#this long post is to celebrate the 22nd of course

[epicbuddieficrecs]

Weekly Recap | December 16th-22nd 2024

So close to Christmas guys!!! I can't wait to spend the break reading fic and making recs for you guys!!

(By the time I post this (late), it's gonna be December 24th so Merry Christmas and happy holidays to those who celebrate!)

Complete

i'll be home for christmas by lecornergirl/ @clusterbuck (Post-S8A, Christopher comes home, Christmas | 1,5K | General): Christopher had messaged, two weeks ago, and said he didn’t want to spend Christmas in Texas. He’d said his grandmother doesn’t decorate the house right, that she won’t let him put popcorn garlands on the tree, that she’s trying to tell him snickerdoodles aren’t Christmas cookies. He’d said he wants to come home. Or— What he’d said was, can i come and spend christmas with you?

you gotta walk before you crawl by Wildehack (tyleet) / @wildehacked (Future fic | 1,5K | Teen): “Hey,” Buck says, nudging Eddie with his socked foot, Danny Ocean monologuing on the tv. “Why don’t we ever go to poker night anymore?” 

until we're grey and old by lecornergirl/ @clusterbuck (Established Buddie | 1,5K | Teen): Or—he had been good at it. He had been able to go weeks without questioning Eddie’s presence at his side. And then Eddie had kissed him, soft and out of nowhere in the warm glow of his kitchen. The dishwasher beeped, startling them apart, and on Eddie’s face, a blush and a grin competed for purchase. Buck blinked, and Eddie raised his eyebrows in question, and Buck kissed him again in response. Eddie leaned into him, and Buck— Buck can’t stop thinking about the fact that everyone always leaves.

All I Want For Christmas... by Tizniz/ @tizniz (Christmas, Post-S8A, Eddie goes to Texas, Getting Together | 3K | General): “So…I don’t think we’re gonna make it back for Christmas.” Buck closes his eyes and takes a breath, letting the full impact of Eddie’s words hit him for a second. “Y-yeah, man. Of course. I totally get it.” He swallows, “Your family is there, anyways.”

Last First Kiss by songbvrd/ @songbvrd (Post-S8A, Getting Together | 3K | General): Buck tries to say goodbye. Eddie isn't ready.

I took a little journey to the unknown by 42hrb/ @exhuastedpigeon (Hurt Eddie, Getting Together | 4K | Teen): Eddie groans, his tongue feels too big for his mouth and his thoughts are moving slowly, like they’re trying to wade through pudding and getting stuck on the way to his mouth. “I-it’s okay, you don’t have to talk,” Buck says and the comforting warmth is back on Eddie’s hand. The only thought that rings clearly through his head is that Buck’s hand is safe. Buck is going to keep him safe. “Just - can you squeeze my hand if you’re awake?” That feels nearly impossible, his body feels like lead, heavy and useless, but for Buck he can try. He focuses and squeezes as tightly as he can - it’s not very tight, but that doesn’t seem to matter when Buck lets out a long breath and then a choked sob.

It's a mystery (that I would pick you 10 out of 9 times) by paleredheadinascifi (Online Dating, Getting Together | 4K | Teen): Tex: Can you overshare something to make this less embarrassing? Firehose : Absolutely. I’m telling people I downloaded this app to get over my ex but really I realized I have feelings for my straight best friend Or, Eddie downloads a gay dating app and hits it off with a suspiciously familiar mystery man (it's Buck).

🔥Light, Dark, Light Again by fruitsdoesnotknow/ @tayf-ghost (Getting Together | 5K | Teen): “Anyway, it’s not a big deal; it happens to everyone at some time or another here. Like Ravi with Buck. Or like Bobby with me,” Bobby shrugs his shoulders at the group while Buck gapes at him. “Or Buck with Eddie when he first started,” Chimney nods at the final pair, inhaling another slice of pizza into his huge mouth, unaware that five sets of eyes were now locked onto him. He opens his eyes and pauses. “What?” It takes a moment, but it finally clicks in Chimney’s head. “Oh, fuck,” he flashes his eyes to Buck in terror, wide-eyed, and Buck truly loves the guy, loves him like a brother, but sometimes he wishes Chimney wasn’t his actual brother because Maddie has clearly shared this little Buck fact with Chimney Can’t-Keep-A-Secret-To-Save-His-Life Han, and it’s not like Buck can kill Chimney because he’s Jee’s dad and it’s just – Great. This is great. *** Or Buck fell first, Eddie fell harder, and it makes them both look stupid.

Buck, Bothered and Bewitched by bellabrady (Animal Transformation, Getting Together | 6K | Not Rated): Eddie looks back down at the dog. “Buck?” he asks slowly, feeling slightly insane. Immediately, the dog barks again, more enthusiastically this time, like he’s voicing his agreement to Eddie’s question. The dog — Buck — starts wagging his tail as he tries to walk in Eddie’s direction, but he’s so uncoordinated due to not being used to having four legs that he somehow ends up forgetting to move his front legs and stumbling over them, leading to a very inelegant fall that has him almost faceplanting onto the floor. “Yeah,” Hen says with a small huff. “That dog is Buck, alright.”

emails i can't send by heartbeatdiaz/ @lonelychicago (Post-S8A, Getting Together | 6K | Teen): “Jee, what have you done?” Buck groans, trying to unsend the emails that are— used to be in his drafts. The emails that he's written to Eddie and that were never supposed to see the light of day. The emails Jee somehow managed to send while Buck wasn't looking. No, no, no. or; buck should've known better than to let his email account open and then give his computer to a toddler to play with.

The Twelve Days of Buckmas by paleredheadinascifi (Post-S8A, Eddie goes to Texas, Christmas | 6K | Teen): 12 days. 12 gifts. 12 letters. 12 times Buck delivers a Christmas miracle all the way to El Paso. Or, two giant boxes turn up at Eddie's new front door. Buck isn't going to let a few states stop him from spoiling his favourite Diazs.

(we tried) we said we'd keep in touch by withmeornotatall/ @chronicowboy (Post-S8A, Christmas, Getting Together | 7k | Teen): "Yeah, they were pretty pissed about the Christmas arrangements I made for me and Chris, but it was his idea, so..." And Buck can practically see the smile curving onto Eddie's face, can perfectly conjure up the exact tilt to his mouth, the stretch of his lips, the joy alighting in his eyes, could even pick out the exact HEX code of pink in his cheeks from a colour picker. "That's great, Eddie." A matching smile creeps across his face. As selfish as Buck may be, he answered the phone after every breakthrough with Chris, every blowout with his parents, every time Christopher turned him away. This is why Eddie had to leave. At least, somebody's having a happy Christmas. "What are you up to?" "Nothing much. Missing you," Eddie says, and he says it like it's all they've been doing. Buck almost believes him.

��� housed by your warmth by hispolestar (Post-S8E8: Wannabes, Getting Together | 10K | Explicit): Buck’s never been wanted, not really. That’s the truth of his existence, at the end of the day. Born as a saviour only to fail. Neglected by his parents, left by his sister, the only person to make life worth it back then. When he finally, finally decided enough was enough and ran away from home, he thought, stupidly, that being the one to do the leaving might mean that he’d stop being doomed. It doesn’t. Because now Eddie’s leaving. And it’s worse. It��s so much worse, infinitely worse, in ways Buck can’t quite comprehend. If Tommy leaving was a blow to his self esteem, Eddie leaving – it’s nothing short of an atomic bomb, leaving nothing but dead plants, rotting carcasses and devastation in its wake.

🔥 Promising Light by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Post-S8E8: Wannabes, Time Travel | 20K | Mature): Buck and Eddie fall asleep drunk and in separate rooms after the night of Buck and Tommy's breakup. They wake up seven years later, in an unfamiliar future, only to find out that they're married.

🔥 take what the water gave me by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Canon Divergent, Mermaid Buck, Trans Eddie, S2-3 | 20K | Mature): New transfer to the 118, Eddie Diaz, has a secret. And upon getting to know his coworker, Buck, who is also hiding something, he begins to suspect their secret is the same. He's wrong.

🔥should we talk about the weather by trysetmeonfire/ @try-set-me-on-fire (Drift Compatible Buddie, S5-6 | 20K | Mature): And then, in Los Angeles, 2018, Eddie had met Buck. Then, huddled over a man with a bomb in his leg, Eddie had needed gauze and Buck’s hand had moved. Then, in the parking lot bathed in the light of an ambulance on fire, Buck had inhaled and Eddie's lungs expanded. And, well, that was that.

🔥 can’t fight the moonlight by coldbam/ @coldbam (Werewolf Buck, Canon Divergent | 21K | Explicit): “Apparently I stole his very special mug,” Eddie says, not bothering to hide the sarcasm. “I know you guys keep saying he’s all bark, Buck’s a real sweetheart, but I'm starting to worry you all just have terrible judge of character,” Eddie half-jokes. He sighs, rubbing at his eyes. “What the hell is his problem?” “Full moon tonight,” Chimney says with a smirk, chewing his gum like he’s proud of himself for that joke. * Or, everyone works at a wolf sanctuary and Buck is a werewolf.

🔥Risky Business series by taegyungie (Post-S8E6: Confessions, Getting Together | 2 works | Complete | Explicit):

Cure for Martyrdom (PWP | 4K | Explicit): "Simple pleasures, right?" "Right." Or, Eddie and Buck have a couple beers on the couch.

Lament for the Living (Eddie Sexuality Crisis, Near Death Experience | 23K | Explicit): Eddie's shadow dwarfs him by a long shot, so he swings upward and keeps on boxing. Eggshells, headstones, shipwrecks - Eddie fights for the things he loves.

WIP

🔥 Finding Mr Christmas by JJK/@trenchcoatsandtimetravel (Canon Divergent, Reality TV, Christmas | 7/10 | 40K | Teen): "Welcome to Finding Mr Christmas! You’re all here chasing the same dream, to star in a Hallmark Christmas movie, and over the next few weeks we’re going to be putting you through your paces to see which of you has the most star quality and that ‘it’ factor that makes you shine above the rest." 🎄🎄🎄 An AU where Buck and Eddie meet as contestants on Hallmark's Finding Mr Christmas competition (and fall for each other).

[ms-m-astrologer]

The Week Ahead: December 16-22, 2024

Lunar Phases

Wednesday, December 18, 22:30 UTC - Disseminating Moon, 12°30’ Leo

The key phrases for the Disseminating lunar phase are “teach, share, communicate;” and “ease up on efforts with our intentions.” We’re sharing in creative ways, maybe a little overly dramatic. Very performative vibes. Women remain pissed off.

