#serena | ❛ i will either find a way or i will make one. ❜ ( character parallels. )

[venussaidso]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲

Revati being the nepo baby, expanding on the foundational wealth that was initially built from nothing from Uttarabhadrapada, to Ashwini coming from old money; it makes sense that Ketu nakshatras' roots come directly from Mercury nakshatras. No wonder I'm specifically seeing the spoiled rich brat from generational wealth theme coming up in Ketu nakshatras. And then Mercury nakshatras, as I explored in my Mercury Dominant Themes, having a responsibility of carrying and expanding the wealth and power that is passed onto them, or they have to rebuild it or prove their worth for this.

In Jyestha, being a very dry nakshatra, they usually start from nothing. And when they rise up, the accumulation tends to be too extreme and significant.

And we know that Jyestha is the billionaire nakshatra.

After Jyestha, comes Mula. And Ketu, naturally being draining of resources, can be the greedy spoiled brat. In the media, I see Ketuvians being children of billionaires or coming from old money. But the spoiled brat trope doesn't even have to come from generational wealth either. They'll be spoiled regardless.

For example, Mula Sun Cheryl Chase voices Angelica Pickles who is a spoiled brat and the cousin of Tommy Pickles and Dil Pickles who she bullies and manipulates for her own gain.

Ashwini Sun Selah Victor voices Chloé Bourgeois who is the spoiled rich daughter of Paris' former mayor, André Bourgeois.

Ashwini Moon Ashley Peldon was the speaking voice of Darla Dimple. Darla is just like Chloé Bourgeois and Angelica Pickles, in fact. She is a spoiled little demon who is extremely privileged.

And then Magha Moon Lindsay Ridgeway was the singing voice for Darla Dimple.

Mula Moon Emma Roberts plays Poppy Moore who is a spoiled American girl who comes from a very wealthy family.

Being Ketuvian, she lacks boundaries and her father basically enabled her into being a chaotic materialistic 'monster', so he sends her to boarding school in England where she finds the meaning of life.

The character Azula is voiced by Magha Sun Grey DeLisle. Azula is a very wealthy and spoiled princess. She comes from a powerful bloodline.

Magha Moon Helena Bonham Carter plays the Queen of Hearts who is a very spoiled and obstreperous character. Much like Azula, she is royalty, and if you cross her, you're good as dead. She must get things her way... or else ☠️.

Ashwini Moon Leighton Meester plays Blair Waldorf who literally comes from old money, and she is considered to be very spoiled. And power driven.

Magha Sun Blake Lively plays Serena van der Woodsen who also comes from old money. She is also considered to be spoiled.

Mula Moon Victoria Pedretti plays the character Love Quinn who comes from a very wealthy and powerful family.

Mula Moon Eleanor Tomlinson plays Sylvie in the series One Day. Her character literally comes from old money.

In Through My Window, the Hidalgo brothers are played by Mula Moon Julio Peña, Mula Sun Hugo Arbues, and Mula Moon Eric Masip. All three of them are heirs to an empire.

In the film Meet Joe Black, double Mula native Claire Forlani plays the daughter of a multimillionaire (who's interestingly played by Mula Moon Anthony Hopkins) who could come from old money.

The film Soft Top Hard Shoulder is written by, and stars Ashwini Sun Peter Capaldi. His character is a struggling artist in London who comes from a very wealthy family.

Ashwini Moon Sarah Snook and Mula Sun Jeremy Armstrong both play one of the Roy siblings. Their father is a billionaire.

Ashwini Sun Phoebe Dynevor, Mula Moon Hannah Dodd and Ashwini Sun Jonathan Bailey play one of the main Bridgerton siblings who literally come from old money.

In the film Awake, Ashwini Sun Hayden Christensen plays a scion of a wealthy banking family.

The character Patrick Bateman is played by Ashwini Moon Christian Bale. Patrick comes from extreme wealth. All he's ever known was being wealthy. Yet this life he lives suffocates him even more and he turns to sociopathic tendencies.

The character Lily Reynolds is played by Ashwini Sun Anya Taylor Joy. She literally comes from old money, and much like Patrick Bateman, she does show dissatisfaction with her life (and that's due to her step-father who she plots to murder).

The character Rory Gilmore is also said to be spoiled as she gets everything handed to her by her wealthy grandparents. She is played by Ashwini Moon Alexis Bledel.

Mula Sun, Mula Moon Jodi Eichelberger voiced the character Stingy who is a possessive collector and the son of the wealthiest person in LazyTown.

Mula Moon Jaclyn Linetsky voiced the iconic spoiled brat, Caillou.

Caillou is not taught boundaries, much like the other Ketu nakshatra examples. Others are more extreme, such as Azula, Darla Dimple or even Angelica Pickles. Actually, it's very interesting that a lot of their parents end up fearing them. Or the Ketu native control them (like Chloé Bourgeois overtly controlling her father).

This also just explained why Ketu exalts in Jyestha. Jyestha puts out a lot of heat and energy, while Ketu sucks in energy. Here, Ketu is at its powerful level. This is why this placement is also seen in billionaires and indicates extreme fame.

Although, this trope can be a lot more nuanced than that, as seen in the Ashwini characters such as Lily Reynolds and Patrick Bateman. Ketu can also involve overcoming generational trauma as well, being that Ketu nakshatras deal with getting to the roots. The old money simply signifies the theme of "roots" (in Mula coming from Jyestha).

In Azula's case, she comes from a very powerful, domineering family lineage. Her ancestral roots are very sacred and symbolic to her, being Magha nakshatra. For all her life, all she's known was power (and being spoiled).

Ketu constantly pulling in energy (even to the point of destruction as it's a shadow planet), we see just how power hungry and domineering of a force she is.

Growing out of the spoiled rich brat archetype, Ketuvians also embody the golddigging archetype as well. Any archetype that has to do with draining resources. Example of this is the character Daniel Plainview from There Will Be Blood, who is an expert at extracting oil (and stealing lands), being a former silver miner and oilman.

Throughout the film, we watch as he crawls under the weight of all the wealth and resources he's accumulated and drained from others. Essentially living a life of emptiness and dissatisfaction. He's played by Ashwini Moon Daniel Day Lewis.

[callyourose]

match point, chapter four.

↳ masterlist

— In which Art and Patrick find themselves intertwined with the relationship of tennis superstar Tashi Duncan and her best friend, Lennon Caddel.

TASHI DUNCAN WASN'T CONTROLLING LENNON CADDEL.  She knew that Lennon was an adult, she was fully capable of making her own decisions. It wasn't like she was holding her at gunpoint. She could do what she wanted. Tashi truly did just want what was best for her. Lennon was incredible at tennis. Like, really, really fucking good. Tashi would never admit it, but she knew Lennon was better than her. She knew that she had never lost to her because Lennon had let her win. And she knew, deep, deep down, that Lennon didn't want to go pro. She was fucking miserable. She hated playing tennis. Sometimes, in the dark of her bedroom late at night or early in the morning, Lennon would contemplate declining her scholarship off and dropping out of school completely. She would stare at the screen of her computer, Stanford's student portal staring back at her. But tennis was the only thing that Tashi and Lennon knew. It was the basis of which their friendship was built on. If they were hanging out and didn't know what to do? They'd go out to Lennon's backyard and play a match. They wanted to watch a movie but couldn't decide on which one? They'd turn on Serena Williams or Lindsay Davenport's most recent match. Lennon hated playing tennis, but she knew that they needed it. Who would she be if she wasn't playing? What would her and Tashi even talk about? Would Tashi even like her if she wasn't winning? She didn't know. But she didn't want to find out. 

Art and Patrick were fighting for their lives on the tennis court. With Lennon and Tashi in the stands, it made the stakes that much higher. As the girls were leaving last night, the duo once again begging for their numbers, Tashi told them that whoever won their match could have Lennon's. Whoever lost could have hers. Both boys were ok with winning or losing. It was a win either way. Regardless, neither of them wanted to lose in front of the two greatest women in junior tennis.  

When Tashi had said that whoever lost the match could have her number, Lennon looked at her wide-eyed. She almost thought she was punishing her. In some weird, twisted way. Because why would Tashi Duncan want to be pursued by a loser? It was something that haunted Lennon all night long, the leftover fear of being a disappointment and the confusion of Tashi's promise to the boys making it impossible for her to sleep peacefully. 

The sun was beating down on all of them. Lennon's hair was pulled into a ponytail and tucked into a Stanford baseball cap, at the recommendation of Tashi. "I don't want you to get a sunburn," she had said, "Plus, hats are super cute on you."

The stakes were high and the match was almost over. And Art was losing. Lennon didn't know if she was rooting for anyone specifically, she was really just enjoying the game. If there's anything Tashi and Lennon can agree on, it's good tennis.

As soon as it had started, their final match was over. Patrick had won. Lennon and Tashi were on their feet, cheering, and he was bowing in their direction. Across the net, Art's hands were on his hips, feigning disappointment. But that didn't stop him from flashing an award winning smile when he caught Tashi's eye. She rolled her eyes, unable to stop the small grin that was blossoming on her face. 

Later that night, there was a knock at Lennon and Tashi's hotel room door. The girls were busy packing, their move-in date at Stanford was two days from then. They were going home for the next full day before packing up again and heading off to school. Their parents had been packing their bedrooms at home for them during their time at the US Open, so all that was left to do was to get home and then immediately leave. 

Tashi told Lennon to get the door and so she did. Patrick Zweig was standing in the hallway. He was fiddling with a pack of cigarettes, with a singular flower in his back pocket. 

"Hi, Patrick," she smiled, leaning against the door frame. She was in her pajamas, clad in a pair of black shorts (Tashi's) and her own oversized hoodie. She was toeing at the ground, her sock covered feet doing the work of distracting her. Tashi, although out of view, was peaking around the wall. She would tell you she wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but she was. 

"Hey," he replied as he eyed her up and down. As if just remembering it was there, he tucked the cigarette package into his front shirt pocket before reaching around and grabbing the flower out of his back one. "This is for you."

It was a rose. It looked like it had just been ripped off the bush. He had definitely stolen it from someone's garden. Still, the gesture was enough to have Lennon blushing and stumbling over her words. 

"Oh! Uh.. thank you, that's so sweet," She was trying so hard to suppress the blush and smile that were trying to take over her face. 

"Do you want to come somewhere with me?" He was grinning. He had reached into his front pocket and brought a cigarette to his lips. 

"You can't smoke in here," She raised her eyebrow and 'tsked', feigning mock disapproval. She was trying so hard to fight the urge to turn around to make sure Tashi wasn't watching. Not that she would've been mad at her for talking to Patrick, Lennon just wanted this all to herself for a minute.

Patrick smiled, his lips curling around the unlit cigarette. "I wasn't gonna light it, silly," He rolls his eyes, mocking. "Do you wanna come with me or not?"

Finally, Lennon looked back. Tashi was nowhere in sight. She looked down at her outfit and then back at Patrick and then back into her room. "Sure. But let me change."

"Where the hell are you taking me?!" Lennon giggled and she watched Patrick hop a wooden fence. After re-entering the room and convincing Tashi that she would be perfectly safe, she had left with the brunette boy and was letting him guide her. She was wearing the same shorts as before, but her previously socked feet were now covered by her beat up converse and she had forgone her hoodie in favor of a cropped t-shirt.

