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[fixdex-fastening-technology]

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[emeritusemeritus]

Hey Little Train 5 [Fred Weasley x Reader]

Series Masterlist

Title: Hey Little Train 5/5 (5 part mini series)

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Reader {Established Relationship/ Engaged}

Timeline: Set immediately after the war up to 4 years later.

Summary: The memoirs of a broken woman after the death of her beloved.

Warnings: SAD FIC. This one will hurt. Mentions of death, grief, depression, suidical thoughts. Suicide. Loss and pain, a lot of crying. Smut, sexual references, graphic sex. Dreams. Female reader.

Word count: 1.1k

Heavily inspired by Nick Cave & the bad seeds’ O Children’, the unofficial song of Harry Potter.

Hey little train!We are all jumping on

The train that goes to the Kingdom

We're happy, Ma, we're having fun

It's beyond my wildest expectation

Bright white lights surrounded you, brighter than you'd ever experienced but by some miracle it didn't hurt your eyes nor make you want to shy away from the brightness. Your eyes were wide open, fixed to your curious surroundings as you tried to make sense of what you had walked into. It reminded you of King's Cross station, the brick support arches all around though they were near translucent, camouflaged into the white Misty background that seemed to go on forever.

You were walking forwards but you felt like you were floating, with no sound from your footsteps and a complete stillness that made you realise that you weren't breathing, your chest not moving and the familiar feel and sound of your thumping heartbeat no longer permeating through your body.

Your entire soul felt free, no longer burdened by the pain and the grief you'd carried like a curse for these past 4 years. There was no pain here, no sadness and at last you felt a glimmer of hope that you'd be welcomed into paradise having endured your purgatory.

You searched around in the calm stillness for a sign of anything to guide you when a sudden anxious thought overcame you. It had been four years since Fred's death, four years that you'd continued to live and age whilst he had not- if you were fortunate to see him again, would you look old to him now? Would he still want you? Would you ever even see him again?

You looked down at your left hand and smiled seeing that your engagement ring was still proudly sat upon your finger. Only, your hand looked different in some way, the thinness and the toils of grief no longer present upon your skin- you were younger.

You breathed a sigh of relief and once again smiled, more hopeful than ever that you were now completely unburdened.

"Fancy seeing you here, princess."

You spun around faster than you thought possible, almost stumbling as you followed the sound of the once familiar voice, the exact one you'd fought so hard not to forget.

Fred was leaning against one of the brick support arches over to the side and the sight of him made you want to weep, to fall to your knees and scream out in elation, the sheer emotion of seeing him again too much for you to handle. He had the most gorgeous smirk upon his face, arms crossed with the sleeves of his shirt rolled up and it brought a wider smile to your face seeing him so casual, so happy. His hair was fiery red just as you remembered and his hair was spiky at the front, exactly styled as you last remembered it to be.

When he moved towards you, your knees almost buckled but it gave you the shock you needed to snap back to reality.

You ran, as quick as your feet would allow, desperate to feel him again. You jumped into his arms like a child, the solid wall of his body flush against yours once more as he wraps those big arms around you tightly. You could hear his chuckle, it permeated through your mind and your soul and you clung closer to him than before. His scent enveloped you completely, the comforting and oh so familiar blend that you knew to be so specific to Fred that filled your nostrils and anchored you back to happier times. You'd have sobbed with relief if you could have, but there were no tears here.

Frantic words fall from your lips but they are mostly unintelligible, more like sounds of relief and of love intermingled as you cling to him, praying they he wouldn't disappear again.

"I love you," he says, the relief clear in his voice as me of his hands wraps around the back of your head, fingers tangling in your hair as you hold on to each other. Your feet are completely off the floor, secure in his hold and you both laugh in sheer delight as he moves his hands and spins you both around by holding your waist.

You bend down, for once it's you doing the leaning, and you press a kiss to his full lips. You place both hands on the sides of his face and dedicate your entire attention to the kiss, trying to spell out how desperately you'd missed him with your lips. His hands scramble on your waist, clearly itching to hold you elsewhere and he places you down back onto the ground before dominating the kiss whilst keeping you close. His left hand wraps back into your hair whilst his right holds your hip tightly as he walks you back two steps until you're pressed against the brick pillar. Time doesn't seem to exist here, or maybe you just don't care about it, your entire focus on Fred alone.

You both pull apart eventually with matching dazed eyes and soft smiles, hardly able to let go of each other as your hands remain entwined.

It's everything you wanted, better than you could ever have imagined, better than your wildest expectations of how this would go. You feel complete again, finally a whole person.

He rests his forehead against yours and you savour the moment, committing it to your memory incase you're ever separated again.

"You have no idea how good it is to see you again baby," he says softly and you almost laugh at the ridiculousness of his words.

"I think I have an idea," you say with a slight hiccup, hardly able to think of the pain from before.

"You should have, you didn't have to," he says gently, stumbling over his words in a rare occurrence. "You had a life to live."

"Without you?" You counter, understanding now what he was saying. "Without you, it wasn't a life worth living."

He pulls you in for another kiss, this time it's equally as heartfelt but not as blistering, conveying the love that was shared between you.

"What happens now?" You ask once you'd pulled apart, a little afraid of what he'd say. You hadn't really consider what happens after this.

"Now we have forever," he smirks, chuckling as your face erupts into a beaming smile. "But first, this."

He pulls you by the arm and holds you closely with his right arm before linking your left hands together, just as you had all those years ago at the Yule Ball.

"There's no music," you laugh as he begins to sway and spin you wildly.

"Don't need it Mrs Weasley, we can make our own!"

[zeenmrala]

━ stay alive

summary: your depression is tearing you apart, and you do not think you can survive the night. darth maul reminds you of your strength. pairing: darth maul x reader (no pronouns used) tw: suicidal ideation, depression, trauma, mental health. angst and hope and comfort. word count: 1k a/n: this short fic is for the maul lovers who experience mental health distress and find themselves lost and exhausted in this life. for those who need a reason to stick around. it may feel impossible to stay alive, but try to survive the night. there may not be peace. but there is always hope. music: i always wanna die (sometimes) by the 1975

please click here to view international suicide hotlines.

“if you can’t survive, just try.”

Stay Alive - [Read this story on AO3]

Your body succumbs to the weight of your fractured mind. All the pain, loss, trauma and hardships that have been stacking up like rancid bricks in your skull over the long years of your life have become a burden too great to bear. The wall of sorrow has collapsed above you, raining down in crashes of devastation, pinning your body beneath the wreckage: you are anchored to the ground by the breadth of your mental anguish.

That wretched hollow ache in your chest is devouring you whole: you are imploding with despair and emptiness and the harrowing truth of your colossal depression. The tears come, streaming down your cheeks, the saltiness settling on your skin, in your ears, pooling in the skin of your collarbone. You hold yourself with your arms on the floor in a last ditch effort to keep yourself from falling apart. 

You are languishing so entirely in your misery that you do not hear him enter the room. You do not notice the muted whirr of his cybernetics, the soft thud of his metal footsteps, the glaring weight of his gleaming amber eyes. You don't register his unique midnight scent, the usually notable gravitas of his presence. The entire galaxy, including him, has slipped away into complete sorrow. 

But then he speaks, that rich velvet voice you know and cherish so dearly breaking through the oppressive cloud of sadness. Darth Maul speaks your name with a mix of concern and confusion. A wash of shame steals your breath from your lungs as your hazy mind acknowledges his presence. 

He shouldn't see you like this. 

"Why do you weep?" He asks in a rare gentle tone, his usual severity is muted. Do you really appear so pitiful?

"Leave me," you snap at him, the emotional turmoil sharpening your shame against him. You wipe your face with your sleeves, pulling yourself up against the wall at your back, resting your head in your arms, hiding. "Don't look at me."

He ignores your demands and wordlessly approaches. You hear him settling beside you on the floor. 

"Gods, it’s disgusting," you whisper, embarrassment washing over you like a tide.

"What is?"

"These feelings," you admit between gritted teeth as you shake your head. "This weakness."

He is silent, and you refuse to look at him, your face still hidden behind your arms.

"Why do I live with it?" You ask, not him or yourself or anyone in particular. The question just comes out, a stream of truth pouring from your lips. "This gnawing distress and despair. It's a constant shadow. It will never go away. There is no use in fighting it's will any longer."

"Explain.”

"I should let the waves of it take me," you whisper, your arms falling forward, your flushed and wet face revealed to the chilled air. "Let the inevitability of mortality wash me away."

He immediately understands. "To an early grave?" 

"A timely one. A just one. Perhaps it is my fate for this to consume me tonight." A pause, weighty and loaded. "I'm just so tired, Maul."

He stays silent, allows you the relief of a confession, of his listening. 

"I am defective. Broken. This rot within me is me. The part of me that has been slowly decaying has spread so deep that I have become it. The damage is done and I cannot undo it or repair it. I cannot stand it any longer."

"You suffer," he acknowledges. "There is strength in that."

You scoff. "There is no point to my suffering. I cannot harness its power like you. At least there is some purpose to your pain, a boon you can claim from it. I have nothing." You inhale and close your aching eyes. "I am nothing."

"No," he counters softly. "Not at all. Not to me."

You look at him, bask in the sweetness of those words, the unique beauty of his strange face. He returns to his silence, and does not look at you, but straight ahead. 

"Death is not what I want," you whisper, clarifying. "But what I need, I think. It is not that I want to give up, but I want...to..."

"Give in," he finishes for you. 

"Yes," you reply, the relief of his understanding both a balm and a heart wrenching revelation. "Yes."

He turns to look at you then, his golden eyes meeting yours. "The scars of your past will always be with you,” he says clearly, “they may weigh you down, consume you, haunt you. But they do not define you."

You blink, your eyebrows slightly furrowed in confusion, such kindness and candour coming from him is a sweet surprise.

"It is true that I gain power from my suffering. My fear. My hatred. But all of that...it is mine. I own it. Your anguish is yours. And though you cannot rid yourself of it, it is part of you.” He reaches towards you, places a gloved palm on your chest, directly above the emotional ache. “Feel it. Embrace its wrath, note how brutal and relentless it has been. How it has battered you and worn you down over the years.”

