#the interconnection between beautiful parts of the world

[blessthishouse]

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[fishnapple]

THE MAP TO YOUR SOUL, YOUR DEEPEST SELF INSIDE

A simple map to help you find who you really are inside. The reading will have 4 parts: the focus, the obstacle, the gift, the guide.

This is a general reading meant for multiple people. Take only what resonates and leave out the rest.

Your feedback is much appreciated. If you find the reading resonated with you, leave a comment, I’d love to know 🎐

About me | Masterpost Book a reading with me - KO-FI (→ personal reading)

CUBE 1

The focus: Balancing opposites

It's very straightforward and direct. Your deepest self yearns to express itself openly, without masks or veils. You will find authenticity through the words you say and the beauty you cultivate. Your identity is not meant to stay in one place, stagnating but to constantly evolve, transform and refine. This can be expressed through your thoughts, your physical appearance, as within so without. Kind words and self-love go a long way. You're here to learn the way of being independent, of self-authority, standing up for yourself without being selfish.

Life's various responsibilities, the burden of being and existing, the confusions of bonds. Those are the forces that pull you in many directions, away from a simple truth: yourself, the one you've built, the one you are, the one you want to be. The moment you can be at peace with yourself will be the moment you've arrived at home, inside you.

The obstacle: You tend to lose yourself in the connections with other people. The sense of self is dissolved by the desire to connect with the other person. You might find yourself morphed into various identities with each connection. You're one person in one relationship, but you're a different person in another relationship. Relationships shape your identities. There would be a point when you're confused about who you really are, without other people. This is a challenge for you, to find your sense of self outside the connections with people. To have a stable core no matter what relationship you're in.

The gift: Your obstacle is also one of your gifts. You have the talent to connect and understand people. Navigating relationship dynamics come naturally for you. Negotiating, harmonising, understanding. So use this gift to understand yourself too. To see yourself, standing alone, independently and connect with that person. You can be with other people without sacrificing your autonomy and independence.

The guide: Find out what can spark your joy and what makes you want to act, what are you wishing for. Write them down and see the pattern, the interconnection between them. The fastest and safest path to your soul is to constantly seek expansion of your mind. If you're feeling lost, trust in your intuition and the signs given to you at the present moment. You heard someone mentioned a book, a movie, a place? You suddenly get a desire to learn something? You might want to note them down and try them for yourself. Hidden treasures of knowledge are always just around the corner. And through these seemingly random encounters, you've already been treading on the path to your soul.

CUBE 2

The focus: Freedom of creativity & uniqueness

You have a powerful presence that can touch people in a subconscious way. There's a light, a force that is constantly swirling, rolling, unfolding. The question is, how can that light exist among the sea of people without blinding others or without dimming itself? A star is bright and blinding when someone looks at it alone and closely, a star is also bright but its light is gentle and it dances on the cosmic tapestry when it exists together with other million stars on the sky. Together, they create a picture of the universe in harmony.

The path to your soul is not a lonely path that you go alone, it's a merry one with people from all different corners of the world going together, some will go away after a while, some will stay with you till the end of the journey. You will find yourself in the crowd, in the people around you, in the distant dream for an ideal world. How do you connect with people without fusing yourself with them? How do you stand apart but still be a part of something? How do you give to the world and grow in the process?

The obstacle: There's a hidden fear inside you. It's about the loss of the self, the disappearing into the mass. Order, stability and the concrete are desired. You have a lot of hidden force within you. If repressed, it can result in general resentment and anger directed at the world at large with no particular target.

Struggling to find motivation can also be a big obstacle. You need to find the roots of that struggle. Is it because it's hard to be motivated when you can't find the meaning for it? It's hard to act when you can't see the direction ahead clearly? Everything needs a meaning and a purpose. Without them, mobilising your incredible pool of energy will be difficult.

The gift: You have the gift of creativity, creating things for the world and creating your own self. You're like a sun that gives life and shines brightly. Expressing your individuality is an impulse that cannot be overridden. So wherever you go, people notice you, they will applaud you light. use this gift to bring light into other's life, help them find the courage to shine brightly like yourself.

The guide: Delve into the realm of your fears and the unknown. The more clearly you see them, the calmer it will feel. Embrace the mystical parts of life. There are certain things that can't be completely understood by just sitting down and thinking about them in practical terms. Sometimes, letting go and just observing is more effective.

There is a connection between the path you choose to go and the influences of the collective. No matter how much you deny those influences, they are still there, lying dormant in your deeper self. It's the force that keeps you connected to everyone, the sense of belonging. If you have the desire to stand apart, to not be drowned in the sea of the collective, understand that you have enough power and strength to swim gracefully alongside others.

CUBE 3

The focus: The lightness and feeling of safety

Building a home for yourself, for your soul, is what you're called to do. I see the image of someone dragging their feet through a storm, they are exhausted, all they're searching for is a shelter, a place for warmth and rest, a place to stop their weary feet. The burdens of life weigh heavily on your shoulders. There might be a time when you want to escape, to let go, that's when you need to grasp at something to anchor yourself back to the reality of life. Life can be heavy and demanding, but you can navigate it in a simple and calm manner. You may have dreams you want to fulfil, aspirations to achieve, big things to expect but at the end of the day, a safe place, a calm mind and a rested body maybe are all you really need. There's a need to strip back to simplicity and find enjoyment in your own world.

The obstacle: You might project a certain assertiveness and a competitive image to the world. But it's a cover to hide your deeper feeling. The more vulnerable you feel, the harder you tend to fight. The more confused you're about your own self, the more likely you're to chase worldly achievements without a real sense of satisfaction. This discrepancy between your inner self and your outer self will hinder your sense of peace. There's a need to find a way to communicate yourself clearer, with more coherence to the story.

The gift: You have the gift of the gab, expressing ideas and convincing other people. Your mind works in a lightning fast manner, gears constantly turning, information flows indefinitely, ideas churned out like a blinking light. You understand things instinctively, sometimes making logical leaps to arrive at the answer, making mental shortcuts. This gift can help you sail through life more smoothly and help you get out of sticky situations, which usually are the results of your expression of assertiveness or anger.

The guide: Taking small steps towards your soul in a slow and steady manner. No need to rush and worry all the time. Everything is built from the culmination of small efforts.

You will find the guiding arrows through listening to your body, to feel the concrete body of yours, the pains that arise in different place, the warmth feeling in the stomach, the hands getting cold, the electricity running through your spine, all those sensations. Don't ignore them. They help you to feel more alive, and they call you to take more care of your body. Without a healthy body, how can you live and go after your goals?

Humility is another guiding arrow. No matter how much knowledge and wisdom you have, there's always something to learn from others, assume the role of a student and try to listen. Challenges might only appear when you refuse to open your mind and learn.

CUBE 4

The focus: the potentials of transformation

I see the image of someone standing from afar, looking tentatively at the vista before them. They want to go towards it, to see for themselves is there a deeper wonder to this life that they haven't known of. The call is ever louder and more tempting each day.

There's still a distance between them and the vista, but they are looking in the right direction. Now, they just need to figure out how to close the distance. They need the courage to take the first step. They can see the rewards, they can also see the hardship. But turning away is not an option anymore. There's so much more to see, so much potential to grow.

The obstacle: I think deep down, you've already figured out the path you need to go, you just need a little nudge because of the uneasiness in knowing what needs to be done to go towards that path. It will require changes, it will require you to discard things you might have held dear in the past but are no longer serving your growth. And it all starts from the mind. You might not like to think too much about the future, the bigger plan for your life, prefer to stay in the details of your surroundings. Maybe you feel that it's never enough, you don't have enough experiences or skill, you don't have enough resources, you don't have enough visions. Which is not true. You are ready to take the plunge, much like the Fool in the Tarot.

The gift: You already have an instinctive understanding of the world around you. Learning comes naturally for you. Your deposit at the bank of knowledge is getting larger everyday and will spill over if you don't use them. The door that can lead you to the path forward is your mind. Use your mental energy to figure out the steps instead of over analysing and excessive worrying.

Putting your voice out into the world, make a statement, make a commitment to your goal, and you will be surprised how far it can take you.

The guide: If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done in order to have the life you want deep down. Start small and build steadily. The word "transformation" may sound dramatic and scary, but micro-transformations happen at every moment. Grab hold of the visions floating in your heart and mind and hold them steady, study them, don't mystify them, bring them out into the mundane by backtracking the steps leading to them. You see the farthest step, then backtrack until you arrive at where you are now. Start with doable things, and gradually, you will find that a lot more are doable for you.

[kazoosandfannypacks]

The ultimate Dwampyverse three-way crossover would not be as a season finale or season premier episode. It wouldn't be high stakes and it wouldn't have a major story arc for every character. Instead, it would take place over multiple interconnected episodes that would air as part of each separate show but all take place simultaneously, kinda like the halloween crossover those disney channel shows all did back in 2015.

And it would take place at the Tri-State Area's largest ever comic-con.

We'll start with the Phineas and Ferb storyline. Buford and Baljeet enter the backyard arguing over Stumpleberry Finkbat vs. Space Adventure. Phineas reminds them of the bonding the two fandoms had together last time there was a fan comvention, and the boys decide to host their own comic-con, the largest fan event the Tri-State Area has ever seen. Buford and Baljeet spend a lot of this episode in an argument similar to the brains vs. brawns argument from the Africa episode. Phineas and Ferb just try to enjoy the convention they're hosting. Isabella is rather conflicted, torn between spending time with Phineas and hanging out with her fellow Finkies.

Initially, Candace wants to bust the boys for hosting a giant convention in their bakyard, but she changes her tone when Jeremy comes around with a poster for the event, and points out there's a couples' costume contest that they should enter together.

In the Milo Murphy's Law storyline, we see Milo, Zack, Melissa, and Amanda (not Diogee, of course; he had to go home,) trying to track down a collectible item that Amanda is missing from a collection she started when she was younger. Doof is there as well, having decided that he can better research how to invent time travel by talking to a room full of fans of a time travel television show. Cavendish, Dakota, and Perry accompany him, though Perry wanders off partway through the episode, leaving Dakota to ask a "hey, where's Perry?" Sara and Neal also come to the comic-con too, hoping to win the couples' costume contest.

In our Hamster and Gretel storyline, we've got Gretel, Bailey, and Nordle hoping to just have fun hanging out with other fans of Larry the Magic Boy, but a villain of the week set on overthrowing comic-con gets in the way of Gretel hanging out with her friends. Fred comes along, claiming it's to "supervise" the kids, but she's immediately distracted by a Yuko Attack Cheerleading Warrior 7 fan trivia competition. Hamster disappears at the start of the episode for one of his unseen mini-adventures.

Kevin and Hiromi come as well, entering the couples' costume contest. They claim they're entering platonically because Hiromi wants to earn whatever the prize for it is, and Kevin owes her after the first date and award ceremony blunders. Fred points out to them that platonically entering the couples' contest subverts the point of an already pointless contest, and it may disqualify them. Kevin and Hiromi come to the conclusion, then, that the only way to win without getting disqualified is to spend the entirety of the convention up until the contest winners are announced pretending to be dating.

We also get lots of character crossovers interspersed as well. Baljeet is delighted when he crosses paths with Zack and Melissa and finds out they are, in fact, dating now. Dakota and Bailey exist in the same space for a bit and have the most wholesome interaction in the world. Fred and Buford have a beautiful bonding moment that they agree never to speak of again. There's also a meta moment with Isabella, Lydia, and Lauren, all wearing the same costume.

There's also plenty of background cameos as well. Stacy, Orton Maulson, Irving, the Dr. Zone "oldbies," Carl, Anthony, Monty and Vanessa in their pimpernel and vampire queen costumes, and Tobias Trollhammer all get to make background appearances.