Patrick was stood on the other side of the fence and was smiling wide as he offered her his hands, helping her vault over it. "Just come on."

They walked side by side a little further, Patrick occasionally bumping his hip with Lennon's, causing her to giggle. She knew deep down that he was taking her somewhere that she wasn't supposed to be. After they had hopped the fence, the grass beneath them almost instantly became softer and well taken care off, almost as if they had stepped onto turf. The trees that had surrounded them for the first 5 minutes of their walk were nonexistent. By the time Patrick had lead them to where he wanted to be, plopping down on the grass and patting the space beside him, she had figured out where they were.

"Patrick..." She began, hands on her hips as she stood above him, "Is this a golf course?"

He leaned his head back, flashing her the same award winning smile that Art had used earlier. "There's no trees over here, okay? And you seem like the type of girl who likes to stargaze." 

He was right. She did like to stargaze.

Hesitantly, she sat down on the grass beside him and brought her knees up to her chest. She was resting her head on her knee as she turned to look at him. He was already looking at her.

"Do you like it?"

Lennon turned to look up at the sky, eyeing the stars Patrick was so desperate she see, and then back at him. "I do. As long as we don't get arrested for trespassing."

He chuckled at her, looking away. She rested her head on knee before turning to look at him again. "I wouldn't let that happen. I don't think Stanford accepts fugitives." 

At the mention of Stanford, and by association her tennis scholarship, she stiffens and her smile falters. She was tired of talking about it. For an hour, or however long her and Patrick would be out here, she didn't want to think about tennis. But she had met him at a tennis tournament. Obviously they were going to talk about tennis.

Just as she was about to fake a smile and reply to his joke, he knocks her leg with his. She lifts her head and turns to look at him fully, and he's looking at her with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Why don't you want to go pro?"

She was taken aback. She thought that the answer she had given last night was enough. Lennon was tired of discussing the thought of her playing professionally and why she wanted, or didn't want, to. So she said, "I do."

Patrick smiles softly and shakes his head. "No you don't."

"Yes I do. I told you last night that I did."

Patrick, who was leaning on his hands, sits up fully to turn his whole body to face her. "No, you didn't," He cocks his head at her, gauging her reaction before continuing. "You said that you didn't think that you were good enough to go pro and that you wouldn't be happy. And then Tashi got mad at you and you backtracked. Why?"

Lennon just stared at him. This was the first time in so long that anyone had asked her what she wanted. What she was thinking and what she wanted to do with her life without Tashi nearby to sway her answer. She honestly didn't know what to say. Part of her wanted to get angry with him. Why would he bring her here, alone, under the impression that he was here to get to know her, and then try to turn her against her best, and only friend? The other part of her, the part she didn't listen to very often, was almost relieved. Finally, for the first time in so long, she could just be Lennon. She didn't have to be Tashi Duncan's best friend or Steven Caddel's daughter or a Stanford scholarship recipient. She could just be her. Without the threat of Tashi's wrath or disappointed face. But still she looked over her shoulder, making sure they were alone. 

"I don't..." Lennon sighed, turning away from him. "I don't know." She was suddenly teary, as if the weight of the life she's built for herself has finally settled. She's set up to have the perfect career. She was born into the perfect family, she's going to the perfect school, her game is perfect. She could be known as one of the greats. Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer. And Lennon. 

She sniffles, which Patrick hears, and he's immediately apologetic. 

"I'm so sorry, Lennon," He's trying not to stumble over his words. He's got one of the most perfect people in the world next to him, and he made her cry. "Genuinely, I didn't mean to upset you."

She shakes her head and blinks away her tears before turning back to him and smiling warmly. "It's fine, Patrick. Really."

He doesn't believe her. But he moves on anyway. 

[lanawinterscigarettes]

Off Limits (poly Non-Judging Breakfast Club x gn reader)

Summary: your partners aren't too thrilled when Vanessa gets you alone at a party you're attending

Warnings: Vanessa is a little obsessed with the reader (and plots to break them up with their partners to be with them), the reader briefly smokes a cigarette, they/them pronouns used to refer to the reader in a gender neutral manner, jealousy/slightly possessive behavior, suggestive stuff at the end

A/N: this was a request for a jealous njbc that kind of got off track and spiraled into something else so that's why I'm not responding to the ask with this lmao, I plan on writing something different for that

Everyone in the Upper East Side knew who you belonged to, from the prep school kids to their parents to the tabloids. Even Gossip Girl herself posted the occasional blast about catching you in the arms of one of your many lovers, something the drama-hungry scavengers of the city greedily ate up as though it were their last meal.

Most people knew better than to mess with you because of this, not wanting to deal with the wrath of your partners by making you upset, even if it was by accident. Anyone who did would immediately find themselves in hot water with no one to help fish them out.

Of course, Vanessa Abrams was not most people. She was from Brooklyn. She was edgy, she was cool, she was the manic pixie dream girl from hell who could be either your sweet dream or your worst nightmare. Or something like that. It seemed as though that's how she saw herself, at least.

Obviously you'd be willing to make an exception for her, right? I mean, Blair definitely hated her, and Chuck automatically disliked anyone Blair did out of principle, and she did kind of go out with Nate at one point, but still. At least Serena was somewhat friendly, and that had to stand for something.

Plus, you were good friends with Dan, even though your partners weren't all too thrilled about it. She didn't know for sure that you'd fooled around with him, but there was always a slight chance of that happening, and if it could happen with him then maybe it could happen with her, too.

Was she obsessed with you? No, of course not... Okay, maybe a little. You were certainly much nicer than anyone else on the Upper East Side, even with the slight bit of snark you always portrayed whenever you had to be around someone you didn't like. Still, it was better than nothing.

She figured the best way to spend some time with you would be at some kind of fancy event the Upper East Side was famous for throwing, where hopefully your partners would be distracted long enough for her to get you alone. Dan was obviously invited as your best friend, which meant she felt like it was okay for her to tag along. (It was not.)

"Dan, it's so great to see you!" She heard your cheerful voice ring out the moment they'd stepped inside, you pulling him in for a warm and friendly hug before turning your attention to her. "Oh, I didn't know you'd be bringing Vanessa."

You seemed a bit apprehensive at her presence, but that was probably just because you knew the trouble it would stir up by her being there. Dan looked nervous for the same reason.

"Uh, yeah. I mentioned it earlier and she said that she wanted to come so I figured what's the harm, right?" He let out an awkward laugh while rubbing the back of his neck, fully aware that bringing her might not have been his best decision.

"Well, I have to go check on a few things, but it was so nice seeing you both. Enjoy yourselves, okay?" You gave the two a bright smile before disappearing off into the crowd of people.

"I'm gonna go get us a drink. Stay here and don't get into any trouble," Dan said a moment or so later, leaving her by herself. That was fine, as she didn't expect him to stay with her for very long. Now all she needed to do was find you again.

Vanessa searched the sea of people, spotting you over by one of the tables with Blair and Dan. The brunette had her arm linked with yours, a subtle reminder to everyone there you were already taken. Blair glanced over in Vanessa's direction, her eyes narrowing as they caught the sight of her. It appeared as though Queen B wasn't too happy to see her.

That was fine, everything was fine, Vanessa quietly reassured herself as she looked away, trying to make it seem like she wasn't staring just now. She'd just have to catch up with you a little later when you were alone.

Dan returned after another moment or so with their drinks, handing her a glass as he surveyed the people there. "I swear I was just talking with a guy who's new car cost more money upfront than it would be to put a down payment on a house," he mused with a shake of his head.

She merely shrugged and took a sip of her cocktail before replying. "Welcome to the Upper East Side."

No sooner had she said that did Serena appear with Nate. "Hey, Dan! Blair told us you were here," the blonde greeted, seeming just as bubbly as she usually did (though the alcohol that was certainly in her system probably helped with that).

"Yeah, we showed up a few minutes ago," he explained while Vanessa just sort of stood there awkwardly, averting her gaze as she tried to avoid making direct eye contact with Nate. You know, her ex.

"I was surprised to see you here. I didn't think you liked these kind of events, Vanessa," Nate spoke up suddenly, causing her face to heat up as she realized they must've known she wasn't just there to socialize.

"I just thought I'd try to get out of my comfort zone a little," she lied while doing her best to keep it cool, not wanting to seem nervous. Despite that, Nate could clearly see right through her facade, even if Serena couldn't.

"Well, I hope you have fun," Serena replied with another cheery grin before tugging her boyfriend away from them, most likely off to either make out or get another drink.

Vanessa excused herself to go to the bathroom shortly after, needing some fresh air. God, she had to get a grip. There's no way her plan of seducing you would work properly if she kept stressing herself out over it.

She was fixing her hair in the mirror when the sound of voices began to carry from down the nearby hall, which prompted her to hide in one of the stalls so she could eavesdrop in on the conversation.

"I'm telling you, she's not just here because she wants to 'socialize'," the voice of Blair spoke, her heels clacking furiously again the marble flooring as she entered the bathroom. "She's here for a reason, and I'm going to find out what it is."

"Okay, B, don't you think that maybe you're being a little bit paranoid?" Serena's voice said next, her walking sounding much more relaxed and at ease compared to the brunette that came in before her. "Maybe she really just does want to have some fun here, did you ever think about that?"

Blair scoffed at the suggestion. "If she wants to have fun, she can do it in her own city, away from here. Brooklyn is much more her speed, anyway." It was quiet for a moment, as if she was trying to either collect her thoughts or check how she looked in the mirror, most likely both. "Besides, she's been staring all night. At us. That's not just for no reason, I'm certain of it."

"Okay, why don't you take a deep breath and try to relax, alright? Let's get you another drink,maybe that'll help you calm down some," Serena said while attempting to keep her best friend/girlfriend reigned in. "Come on, I'll go with you."

The other woman responded with a grumble of "fine" before allowing herself to be led out of the bathroom, the sound of their retreating footsteps like music to Vanessa's ears. She couldn't stay much longer, she knew that much. Not when they were already starting to catch onto her plan so soon.

Once she was certain they were really gone, she exited the stall and left the bathroom, hoping her disappearance hadn't been noticed as that would only add onto their suspicions. She thought she was in the clear to slip back into the party where she could act as if she'd been there all along when she bumped into someone, quite literally.

"Oh- excuse me," she apologized, her green eyes widening the moment she noticed that it was you.

"No worries!" You simply laughed it off, the appearance of your dazzling pearly whites sending a shiver down her spine, in a good way. "I was just about to head out onto one of the balconies for a cigarette break, perhaps you'd like to join me?"

Her heart stuttered in her chest at that. You wanted to be alone with her? On the balcony, of all places? That could only mean one of two things: you were either going to kiss her, or attempt to push her off. Still, it was a risk she was willing to take.

"Y- Yeah, sure! I'd love to," she replied with a grin of her own, quickly following after you out onto one of the many balconies there. Maybe things would work out tonight after all.

Unbeknownst to her, however, Georgina Sparks of all people happened to be watching the whole thing from a distance. If there was one thing that girl loved, it was stirring up trouble, and what better way to do it than by telling the four people who practically ran the Upper East Side that their precious little darling had slipped away with one of their biggest enemies?

"Hello Blair, Chuck," she purred out when approaching them, a Chesire cat-like grin on her face.

Both of them had visibly displeased looks on their faces at her sudden appearance. "Don't you have anyone else you can bother?" Blair grumbled with an eye roll.

