#shane thorne imagine

[faithisthekey-23]

Hi brothers and sisters in Christ

I want to share with you my story of when, how I saw Jesus in my soul and what He told me.

This Tuesday (on 25th May 2023), I wanted to study for the exam that I was supposed to have on the next day. However, I felt that I should spend this time on praying and talking to God. Part of me that wants to have good grades wanted me to study as it kept on reminding me that I will fail the test if I don't start preparing for it. So, I started learning information for this exam. I couldn't focus at all. I kept on thinking about the Holy Trinity and the desire to pray and just talk to Him didn't stop. I thought that I need to study, so I kept on studying. I even tried to give time that I spend on preparing for this exam for the glory of God. It helped me a bit to focus for a few moments.

Then, after a few moments, I saw Jesus in my soul. I am sure that it wasn't in my head or in my thoughts, not even in my heart. I only saw Jesus Lovely and Wonderful Face, but that is way more than enough to see my Savior. However, now that I think about it, it makes me sad. Why? Jesus had crown of thorns on His Precious Head and I could see a few drops of Blood on His Face. He had closed eyes and looked sad. I heard and saw Him saying in my soul ”And you don't put me on the first place again”. His tone of voice wasn't angry. It was very lovely, soft, calm and most importantly, very sad.

I wasn't sure if it truly was Jesus or my imagination. I thought that maybe that's because I kept on reading about Jesus appearing in front of saints and talking to them. That's why I asked Jesus if it was really Him and I asked Him to give me a sign. I didn't even have to wait. He spoke to me by using thoughts right away. He reminded me of the message from Virgin Mary that she left us in Her revelation. These are the words that I got reminded of ”Pray my children, pray”. Then, less than 10 seconds later, God gave me a strong desire to read the Bible. I took it and told God to talk to me through the Bible even though I knew that He has already prepared a part of the Bible that I need to read. He showed me a part of the Bible that said: ”Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41).

Why do I write to you about it? To let you know about the fact that we should always pray. Our Lord told us through the Holy Bible: ”Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16), so we should keep on reminding ourselves that praying is very important in our lives. It protects us from evil and brings us closer to our Almighty God. It blesses us and changes our hearts, gives grace to us and people we pray for. Prayer is very powerful. It is the key to a good relationship with our Heaveanly Father and salvation. Keep on praying and don't get discouraged. Remember faithful promises of our Lovely Savior: ”⁷ Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.’ ” (Matthew 7:7-8).

God bless you brothers and sisters, keep having strong faith and keep on seeking Heaven — Home of our Lovely Holy Trinity, Virgin Mary, angels and saints.

[luciddrreamss]

The Tale of Two Aussies...and a Ride Along...and a Love Triangle

Pairing(s) - Shane Thorne x Reader, Brendan Vink x Reader

Warnings/Promises - Cussing and sexual jokes cause I’m evil

Category - Fluff, lots of comedy, and the TINIEST bits of angst, a whole rollercoaster

Summary - You’re on a Ride Along episode with Vink and Thorne, though something seems off with the two Australians. When you get to the hotel that night in Orlando, truths get revealed.

Word-Count - I don’t know I changed a lot, I just know it’s over 1,400

“One of the people who can actually reach the pedals can actually drive this thing,” I said, putting my bags in the trunk. “Oh don’t be sad because you’re short.” Brendan said, in a teasing voice. “Shut up you 6′5″ idiot.”

“Can you guys not argue for once?” Shane asked, before climbing into the drivers seat. I looked at the camera and rolled my eyes before opening the door to the passengers seat, “Vink stop looking at yourself in the window and get in the car.” “Y/N leave me alone!”

I was about to argue back when Shane yelled at us to get in the car.

And once we did, we started our drive to the hotel. “I still can’t believe you guys didn’t tell me about your Raw debut.” I said, sounding offended. “Well we’re evil,” Shane said, looking ahead at the road before looking at me, “Don’t act like you didn’t expect it.”

“Yeah yeah whatever.” I said, looking out the window. “Look at us now, we’ve all now had our Raw debuts, before I know it you guys will be travelling with me every week on Raw.” I smiled at the boys. 

“Yeah. Can’t..wait.” “Imagine.” They smiled, but their faces drooped. I ignored it, they were probably tired. It was a few moments of awkward silence before Brendan brought up a topic, “Remember Y/N’s first ever entrance in the WWE?” I looked back at him, “We’re not gonna talk about this, BRENDAN!”

My first entrance was terrifying. Gear was a black set with horrific star stickers, which by the way, came off during matches, theme song that you would find on a Nick Jr show, boring motions during said entrance. And of course, Vink had to bring it up on Ride Along.

“You know what Vink that’s why you don’t even get an entrance you just start in the ring.”

I looked down at my phone, proud that I had won the argument. When I felt something hit the back of my head and land in my lap. I looked back at Brendan, “You’re so,” I threw the water bottle back in his face, “immature!” He quickly returned it before I threw my phone in the cup holder, unbuckled my seat belt and looking back at the man.

“That’s it!”

Shane tore his eyes away from the road to see me, climbing to the backseat, followed by me and Brendan play fighting and laughing, which led to roughhousing in the backseat. “Y/N get back in your bloody seat!” Shane yelled before I smacked Brendan upside the head and tried to climb back into my seat.

Keyword TRIED.

You might’ve guessed that I fell. You would be wrong.

Cause Brendan kicked me right in the, let’s call it, my buttocks.

“Oh shit!” I yelled while flying forward, hitting the floor. I sat back up, “Vink I should enzugiri your fat head off your body right now!”

“Do it then short stack!”

“Short stack?!”

I went to climb back there again when the car slowly came to a stop for a red light and Shane turned towards me, grabbing my shoulders, “Y/N, honey, chill.” I looked at him and giggled, “You’re adorable.” Shane smiled before turning back to the road. Brendan made a gagging motion to the camera. “Shut up, Vink.” Shane and I said in unison. “I didn’t even say anything!”

“You didn’t have to, ugly.” I shot back, still peeved at him.

Time skip

Long story short, Shane got us lost, so we were stuck in the car LONGER. So long that we started to embrace our “Crackhead Energy”. “Sometimes I just wish I was a duck.” I said.

“Get the fuck out my car, Y/N.” Shane said.

“Man for real?” I said, opening the car and leaning out.

“What the hell dumbass get back in,” Brendan yelled, while they both laughed. I looked at the camera, “Don’t try this at home kids, or obviously you’ll be told to get back in.” “That’s what she said.” Shane said. “That’s what he said.” I added on.

“Guys this is a PG show.” “Well we don’t have PG mouths.” I said, “I would like to test that.” Vink said. “Wow you hypocrite.” 

Shane gave Brendan a look, I don’t know what kind of look it was, be sure was angry.

“Can we just get to the hotel?” “Well, we’re already here.” We pulled into the parking lot and walked towards the trunk, little did I know, my backpack was open, and when the trunk opened, my laptop fell out onto the ground.

The men laughed at me while I looked at the camera, “This better get 1 thousand more subscriptions on the network.”

“Why?” Shane asked, keeping his distance, “Because they’re about to pay for my shit!!”

They exploded into a fit of laughter while I angrily marched into the hotel, flipping them off without looking, “Y’all carry the damn bags!”

The camera crew said their goodnights as we went into the lobby to check in, “I’m sorry but it looks like we only have a double.” We all looked confused, “A double? We booked a double and one single.” I said, trying to explain the secretary. 

“I’m sorry, but with all the people waiting to leave for the airport, you know, to go home, lot’s of flights got delay-” “You know what? It’s okay, we’ll figure it out.” I said, trying to keep my cool. I snatched the key card, my once good mood now turned sour. Shane put his arm around my shoulder, “It’s alright Y/N, we’ll figure it out.” I gave him a slight smile and leaned closer to him.

But while in the elevator, Brendan looked angry. I just ignored it, thinking maybe it was about the room, so I just shrugged it off, went to the room and claimed the bathroom first.

It was a great to get ready for bed. Washing makeup off my face, brushing my teeth, finally taking off that stupid bra, and the best of it all pajamas.Black Adidas spandex and a oversized yellow hoodie. Very cliche but very comfortable.

I was about to turn the knob to leave when I heard the pair talking outside. “You don’t love her like I do, Vink!” “You’re right because it’s clear I love her more.”

“On SMUG you literally make it out that you hate her, and in real life too!” “Oh please, she knows I’m messing around. You on the other hand, you’re always controlling her, acting like you’re the boss of her!” 

“Well let’s see who Y/N chooses then huh?”

Was I hearing correctly? No, I can’t be. I’m probably just tired.

I walked out the bathroom, clothes and toiletries in hand, putting them in my bag. “You guys can take the beds, I’m just gonna sleep on the floor.” “Nonsense, we can share a bed.” Brendan said, “You’re 6′5″, you need the room.” “You can share with me then.” “Shane you snore too loud.”

They were trying to understand my excuses, because normally, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but now suddenly I’m distant. “I’ll be right back.” I said, walking back into the bathroom.

I texted one of the producers, which was also my friend Jamie. 

Can I stay with you tonight?

Jamie - I thought you were staying with those two giants?

I’ll explain later, just, please?

Jamie - Yeah, room 239

I sighed in relief, walked out and saw them sitting on the bed, looking angry, and sad, and guilty? I don’t know how to describe it. “Is everything okay guys?”

Brendan shook his head before Shane spoke up, “You heard didn’t you?”

“Y/N please tell me that you like one more than the other, preferably me.” Vink said, “Oh get over yourself-” And there they went, arguing again.

“Guys.”

“Guys.” I said louder, still no answer.

“Shane! Brendan! Will you just shut your damn mouths for two seconds! Gosh!” They looked at me, now angry, not at me, but at each other.

“Will you just choose!” Shane shouted, standing up. “Yeah, and choose the right one!” Brendan yelled, also standing up. And here they went again with the arguing. “Oh my God,” they stopped their bickering and once again looked over at me, “You guys don’t understand what I’m feeling right now! I just found out my two best friends are in love with me! And when I spend time with both of you, I’m just supposed to make my decision on the spot?! That’s dumb!”