When the finalists for the couples' costume contest comes around, Candace, Sara, and Hiromi give each other lots of competive remarks and backhanded compliments on each other's costumes, while Jeremy, Neal, and Kevin are all super chill and exceptionally polite to each other. At the end, Kevin and Hiromi win, which leads to an excited hug and maybe even a kiss on the cheek, and then a sad air falls over them as they realize that's the end of their need to pretend to be dating.

Candace is thoroughly disappointed in her and Jeremy getting third place, and then decides it's time to go get mom and bust the boys— but of course, by the time mom gets there, the convention is long gone— not because of the villain trying to overthrow comic con, but just because of Murphy's Law.

The plots are really well interconnected too, with things happening in the first episode that don't make sense until you watch the second and third episode and realize "oh, that's why that happened," and the same happens in the second episode, and the third references things you wouldn't understand without the full context of the first two.

There's a lot of use of the Comedic Rule of Three in the inclusion of running jokes that occur once each episode. There's also a lot of room for the Comedic Subversion of the Rule of Three, where a line is spoken in the first and second episode, but obvious opportunities for it in the third episode are comically missed.

And in an end credit scene of the final of these three episodes, we find that Perry, Diogee, and Hamster were all playing cards together during these episodes, and Diogee was winning.

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️ Ranking Richonne

#6: Cuz I'm Okay Too (S4E16)

Such a heartfelt and important moment in the making of Richonne. 🥹 The scene is brief but still manages to communicate something so important about Rick and Michonne's profound connection. That You're Okay/I'm Okay interconnectedness between them is one of those deep and consistent qualities that make Richonne one of a kind. By this season 4 moment, I really and truly believe Rick and Michonne had fallen in love and I cherish that this beautiful scene is a part of their love story. The scene is a true Richonne classic...

Richonne's love story has so much life to it because it was able to breathe as it evolved each season. And as much as the world was screaming at them - when it came to Rick and Michonne's pre-canon build-up there were these small quiet moments like the one in this s4 finale that still really helped to lay their foundation steadily and naturally.

I appreciate that Richonne's journey was a slow burn (the most fiery slow burn, might I add 🔥) and that we got to see their love story play out from the moment they first laid eyes on each other all the way to now as a husband and wife determined to find each other again. The build-up was as great as the payoff in the making of Richonne and this season 4 pre-canon moment between them is one of the foundational staples in building their relationship.

As I’ve stated before, I consider this 4.16 ep quite monumental to Richonne as I feel its by this point these two have fallen in love. And this scene just really backs that up to me and gives us our first insight into the unique interconnection they have.

The reason why I so confidently refer to these two characters as soulmates is because absolutely every time Rick and Michonne were together it was clear they had a deep mind-body-soul connection and a magnetic draw that showed they were tethered to each other and meant to be.

They were so kismet that even in the beginning of their relationship they seemed to be strongly emotionally connected to each other.

In the early stages of their growing bond, Rick and Michonne really would often look at each other like they were both something special and inexplicably familiar, like a missing piece of themselves that they yearned for and felt innate trust and safety with. And, to me, this scene illustrates all of that.

I also noticed that since I've gotten so used to seeing team family in the 'stability' of ASZ for half the series, whenever I see scenes of them in these earlier seasons where they had no home base it makes me a little emotional because it makes you realize just how little they had, and how much they were being held together by their resilience and their family alone. It's really a testament to their strength and the family they built that fueled them to keep going.

I love the way this 4.16 scene is shot, the fall vibes are just nice with all the leaves as they walk. Also the show did a good job of always making it feel like there was some added weight to when Rick and Michonne were around each other. The two together on screen are just always electric as this scene solidifies.

(Side note: watching this show back, I love how quiet the ambiance was in the earlier seasons, it really made the world feel immersive and lived in.) 

When Rick protectively sat outside of that car in the previous scene with Carl asleep in Michonne's lap, Michonne heard Rick talk to Daryl about who he is and why he’s here, and her expression as she listens was telling. I know R&M both were more aware of how much they mean to each other from here on out. And then that love only grows stronger, even as soon as their next scene.

So this #6 scene starts with Rick walking ahead, and I love how Michonne is looking at him as she walks closer to him. I’d love to know exactly what she’s thinking at this moment cuz she clearly has some thoughts. 😊

As she studies him in this scene I really do feel like it’s her seeing the resilient man he is and feeling a lot of genuine love and respect for him. Especially after seeing Rick go to an incredibly intense place to save her, Carl, and Daryl the night before.

Rick went to lengths not many would even think to go...but that level of fight in him is one Michonne knows well. It's in her too. And I think at this moment she knows truly that they are cut from the same cloth.

She silently observes him and, before she even speaks, Rick senses her and asks if she’s okay. I love that he checks in on her after what they went through.

When Rick and Michonne found each other after the prison fell, they became a package deal and went through most things side by side from then on. And I love that through all the wild things they experienced together, they had each other to check in with and make sure they were okay because they got to be fully human with each other. 

Michonne nods and says a reassuring 'yeah' and then again has those little glances at him that, to me, suggest sis has caught feelings. 

Then I always love that Rick proceeds to offer up that he’s okay. He initiates saying that because he wants her to know this and he knows this would matter to her. Ever since reuniting after the prison, Michonne has often brought up the importance of Rick healing and resting, so he knows she cares about his wellbeing and that he’s okay. 

And it’s also like by offering up, "I'm okay" he wants her to know he’s still okay as a person even after showing that he’s capable of some pretty intense stuff. I’ve always loved this, especially because as a woman traveling alone with men, it means a lot to have a man want you to know he’s still okay and safe to be around.

But then what is so lovely about this scene is that Rick gets to see that he doesn’t need to do any convincing with Michonne because she has always seen and understood him on a deeper level.

(It makes me think of when Michonne talks with Merle during season 3 inside the prison. She defends Rick and Carl and notes that they're both killers but she doesn't say it as a condemning thing because even as strangers she understood that Rick and Carl are still good people despite what they've had to do to survive)

And as much as Rick is grappling with all that he’s capable of here at the end of season 4, it’s so refreshing that Michonne is right there to let him know he’s not a monster to her. So when he says he’s okay, she says without any doubt, "I know." 😊

Then I so love that Rick asks, "How?" It’s an interesting thing to ask because he could have just left it at her saying she knows, but I love that he’s curious to know this. Almost as if deep down wanting to know that she really does see and understand him as clearly as he sees and understands her.

And when he can’t help but ask, I adore the way she looks at him and so effortlessly tells him, “Cuz I’m okay too.” 🥹

Another classic line in Richonne's journey. 🥰 And a line that is as powerful as it is pretty.

I know I've said a lot of their scenes are giving romantic but this one is 1000% giving romantic. I mean this dialogue between them could be seamlessly inserted into a romance movie and I'd be like...

And it is just such a sweet sentiment - "Cuz I'm okay too." Similar to Rick's "Must've been something else then," line, I'd love to know exactly what Michonne was aware of regarding her attraction and feelings for Rick at this time.

It’s significant for Michonne to vocalize this and let Rick know that she has developed enough feelings for him that his well-being impacts her own. He’s okay, so she’s okay. And we see that 'you're okay then I'm okay' thing that they have play out in so many moments between them in this series.

One that comes to mind is an honorable mention scene in s5 at Alexandria when Michonne can’t sleep, and then we see that Rick has also been up and unable to sleep.  It’s almost like Rick's restlessness played a part in what was affecting Michonne's ability to rest.

And Rick even vocalizes as much when he asked why they're both awake before touching her shoulder and her reacting in a way that further proves their magnets. Something innate within them is so often on the same wavelength, even when they have some different outlooks.

I love these TWD reactors who noted how Rick’s mind silently racing was still so loud to Michonne and keeping her up in that s5 scene, whereas if Rick would sleep she probably would be able to fall asleep too.

Rick and Michonne are just one like that and they have always been so emotionally intertwined. They don't just understand what the other is going through, they feel what the other is going through. #TetheredSoulmates

So I love and appreciate this s4 finale scene for fully establishing Rick and Michonne's unique and heartfelt interconnection - both that they have it, and that they deep down know they have it too.

Rick nods after Michonne says this, and this subtle moment just feels like he gets what she means. She doesn’t even have to explain further cuz I think he knows he feels the same - You're okay, I'm okay.

And then the way Michonne is looking at that man at the end of this scene...Cupid got her, y’all. Just like Cupid got Rick lol. 😊

Richonne really was inevitable because right here in s4, seasons before their canon ep, these two loved each other and had at least some awareness that the connection between them runs deep. 

Am I smiling from ear to ear rewatching this? Best believe. They just go together and it’s so clear here. And I love looking at this scene and knowing this is a husband and wife in the making who will bring a beautiful baby into this world. Won't He do it! 🙌🏾 It's scenes like these that confirm to me why Richonne’s pre-canon and post-canon moments are both top-notch.

As Michonne will tell Carl in a beautiful bonding moment later in the s4 finale, she knows the Grimes boys brought her back. They helped make her okay again. And the way Michonne brought so much good to Rick and Carl's lives, she brought them back too.

So I’ll forever love that in this quiet scene between Michonne and Rick, we see so clearly how they help make each other feel more than okay. 😌

[thankeywa]

Star-Crossed pt.4/? | Lo'ak x human!fem!reader (NSFW)

Warnings: once again, both Lo'ak and the reader are 20y/o, , MINORS DO NOT INTERACT with this or anything on my accounts. NSFW!!! this is the smut chapter. Nothing else. you can still skip this without losing any plot of the story.

words: 2.3k

summary: the reader is a human left behind on pandora, she grew up with the remaining humans who'd been allowed to stay on the planet after the war and has been friends with the Sully clan her entire life. She and Lo'ak were best friends until he began to pull away from her in their teen years for seemingly no reason. This story is about them reconnecting on the day of her twentieth birthday, and dealing with the feelings they have for each other and the obstacles that come with them being from two different worlds.

part 1 part 2 part 3

tag list: @aleromania , @ghostjoohoney, @cherry-blossom34, @stephenandfiveswhore , @neteyamforlife, @mochi-yu , @halibanana @notquitehero @vanillacoffeeaddict @kitsune0077 @mara-brekker @sully-stick-together @luthien-naenderthal @phantomalex14 @vanillawhale @omiivr @barbii04 @grierpilots @itszzmoon @wavyteals @punkrockrogers @fanboyluvr @Iwesodra @roguesimagination @kathrynlupin @anxietydrogz @b0rednb1tchy @xkaykay

Lo'ak was aware of the 'fight or flight' response that was said to be experienced by humans and other animals on Earth. Grace, Kiri's biological mother, had written entire journals about how, amazingly, Pandora's inhabitants went through something slightly different . It seemed that the entirety of the 'flora' and 'fauna' of Pandora was so interconnected, a prey knew whether it was time to run to live another day or give in and die, and predators also could sense whether or not a life should be spared once in a while. It was all to due with the balance of life, that Eywa so dutifully protected.

That didn't mean that the non-Na'vi dwellers of the planet did not feel fear or a basic strive for survival. Simply, that Eywa would sometimes intervene to give the two parties a way to reach an understanding.

Lo'ak was more than certain his human side was keeping him in a state of paralysis at that moment. But he didn't think that being intimate with his human better half was the sort of situation Eywa could give him insight on.

Nothing could have prepared him for this moment. He'd never even once considered the possibility that y/n reciprocated his feelings. Over the years he'd done his best to steer clear of any sort of... compromising thoughts he may have had of her — though he wasn't always successful.

Fortunately, she'd always seemed to prefer to wear significantly more clothes than Spider, but that had also left Lo'ak with a seemingly infinite number of questions.