Georgina just ignored her. "Where's Nate and Serena? They should be present to hear this, too."

"Hear what?" The Golden Boy himself questioned while approaching, Serena clinging onto him as they made their way over. She was already tipsy, by the looks of it. Big surprise there.

"Well, it's really none of my business-" she began in an innocent tone, purposely acting coy just to irritate them further. "-but I would've thought the four of you would want to pay better attention to your shared pet."

That certainly got their attention, as they knew full well she was referring to you. A shared look passed between them before Chuck spoke up. "What are you talking about?" He demanded, already not liking where this was going.

Georgina, on the other hand, was thrilled by how on edge they were already. "I mean, hanging out with the Humphreys is one thing, but Vanessa Abrams of all people? I thought you had them on a tighter leash than that."

Their reaction was exactly what she hoped it would be. Chuck's jaw was clenched so tightly he looked ready to crack a tooth, Nate's brow was furrowed in confusion, and Serena's jaw was dropped in disbelief. The only one who didn't seem entirely shocked by this new information was Blair, whose eyes were narrowed in the oncomings of rage.

"I knew we couldn't trust her," she hissed out, giving Serena a pointed look that had the blonde shutting her mouth instantly. "Where are they?" She demanded while turning her attention back towards Georgina, who looked far too pleased at their anger.

"Probably still out on the balcony where I saw them disappear off to a moment ago," she stated with a shrug, picking up a drink from off a nearby waiter's tray and taking a sip.

That worried the four more than anything else. Vanessa could be fairly crafty when she wanted to be, and you were far too nice to realize when someone was trying to use you.

Meanwhile, you were indeed still out on the balcony just like Georgina had said, casually smoking a cigarette while Vanessa debated just how to move the topic of conversation away from small talk and towards "Would you like to have sex with me?"

"So-" she began before cutting herself off, not quite sure what exactly she'd planned to say after that. Before she could try to speak again, however, you beat her to it.

"I'm glad Dan has you as a friend," you said sincerely, glancing over at her while you spoke. "I mean, sure, he's friends with me, but it's good that there's someone in his life who isn't from the Upper East Side that he can relate to."

That was probably one of the last things she expected you to say, but it was pretty on brand for you so she decided to just roll with it. "R- Right, I definitely agree with you there." God, why couldn't she get a grip and stop being so nervous?

It probably had something to do with how she knew at any given moment your partners could burst out onto the balcony and snatch you away from her again. She was a bit surprised it hadn't been done already, in all honesty.

"You know, I think you two would make a really cute couple," you added while tilting your head slightly in her direction, carefully making sure to blow out the smoke from your cigarette away from her. You were always so considerate like that, but your words made her brow furrow a bit in confusion.

Did you really think they'd make a cute couple, her and Dan? Or were you just trying to be nice? Or were you somehow aware of the massive crush she had on you, and this was your way of trying to let her down easy?

"Actually-" she began hesitantly, knowing if she was going to try to win you over it would be now or never. Of course it was just then that the doors to the balcony opened, revealing Nate of all people.

"Hey," he greeted with a sort of strained politeness that immediately let her know she'd been found out. Crap. "Blair's looking for you." It was a thinly veiled way of him saying "she's about to blow her top if you're not in her presence without the next five minutes".

Judging from the look on your face, you seemed a bit concerned but not surprised as you put out your cigarette on the railing, clearly used to this happening. "It was nice seeing you, Vanessa. Think about what I said with you and Dan," you politely bid her farewell as Nate led you back inside.

"Spotted: Vanessa Abrams seen alone out on the balcony with a toy that already belongs to the Upper East Side's most elite. Haven't you heard, V? They won their prize fair and square, and they don't intend on sharing anytime soon. If it's company that you're after, perhaps Lonely Boy would be a much better suited companion. At least he doesn't have a pack of vicious bloodhounds sniffing after him wherever he goes. Maybe next time you'll think twice about going after someone who's clearly off limits, to you and everyone else. If the object of your attraction wouldn't be shared with their fellow socialites, what makes you think a nobody from Brooklyn would ever have a chance? Just something to think about once you're officially excommunicated from the Manhattan crowd, which is bound to happen any time now from the looks of it. You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl."

Vanessa knew she'd never get another opportunity to be alone with you like she had, especially after the most recent blast put out by Gossip Girl. None of your partners seemed intent on leaving your side from that point on, one of them always having an arm wrapped protectively around your waist whenever she saw you together, just like Nate had when he took you back into the party and away from her.

She didn't miss the hushed whispers and judgmental glances thrown her way by the other party goers, no doubt questioning the audacity she must've had in thinking she'd somehow manage to snatch you up just by getting you alone. Even Dan looked uncomfortable, not even bothering to say goodbye to you when he left. It was all her fault, and she knew it.

The last thing she saw of you before she left the party was your flustered expression from the many kisses being placed on your neck by Serena, Chuck's hand resting on the small of your back as Nate and Blair also stood close by. Despite being "off limits" as Gossip Girl had said, she really did think she'd somehow be special enough to be an exception to that rule. She wasn't, and if anything only caused it to be enforced even more.

Once again, she'd lost, but was that really a surprise? You certainly didn't think so, and while part of you felt bad for her you also thought she should've known better than to go after you of all people when literally anyone else was up for grabs.

Next time you invited Dan to a party, you'd have to specify that plus ones weren't allowed. You already had enough drama in your life without someone else adding onto it just because they had a little crush on you.

Right now, however, that wasn't your biggest concern as you were far too focused on the after party your partners were clearing intent on having in the limo on the way home. Safe to say your neck was going to be covered in hickeys and your legs were going to be shaking from aftershocks of pleasure by the time they were through with you.

End notes: sorry for the slight vanessa bashing I couldn't help myself (and if some of the descriptions of her made you cringe then good because that's the point lmao)

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[serenastark-official]

💠⚙️A Heartfelt Appreciation Post for Pepper Potts and the Entire Stark Crew ⚙️💠

I’ve been sitting here, thinking about how to put into words just how much one person in my life means to me. And honestly, there are no words that could truly capture it. But I’ll try, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this woman, it’s that I should always try to express gratitude, even when words fail me. So buckle up, it’s quite lengthy.

This post is for Pepper Potts, the backbone of the Stark family, the woman who’s been holding us all together in a way that nobody else could. It’s hard to find the words to express just how much she means to me, to all of us, but I’m going to try.

You’re probably like, “Serena, we get it, you love your mom.” But seriously, I can’t even put into words how much I appreciate this woman. She’s not just my mom—she’s the glue that holds everything in this crazy family together.

Let’s start with Pepper Potts, the woman who’s somehow made it all work. She’s been my rock, the one who’s kept me grounded, kept Tony in line (which is a job in itself), and managed to love all of us despite the absolute circus that is the Stark family. She’s graceful, strong, and somehow always has the right words at the right time. It’s like she’s got a superpower of her own, even if it’s not as flashy as the suits. She’s our superpower.

I think the best way to describe it is that Pepper is the person who makes us better. She’s the one who taught me that being strong doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself. She showed me that strength comes from knowing when to rely on the people around you, and more importantly, when to let yourself be vulnerable. She gave me the courage to face my demons and made me feel like I wasn’t alone—even when things seemed impossible.

It’s not just about the big things, either. Yes, she’s the reason Tony’s even able to function like a half-decent human being (and believe me, that’s a feat in itself), but it’s the little things, the quiet moments, that really get me. The way she handles my dad’s chaotic genius, keeps Morgan’s world domination plans in check, and even makes sure that Emma and Cameron know they can always turn to her. 

And let’s not forget: she keeps up with my nonsense too. The mess that is Serena Stark's life, including the endless stream of random experiments, awkward family dinners, and “hey, can I borrow the jet?” moments. Pepper doesn’t just handle it, she thrives in it. She's the only one who can step in and get Tony to actually focus for more than five minutes. Seriously, how does she do it? It’s like she’s a sorceress of organizational magic—no one else can keep track of all my dad's tech, my endless banter, and somehow still make time for world domination schemes (Morgan, I'm looking at you).

Pepper, I know I’ve given you my fair share of headaches, and I’ve definitely been the chaotic Stark more times than I can count. But through all of it, you’ve been there. Even when I pushed your buttons (and trust me, I pushed a lot of them), you never gave up on me. You never once made me feel like I wasn’t worth the fight. You just loved me. Always. And you showed me what love really is—unconditional, messy, and always ready to pick up the pieces when things break.

Pepper is the reason why:

The house doesn’t look like a tech junkyard (even though Tony would love to turn it into one).

She knows where every single important thing is, even when we forget.

She's always there when we need her, no matter how big (or ridiculous) the problem is.

She keeps us from blowing things up literally and figuratively. I see you, mom—balancing us out like a boss.

I mean, I’ve seen Tony do some insane things, but let’s not forget who’s been the rock behind the chaos all these years. She juggles Stark Industries, keeping Tony’s brilliance from turning into another disaster, and somehow, always has time for me—and trust me, that’s no small feat. She’s the kind of woman who can walk into a room and instantly turn the madness into something manageable with just a look. And she’s done it all while being the most caring, selfless, and genuinely amazing person I know.

She’s the one who’s been there for me, even when I was being… well, a Stark. Through every tantrum, every impulsive decision (we all know I have a few), and every embarrassing mistake I’ve made, she’s always been my safe place. She’s the person I go to when I need advice, when I need comfort, when I need someone to tell me it’s okay to be a mess sometimes. And let's be real—I'm often a mess. Hey, that’s a Stark trait!

Tony Stark, my dad. Yeah, you knew he was coming in here somewhere. We’ve had our disagreements, and sure, he’s complicated (to say the least), but I get it now. I get why he does the things he does, why he makes the decisions he makes, and, honestly, I can’t help but admire him for it. He’s made his mistakes, but he’s tried to be a better person. And that’s something I’ve learned from him.

I know, I know, we’ve got our ups and downs (more downs than I’d care to admit), but at the end of the day, I know he’s trying. Sometimes. And let’s be real, without Pepper there to keep him in line, I’m not sure where any of us would be. She’s the one who actually keeps him grounded. Without her, he’d be off somewhere making another suit of armor or, worse, blowing up the house trying to cook pasta.

I’ve spent a lot of time being frustrated with him, but deep down, I know he’s doing his best. He loves us in his own way, even if he doesn’t always know how to show it. I get it now. I really do. He might be impulsive and sometimes a little... too much, but without him, I wouldn’t be who I am. And I’ve learned from him, too, in my own way—how to fight for what you believe in, how to never give up, and how to laugh even when things are falling apart.

But the truth is, Pepper is the one who keeps him human when he forgets how to be. She’s the balance, the one who reminds him what really matters. It’s not about the tech or the suits; it’s about the people you love, the family you’ve built. And that’s something Tony learned from her, even if he doesn’t always admit it.

Morgan – Our little world-dominating genius. You may be small, but girl, you’ve got a heart that’s bigger than this whole universe. I’ve watched you grow up, and honestly, I’m proud to be your sister. You’ve got that fire in you, that same drive that runs through the Stark blood, and I know you’re going to make a difference in the world. Just remember: don’t blow anything up without asking—you’ve got that from Dad.

Emma – The calm, collected one. You’ve got this quiet strength that is honestly incredible. You keep us all grounded when we get too caught up in the whirlwind of Stark madness, and I appreciate that more than you know.

