#thanks for the gifts everyone and i hope our art made you happy !! !

[ebonytails]

❌ Not My Problem 🦇

Finally an Art Fight ATTACK! This one's for cosmicdog on AF! The character's name is Luther! (He/Him)

Full image below (still png):

[luna-loveboop]

@kikker-oma

Happy Fan Joy July, Oma!!!

Oma, thank you so so much for making Fan Joy July and sharing it with us! Our fandom, our artists, writers, readers, etc have loved seeing or taking part in this crazy challenge.

This is our gift to thank you- from artists all around who were affected by, or got gifts from, or took part in Fan Joy July. We all love you so much- so we made letters/art for this (Zelda themed!). Many said that they had already wanted to make/write you something, and this gave an opportunity.

One of the things I've loved about this month is how community/interaction centered you made it. The challenge was for yourself to make art each day (you absolute maniac /affectionate)- but then others joined. This July we saw or made art or fics with recommendations. Every day you made art for a writer with a scene from one of their fics, and inspired others to do the same, and writers even wrote every day for an artist based off an art piece they made! This led to a month of gift giving- everyone interacting and getting love for creating.

You truly led to a month of Joy for a lot of loz/lu fans- making the name "Fan Joy July" quite accurate

Thank you, Oma

Thank you for the gifts you gave all of us and the way you inspire others

Additional ramblings and art credits below the cut :P

I'm so grateful to all my artists who stepped up so we could do this when I asked- almost 36 hours and 19 artists. The art is like patchwork, with all these different styles, both traditional and digital put together. But that's exactly what happened- we all got drawn together, just like the other month-long challenges. It's so cool how art always connects people.

The artists who participated are @zolanort @la-sera @nancyheart11 @galenfeadraws @shade-pup-cub @arecaceae175 @isasan347 @ghosthoard @smilesrobotlover @unexpectedstormy @skyloftian-nutcase @knight-of-aether @uniquevoidflowers @jinxedruby @windwakingwhale @skyward-floored @xaeorian @blarefordaglare and me Thank you to all of you- You are all so cool and I'm glad! If I accidentally missed tagging or listing someone please let me know I'm so scared of if that happened djskdjdkd

There are letters based off of the colours/theme of each of the Lu boys- it's mainly Zelda and linkeduniverse themed... but we couldn't not have frogs for Oma! I did a frog, his name is Froggy and I'm very proud.

Here's a picture with a list of who did what-

Normally I would apologise for my handwriting, but you guys would just tell me it looks good anyways and honestly it does look good. :D Sorry for the ink splotches tho, and I hope you can read it.

We did this for you, Oma, because... well you are awesome /gen. You gave us the opportunity for a great month and we wanted to say thank you for all the joy you brought us so... thank you :)

Art :D

As for everyone who said they wanted to talk to Oma or other Fan Joy July artists who they loved sharing this month with... feel free to tag and share in the reblogs. Share the joy I guess- there's enough to go around :D

Happy Fan Joy July, Oma :))

[rosenclaws]

So imagine- Leopold x Michelin Star chef reader who shares his adoration for food- and everyone knows the way to a mans heart is through his stomach so readers love language is gift giving/cooking/baking. Just had to share this idea with someone cuz i was immediately freaking out over him after watching the movie🫣 and i ❤️cooking. (id cook for him any-day)

warnings: fluff

wc: 1.2k

a/n: Okay I know nothing about cooking so i apologize if its not accurate but this was such a cute idea and I really hope you like it <3

"This place is amazing Leopold trust me." Kate says happily as Leopold and Charlie walk behind her. The restaurant was fancy. The atmosphere was dim but held an elegance as they were promptly seated.

"How did you manage to get us a reservation?" Charlie rips off a piece of bread and pops it into his mouth.

"My old college friend ended up going to culinary school and now they're the head chef for this very restaurant." Kate says proudly. Also you promised a free meal if they came to test out your new creations. But she left that part out.

Leopold was ecstatic. Now this was real food. The first course was incredible. Simple but plated so perfectly and the flavors danced together in his mouth. The main course was utterly divine. He couldn't stop raving about it to both Kate and Charlie and by the time dessert came he was pretty full. Still he couldn't pass up chocolate cake now could he.

"Kate!" You smile as you finally catch a break in the kitchen. Only because the restaurant is now closed but a break is a break.

"It's so good to see you." You reach over and give her a hug.

"Charlie! It's been forever." You greet him with a warm smile.

"And.." You trail off as you see the man sitting next to Charlie. He's as handsome as ever. A bright smile and to your surprise he stands as you look at him.

"Are you the chef who made our meal today?" He's got an accent too. You nod wordlessly and he bows in appreciation.

"Oh there's no need for that." You wave him off but he doesn't sit.

"The meal was extraordinary. You're an absolute culinary genius." He compliments. You feel yourself start to fluster as you thank him. You aren't used to someone be so interested in food like this.

"Yeah it was really good." Charlie adds on. You smile and thank him too. That's the reaction you're more accustomed to.

Both of them make your heart happy but this strange man has a way with words and a deep appreciation for the culinary arts it seems.

"Leopold, pleasure to meet you." He take your hand and kisses your knuckles.

Smiling as he meets your eyes. You take your hand away and rub your thumb over where he kissed. His lips felt so nice.

"Well, I have to get back but I would love to cook for you guys again." You say to all three of them but keep your eyes on Leopold.

"Dinner at my place?" Kate offers her apartment and you quickly accept.

Waving goodbye to the three of them as you steal another look at Leopold. He's so handsome, so well spoken, and such an appreciation for food. You were already planning the meal for dinner in your head, hoping to impress him even more.

-

It didn't take long for you and Leopold to become friends. You brought fresh bread to Kate's to find that he was staying there and after that well, you visited often.

When you were at work you were crafting new ideas and Leopold was your taste tester. He spent hours with you in the kitchen Marveling at your skill and creativity. He even became your little sous chef. He listened to your every direction and you could see the glimmer in his eyes when a dish was done. It was nice getting to share something like this with him.

While you cooked you talked a lot. Telling him about your life, your hobbies, your dreams. He told you about his childhood, where his love for food came, and his favorite things about modern day New York.

Even though you had just met him, it felt like you had known him for a long time. You were practicing pastries next you were dead set on adding Macarons to your menu. Leopold had so graciously volunteered to help.

"Almost done?" You were in the process of perfecting the right flavors of french buttercream while Leo whipped the meringue.

You looked up to see him whisking. His brows were furrowed in concentration as his hair bounced slightly from his movements. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and despite his best efforts, he had meringue on his face and clothes.

"Just about." His arms flex as he continues to whip and you can't tear your eyes away. He looks up and smiles warmly at you.

"Oh! Taste this." You take a spoonful of buttercream and without thinking bring it to his lips.

Standing close as you gently place your hand on his arm. He looks taken back at first and you realize what you've done. Still he takes a taste, groaning in satisfaction at how lovely the taste is. You set the spoon down but stay close to him. His mixing has gotten slower as he reaches the right consistency.

"Delicious as always." Leopold says.

"You have some buttercream on your face." He points out with a playful smile. You wipe your hands on your cheeks as he laughs.

"Did I get it?" You ask, suddenly feeling a little shy under his gaze.

"Not quite darling," He lifts his hand and gently wipes buttercream from the corner of your lips.

"There." He whispers. He can't take his eyes off of you and you don't want him to.

"Leo..." You feel your heart pounding in your chest as you lean closer to him.

"Yes" He gently caresses your face as you smile nervously, praying you haven't misread the signs.

"Kiss me." He doesn't hesitate to fulfill your wish.

Cupping your face as he leans in for a kiss. Lips so soft, so gentle yet it he's taking your breath away at the same time. Your lips move in sync as your hands rest on his shoulders. His other arm snakes around your to your back, pulling you close as he deepens the kiss.

When you finally pull apart you're left standing there in awe, a dopey smile on his face as you brush your lips with your fingers. Almost in disbelief of what just happened. You lick your lips as you taste the buttercream from earlier.

"Sweet." You say and Leo grins.

"Not as sweet as you." You try and hide the smile that forms on your lips but fail miserably.

"We should really finish these." You say looking at the mess of your kitchen.

"Yes we should, but afterwards perhaps you would join me for dinner? Allow me to show you how much I've learned." He offers, a hopeful look in his eyes.

"You want to cook for me?" You sound surprised because you are. No one ever wants to do that for you anymore and the gesture makes your heart soar.

"If you would let me. I cannot promise it will be as delicious as your cooking but, I will try." God he could serve you burnt toast and you'd be happy.

"Anything you make will be perfect." You swear you see a faint blush creep up his neck as he grabs a piping bag.

He hands it to you and looks at the bowl of meringue. You work together seamlessly, matching each others movements and getting work done with ease. You can't help but steal glances at each other. There's no one you'd rather have by your side. In the kitchen and in your life. And Leopold feels the exact same way.

You make a note to cook Kate her favorite meal. Anything to thank the woman who brought you two together. Hell you'd make her a thousand meals.

As long as Leo was by your side to help.

