#this place was never even meant to be fun

[roturo]

Gojo Satoru who's beginning to fall in love with his sugar baby!

read pt 1 and pt2, before continuing.

Gojo stood outside your door, the weight of every choice he'd made— or refused to make— pressing down on him. He should walk away. That's what he'd always done when things got too real, too messy. But tonight, he couldn't. Not when the thought of someone else touching you, knowing you the way he did, was driving him to the brink.

He raised his hand to knock, but before he could, the sound of muffled voices reached him. His breath hitched when he heard it: a man's voice. Deep, unfamiliar, and entirely too close to you.

His knuckles hit the door harder than intended. Once. Twice. A warning knock, sharp and unrelenting.

When you answered, you were startled, your eyes widening slightly before narrowing in frustration. You stepped into the doorway, just enough to block his view of the inside.

"Satoru," you said, your tone clipped. "What are you doing here?"

His gaze swept over you, lingering on the slight flush in your cheeks and the way your hair was a little out of place. He noticed the faint hum of music in the background, and it made his stomach churn.

"Who is he?" Gojo asked, his voice cold, biting.

You blinked, your expression hardening.

"Excuse me?"

"Don't play dumb," he snapped, his eyes narrowing. "I heard him."

You crossed your arms, leaning against the doorframe. "That's none of your business."

Gojo laughed, a low, humorless sound.

"None of my business? That's funny, coming from someone who let me fuck them like they meant something just a few weeks ago."

You flinched, but you didn't back down. "And whose fault is that, Satoru? You're the one who made it clear this wasn't real. You said it yourself-no strings, no feelings. So why do you care now?"

"I don't," he said quickly, too quickly. His jaw tightened, and he shoved his hands into his pockets, his voice dropping. "I just didn't think you'd move on so fast."

Your eyes flashed with anger. "Move on?

God, you're unbelievable." You stepped forward, poking a finger into his chest. "You don't want me, but you can't stand the idea of someone else wanting me either. Do you even hear yourself?" You know you’re repeating yourself, he always knew there was danger in the heat of your touch.

Before he could answer, the sound of footsteps approached, and Gojo's entire body went rigid. The other man appeared behind you, his figure tall and broad, his expression casual but watchful as his hand rested lightly on your shoulder.

Gojo's eyes locked on the man's hand, and something inside him snapped. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, his voice dripping with venom. "This guy?"

"This guy has a name," you said, your voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Leo. And unlike you, he actually knows how to show up."

Gojo laughed again, this time louder, harsher.

"Show up? That's your bar? Someone who shows up? Congratulations, sweetheart, you've really hit the jackpot."

"Stop it," you hissed, stepping between them. "You don't get to do this, Satoru. You don't get to come here, throw a tantrum, and act like you care. Because if you cared, you would've been here weeks ago."

"Maybe I didn't think you'd be so quick to spread your legs for someone else," he shot back, his voice low and sharp.

The slap came before you even realized you'd raised your hand. The sound echoed in the small space, and Gojo's head snapped to the side, his cheek stinging from the force.

"Get out," you said, your voice trembling with rage and something far more fragile. "Go home, Satoru. Wherever the hell that is. Just... leave me alone."

For a moment, he didn't move. He stared at you, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and something far more vulnerable. Then his gaze shifted to Leo, who stood silently behind you, his presence steady in a way Gojo's never was.

Gojo's lips curled into a bitter smirk. "Fine," he said, stepping back. "Have fun with your rebound." His words were laced with venom, but his voice cracked just enough to betray him.

He turned and walked away, the sound of the door slamming behind him echoing in his chest. As he disappeared into the night, he realized that for the first time in his life, he'd lost something he couldn't get back.

And it was his own damn fault. He saw forever so he smashed it up.

Gojo didn't go far. He stopped at the end of the hallway, leaning against the wall with a hand buried in his hair. His mind was a mess, replaying the slap, the way your voice cracked, the sight of another man standing behind you like he had any right to be there.

The image burned in his chest, feeding the fire of his jealousy until it was an inferno. He shouldn't have come. He shouldn't have cared. But he did. And that was the problem.

As much as he wanted to walk away and let pride win, his feet wouldn't move. Instead, he found himself circling back, hovering near your door like a ghost, the muffled sound of your laughter with Leo scraping against his nerves like broken glass.

He didn't knock this time. Instead, he pressed his ear to the door, straining to hear the words exchanged between you.

"Leo," your voice came softly, the warmth in it like a knife to Gojo's gut. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't expect him to-"

"It's fine," Leo said, his tone calm, reassuring. "Do you want me to stay? Just in case?"

Gojo's jaw clenched so hard it hurt. He could picture it-Leo staying the night, slipping into your bed, touching you like he belonged there. It was unbearable.

His hand hovered over the doorknob, the shared key in his pocket burning like a brand. He shouldn't. He couldn't. But before he could stop himself, the door creaked open.

The room went silent.

You turned first, eyes wide in disbelief as Gojo stepped inside, his figure towering, his presence suffocating. Leo stood beside the couch, his posture tensing as Gojo's icy blue eyes flicked to him, then back to you.

"What the hell are you doing?" you demanded, your voice shaking with a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Didn't realize we were locking doors now," Gojo said coolly, his gaze settling on Leo. "I thought I still had a key."

Leo raised an eyebrow, his expression unbothered but his stance steady. "You need to leave man. You're not welcome here."

Gojo ignored him, his attention fixed solely on you. "Is this really what you want?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm. "A guy who'll just stand here while someone else walks into his girl's apartment?"

Your mouth fell open in shock, anger flashing in your eyes. "Don't you dare call me your girl. You lost the right to say that the second you decided I wasn't enough for you."

Something in Gojo's expression cracked, the cool facade slipping for a moment. "You were always enough," he said, his voice low.

"That's the problem."

The words hung heavy in the air, and for a split second, the tension shifted. His vulnerability shone through, raw and unfiltered, and you could see it—the part of him he always hid, the part that hurt just as much as you did.

But Leo stepped forward, his hand on your arm. "You don't have to listen to this," he said softly, his presence grounding you.

Gojo's gaze dropped to where Leo touched you, his fists clenching at his sides. "Get your hand off her," he said, his voice low and dangerous— this dude clearly didn’t know a shit about him.

The dopamine races through his brain, his hand so calloused from his power, his eyes softly trace hearts on you face behind the black obscure glasses— and you could see it from a mile away, it’s a perfect case for your certain skill set.

He had a halo of the highest grade, "Or what?" Leo challenged, his calm exterior finally cracking.

You stepped between them, your hands outstretched. "Stop.” you shouted, your voice breaking. "Both of you, just stop"

Gojo froze, his chest heaving with barely contained rage. His eyes locked on yours, and for the first time, he looked small. Lost.

"You don't want him," he said, his voice soft but urgent, like a plea. "You don't. He can't give you what I can."

"And what's that?" you shot back, tears brimming in your eyes. "More pain? More nights wondering where you are, who you're with? I'm done, Satoru. I'm done waiting for you to figure out how to care about me."

"You think I don't care?" he asked, stepping closer, his voice trembling. "You think I don't hate myself for every second I spent away from you? For every time I chose someone else over you because I was too scared of What you meant to me?"

Your breath hitched, the tears spilling over now. "Then why didn't you stay?"

Gojo stood there, his knuckles white as they clenched into fists. The heat of your words— the finality in them-wrapped around his chest like a vice. He was losing you, and the worst part? He knew it was his fault.

"You think I didn't want to stay?" he asked, his voice low and bitter. "I wanted to, but I-" He cut himself off, his gaze darting to Leo like he couldn't bear to finish the thought with him in the room.

"You what, Satoru?" you demanded, stepping closer, your voice trembling with raw emotion. "You wanted to, but you chose not to. Every. single. time."

The sound of your voice triggered a memory, one he couldn't push away.

"Say it," you'd whispered, your breath warm against his neck. Your fingers tangled in his hair as he pinned you beneath him on your bed, your bodies tangled in the sheets. "Tell me I mean something to you."

Gojo's laugh had been low and soft, almost tender. "You're trouble, that's what you are," he'd said, brushing his lips against your collarbone. But he hadn't answered—not the way you wanted him to. Instead, he'd kissed you, slow and deep, swallowing the words he couldn't say.

He shook his head, forcing himself back to the present. "You don't get it," he said, his voice cracking. "I wasn't enough for you. I'm still not. You deserve someone better than me."

"You don't get to decide that," you snapped, your voice shaking with fury. "You don't get to break me and then act like it's for my own good."

The weight of your words hit him like a punch, but he didn't back down. "I was protecting you!" he shouted, his frustration spilling over.

You let out a bitter laugh, shaking your head.

"Protecting me? Is that what you call it?” You know you can handle a dangerous man. “Leaving me alone in bed while you text other women? Making me feel like I was just another name on your list?"

You'd been straddling him on the couch, the glow of the city lights filtering through the windows. His hands gripped your waist, his lips devouring yours like he was starving. "You're addictive," he'd murmured, his voice husky. "You're going to ruin me."

"Then let me," you'd whispered back, your forehead resting against his. For a moment, his eyes had softened, his walls crumbling just enough for you to see the man underneath the bravado. But by morning, he was gone, leaving only a note and the faint scent of his cologne.

"I never wanted to hurt you," Gojo said now, his voice softer, like he was trying to reach the part of you that still might care. "But I didn't know how to keep you without losing myself."

You swallowed hard, the rawness in his voice tugging at something deep inside you. But before you could respond, Leo stepped forward, placing a hand on your back. The touch was steady, grounding, and it pulled you back to the present with a disgust, not because of the memory, but because it wasn’t the touch you desired.

"She doesn't need this, man," Leo said, his voice calm but firm. "You've done enough."

Gojo's eyes snapped to Leo, his anger flaring again. "And what exactly do you think you are to her?" he asked, his tone sharp and biting. "Some knight in shining armor? You don't know her like I do."

"Don't hide from me," he'd said one night, his fingers trailing down your bare spine as you lay together in the dark. "You're beautiful, and you don't even see it. It drives me insane." His lips had brushed against your shoulder, his breath warm as he whispered, "Let me show you."

And he had-slowly, reverently-his hands mapping every inch of your body like he was memorizing you. In those moments, he'd been yours entirely. But they never lasted.

"She's not yours anymore," Leo said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "And maybe she never was."

He looked at you, his eyes pleading. "Tell him he's wrong," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Tell him it wasn't all fake. That it wasn't just some... convenience."

You opened your mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. Because it hadn't been fake-not for you. But how could you say that now, when he'd already torn you apart?

