#so if i'm dropping off books or picking up holds i can just pop in buy something from the grocery store next door if i need to

[the-sea-anemone]

my city has pretty decent transit coverage, including 3 busses that stop within five minutes of my house. this is obviously great and also means that when i need to run errands at a few different places, i can usually do it in a neat little loop where every place is within walking distance of a bus that can take me to the next one (or home when i'm done). the disadvantage is that it's generally most convenient to go to the library first and then just. carry the book(s) around while i do the rest of my errands. which is to say that today gabriel garcia marquez's one hundred years of solitude and i are going on an adventure

[hotchner-edu]

Hi, love!! I think your writing is fantastic and just wanted to pop in with a request. No pressure if you don’t end up writing it! I love a good miscommunication trope and had an idea of Hotch over hearing his wife on FaceTime one day and she’s talking very cutesy to someone on the other side. When she hangs up she’s kinda weird and acts like she’s hiding something from him. He thinks she’s found someone else and starts spiraling. After a couple days he finally confronts her all heartbroken but the reader is like “Honey, I was talking to the new puppy Penelope got.”

Clueless | Aaron Hotchner

"Is something wrong, sweetheart?" Aaron's voice cuts through your train of thoughts as he looks up from his phone.

Your pout turns into a confused head tilt as you glance over to him. "No, why do you ask?"

"You keep turning your phone on and off." He says softly, frowning in concern while bookmarking the page he's on.

A sheepish smile tugs at your lips as you wave him off. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just expecting a facetime is all." Your eyes drop down to your phone with a small pout. "Plus, there's nothing to do to pass time, but I'm sorry for distracting you from your reading."

"It's okay, my eyes were getting a bit tired anyway." He closes the book and looks back up at you with a reassuring smile. "Do you want to go for a drive? We can grab some takeout after."

"Oh? Not feeling homemade tonight?" You tease him, standing up and stretching.

With a small shrug, he slots his book back into the bookshelf by the sofa and walks over to you. "Not particularly. Besides, I know you've been craving the place we got last time. We still have a few good hours of sun left too."

Humming softly in agreement, you smile as he wraps his arms around your waist and hugs you from behind. "Sounds very tempting."

He kisses down the side of your neck lovingly, one hand splayed across your stomach. "Anything for my beautiful wife." He mumbles softly, nose nuzzling into your hair.

Smiling widely, you lean back against him. As you're about to reply with the same sentiment, the familiar chime of your facetime ringtone cuts through the intimate moment. "Oh!" You gasp happily and wiggle out of Aaron's arms, snatching up your phone.

"I'll be back down soon, and then we can go pick up some dinner." Your words pour out in a rush as you lean up to kiss him. "I love you, be right back!"

"I love you, too." His words and an accompanying chuckle are called out after you as you hurry up the stairs and toward your bedroom.

Once you get situated on your bed, you answer the call with a wide grin. "Pen! I thought you'd never call. Are the goods secured?"

Penelope's face pops up on your phone and she smiles mischievously. "They're secured!" She cries out ecstatically as she steps back from the camera and holds up a tiny black labrador pup.

"Oh my goodness! So bite-sized!" You coo and giggle, taking multiple screenshots of the confused puppy.

"His name is Milo and he's probably the sweetest little baby in the world!" Penelope exclaims, kissing the puppy's head.

"So handsome!" You smile and coo softly. "Just the absolute cutest. How does he look even better than the photos?"

"I know right! Honestly, I was so close to just adopting the entire shelter."

Penelope rambles on about the adoption process and the cute toys she's already bought for him for another ten minutes before she suddenly gasps. "Milo!" Her head snaps down to look to her feet before she looks back up and cries out, "He just did his business under my desk! I'll have to call you back later, honey!"

Snorting in amusement you wave to your phone camera before letting your friend hang up to deal with the sensory nightmare by her feet.

Stretching your legs with a relieved groan, you start heading back downstairs. "Aaron?" You call out.

He responds almost right away, voice muffled by the walls. "In the kitchen, sweetheart!"

"Let's go on that drive now!"

Later that night, you're laying in bed with Aaron after polishing off some Japanese takeout. Aaron's tinkering with the new tv you both bought, trying to get to the streaming service that offered clips from the latest golf tournament.

Your feet are pushed against his legs under the covers, and you're scrolling through some of the new photos Penelope sent you of Milo. An adoring grin lights up your face as you stare at a photo of the puppy hiding under her sofa.

"What's got you all smiley, honey?" Aaron's voice breaks you out of your little bubble.

Turning your phone off, you shake your head and scoot closer to his side. "Nothing, just something Penelope sent me. Any luck with tracking down the golf tourney?"

"Not yet..." he trails off, a small frown on his face. You miss the way he glances down to your phone in confusion and contemplation, continuing to mindlessly scroll through the tv as he sinks deeper into his thoughts.

"Honey." You say softly, watching as he scrolls straight past what he was looking for. Aaron doesn't answer, lips set in a frown with a faraway look in his eyes. "Honey?"

Your eyebrows furrow in concern and you poke his side. "Aaron."

He jolts a little at your prod and blinks a few times. "Sorry, what was that, honey?"

"You scrolled past it already." You point to the tv screen. "Are you okay, Aar?"

Your husband quickly nods and gives you a reassuring smile. "I think I'm just really tired tonight."

"Okay..." Unable to mask your disbelief, you rub his arm a little but opt to wait and let him open up to you whenever he feels ready. It was how you always approached occasions where Aaron was having a difficult time processing or accepting brutal cases.

It takes Aaron about three days to finally put everything out in the open. You're typing away on your laptop when he gently knocks on the living room entryway, a small frown on his face. "Hey, honey. Can we talk for a moment?"

Looking up from the screen, your eyes are stinging unpleasantly and your neck aches from your craning posture. Despite your aches, you manage a steady and warm smile. "Of course."

Aaron takes a deep breath, looking tense as he approaches where you're sitting. "I know that I'm not home nearly enough, and that I let my work bleed into every facet of our life... but I want to know when it started."

"When what started, honey?" You mirror his frown, making a mental note to circle back to his previous points.

"When I caused you to start pulling away from the relationship. I know that it's probably too late, but you're one of the best things to ever happen to me, and I just need to know what I can do better." His eyes are glassy now, brimming with tears of suppressed frustration and heartbreak.

Pushing your laptop off of your lap, you shake your head and blink in disbelief. "I really don't know what you mean, honey. I promise that I'm not upset with you or your work life. You're the perfect husband to me, you know that right?" Your hands move to clutch his, gaze imploring him to elaborate.

"I..." he looks down at your hands. "I'm not nearly a good enough husband for you. That's why I wouldn't blame you if you found someone who could give you more than I can."

His words are like a slap in the face for you, completely throwing your head for a spin as you give him an affronted gape. "What are you talking about, Aaron? You know I would never ever do that, right?"

He looks back up at you and draws his eyebrows together. "Of course not, I just... I wouldn't blame you for thinking about better opportunities."

"What's bringing this on all of a sudden? We've been good these past few years..." You try to think back to anything that would plant seeds of doubts into his head.

"The other day... when you had that facetime call." He begins softly. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but when I walked by the room to grab a towel from the closet, I heard you calling someone handsome on the phone. I didn't think much of it, but..."

Your eyes widen when you catch on to what he's been suspicious about. "But then I started acting shifty later that night too..." You groan and slap your forehead, silently chastising yourself. "Aaron, I promise that it's not what you've been thinking. I was calling Penelope that day and we were chatting about her new puppy, Milo."

Aaron clears his throat and looks at you with knitted brows. "A puppy?"

Nodding, you nearly laugh incredulously at how mixed up the entire situation got. "Yes. I'm so sorry, honey. I was acting weird that night because Pen sent me more photos of Milo. I didn't want to bring it up with you because I didn't want you to think I was subtly hinting for us to get a pet too."

You reach for your phone and quickly open up your message thread with Penelope, showing him all the photos you were smiling at. "I know it's dumb to hide that from you, but I promise that it's because I didn't want you to think I was lonely or needy or something."

Aaron's entire body sags in relief and he lets out a watery chuckle, tugging you into his arms. "I don't mind if you're needy." He whispers softly and kisses your forehead. "I'm sorry for assuming the worst, sweetheart. I trust you more than I trust myself, and I don't want you to think that I think so lowly of you."

"It's okay, Aar. I can overthink a lot too. Let's just promise to be more open with each other because you nearly gave me a heart attack." Your smile seems to soothe him as he nods and kisses you sweetly, clutching you close like you'd disappear at any moment.

"I love you, honey." He mumbles and rubs your back, eyes closing as he allows himself to be swept into the comfort of your presence.

Brushing your thumb against his cheek fondly, you give him another kiss. "I love you, too."

"Let me make it up to you?" He asks, a boyish grin rising on his face as his eyes twinkle a bit.

"I don't know, let me think about it." You tease and playfully pretend to be in thought.

His hands slide down your sides slowly and slip under your shirt, lips surging forward to nip at your neck. "I can be pretty convincing. Let me show you just how much I like your neediness."

[livwritesstuff]

I keep seeing this tiktok of a comedian's daughter calling her while she's in the middle of a set, and now I’m thinking about how often this would happen to Eddie while he's away on book tours.

Like, he's doing a reading or a meet and greet or something, and right in the middle of answering a question –

“Oh, Christ, my daughter’s calling me,” Eddie says, glancing at his phone vibrating on the wooden table, “Should we all say hi?”

A chorus of laughs and some enthusiastic Yeahs come from the crowd, so he picks up his phone and holds it up to the mic as he accepts the call.

“Hi Hazel,” he says.

“Heeey,” she says, all sweet and cool and teenager-y, and Eddie can’t help but grin and roll his eyes as the audience laughs.

“Haze, I’m at a reading – say hi,” he tells her, then grins again as the microphone just barely picks up Hazel’s gasp.

Eddie punches the speaker button in time for Hazel’s, “Dad! Are you for real?”

“Say hi!” Eddie prods again.

Crackly silence comes through the phone for a moment.

“Dad, Robbie and I were looking at your tour dates and we saw that you’re going to L.A. and, like, southern California.”

Eddie shakes his head, pointing at his phone in a can you believe this shit kind of way.

“Yeah, I’ll, like, be in Cali next week.”

“Well, can we come, maybe?”

“How – Hazel, you’re in school. How are you gonna come with me when you guys have school?”

“No, Dad, we have the week off!”

Eddie furrows his eyebrows, because he’s pretty damn sure there’s no federal holidays coming up, or any other reason for his two high-schoolers to have an entire week off of school.

“For what?”

“Well…we have a four-day weekend for professional development or whatever so it’d be just two days we’d have to miss school, plus Friday which, like, barely even counts.”

“Uh-huh,” he deadpans, much to the amusement of the crowd, “What about Moe? Do college professors conveniently have PD days too?”

“No, but it’s fine. She doesn’t wanna go.”

Eddie drops his jaw theatrically.

“Oh, that’s real nice.”

“Yeah!"

“And what about Pop? How’s Papa gonna feel about you all leaving him by his lonesome for a week?”

“Duh, he’ll come too.”

"Oh, duh, of course," Eddie rolls his eyes (and now he's trying to hide that, yeah, it would actually be nice to spend the final leg of his book tour with Steve and their kids), "Hazy, I gotta go. I'm working right now, but I'll call you back later, alright?"

"Okay, yeah, please do."

"Please do?" he repeats, "Sorry, why-"

"Okay, love you Dad!"

"Love you too, Ha-" Eddie is cut off by a short beep as Hazel hangs up, "Jesus Christ."

He sighs, then looks back out at the crowd.

“Y'know, I love my kids so much, but…don’t have children if you want to maintain any control in your life. My daughters have been running the show since the day the first one was born.”

[just-some-random-blogger]

Accidental Targ

Scene III: i told you to hold my hand! | Masterlist

Daemon Targaryen x Modern!Reader

Summary: After coming to terms with the fact you were in King's Landing some two thousand years before your birth, you get reunited with your friend and try to manifest your way back to the present. For the meantime, Harwin Strong is your bodyguard.

Word Count: 4k+

Warnings: fem!reader, time travel au, descriptions of reader's hair, incestuous gremlin!daemon, very sus and innappropriate boss-employee dynamics, low key sugar daddy!otto hightower vibes, crackfic, typos, etc.

