#september will b better when i can move into a place i will not be. embarrassed to have people round to but until then. some of them need to

[steelycunt]

my uni flatmates will leave a half-full can of open baked beans out on the side in the kitchen for two weeks and then turn to me and go omg!! you go home sooo often haha you’re like never here!! like yeah babe i know…you guys are cultivating new fungal ecosystems in our kitchen i need to return to civilisation and clean surfaces…

[aerodaltonimperial]

friends, i have had a phenomenally shitty week, so i want to talk about my favorite topic (junglecorpse) and specifically why the pillars storyline was unhinged (because it was) but MORE specifically why actually, it's even WORSE (read: better) if you have the final piece to the puzzle that vamp and i ironed out a few months back, and that was the fact, of which we are about 98% sure, that:

jack was supposed to be a heel in the pillars storyline.

let's dig, fam.

this theory is supported by a whole fucking host of things, but notably A) the absolute shitshow that was jack's sept 2022 thru december 2022, when he essentially disappeared for months, reappeared for the cage match with luchasaurus, and then disappeared again until mid december when junglehook started, which leads us to B) junglehook was a disjointed mess, and C) jack's entire existence in the pillars story was weaker than the others because they couldn't run him as mean as they had planned.

obviously, the reason for the shift in his heel turn was christian cage's injury in september 2022, which took him out until february 2023. christian was the final pin in jack's turn, and when he went out with injury, they were stuck. jack literally couldn't get to where he needed to be. they stalled, he did nothing for awhile, and then they ended up shoving the beginning of the junglehook story in with all the grace of a sledgehammer lol.

(bonus! this also explains why the TNT belt was passed around like a hot potato in early 2023, because luchasaurus was also supposed to get it earlier! and that, too, had to be bumped until christian was back.)

the reason they had to do this, i'm pretty sure, is that the pillars storyline had a lot of moving parts. a LOT of people were involved in it, and it culminated in double or nothing. so they couldn't just move that because jack's story had paused. what they had to do was run it as scheduled, even though it ended up falling RIGHT after when christian finally returned and they could do the dramatic coffin match at the PPV to cement jack's departure from christian altogether but BEFORE he'd actually gone rogue.

(also fun bonus: jack's heel turn was supposed to be so much smoother! it would have been a seamless christian betrays him --> lucha betrays him --> jack defeats them --> jack then turns on the next person who befriends him (hook). now, everyone on tumblr could see the heel turn coming a mile away. but other people, like the dudebros who stood behind us at blood & guts, were "totally surprised and didn't see that coming," and while yes, dumb, also not ENTIRELY their fault cause admittedly it got pretty disjointed.)

it didn't matter that jack hadn't hit the heel turn yet: the pillars was going to go ahead as scheduled. except that him not being a heel meant they had to change A LOT. (my kingdom for newly minted FTW champ jack perry to have swaggered into the ring having decided he wanted mjf's title instead MY KINGDOM) jack's weak insults against the other pillars were probably as hard as they could let him go without the douchebag aviators in place. he walked out in the PPV with NOTHING as an entrance (because they had nothing pre-planned for him being a face lol) when the others were all like "SCORE 5 full minutes to do whatever bullshit i want to do."

but if jack had been a heel during the story's run, then there's no way that, given the chance to turn on someone to get the belt, he wouldn't have immediately taken it. because he ALREADY SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT. this means we can reasonably assume all the "doesn't betray anyone" bits were added in only when they had to change things. at that point, they had two choices: they could just run it with him as a face and accept that it was a weak entry, or they could double down and decide to use it as more lead-up to his heel turn. they chose option b.

option b is FUCKING UNHINGED when you look at it in hindsight.

like, i get where they were going with it... on paper. jack is asked to betray someone!! but he can't!! .... and then i stall out, because any normal, logical person on the other side of the table during this pitch would have asked, "but why not?" and the answer is, "..... uh, he's a good person...? and, uh, it's darby."

exCUSE ME??

the fact is, no matter what the original storyline was, the canon we ended up being given was that jack was given not one, but TWO opportunities to turn on darby, ONE OF WHICH WOULD HAVE PUT THE AEW CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIS DESPERATE HANDS, and didn't take either of them for reasons that are never stated, and then ONE MONTH LATER turns on his very bestest best friend hook for his UNSANCTIONED title belt.

darby.

a guy jack hadn't had a singles match against since 2021, who used his promo time for that match telling jack that he needed to "flip the switch" and stop being so nice. they had no other aew history. none, besides a few random multi-man tag matches and one tag match on the jericho cruise (which isn't really aew canon, but i would murder to get my hands on the footage of). that guy. and they never. fucking. explain it.

they knew exactly what sort of quandary they were creating with this. someone HAD to have asked, "okay but WHY wouldn't jack just move the heel turn here instead?" and what a great question, if not for the fact that hook and jack had already decided to be each other's frenemies forever and the FTW hand-off had already been approved by taz. obviously, yes, the heel turn has a lot more weight when you betray your best friend and not some random dude that supposedly you don't even like. that makes sense!!

except that it also creates A BIG GAPING HOLE THERE. and no one ever bothered to put any other reasoning over it. they just said... well!!! why not!!! and left us all to sit here and go insane because of the implications. at this point, i'm 50% sure that i'm SUPPOSED to be shipping this, because i really can't see any other option why i'm supposed to believe that jack wouldn't turn on darby to get the BIG SHINY CHAMPIONSHIP BELT but would, a month later, turn on his most specialist best friend ever lol. THERE IS NO GIVEN REASON. they got to, like, the outline form of this and decided it was good enough and then they ran with it. they used it as the heel turn lead-up, and allowed it to remain forever in "okay BUT IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY MAKE SENSE WITHOUT MORE BEHIND IT" story land.

the pillars story concludes. they throw junglehook back at us so they can complete the arc. (hook had the weirdest title defense matches during this time: a dark match, the stokely match, and ethan page like 5 times, half of which were in the house tour that no one got to see unless they were there. everything else was tag stuff - because he was also stalled out until jack was free again lol) jack turns on hook, his heel turn is complete.

that bizarre, unhinged decisions to not turn on darby TWICE are left just open behind him, and they never even have darby show up to ask the BURNING QUESTION of "yo, dude, why?" darby just goes after jack's toxic ex-mentor with single-minded determination that i literally could not have made up any better for fanfic if i had tried LOL. and then loses his adopted son to said ex-mentor as ex-mentor builds himself jack 2.0. i'm fucking feral. who the fuck wrote this. jack, i demand answers.

ANYWAY there are lots of fun things you can slot into place when you look at jack being a heel by the end of february 2023!!! so much!!! would have been different!! and while i would love to have seen how they were planning on running the pillars storyline that way, i can't complain with what they gave us, because i swear, they were like, "let's make something obnoxiously, soul-crushingly, disgustingly romantic and then never, ever speak about it again" which, admittedly, is pretty much par for the course with aew.

[pedripics]

Barça's Little Buddha - Champions Journal Issue 16

Sometimes it's not just what you say, but how you say it, and as Graham Hunter discovers, Barcelona wonder kid Pedri is as cool, calm and collected in conversation as he is on the pitch.

For everyone involved, the atmosphere of a TV interview at the training ground of a major football club is usually at the rarefied end of the scale. This one is with Pedro González López - better known as Pedri - so it's important that everything is spot on. In truth, the empty room we've been given is functional and dull - two things we don't want the interview to be. However, there's nothing dull about the activity taking place: there's a whirl of moving parts and participants, busy constructing the 'studio' where part of this interview will be filmed. It's an intricate, intense and necessarily efficient business. A cameraman, two cameras worth tens of thousands of pounds, a producer, spotlights, backdrops, microphones, three club press officers, an interviewer (me) and ... the player.

Pedri appears to be in the eye of this hurricane of activity, unruffled and unperturbed. It makes a great metaphor for how Pedri plays - what it looks like when rivals fret and flock around him, trying to shackle his elegant imposition of intelligence upon Europe's football fields. But, right now, accompanying that preternatural calm is a gently amused smile. It is neither sardonic nor condescending; rather, it is the smile of someone who is deeply self-assured. And importantly, it reaches his eyes.

"My first club in Tenerife, Tegueste, were big on values. They instilled in us the idea that we shouldn't get angry during matches or argue with the referee - there's no point. They also taught us to have fun. Now, these days I do get angry occasionally. That's normal. But the self-discipline to stay calm and to do better next time you're on the ball can make the difference."

Not to overdo the theme, but Pedri's self-possession also helped him govern the emotions of moving to the Camp Nou in 2020. Just over two and a half years before, he'd been on trial at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training ground, which was a miserable experience: it was snowy, training was disrupted and those in charge told him he wasn't yet at their level. So, turning up at Barcelona with the impression that he might be put under contract only to be immediately loaned out meant guarantees were in short supply.

"When my family and I arrived at our hotel, I made a deliberate effort to stay calm. I knew that, at any time, the club might tell me they weren't going to sign me."

He was 16, small and slight, joining a great club in great turmoil. At the time of signing, he had only started for Las Palmas, in the second division, three times. After completing his first full senior season with the Canary Islanders, the best option that staying put at Barcelona seemed to offer was joining Barça B. But that's not what happened.

"The day Ronald Koeman told me that I could stay with his first team, that I might get a few minutes, was a huge shock - I really didn't expect it. The surprise opportunity filled me with determination to keep training hard, to compete fiercely and to immediately try to grab as much playing time as possible."

From his Barcelona debut (September 2020 against Villarreal) until the end of that season, Pedri played 73 times for club and country. He scored his first Champions League goal at 17; at 18 he won Spain's Copa del Rey and was named in the EURO 2020 team of the tournament (he also won the Young Player award for good measure). And now, aged 20, he has won his first Liga title.

No offence to the great sides that Pedri has faced across Europe, but his most ferocious rival so far might still be his own grandmom. The González family run an eatery in Tenerife and, as a kid, Pedri, his brother and mates would move the tables and chairs to play 2v2 football. One time, a wayward shot smashed a glass lantern; Grandma González was so furious that she tried to burst the ball with a knife. You soon learn tight control after a fright like that. So, is Pedri's ability to be surrounded by four or five opponents but skip free with the ball innate, or was it learned in the family restaurant?

"It's a bit of both. I was able to do some things like that when I was younger, and it's down to the work with all the coaches. But certain things stick with you and often you do things naturally, without thinking."