They just looked at me, like they had never had me yell at them before, which I hadn’t, but they were surprised.

“Look...I can’t choose. Right now, I just..I just need my space,” I grabbed my stuff before walking out the door, leaving leaving the two Aussies in the middle of the room, “Goodnight, don’t argue, for me.” I gave them a weak smile and closed the door.

But once I did, I leaned against the door, slid down to the floor and wept silently. How can I choose one, without hurting the other?

Cause hurting the other, will hurt me.

WELL UH - PART 2???????

Anyways, thanks @superrezzy00​ for telling me to take the risk and write this.

[fawnnandfable]

Prompt List 3

hello! I’ve decided to make an updated prompt list! I do have two others  which you can find here and here. If you request something PLEASE make sure to tell which prompt list your request comes from! Thank you! 

1. “I’m not here to make friends.” 2. “Well, that’s tragic.” 3. “That’s starting to get annoying.”  4. “I feel like I can’t breathe.”  5. “Despite what you think, I am completely capable of taking care of myself.” 6. “You’re going to do great things, I swear.”  7. “You walk out that door and we’re through.” 8. “You make everyday worth living.”  9. “How could you ask me that?”  10. “Kiss me.”  11. “Dance with me.” 12. “What do you want me to say?”  13. “Are you jealous?”  14. “I think I forgot how to breathe.”  15. “My head hurts.” 16.” I immediately regret this decision.” 17. “Are you testing me?”  18. “Quick, take off you shirt!.”  19. “If I die, I’m never speaking to you again.”  20. “You’ve shown me what love can feel like.” 21. “I don’t know anyone else who can make me feel this way.”  22. “Do you even still love me?” 23. “Can you just shut up for once, or are you like completely incapable of doing so?” 24. “ Will you hold my hand?” 25.”All I do is drink coffee and say bad words.” 26.”Quit touching me, your feet are cold!” 27. “You come here often?” “I work here..so yes?”  28. “You said be honest, stop hitting me!” 29. “Hey hot stuff, gimmie a smooch.” 30. “Okay, where are all my hoodies?” 31. “Well the probability of that is zero, but you go ahead.” 32. ”I brought you dinner.”  33. “She’s not yours.”  34.”You were ready to leave me for her.” 34. “You know for a fucking fact that wasn’t suppose to happen.” 35. “Leave. Before we wake up regretting what we’ve done.” 36. “You think this will make me stay?”  37. “You still wear my hoodies?”  38. “I didn’t have a choice.” 39. “I needed closure.” 40. “That look in your eyes was enough to tell me you didn’t feel the same anymore.”  41. “I know what I want, when I want it. So get over here.” 42. “I never imagined myself in a wedding dress.” 43. “If a zombie bit you, I’d be heartbroken, but I’d also shoot you twice in the head.” 44. “I want to hike you skirt up and take you right here, baby.” 45. “Guess who broke their nose? It was me. I broke my nose.”  46. “I’m having a baby! 47 “I can’t believe you’re carrying my child.” 48. “Scoot over, I wanna sit next to you.” 49. “I like looking at your face.” 50. “I’m not just winning, I’m thriving.” 51. “I wish I could relate but only a dumbass like you could do this.” 52. “You lips are so soft, I could kiss them all day.” 53. “Quick! Pretend you’re talking to me.” 54. “You promised..and then you broke that promise.” 55. “Your hair is so soft.” 

[imaginingandwrestling]

Relationship #8 with Shane Thorne

Prompt: “Did you do the dishes?” “I thought you were going to do them!” “Well, you thought fucking wrong.”

A long relief sigh escaped your mouth once you finally got home, you have been in PC since early morning, Regal insisted in keeping you there so you can pratice this new finisher they want you to use, and you keep doing it over and over again until they claim it’s starting to get perfect. 

You can listen Shane cursing from upstairs, probably on you two gaming room, you don’t mind so much as you drop your bag and locked the door behind you. Gently kicking your bag along you in the way to living room, though you stop for a moment, staring right at the kitchen and frowning. 

The sink is full of plates, cups, mugs, pans, and every other possible thing. You raised one eyebrow, it’s Shane day in doing dishes, so why your kitchen is still like this? You sighed and went upstairs, putting your better fake smile on your face as you enter the gaming room, learning down to warp your arms around his neck, he jumped a bit, looking away from the screen just for a second to stare at you. 

“ Hey babe. “ He said simply, eyes already back on the screen at this point. “ You scared the shit out of me. “ 

“ Ooh, I’m so sorry, love. “ You mused the last part, but he don’t noticed, you run your hands at his chest gently, laying your chin at his shoulder. “ It’s almost dinner time already. “ 

“ Yeah, what are you making us? “ He questioned. “ I would love some australian food if you don’t mind. “ 

“ I would be making us something, if my kitchen was clear. “ Your tone went from musing to harsh, making him shiver as he paused the game and take his headset of. 

“ What up with the tone? Of course the kitchen is clear “ He frown a bit and stared at you once you pulled away, crossing your arms over your chest. “ Well, there is the dishes but- “

“ Did you do the dishes? ” You questioned him. 

 “ I thought you were going to do them! ” He quickly awnsered, raising his hands in his defence. “ It’s your day after all. “ 

“Well, you thought fucking wrong.” You hissed. “ It’s friday, Thorne, it’s your fucking day! “

Shane stood there for a few seconds until it finally snapped on his mind that it’s really friday, groaning he rubbed the back of his neck, going to tell something but you raised your hand, stopping him on his tracks. 

“ Don’t, I’m way to tired of excuses, please just do they. “ You mumbled and walked out the room, just needing a shower after such a long day and you don’t really want to debate chores right now. 

Shane keep there a bit stunned, wow. There have been a few time since he saw you like this, so he decided it’s better don’t give you even more reasons to send him to doghouse tonight.

Even so he quickly went downstairs with a grin on his lips, if he can get you in mood later, he’s pretty sure your night would be fun.

Oh yeah, really fun.

[jiwoonged]

Shane Thorne, Brendan Vink and Rhea Ripley, picture them as a stable?!

[ddaz3d-and-cc0nfused]

Hey friend!! Me again!

Can I please request:

Daryl Dixon x Wife!Reader (Prison Era)

After the group escapes from Woodbury and Daryl and Merle reunite, Daryl is forced to choose either his wife and family or Merle! Maybe wife tries to convince and in the end you choose what he picks!?

Love your blog and your writing!! ❤️

༉‧₊˚. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 || 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐱𝐨𝐧

― pairing: daryl dixon x plus size wife!reader

― era: eeason 3

― summary: as sad as it was to say, with merle gone, your relationship with your husband grew stronger than ever, and now that he's back, you're afraid that your marital bliss might have been short lived.

― warnings: arguing, fat shaming, sexism, merle just being merle, mentions of drug deals, mentions of past arguing.

― wc: 1117

⋆ a/n: AHHH THIS WAS SUCH A FUN WRITE. i don't know, maybe some may see this as daryl being out of character, but this is just what i would imagine daryl choosing. thank you for your request! it was a super fun one even though it took me literally centuries to make!!

masterlist | AO3

Merle had always been a thorn in Daryl and your asses. Him and you had been together before the fall, and it was safe to say that your relationship was strained would be an understatement. You couldn’t stand the older brother’s constant rude comments and crude teasing, or the fact that he always felt the need to bring Daryl with him on his drug runs, risking his life more than once, and even getting him arrested at one point. You couldn’t just bail out one Dixon brother, but if you had the choice, you would’ve left Merle there to rot.

He was the reason why Daryl and you were on the brink of breaking up, that you had fought all the time and couldn’t even function as a stable couple. It was like Daryl was a whole different person when his brother wasn’t around, he was the man that you fell in love with; the one that was sweet and showed his love in his own way, not the one that would pick fights or explode on you, leaving the house for prolonged periods of time in a fit of rage.

You were ashamed to say that the apocalypse started, it had brought out Daryl’s soft side for you, rushing home as soon as he could to come and get you. Sadly, when he showed up, Merle was right behind him, bitching about how you ruined a deal that would have brought him a lot of money, and it just wasn’t a loss that you could bring yourself to care about. Soon, all of you soon found that money would forever be irrelevant as the dead had begun to eat the living.

You were grateful for Shane’s group allowing you guys to tag along despite the pair being quite the characters.

When Rick had confessed that he left Merle handcuffed to a roof, there was a shameful spark of relief, but before that flame could burn brighter, Daryl’s painful cries of anguish were quick to extinguish it. Even though the two of them had a funny way of showing it, they loved each other, so much to the point where he had demanded to be taken to where his older brother had been holed up, and when they had come back, that’s when chaos had ensued.

He had never held you as tight as he did then, when you guys were at the CDC, when Carl had gotten shot and then Daryl had gotten hurt looking for Sophia, and then when the farm had been over run.

It had been a long time since then, and what’s left of you guys had begun to create a new home, in the prison.

It was peaceful for a while, even after Lori’s death and the birth of Judith.

Then there was the Governor. When you had heard he had taken Glenn and Maggie, it was like you were losing everything all over again, and to add on top of it, Daryl had been taken.

You swore your heart sank when he had come out with Merle.

“He’s not coming with us!” You heard Glenn tell as you guys arrived at the car. “Like hell he ain’t!” Daryl argued. “He tortured me, and Maggie…” Before he could say anything else, Maggie had cut him off.

“Enough!”

“Daryl.” You called his name to draw his attention towards you. “I hate to say this, but they’re right. He is an asshole.”

“Well, ain’t it nice to see you too, tubby.” Merle laughed. “Fuck you, Merle.” You bit. “Alrigh’ enough.” Daryl said sharply. “C’mon little brother, you gonna let her talk to me like that, your blood?” You scoffed, “Blood? Please. You haven’t acted like you’ve been blood since the day I started living with you.” You turned your attention back to Daryl.