"It's okay if you've changed your mind, Lo'ak..." y/n said softly, snapping him out of his reverie. She covered her chest and turned to look for her shirt again, suddenly feeling rather self conscious about the way she looked. She'd taken Lo'ak's silence and stillness as rejection.

The Na'vi quickly chased her lips for another kiss, whispering a thousand apologies to her in his native language. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. How could she not see it herself?

Lo'ak tentatively let one of his large hands leave y/n's cheek. It caressed her flushed neck, the dip of her shoulder until it finally came to cup the weight of her breast. Y/n could still feel him hesitate with every step, even shaking a little from how much he was afraid of hurting her. "Like this..." She guided Lo'ak's fingers, showing him all the different ways he could tease and tug at her nipple. "D-doesn't... doesn't that hurt?" Lo'ak attempted to recreate the motion on her other breast, now playing with both.

Y/n shook her head, desperately getting rid of the rest of her clothes so she could take care of the throbbing ache between her legs. Lo'ak had gotten surprisingly good at fondling her breasts in record time, and she wanted to show him exactly what he was doing to her. In between the middle of moaning his name and taking care of her aching cunt, she got a glimpse of the almost feral way he was staring down at her.

Lo'ak was drinking in every single detail of y/n's tiny body, dwarfed even more now that she was writhing in his lap. The second he saw her glistening pussy, an almost shameful wave of jealousy overcame him. He wanted to be the only one to ever see y/n that way, to get to pet her sweet little cunt. It was all his, and y/n could read it in his extremely dilated pupils.

"Everything okay, yawne?" Y/n panted sweetly, searching for another kiss. "You know I like it when you talk to me..." Lo'ak immediately showered her with more kisses, hating himself for stalling yet again. "No--yes... you just... you have a very pretty... syulang..." He said, his ears bending down in embarrassment. It took y/n a few beats to understand what Lo'ak meant by 'flower', and her cheeks felt quite warm at the realisation.

"I mean... all of you is... perfect. You're perfect." Lo'ak said with slightly more determination in his voice, hoisting y/n up in his arms so he could leave a kiss above where her heart was beating rapidly in her chest. She let out a keening sound when he took her left nipple in his mouth, still incredibly attent to being as gentle as he could. Y/n let him take his time exploring her, and Lo'ak worshipped her body until she was a trembling, moaning mess in his arms.

Y/n wanted to do the same. She wanted to run her hands over every single part of him. But it was kind of difficult when Lo'ak had her laid out on her back while he kissed and licked his way between her folds, seemingly unaware that he was going at a torturously slow place. Y/n begged and whined, but she was too far gone to even know what she was asking for anymore. Meanwhile, Lo'ak was completely intoxicated by her taste, keeping one of his large hands on her stomach so she wouldn't jump while he used his tongue to toy with her clit, always making sure to not as much as graze her with his teeth.

"Lo'ak, please..." Y/n let out a small sob, and Lo'ak looked up, sheepishly pulling away from the literal paradise he'd discovered between her thighs. "Did I hurt you?" He asked, but she furiously shook her head. "No... not that, yawne. Just, please... want to touch you..." It didn't matter that she'd been edged for so long, she suddenly didn't know how to ask Lo'ak to use his fingers. Or something more, which he wouldn't do anyway.

"But I like making you feel good..." Lo'ak didn't know how to say he'd been painfully hard and leaking just from eating her out, but now that y/n was sitting back up, there was no way she couldn't see his arousal. His loincloth was doing a rather poor job of hiding how much he wanted her. "I can't get enough of the way you taste..." He said in a shaky breath, cupping y/n's sex to feel the wetness there. She instinctively squeezed her thighs around his hand and he understood.

Lo'ak knew y/n used her fingers to play with herself, but his own were considerably larger and longer. How could she possibly take them inside of her? "Please, yawne, I need you..." She coaxed him to relax once again with her words, getting rid of the last clothes that were separating them. Y/n took in the sight of Lo'ak's large cock standing proudly, and curiously began to touch him with both hands.

Then sight of y/n's smaller hands tentatively trying to work his erection almost made Lo'ak go cross-eyed. "W-what are you..." He cursed, burying his head in y/n's neck when she began to play with his head, using her thumb to put the exact right amount of pressure as she teased the sensitive tip in quick circles.

Y/n bit her lip and giggled at the deep purring sound that came out of him. Almost as if to get back at her, Lo'ak slid one of his fingers deep inside of her, following the warm curves of her inner walls. Only when y/n let out a loud moan of relief, did he fully realise what he was doing. "Fuck, Lo'ak--" She reprimanded him softly for giving her no warning, but quickly began to rut herself down onto his digit, finding a rhythm at was good for her while squeezing down on the base of his shaft with both her hands. The pressure almost made Lo'ak see nothing but white.

What had he been so afraid of? The two of them were clearly attuned to each other's needs, and he never wanted to stop giving y/n pleasure like the one he could hear in her voice at that moment. Lo'ak began to curl his finger inside of y/n, before tentatively pumping it in and out of her while she held onto his neck for dear life.

It didn't take him long to understand where most of her pleasure was coming from, so he took matters into his own hands. Literally.

"N-no, no..." She whined when he took his finger out, but he kissed her, silently telling her not to worry. Lo'ak got them back in their original position, with him lying on his back and y/n sprawled out across his stomach. He ran his hand down her spine, and she lifted her hips up a little when she understood, letting him hook his fingers into her cunt from behind while he kept a firm grip on her ass.

Fingers. Because she was now taking two of them. And beautifully too, if Lo'ak had anything to say about it. He'd never seen her so completely lost in herself; and there she was now, giving in to the white heat of the fire he could feel inside of her. It was almost too much. Every desperate cry, every languid rotation of her hips, every scratch she left on his body, wanted to make him take y/n for himself. He wanted to see if she could sing just as beautifully while bouncing on his cock. But he knew exactly how dangerous those thoughts were.

He held y/n impossibly closer to him and pumped in a third finger along with the rest. Y/n's face contorted in something Lo'ak could not explain, but before he could stop himself, she was stilling in his arms. Her walls clamped down on his fingers, gushing around them. Y/n's body went as still as a rock as she tried to ground herself through her orgasm, suddenly feeling very cold and high on adrenaline at the same time. She needed Lo'ak to hold her tight.

The last thing she would have ever expected was for her lover to give out a horrified wail that she herself felt tear through his chest.

Y/n was bleeding. He'd made her bleed. "I hurt you." He panted, unable to look away from the blood on his fingers. "I knew it, I should never have-- "

"Yawne, calm down." Y/n tried to reassure him, touching his face gently. "I did not hurt me, I didn't even realize..."She sighed, feeling guilty for not having warned him sooner. "It's completely normal."

"Normal?" Lo'ak asked, bewildered. "You are bleeding." How could he have thought for a single second he could have trusted himself to hold y/n without causing her harm?

"It can happen sometimes to humans... more often than not during their first time... "She explained. "Something inside me just ripped, is all. It burns a little now, but you were making me feel so good I barely even felt the pain..." The thought of three of Lo'ak's fingers being more than enough to break her hymen made the possibility of taking his cock slightly more daunting than she'd previously imagined. But that didn't mean y/n no longer wanted him with every fiber of her being. "It won't happen again, if that makes you feel any better..."

Lo'ak pulled her close and kissed her. "You are so strong." He whispered, thinking about how lucky he was to have someone who had so willingly given themselves to him. Who trusted him with every part of their being. He hoisted y/n in his arms and took her to the bathroom, cleaning them both off with warm water and a soft towel. Even after all those years, he still remembered where everything was in her home.

As he did so, he knelt down in the small room that was clearly not built to accommodate someone of his stature and began to leave delicate kisses over y/n's mound and between her folds. It was his way of apologizing for the discomfort he'd caused her. "Are you trying to 'kiss it better'?" She giggled softly, running her hands through his braids. "Lo'ak, I promise you I'm okay..."

"Yes..." Lo'ak answered her question. "But I also just love kissing you here..." He admitted, looking up at y/n with nothing but reverence in his eyes.

It was hard to keep their hands off of each other for the rest of the night. Y/n desperately wanted to worship Lo'ak's body in the same way he'd done with her, and she wasn't going to rest until he finally let go and let someone else take care of him for once.

After a passionate make-out session against her bathroom sink, they'd stumbled back into the warmth of their bed and Lo'ak was once again aching for her. Y/n took in every single one of his reactions as her hands worked their magic over his cock: his grunts, his soft growls, his furrowed brow, and his hooded lids. Although nothing got to her quite in the same way as when he would bare his teeth, giving her a little glimpse of his sharp canines. Lo'ak was incredibly vulnerable at that moment, and he was all hers.

"Fuck, fuck y/n... " He unwillingly bucked his hips into her touch, almost throwing y/n off him by accident. "Oh shit--- sorry baby, come back here." Lo'ak reached for her and manhandled her back into his lap, unable to bite back a smile when she laughed a little. He enveloped himself around her completely, making sure the incident wouldn't happen a second time, as y/n brought him closer and closer to the edge.

Lo'ak exploded between them without much of a warning, surprising y/n with the heaviness of his load. She let out a soft moan as most of it painted her stomach, working Lo'ak's cock with her hand until he'd given her every last drop. The Na'vi was ready to apologize, embarrassed even in a state of afterglow, when he saw her bring her own finger to her lips to get a taste of his essence.

Lo'ak felt unable to breathe as he took in the debauched sight of y/n, her belly and lips covered with his seed while she looked up at him innocently.

It was going to be a long night.

[melkintoyou]

are you alone this weekend? pt.2

part 1

pairing: early career musician!mark x gf!reader

genre: angst, fluff, smut.. just two lost kids in love, trying to find their place in the world.

word count: 2.3k

notes: I feel like I can never post another fic without thanking @catboyieejeno & @markonthemoon for our conversations that inspire me. :)

Mindless hums and tracing of Mark’s finger along your skin, heightened your senses in a sleepy state. You began rustling in your sleep, soft groans slipped your lips and Mark pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Good morning baby.” His voice was groggy and low. 

He sucked in a breath and pulled you into an embrace, letting out a big sigh. 

“I’ve missed you next to me.” His head rested on top of your head as his musky scent, engulfed your lungs and your face melted into his neck. You reciprocated with a kiss into his soft, warm skin before letting him know the feeling was mutual. 

You both laid there. For a while. Just like that. Your habit of leaving curtains open, invited the beautiful, deep, ultramarine blue into the room. Covering the space, in a majestic hue. You could see the goosebumps on Mark’s skin beginning to rise up and you ran your nails along his neck and collarbone. 

Laying there, you both anticipated the sun-rise and what it would bring to light as it illuminates the darkness.

Mark suddenly removed his arms from around you to slowly shift his weight on top of you. He laid his head on your chest and looked up, smiling at you. 

“What?” You hid your face, now feeling self conscious of the intimate eye contact.

“Baby.. lemme look at you.” He coo’d.

“My pretty baby.” He kissed the middle of your chest, lovingly. 

“Thank you for being patient with me forreal, I know where my faults lie and I’m trying my best to be better. Your patience means everything to me.” You cupped his cheek as sincerity dripped from his words. “Of course, I love you.” 

“Me and you, against the world?” Mark pulled out his pinky and raised his eye brows with a cheesy grin. 

“Me and you, against the world baby.” You interconnected your pinkies and completed the promise you both had made to one another. 

Mark hum’d as his heart felt at ease after so long. He left another kiss on your chest. And unlike last time, he didn’t stop there. He attacked your entire chest with a million kisses hurriedly, as if he was about to wake up from a dream and his time was short. 

You both bursted into laughter soon after.

