#this has been a challenge and I wrote in quite The Mood

[raksh-writes]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: KinnPorsche: The Series (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham/Vegas Kornwit Theerapanyakun, Macau Theerapanyakun & Vegas Kornwit Theerapanyakun Characters: Vegas Kornwit Theerapanyakun, Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham, Macau Theerapanyakun Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Backstory, Reflection, Non-Linear Narrative, POV Vegas Kornwit Theerapanyakun, episode 14, Angst and Feels, Suicidal Thoughts, The Pool Scene, and what comes after, but also before the post-credits scene, Purple Prose, I let myself go with this one OOF, Hospital Sex, Smut, Non-Penetrative Sex, Hand Jobs, Facial Shaving, Good Sibling Vegas Kornwit Theerapanyakun, Light Dom/sub, They're pretty soft here, no beta we die like Khun Spikes, brief appearence of Gun and Vegas' mom, Emotional Hurt/Comfort Summary:

The sting of irritation wars with the swell of the new-familiar-unfamiliar emotion rising in Vegas’ chest as Pete secures them together, helping Vegas back to the bed. Why, sits at the back of his tongue, Pete’s smile at the high-pitched sound of protest in Vegas’ throat only pushing it harder against his teeth.

“I could’ve made it on my own,” he bites out, bitter, though his voice lacks much force. Pete only seems to press himself closer in response, the heat of him so near muddling everything else until it becomes wholly unimportant.

“I know,” is the soft reply, hand tightening on Vegas’ where it lays on his shoulder, “I just want to be use— just want to help, that’s all.” The slip-up doesn’t escape Vegas’ notice, squeezing with something tight and painful around his chest — Pete’s smile no longer present as they stop and he looks up to Vegas, all at once hesitant and so, so vulnerable. “Can I?”

Vegas swallows, spit like sawdust in his dried-out mouth.

“I need a shave,” is what comes out instead.

--

Or yet another take on post-canon hospital in-between and the first thing I ever wrote for VP months ago.

I’m Super nervous but also very excited to finally be able to share it! Hope it’s gonna be a nice read ^^

[aurorawritestoescape]

HIS STAR || Joel Miller x f!reader || 2,7k

Summary: Joel and you met a few years ago, being aspiring musicians, and fell in love. Now you’re a rising star while Joel is struggling with his career. One night you come to his place and share big news.

Tw: 18+ mdni, smut, ANGST, fluff, unspecified age gap, Joel’s pov, unprotected piv (wrap it up), creampie, heartbreak, alcohol consumption, swearing. Pics are only for the mood. Reader wears a dress.

A/n: this is written for @the-orange-tabby-cat ‘s writing challenge (my ask is here). I hope you all will like the story. I’m sending everyone who’s been hurting this week a warm hug and lots of love🫂❤️ Kisses to @milla-frenchy for beta-ing😘 Dividers by @saradika-graphics ����

MASTERLIST

You waltz into his apartment late at night and Joel’s dim living room seems not that dim, his sad life not that sad. Because you are finally here.

Before you came, it was quiet here, still and dull, and now you're twirling around like a shiny twister, wearing your expensive dress, dropping glitter on his faded carpet. You turn the lights on, place the take out you brought on the coffee table and pour him a glass of his favorite whiskey.

Joel's sitting on his worn out couch, watching you with a warm smile, while you're chirping with excitement, telling him about everything at once— the people you've met, the songs you've written, the places you've visited. It seems like he has grown into his old apartment while you're taking over the city, the country, the whole world.

It’s ok. He’s happy for you. Truly.

You can’t come often, only once or twice a month if he’s lucky, your busy schedule be damned, but every time you visit, Joel’s heart overflows with happiness. More often than here he sees you on billboards, beautiful and happy, your face smiles at him from the t-shirts of teenagers, passing him by on the street. You’re always on his mind and in his heart. Always were and always will be.

You both dreamed of becoming professional singers. He met you at one of his gigs in a small bar in Texas. You were too young for him, too beautiful, too talented. But at that time, years ago, he still loved himself and foolishly thought that he deserved you. You fell for each other fast and hard and started climbing that steep mountain together.

You came into his life when he was about to quit the chase but your drive, your passion and talent gave him a second wind. You wrote songs together, lying naked in bed after mind-blowing sex, sang them at the top of your lungs on road trips to various music festivals, supported each other every step of the way. He kissed salty tears off your face after every failure, celebrated with you when you succeeded, which started happening more and more often. His demos were collecting dust on the shelves while your career skyrocketed. Joel kept holding your hand until the moment he realized that he was looking up at you while you were standing on top of the mountain you both had dreamed about, too high for him to reach.

At first envy would squeeze his heart with its freezing hand - he wished to be standing there with you. But terrified of losing you, of ruining your relationship because of that ugly feeling, he taught himself to quiet the nagging voice inside his head and to be happy for you, to feel joy, witnessing your success, even from afar.

After some time it became apparent to him that he was too average, one of many. You were different. One in a million. A star. His star.

Joel continued singing in small clubs, he still needed music like air, but hope for something bigger, brighter was slowly dying in his heart.

Now you’re in his arms, on his lap, tired and slightly cold.

“These tiny dresses of yours— fuckin’ useless— gonna get sick like that,” Joel grumbles under his breath, covering you both with a throw blanket, and you immediately melt against him. Your scent is different every time you visit, he’s enveloped in something sweet and flowery today, but the taste of your lips is the same. Always. They’re intoxicating, soft and desperate. Your hands are eager to touch him, your body pressed tightly to his.

”I miss you,“ you mumble and your tongue slides over his lower lip. His heart sings when a shiver runs over your whole body. You want him. You can have anyone you want and you still choose him every time. He doesn’t know why but he’s grateful for each moment he gets to spend with you, holding you. Fucking you.

“Joel—need you,” you whine and deepen the kiss. Hungry and long-awaited, it soon morphs into a scorching fire, burning you both. A whimper falling from your lips sounds almost pained.

“Yes, baby, yes—jus’ a second,” Joel murmurs and swiftly lifts you so you could straddle him. With trembling fingers you pull down the waistband of his sweatpants and take his cock out. Your panties pulled to the side, you sink on his hardening cock, without preparation, without foreplay. The desire is too strong. Joel is swelling bigger and harder inside your core as soon as your wet walls welcome him, so warm and tight around his manhood.

“Missed you, baby.”

“Yes—yes—missed you— so—so— much,“ you echo him, your words falling with the same rhythm as you move yourself up and down on his lap, bouncing on his length. Then you kiss every inch of his handsome face— his chapped lips, his scruffy cheeks, every wrinkle and every mole which you could draw by heart.

His hands leave your waist and slither down to take your dress off. In a moment you’re naked in his arms, you, the subject of desire of so many people is right in front of him, just a kiss away. And he kisses you, your neck, your collarbone, your bouncing breasts. He licks at your nipples, sucks each tit into his mouth and you sing only for him, your most intimate song.

Joel’s t-shirt rides up and he feels how wet you’re for him as your folds and clit are rubbing against his lower belly. You’re chasing your pleasure feverishly and he already feels how your little pussy starts pulsating around his big cock.

“Come for me, my love.”

His gruff voice in your ear sends a signal to your brain and the sound you love the most pushes you over the edge. You’re crying and shaking, coming all over his stiffness, always so sensitive to the ecstasy he gives you, and he lets you soak him, both with your tears and you cum.

“Yes—yeah, sweetheart— ride it out— c’mon.” He’s lifting you up and down with his strong hands, wishing to give you more moments of euphoria as you tremble and whimper in his arms and soon he explodes inside you with a groan that rings loudly in his quiet apartment. He presses you tight against his chest but without leaving any marks on your soft skin, skin that millions of people could see tomorrow. He’s nuzzling the crease of your neck while his cock is pumping you full of his warm seed.

You’re leaning against Joel’s chest now, still straddling him, his member slowly softening inside you. Your eyes close by themselves, lulled by his heavy breathing, but you drive the sleep away. You need to tell him something, to ask him.

You slide off his lap, feeling your thighs getting wetter, and pull him to lie down with you on the couch. Joel tucks his cock back into the sweatpants and throws the blanket over you two. You face him and your eyes lock. Your mouth opens but then closes again.

“What is it, baby? Tell me.”

He always reads you like a book. You seem anxious.

After clearing your throat you whisper,

“I’m going on a world tour.”

Joel is quiet for a few seconds until he grabs you and hugs you. His chest is rumbling with a joyous laugh and you giggle when he squeezes you too tight and kisses the crown of your head, your forehead, your mouth. You melt into him again, feeling his smile on your lips.

When he parts from you, his eyes are glossy and warm.

”Your first world tour! I’m so damn proud of you, my love!”

You can’t help but tear up, seeing him genuinely happy, and you kiss him again and then murmur a shaky “thank you.”

“Joel. I wanted to ask you—,” you’re looking at his chest now, eyes averted, your sweaty palms placed over his heart, ”I’m gonna be traveling for a whole year… and... I wanted to ask… Will you go with me?”

Joel’s eyes are darting between yours. You look sleepy, tired and gorgeous. He pulls you close to his chest and embraces you.

“Let’s talk in the mornin’, baby. You need rest.”

You look at him for a few moments, your eyes piercing and then ask with a half smile, “Could you sing for me?”

With you lying in his arms, Joel starts softly singing your favourite song, the one he wrote for you, one of dozens he wrote for you.

He keeps singing when your breath gets deep and slow and you’re purring like a little kitten, your head on his biceps, and Joel can’t stop looking at you, can’t stop singing to you until his voice breaks, his eyes sting, and he holds his breath, scared to wake you up with a sob, crawling up his throat.

Here it is. Joel always knew that the time would come. The time when something big would happen, and he would have to do the right thing. Would have to let you go.

He takes a deep breath again and again, trying to calm himself down. He blinks the tears away and feels them on his cheeks. Your face is blurry in his eyes at first but he keeps watching you sleep, memorizing your every feature, as if there’s any chance he’s ever going to forget them. Your image is carved into his heart forever.

It’s not like you two haven’t talked about it before— why you come to him only at night, why you need to be extra careful not to be seen by paparazzi.

It’s still hard to accept for the both of you that Joel is your secret. Your label doesn’t want him around you and Joel understands it. He’s been trying to make it in this business for too long not to know how things work. It hurts but it’s the reality.

And the reality is making him stomp on his heart and break yours.

In your sleep you snuggle even closer to him and with your forehead against his heart he drifts off too. As always he dreams of you.

A few hours pass before you wake him up, stirring in his embrace. Your smiling face welcomes him when he opens his eyes.

“Morning, Joel.”

The dust of mascara on your cheeks, your hair disheveled, you look angelic in the soft glow of the early morning sun peeking through the drapes. Joel’s breath hitches for a second, your beauty overwhelms him, until the pain hits him right in the chest. He has to tell you.

You get up and, after putting on his flannel, pad to the bathroom. When you return, Joel’s sitting up and you take your favorite spot, you get on his lap. Your soft kisses caress his scruffy cheeks until you search for his eyes.

“So—about the tour— what do you say?” you ask, giving him a little smile, your eyes full of hope. Joel feels his heart beating fast and loud. He knows you feel it too, your warm hand is resting on his chest. He takes it, brings it to his mouth and kisses your palm.

“I can’t, baby.”

In your gaze he sees that you knew what he was going to say. You don’t look shocked, but you look crushed.

��Wh—why not?”

Still on his lap, you start hastily telling him why he should go, that it’s going to be fun, that it’s another opportunity for his career, and he lets you tell him all that, he doesn’t interrupt you.

“I can’t do this alone, Joel. I’m scared,” you mumble at the end, looking tired after your pitch, and press your forehead to his chest. Joel hugs you and starts rubbing your flannel-covered back with his hands.

“Remember what your team told you? I’m not good for your image. An old loser like me.”

You break his embrace and sit up, your gaze fiery, your chest heaving.

“You’re not, Joel! I don’t give a fuck what they say. I love you and — ” your voice breaks as tears start flowing down your cheeks.

You slide off his lap and sit next to him, crying. Joel wants to grab you, kiss your lips, comfort you, but he knows it’ll make it harder. For the both of you. His gruff voice is a little shaky when he talks.

“I shouldn’t go. You must understand why. And it’s gonna be ok. You’re a fuckin’ star! Now go and show it to the world.”

You turn your head to him, your wet face twisted with sadness, as you mumble through sobs,

“I—I can’t spend— a whole —year without you”.

“Baby—,” Joel takes a deep breath before ripping the band aid off. ”—I’m movin’ back to Texas”.

You turn to him on the couch.

“What?! Why?!”

Because he sees your face everywhere he goes. It would hurt too much. After this. After today.

So he lies. But only partially.

“Los Angeles isn’t for me. I hate it. Everything here reminds me that I failed.” He raises his hand when you open your mouth, ready to argue. “I’ve tried, sweetheart. You know I have. But it’s not in the stars. Tommy offered me a job. Contractin’. That’s what I’m gonna do for a start, then we’ll see.”

You drop your head and sit quietly for a few moments. Joel swallows loudly, his stomach twisted with nerves. It feels like he’s going to be sick.

When you look up at him again, your brows are furrowed, eyes reddened.

“What about us?”

He takes a deep breath and shakes his head.

“I’m too old and you have a whole life ahead of you. Long, successful, happy life. I won’t hold you back. I love you too much to do it. You don’t need me.”

“Doesn’t sound like you love me,” you hiss at him, your pain turning to anger quickly.

You jump off the couch and grab your dress off the floor after almost ripping his flannel off your body.

“I can’t believe you’re breaking up with me!” you exclaim, standing in front of him, getting dressed, while he’s looking up at you with a pained expression.

“You’re telling me you love me but then you say all this shit?! You won’t even fight for us! For me!”

“But I’m doin’ it for you!” He hates to shout but it’s hard to control his emotions as they’re ripping his heart to shreds.

“Then why do I feel like you’re killing me right now?!” You take a small step towards him, your hand reaching for his. “We can see the world together—wake up together every morning and—“

Joel gets up and holds you by the shoulders, trying to make you listen.

“Stop lyin’ to yourself! Go live your life! Quit returnin’ to me! I’m your past and you still come here jus’ because you’re scared of the future! We had fun together, baby, but now it’s over!”

You shake your head in disbelief, your mouth agape, and then you angrily swat his hands away.

“Fuck you, Joel!”

These are the last words you tell him before storming out. The last words you ever tell him.

He still hears you crying in the hall when he shuts the door behind you. His forehead pressed to the wood, eyes closed, he listens and feels like everything good in his life is leaving with you. He hears the elevator ding and then nothing.