Champions League defenders, you have been warned: the boy's a natural.

[madeofcc]

JANUARY 2023 UPDATE

Hello everyone and happy new year to all of you ♥

As a new year is starting I wanted to let you know a bit more about all the things I’ve planned for this year and also how my life could affect those plans. Feel free to read or skip this. But remember ...

Thanks a lot for being here and take very good care of you ♥

Blog update : As a new year is coming, I might change my theme but this is not my priority. You can see it above, those 3 stories are my main goal for this year ! As Another Side started last year, I really want to give you the entire story. The end of 2022 was quiet hard and I couldn’t work on it as much as I wanted to and you’re still here waiting for the next parts so I also feel like I have to end this story properly. This should take the first months (I think at least until february/march for sure) as the first part of the story is still not done and I’ve planned 4 parts for this ghost story. Are you enjoying it so far ? What do you think might happen ? Do you already have any favourites ? Don’t hesitate to tell me everything through asks and comments :)

After Another Side, we will finally get back to Destiny Harbour with the part I wrote the entire story around. Like, this 3rd act is the first one I wanted to developp but decided to include more background story first with DH1 and 2. So here comes the Britechester arc, which also is the end of teenagehood for our characters. This arc will be cut in two parts : a special musical episode called Melodia (I’ll tell you more about it on the next post) following by DH3 that will takes place 6 months after Melodia. This arc will be as light as very dark and will explore a lot of young adult theme such as : harassment, male toxicity, civil rights and the discovery of ourselves. All the characters will face some of the darkest issues of their lives and you will also know more about most of them (even the main ones like Leïla or Destiny). DH3 will also be a tribute to Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream, so if you’re a horror fan, this part should really be for you ♥

As Melodia and especially DH3 are pretty long (DH3 is the longest season so far with 12 episodes) it should take the entire year so are you ready ? If everything goes as planned, I can already tell you that 2024 will be focused on a new Another Side story, a DH LGBTQIA+ spinoff (that will take place several months after DH3) will start as well as DH4 if my life doesn’t get pretty impacted.

I guess that’s all for the blog update. I guess that now I have to be more intimate with you all and tell you more about the shitshow going on behing the making of sims stories ! Feel free to skip this part if personnal stuff isn’t your thing.

Personal update : So as most of you know, I lost my job in September and I’ve been struggling to find a new one since. What most of you don’t know though, is that I live with my ex for a bit more than a year know (after 6 years of relationship) and that has been affected both our lives. It’s not a nightmare, we’re both adults who also do our best to have a peacefull life, but it could be better (how many years would you live with your ex even though you’re friends? think about it) so we’re both kind of focused on moving on this situation.

As you can imagine, this has become a priority for me, especially since I got fired (it’s waaaaay harder to find a place when you don’t have a regular income - no I won’t do any patreon shit and will rather be homeless again than taking advantage of kind and poor people who want to help because they understand how it is while rich ones don’t give a single fuck anyway). So, between all these, life drama and death also came around lately so more stuff to deal with and guess what ... I’m still using a broke laptop on Windows 8 (which is kind of dying this year) so I’m facing some kind of issues with more and more software I used previously (no more Topaz Clean T_T / Good bye Gshade ...thank god Reshade still works) and I’m a bit scared it’s some kind of planned obsolescence that will ruin my computer and all my writting plans (it’s litterally one of my biggest fear. It’s the only computer I have and I won’t be able to buy a next one if it breaks for good U_U).

Thankfully, you’ve been around ♥ Seriously, I know I always thank everyone a lot and always say that you’re a strenght but you really are. 2022 has also been awesome because of you all and I will never thank you enough for all the support you’re giving by simply enjoying my content. I mainly post here to escape and also to practice my writting skills so it’s been a real joy and it always cheers me up a lot to see I actually have some readers who are interested about my stories or characters’ fate. You are also a true daily inspiration when I’m discovering my dash everyday like a kid in front of a new episode of their fav anime ! So, thank you for being awesome and being that creative my friend ♥

I wish you all the best for this new year. Let’s make 2023 an epic year of content ! It has already started on my dash ♥

[astrovian]

if you user t/rrent there’s been a dual audio version of the man from rome out since september and the image quality is better than youtube

Thanks for the tip, anon!

I do just want to point out something though - we absolutely should be paying for RA's content where possible

Now, don't get the wrong idea that I'm preaching from up on a high horse because trust me, I have streamed (and still do) so many things in my life that may have come from uh... let's say, more *dubious* sites

Accessibility to content is a real issue for a number of us, especially because RA tends to do a lot of UK/European-centric releases. Here in NZ we can have *so many* paid subscriptions to legal streaming services and still not be able to access modern mainstream content that places like the UK & US take access to for granted

So look - I get it. I actually actively encourage it 99% of the time

But bear with me for a second:

I know it's obvious, but I think it bears repeating that paying for RA's content is the number one way we can say directly to film creators - "yes, we want you to cast RA in more things!!" and also allows us to directly tell RA - "yes, we do want to see you do more things and continue on like you are!!!"

It's that old stupid phrase that I hate for being so true: money talks

And that idea of talking with our money directly to Richard is particularly important to keep in mind, more so now than ever I think, as we look ahead to the next few years, and also back at the past few years of RA's works

I mean, look at the main types of works RA has been producing in recent years:

a) Netflix-heavy content (where most of us have subscriptions that are not solely dependent on him being in their shows)

b) Smaller, more niche productions & film markets (e.g. though maybe a bad example because it's also a Netflix film, we know for a fact RA took a pay cut to shoot Space Sweepers because he liked the idea of the film, but the film itself was intended really for more of the Korean market than the Western one) - not necessarily Hollywood blockbusters

c) Audiobook narrations & voice-over work

Combine that with the fact that he's very explicitly said that his focus for the coming years is on his fledgling writing and producing careers which he's been setting up, and I sadly do think that the time when we see him less and less on-screen is coming much sooner than any of us would really like to admit

(and I mean that in a "I'm happy for you RA for following your current passions but also depressed at the thought because I want you to continue in front of the camera for as long as you can" kind of way)

I'm not saying that I think he'll give acting up for good anytime soon (he's not THAT old, despite his complaints and talk of self-retirement 🙄) but I think it's incredibly naive for all of us to not see the writing on the wall in terms of the direction he actively wants (and is working hard to ensure!!) his career is moving in - and in particular, what that means for his on-camera career

My prediction is that we will see his narrative, writing, and producing works increase in volume and they will take over the majority of his time in coming years - we'll only get the occasional film/show from him compared to the bounty he's blessed us with in the past (keep in mind I am also really talking big, big picture here)

Which will be a bittersweet moment for us because I think we're all so happy he's following what he wants but also so sad his new acting jaunts will be less frequent for us to consume (note how I'm not suggesting he will stop acting in film/TV altogether)

((and I would could write a freaking novel on why I think he's seemingly a bit obsessed with this idea of self-retiring and getting old as an actor but that is a story for another time maybe!!!))

BUT ANYWAY, as dumb and as obvious as it is, what I'm saying is that paying for RA's new shows/films is the number one way we can get the message across to him that despite these exciting new paths that he's gonna wander down (and we will be following him down!), we still want to see him exercise his acting muscles as much as he's willing to for us!!

So, by all means, t/rrent & stream where you need to - heaven knows I do. Do it if you need or want access to his work ASAP and that's the only way you can get it. Do it if it hasn't been released in your country & don't feel guilty for it

All I'm saying is - if you are blessed with an avenue to pay for one of his works, and if you have some spare dollars at the end of a paycheck - please, please, please do so

Stream it illegally, then ALSO go buy the DVD. T/rrent it then ALSO buy it from Apple or Google Play. Stream and t/rrent it and then ALSO go see it in the cinema. Or do all of them if you really can afford to!!!

Paying to see RA's films/shows is the number one way we can ensure he makes more room in his life for future acting gigs while he also focuses on wandering down new exciting chapters in his career

[mystaero]

The Void as My Home: An Autobiography

Born an innocent male babe in a hospital at Quezon City on the eighth of September, 2004, I, Jericho Louis B. Jumawan, was already privileged. Not that I remember anything, but what I know is that I have been assured by my mother that no fly would lay on my skin. That’s how I knew I was living a life some may consider still not enough, but to some, already a dream. I am the younger brother to my sister with an eleven-year age gap and the only male child of my mother and biological father. Though my family originally came from Manila, eventually we moved places and houses as years went by and I was raised in Caloocan up to present. Years and moments passed, things changed and soon developed a different route to my life. This was just the beginning of a long journey of mine.

I was confused growing up. For some reason, now looking back, it felt like so. It’s as if I was trapped in a void, even though I wasn’t. As if I was hidden of many things I am yet to know—that I am supposed to know. Then year 2012, I knew my stepfather, the father I knew growing up was never my real father. It was a hard pill to swallow at a young age of eight as a child’s mind only begins to develop—barely. Though tough, I wasn’t sure how to handle such things, I somehow just did. I moved on from it and was grateful for the father I have now. My biological father, however, I resented. I knew no consideration nor forgiveness for what he has done to destroy my family. Now, that resentment bloomed. I could say that I could care less, that I don’t mind it, which is the truth, but that does not mean that I will learn how to forgive.

The void expanded. I was a “chubby” kid since then. Eventually, I got tired of all the “compliments” I received. It developed into an insecurity. At a young age, I chose to wear big clothes to hide my physique. When puberty started to hit, around year 2017, I started to lose weight. That was when I was then made jokes and fun of for being “too thin.” So, still, I wore bigger clothes, sweaters and jackets, to cover my body, trying not to show any skin whatsoever.

The void consumed me eventually. This started around the same time of the year 2017 onwards. Points of no return whether to give up or give in. A voice in that abyss whispered to me not to be afraid and just be myself. It was easier said than done, I thought. But not if I have someone in that abyss to accompany me: myself. Baby steps, I made the move. I made the small steps up until I was already doing leaps. From writing, gaming, finally going back to dancing, pursuing some other interests from here and there, and so on. I felt almighty. Alone in that abyss, I felt stronger than ever.

At that same time, heartbreaks. It eventually came. From parents, past connections, friends, so on. I took every ounce of pity to trash and left only love for myself. I figured I needed nothing but only love for who I am so I can conquer the unfortunate events coming to late. Chaotic was an understatement of a word to explain it. As harsh as these words may sound, but to me, these weren’t fabricated words taught to me by myself as I ventured throughout my journey of seeing through the outside of the void.