Although, it wasn’t long before your giggles came to an halt and your breath got caught in your throat when Mark swiftly snaked his mouth onto your nipple as he gently flicked his tongue. Your hands flew to his head and your fingers ran through his black, messy hair. You loved the feeling of his short, buzzed undercut. Just the feeling of that alone, made you shiver against the soft sheets. 

Sun was beginning to rise, slowly painting the sky a shade of orange. Birds were singing and everything was okay again. 

Mark snaked his hand to take your other nipple between his fingers, making you gasp with pleasure. He slowly kissed down your abdomen and sat back in his heels. He eyed your soaked sore in a daze before he licked his lips and ran his hands up your thighs. Giving them a squeeze, he pursed his lips. 

He slowly brought his middle and ring finger to your folds, sliding them up and down to gather your slick. His mouth opened and eyebrows raised.

“So wet for me baby.” He almost groaned, slurring his words. His eyes were consumed with nothing but lust. 

He dragged his fingers across your thigh to watch the sunlight shine off your wet.

“You drive me crazy.” 

He grabbed your thighs and pushed them as far back as he could, as much as your body allowed. Pushing them together, he smacked your ass and your moan wasn’t even half way out of your mouth, before he dove into your pussy. 

His mouth was messy, quick and incredibly desperate to taste you. He wanted to devour every inch of you before he could even think about the clit. He was drunk off the taste of you and there was no stopping him. 

Mark continued to push your thighs back because even though he’s too shy to admit. He enjoyed seeing you like this. Folded under him, by him, so submissive and weak to his touch. The thought of this made his dick twitch and it made him latch onto you harder. 

Your moans were gradually getting louder, filling the entire apartment. Mark’s favourite sound. He told you as he coo’d you close to your climax.

You would think he was on a mission the way he attacked your clit, refusing to let go. Your attempts of breaking free from his grip, due to overstimulation were feeble. He loved the feeling of your thighs shaking around his face every time you peaked.

 And by the third time, you were both left in an ecstatic state. You tried to squirm away from Mark, pushing his head away and climbing further up in the bed but it was no use when he stuck to you like glue. His face was soaking and red, his breath was heavy, yet he showed no signs of stopping. 

It was when you hit your fourth orgasm, Mark finally came up for air and slapped his wet fingers against your ass, once again. His face was glistening in the sun as he flashed you a cheeky smile, trying to catch his breath.

Immediately, his hands went back to your calfs as he slipped inside you, bottoming out instantly. His eyes shut and nose scrunched up at the feeling of your walls swallowing him whole. The warm, wet feeling, he missed so dearly. His thrusts were shallow and quick. As much as he wanted to take himself out all the way and enter you again. He just couldn’t get himself away from you. He was needy. His hips rolled so deep into you, you swore he could touch your cervix. 

Moaning uncontrollably, it was no hiding how pathetic you both were for each other. Mark’s face on top of your face, he let you feel all his weight as he pounded into you. You both had morphed into one being for this moment. You both were so close, yet you wanted him even closer. You wanted him inside your ribcage, away from the world. You wanted him to be your’s to take care for the rest of your life. 

The realisation of your feelings, started to make your eyes water as you edged to another orgasm. You clenched around him.

“Fuck-“ Mark’s rhythm got sloppy and his breath shaky. 

“Baby are you close? Me too.” He said into your mouth before giving you a kiss. Continuing his strokes, he let you swallow his moans and curse words.

With a grunt, he came inside you. Triggering the softest climax of the day that Mark decided to lazily, fuck you through. 

He had lost all care in the world about his own climax and the fact that he was over stimulated right now. All he cared about was making you feel good and making you cum for as long as he physically could. He pushed past his soreness to give you every last bit of him as he could before collapsing on you and releasing your legs.

“Girl’s always take the hottest shower bro, can we please not boil today?” Mark laughed, making his request. Washing down your back, he left soft kisses along your skin. 

“Shut up and ride the wave Mark.” You turned around to kiss him once again and you both got comfortable in the shower out of habit. 

The pair of you stood in this warm, cozy bathroom in contrast to the cold, outside world. Only the sound of water, love confessions and giggles could be heard and you felt your heart swell with overwhelming love for him. 

He turned you around and grabbed your shampoo, slowly massaging your scalp. Your eyes fell shut as you leaned into his touch and let out a deep sigh. His long fingers worked their magic as he washed your hair and a subtle honey smell covered the bathroom, along with steam.

You felt him poke against your ass and you giggled, pressing against his dick. Mark quickly winced and pulled back. “Baby.. I’m so sore. My dick hurts.” He laughed looking down at himself, he shook his head and you both laughed. 

Rinsing your hair off all the shampoo, he put your hair in a clip just like you had taught him before. And you were reminded, this is why. You thought to yourself. 

You and Mark had known each other for so long. It was as if you both have morphed into one soul that’s physically split into two halves. Him knowing how you like your hair up, your favourite smell or your subway order. The way his acts of service and attention to detail came so effortlessly to him, is what made you look past the inevitable doom of this relationship.

All of a sudden, your heart began pounding once again as reality seeped in and your smile dropped. 

“Mark?”

“Yeah baby?” He kissed the back of your shoulder.

“We gotta talk about this babe. We need to talk about us.” You began by getting into the way you did not enjoy  how the last argument had escalated and resulted in radio silence. 

“If we’re gonna do this, that cannot happen again. We both have to communicate better.” You added to your thoughts. 

You apologised for your part in the fight and addressed the importance of looking at each others pov, instead of being driven by emotion and losing control. 

Mark agreed and hum’d for most part before he shared his mind. “Thoughts of you consumed me the whole time we were apart.. I just.. I didn’t know what to say to you.. how to make this better.. you know?” 

His head hung low and his voice cracked. “I don’t know how to make this better.” 

You wrapped your arms around his waist and his arms draped across your shoulders. 

“I know baby..” You barely whispered into his skin and you both stood there. As the water continued running, the sun was finally, fully bright and you could hear the world slowly come back to reality. 

You both held onto each other, held onto a dream that the universe was forcing you to wake up from. You felt your eyes beginning to pool as you looked up at him. 

“Mark I-“ 

Before you could even begin your sentence, his phone interrupted this cocoon of fantasy and he jolted, dropping his arms from around you. 

“Fuck- baby.. I’m sorry. I’ve got to take this.” Mark ran out of his bathroom, leaving you there. Alone. As the water trickled down your body, you were once again filled with dread of where this is going. 

A month after since you last saw Mark. Reality had began to settle in as you walked around the city aimlessly, with your headphones and wet eyes. It was time for your “stupid little mental health walk” and you couldn’t believe this is what life was now. 

Soon finding a cozy bench, you made yourself comfortable as you stared into the pond of ducks.

Flashbacks of memories with Mark began to flood your mind as you quickly wiped your tears away. You could almost see yourself laying on the grass, under the tree with Mark. The first time you both did shrooms together and how in love you felt.

“I don’t know how to explain it” You giggled, covering your face. You felt yourself blushing. 

“Like… I love you, so much. But, no words, language, painting, song can capture how it feels in here.” You said taking Mark’s hand and placing it on your chest. He just looked at you, pupils wide. He was at a loss for words. 

“It’s like, how you say ‘you and me against the world’.. I get it.. I finally get it.” 

“FUCK everyone. Fuck this world, the suffering, the pain- the corruption. Fuck our baggage, fuck our insecurities, our fear of fucking this up.. fuck everything.” You added to your monologue.

“We have created this pocket of world. You and me. Just us. No body is allowed in and it feels good. It feels safe.” Your giggles continued, even with the tears that began streaming down your face. 

“Man fuck all of it. I want you. I want all of you, I want this. I want a house, I want a life. I want a house in the clouds.. Away from all the shit that doesn’t matter, you know?” 

“I don’t ever wanna do life without you.” Your voice cracked and all Mark could do was kiss you. 

Taking your lips in his, he felt at peace. “Yes baby.. a house in the clouds. I gotchu.” He mumbled against your lips and tucked your hair behind your ear. He was also crying but his smile was so big.

“And the only way to express this love to you, is for you to be inside me right now.” You said with  seriousness in your tone.

Mark covered your mouth and laughed. 

“Baby we’re outside! You gonna get us in trouble.” He coo’d as he brought his lips to your forehead. “You’re so cute.” 

You felt sick as you replayed the course of your relationship in your mind for the umpteenth time. You wondered, “how did we get here?”

You wondered how did you get from planning to build a house in the clouds to that morning before Mark left. How you had told him, him leaving abruptly that morning would mean it’s over. 

Only this time, there was no yelling, no heated words exchanged. Just two pairs of wet, pleading eyes, begging to be understood. 

“Please don’t make me do life without you..” You asked earnestly, as your voice cracked. Ready to fall apart any second. You took a step towards him and he looked to the floor.

Mark had never felt so defeated in his life, until this moment. “I don’t think I can give you what you deserve.” 

[clementine-thedestroyer]

Creep - Nisse!Soap x reader

Warnings/tags: Fem!reader, nsfw, very creepy Johnny. Stalking, toxic behavior, Johnny watching reader without their knowledge or consent. Mastrubation, possessiveness. As a long time supporter of the Creep!Soap agenda, I have decided to put my own spin on the idea.

Nisse: House spirits who live in a realm of interconnected pocket dimensions, known as nowhere-space, made up from the unused and inaccessible space within houses. From the space between furniture and the wall to the depths under the bed, it’s all part of their hidden worlds. But it’s not just the forgotten spaces, it’s the forgotten belongings of the home owners. From old socks missing their matches to entire pieces of furniture if they’re ignored long enough- if a nisse finds something the unwanted by the homeowner, it’s already theirs.

Nisse!Johnny, whose presence you’re completely oblivious too- but who is anything but oblivious to yours.

He’s watching you, constantly. Always just watching you as you go about your mornings and evenings. He's watching everything: from how you make your coffee to how you only shake your hips and dance to your music when you think you're alone.

In the shower, while you sleep, as you get dressed- he’s always watching. Usually from the safety of nowhere-space, but occasionally he’ll get bold enough to get up close to you as you sleep- anything to get a good view of your beautiful, vulnerable sleeping face.

And oh, how he loved it. How he loved you. How he loved just being around you. In your presence, even without any interaction. Just watching, listening, fantasizing- and your perfect cluelessness to the whole thing just made it better.

Was it creepy? Sick? Wrong? Maybe, but that wasn’t going to stop him. It wasn’t going to stop him from watching you, and it certainly wasn’t going to stop him from taking your things. Especially not when taking your things was the only part that he is arguably supposed to be doing.

He’s a nisse! It’s his job to take your forgotten items off your hands for you! It was almost a favor, really. You should be grateful to him. At least in his opinion. 

That ornament that one of your ex’s bought you a few Christmases ago before you two broke up? The one that you never even hang up, that makes you all sad and ruins your mood when you see it in the box? Yeah, that one. He’s really doing you a favor by making it… “get lost” one year.

Same thing with the phone number he found hastily scribbled onto a napkin in your purse. That guy wasn’t going to be good for you, he could just tell. It was best for him to just make it disappear, really. 

And that pair of panties that somehow got nudged a bit too far under your bed? His. Absolutely his. His, the second they touched the ground.

Under the bed was textbook nisse territory. So it was your own fault, really.

And he was even nice enough to return them… eventually.

Only after holding them to his cock and jerking off all over the pretty fabric, of course. Imagining that- instead of fucking his fist and rubbing his cock against your stolen underwear- that he had you to hold down and bully his cock into- that he had you to squeeze and dig his fingers into- to pin you down by the hips as you squirmed and made your sweet, pretty little noises for him. All for him, even if you didn’t know it.