His apartment is quiet again until a loud wail shutters the silence. Joel knows that he’s done the right thing. Then why does it feel like he’s dying?

Thank you for reading! Comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated!<3

MASTERLIST || more angst - Always and Forever

Tag list: @milla-frenchy @harriedandharassed @iamasaddie @nervousmumbling @bbyanarchist @stevie75 @puduvallee @auteurdelabre @mountainsandmayhem @senoratess @flamingochick55 @theoraekenslover @schnarfer @mermaidgirl30 @staywildflowahchild @yesjazzywazzylove-blog @evolnoomym @keylimebeag @joelmillerisapunk @pascaltesfaye @fruityreads @itwasntimethatdidit40

[scribblesofagoonerr]

I'm not a loser!

Pairings: lia wälti x teen reader, caitlin foord x teen reader, awfc x teen reader

Massive thinks to @alotofpockets for her help with motivating me to write and put this out. Sorry it's taken a while, but I wasn't overly keen with how I wrote it & even now, I feel like it's not my best work.

I hope you like it though, and please let me know your thoughts of what you'd like to see happen in this mini fic series!

Things really hadn’t been going in your favour today at all, in fact it had been a completely terrible day at school and you didn’t realise that it was only about to get worse.

Since the day started, it had been horrible from the very minute that you woke up, overhearing the latest argument between your two mums’ on the phone as they fought about you, but you didn’t care to listen to any of the conversation; It always seemed to land back around on the same topic that you argued about, and that subject being you.

It seemed like your mood only worsened when your latest test was handed back to you, graded with a big fat F circled in red around it and it’s not like the disappointing look you received from your teacher helped matters either.

You were quick to shove the paper in the bottom of your backpack, at least then you could try and forget about it; The last thing you wanted was to see the disappointed looks from either of your mums, after you promised them that you would try and keep your head down.

But sometimes it was easier to say that then actually do it.

It’s not like you have ever been a troublemaker in school, but it’s been tough to keep on top of everything and now you’re finding yourself both in trouble at school and at home; You were currently grounded after the latest stunt that you pulled over the weekend with Kyra, which you didn’t find completely fair, but your mama seemed to think different, so what did you know?

The rest of the morning at school hadn’t exactly been great either, you’d somehow managed to land yourself with a break time detention for the forgotten piece of English homework that you were supposed to hand in, but it wasn’t meant like you did it on purpose when there’s added pressure from football games and training, not to mention the messy home life situation that you currently faced, so it's’ safe to say that your school work has now been slacking ever so slightly.

By the time that the bell for lunch went, you were more than ready to escape the classroom. However, when you were walking out of the classroom that’s when it all changed and you came face to face with your tormentor.

“Oi, Y/L/N!” You flinched at the familiar voice of your bully shouting at you from behind, just as you thought that you had been doing so well to avoid them only for you to turn a corner and see them.

You could say that life’s never really been the easiest roller coaster for you, your past homelife hadn’t exactly been fantastic and you’d never even felt true happiness until you found your home at your childhood dream club with a new family that welcomed you with open arms.

The day you signed your first ever professional contract, your life changed completely. When the opportunity arose for you to play for the Arsenal womens’ senior team, you couldn’t help but leap at the chance to play for your dream club, even if you were still quite young.

It was all you’d ever wanted to do.

Despite the rough start in your life, you’ve necessarily not been one of those types of kids to act out, you just get on with life without a single complaint, even with the challenges that you’ve faced in life.

Just like the current situation right now, your own personal tormentor.

You weren’t bothered at first when it was tolerable, it was just harmless name calling and sure, the names’ spilled were mean but you had enough sense just to ignore them but then it got worse and eventually the names turned into physical assault.

You just didn’t know what to do anymore.

“Oi, don’t ignore me, Y/L/N. I know you can hear me, you stupid twat” Your own personal bully continued to shout aloud to get your attention.

Mustering up all the courage that you had, you bit your bottom lip and spun around to face your bully although they were tall and had that slight advantage over you, “I… I wasn’t ignoring you. I just didn’t hear you” Your quick to lie and cover your tracks.

“Whatever” The older girl muttered, rolling her eyes before she continued to push you into a nearby locker, “Listen, stupid. The chemistry homework needs to be handed in today, do you have it or not?”

Your eyes widened in a sudden panic, you’d completely forgotten about it when you were so busy with football and trying to keep up with your own school work that you pushed your bullies’ to the back of the pile, and now you knew that you were gonna pay for it.

“Well, do you?” You pulled out of your thoughts by a sharp pinch on your bicep.

“Um, no… I forgot about it” You quietly admitted, although you knew it was an instant mistake right there and then.

“You forgot? Huh, you really must’ve been born stupid then” The bully spat venomously as they tower over you with a menacing look on their face, “Well, I guess we have a problem now then, don’t we?” they sneer at you.

A single second later, you hissed out loud in pain at the instant impact of being thrown directly into the locker behind you, you can’t help but flinch as an automatic response to the violence that is being directed towards you while you peer up with wide eyes as they tower over you with a venomous look in their eyes.

“You’re not going to fight back, you wuss? What a loser!” They taunt you before they throw you directly into the locker again, “Huh, no response, no defence. You really are a sad little lost orphan aren’t you” they continue to taunt.

You don’t know what it was inside of you but it was like something snapped. You couldn’t take it any longer of the harsh comments spewed or the violence, you didn’t have to put up with it either.

“I’m not… I’m not an orphan” Your usual calm approach to your bully has gone as you can’t help but growl at the older girl while clenching your fists tightly, “I’m not a loser either, I’m not— I’m not!” 

“Oh, yeah? Prove it then, loser” They smirk, almost challenging you.

You couldn’t even explain the next few minutes even if you tried. 

It was like you blacked out in a state of absolute rage, your fists flying at them as you remembered the self-defence that your mum had so helpfully taught you in case you ever needed it in a situation like this, and now it finally came in handy against them.

“I’m not… I’m not a loser!” You exclaimed loudly as you lifted your own fist up and swung it in the direction of their face, “I am not… I am not a loser!” You’d lost control of your anger like a flick of the switch, lashing out and throwing punches at your bully whos’ been endlessly taunting you for the better part of the last several months.

Even though you know you were  bound to be in trouble for it, you couldn’t care less right now because punching your bully and sticking up for yourself was definitely worth it in the end.

And maybe this way, you’d be able to get the attention of both your mums’ in the same room, so that was another positive reason to punch the girl square in the face.

“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Bye” Lia exhales a sigh as she ends the most recent phone call with your head teacher this week, having asked her to come down to the school after you’d landed yourself in trouble.

“What’s going on?” Leah looks at the older women confused as the trains alongside her in the gym.

Lia exhales a sigh and slips her phone into her pocket, “That was the school again. Y/N is in trouble” she explains to the blonde.

“Again?” Leah's eyebrows furrow, confused, “What happened this time?” she wonders.

“I don’t know, but I guess I’ll find out when I get down there” Lia mumbles, standing up from the bench that she was previously sitting on, “I seriously don’t know what’s been going on with her lately. It’s just one thing after another” she adds.

“I guess Y/N/N is having a rough time, maybe?” Leah comments that sounds more like a question, not used to your recent streak of wild behaviour compared to the calm girl you are usually.

“What’s going on with Y/N?” Caitlin overhears the conversation and the mention of your name, before she makes her way over to join the two women, “Is she okay? Has something happened?” she asks, confused.

Lia exhales a sigh as she has to face her ex-girlfriend and speak to her, “The school just called, Y/N is in trouble” she explains once more as she pinches the bridge of her nose.

“What? What happened?” The Australian woman frowns and digs into her own pockets, pulling her phone out to check for any missed calls from the school, “The school hasn’t phoned me about it” she mumbles, furrowing her eyebrow.

“Well there’s no point in phoning both of us when we’re at the same place most of the time, is there?” Lia remarks, not having the time nor energy to explain anything further.

Caitlin continues to frown and shake her head in disagreement, “I should still be kept in the loop with what’s going on. I hardly hear what’s happening with her at the minute” she states.

“You are told what’s going on Caitlin, I don’t keep things from you” Lia exhales a sigh as she tries to keep calm while talking to her ex-girlfriend, “What more do you want me to do?” she asks.

“Aye, that kid. What’d she do this time?” Katie joins in on the conversation, not sensing the seriousness of it all, “Bad mouth the teacher or get caught cheating on a test?” she jokes.

Lia purses her lips in annoyance with the Irish woman, “It’s not funny, Katie” she states, bluntly.

“Oh come on, so the kid gets into a bit of trouble every now and then. It’s not a big deal” Katie insists, rolling her eyes.

“You’re clearly not seeing the point of how serious this is then, Katie” Leah steps in as she can see Lia getting herself annoyed with Katie’s mock teasing, “This isn’t funny, you know Y/N/N and you know that she’s never usually like this at all!” she remarks.

Katie holds her hands up in mock surrender, “Relax, eh, Williamson, will ya? I’m only joking here, there’s no need to take the high ground about this now, is there?” she says and she can’t help but rile the blonde up.

Leah scoffs in disagreement with the brunette, “You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if her behaviour as off lately was down to your antics when she’s around your house on the weekend, cos’ she certainly doesn’t act like this when she’s at Lia’s house” she remarks.

“My antics?” Katie fires back in disbelief.

“Y/N/N acting up isn’t anything to do with how she is at ours” Caitlin chips in and defends the pair of them, “I don’t know what is going on with Y/N/N but this isn’t something that’s neither mine or Katies’ fault” she tells them.

“Oh, really?” Leah scoffs and raises her eyebrows before she looks at the Swiss woman, “Do you want me to come down to the school with you?” she offers.

“Would you?” Lia glances at the blonde in appreciation.

“Of course, I would–” Leahs’ agreement is cut off.

“No way, absolutely not!” Caitlin interjects, very much in disagreement with that decision, “If anyones’ going down to the school with you then it should be me!” she states.

“Caitlin–” Lia begins to speak.

“No, I’m Y/N’s mum just as much as you are, Lia” The Aussie woman insists, not liking the idea of being pushed out of the picture, “We should go down to the school and deal with this together, as a family” she mumbles.

“We broke up Caitlin, we’re not a family anymore” Lia quietly tells her, shaking her head in disagreement, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to go down to the school together, Caitlin. I will go with Leah and then I’ll just tell you what happens” she tells her.

“Why not? No offence, Leah but this hasn’t got anything to do with you!” Caitlin objects to the idea as she looks at the blonde.

“I’m going there to support Lia and that’s important right now” Leah explains to the Aussie woman.

Caitlin shakes her head completely in disagreement with the idea, “No, no– I should be there, Y/N is my daughter, not yours!” she points the finger at the blonde firmly before she looks at Lia, “Fine, if you don’t think we should both go down there then why don’t I just go down there? In fact I’ll take Katie, we’ll take her back to ours afterwards instead” she declares.

“Oh yeah, Y/N/N loves Coopurr!” Katie exclaims, in agreement with the suggestion.

“There we have it then. I’ll find out what’s been going on with Y/N/N and then we’ll go back to ours” Caitlin insists with the idea.

Lia shakes her head in disagreement, “Oh, and make it seem like I’m the bad cop when you bring her home?” she questions.

“That’s not what I’m trying to do here, Lia! I’m just trying to help you out here and be the parent that Y/N/N needs– She’s my kid too, you know?” Caitlin shouts back in response, earning the attention of a few girls in the gym, including their captain Kim.

“I’m not saying that she isn’t. I know she is but it’s easier to do it this way” Lia explains, avoiding the looks from the rest of the girls in the gym who look concerned.

“Is it? It just seems like you’re pushing me out of the picture!” Caitlin makes her feelings evidently clear.

“Caitlin has got a point, Lia. You can’t stop her from seeing Y/N/N like you’re trying to do that” Katie chips in, looking at the Swiss woman.

Lia turns to look at Katie in disbelief, “Stay out of this, Katie. This isn’t your argument to get involved in” she says as she begins to collect her stuff. 

“Okay, alright, that’s enough. You’re all causing a scene in here” Kim speaks up loudly as she walks over to them as she overhears the conversation between the 4 adults in the gym, “What is going on?” she asks, glancing between them all.

“Y/N got into trouble at school” Lia begins to explain.

“Yeah, but I wouldn’t have known that unless I didn’t overhear Lia and Leah talking about it” Caitlin huffs and rolls her eyes.

“I told you, I was getting round to it” Lia fires back as she scowls at her ex-girlfriend.

“Yeah, right” Caitlin mutters in disagreement, “ “And now she won���t even let me come down to the school with her, when I have every right to do that!” she adds.

“It’s just better this way, Caitlin” Lia explains to her ex-girlfriend, exhaling a sigh.

“Caitlin has every right to be there for Y/N” Katie chips in defending her girlfriend.

“Why are you getting involved in this, Katie?” Leah questions the Irish women.

“Why are you getting so involved, Leah?” Katie fires back at the blonde.

“Seriously, Katie? You just seem to find this whole thing hilarious like it’s one big joke!” Leah mutters, shaking her head, “I’m right to want to be there for Lia in this” she adds.

Kim shakes her head in disbelief at the 4 of them acting like they are, “Alright, that’s enough. Okay?” Kim interjects in an authoritative tone of voice as she looks between the 2 exes, “Regardless of you all blaming each other, it’s not going to help you figure out what is going on with Y/N/N unless you work together” she tells them.

Lia’s facial expression softens in realisation, “You’re right, Kim. I didn’t think about it that way” she admits as she looks at her ex, “Look Caitlin, I’m not trying to push you away like you think I am. I just think it’ll be difficult for us to both be there, right now. I’m sorry and I know Y/N is your daughter and you do have every right to see her, just as I do but I would prefer to do this with Leah by my side instead, okay? I’ll text you and let you know what is said, but please understand I find it better to do this way” she tells the woman quietly, finding it hard enough to be in the room with her ex-girlfriend without dealing with anything else.

Without saying anything more, Lia and Leah left the gym as they quickly notified Jonas about the recent events, before they head out to the car to make the way down to your school to find out what trouble you’ve landed yourself in this time.

You knew the single minute that you raised your fist at the girl it would end up in dire consequences, however now finding yourself sitting outside the head teachers’ office with bruised and bloody knuckles, you remain hopeful that this latest stunt was something that both of your mums would be coming down to talk to the head teacher.

Although you still can’t help but wonder how it got so bad?

It wasn’t like you could talk to either of your mums though, because most of the time when you spent time with either of them, you didn’t really want to mention the other in case it brought up any sort of hurt feelings, but you needed them both together.

