#some of the verses I'm not completely happy with and I've changed them around a million times

[nelkey]

A few years ago I wrote a Hualian version of In A Crowd of Thousands, and now that the special short came out, I want to share the lyrics with you

HC: That Shangyuan, I was ten, I still think of that day, now and then A parade, and a prince, And a crowd of thousands His form straight, As a king's Seventeen yet so proud and serene How they cheered, How I stared, In that crowd of thousands HC: Then I started to fall, And cried out with a yell, As the crowd on the road went wild. I reached out with my hands, And looked down, And then he leapt HC: The parade, stopped its course, To his bright colored robes, I held on And if I were still ten, In that crowd of thousands, I'd find him again. XL: A parade HC: A parade XL: Passing by HC: Passing by XL: It was hot, not a cloud in the sky Then a boy, caught my eye HC & XL: In a crowd of thousands

XL: He was thin, not too clean The crowd swarmed but he dodged in between, Yes, he leaned on to see, In that crowd of thousands XL: Then he cried with a yell, And I saw how he fell, Through the sun, and the heat, and crowd And I simply leapt up, held him tight And my mask fell HC & XL: The parade, stopped its course Just three rounds though the crowd had been won, But I knew, even then, In a crowd of thousands, I'd find you, again HC: Your Highness

[rockyroadkylers]

It's Friday night here, so I'm kicking off my weekend with a

Weekend WIP Game!

Rules: List your WIPs below (if you only write one fic at a time, feel free to include future WIPs/ideas!) then answer the following questions. Then, tag as many people as you have WIPs (or more).

Someone tagged me to do this last time, but I just felt like doing it this time because it's been over a year and my list has changed drastically so... I guess I'm starting a fresh tag chain 😂 I don't know who created this game, but thanks to whoever did, because these are fun questions!

1. WIP List:

(in no particular order)

The Paris trip outtake (Flower Fic 'verse)

Loverboy Henry (the one where he woos Alex)

Oxford Boys

Omegaverse Rejection Sickness AU

Omegaverse Rejection Sickness AU Prequel

Single All The Way AU

Dad Alex AU

Hanahaki AU

Childhood Friends Sequel

2. Which of your WIPs is currently the longest?

Hanahaki AU, I think, but Dad Alex is catching up fast!

Edit: lmao, just kidding, Dad Alex AU has like 8k on Hanahaki AU so far, prose-wise. I had to check the actual word counts because I haven't looked at Hanahaki AU in a while, but I've been working on Dad Alex AU a lot lately, so that makes sense.

3. Which WIP do you expect will end up the longest?

Hard to tell; it always is, at this point. The outline for Hanahaki AU is around 18k. Dad Alex's outline is about 10k. The sequel for It's Nice To Have A Friend is going to be long, too, but I'm nowhere near close to finished outlining that, yet. But the size of the outline doesn't necessarily indicate how long the fics themselves will be; it just means I included a lot of detail so I don't confuse myself when I get around to actually writing the scenes I have planned.

4. Which WIP is your favourite to write/the most enjoyable to write? Why?

Currently, I'm really enjoying Dad Alex. It's not completely angst-free, but what angst is there is generally pretty quickly resolved, because I can't stand to draw out conflict and drama when there's a little kid involved. This AU is sort of my escape, right now; it's lighthearted and sweet, and that's exactly what I need, right now.

(I've also been enjoying writing my New Year's fic, but I literally just finished writing that, so it's not really a WIP anymore lmao)

5. Which WIP do you find the most intimidating to write? Why?

Hanahaki 😂 it's a huge project, and so many people have been excited about it for so long, myself included, i'm worried that it won't live up to the hype that's been built up around it. Plus it's such an intense concept, sometimes I just sit and look at it like "oh my god, what the fuck" 💀 like yeah, it has a happy ending, but it takes sooo long to get there. I promise it will be worth it, though!

6. Which WIP do you experience the most self-doubt about. Why?

Maybe Single All The Way? Because I proposed that concept as a potential holiday fic idea and it won the poll I put out a couple months ago, and I do like it, but I ended up losing steam on it pretty quickly. I started thinking, am I doing this because I want to, or because everyone else wants me to?

It might have just been bad timing, there was some other life stuff going on around that time that kind of made me not want to work on the fic, but I haven't really looked at it since October.

7. Which of your WIPs will you seek out a beta/sensitivity reader for? Why?

I have a very lovely beta ( @44whispers muah 🥰) for Hanahaki AU! They also look over some of my other stuff from time to time, but most things I just edit myself lol. It's not like I don't have the time 😂

8. Have any of your WIPs been struck by the curse of writer's block?

Oh, absolutely. Why do you think it's taken me this long to get started on the INTHAF sequel? Why do you think Hanahaki AU has taken this long? Why do you think I've posted three fics this year, none of which have been even remotely related to anything I was talking about beforehand? 😂

9. Which WIP has your favourite OC? Tell us about them?

I don't think any of my WIPs have OCs yet... Alex will have an OC doctor in Hanahaki AU, of course, but I haven't picked a name for her yet because I haven't written any of her scenes. I think y'all will like her, though, she's absolutely not gonna take any of his shit.

...

oh my fucking god

ISA IS AN OC

DAD ALEX IS AN AU FOR A REASON

DO YOU EVER GET SO ATTACHED TO SOMETHING YOU'VE CREATED THAT YOU FORGET IT WASN'T PART OF THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL

I'm not editing that answer, that was a spectacular brain blip 🤣

10. Which WIP is the sexiest?

I still don't really write smut 😂 My New Year's fic is probably the sexiest thing I've written, and it's all still mostly implied. But, again... that's not a WIP anymore. It's just also not posted 😅 Other than that... the Paris fic or Oxford Boys might give it a try? Dad Alex AU will have a couple scenes where Henry and Alex get intimate, but that fic mostly focuses on family. The rest are either T or G, or too far into the hurt/comfort/whump categories to get too sexy 😅 (Though, in the case of Hanahaki, that's not for lack of trying on Alex's part.)

11. Which WIP is the angstiest?

Hanahaki. No question. The Rejection Sickness fics are gonna tug at your heartstrings, but they're not gonna drag it out nearly as much as Hanahaki.

12. Which WIP has the best characterisation (in your humble opinion)?

Hmm... That's a good question tbh. Probably one of the longer ones, like Hanahaki or Dad Alex, but... characterization is one of the main things people compliment when they comment on my fics and there's no way to not make that sound like a flex 🤣

13. Which WIP has the best scene setting (in your humble opinion)?

I still don't know what this means 😅

14. Which WIP have you worked the hardest on?

Hanahaki, probably. It's been a few months since I've actively worked on it, but I have not forgotten how much effort I put into that outline, lmao. That was MONTHS of work, going back and forth with my beta, working out plot holes and having sudden middle-of-the-night realizations that I had figured out a scene that had been stumping me for weeks. That 40-page outline is a thing of beauty.

15. Which WIP do you have the highest expectations for? Why?

Currently... Probably Dad Alex 😂 Idk why, I feel like it should probably be Hanahaki, but... 🤷‍♀️ maybe it's because Dad Alex is a little easier to write?

16. Do you dream about any of your WIPs?

Maybe sometimes. Just vaguely Firstprince-shaped dreams once in a while that bear resemblance to things I write about, which makes sense because the things I write about come from my brain and so do my dreams 😂

17. Do any of your WIPs have particular complexities that your other fics don't?

I mean, yeah, Hanahaki AU is complicated as fuck 🤣 So many things in that fic are like... none of this would have to happen if Alex made even slightly different choices, but he's Alex, so he doesn't.

18. Which WIP is the funniest or has the most humour?

Ooh! Maybe the "Loverboy Henry" fic. That's the one where he takes Alex on a date after Alex gets stood up, and Alex thinks he's just doing it to be nice but Henry is doing everything in his power to make Alex realize that it's a real date. It's miscommunication at it's finest and it's so ridiculous because everything Henry is doing to try to woo Alex is working but Alex thinks Henry is just being a good friend.

19. Do any of your WIPs contain outside POVs or a deep dive on a character other than the main ship? How are you finding that process?

A couple of them will, yes! Hanahaki AU and Rejection Sickness AU and the childhood friends sequel will all at least briefly contain outsider POVs.

Edit because I somehow missed the second half of this question: Rejection Sickness prequel will focus a lot on Oscar having to face the consequences of his actions following the divorce, mending his relationship with his kids and earning back their trust.

20. Tell us one thing we don't know about one or more of your WIPs.

There's gonna be a scene in Oxford Boys where Henry has a drunk white girl "can I tell you a secret" moment and tells Alex he loves him but I haven't decided what happens the next morning 😅 Will Henry pretend he doesn't remember anything? Will he run away and ghost Alex? Will he confront his fears and talk it through? Who knows 🤷‍♀️ not me!

A tag per WIP

@affectionatelyrs, @cricketnationrise, @wordsofhoneydew, @songliili, @gay-flyboys

@anincompletelist, @gayrootvegetable, @everwitch-magiks, @hgejfmw-hgejhsf

[awfullybigwardrobe44]

I came across your posts about OCD today and I felt called to reach out as someone who used to go through this so deeply that I hit rock bottom a few years ago.

What you're going through was painful to read because it hits so close to home. This was one of the harshest struggles of my life, and Jesus was the only One who brought me out. So, so graciously and lovingly, so I feel like I came across your posts for a reason, God had me come across them for a reason. I feel that I'm called to reach out and share some of my testimony, I truly believe that after He's helped me so incredibly it is now my calling to let Him use me to help you. Because He loves you. So, so much. And He will carry you through this even if it seems unbelievable.

That's one of the things I want to say- that with God there is hope, there is hope, with Him there is always hope and I've witnessed this. I wish I could tell the younger me just how much the Lord would heal and restore her and that life would be clearly completely worth living in the end, worth journeying through with Him. But I'm grateful I can tell you. Back then I wouldn't have believed I'd ever see the peace and happiness that I have now, and yet I'm deeper in my faith than ever before and completely restored to life and light. After being so deep in depression that I never thought I'd feel peace again, I'm now in a beautiful place in life by God's Grace, and you will get there too. Or rather, He will get you there.

I also want to say that just because I'm here now and you're probably feeling closer to where I used to be in this struggle, this does NOT mean that you're failing or certainly that God loves you any less. You are walking through the valley right now. But you don't have to fear any evil because the Good Shepherd is with you! He protects you with His rod and staff. While we walk through the valleys, our Shepherd LOVES us with the EXACT SAME LOVE as when we're on the highest hilltop. He loved me then, and He loves you now.

One of my favorite Bible Verses ever is James 1:17. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." There is no variation or shadow of turning with our Father- that's such a beautiful reminder that God does not change with the shifting circumstances around us or in our mental state. These things can shift like shadows but Jesus stays the same. Yesterday, today, and forever.

So we can do this which often helps me: while you're in this low point think back on one of the mountain peaks, one of the high points in your life when you really felt God's Love more clearly, perhaps a time He blessed you immensely. A happy time in your testimony (because our testimonies -consisting of God's Grace through the good and the bad points in our lives- are God's gift to us by which we can overcome!). And remember that He is the same God now as He was then. The same God who chose you, the same God who blessed you. And any mistakes that bother you now- during your good times, God KNEW you would commit that sin. And yet He loved you just the same then and loves you just the same now. He knew every sin you'd ever commit, and chose to die to Save you of each one, and lovingly created you, and called you into a Relationship with Him.