A/N: GUYS I DID IT. I FINISHED IT 😫 Also, its come to my attention that perhaps the way i planned out everything geographically is ??? bad but no its not just roll with it AND!! remember yall voted for him ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ i have a feeling you didnt read the prompt fully but whatever HAHAHAA i honestly have no idea where i meant to take this fic, so ???? enjoy?? HAHHAAH

Shoot me if I ever say it again, but for now: gods bless capitalism, specifically for it desecrating a national landmark.

Where once I was one of the people who protested against the building of the High Garden Centre, girl, was I thankful that the old ruins of the fucking Red Keep laid there as a little ol' artsy featurette.

"What's that sound?" Daemon asks as we stand from our spot.

I turn to my side, never before so relieved to hear and see, no more than two blocks away, a rave spilling out of a club, the very one Libby and I were at before we got into this shit show. "That, my prince, is called EDM."

I hurriedly run to Libby's side to pick her up, but Daemon does that himself. He get down and pulls the blue haired woman on his back, and I help him. At the same time, I feel a buzz from my satchel.

My phone!

Daemon watches me as I frantically claw for my device. The amount of texts and call notifications that pop up on my screen is overwhelming. I decide to just let it go off and grab Daemon's arm, "come on."

We walk down from the ruins, shifting through the shrubs and foliage around it. I catch the sight a mall cop and feel agitated when he looks over. He couldn't care less though, the site was open to the public after all, and with a literal club being right there, we were the least of his worries.

We pass the rusty chain fence surrounding it, and draw near Harrenhal (the club). Once we're there, a bunch of men hoot and holler at me. I ignore them as they say something about my 'Targaryen' hair and it dawns on me they were probably calling me princess and lady because I was still in a fucking Targaryen era dress.

Still, I ignore the stupid fucks as they ask to see my pretty skirt, opting to walk faster instead. I was horrified by how loud and violent Daemon's scream was.

He shouted so gutturally that I couldn't understand a lick of The High Valyrian flaming out of his mouth. The vein on his neck popped out and I literally had to hold him back from charging and dropping Libby.

"Daemon, please!" I whimper, heart racing, "Libby's still on you-"

"Grab her and I'll fucking ram steel down- COME OVER HERE AND SAY THAT AGAIN. SAY THAT-"

Steel? I look to his belt. Fucking seven hells, he brought Dark Sister?

I look back at him with wide eyes, feeling nauseous now that I've caught how maddened he looked.

In a panic, I gently pat his face while pulling his arm back, "Daemon, please."

He doesn't look at me.

My voice gets softer and my eyes water, "Daemon, I beg you."

He huffs and clenches his jaw, still not sparing me a glance.

"We don't have time for them," I whisper and keep my hand on his cheek, "I'm just going to connect to the club's wifi from here, then I'll can call us an Ubor."

Daemon does not tear his gaze from the men, who eventually waddle away to whatever sewer they came from, still hollering bullshit as they did.

"Kesan daor nārhēdegon naejot nyetodha aōha irosh," Daemon mutters. I will not forget to slit your throats.

The relief that washed over me was unparalleled when I booked an Ubor set to arrive in 3 minutes. I whimper and rub my eyes, "okay, not long now."

Daemon finally looks at me, still visibly pissed, and adjusts Libby on his back.

I wipe my face, "we're just going to get in the c-" Fuck... I should probably prepare him for the car.

"Okay," I raise my hands, "we're going to get in a metal..." I motion to the space, "... there's going to be a- a- carriage? But with no horse... but and when I get in, you just get in with me, okay?"

Daemon's expression is now one of confusion.

I sigh and place a hand on his shoulder, "it's going to be okay."

His lips curl, "... OK."

I screw my eyes shut and shake my head rapidly, "I mean alright. Alright! ALRIGHT!"

Daemon takes in my visible frustration and nods slowly, "OK."

To be honest, Daemon was a pretty good Ubor passenger, save for the fact his sword nearly cut me, Libby, him and the fucking car seats when he tried to sit without removing his scabbard first. We were lucky the driver seemed to be used to... ren fair people.

He also seemed to be used to driving people to the ER. I was too relieved to think realize how fucked up that kinda is in the moment. Needless to say, I gave him 5 stars and an extra tip.

With Dark Sister in my grip and Libby in Daemon's arms, we finally made it to Lannister Medical Center.

The moment we get there, I run inside the ER and break down at the first nurse I see. I infodump everything, how Libby got attacked, how Harwin lost her, how some maesters tried to help us, how she lost a lot of blood, how I'm afraid she's going to die, how Daemon ended up carrying her, and I just keep going up until I saw Libby's blue hair scattered on a stretcher and the nurse told me to sit down.

I didn't have much fight in me left to argue, so I sit myself down on the bench. But then I see the nurse speaking to Daemon, who, seemed to be explaining what had happened, and I panic all over again.

Before I could stand though, another nurse was there to accommodate me. He did a checkup on me, asked me how I was feeling, and asked if I needed anything to calm down.

I told him I was fine and proceeded to answer his other questions. Daemon eventually came to my side and eyed him.

The nurse gives me a nod and offers a smile, "you seem to be physically well. Just let yourself relax. The doctors have your friend; they'll do their best to help her."

"Thank you."

The nurse nods again. He gives me and Daemon one last look before walking off.

I grab Daemon's hand once it's just the two of us. I look up and shudder, "we did it."

He looks down at me, violet eyes solemn. He brings a hand to my cheek and swipes at my cheek, "ȳdra daor limagon."

"I don't know what that means," I mumble.

"I said don't cry, pretty girl," he kneels in front of me, "worrying will not save your friend."

I stare at him, feeling my heart race and belly roll because of the look he had. He brushes my silver hair back behind my shoulders, only intensifying the flurry in my stomach. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, suddenly, my stomach growls. Oh.

Daemon turns his eyes to my belly as I clutch it.

"You want something to eat... prince?"

Daemon reaches a hand out, "lead the way."

I take his hand, grab Dark Sister, and hand it to him. He fastens his scabbard as we exit the ER and I go through my satchel, fishing for my wallet. Just before I get it, I remember that I blew most of my money on the Ubor.

"Fuck," I curse and turn to Daemon, "I don't have enough money."

Daemon rests his hand on his sword and simply stairs.

"I don't have coin," I clarify. I look around the road and figure our chances of riding a bus at this hour was nonexistent. I give him a look, "do you mind walking home with me?"

Daemon raises a brow, "as opposed to swimming home with you?"

I raise my brows and sigh, "Daemon-"

"Lead the way," he nods and points, "I am not one to tire easily."

I nod and slice through air to drive a point, "okay. No matter what happens," I reach out to him, "you have to hold my hand, okay?"

He looks at my hand then my face, his violet eyes sparkle with amusement. He chuckles but he links his fingers between mine (overkill if you ask me). I'm glad goosebumps don't form.

Daemon smiles softly, "you take me for a child, riña?"

"This child knows how to cross the street," I squeeze his hand harder than necessary and begin to walk off, "I'm not sure you do, kekepa." Grandfather.

Daemon laughs, full-on throwing his head back, "how hard is it to cross? You jus-"

His words go dry when an empty school bus passes us. He was so stunned by the yellow contraption, I had to tug his arm to continue walking.

Just then, a Megatron looking-ass truck drives down the street. I hiss and curse the 14 wheeler for emitting such horrible smoke, eyeing it as it drives away.

Meanwhile, I catch the prince's stunned reaction and almost feel bad for finding it funny. Almost.

We arrive at my apartment about 20 minutes later.

I press the elevator button and turn to Daemon, "don't put your arm between the door, okay?"

Daemon gives me a look.

The elevator opens and we step inside. Daemon gives me a look, "we have lifts you know."

I pull my head back, "you do?"

"At the wall," Daemon retorts as the elevator door closes.

"The wall?" I think for a moment, "ahh. You're right."

A beat.

I knit my brows, "wait, you've been to the wall?"

"Of course I've been to the wall."

The moment we get to my place, relief washes over me. I take my shoes off and scoop my hair in front, "fucking rip this dress off me."

Without a single thought between his brows, Daemon's reaches out to undo the ties at the back of my dress.

Just before he does this, I hear him walk in with his boots and nearly have a heart attack when he passes my threshold.

"OH, ABSOLUTELY NOT!" I turn and shove him back, "take your crusty boots off now!"

Daemon looks at me in bewilderment but walks back and doesn't protest as he removes his shoes. He places his shoes on the rack along with mine.

Not wasting time, he catches my arm and yanks me towards him. He spins me around and immediately undoes the back of my dress. I hastily begin to tug my dress down once I can.

He chuckles, "eager girl."

I rather literally jump out of my dress when I can. Pent-up rage overcomes me. I turn around and start kicking the dress away, releasing all my frustration and anger out on the thing. I curse 8th century Westeros and the Red Keep in particular and assault the object until I'm out of breath.

I proceed to jump onto my sofa and allow exhaustion to finally take over my being.

A second later, I catch Daemon's expression and realize, he probably thought he was going to get lucky when I asked him to basically strip me naked.

"Ahh," I get back on my feet, "sorry about," I point to the dress, "that."

Daemon says nothing as he steps closer. He reaches out for my hip and I swat his hand away. I shake my head, "this is my house."

He chuckles as I evade him on my way to the kitchen, which was not nearly as far as it should have been. The prince eyes the space, "yes. An impressive little room you've got." He follows after me, "I'd love to see the rest of it."

I look at him as I reach my fridge and open the door.

Daemon squints at the light that radiates on me. I cuss at the fact I only had cereal (no milk) and some vegetables that have gone bad. I grab the paper box and hand it to him. He blankly stares at it as I discard the vegetables.

Daemon's brows contort at he box, "it's cold."

I wash my hands, "yeah, refrigerators do that."

"Gra'-nola," he reads.

"Granola," I correct as I dry my hands on my shift.

I'm suddenly struck with the realization his grubby has have never seen antibacterial soap. I snatch the box from him and motion to the sink, "wash your hands."

Daemon turns to the sink and purses his lips.

For a second, I debate if he'd melt if he uses something antiseptic, but then figure I should still take my chances.

I prop the cereal on the counter and exemplify him how to wash his hands. Daemon, with slight reluctance, pumps some hand wash on his palm, opens the sink, and rinses.

I excitedly applaud him once he was done.

"A hand towel," he raises his dripping hands.

I look around even though I didn't have a hand towel. I shrug, "I usually just use my pants."

Daemon shakes his hands by the sink, "your pants?"

"Yeah. They're like clothes that you put on your-"

He grabs my shift and pulls me closer. He wipes his hands on it, "I know what pants are, princess."

I push him off and smirks as he dodges. I make a face, "well, I do so beg your pardon, your majesty."

The prince lets out a low laugh, "don't get too brazen, or I'll have you begging till you weep."

I quickly change the subject, "get that damned sword off your hip." I shoo him and rummage through my kitchen cabinets.

Daemon watches this and chuckles again. He tilts his head as he eyes my legs. He undoes his scabbard, sets it on my dining table, and pulls out a chair. He sits down just as I find a can of Sbam. Huzzah!

I grab a chopping board and open the can. A small smile spreads on the prince's lips as stares. But then, his expression drops when I shake, or try to shake, the processed meat out of the can.

I huff once I've succeeded, and I begin to cut the Sbam chunk, "you know this was in created during the war," I slice a piece, "it saved a lot of people from starvation."

"Which war?"

I freeze when he says this. I open my mouth then close it, unsure if recounting the details of world wars to him was a good idea, "you know what, never mind that."

Once I was done with the Sbam, I got a pan and heat it up. I get a plate and a loaf of bread, then place it on the table.

I click my tongue at the sight of his sword, "off the table!"

Daemon watches as I take Dark Sister and replace it with the plate and bread. I place the sword by the shoes and he takes the plastic wrapped bread. He feels the material and opens it, "what is this?"

"Bread," I retort, going back to my pan.

"No, I know that, but what's it wrapped with?"

I give him a quick look, "oh, plastic," I begin to cook the Sbam, "it's made of carbon... I think- I dunno- don't quote me on that."

Daemon opens the bag and takes a slice of bread. He pulls his had back, "it's sliced."

I beam and jump excitedly, "it is! It's sliced bread! Betty White is older than sliced bread! And so are you!"

Daemon ignores this as he sniffs the piece in his hand. He takes a bite then and makes a face, "why does it taste like that?"