Cameron – You're the one with that spark, the wild one who adds the fun and chaos. Life would be way too predictable without you, and I wouldn't have it any other way. You keep us all on our toes, and honestly, it’s what makes family dinners so interesting (even when you’re hiding under the table with Morgan planning something very interesting)

Peter Parker – Parker… you are a literal ray of sunshine. I honestly don’t know how you put up with my teasing, but you always rise to the occasion. You’ve been like a little brother to me, and watching you grow into the hero I know you are has been one of the greatest gifts. Keep being that amazing, awkward, brilliant, and way-too-nice-to-be-real kid. And when you beat me at anything again, I swear I’m going to cry… but not in front of you.

Harley Keener – My partner-in-crime, Gadget Boi. I have never met anyone who can – things like you do, the potato gun for instance. I honestly can’t wait to see where your talent takes you. You’ve been a part of this family in every way that counts, and I’m proud to have you by my side. Let’s just agree that you’ll never outshine my genius, though, okay?

Willow – You’ve been such a light in my life, more than I can put into words. Whether we’re creating things together or just sharing quiet moments, I can’t thank you enough for being there for me. You’ve been a part of this family in the most genuine, beautiful way, and I feel lucky to have you by my side.

And through all of this, Pepper—you’ve been the heart of it all. You’ve shaped us, loved us, and made us better people. You’re the one who’s made sure that, even when things fall apart, we all know how to pick ourselves back up. You’ve taught me that being a leader doesn’t mean doing it all on your own—it means knowing how to lean on the people you love and trust.

You’ve raised me in ways I never fully understood until I was older. You showed me what it means to be strong—not the kind of strong that comes from power or status, but the kind of strength that comes from kindness, patience, and love. You showed me that being a leader doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It means you keep going, even when everything around you is crumbling. And you taught me that you can be soft and strong at the same time. That you can hold the world in your hands and still find the space to love fiercely and without hesitation.

I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you. Thank you for being the heart of this family, for showing us what it means to love unconditionally, and for always being there for each and every one of us. Without you, we’d all be lost. She’s the reason Tony can actually keep his life together (and trust me, he tries).

So, to Morgan, Emma, Cameron, Peter, Harley, Willow and of course Pepper, thank you for being my family. Thank you for the laughter, the tears, the chaos, and the love. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.

To Pepper—you are the unsung superhero in all of this, the reason our family functions at all. I love you more than words could ever express.

And to Tony—thank you for being the kind of dad who may not always get it right, but tries. I may not show it all the time, but I’m proud to be your daughter. 🥂

P.S. I might still steal some of your shoes when I visit. I mean, I have to, right? Fashion legacy and all.

[diegoshako]

Still in Bloom

pairings: blair waldorf x male oc

summary: blair waldorf and luke humphrey have always liked one another, but never took the chance to admit the truth of it.

notes: friends (sorta) to lovers, no blair/dan, no royal wedding, chuck is a red flag in himself. luke humphrey is fan-casted by me by tom welling, but picture him as you want. fan-edit is on my tiktok (diegoshako) if you want to see that! this is a little short, but it's my first tumblr one-shot so i'll get used to writing rather than in fic-chapters blocks!

"I don't know," Dan complained, the empty coffee cup remaining in his hand as they walked up to V Magazine. "Just count yourself lucky you're not working with Blair Waldolf. We cut a deal, but she's going to find a way to sabotage me, I just know it."

Tugging his gloves up a little from where they sat snugly on his wrists, Luke glanced at his slightly younger brother as he ranted.

"Isn't this your third day interning at V Magazine?"

Dan's hand came out in a dramatic gesture as if Luke was supporting his point, "Exactly." His fingers then click, "I have got to sabotage her before she does it to me. For once, it would be nice to not be on the losing side, you know?"

But, the thing was, Luke didn't know. Not really. He'd never been made a target of Blair Waldolf, the woman most famous for her take-downs.

Luckily for him, he'd always been on her. . . good side. Better words, she'd always liked him even before she knew that she did.

And even if she hadn't, Luke hadn't really ever thought about making enemies with her.

He'd fancied her since the moment they crossed one another in the school corridors. She'd flashed some small, semi-sarcastic smile after he'd opened the door for her to the courtyard where they sat for lunch, and he'd been hooked ever since.

Luke Humphrey was well aware how pathetically hopeless he was.

He was just thankful of how little people knew of that fact.

"Or maybe you can leave the scheming behind you and act like adults that you are?" Luke suggested, leaning forward with a raise of his eyebrow.

Dan scoffed as if that idea was pitifully idiotic. "Come on, Luke. This is Blair Waldolf we're talking about. Scheming is second nature to her."

The cold air tinted his cheeks a rosy colour as Luke glanced around, moving out of the way to avoid bumping into a lady walking toward him. It was his day off, and Dan had asked him if he wanted to walk to work instead of staying in, and Luke somewhat regretted saying yes.

Though, it was nice to see Dan for longer than a minute or two this past week. The Humphrey twins were so used to being one another's closest friend that it felt as if they were missing limbs to not be around one another lately.

"You need to give her more credit than that," Luke sighed, though he didn't really blame Dan's doubt — Blair's kindness on Luke had not extended to either of his siblings. Jenny had involved herself in Blair's world for popularity and Dan had been pulled in by the wind-whirl that was named Serena.

"I'm sorry, but are you saying that Blair Waldolf wouldn't take the chance to sabotage me?" The younger twin glanced at Luke with disbelief, finger pointing against his own chest, "You are aware who we're talking about right now, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'm aware. I'm just saying, take the time to get to know her. She's not all schemes and tricks." Luke did his best to not be so on the defensive, but judging by Dan's face, he was failing miserably. Blair hadn't done anything wrong as of yet, and maybe she wouldn't.

"Am I talking to the right Luke Humphrey?" Dan peered closer, eyes narrowing. "What's going on with you?"

"Me?" Luke was glad that he was wearing gloves and his hat, because it was freezing. He didn't even bother to remove his hands from his jacket pockets as he turned his body in Dan's direction again, nose scrunched. "I'm just saying, Dan."

Dan pulled a face, not quite sure whether he believed that, but he didn't have any time to speak on it further, as they arrived at his internship.

Throwing the empty cup into the bin that was outside it's entrance, his shoulders moved up and down in a heavy motion, glancing up the building before meeting his twin brother's eyes.

"Wish me luck?" He offered for his own satisfaction.

Luke narrowed his eyes, "I think you'll be just fine."

Sensing that was all the sympathy he was going to gather from his sibling, Dan gave a light roll of his eyes and bid his goodbyes, shoving his hands into his pockets as well and making his way inside.

The taller Humphrey huffed, shaking his head. He was definitely regretting ever saying yes to this walk. Now he would have to take the entire journey back, alone and cold.

At least he'd gotten his exercise before he could spend the rest of his day off catching up with his Father, who had already demanded the length of his son's day.

But as Luke spun on his heel, blowing out a breath, his eyes met the soft, dark brown ones that he still remembered seeing for the first time. Even if that was years ago now. Nearly a whole decade, actually.

Her lips were parted, eyes slightly rounded in size for some reason, as she stared back.

Did he have something on his face?

He immediately moved to take a wipe at his cheek, self-conscious that he looked any form of an idiot in front of her.

"Hey," Luke said at the same time, greeting her with a warmth that he'd not even been speaking to his own brother with. But when she said nothing, one hand clutching the side of her bright purse, he asked with concern, "You okay, Blair?"

"Huh?" Was all she managed for a second.

The step closer that he took seemed to snap her out of her dazed state.

"Right," She cleared her throat, head coming up higher as her stare turned into an eye-ball, "What were you —" Her hand comes up, finger pointing, "Two just talking about?"

"What?" Luke asks, looking to where her finger is pointing toward the front of her work, "You mean, me and Dan? Nothing important. Just. . ." He wasn't sure how to admit that his brother hadn't been speaking greatly about her. "Just stuff about your internship, that Dan also has."

Blair furrows her brows, and just over her shoulder, he can see where her limo is still parked by the side-walk. "So, you weren't just talking about me taking the time to sabotage your brother?"

What?

That was certainly not what Luke had been saying, at least. He had said the opposite, but to admit that would be to admit that his brother had been saying that instead, and it was Dan who was working alongside her.

Her disappointment shone brightly and Luke wanted to tell the truth. instead, the silence that drilled between them momentarily made all background noise fizzle out, as if that didn't matter between them.

When her eyes glance away, Luke shifts in his footing. It's a natural instinct to do whenever he's lying and he notices immediately when her gaze pings towards his legs.

"Were you really just about to take the fall for your idiotic brother?"

This time when he looks at her, the disappointment had gone away, and there's something else there mixed with the playfulness that she owed in possession.

Blair had something about her that just radiated. Luke had always fallen victim to her charms.

"Did I really have a choice?" He jokes back slightly, hoping she wasn't too angry at him for it. By the seems of her face, she wasn't.

In fact, she even cracks a smile, stepping closer. "You defended me." Blair shakes her head slightly, "And you weren't even going to tell me that you defended me to save face for your brother."

( And there she had been, only some weeks ago, chasing after Chuck Bass.

Even though she'd been drawn to Luke since the day he held the door open for her. )

"I always knew you were the only hope of the Humphrey brood," Blair pitches in jokingly, unable to help herself. She's glad to hear his laugh at that, even though the small shake of his head disagrees with it in a serious note. "Thank you."

His shoulders come up and down in a soft shrug, not wishing for gratitude. He'd not defended her to be given something back. He'd simply down it because he believed in her growth. In the fact that she cared for her work now more than ever.

"Why don't I thank you over —"

"I don't want you to feel like you owe me something for something so. . ." Little, he cuts himself off but finishes his words in his head, unsure on how that sounded out loud. "My brother's just an overthinking idiot sometimes. He means nothing by it, really. He doesn't."

"Daniel Humphrey is the least of my concerns," Blair finalises, and Luke blinks, taken back by the seriousness of her tone. She spots his surprise, masking a gentle touch of a smile behind a smirk as her hair falls over her shoulder with the sudden movement of leaning to her side. "And I had no plans to sabotage him. . ."

The sound of beeping knocks Luke out of his amusement, head turning to the ongoing traffic, and the pick-up of business with more people travelling to their work destinations.

"Why don't we go out for a drink sometime?" Blair then blurts out, the words swirling in her mouth for a little before she can no longer hold them back or swallow the letters down.

The brightness of his blue eyes had always captured her attention, even across the room. Even when she'd tried to stick it out beside Nate, lost her virginity to Chuck, been betrayed in different ways by them, Blair had always found herself searching for Luke's gaze.

The blue of his eyes had always made her calm. Like she was capable of conversation outside of holding back or having to think of another scheme to keep one's attention.

And that smile.

( Luke thought she was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen. The melt of her stare, the darkness of her curls, the way she knew how to walk and talk and capture all the room's attention.

And her smile. )

The way he grins at her with a brightness has already made Blair's day.

"It's a date."

[falconfate]

Hello ranger’s apprentice fandom can we talk real quick about the stupidest thing Flanagan ever wrote

It’s about the bows. Yanno, the rangers’ Iconique™️ main weapon. That one. You know the one.

Flanagan. Flanagan why are your rangers using longbows.