The abyss was too kind to me. Though alone in my own sanctuary, I still had friends and found better ones. Better people that would reciprocate the love I have for myself being reflected to them, then to me. It was more than just a connection, but rather a relationship—a bond. That abyss was more than just a thought inside my head that I had ever since I was a child, it was my safe place. A place of nothing that I made into something more.

In that abyss, with all my gratitude to it, I made changes to myself—some were to make me decide better, some were to make me stronger. In that place I had, I made peace to myself. That all what I had in the past; the privileges, pain, suffering, happiness, nonsense, all were considered, but not tolerated anymore. I started anew, far from the person people expected me to be, but what my “selves” wish me to be.

to more, to growth, to love

[reviewsbykarla]

my favorite albums of 2019

it's december 30th and you thought i forgot!! here are my favorite albums of 2019 organized by time of year they were significant in my life, with a few choice words on each. I spent a large part of the year listening back to older stuff and not particularly into anything new, but with fall came albums that defined the rest of my year. 2019 was a year of positive change for me and reaffirmed to me that with tragedy comes growth. don't forget it!

find an extensive playlist of my favorite songs from 2019 here: open.spotify.com/playlist/0ZgjOmyLpLFAp1xxEa0e5j

Assume Form by James Blake (January-March)

The song "I'll Come Too" was a topic of discussion for a while amongst me and my best music nerd friend. He thinks it's about someone finding true, lasting love. I think it's about the intensity of orgasm with someone you truly love. Thoughts?

Purple Mountains by Purple Mountains (July-August, December)

David Berman has always been an influential songwriter in my life. When I first heard this album, I felt so sad; It sounded like he had given up on life. When he committed suicide soon after its release, I couldn't bring myself to listen to this album again for months. It's so tragic, that sometimes death is the only thing that can give you life.

Immunity by Clairo (August-October)

I had low expectations for this album and I was completely surprised. The production quality is so high and the style of the album overall felt very original. Clairo is a really great lyricist able to write relatable songs and working with Rostam was a really good move on her part. While I loved the album and had it on non-stop repeat, her live show was the worst show I have ever seen in my entire life. I'm sorry.

Essentials by Erika de Casier (August-September)

This album is SO good. It slaps in all the right places and is reminiscent of 90s hip-hop r&b, but better. Listening to this is like walking through a candy shop and getting all of your favorite things.

House of Sugar by Alex G (September-December)

I love Alex G. Always have, always will. I genuinely think he is one of the greatest artists of my lifetime. This is his best album yet hands down. I can't even begin to tell you why, but please listen to it. Go birds.

Pang by Caroline Polachek (October-December)

Wow! Pang is a masterpiece. If I had to pick a #1 album of the year, it's Pang. Caroline Polachek wrote Pang coming out of her divorce. Each song hits hard lyrically, both simple and complex at the same time. The production is incredible and the album is as niche as it is accessible. The perfect album.

Iowa dream by Arthur Russell (November-December)

Arthur Russell was a genius. Towards the end of 2019 I was reverting back to my old folk-rock sensibilities, Iowa Dream coming out at the exact right time. I felt nostalgic, content, excited. Every song on this album is beautiful and touching. I hope there is more to come from Russell's thousands of unreleased recordings.

Information by Galcher Lustwerk (December)

This album is hot. Every track is thick with beats that make me feel like jello. Play this at the club and get close with that cutie you want to dance with.

Zdenka 2080 by Salami Rose Joe Louis (December)

I only recently found this album and I immediately fell in love with it. It's so beautiful, minimalist and slightly haunting. An experimental album of this variety always tugs at my heart strings, reinforces butterflies in my stomach, makes me want to swim in a lake at midnight under a starry sky with the person I love.

[distressedbutstillblessed]

Hi Just want to have a little life update.

I don’t know how to put things into words, but I want to ask my self a little bit on how life is going on lately. A little self reflection after 10 months of 2024.

Yes, time flies so fast just like the cold breeze of air that starts in September. It has always been tough, life has always been tough for me, but lo and behold, I am still here standing, moving and surviving. Let me appreciate my life first before anything else because being able to continue life is a big achievement already. A lot had happened even though II may not notice it, in almost a year, there are a lot of changes, plans, setting, people changes. I’ve been to different places within thin the country/ Luzon, experienced and explore different things I have never done before. Let me have a quick recap on how the year went and see what we can do for the remaining 2 months.

JANUARY.

The start of the year gave hope for a better life without any idea how this year will go, which may be in favor of me or not.

End of January, Aljun and I also went to a camping which really went well. We were able to recharge from the nature and had peace away from the city life. We literally just had rest, being asleep since 6pm to 6am we even forgot to have dinner at this time.

During this time, I was able to start my MP2. Yay!

FEBRUARY.

Aljun’s birth month and I cooked spaghetti for his birthday. And he was able to meet my colleagues during the despidida for Sir JC and celebration of the January, and february babies.

I got my Ipad. This thing may be a reflection that I deserve too have reward for myself and I am doing great in surviving what life throws me. I have been wanting this with no specific reason ever since I was a student. I hope this inspires me to be more striving and it may also help me attain much more goals in the future. I am hopeful that this thing may become my go to thing whenever I needed something.

We also went to Baguio, and this time, maybe we mold our relationship stronger. We may have a little arguments that time but it made us understand each other more.

Forgot to mention, I had a major skin insecurity having a dandruff outbreak which started last December and peaked in February, and a rashes on my forearms which led me to get consulted by a dermatologist. Realizing how stressed I was for the past months

MARCH

Aljun also bought his Ipad. And started his new work at WTW. Holy week started this month.

Ate came home, And as usual, I am the person, mainly responsible for the gala things. Tatay also volunteered to become apostle for the holy weeks’ month long preparation.

APRIL

Our birth month. We had the chance to have a time off with my familly. We went to Alahbiga, San Juan, Batangas, where I saw kuya aldrin went to fishing.

On April 222-24, 2024, Ate returned to Philippines without the knowledge of my parents for the reason that she needed to settle her medical for the processing of her work in US. And as usual, again, I am the one who assisted her during her stay. April 24, 2024, We had a dinner out with Ate Aiza, ALjun and Kuya Aldrin, it was so satisfying that I was able to treat them with my hard earned money.

Aj also invited me to join him in his company event.

And as for my birthday, Aljun has been the one who made it so special, we went to A1 premium shabu shabu house, gave me a surprise when I got home from work. In addition, I thank my friends, the Bonaks who also made an extra effort to order something from “Mary Grace” and have it delivered, haven’t expected to be blessed with these people for 27 years.

Actually, didn’t realized to have so much during this birth month. I have always thought that this is just a normal month for me.

MAY.

I volunteered to be assigned as in patient duty for 2 months with phoebe who turned out be my work bestie now.

At this month, there is a sudden opportunity for me to work in Germany, and I thought this will be easy, but it’s not, now I almost wanted to give up, but the thing is, I will never know what awaits me there if I will never be able to start and be there. So I started my language journey and really had a hard time.

JUNE.

I took my certification for advanced dry needling, this is something to improve my knowledge as a professional. We celebrated Father’s day and took ninong and tatay out and went to the beach.

I started signing up for the Language course for Deutsch. I have to take this seriously. (June 16) I am hopeful for this opportunity, I hope, I never got disappointed.

I got my hair treated with ate as my sponsor. Hehe

JULY.

Nanay’s Death anniversary. May she rests in peace. I will forever remember her, will always love her and cherish moments I had with her. Aljun came to visit Batangas again.

Had the chance to go out with the BONAKs and Aljun, went to Puerto galera. We were able to get away and relax in a bit away from work and school (for AJ and Diana). I got soooooo drunk and vomitted, I have been so wasted, and this is the first time ever in my life. But it feels great to be surrounded by people who are willing to take care of me, and ALjun have seen the worst of me this time. Haha

Enjoyed Rehab week, we enjoyed the fun run.

We (AJ, Carol) hiked at Mt. Batulao with carol’s co-workers. The trip went really great even though I had a little misunderstanding with Aljun.

AUGUST

Aljun started being affiliated with MoveIt. Safe drive myLove.

I signed the contract for DevHub , dated July 3, 2024, but officially started August 3, 2024.

Iwas able to meet Junie and Cm again.

We (batchies) were able to watch On more chance the Musical, a theatrical play based from the movie with incorporation of ben and ben music. I really enjoyed the watching and listening to it. If only I was allowed to capture and have some clips from it. We also ate at wildflour, the food here is a little expensive but I was fulfilled to have the capability now to eat here and the experience was great with my batchies.

SEPTEMBER.

We watched Mula sa Buwan, and This time, I am with my highschool besties, JJJ and Princess. A tragic story of love and survival during the war era. A heartfelt theater play that gives us the message to love and fight for the country, A genuine love but is hidden, how the art of music lifts up the soul and how magical it is to imagine that we’ll be returning to the moon, where all people are the same, no judgments, just peace, love and beauty.

OCTOBER

Aljun and I, Our 2nd anniversary the was celebrated at cavite. Celebrated it peace adn nature. I think, this is really our thing. And by the way, Aljun also bought his first ever car. The car he dreamed of for a long time. Another step of achievement for him.

Aljun and I also joined a 10-mile run, which I. Almost give up, but thsnk God II didn’t, this is still a self achievement. I also thank aljun for not leaving me all through out even having the chance to do so.

Phoebe and I had the chance to go out and went to Whimsical Wonderland where we enjoyed taking videos and pictures. I literally just looked like crazy with the snaps we had.

And this wraps up for now, let’s see for the last 2 months of this year awaits for me. I am still hopefulfor the best and for my German laguage journey.

[amberblog0528]

Culture Shock and Confusion(Nominate 3)

Switzerland is known for its high levels of happiness and its well-developed social welfare system, and today I'm going to discuss its childcare and education benefits. When I was planning a trip to Switzerland, I learned about the welfare support of Swiss families, such as free public education and generous maternity allowances. Switzerland's maternity allowance is particularly friendly to working mothers, who can take up to 14 weeks of maternity leave after giving birth and receive a benefit equivalent to 80% of their salary. These benefits reduce the burden of childcare and highlight the importance Switzerland places on family and education. In contrast, China has relatively limited support for fertility resources, with policies encouraging the birth of three children but lacking special maternity subsidies. For families, this means high childcare costs and no government subsidies to help, bringing great financial pressure on childcare.