You close your eyes and do as he says, delving into the ache, recalling the long years of pain and despair, how broken and lost you are…

“Now think of how you have endured it. That you are, despite everything, alive. What kind of person could have survived such an ordeal?”

Alive. You feel the heat of his palm on your chest, the sting of tears on your cheeks, the scent of space that lingers in the starship. You notice the cool chill of durasteel beneath your back, the beat of your heart, the breath in your lungs. The miracle of life, of experience, of tolerating the suffering and joy to this point in time.

“You have achieved that. You. The person that has endured all of that has the strength to survive another night. Stay alive. You owe yourself, - ” he pauses, moving his gloved fingers to your wet cheek, caressing your skin, “- this person that has fought and overcome so much anguish, another day.”

You lean into his touch, and his palm cradles your face. You nod softly, and almost whimper because yes, the pain is still there and it hurts and it is engulfing you entirely and it’s overflowing yet empty all at once. And it may always exist, eternal and timeless. But you have proven to yourself that you can endure it, again and again, as you have before, surviving those countless nights of misery that you have put behind you. You can stay alive. You breathe in the scent of his crimson skin, feel the weight of his strong arms tighten around you. You allow him to hold you for the remainder of the night, and you hold him in return, finding strength and the will to survive in yourselves and each other.

-

suicide hotlines

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[layla4567]

✨ Working together ✨

Luca from the bear x fem!reader

summary: You and Luca are dating and he taught you everything you know about pastry. So now you want to open your own tea house where you will sell your delicious cakes, and of course he will help you in everything.

warnings: almost no connection to the plot of the show or it's world, maybe a lil suggestive, cloying fluff and corny

A/N: again I must clarify that like Colin Zabel's fic, I have not seen this series (sorry) so maybe what I write is not entirely accurate with the show

You and your boyfriend were looking for places for rent or for sale where you could put your little tea house. Being able to serve anything, even an old, abandoned shed, as long as it was located in a nice landscape with a good view, nothing else mattered. Luca was driving his convertible car making your hair blow in the wind. The times were beautiful at that time in Copenhagen, you were wearing sunglasses and a cute flowery dress that your boyfriend loved every time you wore it. For his part, Luca was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, had taken off his kitchen apron and wore blue jeans underneath. Her blond hair also danced in the breeze.

They were driving through the streets of Denmark with the sun shining on their heads. Months ago you told Luca about your dreams and now they were finally coming true. A little anxious you looked to your right trying to find a good place, your boyfriend caressed your knee with the intention of letting you know that everything would be fine

"Don't worry sweetheart, you'll see that we'll find the perfect place"

"I hope so love, only you know how much I waited for this moment"

Yes, Luca knew it well. So many hours practicing pastry and talking about your hobbies, every time he left work and showed up at your house to teach you how to make Aeblekage or a Koldskål you told him how you were planning to open your own little tea house. He looked at you in admiration and assured you that you were going to succeed. And here they were now, looking for a place to settle and where you could cook your delicious desserts accompanied by the love of your life.

Let 'em wonder how we got this far 'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all Yeah, after all this time I'm still into you - Paramore - I'm still into you

At last they had arrived. After tiring around several streets, they found an old abandoned cafe with a dilapidated and crooked sign. It had a window on one side and the walls were dark brick. Above the front door hung a white awning with red stripes, unfortunately it was dirty and had a hole in the middle. Despite everything, you two loved how comfortable and familiar it looked and best of all, it was close to the port just as you wanted. They got out of the car and you began to admire the view, in the distance you could see the water and anchored boats.

"Don't you love it? the place, the sea breeze-you inhaled with your mouth open enjoying the air on your face- I would give anything for more days like this"

Luca looked at you lovingly and wrapped his arms around your waist looking where you were looking

"Have I told you how adorable you are when you talk about what you like?" -Luca kissed your forehead

You wrinkled your nose in contentment. "You tell me every day, hun"

"C'mon your place awaits you"

"Our. Our place awaits us"

They both entered the old building. But happiness disappeared from your pores when you saw that it seemed more dilapidated on the inside than on the outside. The peeling paint on the walls was falling apart, leaving a heap of dust on the floor. There was no furniture left. The wooden ceiling was moldy in places. You couldn't stop the disappointment from drawing on your face. Luca put his arm around your shoulders.

"Hey love it's alright. We can remodel it and I promise you it will be like new. Why don't you go check out the backyard while I find something to clean up?"

Luca is that down to earth and that's what you loved about him. He always found simple solutions to problems that seemed huge. You opened the French window that led to the yard and you felt the flame of hope rekindle in your chest. It was definitely much better than the inside of the building. It wasn't that big, but its low brick walls delimited a large plot. The floor was concrete, and pretty orange flowering vines hung from the walls. You were already imagining how you could use the space by placing beautiful tables with umbrellas.

"Hey babe, I found some brooms and a shovel-"

He stopped when he saw the yard. He also found it beautiful. you turned around with a smile

"So.. what are we waiting for? let's restore this place"

You got to dig a little deeper Find out who you are You got to dig a little deeper It really ain't that far When you find out who you are You'll find out what you need Blue skies and sunshine guaranteed - The princess and the frog - Dig a little deeper

Luca offered you a shovel and together they began to sweep the floor, the dust made them cough and tickled their noses that made you sneeze like a kitten, Luca laughed every time he heard you. The following days were exhausting but pleasant. You bought turquoise paint for the inside of the walls, you two had a blast painting and doing a little mischief

"(Y/N) what do you think if we paint a strip of small sailboats in a darker color? It would go all the way across the wall, but we would need a stencil"

Luca pointed with a finger where the stencil would go, with his muscular and bare arm you couldn't help but pretend to pay attention to him and with your hand that held the brush, paint his wrist. He looked at you surprised, throwing you a reproachful look but deep down he couldn't suppress a smile.

"Oh (Y/N) you're very immature"

You closed your eyes laughing at what he took advantage of to paint the tip of your nose. When you felt something cold and wet on your nose, you opened your eyes and mouth offended, with a defiant grimace they started a paint war, their laughter mixed and echoed throughout the room, your boyfriend grabbed your wrists with the intention that your brush doesn't touch his face. In the end they ended up in a fiery kiss with their hands stained with paint leaving marks on your breasts and buttocks and with yours likewise scattered throughout their entire body, they looked like an abstract painting.

Every day you two were buying things to decorate the tea house. They had bought beautiful brown leather sofas at auction. You had gotten landscape paintings to hang on the wall at a vintage store. The most difficult thing had been to remove the wood from the roof, since some had been ruined by humidity. But by turns they had proposed to remove them little by little. Luca climbed a ladder and took some out, then you, in your eagerness to help, told him to lift you up so you could reach the roof. You always felt a tingle of adrenaline in your belly every time your boyfriend grabbed you by the waist and made you sit on his shoulders. And when you two couldn't handle everything on your own, you hired masons and workers who were very helpful.

With a little effort they managed to restore everything that was damaged, they changed the previous awning for a bigger one and a green one. They placed pots on the outside door and some hanging from the window. You were even able to put the tables you wanted in the backyard with their matching black iron chairs. When everything was ready in terms of decoration and remodeling, you went to the kitchen to prepare tea and desserts, it was the only thing that was missing before opening.

"Dear, could you help me with the dough?"-you asked him nicely

You were about to make some kind of Danish apple pie. Luca approached from behind, pulling his body against your back, which made a shiver run through your body. His arms and hands on top of yours accompanied your movements with a slow and loving rhythm. They stretched the dough back and forth and then rolled it back into a ball. Sometimes Luca teased you mischievously kissing your neck or behind your ear, with his nose buried in your hair. His kisses went down to your shoulder, making you sigh

"Luca…-you said in a warning tone- How unprofessional"

"Oh come on I know you love it"

You turned your head to kiss him. They finished cooking several desserts and also the different teas including iced teas.

And the great day had arrived to open the doors of your tea house. It would only take a few minutes to welcome the people of the city. Both were nervous but especially you, you couldn't believe that your dream would finally come true. With trembling hands you took the key that opened the door, put it in the lock and turned it. It was done

"We did it.."-you looked at his face with happy tears in your eyes.

"You did it"- he corrected you wiping your tears - "It's your dream, don't forget it"

"Dreams can be shared, and that's what I'm doing with you"

He looked at you sweetly and grabbed your chin with his thumb to kiss you passionately. Customers started arriving for snacks, and soon the place was packed both inside and out. Luca promised to help you in the kitchen and you would go and serve the dishes along with the tea. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, everyone was happy and so were you. You almost needed four more arms to serve so many people but you didn't care because that was what you wanted, a place where people can remember the warmth of their home while tasting delicacies prepared with love and delicacy, and if your boyfriend was by your side better. At the end of the day when people left and your place was about to close you and your boyfriend lay exhausted on the leather sofa, it was a busy day but it was satisfying at the same time. You placed your head on Luca's lap as he caressed your cheek.

"Today was the best day of my life, I still can't believe that all of this is real. It's like a sweet dream that I never want to end"

"But it's real love, and we made it together. Although if you want I can pinch you to prove it"

You two laughed amused letting the now empty room fill with your warm laughter that then floated in the air like a sweet dew.

Maybe, it's the way you say my name Maybe, it's the way you play your game But it's so good, I've never known anybody like you But it's so good, I've never dreamed of nobody like you And I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime And I'm pretty sure that you are that love of mine - Ruth B - Dandelions

. . . . . . . .

I know, this was maybe a bit boring and too cheesy but I'm a hopeless romantic and I couldn't not write something like that.

[take-a-cchonce]

Be My Valentine - 6

Let Me Be Your Last First Kiss

Soulmates AU (G) 1.3k

Louis Tomlinson x Harry Styles

There was one boy in particular, with rectangular glasses and a beanie pulled down over his hair who caught his eye, gesturing extravagantly as he boomed out the lines to what sounded like Grease in front of a small group gathered appreciatively in front of him. 

OR

Harry just changed schools, and finding his soulmate wasn't what he expected at all

No warnings!