“uh well recurve arrows drop faster” BUT DO THEY. FLANAGAN. DO THEY.

the answer is no they don’t. Compared to a MODERN, COMPOUND (aka cheating) bow, yes, but compared to a longbow? Y’know, what the rangers use in canon? Yeah no a recurve actually has a FLATTER trajectory. It drops LATER.

This from an article comparing the two:

“Both a longbow and a recurve bow, when equipped with the right arrow and broadhead combination, are capable of taking down big game animals. Afterall, hunters have been doing it for centuries with both types of bows.

However, generally speaking and all things equal, a recurve bow will offer more arrow speed, creating a flatter flight trajectory and retain more kinetic energy at impact.

The archers draw length, along with the weight of the arrow also affect speed and kinetic energy. However, the curved design of the limbs on a recurve adds to its output of force.”

It doesn’t actually mention ANY distance in range! And this is from a resource for bow hunting, which, presumably, WOULD CARE ABOUT THAT SORT OF THING!

Okay so that’s just. That’s just the first thing.

The MAIN thing is that even accounting for “hur dur recurves drop faster” LONGBOWS ARE STILL THE STUPID OPTION.

Longbows, particularly and especially ENGLISH longbows, are—as their name suggests—very long. English longbows in particular are often as tall or taller than their wielder even while strung, but especially when unstrung. An unstrung longbow is a very long and expensive stick, one that will GLADLY entangle itself in nearby trees, other people’s clothes, and any doorway you’re passing through.

And yes, there are shorter longbows, but at that point if you’re shortening your longbow, just get a goddamn recurve. And Flanagan makes a point to compare his rangers’ bows to the Very Long English Longbow.

Oh, do you know how the Very Long English Longbow was mostly historically militarily used? BY ON-FOOT ARCHER UNITS. Do you know what they’re TERRIBLE for? MOUNTED ARCHERY.

Trust me. Go look up right now “mounted archery longbow.” You’ll find MAYBE one or two pictures of some guy on a horse struggling with a big stick; mostly you will actually see either mounted archers with RECURVES, or comparisons of Roman longbow archers to Mongolian horse archers (which are neat, can’t lie, I love comparing archery styles like that).

Anyway. Why are longbows terrible for mounted archery? Because they’re so damn long. Think about it: imagine you’re on a horse. You’re straddling a beast that can think for itself and moves at your command, but ultimately independently of you; if you’re both well-trained enough, you’re barely paying attention to your horse except to give it commands. And you have a bow in your hands. If your target is close enough to you that you know, from years of shooting experience, you will need to actually angle your bow down to hit it because of your equine height advantage, guess what? If you have a longbow, YOU CAN’T! YOUR HORSE IS IN THE WAY BECAUSE YOUR BOW IS TOO LONG! Worse, it’s probably going to get in the general area of your horse’s shoulder or legs, aka moving parts, which WILL injure your horse AND your bow and leave you fresh out of both a getaway vehicle and a ranged weapon. It’s stupid. Don’t do it.

A recurve, on the other hand, is short. It was literally made for horse archers. You have SO much range of motion with a recurve on horseback; and if you’re REALLY good, you know how to give yourself even more, with techniques like Jamarkee, a Turkish technique where you LITERALLY CAN AIM BACKWARDS.

For your viewing enjoyment, Serena Lynn of Texas demonstrating Jamarkee:

Yes, that’s real! This type of draw style is INCREDIBLY versatile: you can shoot backwards on horseback, straight down from a parapet or sally port without exposing yourself as a target, or from low to the ground to keep stealthy without banging your bow against the ground. And, while I’m sure you could attempt it with a longbow, I wouldn’t recommend it: a recurve’s smaller size makes it far more maneuverable up and over your head to actually get it into position for a Jamarkee shot.

A recurve just makes so much more SENSE. It’s not a baby bow! It’s not the longbow’s lesser cousin! It’s a COMPLETELY different instrument made to be used in a completely different context! For the rangers of Araluen, who put soooo much stock in being stealthy and their strong bonds with their horses, a recurve is the perfect fit! It’s small and easily transportable, it’s more maneuverable in combat and especially on horseback, it offers more power than a longbow of the same draw weight—really, truly, the only advantage in this case that a longbow has over the recurve is that longbows are quicker and easier to make. But we KNOW the rangers don’t care about that, their KNIVES use a forging technique (folding) that takes several times as long as standard Araluen forging practices at the time!

Okay.

Okay I think I’m done. For now.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

Has Meghan ever been invited to the Met Gala that you know of?

I have a feeling that she and Harry can’t actually afford a ticket - plus she is very greedy and cheap, so even if they hypothetically had the money I just can’t see her willingly parting with such a large amount. What I can envision though, is her mercilessly pestering the absolute hell out of Anna Wintour since she is completely shameless and has zero manners or class - and always expects someone else to pick up the tab for her sponging arse. I would be completely mortified if I had a reputation of being a known cheapskate and grifter like her.

But, back to my original point: knowing how petty and childish she is, it must infuriate Meg immensely that people who also dress like crap *cough* *cough* Serena - and also Mindy Kaling or any of her other so-called ‘friends’ get invited while she is repeatedly shunned year after year. One thing about Meghan is that she absolutely lives for this kind of superficial and glib BS and I would think she is very offended that she’s persona non grata in such elitist circles. TBH, I would only want her to be invited exactly once because of the potential gossip that would come out about her, otherwise she’s undeserving. I’m sure she would give nothing and wear boring beige like nearly everyone did last night. Initially I was excited for the theme, but most of the outfits were quite underwhelming and fell flat, unfortunately!

Meghan has an open invitation to attend as long as she attends with Kate, and only Kate. This is straight from the mouth of Anna Wintour.

Allegedly Meghan was invited as Edward Enniful's guest in either 2018 or 2019. We talked about it here a few months ago but I can't find that post. C'mon, Tumblr! Get your act together.

But to recap: The national editors of Vogue get tickets to the Met Gala as a perk for working at Vogue. Enniful got some tickets and allegedly, he planned to take Meghan as his +1. Ultimately it didn't happen and the speculation why includes Meghan pissing off Anna in her usual entitled way so Anna struck her from the guest list, Enniful gave Meghan the UK Vogue cover as a consolation prize, and Meghan having Archie on May 6th in an attempt to steal headlines from Anna and the gala as revenge.

I also covered in that now-missing post how one attends the Met Gala. You can:

Be the +1 of someone who gets invited (e.g., Andy Cohen, who is usually Sarah Jessica Parker's guest).

Work for the sponsors, including Vogue, or be the +1 of someone who works for the sponsors.

Work for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Be a huge donor to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and/or the Fashion/Costume Insitute (e.g. Sarah Jessica Parker, I believe).

Be besties with or have a contract with the designers that attend the Met Gala (e.g., Meg Ryan and Michael Kors). In this case, the designer will dress you and you'll sit at their table.

Buy your own ticket. An individual ticket is $75,000. A table starts at $350,000.

Be an "it celeb" of the moment.

Meghan and Harry definitely don't have the money for a ticket to the Met Gala. Meghan also doesn't have the fashion contacts or the reputation in the fashion industry to be dressed by a designer. She could probably have been dressed by Carolina Herrera back in the day, when she was wearing her. I don't think she had a chance to be dressed by Dior to attend the Met Gala, not when people like Jennifer Lawrence, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rihanna, etc. have Dior contracts.

My personal theory is that as much as Meghan wants to go to the Met Gala and be in the room with all those celebs, she doesn't *really* want to actually be there. I think she's terrified to be around that kind of powerful, respected, talented people because she knows they know she's not one of them and they'll ignore her, making her the one to go up to everyone when she wants everyone to be coming up to her. I said this around Oscars time when we were talking about whether she'd go or not and again, I can't find the freaking post!.

But it is very telling, isn't it? Like you've pointed out, everyone in Meghan's circle these days - Mindy Kaling, Serena Williams, Kris Jenner, Tracee Ellis Ross, etc. - is going to the Met Gala. Everyone but her, that is. I wonder why...

[love-is-a-pearl]

Be me <- idly scroll Pokeani tumblr, wandering if anyone has any rewrite ideas. <- find a post with an OP who claims to loves rewrites <- the OP has recent posts writing Ash analysis, this is neat bc I can't be bothered to watch over 1000 episodes for this I have my own AU so I've been a wee bit restless not having anyone to bounce ideas to, so this acts as a fun oneway conversation :3

It can be two-way if you're down to it :3c

Not but for real, I love what-ifs and imagining what pokeani could have done differently so so much QAQ

And since you gave me a reason to talk about those, here's some of my fave personal rewrites/what if ideas that I wish I had the time to explore or that someone else would just take it

Guzma winning the Alola league and battling Royal Mask and being the one to out him as Kukui.

While I love having Ash winning the Alola league, I feel very sad that Guzma never had a rematch against Kukui and having Guzma lose against Kukui at the end and have the prof become the champion anyway made lots of sense to me. Not to mention how it would parallel AshvxPaul and ughhh I love me Pokeani parallels <3

Also if that would set Guzma to try the island challenge again, specially after Ash perhaps talking about how giving up is never getting you to your dreams and that's why he keeps going even after so many failed attempts would have been *chefs kiss*

Unova but Iris is the main character.

Like, ideally I think of this in a universe where Ash won Sinnoh's league, but I guess he could stay as some sort of mentor idk. But in short, I love the idea of having Iris be the one doing gyms, perhaps even trying to become a gym leader at some point, participating in the Unova league and winning her way into the Elite Four. I like that she got the champion title she deserved in the end of the anime, but I would have died to see her journey to getting there yknow?

Maybe even a fanfic just focusing on that in-canon would be awesome too, but in a universe where the anime commited to Ash's retirement earlier and had a main girl chara in Unova would have been my dream coming true ngl

Kalos but is the games gang and not Serena and Clemont.

Look, I know people don't like Tierno, Trevor and Shauna, but the anime was the ideal place to make them more interesting! Having them be the ones traveling with Ash would have been so so much more interesting.

Also, I could include my other idea of "let a main boy do contests damnit" here and have Tierno be a coordinator to promote ORAS for a change.

Shauna and Trevor could do whatever, but considering she doesn't seem to have a goal in the games itself, we could use Serena's plot point with her and actually do it better (and either leave it open ended, a breeder since i love the idea of a main girl breeder or a coordinator along Tierno for extra drama :3)

Goh in Sinnoh

Either a DPani rewrite and we replace Brock with Goh or some mini arc in JN could work. Just.. I love the idea of Mesprit-Dawn, Ash-Azelf and Goh-Uxie connections. Also, have all the 3 official protagonists of the anime in the same adventure would be interesting to see since the Arceus mini arc didn't exactly do much with their dynamics.

Lillie should have been a trainer

I don't have what to say here other than that girl was proven to be amazing in double battles and it would have been the perfect final goal for her considering her initial fear but constant love for pokemon and I'm still so very angry how scared the anime always was of letting girls do battles :/

Masters 8 using reserves and being Ash vs all champs

Look, look the anime had the ideal chance of having a Kanto/Johto team vs Lance; Hoenn team vs Steven; Sinnoh team vs Cynthia; Unova team vs Iris; Kalos team vs Diantha; Alola team vs Alain and JN team vs Leon. IT WAS RIGHT THERE AND THE FACT THEY DROPPED THE BALL HAUNTS ME EVERY DAY!