You didn’t really mean to get yourself in that much trouble today, in fact you’ve never really been one to cause many problems at school if you’re being honest, but you were just so sick of them pushing you around and calling you endless names that you finally had enough and lashed out.

As soon as you hear the sound of footsteps nearing you, you remain hopeful as you look up with eager eyes, hopeful to see your two mums together.

However, you’re severely disappointed when its’ your mama and Leah instead.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be, you didn’t want Leah to be here with your mama; You wanted your mama and mum together, but why did that seem so impossible to do?

“Hi mama” You mumble, biting your bottom lip as you avoid the disapproving look on both of their faces, “Hi Leah” you acknowledge the presence of the blonde, whos’ stood there obnoxiously chewing gum.

“Hey kid” Leah greets you with a worried smile.

Lia exhales a sigh and shakes her head, “What have you done this time, Y/N/N?” she questions.

“It wasn't my fault” You try to defend yourself, picking at the skin around your nails.

“I find that one hard to believe Y/N. This is the third call I have had from your school this week” Lia reminds you, moving to sit beside you on the uncomfortable plastic chair, “Do you want to tell me what happened before I go in and speak to your head teacher?” she asks.

“Nope” You shake your head in disagreement.

Leah furrows her eyebrows and sits on the other empty chair, “What happened, kid? It’s not like you to be in this much trouble, or acting out in general” she tries to get answers out of you.

You shrug your shoulders carelessly and bite your bottom lip, “Dunno, is mum coming down as well?” you wonder, curiously as you look at Lia.

“No, Y/N/N. It’s just us– Is this why you’ve gotten yourself into trouble at school, so your mum and I would come down together?” Lia asks in realisation, putting the pieces together about it all.

“Maybe, sorta. I don’t know, cos’ it didn’t work anyways” You mumble, deflating your shoulders as you stand up to head into the office after the head teacher calls you all in; Leah and Lia share a look of confusion with another, finding it hard to understand why you would do that as they follow you in behind.

The result of your behaviour in school leads to you being suspended for the next 2 weeks, which your mama isn’t best pleased with at all if the silence is anything to go by as you trail behind them to the car.

Every time you have tried to talk, you're met with a stern look from the Swiss woman which makes you shut up pretty quickly.

“Mama?” You try your luck to get her a response.

Once again, you were met with complete silence on the car ride back apart from the faint sound of music playing.

“Okay, I know I messed up but how much longer am I going to receive the silent treatment for?” You huff aloud as you peer out the window as your mama drives out of the school car park.

Yet again, complete silence.

“Come on, seriously? The fight wasn’t even my fault in the first place!” You whine in protest, huffing and crossing your arms in the back of the car.

Leah clicks her tongue as she sits in the passenger seat, “You shouldn’t even be fighting in the first place, Y/N” she states sternly.

You resist the urge to roll your eyes and not snap back at the blonde, who you really don’t know why she’s even here, you wanted your mum instead, not her.

“I had my reasons to do it, Leah!” You mutter as you glance out of the window in the back of the car.

“Hey! Be nice” Lia glares at you to knock it off.

“What? I’m not doing anything!” You huff in annoyance and fight the urge to kick the back of her seat, “And I did have a good enough reason!” You still continue to insist.

“I don’t want to hear any of the excuses, Y/N” Lia exhales a sigh, shaking her head.

“But if you just let me explain–” You're cut off before you even have a proper chance to speak.

“Explain what, Y/N/N– How can I be so sure about what you’re telling me when you’ve been acting out like you have been for the last several weeks, huh?” Lia scolds you as she looks in the rear-view mirror, “I don’t know what has even gotten into you anymore, Y/F/N!” she states.

You kinda know that your mama does have a point in saying that, because despite your own rough upbringing with your biological parents, you’ve never really acted out or gotten into much trouble until recently, however with how its’ been the last several weeks, you can’t deny that you haven’t been acting out in an attempt to get the attention both of your mums together in the same room.

It just didn’t work this time round.

You just didn’t know you wouldn’t be able to control the anger any longer and you would end up lashing out like in the way that you did. No matter how many people tried to talk to you to figure out what was going on, nobody really understood what was going on right now.

You can’t help but scoff in response, “You won’t even hear my side of things though, at least I know that mum would take the time to listen to me. Why can’t I go and stay at her house instead?” The words slip out of your mouth without much realisation and it’s definitely loud enough for both women to hear.

“Y/N, your mama wants you to stay with her” Leah chips in.

“Why? And why are you even here when this has nothing to do with you?” You glare at the blonde, although you know it’s not her fault for what’s happening, but despite that you’re a stubborn teenager and refuse to admit when you’re in the wrong sometimes

“Y/N” Lia gasps in shock, “Don’t be rude, you don’t speak to people like that” she scolds you.

“It’s the truth though” You mumble and technically, you’re telling the truth about that one.

The Swiss woman shook her head in disagreement, “There’s no need to be so rude, okay? I won’t stand for it, so apologise please– And you know when it comes to you, that your mum and I are both on the same page” she tells you.

“Are you? Cos’ all you ever seem to do is fight these days” You remark snidefully.

“That’s not true, Y/N/N” Lia frowns at you.

“Yes it is, you guys always argue about me– I can’t even tell you how I feel, so I was only defending myself like how mum taught me to do” You explain to the older women.

“What!?” Lia exclaims in shock.

“Mum taught me self defence in case I ever needed to use it. Definitely showed them that today cos’ now they won’t mess with me again” You grin proudly to yourself.

“Are you… Of course she bloody did” Lia mutters, clenching her hands on the steering wheel.

“Calm down, Wally” Leah rests her hand on the older womens’ thigh.

“Mama, you’re clenching your fists. You might want to just chill out a bit” You note in concern as Lia looks angry and you realise you’re going in a different direction back home, “Where are we going?” you ask.

“Change of plan, Y/N. We’re going to see your mum after all” Lia states as she grips the steering wheel tighter.

© scribblesofagoonerr

[bg-brainrot]

Have you ever wanted to give Astarion more hugs? Because I did. So I wrote 34K words just to give him more hugs. It's Hugs for a Vampire, literally just uploaded the last chapter.

It's my first finished long fic ever and I feel this weird little pride so I wanted to gush about it. Please enjoy a few of my favorite snippets below (spans the game so beware spoilers), but this thing has a bit of everything.

You want figuring out boundaries? You got it!

You’re not sure how much of it is a choice that you’ve consciously made or if it’s born of your underlying worry. It hasn’t been long since you entered this new phase in your relationship, and the past couple of weeks have been a lot of trial and error to get to a place of some comfort and understanding. As such, you know exactly why you’ve been careful, consciously or not. “I don’t want to touch you if you’re not ready for it,” you say, tilting your head toward his, whispering your words away from the rest of the group.

The vampire freezes a moment, his eyebrows knitting into a look of concern. “While I appreciate the sentiment, darling, a hug isn’t exactly carnal .”

You give him a flat look. “Of course it isn’t,” you respond back. “But it’s still… intimate. You should be allowed to decide when that happens. If you hug me, I know you want it to happen.”

Astarion finally uncrosses his arms, only to rub at his temple in exasperation. “Ugh, you’re being disgustingly considerate,” he says, closing his eyes. “It’s times like this that I wonder how we’ve even gotten this far.”

You want a smidge of angst? Of course.

Astarion’s arm around you shifts, an attempt to pull you closer. You turn to face him and lean in to help his efforts. He gives you a sad little grateful smile, and tucks you into his chest, your head resting just below his chin. When he speaks, his voice is barely above a whisper, a low rasp to it, “I’m here, dear. We’re in this together.”

Nodding into his chest, you take a few steading breaths. “I know,” you say. “But is it too much to ask for a break every once and a while?”

“Darling,” a cold kiss graces your temple before he continues, “I’ve been asking myself that question for two-hundred years.” His words aren’t meant to elicit sympathy, just reality, and you both soak in it for a while. Laying in each others’ arms, bodies too exhausted to move, spirits too broken to speak, you allow yourself to weep.

You want calling Astarion out on his bullshit? For sure.

“Gods,” he breathes out in anguish. “I can’t say you’re wrong. I can only say I'm so glad we didn’t meet then. I don’t even want to think what would have happened to you…”

You’ve never been above challenging your lover’s sullen moods, facing his avoidances head on. So you stare him down fiercely when you say, “Don’t you avoid this, Astarion. Face it, like you must face them. You would have killed me.”

And just like that, something in him buckles. All of his blustering blown away in the stark reality of his previous life. “I would have killed you.” Astarion’s shoulders bow, his head turns away from you and it’s all you can do to hold back a fierce, rib-shattering embrace.

You want fluff? Hell yeah.

You’re ever the slightly more responsible of the two of you. “I always thought that the day we got thrown into prison together it would be for theft, murder, maybe racketeering– not public indecency.”

“The night is young, dear,” he says, smiling up at you innocently. "I wouldn't rule any of them out quite yet."

You plant a small kiss on his head and respond, “You are an utter fool.”

You want an ending where he doesn't run off on his own and break your heart? It's only natural 😭

Sniffling, tears trailing down your face and onto his neck, you know your voice is barely there. But you need him to know. You whisper to him, “We’re all here for you. You’re safe with us.”

And like a stubborn lock that finally gives, he collapses into you. His full body weight bears down on you, and it’s all you can do to keep from toppling over. Yet you remain solid, fully ready to support him as long as he needs.

Anyway, I just wanted to be excited, if you read this far ty I appreciate you and pls how do I get this vampire man out of my head 🥲

[puppyplayhouse]

sorry if you have been asked this before but i feel like you would have the best opinions on this!! what kind of canine hybrids do you think skz would match well with? (the idea of either of the aussies with a dingo hybrid ☹️ adorable)

I'm going family Canidae over just dogs! Give it some pizzazz. I don't think this turned out as much as "what they'd like most" as it is what I think would be good for them!

Chan: Poodle!

Poodles are highly intelligent, sporty, and in my experience, simultaneously eager to learn yet stubborn. I think a poodle hybrid would match Chan well because there are shared interests there (soccer, swimming!) But they'd have a sense of pride and independence that could challenge him a bit and I think he'd enjoy that factor. Poodles also tend to have bursts of clinginess, and he'd love that! I also selfishly think that learning to take care of his hybrids curly hair would teach him to love his own, and he needs that.

Minho: Raccoon!

Raccoons are curious and intelligent but are also introverted and would enjoy quietly observing what Minho was doing. I think he'd also really enjoy cooking for a raccoon hybrid because they'd always be very enthusiastic about their food, and he'd get a lot of validation from that. Raccoons can also be aggressive, so I picture Minho's hybrid as one that is very weary of strangers and takes a while to warm up to them, which Minho could probably relate to.

Changbin: Leonberger!!

Large, loyal, strong, and confident! A Leonberger dog hybrid would have no trouble matching Changbins energy and they're even temper and tendency to be very playful would balance Changbins bursts of frustration because they wouldn't pay it any mind, often completely ignoring his bad moods to avoid encouraging them. They easily challenge him in the gym, and I think they'd also become a bit of a safety net for him at times. Dynamic duo type.

Hyunjin: Bush dog!

Bush dogs are compulsively sociable and have no set hierarchy in groups, so Hyunjin would get an outgoing yet attached hybrid who treats everyone the same regardless of status and he loves that. His hybrid would be by his side at all times and loves to insert themselves in conversations, which gives Hyunjin an easy out when he starts feeling drained or overwhelmed. A bush dog hybrid would be happy to sit by him while he painted or wrote, only demanding some form of physical contact, which could be as simple as their knees touching.

Han: Maned Wolf

The maned wolf is shy, distinctive and usually solitary. I think this is something Hannie could benefit from because they bring a sense of calm and predictability to his life that really does wonders for his constantly racing mind. This hybrid would really love sitting and listening to him play songs on his guitar and would be really interested in the way his mind works without ever being pushy about it and I think they would have a deep connection whilst both being very independent of one another.

Felix: Dingo

Dingos are intelligent and affectionate, yet very individualistic and cautious. I think they'd end up being a bit of a Sunshine Protector in the sense that Felix wants to see the best in people and isn't always aware of their intentions, whilst his dingo hybrid is always cautious and looking out for what is truly in Lixxies best interest. They can match his need to feel loved without becoming absorbed in their owner and still maintain a very deep bond with him! They can also be quite playful at times, and he'd enjoy that in small bursts.

Seungmin: Dhole!!!

Dholes are very social within their packs and tend to have a dominance based hierarchy and I think this hybrid would match Seungmin well because he benefits from having a leader who can guide and still be flexible and fluid in their interactions. I think Seungmin would find comfort and stability in his dhole hybrid and they'd be able to match his goofy antics with ease.

Jeongin: Coyote

Coyotes are tricksters, and each has very unique personalities! I picture Jeongins coyote hybrid being very bossy and adventures, and they'd be both a fun challenge and a partner in chaos to Jeongin. He'd enjoy trying to put them in their place almost as much as he'd life their eagerness for any pranks he wanted to plan, and they're always up for a 2am adventure when he can't sleep!

[asp1diske-art]

Your technical skill with lineart and shading is amazing in itself, but it's your ability to convey emotion and atmosphere in your work that is trademark to me :) its incredible how you can show through gesture and body language just what these masked, expressionless characters are feeling, and how the environment itself conveys that. Your lurien comics, especially the one that ends in something along the lines of "I return to the kingdom you abandoned" are I think the spark that made Lurien go from Some Guy to Deeply Interesting for me, and your use of color pop and shaky line contributed so much to the feeling in those comics. You are one of the artists whose skill at evoking emotions I aspire to <3

Oh wow, I've been reading and re-reading this for the last 20 minutes this is amazing.

So, emotions!

If there is one thing I'm proud to have accomplished during my time in Hollow Knight, it's the skill of expressing tone. Because here's the thing, facial expressions are just one of the many components of tone. (I even wrote about this in another ask some time ago.) Colors, gestures, camera angle, lighting, paneling, lines and narration - all of these come together to convey the mood of the scene.

Check out these wips from the Watcher and the Watched comic, for example.

You can see that color played a huge role in setting the atmosphere in the comic. It shows that this comic is taking place in the Watcher's Spire, but it also gives a dark, subdued feeling that wouldn't come from idk, a yellow background. The backlight emphasizes the ominous tone of the last page. As does Lurien's pose - coupled with the butler looking up and Lurien looking down, it makes it look like Lurien is looming over his butler (and the reader). All this builds up to deliver Lurien's lines with maximum impact.

So yeah, a lot goes into conveying tone in comics, and I'm very happy to hear that it was recieved well!!