And one day, he would have that. But for now, he would have to make due with only the sick sense of satisfaction and possession that came with watching you unknowingly wearing the pair of cum-stained panties he had used to placate himself just the night before.

The way he sees it, this house and it’s nowhere-space was his territory. It belonged to him.

And by extension, so did the things inside it. Including you.

[star-girl69]

Ultraviolence

Natalie Scatorccio x Fem!Reader

—-

a/n: i LOOVVVEEE natalie i had to so i hope you all enjoy!!

also- send me a private message, an ask, or leave a comment if you want to be apart of the taglist!

warnings: mentions of blood and death, swearing, tell me if i missed anything!!

Chapter One - Deadly Nightshade

Chapter One - Deadly Nightshade

—-

Growing up with a botanist for a mother, you were used to the smell of dirt, to the feel of leaves on your skin. Unwillingly, names and characteristics of every plant in your mother’s greenhouse had been drilled into your brain since childhood.

But, there was this sort of magic that surrounded deadly nightshade. Atropa belladonna, or deadly nightshade, is a toxic plant you can draw from memory. There’s just something so magical about the mirror-black berries, the soft green stems and leaves. Like there’s been this sheen covering the plant every since your childhood. Your eyes are drawn to it.

It’s just this small plant, that sprouts these beautiful berries. It is seemingly safe- harmless. When you let your guard down and pop that berry into your mouth, feel it explode between your teeth, and that is when the poison starts. It’s been weaved into the fabric of the known world- used in stories, warned about in cautionary tales.

You’ve always felt this kinship with that plant, like you came from the same place, learned your lessons from the same teachers.

You are deadly and you are nightshade. You are a botanist’s daughter, an aspiring journalist, and a student at Wiskayok High School.

—-

1996-

Everyone was shouting and screaming. Not only the players on the team, but the crowd who has gathered to watch, cheering and yelling and whistling.

“Allie! Allie, Allie!” one of them shouted, trying to get the ball from her. You looked up from your notebook, watching as the girl in question- Allie, Number Eleven- tried to maneuver past a girl from the opposing team. But, she was still a freshman, still had so much to learn, so the other team took the ball.

You sighed, heavily. Sports weren’t the most fascinating thing in the world, but as a member of the school paper, you had been assigned to track their progress all season. Everyone had known from the beginning that these were the type of girls who were going to win. They were champions. They were going to nationals.

You’d found yourself becoming emotionally invested in the team, feeling sad when they lost, happy when they won. But something about the way the girls just moved together, the way they were interconnected- not only was it a way to spend your day, work your way up the school paper hierarchy- but something fun to watch.

Another girl, her curly brown hair pulled back by a bandana- Taissa, Number Eight- shot forward with more determination that ever. Like a bullet, set on her target, she whizzed through the air- a straight shot, the line came to you. You struggled to both write that down and pay attention to the game. Soon enough, the ball was back into the Yellowjacket’s feet.

An uptick in the cheering. Another note in your notebook.

Taissa passed it to Shauna, Number Six, who got it around a small cluster of the other team. The white and black of the ball barely visible through the red of the other team. After a moment of bated breath, she passes the ball back to Taissa, safely around the swarm of red jerseys.

Parts of soccer felt like just a fight for the ball. Like the ball was already the trophy, and they had to keep it safe from anyone who would try to steal it.

“Tai! Tai!” Jackie, Number Nine, shouted. Taissa glanced upwards, waited until Jackie had ran forward enough, then kicked the ball with such a ferocity that you could barely see it arc through the air.

Finally, it met it’s mark, and collided with Jackie’s head.

You could hear a few gasps, but this was all apart of the plan.

Besides, the gasps turned into cheers when the ball rolled past the goalie, safely delivered into the net. They had kept the trophy. And they were going to nationals.

—-

2021-

“Have a nice day!”

The smile was fake. The voice was too. But the customer gave you a tight-lipped smile back, muttering “you too”, before grabbing her bags and hurrying off.

You wanted to take your break, sit down and rest your aching ankle for just a moment, but there was one more customer in your line.

The grocery store was a boring job. It was a Whole Foods, on the outskirts of New York City, just a few blocks away from your apartment.

After the plane crash, you tried to go back to your hometown. You tried to be close to the trees and the grass. But you found that you couldn’t. A second too long, a moment that you spent thinking, and suddenly it was the wilderness again.

Suddenly, your backyard was full of pits with spikes, tree stumps, and so, so much blood.

Two minutes too long in Central Park- and suddenly you were trapped in the forest again, a burning plane next to you, and screaming all around.

“Good morning,” the woman smiled. She set a chocolate candy bar on the conveyor belt, and you smiled and reached over to grab it.

“Good morning. Did you find everything okay today?”

The woman nods and makes a “mhm” sound. You can feel her eyes on you, and it’s no surprise when she says-

“Are you Y/N L/N?”

Sometimes, someone obsessed with the plane crash will find you. They’ll come to your house, to your job, and you tell them the same thing you told the reporters. They always seem so sad. They always think they were the first person to find you, to ask you.

So, you pat their back and say you wish you could tell them more- but all you did was scavenge and starve. And to the world, that’s all you did. But the ones that are left know the truth.

“Yes,” you say, trying to keep the polite smile on your face. You scan the chocolate bar. “Will that be all?”

“I’m Jessica Roberts. Star-Ledger.” She almost seems a little- apologetic. Sheepish, but this is the act they all put on, their little journalist show, that they all forget you know as well. “I wanted to call you, but you don’t seem to have a number, hm?”

“I’m not interested in talking to anyone. There’s books and magazines and newspapers, please just look at those. Now, will that be all?”

You place the chocolate bar in front of her with perhaps more force than is necessary. She glances down at it.

She has tan, dark skin, and short curly black hair. She’s quite pretty, but you’ve developed a distaste for reporters and journalists.

“Y/N-”

“I’m very sorry I can’t help you with that. Will you be paying with cash or card?”

She sighs, and digs through the pocket of her green jacket, taking out a brown wallet. She starts to take out a five dollar bill, but stops. She looks up, and her eyes meet yours.

“I don’t need help, Y/N. I’m looking to help you.”

You flipped the light switch on your station, showing that you were closed. You looked back down at the money, waiting for it expectantly. They were usually this persistent, but something about this woman made you want to get away.

“I know you’ve been letting other people tell your story. People who barely knew you. And they’re making a lot of money doing it.”

“I’m doing fine with money, thank you, besides for the $2.25 you owe right now.”

She smiles. “Five minutes.”

“$2.25.”

“If you don’t like what I have to say, then I’ll leave you alone. Promise.”

You sigh, and your look out the window, spotting the planter tree in the sidewalk.

It starts to twist. The bark turns darker. The branches start to move in odd ways, odd ways that can’t be explain by the wind. The darker bark can’t be explain by a shadow or a cloud.

The wilderness is in you. And sometimes it comes out.

Before you know what you’re doing, you’ve grabbed the money from her hand, pressed the cash button the screen, and dumped her change into her awaiting hand.

You look up at her slightly shocked face, but she recovers quickly.

“Alright. I get it. But think about it.” She produces a card from her other pocket. “Call me if you change your mind.”

“Have a nice day!” you say through gritted teeth.

She smiles.

And when you look over, the tree on the sidewalk looks how it did before. The wilderness is gone, for now, but it always comes back.

—-

1996-

The locker room is alight with a sort of electricity. A song plays through a small speaker, and Shauna primps her hair, while Taissa ties her shoes, completing the uniform.

With nationals comes a lot of recognition. The pep rally today is for them, not some stupid football team. You think back snarkily to Gordon River, the journalist who covers the Wiskayok football team, and how pissed off he must be.

“Hey, yeah!” the song rings out. “I want to shoop, baby!”

The girls start to join in, singing along with bright smiles borne from what can only be victory.

“Girls, what’s my weakness?”

“Men!” they all shout, and you smile as you look over your notes from the game, thinking already about how to weave it all into a story.

“Okay then, chillin’, chillin’, minding my business- Yo, Salt, I looked around and I couldn’t believe this- I swear, I stares, my niece my witness- The brother had it goin’ on with somethin’ kind of uh- Wicked, wicked, had to kick it-”

You look up at the girls in front of you, Lottie dancing off around you, watching Taissa, Natalie, Shauna, and Laura Lee sing to each other.

You smile and walk off, hearing the song end and the girls all erupt into shouts and cheers. You turn the corner, bringing your notebook to your chest, watching Van and Lottie stare at themselves in the mirror.

“Does someone wanna tell Kelly Kapowski to maybe worry less about prom and more about not fucking up nationals?” Lottie asks, fluffing up her hair while Van makes a mustache with a piece of her ponytail.

Taissa moves around you, leaning in front of the mirror to fix her own hair.

“Oh, come on,” she says.

“If she plays like she did at states…” Lottie continues.

“Don’t worry,” Taissa says, standing up and crossing her hands. The girls in the mirror all look to her. “That’s not gonna happen.”

Then, she simply walks off.

—-

“Hey, Misty,” you smile, coming to stand next to her. The boys portion of the pep rally is ending, the speaker encouraging everyone to clap- but that’s not why this crowd is here.

“Hi!” she says, her blonde curls bouncing, smiling wide.

The crowd claps sparsely, and the boys all stand there looking rather awkwardly.

Misty was- something. You weren’t really sure what she officially did, but she supported the team with her entire heart. The boys slowly filed off of the gym floor.

“Now, our next act needs so introduction.” Misty started bouncing on the balls of her feet. “So let’s all just make some noise for your New Jersey State Girls’ Soccer Champions!”

You tucked your notebook to your chest so you could clap, while Misty kept bouncing and then shouting and cheering louder then anyone else. You smiled a little bit, admiring her dedication and enthusiasm.

The girls ran out onto the gym floor, and you took mental notes of how much louder and happier the crowd was. Even the mascot of the school came out, a cartoonish bee, encouraging the crowd to cheer louder, more.

Misty started chanting “buzz, buzz, buzz!” Which was the official chant of the team. They were called the Yellowjackets, so bees and buzzing made sense.

The girls all filed into a line, some clapping, some smiling- some more genuine then others- but all of them basking in the glory of victory. It was a good look, you had to admit. The title of your small little column on the paper came to you now-

Yellowjackets: Burning Bright in Victory

—-

[kit-williams]

Hello its Cuckoo.

Totally fine with waiting and I appreciate the update.

I will admit my last ask did slant a bit more romantic.

So I've brought full fluff with this. How I perceive legions react to receiving unconditional love and care from human(s) in the husbandry altered earth.

Disclaimer: I don't know all the successor chapters so I'm going broad strokes.

Baseline: All marines Chaos, Renegade or Loyal, Do feel displaced. They're all just some level between coping and thriving.

Blood Angels - Honestly not too bad. They were a decently kind legion before and they still are. There is worry about their previous location but also!! There's so much time for art now, and these humans don't venerate them as untouchable so they can actually be More social. Not to mention their humans are willing to aid in their dietary needs.

Rating: Doing crayon drawings with your bonded's youngling while dinner cooks. Life is good.

Imperial Fist - Coping to okay. The most important part of a fortress are the ones who built and man it. And they can't man their fortresses if they're not in the same bloody timeline as them! Still though, so much in need of fortification Here too.

Rating: Coming home to find your Imperial Fist turned your home into a seige proof fortress cause they got separation anxiety while you were at work. Hugs inside their panic room storm cellar are mandatory for the rest of the night.

Thousand Sons - What do you Mean no human here has magic!?!? Utterly baffled by the absence of Psychers. Humans here are even more fragile than back home! Also one of the most aware that the warp is doing something fucky to make this happen. Unbonded TSs are studying this phenomena as much as they can. Bonded ones are studying their humans for latent magic. They are enjoying the many mythological/occult books and paraphernalia available.