[sawyer-is-eepy]

ahh, outer wilds, my love. it is your fifth birthday today!

you have brought me. so much. you taught me everything i hold dear, all the values i keep close by everywhere i go. you showed me so many beautiful and tragic things, inspired me to create so much, you have brought me tears through music and love and friendship and a silly little story.

you were so much more than anyone thought you'd be. you were just a little thesis project but then you became a life changing game that has touched so many people in such specific ways.

you have counseled me through grief and through confusion and taught me that really, the most important thing is that we are here right now on this massive but oh so small rock in an even bigger and scarier and uncaring universe.

so many quotes that i live by, so much symbolism, i could get lost in the pages of your story for hours(and i do)

you have made me a happy, loving person. for that i will forever be thankful.

thanks to alex beachum and kelsey beachum for creating such a beautiful story(and for weaving it into a game in such a perfect way)

thanks to andrew prahlow for giving me the gift of music that i will forever cry to

thanks to all the writers, the artists, the animators, the programmers, the playtesters, and the backers at mobius, thanks to all the people at annapurna who helped produce it, thanks to everyone who had an impact on this game.

you have brought a game that is truly remarkable. i will never have enough words to truly show my appreciation, so i must hope that this art will suffice.

happy birthday, outer wilds.

"our curiousity goes with you on your journey. you walk in the footsteps of those who came before you, and your path guides those who will follow later."

(inspired by @ciearcab's piece here (beware of dlc spoilers!) )

[amorest-viesse]

[Thank You For Your Endless Warmth] - Chloe SSR Card Story Translation

Ft. Akira and Western wizard cameos

The Flowermist Wonderland With You ~An Invitation for Chloe~ - Chapter 1

[Dining Room]

For Chloe's birthday, the Western wizards had organized a grand party with the entire manor in attendance.

Once the festivities ended however, only the Western wizards and I remained in the dining hall.

Chloe: Thank you so much for today!

Chloe: The party was absolutely incredible. I didn’t think you’d go so far for me.

Akira: I’m glad that you liked it.

Shylock: Hehe, it’s only natural we would. Everyone adores you after all—myself included.

Murr: Me too—!

Rustica: My beloved apprentice and dear friend, I hope your days from here on will be filled with the most marvelous of memories.

Chloe: Ehehe, I’m so happy right now I don’t want the day to end.

Rustica: There’s no reason why the festivities can’t continue in your dreams as well. However, before heading off to bed, we do have one final present for you.

Rustica: Master Sage, if you please.

Akira: Got it! Happy birthday once again, Chloe.

Akira: To celebrate, please allow me to take you to the Flowermist Wonderland tomorrow.

Chloe: Wow…! Isn’t that the place Shylock inherited from a friend?

Shylock: Indeed. It’s a rather entertaining locale filled with all sorts of attractions to captivate its guests.

Chloe: I knew it! I’ve heard others talking about it before and thought it sounded amazing. I can’t wait to finally go myself!

The Flowermist Wonderland With You ~An Invitation for Chloe~ - Chapter 2

[Chloe’s Room]

The next day. With the Wonderland invitation in hand, I made my way to Chloe’s room.

Akira: Here you go Chloe. It’s the invitation to the Flowermist Wonderland.

Chloe: It has all my favorite things on it! Did you make this yourself, Master Sage?

Akira: Yep! I wanted to make it as personalized as possible.

Akira: All you have to do is sign your name here and cast your spell. Then a door to the park will open. Shall we try it?

Chloe: Alright! First, I'll write my name, then…

Chloe: <<Suispicibo Voitingoc>>

With a slow creaking sound, the doorway to the Wonderland opened before us. A sweet scent wafted out as mist began to obscure the room.

[Flowermist Wonderland - Day]

Chloe: Wow…! Those wooden horses are flying! And over there! Are those swings?

As the scenery came into view, Chloe excitedly took in everything around us. As he moved, the beret on his head wobbled, causing him to gasp with a start.

Chloe: Oh, I have a hat! Actually my entire outfit changed!

Akira: Anyone who comes here gets their clothes magically changed. Those colors are so chic; they look perfect on you!

Chloe: Ehehe, really? This is so cool. A brand new outfit just for me!

Chloe twirled around as if examining the swish of his coat. His joy was infectious, and I could feel myself smiling too.

Akira: Let’s get started then! There’s a lot to see, so I’ll lead the way!

With a spring in our steps, we made our way to a row of little wagons. Running up to one of them, Chloe smiled happily.

Chloe: This is amazing! They’re loaded with buttons and fabrics! I’ve never seen anything like this before…!

Akira: This really is like an arts and crafts paradise.

Akira: It seems like everything here has magical properties too.

Chloe: Oh, you're right! That cat embroidery is moving! Its tail is flicking back and forth like it’s about to pounce on something…

Akira: Maybe it’s trying to get that butterfly button…?

Chloe: I bet! …Oh, whoa!! The butterfly is flying away now! Ahaha!!

Chloe’s violet eyes sparkled as he perused the items lined up in the wagons.

Akira: I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I just knew I had to take you here as soon as I found this place.

Akira: Since we’re celebrating your birthday, please feel free to choose something you like as a gift.

Chloe: Wow, really!? Thank you so much! That’s incredible!

Chloe: Everything here is so unique, I hardly know what to pick.

Chloe: With all the novelties here, I could create designs I’ve never tried before!

As Chloe scanned the items on the wagons, his expression revealed a surprising amount of deliberation.

Everything he made was filled with such love and care. As I watched his face, I felt like I could see that passionate creator in him, and my chest swelled with emotion.

Akira: Take as much time as you need, alright? Aside from this, there are also wagons with hats and gloves in them.

Chloe: Really! Can we see them too?

Akira: Of course we can!

The Flowermist Wonderland With You ~An Invitation for Chloe~ - Chapter 3

[Flowermist Wonderland - Night]

As we looked around the wagons, time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

Chloe: That was so~ much fun! I can’t believe those shoes started dancing like that.

Akira: They were so lively too! …Oh, there’s the next wagon.

Chloe: Oh, this one has scarves on it! They’re so colorful and pretty.

Chloe: Ah! This is…

Chloe’s eyes settled upon a single scarf covered with pale flowers amongst the countless others in the cart.

Chloe: Hey, doesn’t this scarf remind you of this place?

Akira: It does! The deep blue fabric kind of reminds me of the stars twinkling in the night sky.

Chloe: Right? Isn’t it gorgeous? I think… this is what I want to take.

Chloe reached for the scarf. However, as his fingertips brushed against the fabric, his hand suddenly froze.

Chloe: …

Akira: Chloe? It’s your birthday, so you can take it if you want…

Chloe: …Ah, sorry! I just had a moment there.

Chloe: On second thought… Maybe I don’t need a present after all.

[Ominous music]

Akira: Huh…?

Chloe: Today has already been so amazing! The memories are all I need!

Despite his words, however, his smile seemed a little off.

Akira: If you don’t want to take anything, that’s fine, but…

Akira: …Is something wrong?

Chloe: N- Nothing at all! Really!

Chloe: …Well, maybe I am a little afraid.

Akira: Of what…?

Chloe: Yesterday, the entire manor celebrated my birthday, and today, you took me to this wonderful place…

Chloe: It’s all been going so well that I can’t help but feel like everything will fall apart at some point, like if I wish for anymore, I’ll definitely be punished for it.

Chloe’s smile trembled as he held his hands close to his heart.

As if he was shielding himself.

Chloe: …What if I suddenly wake up and find myself in the cold?

Chloe: And all of these happy memories, celebrations, and friendships were nothing more than a dream? What if it turns out I’ve actually been alone all this time…

Chloe: …Ahaha… I’m sorry. I must sound crazy to you.

Akira: …Not at all. You don’t have to apologize for anything…

I took Chloe’s hands, and held them as they shook ever so slightly.

Akira: …Are your hands warm now?

Chloe: Huh? I mean, yes, they are…

Akira: Then this is proof it isn’t a dream, right? If it was, you wouldn’t be able to feel this warmth.

Chloe: Ah…

Akira: I’ll hold your hands, Chloe. Just like this.

Akira: I’ll hold them so you can trust that yesterday, and today, and all the love you’ve ever received is real.

Chloe’s eyelashes fluttered. Rather than pulling away, he returned my grip.

Chloe: …That’s right… Thank you, Master Sage.

Using one hand to hold mine, Chloe let go with the other and reached for the wagon.

He then carefully picked up the scarf he had once hesitated to touch.

Akira: …Ah… The flower petals are falling…

Gently landing onto the scarf, light-colored flower petals began to rain from the sky.

Akira: (This is the sign that the guests are fully satisfied…)

Before long, the entire area was enveloped in mist.

♡♥♡

[Chloe’s Room]

Chloe: Ah… We’re back.

There seemed to be a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

However, upon seeing the scarf in his hand, his lips curved into a smile.

Chloe: …Hey, Master Sage. Do you mind spending a little more time with me?

Chloe: I want to create a matching outfit for this scarf, so I wanna hear your ideas!

As Chloe spread out the scarf, there wasn’t a hint of anxiety left in his bright, glittering eyes.

Akira: Of course I can. I’d be happy to help!

An Exciting Series of Events - Card Episode

[Living Room]

Akira: Your birthday sure was extravagant. I was surprised to find the entire manor decorated from top to bottom as soon as I woke up.

Chloe: Me too! Apparently, Murr did that with magic.

Chloe: The whole day was absolutely amazing from the moment I opened my eyes. The first thing that happened was Murr appearing in my room!