A/N: I am back at it with the Oops, Hi! Headcanon. I’m obsessed. Sorry not sorry. For the purpose of this fic, lets assume H and Lou are the same age. Also i wandered into the love at first sight category instead of first love but eh. As always, huge thank you to Akeyla for this fest! <3

Title from 1d's 'Last First Kiss'

Harry brushed his fringe aside, digging his other hand awkwardly into the pocket of his jeans. “I know, mum,” he said, doing his best to keep his voice level, not wanting her to sense his apprehension and fear. “I’ll keep my nose clean, I’ll behave, drink water and message you when I leave. Don’t worry, I’ll be responsible,” 

“When are you not, baby?” Anne smiled, reaching up to adjust his hair for him, Harry already gangling over her at 16. 

“Oh, don’t cry mum,” Harry said, scrunching his face up as he furtively looked around to see if anyone had noticed them yet, “It’s not like it’s my first day of school or anything. It’s just a new one. I’ll survive,” 

He wasn’t sure he would. Moving here hadn’t been easy. Holmes Chapel had been so small, everything was so familiar. Everyone had known everyone else, and Harry had had his own group of friends. 

He’d have to start over again, and this school was so much bigger. Swallowing down his worries, he smiled and waved goodbye to his mum, walking into the big brick building, looking around from the admin block as he passed through the huge glass doors.

A couple of minutes later he was standing in front of another set of double doors. He quickly glanced up at the room number, cross checking it with the time table clutched in his hand. He could peep through the little glass inlays in the door and see people moving around, but he didn’t want to take any chances. 

Sure that it was, indeed, the room he was supposed to go to for his first period drama class, he pushed the door open, eyes catching at the grey anchor on his wrist. He tugged the sleeve of his jacket down as he entered. 

It wasn’t exactly like he was ashamed to know he had a soulmate, many did, but he didn’t want it advertised in front of everyone. He shivered a little at the prospect as he made his way to the back of the class, the entire room empty with all the desks pushed up to the sides.

Everyone was loud enough to not have noticed him when he entered. Many were grouped together, going through what seemed like lines. There was one boy in particular, with rectangular glasses and a beanie pulled down over his hair who caught his eye, gesturing extravagantly as he boomed out the lines to what sounded like Grease in front of a small group gathered appreciatively in front of him. 

He pulled his eyes away, wondering if there was some pre-requisite reading he had somehow missed out on. He set his bag down on a desk as he leaned against it, riffling through his bag to check if he had actually missed something. The last thing he wanted was to make a bad impression on the first day.

“Hi,” he heard a soft voice to his left and whipped around, mind already reeling with how he had practiced he would introduce himself. All thoughts vacated his head at the sight in front of him. It was Beanie-Boy. He could see his eyes more clearly now and was seized with an inane urge to rip his glasses off and just stare at his eyes. 

His gaze wandered up to the feathery bits of hair peeking out from under his beanie and found himself wondering why Beanie-Boy covered everything up. His hair looked very soft and Harry wondered what it would feel like between his fingers,

He was jerked out of his reverie when the other boy cleared his throat, blushing.

“Oops,” he mumbled, “I didn’t mean to stare, I just-” he held out his hand, shooting him a small smile. “I’m Harry,”

“Louis,” Beanie-Boy smiled back and Harry barely had time to notice that there was a grey mark circling his wrist before he felt his own burning up. He glazed down at his hand shoved into the pocket of his jacket and oh-

The anchor was getting darker.

Louis was frowning down at his own hand, and Harry stared at him for a moment before the realization hit him. 

“Is that an anchor?” Louis said, voice low enough that Harry had to lean forward to hear. Louis’ eyes were now fixed on Harry’s jacket. 

“Yeah,” Harry breathed out, too dumbfounded to say anything else. 

“Oh my god,” Louis exclaimed, “I- mine’s a rope. I always thought it was a bit stupid. Like- i was tied up or something but I-” he broke off, staring at Harry’s face now and Harry felt a bit warm, blushing a deep red. 

“We’re soulmates?” they both said simultaneously, Harry sounding like he was in disbelief, Louis nothing but overjoyed.

“This is not how I pictured my first day going,” Harry admitted with a sheepish chuckle, letting go of Louis’ hand almost grudgingly.

“Me neither, Curly. But I like it,” Louis grinned and Harry found himself a lot more flustered than the nickname called for. 

The door swung open and everyone hushed, lining up against the walls as the teacher walked in. 

“What say, Curly?” Louis smiled, taking Harry’s left hand in his right and leading him to the back of the class, rope lining up with the anchor perfectly. Harry smiled at the sight. “Bowling sounds good?”

“Yeah,” Harry smiled back, biting his lip as he tried to disguise the look on his face. “Bowling sounds great,” 

He couldn’t wait for the day to end.

“I can’t believe this is all actually happening. I mean, if you would have told me back then- when I joined, I mean- that I would be at prom with my soulmate. I wouldn’t have believed it,” Harry whispered to Louis, looking down at their joined hands. Louis turned his head to press his lips against Harry’s temple, leaning the chair onto its back back feet as they watched the rest of their year dancing. 

“Me neither,” Louis said, and Harry could’ve sworn he could hear the smile in his voice, “I mean when I saw you coming in, looking around and like- you thought no one noticed you,” he chuckled, “Have to be blind to not notice you, by the way. I’d made up my mind already, but to… see our marks. We were always meant to be,”

Harry flushed, batting his free hand weakly against Louis’ thigh. “Stop being so over the top,” 

“I’m not!” Louis protested, “We’re literally soulmates!”

“Doesn’t mean you have to be soppy,” Harry giggled, flushing despite his words.

Louis paused for a moment, and Harry raised his head off Louis’ shoulder, a little concerned as he tried to read his expression in the dim lighting. 

“I love you, Haz,” Louis said softly,

Harry smiled back at him, tilting his head to the side and watching him for a few moments before leaning in for a soft kiss. “I know. We’ve been over this,” he quipped, raising an eyebrow with a smirk, ducking when Louis made to ruffle his hair. 

“Hey, it took me hours to get my hair right,” he giggled, slightly out of breath, “Now will you ask me for a dance already,” he smiled, getting up with his fingers still linked with Louis’.

Louis shook his head fondly as they made their way to the centre of the floor, looping his hands around Harry’s waist as they turned to face each other, moving slowly. The younger boy rested his head on Louis’ shoulder.

“I love you, Louis,” he whispered. 

“I love you too, baby. We’ve been over this,”

A/N: Reblogs are always appreciated 💕

[bigmeandragonlady]

Finally finished the dossier template, few other things of note:

Pretty handy with a knife as well as the bow.

Can process seafood really quickly

Prefers to be at a REASONABLE height with the sky above her

If you want to know her exact birthday, you'll have to figure it out on your own or hassle her enough

Scars: a small cut on her chin, stab scar on her stomach (she fell out of a tree and impaled herself, okay), inside of her bicep, across the outside of her right wrist to her thumb, palm side of her left thumb

Tattoos: Ket tattoo on the inside of the wrist, floral sleeve on her left arm, anchor + rope + birds on one of her ankles

I kept rambling and found it hard to summarize the relationships so I've expanded under the cut. There are def rumors that she's dating or sleeping with at least half of them

Blade: they get along weirdly well. Recruits in particular are always surprised to find them casually walking together- they find her softer demeanor an odd juxtaposition to how Blade... is. Also! He is fun to tease. thinks how much she'd like to hear him whimper. It's a miracle they don't butt heads more often, considering her beef with authority. He hates when she gets together with Trouble and Chase b/c she joins them in being a group menace.

Romance: I could see it but Blade would have to make the first move and bridge that gap, as she's convinced herself she's not meant for a relationship. One of the biggest issues i would see them having is Blade's protectiveness would make her feel like she was being smothered and coddled at times.

Trouble: They get on like a house on fire. Her first friend in the order and i'm still deciding if they get arrested together or she pulls Trouble away. Very casual with physical affection and he's a personal space heater. Not a lot to say here b/c it's pretty straight forward!

Romance: Absolutely could see it happening but this would involve a third party kicking Trouble in the ass b/c he's dense as a brick. But it could very well fall apart b/c of her whole romantic relationship = bad, thing. She would realize 'i have feelings for him, but he doesn't have any idea yet' and probably distance herself which would cause confusion and hurt for Trouble, he might confide in someone and they just "she has feelings for you, dipshit"

Tallys: A little more complicated- Aelyn bounces and feeds off other ppl's personalities to interact so the cool, calm, detached thing is kind of weird sometimes b/c she's.... not that. It gets better as she eases out of survival mode. Tallys has given her a lot of tips when it comes to archery (flirting, unnecessary touching, ect included), they go on nature walks, and they do talk often.

Romance: Maybe. While they work as friends with benefits... idk if it would go beyond that. Speaking of: Tallys is absolutely the one to break that arrangement off b/c she's the first one to clock Aelyn being in deep for Chase (or just... between tallys and chase, idk how she has any energy). this is how i see it happening anyway, since aelyn is in denial and idk how willing tallys would be to be in the middle of... that. Of course, how these two fwb route interact can absolutely change things

Shery: She loves Shery. Like if she was more comfortable with casual affection Aelyn would give a hug and kiss on the head when they met up. Borderline cute aggression (I could see Aelyn getting drunk, holding onto Shery, saying "you're so adorable, what the fuck"). Shery does a good job of making her feel cared about w/o being coddled. Has loved helping her be a little more assertive

Romance: I think Shery would be too timid to kick things off and that's what Aelyn needs. I would see this being Shery falling and not saying anything.... forever. There's also the "and they were both bottoms" lol.

Riel: They get along but I wouldn't call them good friends? They respect each other but if they had no work related reason to see each other, both would be okay with that. Even if he was romanceable for a fem MC, it would not happen. Man won't even share his food.

Chase: This is hard b/c my brain kind of turns to static when I think about them. But they got on very quickly. Not as quickly as say, Trouble, but when she said 'We're square' she genuinely meant it. she got points right off the bat for tracking him down and busting into the guild solo and not really giving a shit that they're the thieves guild. He gets points for being so easy to get a long with and leading a life that would make him a huge hypocrite for judging her past choices.

Romance: He's her main romance so- It's such a fucking mess and i love mess. Fuck buddies who have caught feelings and are stupid about it b/c they don't want them. They've managed to worm past each others walls on accident and it's going to get worse before it gets better. At this point in the game, the thought of losing him or even turning down the dial on whatever they have going on is devastating, which scares her. Honestly, just how relationship avoidant I make her ultimately depends on how the torpedo + subsequent reconciliation happens.