I feel called by the Holy Spirit to share some of the things God told me when I was struggling. So I'm going to do that now.

OCD thoughts are awful. I know that much, and they can feel inescapable. That's exactly what I was thinking, "there is no escape," when God suddenly led me to realize, to remember: that He is my Fortress. And all I have to do is run to Him and be safe. I just really needed to hear that, and since the Holy Spirit brought me that reminder my whole outlook was changed. I realized there is security to be found, and it's in my Father who is always with me.

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

He's with us in the trials and the pain, sometimes we're just too numbed by pain to feel Him but that doesn't change the truth. That's when we have to walk by faith and not by sight. And He is loving and holding you still, for He cares for you.

I'm most definitely praying for the Lord to draw you close. I saw that post and that's a beautiful prayer for times like these. Even more so because He will. I've actually often hummed the hymn called Draw me Close to You, during the scary times, and been comforted.

I will for sure be praying that you will be drawn close to the One who cares for you infinitely. That you'll feel Him holding you. Remember this Promise: "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand."

NOTHING can snatch you from God's Hands. And nothing in all creation can separate you from His Love.

The devil is powerless to take you away from your Father. All he can do is throw lies, thoughts, and temptations your way, but he can't actually do anything. And I've realized that's what OCD was, at least in my case.

By God's guidance, I watched a video where a Christian described intrusive thoughts as the flaming darts of the evil one. The ones quenched by the Shield of Faith! And when I heard that, that's when things suddenly came together for me. I cried at the realization. I'd spent so long trying to figure out if these are my thoughts or maybe I'm just broken or why am I even thinking them.. and suddenly realized these are thoughts the enemy throws at me in an attempt of making me feel like I'm unforgivable for thinking them. You see, the devil has no power to snatch us from God's Hand, so the only attempt he has is to try to make us too afraid to trust God. Lying to us that we're no longer loved. Knowing these schemes behind my OCD has personally helped me a lot, the lies are exposed and I know I don't have to listen. Rebuke those thoughts in Jesus' Name. Ultimately, these thoughts have no power over you and neither does the enemy. It's just a matter of continuing to trust God and leaning on Him, and running back to our Fortress.

As for assurance of Salvation, I believe it's ultimately a matter of embracing the fact that assurance is found in Christ alone and His Work on the Cross. It doesn't depend on ourselves but on Him. That's something I'm still learning and God is guiding me through one step at a time.

John speaks of assurance in his Epistle: "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." John mentions knowing you have eternal life, because of the fact that everyone who has the Son has life.

Remember Jesus also promised that of all those who come to Him He casts no one out. That's always been reassuring to me, remembering that the Lord said that.

As I'm writing this message, my eyes fell on this souvenir a sister in Christ gave me with the word "confidence" as a reference to faith in God. I'm feeling the Holy Spirit may be guiding me that you can and will have confidence in Salvation, that there is a way there, so I'm going to share another Scripture.

Hebrews 6:19 says "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil." The Hope that is spoken of is God's Promise in Christ. And something I recently learned about hope is that the Hebrew word for Hope is not about a vague longing or something that "might" happen but it's actually a word for a secure rope that can be held onto! That's the Hope Christ brings us, and Romans 5 states that Hope does not disappoint because the Love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given us. I will be praying for hope in your life.

True and peaceful assurance is found in Jesus, and back to what I said before, He never changes. Our mood, our behavior, and simply our perception of ourselves, is constantly fluctuating so it can be stressful to figure out our salvation based on that, but that's the Good News- we're not the ones who save ourselves. It's always been Jesus, who never ever changes, whose Love never changes. He's the Solid Rock!

You don't have to worry about works in order to find assurance because Salvation really doesn't depend on your works, it depends on His. You cannot deserve His Love, you cannot lose His Love- you can simply accept His Love. And as Christians that's all we have to do. (The song Simple by Leanna Crawford really expresses these truths.) I've found what leads to peace is a deeper acceptance of that fact- that it's about Him, He already chose to Save you and by His Grace and Guidance you already chose to accept that Salvation.

An important step is believing these three words:

It is Finished.

He used His final breath to tell us this.

So you can tell your thoughts that there's no need to obsess over Salvation because Jesus FINISHED it. He Saved you, it's perfectly done by Him.

Remember how Paul said he doesn't profess to know anything except for the one fact of Christ Crucified? That's all you have to know: Christ died for you.

This is another message from the Holy Spirit that I wanted to share. I remember one time as I was repenting, I was crying as I asked God.. what can I do to make up for my sin? And when I closed my eyes I saw the crown of thorns on Jesus' head. He already made up for every single mistake, each one of our sins. We're washed clean by His Blood and the Grace of His Salvation really is a beautiful thing.

I remember one time.. I really came to the acceptance that I'm not worthy or deserving of being Saved. And at first it was a cold and scary conclusion, but then God filled me with the peace of knowing my security is not in me, but in Him. Salvation is not about whether you deserve to be Saved according to your actions or even thoughts- it's simply about the fact that you ARE Saved. By Jesus, by His Love.

Just lean on the Lord. Lean on His Will. You don't need to trust yourself to be saved, you just need to trust Him to Save you. Because it really is all through Him and of Him, and realizing that is so comforting.

We can't make God love us any more and we can't make Him love us any less- He loves us unconditionally already and it really is all about embracing that Love.

I'm praying that God may help you through this. I truly hope I've written this message as the Holy Spirit intended me to.

Oh, and you don't have to post these if you don't want to. Feel free to answer privately or even just read, and if you ever need or want to talk further my messages are always open.

As I said, I just want to let the Holy Spirit move through me and let God use me to help others the way He miraculously helped me.

thank you so, so much for this beautiful testimony and encouragement 😭 it’s so beautiful that you want to use your story to help others 🥺

I was just talking to a friend last night about how John Bunyan calls his struggles with OCD “the valley of the shadow of death,” and you mentioned that too. I’ve been wondering where God is in all of this, because, as you said, our Shepherd is with us in the “valley of the shadow of death.” I don’t see God with me now, but I’m hoping that someday, I will. I think that was an encouragement from God ❤️

thank you for blessing me with your testimony!

[targaryenofrph]

kelsea || ballerini by Kelsea Ballerini Sentence Starters

Change the pronouns and tense as needed for your verses.

"Momma says, that I never met a stranger"

"Guess, I've just been walking around with my foot in my mouth most of my life"

"Truth is, conversations make me anxious even if we're on a first name basis"

"I overshare, because I over-care about the person over there, who's completely unaware that I overthink, then I overdrink to overcompensate"

"I know, there's moments that I'm missing if I'd just shut up and listen"

"Silence makes me scared"

"Now I'm just the girl that overshared"

"Maybe I should just stay quiet"

"I like my friends, and I like tequila"

"I like putting on a dress and dancing with my feelings"

"I could be the life of any party"

"I don't wanna watch everybody around me try to hook up and say stuff they don't mean"

"I already know it ain't worth it in the morning"

"I don't wanna go to the club"

"I don't wanna wake up on the floor of a bathroom lookin' at the stamps on my hand like a tattoo"

"When somebody's mean where do you hide?"

"Do people assume you're always alright?"

"Does it get hard to have to play the part?"

What if I told you the world wouldn't end if you started showing what's under your skin?"

"Even the homecoming queen cries"

"Did your daddy teach you how to act tough?"

"Are you more like your momma and sweep it under the rug"

"Did you want the crown or does it weigh you down?"

"What if I told you the sky wouldn't fall if you lost your composure, said to hell with it all"

"Not everything pretty sparkles and shines"

"Has somebody told you it'll all be alright?"

"I bet you drink martinis dry"

"But do you know about me?"

"Maybe I should be the one to leave?"

"Sometimes I don't like what's in the mirror"

"Sometimes I feel a little broken but it doesn't mean I need to be put together again"

"I wish you could love me like a girl"

"I wish you could get inside my head"

"I know you don't mean to be insensitive"

"I know you're never tryin' to brush me off"

"The truth is me and you, we're wired different so it makes sense sometimes we get crossed"

"When you want to kiss it better, listen instead"

"I love the way you make me feel like I'm safely in the palm of your hand"

"It doesn't mean that you're not my wholе world"

"There's a thin, thin line between love and hate"

"We used to be so happy, didn't we"

"We used to say that forever'd be easy"

"The day that you lied, I felt it all change, I crossed that thin, thin line between love and hate"

"I crossed that thin line between love and hate"

"I know a lady should always be modest but I'm just bein' honest"

"I don't wanna be a bragger"

"There ain't no shame in this girl's game"

"I swear I just came here to unwind and have one drink"

"I don't miss him, in fact, it slipped my mind"

"I swear ten minutes ago that bottle was full"

"I won't cry about love gone wrong"

"It could use some rain and a fresh coat of paint"

"Still lookin' for a feelin' half of us ain't found"

"Stay or leave, part of me will always be half of my hometown"

"Half of my family is happy I left, the other half worries I'll just forget where I came from"

"Memories make us wanna go back to our hometown, settle down"

"All I wanna do is make them proud"

"My daddy knows that I won’t forget where I came from"

"Liquid courage in my veins right now"

"I always hit you up when there's too much in my cup"

"I swear I'm doing better off without you"

"Does somebody love you in the way I do?"

"Does somebody touch you in the way I do?"

"I know it's three in the morning, it's tequila talking"

"Damn, your voice is all up in my head again"

"Does somebody love you in the way I do? I mean the way I used to"

"Damn, I wish you looked different without that sorry look on your eyes"

"Do I miss you? Well, maybe"

"Am I drunk on the idea tonight?"

"The space between us don't stop me from wondering"

"Ignore me, it's just tequila talking"

"I like my Fridays all alone with no reason to check my phone"

"I think about you all the time"

"That's okay 'cause I don't want space"

"You never needed anybody, but now you need me"

"I was the same, but things have changed"

"I want every moment that you're free and then I miss you when you leave"

"I bet your mama probably thinks I'm selfish"

"Look at what you've done to me"

"When I need to put my feet back on the ground I go back to my hometown"

"When I need a night to act my age me and my friends stay out too late"

"When I get so lonesome, my truth gets told"

"I stay up all night, done it my whole life"

"I've got a love and hate relationship with LA"

"I watch the sun sink down over Santa Monica Boulevard when I'm lonely and I'm missing home"

"I've got some famous friends that I could call but I don't know if I'm cool enough"

"It's hard to grow and time to go but some days, I wanna stay"

"I wonder if I'll get invited to the party"

"If I go, will I know somebody?"

"I'm on my third glass of wine tryin' to find conversation in a room with bigger names"

"If I let down my hair in the ocean air will Tennessee be mad at me?"

"Yeah, I know it ain't a one-way road but sometimes, it feels that way"

"Sometimes, it feels like it's all real but nothing here is as it seems"

"I ask myself, does it feed my soul or my anxiety?"

"It's myself that I have to face"

"But which part is reality?"

[lunar-years]

T! From your latest ask game post.

