, he had completely forgotten about the woman on the bus, and his days were filled with both mindless decorum and fruitful excitement for the movement of his career.

Imagine his surprise when, on Friday, he saw her again, stumbling onto the bus and sitting at the exact same spot as last time.

He guesses he didn’t consider her only taking the bus on Fridays. Or maybe just at a different time, since his own schedule is quite irregular depending on the day. Either way, he avoided looking at her altogether to save face, but he still felt a hiccup in his throat at just the thought of her being there.

When he got to his car, he went through the same motions as last Friday.

Hiding his face in his hands, slamming his head on the steering wheel, and groaning into the abyss to curse the universe for making such a perfect looking woman.

After the fourth Friday he sees her, he accepts that this is just how his weekly encounters with the angelically beautiful stranger will go.

In the end, he didn’t even get to decide whether or not the stranger on bus 143 would’ve ended up becoming someone he thought about every week.

✰

Levi sighs as the warmth of his home envelops him, letting his blush settle just as it does every Friday. Over the last several months, he’s learned to suppress it in the moment, but it always manages to erupt as soon as he’s alone, whether that be in his car, at home, or both.

The air has gotten colder now that it’s January, and Levi curses himself for not having worn a warmer outfit to both protect him from the cold and hide his face. After absentmindedly slipping off his shoes and getting his backpack on the table, he relishes in the plush of his couch, perfectly comfortable to keep him from freezing, and he closes his eyes to give himself chance to relax further.

But he can’t, because he has to take a breather and groan into his bare hands as he anguishes over the fact that he’s too painfully awkward to properly keep himself from completely falling deeper into this dream.

This particular day, it doesn’t help that the stranger wore a scarf today, one that was especially cozy and warm. Levi wasn’t one to find such plain things endearing, but the sight of her fiddling with its loose threads as if in deep thought has him melting regardless.

Why the fuck is this happening to him?

He knows all too well that it has to stop, so after he's done thanking cursing the universe for these chance encounters, he goes to the kitchen to start himself a cup of tea that’ll actually calm him down. On Fridays, Furlan and Isabel aren’t due to come home until much later in the evening, so he’ll let himself look ridiculous for the time-being, his face an embarrassing cherry red and his hands nervous as they fill the kettle with water.

He doesn’t have any particular preference for his tea right now, so he grabs a simple black tea blend and carefully spoons a few loose leaves into the pot. He shoves his hands into the pockets of his pants as he waits for the water to heat up, the small of his back against the kitchen counter, and he tips his head back to look up at the ceiling.

He takes slow breaths to calm the flame on his face, and he throws himself so deep into thought that when his phone rings, he doesn’t hear it. It isn’t until the third time calling that Levi notices, and he begrudgingly takes his hands out of his pocket to reach for the device and accept the call without checking the caller ID.

“Who’s this?”

Levi’s learned the hard way that he’s better off not being too rude when taking calls, especially when his line of work requires a fair amount of professionalism. He’s taken to usually setting different ringtones depending on whether it’s a client, coworker, or friend (the latter of which tend to pick which songs themselves… Levi’s also learned to silence his phone in public), but he was far too lost in thought to recognize the tune when he took the call.

“It’s me!” He recognizes the voice as Isabel’s. “Anyway, I’m just calling to let you know that my class today was canceled last-minute and Furlan said the thing he was gonna do with his coworkers fell through, so we’re coming home early with dinner! Did you already eat?”

“No,” Levi replies. “How close are you to home?”

“Turning the corner onto our street!”

Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Levi pulls his phone away from his ear and goes to open his camera and flips it onto himself, and he lights up redder when he sees that his blush is still there. He pushes down memory of the non-exchange, but that only seems to fan the flames even further when he remembers how the colors of the winter scenery which’d passed her by complimented her bright eyes.

He absolutely can’t let his friends see him like this.

“Don’t worry, we ordered your favorite at that Chinese place you like! Well, actually, I don’t know if you like it, but you’ve never complained when we got it before! I’m gonna hang up to help Furlan carry everything in, but I’ll see you in, like, five seconds!”

There’s a beep as the call ends, and Levi runs his hands down his face.

Levi quickly abandons the kettle to go to the bathroom sink and splash his hair with water, feigning himself having taken a shower to make excuse for him to look so red. He hears both the hissing of the kettle and the opening of the front door as he takes a towel to place on his shoulders, and he rushes to his room to get dressed in home clothes to make the lie believable, grateful that neither of his housemates have seen him yet.

When he returns to the kitchen, Furlan having set the table for dinner and Isabel having finished with making the tea, Levi clears his throat.

Isabel notices him first and waves at him from the counter. “Hey, Levi! Sorry I didn’t let you know sooner, but it worked out anyway since you haven’t eaten.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Levi grumbles, taking his usual seat at their dining table. He props up his head with his hand, trying to subtly hide the red on his face, but it doesn’t get past Furlan.

“Dude, why’s your face all red? And your ears too. Are you sick or something?”

Levi seethes in embarrassment as he tries not to oust himself, but that just makes him look even worse.

“Ooh, ooh, let me see!” Isabel chirps, carefully rushing over to the table with the teapot and a few cups. “Yeah, you look super red. I think we have some medicine in the fridge, want me to get you some?”

“I’m not sick. I just got out of the shower,” Levi barks.

Furlan and Levi look at him with confused faces, having never seen Levi that red before, but they just shrug, taking the lie as truth. 

“If you say so.”

He absolutely isn’t going to budge on this lie, so as long as they don’t ask any questions, Levi will consider their mild confusion a win.