Gojo stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Do you remember that night at the lookout?" he asked, his voice desperate now. "When you told me you'd never felt that way about anyone else? You meant it. I know you did." Handcuffed to the spell you were under, for just one hour of sunshine.

You'd been sitting on the hood of his car, the city lights stretching out below you.

He'd stood between your legs, his hands on either side of your face, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "You're dangerous," he'd said, his voice low. "You make me want things I shouldn't want."

Months of labor, locks and ceilings— In the shade of how he was feeling..

"Like what?" you'd asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

"Like keeping you," he'd replied, his forehead resting against yours. "Like staying."

You took a shaky breath, your eyes meeting his. "I can't do this anymore, Satoru," you said, your voice breaking. "I can't keep hoping you'll stay when you never do."

Gojo's face crumpled, his mask shattering completely. He reached for you, but Leo stepped between you, his stance protective.

"She said enough," Leo said firmly. "It's time for you to leave."

For a moment, Gojo looked like he might fight back, his hands trembling at his sides.

But then he took a step back, his shoulders slumping.

"This isn't over," he said, his voice hoarse.

"I'll prove to you that I can be better. That I can be what you want.”

[bumblesimagines]

can we be more exclusive?

i'm not interested in them, i promise.

- Jayce

Pronouns: He/Him/His, M!Reader

CW/TW: None!

Despite his title as the creator of Hextech and Mel's unofficial mentoring in the world of socialites and politics, Jayce never managed to brush away the awkwardness that settled on his bones each time he was ushered to attend a party with Piltover's most influential figures and houses. He still felt vastly out of place, even when those around him patted his shoulder or sang his praises for putting Piltover on the map with Hextech. 

He clutched a fancy cup in one hand and the bronze railing in the other, his eyes gliding over faces he'd grown familiar with over the years. Part of him yearned for Viktor's calming presence, for one of his quips or jokes to take the edge off, but Viktor had declined the invitation in favor of working on some calculations he deemed important. If only Jayce had the guts to say no to Mel but between her convincing words and his never-ending desire to prove himself, he only managed to secure a spot in the party. 

A familiar laugh caught his attention, his body naturally perking up at the sound of it and eyes immediately searching for the source. (Y/N) stood amongst a few socialites, his smile ever radiant and allowing Jayce's body to relax despite the distance between them. He watched (Y/N) mingle effortlessly with others, his jokes landing perfectly and laughter sounding genuine enough for Jayce to wonder if the jokes were actually humorous.

His stomach twisted when Salo's hand landed on (Y/N)'s forearm, his shoulders shaking with laughter from something (Y/N) said. They weren't together, Jayce knew that perfectly well. (Y/N) had been one of the very few on the Council to vote in his favor after the incident in his workshop and, similarly to Mel and Viktor, helped him adjust to the changes in his life. It'd only been after one particularly good day that'd fueled Jayce's confidence enough to kiss him but they were hardly together. (Y/N) was a busy man, as was he, and it was naturally expected of him to join his house with someone like Mel or Salo. 

His staring was noticed and with one swift dip of his head, (Y/N) parted from the small group and approached him, his plastered smile shifting into a tired one. Jayce winced sympathetically, finishing the rest of his champagne and setting it aside. His arms itched to encircle (Y/N) in an embrace, to melt into him and allow his worries to be soothed away, but they were in public and the last thing they needed was gossip spreading. 

"You can leave if you're tired, you know. No one will dare object to our precious golden boy's wants." (Y/N) reminded him with crinkled eyes, his hand coming to rest over Jayce's bicep and squeezing lightly. The touch, though meant to be comforting, sent a chill down his spine that he prayed hadn't been noticeable.

"I promised Mel," Jayce told him, glancing around for the woman in question and finding her speaking with Cassandra and Tobias Kiramman. She only wanted what was best for him, he supposed. She'd been raised to be politically savvy, he'd simply gotten lucky. "How was your chat with Salo? Seems like you were having.. fun."

(Y/N)'s brows furrowed and his head cocked slightly to the side, an action Jayce had grown to adore. "Jayce... I'm not interested in him, I promise. I'd rather throw myself off this balcony." He scoffed softly and glanced over his shoulder to ensure his words hadn't been within earshot of the councilor.

A laugh bubbled up in Jayce's throat, warmth spreading through his body. His finger twitched, half-tempted to reach out and touch him in some way but despite his attempts, he never managed to act causally around him. Something about him always made him stumble over his words or yearn for his approval. The thought of making him uncomfortable and losing him plagued Jayce's mind.

"Jayce," (Y/N) murmured his name so sweetly he never went weak at the knees. His hand trailed downward until his fingers wrapped around Jayce's wrist, eyes briefly gazing over the long expanse of Piltover before turning back to him. "I've been meaning to ask you something." 

"What is it?" Jayce straightened up, ignoring the way his skin tingled at the contact. 

"Can we be more exclusive?"��

For a moment, it felt as if the world around him had stopped in time and all he could focus on was (Y/N); the color of his eyes, the sheepish smile spread across the lips Jayce loved kissing, the hopeful way he gazed at him. Jayce's heart hammered in his chest, words forming and dying on his tongue as his mind repeated the uttered words over and over and over. (Y/N) wanted him. Not some uptight know-it-all with generational wealth but him. 

Jayce surged forward, nearly knocking the champagne glass out of (Y/N)'s other hand when he wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him as close as possible. He captured (Y/N)'s lips in an instant, heart swelling with delight at the feeling of (Y/N) reciprocating it after releasing a muffled chuckle. He only parted with him for air, and to savor the fury on Salo's face before he delicately cupped (Y/N)'s face. 

"Yes."

[dragonsoulage]

„Tasty…“

feat. Kyojuro Rengoku

This happens when you are the cute girl who makes his bentos every morning with that pretty smile on your face. It is impossible to not find you and your food tasty.

Hello world, it’s me again hopeless girl over consuming and enjoying anime stuff💀🤣in this story you are working in the restaurant of your father and everyday you make Rengokus bentos. Don’t know I just thought this might be really cute over all. How he falls for your food and for you. ✨🤣 have fun ✌️

Warnings: pure fluff and just a tiny little bit suggestive in the end but nothing explicit lol

Wordcount: 3,8K

It was a bright day, the sun smiling down. Just highlighting your hair and your features. How he loved to simply watch you. He stood there, tall and broad, leaned against a nearby door frame from the restaurant. Fiery locks falling on his shoulders.

And what was happening right now? Oh, you the sweet, little thing making his bento.

You were the daughter of the owner from this restaurant. And since Rengoku was on a mission here in this small town, he always came here. And even when the food was indeed excellent, he came for you.

He slept in a small hostel next to this restaurant where you worked so hard.

And he always could get his meals there, but in this hostel weren't anyone that was cute like you.

Besides this, you always blushed so endearing when he said his "Tasty" so loud with every bite.

You matched his energy, even when you were more the calm one, a little shy, perhaps. But a shy little mouse, could, caught his eye.

The way you hummed some melody while you made a little twirl before you grabbed the bowl of rice to place it neatly in his bento.

And with the time Rengoku happened to be a good customer in the evening, but since he was protecting this village for a few weeks now, your father was more than happy to serve the talented fire Hashira. Offered that he could get his breakfast or a bento to go for free, and of course you were being the one preparing it fresh every morning.   

With the short time here, he really thought you were a pretty girl, inside and outside. Always smiling at you and speaking to you with his warm voice, making you feel all safe and content.

You didn't know you were being watched right now, he could see a glimpse behind the reception into the kitchen. How you hummed and danced a little while making his food.

Probably this was the reason why it tasted so good to him, it was made with love.

After a moment, he sighted to himself, getting ready to startle you and interrupt your cute dance. His steps walking now inside, and he leaned on the reception before he cleared his throat.   

You were in the middle to make a twirl before you caught yourself. Your back faced him and even when Rengoku couldn't see it, he was aware how red your face might turn."Good morning, little flame." he chuckled, watched how you tried to compose yourself, neatly brushing over your apron and dress before you turned around with a shy smile."Good morning Rengoku. Your Bento is nearly ready, just some details." you let him know, brushed back a strand of your hair behind your ear. "At least I know why your food always taste so good, it is simply made with the sunshine that is shining right out of your heart. Even in the early morning." he complimented, and it was an honest compliment.   

Never, it was just like a compliment from every other guy who tried to hit on you with these simple things like: You look so pretty. What Rengoku said, he really meant. Flashing you a warm smile with his bright eyes.

"You flatter me, but I did not plan for anyone to see this...well, little, silly show. I just like doing bentos...your bentos." you explained, turned again to the small box. You had put a lot of stuff into it, so plain rice with some umeboshi, some tempura fried vegetables and chicken. You also made some fresh dangos this morning that you packed into an extra box. Not only that, but you were simply too good to him with all of that. "Oh, and I like to eat them, they give me strength for the day, my dear. It's the first thing in the morning what I think about." Rengoku meant, and you could feel your heart pumping.

Why did he make you have this weird feeling in your tummy and felt like your heart would jump right out of your chest?   

And he never overdoes it, always the right amount of being flirty but still loving. Not afraid to show a softer side, although he shredded demons into pieces in the night. A man, other people should look up to. When you finished doing his bento and packed it safely, you turned around to him and walked to the reception. Your blush now gone, but he was sure it would return, when he said the right thing. Even when he usually never flirted at all with girls, he found out what made you smile. And the flame Hashira loved to see you smile or trying to hide your cute pink cheeks behind your hair.   

"The first in the morning what you think about, hm? Seems like my food got stuck in your mind." you replied smirking just a little with a playful tone. He lured it out of you, the playful side, he quite enjoyed seeing on you.The flame hashira leaned closer over the reception just to look straight into your pretty orbs. "Not just the food, to be honest, little flame." he said, and then his fingers grabbed a strand of your hair, feeling the silky texture of it before he tucked it lovely behind your ear. Then he leaned away again. Maybe he was a little surprised by himself now for doing it. But it felt so naturally when he got closer to you. Still his fingertips touched just slightly your cheek. And there was a moment of some silence.   

Rengoku looking at you, right into this pretty face, what he adored with that cute expression of surprise. Himself seeming to be surprised. Even when none of you said anything, the moment was quite tender, your head just tilting slightly right, so his palm now was against your face. He felt warm, of course he did, he was the great flame hashira. A fire that always was burning inside him. Making you feel cozy here in this early morning coldness.