Red: He caught her scoping the library and offered her a tour, gaining immediate friendship points. She's envious of his education but he's so open with his knowledge and resources she can't resent him. they talk about nerdy magic shit all the time and Blade is 🙄 when they start bouncing off each other.

Romance: Such a close runner up to Chase it's almost tragic. The biggest tipping point is that she met chase first. I think he would be patient enough to get past her walls and mature enough to just fucking... talk to her. There's obviously chemistry and something there that would make him pursue her. this would be overall healthier and wouldn't explode (as badly). she'd be terrified of meeting his family though.

Ayla: They're pretty protective of each other pretty quickly, they see the similarities they have and they get a long well. Aelyn makes an active effort to remind Ayla she has a place here and people she can trust. Teases her until she gets punched in the ribs.

Romance: No matter what I do I can't see them in a relationship. :| She's the only one out of the romacables (for fem MC) that I'm like hmmm no.

Halek: They get along very well and he seems to take her flirting in stride. I can see them cooking together (assuming Halek isn't one of those 'get out of my kitchen' people)- cooking and eating together is a significant bonding activity for her. She feels like Halek is a big judgment free zone so that's big friendship points for her.

Romance: Yes, if only to make a lifelong enemy of Moonsilk. I think they're compatible but I also don't know if I know his character well enough to say definitely. If he ever wants to 'hang out' she's down to clown.

Briony: Once she realized Briony was genuinely on the same side as her in the arena they were buds. She fascinated by Briony's sword and jokes that Red's blatant curiosity is rubbing off on her. Right there with Ayla with 'hey you want us to 'talk' to them 🤜' they like to walk around, arms linked, and GOSSIP

Romance: I- maybe? I could see it. Possibly. Though, apparently she and Lavinet's type is similar sooo maybe not. I don't think it would be.... great. My biggest fear is that Aelyn would actively sabotage this relationship and create a lasting wound for Briony (although tbh this is a fear for pretty much all the ROs)

Lavinet: They hold each other in high regard and their relationship is warmer then Aelyn and Riel's but but there's still a distance there. Lavinet operates very differently then she does and it throws Aelyn off. I'm not sure how true it is but Aelyn is pretty sure Lavinet would judge the shit out of her for some of the things she's done in the past. They bond over riding and girls nights though. Like Riel: even if romancable, it wouldn't happen.

Mimir: It's complicated. On one hand she does like Mimir as Mimir, loves how weird she can be. On the other, the whole god(s) thing? don't like that. She's resentful and tries real hard not to direct it at Mimir

[rosewolfs-world]

Colourful (Pt 6)

Young Toshinori x Fem OC

Warnings: alcohol, drugs, SA, traumatic shock, and discussions thereof

Part 5: The Great Awakening

Year 5

☀️ Three months, Toshinori remembered. Three months since he’d been checked out of the hospital. Three months since Hinata had guided him home and lost him with the words “I found someone.” Three months since Toshinori first met the oft-mentioned ‘Jason’. He seemed like a decent guy; calm, cool, collected--if a little pessimistic. It makes sense... Toshinori supposed Hinata would be attracted to someone who was as straightforward as she is. But, sensical or not, missed opportunities never hurt any less. The young hero sighed. I’m too sober to be thinking about this. 

💡 “So, do you drink coffee or tea?” 

“Neither.” 

“Really? Okay, uhm, what’s your favourite kind of soup?” 

“Tomato.” 

“Ah, so no ramen or chicken noodle?” 

“Nah, not my thing.”

 Old conversations replayed over and over in Hinata’s mind as she scanned her pantry. Jason doesn’t drink tea, so chamomile will have to be off the menu this evening. She mused. Red wine with pasta, maybe? Ugh, but I’m fresh out of tomato juice. Damn.

☀️ Hours pass by. The tide of patrons in the bar slowly begins to rise as the sun keeps sinking beneath the rim of his glass. Toshinori doesn’t bother to glance at his watch anymore. His face feels warm despite the loss of the sun—something prickles down the hero’s spine. The warmth makes him slowly notice the new presence that just joined him at the bar. “Hey there, big guy,” A husky, American accent drawls up beside him with a smirk. “Mind if I join you?” 

💡 Damn. The only groceries I have left are for--Hinata closes her eyes with a sigh. --Ramen it is. Closing the cupboards behind her, her body operates almost on auto-pilot. Rolling up her sleeves, she’s surprised to find herself checking for stains. Hinata shakes her head a little. Snap out of it. Toshinori is the messy cook, not me. Not to mention Jason hardly cooks at all. Ignoring the Rolodex of memories in her mind, Hinata takes all the various vegetables out of the fridge and sets to work. 

☀️ The next drink to pass Toshi’s lips tastes bitter, more so than he’s used to. American drinks aren’t all that great, but they do the trick. Toshinori sets his glass aside for a moment--and is surprised to realise he can’t tell his arm from his sleeve. He can barely distinguish the wood grain beneath his palm. His new drinking buddy *leans* into his space to scan his expression. “Heh, you don’t look so good, big guy--” He drawls, his voice turned to a low, gravelly purr. “You want me to walk you home?”

“Nonono, this quite alright,” Toshinori tried dismissing courteously, fumbling out of his bar stool. “Bitta fresh-air by ma-self should be alright in time.” He just spun towards the door before the American slung an arm over his shoulders.  

“Ah, don’t be like that, big boy,” the young man persuaded the beer on his breath doing nothing to derail Toshi’s growing dizziness. “Come on, lemme help you. Mano-y-mano. I help you, and you help me. How does that sound?” 

💡 All through the afternoon, Hinata could see from her window as clouds poured in from the east. They were rolling in like a stampede of shadows looking to conquer the setting sun. The farther the sun fell, the darker the world became. She could feel the weight in the air, the oncoming storm. The building pressure felt almost akin to a pot of water slowly coming to a boil on the stove. 

☀️ Next thing he knew, Toshinori had his back to a brick wall. The American’s lips tasted of cheap ale and smoke.  Where an arm used to be wrapped around his shoulders, a rough-skinned palm was now tearing his shirt at the seams, yanking the hem from his trousers. No...Toshinori fumbled in the dark, trying to find an anchoring point to push this man away. But his bones had no aim. His muscles had lost their strength. Repeated buzzing tones echo in the alleyway. Two different rhythms vibrate through him. No-- he nearly gagged as a foreign tongue assaulted his throat. 

💡 No matter what she did, Hinata could not take her eyes away from the shadowy window.  The storm still lurked high above her, like a predator waiting to strike. Her body rolled with the motions of cooking as if on auto-pilot. Bit out of season, she thought, shuffling ingredients from the cutting board to her boiling soup. Hinata licked her lips. Maybe it’s somebody’s quirk?  Jason hasn’t called. No one’s paged me from the hospital yet.  The young medic pursed her lips at the thought. Her mind drifted to the discarded boxes underneath her bathroom sink. She shook the image away. All there was left to do was turn away.  If Toshinori needs me, he’ll let me know. If not him, then David will. Hinata pulled her phone from her purse and placed it on the counter beside her. Just in case...

☀️ The man’s grip was surprisingly firm, with a palm clenching the crux of his trousers and an arm tightening around his waist like a boa constrictor. The young hero felt an overwhelming uneasiness roiling through his gut, alien and unnerving. Toshinori clenched his eyes shut. No, don’t...Everything within him was recoiling. He could feel himself falling like a puppet with its strings cut. No, stop--Falling into imprints, memories, and broken thoughts he didn’t know he had. No more! Getaway! Anything to flee as far as he could from the sensations--of violation. No. No--no more--get away--stop, get--NO! 

💡 The storm broke. And the rest of hell came with it. All sunlight had been entirely swallowed by the sea. The sky was swamped with thick, black coils of clouds that engulfed the stars. Hinata gazed up at the concerning sight with a slight tremor in her breath. Where is he? She glanced at her phone on the counter. The plastic stick in her pocket suddenly burned like a hot iron brand. Jason’s not answering. Toshinori isn't--why is he not answering? Thunder boomed, and lightning flashed. Hinata’s fingers clenched the edge of the counter. Come on, where are you?

☀️ It was as if a grenade had burst in his chest. Embedding shrapnel in his every nerve till it ached-pounded- crackled, and burned. He could hear the electricity, the blood and breath roaring in his ears. A rushing tidal wave screamed through every fibre of his being as he opened his eyes and shoved the first obstacle in his sight. The block collided against something with a hard CLANG! His blue eyes burned electric. Everything was blurred.  Run. He had to run. Out, off, up, away, somewhere, somewhere safe. Go to her...then he leapt.

💡 Wind whipped at the windows. Untouched Tupperware loitered beside a pot of cooling ramen. Branches rattled and cracked in the streets below. I don’t understand. Hinata grit her teeth. Two little lines flared across her vision, burned on the backs of her eyes.  Jason’s not home, and no one’s answering their phone. What is going on? Petals, leaves, litter and newspapers dashed through the skies like frightened birds tossed about in the gale. Hinata stared into the horizon. Water gushed from the faucet, but the sponge in her hands was almost forgotten. Her insides gnarled and tangled together like brambles. This isn’t California weather. Where is this coming from? 

☀️ So much of the journey was a blur. He remembered leaping into the air. Then the clouds burst. Water came pouring down, icy cold daggers slicing at his exposed skin and soaking his clothes. If he crashed on the landing, he could barely even feel it. No other sights or sounds registered to him except the collapsed body in the alleyway and the roaring of blood in his ears. The only thing that cut through the haze was the sound of Her voice-- 

💡 A loud BANG on her door jolted her nerves with a yelp. What the hell?! All her past worries were forgotten. Hinata dashed towards the sliding glass door, barely daring to part the curtains. The head of a scrambled golden mane was a dead giveaway. She yanked the door open. A ragged and heaving Toshinori stood on her balcony,  his civilian clothes all torn to hell and--are those-are those bruises?! Hinata’s breath hitched. Her curtains thwapped and fluttered in the tangle of the storm. She didn’t know whether it was her panic or her training that caused her to snap:  

☀️💡  “Jesus Christ, Toshinori, did you get in a fight?! Come inside, you big lug. You’ll freeze to death!”