Levi eats his food quietly as Furlan and Isabel boisterously go back and forth about whatever it is that they’re talking about. He isn’t much of a talker during meals in the first place, but his complete silence is motivated by fear of accidentally slipping up and giving himself away. He hasn’t ever seen either of them earlier than the usual 9 PM that they usually arrive home on Fridays, so he’s unused to any interaction so near to the time he sees that woman on the bus.

Once the three have finished eating, Levi clears the table while the other two continue gossiping about some of Furlan’s coworkers. Why Furlan cares so much about workplace drama, Levi will never understand, but it keeps him and Isabel occupied enough to give Levi the space to also clean the kitchen.

As he finishes with getting the countertops cleaned up and his tea set stored away safely, he walks past Isabel and Furlan to his home office to get ready for the night. Levi’s tired enough from working all week, and he’d like to get squarely into bed as soon as possible.

He takes out what he needs from his backpack and sets it on his desk, ready for the following day should he decide to do more work, and he gets to filing away whatever paperwork he’s brought home. It doesn’t take long for him to finish with either task, and he tiredly sighs as he drags himself to his bedroom to get a second change of clothes to take a shower,

As part of the house negotiations, it was agreed upon that Isabel would get the master bedroom because she needed her own bathroom, so Levi always had to use the bathroom in the hall to take showers. Not that it’s ever been any particular issue until literally right now, where Isabel and Furlan hear him shuffling through the house with a new set of clothes and going into the bathroom.

“Didn’t you already take a shower, Levi?” Isabel innocuously asks.

Levi freezes for a second before clicking his tongue to feign indifference, going to turn the doorknob. “I’m taking another one. It’s cold.”

Again, Isabel and Furlan look at him with confused expressions, but they eventually just bid Levi goodnight and continue talking amongst themselves about whatever was the topic of discussion.

Levi breathes an apprehensive sigh of relief as he steps into the bathroom, and he’s quick in stripping himself of his clothes and getting the water started. It’s warm as it falls on his body, and he runs himself through the usual as he lathers his hands in shampoo.

What to do after he’s done here, what to do tomorrow, what to do on Sunday, what to do on Monday. So on and so forth.

Quite miraculously, he realizes he doesn’t have any plans on Sunday other than to check his emails to ensure there’s no immediate work emergencies. Usually, Erwin or one of his other few friends would invite him out for both days of the weeknd, but this is a blessing.

For fucking once, he gets to be alone and enjoy his own company. Admittedly, he already does when he’s working by himself, but that feeling on a weekend is something else entirely more euphoric.

He finishes with his shower and shuts off the water, stepping out and drying himself off with a towel. He drapes it on his shoulders (this time, not for show and to actually dry his hair) and steps back into his bedroom. He sits on his bed, mindlessly scrolling through his phone to pass the time, and he periodically stretches his arms to lull himself to sleep.

Before he knew it, the clock ticked to near midnight, and he slipped under the covers to stay warm. He hardly ever sleeps at an appropriate time, used to late nights working and stressing about every little thing going on his life, but today is an exception: he’ll close his eyes at 11:45 PM, wait until sleep takes him, and, tomorrow, his body will force him awake with the rise of the sun.

He gets up to turn off his light, ready to call it a day, only to hear his phone beep with a text notification.

Followed by another.

And another.

And another.

You get the idea.

Good fucking lord, who the fuck is texting at this time of the day?

Ugh, probably fucking Hange.

And speak of the devil, because it is Hange texting their shared group chat, and Levi groans as he goes to open the message. He’d much rather deal with this now rather than wake up to another million texts from them tomorrow.

Four Eyes - 11:43 PM

HEY!!! Are yall free on sunday??? >:D Ik Erwin is but idk abt the rest of you Lets get dinner!! You guys can even pick! Maybe Levi can???? Maybe somewhere fancy?? Like if you were to take a girl out a date? And we should all dress superrrr nice

Suddenly, Levi’s busy on Sunday.

Levi - 11:46 PM

I’m busy on Sunday

Four Eyes - 11:46 PM

HI LEVI!! No you rnt allowed to not go to this Cancel whatever it is youre doing rn

Levi groans.

Levi - 11:47 PM

Why do I have to go?

Four Eyes - 11:47 PM

YOU JUST HAVE TO!! Just trust me B) Plzzzzzzzzz

Levi - 11:49 PM

I said I’m busy

Four Eyes - 11:50 PM

And i say that youre not! Cmonnnn just this once Ill find a way to get you to come no matter what so really all youre doing is making this harder for yourself :T Leviiiiiiiiiiiiii

Ugh. Levi already knows that there’s no stopping Hange in making this happen if they’re so fucking insistent about it, so he might as well accept his fate now.

Levi - 11:52 PM

Fucking fine Just shut the fuck up so we can all go to sleep

Miche - 11:52 PM

What he said

Four Eyes - 11:52 PM

YESS It’ll be lots of fun, dont worry!! You can go to sleep now >:)

So much for being free on Sunday. At least Erwin will be there, and probably Miche too. Levi hasn’t checked in on Moblit in a while, but it’s usually correct to assume that he’s overseas right now for work and that he won’t end up coming.

Levi puts his phone on his nightstand and blinks a few times to adjust his eyes to the dark, and he exasperatedly sighs as he pulls his blanket up further on his body.

Whatever. Hange’s just being their typical annoying, overbearing self, and apparently being even one weekend away from him is enough to bring them to the brink of insanity.

He just needed to get through one dinner: how hard could it be?

Even with all the other shit he's had to deal with on this particular Friday, at least he has her.

After he's closed his eyes and he's left to think of what he'd done throughout the day, his mind wanders back to her, and just the thought seems to lull him to sleep, and just like that, he's off to start dreaming once again.

