#please start saying something other than mother for your faves

[nthflower]

Being fan of powerful women is so hard it's either sexism or girlbossing out there.

[nmakii]

Hii! Hear me out on this, right, Alastor (in your current yandere husband au) has one-on-one bonding with our lovely Noah. (I have a cat named Noah...lowkey imagining him here.) Idk what dads do with kids but for the sake of plot I'm going to call it hunting. Reader is sitting quietly as Noah tells her all about his day in the forest and how he got to see his food before it was his food! She starts thinking that no amount of nurture can overpower someone's nature. Reader doesn't hate her son...but she's just worried and is trying her best, because in her mind, she's still a single mom and always will be. (Rightfully so) Alastor is egging this on and almost trying to get reader to lose it in front of Noah, to prove something. Other things ! Alastor is def not happy with one kid lmao. Seven years is a long age gap...better hurry up! He wants his Emilia....not because his mother is asking for it or anything like it! Speaking of his mother...god rest her soul man...i lowkey would just marry him for her to be my legal mother (in-law). Rip mom...fly high girl... (Ps, can i please hug you platonically, i literally love you and your writing so much. Please remember that you've made so many cool things and will continue to make cool things no matter which path you go. Love you girly (gn), a little more than Alastor's mom) - Charry Anon

WE’RE GONNA FLY AWAY FROM HERE

[before you read this, read the rest of the story!]

— the more and more alastor influences your son, the more he becomes just like his father. but, why stop at just one child?

— i love u i will make MORE yandere alastor bc hes now my fave

you hated this house. no matter how much alastor tried to hide it, the subtle scent of blood reeked from all over this house.

you oh, so desperately wanted to run away— hop on a train all the way to long island. but, it isn’t so simple anymore. you had a son to think of, a son who’s growing scarily closer to his father.

the thought of hurting noah might have never crossed alastor’s mind, but he wasn’t above threatening it to bring you back home. and above all that, you couldn’t leave him alone with this wolf.

and so, you stayed.

“and then, papa told me to stay quiet… and he shot the turkey! papa took me to his butcher room and showed how get the yummy turkey meat! y’know mama, papa has lots of meat in his butcher room.” your son rambled on, kneeling on a stool by the kitchen counter as you prepare for dinner. “lots of meat, you say?” you raised an eyebrow. “…that sounds really fun, baby.” you sighed.

it’s only been a month since he forced you back. and, noah’s already calling alastor ‘papa’. he tainted your sweet boy’s mind— ‘mama lied to you, she wanted to keep you all to herself. she’s really selfish, but then again, i can’t blame her!’

and, you couldn’t protest. if you did, if you broke the rose-tinted filter alastor created— he would hurt you. not physically, alastor is still a ‘gentleman’. he’d hurt you mentally, break your little mind until you can’t do anything but nod your head.

alastor would never strike his hand on noah. after all, deep down, there’s some part of him that’s still in love with you, albeit in his own twisted way. and, noah is apart of you, alastor couldn’t bear to hurt him, not unless he’s misbehaving…

“mama, can we have the turkey we hunted for dinner?!” noah asked excitedly, slamming his hands against the counter over and over again. “sure, baby… but, remember before..? you got in trouble with mr. yee because you released all his chickens…” you asked, quite desperate. this little boy, the one who finds hunting fun. he is nothing like the one who wanted to become vegan after he found out where chicken comes from, despite failing because of his love for chicken burgers.

“yeah, but papa showed me how fun hunting is!” he squealed. at the mention of papa, alastor laughed, carrying noah from behind, tickling his belly as he kissed your little boy’s head. “talking to mama about our little trip, huh?” alastor grinned.

“ah, alastor… dinner will be ready in a half hour.” you glared at him. “no worries, my love. it just means that i have a half hour to play with our beautiful son!” he smugly said. he saw the hatred in your eyes the moment he said ‘our’.

he was trying to make you lose your shit. make you seem like a hysterical woman. that way, if you even tried to divorce him, noah would be left in his care. now that you were older and wiser, you wouldn’t play into his little trap.

“alright, you two have fun.” you begrudgingly smiled. alastor’s eyes widened, showing his shock for just one split second. alastor nudged noah, “go on for a second. papa wants to talk with mama.”

oh god, what now?

once noah left, alastor went behind you, straddling your waist. “what is it, alastor?” you groaned. “i want another child, darling” he whispered against your ear. “i visited my mother with noah last week, she adored him, my love. she said she’d adore a granddaughter this time. she even picked out a name, emilia.” he rambled on. “as much as i love your mother, i don’t want another child, alastor.” you hissed out.

“oh, but it’s not just my mother, dear. little noah also wants a little brother or sister of his own.” at the thought of a little sister for noah, it would keep him busy, away from alastor, wouldn’t it? he’d gain those brotherly instincts that are so reminiscent of the soft hearted boy you raised.

“…alright…” you frowned. alastor’s grip on your hips tightened as he pressed kisses onto your neck. “good girl.” your head leaned back as you melted into his touch. as much as you didn’t want to, the warm sensation of his soft lips on your skin was to die for. “after dinner, darling.” he grinned, finally leaving you alone.

what had you done to be forsaken with this monster?

[syndrossi]

Thinking about Restoration AU (again). What POV would you like to write/or are you just interested in? Well, besides Cersei :D Even for the time of the first book, she can't be called sane. Maybe Jamie? Like you said, in the first book he wasn't in the mood for redemption, but here he meets the ghost of the man he was loyal to and whom he feels he has failed (I tend to think that Rhaegar just didn't want to take a 16 year old boy to battle, so he gave him an important "assignment").

Or maybe Robert's POV during the meeting with the twins? We know that Ned is mentally praying at this time, while Robert may not remember Rhaegar's facial features and his reaction is: ho ho our noble Ned is just a man too, we're not so different.

Or Catelyn? I don't share the fandom's hatred of her, but it would be very interesting to see her thoughts, especially how she tries to recreate the image of a "rival" to Rhaegar: his looks, charming singing, soft demeanor.

Personally, I'm probably most interested in seeing Darmon and Daenerys' POV. With Darmon, it will be both painful and fun - painful because he finds himself in a world where his children aren't around him, dragons are extinct, and the Targaryens have fallen (the story of Rhaegar's death might cause a sudden painful flashback). But watching him terrorize first the people of the valley and then Volantis, who have no idea where the hell the dragon came from or what children this madman is talking about (they're already willing to give him their children just to get rid of him) would be fun.

And for Daenerys I'm just happy, she'll probably be a little scared of Darmon at first (he's a little crazy during their first meeting) but then she'll appreciate him: the fact that there's finally an older family member protecting her from Viserys, and his dragon, and the way he treats her gently (she'll 100% remind Daemon of Rhaegar, only a girl). Or Viserys? In terms of insanity it should be something close to Cersei in the last few books.

Would love to see your thoughts. By the way, have you decided whose POV will be next?

Hmm, it's less for me about POVs and more about certain story events, other than the aforementioned Cersei POV. Like, the Robert meeting the twins is an obvious one, but I don't think I'll write Robert's POV. For that, I'm leaning toward Ned's, especially because he'll get to see little!Jon/Willam staring absolute daggers at Robert, both as in the I HATE YOU sense and the DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY LITTLE BROTHER-DAD sense, but Ned will likely interpret it as "you killed our older brother! 😡" Whereas Rhaegar/Raymar is deer-in-headlights "if I don't move he won't see me" mode.

(Oh, or could THAT be our first Cersei POV? Ehh, I still think Ned, but I can absolutely see Cersei being huffy about Robert going to greet Ned's bastards after he meetings the trueborn ones, viewing it as him rubbing his adultery in her fave, and then she catches a glimpse of Rhaegar and goes why hello yes target acquired ned stark's bastards you say?

Goodness, I hadn't thought about Rhaegar becoming the symbol of the boys' mother to Cat, but he probably would, wouldn't he? Jon and Willam remind her enough of Ned, but she's staring at this dainty-looking child with the long braid, imagining the woman's silver-blond hair and beautiful eyes and quiet demeanor. Did she sing? Is that what drew Ned to her?

Okay, I may have to steal the "Volantis just starts flinging Valyrian-looking children at Daemon in a bid to appease him" bit for Daemon's reign of terror across Essos. 😂 They just round up every child that looks the least bit like him, and even throw in some dark-haired, grey-eyed ones like the other child he mentioned. Daemon is all "wtf am I supposed to do with these?" and they're all "feed them to your dragon if they aren't what you want, please just leave us alone."

I think Dany and Daemon's first meeting will definitely be a Dany POV, so I suppose that's one I'm looking forward to! I still haven't decided the exact timing there. Canonically per the book, her wedding to Drogo has already occurred by now, so either I shift the time so that Daemon can dramatically prevent it, or he rocks up on the Dothraki and starts burning until they give him his kin.

I have not yet decided which POV is next, though that's up after Knight of Stars pt2. (Assuming I don't get sucked into the "Rhaella gets summerhalled" AU I'm very tempted to write first. And we still need the wintery hot springs prompt fill! Lots to write this week.)

[themagicalwriting]

Open letter to all GL fandoms with a dive in the Thai GL History created by @Kguardian0805 on X

Each GL brings something different to the table that helps to expand the industry that until 3 years ago was non-existent, only served for secondary characters with 10 minutes of screen time. FreenBecky not only designed but also built the table and they were the first to serve the main dishes and prove to everyone that it was possible, necessary and profitable.

And I'm not eliminating the importance of Tina & Aom, their film was Thai's first success in GL, so much so that it even won a sequel, but despite the international success, it failed to open the Thai industry to GLs. Because after Yes or No sucess GL entered a limbo for more than 10 years, with GL only appearing with secondary roles and seconds on screen.

It was only in 2021 with Chen, Saint and FreenBecky that things started to change because they announced Thai's first GL series and no one I repeat NO ONE but themselves believed it would work and there was worth it do it. Producers, companies, sponsors, fans even other actors continued to say that it would be a fiasco, a disaster so they all refused to support or be minimally associated with FreenBecky at that time.

But the girls and IDF were producing GAP for the right reasons and they didn't give up no matter the difficulties and the no's. Saint used all his money and his mother's savings to produce GAP and if he failed IDF would go bankrupt along with them. And was with a that perseverence and good representation mentality that GAP, the underdog show, beat all BLs in 2023 become a phenomenon and opened up the industry to GLs.

it was due to the success of GAP's exhibition on CH3 that made the channel want to produce and invest in their 1st GL; it was the success of GAP that moved Blank's CEO to make the series happen using a direct continuation of the story on her own terms and artists; it was FreenBecky's phenomenon that proved to GMMTV that GL is worth it so they finally stopped rambling and unshelve ML and their fandom unleashing their 1st GL; and the list of impact could go on with several other names and situations like the government support bc either directly or indirectly it was the success of GAP and FB that start the GL wave and made viable and visible our needs and existence as an audience to the Thai Industry.

admitting that DOES NOT make inferior your favorite couple/GLs because now with the industry growing many fans entered the industry for other artists/series and thats is a big win cuz was always the main goal of FB/IDF see that happening when they produced GAP, but please don't try to rewrite history or erase, belittle the sacrifices made by FB and IDF so you could today have a wave of GLs to choose your faves from; being true to this fact, liking FB or not, only proves your character and respect for the GL history.

So if u are a multifandom or just a GL enjoyer, respect everyone equally without differential treatment; if u are fans of other couples/series focus on them and appreciate their work, no need to minimize FB, their importance and work to value your fave,there is room for everyone. Remember if everyone always occupies different seats at this table, making different dishes, if the artists can respect each other and support, the fandom should at least respect each other or stay, know their place.

also stop harassing artists and their companies for things that don't belong to them, dont match their profile, each duo and company works in a different way; just demand for better productions and representation, better management of artists and not about other things. Lets make this space the most health possible we will disagre in a lot of things, we will fight over awards but pls be smart about it cuz a lot ppl, especially men, would love to see us fail, so stop playing their games but just uplift the woman in this field and the GL wave.

I wish all the best to all artists in GL world with special shoutout to MilkLove and their new series and Englot with Petrichor cuz I've been following their fight, struggles since 2022 and only wish the best for them over their really difficult company. Lets keep growing, all of us!

I wish all the best to all artists in GL world with special shoutout to ML and their new series and Englot with Petrichor cuz I've been following their fight, struggles since 2022 and only wish the best for them over their really difficult company. Lets keep growing, all of us

PS: I decide to share this thread here cuz dont only I agree but the GL world need that positivity and also really know their history and real adversaries which is a industry full of men, people who make GL and woman work difficult. Within our comunity and as woman we need at least respect each other and fully protect us from a place who always use and belittle our work and value.