But then you two could hear a creaking floor board, it was your father. You heard how your dad sneezed, and the moment of you two was over. Quickly he removed his hand, and you took indistinctly a step back as if you would get caught doing something forbidden.

To be honest, you didn't want to seem like you would get an interest into a man. Afraid your father would find it out. Not that your dear dad would say anything bad at it, but you were always so embarrassed. He just wanted you to be happy.   

„Ah, you again, my boy. How is it going with the mission? Still trying to figure out where the demons are coming from?" your father asked, first looked at you and then to Rengoku. The man straightened his back and gave your father a nod, holding the bento in both hands.

"Indeed, we slay them every night, but it seems like this demon is not just some hungry beast. He quiet is having strategies, and perhaps the bloody demon art is summoning clone like demons of himself. He hides somewhere, we just need to figure out where." Rengoku explained the current state of the mission, and your father nodded along. Let out a laugh before you felt the hand of him on your shoulder.

"Nothing someone like you couldn't handle. My dear (Y/N) makes the best bentos around, she always gets up extra early to make it ready for you. You can always count on our food, of course for free. After all, you will save this village. You are gladly welcomed in the evening too, boy."

your father offered, he sensed there was something between you and the strong hashira. You blushed again and just lowered your head.   

It melts his big heart, when he heard you always got up extra early for his bento, how were you able on being so cute? Rengokus bright eyes laid on you for a moment. Even when he got the food for free, he always laid some coins in the small bowl for tips at the reception, no matter how often you said he wouldn't need to.

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Make sure you come back whole, Rengoku." you tried to brush it off flustered, what your father had said before you went back to the kitchen.

Your small flame endearing walked out of his sight. Just when Rengoku wanted to politely say goodbye, your father turned to him again.

"She likes you, boy. More than she wants to let anyone know, but she does." your father said a little lower so you wouldn't hear it. And his eyes, oh they lit up at this moment.

"She does?" was the only thing Rengoku asked again, slightly tilting his upper body to look at your form again in the kitchen before he returned his gaze to your dad.

"Since you are here, I never have seen (Y/N) taking so much interest in someone, so make sure you come back. We don't want my dear daughter to be sad, right?" your father chuckled before he let Rengoku go.   

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

"Awwww is that formed to a flame? How cute is that? And these dangos? You don't mind when I steal one, right?" the voice of Mitsuri was heard by him. He had called for her support during this mission, she was like a sister to him, he holds dear. And of course around lunchtime, while they had inspected the place that soon would to be a battlefield for the demon; she couldn't hold back her curiosity and opened his bento, it smelled so good after all. Rengoku stepped closer after he heard her voice, taking the bento from her hands, looking at the flame.

You always put so much effort in it, every day another little artwork he could see in his bento.

"She is, indeed, quite talented in it. Yesterday she made little flowers out of vegetable in my bento and draped everything nicely." he remembered while looking down at the food, although he was thinking about the way you made it. The smile on your face, wanted that it looked appealing to him.

"For sure, take one." he then added after he realized Mitsuris question. She sighted content and happy about the fact she could have one. But she seemed happy to know someone took care of him, someone who he liked. She smiled, then opening the other box. Finding a note, she really wanted to read it, but she never wanted to hurt you or Rengokus privacy.

"Oh look, whoever she is, packed a small note for you." she said and hold it out for him. 

Was it possible that you just got even more attractive? He took the Bento into his other hand and grabbed the note with the free one, unfolding it quickly.

'Please be safe and successful. I hope you like the food - (Y/N)'

Damn, he fell, he fell so hard in love with you. Even when your father confirmed you liked him, it was a situation he never needed to worry about. And now?

"Someone seems to like you, huh?" Mitsuri teased after she took a bite of a dango.

"And they way you act seems like you like her too. I can see the big heart eyes, Rengoku." she continued with a chuckle.

"She is a special little flame, that is right. I like her presence, since I am here. Enjoying it, but I never quite act too much like it." he said, and Mitsuri could hear that Rengoku no matter how confident he is, struggled a little.   

It was a mission, and with much luck this mission would go to an end today. Then he would need to go somewhere else, he would be missing you. The sweet girl that always makes him tasty food, packing him lovely notes. Talking with him in the evening, when every other guest was gone. Laughing with him, listening so excited to his stories.

"You know what, when she is putting so much effort into these things, maybe you should tell her. I bet she would be happy. I mean, I would when I have someone who likes me that way. Furthermore, I would want to know that." Mitsuri explains herself blushing slightly after she thought about Obanai and their situation that was also not quite reveled....

Mitsuri and Rengoku had a long talk while doing their tasks, about you and him, maybe she even thought about a plan how to get you two finally closer....

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

After the mission went to be successful, and he came back, oh the whole village celebrated. Like everyone was coming into the restaurant of your father. He and Mitsuri slayed the demon quite well and none of them were hurt. You even ran out of the kitchen. Your face edged with worry at first. Wanted to see yourself that he really was ok. Of course, he was, after all, he was a hashira. The flame hashira. Your small hands had laid onto his broad shoulders, looking him up and down.

"You are really fine, yeah?" you asked, not even saying hello. Your delicate hands rand down his shoulders to his strong chest, kinda observing him. Feeling the hard planes of muscles. He chuckled slightly. Mitsuri standing a little away, watching the scene unfold with interest. This was like her new drama/love story to follow. Like she wanted to giggle and kick her feet, seeing how captivated he was by you.

Rengoku took both your hands and laid it over his heart. It was a simple gesture but effective. He was always an inspiration for others, but with you, he was truly tender.

His thumb brushed over your knuckles. He placed the over is beating heart to show you that he was very fine.

"My heart is beating, we slayed the demon. I am more than fine. Not a scratch." he told you, and then your eyes went from his hands to his eyes.

Making you nearly weak in the knees.

"Not a scratch, yeah." you let out, nearly a whisper, before you gifted him with that lovely smile of yours.

But since the demon was slayed, a lot of people wanted to come and thank him and Mitsuri, so it didn't take long for a small crowd to interrupt you two. Before he could reach out for you again, you probably needed to go back in the kitchen.   

As the evening went on, you and your father tried to make a nearly a feast of food for this celebration. The night would be going long, everyone happy that all were safe now. But Rengoku only had eyes for you. After you finally were done serving and cooking, you came out of the kitchen. You were still stressed, he could see this on the way you had pulled your eyebrows together. But still absolutely gorgeous. He needed you, needed you to know.

"When you would excuse me." he then said curtly but friendly to the small crowd surrounding him, before he made his way over to you.

"Nearly seems like you slayed a demon too, little flame." he said when he approached your side after you washed your hands.

"Nah, maybe it's the same, slaying a demon or serving some drunkards. But that is not important. They are all happy, you helped our village a lot and this is the only thing that counts today." you let him know, genuinely wanted him to feel special for this celebration because it was his victory.

"Oh I love the food and-" he started but was interrupted by your chuckle, you dried your hands and turned to him, smirking sweetly.

"Oh I heard that, that 'Tasty' it was loud enough for me to hear it even in the back of the kitchen." and this time it was him slightly blushing before reaching out a hand laying it on the part where your neck meets your shoulder, feeling the smooth skin there.

"Maybe I wanted you to hear it." he continued the playful banter, his thumb caressing over you, making you feel again this tingle inside you.

"Would you mind going somewhere more quiet?" he asked you then, his tone a little more serious. This was probably the last chance to get you alone to talk with him before he would need to go somewhere else. Even when your village wasn't far from the main quarters, he would go on missions.   

"Of course not, the bustling surrounding can be draining." you said and you two went out, walking in the cold night air that was refreshing.

"You will need to go tomorrow right?" you asked then, and he already could hear the sad undertone, making his heart clench.

"Yeah, another day, another mission to save the people. Demons unfortunately don't give anyone a break." he responded before taking a deep breath, looking down at your small frame.

"Well, since we had one here, I can imagine this. How will you survive without my food?" you asked then, kinda playful but also serious, you would miss him. 

 "That just means I need to make some detour to come along, hoping the pretty flame is cooking something delicious for me." he said to you, and then you looked up. What a sight to him, the moonlight making you having nearly this ethereal glow. Your plump lips looking so inviting. He stopped walking, grabbing gently your hand.

"A detour? I wouldn't mind that, I am making everything you wish for." you said nearly a little desperate, indeed you would do anything, when this means he would come back every now and then. As much as he could, at least. Before you realized what came out of your mouth, you covered it. "I am sorry, I-I. I just...I am just glad you seemed to enjoy my food." you tried to talk yourself out, but you meet eyes that looking at you with nothing less the adoration.

"I enjoy quiet more than just your food, (Y/N)." he then actually would try to confess now, that he liked you. You already got ready to apologize, starting to bubble it out, although you then suddenly stopped, raising an eyebrow.

"You enjoyed not just my food?" you asked then with that cute tilt of your head.

"I enjoy you, perhaps. You know, everything you do, seems to be made with love and passion. You are shy, but you're burning brighter than any fire ever could. This is appealing to say at least. I...think I am hitting on you." he then said it, he was always confident, but he was aware that these things needed to be careful with, not wanting to ruin anything. You looked like frozen in place, blinking at him.

"That was the most beautiful thing someone said to me." You then let out more than actually surprised, that someone, a hashira was hitting on a village girl like you.

"I am hitting on you too, maybe even a little too hard sometimes." you then also confessed insecure looking away, but he grabbed gently your chin tilting it up to look at you. 

"So you don't mind when I kiss you?" he asked, his voice just a little lower, making your tummy even churn. Looking at him with these big doe eyes.

He really wanted to do this for some time now, claiming these lips, holding your face in his large hands, letting you know how much you mean to him.

"I don't mind, more like the opposite." you mumbled, already felt how he got closer, his breath mingling with yours.

His nose nudging against your own, averting your face.

"Good, because I believe I can't resist a second longer." you heard him mumble, his right hand cupping your cheek so tender.

Thumb brushing over your cheekbone in a slow movement. His fiery locks tingling your delicate skin before you finally felt his lips against yours.

You were a little hesitant at first, slowly kissed him back, nearly so shy that you pulled away, but the way his own warmth seeped into your body, the way he smelled like crackling fire was kinda grounding.

Your small hands laid onto his shoulders as you felt he moved closer, his free hand laying gently in the curve of your waist, pulling you against his strong chest.   

"Tasty." you could hear the little word in between, you tasted sweet, your lips soft and so kissable, he simply couldn't resist saying it.

You giggled just slightly into the kiss before your lips caught his again. It made you blush, and warm around your heart.