✰

Next Chapter

[thegeminisage]

IT ISSSS tng update time. sunday we caught "captain's holiday" and "tin man" and last night we did "hollow pursuits" and "the most toys."

captain's holiday: so, i'd heard ahead of time that this was one of the worst star trek episodes Ever, and admittedly it wasn't great, but it wasn't THAT bad. i could name you 10 worse episodes in tng alone and that's without even getting into tos and the other bad episodes that are surely in my future. actually catherine liked it more than i did which is only the second time this has happened in tng

funniest part of this episode to me was riker setting picard up with the little fuck trinket and then picard coming back and giving riker woodshed vibes. don't text. hilarious to send picard to the fuck planet when he wanted to read a book or whatever but at least he got some in the end. i'll never forget patrick stewart telling that one writer that tng's captain didn't do enough shooting or screwing

second funniest part was that the little device they were all fighting over could have saved romulus. "stop the nuclear reaction in a sun" THEY COULD HAVE SAVED ROMULUS AND PICARD DESTROYED IT. THE KELVIN MOVIES ARE ALL HIS FAULT. i guess romulus wouldn't have been that much better off with NO sun but at least its people could have been evacuated. there would have been a little more time.

that said most of this ep was very boring because i'm not actually invested in picard's sex life or his slutty little outfits and definitely not enough to have a whole episode be about him and none of the extended cast

tin man: i liked the concept of this much better than the execution. most of my problems came from the fact that the guest character (hello mister mayor) is annoying. so i was unable to be invested in whatever happened to him

also, i know it;'s her job, but i am soooo tired of deanna getting stuck with all the weird broken men and having to fix them. she's like star trek's manic pixie dream girl sometimes

that said i LOVED their concept of the new biomechanical life because it's JUST like moya from farscape and i like to think the farscape writers were inspired by it <3

also i like data being a boon to overwhelmed telepath because androids dont broadcast thoughts...i like when people are nice to data

i did like riker being kind of righteously mad in this episode too. i was JUST saying we never got to see that from him...it wasn't enough here and it also wasn't Great but i still enjoyed what we got

hollow pursuits: this was the worst episode this entire seaosn easily. i felt like i was watching s1 tng again

IT IS. MASSIVELY UNETHICAL. TO RECREATE REAL PEOPLE IN THE HOLODECK

first of all i hate despise LOATHE any and all holodeck activities. secondly i know they hadn't had to grapple with AI yet in 1990 but surely SOMEONE in that writer's room had to see that it's a huge infringement on deanna's personal rights safety, and dignity to make a fake version of her to fuck in the holodeck

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS GUY COMES BACK LIKE 4 MORE TIMES.

i feel like what tng was TRYING to do here was "very special episode about anxiety" but what it actually managed to do was make that guy look autistic but like in a bad way. like charlie from tos. and then everyone bullied him and you have to be like. well making and fucking a fake deanna is bad but bullying is also bad

wait actually you know what this is like. this is like that time when i was in public with my family and a man touched me inappropriately. and so after he was gone my mother, jumping to my defense, made some disparaging remarks about this man's race (he was not white). and then i was put in the position of defending this guy who had just been a huge creep to me because you can attack him for being a creep but not because of his race. and my family was baffled that i would defend someone who'd just done that to me. that's what watching this episode felt like.

like, absolutely nobody had a problem with the actual creepy part (holodeck deanna) and everybody had a problem with him stammering in public and being socially awkward. and bullied him accordingly. DOWN TO THE MEAN NICKNAMES.

anyway, 0/10, one of the worst episodes Ever, it literally made me wish i was back in captain's holiday watching picard slut it up. if this episode had been on "am i the asshole" the judgment would have been "everyone sucks here" except deanna, who literally did nothing wrong and suffered the most anyway

hollow pursuit: THIS ONE POPPED THE FUCK OFFFFFFFFFFFFF

10 out of fucking 10. one ZILLION stars. i would have loved it even if i wasn't a data fan but i am a data fan and i had a WONDERFUL time

you spend this whole episode wanting so so so bad for data to kill this guy. data is kidnapped and debased and coerced into playing his captor's games and you want data to kill him SO BAD. and in your mind you're like, yeah but they won't let him KILL the guy kill the guy, it's gonna be like some disney villain stumbling or having an accident and he winds up dead due to Circumstances. there's no way data is gonna fucking kill a guy

and then there's like 30 perfect seconds where you're like: oh fuck. data is GONNA FUCKING KILL A GUY

let me find the exact moment that sent me over the edge. mister captor: "Go ahead. Fire. If only you could feel rage over Varria's death. If only you could feel the need for revenge, then maybe you could fire. But you're just an android. You can't feel anything, can you?"

AND THE ENTIRE TIME. DATA'S FACE IS TWITCHING. AND I SAID ALOUD TRULY GENUINELY BELIEVING HE HAD FINALLY UNLOCKED EMOTIONS I THINK HE CAN FEEL IT ACTUALLY??? LIKE HE LOOKS LIKE HE IS FEELING IT

anyway it counts. data DID fire, and just because they couldnt have him do that on tv and had to transport him away first, he fired (in spite of his program! it was in defense of other life), he meant to kill that man horribly, it counts it counts it COUNTS

furthermore, his mic drop at the end - why would i come see you just to gloat, after all i'm just an android - made me YELL out loud. data is hard as FUCK

i can't take credit to this thought because it was catherine's thought first but it's so fun that both androids we've seen unlock emotion so far - raina unlocked love and lal unlocked fear - were immediately destroyed by it. and what a fun contrast it would be if raina unlocked her emotions with love and data unlocked his with HATE. and i agree because it contrasts so strongly with data's normal loving nature. it's very "anger of a gentle man" of him if that makes any sense. like he is always so unfailingly polite and considerate and forgiving even to people like maddox but enough is Enough.

also, everyone mourning data was really very good. i simply love when people love him...

anyway, that episode fucked. i'm thinking about making it a must see on my spreadsheet <3

TONIGHT, FINALLY: "sarek." i cannot WWWWAIT to see him

[autisticempathydaemon]

in a sky full of stars (I think I see you)

Chapter One: Le hors-d'œuvre

tags: Lasko/OC, nb!empathy daemon OC who uses they/them pronouns, background Freelancer/Gavin, mentions of disordered eating and unhealthy relationship dynamics in later chapters

It's the classic story of boy meets girl... except "girl" is more of a genderless being of pure empathy magic and "boy" is the sweet air elemental professor who literally doesn't know they exist.