Sunday, December 22, 22:18 UTC - Last Quarter Moon, 1°34’ Libra

The key phrases for the Last Quarter lunar phase are “turn away,” and “tear down old structures that no longer serve us well.” Some of those old structures may be the way we celebrate the holidays. There’s temptation to “gloss over” things we oughtn’t, for the sake of family harmony.

Void of Course Moon

Tuesday, December 17, 18:33 UTC (Cancer) - 23:39 UTC (Leo)

Friday, December 20, 05:19 UTC (Leo) - 07:37 UTC (Virgo)

Sunday, December 22, 13:27 UTC (Virgo) - 19:08 UTC (Libra)

Retrograde/Direct/Etc.

Pre-retrograde shadow: Juno/Scorpio (starting Sunday the 22nd)

Retrograde: Mars/Leo, Jupiter/Gemini, Chiron/Aries, Uranus/Taurus, Eris/Aries

Post-retrograde shadow: Mercury/Sagittarius, Saturn/Pisces

Transiting Mercury exits its Storm on Saturday, December 21, now moving faster than 40’ or arc per day. Until then, forward progress is minimal - it feels like we’re still struggling, even though we know we’re moving on.

Transiting Juno enters her pre-retrograde shadow on Sunday, December 22, 14:45 UTC, at 16°15’ Scorpio. Well, we’re in for it now - it’s about time - a lot of toxicity in/of/with relationships to sort through and purge.

Ingress

Saturday, December 21, 09:21 UTC - transiting Sun enters Capricorn

Aka the Capricorn Solstice - Merry Yule up here, Merry Litha down there! I think we have a general feeling that we’ve wept and howled long enough - it’s time to begin to plan for the future, not only the immediate reality but where we wish it to go.

Et Cetera

There are three Opportunity Periods this week:

Sunday, December 15, 19:21 UTC - Tuesday, December 17, 23:39 UTC. “With Mercury just turning direct, this is a good time for setting lofty goals and inspiration.”

Thursday, December 19, 20:04 UTC - Friday, December 20, 05:19 UTC. “Good for creativity and also healthy connections and relationships, aided by the Venus-Jupiter trine.”

Sunday, December 22, 22:18 UTC - Tuesday, December 24, 10:44 UTC. “This great OP ends with the Moon enclosed between benefics (Venus and Jupiter), forming a grand trine, which is awesome for everything joyous, just in time for the holidays.”

A different feel, as Mercury is direct but sluggish - and it’s now a waning Moon. We have the dreaded “Holidays” ahead of us, too; it’s finals time in schools and colleges. The “most wonderful time of the year,” my eye. There are rewards for hanging in there, though.

While the Moon is in Cancer (Sunday the 15th - Tuesday the 17th), use that Opportunity Period to come to terms with your feelings. How do you feel about “the holidays” this year, and what can/will you do about celebrating them or not?

While the Moon is in Leo (Tuesday the 17th to Friday the 20th), it’s a little bit of a respite with some partying, abetted by a trine between Venus/Aquarius and Jupiter Rx/Gemini. Great for socializing.

While the Moon is in Virgo (Friday the 20th to Sunday the 22nd), it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Probably lots of distractions - take a tip from a sexagenarian and write everything down as it occurs to you. Having plans B, C, and D, as well as Plan A, will be useful.

While the Moon is in Libra (Sunday the 22nd - Wednesday the 25th), we have another chiefly social time. It ends with a very long void Moon, from 09:44 UTC the 24th, to 08:06 UTC the 25th. Try to get everything done before this, so you can relax and chill out on Christmas Eve.

[demansiabites]

Wait wait wait. So if the Seventh City is dated to have fallen by June 22nd, 2023, that means that we're calling it the year 2023, right? Which means that at some point, the Empress's decree was called off, and the year stopped being 1899. Of course, that makes sense, perhaps it was when the Sixth fell. Empress wouldn't have any power if it's not her city, yeah? But then, how many years did people have to suddenly skip forward? No longer marking notes as 1899, but suddenly, for instance, 1922 or something else! Calendar salesmen must hate the Neath!

Unless of course, the much funnier (but also I know this is incorrect) option: The moment the Sixth fell, it instantly become 1900. Finally, after all that time, people got to celebrate the turn of the century! And that means the Neath is constantly decades behind the Surface numerically. I bet that'd make the internet a pain to deal with. "This video came out in 2001." "Surface 2001 or Neath 2001?" "Cave dweller spotted"

I bet the Neath would make some pretty bangin posts btw. A single person would post on Twitter "just came out of Fallen McDonald's and that giant man-sized bat that's been following me around stole my fries, can't have shit in Berlin" and Surface users would be like "HELLO??? ARE YOU OKAY DOWN THERE???" and suddenly every Neath user would have to be like "yeah we're fine, so long as the spiders don't eat our eyes" or some other awful shit and Surface users wouldn't be able to tell if it truly was That Bad down there or if they were being lied to. Mr Pages would want to buy Twitter once it hears about it.

[apprenticestanheight]

THE FIVE DAYS OF SMUTMAS QUEUE: DAY TWO

Work Shirts - Lawrence Gordon x gn! reader

All right!! This is day two of my silly little christmas celebration, and of course I had to do what I've been procrastinating since basically the start of this account--write a Lawrence reader insert piece!

I love him wholeheartedly despite my lack of fics for him so this has definitely been a long time coming, and this one, much like yesterdays fic, stems from a thought I had—though with this thought, @mrkheartffmans and I went a lil feral together through the reblogs of the original post and thus, the fic concept came to light!

This is also a few years post trap because I was like "yeah working somewhere for a decade is cool but what about a decade and a half??" also—my mentality was that having it set a few years post-trap would be easier to write?? I don't know how true that actually is but it was my thought process lol.

This fic is for audiences of 18+, so minors, do not interact!

Fic type- this is mostly--almost entirely--smut. There's also angst if you squint because yeah, angst was bound to be present somewhere lol

Warnings- unprotected sex (reader is on BC), and as per usual, the reader is GN for all intents and purposes (petnames included), but I went with AFAB anatomy as that's the anatomy that I know best.

Lawrence wishes he could act like the surprise on the faces of his coworkers when he mentioned having the last two weeks of December off came as a surprise to him, but he can't and he kind of hates that.

Of course people are bound to be a little surprised by it. In the decade and a half that he's worked at Angels of Mercy, the only incident where he took any sizeable amount of time off was while he was recovering from the bathroom trap and could hardly stand, let alone walk like he used to.

But, in the three years since the bathroom trap and aside from that month long period where he allowed himself to recover before going back to work, he'd not taken a single day away. Being at work, seeing to patients and talking to people—even just going to work and filling out miscellaneous paperwork while he sat in the isolation of his office—kept his mind busy and his hands busier.

He came home from work every night and saw you, which just made his entire day as it were. You'd order food or make something quick and just spend your time lounging on the couch, occasionally get a little flirty, and laugh when Lawrences hands started wandering how they used to in the days of your masters degree and his days of medical school.

But, because of a backlog of PTO and the fact that he'd been overworking himself almost to the bone with the onslaught of people needing medical care during the last three months of the year, Lawrence decided to book the 14th through to the 2nd of January off so that he could get some rest and worry about housework so that you didn't have to worry at all, where you normally split the housework fifty-fifty.

Lawrence knew that your marketing job got really, really stressful during the last month of the year. People always unearthed different versions of themselves come the holidays, and all he wanted was for you to come home from your workday and not have to worry about menial things like a messy bathroom counter, week-old leftovers in need of throwing away or dishes not yet moved from the dishwasher to the cupboards.

He gets called into work for an emergency on the 21st, and after running to grab groceries during the afternoon on the 22nd, he's delighted to find what he does waiting for him in the bed you share.

You're typically home from work at around seven, sometimes eight thirty on particularly busy days, and when Lawrence arrives home, it's half past eight.

He goes into your bedroom, having indeed hoped to see you there or at least get a call about work running late with the promise of more details upon your arrival at home as he enters your shared bedroom, but what he sees is so much better than anything he could've hoped for.

You're sitting on the bed, back pressed against the head board, focused on whatever romance book you'd plucked from a charity bookstore on your way home, but it's not what you're reading that Lawrence really takes note of.

No, it's not the book at all, though he does note that the title makes it seem like something from either the regency or the victorian era. It's what you're wearing.

You're wearing the shirt he wore to work the previous day, buttons undone with the cufflinks you'd gifted him for christmas the year his residency ended still holding the sleeves of the shirt together, the duvet covering your legs and hips, which makes Lawrence assume you've stolen a pair of his sweatpants in addition to the shirt.

He knocks, lightly, on the side of the door, and you startle, looking up to the source of the knock and relaxing the minute you see his face.

"You startled me," you say, grinning and closing your book over your thumb so as not to lose your place. "I remember you told me you'd be getting groceries around when I would get home, so I stole one of your shirts and settled in. Figured we could order Thai food or something to that effect, have a late dinner and relax."

Lawrence runs his tongue over his lips, notices the keen way with which you watch him do it.

"Yeah," he grins, further enters the room. "That sounds lovely. I grabbed the last of the necessary ingredients for dinner Christmas Day so that you wouldn't have to worry—I know that work has been something of a mess for you lately and I want to make sure you have the opportunity to relax when you come home."

He approaches the bed, watches you place the book you'd been reading open on your nightstand beneath the lamp.

"I don't deserve you," you laugh.

You've been dating since you were starting up with your masters a year after getting your bachelors degree when you were twenty-three and Lawrence was two years into medical school at twenty-four.

You've been married since you were twenty-five and twenty-six, and seventeen years down the line, you both knew that marrying each other was the best possible thing either of you could've done with regard to the romantic part of your lives, and while you were married you ended up doing the best possible things for your respective careers so it worked in both of your favors regardless.

You were Lawrences rock, especially so in the aftermath of the bathroom trap, and he was yours and would be such forevermore.

"You're right," he says, moving away from the bed to grab a pair of sweatpants. "You deserve more, but I do strive to be what you deserve day in and day out."

"Don't say that," you chide. "You're perfect, Lawrence. I wouldn't've married you had I thought otherwise, I promise."

He can feel your gaze on him as he slips out of the khaki pants he wears, deciding to go commando and put a pair of light gray sweatpants on for comfort. He changes out of the black button up he'd chosen to wear, pulls a baggy dark blue Henley over his torso and climbs into bed beside you, pressing kiss after kiss down the line of your jaw and across your neck.