Rating: Being coerced into always picking magic themed movies for movie night but not really minding as the way your Thousand Son takes intense focused notes and gets you in on the pantomime is endearing.

Night Lords - What is Wrong!? With!? These!? Humans!? Utterly Baffled that humans here are brave enough to approach them. Did their silhouettes not strike FEAR in the hearts of entire militaries!? Did the mere whisper of their name not bring entire planets into compliance!? Did they not- Wait what are you doing? What is this!?

Affection.

Disgusting

...Okay

...I did not tell you to stop.

Rating: Spooky Scary Tsunderes

Salamanders: Best Day EEEEEEEEVER!!! They are SO happy. There's so much GOOD they can do here. Help the elderly cross the streets, aid lost children, torch human killer warbands into ash...finger painting.And the forging, The Forging! Showing these humans a proper 40th millenia forge (or as close as possible) and there are so many who want to learn! They have a whole new interconnected family to look after and only occasional minor life and death situations.

Rating: Finger painting with the daycare children while your bonded who works there buzzes around giving out snacks and compliments, before the group switches to forge practice. Vulcan Would be Proud.

Emperors Children/Noise Marines: Putting these in the same blurb because they're cut from the same cloth. They both love art of all kinds. Its just the type of art in question. Emperors Children are drawn to classic mediums, while Noise Marines skew more modern. Both groups also partake in much Much primping. Beauticians to special effects make up artists find themselves the muses of EC/NM. EC's are more concerned by the current situation, but they can't deny this Terra has many experiences to offer. And so many cute humans who adore their attention and beauty treatments. It's really quite gratifying. The Noise Marines are much more go with the flow. This world is ripe with new sensations and they're eager to indulge, especially in the music scene. Even if these settlements pale in comparison to those of their universe they still have excellent entertainments like bars, dance clubs and Skating Rinks.

Rating: Having a back and forth home spa day/makeup session with your EC/NM while listening to ya'lls favorite playlist. Then tearing up the dance floor when you go out that night.

Iron Warriors: What is this?

Affection?

... ... what's the catch?

None, you already fixed and improved every appliance in my house. I never even knew things could run so efficiently you did an amazing job!

... ...

You okay?

... fine (literally bursting with joy but has No idea how to handle it and will Not show it.)

Whats that, Appreciation? Legitimate thank yous? Downright basic human decency. Every Iron Warrior is waiting to be pinched, cause this Must be a dream.

So many millenia of doing all the empire's Worst Jobs. So many times they were derided for their brutality, yet they were leaned on for it. They could be nothing else.

But here, Here! In this bizarre Terra, they can be...anything! Forgemasters, engineers, artists, architects, anything! Anything and everything! After so long of getting the imperium's short stick, and then falling into the rot of chaos, Finally they are given what they've always desired. And they will Not allow Anything to take this happiness away be it Chaos or Loyalist.

Rating: (thinking about everybody in their old universe while holding their bonded human for cuddle time) Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, hate you slightly less, fuck you...

Thank you for understanding I really like what you wrote but yeah it leans heavily into the "non canon" canon of Husbandry (GOD DAMN IT I MIGHT JUST HAVE TO MAKE A LEWD HUSBANDRY AU TAG)

SO I love this. And I kinda agree! Though some of these are a bit memey/community fueled slants but honestly legion stereotypes kinda have a curl of truth to them.

EC in my headcanon also make a lot of the clothes as everybody came in just their armor so they make the clothes.

Night Lords are very on point. They never said to stop. And when they bond they bond HARD sure they might act tsundere but they crave that bond.

Iron Warriors are completely on point. Continue to praise them they will siege and burn down everything for their humans.

I love your depiction of these. Do you have more ideas?

[queer-ragnelle]

tristan/isolde/palomides your MIND

LISTEN I have so many thoughts about them!! It’s an actual tragedy that they’ve never inhabited a movie together. I first noticed them in Le Morte d'Arthur, as I'm sure most people did, as it's more accessible than the Prose Tristan. But I didn't really appreciate them until after I read Between Knights: Triangular Desire and Sir Palomides by Oldga Burakov Mongan. In this essay, Mongan claims:

Very often the bond between the desiring subject [Palomides] and his beloved [Isolde] is peripheral, subordinate in its intensity, to the subject's relationship with his male 'mediator of desire' [Tristan].

This essay breaks down many of the encounters between these three in Le Morte and demonstrates how interconnected they truly are. Speaking for myself, I prefer La Tavola Ritonda instead. I'm not quite done scanning that, but it will be on my blog ASAP.

In the mean time, it has one of my favorite Palomides introductions ever.

There entered on the side of the King of Scozia a knight who bore all black insignia, and who was called Palamidesso the Pagan, a son of King Scalabrino. This Palamidesso carried two swords by his side as a signal that no knight had ever made him bend over the saddlebow.

Duel wielding? Bend over the saddlebow, you say? Interesting. Palomides goes on to win this tournament! After that he follows his lord to another castle where he first sees Isolde, falls in love with her, and begins a hateful staring contest with Tristan (literally). It's here that they battle for the first time...

As Tristano looked over the field, he saw that Sir Palamidesso was leaving, and called out to him, "Hallo, knight, guard yourself against me! I am the knight you met at King Languis' court, and it seems now that I am the worthier of the love of Isotta the Blonde!" Bold Palamidesso, hearing those words, turned his horse's head around and, drawing his sword, gave Tristano such blows on his helmet that he bent him over the saddlebow. But Tristano hit back, and hit Palamidesso so hard on his helmet that he made blood gush out of his mouth and nose, and knocked him off his horse so badly wounded that for a long time he was unconscious. Thus Palamidesso lost the prize, and lost also the right to wear two swords.

Compelling word choice throughout this. Anyway as per usual they continue to squabble until eventually settling their differences and becoming friends (in part thanks to Lancelot who apparently rents out his castle for polyamorous hookups).

"When I was jousting with Sir Lancilotto the other day, he said to me, 'Now, Palamidesso, Gioiosa Guardia is worth more than any other place in the world, for it holds a noble treasure.' Therefore I imagine that this treasure is Sir Tristan and the beautiful Isotta, because those two are the ones who excel all others in the world in beauty, prowess, and courtesy." When he heard these words, Tristano allowed Palamidesso to remount and then let his lance fall, since Palamidesso had broken his. Then he spoke in this way: "Palamidesso, Palamidesso, here is this Tristano you have been searching for. Come and fight me, if you want to. If not, I am willing to stop because of those words you spoke. I am your enemy, but I am ready to make peace with you. Still, if it would please you to fight, I am ready to do battle with you. You may choose whichever pleases and delights you most." Palamidesso replied, "Surely, Tristano, the man who could have you for a friend would be foolish to want you for an enemy, Therefore I ask that there be peace and good friendship between us."

Nobody tell Palomides that Lancelot was almost certainly referring to Guinevere and not Tristan or Isolde. But their truce culminates in everyone joining back up at Cuck Castle Joyous Guard.

The knights then rode in that direction, and when they arrived at the main palace they found the lady, Queen Isotta, all happy and joyous, attended by ladies and maidens. When Tristano told her how he and Palamidesso had made peace, she was very glad of it, and welcomed the knights with much honor. Then the tables were set out, and they all sat down to eat.

Much later, King Arthur hosts a joust in which all participants are to bring a lady. So, now that everyone are friends, Isolde is brought along with a retinue of knights, including Tristan and Palomides. They wear her colors and fight on "her" side against Arthur, Lancelot, and their kinsmen on Guinevere's "side." Polyamory enjoyers, this text is for us. Anyway the only portion of that I'll include is this sweet passage which really illustrates that the friendship in this little group is genuine. They're all affectionate after the truce and everyone is having a great time.

When Isotta had returned to the pavilion, the tables were set out and food was prepared, and when water had been brought out for their hands, they sat down to eat. As they ate, Gariette looked out and saw Palamidesso going by looking for them, and pointed him out to Sir Tristano. Tristano got up and went to meet him, taking him by the hand and leading him into the pavilion, where he disarmed and sat at the table. They all passed that night in great joy.

After this, they all live happily ever after, and nothing bad happens. :'^) I'll have La Tavola Ritonda done soon, and then you all can enjoy it too. I promise it's worth getting used to the Italian names, it's so fun! Thanks for the ask!

[aquaburst3]

One of the issues I’ve noticed with Twisted Wonderland is how character relationships tend to exist in isolation, with little continuity or impact beyond their respective vignettes. In many cases, relationships are introduced, but they rarely come up again in meaningful ways once the spotlight shifts elsewhere.

Take Kalim, for example. The game tells us he’s friends with Silver and close with the Light Music Club, yet when Kalim is acting ooc in Scarabia, none of them check in on him. If they were truly friends, wouldn’t they be concerned when they hear about his sudden shift in behaviour? This kind of disconnect makes their supposed friendships feel shallow and unconvincing.

They aren't the only ones. Despite Jack showing up in Vil's flashback, implying that they have a strong connection, the game never follows up on this relationship. The only hint we get that they’re close is one vignette where they exercise together every morning. Beyond that, there’s little to show that they care about each other let alone are friends. Hell, I've seen plenty of "rewrite" fics where Jack talks about Vil as if he was a casual fan that hung out with him a couple times instead of childhood friends, which completely undermines their actual bond. Even the most popular crossover fic in the fandom is guilty of this. (You probably know EXACALY what one I'm talking about if you been on AO3.)

Which brings up another question: If they talk to each other every morning and are fairly close, why the fuck didn't Jack step in and help Vil during his overblot? That seems incredibly OOC that he wouldn't do anything to help save the life of someone who he cares about. Even if you argue that they aren't as close anymore, Jack still seems like the type that would be at least concerned about Vil acting strangely, especially if he suspects him being about to overblot.

This problem extends to other pairs as well. Trey and Cater, Leona and Ruggie, Jamil and Kalim, Vil and Rook, and even Ace and Deuce bonds all seem to lose significance as soon as they're out of the spotlight. This suggests that the disconnect between Vil and Jack, and other similar relationships, is more of a writing oversight on Yana's part than an intentional choice. It’s frustrating because these characters could have been so much more if the game had taken the time to explore their dynamics further.

It’s a real shame, because these relationships offer so much untapped potential. If the game had shown us more of these bonds instead of simply telling us about them, it could’ve fleshed out the cast and made the world feel more interconnected. For example, if Jack and Vil’s friendship had been given more attention, it would have enriched both characters. It would have shown that Jack values people for their inner qualities, moving beyond the "tsundere jock" archetype and giving him more depth, being able to put effort into his appearance if the occasion calls for it. On the flip side, it would prove that Vil isn't vain and values others for their hard work over fitting a certain beauty standard.

While this is something I want to fix in my own rewrite, it's still annoying that this happens in the actual game.

[mcverse]

✧ Paring: Lo’ak x Human! F! Reader

✧ Requested: Yes/No

✧ Type: One Shot

✧ Word count: 2.8K

✧ Warnings: It’s flufff, & slight angst obvi, anxious reader is relatable

✧ Side Bar: I stayed up all night because this couldn’t leave my head

please keep in mind that all characters in my stories are always 18+, and although I can't monitor who reads my work, if you are not 18+ I advise that you do not engage in my page or stories.

Pandora was the only place you'd ever called home, but it was a complex relationship. Despite being born on the planet, you didn't belong to its native people.

Instead, you were technically aligned with the Sky People—a group with a history of destroying hope and leaving chaos in their wake. For years, they'd traveled across space to set foot on this lush, alien world and decimate its resources.