There is a curated playlist for this fic for your listening pleasure!

Also available to read on AO3 Next chapter ->

For the longest time, Bee’s absolute favorite thing on Elegy was its food.

Sure, as an empathy daemon, Bee loves and depends on the people, the things they feel. Happiness and light and positivity are Bee’s bread and butter, so to speak; they don’t need human food to live.

Joy just doesn’t linger on the tongue like the savory saltiness of aged cheese. Giddiness doesn’t pucker the mouth in sour glee like a Meyer lemon. Even contentment doesn’t warm the body quite like fresh hot chocolate. If Bee is sustained by meals of optimism and pride and kindness, they live for the gorgeous things mortals make as dessert.

Excitement followed by freshly-picked strawberries. Happiness and then lavender tea. Wonder with a chaser of vanilla milkshakes. It’s a pleasant way to spend an immortal life.

One remarkable day in an unremarkable eternity, this day, Bee learns there’s more to life than “pleasant.” 

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

‘Iced, Lizzie- that drink is supposed to be iced,’ Bee says in a subliminal whisper. The redheaded barista stops and looks down at her hands. ‘Cold. You grabbed the wrong cup.’ With a blink and a little shake of the head, Lizzie puts down the ceramic mug and reaches for a glass.  

‘Right, right, cold. Get your head in the game, she thinks violently, glaring down at the espresso machine as if it was at fault for her mistake. Hovering in the air next to her, Bee can sense that isn’t true, can taste her bitter, acrid headache like coffee beans roasted in a volcano. With faith, trust, pixie dust, and a smidgen of healing magic, Bee takes away her pain and savors the honeyed, mellow relief she radiates instead. 

“One double shot Americano for Lasko!” she calls out, stepping aside to the pick up counter. “Sorry, that was supposed to be over ice, right?” Distracted by a service dog and its flavorless delight, Bee is all the more struck breathless when they get a taste of ambrosial, cotton candy contentment.

“Th- that’s right, thank you!” The raven-haired boy- man? Angel? Gift from Min’Ara?- says with a stutter and a smile that spreads across rosy, freckled cheeks. When he takes a sip of his drink, humming happily, his bliss drowns their senses in a flood of delicious, indescribable sensation. Bee thinks they taste cloying honey, fragrant pandan, rich chocolate, and heady liquor whipped together into a singular dish. It’s an overstimulating, overwhelming rush that has the empathy daemon figuratively and literally spinning. 

Lasko’s emotions sated them like a god’s banquet, could keep them fed for a fortnight, and he hasn’t even moved. When the man heads back toward his table, that jolt of joy settled into muted comfort, Bee can’t help but follow, drifting towards him like he is the sun and they are the earth, like he’s the moon and they’re the obedient tides. 

Sat down behind a laptop and a bevy of papers, dressed in scholarly browns and whites, Lasko Moore is unassuming, nondescript, and somehow wondrously, enchantingly beautiful. He’s a wallflower, and Bee has never felt more like their namesake- bewitched, blushing, bumbling- as they take their place in the seat across from him.

Author's Note: Please enjoy my first foray into a longer form, chaptered fic for RedactedAudio! Bee has been in the works for months (hence the url), and I just really wanted to give Lasko a partner goshdangit

Loving mention for @romirola who was lovely and sweet and darling enough to give Bee a cameo in her masterpiece, Packed with Love, which you should check out if you would like to see more of them or would like to read something magnificent~

[severevoiddragon]

Making you a cup of tea and some friend rice and a grilled cheese and spaghetti bolognese and a burrito and sushi and a curry and a sausage roll and a loaf of freshly baked banana bread and cookie and cinnamon scrolls and a cob loaf and a hot chocolate and a mocktail and a bowl of custard

Is this one you, tea? /Silly

Thank you either way, anon <3

[genavere]

February Whump Prompts – 2023, DAY 8: Panic

Content Warnings: Minor Panicking, Minor Sexual Content Suggested Fandom: Fairy Tail - Natsu x Lucy - AU

Royal Trouble - Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Something was wrong. Even in his sleep, there was an itch that kept coming back to bother him. As he woke up, the first thing he noticed was hair.

Not long, soft, golden hair of his wife. Not the intoxicating strands that he would bury his face and hands into before turning her to take her mouth with his. This hair was just shorter than his, but thicker and blue.

“Oi, Happy! Off the bed!” Natsu tried to push the overly large beast towards the edge of the bed, muscles straining. Annoyed, the demon cat lifted his head up, flicked his tail, and flopped down on the mattress before rolling onto his back. To hell with it, Natsu swore. Lucy said Plue would not rub off on his cat, but it sure looked like it.

Grunting, he pushed himself up and looked around the bed for his missing wife. Did she get won over by Happy’s pitiful eyes again and let him on the bed? He was supposed to be a frightening demon beast that sent enemies running. Not to have a Pixie absolutely fawn over him and become a big baby.