T - Do you have any hard and fast headcanons that you will die defending? **

i'm very certain i've rambled on about most (all?) of these before, lol. But here is my truth:

General character stuff -

Jewish Roy Kent!! The O'Sullivan-Kent's are mixed faith

Roy and his sister were perhaps close when they were very small but not so much once Roy moved to Sunderland. They didn't reconnect until around the time she got pregnant with Phoebe, then became incredibly incredibly close during her contentious divorce, when Roy was the first and best person to show up for her.

Keeley's parents are divorced. also she definitely has major mommy issues and i think that's under-explored!

Jamie's dad came back into his life when he was pre-teen (i don't have an exact age but to me it was somewhere between like. the ages of nine to twelve). Old enough to already be putting himself on the football map, locally (enough for James to have taken notice, anyway) but young enough for James to have made the very deep impression on him and to hold the type of influence over him we see reflected on the show.

Simon came into the picture several years later when Jamie was an older teenager (16-17) and he and Georgie didn't get married until Jamie was playing (semi-)professionally

i feel sooooo strongly that he hasn't told a soul about that trip to Amsterdam until he tells Roy in s3. i know some people think he would have told his mum and i respect that but also. i couldn't disagree more, lol.

speaking of mummy, I also think the closeness we see them have in s3 is somewhat of a recent development. They were definitely that close when Jamie was young, but as is typical with having an abusive parent, I don't see how his relationship with his dad wouldn't have tainted his bond with his mum. To me there is a lot of things that were left unsaid between them, on both sides, for a long time, and I think the s1 bonfire scene really reflects that strain. not to say they were totally estranged, but I do think there were a few very rough years in there where jamie barely talked to her. and they reconnected around the time of the break between s1 & s2 when Jamie was back with Man City. now they're extremely extremely close.

jamie works with kids once he retires from football!! i'm not too particular as to what capacity but perhaps my favorite is that he coaches youth football at the Academy level. Like, maybe the U15s or U16s. young teenagers whose lives he can make a real difference in. just...jamie getting to be the mentor and influence for them in the way he wishes he had at that age. ahhhh.

ot3 stuff:

ot3 all have strained (at best) relationships with their parents, but in completely different ways. they all adore Georgie and Simon though and love making time to visit Manchester

they do NOT have kids ❌ Miss Keeley Jones is not EVER willingly getting pregnant i can tell you that much for damn sure

i'm ride or die ot3 and this is kind of irrelevant in a poly scenario but re: marriage none of them would change their last names i firmly believe this

look. it's not that jamie and keeley CAN'T cook. but if roy is willing to make them the majority of their meals. and do it better than either of them ever could. who are they to stop him?? (lowkey keeley's cooking IS tragic though, lol)

simon teaches roy how to bake. then they force Georgie, Jamie and Keeley to "judge" their creations as if they were competing on bakeoff. this is like. an ongoing event. there are multiple occasions, maybe once a year or something, and roy and simon spend weeks planning what they're going to do for it every time.

i think they keep their relationship a secret until Jamie retires. of course there is a thriving in-verse rpf community, lmao.

perhaps controversially i don't think they'd tell the whole team. I love it in blissful and happy and fluffy fics though :) And obviously, i think roy and jamie love the team very much, but i still think they'd only explicitly tell like, rebecca, the coaches, and then Jamie would tell his closest few friends on the team. everyone else kind of figures it out over time, though, they aren't as subtle as they think they are, but it's not really talked about? it's more like an open secret.

they have a closed poly relationship because at the end of the day they are all possessive and none of them are open to sharing with anyone but each other, lol. also like. even keeping up with two partners can be a logistical nightmare. who would have the time for more? keeley runs the calendars.

sex: Roy and Keeley switch. Jamie is mostly a sub but willing to try basically everything and anything once. also what they get up to is generally very kinky and very sex positive and most importantly they have LOTS of fun <333 the details of that would take up another 12 paragraphs but you know. i think the fandom is mostly in agreement with this lmao.

** maybe not so much ~die defending~ because if people have different opinions i definitely do not care, y'all do you. but these are the ones that are so tried and true in MY brain that if i read a different opinion or a fic featuring a contradicting viewpoint... It doesn't matter how much i enjoy it or even love it... I am still filing that away as an AU in my brain even though it's like, totally NOT 😂

[theragethatisdesire]

Hiii. How are you? I hope you're doing fine, I read your new addition to the poly relationship thing and it was really cool.

I was wondering if you have more headcannons of them? Maybe what pet names Jean and eren use for each other or the love language they have for each other,do they use physical touch or maybe words of affirmation or anything else? Or how they make out. Also do they cuddle (just the two of them)? Like maybe Eren had a bad day or something and I recall you mentioned that eren stops frowning when Jean touches his brows or smth like that. So what if eren had a bad day and he needs Jean to comfort him,do they cuddle or they just hug?

I'm curious about Jean's mom having a hard time with the poly relationship thing. At this point I'm just rambling,sorry.

I just wanted to see your thought on this cause I have some but I don't know how the others perceive it. Anyways thanks you so much,i love your content 🫶🏻🫶🏻

hellooooo cutie pie nonny :) this has been sitting in my ask box for AGES like since i dropped the last erejean fic i think and i have been so excited to answer it. i'm sorry it took me forever!!! but i am back and ~ ready to chat ~

more poly!erejean headcanons because anon said so

i think it takes them foreverrrrrr to be physically affectionate with each other, and it honestly takes jean awhile to get physical with you too, just bc of the dynamic changing

eren's love language is definitely physical touch, jean's is definitely gift-giving

whenever you or eren texts in your group chat (because of course you have a "y/n's bfs<3" groupchat lol) that you're having the worst day at work, jean's already plotting what store he's running by to pick something up for you as a nice little surprise

maybe it's ingredients for your favorite dinner, your favorite candy, a new pair of fuzzy socks, etc.

eren, on the other hand, just crushes you/jean with the biggest, tightest hug he can manage whenever you're having a bad day. probably offers a massage of some sort.

eren just ...very absentmindedly touches you and jean? like he is always just running a hand over your waist as he passes you in the kitchen, playing with jean's fingers while he scrolls on his phone, kicks his feet up on your lap to watch tv. it feels uncomfortable for him to be in the same room as either of you and not touch you somehow.

jean's favorite thing in the world is to have each of you tucked under his arms cuddling. insists on being in the middle for movie night.

i can't remember if i've mentioned this but eren and jean love sharing clothes. eren's the worst about it- he's literally always snagging jean's stuff and jean, misunderstanding at first, started buying eren a couple of his shirts that he noticed going missing. he got the point when eren never touched his new shirts.

eren 100% nuzzles into jean and you like a dog like noses against your shoulder/neck/tummy

just some little cuddling/physical touch hcs <3 as for jean's mom, i picture her being very traditional, wanting jean to get married and have children. jean has been bi for years in this verse, but very quietly bi, like maybe had a bf in college, told his mom (it took her a minute, but she came around) and his closest friends but keeps it pretty lowkey.

when he told his mom about his relationship with you and eren, the poly dynamic was just completely unlike anything she'd ever heard of and it really caught her by surprise. she wasn't outright unsupportive, but she's very old-fashioned and she just didn't understand how it could function like a legitimate, serious relationship. but when jean just keeps mentioning you both more and more (he knows things like this take her awhile, and she knows her boy is serious by how insistently he keeps bringing it up), she can just hear how happy jean is and wants to see how it works and give it a chance.

she's always adored eren through all the years she's known him, and she's smitten with you the second you shyly cross the threshold into her house, complimenting the decor. she never goes back, just has a few tentative questions for jean here and there, but all that matters to her is that her boy is being made happy by two wonderful people :)

[linane-art]

Public Service Announcement

Yes, I'm back! Missed me? :D

I don't know where to start, really. My last year of travels was both an incredible, life-changing, empowering, unforgettable experience, and the hardest, most challenging thing I have ever done (and probably will ever do) in my life.

In the space of a year I have visited 11 countries: New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, New Caledonia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Poland and Greece. Everywhere I went, I have always tried not to be a tourist, but live like a local, stay with the local people and have as many experiences as I could possibly grab a hold of.

I close my eyes and I can re-trace the exact route from Cashmere to the city centre of Christchurch, or I can still taste the Kava drink, or I remember exactly where to put my feet on the ascent to Yunomine Onsen via the Kumano Kodo Pilgrim Trail, or I can tell what Sumatran elephant skin feels like under my fingers, or which of the rice fields around Ubud offer best views without too many tourists.

I got to do everything I ever wanted, fulfilled every dream I ever had and then some, met some amazing people that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and frequently did 8 absolutely impossible things before breakfast. I travelled on local busses, bought my veggies from local bazars, had local supermarket loyalty cards, dealt with visas, made friends with people who didn't speak a word of English... It kinda made me fearless and unstoppable. I've also struggled with depression, seriously questioned my life's choices, missed home insanely, been to paradise and hated it at times, doubted myself, and had a real reality check on what's important to me. And I regret none of it.

How do you pick up the pieces of your life after something like that?

The good news is that my love for this fandom has never left or diminished, and in fact it often provided to be a source of great comfort to me. I wrote stories in my head during my walks, I re-read some excellent old fics, I took Fili and Kili with me to some seriously remote places.

But I think the fandom has changed during my absence. And I have changed too. So as I sit down and re-think how I wanna indulge in my love of FiKi, here's what I've got:

I am seriously attached to three of my Verses (and have been focussing on them for a while), which I'd love to continue with: Silence, Isca and Postcards. There will be more posted, when I'm ready with it. Watch this space. Subscribe, maybe?

I have been writing mainly for myself for a number of years now and I can and I will continue to do so. But it's alwas a delight when someone else comes on a journey with you, so I'll continue posting publically.

GF is my Happy Place and I have missed it hugely, especailly as it hadn't continued to function as I hoped it would during my absence. I want to come back to tending that garden, as it's important to me. And I might take part in some events again, if the gods smile at me again, which will mean any and all verses will be considered.

I can't imagine in what possible universe I would have the time for drawing again. Having said that, I am sitting on some unpublished and unfinished artwork, some of it in collabs, and I know I can be stubborn enough to force their completion. Something to think about.

What else? I guess that's it. How have everyone been? What's new? WHO's new? Did I miss anything important? Come and say hi - I'm always happy to chatter.

[a-kookie-with-my-tae]

Befallen: Chapter 3

Pairing: Idol!Jungkook x Music Producer!Reader

Genre: Fluff

Word Count: 2.5K

Warnings: none, really.

A/N: Thank you guys so much for your patience with me. I'm so happy to finally getting this out after having to completely rewrite this chapter from scratch. Bear with me as I try to get these chapters out as soon as I can. Thank you!

Masterlist

Aesthete: a person who has or affects to have a special appreciation of art and beauty.

I tap my pen against the wooden desk as I focus on the sheets in front of me. The words written on the page are a little sloppy, their connotation that of a newcomer to lyricism. But, the meaning in them shows through no matter the novice technique in which their written. I cross out a line and rewrite the words, not changing the meaning behind them but allowing the line to blend harmoniously with the rest of the verse. 

Jimin stopped by the studio first thing before practice, the notebook sitting on the floor from where he slid it under the door before rushing to meet the other members. I smiled when I saw it. I should've known better than to expect anything other than the fact that he would stay up writing. After our conversation yesterday, he seemed too inspired to do anything but that. 