“Looks like you’ve got to choose.” Merle snarled with a smile.

Daryl was conflicted.

On one hand, Merle was right, they were blood, brothers to be precise. He must admit that yeah, he wasn’t the best, but they went through everything together. On the other, Daryl had entrusted you with parts of him that he would never tell Merle in fear of being called a pussy or worse. You cared for him, reassured him, calmed him down, you had become his vice, his wife. Yes, you guys had gotten married; it wasn’t anything too big, just Daryl slipping on a wooden ring he had made you, the both of you acknowledging your newfound titles together.

“Dar,” You said as you pulled him out of his thoughts, “Think about what we’ve gone through, what we’ve been doing, what we’ve been building. We have something good going for us. Do you think we would have gotten married, let alone still be together if he was still around?” You asked the last part quietly, but it seems as though Merle had heard it.

“Well, I’ll be damned, it looks like you’ve gotten comfortable Darlena.” He eyed you up and down. “I thought you would’ve gotten rid of her by now, but I guess you’re pussy whipped for a fat broad.” For the first time, Daryl stood up to his brother, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt.

“Watch what yer sayin’ about my wife, jack ass.” Daryl all but growled at him. You could tell a fight was about to break out between the two of them, and you’d see in before. When they would fight when you all lived together, punches would be thrown, things also thrown at one another, a scene that you would be forced to clean up as Daryl did the same, albeit guiltily.

“Hey, hey, hey. Everyone just calm down.” Rick said as he tried to quickly diffuse the situation.

“Nah,” Daryl said as he let his brother go, “were done. C’mon.” He left no room for argument as he grabbed you by your hand and tugged you towards the car where the rest of them waited. There were stars in your eyes as you allowed him to lead you away, Merle’s threats and calls falling on deaf ears.

The ride back to the prison was tense but comfortable, your head resting on your husband’s shoulder as he stared out the window.

“Hey,” You called out to him softly. He turned his head to look at you, his teeth nibbling at the skin of his lip. “I know what you did was hard, and I appreciate what you did for me. I love you, Daryl, and I won’t ever forget about this.” His grip on your hand tightened as he released his lip.

“I love ya too, sunshine. Yer my family now.”

ೃ⁀➷ my lovely taglist!: @alina02 @louderfortheback @minervadashwood @fandomsarelifee @theendofthe70s @nomajdetective @mgg-theprettiestboy

[skyedestiny]

Quoth the Author: Our Next Book

Hello, everyone! I know I haven’t been here very much lately.  Well, in an effort to change that, I wanted to talk about a stream I’ve been running on Twitch (more recently live on my youtube channel) lately, called Quoth The Author.  I run it on Sundays at 5 PM EST, and it’s sort of a book club.

For the longest time, I’ve wanted to get back to reading books, but it was always so hard to find the time and motivation.  In talking to some friends, I found out that we were in a very similar place in regards to that.  And if there are some of us like this there are actually bound to be a lot of us.

In Quoth the Author, I let the audience know about a book we’ll be starting in advance so that you can procure your own copy, if you’d like.  But it isn’t necessary as, during the stream, I will read a section of the story aloud.  From there, the goal is to discuss, together, about what we’ve read.

If this interests you, please stop in, using the link above! And if you’d like to catch up on the progress of our current book (The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King), you can check out my youtube channel, where all previous episodes are posted.

But that’s not exactly what this post is about.  This post is about enlisting your help to pick the next book that we’ll cover! Below the cut, you’ll find the covers and blurbs of the four books we’re considering moving on to.  Please check them out and let me know in the replies (or the poll on facebook or twitter, depending on where you guys are coming from) which sounds the most intriguing to you.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher:

“Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment. Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever. There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get interesting. Magic - it can get a guy killed.”

Lightning by Dean Koontz:

“A storm struck on the night Laura Shane was born, and there was a strangeness about the weather that people would remember for years. But even more mysterious was the blond-haired stranger who appeared out of nowhere – the man who saved Laura from a fatal delivery. Years later – another bolt of lightning – and the stranger returned, again to save Laura from tragedy. Was he the guardian angel he seemed? The devil in disguise? Or the master of a haunting destiny beyond time and space?”

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson:

“Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul.”

Stardust by Neil Gaiman:

“Young Tristran Thorn will do anything to win the cold heart of beautiful Victoria—even fetch her the star they watch fall from the night sky. But to do so, he must enter the unexplored lands on the other side of the ancient wall that gives their tiny village its name. Beyond that old stone wall, Tristran learns, lies Faerie—where nothing not even a fallen star, is what he imagined.“

Please make your selections, friends! I’m excited to be heading off on another literary journey with you!

[stardewvalley-headcanons]

Stardew Valley playlists

Sam

• Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown

• Post Malone - Circles

• Ozzy Osbourne - Ordinary Man

• Goo Goo Dolls - Iris

• Queen - You're My Best Friend

• Billy Joel - We Didn't Start The Fire

• Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day

• 2Pac - How Do You Want It

• Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Knock On Wood

• Falling in Reverse - Losing My Mind

• Golden Children - Paper Bag Interlude

I feel like Sam would have the most diverse Music. He would mostly listen to alternative music. And he would listen to older stuff from the 80s and 90s. Like 90s hip hop, or 80s rock.

Harvy

• Weezer - Buddy Holly

• Luminaries - Ophelia

• Plain White Ts - 1234

• Owl City - Hot Air Ballon

• Queen - Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy

• Vance Joy - Mess Is Mine

• Phillips Phillips - Home

Harvy is a basic man. I imagine him liking folk music and things that just calm him down. (I'm sorry if its not accurate. I dont really like harvy all that much but I still wanted to put him in here because I know some people like him. Please tell me what I can fix)

Sebastian

• Palaye Royale - Mr. Doctor Man

• Savage Ga$p - Pumpkins Scream In the Dead Of The Night

• Hale Storm - Freak Like Me

• Rob Zombie - Dracula

• Fredie Dredd - Weather

• Green Day - Holiday/Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

• Falling in Reverse Losing My Life

• Solence - Black Out

• Five Finger Death Punch - A Little Bit Off

• Kamelot - Liar Liar

Sebastian gets most of his music tast from Sam but as they got older Sam expanded his music taste while Seb stayed in the rock genre. He doesn't mind Rap or Alternate and sometime he will listen to rap on his own when he is in the mood.

Elliott

• Vance Joy - Saturday Sun

• Alrighty Aphrodite

• Conan Grey - Idle Town

• Joe Hisaishi - Merry-Go-Round Of Life

• Cold Play - Sparks

• Elvis Presley - I Can't Help Falling In Love With You

• Yiruma - Rivers Flow Into You

Elliott Is a chill dude. I feel like most of his music is for wrighting and paino songs he likes to play.

Alex

• Adventure Time/Olvia Olson - Everything Stays

• The 1975 - I Always Wanna Die

• MGMT - Kids

• Motion City Soundtrack - Everything is Allright

• Falling In Reverse - Comming Home

• Conan Grey - Heather

• Aireey - Under The Moon

• Hale Storm - Here's To Us

• Quickly Quickly - Getsomerest

• Green Day - Ordnary World

I feel like Alex would use music as an escape without realizing it. He loves Everything Stays because he has issues with people leaving him and that song is just so beautiful and can really make anyone happy. He would listen to it the day his mom died and remeber that no matter what she will still be there for him in his heart and nothing will change that. Like imaging him him listening to this song while holding the Farmer or his kids or grandparents in a hug. And I can see Adventure time being his favorite show and him wanting to do something great like Finn. The rest of the Playlist is about getting better and comming to terms with your self and giving yourself a break. Last thing is that I feel like his mom would listen to Alternative music and his dad hated it so he would just listen to it just to spite him. (Sorry it's so long I really love Alex with all my heart.)

Shane

• Ozzy Osybourne - Crazy Train

• Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall

• Poison - Every Rose has Its Thorn

• Queen / David Bowie - Under Presure

• Queen - Another One Bites The Dust

• Guns And Roses - Welcome to the Jungle

• Tom Petty - Free Fallen

• The Police - Every Breath You Take

• Bruce Springsteen- Dancing In The Dark

Shane would strictly listen to 80s rock. Likes to remeber when he was younger and life was just so much easier and less complex.

Elliott 2.0

• Just sea Shanties

[ellasaustralia]

10 Interesting Australian Novels

1.)Shards By Shane Jiraiya Cummings

"Shards is dark fiction at its shortest and sharpest, a collection of disturbing stories from Australia's master of dark flash fiction, Shane Jiraiya Cummings. Each shard is an imaginative fragment, broken, sharp, and poised to draw blood."(Goodreads.com)

2.)Mutability of the Flesh by Matthew Trait

"Bone and sinew, veins and blood, piloted around by a mysterious force called consciousness.The human animal.Mark Tanner is more aware of his anatomic makeup than most. And his severe germaphobic OCD only makes the realization all the more potent. An employee at House of Haiti, Mark battles his disorder by giving rigorous attention to the store’s mannequins. With his appearance almost mirroring that of the mannequins in his phony smile and posture, he soon discovers he may have even more in common with the plastic tribe."(Goodreads.com)

3.)Last Year,When We Were Young by Andrew J. McKiernan

"'Last Year, When We Were Young' brings together 16 tales that defy conventions of genre and style, every one with an edge sharper than a razor and darker than a night on Neptune.From the darkly hilarious "All the Clowns in Clowntown" to the heart-breaking and disturbing title story, this debut collection from multi-award nominated author and illustrator Andrew J McKiernan pulls no punches."(Goodreads.com)

4.)Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

"A brilliant literary debut, inspired by a true story: the final days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829.Set against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution.Horrified at the prospect of housing a convicted murderer, the family at first avoids Agnes. Only Tóti, a priest Agnes has mysteriously chosen to be her spiritual guardian, seeks to understand her. But as Agnes's death looms, the farmer's wife and their daughters learn there is another side to the sensational story they've heard.Riveting and rich with lyricism, Burial Rites evokes a dramatic existence in a distant time and place, and asks the question, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others?"(Goodreads.com)