You knew deep down that you didn't share their values or their vision for the future. You couldn't claim them as your own, not when you felt such a strong connection to the vibrant, interconnected ecosystem of Pandora.

But that didn't mean you were exempt from the judgement of others. In the eyes of many Na’vi, you were just another outsider—a demon, no less—who was profiting off the exploitation of their world.

As much as they may believe it, they couldn't be more mistaken. You may not possess the same physical form as the Na'vi, nor the ability to connect with the planet through Tsaheylu, but your heart beats in harmony with Pandora, and you feel a deep connection to its magnificent beauty and delicate balance like it was a part of you.

You understood why the Na'vi were hesitant to accept you. They had been betrayed by the sky people before, and their distrust of outsiders was understandable. It didn't make it any less difficult, however, to feel like you were constantly on the outside looking in.

You suspected that Spider shared your yearning for acceptance. He had changed his appearance, donning the blue paint and attire of the Na'vi, to look more like a native. But beneath the surface, he was still a human like you, with all the limitations and flaws that came with it.

It was difficult to keep up with him, your mind burdened by the fear of being scrutinized and evaluated by others. The weight of that anxiety was suffocating, making it hard for you to venture out and visit Hometree, the heart of the Omaticaya clan.

As a result, you only made the trip twice during your childhood, opting instead to spend most of your time with the Sully children and Spider in the surrounding forest.

Perhaps it was wrong of you to feel content with your current situation, quietly existing without the formal acceptance of the Na'vi. You didn't want to pressure them into welcoming you with open arms, but at the same time, you longed to be acknowledged and appreciated for who you are.

Spider's approach of hovering in between acceptance and rejection seemed tempting, but you knew it trying to follow in his pattern wouldn't be true to yourself. You wanted to be seen as you truly are, not as an imitation of someone else.

This makes you feel incredibly grateful for the Sully kids, as they have become like family to you. Though you don't believe that Eywa sees you, you know that the Sully kids see you for who you are and accept you as a part of their group. You feel a sense of belonging and comfort that you seek out in the world, and you know that they will always be by your side.

Spider, what’s not to love about him? Growing up, you came to know him as your brother not by blood. There were moments he was annoying, as brothers do but he can also be fiercely protective of you, sweet, and comforting when you need it most. You know that he always has your best interests at heart and will do anything for you.

Your sister from another species, Kiri, was literally your best friend. You did everything together, told each other everything. It was a little worrisome or scare to those from the outside, with how in sync you’re feelings are and the ability to when the others down and need some cheering to do. They just didn’t understand neither of you.

Little Tuk wasn’t so little anymore but she was still your very your own personal cheerleader. You remember learning the term after finding an old yearbook from someone left behind, and it seemed to fit her perfectly. She always roots for you at your accomplishments, and loves making things for you just because she felt like it. To you, she is the sweetest thing on the planet.

The mighty warrior, Neteyam, was a strict and protective man even with you. Though you may not be blood, he never gave you a reason to consider otherwise. You were extended family, who deserved just as much watchfulness and guidance as his own siblings and Spider.

But Lo’ak was a different case altogether. When growing up alongside him, you saw him like you did Spider and Neteyam, just a friendly face who you could count on to be there when you needed him. However, things changed once you hit puberty. Your feelings towards him began to shift, and you couldn't help but think of him constantly, wondering what he was up to and if he ever thought of you in the same way.

Your feelings for him were string, but you were always hesitant to act on them. You knew that the idea of two different species being together was frowned upon, and you feared the backlash that might come from confessing your love to him. Kiri may have found your feelings for Lo’ak cute, but you found them repulsive and frustrating, as they consumed your every thought.

Through your fears and doubts, you longed to tell Lo’ak how much he meant to you. You wanted him to know that you saw his hard work and effort when nobody else did, and that you loved everything about him, even his five fingers and eyebrow hair. Sometimes you couldn't help but wonder if he saw you in the same way, but you never dared to find out, fearing the worst.

When Lo’ak completed his final rite of passage, you realized that your chance to confess your feelings had come and gone. He was now old enough to find a mate, and even though he hadn't done so yet, you knew that it was only a matter of time.

You pushed your feelings aside, burying them deep within you in an attempt to move on and forget about what could have been—if only you weren’t so scared, filled to the brim with anxiety and self consciousness.

Nervously you fiddle with your fingers, trying to compose yourself as you watch Lo’ak playfully wrestle with Spider. Did he ever notice the way you looked at him, how your skin would heat up every time he touches you or how you couldn't stop smiling when he was next to you? You had been trying to move on from these feelings for months, but he had a hold on you that you couldn't shake off.

It felt like you were hooked, reeled in, and trapped by your feelings for him. The phrase "sink, line, and hooker" had become all too familiar to describe the pull he had on you. You had fallen for him hard, and it was frustrating because the only other human around your age was Spider. Moving on to him would just feel wrong, for so many reasons.

You’re so lost in thought when you feel a tap on your shoulder and turn to see Kiri kneeling there with a smile on her face. She rubs your shoulder gently and says, "Stay out of your head, everything will be okay." Her words provide a small comfort, but deep down, you know that this love for Lo'ak will continue to consume you until you find a way to move on.

You thank Kiri for her kind words, returning her smile before stealing another glance at the two boys. But you are caught off guard when you notice that they are already looking at you, and quickly avert their eyes when they realize you noticed.

You feel a pang of discomfort in your chest as you wonder what they found so amusing. Spider is snickering and pushing Lo'ak away from him, but their behavior only makes you feel worse.

You can't help but wonder if there is something on your face, or if they are laughing at something you said or did. Kiri doesn't say anything, leaving you to feel vulnerable and self-conscious.

You quickly turn away, blinking away a tear that has formed in your eye. You know that you are being overly sensitive, but the feeling of being laughed at and excluded by the two people closest to you hurts deeply. You feel like an outsider, like there is some secret joke about you that you are not in on. The feeling is overwhelming, and you can't shake it off.

You excuse yourself from Kiri and walk off deeper into the forest, heart pounding harder in your chest as you continue. The lush green surroundings no longer holds the calming effect they usually do.

Instead, your mind is consumed with thoughts of Lo’ak and how he must see you. Do you disgust him? Is he aware of the way you feel about him? The thought of being the laughing stock of your closest friends makes your stomach churn.

You try to shake the thought off, reminding yourself that Lo'ak has always been kind to you, and he's never given you any indication that he thinks less of you. Then the memory of Spider and Lo’ak’s laughter at your expense replay in your mind, making you feel even more self-conscious. The thought of being the subject of their amusement fills you with shame.

You hate that every time he glances your way or speaks to you, you overanalyze every word and gesture, trying to decipher if there's any hidden meaning behind them. Why couldn’t you be born in a normal world with people like you? Maybe then the heartbreak wouldn’t be so severe.

Your chest tightens and tears swell up in your eyes when you come to a stop and lean against a tree. You try closing your eyes and taking deep breaths in an effort to calm down. You try to remind yourself that these thoughts are just your insecurities talking, but it’s hard to shake the feeling of being inadequate and unlovable in a world where people can’t come to do the opposite of that.

You were so involved in your own thoughts that you failed to notice someone come up behind you until the sun no longer shined down on you, and instead, it was a shadow. Ironically, it was how you felt at the moment - overshadowed by your own emotions. You sniffled a few times, trying to gather your bearings before turning to see who it was. You were shocked to see that it was Lo’ak standing there.

You quickly composed yourself, trying to wipe your tears away, only to realize that your ecopack mask made that impossible. You turn away, feeling embarrassed and more self-conscious about being caught in such a vulnerable state.

“Are you okay?” Lo’ak asks softly, stepping closer to you.

You can feel his warmth radiating off of him, and the proximity makes your heart race. You try to push those thoughts aside, knowing that they only lead to more heartache. “I’m fine,” you say, your voice coming out weaker than you intended. You look away in cringe.

Lo'ak doesn’t seem convinced and reaches his hand out to gently grab your chin. His warm touch on your skin sends shivers down your spine, and you feel your heart rate pick up as he guides your gaze up to meet his. It's impossible to avoid the intensity of his gaze, and for a moment, you're lost in his eyes.

But the weight of your emotions is too much to bear, and you break eye contact, feeling a fresh wave of tears welling up behind your ecopack mask. You can't bring yourself to admit the truth to him, to lay bare your innermost thoughts and fears.

As if sensing your hesitation, Lo'ak's thumb begins to move in small, soothing circles on your skin. It's a small gesture, but it feels like a lifeline, a grounding force in the midst of your swirling emotions.

"It's nothing," you lie, your voice shaking slightly as you force the words out. You can't bear the thought of burdening Lo'ak with your problems, not when he has so much else to deal with.

But Lo'ak is persistent, and his eyes never leave yours as he speaks, his voice gentle and reassuring. "It doesn't look like nothing," he says, and you feel a pang of guilt at the concern etched on his face.

You take a deep breath, trying to calm your racing heart as you gather your thoughts. It feels like an eternity before you finally find the courage to speak up, your voice barely above a whisper.

"I... I don't know, Lo'ak," you say, feeling the tears spilling down your cheeks despite your best efforts to hold them back. "I feel so conflicted. I don't know what to do with these feelings."

Lo'ak's expression softens even more, and he takes your hand, leading you to a nearby log where he sits down beside you. You feel the warmth of his body beside you, and it's both comforting and unnerving at the same time.

"Tell me," he says, his voice still gentle, but now with a note of urgency, "Whatever it is, you can always tell me."

You look up at Lo'ak, you can feel the tears pooling in your eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment. You see the concern etched on his face and can't help but feel a surge of emotion at the intensity of the moment. You feel like you're standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to jump into the unknown, and you take a deep breath, trying to steady yourself.

You know you need to tell him what's been weighing on your mind, but you're afraid of how he'll react. Will he judge you? Will he think you're silly or overreacting? You push those doubts aside, knowing that you need to be honest with him.

"I feel like I’ve had to fight all my life," you say, gesturing with your hands to emphasize your point, "For a spot that will never be filled. The Na’vi," you pause, placing a hand over your heart as you feel the tears welling up again, "they will not accept me, they will never see me. I'm tired," you say, shaking your head in frustration, "Lo'ak, I'm tired."

As you speak, Lo'ak listens intently, never taking his eyes off of you. He doesn't interrupt you or try to make light of your feelings, but simply allows you to express yourself fully. It's a rare and beautiful thing, and in that moment, you feel seen and heard in a way that you never have before.

When you finish, Lo'ak doesn't say anything at first. He simply looks at you with a mixture of sadness and understanding, his eyes full of empathy. Finally, he scoots closer to you until your shoulders touch, and he speaks in a soft voice,

"They are too blind to see, and that is their loss," he says, his gaze shifting away briefly before returning to meet your own, "But you, [Name], you are gifted, smart, and kind," he says, his voice full of sincerity, "And beautiful," he adds, his words causing a flutter in your chest, "So what if they don't see you? I see you."

You feel your heart skip a beat at his words. You can hardly believe what you're hearing. The man you've been in love with for so long has feelings for you too. You're overjoyed, overstimulated, and disoriented all in one. You manage to gather your thoughts and respond with a shaky voice, "I see you, Lo'ak." You reach out and take his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

A look of relief washes over his face, and a smile slowly stretches across his features. He leans down until your foreheads are touching, "That makes me really happy, more than you know," he says, chuckling softly as he closes his eyes, savoring the feeling of your warmth and presence next to him.

Despite the intensity of the moment, a part of you couldn't help but wonder about the future. "What about..." you start to say, but he interrupts you, opening his eyes and flickering them over your face, trying to memorize every detail,

“I don't know what the future holds, but I like you enough to explore this...what this is. I want to see where we go, together," he says, his voice serious and intent.