At the same time, the free educational resources in Switzerland would make me envious. This means that children can get a high-quality education and families do not have to worry about tuition fees. In such an environment, the child's growth appears carefree. In addition, maternity benefits for new mothers can ease the conflict between parenting and income, making the parenting process more supportive. This difference made me wonder and reflect on different countries' different emphasis on family and welfare. I think it is because Switzerland and China are very different in terms of economic structure, social culture and policy direction. Switzerland's high welfare system focuses on individual rights and interests, while China's welfare system, with a large population base, relies more on the market and family support networks. By understanding these differences, we can better understand the cultural logic behind them and develop tolerance for diverse lifestyles.

The thought of a place where children can grow up without worry, and where new mothers are fully supported, certainly made me feel blessed and suddenly understood why Switzerland is known for its high levels of happiness. This cultural collision undoubtedly enriched my world view. I am looking forward to experiencing with a more open mind, with this new perspective, to feel the daily life of living under different welfare systems.

References

Bekolli, U. (2020, September 13). Education in Switzerland: Here’s What You Need To Know. Studying in Switzerland. https://studyinginswitzerland.com/switzerland-education/

Cai, D., Villanueva, P., Lu, H., Zimmermann, B., & Horsch, A. (2024). What matters to migrant women during labor and birth: Chinese mothers’ experiences in Switzerland. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06271-y

Fuentes, A. (2011). Raising Education Outcomes in Switzerland. Www.oecd-Ilibrary.org. https://doi.org/10.1787/5kgj3l0wr4q6-en

Getting Swiss citizenship. (n.d.). Expatica Switzerland. https://www.expatica.com/ch/moving/visas/swiss-citizenship-107630/

in. (2023, February 19). birth allowance to mother’s in switzerland 🇨🇭 after giving birth. YouTube. https://youtu.be/btNZ3tYZeDw?si=hB7dNSZ4pTQSqtiy

Maternity allowance | Income compensation allowance in the event of service, maternity, other parent, caring for a sick child and adoption | Social insurances | Information Center OASI/DI. (2021). Ahv-Iv.ch. https://www.ahv-iv.ch/en/Social-insurances/Income-compensation-allowance-in-the-event-of-service-maternity-other-parent-caring-for-a-sick-child-and-adoption/Maternity-allowance

Switzerland - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission. (n.d.). Ec.europa.eu. https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1131&langId=en&intPageId=4821

中国鼓励生育 “三孩政策” 写入法律 回顾人口政策四个痛点. (2021, August 25). BBC News 中文. https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-58305676

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

18th September >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Wednesday, Twenty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 The supremacy of charity.

Be ambitious for the higher gifts. And I am going to show you a way that is better than any of them. If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all. If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end. But if there are gifts of prophecy, the time will come when they must fail; or the gift of languages, it will not continue for ever; and knowledge – for this, too, the time will come when it must fail. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophesying is imperfect; but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will disappear. When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and think like a child, and argue like a child, but now I am a man, all childish ways are put behind me. Now we are seeing a dim reflection in a mirror; but then we shall be seeing face to face. The knowledge that I have now is imperfect; but then I shall know as fully as I am known. In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 32(33):2-5,12,22

R/ Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp, with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. O sing him a song that is new, play loudly, with all your skill.

R/ Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

For the word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love.

R/ Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own. May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

R/ Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

Gospel Acclamation cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Alleluia, alleluia! Accept God’s message for what it really is: God’s message, and not some human thinking. Alleluia!

Or: cf. John 6:63,68

Alleluia, alleluia! Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!

Gospel Luke 7:31-35 'We played the pipes, and you wouldn't dance'.

Jesus said to the people: ‘What description can I find for the men of this generation? What are they like? They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market-place:

‘“We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn’t dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn’t cry.”

‘For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[crystalelemental]

PokeFair Select Scouts (September 2023)

There are two whole PokeFair Select scouts active as of today, and the goal here is to talk about both, and who is worth scouting for.

PokeFair Select A

Anni May - Anniversary May is a Psychic Terrain setter that has it as Psychic Wish, which means it goes around flinches because it's a trainer move, not a Pokemon move. This is fairly insignificant, but you know. May's focus is on Terrain, X Sp Atk All, and special attack debuffing through Mist Ball, into a fairly potent sync. At 1/5, she has Psychic Terrain and the ability to cover for someone like Giovanni. But she has direct and significant competition with Bianca. Competition that she never quite managed to completely win. Completing her at 3/5 is a worthwhile choice for the nuke, but Psychic nuke is not hard to shop for.

Anni Skyla - Still somehow the only pair to apply Flying Zone. Skyla is okay. Zone, team speed boosting, and Mini Potion All, but the real nice aspect is a 30% AoE flinch on Air Cutter+Staggering 2. She can also confuse for whatever that's worth. Completion at 3/5 produces an incredible sync nuke for a Flying type, while also opening up some nice support in the form of now a 50% flinch, debuffing offenses, and an odd tank set. Skyla's a pretty solid pick all around, both as a new pair and a completed pair.

Anni Raihan - Sometimes, when I talk about a 1/5 kit, it is from a place of theory. Not here. I had Raihan at 1/5 for a while, and let me tell you, dude is ass. He's bad at everything until 3/5. Sandstorm is frankly a garbage weather condition that few pairs truly enjoy having, and the stacking of moves up next is a lot more common now than it used to be. Raihan's claim to fame is, and always has been, his Sandstorm Propulsion. Raihan fast-ramps on teams, while supplying better DPS pressure for a Striker ally. That is his one and only mission. If you're at 2/5, I can safely encourage it. Otherwise, I do think Skyla is a far better acquisition for a 1/5 pair.

PokeFair Select B

Sygna Suit Diantha - An excellent Zone setter who perfectly complements just about everything on her type. Speed debuffs for Cakewalk sets, defense debuffing for all the physical attackers, defense boosting for team survival, Zone; Diantha supplies a ton. Completion at 3/5 really just offers stronger sync. I will caution, Diantha's Buddy move taking so much time in animations does run out her Zone faster than usual, which is a problem when all her damage relies on it. Operates best with competent offensive allies, but really pushes the definition of what counts as "competent."

Emma - Darling Daughter Emma. If you picked up Oleana, she's not exactly necessary, but she has fantastic 1/5 utility. Buddy move is an obscene nuke of a move, and applying +4 speed to the entire team is bananas. Potion is also very nice. Just be aware that she is borderline useless if the foe isn't Poisoned. 3/5 offers a sync nuke and some odd utility, but 1/5 is perfectly sufficient.

Victor - I shit on Victor all the time, so do not take my word for this. Victor feels middling. Grass is over-saturated, and his damage is nothing new or exceptional. His claims to fame are AoE Max Moves, which are good I concede, and Piercing Blows, which is nice but suffers from Anni Lillie syndrome, where the damage is never where you want it to be as compensation. 3/5 as usual gives the nuke, but Victor lacks for serious utility. I can't see many people needing him given how many Grass options there are, but he's not incompetent.

Ingo - A fairly solid pick. Sandstorm compression on a support is always really nice. I do think Ingo's fallen off a bit, as strong tanking ability has taken over as a significant concern for supports. He's not terrible at it but lack of defense buffing and limited Atk/Sp Atk buffing capabilities do hold him back a bit. And of course, Sandstorm is not that exciting as a weather effect. It's actively detrimental to those who don't need it, and those who do are few and far between.

SS Brendan - I expect this to be a popular pick. Brendan has a lot of good value as a special attack/crit boosting support. My hesitation on recommending him is strictly that 3/5 is pretty required, unless you're able to make use of just +1 crit. Team Sharp Entry into taking first sync is pretty mandatory for a lot of comps where allies want to outsource crit boosting. Luster Purge is good debuffing on a single target, but I always found him harder to use in CS, where Freevenge isn't guaranteed if foes don't attack you, and you have more than one target. I recognize he's still very good, but as a 1/5 acquisition I do think Diantha and Emma perform their roles better. Good if you plan to build him up though.

SS Leon - Hasn't rerun in over two years, and they still lock him to a paid only scout. That's fucking hilarious, DeNA. Anyway, Leon's kinda middling. Same as Gloria, all his power relies on the foe having a sync buff, which is generally bad news, especially in Gauntlet. His damage isn't great, and his self-setup is really wonky. He does get a Max Move, and it does okay, but there are a lot of factors that hold Leon back. 1/5 is borderline useless, 3/5 can do okay.

5* Select Fair Scout Everyone gets a free ticket to select a PokeFair pair from a lineup that seems to be Lodge-centric. So cool, we can get any lodge pair we wa-what's that? Oh, it's only three of them? Oh okay cool, thank you DeNA, very good celebration you've crafted here. The ticket isn't out yet but they did announce the choices.

N - Solid DPS and sync capabilities, even for 1/5. He doesn't gain much in multipliers on grid anyway, just a lot of sync damage nodes. He can be made to function just fine with minimal investment, and is a fairly safe choice.

Marnie - At 1/5, she offers very little. Low DPS, poor sync, no real utility options aside from an inconsistent paralysis rate. Unless going for 3/5 (like me), don't.

Raihan - At 1/5, Raihan is worthless. His DPS isn't great, his sync sure isn't doing much, and he's slow as dirt. Even at 3/5 I don't really respect him that much. Raihan can be good for special Steel damage, if you're having trouble with Steel-weak Glacia or something, but paying gems into one pair that has minimal utility for a single stage is not a great use of your resources.

[or-something-better]

September 12, 2022

Night at the Bar

Sam

Okay, since we're all sharing...  THIS song always makes me feel better because it pretty much describes how I feel about Ruby. Someone took space in my head and then wrote it down “Iris by Goo Goo Dolls”

Patience

Great song

Sam

Time for another beer

Ruby

Hey everyone!

Sam

There's our favorite Demon Can I get you something from the bar?

Ruby

uh.....no. Sorry. Public service...just… no Just a beer Sam. Thanks

Crowley

What song? lol

Sam

What??? you dont want a huge sing along???

Ruby

Sing away

Sam

You singers should pick it

Ruby

Are we picking songs to play?

Sam

Goes to the bar and Comes back with a cold beer for Ruby Here you go9

Ruby

What's the theme? Taking the beer Thanks Sam

Sam

Songs that make you feel good... or empowered

Sam

Crowley and Eileen and Dean have been bringing it!