5.)The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

"The Thorn Birds is a robust, romantic saga of a singular family, the Clearys. It begins in the early part of the 20th century, when Paddy Cleary moves his wife, Fiona, and their seven children to Drogheda, the vast Australian sheep station owned by his autocratic and childless older sister; and it ends more than half a century later, when the only survivor of the third generation, the brilliant actress Justine O'Neill, sets a course of life and love halfway around the world from her roots.The central figures in this enthralling story are the indomitable Meggie, the only Cleary daughter, and the one man she truly loves, the stunningly handsome and ambitious priest Ralph de Bricassart. Ralph's course moves him a long way indeed, from a remote Outback parish to the halls of the Vatican; and Meggie's except for a brief and miserable marriage elsewhere, is fixed to the Drogheda that is part of her bones - but distance does not dim their feelings though it shapes their lives.Wonderful characters people this book; strong and gentle, Paddy, hiding a private memory; dutiful Fiona, holding back love because it once betrayed her, violent, tormented Frank, and the other hardworking Cleary sons who give the boundless lands of Drogheda the energy and devotion most men save for women; Meggie; Ralph; and Meggie's children, Justine and Dane. And the land itself; stark, relentless in its demands, brilliant in its flowering, prey to gigantic cycles of drought and flood, rich when nature is bountiful, surreal like no other place on earth."(Goodreads.com)

6.)Scrublands by Chris Hammer

"In an isolated country town brought to its knees by endless drought, a charismatic and dedicated young priest calmly opens fire on his congregation, killing five parishioners before being shot dead himself.A year later, troubled journalist Martin Scarsden arrives in Riversend to write a feature on the anniversary of the tragedy. But the stories he hears from the locals about the priest and incidents leading up to the shooting don't fit with the accepted version of events his own newspaper reported in an award-winning investigation. Martin can't ignore his doubts, nor the urgings of some locals to unearth the real reason behind the priest's deadly rampage.Just as Martin believes he is making headway, a shocking new development rocks the town, which becomes the biggest story in Australia. The media descends on Riversend and Martin is now the one in the spotlight. His reasons for investigating the shooting have suddenly become very personal.Wrestling with his own demons, Martin finds himself risking everything to discover a truth that becomes darker and more complex with every twist. But there are powerful forces determined to stop him, and he has no idea how far they will go to make sure the town's secrets stay buried." (Goodreads.com)

7.)The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland

"After her family suffers a tragedy when she is nine years old, Alice Hart is forced to leave her idyllic seaside home. She is taken in by her estranged grandmother, June, a flower farmer who raises Alice on the language of Australian native flowers, a way to say the things that are too hard to speak. But Alice also learns that there are secrets within secrets about her past. Under the watchful eye of June and The Flowers, women who run the farm, Alice grows up. But an unexpected betrayal sends her reeling, and she flees to the dramatically beautiful central Australian desert. Alice thinks she has found solace, until she falls in love with Dylan, a charismatic and ultimately dangerous man.The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart is a story about stories: those we inherit, those we select to define us, and those we decide to hide. It is a novel about the secrets we keep and how they haunt us, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive. Spanning twenty years, set between the lush sugar cane fields by the sea, a native Australian flower farm, and a celestial crater in the central desert, Alice must go on a journey to discover that the most powerful story she will ever possess is her own." (Goodreads.com)

8.)The Eulogy by Jackie Bailey

"It’s winter in Logan, south-east Queensland, and still warm enough to sleep in a car at night if you have nowhere else to go. But Kathy can’t sleep. Her husband is on her blocked caller list and she’s running from a kidnapping charge, a Tupperware container of 300 sleeping pills in her glovebox. She has driven from Sydney to plan a funeral with her five surviving siblings (most of whom she hardly speaks to) because their sister Annie is finally, blessedly, inconceivably dead from the brain tumour she was diagnosed with twenty-five years ago, the year everything changed.Kathy wonders – she has always wondered – did Annie get sick to protect her? And if so, from what?In writing Annie’s eulogy, Kathy attempts to understand the tangled story of the Bradley family: from their mother’s childhood during the Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War Two and their father’s experiences in the Malayan conflict and the Vietnam War, to Annie’s cancer and disability, and the events that have shaped the person that Kathy is today. Ultimately, Kathy needs Annie to help her decide whether she will allow herself to love and be loved."(Goodreads.com)

9.)Cloudstreet by Tim Winton

"Struggling to rebuild their lives after being touched by disaster, the Pickle family, who've inherited a big house called Cloudstreet in a suburb of Perth, take in the God-fearing Lambs as tenants. The Lambs have suffered their own catastrophes, and determined to survive, they open up a grocery on the ground floor. From 1944 to 1964, the shared experiences of the two overpopulated clans -- running the gamut from drunkenness, adultery, and death to resurrection, marriage, and birth -- bond them to each other and to the bustling, haunted house in ways no one could have anticipated."(Goodreads.com)

10.)A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

"Jean Paget, a young Englishwoman living in Malaya, is captured by the invading Japanese and forced on a brutal seven-month death march with dozens of other women and children. A few years after the war, Jean is back in England, the nightmare behind her. However, an unexpected inheritance inspires her to return to Malaya to give something back to the villagers who saved her life. Jean's travels leads her to a desolate Australian outpost called Willstown, where she finds a challenge that will draw on all the resourcefulness and spirit that carried her through her war-time ordeals."(Goodreads.com)

[fczbecrspizzc]

// all of sunny’s verses that take place after ffps ( ucn, vr, ar, sb ) is so fucking funny to me because when she went back to the 80s thinking it was all over, imagine her surprise when the ball pit is still capable of time travel. she was thoroughly fucking pissed.

like she’s just. so sick of everything. but she does it in an increasingly funny way. shane madej buzzfeed unsolved style you know? @ glitchtrap like hey demon. its me. the thorn in your side!!

the best part is that because she’s now a veteran in the whole time-travel and adjusting business, she’s content knowing that whilst she can’t change the past, she can fuck around and find out in the future, hence why she’s just straight up feral in everything post ffps.

long story short, sunny before and during ffps is more calmer and restrained, post ffps she’s your worst fucking nightmare in the form of a kid who’s armed herself with a heavy backpack and multiple weapons inside

during vr, whilst she cannot physically do much to glitchtrap, it will simply not stop her from being the most inconvenient, annoying child to exist for him. during ar, she’s just straight up got a nailed bat of her own making in her bag.

hell, during security breach she steals three ten-pin bowling balls from bonnie bowl and stuffs them into a net. she swings them around like a mace. fuckin’ scary /lh

[blueonwrestling]

Vink/Duke not being on TV for this long was really weird, him and Shane Thorne shoulda been a long term NXT team for ages now, two great workers with charisma and can go, no clue why it's taken so long.

Hell, imagine the craic they woulda had paired up with Bivens man, that woulda ruled.

[imagineall-the-fandoms]

#48- “I want to be your boyfriend” WWE Prompt

From anon: “Number 48 with Shane Thorne please”

TAG LIST!- @allgirlswrestlingclub @ilovesamizaynn

He is so dreamy. Tall, good looking, Australian, muscular. I mean what more could a girl want. I guess you could say I found love where it wasn’t supposed to be. He is dating my best friend. I have to put my feelings aside and let them be happy.

   “Y/n, you alright?”

I shake my head as Shane waves his hand in front of my face.

   “Yeah, just zoned out for a minute.”

I gave a nervous smile as he puts his arm back around Dana’s shoulders. She snuggles closer to his chest and I quickly pull my phone out, so I don’t have to see their displays of affection. I excuse myself for a few minutes and walk to the bathroom. I look in the mirror and scoff at my reflection.

   “What would Shane love you for? Dana is gorgeous, funny and way stronger than you could ever be.” I shake my head angrily and splash some cold water on my face and take a few deep breaths. I walk out of the bathroom and head back to Shane and Dana when I stop. I hear shouting and i slowly walk over to a wall. I lean over and see Shane and Dana standing away from each other.

   “What the hell do you mean you love someone else?!”

My hand goes over my jaw to hide my audible gasp.

   “Dana, you are cool and all, but I just don’t love you. I’m sorry”

Shane aussie accent is thicker than usual, meaning he is dead serious.

   “Who is it then? Who is the whore you have been fucking behind my back!?”

   “First of all, watch your tone. Second of all, I am not fucking anyone, not even you. Finally Dana, she is not a whore. Y/n is a wonderful person with a great sense of humor and fantastic smile. I love her because she isn’t afraid to be herself, unlike you!”

I lean back against the wall as Dana’s cries become louder as she starts running toward me. She passes me and I slowly turn the corner, seeing a shocked Shane staring back at me. 

   “How much did you hear?”

   “Did you mean it? Do you really love me Shane?”

He takes a couple strides toward me and cups his hand on my cheek.

   “Y/n, I do love you so much. Everything I said was 100% true. Y/n I want to be your boyfriend. Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

I smile and lean my lips up into his. I kiss him slowly and wrap my arms around his neck. I moves his other arm around my waist and picks me up, causing me to break the kiss and giggle.

   “Take that as my answer.”

Ello!

I want to first apologize for inactive I have been recently.. This semester in college is throwing me through a loop and is a lot more work. I am and will write any chance I get. So if you did request something, it shall be done I promise!!

Again, I just want to say that I am so thankful for all of you guys, my followers, and people who just like or even read my work. As a writer, it means the world to me and hope you all know that <3

So back to the task at hand. For the Prompts: WWE- give me a wrestler and a number and anything you want included and I will do it (unless the number has already been taken). Writing- Give me any character, any fandom, number and whatever you would like in it (unless the number is already taken). Inbox, or message me your ideas. I would love to hear them :)

I also want to point out that these prompt lists are not my original and I did reblog them from other people.

If anyone wants tagged in any upcoming drabble, please let me know! Even if you didn’t see them on the previous list, just let me know the superstar and i’ll let you know if I have one lined up for them. Also, should I start calling these imagines?? Or stick to drabbles? Please, Please let me know!