I will admit, although the wording isn't as eloquent as an experienced lyricist, Jimin's handwriting is that of a scholar. Next to his, my hangul looks like chicken scratch, something a kindergartner would write. Then again, I am newer to writing in the language, still stumbling when I even speak it. But, I have improved drastically in the half year past. His writing is more like the Korean version of cursive, his hands used to the language from years of experience as his letters blend together beautifully. While I am mainly writing the English version, as it's my first language, he decided that he wanted to take the lead with the Korean version. When he proposed the idea, I visibly sighed in relief. Usually when writing for the other artists in the company, some of the other producers tend to take the lead on the lyrics since I am a novice when it comes to the Korean language, but versed enough to help Jimin with editing his. 

My heart breaks a little at the words on the page. His fear of losing those close to him shows through as I read them. His sad, almost desperate, connotation bleed through the pages even through his crossed lines as he rewrote the lyrics over and over. I can't wait to show him what I've done with it, the song already playing through my head in a constant loop. I can already imagine how great it will sound with his soft and breathy vocals. 

A knock on the door brings my out of my little bubble. I turn toward the entrance of my studio, curious to see who could be here. Jimin's practice isn't set to be finished for another hour or so. 

But, nevertheless, it is still him that stands in the doorway. 

"What are you doing here so early?" I ask, curious as to how he is here at the moment. He's never been known to cut practice of any kind, if anything he stays later working past when everyone else leaves. 

"Let's just say.... there was some tension. So, Joon-hyung decided to end it early today." He says with a slight smirk on his face. I don't know how, but for some reason I feel as if I'm the reason for the so-called tension that he speaks of. 

"Do I even want to know?" I cross my arms and lean back in my chair as I question him.

"Probably not." He shrugs his shoulders and walks further into the room, coming to stand beside me and look at the notebook sitting on the desk behind me. 

"Alright then, I'm not even gonna ask." I swivel my chair around to face the desk once again, watching Jimin's face as he reads the words on the page, examining my rewrites with the utmost focus and attention. 

"Wow... I thought my lyrics were good. But.... damn." He turns his head to meet my eyes. "You've really got some talent, Y/N." 

My cheeks flush at the compliment, not used to being recognized for it. I avoid his eyes as I look back toward the notebook. 

"It's nothing, I just reported it a little bit to better match the rhythm of the song. This way, the meter of the stanza will match the beat a lot better. But, Jimin, you did amazing. What you wrote here... just..." I look at the man standing beside me. "Wow." 

He flushes at my words, his hand coming to rub the nape of his neck as he straightens his spine. "I just felt kind of inspired, I guess."

He smiles shyly at me as I grin at him. I fake punch him lightly in the shoulder, lightening the mood. "Hey, give yourself some credit. You did good. Own it."

He laughs lightly, loosening up a bit. "Yeah, yeah. Okay."

"No, say it!" I persist. "Say 'I did an awesome job at writing these lyrics and I am oh so very talented'." 

He scrunches his face in a mic of amusement and awkwardness as he tries to laugh off my words.

"Whatever. So can we go to the recording booth? Try this out?" He asks, waving me off. 

I let it go, deciding that I've proven my point enough to not push it any further. "Yeah, let me just put the track on the flash drive real quick and we can head over."

While working on his lyrics, I was able to finish the backing track. His words inspired me and helped me find the finishing touches I really needed. All that's left is to finish writing the lyrics, record it, and mix it all together. 

I click my mouse as I drag the file over to the drive, preparing to transport it to the recording booth that a lot of the other producers and I share. Although I have my own studio and microphone for recording backing vocals, for the artists we like to have the best recording set up. I pull the drive from my computer and grab the notebook, standing from my chair as I turn toward Jimin. 

"You ready?" I ask, knowing that his nerves are high at the moment, the anxiety of recording the raw emotion in which these lyrics are written showing on his face. 

"As ready as I'll ever be." 

I wrap my arm around his as we march out of my studio and down the hall.

"Watch me go, soak me all night long, away... So the morning gets drunk and never comes."

Jimin's soft vocals ring throughout the studio as I stare at him in awe. Seeing the words on paper is nothing compared to hearing them in such a mellifluous way. He peels off the headset and places it around his neck, a smile shining on his face as his eyes sparkle. 

"How was that?" He asks me through the microphone. I press the button on the desk so he can hear my response in the speakers throughout the inside of the recording booth. 

"Jiminie, that was amazing! First take, wow. Let's keep going and finish up the rest of the pre-chorus and then we'll take a break." My cheeks hurt from how big I've been smiling for the past hour. After doing some minor rewrites after we arrived and settling on exactly how we wanted to vocal lines to sound, we finally started recording. I rewind the track a few seconds, Jimin's previously recorded vocals playing through as he secures his headset back on and closes his eyes in concentration. 

"I fade away in the loud music, I'm getting used to the cliché story like a drama. I'm getting used to it. Have I come too far to find the me you used to know? Yeah I know, you know, I know..." 

Jimin never ceases to amaze me. Although he has a beautiful deep chest voice, he prefers to sing in the higher tones. That fact fits beautifully with this song. But, maybe one day I can convince him to showcase more of his lower vocals. The proud smile I wear never leaves as he looks at me with excitement, his eyes forming crescents so slivered I wonder how he even sees what's in front of him. 

He sets his headset on the small table next to the microphone, his half empty water bottle sitting next to it. I look back toward the screen to start the playback of what all we've recorded thus far as I hear the door to the recording booth open and shut softly, near-silent but quick footsteps near me as Jimin rushes to see the screen. 

We haven't yet added the whispers in the beginning, so the track still feels a little empty as it starts. But as soon as the vocals come in, it feels complete. A weight lifts off my shoulders at the sound, a relieved sigh leaving me as my chest feels light. I close my eyes as I smile, letting out a breathy laugh. 

"She's saying 'Baby, don't think about it. There's not a bad thing here tonight. Baby, it's fine if you have to leave, but stay with me just for today.'"

We listen for the next minute or so and I pause it right before the chorus comes in. 

"Oh my God! Jimin!" I jump up and throw my arms dramatically around him, causing him to almost loose balance and brace a hand against the desk to keep standing. He laughs as he regains his balance and wraps his arms around my waist. We stay like that for a little while, rocking slightly back in forth as we bask in the feeling of accomplishment. 

I lean slightly and place my hands on his reddened cheeks, forcing him to make eye contact with me.

"I'm so proud of you! That sounds amazing!" Jimin looks down bashfully at my words, but the smile grows on his face, his teeth nibbling on his bottom lip.

"Thanks... You did most of the work, though."

I smile fondly at my best friend. 

"Jimin, don't discredit yourself. I just helped you bring your vision to life, and you're doing the same for me." He looks back up and meets my eyes once again. "I'm so glad that I shared this with you. This is coming out better than I could've imagined."

We stay like that for a few moments more before a knock breaks the moment. We look at the doorway simultaneously. 

"Am I interrupting something?" The silky smooth voice carries throughout the room, his words making my cheeks flush. His strong brows are pushed together into an expression I can't really put my finger on. Confusion, disgust, anger... jealousy? No, it can't be. 

Nonetheless, Jimin lets go of his hold on me at the presence of his bandmate, taking a step back to put some space between us. 

"We just finished up recording a good chunk of the song." Jimin explains. "I'm actually really proud of it."

Jungkook's face softens as his brows shoot up, disappearing under the black bucket hat on his head, the rings on the brim clinking together as he tilts his head and leans against the doorway. 

"Really? I didn't even know you were working on something new." His eyes dart over to me momentarily before moving back to Jimin. "What is it?"

I clear my throat before I speak up for him. "That song that I was working on when you came into my studio yesterday. I showed it to Jimin and he marked his claim on it the second it started playing." I laugh lightly as I avert my eyes over to my best friend, pride shining all throughout my features. "He wrote lyrics for it overnight, and we've been putting it together since your practice ended."

Jungkook smiles wide as he walks over to Jimin, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That's amazing, hyung! I can't wait to hear it." 

"Thanks, Kook. I can't wait either." His eye crescents come back as he smiles mischievously. "But, you gotta wait until it's done. No spoilers!"

The bunny man pouts at his elder. "That's mean. But, fine. I was coming in here to record some stuff I'm working on, but I'll wait until you guys finish up. I didn't know that anyone was in here today." He pulls out a flashdrive from his pocket, holding it up to prove his intentions. 

"That's fine. We were just finishing up anyway. I just gotta make sure everything saves over then we can get out of your hair." I turn back toward the computer, leaning over the desk to move everything back over to my portable drive. A few seconds later and I unplug it, turning back toward the two men.

They seem to be having a secret conversation, whispering over in the corner of the room, too quiet for me to hear. Jungkook makes eye contact with me and I crease my brows in confusion. His eyes widen and he clears his throat, cutting off whatever Jimin was saying. 

"Where are you guys off to?" He asks, turning his gaze back toward Jimin.

"The dance studio. Wanna blow off some steam before we go and get ready for recording later."

Jimin walks back over to me, placing his elbow on my shoulder and showcasing the slight height difference. Honestly, this man is just so proud that he's 3 inches taller than me and uses every opportunity to show it off. Then again, being surrounded by giants all day probably doesn't help his height complex. 

"Oh, you dance?" Jungkook directs the question back at me. 

"Yeah... I used to study contemporary back in the States. Sometimes it nice to just... let go. You know?" I shuffle uncomfortably at the admission. He seems perplexed as he takes in the information, seemingly hooked on every new detail he can learn about me. 

"Anyway," I silently thank Jimin for breaking the tension "we are heading out. Good luck on whatever you're working on, Kookie!"

He all but pushes me out of the room, hands pressing against my shoulders in a rush to leave to recording studio. As we exit the room, I glance back over my shoulder, only to find a doe eyed Jungkook staring. We make eye contact one final time before we turn to go down the corridor, a red flush creeping on his cheeks. 

Jimin moves so that he's no longer pushing, but walking alongside me. I glance over at him only to see him wearing a knowing smile as he glances back. Thankfully, he doesn't say anything. 

As we turn into the next hallway, I hear the soft sound of a symphony staring to ring from the room we just left. And for once, I let myself smile about the boy with the bunny teeth responsible for it. 

[addictedtostorytelling]

Hello AJ, it's been a while since I've dared to write you.

I just wanted to congratulate you on the completing of your geek!baby story, which was, as the other ones you've written, delightful. I'm one of those people who firmly believes Sara and Grissom never actively wanted/tried to have a baby, but damn the gsr kid fics are *cute*.