Alex

How are you doing

Ruby

This one has special meaning. So I guess it falls under the feel good. “Evanescence-Bring Me To Life lyrics” Just listen to the words.

Sam

Goes to the bar to get my brother a fresh whiskey bottle Here you go holds it out

Crowley

Lizard desired a cameo in this masterpiece song

Sam

To Bring me to life? Bring Lizard out to Sing!!!!!

Crowley

I didn't bring her out, she just scampered over

Charlie

Hey Ruby!

Sam

Sits down and drinks my beer with my feet up

Ruby

I grab your shirt and bring you face to face. Yes Sam. You bring me to life. Hey Charlie. How has your day been?

Sam

nose to nose Uh.... ok..k..?

Charlie

Busy, I started grumpy but all in all it’s been a good day

Ruby

I give you a wink and let you go

Charlie

Life is what you make it

Alex

Drink up chug

Crowley

Awww a classic. I love it

Sam

I realize I escaped with my life but still can't help but slap you on the ass as you walk away.

Ruby

That's a positive attitude

Sam

Oh another one that I LOVE!!!!

Charlie

If I focused on all the bad in life, I’d crawl in a hole and never come out. Have to look at the good stuff :) it’s worth smiling for

Dean

Awesome

Sam

That's a life lesson that we hunters just have to learn at a young age

Charlie

Absolutely! Live in the moment

Eileen

seems like it yep lol

Sam

That WAS awesome

Ruby

There is always.....always...something to be grateful for. For Sam, it's getting away with slapping my ass

Charlie

You have to admit, not many could… raising eyebrows

Ruby

indeed

Sam

thinks to myself that it IS a nice ass,,, gets up Dance one with me Ruby, since you're here. “So Into You” by Atlanta Rhythm Section

Ruby

I take his hand and go to the floor.

Sam

pulls you into my arms and we dance back and worth. Holding Ruby tight and letting her move as she wants I love this song pulls her closer and follows her lead

Ruby

Don't you wish you could bottle up perfect moments so that later when you need it most, you just open it up and relive it all?

Sam

gives her a squeeze and whispers That's what you're here for, gives Ruby a kiss on the top of her head and lets her go

Ruby

Grabbing his hand, I take him back to the bar

Sam

Ruby, Thank you for stopping in

Ruby

It's nice to be here after a busy day

Sam

Yeah, it’s the per5fect place to come and relax

Charlie

Plays “Practical Magic Midnight Margaritas”

Ruby

I LOOOOOOOVE Halloween

Charlie

Me too a whole month of fun stuff 😂

Ruby

Plays Snowball the Dancing Cockatoo

Charlie

I love that!!! 😂The bird still has my attention 😂 he’s amazing

Ruby

😆

Sam

sits down next to Ruby and sways with the music

Ruby

Bumping your shoulder, I sway with you.

Sam

slips my arm around her waist Glad you stopped by

Crowley

Posts a song that he has sung himself

Ruby

Great job Crowley!

Alex

Look over oooooo awwwww you both are cute

Ruby

Here's an oldie I had to listen to over and over. Plays “Livin Next Door To Alice” by Smokie

Crowley

Thank you, Ruby. I hope everyone's enjoying my variety

Ruby

Good way to end the day

Sam

SMOKEY!! you are the love of my life arent you? LOVE Smokey!!!

Ruby

The first time I head this I think I listened to it 20 times over and over

Sam

OHHHH I cna hook you up with Tons more

Ruby

You've been  holding out?

Dean

Post himself singing “Brother”

Sam

MY SONG!!!

Dean

For you, Sam

Sam

thanks Brother

Dean

Yes always. Now I gotta stop singing cuz Nat actually was sent down to tell me to turn it down lol

Sam

I'm a closet Smokey fan

Crowley

Just curious, are you guys at least amused by my non-mainstream songs?

Dean

You sing amazing

Ruby

Well, come out of the closet Sam I crack up!

Crowley

Thank you squirrel. I just more meant the parody/songs written for t.v. shows

Sam

YES! I listen to everything that is posted here and I always find little gems that I never knew existed....so be as random as you want

Ruby

I have a feeling that Sally had something to do with Alice leaving.

Sam

Ruby, My favorite Smokey song. Plays “If You Think You Know How To Love Me”

Alex

Chugging and dance music

Ruby

I've never heard that one. I love it! Gonna listen to that one over and over

Sam

I have been going out and trying to FIND it all Chris Norman was the master. I think I lived in England too damn long when it comes to music

Ruby

While you were out living it up, I was in a dark place and am playing catch up

Charlie

Pink’s the most of my playlist lol she’s got something for every mood 💕

Ruby

I like this one

Sam

Then give me your hand and I'll help you find it.   holds out my hand

Ruby

Takes your hand and holds tight

Ellen

I love this song

Ruby

And thanks to Charlie: Ruby plays” W.I.T.C.H.”

Sam

You ARE wicked

Ruby

You say the sweetest thing!

Charlie

It’s such a good song 😂 First time I heard it I thought of Ruby

Sam

YES!

Sam

Okay I've just got to play one for Gabe!!! Since Gabe cant be here tonight

Plays “Put your hand in the hand”

Ruby

That's an oldie.

Sam

It IS. I think I was channeling YOU

Ruby

Raising an eyebrow, I caution Careful Sammy

Sam

I always think if this song whenever Gabe mentions Cult

Dean

Lmao

Ruby

Here's one from the next year.... Plays “I’d like to teach the world to sing”

Sam

I love this song. It’s on my Spotify

Ruby

I like this one. Good beat: “Plays Fight Song”

Charlie

It’s beautiful

Sam

THIS IS my Rising song!! Plays The Rising. This "Rising" song is My Mother's Ring Tone

Dean

I sang that earlier

Sam

Yes you did!

Sam

It was actually Obamas Campaign song during the election. I love it

Charlie

I didn’t know that 😂I guess I don’t follow enough to know they have songs

Sam

I love raccoons: posts a photo of Dave

Crowley

DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Charlie

Omg that’s cute!!

Eileen

I wuv hims

Charlie

Me too

Ruby

He showed up?

Sam

No Dave and the babies are still a no show for tonight... 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Ruby

😢

Sam

I haven't given up hope. You guys was really shared an amazing amount of music with me tonight. Thank you! I listened to ALL of it and will keep the gems I've found. I love nights like this. I have the front door open and am just waiting for them to come eat

Ruby

You don't get bugs coming in?'

Sam

nope... it’s a screen door with a cat entrance

Sam

Charlie Thank you for another really nice Bar Night. I'm so glad that you do these once a week

Ruby

Good way to end the day

Sam

Here's one for you Ruby We Can Work It Out

Ruby

That was always a favorite

Sam

we need this at the apartment

Dean

drink my whiskey as I sit listening

Sam

Goes to the bar for another draft beer. I love this Plays “Free Falling” with Jared on guitar

I guess that we are the ones closing this Bar down tonight Ruby

Ruby

Again

Sam

Maybe it’s our super power?

Ruby

Damn. I need a better super power

Sam

You do not.. come on, help me put this place back together and we'll close it up

Dean

I’m still here

Ruby

Need another Dean?

Sam

hands Dean A mop

Dean

I’ve got my bottle actually

Ruby

Pushes the chairs in

Sam

Starts to turn off the machines

Ruby

Wipes down the counters

Dean

I mop the floor while drinking my whiskey

Sam

makes sure the fryer is off and the back is put together. Hey, we do a damn good job in here

Ruby

Lots of practice apparently

Sam

HA! is that is? Well, thank you for coming

Ruby

I had fun Sam

Sam

Good, want to come check out the Bunker before you go home?

Ruby

I'll lead the way

Dean

I’ve been having fun and still drinking need to finish this bottle

Sam

Dean, I'm locking this place up… see you at the Bunker!! Take an extra bottle with you!

Dean

Fiiiiine puts the mop away grabbing another bottle and walk out the door and head back to the bunker

[ohpleaselarry]

I posted 580 times in 2022

That's 435 more posts than 2021!

50 posts created (9%)

530 posts reblogged (91%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@blushingpizza

@rainbowbeanstyles

@pocketsunshineharry

@brightgolden

@holyshit

I tagged 534 of my posts in 2022

Only 8% of my posts had no tags

#harrycore - 23 posts

#<3 - 15 posts

#larrycore - 15 posts

#louiscore - 14 posts

#reader asks - 11 posts

Longest Tag: 115 characters

#i started ironically saying luh-mawo outloud dryly and it became unironically the thing i say in various situations

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

up 2 no good

click for higher quality. first time drawing digitally in quite a while- did this for a crack fic I’ve been working on

(pls don’t repost!)

64 notes - Posted 24 July, 2022

#4

dont know its lost til you find it

written by ohpleaselarry

explicit | 30k | a/b/o uni au

Maybe it’ll be better this way. Maybe Louis just needs to distance himself, get over his crush so Harry doesn’t have to worry about his obsessive friend who feels too much and says too little.

He wonders what this girl is like. What she looks like, what conversations they had to make Harry fall for her in three days.

If maybe she’s just stellar in bed. If she smells like heaven or if it’s just the fact she’s a girl.

He wonders and wonders, resists the temptation to stare at the alpha, and gets exactly no work done.

Inspired by: heather - conan gray

available now!

105 notes - Posted 14 July, 2022

#3

Lonely Shadow Dancers

written by ohpleaselarry for the @topharryficfest

Explicit | 20k

“Mm,” Harry’s arms circle him, and their fumbling somehow turns into a cuddle session, “still can’t believe we’re here together.”

Growing up with someone, one tends to become used to another. Used to the mannerisms and personality of them. Used to the changes and the things that stay the same.

Harry hit puberty and sprung up into this cheeky curly flirt of an alpha and Louis still hasn’t found the time to get used to it. His stomach flutters and he bites back a stupid smile and wonders if he ever will.

Or

Canon compliant..if H&L grew up together in a a/b/o world

available to read now!

133 notes - Posted 11 June, 2022

#2

Night Song

written by ohpleaselarry

50k | mature | ao3

Louis’ heart has made it’s decision. It belongs to Harry, in all of his terrifying, cowardly, amazing glory. Perhaps Harry can take it when this is all over, place Louis’ dead heart where his own should be. Proper poetic, that would be. Or perhaps he’ll let it rot right along with the rest of him, toss Louis away and laugh at the pitiful human who’s managed to fall for the wizard who only prays on the beautiful.