Feel free to talk to me too! I love a good conversation and I love meeting new people!

See you guys very soon for the next drabble/imagine!

Ciao loves <333

[ambitiousauthor]

Tempted to reread an entire book series and make stuff for it.

The series is called Mega by Jake Bible, and it has some truly hilarious quotes, of which I will share my top ten right now:

Warning for a swearing:

“No need to retire a good thing,” Thorne said. “So why’d they retire you, Uncle Vinny?” Max asked. “Nice one,” Shane said. “Ha fucking ha,” Thorne said. “Push-ups. One hundred. Now.” “Shit,” Max said, but complied, as did his brother.

“Well, try being the gay scientist on a Team of ex-SEALS and see how you like it!” Gunnar yelled.

“But I like hugging you, G-Man,” Darren said. “Not in a humpy way, but like best buds forever. I’d rather hug ‘Sey in a humpy way, if you know what I mean.” “I do know what you mean,” Gunnar said. “No you don’t,” Darren laughed. “You do guys, not girls. Your way is totally different than my way. Maybe. I guess that depends on whether you’re a-” “And we’re done,” Gunnar said, putting his hand over Darren’s mouth. He looked at Mike and Ballantine. “Isn’t this fun?”

“Listen, you pencil pushing piece of rhino dung,”

Other ocean creatures fled the area as fast as possible. Natural enemies that would have never stayed in close proximity to each other were forced to school in numbers that would have made marine biologists shit themselves.

“Everything okay in here?” Kinsey asked as she walked into the lab. She gave Gunnar and Dr. Morganton a concerned look. “What happened?” “My rubber broke,” Mike said. “Never mind,” Kinsey said, “I don’t want to know.”

“Is he humming Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka?” Kinsey asked. Darren listened then shook his head. “Yeah, I think he is.” “We are so fucked,” Kinsey said as they started walking and hurried to catch up with Ballantine.

“No,” Thorne said, pointing a finger at Shane without looking at him. The dance Shane was about to do stopped instantly.

Basically, he was a Bigfoot. But everyone had stopped referring to him as such when he dangled both of the Reynolds brothers over the side of the B3 one night and made them promise to stop calling him such a derogatory and simple name. He was not, as he insisted, a Discovery Channel special.

Sadly, or fortunately, it was not the first time Darren had to engage in combat while stark naked.

These are not all from the same book.

[architectuul]

FOMA 26: UK Post War Experiments

Ross Nesbitt has chosen post war Forgotten Masterpieces in the UK according to their influence, innovation, but above all how they have interacted with the people using them. 

Scottish Secretary Willie Ross and his wife at the opening of the Red Road flats in Glasgow (1964). | Photo via Read Road Pinterest

Each building illustrates how the response of the Modern Movement to the challenges of reconstruction and planning in post-WW2 era Britain touched on many aspects of daily life: religion, education, retail, work and transport. And they all divide public opinion. 

Starting with the original medieval Coventry Cathedral, destroyed by the Luftwaffe on 14 November 1940 in an air raid code-named Moonlight Sonata. 

Rebuilding of the cathedral started in 1955, and by the time of the consecration it had become a symbol of hope and reconciliation. | Photo by Ross Nisbet

The attack targeted Coventry's industry, but it was clear that collateral damage and casualties would be considerable. The city was hit by 200 bombs and among many buildings also the cathedral fell. Only the tower, spire and outer wall survived.

Sir Basil Spence was the only architect to insist that the ruins of the old cathedral should remain intact. | Photo via The Twentieth Century Society 

The morning after Provost Richard Howard wrote in chalk on the sanctuary walls “Father, Forgive.” On Christmas 1940 the BBC Home Service broadcast Howard’s message from the cathedral ruins. Howard’s gesture of forgiveness inspired Spence, which was chosen from over 200 architects in a competition in 1951 to design a new cathedral. 

From Priory Street we find Sir Jacob Epstein’s large sculpture of Archangel Michael triumphing over the Devil. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

The main body of the new cathedral is built from red Hollington sandstone, in unity with the ruins of the old. A high porch links them. Zigzag walls with angled windows direct light down the nave onto the altar. The floor is of polished fossil stone. Large artworks commissioned by Spence include stunning abstract stained glass windows by John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens and a tapestry behind the main altar by Graham Sutherland, thought to be the largest in the world.

The Charred Cross emphasize the reconciliation theme. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

After the bombing, cathedral stonemason Jock Forbes noticed two burned wooden roof beams had fallen in the shape of a cross. He tied them together, forming an altar which Spence preserved on the stairs between the new and old part of the cathedral. Provost Howard took three nails from the smouldering beams to make the Cross of Nails, which became the centerpiece of the altar cross in Spence’s new cathedral. 

Spence’s design draws effectively from the cathedral’s history and post-war mission. It’s an uncompromisingly modern construction but also perfectly integrated with its past. Coventry Cathedral shows the visitor the waste and loss of war without flinching, but is not a forbidding structure. Wood is used to great decorative and functional effect, giving warmth and human scale to the nave and choir. The Gethsemane chapel highlights Spence’s talent for juxtaposition and interaction: the visitor passes Spence’s harrowing crown of thorns icon to enter a warm sanctuary beneath war artist Steven Sykes’ dazzling angel mosaic in gold leaf and blue tile.

The Roger Stevens Lecture Theatre is the centerpiece of the complex of buildings for the Leeds University campus. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

Britain saw a great expansion in education as the post-war generation grew up. The number of students and universities nearly doubled from 1960s to 1970s. Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, who had just completed the acclaimed Golden Lane Estate, were engaged as Master Planners at the University of Leeds to oversee in-house architect Geoffrey Wilson and provide expertise to the expansion of the campus. They produced a plan in two phases. An initial report recorded their enquiries and research into the existing campus and set out their vision for the new campus. It summarized the anticipated problems and posed solutions, specifying the required materials, time, space and costs. A second Development Plan focused on the maths and science precinct and features the Roger Stevens Lecture Theatre.

The design was a forward-looking city within a city, and in many ways an important trial run for the Barbican estate. The Development Plans saw Chamberlin, Powell and Bon experimenting with ideas about the principles of urban design, the integration of community and environment into a cohesive whole, and the most economic and adaptable use of space. The plans generated interest at an international level and were influential to the modern movement as a body of research and a definitive model for the modern university campus.

The building’s unconventional configuration of space does require a bit of thought to learn its signage and color coding. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

The building contains 25 tiered lecture theaters with different capacities, a refectory and reprographics facilities. The exterior is futuristic and striking, compared to a church organ, robot or car engine by students. The refectory overlooks a lake, which is more than ornamental as it was designed to provide air conditioning for the building, same idea architects developed on a bigger scale with the Barbican Lake. The layout is deceptively simple, two gently sloping staircases link the lecture theaters and each row of seats has its own individual door, ensuring lectures are not interrupted by latecomers. Its listed status ensures the Roger Stevens Lecture Theatre's future is safe. It's another divisive building but maybe it's just waiting for the rest of us to catch up with it.

An early example of pedestrian planning, Castle Market was a multi-level complex that made maximum use of a compact site. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

Castle Market built in stages between 1959 and 1965 was named after Sheffield Castle. It was almost entirely demolished in 1648 but the remains of the foundations are visible beneath the market. Like Park Hill and Gleadless Valley, Castle Market was a thoughtful and rewarding design, which made great use of Sheffield's famous hills and valleys. Womersley and Darbyshire recognised what made Sheffield an interesting place to build was its slopes and dips, and created a complex with soaring heights (the walkways and Rooftop Cafes) and three labyrinthine floors of markets below, all with access to the street on different levels of the Castle Hill. 

Inside, Castle Market was closer to a modernist re-imagining of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar than the blandly interchangeable malls of today. It was a treasury of mid-century modern mosaics, signage and tile designs, geometric and multi-coloured in seemingly endless variety. Layer upon layer of design eras cried out from every stall, competing for the shopper's attention. Although postmodern signage was added to the walkways in the 1980s, most of Castle Market retained its original 1960s signage, including many classic "formica cafes" - one was used as a location in Shane Meadows' "This is England '88". The ascent to the Roof Top Café, with its sci-fi suspended ceiling and net curtains, offered stunning views of the city.

In Castle Market working class people bought groceries, met friends, drank tea and a gossipped. | Photo via English Cathedrals Archive

Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker had his first job there as a teenager, on John Firth's fish stall. But not everyone appreciated Castle Market. Redevelopment had been planned as early as 1996 by Sheffield City Council, who wanted to expose the remains of the castle walls in a visitors' centre. 

And of course, the surrounding area would be purged in the name of regeneration. This act of social cleansing did not go unopposed. An anonymous request for listed status for Castle Park was made in 2011. Sheffield's Liberal Democrat City Council responded by trying to start a letter writing campaign in favour of demolition. English Heritage rejected the application: "In order to be considered for listing, 20th Century market halls should display a high degree of architectural, technological and historic interest. Those post-war market halls which have already been listed (such as Coventry) have particularly high levels of architectural innovation and artistic achievement which justify the designation of such late buildings.This is not shared by Castle Market in Sheffield." 

Anyone familiar with both Coventry Market and Castle Market would agree that this comparison was patently false. Trading ceased in November 2013 and Castle Market was demolished in 2015. The markets were relocated to The Moor, on the opposite side of town. The new market is the kind of forgettable development that could have been built for any town in the UK. 

The Spence’s project of a government office building in central London could not be more different to Coventry Cathedral. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

After the Second World War, civil servants in London’s Whitehall were working in cramped offices built in the 19th century when government administration was smaller.  With the post-war expansion of the British state, office space was needed outside the historic core of Whitehall. New offices on Queen Anne’s Gate were first planned in 1959, but the original plan of a more conventional tower block was rejected by the Royal Fine Art Commission. Planning permission for Spence’s revised design was given by the Westminster Planning Committee in 1969.