The Lurien, Dreamer comic. It's almost 2 years old now but it's still one of the favorite comics I drew about him. Together with the City of Tears comic, it's the epitome of my interpretation of Lurien. My characterization of Lurien's relationship with the Pale King was quite different from the usual fanon at the time (I don't know how it is now, I haven't gone into the tags in years haha) and I wasn't really sure how people would take it. So I'm glad to hear that it got you interested in Lurien!

It's the one that took the longest too lol. Usually I draw comics in a single setting, but that one took 3 days. Besides Two Ghosts (which was an 18 chapter+@ comic that was over 50p and took about 2 months), no other comic has broken this record. I put in a lot of care into it, and it still holds a special place in my heart.

Honestly half the reason I use messy, sketchy lines is that I suck at drawing clean lines lmao. But I like to think that I've made the best of it and utilized it as an art style. In that comic especially, because the whole thing takes place in the dream realm and I wanted to give a rough, unreal feel to it.

I'd show breakdowns of this one too but the file is so big it keeps crashing lol. (Pro tip - draw your comic pages in separate files. Don't be like me and draw 300dpi 10p comics with 30 layers in each page in a single canvas. It will crash and you will be sad.) But drawing the White Palace was a interesting challenge because I usually draw in highly saturated colors whereas the Palace is, well, white. So I had to work out a way to color this without making everything looking grey, while also making it recognizable as the palace. iirc I used a lot of overlay & burn & dodge layers along with a few difference & subtract layers to give the white a slight yellow tint to stand out from the dark blue. (I'm pretty sure they're the culprits crashing the file.)

Sorry this got long, I really took this as an invitation to ramble about my art hkfsldjkflj

Thank you for all the compliments! It's an honor to hear that my art could be someone's aspiration, and I'm very happy that all my Lurien art got someone else into Lurien. I hope you have a nice day :D

[crystalelemental]

Full tierlist is here, breakdown of the S-tier. As the youth say, these are my blorbos. The kids still say blorbo, right?

In all seriousness, this is going to be the longest part by far.  The major difference between A-tiers, who are largely some of my favorites you may have seen me talk about a lot, and the S-tiers here, is that S-tiers are so personally compelling they define my attachment to the series. I am going to talk A Lot.  So, reverse order, let's talk about S-tier.

Clair Crystal Lore: I am a younger cousin of a particularly talented older cousin.  I'm sure this immediately sets the stage for why I like Clair so much.  Having her try so hard to be stronger than the talented older cousin, and being Very Angry that she can't seem to be no matter what she does, resonated with me profoundly.  The very first fanfiction I wrote was as a roughly ten year old child, giving her the victory over Lance I felt she deserved, and nearly two decades later I recreated it in one of my personal favorite fics.  Clair just got me.

In terms of what she is within the series, Clair, like Whitney, exudes personality in a short window of time.  Uniquely, Clair refuses to give you a badge after you beat her, demanding you go through an additional trial.  Notably, this mimics modern games giving their pre-match trials that feel completely pointless, but instead of a time waster, Clair's actions define who she is.  She's a sore loser who cannot stand when others are recognized as being more capable than her.  She hates that Lance seems to be the favorite, she hates that the Elder doesn't recognize her, she hates that this random challenger can waltz in and beat her.  She's set to refuse accepting you passed the trial, until threatened with consequences of...telling Lance.  Which she considers a big enough deal to relent.  She hates that he's the favorite...but she does respect him.  It's an absolutely divine presentation of this kind of dynamic, for a hot-headed character seeking recognition, feeling like they're overshadowed.

The fun is that Clair, at least visually and in team composition, is highly distinct from Lance despite both being dragon tamers.  This is something HGSS loses a bit given evolutions and team expansions, but Clair is defined as someone aligned to the sea, while Lance is defined as someone aligned to the skies.  It's a common joke that Lance is secretly a Flying trainer, but that's by design.  He is master of the skies, high above the rest of the world.  And in contrast, Clair belongs to the seas, with an ace defined by its presence deep below the waves, and a typing that leaves its sole vulnerability as other Dragons.  Symbolically, this is an excellent presentation of how she perceives her relationship to Lance.  That sense of inferiority in comparison to him is, quite literally, her core weakness.

When I write Clair, I like to think a lot about what she'd be with age.  As the cools off, I imagine her to be more introspective and reflective, moving from the external comparison to the people she respects but feels she cannot measure up to, to comparison to her past self and where she's going in her own life.  This is undoubtedly projection, but Clair has always been a profoundly important character to me because of that personal connection.

Cynthia Perhaps my most normie opinion of the entire tier list: Cynthia is really cool actually.  I feel like there are not many people willing to argue this, save to be contrarian.  Which, mood, I'll get to that, but call it what it is.  Cynthia's an excellent design, and a notoriously difficult challenge that keeps her ranked as a favorite for most.  Yet at the same time, I am also part of the group that gets really frustrated with the general fan perception of Cynthia.  Part of that is...too much waifu-ing of a character who Does Not Look LIke That, but in equal measure, people tend to over-emphasize the coolness of Cynthia and ignore that she's kind of a massive dork.

What's presented in-game is honestly fascinating in comparison to her predecessors.  Consider previous champions.  Blue is the son of Professor Oak, the most esteemed researcher in the series.  Lance is the prodigy son of a prestigious line of dragon tamers.  Steven is the son of a powerful CEO of the foremost company in Hoenn.  By comparison, Cynthia is the granddaughter of the chief of a podunk village in the middle of bumfuck nowhere mountain.  Cynthia's rise is from relative obscurity, and what she does with this fame is...kinda wander around pursuing her personal interests.  She takes after Steven in this way, being a recurring presence in the player's adventure, but never really taking over the spotlight.

Much like Dawn, her personality is solidified by her contrast to Cyrus, who exists in opposition to human spirit, and more thematically, to emotion.  Like Volo and Cogita, her namesake can align to the "I think/wish/feel, therefore I am," with Cynthia being the "feel."  She is wholly emotional, driven by her internal whims and what captures her interest.  She's open and earnest, almost to a fault, being willing to address Cyrus' philosophical inquiries with "If you hate people so much, just go live by yourself, I don't care about your tantrum."  

Following her feelings is what leads to her arrival in Unova.  She literally spends half a year, every year given she's in both games, just hanging out at the beach with her girlfriend/wife Caitlin, and exploring ruins.  At no point is the question of whether whether she should spend so long away from her job important to her.  Cynthia travels when and where she wants, and more importantly, crashes at a "friend's" place while doing it.  Masters expands on this a bit, confirming that part of her reason is that Darach tidies up for her.  She's bad at housekeeping, tends to make a mess of everything, and she likes having someone help take care of it for her.  The illustrious Champion of Sinnoh cannot clean her room.  That's endearing to me.

Cynthia, for all her perceived polish, is a massive nerd and a domestic disaster, and that's fantastic.  I love a character that can present as effortlessly cool and a complete dweeb depending on circumstance.  The level of excitement and whimsy she expresses about legends and myths and her research, before she goes into Serious Battle Mode and stomps your shit in, is the sauce that makes her so appealing.  I don't think you can have a truly engaging Cynthia without both sides in play.

Geeta In very provable terms, Geeta is the least popular champion in the series.  People, broadly, Do Not Like Her.  Part of this is comparative.  In a game that introduced a ton of strong and present personalities, Geeta does fail to stand out, being more downplayed and seemingly all business polish.  When you're surrounded by lunatics, being the "normal" one is less appealing (see my stance on Larry).  Part of this is fan response to the concept of having a boss, actively vilifying her for incredibly benign actions, and making absolutely wild assumptions about her leadership style and capabilities based on incomplete information.  I'm not beating around the bush on this one, I think people are overtly hostile to Geeta for no reason, and it's become a self-reinforcing stance in fandom as people flock to the general consensus.  And me?  I am many things.  A massive hater, deeply biased by aesthetics, possibly too old to write this many words about a children's series for children.  But the very core of my being, is being contrarian.  And damn if her spot here isn't everyone else's fault.

Let's address the former issue.  Geeta, in presentation, comes off very down-played, being the polished and calm business woman who, by appearance, exudes too little to stand out.  This is facade.  Just like Larry, Geeta self-identifies as fairly normal, but is possibly the least hinged of any particular group.  When Penny hacks into the League system and embezzles tens of thousands of dollars in funds, her response is "That's awesome.  Buff up our security system and we won't tell the feds."  I have seen people spin this to "Geeta is blackmailing Penny," in case we want to keep counting of meaningless vilification attempts. Geeta is lackadaisical about rules and, apparently, legality.  When you go into Area Zero without permission, it's Rika that snaps at you about breaking rules.  Geeta thinks it's fine, and is giving special permission to people outside her institution to explore.

Her battle also highlights a lot of how she is as a person.  Like okay, I'm assuming everyone landed critical hits, or had her get a lucky shot in, right?  If you didn't, the short is that Geeta comments on everything, but it comes across as wildly condescending.  "Surely this isn't enough to deter you," "Yes, that's the correct move in this situation."  She seems really smug, but the thing is...she's being genuine.  She's clapping for you, smiling the same way she always does.  She does think you're doing a good job and is trying to be encouraging, and is so so bad at it.  I think there's a reason she considers Nemona her sort of successor; she likely sees a lot of herself in Nemona's complete lack of social grace.  She is singularly driven to make Paldea's league exceptional, and despite her efforts to be encouraging and enthusiastic, comes across as condescending or insincere, and I don't read that as intentional from her at all.  Despite claims that they were obviously setting up Villain Geeta, she's been on the level the whole time.  She's just awkward, guys.

When I write her, this is what I like to lean into.  She is deeply awkward, and has no idea what she's supposed to be doing outside of her job.  She runs two organizations, and has zero known personal hobbies.  In many ways, she's a foil to Larry.  Larry doesn't like his position, but as a means to an end, has thrown his entire life into work in hopes of an early escape, with nothing to fall back on.  Geeta knows nothing but her work, and is likely to die at her desk.  She knows what she likes, but doesn't know how to act outside of that, and it rubs people wildly the wrong way.

Which leads to the second issue.  Fan perception of her is starkly negative, and this personal friction leads to assessments of her abilities that are wildly critical given that we don't know what she stepped into.  Consider Paldea as a whole.  This is the only region where we have a legitimate, fully funded Academy for research.  Trainer Schools in other regions are exclusively for battling, but Paldea, uniquely, has Pokemon Biology, Home Ec, Mathematics, as if any ten year old needs to know that shit when you have dinosaurs that are your friend.  No other region provides such a robust set of studies for future career paths.  Paldea's League, then, is in direct competition with all of these other fields of study, in a way other regions are not.  Of course there's not as much money behind it, it has significant competition.

Despite this, people will assert that it is Geeta's poor management that results in Gym Leaders taking a second job, when...Unova.  Unova also has Gym Leaders take on secondary, more lucrative positions, and no one criticizes Alder's management skills.  If anything, Geeta is keenly aware of the fact the League doesn't pay well, but still expects her Leaders to at least care about their job.  Notably, no one gets fired.  The Leaders remain despite the performance review, and despite many showing outright apathy about the position.  Moreover, while it's not necessarily her doing (though I assume it is), the LP system subsidizes pay.  This one gets her a lot of flak too, calling LP a form of company scrip (Vilification Count: 2), but last I checked, company scrip cannot be used at your local independent hot dog stand, with a 1:1 ratio for actual cash.  If anything it's the polar opposite; lacking in direct funding to pay better, a system was implemented in which League members, in addition to their actual wages, receive LP that operates, somehow, at a 1:1 value with proper currency.  This is both a brilliant move to incentivize people to take the positions, and an outright miracle of bureaucracy that she got nearly every organization in the country to agree to it.

I can go on about her battle being badmouthed as poor design, and how that's really just game design failing an otherwise competent team, but I've done that before and I don't want to spend forever one one character.  My point is, Geeta is the closest I come to "Everyone else is interpreting this character wrong."  Geeta is absolutely fascinating to me.  She wants so badly to make the League as grand as any other, and in the face of massive competition that puts them in a less favorable position, has largely risen to the occasion.  She's not perfect.  She makes Katy hold back so challengers experience early success, which is behaviorally sound for competitors, but unsatisfying to her employee.  She's not infallible.

But she cares deeply for her people, and wants the best for them.  That's why she doesn't just ignore Penny's actions, she offers her a job putting her known skills to positive use and guiding a career.  That's why she "forces" Larry to use Flying types; she's aware he's in a rut and doesn't love what he does, and is nudging him to expand his interests and horizons.  That's why she has Nemona sit out of the Academy Ace Tournament; difficult as it is for her, Nemona is gearing up to take her place as Top Champion, and needs practice organizing the event rather than being its top competitor.  People don't really like her for it.  Again, social graces are nonexistent, and her sense of what's right to do isn't always what people want.  But there's a reason those performance reviews end with everyone showing renewed interest and investment in their positions.  Contrary to popular belief, Geeta knows what she's doing, and is damned good at it.

Valerie Aesthetically perfect, I adore Valerie's design.  What pushed her over the edge is a particular bit of dialogue from someone in the hotels who talks about various characters.  He tells you that "Miss Valerie"  is actually from Johto.  Her fashion is largely centered on Johto fashion, but she came to Kalos for reasons we don't really know.  Which should get the brain juices flowing.  For me, the connection was obvious: from Johto, kimono-based attire, mains an Eeveelution.  That is a Kimono Girl.  Formerly, at least, but that is a Kimono Girl, you cannot convince me otherwise.

So then Masters jumps in, produces the Silver and Ho-oh event where she knows all about Ho-oh...only for them to have her say "Sorry, I'm not, I just know a lot about it."  Which...okay.  I'm choosing to interpret that as strictly literal.  She is not, in this iteration, a Kimono Girl.  But either she was and is no longer, or wanted to be.  This is fan speculation in spades at this point, but that's half the fun, right?

In the former case, it's...kind of whatever.  It implies that she got bored or something, but the conclusion is she left of her own accord.  Perhaps to pursue fashion, who knows.  But I find these conclusions relatively boring.  They don't really lead you anywhere.  The latter case, however, has implications.  Did she want to become one but couldn't?  Why couldn't she?  Did she fail out?  That seems unlikely, given her knowledge of relevant Johto mythology and working understanding of Johto fashion.  Was she not allowed to become one?  Why not?  Is the position something you're born into, and despite how much she admired them, she just couldn't follow those footsteps?  Or was something else in play?  I have an answer, but I'm literally in process writing a fic with my answer and don't want to spoil that, so look forward to it, shameless plug.