Whatever happens to Louis’ heart, he doesn’t care. It’s up to Harry now. It belongs to him; completely.

a Howl’s Moving Castle au

available now!

136 notes - Posted 05 May, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

too much, but it’s enough

written by ohpleaselarry for the @bhficfest

explicit | 40k

There are about a thousand things Louis wishes he could go back in time and fix. A thousand things, and nearly all of them include Harry.

There are the more simple things, like showing him more support, telling him it’s okay to be himself, gently reminding him that a condom in his pocket is rather obvious in skinny jeans, but if he could just choose one thing, just one to change, he’d probably just have told the lad he loves him.

Always has. And always will.

now posted!

290 notes - Posted 06 September, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[biolizardboils]

Underpanniversary mont September is almost over, so here’s one last headcanon dump for the road

General

The entire book series takes place in a single school year. The following is my vain attempt at cramming everything into that timeframe in a way that makes sense

The football game in Book 1 was the kickoff and happened in early August. The 4-to-6 weeks before the Ring arrived was really just 4 weeks, minimizing the Boys' slave labor and placing Captain's first day on duty in early September (not exactly the 1st but close enough)

Book 6 canonically happens during the cold and flu season (so late autumn), making it the halfway point of the school year and the series. (I just realized that it’s never shown snowing in modern-day Piqua? Maybe it only happened while the Boys were on winter break)

In Book 11, Krupp mentions there’s 7 weeks of school left. Summer break usually starts in mid-to-late May; subtracting 7 weeks from that places Book 11 in early-to-mid April

Book 12 happens in May. The Rid-O-Kid incident and sudden lack of gym teacher forced the school to close for damage control, then hold a half-day to do the yay-you’re-moving-up-a-grade stuff. (And yes, this means Captain Underpants Pizza Party didn’t happen and is merely a wistful fantasy 😔)

Also said school year is 1997-1998 (except for when I bring up any media that came out after that) because this is my post and I make the anachronisms

The Boys

Harold raises Sea Monkeys as snacks for his and George's pets

Speaking of their pets, they are NOT to be put in the same room together. George's are cats, Harold's are fish. Can I make it any more obvious

George had to stay home sick for a whole week once. when he finally came back to school, he walked in with this blasting on this boombox

George's fave computer game is Star Wars: Behind the Magic, Harold's is Insaniquarium (first the browser version, then Deluxe way later), and they both love Backyard Baseball

George's fave Disney film is A Goofy Movie. Harold didn’t have a favorite until middle school when Treasure Planet came out

The boys took Captain to see Hercules in theaters. He declared it the greatest movie of all time, so they bought it on VHS and played it in the treehouse whenever he asked. The boys kept it long after 4th grade and watched it whenever they missed him

They used to think boy bands were weird and girls were weird for liking them... until Heidi got into the Backstreet Boys. Harold caught The Fever from hearing her play their songs in the house, and George caught it from him. Their favorite song is Answer To Our Life

Harold would later joke that him catching The Fever should’ve been his wake-up call lol

The Old!Boys

In college they held a dorm party and made Jungle Juice in a (fully sanitized!!!) toilet so they could flush away the evidence after. And also just for laffs

Their kids go to Stubinville Elementary. It’s farther away and they have to take a bus, but it’s got generally better teachers than Jerome Horwitz. Go Stinkbugs

They wrote a letter to Krupp about what they did to him in 4th grade, but never sent it

Other

The Boys' parents didnt realize their families had blended together for years. It finally hit them when they asked Grandma and Grandpa to synchronize their visits. They were like "....Huh." and then went right back to setting the table

Other things both families do together: bills, carpooling, cooking, movie nights, fishing, picnics, holiday card photos at the mall

The Beards have a record player and a vinyl collection of every funk and R&B hit from 1968 to 1989. They always have one playing as background noise in the mornings and evenings. (The Hutchins like to play MTV instead)

Heidi goes to a preschool halfway across town. Robbie Hoskins (the little boy whose mom never believes him) goes there too

The Boys plan on being Heidi’s bodyguards when she starts kindergarten at Jerome Horwitz. No one’s gonna give her trouble, student or teacher, if they can help it

She can’t get in the Treehouse—not cus the Boys won’t let her, but cus she’s too small to safely climb the ladder 😔 Some day she'll get in there and eat all the hidden junk food, but not yet

I diagnose Melvin with EXTREME Gifted Kid Burnout post-canon lmao. He ends up going to the same community college as the Boys and they finally bury the hatchet there

Switching to paragraphs for this last one:

Long ago, when Krupp first started out as a principal, him and all the staff fell victim to an impossibly elaborate prank. He was excited to write his first detention slip and grilled the whole student body to find the culprit. 

After threatening to hold them hostage past the last bell, a dirty blonde boy in 2nd grade came up to him and claimed responsibility. Krupp locked him in the detention room and looked for his parents' number in the school directory, but couldn't find anything under his last name. 

Just then, he heard the kid make this noise. He stormed back to the detention room and opened it to yell at him... but the kid had vanished. The only sign he’d been there was his slip on the floor.

Krupp framed it in his office to preserve a milestone in his career, and vowed to crush that kid's spirit the next day.

But he never appeared at the school again.

[thepriceofbeingaroseisloneliness]

Kaoru  Interview Book -Vol.0「傷痕」 “I can exist because these four people exist. Because there are four people that have things I don’t have”

Notes before reading: This is the personal interview of Kaoru from the e-book 『 Interview Book -Vol.01「傷痕」-』released on September 21st.  This interview was conducted in mid-April 2021.

You can purchase the e-book ➝ here You can read Toshiya’s inteview ➝ here

Links or credits to this post when the content is reposted or reproduced in other SNS is appreciated :) ------------

-We will talk about the theme of the interview “Scars” , but speaking of that, “pain” is related to “scars”, and if you mention “pain”, Dir en grey’s theme is also pain. What do “scars” and “pain” mean for you?

K: Originally, I think both are emotions that are born from the affection and love  people feel. For example, envy or negative emotions towards people, and the feelings of wanting to love and be loved. These two are like the two sides of the same coin. Without love, there is no jealousy. Because you feel pain, you want to be loved. As both feelings come together, either one will appear. So, for me, I think DIR EN GREY's (pain) actually has the theme of love on the other side as well. -I see. Let’s start this conversation talking about the theme, if there is any, please tell me an episode in which you had been hurt. K: That I had been hurt…..it’s not a big deal but, I’m the type of person that gets jealous/envious easily. When I was a kid, I was the type of kid that would never go to play at crowded places. I really wanted to play together with them, but it was like I didn’t want to “mix” with others in those places. So, it felt like I would get jealous suddenly and I would go off on my own without asking. -That's surprising. K: I was that type of kid. This was when I was in elementary school but, suppose I asked “A” to play once school was over that day. “A” said “fine” and after we've been playing, “B” invited “A” to play as well. If “A” answered “ok”, I wouldn’t talk to “A” anymore (laughs). -That’s being jealous, for sure. K: It was like…. You said you were going to play with me, why do you have to play with him too? I had such an overjealous personality.  Maybe “A” just wanted  to play with everyone, but I couldn’t understand that. -Do you mean you had a strong desire for exclusivity? K: Rather, I think I was the type of person who was jealous of others, in general. Like, if you don’t have a good perception/image of yourself, that makes you think the others are better than you. If you think that other people are better than you, you are often jealous of them. -When did you start to realize you were like that? K: I think it was at middle school or high school. Basically, I wasn't the one that would start talking to others. But it has changed since I started playing in bands. After all, you had to move or it would be useless, right?

-That’s right. K: That’s why I changed a little. However, even now, basically I can’t start a conversation. Rather than approaching a person, I’m the type that looks at them in the distance and thinks they look good. Then, I think I won’t be able to do it (approach them). -But it was different once you started playing at bands, right?

K: At that time, I started to move around. Because I wanted to be in a band. I made people around me listen to the kind of music I wanted to make, I encouraged them to be members of the band saying things like “you might look good on the bass”, “maybe you can sing”, “you probably would look good on the drums!”. At that time, I’d rush forward, and me the school guys listen to music.

-That’s an amazing initiative (laughs).

K: I would say to the guys who got caught “let’s play an instrument together!”. As I was about to change from middle school to high school, maybe doing these things were easy for me. It was time to change to a new environment.

-By the way, do you still have such feelings of jealousy? If you compare that to the theme, it seems like it’s an old wound that still hurts.

K: It’s a bit different from envy, but there are moments I still get jealous. After all, when I see people that have things, I don’t have…. For example, this applies to the members too. Everyone has their own characteristics and personalities, right? When it comes to appearance, when it comes to playing as well, I look at everyone and it’s like “they have something I don’t have”.

-Does that feeling of envy feel like jealousy, or is it more like a mix of love-hate?

K: It’s not. Because I think I can exist because these four people exist. Because there are four people that have things I don’t have.  

-So, what do you envy when you see other bands?

K: I don’t.  Of course, listening to someone's album I’m like “They made a great album!”, “It’s cool!”, “I wish I could make this kind of music”, “I wonder how they did this”…I think things like that, but I have never felt envious of other bands comparing them with ourselves.

-From here, I would like to look back on the history of the band using the theme of "scars". DIR EN GREY made its debut on a major label once, but soon you switch to another to release again. I think the general idea is that moving from being an indie band to a major one means damage=scratches for the band.

K: Originally, as a band, we wanted to express our own power, we wanted to surprise the world with our music. It didn’t feel like a major environment was the right place to do those things, right? No matter what you decide, you need some people’s approval, and it takes time and effort. You can’t move forward by just thinking about it. I think that was what happened.

-Looking back now, do you think it wasn't wrong to choose to become a major?

K: I don't think we were wrong. At that time, we didn’t know. After all, there were also times that we thought that it would be better to have a major company as producer. If we stayed at that major company just like that, I think we would have been a different band than the band we are now.

-What kind of band?

K: Things like the spirit of trying to open up to new things, the curiosity and the inquiry mindset of getting interested in anything. I think it's big that we decided to do such things ourselves away from the major company at that time, so maybe, we wouldn’t have done that. At that time, we wouldn't do things in our own, because we didn’t know. I felt like we were absorbing all sorts of things to the band.

-Because there was no backing plan, you had to do it yourselves.