"Like what?"

His brows knit and his eyes narrow, "like a pretender."

I burst into a laugh. I flip over the Sbam with a spatula, "imitation bread?"

"It wants so earnest to be bread," he pushes the loaf away and shakes his head, "but it clearly isn't."

I laugh even harder.

He snorts at my reaction. He smiles as leans back on his chair. A few moments later, he grows serious, "you ought to dismiss your royal baker."

Oh. My lips twitch and I chuckle under my breath, "ah, yes. My royal baker. Yes, I will dismiss my royal baker for making horrible sliced bread. Yes."

The Sbam was now cooked. I present it to him on a plate, "bon app-- ... I hope you like it."

Daemon leans forward to scrutinize the dish.

I press my lips into a line as I sit down next to him. I take a slice of imitation bread and fold in a slice of Sbam. I realize just how hungry I was after taking a bite. Through half-full mouth, I mutter, "it's good."

Daemon watches me and follows suit. He takes some bread and Sbam, then chomps.

I stop chewing. Wait, what if he gets an instant heart attack because his living fossil-self can't handle processed food?

He licks his lips and chews. I begin to grow more agitated as he makes a face.

"It's delicious," Daemon says, going in for another bite.

My agitation turns into shock, "really?!"

"Well, it's no roasted pork, but it'll suffice," he mutter between chews.

I let out a soft laugh and nod, "I'm glad it's enough for the prince."

"I'm honored the princess herself made it for me."

Aw, fuck. Who's gonna tell him?

There is a knock on my door. At the same time, my phone rings.

Daemon is alerted by the sound and I dash away to finally answer my phone.

"What is that?" the prince asks.

"It's my phone. Remember? You can call people with it."

Daemon narrows his eyes as I rummage my bag for my device. The knocking on the door gets louder.

I turn to the door, "just a minute."

I find my phone and feel my stomach drop at the caller ID. The banging on the door persists.

I answer the phone and head for the door, "hello?"

"Fucking hells!" the voice is worn and apparently worried, "where the fuck have you bee-"

"It's not you outside, is it?" I cut him off as I head for the door.

"What?! No! I'm in the fucking North, dammit! Your friends have been calling me nonstop, since fucking Sunday! -"

I open the door and my face falls. Standing before me is a man in a dark teal suit; his tie was loose, his stubble was thick, and he held what looked like a dozen bags in his hands.

"- You and Libby have been fucking missing for days! Where-"

"Mr. Hightower," I lower my phone as the man on the other end continues to chastise me.

Otto Hightower looks me up and down, then sighs, "out of the way."

Without another thought, I step back to let him in. He expertly slips out of his leather shoes then heads towards my sofa. He places all the bags on the coffee table. I follow after him.

I hear my name being shouted from my phone. I close the door and follow after Otto.

I listen in on the call again and I hiss when the voice pierces my ear drum, "Jon, calm down."

"CALM DOWN!? HOW CAN I BE CALM WHEN YOU WON'T TELL ME ANYTHING!?"

I begin to panic when Daemon walks over.

"Who is that?" Otto asks me. He notices Daemon, then makes a face, "who are you?"

I look at Otto, then Daemon, and dash over to the prince, grabbing his hand. I watch in real time the recognition and disbelief that floods the Targaryen's features as he watches the other slowly remove his tie.

"Libby and I got stuck in the ren-fair!" I reply to my phone.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU FUCKING CALL?!"

"MY PHONE DIED, JON!" I shout back a lie.

Otto's brow raises. He looks at me and mouths, "Jon?"

I ignore that and groan "LOOK! I'm fine! Libby's-- ... Libby's," I whisper softly, "in the ER-"

"THE ER-"

"I'M TAKING CARE OF HER!"

"WHY THE FUCK IS SHE IN THE ER?!"

"Libby's in the ER?" Otto mutters.

I raise a finger to answer my phone, "Jon, please. I'll explain everything tomorrow."

He screams my name and I have to rip my phone away from my ear again. I vaguely hear him rant about how I should explain why his sister is in the fucking ER.

"Jon, Jon, I love you but I have to go," I quip and immediately end the call. I turn on airplane mode and throw my phone on to the couch.

I release a breath and find myself pulling a smile as the man in the suit eyes me. He's about to speak, but Daemon beats him to it.

"What was that?" the prince asks, pulling me by the arm to face him.

I turn to him and make a face. It's Otto that answers for me, "her ex boyfriend."

I turn to Otto as he tilts his head and raises a brow, as if daring me to correct him.

I do, "my best friend's brother."

Daemon eyes Otto; the latter makes a face, "who used to your lover," he crosses his arms, "I'm offended you take his calls but not mine."

"And who are you?" Daemon hisses, stepping towards him.

Without missing a beat, Otto meets his gaze and scoffs, "who are you?"

Daemon's pulls his chin back and chuckles dryly. His expression screamed FUCK AROUND AND FIND OUT.

I jump in front of him, my back presses his chest. I give a nervous laugh, "Mr. High- Director- Mr. Director- sir. This is Daemon."

Otto watches as I grip Daemon's hands behind me.

"And Daemon," I barely look at him over my shoulder, "this is... my... employe-"

"Otto Hightower," he cuts me off, bringing his hand into his breast pocket, "Director and CFO of King's Landing Holdings."

I wince, fuck.

"King's Landing?!" Daemon laughs out loud.

Otto produces a business card.

"It's a company!" I turn around and wave my hands, "it's a company! An establishment!"

Daemon does not tear his eyes away from him.

"He's my employer!" I explain.

Otto offers a piece of paper between his fingers.

The prince looks at it and slightly pushes me away, "what's he doing here then?"

"That's hardly any of your business," Otto retorts, tucking his business card back into his pocket.

Daemon laughs and finally turns to me. He mutters something in High Valyrian along the lines of 'let me do something' and 'stabbing'. I frantically shake my hand and push him back.

He thankfully relents and I sit him back down on my dining table.

My relief is fleeting when I realize the only reason Daemon didn't refute was because Otto was trailing right after me. My stomach drops when I feel a hand on my back.

Otto is right behind me. He places a few of the paper bags he brought on the table. He opens them, "I bought you dinner."

I turn to him, intent to tell him he shouldn't have.

"Amongst other things," he adds.

Daemon barks, "we have dinner."

"How did you even know I was home?" I say at the same time.

Otto's eyes flick to him, to the plate of Sbam on the table. His face is blank as looks back to me. He decides to remove his coat jacket, "I suppose you'd-" eyes Daemon, "-also think a candle equal to a campfire."

"Mister Hightower," I helplessly mutter.

He hangs his jacket on the backrest. He turns to me, "and you were missing--"

My expression sours.

"-- what did you expect me to do? I obviously utilized my connections. I'm offended you'd ask me such a thing."

Daemon mutters something in High Valyrian again.

"Of course, I had come see you myself," he looks at me through his lashes as rolls up his sleeves. My eyes dart to his sleeve tattoos and arm veins. When I begin to scrutinize the hairs on his skin, I realize I've stared to long.

In a panicked frenzy, I begin to unpack one of the paper bags. He, himself, brings out a stack of food containers and places them on the table.

The smell alone makes my stomach grumble.

Otto steps away and comes back with plates and cutlery. He places one plate in front of me, and has a prolonged stare at Daemon before placing the other in front of Daemon. He says, "I would hate for prince Daemon to be reduced to eating Sbam for dinner."

My expression drops. Daemon does not move an inch.

Otto turns to me and pulls out the chair. I take a moment before sitting down, because, really, did I have any other choice?

Otto opens the containers one by one and my mouth waters as I see lobster, lamb, and lemon cakes. He serves me meat and veggies, "I would assume you're not hurt like your friend."

I watch as he places food on my plate. I gulp before responding, "I'm just... tired."

"Then, I would also assume you'll not be attending work tomorrow," he takes my hand, putting the utensils in them. He scrapes a chair to my side and sits down next to me, urging me to eat with a motion.

I look at Mr. Hightower, "oh no- I will! I will-"

"You won't," he raises a hand, "see to it you're well rested."

I turn to my plate, feeling a flurry in my stomach over his words.

"Are you not going to serve your prince?" Daemon cuts in, raising his brows.

The lamb I was about to eat drops back to my plate.

The two glare, as if willing the other to spontaneously combust.

Before anything else could happen, I stand and reach out to Daemon's plate. I squeak when both grab me by the wrist.

My throat tightens.

My heart races when Daemon stands, "release her."

Otto raises his brows and tilts his head, "sit back down."

I rip my wrists out of their grips. Thankfully, neither put up a fight.

They stare at each other for what felt like ages. My agitation rockets when I see my boss begin to fidget with his hands the way he did when he was annoyed and ready to do something drastic.

I give Daemon a panicked look and grab his wrist, "kostilus." Please.

Daemon clenches his fist.

I continue to beg him until he sits.

I squeak when he grabs my chair by the seat and pulls me towards him. He mutters, "kesan daor emagon ao va bona run." I will not have you near that thing.

I turn to Director Hightower; I could see his annoyance building.

Fuck.

"Miste-" "Enjoy your meal then," he speaks as he stands. He grabs his coat and points, "I've bought some first aid things. I'm sure your friend can help you put that away."

I move to stand but Daemon stops me. He looks up at Otto in disgust, "do mind the steel contraptions on your way out."

I snap at Daemon, eyeing him hotly. He places a hand over my legs, ensuring I do not evade him. I watch as Mr. Hightower heads for the door, and in a split second decision, I turn to the prince and kiss him on the lips.

He is evidently taken aback, but it only takes him another second to get into it. Once he's put his guard down, I rip away from him and chase after my boss just as he exits my apartment.

"MR. HIGHTOWER!"

Otto turns around. I huff as I meet him just outside my door, "I'm really sorry about him. He's... he's just like that."

"You're not responsible for the actions of others," he retorts, nonchalant.

"I know. But still-"

"You are responsible for the company you keep," he adds.

I brush my silver hair back, "and you're not responsible for my well-being."

He snorts and shakes his head, "I'm your superior."

I press my lips into a thin line, deciding not to get into this conversation right now, "that, you are, Director."

We stare at each other for a moment. I examine his well-ironed suit, noticing how he didn't bother to fix his tie or buttons any more.

"I'll-"

"Is he not-" Daemon kicks the door open.

My eyes widen, "DAEMON-"

"-fucking gone yet?!" he points Dark Sister in an offensive stance. I yelp when he swings his weapon and scratches the door.

Otto's fight or flight instincts kick in and he takes flight down the hall.

"DAEMON-" I scream. I duck down and grab him by the torso, "STOP IT!"

Daemon screams out in High Valyrian. He laughs and lowers his sword, "yeah, you better run."

[wileys-russo]

hey! no clue if your requests are open but if they are how about leah x reader where leah plans a date where they go golfing, hoping to impress reader with her skills but reader actually plays golf too and ends up being better than leah at it. so leah is just completely dumbfounded and slightly annoyed (in a good way) but also impressed. also cueing some teasing from r about being better.

big swing II l.williamson

"this is where we're spending the day?" you laughed as leah pulled up to the golf course, grinning at you as she parked the car. "i told you we were doing an outdoor activity and to dress for the occasion." leah hurried out of the car and to your side, popping open your door.

"thank you, charmer." you smiled, pecking her lips as she closed the door after you. "when the hell did you pack those?" you shook your head as leah popped her boot, grabbing out a set of clubs.

"never you mind my girl." leah grinned. "oh you're a sick sick woman." you sighed, seeing the engraved LW on each club, your girlfriend shoving your head playfully before slinging the clubs over her shoulder, locking her car and holding out her hand for you to take.

she booked you both in, promising to take you out for lunch afterwards as you watched on in amusement as she made a point to greet everyone you came across, relishing in the fact they all knew her by name, glancing at you out of the corner of her eye clearly trying to impress you.

she made sure to introduce you to everyone as her girlfriend, dropping the word as often as she could with a proud grin on her face. "hey stewart, can you hook my girlfriend up with a set of clubs please?" leah leant forward on the counter with a charming smile toward the older man.

"i'm just gonna go put my clubs in the cart love." leah murmured quietly, kissing the side of your head and stepping outside as stewart brought out a few different sets for you to try.

selecting the ones you were happy with you were quick to pay for them before your girlfriend returned, earning yourself an annoyed scowl from the taller blonde as you met her outside, handing her your chosen clubs to load in the back of the cart with her own.