"How stressful has work been?" He asks, tone genuine but also slightly seductive.

"Oh, so stressful," you laugh, knowing exactly what he's doing and the fact that seeing you in one of his shirts and just one of his shirts has spurred that on by a mile. "I think if I have to hear one more coworker complaining about last minute shopping during the last few days before Christmas Eve or even on Christmas Eve in and of itself, I will start causing heads to roll. December is the worst time to be in the offices because everyone stops caring about year-end quotas and making sure things are good going into next year and starts caring about whatever gossip is being spread around. It's dreadful, Lawrence."

He pauses, looking at you with genuine sympathy in his gaze. "I'm sorry—I feel gross. I didn't mean to attempt to proposition you for sex like that. I really do want to hear about your day and I'm sorry it's been so terrible, my love. Are you going to book time off?"

You grin. Lawrence is ever-so considerate, always apologizing and stepping back if he's done something in a way that he doesn't appreciate midway through.

"You're going to be stuck with me from tomorrow through to the second," you say. "And—for the record, I didn't hate it. I like it when you proposition me for sex with kisses because your kisses are quite honestly one of the best parts of being married to you. Plus, I have had a stressful month and I won't lie and say that my current outfitting was just for comfort. Sure, bare ass on satin sheets is an amazing feeling, but I was hoping that I'd get the reaction I did, admittedly."

Lawrence tilts his head inquisitively. "You're not—you're—I thought you'd taken a pair of my sweatpants," he grins, moves a hand to your thigh. Sure enough, it's bare. "Oh, Christmas must've come early."

You laugh. "You fuckin' wish," you say, ignoring the goosebumps that Lawrences touch brings on.

You unbutton the few buttons done up on the shirt, press your back against the headboard.

"Stressful month, yeah baby?" Lawrence is almost beaming as his hand moves from your thigh to your stomach, lazily perusing up your chest.

You clench your jaw, squeeze your arms against your sides because you are not going to give in to your handsome husband and his illustrious whims just with a few touches and some whispered sentiments.

"So stressful, Lawrence," you nod. "So, so stressful."

"Do you need a way to destress?" His thumb and first finger locate your nipple, and you exhale a breathy moan, quiet and already wanting to give in to his whims. "If you do, I think I could be of assistance."

"Lawrence," you moan, quiet and needy. "Oh, fuck, Lawrence."

Lawrence moves his hand away from you for a second, only to take off his shirt and the sweatpants he wears before he's back to kissing your neck and letting his hands roam across your chest.

A few minutes of much the same passes by, Lawrences kisses lining your neck and jawline and face and your ethereal lips while he rolls your nipples between his fingers. His hand dips to your folds for just a few minutes, taking your slick onto his fingers and laughing against your shoulder.

"You're so wet for me already," he says. "Fuck, you're perfect."

"Wanna ride you," you're almost stunned at how evenly the words fall from your lips but not at all stunned when Lawrence agrees.

He pulls you onto his lap, lets you grind against his half-hard cock until it's fully hard and you're begging to feel him inside of you and moans when you bottom out, gaze watching you intently as his hands settle on your hips.

"Lawrence," you whisper. "Fuck."

A smile spreads onto Lawrences face before he can stop it, and when you start riding him, he presses his back against the headboard, one hand on your hip while the other lightly holds your chin so as to keep your gaze on his.

You get lost in how good it feels within the space of a minute, maybe two—Lawrence's cock is long and thick, and even if riding it takes some adjusting occasionally, it still becomes very enjoyable very quickly.

"You're so wonderful for me, Y/N," he says. "Oh, this never gets old."

He's loving how you feel around him, clenching occasionally and moaning after a particularly deep thrust that hits your g-spot, and you're just—it's just perfect.

And then, Lawrence gets an idea. He moves the hand that's cupping your face to your wrist, which is attached to the hand that you use to grope relentlessly at yourself, rolling your nipples between your thumb and first finger, sometimes moving to rub your clit.

"The cufflinks, baby," he says. "Don't touch yourself, mm? Use those for me."

He watches you press the cold silver cufflink against one of your nipples, moans as you clench around him at the sensation of the cold meeting your warm skin. You moan in turn, pressing the metal against your nipples and moaning his name.

He moves a hand back to your chin, placing his first and middle finger against your bottom lip. You take the hint immediately and bring his fingers into your mouth, grinding down onto him as you do.

"You're so good for me, pet," he says, moving the hand that rests on your hip to your clit. He starts rubbing it with practiced expertise, knowing the way you like it best after nearly two decades of marriage. "Oh, this is amazing. You can steal my work shirts whenever you want, okay? Especially the ones with the cufflinks. You're amazing."

You moan at the praise, pressing the cufflinks against yourself further, loving the way that the metal feels against your sensitive nipples.

He takes his fingers out of your mouth and goes back to holding your chin so as to keep your gaze on his, wanting to watch you orgasm.

You come completely undone when Lawrence speeds up his ministrations on your clit just enough to make you want more, and Lawrence watches.

You thrust your way through the aftershocks, at which point Lawrence releases into you and lets your chin free from his light grip, kissing you and offering praise as he does.

He pulls you off of him and gets a bath set up, helping you into it while giving you more praise and pressing kisses along the back of your neck and shoulder blades because the orgasm had left you both completely and totally breathless.

You bathe in light conversation, once again talking about your days but focusing on the more positive parts, and Lawrence lets you steal a Henley from the days of medical school. You pull a pair of boxers on and curl up in bed next to him, falling asleep only seconds before Lawrence does.

[noxi3xe]

Sepperate post for this

Dangerous Entanglement

Chapters & their synopsis

I decided to lay out all of the chapters in this post to make it more.. clean? If that makes sense

Otherwise my other post’s gonna get too long. I’ll keep updating this one with each new chapter I release. Might do the same for any future works (:

Current chapters:

-Fateful revelations: Introduction and world development, we find out basic information.

-Secret and Allies: we make friends with Hu Tao, who holds our secret and helps us find out more about our soulmates.

-A Perilous Celebration: Our 22nd birthday! It’s all going well and smooth till we notice a little something in the distance.

-Hilltop Hazard: What’s a celebration without sneaking into a fatui camp and almost getting caught?

-Caught and Almost Cornered: But of course how can you end a birthday party without getting chased?

-A Fateful Encounter: The bank’s always busy, you never know who you’ll meet there. Could be one of your soulmates.

-Mountain Mysteries and New Friends: A little scare in the mail to start out your day strong, but new friends fix all worries.

-Heartfelt Goodbyes: saying goodbye to our new friends to head back to the city and continue our *boring* life (which is about to get interesting)

-Ball Gown Secrets: What’s better than waking up to your best friend arguing with your father, winning the argument then taking you shopping? Nothing!

-Voyage to Snezhnaya: The trip to Snezhnaya finally arrives! I wonder whatever we might talk about on the trip, hopefully not something that’ll change our entire life!

-City Sights and Palace Nights: We had arrived to Snezhnaya! Time to look around and get used to the place, the sights are lovely and the people even lovelier.

-Draped in Pearls: Finally the night we’ve been awaiting, and how else could it start off other than with a staring match?

-Snatched by the 9th: Perhaps coming to Snezhnaya wasn't such a good Idea after all. If only we could clear our mind witnout a certain somebody chasing us down..

-First Official Meeting: Face to face finally with those we're supposed to spend our life with, at least that's what the universe has planned for us. They don't seem that bad after all, perhaps we were over exaggerating

-Enforcing Rules: It's time to sit down for a talk and end the evening with what else than being forced into a bath, there's nothing better!

-Getting Comfortable: A chill day, nothing on our mind other than laying back a little.

-Office Works: Well running errands for Pantalone sure did not end as one would expect, thankfully nothing worse than a bit of bullying happened, right?

-Errand Runs: Gone Wrong: Yesterday was confusing and exhausting, but today was something different. Why was luck not on our side and why did it seem as if the whole region had something against us? TW: Minor Violence and Angst (A little bit of it, at least).

-Laboratory shenanigans: We've had enough of everybody, enough of getting pushed around and perhaps we took it out on the right person!

-Promotions and Experimentation: First official day at the lab, I wonder what The Doctor has planned as our first experiment! TW: NSFW

-Stormy nights: Passing out randomly lead to waking up hours later and that lead to bonding.. if you could call it bonding even, more like eventual bickering!

-'First' official day off: Looks like a certain somebody has fallen sick! And what's a better way to rest and take the day slow than to read a book and cuddle under the blankets? TW: Gore and horror aspects (We Read a book)

-Promises: It sure is sweet when a story ends happily, isn't it? That's what we had always thought but never really knew we would once experience our happy ending as well. TW: NSFW

+ bonus chapter [sheep] There's a lil secret I gotta tell you that I definitely haven't told anybody (Author's note and a thank you)

__________

DottoreEnjoyer69 on AO3

Link to the fic here

[frodo-with-glasses]

More Reading Thoughts: A Long-Expected Party

There’s something so incredibly endearing about the slow, meandering beginning of LotR.

Even today—in a day and age when every author tries to grab you by the eyeballs in the first five words—Tolkien’s writing still has that gentle, irresistible draw that takes you by the hand and leads you slowly but surely into adventure. Something about a “birthday party of special magnificence” just appeals to all our inner children, I think; and the tiny mysteries, and the joy of a world of fantastical creatures living in peace and comfort, just adds to that. You want to go to Middle Earth, and you want to get lost in it. It’s like a lazy river at a water park; you wade in, get settled, and relax, and the next thing you know you’re far away from where you started.

All of that to say, Tolkien’s writing is goals and I aspire to be even a fraction of what this man was someday.

Anyway. To the bullet points!

Isn’t it hilarious how quick people are to begrudge one another their good fortune?? If Bilbo had been poor and died in a timely manner his neighbors would probably have liked him just fine, but he gets a lot of wealth and lives a long time and all the hobbits go >:-(

They’re not wrong to be suspicious, of course, but it’s still a biting social commentary. And very funny!

“As Mr. Baggins was generous with his money, most people were willing to forgive him his oddities and his good fortune.” 🤣

“You should come live with me so we can celebrate our birthday parties more comfortably together” belongs in the same category as C. S. Lewis’ “and they got so used to arguing that they married each other to keep doing it more conveniently”

“And suddenly, all the old people found that everyone actually WANTED to hear their rambling stories!”