K: It was a time in which we didn't know anything, so I guess we were able to work very hard. Three or four years after that, we have acquired the skills as a band, and we tried to do better.

-It was a time when you couldn't do some things because you didn't know.

K: That's right. For example, nowadays it is natural to make music with a computer, but at that time there were just a few engineers who could use composition software. But if I couldn’t use it myself, I'd desperately study how to use the software, thinking that if I don’t learn how to use it, I can never move forward. I've been sticking to the people who could use it, and I desperately memorized everything they did in order to know to do this or that. Because we went through that, we are what we are now. It’s been over 20 years of this.

-Because you put yourself in an adverse position, you can do things like that now.

K: That’s right. At that time, I thought there was no limit. If you were in a major company environment, you might become a band that can only work in that environment. But, I don't think we ever were the type of band that was like that, but we might have been immersed in that kind of environment for a while.

- Why don't you look back on yourself at that time? I would like to talk about the adversity of leaving the major company= scratches.  It's like you were a different person from the current calm Kaoru (laughs).

K: Ah ... I don't really know…. I don’t really remember but it seems I was quite annoying (laughs). When I heard stories from the old manager, I’m like “Well, was it really that bad?”. It seems I conveniently forgot about it (laughs)

-For example, what kind of terrible things did you do (laughs)?

K: Like, I was being messy during a live show. But from my point of view at that time, I wasn't aware I was doing that. At that time, it seems I  always used to play the same song for 3 minutes. The manager told the staff to “not let me do that all the time”. He jumped into the dressing room before encore and said, "This live is over." When he told me that, I said something like “How do you know that it’s going to end just like this? idiot!” and it seems that I returned to the stage (laughs).

- (Laughs).

K: I'm not sure I said that at all but apparently, I did.

-But I think as you went through that kind of period, you are like this now.

K: That’s right. But well…. I used to lose my temper/snap a lot. I would get mad/irritated about little things. Like, “Why do I have to do that?”.

-Do you think you still have that kind of side somewhere?

K: I think I do. In fact, I'm the type of person that gets easily frustrated. But as expected, when you are an adult, you usually don’t let it out.

-Is that so?

K: Actually, I still get mad/irritated about little things right away (laughs). Even if I walk around the city, I’m frustrated by the people who pass by. Like, “why is this guy doing this?”. Also, if I talk to people and they can’t understand until you finished the whole talk even if with the first part is obvious what I’m talking about. I get frustrated (laughs).

-Are you impatient?

K: Maybe I’m impatient, or I wonder if they can’t understand what I’m saying unless I tell them things from A to Z in order to have a proper conversation. You can understand somethings with just a few words. When I talk to people like this, it’s so tiring and tough…. but well…. I’m an adult now.

-Does the frustration or negative feelings towards people like that stay for a long time?

K: In my family, when I was a kid, my dad's younger brother lived in my parents' house for a while, and that's why I didn't have my own room. I was really mad all the time. Like, “why is this guy here?”. I also felt sorry for my mom. “Why do I have to live with my father’s brother? it’s weird”.

-But those feelings are a motivation for making music.

K: That's right. It's the same when it comes to DIR's activities, and the reason why I make songs, but the feeling of having a competitive spirit is huge. I talked about jealousy and envy at the beginning, but after all, I think I'm the one who can't do anything about myself. If a guy like me tries to do something, even if he tries, he can't do the same thing as other people. If that's the case, you can't do anything unless you're more extra/excessive than people or passionate than them. I thought that’s my competitive spirit/spirit of rivalry.

-That’s right.

K: I feel like I've been doing music for such a long time just because of that feeling. I don't want to be good; I want to create something that people can never create.

 -Is that feeling forcing you to twist some things you don’t have?

K: I don’t know. Of course, I can do it because it’s something that I have inside, but if I just create with what I have, I’m not satisfied. It’s like I’ll try to twist things further. Sometimes I’m just waiting for something to come down to me. I think if I don’t push myself, it’ll be over.

-Isn't it difficult to make music with that " competitive spirit "?

K: It's hard.

-But you've been doing music for a long time, you have been in the same band for over 20 years, do you ever wonder if it's time to do music on your own?

K: I think it’s fine to do that as a hobby. Moreover, isn’t it interesting to listen to the music of this band?

-Maybe.

K: But ... I don't know what will happen to us in 20 years (laughs). Maybe we can’t do fast songs anymore, maybe we wonder if it’s ok to do one thing or another. But when that time comes, if we can find something amazing, we can do, I think we will do it properly.

-After all, how do you resist adversity and negative situations? I think that is the power of this band.

K: Maybe no one can’t stop you if you want to do something. If you have that kind of feeling, I think you’ll be fine.

-For example, I think the latest artist photos are also a way to express yourselves as a band, but it's not something that will please everyone. However, it’s the kind of thing that the average media hesitates to publish.

K: Maybe that's the case, but it’s something we created that way, we weren’t trying from the beginning to create something that couldn’t be published or that didn’t follow the common flow. Also, I think we are a band that has strong ties with a minority group of people in the first place. We are completely different from the music that makes people gather at Tokyo Dome. That is the main premise.

  -Selling is not the main priority.

K: That doesn't mean we don’t want to sell. I want you to listen to our music like other artists, and I hope you’ll like it. But that's not the purpose.

-I understood. Finally, 2020 was a year of adversity for many bands, but unlike other bands, DIR EN GREY has come this far without broadcasting any live concerts. In other words, I thought you were a band that could stay still even in the face of adversity.

K: No, that's not true (laughs). But there's nothing we could do about it. We'll be playing a live soon, but we don’t know how it will turn out.

- That's right. The live on May 6th will also be held in times of adversity. (Interview conducted in mid-April 2021).

K: But I think we will probably be strong at that time.

You can read Toshiya’s inteview ➝ here

[harley-sunday]

No Regrets [02]

Summary: The rules they set were simple: friends with benefits. But are they really friends? And what exactly are the benefits? Starts after Daniel’s third place in the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix and ends at the 2021 Zandvoort Grand Prix. 

Pairing: Daniel Ricciardo x reader [F]

Warnings: Language. NSFW. Smut. 18+

Word count: 3.3k

AN: First of all, thank you for all the love on the first chapter! I’m so happy you like it :) The next part takes place after Daniel’s first place in Baku in 2017. Enjoy!

Masterlist

Zandvoort, September 2021

You don’t miss the way Daniel reacts when you curl into him, letting your head rest on his chest while your fingers draw intricate patterns on his exposed skin, and you wish you could stop time, just for a little while, just so you can pretend things are fine for a little longer. 

Allowing yourself a moment of calm before the inevitable storm you're about to cause, you settle into him even more, your fingers moving slower and slower until he puts his arm around you and presses a kiss into your hair. You try your hardest to enjoy the moment, willing it to become a happy memory rather than a bittersweet one later on.

“Just tell me when, sweetheart.”

His voice pulls you out of your thoughts and it makes you wonder if he has any idea what's waiting for him, if he has any idea what you’re about to do. Maybe it’s better that he doesn't, you decide. Ignorance is bliss, after all. Or so you tell yourself anyway, trying to justify the dread that’s starting to build up in the pit of your stomach.

When you move your head to look up at him he looks back at you with a smile, raising his eyebrows as he waits for your reply, and your heart, oh your heart. It both skips a beat and seems to drop at the same time and you try your hardest not to let it show. Instead you give him a wink that you hope is convincing enough, “Almost.”

Monaco, June 2017

When you finally come out of your third and last meeting that Tuesday, the one that definitely could have been an email because Jesus, what a waste of everyone’s time, you unmute your phone and see that you have two missed calls from a number you don’t recognise. You’re about to ignore them, figuring that if it’s important they’ll call again, but something makes you hit the ‘call back’ button anyway as you make your way back to your office.

“Hi.” The voice on the other end of the line sounds vaguely familiar but it isn’t until he says, “You told me to call you if I ever wanted to make some more memories, right?” that you realize who it is.

A smile creeps up on your lips at the offer hidden in his question, “I did.” 

“Good,” he replies, his voice low and a little dangerous, and you can just imagine that shit-eating grin you first got to witness in that hotel lobby on the other side of town spreading across his face, “'cause I’ve had a pretty awesome weekend and feel like celebrating.”

Not wanting him to feel like he’s got the upper hand you decide to take charge, “What do you have in mind?” 

He lets out a laugh, “I’m not sure I should tell you over the phone when there’s other-” 

“Try me,” you shoot back with a grin, even though he can’t see you. Leaning against your desk you wait for his reply, still a bit shocked that he actually took you up on your offer and called. It’s been a little over four weeks since your one-night stand, or what you thought would be a one-night stand anyway, and while you were completely fine with it never becoming anything more, the idea of spending another night with him is kind of exhilarating, not in the least because of how good the sex was. 

His voice pulls you out of your thoughts, “I’d rather show you in person-”

You give a very indifferent hum in response and add a shrug for good measure. 

“Fine.” He drops his voice to barely above a whisper, “I’ll start with not just one but two fingers this time.”

Just the thought of him two fingers deep inside you makes you clench your thighs together to try and relieve some of the tension that has started to build inside of you ever since you heard his voice. You clear your throat, trying to regain control of both yourself and the situation, “You better offer me a drink first, Ricciardo.”

He laughs again, “I’ll text you the address, babe.”

“You do that,” you tell him with a smile. “See you tonight.”

***

“So a booty call?” 

You sigh, a little frustrated by your best friend’s observation, “Yeah, Liz. I guess it is.”

“What-,” she shakes her head, “How- Why-”

“Use your words, babe,” you tell her, moving closer to where your phone is propped up on your vanity. Her view of you now a very unflattering angle as you put your makeup on. Still, she’s seen you looking worse so you’re sure she’ll survive.

“I just don’t understand why you would do this-”

You scoff, “Did I not tell you about how good he-”

“Yes,” this time it’s her turn to sigh. “Yes, you did.”

You lean back and throw her a look, “There’s your answer.”

“But I thought you were looking for something serious?”

“Babe,” you scold, while trying to put on your mascara without it ending up around instead of on your eyelashes, “You’re the one looking for something serious for me. I just want to have some fun.”

“Fine,” she says, throwing her hands up in the air, “fine. You do you, babe.” 

“Nah,” you tell her, trying to hold in your laughter at your own joke, moving the mascara wand further away from your eyes just to be safe, “I’m doing him.”