Also I'm kinda glad the pregnancy was confirmed a single baby - nothing against twins, but to me it often feels like a cop-out when the author can't decide on boy or girl. Again, nothing against it, I get why people like it (what's better than a kid from your otp? Two kids of course)

Anyways sorry I'm rambling, here goes a random super silly question I thought of last night (at like, 3am) and wouldn't leave me alone as this things often do, just to have a bit of fun:

What animals would you associate with each member of the csi team? (like if they were animals, what'd they be based on personality, usual behavior etc)

Take care, happy very belated birthday (I forgot this year oof) and wish you a great 2024

hi, @its-a-geeks-world!

great to hear from you again!

thank you for your kind words! i'm so glad you enjoyed the story, especially knowing that you're in camp "no gsr kids." it really means a lot that you would hang with something outside your usual field of interest. 💙

i'm also glad to know you're a fan of the singleton pregnancy decision. for as much as i teased the possibility for twins (both in the fic and without it), i've known i was going to take things in this direction since before the first word of the series was written. i have such a clear notion of who grissom and sara's kid is, and i'm excited, in future installments of this 'verse, to unveil more about them!

regarding your question:

i had never given that particular hypothetical any thought before, and i don't know that i'm entirely satisfied with my own answers yet, but here's what i'm thinking as of now:

grissom is a giant pacific octopus: highly intelligent to the extent that he can use tools, solve puzzles, and even open childproof containers with his multiple limbs. infinitely curious about his surroundings and prone to experimentation. at times, precocious/cheeky. possessed of a unique style of cognition and perspective on the world. however, also frequently misunderstood and conceptualized as being "too other." considered "alien" from the human perspective and not altogether cuddly, particularly compared to other (vertebrate) animals. known for being a largely solitary creature, except for in matters of love. (fun fact: male octopuses sometimes travel great distances to find their female match.)

meanwhile, catherine is an african lioness: the feline powerhouse who keeps the pride alive and thriving, putting in the work to hunt and fend off threats (oftentimes running circles around the males in proximity to her). known for being fiercely protective of her young and aggressively defending her territory and what's hers. a highly intelligent social creature who understands nuanced dynamics between members of her pride. possessed of a hierarchal way of thinking. though open to male attention, sometimes known to drive off "deadbeat" or otherwise unacceptable options and fend for herself in their absence. capable of leadership; queen of the jungle.

warrick is a wild yak: adapted to live on unstable terrain, nothing can shake him. he's strong and solid as a rock. of all ungulates, among the most intelligent and good-natured, capable of problem solving and adapting to ever changing conditions. brought up in a matriarchal social structure with grandma in charge. incredibly loyal to the herd, though not above some occasional macho headbutting with other males he may encounter. while generally chill in temperament, relentless when protecting himself and those he cares about (and a goddamn problem for any creature foolish enough to antagonize him). for as docile as he is, he is also one of nature's toughest animals. infinitely useful. a presence in any space he enters. big-hearted, both physically—yaks need to pump more red blood cells than most animals because they live at high altitudes with low oxygen—and also in his character. known for prioritizing community.

nick is a german shepherd: specifically, a police dog (like sam). carefree as a puppy, later on traumatized in the line of his k-9 duties. disposed toward obedience and protectiveness. sometimes too well-trained and quick to heel for his own good. happiest just lovin' on people but also anxious when he doesn't have some directive to follow or task to complete. naturally goodhearted but in his later years sometimes prone to snap due to his experiences on the force. intelligent, inquisitive, eager to investigate. sometimes a little bit goofy. always sticking his nose in things. has a hard time with the command "drop it!" forms deep bonds with his people and is fiercely loyal to them. at his heart, a good boy who just wants to do right by everyone around him.

sara is a rehabilitated formerly feral cat: started out life in a house with the expectation she'd be taken care of but as a kitten was mistreated and abused until she became incredibly mistrustful of humans. eventually, ended up on the streets. had to fend for herself, scrounging to get by. survived thanks to her own cleverness and resourcefulness. then, much later on, after too long spent alone, was taken in again. became, for the first time in years, once more a housecat. at first, was wary of her would-be rescuers. skittish. spent most of her time hiding under furniture with her ears back and claws out, ready to swat anyone who dared lean in too close. bonded to only one quiet and patient person in the otherwise busy house. in time, with his coaxing, emboldened to believe again in the goodness of other people. against all odds, developed into an affectionate and participating member of the household, albeit in a still semi-aloof feline way. smart, curious, a wonderful mix of socially awkward and socially graceful, deeply bonded to her people and open with them, though still independent. above everything: you can always tell how grateful she is to finally be in a house where she's loved.

finally, greg, i am happy to report, is a ferret: pure mustelid energy. a weird, screwy noodle who is constantly investigating the world and engaging in shenanigans. notoriously goofy. playful by nature. curious to a fault and sometimes somewhat naughty when bored—inventing activities™ for himself—but also exceptionally clever and a surprisingly hard worker (when he focuses his energies and intelligence on the task). oftentimes underestimated due to his small stature but much-beloved by those who take the time to get to know him. loyal following of enthusiasts.

anyway, that's what i've got!

thank you for the fun question and also for the birthday wishes! i'm so touched that you remembered!

please feel welcome to send another ask any time!

happy 2024 to you, friend!

[kahenn]

Good evening and Happy Friday! I've been following you for some time and I thought I should come out to say, you are doing a great job with Miki! You are a sharp writer as well as a splendid artist!

If I may, I wanted to ask a few questions about Miki. You need not answer them all in one post.

What inspired you to conceive Miki? Can you describe your creative process in developing her character?

Did you know that there is a Wiki page for Naruto OCs? It's called the Naruto OC Wiki (NOW). Have you considered writing and sharing a bio for Miki on that site?

How would you describe Miki's spiritual and philosophical leanings? With her birthday being December 3rd, this would make her a Sagittarius, the archetype for which appears as an centaur/archer whose passions include travel, learning, and faith. That would be her Sun sign, at least.

Following up from the above question, what made you decide to give her that particular birthday?

Thanks so much for sharing and keep up the great work!

Aw thank you so much! To answer your questions:

1.Miki was (and is still) a bleach OC first, actually. The conception of her existence comes from me making her wayyyy back in high school. She still exists as bleach OC, if you were to google her name, her wiki page for the bleach OC wiki will actually come up as the top result, lol. The Naruto version, which you know here, actually started just as an AU verse on her bleach rp blog because I had been a long time fan of Naruto and wanted to get into the rp community on that side as well. Funnily, I've been a fan of Naruto longer than bleach but none of my shitty middle school OCs stuck, haha. I eventually made the decision to split the AU verse from her bleach blog so I could flesh the Naruto version out further without mixing up and convoluting with my bleach stuff. So as for creative design there wasn't a whole lot because I had kind of already designed her, mostly I just fuddled around until I had an outfit for her I liked. From there she really kind of diverged. Even though she shares the same appearance and name as her bleach counterpart, I consider them two wholly different OCs if that makes sense. Her personality and mannerisms differ quite a bit and of course more obviously her backstory, upbringing, powers, and job are all completely different. They do share the same obsession for plants though, that never changes, lol.

2. I did! I actually started making a page but got distracted and haven't finished it. I hate messing with HTML but I will eventually go back and finish it, lol.

3. Miki doesn't consider herself religious in any capacity and maybe only vaguely spiritual. Like, she believes there is an afterlife and that your soul departs for it after you die but she doesn't necessarily think your actions on earth affect that (not like heaven/hell), but generally believes you should be good while living. She maybe has some conventional superstitions that are commonly accepted within the general people. As for her star sign, I'll be honest, I'm not an astronomy person at all and don't really know anything about it so I don't really take into account the star signs or how people believe it affects a person at all. I will say she does like learning and travel though, so I guess it works.

4. Her birthday is December 3rd because that was Bleach Miki's birthday and I never bothered to change it. I picked a winter birthday because her last name means "winter field". It's not any deeper than that 😂. I was like 15 when I made her name.

[firefrightfic]

if you don't mind me asking, are you still writing for the family matters verse? tbh it is one of my all time favorite pieces of fiction that has ever been written. I've re-read it dozens of times and I usually flock to it's comfort whenever I'm having a bad day. I'm actually rereading parts of it right now cause I'm having not the greatest time, and escapism is fun lmfao. no pressure obvs either way, I would be happy and grateful with the literal hundreds and thousands of words we've received so far, even if you never wrote another word for it ever again (I'd obvs be sad but that is not your problem or your fault). I was just wondering if you had plans to continue or if you've decided you're done with it. I adore your writing either way and will continue to worship the ground you walk on. LMFAO lots of love though genuinely, your writing is such a balm for me. and I'd just honestly like to thank you for sharing it, you probably have no idea how many times you've turned my day and so many others' around with something you've written. & it's truly such a profound experience to have on someone and you deserve to know that and be very proud of it. thank you genuinely.

Hi! So first off I want to be completely honest and tell you that this ask genuinely caused me to tear up a little. Even after years of fic writing, it's still overwhelming sometimes to know that someone like yourself can love something I've written so much that you'd take the time to write me such a kind message as this one. Especially when I've been having some word anxiety of late, it was such a joy and reassurance to receive and I'm so happy the fanworks I've made have helped you and others like you happiness in turn (I'm also sorry to hear you're not having a great time right now and hope that changes for you soon!). I really am proud of all the stories I've written and this just helped reaffirm that spectacularly.

Secondly, I want to say that yes! I do plan on finishing it someday, though I really can't promise you when. As I'm sure is obvious to everyone at this point, I am taking a bit of an extended break from writing DC fic for a few reasons (including mostly just being kind of burned out on it after six years of writing nothing else). However! As I recently said to a friend, there are at least a couple stories I am bound and determined I will absolutely finish for that fandom and Family Matters is 100% one of them. I've come way too far with that version of Jason, Dick and Damian to leave it unfinished now, both for myself and my readers, and I hope knowing that reassures you a little going forward.

Thank you again for your very kind words, understanding and patience <3

[super-unpredictable98]

Unrequited | Tales From the Original Timeline

Fandom: Misfits Pairing: Nathan x Lydia (OC - Hard Candy’ verse) Word Count: around 900 Warning: Strong language, angst

(Masterlist)

I came to accept my feelings for Nathan after many sleepless nights when his face was all I could see in the dark, his voice echoed in my head like a chanting. I didn't want to feel that way, he was married, he had a kid (a very adorable one).

Of course, only fucking stupid Lydia could fall in love with the only guy she cannot have. I didn't know how to fix it, it's not like I could simply flip a switch inside of me and suddenly it's all gone. My heart was completely out of my control.

I remember avoiding him at all costs even, then changing it to spending every second possible by his side. Whatever would cure this ache in my chest of wanting someone so bad you just don't know how your life can ever go on without them. How could the world keep moving when Nathan wasn't mine? How do I even breathe?

I tried to date other boys and girls, of course, but it never felt right. I didn't even know you could feel this way about someone, it was so good, but at the same time so disheartening. I had no one to talk to, my only friends were also his friends, and my parents would never understand, not even dad, who is the best "understander" of the couple.

"But she kept it all inside her head

What she saw she left unsaid

And though she wanted to

She couldn't talk to you

She couldn't find the way

But she would always say

If I could tell him

Tell him everything I see

If I could tell him

How he's everything to me

But we're a million worlds apart

And I don't know how I would even start..."

"Wow, genderbending Evan Hansen? That's never a good sign, Peanut," I dropped my guitar when I heard Simon's voice as he stood by the doorframe.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be holiday shopping with mom and dad?"

"Well, I had a hunch, I felt like you might need me," he joined me in bed and pulled me into his arms. "And it seems I was right after all."

"I'm okay, Si, you should go. Maybe you can still catch them..."

"You are not okay, Lyds, you haven't been for a while."

"I thought mind-reading was Kelly's thing," I mocked.

"I can't read minds, but I know my sister. I know every corner of your brain, we've been a team for nearly 17 years now," he squeezed me tighter. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing serious, you know how dramatic I am, Si... I've seen Moulin Rouge way too many times."