The building on 102 Petty France is in a sensitive location in central London: in view of Buckingham Palace, overlooking The Mall and two of the Royal Parks, St. James's Park and Green Park. Historically, the site was previously occupied by Queen Anne’s Mansions, London’s first high-rise housing, built from 1873-1890. Today, Victorian properties are desirable and the mansion flat format is fashionable again, but the Victorian and Edwardian media decried mansion flats as Babylonian, factory-like and out of scale with historic Georgian buildings. Londoners feared for the value of their property if a sunlight-blocking mansion flat was built nearby. At 12 storeys high, Queen Victoria complained that the Mansions blocked her view. The Mansions tested the limits of planning law, prompting the introduction of height restrictions in the London Building Acts of 1890 and 1894. During WW2, the Mansions were requisitioned as Government offices and retained until they were demolished in 1973. Many in Whitehall hoped the site would be developed with a building more sensitive to the surroundings. What was proposed shocked them.

The 102 Petty France personifies the qualities people love and hate about Brutalism in equal measure. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

Several Members of Parliament were outraged by Spence’s model and sketches. On 4 July 1972, Lord Reigate, speaking in the House of Lords, asked the Government to intervene and halt building. Calling Spence’s design a mass of monumental masonry, he went on to predict “this unlovely lump of a building will loom over London for a long time, and will, if I may say so, if it is allowed to happen, outlive all your Lordships”. The Earl of Cork and Orrery added “Like the great Martian machines in H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds, the monsters are closing in.” Thankfully (for those of us who appreciate monsters), Lord Reigate failed.

102 Petty France is asymmetrical, angular and makes no concessions to the Georgian row houses of Queen Anne's gate. It’s a big, assertive building which succeeds in its job as a symbol of government authority and a landmark on the local skyline. Walking West from Westminster Abbey, the building draws the eye. From the North, the corner tower, resembling a knight’s helm, rises above the trees of St James’s Park. It also dominates the skyline of Green Park and is even visible from Hyde park. The heavy massing of the projecting first and second floors presents visitors with a striking bunker-like solidity. The Earl’s science fiction comparison is appropriate. The building has a unique personality lacking in most other London office buildings of the time. It’s more impactful than, for example, the works of Richard Seifert.

102 Petty France was designed as flexible office space around three cores, modification of the structural frame proved unnecessary. | Photo via Wikimedia

When the Home Office decided to move to a new headquarters in 2003, the cost of demolition outweighed traditionalists’ calls to demolish 102 Petty France. Extensive modifications were made for its current occupants, the Ministry of Justice. The building was refurbished to accommodate 2,400 staff. A multi-services chilled beam system was installed to upgrade office services. The modifications left the original character of Spence’s design intact and 102 Petty France is now an excellent example of how a Brutalist building can be recycled for the modern era.

A structure that is hard to love, but historically important and symbolic of changes in British society since it was built. | Photo via Leicester City Archive

Today, Lee Circle car park appears totally unremarkable to the casual observer, but the Tesco store and car park that opened there in in 1961 was a pioneering experiment, noteworthy for many reasons. A crowd of over 2,000 turned up to see Sid James, star of the Carry On films, open the store in 1961. The supermarket was the chain’s first expansion outside the Southeast. It entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest store in Europe. Combining a supermarket and a homewares store, with the six-tier Auto-Magic multi-storey car park above providing space for 1050 cars, this was an entirely new retail format in the UK. The opening of the store marked the beginning of self-service shopping in the UK: for the first time, customers could browse alone, filling their own baskets or trolleys. The car park was the first in Europe to be fully automated using coin-operated barriers. Customers refuelled at the forecourt petrol station and used the (also automated) car wash. This was shockingly modern stuff for 1961 but it would become the norm over the next decade. It also illustrates the extent to which the car was prioritized in British town planning at the time, which would be a key factor in Lee Circle’s eventual decline.

The store and car park were integrated so that staff could take customers’ purchases directly to their cars. | Photo via Leicester City Archive

Details of the architect are elusive, but Lee Circle’s double-helix design (where cars ascend on one spiral ramp and descend on another, without meeting) shows they were probably inspired by the Fiat Lingotto Factory, designed by naval engineer and architect Giacomo Matté-Trucco in 1923. 

The efficiency of Lee Circle’s double helix design meant that even at the peak of its popularity in the mid -1960s, queues were rare. The same cannot be said for car parks using the grid system. The complex also housed a bowling alley which featured in Ray Gosling's 1964 film 'Two Town Mad' (comparing Leicester and Nottingham), illustrating Leicester’s status as a truly modern city.

Lee Circle certainly presents a flowing maritime profile, like Streamline Moderne stripped down to the bones. | Photo via Leicester City Archive

The Tesco store closed in the early 80s (today the unit is occupied by a fabric wholesaler) but the car park remains, its concrete weathered and patched. It is still open but under-used. Shoppers were drawn back to the historic centre of Leicester by the Haymarket Shopping Centre (1973) and the Shires Centre (1991), both of which offered parking, and importantly, convenient access to newly pedestrianised shopping streets. The nearby county court and benefits office closed in 2007, reducing demand for parking further. The future of Lee Circle is under threat. Its opening was probably the heyday of this underdeveloped quarter of Leicester, where Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, was born a hundred years before the car park.

–

#FOMA 26: Ross Nesbitt

Ross Nesbitt was born in Scotland and lives in Nottingham, England. He likes to take photographs and has posted his work on Scavengedluxury since 2010.

[crimsxnflxwerz]

Like the Dawn - Chapter 5

chapter 5 - waste years with you notes - this chapter is barely edited. also you wont believe it, but i’ve had this mostly written since july !!!! sorry about that LOL Archive Link

Ryan woke for work at 5:30 am after a blissfully dreamless sleep. It hadn't been very long, but it was more replenishing than when he was having nightmares about drowning and fever dreams about the Gods.

He left for work, preparing himself for another busy day. He was new to the company where he worked and didn't know many people there. For the most part, he didn't do much of anything, as it was a starter job. He ran around, got people coffee, filed paperwork, the likes. There were a few people there who he enjoyed, though. A designer named Steven, a chef and video editor named Andrew, and a photographer named Adam. Out of those three Andrew was his favorite. Funny, full of stories, great cook. Adam was cool, too. Soft spoken, but when he did say something it was worth listening to. Steven was the most argumentative of the group, but intriguing. He could talk or debate with the man for quite a while on the right subject. Steven also always offered to help him look his best. Ryan was always tempted to take him up on that.

After his daily work duties were done he found himself some nice corner to work on editing his film into a nice video for his channel. He wrote out in a journal what he was planning to say in his voice over later as he edited. In this segment he would point out some interesting species of plants. And in this part he would talk about a childhood memory of a different forest.

Editing videos like this really put him in a different mindset. He was born and raised in the city, but he had family that lived in the wilderness. As soon as he was ten he was being carted off into the uncharted lands of Oregon every summer to spend some quality time with his grandparents. He remembers those times with the clarity of muddy water. When his dysphoria was at its peak he could run off into the thicket of trees behind his grandparents house and disappear for hours, his only company the dew damp trees and the skittish rabbits.

In those woods he met many creatures and critters. His favorite, by far, were the fauns. There were plenty of deer all over the country, but in the deep woods, where all you can see are giant, looming trees and long, untamed grass, they were almost like an entirely new animal. They were gentle, making soft, curious noises whenever he came around. They would bow their heads to sniff around his feet and push their snouts into his palm like dogs begging for a treat.

Nature had always been a huge part of his personality. He cared for stray cats, nursed injured birds back to health, helped foxes get free from hunting traps. He cared for animals like snakes and rats as much as he cared for more enjoyable animals. He respected nature, and it respected him in return.

He didn't know why it was like that, but it was as normal as anything else. At the best of times it was a cool party trick. At the worst it was a minor inconvenience.

As he looked through more content, he eventually came to the footage of him running into Shane. He went to delete it, because that was the obvious thing to do, but something made him pause. He had kept his camera running when he'd run face first into the man, and he happened to catch a full shot of his face. It was blurry, but it was there. And there was something strange about it. He played the video back and saw it again. For a moment, not even a full second, Shane's eyes were gold.

He remembered that moment very clearly. The heat of Shane's body and the crunch of the leaves and the rush of air being knocked from his lungs. The sun was out, but from where Shane was standing, he had been cast in shadow. Ryan knew that in certain types of brown eyes, the sunlight could make them look gold, but that wasn't what was happening. Through the whole shot, the area was dark. How could his eyes be gold?

Unless his dreams were real. And he was the reincarnation of Persephone. And Shane was Hades, come from the Underworld in search of his queen.

Except that, that… was crazy. Gods weren't real. The gold must've been a lens flare or something. Although, he couldn't shake the feeling that something more was going on here. He cut the footage from his video, but saved it in a separate folder anyways.

Maybe the sleep deprivation was finally getting to him. Maybe he needed a drink. He wondered if any of his old college buddies wanted to go out tonight.

Or-- he could meet Shane at the Seashell.

It was Friday, he would be there, right? This could be his chance to meet him for real, have a friendly conversation with him, and maybe even figure this all out. But maybe, there wasn't anything to figure out. What if he just had an overactive imagination lately? Maybe he shouldn't have stopped seeing that therapist.

Either way, he was going to go to the Seashell. He would talk to Shane, have a good time, and get his number. He jotted down some final notes for his video and tucked his journal away before his manager came over and scolded him again.

You can do this, Ryan, he thought. It's just some fun. He’s just a guy.

After Shane had gotten the gang all set up in a hotel room with human identities, he couldn't go back to sleep. He was too jittery to try, so he cooked up some oatmeal and brewed a pot of coffee and brought out a notepad.

He jotted down some things for his staff to do for the day and brought out his sage burning bowl from the cupboard. Sara had gotten it for him when she noticed that he tended to get stressed out easily. He didn't really use it often, except to send notes to the underworld. He brought out a set of matches and struck one against the box. It lit up and he used it to burn the note, whispering the names of his servants as he did so. Maybe it was lazy, but it was faster than going back down. It helped him stay above the memories in his home.