☀️  If it weren’t for her well-worn hand tugging at his, he might not have moved. But she pulled him inside anyway. She closed the door behind her as softly as she could. The wind howled outside the windows in silence. One lithe, wrinkled finger lifted to her lips, motioning for silence. He nodded, still slightly blurred. Her bare feet tapped against the linoleum as she walked to her kitchen. Metal tapped metal as she scooped something from a large red pot on the stove. Hinata’s golden eyes fluttered back to him. “You hungry? Made your favorite.” Toshinori sucked in a breath. Suddenly he could smell it. She must have seen the revelation somewhere in his expression. Her soft smile was like a faint ray of sunshine in the dark. 

💡 Soon enough, Hinata had her old friend seated on her couch, with a bowl of ramen and a cup of tea on the coffee table. Heaps of freshly dried towels now blanketed his body. He’d shied away when she tried to remove his wet clothes for some reason. All she could do was the next best thing. --She had hoped she’d never see him like this again. It wasn’t his hero costume that was torn up. There was no blood on his hands. But that was never what bothered her in the first place. It was this sudden...lifelessness. Conscious but completely unresponsive. He did as he was prompted, barely, but otherwise didn’t speak a word. I don’t know--Hinata knew her hero had his shadows. But those moments were rare, dark and deep.  --How do I reach him? 

☀️ Rain clattered against the windows in the absence of his voice. Toshinori knew that he should speak. He knew that he should say something--something to alleviate the flickering candle of worry flaring in those golden eyes. Something to ease the fearful creases folding the corners of her eyes and lips. But there was a knot in his throat that he couldn’t seem to swallow. If the dam broke, he wasn’t sure what would come out or if he wanted it to. Behind his eyes, all he could see was that pock-marked American’s face gone slack against the dumpster. Underneath his skin, all he could feel was a coarse hand grinding his sleeves against him. The hero suppressed a shudder. Shameful. The word reverberated between his ears like an echo chamber. Shameful.

💡 Chopsticks rolled idly between his fingers. Hinata couldn’t stop glancing at them. Though her hands were busy sipping tea and patching bruises, her fascination with those chopsticks was the only thing distracting her from anxiety. His fingers moved, but his eyes were still so far away. He never used to do that before.  She scanned the various scrapes and tears in his clothes. His shirt was all the worse for wear; threaded lacerations on the back, the hems at his shoulders were torn, and more than half the buttons snapped off--What the hell happened? 

☀️ Her touch was cool. He registered that now; beyond the cocoon of warm towels--this touch was familiar. Even without closing his eyes, he knew exactly what her quirk felt like.  Tendrils of gold would bloom beneath his skin. Tingling warmth like sunlight would curl around every cut and bruise like a soft embrace. Goodness knows she’d healed his hurts more times than he could count--even supplementing his healing when he was in the hospital. Bringing him back to life as if she were reviving a dying flower. The image made his stomach sink. How pitiful. Toshinori sighed. After this...her kindness will only be out of pity.

💡She glanced up at his still-empty expression. His cheeks were slack and lifeless. His mouth reminded her too much of a flatline in the operating room. And his eyes--his eyes were fogged over like the bodies in the morgue. Her chest ached. She reached for him, her ragged palm caressing his chilled skin before she could stop herself. Toshinori flinched. Hinata retracted immediately. “Sorry! I, uhm...Toshinori?”

☀️ Toshinori glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He couldn’t turn to face her. Not completely. It took all his willpower not to curl his head between his knees, encasing himself in his own shadow. Keep it together, he told himself sternly. You’re still a hero. Stay strong. His shoulders stiffened.--Am I? Can I call myself a hero after--? That prone body, those wandering hands--bile coated the back of his throat. Toshinori grimaced. A smile would be of no use to him now. Another failure. Dammit. 

💡 Hinata worried her lip for a moment. It seemed as if Toshinori’s thoughts were running away without her. His expression transformed in a million tiny ways, even as he refused to thoroughly look at her. Moving much slower than before, the young medic dared to tuck a lingering band of scrambled hair behind his ear. His very being stilled. Vibrant blue eyes seemed even sharper now, a hawk on the alert--a creature wary of danger. Dear god, I’m going to regret this... Hinata took a deep breath. But I’m not sure what else to do…Her fingers curved around his ear to cup the side of his face. She couldn't take it anymore if he recoiled from her touch. “Talk to me, Hero-kun...kudasai.”

☀️ Six words--and the damn broke. Toshinori swallowed. The knot in his throat unravelled. Before he knew it, all of his insides were spilling out; thoughts, emotions, sensations he could hardly bear to recall and describe, everything gushed forth. The tide was no longer restrained...it was too strong to hold back now. Before he knew it, he was swept away. Salty tears stung his eyes, rushing down his face like water over rocks. His voice gargled and crashed against his teeth like surf clashing with a cliffside. He could feel himself rocking back and forth like waves on the sand, but he didn’t know how to stop it. All he could do was talk and cry and remembered--pouring out all those blurred memories until the words finally dried up. 

💡All the while, Hinata listened. There was so much pouring out of him at once. It was all she could do to try to absorb the downpour. Drinking at a bar, he says, American strangers, bitter drink, dizziness, nausea--actions and symptoms and reactions stack on top of one another. She can see the list in her mind as if she were holding her hospital clipboard. Drinking. Drugs. Manipulation--from there, his story fumbles, scrambling in a million different directions. To any stranger, such trembling, traumatised ramblings may have been lost in confusion and chaos. But after so many years, Hinata could see exactly what Toshi was seeing behind his drowning eyes.  Her chest burned. Her knuckles curled. Everything within her sank to the floor in abject horror. My god…

☀️ When his voice finally gave out, he still couldn’t look at her. Her palm felt like a cool anchor against his burning, dampened cheek. Her fingers had curled into the wild hairs at his temples. Her scarred thumb brushed back and forth in a rhythm, catching every tear that fell. What I’d give...Toshinori let out a shuddering breath...and what for?  His shoulders sagged. This is all my own doing. Going to that bar was a mistake, drinking away petty jealousy and self-pity--stupid. There was nothing more he could say. There was nothing more he could give. Petty. Reckless. --Stupid. Pathetic.

💡 “Don’t you dare,” Toshinori glanced up, surprised by the sound of her voice. Hinata refused to be cowed by those big, watery eyes. “I know that look of yours,” she said, wiping the sheen of tears from under his eyes. “Something bad happened to you. It is not your fault. Not one bit.” Ever so gently, she dabbed the remaining water trails with the hem of a towel. She met his gaze directly. “It’s gonna take time, healing always does, but that’s okay--” she parted the slinky strands of gold over his forehead. “You can take it easy now, Toshi. I’ve got you.”

☀️ Everything within him unravelled once again. Toshi bit his lip.  For the first time, he could command his arms to move, and they did. He clutched her worn, cold hands in his and kissed them. Clinging to an anchor in a windstorm, he could hear it. They were howling past the windows, whirling within his mind. His head fell forward onto their clasped hands. It took every bit of strength he had to find his words again. “Arigatō...Thank you.”

💡 They stayed clasped together for a long time. The next thing she knew, Hinata was awoken by a leather sole nudging between her shoulders. She groaned to awareness and turned to the source--Jason. Stern brows folded, Jason jerked his head away from the couch, and down towards their bedroom. Hinata nodded. Reluctantly stretching and rising from her makeshift campsite on the living room floor, Hinata followed her limping partner away from the snoozing blonde behemoth on her couch. As soon as the door closed behind them, Jason turned to her.

“What the hell is he doing here?”

“Good morning to you too, Grouchy Pants,” Hinata snarked, rubbing her eyes. “Look, I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to tell you. But it was an emergency, and you weren’t home yet, and Toshi--”

“Emergency? What kind are we talkin’ about?”

As best she could--while still honouring Toshinori’s privacy--Hinata explained the trauma that had occurred the night before. Jason blinked a few times, his expression pinching further in on itself. He didn’t seem to get--

“Why didn’t he just fight back?”

At those words, Hinata stopped, froze--screeched to a mother-fucking halt. “What did you just say?”

☀️  Toshinori woke to the sound of muffled voices down the hall. Flickering to wakefulness with tired eyes, the young hero turned his head. The haphazard stack of pillows and blankets on the floor was glaringly empty. A little light that had begun to flicker in his chest last night--flickered out. She’s gone. The shadows he’d been able to quell that night returned. Without anything to keep them at bay, the ravenous memories already threatened to swallow him whole. It happened...His nightmare wasn’t just a dream. The sound of voices grew louder, more heated somewhere down the hall. Toshinori’s eyes widened. Jason. Hinata. Shit.

💡 “What did you just say?” The healer herself stood agape, staring at her partner as if he’d grown a pair of horns from his head. Jason, for his part, could think of nothing else to do. Her boyfriend shrugged. 

“Your friend is this big, buff guy. Why the hell didn’t he fight back?”

 “He is,” The words prickled like stinging nettles on the tip of her tongue. “He’s gonna have to fight it all back for the rest of his goddamned life.” 

Jason looked at her as if she were speaking in tongues. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

 Being a nurse-almost-doctor required a lot of things. Calm. Compassion. Self-discipline--all of which evaporated the moment those words left his lips. A fire crackled at the back of her throat. “Get out.”

☀️ Toshinori’s heart rattled like an anxious rabbit in his chest. Shit, Jason’s home. I’m not supposed to be here. Shit, Hinata slept with me, and now she’ll get in trouble. Shit, last night wasn’t a fucking a dream, and I was near--his thoughts scattered to the winds like petals in a rainstorm. He couldn’t even summon the courage to string together a single word, let alone any coherent thoughts. All he knew was that the voices in the other room were getting louder. As much as he didn’t want to intrude--without a distraction, he might just lose his god-damned mind. Jason’s shocked grunt was the first thing he heard:

“What?”

“You heard me. I said--Get. Out.” Hinata...

“Wait, what are you--”

Toshinori heard her familiar strides come slightly closer to the living room. The click of a doorknob, the creaking of hinges--What is she doing?  “I’m saying--Get out of my house, you ignorant, insensitive prick.”

Silence. Jason did not reply. Toshinori’s breath hissed between his teeth. Oh, that’s not good.