“Luce?” He patted the obviously flat areas of the blankets and frowned. Taking a few sniffs of the air, he could still smell her on the air and mattress, but it was faint. Worry pulled any remnants of sleep from his muscles. Kicking the sheets off, he made his way to the bathroom, the balcony, and even the attached closet and library he had built on for her.

The bath was dry, the stars were not being gazed upon, the fireplace in the library was cold, and no piles of clothes were thrown about in the latest craze of trying on different outfits. Any lingering scents there were older than what had been in the bedroom, too.

Had an intruder come in without him realizing?

A swell of stone settled in his gut, and a cold sweat broke over his brow. No…no, there were spells in place, he had to remind himself. After the last time she had been captured from their bedroom and held hostage, no number of resources had been spared to ensure that did not occur again.

Throwing on a pair of pants, he followed where her scent was the freshest. If she were hurt or upset, no one would be spared! Gritting his teeth, he stalked down the hallway and glanced each way twice before following his nose.

Had an enemy slipped through their security? They could have lured her out with any number of things, or they could have used rose perfume to put her in a trance. When he had found out that little secret of hers, it had been both amusing and frightening.

Clenching his fist, he felt heat flare up over his skin. Pixies had too many weaknesses, unlike Demons or Dragons. Sure, shine gold or anything precious in front of a Dragon and they will do everything they can to add it to their hoard. Natsu did that with Lucy the moment he saw her. Even as children, he knew that she was someone who would impact his life.

Demons loved contracts. It did not matter what the contract was, if it had a positive outcome for them in the end, they would do whatever they could to sign it. If you had a lawyer who was a demon, he would ensure whatever was signed had their clients’ best interests because it reflects their interests, too.

It had been Lucy who had thrown the marriage contract in his face and dangled it like a juicy slab of steak to a starving man. She had willingly trapped him to her before he had the chance to entrap her.

Maybe having the gardeners get rid of all the roses on the grounds had not been in his best interests.

But where was his mischievous wife now?

The further he went into the depths of the palace, the harder his heart raged against his chest. Images of her hurt or unconscious overwhelmed his mind. He gripped his head, claws buried themselves into the pink tresses. Blood clung to the roots as he tried to rein himself back in.

If she had been taken, standing there and panicking would do no one good, he reprimanded himself. She relied on him to be strong and present! Even on nights he woke from nightmares and she sung to him. Her fingers brushing through his hair, his head resting on her chest. His arms wrapped tight around her as he let his anguish out in tears and sobs.

It was a side only she saw. And she ensured no one else knew of their secret.

Without her, he had no release, no home to strive to keep safe.

A familiar cry echoed down the hall. It was near inaudible when it reached him, but it rang like bells to him. Bare feet pressed into the stone floors and rushed in the direction of the noise. With everything he had, all the strength and speed he had worked up through the years of constant training, he made good use of it then. No harm would come to her. Not when he could prevent it!

Spring flowers and honey, the scent he knew was hers, washed over him as he threw open the swinging doors to the room her cry came from. Bright brown eyes turned and met crimson gold ones.

“N-Natsu—!” She let out a squeak. A flush of red spread over her shoulders to the tips of her pointed ears. Behind her, a flurry of flutters came from her wings.

Looking her over, he took in her blush, the state of her wings. A spoon hung just before her lips with a healthy glob of ice cream on it. No, not just ice cream, he realized. There was whipped cream, sprinkles, cherries, chocolate sauce, and even caramel all mixed together on that spoon like she had personalized the glob to hold exactly what she wanted.

A spread of the same ingredients, along with several open containers of ice cream laid out over the kitchen counter where she sat on a stool. There were signs that she had not been the cleanest when she had helped herself to her midnight snack. A brief thought of the kitchen staffs’ annoyance at coming into the mess in the morning and the report he would receive. Like hell his father would deal with the complaints.

The doors swung shut behind him. Silence filled the room as they stared at each other. His eyes began to twitch, and before he could start reprimanding her for worrying him, he watched her shove the spoon of delights in her mouth. And then tried to talk around it.

“Don’t.” He threw a hand up to stop her muffled ramblings. “You yell at me for talking with my mouth full. Swallow it.”

Heat rose to her cheeks, and a familiar scent mingled with hers. He released a growl and watched her wings shudder in delight. There might be a bigger mess for the servants in the morning than just melted ice cream.

Realizing the state of his lack of clothes besides loose pants, he used that to his advantage as he moved around the counter slowly and stalked towards his prey. Even her state of dress consisted of only a thin nightgown slip. With her legs perched up on the higher bars, it gave him a clear view that there was nothing else underneath.

And here she was, alone, with a mountain of cold sweets around her.

“Lucy.” Another shudder through her wings answered his growl. He noticed a bowl on the counter that had been obscured by the tubs of ice cream before that had all the items that fell from her throwing the toppings on the spoon. “Why are you awake in the middle of the night and not in our bed?”

Wings drooped a bit, as did the spoon from her lips. A new wave of panic washed over him.

“I…had a bad dream,” she said, voice barely above a whisper. “And I didn’t wanna wake you, so I went for a walk.”

All the tension in him left as he took the last steps between them and pulled her against his chest. Arms wrapped around each other tightly. One of his hands buried itself in her hair while the other rubbed her back gently, mindful of her wings.

“You should have woken me, Luce,” he muttered against the top of her head. “As your husband, I am supposed to take care of you and pummel anyone who hurts you. That includes any bad dreams.”

“What about a dream of being scolded by Erza?”

He tensed, not even wanting to think of a scenario like that. But…since she brought it up, he had to ask. “W-was that your dream?”