My point is that, very succinctly, Valerie is the kind of character who is sprinkled with just enough connected dots that you can really run wild with speculation about what her deal is.  And her deal becomes exponentially more fascinating when she talks about wanting to literally become a Pokemon, Mystery Dungeon style.  Valerie, what in god's name does that mean?  Like you want to look like one?  Your clothes do weight thirty-three pounds, apparently, so dedication to the need for fairy wings.  Or do you want to physically metamorphose into a fairy?  Do you assume that's possible based on the forbidden Sinnoh deeplore we're all now privy to?  How do you expect to...actually, talk to Opal, she may know a thing or two.

Valerie just winds up being a favorite off of aesthetic preference, and finding her really interesting to speculate about. I can safely say she's probably the "shallow" favorite of the seven, but there's a reason she's #4. I think there's a lot of enjoyment to be had with speculation about a character, where canon doesn't answer too much for you but gives just enough to really get you thinking about it. Also I think all gym leaders should be completely unhinged, my biggest criticism of Galar is that everyone's kinda downplayed, and Valerie is one of the least hinged characters we get in the series. I love her dearly.

Roxanne I have a strong affinity for the straight-laced, serious, studious types.  Needless to say, Roxanne is so in this category that, when I first played Sapphire, Roxanne was my favorite instantly.  There is a cute bookworm girl who is really into cool rocks?  I like cool rocks!  Attachment established.

The core of "cute nerd who is deeply fixated on her interest" is the appeal.  Roxanne is an absolute treasure, being deeply invested in rocks because she is a lover of history, and rocks (specifically, fossils and such) tell a story about the ancient past.  She'd get along well with Cynthia, is all I'm saying.  But within her own region, she has the closest connection to Steven, her Rock Pal, who she talks with endlessly about different rocks and stones.  What's fun is the contrast.  Steven's appeal to rocks seems to be that he finds them pretty and likes the rare ones.  He's the equivalent of a card collector who likes showing off the shiny reverse holo foil he pulled.  Roxanne, however, is about story.  She actually knows how to play the game and maybe this common isn't flashy and impressive, but she loves the tricks it can pull and thinks the art really captures the story they're telling through the flavor text.

There's also her teacher/tutor angle, depending on perceived age (recently leaked documents state 14, though your stance on unreleased internal documents that have very evidently changed is up to you).  Roxanne knows a lot, but is also someone who wants to share that knowledge with others.  She seems to like working with kids, doing so voluntarily and, presumably, does a good job.  Her younger gym trainers all seem to look up to her, anyway.  She is admired for her skills and knowledge, if nothing else.

Fan perception, but it's her social relationships I think bear examination.  She has Steven, who...we never see directly interact with her in the series proper.  And she allegedly has Brawly, who she interacted with in the demo of ORAS but again, never in series.  She just mentions getting your number from him, so we know they're in communication, but nothing else.  And the thing is, while she is admired for being the top of the class student, that tends to come with some social distance, as she may seem more unapproachable.  Add in a tendency to start monologuing in really technical detail about her specific area of interest that not many others are going to reciprocate, and you have a good recipe for a character who is, at some level, rather isolated.  There's a reason that, even within Masters, her only close associations seem to be other Rock-type trainers, who share her fervor for rocks.

Masters added dialogue about how she always wanted to train a Golem specifically.  This feels like a minor detail, but (1) Geodude is fairly common, so this isn't particularly unreasonable for most people, except that (2) it's a trade evolution.  To make that, specifically, your distant goal that you're hoping to one day achieve implies that...you don't have someone to trade with.  You're easily talented enough to train up to a Graveller.  But Golem?  That requires something that goes a step outside of your knowledge. Which is the premise of another fic I wrote, are you sensing a pattern?

Despite this, Roxanne never really seems lonely or sad, or even all that concerned about it.  She's the type to be perfectly fine with a small, close circle of friends she gets along with.  And it's not that she can't adapt to other areas of interest, she teaches for god's sake.  But she knows what she likes and stays true to that, pulling just enough competence to interface well with anyone she needs to.

Roxanne, similar to Clair, hits at a very personal level, even if some of that is due to strictly personal interpretation. While I will often bemoan fandom tendency to big up random characters that are canonically blank slates, I do at least understand the personal connection to a character based on what you've perceptually built of them. Roxanne is, in many ways, that kind of character to me.

Jasmine I am a slut for Johto.  By region, it is my favorite, it's a nostalgia thing, it is part of my soul, it will never leave me.  In particular, I attached very strongly to Olivine, a city near the sea.  While not quite the same thing, I spent a lot of my younger days near the water, and feel a profound connection to it.  Olivine felt deeply like home to me because of that.  If I were going to have my own Pokesona, which is definitely not a thing I did as a child, they'd live in Olivine.  And naturally, this meant there was connection with Jasmine.

Aesthetically, Jasmine is another that just clicks with me.  Incredibly cute design, backed by an ace that is a giant metallic snake monster.  You have no idea how much I love that Masters kept this going by giving her Celesteela.  Jasmine's just a fun and eye-catching look, especially with the HGSS redesign.

Her personality is best encapsulated in her intro.  "I use the - Clang! - Steel type!  ...do you know about Steel type?  They are very cold, sharp, and really strong.  Um...I'm not lying."  First note: Jasmine describes her type in very tactile terms.  She is someone who thrives on the sensory, and appreciates the qualities of cold, sharp, and the noise they make, with her "Clang!" in Masters' sync moves being interpretable as a vocal stim at this point.  Second note: she introduces herself and her type, and then the script falls apart, so she just starts talking about her favorite type. There's even a delay before she starts talking again, implying a bit of silence as nothing happens.  Third: following that, there's another pause, where she tries to fill the silence and what she comes up with is an incredibly awkward "I'm not lying" before giving up and just starting the fight.  Our girl is incredibly awkward, and I adore her.  Because despite this, she tries to break out of that mold.

Jasmine is very mild-mannered and soft-spoken, often apologetic and uncertain, but she tries.  Jasmine is constantly pushing herself to move out of her comfort zone.  She's one of few characters who actively travels to another region.  We find her in Sinnoh, where she's taken up Contests as well, which I always interpreted her as being particularly invested in personal experiences.  Yet where we find her is Sunyshore.  By the sea.  It's comforting to her.  It reminds her of home.  What the game shows us is a young girl who is deeply socially anxious, trying her best to push herself to get out there. She's doing it scared, but by god, she is doing it.

We also get more of her general life, given the little mini events in HGSS.  We get to know that Jasmine is a huge eater despite her slender frame (girl, same), and we get to see her talk to Erika, who she cannot socially keep up with.  Erika has her flustered in like fifteen seconds flat.  And god bless Masters, because when Jasmine talks about Erika, it is in absolutely gushing praise with literal hearts bursting over her, transitioning immediately into blushes and insistence you never tell Erika because that's really embarrassing.  Girl is down bad for the girl who...kinda teases her for giggles.  That's her best friend/girl crush.  I'm not even theorizing, Masters has basically canonized that.

Jasmine is just an entire mood, being socially withdrawn but trying to branch out, awkward but trying so hard to engage with people, pushes herself to do all the things she desperately wants to experience, and finds comfort in the ocean and her preferred sensory input.  She feels like one of the most fleshed out characters in very little time on screen, and unlike many who get development, hers is less about grand sweeping character arcs, and more about her day to day.  It's about knowing the kind of person she is. I find her deeply relatable, and delightfully charming.

Caitlin Among the many archetypes that capture my interest immediately, there is no more powerful category than "Has very strong emotions, does not understand them at all."  When you combine this with a wealthy lady who barks orders, I stand literally no chance.  Getting to know about EVs and competitive stuff was the worst thing to ever happen to me, but it did mean I challenged the Platinum Frontier, and I cannot begin to tell you what Caitlin did to me at that age.  Seeing her come back in BW1, now a member of the Elite Four using my favorite type in Psychic, was an instant kill.  No one did it like Caitlin.

Of course, this is the initial hook that would eventually drag me directly into gacha hell once again.  Seriously, I picked up Masters specifically because I wanted to play as Caitlin.  What drew me to her was the background they go in to.

See, Psychic, as a type, is often associated not with thought, but with feeling.  With empathy.  Sabrina initially asserts that everyone has some Psychic power, they just don't realize it, with the implicit lesson being that your ability to connect with others and to feel things out is a form of psychic power.  Tate and Liza show similar given their coordination tactics.  Caitlin is the next evolution of that, taking the concept of "Psychic powers as emotional strength" to a different conclusion.  Specifically, what happens when you can't control it?

In Platinum, Caitlin is forbidden from battling.  They don't really go in depth about why, just that she can't, so Darach does it for her.  When we meet in Unova, the answer is explained: "the force of my emotions shook me greatly.  When my power awoke, I came close to destroying everything around me."  She's even clear about what the emotion was, talking about how she's never beaten Cynthia, and would explode with rage.  She doesn't handle losing well, and has eruptive psychic power that make it actively dangerous for her to get mad.

Caitlin is someone with anger issues, whose understanding of elegance and poise is to just not do that at all.  Just don't get mad.  She even refers to that time as her "weak self," as if trying to distance from that part of her.  But while battling, when you get to her last Pokemon, she says she needs to stay cool and collected no matter what, as if talking herself through it.  And in her villa, she'll talk about how she thinks it's better to just have no psychic power at all, than power you can't control.  Using the "Psychic powers as channeling feeling," she's someone who thinks it's better to feel nothing than to feel out of control. There's a reason I think she and Cyrus would have stuff to talk about.

By BW2, Caitlin has dropped the "weak self" and no longer talks herself through things while on the verge of losing, instead presenting as much calmer and even enjoying the match. But that personal philosophy stays.  She pursues this notion of an ideal, elegant self, but that self is one completely divorced from the things she is feeling. And it's only through experience confronting those emotions and working through them that she actually starts to properly adapt.

Specifically, losing to Cynthia got her used to it, and helped her learn to calm down.  In her position as Elite Four, losing to the protagonists (and likely Iris) further built familiarity.  She keeps it in check now.  It's delightfully powerful, and resonates very strongly on a personal level.  As someone who has also had difficulty controlling frustration and anger, and also internalized shame over it to the point you think the only thing to expect is Never Get Mad, Caitlin lands extremely hard.

Coincidentally, this is also part of why Caitlin/Cynthia is my big pairing.  Cynthia, canonically, is part of what got Caitlin to where she is.  Their battles taught Caitlin to accept loss, and Cynthia's continued presence with her through explosive outbursts shows a level of trust and care that is, frankly, rare in the series.  Friendship is a huge thematic point of Pokemon, but in many cases it's interest in similar things, or that sort of kid friendship where you both are playing in the same sandbox and therefore are friends right now.  Caitlin and Cynthia have this incredibly fascinating backstory of a girl who could not control her power, and a girl who stuck with her until she could.  Even if you're weirded out about age gap or just don't like the ship, there's something uniquely powerful to their dynamic I don't think you can get anywhere else in the series.

Caitlin is just the most personal connection I have ever gotten out of a Pokemon character.  She is the ideal aesthetic, she mains the best type, she's a powerful temper doing her best to be composed, grappling with internalized shame and a desire to be rid of those feeling entirely, but makes her way through to better control it without suppressing who she is.  It's like I said, absolutely no one did it like Caitlin.

Shameless Self-Promotion If you read through all 39 of those paragraphs, maybe you would like to read 39 other paragraphs of fanfiction?  If so inclined, here's the link to my AO3 account, where I have written:

Several Caitlin/Cynthia fics, and some Caitlin-specific fics

Geeta-positive propaganda

General-rated Volo fic, which one comment tells me is super rare

WataOshi fic, but not a pairing anyone cares about

That one Little Goody Two Shoes fic

Among others. I also cross-post each fic under this tag on Tumblr, with some commentary if you're into that sort of thing. I've been working on new projects that should hopefully start going live by the end of the week too. I'm hoping to have one or two up tonight, we'll see.

[eventinelysplayground]

This is my first entry for @violettduchess & @lorei-writes Sunshine and Starlight creation challenge. It is also my fic for Yukimura's birthday (who is also the closest to my birthday) . I used the prompt festival after dark but it is a tiny bit of a stretch. I do intend to write the story within this story since it was my original idea but I'm not in the mood to write smut right now so I wrote this instead. Mai reminisces about some memorable festivals from her youth. Purely fluff, hinted at spice. WC approx 935.

Festival Memories

“Well how do I look?”

The teenage girl gave a small twirl, the sleeves of her yukata dancing around her as two women smiled at her and a man worked quietly at a desk.

“You look beautiful Hikari.”

“Thank you Mother.”

“Come here my dear, let me check it one last time.”

“Grandma, it's fine, truly.”

“Yes well, my eyesight is not exactly what it used to be so I want to make sure.”

The young girl walked over to her grandmother and stood patiently as she smoothed out a section and checked the seams.

“I'm so excited for tonight I can't wait!”

“Is Munetoki meeting you at the festival or here?”

“I….”

The young girl trailed off clearly nervous to answer and quickly glanced at the man at the desk.

“Never mind your father child, if he has anything less than complimentary to say I'll put him in his place.”

The man momentarily looked up at this and sighed.

“You do know I'm the head of the clan now right?”

“And? I'm still your Mother!”

“I don't think you're going to win this fight Yuzuki.”

Yuzuki looked at the other woman who smiled fondly at him. Yuzuki sighed but he said nothing more and turned his attention back to his work.

“Go on, answer your Grandmother.”

“Yes Mother. He’s meeting me at the castle gates and then we're going to the festival together. I told him he could just meet me at the festival but he insisted.”

“Well he's certainly brave…”

“He's very much like his grandfather, Masamune was always charging straight into things.”

“I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time Hikari.”

Hikari's mother gave her daughter a huge smile as she reached out and grabbed her hand.

“Festivals are such a wonderful time. You know my first kiss with your Grandfather was after a festival.”

“Really!?”

“Your Grandfather had attracted quite a lot of attention that night, in fact I was quite annoyed with him for a bit at that but it all got sorted out.”

Hikari’s eyes widened in interest as she listened to her grandmother's story.

“After saying prayers we almost got separated in a large crowd but Yukimura took my hand and led me to a grove of sacred trees. When he kissed me it made me catch my breath.”

At his writing table Yuzuki let out a disgusted groan making his wife let out a faint laugh.

“That must have been a very memorable festival for you Mother.”

“Yes it was Mahiro.”

Mai let out a soft sigh as her daughter in law smiled tenderly at her.

“I remember when the kiss ended Yukimura pulled me to him, he told me he didn't want to let me go that night. I didn't want him to either but-”

Mai was interrupted by another groan coming from Yuzuki. Mai turned to look at her son for a moment before a devilish smile lit up her face.