[plus-i-miss-you]

Oh, one more if that's okay! Yandere Haruka, Mikoto, and Orekoto with their darling prisoner gn!reader please. 👀👀 They're my faves, so...😆

▷ listening to:

"you're just too good to be true" (gn!reader)

⇆ㅤ ㅤ◁ㅤ ❚❚ ㅤ▷ ㅤㅤ↻ ılıılıılıılıılıılıㅤㅤ

♪ note: ahaha, sorry for starting with your second request! i just suddenly got too inspired :'D i'm working on your first request, i swear! hope you like this one! (i feel like it came out way too cute/fluffy, but maybe that's just me)

♪ summary: yandere!haruka, mikoto and orekoto/john becoming obsessed with you, a fellow prisoner, because you're way too good for them and you make their lives better every day. congratulations, these guys are okay with doing literally anything for you and now es has to worry about them possibly trying to murder someone.

♪ warnings: general yandere themes and behavior, themes of obsession, unhealthy relationship dynamics, there's also some repetition in mikoto's part and a warning for possible themes of derealization in his part too, just in case and also mikoto and john may be slightly ooc here.

haruka sakurai.

♪ i imagine it'd be very easy for haruka to become.. a little bit possessive over someone he likes. it's actually scary just how little you have to do to make him become obsessed with you. seriously, just be nice to him. give him a warm smile every time he looks at you, never forget to say hi to him, praise him for even the simplest and tiniest things, and that's it, the boy won't be able to get you out of his head. he just doesn't understand why you're so kind to him. he also noticed that even though you're nice to others as well, it feels like you kinda give him.. special treatment, maybe? like, your smile is especially wide whenever you see him and you compliment him more often than others.. there's gotta be a reason for it, right?

♪ his obsession with you isn't that noticeable at first. in fact, haruka starts acting in a way that's maybe a little.. cute, even? like, he shyly asks if it's okay for him to sit next to you and when you nod, you can see literal sparkles in his eyes. and when you say how good he is at something, he stares at you for a moment and when you ask him what's wrong, it takes him a bit to respond and he laughs quietly while a drop of sweat runs down his cheek and he says he's just not used to hearing things like that. and when you begin to walk away, he suddenly stops you and asks:

"u-um, y/n!.. d-did you.. you know, uh.. really mean it?" 

and you have no idea that you're only encouraging him to go even more insane while turning back to him, smiling and saying yes.

♪ haruka will try so hard to spend even more time with you from now on. whenever everyone is eating, he always sits right next to you, if you're going somewhere, he's already following you, if you're talking about something, he will eagerly nod and agree with you, no matter what you say. someone like you just can't be wrong. honestly, he doesn't even have to think about anything when he's with you. he can just rely on you, right? he knows he's not the brightest person, but you will take good care of him, right? i mean, it's not like you have a choice.

♪ oh, but it doesn't mean that it will just be haruka depending on you for everything! if you need anything from him, please feel free to tell him! he can't make any promises, but he really will try his best to help you! he knows he's slow, he knows he's dumb, but if it's for you, he will try so hard to learn to do all the things you can't do yourself. just please, praise him for all his hard work. it's not such a high price, right? pat his head, call him a good boy, smile at him and only at him, say that you will always be by his side and that you will never, ever, ever leave him. hm? n-no, he did not just call you his mother right now. but he hopes you know that he's more than okay with killing someone for you or even himself if you so desire. again, he's not that smart, but he's strong, so you can trust him, he will take care of it!

mikoto kayano.

♪ .. it would take a LONG time for mikoto to realize that he likes you. yes, he had a girlfriend before according to his interrogation. yes, he's still a little slow when it comes to these things. yes. h-he just has so much on his mind, okay? also, you're just really nice and he enjoys your company a lot! there's nothing more to that, really! and no, he doesn't know what you're talking about, his face is definitely not red! maybe he just has a fever or something, he should go back to his cell, he doesn't want you to catch it, haha.. it's really hard to leave for some reason though. why can't he just take his eyes off you already?..

♪ he would try really hard to distract himself from thinking about you. maybe he should just go and talk to someone else!.. but for some reason hanging out with others isn't so fun anymore. he just can't get rid of those annoying thoughts. what do you think of him? do you like him? do you like him as a friend or in a different way? do you like somebody else? you don't, right? you don't, right? you don't you don't you don't- 

"o-oh, sorry, y/n, i kinda spaced out a little, haha. hm? i looked.. angry? come on, don't say such scary things~"

.. but he will still listen a lot more attentively whenever mahiru talks about love around you and you reply to her. 

♪ getting enough sleep is also basically impossible because of you now. whenever he closes his eyes, all he can see is you smiling, waving your hand, looking at him, getting a little too close to him.. and he immediately opens his eyes right after that because his heart starts beating way too fast, so fast that mikoto starts thinking that this is the end for him. w-wait, no, no, he shouldn't blame you for this! it's his fault for liking you so much, haha.. wait, so he likes you, huh.. that's it, he finally admitted it. he likes you. a lot. he doesn't know what he should do about it though. well, maybe, after all of this is over, you two can get together?

♪ except his feelings for you are so overwhelming that it doesn't feel like a cute little crush. he can't even simply ask you what you think about him, he starts to shake and stutter and he needs to put on a smile as quickly as he can and assure you that there's nothing wrong with him and he is so sane and so normal. oh, you have to go somewhere? he will go with you! oh, you want to spend some time alone?.. o-okay then. no, no, he's not mad! of course, he respects your privacy and he completely understands if you want to be alone right now! he will just.. stand here, in case you want to talk to him. and when he has to go back to his cell, he still can't fall asleep and he just lies there, staring at the ceiling and wondering what he should do. you have to be his. he feels normal when you're around. he feels at peace. he feels like everything is okay and there's nothing to worry about. .. huh. was there something for him to worry about?.. wait, what was he thinking about again? haha, he should just go to sleep already. you will worry about him if he doesn't get enough sleep- ah. ah, he was thinking about you.

john kayano.

♪ john doesn't really care about his own feelings. his job is to protect mikoto and that's it. he doesn't have time for other things. and why should he, out of all people, be interested in romance?.. well, uh, that's what he thought. honestly, you're so weird. since the second trial started, he's been the one who's fronting and pretty much all prisoners have been avoiding him, even shidou and kazui, but he wasn't mad or anything. actually, it's better for mikoto's safety if everyone just leaves him alone. but you were an exception. you still were patient with him and you still were nice to him no matter what he said. even if he threatened you, even if he showed that he's more than capable of attacking you and he's totally okay with it, you still believed that he wasn't a bad person. eventually he just gave up and let you do whatever you wanted. as long as you're not dangerous for mikoto, you're okay.. probably.

♪ his trust issues are still bad and he analyzes your every move, but also for some reason your presence feels safer than the other prisoners'. you actually greet him every time you see him, you actually talk to him and you just.. see him as a person? he even tried to ask you about it simply out of curiosity and you gave him a confused look and replied with:

"well, it's true, that you can be a little.. you know, scary, but hey, you're not a monster or anything. just a person who needs a little bit more care and love and that's all, haha." 

.. god, you're weird. how can you just say things like that without a second thought?.. you actually remind him of mikoto a lot.

♪ actually, he's not sure if you still see him as mikoto or someone completely different. how much do you know about him and mikoto? how close were you to mikoto? did mikoto like you?.. well, john doesn't find you suspicious and he actually feels sort of calm when you're around, so that's probably a good sign. and it's also a sign to make sure nothing bad ever happens to you. if mikoto really did like you, he would be devastated if you got hurt. and, um.. john probably wouldn't like it either. he actually feels like you're too nice for this place. sure, he knows you're a murderer as well, but he doesn't really have a right to judge you. so don't be surprised if you start to notice or feel john's presence more often or see john getting visibly annoyed if anyone looks at you in a "wrong" way or says something even slightly mean about you, even as a joke.

♪ yes, he's fine with attacking someone if he gets a feeling that they may do something bad to you. even if that person just doesn't like you that much or they have done something that made you sad, even if it was an accident, it's enough for john to see them as a threat. just don't worry too much about it, okay? it's not like it's your fault or anything. and it's not that hard for john to do it. he's.. uh, used to protecting the people he cares about, so it's fine. and you don't have to worry about him "losing" or anything. he won't calm down until that person gets what they deserve. also, if the guard has anything against you, he won't hesitate to take care of them either. it's fine, you can trust him. just remember to thank him for saving you after he's done. 

[justicerikai]

Charisma House - Superhuman Sharehouse Story “Charisma” - #86 Libido

Please read alongside listening to the drama track on Youtube.

Let me know if I missed something!

TL note:

The fellas are playing yakyuuken, basically a game based on rock paper scissors where the loser strips. The song that goes along with it is normally baseball-themed. Yoyoinoyoi remains untranslated, see it as some kind of “chant” or "sound" like la la la.

Uchiwa is a type of Japanese fan. It's common for wotaku/idol stans/etc to make custom-made uchiwas with faces of their fave idol, or some supportive message about their oshi on it.

(The five of them getting ready)

Amahiko: ….Everyone? What are you all planning to do here?

Fumiya: Rehearsal for the Sexy World Cup

Amahiko: Huh?

Ohse: We’ve been practicing till the brink of death.

Sarukawa: Sorry but we’re gon’ bag that victory. We ain’t losing to the likes of you, Amahiko!

Iori: Resign to your fate!

Amahiko: No, before that, I fail to understand the meaning behind everyone joining. I won’t be going.

Iori: “Won’t”…! You still have it in you to say such things, Amahiko-san!

Terra: Come back to your senses! You will participate in the Sexy World Cup!

Fumiya: We’ll definitely convince you. We’re serious, Amahiko.

Fumiya: Witness, all of our power combined, the greatest sexy show of all time.

Amahiko: …!

Fumiya: ‘Kay, let’s roll

(Sound of spotlight)

Amahiko: Eh?

(Music starts playing) 〜♪

The five of them: If you wanna be sexy You gotta shake it like this~♪

The five of them: Butt! Nipples! Yoyoinoyoi!

The five of them: Yoyoinoyoi!

Iori: Ohse-san looost!

(The other 4 hollering)

Ohse: ….! ….!

(Ohse gets naked)

Sarukawa, Fumiya, Iori, Terra: Sexyyyy! Wheeeh! Ain’t this nice!

〜♪

The five of them: If you wanna be sexy You gotta shake it like this~♪

The five of them: Butt! Nipples! Yoyoinoyoi!

The five of them: Yoyoinoyoi!

The five of them: Yoyoinoyoi!

The five of them: Yoyoinoyoi!

Sarukawa, Terra, Ohse: Woahoh…! You lost…!

(The three of them hollering)

Fumiya: Shit… I’ll kill you….!

Iori: Shit… I don’t hate it…!

(Fumiya and Iori getting naked)

Sarukawa, Terra, Ohse: Sexy!!!!! Yaaay!

Terra: We’re so winning with this!

Sarukawa: How ‘bout it, Amahiko!

〜♪

The five of them: If you wanna be sexy You gotta shake it like this~♪

The five of them: Butt! Nipples… 

Amahiko: What is this? In someone else's house nonetheless.

Amahiko: Also that’s not what being sexy is. Is this mockery?

The five of them: No!

Sarukawa: You got that wrong, Amahiko

Iori: We took everything into serious consideration.

Terra: And then it came to us! Yakyuuken! 

Amahiko: What, that’s how you got there.

Ohse: I-it’s more than just that…

Amahiko: Either way, I am not participating in the Sexy World Cup anymore.

Amahiko: It's futile. You can't change my mind.

The five of them: ….

Rikai: One moment Sensei!

Amahiko: !?

(Rikai popping up out of nowhere)

Amahiko: Rikai-san…!? That outfit…!

Rikai: Behold the bravery of your top disciple.  

Amahiko: Eh?

〜♪

Amahiko: This is… ballet…

Fumiya: Rikai…

Ohse: Rikai-san…

Iori: Rikai-kun…

(Rikai eagerly dancing and being awful at it)

Rikai: Hah! Hoh! ..Hah, hah! Oho hwowo h oh wow

The five of them: Awful.

(Rikai getting flustered as he dances)

The five of them: Aaah, aaah, aaah… Rikai-kun? This is cringe to watch… 

Rikai: Yaaah…! Haaah! Juuuump!

(Rikai twists his leg)

Rikai: AAAAAAAAA!

Amahiko: Rikai-san!? Are you okay!?

Rikai: Damn it…! I cannot…!

Rikai: I am not destined to be sexy, Minister of Sexy Affairs…!

Amahiko: !?

Ohse: He’s right. It’s pointless for people like us.

Fumiya: We can struggle all we like, it won’t change that we can’t create sexiness like you.

Iori: You are a different being than us!

Terra: That’s why!

Sarukawa: You have to show us the ropes!

The six of them: World Sexy Ambassador!

Amahiko: …! You guys….!

Amahiko’s mother: Amahiko…

Amahiko: Mother!

Amahiko’s mother: Take this with you to the competition.

Amahiko: What’s this…?

Amahiko’s mother: A new costume for you to wear at the cup.

(Amahiko snorts out of shock)

Amahiko’s mother: Everyone made it together. Terra-san was in charge of design.

Amahiko’s mother: Minato-san and Motohashi-san tailored it.

Terra, Ohse, Iori: Eehehe☆

Amahiko: Aaah…! …!