And it didn't take that long for you two starting to tangle your tongues and being completely lost in each other's embrace. Every kiss turned out to be more passionate than the last one. You two started to make out, his hand that cupped your cheek slowly went down to your neck, his thumb caressing over the column of your throat in a loving way.

His fingers on your waist kept you in place, close against his tall body.

"When we keep going, I am not sure if I can stop, little flame." Rengoku muttered against your lips before you stopped kissing him.

Your sweet lips swollen from the make out session, your face flustered just like his own.

"No one said we need to stop, it's the last night you are here." you whispered now, and your eyes gave it all away.

You were always such a good girl, and of course never letting anyone have you when you weren't completely convinced, but for Rengoku?

Your heart fluttered, your tummy making the weirdest moves, and this kiss?

You could get lost in it, and right now you even would want to take him up into your room. You grabbed his hand, smiling a little coy, but you knew what your plans were.

"You don't need-" he wanted to start explaining why you don't need to do this, just because he felt he wouldn't last long without getting too riled up.

"That's the point, I don't need, but I want. And right now when everyone is busy...it's quite a good time. Let me reward you." you said to him, and he could tell this would go to be the best celebration he ever had when he slayed a demon...  

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

Sooooo when you made it to the end of this little fic, then thank you for your time ^^

I am still trying to decide if I should make a second part of this? Like the smutty part of the story you know? Not quiet sure yet, but opinion if I should are welcome :3

[r7leee]

skates and slips

and the christmas fics continue!!!! i haven't written this much since i was 12 on wattpad 💀 (don't look that shit up) that aside, i had sm fun writing this one even if it’s a little short, so enjoy <3

pairing: billie eilish x fem!reader

summary: it's hot in la, even during the one time of the year it's not supposed to be. to help it feel more like the holidays, you decide to go skating

warnings: implied girly/femme reader, cursing, just christmas fluff!!

word count: 1,882, should take about 14 and a half minutes to read

listen to: any christmas song fits here

YOU’VE ALWAYS LOVED christmas. ever since you were young, you enjoyed the festivities, lights, caroling, traditions, gifts, all of it. you just wish it could be a bit more like the movies.

you were laying on top of your girlfriend, billie’s chest. she was playing with your hair and watching whatever show was in front of her as you napped. 70° in the midst of december wasn’t exactly enjoyable.

the heat made you sleepy, despite the industrial fan next to you blowing cold air on you. your head was burrowed in the crook of her neck, sweaty, sticky skin pressed against skin.

the show was interrupted with an ad break, a christmas themed commercial airing. the familiar tune playing made you envious. you just knew the commercial would have snow falling on the ground and you’d give anything to experience it.

billie could practically feel the loathing seep out of you. “you okay?” she asked, tilting your chin to make you look in her eyes. you groaned.

“i want it to actually feel like christmas and not the middle of june.” she laughed softly at that.

“trust me, baby, i do too. i do too,” she repeated the last few words.

it was the second day back after tour. when she was away, having the tree up and stockings hung really meant nothing when she wasn’t there. having her back after tour made all the difference. but, regardless, the lack of any real chill in the air made you gripe.

you sighed. “we might have to throw fake snow on the ground.” your girlfriend snorted.

“fake snow?”

“ya!” she shook her head at your answer.

“that’s gonna be like hell to clean.”

“who caaaaaares?” you whined. “i just really want it to be like…kind of like christmas.” billie understood your want. growing up and living in california her whole life, she never really got to experience a true, traditional christmas. but, that’s when something clicked.

“you know…we could go ice skating,” she suggested. you looked up at her.

"really? you'd want to?" the only reason you asked was you knew she didn't like to really be seen outside much. she nodded, a confirming, gentle smile on her face.

"ya. i'd want to." you sat up and leaned to capture her lips in a kiss. you felt her smile into it as her lips pressed against yours.

A LITTLE WHILE later, you were getting ready to leave. your outfit was made up of a black miniskirt, tights, and a simple white sweater. you were in the bathroom, applying your lipstick as billie waited eagerly on your shared bed. she'd already been dressed and ready to go ten minutes prior.

you fixed a couple things before shutting the lights off. you went to slip on some shoes in the closet as billie stood up. she walked next to you, leaning against the wall. “dressing to impress, i see.”

“you know i don’t mean anything by it. just wanna look nice for my girl, is that too much to ask?”

she shook her head, her classic smile on display. “you don’t gotta ask baby, not at all.”

you smiled up at her, toothy and wide. it made her wanna kiss all over your face and love on you, but she knew you had places to be.

she held out her hand for you to take as you stood up. you eagerly accepted it, feeling her cold rings clash with your warm skin.

shutting off the lights, you walked out of the room and the house and out to her car. as usual, she opened the door for you and you thanked her.

getting into the car, she put on her seatbelt and started the car. she pulled out of the driveway and started to make the drive to the ice rink.

the car ride was mostly filled with people watching everyone on the streets with the soft music of the radio in the background. it took you about fifteen minutes to get there.

billie parallel parked the car and quickly ran to the other side to open the door for you. she would never let you open it yourself.

you thanked her and gave her a kiss on the cheek, her face flushing pink in response. she couldn’t help it; you were just her sweet girl.

you quickly went to pay at the monitor, billie arguing with her. “it’s okay, i got it.”

“no.” you placed a hand over hers. “let me.” she huffed, but agreed, impatiently rocking on the balls of her face.

once you finished, you took her hand and walked down the sidewalk. like any day out, you both brought sunglasses and had on hats to hopefully hide your identities. it never always worked, but it did something sometimes.

the sounds of your shoes hitting the sidewalk and the bustle of the city were heard as you walked through downtown la. some people would walk by and turn their heads, doing a double take, but you kept walking, unaffected as billie squeezed your hand.

after a couple minutes of walking, you arrived at the ice rink. the outside was lit up, the sun casting a golden glow over the sky.

you both walked to the booth, waiting in a short line. after a few minutes of waiting, you approached the front. billie bought two admissions and got skates in your size, along with hers.

afterwards, she thanked the cashier and held your hand as you walked to a locker. billie helped you with your purse, placing it in the locker before she shut it, her own stuff in there as well.

you both found a place to sit and started to lace up your skates. you pulled the laces tight before you stood up. immediately, the blades caught you off balance and you fell over.

your girlfriend, who was busy lacing her own skates, had some sort of reaction go off. in a single second, she caught you, taking her attention completely away from the ice skate. she laughed softly as she hoisted you back to a standing position. “not even on the ice yet and you’re already falling.”

you gave the sweetest pout, her heart melting at the sight. “it’s been a while, don’t judge me.”

“i’m not,” she hummed as she finally finished tying her skates as well. she stood up, and just like you, stumbled forward. but, you weren’t quick enough to catch her, leaving her catching herself with her hands on the floor.

as she stood up, you raised an eyebrow at her. “oh, and you’re the one to talk.”

she rolled her eyes playfully. “oh, you love me. come on, let’s go.” she beckoned you to follow her with her hand.

the two of you stepped onto the ice. you stood still, getting used to being on a slippery surface. billie seemed to have it down. for now, at least.

she skated a little ahead of you then turned around. “come here, you got it!”

with full confidence, you pushed forward with your feet. but, instead of gently skating like you anticipated, you slipped and stumbled for a couple seconds before falling right on your ass.

immediately, billie laughed. hard. you looked up at her, faux anger on your face. “i’m in pain and you’re laughing at me! i hate you, you’re such a bitch!”

she kept laughing, tears staring to form under her eyes now. “oh- my god! how could you not laugh at that?!” she kept snickering as she reached down to help you up. you took her hand, but instead of being brought up, you fell right back down, slipping and bracing your fall with your hands.

this caused billie to laugh so hard, she needed to grab the railing for support. the whole time, your ego was minorly bruised. you stood up, dusting off your tights. “it wasn’t even that funny.”

“oh, it was sooooo funny,” she replied with snark in her voice after calming down. “you know what? let get you one of those walker things.” you immediately whined.

“noooo, i’m gonna look like an idiot.”

she started to skate back to the entrance. “no you won’t!”

a few seconds later, she returned with an ice walker. she scooted it in front of you. “if you still fall with this, i’m never letting it go.” that definitely inspired you to do better.

slowly, but surely, you started to improve, making your way across the rink with gentle motions. billie was by your side the whole time, making sure you wouldn’t slip and get too hurt.

you two skated, listening to the holiday songs, and for the first time this month, it finally felt like the holidays. people were laughing, the ice created a slight chill in the air, all was well.

billie looked to the side to see your happy, content expression. it made her feel proud inside herself. she loved seeing you like this. she knew this was a good idea.

the two of you continued to skate when suddenly, a kid came in front of you. he was pushing a sled, a kid his age on it. billie’s brain lit up. “should we do that?” you spotted the kid in front of you. you shrugged.

“i’ll fall if i push you,” you admitted honestly.

“then i can push you. pleeeeease?” and of course, you could never say no to her. so, you agreed, and billie was off switching your walker for a sled.

when she came back, she dropped the sled on the ice and motioned you to sit on it. you obliged, pressing your knees to your chest. once comfortably settled in, billie pushed and you were off.

she wasn’t fast by any means, but being on the ice was still fun. for the first time in a long time, you felt cold. being outside. it was spectacular.

after a couple laps, billie declared herself done. you called a break, getting up from the sled and putting it back for her.

as you put it away in the shed where it belonged, you spotted a concession stand. you were up for a little hot chocolate.

so, approaching your girlfriend, you asked her about it. she, of course, agreed as you walked to the concession stand.

both of you ordered piping hot chocolates and some festive pastries.

after thanking the worker, you walked to the dining area and found a spot to sit. you sat at a table that overlooked the ice rink. you sipped on your hot chocolate as you watched the people in front of you.

billie smiled as she watched you. “i’m glad we came here.” your head snapped back to hers. a smile of your own grew on your face.

“ya. me too. thank you for suggesting it.” she nodded, resting her hand on your thigh.

“only the best for my baby, ya?” you giggled and hid your head in her shoulder. you knew the next day paparazzi photos would go crazy. you knew you probably shouldn’t have done this. but this was a life moment. one you wouldn’t take back for the life of it. for now, you felt billie’s touch on your thigh and that was enough. it was perfect. the best christmas ever.