GAFFER GAMGEE MY BELOVED

Hobbits are all so terribly prejudiced. What endearing morons.

Ooh, confirmation that Bilbo and Frodo look similar!

“There never was much to tell of him! … Till he was drownded.” “DROWNDED??”

I love that the only things we know about Drogo Baggins are that he was unremarkable and fat and married a strange woman

The Gaffer: “Thank goodness Mr. Bilbo saved young Mr. Frodo from those strange, dastardly Bucklanders…”

Meanwhile, Merry feels his eye Twitch and doesn’t know why 🤣

The spelling of jewels as “jools” is adorable for reasons I can’t describe

Tiny Gaffer Gamgee saw Bilbo come home from his Adventure!!

The Gaffer’s words are strangely prophetic. Sam did indeed land in trouble that was bigger than him—and thank goodness he did.

The Gaffer basically says here “if generosity is being strange, we could do with a lot more strangeness!” and honestly that’s a motto I want to live by

I love that Sam is most likely the one who started the rumor about the fireworks X-D

I wish we’d gotten to see the Dwarves visiting Bag End in the movies. It’s a shame they were cut. Imagine what cool costumes they could have had!

“G for grand!” and Gandalf’s smile. Ugh, my heart 🥹

Pity that September 22nd fell on a Friday this year. We were so close to it being a Thursday, like in the book! Oh well. Try again another year, I guess X-D

Are small business owners grumbling about your purchases from foreign parts?? Here’s an easy solution! Just BUY OUT THE STOCK OF EVERYONE FOR MILES AROUND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS

Also the fact that the post offices are absolutely flooded 🤣 Bilbo, you madlad

“Old Gaffer Gamgee stopped even pretending to work on his garden” LOL

The brief paragraph of NOOO BAD WEATHER THE DAY BEFORE THE PARTY is honestly spectacular. It’s so nerve-wracking for just a second there—which is hilarious in light of the war and death and GIANT SPIDERS we’re going to read about. I think it has a flavor of Tolkien’s beliefs on eucatastrophe hidden in there—it’s not out of Bilbo’s own effort that the weather cleared up just in time for his party, it was just happy providence—but I’m too tired to write an essay about it right now.

“Half the Shire’s been invited…and the rest of them are turning up anyway!”

The hobbits who came through the gate again to get a second present 🤣🤣🤣

“The hobbit-children were so excited that for a while they almost forgot about eating.” That’s impressive!!

I love that some of the toys are dwarven-made. That’s such a cool detail that makes the world seem both fantastical (because dwarves!) and real (because you can Amazon order toys from them!) at the same time.

The names of the fireworks!! Especially the ones that are onomatopoeia, like “backarappers”! It just makes brain go ✨✨✨

Pfffft, yellow rain

There’s the express train reference!

Notable difference here: in the movies, the big dragon firework was set off ahead of schedule by Merry and Pippin, and all the hobbits freak out. In the book, the big dragon firework is set off right on time to signal supper, and all the hobbits freak out (but are immediately pacified by food).

Small detail I’d like to see in more fanfics: “Bilbo had been specializing in food for many years, and his table had a high reputation.” Yes, the idea of Bilbo and Frodo eating like the bachelors they are is hilarious, BUT! We have textual evidence to the contrary! I don’t know if this line means that Bilbo was a magnificent cook himself or simply hired magnificent cooks, but either way, it’s canon that the Bag End bachelors ate like kings!

“The feast was so incredible that everyone was incredibly full and took home leftovers and no one bought any new groceries for weeks. The good news is that Bilbo had bought out all the grocery stores anyway, so it was fine.”

Why is the detail about the golden buttons on Bilbo’s waistcoat so enchanting to me?? I really think this chapter just activates the Inner Child Mode in my brain, and suddenly even something as simple as shiny buttons becomes beautiful and magical. Also it’s just a lovely way to paint a vivid picture in my mind.

I’m so glad they kept so many of the jokes in Bilbo’s speech for the movies 🤣 “PROUDFEET!!”

And now here we see Tolkien, author of the fantasy epic that has defined the genre for a century and counting, unironically using caps lock. Folks, you can’t make this crap up.

The sneaky way Tolkien says Bilbo vanished before he mentions the flash of light is Very Good and hints at the fact that there’s something else at work here

Rory Brandybuck is the G.O.A.T.

“But at the same time he felt deeply troubled: he realized suddenly that he loved the old hobbit dearly.” Aww, Frodo…

Incredible that the debate between Bilbo and Gandalf over the Ring takes up almost four pages, but it doesn’t feel like it. Excellent suspense.

I wonder where Gandalf is going “to bed”. It doesn’t look like he’s staying in Bag End, so did he get a room at an inn somewhere? Is he sleeping in his cart??

Also it’s implied later in the book that Gandalf the White doesn’t sleep. Inconsistency?? A slight untruth?? Secret powerup to Gandalf the White that we’ve overlooked??

“The sun rose. The hobbits rose rather later.” Pffft

The SHADE in all the presents oh my WORD

Except for the ones for the poorer hobbits. Bilbo’s gift for the Gaffer is so simple in its contents, and yet so generous and thoughtful 🥹

MERRY MY LAD

MY FAVORITE HOBBIT (don’t tell the others)

How old would Merry have been here?? Like nineteen?? Incredible that he was already such a logistics guy that Frodo trusted him to keep an eye on the house while all the chaos is happening.

“Do you hear that, Merry? That was an insult, if you like.” “It was a compliment, and so, of course, not true.” HAHAHAHA DRAG HIM MERRY

“IF YOU DON’T LET ME IN, FRODO, I SHALL BLOW YOUR DOOR RIGHT DOWN YOUR HOLE AND OUT THROUGH THE HILL” 🤣🤣🤣

Frodo: “I’m so sorry, I thought you were Lobelia!” Gandalf: “Understandable, have a nice day”

“I would give them Bag End and everything else, if I could get Bilbo back and go off tramping in the country with him.” N’aww, Frodoooo 😭

“Look out for me, especially at unlikely times!” Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.…

“Frodo did not see him again for a long time.” Ooh, ominous.

[seisubtanabatafest]

SeiSub Tanabata Fest 2024 Prompts and FAQ

Prompts and FAQ

Welcome to SeiSub Tanabata Fest 2024!

July 7-13, 2024

#SeiSubTanabataFest is a fest ship event organized for Sakurazuka Seishirou and Sumeragi Subaru. Pick whichever version of CLAMP works you feel like creating something for with SeiSub (Tokyo Babylon, X/1999, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, etc.).

It is in celebration of the coming Tanabata (July 7th in Japan). Each day features prompts relating to traditions or imagery commonly associated with Tanabata. It will run from 7 July to 13 July 2024.

It marks the halfway point (138 days) in between Seishirou’s birthday (November 22nd) and Subaru’s birthday (February 19th). This indicates their relationship as star-crossed lovers, which makes their relationship on Tanabata all the more intriguing.

Everyone is allowed to participate!

DATE DAY PROMPT

Jul 7 DAY 1 -

soulmates

red thread of fate

marriage

Jul 8 DAY 2 -

stars

constellations

deities

Jul 9 DAY 3 - FREE DAY (choose your own prompt)

Jul 10 DAY 4 -

longing

separation

reunion

Jul 11 DAY 5 -

wishes

bamboo

tanzaku

Jul 12 DAY 6 -

promises

Milky Way

punishment

Jul 13 DAY 7 -

kimono

paper cranes

lanterns

Click the jump for the FAQ. Feel free to ask questions!

FAQ

How do I participate?

Create something in line with the themes above and just tag #SeiSubTanabataFest! We also have a SeiSub Tanabata Fest Ao3 collection available for you to post to. Fic, art, podfics, webcomics, moodboards, etc.—it’s all welcome!

As we will be retweeting and reblogging posts for the weekly fest, please make sure to check our socials to support all the participants!

Twitter (@SeiSubTanabata)

Tumblr (@SeiSubTanabataFest)

The AO3 collection is here:

Can I use a work I’ve already started?

Yes, if it fits the theme of the day you are posting on and the work has not been published yet.

Do I have to include all the prompts listed for the day into my work?

That isn’t necessary. The prompts are merely suggestions.

Can I include other prompts not included in prompts for the day?

Of course! Again, the prompts are merely suggestions. As long as your work follows at least one prompt for the day, you can submit it.

Do I have to participate every day?

No, that is not necessary.

What if my work incorporates prompts from 2 different days?

You can choose to post it on any of the 2 days, e.g. if you write a fic of characters being soulmates and stars, you can choose to post it on either day 1 or day 2.

Can I submit a late entry?

If you’re posting while the event is running (between 7 July and 13 July 2023), we are fine with that. However, if you can’t make that day, we will accept late entries. Keep in mind you will be posting outside the original posting period, but you can post whenever you can post afterwards.

Are there any content restrictions?

No, we do not believe in restricting problematic fictional content. As long as it’s properly tagged, we accept content of all ratings and themes.

Are there minimum requirements for works?

No. Do whatever you want as long as you create a work for the event. It can be any length or amount of effort you want to put in.

What does "FREE DAY - choose your own prompt" mean on Day 3?

You can choose a prompt that is not on our prompt list to use. This day has the most flexibility for the idea you want to create.

[kakashiweek]

Kakashi Week 2024 General Info

We’re back again for 2024!

However, we will be going on hiatus after Kakashi Week 2024!

When is it: September 15th-22nd - beginning with Kakashi’s birthday! (Late submissions will be reblogged/accepted until the end of September.)

What is it: A fan creation event celebrating our favourite masked ninja! Gen or ship works are welcomed, of any rating or content, so long as they are Kakashi-centric and inspired by one or more of our prompts.

What are the prompts: Still to be decided! We are currently inviting your prompt suggestions (the Google form can be found directly here) through the end of March, and the prompts will be announced on April 3rd! There will be 2 prompts per day for a total of sixteen.

Who can play: Anyone who creates Kakashi-centric works and wants to join in is welcome! No sign-ups necessary, simply create something inspired by one of our prompts.

Where is it: Here on Tumblr @kakashiweek​ of course, and over on AO3 we have a collection, Kakashi Week 2024! (We no longer run there actively, but we also have a Twitter @KakashiWeek as well.)

What works are allowed: Anything you create that is Kakashi-centric! That includes gen and ship works, of any rating, and in any medium you create - fanfic, fanart, edits, not!fic and headcanons, GIFsets, meta, etc. are all welcome!

Works utilising any form of generative AI are not welcome in Kakashi Week.