(Amahiko falls to his knees)

Rikai: Sensei, it’s your moment.

Terra: Ladies

Fumiya: And gentlemen

Sarukawa, Iori, Ohse: It’s showtime!

Amahiko: I… I lost, everyone…. To think there’s such sexiness….

Amahiko: Your nomination has been accepted.

Amahiko: This very Amahiko shall enter and dominate the Sexy World Cup!

Everyone: WOOOO! YAAAY! FINALLY!

Fumiya: Well, isn’t this nice, ma’am.

Amahiko’s mother: Thank you 

Everyone: Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahaha!

(Sound of sliding screen being kicked down)

Amahiko’s father: What are you bastards doing----!!

Amahiko’s mother: Dear…

Amahiko: Father… 

Amahiko’s father: What have you filth been talking about! Seriously what's this all about!

Amahiko’s father: Nothing made sense! The whole time!

Amahiko’s father: It’s nothing but nonsense! Stop screwing around you lot----!

Amahiko’s father: …..

Amahiko’s father: ……Amahiko, how much of a nuisance must you be to our family until you're satisfied.

Amahiko’s father: What a deplorable display.

Amahiko’s father: Not to mention this worthless filth you’re with, have some shame!

Amahiko’s mother: Uugh…!

Amahiko: Mother!

Amahiko: I understand, so please don’t shout anymore.

Amahiko: I won’t participate in the Sexy World Cup. 

The six of them: EEEH!?

Terra: No way, Amahiko

Iori: Don’t listen

Fumiya: Ignore him

Ohse: Don’t give in

Sarukawa: Amahiko! 

Rikai: Sensei!

Nakagami: He won’t…!? He can’t back out now…!

Nakagami: I even got my uchiwas ready…!

Torahime: Stop trying to get inside…! Sensei…!

Amahiko: It’s fine. That competition is unnecessary for me.

Rikai: …Eh?

Amahiko: I never understood why I was so obsessed with victory.

Amahiko: The source of my libido depending on the evaluation of others didn’t feel that was true to myself.

Amahiko: But now that has become clear to me. In reality, there has been someone this whole time.

Amahiko: A man who I wanted to be recognized by.

Amahiko’s father: !?

Amahiko: The stage I wanted to dance on was not at the Sexy World Cup!

Amahiko: Dear father, it was in front of you!

Amahiko: My libido is you, father! It’s youuuuu-------!

〜♪

Amahiko’s father:  !? What!

Sarukawa: His libido is his dad!

Rikai: That’s what it was!

Terra: It all makes sense!

(Amahiko taking off his yukata)

Amahiko: Fufufufu… Hahaha…

Amahiko’s father: Hey... why are you…!

Amahiko: Time for training.

(Amahiko’s father getting scared)

Amahiko’s father: …! Stop, Amahiko…

Amahiko’s father: What are you up to! STOOOOOP!

(Amahiko throwing off his clothes)

Amahiko: TA-DAH!

Amahiko’s father: GUAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

(Charisma charge: Complete)

Amahiko’s mother: Huh? My body feels great!

The six of them: Ma’am!

Fumiya: I’m glad

Amahiko: Now everyone together

Amahiko: ECSTASYYYYYYYYYYYY YAAH!!!

Take No Break

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

My Faves As Preacher’s Daughter

Family Tree (Intro) - Helaena Targaryen

Jesus can always reject his father/But he cannot escape his mother’s blood/He’ll scream and try to wash it off of his fingers/But he’ll never escape what he’s made up of/The fates already fucked me sideways/Swinging by my neck from the family tree

American Teenager - Luna Lovegood

Grew up under yellow light on the street/Putting too much faith in the make believe/And another high school football team/[…]/And I feel it there/In the middle of the night/When the lights go out/And I’m all alone out here/Say what you want/But say it like you mean it with your fists for once/A long Cold War with your kids at the front/Just give it one more day then you’re done, done/I do what I want/[…]/I’m doing what I want and damn I’m doing it well/For me

A House In Nebraska - Shosanna Dreyfus

You and me against the world/You were my man and I your girl/We had nothing except each other/You were my whole world/[…]/And I still call home/That house in Nebraska/[…]/And you might never come back home/And I might never sleep at night/But God I just hope that you’re out there somewhere/I just pray that you’re all right/And I feel so alone/And I feel so alone out here

Western Nights - Evelyn Evernever

I’d hold the gun/If you asked me to/But if you love me like you say you do/Would you ask me to?/[…]/Trouble’s always gonna find you baby/But so will I/[…]/I’m never gonna leave you baby/Even if you lose what’s left of your mind/Cause you know I’ll be right there beside you/Riding through all these Western nights

Family Tree - Peter Gordon

These crosses all over my body/Remind me of who I used to be/Give myself up to him in offering/[…]/I’m just a child but I’m not above violence/My mama raised me better than that/[…]/So take me down to the river/And bathe me clean/[…]/I’ve killed before, and I’ll kill again/Take the noose off, wrap it tight around my hand/[…]/And Christ, forgive these bones I’ve been hiding/Oh, and the bones I’m about to leave

Hard Times - Laura Palmer

Tell me a story about how it ends/Where you’re still the good guy, I’ll make pretend/Cause I hate this story/Where happiness ends and dies with you/I thought good guys get to be happy/I’m not happy/I am poison in the water and unhappy/Little girl who needs her daddy real bad

Thoroughfare - Mantis

I met you there in Texas somewhere on the thoroughfare/On the side of the road in some torn up clothes with a pistol in my pocket/I didn’t trust no one, but you said “baby don’t run, I’ll take you anywhere”/So I hopped right in, outta luck to spend, and at least your truck beats walking/And you said “hey, do you wanna see the west with me?”/[…]/But in these motel rooms I started to see you differently/Cause for the first time since I was a child/I could see a man who wasn’t angry

Gibson Girl - Georgina Sparks

He’s cold blooded so it takes more time to bleed/Obsession with the money, addicted to the drugs/[…]/“Baby if it feels good/Then it can’t be bad”/And if you want it good/Downright iconic

Ptolemaea - Max Mayfield

I followed you in and I was with you there/I invited you in twice, I did/[…]/Suffer does the wolf, crawling to thee/Promising a big fire, any fire/Saying I’m the one, he’s gonna take me/I’m on fire, I’m on fire, I’m on fire/Suffering is nigh, drawing to me/Calling me the one, I’m the white light/Beautiful, finite/Even the iron still fear the rot/Hiding from something I cannot stop/Walking on shadows I can’t lead him back/Buckled on the floor when night comes along/Daddy’s left and Momma won’t come home/You poor thing/Sweet mouring lamb/There’s nothing you can do/It’s already been done/What fear a man like you brings upon a woman like me/Please don’t look at me/[…]/Stop, stop, stop, make it stop/[…]/Blessed be the children/Each and every one come to know their god through some senseless act of violence

August Underground - India Stoker

Televangelism - Beth March

Sun Bleached Flies - Laura Lee

What I wouldn’t give to be in church this Sunday/Listening to the choir so heartfelt all singing/“God loves you, but not enough to save you”/So baby girl good luck taking care of yourself/[…]/And I just prayed/And I keep praying, and praying and praying/If it’s meant to be, then it will be

Strangers - Cassie Ainsworth

Thinking back to what I was always told/“Don’t talk to strangers or you might fall in love”/[…]/I tried to be good/Am I no good? Am I no good? Am I no good?/With my memory restricted to a Polaroid in evidence/I just wanted to be yours/Can I be yours? Can I be yours? Just tell me I’m yours/[…]/Don’t think about it too hard or you’ll never sleep a wink at night again/Don’t worry bout me and these green eyes

[everybuddiewantssome]

Writer Interview!

Tagged by @aintgonnatakethis 💙💙💙

About me

When did you start writing?

I mean. Of course I did writing projects in high school but as far as personal stuff (aka my fics) I was 20

Are there different genres or themes you enjoy reading other than the ones you write?

I mean, sure! I got nothing specific off the top of my head but considering my writing spectrum isn't spectacularly broad, I've been sure to have read something outside of my writing topics

Is there an author you want to emulate or are compared to often?

I've never been one to try to copy others. I admire a ton of y'all and wish I could do better at that in some aspects, but I'm not about to take the words off anyone else's paper so to speak

Can you tell me a little about your writing space?

Generally me, my laptop, on my bed. Some kind of music playing. Generally one of my fandom playlists and most commonly on the weekends

What's your most effective way to muster up a muse?

I honestly... do not have an answer for that. It's a delicate daydream most of the time I guess. My delicate I mean fleeting. I can lose the plot

Did the place(s) you grew up in influence the people and/or places you write

Well I mean technically my mother did get me into the show I wrote my first fic for but as far as where I've taken some of those? Gotta say no

Are there any reoccurring themes in your writing? If so, do they surprise you?

I am a sucker for h/c in any form (emotional, sickfic, injury, etc). Which I mean. Isn't an entire shocker, considering what I've been interested in television and story wise. It's not all my fics but it's around.

About My Characters

Would you please tell me about your current favourite character?

I don't know much about the characters that are consuming much of my brain right now so we won't get into that. So let's talk about Sara Sidle (and Nick Stokes). They have such a beautiful sibling dynamic (and there's a ton of shippers out there who are totally valid I see you). Anyway I've talked about Nick in detail (here). But Sara. She's far from my favourite character on the show but she is a character I've particularly enjoyed writing (especially with him). I have the same vibe with Chloe from Smallville. Very fun to write, not my fave to watch in the first half (and this rewatch I'm currently on hasn't helped)

Which of your characters would you be friends with in real life?

Welp I don't have ocs really so I'm gonna say Sam Carter. I'll join the shopping trips with her and Vala. (I got stuck on this one ok. But she is very sweet I love her we could be friends)

Which of your characters would you dislike the most if you met them?

Rodney McKay. More than likely.

Tell me about the process of coming up with characters.

Again, not an oc girly. But if I do add a side character to a story, it's always one that's connected to a canon character in some way (child, long lost friend, kid they mentored)

Do you notice any recurring traits/themes in your characters?

Nothing specific, no. I don't think so

How do you picture your characters?

My loves, my babies, my besties, my friends. I love these silly guys

About My Writing

What's your reason for writing?

It's a hobby, something I enjoy. I decided to start writing the random daydream csi fic one day and haven't turned back

Is there any specific comment or type of comment from readers that you find particularly motivating?

Honestly? Anything positive. Any joy y'all have in reading is joy I take into writing more. Especially with this long sga project I took on. Some days I'm like this is a massive hole I dug and then there's even a "great update" and I'm like thank you thank you thank you

How do want to be thought about by your readers?

I'm just trying my best out there, I hope people enjoy what I write. And I'm open to chatting do come by we can talk we can be friends!

What do you feel is your greatest strength as a writer?

I think I never lose the essence of the character. I'll always take pride in my characterization skills

Have you been told your greatest strength as a writer by others?

I do remember a couple comments about good poignancy in particularly emotional moments. Which I will definitely take. I do love those scenes and the one in particular is one of my proudest

How do you feel about your own writing?

I love it. Some of it's bad, cringey even. But I am not immune to rereading and thoroughly enjoying my own work

If you were the last person on earth, would you still write?

It's a strong possibility. It'd be a way to keep entertained. And as I said. Will reread.

When you write, are you influenced by what others might enjoy reading, do you write purely for yourself, or is it a mix of both?

I mean it's mostly me, I can't lie. But I have done a couple requests. I'm not actively seeking them but it's been fun when I have. But not to sound like a broken record, rereads! I stick to where I'm comfortable and what I'm comfortable putting out there from me for people to see

Tagging @sga-owns-my-soul @hearteyesmcgarrett @ilkkawhat @jencsi @malcolm-reeds-pineapple and any other writers! Do tell if you wish! Consider me your interviewer!

(PS sorry to snag this but there's a handy template for either mobile or desktop here at the end)

[dbphantom]

Watched the first 2 episodes of the Fallout show and was pleasantly surprised. I have a few complaints but I actually did enjoy the first episode a lot and the 2nd was pretty decent too

I really really enjoyed the sets, especially the Vault. Really well done and the vibes are perfect. The scene in the farm where the film of the projector burns and looks like bombs going off around them during the raid was great. A touch cheesy but I appreciated it bc I am a cheesy media connoisseur

I really like Lucy and the ghoul (don't remember his name). Maximus is on thin ice cuz dude is... a bit unhinged in the first 2 episodes. But he was raised by the brotherhood so I'm wishing him the best character arc. I am hoping he realizes how shitty the brotherhood is and defects by the end of the season... I'm convinced that's what's going to happen, but we will see what they do.

One scene that made me roll my eyes was the raider husband coming back to life after Lucy cut his jugular so that the dad could get the kill on him. Like why not let that moment impact her more?? Why did the dad have to be the one to kill him? Was it supposed to foreshadow that the dad was a raider or something? Cuz honestly I'm mostly suspect due to the raiders taking him with them, it's classic to have the father be a criminal but he's reformed because of his dead wife and kid... Would be awesome if they twisted it so it's the mother who was the raider, but didn't they already say she was from this Vault and the dad was the one transferred over? Regardless, that totally ripped away a character moment for Lucy. That man stole her kill...