💡 There he stood. After all this time, Hinata was just now realising that her chosen boyfriend was dumb as a doornail. It was absurd. He was standing there, dull as a fencepost, staring at her like a startled pigeon. Worst of all, he wasn’t saying anything, not explaining himself, not asking questions, just--staring. Dumbly. In silence. Hinata’s blood boiled.  “Did I fucking stutter? Pack a bag and get out!”

☀️ A hurried shuffle of movement was heard rattling around in the far room. Hinata’s bedroom, Toshinori assumed. Soon enough, Jason hustled out the door as if a rabid dog were chasing him. Hinata stomped after the man like an angry bear. The door clicked open. He heard her screech echo down the hall--“And don’t come back until you get an education in empathy, you fucking jackass!” But all Toshinori saw when he lifted his head-- was Hinata shoving her boyfriend out before slamming and locking the door. She presses her back against it before sliding down to the floor.

💡 Head in her hands, Hinata could feel her temples throbbing. “Fucking American asshole, unbeleivable….” A distinct rustling could be heard from the couch in the corner of her eye. Ah, shit, I probably woke Toshi up with my shouting. Crap. She glanced over. Sure enough, she was greeted by the worst case of sexy bed hair she’d ever seen. Her breath hitched. “He-hey, Toshinori, you feelin’ alright?” He squinted at her from across the room.

 “I was about to ask you the same,” he said, rubbing a hand over his face. “I heard quite a bit of shouting just now. Is everything alright?”

Hinata brushed it off with a scoff and a shrug.  “That’s not important right now, Toshi. You’re my number one priority right now. Come on, let’s get you properly cleaned up.”

[irislikesocs]

Ride or Die

Prologue

Three months ago in Istanbul, I found out my boyfriend was an assassin. It wasn’t shock I felt that night, as I climbed out of the hotel window with the duffel of drugs, guns, money or whatever strapped across my body, as I felt a tug on my ankle, anchoring me and throwing off my balance, as I turned back to see the hard, cold, calculating look on Harry’s face. Rather, it was like everything about him, pieces of a puzzle I didn’t know needed solving, finally clicked into place: his constant work trips, his far-too-nice flat, his skin, a filigreed spiderweb of scars.

How could I be so stupid? 

I would have much preferred him cheating on me like a normal boyfriend. Instead we had to deal with this bullshit. 

“Give back the bag, Lucy.”

No ‘what are you doing here?’, no look of surprise, no anger in his voice. So, he’d known all along. 

I saw red: how long had he been tailing me, did he know from the start, and oh God was any of it real, and did he enjoy breaking down, ever so patiently, brick-by-brick, every one of my walls and defences and exposing me as the broken, lovesick fool, and pretending he loved me anyway. Making me fall in love with him, the fucking bellend, the fucking lying arsehole.

“Fuck. You.”

I twisted out of his grip with a kick of my free leg and went straight into free-fall, pulling a muscle as I grasped the balcony railing of the room below. I sucked in the pain. Bracing myself against the wall, I jumped to the building opposite, over a multi-storey drop, just about gripping the flat ledge of it’s roof, and, struggling a bit with the added weight of the duffel, managed to heave myself over and onto my back. I could still see him in the window, a dark silhouette against yellow. For the first time, I found him menacing.

His form got smaller as he backed out of view. I sat up. He reappeared suddenly, stepping onto the windowsill and pushing off with such force that he vaulted over the alley below with ease. 

Oh shit. 

He stumbled a bit on the landing and I took my chance. I ran. He gave chase. We ran across the Turkish rooftops, slipping and sliding as tiles gave away beneath our feet. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. 

The mission was a simple snatch-and-grab, something I’d done countless times before, until Carver flagged that the duffel in question had been snatched-and-grabbed by the psychos from Joburg and I, suddenly afflicted with a case of dumb bitchitis, decided I could snatch-and-grab it right back. However painful it is to admit, I should have listened to Carver, who decided to cut his losses and enjoy a pleasant soak at the local hammam. 

I followed them to their hotel alone. I kept my distance, completely blind to the familiar swagger of Harry’s gait - idiot arsehole move - and waited for them to leave the room before scaling the fire escape. 

The stupid bag bounced against my stomach as I ran away, disrupting my rhythm, slowing me down. He was gaining on me and it pissed me off.

Hubris aside, I refused to die with my back to my murderer. I understood without a doubt that this man, who until a few moments ago I had believed loved me, once he caught me, would kill me. My bones screamed at such injustice, howling a message that surged in my veins, sliced through sinew and hacked it’s way out of my skin: my story will not end here.

I stopped. I turned to face him. Harry slowed to a halt a few feet away, watching as I hoisted the bag over my head to drop it at my feet. A cloud of dust rose between us in the early morning light. I adopted a defensive stance, mindful of the knife concealed in my sleeve. 

It was there on that rooftop, three months ago in Istanbul, that I left the love of my life for dead.

[dragonmuse]

hiii I'm on my *mumble*-th reread and I was wondering, does Izzy ever realise that the eye mural Lucius drew is Pete's eye (is it Pete's eye or did I misinterpret?), and does he have any kind of thoughts/ feelings about it? I just love any and all interactions between the three of them it makes my heart soft 🥺

(It IS Pete's eye! He wound up not making a direct appearance in this ficlet, sorry, but I hope it satisfies anyway)

The ladder was a short one, but watching Lucius on it was nerve-wracking anyway. He was balancing paints, brushes, water and a rag at the top, had not worn particularly useful shoes (they were sneakers, but the fashionable kind without much grip) and despite his usual fear of heights, apparently easily absorbed into the work to get careless. 

“How long is this going to take?” Izzy asked, holding the ladder firmly. 

“Mm, dunno. An hour maybe?” Lucius swept white into the eye, carefully outlining. The fresh paint was several shades brighter than the older grimier one.  “Why? Got a hot date?” 

“Yeah, with my cardiologist,” Izzy winced as Lucius leaned even farther forward, his free hand just barely grazing the top handle for support. 

“You don’t have to be out here. Told you, I usually do this by myself.” 

“That’s worse,” he grumbled. 

Apparently every summer, Lucius did a brief touch up on the mural to keep the colors vivid. Occasionally he changed some details, adding some shadowing to the eyelashes one year and switching out orange eyeshadow for green when the orange paint faded too quickly.  This year it was just a re-touch, the colors more prone to showing dirt getting gently washed and then revived. 

This had all been a pleasant conversation over dinner the night before until Lucius dropped the bomb that he apparently did all this on his own. 

“You’re too freaked out to get on the stepstool to get down the platters in the kitchen and you just hop up a ladder?” Izzy asked, his fork suspended between his mouth and the plate. 

“I can’t explain how my head works,” Lucius shrugged. “When I started the mural, I’d planned it lower, you know? But then you couldn’t see it right and if I wanted it to look the way it was in my head, it had to be higher. So it’s higher and once a year, I put on my big boy pants and manage.” 

“Someone hands you shit?” He guessed. 

“No, I do it myself.” 

Izzy had set down his fork and they’d had quite an argument after that. 

The end result was Izzy was the one holding the ladder and handing Lucius things as required because “if you have such a big itch about it you, you do it”.  He did have the itch and here he was.  

After the initial fear though, it gained its own hypnosis. Izzy was beginning to think (yes and mostly thanks to Donna) that he was perhaps most attracted to people just being very good at what they did. Watching Lucius flick his brush over the brick in little precise strokes was beautiful. The way the lashes regained depth as he coaxed highlights back into place seemed nearly miraculous. 

Izzy had never really given the eye much thought. It was a part of the Revenge in the same way as the gaudy chandeliers, the crystal stemware and the heavy brocade stage curtains. He’d known it was Lucius’ work, of course, but Izzy had seen Lucius sketch far more detailed and technically more difficult things on a bar napkin. The eye was cartoonish in a way little else that Lucius made was. It had vibrant color instead of his preferred grays and sepia. It didn’t arrive quietly, drawing attention with a tug at the sleeve, it screamed for people to look.  

Privately, Izzy had decided he didn’t even like it very much and avoided looking at it for the first few months of his occasional visits. But it had been over a year now and he was watching the rebuilding process and now he wasn’t so sure about his original assessment. 

Maybe it was the cuff wrapped around his wrist and anchoring him firmly to the earth or maybe it was generally being less depressed (yes, also thank you, Donna), but the colors no longer struck him as garish and perhaps the attention-grabbing was a feature, not a bug. 

It was only as Lucius was adding in light blue highlights into the iris that realization struck.  

“Can you give me a clean brush?” Lucius asked, hand extending down. Izzy put one into his palm. Seemed like enough of a pause that he could ask: 

“Is this Pete’s eye?”

“Yep,” Lucius dipped the brush into a darker blue. He moved slowly. One might think languidly, but Izzy knew the care in it now. “He let me take an ungodly amount of pictures and then stare at him for hours. I think he liked the attention, honestly.” 

“Does everyone know that?” 

“I mean, you’d think,” Lucius snorted. “What other drag queen am I looking at that much? But people think it’s Leda all the time. She doesn’t even have blue eyes.” 

“Seems like she should. Goes with the whole persona.” 

“Maybe. Stede sucks at putting in contacts though and it’s not the kind of thing you can tell unless you’re really close anyway.” 

“Bonnet knows?” 

“Huh. I assumed so, but he never asked. Might think it’s just something I pulled out of my hat.” 

Now that Izzy had seen it, he couldn’t unsee it. Pete’s eyes were just that shape, the lid folded up in just that way. The cartoonishness that he’d seen there disappeared all at once. It was the makeup that had fooled him, but here in the details of skin and cornea were very realistic roots. 

“Good likeness,” he offered. 

“Thanks. Should be. Eyes are so hard,” Lucius’ nose was inches away from the brick, practically kissing the wet paint. “Took me forever to get right.” 

“You signed it somewhere?” 

“Uh huh,” Lucius paused to grinned down at him. “Find where and I’ll come down for a break.” 

Now that was tempting on several levels. Izzy turned his attention to the edges. Usually the LB would linger in corners where most artists would leave their mark, but clearly Lucius had hidden it somewhere or he wouldn’t have issued the challenge. He scanned the long lashes, the ombre of eyeshadow, the folds of the skin and the now freshly white eyes.  

Then he caught it. 

“You’re a sap,” Izzy accused. 

“I’m allowed to be sappy about my husband,” Lucius cackled. 