There will be a post with our full guidelines and another with FAQ put out around the same time we announce our prompts, but they will be similar to prior years. We hope you’re excited, and please feel free to send an ask or message if you have any questions!

~Kakashi Week Mod

[thorin-apologist]

the big debut

sooo ive been writing this bagginshield fic on and off for the past 2.5 years, it isnt quite finished but im going to start editing and posting chapters very soon (expect month long hiatuses because im terrible) but i just wanna get it out there!!! so heres the prologue, which will be posted to ao3 along with chapter 1 whenever i finish editing it. if so much as one person likes this shit im gonna be spurred on to work faster. ANYWAYS heres the prologue under the cut!! (approx 2.7k words, no TW just slight angst)

Prologue

“You’d think I asked my cousins to die and leave behind a parentless child,” Bilbo said bitterly to Balin. He was getting quite sick of Thorin Oakenshield hastily leaving any room Bilbo walked into. In this instance, it was one of Erebor’s libraries.

“He doesn’t resent your decision to leave us,” said Balin as he led Bilbo to the section of books written in Westron. “In fact, I think he’s more ashamed of how upset he is – he thinks it is you, and only you, who should be allowed to grieve at this time.”

“Sounds ridiculous enough, so you’re probably right.” Thorin’s strange, stubborn ways never failed to exasperate Bilbo, even after one and a half years of knowing him. “So, is he just going to hide from me until I’m gone?”

“I’ll talk some sense into him, laddie.”

Bilbo perused the shelves with Balin at his side, flicking through books and handing Balin the ones that caught his eye. Although he had to force himself to skip over the thick, heavy, leatherbound volumes, he was determined to take as much of the Lonely Mountain he could carry back to the Shire with him, regarding all his chosen books and keepsakes as his real fourteenth share.

On the 22nd of September, just days ago, Gandalf had stopped by the Lonely Mountain to wish Bilbo a happy birthday - though of course, this was not his sole motive for coming. He joined the dwarven birthday celebrations, eating and drinking and singing with them all through the night, waiting until Bilbo’s merry mood began to dissipate with exhaustion before taking him aside and extinguishing any residual cheer left in him.

“I am sorry that I must dampen your spirits on a day of celebration, but there will be no right moment fit for this news and it’s best that I get it over with sooner rather than later.” Gandalf paused, waiting for the sleepy smile to slide off Bilbo’s face. “Upon my last visit to the Shire, I learned the news that your cousin Drogo and his wife Primula had drowned in a boating accident not long before my arrival. This was mere months after their son Frodo was born. He was taken in by the Brandybucks and will live at Brandy Hall indefinitely.” Gandalf fell silent again, but not for nearly as long as Bilbo needed to process the blow from this information. Gandalf’s next words echoed from far away: “Today is his first birthday - he shares the day with you. He would have a better life at Bag End…”

Bilbo had viewed the Shire as something he would ultimately return to when it pulled hard enough at his heart, but until that moment came, it wouldn’t hurt to stay in Erebor a little longer. However, a month had turned into two months, and two into three, and three into ten, and still he had not felt compelled to leave. It was only at this horrible news that he realised that life went on without him there - hadn’t stopped in his absence, waiting patiently for him to return at his leisure. In the end, it was the grief of losing two dear relatives, the thought of the orphaned boy, and the guilt of completely missing something so important that prompted his journey back to the Shire.

*

Balin must’ve done as he’d promised and given Thorin a talking to, because he finally came out of hiding and approached Bilbo just before his official send-off the next day. It was dawn, so the Lonely Mountain’s vast foyer was empty apart from him and Thorin. They faced each other in dim light by the towering entrance gates, Bilbo with an armful of books that Thorin narrowed his eyes at.

“Haven’t you outgrown burglary, Master Baggins?”

Bilbo smiled at Thorin’s folded arms, knowing he was not in any real trouble. “Maybe not. Why, going to banish me for it?”

Thorin laughed softly and dropped the stern façade. “Take whatever you desire. Erebor is forever indebted to you.”

Bilbo’s bare feet shuffled sheepishly on the smooth stone floor. He always felt awkward whenever anyone acknowledged his part in reclaiming Erebor. His actions had led to victory, but also to devastation for so many people, and the latter was what he remembered whenever it was brought up. He tried to push it from his mind, not wanting to dwell on it during his last moments inside this place. “Don’t tempt me, I might take something expensive.”

Thorin asked questions about Bilbo’s route home, whether Gandalf would accompany him for the whole journey, and if he had enough food and supplies to last them both. None of these things warranted a private conversation before the rest of the company came down, but Bilbo was glad for it to be this way.

Despite his close friendship with Thorin, they had rarely been alone together over these past ten months. Thorin was either out on regular visits to Dale and Lake Town, overseeing Erebor’s reconstruction, or being forced to sit down and look over what Bilbo liked to call ‘kingly paperwork’, which mainly consisted of reviewing outdated laws and renewing old trade agreements. Thorin worked hard, but for all his work, Bilbo knew that his gold-sick mistakes still plagued him. In any case, it was in Thorin’s nature to be among his people, joining in the grunt work instead of lounging on a throne and ordering others around. Bilbo enjoyed helping with the paperwork when he could, usually accompanied by Balin and sometimes Dain Ironfoot – Thorin’s most trusted royal advisors. On many occasions, Bilbo was invited to dine in the King’s private hall, meant only for royalty and any desired guests. This party usually consisted of Thorin, Fili and Kili, their mother Dis, and often Dwalin, Balin, and Dain. Bilbo would’ve liked to have seen Thorin outside of these settings, but this was virtually impossible. Now that he was leaving however, he knew he would cherish all the time he got to spend with Thorin’s family and the rest of the company.

The small talk drew to a natural close and a short silence fell. Thorin broke it.

“Do you have any intention of returning?” Thorin said it casually enough but refused to meet Bilbo’s eye. A book began to slip from under Bilbo’s arm. He caught it and wedged it back into place. Thorin added, “It will be a sore loss for Erebor’s counsel.”

“Balin will keep you right,” said Bilbo, stalling as he thought of how best to respond to the original question. “I would hate to never return. I hate that I’m leaving now.”

Thorin brightened. “So, you will come back? When you are able, I mean.”

Now it was Bilbo’s turn to avoid Thorin’s eye. “It’s not that simple. It was irresponsible of me to stay so long. Really it was irresponsible to come in the first place.” Thorin nodded, his eyebrows sinking back down. “Not that I regret it,” said Bilbo quickly, “No, not at all. But I have family; obligations…” Bilbo bit the inside of his cheek. “And I have already let them down by not being there. The funeral would’ve been months ago. And the boy, he needs—”

“Yes, of course. I know,” said Thorin gently, quelling Bilbo’s anxious rambling. “I know you must go back to your family. It was selfish of me to hope for anything else.”

On the contrary, it warmed Bilbo to know that Thorin Oakenshield wanted him to stay. A bolder Bilbo might’ve made it known to Thorin that he felt equally selfish, and that if Thorin elaborated on what he hoped, it might just persuade him to abandon his plans. But this conversation was already looking to become uncomfortable. Bilbo needed easy, clean goodbyes today.

Luckily, it was at that moment that the chattering of Fili and Kili began to echo into the foyer. They soon emerged from a connected hallway, accompanied by Dis, whom Bilbo had come to like very much. She had silver-streaked dark hair and a strong nose, like her brother Thorin, but she shared the same kind brown eyes as Kili. However, her beard was by far the most impressive of all her family; tamed, glossy, and styled in intricate braids.

“Knew he’d be the first one down. Thorin! Changed his mind yet?” Fili called as they all approached. Thorin rolled his eyes.

As soon as they came to the place Bilbo stood, Fili and Kili pulled him into a group hug, making him drop most of his books. Bilbo decided drop the rest so that he could reach up and put an arm around each of their shoulders.

These two had come especially close to death during last year’s war, as had Thorin. In the recovery tents as the battle died away, Bilbo sat at their bedsides with Dis, who had been a part of the army from the Iron Hills but had not managed to get to her family during the fight. During this time, she had opened up to Bilbo, telling him stories about Fili and Kili as children, and some surprising tales about Thorin in his youth. Bilbo learned about Frerin, her and Thorin’s brother who had been killed in battle before he could come of age, and of Dis’ late husband, who had died alongside him. It was then that Bilbo realised that her sons and Thorin were the only family she had left, and how close she had come to losing everything.

“Tauriel sends her love,” said Kili as he and Fili broke away, “she and Legolas are working on repealing the Elvenkingdom’s law against marriage between dwarves and elves. You might run into them in Mirkwood, actually – if they don’t end up banished again.”

“If I come past the Elvenking’s Halls, I’m marching inside and giving Thranduil a piece of my mind on the matter,” said Bilbo.

Dis stepped forward, smiling at him. “You are sweet, Bilbo,” she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “It has been a joy to have you here. Our family will never forget what you have done for us.” Fili and Kili nodded in agreement.

“It has been an honour to be allowed to stay here for so long,” said Bilbo graciously, choosing again to ignore the uncomfortable latter statement.

“Don’t be silly, I am reluctantly allowing you to leave us,” she said. Bilbo smiled.

Dwalin and Balin came down next. Bilbo pretended not to notice Balin’s overly wet eyes, not wanting to copy them. Next came Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. It had been Bofur whom Bilbo had ended up spending the most time around during his stay, as he was simply wonderful to be around; always finding ways to make Bilbo laugh after such a dark time. He gripped Bofur especially hard when they hugged, receiving hearty pats on the back in return.

Oin and Gloin soon joined the throng, and finally Ori, Dori, and Nori. Now that everyone was there, there was no point in delaying the inevitable. Dwalin and Dori headed over to either side of the gates and hauled the chains that opened them. The gates slowly parted outwards, revealing the bare grounds stretched out before the Mountain. The only things that had been added since the battle were some hastily built pens and huts dotted here and there. Mist obscured the horizon and muted the low-hanging sun’s rays.

Just outside the gates, Gandalf was standing by a cart attached to two horses and laden with all of Bilbo’s things. Bilbo and the company walked forwards into the chilly autumn morning. He reached the cart and loaded the last of his books. Gandalf looked down his long, crooked nose at him with sympathy in his eyes. Without saying anything, Gandalf gently patted Bilbo on the shoulder and boarded the cart. Bilbo turned around to face the fourteen dwarves, who were already huddling around him. They all took it in turns to embrace him (with some coming back for seconds), wishing him good luck and a safe journey.