"It might not be serious, but it's bothering you, so out with it."

I turned to stare into his sea-like eyes. He has always been the person I trust the most in the universe, why was it so hard to tell him about my feelings? It's not like he would run and tell Nathan about it, of course not. I just felt really ashamed, I didn't want him to know how weak and disgusting I really was.

"It's a guy."

"I knew it! Who is this bloke hurting you? You tell me and I'll take Nathan and Curtis to teach him a lesson..." I knew it was a joke, but a little part of me was somewhat scared he would actually kick some kid's ass for messing with me.

"It's just a guy."

"So he doesn't know you fancy him?"

"I hope not, he would think I'm ridiculous."

"Why would he think that? Wow, a beautiful, funny, smart girl likes me... Whatever shall I do?" Simon snorted.

"He's already spoken for," I laughed sadly.

"Oh, Peanut, I know how that feels. Did I ever tell you Lisha used to date Curtis?"

"What?" I grimaced, the idea of them together was so silly to me.

"Yeah, they were together for a while, it made me sad sometimes, but I just never imagined she would want to be with me in the first place, even if she was single."

"I have that feeling too, maybe he would never like me in the first place."

"But you know how the story ended, right? I'm with Alisha, she does like me and we're happy. Maybe it's just a matter of time, Lyds."

"It might be..." It wasn't that simple, Nathan would never leave his family for me, I was too late.

Simon brushed my hair away from my face and kissed my temple gently, rocking me like dad used to do when I had a nightmare.

"I think I know how to cheer you up."

"Yeah?" I looked back at him, skeptically.

"I'm gonna call Nathan, we can get a drink at the pub, but don't tell mum, alright? He's better at making you smile than I am."

"Sure, let's go," the dramatic irony of that situation was almost funny, but for now, maybe that's exactly what I needed... To feed that longing inside of me with love kernels, it was better to have him as a friend than not at all.

When Nate found out about the whole ordeal, his reaction was pretty much the one I expected, he scoffed and said:

"What kind of twat wouldn't wanna be with you? He must be really stupid."

"Yeah, Nats, he is..." I murmured.

Tag List: @elliethesuperfruitlover @firstpersonnarrator @spanishmossmagnolia​@a-ghoulish-tale @seanfalco

[topweeklyupdate]

TØP Weekly Update #142: A Formidable Album (5/21/21)

So... how 'bout that album release week?

There's so much to cover; the release of nine new songs, the hype that's building for the World's Best Band to return to the stage, and (if we're able to come up for air) the massive speculation of what the future brings for our band.

I'm gonna get right into it, laying out my thoughts regarding this bold new album and covering all the most notable news from the week. I'll be sharing my (mostly) positive opinions about Scaled and Icy under the Read More line; I hope they're the start of a fun conversation with all of y'all who have stuck around through this last year.

Scaled and Icy Review

First, my general thoughts on the album: It's good! Really good. Do I think it's a no-skip like Vessel or a cohesive piece of art like Trench? Absolutely not! But it's also not the potential misfire that I worried that we might be getting when I first heard "Saturday" (more on that later); I think all of the songs are at least good, and some of them are downright great tracks that hold up with anything else that our band has ever released. It is also indisputably very different, but I think that generally works pretty well. Many of the songs evoke '60s rock or Britpop sounds and structures that you can tell Tyler is still trying to navigate, but I think he does a very solid job at adapting them to suit his strengths- namely his lyricism and knack for melody- rather than change to suit them. Unfortunately, this does result in a bit of square-peg-in-round-hole syndrome at times; most of the rap verses on the album feel like they're here just to fulfill an obligation to fans who would be mad if they weren't here, and most of the songs that use them are the weakest ones in the project.

"Good Day" plays a major role in getting the rest of the album to work as well as it does. Its gradual ramp-up, introducing the sound that will be used throughout the rest of the album. Its playfulness belies its message about how one can project a somewhat false optimism for oneself in the midst of tragedy: the type of dark stuff in a bright package that Tyler is so so good at. It's perhaps not an instant classic, but I am excited to see how it comes across when it's eventually used as a show-opener. 9/10

I've of course already discussed "Shy Away"; an anthemic, inimitably catchy track that I just wish had a bit more going on under the hood. Still going to be so good to hear thousands of voices scream "An 'I LOVE YOU' that isn't words!" someday. 9.5/10

"Choker" definitely took a little bit to grow on me. I think part of that was a bit of disappointment from over-inflated expectations and the environment I was in when I first heard it. With further listens, I fall more and more in love with the melody of the song... well, most of it. Like the rest of this album, the biggest weakness in the song is when Tyler tries to tick the box of having a rap verse; it just feels really out of place, unfinished, and almost amateurish, and it doesn't end the song on the note that it really should. Without it, it'd be one of my favorites on the album; with it, "Choker" is a solid 8.5/10.

Speaking of unfinished-sounding songs really hurt by their rap verse: "The Outside". There's a definite something to the vibe of the song, but that seemingly nonsensical verse is one of the two weakest parts of the entire project for me. The way the song meanders only adds to the feeling that there wasn't as much energy and attention paid to it compared to other parts of the project. It's pretty easily my least favorite track on Scaled and Icy, and the only one I might regularly skip. I've also seen plenty of people saying it's the best song on the album, so please tell me why I'm wrong! 6.5/10

"Saturday", as mentioned above, had me really nervous about this album. Like "Choker", it's grown on me a bit since I first heard it, in part because it fits better with the context of the rest of the album. However, this one really does feel undercooked lyrically and overreliant on the novelty of using a disco-inspired sound that seems to chase trends more than almost any other TØP track. The inclusion of that very sweet audio clip from Jenna boosts the song in some ways, but also adds to the disappointment in others; there are many other songs on this project that would be more worth surrendering time watching Friends. Thankfully, those come next. 7/10

"Never Take It" is fascinating. I never thought I'd hear a Rolling Stones-style song from Tyler Joseph featuring a gd guitar solo of all things, and it actually sounds pretty great. However, I also predict that this song will see some of the greatest critical scrutiny out of all the songs on the album. The lyrics seem to be Tyler's criticism of the media for playing up division in our society, but he's extremely vague when discussing which entities are spreading said division and ultimately recommends that people "educate yourself, but never too much". I'll be honest: maybe it's the fact that it sounds like something my dad would listen to, but it feels like this would get tons of play on Fox News. Since it makes specific reference to the events of last summer, it's hard not to feel like song is at least partially inspired by Tyler's brush with cancellation last year. Maybe I'm reading too deeply into it, but those reservations come from the song's lack of specificity, which is an issue of songwriting more than politics. They hold me back from truly loving a song that still manages to be one of the most exciting the band has ever put out. 8.5/10

"Mulberry Street" seems like the perfect realization of the entire album's intended tone. It is so pleasant, so lush while also simply produced, full of great lyrics, metaphors, and imagery. It really brings the whole project together, even if it's missing That One Line to really move this up to the top tier of the canon. 9.5/10

"Formidable" is the best song on the album and one of two songs I would truly rank in the top tier of the band's canon. Extremely pleasant and brimming with well-crafted lines to make your heart swoon. Jenna (and Rosie) is (are) a lucky gal(s). Or is it about Josh? Who's to say? 10/10

"Bounce Man" is just plain wild. I think Tyler's smuggling someone to Mexico to escape the feds? The playfulness of it all really covers up any frustration I might have with the clarity; it makes it clear that there's not really stakes here, just vibes. 8.5/10

"No Chances" sees the album take a turn that I'm sure the Reddit Clique is going to have an absolute field day with; it and "Redecorate" both sound quite different from the rest of the album and evoke enough elements of Trench to make me think that's it's actually possible that all this 'SAI is Propaganda' stuff might actually have something to it... until I actually pick apart the lyrics, then I'm even more confused. The song has some of the best rapping on the album, though that's not saying much (the feng shui line is a groaner right out the gate) and the gentle pre-chorus is really pleasant. I still haven't made up my mind on whether the chorus is effective or just plain goofy. This one might get worse or better on repeat listens, impossible to say for now. 7.5/10

"Redecorate" rounds out the album by opening with a Clancy quote (Tyler, you bastard), firmly setting this as a coda to Trench more than the album we just listened to. The rest of the song is really storytelling, with Tyler describing a bunch of people who are struggling deeply. The idea of "redecorating" here stands for how they are faced with the option to clean and resort their own spaces and lives or leave that to their loved ones to do after they're gone. By the time it gets to the album's name drop, you begin to wonder how much of this is potential autobiographical of the last year. It's moving stuff, a callback to some of the great strengths of the band's discography. 10/10

If I average those scores all up, this project ranks below almost every album among the Pilots discography on my rating scale, very narrowly edging out Self-Titled. That's still a very solid 8.6. Scaled and Icy is a very good album on first listen. We'll see how I feel about it after having a little more time to sit with it, but I've rambled enough: let's move through the rest of the week's news.

Other News

Of course, there was a lot else going on this week! To accompany the release of "Saturday", Zane Lowe over at Apple Music dropped an interview with Tyler. As usual, Zane did a pretty solid job of getting to the heart of the craft and the creation process. However, Tyler also wound up skirting a lot of the questions to just talk more about how much he loves being a dad, which makes me happy; if the cost of getting a little less attention and mental energy devoted to the music is that little girl getting all of his attention, that's honestly preferable for me.

The album rollout is not even close to over. Later today, the concert will be streamed live. It's our first real performance that we've gotten from the band since 2019, but the previews that we've seen have completely exceeded any of my expectations, and really anything that we've seen from the band. It appears that they've transformed the entire arena (which I think is the ol' Schott at Ohio State) into a whole TØP world, with different sets laden with Easter eggs and a cast of backup dancers. If the website can hold up to the traffic (and I acknowledge that might be a big ask), this could really live up to Tyler's promise of this being the best livestreamed concert ever.

Oh, and this guy dyed his hair pink.

What a time to be a fan. Catch you all tomorrow.

Power to the local dreamer.

|-/

[atozfic]

Love when people reveal themselves as being so obviously online and insulated in leftist/progressive circles that they seem to forget that the rest of the world is not nearly as accepting or supportive of not conforming of gender roles as these spaces are. Like when did you say the reason anyone likes femsub or the reason it's popular at all is because they're young or don't know anything about sex? To me it's pretty clear you were talking about it as a larger trend and why it's so much popular than everything else overall. And to be completely frank, what is the reason femsub is so much popular than anything else OVERALL (not why any individual person likes it or it has any kind of appeal), if not gender roles? Are women just naturally more submissive than men (not saying you think this)? Because I have seen people say this, yes even so-called "feminist" men and women, that my preferences are unnatural because men evolved to be sexually dominant and women evolved to be sexually submissive, and that I'll never be in a happy or satisfying relationship unless I make myself more submissive and change my preferences because men just naturally don't like dominant women. I'm pretty sure you would not like if I took those hurtful and negative experiences and said any woman is submissive is that way is because they're misogynists who just think it's all women's nature to be submissive. And I'm pretty sure of this cause of the way that you freaked out when you even THOUGHT somebody might be implying that when they weren't. So why the fuck is it okay for you to say dom women are the way that we are because we think we're "enlightened" or more strong or better than everyone else and only like what we like because we want to be ~not like other girls~ for attention because of your negative experiences? And I like how they only talk about submissive or vanilla women getting shamed, so true bestie, dom type women, sexually or otherwise, never get shamed for their preferences. Nope, never ever. It's not like people always joke about women "wearing the pants" in the relationship and how it means she doesn't respect her partner. It's not like assertive or aggressive women are called a "bitch" but when men act that way it's sexy. It's not like religion teaches women they have to submit to men or no man will ever love them or they'll never be happy. It's not like people say that women that want to be dominant are "acting like men" or "want to be men" and therefore are unattractive, as if dominance is inherently masculine thing. It's not like a lot of men genuinely believe that all/most women want to be dominated in bed and so they don't even have to ask, they just do things to you and try to dominate you without your permission or consent or without ever having talked about that kind of thing before. Nope, we must have it sooo easy because we've got grrrrllll powerrr on our side, all women love us cause they think we're such cool independent and empowered women, and all men love us cause they think we're just so cool and not like the other girls. Like honestly, I don't assume to know what they experience of submissive women is like or that they must have it so easy because they're preferences are in line with gender roles, because I'm not one and i know they don't always have it easy because I've heard of women in the irl bdsm community being treated badly by shitty men who think it's okay to abuse them or do whatever they want to them because they're sub identified (or sometimes just because they're women). So why is it okay for you to assume what are experience is like?