Another thing I didn't like was the appearance of the Brotherhood so soon in episode 1. They appear before the viewer even knows what the wasteland looks like for everyone else. You see the Prydwen before you see your first established settlement and that kind of ruins the idea imo. People are struggling to live, but the brotherhood is hoarding tech. Show the people struggling first, THEN have the Brotherhood appear.

Maybe they're doing it this way because you're supposed to be viewing things like Maximus (loosing his faith in the brotherhood as the season goes on because he was raised by them and was indoctrinated, please, it would be a nice parallel to Lucy), but it still makes the pacing feel off. The friend I watched it with (hi @bautistawithadrive) agreed w/ that and he isn't even a Fallout fanatic. It just feels weird. I get that pacing is gonna be wack cuz it's an 8 (?) episode season, but it just isn't working for me.

The ghoul is fine. His intro scene at the start was cute. I found it interesting the shot of the bombs going off around them, but I'm 90% sure it's canon in lore that the Fallout nukes are less powerful than ours so I have no real complaints. If it's not canon, then it's a widely accepted fanon. I was just confused why the little girl wasn't blinded by the flash because I'm pretty sure there are logs in the games of people who were blinded when they saw the flashes? I could be misremembering tho I don't have enough room for all the Fallout lore in my brain. Anyway it's an insignificant detail overall afaik, so I'm being fussy, I think.

I am kinda bummed the ghoul doesn't look worse tho. Weird complaint probably but I was hoping he'd be a bit more idk... Ragged? Given all the other gore in the show, I was interested to see how they'd do the makeup for the ghouls, but just like nexus modders, they took the cowards way out. He looks (and sounds, oof) like a generic bald dude with some liquid latex on his cheeks and a missing nose.

The best friend of Lucy is another fave, I really.enjoyed every time she was on screen. Good actress, I hope she either becomes a villain (that eyepatch in the end credits bit of ep 2 is throwing me haha) or follows Lucy out of the Vault (or both).

I'm also curious to see where the brother's character is going to go because they could do a lot with him since he was pretty bland at the start. He could follow Lucy out (maybe with the best friend) or start some kind of political change in the people of the Vault so it will cause conflict when (if) Lucy returns, or he could convince them all to leave the Vault. It'd be cool if he found what their specific Vault experiment was meant to be, then either put it in action or made sure no other Overseer would be able to continue it. Maybe I have too much hope for such a short season... But it would be a fun way to introduce Vault experiments to the audience.

One thing I am VERY nervous about is if they're going to make Lucy pregnannte. I could see them doing it bc that sex scene with the raider felt like a Chekov's gun situation (plus the BFF being like "I can't wait to raise our kids together!" which initially had me like 'wait what are they a lesbian couple forced to get with dudes to make babies? That'd be an awesome storyline!' but thinking abt it I'm wondering if it is foreshadowing for the bestie to also leave the Vault and track her down. Which I want to happen, I loved her character). Idk they could have just included a sex scene for the sake of having one... But I'm also thinking about all the morning sickness vs radiation sickness jokes they could be making, so if there is a scene of her puking in the next few episodes (beyond the gore-fest), I am SO calling it

But like to be clear I don't WANT it to happen, usually that kind of thing in shows makes me turn it off immediately because I'm so not interested in watching a character slowly become 2D for a wailing potato we're just supposed to like because it's a kid, so I hope they surprise me, but I also wouldn't be shocked if it did because all the set-up is there 😬

[carlos-in-glasses]

Can I share an unpopular opinion? I don't really think that Gwyn was as good a mother as most fan fiction tends to portray. She always gave me the impression of being too consumed with being a hotshot lawyer than a mother. And she did both Owen and TK really dirty when she was in Texas. She knew damn well she wasn't going to stay in Texas permanently (a posh Manhattan snob like Gwyn wouldn't last long in Texas) and she used Owen to get what she needed at the time. She was literally going to go back to New York without even telling TK if she hadn't been caught when he came home to find her stuff packed. Even when she "saved" him and sent him to rehab it felt like it was more about her feelings than about TK. I know Owen has issues, but he always struck me as being a much better parent than Gwyn.

Sure! You're welcome to share your opinions on the show. I don't know if you're looking for my view on what you've said or if you just wanted to vent or start a general discussion with others who might see this (which is fine), so please skip over what follows if you're not interested:

I really like Gwyn – and Owen, Andrea and Gabriel. They are all my problematic faves; none of them are simple, all of them have grit, and I love the depiction of parents-with-adult-children on the show. That said, in my own fics, I've portrayed Gwyn as a beloved, loving, much missed person who had to enter a crack den to save her son. I also see some of what you're saying, like she was always going to want to be back in Manhattan, even if a pregnancy with Enzo hadn't happened. I think it was always the plan to say goodbye to TK before she left, though. She just needed to compartmentalise at first and get far enough along in her move so he wouldn't be able to talk her out of it (headcanon, obvies). She said she and Owen want to talk to TK about it together (but I love TK’s reaction to that – it giving him flashbacks to when he was seven but this time he gets to stand up for himself).

Tbh it doesn't bother me that she's a hotshot lawyer any more than it bothers me that Owen is highly career driven, and presumably Gabriel too. We don't know about Andrea job-wise, but we do know she’s an attentive mother who let her son down in a big way nonetheless. With TK in a much better place, and an adult, Gwyn can focus on what she wants and make money doing something she loves (can’t relate). She also deeply loves TK, and I can only imagine how difficult it is emotionally to balance having kids and hugely busy high-stakes jobs. You can't be la-de-dah about being a parent, but you also can't fudge being a lawyer. You have to go H.A.M. Fun fact: I'm the sprog of a busy complicated yuppie who I constantly disappoint lol, so I have some skin in the game when it comes to trying to figure all this out, as well as forgive certain things and find peace. (All this is furthering a ridiculous notion I have about bringing Gwyn and Gabriel back as ghosts with unfinished son-business 😅, as I contrast them with each other in my head a lot). I'm not a huge fan of the pregnancy storyline, partly because the timeline drives me bananas. Wish they'd done it a different way. Generally, I'm up for exploring Gwyn's complexities and flaws more.

Ooof…. I strongly disagree re. taking TK to rehab being more about Gwyn’s feelings than about his wellbeing. She was at her wit's end and I see it as a last-ditch attempt to save TK; by that point into TK's addiction, I can imagine she and Owen were both hugely fatigued. It's immensely difficult to deal with loved ones with addiction. It causes frustration and anger that all ultimately comes from a place of love and care and just wanting the nightmare to stop for everybody involved, with the best possible outcome (recovery), and at some point you’re running on empty. Both Gwyn and Owen dealt with TK the only way they knew how. It's impossible at times to know what to do, and everything seems wrong. I recently rewatched 3x08 very closely because I was working scenes into a fic, and I found it highly effective and emotional. To me, their love as mother and son was crystal clear and beautifully played. She flew from New York to California and then immediately flew back again. Imo, that is something else – something totally desperate.  

Owen and TK's relationship is what drew me to the show in the first place, and I also like that it's loving and close but also has its issues. Owen, Gwyn and TK have all been through a lot together and apart, they all have their flaws, and it makes them fascinating characters. I like that nobody is perfect – everyone is trying their best but messing up, sometimes big-time (this I can relate to...)

Tl;dr - I like our hot mess hotshot lawyer and her hot mess ex and son and the hot mess in-laws she never got to know. Really like the lilac jumper she wore as a spectre leaning against the tree, so shout out to that as well. You've inspired me to think more deeply going forward about her as a fic writer (I have a couple of WIPs in which she is important) so 👍

[tiddiesoutwhenthetisout]

✨️ask game✨️

random emoji-based questions to sate your curiosity

personal

👁 eye colour

🇪🇺 nationality

🏳️‍🌈 sexuality

🏳️‍⚧️ gender identity

🛐 religion

faves

☕️ hot drink

🧃 cold drink

🍜 dish

🍉 fruit

🥦 veggie

🎉 holiday

🎲 game

🏐 sport

🐈‍⬛ animal

🌻 flower

🌦 weather

🌍 place

🚙 means of transport

fandom faves

😇 blorbo

😈 meow meow

👥️ otp

📺 tv show

🎬 movie

📚 book

🎶 musical artist

BRO REALLY SAID "ALL OF IT" 🤣 i like that

i'll try shortening my answers.

personal

👁 the emoji but more yellow (?) under sunlight. it's in another post.

🇪🇺 filo

🏳️‍🌈 bisexual but only 1% men? i'm the opposite of androphilic so...

🏳️‍⚧️ genderfluid. is very fun

🛐 don't rlly care

faves

☕️ coffee :3 which i can't have very often due to medical conditions and that makes me so fucking sad if i'm honest lol

🧃boba. gives me that sugar high, chewing experience, and tons of regret. add cream cheese and it's an entire meal!

🍜 no favorites, but anything with soy sauce tbh. it's not my favorite, but adobo is the comfort food.

🍉 pEACH. PEACH IS THE SHIT BRO.

little story: when a band had me substitute for their vocals one time, they asked me to name compensation besides monetary. i'm so bad at these so they just said "snacks?" and shipped me a whole bunch of peach snacks. it's easy to get my favor; i killed that lineup LOL

🥦 broccoli. i'm improving, but i'm still a picky eater unfortunately... so people found it weird that i've always loved this one.

🎉 don't know don't care

🎲 like... video game, or board game or casino game or- i don't have one anyway. but i recently learned backgammon :3

🏐 i like a lot of them, including volleyball itself, though i've bad history with school teams (in volley, i've gotten sabotaged too) so i kinda only played casually.

more stories! because i can't live without yapping. joined filipino kendo (arnis lol) in middle, sulked and quit after i couldn't go to nationals because my height and weight didn't match my age bracket. i'm still salty. justice for taller girls with muscle mas (and a big ass, thanks mom i guess)! they randomly shoved me into a versus college tourney once for the numbers after that, so i won gold and never looked back lmao.

i loved training sessions though; we'd run around the track and whoever finishes first would get to skip push-ups. my childish satisfaction leaving everyone else on the field, stretch and cool down as they finished their laps and *then* going back to the training area to start doing push-ups immediately, screaming from exhaustion 💀 it was pure sadistic joy i say. they were all boys too so it was fun crushing their pride LMAO this is way longer than i intended but i just had to share this detail xD

🐈‍⬛ CATS. next question. bunnies second, owls next.

🌻 lavenders bc they remind me of my wife and sunflowers bc they remind me of my twin from another mother.

🌦 sunny. other yapping is on this post too.

🌍 in her arms or something. my bed or something. something something.

🚙 the car. cabs next because it's interesting when the drivers start telling me their life stories.

fandom faves

tbh i'm not sure i'm aware about all the nuances of blorbo and meow meow. searches also show different, subjective definitions but uh

😇 patroclus? i can't really think of anyone else since i'm into the entire myths stuff rn. it says morally grey too so...

😈 achilles. they have to come in a set. and it says "committed atrocities" so i guess that's that? lol.

👥 ugh, don't make me say it.

i'm enjoying this link thingy, let me be 🤣

📺 i don't really watch tv but derry girls is funny. i wasn't into it at first but i think my gf brainwashed me through exposure /j wandavision was enjoyable.

🎬 PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS i have a lot in mind, as well as the ones i've seen but have forgotten. parasite (2019) was great though. conclusion still gets me every time.

a lot of horror movies really, and the conjuring (2013) is still a favorite. i haven't seen the babadook nor evil dead yet though lol. nimona (2023), instant family (2018), brokeback mountain (2005), howl's moving castle (2004) for a few among many... my working memory is fucked

📚 ... we will be here all day, please. a book that earned the most re-reads from me is osamu dazai's no longer human. i gotta read it again this year lol.

here's a few i can remember: metamorphosis (kafka), father of the four passages (lois-ann yamanaka), the stranger (camus), notes from the underground (dostoyevsky), ecko series (danie ware), the song of achilles (MM), circe (MM), the brutal art (jesse kellerman), distant echo (val mcdermid)... idk, these are my more recent reads. the rest are random theses from the uni library.

🎶 miyashita yuu (@/miy_yuu on youtube). he's a genius and an all-rounder. makes art, does sports, makes his own costumes, absolute GODLY with vocal techniques, range and control. he's also just a silly human being.

[samgirl98]

Cain and Abel Wept 4/?

Prev | Next

Not gonna lie, I'm not too proud of this chapter, but I needed a way to transition. I will say, the repealing of the Anti-ecto laws is going to be more background. I want to mostly focus on the emotional and angst/comfort. So, while the rest of the fic is gonna have the Justice League trying to destroy the GIW, I'm also going to mostly focus on the families getting to know each other. Don't except a quick fix between Damian and Danny. I will say, Jason and Danny being besties is one of my fave tropes so that's gonna happen here

Jason would be the first one to admit he came back wrong.