When it was Thorin’s turn, he murmured in Bilbo’s ear as he held him, “Please write.” Bilbo nodded into the thick furs of Thorin’s cloak. They came apart for a moment. Then, to Bilbo’s shock, Thorin brushed his forehead against Bilbo’s. It was brief, but unmistakeable.

He heard a murmur from the group and hid his face as he climbed into the cart. Bilbo had been around dwarves long enough to know the gravity of that gesture. Bilbo valiantly tried to maintain his composure as he faced his dwarves for the last time.

“I will visit, if I can,” said Bilbo to the group, though he was looking at Thorin. Maybe it wasn’t as impossible as he had been telling himself; he might be able to find a babysitter once Frodo was old enough. Another impulse of irresponsibility might attack him again, and he could find himself running out the door without a handkerchief or a second thought. He would have to try a bit harder to fight these impulses now that he would have a child to look after. But if the last year and a half had taught Bilbo anything, it was that he could never be certain of what he might do next.

“You’d better,” Dwalin growled, and many of the others agreed in mutters.

“And likewise,” said Bilbo, his voice dangerously close to breaking, “you are all welcome at Bag End. Anytime.” As soon as you can, as often as you like, as many of you as Bag End can fit.

Gandalf took the reins and started the horses, guiding the cart away from the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo tried to keep his gaze on the dwarves, trying to burn their faces into his memory as they shrank away from him, but found that his eyes began to well. So, he twisted back around in his seat and faced the road ahead.

*

As soon as all the formalities regarding Frodo's adoption were dealt with, he had written a letter to Thorin, recounting his journey home, and greatly emphasising that he would love for them to meet again soon. The local postman would've surely fainted if Bilbo handed him a letter addressed to Erebor, so Bilbo entrusted his letter to Gandalf, who claimed he would be flitting to and from the East and West on ‘business,’ and would make sure it was delivered in good time.

Months later, Gandalf returned with Thorin's strangely formal response; that he would like nothing more, but he had to prioritise his duties as king and the ongoing restoration of Erebor. Bilbo understood of course - he had his own duties, what with being something of a parent, to be getting on with. Instead, he kept Thorin up to date with lengthy letters containing details of his contrastingly quiet life in the Shire, and many questions about the wellbeing of the other dwarves and what life as King under the Mountain was like. Sometimes he asked for advice on bringing up his nephew, as he knew Thorin had experience with Fili and Kili.

Bilbo wished for the same level of enthusiasm and detail in Thorin's replies but did not get it. In fact, each letter Bilbo received became shorter and more impassive than the last. Each time, Thorin found excuses to turn down Bilbo's (now somewhat persistent) attempts to reunite, whether it be in Erebor or Hobbiton. Bilbo couldn't fathom why this was. Thorin had earnestly requested that Bilbo write to him. Surely, he was not so busy that he couldn't write more than a few sentences. And if he was, why couldn't he get one of the others to write for him? After four years of this, Bilbo grew tired of how one-sided their friendship had become, and let frustration get the better of him. Halfway through a letter wishing Thorin a happy 200th birthday, he switched his tone and stated that Thorin need not reply if he no longer had the time of day for him.

Six more years passed, and he had not received another letter.

*****

aaaand because theres absolutely no way you could guess whats actually gonna happen in this fic just from the prologue, here’s a cheeky synopsis!

After years of lost contact, Thorin turns up on Bilbo’s doorstep with an awkward greeting and a dire warning. Upon learning about Gandalf’s uncharacteristically sinister plans regarding the ring, the hobbit and the dwarf king decide to take matters into their own hands. But are their hands the safest ones to carry the ring? (Spoiler: absolutely not).

[brightlight-dazzlingeyes]

ibiza night fever | chapter 01

pablo gavi x original female character [+18]

synopsis: to celebrate her recent freedom, sofie’s best friends invited her to spend the summer in ibiza. after four years, a tattoo and countless fights – sofie was single. she was dumped on her 22nd birthday; now all she asks for is a calm and relaxing vacation with her girlfriends – no boys allowed. warnings: age gap, alcohol consumption, smut, angst; minors dni.

previous chapter | masterlist | next chapter

Chapter 01 | Baila Conmigo

“Bebé, no sé si habla' mucho español

Si entiende' cuando digo "Mi amor"

(...)

Bésame, solo una vez

Así tengo un motivo pa' volverte a ver”

“There’s no better cure for a broken heart than Gin Tonic and Spanish men.” Rebecca was wearing three different sunhats and every single beach robe she could find. They were sitting crossed legged in Sofie’s bedroom floor, packing for their upcoming trip. It was Rebecca’s idea, of course. She has spent every summer in Ibiza since she was old enough to get on a plane by herself, and has begged her best friend to come with her every year since. But Sofie had Thomas and they spent all the summers with his family in his hometown. 

“I do like Gin Tonic.” Sofie giggled. “But no men on this trip. All I want from Ibiza is a suntan and a light hungover.”

“You should still pack some lingerie, just in case.”

They were leaving the next morning, with Chiara and Luisa meeting them at the airport. Out of their gigantic group of friends, they were the only ones single, so it was natural for the girls to feel responsible for Sofie. She had a lot to learn, they said. She got added to their private group chat, ‘single girls club’, the day after the breakup. Even now, a couple weeks later, she hadn’t felt lonely, not even for a minute.

“And you need new sunglasses.”

**

The anxiety only hit her when they landed. The realization of what she was doing. She was a free woman now, whatever that means. It started to feel like a big weight to carry, the sole responsibility of making herself happy. It was so easy to give that up before, in the name of love. Now she doesn’t know what to do with it.

“Let’s get mimosas, like, immediately!” Luisa was the most outgoing one in their little group, and not up for debate she was also the prettiest. Long wavy blonde hair, bambi blue eyes, greek goddess-like body. She was a natural leader. Her confidence made it easy to follow her, and that’s what Sofie decided to do.

“Yes, please!”

“The fact that I’m not wearing a bikini already is a crime.” Chiara was the youngest but still a lot more experienced in those adventures than Sofie. Chiara’s mother was a successful supermodel in the early 90’s and she inherited her mother’s best features. Straight brown hair, light tan skin. She was the fashionista of the group.

Rebecca was the more centered, mature, mother-like personality of the four. She had the best taste in music and always had a great new book recommendation. It seemed like she was always worried about something more important than everybody else. She was the smart one.

Sofie was the new girl, and had yet to discover her place in the entourage.

The girls rented a luxurious and isolated villa in Sant Josep. Four spacious bedrooms, an infinity pool and cozy patio were privileges their parents credit cards were able to pay. They all came from rich families, their friendship was as written in the stars as carefully planned by their mothers. They met on play dates when they were little kids. They had ballet and foreign language classes together. As teenages they learned how to lie to their parents together. They went to college together. Now, as brand new adults, they were learning how to be women together.

“Okay, what about this one?”

They were in the villa living room, after a few mimosas, choosing which pictures to post. That was an important part of the single’s business. It was crucial for your thirst traps to look as hot as possible yet tasteful and lady-like. According to Luisa, you want to look like a duchess and a slut.

“Yes, post it.”

Chiara then turned to Sofie. “Okay, so, our itinerary only starts tomorrow, but you want to let people know you’re in town.” They had plans for the next day, party with people Sofie never met and concerts of artists she never heard of. She tried not to show how uncultured and naive that made her feel. “You should post this one. And tag the village.” It was a pic of Sofie in a bikini, she was posing in front of the infinity pool. It was a milestone, really. Her first insta post as a single woman.

**

In the afternoon Rebecca decided to take Sofie on a walk. 

“Let’s take it slow on the first day, maybe do some shopping.” 

At that point everything sounded like a good idea. Sofie could feel her cheeks burning red with excitement. Ibiza was as beautiful and as interesting as expected. The streets were cloaked in flowers and vines. The sound of birds humming and the clashing waves in the distance made just walking around the island a magical and spiritual experience. They entered a number of small stores, smelling, touching and taking pictures of everything they saw. It’s always a good feeling to be a tourist in a beautiful place.

“This place looks nice.” 

It was a bar, semi-open with a pitched bamboo roof, located right in front of the beach. The stone walls and greenery created a peaceful and inviting view. That, and the orange from the sunset on the horizon. Becca seemed to agree and without another word the girls entered the bar. They ordered local craft beers and tapas and sat down in silence for a few minutes to simply rest and enjoy the view. With the moonrise, the glow of fairy lights started to illuminate the bar.

“How devoted are you to that ‘no men’ rule?” 

The girls were sitting facing each other on the table closest to the sea and Rebecca leaned over, almost whispering her question. Jazz music playing in the background and a bottle of beer in hand, Sofie frowned.

“We literally just got here. I would say pretty devoted.”

“Okay, well, look, it’s just those guys are totally checking us out.”

Sofie looked in the direction her friend’s eyes were aimed. Two boys, to be more precise. A brunette and a blonde, if Sofie had to describe.

“They’re cute…” They really were cute.

“Pick one!”

“What?”

“Pick one! I’ll take the other.” Rebecca winked.

“What did we just talk about?”

“Sorry, got distracted. They’re super cute. Sorry.”

“Also, the brunette.” Sofie giggled. The brunette looked older and charming, deep brown eyes– he was just her type.

“Oh my god, they’re coming over.”

It became obvious very quickly that the boys also took their pick, and it didn’t match theirs. The charming brunette looked head over heels for Rebecca, while the blonde one stared awkwardly at Sofie. Pedro and Pablo, they introduced themselves. Chip ‘n Dale, Sofie thought to herself. After only a few minutes Pedro and Rebecca’a chemistry was flooding the table. Their giggling and flirty stares started to become uncomfortable for the other two.

“Do you want to take a walk?” It was clear they got abandoned by their friends, so Sofie did the polite thing and offered Pablo a way out of that conversation. The boy looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He had beautiful eyes and Sofie blushed with the thought. The boy nodded in agreement.

“Are you sure?” Rebecca asked, partially worried she was being a bad friend and partially hopeful. Sofie almost rolled her eyes.

“Yes, pretty sure.”

**

“You’re a professional football player?”

“Yes.” Pablo laughed at the sound of shock in her voice. Sofie then stopped herself to stare at him for a second, examining his features. They were making small talk– how old are you; where are you from; what do you work with. His answer caught her off guard.

“I used to love football.” She said softly, smiling at herself. “When I was a kid my dad would take me to every single Benfica home game.”

“What happened?” Pablo frowned. “You don’t like it anymore?”