“It wasn't the most memorable festival Yukimura and I attended though.”

“What was your most memorable festival Grandmother?”

“Well Hikari, that would have to be one where your grandfather and I couldn't wait to get back to the castle so we found a secluded spot and made love under the stars.”

There was a sudden clattering sound as Yuzuki dropped his ink brush.

“Aww geez Mom!”

“What? We're both certain that was the night you were conceived, you know.”

Yuzuki and Hikari both blushed furiously.

“I don't want to hear this.”

“I do!”

“So do I!”

Seeing himself clearly outvoted, despite his daughters blush, Yuzuki got to his feet with a sigh. He walked over to his wife planting a kiss to her cheek then walked over to his mother. When he leaned in to kiss her cheek as well he whispered in her ear.

“Please don't give Hikari any ideas, Mother.”

Mai feigned shock.

“I would never.”

“Uh huh.”

As Yuzuki left the room he could hear his mother beginning to tell her story. He walked along the hallway until he came to the garden where he saw his Father and Sauske sitting at a goban. Yuzuki went and sat between the two men studying the board.

“You look familiar, do I know you?”

Sauske and Yuzuki exchanged a glance.

“Yes you do. My name's Yuzuki, I'm your eldest son.”

Yukimura gave a satisfied nod and turned his attention back to the goban.

“Finished work early Yuzuki?”

“No, I was run out of the room. I'll finish it later.”

“What happened?”

“Hikari was showing off her yukata and it got Mom talking about festivals.”

Sauskes face was as expressionless as ever except for a raised eyebrow.

“How did Mai talking about festivals run you out of your room?”

Yuzuki leaned back on his hands and sighed.

“Well first she talked about how their first kiss was at a festival under some trees. Then she started talking about another festival that well…”

Sauske still looked confused and Yuzuki rolled his eyes.

“It went beyond kissing that time, apparently resulting in me.”

“Oh….”

Realization finally dawned on Sauske and his eyes widened.

“Ya so I got out of there before I heard any more.”

Yukimura finally made a move and Sauske turned his attention back towards the board.

“It was such a vibrant red, that shifted into orange.”

Yuzuki and Sauske turned their attention to Yukimura.

“What was vibrant red?”

“Mai’s yukata. She made it herself, you know. She looked so beautiful in it.”

Yuzuki smiled at his father's words.

“She looked more beautiful with it under her though, the way her skin flushed-”

Yuzuki let out a loud sigh that cut his father off as he flopped backwards onto the veranda.

“I give up!”

[soap143]

hiiiiii I was wondering if you would want to write about lee! hyunjin? maybe something similar the chan story but hyunjin has to paint while tickled or there's a belt that's ticklish which he has to wear while dancing??

if you don't want to you don't have to write it :)))

thank youuuu

AAAAH I love this idea! I hope you won’t mind that I wrote this for the “Eye for an eye” series. I just think this concept really fits in here. Happy reading! (just a quick lil reminder that you should read Challenge before or after this fic)

•• ━━━━━━━ •• ❖ •• ━━━━━━━ ••

Eye for an eye

pt. 2

lee!hyunjin

ler!chan

•• ━━━━━━━ •• ❖ •• ━━━━━━━ ••

Ever since Chan had gotten revenge on the first kid, the rest had been avoiding him in fear of being mercilessly wrecked. Minho, being the amazing lee he was, ratted out the leader’s plan immediately, causing everyone to never let their guard down.

However, this evening he was completely alone with Hyunjin in the dorm. Changbin and Han convinced Chan to stay home while they finish up all the work. The oldest smirked, plotting his sweet revenge…

He thought that Hyunjin was scrolling on social media or wasting his precious free evening doing something useless, but was pleasantly surprised to see the exact opposite “Woah, you’re… painting? Should I-” the kangaroo’s sentence was cut short as Jinnie groaned, throwing his head back in annoyance “Can you please leave? I’m really focused on finishing this painting. I’ll post it on instagram later for STAY to see.”

“God forbid me from disturbing you, my prince! Don’t you remember what you and the kids did to me last week? I thought Lee Know had told you.” Chan mocked, inching closer to his future victim.

“Haha, very funny. You can’t tickle me now. The paint. It’s gonna get everywhere. You’re gonna ruin my painting. I’ll die.” Hyunjin brainstormed ramdom ideas to get his hyung away from his ticklish self.

The aussie nonchalantly grabbed an empty canvas and a chair, walking towards the ferret. He placed the chair behind the painter and the canvas in front, replacing the unfinished painting with it.

“I think STAY would love to see how to paint a simple auto portrait… While being tickled.” the shorter stated, wrapping his fingers around Jinnie’s sides, not doing anything yet.

Hyunjin gulped, dipping his dirty paintbrush into a cup, filled with water. Then, he patted it dry onto a piece of paper. Lastly, he proceeded to grab quite a generous amount of paint onto his brush.

For STAY…

He started slowly with his face. It was just a simple little sketch, nothing too important anyway, so he didn’t really care about proportions. He was about to get tickled, so it would surely get ruined anyway.

As he was finishing up his chin and starting on the jaw, he felt a quick jab on his side, causing him to jerk the opposite way “Yah! Thankfully, the brush wasn’t on the canvas… I almost ruined it because of you!” Hyunjin whined.

The person responsable for the tall boy’s screams just snickered, poking him once again.The artists tried to protect his sensitive torso with one hand and paint with the other.

As Jinnie hurriedly drew the ears, Chan properly dug into the vulnerable spot, making Hyunjin flinch harshly “CHAN! Now you’ve ruined it! Do you see this big, dark line? That’s your fault!” the ferret dramatically gasped, repeatedly pointing at the horrible mistake.

“Excuse me? Chan? It’s hyung to you!” the shorter pointed out, shoving his wiggly fingers under the younger’s arms “YAHAHAHAHA STOHOHOHOHOP! IHIHI MUHUHUHUHUHST FIHIHIHIHIHINISH THIHIHIHIHS HAHAHAHA!” the tallest member in Stray Kids yelped, twisting side to side.

To his disadvantage, the aussie wasn’t in the mood to show any mercy “Remeber how you tickled me without letting me sing those beutiful lyrics out? I was dying, yet none of you stopped for even a minute to let me push those words out. Have a taste of your own medicine, Jinnie. Eye for an eye…” Chan ranted, drilling in between the long haired boy’s ribs.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA PLEHEHEHEHEASE, IHIHIHIHI REHEHEHEHEALY HAHAHAHAVE TOHOHOHOHO- NOHOHOHOHO!” the talented painter tried to squeak his sentence out, only to be cut off by his own crazy cackles “Get to drawing, I really wanna see that beutiful result of your talent~” the kangaroo teased, mocking the way Hyunjin and kids tormented him.

The ferret quickly grabbed the paintbrush, splashing some abstract stains of paint, trying to resemble his hair “Wow, are those your beutiful locks of hair?” the older teasingly questioned the colourful puddles.

“IHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI CAHAHAHHAHAN’T- UGH! STOHOHOHOHOP, YOUHUHUH’RE ANOHOHOHOHOHYING!” the dancer tried to argue with the older, but was far too ticklish for that “Where are those beutiful eyes of yours? And your neck? I think you should draw yourself wearing a beutiful polo-shirt.” Chan suggested, squeezing his lee’s lower back.

Hyunjin went bonkers when the chosen spot was mercilessly attacked. In fact, he even got some paint on his face.

In a desperate act, he snatched his painting tool and smuthered his not-so-empty canvas in random strokes. Most of them were unsuccessful, landing nowhere near the face. He tried once more, this time making them look somewhat close to a nose, eye and a singular eyebrow.

“You’re doing great! Just finish up the other half of the face and you’ll be done!” Channie commented, grabbing the top of the dancer’s thighs and pushing his fingers rapidly in and out of the flesh. The worst part: one hand was being so painfully gentle and the other seemed to be melting into the ticklish skin with its aggressiveness.

“OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOK O-OHOHOK IHIHIHIHIHI’M DO-DOHOHOHOHONE!” the younger announced “Nu-uh. The head, it’s floating. You better add a neck before it falls to the ground!”

The painting in question was full of uneven lines, some of them not even properly connecting. Hyunjin’s supposed face was half empty. Not to mention that it was covered in zig-zaggy strokes, most of which went over the line that separated the visage from the backround. The backround in question was covered with those exact same abstract, uneven strokes, lines and stains of paint.

Both of the boys stopped to admire their work. It seemed so… Modern “Look at what we’ve created…” Chan dramatically sighed in admiration “Excuse me? Who’s we? This is all my job!” Hyunjin tried to protest, only to be lowered back down by a few pokes to the side.

“STAY is gonna love this!” the aussie exclaimed, suddenly taking out his phone and stopping the video recording “YOU FILMED THAT?!” the artist roared “You filmed me! And posted it. This is called revenge!” the leader snickered, running away to hide into the safety of his room, before the taller boy could catch up.

That very same evening, Hyunjin’s instagram account was updated with two posts. One with the original painting he was working on, and the other painting: which his oldest hyung helped him make…

•• ━━━━━━━ •• ❖ •• ━━━━━━━ ••

Hope you enjoyed! Do you guys like this series and concept? Me personally, I love these shorter fics. Can’t wait to write more. Have a good day/night!❤️🙂

[mbti-notes]

Anon wrote: Hi, I’m the one who asked about my ISFJ mom a year ago. Thank you for the helpful questions. I’ve been trying to address our challenges and would appreciate more ideas where I’m most likely to implement change.

My Role in the Family's Negative Dynamic:

Relationship with Grandma: strained. I grew up living with her while mom and I spent most of our time outside for work & study. Grandma stayed home, cooking, and when I was home, she’d buy lunch. Housework was handled by a hired helper. Despite being family, I don’t respect her because of how she mistreats my mom—the one who cares and stays by her side, even when she could view her as a burden. I don't see her as a liability like my mom too, but her behavior & her outlook on life infuriates me.

I resent having to tiptoe around her feelings when she shows no regard for ours. Being expected to always be the 'bigger person' feels more like an obligation than I’m willing to do. Her unfair treatment of my mom bothers me deeply, and she has a history of mocking me when she’s upset. She also knows I dislike my uncle, so I receive additional disrespect whenever she senses any hostility from me toward him.

Here’s the situation: My mom has a strained relationship with my grandma. They don’t get along due to conflicting values, hobbies, and lifestyles. The dynamic with my uncle further complicates things. Grandma’s increasing dependence on my mom adds pressure, and she resents mom leaving the house, despite disliking her. Mom has no social life, no friends in our hometown (her only supportive friend lives abroad), and no hobbies. When she tries something new, grandma criticizes her for wasting time and money, which impacts mom's mental well-being. The cycle of unhappiness and resentment continues. The only time mom feels comfortable leaving the house is when she’s spending time with me & dad or running errands for the family.

I’m introverted and have my own responsibilities, so I don’t need to leave home often, but when I don’t, mom doesn’t have a reason to go out. Grandma’s mood, heavily influenced by my uncle’s involvement, dictates how she treats us. She criticizes us constantly, even if she’s wrong, addressing it results in either avoidance or accusations of bullying. If she’s right, she publicly shames us. When mom cries from the abuse, grandma blames it on karma. Despite being the sole breadwinner, mom has never used her position to mistreat grandma, but grandma continuously imagines the worst. She even watches videos about being mistreated by children, which deeply upsets my mom.

Grandma acts as if she doesn’t need my mom, despite relying on her both physically and to some extent emotionally. Mom feels used, as everyone turns to her whenever they face difficulties. She has a history of having to clean up after both my grandma’s and my uncle’s problems.

Mom can’t share this with anyone because she fears being told we’re ‘immoral’ or ‘unfilial.’ Mom has no emotional support—no friends, a disengaged husband (my dad), and a toxic relationship with her own mom and brother. If I don't help her, I'd feel powerless about this mess.

I would love more ideas for handling this situation based on the information I’ve shared.

addition to my role in family dynamics:

My Complicated Relationship with Mom: stressful. Since she’s given up on everyone else in the family, she places all her hopes, expectations, and emotional dependency on me. I’m expected to excel academically, secure the best career, become the future breadwinner, and share everything with her, as she has no other emotional support. But I feel overwhelmed by her constant needs.

To be honest, I find her quite close-minded, and her growing emotional dependence on me leaves me feeling trapped and obligated. She often invades my privacy, meddling in every aspect of my life. I’ve struggled to understand what personal boundaries & privacy are because of her, and I lack the space to establish any. I don’t have a room of my own or a private place in the house, so I either stay silent about things I want to keep personal or am forced to tell her everything. This loss of privacy makes me feel like I’m losing my sense of self.

She disapproves of me having many friends, believing they are a bad influence. She also dislikes me going out, fearing it will make me lazy and stray from the ideal person she wants me to be. She insists on knowing everything about my friendships, often prying until she gets answers. She even has access to my messaging apps and demands my passwords. This constant monitoring has made me reluctant to socialize or connect with others, knowing it will eventually be uncovered by her.

I’ve always craved independence, but I fear I don’t even know what that looks like anymore. Will I ever truly be independent under her influence? I want to be, but I don’t know how. It feels strange to even talk about this situation with friends because I used to be teased for my mom’s clinginess. It made me feel abnormal, as though she ruined my life. I used to fall out with a friend bc she was dating & thought I'd leak her secret to mom since I cling on to her so much in her opinion.

Despite this, I know my mom is in a difficult and lonely situation, and she needs someone to lean on. I want to handle our relationship in a way that earns her respect, so she can see I’m capable of taking responsibility for my own life. At the same time, I want to support her as willingly and happily as possible. But I’m unsure how to balance both.

I know this is another question as well but please help me out:( I feel so trapped in so many problematic situations:(

Thank you so much and have a nice day.

---------------------

If you are referencing a previous post, provide the link or post number so that I can review it, that is, if you hope for me to have the fullest understanding of your situation from which to craft the best reply. For future reference, note that there is a chance I won't respond if you don't do this. I was unable to locate the previous post and wasted time searching that could otherwise be spent writing a response. I don't know what your type is, so a big part of the picture is missing.

The situation is actually not as complicated as you believe. At the heart of the matter is lack of healthy boundaries, all around, on everyone's part. It's no coincidence that you struggle with this immensely when the whole family does as well. When it comes to personal growth, it is often what you most fear doing that reveals what you most need to do.

You are stuck in a moral dilemma, meaning that there are no perfectly ethical decisions available to you. No matter what you choose, something will have to give or someone will be displeased. The question is whether you're making an intelligent trade-off.