Chloe: He yelled, “Wake up! Wake up! You can’t waste even a second ‘cause your birthday party starts right meow!” and whisked me away.

Akira: Ahaha, that sounds exciting.

Chloe: Right!? Oh speaking of, Shylock’s event really got the crowd going too!

Akira: “Chloe’s Best Designs Rankings” right?

Akira: He listed off all of his favorite outfits, but concluded that they were all number one in the end since every outfit was so amazing.

Chloe: He did, didn’t he… Ehehe, that was so nice!

Chloe: Then, after the party ended, Rustica performed a concert for me. It was just the two of us in the courtyard at midnight.

Akira: Wow, that sounds like a wonderful gift! What kind of song did he play?

Chloe: …He said it was a song wishing for my life to be filled with happiness now and into the future.

Chloe: I was so touched by his warmth and kindness. Just hearing it made my heart feel full.

Akira: That sounds just like Rustica.

Chloe: Yep. It really was an unforgettable night.

Homescreen Voice Line

“Since it’s a special occasion, I want to have confidence in myself today and carry myself with pride. Everyone’s thinking of me after all, and I can feel their care in every word and gift I receive… Everything just makes me so happy! Thank you so much for the wonderful birthday.”

[arvensimp]

Christmas is coming, the most beautiful time of the year to spend with arven who probably has never been able to celebrate it with his parents. So the reader did everything (all the traditions) with him. Such as exchanging Christmas gifts, kissing under the mistletoe, build a gingerbread house (arven’s did a amazing job on that), decorating Christmas trees, and you being his secret Santa)

Merry Christmas to all the arven simp, let’s give our boi all the love he deserve.

Merry Christmas to the writer, your writing is AWESOME and I hope you have a wonderful time.

Merry Chrysler!!!! I hope you like this one! I kinda went with some switching happy to somber to happy tones with this one? I've always been taught that Christmas can be just as sad a time as it can be a happy one.

You Can Plan On Me

Arven x reader (no gendered pronouns used) during the holidays. We got some comfort here folks, so grab your hot choccy and snuggle in 💖🦭

--

Christmas with Arven is...difficult.

It's not his fault, of course! The fact of the matter is that he never properly celebrated the holiday as a child, then as a teenager, he would cut himself off from everyone during the season of merriment, only coming out after New Years Day when the coast was good and clear.

Since you started dating, you've been respectful of his...distaste for the holiday. You get it. It's a difficult one if you've never had a family or close friends to celebrate it with, much less show you how! He also deals now with the fact that he's sort of grieving for a parent that...well, he isn't really sure deserves his grief? It's a whole can of worms, and to be completely honest, you really don't blame him for wanting to snuggle up with a blanket and Mabosstiff and just sit tight for a bit, alone.

This year, you once again try to coax him from his holiday shell, and he hesitantly accepts your offer to try and join in on some of the merriment.

To keep from overwhelming him, you sit down together and figure out what specific things he might like to get it on this year.

First on the list is the tree. To prevent him from getting a bit overwhelmed by...everything, you take the initiative and pick the tree yourself and get it all set up at your place. In preparation for his arrival, you set out all your decorations and get some soft instrumental holiday music playing.

When Arven arrives not long later, you show him your assortment of decor and give him the go ahead to start putting tinsel around the tree.

While he's distracted a bit with the art project of making sure ornaments are spaced well enough apart, you grab a little gift you'd had made for him.

"Hey," He calls for you without looking from his handiwork. "Is there, like, a limit on how many ornaments go on here?"

With the small wrapped present behind your back, you examine the tree. "Hm... I mean, I usually overload the thing with as many ornaments as it'll handle, but..." You show him the package. Arven's jaw drops.

"W-wait! I know we said we'd do gifts, but... That's not until actual Christmas, right? I didn't bring anything."

"Oh!" You laugh lightly. "Yeah that's fine. This is just a bonus present for your first Christmas tree! Open it!"

Arven hesitantly takes your gift. "Thanks..." Inside the packaging is a small, felted ornament of a little maschiff, making a funny face.

You wrap an arm around Arven's waist and kiss his cheek.

"I figured you should have a special ornament to commemorate this year, so I commissioned one of Hassel's buddies to make this."

For his part, Arven bites his lip and delicately strokes the little tuft of fur on the maschiff's head.

"Th-thank you..."

"Of course! You like it?"

He nods, covering his mouth with one of his hands.

"Aww, hey..." You hold him tight and lead him to sit down on the sofa as he gathers himself for a moment.

He doesn't talk, preferring to sit quietly as he swallows down the lump in his throat. You kiss his cheek gently when he stands back up a few minutes later.

"I think..." He starts, "This little guy should go....here."

He hangs him up next to a small fuecoco bauble you got several years ago, the first year you got your beloved partner pokemon.

"They can be buddies! I like it!" You tell him.

"I think that's...enough Christmas for today." He tells you.

You frown. "Too much? I'm sorry."

"N-no! It's just...a lot, I think. I'm ready to stop now."

You squeeze his hands. "I understand. Well you're welcome to snuggle up here or at your place."

Arven thinks for a moment. "I...may just go home."

"That's fine. Just text me when you get home safe, kay?"

Arven nods, and as he leaves he gives you a quick peck.

"Thanks for understanding."

True to form, Arven texts you when he's safe at home and then goes expectantly silent for a bit.

A few days later, you check back in on your Christmas plans.

/Still want to try some baking? No pressure ofc 💖

You're left waiting a bit before he replies.

/Yea sure. I got all the ingredients

Then another text

/Meet at your place?/

You both had already discussed the fact that he wasn't quite ready to bring the spirit of the holiday into his own home, so you're more than fine with him commandeering the kitchen for a bit.

/Sure!! Everything's all clean and sparkly for you here.

/♥️

Arven shows up not long later, his bag stuffed to the brim with his selection of ingredients.

"Okay. Gingerbread, hot chocolate, pecan snowball cookies, and chocolate cake. Are there any sweets I'm missing?"

He says it so matter-of-factly that your heart aches with overwhelming fondness.

"That's pretty much it, yeah. We can do as much or as little as we like. It's more about just...having fun together?"

Arven smiles as he sets down the bags on your counter top and rolls up his sleeves.

"Oh this'll definitely be fun." It's as confident as you've seen him in weeks, and it makes you glow with love and happiness for him.

"Great! I know this is your zone, so just let me know how I can help."

"Sure. Go ahead and get the oven pre-heating, then you can help me with mise en place."

You do as you're told, but before you head back to him, you grab two holiday themed aprons from your pantry.

"Okay! Feel free to say no, but..." You hold them both up to him with an eager grin. They're both hideously ruffly things decked out in red, green, and sparkles. Really, they're hosting aprons more than cooking aprons, and Arven knows you know that. He cringes a bit at the sight of them but smiles nonetheless.

"I'll take the one with the Stantler on it." He sighs.

You pass it to him to put on, which he does without complaint.

You similarly don the delibird apron, outfitted with an adorably appliqued pocket.

Arven sets himself quickly to organizing all the ingredients, separating them out into their places.

As he does, you set out the different bakeware you'll need. A few cookie sheets with parchment paper, the cake tins, and all the rest.

He gets to mixing the gingerbread dough while you set the kettle to boil with milk.

In next to no time, you have several gingerbread shapes cut out and baking in the oven, and steaming cups of thick hot chocolate set out in massive mugs.

You dollop each with homemade whipped cream (Arven had shown you how to make it several months back) and place one down next to your boyfriend.

For his part, Arven is now dutifully rolling out the little pecan dough cookies, a tiny tip of his tongue poking out from between his lips as he concentrates.

"Thanks for the hot chocolate," He says without looking away from the dough. "I'll get to it in a second."

"No problem. Take your time." You tell him. "Want me to get started on the cake batter?"

"Uh...sure. Go ahead and mix together the dry ingredients. Just remember su-"

"Sugar doesn't count as a dry ingredient, I know!" You tease him.

You know better than to try and mess with him when he's in the baking zone, as it were, so you decide to hold off on swiping his nose with whipped cream.

For now.

Not long later, you've swapped places, as Arven creams together ingredients for the cake batter, and you toss warm pecan cookies in their first powdered sugar bath.

"And that's why you always want to have your butter at room temperature," He tells you as he starts folding dry and wet ingredients together.

You love listening to him talk about anything cooking related. Even if you don't quite understand, you love how his eyes light up and how he starts gesticulating wildly as he speaks.

It's just nice to see him happy.

You follow his instructions as best you can, and within a few hours you've got a mountain of sweets.

Arven has taken it upon himself to do the architecture work behind building the gingerbread house, insisting upon using his own homemade icing as well rather than any "store bought junk."

You relax in the meantime, keeping the pokemon entertained and out from beneath Arven's feet.

You set your speakers up to start playing soft Christmas-y tunes as well and take the opportunity to lift Mabosstiff's paws up off the ground and dance with him to Jingle Bell Rock.

The scene gets an honest to goodness laugh out of your boyfriend, and you beam cheekily at him in reply.

He throws a gumdrop at your face, and it bounces off your nose where Skeledirge immediately scoops it up before Mabosstiff has time to get all four paws back on the floor.

Soon enough, Arven is done, and with a satisfied huff he undoes his ponytail and shakes his hair back out to normal.