She giggled into his chest, and he relaxed. “No, but I had to ask, especially after our last kidnapping.”

“The one with the lightning dragon?”

She paused before nodding once. “Yeah.”

While it should not have surprised him, he had a feeling that encounter would affect her more than she would let on. Being crammed in small spaces had been a notorious punishment for Pixies due to their smaller statures. While Lucy was tall for her kind, she was still short to all others.

“Did you dream of being in that cage again?” He laid a kiss on her head. Carefully, he picked her up and adjusted so he was on the stool and she sat across his lap.

“That, and watching you being beaten again.” Teeth worried her lowered lip, and a crease wrinkled her brow. “Like before, I could do nothing to stop it.”

“Tch, of course you couldn’t.” His hand came around and lifted her head up by her chin. “Once a weaker Dragon feels threatened, he will either bow down or buck the system. That guy knew he had an upper hand, so why not take some swings?”

“Cause he hurt you!”

“So? There will be others who will try to do the same, especially when we come to be the rulers of three of the realms.”

She let out a huff of air. “Why can no one settle differences with words? Treaties and communication work! But since we married, everyone only attacks us if they are displeased of the union.”

“Not everyone can be as smart as Pixies.” He smirked at her, which earned him a smack to the chest.

“It is not due to being smart, it is a sense of accomplishment to achieve a goal by looking at the bigger picture. Wars are so costly in lives and resources, but negotiations can be done between two people, maybe even more. Add in a savvy Demon who is a lawyer, and any contracts will be gold!”

He chuckled and leaned in to breath against the shell of her ear. “Now you are speaking my language, Luce. Contracts and gold.”

Heat rose from her skin. He smirked at the power he held over her. “So, you going to tell me why there is all of,” he waved his hand over the counter of sweets, “this here? Usually, you have fruit when you wake up at night.”

Her refusal to meet his eyes gave him reason for concern. Had the staff forgotten to order her fruits? Did the wrong supplies come?

“When I came here to get some, I ended up craving something sweeter.”

“I can tell.” That earned him another smack to the chest. “Kinda proud, never thought you’d start eating like me.”

“Don’t say that!” She covered her face with her hands, shaking her head. “You are such a bad influence, Natsu. I had been raised a lady, and now I am shoveling spoons full of sugar into my mouth like a deviate!”

“A pretty hot deviate.” Before she could smack him again, he caught her wrist and pressed his lips against the palm of her hand. Shudders from her wings fluttered through her body and through his own. He purred at the sensation and pressed his face into her hand. “Luce, no matter what happens, I promise you we will live a long life together.”

He glanced at her and smiled against her skin. Her eyes that held the stars in them gazed at him with such passion and love. How such a creature could have decided to marry him was beyond his ability of understanding.

“I promised you that when we married, and I won’t let some upstart take that away from us. Not now or ever. You are my wife,” he laid another kiss on her hand, “my Pixie,” another on her wrist, “and my future Queen.” He turned her hand around and kissed the back of it. “The love of my life.”

She practically melted against him, like the ice cream on the counter. Such putty in his hands, he chuckled. But then she sat up, brow furrowed. “Hey, since when had you been so smooth with your words?”

He pulled his head back and looked at her, an eyebrow arched up. “Think you were the only one punished by Erza? I still have to read those stupid romance books of hers out loud while she brushes her hair.” He looked away, looking a bit embarrassed. “Figured, I could try to use some of what I read on you.”

Arms flew around his neck in a tight hold. “You are amazing, Natsu.”

“Nah, that’s all you, Luce.”

Eyes looking over the spread of treats, he grinned. “Now, since you decided to up and leave our bed in the middle of the night, I think it is only fair you feed me.”

“F-feed you?”

He nodded, licking his lips. “Give me that sweet treat you were scarfing down earlier, and then I will give you one even better.”

Laughter burst from him as he watched her delicate points turn red again. Unable to resist the urge, he leaned forward and nibbled the closest tip with his mouth. Her entire body tensed in his arms. “And I promise, you will be beggin’ before I am finished with ya.”

Eyes met, and they shared a grin, accepting each other’s challenging looks. Oh yes, he would definitely be making her beg tonight.

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

Truth be told, was not expecting to write about this AU again so soon after the first, but this would not leave me alone all day. So here it is! Less angsty than the other stuff I have written for these prompts, and it’s not Lucy who is the Whumpee this time!

Not sure what it is about this AU that I really like, but it does drive me to write, so not complaining!

Links to AO3 | FF.net

@febuwhump | @millennial-star-gazer

[treestomeetyou]

I have a very similar experience. I obviously get wanting to look at the positives, but I also think it's important to understand the full picture. A lot of the talk I've seen online surrounding autism has made me realize that people don't really know just how shitty it can be sometimes.

Autistic people aren't just "a little quirky". In fact, some of the most talked about symptoms were the least of my concerns growing up. My emotional maturity has always been...not great. I struggled with anger and I had outbursts so bad that I would sometimes end up getting in fights or breaking things. And I had these all the way up until I was in high school. I thankfully had therapy and it's not as bad as it used to be, but my issues will never be completely gone. I've also had sleep problems my whole life and I don't really have the ability to be in certain high stress situations. That takes a lot of things off the table that I otherwise would have loved to do. I also can sometimes shut down when I get overwhelmed which is similar to a depressive episode (something I also have and experience) and depression is often a symptom autistic people experience but for me it was a seperate diagnosis. There are also people who have it worse and may never be able to live on their own, and who have problems that are even more serious and it feels like we're just...not allowed to talk about that. I have been called ableist more times than I can count by people who didn't realize I was autistic, just for trying to talk about these things, or for saying that I wouldn't wish this on anyone else.