[oh-saints]

sweetest devotion (prologue)

it was only supposed to be another one night fling for mason. being married was never the aftermath he'd imagined himself to be, not when he's nothing but proud of his hit-and-run reputation around the town.

playboy!mason mount x princess!oc

word count: 1.5k

tw: as mentioned in the masterlist only

note: i know, i know. i'm not supposed to make this rabbit a bad guy but the tatler interview still rang well in my ears. and he won this poll anyway, so here it is. and the country name's taken from ana huang's twisted series teheeee but as usual, i happen to write at dawn so this is yet to be beta-read.

tag list: @mehrmonga who'd told me to do it anyway <3 (but lemme know if you wanna be added!)

this series' masterlist here part 1 here! >>

it all happened so fast.

as fast as the sound of his pen carving the cursive of his signature against the papers. as fast as the sound of mason mount giving what felt like his entire life away to a bunch of papers.

mason mount was only supposed to find another rebound to pale his heartache from being left behind by his girlfriend. he was only supposed to find another rebound to fuck before deserting them like a used piece of clothing that was covering his body against the cold of the night, and against the cold of his frozen heart.

he was only supposed to find another rebound to numb his recurring pain, just like a dozen of times before.

he thought he did exactly that in the morning, his modus operandi. and she never contacted him back either, despite knowing where to reach him. they were still following one another in Instagram anyway.

so of course, he didn’t expect anything drastic when the owner of the club he loves asked for his presence on one fine day at the cobham.

however, as he stepped inside the four walls made of glass, he certainly didn’t know what to make of himself. hell, he could guarantee any common living thing that they’d have no clue what to do when it was you and the king of eldorra himself.

a seething king of eldorra, mason should rather add.

the monarch didn’t waste a single breath as soon as the owner stepped out of the room for some privacy. “my daughter’s pregnant, mr. mount, and it’s yours.”

“I’m sorry?” mason had to mask his nervousness behind the pathetic excuse of a laughter. “I’m actually not following.”

“of course you are not,” the king sat up straighter, his posture telling everyone he wasn’t mad, except his eyes blaring fire so big it could burn down the amazon. “you don’t keep track of your one night stands, after all.”

if that was declan, mason would’ve heeded no mind. but coming from the man before him… mason couldn’t lie if that comment didn’t place a deep claw on his pride.

“father…”

“I suppose you might not remember her,” and mason couldn’t fault the king flaring his nostrils at each words spat. mason would probably be acting the same way, had this involved his own daughter. “you met her at a nightclub in london before you took her to your home and bed her.”

it didn’t escape mason, the disgust slipped into the last two words of the king’s sentence.

you’d be surprised to hear your daughter’s reaction to my cock was everything but disgust, mason smirked inwardly as he scanned the distinctive face of the said daughter. who, by the way, sported a faint hint of displeasure—at and of what, he didn’t know. he could only pray she wasn’t thrilled about the whole ordeal, so he could make a pity party out of them both.

of course, he remembered her—serena, final year student in king’s collage. he remembered her because no one as smart as her had pulled the same face card, and he was drawn in by the classic beauty she sported in her face and the royal elegance she exuded before he could help himself.

he remembered her because in bed, she was a beast long waiting for someone to wake her up. and mason loved nothing more than a duality striking on and off the bed.

“father, I appreciate if you grant us some space,” contrary to the faint warning she gave earlier, she was firm—rather stern, even—this time. “I’m sure it’s not an easy news for him either.”

the king spared his daughter a momentary glance before he stood up from his seat, buttoning the lapels of his suit back to its immaculate place. all while throwing lasers at mason’s way. if the footballer didn’t have his life at stake, he’d definitely succumb to the pressure.

there was a reason why the salt-and-paper man was the king, after all.

as soon as the powerful man went out of sight, mason shot his own daggers. “how are you so sure it’s mine?”

mason was only met by the profound proof that she was the king’s daughter and the princess. the woman in black slid a manila envelope towards his way ever so calm—as if the tension around them was as high as spending a mere summer together—without compromising his personal space. “your DNA test, as well as your contract.”

“contract?”

now, mason didn’t see this one coming.

“my father expects nothing less than you to man up and marry me,” shit, mason knew where this was heading. “it’s actually a crime in my country to be pregnant out of wedlock. combine that with the fact that you accidentally knocked up a princess, you can imagine the mess you’re about to ensue in my country,”

despite knowing the direction of this conversation, mason’s heart still dropped at the sight of marriage contract written in big, fat bold letters.

“however, I understand you have another life outside the well-being of your… child and mine,” if this wasn’t a dire situation in need of immediate attention, he’d praise her for how well she chose her words to simplify matters at hand. “so I took the liberty to construct this agreement so it will benefit us two. feel free to add your own terms.”

“what do you get out of this… arrangement?”

“I get to live another day, which means your child does too,” right, a punishable crime in the eyes of eldorran law. “and I get to provide only the best for my child. bar the father, of course, should you choose to walk away from the child’s life after this contract ends.”

dagnabit, she’d covered that part too under the agreement. she certainly had thoroughly thought about this. “is this what you both are planning from the beginning?”

“my father knows nothing of this existence and I wish to remain that way,” that’d explain why she asked for privacy for both of them, and somehow that relieved some parts of mason. “except for our lawyers, it’s only going to be between us until the end—whichever end may be—so I need you to put on some excellent acting when needed.”

rights and obligations… dang, mason should have a day off to discern all this. mason inwardly cursed himself for putting himself through this, all rooting from letting himself swayed and distracted by her sultry voice that he forgot to tap before he dabbed. wait, did I have a way out of this…

nope.

mason was raised better than to desert his own flesh and blood. and he was also certainly raised better than to have the mother of his child to be punished severely on her own when the child was obviously a joint creation of them both.

“we’ll figure out the nitty-gritty along the way,” sensing the footballer was weighing his thoughts, the princess stood up this time, reaching for her purse along the way. “after all, time is what we’re going to have until deaths do us part.”

mason could feel the tip of his mouth curving up slightly—credits when it’s due.

“have a thorough look at them and give me your answer when you’re ready. for now I will tell my father that you’re figuring out how to break the news to your kin first before saying yes.”

but before mason could bid her goodbye, the woman fourth in the throne line of eldorra had closed the mahogany door shut behind her, leaving mason alone dealing with the aftermaths of his rendezvous immediately and the tears of the girlfriend he recently rekindled later into the night.

“I promise you we can be together again, my love,” mason repeated those words like a mantra, in hope to soothe the heartbreaks both he and his girlfriend were respectively having inside. in hope it could build a foundation, a purpose for him to truck through a year of hell with a stranger he never dreamt of having to share his ultimate dream with. “I promise you that. we’ll figure it out meanwhile, okay?”

but mason didn’t get to hear whatever it was that came out of his ex’s mouth as a reply, as he took the hardest steps away from his girlfriend’s house. and he couldn’t seem to be able to recall them now, especially when the priest standing before him asked him the million-dollar question in front of thousands of people important for the existence of the eldorran kingdom.

“do you, mason mount, take serena, princess of eldorra, to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

his wife.

the woman standing in front of him, who was staring back at him with a pair of eyes he couldn’t read at all. the woman standing in front of him, who actually enticed a bit of fear in him for such uncomprehensive orbs she owned.

the woman standing in front of him, whom everyone dubbed as calm beauty like her name, was to be his wife.

the woman standing in front of him, who he had no idea about aside from her name and her reputation of a princess from a conservative country, was to be his wife.

all because a stupid, drunken one-night stint.

he let out a sigh that might be perceived as letting of the nervous steam. just when he wanted to organise his life and start fresh…

“I do.”

well, at least the princess was an exquisite sight to wake up to every day.

[eliteseven]

Can I request a little angst for Shadowheart and Tav? It doesn't have to be death, maybe a fight or misunderstanding?

😭 you’re so sweet haha pls don’t get me wrong, I will answer all asks- even the angsty ones!

Here’s an angsty alternative to our NLS series timeline that I was JUST discussing with a friend:

Tav chooses to help Karlach in Avernus while Shadowheart stays behind at the cottage to care for Emmeline and Arnell:

In my original playthrough, I HC that Serena is best friends with Karlach, so it makes sense she’d want to go to Avernus to help

Shadowheart wants to join them (she wants to be where Tav is 🥺) but Tav begs her to stay behind because she JUST got her family back!

They don’t see each other for some time. Tav wonders if perhaps Shadowheart has moved on. (They have quite an argument about this- Tav encourages it! Shadowheart doesn’t want to hear of it. She’s already in love, why would she even dream of finding someone else?) Tav argues that her human lifespan is short enough- Shadowheart deserves better. It’s a good thing Shadowheart is stubborn as hell.

Tav dreams of Shadowheart every night, just as she dreams of Tav. Tav wonders if Shadowheart has moved on. Shadowheart wonders if Tav is dead 🥺

The night of Withers’ reunion party is magical. I would imagine they miss most of the gathering lmao 😭

The moment they see each other, they’re all over each other. Shadowheart doesn’t even mind the smell of metal and smoke in her haste to devour her lover in the small window of time they’re allowed

They make love under the stars like they used to 🥹 it’s rushed and messy, they are beautiful and breathless and just happy to feel each other’s heartbeats. Then they do it again. And again. Each time a little more desperate than the last, knowing Tav will have to go soon

Tav brings herself to ask if Shadowheart has found anyone else. Shadowheart informs her that she has. In fact, she’s found forty 💀 Tav nearly has a stroke before she specifies that they are her animal companions and they keep Tav’s side of the bed warm for her. Tav realizes Shadowheart is dead serious about Tav rejoining them when she’s done in Avernus. 🥹 there was a part of her that had her doubts. Shadowheart can- and should- have everything or anyone she’s ever wanted. Tav can’t quite believe that’s HER 😭

(Shout out to my friend for the idea!!) one day, perhaps months down the road, Tav will come up the windings steps that lead up to the cottage. She’s nervous as hell, exhausted, but successful. She finds a familiar figure knelt by a bed of night orchids, tending to them. She glances up because Buttons is howling and barking like crazy…and she sees her girl 🥰

Shadowheart takes so much joy in showing Tav all her progress. She shows Tav their room (Shadowheart even organized and kept all of Tav’s belongings 🥹💕)

She introduces Tav to the animals, who immediately take a shine to her. Tav has her arms full of kittens and Shadowheart when she’s told what is perhaps the most shocking news of all

Perhaps it is then that Shadowheart either reveals: 1. She is pregnant (we all know the story behind that one lmaooo) or 2. The orphan Shadowheart ran into on her way coming from the city one day.