“My dad passed away.”

“Oh. Shit.” There was an awkward silence. “I’m so sorry.” 

“It’s okay, really.” Sofie giggled at the boy’s scared look, she seemed it before and was already used to it. “It has been a while. It’s just, football was our thing, you know?”

“Do you miss it? Nevermind, that’s a stupid question!”

“No, no, it’s okay.” She had a hand on his shoulder. They have been walking for a few minutes and even though they were in an isolated part of the beach, they could hear distant edm music; very different from the sound of birds during the day. The moon was high in the sky at that point. “I do miss it. A lot. But it’s been a long time, and with every passing season there’s more to learn about the game. I don’t know how to go back into the loop.” She didn’t even know who he was, that’s how ‘out of the loop’ she was.

“I guess you just do. If you wanted. I guess you just come back.”

He was right. She heard that before, from her therapist. Going back to doing the things she loved. Instead she decided to quit therapy and keep herself in the denial phase of grief. But Pablo was right. And he looked beautiful under the moonlight. His hair waving with the ocean breeze, his eyes shining brighter than the paper lanterns around them. She wanted to hold his hand. Her whole day felt like a fairytale after weeks of nightmares and she didn’t want to talk about her father or football anymore. She wanted to kiss him and end her day on a win. Later she would blame her overly confident behavior on the mimosas.

“Do you wanna go back to the villa with me?”

[putschki1969]

Wakana 3rd Album “Sono Saki e” Tracklist Revealed & Billboard Lives Announced

Following a number of announcements back in mid-March, we now have a new batch of exciting news. As teased yesterday by Wakana, we finally get all the tracklist details. To accompany these news, a short snippet of 「明日を夢見て歌う/Asu wo Yume Mite Utau」from last year’s「Wakana Classics 2022 ～Christmas Special～」 was posted to YouTube. In addition, there will be two Billboard Lives held in July to celebrate the release of the album.

Snippet of「明日を夢見て歌う」from「Wakana Classics 2022 ～Christmas Special～」

Title: 明日を夢見て歌う/Asu wo Yume Mite Utau Lyrics：Wakana Composition&Arrangement：Satoshi Takebe Track 8 of the album and track 10 of the bonus DVD. The full version of this live performance will be included as bonus feature on Type A of Wakana’s 3rd album “Sono Saki e”. Thoughts: Wow, my memory officially sucks. I had zero recollection of the song. I remember writing in my live report that the song wasn’t very memorable and I still stand by that statement (there’s too little buildup towards the chorus imo) but it’s more pleasant than what I recall (especially the melody in the beginning and Wakana’s singing overall). I know I compared it to Takebe’s other song “Kimi Dake no Stage” in terms of my feelings for it but they do not really sound anything alike and I suspect that this one will grow on me once I get to hear the whole song a few times (especially this acoustic live version which has such a lovely arrangement).

『そのさきへ』 Tracklist and Featured Composers/Artists Revealed

M1. Butterfly Dream Lyrics: Wakana Composition/Arrangement: Yuki Kishida M2. Rapa Nui Lyrics: Yo Hitoto, Composition: Tatsuro Mashiko, Arrangement: Satoshi Takebe M3. 標(Shirushi) Lyrics/Composition: Yoshiko Hanzaki Arrangement: Satoshi Takebe M4. 希望(Kibou) Lyrics: Yuho Iwasato Composition: Takatsugu Muramatsu Arrangement: Yuji Toriyama M5. 殻(Kara) Lyrics: Goro Matsui Composition: Satoshi Takebe Arrangement: Yuji Toriyama M6. そのさきへ～(Sono Saki e) ~Interlude~ Composition: Toshiaki Matsumoto、Arrangement: Satoshi Takebe 　 M7. KEMONO feat. Shin'ya Kiyozuka Lyrics: Yoshitani Kuji, Wakana Composition: Shin'ya Kiyozuka Arrangement: Yuji Toriyama M8. 明日を夢見て歌う(Asu wo Yume Mite Utau) Lyrics: Wakana Composition/Arrangement: Satoshi Takebe 　 M9. Flag Lyrics/Composition: BOI　Arrangement: Ryuichi Takagi M10. そのさきへ(Sono Saki e) Lyrics: Wakana Composition: Toshiaki Matsumoto Arrangement: Yuki Kishida 　 M11. あとひとつ(Ato Hitotsu) Lyrics: Wakana Composition/Arrangement: Satoshi Takebe

Thoughts: The track titles have got me very intrigued. “Rapa Nui” sounds like it could be the song that’s completely different from anything Wakana has done before (as she hinted towards in one of her Instagram posts). Then again, they are already labeling it as Wakana’s “Hanamizuki” due to everyone involved in the making so it might just be a ballad. Maybe it was a reference to KEMONO, although I assume that���s gonna be a pretty standard ballad too seeing as it features a pianist. Wish there were more lyrics by Wakana but I take whatever I can get. Interesting choice to include an interlude. The title track must be really good to deserve its own interlude/instrumental. Would have preferred a new song of course but oh well, this might turn out to be super lovely. Happy to finally see Ato Hitotsu on an official release, it was long overdue.

「Wakana Billboard Live 2023 ～そのさきへ～』

In celebration of the album release, Wakana will be holding Billboard Lives in Yokohama and Osaka.

▼Billboard Live Yokohama 2023/07/06 ＜1st Stage＞17:00 / 18:00 ＜2nd Stage＞20:00 / 21:00

▼Billboard Live Osaka 2023/07/20 ＜1st Stage＞17:00 / 18:00 ＜2nd Stage＞20:00 / 21:00

【Performing artists】 Vocal：Wakana Production・Piano：Satoshi Takebe Others TBA

【Ticket price】 Service Area：￥9,000- / Casual Area：￥8,500-

Pre-order of FC tickets is scheduled to start on April 22nd. Club BBL member advance tickets will be available from May 12th and general reservations will be accepted from May 19th onwards.

Thoughts: Ohhhhhh! The Osaka Live is so close to YK’s Saitama concert. Now I am really considering making a trip. But damn, I think flights will be super expensive. T_T Looks like I might need to fork out 2k for a roundtrip (direct flights). And it will be stinking hot in Japan. Will have to think this through properly. But now with those overseas tickets available for YKL Vol#18, it would almost be a shame to not use that opportunity.

Music Video for Butterfly Dream Coming Up

Wakana teased in a tweet reply that she shot a MV for “Butterfly Dream”. *weeee* So excited! I am surprised they are not doing a video for the album title track “Sono Saki e”. Maybe they will do one for that as well? It’s a shame though that this won’t be included on the album. But then again, they will use for a YouTube promo so that’s always a good thing

[justsomeoneintoomanyfandoms]

100 Followers Event!

Woo! 100 followers! Thank you all so much for showing this stressed out fanfic writer your support; it really means a lot. This has to be celebrated so I’m doing a month long request event running from today (June 22nd) to July 22nd (with a bit of leniancy; if you send through a request on the 23rd, I wont knock it back). The rules are below.

What is the Event?

This will be a classic number request event. Just pick up to three numbers from the list below and give me a character (along with the fandom they’re from) and I’ll write a fanfic about it. Here’s an example!

Hi! Could I get 2, 9, and 15 for Sampo Koski (Honkai Star Rail)? Thank you!

If you want a specific character to say a line, let me know. Here’s an example.

Hi! Could I get 19 and 3 with Itto (Genshin Impact)? Can the reader say 19 and Itto say 3 please?

The fandoms for this event are the same as in my pinned post so check here to see what fandoms I write for.

Numbers

I just want you to stay here with me forever...

Don’t go just yet.

Can I have another kiss...another...another?

Don’t worry, I’ll make dinner tonight.

I just...I really like you okay?!

If you get hurt on my watch, that’s on me.

I don’t want to lose you.

So...you wanna go on a date?

Just kiss me! I’ll explain later!

Could you pass the knife?

Ah, this is hard to say in person...can we video chat?

You have something on your face. Here, I’ll get it for you.

Here. I’ll get that for you.

Hmm...what colour nail polish do you think would work best?

C’mon! I’ll race you!

Ah! Oh, sorry! I didn’t realise it was you!

I brought your favourites.

Look. That cloud looks like you.

Only three more sit-ups and you can get a kiss...

And just a little bit the the right...perfect!

Stop squinting! I can’t see your eyes!

You dare throw a pillow at me? Oh it is on!

Let me fix up your tie for you.

No I’m not scared. Ah!

Give it back. Give what back? My heart.

A flower crown? For me?

Wake up sleepyhead. I made you breakfast.

Want me to run you a bath?

What to you think of this outfit?

Here, I got this for you!

How did you get arrested? And why do I have to get you out?

Wanna do a duet?

You look...really nice.

Are you okay? Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.

I found this when I was out today and it made me think of you.

Of course I remembered your order.

I like it here. It’s relaxing and you’re the only person who knows about it.

No, maybe don’t do that...oh...well...

What did you think would happen?

I’m so glad you chose me.

Thank you for sending in your requests and showing me so much support and love!

~ Eren

[qnewsau]

Sydney's 357 gay sauna announces move after 22nd birthday

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/sydneys-357-gay-sauna-announces-move-after-22nd-birthday/

Sydney's 357 gay sauna announces move after 22nd birthday

The team at Sydney’s 357 gay sauna have celebrated the long-running sex-on-premises venue’s 22nd birthday, and given a big update on the venue’s future.

The sauna’s longtime co-owners Ty Dovans and Luke Frappell first opened 357’s doors in Sydney’s CBD on December 26, 2001.

On New Year’s Day, the couple and their team celebrated 357’s 22nd birthday and confirmed the gay sauna will relocate in mid-2024.

In late 2022, a development application was lodged to demolish the existing building and replace it with an 18-storey hotel.

At the time, Ty and Luke told us closing 357 was not an option and pledged to continue the sauna at another location.

This week, the two co-owners celebrated the big milestone and gave an update on 357’s future.

“Today is very emotional for all of us. We’re celebrating our 22nd birthday,” Ty wrote.

“But we are also aware it is our last birthday inside our home, our building here at 357.”

357 gay sauna won’t move until after Mardi Gras

Ty Dovans said the team celebrated with resident piano man Darren, who performs piano at 357 every Sunday, and a crowd of the gay sauna’s loyal regulars.

“Sometime during the course of 2024 we are moving. We will notify everybody with heaps of notice. Many more announcements to come,” he said.

“Thank you to my beautiful partner Luke for an amazing speech. A day I will always remember.”