***

He lets out a low whistle when you walk into the bar and you can’t help but smile when you see his eyes wander across your body. He quickly gets up and pulls out a chair for you, placing a chaste kiss on your cheek when you’re next to him, “Hi.”

You watch him as he waves over the waiter, admiring the way the light grey button down shirt he’s wearing compliments his tan, and how his curls are a little more unruly than when you saw him last. When the waiter asks you what you want to drink you order a glass of red, matching Daniel’s choice. 

The silence that follows, when it’s just the two of you again, is a little uncomfortable and just as you’re about to try for some smalltalk Daniel runs a hand through his hair and clears his throat, “Is it just me, or is this a little weird?”

“It’s a little weird, maybe” you reply with a shrug, “but-”

“Maybe we should just skip drinks next time,” he suggests with a wink. 

“Next time?”

“Well, yeah,” he says with a shrug, probably trying to look indifferent even though there’s a hint of insecurity in the way he looks at you expectantly. 

You lean in closer, dropping your voice because you can see the waiter approach out of the corner of your eyes, “Show me what you can do with those two fingers first, champ. Then we’ll talk,” and throw in a wink for good measure.

He swallows hard but then chuckles, “I doubt you’ll be doing much talking once I’m done with you, sweetheart.” 

“Promise?” You lean back in your chair, arms folded in front of your chest, and let your bottom lip roll between your teeth, looking at him with a cocked eyebrow.

“Promise.” 

***

The tension in the air that becomes rather palpable when he suggests going back to his place once you’ve finished your drinks, his hand on your lower back again as he guides you out of the bar and onto the busy streets of the city, a warmth radiating from his fingers that you are not sure is real or imaginary. 

You lean into him whenever you have to swerve around people coming towards you and it isn’t long before he puts his arm around your shoulder and falls into step with you. The walk back is short and so before you know it you find yourself in the elevator of his apartment building, where he turns to you and cups your face, his thumbs stroking your cheeks, a quiet, “Fucking finally,” escaping him.

Looking up at him you smile before you move closer and let your lips brush against his, letting out a content sigh when he softly bites your lower lip. The elevator comes to a stop then but he keeps kissing you as he walks out of the elevator backwards, only letting go when he bumps into the wall on the opposite side of the corridor. He gives you a wink and then takes your hand in his, leading you to his apartment. 

You watch him as punches in the key code and let him pull you inside where he turns around, closes the door and then backs you up against it. Your hands find their way into his hair effortlessly, pulling him closer to you, a quiet moan escaping you when he grinds against you.

He licks his lips, a hungry look in his eyes, and leans down, his mouth close to your ear and his warm breath hitting your skin when he says, “Can’t wait to watch you come undone, babe.”

“Hmm,” you hum in response, relishing in the way his body is pressed against yours, whimpering a little then when he steps back. 

His fingers skim over your jumpsuit and he lets out a frustrated groan when he can’t seem to figure out how to get it off and so you help him by turning around, showing him the zipper on the back. He makes quick work of it, pressing a kiss to your shoulders as he pushes the fabric down.

The garment slides down without too much protest, pooling at your feet and so you step out of it, pushing it aside with your foot.

“Keep the heels on,” he growls, hands on your shoulders to make you face him again. He bites his lip as he lets his eyes travel down your body, nodding appreciatively before he looks back up, “Fucking gorgeous.” He presses a hungry kiss to your lips, his hands on your hips, but then he pulls back and sinks to his knees, taking your already soaked panties down with him. 

“Daniel,” you plead, hands in his hair when you feel his mouth kiss the inside of your thigh, leaning your head against the door when he runs his tongue through your folds, knowing you’ll need the support.

“So wet already,” he mutters, his finger then following the path of his tongue, making you a little weak in the knees. You groan and are about to tell him off but then he slides a finger in without warning and all you can do is curl your fingers into his hair, a quiet, “Fuck,” escaping you.

“Yeah, that’s it,” he says, slowly moving his finger inside of you, his mouth latching onto your clit, sucking it gently. 

“You promised two,” you pant because fuck, you need more of him. 

He tuts, looking up at you with that smug grin, “Patience, babe,” but there’s a second finger teasing your entrance then and he pushes it in just as he bites down on your clit, making you gasp. 

How you’re still standing is beyond you, leaning heavily against the cool wood of the front door, but then you feel his other hand slide down from your hip to your knee, gently tugging on it to make you throw it over his shoulder. When you do he picks up his pace just a little, the new angle giving him better access and you can feel yourself getting closer already.

His tongue’s swirling around your clit, licking and sucking, his fingers still pumping inside of you and then, without warning, he curls them just right and fuck. Fuck. 

He keeps pumping, keeps hitting that spot and it isn’t long before you feel your orgasm wash over you and you come with his name rolling off your lips in both a prayer and a curse. Words evade you, just like he promised, but God, does it feel good.

***

Once you’re down from your high you kick your heels off and put your hands on Daniel’s shirt, pulling him towards you. Standing up on your toes, you let your eyes fall to his mouth but you decide to tease him a little more and so you move your lips to his jawline, pressing soft kisses to his skin wherever you go, enjoying the way his beard feels under your touch. One hand slides under the fabric of his shirt then, fingers splayed out against his abs as your lips finds his and you kiss him for real.

He opens his mouth almost instantly and sucks on your bottom lip, his hands in your hair and  pressing you up against the door again. He’s kissing you hard and when he runs his tongue between your lips you part them eagerly, your teeth clashing against his when he pulls you closer. 

Your tongue finds his then and you swirl yours around it, still tasting a hint of red wine that’s not entirely unpleasant. Your hands, meanwhile, are tugging at the hem of his jeans and it doesn’t take long before you’ve unbuttoned them. When you do, you pull back a little, your lips barely touching his, just as you slide one of your hands down his jeans and cup him over his boxers.

“Fuck,” he pants, gently dragging his teeth over your lower lip before he presses a kiss to the corner of your mouth. His tongue runs along your jawline before he nips at the pulse point just below your ear, licking and biting and sucking and God, does it feel good. 

You tilt your head to the side to give him better access while you gently squeeze his balls, relishing the way a shiver runs through him in response. He rolls his hips then and you feel him grow even harder in your hand, a quiet groan escaping him when you push your hand against him even more. 

Taking advantage of the moment you pull back your hand and step around him, turning him around so you can gently push him against the wall before you drop to your knees. When you’ve unzipped his jeans you push them down, involuntarily licking your lips when you see the outline of his cock straining against the fabric of his boxers, a bit of precum staining the material. When you look up at him you find him staring back at you through hooded eyes and it makes you even wetter. You ghost your fingers over his cock, teasing him then by gently blowing against the fabric.

“You tryin’ to kill me?” he says through gritted teeth before he takes matters into his own hands and pushes his boxers down.

“Maybe,” you purr, wrapping your hand around his cock. You run your tongue across the tip, while your hand twists up and down his shaft and it isn’t long before he’s completely hard.

His hands are in your hair then, letting you know that he needs you to take him even though he doesn’t push you onto him.

Opening your mouth a little further you let your jaw muscles relax while you flatten your tongue and lean forward, sliding down on him. One hand moves to his hip, the other cupping his balls as you suck him, taking him deep into your mouth. You let your tongue do the work and so it’s a little sloppy but you doubt he’ll mind. 

It doesn’t take long for him to curl his fingers into your hair even more, his ragged breaths telling you he’s close and so you hollow your cheeks and create a bit more friction for him while you pick up the pace some more. He lets out another groan when you flatten your tongue, a quiet, “Fuck,” escaping him when he comes.

You keep him in your mouth, swallowing most of his cum, the excess dripping down your chin until he pulls back and you wipe it away with the back of your hand. You feel his fingers under your chin and when he tilts your head upwards you look at him with a sly smile, “You’re welcome.” 

***

Rolling your hips one more time you let your hands rest on his chest before you lean forward, the change in position drawing a sharp breath from him. You let your lips ghost over his, picking up your pace ever so slightly and his grip on your hips tightens in response. 

“Fuck me,” 

“I am, babe,” you point out with a grin and another roll of your hips before you drag his lower lip between your teeth.

“Yeah you are.” His lips chase yours, his tongue finding yours with ease and it distracts you just enough that he can grab a hold of your hips and roll both of you over so that you’re now underneath him.

You grin against his lips, pulling back ever so slightly, “Like to be in control now, don’t we?”

“Yep.”

You run your hand through his hair, getting lost in his eyes a little when he slows down ever so slightly, his rhythm not as frantic as yours was before, but still enough to feel your orgasm starting to build, “That’s it.”

“Yeah?”

‘“Yeah.” You trust your hips up to meet him halfway, a promising smile on your lips, “I’m right there with you.”

There’s a wicked grin that appears just as he stills inside of you, a quick raise of his eyebrows to gauge your reaction.

You roll your eyes and shake your head, “Really?” In an effort to get him going again you clench your walls around him, but he remains stoïc, still not moving. 

“Like you said,” he dips his head and places open-mouthed kisses from your jawline to your ear, gently nibbling on your earlobe before he whispers, “I like to be in control.” 

Well fuck. 

He captures your mouth with his, tongue attacking yours with vigor, temporarily distracting you by gently biting down on your lower lip and so you are not entirely prepared when he pulls almost all the way out before he thrusts back in again. 

The pace he sets now is higher than before and before you know it you’re panting, having to pull back from kissing him to catch your breath, your hands cupping his face so you can look at him. You throw a leg around his waist to give him better access, wanting to take him even deeper, letting out a moan when he fills you up even more.

“That’s it,” he says. “Take me in, babe.” 

“Daniel, I-” you try but then he slams into you harder and harder and you can feel yourself being tipped over the edge, your orgasm washing over you in full force and so all you can do is just enjoy the ride.

“Fuckin’ gorgeous,” Daniel says, watching you as he keeps chasing his own high that follows not much later when he comes with a loud groan. 

***

You wait until you can hear his breathing even out before you slip out of bed, collecting your shoes, bra, and panties as you make your way back to the front door where you left your jumpsuit earlier tonight, trying to be as quiet as possible as you put everything back on.

It’s not that you don’t want to spend the night, not really, it’s just that it’s easier this way. No expectations, no commitments, just sex. And so once you’re dressed you rummage through your purse and fish out a pen and an old receipt on which you write him a quick note.

Still no regrets. Until next time ;)