“You showed him?” 

“Of course. It wouldn’t be much of a gesture if I hadn’t.” 

In one of the darker shades of blue, Lucius had drawn his initials in just one shade darker nested in another, much smaller eye in the same shade. It was Lucius looking back at Pete, reflected and seen. The kind of thing you could only spot if you were nearly on top of the piece in broad daylight. 

“You said you’d take a break.” 

“Coming down,” Lucius agreed and he clutched white knuckled at the ladder as he did as if the fear had rushed right back in as soon as he had to move from his perch.  Izzy didn’t move, so Lucius landed in a cage of his arms. “Hello.” 

“Hi.” 

Hands, paint dappled, cupped his face and he was kissed slowly and tenderly. Izzy didn’t resist. He kissed back, all too aware that neon flecks would dot his cheeks and beard. Maybe his clothes too as they pressed together. 

There were worse things.

Especially if they were traces from one of Izzy's newly favorite pieces.

[ebonyforged]

@demonstigma ♡’d

     The bitter cold bites insistently at the exposed skin of her face and neck. It’s the only thing keeping her anchored to the here and now. The cold brick of the building’s doorstep is no better, seeping its iciness through flesh and bone where she sits — has been sitting for god knows how long. She hasn’t thought to keep track of the time, or dared to take out her phone and call. Any time she sees her own hands she can only whimper and ask herself where all the blood has gone. Her hands had been covered, clothes stained, but now there’s nothing left but vivid flashes and the memory of its warmth.

     She should go home, or at least inside. There’s only a faint sliver of hope that’s keeping her nailed to the ground, sat on the edge of the steps with her knees drawn up to her chest and her cheeks salted with dried tears. They don’t have an appointment today, but it must be around that time when they would normally meet, so on the off chance that he will show up to meet with someone else, she waits.

     Ebony is so focused on not thinking about it, on blocking out every flash of red in her mind, that she doesn’t notice there’s someone in front of her until something touches her shoulder. She lifts her head to uncurl herself and looks up to find the only person she would ever think to go to.

     “Doc. . .” Her voice breaks pathetically as her hands latch onto his coat’s sleeves. It’s hard to tell whether she’s trying to pull herself up or pull him down, but either way she doesn’t let up until she’s close enough to bury her face against his chest and her fingers are curled so tight they threaten to tear the fabric apart. “Something happened — I don’t. . . I-I don’t know what happened!”

[buildingmaterials580]

How to Choose the Right Fixing Accessories for Your Project

Selecting the appropriate fixing accessories for a project is crucial to ensuring stability, durability, and safety. Whether you’re working on a light-duty installation or a heavy structural fix, the right choice of fixings based on materials, weight, and load type will make a significant difference in the outcome. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best fixing accessories for your project needs.

Consider the Material You’re Working With

One of the first considerations when selecting fixing accessories is the type of material you’re attaching to. Different materials require specific fixings to ensure a secure attachment without causing damage or loosening over time.

Wood: For wood projects, screws or nails are often ideal, but the type of wood and weight of the load will guide your choice. Softwoods generally pair well with standard wood screws, while hardwoods might require pre-drilling or specialised screws.

Masonry: For concrete, brick, or stone, you’ll need heavy-duty fixing accessories, such as wall plugs or anchor bolts, to penetrate the hard surface and ensure a secure hold. Masonry fixings like expansion anchors or sleeve anchors are particularly effective for heavy loads.

Plasterboard: Light-duty tasks on plasterboard may only need simple fixings like picture hooks, but for heavier items, you’ll need specialised fixings, such as toggle bolts or cavity fixings, to provide support without damaging the board.

Understanding the compatibility between fixings and materials will prevent mishaps and help achieve a more reliable result.

Factor in the Weight and Load Type

The weight of the item you’re fixing is another crucial consideration. Selecting fixing accessories that are rated for the specific weight of the object ensures that it stays securely in place.

Light Loads: For lighter items, such as picture frames or small shelves, basic wall plugs or standard screws may suffice. These are often available in packs with weight ratings, making it easy to select the right one.

Medium Loads: For slightly heavier loads like mirrors or medium-sized shelves, consider stronger fixing accessories, such as multi-purpose wall anchors or toggle bolts, which distribute the weight more evenly across the wall.

Heavy Loads: For heavy-duty installations, such as TVs, large cabinets, or structures that bear weight over time, ensure you’re using high-strength fixings. Anchor bolts, expansion anchors, or specialised masonry bolts are ideal for heavy loads, providing the necessary strength to hold objects securely.

Matching the fixing strength to the load is vital in preventing structural stress and ensuring long-lasting durability.

Choosing the Right Type of Fixing for the Job

The type of load — whether static, dynamic, or shear — will influence the best fixing accessories for your project.

Static Loads: For objects that stay fixed without moving, like shelving or cupboards, standard fixings such as screws, bolts, and wall plugs are often sufficient. These are designed to hold items securely against a wall without risk of movement.

Dynamic Loads: If the object will experience movement, such as a swing or pull-up bar, opt for heavy-duty anchors or spring toggles. These fixings offer extra stability and are resistant to shifting or loosening over time.

Shear Loads: Shear loads are forces that pull downwards, parallel to the mounting surface. Heavy-duty screws, rawl plugs, and masonry anchors are effective for shear loads, as they provide the necessary grip to prevent slipping or failure.

Opt for Quality Over Cost

While budget considerations are often necessary, skimping on fixing accessories may lead to compromised quality and stability. Higher-quality fixings are often made from stronger materials like stainless steel, which resist corrosion and provide better longevity. For outdoor projects or high-humidity areas, consider corrosion-resistant fixings to withstand the elements.

Look for Installation Support

Many brands offer installation guidance or product descriptions that specify the compatibility, weight capacity, and best materials for their fixings. Additionally, most home improvement stores have experienced staff who can guide you on the right fixing accessories for your project.

Conclusion

Selecting the right fixing accessories is essential to ensuring the safety, durability, and visual appeal of your project. By taking into account the material, load weight, type of load, and the quality of your chosen fixings, you can make well-informed decisions that lead to professional, reliable results.

[worldbroadhardware]

Other Head Sleeve Anchor

Base Material：1. Concrete 2. Natural hard stone 3. Concrete hollow blocks 4. Solid brick 5. Light aggregate concrete

Application and Features：1.For fastening of penetrating objects, such as handrails and brackets. 2. For installation of doors and windows, wall fastening, and installation of electromechanical equipment.

Surface Treatment：Zinc, Yellow Zinc, Hot Dip Galvanized and passivate ect.

Material：Carbon Steel or Satinless Steel

Head Style：Hex, Flange,Countersunck,Flat,C Style,O Style ect.

Products Size：If you have any demand, please feel free to contact us.Sorry for the inconvenience.

[jimitjain]

Types of Fasteners: A Comprehensive Guide

Bhansali Fasteners is a well-known Fasteners Manufacturers in India. We manufacture, stock, and provide all types of stainless steel fasteners in various sizes at the greatest prices. Our fastener section is known as We, as a fastener manufacturer, supply a variety of fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, washers, and more. 

1. Screws

Screws are one of the most versatile and widely used fasteners. They have a threaded shaft that provides strong holding power and are primarily used to join materials such as wood, metal, and plastic.

Wood Screws: These have a coarse thread and a tapered point designed to penetrate wood easily. They are commonly used in carpentry and woodworking projects.

Machine Screws: These have a uniform thread and are used with nuts or threaded holes in metal and plastic parts. They are prevalent in machinery and electronic assemblies.

Self-Tapping Screws: These create their own threads as they are driven into a material, making them ideal for attaching materials without pre-drilling.

Deck Screws: Designed for outdoor use, these screws are coated to resist corrosion and have a sharp point for penetrating decking materials.

2. Bolts

Bolts are similar to screws but differ in their use. They typically require a nut to secure them and are used in applications where high strength is needed.

Hex Bolts: These are characterized by their hexagonal heads and are used in construction and machinery. They come in various grades, indicating their strength.

Carriage Bolts: These have a rounded head and a square neck that prevents them from turning once installed. They are often used in wood-to-wood or wood-to-metal applications.

Lag Bolts: Also known as lag screws, these are large, heavy-duty fasteners used to secure heavy materials like wood and metal. They are commonly used in construction and landscaping.

3. Nuts

Nuts are paired with bolts to fasten materials together. They come in various shapes and sizes to suit different applications.

Hex Nuts: These are the most common type and are used with hex bolts. They come in various materials and finishes.

Lock Nuts: These have a special design to prevent them from loosening under vibration. They include nylon insert lock nuts, jam nuts, and metal lock nuts.

Wing Nuts: These have two large "wings" that allow for easy hand tightening. They are used where frequent adjustments are needed.

4. Washers

Washers are used with screws and bolts to distribute the load and prevent damage to the surface being fastened.

Flat Washers: These provide a larger bearing surface and distribute the load evenly. They are used in most fastening applications.

Lock Washers: These prevent nuts and bolts from turning, slipping, or coming loose due to vibration and torque. They include split lock washers and toothed lock washers.

Fender Washers: These have a larger outer diameter than standard flat washers, providing extra support and load distribution.

5. Rivets

Rivets are permanent fasteners used to join two or more materials together. They are commonly used in construction, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Solid Rivets: These are the most common type and are used in high-stress applications where strength is critical.

Blind Rivets: Also known as pop rivets, these can be installed from one side of the workpiece, making them ideal for applications where access is limited.

Drive Rivets: These are hammered into place and are used in light-duty applications.

6. Anchors

Anchors are used to secure fasteners in materials that are brittle or unable to support the weight of the fastener alone, such as drywall or masonry.

Plastic Anchors: These expand as the screw is driven in, providing a secure hold in drywall and plaster.

Masonry Anchors: These are used in concrete, brick, and stone. Examples include wedge anchors and sleeve anchors.

Toggle Bolts: These have a spring-loaded wing that expands behind the wall, providing strong holding power for heavy loads.