"today was supposed to be on me, cheeky girl." leah tutted as you slid into the cart beside her, kissing her cheek and mumbling a thank you into the skin as she started the cart, driving you to the first hole.

"you go first babe, show me how its done." you waved for her to start as leah hopped out of the cart, riffling through her clubs and pulling out her driver, sending you a wink as you leaned against the cart, dropping your sunglasses down onto your nose as she positioned herself.

you clapped politely at leahs first shot which sailed straight down the green, the blonde nodding in satisfaction as she made her way back to you. "do you want a hand picking out which club to use?" leah offered with a somewhat cocky smile, and so deciding to play into her ego you nodded.

leah selecting your club she took your hand and guided you to the tee, making a show of demonstrating where your hands go and how to swing, only stepping away once you assured you were okay.

you smiled to yourself as your first shot went straight, it didn't go as far as leah's but it did remain on the fairway and you shrugged happily. "nice shot gorgeous, must have a good teacher!" leah winked as the two of you drove down to where your balls sat.

"mmm something like that."

~

it turns out, it was something like that however not what leah imagined.

she'd taken you golfing in hopes of being able to show off, wanting you to be impressed and proud as well as giving herself an opportunity to get a little handsy with you as she showed you the ropes.

however, leahs plan was unraveling with every hole the two of you played. you'd rejected needing her help and much to leahs absolute horror you were winning.

by now she'd put two and two together that you'd clearly played before, your shots all effortlessly successful as you'd send her a smile and a wink afterward, asking if there was anything she'd have you do differently as your teacher, only winding up the defender further.

"so. did you plan on ever telling me you're secretly a golf pro?" the blonde asked moodily as you returned by her side after making a birdie with a happy grin. "you never asked." you smiled smugly, stealing a kiss and gesturing for her to take her shot.

"you never asked." the blonde mocked under her breath with a huff, only widening your smile at how much this was getting to her. her annoyance grew as she missed an easy putt, smacking her club into the ground and swearing loudly.

"hey hey williamson we treat our tools with respect here, this isn't a football pitch there isn't someone who comes and fixes the grass at half time." you teased, the blonde sending you a murderous glare as you grinned, blowing her a kiss as she tapped her ball in and made her way back to you.

"don't be a sore loser." you cooed, grabbing her face and kissing her cheek repeatedly as she pushed you off. "i love golf! why didn't you tell me you were so good, we could have played together already." leah pouted with a frown, crossing her arms over her chest.

"because i hate golf. the only reason i'm decent is because its the only way my dad ever tried to bond with me, we spent almost every second sunday playing golf and he was not a patient teacher." you laughed, grabbing her hands and squeezing them gently.

"you'd still destroy me on the football pitch lee, now stop being so stroppy." you kissed her knuckles. "we're going for a kick around for our next date then." leah decided firmly making you laugh and agree, pulling the older girl into a proper kiss.

"now, would you like me to show you how to properly swing captain?" "oh fuck off!"

[buds-and-baubles]

after all the comments about midnighter's trench coat i've seen in canon, my mind has been taunting me with this:

apollo: *holding midnighter upside down by his boots and shaking him like a ketchup bottle in their living room*

midnighter: *drops out 80 different types of knives and swords including a zweihander* *drops out his bo staff* *drops out his night (escrima) sticks* *drops out throwing stars* *drops out toolbox* *drops out first aid kit* *drops out wallet full of pictures of his family* *drops out sticker book* *drops out packaged foods like fruit snacks and water bottles* *drops out flip phone* *drops out mint life savers* *drops ou–*

jenny quantum: *has been standing in the doorway the entire time* ...dads?

both: *look at jenny but midnighter's is from upside down* yeah, kiddo/moppet?

jenny quantum: what are you doing to dad midnighter?

midnighter: he's hoping candy will pop out.

jenny quantum: what?

apollo: your father claims he hasn't stolen my chocolate bar even though i could smell it on his breath. he dared me i wouldn't be able to find it even if i shook him like a magic mid ball. *shakes him again and a half-eaten chocolate bar drops out, which makes him smile a smug smile*

midnighter: *frowns but it's more like a pout as he crosses his arms* get that look off your face, this isn't the lottery. i ate it because i liked it and i'd do it again. i will do it again now just to piss you off. i didn't tell you because you eat all the chocolate in the apartment and don't even share with me.

apollo: it's my favorite chocolate. we already share everything, and i would've shared if you asked but you didn't so now you can kiss that chance goodbye.

both: *further lighthearted bickering*

jenny quantum: *watches them with a deadpanned expression as she still stands in the doorway* are you both done? i'd like to go to the movies before the next decade begins and ends.

apollo: *sets midnighter gently on the couch* sure, jenny q. you ready to go? i'm ready but we'll have to wait for midnighter to get out of his uniform and dressed in everyday clothes after he puts all his stuff back in his pockets.

midnighter: *grumbles as he starts picking up his stuff and putting it away* no thanks to you. also jenny, i'd go with your actual fall jacket. it's pretty cold out.

jenny quantum: ugh, you're both terrible. i'll eat all the chocolate in the house and watch your minds explode as you blame eachother. *she puts on her fall jacket anyways but ties it around her waist as a form of protest*

[cremonamone]

hi mona! i have a question for you and a drabble request if you are still taking those. what are your favorite monsters to write? and for drabble, i would love to read *literally* anything with an orc!

You're my first requester! Thank you so much! I haven't written a lot of monster stories yet, but I am working on a mer-person novel that I'm really enjoying. I've never written or read much with orcs, so hopefully this is okay! I may have gotten a little carried away.

Fem Reader X Masc Orc

18+ Only - Smut ahead!

Word Count: 1850

The Hunt for a Roommate

When you posted online that you were looking for a roommate, you really expected more university students who needed affordable housing and fewer weirdos who thought it would just be “really, really cool to live with a human”.

You try not to hold your breath as you wait for your final appointment of the day. You booked him last because you really weren’t keen on living with a big orc. No offence to orcs, of course, but there’s barely enough room in the one bedroom apartment for you by yourself, and the floors creak like old bones and buckle in a few spots like they’re made out of cardboard. A gnome or a fairy would’ve been ideal. Someone who could fit in tight spaces and not take up too much room, but the only gnome who showed up spent the entire interview trying to stare up your skirt, and you really, really, don’t want to be dodging that energy in your own home.

You only signed the lease in this shit hole because you thought you could handle the rent on your own, but things have changed and you need to adapt. So, you can move into the hall closet and he can take the bedroom. Hopefully he travels light and only wants to live here for the four months you’re laid off. Fingers crossed he’s a normal dude who just really needs a place to stay.

He knocks on door and it sounds like a hammer falling.

It’s so loud you hear the neighbour across the hall open their door and tell him to shut up. Not a great start. Still, you stand up from the couch. You made cookies, and they’ve cooled over the course of would-be roomie interviews today, but there are still a few left and he can have them.

The door always takes a minute to unlock. The previous tenant only had three, but you’re a wee bit paranoid being a human and a woman alone in this part of town makes people think you’re an easy target. You vetted every single interview today as well as you could without hiring a background checker, but you’re still stunned when you open the door: He’s fucking beautiful.

He’s gotta be at least 6’9”, and he glowers down at you from the doorway while your neighbour continues to scream from across the hall. You ignore her as you invite him in. As tempting as it is to tell her fuck off, you don’t want to escalate the situation outside of your home. Inviting trouble in is not a good idea.

He has to duck to get through the door frame, and he already looks displeased. He’s thick too, wide and chubby with a lot of definition. You point him to the couch and it sags a little under his mass, but he looks at home immediately. He spreads his knees and you feel the urge to drop between them and see what he’s packing under his jeans, but you shake it off and take the chair you set across the table. You pick up your list of questions.

“Help yourself to a cookie,” you say, and he picks one up and pops it into his mouth in one bite. His lower teeth jut out onto his cheeks, which have a little colour in them aside from the mossy green of the rest of his skin. A blush?

“Delicious,” he says, and you don’t know why but those three syllables make you cross your legs.

“Thanks. I’m a baker, so there’s usually some sort of baked goods around the house. What do you do?”

“Security.”

“Oh. You keep odd hours? I’m often out the door by 2am and sleep through the afternoons.”

“I work nights. Daylight hurts my eyes.” He gestures to the sunglasses hanging off the neckline of his muscle shirt. “Orcs are mostly nocturnal, which is good for warfare and bad for city living.”

“Then why live in the city?”

“I like it here. In my grandparents’ days, you could pillage, and fuck, and do and take whatever you wanted as long as you were under the command of a warlord. But that’s changed, hasn’t it? The instincts remain, but the opportunity to use them has been cut off.”

“What do you do with all your pent up aggression?”

“I fuck, and I hope for something interesting to happen at work.”

Your belly does a little flip. You set your paperwork aside and look him up and down. He really is stunning. He’s a comforting shade of green, his head is wide and square, and he has a hooked nose that flares as he sniffs the air. He takes another cookie and you enjoy watching him chew. You always like watching people eat your food. All the work you put into your craft becomes worth it as soon as someone else tastes it and enjoys it.

“These are good,” he says, and you melt a little at the compliment. “I work full time, so I usually eat take out. It’s nice to get something homemade.”

“I cook every day. I don’t mind making extra.”

“We’ll get along well.”

The deep tones of his voice warm you inside. It reminds you of a crackling fire, burning long and low, twigs snapping under the pressure of the heat. You want to feel his rumble inside of you, to experience a kiss from someone with a mouth that’s so different than your own.

“You have a crumb,” you say, and reach for the napkins you bought just for these interviews, but his tongue darts out to collect them in such a quick flash that you blink and it’s over.

“So, should I give you the tour?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve already seen the living room, kitchen, and entryway. So this is the bedroom.” You walk the twelve feet to the closed door and pop it open. You weren’t planning to show it to anyway, but there’s no way he’ll fit in the closet and you really need this to go well. Either you get cozy in the closet, or you back your bags and hit the streets.

“Looks like it’s occupied.”

“Honestly, I was trying to rent out the closet, but I’ll take it and you can have the bedroom.”

“Will you be taking the mess with you?”

“I’m a baker, okay? I keep the kitchen clean. I keep the bathroom clean. This is my... nest.”

“There are shoes on the bed.”

“I was in a hurry this morning.”

“That is not a mess one makes in a morning. You keep the bedroom. I’ll take the couch.”

“Why are you so desperate for a place to live?”

“A pipe burst in the floor above mine. This is short term.”

“Right.”

“So, we should both enjoy it while we’re together, right?”

You feel him at your back, towering over you, and you want to melt. You have to clear your throat before you answer. He isn’t... coming onto you, right? “Right. So you take the couch. I’ll keep my room. I’ll show you the bathroom.”

You open the door and step inside. Wrong direction. His body fills the space so your hips press against the counter top.

“How do you feel about a roommates with benefits situation?” The question pops out of your mouth before you even have the chance to think it through, like it got so overheated it short-circuited. He grins, like this was his plan all along, and his massive hands engulf your hips. He lifts you like you weigh nothing and sets you next to the sink, then pushes himself between your legs. It’s a stretch to fit him in there, but it burns nicely.

“Pretty fucking good,” he answers, then his tongue is on your neck, finding the spot that makes your toes curl, and he’s thrusting into you, firm but not hard enough to hurt, with both of your clothes still on.

“So the rent is-”

“Sounds good.” His hand descends to your pussy and he rubs it. You moan, long and loud, and he grins. “Sounds really good.”

His fingers dip into your top and he pulls, tearing in a long, messy line down your front so your breasts are bare. The cool air of the apartment hits them and they pebble. He descends upon them like a starved man. He said he said he needed to fuck to keep his instincts in check, but you hadn’t expected this level of attention from him. He worships your breasts, sucking on the skin while his fingers play with your nipples, pressing them down firmly, pinching them hard then rubbing them soothingly. His massive mouth envelopes one and he sucks the entire thing into his mouth, the suction so hard that you almost cum just from that. You grind against him, and his hands dip lower to grip your thighs. He makes quick work of your pants, ripping them off like they’re made of paper.