"Okay! I think that's everything. What do we do now?"

"Um...." You've already got a gingerbread head in your mouth. "Eat?"

Arven sighs, picking up a pecan snowball and popping in his mouth. He moans happily as he chews. "I'll admit, we make beautiful pastries together."

You snort a laugh and grab a sip of your hot chocolate. "You did most of the work, be honest."

He shrugs, coyly not meeting your eye. "I think we shared."

"Uh-huh. Yeah, sure. Listen, I won't complain when the results taste this good."

You toss a gingerbread arm to Skeledirge and cheer as he catches it.

"You know, with all these sweets I wasn't quite sure what we'd do with the leftovers, but between the two of us and thirteen pokemon," He never forgets to include 'Raidon. "I think we might have just enough."

As it turns out, there was just enough to stuff you all.

You and Arven are collapsed on the sofa later that evening, groaning at being so stuffed full of sweets. You roll and throw an arm over your boyfriend.

"Stay for the night? C'mon. I know you don't want to move right now, and I doubt any of your pokemon do either."

"Mmmmgh...." He groans, shifting. "Sure."

The two of you end up falling asleep like that, stupid aprons still tied around your waists.

Your last Christmas activity for the year comes on Christmas day. Or, more accurately, late in the evening on Christmas Day.

You'd spent the better part of the holiday celebrating with friends and family as tradition calls for, only sending Arven texts to confirm that he still wanted to get together tonight and that you love him.

It stings not having him with you, but everyone understands the situation he's in and is sympathetic.

Well after dark, with lights on the tree still twinkling, you greet Arven at your door with two mugs of steaming hot chocolate.

He gratefully comes in and kisses you in greeting automatically. You don't need to point out the mistletoe that Nemona had placed there just for him earlier on.

Once he's removed his coat and grabbed his chocolate, you coax him over to the sofa.

He looks everywhere but at you, and if you look closely, his hands are shaking a bit.

You cup his cheek, still cold from the walk over, on your palm.

"Hey."

He finally meets your gaze and gives you a small smile.

"Hey."

"How ya feeling?"

He sighs and stays quiet for a long moment. "I... I don't know. It's a lot... And in some ways it feels wrong? But other ways it's nice, but then... Then I think about it too hard and it feels wrong again...so...yeah."

As he speaks, Arven leans up against you. You welcome him lovingly into your arms as he snuggles up.

"I hear you. We can just sit here quietly for the night if you like. We don't have to have anymore Christmas this year if you're more comfortable that way."

"N-no!" He says, jolting out of your grip. "I...I really want to give you your gift."

Your heart goes all soft and mushy for him in that moment.

"Okay then. Let me grab yours, too."

You lean over and swipe his gift from beneath the tree, a sentiment that is not missed on Arven from the way his eyes widen just a bit.

He'd never had a gift waiting for him beneath a tree before now.

He takes the delicately wrapped present from you and gives it a tentative squeeze. It's soft to the touch beneath the sparkling paper.

He opens it up methodically, pulling away tape from the seams of the wrapping to truly unwrap the gift, rather than just tear it open.

Inside is a hand crocheted scarf that you put an embarrassing number of hours into creating. At each end are tiny versions of each herba mystica recreated in yarn.

"I made it with 100% mareep wool, so it should keep you nice and warm! It should also repel water fairly well if you get caught in snow or rain." You helpfully provide when he doesn't immediately respond.

You can't see his eyes at your current angle, but you note that he takes each tiny herb between his thumb and forefinger and rubs it lovingly.

"Is...is it okay? It's okay if you don't like it. I can..." Well you can't return it. "I can make you something else?"

Arven's face pops up, his cheeks flush. "You made this?!" He asks incredulously.

You nod. "I'm still learning, so I know it's not perfect, but--"

Arven throws his arms around you. "It's the most perfect gift I've ever received. Ever." Mabosstiff then takes that opportunity to burst from his PokeBall to boof angrily at Arven.

He looks embarrassed at his pokemon. "Uh... I mean." He looks back to you. "Second favorite gift. Sorry..." He puts a hand on Mabosstiff's head and gives him a scratch behind the ear.

"I completely understand," You assure him with a laugh. "I'm just glad you like it!"

"I really do." He says, wrapping the scarf around his neck. "Here! Your turn?" He passes you his own package, beautifully wrapped and larger than you were expecting, to be honest. You wouldn't be surprised if he looked up some type of tutorial to make it look this nice.

"I, uh... I saw it online, and...well... I thought of you."

Inside is a shrink wrapped stuffed animal. "Is it...?" You pull it out slowly. "Oh my god!"

Trapped in an airtight container is a lifesize wooloo plush. You pierce the plastic immediately, giggling in delight as the creature slowly inflates.

"This has been sold out on the website for months!" You cry, hugging the sheep as it rises.

Arven laughs. "I saw an opportunity, and I took it."

"Oh, I love it I love it I love it!!" You tackle Arven to the sofa and kiss his sweet, adorable face all over.

Meanwhile, Mabosstiff paws at the still-growing sheep, boofing softly at it.

After you're done fawning over Arven and the wooloo, in that order, the two of you end up curled up in one another, listening to soft music, still nursing your hot chocolates.

Arven has agreed to spend the night.

It isn't much. Truth be told, you're filled with a terrible aching kind of longing to do more of this exact thing, to smother Arven, keep him wrapped up and cozy and warm and snug and loved and so many other things for the whole Christmas season. But for now, this is what he wants and needs from you.

He is enough as he is, and you won't force more from him.

As years pass you can get him involved more and more as he feels comfortable. There's no need to rush it when you have all the time in the world ahead of you.

[mrs-steve-harrington]

Stoncy Secret Santa 2023 Masterpost

Thanks again to everyone who joined in our Stoncy discord server's Secret Santa gift exchange! I'm so excited to see what everyone's made. Hope to see everyone back again for the next one!

(Didn't want the post to be too awfully long, but the rest of the works are below the read more)

edit: the original post was missing a link, please reblog this one <3

[Stoncy] I Love This Curse On Our House by nomadicwolf for spydee

Summary:

The lives of Jonathan Byers, Nancy Wheeler, and Steve Harrington change forever when Steve runs back into the Byers' house to stand with them against the Demogorgon. After that, they keep finding their way back to that house for the good the bad and everything in between. 5+1 at the Byers House.

[Stoncy] Selfless, Faultless, Prideless by CrumbScuddler for quirkily

Summary:

A disgraced knight, a still-mourning royal, and a stablehand who's taken up painting want what they can't have. Steve Harrington fights for it, but like usual, gets absolutely pummeled. And Jonathan is there to piece him back together because it's what Nancy would have wanted.

[Stoncy] here in your big blue world by quirkily for staccatoswings

Summary:

It’s warm with three bodies in the bed. Jon and Steve are equally stiff on either side of her, which is a little absurd. Jon is quite literally her long-term boyfriend. He at least shouldn’t be acting like he’s worried about touching her. Nancy shifts a little onto her side and they both instantly copy her, keeping the same distance between them all. Honestly. It’s a little ridiculous. Nancy tries to ignore it, wondering if they’d made a mistake inviting Steve to share the bed with them. No weirder than inviting him to share their anniversary with them, she thinks wryly.

[Stoncy] Lovely Weather For a Couch Ride Together With You by gala_apples for pterawaters

Summary:

After a comedy of errors, as Robin would say, Steve finally gets the last laugh in his quest to get Nancy and Jonathan for his own.

[Stoncy] End of beggining by nattythefreak for nargatexe

Summary:

A short scene in which Steve comes to the double date arranged in the fourth season, but instead of coming with Tammy Thompson… he comes with a bouquet of flowers.

[Stancy] A New Normal by wolfish_willow for StevetheHouseWife

Summary:

The conversation between Steve and Nancy at the Byers' house goes a little differently and they don't break up. But she doesn't break things off with Jonathan, either.

[Stancy] Happy. Truly Happy. by StevetheHouseWife for wolfish_willow

Summary:

“He’s your best friend.” Robin nearly groans out loud, “I know, and he’s the worst. I mean, talk about pretentious? Such a prude. You were right. He really does still hold you cheating against you.” Nancy stares at her silently for a long moment, “Why are… you lying about that?” she asks and Robin swallows.

[Stoncy] lie down next to me and let us fall asleep by madman_with_a_warehouse for thewritingfreak19

Summary:

5 universes where Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan sleep next to each other for the first time + 1 universe where they've been doing it for years.

[Stoncy] every road past the graveyard by spydee for AcornScorn

Summary:

Monster hunting trio meet again in 90s New York, when Stancy follow a vampire into an alley. After whatever confrontation you imagine, they talk. (Art and an accompanying ficlet.)

[Stoncy] Sleepless Nights by AcornScorn for nattythefreak

Summary:

Steve looked over at Jonathan. He looked tired. "I guess you haven't had much sleep either since the drive back, huh?" Jonathan shrugged, smiling wryly. "Pretty obvious?" "Coming over at three in the morning just to check on Nancy was a bit of a giveaway." Jonathan scoffed, looking away. "...it wasn't just to check on her, you know." Steve glanced over at him, surprised to hear that. "Really? What, don't make me think Jonathan Byers would come and check on me of all people." Jonathan comes to check on his two crushes late one night.