[imaginaryttowns]

sevika heacanons because i'm insane abt her (general and romance-related)

(mention of sex/aftercare but no smut/nsfw/lemon/whatever here)

the card games and the cards themselves have been with Sevika since she was a little girl. she has nebulous memories of a childhood that once was, where her and her mother are playing solitaire at a small table together. she doesn't seem to talk about much from that time in her life other than that. she will get defensive if you press her about these memories.

the gambling, however, started when she was a pit fighter, in her early teens. Sevika's father was the well-known heel of a pit fighting ring, who entertained crowds of wealthier Zaunites and even more corrupt Piltovans with a suave demeanor that Sevika envied, despised, and attempted to emulate all at the same time, following in her father's footsteps for those formative years of her life. needless to say many of Sevika's current habits started during those years. in that world, one had to blend in just enough to gain social favor yet stick out enough to maintain power, and she learned the name of the game quite early in life.

she has a missing molar from those days that she somehow recovered from the fight she lost it in. she now wears it on a pendant around her neck, always tucked underneath her shirts for safekeeping.

the first time you fiddle with it was while you were sitting her lap, most likely during aftercare. she's perturbed, almost offended. but as much as she tried, she couldn't bring herself to put you in your place. she decided silently that she didn't want to remove the warmth of your body from hers, and quickly got used to you fiddling with it. low-key doesn't even want to tell you it bothered her to begin with.

while moonshine and whiskey are her usual drinks of choice, this is only because they are the cheapest, most readily available alcoholic drinks in Zaun. they are by no means her favorite ones. no, her favorite drink is the bottle of imported habushu stowed away in the farthest corner of her kitchen cabinets, that she is fiercely protective over, only ever opening it for new year's day and anniversaries.

will never admit to anyone how much the habushu cost -- she is broke with expensive tastes, and this is the only splurge she allows herself regularly.

while Sevika is a regular at the brothel post-arm loss, she is not a John as most would expect. she's there to watch - watch the dancers, watch for any workers who need help with particularly invasive clients, always watching. the silent and strong sentinel. she does this without letting Silco know what she's up to. she knows how he feels about giving Babette any kind of business, but really could not care less.

"These people need protection. Enforcers ain't exactly kind to them," she tells him unapologetically the one time he caught her. he glared at her for a moment, grumbled something, waved her away dismissively, but knew better than to interfere. Deep down, he respected her reasoning and decided she was just so good at her job that her extracurricular activities were no business of his.

with all that mushy shit being said, brothels are also great places to gamble. people there are distracted, since they have their minds occupied with the 'merchandise' so brazenly advertised there. more distracted hedonists meant more wins for her, and more wins meant more cash, more notoriety, more fun. she likes to call these little visits her "bonuses" for good reason.

now back to the mushy shit. it is a common occurrence for her to show off her "bonuses" to you and only you, sometimes showering you in paper money if she's really feeling herself that time, smarmy grin always present. nothing makes her feel better than a big win.

"Mama's rich for now, baby. Anything you want, name it and it's yours." she says while making it rain on you one day. she won't take no for an answer. she enjoys being a provider, even in shallow ways. she'll take you to the jeweler's, clothing stores, pawn shops, and buy you whatever you point to if she has enough to justify the purchase.

loves, positively adores watching you get excited over a necklace or tchotchke you'd been eyeing for weeks finally become your personal property. it makes her feel proud, makes her so happy to see your eyes light up. won't say that part aloud, but you can tell she loves it by the way she keeps giving you these shopping trips and the way she looks at you in these moments with uncharacteristically soft eyes and a wide smile.

while she was not really big on PDA when the two of you first started dating, she warmed up to it over time. and boy, did she. now she was the main initiator for such displays. you practically live in her lap, and she would not have it any other way. she loves how warm your body is, and when you're cold she loves being the one to warm you up, often letting her arm activate just so the heat of the metal can warm her poncho cape before she drapes it over your shivering shoulders.

& that's all i got for nowwww!!! hello sevika nation pls lmk if y'all would be interested in more in the near future :))

[softpascalito]

Dulcissima I Marcus Acacius x Vestal!Reader I Chapter VII - Bona Dea

! This Fic contains major spoilers for Gladiator II ! Proceed with caution !

Spoiler-Free Summary: Set before and during Gladiator II. General Acacius finds himself entranced by a highly valued priestess of Rome – A Vestal Virgin. Both have taken vows that make sure their paths may never cross. Until they do.

Pairing: Marcus Acacius x Vestal Virgin Reader Rating: Explicit / MDNI Word count: 18k+ Tags: Secret Relationship, Vestal Virgins, Religious Guilt, Gladiator fights, Gladiator II compliant (more or less), Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Ancient Rome, Age Difference, Slow Burn (ish), Injury, Kissing, Historical Inaccuracy, (Attempted) Sexual Harassment, Smut, First Time, More tags to be added

AO3 // Series Masterlist // Masterlist // Fic Playlist

notes: ! last major spoiler warning for gladiator II below the cut !

i was supposed to upload this two days ago but silly me decided to have a mental breakdown instead. anyways, enjoy the new chapter ♡

bona dea - a goddess/her festival subligaculum - underwear

Chapter VII

The house is filled with the overpowering scent of strong wine and blooming flowers. Food and drink is being served, the atrium of the roman villa that belongs to the senior magistrate and his wife transformed into a place of worship as much as a place to celebrate.

The annual winter festival of Bona Dea, one of the most important (and as some argue, fun) nights of the year for the women of Rome. A tribute to the goddess that promises fertility along with chastity and healing, in return asking for her worshippers to hold the values of a good, roman wife. Her celebrations allow strong wine and sacrifices led by the Vestals and most importantly–ban all men from the villa and its grounds. Just laying eyes upon the holy celebration and the rites would be enough to condemn a man to a life of blindness.

It is so different from the worship you are used to from Vesta. She is quiet, a prayer whispered into the flames, the crackling noise of the wood, the only company for women who ask for safety and blessing on lonely nights.

You have barely been able to eat, despite the food seeming worthy of the gods. Bona Dea has always made you nervous, the prospect of trying to effortlessly fulfill the rituals that have been passed down from generations of women before you. But the prospect of meeting Acacius in mere hours had you trembling the moment you rose from your bed this morning. The hours seemed to tick by agonizingly slowly all day, making you wonder if the sun would ever set.

But it did. And with the early darkness of the winter night came the loss of appetite. And the later it becomes, the worse you feel. The comfortable anticipation starts mixing with an anxiety you’ve rarely felt before. Nothing can go wrong.

Of course, something goes wrong. When you reach the large front entrance of the atrium, the one you hoped to slip out of unnoticed after fulfilling your duties, is far too busy. The columns are decorated with skillfully woven vines, the entire room alight with candles and torches. A thin layer of smoke still hangs in the air from the rituals you conducted earlier, making the space feel even more sacred.

You settle on making another round, speaking some words here and there, disappearing into a crowd that has evidently already enjoyed the strong wine forbidden to them on other occasions. You catch a glimpse of Severa chatting animatedly with a few other women and duck away just in time to avoid attracting their attention.

It is already late, far later than you meant to leave. You know Acacius will be waiting. He has no rites to attend to tonight. Instead, he will be able to casually stroll out into his–

The gardens. Just like the other houses, there are spacious gardens attached to the villa you are currently trailing through. There has to be a way to slip out into that direction and get up Palatine Hill, which is rather close. Pretending to long for some fresh air, you step into the lush green, plants and trees imported from places where they do not wither in the winter. They lend themselves to your cause perfectly, barely allowing the guests inside to catch a glimpse of your white stola as you tread the small paths, the light around you becoming less and less. You slip past a few trees, fight your way through bushes–and are met with solid stone. Of course. A wall to keep out everyone who tries to sneak into the gardens. Or in your case, sneak out of them.

Your heart is pounding in your chest. Heading back inside, finding another way–it will take too long. He could be gone by then. With a small shake of your head, you step forward and let your hands run over the cold stone. The moon is hiding behind clouds, giving you essentially no light to work with. Still, you somehow manage to find two crevices to tuck your fingers into and pull yourself up. Panting slightly once you've heaved yourself up onto the stone wall, you look back for a brief moment, catching a glimpse of the lit up villa through the trees, listening to the voices and music drifting over to you.

Suddenly, it feels like you're looking down upon your whole life, like you are seeing yourself from the perspective of the gods you so worship. You try and think of something to hold you back, any excuse to just jump back into the gardens and have no one ever be the wiser about the ideas in your head. You think about the dishonor you may bring to the Vestals, to your family. To him. The punishment they would settle on. The whispers that would follow you, even after death.

You try and think of a good reason to stay. But not a thought comes to mind.

So, you jump down on the side that leads further down the path and up to the house with the lavender gardens, a path you do not wish to leave now that you’ve started walking it. Even if it leads straight down to hell.

***

Acacius sighs quietly as he gets up from the bench he sat down on what feels like hours ago. His mind is as restless as his body, his head spinning a different direction every time the wind carries the sound of what could be someone sneaking toward him through the night. The statue of Mars stands quietly next to him as he begins to pace back and forth, eventually expanding his rounds onto the stairs. Up. Down. Have you changed your mind? Back. Forth. An invisible tug of war with the thoughts racing through his head.

The small pavilion is lit by only a few candles, providing just enough light to see but not enough to shimmer too far through the trees. On Bona Dea, the whole town below is alight with the celebrations of the women. Song, Chatter and Light travelling through the night air, distractions that lay like a shroud around your meeting. A protection not unlike your veil. An indication that what lays below is not to be touched–an indication he so desperately longs to ignore.

It's not any sound that makes him turn his head. It is an instinct that he cannot name that has him turn towards the path below. And there you are. Looking almost like a ghost, dressed in a festive, white stola that swishes around your body as you hurry the last few steps, the top of your head crowned by the very veil he just saw in his mind. And he suddenly feels like he cannot wait a second longer.

Acacius meets you halfway up the stairs, his arms sliding around your waist like they belong there. Like a child resting its head in their mothers lap, like a soldier returning to his village after the war. Like the most natural homecoming, a nestling of a body against that of its lover.

“Acacius–” You whisper his name, a relief that it can finally fall from your lips again. “I’m sorry for making you wait.”

He hums quietly, his thumb rubbing gentle circles into your side. “I would wait all night for you, Dulcissima.” He cannot see the blush that spreads over your cheeks but he can hear it in the small breath that escapes you. “May I?”

Keeping one arm firm around your waist, he leads you up the stairs, towards Mars who stares into the distance. Unlike the stone eyes of the statue that are forced to stare at one point on the horizon for eternity, Acacius’s eyes never leave you. Even when he leans down to the small tray he brought along earlier, grabbing a glass filled with red wine and handing it to you, he keeps his focus on you. You barely get to whisper a thank you before a frown spreads over his face. “What happened to your dress?”