You stare at him, your mouth slightly open in surprise at the side of him he was showing. He sounds more mature, more sensual, and more goal-oriented than you had ever known him to be. It was a side of him that you found yourself instantly drawn to, a side that you hadn't fully appreciated yet.

Feeling your cheeks flush, you lean in and peck the inner corner of his lips, letting them lingering for a moment before pulling back, "I can't wait to find out," you whisper, your eyes locked onto his, feeling as though you were seeing him in a whole new light.

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[gealach-in-a-misty-world]

Avra Helvaçi, former field agent of the Arasti Ministry of Intelligence, has accidentally stolen the single most expensive secret in the world―and the only place to flee with a secret that big is the open sea. To find a buyer with deep enough pockets, Avra must ask for help from his on-again, off-again ex, the pirate Captain Teveri az-Haffar. They are far from happy to see him, but together, they hatch a plan: take the information to the isolated pirate republic of the Isles of Lost Souls, fence it, profit. The only things in their way? A calculating new Arasti ambassador to the Isles of Lost Souls who's got his eyes on Avra's every move; Brother Julian, a beautiful, mysterious new member of the crew with secrets of his own and a frankly inconvenient vow of celibacy; the fact that they're sailing straight into sea serpent breeding season and almost certain doom. But if they can find a way to survive and sell the secret on the black market, they’ll all be as wealthy as kings―and, more importantly, they'll be legends.

My thanks to the author for providing an ARC copy.

Alexandra Rowland's Running Close to the Wind is a cozy low-stakes pirate adventure set in the same world of the excellent A Taste of Gold and Iron, loosely connected to it by a plot point. The two books couldn’t be more different, as Running Close to the Wind is funny. Hysterically, being-in-stitches, laughing-on-the-floor funny. It’s so funny that it’s too funny sometimes, but it’s a joy to read a book that doesn’t take itself so seriously while simultaneously delivering some very profound reflections in the more serious segments.

The trio of main characters is a delight, their banter on point as the dynamic between Avra and Teveri expands with the arrival of the mysterious Julian and his wiles. The characters are unapologetically horny, but the book is surprisingly chaste in that regard, while also being incredibly tender in parts. I especially enjoyed the few conversations about having and defending one’s boundaries. The rest of the cast, from the colorful crew to the pirates on the island, were all painted in deft strokes, resulting in vivid characters with so much to say. It really was reminiscent of Our Flag Means Death, as it was pitched, and it was an absolute romp.

The world gets expanded in a really clever subversion of what we know from A Taste of Gold and Iron, showing what the outside world thinks exactly of the choice to keep for themselves the only way to sail safely during a certain time of the year. There’s sea serpents and giant turtles and ghosts that need a complex reference guide to be handled, and it’s all so delightful. This choice to have loosely interconnected stories where the world is explored more and more is an intriguing one, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Running Close to the Wind is a fun adventure with hidden depths.

✨ 4 stars

[You can find more of my reviews about queer speculative fiction on my blog MISTY WORLD]

[0brighta]

cosmos&stardust server ✶

Hello, everyone! I'm thrilled to share that we now have a dedicated Discord server for those of us interested in crafting cosmic-inspired characters and lore—whether they’re celestial beings, star deities, or anything in between. I posted about it yesterday and got such a great response, so I thought, why not create a collaborative space? This server is designed to be a safe, creative environment for brainstorming and developing your characters, backstories, and interconnected worlds. We’re all here to support each other’s creativity and inspiration, so let’s keep the vibes friendly and respectful. If this sounds like your kind of community, you’re welcome to join us anytime!

concept ideas

The Guiding Star: A steady, unwavering presence, offering direction and hope, especially in times of darkness.

The Dreamweaver Star: A mystical figure weaving visions and dreams, perhaps aiding or haunting those who seek their wisdom in sleep.

The Healing Star: A nurturing, compassionate entity with powers of rejuvenation, renewal, or recovery.

The Morning Star: Bright and radiant, a symbol of new beginnings and hope, often seen as a herald of change.

The Night Star: Mysterious and reflective, connected to the secrets of the night and hidden knowledge.

The Evil Star: A dark, malevolent force, often feared as a bringer of chaos, calamity, or bad omens.

The Lost Star: A lone wanderer, separated from its place in the cosmos, representing themes of exile, isolation, or forgotten lore.

The Shadow Star: A being associated with mystery and illusion, existing on the edges of light and darkness.

The Phoenix Star: Symbolizing rebirth and transformation, this star dies only to rise anew, often after cataclysmic events.

The Dancing Star: Playful and spirited, embodying joy and spontaneity, spreading vibrance across the cosmos.

The Fallen Star: A star cast down from its celestial place, perhaps due to betrayal, loss, or some fated event, adapting to life on a new plane.

The Weeping Star: A sorrowful, empathetic figure, carrying the weight of cosmic memories or heartbreak.

The Golden Star: Radiant and regal, symbolizing wealth, glory, or celestial nobility.

The Winter Star: Cold, distant, and serene, embodying the quiet beauty and solitude of the winter sky.

The Midsummer Star: Warm and celebratory, thriving at the height of the cosmic summer, symbolizing vitality and abundance.

The Midnight Star: A figure who only appears at the darkest hour, representing secrecy, inner power, and nocturnal mysteries.

The Enigmatic Star: Known for their cryptic, elusive nature, always leaving behind more questions than answers.

The Twin Star: A part of a pair, often inseparable from their counterpart, symbolizing unity or duality.

The Eternal Star: Ancient and wise, holding the history of the cosmos within, often seen as a guardian of knowledge.

The Wild Star: Unpredictable and fierce, a free spirit untamed by cosmic order, representing chaos and passion.

The Star of Illusions: Known for bending reality, casting illusions, and creating mystical experiences for others.

The Protector Star: Vigilant and strong, a guardian of lesser stars or the cosmic realms they inhabit.

The Wanderer Star: A nomadic entity drifting through the universe, collecting stories, wisdom, and connections along its path.

The Beacon Star: A luminous figure seen as a safe harbor for lost souls, guiding them home.

The Whispering Star: A subtle, quiet presence, influencing through whispers, intuition, or visions.

[ilovedthestars]

Hi Stars! I've been thinking some more about media with deep platonic relationships, and I'd like to recommend Victoria Goddard's Nine Worlds fantasy universe. She has several interconnected series set in different parts of the same world, most of which have a lot of "love as in significance" going on.

In particular, The Hands of the Emperor and its sequel, At the Feet of the Sun, focus on the deepening friendship between the Emperor and his personal secretary (later Lord Chancellor), Cliopher. The sequel makes it explicitly clear that Cliopher is ace and the relationship he dreams of having with the Emperor is a queerplatonic one. Both books are enormous doorstops, but I love their leisurely, character-focused pace and overall tone of compassion and hopefulness.

Ooh, thank you so much! I can enjoy a good doorstopper if it's well paced, and this sounds really cool. I went to go look up a summary on the author's website:

An impulsive word can start a war. A timely word can stop one. A simple act of friendship can change the course of history. Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth, the god. He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person. He has never once touched his lord. He has never called him by name. He has never initiated a conversation. One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the proverbially remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday. The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy. The acceptance upends the world.

I can already feel the platonic pining, oh my goodness. That kind of imbalance, wanting to be close to someone who's revered as a ruler and a god, being devoted to them as both but also caring about them as a person--it's so juicy. I imagine this is why some people love bodyguard romances and similar plots, but knowing that the desited end state of this pining is queerplatonic makes it so much more exciting to me.

I read the sample on the website too, which is sizable and took me all the way up to the invitation. I'm intrigued by the worldbuilding, I love that the protagonist is a bureaucrat whose life's work is trying to help people and shift political systems to be better for the citizens, I love all the complicated emotions of his trip back home and trying to reconcile his two lives. I can already feel that compassionate, hopeful, contemplative tone to the writing, and I can already tell that this is a story that treats friendship with weight.

I mean, look at this:

He thought of his lord, pacing in his study, bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. Thought of how well they worked together, the enmeshing of respect and knowledge and good humour and experience. Thought of leaving his lord to the court. Thought of leaving his friends in Solaara-Conju and Ser Rhodin and Commander Omo-how none of them had families, had lost them in the Fall. Thought of leaving his work undone. All those projects slowly, delicately, unobtrusively transforming the government according to his vision of what the world could be. Thought of his lord, never failing to do his duty. Thought of his lord, with no one to joke with him. Thought of losing that—he could not call it friendship, could he? That implied a kind of equality, and there was no equality possible between the Sun-on-Earth and anyone else. But call it a relationship, that was permissible. He suppressed the wish that he dared call his Radiancy his friend.

And this:

"You saw this beautiful place, and you thought I would like it, and that I might enjoy a—a vacation after finishing up my present project, so you rented it for a month in my name, am I correct?" Cliopher swallowed. But his Radiancy said I, not we. He held to that. "I did not presume so far, my lord. It is in my name." His Radiancy continued to frown silently for several moments longer. And then he said: "Thank you, Cliopher." When Cliopher glanced up in surprise, for his Radiancy's tone had changed utterly, he saw that his Radiancy was smiling and there was even, oh just perhaps, the suspicion of moisture in his Radiancy's eyes, and Cliopher sank back to the ground in sheer relief and wonder and also a kind of pain, for he had seen that kind of surprised pleasure before in the faces of people receiving entirely unexpected but welcome gifts. And it occurred to him, somewhat later, after they had settled into their usual work, that if he, who was the chief member of his Radiancy's household, had never before dared offer a gift to his Radiancy beyond the tithes and service expected of him, then apart from his Radiancy's sister, who barely wrote and even more rarely came to court, there was no one else to do so.

I think I am going to LOVE this book. I've requested it from my library, and I can't wait for it to get here. Thank you so much for the rec!!

[polyglotportal]

Polyglot: The Advantages of Being Multilingual

Being able to speak multiple languages is a desirable skill in today's interconnected world. In fact, it is so valuable that people who are fluent in more than one language are referred to as "polyglots." Being a polyglot has a multitude of advantages that go beyond just the ability to communicate with people from different parts of the world. Here are some benefits of being multilingual.

Increased Cultural Awareness

One of the most significant advantages of being multilingual is increased cultural awareness. When you learn a new language, you also learn about its culture, history, and customs. Being able to understand and appreciate different cultures is essential in today's globalized society. It helps to break down cultural barriers and promotes mutual respect and understanding.

Improved Career Prospects

Being fluent in multiple languages can give you a competitive advantage in the job market. Businesses are increasingly looking for employees who can speak multiple languages to communicate with clients, partners, and suppliers from different countries. Even if your job doesn't require international communication, being multilingual can make you a more versatile and valuable employee.

Better Brain Functioning

Learning a new language helps improve brain function, memory, and concentration. Studies have shown that being bilingual can improve cognitive abilities and reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Being multilingual also helps you switch between tasks more easily and provides a broader perspective on problem-solving.

Travel Opportunities

Speaking multiple languages can open up a whole world of travel opportunities. Being able to communicate with locals in their language can make your travel experiences more enjoyable, meaningful, and immersive. You can also discover hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions that are less accessible to monolingual tourists.

Personal Enrichment

Learning a new language is a fulfilling and enriching experience in itself. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. It also allows you to appreciate the beauty and complexity of human languages and how they reflect our culture, history, and identity.

In summary, being a polyglot has numerous advantages, from increased cultural awareness and improved career prospects to better brain functioning and personal enrichment. So why not start learning a new language today and take advantage of these benefits? An excellent place to start is by finding language classes or online resources that are tailored to your interests and needs. With dedication, patience, and practice, you too can become a multilingual speaker and reap the benefits of multi linguistic fluency.