(As if coming back from the dead was ever right.)

He was more violent, easier to anger, and he swore that sometimes he felt invisible eyes on him even if he couldn’t truly see anything.

(They looked like afterimages, smoke in the wind as it disappeared.)

Jason knew deep down that Danny wasn’t lying.

Lazarus green eyes stared at them; the room chilled enough that, had he not been wearing the helmet, Jason would be able to see his breath. The lights flickered, and he swore Danny’s shadow turned into something monstrous for half a second.

Something deep in Jason’s chest called out to whatever Danny was signaling. Danny looked at Jason with knowing eyes.

“You and I are similar, revenant.”

Every other member of Jason’s family fell to their knees or covered their ears in pain. The Fenton’s had different reactions.

While the two parents flinched, the daughter’s, Jasmine, eyes glowed. She didn’t seem perturbed by the sounds her brother was making. Sounds whose meanings Jason couldn’t understand with his ears but from somewhere deep in his chest.

“Only the dead can understand this language. Or those like us, those who have died and come back. That’s why you can understand me, revenant.”

Jason was never gladder for his helmet than he was now, “he’s telling the truth. He’s dead, or at least he’s like me.”

Batman frowned.

“Akhi, did you die when I—when…?”

Danny shook his head, “No, it was close, but no. Mother always had someone following us, it seemed. He bandaged me up and then called mother. She faked my death and said I could never return to the League as I would be sentenced to death as a traitor.”

Damian took a deep, rattling breath. Jason had never seen the kid cry so much as he had today.

“No, I died in an accident. Only it didn’t kill me the whole way. I’m Schrodinger’s boy. Half dead, half alive. Half human,” a bright light suddenly blinded them, “half ghost.”

“How,” Bruce asked (not Batman, Bruce), “how did you die?”

Impossibly the room got colder. Frost started appearing on the windows, and Jason felt like a predator had targeted him.

“Never ask a ghost how they died,” Danny said in a deadly tone.

Both Fenton parents stepped in front of Danny on the defensive.

“It’s rude to ask how a ghost died,” the mother answered.

“It’s traumatic and can cause a ghost emotional damage. Please refrain from asking that; if Danny brings it up later, that’s up to him,” the father said in a low voice.

The older sister put her arms around her trembling younger brother.

Jason couldn’t help but feel like shit. Jason wanted to go up to the boy and protect him from Bruce, from anyone who would harm him physically or emotionally. Jason felt the familiar twinge of green forming around his vision.

They threaten your King; eliminate them!

“Peace, revenant. Thank you for wanting to defend me, but there’s no danger here yet.”

Jason calmed at the kid’s words (sounds?). He saw his family (minus Bruce and Damian) looking at Jason with worry in their gazes.

He shook his head at Dick’s silent question. Jason didn’t know what had come over him. Jason looked at Danny; he only knew the kid was important to him (to the dead).

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend,” Bruce said, “But why would you think we were going to arrest you?”

Maddie and Jack reluctantly let Danny go in front of them. They kept a hand on each of Danny’s shoulders, and both elder Fenton had the other hand hovering over their suits, no doubt to weapons only they knew about.

“You’re part of the Justice League, aren’t you? Hell, not just a part of it, a founder. And the Justice League upholds the law no matter what,” Danny said bitterly, “My very existence is against the United States of America laws. I’m an ecto-entity. Under the Anti-Ecto Acts, I’m neither sentient nor sapient, which means I have no rights. I can be captured and experimented on without prejudice.”

Danny looked straight at Jason, and Jason felt a chill over him (someone walking over my grave), “So can you, by the way. You’re lucky they haven’t found you. It could be because you’re in Gotham, but,” Danny shrugged.

 “We would never do that,” Damian yelled out, his arm waved in a single cutting motion to punctuate his point, “Justice doesn’t always mean abiding by the law. Father was a vigilante before there were laws protecting what he did! Why would you think we would turn you over to be experimented on?”

Danny looked at Damian with sad eyes, “I never thought my younger brother would stab me, yet, that came to be, didn’t it, Dami?”

Damian looked as if someone had stabbed him in the chest.

Jasmine got in front of Danny, “It’s like Danny said earlier: what else were we to think when we saw all of you, who are affiliated with the Justice League, coming after us like you would you’re, what are they called, rogue gallery?”

“I apologize for that,” Bruce said remorsefully, “I saw you were leaving. I had just found out another son had been hidden from me,” Bruce’s voice broke. “I didn’t think; I reacted. We reacted. I didn’t want to risk losing you again. Not when I just found out about your existence.”

Bruce stepped forward; the small family in front of them stepped back. Bruce stilled completely.

“Listen, we all fucked up, not just B,” Dick said, trying to do damage control, “We aren’t going to turn you in to any government branch; you aren’t criminals. We—we just wanted to get to know our newest family member.”

Danny looked straight at Dick, “The Fentons are my family.”

Dick smiled, “You can have more than one family. Besides, the more, the merrier! You don’t have to be buddy-buddy with us right away. But we do want to help. How about we start with these Anti-Ecto Act laws.”

Dick sat down, his body language open, his smile a bit feral, “So tell us. What exactly are they?”

____

Against his parents’ better judgment, Danny decided to trust his bio family, at least with the help of the repeal of the Anti-Ecto Act laws.

As soon as Bruce and the rest of the Batfamily (?) found out about the laws, they set up an emergency meeting with the Justice League to repeal them.

Danny didn’t trust them enough to stay in the same city as them, let alone the same living area.

“Akhi, please, we can protect you in Gotham. We can help you and,” Damian swallowed nervously, “and I missed you,” he confessed.

Danny wanted to tell Damian, ‘no, you don’t get to play that card. You had your chance, and you blew it. You almost killed me…You betrayed me.’

Looking at his brother’s red-rimmed eyes and semi-hopeful stare, Danny couldn’t.

Damian had been a kid.

So was I; it’s not fair!

Danny turned to his small family, “It’s up to you, sport. We’ll do whatever you want.”

“Little brother, it’s about being together and being safe. Whatever you want.”

What did Danny want?

Once upon a time, he wanted to be a normal child. He wanted to play with his little brother without fear. Danny wanted not to have to kill.

Now, he just wanted to survive.

Europe would’ve been the best option. Staying in the US was suicide. Danny knew the GIW wouldn’t go silently even if the Justice League started repealing. He also knew that the best way to make the laws disappear was if he helped Batman and the Justice League however he could.

You can do that from Europe.

Danny bit his lip. He wanted to be safe; he wanted to be selfish.

“We’ll stay in Gotham, but I refuse to go to your place.”

“That’s fine,” Damian quickly assured him, “right, father?”

Batman nodded, “Yes, I have a penthouse in the city you can stay. You can stay in this safehouse if you’d like. I’d have to stock it up. We could even find a way to set you up in school.”

“No!” All the Fentons yelled.

The other family was surprised at the vehement denial.

“We’re sorry,” Maddie apologized, “A government organization is hunting Danny. If we try to enroll him, they’ll find him quickly. It’s best if we lay low.”

“Yes, of course, we will deal with that, I promise.”

Batman turned to Danny, “If there’s anything you need, anything at all,” he took out a card and a cell phone, “call me.”

Danny nodded.

“I think we should stay here,” his mom said, “since we’re staying in Gotham, I’d rather be a bit far away from the city, if possible.”

“Of course. If you want, we can talk while the children get to know each other.”

Danny looked at the merry band of furries; sure, children.

Except for Red Robin and Damian, everyone else seemed to be an adult.

Danny’s eyes went back to the revenant. He really should talk to the guy one on one. Let him know what’s going on and maybe cure that disgusting contaminated ectoplasm.

Danny’s parents’ left with Batman, but Jazz stayed behind with Danny.

Nightwing smiled from where he sat, and Damian fidgeted. The rest of them didn’t seem to know what to do with themselves.

Let the awkwardness begin.

@spectralstardustandphantomnights @avelnfear @idfk-man10 @blackroserelina @candeartist422 @luer-mirin @mur-ururu @insufferablecrab @skulld3mort-1fan @meira-3919 @aethernorwood @mimilikey @marshmelloe @latheevening226 @ahyesanerd @lexdamo @chrysanthemum9484

[ridhearts]

preparations {vil x reader}

sometimes when i have bad days i imagine kisses with my faves and it makes it better :)

gn!reader - reader is wearing make-up! (also there is one mention of "housewife" but the reader is not explicitly referred to as one - if that might bother you, read at your own discretion!)

Not fair.

It was a thought that crossed your mind frequently when you hung around Vil. At first, it was born from a place of something uncomfortable, not quite envy and not quite self-loathing but a similar emotional cocktail that made it difficult for you to tell the difference. You got over that rather quickly - and good thing, because you were positive Vil could smell your envy for miles and you never would have gotten this far with it in tow. No, your feelings changed, bubbling into something warmer, something that made your face hot and your heart stutter. Now you were comfortable, and you were eager to fan the fervent flames of his beauty which you've begun to cherish so. But that meant that you had to be brought up to standard, to have his attention focused right where you wanted it and yet you were still unsatisfied because it was attention of the wrong kind.

It was still very much unfair. Unfair of him to tease you, to swipe your lips carefully with gloss and ignore the way you writhed with both nerves and impatience. It was especially cruel when you both knew that, with sad enough eyes and a few sweet murmurings of 'pretty please', you could get whatever you wanted.

"And don't forget," Vil started, his voice authoritative as always but dimmed to a softer volume than usual. You quickly filtered out the words he was saying, focusing instead on the sweet pitch, on the way you would certainly be able to feel the vibrations in his throat if you placed a gentle touch there. The information he was giving you had already been drilled into your head after he gave you meticulous instructions on what to expect and who to avoid. Yes, the few celebrities you had heard of during your time in Twisted Wonderland would be there. Yes, pictures of you would certainly be circulating on Magicam from the moment you get there until at least a week after. No, he didn't expect you to hold onto his arm and smile quietly like some colonial housewife. Where on earth did you get that idea?

Others said he liked to harp on the most insignificant details, but you saw him more like a worried mother hen. The public eye was a dangerous place to be for the uninitiated, and you were still so unfamiliar with the world at large. He was only trying to shelter you from a well-documented embarrassment, and you were beyond thankful.

But there was something other than words that would help soothe your words, something he was being woefully cruel about keeping from you.

"...are you listening, sweet potato?" Vil suddenly asked, voice flat and face unamused. Even his frown was prim and dainty. You stared at it as he sighed. "Of course you aren't. You are absolutely hopeless, you know."

Finally blinking to reality, you smiled up at Vil and kicked the floor, spinning once in his vanity chair. He stopped the chair with one hand, effectively caging you in on the side. "Yeah, hopelessly in love with you."

Narrowing his eyes, Vill put two fingers beneath your chin and tilted your head slightly, examining his work from every angle. "Oh? What makes you think you'll get what you want if you continue to act so childishly, hm?"

"Maybe I need some incentive to start acting more responsibly."

"Is that how this works?"

You pouted, watching for the moment Vil's eyes flickered down to your own lips. It took everything you had not to smile when you finally caught him.

With another exasperated sigh, Vil leaned closer to give you what you wanted. The hand that tilted your chin moved to cradle your face, touch gentle to avoid smearing any makeup yet undeniably warm. His lips were soft, barely pressing against your own in a silent chide to not get too greedy. You could smell the sweetness of one of his cosmetics, something faintly fruity and undoubtedly new. His attempt to look entirely unenthused when he pulled away was valiant - fitting for such an adept actor, for sure - but he still let you carefully swipe the mark of your lip gloss away with your thumb. His own lipstick, of course, was smudge-proof. 

“I’m lucky you love me,” You said dreamily, stealing the sentiment from Vil before he could comment on your luck. Not for the first time, Vil gave you a soft warning look. Empty threats.

“That is proof that I indulge you entirely too often.” Vil stepped away so you could look at yourself in the mirror, placing his hands on the back of the chair and bending so his face was level with yours. You locked eyes in the mirror. “Now, how about you tell me what information I was giving you before you disrupted my work?”

[yokohamabeans]

I loved that question and your interpretation on their smell :0

Do you think you can do other tr characters ?

I hc sanzu smell like sanitizer or like fresh out the shower smell 👀 and I'm not complaining hehe

It was a super fun question right?!! Big thanks to the anon who asked!! Sure, I can do a couple more of TR characters, but I’m not sure which ones you want so I’ll just go off some of my faves and some others, if that’s alright!!

Sanzu: Yes I agree that he’s always smelling like he’s just fresh out of a shower, with a really pleasant soap/shampoo smell!! (I think it’s cuz he’s so pretty 😂) I envision him as someone who doesn’t really use any kind of perfume/body scents, and just naturally smells nice (though yeah it’s probably not realistically, biologically possible but c’mon now). Same with Senju!!

Edit: I totally forgot that Sanzu is canonically a clean freak so yes, please add sanitizer to the list—you are right, anon!! (I got reminded of this thanks to @penrose-quinn’s tags which you should check out too cuz she has HCs on Shin, Mikey and Baji’s scent I agree with 100%!)