A lot of people seem to think it's a fun thing to have and that's just not the case. It sucks. I wish people would understand that there's a difference between hating myself for being autistic (which I don't, I'm actually very upfront about it) and wishing that I didn't have certain symptoms. I'm not "masking" because I don't want to get angry and yell at my friends and family every two seconds! I did everything I could to get past that because it was the right thing to do for the sake of the other people in my life. I was bullied in school as a kid (mostly for the anger stuff) but as an adult I have experienced more shaming from within the autistic community than I have from outside of it. I should be able to talk about both the positive and the negative side of autism. There's normalization, and then there's presenting an idealized fantasy version of autism that rarely ever actually exists. (I also wish people would do actual research instead of just...basing their views of autism on a tik tok they saw somewhere, but that's a whooooole other conversation lmao)

Sorry, I didn't mean for this to get so long. I'm just very passionate about this. I hope you have a good day. ✨️

never apologize for making it so long it’s nice to hear from other people. i feel like autism on tiktok is just some kind of new age manic pixie dream girl. like she’s quirky and she has funny little habits but it’s “breaks the fantasy” when she has issues that can make her unpleasant to be around.

i always joke that i don’t drink a lot because i’m kind of a bitch when i drink, but it’s just sensory overload that makes me a deeply unpleasant person. i don’t want to be like that, i put in a lot of work to not be like that. but that work takes a lot out of me and i resent that. i agree with you that i wouldn’t change myself, i’m autistic and that’s an unchangeable part of me. but it’s so hard to make people understand that it’s a still a disability. that there are things i can’t do. i will require certain supports my whole life. the toxic positivity around autism (and neurodivergent people in general) online gets on my nerves. i can love myself and find positives in myself while still being upset about how i struggle

[tamarasalonsposts]

How To Choose The Best Hair Salon In Milton For Your Perfect Look

Finding the right hair salon in Milton is essential to maintaining your hair’s health and ensuring that you always look your best. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect salon that suits your style, preferences, and budget. Whether you’re new to the area or simply looking for a change, this guide will help you navigate the process of selecting a new hair salon in Milton, ensuring you get the best service possible.

1. Look for a Reputable Hair Salon in Milton

When searching for a new hair salon, reputation matters. A reputable salon is a reflection of quality services, experienced stylists, and satisfied clients. To ensure you choose a salon that delivers top-notch results, consider the following:

Word of Mouth: Ask friends, family, or colleagues in Milton for recommendations. Personal referrals often lead to the best experiences.

Online Reviews: Check online platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media for customer reviews. Look for consistent positive feedback and pay attention to how the salon responds to customer concerns.

Awards and Recognition: Some salons may receive awards for their services. Look for the best hair salon in Milton that is known for excellence in the industry.

2. Check Out the Salon’s Services and Specializations

Different salons offer different types of services, so it’s essential to choose one that meets your specific hair needs. Consider what you’re looking for — whether it’s a simple trim, a complex color treatment, or a specialized service like hair extensions or keratin treatments.

Some services to look for at a hair salon in Milton include:

Haircuts & Styling: Ensure they offer the haircut you want, whether it’s a trendy pixie cut, long layers, or a classic bob.

Hair Color & Highlights: If you’re interested in coloring your hair, look for a salon with expertise in various coloring techniques, such as balayage, ombré, or full highlights.

Specialized Treatments: Many salons offer keratin treatments, deep conditioning, and hair restoration services. These treatments can help improve hair health and texture.

Men’s & Women’s Grooming: Whether you’re a man or a woman, the right salon should offer tailored services for everyone in your family.

3. Evaluate the Salon’s Ambience and Cleanliness

The atmosphere of a hair salon plays a significant role in your overall experience. When choosing a new hair salon in Milton, visit the salon before making an appointment to evaluate:

Cleanliness: A clean, well-maintained salon shows attention to detail and professionalism. Look for clean stations, equipment, and a tidy waiting area.

Ambience: The atmosphere should be relaxing and welcoming. Whether you prefer a luxurious, high-end feel or a more casual, cozy environment, ensure the salon’s vibe suits your personal preferences.

Staff Professionalism: Friendly, knowledgeable staff are crucial. They should be approachable, listen to your needs, and offer professional advice when needed.

4. Consultation with the Stylist

Before booking a full-service appointment, consider scheduling a consultation with a stylist. This allows you to get a sense of the stylist’s expertise, communication skills, and ability to understand your hair goals.

Ask the Right Questions: During the consultation, ask about their experience with your hair type and the services you’re interested in. You can also ask about product recommendations and hair care routines.

Discuss Your Desired Look: Show the stylist pictures of the hairstyle or color you’re considering, and ask if they think it will work well with your hair texture and face shape.

Feel Comfortable: Your stylist should make you feel comfortable, confident, and understood. If you don’t feel that connection during the consultation, it might be a sign to keep looking.

5. Consider Location and Pricing

Convenience and budget are two critical factors when choosing a hair salon in Milton.

Location: Make sure the salon is easily accessible from your home, work, or other regular destinations. A convenient location will save you time and make it easier to schedule regular appointments.

Pricing: While price shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor, it’s important to choose a salon that fits within your budget. Keep in mind that premium services and experienced stylists may come with a higher price tag, but the results are often worth it.

6. Book a Trial Appointment

After narrowing down your options, consider booking a trial appointment to experience the salon firsthand. Whether it’s a simple haircut or a basic style, this will allow you to assess the salon’s services, the stylist’s skill level, and the overall customer experience.

Trial Services: A trim or a blowout can give you a feel for how the salon operates without committing to a more significant service like a color treatment.