  We are also one of the leading Fasteners Supplier in Russia and Fasteners Supplier in Saudi Arabia. We take care of their clients' needs and ensure that all steel bolts, nuts, washers, screws, and fasteners are in order before shipping. Bhansali Fasteners is one of the major Bolt Suppliers in India. Bolts Suppliers in India.low-maintenance, sustainability benefits, and adaptability for fluid transportation in industries such as oil and gas, chemical, food, pharmaceuticals, and construction. They provide reliability and safety. Bolt Suppliers in India is known for its industrial fasteners, which include high-quality bolts, nuts, screws, and washers. 

Website: bhansalibolt.com

Source: Fasteners Manufacturers

[camerontrever]

Elevating Brick Masonry with Advanced Anchoring Solutions

In the realm of construction, brick masonry stands as a timeless testament to durability and aesthetic appeal. Yet, the reliability and longevity of brick structures are intrinsically linked to the effectiveness of their anchoring systems. This is where masonry anchors for brick emerge as indispensable allies, offering unparalleled support and stability.

Unraveling the Role of Masonry Anchors

Masonry anchors represent specialized fasteners meticulously crafted to affix a myriad of materials – be it wood, metal, or concrete – securely onto brick surfaces. These anchors are available in diverse types, each tailored to meet specific application requirements and load capacities.

Exploring the Diverse Array of Masonry Anchors

Sleeve Anchors: Renowned for their versatility, sleeve anchors utilize an expanding sleeve mechanism to grip the interior of pre-drilled holes in brick, ensuring steadfast attachment.

Wedge Anchors: Featuring a threaded stud culminating in a cone-shaped end, wedge anchors expand against the confines of drilled holes upon installation, delivering a tight and secure fit.

Drop-in Anchors: These anchors seamlessly integrate into pre-drilled holes and are secured using a setting tool. Once in place, they provide a flush surface for bolts or threaded rods, facilitating seamless integration.

Toggle Bolts: Ideal for heavy-duty applications, toggle bolts boast a bolt with spring-loaded wings that unfurl behind the brick upon tightening, offering robust support.

Harnessing the Advantages of Masonry Anchors for Brick

Enhanced Stability: By firmly fastening diverse materials to brick masonry, anchors bolster structural stability, minimizing the risk of displacement or structural compromise.

Versatility Redefined: With an extensive range of sizes and configurations available, masonry anchors cater to a myriad of applications, from mounting decorative elements to anchoring heavy machinery.

Simplicity in Installation: Installing masonry anchors requires minimal expertise and specialized tools, rendering the process accessible to a wide spectrum of users.

Long-lasting Performance: Premium masonry anchors are engineered to withstand environmental stressors such as moisture, temperature fluctuations, and corrosion, ensuring sustained performance and reliability.

Key Considerations in Masonry Anchor Selection

When selecting masonry anchors for brick applications, several crucial factors merit consideration:

Load Requirements: Assess the anticipated load capacity to select anchors capable of bearing the intended weight effortlessly.

Brick Composition: Consider the composition and condition of the brick masonry to opt for anchors compatible with the material.

Installation Method: Choose anchors that align with the installation method and tools available for the project at hand.

Environmental Resilience: Evaluate the exposure of the brick structure to environmental elements like moisture and chemicals, opting for anchors fortified with corrosion-resistant properties.

Conclusion:

In summary, masonry anchors for brick construction serve as indispensable assets in fortifying the stability, durability, and functionality of brick masonry structures. By securely fastening materials to brick surfaces, these anchors uphold structural integrity, empowering diverse construction endeavors. Whether embarking on residential renovations, commercial constructions, or industrial projects, the strategic deployment of masonry anchors is pivotal in attaining steadfast and enduring outcomes in brick construction.

[prettytm]

[ EXPLORE ]  sender gets flustered while making out with receiver after becoming aroused. (echoestm, sam, billy)

Sam can't say she trusts him, this guy with his mask and his sleeve-knife and a list of names that overlaps with her own but he's there yet again and much like before all he does is watch, comment, and generally leave her be. An undercover he ain't, and if he's any kind of trouble... well, it's not like she lets go her daddy's knife. She doesn't need to trust him to let him close, trust is for herself. She trusts in her own ability to stick him good if makes even one wrong move.

The real static is that he doesn't do anything wrong. Doesn't move wrong at all. He's like a vampire out of the old Universal flicks, all gliding smoothly and looking for all the world like gravity and the laws of nature don't touch him. Worse, he's smooth when he sinks a hand into her unbound hair and lets nails kiss scalp with just the right amount of pressure and sting to make her moan, shut her eyes and give in. If it's wrong, it doesn't feel anything but right. Just like the stabbing, the killing, the sinking of steel into flesh and blood full of sins that leech out and taint too many lives to just keep going. And it's like he knows that. Maybe he does. Maybe he feels the same way she does when he's the one doing the killing; heart racing, out of breath, belly tight with lust...

It feels good when he backs her up into a wall, kisses her deeply and slots his hips against her— his thigh between her own, a hit to take the edge off even with all the layers between them. He holds her and touches her with a confidence that feels like giving rather than taking and OH! ... that's new. New enough to startle even as it tantalizes, and without fail, there comes the voice that never leaves from just a little bit away.

Oh I remember that. A little action after the action. Nothing feels better—

Flustered and embarrassed, she turns her head away from... whoever he is, breaking their kiss, needing a moment to reorient.

Budding Romance; Accepting; @echoestm

Maybe he should have asked her name. Or at least something to call her. It would have been stupid, reckless even considering what they were both doing but it doesn't stop that thought from flashing across his mind. This was the kinda thing you usually needed a name for. A part of the experience really. They'd been risking enough though, dragging their masks over their heads to reveal their identities to one another. Took a certain level of trust he thinks.

How they had gotten from point A to point B he couldn't exactly remember and he didn't rightly care. One minute they're trading words, sass and wit tossed between them, until he has a hand in her hair and an arm around her waist.

From there it's simple really. Walked backwards, he has her against the wall, pinning her into the brick with the tower of his body. She tastes like candy, sugary sweetness that fills his head with cotton. It's easy to get carried away, to have her back all the more firmly into the hardness of the wall, his knee knocking apart her legs to fit his thigh between them. An anchor and a tease, taut muscles to grind down on if she so wished. He's already taken the lead and now he wants her to use him how she needs.

It's all about the give and take. You couldn't please your partner if you made it all about you.. And something in her reaction? Has him instinctively knowing she hasn't had the best record with men [or women] treating her right. Billy Russo was about to make it mission to change that.

She's pulling away and he misses the heat of her mouth, her taste licked from his lips as he pulls back to watch her. That faint flush of color splashed across her face tempting sin. He worries words would break the moment but the silence could be just as disturbing. "Sweetheart.. Gotta tell me now if you're gonna let me fuck you here right."

[patioproductions]

How to Hang String Lights on Your Patio

String lights are the perfect way to instantly transform your patio from drab to fab. Their soft, romantic glow creates an inviting atmosphere for evening entertaining, dining al fresco, or just relaxing with your favorite beverage. But before you can bask in the magical ambiance, you need to actually hang the darn things. https://youtu.be/vtdO8LE6d8A With a bit of planning and the right hardware, installing patio string lights is a totally doable DIY project. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the best string lights for your space to troubleshooting any issues that pop up after installation. Let’s get started! Choose Your String Lights The first step is picking out your string lights. Here are the main factors to consider: - Bulb style - Globe and Edison bulbs are popular options that add vintage character. Mini lights offer a more understated look. Choose the aesthetic you’re going for. - Bulb color - Stick to warm white bulbs in the 2700-3000K range for the coziest ambiance. Cool white bulbs above 4000K will be harsh and sterile. - Length - Measure the perimeter of your patio and buy enough string lights to go around it. It’s better to have too many lights than too few. - Outdoor rating - Ensure any lights you buy are rated for outdoor/wet locations. Check the packaging for an IP65 rating or higher. - Power source - Plug-in lights are the easiest option if you have outdoor outlets. Battery-powered are more versatile for installation anywhere. Plan Your Layout Once you’ve purchased your string lights, map out how you want them configured on your patio. Here are some options: - Perimeter -Outline the entire patio for even lighting throughout - Crosshatched - Crisscross lights overhead for a cozier feel - Focal points - Accent specific areas like seating zones - Asymmetrical - Drape lights loosely for a whimsical look Measure the area and make sure you have enough string light length for the design you have in mind. It’s better to buy more than you need. Install the Necessary Hardware To hang your string lights, you’ll need to securely anchor them in place. Here are some hardware options: - Eye hooks or cup hooks - Screw into wood structures like pergolas - Masonry anchors - Use for brick/concrete walls and surfaces - Staples - Attach lights to wood fences and railings - Zip ties/clips - Affix lights to metal poles and frames - String light poles - Standalone poles to mount lights from Space your hooks/anchors every 2-3 feet around the perimeter of your patio for stability. Use a level to ensure consistent positioning. Hang the String Lights Once your hardware is installed, it’s time to mount those twinkling lights! Here are some tips: - Unscrew light bulbs before hanging to prevent breakage - Start near your power source and work outward methodically - Use a ladder or step stool to reach high points safely - Keep lights pulled taut but avoid over-stretching - Affix the lights to the hardware using S-hooks, zip ties, etc. - Test lights periodically to ensure all bulbs are illuminated - Replace bulbs once everything is hung for full ambiance - Stand back and admire your handiwork when finished! Going the Extra Mile If you really want to take your string lights up a notch, consider these optional add-ons: - Timers - Automatically turn lights on and off at set times - Dimmers - Adjust brightness to set just the right mood - Remote controls - Control lights from your smartphone - Light sleeves - Protect wires from weather damage Putting in the extra work will allow you to fully integrate your string lights into your outdoor living space. Troubleshooting Common Issues Even if your string light project doesn’t go perfectly smoothly, these troubleshooting tips should help get things back on track: Lights not turning on - Check for loose bulb connections, faulty plugs, or circuit breaker issues Lights burning out - Ensure lights are not touching plants/trees or coiled tightly when stored Connections falling - Use extra clips/ties so connections don’t pull apart Damage from weather - Bring lights indoors during extreme weather as needed Lights blow in wind - Tie a guide wire between anchors for more stability With a bit of patience, creativity, and TLC, your patio will be glowing from the magical ambiance of string lights in no time. So go grab your lights, make a plan, and get ready to DIY an outdoor space you’ll never want to leave! Patio Productions is here to help you create your dream backyard. Let us know if we can be of assistance. Read the full article