You claim to desperately want independence, but your behavior does not support this claim. Independence comes at a cost and you are never willing to pay it. To be independent means you have to grant yourself freedom and trust yourself to make decisions for your own well-being. You have to believe in your judgment and follow through with plans even in the face of opposition. If you easily succumb to the desires, expectations, or judgments of others, you'll never be truly independent. If you cannot give up seeking approval from others, you'll never be truly independent.

This is not to say that you must put yourself above all else and stop caring about others. Independence does not equal selfishness, but many FJs conflate the two. True independence isn't a reaction or a rebellion. Rather, it comes from having a clear, impartial, and objective understanding of a situation and how to do what is best for everyone involved, even when the results aren't all desirable. Of course people always want the most "desirable" outcome, but oftentimes that means the most self-serving outcome. The best outcome is the one that everyone needs, rather than wants. A need is something that is necessary for psychological growth. For example:

What does your grandma need? She needs to learn that her abusive behavior is harmful, destructive, and won't be tolerated. Until she learns that, she will become a worse and worse abuser because she suffers zero repercussions and even gets rewarded with better treatment.

What does your uncle need? He needs to learn that exploiting people means he doesn't deserve their investment in the relationship. Until the people he exploits stop allowing the exploitation, he will not stop because he has everything to gain.

What does your mom need? She needs to learn how to make herself equal to others and care equally well for her own needs. Until she is willing to do that, she keeps signalling to others that it's okay to abuse and exploit her.

What do you need? You need to learn how to set better boundaries, otherwise you will end up exactly like your mom. You are already shrinking from the judgment of others and withdrawing from the social world whenever you meet disapproval. This is likely how your mom's journey to being a doormat began. Until you are able to separate your needs from your mom's needs and understand that her problems aren't your problems to solve, you will keep being entangled with her, which means no independence.

Being good at relationships isn't easy. It not only means having the wisdom to know what everyone needs for the sake of improving overall well-being, it also involves having enough backbone and conviction to implement difficult and unpopular decisions. Yes, you have to take people's perspectives into consideration, but you also have to be able to tell the difference between a good and a bad opinion (i.e. good critical thinking), so that you can proceed with more confidence in your own good judgment.

[ghastlyfilters]

your buddy misses you | al capone

pairing; none. just a little fic about al and his son.

a/n; this has been in my drafts for AGES despite my current interest being trainspotting. also i hope this is accurate to the actual 1930’s!! (i try my best to study well when it comes to history) the only thing that isn’t accurate is we know that the real sonny was only partially deaf, so i’m not exactly sure why boardwalk made him fully deaf. but seeing as this is a boardwalk fic, i’ll just roll with it.

plot; al is in deep thought whilst in his prison cell, listening to a familiar song that once made him smile so long ago. now it fills him with a great amount of sadness. meanwhile sonny is at home, missing his father.

gifs not mine!! (creds to fancykraken)

PLEASE DON’T READ IF MENTIONS OF IMPRISONMENT, DECLINING HEALTH, ANGST OR GRIEF AFFECT YOU!!

MASTERLIST

The harsh static of the rather fine radio Al kept in his cell filled the area, agitating him.

He was already in a foul mood. Well, not that he was ever jumping for joy in this place, anyhow. But tonight was one of those nights he truly felt alone.

Usually, having alone time in prison was all Al ever wanted nowadays. His mind had became so lost that he constantly thought everyone was out to get him, or they would be daring to challenge him.

The Syphilis had really taken its toll, and quite frankly he’d turned into a completely different man. Even before getting put in here, he had either been heavily coked up or average thoughts he should’ve remembered had been practically slipping his mind quicker than they should’ve.

Not to mention the withdrawals. Jesus. He’d gotten almost everything he wanted in here. Including the luxurious cell he found himself sat in. But that familiar white powder he craved so dearly was where the foot had been put down.

Al would never admit it, but he was ill. Fucking ill.

It hadn’t even been this bad in Atlanta. In fact, his time and wellbeing in Atlanta were relatively okay. But things had gone downhill since Alcatraz, and he knew it.

His health was awful. And when the psychiatrist he’d been forced to see in here told him that both his psychical and mental health were suffering, he almost gave her scars much too like the own ones that dragged down his face and upper neck.

They wanted to run too many damn tests for his liking to see if the Syphilis had improved after the injections despite his multiple denials, but in the end he was just seen as a stubborn bastard, so they hadn’t updated anything just yet.

Now they’d began to think he was a looney tune and briefly spoke about sending him to the psychiatric part of the prison. Some had said he was beginning to develop the mind of a twelve year old rather than a man in his thirties. And Al was furious.

Despite his health being the way it was, he didn’t care. He really did not care. He would’ve preferred to be back free once again and continued on to hide his health from those who didn’t need to know about it. Even his wife..

Even Sonny.

Sonny. The one name that still put a Cheshire Cat grin on his face.

He missed his son dearly. More than the coke. More than sitting in the Lexington Hotel getting folk to run around wild for him. He just missed Sonny more than anything really.

His boy had bloomed into a fine young gentleman. And Al was ready to slit the throat of anyone who dared to call him both deaf and dumb. Sure, Sonny might’ve been deaf. But the boy was far from dumb.

He was so different to his father. And instead of being hurt by that, Al was so proud of him. He wasn’t sneaking off despite his hearing loss and getting up to all sorts on the streets like Al did.

No. Sonny was the type who liked to sit in his own company, innocently reading a book and not bothering a soul.

Al certainly made sure his love for Sonny never went unnoticed. He’d wrote him so many times after being locked up, and every word that was put on that piece of paper was well and truly heartfelt. He loved his boy so very much. He couldn’t give two shits about how cruel others thought he was. When it came to Sonny, his heart only bled with fatherly love.

His attention was drawn back to the same crackling static that hissed from the radio once again. So much for it being the best version anyone could get for now.

Each whiny crackle that came out made Al want to scream and bang on the walls like the maniac they all thought he was. It didn’t take long before his temper overcame him once again, his fists now clenched. He had them shut so tight he swore he almost felt his blood flow momentarily change.

“DAMN YOU!” Al spat angrily, picking up a small wooden cup filled with pens and launching it at the radio with a loud crash.

It hit the floor, but it didn’t break. The static had finally quietened down. Then it stopped at last.

Al collapsed onto his bed with a sigh of relief, glad he’d let go of all the anger bubbling inside him. But he paused, and his eyes were drawn back to the radio once again.

Instead of static, the start of a song started to play. But not just any song. An all too familiar tune Al had cherished for a specific reason for the past few years now.

Life is a book that we study

Some of its leaves bring a sigh

There it was written, my Buddy

That we must part, you and I…

He lay on his back, closing his eyes. And for what felt like the first time in ages.. a big smile made its way onto his face.

Oh, Sonny..

Sonny Capone was comfortably sat back in his chair at a desk in the corner of his room. His nose was buried into another book again. One that he was enjoying a lot, actually.

Reading was probably one of the only things he still did like doing nowadays. When.. he left.. Sonny lost a lot of interest in taking part of hobbies he once adored doing before. This didn’t go unnoticed. If anything, it hadn’t helped with the stress Mae had already been faced with. Everyday she worried for her son and the toll all of this must have been taking on him.

Nights are long since you went away

I think about you all through the day…

The corners of his mouth twitched upward as he read through the paragraphs, thoroughly entertained by the story he was reading.

But soon enough, that small smile on his face became a sad frown. His eyes skimmed through paragraphs, and he then looked away, closing the book.

One of the characters had briefly mentioned the pain of missing someone. And it had actually annoyed Sonny whilst reading it. He hated being reminded of that feeling. It was constant.

He felt that way when he went to sleep, then woke up the next morning. And all throughout the day. Then the cycle repeated itself over and over. He didn’t need some stupid book to tell him what that was like. He knew. Oh.. he knew.

My buddy, my buddy

Nobody quite so true…

The night his father never came home gutted him. He had been briefly prepared by Al, but it didn’t stop the pain. And seeing his name in the papers the next morning was even worse. His mother’s cries from that day would forever haunt him. Yeah, she was expecting it too, but poor Mae had worked herself up to that very moment of finding out he’d been found guilty. Her anxiety was through the roof.

Didn’t stop the paparazzi scumbags from surrounding them in public too. Sonny was beyond furious that day. He’d sworn he felt his father’s rage overcome him for a moment.

Sonny closed the book and chucked it to the floor. Perhaps reading wasn’t helping as much as he thought. The boy exhaled slowly, and closed his eyes for a moment. He had a quick flashback within the depths of his mind. One that made him smile.

He remembered all the times his father had played the mandolin for him as a child. Despite not hearing it, he still found watching his father playing an instrument comforting.

Miss your voice, the touch of your hand

Just long to know that you understand…

There was one time that really stuck out to him. He’d been getting picked on at school, and back then he never understood why. His father had tried to teach him how to fight, but it just made his little mind spin with confusion. And in result, the boy just cried. So to make it up to him, Al pulled out that same mandolin again, awakening Sonny from his slumber.

The only way he knew his father was singing was touching his throat to feel the vibrations of his vocal cords. It was either that, or Sonny had to pay very close attention to Al’s lips. But actually being able to feel his father sing rather than hearing it, was surprisingly more comforting than anything.

My buddy, my buddy…

Your buddy misses you.

Sonny opened his eyes from the memory, wiping a stray tear that had fallen onto his cheek.

Oh, Dad..

[orionwynnter669]

Twist fan drabble

This is a little fanfic I wrote featuring my oc Wynn (trans he/him). Heavy smut involving the Octavinelle trio. Dni if you're a minor. Tws below the cut

Contains tentacles, biting, mentions of certain female anatomy that some readers may find triggering, breeding kink, 4some.

Wynn belonging to the Dorms pt1

Of course he signed a contract. He had no other choice. Others may say differently, those who were blessed with the means to avoid it, but he was, quite literally, backed into a corner. It started with losing Ramshackle, Crowley was all too happy for the dilapidated building to suddenly be pulling in revenue, so besides the complaints and disappointment from his friends, no one stepped in. Then, he signed away his life, body and soul to them. He had nothing else he could lose. There wasn't even a challenge to overcome, it was merely everyone else's freedom in exchange for his. He'd given up trying to fight against them.

Working in the lounge was difficult, the training hard and strict, but he managed to overcome it. He attended class with Grim by day, worked in the lounge until late into the evening, then, if he was lucky, he'd get a few hours of sleep stuck under Azul's tentacles or between the twins (or all three) before starting again early in the morning. However, that isn't the case on nights when Floyd's unpredictable mood gets in the way, or when Jade has some extra "discipline" he wishes to give. Sometimes it's simply Azul wishing for more that leads to this.

"Sorry about the delay, I had some sudden business to tend to. How's our little pet holding up?"

Azul purred as he locked the door to his room behind him, shedding his human appearance as he came towards the bed. Floyd chuckled, ramming his hips against Wynn's non stop, while his mouth was being used by Jade. The latter was steadily thrusting down the Wynn's throat, barely giving him room for air. He ran a free hand along Wynn's chest while the other kept his head still enough to use. As Azul approached, Jade grabbed a fistful, pressing Wynn down until his lips were flush with his skin, cockwarming in his throat while answering the housewarden with his signature grin. "He put up a bit of a struggle at first, but is managing -hng- quite well." Wynn couldn't see Azul, but he began trembling even more than he already had been as tentacles made their way across his body. He started choking from the lack of air, groaning and desperately gripping Jade's thigh. He sadistically continued speaking to Azul over his muffled whines, but Wynn was so caught up in being unable to breathe that he couldn't hear anything, too focused on silently begging for mercy as his eyes began to roll back. His head was finally pulled off with a slick pop as he gasped and choked for air, clutching at his throat as if that would protect him. As he regained clarity, he noticed Floyd had also slowed down, letting Wynn focus on catching his breath.

Jade's soothing hand on his head was replaced by Azul's, lifting him up enough to place gentle kisses against his lips. "Good boy. You've done so well, now it's time to reward you. Don't try to fight it, just succumb to our touch." Lips against his temple, hands and tentacles caressing his exhausted body, every limb being held by one of them. Floyd nibbling against his legs while Azul cradled his head replacing the roughness with gentle tongue, Jade placing reverent kisses against his knuckles, wrist, up his arm. He didn't realize he was being moved around until his chest was flush with Floyd's, whose teeth grazed the skin against his neck. He let out a soft mewl at the sensation, wrapping his arms around Floyd's shoulders as Jade came behind him, pressing up against his back. Teasing, sensual kisses against his throat, front, back, and sides. The lingering pressure against his pulse, the slight prick of teeth eager to sink in. As both twins pressed against him, Azul's tentacles continued their caress of his skin, gripping and sucking and leaving him whining ever so sweetly.

Jade pressed his member against Wynn's ass, already entering him as Floyd let out a low groan. Wynn's face contorted into a look of pleasure as both twins rocked him between them, soft, needy sounds escaping his lip. Azul grabbed Wynn's chin, tilting his head to face him as their lips connected, swallowing the sweet sounds building in his throat. Then something else pressed against both of his entrances. Something long, hard, and unmistakably Azul. It wrapped around both of the twin's cocks, making the already difficult stretch nearly unbearable as he worked his way even deeper than both of them. The one at his front seemed thicker, and Wynn knew exactly what that meant as it began teasing the entrance to his womb.

Before he could struggle against it, the twin's rammed into him with renewed intensity, his cries muffled against Azul's tongue as his inner entrance was finally breached. Teeth marks littered his skin and firm hands held him in place with a near bruising grip. His fingers dug into Floyd's back, desperately trying to hang on, which seemed to spur him into thrusting even harder. He felt the twins bite down hard against his neck and shoulder, piercing the skin with their sharp teeth as they sent him skyrocketing over the edge. His whole body convulsed, tensing and shaking violently, screams of pleasure and pain intertwined threatening to tear him apart from the inside. His moans and cries were all swallowed by Azul, who firmly kept their lips locked together while the deep rumbling in his chest continued to build. After a few short moments that felt like eternity, the other three joined Wynn over the edge, hips sputtering and burying themselves as deep as they possibly could as seed painted and filled his insides. His eyes rolled back at the overwhelming warmth, body unable to keep up with the pleasure. Azul pulled away enough for Wynn to breathe, leaving his mewling cries to escape into the room as his body continued drowning in euphoria.

He was left breathless and dazed as his body fell limp against Jade's chest, gentle hands coming to caress every inch of his body. He didn't know what touch belonged to who, but it didn't matter anymore. Three sets of predatory eyes gazed down at his exhausted face as he was once again reminded that, he belonged to all of them.

End.

[powerful-niya]

2023 Reflection 𐙚🧸‹𝟹

🧸🥞🪐🩹🧋

— "Everything has changed and yet, I am more me than I've ever been."