[Stoncy] Stronger Together by brutacrispina for madman_with_a_warehouse

Summary:

Jonathan, Nancy, Steve and Robin go monster hunting. Feelings surface.

[Stoncy] To Run The Dog by pterawaters for gala_apples

Summary:

Newlyweds Nancy and Steve notice a hot guy running his dog through their neighborhood every day. At first they just like to watch him, but eventually they have to admit to themselves and each other that they're crushing. Badly. So when the dog gets loose in the neighborhood and Steve manages to catch him, it's the perfect way to meet their neighbor and get on his good side.

[Stoncy] Art of karaoke night by staccatoswings for brutacrispina

[Stoncy] Art of Stoncy under mistletoe by nargatexe for nomadicwolf

[promptisgiftexchange]

We have reached the conclusion of the 2024 Promptis Gift Exchange and I want to thank each and every one of you. Whether you were a participant, or simply along for the ride to read the wonderful stories and view the exceptional artwork, thank you for helping to make this gift exchange the joyful event that it was. 

To all of our talented participants, you have gone above and beyond and have contributed so much incredible Promptis content for your gift recipients, and for this exchange. Thank you for all of your hard work and for being a part of this event. You are what made it so special and I’m so happy for you to finally be able to share your work with the community as yourselves.

At this time, all of our wonderful creators are now free to post your stories/artwork under your own name anywhere else that you desire. You may also choose to update the posting date of your Ao3 post at this point so that your contribution appears as a new work under your own name.

If anyone is aware of any stories that were written in response to art from our exchange or more artwork that was created in response to any other stories in the exchange, please let me know by sending me a link or by pinging me at @promptis-gift.bsky.social on Bluesky, @promptis_gift on Twitter, or @promptisgiftexchange on Tumblr so I can give it a boost. Likewise, if any of you have plans to write or draw anything as a response to the gift you received, I would love to be made aware of them once they are completed so I can promote it as well.

I would also like to give a special shout out and thank you to @ffxv_zine_news on Twitter. Your retweeting and support of the Promptis Gift Exchange (especially considering the fact that I wasn’t tagging your account while I was promoting individual works over the course of the last two months) did not go unnoticed. Thank you for your support and promotion of the individual stories and pieces of artwork that our participants worked so hard on, and for all of the wonderful things that you do everyday for our FFXV community as a whole.

Another huge and heartfelt thank you goes out to our wonderful Pinch-hitters: Firechocobro, InNovaFertAnimus, and QueenHomeSlice, as well as yet another enormous thanks to Charmms and SalamanderSocks for their willingness and ability to switch posting dates with participants who ran into unexpected problems. You guys are the best and I appreciate everything you’ve done! 

Once again, thank you to everyone who has been a part of the 2024 Promptis Gift Exchange. This year has been our largest exchange to date and I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have had such an amazingly successful fourth round. It has been a fantastic two months, filled with tons of excitement, and amazing Promptis fanworks! All of that is thanks to all of you! 

I hope to see you all again next year for our fifth round. Please continue to follow us for more information that will come out later this year on the 2025 Promptis Gift Exchange. In the meantime, if you are not already a member of the Promptis Discord Server I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us for year round Promptis fun. Anyone who loves Promptis is welcome to join us. It's a great place to chat with nice people about Promptis, share fanworks that you love, and we also have fun in-server events like a Monthly Challenge. I have included the invitation link to the server below.

Promptis Server- https://discord.gg/Xfw4jQWQ28

Masterlist and Creator Reveals

Without further ado, here are the reveals for the Promptis Gift Exchange 2024. You can find the reveals detailed in the following places: 

Google Docs- (organized by the type of fanwork) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fb2FN4HVNODkTkybFpyV1fwXQ6GpYsCvf_EcfFgJEig/edit?usp=sharing

You can also, as always, locate the entire collection on Ao3- https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Promptis_Gift_Exchange_2024/profile

[auxiliarydetective]

End-of-Year Appreciation Post

Let's see if I can get this done before midnight - I have 36 minutes! But I really wanted to get this posted, so... time for a speedrun! This post won't nearly be able to say everything I wanna say, so, first and foremost: I love and appreciate all of my mutuals and people I've gotten to talk to this year, so thanks for coming to my corner of the internet and gifting me a little (or a lot - because lord knows I don't shut up if someone mentions one of my favourite fandoms) of your time!

With that being said, time for some special thanks!

@wheresmybloodynauglamir The encyclopedia of Star Trek and one of my closest friends on this hellsite. Thanks so much for literally everything you've done for me this year and all the lovely conversations. Let's have a lot more of those next year! Live long and prosper <3

@littlemervie Thank you for indulging my very nichest of niche interests like The Little Prince and for always sending me a kind message when I least expected it.

@fluffle-system My favourite bnuy in the whole world and a fellow FNAF enjoyer. I hope I always get to be the auxiliary to your detective (yes, this is actually sort of an accurate aitiology of how my url came to be - if you know you know). Let's solve more mysteries and riddles together.

@supermarine-silvally You may have only very recently stumbled into my corner of the internet but I adore every conversation we've had and I hope that many more are to come. If I had to make a choice to pass on my OCs to anyone, the great Donna Aurelia would be yours, and that's a great honor, so I hope you know how much I appreciate our conversations!

@carriagelamp We didn't talk too much this year and that's frankly a crime, but I still stare lovingly at every piece of art you've created for me, with me, or simply for the fandoms I'm in - and the ones for fandoms I don't know I stare at from afar. Just letting you know that I smile everytime I see you on my dash :)

@faerieroyal Dolly my beloved! I hereby sincerely apologize for all the times I've hopped into our Discord chat to ramble about my OCs or whine about my hour-long adventures of looking for faceclaims and/or names, but I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon. The amount of positivity and support you bring into my life is immesurable and I absolutely adore you for supporting each of my OCs, even if you don't know their fandom, and how you let me introduce you to my newest hyperfixations when the brainrot strikes. - To many more rambling sessions!

@come-along-pond who allowed me to participate in the fyeahonepieceocs blog and gave me a platform to launch my own little project of a OP resources blog from. - Through anon hate and plot bunnies, you've helped me and supported me through so much and I'm really, really thankful for that!

@oneirataxia-girl @endless-oc-creations and everyone else in the Discord Server, thank you so much for suffering through my countless pings and appearing when I need you most to offer your advice and help. You've saved many of my OCs in the past and I'm certain you'll keep doing so in the future.

@starcrossedjedis @bravelittleflower and @ninjasawakenedmystar aka the angels who made Cora's creation possible - and by extention then also that of Lily and La Donna! Thanks so much, my fellow One Piece girlies!

@thehedgehogat221b who has been keeping me tethered to the A-Team fandom, making sure that I never forget how happy it makes me, and who always has time to spare to hear me ramble about Kit Kelley and her conman boyfriend

@daughterofhecata @bistdueinbaum and the entire Die Drei ??? fandom. You brought me onto Tumblr and though I may not be as active in the fandom anymore, Tumblr still considers my blog a Die Drei ??? blog and I don't plan on forgetting my roots anytime soon, so I promise you more detective content in the year 2024 - featuring my beloved Jelena, of course! My token adopted side character... Maybe I'll also hop into the Tatort fandom, who knows? Also, can we make Rosenheim Cops a fandom? I feel kinda lonely and silly over here lol

@claramurphyqueenoffandoms the VoicePlay supporter. Man, was I happy to find someone who loves these dorks as much as I do. We haven't talked much, but thanks so much for enabling the hyperfixation that triggered my character development into a happier person and letting me relive those memories.

@cody-helix02 @thoughpoppiesblow @footprintsinthesxnd @kafka-ohdear and the entire Band of Brothers fandom. You've been so nice to me from day one when I first stumbled into the fandom and you still are incredibly lovely people! I'd like to give something back, so, if you ever need any research done for your fic and you can't find anything, let me know and I'll traverse my resources and my university's library to see what I can find <3 Also, I shall present to you more Anita content in the future! There's one fic featuring Luz and one featuring Bull curently in my projects list!

@maxwellshimbo @asaturnerofficial and all the other lurkers and people I constantly find in my notes - you always brighten my day. I'll have had an awful no good time but then I see you and I go: "Ah yes, my friends are still here" and I feel so much better!

Thanks to much to everyone on and off the list, and have a very lovely new year!

[kirby-the-gorb]

reply roundup!

man apparently these are still hard even when I'm not Literally Dying anymore :v

the sad sale went great, thank you for all the support everyone <3 I bought shelves and makeup and paper star papers and stickers and a new blanket, plus it's helping cover my allowance until my wife starts getting paid. I am already thinking I might do another sale in november just for fun lol

my wife has started orientation at her program and she's having a great time, our partner and I are gonna go down to visit her in a couple weeks :) I also finished rearranging all my furniture now that her furniture isn't here and it only made me terribly ill once!