“I had to climb the garden wall,” you mutter sheepishly, embarrassed that your original plan has so clearly gone awry. He watches as you take a sip of the wine before you continue. “I will clean it in the morning, it is not worth speaking of.”

Acacius doesn't agree. It feels like another thing he's making you do. A visual representation of the way he is soiling you, tainting your beautiful white gown with reminiscents of the dirt and grime that stains his armour after returning from battle. “It is my turn for apologies. You should not have to–”

He is shut up by your lips coming to rest on his. He can taste the red wine he picked out for tonight and by the gods, he does not think there is anything he likes more. Picking out what you taste like for him.

There is a small tremor in your body, an insecurity that he immediately recognizes as inexperience. He sighs into the kiss at that, his taunt muscles finally relaxing as he blindly reaches behind himself, finding the stone bench and lowering both of you onto it, never breaking your kiss. Sweet. You just taste so sweet.

He allows you to dictate the pace, only pulling back when you do, your breath coming in short pants. His forehead rests against yours as he reaches down to take his own glass, nudging you until you toast him, glass against glass creating a light melody that fades as quickly as it has appeared. You both drink in silence, only the distant noises of the celebrations and those of the garden around you reaching your ears. 

“May I ask you something?” He hums, his voice low in his throat as he watches you raise your wine to your lips, the flames of the candles reflecting in the glass and liquid, sending smooth shadows over your face. At your nod, he continues. “Why did you ask to meet tonight? Bona Dea must mean a lot to you.”

You smile softly, though there is still a hint of nervousness present in your eyes. “The gods are busy looking down onto the feasts.” It is the unspoken part of your response that makes Acacius feel almost light-headed. If the goddesses eyes are truly on the feasts happening in the city, they are too busy to see you under the cover of darkness. One of his hands is still supporting your waist and he uses the other to set his glass down again before coming up to caress your ankle. A sliver of skin pokes out from under your stola, giving him a taste of what is waiting below the linen and silk that you are wrapped in. He feels you lean in, a hand gently coming to rest on his shoulder for support as he maneuvers you onto his left leg. In one smooth motion, Acacius runs his calloused hand past the hem of your stola and up your calf. You shiver, shifting slightly. “Acacius–”

It's somewhere between a whisper and a begging command. He forces himself to pause, his hand resting on your knee, the fabric of your dress bunched up around his forearm. “Do you want me to stop?” You shake your head silently. And he decides that maybe, he can push a bit further. “Is this why you wanted to meet?”

He can practically see you pause, your eyes flickering nervously back and forth. He may be completely wrong. It may not even have occurred to you–this. That you could do this. Because technically, you can’t.

“Maybe,” you whisper and he smiles at the subtle hint in your tone that sounds less like a maybe and more like a yes. And he'd be lying if he said he didn't have the same train of thought. He just didn't expect you to want him like this. Hell, he barely expected you to show up. Not with how much you are both risking.

“I’m sure you know–” you whisper as his hand travels further, slowly but surely inching up your thigh. “That Vestals are sworn to celibacy.”

He gives as gentle a squeeze as he can, watching with a smirk as you bite your lip, stopping yourself from letting out a noise. God, how he wants to hear that noise. How he wants all of Rome to hear the noise, wants to hear his name fall from your lips as he gives you the pleasure you've been denied your entire life.

“There are other ways,” he muses, his thumb trailing over the edge of what he assumes to be a subligaculum covering your most private area. “Other ways of pleasure.” He cocks an eyebrow at you, his hand gently rubbing over the soft skin of your inner thigh, not quite crossing the invisible threshold yet. “Dont tell me you have not discovered any of them?”

This time, he can watch as the blush spreads over your cheeks and down toward your throat. His gaze softens slightly. “You do not have to tell me, if you do not wish to.” Acacius sighs quietly, his eyes watchful, trying to gauge if he's gone too far. If he should retreat. “Does this feel good? We do not have to–” He can feel himself stumbling over his words. “I do not wish to force myself upon you. We do not have to do anything if you are not ready.”

“What if I'm never ready?” You whisper before you can stop yourself, resting your head against his shoulder and he tuts as he looks down at you.

“Then we will never do anything.”

“Go on.” It is a whispered plea. And Acacius gently obliges. He knows how to give commands that demand to be followed. But he also knows how to take them.

His fingers sneak under the delicate cloth that forms your underwear, his index finger finding the space between your legs already deliciously wet. He can feel himself getting hard at just this. The thought that merely sitting on his lap, kissing him, feeling his hands on your leg, is enough to arouse you to this point. He swipes his thick index fingers through your folds, making you clutch onto his shoulder and whimper in surprise. A low chuckle leaves his lips as he stills his hand again, not wanting to overstimulate you right away. He is keeping that trick up his sleeve for later.

“Your body does not know of your vows, dulcissima,” he rasps, his beard scratching against your skin as he places soft kisses against your neck. He feels you shiver and while he is sure some of it can be attributed to the excitement, he has a feeling the cold is also doing its part. He has a sudden urge to pick you up and carry you inside. If you truly want him to see you, to bare yourself before him–the first man to ever touch you like this–it cannot be on a cold stone bench.

“Let me take you inside.”

(art by art by Gökberk Kaya)

notes: okay, i know, i know, bad moment to stop. i promise the next chapter is in the works! ♡

[syndrossi]

There are already so many AU's that I figure no one will notice another one, so I might as well suggest the one is been thinking about. What if Arthur actually was reborn as Daemon's son? He can be a bastard, or an older son of Rhae/Elyse, whichever one you like the most. If he is a bastard, would Daemon even know about him? I'm assuming his mother would have been a prostitute Daemon was fond of, but would she have told him that they had a child together? Would she have told Arthur who his father is? If he's another son of Rhae/Elyse, would he have tried to get into contact with Daemon sooner? If he gets Summerhalled at the same time as Jon and Rhaegar, would it be harder for their relationship to develope, since Arthur and Rhaegar already know each other and Jon would be something of an outsider? There are honestly so many places this AU could go.

It depends on if the setup is meant to be fairly similar (Arthur shows up as a mystery knight to compete for the Princesguard).

If so, aka he's 16ish, what probably makes the most sense is a either a prostitute or a lord's daughter who got swept up in the romance of sleeping with a prince. Perhaps a woman from the Dornish marshes (like Cole) briefly just before he was forced to marry Rhea. That would work best with the timing (Daemon would have been 17 and he's 34 right now).

Since Daemon was in Runestone when the baby was born and now married, she likely knew the king would not look kindly on her bringing scandal on the marriage, so wouldn't have contacted Daemon. There's also the potential issue of not knowing for certain whose child it was (depending on if she was a prostitute or not)--perhaps his eyes were more blue/dark at birth and only settled into purple when he was a year or two old.

It somewhat amuses me to think that Arthur is actually mistaken for a bastard of House Dayne when a member stumbles across him and his mother a few years later. Say, perhaps, by the Lord of Starfall's younger brother who died of summer sickness. In that scenario, he is likely raised in Dornish fashion as a noble son of House Dayne via a paramour and could conceivably still be awarded Dawn and become the Sword of Morning.

I think this path works better than Elys and/or Rhea keeping another child secret from Daemon, which often feels a little too outlandish to me.

Then there are the fun questions of what to do, once everyone takes a look at the mystery "Dornish" knight and is like...anyone else notice that he looks a LOT like Daemon? With Jon's dark hair? Arthur must know his mother's name, which Daemon may or may not recognize. If he does, then shit, that's his son. *grabby hands* No, you are NOT joining the Princesguard, you are a PRINCE once Viserys legitimizes you.

(Meanwhile, Arthur has his first argument with Daemon because of COURSE he's joining the Princesguard, who better than a prince to guard other princes like his precious younger brothers? While Daemon is adamant that he should be allowed to marry and have children and he can still be a knight, and how is he supposed to claim a dragon if he's stuck on guard duty all the time. Which...is something that Arthur never considered because DRAGONS. HIM. WHAT.)

In fairness, Arthur has only known Rhaegar for a few months (I have him joining the Kingsguard roughly six months before Rhaegar gets summerhalled), so about the same length of time Jon and Rhaegar have known one another! So I don't think it hampers him bonding with Jon too much, especially given how starry-eyed Jon will be about the Sword of Morning being their BROTHER, how cool. (Rhaegar shaking his head because Jon saved the world and doesn't realize that HE'S the coolest.)

I get the sense that Arthur and Daemon would clash heads a lot, too. Arthur doesn't really have any childhood trauma in his original life, so it's not like he's seeking a father figure, and his pre-summerhall version here had a happy childhood in Starfall. Daemon is, as far as he's concerned, the sperm donor.

What ultimately wins him over some with regard to Daemon is probably how sweet he is with the twins, and how badly they want him to be their brother. But Arthur probably always consider Daemon more of an ally than his father-father, despite Daemon's best efforts.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 113 (Cozy Celebrations)

The events of this post occurred leading up to Winterfest (Generation 2 parts 99 to 102)

The Winterfest season began in Henford with a fresh coat of snow on the ground. White powder was rare in the rural river town, but like anywhere else, it was always welcome during the holiday season.

Hazel Moody-Nesbitt lived in a two-story cottage in the Bramblewood with her wife, Nicola. They also lived with Nicola's mother, Kim, and brother, Dominic, and Hazel had recently returned from a political conference in San Myshuno with holiday traditions on her mind.

The high school sweethearts had been married close to three years, but they were already growing apart. Still, they both hoped they could find the spark still lit amid the magic of the festive season.

"The first Winterfest without your father won't be easy, but we should try to make it a happy holiday," said Kim. "For Eddie's sake."

"We don't need to be sad, Mom. Dad's still with us, especially at this time of year." Nicola and her family wanted a quiet Winterfest at home, wrapping themselves in comfort and tradition as they soldiered on without her father. Outgoing Hazel wanted to support her wife, but she was hoping for something more this holiday season.

"Staying in watching Winterfest movies sounds like a really nice time, but maybe we could spice things up a little, and add some traditions from other cultures for the fun of it. Like cooking different kinds of food! Maybe we can't travel anywhere, but we could do the next best thing exploring different cultures."

Nicola hadn't travelled much. She'd heard Hazel's tales of camping in Granite Falls with her family, but she thought it sounded uncomfortable and full of bugs. She was a homebody, but expanding their holiday celebrations to embrace other cultures was a good idea. It's exactly the sort of thing Nicola would want to teach her students.