Meanwhile, their brother Takeomi just smells like Marlboros. And he’s way more pungent than his buddy Shinichirou, who somehow smells only faintly like cigarettes, which is balanced out/neutralised by the laundry detergent he uses, or diesel and grease from the bike shop. During his days as a delinquent he probably smells like generic body spray (thinking it’d appeal him to girls) but loses this as he grew into a young adult and became more practical.

I’m not sure, but I vaguely recall a post saying that Mikey is somewhat stinky cuz he doesn’t shower? (LOL?!) Or was it in one of the chapters/tidbits from Wakui? Don’t quote me on this cuz I can’t remember!! But anyway, I honestly can’t find it in myself to disagree entirely…. I’m not saying he walks around smelling like death, but I think he has that slightly musty ‘just got out of bed’ scent. You know what I mean? This guy is extremely minimal with personal care (Draken had to mother him and do stuff like tie his hair) so he’s either entirely scentless or has a tiny bit of body smell, which may or may not be unpleasant to some people.

I think Draken wears a masculine scent / body spray / deodorant. But he also lives in a brothel, and brothels tend to smell very ‘sweet’, so some of that sickly sweet perfume would’ve probably settled into his clothes a little too.

Kazutora’s fashion sense is pretty flashy, and so is his room decor, so I wouldn’t doubt that he’d choose some kind of flamboyant scent too—or at least, that’d be what he wants to smell like. He may be scentless because Character Book 2 said he has sensitive skin, so he may not use or spray anything on himself.

Mitsuya is a really considerate person, so he’d probably just want to remain scentless or just lightly pleasant (Japanese people actually tend to avoid having strong scents or perfumes, so as to not risk bothering others with a smell that others may not like). Therefore, I don’t think he’d wear any kind of scent. It’ll just be from his laundry detergent. (He’d probably rather save the money as well.)

Hakkai probably started out wearing something rather strong and masculine cuz that’s what I think Taijuu smells like, even though Hakkai himself may not have liked it, or felt that it wasn’t ‘him’. That was until Mitsuya commented about how strong smells can bother others, and how Hakkai shouldn’t do or wear something he doesn’t enjoy. Thereafter, Hakkai ditched it and opted for a much lighter scent. Yuzuha will also wear a light, floral type of scent, in my opinion! She feels like a Jo Malone kind of girl for some reason 🤔

Chifuyu would smell like a cat and some citrus-based deodorant. But since starting his part-time work at Palme Pet Shop, he also has a canine kind of smell too. He doesn’t stink, he just smells like someone who’s always cuddling pets haha.

Ok it ended up being more than a ‘few’ but I hope these are alright!! 🥰

[outerbankies]

new light part 4: underneath the moonlight — rafe cameron

new light series masterlist

summary: you and rafe meet the parents (properly) and go to midsummers together, but not everyone is as smitten with your relationship as you two are.

pairing: rafe x kook reader

warnings: drinking, swearing

a/n: say hello to a few characters (tw: ward) i have had yet to feature thus far 🤗 more of y/n being besties with kelce (and topper this time—our fave obx himbo) there’s a lil drama in this part y’all... into the thick of it. thanks for all the feedback 💖not canon rafe

my writing

yeah if you give me just one night, to meet you underneath the moonlight

You’re startled awake by a loud knock on your bedroom door. You’re squished between 6 feet and 3 inches worth of boy and the pink wall your bed is pushed up against. Rafe always insisted on laying on your outer side, closest to the door of your bedroom. Which means you often woke up pressed into the wall, your neck sometimes aching from the awkward angle. Not to mention Wilbur always taking up the space at your feet, Rafe usually nudging him into your space so he could stretch out.

Rafe stirs also, making sleepy noises and stretching his legs where they hang off the end of your bed. He grumbles and smacks his lips together a few times, your hand instinctively coming to rub along his jaw. His eyes flutter open as the sun streams in through your window, illuminating the hint of golden stubble on his chin. You’d only slept over together a few times, since you were both staying with your parents for the summer, so it’s always nice to wake up with your boy in your bed.

Oh fuck. Your boy is in your bed.

Rafe's eyes widen at the same time as yours.

“Oh shit, we fell asleep?” he whispers, head whipping around your room.

“Fuck, you have to hide right now,” you whisper, stumbling through your thoughts sleepily.

Another knock sounds from the door.

You extract yourself from your spot between Rafe and the wall, his hands guiding you by your hips as you tumble over him.

“Just, fuck, just like—get under the covers or something. God, I hope it’s not my dad,” you whisper.

“Me too,” he says, slinking into the gap between your bed and the wall as best he can, covering his face with a pillow.

You check that he’s concealed enough, turning to open the door just the slightest bit. Dylan stands in the crack.

“We have brunch at the Club in an hour, mom wanted me to ask if you invited Rafe,” he peers around you, gaze moving to behind your shoulder. “Or I could just ask him myself. Sup, Rafe?”

“Shut the fuck up, Dyl,” you whisper-shout. “Where are mom and dad? Can he sneak out the back? And don’t lie to me, or I’ll tell them about Hilton Head.”

“God, calm down. Dad’s in the garage and mom’s getting ready. Just have him go now.”

“Thanks,” you say, all but slamming the door in his face. You turn around and press your back against the door, letting out a shaky breath.

The covers rustle, and Rafe springs out of your bed to gather his things while Wilbur watches him. He always starts pouting when he notices that Rafe is putting on his hat or shoes, signs that he’s about to leave.

“We are so dead.”

“You don’t think he’ll say anything, do you? I don’t think I can sit at brunch with your dad in an hour if he knows I slept in your bed last night.”

“Not if he’s smart,” you sigh. “Want me to walk you out?”

“No, I got it. Just keep Willy in here. I’ll text you when I make it out alive. If you don’t hear from me, just assume your father murdered me,” he jokes, leaning down to give you a kiss after he slips his shoes on. “See you back here in an hour?”

“Yes, please be early. And clean shaven.”

“Yes ma’am. And don’t insult me,” he mumbles against your lips.

“Nervous?”

“Not nearly as nervous as I will be if I get caught, sweetheart. Gotta go so I have time to shower—and shave. See you in a bit.”

He gives you one last kiss before he departs, and you move to the window with Wilbur to watch him slink across the backyard, arms crossed and a fond grin on your face. He turns and blows you one last kiss before he disappears around the side of your house.

—

“Y/n, can I speak to you for a second?”

Your dad’s voice comes from his study as you pass by, checking yourself over in the entryway mirror one more time. Rafe should be here any minute.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Come sit,” he says, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his desk. You feel the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Your dad only invited you to talk in his study if it was something serious. The last time he did was when he told you he was going to take away your Range Rover if you didn’t pull your Bs up to As your freshman year of college. You’ve had a 4.0 ever since.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes, everything’s fine. Just wanted to talk about the new boyfriend.”

“What about him?”

“I always knew of him while the two of you were growing up. But I talked to him a bit back during Dylan’s grad week.”

As an unruly teenager and the rightful heir to his father's business, everyone in the Outer Banks knew about Rafe and his antics. Good or bad. You could even recall your mom gossiping to your dad, words passed on from Rose, about some of his more... notable incidences.

“Y-yeah, he's...” you trail off, searching for the right words to describe Rafe these days.

“Seems like a good kid,” your dad supplies.

“What did you guys talk about?”

“Business, mostly. His future and whatnot.”

“Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

“No, I just wonder... are you sure about this one? When you were kids, that boy was always causing trouble. And you know your mother and I were always so proud of how you stayed in line.”

“I know,” you sigh. “But Rafe’s not a boy anymore. Just give him a chance.”

“I will,” your dad says, slapping his knees to stand up. “But I'm also gonna give him a hard time.”

“Dad, please.”

“It’s my job. Your mom gets to freak out about Dylan moving out, and I get to handle scaring every man who gets to look at you.”

The doorbell rings.

“Please. I am literally begging.”

Your dad draws a fake halo around his head, and you just roll your eyes.

The morning gets off to an even more embarrassing start as soon as Rafe crosses the threshold into your house. Wilbur jumps into his arms immediately, all ninety pounds of him, and your mom’s eyes widen.

“My goodness, he’s usually so hesitant around strangers!”

Dylan chokes on a laugh, and if you weren’t across the room you’d have elbowed him in the ribs.

“Oh, I’ve walked Wilbur by Tanneyhill before.”

“Yeah, I-I love Willy. Mrs. Y/l/n, it’s so nice to see you again,” Rafe says, effortlessly following your lead after Wilbur scampers out of his hold. He shakes your mom’s hand politely. Your dad sidles up to her then, fixing Rafe with a stare harder than you’d prefer. “Mr. Y/l/n, you as well. Thanks again, to both of you, for inviting me.”

“Good to see you, Rafe,” your dad says, a strong hand clamping onto his shoulder. “Dylan, come say hi.”

Dylan’s grin is devilish, and you're just watching on in pure horror at this point. “How have you been, Rafe? Haven’t seen you in a while.”

—

Rafe’s grinning ear to ear, hand firm on your thigh, all of the windows in his truck rolled down. He even popped the sun roof, letting you blast your playlist all the way down the road.

“Okay—I just... did that go well?”

“You did great, Rafe.”

Despite Dylan's best efforts to embarrass you two, brunch had gone really well. Your dad took a second to let his guard down, unlike your mother who was immediately gushing over him. You could practically see the wheels in her head turning, the wedding colors she'd picked for you. And your dad came around quick enough once Rafe brought up Formula 1.

Your boyfriend looks so relieved, hand even coming to feel the air pass through his fingers as he hangs his arm out the window, hand on your thigh coming back up to steady the wheel. He taps on it excitedly.

“Lowkey, feel like I nailed it, baby.”

“Okay,” you giggle, leaning over to peck his check. You pull him in with a soft hand to the other side of his face. “Let’s not get too big for our britches.”

“Oh, I’m a parent-meeting expert now. Might go into consulting.”

“You’ve perfected the sport?” you joke.

“No, no. That’s—I’ve never actually met parents before,” he admits.

“No way?”

“Way? Have you?” he asks, slight edge seeping into his tone as he pulls up to the stoplight outside of your favorite coffee spot.

“Uh... once. We weren’t even really dating yet, but they came to visit and he like, ambushed me with them at dinner. They were kinda hippies, though.”

“Yeah?” His tone is clipped as he parks his truck.

“Yeah, some guy from my comparative literature class sophomore year,” you sigh. “But, you’re the first to meet my parents.”

“Mm,” he hums, fingers tapping on your knee. That satisfies him. He gathers one of your hands in his. “You coming in?”

“Will you just get me a latte? Kinda wanna call my mom and debrief.”

He laughs, kissing your knuckles. “I’ll give you a minute, sweetheart. Oat milk?”

—

Your original plans to meet the Camerons fell through, a last minute staging emergency arising when you were all supposed to go for dinner. You’d tried not to look down while Rafe attempted in earnest to cheer you up, telling you how pretty you looked while you took out your earrings and let your hair down. He'd kissed the crown of your hair and apologized profusely, promising they would love you when they finally got to meet you.

“M’not upset.”

“Okay.” His hand stroked your back through the thick cotton of one of his old water polo sweatshirts he’d let you borrow for the night.

“I’m just really nervous about meeting them. You might’ve set the bar a little too high with my parents.”

“You just have a great family.”

“I don’t know,” you said when you finally cracked a smile. “Made it pretty far on your first try.”

“Don’t worry. They’re going to love you, sweetheart.”

You let him kiss your cheek, your forehead, your nose and chin.

“Hope so.”

“Know so.”

And Rafe had somehow convinced your father to let you go to Midsummers with his family, promising to join up for pictures and greetings later. Your dad had willingly let him, to your surprise.

The event was a big deal to Figure 8 patriarchs and matriarchs alike, always trying to outdo the other in every way, all while feigning some sense of island camaraderie. But when Rafe had set aside time at brunch to specifically ask your family for their permission to accompany you to the event, they’d been hard pressed to say no. Your family immediately accepted Rafe as your boyfriend, any lingering hesitations about his character drowned out by the equal chances of your personal happiness and the heightening of their social and business profiles.

But he’d still come to your house to pick you up, ready to greet your parents in the foyer once again.

He takes one look at you in that blush pink dress, hair, makeup and jewelry all done up this time around, daisy flower crown in place, and flicks his eyes around his surroundings. Your father and Dylan were nowhere in sight, and your mother was busy fixing her earrings in the hall. He takes to your side immediately, a kiss to the side of your head followed by his lips pressing against your ear. “I’m fucking obsessed with you.”

With the high from those words, you ride in his truck to Midsummers, nerves never dissipating no matter how many reassurances he speaks across the summer air streaming in through the vehicle. “Remember, they’re gonna love you.”

He helps you down from his truck so you can focus on keeping your dress off the ground, assuring you for the fiftieth time that Rose is going to like your headpiece.