I am really enjoying everyone singing along on [live and learm], I love enthusiasm <3

on [stars] @korattata said: HEY THATS WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING ALL DAY!!!!! i just started learning last night! its a nice break at work to stop looking at the computer screen. they all still look a bit wonky and i think one of the sheets of paper is too thick but i'm just using paper i got from the supply closet and cut with the paper cutter lol

aw that's so cool! the ones that are like actually packaged for making paper stars are usually a bit thinner than printer paper, like other origami paper, but that also means they tear a lot more easily in the first step if you're not careful, so it's always a tradeoff. what a fun coincidence :>

on [hallway] @thesilentpotato said: the first thing i thought of was the "da dee la da dee la da" krabby patty zoom in scene from spongebob

lol I hadn't thought of that until you said it but you're so right (she is referencing [this scene] from the krusty krab training video for anyone unfamiliar)

(side note thank you to folks who put pronouns in easily findable places so I can refer to you correctly even if I don't know you <3 )

on [birthday] @joekingv1 said: *asks baby what gifts they received and if they would like to read/watch Komi Can't Communicate*

I never really got into komi because one of the side characters really squicks me out, but I have a friend that really loves it, so maybe they've watched it with her! I think they probably got to go somewhere fun for their birthday like a theme park or a zoo, and get a souvenir plush while they were there -u-

on [sheep] @ceylonsilvergirl [added] a different line for kirby, which I still think about regularly lol

on [pills] @minty-spice said: op i hope your health improves and your empire of pills eventually shrinks

thank you <3 honestly I'd be happy with just the first one, I don't mind all the pills so much as long as they're actually helping.

on [crackers] @amatsuki said: made a bunch of cold noodles today with cucumber carrot chicken & sesame peanut soy sauce. the only actual cooking i had to do was boil water and steam chicken

oh hell yeah cold noodles are a fantastic example of a basic food to go feral over. now I want noodles too.........

on [thinking] @adrawrable said: hope you're cozy op

not right now as I type this because it is Computer Work Time, but in general I am So Cozy these days, I have a whole queen bed to myself so it's full of big stuffed animals and fluffy blankets :) (tbh even once my wife moves back here we may just all have individual beds we all seem very comfy this way lol)

on [slam] @jeaniechibi said: we'll be right back ➡️ shshgdtsudtdidh why is every bit of art with a blurr effect so damn funny 🤣

it truly is, I love a thoughtfully applied motion blur (or perspective blur can be funny too) (altho tbh I don't use the perspective blur tool for those I just use separate layers and gaussian blur) (for anyone unfamiliar this is a reference to the eric andre show meme)

on [beehive] @galacticnova3 said: me @ wasp nests minus the frowning, little fellas doing their little fella activities. sometimes they squabble. the thinking man’s reality tv drama

true, true, gotta love little fella activities. personally I feel better observing from a safe distance, but we had a lot of wasps around my childhood home and I didn't really know how to get friendlier than not actively making them mad lol

anonymous asked: That profile is amazing

for some reason I don't feel like I understand, but thank you!

on [sale] @milkymoon-ramblings said: gahh why do so many people have so many cool probducts, the queers are tempting me with their cool swag. however I need to save money for my own cool swag (digital art)

I just love the phrase "the queers are tempting me with their cool swag", so relatable lol (also no worries to anyone who couldn't or didn't want to buy anything, it's not like I needed it to pay bills I just wanted treats :v )

on [solstice] @jaune-chat said: Definitely, the sun can fuck right off. I break into a rash if I get too much sun, and I can't walk outside without full body coverage to some degree or be itching for WEEKS! In order of preference, is fall, winter, spring, summer.

oof yeah my mom gets a bad rash from sun exposure too! I'm fortunate to not have that specific symptom, but dang it seems so inconvenient, especially if you're also sensitive to heat so being covered up puts you at additional risk. personally I rate winter a little higher than fall but otherwise yeah total agreement lol

on [rollerskates] @nexus-nebulae said: @ prev tags i used to daydream constantly about being able to roller skate everywhere because i would constantly think 'rolling would be way easier than dragging my feet everywhere rn' and it took me two months of constantly thinking about that before i realised OH i need a ROLLATOR that would help (<- i am not smart) i haven't actually tried roller skating bc i don't own skates but i have used a skateboard briefly and that also feels better than walking. i wonder.... if the roller skating rink nearby would allow me to use a rollator in the rink with skates on........ probably not lmao

honestly it takes so much to actually realize like "oh a mobility aid might help with this" which is like, a bad thing, but we're just gonna focus on the funny part for now happy disability pride month :v and tbh I think maybe they might let you do it??? cuz like at ice skating rinks they usually have those little penguins or just straight up plastic lawn chairs for people to support themselves on, so I don't think it would be that crazy to go out on the rollarink with a rollator? but also that's just me and I do not run the place or get paid minimum wage to keep people from breaking the place sooo lol

[nattinatalia]

Jack Harlow & Urban : BIRTHDAY TWINS

Requested and ideas from the wonderful @harlowcomehome 🤗❤️‍🔥 she originally asked for only the gifts the kids made but y’all know me I like to make a mess and mix it all up. Hope I did it justice 🙈

“Niños aquí está todo lo que necesitan, use whatever you want. If you need to use the hot glue gun make sure you ask tia or me.” You tell Cassie, Mia and Ezequiel.

“Okay mama thank you.”

“We’ll be sitting over here if you need us.” Natalia says.

“Yes okay mom.” Ezequiel groans.

“Relax little dude.” Nat says jokingly.

You and your best friend Natalia go sit at the couches she has set up in the backyard, while you both keep an eye on the kids from your spot.

Today you were celebrating Jack and Urban’s birthday, so you and Nat had told the kids they were able to pick one thing they’d like to give their ninos, but they decided on making them something instead, to make it more special, as Mia liked to remind you.

“Who would’ve thought we’d be here, sipping on some margaritas watching our kids make arts and crafts for the boys?” Natalia asks.

You smile “It’s weird isn’t it? I mean for me it still is.”

“I mean it hasn’t even been a year Y/N, you have every right to have mixed feelings.”

You shrug “I’ll get over it. I just want it to be special for her, you know?”

She nods. “I get you on that part. No matter the fights I have with Jack, we put things aside when it comes to the kids.”

“That’s how it should always be.”

“NO EZ NOT THAT.”

You and Nat look at each other and smile “Back to reality.”

“JUST LET ME DO IT MIA.”

“My little monsters, what's going on?” Nat asks, walking towards them, you follow behind her.

“Mom EZ won’t let me decide on the color to put in my hand. It’s my hand so I pick.”

“Ezequiel let your sister choose the color for hers and you choose yours. No fighting, remember this is for Nino.”

“Tio Urban gonna be happy. He’s the best Tio ever.” Ezequiel says.

“No.” Cassie shakes her head “My nino Jack Jack is the bestest, he gonna love mine.”

“Cass, my Urby is the best. He always plays with me.”

“He’s not your Urby, he’s mine, and my Nino Jack Jack is the best anyways, he always sings with me.”

“Guys.” Mia says, shaking her head. “Nino Urb is your dad Cassie. Ezequiel, daddy is her Nino Jack Jack, so they’re both the best.” Mia tells them.

“My daddy is the best but my Tio Urby is the bestest.”

“No. Mine is.”

“Mama tell Cassie my Tio Urban is the best.” Ezequiel looks at Nat.

“They’re both the best, no competition.”

“Fine.”

“Whatever.”

“Are you guys almost done? Everyone will be here soon.” You ask.

“Almost Nina.” Mia answers.

“I’m going to make sure the enchiladas don’t burn.” 

Nat nods, “Can you check on the cake for me? Que no se esté escurriendo mucho la leche.” 

“Yeah, I got you.” 

You make your way inside to the kitchen and check inside the oven and take out the enchiladas. You then check on the cakes and make sure it isn’t spilling much milk. 

You’re closing the refrigerator door when Urban is walking into the kitchen.

“Hi.” 

“Hey.” You smile, “Happy birthday.” 

“Thank you.” There’s an awkward moment. “Is Cassie down for her nap?”

“No, she’s in the backyard with Nat and the kids.”

He nods, “Cool. cool.”

You both are silent and just looking at anything that isn’t at each other.

“This is weird right?” You say after a while.

“What is?”

You shrug, “I mean it’s been five months and it’s still pretty fresh, our divorce that is and me being here is probably weird for both of us?”

He’s looking at you as if you grew two heads. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s awkward, maybe I should just leave, have you spend your birthday with your family and friends.”

“You’re my family too Y/N, that will never change.” 

“You know what I meant.” You shrug and wrap your arms around yourself. “It’s your day and I- I don’t want it to be weird for you.” You feel the tears coming so you take a deep breath. “Excuse me.” You walk out the kitchen and head to the guest bedroom where you and Cassie would be staying for the weekend.

Once inside the bedroom you let the tears flow openly, you hear the door open. “Shit.”

“Hey, hey, it’s ok.” He comes to hug you. “It’s just me, it’s ok.”

You shake your head, “It’s not okay.” 

“Tell me what you need?”

"Can you just hold me for a bit?”

“Yeah, I got you.” 

He holds you tight and rubs your back.

After a while you pull back. “It’s your birthday and here I am making it about me. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, look at me.” He lifts your chin up so you’re looking straight into his eyes. “Everything is ok, we’re good.”

You nod. “I’m just emotional, I usually wake up next to you on your birthday and we spend the morning in bed just talking so it was weird when you weren’t next to me.”

“You think I don’t miss that?” He raises his eyebrows. “You think it didn’t break my heart when I woke up and you weren’t beside me with a smile on your face and singing happy birthday to me? It was weird not having you or Cassie with me this morning, but we agreed we’re better off as friends.”