-Ian Thomas

2023.

Upon reflecting on 2023, I would describe it as a year filled with challenges—a beautiful challenge, teeming with opportunities for growth, exploration, and surpassing my own expectations.

"Trust the Process" served as my guiding mantra throughout the year, urging me to persevere through the initial struggles of ideas, projects, and experiences, pushing forward with resilience….

until the very end.

Yes, 2023 was challenging.

Busy.

Stressful.

But it was also inspiring.

Uplifting.

Joyous.

✨Looking back, I'm genuinely amazed by all the multitude of accomplishments I've achieved in the year of 2023.✨

I've…

🧸 Successfully graduated from Community College

🧸 Embarked on a journey at a University

🧸 Enhanced my driving skills

🧸 Secured a job

🧸 Joined a college club

🧸 Formed connections with new people

🧸 Delved into learning Japanese

🧸 Embraced baking as a new hobby

🧸 Explored new foods

🧸Made tons of moodboards

🧸 Got a lot more active on Tumblr, Discord, AO3, Wattpad

🧸 Entered Two Writing Events: Fest No Jutsu 2023 & NaruHina Month 2023

🧸 Took part in a personal Q&A session for Nhmonth23.

🧸Received FanMail: Nhmonth23

🧸 Wrote… a lot.

🧸🥞🪐🩹🧋

This year, my approach to writing took a significant turn. I've actively pushed myself to step outside my comfort zone, delving into writing alternative universes (AUs) that I've never attempted before—exploring uncharted territories I never thought I would. It's been a transformative journey, challenging my creativity in new and crazy ways.

𐙚🧸‹𝟹 - This Year I have written 467,449 words: give or take. (Naruhina)

(Also) In all I have made 55 moodboards (Naruhina)

🧸🥞🪐🩹🧋

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨2023 mч wrítíng єndєαvσrs ୧⋆˚｡⋆

⋆˚｡⋆thє undєrlчíng єvíl

NaruHina

✨nαruhínα mσnth 2022✨

Prompt: Fairytale, Gifted & Cursed + Enemies to Lovers

Wattpad | AO3 | FF.Net.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨Published in May 2023 ୧⋆˚｡⋆

⋆˚｡⋆αuє rєvσír

NaruHina

✨nαruhínα mσnth 2022✨

Prompt: Angel & Demon + Lost & Found + To'oborni

Wattpad | AO3 | FF.Net.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨Published in July 2023 ୧⋆˚｡⋆

⋆˚｡⋆kíss mє, thríll mє - nαruhínα smut cσllєctíσn

NaruHina

Wattpad | AO3

⋆˚｡⋆Eighteen One-Shots Completed: May - Dec. (2023) ⋆˚｡⋆

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨Initally published in May 2023 ୧⋆˚｡⋆

⋆˚｡⋆thє tєll-tαlє hєαrt

NaruHina

✨Fest No Jutsu 2023✨

Wattpad | AO3 | FF.net.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨Published in October 2023 ୧⋆˚｡⋆

⋆˚｡⋆nαruhínα mσnth 2023

NaruHina

A part of the 'Kiss Me Thrill Me Smut Collection'

⋆˚｡⋆Five One-shots Completed: Dec 1 - Dec. 31 (2023).

Tumblr | Wattpad | AO3

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨Published in December 2023 ୧⋆˚｡⋆

⋆˚⋆୨Conclusion୧⋆˚｡⋆

In the grand scheme of things, 2023 has been an exhilarating and wonderfully chaotic journey that I'm sure I'll fondly remember. ✨

Far from being a tough year, it turned out to be quite remarkable for me. I achieved a bunch of things I never imagined, ventured into uncharted territories, wrote Ooeshots/fanfics I never thought would come to my head, and created a plethora of mood boards—a hobby I find truly enjoyable.

The only reason why I began to do this whole 'reflection post thingy.' is because I was inspired by many others here on Tumblr who were taking their time to reflect on the passing year and their accomplishments.

I decided to give it a try, and now, I think I will make this a personal tradition.

Each year, I'll document my successes, reminisce about what I've done and achieved, and immortalize it all in writing for my own reflection.

🧸🥞🪐🩹🧋

2023 was truly amazing, but I have a feeling 2024 might just top it.(this is me wishful thinking, haha).

I'm truly looking forward to all that lies ahead!

#Goodbye 2023

✨Happy New Years! ✨

- Powerful_Niya

[ashilrak]

20 Questions Writer Meme

I was tagged by @skywalking-through-life! This is super fun omg, thank you!!

1. How many works do you have on ao3?

210!

2. What's your total ao3 word count?

1,670,384 words, which feels insane

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Currently, Percy Jackson! I tend to be pretty one fandom at a time, but in the past I've written for Hamilton, Harry Potter, and Marvel to name a few.

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

Electing Strange Perfections (1,951)

If You Ask Me For My Fire (1,842)

See The Beast You've Made Of Me (1,769)

On Each Other's Team (1,656)

Come Loaded With The Safety Switched Off (1,604)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Yes! I'm a huge believe in fandom as a community, and fanfiction as an avenue for that community vs just 'content'. I love answering questions and talking about the fics, and I've honestly made some amazing fandom friends in comments on fics. I think commenting is a really valuable part of community-building in fandom, and I think that replying to comments helps with that :)

6. What's the fic you wrote that has the angstiest ending?

I think this is all a matter of perspective, but I definitely have a few that are regarded as angsty even if I don't necessarily see them that way? Picking one, I might have to say See The Beast You've Made of Me.

7. What's the fic you wrote that has the happiest ending?

This is harder to answer lol, a lot of my happier fics are more moments, rather than a having an ending with build-up. But, Love Has A Way To Find Ya (Sneaks Up Right Behind Ya) is the first one that comes to mind!

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I have actually been very fortunate in this regard! I've had a few negative comments for sure, but most are more along the lines of "stopping reading here" or just poorly worded. I have several fics I've been more worried about, but locking the fics has seemed to discourage anyone who wants to be senselessly cruel! A lot of what I write isn't to everyone's taste, so some less than perfect comments come with that territory.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I absolutely have lmao. I haven't been in the mood for it recently, but I have my fair share. As for what kind, it depends on the ship and dynamic, and how seriously I'm treating it lol. I've written daddy kink to casual pegging to sweet losses of virginity.

10. Do you write crossovers?

Not really? I have a few ideas that have broached crossover territory, but I don't make a habit or it!

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yes, though not recently. I'm sure there's a lot more out there in all honesty, but I've only stumbled across it once or twice on random websites when I've had the thought to google my username.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! I've been fortunate to have a couple translated, and it's always the most amazing feeling ever.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes, I've co-written quite a few! I've done round-robins as well as more formal collabs where both authors are working together and writing together throughout the process. I really enjoy doing them and have written some of my favorite fics with others! They're definitely challenging, but I think I have the benefit of being pretty adaptable.

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

So one thing you need to know about me is that I'm really bad at favorites. I think my favorite canon ship amongst my fandoms would be Percabeth, but my favorite ship for reading fanfiction for would, historically, be Tomarry/Harrymort/whatever you want to call it.

15. What's a wip you want to finish, but don't think you ever will?

I am actively determined to finish the ones first coming to mind, but honestly the one I doubt I'll ever do anything with is the AU lovingly referred to as Percy French Whore lmfao

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think my adaptability is my greatest strength. I definitely have themes and patterns I fall into, but overall I try to keep an open-mind to ships, aus, and more. I've gone back and forth between past and present tense, I've written over 25 ships for PJO alone. There's very little I look at and think I can't write, even if it takes some time to come around to it/make it work for me.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I think my biggest weaknesses have to do with managing a story as a whole. I have these grand ideas, but I struggle to bring them to Completeness. I'll have dreams of showing a realistic development of a character from the one we know and love to something twisted and taken advantage of and miss a few beats, and drop a few characters and plot points along the way. I'm also not the best at worldbuilding. I'm a pretty low-context type of person, and it's highlighted in a fanfction type of environment. I'll get questions about worldbuilding in fics--and they'll be GOOD questions--and I'll sit there with my head tilted at the screen wondering why anyone would think of that 😭

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I like the idea of it, but would definitely need help from a native speaker. I got overly confident with my high school Spanish classes and made an attempt and I will never be doing that again.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Twilight. First fandom I read for, first fandom I posted for. Twilight was how I discovered fanfiction.net and started me down this path.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

This is almost impossible to answer just because there are so many factors at play, but the first two (very, very different fics) coming to mind are both collabs: HAUNT ME, THEN— with @mrthology and The Murder Monologues with @theinevitablesense

I tag @sappho-of-space 💛

[immobiliter]

🌿 author portrait .

get to know the author behind the blog! repost, do not reblog.

basics .

name/nickname: lottie age: 27 pronouns : she / her years of writing : ten years on tumblr, but many many years before that on various platforms or just writing in general. it's always been one of my hobbies. i wrote fics before tumblr and before that i did a lot of storytelling in the sims 2 fandom ( but yeesh this was years ago lmao let's not talk about it 💀).

reflection .

why did you pick up writing? i don't think i ever made the conscious choice to pick up writing? i've always loved it and had a natural talent for it, from writing stories as a child to doing so much essay writing at college and university and then writing rp. i think the reason i've stuck with rp for so long though is because it's so collaborative? writing can be quite a solitary hobby but it is literally the most fun thing to wake up in the morning to someone writing you a reply to something that has specifically been written for you as a treat and then getting to respond to them. it's the best thing, genuinely.

do you have any writing routines? i guess i do and i don't? sometimes i will just sit and write, no music, no background noise, it all just flows. sometimes i have to warm myself up by watching clips of the muse or listening to their spotify playlist. it really just kinda depends on my mood tbh. because of the number of threads/muses etc i write however, i do tend to have a routine of picking a thread or two and letting them simmer in my brain for a few days before i sit down to write them, that always works quite well for me.

what's your favorite part about writing? aside from the collaborative nature of rp as i talked about above, just being able to embody a character that is completely different to yourself? as a species we read and write and tell stories for the escapism of it all and i love getting to jump into the head of a character who is nothing like me and write them unapologetically as they are.

three things you like about your writing .

one, i'm gonna echo charlie and say my dialogue. it's the thing i put the most effort into when it comes to writing. each muse of mine needs to have a very well-defined voice ( both in terms of their narrative voice which drives the bulk of the reply and their dialogue ) for them to stick for me, and i take a lot of time to study how each of my muses speak when picking them up as i feel like when rping the most important thing is that your muse sounds like the character, especially if they're a canon one. i think also as a brit who has seen a lot of americans online writing brits over the years with varying levels of success, i am particularly stubborn about getting those nuances in dialect and vocabulary right.

two, this is maybe not about my writing per se, but i think my ability to come up with crossover verses for my muses and push them into unfamiliar/other settings? i love exploring a character in their canon, sure, but nothing is more challenging and interesting to me than trying to translate that character (and keep their essence intact) to another piece of media. it also leads to possibly my favourite thing in all of existence, which is crossover interactions and crossover ships. for me there is nothing quite like bringing two characters together from completely different fandoms who would never normally have a reason to interact and seeing them click. it's immensely satisfying too, i think, because that's our work as writing partners to create that dynamic from scratch? it's not a dynamic automatically offered to us.

three, i like that i can write comfortably in different genres? i don't just restrict myself to angst or fluff, sometimes i love writing a good action thread where stuff happens and other times i like writing shenanigans with my more comedic-aligned muses which are just pure, unadulterated fun.

a question for the next person .

write a question for the next person to answer. once you've answered it, leave a new question for someone else to answer.

where is the oddest place that you have written something? okay so not so much tumblr writing because i've figured out that i have to be sat at my desk concentrating in order to write on here, but a couple of times that i've done discord back and forth rp with close friends, it's ended up with me writing hardcore smut at 7.30 in the morning on the way to work lmao.

new question: what time of day is the best or most productive for you to write?

tagging: whoever would like to do this! tagged by: @resolutepath ( thank you!! )

[jorvikzelda]

🌈🎀🎉💥💌

- Corinne <3

🌈is there a fic that you worked *really fucking hard on* that no one would ever know? maybe a scene/theme you struggled with? In the leadup to chapter 58 of jorvikpov/Moments in Time I had to very concretely answer a lot of questions about the plot and lore that I'd only had a vague answer to for very long. That work also made it necessary to make a detailed plan for the rest of jorvikpov which was a challenge in its own right. This took a whole lot of time, work, and brainstorming, but I at least hope it's pretty much invisible and the plot keeps flowing naturally.

🎀give yourself a compliment about your own writing I think I'm good at creating an overarching narrative and mood in a piece and linking the little "zoomed in" moments to the greater theme!

🎉how often do you celebrate completing & posting a work? how often do you give yourself the credit/validation that you seek from others when you post? (if you don't, you should!) I usually don't... I do "celebrate" completing a jorvikpov by bolding the title in the document where I write and keep all the jorvikpovs, like a symbol of it being finished and I can leave it as is and move forward. Maybe I'll start thinking about a way to celebrate for myself, though!

💥find your least kudos'd fic - say something wonderful about it. I have two fics with the same (least) amount of kudos, but out of those two Clouded is the Dawn also has the least comments so I'll go for that one here. I'm really happy with how I portrayed Anne's sorrow and devastation. There's something so uniquely heartbreaking about her and Concorde's situation that I honestly still can't quite put into words, but I think I did it justice in that fic. Also a detail I REALLY like about it is the line "Alex has always been a terrible cook. Seems she really has met her match." The implication that Anne was in Pandoria for so long that Alex and Maya weren't a couple yet when she went missing and are now in a long-term, established relationship breaks my heart so bad even though I'm the one who wrote it.

💌share something with us about an up-and-coming work (WIP) that has you excited! I have three main things I'm REALLY excited about: A particular jorvikpov in the future. It will be the payoff to so much buildup and planning and I can't wait for people to read it. I would say the title, but I believe it would spoil the contents, and I would say when it's being posted, but I feel like that would spoil the experience, so just know that it's coming and it'll be good. The WIP that's closest to completed. I've been wanting to write something like it for a very, very long time, I've had a fantastic time writing it, and I'm currently having a fantastic time having it beta read. It's called When the Earth Stands Still. Last but not least, the long (and I do mean long) fic that I'm going to start working on after jorvikpov is finished. I'm in the very beginning phases of planning it. The plot idea came to me not in a fever dream but two thirds of the way through my morning bike to school, which is basically the same thing. I've come up with a new MC for it who's already my dearest blorbo and also deeply, deeply sad, and I'm going to give her and the Soul Riders the worst time of their lives <3