You gasp as his fingers find your pussy and spread it, and the warm air of the apartment hits the sensitive skin. He leans back just far enough to look at it, and even though you squirm under his direct stare, it’s hard to be modest when he blows on it. You buck under the warm sensation and wriggle in his hold. His hand slides from your hip down to join the other at your cunt, and he presses one finger inside. You have to stretch to accommodate just the one finger, and the burn from it is almost enough to make you come right there. Your head falls back. His face towers over you, grinning, as he begins to pump it in and out and rub your clit simultaneously.

You’re screaming, you know because your throat hurts, as he hikes your legs up and bends you in half, continuing to destroy your pussy with just one finger. Your climax builds and you come, but he doesn’t stop.

“Come for me one more time,” he commands, and your body reacts like it knows how to take an order, spasming and clenching hard on him, your vision going black for a long moment.

You feel like you should thank him. “I’ll make brownies tomorrow,” you say, somewhat nonsensically, while he helps himself to a towel from the drawer beneath you and wipes you up. You shoot up and grab his wrist. You’re too sensitive, and yet... “I want your cock.”

He chuckles, raises his hand to his mouth and licks your cum from his fingers, his eyes dark and haughty.

“We’ll work up to that. You could barely take my finger today. But we have time. This arrangement is just beginning, after all.” He lifts you like you weigh nothing and carries you to the couch, where he arranges you in his lap. “Rest, so I can fuck you again later. We have to get that pussy nice and stretched for me.”

You moan, your toes curl, and he stares down at you with a rugged sense of pride. The future looks bright.

[waddingham]

would love to hear some happy news today, hows poppy doing 🥺

aw im sorry i didn't see this before i went to bed so here have this <3

When she pushes her hair back for the fifth time in half as many minutes, this time with an adorably tiny huff of frustration, he intervenes.

"Poppy, honey, is your hair botherin' you? You want me to put it up for you?"

She nods, scowling at the game in front of her, and Ted makes a mental note that it might be about time for a haircut.

Poppy pops up and disappears without explanation, so Ted follows her up the stairs to the bathroom. He finds her on her tip-toes digging into a drawer filled with colorful hair contraptions.

"Whatcha lookin' for, hmm?"

"Here," she says, holding up two tiny yellow hair ties to him. "Can you do the plaits like Mama does, please?"

"Oh," he says, taking the hair ties. Shoot.

He has no idea how to do her braids. And he really is certain it won't be as neat and efficient as Rebecca does it.

But she's pointing those doe eyes up at him and it can't be too hard. And he would love to know, to be able to do it as easily as Rebecca, so it's about time he learned.

"That depends," he says, squatting down. "I've never done your braids before, Pop. But if you're patient while I learn, I think we can do it."

Poppy nods and he smiles, sweeping her up onto his hip as he rises.

"Alright, c'mon."

He gets her settled in front of him on the chaise end of the sofa, occupied with a coloring book. They're French braids, he knows that, and he's watched Rebecca do it, but at speeds he couldn't follow if he tried, so his first order of business is a consultation with Mr. Google.

He watches a video as he mindlessly combs his fingers through Poppy's waves, which seem to have less and less real curl by the day. He works out any little tangles with his fingers as he gets the gist of the twist.

"Looks simple enough," he mutters mostly to himself.

He gets her hair parted all the way down, knowing she wants two braids. That should make it easier, maybe, he thinks as he ties up one side to keep it out of the way.

He starts at the top of her head scooping up some hair. He splits it into three sections, then goes back to the video to make sure he's got it right when he starts crossing the side strands over into the middle. He doesn't even get to adding hair before he realizes he is way too close to her part for it to be right, and starts over.

It is tricky. Way trickier than the video or Rebecca makes it look. The first twists are easy enough, but trying to pick up the right amount of hair and add it to the bundle without mixing it in with the other two strands or dropping any is difficult.

"Oh, this takes practice," he mutters as he combs it back out, having accidentally made one strand twice as big as the rest.

"This might take a minute," he warns Poppy. "You okay with that?"

"Yeah. I'm colorin'," she assures him and he smiles. Of course she doesn't care as long as it's out of her face.

He tries to figure the best way to hold onto the strands to not make a mess of this, asking Poppy about what she's coloring as he does some trial and error. Very slowly, he starts to get it, and learns how to backtrack without having to take the whole thing out and start over when he messes it up. Which really speeds the process up.

"Okay," he says slowly, smiling as he braids the ends of her hair until they're too small to work with, bundling them together just below the edge of her shoulder. "I think we got something here."

He holds a hand out in front of her.

"Hair tie me."

She hands him the little elastic and he ties it off. It's a little lopsided as one third grew too fast, maybe a little loose at the top where he was wary of pulling too tight, but it looks like success.

It's easier the second time, now that he's got the motion down, even though he still fumbles a little bit with it. But Poppy's unbothered and he goes slow, trying to get it smoother than the other side.

He grins wide as he secures it, satisfied with the mostly-symmetrical, somewhat messy result.

"How's that, Pops?" he asks, leaning forward. "That feel okay?"

She nods, bringing her hands up to feel it.

"It ain't pullin' or anything?"

"Nope," she says, turning around with a smile. "Good job, Teddy."

He grins at her heartfelt praise as she gives him a little hug before climbing down from the sofa.

"Thank you, pumpkin," he chuckles.

She goes back to her game on the floor and he goes back to his laptop, finishing up his chunk of the coaching report. He kills some time with Poppy then, letting her explain the baffling rules of the game she's made up with the Guess Who? boards. He's just starting to think about what they might do for dinner when he hears Rebecca come in the front door.

She calls out a greeting and Poppy hops up, always eager to greet her mother. She meets her in the doorway to the living room where she gets lifted up with a, "Mummy."

"Hi, baby," Rebecca smiles, kissing her little girl's cheek. She does a double take when she pulls back though, sweeping a hand over her hair. "I didn't do this this morning, did I?"

Poppy shakes her head, smiling. "Teddy did it."

"Teddy did it?" she says, turning to where Ted is still stretched out on the floor. He gives her a smile at the look on her face.

"Well, let's just have a look," she says, setting Poppy on her feet on the couch, where she spins around.

"How'd I do, boss?" he asks.

She nods, the corners of her mouth pulled down in an expression of impressed surprise.

"Very good for your first time and not having someone to teach you," she says, giving him a smile.

"Poppy was very, very patient with me," he praises.

"He only pulled once," Poppy says, turning to her mother with a pointed look.

"Oh, unlike your horrid, evil mother who just lives to tug on your hair," she says dramatically, pulling Poppy into her arms again. She cradles her against her, tickling her belly and squeezing a giggle out of her as she continues to lament, "Oh, how terrible, how cruel she is."

Ted snorts, having heard this particular topic argued probably a dozen times now.

Rebecca drops down onto the couch with Poppy in her arms, letting out a sigh. Poppy wiggles until she gets herself upright on Rebecca's lap, who looks over her hair again with a soft smile, tucking one loose bit beneath another.

"Did you thank Teddy for painstakingly teaching himself how to manage your hair?"

She frowns as she thinks, then gasps, "I forgot!" before she climbs off Rebecca completely.

She comes to him with a sweet, "Thank you, Teddy," and presses a teeny tiny little kiss to his cheek that has him smiling wide.

"You're very welcome, baby."

[countrymusiclover]

19 - Magic isn't Innocent

Part 20

The Siphoning Princess

Tag list [ @mystrey101 @melvia-ito @kmc1989 @tallrock35 @onentaien-kwara @maximedallas @child-of-of-the-sunshine

Snatching up a sticky note off the notepad I pushed it onto the wall underneath a picture of Dr. Whale that I circled with a red maker and put a question mark on the sticky note before hearing someone knock on my front door so I hollered to the front door from my bedroom.  “It's open, Henry!” 

“Renae, you sounded weird over the radio.  Is everything okay - wow.  Did you do all this?” The ten year old entered my bedroom dropping his backpack on my floor in shock. 

“Yes.” I simply replied, eyeing my bedroom wall behind me that was now covered in sticky notes, pictures, puzh pins and string.  The entire wall was covered from head to toe.  In the center of the wall was my real name and my curse name underneath a picture of me.  A string attached to my picture connected to Emma, Cecile , and Charming’s picture with cursed names included if need be. 

Henry scanned his eyes over the wall seeing Regina labeled as the evil queen, Graham as the sheriff along with the Seven dwarfs and many other people that he hadn't figured out who they really were just yet.  “How did you figure all these out so fast? - I knew he had to be the Dark One!” He hung his mouth opened seeing a few names with questions except for Mr. Gold that was now labeled as Rumplestilskin. 

Walking over to the kid I dropped down onto. my knees holding up my left hand that now had my wedding ring back in its rightful place.  “I'm back, Henry.  I remember everything.” 

“Really.  You remember you're the daughter of Rumplestilskin!” He gasped, throwing his arms up in the air cheering. 

Smirking at him playfully.  “Indeed dearie.” 

“I can't believe it.  My book is real.  Everything is real about the curse.” 

Raising myself up to my feet I brushed hair behind my ear looking back at the decorated wall.  “There’s some people I haven't figured out yet or don't remember.  But here's your list of characters and who they are.”

“Does your husband remember who he is.  Does Tessa too?” The kid asked, looking at their names and pictures. 

My smile dropped a little bit.  “Sorry, kiddo.  They are still under the curse.” 

“We have to show this to my birth mom.  Once she sees that you're awake she'll have to believe us and we can have her break the curse once and for all.” 

“We can only hope.” Sending him a weak smile I sighed until hearing my phone ringing with an unknown number.  “Hello, who is this?” 

“Is this Ms. Hunter?” 

I responded.  “Yes.  This is her.” 

“I'm sorry to inform you Ms. Hunter.  But Graham Humbert has filed for parental custody of your daughter Tessa Hunter.” The voice came over the phone where I felt a pit drop in my stomach.  

Slowly falling back to sit down on my bed I felt different hearing those words.  “What does that mean exactly?  When would I have to be present in court?  Am I going to need a lawyer?” He wasn't my husband or the love of my life.  But for 28 years I believed he was my daughter's father. 

“I am not allowed to give you legal advice, ma’am.  But I would suggest getting a lawyer.  Your court date is two days from now at 8am.  That is all the information I have for now.” 

Henry saw me hang up the phone.  “Is everything okay, Jaide?’ 

“Regina is trying to make me fight a custody battle over my own child.” Getting up from my bed I quickly walked out of the room and into the living room finding my coat.  “Henry, I need a favor from you.” 

He came into the room when I called his name.  “Sure.  What do you need?” 

“Pick up my daughter when she gets off the bus.  I have to talk with Mr.  Gold - uh sorry my father about something.  I’ll be back home shortly.” Shrugging my jacket over my shoulders I flung the door opened stepping outside, popping my head back inside before I left the house.  “Tell Emma I need to speak with her immediately.  Bye.” 

Quickly reaching the pawnshop as fast as I could on foot I shoved the door open and slammed it shut with a kick of my foot altering my father that I was here since I couldn’t do what I really wanted unless we had our magic back.  “We need to talk now.  Get your ass out here, papa!” 

“Please don’t break my door, sweetheart.  I’d rather not have to buy a new one.” He came from the back room slowly walking with his cane coming to stand in front of me. 

“Regina wants to take Cecile away from me!” 

A bright smile crossed his face.  “Cecile.  Oh joy.  You have your memories back.” 

“Yeah I have them back and I’m pissed that the evil queen is threatening to rip the only part of my family I have left.” 

My father remarked with a tilted head.  “Your family isn’t gone, Jaide.  You have Cecile thanks to my white elephant from the enchanted forest.  Your prince is currently sneaking around with you having an affair.  And let’s not forget that your other daughter who is Cecile’s twin sister is living in your house.  So from where I’m standing it seems like you have your family all close around you.” 

“You know what I mean.” Huffing I crossed my arms over my chest.  “They’re not with me if they can’t stand here and remember who they truly are.  But that’s not why I’m here.  I need your help making sure Regina doesn’t take Cecile from me.” 

My father watched me closely once the question had left his mouth.  “What did you have in mind, hmm?” 

“Take her heart and take her power away from her.” Giving him a cold stone look there was a point in my life that my husband or kids could ever know about.  The period where I almost became like the dark one, where I became a miniature version of my father. 

“Pay close attention, daughter.” My father Rumplestilskin declared walking up to a black unicorn we had found in the middle of the forest during my magic lessons.  Standing off to the side I wanted to shut my eyes but didn’t when he stuck his hand inside the animal's chest and removed its heart.  The unicorns heart glowed a bright red in his hand when he looked at me.  “Now it belongs to me.” 