They got the season started by hanging a festive wreath over the bay window in the living room, and Nicola made japchae at Hazel's suggestion. "Apparently, it's a noodle dish they serve in places like Mount Komorebi for the holidays."

Nicola was comfortable with things like roast turkey, gingerbread, even egg nog - the comforts she'd grown up with in Henford, but the more gregarious Hazel wanted to try new things. Taking it upon herself to learn new recipes as well, Hazel taught herself to make brigadeiro, a Selvadoradian holiday confection made with chocolate and condensed milk.

The girls decorated, donned festive sweaters, and brushed over their relationship issues with tinsel and fairy lights. They both wanted to discuss their relationship fears, but they avoided it at every turn. They could never find time for couples counseling, even though they brought it up whenever they would argue about one thing or another.

Living with Nicola's mother and brother often left Hazel feeling like the odd man out. She'd come downstairs after working on the computer, listening to her wife chat happily with her family. But when Hazel would enter the room, they'd grow quiet, as though their conversations weren't meant to include her. As if she wasn't family.

Late at night, while Nicola graded papers and listened to familiar winter holiday music on the stereo, Hazel would head to the Gnome's Arms. She was a social creature and always had been; Nicola was more outgoing when they were younger, but after she lost her father, she didn't enjoy the nightlife anymore.

Hazel tried to understand, but it's not like Henford even had particularly wild nightlife to begin with. At the Gnome's Arms alone she would socialize, getting to know the locals in support of her work for Mayor Varner.

She'd even stay late enough - and often enough - that the pub owner, Laura Jameson, let her practice mixology for fun when the tables started clearing. She even learned to make a coquito - best described as coconut-flavoured egg nog mixed with rum from Isla Paradiso.

She visited her childhood home in Finchwick one afternoon after work, excited to discuss their plans for the holiday season. She found her father, Neal, standing in the laneway with River's wife, Cassandra.

"I'm looking forward to Nicola and I blending family traditions this year. We'll be over for Winterfest dinner, but she wants to spend a lot of time with her family remembering Eddie, so I don't know how many other family traditions we'll be able to join." She couldn't hide the regret in her voice.

Neal smiled. "We'll miss you for whatever traditions you and Nicola won't make it to, but we'll be thrilled to see you both, as always."

By the time Hazel made it home that night after a visit with her family, Nicola had finished grading papers and fallen asleep. Hazel climbed into bed and leaned over for a cuddle, but Nicola was sound asleep and grunted as she turned the other way.

Laying in bed, Hazel tossed and turned, resorting to counting falling snowflakes out the window to quiet her mind enough to sleep. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary

Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary

NOTE: Japchae is Korean (Mount Komorebi), brigadeiro is Brazilian (Selvadorada) and coquitos are Puerto Rican (Isla Paradiso). The game says the real places in the descriptions, but I'm trying to be cute and keep country/world names in-universe, even though it's impossible to perfectly match every Sims world with a real-world location.

[an-idyllic-novelist]

Ken "Okarun" Takakura’s first date with fem!reader headcanons

warnings: established relationship, tooth-rooting fluff, fem!reader, references to Christmas.

divider by @cafekitsune

Okarun never would have the guts to confess his feelings for you without help from Miss Ayase. He knew he shouldn’t have waited, but he was scared, okay? Even guys get worried if the person they like doesn’t feel the same towards them as he felt towards you!

Now? Well, today was special for two reasons: it was Christmas, and your very first outing as a couple. A date. Initially, he had wanted to push it back a little because he knew the restaurants, cafes, and the amusement park were going to be packed with other couples who wanted to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with their special someone.

But Miss Ayase wouldn’t hear it. Going on your first date is supposed to be this super amazing memory to look back on, and there is absolutely no better time to have fun and do activities together than on Christmas! So here he is, standing in front of the department store that served as your meeting spot and almost wiggling with anxiety as he counted down the minutes on his wristwatch. He really needed to work extra hours to get a new phone so he can call and text you instead of just waiting to see you on the way to and from school to talk about paranormal stuff.

Actually, he had enough to get a phone at one point. But if he spent all of his money on that, then he wouldn’t be able to surprise you with the gift he had hidden in his backpack. Your happiness means the world to him, and he’ll be damned if he didn’t get you at least something to commemorate your first date!

Okarun will be a gentleman throughout the whole day, opening doors for you and draping his jacket over your shoulders if he notices you are cold. But then again, when isn’t he a sweetie towards you?

He has every intention of paying for your snacks or a meal if you decide to have an early dinner together, so please do not argue with him.

A present from you, regardless of size, will make this cinnamon roll incredibly happy. To him, the gift signifies the time and thought you placed into finding something for him. If he wasn’t already grateful to have you in his life, he is now.

If it got too late by the time that the date was sadly ending, Okarun will insist that he walk you home. Do you have a curfew? Say no more, Turbo!Ken already has his shoes and socks off, ready to blitz through the streets with you in his arms if it meant you didn’t get in trouble and there would be a second date in the foreseeable future.

Taglist: @sleep-all-day-everyday @miaurieee @bdudette @shidousprincess @silentbreathss @cumbersome-robes @karai-frost @osarumi @minnie-1-3 @h0undd0gzw0rld @silverklaus @satorousgf @skelletonscloset @napbatata @silentbreathss @hysterucall @taesy-miranda-lee @zero-in-kyoto @myduality @decay-1 @kazudare @nunezs-stuff @ladydoe8 @skwunkler @bumblebeebutter @bigbodycity @daniiixoxo @mira-belcul18

[yourivyygrow]

COUNTING SUMMERS | jj maybank

in which your life is pretty boring and miserable, but gets a whole lot more interesting when you pick up a compass in an antique shop that drags you into the outer banks. but not the ones in your world.

or... you warp into your new tv show obsession and chaos ensues.

an isekai obx serie rewrite, 'cause we all need some self-indulgent extravaganza!

. . . INFOS

everyone is aged up to 18 cause it feels icky to write otherwise, plus i never really considered 'em teenagers in s1? they all look 25

english is not my first language so i apologize for typos

apart from a backstory in order for the whole thing to make sense y/n is a blank canvas!

reality-traveling in this show has been a 100% inspired by outlander, if there's some similarities that's why

this fic is written for fun and is meant to be read for fun, it's really self-indulgent and meant to be a little silly and out-here!

if you want to be put on the taglist, send an ask with your user or comment here!

THE PULL OF THE TIDE, book one

szn one ﾉ where the current takes us

. . . falling asleep on a beach wasn't exactly unheard of. waking up on said beach but in a whole other place, though, was more uncommon. especially because kildare island was not supposed to be real, and the sarah cameron standing in front of you even less.

being swept in your favorite tv show wasn't on your to-do list and you have to find a way to go back before you mess the storyline up. but things becomes significantly harder when people start to feel like destiny in the shape of strangers.

in which a compass rewrites reality, a girl discovers the weight of belonging, and the outer banks may hold more than just treasure. 

MAIN MASTERLIST ─ 00. siren song, 01. deny, deny, deny, 02. sweet agatha, 03. mystery girl, 04. shoot your shot, 05. what goes around, comes around, 06. homesickeness MORE TO COME!

EXTRA CONTENT ─ none yet.

[rakumel]

First of all, I would love some asks, any asks, even the freaky ones. How dare you. Just send them over here and I'll roast, befriend, or ignore as necessary.

Second of all, uh-oh. You asked for it. I don't just have one favorite game, y'see. Having said that, I actually haven't played a wide range of them, for cost reasons, time reasons, and brain reasons - I tend to latch onto a game and play the shit out of it before moving on.

I guess you could say any game that I like enough to actually buy or download is my favorite game. I don't really waste time with games I don't click with. Occasionally it's pretty obvious why I like a game (I bought Xenoverse 1 and 2 because watching DBZ Abridged relit a nostalgia pilot light in me that hadn't been touched in literal decades and boy howdy, did it ever fuckin' BURN after that). But most of the time, why I like a game is just as much a mystery to me as it is to you. Although I have noticed that a lot of my favorites have female leads, or give you the option to make one.

I already did a series of posts on the Pocky and Rocky SNES games, but in short I like them because they were unique (at the time and place where I lived, anyway) - charming graphics, lovely music, and yes - a protagonist who was a girl. A shrine maiden, to be exact. No love interest, just fun adventures with a bunch of monsters. And that meant a lot to a young girl who didn't have a whole lot of video game lady heroines to choose from.

Never in a million years dreamed they'd remake the first one, but they did, and it made me so happy!

Threads of Fate/Dewprism on the PS1 is another favorite. Outstanding soundtrack; I can still listen to Rasdan on a loop without getting sick of it. The game itself has the same low-polygon look as most PS1 games do, but please look up the artwork because it's awesome - or at least, I love the style.

I love the main characters: Rue (dude on the left) is a bit of a sap but not too much, and while I do like his story arc, it does get kind of overshadowed by Mint's. Mint is just badass. She's an absolute brat who - with a straight face - says she's going to take over the world, and at no point does she apologize or feel silly about it, and it's GREAT. Plus she can shoot magic and kick the shit out of people, so she can actually kind of back up her tough talk.

The supporting characters are fun, too. There just isn't enough love in the world for Belle and Duke ("Milady's only 30...if you round down!"), or Rod and his Pinto.

Shadow of the Colossus. I was so, so, so, SO thrilled when I first heard it was getting a remake because it abso-fucking-lutely deserved one. There was nothing like it then, I think there's still nothing like it even now. In a time when almost every game wants to add on, add on, here's more characters to unlock, here's more DLC to pay for, and so on - Shadow of the Colossus is an excellent example of just how much a bare-bones game can still do. There's not much told in the way of story, but in this case they don't really need to. There's a lot of showing and atmosphere over explaining; I like that the game assumes we're smart enough and/or creative enough to fill in the details ourselves.

Much of the game is silent and calm aside from ambient sounds and occasionally calling your horse. But when you enter a battle, then the music and the action ramp up, and suddenly you're trying to find the glowing weak spot on a massive behemoth before it smashes you to death. (And don't think Wander will get up super fast if he narrowly avoids getting smashed to death, either. He'll clumsily stand up, which is a nice realistic touch but kind of rage-inducing if you're trying to keep him from getting hit again.)

The contrast works: the calm makes you appreciate the battles, and the battles can often be so nerve-wracking you appreciate a break.

The world isn't super huge, but it's enough for me. All ruined and abandoned and desolate and slightly melancholy, yet calm and beautiful (especially with the remake).