However Ty clarified the move would happen after Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which runs from February 16 to March 3 this year.

He wrote that 357 is “not moving till the middle of the year. Absolutely no effect on Mardi Gras.”

Read more: Development application lodged for site of Sydney 357 gay sauna

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A post shared by 357 Gay Sauna (@357sauna)

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[sk8theinfinitysims4-leavan]

~Tadashi's Birthday~ - 22/11/2023

🛹🤜Skating with you is Infinity!🤛🛹

お誕生日おめでとう、菊池忠さん🐶🐍🛹

Happy Birthday Tadashi Kikuchi-san! 🐶🐍🛹

In Japan is already November 22nd and therefore Tadashi's birthday! We have already celebrated with our skater sim Tadashi his birthday (@lea-heartscxiv and @van-yangyin) because it's already an every year must do, if you want to know how our sim Tadashi spends his November 22nd with his friends, you can read it below in keep reading in English (or go to our Blogger linked in our pinned post in you want to read it in Spanish), with extras.

What's coming up for Tadashi this year? Find out what’s going here or on our Blogger 🐶🐍

Disclaimer: English is not our native language, so it's possible that we have writed and/or translated some things incorrectly. 🙇💦

Tadashi got up as he usually did, put on the coffee machine and went to take a shower while mentally reviewing Ainosuke-sama's schedule.

Tadashi: In the morning meeting with businessmen, at noon they will continue it at the restaurant - while he was thinking, his mobile rang, he got out of the shower with the towel. He picked up the phone, and from the other side heard a singing voice that sounded very familiar.

???: Happy birthday, Tadashi! - he heard from the mobile.

Tadashi: Thank you, Ainosuke-sama.

Ainosuke: By the way, change the noon meal, I told them that I have a very important business to do.

Tadashi: Very important business?

Ainosuke: Yes, and now with or without your permission, I'm going back to sleep - and hung up the mobile.

Tadashi: ...Ainosuke-sama?

When he thought about calling back, the coffee machine beeped, he got dressed, went to the kitchen, and poured himself a cup.

When he drank his coffee, from the kitchen went to the balcony to spend a moment of his early morning in taking care of the few roses he had started to grow there. An apartment he and Ainosuke-sama had recently moved into.

When he finished, he went to the room, where Ainosuke-sama was asleep. And he found something totally different from what he expected.

Ainosuke: Early this morning, you've already had your coffee without milk, haven't you, Tadashi?

Tadashi: Of course, like every morning. But Ainosuke-sama, what are you doing undressed?

When Tadashi dressed again and dressed his master, they both headed out of the room to get ready to go to work. Ainosuke: «Joe, all set for this noon.» - he wrote in a text message to Kojiro. Tadashi: «Why do Ainosuke-sama think I'm going to feel pressured? I really don't care that my parents aren't invited this time.» - thinking. 

After spending the morning working, it was time for lunch and as Ainosuke said before to Tadashi, he directed him to Sia la Luce for lunch. 

Ainosuke: Fine, let's go inside. 

They sat down at the table that Kojiro indicated.

Kojiro: For the first plate, some mussels. 

Kojiro: And for the second plate, a special oyster dish, both courtesy of a friend of mine who guided me in the preparation. Happy birthday, Kikuchi. I hope you two enjoy the dishes.

Tadashi: Thank you.

Tadashi helped himself to a plate of oysters, but when he was about to eat...

Ainosuke: Tadashi, come here for a moment... Happy Birthday. 

And after the kiss on the cheek they began to eat. 

Tadashi: They are delicious.

Ainosuke: I knew you would love them. 

And while they were eating, Kojiro, since had Sia la Luce just for them, poured himself a coffee.

Kojiro: I think I should let guys know so they can start arriving.

And as soon as he finished his cup of coffee, he went to call Kaoru and the others. Before long Kaoru arrived and didn't waste a minute to try a plate of oysters from his gorilla.

Kaoru: They smell pretty good for a gorilla to have made them. Of course, he had the help of an expert seafood chef... 

And after Kaoru everyone else joined in one by one.

Miya: «I'm sure this will have more calories than I need.» - thinking. 

Hiromi: «Why did ADAM order this dish? I don't think it will feed us much...» - thinking.

Reki: «I hope there's some more food later. This doesn't look like the typical food Joe makes.» - thinking. 

Tadashi: «Ainosuke-sama was planning to invite everyone?» - thinking.

Although that was not Ainosuke's initial plan, everyone finished eating the mussels and oysters, some more than others. Indeed these were the only dishes Ainosuke had ordered for the meal, dishes which were considered to be aphrodisiacs because of their high zinc content. And then it was the turn of the cake.

Tadashi: Thank you all for the cake.

Ainosuke: All? - whispering.

Reki: You're welcome! Even though it wasn't us. Happy birthday!

Ainosuke: Of course it wasn't them, the cake was MY idea.

Kaoru: ADAM being generous for once? 🫢

And among all and/or one by one they wished him a Happy Birthday.

Tadashi cut the first piece for Ainosuke and served it to him.

Ainosuke: Do you know that strawberries are an aphrodisiac? 

Tadashi: Just like oysters and mussels, master.

After offering the first piece to Ainosuke, Tadashi served his own and then everyone else grabbed a piece.

Reki: But if it's his birthday, why did he give the first one to ADAM?

After the cake, it was the turn of a gift that everyone (except Ainosuke) had chosen.

At the end of the celebration at Sia la Luce, Tadashi didn't understand why Ainosuke-sama told him that he didn't want him to feel pressure. They went to his apartment and once inside, they went to the balcony where another plate of oysters was left on the table...

They stared at the roses. When Tadashi had left them this morning they hadn't even bloomed yet... Surely Ainosuke-sama had sent someone to plant a few.

Ainosuke: Beautiful, aren't they? They're a gift from your father and mother for your birthday, grown this morning from our little... from the garden of the Shindo mansion. While we were celebrating your birthday your father moved them and planted them. Let's go inside. I have something to tell you.

Tadashi: «For this I would feel pressured?» - he thought.

Ainosuke knelt down in the living room, while Tadashi worried because didn't want him to dirty his pants.

Ainosuke: I don't care about my dear aunts' failed engagement with Ayumi-chan, nor about future engagements that will fail. This time in a quiet and reserved place, would you like to be my dog for my whole life?

Tadashi: Ainosuke-sama...

Tadashi knelt down beside Ainosuke and hugged him.

Tadashi: My answer will always be... Yes!

~End of Tadashi's Birthday - 2023~

Although after so much aphrodisiac food, they had another romantic evening, although this time at night. Would you like to see it?

~Extras~

Tadashi before getting dressed.

Not to be outdone, like Kojiro, Kaoru also poured himself a cup of coffee while waiting for cake time.

Chill out 1 - Puddle of water

Langa: «ADAM, I'm mopping... Don't step in that puddle of water.... Or you'll get your feets dirty.» - thinking.

Ainosuke: «Langa-kun , are you challenging me? 💕» - thinking.

And so Ainosuke stepped in the water and Langa continued to scrub angrily.

Chill out 2 - The first piece of cake

Miya: «That's not fair, I'm supposed to be the smallest of them all. They should give the first piece to me, if Kikuchi doesn't want to be the first to help herself to her own cake, why give it to ADAM.» - thinking.

Ainosuke: «Little blossoming bud, are you envious?» - thinking.

Miya: «How scary... I'm going to wait for Joe to serve me a piece of cake...» - thinking.

[seisubtanabatafest]

SeiSub Tanabata Fest 2023 Prompts and FAQ

Welcome to SeiSub Tanabata Fest 2023! July 7-13, 2023

#SeiSubTanabataFest is a fest ship event organized for Sakurazuka Seishirou and Sumeragi Subaru. Pick whichever version of CLAMP works you feel like creating something for with SeiSub (Tokyo Babylon, X/1999, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, etc.). It is in celebration of the coming Tanabata (July 7th in Japan). Each day features prompts relating to traditions or imagery commonly associated with Tanabata. It will run from 7 July to 13 July 2023. It marks the halfway point (138 days) in between Seishirou’s birthday (November 22nd) and Subaru’s birthday (February 19th). This indicates their relationship as star-crossed lovers, which makes their relationship on Tanabata all the more intriguing.

Everyone is allowed to participate!

DATE DAY PROMPT

Jul 7 DAY 1 - soulmates red thread of fate marriage Jul 8 DAY 2 - stars constellations deities Jul 9 DAY 3 - FREE DAY (choose your own prompt) Jul 10 DAY 4 - longing separation reunion Jul 11 DAY 5 - wishes bamboo tanzaku Jul 12 DAY 6 - promises Milky Way punishment Jul 13 DAY 7 - kimono paper cranes lanterns

Click the jump for the FAQ. Feel free to ask questions!

FAQ

How do I participate? Create something in line with the themes above and just tag #SeiSubTanabataFest! We also have a SeiSub Tanabata Fest Ao3 collection available for you to post to. Fic, art, podfics, webcomics, moodboards, etc.—it’s all welcome! As we will be retweeting and reblogging posts for the weekly fest, please make sure to check our socials to support all the participants! Twitter (@SeiSubTanabata) Tumblr (@SeiSubTanabataFest) The AO3 collection is here: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/SeiSub_Tanabata_Fest/profile Can I use a work I’ve already started? Yes, if it fits the theme of the day you are posting on and the work has not been published yet. Do I have to include all the prompts listed for the day into my work? That isn’t necessary. The prompts are merely suggestions. Can I include other prompts not included in prompts for the day? Of course! Again, the prompts are merely suggestions. As long as your work follows at least one prompt for the day, you can submit it. Do I have to participate every day? No, that is not necessary. What if my work incorporates prompts from 2 different days? You can choose to post it on any of the 2 days, e.g. if you write a fic of characters being soulmates and stars, you can choose to post it on either day 1 or day 2. Can I submit a late entry? If you’re posting while the event is running (between 7 July and 13 July 2023), we are fine with that. However, if you can’t make that day, we will accept late entries. Keep in mind you will be posting outside the original posting period, but you can post whenever you can post afterwards. Are there any content restrictions? No, we do not believe in restricting problematic fictional content. As long as it’s properly tagged, we accept content of all ratings and themes. Are there minimum requirements for works? No. Do whatever you want as long as you create a work for the event. It can be any length or amount of effort you want to put in. What does "FREE DAY - choose your own prompt" mean on Day 3? You can choose a prompt that is not on our prompt list to use. This day has the most flexibility for the idea you want to create.