“You’re hurting it, papa.” Ten year old me watched him while playing with one of the ends of her pigtail braids. 

He waved his index finger on his freehand in my direction explaining what I didn’t understand from a child’s mindset.  “You see when you take a heart it becomes enchanted.  Stronger than a normal heart.  You’re not hurting the beast, you’re controlling it.” 

“Why take the heart at all.  What do you win?” 

“You gain the power you feel when you hold someone or something’s life in your hands.” He gently tossed the heart into my chest and I stumbled back catching the magical heart in my hands.  “Show me you are ready for the next level in your training, Jaide-Renae.  Crush its heart.” 

I nearly dropped the unicorn's heart on the ground squeaking out a cry.  “What! Papa, I - I can’t watch it die.” 

“What if the unicorn attempted to kill me?” 

I whimpered out.  “I don’t know.” 

“Let’s see shall we?” He waved his hand performing a spell I didn’t know that caused the unicorn to charge towards my father with its horn aimed right for it.  My father didn’t move out of the way and the unicorn was about to stab him in the chest. 

Clutching my eyes closed tightly I screamed out in utter fear.  “No!” 

“Open your eyes, Jaide.” My father told me and I did as he instructed, gasping in horror seeing the once alive unicorn laying dead on the forest floor.  He steps over to me, gently holding me by my shoulders.  “How did it make you feel?” 

Tears streamed down my face. I wish I could lie to him.  “I thought - I thought I was going to lose you.  But now I’m - I’m happy you’re okay.” 

“That’s the thing about magic, about power.” He focused his gaze to mine, wiping away my fallen tears with a smirk on his face.  “Having power means you can fight back against anyone who tries to tear your family apart from each other.  Every single time, no matter who gets hurt in the process.” 

My father now stood before me with a disappointed look on his face when he shook his head in disappointment and somewhat proud of the other part of me I was finally deciding to embrace after all these years.  I finally understood why he did all the seemingly dark and selfish things he did.  “Unfortunately dear you know we don’t have any magic here.  Regina and you will settle your fight over Cecile by a pen and your words.” 

“Curse me kilts you’re lying to me!” Throwing my hands up in the air I heard my Scottish accent beginning to come through after all this time.  “You would never come to a land without magic without creating a magical fail safe once the curse is broken so where is it.  Let’s go get it and bring magic here.” 

“Jumpstarting your magic isn’t my concern right now, daughter.  And like I have already said it won’t work until your daughter breaks the curse.” He changed his tone of voice at me, getting angry with me that I wasn’t understanding or accepting what he had previously said to me. 

Spinning on my heels I stomped to the door slamming it behind me where I nearly broke the little shop bell.  “You’re the worst!” 

When I went back home I stepped inside the apartment to find Emma and Henry were standing inside my bedroom.  She was looking over my crime scene on a bedroom wall until they heard me walk inside the doorway.  “Renae, Henry said you wanted to talk with me.  Is everything okay?” 

“Not really.  My father is an asshole.” Snapping at the woman before me I glared at her blurting out the truth that she didn’t know up until this very moment.  “Oh and news flash Emma.  I’m your mother!” 

[professionalowl]

@astriiformes tagged me to post about the books I have on my to-be-read list for 2025, and I promised myself I'd get through at least twelve of them, so here's a selection of the "at least twelve" I want to get through. I'm a habitual non-fiction reader because when I was 12 I hated everything "written for twelve year olds" and switched my focus to pop science (and to a lesser extent history) instead, so I am, consequently, much better at judging and picking up quality non-fiction than I am finding and reading fiction. I'm trying to spice it up by adding some (science...) fiction to the list this year, as I did last year.

I'm currently reading the very last one, Selfish Genes to Social Beings, and am hoping (in vain?) to get it done before I get back to university on Sunday. Currently stalling on chapter 6 of 13-or-so, so probably not. (It doesn't help that like...see...I've been to the optician four times in the past three weeks...and I've come away with a new prescription three of those times, with more on the way...and on top of all that, I have a "dissertation to draft" or something. It's hard.) It's very readable, though, I'd recommend it.

Tagging: @magiefish, @t4tbruharvey, @specialagentartemis and...whoever else I've interacted with who has a long list of things to read on their plate.

Detailed exposition below the cut, because one of my other goals is to get used to expositing more frequently and more clearly:

Fiction:

On The Origin Of Species and Other Stories (Bo-Young Kim, 2021) - I was looking for short story collections to try and get back into the habit of reading at lunchtime, and a user I follow recommended this one. The theme is, roughly, "posthumanist stories about evolution" and it's great so far - I've only read the first one, but. Like. (Staring out over the water) Man.

Children of Ruin (Adrien Tchaikovsky, 2019) - I really liked Children of Time, which is about artifically-evolved hyperintelligent spiders colliding with the descendants of the dying civilisation that accidentally created them while trying to force-evolve servile primates. They make a computer out of ants and store a person on it. It absolutely ruled the whole way through, so obviously I have to read the sequels - I hear this one is about octopi, but I'm about 12 pages in, so who can say.

Absolution (Jeff VanderMeer, 2024) - again, I finished Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance last summer, specifically because I discovered he was dropping a new one, and really enjoyed them. I think my sibling has made off with this one for now, though.

Non-fiction:

Planetary Social Thought: The Anthropocene Challenge to the Social Sciences (Nigel Clark and Bronislaw Szerzynski, 2021) - my best friend got me this for my birthday. I've read a small chunk of the literature on the Anthropocene, and the concept succeeds and fails in ways I find really interesting, so I'll happily read an entire book about it.

The Serviceberry (Robin Wall Kimmerer, 2024) - I've been meaning to read Braiding Sweetgrass since forever, and the economic angle of this one really intrigues me - I've encountered similar ideas in the course of reading anthropology, but one of my missions for this year is to start reading indigenous authors directly instead of just letting anthropologists paraphrase them, so I'd like to get a hold of a copy at some point.

Rebirding: Restoring Britain's Wildlife (Benedict Macdonald, 2019) - I read the first chapter of this in Year 13, which was about the history of Britain's relationship with its wildlife, and it was horrifying. I must read more.

The Museum of the Wood Age (Max Adams, 2022) - my brother gave this to me for Christmas and it looks awesome. It's about wood technology - "basic devices" like screws, levers, and wheels, as the blurb calls them - and its adaptability. I'm always a fan of flipping the script on quote-unquote "basic technologies" and simplicity/complexity is a favourite issue of mine, so I'm quite excited about this one!

The History of Magic: From alchemy to witchcraft, from the Ice Age to the present (Chris Gosden, 2020) - picked it up at a local bookshop for £6 (a steal) last Christmas because it was there, started reading it, got distracted, never made it past the second chapter. What I did read was very good, as is everything else I've read by Chris Gosden - albeit very broad in scope, so it'll be interesting to see what he chooses to cover! Probably one for after I graduate in June. Most of these are for after I graduate in June.

Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture (Suhir Hazareesingh, 2020) - another book I got halfway through and then dropped when school started again, way back in 2021. I distinctly remember that it was impressively well-written and engaging, and I'm not usually one for biographies, but the guy is really compelling, as are the details Hazareesingh includes on the specifics of the Haitian Revolution and the links between revolutionary action and Haitian culture. It's high on my "HAVE to finish this at some point" list.

What An Owl Knows (Jennifer Ackerman, 2023) - Ackerman's The Genius of Birds had a massive impact on me and the way I thought about intelligence (human and animal) when I was like, 14, and I was a big fan of the half of the sequel The Bird Way I managed to get through in 2020. I've always been a fan of making the self-deprecating joke "I call myself Owl online because I appear to be wise but am actually very stupid," and this book seems like it's trying to swing the pendulum back in the other direction - so, of course, I must read it.

Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are? (Franz de Waal, 2016) - relatedly, I've read a lot of cognitive archaeology over the course of my degree, much of which plays on the same things I found interesting about The Genius of Birds, but it's obviously hominid-focused, and where it isn't the lens is mostly on other primates and occasionally some cetaceans and corvids, and it's prone to making sweeping statements about what animals can/can't do. This one came up in a book I read last year, which was also about conceptions of 'intelligence,' and we had a copy lying around, so it's on the list.

Selfish Genes to Social Beings: A Cooperative History of Life (Jonathan Silvertown) - relatedly relatedly, I know a guy who does social cognition and philosophy of nature, and this one partially derives from trying to pick up on those threads, as well as get to grips with the "cooperation versus competition" arena of the philosophy/science of evolution. I'm reading it right now and while I have some nitpicks about the way it talks about human cooperation (of the "reliance on modelling leaves it stripped down and apolitical" variety), the science is very clearly presented and the author is pretty funny.

Assume also that whatever godforsaken iteration of the Skulduggery Pleasant threequels drops next is on this list, as well as a variety of other books I have yet to acquire a copy of. Most of these are recent to very old Christmas/birthday presents, so I'm prioritising the things I have a physical copy of for now.

[alexxncl]

obey me characters at the spades table

if you didn't know by now, my mc and i are both black

this will probably be centered around the brothers

this is also v much me projecting

masterlist | more drabbles/hcs

luci is decent at best. he gets in his head too much and doesn't pay attention to the table when he needs to

he also takes forever to pick what card to play after he wins a book like c'mon old man

mammon is really fucking good at it, and him and mc always pair up on game night

he counts cards, bids perfectly, and somehow almost always deals perfect hands to him and his partner

...unless there's money involved

the one time him and mc teamed up when they bet real money, he almost died /srs (lucifer had to hold them back from ripping his head off after he cut their book for the fifth time)

levi is bad....like really bad

he tries tho! he's just not good at it

he'll keep score, but he won't play

especially not with mc

please don't make him play with mc

it's too stressful and involves too much thinking and he gets distracted too easily to watch the table

satan is good, but not because he wanted to be better at lucifer than something

he also can count cards just as good as -- if not better than -- mams, and he knows exactly what's in someone's hand by the way they react once the hand is dealt

asmo can play go fish.

i'm so sorry

but i feel like he sits in on spades games to just see mc get mad

he'll cheer them on! that's about it

beel and belphie cannot be on the same team. ever.

like they actually have some sort of mental connection and will say their bid at the same exact time and it's fucking terrifying to watch

if they're not on the same team, belphie always pairs up with satan and insists that they play against lucifer and mc

he'll reneg on purpose just to piss them off

beel doesn't care who he's with, he just wants to have fun

diavolo was invited to game night eventually and had never heard of the game

but he loved the competitiveness of human world card games!

only wanted to pair up with luci, mc, and barbatos, but he was terrible when he first started

...like worse than levi bad

be cut every last one of mc's books in every hand and cost them the game

every time he said he wanted to pair up with mc they felt a part of themselves die

they made him get an app on his phone to practice and he got better...eventually

barbatos only played if dia asked him to, he'd politely declined otherwise (he was too scared to play with mc)

solomon has old man syndrome like lucifer and is banned from the spades table. permanently

he reneged every turn and mc almost jumped over the table

simeon liked playing! but he knew he wasn't that great at it

threw the little joker out on the first hand "just to see what was out there" and mc actually had to walk out of the room

he'd say what he had in his hand, winning book or not, and everyone collectively facepalmed

he got the hang of it eventually though!

he still doesn't play often

luke just liked to watch :) he'd let asmo paint his nails while they both cheered on mc

and he'd make food and drinks for everyone with barbatos for them to have in between rounds

mephisto hated the game simply he never got dealt good hands, even when he was the one dealing

he'd watch from afar...but he wouldn't join in unless dia or mc asked him to

thirteen rarely ever made it to game nights early on, but she'd skip out on her reaper duties to drop by once she and the rest of the group became closer

more opportunities to prank solomon AND see the vein in mc's neck pop out because of how pissed they are ??? it's a win-win for her

she played every once in a while and is as skilled as lucifer, but she's quicker on her feet and better at strategizing

she can't count cards for shit and can never remember which suit led

raphael always got dealt the best hands but never knew how to play, even after mc watched over his shoulder and guided him the entire time

he's hopeless

but he likes to watch!

game nights at the house of lamentation are always all fun and games until mc slams a deck of cards on the table

[loudestcloud]

Tag game!