“I know, I know, but I just can’t help but miss it.”

“You guys ok?” There’s a knock on the door.

You move away from Urban and try to wipe your tears away.

“Yeah come in.” Urban replies.

“Hi sorry, everyone is here and the kids want to give us our presents.” Jack says.

You smile at that. “Go ahead, let me retouch my makeup real quick.”

Urban and Jack look at you worriedly but nod and walk out the room. You didn’t have to touch up your makeup, you just wanted a few seconds on your own before facing everyone.

You take in a deep breath, nod, stand up straighter and exit the bedroom heading towards the backyard where everyone was at.

In the center of the yard you see Urban and Jack surrounded by the kids and your closest friends and family.

“Damn Urb, you and Y/N making Cassie a sibling ? or why is her hair and makeup looking messy.” Druski says out loud, everyone going quiet, glaring at him. “What? Why’s everyone looking at me like ya want to kill me?”

“They’re not together.” Neelam whispers, but you heard her.

“Wait for real? I thought that was all fake?.”

He looks between Urban and you. “I thought it was to get back at me for saying I wanted drama between you.”

“ANYWAY.” Natalia decides to step in. “The kids made the birthday boys a little something.”

Cassie, Mia and Ezequiel run to the kids table to grab their stuff, and head back to where everyone is at.

“We made this for yous.” Cassie says.

“Mia and me dids it for our best uncle.” Ez says and hands Urban a picture frame made out of popsicle sticks.

“I did mine for my best tio Jack Jack.” Cassie also hands Jack a picture frame of her and him.

Both frames are made out of popsicle sticks that the kids colored, it has a picture of them and their uncle. You and Natalia helped them write happy birthday and their names on it.

“Oh wow, this is amazing, thank you.”

“Yeah this is pretty cool, thanks guys.”

“WAIT THERE’S MORE.” Mia yells, hands EZ and Cassie a paper.

“Ohhh I forgot” Cassie says laughing.

“We made these too.” Mia tells them. “Nino Urby, if it’s ugly blame cheesy, he wouldn’t let me decide on one color.” She rolls her eyes.

Everyone laughs at that.

“Be nice Mia.” Jack warns.

“Sorry.”

Cassie smiles and gets closer to Jack. “I made mine with blue because it’s my favorite color, and you the bestest uncle ever.”

“HEY.” Copelan yells.

“What about me?” Sunni asks.

Cassie shrugs “He got me a music triangle, beat that.”

“Urby you’re the best uncle ever. Not Jack Jack.” Ez says.

“NOOO, tío Jack is the best.”

Mia rolls her eyes. “All day, all day they be saying this.” She looks at both kids. “Ez, who’s the best daddy?”

Ez furrows his eyebrows. “Uhh, well daddy.” He points at Jack.

“Cassie, who’s the best daddy?”

Cassie smiles and goes to hug Urban, “My daddy.”

Mia then taps her chin, “Who’s the best uncle?”

“TIO URB.”

“NOOO TÍO JACK.”

Mia groans and smacks her head. “SEE THEY DON’T KNOW.”

Everyone laughs. “It’s okay bug.”

“I think it’s you who doesn’t understand Mia.”

Mia glares at him. “DRUSKI QUIET.”

“I’m just saying.” He put his hands up in defense.

“Can we sing happy birthday now? I want cake.” Clay asks.

You nod.

“Before we sing, Urban, were you eating that cake or was she eating yours?” Druski asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

“YOO.”

“I just want to know.”

“I’m about to beat you up.” You tell him.

“I can help.” Mia says glaring at Druski.

“Fine, fine, let’s sing happy birthday.”

Neelam and Ace light up the custom made Pokémon cakes for Urban and Jack, and you all sing happy birthday to them both.

After a while you notice the kids are plotting something but you take no mind to it.

“Uncle Druski.” Cassie and Mia are holding hands, standing in front of him.

“What’s up? Y’all need money or something? I’m the wrong guy to ask.”

“No.” Mia says.

“Then what’s up?”

“THIS.” Ezequiel yells and comes out from behind him and smears cake all over his face.

Everyone is laughing.

“WHYYYY?” Dru yells, laughing as well.

Mia shrugs, while Cassie and Ez run off laughing.

“Mia, you’re the little devil in all these schemes, why did I get a cake to the face?”

Mia stands besides Urban, they smile at each other and do their little handshake. “Stop picking on my Nino and Nina.” She says, glaring at Druski.

Jack and Urban go to stand next to each other, looking around the yard and smiling.

“Happy birthday to us.” Jack says.

“Happy birthday indeed bro.”

• • •

TAG LIST

@heavyhitterheaux @harlowsbby @arination99 @cmalass @jackharloww @minkookie95 @deannaard @jacksmoviestar @harlowcomehome @fdl305 @httpkoylinnn @xoxokiaraaxoxo @hoodharlow @automaticpeachsong @amethyst09 @aliciacat20 @allyson15 @gabbylovesreading @stefansalvatoresgf @violetdreamsworld @carma-fanficaddict @jasminxts @itsaaliyah2 @itsyagirljaz @harrycanyonmoonn @neon-lights-and-glitter

[kittenintheden]

Happy Belated Birthday! Today is my birthday, and I've been trying to figure how to put into words what I love most about Astarion since you asked for thoughts. Well.... rather how to put it in words succinctly, because I have a tendency to be extra wordy.

Maybe the best way to put it is that Astarion actually taught me a lot about myself. He made me examine and explore gender and sexuality in a way that helped me find parts of myself I might never have found without him. I won't go into TMI details, but for example, when people argued that he is "clearly a gay man" and I realized that some of the fan art I'm most attached to is of Astarion in relationships with men, I took that as a sign and an opportunity to explore what that said about ME (not a gay man). (And to be clear, I know Astarion is pan, but I'm invested in understanding gender and sexual expression, and understanding why someone feels how they do.)

He also reminded me of a lot of boys I was attracted to when I was young- high school and college aged. Someone with an extreme personality that somehow draws everyone in. Has good looks who knows it. But someone who is actually hiding behind his looks and outsized persona. There were a few of these boys that I thought wanted an out. Wanted someone to really see or hear them, and I tried to give that to them. But either I was wrong or they didn't see or really want what I offered.

So to have the chance to be there for Astarion in that way and watch him flourish begin healing in part because of what I could give him was really touching.

I don't know if any of that makes sense, and I sure could go on some more, but for now that's what I got to say about our boy. Hope you had a great birthday <3

thank you, you beautiful person <3 this is a lovely gift.

there are times when media is just a thing we consume and there are times when it's a vessel through which we better understand ourselves and the world and people around us, you know? and I love that Astarion (and many other characters) have been that for so many people in so many DIFFERENT ways.

that is such a special thing. thank you for sharing <3

[etes-secrecy-post]

Hi, before I explain my post, I want to say something important.

• What you see my blog has become a major overhaul. And despite the changes, I decided that my 2nd account will be now my artwork blog with a secret twist.

⚠️NEW RULE! (W/ BIGGER TEXT!)⚠️

⚠️ SO PLEASE DO NOT SHARE MY 2nd ACCOUNT TO EVERYONE! THIS SECRECY BLOG OF MINE IS FOR CLOSES FRIENDS ONLY!⚠️

• AND FOR MY CLOSES FRIENDS, DON’T REBLOG IT. INSTEAD, JUST COPY MY LINK AND PASTE IT ON YOUR TUMBLR POST! JUST BE SURE THE IMAGE WILL BE REMOVED AND THE ONLY LEFT WAS THE TEXT.

⚠️ SHARING LINKS, LIKE POSTS, REBLOG POSTS, STEALING MY SNAPSHOT PHOTOS/RECORDED VIDEOS/ARTWORKS (a.k.a. ART THIEVES) OR PLAGIARIZING FROM UNKNOWN TUMBLR STRANGERS WILL IMMEDIATELY BE BLOCKED, RIGHT AWAY!⚠️

😡 WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT EVER LIKED & REBLOG MY SECRET POST! THIS IS FOR MY SECRET FRIENDS ONLY, NOT YOU! 😡

Okay? Capiche? Make sense? Good, now back to the post…↓

Title: Adding A/W T-Shirts - Spot & Riya

Hello! Happy 1st day of December, my 'secret trusty friends' (minus one)! 📅🎅🎄😁 And no, no #OnThisDay throwback post for this date because I've made a promised to update for the Speedster Twins' (Spot & Riya's) owned A/W Clothing (from the Rabbit kids; Maxwell 🐰🖌️ & May 🐰👊💥) after A-Pal's OG artwork in 2020 [CLICK ME!]. 😊

And you know, I'll let the said Speedster Twins do the talking about their unique style of clothing. So, please take it away twins. 😄

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing his owned clothes gifted by May]: Thank so much, creator! 😄 As Ri said, our owned A/W clothes gifted by the Rabbit kids was swapped, since March of 2021 [CLICK ME!]. 🌷📅 And its not just our A/W clothes, but also our owned 'Normal Clothes' (gifted by the aforementioned 'Rabbit Kids'), as well. Particularly, the normal T-Shirts.👕🙂