I'm not involved in any real life bdsm community because corona and I'm anti-social bitch but I do like to lurk on online communities for fun (something I should probably stop doing cause it's not good for my mento health luv lmao). This whole thing reminds me of these weird ass screeds I sometimes come across by straight male doms on reddit where they go on and on trying to reconcile their desires with feminist politics either because a) they're genuinely a misogynistic piece of shit and people call them out on it or b) they're genuinely progressive/humanist men who have some difficulty reconciling their desire to be dominant with feminism for whatever reason. And so they do this weird thing where they project these worries and insecurities outwards, and manufacture a situation where anyone who criticises gender roles at all is against them personally, and it would be so much easier if they were just a female dom instead, everyone would apparently have no problem at all with them then, cause grrrrllll powerrr.

I don't like to engage in armchair psychology but the follow-up ask from that anon made it pretty clear to me that they have some insecurities around reconciling their preference for submission with feminism because of some negative and hurtful experiences, and so they deal with it by projecting it onto anyone that suggests that gender roles might be why SOME people gravitate more towards it and why it's so much more popular than everything else. I'm sorry that those people said those things to you anon, they're wrong, but a) most of those people tend to be against all bdsm in general, not just femsub and b) you need to work out those insecurities by yourself. You can't lash out at anyone who tries to talk about the relationship between societal norms and preferences at all, it's not helpful or productive.

Also how do they know those people unfollowed you for that reason? Is that an assumption or a verifiable fact? I'm not necessarily saying they didn't either, I'm not a mind reader, but like, some people are just sexist and think women are naturally submissive, sexually or otherwise. I've met them before.

to quote my therapist: that was alot to unpack.

i'm gonna give a longer reply under the cut but i just want to state here i'm not posting this ask to offend or hurt, or even "one-up", the original anon who sent that ask regarding sub!females. i have no issue with them and, again, think they're in every right to send their original ask. i'm posting it because i do think this anon made some very interesting points and brought up alot of worthy of being discussed topics.

let me also put a disclaimer here that i am not a genius nor someone very well-versed in gender politics, i'm simply a twat on the internet with a negative mindset.

"Love when people reveal themselves as being so obviously online and insulated in leftist/progressive circles that they seem to forget that the rest of the world is not nearly as accepting or supportive of not conforming of gender roles as these spaces are."

this. omfg, t h i s. i see this so much, especially in my younger cousins/relatives who are just now beginning to develop their own political opinions. let's take the conversation away from dom/sub for one second and just focus on gender in society. one of the clearest examples of gender affecting the way someone is treated/viewed is something i've experienced first-hand: i was misdiagnosed four times before i was correctly given my diagnosis for ASD, because most of the studies regarding it center around boys and, therefore, most women go undiagnosed. in fact, for years it was believed only men could have it which is why there has been such a surgence in the past few years of adult women being diagnosed with autism. i remember hitting high school, experiencing academic burn-out (thanks to everything moving too fast + my classmates catching up to me intellectually) and having my teachers treat me like i was an imbecile, or i was lazy, rather than just someone with neurodivergence. (this isn't me implying tjat men with ASD have it easy or that society accepts them anymore than women, it's only easier for them to get diagnosed.)

"it's not like people always joke about women wearing the pants."

this applies to both the shaming of dom women and sub men. the amount of men who get treated like they're "losing their manhood" for letting a women(or anyone else) dom them is ridiculous.

honestly, I think at the end of the day (and to close up this whole issue-that's-not-really-an-issue), we're unfortunately always going to live in a world where people have opinions against either side of the dom/sub spectrum, or the whole bdsm community in general. the best thing we can do is try lessen the internal conflict, especially between dom and sub women. we gotta stop treating each other like the enemy when all we really are is people with a differing preference. at the end of the day, what someone chooses to do in their bedroom is no one else's business (unless it harms anyone) and we need to take away the importance we seem to put on it. we're on a floating rock in space, who cares if becky likes to peg her boyfriend on a sunday morning or if stacy likes to be tied up on a thursday evening?

also, anon, i like the way you worded this whole ask. despite it being long, it was easy to read and you made some great points. sorry my reply isn't more exciting, i just in general agree with most of what you've said.

[saltandburn-ilovesamwinchester]

Salem Nights

Dean x Reader

Warnings: fluff, smut

A/N: I really enjoyed this! Hang in there folks!

The tapping sound of keyboards and swishing of papers filled the bunker's library. There had been zero cases in over a month and now that it was October, your were sure to find something. The scary movies weren't cutting it anymore, now you needed something real.

"I've got nothing," Dean huffed and threw the news papers onto the table. Sam's expression the same. "Maybe there isn't..."

You threw your hands in the air shushing the room. "I think I found something," your excitement boiling. You giggled and showed the computer screen to Sam and Dean. "Supposedly, there was a siting of a witch in... wait for it.. Salem Massachusetts. Every year, two weeks before Halloween, some young girl goes missing an' you wanna know what everyone says about all the victims, they were last seen walking past the main cemetary after visiting the local historic sites."

"Wait a minute," Sam laughed. "This could be any story someone made up and Salem is known for it's 'spooky witch stories'. Why does this excite you so much?"

"Sam," you squeaked and looked at Dean for help, but finding the same confused brow raise. "This is Salem we're talking about! Have you never seen Hocus Pocus? Come on dude, I know the two of you are getting restless just as much as I am. I don't ever complain about going on the cases that you guys choose. Please let me have this one!"

Dean rubbed his hands across his face before a smile spread across his lips. "The kid's got a point," he said and looked towards you, your eyes looking at the table after hearing the nickname. He only used it because it annoyed you. You put your feelings to the side for a minute and looked up to find those beautiful green eyes on you. "All of us will go crazy if we sit here any longer. I'm sure we can find some activities to enjoy while we are working."

You couldn't hide your excitement any longer, jumping up and walking up the library steps. "I'm going to pack my bags," you laughed and raced to your room. "This is going to be amazing," you screamed over your shoulder.

"We leave at three," you heard Dean's voice echo.

...

The next morning you woke up to Baby's engine purring. "Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty," Dean said and caught your tired eyes in the mirror. "I was starting to wonder if you were going to sleep the whole way. This is your trip after all."

You laughed and sat up further in your seat looking between the boys. "Ya know, Dean, you could just wake me and tell me to get in the car. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you like carrying me when I am still asleep." You smiled your best smile, running your hands through his short hair.

"Yeah, yeah," Dean blushed and fiddled with the radio, trying to distract himself from your touch. He finally found his classic rock station and the last advertisement was going off, followed by the tune of a familiar Halloween song.

"Oh no," Sam and Dean groaned. They knew you would be singing in a heart beat. "This must be some special playlist or something they are doing," Sam sighed and sat further into his seat.

You couldn't help but giggle and started to sing the first verse. "I put a spell on you," you leaned into Sam bumping his shoulder. "Because you're mine," you slid your ams arcoss their seat now nudging Dean. For a split second he found your face, his tongue slipping past his lips to wet them, until his wondering eyes found the road again. The fall colors outside the Impala windows made his eyes and face seem brighter. He was showing his age in the yellow and orange light and you shivered.

Sam looked at the two of you like you had went crazy. "Wh.. what Sam? Can't keep up," Dean cleared his throat trying to adjust his stiff jeans the best he could. "I put a spell on you," Dean hummed quietly.

"This is going to be a long trip," Sam rolled his eyes and looked out his window.

...

The Impala rolled into town as the sun was setting. You couldn't believe how beautiful this place was. The old buildings from left to right. You couldn't hear the conversation from the back seat, but you could have sworn Sam said he had seen the word 'witch' at least five times already.

Dean pulled into the first hotel as soon as you got into Salem. "Maybe once we get settled we can start one of our tours," Dean looked at you as you made your way to the front office. "Two rooms, please," he smiled at the clerk. The girl behind the counter typed something into her computer and handed Dean the keys, one for you and the other for him and Sam. Oh, how you wanted to be sharing that room with Dean.

You were happy to find that your room wasn't but two doors down and not across the hotel from the guys. A blast of warm air comforts you when you step through the door frame. There was nothing special about the room, but you did smile at the fall colors that decorated the room. Maybe you weren't the only one who thought Salem would look weird without them.

Once you threw you things down on the table the small room had to offer, you checked you hair and makeup you did on the ride there. "As good as it's going to get," you smiled and twirled your ponytail. You jumped when the sudden knock at the door pulled you from your thoughts.

"Coming," you sang and bolted for the door. Before you, the two Winchesters stood. "Ready," you asked and stepped outside.

"Hey, I spotted this shop right as we came in. I figured we could check it out first," Dean smiled at you and your knees almost buckled. Did he really see the store and think about you?

...

The three of you stopped just outside the shop door and looked in different directions of the store. The wood on the building was stained from years of weather, hex bags hung on the shutters and small signs were tapped on the windows. "On sale. Cast a spell on any friendship jewelry," Dean read and laughed. "Hey, what if I buy you something and you buy me something and we see what the 'spell caster' has to say about us?"

"Great," muttered Sam. "I'm going to find us something warm to drink. You two go and geek out."

"You're on Winchester," you giggled at his offer and walked through the tiny room before waving goodbye to Sam. The smell of sage hitting you fast, sending you and Dean into coughing fits. It was almost too funny. "I'll take this isles," you pointed at the men's jewelry. "An' you take that one. We meet at the palm reader's table and then our first tour," you ordered.

It didn't take much convincing Dean and you hummed to yourself looking at the beaded jewelry. You were admiring a beautiful hand crafted watch when you read the note at the bottom of it's box. Watch your soulmate fall for you. "Sounds cheesy. What the hell," you laughed and put the cover over the box.

When you found your way to the palm reader's table, you spotted that familiar leather jacket and a calmness in those beautiful green eyes. Apparently Dean didn't want you to see what he picked out for you because his box was closed too.

"Next," you heard the gypsy behind the booth say. You and Dean slid in across from her and smiled at the older lady. "Oh, I know just the spell for you two," she smiled and her dimples showed for a split second.