Check Results: After the appointment, evaluate your experience. Did the stylist meet your expectations? Was the salon comfortable and clean? How did you feel about the results?

7. Tamara Salon: The Best Hair Stylist in Milton

Why Choose Tamara Salon in Milton?

Skilled Stylists: Tamara Salon boasts a team of professional stylists who are experts in the latest hair trends, cutting techniques, and color treatments.

Personalized Service: At Tamara Salon, your experience is personalized to your hair needs. The stylists take the time to listen to your preferences and offer tailored advice to achieve your desired look.

Stylish Ambience: With a chic, modern design and a welcoming atmosphere, Tamara Salon provides a comfortable and relaxing space for all clients.

Quality Products: Tamara Salon uses high-quality hair care products to ensure the best results for every client. Whether you’re treating your hair to a keratin treatment or getting a color refresh, you can trust that only the best products will be used.

Conclusion

Choosing a new hair salon in Milton is an important decision that can impact your hair’s health, appearance, and overall well-being. By considering factors such as reputation, services, ambiance, and the expertise of stylists, you can find a salon that aligns with your needs. If you’re looking for a trusted hair salon in Milton, Tamara Salon is the place to be. With a team of skilled stylists, personalized services, and a commitment to excellence, Tamara Salon is dedicated to helping you achieve your hair goals and leave the salon feeling confident and refreshed. Don’t wait — book your appointment at Tamara Salon today and experience the best hair care in Milton has to offer!

[parentingprospect]

Why Do Child Like Some People?

Have you ever noticed how kids naturally gravitate towards certain people, even if they've just met them? It’s not always clear why a child chooses one person over another, but several factors make certain individuals more appealing to children. These include traits like warmth, playfulness, and the ability to communicate on a child's level. Let’s explore some of the key reasons why kids are drawn to specific people.

As discussed in an article on Cuddle Pixie, “Children are drawn to individuals who radiate warmth, empathy, and playfulness. They feel safe and valued when someone engages with them attentively, listens actively, and respects their boundaries”. This foundational idea provides insight into why some individuals effortlessly connect with children.

1. Warmth and Positivity

Children are highly perceptive and are often drawn to people who radiate warmth and positivity. A person who smiles often, speaks kindly, and exudes happiness creates a sense of safety for children. When they feel safe and secure, kids are more likely to engage and form a connection. This warmth creates a positive first impression, making the person more approachable to the child.

2. Attentiveness and Active Listening

Kids crave attention, but it’s the quality of that attention that truly matters. People who listen actively, maintain eye contact, and show genuine interest in what a child is saying make them feel valued. Children are quick to pick up on when someone is distracted or uninterested, and they will naturally favor those who give them full attention. Active listening makes a child feel understood, strengthening their connection to that person.

3. Playfulness

Playfulness is a trait that resonates deeply with children. They naturally seek out fun, and adults who engage in playful activities like games, jokes, or imaginative storytelling often win their hearts. Being able to get down on their level and enjoy the world through their eyes makes a person more appealing to a child. The ability to make them laugh, have fun, and enjoy the moment creates a bond of shared joy.

4. Empathy and Emotional Understanding

Empathy is key to connecting with children. People who show understanding and compassion towards a child's feelings are often favored. Children like individuals who make them feel safe to express themselves, whether they are feeling happy, sad, or frustrated. An empathetic person can connect with a child on an emotional level, offering comfort or celebrating with them, deepening the bond of trust.

5. Patience

Patience is a vital trait when interacting with children. Kids are still learning how to manage their emotions, actions, and words, and it takes time for them to navigate their feelings. A patient individual can calmly handle a child’s erratic behaviors or moments of emotional overwhelm. This patience reassures the child that they can be themselves without fear of being rushed or scolded, creating a relaxed and trusting relationship.

6. Respect for Boundaries

Children, like adults, have boundaries that need to be respected. Some children may be shy or not want physical contact with people they’ve just met. Others may need time before they feel comfortable opening up. Individuals who respect these boundaries and don’t force interaction are more likely to earn a child’s trust. This respect fosters a sense of security and comfort, allowing the child to open up at their own pace.

7. Consistency and Reliability

Consistency in behavior is crucial for building trust with children. People who behave predictably, follow through on promises, and are reliable offer a sense of stability that children crave. Kids like to know that the people they engage with will be consistent in their reactions and behavior. This predictability provides a sense of security, making children feel comfortable and safe.

8. Positive Reinforcement

Children respond well to praise and encouragement. Those who offer positive reinforcement when a child tries something new, completes a task, or behaves well are often liked by the child. Positive feedback helps to build a child's confidence and makes them feel supported. People who focus on what a child is doing right, rather than criticizing their mistakes, create a nurturing environment that children are drawn to.

9. Non-Judgmental Attitude

Kids are still figuring out the world and their place in it, which means they’ll make mistakes along the way. People who are non-judgmental and offer guidance without criticism are more likely to be liked. Children appreciate those who accept them as they are, without expecting perfection. This acceptance fosters a sense of belonging, making the child feel comfortable in their presence.

10. A Nurturing Presence

Children are naturally drawn to people who provide a nurturing environment. Whether it’s through kind words, gentle actions, or offering comfort during challenging times, a nurturing individual makes a child feel cared for and protected. This nurturing presence is something children seek instinctively, and it helps them form lasting connections with the people around them.

Conclusion

Kids are incredibly perceptive when it comes to the people they like. From warmth and playfulness to patience and empathy, the traits that make a person likable to children often boil down to how safe, valued, and happy they make a child feel. Understanding these reasons can help you foster deeper connections with the children in your life, creating bonds based on trust, fun, and mutual respect.