Riya 🐰🏎️ [wearing his owned clothes gifted by Maxwell]: You said it, twin bro! 😊 The reason for that? Well, I think wearing a shirt with a big comfy sweater looked cooler and comfier, for otherwise, a typical normal wearing stuff. Plus, with the addition of wearables for A-Pal's OG A/W clothing from US is an extra layer comfort! 🥰🤗

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing his owned clothes gifted by May]: Absolutely correct, Ri! 😄 I may looked like bunny, but I'm a pup in my owned rabbit's comfy clothing! 🥰🐰🧣🤗

Riya 🐰🏎️ [wearing his owned clothes gifted by Maxwell]: Indeed! You looked good wearing that blue T-shirt in pink comfy shirt, though. Twin bro. 😊👍

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing his owned clothes gifted by May]: *blushed* Yes, it is. 😊 And yours too, Ri. You're still faving on wearing clothes gifted by Maxwell, huh? In all lovely red/blue comfy? 🙂

Riya 🐰🏎️ [wearing his owned clothes gifted by Maxwell]: Yes I am. Yes I am! 🥰🐰🧣❤️💙🤗 Well, that's all we could say, and I hope Maxwell & May, and even A-Pal 🇵🇷🇺🇸 will appreciated US and our creators' artwork, as always. Otherwise, 'Happy 1st day of December', A-Pal and Rabbit/Fox fam! 📅🎅🎄👋😁

Well, that's all for now! 😊

The Speedster Twins (Spot & Riya) [wearing their owned clothes from the Rabbits Family] - created by ME!

[echowritesstuff]

About my WIPs - Aurabreak

I realise I should have made this a while ago but oh well. Here it is now.

Aurabreak

I came up with the idea for Aurabreak probably around five years ago now (2019 ish), which is weird to think about. It's kinda weird compared to my other WIPs since it's intended for a younger audience (probably like 10-13) compared to the rest which are all YA.

Ok so here's a simplified explanation. For as long as anyone for generations can remember, humans and mythical creatures roamed the land. They did this in harmony, any disputes were resolved peacefully and virtually everyone was happy. However, there was one beast that was unhappy about this regime, the dragon. The ancient dragon believed that he should have been able to rule over all living things both beast and human.

Then there was a big war (kinda spoilery so I'm gonna skip to the aftermath)

As a thanks for all the humans had done to save them, the beasts created temples and places of worship, for the humans to go to. They explained that on the final night before a child turns thirteen, they should be taken to one of these temples and that once they were taken, they would be blessed and by the morning would receive between one and three marks. Marks are symbols of blessings. Some are more common in certain areas, after all, each beast cannot occupy ever temple simitaniously, though they do try and move around as best they can. There are roughly 20 common marks. Each mark gifts its owner specific abilities. For example the mark of flames (phoenix) grants its owner the power to conjure, manipulate and extinguish fire, as well as the ability to fly. However, the more marks a person has, the weaker they are.

Let's say if someone is blessed by the phoenix, the kelpie and griffin. Rather than gaining all the powers each mark would give them individually, they'd gain only one or two from each. For example, the mark of flames could give them fire conjuration and manipulation, the mark of the depths could give them minor shape shifting abilities and the mark of the guard could give them flight.

There are also these things called 'unique marks' or 'dark marks' these are given to those who have been blessed (or cursed depending on how you look at it) by beasts who took the side of the ancient dragon in the war.

Anyway, on to the actual narrative. We follow our protagonist, Danni Arham, a 13 year old who has just gotten his mark. A mark he has never seen or heard of before. After some extensive research, Danni discovers it is known as the mark of rainbow, or Aurabreak and it means something extraordinary. Danni has been blessed by all of the beasts, something that has only happened once. The other person it supposedly happened to, the 'great hero' who supposedly vanquished the ancient dragon.

Despite all of this though, Danni is still a kid. A kid who's just gotten his mark. And that means he has to go to school. Not just any school either, the most prestigious of schools, Lorime School of Magical Arts. During his time at Lorime, Danni meets friends, foes and a whole lot of mysteries.

Anyway yeah. I was gonna use this as one post for all my WIPs but Aurabreak was kinda long. I'll post more of my WIPs when I get the chance.

Hope your day is great!

~Echo

[montrealmadison]

hello beloveds!

so sometimes on this earth you make amazing friends, who you meet in all kinds of ways. sometimes they’re through class, or work, or a common interest you share—and sometimes, if you’re lucky, they come into your life via a tumblr dm about an edit that you made of a fictional southern hockey player set to a taylor swift song.

THEN, as if that wasn’t enough, they roll into your inbox with a google doc titled “the scariest thing is experimental prose and facing your feelings” at 10 pm, which leads to long writing sprints and sending screenshots of paragraphs with “ok i fixed it does it hurt more now” and, ultimately, tens of thousands of words about building a legacy and finding yourself again after a change that feels insurmountable.

enter the lovely, wickedly funny, fabulous kate @ohyoufool, whose christmas gift to me this year was a hand-bound (!!!) copy of our fic creation myth.

to say i’m honored would be an understatement. this is a work of art and a labor of love from cover to cover and i would absolutely love any excuse to show it off so please don’t hesitate to ask. i’ll do it.

2023 was a super weird year for me. i quit my job, started grad school, and moved six hours away from everyone i knew in the world. the omgcp fandom has been a huge constant amid the insanity, and without y’all lurking in this corner of the internet i’d be nowhere near as happy as i am. i think this is as good a moment as any to say thank you for all the support this fic has received. we’re really, truly humbled by everyone’s comments (and tears. sorry. we’ve been enjoying them.) 🩵

kate - i really wanted to say all of this via text but i think all i can manage is another 70 variations of “how can i ever thank you” and “i am unwell” so i hope it’s okay if i borrow a few of your words: “in writing this, i realized this story is not about me. it’s about jack zimmermann, but it’s also about all of us, and about finding and making the connections that make life worth living.” i wish i could have told the version of myself i was in august—and the version of jack who went to play for the aces—that it’s going to be okay. friendship, inspiration, and laughter are all just around the corner. you just have to be brave enough to keep going till you get there.

in conclusion: look for the owls. hug your friends today. read creation myth.

love, emma 🩵

[akatsuki-gift-exchange]

Survey Updates!

hi folks,

It's been awhile, but I have read through and taken into serious consideration all the feedback I received after our '23 gift giving season! Here are the Updates™ to look forward to...

tldr: reminders/promo in MAY, applications in AUG, stocking stuffer details; gift exchange details; Discord server details

Sign-Ups // Applications

• Promo and sign-up reminders will become a bi-weekly reminder starting in May; this ensures that folks can plan ahead well into their calendars so everyone has more breathing room during the creation period.

• Applications will be released sometime in August! It will most likely be the latter half, aiming for the weekend of 8/17-18; this ensures that applications exist a little longer for people to get ahold of and think over where they may be during the creation/gift-giving periods. This also allows you to ask questions well in advance!

Stocking Stuffers

• Will be open to EVERYONE in the server! Still focused on JANUARY!

• these will be included in a separate section on the '24-'25 season application--folks would include their prompts/ships/details and when the time comes for S.S, I would post these within that section of the Discord for anyone to work with...this in theory would mean that you can sign up for both a gift and to participate in the bonus exchange, or you just sign up for one or the other.

• Sign-up for the bonus gifts is NOT required to participate in the year's gift exchange. Nor does it mean (if you sign up for both) that you are obligated to create a bonus gift! This allows me to tally the interest in the Bonus gifts better.

Gift Exchange // Event Modifications

• This season, I encourage you to aim for more prompts. We've had a lot of incredibly specific tropes (i.e: "Lovers to Enemies", "Sharing One Bed", "Mutual Pining") the past few seasons, and while you can still suggest those, there will be a section dedicated entirely to prompts within your application (i.e: "X and Y going fishing", "X wants to cook for the night, but Y fears for their life everytime X even steps foot in the kitchen") where you must include some PROMPTS that you'd like to receive a gift based on.

• There will be a mini-event for Halloween co-hosted with KakuHida Week because i pull all the strings. Very chill, where we will share prompts between events and there will be greater flexibility with some of the traditional CHARACTER INCLUSION guidelines. More details in May--posting will occur Monday, 10/28 - Sunday, 11/3. This is an opportunity to post smaller stories, one shots, drabbles, line art, sketches--you name it. Purely existing for a good time for the Akatsuki folks.

Server Setup, Communications, & Connections

• If you need anything--questions, insight, concerns---please DM on DISCORD. I am way more attentiative to that as opposed to Tumblr and will be keeping those notifs on. ;)

• Many folks suggested this one; we're going to try hosting mini check-ins and questions. Nothing deep: we have a pet channel, a good vibes channel, and a handful of 'share soemthing good in your life' to generate some more interaction. This is not going to affect anyone's event participations--I'm hoping to encourage a little more sense of community, as times can be tough and sometimes the most enjoyable thing in the day is bragging about the awesome lunch you just made---more details in May!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That was a lot, so thank you for sticking with me. Please do not hesitate with questions! I am at multiple comic cons, reptile expos, and work in a forest, so if it takes me a few days, I sincerely apologize, but I will get back to you. Loves of love and Happy Earth Day! Go enjoy the weather if it's nice where you're currently at and maybe use a water bottle instead of a plastic cup.

stay groovy out there ~ mod GP 🤍