Dean made a nervous glance towards you and you saw his hands shake. You bumped into his shoulder playfully like you had in the car, his smile reaching his eyes. You hadn't heard her spell end and the small lady cleared her throat for your attention. "That'll be seven fifty, doll face," she said and Dean fumbled for the change. "One more thing," she added. "Before the sun completely sets, before you wear your jewelry, you must pass the old Witch House or the spell doesn't work."

With a quick goodbye you and Dean made your way out the door, finding Sam outside with three cups of cider. The blast of cold air hit your nose and cheeks in a matter of seconds. “Damn it, it’s cold,” Sam mumbled before taking a sip of his apple cider. “The two of you can have this. I’m going back to the hotel to research.”

You and Dean giggled as you watched the baby brother scoot between tourists on the busy street. His head ducking every sign that hung low and his ‘I’m sorry’ to everyone he bumped into on the small sidewalk. “Hey, maybe we should hit that witch house first like the lady said,” his eyes finding yours again and he reached for your free hand with his. “In case we see someone or something trying to get you,” he smirked when your eyebrows raised at his touch.

“I like the sound of that, Winchester.” You smiled and gave his fingers a light squeeze before wondering further down the busy street. Leaves were falling and swaying in the cool breeze all around you, and the bright shade of the sun made the small town glow with its orange and yellow beams. Your eyes caught sight of the witch house tour sign outside a iron gate covered in the thickest of vines and leaves. “Well this is it. It’s more beautiful than what I was expecting,” you let out a deep sign and turned to Dean. You were a little shocked to find his gaze on you instead of this house.

“Mmhmm.. I have to agree,” he smiled and brushed a stray strand of your hair behind your ear.

You were caught in each other’s stares and blushes when a small woman with a slim figure walked up to you. “Will the two of you be joining the tour tonight,” her voice chirping when she spoke and you nodded yes, not trusting your own voice to speak. “Right this way, then.” She smiled and gestured towards the larger crowd. You looked at Dean one last time and nodded at the group to join them.

“Before we go in there,” Dean smirked. “Do you think we can exchange our gifts now,” he asked and his face lit up even more.You had never seen the hunter before you so happy about something so small.

“Okay, Dean. Close your eyes.” You watched his eyes flutter and adjust to the movement before you pulled the small box from your bag and took the top off. The glass clock shining in the sun light. “Alright, open.”

There was so many emotions that crossed Dean’s face in that moment, you couldn’t tell if he liked it until he gave you his best ‘ Dean Winchester’ smile. “This is beautiful handwork, Y/N! I love it, thank you,” he licked his lips and gave you his wrist to wrap the band of the watch around it. You smiled when a thought about dressing Dean Winchester crossed your mind.

“My turn,” you giggled and put your hands over your eyes like a little kid.

“Okay, open,” Dean’s voice almost a whisper. You put your hands down at your sides and then they came to your face, covering your mouth. The dainty necklace swinging from Dean’s fingers. “I know you love fall so much, I wanted you to have something to remember tonight by. And I know you like the color red..” he trailed off when he caught your blush, staring at the little red pumpkin on the small chain.

“Dean this is the sweetest thing. I love it so much.” You turned from him and pulled your hair over your shoulders, waiting for him to drape the necklace in its place. He turned you around to face him when he was through. “Come on, let’s not keep them waiting.

There was more to the tour than history and the chill in the house. There was a small tension that lingered throughout the group, gasping and humming to the neat information that went through one ear and out the other. You stopped in the large hallway of that old house, the floors creaking beneath your feet when you swayed back and forth. “Dean, did you find something,” you turned to him and his face lit up before pulling you closer to him.

“Yea, I think I did,” his eyes reflecting from the glow of the sun through the large window in the room. “An’ she’s been beside me this whole time,” he said before his lips met yours. His fingers drew slow circles into your cheeks, his tongue licking your bottom lip just before exploring your mouth. Dean’s lips were so soft and smooth and all you could do was feel. Feel him all around you. His weight shifting on each foot before breaking the kiss.

“The spell,” you said in realization before kissing him again. His hands roamed freely around your waist, up your back, and through your hair. You squeezed your legs together, trying to fight that sensation there and losing. All you wanted was Dean. When you stepped back again you saw the many faces from the crowd you were with and they started whistling and clapping for the two of you. You flashed a smile towards them and back at Dean. “Let’s get back to the room, handsome,” you whispered before leaving a kiss on his pink nose.

The walk back to your room was pure torture and when you slipped through the bedroom door and heard the door slam shut behind you Dean had you pushed onto the bed. The warmth of his body over yours all too real. His breath tickling your neck from the light kisses he left there. Dean’s fingers grazed down your thighs and to your shoes, removing them from your feet then his as well. When he crawled up your body again you were pushing each other out of every layer of clothing until his naked body hovered over yours. He looked into your eyes before leaning in close to your lips again. “Y/N, are you sure you want this,” he asked brushing your hair behind your ear like earlier that day, trying to find any hidden discomfort.

“Dean,” you pleaded and ran your fingers through his hair and down the center of his neck. You watched him lean into the touch there. “There has never been a day where I didn’t want this.” You watched the small smile spread across his face. Dean found your lips again, his teeth pulling your bottom lip and letting it pop back. His hand held your wrists above your head and his other hand spread your legs further between the two of you. You knew Dean was tall and strong but you never guessed he was this soft and sweet. His lips never breaking from yours. Your breathing faltered when you felt his fingers move in circles over your clit. The pressure building there. “Dean,” you moaned into his mouth and arched you back off the bed.

Dean’s fingers slowly made his way to your dripping heat and he teased you there with a bitter sweet back and forth motion.He took his time and watched you adjust to him. You had watched his hands for years on the job, wondering what they were capable of. Now you were in the middle of closing yourself around them taking in two knuckles at the same time. “You’re so wet and ready for me, sweetheart,” his voice sounded so hot, and his fingers still pumped in and out of you causing you to scream out and hit your high. He let you ride his hand until you came down, leaving small kisses from your shoulder to your lips, dropping your hands.

Running your hands down his chest and past his waist, you felt his breath hitch when your fingers began to wrap around him. You gave him a few pumps before smearing the precome on his tip down his member and over the vein that ran on the underside of him. “Do you liked that baby,” you cooed in his ear when you felt him come down from spilling in your slick fingers.

You felt Dean tease your folds again before his tip eased through you. The stretch was sinfully sweet and the breath the two of you let out in unison turned you on even more. This seemed so right with him. The twitch between your legs pulled you from your thoughts and made you gasp out loud, leaving that comment and the case you were there for behind.

…

That’s all for now, y’all! Please let me know what y’all think! All mistakes are mine. Like, share your little hearts out! Annnn Happy Halloween! ❤️💋

@waywardbaby @imperiusimpala @leatherandapplepies @idreamofplaid @plaid-lover-bay25 @waywardnerd67 @maddiepants @sammyimpala-67 @oldfreakything @idabbleincrazy @the-magic-rabbit-99 @tumbler-tidbits @shatteredabby @destielhoneybee @cosicas-cuquis @heycasbutt @flamencodiva @coffee-obsessed-writer

https://saltandburn-ilovesamwinchester.tumblr.com/tagged/my-masterlist

[meedling]

My first song, at least in a while.

(I decided to write this in real time, right now I haven't started making the song, I am just about to)

Recently I watched a few videos on YT that I consider to be near enough my favorite videos on the platform altogether, and one of them in particular had a piece of advice that I took into account and it gave me inspiration for my track. While it didn't sound anything like what I originally envisioned, I am happy with the melody, the effects and such do need to be done quite well if I want to make it part of a song with drum beats and other instruments. If you can't tell from the layout of the DAW, I am using Serato for all of this and it is mostly experimental, testing out things I generally haven't tried before. Below is the melody I chose for the song.

I still have not sorted out the melody, but at this point I wonder, which instrument should play it? I will experiment with it but in the meantime, I have recorded a sound effect for a finger snap, I'm not sure how many individual noises I should record, but so far I have been using one sound in tandem with the melody and drum beats, and I don't think it sounds half bad.

I wanted to make changes between one verse (maybe that's what it's called? sorry I am not familiar with music technology I just really enjoy making it) and another. I ended up making a tune that I really like, I did also change the drum beat somewhat but I want the melody to be the lyrics of the song, it is the centerpiece and everything else's job is to make it better. The song is currently around the 30 second mark, which is promising because listening to what I've got, it doesn't feel too bad, I just want to get it to one and a half minutes.

So I've kept at this for a bit and made several changes to the melody and will probably start making changes to my clicks, I will probably record another click sound and use it as a small amount of potential juxtaposition.

The image below shows 2 recordings of me snapping my fingers, the one of the left is higher pitched, and the one on the right lower. The thing I did not think about until now, is that I could just edit the original recording, but I don't think it matters as using a completely new recording feels more satisfying to me. I am going to use the second recording because it's lower pitched, which I wanted more.

It's been a while since I've worked on the project because of the way my past few days have worked out, but I am back to working on the project at 10 o clock in the evening because I want to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I wanted to see what I could do with a little bass added to the song, because I thought that beyond the melody and the main instrument you were hearing, it sounded quite empty, at this point I've come to an understanding that it doesn't matter if it sounds digital, it just has to sound good enough to make it worth listening to. It's the main reason I've changed the melody throughout the song a lot, I also will add automation to make the main chorus part sound more impactful, mainly making everything except the melody louder. Below is the bass tune that I've added to the song, I kept this one thing consistent throughout the song though that might change.

Now I want a sequence where it's booming, it is clearly the main part of the song, I'll probably add a small bit of automation to the song to make the chorus a little more impactful. I will probably use my favorite version of the melody and add some more parts to it, maybe record a clap, though right now I don't know whether it'll sound similar to the snaps that I already have.

They do.

I did add the automation and I think it works fairly well.  I just need to nail the actual drop and make the chorus fun to listen to. There are so many songs that have choruses that are so good and I'd listen to the song just for that chorus.

I did add a bit of percussion to the chorus specifically and I'll keep it there alone, I still need it to feel louder without the volume going up, this could be sorted by density of the instruments but that doesn't provide a satisfying outcome.

Since writing all this, I have finished the song, clocking in at a little over 1 minute, which is enough, I don't think the song should go on for longer than that, I am happy with it, there's a good amount of variety in it but, probably since I've only been working on it properly for 3 days on and off, I don't think it's an incredible music piece. I do plan on recording a YouTube video commenting on the piece, that will likely be what I do with most of my music as it adds to my portfolio in a very positive way. I did rush the ending a fair amount, mainly because I want to get to work on more music, and obviously the commentary videos, which I do look forward to making. Below are a few of the things I did for the ending.

This is the automation on the drums in the final part of the song.

This is the percussion for the end of the song, there is some automation here, I'm just now going to show it, I think songs are better when, each time you listen to it, you hear something new. There are a few producers who capitalize on exactly that.

This is for the instrument that was the centerpiece of the entire piece of music, clearly it has been made slower, but I've kept the general rhythm the same, at least I think.

That's about it I'd say, I started writing this on Friday the 23rd of September 2022, it is now Monday the 26th of September 2022.

The music will be uploaded to my YouTube channel, the link is below this paragraph. Thanks for reading if you still are and I hope you have good luck in the next 24 hours.