I was tagged by @all-blue-recipes

Rules: tag 10 people you want to get to know better

I feel like I talk too much in this so sort in advance if I do in your vibes too

Last song: Pride of Tomorrow by JUNE! It's an ending theme from D Gray Man, episode 14 - 25. I spend most of my time listening to OP & EDs of shows I like. I do have some that aren't like that but they're also over 6hrs long. Music is pretty much always on, that or the TV, so I just had to pick one to put in the moment tbh. This is my complete anime playlist if y'all wanted to check it out

Last movie: Alice in Wonderland 1999, it's free on YouTube and I was feeling nostalgic. We got the dvd for free in a cereal box in like 2007 n I'm always thinking about that griffon puppet, he's so cool, did you know it's a Jim Henson puppet that took 4 people to use?

Last book: Probably One Piece: Ace’s Story, Vol. 1. I read like a chapter and then I pop it it down. Holding physical books hurts my hand and it's hard to read that off white that pages are usually, I brought it to try to overcome these issues but my bedroom has been on and off a mess and I can't read with my downstairs fishtank and dog sounds. (If I knew there was a manga version at the time, I would have brought that instead tbh)

Last TV show: One piece! I'm in the late 1090s but if you don't wanna count anime then it was The Legend Of Korra! My first time watching either Avatar shows was this month.

Sweet, savory or spicy: If I can get a handle on my stomach issues then spicy. I really miss spicy foods and I'm constantly craving jalapenos but I'm on like 3 different PPI meds now so I can't risk it.

Relationship status: Single, I've only ever 'dated' 2 people like 10 years ago in highschool.

Last thing I googled: "How do black box trackers work?" I was trying to win a fictional argument and I still don't know really, I just gave up lol

Looking forward to: Going to drop things off at the charity shop sometime this week, I'm gonna be donating to one I've never even been inside before so I get to nose around. I don't do much with my days cos I can't go many places due to the fact no one in my house has a car, I can't afford many public transports a month & most places aren't accessible on days I'd need my wheelchair.

Current obsession: So there's this app called Bird Kind and it teaches you about birds. It has egg events where you plant and pick seeds to get points that give you new eggs and any time one happens I HAVE to set alarms to tell me when exactly to pick the seeds. I haven't managed to get a perfect run yet but I'm REALLY trying. Also building my own Funko pops, it's like a puzzle that only I can see. I always try to show my process just in case I need help but I basically never do and no one seems to understand my work plans anyway 😅

Tags

I don't have many ppl who come back up in my likes anymore cos my posts are so sporadic now, I can only really tag 5 n one is technically cheating cos that's my business page

@parkerkittycreations @manedwolf36.0 @lulutheobsessive @mega-dangerkitty @leovaldezstinofbreathmints

[themultifandomgal]

Matt- First Date

So after texting back and forth and Matt picking me up and dropping me off wherever I need to go he finally asked me out on a date, which I of course agreed to.

I finish getting ready when there's a knock on the door

"Coming!" I call running down the stairs. Giving myself a quick glance in my mirror before opening up my door

"Woah" Matt says looking like his eyes will pop out of his head

"Don't look to bad yourself" I say grabbing my purse and phone off the side table. I look up my door and Matt guides me to his car, opening up the car door for me then closing it when I get in.

Matt drives for 20 minutes before we pull up to what looks like a fancy restaurant

"Holy shit"

"Not sure you can say things like that in there" Matt whispers in my ear before taking my hand in his and pulls me into the restaurant

"Reservation for Matt Casey" he tells the waiter

"Of course. Please follow me this way" the waiter takes us to the back of the restaurant. Matt pulls the chair out and tucks me in

"This is so fancy. How did you manage to book this place?"

"It pays being the Lieutenant of one of the best firehouse in Chicago"

"Ahhh so you pulled the Lieutenant card"

"No not really. They just happened to have an opening. Although I did arrive here in the truck and in my fire gear" I chuckle at Matt and shake my head

"Either way thank you" I look down at the menu to decided what to eat.

After an hour our food arrives

"This looks amazing thank you" I tell the waiter

"You're very welcome. Enjoy" the waiter leaves us be

"How was your day?" Matt asks digging into his food

"Good thank you. Had a couple of surgeries, all survived so all in all a good day. What about you?"

"Saved a couple lives so it was also a good day. You know I was kinda surprised that you agreed to go on a date with me"

"You were?"

"Yeah. I thought you would want a date with Severide"

"Kelly?" I raise an eyebrow and laugh "he's good looking and all, but I like another guy"

"Oh really?"

"Hmm hmmm" I nod my head

"Can you described this guy you like?"

"Well he's tall, got the sweetest smile, kind, cares about people and he's extremely handsome"

"Sounds like a keeper"

"I hope so because I really like this guy"

"Well I have a sneaking suspicion that this guy also really likes you as well"

"Good to know" I giggle

"So have you heard of a bar called Mollys?"

"No. I've just moved here from New York"

"I see. Well it's a bar a few of the firefighters own. It's a good bar you should come over one evening"

"Sound lovely. I'll definitely have to check it out"

"What made you move?"

"You really want to hear about my baggage on the first date? Don't want you running for the hills just yet"

"I'm not easily scared off"

"Well... I was dating this guy. We broke up, both my parents died and I was working in a toxic environment. There wasn't anything really keeping me in New York so I thought a transfer would be good"

"I sorry to hear about that. I hope that here in Chicago you can have a better life"

"Me too"

Our first date goes well. He drives me home and walks me to my door

"Thank you for this evening"

"No, thank you. I'd like to take you out on another date again soon"

"I'd like that as well" I smile at Matt. I lean up and kiss his cheek "I'll see you soon then"

"I'll text you" Matt leans down and kisses my cheek

"You know you can kiss me properly if you'd like"

"I'll save that for the second date. Make sure you don't back out on me"

"I'll hold you to that. Goodnight Matt"

"Night YN" I wave Matt off and enter my house.

Kicking off my shoes at the front door I then head up the stairs a smile not leaving my face once.

That night I fall asleep easy for the first time since my car accident.

[nkirukaj]

I Want You, Simon- Chapter 10

Fionna and Cake got greenlit for a season two!! I'm so excited, are you? What do you think will happen in the second season?

Pairing: Simon Petrikov x Fem! OC

Warnings: implied sexual feelings and Swearing

Genre: Angst and Fluff

Word Count: 2.4K

Chapter 9

(Art by @ask-an-antiquarian)

Samira stood in front of her brand new bookshelf. She had stacked her books on it, and they looked lovely. It was wonderful. But she felt off, like something was still wrong. This bookshelf was perfect in every way that it could be, but Samira felt something different. Like she wanted more than what this bookshelf could provide. So for the past week, all she could do was stare at it. Today, she was doing the same. Just staring, when suddenly she knew what it was that she wanted; and how this bookshelf could provide it for her. 

She went into her kitchen, under the sink and pulled out a screwdriver. Reentering the living room, she brandishes it like a weapon, and carefully unscrews two of the screws holding up the middle shelf, not even bothering to take off the books. Down it fell, causing the books on top of it to hit the floor, some of them laying on top of the books on the shelf below. Sami stood back and gazed at her work, before returning the screwdriver to its place under the sink. She pulls her phone out of her pocket, dialing and preparing her voice for when she had to start speaking.

“Hello?”

“Hey um Simon?” her voice sounds shaky and full of mild sadness

“Hey? What’s wrong? Why do you sound distressed?”

She bites her lip to commit to the performance “I don’t know how to say this, but one of the shelves from the bookshelf fell, and now my books are all over the floor.”

“Oh no! Ugh, this is all my fault. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. But could you come over and fix it?” She twirls a piece of hair between her fingers

“Yeah! I can pop by tomorr-”

“Today?”

“Yeah, sure today.” He laughs

“Okay, great” she smiles “Thank you!”

“It’s no problem” she could hear him smiling over the phone. 

Samira hung up and contemplated the moral implications of what she had just done. It was definitely a lie, but was it wrong of her to do? She decided that she would come to a conclusion when he got there. If he didn’t want to be there, then she wouldn’t do it again. 

When he arrived, he had his tools in his bag, and a huge smile on his face.

“Hi,” is what he said when she opened the door, he dropped his smile to appear serious “I’m so sorry about your bookshelf”

“Hi,” she said smiling back at him, then dropping it for the same reason “It’s fine. You’re here to fix it so it’s cool.”

He came into the house and approached the shelf, staring at it for a moment. 

“You didn’t even pick up the books?” He turned with a bit of a smirk

She tried to fight back her own “Uh, no. I don’t have any place to put them, so what’s the point?”

“I suppose…” he turns back around slowly and continues to examine the shelf “Ah,” he spots the screws off the fallen shelf. He simply screws the shelf back into place and turns back around. “Done! Tighter this time so it won’t fall apart again.”

“Amazing…” Samira is disappointed, she should’ve done something that would’ve taken longer.

As if sensing her disappointment, Simon pipes up “I can help you reorder your books, maybe?” He suggests. She nods and they both began to pick up her books, knocking heads and hands a few times. They couldn’t help but laugh at the awkward silliness that they were indulging in as fully grown adults. 

“This reminds me of when you would come to my job to see me.” She comments, handing him a book to place on the shelf

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I have to start doing that again.”

“Coming to bother me?”

He nods, smiling “Mhmm” He barely extends his arm to put the book on the shelf.

She’s holding another book, while staring at the side of his face. This was the first moment that she noticed the small wrinkles gracing the skin near his eyes, these were one of the few things that aged him in her eyes. She never thought that she’d have such a positive opinion on less elastic skin. She hadn’t gotten to the point where she had wrinkles, and most of her friends weren’t human, so the only people she had ever seen with them were her parents. She still thought he looked relatively young, especially for having been a thousand years old, but he did look older than her, now that she took the time to really study his face. And in that minute, she wondered if he had ever studied her face the way that she studied his, and if he had, what had he thought of it. 

When she returned to reality after a split second, she found that he was staring back at her. Not, in a way where he wondered where she had just been for a moment, but in a way that appeared that he was involved in similar thoughts as she. Only a moment later, did he snap back to reality as well.

“Oh, um is this the last one?” He grabbed the book in her had, while glancing away from her, appearing embarrassed

“Yes,” she felt his fingers with no shame whatsoever, they felt smooth, and a little cold, but Samira didn’t mind that at all. Simon takes the last book from her hand and places it on the shelf.

“Well, if that’s all you need, then I guess I can get going,” He spoke looking down at her hands and then up at her face. 

“Yep, I suppose so.” She lowered her eyes, thinking of a way to keep him here, but her brain felt empty when he was looking at her. 

“So…” he said, continuing to stand in front of her “I don’t know if you wanted to hug again, or something,” he rubs the back of his neck

Samira’s head snaps up and she stares at him, hearing the suggestion “What?”

“Oh! It’s just, last time I was here, you hugged me. So I didn’t know if you wanted to do that again. It’s up to you.” He chuckles lightly, not because it was funny, but because he didn’t know what else to do.

Samira reaches up and puts Simon’s arms down, then reaches around his neck to embrace him and he embraces her back. He leaves shortly after this. 

This is when Samira gets an idea.

The next couple of weeks were filled with Samira wandering around her house wondering what she could break without looking suspicious, so Simon could come over and fix it. First the window pane, then a table, some wobbly chairs here, an uneven bedframe there. She wondered if she was going too far, but every single time, he seemed very happy to be there with her, helping her, she couldn’t help herself. 

The truth being, Simon actually looked forward to her calls asking him for help. He did wonder what she had been doing before she had met him if her things broke this often, but that thought took a backseat to his desire to do something. To be wanted… to be needed. Because in all honesty, he felt like he might need her as well.

This particular day, Simon was over to fix Sami’s car (which actually broke down on its own, if you can believe it), and Sami was standing over in the sun, just watching him as he rolled under and out from under the car at various points. The air was cool, so the sun hitting her was comfortable. 

The car wasn’t something he was necessarily accustomed to, which is why it was taking so long, but it was familiar enough for him to figure it out. Today his hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and his sleeves and pants were stained with oil and grease. He rolls out from under the car, wiping his hands on a rag and asks Samira

“Can you pass me that wrench?”

“Yes Daddy,” she smirks, deciding to be a little silly and hands it to him

Simon blushes and takes it “Okay…” 

Sami stands and watches him work under the car. When he rolls out, he sits up and asks

“What’s going on with the ‘Daddy’? Do you have issues with your father?”