“Miss Y/l/n, how lovely to see you again you at last,” Ward sighs, sounding somewhat fond. “Rafe’s been talking my ear off about this, meeting you again even though we’ve already met. Sorry we couldn’t make it work earlier.”

“No worries, Mr. Cameron. Thank you so much for inviting me to tag along with your family at Midsummers. You as well, Mrs. Cameron. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you! And of course,” Rose says, bringing you in for a hug, one you definitely were not expecting.“You’re out in California, aren’t you?”

“Yes, home for the summer.”

“That’s a long way from here,” Ward says. His eyes flicker to Rafe. “Long way from Georgia. Shorter, but still a long way.”

“Dad, c’mon,” Rafe cuts in, and you can feel his hand gripping the back of your dress:

“He’s just stating the obvious, Rafe,” Rose intervenes.

“Yeah, it is far,” you agree. Rafe’s head whips around back to you.

“We’re figuring it out,” he says. To anyone else in the vicinity, he probably sounds confident and self assured. But you know Rafe, and you can look into his eyes and see that he’s not. That if he weren’t in front of his entire family, trying earnestly to impress his father, he’d have said: ‘we’re gonna figure it out, right?’

“I’m sure things will work out the way they’re meant to,” Ward says after a lapse in conversation. “One way or another.”

“Let’s get some photos so we can all enter and the two of you can run off,” Rose says immediately after, giving neither of you the time to say anything else.

You do your best to shake off Ward’s comment as the four of you join up with the Cameron daughters, plus Sarah’s boyfriend, John B. After posing for what felt like hours, the photographer asks you and John B to hop out so they can take some family pictures, the two of you swiping up a couple of Old Fashioneds from the bar. You have to assure Rafe twice that you’ll be okay for ten minutes on your own.

“First time meeting Ward?” Sarah’s boyfriend asks, leaned up against the bar like he owns the place.

“Er—of course not,” you say, like it’s obvious. But of course John B knew nothing about Figure 8 social circles. “Just the first time as Rafe’s girlfriend.”

“Yeah, you look nervous,” he admits, chuckling when your mouth drops open. “It’s not too obvious, I just know because—been in your shoes.”

You should be insulted that the teenager compares his and Sarah’s relationship with yours and Rafe’s, but you know he isn’t being malicious. You see nothing but kindness in his eyes. And it’s nice to have somewhat of a teammate in this situation, the two of you standing by while one of the most powerful families in Kildare poses together in their finest outfits.

Rafe looks hot in his grey suit, especially with the pocket square he’d agonized over for weeks before you gifted him one that was hand sewn from the extra material where your dress had been hemmed. Monogrammed, of course.

You’d decided to go with his initials, since it was going to him after all. But your stomach gets fluttery if you think about the expression on his face when he’d received it, telling you that you should’ve put yours on it instead. “That way everyone will know I’m yours.”

Turning back to John B, you can’t imagine how he must have felt the first time he was invited into all of this. It intimidated even you, and you’re pretty sure John B was friends with the boy who delivered your family’s groceries every week.

“Any tips?”

“You’re way better off than I was, first of all,” he laughs. “But he’s really only scary when it’s one-on-one. He cares too much about this appearance of a perfect family to make digs in front of an audience.”

You nod. “That’s actually really good advice, John B.”

“Don’t sound so surprised, kook.” He clinks his glass against yours, promptly throwing the entire drink back as you watch and laugh. “That’s another tip. Drink whenever you can.”

“I’m familiar with that one.”

It's intimidating entering the event, a little after everyone else has arrived. Rafe told you that was by design—the Camerons could never be earlier than fashionably late. You always assumed you and Rafe were raised with similar pedigrees, but you're barely through the doors of the event before you realize that's not entirely true. Up until the last millisecond, Rose is fussing with Sarah and Wheezie's gowns, the older daughter making eye contact with you and rolling her eyes at her step-mother's antics. And Ward brushes Rafe's shoulders off more times than you can count, straightening his bow tie for him repeatedly. Rafe just places his hand on your back, leaning down to whisper into your ear. “You ready?”

You smile up at him, but your nerves are firmly settled in at this point. What you reply isn’t completely true. “Of course.”

—

You take John B’s advice, of course, and choose Kelce as your designated drinking buddy for the night. He was hard to keep up with, but you threw your inhibitions to the wind after you got meeting the Camerons out of the way. Plus, Rafe had more business to attend to than he’d let on, and you were getting pretty bored. Not too long ago he would’ve been right beside the rest of you, causing trouble and borderline embarrassing all of your parents. It was weird to see him walking around, shaking hands and rubbing elbows. He’d invited you into a few conversations, you trying your hardest not to simply watch him in awe.

You’re engaged in some strange dance battle with Kelce when he stacks his drink into yours, both empties at this point. “Your turn to get a round.”

“Boo,” you sigh, throwing your head back. “What d’you want?”

“Surprise me.”

“Aye aye.”

You’re turning on a shaky high heel, and you have to give yourself a little mental pep talk to straighten up. Of course you can, though.

“What can I get you, miss?” the barkeep asks.

“Vodka press, Tito’s, and a Jack and coke. Double Jack. Actually—single. Thanks,” you murmur, trying to fish a ten out of your clutch.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got the tip for this one,” a voice says next to you. Ward Cameron is sidling up next to you, sliding a fifty across the counter. Your eyes widen at the tip, trying not to be embarrassed as the bartender sets the drinks down in front of you.

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Cameron.”

“Ah, call me Ward.” He flicks his eyes back to the bartender, who quickly pockets the tip and makes himself scarce to give the two of you some privacy. You can’t help but think of John B’s warning: ‘he’s really only scary when it’s one-on-one.’ There’s no point in even trying seek out Rafe, you knowing full well you’re expected to stay rooted to the spot until Ward dismisses you. “Having a good time?”

“Yeah,” you nod. “It’s always fun to come back out here for this.”

“So, California to Georgia,” he whistles. “That’s probably a five hour flight, at least.”

“Yeah, um,” you take a minute to make sure your flower crown is perfectly in place. “It’s actually two.”

“Excuse me?”

“Two flights. From his school to mine. Rafe checked, he said there’s nothing direct,” you clarify.

Ward let’s out an indifferent chuckle. “Of course he did.”

Your eyebrow furrows because you don’t know what to say, turning to look at where your drinks are starting to melt. Kelce would be wondering where you are by now if he wasn’t three sheets to the wind. And where the hell was Rafe?

“Y/n, as far as I can tell, you are a nice girl. I just need to make sure we’re on the same page about one thing.”

Your heartbeat that hadn’t really settled since Ward approached you is picking up again, and you really wish Rafe had been the least bit more concerned about where you were at this moment.

“Um, I-I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”

“I'm don’t know how serious you two are, Y/n, but I know my son. He's clearly very invested in pursuing you.”

Your resolve crumbles a little at that, your heart warming, thinking about Ward noticing something like that.

“But Rafe needs to be committed to finishing this degree so he can come home and start learning the ropes next year. And in four years, Sarah will do the same. Then Louisa after her.”

“Wow, that’s so lucky for you—that they all want to go into the family business,” you praise, not really knowing what else to say. It must be the wrong thing, because Ward just quirks an eyebrow.

“In this family, our business will always come first. Before anything and anyone else. Do you see what I’m getting at?”

You swallow, catching on to where this is going for the first time. You still go for playing dumb.

“Ward, I really don't think I understand.”

“But you do, don't you? You know Rafe. He’s a bit emotional, he’s a ‘feeler,’” Ward says sarcastically, putting it in air quotes. All of the niceties you experienced earlier when you first greeted Rafe’s family were long gone. You can only gather that it was all an act for Rafe’s benefit. But you know the only option is to sit there and take it. “He thinks with his heart, never enough with his head. Sarah, for example—when it’s time for her to cut that pogue lose, which it will be soon enough, I know she will. Whether it’s my decision or her’s. I can count on that, because she’s just like me in that respect; she knows we have to make sacrifices. But Rafe—I don’t think I can make that same assumption about him.”

“Ward, with all due respect, Rafe is really focused on the business.”

“You're correct, and I’ve worked hard to get him there. Which is why I can't have him spending his senior year of college, when he should be buckled down, traveling back and forth from California and getting distracted from his future by some girl.”

“Mr. Cameron, I would never—”

“You know that it’s true. I can tell you’re bright. You come from a great family.” It’s a compliment and an insult all at once. He likes you because of your father’s business and your mother’s social status, not because of what you do for Rafe, or what you have to show for yourself. He continues like it was nothing but the highest praise. “But right now, you are across the country from him, and I can bet he’s determined to make that work, no matter what it takes. Which I obviously can’t have,” Ward sighs. “It’s just not the right time. You can understand that, can't you?”

You nod numbly and pick up your drinks, hoping he’ll get the signal to wrap this up soon. You’re at the point where you can’t listen to this anymore, liquid courage re-flooding your veins.

“I’m not asking you to stay away from him, because you’re both adults,” Ward says, stopping you with a hand on your shoulder. “But I’m asking you to think long and hard about what’s best for the both of you. Rafe already knows what’s expected of him. He’s always known.”

You look back towards the crowd under the gazebo, able to make out John B of all people. He sees you talking to Ward, shooting you the most subtle thumbs up he can muster. He has no idea. You don’t take the chance to nod at him, turning back to the bar.

“Say the two of you let it go for the school year,” Ward bulldozes, taking a step closer to you. “And you end up back here too, great. But even then Rafe’s going to be working all the time, the longest hours he ever will in his life. For the next few years, Y/n. You’re so young—are you really going to tie yourself down to a commitment like that? What about your future?”

In a tone you hope comes across as confident, you say, “I really appreciate your concern, Ward.”

Ward's perfectly white teeth are pulling into an even more perfect grin, and the sight makes you sick.

“Great. I'm glad we had this talk.” He pats you on the back, leaving first before you get the chance to.

You just shuffle through the crowd numbly, not even reacting when someone steps on your toe, taking it all in stride as you seek the comfort of your friends once again.

You were foolish to think Ward would warm up to you immediately, or at all. You had been way too confident in yourself, especially after witnessing the wear working for his father had on Rafe. ‘He’s not an easy man to please.’ How could you be so naive, thinking you could coast by on your charm?

You’re a few feet away when you notice that Topper had joined up with Kelce again, as had your boyfriend. He’s joking with them, amused at the way Topper is clearly almost done tolerating Kelce’s drunken antics, but you stand and watch for a bit as he scans the crowd, gaze flickering toward the bar you’d just been at. You realize he’s looking for you when he finally spots you, his face relaxing as the two of you make eye contact.

“There you are.” He pulls you in close, kissing your forehead. You want to cry. “Where’d you run off to? One of those for me?”

He’s gesturing to the drinks you’re holding, reaching for the darker of the two. But Kelce is swooping in, snatching it out of your hold quickly. “Nope,” he pops the ‘p.’ “This one’s all mine. Sorry Cameron. Thanks Y/n/n.”

Rafe just rolls his eyes at the two of you, eyes lingering on your face when he notices your fallen expression. He sets your other drink down on the high top table you’re all standing next to, pulling you in by your hips. “You okay?”

If you had a choice right now, about how to proceed with telling or not telling Rafe about what had just happened, your instincts compel you to bypass the decision process altogether; you paint a careful smile on your face, shaking your head slightly. “Yeah, all good. Just zoned out for a sec.”

He isn’t convinced. “Tired?”

“Maybe a little. Kinda drunk. Are we leaving soon?” you ask, melting into him. It’s a lot easier to handle his tone of voice when you don’t have to look him directly in the eye.

“I vote yes,” Topper says, gesturing towards Kelce, who is somehow sucking down his new drink at an alarming pace while continuing to dance to the oldies tunes they play at these things. “Like, right now. Rafe, you’re hanging back right?”

You look back up at your boyfriend in confusion. “You’re not coming with us?”

He bite his lip in contemplation, looking around the party. The twinkly lights reflect off of his pupils, making him look starry-eyed as he surveys the crowd. A sea of opportunities to prove himself to his father. Rafe looks resolved when he turns back to you.

“Well... I was gonna stay, wrap up some stuff,” he explains. His eyes flicker across your face, still not pleased with your expression. “But that’s okay, I’m good to go now.”

“No, Rafe,” you say immediately. You take a deep breath, rolling back your shoulders and painting on a smile that comes easily with years of experience at parties like this. “Stay, I’ll go ahead. How long will you be?”

“An hour, tops. Will you take her?” Rafe looks hesitant, still taking your green light anyway, already slowly extracting himself from your hold, Topper rolling his eyes but nodding and beginning to corral Kelce toward the exit.

“I can’t believe you’re making me babysit two of them.”

“Don’t let her drink too much.”

“Hey,” you protest, pushing him in his chest half heartedly. The push barely does anything, only proving your impaired motor skills further. Or that you're dating a tree. “What are you, a cop?”

“I’m your boyfriend, actually.”

“Really? When did that happen?” you decide to play along, picking up your drink again.

“‘Bout a month ago, Y/l/n,” he says softly. He can see right through you, can tell you're putting on a show for all of your friends but you're still not okay. You have to break eye contact.