You asked for angst and I made it happy 😭💀 my bad lol

[irishcoyote]

Inflamed Sense of Rejection: Chapter One

~~~~~~~~~~~ Author's Note: This is that Angel Face backstory I was talking about. His name is Caleb Handover because I'm not going to call him Angel Face the whole time. There will be no "spice" because I type this on a school computer and honestly I want to expand my writing abilities. ~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a horrible way to start a journal, probably the most over-done and unintriguing sentence used to start a story, but my name is Caleb Handover. I’m 16 years old, and I live in Wilmington, Delaware. I go to Mt. Pleasant High School, class of 2001. That makes me a Junior.

It’s boring. Every single day is the same. The ducks pass over the sky when I’m walking to school, and it looked cool when I was nine, but nowadays it just feels like I’m watching someone drive to work. 

Delaware duck schedule: 6 AM, wake up to the same alarm as everyone in the neighborhood. 7 AM, fly to the pond for breakfast and a bath. Pass by that blond kid again. 

My hair was born white. People on the street asked my mom while she was pushing the stroller, why do you bleach your baby’s hair? 

She never did. 

 First period is Advanced Placement Calculus. I’m thinking about ducks. Derivatives, ducks, hyperbolas, ducks, factorials, ducks, integrals…

My mom called my hair duck-fuzz.  

I like math, but I only say that because high schoolers have to like something. If you say you don’t like any subjects in school, you sound like a wannabe-dropout loser. I’m 16 years old and taking AP Calculus. I don’t think I’m a wannabe anything, but I don’t think I’m genuine, either. I’ve already done the warmup question on the board. Find 34! It’s just a factorial. Does anyone see me?

“Caleb Handover?”

Only during attendance. 

I raise my hand until my elbow is about six inches off of my table, parallel to the smooth, fake-wood surface. Not high enough to seem like a geek, but still giving effort.  

Invisibility is a science.

“Here.” 

There’s a pause. My hand stays in the air.

“Caleb Handover?” my teacher tilts his chin up and surveys the room, his pencil hovering over my name, ready to write truant. 

“I said I’m here,” I said louder as I raised my hand higher. My pen balances between my peace-sign fingers. My teacher flicks his eyes to me, and his eyebrows soften. He adjusts his glasses. The sad taste of desperation lingered in my mouth after essentially begging to be accounted for.

“Oh, hello Caleb. Sorry I didn’t see you.” My teacher laughs dryly and clears his throat. “Serena Hofstadter?” 

She has mono. 

“Gordon Jacobs?” 

That’s how Serena got mono.

For a moment I picture Serena and Gordon as Romeo and Juliet during the final act. Gordon drinks from a tall, crystal vial of mononucleosis extract and collapses. Serena, covered head-to-toe in orange spray tan and blonde highlights underneath her Shakespearean garb, discovers him on the floor and gives a tearful soliloquy before kissing him feverishly in an attempt to drink the mono from his lips. In the end, they’re both bedridden, and everyone knows. 

In fair Delaware we lay our scene.

I don’t know why, but I’m angry at them. Serena and Gordon. My knuckles turn white as I grip my pen harder, gritting my teeth and thinking about my peers who go to parties to drink and kiss and do drugs. I didn’t even think parties were a real thing until I started listening to rich kids’ conversations. 

“I got home so late last night…” quote from the boy wearing the same clothes as yesterday.

“I’m, like, so hungover.” quote from the girl wearing sunglasses indoors at 8:30 AM.

“Her house was so tacky.” quote from the girl whose locker is head-to-toe in sequins and leopard print, who uses perfume to cover the smell of anxiety pheromones. 

I’m not jealous, and I’d rather have lifelong diarrhea than be in the same boat as these kids, but it would be nice to have a life. 

It would be nice to be a part of something bigger than myself.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Author's Note: Please let me know what you think, and if I should keep writing this. It would be appreciated :)

[lanawinterscigarettes]

Strawberry Coated Kisses (Serena van der Woodsen x gn reader)

Summary: Serena turns an innocent gift into a not-so-innocent situation

Warnings: SMUT, hickeys/marking kink, food play (involving chocolate covered strawberries), kitchen sex, penetrative sex (Serena receiving, reader's genitalia is kept purposely vague so you can imagine them using either a strap or their dick to fuck her with)

A/N: look I know everyone says the strawberry scene with serena is cringy (and it kind of is) but you have to consider the fact that she did that because she knew that dan was a freak (affecionate) and that he'd be into it. unfortunately I'm also a freak so that trick would work on me too

"Baby, I'm back," you called out as you entered the penthouse, shrugging off your coat while being mindful not to drop to box in your hands.

"You've been gone for ages," Serena complained while emerging from the bedroom, following you into the kitchen. "Where have you been?"

"I just went out to get you a little something," you casually replied while setting the pastry box down on the counter, one that she recognized immediately as being from one of her favorite places.

"What is it?" She curiously asked, her eyes filled with excitement as she quickly made her way over.

"Why don't you open it up and find you?" You said in a coy manner while shrugging somewhat, playfully acting as though you had no idea what was inside.

She opened the box, a loud gasp coming from her mere seconds later. "Chocolate covered strawberries? Those are my favorite."

"I know they are." You approached her as she marveled over the gift, wrapping your arms around her from behind as you rested your chin on her shoulder. "I figured you might like them."

"Well, you figured correctly. Thank you," she affectionately cooed while turning her head just enough to give you a kiss before picking up one of the chocolate covered strawberries and taking a bite, closing her eyes as she savored it. "Oh, this is so good."

"Why are you making it sound like the strawberries are giving you a better orgasm than I can?" You joked while letting go of her, watching in amusement as she ate the treat you picked up for her.

"Aw, c'mon, don't be jealous," she gave your shoulder a lighthearted push as she jumped up on the counter, sitting next to the box of gourmet fruit. "Y'know, if you really think there's such a big competition, why don't you come over here and prove that you can pleasure me better than they can?"

You let out a scoff of disbelief at her words, not missing the look of mischief in her eyes when she spoke. "Are you trying to get me to have sex with you in the kitchen by making me jealous of a strawberry?"

"You said it, not me," she purred while reaching out and grabbing the front of your shirt, using it to pull you closer so that you were standing between her legs.

"Brat," you muttered playfully before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. They tasted like, you guessed it, chocolate covered strawberries.

Her arms moved to wrap around your neck as your hands found their way to her hips. The moment your mouth diverted from hers and began to trail kisses down the side of your neck, she moved to pick up another strawberry.

"Really?" You grumbled with fake annoyance as you watched her take a bite. She just giggled in reply and tilted her head to the side so you'd have better access to her neck.

Knowing what she wanted without her even having to say it, you began to nip at the sensitive skin there, fully intent on getting to keep her attention on you rather than her treat. An eager moan was pulled from her lips, but it was hard to tell whether you were the cause or if it was the strawberry. You found out a second or so later when she spoke. "It tastes so good."

A low noise that sounded almost like a frustrated growl rose up in your throat, and you attached your mouth to the side of her neck in protest at her teasing, beginning to harshly suck a hickey onto the area. She squealed in delight at the action, her legs spreading a bit more so you could press yourself closer to her from where she sat on the counter.

Once you were satisfied with the mark you'd left on her, you directed your mouth to another unblemished portion of her neck and got to work on leaving a similar hickey there. Soft moans and whines could be heard coming from her, but again you had no clue if it was you or the strawberries causing it as she'd already eaten three of them so far.

"Fuck me," she begged suddenly, clearly not being able to take teasing as well as she could dish it out. This didn't surprise you in the slightest, your hands already moving down the unzip your pants at her pleas.

She dropped the half-eaten strawberry off to the side the moment your tip began to push inside her, unable to stop herself from clutching onto your back as she desperately tried to pull you in closer. "It feels so good, baby."

You hummed softly in acknowledgement at her words, your hands holding onto her hips as you thrusted in and out of her, the kitchen being filled with skin slapping against skin as well as lewd squelching sounds due to how wet she already was. The counter was definitely going to need to be disinfected after this.

"Kiss me," she whined, unable to have your attention diverted away from her for even a second. You obliged, tasting the sweet mixture of chocolate and strawberry on her tongue when she slipped it in your mouth. "Here," she said next, picking up a strawberry and holding it up to your mouth. "Try it."

Somewhat bregrudgingly, you took a bite, allowing the burst of flavors in your mouth to fully coat your tongue before you decided to swallow. As much as you hated to admit it, Serena did have a point when it came to pretending the strawberries were orgasm material- they really were that good.

"Now, kiss me again," she demanded as her hands reached up to grab you by the front of your shirt and tug you further down on top of her as she laid back against the cool marble of the kitchen counter, her legs moving to wrap around your waist. This only pushed you in further, causing you to move deeper inside her with each thrust you gave.

She moaned loudly against your mouth at the action, her tongue swirling against yours as her arms wrapped around your neck again, keeping you pulled down on top of her. The box of strawberries lay forgotten on the counter beside you, her nails digging into your back as you moved your lips down to her neck, covering the hickeys from earlier with hot, open-mouthed kisses.

You knew she was getting close when her back arched and her hands began to claw at your shoulder blades. Despite that, you couldn't help but want to tease her a little bit more. "Would you say I'm better at pleasuring you than the strawberries now?" You asked in a low and sultry tone as you spoke next to her ear, your words causing her to let out a low groan.

"Yes, okay? You're so much better than they are, I promise," she practically babbled in response, her hips trying to thrust up to meet yours due to how needy she was. You got the memo and slipped one of your hands between her legs, stroking her clit with your thumb.

Letting out a sigh in fake exasperation, you then mused in a breathy voice, "I suppose I believe you. I guess I can let you cum if you really want to."

"Oh, yes- Yes, thank you- God-" She panted out, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as she came, biting her lip in an effort to silence the whimper that managed to escape from her. Your peak came shortly after hers, swearing quietly under your breath as your hands gripped onto her hips tighter. The two of you had to take a moment to catch your breath before you could speak again.

"Thank you for the gift. You always know just what to get me," Serena cooed out in appreciation before giving your lips a tender kiss. They tasted like chocolate and strawberries, just like you expected them to be.

"Of course, baby. Anything for you," you muttered against her lips while kissing her back. Her kisses were ones you could never refuse, especially when they were coated with the flavor of strawberries just like now.

End notes: I had to write something smutty involving Serena and strawberries I couldn't get it out of my head and I have no regrets

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[serenastark-official]

🧪💠 How NOT to Set the Lab on Fire: A Guide from Serena Stark (Yes, I’m Qualified) 🧪💠

Okay, people (looking at you Emma), listen up. I know I’m probably the last person you’d want advice from on this—after all, my track record with fire might as well be the reason Tony invested in sprinklers—but here we are.

Step 1: Know Your Materials.

Science is fun (at least until you create a chemical reaction that’s a little too enthusiastic). Before you mix anything, READ the damn labels. If it says “flammable,” don’t make it your next big project. Just trust me on this one. The explosion you don’t want is always one click away from your experiments.

Step 2: Respect the equipment.

Seriously, the lab isn’t a free-for-all. If you accidentally start poking around with the plasma torch, or somehow get distracted by a weird glowing thing (I've been there), you’re gonna regret it. So, when the manual says, “Don’t touch this unless you’re qualified,” just—take the hint. Trust me, the fire extinguisher will not be your best friend in this situation.

Step 3: Don’t mix random chemicals.

You think you’re Tony Stark, just tossing together whatever looks shiny? Nah, fam. You’re not a genius inventor (yet), so don’t try to make your own “super-cool new element” by mixing everything on the shelf. You will regret it when you’re trying to figure out how the whole lab ended up in a 10-foot radius of flame.

Step 4: Understand the difference between ‘testing’ and ‘blowing up the lab’.