After the paper was completely ash, Shane tossed the remains in the trash and put the bowl in the sink. Then he lit two candles and grabbed the cinnamon for his oatmeal. Once he was finally settled, he looked out the window to see that the sun was just starting to break the dark horizon. It was dawn. Dawn, something he never got to see in the underworld. Down below the horizon was a constant white to black gradient. Ominous and cold over the dark waters of Styx.

Overworld sunrises were completely different. When the sun is still settled behind the trees, you can see the sky start to lighten. From navy blue, to purple, to pink. Breaking the treeline brings more intense colors. Orange, red, and gold. It was gorgeous. He wondered how many humans truly appreciated how wonderful their world was. Although, it wasn't as if he were pure of that misfortune.

Shane sighed, turning his oatmeal in the bowl, suddenly feeling a bit too forlorn. His appetite vanished. He shook his head. He couldn't think like that now. Couldn't fall back into pointless misery.

He needed to come up with a plan before the other God's come back around. That group would be the death of him, he knew it. He didn't have any leads right now, though. However, something that Eugene said stuck to him. A thorn in his side, digging under his skin.

‘Or prince’.

Shane hadn't even considered that at all. Because of this oversight, he could have overlooked Persephone a thousand times over. In fact, as his mind started to wander back, he could recall some men in past generations that seemed to call to him- but at the time he'd ignored them. As ignorant as that sounded, he was simply too blinded by grief to think straight.

With this new information, Shane filed through all the possible men who could be Persephone. He wondered if any physical characteristics would carry over? Like her dark hair, or the dusting of freckles over her nose, or the petal-soft curve of her lips.

He didn't care too much about her body, but it would help him find her if she looked the same- or similar.

He racked his brain for some list of men he's met since coming to the overworld this time. It was dramatically shorter than the list of women, but maybe there was something to that. Maybe there was someone who would stand out from the rest…

Then it clicked.

Ryan .

Shane was on the edge of panic. He had missed a huge component of searching just because he was too stupid to think about it at all. The worst part was being reminded of this essential element via a God he didn’t like or want to associate with. He couldn’t deny, however, that if Eugene had never come up and suggested that, he would still be searching endlessly for women alone. To say he felt embarrassed was an understatement. He was supposed to be part of the big three. He was supposed to be… perceptive at the least.

But now he found himself right where he wanted to be the least. Last night he’d found the gang a hotel to stay at since it was too late to properly purchase any apartment. It was one of the cheaper chains, but still nice because of the area. He had just wanted to get them out his hair for the moment. They probably already knew he was there. He took a sharp breath in and walked into the hotel.

As he entered the lobby, he was distracted by the savory food smell. Oh yes, this hotel served breakfast until 11am. Although the Gods didn't need to eat to survive for the first few weeks in their human form, they greatly enjoyed doing so. Humans have always made food preparation into an art somehow. Using delicate balances of spices and techniques, they could create whatever craving they desired.

Shane was interested as well, but he knew that Eugene was behind the decision to stay at the hotel that had a bar and free breakfast. Eugene was the party God, after all. Enjoying indulgences and bodily pleasures since the dawn of mankind. The thought made Shane blush, but he shook it off as he rounded the corner into the hotels cafe.

He spotted them instantly. Although, it wasn't hard considering Eugene was the only one holding what was very obviously some vodka in a paper bag, Keith was arranging his food into some kind of art piece, Ned was talking avidly about his wife, and Zach was trying not to look like he'd desperately like to leave.

Shane approached cautiously, but his casual display was quickly shattered when he was spotted. Zach immediately stood and walked over, beaming.

“Hades!” he said, and Shane shot him a look.

“No,” he frowned, looking to see if any other patrons were listening. They all seemed pretty dead tired. “Call me Shane.”

Zach apologized, “oh, right, sorry!”

Shane shrugged it off and they went to sit with the rest of the group. The rest of the God's paused in what they were doing to look up at Shane. He sat down and everything was quiet for a painful second. He swallowed nervously.

“So,” he cleared his throat. “I've done a lot of thinking and,” he paused. The group looked like they were on the edge of their seats. “I think I know a lead for who Persephone is.”

The God's all had various positive reactions to the news. Eugene had a smirk on his face, leaning forward.

“What changed?” He asked. “You've been going in circles for millennia.”

Shane grit his teeth. He hated admitting that someone helped him. He hated even more to admit someone he kind of hated helped him. Well, he guessed he didn't hate Eugene. The guy was just kind of unpleasant sometimes.

“It was your comment yesterday.” He murmured. “You said ' or prince ’ and… I didn't even consider that until you said something.”

Eugene grinned. “Wow, pretty closed minded for a God to never think about that.”

Ned scoffed. “I think he was just too heartbroken to think straight.”

“Or to think anyway other than straight.” Keith joked. Shane looked unamused at the banter.

“Well who do you think it is?” Zach butt in. “Do you know his name?”

Shane nodded, wringing his hands, feeling suddenly nervous. “Yeah.” He couldn't take meeting their eyes so he stared down at the table. “His name is Ryan. I ran into him in the woods. I don't know anything about him.”

There was silence around him. He finally looked back up and the rest of the Gods were looking between themselves. It was almost like they were communicating silently somehow. Eventually, Keith looked back at Shane and smiled.

“So, you don't know anything about him?” He asked.

Shane was about to shake his head when he remembered a few things. “Well, he was shooting some video so he might have a channel. Um, he lives on my street I think… and I told him I go to the Seashell sometimes if he ever wanted to hang out.”

“Oh, well that's something.” Ned said, looking a little less stressed about the situation. “Why do you think he's the one?”

Shane stilled. He pursed his lips. Why did he think Ryan was the one? Because of that pulling feeling in the woods? Because of his deep brown eyes? Was it the feel of his body pressing into him and his small, soft hands?

“I was in the forest,” he said, scratching his chin. “There was this pulling in my chest. Like I was attached to a string. I felt drawn away. And then-- I met him.”

The other Gods looked a little in awe. It really did sound like it was meant to be when he said it like that. But he wasn't exaggerating. He didn't make that kind of thing up.

“Wow, that sounds magical.” Ned said after a breathless pause. “Did the feeling go away after you met him?”

Shane nodded. He felt so stupid now, after he got the chance to really think about it. The fates weren't so cruel. They were trying to bring them together and he ignored them. It made his head hurt thinking about it.

“Well, how do we find him?” Shane heard one of them say. He shook his head.

“I- I didn't get his number or anything. I didn't think I was gonna see him again. I told him about the bar though.” He explained. “He might go there tonight. Should I go?”

Zach piped up, “I think it's your best chance at seeing him again.” He said. “Do you really think you found him so easily?”

Shane looked at Zach for a moment before casting his eyes down. He studied the table and took a short breath in.

“I may have found him, but it's never so easy.” Shane said softly. The rest of the Gods fell silent. After a moment, Shane awkwardly laughed. “So, wanna get set up with a new apartment?”

When Ryan got home from work, he was nervous. He was going to go to the Seashell tonight, meet up with Shane, and clear everything up. Honestly, his nerves were on fire, his thoughts running a mile a minute. He was considering every outcome as he went through some daily routines.What if Shane didn't show? What if he didn't recognize him? What if he couldn't find the bar? What if the bar was unexpectedly closed? What if Shane wasn't even a nice guy, what if he was a serial killer?

There were a lot of things to consider when you went out on a limb like he was doing. He wanted to make a good impression, but he didn't want to seem like he was trying too hard. He also wanted to know what he was going to say to the man. What information is too much? What is too little? He didn't want to appear mysterious, because he was actually quite boring. Although, part of him also reminded him that the way they met was already like some meet-cute romance novel, so maybe it wouldn't end up being that bad after all.

Ryan managed to set aside his worry long enough to look at his clothes. He needed to pick an outfit, but he wasn't sure what look he was going for. His wardrobe mostly consisted of jerseys and basketball shorts, since he was lazy at best. He had some nicer outfits, mostly for work, but some for formal occasions.

After rummaging through his closet for thirty minutes he managed to muster up an outfit for the night. It was dark grey jeans, almost black, paired with a light grey button up. The button up had a tiny red rose pattern, giving the look some color back. Ryan debated wearing a bow tie, but ditched the idea last minute. It was a bar for Christ sake! He was already going to be overdressed. He just hoped Shane didn't dress like a hobo for this specific occasion- or just didn't show at all.

He checked all of his belongings three times. He had his wallet, with his ID, some cash, and card. He had his fully charged cell phone. He itched to bring his camera, but it would undoubtedly get damaged so he left it alone. Was that everything? He took one last look at his place before turning towards the door. His hand on the doorknob, he took a long breath in and then let it out slowly. He opened the door and went out.

Everything was going to be fine .

“Guys please, I need to go.” Shane said, although his voice didn't sound urgent. He was too tired to sound urgent.

After breakfast, Shane and the group had scoped out new apartments. Despite his best efforts, they ended up landing a place right next door to Shane's apartment complex that was slightly higher quality and also much larger than his own. He kinda hoped the group would be drawn to the more lavish apartments… the ones that were further away from him. But now they were involved with him. Zach, especially, wanted to help Shane. Ned thought the whole thing was romantic, which Shane would have to pass a hard disagree on.

After they sorted out the paperwork, they booked the hotel for a few more nights until move in. Then the group decided that they wanted to pick out Shane's outfit for tonight.

Cue four extra people in Shane's little apartment bedroom, throwing about clothing and arguing amongst themselves for a few hours.

Shane needed a drink. Lots of drinks. And fast. Very fast.

Currently, Ned and Eugene were both holding up shirts to Shane's torso and shouting over which one looked nicer. It was a close tie between a disco patterned button up and a soft, charcoal grey sweater.

“Well I think this sweater gives a welcoming, homey vibe. You know, imagine coming home from work to your husband wearing a cozy looking sweater. Wouldn't you want to snuggle up?” Ned defended his choice well. Shane liked the particular sweater he was holding. It was well worn and comfortable, something he wore on lazy days.