“Hmm, for some reason I thought you were just this guy from middle school.”

“At least this time nobody spilled on your dress,” he teases half-heartedly, and the memory only hurts you more. “Not sure I’d wanna sacrifice this one.”

“Can you—you guys are the worst. Focus. We need to go now, before Kelce gets his entire family blacklisted from the club. You coming or not, Y/n/n?” Topper begs.

You’re nodding, leaning up to give Rafe one last kiss before you leave. He holds you close to him with a firm hand on your back, voice dropping to a whisper right next to your ear. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

The lump in your throat is growing, but you push through, lowering yourself back down to your feet as soon as you can. “Yeah, don’t worry about it. Focus on the rest of your night.”

Rafe still looks unsure, his hand resting on the nape of your neck as he kisses your forehead. “Y/n—”

“We’ll talk about it later, okay?” you finally admit. Rafe nods curtly, can tell you’re not going to let him leave with you right now. But he doesn’t know why. He doesn’t know that if you pull him away from his responsibilities right after that talk you had with Ward, it’s going to spell disaster for the two of you.

“Just some business stuff, alright?” he assures you. “I’ll see you soon. Forty-five minutes.”

“Promise?” you murmur, fiddling with his pocket square. He smiles down at you, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear.

“Promise. You look so pretty. Half an hour. Now go.”

Topper’s guiding you towards the parking lot with a polite hand on your back, but you have to watch Rafe as you leave. You watch him approach his dad, who gives him a smile and a pat on the back. Rafe preens under his gaze.

But Ward must have been watching you two from afar because his gaze is flickering back to you, and he fixes you with a hard stare. He raises his eyebrows, bringing his drink to his lips. Taking a leisurely sip, hint of a smirk on his face. You can practically hear his thoughts: ‘Rafe chose to stay here with me, with the business, and sent you off with his friends.’ It’s everything in you to not let the tears that have been building on your waterline spill over. But your friend isn’t easily fooled.

“Y’alright, Y/n?” Topper says from beside you, trusting Kelce enough to walk on his own as you all near the parking lot. He moves to follow your gaze but you stop him, quickening your pace towards his gray Jeep. “Did something happen?”

“Ward Cameron happened.”

———

tags: @moniamaybank @downbytheouterbanks @littlementalpolaroids

[manonblaqkbeak]

Midnight Cravings

so, i actually wrote most of this in july but never finished it and decided to fix it up for todays prompt bc i was feeling a lil lazy lol. and i think its one of my faves, especially the ending.

2.2k words

cw: none

enjoy!! :)

It was just past two in the morning and Aelin was wide awake. Not due to a mountain of paperwork, or a nightmare or one of her kids needing her. Aelin was wide awake because she was absolutely starving.

The type of starving it felt like she'd never eaten a day in her life. Like her stomach was going to eat itself.

Her stomach growled again, louder than before, and beside her, his voice muffled, Rowan asked, “Is that your stomach or the wind outside?”

“Shut up,” Aelin mumbled, as her stomach continued its song. Gods, why was she so hungry? She practically devoured the fruits in the fruit bowl just before bed, she had a healthy serving of dinner, and a large slice of chocolate torte for dessert.

But here she was, close to eating her damned pillow to sate her starvation.

Aelin glanced over towards her mate, his back to her, and she shuffled closer, resting her chin on his shoulder.

“Rowan,” she started to say, but Rowan cut her off.

“I'm not going to the kitchens.”

She pouted, although he couldn't see her. “Please?” she knew that if she used her manners, then he would do just about anything.

But it didn't work. Not just yet. “There's some fruit in the bowl.”

“I ate them all.” He sighed heavily, knowing that he was losing this conversation. “Please? I am your mate, your wife, the mother of your children.”

Rowan snorted. “Really? I was starting to suspect that the three silver-haired children were Lorcan's.”

Her hunger nearly disappeared at the thought of that. “Don't be gross.” Reaching over, Aelin kissed the tip of his ear, smiling as he shuddered in pleasure as she nibbled on it. “Please?”

Rowan sighed heavily, knowing that he lost, and Aelin barely hid her smile. “I'll go,” he said. “But only if you join me.”

Her smile did disappear at that. “But the bed is so warm.”

“Exactly. If I have to leave it, so do you.”

“Fine,” she mumbled reluctantly, but quickly perked up, realising that she would be getting food. Rowan was a much better cook than her. Aelin used to have basic cooking skills, but with being Queen and then becoming a mother, she never cooked anymore and really had no need to; not with multiple cooks under the palace roof. She did try a few years ago as a treat for her family, but everything turned into a crisp and wasn't even suitable for the dogs in the kennels.

Scrambling out of bed, the Queen and King of Terrasen tied on their robes and put on their slippers. Aelin loved the sight of Rowan looking so domestic, it was ridiculous how much she loved it.

Since Isolde was only six months old and far too young to be left behind, Rowan put her in the wooden carrier to take with them into the kitchens, their movements silent as the grave as they transferred their youngest from her crib and into the crafty carrier—Isolde was the only one of their children that slept soundlessly through the night at such a young age, and loathed to be woken up. As Rowan did that, Aelin checked in on Alder in his room, their son a little over three years old, but he slept like a log and Aelin knew that he wouldn't wake up at any point when they were gone.

As they left their chambers, Aelin nearly ruined all their good work and almost woke up their other children when she bit out a curse at the sudden leg cramp that shot up her right calf. Rowan glanced at her, asking if she was okay, and after a moment she was, although she was left a little dazed at the suddenness of it all.

Aelin's legs had been cramping randomly of late, but she didn't notice anything of concern. If it continued, she would go to Magnolia and see if anything could be done about it. The last thing Aelin needed was to fall ill, she had far too many things to do with winter arriving in a few weeks. She did know that if anything was wrong with her, that she could rely on Rowan completely.

Aelin's stomach growled for the umpteenth time, the sound lasting for a good minute before it settled. Isolde fidgeted in her sleep, but did not wake.

“I think your stomach was just trying to talk to me.”

“It was,” Aelin agreed. “It said that we need to hurry the hell up or it's going to disintegrate.”

“We better do as it says then. It'd be cruel to subject Terrasen to a hungry Queen. No one should suffer as I do when you're starving.”

“You make me sound horrible.”

“You are,” he said, humour dancing in his dark eyes. “And not just when you're hungry.”

Aelin mumbled under her breath. Rowan decided to pretend not to hear her, even as he fought a smile.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached the kitchens, Rowan placing Isolde onto the counter closest to them. Aelin rushed towards the bowls of fruit, grabbing an apple and a pear, eating the fruits simultaneously. She missed the small, private smile Rowan gave her as he went to the pantry, asking her what she was in the mood for, one eye on their child. But still, she slept and Rowan for a moment, wished that all of their children had been like that, but knew that there was no point in complaining when they all slept quietly now.

“Something filling,” was all Aelin could think of to say. But after a moment decided on an omelette, filled with bacon, mushrooms, onion, red bell-peppers and carrot. As she and Rowan prepped the ingredients—with Rowan wanting his own omelette—Aelin contemplated in silence, her brows furrowed as she chopped up the carrots.

“What are you thinking about, Fireheart?” Rowan asked when he noticed his wife's expression.

“Just trying to remember the last time I was this hungry. I've been like this for at least a week and a half.”

“I've noticed. You haven't had this big of an appetite for a good number of years.”

She didn't comment on that, lost in her own world. “And my legs have been cramping lately too. I haven't injured myself. Have I been sleeping in strange positions?”

“No, you're sleeping just fine.”

Her frown deepened. “Maybe I'm just stressed for the winter preparations.”

“Possibly, I know that you worry a lot for the people during winter.” They both did, as the winters in Terrasen were brutal. Each year there was always a small number of people that passed due to the cold for a number of reasons. When those lists made their way in Aelin's hands, it always hit her hard, her guilt a palpable thing, even after Rowan would tell her that it was in no way her fault.

But that wasn't the reasons for her consuming hunger and leg cramps—Rowan had noticed the change in her scent weeks ago and when he noticed, he thought that Aelin would too. But she was completely oblivious and he didn't want to spoil the surprise, although it was getting harder each day not to say something.

However, he couldn't help but count back the weeks to the day of conception. He was fairly certain that it was when Aelin had been reading a particularly steamy novel on the window seat in their sitting room and jumped on him like they had never had sex before when he had come to ask if she was joining him in bed.

It would fit in with list of unusual places they have conceived their children. Elentiya had been in the library (either in the archives or in Aelin and Rowan's private nook, neither were sure), Norrin against an oak tree (which they discovered after they have calmed down that the Little Folk had watched the entire encounter, with Aelin becoming stuck between wanting to laugh or hide under a rock), Alder against one of the many palace chimneys, and Isolde in a linen closet.

Maybe one day they would conceive a child in their bed like most people did.

They got to cooking, with Rowan standing behind Aelin and guiding her with the wooden spoon and plating their midnight meal before it burned into a crisp. Isolde babbled in her sleep as the sounds of cooking reached her, but still slept. It wouldn't be long, however, until she woke up to be fed. Aelin placed their youngest by her feet as they sat down at the small dining table in the far corner of the kitchen where the workers took their breaks.

The smile on Aelin's face as she bit into the fluffy omelette was certainly worth being woken up in the middle of the night.

However, her fork stilled in mid-air when she was halfway done when realisation dawned on her.

Finally.

“I'm pregnant,” was all she said, her Ashryver eyes growing wide. Rowan didn't bother to hide his smile. This was why he didn't say anything. It was always worth it when she revealed those beautiful words to him. “Rowan, I'm pregnant. The last time I was this hungry was when I was pregnant with Alder and the leg cramps are from Norrin's pregnancy. And all the fruit I can't stop eating is just like when I was pregnant with Isolde. How haven't I noticed anything?”

“You've been busy,” Rowan said, reaching over to take her hands in his and kissed her fingers.

“You knew, didn't you?” Aelin asked, her eyes narrowed just slightly.

“I may have noticed.”

“You should have told me.”

“I like it better when you come to the realisation yourself,” he said simply.

Aelin shot out of her seat and sat on his lap, a pretty smile gracing her face as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her fingers playing the the hair at the nape of his neck. Rowan wound his arms around her waist and kissed her on the cheeks, the tips of her nose, the corner of her lips and then her mouth.

Aelin hummed contentedly and kissed him back. When they broke apart, she rested her forehead against his.

“We're insane.”

Rowan laughed deeply at the sudden statement. “What makes you say that?”

“We're having a fifth baby. Lorcan and Elide only have three and I always thought that they'd have at least a dozen, but they don't and we're about to have five. That's insane. We're insane.”

“We are, but I like that about us,” he said, kissing her again. Her face was open and soft, her eyes dancing with happiness, but he still found himself asking, “Are you okay with it?”

“Of course I am, buzzard. More than words can say.” Aelin kissed him to emphasise that fact, his hand reaching down onto her belly and was content to stay like that forever. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was. She always thought that she’d just have one child, maybe two, but to have five was something she never dreamed of.

Isolde finally decided to wake up and scream her displeasure at being hungry. Aelin was off him in an instant, cooing at their daughter as Aelin sat back in her seat and fed not just herself, but Isolde at the same time. His mate was spectacular at multitasking like that.

They couldn't wait to meet their fifth child.

X X X X X X

Rowan was surprised that his children hadn't kicked down the doors to the bedchamber with how excited they were. Even little Isolde was a ball of energy and she was by far their most quiet child. Rowan lead them to their mother, reminding them that they had to be quiet and gentle, because mama had just gone through a long process of bringing in their new sibling into the world.

They entered the bedchamber and Aelin greeted them with a tired but loving smile telling them to come meet their new sister, the kids went onto the bed, surrounding Aelin and the baby, happiness and wonderment in their eyes as they took in the little bundle of joy, her silver hair stark against her lightly tanned skin. She had opened her eyes briefly during her first feeding and Aelin had groaned playfully when she spotted that they were pine-green, muttering how of course I labour for a whole day to give birth to another you. But he knew that she didn't care if she was born with green hair and yellow eyes, Aelin loved her immensely.

“What's her name, mama?” Elentiya asked softly, carefully trailing a finger down her sisters cheek.

“Elowynn-Yrene.” Rowan would never forget the pure joy in Yrene's eyes when Aelin asked if the healer would give them her blessing to grace their child with her name, as a thank you for all the years of coming down and helping Aelin, for eradicating Erawan, and for being a great friend to both of them. It had taken them a few minutes to convince their friend, citing that the honour was far too much, but Yrene eventually said "yes".

“That's pretty,” Alder supplied, a wide smile on his face. Aelin kissed his temple and thanked him for his kind words.

Aelin moved her eyes from Alder to Rowan, smiling as her mate stood there, taking them in.

His family, their family. Never did he think he would be so blessed to have this.

His and Aelin's children; the most beautiful thing Rowan had ever seen.

Rowan went and joined his family on the bed, the smile on his face one of Aelin's favourites.