I get it, you’re curious. But there’s a fine line between running an experiment and deciding the best way to cook your lunch via combustion. And trust me, the fire alarm doesn’t care if you were just “experimenting with the fusion reactor again.”

Step 5: Stop assuming things will be fine.

Just because it “looks safe” doesn’t mean it is safe. I know you’ve got this confidence thing down (I mean, you are a Stark), but if the metal's sizzling or something’s starting to smell like burnt toast, immediately back off. It’s not a sign to proceed. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

Step 6: Have a fire extinguisher, and know how to use it.

I get it, Emma, you’re all about the “cutting-edge tech” and “sophisticated gadgets,” but when it comes to fire, old school is where it’s at. Fire extinguisher should be your first line of defense. And for the love of all that is holy, make sure you know how to use it without just flailing around like I do when I panic. Fire extinguishers do not respond to panic. Trust me.

Step 7: Don’t Use My Lab for Experimenting. Listen, I’m all for creativity and innovation, but if you’re going to keep setting the place on fire, maybe find a different lab. If I come in and smell burning plastic one more time, I swear, I’ll send Jeff after you. And, spoiler alert: He’s not gonna be happy either.

Step 8: Don’t Get Fancy with the Electricity. Emma. Sweetheart. I know you're a Stark prodigy—but don’t go playing electrical wizard with a bunch of wires and a half-baked idea. You don’t need to turn the lab into a lightning storm just to impress the machines. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it never ends well. Remember when I electrified the fridge just trying to get ice cream? Yeah. That was a fun day for the lab.

Step 9: If all else fails, RUN.

Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, things catch fire. If that happens—step one is to not panic, and step two is to make sure you're getting out safely. The lab might be the birthplace of genius, but it’s also where disasters are born. So get the heck out, and leave the rest to the actual professionals (read: Tony, Pepper, someone who's not me).

Step 10: Learn from Your Mistakes (and Mine). Let’s be real for a second. I’ve blown up more labs than I can count. (That’s a very Tony Stark trait I inherited, for sure.) But here’s the thing—every time I’ve learned from my epic fails, and so should you. So, next time you almost set off a chain reaction of fiery chaos, take a deep breath, stop, and think about your actions before everything around you turns into Crispy City again.

In Conclusion:

Listen, Emma, I know you’re a Stark, and burning things is kind of in our blood (right along with the whole “blow up the universe” vibe), but let’s try to keep it to a minimum, okay? You don’t need to give everyone a free pyro show.

But trust me, we’re not all Tony Stark, and sometimes, we don’t get to “just invent our way out of it” when things go wrong.

If I can do it, you can do it. And if you do it, I won’t need to make another post about setting the lab on fire.

[vro0m]

You don't want to post the ask because you're getting cooked in your own ask box. 😏 You're satisfied with everyone disrespecting an anon, who's actually making sense, that's why you're very manipulative about what you choose to share.

So you don't want to post the link to the RESEARCH that concluded that men generally have better hand-eye coordination than women? And there's plenty more research like that one, you know. the crazy part about this is i wanted to see a woman in F1(still do, esp if she's truly competitive), but the more push-back you gave, the more I started to look into it and learned that there really ARE a lot of biological differences that really WOULD give men more of an advantage in f1. I thought the difference was just testosterone, which is why you never see male and female runners, swimmers, MMA fighters, athletes in general, compete against one another.

But apparently, it's so much more than just the ability to build muscle mass. Spatial awareness, hand eye coordination are the cornerstone of F1 driving(many sports, tbh), and anyone who could have a weaker set of either skill is is at a huge disadvantage. I acknowledge that this skill can be developed, but would it be enough if biology is driving the disparity? You don't find it weird that Danica Patrick is celebrated the way she is, but only won a single race her entire career? If she raced against only women, she would be like the Dale Earnhardt Jr or Lewis Hamilton of the sport. Or, for a more accurate reference, she would be the Serena Williams of her sport. Instead of fighting to include women in a male-dominated sport, where they could be at a disadvantage, what if WOMEN supported women in f1a the same way they support men in F1, yourself included? But you don't want to because you'd rather be a part of something that's already established, instead of helping women build something that puts them at the center. 🤷‍♀️

You'll never post this because this is an extremely fair point and you're just as much of a sexist as the men you accuse. Having a different set of abilities does NOT make you weaker and worse off. I'm sorry you've internalized this mentality, while appearing to support women. 😒

Sure honey.

[pkmnprideflags]

Random Pokémon Headcanons

Any sexuality headcanons apply to adult versions of these characters. Please do not sexualize children :)

Red is a demiboy and uses he/it. When he grows up he also comes to identify as asexual and aromantic

Blue is bisexual but with a preference towards men. He can be a bit of a flirt but strikes out 90% of the time due to his cocky vibe

Kris is the daughter of that random woman who's in your kitchen talking to your mom at the beginning of GSC. Ethan and Kris's moms have always been friends & neighbors; Kris's dad is one of Professor Elm's aides. When she's young Kris wants to work alongside Elm, but as she gets older she becomes interested in Pokémon psychology - ways their brains are similar and different to those of humans, and how that knowledge can be used to help Trainers and Pokémon better understand each other.

Silver is demiheterosexual. I like to imagine that he and Kris strike up a relationship. In his adult years he works on-and-off with the International Police when incidents with Team Rocket spring up, but he refuses to join them because he doesn't always want to play by their rules.

May is pansexual, and either aromantic or just not strongly interested in relationships. She definitely dated Lisia at some point, even if only briefly

Leaf is a trans girl! I used to hc that her other name (Green in English, Blue in Japanese) was her deadname, but I know there's controversy around having trans/nb characters' deadnames revealed, and as someone who is not trans myself I want to be careful. Anyway, I imagine her exploring the Kanto we see in Pokémon GSC; in that game you first land in Vermillion City, so I imagine her being from there.

Both Lucas and Barry have very juvenile crushes on Dawn (with her in the "friend" role and Lucas as the protag). However, Dawn makes it clear that she isn't interested in that kind of relationship, and they get over it pretty quickly.

Would it be way too stereotypical to say that Barry has ADHD

Lyra caught her Marill as an Azurill in Mt. Mortar (yes I know Azurill isn't found there wild, but let's say someone snuck an incense in there or something). She didn't have any other Pokémon so she "borrowed" a bunch of Poké balls from her grandparents and just hucked them at the mon over and over until eventually she caught it

Hilbert and Hilda are twins! Hilbert is older by just thirty seconds, which irritates Hilda to no end.

Bianca and Cheren are both trans and when they get older they start dating. Their Neo Champion event was just giving t4t sorry i don't make the rules

Hilda & Nate are the two Unova protags; after B2W2, Nate stays in Unova to lead the Pokémon League, Rosa has a moderately successful career at Pokéstar Studios, Hilda goes searching abroad for N, and Hilbert becomes a frequent visitor on the Battle Subway, second in rank only to Emmet & Ingo.

Calem is a trans boy!!!

Shauna is a lesbian with a crush on Serena, Serena is straight with a crush on Calem, and Calem is completely oblivious to everything

Everyone just kind of assumes that Tierno and Trevor are gay and dating but actually they're both straight but queerplatonic

Hau is ace but girls usually assume he's flirting with them and then get sad when they find out he's not

Gladion probably uses he/they and maybe also some neopronouns

Chase, Elaine, and Trace are all painfully straight I'm sorry. Elaine becomes the Champion, Chase travels the world to become the very best like no one ever was, and idk Trace works at viridian city gym or something

Victor is nonbinary!!!! Based off my own experience of playing the game with Victor as my protag but feeling uncomfortable with my character using he/him. They can be a little awkward and apologetic about their identity, but Hop has been supporting them in their transition for years and will fight anyone who misgenders them. The downside of this is that Hop can be a little too overzealous as an ally and sometimes he makes a scene when Victor would rather just go incognito.

Rei (as protag) is the little brother of Lucas from DPP :) Idk Johanna got remarried or something

Juliana is genderfluid but identifies more with the female end of the spectrum. Depending on the day, they use she/her, they/them, it/its, or xe/xem.

Penny is a demigirl and uses she/they/he

[mamaluigi2018-commsopen]

Could you tell us more about the Pokegirls Roommates AU? Why did each of the girls choose the majors they did? What's their life gonna be like after graduation?

Sure! So for like half the girls, what they choose as majors are legit careers and passions they want to look into, the other half choose just whatever just to have a degree in something

Leaf: (Music) So the reason why Leaf choose music was cause she's the defacto party gal. She's like to have fun and just go wild with her friends. She wants something just to have so that as a way just to "Flex" on people, but if she doesnt end up with a degree, she'd most likely flip off the teachers and still just preform small gigs on her own

Kris: (Health) For Kris, this was influenced by her depiction in the Adventures Manga were she was very atheltic out of the protags, so I made it so she's just someone who likes to be in her best shape. She's another example of, If she gets a degree she gets a degree but if she doesnt eh no harm no foul. She can prob still be a personal trainer on her own or just get a job at a gym to still keep fit.

May: (Drama) May is depicted as, while very ditzy and an airhead, is the most romantic of the group, is very emotional and is suppose to be a reference to Anime May who enjoys performing in Pokemon Contests. So May is one of the few actively does have a passion for her major and when after graduation, while most likely not a big hollywood star, would be doing lots of local plays and musicals.

Dawn: (Business) This Dawn is taking major points from Platinum of the Adventures Manga. Here, Dawn is the daughter of a large jewelry conglomerate so she's taking Business as a focus so that she may be able to take up the company her family has been maintaining. And this isn't like those kinds of having to live up to expectations, Dawn legit enjoys what she does and does find the value of maintaining a business. For the moment til she does become the next CEO, she'll most likely be a manager at a smaller side business or have a high level job in the company.

Lyra: (Teaching) Lyra is the most gentle of the group and the most patient with kids, so she wants to be able to be someone that kids can look up to so for her she wants to be become either a kindergarten or elementary teacher. That would be what she'd want to once she graduates.

Hilda: (Mechanics) Mechanics was the one I choose for Hilda because I wanted to enforce more on the "New Yorker" aspect of her since she is from Unova. She's a bike rider so she decided on something that gives her an excuse to just work on her bike and give it the maintenance she needs. If she graduates, she'd most likely go work at an auto shop and if she doesn't get a degree, she can still ride her bike and prob become like a courier rider.

Rosa: (Sociology) Rosa's always been an empathetic person and always a person willing to listen to people's problems and wants to be able to help. So she's pursuing sociology to become a counselor for people, help them out with any mental issues or are troubled.

Serena: (Fashion) Massive fashionista she is. Always have to be the most glamour gal in the room. Looking your best is her top priority. So she wants to be someone who makes outstanding dresses and clothes and have them up on the walkways. Though she prefers her designs to be on HER instead of just some random model.

Selene: (Art) Selene just has an extremely overactive imagination and growing up from Alola has many beautiful scenic shots that she loves recreating them. And she's also the person that if she gets a degree, cool, if not eh not gonna bother her, she's still just gonna draw and paint what she likes. Maybe some will like em and buy it from her, some wont and she's cool with that.

Gloria: (History) Literally chose it cause she knows Sonia was able to get her degree in it no time at all. So she thinks its easy and you just have to remember dates. She actually despises it alot and has no way to get out of it without having to spend alot of money and more time at school changing majors so she has to put up with it. Very unlikely she gets a degree but if she does, she's doing nothing with it. Probably go work a retail job or go work an intern with Sonia and Hop just to do something.

Juliana: (Library Science) Juliana is the very studious type and loves to learn about many types of trivia and cultures from anything. She chose this major so that she can become a librarian and always have many books to read and to help educate others on knowledge.

Hope this helps out answering your question!