Eugene scoffed. “He's going to a bar, not your grandmother's Christmas party! This shirt has more pop, it catches the eye. And ugly patterns are in now! It perfectly matches his personality. Modern, but cool.”

Shane had to admit, they both had good arguments. Although, he wasn't sure how ‘ modern, but cool ’ he was. He did like the disco patterned shirt. It was mostly a joke, but he was also pretty fond of how it fit.

Zach butted in. “I say disco pattern.” In the background, Keith nodded in agreement. Ned stomped his foot, not unlike a child being told 'no’ . Shane swallowed down a laugh.

“You guys have no sense!” He tossed the sweater onto Shane's bed and crossed his arms in a huff.

“Disco pattern it is then?” Shane said, sounding relieved. He was itching to leave. He didn't care what he was wearing at this point.

“I hope this Ryan guy likes losers,” Ned muttered under his breath.

The rest of them chuckled at the comment, and left Shane to get changed. After the outfit was situated, he simply looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was a mess, even after many attempts at combing his fingers through it. He hadn't shaved in a few days, and he looked plain tired. He wondered what Ryan would think about him.

Was he even going to show up? Was this a good idea?

He sighed. There was only one way to find out.

He left his bedroom to find the boys in the kitchen. There were five shot glasses all in a line down the counter. They had some sort of clear liquid in it. Shane paled.

Eugene was holding a bottle of vanilla vodka, and he laughed at the other God's expression.

“Don't worry, it's not poison!” He joked. “We thought one shot to give you a little confidence boost?”

The rest of them nodded enthusiastically and picked up their own glasses. Eugene put the bottle down and picked up two glasses, handing one off to Shane.

“To Hades’ love life!” Eugene cheered. The rest of them laughed. Shane pretended to gag.

“To Hades’ love life!”

The bar was crowded. Well, to be fair it was the weekend, of course people would be excited to go out. The seashell was one of his favorite places to hang out and observe people.

Humans were curious creatures. Like the God's, they had complex emotions and intricate bonds. They had desires and needs that weren't always so easy to understand. Unlike the God's, however, they were inhibited by their mortality. For example, if two people were brawling in this bar, it wouldn't normally get too out of hand, lest someone get mortally wounded.

Besides the laws in their society, humans naturally feared things they couldn't understand. Death, afterlife, religion, mental illness, the list goes on. To watch humans interact in such a vulnerable place. A bar, where morals are loosened, where bars are lowered. It was interesting.

Though today, he wasn't people watching. He was here for a reason.

He leaned against an open bar stool and ordered a simple beer. The shot from earlier wasn't enough to buzz him, but it did make him feel warm- and a little less anxious.

“Would you like the start a tab, sir?” the bartender asked him.

“Yes, thank you,” he said and handed her his credit card. A few patrons mingled around the bar. The Seashell wasn't the largest bar every, but it was a fairly good sized building. It had an upper floor that was a sit down restaurant, and this lower level was the bar. It wasn't dingy-- clean enough to make you feel okay about sticking around.

After a few moments, he checked his phone.

Sara : what are you doing this weekend?

Shane gave a soft hum at the text. He'd been so busy carting around that gaggle of Gods that he completely forgot about Sara. He hoped she wasn't too upset about it. She undoubtedly knew he was a busy guy.

Shane : I dunno yet. I met someone. I'm at the bar right now waiting for him.

Just then the bartender passed him his beer. He smiled as he thanked her. He took a sip, and a moment later a woman leaned on the stool next to him.

“Hey,” she said to him. Shane had to do a double take to realize that it was actually him she was talking to. “You here all by yourself?”

Shane swallowed nervously. It wasn't that he'd never been flirted with before, it was more like-- he really didn't need to be dealing with such a situation right now. What if Ryan saw him and got angry? Although, it wasn't as if the two were dating. Even if that might be in their future.

He would have to see if his theory was correct first, before he thought about that.

“N-no, I'm waiting for someone.” He said, thankfully only stuttering a little bit. The girl looked on mischievously.

“Who is it, your girlfriend? Your wife?” She leaned into his space. He pulled back, but she was still uncomfortably close. He felt a nervous sweat on the back of his neck.

His phone buzzed.

Sara : Met someone? Ohmygod you have to tell me all the deets! He's a dude? What's his name? Is he pretty?

Shane gave a short huff of laughter at the text. Then he smiled slyly and looked back at the woman.

“Yeah, I'm waiting for my boyfriend.” He said, sternly. The women's face fell and she backed off.

“Ahh, okay then.” With that, she left. Shane grimaced, even though he felt better with her gone. He took a long drink of his beer.

Shane : His name is Ryan. He's short. Cute. Dark hair. Dark eyes. He makes videos. Might have a YouTube channel. Don't know yet though.

When he looked up from his phone this time, he felt a soft tugging in his heart. He glanced towards the door and instantly saw him.

Ryan was dressed casually, but still nice. He looked nervous, but determined. In fact, Shane wasn't sure how he didn't see the similarities before. The boy really did look like a modern, male Persephone.

Then Ryan looked his way and smiled. It was blinding. Shane waved him over.

“Hey, you're here.” Ryan said. He blushed then, scratching awkwardly at the back of his neck. “W-well, of course you are. You said you'd be here…”

Shane stifled a laugh at Ryan's little stumble. He knew what the boy meant. You couldn't always be sure when you're making plans with strangers.

“No worries, I wouldn't ditch you.” He smiled. “I'm a little surprised you came, too. I was worried you might've thought I was some kind of creep.”

Ryan laughed at that. “No, no! You're not creepy, well-- as far as I can tell. Although, we did meet each other in the woods.” He looked away for a moment, and noticed Shane's beer. “Already started, huh?”

“Of course. Hey, drinks on me, yeah?” He offered. Ryan blushed again.

“On you? Oh, no, I--” Ryan started, but cut himself off. He seemed to ponder it for a moment before sighing. “Oh- okay. As long as you let me pay the next time.”

“Next time? You must like me.” Shane couldn't help but laugh. Ryan lightly punched him in the arm.

Shane ordered two more drinks for them and they chatted away. Ryan barely spoke a word or two about his job, but went off about his YouTube channel. He loved film and vlogging helped him a lot with practicing different filming and editing styles. It also helped him build his portfolio so that he could break into a career in it. Shane gave some vague description of an accountant as his job, and mostly steered the conversation towards his hobbies. Gardening, reading, and watching movies were his top three. He mostly liked movies for the popcorn, though, if he was being honest.

“Oh yeah, same. Popcorn is my favorite food!" Ryan said, grinning. “I like it classic, though. Just a spritz of butter and a dash of salt and you're good to go!”

“One time I walked into a theater and bought a large popcorn even though I wasn't seeing a movie.” Shane said. Ryan laughed. “The employees eyed me strangely, but otherwise it was a liberating experience.”

“What kinds of things do you garden?” Ryan asked. He was on his fifth or sixth beer, Shane noticed. He had switched to water after his third beer. He hoped Ryan wasn't drinking too much. Though he was curious about how he would act, drunk.

“Well, I can't do much with my current apartment. But I do grow lots of flowers. I set them up on all my windows and try my hardest to keep them alive.” He paused, suddenly feeling a bit forlorn. “Gardening reminds me of someone I used to know. They were really special to me.”

“Who?” Ryan asked, though he bit his lip and quickly said, “You don't have to talk about it if you don't want.”

Shane shook his head. His heart hurt to talk about Persephone, but he'd been hurting for so long that it was natural for him. He smiled.

“Her name was Persie.” He said, leaning against the bar. Ryan moved in closer, interest written on his face. “She was really one of a kind. Plants in her care thrived effortlessly, any kind, no matter the weather. She had such a way with animals, too. Even the most savage beasts would roll over for a rub when she was around.” He paused, letting out a sigh. “I have this dog. He's quite a vicious dog, trained in guarding territory. The first time she met him, he whined and licked her hand. He hasn't even done that with me. It was amazing.”

Ryan smiled, “wow, she sounds wonderful. What happened to her?”

Shane let his face fall a bit at the question. “I-- uh,” he hesitated, taking a sip of his water. His voice was nothing but a whisper. “She… she went away.”

Ryan frowned empathetically. “I'm so sorry.”

Shane was quiet for a moment, before peeking back up. “It's alright. That was a long, long time ago.”

Ryan downed the rest of his beer. There was a constant pink tinge in his face from drinking, Shane could tell. It was rather cute.

“Hey, this may or may not be too much info, but speaking of more serious things, I keep having these weird dreams.” Ryan started. He inched closer to Shane, enough so that he could lean against him. Shane blushed, but didn't pull away. “Sometimes i'm on a long, white sand beach somewhere I've never seen before. Sometimes I'm drowning in dark water. Once, I was in a magnificent castle. But I'm always someone else.” He paused. “Well. I'm still me, but people call me another name. I have even seen myself in my dream. I look the same, but also-- different. A different version of myself.”

“What do they call you in these dreams?” Shane asked. His heart pounded. What Ryan was about to say might change everything.

Ryan opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Instead, he winced and brought up a hand to his head like he was hurt. Shane put an arm around his shoulders, but Ryan was quick to push him away.

“I should go,” he said. Shane was kind of stunned. He wasn’t sure what to say. As Ryan got up to leave, he grabbed the man’s arm.

“Wait--” he started. Ryan looked back at him then, and Shane could’ve sworn his eyes flashed gold.

He let go.

Ryan left the bar quickly and disappeared from sight. Shane still had his hand open, the lingering feeling of pressing skin to skin still on his fingers. Those eyes. Shane’s heart pounded away. His phone buzzed.

Sara : He sounds cute! Don’t mess it up!

[filthxparade]

Imagine you walk into your bedroom and on your bed you see; Shane Thorne, Finn Bálor, Dash Wilder, and Ricochet all naked. A dream 😍

ugh all bottoms my d*ck wouldn’t survive