Skyrim. Ah yes, let's be vanilla as hell, shall we Raku? Let's like that one game that everyone else and their brother and their cousin and their dog likes. This one probably does deserve its own post, though, because there's a lot to unpack. Are there problems surrounding it and Bethesda? Oh hell yes. Was it also a game that provided comfort and humor during a time when I desperately needed it? As well as fertile ground for characters I made and still love? Also yes. Sorrrr-y.

I'll be honest; I have no idea why Dark Cloud 2 is one of my favorites. I don't even remember how I heard of it or why I bought it. There's legit criticism to be had - a few of the voiced lines were clearly mismatched, the weapon upgrading system is fun at first but turns into an utter slog by the endgame, and in general the game tried to do way too much and got in over its head.

But Max and Monica here have good chemistry, the music's pretty good, you get to build your own towns and move people in them, the art style has its charm, and for a time travel plot it's not terrible. Overall the game mostly works, is pretty fun, and the story has its moments.

Okami!! The style, the music, the everything. Just...everything.

Heard there's a sequel in the works, but nothing else about it. But something I want to keep an eye on.

Ys 8. Dana, my beloved. Actually everything here is solid - some time in the future I should scrap the review I did and do another now that tumblr allows better quality pictures. (Plus my tone was...kind of weird in it, honestly. All over the place.)

I love her and the supporting characters - Sahad is best fisherman Dad ever, Ricotta's adorable without being annoying. I thought at first I'd hate Laxia, but she redeems herself pretty quickly, and Hummel's...well, okay, he's basically fine. Even the minor characters are interesting and endearing to me. Lady blacksmith! Gladiator grandma! And of course, as always, best buddy Dogi.

The twists and turns in the story, the graphics are gorgeous, the controls are smooth and feel great, Ys games almost always have excellent music and this one's no exception. Honestly I can't think of anything I dislike about it off the top of my-

Oh right, the fucking wasps in that one dungeon. Those sucked. But everything else? Amazing. 9.99/10.

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

Picking a favorite Pokemon game is like asking me to pick a favorite child. Nope, I refuse.

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

I'm going to force myself to stop here. Otherwise I'm pretty sure I'd hit the word limit halfway through talking about Death Road to Canada. (I'm assuming there IS a word limit.)

(Death Road to Canada is also very fun, by the way. As long as you're okay with dying a lot in the process.)

no more freaky asks..........tell me about your favorite video game in detail.............

[blackkatdraws2]

I have a lot of leftover drawings in my gallery. [Blank Scripts AU]

[Content Warning: Images below contain Gore, Death, and Disturbing/Uncomfortable Imagery]

I find it a bit cute knowing they start out as crazy and then slowly settle into something calmer and relatively healthier after learning to adapt to each other's lust-turned-love. [Stanley did it first but hey :3]

[sonknuxadow]

sorry i dont really like the shadow is silvers dad theory/headcanon/whatever and part of the reason for it is that people keep presenting it as an actual thing that could be possible even though it makes no sense and all "evidence" people use to back it up is easily disputed

[lunarharp]

wip thing...

of my bg3 avatar hellebore. i also did some casual nude studies of my 3 characters which i'll put under a cut... rather unlike me after all. (so WARNING for abrupt non-sexual full Artistic nudity lol...,,,,) (< won't be making a habit of this)

they mean the world to me

[lilithofpenandbook]

Serious question, what makes you think that just because Lily got with him that there was any good in him at all? Why is Lily supposed to be this good judge of character? She's no goddess of virtue- some could argue she was actually a bad friend to Snape, considering that not only did she nearly laugh when Snape was being assaulted, she stormed off when he lashed out at her despite him clearly being the vulnerable one in that situation. He was physically at the mercy of two other boys, and potentially in physical danger yet not only does she storm off, she joins them in mocking him? She's not the embodiment of goodness, she's on the exact same level as Snape!

As for it being a "teenage boy thing", Harry himself called out that BS. He said it himself, he was also fifteen, and he sympathised with Snape in that situation. The Marauders were not the norm, they were the outliers for being exceptionally awful with no good reason. James had nothing to "grow out of", if he ever did (and it's strongly implied that he very much kept up his bullying, he only learned how to hide it better), because all the horrible stuff he did were actions and "maturing" was literally an inaction and he still damaged another person so badly that just his face on someone else was able to trigger that person so badly. Snape doesn't react to Harry the way he does for fun, he reacts that way because James seriously damaged him.

And James is also the worst person out of all the Marauders. Remus you can argue was afraid of losing his friends (or worse, becoming their enemy- he saw what they did to Snape). Sirius can have some tiny grace because he did come from a bad home (and even then, the abuse he faced at home was mild at best- his parents and he clashed because he rebelled against them first, and he ran away first). Peter could be understood because he probably felt vulnerable and chose to protect himself by cheering on the bullies. But James? He has absolutely no excuse to be who he was.

He was an only child. He was "well loved and even adored". He was ludicrously rich. He was good at Quidditch. He literally had every single thing, yet he still chose to be an asshole. There was no abusive home you can blame for his behaviour, not any insecurities or weaknesses. He was the most privileged of the lot, yet still he chose to be an asshole. And that's disgusting enough, but his target being Severus Snape, the half-blood from a small Northern town who was so poor it showed on his appearance and not traditionally masculine to boot, was disgusting. Why not Mulciber or Avery, who actually did hurt people and were proud of their beliefs? Why not Regulus, who was a Voldemort supporting fanatic? Why the poor halfbood from an abusive home? Because James was just as bigoted and prejudiced as every other pureblood and merely disguised it.

Him telling Lily he'd never call her a mudblood means absolutely nothing in that moment, when he caused the very thing to take place by bullying another mudblood. And yes, Severus is a mudblood, perhaps even more so than Lily. He's basically a muggleborn, having grown up in a muggle town with a muggle (not even muggleborn or a squib) father, and a mother who could easily have been muggleborn herself, and worse: he's poor, something pure-bloods look down on other pure bloods for being. If James truly was an advocate for muggleborns, as he tried to claim, he would have been Severus' first defender, not his abuser.

Additionally, who was the first person to begin bullying Snape? James. Who gave him the nickname "Snivellus", an attack on his masculinity? James. Who attacked him in the worst memories flashback? James.

And no, James saving Snape from Remus meant absolutely nothing. He's part of why the prank happened. He cared nothing for Snape's life and was just less mad than Sirius and could realise the consequences for himself and Sirius would be horrible if Remus actually hurt Severus.

And no, Lily marrying him also means nothing on his maturity. She was a very ordinary girl, not some saint, and it's no surprise she'd marry him- he was a rich pure-blood and she was a muggleborn from a lower class (but not as low as Snape) and they were heading to a war where muggleborns' place in the wizarding world were being threatened. It would only make sense to marry the rich pure-blood boy, it guaranteed her financial and social protection. She is not a sign that he supposedly matured.

If anything, looking at Sirius's behaviour, we can guess that if James lived, he would not have matured at all. Sirius was a secondary school bully, and still tries to behave like one. James, his double act, would have been no better.

I'm not denying James loved Harry or Lily, or that he loved Sirius either (although his relationship with Peter and Remus seems questionable). But being capable of love does not mean he was not a completely awful person. Look at Lucius, who also loved his wife and child dearly, yet was also a pretty awful person. And out of all the Marauders, James was the worst one. He did the most harm, and had absolutely no reason to do any of it.

The Marauders are fascinating to me in canon BECAUSE of how awful they are. I enjoy hating them! I enjoy Sirius being an awful cruel hypocrite who's completely unaware of it because it's entertaining. I enjoy James being a piece of trash because it's entertaining to hate him. I find Remus fascinating because he's no better than the others despite his sad helpless act. I think Peter's utterly ridiculous and it's hilarious. I enjoy them as villains. I do not condone what they've done to anyone at all, in fact I despise it all, I just enjoy hating them. They're the worst people ever and that's entertaining because it's also fiction.

[bearenjoyers]

sorry im just thinking about bcs but like. why not add a few smaller scenes of gus interacting with his own men? why does it seem like, in comparison, mike is almost immediately elevated to a higher status than those two in bcs purely because we actually get to see him having normal conversations with gus? like i understand they might not keep the plot moving as well because of the fact obviously if victor is currently doing something it’s because gus told him to etc. but for the most part all of the smaller interactions gus does have with those two ends up being in a somewhat high stress situation where it feels very tense between everyone. and it’s just like damn! is it always like that?? why do those two even care that much about their jobs if their boss is a bit of a dick? etc. i think even an additional scene or two with those guys (either alone or the both of them) talking with gus in a more normal situation could’ve both added a bit more depth into how gus treats his employees (we got a lot with how he treats lyle and co., but not a whole lot with the illegal side of things), how comfortable vic and tyrus feel around him in a calmer setting, and exactly why they both feel the need to be as loyal as they are to the guy.

and also on the other side of this i don't think it'd hurt to maybe elaborate on their pay just a bit..? i'm not saying to randomly put a number out into the atmosphere but i just mean some smaller things like. do they buy nicer things for themselves? what's their housing situation? what's their car situation? are the escalade / yukon their own vehicles or does gus just use those two for business situations? do they use them when they're doing their own stuff off the clock or do they have their own cars? etc. that can also help with understanding their motivations a bit. don't get me wrong i don't think they should be visibly rich or something because that's not what gus would want but just smaller things! cause it's easy to write their loyalty off as Well they probably get paid super well, which i'm sure is true, but if they don't show a single hint of that then what's the point. even something as simple as giving tyrus a nice watch, or maybe victor having a nicer looking gun, etc. something small like that. because as it stands right now the average 41 year old viewer who watched the show once only knows and will only ever know victor and tyrus as those two guys in the background who do random stuff for gus with no clear motivation. just the personification of "On it boss (salute emoji)". and to be honest this is true for a whole lot of fans who do watch the show multiple times and enjoy thinking about it more in depth, because on screen we barely have anything about the two.

and to be clear i'm not trying to say we should have an episode just for them or something like no i understand they're side characters. i understand we don't need all that. and i understand this is also primarily Jimmy's show. but it's not like these two are on the same level as like, arlo or paige and kevin etc. these guys have been around since brba. victor was literally introduced in the same episode gus was. and they are a huge part of gus's story, especially in brba. s4 wouldn't have been what it was without victor and tyrus. and in bcs, ignacio's situation wouldn't have been the same if it weren't for victor and tyrus as well. and i just personally believe that if their goal with gus in bcs was to go back and elaborate on how everything came to be and show what he was like a few years younger, they could've dragged victor and tyrus into that. and i think his character would've benefited from taking that extra step with those two.