Sami smiles “Nope. Not at all.”

“Then why are you calling me Daddy?”

“‘Cuz…you’re Daddy’”

“Explain,”

She raises her brow “Does it bother you?”

He puts his leg up and rests his arms on his knee “I’m just tired of you just saying it with no explanation,” he speaks facetiously

“Oooh, he’s tired of it.” She exaggerates her movements “It just means what it means”

“And what does it mean?”

“It means you’re Daddy,” she raises her shoulders and smiles coyly, batting her lashes. 

“You know what? I think I prefer Dr. Petrikov for the rest of the day.” He smirks back at her

She looks taken aback “But I don’t think I want to call you that,” she jokes back

“Okay?”

“Oooh. He said, we’re getting a little too comfortable with this ‘Simon’ stuff, call me Dr. put some respect on the degree.”

“I studied TEN YEARS for those degrees, yes you need to respect them.”

She bites her lip, smiling “Yes Daddy” He raises his brow at her and she corrects herself “Dr. Daddy,”

“That’s better,” he returns to under her car

Samira watches him roll under her car, and squirms in place, overcome with desire. She could barely stand. Meanwhile, Simon felt glad that he was under the car. He suddenly felt hot, thinking about what he’d just said. He was unsure of how she’d felt about it, but in that moment he felt something that he could only describe as dominance. He wasn’t sure if it fit him well, and if he had come off as pompous or arrogant, but he assumed that since Samira hadn’t said anything since he had rolled under her car, that either, she was fine with it, or that maybe she just didn’t want to acknowledge his less than stellar attitude. He wondered if she would want to hug him today. Ugh, he blew it.

“Well, I think it’s done.” he wipes his hands again “Start it.” He reconsiders his tone “if you want to.” and she does.

The car works perfectly, but Simon is still feeling as though he’s on thin ice. Samira, however is overjoyed, at not only the condition of her car, but also how Simon looked in jeans and covered in grease. 

She exits the car and approaches him “I’d hug you, but you have a bunch of oil just” She gestures to his entire body and laughs “All over there.” He laughs with her 

“Yeah, too bad right?” 

“So I guess you’re done here then?” She asked, hoping he would say no

“I guess so.” He grabs his bag and turns to leave “See you…whenever the next thing breaks.” They both laugh and he waves at her before leaving her property.

He hadn’t gotten that far before he heard his own name. 

“Simon!” He turns around and sees Samira running to catch up with him.

“Yes?” 

She gets up to him and says “Fuck it,” and throws herself into a hug with him. His arms are around her and he smiles at the embrace. When she comes off of him, she is similarly greasy, She feels a big grease stain on her face from his sweater and laughs hard, and soon he joins in as well. Simon pulls out a clean rag, and wipes her face on instinct. Samira catches his hand while it’s up to her face and rubs it with her thumb before letting it go. The smile on their faces hadn’t faded from their laughter yet, and it remained as she dropped his hand. She grins and says “Now you can leave,” with a bit more laughter behind it.

“Of course,” he grins back “Bye” he waves

“Bye,” she waves back at him and reenters her house.

The next day, Samira went through her regular run of walking through her house, thinking of what could be broken to be fixed, but she couldn’t find anything else. Simon had basically remodeled her entire house, and if he came for something that had already been fixed, then she would start to look suspicious. 

Samira sat in her kitchen and put her head on the newly releveled table. She stared in space, worried that she wouldn’t be able to find a reason to be in his presence once more. She turned her head toward her kitchen sink. She stared at the cabinet doors and got up from her chair to approach them. Upon opening them, she found a thick piper underneath. She stared at it for quite a while. Would she dare? She stood and left the room.

And returned with a large wrench from one of her drawers.

She stared and took a deep breath, taking a mighty swing.

When Simon arrived, he stood in the entryway of Samira’s kitchen with his hand on his chin and the other on his hip, thinking. 

“So….what’s your opinion?”

He purses his lip “I think…that this is beyond my ability to fix.”

Samira looks deflated “Really? But you’re like so good at fixing stuff.”

He smiles and looks down at her “You flatter me, but I wouldn’t even know where to start here.”

“You can’t at least try?”

He squints “Samira the whole kitchen is flooded” he gestures towards it

It was. Samira stares at the mess she made, the few inches of water that was only getting taller and seeping into the living room as they spoke. She squints as well, maybe she had gone too far. 

“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about this. You should call a plumber.” He smiles apologetically.

Samira sighs in disappointment. “Yeah, I guess I should.” She plops down on the couch dejectedly and pulls out her phone. As she dials, Simon approaches her. 

“Hey.” She looks at him “I can wait for the plumber with you, and” he smiles at her and his eyes dart away “I’m thinking this might take a few days to fix, so maybe….you could stay with me…if you want to! Obviously if you want to stay here, then you can, but I just figured you may not want to, I don’t know” His voice lowered as he trailed off. When he looked back, Samira bore a huge smile. 

“Yes yes! I’d love that!” She hurriedly made the call and gave him a large smile one more time, and he gave a soft one back.

Chapter 11

[wileys-russo]

Ella Toone

“Jesus Christ love I didn’t know you could hit like that”

Rage room 🙂🔥

rage room II e.toone

"baby! i love ya so much but please hurry up." the mancunian groaned, twirling her keys around on her pointer finger. "el we are literally not booked in until three and it's only eleven thirty." you laughed at her impatience from the bedroom.

"yeah but we're gettin our nails done and then goin for lunch and then the rage room at three. we're on a tight schedule here woman chop chop!" the midfielder clapped, popping her head through the doorway with a raised eyebrow.

"sorry! i'll hurry up love." you made a point to bend down and lace your sneakers in slow motion, ella leaning against the door frame with a long and annoyed groan.

"i'm getting grey hairs here man." your girlfriend huffed with a shake of her head, smacking your hands away and kneeling down lacing up your shoes for you.

"sure babe you can borrow my jordans, thanks for askin." ella mocked sarcastically as you grinned. "sure love you can borrow my prada sunglasses, thanks for askin." you quipped back as the smile was wiped from her face.

"fair point. come on then!" she took your hand and pulled you to your feet. "baby!" ella moaned as you dug your heels in just to annoy her further, trudging slowly across the living room.

"you're such a fuckin wind up!"

~

"thank you for today el, its been perfect." you smiled sincerely, sat across from your girlfriend at your favorite japanese restaurant, leaning across and meeting her lips in a sweet kiss. "anything for you and that gorgeous smile baby." ella flirted charmingly as you shook your head.

"if only you were this smooth when you asked me out the first time." you teased as ella's cheeks flushed bright red. "you promised to stop bringin that up!" ella whined burying her face in her hands.

you'd transferred to united from bristol city two years ago and ella had been enamored by you from the moment you stepped foot into the locker room with a shy wave, a little taken aback by how forward and friendly the entire team was.

her best friends very quickly picking up on the developing crush she'd been relentlessly bullied into eventually asking you out on a date. though with half the team well aware of her feelings and the lingering fear of rejection she'd been a nervous wreck.

the words got jumbled up together and her attempt to ask you just for coffee wound up with her asking you to buy her a coffee and you leaving with a confused nod, showing up the next day with a flat white in hand for her and a very embarrassed number seven who hurried to correct what she'd meant.

"babe its a crucial part of our epic love story, i can't pretend it didn't happen." you grinned as your food arrived and you both thanked the server. "teach me please?" ella asked eagerly holding up the chopsticks in hand.

"el, love we tried this last time." you smiled sympathetically but unable to say no to her pleading eyes you walked her through it, the brunette eventually dropping them to the table with a clatter and a list of swear words dropped from her lips.

"fuck this." ella grumbled, snatching the fork you'd made sure to order for her and stabbing the california role before shoving it angrily into her mouth in one go.

"what?" she asked with a frown, mouth still full of sushi. "you know babe sometimes i miss when we weren't so comfortable around each other."

~

"so obviously the walls are off limits! they are cement though so i wouldn't recommend to hit them anyway because the shock of the bat hitting it could break your hand." the worker shrugged casually as you and your girlfriend shared a look.

"thats mostly everything. have fun ladies!" he shrugged, stepping out and closing the door as music filled the room. "ready baby?" ella grinned, moving forward and tugging your glasses down over your eyes.

"go!" ella cheered, swinging her bat at a stack of as you pumped your fists and the music got a little louder. you watched on with a grin as your girlfriend wreaked havoc, letting out a war cry and hauling a few plates at the wall.

"go on baby, your turn!" ella encouraged with a wave as you lifted your bat and swung at an old computer monitor barely knocking it over. "nah you can do better than that! think about that prick from ya old job, the one we used to scream into the pillows about!" ella remembered, clicking her fingers.

a sudden rage filling your body you let out a war cry of your own and swung at an old tv sending the glass screen flying in hundreds of tiny pieces around the room.

"jesus christ love i didn't know you could hit like that." ella whistled in shock. "baseball?" you gave her a wolfish grin holding up a mug as she perked up and readied her bat.

"ya know we should really bring mary here babe, she has a lot of rage."

[rolloollor]

Is it ok to ask a bit more of your loved ships in bio. I'd like to see what you say about Idoazu Jack/Leovil

Sure! I'm always down to ramble.

idoazu

This was my main ship before mallerollo popped up. Naturally, I have the most to say about them.

I started to love idoazu when I got to Azul's overblot. I assumed Jade and Floyd would fuck off when Azul was in trouble, but they stayed! I was like, "Oh my god, they love him..." or at least care about him. I was legitimately moved since I was sure they'd dip. I've read people comment on their relationship and that it's purely transactional. That the second Azul falters, the tweels will give him the boot or eat him alive or whatever. Certainly Azul seems to believe this. They say something similar to Jamil in book 4, but it's important to remember that characters can lie and they can lie to themselves. They had a chance to drop him with the overblot and they didn't. Actions speak louder than words, right, so I think it's more likely that they believe it's only transactional, but they do genuinely like each other.

Though this like doesn't mean that the tweels treat Azul all that nice... they fucked up his restaurant during book 6 for funsies. Jade is a huge weirdo and I bet he loves seeing Azul frustrated or pissed off. I love Jade so much... I'm not as big on Floyd, but he can be surprisingly normal when he wants to be. It is nice that Azul has been able to have events with both of his boyfriends and even one with Idia without the eels if you're into that.

I like how close they are and I like how they respect each other. They all know each other's strengths and they've been together for a while. To go on this go-on-land venture together I think is significant. The tweels were the first to 'support' Azul, even if it was mainly to have fun, and I'm sure Azul does feel a bit of fondness for them, even if he says it's all business. I also like how Azul is a bit afraid of them, but he knows them well enough to be able to make his schemes appealing to them. There's this ever-present atmosphere of danger. Both eels love to eat octopus, after all. They're predators and Azul has this balancing act he had to perform, but even if he slipped and they usurped his position, I think they'd keep him around anyway. Floyd uses Azul's name, after all, so he's on the same level as Jade.

I'm not that interested in tweelcest, though. I never got the appeal of twincest. They look the same... I like when there's some kind of contrast.

leovil

The main thing that jumps out at me is how well they know each other and how they respect the other. Leona picked Vil for his Tamashina event and Playful Land showed more of the way they understand each other. They know their weaknesses, too. Their relationship would be complicated and maybe volatile at times, but I think they could make it work if they wanted to. It's probably Leona who'd hold it back. I feel like Vil could encourage him to try harder, but it could easily cross into being really irritating for Leona. Maybe Leona could get Vil to chill out a little bit, who knows. The appeal for me, aside from the visual contrast, is that it's a relationship of equals.

jackvil is just really cute. They're both very driven, and they already jog together in the mornings... it could easily develop from there. There's something just so charming about this giga celebrity getting together with a random guy he knew briefly as a child. It's cute. I think Jack would be good for Vil, too, since he'd be extremely loyal and supportive. He'd also make a good househusband. I don't have as much like 'backing' for this one, it's simple and cute. Plus I'm sure Vil does have a soft spot for him. The story about them making snow stuff together was really charming.

Also I dabbled in rookvil for a while, but it's like... too easy? Like things are established already. The climax of the love story happened already, if you feel me? I also don't like Rook's home screen line from the Ghost Marriage event where he says he's fickle... It worries me. I'm not against the pair, it just doesn't intrigue me, I guess.